20-03-2015 by The Phuket News

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

thephuketnews thephuketnews1 thephuketnews.com

Friday March 20 – Thursday March 26, 2015

Since 2011 / Volume V / No. 12

20 Baht

WOMAN ON RUN FROM US LAW CAUGHT NEAR PHUKET > PAGE 3

ANTARCTIC

AGGRESSION

NEWS

PAGE 2

Justice officials examine land encroachment

LIFE

PAGE 13

Hollywood heads for Phuket movie

Ship wanted for illegal fishing in Antarctic waters seized in Phuket – but now likely to be released Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

n Indonesian-registered fishing ship, the Taishan, was seized at Phuket Deep Sea on March 6. Over the following days, a strange and complex tale has emerged. The order for the ship’s arrest came after it emerged that the Taishan

had until very recently been called the Kunlun, which was the subject of pursuits on the high seas by the navies of both Australia and New Zealand, which believe it was one of a fleet of six blacklisted ships fishing illegally in Antarctic waters. The order for the seizure came after Thai Customs had received an Interpol Purple Notice, accusing the Kunlun/Taishan of illegally fishing for

Patagonian toothfish inside an area regulated by the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. The newly-named Taishan, with 36 crew on board, was boarded by Thai officials when it came into Phuket Deep Sea Port and offloaded a cargo of eight refrigerated containers holding 182 tonnes of fish. The paperwork said that the fish was grouper.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

@thephuketnews

Anchored in Phuket this week, the Kunlun, now renamed Taishan, earlier evaded Australian and New Zealand warships. Photo: Royal Thai Navy 3rd Fleet

Authorities found that the Peruvian captain of the ship (the rest of the crew were either Spanish or Indonesian) was licensed to command vessels up to 300 tons, whereas the Taishan is 625 tons, and the ship had an unlicensed radio. By that time the containers had already been sent to Songkhla, where they were scheduled to be put on another ship and taken to Vietnam.

SPORT

PAGE 32

Six Nations enters final weekend

News 2

PHUKET NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

Alleged pirate fishing vessel held in Phuket Continued from page 1 Thai officials in Songkhla examined the cargo and discovered, after a battery of tests, that it was not grouper but snowfish. Thai Customs are currently deciding whether the cargo should be destroyed because of this “lie” or whether it must, legally, be brought back to Phuket and loaded back onto the Taishan. Jaroen Chamnangang of Phuket Customs told The Phuket News that once the licensing problems have been resolved (possibly with a change of captain), the ship will be escorted out of Thai waters and told never to come back. The Australian request for the arrest of the ship cannot be complied with, he added, because it has broken no Thai laws. “Right now we have to wait for the conclusion [of the licensing and cargo matters]. Our fishery laws are not strong enough [to do more]. Authorities in Indonesia, where the ship is currently registered, have been alerted and requested to be more strict. The eventual release of the Taishan – even though it will be barred from Thai waters – will be a disappointment in an ongoing low-key war between nations and an armada of poaching vessels. Eco-warriors Sea Shep-

herd allege that the Taishan and five other ships belong to a syndicate based in Spain called Vidal Armadores SA, one of whose owners, Manuel Antonio Vidal Pego, was arrested in 2011 and sentenced to a year and eight months for trying to unload fish caught illegally. Kate Wilson and Mar Cabra of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalist reported at the time, “Trafficking in fish is a thriving global black market. It fuels organised crime and the rapid disappearance of the oceans’ most valuable species.” Vidal Armadores owns a variety of ships that are constantly changing names and shifting registration from one flag of convenience to another. The toothfish, better known to chefs as Chilean Seabass, is highly soughtafter. Stocks in Australian waters are considered to be large enough to allow sustainable, regulated fishing But elsewhere the fish have almost been wiped out, resulting in a rise in the price they can fetch in markets worldwide – if they can be landed without encountering problems with the authorities. If the containers are returned from Songkhla, it is not known where the Taishan will try to land its cargo next.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Conflagration at landfill causes a real stink > page 6

Justice team looks at encroachment cases Nattha Thepbamrung reporter3@classactmedia.co.th

tea m led by t he Deputy Permanent Secretar y of the Justice Ministry, Pol Col Dusadee Arawut, last Friday (March 13) visited Koh Raet, the island off Ao Po Grand Marina; La Colline property development at Layan, The Kamala Beach Resort and Surin Beach, to look at complaints about encroachment on state land. Col Dusadee will be remembered by some readers of The Phuket News as the leader of a team from the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) who launched investigations into a variety of illegal land-grabs in Phuket at the end of 2012. His investigations came to an end when he was abruptly transferred to a job combatting narcotics trading. The areas alleged to be encroached include the site of the failed Barama Bay/ Jumeira mega-villa project, which was abandoned several years ago amid fierce infighting between the partners. Col Dusadee pointed out that the whole island (apart from the Barama Bay area) is still covered by old-growth forest, making it plainly illegal to own it. Yet Chanote titles had already been issued covering almost the entire island. “The Ministry of Justice has received many complaints from local people about land encroachment,” said Col

Unlike many officials, Col Dusadee is not worried about naming names. Dusadee. “The 161 rai of Raet Island was covered with big trees more than 50 years old but the reports by officers who issued the land papers say that the land was completely developed. “The officers involved in the case will be punished. After the case ends and all pieces of land are seized, the Royal Forestry Office will have to plan what to do about managing the land.” The 161 rai land initially had no Sor Kor 1 papers but

the officials allegedly involved – who were named as Suwanna Leepirujira, Chanchai Apirak, Chot Prakobboon, Wichian Booranawasin, Samran Lekkam and Sutan Pakpian – together issued some six Nor Sor 3 Kor papers. “After the Nor Sor 3 Kor papers were issued, a Land Department officer, Damrongsak Leesakul, made a report that the land was already plantation and the whole plot was developed – which is in conflict with the truth,” Col Dusadee said. After leaving the Ao Po area, the team visited the La Colline property development in the hills above Layan Beach. La Colline was a target of the Sirinart Park encroachment probe launched by the Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Plant Preservation (DNP), nearly three years ago. “No EIA [Environmental Impact Assessment] was done,” Col Dusadee alleged, “and this housing project is around 120 meters above [mean] sea level, which is illegal in Phuket.” Speaking of other cases he will look at, he said, “One of these is the case of former high-ranking official in Phuket who illegally owns many big plots of land in Kathu District. “Today we are looking at only four of more than 20 complaints about land encroachment filed with the Justice Ministry, so there will be another visit soon.” He added that Phuket is quite different from other

provinces because most of the “owners” of suspect land have land papers, whereas in other provinces people simply annex state land without bothering to get papers. After visiting La Colline, Col Dusadee and his team went to Kamala Beach where they examined the Kamala Beach Resort. “This also has a problem,” he said, “in that it is probably built on common land, yet the land under it has a Chanote. “According to an aerial photograph taken in 1995, the land was completely clear – which conflicts with a report by land officials Chupak Na Nakorn and Boonchu Limraksasin, which states that the land was developed for housing. The paper was signed by Nikorn Tohiranyapruk, Kathu Palad, in 1996.” He said an investigation will be launched into the legality of the land paper. He noted that complaints about the hotel had been sent to the ministry as long as 20 years ago. “It will take time to investigate the case but we have to make justice available to everyone equally,” he added. Col Dusadee also sent a team to visit Surin beach to look at the famed beach clubs there, to check whether any structures are less than 20 metres from the high tide line, which would make them illegal. The signatures of a Deputy Director of Cherng Talay OrBorTor and many local officials are on the construction permits.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Motorbike taxi driver hacked with a sickle POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR three men who jumped out of a pickup truck and attacked a motorcycle taxi driver in Patong. One of the attackers hacked at the driver, Pawaras Phonjarung, 35, from Nakorn Sri Thammarat, with a long-handled sickle, cutting his face, neck and hands. After the attack on March 12 Mr Pawaras needed 30 stitches and was under round-the-clock police guard after hospital staff said they feared the attackers might come to the hospital to try to finish Pawaras off. Kathu Deputy Superintendent, Col Akasit Danpitaksan, said Mr Pawaras told investigators he was waiting with other motorbike taxi drivers near the APK hotel in Phang Meuang Sai Kor Rd, Patong, when a pick-up tuck stopped and three teenagers jumped out and attacked him. Mr Pawaras soon collapsed to the ground, at which point his attackers jumped back into the truck, which was driven away. A witness gave a description of the vehicle: a bronze Isuzu with the license plate number BorRor 3450, registered in Nakorn Sri Thammarat. Mr Pawaras told police that he recognised one of the three attackers as “an old enemy”.

US fugitive linked to Pha Ngan death T

he American woman caught in Phuket last week after fleeing the US when she was bailed on a charge of vehicular homicide in 2004, has been linked with an unusual death on Pha Ngan Island. Kelly Lynn Miller, 36, was arrested on Koh Lanta living with an American man and their small child – born in Thailand – in a bungalow on Koh Lanta. She was charged with being in Thailand illegally and was taken to the cells at Phuket Immigration in preparation for her deportation to the US. On Saturday (March 14) the Daily Mail Online website reported that Miller, whom it described as “a former stripper and prostitute”, had been identified as “Bea”, working at the illegal clinic where Australian Brodie Smith, 33, paid US$5,000 for treatment that was supposed to help him kick an addiction to methamphetamine. The Daily Mail Online quoted Mr Smith’s girlfriend, Kara Spark as saying that soon after being given the powerful hallucinogen Ibogaine with another drug – thought to be Valium – he stopped breathing.

Kelly Miller pictured in Phuket after her arrest. She will be deported. The clinic denied giving Mr Smith Ibogaine, saying he injected himself with an overdose of “illegal narcotics” and Thailand’s Ministry of Health took no action over the death. One of the two partners in the clinic, Victor Cracknell, is believed to be the father of Miller’s baby, the

Daily Mail added. The couple left Koh Pha Ngan soon after, and ended up on Koh Lanta, where Miller was tracked down and arrested. Miller was this week sent to Immigration in Bangkok in preparation for her deportation to the US.

PHUKET NEWS

Taxi driver falls asleep at wheel A GREEN PLATE TAXI DRIVER will be charged with reckless driving after he fell asleep at the wheel of his vehicle and crashed into electric pylon in Thalang earlier Monday (March 16). At 10:15am Thalang Inspector Lt Col Sanit Nookong, was called to investigate a car crash on the southbound side of Thepkasattri Rd in front of the Kitchen Tech Manufacturing Company. Thalang police arrived at the scene with Kusolharm rescue workers and officials from Srisoonthon Municipality to find the Phuket registered green plate taxi in a ditch smashed into an electric pylon. The driver, Pongsatron Suwannanurak, 27, from Bangkok was still trapped inside the vehicle. He was taken out by rescue workers and taken to Thalang hospital with chest and back injuries. Pongsatron told police that he had just dropped off passengers at Phuket International Airport and was heading back towards Phuket Town when he fell asleep and lost control of the vehicle. The car crashed into the ditch and then slammed into the pylon, police were told. Police took the vehicle to Thalang Police Station and said that Pongsatron will face being charged with reckless driving.

Molly’s parents angry at silent mayor L A S T F R I DAY WA S March 13, which would have been Molly Anne Bailey’s eighth birthday, had she not died on December 11 last year after her mother drove into a huge hole in a Phuket road that had not been marked with effective warnings. The hole was left after heavy rain caused a section of a minor road in Srisoonthorn to collapse, leaving a gaping gap eight metres long and two metres deep. T he r oa d h a d b e e n wrecked for a month but the local Srisoonthorn Municipality, pleading poverty, did nothing about repairs and

@thephuketnews

erected temporary barriers which later disappeared and were not replaced. Last Friday at Wat Thepwanaram in Baan Manik, where Molly’s parents went to attend a ceremony to mark the 100th day after Molly’s death, her mother, Phakkamon Duangchaytemcharat, 38, told The Phuket News that the officials who failed to repair the road should apologise. “Sirsoonthorn Municipality officials should admit they were wrong. It was their responsibility as officials [to repair the hole]. I’m not talking about money.” Molly’s father Gordon

“Badger” Bailey said, “We’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting and nothing’s been done. But they’ve got plenty of time to be out and spending lots of money [on the annual celebration of the Heroines’ Victory]. “I know it’s a big yearly event but it’s very easy for them to push other things to one side and forget about responsibility.” The Mayor of Srisoontorn Municipality, Worawut Songyod, was not at the 100-day ceremony. He declined to speak directly with The Phuket News but sent a Facebook message saying, “I have not

had a meeting [with my staff] about this yet. We have not reached a conclusion. I will inform you later [when we reach one].” Asked whether he would be talking to Molly’s parents soon, he replied, “Once I have held a meeting I will talk with the family.” Ms Phakkamon said, “Today, Molly should be enjoying her birthday. We should not be here marking the 100th day after her death. It is sad, so sad, really. It is a day that I must remember.” Her voice shaking, she added, “I am suffering so much. I can carry on living only thanks to medicines.”

Molly’s parents at Wat Thepwanaram last Thursday.

PHUKET NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Phuket Seven Day Weather Forecast The Phuket News offers flexible advertising options both online and in print.

FRI MARCH 20

SAT MARCH 21

SUN MARCH 22

MON MARCH 23

TUE MARCH 24

WED MARCH 25

THU MARCH 26

High: +30° Low: +27°

High: +29° Low: +27°

High: +39° Low: +27°

High: +34° Low: +27°

High: +30° Low: +26°

High: +31° Low: +26°

Wind 10 km/h

GENERAL MANAGER GENERAL MANAGER

Jason Beavan 086 479 7471

gm@classactmedia.co.th

www.foreca.com

Wind 5 km/h

Wind 6 km/h

Wind 13 km/h

P Jittiya (Tiya) Rakdej 088 754 1371

salesmgr@classactmedia.co.th

SALES SUPPORT Siriporn (Nok) Seangmas 086 479 7470 sales@classactmedia.co.th

PR MANAGER Pichsinee (Oil) Pomnoi 088 765 5881 pr@classactmedia.co.th

Wind 20 km/h

'No lack of water' – Water Authority Nattha Thepbamrung reporter3@classactmedia.co.th

SALES MANAGER

Wind 16 km/h

huket Waterworks Authority have reaffirmed that Phuket will not lack water during the ongoing dry season. The announcement was made at a Governor Meets Media meeting held last Wednesday (March 11). Director of Phuket Irrigation, Pairot Kamthorn explained at the meeting that more water than expected will need to be kept this year for Kathu district which has the most number of consumers. “In Bang Wad reservoir there is currently 3.46 million cubic metres of water, or around 47 per cent capacity. This amount of water will be able to supply Kathu and some parts of Muang district until May of this year. “However, the reservoir is expected to keep more water this year as the dam wall is being extended from six to 11 metres.” As for Bang Niew Dam res-

Some residences which have supply issues are still having to have trucks supply water to their area. ervoir which supplies Thalang and some part of Muang district, there is around 6 million cubic metres or 89 per cent of the capacity left. This will last throughout the year. With regards to Klong Kata reservoir, in Chalong, work on this is expected to be finished in 2017 and will have a storage capacity of five million cubic metres. Meanwhile, Phuket Waterworks Authority Director, Pisak Chonlayuth explained

about his supporting solutions. “Installation of booster pumps which are needed to solve water supply issues to high areas including Rassada, Koh Siray and Laem Tukkae will be complete within next month. “We have already hired the Thai Waterworks Technology Company to work on water production and supply which will start next month. “We have also built a pipeline for the new water treatment

plant in Kok Tanod (near Laguna) to pump up natural water that flows to the sea for local use. This project is expected to be finished in October.” For the long term plan, Mr Pisak said the budget of B424 million which was allocated by the previous government in 2013 will be spent on the water treatment plant at Klong Kata reservoir. Sanyathawat Riwluang, a representative from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Phuket Office said the office has prepared for the coming dry season. “We have searched for water sources and prepared water trucks for quick support in any area. “In Karon where there is still a lack of water, we have to switch the water supply between Chao Fa West and East which will slow down supply. “Areas that the provincial waterworks has not yet been able to supply such as Koh Siray, we will still need to send water trucks to.”

Wind 22 km/h

Fire breaks out at main landfill site A FIRE BROKE OUT AT the Municipality landfill site Tuesday evening (March 17). It took firemen more than two hours to put it out, and officials are still concerned about air pollution which could be caused from the smoke. At 6:30pm, emergency relief units from Phuket Municipality were called to the fire which had broken out at the landfill site behind the Phuket incinerator. Officials arrived at site with five fire trucks and Kusoldharm rescue workers. The site covers an area of more than 10 rai and the fire broke out on an area close to the incinerator. “Every day, OrBorTor trucks bring rubbish to the incinerator where it is separated. Some of it is burnt in the incineraton while the remainder is dumped in the landfill site,” said an official. The rubbish was buring very fast and thick smoke filled the air. Firemen sprayed water onto the rubbish while an excavator was digging the rubbish up. It took firemen over two hours to put the fire out but as there was a lot of plastic waste they had to remain onsite and continue to put water on the area to ensure it didn̕ t start to burn again. Witnesses who saw the fire said that the fire started on a small area but escalated very quickly to a larger area. Officials have said that there are a couple of possibilities as to why the fire started. Solar heat was one possibility as plastic will burn after being exposed to the sun for too long. Another possibilty is that burning cigarette butts may have been thrown into the landfill site. Officials have confirmed they will investigate to find out the real cause of the fire as the landfill site is full of hazardous materials such as chemicals and plastic which could cause problems to local's health once smoke gets in to the air. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Body of ‘masseuse’ found in her room

Darawan Naknakhon editor@classactmedia.co.th

olice Sunday (March 15) responded to a call about a dead ‘masseuse’ discovered in an apartment room on Phoon Phon Soi 7, near Phuket Town’s red light district. When police arrived to the lobby of the apartment, they immediately noticed a foul smell and were escorted by reception staff to the room of its source. Inside they found the body of a dead girl in blue pajamas whose hands were clinging onto a cloth around her neck attached to a light fixture. The fan was on and it was speculated that the victim had been dead for days. The victim was named as Ms Thawipat “Pu-pay” Bunthawee, 33, of Sakhon Nakhon, a “masseuse” employed at the Angel Massage parlor in the nearby Poon Phon Night Plaza. Police noted beer bottles and cigarette butts laying around the room and a mes-

@thephuketnews

The body of the deseased was taken to Vichara Hospital. sage written with lipstick on the make-up mirror, roughly translated as, “Enough of this life”. Police also found a diary with an entry in Thai, which read roughly, “I don’t dare meet anyone, even downstairs. I’m so shy, I don’t dare ... I don’t want to go on like this, but I’m embarrassed for my friends and myself. In this life, I have so many problems. Let me end it here.”

Aside from this, there were also apologetic messages addressed to her mother, and a request for her peers to call and tell her mother. Police collected the diary as evidence and continued their investigation. The girl’s colleagues said she was very popular and liked among everyone at work, and had just returned from a month-long break back home to Sakhon Nakhon. They told police the last

time they heard from her was on Friday, March 13, after she had a major confrontation with an ex boyfriend named “Bung”. Witnesses said Bung had come to the victim’s room, where the two had a violent fight. The confrontation carried out into the parking lot below, where witnesses saw the man beat and slap her viciously before taking her money, cell phone, debit and credit cards and leaving the scene. Her friends convinced her to file a police report and tried to get her to stay at a friend’s house, but she insisted on going back to her room. When she didn’t show up for work her peers became suspiscious and said they noticed a foul smell near her room. Reception opened the door and the body was discovered, police were told. Rescuers transported her body to Vachira Hospital for an autopsy and police are studying CCTV footage in hopes of tracking down the ex-boyfriend.

PHUKET NEWS

The 19-year-old also had an assortment of bullets.

19-year-old arrested with drugs and guns A 19-YEAR-OLD WAS ARrested in Rassada Monday (March 16) in possession of kratom leaves, crystal meth (ya ice), two guns and 48 bullets. At 2pm, Phuket City Police arrested Kittidej Torwong, 19, from Rassada with .38 grams of crystal meth, three bundles of kratom leaves, one Colt six shooter revolver, one homemade pen gun with one .9mm inside, eight 38mm bullets, nine 12 gauge shotgun shells, five 410 shotgun shells and 25 22mm bullets. The suspect was arrested at his house in Moo 3 on Rassadanusorn Rd in Rassada. Kittidej’s arrest came after police learnt that drugs were being sold to teenagers in the KuKu community from a house on Rassadanusorn Rd.

