NEW LOGO
Friday, August 19 – Thursday, August 25, 2011
20 Baht
INSIDE
Small Phuket port ‘a drug entry point’ Drug dealers are becoming increasingly creative about the way they bring drugs into Phuket, the Governor’s Office has reported, including using a local pier on the east coast as an entry point for drugs. In an analysis presented to a meeting today (August 17) at the Provincial Hall arrest figures showed that the amount of drugs being brought in through the airport has been steadily increasing. The road access through Tah Chat Chai, too, has seen a steady increase. However, with authorities aware of these entry points and scoring some notable successes, drugs are being brought in through other entry points. One of these, the report said, was Bang Rong Pier in Pa Khlok, in Thalang District. This is the main pier for boats going out to Koh Yao Noi and other islands in the centre of Phang Nga Bay, but is also accessible from other points around the bay, in Phang Nga and Krabi provinces. The report did not mention how officials came to the conclusion that Bang Rong Pier was an access point for drugs. However, in July there were 20 arrests for drugrelated offences in Thalang District. On July 10 the superintendent of Thalang Police Station, Pol Col Witroon Kongsudjai, said it was becoming clear Baan Liporn and Pa Khlok had become hotspots for drug dealing. The report also highlighted the role of inmates in Phuket Prison, some of whom were controlling drug networks through cellphones, despite the best efforts of the prison staff.
www.thephuketnews.com
100 72 0 32
0 100 100 0
0 35 100 0
OLD LOGO Delightful resident will be missed
P5
100 100 40 50
0 100 100 0
0 35 100 0
From left, Autumn Breeze, Sharon Biddell, Joshua Biddell, Jantima Deesombat, Waroon Deesombat and Sompop Deesombat are joining forces in the aim of building a skate park for Phuket.
Skate dream a step closer E
leven-year-old skater Waroon Deesombat’s dream of a skate park in Phuket may come true after a non-profit group put their hand up to support the idea, and is now looking for sponsors to help fund the project. Last month 11-year-old Phuket student and passionate skater Waroon Deesombat was featured in The Phuket News appealling for a skate park to entertain youth and keep them out of trouble. His pleas to several local authorities fell on deaf ears, but his story prompted Sharon Biddell from the Self Help
and Empowerment charity (SHE) to want to help. SHE is a non profit group which helps women and children at risk in Phuket and Thailand, including many involved in the sex trade. “When we read Waroon’s story, my 20-year-old son said he also believed Phuket was in desperate need of a skate park,” Mrs Biddell said. Her husband and organisation co-founder Mark agreed, and said the project would be great to ensure children had people around who cared for them, and for parents to know where their children were. It
The proposed skate park plan.
Somalia famine crisis
P9
More premier league action
P42 may also help prevent children turning to drugs. “Phuket is a beautiful tourist attraction that is being developed quickly and is internationally known as a place of beauty and relaxation. The increase in industry and wealth coming in to the area brings with it an increase in crime, drugs, and illegal activity,’’ he said. The couple said they were now exploring options of a
AND...
site for the proposed skate park (somewhere in the wider Phuket Town area) with the help of Waroon’s family. All the group needed now was a cash injection from keen sponsors – around B600,000 to be exact. Continued page 2
Hot topic P12-13 Exposed P13 Business P16-17 Property P18-19 Weird World P20 Fashion P24 EAT Phuket P28-29 Events P30-31 Jobs P33 Classifieds P34-38 Sport P39-44
www.thephuketnews.com
2
ISLAND NEWS
CONTACT US 0/35/100/0
100/100/40/50
If you have any news, upcoming events, or want to share your views, then call or email us. 0/100/100/0
EDITOR
Kodchanat Thinsepon MANAGING EDITOR
Sarah Jarvis 08 6690 2720 email: managingeditor@ thephuketnews.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Alasdair Forbes 08 7884 9964 email: execeditor@ thephuketnews.com
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
Victim’s family waiting
Extradition decision by end of August
US Marine Dashawn Longfellow was brutally stabbed to death in Phuket just over a year ago. Now it appears that his family’s long wait for justice may be nearing a conclusion. A warrant was issued for Lee Aldhouse, a long-time Phuket resident with a reputation for violence, in the immediate aftermath of the murder, a year ago, which sent shockwaves through the community in Rawai. Both men had initially come to the island to train in the sport of Muay Thai. After a drunken altercation in the Freedom Bar, Aldhouse allegedly followed Mr Longfellow home and stabbed him to death in front of his girlfriend. The police put together a case against Aldhouse which included CCTV footage of someone closely resembling him storming into a 7-Eleven and stealing two knives from
the shocked staff. However, he was able to flee the country before Thai police could get to him, flying out to the UK where he was arrested at Heathrow Airport when records showed that he was wanted on an outstanding, unrelated warrant. After serving the remainder of his outstanding UK sentence, Aldhouse was re-arrested for the murder of Mr Longfellow, a US Marine who served with distinction in Iraq and Afghanistan and was taking time out in Phuket to recover from a shrapnel wound sustained while on active duty. Prosecutors in Thailand compiled a case for extradition that was sufficiently compelling to convince the court in the UK that there were no grounds to oppose it. Since then, it has been a nervous wait for friends and family of Mr Longfellow to see whether the
Lee Aldhouse, alleged killer of Dashawn Longfellow. Theresa May, Britain’s Home Secretary (interior minister) would confirm the decision. Aldhouse has been fighting the extradition but a UK court initially found that there were no statutory grounds to bar the extradition. The final decision was then passed on to Mrs May at the
end of June. No official word could be obtained on the case, but a British official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that, as of Wednesday (August 17), Mrs May has yet to make a decision. The source confirmed that extradition decisions are usually made by the Home
New Tesco takes shape
REPORTER
Sukunya ‘Beau’ Phoonpong 08 1535 8080 email: reporter2@ thephuketnews.com
REPORTER
Paritta ‘Mai’ Wangkiat 08 3240 5837 email: reporter3@ thephuketnews.com SPORTS EDITOR
Dan Ogunshakin SUB EDITORS
Norachai Thavisin Dane Halpin Claire Connell GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Somchai ‘Kim’ Kokittirat Nisakorn ‘Sine’ Kittiprapanant
ADVERTISING 076 612 550-2 EXT 600 Fax: 076 612 553 info@thephuketnews.com www.thephuketnews.com 99/7 Moo 1 (Billion Plaza), T. Kathu, A. Kathu, Phuket 83120
www.thephuketnews.com
Secretary within two months of the papers arriving on her desk, so a decision is probable by the end of August. British law states that if the Home Secretary decides to order his deportation to Thailand, Aldhouse has 14 days to lodge an appeal with the High Court. To succeed in the appeal, he would have to present new evidence not heard at the original extradition hearing, or argue that the judge in the original hearing made a wrong decision on a point in the case. The US government has let it be known that it wants to see Aldhouse extradited and put on trial for the murder in Thailand. The family’s wait may be almost over, and it appears increasingly likely that the former night club bouncer will stand trial in Thailand for the murder of Mr Longfellow.
The construction of the new Tesco Lotus superstore in Thalang district is making rapid progress. The new development, the groundwork for which began in March, is on a 44-rai plot on Thepkrassattri Rd at the corner of the entry road to Thalang Hospital. The new store will have 1,000 sqm for grocery aisles, 20,252 sqm for restaurants, a bakery, cold storage and office spaces. There will be a 49,478-sqm car park to hold 727 cars. The new store will employ around Workers are making rapid progress on the new Tesco Lotus in Thalang district. The construction site was completely cleared for construction in March. 200 staff.
Massive ice bust at Phuket airport A Thai woman was caught on Saturday attempting to smuggle 3.2 kilograms of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) through Phuket International Airport. The drugs, worth an estimated B10.5 million, were found hidden in the lining of luggage belonging to Ratchanee Chittanaporn, a 40-year-old woman from Khon Kaen province in the country’s northeast. Customs officers first noticed Ms Ratchanee acting nervously while her bag passed through an x-ray scanner at Phuket airport. The scan then revealed a suspicious item inside her bag, before officers conducted a full search and uncovered the drugs. Ms Ratchanee has so far denied the drugs were hers, claiming the bag was given to her by
a foreign male friend who she met about six months ago. She did not tell officers where the man was from. She claimed the friend bought her a round-trip ticket from Thailand to Doha with Qatar Airways, with the return leg stopping through Kuala Lumpur and Phuket. Before she left KL, the friend asked her to bring a bag containing his clothes back to Thailand, Ms Ratchanee said. He then packed her small bag inside his bigger luggage. After her arrest, Ms Ratchanee was transferred to Tah Chat Chai Police station, where officers have already expressed doubt over her account of events. They suspect she has acted as a drug mule several times previously.
Investment in Phuket’s future Continued from Page 1 “SHE has a plan and a vision to reach out and help the community create this haven for skaters. “We are looking for partners who share this vision and desire with us to give the youth a place of safety and, in the long run, an alternative to taking to the streets to make friends and skate. “We would be able to staff the skate park with volunteers that care about the community and the well-being of the skaters. “The skate park would be open in the evenings and give the youth a place to come after school activities have finished for the day,” Mrs Biddell said. Mrs Biddell said allowing the island’s youth to step up and have their voices heard would give them a sense of purpose. “Consider this an investment into the future of our community, of our youth, and of Thailand,” she said.
“If we believe our future is in the generation that we are raising we need to stand up and invest in them by acknowledging their ideas and dreams. “Waroon will soon be the new generation of leaders in Thailand. He is standing up and is making a suggestion by requesting that a skate park be constructed in the area. He sees the poor decisions that people are making in society and he has a desire to create a safe environment where they are able to work towards a skill. “If we can create a community for the youth and keep them busy then they will not turn to drugs, alcohol or the streets. A skate park would create a community for the youth, somewhere to make friends that are like-minded and dedicated to the sport.’’ Anyone who is interested in supporting the project is encouraged to contact SHE on 087 265 3280 or email info@shethailand.org.
ISLAND NEWS
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
Phuket police chief tries to defuse tuk-tuk row
The island’s police chief, Maj Gen Pekad Tantipong, met tuk-tuk drivers on Monday to try to end animosity between the drivers and Kathu police that led to a blockade of Rat U Thit 200 Pi Rd on August 1. The blockade came after one of a group of three tourists, walking past the group’s vehicles, bumped one of them. The driver demanded cash compensation for damage to his tuk-tuk. The tourists refused and a brawl ensued between them and about 10 drivers. A lone policeman on duty tried to intervene and, when he was advanced upon by some of the drivers, drew his pistol. It is still not clear whether he fired a shot. Thoroughly disgusted by this unseemly police behaviour, the drivers then blocked the road until convinced to clear it by a senior police officer. “We know that we didn’t start the fight,” Are Savangpon said, a leader of the tuk-tuk drivers stationed on Soi Bangla. “And we would not have blocked the road if
the policeman had not drawn his gun.” According to Mr Are and other drivers, the police officer pointed his gun at the chest of one of the tuk-tuk drivers, but Gen Pekad said that his understanding was that the officer drew his gun without intending to point it at any particular person. Mr Are also said that tuktuk drivers were fed up of being blamed for everything, especially by foreign diplomatic representatives. “We don’t feel comfortable with foreign embassy people in Thailand,” Mr Are said. “When anything happens, the Tuk-tuk drivers are always wrong. Why don’t they investigate their own people, who might be in the wrong?” But Gen Pekad told the drivers sternly, “Violence and blockades are not the solution to disagreements. They do terrible damage to Phuket’s image.” The tuk-tuk drivers asked repeatedly why a police officer had to draw his gun in front of civilians. Gen Pekad said this
3
IN BRIEF One injured after truck slides A person was seriously injured and two houses and one restaurant were damaged when a truck loaded with gypsum boards slid backwards down a hill on Monday (August 15). The truck, headed to the Green Places Condominium on the hill behind Surakul Stadium in Phuket City, struggled with its heavy load then slid backwards down from the hill and crashed through the houses. Police later arrested the driver who had earlier fled the scene.
Black spots set for upgrade
Tuk-tuk drivers listen to Gen Pekad. depended on the individual officer’s judgement as to how to defuse a situation. However, he admitted that in this case the officer may have misjudged the situation, and for this he apologised. “This incident was a lesson to the police as well, as
the police have to know how to handle a situation quickly and fairly,” he said. He said he believes 98 per cent of Phuket’s tuk-tuk drivers are good people but that everyone gets smeared by the bad behaviour of a few. The general requested
the four tuk-tuk drivers who blockaded the road surrender themselves at Kathu Police Station soon. He added that if the drivers wanted to take the issue of the policeman’s gun further, they should report the incident officially and request an investigation.
The Phuket Integrated Road Accident Prevention Committee has been granted a B94 million budget to improve road conditions at 50 known accident black spots to reduce the island’s road toll. Supported by local administrators and the central government, B8.9 million will be spent this year to improve 12 high risk accident spots, while another 38 spots will be improved next year with the remaining budget.
Two Chinese jokers participate in a traditional Chinese lion dance.
Feeding the Hungry Ghost The first day of the Por Tor Chinese festival, also known as the Hungry Ghost festival, kicked off on Tuesday this week in Phuket Town. Por Tor, one of the biggest festivals on the island, is held every year during the seventh lunar month in the Chinese calendar. During this time, it is thought spirits are released
to wander or revisit people’s homes. People then make offerings to their ancestors by way of food and nicely decorated fruits. Several celebrations took place in Phuket Town where local residents brought food, and red turtle-shaped cakes (symbolising longevity) to offer to the Por Tor Kong, a god of the spirit world, who
will then pass the offerings on to the spirits. Several streets in Phuket Town will be closed during the festival while vendors set up stands and display offerings. One celebration was held at Ranong Road on Tuesday and Wednesday, and another will be held on Phuket Road at the Seng Tek Baew Shrine until next Sunday (August 28). www.thephuketnews.com
4
ISLAND NEWS 0/35/100/0
The Phuket News offers flexible advertising options both online and in hard copy. We custom-tailor packages to suit your business 100/100/40/50 0/100/100/0
GENERAL MANAGER
Jason Beavan Mob: 086 479 7471 gm@thephuketnews.com
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
Mass massage to prepare for world record attempt It will be all hands – 584 pairs to be exact – on deck at Kata Beach today (August 19) as a prelude to a world record attempt for the most people being massaged at the same time gets underway. The 584 masseu rs in Phuket will get together in the name of fun to prepare for the official world record attempt attempt being staged later this year near Bangkok, when around 840 pairs of hands will get involved. The ‘World Record for Thai Massage’ is being organised by the Health Ministry, Export Department and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Organisers said the record attempt has been organised to celebrate His Majesty the
King’s 84th birthday, and promote Thailand as a centre of health. Today’s mass massage will be the first time such an activity has been held in Phuket, with masseurs coming from many of the island’s hotels and spas. Similar activities have already been held in Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani and Surat Thani. The actual world record attempt will be at Impact Muang Thong Thani Arena in Nonthaburi province on November 17. The current world record for the number of people being massaged at the same time is 263 people, which was set in Australia in March last year.
Phuket masseurs will gather in Kata in preparation for the upcoming World Record for Thai Massage attempt, which will be held in November.
A fun day out for ukulele players Thirty ukulele lovers gathered at Koh Yao Yai Village beach, in Phang Nga province last Saturday to participate in a day of fun and games. F M 108 Ma z z R a d io station manager Suntor n Yangyuen, who organised the event, said it was the first of its kind and was a success. “There are many people showing an interest in this musical instrument, as it can be played by all ages, is very portable, and also very affordable.’’ The par ticipants were taught by ukulele instructor Thananan Aumjaiboon.
PR & MARKETING MANAGER
Jittiya (Tiya) Rakdej Mob: 088 766 1615 pr@thephuketnews.com
SALES SUPPORT
Siriporn (Nok) Seangmas 086 479 7470 sales@thephuketnews.com
Left and below: Ukulele lessons on the beach at Koh Yao Yai Village. Thirty people joined in a fun day of activities last Saturday.
SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Wililux (Mintra) Somkuer 088 765 5883 salesnorth@thephuketnews.com
Phuket Detailed Weather Forecast
www.foreca.com
FRI AUGUST 19
SAT AUGUST 20
SUN AUGUST 21
MON AUGUST 22
TUE AUGUST 23
WED AUGUST 24
THU AUGUST 25
High: +31° Low: +26°
High: +31° Low: +26°
High: +31° Low: +25°
High: +31° Low: +26°
High: +27° Low: +26°
High: +27° Low: +26°
High: +27° Low: +26°
CLASSIFIED MANAGER
Jarunee Phetchmanee 088 754 1372
classified@thephuketnews.com
www.thephuketnews.com
Wind 11 kmh
Wind 14 kmh
Wind 11 kmh
Wind 11 kmh
Wind 11 kmh
Wind 11 kmh
Wind 14 kmh
ISLAND NEWS
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
5
Charm and humour Ken Brookes, July 28, 1944–August 10, 2011
Long-time Phuket resident Ken Brookes.
Well-known Phuket resident Ken Brookes died in London last Wednesday (August 10) at the age of 67. His wife Lori Ashton was with him at the time of his death, which was due to an illness he suffered while the couple were holidaying in the UK. Born Kenneth JA Brookes in the UK in 1944, he later moved to Canada where he graduated with a degrees in commerce and law from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Mr Brookes was a member
OBITUARY of the Canadian Bar Association for more than 35 years, as well as of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Association and the International Bar Association. He was also a past member of the Canadian Real Estate Association and Mortgage Brokers Association. He and Lori moved to Phuket 17 years ago and became heavily involved with supporting local charities.
The couple were also familiar faces within the Phuket sailing community, where Mr Brookes, an avid yachtsman, continued to advise many owners and agents. The couple were perhaps best known on the island for setting up Serendipity Design, which produces the publication Art & Culture. He was also an associate with the International Law Office in Phuket for more than five years before he retired two years ago, and remained active advising
clients, especially on offshore companies, until his death. Mr Brookes will be sadly missed in Phuket and beyond, where his quiet charm and his subtly subversive sense of humour made him many friends. His body was cremated yesterday (August 18) in the UK. An informal memorial gettogether will be held in Phuket at a later date. The Phuket News will announce details when they are known.
New yacht check-in The long process of registration for private yachts arriving in Phuket will be a thing of the past when a new online check-in system is launched on September 1. The Phuket Yacht Checkpoint Control System has been in development by the Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA) since last year, in collaboration with Phuket Marine Office 5. The system will make it quicker and easier for yacht owners, who currently have
to go through the arduous and repetitive process of submitting their arrival forms to Immigration, Customs as well as the Marine Department when they arrive on the island. With an online check-in system, yacht owners can fill their information in advance before they reach or leave Phuket. Once yacht owners complete their online registration, they need only show their passports and yacht registra-
tion to government officers at the marina. SIPA have just finished the system and presented their work to Vice Governor Weerawat Janpen at Phuket provincial hall last Monday (Aug 15). The system is now operating on a trial period on pyccs. dyndns.info. This domain name will be changed when the test run is completed, which should be before the new marina at Chalong pier is finished on September 19.
Road accident victim and RICD Wheelchair Project member Tanat Upatising, sitting, talks to Phuket OrBorJor president Paiboon Upatising.
A wheelie big help Disabled people in Phuket will be given a helping hand thanks to the Rajanagarindra Institute of Child Development (RICD) and Phuket Rotary Club of Tongkah, who will donate 57 wheelchairs on August 24 to those in need. The donation is part of the RICD Wheelchair Project, which has seen 3,000 wheelchairs been given out
to people with disabilities around Thailand since the project began in 2000. Two types of wheelchair will be given out, 30 of which are standard wheelchairs and 27 rechargeable motorised wheelchairs. People are able to register to receive a wheelchair, following a medical check. Anyone else wishing to obtain a wheelchair should
contact any hospital or the Health Promoting Department of PPHO. Telephone 076 211 330 ext 108. Road accident victim Tanat Upatising uses a wheelchair to get around. He said it was important that people were given the chance to leave their houses and explore the word. This gave them a sense of freedom, he said.
www.thephuketnews.com
6
ISLAND NEWS
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
Gold shop robbers still at large
Police appear to be making no headway in catching the two men involved in the robbery of a Phuket Town gold shop in June. The owners of the Thanet Gold Shop on Chao Fah Rd, Jantana and Jirasak Tanattanasombat, are becoming increasingly frustrated, especially in light of the recent meteoric rise in the price of gold worldwide.
They lost more than 3 kilograms of gold jewellery, worth well over B5 million, in the robbery, carried out by a man who threatened them with what turned out to be a fake gun. They are also concerned that police patrols, who came by the shop frequently after the robbery, now seem to have tailed off.
“In the first few weeks after the robbery the police came by to check quite often. But now they don't come as frequently,” Mrs Jantana told The Phuket News. “It’s almost three months [since the robbery] but there has been little movement. It seems that there is now little interest in the case. I don’t want to stay alone at the shop anymore.”
To boost security, Mr Jirasak has installed security bars in the shop and has had the alarm system fixed. The system was supposed to summon the police at the press of a button but on the day of the robbery it did not work. The Deputy Superintendent of Phuket Town Police, Col Jamroon Playduang, de-
nied that the police have lost interest in the case. He said police are still hunting for the two robbers in Chumphon and Surat Thani provinces. One is known to be from Surat Thani and to go by the name Ake, but investigators have not yet been able to identify his companion, who drove the getaway bike. The gold shop owners
are still offering a reward of B200,000 to anyone providing a tip-off that leads to the arrest of the two men, but so far this has failed to provide results. Anyone with information about the robbery should contact Phuket Town Police Superintendent Col Chote Chitchai on 081 970 2523, or Col Jamroon on 089 729 9055.
Say no to plastic bags in Phuket
Phuket Lions Club gives donation The Lions Club of Phuket donated B56,000 on Monday to pay for one full session for an autistic child to receive treatment via a Hyperbaric Chamber at Vachira Hospital. Pictured: Lions Club representatives at the hospital making their donation.
Plastic bags will be phased out of major retails stores around Phuket in a new initiative that will run from December 5 this year through to February 27 next year. The Phuket Provincial Energy Office (PPEO) has established the project which aims to reduce plastic bags using in retail stores and all government agencies, holding a press conference to announce their plans on Tuesday at Phuket Provincial Hall. The campaign, which will coincide with the 84th birthday of HM the King in December, will urge retail stores to stop giving away plastic bags from
December 5, and will give away 840,000 cloth bags for people to use instead. “Hopefully, there will be no more plastic bags in Phuket after February 27 next year,” said PPEO Chief Jirasak Thammavet. Mr Jirasak added that Phuket has to take serious action against the amount of plastic waste being generated. Almost 600 tonnes of garbage a day is produced by the island’s residents – 20 per cent of which is plastic bags. Tesco Lotus have already confirmed they will take part in the initiative. It is still not clear whether 7-Eleven will also get on board.
Thousands of African children are dying each day from starvation.
Charity event planned for starving African kids Phuket will host the Africa Count Charity event next Saturday to raise money for children in need in Africa. The event is being held at Hakan’s Bar, Karon, in an effort to ease some of the suffering caused by the ongoing famine in Africa. www.thephuketnews.com
The theme is “How many lives can we save?”, using the calculation that for every B500 raised, a person in Africa could be given food, water, malaria treatment, or medical care. The charity event is being run with the support of Phuket Best Group and The
Phuket News. It will be held on August 27 starting at 8pm, and includes food, drink, merchandise, entertainment and a lottery draw. For more information contact Oliver Thurmann on 083 393 6226.
NATIONAL NEWS
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
Taxi bikers miss Thaksin They zip through the trafficchoked streets of Bangkok, but the capital’s motorcycle taxis are more than just a means of transportation – they are also a potent political force. Motorbike taxi association president Chalerm Changthongmadan proudly displays a stylised portrait of his hero, fugitive former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, emblazoned on the orange vest that marks him out as a “moto” driver. “We miss Thaksin, 100 per cent,” said Mr Chalerm of the former billionaire tycoon, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and whose sister Yingluck Shinawatra is the new premier after storming to victory in a July 3 election. Thaksin is adored by many poor and working-class Thais for his populist policies while in power, such as microcredit schemes and cheap healthcare, and the motorcycle taxi riders are among his biggest fans. Officially, there are a little more than 100,000 motorcycle taxis in Bangkok, but Claudio Sopranzetti, researcher in anthropology with Harvard University in the US, believes there could be around 200,000. Sopranzetti said that after Thaksin took power in 2001 he moved to formalise the motorbikes as part of efforts to combat “dark influence, which basically meant a fight against different kinds of corruption and local
Flood warning for north
Foreign fishers unregistered
Motorcycle-taxi supporters of deposed Premier Thaksin Shinawatra flex their two-wheel muscles during a protest in Bangkok last year. –Photo AFP mafias”. He said the taxis, which are estimated to generate a total B100 million a day, were originally run by police-backed local mafias. But these forces were pushed out as Thaksin sought to register each driver and equip them with the orange vests that have become their uniforms.
In the five years since his ouster, however, the taxis’ “protectors” have crept back into the picture, he said, extorting an estimated B1,000 a month on average from drivers, who earn about B300-1,000 a day. With about 70 per cent of taxis tapped for a slice of their income, the bikers are keen to see an end to the corruption.
But he said the motorbike taxis are also a political entity – with around 80 to 90 per cent linked to the pro-Thaksin “Red Shirt” protest movement. Many hail from the rural northeast – the heartland of Thaksin supporters. During the bloody street demonstrations in 2006, which brought key areas of Bangkok
to a standstill, the bikers acted as “fast moving troops”, according to Chalerm. If Thaksin, who lives abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption, were to return, Suksomboon said he would lead a group of motorbikes to the airport to welcome him back to Thailand with a fanfare. –AFP
position where the thumb touches the index finger and the three other fingers are fanned out, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. New Thai Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome has made ownership of the jeeb a priority. In 2008 Cambodia listed Khmer shadow theatre on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, along with the Royal Ballet of Cambodia, also known as Khmer
Classical Dance. The list included Khmer hand gestures, including the jeeb. Ms Sukumol has been advised that Thailand can also register the jeeb and other shadow plays with UNESCO. “This is the first mission and we will proceed urgently because people are interested,” Ms Sukumol said. “They are part of the Thai cultural heritage, so if another country has registered them, we have to find a solution.” Ms Sukumol said the
jeeb has been used widely to promote Thai culture and it would be controversial if it was branded “Cambodian”. To pursue its claim, Thailand will have to first become a member of U NESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Meanwhile, tensions have eased over Preah Vihear after the installation last week of the six-party coalition Government led by Yingluck Shinawatra, the younger sister
of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is living in exile in Dubai. Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to convene a committee to discuss the Preah Vihear dispute over which the two countries have fought each other numerous times. Thai soldiers had been killed and thousands of villagers were displaced by armed clashes at the temple and another disputed border zone earlier this year.
