20-10-2017

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

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Royal Cremation upholds tradition

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Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong lights a candle at a memorial ceremony held last Friday (Oct 13) to mark one year since the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great. Photo: PR Dept Shela Riva reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

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xpats and tourists alike this week will be joining the nation in observing the historic Royal Cremation of the beloved late King Bhumibol Adulyadej this Thursday (Oct 26).

Phuket’s version of the scheduled ceremonies and activities will reflect those occurring simultaneously throughout the nation, explained Sanegam Aeedton from the Phuket

office of the Public Relations Department, which has been central to organising the funeral service sites on the island.

“There will be nine television screens for public viewing at Saphan Hin, broadcasting the Royal Cremation ceremonies live from Bangkok,” she said.

“Live broadcasts of the ceremonies will also be televised at Kritsada Ram Temple (Wat Ketho) for people in Kathu district and at Thepwanaram Temple (Wat Manik)

for those in Thalang district,” she added.

“Everything will be synchronised throughout the country,” she said.

The venue at Saphan Hin will have 4,000 seats available for the public, Ms Sanegam confirmed.

Wat Ketho and Wat Manik will host ceremonies similar to those held at Saphan Hin, except for the setting alight of Dok Mai Jan (carved sandalwood flowers).

“People will be able to offer Dok Mai Jan at the two other locations.

However, there will not be a burning ceremony. That will only be at Saphan Hin,” Ms Sanegam said.

During the day, a national day of mourning, ceremonies at Saphan Hin will open with the offering of Dok Mai Jan at 9am and ongoing throughout the morning and afternoon, for all members of the public present to have a chance to offer their carved flowers.

“Then at around 4:30pm, the first ceremony will be held in which Dok Mai Jan will be set alight. Candles

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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will be lit and placed in front of an image of the late King, located within the replica of the Royal Crematorium [built at Saphan Hin], after which the public may sit and join in mass prayers led by Buddhist monks,” said Ms Sanegam.

At 5:30pm, there will be a viewing of the symbolic Royal Cremation at Sanam Luang (King’s Park) in Bangkok with HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn on LED screens at Saphan Hin, Wat Ketho and Wat Manik...

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

Thailand pauses for 89 seconds to remember King Bhumibol > page 7

Phuket preparations complete

Symbolic rituals to be held nationwide for the Royal Cremation

Continued from page 1 ...“Then at 10pm, will be the second burning of Dok Mai Jan offerings led by Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong,” Ms Sanegam said.

As in Bangkok, there will also be live theatrical performances and traditional music and dance starting at 6pm near the Royal Crematorium replica at Saphan Hin until 9:30pm, she added.

“It will take place in the same area, after the ceremonies for the cremation are complete,” she said.

Live performances of the evening will include a symphony orchestra, Thai music performances by Phuket Wittayalai School and a pantomime performance by Muang Phuket Municipal School.

Students from the Phuket Rajabhat University (PRU) Performing Arts Department will perform a dance in the traditional Southern Thai Manora style and students from PRU’s Faculty of Music Education will perform live music and songs.

Such performances after a Royal Funeral have been traditionally performed since the Ayutthaya period and signals the ending of the official mourning period, as well as manifesting the greatness of the monarch, explains the official website “KingRama9. th”, created specifically to explain the Royal Cremation ceremonies.

Of note, at Sanam Luang in Bangkok, performances will start at 6pm and continue until 6am the following day.

T he P rov i ncial La nd Transport Office (PLTO) and the Phuket Provincial Traffic Police have coordinated and confirmed seven main parking locations with pick-up services available to members of the public on the day, confirmed PLTO Chief Banyat Kanta.

“There are seven points to park with pick-up and return transport services. First is Tesco-Lotus in Samkong, second is Sanam Chai playing fields opposite Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket Town,

Volunteers clean around the pavilion where ‘Dok Mai Jan’ are to be set alight during the ceremony to be held at the Royal Crematorium replica at Saphan Hin. Photo: PR Dept third is along Tha Kreng Rd opposite King Rama IX Park in Phuket Town, fourth is at the Srinagarindra The Princess Mother School at Saphan Hin,” said Mr Banyat.

“In Wichit, people can

park at the Big C shopping centre on the bypass road and at the Naka night market, both of which will be free van services to transport the public to Saphan Hin (see opposite page).

“Motorbike parking will also be available at Phuket Vocational College at Saphan Hin for those attending the ceremony,” Mr Banyat said.

“Within the Saphan Hin area, there will be a service

car for the elderly and the disabled,” he added.

As preparations for the processions are underway, Phuket’s centrepiece for the mourning ceremonies, the Royal Crematorium replica reached full completion on Monday (Oct 16).

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong announced on Monday that the Royal Crematorium replica and the Dok Mai Jan furnace are both complete, with the shrine kept 20 to 30 metres away from the point of offering for the Dok Mai Jan. “The Royal Crematorium replica is based on the concept, ‘neat, correct, beautiful and honourable’,” he said.

“The centre is set at Saphan Hin, where officials and volunteers have cooperated together for the security and the smoothness of the Royal Cremation.”

“Meetings with updates are being held every Monday at 1:30pm until the Royal Cremation has been complete,” said Governor Norraphat.

Phuket marks one year since passing of the late King MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE gathered at Saphan Hin Park last Friday morning (Oct 13) to take part in an alms-giving ceremony for 89 monks to mark one year since the passing of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away at 3:52pm on Oct 13 last year.

Those in attendance at the alms-giving ceremony, held at the Tin Mining Monument, included Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong, Vice Governors Snith Sriwihok, Thawornwat Kongkaew and Prakob Wongmaneerung,

A two-day commemorative event was held at Saphan Hin to mark one year since the passing of the late King.

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Teerapol Thipjaroen, Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansuppana, among others.

Officials were joined for the merit-making activity by some 500 local residents who had waited at the venue since before 7am despite the heavy downpours in the area.

The alms-giving ceremony was the start of a two-day commemorative event held at Saphan Hin to mark one year since the passing of the late King.

Later on Friday afternoon, at 3pm, there was an exhibition presented by the Peranakan Association of Phuket featuring the life and achievements of

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Then at 5pm, there was a theatrical performance titled “I was born in the reign of King Rama IX” by a group from Phuket Rajabhat University who have named themselves “I was born to be number one” in honour of the nationwide campaign “To Be Number One” under the patronage of HRH Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, which aims to inspire young people to strive to achieve in their chosen areas of focus.

The Phuket News

Stores, offices to close for Funeral

PHUKET’S MAIN DEPARTMENT stores, Central Festival Phuket and Jungceylon will close early on Oct 26 to commemorate the Royal Cremation of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Central Pattana Public Co Ltd announced that CentralPlaza and all Central Festival shopping centres nationwide will be closed from 3pm – except CentralWorld and CentralPlaza Rama2 in Bangkok, which will be open to facilitate

the general public as these are locations for the offering of sandalwood flowers.

All of their shopping centres will reopen as usual on Friday, Oct 27.

Jungceylon will close from 3pm on Oct 26 and reopen for regular business on Oct 27.

Meanwhile, Tesco Lotus Chief Executive John Christie has said that all Tesco Lotus stores will be close from 2pm on Oct 26.

All Central Festival shopping centres will close from 3pm on Oct 26.

Likewise, all 7-Eleven stores will close from 2:30pm to midnight.

All government offices will be closed on the day.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

Veg Fest to hold mass prayers for late King

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The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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he Phuket Vegetarian Festival this year will include a mass prayer in Phuket Town to honour the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej ahead of the Royal Cremation on Oct 26.

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong revealed the news at a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall held recently to announce – again – that this year’s Phuket Vegetarian festival will be held on Oct 20-28. Gov Norraphat initially announced the dates for this year’s festival on July 11.

Joining the meeting was Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung along with the heads of local government offices and representatives from Phuket Shrines Association.

“This festival is one of Phuket’s oldest festivals,” Gov Norraphat said.

“The festival aims to preserve cultural heritage and pass on traditions down to the next generation, and has done so for more than 100 years.”

The Phuket office of the PR Dept issued a formal request advisory for all persons wanting to attend Royal Funeral services to make sure they dress appropriately.

Dress respectfully for Royal Funeral The famous Phuket Vegetarian Festival street processions this year will be held on one day only of the nine-day festival. Photo: Mark Knowles This year, the traditional lantern-pole raising ritual to allow the Chinese gods to descend from heaven, marking the start of the festival, took place at participating shrines yesterday (Oct 19).

“Mass prayer ceremonies to commemorate the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej will be held on the second day of the festival, on Oct 21, at Sanam Chai playing field in Phuket Town,” Gov Norraphat explained.

The annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival is held over nine days usually in October.

The event celebrates the beliefs of the Chinese community in Phuket that abstinence from meat, alcohol, sex and stimulants during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar honours the gods and will deliver devotees good health and an elevated state of spirituality.

The famous street processions held as part of the

Iconic pink buses, vans to provide free rides for Royal Cremation Day THE PHUKET PROVINcial Administration Organisation (PPAO, or OrBorJor) will be providing free bus services for people to attend the Royal Cremation services for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Saphan Hin on Oct 26.

The free bus services will be provided by the iconic pink Po Thong buses, specifically along three routes throughout Muang District, explained PPAO Acting Chief Watcharin Patomwatthanapong.

“Po Thong buses will be offering free transportation in Muang District from 6am to 7pm along three routes,” Mr Watcharin said.

The first route is from the Big C shopping centre (on the bypass road) to Phuket Vocational College at Saphan Hin, within walking distance of where the services will be held on Oct 26, he added.

The second route is from the Super Cheap main store on Thepkrasattri Rd to Moom Muang market on Chao Fa East Rd, including stops at Phuket Bus Terminal 2 and the Downtown Market on Ranong Rd in the heart of Phuket Town. @thephuketnews

PPAO Acting Chief Watcharin Patomwatthanapong. Photo: PR Dept “The third route is from Saphan Hin to Koh Siray,” Mr Watcharin explained.

Meanwhile, a group of independent Phuket van drivers will be providing free transport from within Wichit so people can attend Royal Cremation services at Saphan Hin on Oct 26.

The drivers will be offering free transportation from the Big C shopping centre on the bypass road, Sri Puwanat Park on Pattana Tongtin Rd, and the Naka Market, also known as the Weekend Night Market near Wat Naka, all in Wichit.

“We will have just over 60 vans which will be going back and forth to Saphan Hin from 9am to 9pm,” said Sirichai Niyomna, a representative of the volunteer group.

“At around 5pm the vans

will start picking people up from Saphan Hin to go back,” he said.

Mr Sirichai explained that the group consists of independent van driver volunteers and are not funded or sourced from a company.

“We are not a company. We are just a group of volunteers.

We have offered free services about three times before. Last year, we brought people from Phuket to Bangkok, and back, for free,” he said.

“We are not doing this for money. If people want to show their appreciation we will accept foods or drink,” he added.

Mr Sirichai explained that the volunteers will be providing the free transport only from within Wichit, as other subdistricts have organised their own transportation services.

“Our group has coordinated with Wichit Municipality as they need help for this area.

Other subdistricts are arranging their own transport. We are just offering extra support,” he said.

The Phuket News / Shela Riva

Phuket Vegetarian Festival this year will be held on one day only of the nineday festival – on Oct 28 – in respect of the Royal Funeral for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Also, all people taking part in this year’s Vegetarian Festival have been asked to refrain from throwing firecrackers and to tone done the face piercings in order to be respectful of the Royal Funeral of the late King.

ALL PERSONS LOOKING to attend any of the Royal Cremation services to be held throughout the country have been formally requested to adhere to a respectful dress code.

The official request was issued via a public announcement circulated locally by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department last Sunday (Oct 15).

“Men should wear a polite black shirt with long sleeves, and police black trousers or black jeans, with black shoes. (Black should be the main colour),” said the notice issued by PR Department.

“Ladies should wear a polite black shirt with sleeves that is not tight with a long

black shirt no shorter than the knee, black high heels.

No sleeveless shirts or stringstrapped shirts. (Black should be the main colour),” it said.

“Government officials must wear mourning uniforms with a white sash during the day, and white uniforms from 9pm onwards,” said the PR Department notice.

According to the schedule on the national website http://www.kingrama9.th/ the change in clothing for government officials to white before 10pm is due to the “actual royal cremation” of the late King at this time.

The day time ceremonies represent a “symbolic royal cremation”.

Shela Riva

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Beach safety plunges Surfer rescues tourist, then ‘safety official’ from drowning

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local surfer at Phuket’s Nai Harn Beach was forced to come to the rescue on Tuesday (Oct 17) to safely bringing back to shore a Chinese tourist in distress and the local official tasked as part of the “emergency beach safety team” who was trying to rescue him.

T he su r fer, who T he Phuket News has so far only been able to confirm calls himself “Max”, paddled out with a friend to carry out the rescues after noticing the two in trouble about 100 metres from shore at about midday, former Nai Harn chief lifeguard Jula Nontree confirmed.

The beach safety official had taken a lifeguard rescue paddle board out to assist the Chinese tourist, but was unable to carry out the rescue once reaching the tourist, with both the Chinese man and the official struggling to clamber onto the paddle board.

“The official is from Rawai Municipality. He told me that he had no idea what to do once he got to the tourist,” Mr Jula said.

“He had the paddle board, but didn’t know what to do once he was out there.”

The official rescued was among those from Rawai Municipality assigned to help provide beach safety at Nai Harn following amid Phuket’s current lifeguard crisis.

Mr Jula confirmed that

Rescue workers render emergency treatment to the Chinese tourist after Phuket surfer ‘Max’ rescued both him and the ‘beach safety’ official who tried to rescue him. Photo: Couresty of Freedom Man / Facebook there are no paid lifeguards at Nai Harn Beach, despite claims by Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos on Oct 5 that the same lifeguards who previously patrolled Nai Harn and Yanui beaches had been hired to continue their patrols, but paid directly by Rawai Municipality and not the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO, or OrBorJor).

However, Mayor Aroon Solos on Oct 6 did make it clear his stance on Phuket’s lifeguard crisis: “We need real lifeguards, not non-experienced people working as lifeguards,” he said.

Meanwhile further north at Surin Beach, former professional and qualified volunteer lifeguards from the Surin-Bangtao Surf Lifesaving Club – who are continuing to provide their essential lifesaving skills free of charge while they can still afford to

out of their own pockets – have rescued 10 victims, including a young boy, in just three days, from Sunday through Tuesday, this week The Surin Beach lifeguards last week posted a “Double Red Flag Warning - Do Not Enter Water” notice to warn beachgoers of the dangerous surf conditions along Phuket’s west coast.

The dangerous surf, and the “f lash rips” that drag swimmers out to sea, are still endangering swimmers and are likely to continue for at least the next few days, lifeguards told The Phuket News on Wednesday.

“Right now Phuket is experiencing the full brunt of the Phuket cocktail, and these conditions are predicted to continue over the next three to five days according to Magic Seaweed, a surf and weather forecast website,” one veteran

lifeguard at Surin Beach explained.

The “Phuket cocktail” refers to the killer flash rip conditions as named by local surfer and water safety pioneer Steve Martin in a Prince of Songkhla University study called “The Surfer-Lifesavers of Phuket” conducted seven years ago.

“The flash rip is the Phuket cocktail, a deadly mixture of short-period and long-period wave activity unique to the region. This translates to what we see at our Phuket beaches: one minute the swimmer/tourist is standing in waist-deep water, marvelling in the moment at the beauty of Phuket; the next minute they are swept off their feet and carried out to sea,” Mr Martin wrote in his report.

Surin Beach lifeguards have already highlighted that despite the good intentions among local officials and even bystanders and other tourists to help rescue people in danger, lack of training in coping with flash rips only endangers those who are trying to help.

“Every time an untrained bystander attempts a rescue, they face a high risk of drowning themselves,” advised professional lifeguard Sayan Bureerak, who has been the Surin Beach Lifeguard Captain for seven years. He is also the de-facto supervisor of the volunteer lifeguard team at Surin Beach.

“Even though many swimmers got into trouble today,

our trained lifeguards rescued them all. Nobody died today.

