The Phuket News 19 October 2018 by The Phuket News

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SIMILANS LIMITED NUMBER OF TOURISTS ENTERING SIMILAN NATIONAL PARK HALVED BY QUOTA

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LIFE

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Tour boats line the shore of Ao Kuerk on Koh Similan during the tourism high season in January. Photo: Mathias Krumbholz

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n a move to prevent more environmental damage by heavy ‘overtourism’, the number of tourists allowed to enter Mu Ko Similan National Park, a key natural tourist attraction just over 80 kilometres northwest of Phuket, has been halved with a quota brought into effect on Monday (Oct 15). The order was issued by Thanya Netithammakun, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), on Oct 8, Similan National

Park Chief Ruamsilp Manajongprasert told The Phuket News this week. Despite strong opposition by tour operators, the quota – allowing only 3,850 visitors per day – will stay in effect, Chief Ruamsilp assured. A total of 1,625 persons per day will be allowed to enter the park via Koh Miang (Island No 4), 1,700 will be allowed to enter per day via Koh Similan (Island No 8) and a further 525 persons per day will be allowed entry to dive at any of 21 dive sites in the park, he explained. “The limit on the number of tourists will remain in effect. We have no thoughts on changing this,” Mr

Ruamsilp said. The move is to prevent further environmental damage by heavy tourism, and follows the DNP in June this year banning overnight stays at the islands, whereby it is no longer possible to book bungalows or stay at the camping sites. “The main aim is to reduce damage to corals and the environment by tourists, tour operators and divers,” Chief Ruamsilp explained. “From Oct 15, 2017 to May 15, 2018, the park issued B1.1 million in fines for people breaking the law in the park. This included people smoking cigarettes, using drones in the park,

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boats dropping anchor in banned areas in the park, and divers touching and feeding marine animals and touching or breaking corals,” he said. “All this is reason enough for us to introduce the quota,” he said. Chief Ruamsilp also noted that the improvement in the marine environment at Koh Tachai, which is also in the park but has been closed to all tourism activities since May 2016, provided inspiration for the quota. “After we saw that the environment at Koh Tachai is improving, we had research conducted into what should be done to protect the rest of the park,” he added...

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Man, 25, dies in waterfall plunge A 25-YEAR-OLD MAN died after leaping into a rock pool at Bangpae Waterfall in Pa Khlok, Thalang, last Saturday afternoon (Oct 13). Rescue workers and police were called to the popular waterfall after 3pm after friends raised the alarm that they were unable to recover their friend Abdul Aziz, 25, from Pattani, who worked for a local security company. Mr Abdul’s three friends told police that Mr Abdul had jumped into the pool of water at the base of the waterfall, which they knew had rocks underwater. Alarmed that Mr Abdul did not resurface, they searched for him but were unable to find him with the water swirling strongly in the rock pool, which is about four to five metres deep.

Millions of baht in fake goods seized in island raids > page 4

Keep Maya Bay closed to tourism, says DNP poll Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

The 25-year-old man had jumped into the rock pool at the base of the popular Bangpae Waterfall. Rescue workers managed to recover Mr Abdul’s body from the water about 15 minutes after arriving, but he was already unconscious and unresponsive, and later pronounced dead. Mr Abdul’s body was taken to Thalang Hospital for further examination, said police, before they could conclude their investigation. Eakkapop Thongtub

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

n overwhelming number of people voting in an online poll by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) have called for the department to keep both Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay closed to tourism. The DNP poll was launched online at 4pm last Friday (Oct 12). As of Wednesday (Oct 17), more than 18,500 votes had been cast, with more than 91% voting “Agree” to close both popular sites to tourism. The poll had also already garnered more than 3,000 comments. In asking people to cast their votes, the DNP notes, “We ask you to cast your vote to manage the environment at ‘Maya Bay and Loh Samah

The Department of National Parks poll was launched online at 4pm last Friday (Oct 12 ). Image: Screengrab / DNP Bay’, which are closed tourism attractions in order to restore both areas of Nopparatthara Nopparat Thara National Park, Krabi province.” “Do you agree for the DNP to keep Maya Baya and Loh Samah Bay closed to tourism?” is the simple question asked. The poll offers only two options: “Agree” and “Disagree”.

The results can be seen in real time, but only people who cast votes may post their comments underneath. The comments are kept anonymous. One such comment read, “In addition to extending the period of closure, the government and related agencies must issue regulations to restrict tourists, and (if the sites re-

open to tourists) must limit the number of hours that tourists can visit the bays. “Also officials must encourage and focus on eco-tourism, and law enforcement must be strict on both Thais and foreign tourists. It is time to conserve nature and take care of it.” Another comment read, “Not surprised about extending the closure period, but more advance notice should have been given.” Worapoj Lomlim, Chief of the Hat Nopparat- Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, confirmed to The Phuket News that the poll was not orchestrated by his office. “This poll is not by me. It was created with the involvement of many organisations,” he said.

To vote in the poll, visit: http:// bit.ly/2y3J2sj

Similans quota riles tour operators Continued from page 1 ...As for Koh Tachai, he said, “It will remain closed for now. We have no idea when it will reopen.” Tour operators have railed against the quota, saying that the move will cost jobs and put operators out of business. Before the quota, the national park saw up to 7,000 visitors a day during the peak season, with 912,000 tourists in total visiting the park last year. That number has now been halved by the quota. Nattakit Lorwitworrawat, Managing Director of Sea Star

The quota order came as late notice to tour operators, giving them just days to adjust. Image: DNP Andaman tour company, said, “This will have a big impact on us as we have to cancel bookings with agents. We cannot even estimate the revenue this

will cost us… Right now we have stopped selling trips to the Similans, and this affects boat captains, tour guides, staff and other people.” Suriya ‘Kung’ Thamchu, CEO of Nonthasak Marine, said that tour operators in Phuket have submitted a formal request for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to intervene. “We have not yet decided to stop our Similan trips, we might start again on Oct 2530, but we have to discuss this with our board members and management,” Mr Suriya said.

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warn of Foreigner crackdown Lifeguards continued danger nets over 1,000 illegals The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

n just two weeks over 1,000 foreigners have been arrested in Phuket for visa violations and other immigration offences according to the chief of the Phuket Immigration Office. The Phuket Immigration Office Chief Pol Col Kathathorn Kumthieng revealed that statistics at a gathering of over 200 officials involved in the ongoing ‘Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’ clampdown held at Phuket Provincial Police Station at 4pm on Monday (Oct 15). Also in attendance at the gathering were commander of the Royal Thai Police Immigration Division Region 6 Pol Maj Gen Jedsada Yaisun and officers from the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, Phuket City Police, Royal Thai Police and Tourist Police Office. “Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, National police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda and chief of the

Commander of the Royal Thai Police Immigration Division Region 6 Pol Maj Gen Jedsada Yaisun (right). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Immigration Bureau Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn have ordered Immigration Division 6 and relevant departments to crackdown on illegal foreigners in Phuket,” said Pol Col Kathathorn. “Between Oct 1-14, 583 foreigners in Phuket were found to have overstayed their visas. In addition, 880 foreigners were found to have entered the country illegally or violated the Alien Working Act B.E. 2521. “So far this month Phuket immigration officials checked

397 houses and hotels for alien foreigners,” he added. “I must reiterate that home owners and managers of hotels must inform Phuket Immigration officials of any foreigners residing in their properties within 24 hours after their arrival. If they do not then they will be charged according to the law,” he said. The news came after police revealing that two men, one a Syrian and the other an Egyptian national, had been arrested at separate locations in Patong for overstaying in

Brit charged for horrific accident POLICE THIS WEEK CONfirmed that British expat Paul John Mercer has been charged with reckless driving causing death. Mercer was driving northbound on Thepkrasattri Rd in Muang Mai, Thalang at 4:45am last Wednesday (Oct 10) when his Mercedes-Benz C250 struck a man who was collecting recyclable litter from alongside the road opposite the PTT petrol station. The man, well known in the area for collecting recyclable litter, but who police have yet to name, was torn to

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The victim’s body was torn apart by the impact. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub pieces by the impact. Capt Warawud Sansop of the Thalang Police told The Phuket News on Wednesday

(Oct 17), “Officers were waiting for results of blood tests done by the hospital to check his (Mercer’s) alcohol level. “We have now received those and police yesterday charged Mr Mercer with careless driving causing death,” he added. Capt Warawud declined to reveal the results of the alcohol blood test or whether Mercer was tested for any other substances, or reveal any further details about the case, including whether Mercer had been released on bail. Tavee Adam

the country. According to a police statement last Saturday (Oct 13), following investigations, immigration officers accompanied by Patong Police arrested Syrian national Ahmed Al Massri, 23, at The A@M Patong hotel on Nanai Rd. He was found to be staying in Thailand illegally 1,740 days after his permit-tostay expired. Officers also arrested Egyptian national Mahmoud Mohamed Ahmed Hassanein, 26, at the Cherry Apartment on Soi Saenglert off Nanai Rd. He was found to be staying in the country illegally 101 days after his permit-to-stay expired. Bot men were taken to Patong Police Station for processing. The police statement did not clarify when the two men were arrested, or what led to their arrest. The police statement did note that the arrests were carried out under ‘Operation X-ray Outlaw Foreigner’, as mandated by the Immigration Bureau of the Royal Thai Police.

THE CHIEF OF THE Phuket Lifeguard Service (PLS) has urged beachgoers to still be on alert for the dangers at Phuket beaches and should only enter the water where lifeguards are stationed. The warning came after the body of a foreign man yet to be identified and believed to have drowned washed ashore at Nai Thon last Wednesday (Oct 10), and three tourists being pulled from the surf at Nai Thon the next day. “The beaches are not safe if there are no lifeguards. Beachgoers should only enter the water where lifeguards are stationed,” PLS Chief Prathaiyuth Chuayuan told The Phuket News last Friday (Oct 12). “This is a dangerous time of the year at Phuket’s beaches with strong wind and waves,” he added. “Lifeguards are there to look after beachgoers and check where there are safe zones to swim. I want tourists to be aware about this. I want tourists to be safe. Please don’t play on beaches with no lifeguards, they are not safe,” he repeated.