Police said that Kittidej used his house for drug dealing, and when police found Kittidej inside, they identified themselves and searched the house. Police found the ya ice in a small Buddha image container, and in the bedroom they found the kratom leaves stored in a black plastic bag hidden inside a box. The Colt revolver and 22 bullets were found in a black bag on a computer desk. And on top of Kittidej’s bed police found the pen gun and 25 bullets in a small cardboard box. Kittidej was taken to Phuket City Police Station to face charges of possession of Category 1 and 5 drugs and illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions.

PHUKET NEWS

Navy warns of falling space debris THE ROYAL THAI NAVY has issued a warning to all shipping to stay away from an area of the Andaman Sea where components of an Indian space shot are likely to fall back into the sea after launch. The exact date of the launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle is not certain – it is currently scheduled to be on March 29, and should not be later than April 8. The launch vehicle will carry a solar-powered 1.38-ton IRNSS-1D regional navigational satellite into geosynchronous orbit. The satellite will provide navigation, tracking and mapping services. The Navy warned, “Please do not go close to, or pass through that area until after April 8.” The warning also gave coordinates marking out the expected debris landing area: 9°15’00”N 94°45’00”E; 10°05’00”N 95°05’00”E; 9°45’00”N 96°00’00”E; and 8°55’00”N 95°40’00”E The centre of the area is roughly 250 nautical miles (460 km) to the west-northwest of Phuket, not far from Car Nicobar Island.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Police use Facebook to lure stabbing suspects Ekkapop Thongtub

reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

hanks in part to Facebook, Phuket Police have arrested suspects wanted in connection with the stabbing of a 26-year-old man who was attacked only metres from Patong Police station late on Valentine’s Day. In the early hours of February 15, witnesses said that Surasak Ruengpeng, 26, had stumbled into the emergency room of Patong Hospital after being beaten and stabbed by a group of teenagers on motorbikes. It was reported that Surasak – who was driving a pickup truck fleeing from a gang of teens on motorbikes at about 2am – had sought sanctuary at Patong police station, but to no avail as the entrance he came to was the back door which was locked. After failing to get the attention of police officers inside, he returned to his truck, but witnesses said that the teens had caught up and

Apisit “Joe” Lad-yao was lured to Phuket Town by a female police officer using a fake Facebook account. proceeded to beat and then stab him in the chest “with a sharp object”. Alerted by Vachira Phuket Hospital the next day, with Surasak in critical condition, Police began their investigation, which would ultimately take a month to conclude. Acting on CCTV footage and tip-offs, Police identified

the first suspect as 18-year-old Apisit “Joe” Lad-yao of Trang, who police tracked to a Thai Facebook profile by the name of “Go Jo Soom Tai Luke”. Police created a fake Facebook profile of a girl and sent a friend request to the suspect, who accepted and thus provided police access to his activities.

Then on March 13, a female police investigator, using the fake Facebook profile, lured Joe into a meeting at 8pm in Phuket Town. Joe was surprised to meet instead police officers who apprehended him and brought him in for questioning about the incident on February 15. Joe told police that he and

a group of about 20 friends on 10 motorbikes in Phuket Town decided to ride their bikes to Patong. When they got to Patong Hill, they were followed closely by the victim driving a Mazda pickup truck, who tried to run them off the road before overtaking them. Offended, the teens followed in hot pursuit before finally catching up with the victim near Patong police station. Three more suspects in the ensuing thrashing were identified as Greet “Gai” Punthong, Nutthapong “Jay Uan” Aramwilai and Wattanakorn “Nut” Jumnongjit. Mr Wat tanakor n was named as the suspect who used a sharp steel object to stab the victim, before the gang fled to Galaxy Pub on Phra Meta Rd. Police tracked down Mr Wattanakorn and interrogated him, and were convinced, noting that his story matched exactly with Joe’s account. The two have been booked for the crime.

27 test positive for drugs Ekkapop Thongtub

reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

27 PEOPLE TESTED POSItive for drugs at check points set up in in Thalang Monday night (March 16). One man was also caught with one litre of kratom juice. Thalang District Chief, Veera Kerdsirimongkol ordered officials from the Thalang stability branch and 30 volunteers to set up two check points in Thalang and search for any drugs and illegal activities. Between 5-9pm, officials set up a check point at Baan

Prusomparn in Thepkasattri. Officials gave random drug tests to 103 people at the check point and 22 tested positive. One man was found to have one litre of a kratom leaf concoction in the car and charged with possession of a Category 5 drug.

T hen, bet ween 9:30 11:45pm, another check point was set up in front of the 7-11 in Baan Maeng Mai Moo 5 in Thepkasattri. 60 people were tested for drugs, five tested positive. Officers took records of those who tested positive and sent their urine samples to the Phuket Medical and Science Centre to confirm drugs had been taken. Although the 27 were released, they must attend drug rehabilitation within the time specified by the police or face criminal charges.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Girls rob German for breaking ‘sex for iPhone’ promise Darawan Naknakhon editor@classactmedia.co.th

olice on Sunday (March 15) revealed they had arrested two women for robbing a German expat for his mobile phones, Buddhist amulets, cash and car, after he had reportedly failed to deliver promises of iPhones and clothes in exchange for sex. On March 14, Karon police arrested Ratriya “Tri” Sirijumpa, 25, of Mai Khao, and Nonglak “Beer” Homhuan, 26 of Sakoo, in front of the Tina Salon in Sakoo. The two girls were wanted for two incidents as follows: According to the German accuser, on January 23-24, his Phuket house on Soi Patak 5 in Karon, was robbed of various personal items, including a Buddhist amulet, Apple iPhone 4 and key for a Toyota Camry. The second incident involved the theft of the Phuket registered vehicle from the German man’s home on February 1-2 as well as another golden Buddhist amulet.

@thephuketnews

Police were initially alerted by Mr Wolfgang Gerhard Helmut Dehl-Buntha, 62, that on Janaury 23, he had made a visit to Phuket Airport. On his return, at about 8pm, he met with “Beer”. The man told police he invited Beer back to his house in Karon, while her friend, followed them in a white Toyota Altis car. When they arrived to the man’s house, they sat and drank beer for about an hour, before Beer’s friend left, while Beer stayed behind and reportedly had sex with the German man. According to him, they woke up at 8am to make and have breakfast before he returned to rest at about 10am. Upon waking up at noon, Beer had vanished. The man soon realised that valuables were missing, including two Apple iPhone 4s, a 5-baht (in weight) gold necklace, three Buddhist amulets, B10,000 in cash, and one of his keys to his car. Wolfgang attempted to call Beer but to no avail, leading

Tri (in orange) and Beer have admitted to stealing the German’s possessions after not receiving payment for sex. him to the realisation that he’d likely been robbed, so filed a report with Karon police. On February 2, Wolfgang filed a second report stating that on February 1, at about 11pm, he had come home and parked his black Toyota Camry in front of his house. Upon waking up on February 2, he noticed his car was missing. Police studied CCTV foot-

age and were able to identify the other car driven to the German man’s house on January 23, a white Toyota Altis with the plate numbers Gor Ror 8576. From CCTV, Police confirmed that it was the same car involved in the theft of the Toyota Camry on Feb 1-2. Police traced the car to house number 93 in Moo 5 of Thalang’s Sakoo District,

which was marked by a sign as “Tina Salon”. There they spotted a black Toyota Camry car parked out front, but with red plate numbers Kor 6457. Police met with Tri who claimed to be the owner of the Camry. Tri, accompanied by her friend Beer, cooperated with police to run plates checks, which turned out to be registered for a new Toyota Yaris. Unconvinced, the police also cross-checked the serial number of the Camry, and learned that car was indeed registered with different plate numbers – that of the car that had been reported stolen by the Wolfgang. Police then interrogated the two girls for their side of the story. Beer said she had been chatting with Wolfgang through Badoo, for about two weeks before agreeing to meet him at the airport. The girls admitted accompanying Wolfgang to his home on January 23, as reported. Beer claimed Wolfgang had

promised to buy her an iPhone and clothes if she would “be his girlfriend” and stay with him. She agreed and decided to stay with him overnight, while her friend Tri returned home. Upon waking up in the morning, Beer said she asked Wolfgang about delivering on his promise, to which he became unsatisfied and went back to bed, but not before calling Tri to have her come and pick up Beer to take her back home. On her way to Karon, Tri told Beer over the phone to take the man’s car key for revenge. Beer proceeded to grab the key as well as the amulets, cash and iPhones while Wolfgang slept. Tri, accompanied by Beer, then drove back to collect the car late on February 1. Both girls have been booked by Karon police and charged on multiple counts in both incidents, including entering a residence for the purpose of burglary; using a vehicle for convenience in a burglary act, and grand theft auto, among them.

PHUKET NEWS IN DEPTH

Bryde’s whales swallow hundreds of fish in one gulp. Photo Jason Thompson

Bryde’s whale spotted near Koh Lanta A BRYDE̕ S WHALE BELIE ved to be nine metres long was spotted near Koh Lanta last Monday (March 9) bringing excitement to tourists in the area. However, tourism officials are concerned for its safety. A picture of the whale swimming near the Koh Ha archipelago in Krabi was taken by diving instructor, Sanae Yamae, 40. Sanae said he believed the whale must have been nine metres long, and this is the second whale of this size he has seen in the Andaman Sea. “We hardly ever see animals this big in the Andaman Sea and tourists were in awe of the sight,” said Sanae. Phuket Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Centre Supervisor, Tassapon Krajangdara, said that the

whale was a Bryde’s whale which are usually found in the Gulf of Thailand. They have never received a report of a sighting region before. He said it is possible the whale got seperated from its pod and came to the region because of the abundance of food in the area. Director of the Koh Lanta Tourism Association, Theerapoj Kasirawat, commented that the whale was spotted close to the coal transportation route to the new power plant in Nuea Klong district. This area is being studied for environmental issues as it is also the habitat area for whale sharks and bull sharks and they want all departments involved in the project to seriously consider marine life and the environment.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Shrimp farms leak contaminated water Eakkapop Thongtub

editor@classactmedia.co.th

team from the Royal Thai Navy Third Naval Area Command carried out raids on 15 shrimp farms last Tuesday (March 10) after locals and the head monk from Wat Mai Khao complained that contaminated water was being released by the farms. At 4pm a team of navy officers, Mai Khao OrBorTor officers, fishery officials and environmental officers were called to investigate 15 shrimp farms in Mai Khao that were alleged to have released polluted water back into the local water supply. It had been said that the contaminated water had killed fish and trees in the area, and that the fresh water had become unusable. During the raids, officials found that eight of the farms had leaking drainage systems which leaked contaminated water into the fresh water supply and some land areas.

Officials said the salinity of the contaminated water was about 5-10 grams and that this water dissolved into the fresh water wells of villagers in Moo 5 and Moo 6 of Mai Khao affecting more than 30 homes. For the past three months, residents of these homes have had to pay more than B300 per month to buy clean water to consume.

Wat Mai Khao, which has more than four rai of land, has also been affected. Most of the fish that residents had released there and a number of trees on the land have died due to the leaks. Mai Khao resident Wiroj Prasert, 54, said, “Today we cannot drink or use water from our well. We have been using the well since our grandparents time, but now

we now have to buy water. We want officials to take care of this problem fast.” Officials have now ordered the eight shrimp farms to fix their leaking drainage systems within 15 days. If this is not done they will enforce the law and close the businesses. In the meantime, the Mai Khao OrBorTor will send water trucks with fresh water for the residents to use.

Millions of crabs spotted off Krabi OFFICIALS HAVE DEscribed the sighting of millions of red crabs off a beach in Krabi’s Ao Luek district last Thursday (March 12), as a ‘miracle of nature’. At 10am, Ao Luek District Chief Boonpas Raknuy, along with Niwat Wattanayommanaporn, an “expert” from the Krabi Cultural and Environmental office, and officers from the Than Bok Khorani National Park, responded to a call to investigate the masssighting of red crabs reported by Baan Hinrao villagers. Officials arrived to a sand

dune area where the crabs had gathered in an unprecedented colony that was estimated to stretch one kilometre long by 30 metres wide. They were mostly small crabs, measuring only 1 centimetre in width, with greyish body and bright red orange claws, scattered along the

beach, and estimated to be in the “millions”. But when officials got too close, they all dispersed in unison, disappearing into the holes in the sand. Based on the description, the crabs were most likely of the Perisesarma bidens species, or the red-clawed crab, which is a semi-aquatic crab found on beaches from Thailand to Hong Kong and in aquariums wordwide. Nonetheless, many tourists and officials gathered to snap tons of photos of the “never before seen” spawning.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Big Bike Week 2015 revving up Matt Pond editor3@classactmedia.co.th

huket Bike Week 2015, the 21st in the series and the biggest gathering of big bike riders in Asean, will once again coincide with the Songkran Festival this year. The event will begin at 1pm on April 11 when officials from Mai Khao OrBorTor and Thachatchai Police Superintendent, Sarawut Sisakookarm, along with members of the Phuket Big Bike Association and Mai Khao Riders Association will welcome more than 2,000 international big bike riders from Malaysia, Vietnam, China and India at the Thepkrassattri Bridge from Phang Nga. The procession of big bikes will head through Mai Khao toward the Heroines Monument en-route to their final destination, Patong, where they will join Governor Nisit Jansomwong, Patong Mayor Chalermluck

@thephuketnews

Kepsap, and officials from Tourism of Thailand for the official opening ceremony. Speaking at a recent press conference, Phuket Bike Week organiser, Witthaya Singkara said, “There will be a total of 500 international bike clubs joining the 2015 Phuket Bike Week, 300 of which will be Thai clubs. “To mark the start of the event, from 4:30pm until 6pm on April 11, the Phuket Bike parade will drive around Patong city. “Throughout the event, there will be

live music concerts at Loma Park, and other activities. “I believe this event will be of interest to tourists and bike riders from around the world.” As with the 20th edition of Phuket Bike Week in 2014, this year̕s installment will be split in two parts with the first being held at Patong Beach (Loma Park area) from April 11-13. It will then move on to Saphan Hin Park in Phuket Town from April 17-19. Activities throughout the six days will

include a big bike exhibition, “Ride for Peace” bike parade, custom bike and tattoo contests, live music and entertainment, Miss Phuket Bike Week pageant, along with booths selling motorbike accessories and apparel from local and international vendors. Participants will also promote safe riding with a “helmets on heads and lights on bikes” campaign and will make donations for underprivileged schools and the Child Watch Phuket prison program which is a daycare centre for prisoners̕ children and kids from slums and construction sites. For more detail, visit: phuketbikeweek.com. Class Act Media is a sponsor of the event.

Opinion 10 OPINION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/thephuketnews

editor@classactmedia.co.th

Email: editor@classactmedia.co.th Phone: 076 612 550

KODCHANAT THINSEPON Editor

STEVEN LAYNE Managing Editor editor@classactmedia.co.th From the USA; BA in Communication Arts from Bangkok University International College; six years’ experience at Nation Junior Magazine, Bangkok Recorder, Phuket. net, Farangs.com and Phuket Gazette.

ALASDAIR FORBES Executive Editor 087 884 9964 execeditor@classactmedia.co.th From the UK; 40 years as a journalist and editor on magazines and newspapers in the UK, Middle East, Hong Kong and Thailand: Cheshire Observer, Chester Chronicle, Saudi Gazette, Gulf Mirror, Gulf Construction, Gulf News, Hongkong Standard, Asian Business (Editor) and Phuket Gazette (Managing Editor for seven years).

J.P. MESTANZA Sport Editor editor2@classactmedia.co.th From USA; Degree in Journalism and Media Studies, from Rutgers University. Three years experience at The Jersey Journal, Sports Page Magazine, and My9 News.

DALIA HILMI Life Editor

Realising rash road realities

o bring more, muchneeded attention to the persisting danger of the island’s traffic, The Phuket News recently conducted a survey asking readers to identify the biggest road hazards. We then followed this poll up with some research to find out not only which type of vehicles are most involved in traffic accidents here, but also the causes, frequency and other impacts. Our findings are alarming, but not surprising. Even though a majority of respondents to our poll perceived large transport vehicles – vans, buses and lorries – to be the biggest hazards, statistics point to the drivers of motorbikes, cars and pick-up trucks – in that order of frequency – as being most involved in accidents here. While much government PR emphasises enhanced

editor1@classactmedia.co.th Originally from Canada; BA in Sociology from the University of Birmingham in the UK and an MA in Online/Print Journalism from the University of the Arts in London. Three years experience for Britain’s third-biggest publisher, Immediate Media, as well as Bauer Media and InStyle magazine.

MATTHEW POND News Editor editor3@classactmedia.co.th Originally from the UK; Has four years experience as editor and reporter for Phuketindex.com magazine and website, and InPhuket magazine.

TANYALUK ‘MANGO’ SAKOOT

Reporter 091 165 0260 reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

NATTHA ‘KAMIN’ THEPBAMRUNG

Reporter 081 868 1658 reporter3@classactmedia.co.th

NATTAPAT ‘MAEW’ TUAROB

Reporter 089 727 7989 reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

NISAKORN ‘SAI’ KITTIPRAPANANT NIPAPORN ‘JANE’ SANGKRIT NATASUANG ‘SATANG’ BUSARANON ATHIKOM ‘KATY’ KEYURANON Graphic designers

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/thephuketnews

ADVERTISING

076 612 550-2 ext. 605 Fax: 076 612 553 info@classactmedia.co.th www.thephuketnews.com

99/7 Moo 1 (Billion Plaza), T. Kathu, A. Kathu, Phuket 83120

EDITORIAL

awareness during the so-called “Seven Days of Danger” around New Year’s, and soon again during Songkran – make no mistake, Thailand traffic can be deadly 365 days a year The Thai Road Safety Culture organisation (TRSC) reports that, in the first two months of this year, a total of 361 major accidents occurred in Phuket, resulting in 388 injuries and eight fatalities. And according to the TRSC, which collects data day-by-day from rescue workers, police and other private and public sources, a total of 4,643 accidents in Phuket in 2014 resulted in 5,410 injuries and 78 deaths. But according to the Road Safety Directing Centre of the Interior Ministry, the number of road fatalities confirmed in Phuket last year was “only” 45. Statistics from the Royal Thai Police are no more reas-

suring. They state that from 2006 to 2013, our island’s deadly roads took the lives of 460 individuals – 343 sons and 117 daughters – and injured another 752 people. That’s an average of 58 a year. From the 2,900-odd accidents reported to police in those eight years – more than 90 per cent of which were blamed on bad driving – police charged about half of the offenders, or 1,469, while another 108 have yet to be caught. How many more need to flee, die or be hospitalised, before any serious action is taken by authorities and opinion leaders? A continuous, islandwide, year-round campaign is needed to re-adjust attitudes of all drivers, parents, students, politicians and police alike. After all, it’s not the roads of Phuket that are the problem. As the stats confirm, it’s the people.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Australian expat ‘stabs to death’ Phuket nightclub worker French tourist, 64, booked for shoplifting sun tan lotion from Patong Family Mart Molly’s parents angry at unresponsive Phuket officials Two Phuket girls rob German expat in revenge for breaking ‘sex for iPhone’ promise Wa n t e d A m e r i c a n woman arrested near Phuket Phuket red light district ‘masseuse’ found dead in room had violent fight with ex-boyfriend, say colleagues American arrested on Lanta for DUI worked at Thai hallucinogenic drugs clinic One dead, four seriously injured in three vehicle smash north of Phuket Islands get bar ban and tourist limit Illegal Chinese photographer arrested at Phuket beach

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY From tourists who appreciate the new beaches Re. Phuket’s new beaches Dear Editor, We are a group of German tourists coming to your beautiful country for many years. We are very pleased to see that your government is doing good work to clean the beaches and the public areas and keep Thailand safe. We will come back even more. And we are sure more tourists will appreciate your effort. Keep the good work going. Do not give up! You will get the tourists who appreciate the beauty, culture and nature of Thailand. Soli & Demisch

Culture lessons for the Chinese Re: More training mulled for China tourists after new ‘ foot-paux’ They are nothing short of animals. Un educated ill mannered. They should be banned for 1 month every time this happens. Word will soon spread in Chinese to Chinese that if they are disrespectful then they will ruin the holiday for 1,000s. The other option

is if one person on a trip does this then the entire boat must leave at once from the town, island or location that the insult happened. The rest of the trip will make sure the people understand what happened. Simon01

and irresponsible actions. She took someones life, then ran away so she wouldn’t have to pay the consequences. I wish Thailand would put her behind bars for a few years before sending her back to the US to face her murder charges. Ed Sanders