Japan allows Thaksin visit Dogs saved from Japan said on Monday it had given a visa to former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who has lived in exile since a 2006 military coup and wants to visit Japan next week. The special entry permit was granted after the new Government of Yingluck Shinawatra, a younger sister of Thaksin, requested that Tokyo allow the visit, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said. Thaksin hopes to visit Japan from August 22 to 28
IN BRIEF The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department on Wednesday issued a warning for people in the north, northeast, the upper part of the Central Plains and the east to prepare for widespread scattered rain with heavy falls in some areas, the danger of floods and mudslides until August 21.
Thais ask: Who owns the jeep? With troops withdrawing as tensions have eased between Thailand and Cambodia over the disputed Preah Vihear temple, a new irritant stirring nationalist sentiments is the ownership of the jeep, a graceful hand position that is part of traditional dance and shadow plays of both countries. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is likely to consider the origins of the jeeb – a hand
7
and tour northeastern areas devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, a trip that Bangkok said would help boost bilateral ties. “The Thai government... takes a policy of not prohibiting former prime minister Thaksin from visiting any country and requested that Japan issue a visa,” Edano said. “In light of the request from the Thai government and various related considerations, we have decided to issue a visa.”
Mr Thaksin, who served as prime minister between 2001 and 2006 before being deposed in the coup, has been living in exile in Dubai to avoid a two-year jail term for a corruption conviction. Japan does not allow the entry of people who have been found guilty of a crime and sentenced to jail terms of more than one year, but the government occasionally makes exceptions. –AFP
dining tables Thai authorities have rescued more than 1,000 dogs, which were found stuffed into tiny cages and being smuggled out of the country to be cooked and eaten in Vietnam, officials said Saturday. Police intercepted four trucks stacked high with crates packed with the animals in an operation last week in Nakhon Phanom province in
northeastern Thailand near the border with Laos. A Nakhon Phanom livestock development official said 1,011 dogs were being held in a government shelter after two separate raids in Nathom and Si Songkhram districts. Two Thai men and a Vietnamese man have been charged illegal transportation of animals. –AFP
Fishery business operators have ignored the Government’s push for the registration of migrant workers, saying the process is a burden. Fewer than 20,000 foreign workers have registered as working in the fishery industry when it is estimated that close to 100,000 are employed in this sector, said Anurak Thosarat, Director of the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, on Monday. The latest round of foreign worker registrations was conducted between June 15 and July 14 after the fisheries sector had requested more foreign workers be registered to replace those who had either run away from their employers or gone to work for new companies.
New anti-drugs policy Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung will take charge of the Government’s narcotics suppression drive. Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Mr Chalerm said he had been assigned to oversee the anti-drug policy which is one of the Yingluck Cabinet’s priorities. He said it was likely he will supervise the Royal Thai Police Office.
MP faces charge Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan on Wednesday said he would not invoke his Parliamentary immunity after acknowledging offence against the monarchy in connection with his speech on April 2 at a Red-Shirt rally. Mr Jatuporn said he planned to report to the Department of Special Investion and sign a consent form to surrender himself tor the legal proceedings without invoking his immunity. He would also notify the House Speaker about his intention not to use Parliamentary immunity as shield from prosecution. www.thephuketnews.com
8
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
IN BRIEF Six stabbed to death on British island A Polish man is suspected of killing his wife, their two children, his father-in-law and two family friends in a frenzied stabbing spree, the deadliest crime in memory on the Channel Island of Jersey, police and local residents have said. Detective Superintendent Stewart Gull of Jersey Police said a man, two women and three young children stabbed to death Sunday came from two families, one of them Polish. A 30-year-old man – a member of the Polish family – has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Bombs tear through 17 Iraqi cities, 63 killed A relentless barrage of bombings have killed 63 people in the most sweeping and co-ordinated attack Iraq has seen in over a year, striking 17 cities from northern Sunni areas to the southern Shiite heartland. Explosive devices were planted in the vests of suicide attackers, in parked cars, along the sides of roads and even on light poles. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the simultaneous attacks, the targeting of Shiite civilians and Iraqi security forces and the use of suicide bombers indicated that al Qaeda in Iraq was responsible.
Teen, mother charged over London riots death British police have charged a 16-year-old boy with murdering a retiree who was attacked by rioters in London last week, as the government said officers would get better training and stronger powers to deal with a new and unpredictable era of street disturbances. The boy, who can’t be named because of his age, is accused of killing 68-yearold Richard Bowes, who was found lying in a street during riots in Ealing, west London, on August 8. He died of head injuries three days later. The boy’s mother has been charged with obstructing the police investigation. Five people died during violence that ravaged English cities last week, including three men hit by a car in Birmingham, central England, as they protected local shops from looters.
www.thephuketnews.com
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
Pesticides the ‘likely’ cause of Kiwi’s death A Thai report identifying a toxic chemical or pesticide as the likely cause of New Zealand girl Sarah Carter’s death is “significant”, the New Zealand Foreign Affairs Ministry says. Carter, 23, died, and her Kiwi friends Emma Langlands and Amanda Eliason became gravely ill while on holiday at the Downtown Inn in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, in February. Thai authorities have ruled Carter was exposed to chemicals similar to those found in pesticides before she died, but say her precise cause of death cannot be confirmed. The report also concluded that four other people who died in Chiang Mai between January 11 and February 19 – a 47-year-old Thai woman staying in the room next to the New Zealanders, an English couple in their 70s staying on a different floor, and an American woman in a different hotel – were likely to
have been killed by pesticide exposure. A spokesman for New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the report had identified the likely cause of death in the Carter case to be exposure to a toxic chemical or pesticide. “This is a significant development for Thai authorities to now recognise there is a linkage between the death of Sarah Carter and others. “It is also significant to point to some form of toxic material. The Thai authorities have said its unlikely to have been bacterial or viral.” A report into the death of Carter and five others was released by the Thai Public Health Ministry on Tuesday afternoon. “The three New Zealand women had severe metabolic acidosis (abnormal acid level in circulation) and two of them suffered myocardial injury (injury to the heart muscle),” the report said.
Top Muay Thai fighter dies at event in Aus A top Sydney kickboxer, who died after collapsing at a boxing event, has been remembered as a legend, a role model and a fighter famous for his smile. Mark Fowler, 35, died in hospital on Monday after he collapsed during a Muay Thai boxing event in the western Sydney suburb of Liverpool on Saturday afternoon. “The spectators told police he’d just participated in a bout before losing consciousness,” Liverpool duty officer Inspector Greg Tetley said. A post-mortem examination will determine the exact cause of death and police are preparing a report for the coroner. Mr Fowler’s friends from Photajaroen Muay Thai Gym in Gladesville paid tribute to him on their blog. “Mark was a team mate, a role model, a friend, and a brother to all of us,” trainer Andrew Parnham wrote. Mr Parnham said he could not give any further details about Mr Fowler until his family decided whether they wanted to speak publicly. The World Boxing Council Muay Thai website described Mr Fowler as one of the sport’s
Mark Fowler died during a Muay Thai boxing event in Sydney. “brightest stars” as the current NSW lightweight champion. “A champion in every sense of the word, a keen sportsman always with a smile, you could just tell he was passionate about Muay Thai and life. “In the ring he was a force to be reckoned with,” the council’s Pamorn Martdee said. NSW Sports Minister Graham Annesley said he had ordered the Office of Communities to investigate the incident. The incident happened during a NSW World Muay Thai Council event, Mr Annesley said.
“A Thai tour guide was in a room adjacent to that of the three New Zealand women. The investigation found that it is very likely the cause of the illnesses of these four women is the same given the timing of the onset of their illness and the proximity of their rooms. The cause is unlikely to be bacterial or viral.” However, the Ministry said despite the best efforts of the Thai authorities in undertaking an “exhaustive investigation” the specific agents that caused the deaths and illnesses in these events could not be identified “Investigators spent five months pursuing numerous hypotheses about potential causes. More than 350 drug, chemical and organism tests were done in each fatal case and more than 1250 tests were done on the New Zealand case.” Thai authorities have made nine recommendations within the report, including the setting up of a panel to investigate and
A Thai report states Kiwi tourist Sarah Carter died of toxic chemical poisoning while in Chiang Mai. recommend stricter measures for the use of chemicals, including pesticides in hotels and market areas. Also recommended was the establishment of a new channel to receive notification of tourists and expatriates becoming ill.
Hotel operators were also compelled to use only licensed pest control companies and their contracts must specify which chemicals were to be used and samples collected and sent for testing by the authorities twice a year.
Sydney ‘bomb’ threat details revealed in court Chilling details have been revealed in a US court about how finance executive Paul “Douglas” Peters allegedly broke into Sydney schoolgirl Madeleine Pulver’s family home and strapped a fake bomb to her neck. Mr Peters was arrested after a raid on a Kentucky house involving heavily armed FBI agents and NSW Police officers. He was charged with aggravated break and enter with intent to commit a serious indictable offence, demanding property by force with intent to steal, and kidnapping. Mr Peters’ US lawyer, Scott Cox, told reporters that his client said he was innocent and will contest the charges. An indictment filed by US prosecutors – detailing how Mr Peters was tracked down halfway across the world – was made public as the 50-year-old fronted an extradition application at the District Court in Louisville, Kentucky, on Wednesday. Prosecutors allege Mr Peters surprised Ms Pulver as she studied in the bedroom of
her family’s Mosman mansion on August 3. “At about 2.15pm, she saw a man carrying a black aluminium baseball bat and wearing a striped, multiplecoloured balaclava over his head, walk into her room,” the indictment states. The intruder allegedly told her to “sit down and no one needs to get hurt”. He allegedly forced a black box “against her throat and looped a device similar to a bike chain, which was also attached to the box, around her neck”. He locked the box into position then placed a lanyard, on the end of which was attached a green USB stick and a plastic document sleeve, the indictment alleges. Mr Peters allegedly said: “Count to 200, I’ll be back. If you move, I can see you – I’ll be right here.” He then left the room. Extremely frightened, Ms Pulver thought he was robbing the house. After a few minutes she yelled out but there was no response. She phoned her mother, Belinda,
and took the documents from the plastic sleeve. She saw the word “explosive” on one. She also phoned her father, Bill, who called the police. When officers arrived Ms Pulver was crying and hysterical. The note around her neck said: “Powerful new technology plastic explosives are located inside the small black combination case delivered to you. The case is booby-trapped. It can ONLY be opened safely, if you follow the instructions and comply with its terms and conditions.” It said not to contact authorities, and provided an email address. Mr Peters allegedly bought a one-way ticket to f ly on August 8 from Sydney to Kentucky, via, Chicago. Mr Peters, a father of three, was arrested after a Swat team raided his estranged wife Debra’s home at La Grange, about 50 kilometres from Louisville, on Monday afternoon Kentucky time. Mr Peters is due in court again on October 14.
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
UN says most Somalia food aid reaching those in need The UN’s World Food Programme said Tuesday that the “vast majority” of its aid relief to famine-stricken Mogadishu was reaching those in need, in response to claims that some is being stolen. “The WFP is confident that the vast majority of humanitarian food is reaching starving people in Mogadishu and saving lives every day,” WFP spokeswoman Christiane Berthiaume told reporters. Her comments came the day after Somalia’s transitional government said it was investigating reports of aid theft, while adding that there were no firm figures on the scale of any such problem. The WFP is currently providing food assistance to some 1.5 million people in central and northern Somalia. Berthiaume added that some 5,000 tonnes of food per month was being distributed in Mogadishu alone. More than 12.4 million people are at risk of starvation, according to the United Nations’ emergency relief coordination agency.
9
IN BRIEF Donald Trump still pondering US presidency bid Real estate mogul Donald Trump expects Texas Governor Rick Perry to do “very nicely” as a presidential candidate. But Trump stopped short of endorsing Perry and said he hasn’t ruled out running for president himself as an independent. In an interview, Trump said Perry was a welcome entry in the GOP field that includes former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Minnesota Rep Michele Bachmann. Bachmann won the Iowa straw poll last Saturday, the same day Perry announced he too would seek the party’s nomination to challenge President Barack Obama in 2012.
Record-breaking NZ cold snap Abukar Ibrahim, right, helps his five-year-old daughter Maryam to sip medicine at a local hospital in Mogadishu. Maryam was brought to the hospital as she was suffering from severe diarrhoea and vomiting. –Photo AFP The UN warned on August 12 that a cholera epidemic in Somalia, which has claimed at least 181 lives in one Mogadishu hospital this year, could quickly spread as thousands
flee famine in the south. Over 100,000 people have fled into Somalia’s famine-hit and war-torn capital in the past two months in search of food, water and medicine.
Some 12 million people in parts of Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda and Somalia are in danger of starvation in the wake of the region’s worst drought in decades.
War-wracked Somalia is the country hardest hit by the Horn of Africa’s drought, with five areas declared to be experiencing famine. –AFP
Snow has fallen across much of New Zealand, breaking several temperature records as schools and airports closed, ferries were cancelled and many homes were left without power. The icy weather saw fall in Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington and much of the South Island.
Hacking ‘widely discussed’ British lawmakers released Tuesday a letter from a former News of the World journalist claiming phone hacking was “widely discussed” at the tabloid and warned they could recall James Murdoch to give evidence. Clive Goodman, the paper’s former royal editor who was jailed for hacking in 2007, also alleged that ex-editor Andy Coulson, who went on to become Prime Minister David Cameron’s media chief, tried to cover up the scandal. The letter released by par-
liament’s media committee directly contradicts claims by media tycoon Rupert Murdoch’s top lieutenants that they were unaware of the phone hacking and that Goodman was a rogue reporter. Tom Watson, a lawmaker on the committee, said the latest revelations were “devastating”. Watson has led moves to probe the scandal, which has now claimed the jobs of two top British policemen and several Murdoch executives. The committee has recalled four former Murdoch execu-
tives to testify on September 6. It may also recall James Murdoch, the tycoon’s son, over alleged inconsistencies in his testimony at a hearing in July. Goodman’s accusation comes in a letter he wrote in March 2007 to appeal against his dismissal from the nowshuttered News of the World, after being jailed for conspiring to hack the phones of members of the royal household. Coulson resigned as editor after Goodman was jailed in January 2007. – AFP
Strauss-Kahn lawyers clash on medical evidence reports Law yers for Dominique Strauss-Kahn and the maid who accuses the French politician of a brutal sex assault clashed Tuesday over whether medical reports bolster her allegations. The exchange was the latest skirmish ahead of what could be a crucial court hearing next Tuesday for Strauss-Kahn, who is free on bail. Attorneys for the maid, Nafissatou Diallo said that the medical report by doctors who examined her after the alleged incident found injuries
consistent with assault and rape. But William Taylor and Benjamin Brafman, the lawyers for Strauss-Kahn, attacked those assertions, saying the physical condition of Diallo could easily have shown she had recently engaged in consensual sex, even before the alleged attack. The “use of the medical reports to confirm or bolster the charges against Mr StraussKahn is misleading and deceitful,” they said in a statement. At next week’s hearing, prosecutors are expected to
reveal whether they will drop charges or press their case against the former head of the International Monetary Fund and highly touted potential candidate for the French presidency. “There is certainly a chance that prosecutors will drop the criminal charges against DSK because Diallo has considerable credibility baggage,” said attorney Marcellus McRae. Diallo’s lawyers have filed a civil lawsuit against StraussKahn and are seeking unspecified damages. –AFP www.thephuketnews.com
10 OPINIONS & VOICES
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
NORACHAI’S WORLD
Letters to the editor Working bee needed
Of course you realise that it’s OUR jeep, not yours.
Yes people of Phuket, the government pound is a horrible place for dogs to live. The government has just removed funding from it, so it will now be even worse. In fact, unless we do something other than complain about the government not making the pound a priority, the 350 plus dogs who are imprisoned there will die of starvation. It will cost approximately 150,000 baht per month ($5000) to feed these dogs. Lets find a way to raise this money – please! We also need to organise a working bee to fix the pound enclosure. This takes people’s time and ability not money. Currently big dogs and small dogs live together (inadequate facilities). This means that big dogs get what food there is and small dogs go hungry. There are a lot of people who care, and there are a lot of people talking, blaming others for this situation. Which group do you belong to? If you answered the group that cares, please contact me and pledge what support you can give, I and others are wanting to help ease the dog’s suffering, with a united effort I know its achievable. We know what’s happening, lets do something about it! Email me at streetdogscene@ gmail.com Danielle Marten
Q&A: How do I tell if food is fresh?
Living on a tropical island with the daily heat and humidity, along with occasional power outages means that food safety can be a concern. Here’s how to check if the food you want to buy is fresh.
translucent flesh. Do not buy shrimp with black spots or rings (unless it’s black tiger shrimp) as this indicates the meat is starting to break down. Shrimp, prawn or lobster with pink meat should be avoided.
Shellfish: Shellfish are rich in protein, so are a prime target for bacteria and can be dangerous to eat if they have gone off. The first sign to check for is smell. Does it smell of the sea? If there is the slightest hint of any other smell, don’t buy it. Fish: Check the colours. They should be bright and shiny; the eyes too. If they are dull, then the fish is not fresh. Also, look inside the gills. They should be a rich red. If the fish is not fresh, they will be the colour of faded brick.
Meat: Don’t buy any kind of meat from an open-air market. The chances of E Coli or Salmonella contamination are much higher in such places. Go to a butcher shop or a supermarket. In the supermarket, check the sell-by date, of course, and don’t buy if the meat looks wet or if packaging is torn. Be wary of packages of meat that have been stacked too high in the fridge; this may mean the fridge is filled beyond its capacity to keep the meat cold.
P r aw n s , l ob s t er s a nd shrimps: Again, check for smell; they should smell of the sea. Any hint of ammonia is a red light: don’t buy. Truly fresh shrimp, lobster and prawns will have almost
Chicken: Chicken should be plump with perfect skin – no cuts, bruises or broken bones. With your hand, check the temperature; chicken should be at 4 to 8ºC – a little above freezing. Chicken is a very
www.thephuketnews.com
good low-fat meat, but is also particularly susceptible to Salmonella contamination. Pork: Fresh pork should be pale pink with a little bit of marbling and not a lot of fat. If it’s soft or wet or surrounded by leaked blood, don’t buy it. Beef: Follow the same rules as for chicken and pork. Fresh beef should be light cherry red, not deep red. Stay well away from it if it’s grey.
Vegetables: It’s easy enough to see whether vegetables are fresh. But when you get them home it’s a good idea to wash them with vinegar or, better, with a tablespoon of baking soda. This will clear the skin of any dirt, dust or other contaminants. Tomatoes: Should have a taut, shiny skin that is a uniform red color, with no shrivelled or soft spots. The skin should give a little when squeezed, but not feel mushy; this is the signal that the tomato is past its best. If you detect little black fruit
flies buzzing around, buy your tomatoes somewhere else.
Potatoes: Potatoes have a much longer shelf life than most vegetables. But check for large blemishes, wrinkling and sunburn (a green discoloration under the skin). Some amount of blemishing is normal, but potatoes with large blemishes are undesirable. Bananas: How ripe you buy your bananas will usually be a case of personal preference and how you intend to use them. But all green bananas are unripe and should not be eaten at that stage. Bananas that are mostly yellow with just a tinge of green at the ends will have a crisp texture and fresh taste. All-yellow bananas with few small brown or black specks are fully ripe and will have a sweet taste and smooth texture. As more specks develop, the banana becomes overripe and although the flesh continues to sweeten, it also begins to soften. Once the skin is entirely brown, it
is overripe. You might want to avoid these. If you don’t plan to eat your bananas immediately, you can buy them when they are still green and they will ripen at home when stored at room temperature. Mangoes: Buy firm mangoes with no wilting, grayish discoloration or black spots on the skin, which indicates that they are overripe or bruised. Look for flesh that yields slightly when you press it gently. It should have a yellow, orange or reddish skin, depending on the species. Smell before buying; the best test of a mango is the aroma. It should have a flowery, perfumed fragrance indicating it is ripe and flavoursome. Mangoes will ripen at home at room temperature, but will keep for only a day or two when fully ripe. Placing them in a paper bag will speed the ripening. Thanks to chef Paolo Fadda of Da Maurizio for his input into this week’s Q&A.
Have your say We welcome letters to the editor. Letters must be under 250 words. You can email editor@ thephuket news.com or fax your contribution to 076 612 553. Please include your name, address and contact telephone number.
Dog pound
I find it rather disturbing that the Governor of probably Thailand’s poorest province, Nakhom Phanom, can raise over 1.5 million [now B12million plus - editor] bath in a day for the 1,000 plus dogs recently rescued and taken to the local livestock station, and the Governor of Thailand’s richest province cannot find any money to care for the dogs at the dog pound, that are there at his predecessors instigation. Maybe international coverage of Phuket’s disgrace would prompt similar response? Though whether money raised would actually go to help the dogs is debatable. Kelly Sloane
Zebra crossing
I enjoyed your Q&A Phuket street signs. However, I found it was missing a very important sign that has been ignored mostly by local drivers – and that is the pedestrian (zebra) crossing. This issue has come up in past news editorials by tourist who have been injured or had near misses. Most foreigners know that the zebra crossing gives right of way to pedestrians and they automatically use these crossing feeling they will be safe. In most cases foreign drivers do give way to pedestrians, however, local drivers down right refuse to give way and and often make rude gestures to people using the crossings. Are these drivers (local and foreign) ignorant or just rude? To date, I have not seen any enforcement done by the local authorities to protect these pedestrians. Gary B Cameron
Big Buddha
They definitely don’t work on Big Buddha as fast as they do on building bars in Rawai. And what is essentially wrong with meditation centre, museum, and statue of King Rama V? In short, I adore our Big Buddha and have had a lot of spiritual help at the place. I would easily forgive the Big Buddha Foundation for stretching the timetable — and the delay doesn’t seem to bother worshippers. Aleksei Luzhbin
ART & CULTURE 11
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
Random View Weerawat Ngamreab, a member of the Phuket Neo Photo Club of local photographers, sent in his random view to share. Khao Khad of Vichit District can be seen the distance while the foreground is almost a crab-eye view of the mudflat and the sturdy mangrove tree, fortunately still a common sight on this island. As the tide recedes, the cracked mudf lat reveals a wealth of life that skip, crawl and wriggle. Tiny fish and crustaceans thrive
in this food-rich nursery at the edge of the big sea that is vital to their survival and growth. The photographer enjoys creating strong contrast in this photo, perhaps to illustrate the strength of this environment. “The roof of the tree is similar to the roof of our lives,” he says. To have your own work published here, please email your photo (over 1MB in size) to editor3@ thephuketnews.com.
MAKING ART Tilo Kaiser
V
isiting visual artist Tilo Kaiser opened an exhibition of his art at on the walls at the Cudos Restaurant near Surin Plaza in Phuket last Saturday. Born 1965 in Frankfurt, Germany, Kaiser studied fine art in Germany and Madrid and now lives and works in London. He is in Asia, having opened an exhibition in Sydney and will soon open another show at Sin Sin Gallery in Hong Kong.
A collagist, photographer and painter, the multimedia artist is a collector of interesting images that fuel his art, and he obviously loves the drawn line. The language of his canvases invites spending sometime to read it. The artist’s CV also shows that with art you can indeed travel, having shown his work in England, Germany, South Korea, China, Australia and Thailand in the past decade or so.
ARTEYE
In one corner of an old wat (temple) in Chiang Mai in the north, which has its share of lovely ancient temples, are these little painted cement shapes. It’s a unique collection not readily seen in other temples. The sculptor who made them obviously had fun, even if someone else went overboard with the painting and choice of colour. Each object and figure would be familiar to most of the local people who stroll past this little garden on their way to worship in the main
buildings of the wat. While the simple practice of Buddhism is followed, it is, and has always been, surrounded by folk beliefs and animism that populate the spiritual world of Thais. So here you see them, appearing out of the woodwork, scrubs, trees and the little spirit houses that each home has. Good spirits are invited to live with us to protect us against the bad ones that are also always lurking in the bushes.
www.thephuketnews.com
12 HOT TOPIC
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
Fighting with the best Rawai Muay Thai Camp attracts between 70 and 100 Muay Thai students every month.
F
or years tourists have been heading to Phuket for sun, sand and surf. But in the last decade or so, increasing numbers of tourists have arrived to study Muay Thai, or traditional Thai boxing. Muay Thai is Thailand’s national sport, and is similar to kick-boxing, using both hands and feet. Many students in Phuket train solely for fitness and some out of their fascination for the sport, while many even take it to another level and train to for real Muay Thai fights. In many Western countries, Muay Thai gyms can be found in every corner. Some boast their superiority and genuine Muay Thai training techniques, but many tourists prefer to learn in the country where the sport is most famous. And increasing numbers of Muay Thai students means more camps. In Phuket alone there are nearly 20 camps, including six that are popular with hosting foreign students. One of the more wellknown is Rawai Muay Thai Camp.