One of two female Russian tourists pulled from the surf at Nai Thon. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Regarding the rescues at Nai Thon Beach, the beach’s head lifeguard Anek Sattrawathit said that three tourists had to be pulled from the surf at 9am after entering the water where red flags were flying. “Two Russian women were pulled away from the shore and I had to use a safety board to help them. I then had to run to assist a male tourist who was in trouble nearby. “It was hard to bring these tourists back to the shore as the wind and waves were so strong,” he said. “All of them received first aid and also said thank you before leaving for their accommodation,” he added. Tanyaluk Sakoot

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Fake brand goods Phoenix targetted by police GENERAL MANAGER

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POLICE FROM THE ROyal Thai Police Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) and officials from the Department of Intellectual Property on Tuesday (Oct 16) arrested two men at the popular OTOP market in Patong and seized more than 4,000 fake brand-name products. The raid, at 5:45pm, targetted two unnamed stalls in the market. At one stall, the officers arrested Prasarn Kaewprapa, 51, after he was found with 1,303 items of fake-brand clothing imitating 12 brands. At another stall, officers arrested Siriphong Padthum, 60, after he was found with 2,850 items of fake brand clothing imitating 24 brands in total. The value of the haul was estimated by police to be about B1.3 million. The two men were taken to Patong Police Station to be charged. T he raid on Tuesd ay followed more than 2,500 contraband items, including fake brand-name goods and illegally imported cigarettes, being destroyed at the Saphan Hin incinerator last Thursday (Oct 11). The items dest royed,

salvage death ‘accepted’ The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

The officers raided the p o p u l ar OTO P m ar ke t in Patong late Tuesday afternoon (Oct 16). precisely 2,669 pieces in all, had a recorded value of B1,258,832.10, Customs officials noted. Leading the event held to highlight the seizure and destruction of illegal goods was Kanjana Suwanicho of Phuket Customs House. All the items had been recovered in search-and seizure raids, and included fake brand-name shoes, clothes, hats and bags seized as forbidden imports. Other items such as cigarettes, tobacco and other products to be ingested by use of baraku pipes were also destroyed. Ms Kanjana noted that the government has laid down a main policy to target such contraband goods in the Kingdom. Eakkapop Thongtub

he investigation into the death of a diver working on the project to salvage the sunken Phoenix tour boat late last month has stalled, with police accepting the official cause of death as a ‘lack of oxygen”. Niphat ‘Joch’ Kludnak, 37, an employee of Spitz Tech Co Ltd, died after passing out and falling into the water from the back of the salvage boat on Sept 29. Phuket Public Relations Department Chief Bussaya Chaipeum issued a statement three days later (Oct 2), stating that Mr Niphat died at 12:30pm on Sept 29 at the site where the sunken Phoenix lies on the seabed. Mr Niphat had been involved in the salvage mission since it began in August. According to the statement issued by Ms Bussaya, Mr Niphat was on the rear of a vessel being used in the salvage operation when he fainted and fell into the sea. Mr Niphat was recovered unconscious from the wa-

Divers work during the salvage effort to recover the sunken 'Phoenix' tour boat off Koh Hei. Photo: PR Dept ter and was quickly taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town where he was later pronounced dead. Wiwat Chitchertwong, Acting Director of the Phuket Marine Office, was dismissive of any questions about Mr Niphat’s death asked by The Phuket News last Thursday (Oct 11) – despite the fact that Spitz Tech has been hired by the Marine Dept to carry out the salvage. “I have no idea about this. Please contact the Chalong Police,” was all he would say. Capt Somkiet Sarasit of the Chalong Police, who is

conducting the investigation into Mr Niphat’s death, was a little more forthcoming in his responses. “The cause of the death was a ‘lack of oxygen’, as confirmed by Vachira Hospital,” Capt Somkiet said, though not willing to give a further explanation of how Mr Niphat came to suffer the lack of oxygen. Capt Somkiet did confirm that Mr Niphat was a diver on the salvage team. “He was working with six other drivers,” he said. However, he added during the brief phone interview, “I believe that the cause of death was related to his (Mr Niphat’s) personal health.” Capt Somkiet did not explain whether or not he thought Mr Niphat died due to poor work practices or the result of any form of negligence, but did say, “I have not pressed any charges against the company. My investigation so far has not revealed any evidence of wrong doing.” Asked what has been done to prevent further similar incidents, Capt Somkiet said, “I warned the company about safety before allowing it to continue its salvage operation – especially regarding divers’ health. It is very important to check and make sure they (divers) are fit to work.” The Phoenix sank in a storm on July 5, killing 47 Chinese tourists. The boat now lies at an unreported depth some 400 metres from where it sank after a tether broke during an attempt to drag the stricken vessel – still underwater – to shallower waters. thephuketnews

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EDITORIAL

A question of faith

he a n nu al Phu ket Vegetarian Festival drew to a close at midnight on Wednesday (Oct 17) as plumes of smoke from the traditional bonfire at Saphan Hin, home of the Kua Tian Keng Shrine, billowed into the night sky, along with thousands of prayer notes set alight to join devotees’ ancestors in the heavens. The festival finale drew to a close nine days of honouring the Jade Emperor and the Nine Emperor Gods, but this year there was a marked difference – the lack of tourists lining the streets present to witness the spectacle. The festival has always been an attraction for ethnic Chinese in the region – from mainland China but especially the Baba-Nyonya or ‘Peranakan’ Straits Chinese in Malaysia and Singapore. Also, for years the festival also drew

travellers from around the world who had seen photos of the Mah Song and their incredible range of facial piercings that inspired them to come see the festival for themselves. This year, however, the numbers didn’t come. In numbers, five years ago (in 2013), 26.56 million tourists came to Thailand. Last year it was 35.38mn. This year, including the ‘plunge’, the country is still on track to host at least some 32mn tourists. So it’s not the numbers, it’s the lack of interest. The plethora of smaller ‘village vegetarian festivals’ now held around the country – and those held in Bangkok – during the same nine days may account for poor turnout, and at some point all major tourism locales around the world suffer ‘destination fatigue’, but the ominous lack of tourists at this year’s Phuket Vegetarian Festival is

foreboding. What has grown over the same time is the number of comments and feedback branding the festival as nongenuine, nothing more than a spectacle put on to draw tourists to the island. The Phuket News will not question the sincerity of the devotees who take part in the festival. It is a matter of belief and a form of local culture. That is for each person to decide for him or herself. But what has been put forward as plain evidence of the showmanship are the facial piercings using beach umbrellas, spanners, six-shooter revolvers and all sorts of ‘non-traditional’ items. The Phuket News urges the people involved in the Vegetarian Festival to reflect on the effect this might be having, and perhaps give the festival a chance to get back to its roots.

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Over 1,000 arrested in Phuket ‘Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’ clampdown Phuket tsunami evacuation routes under full review Syrian, Egyptian arrested in Patong for overstay Phuket rubbish collector killed in road accident King Bhumibol Memorial Day brings long weekend Man dies at Phuket waterfall Phuket Vegetarian Festival takes to the streets GoAir’s launches first-ever Phuket-India direct flights Probe into Phoenix salvage death sinks Lifeguards warn of continued danger at Phuket beaches

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HAVE YOUR SAY Bottom time

Re: One dead in ‘Phoenix’ salvage operation Much longer time at sea bottom and more ‘salvagedragging’ attempts will have destroyed all evidence and clues by the time the Phoenix is surfacing. See it coming: “Oh, sorry, but impossible to come to conclusions about this ship’s disaster”. Period. No one responsible, no one to blame. Insurances keep money in their pocket. Just some ‘brownies’ here or there. Kurt

Foreign haul

Re: Over 1,000 arrested in Phuket ‘Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’ clampdown I think Phuket would be a better, safer place if the government applied as many resources to crack down on reckless minivan and taxi drivers. And I have yet to hear about any fines and crack downs on the tens of thousands of Thai landlords that don’t report their farang guests, and don’t pay any taxes either. This place is famous for biting the hands that feed them. BenPendejo

So how many were arrested for not registering their addresses? Not to say that any of Thailand’s immigration laws are draconian but having to register like a sex offender could be considered disagreeable. Most long-term residents don’t register so it could be easy fodder for these publicity hunting public servants, even if they’re not those evil foreigners. CaptainJack69

Refugee status

Re: Syrian, Egyptian arrested in Patong for overstay I wonder what happens to the Syrian. Does he get deported to Syria? A war zone? Developed nations consider that a breach of human rights. Or maybe he’ll end up permanently incarcerated with the Rohingya refugees? philipmason69

Park quotas

Re: Similan Islands tourist number quota to stay: DNP All national parks in Thailand will have quotas for tourists in the near future. And many boats operators will have no islands to bring

their customers, except if the government plan a large crackdown on illegal tour companies. Especially those owned by foreigners with local Thai nominees as the main shareholders in order to look legal on official papers. Asterix

Stand in line

Re: Phuket tsunami evacuation routes under full review There are just three ways in and out of Patong. Two are coastal roads. The other is over Patong Hill. The last time there was a tsunami warning, everyone was making for the hill. When people (Thais) got to the top, they wouldn’t go any further. Therefore there were many people stuck in Patong, as they quite rightly wouldn’t use either of the two coastal roads. Can’t see past their noses. Doneit

Phoenix fatality

Re: Probe into Phoenix salvage death sinks In “the real world”, the Diving Supervisor & DMT Divers onboard would have carried out a quick neuro-

logical exam on the diver and would have probably blown the guy down to 165 FSW on a US Navy Treatment Table in the Deck Decompression Chamber that they probably do not have onboard. The circus continues. Sincere condolences to the dead diver’s family. Capt B

Tourists at bay

Re: Keep Maya Bay closed to tourism, says DNP online poll Close Phi Phi, especially all of the accommodations etc. built on park land and also ban speedboat tours. Both are a blemish on tourism. Sorted. Galong

A lil’ respect

Re: Parents slam school bullying response Acts of kindness and respect should be taught in schools again. MJJA

Keeping count

Re: Phuket Customs officials destroy pirated goods worth B1.2mn This is 0.09 % of all pirated goods in Phuket. Nasa12

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

THAILAND NEWS

School’s response slammed

Parents want a harsher penalty after autistic daughter bullied PHAYAO Bangkok Post

he parents of an autistic 4th grader at Ban Dong School in Dok Kham Tai district of Phayao province, who was videotaped being bullied and assaulted by a group of 8th graders, has demanded harsher punishment for her daughter’s attackers. They claimed they have been offered B4,000 as compensation from eight attackers’ parents to withdraw their report, which they refused. A two-minute-long video clip showing a group of 8th graders violently bullying the girl went viral on Oct 10 and sparked outrage from netizens. In the video, the victim is shown being kicked in the face while sitting in a classroom. Her hair is pulled and she screams and cries before one of the attackers puts her hand over the victim’s mouth. Many disgruntled netizens have called on the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) to severely punish those involved in the attack. Ban Dong School director Nanthapol Fusrikul said the incident

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The entrance to Ban Dong School in Phayao and inset a screengrab from a two-minute video shows attacks by 8th grade students on their autistic schoolmate. Photos: via Bangkok Post took place on Oct 5 and that the school had already conducted a basic investigation. Mr Nanthapol said the school talked to the parents of the children involved in hope of putting the matter to bed. He said the school also issued warnings to the children involved

and placed them on probation, as per the Education Ministry’s regulation. If they commit another offence, they would get their behaviour score cut and face suspension from classes, he added. “All students involved in the assault and the victim were given physical and psychological tests at

the hospital,” Mr Nanthapol said. However, the victim’s parents said the punishment was too lenient. They vowed to keep pressing so the bullies are punished. The victim’s parents claimed the school had offered to get the eight students involved to pay B500 each in compensation to the family.