Print pictograms. Show a child squatting and shitting in the middle of an airport with the red circle & line through it. Same with washing feet in basins. Be honest and give the people’s rendition a Chinese look. Marcos989

Hey Ed / Col. Sanders; ... It never occurred to you, what will happen to the child she had, once she goes to jail in America. I suppose you’d put the child in jail as well... DeeJay

4.5 million Chinese visitors is all the more reason to educate them. However, we must not ignore the other nations which ave little regard for Thai Culture.The sight of people wearing swim wear off the beach disturbs many Thais & should be clamped down on by the authorities? Bjay

Re: French tourist, 64, booked for shoplifting sun tan lotion from Patong Family Mart I’d be ashamed standing there pointing that finger. Ridiculous. Of course it’s wrong to steal but this photo once more shows the mentality that the Thais have meanwhile. It’s always the others. Never them. Zcynis

Hang her high? Re: Wanted American woman arrested near Phuket Disgusting human being, complete disregard for the seriousness of her drunken

Someone needs to be held liable for Molly’s tragedy Re: Molly’s parents angry at unresponsive Phuket officials

Despicable! Why has nobody apologized or taken responsibility? Because they should all be in jail! Is poverty really an excuse? I would like to call the Prime Minister’s new hotline and have this investigated by all kinds of government anti-corruption officials. Why not??? Can you see what happened to this family? In any other country, the derelict officers would already be in jail. Jsrit

Bad bargain buddy Re: Two Phuket girls rob German expat in revenge for breaking ‘sex for iPhone’ promise If you want to stick it in you should keep your end of the bargain.Nice one girls! Kobus

Get your priorities in order, India Re: Navy warns of space debris landing near Phuket Amazing, India cannot support or feed it’s growing population, but it can afford to spend billions to launch rockets into space. Nice to see it has it’s priorities in order, NOT ! Reader

Have an opinion? Comment on stories at thephuketnews.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

THAILAND NEWS 11

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Islands get bar ban and tourist limits Kids could B

ars will be banned and tourist numbers limited on Koh Tachai as part of measures to protect the Similan Marine National Park in Phang Nga province. Park chief Nat Kongkesorn said on Saturday (March 14) that bar owners had been told to demolish all structures they had built on the island. Daily tourist numbers on Koh Tachai will be limited to 200, while just 250 people per day will be allowed on Koh Similan, Mr Nat said. Tour agents will have to spread their clients around other islands such as Koh Mieng, Koh Paed and Koh Bua. A quota will be given to existing tourism firms as well as to travellers who make online bookings for national park shelters. In a bid to preserve marine resources, swimmers and divers will be banned from going into waters beyond restricted areas. They will not be allowed to destroy marine and coastal resources, Mr Nat added. Feeding marine animals such as turtles and fish will not be allowed, while urinating and defecating in

Koh Tachai. Photo: Sarot Meksophawannakul the sea will be prohibited. Park authorities have also ordered boat drivers not to run their engines at high revolutions as spinning propellers disturb marine plants and aquatic animals. Boat companies have also been ordered to carry their waste back to the mainland to dispose of it in a landfill site in Thai Muang district. The changes came after the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry was told Koh Tachai was

at risk of environmental degradation in the form of spoiled coral and mounting rubbish as a result of a surge in the number of tourists. Mr Nat said 16 firms operating tourist boats around the park were called in to help devise both shortterm and long-term policies in a bid to limit damage to the environment. Anyawarin Sujindasatien, the owner of Sea Star Co, agreed with park authorities that the number of visitors needed to be controlled and

12 million prepaid phone users have registered A TOTAL OF 12 MILLION postpaid mobile phone users have registered their SIM cards with phone operators. National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) secretary general Thakorn Tanthasith said so far after the NBTC required registration of prepaid SIM cards from February 1-July 31 for security reasons, 12 million SIM cards were registered by users, with remaining

@thephuketnews

80 million SIM cards still unregistered. However he was optimistic that with the daily registration of 600,000 – 700,000 SIM cards, and with cooperation

of the phone operators and phone users, he was confident that the remaining 80 million cards could be all registered by the July 31 deadline. He asked for understanding of the registration as unregistered cards have been used by southern insurgents to detonate bombs and use in frauds, and other crimes Registration could help to ease security threat, he said. ThaiPBS

that the deteriorating state of marine resources should be addressed. However, the measures will affect many operators as each firm received more than 150 bookings a day. About 1,000 tourists visited Koh Similan and Koh Tachai daily, she said. It would be difficult to comply with the new regulations and control the number of visitors, she added. When it came to transparency in collecting park entrance fees, Mr Nat said every company must distribute tickets to each customer to prevent bribery and corruption. An aerial image showing blackened coral under a clear, turquoise sea around Koh Tachai was shared on Facebook last week. Mr Nat said the blue coral reefs in shallow water were damaged due to bleaching many years ago. The damage was not caused by oil or waste water released from Koh Tachai, he said. There is a waste water treatment plant on the island, about one kilometre from the coastline. It will not affect the ecological system in the national park, he added. Bangkok Post

be banned from bikes

TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY officials are considering making it illegal for children under 6 to ride on a motorcycle. The move comes as Thailand tries to come to grips with its high mortality from road accidents. More than 10 per cent of children involved in road accidents end up dying, and most cases involve them riding on a motorcycle, according to Office of The Consumer Protection Board. Some children also fall asleep during the ride and fall from the vehicle. Some are opposed to the idea, pointing out that motorcycles may be the only transportation available to many impoverished families. The organization is also considering enforcing a warning sticker on new motorcycles sold in shops (just like cigarettes). The message will be “Drivers could die if not wearing a helmet,” Voice TV reported. Coconuts Bangkok

12 ASIA NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Lee Kwan Yew’s health ‘is worsening’ SINGAPORE THE HEALTH OF SINGAPORE’S FOUNDING leader and former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew has “worsened” due to an infection, the government said on Tuesday (March 17). Mr Lee, 91, has been hospitalised at the Singapore General Hospital since February 5 for severe pneumonia.

“Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s condition has worsened due to an infection. He is on antibiotics. The doctors are closely monitoring his condition,” said a statement from the office of his son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The senior Lee is widely credited with transforming Singapore from an economic backwater to one of Asia’s wealthiest economies in just over three decades.

He served as prime minister from 1959, when Singapore gained self-rule from colonial ruler Britain, until he stepped down in 1990, though remaining “Senior Minister”, very much the eminence grise. The People’s Action Party, which was cofounded by Lee, has been returned to power in every election since 1959 and currently holds 80 of the 87 seats in parliament. AFP

In a recent book Lee wrote that he wants a quick death.

Anwar’s daughter held for sedition MALAYSIA

T Phil Blackwood (left) speaks at the official opening of the bar at the end of November last year. A month later he was arrested and the bar was closed.

Kiwi gets jail in Myanmar over ‘Buddha insult’ MYANMAR A NEW ZEALAND BAR manager and his two Myanmar colleagues were sentenced on Tuesday (March 17) to two and a half years in jail by a Yangon court after they used a Buddha image to promote a cheap drinks night. Philip Blackwood, who worked at the Vgastro bar in Yangon, was found guilty of insulting religion. Also found guilty were the bar’s Myanmar owner and manager, after the New Zealander posted the offending mocked-up photo of the Buddha wearing DJ headphones on Facebook.

The trio were sentenced to two years in jail for insulting religion through written words or pictures and a further six months – both terms carrying the punishment of hard labour – for breaching a local order including when a protest erupted outside the bar over the image posted in December. Judge Ye Lwin said that although Philip Blackwood posted an apology, he had “intentionally plotted to insult religious belief” when he uploaded the image. The ad triggered a minor storm of controversy in Myanmar, where resurgent Buddhist nationalism and religious violence have sparked international concern. AFP

he eldest daughter of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said on Monday (March 16) that she had been arrested for sedition after reading out in parliament parts of a speech by her father criticising his recent jailing. Nurul Izzah, 34, a member of parliament and popular public figure, confirmed her arrest by phone while still in police custody. Ms Nurul became the latest arrested in a sedition crackdown by Malaysia’s government that has seen dozens investigated, charged, or convicted over the past year, including several top opposition politicians. “I am extremely angry, and we all should be, because as parliament members we should be free to criticise the government of the day without reprisal,” said Nurul, who has also led recent street rallies against Anwar’s conviction. Anwar was convicted on February 10 of sodomising a former male aide in 2008 and was sentenced to five years in jail. Anwar, who denies the charge, calls it a “political conspiracy” by the coalition in power since 1957, designed to

Nurul Izzah: ‘[Members of Parliament] should be free to criticise the government.” Photo AFP thwart steady opposition gains in recent elections. Ms Nurul last week read out in parliament portions of a statement by Anwar, now in prison, in which he questioned the independence of Malaysia’s judiciary. Authorities have warned that criticising Anwar’s jailing could bring sedition charges, and a handful of critics have already been investigated or charged. Government opponents

say the sodomy case is part of a long-running campaign to remove Anwar, who was ousted from the ruling party in a late-1990s power struggle. He later helped inspire the fractious opposition into a formidable force. His conviction has been criticised by international human rights groups, Australia and the United States, which said it raised questions over the rule of law. Prime Minister Najib Razak

promised in 2012 to scrap the British colonial-era Sedition Act amid growing pressure for reform. But since a 2013 election setback, the government has increasingly targeted critics using the law. In November PM Najib said the law would be retained and even strengthened. After being held in custody overnight in Dang Wangi police station in Kuala Lumpur, Ms Nurul was released on bail on Tuesday. AFP

HUGE REDUCTIONS on exclusive properties in Phuket, details on page 17

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

UK police investigated for abuse cover-up claims ALLEGATIONS THAT LONdon’s police force covered up the involvement of British politicians and police officers in a paedophile ring are to be investigated by an official watchdog. The 14 claims dating from 1970 to 2005 are related to “high-level corruption of the most serious nature”, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said. They include an allegation that an unnamed politician demanded of a senior policeman that no action be taken over an alleged paedophile ring for members of parliament (MPs) in the 1970s. Another claim states that a Houses of Parliament document found at the home of a paedophile listed MPs and senior police officers as members of a child sex abuse ring but no action was taken. Rumours of a historic paedophile ring centred on parliament have swirled for years, but nothing has ever been proved. An official investigation last year found no evidence that the Home Office interior ministry had covered up the disappearance of 114 files relating to child abuse in

@thephuketnews

WORLD NEWS 13

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

A watchdog is investigating claims British police helped cover up a paedophile ring. the 1980s. This included a dossier alleging abuse by top public figures which was sent to ministers by a late Conservative lawmaker, Geoffrey Dickens. The IPCC is taking over an inter nal investigation which was already being conducted by London's Metropolitan Police after the force handed it on to them. “The MPS (Metropolitan Police Service) recognised the severity of the allegations and the importance of understanding whether or not our officers had in the past acted inappropriately and therefore voluntarily referred the... allegations to the IPCC,” it said in a statement. Bangkok Post

Hidden paths could be behind Antarctic glacier melt: study S

cientists have discovered two pathways that are likely channelling warm ocean water under a massive Antarctic glacier, which could contribute to rising global sea levels, a study revealed Tuesday (March 17). The 120 kilometre-long Totten Glacier, more than 30 kilometres wide, is the largest in East Antarctica and is melting more quickly than others in the area. Research published in the journal Nature Geoscience showed that a trough just under five kilometres wide has formed as a gateway deep underneath the glacier, along with another tunnel. These could allow warmer sea water to penetrate the glacier base, the researchers said. “The Totten Glacier is the most rapidly thinning glacier in East Antarctica and this melt has the potential to drive substantial regional ice loss,” Australian Antarctic Division

The calving front of the Totten Glacier ice shelf is nearly 200 m thick and located 150 km to the north of its ‘grounding line’ – the point at which it flows over the Antarctic continent into the ocean. Photo: T. van Ommen. glaciologist Jason Roberts said. “The study identifies direct pathways for warm ocean water to reach under the glacier; a likely reason for the observed thinning.” During a voyage to the frozen region during the past southern hemisphere summer, researchers found the waters around Totten Glacier were around 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than other areas. Up until recently the East

Antarctica ice sheet was thought to be surrounded by cold waters and therefore very stable and unlikely to change much. The Australian Antarctic Division said there was enough ice in the Totten Glacier alone to raise global sea levels by at least 3.5 metres, roughly equivalent to the projected contribution of the entire West Antarctic Ice Sheet, if it were to completely collapse.

“While the Totten melt may take many centuries, once change has begun our analysis reveals it would likely be irreversible,” said lead author of the study Jamin Greenbaum, a PhD student at the University of Texas. The study, which included researchers from Australia, Britain and the United States, used aerial surveys from Australia’s Casey station to detect the deep trenches. Aircraft equipped with radar, laser and other sensors for determining ice thickness and mapping the bedrock and seafloor bathymetry flew over the glacier over five summers from 2008 to 2013. “The findings from this study present a strong case for using aerial surveys in other parts of Antarctica, including the virtually unknown Antarctic inner continental shelf,” said Australian Antarctic Division programme leader Tas van Ommen. Bangkok Post

14 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Smog theatens to choke off tourism in the North

S Ready for take-off: NokScoot cabin attendants with the airline’s first B777-200.

NokScoot gets set for May launch AFTER REPEATED HOLDups, NokScoot, Thailand’s second long-haul low-cost carrier, is finally ready to start flying in May. Tickets for scheduled service went on sale online late last week for two initial routes, from NokScoot’s base at Don Mueang airport to Incheon in South Korea and Nanjing in China. The airline, a joint venture between Nok Air and Singapore Airlines’ no-frills Scoot, will begin its regular Nanjing service on May 5 and Incheon service on May 10, according to the airline’s website. NokScoot will operate three flights a week for each of the two initial routes, with promotional economy fares starting at B888 one-way to Nanjing service and B2,555 to Incheon. A business-class seat, known as Scootbiz, goes for B5,555 for Incheon and B3,888 for Nanjing.

mog covering most of northern Thailand is likely to discourage tourism, with air pollution hitting unhealthy levels and hospitals issuing warnings. Even if, despite the warnings, tourists still want to go to the north they may not be able to get there; on Monday (March 16) two flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai had to turn back because of very poor visibility, and another two were diverted to Chiang Rai. The diversions were unprecedented. The City News Chiang Mai website reported that although Chiang Mai International Airport has an automatic instrument landing system, the airlines involved decided for safety reasons not to land in Chiang Mai. Officials admit that the northern provinces are now in the grip of a health-threatening smog caused by the wholesale burning of paddy fields and forests across Laos, Thailand and Myanmar. Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association president Pornchai Jitnavasathien said losses could be as high at B2 billion (US$67 million). “Tour operators inform travellers in advance to avoid criticism and they report 50 per cent postponement or cancellation of tours.” In Chiang Rai province officials confirmed they had instructed all districts to adopt strict measures to end burning,

From up in the hills of Chiang Mai, the brown layer of smog caused by burning off of rice fields and illegal slash-andburn farming can be seen clearly. including that of domestic waste. Only a few districts in Chiang Rai town have effective garbage collection, resulting in thousands of villages across the province to burn rubbish, usually at night, or just before dawn to avoid detection. But the major damage comes from paddy and forest burning. Farmers burn the fields to prepare for the planning of the next rice crop, while the wholesale burning of forests is the result of encroachment by plantation owners who illegal occupy vast stretches of hillside, then burn and clear them to plant rubber, palm oil trees. Chiang Mai Provincial

Public Health Office has instructed hospitals to prepare medical supplies for patients suffering from smog-triggered illnesses. An office executive, Surasing Wisaruthrat, said that 70,000 to 80,000 facemasks would be distributed to atrisk persons, especially those living in outer districts where field burning and wildfires usually occur. The AQICN.org website, which monitors air pollution across Asia, notes that when readings exceed 150, “Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.” Air particles fluctuate with

wind and weather conditions but in downtown Chiang Mai last week pollution levels of 253 and 247 microgrammes per cubic metre were reported at a school monitoring site and the Provincial Hall in town – more than double the upper safety limit of 120 microgrammes. At these levels, many people among the million or so living in the area are likely to experience respiratory infections, smarting eyes, coughs and headaches. According to the Department of Pollution Control, prompt action needs to be taken to deal with the smoke haze and bush fire situation in many provinces of the northern region.

Bush fires were raging in the area of Doi Suthep national park, causing smog to blanket Chiang Mai on March 6 and again on Monday. Other hard hit areas were Muang and Mae Moh districts in Lampang; and the Muang districts in the provinces of Phrae and Mae Hong Son. The Third Army has sent out water and fire trucks around Lampang to reduce haze and air pollution, which has covered the province since January this year. The Royal Thai Air Force has assigned a BT-67 transport plane to spray water to reduce the haze and smoke over northern provinces. TTR Weekly, Bangkok Post

Thanyarat awarded THANYARAT ACHARIYAchai, former Phuket senator and owner and vice President of Kata Group Resorts, has received an “Outstanding Asean Women Entrepreneurs 2015” award. She was one of 10 women from Thailand honoured by the awards, which also saw 10 from each of the other nine

Asean countries receive similar awards at the first Asean Businesswomen’s Forum in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. Ms Thanyarat said, “This prestigious award is considered a testament to hard work and dedication. I’m very honoured to receive it and will redouble my efforts to help women get ready to compete in Asean.”

Hansruedi Frutiger, General Manager of Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket welcomed Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong to the resort’s booth at ITB Berlin, the world’s biggest travel and tourism exhibition, which took place between March 4 and 8. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

BUSINESS NEWS 15

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Ageing ‘will cause Thailand problems’ Alasdair Forbes execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

Booked out Ninety-five per cent of units in the new

Hideaway @ Bypass project were reserved at the sales launch event on Saturday (March 14), say the developers, Boat Development Co. As part of the second of three phases of the Bypass Biz Town development, the project comprises 14 shop-houses and 47 residential units (plus five “uber-luxurious” units to be announced soon). See also story on City page (Life, page 8) for more information, and more photos of the launch event on Island Scene pages in Life, page 16. In this picture Boon Yongsakul (right) chairman of Boat Development chats with the lucky couple who reserved a unit and won five bahtweight of gold.

Thais to spend more on travel, but in Thailand FIFTY-FOUR PER CENT OF Thais will increase their travel budget in 2015 according to the latest TripAdvisor study, but they are more likely to spend it travelling within the country. Of those planning to increase their travel spend, 42pc indicate that they plan to do so because they feel vacations are something they or their family deserve, and 41pc say it is because they are going somewhere on their “wish list” this year. Only 18pc of Thais say they are decreasing their travel spend this year, with nearly half (43pc) saying this is because they plan to visit less expensive countries this year. The trends are outlined in TripAdvisor latest six monthly study, released on March 11. The TripBarometer study analyses more than 44,000 global travellers and members of the hotel sector, with 568 respondents from Thailand. Local survey results showed Thai travellers reported spending an average of B73,400 on their holidays in 2013. In 2014 the number fell by 11pc to B65,100.