Co-owners and husband and wife team Preecha ‘Tuk’ Choke-kuer, known during his fighting years as Sakeddao Sor Yupinda, and Diana Campillo first set up their business in 2003. These days it is a hive of activity, with between 70 and 100 students training per month. Each student pays approximately B10,000 for a month-long training stint. But the camp came from humble beginnings. Diana says she moved to Thailand from China in 2003 during the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak. She met Tuk in Thap Lamu, north of Phang Nga, while on a diving trip. Tuk told her about Muay Thai and took her to a fight, and from that moment on, she was in love. Tuk said he grew up in Phang Nga but he and his three brothers had to travel to Bangkok to train in Muay Thai to win money in fights to help support the family. Then he met Diana, who gave him the idea to set up a training camp. “So I rounded up my family, my brothers, and set up this camp in November 2003. Back then we had only one
Vanessa ‘Ness’ Murray, a Jetstar Airways cabin crew member from Australia, gets in on the action. www.thephuketnews.com
Above left: Rawai Muay Thai Camp co-owner Tuk helps train a student. Above right: Pom, left, and Yaya, two disadvantaged kids who use their Muay Thai prize money to support themselves and their family. boxing ring, four punching bags and five students to start with. My brothers and I had to do everything ourselves, from cleaning the floor, washing and cleaning gear, to training students.” Fast forward eight years, and there are 18 trainers and six general staff. On a slow month they have about 70 students enrolled, and on busy months there are over 100 students. “We take care of our students like we do our friends. They travel all the way here, they stay with us, train with us, they even fight with us. And when they go back to their countries, they tell their friends about Muay Thai, about Phuket and about us. “We get emails saying ‘My friend trained at your camp and told me that it’s a great experience and I would like to come to train at your camp too’. Our reputation was built by word of mouth from our former students.” The Rawai camp was also the first to open its doors to female students. “Not long after we set up this camp, Diana suggested that we should cater to female
Learning the art of Muay Thai on the beach. students. Muay Thai has long been a male dominated sport, but over the years we have seen a healthy growth in the number of female students. Some train a few months only for fitness, some train for years and become fighters. But the number is without a doubt increasing. “The training maneuvers were awkward at first for some men, as they were not sure how to manage the training and touch the female students without them feeling any inappropriateness. But they then develop a friendly relationship and gradually work through the awkwardness between genders.” Vanessa ‘Ness’ Murray, a Jetstar Airways cabin crew member from Australia, is
one of the female Muay Thai students who found Rawai Muay Thai Camp a very good place to train. She has spent the last two weeks training at the camp. “I did boxing in Australia for fitness, but then I thought Muay Thai sounded interesting so went on the internet to look for a Muay Thai camp in Phuket and Rawai Muay Thai Camp came up. “I read reviews from students and decided to come here. It’s a very lovely place, friendly staff and good trainers to help you every step of the way. I will come back again in November and stay longer this time.” Another female fighter who fell in love with Rawai Muay Thai Camp is 44-year-
old British woman Geraldine ‘Gerri’ O’Callaghan, who has been training for three years. She has competed in 30 fights, with 22 wins, 1 draw, 7 losses, and 4 KOs. Gerri fought at the Queen’s Cup on August 12 and lost, but even with a big cut under her right eye she still can smile about it. “It’s an honour to fight at such a big event. I’m very proud. Too bad I didn’t win.” Gerri says she noticed a lot of differences between her gym at home in the UK and in Phuket. “Here in Phuket, you have one trainer for one student but back in UK you have one trainer for the whole gym. When you have one-on-one training you learn many things, many techniques. You can learn a whole lot more than when you’re in other countries where you train with other student holding pads for you – like two children playing. This is why many foreigners come to train Muay Thai in Thailand. Nothing compares to this.” Diana says the key to making students – male or female, Continued next page
PHUKET PEOPLE 13
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
Learning to respect others Continued from page 12 young or old – feel comfortable to train in their camp environment is respect and discipline. Students are taught to be humble and respectful to other people, fellow students and trainers alike. Trainers will remind students to be polite and pay respect towards others, to wai (Thai greeting where hands are in a prayer-like formation) their trainers and opponents, to take care of themselves and to always stay healthy. Students are advised to be careful about drinking and to take caution when driving or riding a motorbike. Rawai Muay Thai Camp also helps out those less fortunate. Coming from a poor family themselves, the four Choke-kuer brothers never hesitate to help out others. Tuk takes in young boys in hardship like 14-year-old Yaya who lost his father three years ago, to train and fight to save up money to support his mother and five siblings. The same with 16-year-old Pom – an orphan who has been fighting since he was eight years old. Tuk took him in to live at Rawai Muay Thai Camp three years ago and like Yaya, Pom has been saving up prize money from his many fights. Tuk is proud of the two boys and their many wins. He hopes that with hard work, sweat and blood, one day these two boys will become Muay Thai champions and bring pride and glory to themselves and their family. “We don’t just train them to fight. We teach them about discipline, about being humble and never using their Muay Thai skills in the wrong way. We give them opportunity in life, that is the most important thing, the best thing we can give to someone.” The only setback for Muay Thai camps in Thailand is the visa issues. Students who want to train in Thailand must obtain an education visa from the Thai Embassy or Consulate in their home country. Most Embassies and Consulates only issue one-month to three-month visas. Only the Royal Thai Consulate in Brisbane, Australia, and the Royal Thai Consulate in Hull and Birmingham in the UK, issue one-year visas for foreigners who want to train Muay Thai in Thailand. However the Muay Thai Association is pushing for the Thai government to pass a new regulation allowing a Muay Thai visa, which would allow students to obtain a six month to one year visa for their training. “If you think about it, hotels and resorts in Phuket are nearly empty in low season. But if you look at Muay Thai camps like ours, we rarely have that problem,” Diana says. “Muay Thai students are not seasonal tourists, they don’t come for a few weeks for some fun in the sun, they come anytime of the year, some stay a few weeks, some a month, some for three months and some stay for years – it all depends on their visa. I wish the government would look at this and realise that this could be a big boost to the economy in Phuket and in Thailand.” –Kazira Hanshanasattru
A rest day T
he old man with white hai r sits peacefully in the shade of a tree next to a tidal river at Layan Beach, on Phuket’s Bang Tao Bay. He is eating packets of snacks and chatting to people in the nearby shack that sells groceries. Ducks and chickens pick away at the ground around him. Somluan wandered away from his native Myanmar many years ago. He still has some rice paddies there in the south of the country, but he could not make enough money from it. He still returns there now and then. He has been working at what he could find in
the south of Thailand, and recently arrived in Phuket. “The work is good here,” he says. “Everyone pays what they owe you and nobody tries to cheat you.” He looks at the turquoise colour of the river, and says it is his rest day today from nearby construction work. He says he earns B240 a day at the big construction projects a few sois along the road, probably for another holiday resort. He can turn up there any day, knowing that there is work for him. Or he can rest, as he does today, chatting to his friends and letting the morning pass slowly by.
Somluan has recently arrived in Phuket and now works in construction.
Phuket’s magic master David Paul Jones Magician
What were you doing 20 years ago? Twenty years ago I was living in Nottingham, England, working as a self employed kitchen fitter/ tiler. I was also a very keen amateur magician dreaming of being another David Copperfield. How long have you lived on the island and why did you move here? I have lived in Phuket for eight years now, having arrived here in July 2003 with four suitcases. One stuffed with clothes and personal items and the other three stuffed with magic props. I moved here after a divorce and felt I needed a complete break from my life in England. I felt I couldn’t move forward in England with the type of magic that I wanted to really do, which was stage magic and I knew Phuket had many venues and opportunities to perform stage magic from my previous visits to the island. What is best thing about living here? The best thing about living here is feeling free. When I lived in England I hated council tax demands, rates demands and letters for television licences. I remember flying out to Phuket on the aeroplane thinking “I’ve left all of that behind”. What do you do to relax? Relax isn’t a word that I recognise! My star sign is Virgo and they find it very hard to relax. But I do go to the gym at least twice a week and I also run when I can find time. I also watch television occasionally. My best form of relaxation is watching magic DVDs, reading magic books or watching magic videos on YouTube.
hear a big whirring sound coming out of the back. I put a CD in the player and the CDs still jumped. My wife rang the chap up who had repaired the player and his explanation was that he had fitted a fan in the back to speed up the player and cool it down. I couldn’t do anything but laugh! I still have the player today.
Exposed What hobbies or sports are you interested in? I think you may have guessed already. My hobby is magic! Yes speak to any magician and they will tell you that it governs their life 24/7. If I am not practising magic then I am thinking about it. What sports do I like? I love football. I watch as much as I can on television. But nothing can beat watching live football. So when I am not working I take every opportunity to watch FC Phuket’s home games. What is your favourite childhood memory? My favourite childhood memory is performing my first magic trick in a friend’s front room. It was pouring orange juice into a newspaper and pouring it back out again without the paper getting wet. The paper was also opened up to show that the orange juice had vanished. I think I was about 12 years old at the time. Favourite food or dish? I love trying out all different kinds of food. We have an abundance of fresh fruit here in Phuket, but when it really comes down to a choice of dish. I am a true Brit and nothing can beat bangers, mash and peas! What kind of music are you into? I love every type of music. I was a DJ in the 80s and 90s so I had to have an appreciation of all different styles of music. The golden rule of being a DJ is play what your audience wants and not what you want. So give me Beethoven or Lady Gaga. I have space in my music collection for them all.
David Paul Jones. What is the best tip you have for people moving to Phuket? Being in Phuket for eight years I have seen a lot. I would say to anyone who wants to live here, get to know and respect Thai culture as quick as you can. Yes sometimes the culture is quirky and the Thais do things at times that we don’t understand. But we are guests in their country and most of the time they work very hard to make us feel welcome. It makes living here so much easier. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you while living on the island? I had a CD come radio player that I purchased from a big store here in Phuket. The CDs started to jump when I played them. I told my wife and she said she had a friend who could repair the player. I think at that time the guarantee had run out. Anyway the CD player was away for a couple of weeks. When I got it back I plugged it in and I could
The person you admire the most and why? I don’t just admire one person. I admire people who are positive in everything they do and they enjoy life like it has to be enjoyed. I try to get as much out of every minute of everyday. I love it when I smile at a person and I get a warm smile back. It makes me feel so good inside. A tip for everyone. Go to sleep with a smile and wake up with a smile. See how good you feel. If you could come back as any other person who would it be and why? If I could come back as any other person then I am sorry to disappoint you, but that person would be me. I am at a stage in my life where I am very content with most things. Is there anything you don’t like about living here? I love Phuket, but not all of it! I hate driving on the roads. I came here in 2003 and I have seen a vast change in peoples attitude when driving. To put it bluntly it is dangerous. Favourite place on the island, and why? My favourite place has to be Naiharn Beach. The highlight of going to Naiharn is the sunset. I always make sure I have a cold beer in my hand at about the time the sun is going down. I regard that as the nearest thing to complete relaxation. www.thephuketnews.com
14
www.thephuketnews.com
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
VILLAGE OF THE WEEK 15
Katha Island.
The river mouth is a safe place for boats to moor.
A beautiful quiet beach where locals can go to relax and reflect.
W
drug addicts had killed him to steal what he had. In any case, no monks live in the dense forest now. Wooden fishing boats, large and small, are beached along one side of the river, left high and dry by the tide. As the long afternoon passes slowly, three local men sit and chat next to the red-painted sea-rescue shack. “You see when they were sinking cement pipes in the sea to make coral reefs, we pleaded with them to do that closer to the shore,” says one man. “But they wouldn’t listen and made the dumps too far out to sea for our little boats to fish there. “Then when no one could see them in the night, big fishing boats came and trawled over the new reefs and clean up all the reef fish, leaving none for us.” No one listens, he complains. Not the village headman, nor their members of Parliament, who they only see once every four years when they come to wai (greet) the villagers.
A reflection of the past alking at the northern end of Layan Beach on the big Bang Tao Bay, south of Phuket International Airport, is to step back a good few years to when Phuket beaches had not been developed. The sun blazes down on white sand and a handful of Asian tourists are comfortable under the shades of coconut and other trees, enjoying a stiff cooling breeze blowing off the surface of the blue sea. To the north of them, the little round Katha Island is covered with thick green forest. The Sirinat National Park, the only national park in Phuket, ends here at its southern boundary. A beachside restaurant, with its plastic tables and chairs, is empty but staff are getting ready as they know that vanloads of mainly Russian tourists will arrive soon to fill it for lunch. At the northern-most point is a rivermouth, where a handful of fishermen cast their lines into the receding tide and catch whitebait for their cooler, filled
Village
of the week
with ice at the ready. The long beach is empty, reminiscent of a time when most Thai beaches were like this. Across the river mouth, Katha Island broods. According to the locals, the island is owned by a member of the current Parliament. A tragic air still lingers there. Some four or five years ago, recall the locals, a monk and some nuns lived in isolation on the island. Every morning, they walked across the sand to receive offerings of food from the nearby Bundarika Resort and the little village community along the tidal river. But one day the nameless monk was found hanged from a tree on the island. Opinions are still divided about that tragic death. A resort staff member says the monk killed himself. A village woman says that, as monks do not commit suicide, some
Lung Tiew prepares to feed his poultry.
And the land around here has all been bought by some unknown interest. “The mafia,” mumbles another local man sitting there. Further up on the bank of the river at a low wooden house, a small old man prepares food for his ducks and chickens in the nearby enclosure. Lung Tiew used to be the village headman until he retired “out of the politics” seven years ago. He is mixing a big bag of raw prawn heads in with coconut gratings, leftover after coconut milk has been squeezed from them. This mixture he would boil then feed the poultry. He says he doesn’t eat his many chickens and ducks, but just likes to feed them. Soon the strong full-moon tide will turn, refloating the fishing boats and bringing food to the armies of little red-clawed crabs, the mudskippers and the little wading birds of the mangroves. –Norachai Thavisin Getting there: Drive north to the airport on Highway 402. Just after Wat Phra Nang Sang, turn
Buying some groceries is a relaxing affair.
A good morning for fishing. left onto Highway 4030 (Don Jom Tao Rd). Turn right into Bandon Koktahnod Rd for a long way then turn left into Soi
Rayan 2, following the sign for the Sirinat National Park. This takes you right to the beach at the river mouth.
The small fishing community on the tidal river behind Layan Beach. www.thephuketnews.com
16 BUSINESS & TOURISM
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
In Cambodia, money talks Cambodia has moved to resolve a high-profile dispute about a mass eviction from a lakeside area in the capital Phnom Penh, after the World Bank froze lending to the impoverished nation over the row. In a letter seen by AFP Tuesday, Prime Minister Hun Sen said people refusing to leave the Boeung Kak lake area to make way for a private development could continue living there on a designated 12.44 hectares (30.7 acres) plot of land. The offer, which could save around one thousand families from eviction, came just days after the World Bank announced it would not provide new loans to Cambodia until the government found a solution for the lake residents. The rest of the roughly 126-hectare site would remain in the hands of a ChineseCambodian company headed by a ruling party politician that has been filling in the lake to build high-rise apartments and shops.
The compromise comes too late for the more than 3,000 families who have left the area already, often after seeing their homes flooded with mud and accepting what little compensation was on offer, according to housing rights groups. But the news was welcomed by the remaining residents, who have held frequent protests in recent months demanding on-site housing or better compensation. “I am overjoyed with the order. I feel both excited and nervous because our previous protests never succeeded,” said 43-year-old Doung Kea, who has lived on the shores of the lake for more than a decade. Sia Phearum, Secretariat Director of the Housing Rights Task Force, an independent pressure group, said Hun Sen’s offer “is a smart, clear resolution to the Boeung Kak lake case”. But he warned that details about new housing on the site still needed to be ironed out in further talks between city of-
Thailand’s new Transport Minister, Air Chief Marshall Sukampol Suwannathat, has announced that he will in principle support a Thai Airways International (THAI) plan to start a no-frills carrier in partnership with Singapore’s Tiger Airways. He has also expressed his support for another proposal for Thai Airways to launch a wholly-owned sister airline tentatively called Thai Wings, which would operate on domes-
tic and regional routes. ACM Sukampol said he would have to look into details of both plans first but he did not expect there to be an issue if they were supported by sound business principles. The Minister said ‘any legal obstacles could later be removed’, referring to the recent refusal by the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) to approve the THAI-Tiger joint venture. CAD director general Somchai Chanrod said if Thai
Police confront villagers protesting five months ago. Now, backed by the World Bank’s clout, the villagers seem to have won. –Photo AFP ficials, residents and the project developer, Shukaku Inc. Phearum credited the residents for standing their ground in the dispute though he said pressure from the World Bank
had also “played a part”. The World Bank admitted in March it had failed to protect the lake dwellers while working on a land titling project in the country a few years ago,
and has repeatedly offered to help the government resolve the issue. Land conflicts are a major problem in Cambodia and the government has faced mounting
Wings is launched as a business unit of THAI it would not need approval from the CAD. A THAI spokesperson said Thai Wings, if it does take off, would initially operate services on four domestic routes and five regional ones. Meanwhile, THAI and its subsidiaries lost just under B6 billion on operations in the second quarter, and a further B2.3 billion in foreign currency losses. Thai Airways said the B6 bn loss was caused primarily by fuel prices, competition from other airlines, and the reduction in travellers following the earthquake in Japan. During the period, the average cabin factor was 66.4 per cent. However, as the political situation was more stable than in the same period of 2010, the number of passengers increased 13.2 per cent year-on-year. Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK) were 9.8 per cent higher than the same period in 2010 and the average freight load factor decreased by 0.8 per cent from the same period last year. THAI’s losses for the first half of fiscal year 2011 (January 1 to June 30 2011) totalled B7.3 bn On the bright side, operating results for last month saw cabin factor and RPK improve dramatically with RPK reaching 5,234 million, an increase of 7.6 per cent coands cabin factor up 25 per cent on June’s figure, the highest in four years.
American billionaire Warren Buffett has indicated that a successor to head his Berkshire Hathaway firm has already been “agreed on” and could step in as soon as the investment guru retires or dies. “There’s several people, but there’s one person they’ve all agreed on,” Buffett, speaking of his holding company’s board of directors, said Monday on the PBS network show “Charlie Rose,” according to a transcript. Without naming names, the Berkshire founder and chairman known as the Oracle of Omaha said that “if I die tonight, tomorrow morning it won’t take the board an hour to have announced my successor.” Last October Buffett hinted that Berkshire Hathaway’s newly appointed investment manager Todd Combs could one day head investments for his massive company. The 40-year-old Combs had been little known in the US business world, having spent the last five years running Castle Point Capital Management. Questions about the octogenarian’s successor also swirled in March, when Berkshire top executive David Sokol, who had also been tipped by some to replace Buffett at the helm of the US$372 billion (B11.2 trillion) investment house,
Warren Buffet has urged US lawmakers to tax the wealthy more heavily. – Photo AFP
Minister backs Thai Tiger Oracle
service costs (or receive rewards in goods) when servicing models from 1976 to 2006.
www.thephuketnews.com
criticism from rights groups and the United Nations in recent years over the forced displacements of tens of thousands of mostly poor people. –AFP
of Omaha ‘ready to retire’
resigned after a share-buying scandal. In the interview, Buffett also said he was “100 per cent” opposed to the decision by ratings agency Standard & Poor’s earlier this month to ding the United States’ sterling AAA credit rating for the first time, a move which sent markets into a panic, although they stabilised in the days after the downgrade. Buffett also warned on PBS of the “very, very stark statement” by the US Federal Reserve last week when it pledged to hold interest rates near zero for two more years
to counter an economy facing increased risks of stalling. “They’re really saying the economy is not going to be very good until then,” Buffett said. “There’s a chance they’re wrong.” Buffett earlier had pricked the ears of investors, politicians and analysts by writing an opinion piece in Monday’s New York Times urging lawmakers to raise taxes on wealthier Americans, including the megarich like him, in order to cut the country’s huge budget deficit, saying the move would not dampen investments or jobs. –AFP
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
BUSINESS & TOURISM 17
Confidence hits a new high Expectations that the new government will get Thailand’s economy humming are driving up the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI), which rose in July to 84.1 from 81.7 in June, the fourth month in a row that the index has risen. Significantly, the July figure is the highest since March 2006, six months before Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in the most recent military coup and forced into exile. The CCI is compiled by researchers at the Economic and Business Forecasting Center of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
Center Director Thanawat Polvichai said the CCI rise was attributed to hopes among Thai consumers that the new government, which has its roots in the Thaksin era and is headed by his sister, will have effective policies to stimulate economic growth. The confidence rating for personal income prospects in particular has been spectacular, passing 100 for the first time, which Dr Thanawat said indicates that optimistic Thais believe their incomes will not drop in the near future. Dr Thanawat said that the Center will be watching closely for the effect on con-
fidence of the rising cost of living, increasing oil prices, and uncertainties regarding the global economic recovery. However, he added, the next tipping point for the CCI will be public reaction to the new 35-member cabinet. Pongsak Assakul, deputy chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said he feels the new economic ministers have the ability to steer the Thai economy in the right direction. But, he added, corruption and socio-economic disparities are problems that need to be solved urgently. – Phuket News, MCOT
AirAsia affiliate ready to take off in the Philippines
Lyndon Phillips.
New sales director for BT-Laguna Banyan Tree has appointed Lyndon Phillips as Director of Sales of Banyan Tree Residences and Laguna Property. In his new role, Mr Phillips will be responsible for property sales in Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, as well as residence sales in Bintan, Indonesia. These properties come under Laguna Property and Banyan Tree Residences that is expanding globally, as well as Angsana Properties to be launched later this year – real estate arms under the group and its subsidiaries Laguna Resorts & Hotels Public Company Limited and Angsana Hotels & Resorts. Following a sales career in investment and financial products in the UK, Mr Phillips moved into the real estate sector before heading to Asia in 2005, specialising in international sales of high-end Phuket properties. He was previously Director of Sales with Royal Phuket Marina and prior to this, International Sales Manager and Head of Real Estate with Engel & Völkers (Thailand) Estate.
AirAsia launched a new affiliate in the Philippines on Monday, promising to undercut its rivals on regional and domestic routes. To minimise costs and avoid Manila’s crowded terminals, AirAsia Philippines will fly out of a former US military airbase, now renamed the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, which is about 90 minutes’ drive north of the country’s capital. “We will be substantially cheaper (than our competitors),” AirAsia Philippines chief executive officer Marianne Hontiveros said at the launch in Clark where she oversaw the arrival of the airline’s first Airbus A320. Although the launch ceremony was held on Monday, she said the airline was not expected to start commercial operations until October when it received its final flight certification from the government. That said, the airline wasted no time getting its first aircraft into Clark. The new Airbus A320 commanded by Captain Johansen Hernandez landed at Clark carrying 29 people, including Marianne Hontiveros, CEO of AirAsia Philippines. Ms Hontiveros said, “This is a proud moment for AirAsia Philippines as the arrival of the new aircraft signifies our first step in introducing ourselves to the nation. As an archipelagic country, air travel is necessary for Filipinos and we are here to serve and help them stay or be better connected with their families and friends.” The aircraft is the first of four aircraft that will be delivered to AirAsia Philippines in its first year of operation. The second is slated to arrive later this year while the remaining
HotelTravel boosts its inventory
Clark airbase used to be a US military base. Now renamed Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, it will be AirAsia’s Philippine springboard. – Photo USDoD two will be delivered in 2012. Currently, AirAsia Philippines is awaiting official approval to start flying commercially. The airline plans to use the first aircraft to fly to Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong, and the second to Bangkok, Incheon in South Korea, and two Philippines destinations: Kalibo near Boracay and Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island. Ms Hontiveros said the carrier would then branch out to the rest of Asia, while also looking to fly domestic routes in the Philippines. She added that there are plans to make Diosdado Macapagal a hub for the entire AirAsia network’s routes to and from the United States. Like the rest of Asia, the Philippines has seen a boom in low-cost air travel in recent years with home-grown budget carrier Cebu Pacific rising to overtake Philippine Airlines as the nation’s dominant airline. But Ms Hontiveros said AirAsia’s reputation should
ensure the local affiliate succeeded amid the rising competition. “We’re banking on the very strong brand of AirAsia. We might be low-cost but we are not cheap (in quality) … we plan to be a substantial player,” she said. Philippine investors including Antonio Cojuangco, a cousin of President Benigno
Aquino, have a 60-per cent share in AirAsia Philippines, with the Malaysian parent company led by Tony Fernandes holding the other 40 per cent. AirAsia has similar affiliates in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, with another to start in Japan, which are independent companies but work together as one network. –AFP
Phuket-based global online travel information and hotel reservations website HotelTravel.com has inked a partnership agreement with the Augustus Collection group of hotels. The two companies signed a direct hotel contract which will add over 300 hotels to the website’s inventory of properties worldwide. With offices in France and the UK, Augustus Collection has hotels, resorts, and spas in major cities across Europe and the US. According to HotelTravel. com Chief Information Officer, Olivier Dombey, the new agreement will broaden the commercial reach of both companies while strengthening HotelTravel.com’s commitment to guaranteed hotel rate parity. It also allows Augustus Collection hotels to update rates on a real-time basis. “HotelTravel.com is delighted to partner Augustus Collection, which in a very short time has successfully built an impressive portfolio of over 300 unique hotels in 12 countries around the world.”
We believe that the success of a project is essentially based on a serious management
liberto@construction-thailand.com
liberto@construction-thailand.com 40 years experience of more than 20 years at your service in Thailand.
Main Contractor:
Study Project Architecture Design Construction & Management
Office 3.L.H & I.C.P. Manufactory 3.L.H & I.C.P.
www.thephuketnews.com
18 PROPERTY
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
Disneyland design out of context “T he problem is that there is no local Phuket vernacular architecture’’. Thus goes the oft-repeated refrain from local expatriate architects, explaining their reliance on central and northern Thai architectural elements in their residential designs. Swooping rooflines, upturned eves, temple derived decorative programmes – these are seen repeatedly, especially in housing stock built for sale to foreigners. Derided as ‘Disneyland Thai’ by locals-in-the-know, the style remains at once completely out of context in southern Thailand and immensely popular with foreign buyers. Who then can blame developers – and their hired architects – for these creations? Foreign visitors, and hence property buyers, think of this style as essentially Thai. Images of this country seen abroad, whether in picture books or travel advertisements, feature temples and palaces. The problem of course is
By
Scott Gorsuch Design Matters
that until very recently, this style of architecture simply did not exist in this part of Thailand. It is possible to visit religious and royal buildings of this style, in the central plains and the north, that date back centuries. By contrast, similar structures in southern Thailand often date from the 1950s or later. Traditionally part of the Malay Peninsula, Phuket owes more to that historical reference than it does to Lanna or Sukhothai. Malaysian peninsular architecture typically features vertical timber plank construction, tin roofing, a more gently sloping roofline, shuttered plank windows, and wide verandas to provide shade all around. Visit almost any Wat in southern Thailand, and you will see recently constructed (within the past 70 years) Sukhothai or Lanna style concrete block buildings and multi tiered roofs. Walk behind the
This is more like it – local vernacular architecture has nothing to do with swooping temple-type roofs. ordination hall or crematorium to where the monks live, and you will typically find the older original buildings in a classically southern, Malay influenced style. Architect Jamie Jamison of Original Vision, a keen observer of local architectural genres, is quick to debunk the “no local vernacular” myth. “Visit the village elementary schools,” Mr Jamison advises. These are structures we typically drive by without thought, but indeed they are excellent and often well-pre-
served examples of a local architectural tradition. Many of them were built before the nationalism that swept Thailand in the 1930s and attempted to unify Siam’s historically diverse cultural and regional identities into a singular “Thai” style, and these buildings reflect a functional and visual vocabulary indigenous to the area before the Bangkok-era Rama monarchs annexed the south into their kingdom. Two storey timber structures with metal roofs, these also feature simple wood plank window shutters and covered
verandas, ideal for ventilation and protection from sun and rain. Invariably they feature the Principal of Lesi “X” pattern decorative balusters and ventilation blocks seen elsewhere in peninsular Thailand and Malaysia. There is a harmonious geometry to them, and they look both functional and “at home” in the rainforests – and rubber plantations – of the south. Building a house entirely from tropical timber is expensive and arguably not very green these days, but it is not much of
a leap to imagine a cool, functional, and well-shaded house designed and built using this supposedly non-existent local Phuket vernacular. Those of us for whom design matters are still waiting to see such a house in Phuket. Anyone? Scott Gorsuch is Principal of Leisure Design Group, a Phuket-based company providing design direction and project management to resort and villa developments. He can be reached by email to sg@leisuredesigngroup.com
Azimut Yachts aims for eco-sustainability Advertorial
From the successes of today, a contribution for tomorrow’s world: Azimut Yachts illustrates the results of its environmental responsibility plan and presents the Magellano 50, the motor yacht with the highest level of eco-compatibility ever reached. Paolo Vitelli, President of the Azimut Benetti Group, today presented the results of the environmental sustainability programme that Azimut Yachts has put into action as an
www.thephuketnews.com
The Magellano 50: A contribution for tomorrow’s world. integral part of its development plan. The sustainability plan passes through a multiplicity of actions.