They said they were asked to sign a document to not pursue the case, but they turned the offer down. A settlement discussion involving all parents was to be held last Friday (Oct 12) at City Hall. Later, all parties were due to head to the district police station to discuss criminal proceedings. One of the attackers, whose name is being withheld due to his age, wrote on his Facebook account saying he was sorry about the incident and that he hoped the case could be closed as his group has been placed on probation by the school. He also asked social media users to stop condemning his group, claiming the group did not intend to seriously assault the girl, but only wanted to disentangle the victim’s messy hair. Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin said he has acknowledged the incident and ordered Obec to look into it. “Bullying is unacceptable as it cultivates violent behaviour, both among the bullies and the victims,” Mr Teerakiat said. “However, to handle the problem effectively, the Ministry of Education and Obec cannot act alone. All related agencies must join hands to resolve this,” he said.

THAILAND NEWS

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Schools to be banned from expelling pregnant students BANGKOK SCHOOLS AND HIGHER education institutes will be prohibited from expelling pregnant students under a new ministerial regulation, which will take effect in April next year. The Education Ministry’s regulation was published in the Royal Gazette last Friday (Oct 12) and will be enforced 180 days later (April 10, 2019). T he reg ulat ion was issued under the Act for Prevention and Solution of the Adolescent Pregnancy Problem. The regulation g ove r n s p r i m a r y a n d high schools, vocational institutions and the providers of h ig her educat ion programs. Meanwhile, educational institutions are required to come up with a system to take care of pregnant students to ensure they would be able to continue their studies. The institutes can grant a school break for pregnant students before and after they

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

No evidence of Koh Tao rape SURAT THANI Bangkok Post

New rules effective next year will ban all schools from expelling pregnant students and mandate new rules to encourage the girls to stay in class. Photo: Provided / Bangkok Post deliver babies in a suitable manner and they are required to adjust classes for them in line with their capability. The facilities are required to arrange advisers to work with the parents of the pregnant students to give assistance and boost their understanding about how they live with others in society. In the case where it is necessary to send pregnant students to receive proper reproductive health services or welfare, the facilities must

come up with a system to transfer these students to the places by contacting either relevant government agencies or service facilities for them. A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e institutes are obliged to provide sex education and other life skills that suit student ages, according to the regulation. The education ranges from relationship, sexual behaviour and well-being to social and cultural aspects in relation to sex. Bangkok Post

olice investigators have concluded there is insufficient evidence to substantiate a young British woman’s claim in UK media that she was raped on Koh Tao in Surat Thani in June. National police chief Chakthip Chaijinda said on Tuesday (Oct 16) that the young woman had been questioned recently by investigators and she was unable to give details of the rapist or the crime scene. Forensic tests also found no traces of semen on her shirt, only traces of other DNA. Police investigating the case had looked thoroughly into all aspects of it – starting with the interrogation of officers at the police station responsible for the area, inspecting the alleged crime scene, and sending investigators to question the woman in the United Kingdom and bring back evidence for examination. They had got to the truth of what happened on the island. All lingering doubts were cleared up, Gen Chakthip said. Police investigators had done their best, both to protect the country’s reputation and take the best care of tourists, he told a news conference on Tuesday. Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn, acting chief of the Immigration Bureau and other senior police also attended the media briefing. Investigators were sent to the UK to verify claims by the 19-year-old that she was drugged, raped and robbed on Sairee Beach of Koh Tao on the night of June 25. She said in stories published in British newspapers

Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn, acting Immigration Bureau commissioner (right), national police chief Gen Chakthip Chaijinda (second right), and other senior officers announce the conclusions of the investigation into a 19-year-old British woman’s claim she was raped on Koh Tao on June 25. They said there was insufficient evidence to substantiate it. Photo: Apichart Jinakul that she fled to the neighbouring island of Koh Pha-Ngan, later returning to Koh Tao to file a complaint with police she accused of refusing to investigate her rape complaint and noting only details of the robbery. Lt Col Piyapong Boonkaew, chief inspector of the Koh Tao Police said he was one of the investigators who questioned the woman in the UK. They had asked her about the crime scene and showed her photos of the beach where the alleged rape occurred and nearby areas on Koh Tao. She was unable to identify the alleged crime scene. Nor was she able to describe her attacker. She gave insufficient details to back up the rape story, Lt Col Piyapong said. “The alleged victim was unable to detail the crime scene or the behaviour of her alleged rapist. On valuables such as her lost credit cards, the investigators found she had notified financial institutions about the lost cards, but had

not asked for new ones to be issued. “The information is still insufficient. We brought back one item of evidence from the alleged victim, her grey T-shirt, for examination,” Lt Col Piyapong said. Maj Gen Pridi Pongsetthasant, deputy chief of the Office of Forensic Science, said an examination of the T-shirt the woman said she was wearing that day found DNA traces from a woman and a man. There were no traces of semen on the T-shirt as alleged. Asked if legal action would be taken against the woman for filing a false complaint, Maj Gen Surachate said no complaint had been filed at this time. Police have not so far blacklisted the woman and denied her further entry to Thailand. Police earlier said they would blacklist the woman and deny her entry to Thailand if she failed to disprove investigators’ findings that her rape claim on Koh Tao was groundless.

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10 BUSINESS NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Spicing up inbound tourism

GoAir international launch marks first-ever India-Phuket direct flights AIRLINES The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

oAir, one of India’s fastest-growing airlines, landed its firstever direct flight into Phuket from New Delhi last Thursday morning (Oct 11). The flight also marked the first-ever direct flight from India to Phuket. GoAir had recently announced Phuket as its first international destination, with new international schedule introducing direct flights connecting Phuket with Mumbai and New Delhi. The direct flights between Phuket and Delhi operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while the direct flights between Phuket and Mumbai operate on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. In the aviation tradition to mark key milestones, Flight G8 31 was welcomed on landing at Phuket International Airport with a grand water cannon salute. On entering the terminal, the 182 passengers on

Arjun Dasgupta, GoAir VP - International.

GoAir Flight G8 31 was welcomed on landing at Phuket International Airport with a grand water cannon salute. Screengrab: GoAir board were handed gifts and received a personal reception by GoAir top management and staff. Commenting on the launch of their international operations, Arjun Dasgupta, Vice President - International, GoAir last Thursday said, “As Phuket is a popular des-

tination, we are delighted to be responding to the growing demand for tourist and business travel with the first addition to the international route network. On the other hand, India has a significant base for business and tourism and we look forward to extending our hospitality to our passengers

in this new phase of growth.” Phu ket I nter nat ional Airport General Manager Thanee Chuangchoo, said, “It is heartening to witness a direct connectivity between Phuket and India. Today, GoAir commenced its first ever direct flight service from India to Phuket.

The ceremonial ribbon is cut. “Phuket International Airport welcomes the passengers from India and extend all the support to the airline. We believe the new services offered by GoAir will greatly contribute to the growth of tourism of Thailand. “We look forward to working together with GoAir to-

wards our goal of establishing Phuket International Airport as the Gateway to Thailand.” Tickets for the new flights can be booked through www.GoAir. in or online travel portals, GoAir Call Centre, airport ticketing offices, travel agents or the GoAir mobile app.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

Local unsung heroes of the cave drama

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

Ongoing quest for the great Sunday Roast

BOLDNESS HAS GENIUS A theatrical vision for live performance in Phuket THE PLAY’S THE THING! Joel Adams

was invited to write this column to sound off on things dramatic and theatrical. I can think of thousands of things I’d love to say, but where to start? I love theatre! I believe in theatre! I believe live theatre is healthy stuff for everyone… still today… even in our modern world where we are bombarded continually with TV series, movies and screens of all sorts, offering us a plethora of theatrical, semi-theatrical or pseudo-theatrical fare. Don’t get me wrong. I love good movies and TV series, but there is nothing that does it for me like a good live play, and I don’t think we have enough live theatre in Phuket. I have heard a number of people say the same, so let’s do something about it. I, for one, am here to promote this on our island, and it is my goal to see good theatre of all genres and for all ages thrive here on our tropical urban island. Are you with me? I hope so, because if we work together, I believe we can get something good or great going. Angus Bowmer did it, why not us? More about him later. Who am I, anyway? I’m Joel Adams and I’ve lived in Phuket now for four years. I founded a close-knit but loosely organised family of theatre lovers dubbed Theatrix Group, and we’ve done what we could to contribute to the theatre scene here. Our shows include The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), Romeo and Juliet, improv shows, three interactive murder mystery dinner theatre shows and one evening of short love comedies. Theatrix has also taught acting, improv and playwriting classes to all ages from six to 60 in various venues and establishments around the island. Why do I do it? What motivates me? I can’t help it. I have to. I was shaped this way by two notable incidents in my youth. I was five. It was a first grade play. I was ‘Fourth Bird’ with a bird beak hat made from crepe paper on my head, and I had a four-line poem to quote. Being the youngest and smallest, I was also the cutest. I belted out my poem. The audience roared with laughter. “Hey!”, my little mind thought, “That was cool.” So I said it again, and they roared again. “Well, if two was good, @thephuketnews

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Young actors at Headstart perform theatre sports. three will be even better”, and I started to say it again, but my teacher quietly took me by the hand and led me off. But not fast enough to prevent me from being stage-struck forever after. Skip ahead to sixth grade. One day I came home from school, and for some reason the TV was on, tuned to a station we never watched, University of Houston educational TV. The picture was black and white and grainy, but the sound was clear. What was playing was the university’s production of Romeo and Juliet. I dropped my books and lay down on the floor, only to be mesmerised for the next two hours by the immortal ‘star-crossed lovers’. I was 10 years old, mind you, and did not understand half of what was being said, but I got the story; I was transfixed, I rejoiced and agonised and was shocked and left speechless by the story till its final, tragic moments. I’m not sure I cried, but I knew that something beautiful, something meaningful had

Joel Adams performing in The Complete Works of Shakespeare. just happened to me, and I knew that no movie or TV show I had ever seen or would ever see could do to me what had just been done. I had been touched deeply and I wanted nothing more than to be able to touch others like that. I won’t tell you how long ago that was, but it was several decades and that love for theatre and what theatre can do has never faded, not for a moment. I, for one, don’t want to see children, born into a world of screens and social media, being deprived of the thrill of live theatre. More next time about what we get from live theatre that drama and comedy on screens can never give. But in closing now, back to Angus Bowmer, one of my greatest inspirations. Mr Bowmer was an unknown Oregon English teacher in 1935 when he persuaded the town council of Ashland to add Shakespeare plays to their July 4th (American Independence Day) celebrations. He gathered a group of amateurs to perform the plays, they were

Local actors in the cast of Murder Among the Mateys. well-received and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland (OSF), Oregon, was launched. Today, 83 years later, OSF is a world-renowned professional resident theatre and the biggest festival of its kind in the US. It produces 11 plays a year, from three to five Shakespeare plays, and the rest by other playwrights, both modern and classical. OSF has now performed Shakespeare’s complete canon of 37 plays four times, and has received over 20 million visitors from all over the world. ‘The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too… Whatever you can do or dream, you can begin it, boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.’ - Goethe Joel Adams is building a vibrant theatre community right here in Phuket. You can contact him at theatrixphuket@ gmail.com or by phone on 093 6490066. Facebook: Theatrix Group

