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Local sailor attacked by ‘samurai’

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Organisers of the Sydictive Element megaparty confirmed they hope to move the event to Patong, after hotels near Surin Beach demanded compensation of B3.5m Patong deputy mayor Chairat Sukban confirmed he is aware of plans, but says Patong beach cannot be blocked off because it is a public area. Also, it is already the venue for the free annual New Year’s Eve concert FULL STORY ON PAGE 2

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

Monstrous theories

What creature made the mysterious tracks through the village on Bamboo Island? > 5

execeditor@thephuketnews.com

Sydictive party organisers hoping to move to Patong Claire Connell & Nattha Thepbamrung editor@thephuketnews.com

O

rganisers of the Sydictive Element megaparty planned for New Year’s Eve have confirmed they are hoping to move the event to Patong, after two hotels in Surin demanded compensation of at least B3.5m to make up for the disturbance to hotel guests.

Sydictive representatives confirmed to The Phuket News on Tuesday they are exploring the option of moving the event to Patong Beach, saying with such little time to go they can no longer afford to negotiate with those at Surin Beach who oppose the event.

Sydictive met with vicegovernor Sommai Preechasilpa and Chanchai Duangjitt, presi-

dent of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket branch on Tuesday (December 18) to discuss the potential move. The company also sent a letter of request to the Patong Municipality, the Phuket Marine Office Region 5 and Kathu District Officer.

The shock announcement came following an appointment party organisers had with two general managers of hotels in the Surin Beach are, who demanded “substantial” amounts of compensation, organisers said.

One hotel, which organisers declined to name, requested B3.5 million as the “strict minimum required to ensure that some of our guests are compensated for the disturbance,” an email said. Another hotel also demanded “a couple

No shortage of partygoers on Patong Beach, but locals don’t like the idea of the party. of million baht”, the organisers said.

The Phuket News under-

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stands one of the hotels is that hideway of the rich, royal and famous – Amanpuri.

“They have notified us that they would like us to compensate them for all the rooms and that they will be allowing their guests to stay there free of charge because of the “disturbance” that will be caused to them. This is not a feasible proposition for us. We cannot afford to lose any more time to ‘negotiate’ with them any longer,” organisers said.

The organisers of the megaparty have said in the past that they had already spent B66 million and expected the entire outlay would be B120 million.

Patong deputy mayor Chairat Sukban has confirmed he is aware of plans to move the party to Patong beach, but says the beach cannot be blocked off because it is a public area.

Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukban: The beach is a public area and cannot be blocked off for a private event.

Patong’s beach area is already occupied by the annual New Year’s Eve concert organised by the Thai Beverage Public Company Limited.

“It is an open stage concert on the beach in front of Bangla Rd, and we will not block the area, so that people can come to see the concert and enjoy the beach,” Mr Chairat said.

Sydictive representatives also confirmed they would be taking a 30 per cent cut of food sales by vendors, and 60 per cent of beverage sales.

Several Patong business people have disagreed with plans to move the party to Patong, saying compensation for Patong businesspeople will cost the company a lot.

“There are more than 50 beach chair businesses on the beach, and over two days of the party they will lose a lot of money,” Suriya Soison, a Patong beach chair business owner said.

“They [Sydictive] can negotiate and pay for the two days compensation, but that will cost them a lot.

“But it is still not worth it.

Two days off will makes us lose our returning guests to other places.”

Chanankarn Kanjanapo, a massage shop owner on the beach, also agreed, saying organisers should talk to all businesses in the area and compensate them enough money for two days worth of lost revenue.

“I think here in Patong it is harder for them [Sydictive] compared with Surin Beach.

If they are able to compensate all of the business here, nobody will have a problem,” Somporn Kanpakdee, a jet ski business owner, said.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

‘Liquor Buster’ all set to poop on Phuket partying DR SAMAN FUTRAKUL, the “liquor buster” at the Health Ministry’s Office of the Alcohol Control Committee (OACC), appears close to succeeding in his campaign to get alcohol off the streets of Thailand.

All he requires now is approval by a Cabinet committee, and the selling of alcohol in public places will be banned, along with boozing in public.

His proposed regulation mandates a ban on all alcohol sales on footpaths, pavement and streets – which would also apply to small mobile food shops. In addition, the sale and consumption of alcohol in municipal and provincial parks would be prohibited.

These would include such places as Loma Park in Patong, the centre for Phuket Bike Week, and Saphan Hin next to Phuket Town, epicentre of Songkran celebrations and many other public celebrations.

The new regulation would also cover places such as Bangla Rd , the venue of last weekend’s Patong carnival.

Dr Saman told The Phuket News this week that he believed

the regulations will not have a negative effect on tourism.

“Tourists can drink alcohol in their home countries. They come to Thailand not for alcohol, but for our beautiful places.

Paiboon Upatising, President of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (OrBorJor) told The Phuket News that it would be hard to apply the regulations in a tourist place like Phuket.

He said that it would be acceptable if the authorities just wanted to control boozing during festival periods such as New Year or Songkran.

But strict year-round control would be impossible.

In any case, he noted, “I do not think [the regulations] will be approved easily.”

Chairat Sukkaban, deputy mayor of Patong said he believed the regulations would definitely affect tourism, especially in Patong.

“The celebrations and parties in the public areas of Patong usually involve alcohol, and most of those areas belong to the local government,” Mr Chairat said.

PHUKET NEWS

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8 hurt in bizarre crash Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter4@thephuketnews.com

E

A tourist on the bus tries to figure out how to get out of the wreckage. Photo: Jamie Monk

ight tourists, mostly Russians, miraculously escaped serious injury when the roof of their minibus was peeled back like a sardine can by the jib of a mobile crane at about 9am on Tuesday (December 18) in Chalong.

Pol Capt Kraisorn Boonprasob of the Chalong Police explained, “The crane was turning left off Patak Rd about 200 metres from Chalong Circle. The crane jib was sticking out over the road. Possibly the minibus driver did not see it.”

The van went under the crane jib, and the hook at the end of the jib ripped the roof off.

Kamala bag-snatchers arrested T WO T H I E V E S W H O admitted to having robbed many tourists in the Kamala area were arrested on Tuesday (December 18) in Phuket after they robbed an expat resident as he walked along Kamala Beach.

The victim, who gave his name as Masco, told police he lived in Soi Namtor, Baan Naka.

“At 3 pm [on the beach] two men came up to me and engaged me in friendly conversation then suddenly snatched my bag.

“They drove away on a white motorbike in the direction of Patong. I immediately called the police.”

Police swiftly set up a roadblock, stopped the two men,

and arrested them.

The two were named as Pornsak Saisamuk, 27, from Ranong, and Thawatchai Buaboon, 28, from Surat Thani.

Police found stolen mobile phones and cash in their possession.

A Kamala police investigator said that both men had confessed to multiple robberies

in the Kamala area.

He added, “They told us they thought the police would never catch them because, after each robbery, they would drive a short way away from the scene and then stop at a shop and have a beer as if nothing had happened.”

The two are now awaiting their day in court.