Azimut Yachts obtained ISO 14001 certification,the first amongst the boatyards building large leisure craft,
by virtue of a coherent and effective management system addressed to reducing the environmental impact of its activities. Furthermore, since 2004 it utilises the Core Infusion lamination system and in 2007 the research was started into the use of paints and resins with low environmental impact. In fact, Azimut Yachts has the most important research centre in the world in the nautical sector, committed to the study of innovations and immediate application in favour of the end user. Sensitive to ecocompatibility for several years
now, as demonstrated by the installation of photovoltaic panels on the Azimut 55 in 2004, and the development of the Electric Diesel Motor for the Benetti’s Ambrosia in 2006, the Azimut Benetti R&D Centre has intensified the level of attention on these themes in the last few seasons. “We have made extraordinary steps forward regarding production processing and product”, underlines Vitelli, “If we can present a motor yacht now on the market that reaches the maximum level of eco-compatibility and built in low environmental impact
boatyards, most of the merit must go to investments in research”. Amongst the most interesting research frontiers investigated by Azimut’s R&D Centre is certainly the development of hybrid propulsion engines that actually permit navigation with an almost total lack of noise and a reduction of consumption on short day trips. The revolutionary Easy Hybrid system unites these extraordinary potentials with the maximum facility of use. In fact, you can shift from the traditional system to the electrical system and vice versa, either manually or automatically, which effectively permits the use of electric motors during slow navigation, including manoeuvres and the phases of entry and exit from marinas. A yacht is a complex system and the engine is only one of the elements to be taken into consideration. To maximise the level of eco-compatibility, it is necessary to intervene on all aspects; from the hull to the finishes. The strategy adopted by Azimut Yachts has been to follow the principles dictated by RINA.
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
BUSINESS & PROPERTY 19
Professionals Offshore property face Singapore ownership and tax clampdown Foreign professionals will face tougher rules on working in Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Sunday as part of moves to allay public anger that saw his party suffer in May elections. Resentment over the government’s accommodating policy on foreign workers was among the issues that led to the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) recording its worst showing since independence in 1965 at the vote. Pledging to put Singaporeans “first”, Lee said the government will tighten requirements for hiring foreign professionals and skilled workers who compete directly with local mid-level managers and executives. Singapore has already imposed measures to curb the hiring of lower-skilled foreign labourers, but Lee said the city-state will remain fully open to the entry of top-level professionals and entrepreneurs. “At the bottom we are tightening, at the top we have to be free,” he said in his annual National Day rally speech. “In between, we have to make some adjustment (in) the middle, the lower middle level.” The PAP was returned to power with a huge majority in the May polls, but public
Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong – Photo Gobierno de Chile. anger over a range of issues saw its share of the vote fall to an all-time low of 60 per cent, from 67 per cent in 2006 and 75 per cent in 2001. The opposition won six seats out of 87, its best performance since Singapore’s independence, with the PAP casualties including foreign minister George Yeo, whose six-member team lost to the Workers’ Party in one district. In his speech, Lee also
sought to address Singaporeans’ complaints about soaring residential property prices, saying the government was ramping up the building of more highrise apartment blocks to meet demand. He announced expanded slots for Singaporeans at local universities, and pledged that medical care will be made more affordable to a bigger number of citizens with chronic ailments. –AFP
Second recession could hit Asia – Lee
Asia, including China and India, will be vulnerable if the United States and Europe slip into another recession, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said. In his annual policy speech on Sunday, Lee warned it was possible the world would sink into another recession because of the debt crisis in Europe and the United States’ economic woes that led to a landmark downgrade by Standard & Poor’s of the country's top-notch credit ratings. “Europe is troubled, America is also troubled,” he said in his National Day rally speech, adding this has led to the recent volatility in the global financial markets. Lee said the markets’ volatility was “only a reflection of the real issue” which is lack of investor confidence that the US and European governments can
“make the hard decisions and to resolve the problems which are deep and very serious.” The US government is spending too much and its fiscal deficit is “unsustainable”, said Lee, adding that deep divisions between the Republicans and the Democrats have made it harder for the country to solve its problems. Against this backdrop, China, India and other emerging markets are doing “quite well” for the moment, he said. “But if America and Europe will go into another recession, then I think China, India and the emerging economies will also be affected, will also be vulnerable,” he warned. “And therefore Singapore has to be watchful. We don’t have to press the panic button yet but we have to be watchful because there’s quite a possibility that the world will
go into another recession,” he added. “That's going to affect us. It can easily happen.” Singapore’s economic output contracted by 6.5 per cent in the second quarter as global electronics demand slumped, according to official data. Export-dependent Singapore was the first Asian economy to suffer negative growth during the last global downturn in 2008 but also led the recovery with a strong growth rebound in 2010. Markets around the world have been roiled on concerns that the US and eurozone debt crisis may spark a new recession. The crisis started in Greece and is now fuelled by fears that Spain or Italy might default on their debt and possibly spark a break-up of the currency shared by 17 countries. –AFP
The use of off-shore entities, such as a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), to own real estate is not uncommon in Thailand. One reason often cited by investors for doing this is that they believe it will result in significant tax savings. While this may be true with regard to any tax applicable to the “sale” of the real estate by way of sale of the off-shore entity itself, it may not be true with regard to other potential tax liabilities. This article will analyse the tax consequences of an off-shore entity renting out real estate it owns in Thailand. In general, juristic persons “carrying on business in Thailand” are subject to corporate income tax (CIT) at the basic rate of 30%. CIT is applicable whether these entitles are incorporated under Thai law or some other foreign jurisdiction. Entities organised under Thai law are subject to CIT on their worldwide income. However, entities organised under a foreign law are only subject to CIT if the income results from “carrying on business in Thailand”. If an entity is incorporated under foreign law and is not “carrying on business in Thailand”, but receives payment of assessable income from or within Thailand, that payment is subject to a withholding tax (WHT) at a rate 10 or 15 per cent depending on the type of payment. For dividends the WHT is 10 per cent. For income from services, interest, royalties, rent or the “liberal professions” (medicine, dentistry, law or architecture, for example) the WHT is 15 per cent. Where the recipient of assessable income is an off-shore party, the Revenue Code of Thailand (RC) places the liability for filing the applicable
By
Jerrold Kippen
Tax & Law Expert Duensing Kippen
WHT return and submitting the tax payment itself on the payer of the assessable income; in our rental income example, this would be the lessee of the real estate owned by the offshore entity. Thus, for example, if the rent is B100,000 a month the lessee is obliged to pay the Thai taxman B15,000, leaving B85,000 for the lessor. Thus, tax liability for such rental income depends on whether or not the off-shore entity is deemed to be “carrying on business in Thailand”. The RC does not define “carrying on business in Thailand”. Section 66, paragraph 2, of the RC states that juristic companies or partnerships organised under foreign laws and carrying on business in Thailand are subject to the same tax as those organised under Thai law, but only with respect to income arising from, or as a result of, the business carried on in Thailand. In addition, Section 76bis of the RC states: “For a company or juristic partnership incorporated under foreign laws which has an employee, an agent or a go-between for carrying on business in Thailand and as a result receives income or profits in Thailand, such company or juristic partnership shall be deemed to be carrying on business in Thailand and the person who acts as an employee, an agent or a go-between for the business, whether he is an individual or a juristic person, shall be deemed to be representative of the company or juristic partnership incorporated under foreign laws and shall have the duty and liability to file a tax return and tax payment in accordance with the provisions of
this Part, with respect to only the abovementioned income or profits.” The practical implication of Section 76bis is obvious. If the real estate owned by a foreign entity is leased out through an on-shore agent, rental pool, etc, the agent or rental pool company could be deemed to be an “employee, an agent or a go-between” of the foreign entity. The foreign entity would then be treated like a Thai entity with regard to the income derived from its real estate located in Thailand and its rental income would be subject to the same tax regime. Furthermore, the on-shore liability to file the tax return and pay the applicable tax on behalf of the off-shore entity would be on the said agent or rental-pool company. There are exceptions to the above. Offshore entities registered in some jurisdictions may be able to invoke the provisions of a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between the jurisdiction and Thailand, limiting exposure to full Thai CIT. Unfortunately, however, investors using off-shore entities from jurisdictions that do not have a DTA with Thailand – and this includes the BVI – are not entitled to invoke the protection. DUENSING KIPPEN is a multi-service boutique law firm specialising in real estate and corporate/commercial transactional matters as well as arbitration proceedings arising therefrom. It is the only such firm in Thailand that also complements its transactional expertise with a core tax law practice. DUENSING KIPPEN can be reached at: contact@dktaxandlaw. com. For more information visit dktaxandlaw.com
www.thephuketnews.com
20 WEIRD WORLD
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
Heady new internet craze is horseplay ‘H
orsemaning’ is the new ‘planking’ – apparently. The latest internet photo craze, where participants pose for photographs as if they have been beheaded, is taking the internet by storm. It involves at least two people – one to pose as the headless body and the other to appear as their counterpart’s decapitated head in a comical situation. The art of ‘horsemaning’ is by no means a new photography craze though – in the 1920s it apparently became a very popular way to pose for pictures.
Freaky fetishes Furry Fandom: For lovers of all things soft and cuddly, this is the classification given to people who like to dress up as anthropomorphic (human-like) animals, or watch others do so. Teratophilia: Teratophilia is the sexual attraction to deformed or monstrous people. One version of Teratophilia is acrotomophilia, ie sexual attraction to amputees.
‘Horsemaning’ – not exactly the way to get ahead in life.
Fugitive cow a master of disguise A German cow called Yvonne who escaped from a butcher has continued to foil any attempts of recapture by blending in with a herd of deer in nearby woodland. Dozens of witnesses have reported sightings and say the cow now thinks it’s a deer. Yvonne’s plight began when she escaped from a Bavarian sausage-maker almost 10 months ago. Since then local press have picked up the story and reported that hunters had been given permission to shoot the cow. Animal rights campaigners in Germany are up in arms
with the decision and have since launched an appeal with a widespread search taking place at the weekend. Hundreds of people travelled to Bavaria to help with the pursuit and even brought a relative and its calf to help lure Yvonne from the woods. They had no luck though and the cow remains on the run. Michael Auf hauser, an Austrian multi-millionaire animal lover, has agreed to buy the wiley bovine from the sausage-maker once the cow is captured, but it seems life with the deer has made its mark on Yvonne.
Zhang Bo found himself in a ‘hole’ lot of bother.
Head over heals in traffic
www.thephuketnews.com
of the road and it just dropped into it. “He went head over heels and everyone laughed, despite the injuries.” Unfortunately for Zhang – who wasn’t wearing a helmet at the time – he was rushed to hospital with a fractured skull and a broken jaw. According to local police, manhole covers are regularly stolen so they can be melted down for scrap and Zhang’s accident is an increasing problem caused by the unusual road theft.
Urolagnia: This is when a person derives sexual pleasure from urinating or watching others urinate. In some cases this can lead to urophagia, the consumption of urine. Blood Fetish: This fetish is when a person derives satisfaction from watching someone bleed, or simply seeing blood on partly or entirely naked skin. Crush Fetish: A crush fetish is a desire to see small insects or animals crushed to death. Inanimate objects, such as cigarettes, fruit or toy cars, can also be crush fetish stimuli. Klismaphilia: Klismaphilia is the fetish in which pleasure is derived from enemas. Necrophilia: A sexual attraction to human corpses. Omorashi: Omorashi is a fetish subculture in Japan. It is arousal from the feeling of having a full bladder.
A cow, possibly not unlike this one pictured, has evaded capture in Germany after infiltrating a herd of deer.
Teacher airs dirty laundry
A Chinese motorcyclist who took his eyes off the road found himself in a spot of bother after his two-wheeler ended up in an open manhole. Zhang Bo was busy dodging traffic in the hustle and bustle of Changchun in China’s northeast when his motorcycle suddenly disappeared head first into the sewer and he was thrown almost a metre over the handle bars. Hui Shi, a witness travelling behind the motorcycle, said: “Car wheels were driving either side of the hole – but the motorbike was in the middle
THE BIG LIST
A primary school teacher with a fetish for feet and “sweaty” schoolboy clothing has been convicted by a New Zealand court and banned from teaching. The New Zealand Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal ordered the man be struck from the register after he was found guilty of grooming a young man for sexual favours. In its ruling the tribunal said the man had been a teacher for nine years, meeting his victim at school when the boy was aged 10. At first he bought the boy gifts such as food or drink and clothing, and began to drive him around in his car, an affidavit said. Over a period of years the man increased the contact, buying dirty clothing, footwear and boxer shorts from the victim. “This was to fuel a fetish that the defendant had for these items of used schoolboy clothing.”
The report described an occasion where the boy had been at the teacher’s house helping with some gardening. “The victim removed his sweaty footwear. The defendant was fixated with the victim’s feet and began to lick his feet and suck his toes. This continued for around 30 seconds and basically set in course a future increasing physical-contact element to their relationship.” A second boy was subject to similar treatment after he was introduced to the man when the first victim began college. The teacher would also ask the second boy for dirty school socks, sandals and sport shoes and pay the victim for these items as well as replacing the old with new items. A search on the teacher's house in 2010 by a police Child Abuse Team found many pairs of shoes, boxer shorts, socks, shirts and numerous school articles.
Trichophilia: Arousal from hair. Vorarephilia: Arousal from eating or being eaten by another person. Plushophilia: An attraction to stuffed animals. Abasiophilia: Love of people with leg braces. Phalloorchaolgolagnia: Arousal from pain experienced to the male genitalia. Aquaphilia: Arousal from water. Eprochtophilia: Arousal from flatulence. Homeovestism: Attraction to clothes of one’s own gender. Dacryphilia: Sexual arousal from making someone cry. Frotteurism: Arousal from rubbing against a nonconsenting person. Somnophilia: Arousal from sleeping or unconscious people. Dendrophilia: Having a sexual interest in trees. Mucophilia: Sexual pleasure related to mucus (eg the consumption of mucus). Formicophilia: Sexual interest in being crawled upon or bitten by small insects. Mechanophilia/mechaphilia: Sexual attraction to cars or other machines. Oculolinctus: Erotic pleasure stemming from the licking of someone’s [attached] eyeball.
ON CAMERA 21
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
A local balloon maker keeps the kids entertained.
A seafood
Left: Thai classical dancing. Above: Pimsiri Assadorn about to enjoy her freshly cooked meal.
spectacular in Rawai M
ore than two thousand people converged in Rawai last weekend for the Seaside Fair, held as part of the Seafood Fiesta. The event was held on Friday and Saturday nights, and gave people the opportunity to enjoy freshly selected seafood cooked by one of the many local
restaurants along Rawai beach. As well as food, there was live entertainment with Thai dancing and singing shows. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office director Bang-ornrat Chinaprayoon said the event was very successful and exceeded her expectations. “Many Thai and foreigners
Crowds gather at Rawai beach for the Seaside Fair.
Fresh seafood on display.
enjoyed this event and next time it will be even better,� she said. The Phuket Seafood Fiesta runs until August 31. During August local participating restaurants will be offering discounts on seafood dishes (between 10 and 20 per cent), with some offering more of a discount.
Fiona Smith and her son Tennyson.
Phuket Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) director Bangornrat Chinaprayoon. Below: From left, Annie, Debbie and David from New Zealand.
An ice carving demonstration was held. www.thephuketnews.com
22 DOWN TIME BOOK REVIEW
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
MUSIC REVIEW
FILM REVIEW Larry Crowne
Rating: 15+ Run Time: 99 minutes
Rip Tide The Submission The Beirut Amy Waldman Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 320 pages
When a Muslim architect wins a blind contest to design a Ground Zero Memorial, a city of eleven million people takes notice. Waldman, a former bureau chief for the New York Times, explores a diversity of viewpoints around this fictional event, bringing in politicians, businessmen, journalists, activists, and normal people whose lives – whether by happenstance, choice, or ethnicity – get caught up in the controversy. Incredibly, she manages to keep all the balls in the air without ever fumbling. The story is moving and keeps the pages turning, but there are also bigger themes at work – of individuals versus groups; of the purpose of art, commerce, government, and journalism in society; of how people respond to grief and terror. The result is honest, compelling, and breathtaking.
Pompeii, 2011
Despite Zach Condon’s clear development, The Rip Tide is a defiantly small effort – the shortest LP in Beirut’s catalog (nine songs, clocking in at just over 33 minutes). As such, it’s an album that’s easier to slip by unnoticed than Beirut’s two other LPs. It also doesn’t help that this is nothing really new. Condon had hinted at a change of sound with his 2009 EP (March of the Zapotec), but has instead slipped back into his old ways – not necessarily a bad thing, but it just doesn’t sound as revolutionary anymore. However, you get as much out of Condon’s creations as you put time into them, and familiarity eventually becomes its own reward. His antiquated fantasies still very much belong to him, but it’s still a joy to peer inside them – even if the canvases they’re displayed on have shrunk ever so slightly.
There seems to be a very simple recipe that Tom Hanks has followed with Larry Crowne – add every tired, teenage Hollywood cliché ever devised, mix with a sprinkling of stars and simmer gently over a predictable plot. Remove any conflict in case of spoiling the almost nauseating feel-good message and garnish with underdone characters and undeveloped relationships. The resulting product is not a real movie – more like a series of short sketches that lack any real coordination, or for that matter, any particular point. Larry Crowne (Hanks) is a former Navy cook who has spent the past several years happily working at a Walmart-style big box store, but is unexpectedly fired because he doesn’t have a
college education. Why a company would fire one of their best employees instead of simply asking that he take college courses while continuing to work at the store is overlooked so the story can have Larry leave his comfortable existence to learn more about life, or something like that. Burdened with a house he can’t afford and unable to find a new job without a college diploma, Larry enrolls in the friendliest community college of all time and signs up
for a public speaking course (why he chooses this course is not clear) taught by the disaffected and depressed Mrs Tainot (Julia Roberts). While his direction remains competent and innocuous, Hanks’ screenplay, which he co-wrote with Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), relies far too heavily on meaningless quirks and undercooks both the title character’s development and his romance with Mrs Tainot. The relationship between Larry and fellow student Talia (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) feels like the one that’s supposed to develop into a romance. Talia is far more active in Larry’s life, and it feels like the script withholds Larry from returning her affections only because he’s supposed to end up with Mrs Tainot. Why Mrs Tainot? Presumably because she’s played by Julia Roberts, and Ms Roberts always gets her man. But Hanks and Vardalos never write any meaningful
development between the two characters. Tainot seems to openly despise Larry for the majority of the first act and then she drunkenly and spontaneously warms to him after having a fight with her husband, without any pretext for the change of heart. It’s as if Hanks and Vardalos just gave up with the writing process and simply hoped chemistry carried the day. It doesn’t, and Hanks and Roberts can only do so much working within the framework of a non-existent relationship. Larry Crowne had the potential to be a prett y good movie. But themes of the global financial crisis, midlife crises and picking yourself up when you’re down are brushed aside for a light, airy rom-com that tries to coast on star power alone. It proves, if nothing else, that Hanks should stay in front of the camera. –Dane Halpin
As some movies and movie times change every Thursday morning, after The Phuket News has gone to press, the accuracy of the following information cannot be guaranteed. For up-to-date information, visit sfcinemacity.com, or phone the cinemas: Phuket 076 209 000 and Patong 076 600 555.
AT SFX COLLISEUM PHUKET THIS WEEK Captain America (E/3D) [13+]: Captain America (E/F) [13+]: Captain America (T) [13+]: King Naresuan 4 (T) [S]: King Naresuan 4 (T/D) [S]: King Naresuan 4 (T/E.SUB) [S]: Rise of the Planet of the Apes (E) [G]:
11:15 13:30, 16:00, 18:35, 21:10 12:00 11:00, 14:00, 17:00, 20:00 13:30, 16:30, 19:30, 22:15 11:10, 12:10, 15:10, 21:00 11:15, 14:50, 17:10, 22:30
AT SFC JUNGCEYLON PHUKET Captain America (E) [13+]: 12:00, 14:35, 17:10, 19:45, 22:20 The Hangover 2 (E) [18+]: 22:25 Harry Potter 7 Part 2 (E) [G]: 17:15 King Naresuan 4 (T/E.SUB): 11:15, 14:15 Larry Crowne (E) [15+]: 11:40, 13:50, 16:00, 18:10, 20:20, 22:25 Rise of the Planet of the Apes (E) [G]: 11:15, 13:20, 15:40, 18:00, 20:15, 22:30 Water for Elephants (E) [15+]: 20:00
STRETCH YOUR BRAIN Across
Solutions to last week’s
www.thephuketnews.com
power wisdom. (11) 18. Chap used to shoot down aircraft. (3) 1. Dr Ike was 20. Verily, that’s an confused and irritated. affirmative. (3) (5) 22. Refreshed, Ann met 4. Put name to an tench for a spell. (11) omen. (4) 24. Shoot left or right 6. No male in this of the hearth. (8) country. (4) 10. Composer A created 25. “500 with two rounds after five with the States. (7) 11. Very small units of two rounds” – it’s black magic. (6) time? (7) 28. Erases what 12. Bays within assassin does. (4,3) impediments. (6) 30. Conclude no blaze. 13. Buffed Edward (7) from Gdansk. (8) 31. However, I find 16. Recognize type of beast. (4) 32. I offer price for the remnant. (4) puzzles same. (4) 5. Place where little 33. Fib to General James exercises? (3) Electric? Lord! (5) 7. Is the same as lucifers. (7) Down 8. Went ahead slightly and snooped. (5) 1. Kind of friend 9. We hear the who’s not around, yet independent gentleman is. (9) 2. Lo, Hakka’s twisted is broke. (8) 14. Gary is getting on in Phang Nga. (4,3) 3. Lived with note on in years. (6) 15. Calm a hundred in shoe part. (5) 4. Belt of southern fire tartan. (6)
17. Galosh on top of brake part. (8) 19. It’s said city dwarf beats time. (9) 21. Car and boat tumble tumbler. (7) 23. Support rear of Cockney nag. (7) 24. Bryan’s boat. (5) 26. Not on, Al has guts. (5) 27. Brain object. (4) 29. But container’s backed up. (3)
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
A view from the top
THE ENVIRONMENT 23
GREEN thumb As urbanisation continues to occur in cities around the world, people are turning to other options which allow them to have a garden in their own backyard. Many people living in cities or in high-rise areas now opt to have a roof garden to ensure green space still exists. A roof garden simply means a roof that is covered with vegetation, rather than just remaining as a large concrete area, common in apartments or other high-rise buildings. Some say that if a proportion of all available roof space in larger cities was covered with plants, it may decrease the city’s overall temperature by a few degrees. But the weight-bearing capacity of the roof, protection against leaks, and windtolerant plants need to be considered before investing time and money into creating a roof garden. It’s better to elevate plants using planter boxes or pots from the roof’s surface as it reduces a chance of the roof cracking and water leaking. But the garden can do more
Meet the natives
E
ach week The Phuket News introduces an animal or plant that is found on the island of Phuket.
The roof garden at the Posner Center at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, US, enhances environmental quality and offers a place for strolling.
Above left: The rooftop of the 343 Sansome Rooftop Deck restaurant in a financial district of San Francisco, US, is an example of a practical rooftop garden in an urban area with limited green space. Plastic containers have been used to house the plants. About right: Bromeliad, a wind-tolerant shrub, suits being planted in a rooftop garden. than just look good. If the roof is covered with at least 60 per cent plants, it can make a real difference in reducing
the roof temperature, making the building cooler and therefore reducing the energy consumption in the building.
The gardens can also be used to create outdoor fitness areas, vegetable gardens, or even art exhibitions.
North Layan Beach on Bang Tao Bay near the airport, about 20 kilometres northwest of Phuket Town, is littered with human rubbish and empty seashells. But, as you walk slowly past, some these shells begin to move. Looking closer, one is startled by the alarminglylarge hairy claws, and long beady eyes of the shy hermit crabs (Paguroidea), that are looking very suspiciously back at you. The tiny houses, striped, new or old and broken, have grown legs and are going about their business of looking for food. Most of the 1,100 species
of hermit crabs have spirallycurved abdomen that can be inserted backwards into any empty shells of the right size and so have no need to grow their own shells. Like humans when their houses become too small, the hermit crab simply moves houses, choosing another shell that is bigger, even if it has to fight off another homeless hobo hermit crab to do so. Some species of these sociable hermits are kept as pets as each seems to have a distinctive personality that can become endearing. If you like hairy claws, that is.
www.thephuketnews.com
24 FASHION
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
Street Fashion
1
Must haves Accessories from Kid Dee shop (Think Positive) at 15, Yaowaraj Road in Phuket Old Town.
2
1: Bracelet B300 2: Earrings (big) B350 Earrings (small) B100 3: Rings in various styles B300
Kawinthip Suwit, Student.
She bought her shirt (B100) from Saphan Put in Bangkok. Her scarf (B100) and her shoes (B120) were bought at Naka Weekend Market. She got her bag (B160) from a second-hand market in Phuket Town. Her skirt used to belong to her grandmother, and her watch was passed down from her grandfather.
Sales Executive.
Her top (B350) was bought at Khaosan Road, Bangkok. She bought her pants (B900) from Central Ladprao, her shoes (B80) from Major Ratchayotin, and her necklace (B150) from Platinum Mall in Bangkok.
ISLAND WEDDINGS
Andrew Naunton and Jacinta Perera from England released butterflies to celebrate their marriage at the Laguna Chapel on August 6. – Photos by theromanceplanners.com www.thephuketnews.com
3
Krittaya Arjinajarn, 3
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
AROUND PHUKET - DOWN SOUTH 25
Rawai-Nai Harn South Coast Experience
www.rawainaiharn.com
Atmanjai Wellness Centre.
Michael Massey at his centre.