However, the current study reports a more positive trend, with Thais planning to spend an average of B87,900 on travel in 2015, up 35pc year-on-year, the biggest percentage increase of all countries surveyed, though the amount itself is less than the average global travel budget. International trips are on the rise globally, but Thais are less likely to travel overseas this year. They will spend more on domestic trips. The study also shows that Thais are most willing to splurge on accommodation while on vacation (58pc) and they are the most keen to spend more on nightlife (22pc) while on holiday compared with other nationalities. Japan, France, and the United States are the top three dream destinations for Thai travellers, if they have the cash. Nearly three in five Thai travellers (59pc) say they are saving money to go on their dream holiday. Currency exchange rates are a barrier for 16pc of Thai travellers hoping to visit their dream destination. TTR Weekly

hailand’s population is greying faster than in neighbouring countries, and this may cause problems in the medium-term, members and guests of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand Phuket chapter heard on the evening of March 12. At a dinner presentation at the Amari Patong, Chris Bruton, executive director of Dataconsult Ltd, a 40-year veteran of Thailand, made a number of other predictions about Thailand in 2020. Among them: The hospitality industry will become increasingly polarised between high-end Western and Asian visitors, and mass tourism, with the result that the industry must adapt to handle both types – Phuket will be an important factor in growth; Urbanisation will accelerate, particularly in secondary cities connected by high-speed trains, such as Korat, Chonburi, Sattahip and Rayong, and later, other cities in the centre, south, northeast and north; Bangkok traffic will once again descend into gridlock, necessitating limits on vehicle access to some parts; Labour-intensive industry will move to the borders to gain access to cheaper labour from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. The greying of the country will have significant implications, he noted. “The average farmer is now in his 50s. Efficiency in farming is desperately needed. Thailand is the biggest producer of rice yet also the least efficient. How come Dutch farmers drive around in Mercedes Benzes? It’s because of efficiency.” He predicted that although people will work shorter hours,

Chris Bruton: ‘Thailand is the biggest producer of rice yet also the least efficient … The average farmer is now in his 50s’ longer life-spans will mean they will work past the age of 65, which will pose challenges for retirement financing provisions. Despite many announcements being made about educational reform, he said, “Nothing has been done. Even if reform takes place it will take a long time. It’s going to be a major issue.” That said, he predicted that, five years from now education and healthcare will catch up with demand, with smaller enrollments for education and better healthcare for the ageing. As to business, he pointed out that the form of government is less important to investors than what it delivers, the three most important factors being

stability, bureacratic efficiency and rule of law, all of which need improving. He predicted that government instability will remain a worrisome factor, but that corruption – though it will not go away – will reduce “maybe in a Thai-style compromise”. As for rule of law, Mr Bruton said, “Rule of law is not given enough importance. “An enormous gap remains between law and fair enforcement, not just in Thailand but in most of the countries of [Southeast Asia]. Thailand is not the worst but it needs improving.” He added, “[Under military rule] the police are now very much constrained and are much more careful in the way they

deal with the law.” But the question, he said, is whether this would continue after a return to democracy. On the bright side, he thanked the US and Europe for their negative reactions to military rule, which had resulted in a “a great gift” – Chinese, Japanese and to a lesser extent Korean support. “While Westerners tend to ask, ‘but what if...’ or ‘I’m not sure that will work’, the Chinese, Japanese and Koreans says, ‘Let’s just do it.’ “We should be grateful to the US and Europe for strengthening Asian relations.” Class Act Media was a sponsor of the event. The next Phuket Business Dinner is scheduled for May 28.

FROM ONLY THB

995

PER MONTH!

Safe Smart Simple

Storage Solutions

 Sizes to Suit all Budgets  Personal & Business Storage  Motorcycle Storage  Left Luggage Service  We Sell Boxes  Storage Insurance Inclusive

Reserve Your Storage Space

Call 076 29 29 09

@thephuketnews

or visit mystorageasia.com

Secure, Clean & Cost Effective Self Storage

Mon to Sat 9am-6pm, Sun & Holidays 10am-4pm

Jungceylon Shopping Center, Patong, Phuket

16 WEIRD NEWS

THE BIG LIST Ancient Edibles We’re going to pretend that the word “fresh” doesn’t exist this week. If you’re scared of touching those leftovers from last week’s dinner party, get a load of these precious meals.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

men and women from “white collar” professions take part in fights, has become a popular method of fundraising for charities in Ireland in recent years. While the event was purely to raise money for charity, Pepper said it also gave him an opportunity to meet the local community outside of church. Although the judges award-

ed victory to Pepper after the three two-minute rounds, the parish priest was up to celebrate the 8am mass the morning after. And despite the obvious links, he said God was neutral during the match. “That’s the problem. God loves everyone the same so he couldn’t just be on my side.” AFP

Irish priest takes to the boxing ring

A Noodles: Archeologists discovered the world’s oldest (and crustiest) noodles near the Lajia archeological site on the Yellow River in China back in 2005. At 50cm-long and made out of grains from millet grass, scientists believe the strands are about 4,000-years-old! The noodles were found under an old bowl that was upturned near the river. A catastrophic earthquake and flood were reasons for the preservation of the noodles. Chocolate: A batch of everyone’s favourite sweets were made to commemorate the coronation day of Kind Edward VII in 1902 – and somehow survived to this day. A tin box of what is believed to be the world’s oldest chocolates was donated to the St. Andrews Preservation Trust in Scotland back in 2008. According to reports, the tin box was passed down from the original schoolgirl to her daughter years later and remained in the family until it was finally donated to the trust seven years ago. Cheese: How old and stinky do you like your cheese? Archeologists found yellow lumps of what appeared to be the world’s oldest cheese on mummies buried in the Talkamakan Desert in China during excavations that took place between 2002 and 2004. Found on the neck and chest of the mummis, reports say that the salty, dry desert helped preserve the cheese. After an analysis at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, scientists believe that a bacteria commonly found in kefire was used to make the cheese. Soup!: Liquid is an element that evaporates easily with time. But a bronze pot discovered in a tomb near Xi’an, China was sealed so tightly that, when it was finally discovered in 2010 by workers, they found the soup was still in a liquid state! Scientists surmised that the soup was 2,400-yearsold and was prepared during the Warring States period of China. The soup was also found with animal bones still swimming in the broth. Cheeseburger: At 20-years-old, two Australian men believe they have the world’s oldest cheeseburger. Casey Dean and Eduard Nitz bought hamburgers at a McDonald’s in Adeliade back in 1995. One of them saved their meal – a Quarter Pounder with cheese – for another kid who never showed up. “It started off as a joke, you know we told our friend we’d hold his burger for him but he never turned up and before we knew it six months had passed. The months became years, and now, 20 years later, it looks the same as it did the day we bought it, perfectly preserved in its original wrapping,” Dean said.

n Irish Catholic priest gave a whole new meaning to “white collar boxing” last weekend after taking to the ring to battle a parishioner in a charity fight. Father Pierre “Jalapeno” Pepper donned the boxing gloves for the first time as part of his parish’s fundraising “Saint Patrick’s Weekend Punch-Up”, ahead of Ireland’s national day on Tuesday (March 17) for its patron saint. The pugilistic priest, 37, became a national sensation after an online video taunting his opponent went viral, leading to a television appearance. In the video, Pepper quotes from the Bible and warns parishioner Jared Madden his opponent of his impending doom while five other priests look-on menacingly. “The Lord says vengeance is mine... say your prayers, because judging time is close at hand,” his opponent is told. Hundreds of locals in the

small town of Banagher in County Offaly, on the banks of the River Shannon in central Ireland, packed into a marquee at the back of a pub Saturday night (March 14) to see a number of locals fight – but the clash of priest versus parishioner was the main event for most. White collar boxing, where

Did drunk agents crash car outside White House? THE US SECRET SERVICE IS INVEStigating claims that some of its agents crashed a car into White House security barriers after a boozy night out, The Washington Post reported last week. If the allegation is confirmed, it would only be the latest in a series of errors to taint the agency, which provides US President Barack Obama’s security team, following high-profile security breaches and a prostitution scandal. The Secret Service was not immediately available to confirm the report,

but spokesman Brian Leary told the Post that the probe would be conducted the Department of Homeland Security’s

inspector general. According to the paper, which has had a series of exclusives on troubles within the agency, on the evening of March 4, two agents – one of them a member of Obama’s elite close protection detail – crashed into the barriers. The pair had allegedly been at a drinking party and agents at the scene had wanted to conduct a breath test to find out if they were inebriated, but were overruled by a commander who ordered the suspects home. AFP

Unearthed oldest pretzel Frenchman packs Russian wife in suitcase to enter EU was badly burned THE BAKED GOODS OF today looks very similar to the ones eaten 300 years ago. Two pretzels were found during a dig on the banks of the Danube River in Regensberg, Germany last week and archeologists say that carbon dating suggests they were baked between 1700 and 1800. “It’s a normal pretzel, maybe a little smaller than today,” said Dorothee Ott, a spokesman for the Bavarian office for historical conservation. The two pretzel fragments were on display last week at the Regensberg Historical Museum. Ott suggested that the reason they survived for so long was because both pieces

were badly burned and most likely had been discarded from a bakery that was once near the site. According to SilviaCod reanau-Wi nd auer f rom the Bavarian burearu for the conservation of historic monuments, the aartifact was “definitely the oldest pretzel ever found”. “The form of the pretzel is supposed to represent the crossed ar ms of mon ks. Eventually it ended up as a fasting meal,” CodreanauWindauer said.

A FRENCHMAN TRIED TO smuggle his Russian wife into the European Union by hiding her in a suitcase, without realising there had been no need for the would-be James Bond scheme. Poland’s border guards detained the man, who authorities said was in his 60s, last Friday (March 13) at the railway station in Terespol, an eastern town on the border with Belarus. The size of the luggage drew was suspicious, said border guard spokesman Dariusz Sienicki. “To their surprise, a woman in her 30s emerged. It was the Russian wife of the owner of the suitcase,” he said. “She was alive and well and didn’t require medical attention.”

Little did they know the woman would have had no trouble entering the passportfree Schengen travel zone without the over-the-top caper. “Had she been sitting next to her husband, she would have made it through without incident,” Sienicki said. Non-EU citizen spouses are allowed to enter if they can prove their marital ties. AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Watcharinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s universe comes alive on canvas

Local kids get new basketball court

EARLY START

Get your child confident in the pool sooner than later > Page 4

@thephuketnews

2 HEALTH

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Best tips for healthy weight loss, part 1 of 2 Chef Barry editor@classactmedia.co.th

Try to whip up your own meals as much as possible. Only you (the cook) knows what food is actually on that plate.

ccording to holistic Chef Barry, if you follow the 12 culinary guidelines listed below, you will drop your excess weight and it will stay off your body for good.

1. Is your mind set strong enough for your journey? A – Do you want to look better for vanity reasons? Setting goals through New Years Resolutions would be a weak motivating factor. B- Having serious health problems such as living with symptoms of pain, poor blood work, high blood pressure, sleep disorders, organ dysfunction, are all strong motivating factors to make your journey reach a more successful outcome. 2. Having a clean house is the first step. Clean out your refrigerator and kitchen cupboards and line up some delightful healthy food and photograph them. Enlarge the photo and stick it on your refrigerator door at the top. This is what holistic Chef Barry did back in the 80s to start his weight loss journey. 3. Take out a large piece of paper and draw a dark line down the centre of the page. Then write all the major food groups on the left side of the line taken from your photo, and all products documented

in your kitchen giving ample space between the food groups. The major forbidden food groups for your weight loss will be: A- Meats – Very slow transit time, with missing dietary fibre, plus it must be cooked to kill parasites and microbes rendering the food dead and missing essential enzymes. B- Dairy – Mucus-forming slow transit time, with missing dietary fibre. It acts as a dead food missing essential enzymes. C- Processed foods, including many beverages, act like glue inside your body with very slow transit time and spikes your blood sugar turning the simple carbs into fat cells. They’re also missing essential dietary enzymes. D-Breads including gluten grains. Unless you intend to sprout them into grass, bakery products are processed, simple carbohydrates that act like glue from the lack of dietary fibre inside the human intestinal tract. This turns the food into sugar with no essential enzymes. It takes a long time to travel through your intestinal tract. E- Candy, confectionery – These foods are missing essential enzymes, and are also a major part of the GMO product line. F- Restaurant and take out food – Try to whip up your own meals as much as possible. Only you (the cook) knows what food is actually on that plate.

4. Document and build your forbidden food list. Then look at your photo of forbidden foods and beverages and study them. Look down on the left side of the line at your current diet, then study your list leaving the right side blank. This part is very important. 5. Organising your new weight loss plan. Now draw short horizontal lines from each food on the left side, and over to the right of your food list. Make several copies of this list so you do not lose it and paste the original list to the front door of your refrigerator right under the enlarged photo of your forbidden foods. 6. What to replace for your weight loss plan? Now, replace the main unhealthy foods with the following items. These items must be removed from your kitchen as follows: toaster, microwave, deep fryer, waffle maker, all bakery items, barbecue stand as well as any kitchen items that overheat your food. All these items increase the risk of cancer causing acrylamide production of the overheated cooked foods including coffee and grains. All baked foods can cause many cancers if the dietary habit is not curtailed. The FDA has well researched this phenomenon, called “Acrylamide” – a production of cell mutation to the overcooked grains. Stay tuned for part 2!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR HOLISTIC CHEF BARRY AKA BARRY ANDERSON Barry is an American living in Phuket. Having suffered from obesity in the past, Chef Barry has learned the culinary arts of working with foods from nature and has dropped more than 100 pounds of excess weight. Over 20 years Barry conducted extensive research about the weight loss industry. Barry lives with his Thai Family at the Garden Villa Phuket Good Earth Health Residence. Visit https://flic.kr/ps/QgogH to see more original delicious health recipes. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

ENVIRONMENT 3

Earth Day eco collection

o honour Earth Day 2015, which falls on April 22, Banyan Tree Gallery has launched its environmentally-conscious The Giving Leaf Collection, a lifestyle range featuring durable bags, pouches, placemats and coasters handcrafted with preserved leaves from the deciduous Tong Tung tree (Dipterocarpus tuberculatus). Locally, items from the collection will be available at Banyan Tree Gallery Phuket. See end info for contact information. True to its role as a socially responsible retailer, Banyan Tree Gallery features this collection to promote earthfriendly and sustainable collections to increase environmental awareness. The leaves from the Tong Tung tree, endemic in the forests of Northern Thailand, are highly sustainable and multifunctional. The leaves can be used as packaging, food wrapping as well as for roof thatching. The local community from Northern Thailand is actively involved in this gainful endeavour as they provide the materials for this innovative collection. The leaves are gathered from May to September, the period when the trees shed their leaves. After the leaves are collected, they are processed and dried for many days to protect them from getting mouldy. Then, the leaves are laminated and treated with a waterproof coating to en-

@thephuketnews

Amari offers ‘incentives’ for a happy Earth Hour The Giving Leaf Collection range includes a bag, pencil case, placemat, coaster, cosmetic bag and wallet. sure durability and quality before going to production. The Giving Leaf Collection comprises unique and functional lifestyle accessories which are handcrafted with leave, and are available in Banyan Tree Gallery outlets in Bangkok, Phuket, Bintan, Vabbinfaru and Seychelles. The range includes a bag (B1350), pencil case (B 450-490), placemat (B690), coaster (B129), cosmetic bag (B 390-590) and ladies’ wallet (B690). From April 1 to June 30, Banyan Tree Gallery will contribute 5 per cent of the total sales revenue generated from the Earth Day Collection to Banyan Tree Group’s Green Imperative Fund (GIF), which was established in 2002. GIF provides critical financial support

to worthy environmental action and community based projects at all Banyan Tree and Angsana properties, such as the Turtle Head Start and Coral Protection and Growth programmes. To give back to the communities supporting its resorts, Banyan Tree conducts regular educational and health enrichment initiatives, and also provides scholarships for primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of education for the underprivileged. For further information and online purchases, please visit Banyan Tree Gallery’s website at banyantreegallery.com. Banyan Tree Gallery Phuket is open daily from 9am to 10pm, and located at 33 Moo 4 Srisoonthorn Road, Cherngtalay, Thalang. Tel 66 76 324 374

uests are invited to be happier for a healthier planet by switching off the lights in their rooms, and switching on a smile with happy hour promotions at Amari Phuket’s Breeze Spa. Available only in honour of Earth Hour on March 28 between 6 and 10pm, guests can enjoy any 90-minute massage treatment for only B2,700 net and receive a complimentary 30-minute scrub or wrap valued at B1,650 net. Guests can select Almond Milk Honey Body Scrub or Oats Honey Body Mask and relax with raw organic honey from the “Plan Bee” rural beekeeping project, blended for special beauty treatments. No bees are harmed in the collection process. For more information, please telephone +66 (0) 7634 0106-14 extension 8809 or e-mail phuket@breeze-spa.com

4 KIDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Splash, swirl and swim! Phuket gets dedicated swim academy for infants, tykes and toddlers Steven Layne editor@classactmedia.co.th

ater is central to the Phuket lifestyle and way of life. Since the distant past up to the present day, we literally cannot live without it. As an island locale, we’re surrounded by the essential life force and our lives revolve around it; the monsoons bless us with rain for two-thirds of the year, filling our reservoirs, canals, lakes and storage tanks. Indeed, water is everywhere and everything. But just as it gives, nourishes and nurtures life, it can also destroy and end it. Sadly, many locals and visitors who cherish and depend on this valuable resource, have never properly learned how to survive in water – an untold number of drownings occur year-round, many of which could have been prevented with some basic swimming lessons. Local hotelier and entrepreneur Mr Katha Watcharapin saw a golden opportunity to fill such an important need with his latest venture, Manta Kids Phuket. Having just opened its doors on the bottom floor of the iconic Dara Hotel in Phuket Town, Manta Kids Phuket is the island’s first dedicated swimming academy for infants, toddlers and tykes, offering 10-week courses to learners as young as four months, up to six years old. Featuring Phuket’s only climate-controlled, indoor swimming pool, Manta Kids Phuket uses curriculum from the Australian Swimming Coaches & Teachers Association (ASCTA), which is instructed by experienced, trained and dedicated instructors.

EARLY START

“Encouraging your child to be able to have confidence and survival skills in the water is a fundamental duty of par-

The program has certified instructors from the Australian Swimming Coaches & Teachers Association. ents,” comments Mr Katha. “There is a common misconception that kids should be older before they start learning how to swim, but a lot of research suggests otherwise … We found that infants adapt to the water quite easily and thus develop confidence and skills more rapidly. “Even when kids start by the age of two or three, may have some difficulties getting use to the water at first. For babies, it’s like going back to their mother’s wombs, where they were immersed in water.” Mr Katha, who is also the owner of the Dara Hotel – located across from Wichit Songkhram School on Chalermprakiet Rd, near the Central Intersection – got inspired for this venture, not only as a keen and clever business man, but as a father of a two and a half year old daughter. “From the start of my wife’s pregnancy, we did a lot of research about child health and development. As parents, we can’t cut any corners and must give the best we can for our kids,” he told The Phuket News. “We have to ensure that our child doesn’t become another unnecessary statistic, and we quickly found that there is a great need in Phuket. In Bangkok,

there are many swimming schools and academies for infants and it’s really popular there, but there really isn’t anything in Phuket.” So he opened his own Manta Kids franchise, which is based on the mother franchise in Bangkok. “Many of the other swimming school and programmes here tend to be oriented for athletes and competition for older learners. And one problem with outdoor pools, is you are really limited by the weather here, especially during the wet season. With courses offered, year round, Manta Kids Phuket facilitates a unique “family oriented” experience, as the parents actively participate in the learning process. “Having parents or another close family member in the water with the child is essential. Young babies and kids need someone they trust to hold and guide them. Our instructors direct the activities and training pace based on the curriculum, and learning takes place both in and out of the water.” Mr Katha explains that

with swimming, like all disciplines and skills, practice makes perfect. “The parents are encouraged to practice the rudiments and exercises as often as possible at home, in between their weekly classes. We are there to guide them weekly, but much of the learning and development will be fostered between the parent and child bonding.” Other family members are welcome to offer encouragement and observe classes from the pool side seating area, or refresh with a coffee, hot chocolate or snack from the adjacent “Kaap Kaap” Cafe. The Manta Kids curriculum comprises three stages – Manta Splash (four-18 months old); Manta Swirl (1842 months old) and Manta Swim (3.5-6 years old) – offering a total of nine levels and respective skillsets. “The point is not to rush the children through the levels, but to gradually develop the skills and confidence and advance only when the child is ready. Each child is different, depending on many factors,” notes Mr Katha. To inquire about Manta Kids Phuket courses, curriculum, instructors, schedules and fees, contact the academy on 095 452 4241, or visit them on facebook. com/mantakidsphuket. Refer to this article to receive a free trial class.

LOOKING FOR THE BEST

PROPERTY DEALS IN PHUKET *FIND THEM ON PAGE 17 thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ART 5

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

The creatures in his Universe Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

vivid imagination provides the key for local artist Watcharin “Nui” Rodnit to access his own personal “universe”. Having tapped into the vast content, colours, tones, and visions within this special place, Watcharin has found the inspiration to express and share what he has seen and felt through his collection entitled“My Universe”. Before opening “Watcharin Art Studio” in Boat Plaza in Sam Kong, Watcharin, who has a Masters of Fine Art from Thailand’s premier art school – Silpakorn University – had exhibited the works of “My Universe” in several places on the island including the Nitjasilp Gallery and at Mom Tri’s Villa Royale Phuket, as well as in Malaysia. Asked what medium and technique he used, Watcharin smiles and says proudly yet reserved, “I take time on each piece of my art using ‘my own techniques’” Asked about the source of his inspiration and ideas, the artist reveals, “In my imagination, I’ve become acquainted with a talking tree who has made a special connection to my heart and mind,” he said. To elaborate on such inspiration, he composed a poem, entitled, My very own star, as follows “One day I had a dream... that I left a star, A star so vivid and bright.. formed by remnant of wood and shrubs, And other holy trees of the forest... in a universe far faraway, Their shapes of flowing lines... bark and trunks in shades of grey, And, roots of black deep to the core...