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Victim of the ‘samurai’ Marque A. Rome editor@thephuketnews.com

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

CLAIRE CONNELL Sub Editor editor1@thephuketnews.com From New Zealand; BA (English) from University of Otago; Diploma in Journalism from the University of Canterbury. Five years’ experience at Gisborne Herald and Marlborough Express.

JODY HOUTON Sub Editor editor3@thephuketnews.com From the UK; Masters Degree in Journalism, Kingston University. Five years’ experience at Groove Magazine, Metropolis, The Western Telegraph, The Mirror and Phuket Post.

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huket yachting figure Neil Petford has given frightening details of how he was attacked and robbed by a “samurai” motorbike gang on his way home from the final party of the recent King’s Cup Regatta.

Mr Petford crashed after trying to avoid two men twirling samurai swords, and was then knocked off his bike. The robbers took the keys from his motorcycle and his wallet. He was injured in the crash, and is now booked in for a CT scan.

Mr Petford, 59, from New Zealand by way of Australia, was acting as shore crew for one of the leading racing yachts in this year’s regatta. He arrived for the closing party at about 11.30 pm.

“The food and drinks were already over,” he said, explaining that he had been on the press boat during the final race and was thereafter occupied with event-related business till late. “The party was closing down when I got there.”

Mr Petford, wary of traffic on the busy Kata-Chalong road, elected to take his 100cc Suzuki bike on the route less travelled, over the mountains from Kata Noi to Rawai.

That road twists and turns, and declines steeply before debouching on to the flatlands not far from Icon, a popular discotheque just off Sai Yuan Rd. He was on the steep descent, just past two elephant camps, about half-a-kilometre from the bottom, when two men twirling samurai swords

P

New Zealander Neil Petford holds his pants to show where his wallet was taken from. Photo: Marque A. Rome stepped from cover on either side of the road.

“Big shiny swords – I saw ’em in my headlights and thought, obviously, ‘Danger!

Danger!’ So I put down my head and accelerated.”

Mr Petford swept past the swordsmen, then slowed down, thinking, “What the f--k?

That was close.” He drove on another hundred metres or so, imagining himself to be out of danger.

“I saw nothing in my mirrors, no guys, nothing behind me, then suddenly I was hit from the right-hand rear by a motorcycle, maybe kicked.”

He said the attackers had been following him with their headlights off.

Mr Petford’s bike went down hard. He was travelling, he thinks, “maybe 40 kilometres per hour” and appears to have lost consciousness, though he was wearing a crash helmet.

When he came to, he says, “They were gone. I realised I was on the ground, hurt.”

He found the thieves had taken the keys from his motorcycle and his wallet.

“I picked the bike up, thinking they might come back, then coasted to the bottom of the hill, the wheel wobbling because it was damaged.”

He stopped and “checked for damage to myself.” His elbow was scraped down to the bone, his ribs and collar bone were bruised, his knee badly hurt, all on his right side.

He stood “for five-to-10 minutes” wondering what to do “when a girl came round the corner on her motorbike, saw me bleeding and stopped to see what happened. She straight away called police on her phone and waited till they got there.”

When the police arrived, they then drove to Chalong

station where a report was filed at 3.45 am, indicating the passing of a considerable amount of time between the attack and his regaining consciousness.

The official report states that Mr Petford was attacked “on Patak Rd” by a single man, 25-30 years old, “about five feet tall … wearing a helmet the victim does not know the colour of,” and armed with a samurai sword, who followed him by motorcycle and “pushed him over.”

Mr Petford, however, believes he was attacked by a gang probably of four men and recalls nothing of helmets.

Mr Petford returned home and went to hospital the next day to treat his wounds. A CT scan is scheduled.

Three days after the attack, two Russian tourists walking near the elephant camps spotted his wallet, all his credit cards, the 50-ringgit note, and identification still inside. All that was missing was the B5,000 in cash.

“I didn’t know it wasn’t safe to go that way, or I wouldn’t have gone.”

He seems to worry more about the image of Phuket than his own well-being: “I don’t want news of what happened to me to have a bad effect on tourism.”

Attacks similar to the one on Mr Petford have happened repeatedly in Rawai, some in the same area as the one on him.

A pair of youths arrested after a recent attack said they targeted foreigners because “they can never remember our faces.”

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

‘Demolisher’ launches first Thai green party DA M R O N G P I D E C H , retired director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has registered what will effectively be the country’s first green political party – the Thai Forest Land Reclamation Party (FRP).

Registering the FRP at the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) Mr Damrong – who led the investigation into encroachment in Phuket’s Sirinart Marine National Park – said that the party will initially have only party-list candidates, and added that anyone who wants to join the party as a candidate for popular election will have to pay their own campaign costs.

Mr Damrong has been elected party leader by the other founder-members, with the former inspector-general of the DNP, Titi Kanoktaweekan, elected secretary-general.

He said the 17 founders of the party are all retirees from the DNP, and that none have any experience of politics.

He added that he was not sure whether he could amass enough party members to meet the minimum legal requirements for supporting a political party.

Mr Damorong explained that it was decided to launch the party because no existing party in Thailand is concerned about the environment.

“There are already many big political parties in Parliament but no party that has a policy in favour of environmental protection,” Mr Damrong told The Phuket News.

“Quite the opposite – they always give away forest land to businesses,” he explained.

The party will accept membership registrations once approval comes through.

Anyone wanting more information can contact Ms Teunjai at 086 994 6960.

PHUKET NEWS

‘Monster’ invades island Nattha Thepbamrung reporter2@thephuketnews.com

M

yster iou s g ia nt tracks appeared overnight last Friday (December 14) on Koh Mai Pai (Bamboo Island, just north of Phi Phi), emerging from the forest, going through the local school and then into the sea, leaving students, parents and teachers worrying that they were made by some enormous serpent.

The tracks consisted of a long line of pairs of circles, each circle 20 centimetres in diameter. Local experts estimated that the serpent that made the tracks must be at least 15 metres long.

Pannee Atwaree, a teacher at the school, said that the islanders’ fears wear ratcheted up by theories that the appearance of the tracks might be an omen of a great disaster that some have been predicting for next Friday (December 21) when the ancient Mayan calendar – and supposedly the world – comes to an end.

Mrs Panee alerted Damrong Sinto, President of the Koh Panyee Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor), who went to inspect the tracks, which emerged from the forested hill in front of the

Schoolchildren examine the tracks leading from the school to the sea. Photo: Siang Tai school, then wound through the school entrance, across the playing field, through the open ground floor of the school and out into the back, before disappearing into the waters of Phang Nga Bay. Baan Koh Mai Pai village chief Anan Sansamuth noted that the night before they saw the trace, the sea level was very high. Around 11pm he

Chalong officials swoop on Illegal garbage dumpers THE DRIVERS OF ILLEGAL garbage trucks are to be fined after being caught dumping garbage – probably from hotels – in a public lagoon in Chalong.

Acting on a tip off that trucks were dumping rubbish in the lagoon on Soi Songkhun, Chalong Mayor Samran Jindapon and his team lay in wait at the spot early last Friday (December 14) and caught four pick-up trucks between 2 am and 5:30 am.