Working towards wellness “I don’t like my work – I love it,” says Michael Massey, Director of Atmanjai Wellness Centre at Friendship Beach in Rawai. “And it’s not work to me, it is a passion to serve people and make a difference in their lives. “Every week I have the opportunity to provide services to people from different races, cultures, ages and genders, and support them to begin living in a more healthy, happy, positive and powerful manner.” Coming from Auckland in New Zealand, where it snowed this week for the first time in years, Mr Massey, a gentle and contented man, also loves his life in Phuket
where he has lived for many years. Around 400 clients a year come to stay at the Friendship Beach Resort on the seafront and take part in the several detox programmes offered at Atmanjai Wellness Centre, located just behind the resort. The courses last from three days all the way through to a month. “Even people who attempt to live in a healthy manner find that the odds are stacked against them these days. Manufactured foods acidify the body, the stress of a hectic and chaotic pace of life creates tension and imbalance, and their foods are nutritionally de-
ficient,” Mr Massey said. “So the average person is corrupting their body and eating a diet deficient in essential minerals and vitamins daily. “Combined with the pollution that surrounds us almost everywhere on the planet, it’s no wonder that people need to take time out to rest, relax and rejuvenate.” Atmanjai (coined by the centre to mean the heart of an advanced soul) has five programmes on offer, including one that provides Type 2 diabetics the opportunity to be off insulin completely. That programme has a 100 per cent success rate, according to Mr Massey. Essentially clients are
supported to cleanse toxins from their bodies using fasting, natural herbs and technology treatments provided by specialist therapists, including visiting ones. Clients are introduced to meditation as well. “What is rewarding is that after just three and a half years of operation, 61 per cent of our clients are either repeat clients or referral clients. “This is by far the highest ratio in the profession and a confirmation that we do indeed provide loving service and excellent results,” Mr Massey said. For further information visit atmanjai.com
Find out how Blue D Zine can make your website stand out
www.bluedzine.com Call us for more info: +66 76 680 310 or +66 89 474 0065
To Phuket Town
See Bees Diving
Blue D Zine At Software park
Chalong Intersection
Chalong Pier
tR Wise
Celebrating Mother’s Month
oad
ak Pat
ad Ro
Phuket Consult
Special Sunday Lunch at Baht 590.- net per person Serenity Resort Friendship Beach
Atsumi
Retreat Healing Center
Atmanjai
Sai Yuan Road
Detox & Wellness Centre
Kata - Sai Yuan Road
Davinci
The Vijitt Resort
Mother’s Day Spa Package - 50% discount MOM PACKAGE - Buy 1 get 1 free JASMINE PACKAGE *Cannot combine with any other discount card. For August 2011 only.
To Rawai Beach
For reservation: Tel 076-363600 Fax 076-363699 Email: info@vijittresort.com The Vijitt Resort Phuket 16 Moo2, Viset Rd., Rawai, Muang, Phuket 83000
www.thephuketnews.com
26 PET PAGE
Adopt a dog
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
Pet of the Week
Bundle of joy Coffee is a lovely chocolate lab who was taken to Soi Dog a few weeks ago. He was found on Kwang Road by a Thai woman with a massive wound, courtesy of his owner who had attacked it with a machete. If the injury had been slightly deeper it would have severed his spinal cord. Thanks to some TLC and treatment, Coffee’s wound has now healed and he is ready for a new home. If you are interested in adopting a dog please do not buy from the markets. Soi Dog Foundation has over 200 dogs and puppies available for adoption at any time. For more information on how to adopt visit soidog.org. All animals are fully vaccinated and desexed. Young puppies will be desexed free of charge as soon as old enough.
www.thephuketnews.com
This gorgeous puppy, named Leela, belongs to Phuket resident Siriporn “Nokky” Seangmas. Seven-month-old Leela, a Shih Tzu, disappeared last week but thankfully was returned a few days later to her
doting owner. Leela is a fun and healthy puppy, that has a selective palate – preferring human food over her own dog food. “I loved her before she disappeared, but now I love her more and worry about her so much more,” Nokky says.
Email us a photo of you and your pet to: editor@thephuketnews.com *Each month one winner who submitted the best Pet of the Week photo will win a B500 voucher from the Chao-Fa Andaman Pet Hospital. The Chao-Fa Andaman Pet Hospital is located at 8/28--29 M.9 chaofah (East) Rd., T Chalong, A. Muang Phuket 83130. Tel: 076 283 365 or fax: 076 384 524. Mob: 083 501 8488 or email urenium333@hotmail.com.
ON CAMERA 27
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
The Fame game
Jim Newport, aka Jimmy Fame, at the mic.
Brush partner Mam, second from right, with friends.
John Underwood and Dominick Mangiamelli.
Sarah Jackson, on backing vocals, has a great voice.
A
b out 50 p e ople turned out at Brush restaurant in Kalim on Saturday for a double launch by Jim “Mr Hollywood in Phuket” Newport – huckstering his new book,
the fourth in the Vampire of Siam series, and then switching to his alter ego, the singer Jimmy Fame. As part of the restaurant’s film month, the walls were festooned with posters
Michael Earle, Zack Underwood and Trisha Miller.
of movies Newport was involved in as production designer in his pre-retirement life, along with story boards for the flicks. As Jimmy Fame, Newport belted out songs from
the new album, Wanted Man, which he, Colin “Illy” Hill and other Phuket-based musicians, recorded recently at the Legend recording studio in the Boat Lagoon marina – an all-Phuket production.
Brad Kenny, Clifford Clark and Larry Amsden. www.thephuketnews.com
28 EAT PHUKET
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
Siam Indigo Exotique Bar & Restaurant, Phuket Town.
Thai with a twist in Phuket Town
I
f you want a great night out in Phuket Town, with some of the best Thai food around, look no further than Siam Indigo, Exotique Bar & Restaurant. Co-owner Celine Masson has transformed an historical old building on Phang Nga Rd, into a trendy restaurant oozing with character. Celine and friend Pisit Aongskultong decided to go into business together and began searching for the perfect
www.thephuketnews.com
place in Phuket Town, when they came across the 100-yearold building. They redecorated and the inside of the restaurant is now simply spectacular, with various art gracing the walls. The restaurant offers a mixture of “Thai with a twist” dishes, many of which give traditional Thai recipes new life, such as the signature dish of duck massaman curry (B250). Also sampled was pla
neung manaow (seabass fish fillet served with Chinese fungus mushrooms), for B280. The restaurant offers a selection of Thai tapas, which is a fantastic idea to ensure you get to sample all the great dishes. Six tapas are B230 per person, while 10 are 290 pp. Our selection of mixed tapas included fresh tuna laab on shrimp cracker (easily the stand out dish), mini shrimp cakes, smoked salmon on a rice noodle bed, smoked
chicken wings, smoked duck rolls with ginger orange salsa, and green mango salad with marinated shrimp. Cocktails, including a spicy mojito which has chilli pieces inside, are B190, except during happy hour from 5pm to 7pm when they are only B100. Celine is the perfect host, and sister Cathy runs the night time operations with the same enthusiasm. You can tell that both these women love Phuket Town and are passionate about the restaurant. Siam Indigo is the perfect place for an evening drink, a romantic meal for two, or simple a night out in Phuket Town. With its well-priced, tasty food, it has got to be one of the best restaurants on the island. So if you haven’t been already, make sure you put Siam Indigo on your to-do list while in Phuket. – Siam Indigo Exotique Bar & Restaurant, 8 Phang Nga Road, Phuket Town. Tel/ Fax: 076 256 697 or website: siamindigo.com –Claire Connell
Above: A selection of Thai food tapas on offer. Below: The interior of the restaurant has been tastefully decorated and art pieces on the walls are available for purchase.
EAT PHUKET 29
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
The conversation flows faster than the wine - Host Maurizio Laureri, left, and Martin Smetsers of the Thanyapura Organic Farm.
Institutional - the braised fillet of Angus beef.
Going up nicely T
he last time we met chef Paolo Fadda, he had just completed his first wine dinner for Da Maurizio, and was being asked by his boss, Maurizio Laureri, “Eh, Paolo, how you gonna go up?” Last Friday Paolo responded with his second wine dinner, a journey from the sea to the mountains of Italy, accompanied by Allegrini wines via Wine Gallery. As the irrepressible chef explained, all cuisine should be a combination of “tradition, revolution and balance” – Paolo is plainly no follower of fads, no molecular maven. The evening’s first offering was a variation on one of the regulars on the Patong restaurant’s regular menu, carpaccio of scallops, but with the addition of a genuinely memorable teaspoonful of sour cream flavoured with lime. Slippery
smooth and then zing. This was followed by a little duet: jumbo shrimp croquette with paprika and capers in filo pastry; and a shot glass of basil pesto foam and caramel hazelnuts. Oh yes. More, please. Into the first course – a rock lobster risotto with saffron and radish. I have to confess that I’ve never been a great fan of risotto. There’s something slippery about it that doesn’t appeal to me. This was tastier than some I’ve had, and others at the table seemed to enjoy it, so let’s give it the benefit of the doubt. The next course was an utter triumph. Given the ingredients it had to be, really: A large raviolo filled with a black truffle and potato filling, a shallot and green apple sauce and topped with foie gras. Pan fried, of course (is there any other way?). And just in case,
Paolo came around and shaved a little more truffle on top. “So,” asked Maurizio, “is he going up?” Definitely. Palates cleansed next with a glass of passion fruit and prosecco. The gods were having a good day when they invented passion fruit. Now, the main courses: A tartare of Fassone beef with capers and Parmigiano, followed by braised black Angus fillet mignon in a red wine and mustard sauce. Fassone beef comes from a Piedmontese animal renowned for its muscle mass and sweetish taste. In this case it was mixed with Lardo di Cassone – pork fatback with herbs. The result, very tender but rather greasy. The braised fillet was, if we’re honest, a mistake. Although it was timed to the second, leaving the interior
of the meat pink, braising is a technique best left to school canteens. Once one got through the sauce, the meat was tender enough, but rather institutional in taste. The evening was saved, however by the mascarpone mousse dessert, a grand old recipe from Maurizio’s mother, topped with cocoa nibs and a slosh of cognac. Delicious. So Paolo has “gone up”, with a couple of downs. All applause to this delightful man for his courage in going out on a culinary limb. If he falls off every now and again, be sure that he’ll be learning from it - and every diner at Da Maurizio will benefit. As to the wine, Thai law does not permit any discussion of its merits. So while you, had you been at the Da Maurizio dinner,
Shrimp croquette in filo pastry, left, with basil pesto foam.
Salvation - the mascarpone mousse dessert. might say that the choice of wines was excellent – particularly the Allegrini Palazzo della Torre 2007 and the Amarone 2007 Corte Giara – we can’t possibly comment.
Da Maurizio is on the hill between Patong and Kalim. Website: baanrimpa.com/italian-restaurant. Book through the website or call 076 344079. –Alasdair Forbes
Sizzling steaks
Steak stalls are becoming popular in Phuket, perfect news for those meatloving farang who live on the island. Steak restaurants are found all over the island, particularly in high-end restaurants, but there are also cheaper, good quality options available near Phuket Town. One restaurant in particular is Extra Steak 4, on Chao Fa West Rd, northwest of Phuket Town. Steaks, either beef or pork, plus chicken or fish options, are Young Phuket chef, Eakarat “Pe” Sutipa- served with salad, french fries and garlic richart cooks the meat dishes. bread, and the prices start at B55 – almost unheard of for steak in the western world. But fear not – it still tastes good, and the restaurant’s popularity seems to have spread considering the large number of farang eating when The Phuket News visited. Eakarat ‘Pe’ Sutiparichart and Orasa ‘Beau’ Supitayakul, the young steak house owners are proud of their small restaurant. They also have another branch Extra Steak 4 is full of customers at the on Chao Fa Rd, on the right hand side, plus two branches in Bangkok which weekend.
Street eats are popular too. Beside serving steak, staff also serve spaghetti, fried chicken, sausages and soup. This restaurant open daily from 5-11pm except Wednesdays. How to get there: Driving south from Central Festival, just before the turn off to the Naka Weekend Market, Extra Steak 4 is on the left.
Beef steak with egg (B100). www.thephuketnews.com
30 EVENTS-MAIN
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
WHAT’S ON IN PHUKET THIS WEEKEND ...
The winning team will be awarded the Governor’s Cup trophy inscribed by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards the ongoing Dusit Smiles - Operation Smile Thailand programme. This worldwide organisation mobilises medical professionals to provide safe and effective reconstructive surgery for children born with facial deformities, such as cleft lip and cleft palate. The registration fee of B 1,500 per team covers the rental of bowling shoes and refreshments.
AUGUST 20 Dusit Charity Cup 2011
Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket will hold its first charitable bowling tournament, the Dusit Charity Cup 2011, at CS Bowl, Big C Phuket.
For more information or to register, please contact CSR Coordinator Ms Wineeporn Sinsaengwat. Call 076 362 999 extension 7401 or dtlphrcsrco@dusit.com.
List your events on our website and here for free www.thephuketnews.com
UNTIL AUGUST 27 Laguna Phuket’s Summer Festival Laguna Phuket’s Summer Family Festival ends with a spectacular “Purple Party” at Canal Village on Saturday August 27 with a grand raffle offering prizes to experience room nights and dining at the new Angsana Laguna Phuket hotel when it opens in December. Meanwhile, there’s a spectacular Phuket Magic show in the Festival Marquee at Canal Village this Saturday, August 20 at 6 pm. The Festival at Canal Village has Christopher Hogan’s art classes Monday-Saturday 2pm-4.30pm: B1,000 children, B2,000 adults and performance artist Greta Caponnetto’s children’s Circus Skills MondayFriday from 5pm. Kidz Zone adventure ac-
AUGUST 20 Laguna Phuket's Summer Family Festival: Special appearance by the Phuket Magic Show. tivities every day 2pm-5pm, B200 per kid. Evening entertainment with Happy Hour bar 5-7pm, BBQ food, live big screen sports, Kidzole Flying Trapeze, Kidz Lounge with
movies and games, bouncy
restaurants in Phuket and Phang Nga will participate in this event by offering 1020 percent discount for all types of dishes to welcome all tourists.
something new and unique with the entire family.
castle and trampoline, Quiz Nights on Wednesdays. See: www.lagunaphuket.com/familyfestival.
THIS MONTH ... AUGUST AUGUST 20 Jazzing It Up At The Pavillions, Phuket From 7pm to 10pm this coming Saturday 20, fantastic saxophonist Konstantin Sarachin will perform accompanied by a vocalist at The Plantation Restaurant. Enjoy either a la Carte or a special menu for just B1,400++ per person. Reservations please contact Francois, fb.phuket@ thepavilionsresorts.com to reserve a table.
AUGUST 26 Irish Times Pub Charity Golf Day
In celebration of three Irish Major Golf Champions. At Loch Palm Golf Club tee-off at 12.25pm in support of the Life Home Project. Entrance fee at B2,800 per player includes green fee, caddy fee, refreshment on arrival and goody bag on arrival. Prizes for hole-in-one, team prizes, longest drive, nearest the pin. From 7 pm. Indian buf-
AUGUST 27 Africa Count Charity Party @ Håkans Bar, Karon
fet, live entertainment, prize presentation by MC David Brook at The Irish Times Pub Jungceylon. Format: four -man Stableford (two scores to count). Entry forms available at Irish Times Pub, The Yorkshire Hotel (Soi Sansabai), and The Player’s Retreat (Kathu). Sponsorship available contact Steve Fineberg on 081 077 6149 or stevefineberg570@gmail.com.
bring food and nicely-decorated fruits to make offerings to Por Tor Kong to pass onto the wandering spirits. An essential offering for the festival is red turtle-shaped cakes, large or small. They believe that turtles symbolise longevity.
Until AUGUST 31 Phuket Seafood Fiesta 2011
Every dish is specially prepared and cooked by experienced chefs. In addition to delicious sea-food meals, it is a good chance for all diners to join many activities in a relaxed environment with an exquisite view of Phuket.
Classes are open to all ages at all times. Great for families, birthday parties, and corporate events. Be in the iFLY fantasy fly show. 084 837 5726, iFLYPhuket@ me.com.
Until AUGUST 19 Learn to Swim This Summer at TSLC
Contact Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Phuket office. 076 212 213. See www. phuketseafoodfiesta.com.
Until AUGUST 28 Por Tor Festival Ethnic Chinese in Phuket believe that Por Tor Kong is a god of all demons. The seventh lunar month in the Chinese calendar is believed to be the period when spirits are released. The gates of Hell are opened and spirits released to wander or revisit their old homes.
Seafood, one of the main symbols of Phuket, will play the most important role as the main selling point to encourage more tourists to visit Phuket during the green season.
During the festival, people
Over 60 food shops and
Until AUGUST 31 iFly Flying Trapeze by KidzSole
This comprehensive program helps develop a wide range of skills to ensure children are competent in all strokes, water safety and survival. Qualified instructors teach classes in all six levels of the programme. Most children learning to swim are recommended to to go into group sessions. However, for those requiring individual attention, private classes can be arranged.
How many lives can we save? Entertainment and shows by Phuket Best group. Charity lottery and donations. All profits goes to Africa. Life tickets: B500. Includes one drink and one special gift. Save one life per ticket. Put your name on the ticket and the ticket on the wall to save one life. For more information please contact Oliver on 083 393 6226. www.hakansbar.com. www.thephuketnews.com
Learn to Fly on Asia’s only Mini Flying Trapeze open to the public at Laguna Summer Family Festival. There are many reasons to go on holiday. One is to enjoy new culture and to gain new experiences for the family. iFLY are offering that chance, to create memories to last a lifetime and to try
Class times: 45 minute sessions from 9am-12pm or from 4pm-6pm. Price at B200 per class per person. Thanyapura Sports & Leisure Club (TSLC). Contact 076 336 000, aquatics@ thanyapura.co.th. or visit thanyapura.com
EVENTS-REGULAR 31
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
List your events on our website and here for free www.thephuketnews.com
Happy Hour? Special promo? Live Music? Live Sport? Brunch? Dinner? Spa Promo? List it here
FREE! thephuketnews.com
FRIDAY TapasTree TapasTree (Near Peppers Bar Laguna) Buy one get one free cocktails. Resident DJ, ’70s to now. Great tapas. 088 443 4166.
Colin Hill Colin Hill performs (duo) every second Friday at Legends Bar in Kamala, with local guitarist Florian. Call 081 079 1069.
Beach BBQ Enjoy a beach BBQ at Catch Beach Club, Surin (from B1,190++ per person). 7-10pm. 076 316 567.
Curry Fridays at Navrang Mahal Alternate Fridays, all-you -can-eat authentic Indian curry buffet, B449 net per person. Draught beer B50. 7pm-11.30pm. Call 076 286 464.
Tapas & Wine Night Order tapas, as much as you like, plus one bottle of wine. B1,200 net per person. 6-11pm at White Box Kalim. 076 346 271.
50% Off All Drinks From 10pm to midnight with live music, Roaring Bhoys. Every Friday. Irish Times Irish pub, Jungceylon, Patong.
BBQ Ribs Only B250 per person at Shakers. Rat-U-Thit Road, Patong. Free pick up Patong and Kalim areas. Reservations call 081 891 4381.
Indian Night At RPM Due to the overwhelming
success of “Indian Feast” at Les Anges, guests can now enjoy this unique event regularly. Enjoy authentic Indian cuisine from 7-10pm. This authentic homemade Indian buffet will be prepared and served by in-house Indian Chef Padum Kahtri. Only B495++ per person. Please call Les Anges on 076 360 803
SATURDAY TapasTree TapasTree (Near Peppers Bar Laguna). Resident DJ, ’70s to date. Great tapas. Contact 088 443 4166.
AA Phuket Meetings @ TGM All meetings are one hour long and held in English at The Green Man Pub, 82/15 Moo 4 Patak Road, one km from Chalong circle. Contact 081 895 4763.
BBQ Buffet Night B295 at Shakers, Rat-UThit Road Patong. Free pick up Patong and Kalim areas. Reservations call 081 891 4381.
All Major Sports Live On the big screen. F1, MotoGP, Tennis, Golf, AFL, NRL. Irish Times Irish Pub, Jungceylon, Patong.
20% off all Pizzas At Shakers. Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road, Patong. Free pick up Patong and Kalim areas. Reservations please call 081 891 4381.
SUNDAY Sunday Brunch Enjoy the original Sunday brunch in Phuket at Twinpalms. 12-3pm (from B1,190++ per person). Call 076 316 577.
Family Brunch on The Boardwalk Les Anges at Royal Phuket M ar ina. From 11am to 3pm. B795++ Adults, include one glass of house wine, 50 per cent discount. Children under 12 eat for free. Call 076 360 803.
Best Sunday Carvery in Phuket Roast beef, BBQ ham, chicken, pork and Yorkshire pudding. All you can eat B399. Irish Times, Jungceylon, Patong.
Champagne Brunch at Trisara
Ever y Sunday, the beachfront bar becomes a celebration of f ine wines, exquisite tapas, live cooking stations and Phuket’s best dessert, featuring the cool sounds of a jazz trio. Come and indulge in Roederer Champagne or a wide variety of wines. Kids club welcome all children with complimentary snacks. Advance reser vations rec om mended on 076 310 100 or guest@trisara.com.
Sunday Roast Buffet B350 per person at Shakers. Rat-U-Thit Road, Patong. Free pick up Patong and Kalim areas. Reservations call 081 891 4381.
Sunday Family Brunch At Club Yamu by Twinpalms. Noon till 3pm. Enjoy delicious pasta, BBQ, Thai home cooking. Call 076 310 557.
MONDAY Book & DVD Exchange at Duke’s Duke’s at Kata is happy to sponsor the ChickyNet monthly book and DVD exchange. We meet every second Monday of the month. Visit ChickyNet. com or w w w.dukesbig board.com for details.
Roaring Bhoys Live Music every Monday night. The largest selection of draught beer in Phuket. Irish Times, Jungceylon, Patong.
BBQ Buffet Only B295 per person at Shakers. Rat-U-Thit R o a d , P a t o n g . Fr e e pickup Patong and Kalim. Reservatins 081 891 4381.
TUESDAY Beach BBQ Enjoy a beach BBQ at Catch Beach Club (from B1,190++ per person). 7pm-10pm. Contact 076 316 567.
AA Phuket Meetings @ TGM All meetings are one hour long and held in English at The Green Man Pub, 82/15 Moo 4, Patak Road, one km from Chalong circle. 081 895 4763.
Salsa Dance With Didier and Anna in their Dance Studio at The Green Man Pub. Dance continues in the pub after class. Happy hour 6 -7 pm. Call for more details on 084 437 0233.
Rotary Club of Patong Beach Weekly meeting of the only English-speaking Rotary Club on Phuket at the Aloha Villa Hotel (Dinner out on first Tuesday of the month). rotarypatong. org.
lection of draught beer in Phuket. Irish Times, Jungceylon, Patong.
BBQ Ribs Only B250 per person at Shakers. Rat-U-Thit Road, Patong. Free pick up Patong and Kalim. Reservations call on 081 891 4381.
THURSDAY Colin Hill (Solo) At Enigma Bar Aussie expat, Colin ‘Illy’ Hill plays solo at Enigma bar, Rawai. Time 9pm-midnight. Contact Illy on 089 777 3063 or illy@3bbmail.com.
AA Phuket Meetings @ TGM All meetings are one hour long and held in English at The Green Man Pub 82/15 Moo 4 Patak Road, one km from Chalong circle. Contact 081 895 4763.
DAILY Brew Great Beer
20% off all Pizzas At Shakers. Rat-U-Thit Road, Patong. Free pick up Patong and Kalim area. Reservations call 081 891 4381.
WEDNESDAY Wicked Wednesdays at Delish Delish-ous selection of cakes with your favourite coffee or tea only B99 at Delish cafe, Viset Road, Rawai, 150 metres past Tesco Lotus.
Chef’s Dinner at Surin Gate Kitchen Star t at 7.30 pm, four courses for B750 with award-winning Chef Daniel Isberg. Call 086 047 1474, chefdanielisberg. com, suringate.com.
Salsa Class At RPM Sals a c las s at Royal Phuket Marina from 7.309pm. For more info on www.phuket-dance.com.
Interactive Pub Quiz night. Starts from 8pm every Wednesday night. The largest se -
ITM Cup Rugby Live games shown at Australia Bar & Grill, Kata Beach. For more info visit www.australiabargrill. com or call 089 226 2878.
GAA Football & Hurling Live games shown at Australia Bar & Grill, Kata Beach. For more info visit www.australiabargrill. com or call 089 226 2878.
3-Hour Happy Hour Three-hour Happy Hour M onday- Fr iday, 4pm 7pm. Beer from B5 0. House spirits B90. Australia Bar & Grill, Kata Beach. 089 226 2878.
Duke’s Sports Bar at Kata Watc h your favour ite sports and enjoy a cold beer at the best lit tle spor ts bar in Phuket. Special “drink of the day” B110, all day - every day. w w w. d u ke s b i g b o a r d . com.
English Breakfast @ Ship Inn Kata Real English breakfast from 10am and all your favor ite meals happy hours from 3-8pm. Next to old Kata Bazzar.
Happy hour daily from 4pm to 7pm. Draft beer B110/pint, cocktail two for B220. Behind the ship at Jungceylon Call 076 3667 753.
Tri Nations Rugby, Netball World Cup, FIFA Womens World Cup, Tour de France. At Australia Bar & Grill. Call 089 226 2878.
Tri-Nations Match @ Duke’s
Peppers Quiz Night
Catch ALL the live rugby action - Five big screen TVs and free popcorn at Duke’s in Kata. Check dukesbigboard.com for details.
Currie Cup Rugby Live games shown at Australia Bar & Grill, Kata Beach. For more info visit www.australiabargrill. com or call 089 226 2878.
Sunset Happy Hours & Ninjazz Don’t miss the Sunset happy hours. Between 5pm and 7pm. “Buy one get the same one free” promotion. The Luna Bar, Centara Grand Beach Resort. Call for more info on 076 201 234.
We're now available at all
Live Sports
Peppers Sports Bar daily happy hour, great food, full English breakfast. Open from 8.30am. All spor ts shown. Laguna area. Please call 088 443 4166.
Rawai Buffet Breakfast B129 at Tiffany Restaurant. Fried potato, dark bread, fresh coffee and more. Near The Vijitt resort, Rawai. Contact 085 786 6272.