Our goal is zero drownings at Surin Beach,” Mr Sayan said.

“It has been extremely fortunate so far that none of these Good Samaritans have lost their own lives while trying to help others. According to the statistics, however, Phuket’s luck may already be stretched very thin,” another veteran lifeguard told The Phuket News.

“Will cases of bystander rescuers drowning themselves become Phuket’s ‘new normal’? Tourists on holiday to Phuket should not be placed in this position. It will lead to tragedy,” he added.

The current situation follows a spate of beach surf rescues, mostly by volunteers, tourists or bystanders, with foreigner beachgoers rescuing three Russian men from drowning at Nai Thon Beach on Saturday (Oct 14).

The Phuket News was informed that another Good Samaritan saw a 32-year-old Russian man rescued from the water in front at Kata Beach on Sunday.

“No one wanted to help him and my friend who was jogging past swam in to drag him out,” one witness told The Phuket News.

Sadly, despite the efforts of all people at Phuket beaches over last weekend, 42-year-old Russian tourist Oleg Parshukov died after he was pulled from the surf at Karon Beach last Sunday (Oct 15).

One dead, one injured in 22-wheeler hit-and-run A MOTORCYCLIST DIED AFter being run over by a 22-wheeled truck and trailer, whilst another motorcyclist was left seriously injured, in a hit-and-run in central Phuket on Wednesday (Oct 18).

Capt Kraisorn Boonprasop of the Thalang Police was notified of the incident, in front of the Tha Rua public service centre on Thepkrasattri Rd southbound, at 8:10am.

Thalang Police arrived at the scene to find the body of Thongmai Chairat, 32, from Ubon Ratchathani, on the road.

He had been r un over by a

22-wheeled truck with both of his legs nearly detached from his body, said Capt Kraisorn.

Another motorcyclist, Nuttawut Chaikham, 24, also from Ubon Ratchathani, was seriously injured after being knocked off his bike by the same 22-wheeler, whose driver fled the scene.

“According to the preliminary investigation, Mr Thongmai had been knocked off his motorbike by a white Honda car, that was parked in the right lane with its emergency lights turned on when police arrived,” said Capt Kraisorn.

The driver of the Honda, Wiroj Utatkul, 49, told police that Mr Thomgmai had abruptly overtaken him, causing Mr Wiroj to hit Mr Thongmai from behind and causing him to fall into the path of the 22-wheeled truck, Capt Kraisorn added.

“The truck ran over Mr Thomgmai and then crashed into Mr Nuttawut’s Fino motorbike, leaving Mr Nuttawut seriously injured before fleeing the scene,” he said.

Rescue workers rushed Mr Nuttawut to Vachira Hospital for medical attention, and Mr Thongmai’s body to Thalang Hospital.

Thongmai Chairat, 32, from Ubon Ratchathani, died after he was run over by a 22-wheeled truck and trailer in central Phuket on Wednesday morning (Oct 18).

“Police will check the CCTV footage nearby to investigate the facts more thoroughly and to try to track down the driver of the truck,” Capt Kraisorn said.

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Dam good news

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New reservoir onstream within two months Shela Riva reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

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mid complaints from residents about persistent water shut-offs by the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA), the PWA’s acting manager has assured that the outages will cease once the Khlong Katha Dam is complete in the coming two months.

The news became clear after The Phuket News began investigating complaints about recurring water outages in Wichit, an area afflicted with severe outages that have been recurring for years.

One resident on Sakdidet Rd, Wichit, told The Phuket News that at the beginning of October the water was off for most of the day, over five days.

Last week on Sunday (Oct 8) the PWA announced another shut off for the day.

“We (residents) can totally understand water shortages in April and the weather has been hot with no rain for months on end, but this time of year, with the rain that we have had, it is unacceptable,”

Abdulloah Hayeemayaeh, 27, from Pattani, admitted to carrying out the theft. Photo: Screengrab from video

Baggage handler arrested for theft The Khlong Katha Dam (pictured above in April this year) is expected to begin supplying water to the first of an estimated 100,000 residents within the next two months. Photo: Puchet Pakkasat said the Sakdidet Rd resident.

“My partner has a hair salon business which she has had to close due to these shut-offs. Is that acceptable to the Phuket PWA? Are they prepared to compensate businesses that have lost money due to their incompetence?

“I would love Phuket PWA to do to tourist areas what they do to local people’s areas, but that is highly unlikely.”

Acting Phuket PWA head Somchai Kuntananat, who arrived on the island only two weeks ago from his post as

Krabi PWA Chief, said, “We are in the process of beginning to switch our water supply to be supplemented from the (Chalong) reservoir. It is a large project,” he said.

“Also, this area (Wichit) suffers from water shortages due to having a lot of users.

Right now, our only major source is Bang Wad Dam, so we struggle to supply water to this area sometimes,” he added.

“Regarding the issue of English notices being unavailable prior to a water shut-off,

Club operator sacked over shooting T H E M A N AG E M E N T of the Hollywood nightclub on Bangla Rd, Patong, has had its contract to operate the venue terminated following the shooting in the club in the early hours of last Thursday morning (Oct 12).

Preechawut “Prab” Keesin, landlord of the venue and as the head of the Pisona Group of companies, confirmed to The Phuket News that the agreement was terminated for a breach of contract, specifically for bringing the venue into disrepute.

The incident saw Manus “Ta” Pongsupakit, 34, pull out a handgun and shoot Pongwarit Tiptara, 27, once in the leg and once in the back, with a bullet piercing a lung, at about 2:45am.

The shooting occurred after a “shoulder bump” while the two faced off as the club was being emptied to shut down for the night.

“The contract has been revoked due to this incident,” said Mr Preechawut.

“This incident happened due to drunk men facing up to each other. It always happens at every entertainment venue – when the lights come on, angry feelings arise.

“That is normal. However, @thephuketnews

Manus Pongsupakit, 34, has been released on B300,000 bail combined for carrying a firearm in public and attempted murder. Image: CCTV, via SouthExpressNews24 the security guard was in the toilet [at the time of the incident],” he explained.

“The security of the previous management team has failed,” he said.

“Also, the contract stipulates that the agreement will be terminated if the tenant creates a bad image in this area or appears in the news negatively. The previous management is willing to accept this,” he said.

“Patong Police Chief Col Tassanai has ordered the club to be closed for seven days. So this is the deal between landlord and tenant that has taken place,” said Mr Preechawut.

The Phuket News has yet to confirm whether a new operator has opted to lease the prime location venue for the coming tourism high sea-

son, from November through February.

Manus surrendered at Patong Police Station at 4:50pm last Thursday, little more than 14 hours after fleeing the scene of the shooting.

“The suspect in the shooting at Hollywood confessed to carrying a firearm in a public place and attempted murder. He posted B300,000 bail combined for the two charges against him and was released last Friday (Oct 13),” Patong Police Chief Col Tassanai Orarigdech confirmed on Monday (Oct 16).

“After this, I realised that it is necessary to urge to entertainment venues on Bangla Rd to participate in a security tutorial, including weapon checks and general awareness of security,” Col Tassanai said.

I will bring this up with our team. We will set up a Line group for each subdistrict that people can join, so they can to be notified directly in Thai and English,” he said.

“It will be ready in the coming weeks. I will let you know,” Mr Somchai said.

Mr Somchai also clarified that no compensation is offered to businesses that have lost trade through the shut-offs.

“If you require water urgently… contact the PWA and we will bring trucks to provide you with water,” he said.

A BAGGAGE HANDLER at Phuket International Airport was arrested last Wednesday (Oct 11) over the theft of Bluetooth speaker from a passenger’s luggage after a video clip of the theft was circulated on social media.

Sub Lt Wittaya Kongsomboon of the Phuket Tourist Police along with Cpl Nattapon Pinkaew of the Sakoo Police arrested Abdulloah Hayeemayaeh, 27, from Pattani at the airport.

He was arrested with a black Bluetooth speaker which Abdulloah admitted to have stolen from a passenger’s luggage.

The arrest of Abdulloah came after police at the airport received a video clip earlier that day from a person who

asked not to be named. The video clip was recorded on Tuesday (Oct 10).

“In the video clip, a male baggage handler from the ‘BAGS’ Company was seen going through passenger’s bags for Jetstar Flight 3535 at 3:30pm,” said Maj Ekkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police.

“Police questioned staff from the ‘BAGS’ Company to find out who the male seen in the video was,” he added.

“We were told that it was Abdulloah seen in the clip and he confessed to being the man in the video,” Maj Ekkachai said.

Abdulloah has since been charged with theft.

Eakkapop Thongtub

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EDITORIAL

A befitting testament

he entire nation of Thailand will come to a stop next Thursday (Oct 26) to witness the Royal Cremation Ceremony of the nation’s beloved late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The actual cremation will take place on Oct 26, but in all there will be five days of ritualised ceremonies – a display of the Thai people’s deep love for their late King.

The ceremony will be a monumentally historic moment for Thailand and only a small number of elderly people have ever before witnessed such an event. The last Royal Funeral Ceremony for a Monarch was that of King Bhumibol’s brother, King Rama VII, in 1950.

It has been fascinating to observe the extensive, yearlong preparations for King Bhumibol’s funeral and to witness how the ancient Thai royal traditions, developed

over many centuries, continue to be practiced by master craftsmen. The incredible effort and skill of those involved in the restoration of the historic royal chariots, vehicles and palanquins, the building of Phra Meru Mas (the royal crematorium), the crafting of Royal Urn, and the intricate statues of mythical beings, is not only a fitting tribute to the revered King Bhumibol, but also a testament to the rich, ancient religious and artistic traditions of Thailand.

The Royal Cremation Grounds at Sanam Luang are a real-world representation of the Buddhist cosmos, which is also deeply influenced by the even more ancient Brahman religion. In this tradition it is believed that Mount Sumeru, where King Bhumibol’s spirit will return, is the centre of the divine universe, and is surrounded by Mount Sattaboripan,

the ocean and four continents where people live. It is believed that the King is an incarnation of Narayana, who comes to earth for the sake of the world’s peace. When he dies, he returns to Mount Sumeru.

Another testament to the skill of Thai artisans is the Sandalwood Royal Urn (Phra Kot Chan) assembled from a total of over 10,000 pieces of carved woods and featuring 46 traditional Thai f lower patterns adorning 64 Theppanom deities.

The ceremony will also feature a royal puppet show, a tradition dating back to the Ayutthaya period.

So whether you watch on television or attend the ceremony at the replica Phra Meru Mas in Saphan Hin, you will be witnessing the enactment of ancient traditions that form an integral part of Thailand’s rich cultural heritage.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Patong to fall quiet to respect late King British expat, 39, found hanged in luxury Phuket house Patong pub shooter surrenders to police King Rama X to lead ceremony American man falls to his death at Patong condo Patong nightclub shooter out on B300k bail, clubs ordered to attend ‘security tutorial’ Patong Police hunt suspect in Hollywood pub shooting Last pint pulled in 7-Eleven Russian tourist drowns at Karon Beach Chinese tourist dies during island day trip off Phuket

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HAVE YOUR SAY The violent gender

Re: Patong nightclub shooter out on B300k bail, clubs ordered to attend ‘security tutorial’ Men are 49% of the population, yet commit the vast majority of these types of crimes. When are we going to address the issue of testosterone as a real public health menace? How to solve all these problems with alcohol festered violence?

Legalize marijuana.

Christy Sweet ....................................................

Useless legislation

Re: Patong pub shooter surrenders to police An “Anti Weapon Law” for all Thais would stop the killing in the deep South? You must be kidding! Do you think they got their weapon by law? How about a “Anti bomb law”as most people there die by explosives? Would that help?

Eagle ....................................................

Deadly weather

Re: Chinese tourist dies during island day trip off Phuket On that day small boats were advised not to sail out. Why is it that these boat men can

do what they want with their uneducated approach/thinking, and still sail out with tourists?

Is it not time Thai government do a bit more than ‘advise’ in order to protect tourists and care about their safety? Small vessels with uneducated/unlicensed crew should not be advised, but forbidden. Why is the government not doing more for safety of tourists?

Kurt I have to point out that the weather on that day was awful.

A big storm had been wreaking havoc for three solid days.

No speedboat should have been out in that.

Captain Jack ....................................................

Marina marauders

Re: Concerns raised over new B450mn Phuket marina I find the claim that Thais will be hired to be dubious, as successful endeavours dealing with monied foreigners are going to hire foreigners to manage, and migrant labour to build. The owner really has no reason other than his own profit margin to build. I also find it astonishing that a project of this size has only two

community input meetings.

Christy Sweet Hmm… unknown local group of average Thai people versus monied interests and “growth”.

I wonder who will win?

Martin K Ships? Looked at a navigation chart lately? Hardly enough water depth for a “ship” to navigate up there safely without running aground. Maybe okay for a shallow-draught unseaworthy gin palace tourist vessel, but not a “ship”.

And of course, with the “outstanding” local navigation skills that we have all seen demonstrated in The Phuket News on several occasions, sooner or later, some idiot will run aground and create a fuel oil spill.

Maybe once the Marina is built, they’ll then decide they have to dredge which will further destroy the local marine environment. The seagrass beds and destruction of marine organisms from a marina like this will not only effect the local coastal fishermen, it will also effect all the fisheries. And not just in the Andaman Sea, but the Indian Ocean.

Is the Fisheries Department and their marine scientists considered as a “relevant government department” by “Enrich Consulting Ltd”? Is the tourist dollar really worth destroying the environment for the fishing industry? Phuket is already overdeveloped. All Stop. Tell the Gin Palaces to go somewhere else for their so called “Marine Industry”.

It’s just not worth it.

Capt B ....................................................

Share the blame

Re: Chinese tourist drowns at Phuket beach Too many tourists just think fun and forget the dangerous side of swimming/snorkeling in open water, don’t blame everything on Phuket lifeguards and authorities.

Benny 99 ....................................................

The right buttons I just wanted to say that your new The Phuket News Messenger App (on Facebook) is awesome. What a great idea and it was super user friendly to set up. I don’t know who designed this but they did a great job.

Adam

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

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

THAILAND NEWS

7

Silent vigil honours late King

Thailand pauses for 89 seconds to remember King Bhumibol NATIONWIDE Bangkok Post

P

eople across Thailand observed 89 seconds of silence at 3:52pm last Friday (Oct 13) to show their respect for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away one year ago.

Both the public and private sectors had urged the public to observe 89 seconds of silence, to reflect the age of the beloved King Bhumibol, who passed away in his 89th year on Oct 13, 2016 at 3:52pm.

People dressed in black thronged Siriraj Hospital, where the late King received medical treatment and passed away, to offer alms to 199 monks in the morning. They also joined in the silent tribute.

Long queues of people waited to pay their respects before the portrait of the late King Bhumibol installed next to the Grand Palace, braving the late-morning rain.

His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun attended a merit-making ceremony for

@thephuketnews

Officials rehearse for the Royal Cremation at Sanam Luang, Bangkok, last Sunday.

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said about 30 nations will send high-level representatives to attend the ceremony on Oct 26. Photo: Patipat Janthong / Bangkok Post the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Grand Palace last Saturday morning, following the major merit-making ceremonies to mark one year of the passing of King Rama IX on Friday.

His Majesty, accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha and Her Royal Highness Princes Sirivannavari Nariratana, ar-

rived for the ceremony held in the Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall at 10:30am.

The King lit candles and incense sticks to pay respect to his father and the Buddha image before listening to 30 monks chanting prayers.

He subsequently offered saffron robes to the monks.

New prayers and blessings then followed.

In all provinces across the country, many Thais went to temples to make merit for King Rama IX on Saturday, the second day of the first anniversary of the passing of the late monarch.

Thailand is counting down to another sad day this Thursday (Oct 26), when the beloved King will be cremated at the Royal Crematorium built at

Sanam Luang in front of the Grand Palace.

Over a 337-day period, a total of 12.7 million people paid their respects before the Royal Urn placed inside the Grand Palace. The Royal Urn will be used during the Royal Cremation (see pages 15-16), The Royal Cremation date of Oct 26 has been declared as a public holiday. Private sector businesses including banks, department stores and discount stores have announced that they will be closed – either the whole day or just in the afternoon – to allow their employees to watch the ceremony.