Mayor Samran said that the offenders had been handed over to the police.

Section 380 of the Thai Penal Code states, “Whoever causes the water in a well, pond or reservoir provided for public use to be filthy, shall be imprisoned for not more than one month or fined not more than B1,000, or both.”

With local municipal penalties added in, the offenders were fined B10,000 each.

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heard some ducks quacking but though nothing of it.

He said some goats and ducks on the island had disappeared recently but villagers had thought they were eaten by a python – many years ago an eight-metre python was caught on the island.

After he surveyed the tracks, Mr Damrong ordered Mr Anan to run the island’s

electricity generator all night and to prepare implements for catching or at least defending against the supposed serpent.

Mr Damrong and Koh Panyee OrBorTor officers, along with Bamboo Island civil defence volunteers, have also established a 24-hour watch until the mysterious animal is found.

– Source: Siang Tai

5

Next year ‘likely to be a dry year’ THAILAND’S SOUTHEASTern Meteorology Centre has warned that this coming year is likely to be a dry one for Southern Thailand.

Wanchai Sakudomchai, the centre’s director, said of this year’s rainy season, “rain since mid-October this year – normally the rainy season, – has been unusually sparse.

The overall average this year is less than normal.”

Mr Wanchai said the drier weather is not the result of global climate change but is because a La Niña weather cycle has ended, and La Niña brings rain.

“We expect the dry season will come sooner. The end of last year and the beginning of this year we had a La Niña weather pattern, during which there is a great deal of rain.

But the La Niña pattern is now ended.

“We expect next year’s dry season to be drier than usual. This season’s northeast monsoon is having less effect than is typical, though there will be some periods of rain this month. But after the new year, rainfall is expected to be less than that of last year.”

– Source Manager Online

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

Phuket Seven Day Weather Forecast

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FRI DECEMBER 21

SAT DECEMBER 22

SUN DECEMBER 23

MON DECEMBER 24

TUE DECEMBER 25

WED DECEMBER 26

THU DECEMBER 27

High: +31° Low: +25°

High: +31° Low: +25°

High: +31° Low: +25°

High: +31° Low: +24°

High: +32° Low: +25°

High: +32° Low: +25°

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Wind 25.2 km/h

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he annual “Light Up Phuket” ceremony will mark the eighth anniversary of the deadly Asian tsunami that killed quarter of a million people around the Indian Ocean, with 279 known dead in Phuket and another 620 missing, presumed dead.

A central part of the show will be the now traditional lighting of candles on the beach by members of the public, a beautiful and moving reminder of the disaster that hit Phuket and many other shores around the Indian Ocean on the morning of December 26, 2004, following a massive earthquake off the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

The ceremony, at Loma Park, Patong will start at 6.30 pm. In Phuket, Patong was worst affected by the tsunami.

The programme is as follows: 6:00: Assemble and sign book of remembrance; traditional Thai music concert.

6:30: Official opening of the ceremony by Phuket Governor Maitree Intusut.

6:35: Gov Maitree presents

Below the belt: Boxer tells tale of busted penis

It has become tradition on the anniversary of the tsunami to light candles and place them in small pits dug on the beach, in remembrance of the victims. prizes to 30 winners of drawing competition.

6:50: Traditional dance show by Buchit Utsari Tri Yumpawai.

7:00: Speeches by the Governor and Paiboon Upatising, President of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (OrBorJor).

7:10: Prayers for the victims, led by Pastor Brian Burton.

7:15: One minute’s silence in remembrance of the tsunami dead.

7:16: Gov Maitree lays wreaths to honour the victims.

7:25: Candle lighting on the beach.

7:30: Traditional show

by Sattakinnara Pusapilai, followed by Khon Thai Ballet performance.

Phuket surfer Decha “Day” Sithidej said there were also

plans for a “Surf Circle Ring” to remember tsunami victims.

Surfers who want to be involved are invited to meet in front of the Graceland resort on Patong Beach, at 8.30am on December 26.

The circle will be formed in the ocean at 9.30am, and after that the surfers will collect trash from the beach.

For more information contact Mr Decha on 089 973 2161.

MIXED-MARTIAL ARTS fighter and Phuket sports star Ray Elbe has hit headlines with his latest injury – and it’s not one he suffered in the ring.

Elbe, now living in Kuala Lumpur, revealed on a website forum this week that he’s suffered a traumatic injury to his penis after a bout of acrobatic sex with his girlfriend.

“Girl was on top... Went higher than 8 1/2" I’m the air and Arona’d my dyc” Elbe wrote – a reference to the Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter Ricardo Arona, famed for slamming his opponents.

Elbe started posting on the forum when he was waiting in a hospital emergency room in Kuala Lumpur, and he provided a blow-by-blow account of his treatment over the following hours.

“When it first happened... blood was everywhere... to the point I passed out,” Elbe wrote. “Falling face first I ko’d myself on the floor... chipping two teeth and busting my chin...

10 stitches later...”

Elbe assured his concerned readers that he hadn’t suffered an open fracture of his penis, but had torn his urinary tract and nearby membranes.

The injury was “throbbing with each heart beat... but after the pain injection they’ve given me... the balls ache is gone.”

After surgery, Elbe’s doctors diagnosed a full recovery – although the fighter had to stay in hospital for three days and said he would need to take anti-erection pills for two weeks while his injury heals.

“The worst part of this has been the fact that literally everyone who works in the hospital has come in asking to see my shaft out of curiosity,” Elbe wrote.

“The doctor who performed my operation has done 3 others prior to mine... with the last being a 60 year old man, who had a full recovery.”

“Lesson learned – I will never let a girl on top again.

Everything was under control until one bounce went a ‘little’ too high.”

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

Second suspect reenacts part in Hungarian murder Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter4@thephuketnews.com

H

ungarian Lajos Gyorgy Kvalka was taken on December 13 by police to reenact his part in the murder of fellow Hungarian Peter Reisz on November 24.

Kvalka, who surrendered to police on Koh Samui on December 8, has denied taking part in the murder itself but today took police through the various parts of the aftermath in which he was involved.

Asked how he and prime suspect Moshe David came to be inside the house where the murder took place, he explained, “I and Mr David drove around this area [several days before] with a lady who accompanied him, looking for a house to rent.”

On the day of the murder, he said, he went to the house in his car. “I saw Mr David and Mr Reisz in [another] car.

They went into the house together, so I followed them in.”

Police excluded reporters from the murder house, so details of how the murder itself was carried out were not made public.

However, Kvalka then

Lajos Kvalka (left) prepares to dispose of the “body” during the reenactment. went with police to the rubber plantation where Mr Reisz’s body, wrapped in plastic bin bags, was dumped.

Asked how this particular site had been chosen, Kvalka said, “Mr David saw this way [into the rubber plantation] when we were looking for the house to rent.”

He said that on the night of the murder, after the corpse had been loaded into the back of Mr Reisz’s own Toyota

Vigo pickup truck, Kvalka and David drove it to the rubber plantation in Bang Thong, about five kilometres from the murder scene.

Police asked how the toolbox and bolt cutters came to be in Mr Reisz’s truck. Kvalka said he did not know.