Watcharin poses in front of his painting ‘Angel’ (below) which also can be viewed as a dragon if turned upside down.

@thephuketnews

Watcharin describes the elements in his universe, including the colours, creations and creations. wave gracefully in the blowing wind, The nimble elegance of each and every tree... too fascinating for words to describe, I thereby created a realistic depiction... not a dream nor a vision, From the heart with focus and concentration... viewed with my very own eyes, From the stars of the remnents of forests of trees shining brightly. He added, “Then, I just started to paint, and the visions began to appear on the paper. Indeed, Watcharin’s imagination is multi-faceted, and such a vast universe of content can be found in his painted depictions, in which objects take on many forms. “In my paintings, there are hidden creatures inside,” he says as he unveils some of his works to me and my friend. Looking at his paintings, we see these creatures, but our interpretation of them is not always one in the same. “Different people see different things in my paintings because their thoughts and imagination are all

unique,” Watcharin explains. I am surprised about the many creatures my friend is able to identify – I think he is more imaginative than me. Watcharin points to a creature in one of his paintings. I cannot figure out what it is. “This is called ‘Angel’,” he says. The subject is painted in gray and black tones on a white background. Watcharin dictates, “You can see the wings of the angel.” I do clearly. But then he turns the painting upside down, to show it from

a different perspective. It instantly becomes a dragon. “Do you see it?” he asks. I do. He remarks, “In many of my works, I depict dolphins, dragons, horses and especially Pegasus, and the creatures always appear in my paintings as a surprise.” He added that he also likes to depict the forces within his “universe” – namely that of the wind and other momentous elements. “For some paintings, my painting is fuelled from feelings that arise when listening to my favorite music, like this one,” He turns our attention to another painting. “The dragon just ‘appeared’ in the painting, with red eyes again.” From my perspective, the “red eyes” are in fact dark blue but with light red points in them. It is a bit of a scary painting. As these creatures stare at us, they are breathing and living inside the art. An eerie feeling overcomes me, and the hairs on the back of my neck rise. It seems like these creatures are just waiting for you to look back at them. To get in touch with Watcharin and find out more about his vivid universe, please, contact: 088 386 1449 Email: watcharintinorodnit@hotmail.com or visit watcharinartstudion.com facebook: Watcharin Rodnit

6 EDUCATION

KIS get creative through poetry

t was Reading and Poetry week at Kajonkiet International School during March 2-6. During this week children joined in with a range of activities with the highlight being the House Poetry Competition. During the competition children from all year groups were able to show their poetry skills, which they used throughout the week. The poems presented ranged from funny, sad and interesting, to motivating and inspiring. There was even a ‘mathematical’ poem consisting of rhyming numbers. The jury judged the poems on their content, stage presence and performance. By the end of the competition the winning houses were announced which meant for Einstein a first place, Shakespeare 2nd place and Churchill 3rd place. There was story telling in the KIS Library by class teachers during lunch times. KIS values literacy in all as-

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Local school welcomes popular university reps for ‘future’ talks

O pects and motivates its students through fun and exciting activities to engage children in the world of letters, words, stories and books.

n March 12, British International School, Phuket (BISP) had the pleasure of welcoming reps from two universities to campus: Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) and University College of Football Business – Wembley Campus (UCFB). The two representatives gave presentations to students during their Business and Management class and were available for questions in the MTB foyer during the morning and the lunch break; EHL offered a session for parents after school on

Thursday. Both v isitors were happy to provide information not only about their respective institutions but also the bigger picture in hospitality and the sports industry. Interested students and parents are welcome to the Careers Counselling office for more information and brochures on Bachelor and summer programmes. For more information on studying abroad, contact Careers Counsellor Martyn Rowlands: mrowlands@ bisphuket.ac.th

thephuketnews

8 CITY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Hidden gem in the heart

Boat Development launches residential phase at Bypass Biz Town Steven Layne editor@classactmedia.co.th

Malls, banks, offices, showrooms, restaurants, condominiums, art galleries and a handful of world-renowned tourist attractions – it’s only the beginning...

Top right, Boat Development’s Panupong Kritchanarat, CEO, and Boon Yongsakul, Chairman. The Bypass Biz Town development includes exclusive residential and commercial properties.

ocation, location, location – it’s everything about real estate, always has been and always will be. And with many premium projects continuing to break ground all along Chalerm Prakiet Rd and vicinity – beginning from the Bang Ku junction, near Toyota Pearl showroom, through to the Sam Kong intersection, past Tesco Extra, Big C, Design Square and ultimately to Central Festival– the lucrative “strip” is shaping up to be the premier commercial and residential artery of 21st century Phuket. Malls, banks, offices, showrooms, restaurants, condominiums, art galleries and a handful of world-renowned tourist attractions – it’s only the beginning; the cranes, trucks and cement mixers in this part of Phuket will be busy for quite some time to come (stay tuned for news about a new mall and aquarium). Active in boosting the profile of the neighbourhood has been Boat Development, the company behind Phuket’s Boat Lagoon marina, as well as the Boat Avenue development in Cherng Talay (Container Mall and Villa Market) and Boat Avenue in Sam Kong. Bypass Biz Town is their latest and greatest mixed-use development, up and coming in a prime location on the bypass rd. Located on the northern end of Chalerm Prakiet, in between the Underwood Art Factory and Upside Down House, the 800-million-baht development just launched its second phase, a 66-unit mixed use project imaginatively and fittingly named “Hideaway @ Bypass” Boat Development Chairman Boon Yongsakul explained that it was named to reflect a development that is private and diverse, yet right in the middle of everything. “This location is a passing point into the commercial heart of Phuket – just down the way, you’ve got Central and soon The Mall King Power.”

Indeed, location is everything. “With this development [all three phases of Bypass Biz Town] we’re providing a new route connecting to the the rear [Phracha Samakee] community of about 2,000 families] as well as access from the front [bypass rd] to the rear .” Diversity is central to the vision of the development, he explains. “It’s not just about shopping. In this neighborhood there’s a lot of new attractions – shows, galleries, places to take a walk with open views,” he said. He elaborated that a key feature of the development will be a “promenade” which he said residents and tourists would be welcome to spend their leisure time, to “enjoy coffee or dinner or hang out with friends and family.” “I had a vision to turn it into a small project kind of like the “Asiatique” project’s concept along the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok,” he noted. As part of the second of three phases of the Bypass Biz Town development, Hideawa

@ Bypass project comprises 61 (+5 uberluxurious units to be announced soon) units, including plus 14 shop-houses. The entire phase, which is valued at around B450mn, comprises 90pc residential units – 380 square metre Pool Villas, 242.5sq m Grand Villas,145sq m Deluxe and 82sq m duplex Villas – as well 10pc streetfront commercial shop-house units. With construction already underway, the project is slated to be completed by the end of 2016. As part of the residential phase, five “heavenly” luxurious residential units are planned, details to be announced soon. The project received positive feedback, with 95 per cent of the project’s units being reserved at the sales launch event on Saturday (March 14). There are only a few shophouses and single houses still available, so don’t hesitate to get in touch, by contacting Mr Panupong on 0810861881, or by emailing: panuk88@ gmail.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

DINING 9

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

A belly-busting fondue The spread during BBQ Thursdays

JP Mestanza editor2@classactmedia.co.th

Shakers’ outdoor roaster entices hungry stomachs to the place, where they also have chicken and pig spitroast.

Four styles of fondue are on the menu at Shakers: cheese, bacchus, bressane, bourguignone and Chinese.

@thephuketnews

Bourguignone fondue with all the fixings

ooking over the menu at Shakers in Rawai, it almost seems as though it’s speaking to me personally. As Shakers director Olivier Lambert spoke about the history of the restaurant, one can’t help but notice the large menu and friendly descriptions. It was the culmination of 12 years of existence in Patong, a tourist haven, that made Lambert decide to move to the Rawai/Nai Harn area in October. “I fell in love with this place,” the Belgian said, “it seemed like a good opportunity for me mainly because Rawai is much more expat-orientated. It’s pretty stable here.” All-you-can-eat is what Shakers does best, given their daily specials usually take place from 7pm–11pm. Still, it’s the Sunday roast (also all-you-can-eat), a hangover cure if there ever was one, that has expats in southern Phuket rejoicing. But it’s not the only attraction. “More and more I get people walking in and eating my mussels. We do it all-you-can-eat every Friday. Originally I thought only Belgian and French people would like it. But it’s really taken off!” Lambert said. Still, it’s the fondue that keeps people coming back. And Shakers’ descriptive menu makes it easy to understand for anyone new to cooking their food in hot oil. Five styles of fondue are on the menu: cheese, bacchus (beef in red wine), bressane (chicken in egg yolk and bread crumbs, then dipped in oil), Chinese (beef cooked in beef broth which can also come served as a drink with the fondue), and three different types of bourguignone (traditional all-you-can-eat meat fondue). We agreed to Lambert’s recommendation of the lamb, beef and duck breast fondue. In no time, a pot of hot oil and skewers were placed on the table, two salads and a bowl of frites (French fries). It only took a few minutes before my buddy remarked, “This meat cooks so fast!”. It’s true, the meat barely needed a minute to cook, with the juices still locked inside and giving off a delectable, powerful taste. The lamb was clearly a hit at our table as it was the first to disappear into our stomachs. Friendly staff could be seen speaking to customers in a laid back atmosphere. A mix of families and cou-

ples filled half of the 100-seat restaurant during our meal, many of which were there for the Thurday night all-you-caneat BBQ buffet. Shakers’ outdoor roaster entices hungry stomachs to the place, where they also have chicken and pig spitroast as well as an assortment of sandwiches, burgers, steaks, pastas, pizzas, and Thai food. As my introduction to fondue came to a conclusion, a second trip for the chicken spitroast has already been planned. Shakers Phuket is located at 98/18 Moo 1, Viset Road, Nai Harn Village, Rawai, Muang, Phuket 83130. Phone them at +66(0)76349912 or +66(0)81 891 4381. Email them at patongshakers@hotmail. com

Time for some grilling

10 PETS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Thai dog meat trade survivor wins award “Miracle” picks up Friends for Life Award at Crufts, England

he amazing bond between a severely disabled 6 year old boy and his Thai rescue dog was recognised on Sunday March 8 at the world’s most famous dog show, Crufts. “Miracle”, rescued from Thailand’s illegal dog meat trade and adopted by the Leask family in Strathglass, Scotland, beat nearly 200 other dogs to win the prestigious Crufts Eukanuba Friends for Life award. Yet just two years ago, Miracle was snatched from the streets of north east Thailand, and loaded onto a truck with hundreds of other stolen dogs, all destined for the dog meat restaurants of Hanoi in Vietnam.

Luckily for Miracle, the truck was intercepted by agents working for the Phuket-based Thai animal welfare charity Soi Dog Foundation, who’ve been fighting the illegal trade for the past four years. The dogs were taken to a purpose built shelter in north east Thailand, and adopters were sought. Amanda Leask spotted Miracle’s photo shortly after he’d been rescued on a Soi Dog Facebook post. She enquired about adopting him. Already an owner of three rescue dogs from Soi Dog, Amanda very soon had her fourth. Amanda’s son Kyle, 6, was born with cerebral palsy, and was later diagnosed with autism.

It is incredibly difficult for him to communicate with his family. Kyle and Miracle have developed a remarkably close bond. A s A ma nd a says, “They’ve both faced so much hardship in their lives, it’s like there’s an unspoken language between them. W hen Kyle gets upset because he can’t convey what he wants to, Miracle will go and lay at his side for Kyle to touch and stroke”. Miracle won £1,500 for his Crufts award, and Amanda will share the money between Soi Dog Foundation and the Autistic Society. If you would like to adopt a Thai dog meat trade rescue dog, please visit

About Soi Dog Foundation

Soi Dog Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2003, is a legally registered charity in Thailand, the United States, Australia, the UK, France and Holland. Our mission statement is to improve the welfare of dogs and cats in Asia, resulting in better lives for both the animal and human communities, to create a society without homeless animals, and to ultimately end animal cruelty. John Dalley, co-founder and vice president, is available for interview. For more information please visit www.soidog.org or www.facebook.com/SoiDogPageInEnglish.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

THE KERRY BLUE TERRIER YOUR BREED

Jackie Perry editor@ classactmedia.co.th

he Kerry Blue is probably one of the most glamorous of all the terriers with its wavy blue/grey coat trimmed all over the body and with plenty of moustache, beard and eyebrows. The breed originated in the county of Kerry in Ireland and has been pure bred in that part for well over a hundred years. Lovable and intelligent, this breed is used mainly for hunting small game. However, it has the adaptability to be used also as a herding dog for sheep and cattle. He is also very good at ridding farms and homes of vermin such as rats. The Kerry is a dog of many accomplishments and has been found to be very trainable. He is an excellent watchdog and adores his family. He has been used for security work and is a long living breed when properly reared. The general appearance of the Kerry is of an upstanding dog with a muscular body, wellknit together, with very definite terrier character and style. It should never appear short in the leg. The coat is of utmost importance in both texture and colour. In size, a male should be around 45.5 cm - 49.5 and females 44.5 cm - 48, however size can be given a little leeway when judging the breed, if a superior dog who is over the prescribed size should be preferred but in no case should it exceed 50.5cm nor be under 44.5. The head is long but not excessively so. The eyes are dark and small. Never prominent. They should be well placed and have a keen terrier expression. Light eyes are most objectionable. The head is furnished with a long beard and moustache and also the eyebrows are

grown over the foreface, covering the eyes. The ears are small and v-shaped. Not too thick and carried forwards close to the cheeks, with the top fold rising slightly above the skull line. The jaws should be deep and strong. The nose is large and black. Teeth strong and white. The forequarters of the Kerry are fine, long and sloping but the hindquarters are strong and muscular. The hocks are near the ground and the good turn of stifle is what propels the dog in the powerful way it covers the ground. The coat is most important. It should be soft and wavy and of a blue/grey colour. Black on the head, ears, tail and feet is permissible at any age but a dog which is black all over after the age of 18 months HAS to be disqualified from the showing. You will need to find a good groomer to trim the Kerry into the required shape but with practice you can probably manage to keep it trimmed yourself so that parlour visits are not too frequent! As I have previously said, this is a breed which is a typical terrier and therefore requires exercise to keep its mind busy. It is a good home dog and great as a guard. To keep the Kerry clean and smelling sweet, it is a good idea to wash the face after feeding as otherwise he will gather food into the long beard and the smell will not be good! Otherwise just a good brushing daily will keep him clean and tidy.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

COMMUNITY 11

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Rawai playground revamped JP Mestanza editor2@classactmedia.co.th

I think people like Richard are doing pretty upstanding things in the community. We sometimes have to go to a different environment to find ourselves,

@thephuketnews

he playground at the Wat Sawang Arom Temple & School hadn’t been fixed since it was first completed 35 years ago. Now, thanks to a combined effort from locals and foreigners, the dilapidated playground looks as new as the first day it opened. Several local officials and school administrators commemorated the re-opening of the event with a ceremony to give thanks to those responsible for giving new life to the playground. “They kids wanted this very much. They asked everyday ‘when will it open’ and finally it is here. All the children will play on this and the marching band too,” said Kru Akpang, an English Teacher at the school. The project began 10 weeks ago by the Mushy Peas – the Rawai-based Phuket FC supporters club made up of mostly expats – with the help of several local companies who donated roughly B250,000 worth of equipment and labour. Along with donations from the Mushy Peas, the project cost around B500,000 and will be used for all sorts of recreational activities for the school, which has 837 students. “I think people like Richard [Dillon] are doing pretty upstanding things in the community. Some things we don’t do that much when we’re at home. We sometimes have to go to a different environment to find ourselves,” said British DJ and actor Goldie, who attended the event. In addition to the Mushy Peas, the proj-

ect saw support from Chochkai Conrete, Property For Sale Phuket, Salika Hardware, and the kamnan (village head). “I’m over the moon. It’s a great feeling to give something back, and we’re happy the

people appreciate it as much as they do,” said Dillon of the Mushy Peas. The project is just one of the many that the group have supported. Next up, Dillan says the group plan on helping a local Burmese school.

12 TECHNOLOGY

Spicy photo soup with Oasis Ed

here’s more to a good photo than the length of the self ie -stick. Amongst the photography nerd community of the world there is debate as to whether the profusion of smart phone photos being generated is positive or negative. We now have a glut of images filling up our screen spaces with kittens, burgers and selfies. And sadly most are lacking in any creativity or basic technique. It’s a bit like everyone in the world suddenly being served free soup – it’s bland but it’s free and there’s lots of it! Let’s do our bit to spice that photo soup up, add some creativity, taste and flavour. Take your time to choose an interesting per-

spective, tweak the composition, consider the lighting… And voila, you have created some tasty photos the whole family will love. We owe this to the world, to the future of photographic art and to our children. Or else the next generation may grow up to believe that a blurry selfie shot of a kitten eating a hamburger is the pinnacle of modern photographic art. Take a step in the right direction by joining the “Smart Phone, Great Photos” workshop in Rawai on the April 3. For more information about this and other classes contact Kez on 0849462171 or visit oasisedphuket.com

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Live stream app Meerkat a Twitter sensation

ive streaming video from a smartphone may soon be known as “meerkatting” thanks to a new app that allows anyone with an iPhone to become a roving reporter. The free application called Meerkat has become a virtual overnight sensation since its low-key arrival on Apple’s online App Store late last month, winning over journalists, politicians, self-anointed pundits, social media celebrities and others. Meerkat integrates with Twitter, allowing users of the messaging platform to launch live video streams with a single touch of an on-screen button. In the rapid-fire Twitterverse, Meerkat has become a sudden hit with tens of thousands of users trying it. Meerkat “marries the wide potential of live streaming with the instant and social strengths of Twitter. Two great tastes that go so well together,” wrote Hawaiibased consultant and blogger Ryan Ozawa. “Imagine the applications for breaking news. Imagine deploying Meerkat at an event, with broad-

Using the Meerkat app at a Nas concert during SXSW event. Photo: Flickr/Anthony Quintano casters and viewers easily interacting throughout. I could easily see myself falling head over heels in love with Meerkat.” The news blog TechCrunch described Meerkat as “the live streaming app Twitter should have built.” Twitter appears to have taken notice. The one-to-many messaging platform announced Friday (March 13) that it was buying the maker of a rival video streaming app called Periscope, which is in beta testing and has not yet been released to the public. “Excited to officially welcome @periscopeco to the Twitter

team. Can’t wait for everyone to see what they’ve built!” Twitter product vice president Kevin Weil tweeted on Friday. Twitter did not release details about the deal, but media reports said Twitter was paying between $50 million and $100 million for the app, which has so far been available by invitation only. Additionally, Buzzfeed.com reported that Twitter was cutting Meerkat’s access to some of its features. It was not immediately clear whether Twitter would maintain Periscope as an independent app or integrate it into the platform. AFP

Upcoming Workshops: Outta The Box – Thursdays 6:30pm, Rawai Dye Harder! Tie Dye Workshop – March 28, Rawai Emergency Response Training for Parents – April 6, Patong Japanese Maki Roll – Cooking Workshop - April 3

Clash and Bash, then shake that Ash CHADDER BOX Chad Nolan Meyers chadnolanmeyers@gmail.com

Chad Nolan Meyers is a product of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. After falling in love with Princess Zelda at age 4, Chad has been running, jumping and fighting his way through the video game world ever since.

know the concern well, that freemium phone games are ad-heavy, money grabbing machines that are all the same. It’s a valid argument, and over the years I’ve seen it usually come true. However, a year and a half into Clash of Clans, I have found one of the few freebies that does it well. Sure, you can spend real money but you don’t have to! That’s the beauty. Clash of Clans is a social tower defense game in which players must grow and defend their in-game village by training troops, gathering resources and teaming up with other players.