About 30 countries have indicated they will send highlevel representatives to attend the Royal Cremation, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai announced on Tuesday (Oct 17).

Appropriate arrangements were being made to receive them, he said. Their numbers were likely to rise.

The Foreign Ministry had not sent out specific invitations to attend the Oct 26 ceremony, but other governments were welcome to express their wish to do so, Mr Don said.

National police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda said police would ensure the safety of people who attend the ceremonies and facilitate traffic flow.

The final rehearsal for the procession would be held this Saturday (Oct 21).

Police were instructed to increase their efficiency in screening those people who would be allowed access to restricted areas during the ceremonies.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon told the government committee organising the royal cremation to ensure the security of mourners at all locations around Sanam Luang and those attending ceremonies in the provinces.

More security cameras will be installed.

Pol Gen Chakthip said he was confident the royal ceremonies would be peaceful and orderly. There were no reports to date of any suspicious movements. The public should follow officers’ instructions to maintain order and for their own safety.

8

THAILAND NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

Damage toll mounts as deadly floods continue BANGKOK

Police display 1kg packets of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) seized in a major raid last week in Bangkok. The street value of the drug is about B2 million baht per kilo.

Photo by Chanat Katanyu / Bangkok Post

Major police raid nets B1bn ice haul BANGKOK POLICE HAVE SEIZED 508 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) with a street value of more than B1 billion.

Police led by national police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chanijinda announced the seizure of the drugs at a briefing Tuesday (Oct 17).

Gen Chakthip said police in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Sida district set up checkpoints early on Monday after being tipped off that drugs would be transported via routes in the district.

A pickup truck emerged near a police checkpoint but made a U-turn apparently to flee police, prompting a chase by authorities. The vehicle managed to escape at the time.

By 12:50pm, police were alerted by local people that the pickup truck had been left near a temple in Bua Yai district of Nakhon Ratchasima. A search found 508 packets of crystal methamphetamine, weighing one kilogramme each, hidden in the back of the vehicle.

After checking footage from CCTV systems, police later arrested a man identified

as 30-year-old Nakhon Phanom native Tinnakorn Khomsingh at a Bua Yai railway station.

He allegedly told police that a member of a drug gang paid him and the other man, identified only as Bee, B20,000 each to transport the drugs from Nakhon Phanom, though it was not revealed to him where the drugs were headed.

His employer only called him on the phone to tell him the routes he had to use.

Police are looking for the other suspect who is still at large, and will expand the investigation to arrest the mastermind.

Pol Gen Chalermkiart Srivorakhan, deputy national police chief, said transit routes for drug smuggling had changed from the North to the Northeast following tougher police measures to stem the influx along the northern border.

The seized drugs were believed to be destined for Malaysia via the South before being distributed to other countries.

In another operation, police seized 14,460 methamphetamine pillss (ya bah) and 25.4 g of ice in Si Sa Ket and arrested four people.

Bangkok Post

Bangkok Post

L

andslides damaged a house and a vehicle in Mae Samat district of Tak and a reservoir burst through its wall in Lop Buri, as a dozen provinces remained flooded on Wednesday (Oct 18) following more torrential rain.

Since Oct 10, f looding across the Cenrtal Plains and into the North has caused the death of at least six people and affected about 197,000 people, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

In Tak landslides were reported on several sections of the Mae Ramat-Ban Tak and Umphang-Mae Sot roads. A house and a vehicle were also struck by the falling dirt and rocks, and an unconfirmed number of people injured.

Heavy rain sent runoff pouring over sections of the Phahon Yothin Highway from Tak to Chiang Mai and Highway 12 from Tak to Sukhothai.

The flooding started on Tuesday night and continued on Wednesday. Households were also affected in Ban Phae village of Muang district, Tak. In Lop Buri province, water in a reservoir in the Kasetsart University campus in Khok Samrong district burst through the retaining bank in the morning. The reservoir was holding 600,000m 3 of water. About 320,000m 3 of it flooded out over 200 rai of paddy fields where the rice was ready for harvest.

Soldiers install a portable bridge across a washed out section of road in Chaiyaphum province on Wednesday (Oct 18). Photo: Makkawan Wannakul / Bangkok Post About 2,700 houses and 16,000 rai of farmland remained flooded in Sapphaya district of Chai Nat, downstream to the south of the Chao Phraya dam on the Chao Phraya River. Flood levels exceeded 1.80 metres in some areas.

In Chaiyaphum province, water overflowing from the Chi River was eroding a road between Muang and Ban Khwao and isolating about 1,000 families in five villages.

Soldiers installed a portable steel bridge across a washed out section of road.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported at least 10 provinces faced f looding.

They included Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Sawan, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Phetchabun, Phichit and Sing Buri.

In Bangkok, owners of

3,184 vehicles have made insurance claims totalling about B45.6 million for damage caused by flooding in the capital over the past week, according to the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC).

OIC secretary-general Suthipol Taweechaikarn said the claims were filed under policies bought from 41 general insurance companies.

The data was as of 9:30am Wednesday (Oct 18).

Around 70% of the claims were for flood damage to floors with repair costs estimated at B8,000 to B10,000 per vehicle, and seats (B15,000-B20,000.

The OIC estimates the cost of repairs to vehicles with flood-damaged lower consoles at B25,000-B30,000, and more than B30,000 for deeper immersion.

In the case of vehicles which had been totally submerged, insurers would pay

out the full insured sum.

Thai media reported that Viriyah Insurance was hardest hit by the flooding last Friday and Saturday (Oct 13-14), with owners of 1,140 vehicles filing damage claims.

Mr Suthipol said payment would be made to holders of first-class insurance and to those who bought lower class policies but also paid the premium for flood damage cover.

He said the OIC was coordinating with insurance companies to speed up payments. Those who did not buy flood protection should refer to the OIC’s median prices list when they get their vehicles repaired.

Bangkok Governor Asawin Kwanmuang last Saturday apologised to the public, saying City Hall had done its best but the rainfall was the heaviest seen in 25 years.

Thaksin’s son answers, denies laundering charges BANGKOK PA N T H O N G T A E S H I nawatra and three others have acknowledged and denied moneylaundering charges concerning the multi-billion-baht Krungthai Bank loan scandal that involved his father Thaksin, according to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

DSI Deputy Director-General Pol Lt Col Songsak Raksaksakul said on Wednesday (Oct 18) that Mr Panthongtae, Kanchanapa Honghern, Kesinee Jipipob and Wanchai Honghern met DSI interrogators to acknowledge the charges of money laundering and conspiracy in money laundering on Tuesday, earlier than their scheduled appointment next Tuesday (Oct 24).

They denied the charges and would defend themselves in the justice system, Col Songsak said. The DSI then released them without bail because they presented themselves ahead of schedule.

The DSI had not set the next meeting with them and would be ready to receive their written arguments in the case, he said.

Col Songsak said that the charges resulted from the request of the AntiMoney Laundering Office (Amlo) for the DSI to investigate the people who received or were connected with money related to the improper lending from Krungthai Bank to subsidiaries of Krisdamahanakorn Plc (KMC).

Two amounts of B10 million and B26mn were linked with the four suspects, he said.

The four were accompanied by their own lawyers, former justice minister Chaikasem Nitisiri and lawyer Pichit Chuenban. Mr Panthongtae's sisters Pinthongta and Praethontan were also present.

Mrs Kanchanapa was a personal secretary to Mr Panthongtae’s mother Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra. Mrs Kesinee and Mr Wanchai are Mrs Kanchanapa's mother and husband respectively.

The case concerns money transferred to Mr Panthongtae from KMC, which inappropriately received B9.9 billion in loans through subsidiaries from Krungthai Bank in 2003-2004 during the Thaksin administration.

State-owned Krungthai Bank lent the money to KMC’s subsidiaries to refinance loans and for project

development.

K MC was at the time in Krungthai Bank’s non-performing loans group, a category that banks should not lend to under Bangkok of Thailand regulations.

Bank executives were found to have approved the loan because a “big boss” said there would be no problems. The court, however, decided there was not enough evidence to establish who the “big boss” was.

It was found the money was later paid in hundreds of transactions, including B10mn to Mr Panthongtae and B26mn to Mrs Kesinee.

Mr Panthongtae had explained that Wichai Krisadatanon, a KMC executive, wrote him a B26mn cheque and asked him to buy shares on the Stock Exchange of Thailand on his behalf. Mr Panthongtae did

Panthongtae Shinawatra (4th from left) arrives at the Department of Special Investigation in Bangkok on Tuesday (Oct 17) to answer money-laundering charges. Photo: DSI / CCTV not accept it and told him to ask Mrs Kesinee instead.

The cheque payable to Mr Panthongtae was therefore cancelled and B26mn was transferred to Mrs Kesinee the next day to buy Ch Karnchang shares in her name. Mrs Kesinee paid Wichai back two to three months later, after the shares were sold.

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

ASIA NEWS

9

Red revival: It’s Mao or never

Thousands flock to hamlet with its idealised vision of Communist past CHINA Ben Dooley

D

isneyland has “Main Street, USA”, a monorail and Mickey Mouse. China’s Nanjie village has “East is Red Square”, red trams and Mao Zedong.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to the hamlet in central Henan province which has become an attraction with its idealised vision of village life right out of the Communist past.

While the Communist Party prepares to give a second term to its current supremo, Xi Jinping, at a major congress this week, Nanjie still clings firmly to Mao, while glossing over the turbulence and violence of his rule.

The village’s 3,700 residents wake up every morning to broadcasts praising Mao and start their work days with a hearty group rendition of “red” songs about the virtues of Communism.

Nanjie follows a retro model of collectively-owned enterprises and chirpy ideological indoctrination, appearing frozen in an era before market reforms transformed China into the world’s second largest economy.

Tourists take small red trams with names like “Moderate Prosperity” and “Chinese Dream” from the giant Mao statue in the town’s iconic “East is Red Square” to parks, factories and public housing blocks where residents share stories about the joys of collectivism.

But its brand of Communism looks set to make a comeback, attracting more than just tourists these days, with Xi recently telling top officials that the party “would lose its soul and direction” if it deviated from Marxism.

@thephuketnews

Visitors ride a tourist cart past a billboard image of late communist leader Mao Zedong at a culture centre in Nanjie village, in China’s central Henan province. Photo: Greg Baker / AFP Even “Xi is asking everyone to study Chairman Mao”, said Wang Hongbin, who has been Nanjie’s party secretary since 1976 and will attend this week’s congress in Beijing.

Since taking power in 2012, Xi has pushed for more state control over the economy while Communist Party branches are being set up inside private enterprises for employees to study party ideology.

He has also dramatically increased ideological indoctrination in schools and the workplace and tightened media controls.

Recently, nostalgia seekers have been replaced by local officials and party members “coming to study the Nanjie spirit”, local journalist Lie Xiujuan said as she led visitors on a tour of the village’s botanical gardens, which feature a life-size replica of Mao’s childhood home.

In the 1980s, when most

of China was sprinting away from Mao-era collectivism, Nanjie’s party secretary Wang doubled down.

He turned up the ideological volume and offered free housing, health care and food to residents working for a pittance at village-owned enterprises.

The moves found favour with the country’s leftists, but many people “didn’t understand Nanjie, didn’t support it or even criticised it”, Wang recently told state media.

Since the last party congress in 2012, however, “the central government’s voice has grown closer and closer to Nanjie’s way of doing things”.

Today, residents live in modest public apartments, identical right down to the furniture and flatscreen TVs. “Everything is managed very well,” government employee Wang Chunju said as she sat in her communityprovided flat, fidgeting with her iPhone.

But it is hard to tell how much is real and how much is a show for Nanjie’s more than 500,000 visitors a year.

A weekly newspaper publishes “positive” news alongside Mao quotes and stories.

At Nanjie’s instant noodle

factory, local officials freely admitted to staging “everyday” performances of Communist “red” songs for the benefit of visiting reporters.

Nanjie’s economics are also more complicated than advertised.

The village may be a Communist collective, but much like China’s overall economy, its development is unequal and massively leveraged.

Shoppers at the village’s largest store can use a government-issued card to buy cabbage and onions, but they can also purchase gold jewellery or a carved wooden Mao, retailing for 16,900 yuan (B90,887).

Over 90% of the workers at Nanjie’s 26 cooperatives are recruited from outside the village and do not enjoy its benefits.

In 2008, an investigation

by Southern Metropolis Daily revealed the village had taken out more than 1.6 billion yuan of bank loans due to what Wang described as “economic problems”.

China’s “leaders” ordered

Henan to solve the issue, he said, and the debts were effectively forgiven.

Now the village “relies on the strength of its own enterprises to develop”, he said, adding that profits have grown by 24% year-on-year.

Although Wang and other government officials receive a monthly salary of only 250 yuan (B1,255), he previously owned almost 10% of the collectives’ holding company, according to the Southern Metropolis Daily report.

In 2014, the corporation underwent a change in shareholders, but the records have been sealed.

While officials said tourism makes only a small contribution to Nanjie’s economy, its image is an asset that earns it the support of top politicians, as well as the general public.

Outside Nanjie’s gates, a woman working at a liquor store admiringly explained the village’s fascination.

“They’re real Communists over there,” she said with a laugh. “I guess you could say the rest of us are capitalists.”

AFP

10 WORLD NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

Beauty is skin deep Benin’s pineapples make comeback after self-imposed absence BENIN Delphine Bousquet

F

rom his chair in the middle of a pile of pineapples, Jean-Xavier Satola supervises cutting and packaging, as Benin – Africa’s fourth-biggest exporter of the fruit – starts trading again after an eight-month selfimposed absence.

The fields of Allada in southern Benin are a hive of activity as about 20 men, in trousers to protect them from the spiky leaves, pick the pineapples while women load them in baskets and carry them away on their heads.

The smooth, fat, yellow Cayenne variety of pineapples are washed, packed into cardboard boxes and put on a lorry. Eight hundred boxes will leave on a plane for Europe that evening.

Satola has been in the pineapple business for 30 years and as soon as he got the green light from the government was Benin’s first trader to resume exports.

“I’m at 46 tons since the start of the year. It’s less than half than in September 2016,” he said.

“Resumption is slow.

Some of our European clients are hesitant. But we’re exporting more guaranteed quality now.”

In December, Benin’s government banned exports of the fruit after repeated warnings from the European Union about pineapples treated with

Workers prepare pineapple boxes for export to France in Soyo. Last December, Benin’s government banned exports of the fruit after repeated warnings from the European Union about pineapples treated with the pesticide ethephon. Photo: Yanick Folly / AFP the pesticide ethephon.

Ethephon is used to help a variety of crops ripen and speeds up colouring. In theory, the chemical stays on the skin of the fruit but if too much is sprayed, it can get inside.

The EU warnings came as ethephon residue was found to be higher than permitted levels.

But Satola, who heads Benin’s National Association of Pineapple Producers and Exporters, said growers were also responding to the taste of European consumers.

Producers “did any old

thing” to make the outside of their pineapples the preferred yellow colour rather than the natural green, he said.

“They were adding doses of colourant pesticides after the rains or tipping in a lot after receiving an urgent order.”

Benin’s authorities imposed a voluntary export ban while it got its house in order.

A list of exporters was made, workers who administered the ethephon were trained and the state invested up to 300 million CFA francs (B17.71mn) in equipment to analyse levels.

The country’s food standards agency ABSSA now carries out tests in the fields and at airports before shipping.

“These measures had to be taken,” said the head of ABSSA, Setondji Hossou.

“We have to have quality produce and respect market demands.”

Hyacinthe Dossavi is an ABSSA inspector. Wearing boots, he makes his way through a field of Sugarloaf pineapples, which are also grown in West Africa, and takes samples for testing at the agency’s laboratory in Cotonou.

The crop was treated eight days ago. Normally, that should mean the ethephon has disappeared.

“If it’s below normal levels, we’ll allow the crop to be cut. If not, it’ll have to wait for a bit,” said Dossavi.

The exporters took some convincing. They play for high stakes with the perishable commodity: wait too long and the fruit risks being too ripe and impossible to sell.