Australia Bar & Grill at Kata Projector screen plus 50” T V’s. TrueVisions and Astro systems. All live sport include AFL, NRL, rugby, F1, football. Call 089 226 2878.
outlets in Phuket
So you'll never have to go far for your weekly edition of The Phuket News. This is in addition to 400+ locations including all Family Marts, Big One Supermarkets, Se-ed book store and all major shopping outlets. For full list of outlets please visit w w w.t h e p h u ket n ews.co m/d i st ri b u t i o n l i st s . p h p www.thephuketnews.com
32 ENTERTAINMENT
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
CELEBRITY NEWS IN BRIEF into the top 200-grossing US films of all time.
Reid gets married
Austin Powers could be back, baby Mike Myers has signed on for a fourth Austin Powers movie, it has been reported. Responsible for catch phrases like “groovy, baby’’ and “shagadelic,’’ Myers hasn’t starred in an Austin Powers movie since 2002’s Goldmember, and his last movie was the badly reviewed The Love Guru in 2008. But HitFix.com reports Myers has signed on for a fourth film in the bumbling spy series. It’s no surprise that another Austin Powers film is in the works – the last two films have made it
www.thephuketnews.com
Tara Reid married Michael Lillelund on Saturday, only a few hours after they got engaged. The 35-year-old actress announced her happy news via a series of Twitter posts. Reid is vacationing in Greece with now-husband Lillelund, and told fans married life is agreeing with her so far. “Just got married in Greece I love being a wife,’’ wrote the star. It was only a few hours before that she had shared her impending nuptials with fans, telling them: “I just got engaged.” Reid’s representative Jack Ketsoyan confirmed to People that Reid and Danish businessman Lillelund are indeed husband and wife.
Up the Duff Hilary Duff and her husband are expecting their first child. The 23-year-old singer and actress announced the news on her website, after noting that she and Mike Comrie, 30, are celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary. “We also want to share the exciting news that baby makes three,’’ Duff wrote on her website. “We are extremely happy and ready to start this new chapter of our lives.’’
Singer-songwriter Leena Thavisin is paying a visit to Phuket.
Singer returns Australian-Thai singer-songwriter Leena Thavisin, who records with EMI Australia, calls in on a flying visit to Phuket and Bangkok next week on a family visit. Leena, 28, writes all her own songs and sings them solo or with
her Australian band at gigs in Melbourne, where she now lives, and on regular tours around Australia. She is looking forward to seeing Phuket again, where she used to live, and to catch up with the Thai music scene.
She hasn’t ruled out playing some gigs. She also plans to go to university next year to study, of all things, aerospace engineering. Mean Old Clock is her current EP with EMI. For more information, visit leena.com.au.
JOBS 33
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
To advertise in our classifieds visit www.thephuketnews.com
The Phuket News is looking to add to its ever growing team of professionals and seeks:
Sales Manager (Thai or Foreigner ) Responsibilities:
- Reaching sales target - Developing and following up new sales leads - Self discipline in developing and managing sale volumes
Due to the high demand for our publications, we now seek the following:
Sales Representatives (Thai National)
AREA SALES REPRESENTATIVE
- Reaching sales target - Developing and following up new sales leads - Must have good command of English & Thai
Responsibilities :
Responsibilities:
Tele Sale Executives (Thai National) - Able to work to deadlines - Experience in sales or telesales would be an advantage - Must have good command of English & Thai
Reporter (Thai National)
- A curiosity for news and breaking stories. - A willingness to learn. - Good English speaker and communicator - Must have above average English writing skills. - A proficient photographer. - Must be able to work unsupervised and be a self starter. - Must be willing to work after hours to cover events. Some weekend work will be required. - Applicants must have their own car and driver’s licence.
We offer: Competitive salary, bonuses and travel expenses Friendly
work environment security (10%) paid by the company Excellent career progress opportunity
- Responsible for sales activities in Phuket, Krabi, Hua-Hin and Samui - Generating new leads in assigned areas - Responsible for sourcing and developing client relations
Qualifications : - Thai or Foreigner - Excellent communication and negotiation skills in English - Able to travel in all areas on a monthly basis - Must hold a valid driving licence
We offer: - Competitive salary, bonuses and travel expenses - Friendly working environment - Social security (10%) paid by the company - Excellent career progress opportunity
Social
Accountant Needed Phuket Fish Boat Company and its director seek an accounting graduate for general accounting work and database management. Can be without experience but require a degree in accounting. Full-time position with salary starting at B15,000. Please send applications to martin@phuketfishboat.com.
Driver Wanted My car, part-time, good English. Contact Mr Brian. 089 054 4354.
Help Wanted
terested? Please send your CV/Resume. recruitment@ bitsiren.com.
Accountant Wanted Accountant wanted for cooking school and food services business. Thai na-
Please email full resume in English indicating expected salary with recent photo to adminmgr@thephuketnews.com or call 076 612 550-2 for more info.
tional. For more information call 082 816 0126 or info@ foodservicesth.com.
Health Consultant www.atsumihealing.com is seeking a Thai national to join our detox team. Excellent English required.
shell@atsumihealing.com.
Homemaker/PA Needed Single, attractive female under 32 years. College graduate with good English, live in. Own luxury apartment
Write your classified advertisement Heading
Food services are looking to fill several positions within the business: – One account and marketing manager (Thai or expat). – Two kitchen helpers (female). – One cleaner. For more information or to apply, phone 076 390 977 or 082 816 0126, or email info@foodservicesth.com.
...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
Secretary Required
...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
Secretary required. Must speak and write Thai and English. Please your send CV: daragh@techworxprojects.com or call 084 449 3863.
Senior Web Programmer Web&IT Agency is currently searching for a Senior Web Programmer/Developer. In-
...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
Body ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
50% discount until 30 September 2011 ONLY 49 Baht per line.
Add picture, box or coloured background for only 100 Baht.
Please hand this form to our office or Fax to: 076 612 553
and transportation provided. Flexible hours and liberal time off. Swimming pool, health club and tennis cour ts steps away. Send CV to bggvirgo@gmail.com.
Native Russian Speaker Wanted
Native English Speaking Teacher Need native English speaking teacher with ability to speak, read and write Thai. Call Robin on 081 803 7189.
Native English Teacher
High proficiency in written and spoken English, able to speak and understand Thai. Call 081 803 7189 or robinbglee@gmail.com.
Female caucasian to teach class of 10-12, 3-5 year old children. Chalong, Mon-Fri 8am-4pm. Immediate start. phuketpreschool@yahoo. com or call 080 624 7060.
Sales Staff for Cherng Talay
English Teacher Wanted
Good English, positive attitude, good in sales, outgoing personality. Salary B12,000 plus commission. Please contact Phuket Pool Tables 085 782 1200.
Muang Thalang Secondary School is looking for a foreign English teacher. TEFL certificate and work permit are required. Send CV to al.lang.tutor@gmail.com.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN EVENTS? DO YOU LIKE MEETING PEOPLE? Due to continued expansions, Events Thailand is looking for a Sales/Events Coordinator The right applicant needs to have: • Good English skills(written & spoken) • Experience in a sales environment (or willingness to learn) • Experience in an events role an advantage but not essential We offer: • Good salary + bonuses • Great work environment • Excellent progress opportunities with Phuket's leading events company The position is open to Thais and Non-Thais
Please email your CV in English to jorge@eventsthailand.net www.thephuketnews.com
34 CLASSIFIED ADS
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
To advertise in our classifieds visit www.thephuketnews.com CONTENTS Animal Care...............34 Articles for Sale.........34 Boats & Yachts..........34 Business Opportunities............34 Business Services....................34 Cars for Sale..............35 Child Care Servies.....35 Clubs & Associations.............35 Computer- Sales-Repairs............34 Diving Services.........34 Miscellaneous Items Wanted.......................34 Motorbikes for Sale....34 Personal Services..34-35 Pets for Sale...............35 Property & Concierge Services.....................35 Property for Rent......35 Property for Sale..35-36 Trade Directory..........37
Great Value Boat
Opposite to Andatel and Postoffice. Good location. Sale B680,000. Call 082 277 3446.
Shop for Rent
18FT, two good as new engines 60HP Mercury and 8HP Mercury. Thai Reg’n Priced to sell. Very cheap at B130,000. Please phone Gordon (ENG) 081 892 4804.
Prime potential shop for rent in prime commercial location. Also has franchise opportunity for Bellini. For more information call 082 816 0126 or email info@foodservicesth.com.
8/28–29 Moo 9, Chaofah East Road. 076 283 365, 083 501 8488.
BOATS & YACHTS Wonderful Chaparral Boat
22FT, year 2009, wonderful chaparral boat 215 SSI Cuddy, 35 hours engine usage only, amazing prize for quick sale. Contact 087 515 7064.
2005, Automatic, ABS, airbag, leather, full options, black colour, 121,000KM. service by Chevrolet, Sell B355,000. O.B.O. Call 085 369 1933.
2006 Chevrolet Colorado X-Cab
Chalong Restaurant & Cafe
CARS WANTED Wanted D-Max , Vigo ,Fortuner Fully-equipped and furnished, in busy Chalong location. Moving sale, only B90,000. Call 082 420 6877.
Kamala Bar for Sale Large bar on main road of Kamala. Owner returning to Australia. Chattels include pool table, stock, furniture. Bedroom and two toilets and private shower room. Good storage space also. Priced to sell quickly. Monthly rent only B8,000. Contact owners Peter or Chompoo on 084 844 3504 or 087 898 0508.
Restaurant in Patong for sale Thai-European-Chinese Restaurant for sale on Rat U Thit 200 pee Rd.
Green House Construction, renovation, electric, metal work, wood work, shop fitting. Contact 085 654 2244.
Alarms & CCTV Protect your home or office with an alarm system and CCTV cameras. Call for more info on 085 798 9469 or contact@alarmsphuket-services.com.
Tile It Thalang. Wana Park on Srisoonthorn Rd. Phuket’s Quality Tile Boutique. Tiles for interior, exterior, residential, commercial. Contact 076 620 168 or 081 424 2828. Email info@tile-asia.com.
CARS FOR RENT A1 Car Rentals
Cash waiting for a nice low mileage one to four year old D-Max, Vigo or Fortuner, must be four door, 4x4 prefaired. Not black colour. Call O86 757 1362.
CHILD CARE SERVICES Buds Nursery Kindergarten Phuket oldest bi-lingual international child care facility. High quality time proven schedule and curriculum. Experienced native English teachers to teach ages 1½ -6. MonFri 8am-5pm. Bus service available. Call 076 282 232, 080 624 7060. www. buds-phuket.com.
Rawai Progressive School International private school for ages 3 -12, of fering Montessori education. For more informationtin see www. montessori-thailand.com.
ABC International Nursery
WE'RE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL OUTLETS IN PHUKET
This is in addition to 400+ locations including all 7-Eleven, Big One Supermarkets, Se-ed book store and all major shopping outlets. For full list of outlets please visit
www.thephuke t new s. com / di st r i but i onl i s ts . p h p
Tel: 076 612 550-2
www.thephuketnews.com
Fully insure d st ar t B12,000 to B18,000 per month. Please call 089 831 4703. Email for more info: a1carrent@gmail. com.
CARS FOR SALE Car for Sale As New 2010 Nis san top mo del as new c ondition travel l e r. O n l y 18 , 0 0 0 K M cost B1,625,000. SELL B1,325,000. Please call 087 276 0529.
Singapore Club Phuket Calling all Singaporeans in Phuket to join “Singapore Club Phuket”. Contact Robin 081 803 7189, 076 303 500.
English Computerman 82,000km. Mint Cond. Black Standard X-Cab Expat One Owner 3l Turbo Diesel Leather New Tires & Brakes Full Service by Chev B575,000 B575,000. Call 085 464 0059.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
all branches of the travel and tourism industry. See www.skalphuket.org.
COMPUTER SALES-REPAIRS
BUSINESS SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE Chaofah Pet Hospital
Chevrolet Optra 1.8LT
Education for children 18 months to six years with experienced and native English teachers following the UK EYFS curriculum. 089 971 1813.
International Kindegarten
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS WANTED Phuket Country Club Required immediately. Will pay B500,000 plus half transfer fee. Please contact 084 065 7590 (English), paradise11@ mac.com.
Sales, service and repair. Hardware/software. WLAN a speciality. Free telephone advice. Call for more details on 084 625 7744.
Four Large approximately 9’x12’ High-end carpets. Call Brian on 089 054 4354.
DIVING SERVICES
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS FOR SALE
Phuket Scuba Club
Sauna Brand New “TYLO”
PA D I 5 S t a r C e n t r e. Half day, daytrips, liveaboards and diver education. Phuket’s only dive club! Please contact 076 284 026.
All 4 Diving
Carpet for Luxury Condo Wanted
Inside 1.40mx1.40m, 2m height. Price B150,000. Call 082 271 4487.
For Quick Sale
5/4 Sawatdirak Road, Patong Beach. For more info call 076 344 611 or info@ all4diving.com.
Paradise Diving Asia All courses and diving trips. Boat charter and individual tours. See more information at www.diveparadise.com.
EDUCATION SERVICES Yoga Teacher Training Course Yoga teacher training i nte r nat i o na l t r ai ni n g course certificate, 250 hours. October 16-November 13. www.ayuryoga.ch, contact Khun Noi 080 533 2202.
Comercial Gas Ovens One Small and One Larger. The Larger Has A S t a i n l e s s Fr a m e . B20,000 O.N.O. Both Must Go. Contact Margo 082 523 7368 or Robin 089 175 3421 and 076 451 442-3.
Teaching English We o r g a n i ze En g l i s h courses and lessons for Prathom and Matayom students at their home. Books provided. Call 087 282 2699.
Learning Tagalog Want to learn Basic Tagalog. Who can help ? Please contact patong. peter@gmail.com.
Cooking School
CLUBS & ASSOCIATIONS
Fire up your creative flare with Food Services Cooking School. Italian, Western and Thai cuisine. Try our famous pizza school. For more information call 082 816 0126 or email info @ fo o dser v ic e st h. com.
SKAL International Phuket
Guitar Lesson By Pro Player
Skål is a professional organisation of leaders from
Guitar/bass lessons beginner to advanced. Per-
I n t e r n a t i o n a l K i n d e rgar ten. English teachers, UK and Singapore curriculum, small class sizes. Best choice. 082 323 1188.
sonal one-on-one or by DVD. Diploma of Teaching (Aust) Degree. Call 089 777 3063.
Books Notes Music for Piano C h o p i n, Fr a n z L i s z t , Beethoven, JS Bach,Mozar t, Richard Clayderman , Johnny Hallyday etc. Price for each : B200, B300, 400. Call 089 212 1254.
MOTORBIKES FOR RENT Honda Click for Rent Short and long term available, no scams, honest good value. Free delivery for over one week hires. Call Cat 087 188 9047.
Motorbike for Rent Honda PCX, Honda Airblade for rent, cheap price and free delivery. Call now, Omar 087 075 2166.
CLASSIFIED ADS 35
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
To advertise in our classifieds visit www.thephuketnews.com MOTORBIKES FOR RENT CONT Touring Motorcycle Rentals
Southern Big Bike Chopper Shop
All your chopper needs, located on the hill before Safari heading south from Patong. Get ready for bike week 2012. 076 292 079 or 087 382 2494.
adoption. Fully-vaccinated and sterilised. Contact 087 050 8688, john@soidog. org.
For Sale 13 Pedigree Puppies
PERSONAL SERVICES
To u r i n g M o t o r c y c l e Rentals. Kawasaki Versys for rent see details at www.650adventuretours.
MOTORBIKES FOR SALE BMW R1200 GS US
Phuket Visa
2006 with 46,600km. Farang owned. Perfect condition and serviced by BMW. Silver colour with leather side bags and cover. Selling price: B550,000. Call 089 814 1458, lucdayot@gmail. com.
Honda CBR 250R Red Honda CBR 250R 7 months old in perfect condition Approx 11,000km still under warranty non abs version 95,000THB or nearest of fer. 0 8 6 2699097. Harley XR-1200 For Sale
Of fers consulting and ser vic es on c ompany registration, work permit, visa, accounting, auditor, legal advice. Please call 081 892 9960.
Kata Hot Yoga
Bon Café Phuket
A producer of premium coffee blends and powdered mixes as well as selling, maintaining, servicing and repairing all major brands. 076 355 600-1.
Honda CB 750 Chopper
Popular expat pro musician (guitar/vocals) with work permit. Can perform solo, duo or band. www. play-guitar.net, call 089 777 3063.
Havana Cigar Shop
House for Rent Detached house, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, four air- c on. Fully-furnished. Only five minutes from Central Festival. 087 270 9093.
Two Bed Condo Patong Beach 3.2m
House for Sale or Rent
POOL TABLE SALES & REPAIRS Phuket Pool Tables
Large house in Chalong, three beds, four bath rooms, swimming pool. Well worth a look. Offers over B6 million or B30,000 a month. 076 374 562.
One Bedroom House Seaview
www.phuketpooltables. com. Your number one billiard and snooker supplier in Phuket. Sales, rent and profit sharing. All accessories and services. Call 081 823 4627.
Great little house, four minutes walk to Ao Yon beach. Fully-furnished and now available daily/monthly. 083 390 4924.
PROPERTY & CONCIERGE
A variety of superb one or
Superb Apartments in Kata
two-bedroom apartments, penthouses with pool for rent, also long-term. See www.totalonsitemanagement.com.
Nice Apartments in Kata Beach Nice clean safe, one-bedrooms all with aircon. kitchen, cable TV, fast internet and jacuzzi. B500 a day. Call Ari at 086 595 8512.
Patong Lovely Freehold Condo
Pool Villa for Rent Fully furnished with three bedrooms. Near Lotus Rawai, in quiet and secure area. Call 086 940 0379. nunok-ka@hotmail.com.
Saiyuan House For Rent Two bedrooms, one bathroom with a big garden in Saiyuan near Naiharn Beach. Good price for long term. 087 883 0105.
Patong Tower Rent
Huge price reduction from 3.4 million to 2.0 million, 50 Sq metre, Incuding furniture, perfect locatation, enormous swimming pool. 086 757 1362.
Sea view and mountain view. Short term and long term, star ting B30,000. Good location,walking distance from the beach. 081 878 2199.
Super Pool Villa
Beautiful Office for Rent
By Laguna, luxury villa, jacuzzi, etc. Special rate lease. B15,000 per month. 089 594 4067 (English).
For Rent: Villa in Phuket/Chalong N e w r e n ov a t e d t o w n house, three bedrooms and parking, without furniture B10,000 per month. Or with furniture B12,000 per month, minimum one year. 081 788 8280.
Nice and quiet office space for rent, includes kitchen, server room and toilets. Perfect for property, IT, legal business. 076 521 873.
Studio Apartment for Rent On the beach, Chalong. Studio apartment /office can convert to cafe, close to the light house. Call 081 892 0960.
Selling Your Property?
Opposite HomePro Village Chalong. Khun Vasanh 081 956 2024. vinoltds@ hotmail.com.
Visa run B1,100
A completely new visa run company. Only B1,100. Leave 5am, get back 5 am. No crazy driver, no boats, no bull. 083 390 4924.
PETS FOR SALE Recently had major overhaul and re-spray black, kick and electric start. This bike is a real head turner. Nice and loud. Has green book so all legal. Get ready for Bike Week 2012. Only B95,000. Call 087 267 8602.
srinet1973@yahoo.com.
One of Patong best locations. Two bed 100 Sq metre, freehold condo needs decoration, huge pool plus resort facilities. Call 086 757 1362.
Most popular Yoga for men and women in Phuket. Four c lasses every day. Kata yoga, it works! www.katahotyoga. com, Contact 076 605 950.
Live Music By Colin Hill
2009 with only 8,000km. Perfect condition, fast and fun. Priced to sell quickly at B595,000. C a l l 0 81 73 4 8 3 0 9, ducphuket@gmail.com.
First time in Thailand. www.rhodesian-ridgeback.name. Rhodesian r i dg e bac k pup p i e s. Ver y play ful nature. Most faithful friend for life from “Top Pedigree World Champion Parents” Please contact l enysikuv@ h ot mail. com or call 089 871 2744.
Adoption
S i x y e a r o l d C o c ke r Spaniel may need a good home. Please contact for details 085 784 1955.
Why buy a pet? Soi Dog Foundation have over 300 beautiful dogs and puppies available for
Get maximum exposure on our top ranked website. Call 080 143 2929 or visit realestate.phuket.net.
PROPERTY FOR RENT New House for Rent in Patong New house for rent in Patong. Two bed, two bath , fully-furnished. Quiet area Contact 081 878 2199, www.thephuketnews.com
36 CLASSIFIED ADS
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
To advertise in our classifieds visit www.thephuketnews.com PROPERTY FOR RENT CONT
per month. Call 081 956 1218.
Apartment for Rent in Patong
Beach Frontage
N ew 1 bedro om f ully furnished apartment aircon. WiFi, on hill & good view of Patong Town & beach. Quiet location, gate lock at night. Tam 0822714487.
Spectacular Panoramas
One bedroom selfcontained holiday villa Rawai. Rental Day/Week Call 081 677 1641.
Kata One Bedroom House Fully-Furnished one bed room,kitchen,bathroom, Terrace,WiFi and cable T V. Price B9,0 0 0 per month. Located at Kata beach. 081 606 2827.
Comfortable Private and Quiet
Cape house, Cape Yamu. A luxurious fourbedroom villa at a remarkable destination. In a hillside estate with amazing ocean views. Features include marble finishes throughout, pool and lush tropical gardens. Close to BIS/ PIA schools. B60,000/ month. 086 279 6283.
Happy Home Apartment (Rawai) Apar tment for rent at Saiyuan 15, Rawai. Fully-furnished, swimming pool, WiFi. Start B6,800
Townhouse three bedrooms, just a few minutes to Karon Beach. B25,000 per month, long term rent requires. 081 396 0880.
House Rental Phuket Town House for rent with furniture. In Phuket Villa Dowr ung, B 8,5 0 0 - B9,5 0 0 per month. Visit purevillaphuket.com or call 086 470 2468.
Affordable Office for Rent At Royal Phuket Marina. Space from 40-200sq.m. A/C, car park, CCTV and 24 hr. security. Khun Koi 081 810 3328.
Lake View Apartment
Three-Bedroom House in Chalong
Rooms and houses for rent in Kathu, (the way to Kathu Chinese temple). Quiet area. Call for details on 089 196 8449.
Fu l l y - f u r n i s h e d, c a rpark, washing machine, WiFi, free cable TV. Rent B19,000 per month (min 6 months) 086 944 4885.
Studio Apartment Near the Beach New studio apartment with quality furnishing, 50 metres from Chalong beach, garden and small pool. Please contact 086 274 3060.
Orchid Kathu Heights Stylish Service Apartments Studio. One bed t wo b e d, t wo bat hs. Roof top swimming pool free WiFi en suite room from B6,000 per month. Please see www.orchidkathuheights-phuket.com or 076 203 208.
Four-Bedroom House in Saiyuan With five bathroom, 168 sq.wah with big garden in Saiyuan, Naiharn Beach. phuket8@hotmail.com.
House for Rent Two-bedroom furnished house with air-con, one bathroom, living room, kitchen and car park. 081 537 9878.
B4.2 million. Elevated, walled, views and Chanote. 085 782 7551.
Bungalow in Chalong
Sea View Apartments
Leelawadee Hill behind Toyota on Bypass Rd. 1080sqm for B18.9 Million. 081 823 4627.
Land for Sale One rai with Chanote title. Five minutes from Rawai Beach in secure area. Call owner on 086 940 0379.
Land up Patong Hill, Sea View
Modern furnished one and two-bedroom apartments in Kata. Available for long and short term rent. From B20,000 per month. Contact 081 326 2542.
Two Bedroom Ocean View Patong A quiet residential estate in Patong, fully-furnished with air-con in all rooms. bathrooms and fitted kitchen, communal pool and terrace gardens. Call 087 888 4770.
For rent or sale. Three bedroom on 65sq wah, with Western kitchen and bathroom. For rent B17,000 per month. For sale price: B3.95 million. Call 089 922 2800.
Rawai-Sai Yuan For Sale
Land for sale Rawai Four Rai, two Ngan, 64sq Wah (7,4 5 6sqm), near shell museum, 80m road frontage. B7.5 million per Rai. 089 731 0283, namjailand@csloxinfo.com.
Bali Style Pool Villa for Sale
Kata - Office for Rent
Kata beach in front of hotel Alpina resort. Good condition, with air-con 1 unit, pantry, Well-decorated. B16,700 per month only. Contact for more details on 081 956 1077.
Various sizes of land with sea view overlooking Patong Bay. znresidence@ gmail.com, Please see www.znresidence.com.
Two-storey villa, threebed, three-bath and pool. 516sq metre, two years old. Orginal price: B13 million. Now: B9 million. Needs work. Call 089 731 0283. namjailand@ csloxinfo.com.
Guesthouse for Sale Two bed with en-suite in Naiharn, 480sq metre, fully furnished, internet etc, freehold. Priced at B9.7 million. Contact anohoa@gmail.com.
11th Fairway LochPalm For Sale
Eight rooms, internet cafe and an apartment. Rent B52,000 per month. Asking price B1.75 million. Call 085 794 6530.
Land and House Park Phuket For sale. 82 sq metre, three bedroom, two bathroom, Chalong, B4.3m. Call for more details on 087 907 4004.
Kata-Phuket from 19m now 14.5m
PROPERTY FOR SALE Land for Sale Approx 1,300 M2 block with power ready to build in small quiet village 15 minutes to golf course / airport / shopping centres. Price B1,900,000. Call 087 276 0529.
850 SQM Land Plot for Sale In Soi King Saliga, front 22mx42m long. walled and on just about 100m from Rawai Beach. Full chanote title. Contact 080 530 6880.
Land at Anuphas for Sale 40 sq.wah of land behind weekend market at Naka Temple, on Wirathongyok 3/1 Road. Contact owner on 089 668 3639.
www.thephuketnews.com
Villa with three bed, two bath, open living, fully furnished, sala, pool and jacuz zi. Fair way and mountain views. Urgent sale B10.8 million. Contact 089 731 0283.
Land for Sale 1,908 sqm
Stunning three bedroom villa with big kitchen, living room, office, pool garden and parking. Freehold and free transfer. Original price B19 million. Now B14.5 million. Call 081 788 8280.
Soi Saliga, Rawai. Sale by owner. Call for details on 084 745 4132
The Sands Condominium
House for Sale in L&H Phuket Two storey house, 134 sq.m, land 225 sq.m, three bedroom, two bath room, in Chaiyapr uek, Land&House Park Phuket. 086 470 2468.
Rawai-Naiharn Land for Sale
180 Degree Seaview Land Sale
Soi Saiyuan13. Sale at reduced price. 640 sq.m.