Featuring MMO-style social connectivity, players will be able to battle with others around the world – either cooperatively or competitively – as they employ cannons, towers, mortars, bombs and more in their quest to build the strongest army possible and defeat the Goblin King, or total strangers. There are three modes to play. The first mode is against the computer with 50 levels of increasing difficulty. Every level employs the “three stars goal” that is seemingly in every phone/tablet game. The second mode is against any random individual real-life opponent. Winning these will award you trophies, and the more trophies you have, the higher the league you are placed in, the more bonus loot you receive. The third mode is where the game’s name comes from. Build long enough to build a “Clan Castle”, allowing you to join a clan and fight group battles. If you are trying to mess with the best, my village is “Wickenstein”, I’ll see you on the battlefield. thephuketnews

FILM 13

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM 4, 2014 THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FRIDAY,APRIL MARCH 20, 2015

IN BRIEF Frozen 2 announced

The rumours are true as Disney officially confirmed plans for a sequel to the wildly popular animated film Frozen. Directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee will come back to lead Frozen 2 as Josh Gad is said to reprise his role as Olaf the snowman. Details on which other cast members, production dates, and a release date has yet to be announced. “Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck have come up with a great idea for a sequel and you will be hearing a lot more about it and we’re taking you back to Arendelle. We are so excited about that,” said Disney Pixar chief John Lasseter.

Eddie Murphy in Richard Pryor film

E dd ie Mu r phy has signed on to portray Richard Pryor’s father in the upcoming film adaptation of the legendary comedian’s life. Lee Daniels (The Butler) will be behind the director’s chair for the film as Mike Epps is set to star at Pryor himself. There are also rumours that Oprah Winfrey and Kate Hudson have shown interest in taking part in the project. No word yet on when the film will go into production. Pryor was an American comic who was largely considered one of the greatest icons in the industry before his death in 2005.

Live-action Beauty and The Beast

The list of stars attached to Disney’s upcoming The Beauty and The Beast project reads like a who’s who of Hollywood A-listers. Emma Thompson, Kevin Kline, Luke Evans and Emma Watson have all signed-on to the film, which is expected to be released in May 2017. Watson will play Belle (the bueaty) while Evans will portray the arrogant Gaston. Dan Stevens is set to play a cursed prince who was turned into a beast. Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken is attached to the film as well, which has the film blogosphere believing that movie will feature musical numbers that were in the 1991 animated version.

NEW MOVIES THIS WEEK...

ere are this week’s coming attractions for SFX Coliseum Cinema (Central Festival) and SF Cinema City Jungceylon (Patong). For up-to-date movie times and tickets, visit booking.sfcinemacity.com.

INSURGENT Running time: 119 minutes Rated: PG-13 Beatrice Prior (Shailene Woodley) must confront her inner demons and continue her fight against a powerful alliance which threatens to tear her society apart with the help from others on her side.

Out: Mor hok tub har Playing now: Chappie, Cinderella, Run All night and Superfast! @thephuketnews

Phuket, ready for close-up

group of Phuket based American screenwriters are hoping to do for Phuket what China did for Chiang Mai by shooting a feature film entirely on the island. Chiang Mai became increasingly popular with Chinese tourists after the Chinese comedy Lost In Thailand was filmed there in 2012. Now, Phuket will be the setting for the film Barefoot with a script that had its genesis on the island. Jim Newport, an Emmy-nominated writer/director/production designer who has worked on such projects as Mechanic II, Lost, and Bangkok Dangerous, will host a “launch party” for Barefoot , his feature film project. The event will take place on March 26 at HOME, Bed Bar Kitchen restaurant in Kalim. Newport will be working alongside producer Les Nordhauser (Greenlight Films) for the feature. A synopsis of the film reads: Barefoot (an original screenplay by Jim Newport) is a contemporary drama that follows an American schoolteacher (James Dumont,) a retired couple (Tommy Chong and Pepper Jay) and an exboxer (Max Ryan) on their journey to retirement in Phuket. Two Northern Thai women and a child also travel to the island. Escaping poverty is their goal. Fate brings these wounded souls to a magical, thatched roof beachside bar in Phuket. Together, their lives are changed… forever. A short promo will start the launch party off and will include the story, setting, cast, history and future of the movie Barefoot. This

Actor Tommy Chong will take part in Barefoot, a feature film expected to take place entirely in Phuket. Filiming begins in October. The launch party will take place March 26 in Kalim. is an opportunity for all of Phuket to come together and participate in a rewarding, artistic adventure. To make this low budget film, not only cash investors are needed – but also: transportation, lodging, caterers, office space, plane tickets, artists, craftsmen, graphic designers, office assistants, actors, extras and wardrobe people... . According to Newport, the genesis of the project goes back at least six or seven years. “Ed Vaughan had organised a group of writers on the island who met once a week at the Underwood Art Factory and discussed the craft of screenwriting. The intended goal was to make a film in Phuket. “I have spent a year and a half writing and developing Barefoot. I have lined up a terrific cast from the US & the UK and we will be-

gin pre-production this summer. The film will be shot October 15 – November 15,” Newport said. John Underwood, owner of HOME restaurant, is investing in Barefoot – having agreed to lend his Underwood Art Factory and its artisans to the film as a soundstage and workshop for the sets and prop construction and filming. This brings John’s career full circle as he started out in Australia in 1969 as an assistant to twotime Oscar winning Paint Your Wagon Production Designer John Truscott. Award-winning Chef Daniel Isberg will create a special moviethemed “Chef’s Dinner” – for B650. Reservations: 098 764 6753 The Phuket News is a proud sponsor of this event.

14 ENTERTAINMENT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Flairing: Good to the last drop JP Mestanza editor2@classactmedia.co.th

Bartenders from all over the world, including Russia, Finland, Poland, USA, England and Thailand, took part in the two-day competition which captivated tourists and expats.

uggling bottles and shakers in the air with grace, all while mixing cocktails too delicious to drop. The Master World Flair Bartending Championships at Jungceylon last weekend saw some of the best mixologists battle against one another for cash prizes, with the grand prize winner taking home B80,000. “I came for a holiday but of course the competition was on my mind during the whole time,” said Finnish competitor Mika Mathewson, who is part of a professional group called VIP Bartenders that won Talent Suomi, the Finnish version of the Got Talent TV show in 2011. The competition took place at Jungceylon’s Port Arena, the outdoor area in the middle of the Patong mall. Bartenders from all over the world, including Russia, Finland, Poland, USA, England and Thailand, took part in the two-day competition which captivated tour-

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Mika Mathewson of Finland.

Slava Beliakov wows the crowd. ists and expats. Many of the participants who competed have trained for several years and tend bars as their main profession. “I practiced for eight years and have been bartending for that long in Russia,” said 26-year-old competitor Slava Beliakov. “I started working in restaurant as a waiter and the first time I saw a flair bartender he was mixing simple elements with ice and glasses. I thought ‘wow’. I started to learn, working with bartenders and it is my

life now.”

LIST OF WINNERS:

World Claire Master Championships category – Mares Posluszny (1st), Tomek Malex (2nd), Alexander Shtifanov (3rd) Thailand Flair Championship category – Patthawee Puengpai (1st), Thawa Phetbangkuet (2nd), Kantthapon Prayot (3rd). Classic International Mix Master category – Janek Krynicy (1st), Angela (2nd), Jane Keawyod (3rd).

Your gossip break: The latest tales from the celebrity world AMIGOVIA

Rumour has it

Roasted!

Whitney Mitha whitneymitha@yahoo.com

Sweet and Sober

Whitney is an American living in Phuket, writing about the latest gossip and trends in pop culture. Read more from Whitney onWordpress and Facebook (search: “amigovia”) and follow her on Instagram @Amigovia.

be careful this year, please!

young girls since turning her life around three years ago. Well done Demi.

I didn’t even know that That 70s Show star Wilmer Valderrama and singer/ actress Demi Lovato were a couple until he posted a congratulatory blurb about her marking three years sober recently. She struggled in the past with self image issues and has been a positive voice for

As a “birthday present” Comedy Centra l has “roasted” Justin Bieber. The show, in which one chosen celebrity is ripped apart by comedians in front of their family and friends, will air March 30. I have read some quotes from the show and it looks absolutely hilarious. The show also rags on other guests in attendance and comedians participating. This looks like a must see for a good laugh.

Lucky or unlucky number 27

Superstar Rhianna turns 27 this week. What she will do to celebrate is under much speculation as she is not known for being tame. The singer will be at the age when many famous people have passed away, known as somewhat of a curse. Happy birthday RiRi and

There has been some talk of a possible divorce for superstar George Clooney and new wife Amal Alamuddin already. However, they have appeared together since rumours began so we will have to stay tuned for this one.

Retire from the Runway

Highest paid supermodel in the world Gisele Bundchen is to walk her last catwalk next month. I am sure she will be back as a guest model in the future and

will of course continue to be the face and spokesmodel for various companies, but will no longer officially walk as a working runway model. Congratulations to her, give those legs a break.

thephuketnews

16 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Richard Valentine and Tony Bridges

Chris Bruton (centre) with, from left, Bert Cesar, Richard Margo, Jason Beavan and Greg Watkins

BCCT PHUKET BUSINESS DINNER The British Chamber of Commerce, Phuket chapter, held its 3rd business dinner at the Amari in Patong. The guest speaker was Christopher Bruton, Executive Director of Dataconsult Ltd. who spoke on ‘Thailand in mid-decade: Will the next five years restore politcal stability and economic prosperity? For full story see Business page 15.

Robert Leticq and Grenville Fordham

DOZENS COME OUT FOR KATA BEACH SPRING CLEANING Ms Tipaporn Koonphol, Pierre-Andre Pelletier and Governor Nisit Jamsomwong

AMARI PHUKET PERSONNEL VISIT THE PHUKET GOVERNOR Amari’s new Vice-President and Area General Manager, South Thailand, Mr PierreAndre Pelletier, and Deputy General Manager, Ms Tipaporn Koonphol recently visited the Phuket Governor, Mr Nisit Jansomwong, at Phuket Town Hall to introduce a new team and further collaboration.

A beach clean-up effort by tour operators and hotel staff was organised on March 10 at Kata Beach. Thomas Cook Northern Europe, an umbrella company with Scandinavian suppliers; Spies, Tjareborg, and Ving, together with Kata Beach Resort & Spa worked hand in hand to clean-up Kata Beach naming the event “Spring Cleaning at Kata Beach”.

HIDEAWAY @ BYPASS LAUNCHED On Saturday (March 14) Boat Development Company held the launch event for the residential phase of its Bypass Biz Town development on Chalermphrakiet Rd. The launch event, hosted at the Underwood Art Factory, which is located adjacent to the site of the new 66-unit Hideaway project, featured lots of good music, local food, smiles and laughter. For more information about the project, see story on Life page 8. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ISLAND SCENE 17

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Rona and Mike Hosking

Lilian and Martin Carpenter, the event MC

ST PATRICK’S DAY BALL Sharon Shannon onstage

Phawadee and Claude de Crissey

The Irish in Phuket celebrated St Patrick’s Day with a ball at the Mövenpick Hotel in Karon, with entertainment from top Irish accordion player Sharon Shannon. The Irish Ambassador to Thailand and Myanmar, Brendon Rogers, joined the dinner, from which proceeds went to the Life Home Project.

Irish Ambassador Brendan Rogers, entertainer Sharon Shannon and Helene Fallon Wood, Irish Honorary Consul in Phuket and organiser of the ball

One Direction members Zain Malik and Louis Tomlinson with Santtu of Seduction (centre) Fatboy Slim (second left) and Steve Cromie (second right)

ON THEIR FEET FOR FATBOY SLIM World famous DJ, Fatboy Slim, played a set for hundreds of fans at Higher Restaurant on Bangla Road in Patong on March 15.

THE TWO (From left) Chilean Honorary Consul Nantana Wongsatyanont and Chilean Ambassador to Thailand Javier Andrés Becker-Marshall HEROINES REMEMBERED PHUKET’S NEW CHILEAN Performances commemorating Phuket’s CONSULATE OFFICE OPENS legendary Two Heroine’s –Tao Thepkasattri and Thao Srisoonthorn – during the two Heroine’s Festival, took place from March 13–15 at Thaland Memorial Field. @thephuketnews

The new Chilean Consulate officially opened its doors on March 14 with a ceremony at Phuket Merlin Hotel, where the office is located. Phuket Merlin Hotel owner, Nantana Wongsatyanont, was named Honorary Consul.

18 EVENTS

FRI

20 MAR

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SAT

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

21 MAR Phuket Walking Street SUPERSPORTS 10 Miles International Run 2015 Phuket presented by Thanyapura

FRIDAYS WINE & TAPAS Imagine yourself sitting 50meters above sea level and gazing out over an amazing sunset whilst sipping on a Ginger & Lemongrass Martini and enjoying the unique sophisticated city lifestyle ambiance of Phuket. Every Friday ‘All you can Eat’ Tapas and more with free flow of selected beverages at 1,390 Baht net from 7 – 10pm. Get 30% discount on selected beverages from 5.30-6.30pm everyday. Located at Vanilla Sky Bar, Cape Sienna Hotel-Kamala Call 076-337300.

For THB 499/-nett. All you can eat

Suk Singpatong + Sitnumnoi Every Saturday night, Num Noi Singpatong, the head trainer and owner of Singpatong + Sitnumnoi gym in Patong Beach, hosts an elite fight series “Suk Singpatong + Sitnumnoi Saturday fight night” at Patong Boxing Stadium (Sai Nam Yen Road), where top international and Thai fighters compete. Visit pattongboxingstadium.com for more info. Contact 087 628 2719. Proudly supported by Class Act Media. Remark: Free transportation in Patong, Karon, Kata areas when requested in advance. Proudly supported by Class Act Media.

Supersports and Thanyapura Phuket are proud to announce‘SUPERSPORTS 10 Miles International Run 2015v Phuket presented by Thanyapura’ which will take place on Sun-22 March 2015, total prize money 110,000 B. Register now at www.supersports.co.th and www.thanyapura.com or at Thanyapura club services from 8am to 9pm. Entry closes on 13 March 2015. Free running Singlet is limited only 1,500 pre registered runners., Email: virapol.c@thanyapura.com, 089 973 9506. Proudly supported by Class Act Media.

Essential Recharge Retreats Kata Rocks offers you the gift of wellbeing at its ‘Essential Recharge Retreats’, five or seven-day yoga, meditation, fitness and wellness retreats (22 to 28 March) that will guide you back to health. These amazing retreat packages allow you to customize classes, treatments & healthy cuisine to cleanse, recharge and revitalize. For information and rates: reservations@katarocks. com 076 370 777.

Indian Curry Night on Fridays Come to Navrang Mahal in Karon Sea Sands Resort & Spa for an authentic Indian Feast every Friday in Karon Beach. Try out our delicious naans, mutton vindaloo, chicken tandoori, dal makhini, butter chicken, samosas, lassis and many more mouth-watering dishes. For only 499/- nett and special reduced prices on drinks, 076-286464 Ext 4.

Live Seafood & Jazz Sunday Brunch at Banyan Tree Phukets Best Burger 2015

i Arts Collection Temporary Art Exhibition @ 1st floor, ZCAPE Condo Bang Tao i Arts Collection By Luxsana(Nok) Charernsri 1st - 22nd March - Open daily from 11.00am - 8pm An opportunity to see a collection of art work done by me since I was 16 years old. With more than 100 pieces using different techniques and mediums. If you are looking for an artwork to adorn your home, here is an opportunity for you, as I provide a large range of works starting from 300THB. If you would like to know more about it, be the first one to visit my art exhibition. More information contact 088 246 9249.

Starting at 5pm join us for an afternoon of FUN on the Boardwalk at Royal Phuket Marina where we will be host our first Sring Fest, featuring the first ever Burger competition in Phuket where someone will be Phukets Best Burger 2015, plenty of F&B stalls, live music from the black and blue band and tons of Childrens activities. For more information email info@royalphuketmarina.com or call 0869 437 840

Phuket Walking Street, “Laad Yai” is a Village & Community Development Potential Project (SML) of the “Old Phuket Town Community” in Laad Yai, Phuket Town. The visitors can enjoy the Old Phuket Town atmosphere which benefit to the local economic growth in the Old Phuket Town community. Open every Sunday from 16.00 - 22.00 Hrs. For more info visit facebook.com/phuketwalkingstreet or contact: 089 474 5253. Proudly supported by Class Act Media The Phuket News, Novosti Phuketa, Live 89.5 & The Phuket News TV.

Join Banyan Tree’s indulgent LIVE Seafood Sunday brunch featuring lots of LIVE Canadian Lobsters, Tiger prawns, freshly shucked Oysters, Wagyu rump and Foie Gras. Meander from one live cooking station to the next, and don’t forget to leave room for cheese and dessert. With live Jazz music and a kids club, starting at B2,800++ per person including free flow of selected beverages. Advance bookings are highly recommended, Contact 076 372 400. fb-phuket@banyantree.com

MON

23 MAR

SWASDEE SIAM at Dewa Phuket Mondays from 7pm An evening of Thai cultural performance and aromatic flavours from our Thai kitchen. Just THB 650++ per guest, Kids Eat Half. Price Book Now: 076 372 300, sales2@dewaphuket.com

BBQ at Expat Hotel Time 8pm, Expat Sports Bar, Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www.expatsportsbar.com

Jazz, Blues & BBQ at Dewa Phuket

SUN

22 MAR

Fridays from 7pm Enjoy live jazz with a delicious banquet of grilled meats, fresh seafood and more. From THB 800++ per guest Book Now: 076 372 300, Person: RSVP, Address: Dewa phuket, Email: sales2@dewaphuket.com

Traditional Sunday Roast Angus O’Tool’s Karon Beach Pool Competition at Expat Sports Bar The competition at 9pm Expat Sports Bar at the Expat Hotel Soi Taipan Patong. See map at www.expathotel.com

Lunch or dinner served from 2pm. Your choice of either roast beef, chicken, loin of pork or leg of lamb served with roast and boiled potatoes, three fresh vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. Only B320 per person which includes a free glass of house red or white. Opposite Centara Karon Resort. See otools-phuket.com

Schedule for the Season of Lent-Holy week & Easter Friday 13 March 19:00 at Station of the Cross. Saturday 14 March Prepare for the feast of our parish 18:00 Confession, 19:00 Mass before the feast day of the church. Sunday 15 March 19:00 Station of the Cross. Sunday 22 March 5th Sunday of Lent. Friday 27 March 19:00 Station of the Cross. Sunday 29 March Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) Holy Week Thursday 2 April 19:00 Holy Thursday Mass. Friday 3 April 19:00 Good Friday, Fasting and Abstinence. Saturday 4 April 19:00 Holy Saturday Mass (Easter Vigil) Sunday 5 April Easter Sunday. Contact MICHELLE REIS, Cherngtalay, michelle.ncreis@gmail.com

Aqua Fitness Aqua Fitness classes offer you something different to “high impact” sport but the results, however, will amaze you! Aqua fitness can increase muscle tone and improve your breathing, circulation and heart rate as well as help you to reshape your body: slimming your waist, toning your chest, firming your buttocks and strengthening your back. It’s also an excellent weapon against cellulite! Aqua Fitness classes are held on Mondays at 17:00 and Wednesdays at 11:00am. Please go to www.santosaphuket.com ot find us on facebook, Santosa Wellness Center, 076 330 600.

daily event updates on

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

TUE

EVENTS 19

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

24 MAR

land of Phuket. Award-winning Chef Daniel Isberg will create a special movie-themed ‘Chef’s Dinner” – for 650THB. Formerly a Hollywood “Chef to the Stars” Chef Daniel assures that the 4 course meal (featuring Black pepper Grilled Wagyu Beef ) will get rave reviews! Reservations: 086 0471474, Contact Jim Newport, Home Restuarant, Patong, jwnewport@aol.com , +1 818 599 6343. Class Act Media is a proud sponsor of this event.

SUN

Zumba in the Jungle We do not consider Zumba a class, it is a fitness party! Making exercising fun, the dynamic Latin-based dance workout has taken the fitness world by storm. Vibrant and energetic, an hour of serious cardio passes by in such a flurry of colourful smiles, that it doesn’t feel like exercise at all! Join us at Santosa, where the formidable Geti Pici transforms our fitness pavilion into a fit-party! To book this class, or to find out the other Zumba class times, please go to www.santosaphuket.com or find us on facebook, Santosa Wellness Center. 076 330 600. Patak Rd, Kata.

WED

25 MAR

PASTA MANIA at Dewa Phuket Wednesdays from 7pm Savour the flavours of Italy with fresh pasta, homemade sauces, tasty appetizers and desserts. Just THB 650++ per guest, Kids Eat Half Price Book Now: 076 372 300, sales2@ dewaphuket.com

inspired apparel, eclectic jewellery, one of a kind accessories and hand made arts & crafts. Since shopping inspires good deeds, part of the events proceeds will be devolved in support of The Good Sheperd’s charity projects. The Plantation Bar from 2-5pm. Only 950 THB net p.p. inclusive of free flow tapas and specialty grape concoction. Contact Simona, rm.phuket@thepavilionsresorts.com, donna_scot@toon.co.nz Class Act media - Live 89.5FM is a proud supporter of this event.