12 PEOPLE

Hero behind the scenes

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

Interview with Maksym Polejaka PEOPLE OF PHUKET Jill N. Wells

peaking of Superman, you might think of a figure in cartoons or movies: working hard in a small cubicle like average Joe. Once he’s needed, he rushes out, rips off his working clothes, reveals his flying cape, charges into danger to save people’s lives. When crisis is resolved, Superman returns to his normal life. This is exactly what Maksym Polejaka did in July to save the football team in Tham Luang Nang Non Cave in Chiang Rai, except the cape part. Mario Puzo in The Godfather says, “Great man are not born great, they grow great.” After serving in the army for 12 years with military diving training, Maksym worked as a diving instructor in Maldives for four years, with more than 10,000 dives, and a deepest dive reaching 160 metres underwater. In order to have some new diving

skills, he came to Phuket to learn technical diving from Ben Reymenants of Blue Label Diving in Rawai. Ben is a certified TDI (Technical Diving Instructor), SSI (Scuba Schools International) and PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) instructor trainer, hyperbaric technician and cave dive trainer. Maksym fell in love with this wonderful island and moved to Phuket with his family seven years ago. He and Ben, his diving buddy, enhanced their skills, by exploring many caves in Phuket. When he ended his professional diving instructor career, he came to build boats in Dream Yacht Charter Thailand. The quietness was interrupted when Maksym heard from the media that the Wild Boar football team went missing in the cave. He and his boss Joel Llas were perturbed. They discussed the new findings every day. On June 26, he received a phone call from Ben who had already been in Tham Luang supporting the Navy Seals. They discussed the bad situation briefly over the phone, when Ben declared, “Maksym, we must try.” “Yes. I

Maksym (right) with Ben in full cave diving gear. am coming now,” was the response. Joel fully supported Maksym, “With 23 years of diving experience, you can help them.” Without any delay, Maksym kissed goodbye his wife and two-yearold son and joined Ben for the search mission. When Maksym, as a professional technical diver, saw the cave with his own eyes… it was bad. He recalled, “There were siphon effects, unpredictable inflows, outflow; the waterway was extremely complex, the current was so strong that no one could swim in it. There was no visibility as the water was full of mud, sand, small rocks, plastic bags, dead plants and other trash. The water was at a low temperature, and

if that wasn’t enough, no lighting. In conclusion, it’s not acceptable for cave diving.” Against all odds, Maksym and Ben decided to go, “It’s difficult and dangerous, but at least we must try. If we don’t try, nobody else will.” Maksym and Ben served as consultants for Thai Navy Seals during the Rescue Phase II – Search Mission, providing professional technical diving skills. Since the water was impossible to swim, Maksym suggested lining ropes in the cave to ensure the divers could go farther to search and explore. He and Ben taught the Navy Seals how to fix ropes along the rocks or whatever they could find in the cave.

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Maksym (right) with Ben (second left) with fellow divers. Because of the lack of visibility in the water, they also taught the Navy Seals how to use special touch language underwater to communicate with the dive buddies. As the current was rapid everywhere in the cave, the rope laying procedure was extremely slow. They literally had to ‘climb’ in the water to move forward. It took all of them five days to build the lifeline from the search chamber to one place 100 metres away from the chamber where the children were finally found. Every time, Maksym walked to the cave entrance wearing an overall diving suit with professional diving air tanks. It took them about two hours to dive from the entrance to the search chamber. With half an hour rest and changing dive tanks and gear, they put on one more bag with 200m-long thick rope inside, another tool bag full of hammers and special nails. Then they jumped into the muddy water, dived at least another two hours farther inside to lay more ropes. If you know how hard it is to walk in water with clothes on, little buoyancy and against strong water resistance, multiply that many times for their situation. They competed against the cold, pitch darkness, and heavy tanks and bags against the rapid currents. And

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PEOPLE 13

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

Ben and Maksym (right) deep in the cave system. worse still, they had to keep in mind the amount of air left in the tank for their safe return. Another two hours back to the search chamber, a half-hour rest, disarm part of the equipment and two hours to get back to the entrance. That’s more than eight-to-10 hours for one non-stop dive. As they couldn’t see anything in the water, they sometimes got lost or entangled. Ben got stuck twice underwater. Maksym had to pull him out of a small hole, somewhere around two kilometres deep inside the cave. Maksym said he’s very proud of the Navy Seals team they supported. They had done most of the hard work such as constant transporting of food, air tanks, medical equipment, medicine and other supplies. The Navy Seals were disciplined and modest, and kept working tireless without complaint. Even though they’re not sure whether they could find the children, Maksym was fearless. The biggest difficulty for him was that he couldn’t take any chances. He had no idea whether he was 100m or one kilometre away from the kids. They always wanted to go farther, but they knew at certain times they had to go back before the tank became dangerously low on air. Every dive, they really reached the limits of their sup-

Maksym (yellow tie) at the celebration reception with the rescued kids. plies and physical endurance. The Navy Seals team fixed the last 400m of rope lining on July 2. Through the rope, just a few hours later, two English divers found the kids and filmed them alive. After the children were found, Maksym and Ben stayed outside of the cave as consultants until all of them were evacuated successfully. After two weeks the rescue effort drew to a conclusion for Maksym, “It’s over, and I can sleep normally again.” Since he flew back to Phuket, over 150 media called him for interviews. He declined politely, “I am an ordinary person living an ordinary life,” he responded. Now Maksym is quietly building his second boat for Dream Yacht Charter Thailand. He is a gentle reminder of words from another great man. “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.” – Albert Einstein Dream Yacht Charter www.dreamyachtcharter.com +66 076206492 Blue Label Diving www.bluelabeldiving.com +66 935787747

14 HISTORY

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

Sinbad the Sailor

Was Phuket the mariner’s old stomping ground? HISTORY OF PHUKET

Colin Mackay

ersian and Arab mariners returned home to their barren and dry homelands with fantastic stories of the exotic jungle lands they had seen on the other side of the Indian Ocean, and they soon became the setting for fabulous sailors’ legends such as the tales of Sinbad the Sailor in The Thousand and One Nights. These fables describe the region as comprising “densely wooded lands… where ships arrived daily from different quarters of the world carrying aloes, sandal, camphor, pepper and ginger.” The fables tell us that in these ambrosial lands ambergris flowed in the rivers, itinerant pepper-gatherers sailed between the islands, people consumed madness-inducing local herbs and “frightful savages” practiced piracy and cannibalism on passing traders. The ominous interiors of these islands held lost jungle valleys where rhinoceroses roamed and gigantic man-eating pythons “as long as palm-trees” and other sinister creatures prowled with “eyes like coals of fire”. Such fabulous seafarer tales told of the Malay Peninsula were often actually based on facts. An ancient Chinese account noted that the peninsula was home to a large bird which has the claws of an eagle and speaks in the human tongue. This awesome-sounding bird, on closer inspection, turned

out to be none other than the most commonplace mynah bird which does have talons almost like those of an eagle, though much smaller, and which – when captive – can be taught, parrot-like, to repeat a few human words. Greek writers also recorded earnestly that real Satyrs lived in the forests in the Malay Peninsula. Satyrs are the shy half-men, half-animal gods with tails who prance around in Greek theatre playing flutes, etc. This yarn no doubt came from tales told by returning sailors of the “Orang-utans”, or “Menof the jungle”, shy and with long tails, which lived in the interior jungles. In The Thousand and One Nights, Sinbad is an Arab sailor from Basra in Iraq, then part of the Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258). In one tale he arrives on one island in the East that produced – just as Phuket did at the time – “tin from its mines, Indian canes (rattan) and excellent Camphor.” There, Sinbad frequented the society of the learned Indians who had gathered as courtiers and traders around the local rajah. The rajah of Thalang, as we have seen, would probably have had such Indian Brahmin courtiers at the time. Sinbad was so enchanted with this Elysian isle he decided to forsake the stress and travails of his busy life back home in Basra and remain on the island where, like many other visitors to Phuket over the millennia, and still today, he recounts how he “married a beautiful lady… bought slaves and fine lands and built me a great house. And thus settled myself… to enjoy the pleasures of life… and employed myself wholly in enjoying the society of my friends and making merry with them”.

Oh the brute! But did Sinbad bring his dastardly ways to our shores? Image: RKO Radio Pictures. Adapted with kind permission from the book ‘A History of Phuket and the Surrounding Region’ by Colin Mackay. Available from good bookshops and Amazon.com. Order the softcover 2nd edition directly at: www.historyofphuket.com

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

The Holy Grail Sunday roast at Shanti Lodge David Jacklin editor1@classactmedia.co.th

he British can be a peculiar bunch. They can be as perplexing as they are particular. From a broadsheet newspaper over breakfast to afternoon tea and cake at three, they like things ‘just so’, and as creatures of habit, not a minute late. Another such institution in the canon of Anglotopia is the sacred Sunday roast. The never-ending quest to satisfy a mostly subjective list of ‘musts’ that make the whole greater than the sum of this meat and veg food-fest. There’s an uncodified constitution to a Sunday roast that defines perfection. The omission of which, based purely on personal preference, makes the whole experience void at best, and a disaster at worst. It’s hard to put your finger on this elusive ‘Je ne sais quoi’ that makes the perfect plate… but you know when you’ve found it. Shanti Lodge has been an island institution for over 18 years. Nestled quietly in a soi off Chao Fa West Rd near the route to the Big Buddha, it’s a peaceful and welcoming haven from the surrounding hustle. Famed for their Sunday platter in high season, I’m delighted to announce that service has resumed. So my quest is to solve the age-old mystery. What makes a good roast great? I’m certain the answer lies in the detail which makes the whole experience something to behold… and the Shanti team are most certainly perfectionists. The main course offerings

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are prepared two days in advance, each crafted with selected herbs and condiments that infuse the meats and turn ‘taste’ into an experience. Shanti roast is a three-course affair. Starting with a choice of soups of the day, before the magnificent main feature, and then a finale sweetener. Somehow they manage to serve this plentiful menu into a ‘just right’ sensation of having managed to eat the lot, without quite feeling the need to hibernate afterwards to recover. Everything here is about home-made cooking, every detail of the dish freshly prepared and delivered to high restaurant standards. From having seen the efforts from the team over the preparation and serving days, it’s quite the commitment. And the results of their efforts only induce one major dilemma… Which one to choose come Sunday? Grass-fed beef with horseradish. New Zealand lamb with mint sauce. Free range chicken with sage stuffing and gravy. Hormone-free pork with cracking and English mustard. Vegetarian nut roast with shiitake mushroom gravy. Whichever you choose, the dish is served with an Oscar-winning array of supporting actors, including roast and mashed potato, caramelised carrots, roasted cinnamon pumpkin, cauliflower and broccoli with a cheese sauce and, of course, a well risen, crispy fresh Yorkshire pudding. Nothing is standard fare here. This is ‘level up’ in terms of roast bonus points. All the sauces and condiments are home made. Even the gravy is a phenomenon. A deeply rich and wholesome bone marrow