He then ad mit ted, “I helped Mr David to throw the body away.” Police had him reenact this action, using a filled black plastic bag,

UNUSUAL TOURISTS THE ISLAND HAD AN unexpected arrival of “package tourists” on Monday (December 17) when between 500 and 600 Asian openbill storks touched down in Rawai, the first time in human memory that these birds have been seen in Phuket.

The large flock landed on open land on Soi Ya-Nui, immediately sparking fascination from bird watchers and anxiety from local chicken farmers, who worried that the storks might be carrying bird ’flu.

A team from the Phuket Provincial Livestock Office

Asian openbill stork. Photo: Shantanu Kuveskar therefore went to check out the visitors. A spokesman announced that the team could see no immediate impact on

local livestock, but added that they would keep an eye on the situation.

He told The Phuket News, “We think the birds are passing through looking for a good source of food. We expect they will move on out of Phuket.”

On Tuesday (December 18) at about 10am the “tourists” did just that, taking off en masse and leaving Phuket.

Asian openbills stand about 70 cm tall. Their range extends across the Indian subcontinent and large parts of southeast Asia, though not usually as far south as Phuket.

and with the help of a police officer holding the other end.

Kvalka added that, after they had thrown the body into a brush-filled depression in the ground, “The body was not deep enough [into the bushes]. So, Mr David went down there and moved the body again [to hide it better].”

The reenactment over, Kvalka was taken back to his cell in Tung Thong Police Station.

7

IN BRIEF KL consulate stops one-year B visas A staffer at the consular section of the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has confirmed that the consulate is effectively no longer issuing one-year multiple-entry nonimmigrant B visas except in special cases.

The consulate looks at applications “on a case-by-case basis”, she said, but in general it will not issue one-year nonimmigrant B visas.

Some confusion was generated by an original (and, it has now been established, substantially correct) report on ThaiVisa.com that one-year multiple are no longer issued in KL, and a local report quoted the Foreign Ministry in Bangkok as saying that oneyear visas are still “formally” being issued in KL.

Rescued baby dolphin drowns

A two-year-old baby spinner dolphin that was rescued a month ago at Karon Beach, recuperated for four days at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) and was then released, was found dead on Monday (December 17).

The baby dolphin apparently drowned after becoming

entangled in the anchor line of buoy in Ling Bay at Koh Phi Phi Don. It was spotted by the crew of a passing ferry, who brought it on board and took it to Phuket, where the PMBC picked it up.

The PMBC team recognised the young dolphin from scars they had observed when the animal was first brought to them on November 15, after being found washed up at Karon, suffering from exhaustion.

18-floor jumper is ‘recovering’ The Australian man who jumped from the 18th storey of the Royal Paradise Hotel in Patong remains in Vachira Hospital in Phuket with a seriously broken leg, but is making progress.

John Hurley, 39, jumped from the 18th floor of the hotel and managed to survive, albeit with broken ribs, a smashed leg and a broken wrist.

A spokesperson from Vachira confirmed to The Phuket News on Sunday (December 16) that he is conscious and able to eat and talk, but that he still had a seriously broken leg and would require many more operations.

     

           

                                             



8

PHUKET FOCUS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

Left: Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos and Vice-Governor Somkiat Sangkhaosuttirak arrive on Racha Yai., Above: Illegally dumped garbage seen during his visit.

Hotels get blame for Racha Yai problems Nattha Thepbamrung reporter2@thephuketnews.com

R

acha Yai, an attractive island situated half an hour from Chalong bay was visited on December 7 by Vice-Governor Somkiat Sangkhaosuttirak and his team, who came to investigate villagers’ complaints

about many problems, mainly stemming from hotels.

They began with the ongoing garbage problem. Sarid Jandee, president of the Racha Yai Conservation Club led the team to the garbage dump area, bordered by a palm thatch wall.

Mr Sarid said the garbage dump was not managed ac-

cording to the Public Health Act. When it rains, he added, dirty water from the garbage flows into a nearby public klong and then into the sea.

The klong, too, has its problems. The owner of the land bordering it, who was not identified, has apparently attempted to expand the land area illegally, and a wooden

bridge and a concrete walkway have been built across the klong, blocking access by boats.

“This is a public klong, but a private business has built the bridge without getting permission. They also piled the banks of the klong, making their land area larger,” Mr Sarid said.

V/Gov Somkiat ordered Muang District Officer Supachai Pochnukul, Rawai Mayor Arun Solos and a representative from the Harbour Department to investigate those problems and to prosecute those involved in the construction.

Afterward, the team was led to the beach. There they were shown large piles of sand and small palm trees planted in the sand. Mr Sarid said he believed that that sand had been piled by a hotel business in an effort to turn it into private land.

After inspecting it, V/ Gov Somkiat said, “The land owner claims to have a Chanote for the land. We have to check whether it is legal or not. We are not yet sure about the boundary marks of the beach land. I have ordered land officers to come and measure it.”

Planting trees in sand is a common ploy to expand a title onto a beach, with the trees being claimed to be the line between private land and public beach.

“I think the departments concerned at provincial level can solve these problems effectively and we will start immediately,” the vice-governor said.

He ordered Prapan Kanprasang, Chief of the Damrongtham Centre to allocate tasks to all sectors concerned.

One problem, however, may be more difficult to address, he said. This is a gravel walkway Mr Sarid showed him, near the canal, which has a gate and a sign announcing the times when the gate will be locked.

The walkway crosses private land, but Mr Sarid said the islanders had used it for many years. The laws on public rights of law in Thailand are vague.

Lastly, Mr Sarid talked about a barge that is towed to Racha from time to time and which he said has destroyed a lot of coral.

He said that in 2009 a barge loaded with bags of cement for hotel construction capsized, causing massive damage to coral on the sea bed.

“There are still barges being brought to Racha Yai despite all our warnings about coral destruction,” Mr Sarid said. “Also, I’m afraid the ho­tels will attract jet skis or parasailing boats.”

Apart from asking for solutions to these problems, Rawai Mayor Arun Solos suggested that the island should be carefully surveyed because many people who have lived on land for a very long time have not yet been granted land titles.

V/Gov Somkiat and the team have agreed to look into this.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

NO END IN SIGHT Thousands displaced by Myanmar violence A

year after Myanmar’s president ordered a halt to military offensives against ethnic minority rebels, fighting rages unabated in the northern state of Kachin as peace talks f lounder, a mediator said Tuesday.

“Fighting between the KIO (Kachin Independence Organisation) and the Myanmar military has been happening every day in recent weeks,” said Yup Zaw Hkaung, a local businessman and peace negotiator between the rebels and the government.

“Both sides say they are defending themselves,” he said, adding that he had met US Ambassador to Myanmar Derek Mitchell and two officials from Washington on Monday to discuss the conflict.

“People are losing their homes and land as they have to flee the fighting,” Yup Zaw Hkaung said, calling for mediation by a third party such as the United Nations.

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced since June 2011 when a 17-year ceasefire between the government and Kachin rebels collapsed.