29 MAR

Aerial Yoga–Unique to Santosa The fluid, gravity-defying twist on yoga shows how we can learn to fly whilst relieving compressed joints and re-aligning the body. The practice uses graceful, trapezelike movements which sometimes seem like acrobatics. A wonderful way to do inversion poses, aerial yoga really is an innovative fitness trend, and Santosa are extremely proud to be the only center in Phuket offering suspended movement in every direction along with stimulation of the organs, muscles and bones. To book this class, or to find out the other Aerial yoga class times, please go to www.santosaphuket.com or find us on facebook, Santosa Wellness Center. 076 330 600. Patak Rd, Kata, colleen@santosaphuket.com

FRI

27 MAR

It’s Cricket at Kata Rocks Join us for the ICC Cricket World Cup Final on Sunday 29 March from 10am to 6pm and we’ll lift your spirits with buckets of brew (500 baht++), homemade pies, gourmet baby burgers and shared platters of traditional cricket culinary favourites. Take in all the live match action in the comfort of our new luxury poolside lounge on our 70” LCD TV. RSVP dining@katarocks.com 076 370 777

SAT

4 APR

Dessert Buffet, Easter Egg Hunt and other games for the kids with Great Chocolate Prizes. THB 1,250 Per adult includes 1/2 a bottle. Kids THB 595 with free flow soft drinks. Book now - Peter 081 935 0454 or Toon 089 481 7852.

SAT

11 APR

CONSTECH 2015

VNEA Pool Leagues Season 2 Join Thailand’s Largest Pool League ! Have Fun - Meet People - Play Pool For more details LIKE us on www.facebook. com/vneaphuket or call: 085 797 0005 For Schedules, Standings & Statistics check out: www.compusport.us Proudly supported by Class Act Media - The Phuket News, Novosti Phuketa, Live 89.5 & The Phuket News TV.

THU

26 MAR

Thailand International Construction Machinery, Equipment and Technology Exhibition 2015 is an international business platform gathering more than 400 exhibiting companies & brands from around the world spanning a vast range of construction and mining machinery and equipment, and machinery for building material production. More than 5,000 trade buyers, industry player and key decision makers from Thailand and ASEAN construction and mining industries are expected to visit the event. CONSTECH 2015 is organized by Thai Contractors Association under H.M. the King’s Patronage (TCA) and managed by IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd. CONSTECH 2015 is a must visit exhibition!, pasinc@impact.co.th, 02 833 5208.

SAT

28 MAR

@thephuketnews

Participants will be divided into Junior [6-8 years], Intermediate [9-12] and Senior [1318] categories, the triathlon event will give young athletes the chance to experience the world class sports facilities at Thanyapura including its 50m Olympic standard outdoor pool with biking and running routes set within the surrounding nature of Khao Phra Thaew National Park. Register online at www.thanyapura.com, This event is proudly sponsored by Class Act Media.

SUN

5 APR

Phuket Bike Week 2015 PHUKET BIKE WEEK 2015 - The biggest motorcycle event in Asia. Celebrating the 21st anniversary. This event expects to gather over 10,000 motorcyclists and 50,000 visitors from 30 countries, which will take place in Patong Beach on 11th -13th April 2015 and in Phuket Town on 17th-19th April 2015. Visit our website http://www. phuketbikeweek.com/ or call 076 352 069, sumon@ridethailand.com, 081-6919346, Proudly supported by Class Act Media.

SAT

12 APR

Rainbow Pool & Foam Party

Movie Night - ‘Barefoot’ Launch in Phuket Emmy-nominated Production Designer of LOST Jim Newport will present a short film and talk about investing in BAREFOOT - a Feature Film to be shot entirely on the Is-

Thanyapura Superkidz Triathlon 2015

Celebrate Easter Sunday at Les Diables

Sip & Shop @ The Pavilions, Phuket Join us for the very special family day. A Enjoy a healthy dose of retail therapy with the latest collections of Pink Lotus’ resort

sumptuous Easter Buffet for all the family with a Very Special Chocolate Easter

Sunday, April 12, 2015. 3-10PM At Air Rooftop swimming pool at Centra Ashlee Patong. For reservation contact 081 171 0143 / 076 349 800-7 https://www.facebook.com/centrabarandrestaurant/photos, saleschp@chr.co.th

20 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York Across 1. Who said, ‘I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me’? 2. Which is the world’s tallest volcano? 3. How many towns called London are there in the USA? 4. By what name is Rapa Nui more widely known? 5. What happened to Oliver Cromwell 28 months after his death? Answers below, centre.

SUDOKU

59. Sharer’s word 60. Fairy tale character 62. Mother or human 64. Declaration signer from North Carolina 68. Neuters 69. Arabian bigwig 70. Doofus 71. Young salmon 72. Knob 73. Carhop’s load

24. Sean Connery, for one 26. Crime boss 1. Jiffs 27. Beethoven’s 5. Drive-___ “Archduke ___” 9. Adhere 28. Glance over 14. Car bar 30. Ain’t correct? 15. Fruitless 32. Buddhist who has 16. Former enemy attained Nirvana capital 35. Miracle response 17. Chief drafter of 36. Guest the Declaration of 38. Cooking meas. Independence 39. Decides 20. Gorge 40. Sharks’ rivals 21. Slow times Down 41. Exclude 22. Barley brew 23. “___ over!” 1. Small-time dictator 42. Field worker 43. Cheese in a ball 25. Remnants 2. Terry McMillan’s “Waiting to ___” 48. Wildcatters 29. “Frasier” actress Gilpin 50. Sulking one 3. It may have four leaves 31. Mineral residue 51. Sky lights 4. Half: Prefix 33. Rainbow 52. Chic 5. Image maker 34. Relish 54. Kind of alcohol 6. “The ___” (Uris 37. Bliss 55. Believe in novel) 40. Only active 57. Auto pioneer 7. Cambodian money clergyman to sign Citroën the Declaration 8. Roll out 58. Spicy stew 44. Overacts 9. Beach souvenir 61. Airport pickup 45. Highly skilled 10. Anklebones 63. Campsite sight 46. 50-50, e.g. 11. Electees 64. Clod 47. Jot 12. Bill’s partner 65. Engine speed, for 49. Falling-out short 13. Reunion group 53. Final parts of operas 18. Cuckoo 66. Chinese “way” 56. Bonkers 67. Carried out 19. Crease

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz:

1. Noel Coward ; 2. Mauna Kea, Hawaii; 3. Eight; 4. Easter Island; 5. His corpse was beheaded and the head displayed on a pole in London.

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

This week in history

Percentage of women who sometimes regret having married their husbands.

■■ March 20, 2003

11,400

Litres of water wasted in a year by a leaky tap that drips once a second.

100 octillion Estimated number of stars in the Universe. That’s 100,000, 000,000,000,000,000,000,0 00,000.

Days it takes for a giant sloth to digest one leaf.

4 billion

Average number of daily views of videos on YouTube.

Source: Uberfacts

Mangroves off the east coast of Phuket. Photo by Alasdair Forbes Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to editor1@classactmedia.co.th

Operation Enduring Freedom, the US-led invasion of Iraq, begins, the aim being to “disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, to end Saddam Hussein’s support for terrorism, and to free the Iraqi people”. ■■ March 21, 1999 Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones become the first to circumnavigate the Earth in a hot air balloon. ■■ March 22, 1784 The Emerald Buddha is moved with great ceremony to its current location in Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok. ■■ March 23, 1994 Aeroflot Flight 593 crashes in Siberia when the pilot’s 15-year old son accidentally disengages the autopilot. All 75 people on board die. ■■ March 24, 1958 Rock ’n’ Roll teen idol Elvis Presley is drafted into the US Army. ■■ March 25, 1807 In Wales, the horsedrawn Swansea and Mumbles Railway, then known as the Oystermouth Railway, becomes the first passenger carrying railway in the world. ■■ March 26, 1999 The “Melissa worm” infects Microsoft word processing and e-mail systems around the world. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

PROPERTY 17

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

EA T

LO CA TI

BE VA LIE LU VA E BL

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

@thephuketnews

18 PROPERTY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

@thephuketnews

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

PROPERTY 19

20 PROPERTY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

IC M S RA EW NO VI PA SEA

@thephuketnews

PROPERTY 21

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 23

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

EDUCATION

MARINE SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

PRODUCTION SERVICE

GUARDIAN SERVICE

HOME IMPROVEMENT

STORAGE Reserve Your Storage Space

Call 076 29 29 09

or visit mystorageasia.com

 Sizes to Suit all Budgets  Personal & Business Storage  Motorcycle Storage  Left Luggage Service  We Sell Boxes  Storage Insurance Inclusive

Secure, Clean & Cost Effective Self Storage Jungceylon Shopping Center, Patong, Phuket

ELECTRIC

STORAGE

MARINE SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

PACKAGING

REMOVALS

ADVERTISE HERE

@thephuketnews

24 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Jobs

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

BB PHUKET NEEDS YOU! Come and join us to be a part of our Dream Team. The new unique Pool Bar and Restaurant on Phuket’s stunning East Coast is looking for you.

Position: Web Project Manager Senior DEV

Bitsiren is looking for a talented senior web developer with a positive and “can do” attitude to join us and work in a fun and creative working environment! BitSiren offers a competitive compensation package including: 5 day work week, work permit, paid vacation, health insurance and social insurance contribution. For more information please visit http://www.bitsiren.com/ about-bitsiren/career/senior-web-developer.html

Data Entry Administrator Data Entry Admin Staff required for Phukets leading property agent, LivePhuket the exclusive property partner to The Phuket News. Must have the following qualification for this position. - High vocational certificate or Bachelor’s degree graduate in any related field - Good command of MS Excel - Hard-working, self-disciplined, and positive working attitude - Ability to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines - Can work from Monday to Saturday (every other Saturday) - Must have excellent English reading and writing skills. Contact Paul Trayman, Kamala, 092 474 6157, Email paul@livephuket.com

- Restaurant Manager/ Assistant Manager (ผูจ้ ดั การห้องอาหาร, ผูช้ ว่ ยผูจ้ ดั การห้องอาหาร) - Bartender/Bartendy (บาร์เทนเดอร์, บาร์เทนดี�) - Host/Hostess (พนักงานต้อนรับในห้องอาหาร) - Banquet Attendant (พนักงานฝ่ายจัดเลี�ยง) - Marketing /PR (การตลาดและประชาสัมพันธ์)

Incentives:

Salary package: ��,��-��,��, competitive compensation and benefit packages and guaranteed service charge. (รายได้รวมอยูร่ ะหว่าง

��,�� – ��,�� บาท ตามตำแหน่ ง , ความสามารถ และประสบการณ์)

- Daily tips - Staff Food - Staff Van - FUN at Work

- “Can Do” attitude (มีทัศนคติดี) - Outgoing personality (บุคลิกภาพดี) - Good English (สามารถสื�อสารภาษาอังกฤษได้ดี) - Great communication skills (มีทักษะการสื�อสารที�ดี) - Passionate (มีความชื�นชอบในสายงาน) - F&B Knowledge (มีความรู้ในด้านอาหารและเครื�องดื�ม) - Hard working (มีความอดทนในการทำงาน) - Reliable (ซื�อสัตย์ม, สุจริต)

Thai& Non Thai nationals Contact us on Jobs@bbphuket.com Phone number: English: 0848927517, Thai: 0935757770

Animal caregiver WANTED Starting 1st March, full time, caring for sick animals, dog walking, grooming, medicating & running errands, some overnight & weekends expected, experience with animals a must, please send resume to : jellinecastro@ yahoo.com

Requirements:

Native English Teachers

Are you looking for a Nanny?

Chalong International School is looking for two experienced teachers for our preschool and primary school to start Jan 6 Mon-Fri resume to phuketteacher@yahoo.com, 080 624 7060.

Job Wanted!!! If you are looking for someone who can look after your child, pets or house when you plan to get away at night or during the weekend, Pls contact Email : jj_icu@hotmail.com, 081 476 7570.

Join an International Team, Princess Yachts Phuket is hiring

TELE SALES WORK FROM HOME

Excellent THAI CHEF

1 Position Urgently: Marketing Assistant; good English, good knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite, basic Photo and Video production and Website, Thai national Please call Rico Stapel at: 086 690 0444 and send resume to rico@princessyachtssea.com

Earn up to 3,000 - 5,000 baht/day. International organization specialized in holiday rentals listing is expanding to new areas of interest. The ideal candidate is a responsible and diligent person with experience as a telemarketer or in sales. Good English and excel skills are essential. Thai or foreigners can both apply. We offer: full training, telephone and email support, high commissions, Email: recruitment@holiplanet.com

Looking for an excellent Thai Chef to work abroad. I am looking for an excellent Thai Chef to work overseas in Sri Lanka at a new Thai Restaurant. Would require to speak little bit of english but what I am looking for is a really good chef who can make Authentic Thai food. Will provide great salary and accomodation. Please contact me on suranga.sd@ gmail.com to discuss further.

The Terminal Phuket Phuket Sirinath Property & The Terminal Phuket Sales Staff 2 (2 years Experience) Marketing 1 (3 years Experience) Accounting 1 (5 years Experience) A & S Supervisor 1 (10 years Experience) M & E Engineer 1 (10 years Experience) HR, Naiyang Beach, k.taksakorn@ gmail.com, 076 327 590.

Vacancies for property sales reps

1.Sale English,Chinese,Russia (Good commission)Have experience in line of Sale 2.staff at booth for Property(17,000 + Lunch + Commission) Can communicate Good English, Kaew, kaew@agtropical.com, 094 807 3434.

Class Act Media is southern Thailand's most comprehensive media company, incorporating Phuket’s leading English newspaper ‘The Phuket News’, Russian language newspaper 'Novosti Phuketa', Phuket’s leading English radio station ‘Live 89.5’, Phuket English TV 'Phuket News TV' and a host of publications & services including ‘The Phuket Colouring book’ & ‘Phuket Ticket Master’.

SALES REPRESENTATIVES Qualifications:

Assistant Branch Manager 20 K

We are hiring!!!!! Both positions for our new branch in Phuket and to be part of our energetic team. Excellent commission & benefits. Email info@thailandpooltables. com, 20,000 THB per month, Ying.

Class Act Media is southern Thailand's most comprehensive media company, incorporating Phuket’s leading English newspaper ‘The Phuket News’, Russian language newspaper 'Novosti Phuketa', Phuket’s leading English radio station ‘Live 89.5’, Phuket English TV 'Phuket News TV' and a a host of publications and services including ‘The Phuket Colouring book’ & ‘Phuket Ticket Master’.

RADIO/TV REPORTER

● Works well under pressure and has a will to succeed.

Class Act Media is looking for a writer/reporter for our radio and TV teams. They would need to have good English-speaking skills and will be writing and reporting news and information on Live 89.5 FM and Phuket News TV. We have a small team of local and international staff.

We offer:

Qualifications:

● Thai or Expat. ● Excellent communication and negotiation skills in Thai and English. ● Highly motivated self-starter with a positive attitude.

● Competitive salary, bonuses and travel expenses. ● A friendly work environment. ● Social security paid by the company. ● Excellent career progress opportunities. Interested candidates are invited to send application with full resume, in English, indicating qualifications, experience, recent photo and expected salary.

Apply online at thephuketnews.com/job.php

Class Act Media Co., Ltd.

99/7 Moo 1 T. Kathu A. Kathu Phuket 83120 Tel: 076 612 550-2 Fax: 076 612 553

● Good english writing and speaking skills ● Full time position with flexible working hours ● Presenting radio news and information ● Some TV news reporting

Interested candidates are invited to send application with full resume, in English, indicating qualifications, experience, recent photo and expected salary.

Apply online at thephuketnews.com/job.php

Class Act Media Co., Ltd. 99/7 Moo 1 T. Kathu A. Kathu Phuket 83120 Tel: 076 612 550-2 Fax: 076 612 553

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Buy&Sell

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/thephuketnews

BOATS & YACHTS 33/F Gulf Craft W/A

Two suzuki 225 HP outboards - only 300 hours, custom made RIB-dinghy with small outboard, engine electronics and hydraulics, ray marine GPS/radar/depth sounder, many extras. 3,850,000. THB, 089 873 3713.

4.1M/40HP RIB, 09/2014 AS NEW! BOUG HT IN SEPT. 2014,14HRS O N LY! SUZU KI ENGINE+BOAT UNDER WARRANTY (SUZUKI PHUKET). BIMINI+TRAILER+TUBE COVERS. 0935840565 (RUS/ ENG) 0987086632 (FR/ENG, 350,000 THB, )

Silver Princess Yacht PC530

A 53 ft Power Catamaran by Silver Princess Yachts. Beautiful design, compact yacht with space & modern interior. Dimensions: 53 ft length, 21 ft beam, 4 ft draft, 50 passengers, 22,000,000 THB, Sonny, 669 8810 5024, www.silver-princess.com, sonny@silver-princess.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Bangla bar for sale Newly refurbished and fully fitted out sports bar. Cheapest rent in Bangla road area. 3 year renewable contract. Great business opportunity, Contact Steve, stevepearcergj@ hotmail.co.uk, 089 587 0819 (EN) Patong Nightclub for Sale Newly devel-

oped Nightclub in Patong on Bangla Road. A turnkey operation with a fully fitted light, sound system and bars. Long renewable contract available. Serious enquiries only. Brokers welcome. Contact Steve, stevepearcergj@hotmail.co.uk, 089 587 0819 (EN)

FREEDOM BAR FOR SALE

Good situation (Middle Line 4) Fully Equiped chairs fridges TV alcohols 1 YEAR Contract (End February 2016) 1,4MB [Value 1,8MB] 093-575-1969 afternoon, 1400000 THB, thai-pascal@hotmail.com, 093 575 1969.

For Sale Navy Bar In Font Of Playschool 1.3M. O.N.O Key money paid until Oct 2015 Info: playschoolphil@yahoo.com, Phil, Tel. 081 083 3231.

One of a kind retail space

One of a kind retail space for rent!! Road front building, 36-50 SQM price from 12 to 16,000 THB per month. Call now 085 797 0005.

Restaurant & Bar For Rent A long established fully

equipped Restaurant with Bar for Rent in an excellent location on Nanai Rd, Patong. The 105 M2 premises includes a fully equipped Kitchen, Restaurant and Bar with ample seating for 50 customers and excellent parking facilities., Peter Wesche, info@phuket-besthomes.com, 081 892 8526.

Sale Double Shophouse - Kathu

3 storey with six large rooms, large shop/office on ground floor. Rooms fully furnished with cable TV and internet access. Car park available. 14.5 MB, Paul, Email: info@expathotel.com, 081-606-5772.

For Sale Playschool Bar AGOGO Bar

4.5M. O.N.O Key money paid until July 2015 Same Owner since 2004 For Info: playschoolphil@yahoo.com, Phil, 081 083 3231.

RAWAI RESTAURANT FOR QUICK SALE Rawai Restaurant for quick sale. Big area with parking and Big garden. Rental B200,000 per year with long lease. Price reduced from B1,500,000 To B 980,000 Tel: 089 646 7176 Email:big_redchili@yahoo.com

CAR FOR SALE TOYOTA Fortune 2006

7 seats, Black, Family car, Petrol 2,982cc Blue book, Service history Toyota Pearl, 160,000kms. AUTOMATIC transmission, golfguru2005@yahoo.co.uk, 076 615 827.

2011 Ford Fiesta ‘S’ For Sale Ford Fiesta “S”

2011 model. Auto, 5 door, red, non smoking vehicle, 2 new tyres and belt. Travelled 39,000Kms - no accidents. 10 months registration and 7 months insurance left. Serviced by Ford, books available. Blue Book available. Excellent condition inside and out. 1 farang owner from new. Located in Karon/Phuket, 375,000 THB, 084 842 0340.

Mitsubishi Pajero Sports

Mitsubishi Pajero Sports 2012, A1 condition, 14,000 KM, Silver Colour. 950,000THB Eng: Ph. 0993614582 Thai: Ph. 080 383 3060.

TOYOTA Fortune 2009

7 seats, Silver, GPS video, Family car Diesel 2,694cc, Blue book Service history Toyota Pearl 78,000kms. AUTOMATIC transmission, golfguru2005@yahoo. co.uk, 076 615 827.