DINING 15

New Zealand lamb with mint sauce, served with bone marrow gravy. gravy for the meat eaters, and an earthy and flavourenhancing shiitake mushroom gravy to support a hearty nut roast. The dinner is completed with some fine dessert choices too, including Apple crumble with custard, Vanilla ice cream with a strawberry glaze, and a traditional South African delight, Mini milk tart. All-in-all this is a fantastic spread made with surprising craft and care. Shanti Lodge has always had a strong community space which visitors have a habit of returning to. The garden restaurant is a calm, unpretentious setting where mixed crowds and families feel equally relaxed and at home. It’s a rare treat. And maybe that is the key ingredient I’m searching for to define the ultimate Sunday dining experience with family and friends. That lifts a winning dish into a wonderment. The homely setting and evident love put into every meal...THAT is the ‘Holy Grail’. On Sundays, Shanti Lodge is my home. The three course Shanti Lodge roasts are served every Sunday from 12:30 to 20:00. The menu is priced for meats at B380, and the vegetarian option at B280. Call for reservations on +66 76 384 114 Shanti Lodge, 1/2 Soi Bangrae, Chao Fa West Rd www.shantilodge.com

16 EDUCATION

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

Refills, Not Landfills First steps in making Phuket environmentally friendly Jacqui Brelsford

‘T

he journey of a thousand miles begins with one step’ - Lao Tzu. At the British International School, Phuket (BISP), we have taken those first small steps on the journey to becoming more environmentally friendly. We have all seen the pictures, watched the videos and are shocked by the statistics. Plastic usage, particularly of single-use plastics, has become the crisis of our time. As inhabitants of the beautiful island of Phuket, we can see the effects right in our backyard. Plastic may be the issue of the moment, but there are still many others to consider, such as energy consumption, waste management, and water usage. As the premier school on the island, BISP knows it has a responsibility to educate the community and lead in efforts to improve their environmental impact. Last year, BISP students, teachers and parents formed Eco@BISP; a small, but determined group with the main goal of bringing awareness to the community. They set about promoting

Management team from the sub district of Koh Kaew on their BISP visit. the use of water bottles over disposable cups, and saw the removal of single-use cups from most of the school fountains. Students must now bring their own water bottles – a useful practice to also have for adulthood. Primary School students collected their yogurt containers in order to recycle them, and this year they have been removed completely to reduce plastic waste. The group also ran the first on-campus ‘Eco Week’, which saw the signing of a school-wide pledge to try to be more eco-friendly. They also invited providers from all over the island to sell their ecofriendly wares, such as metal straws and canvas bags, realising that people want to help but don’t always know how or where to make the changes.

The Eco group has the support of the entire school community including the school’s ancillary workers. The Housekeeping staff, for example, sort the recyclable goods from rubbish where possible, which is then sold to recycling companies. The kitchen also recycles organic waste as food for local livestock and compost for the school grounds. We also work with the regional government to make improvements. If you have driven by the school recently, you might have seen a new yellow machine on the roof. This is our new central airconditioning system that has reduced our energy consumption by 3.8% in the first year. More recently, the management team from Koh Kaew Municipality visited the school to see what the team

Eco Week at BISP. is doing. Our chief school engineer, or ‘MacGyver’ as his manager calls him, took it upon himself to make a smokeless incinerator out of an old washing machine. This contraption uses extremely high heat to burn materials with very little waste. If everyone makes small changes in their lives, we can have a big impact. Like BISP, you do not have to be perfect, but you have to take that first step. Jacqui Brelsford is one of two University Counsellors at British International School, Phuket, and is an active member of Eco@BISP. Find out more at www.ecobisp.blog spot.com and visit www.bisphuket.ac.th for more information about BISP.

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18 ISLAND SCENE

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

Martin Mor volunteers to headline the event.

Martin Mor (centre) hanging out with the usual suspects after the show. Leo Kearse giving a unique new perspective on life in Scotland.

Dustin Moore warming up the crowd.

STAND UP ASIA PRESENT A QUALITY NIGHT OF COMEDY AT MERLIN BEACH Great laughs last Wednesday (Oct 10) at this month’s Stand Up Asia comedy event at the Marriott Resort Phuket Merlin Beach. Another fabulous line up with Dustin Moore (South Africa), Leo Kearse (Scotland) and Martin Mor (Ireland) delivering a raucous and hilarious set.

John, Splash Beach Resort; Laddawan, Banyan Tree; and Simon, Langham Hospitality Group.

Nick, Splash Beach Resort, and Graham, PHBGTU.

SPLASH BEACH RESORT GALA DINNER TO CELEBRATE THEIR RE-BRAND On Friday (Oct 12) Splash Beach Resort in Mai Khao hosted over 250 local and national travel agents, media and VIPs for a fantastic night of food and entertainment to celebrate the re-branding of their family resort, managed by Langham Hospitality Group.

Local professional artists presented their work within the exhibition.

Visitors to the art event experienced a range of live activities.

PANWA ART EXHIBITION PRESENTS LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL TALENT Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort hosted an art exhibition night with a range of local and oversees creative talent on Thursday (Oct 11). Along with the artist, there were mixologist performances, a live interactive artwork event, house DJs and a children’s face painting area. thephuketnews

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ISLAND SCENE 19

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018 The event included the c u s to m a r y Dragon Show.

Thanyawat Chanpinit, Phuket Vice Governor, attended the celebrations.

WORLD VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL 2018 CELEBRATION AT CENTRAL FLORESTA On Friday (Oct 12), Central Phuket organised a World Vegetarian Festival 2018 celebration at Central Floresta. Thanyawat Chanpinit, Phuket Vice Governor, presided at the opening which was attended by many guests to mark the annual event.

Max Chin, General Manager, introduces Gert Lehmann, Brand Ambassador for Nicholas Feuillatte.

One of the many events taking place across October at the legendary venue.

BOATHOUSE HOSTS INDULGENT NICOLAS FEUILLATTE DINNER NIGHT Indulgence indeed. For last Friday (Oct 12) the Feastival of Indulgence continued at The Boathouse with bubble lovers gathering for the Nicolas Feuillatte Dinner, with an incredible seafood menu prepared by Executive Chef Jonathan Bruell. C’était magnifique!

Harold Rainfroy, General Manager (left) enjoys the event with Movenpick staff, media and sales. Jaleel, Charn, Arjun and Brian.

GO AIR CELEBRATES FIRST FLIGHTS FROM INDIA TO PHUKET

Keep calm, we’re just about to serve the chocolate.

GoAir hosted over 100 VIPs, local travel agents and media at the Novotel Phuket Phokeethra in Phuket Town on Thursday (Oct 11) to celebrate the commencement of their direct flights to Phuket from India.

FINALLY FOR THE CHOCHOLICS... IF YOU LIKE IT ON THE SALTY SIDE The GoAir flight crew enjoy the celebration. @thephuketnews

On Thursday (Oct 11), Movenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket launched their new Food & Beverage promotion called ‘Chocolate on the Salty Side’. Don’t fear, you haven’t missed it. The promotion runs until November 20.

20 EVENTS

FRI

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19 OCT

broiler with the unique sear and smokiness only charcoal could deliver. Starting from THB 1,200++. Reservations, Bodega & Grill, Angsana Laguna Phuket, fbreservation-lagunaphuket@angsana.com, 076 358 500.

SAT

20 OCT Saddle Up To Two Chefs Get some good old wild, wild west experience with Two Chefs Bar & Grill’s Wild West Country Night at Two Chefs Kata Center on the 20th of October 2018. Live music starts at 8pm until late. Indulge in our All You Can Eat Chef’s Special Southern Fried Chicken for only THB395 per person. Make your reservations NOW! Call 076-330-065.

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

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

SUN

21 OCT

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic. Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-late performed by our famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - RESERVE your table now online at bit.ly/ TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents Reservation, Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

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

ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 445 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs! Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavor-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. www.twochefs.com

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet An Italian Evening Enjoy a selection of Italian antipasti, cold cuts, premium cheese, marinated olives, grill vegetables, homemade pickles, caprese skewers, bruschetta and homemade breads - all complemented by free-flow Italian beverages. B1,999 net per person for antipasti buffet and free-flow Italian beverages. Enjoy 25% OFF when you dine with four persons or more. Reservations at Dusit Thani, Laguna, Phuket: dtlpfb@dusit. com or call 076 362 999 ext.7303.

Sala Sunday Night Steak & Seafood

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

Charcoal Friday Charcoal BBQ at Bodega, featuring premium beef cuts, cooked live in the dining room on our charcoal

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

CLUB TROPICANA 80’s & 90’s Retro Pool Party! Join us for our brand new retro style pool party, every Saturday where we take you back in time with music and fashion of the 80s, 90s & beyond. Let us take you back in time as our resident DJs drop iconic tracks and remixes – think Wham, Madonna, Queen, Spice Girls, Duran Duran, Whitney Houston, Bon Jovi, Kool & The Gang, De La Soul, Run DMC...the list goes on! Have fun in the sun with huge pool inflatables, disco balls, giant Rubik’s cubes and be entertained with our sexy Club Tropicana dancers and live musicians all day. **Selected Dream drinks from THB 80++ **Poolside bites from THB 198++ Get your groove on for some Saturday Pool Party Fun at Dream Beach Club! Reservations, Dream Beach Club, reservations@dreambeachclub.com, 098 048 3500.

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

Sunday Roast All Day, All Night Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast

The 14th Mai Khao Marine Turtle Fun Run The 14th Mai Khao Marine Turtle Fun Run and Half Marathon 2018 The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation will host its annual fundraising sports event which will be taking place on Sunday, October 21, 5.30 am – 8.30 am, Phuket Gateway. There are a 3km family run, a 5km fun run, a 10km mini marathon, a 21km half marathon; and a VIP run for all distance. Walk-in registration at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, October 1-10, from 10am to 5pm. Follow us on the social media channel https://www.facebook.com/maikhaomarineturtle foundation Contact Aorn Sillapasathitwong at: info@ maikhaomarineturtlefoundation.org, Tel: 076 338 040.

MON

22 OCT

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

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WED

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

24 OCT

Resort. From 9am to 2pm enjoy this elegant fundraiser with five hours of free flow food and beverages, Fashions on the Field, amazing prizes and much more. Book now with Donna Toon at lunch@classactmedia. co.th Tel: 0812 702 180.

FRI

9 NOV

are available as part of Laguna Junior Open, but they will not qualify for the Faldo Series division winners. Tournament packages start from THB 2,950. Contact Laguna Golf Phuket to be part of this championship competition!

THU

15 NOV

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

SAT

27 OCT

Phuket Business Networking PBN #6 A small entry fee, THB 500 per person, that includes the first 3 drinks and a light buffet. Make sure to bring lots of business cards, as getting to know each other is what PBN is all about. Exact location in Kathu to be advise very soon. 086 479 7471, facebook.com/ events/172583063661011/

SAT

10 NOV

SAT

17 NOV

Construction Materials & Hotel Supplies Exhibition. All types of construction materials from floors to roof tiles. Hotel supplies and home decoration items. See the latest breakthroughs in construction technology, interior design and building maintenance. Learn how to design a smarthome for multi-million-dollar project IPTV, 4G Internet, IP Phone, Mobile phone, CCTV and other high-tech devices. PIC Phuket, 076 217199.