The fighting, along with

Myanmar women at the train station in Myitkyina, north Kachin. Photo: AFP sectarian violence in the western state of Rakhine, has tempered optimism about widely praised political reforms by President Thein Sein as the country emerges from decades of military rule.

Several rounds of talks aimed at resolving the conflict in the country’s far north have shown little tangible progress.

The Kachin rebels are calling for greater political rights and an end to alleged human rights

abuses by the army.”

The KIO said it’s impossible to have a meeting about the peace process at the moment although the dialogue can be continued later,” Yup Zaw Hkaung said.

A member of the KIO’s armed wing, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), said the rebels had come under attack by military helicopters near their base of Laiza close to the Chinese border, although

Australia under fire for diverting aid AID GROUPS ON TUESDAY attacked Australia’s plans to divert hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign aid to help pay for asylum-seekers already in the country, saying it was a blow for the world’s poor.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr said up to Aus$375 million ($395 million) would be spent on basic subsistence for refugees waiting to have their claims heard in Australia. It will cover food, shelter and other essential items.

“It’s absolutely fair,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

“The fact is the OECD

guidelines provide that if you’re spending money on refugees and potential refugees on your own soil, it’s to be counted as if you were spending money on refugees or potential refugees in refugee camps around the world,” Carr said.

But aid agencies criticised the decision which comes as Canberra battles to stem a rising flow of asylum-seekers, with more than 16,770 boatpeople arriving in Australia so far in 2012.

The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) called the diversion “an appalling breach of trust

between the government and the Australian public”, saying it would strip money from the world’s poorest people.

Executive director Marc Purcell said it was also out of step with undertakings Canberra made to the world as it sought support for significant positions in global leadership.

“On the eve of Australia taking its seat on the United Nations Security Council, now is the time to show leadership,” he said.

World Vision Australia also condemned the move as “more than just an accounting trick”. AFP

it was not possible to verify the claim.

He said both sides agreed on the need for another round of talks after the most recent meeting in October, but no date or place had yet been decided.

Civil war has gripped parts of Myanmar since independence in 1948. The country’s reformist government has agreed ceasefires with several other ethnic rebel groups since coming to power last year. AFP

ASIA NEWS

9

New species, old threats to Mekong wildlife: WWF FROM A DEV ILISHlooking bat to a frog that sings like a bird, scientists have identified 126 new species in the Greater Mekong area, the WWF said Tuesday in a new report detailing discoveries in 2011.

But from forest loss to the construction of major hydropower projects on the Mekong River, existing threats to the region’s biodiversity mean many of the new species are already struggling to survive, the conservation group warned.

“The good news is new discoveries. The bad news is that it is getting harder and harder in the world of conservation and environmental sustainability,” Nick Cox, manager of WWFGreater Mekong’s Species Programme, told AFP. Some 126 species were newly recorded last year in the Greater Mekong region, which consists of Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos and the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan.

Some, such as the Beelzebub tube-nosed bat discovered in Vietnam, depend on tropical forests for survival

and so are especially vulnerable to deforestation.

In just four decades, 30 percent of the Greater Mekong’s forests have disappeared, the report says.

Others, such as a shorttailed python species found in Myanmar are more at risk from illegal hunting for meat, skins, and the exotic pet trade, the report said.

“Poaching for the illegal wildlife trade poses one of the greatest threats to the existence of many species across Southeast Asia,” Cox said.

The list, dominated by plants, included 21 reptiles and five amphibians, such as a frog that sings and another that has black and white eye patterns resembling yin and yang symbols.

The WWF said that while the number of new species discovered was testament to the region’s astounding biodiversity, there had been some “worrying developments”.

WWF singled out Laos’ determination to construct the Xayaburi dam as a significant threat to the river’s “extraordinary biodiversity”. AFP

10 WORLD NEWS

Signs of evolving gun debate after tragedy NEW SIGNS EMERGED on Monday of an evolving US gun law debate, with several top lawmakers appearing more open to stiffening controls on firearms after the Connecticut school massacre.

Rising demands for stricter gun control laws, in a nation where bearing arms is a constitutional right, came a day after President Barack Obama told grieving relatives of 26 people killed Friday that such tragedies “must end.”

Senate Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid, who has a reputation as a pro-gun politician, said lawmakers will this week begin debate how to “change laws and culture.”

Reid did not mention outright whether the chamber would consider new legislation to ban certain assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, as has been proposed by prominent Democrat Dianne Feinstein.

Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, from conservative West Virginia, who once blasted away at a copy of proposed global warming legislation with a gun in a political ad, also seemed to sense a shift.

“Never before have we

seen our babies slaughtered,” he said on MSNBC, sketching over the fact that thousands of US kids die in gun violence.

Manchin, a hunter with an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA) gun lobby – a measure of his pro-firearm voting record – suggested a renewal of the assault weapons ban.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a rising star of his party and a potential 2016 presidential candidate, also appeared to be ready to take another look at current gun laws and restrictions.

Rubio spokesman Alex Conant was quoted by the Hill newspaper website as saying that his boss, while remaining a supporter of the right to bear arms, wanted to see a “serious and comprehensive study of our laws to find new and better ways to prevent any more mass shootings.”

Many Republicans and conservative Democrats were yet to weigh in on the demands for more gun control.

Any legislative push would likely face a major challenge from lobby groups like the NRA, and political momentum could ebb as memories of the massacre fade. AFP

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

Students brave elements to attend bamboo school I t takes a certain kind of dedication to be a pupil at the Jahalin primary school, where children often walk for hours across tough desert terrain just to get there.

Others come by donkey to this small but thriving Bedouin school tucked away in an inhospitable corner of the Judaean desert, just outside Jerusalem.

With no road access to the school, located in a sector of the West Bank known as Area C that is under full Israeli military and civilian control, it is very difficult for cars to reach it, meaning everyone, teachers and students alike, must get there on foot.

But for the Bedouin children studying in the impoverished community of Wadi Abu Hindi, it is worth the effort.

“I wake up at 4:30 am and leave my house half an hour later so I can get to school at 7:30 or 8:00,” said 11-year-old Intisar Abdallah Kushan.

Getting to school takes a major effort. “We walk for more than three hours and sometimes we arrive after the first period and sometimes even after the second.”

Children play at the al-Jahalin Basic Mixed School east of Jerusalem. Photo: AFP As the sun begins to rise, the steep hills around Wadi Abu Hindi come alive with small children carrying outsized rucksacks scrambling down the rock-strewn slopes to get to school before the bell rings.

At the bottom is a neat cluster of bamboo-clad buildings surrounded by a chickenwire fence whose tidy appearance stands in stark contrast to the haphazard appearance of the surrounding encampment.

Originally constructed out of metal sheeting, which

was unbearably hot during the summer and freezing in the winter, the school underwent a transformation in October 2010 when it was refurbished with bamboo, mud and straw by the Italian NGO Vento di Terra and an Italian collective of architects and engineers known as ARCo. According to the ARCo website, the 45,000-euro ($60,000) project had to comply with stringent Israeli regulations, meaning the original structure “could not grow by

a single square metre”.