Great 180 degree elevated seaview land for sale in
Naiharn Beach. 150sq metre foreign freehold, two bedroom, swimming pool, GRG FLR, lake view, 150 metres to Naiharn Beach. Price B9.8m. Call 089 875 4173.
Penthouse for Sale Two-bedroom, two bathroom penthouse. 200 metres walk to Bangtao beach. B11.5 million, plus furniture. phuketbbgc31@gmail.com.
CLASSIFIED ADS 37
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
To advertise in our classifieds visit www.thephuketnews.com PROPERTY FOR SALE CONT JINDARIN BEACH CLUB & RESORT
Eco Resort on Coconut Island: Private Pier - Spa - Grass-roofed Village - Lap Pool - Resort lots start at B1 million. Cottage and lot start at B2.5 million. Contact Gene McCain on 081 396 6060.
One Bedroom Apartment With Seaview in Rawai
Modern one bedroom apartment with pool. New kitchen. Bathroom With Spa. Big living room and balcony. Fully-furnished. Price B3.9 million. Contact 086 952 2444. Seew w w. Phuket Paradis eProperty.com.
Kathu: Serviced Land for Sale NS3K land plot of 500 square metres, including infrastr uc ture and construction permit for
a 220 m2 villa. Price at B2,900,000. Call: 089 724 7211.
road 7.5 metre front - 156 sq metre land. See www. stefan.asia.
Land for sale Rawai
KATA – Sea View Apartment
Four Rai, two Ngan, 64sq Wah (7,45 6sqm), near shell museum, 80m road frontage. Price at B7.5 million per Rai. Call for more details on 089 731 0283 or namjailand@csloxinfo. com.
Two Bedroom House With Financing Phuket near Laguna, 5 minutes to Layan Beach, small pool, two air-con. Bedrooms ensuite, furnished, Electrical gate, 400m2 Land, B5.9 million. Call for info on086 267 0157.
House Near Laguna 2.1 MB
Detached house in Baandon, 55 sq wah Chanote, two bed with aircon. 2two bath (one en-suite), phone/ADSL, fully furnished, nic e garden. Price B2.1 million. Call Tay 086 280 4734.
Chaofah Shop House 300 metre from Chalong Circle. Three-storey, double unit B9.9 millio. Main
Modern furnished two bedroom. Apartment in Kata. Western kitchen. Balcony on 21sq metre with sea-view. Two big common pools. Price B9.9 million. Contact 086 95 22 444. www. PhuketParadiseProperty. com.
EVERYTHING GOES !! Land on east side of Phuket. Some have seaview. B500,000 and up. All reasonable offers accepted! Can finance! Chris 086 942 1930. chrisfisherii@gmail.com.
Two Bedroom Condo Patong 3.2 M In one of Patong’s best locations. Two bedroom, 100 sq. metres, freehold condo. Needs decoration, has pool and resort facilities. Contact for more details on 086 757 1362.
50 Sq metre. Incuding furniture, perfect location and enormous swimming pool. 086 757 1362.
3 Steps to Re-sale Modern furnished two bedroom apartment in Kata. Western kitchen, balcony with seaview. Two big common pools. Price B8.3 million. Contact 086 952 2444. www. PhuketParadiseProperty. com.
Prime Land for sale in Rawai
...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
1.Valuation. 2.List your property. 3.Sale. For sale or rent. Twostorey villa on 620sqm land. Living spac e: 220sqm. In quiet area. Three-bed, office, open living area, Western-style kitchen, bathroom, cable TV, telephone, ADSL, balcony, car parking, beautiful garden, swimming pool and jacuzzi. Must see. Original price: B12.5 million. Now B9.9 million. Contact Harrij on 089 731 0283 or harrij@loxinfo.co.th.
One-Three Rai with private access. Nice quiet country area. For sale by owner B6 million per Rai ono. Call 081 477 4792.
House for Sale or Rent
Stunning two bedrooms villa with big pool. Big modern kitchen and living room. Two separate bedrooms w bathroom, two minutes walk from Tesco Lotus Express. B10.4 million. Contact 086 95 22 444. www.PhuketParadiseProperty.com.
Three bed t wo bath, full furnished, four aircon. European kitchen. B15,000 per month near BIS, opposite Boat Lagoon. For sale B3 million. For more details call John 086 940 4267.
One Bedroom Apartment With Seaview in Rawai
Body ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
Rawai Two Bedroom 180 Sqm. With Seaview Now 3.9 million
...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
50% discount until 30 September 2011 ONLY 49 Baht per line.
Add picture, box or coloured background for only 100 Baht.
Please hand this form to our office or Fax to: 076 612 553
Big living room and kitchen. Two bedroom and bathroom, two minutes walk to the beach. Common pool. Contact 086 95 22 444. See www. PhuketParadiseProperty. com.
-Promotional booths with fully trained staff through out Phuket. -Five International offices supplying customers Direct. -Nine sales staff all nationalities. Phuket Paradise Property A Step In The Right Re-sale Direction. Visit our website www. PhuketParadiseProperty. com. Please contact 086 95 22 444.
Saiyuan-House for Sale Two bedrooms, two bathrooms in Soi Samakee 2, Saiyuan. Near Naiharn beach. 100 sq.wah, B5.5 million. Contact owner on 087 883 0105.
Private Pool Villa In Centre of Nai Harn “Reserved”
Huge price reduction from B3.4 million to B2.0 million,
Heading
Phuket Paradise Property
Sunset Plaza in Kata Two Bedroom with Seaview
Lovely Freehold Condo
Write your classified advertisement
Rawai-Sai Yuan Villa
Modern one bedroom apartment with pool. New kitchen. Bathroom with spa. Big living room and balcony. Fully furnished. Price B3.5 million. Contact 086 95 22 444. See w w w. Phuket Paradis eProperty.com.
Penthouse for Sale Two-bedroom, two bathroom penthouse. 200 metres walk to Bangtao beach. B11.5 million, plus furniture. phuketbbgc31@gmail.com.
Sea View Pool Villa In Kata 416 Sqm.
Modern pool villa hall, big living room, four bedroom and office. Beautiful garden. Price B21.5 million. Contact 086 952 2444. www.PhuketParadiseProperty.com.
Private Pool Villas, from B4.9M
Intira Villas is a development of 15 boutique villas in the hear t of Rawai. Second phase open now! Only few villas available. www.in tiravillas.com, call 083 594 9279. www.thephuketnews.com
38 CLASSIFIED ADS
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
To advertise in our classifieds visit www.thephuketnews.com
TRADE DIRECTORY AIR CONDITIONING Siam Cooling System Marine air-conditioning, Koh Kaew. Contact 081 891 9442, or scspkt@ loxinfo.co.th.
Phuket Home Services Installing, servicing commercial and residential air- con systems since 2001. All brands. Call 076 324 400, or www.phukethomeservices.com.
Kerati Air 2 71 Ya o w a r a t R o a d , Phuket Town. Air- con centre, call 076 214 033.
C.P. Engineering Service Supply and install both commercial and residential air-con units to satisfy 076 321 562.
BOAT REPAIRS Asia Marine Ltd. Parts supply, refits, repairs, project management yacht delivery. Call 076 239 111.
C & C Marine (Thai) Marine Engineering Services. Call 076 273 247. www.candc-marine.com.
Dan Marine Limited Koh Kaew. Yacht interiors, maintenance and management. Call for more info on 081 271 742.
BUILDING SUPPLIERS Water Proof Phuket
tion, electrics and shop fitting. Call 089 909 8604, mm79743@gmail.com.
Just Sofas Premier supplier of leather sofas. Is your sofa looking old and tired?Give it a new life for less than half the cost of a new one. Call 076 262 024-5
Casa Nine Co.,Ltd Mosaics, tiles, stones, wall plaques, hand-made, c er ami c s, de c o r at ive items. Call 081 514 8547.
Lucky Awning For the best pr ic e in phuket for retractable/verticals/roll ups with acrylic fabric direct from the importer and save. Call 087 276 0529.
KV Southern
Waterproof flooring. Engineering, product architectural, product repair system. 081 828 2457.
ELECTRICAL SERVICES J-SAT Communication The leader of a communication system in Phuket. Service fire alarm, CCTV system, PABX system, TV system. Call for more details on 076 258 200.
Cooling Technician All commercial, kitchen needs, fridges and cooling systems. Good, reliable and honest. Service all over Phuket. Contact Tammarat 086 310 3870.
Mono Sun Technology
Waterproof, water stop and water swell. Design, construction for factory and home structure roof. See more info at www. itrthailand.com.
Phuket solar, tomorrow’s technology, working today. Wind and solar at down-to-earth prices. 076 263 717.
Island Curtains
Raksa Electric Service
For all your windows furnishings. Made to order in our factory. Workmanship is guaranteed, our service is second to none. Call 076 262 0245.
Phuket Pro-Built Construction, renova-
Electric, airconditioning, lighting services and water systems. Call 084 849 8204 for details.
AVC Engineering Mechanical, electrical and plumbing to international standards. 076 615 810.
AAA Phuket Electrician UK-approved electricians available to advise on all electrical issues. Contact for 081 691 9907.
Phuket Home Services Specialise in domestic and commercial electrical wiring installations, telephone, internet and security systems. 076 324 400 or www.phukethome services.com.
Phuket Sound System Rental Having a party? Check out our website for your sound system needs. www.phuketsound.com. Contact for more info on 089 587 1841.
HARDWARE STORES Phaisan Makita Paint All types of paints, colours for home and more. Find us at MaeLuan Road, Phuket Town, entrance to Rang Hill 076 355 664.
HOME IMPROVEMENT Phuket Home Maintenance Renovations,house repairs, painters, electricians, plumbers, construction workers. Fluent English speaking. Free quotes given. Please contact 084 139 5124.
Shades (Thailand) Awnings, shade sails, tension fabric structures. Call 076 367 566, www. shade sasia.com.
Fletcher Aluminium Thalang. Premium window and door systems. For free quotes call 076 275 278.
Designer Furniture Packages
Designer sofas, fitted and loose furniture and outdoor solutions. Full turnkey packages. 082 275 7737 or rick@aquaticazen.com.
Contex Phuket Co. Bang Tao area. High-end teak doors and windows with German technology. Call us on 086 281 1264.
German Floors H o m e w o r ks . En h a n c e your home and office with genuine German-standard floors. Call 076 608 000.
Chem-Dry Cleaning Service The carpet and furniture experts. Also offering full cleaning services for stone, marble, terrazzo, granite and more. Contact 076 261 513.
Canvas Creations Boat Lagoon. Deluxe awnings and covers for your boat. Contact 076 238 946.
Phuket Home Maintenance Renovations, house repairs, painters, electricians, plumbers and construction workers. Fluent Englishspeaking manager. Free quotes. Call 084 139 5124.
Phuket Home Solutions Providing a solution for all your home requirements. 076 270 854.
Pro Carpeting & Wood Work Thepkrasattri Rd, Boat Lagoon. Home, office, bar, renovations, rebuilds and repairs. 076 238 947, www. procarpeting.com.
The Stone Doctor Co.,Ltd “Expert cleaning and protective sealing of all stone types including sandwash, Terrazzo, marble, ceramic etc. Operating in Thailand nine years under European Management. Call 087 282 4930.
One-stop service for all your removal and shipping needs. 076 263 987.
Phuket Home Services
Numchai Ocean Transport
High-quality building, contracting and refurbishment work in Phuket and the surrounding region. 076 324 400.
Stonearth Luxury Bathrooms The highest quality luxury natural wood and stone bathrooms for your villa, hotel, condo develop ment. w w w.stonear th. co.uk.
May Curtain and Decor
The best for curtains. Visit www.maycurtain.com for more information or call 076 304 304.
Buildersmart Public Treated pine, Thai gypsum, Shera, Weber, and Watty. Contact for more information 076 275 221.
LANDSCAPING SERVICES Chateau Sabai Villa Cherng Talay area. Professional landscape design and care. Call 076 318 266
Phuket Home Services
Phuket Awnings Service Making an alliance with the sun. Contact 076 612 870 for more details.
DWF Home Services Built-in bars, counters,
Wana Park, Srisoonthron Road, Thalang, Phuket 83110 Tel 076 620168 info@tile-asia.com www.thephuketnews.com
You’ll find flexible, enthusiastic and professional, committed to getting you the most effective logistics for the project at the best price.
www.phukettransport.com
Global Logistics Asia Thalang area. We have the knowledge, networks and technology to answer your needs. 081 797 2753.
Advance Interfreight Express Chaofah (East) Road. Moving and shipping. Better services, better prices. 076 376 677.
SAIL REPAIRS Rolly Tasker Sails (Thailand) Chaofa Road, Wichit. Sails, rigging, covers harken etc. 076 521 591.
WATER SYSTEMS Phuket Home Services Since 2001. Offer a range of qualif ied in - house plumbing engineers, p lum b in g inst allat i o n teams and plumbers. Call 076 324 400.
The Mobile Pool Doctor Srisoonthorn Road, all areas of Phuket. Contact 076 620 193 or www.mobilepooldoctor.com.
REMOVAL SERVICES
Environmental Solutions
Enjoy More Space!
Chalermphrakiat Road, Rassada. 076 304 278 or 089 724 5617.
Safe, Smar t & Simple Storage Solutions, 1 m3 to 25 m2 units at Jungceylon Shopping Center. We Sell Boxes. 076 292 909, mystorageasia.com.
Phuket Water Supply Water filtration systems for home and pool. Thepkrasattri Road, Rassada area. Call 076 215 681.
Siam Pickpack
Chai Choochuay Hot Water
B o at L ag o o n. G l o bal transportation services. 076 238 791, www.siam pickpack.com.
Air- con and solar water heating sales and ser vice. 076 321 562. www.phuketaircon.com.
E.C. PHUKET SATELLITE Worldwide household removal services. Warehousing and packing services.
Phang Nga Road, Phuket Town. Call 076 225 444.
Design and build salas, pergolas and decks. Offer custom design and build water features and ponds. 076 324 400, www.phuket homeservices.com.
Adisak Trading Bypass Road. We have the largest selection of TOA paint. 076 261 420.
Bigmove Phuket
pools, kitchens, ponds, etc. Call Noi on 081 606 5746. DWF_ homeservices@hot mail.com.
Professional Satellite Provider. Astro and Thai Satellite and Cable Services. For quotation call for Thai: Lek on 081 535 9936. For English call: Mel on 086 687 8806. Shop number 076 215 081.
PHUKET SPORT 39
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
Thai Division 1
Despite away day success in the cups, coach Somphong Wattana hasn’t been able to lead his side to victory in the league away from home since he replaced former coach Surachai Jirisirachote. –Photo Arm Za
Team Buriram FC BBCU Chainat Songkhla Bangkok United PTT Rayong Raj Pracha Saraburi Phuket Air Force United Chanthaburi Customs United Rangsit JW Suphanburi Bangkok Thai Honda Chiangmai RBAC Mittraphap
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
Points
20 20 20 19 20 20 20 20 20 19 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
14 14 12 9 10 8 9 7 6 6 5 6 4 3 6 5 3 2
5 4 3 8 4 8 4 8 8 6 7 3 9 11 1 1 4 6
1 2 5 2 6 4 7 5 6 7 8 11 7 6 13 14 13 12
42 30 37 35 34 27 23 23 31 23 21 24 18 19 25 25 15 12
10 13 23 17 27 14 23 17 24 29 25 34 24 21 39 53 34 37
47 46 39 35 34 32 31 29 26 24 22 21 21 20 19 16 13 12
Ten matches – no wins The away day travails of FC Phuket continued last weekend as the Southern Sea Kirin were held to a 1-1 draw against JW Rangsit FC at Thupatemee Stadium in Bangkok. The score draw extended FC Phuket’s winless away streak to ten league matches with just seven away fixtures remaining in the season. JW Rangsit’s Supachai Maiyawong gave the home side the lead 10 minutes before half time but FC Phuket pegged them back immediately when Jongrak Pakdee scored his first goal for the club since his transfer from Bangkok Glass during the mid-season break. FC Phuket almost snatched victory in the closing minutes of the game when Poramut Krongborisut struck the post. That was as close as either
FOOTBALL
side came to a second goal as both had to settle for a point. The Southern Sea Kirin remain in ninth place in TPL Division One with 26 points from their 20 matches. They trail league leaders Buriram FC by 19 points and third-placed Chainat FC by 13. Having registered a 3-1 win against JW Rangsit earlier in the season, FC Phuket travelled to Bangkok hopeful of ending their away day barren spell. Coach Somphong Wattana shuffled his pack in a bid to counter the threat of Sommai Sainoy, Itthipol Pang-ngern and Supachai in the home side’s starting XI, bringing in Wirajrote Janteng to partner captain Suphat Ontthong at the back and moving Ivorian
Nene Bi into a holding position in midfield. Somphong appeared to have got his tactics right as FC Phuket began strongly, dominating possession and forcing their opponents into their own half. Ten minutes in and the Kirin almost opened the scoring when Jongrak smacked a header against the post from a Sarach Yooyen corner. The visitors had managed to keep the home side at bay in the opening 22 minutes but JW Rangsit created their first chance moments later. Paul Tekem stole the ball in midfield, bore down on goal but could only shoot straight at Jonathan Matijas in the FC Phuket goal under pressure from captain Suphat. The Kirin continued to
press but were stung on the break by the home side. Mongkol Nokkasak threaded a perfect ball between Suphat and Wirajrote which Supachai raced onto before prodding the ball past Matijas to open the scoring. Matijas protested to the referee that Supachai had started in an offside position but the officials allowed the goal to stand. Rather than let their heads go down, FC Phuket rallied immediately and levelled the scores two minutes later when Jongrak was the first to reach a Watcharaphong Jan-ngam cross to the far post and shot past the home goalkeeper. The game opened up after half time as both sides were intent on claiming all three points. First the home side went
close when Tekem headed goalwards only to see it blocked by Matijas before Jongrak almost grabbed a second; the FC Phuket midfielder dragging his shot wide from 10 yards. After 65 minutes Jongrak fired wide from a free kick 30 yards out before JW Rangsit created a series of opportunities that they were unable to convert; Mongkol and Teken among those guilty of wayward finishing. The home side’s carelessness in front of goal was almost punished in the dying minutes of the match. Substitute Seksit Srisai and Poramut exhanged short passes inside the penalty area before Poramut sent a shot towards goal that cannoned of the post before going wide, leaving both sides with a share
of the points. Despite failing to secure the win coach Somphong seemed satisfied with his side’s performance. “Every player played their heart out so I’m happy. We were close to our first away victory; unfortunately we couldn’t quite achieve it,” he said. “We got many opportunities but failed to convert them into goals. We have to work on it ahead of our next game.” FC Phuket’s next match takes them to bottom of the league RBAC Mittraphap this Sunday, August 21. To see how FC Phuket faired against Phatthalung FC in Wednesday’s Toyota League Cup quarter final first leg visit thephuketnews.com. – Kazira Hans
AFL 8 ready to kick off FUTSAL
The eighth Adult Futsal League (AFL) presented by Thanachart Bank gets underway this coming Thursday, August 25. Games take place every Thursday at Thanyapura Sport and Leisure Centre (TSLC). Fixtures are played on TSLC’s 50 x 30m Limonta astroturf field, and all fixtures are played under flood lights. Teams must pay B700 per match and the total cost of entering a team into the league depends on how many register before the start of the season. A total of eight teams have already registered for the upcoming league and anyone wishing to enter a new team must submit their squad details to Martin Hill at TSLC by 1 pm on Tuesday, August 23.
Portrait FC, winners of AFL 7, pose for a photograph with their trophy at the end of last season’s competition at Thanyapura Sport and Leisure Centre. Players must be 18 years old and above and teams are allowed a maximum squad of 12 players with five transfers permitted during the season. The winning team will receive the AFL trophy and the players of the top three teams
will all be awarded medals. There will also be a Golden Boot trophy awarded to the league’s top goal scorer. In addition to AFL 8, the Vets Futsal League (VFL) for players aged 35 and over will commence this coming
Monday, August 22. Matches take place between 6:30 and 8 pm at a cost of B200 per player. For more information on the AFL, VFL and how to register contact Martin Hill: football@thanyapura.co.th. www.thephuketnews.com
40 PHUKET SPORT
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
Laguna offers shot at Ironman ‘holy grail’ Thirty athletes from the Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship, to be held at Laguna Phuket on December 4 will qualify to compete in the ultimate Ironman contest, the gruelling 2012 Ford Ironman World Championship (IWC) in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, in October next year. Laguna is one of only three 70.3 races worldwide that will offer Kona slots for winners of age group categories, and is the only 70.3 race to do so in the asia-Pacific region. The decision by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) to give the Laguna event the 30 slots is certain to result in a flood of entry applications from the the most competitive triathletes; the legendary IWC, contested each October on a lava landscape course considered by many to be one of the world’s toughest, is regarded as the ‘Holy Grail’ of triathlons
TRIATHLON and entry slots are coveted by triathletes worldwide. Laguna’s Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship will be the first of the three Ironman 70.3 races offering 2012 Kona slots. The others will be staged in St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands on May 6, and in Hawaii on June 2. The Ironman 70.3 event will be the climax of a unique Tri-Fest that begins with the Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) on November 27. The 18th staging of the LPT – known as the ‘Race of Legends’ – will be followed by a week of triathlon-related training and social activities around Laguna Phuket including an Ironkids triathlon on December 3. “Securing 30 Kona slots is a real boost for us and underlines our integration into the worldwide community of
Rawai to host Thai fishing tournament Rawai Beach Sport Fishing Club (RBFC) will host the 2012 Thailand International Sport Fishing Tournament early next year. The competition is being held from February 2 to 4, with the fishing taking place around the Similan Islands, widely renowned as Thailand’s “premium sport fishing area”. Keen anglers from all over the world will descend on Phuket to vie for cash and assorted prizes worth an estimated B4 million – the largest prize total ever offered for a fishing tournament in Asia. Interest in the tournament is high even at this early stage with organisers receiving inquiries from over 40 teams. Already 26 boat teams from a number of countries including Australia, Canada, South Africa, Dubai, Oman, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand have confirmed their entry.
Despite being in its infancy, the 2012 Thailand International Sport Fishing Tournament has already attracted a large number of sponsors, and further major sponsors are now actively being sought. There is a limited supply of boats available. Any team inquiries should be forwarded to Warren Crowe: info@ rawaibeachfishingclub.com Companies interested in sponsorship opportunities can also contact Warren at the above address or Jorge de la Torre at Events Thailand: jorge@eventsthailand.net.
OPEN 2pm-2am
Boutique massage & Spa service
Special for Men & Couples
Punpon Night Plaza, Phuket Town
Call 087-341 1499, 086-954 5049 www.katherine-escort.com
www.thephuketnews.com
prestige top-tier triathlons,” said Debbie Dionysius, Laguna’s AVP of Destination Marketing. “These 30 Kona slots will be a major draw card for triathletes worldwide. We hope to attract more than 1,000 entries and see the cream of triathlon talent, both in the professional and age group fields, here at Laguna, for what promises to be a spectacular race challenge and a unique triathlon festival.” Murphy Reinschreiber, Ironman/WTC managing director for Asia-Pacific, said, “The slots are being offered to ensure there are ample 2012 qualifying opportunities, given the current uncertainties of our 2012 full distance race schedule. “Their availability is a one-off opportunity that is sure to generate enthusiasm in the worldwide triathlon community.”
The Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, originally a combination of the Waikiki Rough Water swim, the Around Oahu Bike Race and the Honolulu Marathon, is a full Ironman consisting of a 3.8 km swim, a 180.2 km bike ride and a 42.2 km run – a total of 226.2 km. Ironman 70.3 triathlons such as the one at Laguna are half the full Ironman distance with a 1.9 km swim; 90.1 km bike ride and 21.1 km run – a total of 113.1 km, or 70.3 miles, hence the name. Last year’s inaugural event saw a 50-strong professional field beaten by American Tim O’Donnell and Caroline Steffen of Switzerland. Both are expected to return to Phuket in December to defend their titles. Online registrations at: ironmanphuket.com
Caroline Steffen of Switzerland (left) and American Tim O’Donnell won last year’s Ironman 70.3 event. Both are expected to defend their titles this year. –Photo by Laguna Phuket
New sailing event: Sabang SAILING The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism is to host a cocktail party tonight (August 19) at the Ao Chalong Yacht Club (ACYC) to introduce the new Sabang International Regatta. The party will commence at 6pm and invitation has been extended to all those interested in attending, whether they will take part in the regatta or not. Those who attend the party will be treated to free food, beer and wine, plus there will be entertainment on hand to get partygoers in the mood for what should be a fantastic social event. The Sabang International Regatta is a rally-cum-regatta that will commence in Phuket on September 13 and conclude in Sabang in northern Sumatra 12 days later. Participants will rally from Phuket to Langkawi, Malaysia on September 14, the morning after a pre-regatta dinner, ahead of registration at the
The Sabang rally will kick off in the familiar waters of Phuket. – Photo by Leslie Hand Royal Langkawi Yacht Club (RLYC) on September 15. Registration will continue through until September 16 before the opening dinner at RLYC at 7:30 pm. Racing in all classes including power boats gets underway the following day with the first power boat expected
in Sabang on September 18. The first sailing boats should reach the Indonesian town on September 19 with the last expected to cross the finish line a day later. Further racing will take place on the water off Sabang on September 22 and the regatta will conclude with prize
giving and a gala dinner on the evening of the 24th before people depart for home the next day. A nyone interested in participating in the Sabang International Regatta should attend tonight’s cocktail party or visit sabangregatta.com for more information.
Aoki top in July PEGS tournament Around 50 of the island’s best amateur golfers gathered at the Phuket Country Club in late July for the most recent Phuket Expat Golf Society (PEGS) end-of-the-month tournament. Those participating in the tournament were split into the usual three divisions: strokeplay, Stableford A (for players
GOLF with a handicap of 11-18) and Stableford B (players with a handicap of 19-28). In the strokeplay division Masaru Aoki came out on top as winner of the low gross after shooting a 73, while Chris Czupryna took the low
nett title, finishing with a nett score of 68. Peter Garczewski took the honours in the Stableford A category with 42 points, six ahead of Frank de Punder in second place. The Stableford B division was a close run affair but Paal Myrvold was the eventual
winner, racking up 41 points to Paul Benjamins’ 39. As well as the prizes awarded to the winners, additional prizes were awarded for longest drive and nearest the pin. The next end-of-the-month tournament will be held at Blue Canyon’s Canyon Course on September 1.