7 DEC

2018 Colour Fun Run

4 NOV

Phuket Schools Quiz Challenge STUDENTS, TEACHERS, FAMILIES; get your team ready for a fun-filled afternoon! Special prize for “Phuket’s Smartest Family”. Entrance: B150 students & B300 adults, Kid’s Mania Kids Club for 1-8 year olds at B250 (incl 50% donation) All proceeds to “Good Shepherd Centre, Phuket Town” .

Gather up your friends or gear up solo for this vibrant race. The Colour Fun Run takes place annually and combines sport with family fun, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to join in on this fantastic and colourful day out. Tickets for this event sell very fast, so book now to avoid disappointment. Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort, events@thanyapura.com, 076 336 000.

SAT

11 NOV

A free two-day seminar by Dr. Alan Wallace UWC Thailand is hosting a complimentary, two-day seminar with Dr. Alan Wallace, one of the most prolific writers and translators of Tibetan Buddhism in the West. From 8am-3pm each day, attendees will learn about four types of intelligence that are essential for optimal mental health and balance. rsvp@ uwcthailand.ac.th

WED

21 NOV

Christmas Market Date: 7th & 8th December 2018 from 6 pm. - 10 pm. “Booths available” rate 2 days/1,000 THB.phuket Boat Lagoon, phuket Boat Lagoon, events@phuketboatlagoon.com, 076 239 888 ext 318.

EVERY DAY

6 NOV

Melbourne Cup 2018 Brunch On Tuesday 6th November watch The Race That Stops The Nation at Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach

@thephuketnews

18th Architect & Hotelex

FRI

Fun Run 6km and Mini-Marathon 12km on October 27, 5.30 - 11.00am at Bang Ward Dam. Register online now! Bang Ward Dam, 083-505-5235.

TUE

WED

28 NOV

PIWC - November luncheon November 2018 lunch will be held at the Vocational College in Phuket Town. 11.30am for 12.00 noon. 700 baht members and 850 baht for guests. info@piwcphuket.com

Better Together 2018

SUN

men and women from all over the world to Phuket. The tournament is an “All Billfish Release” event. Junior anglers are free of entry fee and unlimited in numbers. A Lady Angler Trophy will be given to the lady with the most points. The venue for our PST 2018 this year will be “Rosi’s Restaurant and Bar” on the waterfront in Chalong. The “Prize Giving Party” will also be held at “Rosi’s Restaurant and Bar” from 8:00pm onwards.

3rd Faldo Series Thailand Championship - South Entries are now open for the 2018 Faldo Series Thailand Championship – South and Junior Open, to be staged at Laguna Golf Phuket from 11 – 13 November 2018. Aimed to create access to the sport for a younger audience through grass-roots initiatives at its tournaments, this event will consist of 54 holes in a stroke play format, open to junior golfers aged 12 – 21 holding a USGA or nationally recognised handicap. Grass roots divisions for golfers under 12 years old

Daily seafood at Sala Bua beachfront restaurant

Phuket Sportfishing Tournament 2018 The PST 2018 is the only “Offshore Fishing” tournament in Thailand. Over the years we brought fisher-

Spoil yourself with seafood set from noon – 10 pm every day! Come and crack open some crab legs, grilled mussels, peel some prawns, rock lobsters, sip some spicy tom yam soup and toast to your perfect night at this beachfront restaurant in Patong overlooking the sea (sunset) views. Start from THB 450. Reservations, Sala Bua Restaurant at Impia Resort Patong, patong@impiana.com, 076 340 138.

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York

1. Do goldfish have stomachs? 2. Godzilla is an official citizen of which country? 3. Do wild cacti (cactus plants) grow in the Sahara? 4. A hybrid knife and fork is called a what? 5. Which Grease song starts ‘Summer lovin’ had me a blast’? Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Easy

Across woodwind 1. Abbey area 62. “Socrate” 5. Monotheistic religion composer 10. Channel marker 63. Mars, to the 14. “Get ___!” Greeks 15. Fine dinnerware 64. Aerial maneuver 16. “___ bitten, twice 65. Decree shy” 66. “I ___ at the 17. Letter after theta office” 18. Areas of grassland 67. East Indies mail 19. Pesky insects delivery system 20. Relatives 68. Stacked 23. Yogi’s language 69. Olympic blade 24. ___ maison (indoors): Fr. Down 25. Casan ending 1. In order 27. What “it” plays 2. Illinois River city 28. ___ that bale 3. Former Thai coin 32. Short sock 4. Safari sighting 34. Document in a roll 5. MIRV’s cousin 6. Where the Mets 36. Deftness played 37. Relatives 41. ___ Strauss & Co. 7. The heather 8. Bone chambers 42. Ape 43. Court imposed fine 9. Mixture of many spices 46. Prerequisite 10. 007 47. Foresight letters 50. Hide-hair connector 11. Having a single pole 51. Poison ___ 12. Musical intervals 53. Post revolution 13. “Indeed” governmental 21. Abandon council 22. Bread served 55. Relatives with korma 60. Double-reed

26. Did lunch 29. It needs refinement 30. Rocky peaks 31. Fairylike 33. Astute 34. Mix 35. Flimsy, as an excuse 37. Office message 38. Make reservations beyond capacity 39. 50-50, e.g. 40. Pilgrim to Mecca 41. PC linkup 44. Loving murmur 45. Takes pleasure in 47. Corner 48. Spar for stuffing cargo 49. Zoroastrian sect member 52. Uniform shade 54. Grammar topic 56. Sales force 57. Series ender 58. Soufflés do it 59. The Bad ___ 60. Prehistoric 61. Fluffy accessory

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Yes; 2) Japan; 3) No, cacti are native only to the Americas; 4) A knork; 5) Summer Nights

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

-pack rings created by Saltwater Brewery in Florida are edible and feed, rather than kill, marine life if the rings end up in the ocean.

percent of Major League Baseball players over the past 25 years have fallen into the overweight or obese category.

percent of the world’s population has health problems, with more than a third having more than five ailments.

5 million

Panwa boardwalk. Photo: Mark Knowles Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

This week in history

hairs does the average human have on his or her body.

86 billion

neurons does the average human brain contain, which can form trillions of synapses, which is why a computer is so much slower. Source: Uberfacts

Oct 19, 1453 The Hundred Years’ War ends with the French recapture of Bordeaux, leaving English control only of Calais. Oct 20, 1720 Caribbean pirate Calico Jack (John Rackham) is captured by the Royal Navy and later convicted of piracy and hanged at Port Royal. Jack’s first mate, Karl Starling, designed the Jolly Roger flag, a skull with crossed swords.

Oct 21, 2005 Images of the dwarf planet Eris, initially described by Nasa as the Solar System’s 10 th planet, are taken and subsequently used in documenting its discovery. Oct 22, 1962 US President John F. Kennedy announces that American reconnaissance planes have discovered Soviet nuclear weapons in Cuba, and orders a naval ‘quarantine’ of the Communist nation.

as a public holiday in Cambodia. Oct 24, 1946 A camera on board the V-2 No. 13 rocket takes the first photograph of the Earth from outer space, at an altitude of 105km. (See photo.)

Oct 23, 1991 Signing of the Paris Peace Accords which ended the Cambodian–Vietnamese War. Commemorated

Oct 25, 1147 After a siege of four months, crusader knights led by Afonso Henriques, who later becomes the first King of Portugal, reconquer Lisbon. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 23

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

Jobs

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

JOBS Website operator

Female website operator capable of building a shopping site and driving traffic to the site via Google, Facebook, Twitter, Shopify, blogs and other systems. Will work a flexible 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. Fixed salary B20,000 + 5% commission on sales generated by the site. 20,000 + commission. Contact Ron via: Siam.serenity.th@gmail.com, 0874178715. @thephuketnews

Teacher wanted for child

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

CHINESE SALES MANAGER WANTED

Art House Development Co., Ltd. Looking for Chinese sales manager, good communication skills, native Chinese speaker. For more details please contact. Tel: 089 594 6888. Email: info@arthouse.asia

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

Trades & Services

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

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26 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Trades & Services

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

OTHER

PERSONAL SERVICES

POOL SERVICES

PROPERTY SERVICES

TRAINING

ADVERTISE HERE

thephuketnews

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CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

Buy & Sell BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE

FOR SALE AIR BERTH M320

250,000THB INC.VAT FOR BOAT UP TO 32 FEET/ 9.5 METRES. CONTACT: ASIA YACHT AGENCY CO.,LTD VIA CONTACT@ ASIAYACHTAGENCY.COM, 081-894 -3234- FRENCH / ENGLISH — 086-269-0808 THAI / ENGLISH. E RG

E AL

Boat For Sale

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

@thephuketnews

BUSINESS FOR SALE RARE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Riviera sport fishing boat

Perfectly maintained and cared for, this boat is in excellent condition and will provide great enjoyment for the next owner. Powered by twin 660hp Caterpillar diesel engines and fitted with every conceivable optional extra including True Visions satellite connection through a 42” Smart TV, Raymarine navigation system, Dive Compressor, powerful stereo system and extensive fishing equipment. Selling to upgrade to a larger vessel. 9,000,000, Phuket Yacht Haven, sc@crone.net.au

The Phuket News

Working Shareholder req. for a unique Phuket Business Opp. USD$75,000 (12.50% Co. Shares). ZERO Debts/Leases/Loans etc. Low Overheads, Hi-Margins, Hi-Vol. Sales (7 Day Sales). Long est. comp. industry. 4-Us: ZERO COMPETITION … ROI: Monthly Mngmt Fee. (Job Pymt 20-30hpw) + Monthly Royalty Pymt. + Twice-Yrly. Co. Profits Dist. Genuine + Rare business opp – serious enquiries only please. 2.5mTHB (USD$75,000), Phillip Frankston, PHUKET, MvJHKT@Gmail.com, +61 8001-6402 (Anytime).

BUSINESS FOR SALE Chalong Boatbuilding Business

Boatbuilding business with 300sqm Office + 300sqm Workshop/Store. Chanote 0.5rai. 30ft Speedboat plus moulds for more production. 16,000,000, Simon Jupe, 29/4 Soi Nayai, Chalong, Phuket 83130, simonj@cscoms.com, +66878832542.

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE

Hyundai Veloster TURBO

Hyundai Veloster Turbo 39,000 km, Price from new 1,749,000THB, full service book, 4 original rims with tires, all options. Now just 850,000THB. m.arnskjold@gmail.com, 0836351440 ENG / 0843058363 TH

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE Amazing Deal!

2016 Toyota Vios Model E with only 35,000 Km on it. Is an automatic, with fog lights, windows are tinted already, has the plastic insert for the trunk, rubber floor mats for all seats, rain shields on all windows. Only driven locally in Phuket. It is kept in great condition and is available to view in Chalong. Only 465,000 THB. Adam 091 016 1167.

T EN

2012 Ford Ranger 2.2 Open Cab

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT Flat roof waterproofing

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

MOTORBIKES FOR SALE Ducati Mulstristrada 2012

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

28 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy & Sell

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE House Lots on Coconut Island!