It will then be sold on the local market but at a lower price.

For Ernest Ahokpe, who

owns the field tested, it’s the price to pay.

“Europeans want coloured pineapples. We have to adapt because our competitors are doing it,” he said.

And those competitors are legion: Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and especially Costa Rica, the world’s number one exporter.

Before the voluntary ban, Benin had only 5% of the European pineapple market.

In 2000, the country exported 500 tons of the fruit; in 2014, that had jumped to 4,000 tons.

As a result of the new regulations, only about 100 tons are expected to be exported this year – and then only untreated Sugarloaf pineapples.

They will still only be a marginal product at European supermarkets.

“My client told me it’s not a seller. White people buy based on the colour of the skin before the taste,” said pineapple grower Andre Dangbe, who has been exporting for three years.

“Here we like (pineapples) green. It’s how they’re meant to be and is sweet like that.”

At the offices of her company that exports pineapples to France for use in bottled fruit juice, agricultural engineer Bertille Guedegbe Marcos said the answer is better communication about Benin’s Sugarloaf pineapples.

“Europeans impose their habits on us but they’re bad ones,” she said.

AFP

Green vineyards stand out in black of California fires UNITED STATES ODD P O C K ET S OF LUSH green – grape vines, believe it or not – stand out amid the ashen landscape left by northern California’s wildfires.

It turns out vines are pretty sturdy when it comes to surviving flames, and they act as a sort of firewall.

At the Rocca winery in Napa, a patch of land called the Collinetta is intact, like other vineyards around it.

Looking around from inside the vineyard, the scene is practically apocalyptic: in every direction thick choking smoke rises from rolling hills where firefighters tackle blazes that have now killed

31 people, forced thousands from their homes and destroyed more than 3,000 buildings.

Helicopters buzz overhead amid a widespread sense of urgency and impending doom. But at the Collinetta, things are fine. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are OK, and animals on the rural estate do what they usually do: cats lounge around and doze, and sheep graze.

“On the ground there is very little vegetation at this time of year” so the vines “act as a very good fire wall”, said Eric Herve, an enologist from ETS Laboratories, one of the biggest wine analysis firms in Napa.

Herve lives nearby, and he and his family have been lucky: they have not been forced to evacuate.

But he said “it is stressful to sleep

with one eye one open and be ready to leave at a moment’s notice”.

Napa is encircled by fires, said David Shew, a Cal Fire staff chief at a firefighting base camp not far from the Rocca winery.

Along Highway 121 from Napa to the Sonoma, also known for its wineries, there are also many vineyards that are practically intact while non-grape fields between them are charred black.

Sometimes the f lames have touched vegetation at the edge of these fields before simply coming to a halt.

The view from above, in helicopters, is the same. Near shops, restaurants and homes that burned to the ground, patches of vineyards are still intact albeit with some signs of damage to the leaves.

Antoine Favero, a winemaker at Mazzocco Winery in Sonoma, took a tour around his land to assess the damage and said he has dodged disaster.

At other wineries, he said, “most of what I saw, most destruction, are the trees, the grass, the buildings.

But the vines are not that affected”.

At the Paradise Ridge winery in Sonoma County, a building housing barrels and wine vats was destroyed by the fire. Some barrels remain, but there is no longer a roof over them.

There is nothing left either of what used to be a reception hall and a tasting room – but again, the feisty, resilient grape vines are still there.

However, the smoke from the fire may still have damaged them,

Vines are pretty sturdy when it comes to surviving flames, and have acted as a sort of fire wall amid the ashen landscape left by northern California’s wildfires Photo: Robyn Beck / AFP and the loss of vineyard buildings could be a huge blow for smaller wineries, said Herve.

As the fires are still burning, it remains too early to estimate total damage to the region’s vineyards, Herve added, popping a grape from one of the resilient plants into his mouth.

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

BUSINESS NEWS 11

revenue Travel industry warned Tourism jumps to B1.3trn of rise in voice searches TOURISM

TOURISM The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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perators in the travel industry in the Asia-Pacific region should prepare themselves to maximise business from voice searches online, one of Australia’s leading tourism strategists has cautioned.

Simply optimise your digital online presence by building reputation, trust, authority and relevance and the voice recognition algorithms of Google, Apple, Amazon and others will do the rest for you – mostly.

That was the recommendation by Bronwyn White, co-founder of MyTravelResearch.com, when she was addressing an audience of tourism marketers at the Tourism Marketing Rockstar Convention in Sydney last month.

Ms White explained that voice search and chatbots were the latest digital marketing outcomes of the artificial intelligence revolution cur-

Making sure that your business is aligned to take advantage of the growth in voice searches has become a priority. rently transforming the travel industry by stealth.

“Apple Siri, Google Now, Windows Cortana and Amazon Alexa are the leading voice activated chatbots helping consumers search without typing,” she said.

“They all use artificial intelligence algorithms to drive voice search. They also tap into user preferences, geographical location, and previous search history.”

Nearly 60% of searches from mobile devices are now voice searches, she added.

“Google reports that 55% of teens and 40% of adults use voice search daily on Google,” Ms White pointed out.

Not surprisingly, research shows that people are more comfor table using voice search at home or in the office, not in public transportation, the gym or a public restroom.

“However, young people under 24 are more comfortable using voice search in pubic places,” Ms White said.

“It’s a foretaste of things to come,” Ms White said.

“We’re still at the start of

AirAsia to launch Phuket-Macao flights AIRLINES AIRASIA WILL LAUNCH direct flights between Phuket and Macao, China, starting Jan 8, 2018.

Celia Lao, CEO of AirAsia Hong Kong & Macao, said Phuket is among the top destinations for Macanese and Chinese travellers, making Thai AirAsia’s introduction of a direct flight between Phuket and Macao a wonderful opportunity for tourism.

AirAsia currently operates six flights from Macao with

@thephuketnews

Santi Sawangcharoen, Celia Lao and Sarima Chindamat, joined the opening event to announce the new flights. routes including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya (U-Tapao), Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Jakarta and will launch Johor Bahru on Nov 28.

Santisuk Klongchaiya, Di-

rector of Commercial for Thai AirAsia, said Phuket is a city built on Chinese traditions, beliefs and culture and its history is closely tied to that of China.

“Chinese visitors to the city will find it familiar and convenient while still full of travel experiences whether relishing the nature or enjoying the nightlife. AirAsia is confident the new route will be well received,” he said.

“We… believe it will attract people in Macao and its vicinity to Phuket,” Mr Santisuk said.

The Phuket News

the revolution,” she added.

Ms White recommended that destinations, theme parks, hotels and restaurants, among others, should tailor online content to satisfy FAQs by voice, which, unsurprisingly, tends to be more conversational than written search.

“For example, rather than type ‘weather Khao Lak’, we might now ask, ‘What is the weather going to be like in Khao Lak when I arrive next week?’ Ms White told the convention in Sydney, adding that it is likely Google will already know something of your plans.

Ms White suggested tourism businesses adapt their marketing as follows: • Optimise location data • Fill out all relevant business categories for Google My Business (make it as complete as possible) • Cultivate reviews (search engines and therefore digital voice assistants love them) • Ensure your branding is focused (don’t try to be all things to all people) • Publish great content and develop it with voice in mind.

THE MINISTRY OF TOURism and Sports has reported latest tourism earnings for 2017 at B1.37 trillion, a rise of 7.6% year-on-year.

The sharp spike in revenue has been attributed to the ministry’s focus on traditional Thai life as a tourist attraction.

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul this week reported that the overall tourism picture has been positive with revenue and visitor numbers both up.

From Jan 1 to Oct 11 this year, 26.9 million travellers entered Thailand, generating a combined B1.37trn in revenue, hikes of 5.6% and 7.6%, respectively, year-onyear, Ms Kobkarn reported.

Chinese visitors remained in the top source market with 7.63 million travelling to the Kingdom, especially during the China National Day holiday, when 227,648 chose Thailand as their destination, 69.04% more than last year, reported state news agency NNT. In total, the Chinese visitors spent B12.528 billion

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul this week reported that the overall tourism picture has been positive. Photo: NNT during the China National Day holiday, a rise of 75.66% more than during the holiday last year.

Ms Kobkarn assured the public that preparations have been made for the tourism high season, during which the ministry will continue to promote traditional Thai lifestyles as well as sports tourism to disperse travellers across all the regions.

Meanwhile, hotels in Bangkok’s bustling old town, home to the Khao San Rd backpacker enclave favoured by foreign tourists, were fully booked ahead of the Royal Funeral for King Bhumibol Adulyadej this coming week, the hotel association said on Monday.

The Phuket News

12 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

Angsana Phuket appoints new Area General Manager HOSPITALITY

Australian national Michal Zitek has been appointed Area General Manager at Angsana Laguna Phuket.

ANGSANA LAGUNA PHUKET has appointed Michal Zitek as Area General Manager to lead the strategic growth and oversee all of the Angsana brand operations in Phuket, including Angsana Laguna Phuket, Angsana Villas Resort Phuket, and Angsana Va-

cation Club.

An Australian national, Mr Zitek is no stranger to Angsana, having helmed the Banyan Tree and Angsana integrated resorts at Laguna Lăng Cô, Central Vietnam as Area General Manager since 2015, noted a release announcing his appointment.

“His latest role continues a career spanning more than 25 years

in the hospitality Industry. Prior to joining our Angsana Hotels, Michal was the General Manager for The Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel and previously the Pan Pacific Hotel in Bangkok,” the release added.

“My professional and travelling time throughout Southeast Asia has allowed me the opportunity to appreciate and explore the nuances and charms of so many vibrant

cultures and lifestyles; I am now excited to return to Thailand for this opportunity to work with the respective teams of Angsana Laguna Phuket, Angsana Villas Resort Phuket and Angsana Vacation Club towards the next exciting chapter of growth and the development of new Angsana products,” Mr Zitek said.

The Phuket News

Branded residences surge PROPERTY

P

huket remains one of the top resort locations in Southeast Asia for attracting developers’ investment, along with Bali, and Danang, with the three accounting for 78% of new project supply in the region, reports Bill Barnett, Managing Director of hospitality consultancy C9 Hotelworks.

Southeast Asia’s real estate love affair between property developers and hotel brands is morphing into a feeding frenzy. With nearly 100 mainstream hotel residence projects and over 21,000 units completed, the next three years is set to take the sector into bold new territory, Mr Barnett noted in announcing the release of the C9 Hotelworks new Southeast Asia-focused “Hotel Residences Market Trends” report.

New completed units will represent a massive 83% rise over existing supply. The Top 5 pipeline project locations in order of volume are Danang, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Bali and Bintan.

“Currently across Southeast Asia, there is an estimated 94 mainstream hotel residence projects with more than 21,000 units on line. This year 15 hotel-branded projects will be completed, and 2,496 units will enter supply,” Mr Barnett explained.

“The region is expecting

According to C9 Hotelworks new SE Asia focused Hotel Residences Market Trends (between 2018 and 2020) new completed units will represent a massive 83% rise over existing supply. Image: C9 Hotelworks a sharp rise in supply in 2018 with 43 projects currently under development. Viewing the future pipeline, 78 properties are expected to complete between 2018 and 2020 representing an 83% increase over current inventory,” he added,.

Thailand is entrenched as a market leader in the hotel residence sector, with 30% of the total regional forecasted supply within the country.

Indonesia follows with 25 projects underway, noted the report.

Meanwhile, Vietnam recorded the highest number of new projects with nearly 5,000 units added to the pipeline, which is 23% of new supply.

“We have seen surging

Thailand remains the leading market in the region for the number brand-affiliated residence projects.

demand from overseas investors for both investment and lifestyle purposes. Widening reforms for foreign property ownership are expected to further push transaction volume given the region’s favourable price competitiveness, when compared to other major global markets,” Mr Barnett said.

Among the market trends identified in the report are that resort locations are attracting developers’ investment with the top locations Phuket, Bali, and Danang accounting for 78% of new project supply.

Also, branded hotel chains continue to dominate the Southeast Asia market, with 148 projects representing 79% of existing and new supply, while market-wide average sales price per square meter for hotel residences in region– excluding Singapore – was US$5,713 (B189,243) in urban areas and US$3,207 (B106,231) for resort destinations.

Looking forward, Mr Barnett predicted three major trends to continue or develop.

“With an onslaught of supply entering the market, developers are looking to increase sales by offering guaranteed yields, especially in emerging markets like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia,” he noted in the report.

Danang leads the surge in volume, but comes with a warning that if returns fail to materialise at the promoted numbers, developers will be unable to fund returns.

“Hotel residences affiliated with international brands have demonstrated pronounced premiums in selling prices by 25%-35%. “[Also] As domestic demand flattens and overseas buyers increase, a number of Southeast Asian countries have adopted more liberal policies for foreign property ownership,” he added.

“Looking at changing trends, if we’d roll back the clock 18-24 months, urban projects were part of a shifting landscape, but today investment buyers are back heavily in resort destinations, especially Vietnam,” Mr Barnett said.

“Examining the geographic source of property buyers, Thailand’s more mature market is deeper with foreign

purchasers, while Indonesia and now Vietnam are tracking an onslaught of domestic demand, back of a skyrocketing consumer class” “As for the attraction of hotel-branded real estate C9 Hotelworks latest research reflects that market-wide premiums of recognised hospitality groups range between 25-35% versus independent properties.”

Chains that are most active includes Marriott, Banyan Tree, Hyatt, Melia, Minor and Mövenpick along with brands that have used hotel residences to spur their pipelines such as BHM Asia and Alila, Mr Barnett noted.

However, Mr Barnett also cautioned, “Despite the growth storyline, there is a warning sign for both developers and

property buyers over the onslaught of projects offering high levels of guaranteed returns over sustained periods.

Danang is one location that has all the signs of a recipe for disaster with recurring returns being promoted at 10.5% on a long-term basis.

“Compounding the outlook is the strong take up in the domestic segment with purchasers leveraging debt at extraordinary levels.

“If returns fail to materialise at the promoted numbers, developers will be unable to fund returns, buyer will forfeit units to banks and market values could evaporate. It could be a perfect storm and wider regulation for consumers over guaranteed returns across Southeast Asia is sorely needed,” he said. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

A look at the extensive preparations for the late King Bhumibol’s historic Royal Cremation Ceremony

16-17

TALK ABOUT STYLE

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

‘Language of Art’ exhibition showcases acclaimed Phuket artists The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

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he Pavilions Phuket has launched an ambitious and eclectic art exhibition entitled “The Language of Art”. It showcases seven well-known Phuket-based artists, each of whom brings a unique perspective to their art, which range across a wide diversity of media and artistic styles.

The exhibition is the launching pad for the newly created The Pavilions Art and Culture Foundation. The foundation is a not-for-profit charitable organisation funded by hotel operations and donations with a view to assist artists, musicians and other groups, individuals or organisations whose principal activity is the promotion and development of local culture.

It’s creator, The Pavilions founder Gordon Oldham, established his hotel group’s identity with the key themes of romance, adventure, art and culture.

He says the new foundation is the realisation of a key brand component that will continue to grow across the world.

“We have too many hotel rooms all looking the same and with little or no homage to local art or culture,” said Mr Oldham at the launch in Phuket.

“Its time to do more and we start today with ‘The Language of Art’ by a very talented range of international and local artists – all Phuket-based – which will be showing for the next two months.”

“There’s just too much blandness and vanilla in the majority of hotels these days and we have to keep alive the local flavour of art, culture and dance in a destination,” he added.

Over the next 12 months, The Pavilions Art and Culture Foundation is actively looking to sponsor artists, musicians and dancers and to give them opportunities to further their passions both locally and internationally through The Pavilions Hotels Group.

Also instrumental in the creation of the foundation and its first exhibition is Phuket-based artist Marlène Jacopin – a master of traditional Swiss porcelain painting. She says the exhibition is a fantastic way to launch the foundation and she hopes there will be many opportunities to support and showcase more local artists in the future.

“We want to have different concepts, we want solo exhibitions and to have a wide variety of art so people have a reason to come back. That’s why we gave it the title ‘The Language of Art’, because art has so many different lan@thephuketnews

Pavilions founder Gordon Oldham (4th from left) welcomes the featured artists on the opening night of the exhibition. guages, and so many different styles, and so many different types,” she told The Phuket News on the opening night of the exhibition.