In 1997, the Israeli authorities razed their encampment three times, he says, but the Supreme Court later ruled the villagers should be allowed to rebuild their homes with tin. Since then, many of the shacks have been replaced by caravan-like structures, all of which are now under threat of demolition.

But for now, the bamboo school – rebuilt strictly in line with Israel’s stipulation – has been spared. AFP

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

Southpoint Pattaya: flair at the right price Advertorial PREPARE TO DISCOVER an enticing new lifestyle and a smart investment at the emerging destination on Thailand’s most vibrant coastline. Southpoint Pattaya marks the point where world class contemporary design, refreshing energy and superb location intersect.

Two towers with panoramic sea views at Pratumnak Hill, South Pattaya, only Southpoint Pattaya offers creative coastal living in an inspired condominium by the dream team of design.

Southpoint Pattaya unites the unerring vision of Kingdom Property’s Nigel Cornick with the contemporary flair of SODA interior design and the landscapes of modern Zen Master Colin K. Okashimo and associates. Project Architect is Beaumont Partnership.

Two towers sit amidst contemplative gardens inspired by Pratumnak’s royal heritage, historical Buddhist landmarks and long affinity with sailing and the water.

Southpoint’s location at an enviable address in soughtafter Pratumnak Hill blends

BUSINESS NEWS 11

Sevenstar moves into Thai market Alasdair Forbes execeditor@thephuketnews.com

S

The stunning twin towers of Southpoint Pattaya. the buzz of a destination on the rise with a laid-back elegance reminiscent of Beverly Hills. This exciting oasis overlooks a beach and the Varuna Yacht Club where HM the King of Thailand learned to sail.

The B2 billion Southpoint Pattaya marks the new high point of intelligent investment opportunities in this city by the sea. Units in the condominium range in size from 30 to 97 sqm, and from studios to one-bedroom and two-bedroom homes. Prices range from B65,000/sqm.

Payment options are available.

For more information visit southpointpattaya.com.

evenstar Yacht Transport (SYT), which delivers yachts worldwide, has appointed Phuket veteran Chris Jongerius as its agent for Thailand.

Richard Klabbers, Managing Director of Netherlandsbased SYT announced: “Sevenstar’s presence in Asia is growing fast with an increasing amount of yachts cruising the exotic waters of Southeast Asia.

“We are therefore pleased to nominate a highly serviceand safety-oriented partner, Chris Jongerius, as our agent in Thailand.”

Mr Jongerius is the owner of the Phuket-based yacht charter company Andaman Sea Club (ASC), a winner of a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2011.

“I am proud to be welcomed into the Sevenstar team,” said Mr Jongerius. “We have a reputation for excellent customer service in common with Sevenstar Yacht Trans-

Richard Klabbers of Sevenstar Yacht Transport (left) and Chris Jongerius. port. Together we are able to offer a unique package.

“As Asia’s yachting industry is quickly developing, this is a timely start and we are well positioned for the future.”

Delivery of yachts by ship has taken off since Somali pirates began plundering ships and yachts in the northwestern Indian Ocean.

In February last year four Americans aboard the yacht Quest, en route from Phuket to

the Mediterranean, were killed by pirates who boarded the yacht near Oman. Two of the 19 pirates were subsequently killed by the US Navy.

SYT points out other advantages of shipping yachts – that it saves time, manpower and, with ever-rising fuel costs, substantial amounts of money.

It also decreases wear and tear, as well as engine hours.

A s u b sid i a r y of t he Spliethoff Group, the larg-

est shipping company in the Netherlands, SYT is not the first company to deliver yachts across the world to Asia.

In November last year five yachts were delivered to Phuket from Genoa, Italy, aboard the crane ship Combi Dock 1, and earlier this month Miami, US-based Yacht Shippers announced its intention to expand its on-ship delivery service to the Far East, including Phuket.

12 BUSINESS NEWS APPOINTMENTS HILTON Wo rld w i d e has announced the appointSimon McGrath. ments of Simon McGrath as general manager and Tane Picken as director of business development for the recently-opened DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Phuket – Surin Beach. Mr McGrath’ was most recently the director of business development with the Hilton Adelaide in Australia. Mr Picken has been with Hilton Worldwide since 2001, when he started as an F&B supervisor with the Hilton Durban in South Africa.

SE L I NA Chan has been appointed Director of S a le s & Marketing for the Outrigger Selina Chan Phu­ket Beach Resort, opening in March next year.

Ms Chan, a Malaysian national, previously worked with YTL Resorts (Malaysia), Travelocity, Zuji, Asia Web Direct, Reliancetravel.com, assorted hotel companies, and Air Vanuatu

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

Sea Bees gives Holger a buzz SUCCESS

Stor y

Alasdair Forbes execeditor@thephuketnews.com

S

eventeen years ago Holger Schwab bought a tiny dive company.

These days, the company, Sea Bees, has operations in Phuket, Khao Lak, southern Krabi, and on Phi Phi, a staff in the high season of 70 people, and eight boats including two for liveaboard trips.

When did you arrive in Phuket?

I first came in 1995 to take a look at Sea Bees Diving which, at that time, consisted of a shophouse, 15 sets of diving equipment, a Thai member of staff, a divemaster and one business contract.

I had always wanted to have my own diving company but didn’t want to be too enthusiastic. It took three months to conclude the deal but then I came back in October with my rucksack and my wife.

What was your initial investment?

About 20,000 Deutsche Marks (B390,000). It was every Pfennig I had (and my mother’s Pfennigs too.)

What were the main land-

Holger Schwab: Sea Bees has been successful beyond his expectations since he bought the company 17 years ago. marks in the development of the business?

Our first landmark was convincing the biggest German and Swiss dive operators to send divers to Thailand.

The second was building Sea Bees’ first daytrip boat which made a fundamental difference when it came to looking after our customers.

Lastly, there was our first exclusive contract with a five-

star hotel. I was really proud that day.

On a scale of 1 for “not at all” to 10 for “absolutely”, how has your business developed compared with your initial expectations?

Twelve. It went completely beyond my expectations. There were a few well-established dive companies when we first started and, for myself, it was a case of just trying to survive

through sheer hard graft and determination.

What was easiest to do in developing your business?

What was most difficult?

Easiest: Motivate and be motivated by enthusiastic likeminded people who share the same passion in diving and working in a service industry.

Hardest: Realising that not everybody is made for this line of work.

But in the end, being fooled, taken in or believing in someone who then does not reach those standards. That hardens you. Losing trust in someone is worse than losing money.

If you were to do this again, what would you do differently?

Without the failures, I wouldn’t have learned most of what I know. We had a few mishaps when it came to boats and some of these became very expensive “mistresses” but now I have some wonderful “lovers”.

How is business right now?

Challenging. Very challenging.

With the U-turn on tourism and developing markets, the last few years have been exacting.

Business for individual quality service providers has become harder. The emergence of new markets and their proximity to

Phuket are changing the face of the island.

Have you been affected much by environmental deterioration around Phuket?

Definitely. Working with such an environment every day and having a business which is reliant on you showing off the best of it, you are very closely related and committed to this environment, and acutely aware of the changes and the responsibility you have to protect it.