230-300 sq.m. 1.4-1.9 million baht. New Chanote titles. Government road. Electricity. 200 METRES TO OCEAN !! Financing available. Tel. 095-068-1672chrisfisherii@ gmail.com

Unique Investment Opportunity

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

Hotel Laundry Sevices

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

SERVICES

Lovely Pitbull Mastif looking for a new home

Only 2 1/2 years old, super friendly “Repsol” is looking for a new family ASAP. Does not chase car, bikes or people. A real lovely big good natured dog. Contact 081 970 8487 in order to meet Repsol.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

One to one and family therapy

Young Minds Phuket is now fully set up and is offering one to one therapy, family and parenting support and support to schools. www.youngmindsphuket.com 0992382783.

Property Phuket Law

Properties hot deal for sell & buy, legal Advisor & Litigation Nationwide, accounting, visa, work permit, 083 599 4514, 087 014 9736,095 325 5654.

GE UR

Inked Machine™ Tattoo

Good morning to all of you. Today I present the “ Machine Tattoo". This tattoo shop is located in Patong. When you are at the roundabout of Patong Beach, take a right and walk the beach. After 300 meters, you will find the Inked Machine Tattoo on your right at the entrance of the self ‘mor watthana’ (Watthana Clinic Soi’). You will be very made welcome and enjoy the cleanliness of the place (everything is new), but above all the quality of the tattoos that are made; traditional bamboo or machine (Demographer) – all your tattoo ideas will be satisfied. A team of several professional tattoo artists are waiting for you, the atmosphere is very nice and you will have a good time getting tattooed while listening to music. On Site you can buy T-shirts and other products in the image of the shop. The prices are very correct so do not hesitate to visit the site to make a beautiful tattoo during your stay on the island of Phuket. For more information and details, I invite you to contact them and they will answer all your questions. I sincerely recommend it. Facebook : @InkedMachine.PhuketTattooStudio Instagram : Inked_Machine_Tattoo Soi Mor Watthana Tambon Patong, Amphoe Kathu Chang Wat Phuket 83150.

House for rent

PETS, BOARDING

OTHER

Hot sale ! pool villa Naiharn

A lovely fully furnished pool villa in a secured estate in Naiharn, 5 minutes drive to Naiharn beach and 10 minutes drive to Kata. Freehold. 455 sqm of land. Sold fully furnished and equipped (solid teak furniture and high quality equipment). phukethomecareservice@gmail. com, 0638394973.

N GE

7535.

A sea view house in the garden on the mountain at Ao Makham. 2 bedrooms. Porntip, piranunt@icloud.com, 086 996

Villa Mission Heights big Pool

3bed, 3 1/2 bath, 330sqm living, 900 sqm land, very quite aera, 2 km mission hill golf, 6km UWC, 8 km airport. owner finance. only email please. picharly@ gmail.com

COMMUNITY

PROPERTY FOR RENT

VILLA OPEN HOUSE Oct 19 Nov 2

RE/MAX EP - Luxury Pool Villa - 5BR Spacious Open Design Quiet Secure Large Kitchen Guest Entertainment Land 1.5rai - Call for Details ! 27,000,000, Suchana or John, 90/24 Moo 6, Wiset Rd, Rawai, 83130 Promthep Residence, johncampos@remax.co.th, 0956415693 or 0634413481.

Loch Palm Golf Villa

2 bedrooms - full furniture - hole no 17 - Includes 2 golf bags, 2 bicycles, an exercise machine and golf membership until 21/02/2040. 11.2 Million Baht, philippe andre, Loch Palm Golf Club, philippediavel@gmail.com, 098 682 9069

ENDLESS POTENTIAL

12.5 rai walled w/ auto gate, water pound & transformer. 4200m2 slab, 9 Bed, 11 Bath, swim pool, ideal for school, detox, sport center 300,000 baht per month. lionel01@hotmail.com (66) 081 821 4064.

Dream Village Phuket house

2bed 2bath 295sqm land 100sqm living + veranda, compl. renovated.: new water, electric., tiles, paint in/ out, windows, 3A/C, built in kitchen. contact only via email. picharly@gmail.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

SPORT 29

Black Sheep crush Mango As RPL reaches half-way it looks to be a three-way race for title POOL Barry Craig

ond ay (Oct 15) marked the midway point in the Rawai Pool League with Black Sheep, White Hart and Shot Bar all in the race to clinch the Division A title. In Division B, Roses Bar remain unbeaten despite being pushed to a beerleg decider in this week’s action. Black Sheep stormed to a 7-0 win at home to Mango Bar on Monday with Mango only managing to take one frame off the league leaders. Riky, Goh and Taka produced clinical performances for Black Sheep while Rainier, on his debut for Mango Bar, produced some stunning shots, mostly with his camera. With Ben W back among their ranks, and Jig managing to keep his cool, last season’s champions White Hart kept

@thephuketnews

pressure on their title rivals recording a fantastic 0-7 victory away to Masaya Bar. The third contender for the title is Shot Bar and they had a tough fixture away to Future Bar. It was a one-sided affair in the singles with Shot Bar winning all four rounds. In the doubles it was Future Bar who were the better team, but it was Shot Bar who had the last laugh taking the deciding frame in the beerleg for a 2-5 victory. Tropical Sands played against Pita Bar with Pita’s Niels winning his game with Craig. Tropical Sand’s Johnny lost to Grant, Fuzz had the giggles which Richard capitalised on and Flob killed Bill in the early contest. Tropical Sands salvaged a little pride in the doubles to get one point on the board but Pita proved too strong and ran out 1-6 winners. Grega was the star for Black Pearl in their victory over Spot Bar beating Eddy, but the

Nanni playing at Black Sheep’s home win against Mango. Photo: Ranier Vigneau whole team performed well in the singles winning 2-0 in each match. Eddy managed to salvage a little pride for Spot Bar winning with Daw in their doubles. Despite this, Dave’s Black Pearl ended up with a 6-1 win. Orange Bar looked like they might finally get their first win of the season at home to Freedom Bar with Nico beating Mick to put them into a 2-1 lead. However, Dave edged Pierre in the last singles to

make it all square going into the doubles. Freedom Bar edged the doubles to claim a 3-4 victory. In Division B, leaders Roses Bar’s game against Baroque Bar was 3-3 going into the beerleg. It had been quite a game up until this point with Mike and Philipp winning singles for the hosts and Pang and Pookpick bringing the scores level for Baroque Bar. In the doubles, Roses’ Mike and Noom managed to pip Nicki and Pookpick,

but Oh and Pang from Baroque tied the game with a victory over Philipp and Lin. However, it was Mike who marshalled his Roses Bar team to a solid beerleg win. In other Division B action, Islander A’s Andy M thought his side had done enough to beat Kilt’n Haggis on a beerleg decider, but Jon dropped the rest on top of the black when lining up to finish, fouling and letting Kilt’n Haggis take the beerleg and a 3-4 victory. Pink Sheep raced to a 3-0 lead against the Stoned Crab. Stoned Crab crawled back into the game. However, the game was won by the Pink Sheep ladies when Aey and Fern won the final doubles. Stoned Crab got the consolation of the beerleg but Pink Sheep claimed a 4-3 win. White Hart BBQ hosted Moonlight Bar and Mark managed to keep the hosts in the game beating Moonlight’s Patrick but his teammates put

them into a 1-3 lead. White Hart BBQ cooked up a revival in the doubles bringing the game all square going into the beerleg. Moonlight shone brightest, however, winning the decider and a surprise 3-4 victory. Stor Bar were too strong for Islander B and look like they will take one of the three promotion spots come the end of the season. Islander weren’t able to mount a challenge and Stor Bar got a well deserved 6-1 victory. The last game of the night was O’s Bar against Black Bull. Nida, on her O Bar debut, was unlucky to lose to Franck and Andy claimed a win over O’s Uncle John to make it 0-4 after the singles. Swiss dream team Andy and Markus won their doubles over the female pairing of O and Nida, but Uncle John and Bruce got a point on the board for O’s Bar in their doubles. Errors by O’s Bar saw Black Bull take the beerleg and the match 1-6.

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

Hamilton preaches respect Brit prepares to put rival to the sword at United States GP BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

ewis Hamilton has called for title rival Sebastian Vettel to be shown more respect as the Briton prepares to put him to the sword at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix (Oct 21). Hamilton has the chance to beat his German rival to a rare fifth world championship in Austin, the fourth-last round of the season, after Vettel’s championship campaign spectacularly unravelled after the midseason break. Vettel has been criticised for a litany of race-day mistakes this season, and though his most costly came when he crashed out from the lead of the German Grand Prix before the summer shutdown, unforced errors in Italy and Japan have also been key to his inability to recover lost ground. But Hamilton, who has won six of the last seven races, said in a social media post during the week that it was unfair for Vettel to be judged so harshly. “I feel the media need to show a little more respect for Sebastian,” he said. “You simply cannot imagine how hard it is to do what we do at our level. “It is to be expected that, being humans, we will make mistakes, but it is how we get through them that counts.” Hamilton’s moment of magnanimity might also be referencing the fact that he and his Mercedes team have had to recover from fielding

Lewis Hamilton (right) celebrates standing next to his rival Sebastian Vettel after the qualifying session ahead of the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix. Photo: Kohn Thys / AFP the second-quickest car for much of the season to run away with the title lead. Mercedes has struck a purple patch since losing August’s Belgian Grand Prix and has gone on to dominate subsequent weekends in a fashion reminiscent of their unbeatable 2014–16 seasons, with Hamilton winning all four races since Belgium to bring the drivers championship within his grasp. The Briton must outscore Vettel by at least eight points at the Circuit of the Americas to become just the third man in Formula One history to win five championships. In other words, victory for Hamilton with

Vettel in third or lower would be enough to clinch it. Vettel’s average finishing position in the second half of this season to date is third place, and Hamilton has won all but one United States Grand Prix in his entire career. “I’ll take it one step at a time,” Hamilton said after the previous race in Japan. “But I think we have gone from strength to strength this year as a team. “Austin is usually a good track for us, so I can’t wait to unleash this beast there.” But while the final four races are shaping up as glorified victory laps for Hamilton — and his Mercedes

team too, which can claim the constructors championship from the following race in Mexico — for Ferrari this will be a time of serious soul searching. “Obviously the last weeks have been tough for us,” Vettel lamented. “Overall, though, I think we could be in a better place. We’re not. “We know that we still have a lot of potential to unleash, and we need to work and dig a little bit deeper and so on, but for now obviously we want to prove that the last races are where we can deliver.” But with tension behind the scenes ratcheting up significantly – team principal Maurizio Arrivabene’s

public blow-up over a qualifying tyre error in Japan was a telling break from the way he’s dealt with mistakes so far this season – and delivering under the pall of another missed title chance will become a serious challenge for Ferrari. To paraphrase his soon-to-bevanquisher, how Vettel and Ferrari deal with the difficulties of another imminent championship loss will be a crucial deciding factor in whether they can rise again for another fight in 2019. Don’t forget to listen to Live89.5 each and every Saturday at 9am and 5pn for the Box of Neutrals radio show.