“The idea is to find artists on the island, and even off the island, and bring them here to showcase their work… and not just paintings, but art of all types,” she added.

She says that as the foundation grows they plan to hold annual awards and raise money to sponsor emerging local artists.

“The idea is to collect money and then sponsor a scholarship for a talented young artist so they can go to art school. We could also donate materials and equipment to schools to encourage children to create their own art. We also plan to have annual awards – art and culture awards – that reward and encourage the local artistic community.

Mrs Jacopin said the inaugural exhibition was a chance to launch the foundation with a bang and get some of Phuket’s best-known artists involved to increase awareness and support for the endeavour. In preparation she scoured the island looking for artists to invite and was amazed at the positive response she received.

“I started reading everything, magazines and newspapers, to look for local artists, and then I approached them and explained the concept… and they all wanted to get involved,” she said.

In all, seven local artists got on board for the exhibition and an impressive selection of their art will be on display, and for sale, at The Pavilions’ Firefly restaurant until the end of November. The following is a brief look at the artists involved:

Adriano Trapani – Photography Adriano is an Italian expat who has been living and working in Phuket as a photographer for over a decade. From fantasy portraits to architecture or products and lifestyle, he approaches every subject or assignment as unique and he always strives for best results.

The beauty of photography is that possibilities and techniques are virtually endless, he never stops learning.

Isara Thaothong – Modern Art Isara Thaothong also known as “Ids” defines his art work as “Modern Doodle Art”, a style integrating line patterns – doodles – with signs and symbols.

Isara get his inspiration mainly from the happy memories, joys and dreams of his childhood that are expressed in his sketchbook that he carries everywhere.

John and Zachary Underwood – Interactive Art Australian artist, sculpture and overall Renaissance man John Underwood has expressed his artistic creativity over the years to international acclaim. Presently he is creating intricate kinetic artworks which explore the mechanisms of humour and engage on a personal level with their audience.

John’s son Zachary is a pop iconoclast, with a zealous interest in creating subversive juxtapositions across all media.

His art examines the shifting nature of identity, and the role of the individual as both a consumer and propagator of culture.

Map Abday – Abstract Painting Map’s abstract paintings use the medium of acrylic paint on canvas and she takes her main inspiration from na-

ture, old books and magazine as well as within herself.

Marlène Jacopin – Porcelain Painting After training in this ancient art that has its roots in China, Marlene travelled the world to study with famous artists and masters to gain experience in different styles and techniques. She draws her inspiration from nature, legends, esoteric philosophies from ancient civilizations and from her travels.

Mr. Zen – Contemporary Art Mr. Zen uses many styles in his work and is not attached to just one style or technique. He believes that when his style changes, something pushes him to do so and there are some symbols in his works that are there to evoke a special sensation in the viewer.

Mr. Zen has exhibited in art galleries in Bangkok, Barcelona (Spain) and in Germany. He is the owner of the Wua Art Gallery & Studio in Phuket Town.

Peter Child – Traditional Sign Painting In our computerized era, the English signwriting tradition has almost died out – there are very few working signwriters left, but Peter Child is one of them. He lives and works in Phuket and his work can be found all over the island in hotels, restaurants and bars.

The Language of Art is open daily at Firefly restaurant in The Pavilions Phuket from 11am-11pm. For more information visit: pavilionshotels.com/ phuket.

The Phuket News is a proud sponsor of this event.

14 CHARITY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

And they’re off and racing…

The ultra-stylish Melbourne Cup Day event returns to Phuket once again The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

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he Melbourne Cup hosted by the Good Shepherd and the Phuket Has Been Good To Us charities is the odds-on favourite for your entertainment this November. Hosted at Outrigger Laguna Beach Resort’s Similan Ballroom on Tuesday, November 7, this stylish, excitment-filled day starts early at 9am.

Guests will be treated to five hours of free-flow food and beverages, including bubbles, white, pink, red and more.

There will be a Kata Rocks “Fashions on the Field” so dress in your best racewear attire and participate in the competition!

Prizes will be awarded to Best Hat, Best Dressed Lady and Gentleman, and the table with the most stylishly dressed guests. At 11am, after the atmosphere has built, the famous thoroughbred horse race will be screened.

When the last horse is past the post, the dancing begins in earnest. For guests wishing to find amazing deals for their next holidays, there will also be fabulous prizes to bid on, raffles and lucky door prizes.

With amazing food, prizes and dancing this will be a thrilling event for horse-racing novices as well as for vet-

Australia’s biggest horse racing event, The Melbourne Cup, is known as ‘the race that stops the nation’. eran Melbourne Cup enthusiasts.

This year’s Melbourne Cup is organised by the Good Shepherd and Phuket Has Been Good To Us as a fundraiser to benefit both charities – with the proceeds to be divided between them.

The Good Shepherd has many projects around the island that endeavour to help those in need through support, counselling and education in local camps and poor villages. Home for Hope is one such project helping young destitute pregnant women by providing them with a safe and clean pre-delivery environment and post-natal care.

One of the biggest Good Shepherd projects has been the BanYa Learning Centre in Thalang. This school caters

Thousands gather track side for the big race.

to over 100 children from Myanmar and aims to prepare students for acceptance into Thai schools.

Phuket Has Been Good To Us works to improve the economic opportunities and life chances of young people by funding and implementing high-quality, practical English-language education.

The foundation teaches English for free to over 1,200 children in three governmental schools on the island and runs an after-school programme, Coconut Club, which benefits 175 children who are orphans or whose families are not able to look after them.

Thanks to Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, Class Act Media, Creative Concept and many other sponsors,

this year’s Melbourne Cup promises to be spectacular and we hope to see you there. Be the first out of the gate to get your tickets!

Date: Tuesday, November 7, at 9am Location: Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, Similan Ballroom Ticket Donation: B2,500 To buy your tickets, contact info@ phukethasbeengoodtous.org and see payment options at www.phukethasbeengoodtous.org/donate/index. You can also book your tickets online at www.thephuketnews.com/ melbourne-cup-2017-in-phuket-63685. php#ruuoXvYlCIdhgoBy.97

Runners take off from the start line at last year’s event.

Laguna Phuket Charity Run 2017

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s part of Laguna Phuket’s 30th Anniversary Celebrations in 2017, the resort will host the “Laguna Phuket Triathlon’s Charity Run” on November 18. Comprising 5km and 10km distances, the run will weave through the resort’s tropical scenery and raise funds for Laguna Phuket Triathlon’s (LPT) charity partner.

For the inaugural LPT Charity Run in 2017, Laguna Phuket Triathlon is partnering with “Kao Kon La Kao” (meaning “take one step each”) or “Kao Project”, a charity run campaign by Thailand’s leading rock star, and lead vocalist of the band Bodyslam, Mr Artiwara Kongmalaihas, best known as “Toon Bodyslam”.

Kao Kon La Kao 2017 follows its inaugural success in 2016 when Toon Bodyslam ran 400km in 10 days to raise funds for medical equipment for Bang Saphan Hospital in Prachuap Kiri Khan.

This year, Kao Kon La Kao will run from the South of Thailand to the North for approximately 2,191km over the course of 55 days to raise bigger funds for more

than 10 hospitals in Thailand. For more info about Kao Project, visit: www.facebook.com/kaoproject.

From each “LPT Charity Run” registration, B100 will be given to Kao Project, and Laguna Phuket will top up the amount to double the funds raised at this year’s Laguna Phuket Triathlon. The event is considered one of the biggest and most-anticipated sporting events in Thailand.

LPT Charity Run will be limited to runners 12 years of age and over (as of December 31, 2016) and to runners who can to complete the entire 5km run in 50 minutes or less and 10km run in two hours or less. All runners who reach the cut-off point after the cut-off time are required to take a shortened course. Runners will be allowed to complete the race but will not be entitled to win a medal.

Date: 18 November 2017 Distance: 10km and 5km Race Start Time: 16:30 and 17:00 Entry Fee: B650 and B500 Register: www.lagunaphukettri.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

EDUCATION 15

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

The extra-curricular BISP Concert Band comprises 40 of the most talented Middle School musicians.

Developing musical minds BISP students acquire transferable skills as a result of a musical education Paulette Wilkinson

The importance of providing students with the opportunity and skills to balance academic, sporting and artistic endeavours cannot be underestimated.”

@thephuketnews

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balanced rigorous education has, at its core, a strong emphasis upon the Performing Arts and at the British International School, Phuket such programmes are going from strength to strength. The school has a deserved reputation for its theatrical performances, and it has strong student cohorts at the level of IGCSE and IB Diploma for both Music and Theatre Arts. The foundations for this robust performing arts education must start in the Early Years and Primary classes. In these year groups, students are encouraged to develop their musicianship skills through a range of enjoyable vocal and percussion based activities using the pedagogical ideals of Orff and Kodaly.

In recent years the Music Department has initiated an innovative concert band programme for the Middle Years (ages 12-14) in which every student participates in a mainstream curriculum programme that develops musical literacy. To achieve this, the school offers each student a choice from a full range of wind and string instruments. This facilitates collaborative band practice and musical development in both class-groups and year-groups. The students have made such excellent progress that the school now has an extra-curricular BISP Concert Band that comprises 40 of the most talented Middle School musicians. Last year the school hosted the first Wind Band Festival for the Federation of British Schools in Asia (FOBISIA). This was expressly targeted towards beginning woodwind and brass players. The event proved to be so successful that the school has been asked to host again in 2019/20.

The importance of providing students with the opportunity and skills to balance academic, sporting and artistic endeavours cannot be underestimated.

Studying a musical instrument, playing in an ensemble, acting, dancing or singing in a choir provides and develops many skills that are transferable in later life such as resilience, patience, creativity, focus, the ability to work in a team, and confidence. Primary students also have the opportunity to perform each week

BISP students can choose to study from a range of instruments. in an informal concert and 150 students across the school take private instrumental lessons in Piano, Voice, Guitar (Acoustic, Electric and Bass), Drums, Violin, Flute, Saxophone, Trumpet and Euphonium with students undertaking the prestigious UK-based exams ABRSM and Rock School at the BISP exam centre.

On Sunday, November 13 at 6.30pm the school will present the final concert of the second Advanced FOBISIA Orchestral Festival; a professional conductor – Jonathan Mann – will work with 120 students from seven schools across Asia to produce an interesting and demanding programme of music.

The school is also proud and delighted

to be hosting the famous Russian flautist Maxim Rubstov, who will present a masterclass/recital on Saturday, November 12 at 7pm in the school auditorium. Both these performances are open to all Phuketians, as a part of the school’s efforts to promote the Arts in the wider community.

Finally, the BISP Concert Band is planning to travel to Hong Kong in June as part of an exchange programme with Discovery Bay International School and hoping to incorporate a performance at Disney World!

Paulette Wilkinson is Head of Performing Arts at the British International School, Phuket.

A Royal farewell for the King of Kings

Thailand prepares for the cremation of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej

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Andrew J Wood

he late King Bhumibol Adulyadej was the longest-serving monarch of Thailand – and the world – who selflessly served his people for 70 years. His passing in 2016 has united the country in grief. He was for many of us living in Thailand the only King we had ever known. Fondly called “Father”, he was the spiritual and physical head of a family of 71 million people. Many thought of him as a living god. The Kingdom will begin the five-day Royal Cremation ceremony this week, with the country’s military government allocating a budget of B3 billion for the funeral.

Huge crowds are expected near a vast crematorium being constructed at Sanam Luang, a park in the heart of Bangkok, close to the Grand Palace. The cremation itself will be conducted on Oct 26, when the deceased monarch will ascend to Heaven.

The late King Bhumibol Adulyadej was revered throughout his Kingdom, a kingdom he rarely left.

He explored every part of Thailand. He was often seen in the rice paddies and jungles, always taking notes and often seen with a map and a camera around his neck. He wanted to visit every inch of Thailand. Everywhere his subjects were present – many in remote corners or high in the mountains.

The King was an expert on water-management systems; an inventor, a musician, a devout Buddhist, an intellectual, visionary, diplomat, elder statesman, entrepreneur and a peacekeeper.

People bowed and prostrated themselves before him and always proffered a deep wai (the Thai greeting with the palms pressed together) not just as a sign of respect but out of a deep sense of love and devotion. His picture still graces almost every home and every building in Thailand. Never has a King been so respected.

His passing at 88 years of age (He was born on Dec 5, 1927) was a deeply sad period in our history. The country shunned bright clothes; buildings and public places were adorned in black and white, the mood was sombre. Black ribbons and armbands are still a common sight.

Thousands have queued daily since his death, to pay homage and make their final respects to their King. Many standing for hours in stifling heat or seasonal rains to shuffle past the King’s remains – silent, respectful and for many… emotional.

Not surprising, the country’s largest-ever Royal Cremation platform has been built, and as is tradition, golden chariots have been repaired and adorned – ready to carry the beloved King on his final journey. Hundreds of master craftsmen have toiled for thousands of hours, crafting exquisite pieces in wood from timber especially chosen for the occasion. Thailand is preparing a grand final farewell to its beloved late King in a way not experienced by most living Thais.

As is tradition, wood from the rare and fragrant Mai Chan Hom tree, a Kalamat (similar to sandalwood) from the Kui Buri National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan, will be used in the funeral

of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The royal tree, which was selected to be used in the royal funeral, is already dead, one of 12 lifeless yet standing Mai Chan Hom trees. The use of the fragrant and auspicious tree is a custom that can be traced back to the Ayutthaya period.

Trees from the park were used in the funeral of the late Princess Mother in 1996 and for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana in 2008. The tress are protected. Anyone can plant them but special permission from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is required before they can be felled.

The Royal Crematorium, the Phra Merumat, has been built on the grounds of Sanam Luang, a vast green park to the north of the Grand Palace.

A spiritual as well as historical landmark of the city, Sanam Luang has been used as the funeral ground of kings, queens, princes and princesses since the beginning of the present Chakri dynasty of the Rattanakosin era (1782). The last time Bangkok saw a royal funeral pyre was at the cremation of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejraratana Rajasuda in April 2012.

But the Royal Cremation of the late King will be fittingly majestic, unprecedented in scale and historical in gravity. The last time a Thai king was cremated was 66 years ago, when King Ananda Mahidol was cremated in March 1950 at Sanam Luang. After the Royal Cremation, the Royal Urn is expected to be kept for an exhibition in the National Museum Bangkok like the previous royal urns of the late Princess Mother and

Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana.

Although nearly a year has passed since the revered monarch’s death, his presence is still strongly felt. The grand cremation ceremony will take place from Wednesday through next Sunday (Oct 25-29) and will draw thousands of Thais to the capital. They will come from the length and breadth of the Kingdom. Hotels in Bangkok are expected to be heavily booked.

The crematorium complex measures 31,000sqm. At its centre is the golden crematorium. The square structure measures 60 metres by 60m and is 50m high, surrounded by water in recognition of the King’s work with the country’s water-management systems. On Oct 26, a coffin carrying King Bhumibol’s body will be brought here and elevated to the top platform of the structure to be cremated.

The complex itself, able to accommodate up to 7,000 people, including members of the Royal Family, government officials and foreign guests, will be majestic and regal. The magnificent Grand Palace will be its backdrop. The general public will not be allowed inside during the funeral but will be able to visit after the rites.

At the Bangkok National Museum, a short walk from Sanam Luang, artists are busy restoring the grand chariot and other carriages that will be used in the procession. The grand chariot has been used since the days of Rama I, the first king of the Chakri dynasty, which was founded in 1782.

The golden chariot is being restored by work-

ers in Bangkok. Built of wood and decorated with gold and mirrors, the 13.7-ton chariot is 18m long, 11.2m high and 4.8m wide. Pulled by 216 men, it will carry the ornate urn containing King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s remains to the site of the cremation at Sanam Luang. It was last used in 2012 for the cremation of Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda, the late King’s cousin.

King Bhumibol was the ninth king of the dynasty. Thailand moved forward from a mainly agricultural society into Southeast Asia’s secondlargest economy during his reign. Now, the key drivers of the economy are exports, such as cars and food, and tourism.