Nissan Teana Special 6 cyl

Nissan Teana Special 6 cyl November 2013 17000 Km New price 1.700.000.THB Price NOW 1,100,000.THB, Maurice, Email: Maurice.phuket@gmail.com, 099 302 7071, Thai: 090 163 2140.

COMPANY FOR SALE Company for sale - Owner retiring Well known 12 year established company specializing in sales and rental of containers, site/sales offices, Porta Loos as well as Self Storage. Customer base includes Tesco Lotus, Laguna, Marriot, Boat Lagoon and many more. Enormous potential for expansion and expor t. A conser vative value of company assets exceed 11MB which is included in the sale price of 14MB. Call Gordon 081 892 4804, www.safewayasia.com.

@thephuketnews

26 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

List your classified now at thephuketnews.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

BUY & SELL IN PHUKET

COMMUNITY

MEMBERSHIPS Blue Canyon Membership Blue Canyon Membership for sale. 1 corporate nominee for sale THB 630,000 inc transfer fee. grahamhaslam@hotmail.com

MOTORBIKES FOR SALE 2012 Kawasaki ER-6n

14,000km including new Diablo Rosso Corsa tires, tail tidy, pegs, turn indicators, Power Commander V and Bags-Connection tail and tang bags. Must sellleaving Thailand, acetrack@me.com, 086 120 0413.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE CAMERA baby car seats for sale BAKLONG Car Seat - Very good condition, suitable for newborn to 25KG. Prices are THB 4,000 per seat, buy both for only THB 7,000. Call 086 479 7471.

PETS FOR ADOPTION Neo and Cookie We are 15 weeks old. We are

very sweet with people and can get along easy with other dogs too! We hope you are the one who can give us a home. We will protect your house and love to cuddle. We already got some basic training. If you are interested in us you will get 2 dog training lessons for free.A dog is often happier when they have a friend around. These are best friends, so it would be best if they can stay together, Diana Koster, info@phuket-dog-resort.com, 083 599 6017.

Missing Quincy

Missing our dog Quincy, Airdale terrier, male, black and brown coat. He got lost on the 31st of december in Patong,3000 Baht reward, 0870912798.

OTHER Inexpensive land plots / commercial property Inexpensive land plots on east coast

of Phuket for sale, 0.3 - 8 rai, some with a sea view (Bang Pae, Yamu Hills). Direct sale by owner. Price starts from 500 000 THB. Commercial property: twostorey building: 50 rooms, 13 bathrooms, 3 kitchens, 4 rai land plot, 7 min from airport. Nicely renovated. Can be a hospital/school/ commercial/residential property. 35 mln baht, Lana, lana.phuket@gmail.com, 080 27 16 484, 090 870 7773. Sea-View Land & Luxury Villa project in Kamala including architect plans & building permit for 9 villas, 4000m2 sale only THB 30 MB, MIO, pupillopascal@gmail.com Call:088 768 0942.

FOR QUICK SALE

Beautiful land plot for sale very convenient located in a secure estate with underground electricity less than 10 mins from Phuket International Academy, Airport, Tesco , Naiyang beach, Grand AoPor marina in a peaceful foreigner community, Chanote title,1100sqm, flat land with fences around, mountain view , ready to build, good investment. For quick sale direct from owner only B3.5 mln., Montha, 081 343 0777, montha_phuket@yahoo.com Land for Sale Phang-nga

18 rai Land with Rubber Plantation for sale In Thayu, Phang Nga. 600,000 baht/rai Tel: 086 276 0041 Owner.

CALLING THE DOG LOVERS OF PHUKET

Soi Dog are looking for dog lovers in Phuket to come and spend time with our 300+ street dogs in residence at our shelter in Mai Khao, North Phuket. We need volunteers to help socialise and walk our dogs - as this is fundamental in preparing our lovely dogs for adoption in Phuket and around the world. Whether you can spare one day a week or can come every day, we would love to have you help our dogs. Volunteering at Soi Dog is an amazing experience and may well change your life. For more details, please email Diana at volunteering@soidog-foundation.org

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SPORT

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Almost time for the Supersports 10 mile International run

early 1,000 runners have already signed up for the Supersports 10 Miles International 2015 Phuket presented by Thanypapura event, set to take place this Sunday (March 22) starting at 6am. The race takes place at Thanaypura in northern Phuket and will include four distances: 10 mile (16km), 5 mile (8km), 2 miles (3.2km), and 500 meters for children aged 4–12. Registration is still open to anyone interested in participating in the event. The last chance to register for the event is at the expo tomorrow (March 21) at Thanyapura The View from 10am to 6pm – all runners are expected to pick up their race bib and chips on this day. Runners will be able to check their times on race day at about 5pm on Sunday (March 22) on supersports.co.th, than-

Aussie Rules for kids in Phuket

Photo: Flickr/Ace ten yapura.com and sportstas.asia. The 10 mile race is devided between men and women, and into age groups of 15–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, and older than 60. Toon, the well-known singer of the famous Thai band Body Slam, will participate

in the event. Cash prizes will be awarded to podium finishers in the international race as first place wins B20,000, second place wins B10,000 and third place will get B5,000. Thai runners, meanwhile, will have a chance to win B10,000 for first place,

B7,000 for second place and B3,000 for third place. First to fifth place runners in each group receive a trophy. For more information, visit thanyapura.com Class Act Media is a proud sponsor of this event.

FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS of the Aussie Rules Football match on March 7 and a clinic for youth footballers, a group of keen parents have organised regular training sessions set to take place at the Alan Cooke Ground in Thalang. The first session of the Auskick Phuket program will

take place every Wednesday at the ACG from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. The program is open for both boys and girls from ages 5–12 and will include training sessions as well as scrimmage games. Parents are welcome to attend the sessions and help out in any way they can.

Phuket FC set for Muangthong, get Lampang in League Cup FOOTBALL JP Mestanza editor2@classactmedia.co.th

Teerasil Dangda, who played for UD Almeria during a friendly match last August, will suit up for SCG Muangthong United when they face-off against Phuket FC on March 22.

@thephuketnews

DETERMINED TO HAVE THEIR team stay fit during the three-week Yamaha League-1 break, Phuket FC management have scheduled a friendly match against Thai Premier League-side SCG Muangthong United at Surakul Stadium on Sunday (March 22) at 7pm. Muangthong is currently 4th on the TPL table and are enjoying a two-game winning streak at the moment. Sunday’s match (March 22) will see the Ronins take on a Muangthong team that includes

Teerasil Dangda, the Thai standout who was part of Spanish La Liga squad UD Almeria when they played a friendly in Phuket last August. The Ronins will be confident going into this match after their come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Thai Honda on March 11. In other Phuket FC news, the Ronins will begin their Toyota League Cup journey away from the island as they travel north to face-off against Lampang FC in the opening round of the annual competition on April 18. The knock-out match will be played at the 5,500 seat Lampang Central Stadium. The announcement was made during the draw for the Toyota

League Cup in Bangkok on March 10. The national competition pits teams from all levels of Thai football against one another. Lampang FC plays in the Regional League Division 2, North Zone and were founded just five years ago. Last year, the Ronins finished off Thai Premier League teams Srisaket FC (2-1) and Police United (1-1 full time, 3-1 penalties) before losing to Bangkok Glass 1-0 in the third round of the competition. The Ronins played all three games in front of their home crowd at Surakul Stadium, with the last match against Bangkok Glass attended by a record 7,000 fans.

28 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Phuket United get ready for 2015

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Phuket Super Six League: Season 9, Round 6

FUTSAL Steven Layne editor@classactmedia.co.th

huket United on March 17 unveiled their squad at Saphan Hin Indoor Gymnasium for the upcoming 2015 Futsal Thailand Premier League, the official start of which has yet to be announced. This year’s roster includes many of the key players from last year’s squad, which finished in 4th place of Thailand’s elite five-a-side league. Fans screamed as they saw Brazilian favourites “Action” Jackson Santos (no 5) and Edson “Gugu” Silva (no 4) walk down the catwalk to confirm

ConF (orange) reconcile their position at the top in Div 3 after a 3-1 victory over Thailand Weightloss (black). Photo: Karl Ward.

“Action” Jackson Santos (left) and Edson “Gugu” Silva (right). their place in the line up, which also features many current and former players from the Thailand national squad including Thanakorn Penpakul (captain of Phuket United) Patchaya Srimanta, Kittipong Sonsuwan, Chaleamsri Pungsri, Anuwat Panoppha. and Thanakorn

Piyaprichayut, among others. The Andaman Pearl will play an exhibition match on March 28 against Surat Thani’s “Lighting Shrimp” at the 4,000 seat Saphan Hin Indoor Gymnasium. The Phuket News are proud media partners with the club.

AWAY

LHM Hiso Low Cost Tan Khun Thailand Pool Tables The Target Masters The Kata Dragons Pen In Reality Millionaire Class Act Hustlers Arrow Media Legends

Man O Man Orange Corner La Taverna Off Course Cue Boys Taz Girls Mermaids Big Apple OTG Running The Residences WTF !! Fun Taz Y

For more information, visit phuketfootball.com

SCORE 0:5 2:3 5:0 1:4 4:1 2:3 4:1 4:1 5:0 0:0 0:5 4:1

SUPER SIX SOCCER Division 1

Team

GD Pts

Phuket Condos & Homes

Pita Bar Phuketeers

Daohang

Blue Horizon

-2

Shakers FC

TT Boys

-5

Sam Kong FC

-3

Two Chefs

-17

Division 2

DIVISION 1

Black Dragon FC

All games postponed

TEFL Campus

Irish Times

USSR

Zaleng FC v Black Dragon FC 2 – 3

Phuket Condos & Homes B

-2

Zaleng FC

DIVISION 3

Vintage FC

-13

Talon FC

-12

DIVISION 2

VNEA Pool: Season 2, Round 22 HOME

The island’s 24-team, three division league – is heating up after six rounds of play. Black Dragon FC jumped up a spot to take the lead in division 2 while Naraya United stay on top of Division 3 after a big 11-2 victory over Jugqrue FC.

Shambala United v Healthy FC 4 – 1 Thailand Weightloss v ConF 1 – 4 Naraya United v Jugqrue FC 11 – 2 Novotel v Phuket Serenity Villas 3 – 7

Division 3 1

Naraya United

ConF

Thailand Weightloss

Phuket Serenity Villas

Shambala United

-5

Novotel

-12

Jugqrue FC

-12

Healthy FC

-22

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

SPORT 29

‘March Madness’ grips USA to tune of $2 bn BASKETBALL

Kentucky forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) drives on Florida centre Alex Murphy (5) during an NCAA college basketball game in the quarter final round of the Southeastern Conference tournament on March 23. Photo: NCAA

All Blacks coach laments drift to “boring” rugby RUGBY UNION A LL BLACK S COACH Steve Hansen has warned rugby union risks becoming “boring” unless steps are taken to make the game more attacking and simplify its bloated rule book. Hansen said defence was dominating the 15-a-side code and detracting from the game as a spectacle. “I don’t think the game’s boring yet but it could go that way,” he told New Zealand’s Radio Sport. “I think we’re victims of our own demise, we’ve got better and better at coaching defensively and because of that we’ll have to get better at attack. “But at the moment it seems to be a defensive game rather than an attacking game.” Accusations of playing boring rugby are often hurled at northern hemisphere teams by southern fans but Hansen said he was talking about trends across the entire game, not just in one area. He said the laws of the game, which run for more than 200 pages when downloaded from governing body World Rugby’s website, needed to be culled. “One of the problems we’ve had over the years is that we’ve added rules in but we haven’t deducted,” he said. “So we’ve got this mess and at some point we need to fix the mess and say ‘what are the critical rules we need here @thephuketnews

40 million Americans will fill out a total of 70 million brackets to bet more than US$2 billion on the tournament, much of it in office bracket pools across the nation where productivity figures to take a dip when 16 games are played each day, most during typical work hours. More brackets will be filled than the number of ballots cast for US President Barack Obama in the 2012 US election (nearly 66 million), with Obama himself filling out a bracket every year for ESPN to telecast his guesses as Bracketologist-in-Chief. AFP

Thailand eyes joint bid for Olympics OLYMPICS THAILAND AND MALAYSIA have floated an idea of a joint bid for the 2024 Olympics, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said. Kobkarn said she met her Malaysian counterpart Khairy Jamaluddin in the US last month and both sides were interested in a joint bid to host the 2024 Olympics, as well as the football World Cup. The minister said Southeast

and let’s simplify it so people can see it and understand it and make it easier to referee?’.” Combined with the increased athleticism and speed of modern players, Hansen said hard-to-understand rules and defensive coaching were stifling attacking play. “There’s a lack of time and space, the tackle area has got no clarity about it,” he said. “(When there’s) a penalty in the breakdown... no one – players, fans, coaches – has any idea who’s going to be awarded a penalty. “What does the game need? It needs clarity of its rules and you need time and space to be able to play it.” He said such a move would make it much easier for referees to enforce the rules consistently. “It’s a very, very difficult game to referee at the moment. “There’s so many things they’ve got to look at and unfortunately, with the pace of the game, you can’t see it all.” AFP

merican sports fans are in the grip of “March Madness” and that devotion to the US national college basketball tournament could bring US$2 billion in bracket betting and lost work productivity. The 68-team National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball championship has unbeaten Kentucky as a clear favourite. The phenomenon known as “March Madness” opened with two first-round play-in games Tuesday (March 17)

but fans have been filling out tournament brackets since the pairings were unveiled Sunday night (March 15). Kentucky could become the first college team to make a perfect run to the crown since Indiana in 1976. The Wildcats have height to rival NBA teams and the speed and shooting touch to humble opponents, so their quest to win six more games is likely to boost viewership beyond the 21.2 million who watched the 2014 final. The American Gaming Association (AGA), a trade group representing the US casino industry, estimates that

Asian countries could host a number of international sports events with co-operation among them. Malaysia and Thailand agreed that sports could boost regional tourism, Kobkarn said. She said that her ministry would allocate about B70–80 million to support the Thai men’s football team to win a place at the 2016 Olympics. Meanwhile, the Volleyball Association of Thailand (VAT) is working to push for the women’s national side to win the country’s first ever

Olympic berth in the sport at the 2016 Games. With the Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship to be held in China from May 20-28 and the SEA Games in Singapore from June 5-16, the VAT has decided to send a second-string side to defend the SEA Games title. Their full national side will be in China where they need to finish in the top-four to get a place for the final stage of the Olympic qualifying event in Japan. Bangkok Post

Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul

30 SPORT

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM MAIN SPONSOR

MONTHLY SPONSOR

PANTONE 295C

PANTONE 1797C

The overall competition winner receives 2 round-trip business class tickets Phuket-Kuala Lumpur AND 2 round-trip business class tickets Krabi-Kuala Lumpur from Malaysia Airlines, overall value THB71,100. The monthly competion winner for October will receive a THB5,000 voucher to spend at Two Chefs Bar & Grill (all Phuket branches). Cyan

100

Cyan 100

Magenta

Magenta 100

Black

MONTHLY STANDINGS

Manchester City’s Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho (L) vies with Burnley’s Welsh striker Sam Vokes during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Manchester City at Turf Moor. Photo: AFP/Oli Scarff

Burnley stun champs as City blow chance FOOTBALL

a n che s t e r Cit y wasted a chance to put pressu re on Premier League leaders Chelsea as the champions crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat at struggling Burnley on Saturday (March 14). Manuel Pellegrini’s side departed Turf Moor with their hopes of retaining the title hanging by a slender thread after a lacklustre performance was punished by George Boyd’s second half winner. City remain six points behind Chelsea, who still have one more game in hand after facing Southampton on Sunday (March 15). The dismal defeat, their first against Burnley since 1974, was the worst possible warm-up for City’s Champions League last 16 second leg trip to Barcelona in midweek and added to the growing pressure on Pellegrini. The third bottom Clarets took the lead in the 61st minute when Vincent Kompany’s

header only reached the edge of the penalty area, where Scotland midfielder Boyd drove a fine low left-footed strike past City goalkeeper Joe Hart. “It was a normal performance and I don’t think we played very badly. We created more chances, they had one shot on target and got a beautiful goal,” Pellegrini said. Meanwhile, Chelsea endured more Stamford Bridge frustration as Southampton held the Premier League leaders to a 1-1 draw, while Wayne Rooney delivered the knockout blow in Manchester United’s 3-0 win against Tottenham on Sunday (March 15). Jose Mour in ho’s side would have moved eight points clear of second placed Manchester City if they had beaten Southampton, but instead they had to settle for a share of the spoils in west London. Diego Costa’s 11th minute header had ended the Spain striker’s seven-match goal drought.

Yet Chelsea failed to press home their advantage and Southampton equalised eight minutes later when Dusan Tadic converted a penalty awarded for a Nemanja Matic foul on Sadio Mane. The fr ustrating result came just days after Chelsea crashed out of the Champions League on away goals following a 2-2 draw against Paris Saint Germain in front of their own supporters. Chelsea have now drawn their last three home matches in all competitions. At Old Trafford, Rooney was firmly in the spotlight as fourth placed United produced a rare heavyweight display in a spluttering campaign to move within one point of third placed Arsenal. Louis van Gaal’s side made the perfect start as they took the lead in the ninth minute when Marouane Fellaini beat Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris with a low leftfooted shot. Carrick scored 10 minutes later when he looped a header past Lloris. It was Carrick’s first goal since February 2014, but Rooney ensured the match would be remembered mostly for his contribution in the 34th minute. Elsewhere, Everton eased their relegation fears with a 3-0 stroll against Newcastle at Goodison Park. Meanwhile, Arsenal cemented their position in the top four as Olivier Giroud’s blistering strike inspired a 3-0 rout of West Ham. Giroud broke the deadlock seconds before the break as

he cut in from the right edge of the penalty area to lash an unstoppable left-footed shot into the far corner. Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey got Arsenal’s second, and his first since December, in the 81st minute while Mathieu Flamini came off the bench to seal the points with an 84th minute goal. Aston Villa’s revival under new manager Tim Sherwood gathered pace as they boosted their bid to avoid relegation with a crucial 4-0 win at fellow strugglers Sunderland. Crystal Palace pushed second bottom QPR deeper into the relegation mire with a 3-1 victory over their London rivals at Selhurst Park. AFP

PREVIOUS RESULTS: Monday 16th March 2015

Swansea 0-1 Liverpool Sunday 15th March 2015

Chelsea Everton Man Utd

1-1 Southampton 3-0 Newcastle 3-0 Tottenham

Saturday 14th March 2015

Crystal Palace 3-1 QPR Arsenal 3-0 West Ham Leicester 0-0 Hull Sunderland 0-4 Aston Villa West Brom 1-0 Stoke Burnley 1-0 Man City Saturday 7th March 2015

QPR

1-2 Tottenham

Wednesday 4th March 2015

Man City 2-0 Leicester Newcastle 0-1 Man Utd QPR 1-2 Arsenal Stoke 2-0 Everton Tottenham 3-2 Swansea West Ham 0-1 Chelsea Liverpool 2-0 Burnley Tuesday 3rd March 2015

Aston Villa 2-1 West Brom Hull 1-1 Sunderland Southampton 1-0 Crystal Palace Sunday 1st March 2015

Liverpool 2-1 Man City Arsenal 2-0 Everton

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

mircearos phils64 aquamarine bazerb gamagan Mang tdavies14 zestrealestate

TOTAL STANDINGS

55 55 52 52 52 52 52 52

1. diggersd 2. phils64 3. gamagan 4. scottkip 5. popcorn 6. celticpride 7. stegee 8. fazza 9. zestrealestate 10. thailand express

9. British International School, Phuket 49

10. chook

568 563 555 555 554 547 547 544 542 541

English Premier League 2014 - 2015 Team

MP W

Pts

Chelsea

28 19

58 23 35

Man City

29 17

59 28 31

Arsenal

29 17

56 30 26

Man Utd

29 16

50 26 24

Liverpool

29 16

43 30 13

Southampton

29 15

40 21 19

Tottenham

29 15

46 42

Stoke

29 12

11 33 35

-2

11 33 38

-5

Swansea

29 11

West Ham

29 10

10 39 37

Newcastle

12 32 46 -14

Crystal Palace

12 34 40

-6

West Brom

12 27 36

-9

Everton

10 12 36 41

-5

Hull

10 13 26 37 -11

Aston Villa

15 19 38 -19

Sunderland

14 11 23 43 -20

Burnley

10 14 26 47 -21

QPR

19 30 52 -22

Leicester

17 24 44 -20

EPL FIXTURES

Liverpool v Newcastle

Saturday 21st March 2015