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
INTERNATIONAL SPORT 41
England finally reach summit In Britain there is a welltrodden path when it comes to sport and, more importantly, success in sport. One, England invents the sport – rugby, football, cricket all spring to mind. Two, because they invented the sport and all the other countries are just getting to grips with it, England all comers home and away. Three, the English teams, believing they are the best, get complacent. Four, the rest of the world not only catch the English teams but surpass them. Five, English teams realise (usually too late) that they no longer have a God-given right to succeed and start to get their act together. Six, they return to the top of the pile again, albeit temporarily. It happened with football at Wembley in 1966, it happened in rugby in Sydney in 2003 and it finally happened in cricket last week at Edgbaston. Yes, for the first time since the rankings were introduced back in 2003, the English test cricket team stands proudly on top of the official pile after handing India a third consecutive defeat.
CRICKET
For fans of English cricket who have suffered years of misery watching poor England teams, this is a moment to savour and enjoy. There have been good English teams in the past 30 or 40 years but they never matched up to the force of nature that was the West Indies in the 1980s nor the relentless juggernaut the Australians crafted during the 1990s and half of the noughties. While this team has some way to go before they can be spoken of in the same breath as the aforementioned sides, this England team has taken giant strides in a relatively short period of time, and has the potential to dominate for a long time to come. Just 12 years ago, the England cricket team was officially the worst in the world after losing to New Zealand at home. From that nadir, a structure was put in place that is now reaping rewards. In 2000 England players were given central contracts which meant they were England players first and county players second. This allowed the coaches and captains to work with a
The England players celebrate their victory over India which saw them become the number one ranked Test team in the world. - Photo AFP core group of players whose team you rarely see players land and Wales Cricket Board sole focus was the England drafted into the national side has been able to increase its national team. Performances for one match and then being funding of the side. This has improved and England moved dropped again, or dropped enabled the team to have the up the rankings as a result. from the team and then re- most professional first team set Continuity of selection has called on numerous occasions, up and development structure ensured that players are less as was the case during the in the world. on edge about whether or not dark days of English cricket. These three factors, plus they are going to be dropped Without that continuity, strong leadership on and off from the squad if they have Alastair Cook would have been the field from a succession of one or two bad matches; this dropped before his record- captains and coaches, have has led to more consistency. breaking Ashes series. allowed England to reach the That’s not to suggest that Now English cricket is summit. The test now is to stay players aren’t under pressure to shown on Sky TV rather than there for an extended period. perform. But in this England terrestrial channels the EngLuckily for England fans
the presence of Andrew Flower and Andrew Strauss as coach and captain will not allow any complacency among the squad. The deter mination to succeed, the standard of the current team and the efforts to develop a reserve squad that can step into the breach seamlessly should ensure that continued success is possible. All of England’s top six batsmen are capable of scoring heavily, as this series has proven, while the likes of Broad, Bresnan and Swann are likely to score vital runs. The bowling attack works together as a pack, capitalising on any weakness it finds, plus the athleticism and fielding – for England at least – is at an all-time high. Throw in huge team spirit and the desire to be the best, and it is little wonder this team has the potential to be England’s greatest. Now that the Australians are in decline, India were supposed to provide the ultimate test this summer. They have been brushed aside almost contemptuously by this relentless side; once Strauss’ England team have their opponents by the jugular, there is simply no letting go.
Breakthrough year sees majors swept by first-timers GOLF From Charl Schwartzel’s fourbirdie finish to win the Masters, Rory McIlroy’s and Darren Clarke’s emotional triumphs and Keegan Bradley’s US PGA shocker, 2011 was a breakthrough year in golf majors. Bradley’s victory at the Atlanta Athletic Club over fellow American Jason Dufner in a three-hole aggregate playoff for the PGA Championship last Sunday completed the first majors sweep by first-time winners in a season since 2003. “I think majors especially, but the fields, everybody out here is so good now – from the last guy in to the first guy can win,” Bradley said. South African Schwartzel was a stunner who emerged from a 10-man back nine battle on the Sunday at Augusta National, while McIlroy was seen as a major threat well before his US Open victory. Fellow Northern Irelander Clarke was a long-admired major veteran before his British Open triumph last month. Bradley’s victory, rallying after a triple bogey at the par-three 15th when Dufner collapsed down the stretch as
US PGA Champion Keegan Bradley - Photo AFP. well, extended the streak of major victories by first-time winners to a record seven and 10 of the past 11 events overall. That is a streak Bradley says might have a long way yet to run, now that the days of domination by 14-time major winner Tiger Woods are over. “The top players are not dominating like they were, which I think is great for the tour. It gives an opportunity for a player like me to win.” Since 2008, no prior major winner has won a major outside of the Masters, which offers extra benefit to experienced players being staged annually at the celebrated Augusta National. “There are new names coming out that people should be excited about,” Dufner said.
“It’s not all about everybody you see on TV. There’s a lot of guys that can really play, and they are going to play really good golf for a long time.” Former World No 1 Woods, who missed the cut at a major for only the third time in his career at the PGA Championship, has not won a major title since the 2008 US Open, the longest major drought of his career. Woods, who struggled in a two-week comeback after a layoff following left leg injuries suffered at the Masters in April, was 33rd in Monday’s world rankings, four spots below Bradley, who was 108th last week. But Bradley is not writing off Woods, who is still chasing the career record 18 major titles won by Jack Nicklaus. “I don’t think it’s over. I think Tiger has a lot of great tournaments in him,” Bradley said. “He will be back. He still has a lot of great tournaments in him. It will always be the Tiger era as long as he is playing. “But it is great to have some good young Americans coming up to play golf.” –AFP www.thephuketnews.com
42 INTERNATIONAL SPORT
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011 WEEK 2 Home Team W D W Away Team i r i n a n w 20/08/2011 Sunderland AFC Arsenal FC Aston Villa Everton FC Norwich City Swansea City
Dan’s Premier League Tips
Dan Ogunshakin. Results from Round one:
1-2 Wolverhampton 0-0 Aston Villa 1-1 Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal 0-4 Bolton 1-1 Norwich 0-0 Chelsea 1-2 Man Utd 4-0 Swansea
Top performers: 1. s4599088 2. apollo131 3. Allard 3. keefers 5. A1CR 5. alasdair 5. chasman 5. evil_beau 5. gafferworld 5. MAMCHAM 5. MRB 5. rutherman 5. stefan 5. Wizlon
Newcastle United Liverpool FC Blackburn Rovers Queens Park Rangers Stoke City Wigan Athletic Fulham FC West Bromwich Albion
21/08/2011 Bolton Wanderers
Manchester City
22/08/2011 Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur
Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Sunderland v Newcastle: Home win • Arsenal v Liverpool: Draw • Aston Villa v Blackburn: Home win • Everton v QPR: Home win • S w a n s e a v W i g a n : H o m e Win • Chelsea v West Brom: Home win • Norwich v Stoke: Home win • Wolverhampton v Fulham: Home win • Bolton v Man City: Away win • Man Utd v Tottenham: Home win
Blackburn Fulham Liverpool Newcastle QPR Wigan Stoke West Brom Man City
Chelsea FC
20 18 17 17 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15
Please Fax this form to 076 612 553 or hand it in at the Phuket News office in before Friday 2.00 PM. Or visit our website www.thephuketnews.com to enter online.
EPL quick on the draw The rough and tumble of the Premier League is on again this weekend. – Photo AFP
The opening round of the 2011/12 Barclays Premier League produced a number of surprising results as only one team managed a home win all weekend. The season got off to a difficult start when it was announced that the opening fixture between Spurs and Everton had to be postponed following the riots that had ripped through London. Of the remaining nine fixtures, five ended up as draws, three were away wins and only Manchester City won at home; Roberto Mancini’s men thrashing Swansea 4-0 at Etihad Stadium. Champions Manchester United got the defence of their title off to a winning start thanks to a late own goal by West Brom captain Steven Reid. United’s other main challengers – Chelsea, Arsenal
FOOTBALL and Liverpool – all dropped points. The Blues and the Gunners were held to goalless draws away from home, while Liverpool let a 1-0 advantage slip at home to Sunderland. Bolton spoiled QPR’s return to the top flight with a thumping 4-0 win at Loftus Road, while Wolves came from behind to win at Blackburn. The remaining two fixtures produced two draws: Wigan and Norwich finished 1-1, while Fulham and Aston Villa ended goalless. A number of players in The Phuket News tipping competition performed well in round one, with some 20 players outscoring our very own football ‘expert’ Dan Ogunshakin. The cur iously named s4599088 top scored with 20 points, closely followed by
Apollo131 in second with 18, one point ahead of Allard and Keefers in joint third. Round two starts this weekend with a bang when Newcastle travel to the Stadium of Light for the first Tyne-Wear derby of the season, a game that is rarely short of incident. Both sides started the season with a point apiece but Sunderland, at home, will start the match as favourites. Another game sure to grab the attention takes place at the Emirates where Arsenal face Liverpool in the Gunners’ first game since Cesc Fabregas left the club. The corressponding matches between the two famous clubs last season produced 1-1 draws, with three of the goals scored in the dying minutes. In Saturday’s other fixtures, Aston Villa will be favourites in their home game
against Blackburn, Everton will hope to pile more misery onto QPR fans, newcomers Swansea bring top division football back to Wales against Wigan in what could be an entertaining clash and Chelsea should inflict more misery on West Brom in what will be Andre Villas-Boas’ first game at Stamford Bridge. There are three fixtures on Sunday, starting with Norwich’s first home game back in the Premier League against Stoke City. Wolves should maintain their winning start to the season against Fulham at Molineux given the West Londoners poor performances on the road in recent years, while at the Reebok Stadium Bolton and Man City – the two clubs who scored four unanswered goals in round one – go head-to-head. Round two’s fixtures con-
clude on Tuesday morning (Thai time) when champions United face Spurs in what will be Harry Redknapp’s side’s first game of the season. Don’t forget to submit your tips for round two. You can either enter them online by 23:59 tonight (August 19) at thephuketnews.com, fax them to the office on 076 612 553 or hand them to us personally here in Billion Plaza, opposite Tesco-Lotus before 2 pm. If you didn’t play in round one but still wish to take part you can – just register at thephuketnews.com and make your predictions. The prize for the top points scorer in August and September is a B3,000 voucher to be used at Peppers Bar and Restaurant outside of Laguna. The grand prize is a return flight to the UK.
Barton ‘not proud’ of reaction Controversial Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has admitted he “was not proud” of his reaction following his altercation with new Arsenal signing Gervinho at St. James’ Park last Saturday (August 13). The Liverpool-born midfielder initially hauled the Arsenal forward up from the ground after referee Peter
Walton turned down a penalty appeal. Barton then collapsed to the floor clutching his face after the Ivory Coast international slapped him. Although there was contact made with Barton’s face, the former Manchester City midfielder went to ground far too easily. Walton issued a red card to
Gervinho but allowed Barton to remain on the field, receiving just a yellow card for his part in the melee that ensued. In response to the criticism he has received, Barton said, “I’m not proud of the way I reacted. I did go down easily.” “The stadium was full, the fans have grafted all week to pay to come and see us and I
felt Gervinho was seeking to gain an unfair advantage and cheat us out of a point. “I shouldn’t have lifted Gervinho up by his shirt and that’s not the correct thing to do.” Both Newcastle United and Arsenal were charged with failing to control their players by the FA.
Mikel pleads for father’s release Nigeria and Chelsea footballer John Obi Mikel pleaded on Monday for his father’s kidnappers to free him, begging: “Please just let him go.” The 24-year-old midfielder said he had always tried to serve his country and now needed his fellow Nigerians to help him secure his father’s release. Michael Obi, who runs
www.thephuketnews.com
FOOTBALL
a transport company in Jos, the capital of Plateau State in central Nigeria, has not been seen since Friday when he failed to return home from work. “All I can say is the country I’m from, Nigeria, I’ve always tried to help the country in every way that I can, play-
ing for the country, serving the country,” Mikel said. “I think this is time for the country as well to help me in this situation. “Whoever has got my dad, whoever knows where my dad is, should please contact me and hopefully he should be released.” Mikel said he would like to return to Nigeria to see his
family but had been told by security figures that it was safer for him to stay in Britain. “I just don’t know what to do at this point because I don’t know where he is and it’s just so difficult for me,” he said. “To whoever has got my dad: please just let him go. My dad is an old man and hasn’t done any harm to anyone.” –AFP
INTERNATIONAL SPORT 43
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
NRL after round 23 Team
P
Storm Sea Eagles Broncos Cowboys Dragons Warriors Wests Tigers Knights Rabbitohs Bulldogs Panthers Sharks Roosters Raiders Eels Titans
21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21
Pts 40 36 34 30 29 28 28 26 24 24 20 18 18 16 15 14
W 18 16 15 13 12 12 12 11 10 10 8 7 7 6 5 5
D 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
L 3 5 6 8 8 9 9 10 11 11 13 14 14 15 15 16
F
A
501 484 445 474 419 438 419 410 471 365 387 361 328 365 329 315
244 293 346 416 299 349 386 361 476 418 441 463 455 542 482 540
AFL after round 21 Team
P
W
Collingwood Geelong Cats Hawthorn Carlton W Coast Eagles St Kilda Essendon Sydney Swans Fremantle North Melbourne Melbourne Western Bulldogs Richmond Adelaide Brisbane Lions Gold Coast Suns Port Adelaide
19 20 19 20 19 19 20 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19
18 18 15 14 14 10 10 9 9 8 7 7 6 6 4 3 2
L 1 2 4 5 5 8 9 9 10 11 11 12 12 13 15 16 17
D 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
PF
PA
2305 2313 2058 2093 1867 1602 2020 1596 1633 1789 1648 1729 1740 1468 1582 1291 1396
1261 1467 1404 1536 1507 1458 1970 1514 1773 1811 2004 1884 2083 1863 1930 2383 2282
Points 72 72 60 58 56 42 42 38 36 32 30 28 26 24 16 12 8
Rugby Super League after Round 24 Team
P
W
D
L
F
A
Pts
Wigan Warrington St Helens Huddersfield Catalan Dragons Leeds Castleford Hull Hull KR Bradford Salford Harlequins Crusaders Wakefield
24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24
18 19 15 15 14 13 11 11 11 8 9 5 6 6
3 0 3 0 1 1 2 1 0 2 0 1 0 0
3 5 6 9 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 18 18
738 974 695 615 605 640 588 598 633 496 494 464 475 377
371 365 469 457 553 527 702 499 618 716 716 845 709 845
39 38 33 30 29 27 24 23 22 18 18 11 8 8
Sport on TV: Times in Thailand Friday, August 19 EVENT AFL: Carlton v Hawthorn NRL: Storm v Dragons
TIME
CHANNEL
16:30 16:30
Australia Network Astro Supersport 2.
Saturday, August 20 AFL: Gold Coast v Adelaide 11:00 AFL: West Coast v Essendon 14:00 AFL: N. Melbourne v Freemantle 17:00 AFL: Collingwood v Brisbane 20:00 NRL: Titans v Raiders 14:25 NRL: Panthers v Warriors 16:25 Football: Sunderl’d v Newcastle 18:00 Football: Arsenal v Liverpool 18:45 Football: Villa v Blackburn 21:00 Football: Chelsea v West Brom 23:30 Tri-Nations: SA v New Zealand 22:00
Australia Network Australia Network. Australia Network. Australia Network. Astro Supersport 2. Astro Supersport 2 STAR Sports TrueSport 1 TrueSport 1 TrueSport 3 Astro Supersport 2
Sunday, August 21 AFL: Sydney Swans v St Kilda AFL: Port Adelaide v Bulldogs NRL: Tigers v Eels Football: Norwich v Stoke Football: Wolves v Fulham Football: Bolton v Man City
10:30 13:30 11:55 19:30 20:00 22:00
Casey Stoner in flight during the Czech MotoGP. He led from the fourth lap until the finish. – Photo AFP
Coming up this week
Australia Network Australia Network Astro Supersport 2 Astro Supersport 3 STAR Sports TrueSport 1
Australian NRL Round 24
English Premier League Fixtures
(Times in Thailand)
(Times in Thailand)
Friday August 19 Rabbitohs v Cowboys Storm v Dragons Saturday August 20 Titans v Raiders Roosters v Sharks Panthers v Warriors Sunday August 21 Sea Eagles v Bulldogs Tigers v Eels Monday August 22 Knights v Broncos
16:35 16:35 14:30 16:30 16:30 11:00 12:00 16:00
AFL Round 22 (Aussie Rules)
Saturday August 20 Sunderld v Newcastle 18:00 Arsenal v Liverpool 18:45 Villa v Blackburn 21:00 Everton v QPR 21:00 Swansea v Wigan 21:00 Chelsea v West Brom 23:30 Sunday August 21 Norwich v Stoke 19:30 Wolves v Fulham 20:00 Bolton v Man City 22:00 Monday August 22 Man Utd v Spurs 22:00
Bundesliga Fixtures
(Times in Thailand) Friday August 19 Carlton v Hawthorn
16:40
Saturday August 20 Gold Coast v Adelaide 11:10 WC Eagles v Essendon 10:10 N Melb’n v Fremantle 16:10 Collingwood v B Lions 16:10 Sunday August 21 Sydney v St Kilda 10:10 Port v W Bulldogs 11:40 Demons v Richmond 13:40 Bye: Geelong.
Friday August 19 M’gladbach v Wolfsburg Saturday August 20 Augsburg v Hoffenheim Stuttgart v Leverkusen Bayern v Hamburg Dortmund v Nuremberg Bremen v Freiburg Köln v Kaiserslautern Sunday August 21 Mainz v Schalke Hannover v Hertha Berlin
Hash House Harriers Run 1328: Saturday, Aug 20 at 4pm. Hares: Who the F is Alice, Turncoat and Stupid Canard. Directions: Going south on Chao Fa West turn right opposite the TOT office, 2.2km south of the Honda garage. Going north, the turning is 4.2km from Chalong circle. Follow the side road to the top of the hill. Buses leave Expat Hotel, Patong at 14:30 and Baan Rim Klong, Kamala at 15:00.
Bundesliga, Germany Team Mainz 05 Hannover Stuttgart Bor’sia M’bach Wolfsburg Schalke Bor’sia Dortmund Bremen Nuremberg Hoffenheim Bayern Bayer Leverkusen Augsburg Freiburg Hertha Berlin Hamburg Kaiserslautern Köln
P 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Pts 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
W 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 1 1 1 0
D 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 2
L 4 4 4 2 3 5 3 2 2 2 1 1 3 3 2 3 1 1
F 1 2 1 1 1 4 2 1 2 2 1 2 3 4 3 5 3 8
A 6 6 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 3 2 1 1 1 1 0
It’s Stoner the loner
MotoGP world championship leader Casey Stoner extended his advantage at the top of the standings with a comfortable victory at the Czech MotoGP in Brno last Sunday, the 29th win of his career. The Australian was gifted the lead on the fourth lap when his Honda-Repsol team-mate Dani Pedrosa crashed out of the race after starting in pole position and leading the early part of the Grand Prix. Italians Andrea Dovizioso and Marco Simoncelli finished second and third respectively to complete the podium positions. Simoncelli has started on pole twice this season but this was his first podium finish. Defending world champion Jorge Lorenzo of Spain was fourth and now trails Stoner by 32 points. The Australian sits on top of the standings with 218 points, Lorenzo is in second place with 186, while Dovizioso is a further 23 back in third. Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi is in fourth place despite enduring a difficult campaign after switching to Italian manufacturer Fiat at the end of the previous season. After starting the race in
MOTOGP pole position, Pedrosa made a fast start but was soon overhauled by his compatriot Lorenzo at turn three. The reigning champion almost hit the deck two laps later when he lost control of the front end of his bike. The Spaniard miraculously managed to keep it upright, however, by digging his knee into the tarmac. Pedrosa took advantage of Lorenzo’s error to retake the lead but crashed out a lap later, leaving Stoner in front. Dovizioso and Simoncelli both passed Lorenzo as the Spaniard’s front tyre lost grip but Stoner was away and clear, and had the luxury of easing off in the closing stages as he secured the win. “We knew we could be on the podium but it looked tough for the win, so I’m delighted,” Stoner said after the race. “I had a good early battle with Andrea and I thought Dani would get away but the bike felt good. “Then Dani crashed out and I tried to pull a gap by putting in some real quick laps. Then it was all about managing it to the finish.”
www.thephuketnews.com
44 INTERNATIONAL SPORT
THE PHUKET NEWS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011
HOME AT LAST! Fabregas goes back to Barcelona One of football’s most protracted transfer sagas came to an end on Monday (August 15) as Cesc Fabregas left Arsenal for European champions Barcelona in a deal worth an initial €29 million (B1.25 billion). “Cesc has finally joined FC Barcelona, after signing a contract for the next five seasons,” Barcelona said in a statement on its official website. The €29 million could rise by a further €5 million (B215 million) depending on Barcelona’s success over the duration of Fabregas’ contract. Should the Spanish giants lift the league title on two occasions in the next five years Barcelona will have to pay Arsenal a further €4 million (B172 million) and hand over an additional €1 million (B43 million) should they repeat last season’s Champions League success. The club will also pay the Gunners another €1 million (B43 million) a year on the Spaniard’s behalf, potentially taking the total fee to €39 million (B1.68 billion). Such was Fabregas’ desperation to rejoin the club he left eight years ago he agreed to take a large pay cut so that the deal could go through in a manner that was agreeable to all sides. He will not be leaving any time soon, Barcelona said; his buyout clause stands at €200 million. After undergoing a medi-
FOOTBALL cal, Fabregas, wearing his favoured number 4 shirt, was presented to 35,000 Barcelona fans who had gathered in the club’s Nou Camp stadium to await his arrival. “I would like to thank all the fans,” he said. “I have been waiting many days, months, years for this day. It’s a very special day, to come home after eight years away. I am here to face the most incredible challenge of my life.” The announcement brought to a conclusion a saga that had dragged on for more than a year. Fabregas joined Arsenal as a 16-year-old after having learned his trade at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy. The Spaniard made his debut for Arsenal at just 17, filling the sizeable gap that had been left by Patrick Vieira who had moved to Juventus that summer. Wenger eventually named Fabregas as Arsenal captain in 2008 but the play maker began to grow disillusioned with life at the Emirates after a number of seasons without success. After last summer’s World Cup in South Africa, Fabregas made his desire to return to his home town club clear. During Spain’s celebrations in Madrid, Liverpool’s Pepe Reina forced Fabregas
Arsenal will miss Fabregas’ talents as the young Spaniard returns to Barcelona after an eight-year spell with the North London Club. –Photo by Ronnie MacDonald. into a Barcelona shirt while they were standing side by side on the podium, a move that provoked anger among Arsenal supporters. Despite Fabregas making his feelings known, Arsenal
said they would refuse to sell the Spaniard unless Barcelona matched the club’s B1.95 billion valuation. The Catalans refused to pay and Fabregas was forced to return to Arsenal ahead of
the 2010-11 season. The Spanish star cut a disinterested figure during the last campaign and, rather than hold onto a player whose heart was plainly no longer with the club, Wenger decided it was
better to let him go. “Yes, we lost a world class player and we are sad about it. We did try to keep him but in the end we have to respect the desire of the player as well,” Wenger told a press conference on Monday. “It is very difficult to get the best out of a player; he has to be completely committed to where he is. “If you understand one thing, it is that Cesc didn’t go for financial reasons. He wanted to go back to his home city.” Fabregas made a total of 303 appearances for the Gunners in eight years, scoring 57 goals. Barcelona defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique had already anticipated the move on Friday when they sent messages on their Twitter accounts welcoming the player before any official announcement. “Welcome home, happy to have you here @cesc4official,” Puyol tweeted, addressing his message to Cesc’s Twitter account. “@cesc4official, we have got him,” tweeted Pique. Having got his dream move Fabregas now faces an uphill task to get into the team. In his way stands the midfield trio of Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, three players key to the success that Barcelona and Spain have enjoyed over the past few seasons. –Dan Ogunshakin
De Villiers running out of excuses South Africa have lost the winning habit and with a Rugby World Cup defence less than one month away, coach Peter de Villiers is running out of time and excuses. The Springboks tackle fiercest rivals New Zealand in Port Elizabeth tomorrow (August 20) against a depressing backdrop of eight defeats from their last nine Tri-Nations Tests. Meanwhile the head coach acts like he is auditioning for a spin doctor position. No matter how badly the green and gold perform – and they have been poor much of the time since de Villiers succeeded Jake White following South Africa’s 2007 Rugby World Cup triumph – the man in charge never accepts that he may be part of the problem. www.thephuketnews.com
RUGBY UNION De Villiers promised excitement, success and more black Springboks when he took over, only to fall short in three of four seasons, while the number of black first choices has risen by just one – prop Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarira who was born and raised, not in South Africa, but in Zimbabwe. Never a coach at Super level, de Villiers was put in charge of a team that had won two World Cup tournaments and enjoyed passionate support. The team that collapsed in the second half when losing 14-9 to Australia in Durban last Saturday was, bar injured loose forwards Schalk Burger and Juan Smith, the best available
No sign of the promised bold new world: Springboks coach Peter de Villiers. –Photo AFP after a virtual “B” team went to Sydney and Wellington and suffered humiliating losses. “In my opinion the only place we lost tonight was on
the scoreboard,” De Villiers said with a straight face at the post-match media conference. South African rugby writers have grown tired of De Villiers’ spin doctoring. Liam del Carme of the Sunday Times said the world champions looked “ill-equipped in game plan and personnel to mount a serious challenge in their title defence” which begins against Wales on September 11 in Wellington. “The Springboks, ponderous and predictable for most of the game, could not make up the shortfall in guile and skill with their courage and determination,” he wrote in South Africa’s largest circulating weekend newspaper. “The grim reality for
coach Peter de Villiers is that he has now played his best team and has nothing to fall back on. More damningly, the Springboks are stuck in a one-dimensional rut. “While the Wallabies embraced attack, which required high-risk, high-reward off-loads in the tackle, and generally tried to exploit space, the Springboks were sterile in their attempted advances, built around finding the embrace of the first Wallaby tackler.” Award-winning writer Mike Greenaway of the Durban Daily News summarised a second consecutive Tri-Nations home loss to the Wallabies as a “crashing disappointment and crushing concern looking forward to New Zealand”. He wrote, “When they can
deliver nothing more than 30 minutes of blood-and-guts effort before wilting and fading away into nothingness, serious questions have to be asked about the validity of the Springboks’ claim that they can defend their world crown.” De Villiers promised a bold new world far removed from the kick-chase-swarm-score one that he inherited from White. Yet as many as 12 of the team that defeated England 15-6 in the 2007 World Cup final could face Wales. De Villiers could yet force critics to consume large helpings of humble pie, but the widespread fear within one of the great rugby union nations is that the Boks will fail, probably in the semi-finals against hosts New Zealand. –AFP