King Bhumibol died on the October 13, 2016.

The monarch, who rose to the throne in 1946, had come to symbolise continuity. During his reign, the country had more than two dozen prime ministers and 10 military coups.

Having lived in this country for over a quarter of a century I feel, with a few exceptions, that a peaceful contemplation has descended across the country. In the past the country has been racked by tumultuous political scenes as it struggled with democracy. However, the nation draped in sadness mourns together.

English born Andrew J Wood, is a freelance travel writer, and for most of his career, a professional hotelier. Andrew has over 35 years of hospitality and travel experience. He is a Skal member and director of WDA Travel Co. Ltd and its subsidiary, Thailand by Design.

October 25

A merit-making ceremony will be held at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall inside the Grand Palace where the body of the late King is lying in state.

October 26

The body of the late King will be moved from the Throne Hall to the Royal Crematorium at Sanam Luang, where the cremation will be held.

October 27

A ceremony to collect the cremated remains of the late King will be held at Sanam Luang.

October 28

Royal merit making for the royal relics and ashes will take place at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall.

October 29

A meal will be provided for monks in the Throne Hall and a ceremony will take place to transfer the receptacle containing the royal remains to the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne inside the Grand Palace where they will be kept permanently.

PHUKET REMEMBERS KING BHUMIBOL

Ceremonies across the island mark one year since the death of the King

Siam Niramit.

The Slate - A Phuket Pearl Resort.

Jomthong Homemart Phuket.

Phuket International Airport.

Phuket Rajabhat University.

Phuket International Airport.

The replica of the Royal Cremation site at Saphan Hin. Wat Tha Rua in Thalang.

Government Savings Bank.

Memorial service at Saphan Hin.

Memorial service at Saphan Hin.

Phuket Rajabhat University.

Memorial service at Saphan Hin.

Siam Niramit.

Memorial service at Saphan Hin.

20 EVENTS

FRI

20 OCT

Pool Competition at Expat Sports Bar Competition starts at 9pm - Expat Sports Bar at the Expat Hotel Soi Taipan Patong. See map at www.expathotel.com

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM served with roast and boiled potatoes, three fresh vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. Only B350 per person which includes a free glass of house red or white. Opposite Centara Karon Resort. See: otoolsphuket.com

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet Beef, Pork & Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding – roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes – gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservation recommended 350 baht P.P., shakersphuket@gmail. com 081 891 4381.

Mussels night @ Shakers 1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: natural, marnière, Provençale, garlic & cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended 295 baht P.P., shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

SAT

21 OCT

Live Sports at Expat Hotel NRL, AFL, Soccer, Rugby Union. Any live sport, we will show it. Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www. expatsportsbar.com

SUN

All you can eat BBQ night

The Banyan Tree Brunch experience offers a generous selection of live fresh, local and imported seafood with exceptional lobster dishes, Japanese starters, mouth-watering meats, Asian wok and Western grill treats. Gourmet cuisine exceptional service, Live Jazz and tranquil surroundings, The Banyan Tree Brunch has something for everyone! Prices start from THB 2,800 net per person. fb-phuket@banyantree.com 076 372 400.

TUE

24 OCT

Afraid of public speaking?

Toastmasters can help.

Looking to develop your public speaking and leadership skills? Ignite your career? Join Toastmasters Phuket and start making yourself a leader today!

Meetings held the 2nd and 4th Tue of every month at Mövenpick Resort Bangtao Beach Phuket. Contact Jason on 086 479 7471 for more info or email: phuket professionals.toastmastersclubs.org

25 OCT

1,950 THB net price per person. 3pm - 5pm, leaving at 2pm. Including transportation, distillery tour, cocktail class and Thai pantry dinner with Chalong Bay. Reservations on 076 335 300.

FRI

27 OCT

Meeting - Rotary Club Patong Sunday Roast All Day All Night Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 395 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites!

Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken.

Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic. Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band!

Come for the FOOD - RESERVE Your Table Now Online at bit.ly/TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents Reservations, Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong., Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344914

Quiz Night - Rotary Club Patong The Rotary Club of Patong Beach cordially invites everybody to consume (responsibly) for a cause at the Aussie Pub Kamala’s trivia night. Raffles + trivia + drinks + food + raising money for charity = A) fun B) very fun C) boring? If your answer is A or B, show up by 7:30pm. See www.rotarypatong.org for more information.

The Rotary Club of Patong Beach cordially invites guests and prospective members to attend its regular meetings. The cost for non-members is THB 500 and includes lunch. The meeting begins at 12 p.m. at the Days Inn in Patong. Please visit www. rotarypatong.org for additional information.

SUN

29 OCT

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night 6pm – 11pm: All you can eat BBQ ribs served with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauces. Reservation recommended. 350 baht P.P. shakersphuket@ gmail.com 081 891 4381.

XANA’s Sunday Brunch

Lunch or dinner served from 2pm. Your choice of either roast beef, chicken, loin of pork or leg of lamb

THU

26 OCT

Chalong Bay Experience by Marriott Resort Phuket Merlin

WED

22 OCT

Traditional Sunday Roast Angus O’Tool’s Karon Beach

GRILLED TIGER PRAWNS WITH BBQ SAUCE, RED WINE SAUCE AND BEARNAISE SAUCE CEASAR SALAD AND HERB SAUTEED POTATOES. ONLY 495 BAHT. Two Chefs Live Band on stage from 8 pm until late. WWW.twochefs.com Karon 076-286-479, Patong 076-344-914, Kata Beach 076-333-370, Kata Center 076-330-065. Reservations, TWO CHEFS KARON – PATONG – KATA CENTER

6pm – 11pm: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns & Squid, Salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. 395 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

Go Live Sunday Seafood Brunch - October River Prawn -

ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 395 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs!

Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavor-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD-www.twochefs.com

MON

23 OCT

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

Spend quality time with friends and family enjoying a one of a kind Sunday brunch on a perfect day of sunshine by the sea at XANA Beach Club. Every Sunday from 12pm to 3:30pm. Prices from 1,850++THB. Reservations: XANA Beach Club, info@xanabeachclub. com or 076 358 500.

SURF & TURF NIGHT EVERY WEDNESDAY @ TWO CHEFS ALL YOU CAN EAT! GRILLED AUSTRALIAN RIB EYE STEAK, TERIYAKI MARINATED CHICKEN AND

INSPIRED PHUKETIAN Jazon Edouard Speech title - The Pursuit of Happiness. Held monthly, and open to the public, this event gives an opportunity for well-lived people to share their life experiences. Inspired by the famous TED Talks, it’s a great way for people to really connect with authentic ideas that will benefit their well-being and happiness in general. All of the speakers are chosen because of their ability to share an idea that connects with and inspires people.

Limited to 55 seats only and priced at B350/pax/net including one drink and pass around canapé. Register now by email to sales@skyelakeclub.com. Skye Lake Club, Cherng Talay.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRI

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

3 NOV

the Melbourne Cup 2017 here on the island, from 9am till 2pm. Five hours free flow food and beverages, Fashions on the Field and win amazing prizes! For more information, please contact info@phukethasbeengoodtous.org

SUN

FRI

8 DEC

12 NOV Phukethon 2017

Addams Family HeadStart International School students and staff are set to deliver a power packed performance of song and dance based on everybody’s favourite kooky clan.

“The Addams Family – A new Musical Comedy” is filled with the mysterious and macabre characters that we know so well. There will be two scheduled performances on Fri, Nov 3 and Sat, Nov 4. The doors open at 6:15pm and the show starts promptly at 6:30 pm. Book your tickets in the HeadStart front office at B200 per person.office@headstartphuket.com, 076 612 875-6

The 4th Thanyapura Phuket Classic Cycling 2017 The largest cycling competition on the island! The exciting and competitive race takes riders to two different distances: the 45km and the advanced 106km. Cycle through Northern Phuket’s lush jungles, mountains, scenic roads, and exotic coastlines. thanyapura.com 076 336 000. การแข่งขันจักรยาน ธัญญปุระ ภูเก็ต คลาสสิค ไซคลิง่ ครัง้

Mark your calendar for the Phukethon 2017 weekend.

Asia’s major international marathon festival for the first time ever in Phuket, the running paradise island and pearl of the Andaman. Registration is now open. Go to phukethon.com. Get running with the Super Early Bird rate! Limited spaces. Experience the 3-day festival December 08-10, 2017. See you at Phukethon 2017!

Register NOW! Phukethon, Saphan Hin, Phuket, 080 214 6950 or 080 287 6515.

EVERY DAY

ที่ 4 กลับมาอีกครัง้ ! การแข่งขันทีต่ น่ื เต้นและท้าทาย ด้วยระยะทาง 45 กิโลเมตร และ 106 กิโลเมตร บนเส้นทางธรรมชาติ และถนนทีส่ วยงามทางตอนเหนือของ จังหวัดภูเก็ต

WED

22 NOV

The Pavilions Art & Culture Foundation is introducing a collective of Phuket Artists – Map Abdy, Peter Child, Marlene Jacopin, Iisara Thaothong, Adriano Trapani, John & Zachary Underwood and Mr Zen. Open daily from 11am till 11pm at Firefly till November 30, 2017.

For more information call: 076 317 603.

Gourmet Food Festival Best of the Best Paresa is proud to present an evening of culinary and musical excellence with Seven Top Chefs presenting Seven courses while the pop-opera band Fivera preform. Funds raised will be donated to the Phuket Hotels Association Education Scholarship and Training fund, Kamala Green Club and Barnhem House. Starts at 6:30pm for a sunset reception, dress code: Island Elegance. Reservations call: 076 302 000 ext 1001.

TUE

7 NOV

Phuket Sportfishing Tournament at Chalong bay Phuket. Start date 22-25 November 2017. Walter, Chalong Bay Phukey, walter.d@chsmokehouse.com, 087-270-0812.

25 NOV

Dinner - Rotary Club Patong The Rotary Club of Patong Beach cordially invites guests and prospective members to enjoy dinner, drinks and a good time with the RCPB. The event starts at 6:30. Please visit www.rotarypatong.org for additional information.

Melbourne Cup 2017 in Phuket

@thephuketnews

CHEF PABLO’S DEGUSTATION MENU 950.Celebrating our Thailand Tatler’s BEST Restaurants Award: Come and indulge in a succulent five-course tasting menu including foie gras, pumpkin soup, Alaskan scallop, slow cooked duck breast and baba au rhum. Offer valid until end of November. “Grape juice” pairing available! Reservations and full menu: dedosrestaurant.com 076 325 182.

Sportfishing Tournament

SAT

Watch the race that stops a nation! The Good Shepherd and Phuket Has Been Good To Us are hosting

The Language of Art

Cooking Classes Every Day Do an afternoon cooking class with Nan and discover why the Halfway Inn has been rated in the Top 10 Thai restaurants in Patong on TripAdvisor for the last 4 years running. Classes can be booked any time between 2pm till 6pm any day of the week. Google Halfway Inn, Patong’ for more details or call Nan to arrange a very fun and unique Thai culinary experience. Line:+66(0)852533278. Khun Nan, Halfway Inn Patong, halfwayinnpatong@hotmail. co.uk, 085-2533278.

La Gritta’s Discovery Menu Take your taste buds on a culinary tour through some of the finest Italian flavours. Chef Patrizia has created a six-course discovery menu consisting of the appetiser, main course and dessert, priced at 1,590 THB++ per person. The terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice. Reservations, lagritta@amari.com 076 292 697.

7 Nights 7 Themed Dinners at Rim Talay

SKAL Phuket presents - FLOWER POWER

Mana Smokehouse

SKAL International Phuket & South Thailand invite all to attend their yearly charity dinner, to be held at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa in Karon, from 7pm till late. Tickets pre-paid at THB 2,750 or at the door THB 3,500 include welcome drink, dinner and free flow drinks. Book your tickets now at phuketticketmaster.com

Traditional American BBQ/smoked and slow roasted, along with TEX MEX tacos, Burritos, Quesadillas etc etc. Open 7 days a week, all day dining. Best ribs in town. At the front of BEST WESTERN Patong Beach.

Promotion everyday i.e 399B all you can eat A La Carte, Mondays come 4 pay 3, Live music. Heart of Patong. Free parking. Reservation, 076-360-220.

Make each night unique! Enjoy our themed dinners with the cool sea breeze. Phuket Night Market @690 THB++, Thai & International buffet @790 THB++, Seafood Night @980 THB++, Ribs, Wings & Rings @770 THB++, Butchers Night @market price, Surf & Turf @950 THB++, Thai Seafood Gala @980 THB++ The terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice. Reservations, rimtalay@amari.com, 076 340106-14 #8027.

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. Which familiar sight on the streets of the UK was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott?

2. The Reign of Terror is the label given by many historians to which period or event in history?

3. Which city in Brazil has the greatest population?

4. On a QWERTY keyboard, which letter is to the right of “Y”?

5. Actor Robert Redford named which film festival after a Wild West outlaw?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Medium

Across 1. Philistine 5. “Animal Farm” animal 8. On __ (without a buyer) 12. Like some walls 14. Work over the shirts 15. Conduit 16. Public utility 17. “La Scala di ___” (Rossini opera) 18. Police action 19. Be exasperating 22. Gourmet’s study 23. Start for ‘’colonial’’ 24. Bacteria 27. Detonate 31. Picker-upper 34. Benefit 36. Empty 37. Referee 38. A marathon is one 42. Food scrap 43. Proof of wedlock 44. Look of disdain 45. Hand woven Norse carpet 46. “You don’t say!”

49. Rare trick-taker 50. Mozart’s “L’___ del Cairo” 51. South American

20. Johnny has two 21. Reaches a conclusion 24. Croc kin 25. ___ now and then 26. Jamaican music 28. Hint 29. Like some socks 30. Certain strain 32. Ringmaster 33. Silly trick 35. Hard, protective shell 39. Money matters 40. Conclusion 41. Metallic element Down used in alloys 1. Post 47.

Polyfollower 2. Concluded 48.

N.O.Saints chant, 3. Not to be trusted “Who’s ___” 4. Obligate oneself a 50. Healthy, with 3 second time 5. Get ready, for short 52. French military topper 6. Minute amount 53. Biblical question 7. Annoying insect 54. Ottoman Empire 8. Lively frolic VIP 9. Person making 55. ___ airbags some key 56. Bellow adjustments 57. Realm 10. Grand 58. Font size option 11. Give up 59. Winter Palace 13. Washed-up resident 14. Put into circulation 60. Relay monkey 53. Made a lot of efforts 61. Flu symptom 62. Much desired quality in a rep 63. Diplomacy 64. Type of carpeting 65. The America’s Cup is one 66. Early Lima dweller 67. Samoan money 68. Hot spring 69. Sale spot

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Red telephone box; 2) The French Revolution; 3) Sao Paulo; 4) U; 5) Sundance Film Festival

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

6

Oct 20, 1720 Caribbean pirate Calico Jack is captured by the Royal Navy.

minutes of napping can help to improve your memory.

Oct 21, 1520 Ferdinand Magellan discovers a strait now known as Strait of Magellan.

18

Oct 22, 1966 The Supremes become the first allfemale music group to attain a No. 1 selling album (The Supremes A’ Go-Go).

years after Vietnamese man Ma Van Nhat had surgery for injuries sustained in a car crash, doctors found surgical scissors in his abdomen.

40

Oct 23, 1917 Vladimir Lenin calls for the October Revolution.

minutes is all it takes for a skillful, experienced Inuit to build a sturdy igloo by using nothing but a knife and his or her hands.

5,300

Oct 24, 2008 “Bloody Friday” saw many of the world’s stock exchanges experience the worst declines in their history, with drops of around 10% in most indices.

metric tons of plastic end up in Lake Michigan each year – the equivalent of 100 Olympic-sized pools, according to a new study.

1.73 billion

is how many bobby pins women lose, every year.

Source: Uberfacts

This week in history

Oct 25, 1854 The Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War (Charge of the Light Brigade).

At home on ‘Monkey Hill’. Photo by Fernando Elroy Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket?

Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

Oct 26, 1985 The Australian government returns ownership of Uluru to the local Pitjantjatjara Aborigines.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

Jobs

@thephuketnews

CLASSIFIEDS 23 The Phuket News @thephuketnews

24 CLASSIFIEDS

Jobs

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

Trades & Services ADVERTISING SERVICES

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

CLEANING SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

MOVING SERVICES

@thephuketnews

26 CLASSIFIEDS

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Trades & Services

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

MARINE SERVICES

PERSONAL SERVICES

PROPERTY SERVICES

STORAGE

TRAVEL DEALS & TOUR

ADVERTISE HERE

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

Buy & Sell

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

BUSINESSES FOR SALE LUXURIOUS BAR-RESTAURANT SALE

Totally renovated, Italian design & furniture, all-new imported kitchen & bar equipment, ready to operate. Large Bar, DJ booth, garden lounge, rooftop. Seats 50 indoors, 50 in garden, 40 rooftop. 080 143 5541 Pablo.

Real Estate company for sale

Established Phuket Real Estate company for sale with over 400 listings and 1000’s of contacts and a very sophisticated website. Thai company included. All ready to go. Call +66 (0) 833 908 549.

Restaurant for sale

Located in central Khao Lak. Full equipment and furniture. Price including 1 year payment with 3 years contract, can continue contract. 1.2 Million THB, Mali, Central Khao Lak. Jack.arms@hotmail.com, 087-465-6531 Jack, 081-483-3966 Klaus (German).

BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE Long Tail Boat For Sale

Ready to go “Long Tail Boat” with or Without Captain (Thai) Get special price, please call 085 781 9167 (English) Bangtao Beach, Phuket, B275,000, giorgionaef@aol.com 085 781 9167.

Boating deal of the year: 7.5m baht (reduced from 10m baht)

Due to serious health reasons, the owner must part with his beloved 80’ tour boat.

New wiring throughout, power outlets, transformer and voltage meters. New upholstery throughout bar and entertainment area. Engines & generator fully reconditioned & serviced. All maintained to European standards. Ideal boat for quality day trip business. beachsando1@gmail.com 080 695 3933.

CAR FOR SALE 2014 Nissan Juke For Sale

2014 Nissan Juke, one owner, full history, leather interior, rear sensors, climate control. Perfect Phuket runabout, only 82000km. 530,000, soiana56030@gmail.com, 0950 924 729

HOME IMPROVEMENT TechWorX Projects

TechWorX Projects now offer a full Electrical Contractor service. This complements our existing offerings of AV, IT, Home Automation, Home Cinema and Security systems. If you are planning a new build or renovation please contact us for a free consultation. Daragh, 393/8 moo 1 Srisoonthorn road, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110, daragh@techworx.asia, 084 443 9863.

MEMBERSHIPS Lifetime Family Membership

Blue Canyon: 750,000 THB includes 140,000 transfer fee.

Loch Palms: 425,000 THB includes 72,000 transfer fee.

Tanita, 094 695 3536 / 063 992 3226.

MEMBERSHIPS Phuket Country Club Golf Membership

Phuket Country Club Family Golf Lifetime membership for Sale. 2 courses, 9 & 18 hole course, Seller will pay 60,000 baht transfer fee, the buyer pays 380,000 Thai baht. Contact Chris - 087-884-8972

Loch Palm Golf Membership

Property in Phuket!

Looking to buy property in Phuket?

International Property Advisory (IPA) can help! Give us a call today on 076 604 260/ 098 064 4408/ 080 886 9660 Email : info@ipa. black , utopia@ipa.black Website : www.ipaphuket.com.

Lifetime Loch Palm Golf membership for sale. 400,000 baht, the Loch Palm transfer fee of 72,000 baht will be shared equally between the buyer and seller. sales@joydive.asia

REAL ESTATE SERVICES

MOVING SERVICES

REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Chattha Real Estate and Professional Rental Management in Phuket. SELL-BUY-RENT-MANAGEMENT-MAINTENACE-GAURANTEED RENTAL. Inquire NOW! www.chattha.asia, 076-636-244, 090-179-6635.

Chanapa, Chattha Real Estate Co., Ltd., info@chattha.asia

Looking for a Moving Company?

With over 15 years of experience Bigmove Phuket is the number 1 provider of moving and shipping in and out of Phuket Thailand. We provide storage in a state of the art clean, secure, storage facility located centrally in Phuket. www.bigmovephuket.com. Mr Joe: bigmovephuket@gmail.com 081-797-5377.

PETS, BOARDING Dear Pet Seekers

I have two great dogs looking for a home.

According to a Vet, 7.5 years old. I’ll update their shots. Please see pictures, both are great dogs. I’m leaving the country. Contact Chris 087-884-8972.

PERSONAL SERVICES Rawai Custom Tailor store

Rawai Tailor – Ladies and Gents custom Tailor Store. Serving local and international clients for the past 10 years, get a free shirt for each suit ordered, fully air conditioned, clean environment, friendly staff, parking space, quality materials, good workmanship and money back guarantee. Located within walking distance from major hotels in Rawai, opposite Sea Shell Museum on Viset road in Rawai. Visit us for free consultation, no obligation to buy. www.RawaiTailor.com Thomas Ghimiray, 158/2, Moo 2, Viset Road, Rawai, Phuket. info@RawaiTailor.com, +6681-415-4883. @thephuketnews

REAL ESTATE SERVICES

Chatta Real Estate

PROPERTY FOR SALE Apartment for sale or rent

60 Sqm. 1 bedroom + 1 bathroom and kitchen/living room. Rooftop pool and restaurant. See website Absolute Bangla Suite for photos. Absolutely quiet. Terje Hoff, Absolute Bangla Suite, sfrkata37@gmail.com

Condo for sale or rent

Close to Jungceylon Shopping Center.

30 Sqm. Swimming pool and gym. Quiet and cool. Fully equipped. See website The Art Patong for pictures. B3mn. Terje Hoff, The Art Patong. sfrkata37@gmail.com. 081 894 8446.

Condo for sale

Nice Condo for sale in Rawai 27m2, 2nd Floor renovated. Fully furnished. Ready to move in.

300m from the beach. 750,000 THB, Duverne Jacques, Rawai, Eng-061-0686696, Thai-065-0714228.

‘New’ foreign freehold condo

Totally renovated in 2016, located in centre of Patong. Size of 65 sqm with a common fitness, sauna and large swimming pool. Perfect for living or investment! B5,600,000, guy@sunny-property.com, 0831 052 707.

28 CLASSIFIEDS

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Buy & Sell

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE 5-bed pool villa, 1.2 Rai

3 detached buildings, L-shaped open plan living, Western kitchen, guest suite, pool 11mx5m, quiet residential area. 1.2 rai plot. 9,750,000, Mrs Simpson, thaivillaonline@gmail. com, 0844477248.

Land: 3 Rai close to Monument

Land for sale in Phuket. 3 Rai close to Monument Thepkrasattri Thalang.

Perfect for apartments. Contact Thai/English 093 619 2323.

12,000,000, supaku1013@hotmail.com, 093 619 2323.

House for Sale in Karon

House for sale the price is negotiable.

3 bedroom, 3 bathroom house in Karon with a salt water pool. Great opportunity to buy in a good location where houses rarely come up for sale.

Good as an investment or a place to call home. 16,000,000 Baht, ณริศรา โคทส์, g-a-coatesy@outlook.com, 063-541-5642.

Royal Place Condo For Sell

Royal Place Condo is located at the center of Phuket Town, opposite the Tesco Lotus, close to international school, 3 minutes to Big C and Phuket International Hospital, 4 Minutes to Central Festival. 45SQM, 5th floor, Corner Room, 2 balconies, 1 bedroom, 1 living room. Before price 2,800,000 Now Available for 2,250,000. Harry: h.jabary@ gmail.com, 084 249 0526.

1 BRM UNITS FOR SALE

Spacious, modern 90sqm luxury European style apartments in a Golf Resort for sale.

For further information please contact 062-019-1421. 4.9 Million THB, Bruno, Golf Resort, brunohaag@yahoo.com, 062-019-1421.

PROPERTY FOR SALE 4 bedroom house in Chalong

4 king bedrooms (one with ensuite, the others with dedicated bathrooms), 5 bathrooms (1 with a bath, the other showers), Living room, Morning room (lounge/diner), 2 studies, Home cinema, 7 seater, DVD/CD library, 2 carports, 3 separate entrances (+ 5 French windows, a total of 8 exits).

Property is at the end of a quiet soi near Big Buddha, no passing traffic. It overlooks a stream and jungle. The garden is 12 years old with bananas, papayas, mulberry bushes, cherry bushes, flowering plants and shrubs and several palm trees. There are frequent bird visitors…2 birdbaths. Just a few minutes drive from Tesco and Villa/Home Pro on Chao Fa West. Only 12 min drive to Central or big Tesco/Big C/Makro. 16.9MB (negotiable). Area of the site: 137.9 square wah (approx 560 square metres). To view, call 081 415 5522 or email m.allen.phuket@gmail.com

COMMUNITY

PROPERTY FOR RENT Property for Sale and Rent

Ocean View Kata. Fully furnished 1 bedroom condo 44.2.s.q.m. view over Kata Bay. Minimum one month. For more details please email: ianscondo21@gmail.com

Kata Beach Apartment for rent

For rent long term (min 1 year). Kata beach nice-clean Apartment 68sqm.

One bedroom close to the indoor pool. B20.000 per month (exclusive electric). For visit tel/sms: 064 532 3637 or email villaonroof@gmail.com

Rawai Naiharn with spa pool

Unique Thai style home, open plan, close to beach and shops, AC, 3-bedroom 2-bathroom with spa pool, must see! Eng: 090 867 4849 Thai: 081 081 9875.

House for Sale/Rent

Locate Baan Saun Loch Palm Kathu. Fully furniture with swimming pool, 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms + maid room, 2 living rooms. Large entertainment area. Very convenient location. Close to BIS, Headstart School, shopping centre, Central, Tesco Lotus, 10 min to Patong beach. Easy access to the Airport. Long term lease 65,000/month including pool + garden service. Sale 13.5 millions baht (negotiable). Khun Bea, Loch Palm Kathu, I.thumwong@gmail.com 098 194 9351. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

SPORT 29

PCC top the table by a point Pressure mounts as cricket league final just two weeks away CRICKET Jason Robertson

S

unday, October 15 saw the final round-robin game of the Madras 30 Over Cricket League, played at the majestic Alan Cooke Ground (ACG). The final game between Patong Cricket Club (PCC) and The Phuket Stars (The Stars) was beautifully set up as a battle for bragging rights and a dress rehearsal for the final to be played in two weeks’ time on October 29 at 11am.

PCC won the toss and chose to bat on a dry pitch, yet, very wet outfield due to the heavy rains that had saturated the island. PCC got off to a solid start, before both openers were dismissed within four balls of each other. First to go was A Runhaar (9) succumbing to an excellent catch

by A Rana, off the bowling of young Thai bowler Paan.

Andrew McMillian grounding his bat took chances to bring the game back to the Stars. Photo: Michael Way Then P Ledeboer (14) called for a suicide second run and was beautifully run-out by Manish.

New batsmen H McDonald and H Jordaan steadied the ship and were clinical, yet, patient in accumulating their 87-run partnership.

Before first Jordaan (21) was

Hico MacDonald deftly bowls a a better for The Stars.

Photo: Michael Way

Phuket King’s Cup 2017 confirmed SAILING AFTER A LOT OF TALK about whether the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta would be renamed, or even cancelled entirely in 2017, following the death of King Bhumibol, organisers have announced the event will go ahead.

The event is one of the largest and most prestigious sailing competitions in the region and attracts scores of yachts from across Southeast Asia. The Phuket King’s Cup Organising Committee has announced that the 2017 regatta will be held between December 2-9. The event will be based at its regular host hotel – the Kata Beach Resort and Spa. The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta 2017 schedule is as @thephuketnews

Organisers are moving ahead with plans to host the annual Phuket King’s Cup Regatta once again off Kata Beach. follows: Sat, Dec 2: Registration and measurement Sun, Dec 3: Registration and practice race Mon-Sat, Dec 4-9: Five Days of racing, plus reserve day Sat, Dec 9: Prize giving and closing ceremony.

A provisional NOR and schedule is now available for download at: kingscup.com.

dismissed, caught by Rishi of the bowling of Phuket cricket newcomer D Scott, who bowled superbly all day.

H Mcdonald (56) soon followed, playing a rash shot that saw his stumps demolished by A Khan. This wicket sparked another mini collapse, with Khan picking up two further

wickets in the over, that of M Flowers (0) and D Watson (0).

Just missing out on the hat trick by a single ball. Inexplicably after that over, Khan was taken out of the attack.

Which let PCC stabilize the ship and aided by excellent innings’ from both I Bekker (31) and captain Gonzo (33)

Bowled, Runhaar takes a wicket for Patong Cricket Club.

Photo: Michael Way

which saw PCC through to a respectable total of 192 for 6 in their 30 overs.

In reply, The Stars came out swinging with A Khan back in the action, this time with bat in hand. Khan (18), known for devastating hitting did not disappoint and dispatched the ball to all corners before falling to some excellent field placing by PCC, which saw him caught deep on the boundary by H Jordaan.

This was just after losing his opening partner Rishi (2) to a swinging missile from D Watson.

PCC kept up the pressure on The Stars as they fell further and further behind the required run-rate, while losing regular wickets without showing any real intent to chase down the required

total of 193. That is not until southpaw A McMillan (23) and S Khan (26) got together, when again Stars started to bat with intent and put pressure back on the PCC bowlers and fielding unit. But, it would not last and H Jordaan and some great catching from D Watson wrapped up the tail, leaving The Stars 53 runs short and on the back foot heading into the final in two weeks time.

Cricket on the island is still growing and is always looking for new players, teams, and sponsors. If you would like to get involved or know more, please contact the Phuket Cricket Group through Facebook or by email at phuketcricketgroup@gmail.com or check out the website at www. phuketcricket.com

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

Hamilton could claim title Texas win could land the Mercedes driver a 4th F1 Championship BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

L

ewis Hamilton will start this weekend’s United States Grand Prix (22 October; 23 October ICT) knowing victory could have him equal title rival Sebastian Vettel’s haul of four Formula One world championships.

After three catastrophic rounds for Vettel – a lapone crash in Singapore and engine failures in Malaysia and Singapore – the Ferrari driver’s championship deficit to Hamilton has ballooned to an almost insurmountable 59 points.

With four rounds remaining Hamilton need extend his advantage by only 16 points – possible if he wins and Vettel finishes sixth – to claim his prize.

“I think it’s kind of unbelievable,” Hamilton said. “I feel very, very fortunate and really blessed.”

However, the Briton isn’t getting ahead of himself as the championship reaches its end game.

“There’s still a long way to go,” he cautioned. “Anything can happen in life; I’ve just

Mercedes British driver Lewis Hamilton (front) and Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel driving during the third practice session of the Formula One Malaysia Grand Prix on Sept 30, 2017. Photo: AFP got to try and keep my head down and hopefully continue to perform like this.”

But even if Hamilton were unable to claim the crown in Austin, the diminishing number of points on offer would almost guarantee him the goods one weekend later in Mexico.

Either way the Texas race will surely be a celebratory one for Mercedes, which must prevent Ferrari from outscoring it by 16 points to win its fourth consecutive constructors trophy.

Both titles will be well-

deserved by their respective silver-clad claimants, but it is tragically ironic that both Vettel and Ferrari are locked out of contention after arguably their three most dominant races of the season.

Indeed Ferrari has had the fastest car throughout its woeful Asian campaign, with its race pace in all three impressive enough to have warranted victory had one of its cars been in a position to seize it.

But potential is one thing and results another, and with the title slipping so rapidly

from Maranello’s grasp, talk of recriminations have spread equally swiftly.

Team principal Maurizio Arrivabene, divisive for his paranoid iron-fist rule over the team, will reportedly leave the squad on either his terms or those of CEO Sergio Marchionne, whichever comes first.