Junior golfers set for Faldo Series Thailand Championship – South return GOLF A STAUNCH SUPPORTER of the Faldo Series Asia since its inception in 2006, Phuket is, for the third time, hosting

the qualifier at Laguna Golf Phuket. Attention focuses on the southern island of Phuket where a selection of promising young golfers will be aiming to earn their places in the 13th

Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, to be hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at Laguna Lăng Cô in Danang, Vietnam, in March 2019. The overall winner of the Faldo Series Thailand Championship - South will

also receive an exemption into the forthcoming Singha Phuket Open at Laguna Golf Phuket, part of the All Thailand Golf Tour co-sanctioned with Asian Development Tour. Following the appointment as the Brand Ambassador of Laguna Golf – part of the Banyan Tree Group – Sir Nick Faldo said, “I have enjoyed my tie-up with the Group, the support from Laguna Golf has been outstanding as they are heavily into junior golf.” Paul Wilson, Lag una Golf’s Assistant Vice President / Group Golf Director added, “Laguna Golf shares a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility. Working with a like-minded partner like Sir Nick, we are honoured to develop aspiring youths together, give back to the game and elevate golf to another level.” added Aimed to create access

Last year’s Faldo Series Thailand Championship – South winner Vanchai ‘Mark’ Luangnitikul makes his putt on the 18th hole. Photo: Matt Pond to the sport for a younger audience through grass-roots initiatives at its tournaments, this event will consist of 54 holes in a stroke play format, open to junior golfers aged 12-21 holding a USGA or nationally recognised handicap. Grass-roots divisions for golfers under 12 years old are

available as part of Laguna Junior Open, but they will not qualify for the Faldo Series division winners. Tour nament packages start from B2,950, contact +66 76 324 350 or golf@ lagunaphuket.com to be part of this year-round junior golf celebration. thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

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Henry returns to prove himself in coaching FOOTBALL

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The overall competition winner will receive a 3 day/2 night stay in a two bedroom private pool villa including daily breakfast plus a 90 minute spa treatment for two persons at Baba Beach Club Phuket. Total prize value: B130,000 The monthly competition winner for October 2018 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at any one of the island's Two Chefs outlets.

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aving left France as a young World Cup winner in 1999, Thierry Henry returns almost two decades later hoping his appointment by Monaco can mark the start of a successful coaching career. Now 41, Henry was last week named as the new coach of the Ligue 1 side, replacing Leonardo Jardim, who was sacked in midweek following a string of poor results that left Monaco languishing in 18th in the league. Henry was one of the greatest players of his generation, the all-time leading goal-scorer for both Arsenal and the French national team, but he has been building towards this moment for several years now. After retiring from playing in 2014 at the end of four years with New York Red Bulls, Henry has divided his time between coaching and punditry work with British broadcaster Sky. He has acquired his coaching badges, and spent the last two years working as an assistant to Roberto Martinez with the Belgian national team. Henry’s input as an attacking coach during Belgium’s run to the World Cup semifinals – where they lost to France – made an impression on the players he worked with. “He loves football, he loves talking about what he has done, how things used to be, about his first World Cup. He has given me lots of advice to help me improve,” said Michy Batshuayi. He had been combining that role with an extremely

EPL PREDICTIONS MONTHLY STANDINGS

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OVERALL STANDINGS

Pugwash 7 victory 7 AAY 6 aquamarine 6 Charlie1982 6

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Smiley Bar 52 Fitz 50 giggs 50 Gracie 49 Pugwash 49

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Roberto Martinez (left) speaks with Thierry Henry after an International friendly match between Scotland and Belgium on September 7. Photo: AFP

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well remunerated job for Sky, where his comments were not always to the liking of his old Arsenal and Monaco mentor, Arsene Wenger – Henry expressed concerns about the direction Arsenal were taking towards the end of Wenger’s long reign, which came to an end in May. It is hard to imagine that Henry has not set his sights on one day managing Arsenal himself, given his association with a club he represented with such distinction for eight years that there is now a statue of him outside the Emirates Stadium. “Over the last 4 years I have had some extremely rewarding coaching experiences in football. These experiences have only made me more determined to fulfil my long term ambition to become a football manager,” Henry wrote on Twitter this summer, announcing his decision to quit his work as

a pundit. Henry began his playing career with Monaco, making his debut in 1994, aged 17. His full France debut came aged 20 in 1997, and the following year he scored three goals as Les Bleus won the World Cup as hosts. Henry also won Euro 2000 with his country and scored 51 goals in 123 appearances, although his international career ended in rather sour circumstances. After his controversial handball against Ireland secured qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Henry and France were knocked out in the group stage in a campaign marred by a player mutiny. But nothing can sour his reputation at Arsenal, whom he joined in 1999 after a brief stint at Juventus. He scored 228 goals for the Gunners, notably starring in the ‘Invincibles’ team that won the

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1707: Saturday Oct 20 Run Start Time: 4pm Hares: Any Time, Long Time, Fungus, Rampant Rabbit, Hard On Location: Kamala Viewpoint Directions: If heading from Patong towards Kamala go 800 metres past the Naka police checkpoint and turn right (HHH) and drive to the summit. Laager site is on the left, park along the road. From Kamala you can use the roads within the town to reach the laager site or head towards Patong and go 900m past the summit then make a sharp left (HHH) and climb to the summit and laager site. *In his first ruling since being affirmed to the US Supreme Court, Justice Brett Kavanaugh has shocked the world and declared the decision to bar Fungus from haring as unconstitutional. All bets are off for run 1707. Hash at your own risk. Bus pick-up: Patong @ Expat Hotel: 2:45pm Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 3:15pm More info: phuket-hhh.com

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league unbeaten in 2004. After leaving Arsenal in 2007, he had three years at Barcelona capped by winning the Champions League under Pep Guardiola in 2009, before finishing his career in MLS. Matching as a coach the success he enjoyed as a player will not be easy, and he steps into a difficult environment at Monaco, who reached the 2017 Champions League semi-finals but find themselves rooted in a landscape dominated by Paris Saint-Germain. But the job offers Henry the chance to show the French public what they mostly missed during a playing career in which he was perhaps underappreciated at home, certainly compared to his teammate Zinedine Zidane. “There is no doubt he has a great career ahead of him in coaching,” said French Football Federation boss Noel Le Graet recently. Now it is up to Henry to prove it.

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Manchester City Chelsea Liverpool Arsenal Tottenham Hotspur Bournemouth Wolverhampton Manchester United Watford Leicester City Everton Burnley Brighton Crystal Palace West Ham United Southampton Fulham Huddersfield Town Newcastle United Cardiff City

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6 6 6 6 6 5 4 4 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 0 0 0

2 2 2 0 0 1 3 1 1 0 3 2 2 1 1 2 2 3 2 2

0 0 0 2 2 2 1 3 3 4 2 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 6 6

21 18 15 19 15 16 9 13 11 14 13 10 9 5 8 6 9 4 6 4

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+18 +13 +12 +9 +8 +4 +3 -1 -1 +2 +1 -2 -4 -4 -5 -8 -12 -13 -7 -13

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editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

Rival should be respected, says Hamilton > p30

VAGABOND FOR LIFE!

Far more to team captain Tjaart van der Walt than just the Phuket Vagabonds Phuket Vagabonds captain Tjaart van der Walt seen here at the 19th edition of the Phuket International Rugby 10s. Photo: Naratip Golf Srisupab – SEALs Sports Images

RUGBY Matt Pond editor3@classactmedia.co.th

e first came to Phuket in 2010 when he competed with the South African rugby team the Roosters in his inaugural Phuket International Rugby 10s. He did this for three consecutive years. However, in 2014 he decided to join Phuket International Rugby 10s organiser Pat Cotter’s Phuket Vagabonds and has travelled to Phuket regularly ever since to captain the Vagabonds at this annual rugby spectacle. Tjaart van der Walt was born and raised in South Africa where he now runs his own open-cast coal mining company. Tjaart is married to Monica and has two children, a daughter Ava, 13, and son TJ, 11. But Tjaart’s connection with rugby goes way deeper than just the Phuket Vagabonds, and despite his age, he’s now 41, he is still passionate and dedicated to the sport he has played since he was 6 years old. He explains, “From the age of 6 until 2010 I played Rugby Union. However, in 2010 I got involved with rugby league and went on to start, manage and play for three separate clubs. “I then got involved with the national squad, the Rhinos, and went on to play with them against national teams such as Australia,

Tjaart seen here with his Rhino teammates ahead of last Friday’s test match against Italy. Photo: Supplied the British Lions and Italy. “I am now currently the national coach of the South Africa Rugby League national team.” At a national level, rugby league was originally introduced to South Africa in the 1950s with the staging of several series tournaments within the country. However, unlike with many other rugby-playing nations, the concept failed to generate the needed interest and was not upheld. The South Africans did not see further international rugby league until the 1960s where the first national side undertook fixtures against the visiting British and a tour to Australia. From the 1960s onwards the international fixture list for the South Africans was minimal and it

was not until the early 1990s when they began to play with some lasting regularity. However, since beginning to play international rugby league, South Africa have continually found it difficult to compete against the more established nations and so have progressed and improved very slowly and their greatest achievement to date has probably been qualifying for and participating in the 1995 and 2000 World Cups, where sadly they failed to win a fixture. But Tjaart is hoping that situation is going to change and says, “We are trying to build rugby league in South Africa again but it is still very difficult as we are not recognised by the governing rugby code.

“Unfortunately, rugby union receives all the attention and funding but I am hoping this will change soon as we have a team with real good depth and quality players. “Last Friday (Oct 12), we played a test against Italy in Australia. “The game came at very short notice but despite that we got ourselves sorted in three weeks with a team made up of heritage players from Australia, New Zealand and obviously South Africa. “I was part of the coaching team but also happened to play. I’m very proud of this team and our achievement. We lost two tries to three but you have to take into account that Italy is ranked 13th and South Africa 32nd,” he said.

“My hopes for the team now is that we qualify for the World Cup in 2019 and I will be able to assist where needed and elsewhere,” he added. Turning his attention back to the Phuket International Rugby 10s, Tjaart said that when he took over the captaincy back in 2014 the Vagabonds won the Main Tournament Cup for the first time in 18 years. “I have been the Vagabonds’ captain ever since and am proud to say the we have gone on to win the Cup again twice since 2014. But I have also competed for the team at the Bangkok 10s and Pattaya 10s. “Furthermore, as my age now permits me, I also play for the Viagrabonds,” he said. “I have now done this tour for seven years and met many amazing people and made lots of friends during that time. “Despite having never actually lived there, it really does feel like home whenever I’m over in Thailand, and I love what we do in assisting the kids at the Asia Centre Foundation! “I would also like to make a special mention obviously to Pat Cotter for continuing to promote rugby in Thailand and all the effort he puts in to the 10s, Pat’s late sister Maria, and also to Huw Butler, the guys from Athena Siam Limited, Aussie Bar, Naughty Nuri’s Warung, Papa Rock, Thanyapura for their field, Nida’s Bar and of course The Phuket News! “I’m a Vagabond for life!” thephuketnews