Have you been affected by increasing competition? How do you counter that?

No. We have established a niche market serving five-star hotels and a customer base that knows that paying not so much more means a big difference in service and quality. So we are well placed. But there is always someone waiting in the wings so we can’t take it for granted.

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs starting up in Phuket?

Tropical weather aside, be prepared to work and work hard.

Be fully aware of what you are investing in. Phuket is continually changing and evolving so there are some excellent opportunities here.

You just need to look carefully to find them.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PROPERTY NEWS 13

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

PARK PROBLEMS How to avoid getting caught in a probe Olaf Duensing Tax & Law Expert Duensing Kippen

or a law firm that includes real estate matters among its core specialisations, it has been fascinating to follow the executive branch of the Thai state in its effort to implement the law.

We are referring to the recent investigations by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) and particularly those you may have heard about recently in Phuket.

It should be noted that this firm is not directly involved in the matters that caused the recent headlines in Phuket, so we cannot attest to the accuracy of the claims and actions of the DNP. From our review of the latest news publications on this matter we understand that the DNP was investigating several properties that it believed were located in a National Park.

What legally constitutes a National Park is defined by the National Park Act (1961).

According to Section 6 of the Act: “When it is deemed appropriate to determine any area of land, the natural feature of which is of interest, to be maintained with a view to preserving it for the benefit of public education and amenity, the Government shall have the power to do so by a Royal Decree with a map annexed thereto showing the boundary lines of the determined area.

The determined area shall be called the “National Park”.

The areas being investigated on Phuket are in an area which was made a National Park by the Royal Decree Determining the area of Sontalay Forest, Khaoruag Forest, Khaomuang Forest and Nai Yang Beach in Maikhao SubDistrict, Sakoo Sub-District and Cherngtalay Sub-District, Thalang District, Phuket to be a National Park (1981).

In this context it is important to understand that the location of a property within such a National Park is not per se an indication of any illegality.

According to Section 6 paragraph 2 of the National Park Act: “The land to be determined as national park must not be owned or legally possessed by any person other than a public body” or in other words: if land was privately owned before the establishment of a National Park through

F

Royal Decree, such land is not considered to be a part of the National Park.

In this case, it has been claimed that certain areas within the boundaries of the National Park might have already been owned or possessed by individuals at the time of the Royal Decree.

However, if such claimed prior ownership or possession is not proven, Section 21 of the National Park Act states that: “The competent official shall have the power to order the person committing the offence under Section 16 to vacate the national park or to refrain from doing any act therein”.

Section 22 of the National Park Act provides that: “In the case where any violation of this Act has added to or changed the condition to anything in a national park, the competent official shall have the power to order the offender to demolish or remove such thing from the national park, or restore such thing to its former condition, as the case may be. If the offender fails to comply therewith or the offender is unknown, or for the purpose of prevention or alleviation of the national park from damage, the competent official himself may take any of the said actions as may be appropriate. The expenses incurred thereby shall be borne by the offender.”

However, with regard to the land ownership or use itself, any revocation of an improperly issued land title or a land utilisation certificate in a National Park is not under the jurisdiction of the DNP; this would fall to the Land Department.

Section 61 of the Land Code confers the power to decide on and revoke a land title to the issuing administrative body, the Land Office.

It should be noted, however, that the Land Code goes on to stipulate a detailed procedure involving a Committee of Enquiry before any revocation

If you don’t want these gentlemen from the DNP coming up your driveway, you need to do exhaustive research into the background of the land you are thinking of buying. of a land title can take effect.

Subjection to any such eviction or revocation as outlined above can be avoided if potential owners or lessees first perform comprehensive due diligence into the property before they part with any money.

In order to avoid being caught up in an official land title investigation certain issues must be checked before any investment is committed.

It is not sufficient merely to look at the title document itself. All of the land plots at issue in Phuket have what seem to be legally issued title deeds.

So proper examination of a title document is only the first step in a multi-step investigation process informed by skilled legal competency.

What cannot be found through merely reviewing the title document is the title history or how the title was upgraded to its current status.

This investigation has to be done at the land office by someone with particular competence and knowledge on what to look for and what to

do if something unexpected is found. The investigation is conducted by reviewing the entire relevant title file(s) of the land plot.

Issues can be (and unfortunately, all to often are) identified through such investigation.

Quite apart from any issue with regard to a National Park, there are many other potential pitfalls.

Some of these issues might involve an improper underlying document such as a “flying SorKor 1”; or the land owner not possessing the land early enough to be qualified for a title; or the discovery that the area of the land in earlier records does not accord with the area in later records.

Even if the land title is valid, an investor should also first confirm that the land use laws and regulations allow the land to be used for its planned purpose.

Another common oversight by property buyers is the failure to check whether the property is subject to ongoing court proceedings. It is possible that the sale could be revoked, depending on the outcome of such proceedings.

Finally, the buyer of a parcel of land is jointly liable with

the seller for unpaid local taxes for a maximum of five years.

So any professional title due diligence should include findings on this issue.

Any investment in real estate is usually a long-term and significant investment.

“Slow to enforce” does not mean “no enforcement”.

What cannot be repeated often enough is that there is law in Thailand and – sooner or later – it does matter, as the Sirinart Park land investigations in Phuket have shown.

Duensing Kippen is a multiservice boutique law firm specialising in property and corporate/commercial matters and arbitration and litigation proceedings arising therefrom.

Duensing Kippen is also the only such firm in Thailand that complements its property and corporate/commercial legal expertise with a core tax law practice. Duensing Kippen can be reached by email to phuket@duensingkippen.com.

For more information visit duensingkippen.com

14 OPINION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Opinion

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

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editor@thephuketnews.com

Gerry’s View

Editorial

Spirit of giving

I

“After trudging around the shops in Patong looking for Christmas gift ideas, with sore feet and a plummeting energy level, I decided to revive myself with an iced latte at one of the many internet cafes along the Beach Road. This cafe is on the second floor with a great view of Patong Beach and the boats lying at anchor, but what really caught my eyes was the wonderful wall backdrop behind the bank of computer screens and the well decorated Christmas tree. The lone computer user was a pleasant treat after experiencing the frenetic scenes.” Gerry Cummings

If you have a Phuket photo to share, email it with a caption to editor@thephuketnews.com

t’s that time of year again readers to wish ourselves a very Merry Christmas.

Despite the outdoor scenes of sunshine and searing heat, the festive sentiments remain as pertinent as ever in Phuket.

At this time of year, we are reminded of the importance of family, and of giving and of receiving. These are things that transcend religion, nationality and even culture.

This is the time of year when we realise how valuable our families are, and how precious moments such as the exchanging of presents can bring such happiness and delight on the faces of loved ones.

We have chosen to live on this island, which means that we are part of the fabric of Phuket society. We are part of the larger Phuket family.

We have a responsibility to take care of each other.

Not just those who attend the same parties as us, wear the same white shir ts or drink from the same bottle of spirit. Everyone. You have chosen to live here. Respect your family.

Comments, Facebook & Twitter Remembering the 2004 tsunami [Re. Moving ceremony to mark Phuket tsunami anniversary] So many years have passed, but I still remember that morning like it was yesterday.