Ferrari handles defeat notoriously poorly – it comes with territory of being F1’s most successful team – but how it deals with 2017’s agonising double defeat, particularly in the face of a resurgent Red Bull Racing and strengthening

Renault and McLaren outfits, will be crucial to its immediate future.

Toro Rosso in driver dilemma Scuderia Toro Rosso will make its third driver change in as many races when former protégé Brendon Hartley replaces recent F1 debutante Pierre Gasly at the United States Grand Prix.

Gasly suddenly replaced Daniil Kvyat in Malaysia, but the Frenchman has been competing in Japan’s Super Formula, where he trails in

the title standings by just half a point, and the final round clashes with the Austin race.

With Toro Rosso releasing Carlos Sainz to Renault after Japan ahead of his 2018 switch, the team found itself in need of temporary a partner for Kvyat.

New Zealander Hartley, a 2015 World Endurance Championship titleholder and 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans winner for Porsche, answered the call.

“What an amazing feeling!” he said. “This opportunity came as somewhat of a surprise, but I never did give up on my ambition and childhood dream to reach F1.

“I have grown and learnt so much since the days when I was the Red Bull and Toro Rosso reserve driver, and the tough years I went through made me stronger and even more determined.”

With Toro Rosso yet to decide on its 2018 driver line-up – Gasly is likely to be retained for a full season but Kvyat’s future is uncertain – Hartley could make himself the biggest winner in the United States this Sunday.

Don’t forget to tune in to Live89.5 each and every Saturday from 9am for the Box of Neutral radio show.

No nuke fears as PGA Tour makes Korean debut GOLF TOP GOLFERS BRUSHED off the “crazy” security tensions on the Korean peninsula ahead of the US PGA Tour’s inaugural CJ Cup, which began yesterday, Oct 19.

Ten of the world’s top 30 teed off on Jeju Island, south of the mainland, in the second

event of a three-week swing as the PGA Tour spreads its wings further into Asia.

World number four and US PGA Champion Justin Thomas is the top-ranked player at Jeju’s par-72 Nine Bridges course for an event which carries a massive first prize of $1,665,000.

There were no big-name withdrawals from the 78-man

field despite nuclear-armed North Korea recently firing several missiles over Japan and claiming to have tested a hydrogen bomb last month.

“It’s a crazy situation, we can all agree on that,” said Xander Schauffele, who at 23 is one of the bright young talents to have emerged on tour this year.

“If any inch of my body

felt unsafe I wouldn’t be here,” added Schauffele, who triumphed at the season-ending Tour Championship last month.

“I don’t really know anyone who didn’t want to come to Korea.”

Major-winner Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland agreed. “There’s things happening all over the world.

We wouldn’t be playing an event here if it wasn’t safe,” said McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion.

“This is a first, and a phenomenal field, and you want to go where the great golfers in the world are,” added the Northern Irishman.

McDowell has a taste for debut events on Jeju, having won the European Tour’s inaugural Ballantines Championship in 2008 at the nearby Pinx Golf Club.

America’s Thomas has made his second start in defence of his FedEx Cup title but faces stiff competition from the likes of ninth-ranked major-winner Jason Day,

US PGA Champion Justin Thomas is the top-ranked player at the PGA Tour event in Jeju, South Korea. Photo: AFP former Masters champion Adam Scott and their fellow Australian Marc Leishman, who won last month’s BMW Championship.

Leishman played on the Korean Tour in 2006 and is unfazed by Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un exchanging insults in recent weeks.

The US president dubbed North Korea’s leader a “madman” after the reclusive regime hinted it may explode a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific Ocean.

Kim branded Trump “mentally deranged” after tougher sanctions were imposed by

the UN. “All the stuff that’s happening politically, the same sort of thing was happening 11 years ago,” said Leishman.

“Once you’re here it feels fine. I feel very safe. I wouldn’t have come if I was at all worried. I feel good about being back in Korea.”

Other notable players in a strong international line-up include another former Masters champion in South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel, and English duo Ian Poulter and world number 14 Paul Casey, who has had seven top-10 finishes in the last five months. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

SPORT 31

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Four things we learned in the Premier League C FOOTBALL

AFP

helsea came unstuck as Crystal Palace finally found the scoring touch, while Arsenal were exposed in a shocking loss at Watford. Manchester City ran riot

Mourinho cannot change his spots

With his side flying high at home and abroad, Manchester United's trip to a fragile Liverpool seemed to represent an opportunity for Jose Mourinho to mastermind a statement victory that would send out Manchester United FC a resounding message about coach Jose Mourinho. the strength of United’s Photo: AFP title challenge. This being Mourinho, he saw things differently, setting his side out to sit deep and defend and coming away with a point after a 0-0 draw that was every bit as forgettable as the previous goalless stalemate between the teams at Anfield 12 months previously. United have matched their record points tally after eight games of a season in the Premier League era, but with Manchester City destroying Stoke City 7-2 to move two points clear at the top of the table, they have lost the initiative in the title race.

Palace actually know where the goal is after all

Crystal Palace were getting used to breaking unwanted records left, right and centre. Pointless and scoreless after seven games, Chelsea would not have been their ideal opponents. But in the shock of the season so far, the champions were beaten Crystal Palace's Wilfried 2-1 at Selhurst Park, cour- Zaha: Photo: AFP tesy of a Cesar Azpilicueta own goal and a Wilfried Zaha winner. Suddenly, their situation does not appear quite so perilous – they are still rock bottom of the Premier League but are not far from safety and the clubs immediately above them are not setting the world alight. Manager Roy Hodgson has previously saved Fulham when they looked doomed to relegation in 2008, taking nine points from his final three games. Could his team have started their great escape?

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1655: Saturday Oct 21 Run Start Time: 4PM Hares: Lucky Lek, Gorgeous You W*****, What-a-rat, Sing (VH) Location: Laem Hin Directions: Heading north on Thepkasattri Rd (402) from Phuket Town, go 2.6 kilometres from the Bus Station traffic lights travelling over the hill and down to the bottom then make a U-turn and travel back 150 metres to vacant land just below Sapam Temple.

Turn left into laager directly off the main 402 road and set back approx. 100m. Heading south on Thepkasattri Road (402) travel 1.8km from the bypass road intersection and turn left into vacant land below Sapam Temple. Do not go up the hill into Phuket Town. Bus: Kamala 14:00, Patong 14.30.

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

@thephuketnews

against Stoke, but Manchester United took the safety-first approach at Liverpool.

Here are four things we learned from the Premier League last weekend:

Eriksen ends Wembley woe

Christian Eriksen finally ended Tottenham’s Wembley jinx as the Danish midfielder sealed a 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday.

Tottenham had struggled badly at the English national stadium in recent years and Christian Eriksen kept their temporary move there Tottenham’s title hopes while White Hart Lane is alive with a strike to sink being rebuilt was turning Crystal Palace 1-0. in a nightmare after they failed to win their first three league games there. Aside from a Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund, Wembley has been a house of horrors for Tottenham, who were unbeaten at home in the league at White Hart Lane last season. Eriksen’s 47th-minute winner gave them some home comfort at last and the north Londoners will hope it’s more than a brief respite.

Man City may be even better than we thought

Manchester City are frightening. Very frightening. Pep Guardiola’s team have caught the eye this season with some devastating attacking football, which reached a new high on Saturday in a 7-2 demolition of Stoke. The visitors clawed their way back into the game Manchester City’s Spanfrom 3-0 down to trail by a ish manager Pep Guarsingle goal, but City merely diola. Photo: AFP shrugged and stepped up a gear, scoring another four in a spell of sumptuous football – and that was without their main striker Sergio Aguero.

They are the first top-flight team to score 29 goals in their first eight league games of the season since Everton in 1894-95. Some said Guardiola – trophyless in his first season at City – could not successfully import his brand of possession-based football into the Premier League.

At the moment he’s enjoying proving his critics wrong.

MAIN SPONSOR

The overall competition winner will receive a 3 day/2 night stay in a Sri panwa one bedroom luxury private pool villa including daily breakfast plus a 120 minute spa treatment for two persons. Total prize value: B123,000 The monthly competition winner for October 2017 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at any of the island's Two Chefs outlets.

EPL PREDICTIONS MONTHLY STANDINGS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

SPORT START STOP Friday October 20 Rugby Union 13:30 15:30 Cricket 19:30 00:00 Saturday October 21 Rugby Union 11:00 13:00 13:30 15:30 Rugby Union 19:30 21:30 23:00 01:00 Rugby Union 17:00 19:00 Soccer 18:30 20:30 21:00 23:00 21:00 23:00 21:00 23:00 23:30 01:30 Motor Bikes 08:00 12:30 Sunday October 22 Rugby Union 18:55 21:00 21:10 23:00 23:30 01:30 Soccer 19:30 21:30 22:00 00:00 18:00 20:00 Cricket 14:00 00:00 Motor Bikes 08:00 12:30

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO

Mitre 10 Cup – SF1 ODI4 - Sharjah

Wellington v. Northland Pakistan v. Sri Lanka

Mitre 10 Cup – SF3 Canterbury v. North Harbour Taranaki v. Tasman Mitre 10 Cup – SF4 Sharks v. Blue Bulls Currie Cup – SF1 Western Province v. Golden Lions Currie Cup – SF2 Bledisloe Cup - Brisbane Australia v. New Zealand EPL Chelsea v. Watford EPL Huddersfield v. Man United EPL Newcastle v. Crystal Palace EPL Man City v. Burnley EPL Southampton v. West Bromwich MotoGP Qualifying, Australia European Champs Cup European Champs Cup European Champs Cup EPL EPL EFL ODI1 - Mumbai MotoGP

Montpelier v. Exeter La Rochelle v. Ulster Wasps v. Harlequins Everton v. Arsenal Tottenham v. Liverpool Ipswich v. Norwich India v. New Zealand Grand Prix of Australia

OVERALL STANDINGS

matthew 7 giggs 6 poonchai 6 stafsulaiman 6 AAY 5

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

LFC444 46 TC 44 lufc 43 celticpride 42 diggersd 42

English Premier League 2017 - 2018 Team

MP

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Manchester City

8

7

1

0

29

4

+25

22

2

Manchester United

8

6

2

0

21

2

+19

20

3

Tottenham Hotspur

8

5

2

1

15

5

+10

17

4

Watford

8

4

3

1

13

13

0

15

5

Chelsea

8

4

1

3

13

8

+5

13

6

Arsenal

8

4

1

3

12

10

+2

13

7

Burnley

8

3

4

1

8

6

+2

13

8

Liverpool

8

3

4

1

13

12

+1

13

9

Newcastle United

8

3

2

3

9

8

+1

11

10

West Brom

8

2

4

2

7

9

-2

10

11

Southampton

8

2

3

3

7

9

-2

9

12

Huddersfield Town

8

2

3

3

5

9

-4

9

13

Swansea City

8

2

2

4

5

8

-3

8

14

Brighton and Hove

8

2

2

4

6

10

-4

8

15

West Ham United

8

2

2

4

8

14

-6

8

16

Everton

8

2

2

4

5

13

-8

8

17

Stoke City

8

2

2

4

9

18

-9

8

18

Leicester City

8

1

3

4

10

13

-3

6

19

Bournemouth

8

1

1

6

4

12

-8

4

20

Crystal Palace

8

1

0

7

2

18

-16

3

Premier League fixtures Saturday October 21 Match

Time in Thailand

West Ham

vs

Brighton

2am

Chelsea

vs

Watford

6:30pm

Huddersfield

vs

Man Utd

9pm

Man City

vs

Burnley

9pm

Newcastle

vs

Crystal Palace

9pm

Stoke

vs

Bournemouth

9pm

Swansea

vs

Leicester

9pm

Southampton

vs

West Brom

11:30pm

Sunday October 22

Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change

MONTHLY SPONSOR

Match

Time in Thailand

Everton

vs

Arsenal

7:30pm

Spurs

vs

Liverpool

10pm

Sport TEAMWORK PAYS THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

Hamilton could snatch his fourth F1 title in Texas > p30

Six months of hard training pays off for Phuket Spartans

Mac Rosen (left) had plenty of help and encouragement from his Phuket Spartans teammates during Thailand’s first ever Spartan Race in Chonburi. Photo: Reebok Spartan Race

ENDURANCE Matt Pond editor1@classactmedia.co.th

L

et’s step back a few weeks, to Friday, Sept 8, when a 22-strong team making up the Phuket Spartans set off for the Eastern Seaboard province of Chonburi, where the next day (Saturday, Sept 9) they would head to the Siam Country Club to compete in Thailand’s very first Spartan Race.

What’s the Spartan Race?

Well that’s quite simple, it’s the biggest and best obstacle race in the world where participants are challenged mentally and physically to overcome their fears and push past limiting beliefs. The race represents life; as obstacles appear in life and it is those people who overcome them that continue to grow, learn and evolve.

For a large number of the 22-strong team taking part in the Spartan Race was all about

just completing the course.

However, for the remainder of the team it was all about something else; teamwork and getting one-legged former pro-wakeboarder Mac Rosen through what they called a gruelling six-kilometre course.

Club Manager of Phuket’s RPM Health Club Hayden Rhodes, who was instrumental in getting the Phuket Spartan team together, and played a massive part in helping Mac on his road to recovery since his life-changing accident, explained that the team started preparing for the race six months prior to the event taking place.

“Only two team members had taken part in a Spartan Race before so they knew what to expect, but the rest of us didn’t. We started training about six months ahead of the race,” said Rhodes.

“At the beginning some team members couldn’t even walk very quickly around a five-kilometre course, in addition, a lot of the team

couldn’t hold their own body weight. So this meant that we had to train at a level for each person,” he explained.

“But the more people learned about the race, the more they realised how much more training they had to do,” he said.

When it came to training Mac to get around the course, which was the main objective for many involved, Hayden said, “We didn’t do a lot to be honest, but the whole concept and philosophy I had was to lead from the back.

“From the very start I said that I would be the last one to cross the finish line, and it was highly likely that I would be joined by a community of people purely involved in getting Mac across the line.

“And in fact, come race day, a lot of those people who were there to get Mac across the line were big-hearted people, some were professional personal trainers and elite athletes who had done this kind of stuff before,” he said.

“But these people, rather than being out in front, were happy to be at the back, ‘we don’t want to be in this to win, we’re in it to help Mac’ is what they all said,” he added.

Turning now to Mac and his thoughts ahead of the race, he said that he had no idea what to expect from the race.

“I had no idea what we were really going to face at Spartan Race. But on the start line I knew I had to stick to my guns and finish this race,” he said.

“I must admit that I did get a little bit scared when I was standing on the start line, but as soon as we were over the first obstacle I knew I would be okay and just went with it,” he added.

But the race wasn’t simply a walk in the park for Mac as he explains.

“The obstacles themselves I found relatively easy to get over, however, I did have issues with regards to serious cramping and chaffing under my arms due to the crutches I

was using to help me through the course.

“Hayden was massaging me from close to the fourkilometre mark, and he and others continued to massage me pretty much up until the finish line,” he said.

“But with thanks to the team, and that is a very big thanks, we did finish the course, and we did it in a pretty good time too – around the three-hour mark,” he added.

One of the main objectives of the Phuket Spartans taking part in the Spartan Race was to raise funds to help Mac get a much-needed new prosthetic leg, and just last week The Phuket News was proud to witness Hayden Rhodes of RPM Health Club handing Mac B100,000 which had been raised through various methods connected to the Phuket Spartans.

“Some people donated out of the goodness of their hearts, RPM Health Club trainers donated some of their

personal training revenue and then some people purchased Phuket Spartans T-shirts that we had printed for the race,” explained Rhodes.

“We really can’t thank people enough for their kind generosity,” he said.

But this story doesn’t just end with the Start Race Thailand event in Chonburi.

While conducting this interview a small matter of joining the next Spartan Sprint race or even the Thailand Super Spartan race – to be held on May 19, 2018 – came up.

Mac said he was already up for the challenge, despite the course being far longer than one he has endured.

Hayden was a bit more reluctant to make any full commitment when this interview took place. However, within hours of this interview being over, Hayden had contacted myself to tell me that he already had five RPM Health Club members signed up to take part. So keep your eyes open; Mac will be back! thephuketnews