Waking up with the house shaking then going to breakfast at Boat Lagoon with family. A short while later the waters started to rise and mobile phones were ringing every where, then we went to the top of the mountain and waited. After everything was calm we went to Patong to see if we could help. All we saw was so much destruction and death, people not knowing where to go or what to do.

Then we went to Phuket Town to help with translations and food. After another day had passed we travelled to Khao Lak to one of the temples to help with food and

and unload trucks that brought supplies.

The morning started with less then 10 bodies on the temple grounds. By the time we left there were more then 100, it was so overwhelming for the doctor that was trying to tag all the bodies as they came in on pickup trucks.

As we drove back to Phuket all you saw were body bags on the side of the road and pickup trucks stopping to pick them up.

So many nights of tears followed and every year since I try to come back for the ceremony.

Well this year I am here once again to pay my respect to the lost souls. May God Bless all those who lost their lives and their families and friends.

Jim Debitetto

thephuketnews.com

Your health should always come first [Re. Fundraiser for cancerstricken Phuket expat] Yes it is sad news to get cancer diagnosis and I hope his friends will manage to get the funds so that he will get rid of it ,odds are good today.

But I hope that this will ring the bells for others. In spite of age, anything can happen and you need medical care.

There are so many expats living here without health insurance or assets to pay if something happens. Many of them say they take the plane to their “home countries”, but if you get a heart attack or a stroke it is impossible to get treatment in time.

Think about your family as well of yourself. I know what it means, my late husband then under 60 (he died years later) got the best care during seven weeks in hospital.

The bill was B350,000, but we just paid B3,500. Think before, because afterwards it is too late!

Margita Aberg-Palosvirta

Making a splash in west Africa Ms Simone, just spotted your [diving] piece in last weeks news.

Guess you have seen plenty before but I have a working Siebe Gorman twelve bolt helmet here in my Phuket home.

As I say likely ‘old hat’. I used 65 – 68 in west Africa Alan Cooke

To booze or not to booze [Re. ‘Liquor Buster’ close to crimping Phuket partying] They come to Thailand for fun, and don’t like to be lectured by the government on where or when they can drink.

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This absurd alcohol selling limitation in shops during the day is also setting a lot of bad blood with foreigners, who can’t understand the rationale of it.

Phuket is a world class tourist destination, leave adults alone!

Ian ‘Liquor Buster’ close to crimping Phuket partying’ says the headline.

In most parts of the world, drinking in public places is closely controlled.

Is alcohol an essential ingredient in having fun? Most people would say no.

Should parties in public places be carefully controlled?

Most people would say yes.

If you wish to go where alcohol is consumed in a public place without control.

Good luck.

Alan Morison

twitter.com/thephuketnews

With stunning beaches, fabulous scenery and great weather, Phuket is an amiable host who tries its hardest to please but sometimes struggles to accommodate all its visitors.

Like mother on Christmas Day who suddenly discovers there’s a vegetarian coming to dinner, it does its best to cook up something to serve its new arrivals and to make everybody feel at home.

Indeed, for many Phuket is the gift that keeps on giving. This month alone we have the Patong Carnival, the annual Electronic Music and Dance Festival and the Surin Sydictive mega party and much more.

So what have you done for Phuket lately? Have you given to charities? Have you collected any rubbish from beaches? Have you got rid of that ridiculous gas guzzling SUV yet?

At this present-filled time, we should all remember that Christmas is also the time for giving.

Merry Christmas.

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Visit thephuketnews.com today for all the latest news

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

04 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

Founder of MTM, Roland Mayer, on the Audi R8 Spyder

10

A long weekend in the quiet capital of Laos, Vientiane

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Carnival time The 27th Patong Carnival opened on Saturday (December 15) on Bangla Road. Thousands of tourists lined the streets to watch the riotously colourful carnival procession, which had an underwater theme, as it paraded along > p16

Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

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2 ARTS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 21,2012 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 21,

Finding soul in Surin Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.com

All my works are originals – not copies. I am fascinated by modern Chinese art and the number of Chinese artists now earning huge amounts of money

I

f you’re ever in Surin or in the vicinity of the upmarket Surin Plaza, art enthusiasts are recommended to drop by the fabulous Soul of Asia art gallery.

Inside, a magnificent life size, one-of-a-kind resin statue of a defiant Cultural revolution-era teacher stands side-by-side with exquisite works by Chagall, Dali, Picasso and Warhol.

“Most people who come these days do so to look around,” admits owner and art enthusiast Eric Smulders, “Most of the business I have comes from the internet now.”

The pieces Mr Smulders sells – contemporary Chinese art and Western works from the 19th and 20th centuries – has remained the same of late, but trading online has enlarged his clientèle base.

“Many of my clients are from Ecuador and Hungary, and of course China.”

Indeed, China is becoming an increasingly important market for both consumers and creators of art.

“It’s exquisite, just from the sheer numbers of Chinese people, it’s completely understandable how many great artists there are.

“All my works are originals – not copies.

I am fascinated by modern Chinese art and the number of Chinese artists now earning huge amounts of money has become massive.”

One sculpture from Chinese artist Shi Lifeng is extraordinary, and is available for B590,000. It’s quite an investment, bur Mr Smulders said that this shouldn’t be the raison d’etre for buying.

Above: Eric Smulders in his trademark Panama hat; the interior of Soul of Asia.

“Art has to be a conversation piece. Art shouldn’t be an investment. Invest in your enjoyment and enjoy your investment.”

Mr Smulders certainly likes investing, “I choose everything myself, that’s the fun, that’s why I have too much stock,” he jokes.

However, he leaves no stone unturned in

his search for the best works, “I buy from private collectors and private auctions and go to many international auctions, such as Sotheby’s.”

Soul of Asia, 5/50 Moo 3, Cherngtalay, Thalang District, Phuket. 076 271 629. info@soulofasia.com. soulofasia.com

Peranakans put jewels on display Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.com

M

ore than 100 members of the Thai Peranakan Association of Phuket gathered at the Chalermraj Centre, formerly known as the Standard Chartered Bank building, in Phuket Town on Saturday (December 15) for the first official event at the venue.

Peranakan, or Baba, is the name given to the Chinese who settled in Southeast Asia – mainly modern Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Phuket – in the late 19th century.

There was a wide range of Phuket Baba jewellery on display throughout the day.

Dr Kosol Taengutha, the president of the Thai

Phuket Babas marvel at the jewellery. Photo: danmilesmedia Peranakan Association of Phuket said, “Most of the exceptional items – many of which are 100 years old – are from Phuket Town Mayor Somjai Suwansupana, while others are from gold shops.”

As some of the items were rather costly – an anklet was priced at around B1 million – the items were returned to their owners by the end

of the day, but not before members of the community had a chance to enjoy the beautiful pieces.

The jewellery served as a focal point for the afternoon, yet the prosperity and work ethic of the Phuket Peranakans was a recurring theme for the afternoon.

In reference to many of the attendees, The Phuket News’ culture columnist and proud Peranakan Professor Pranee Sakulpipatana said, “This is how Phuket Town was made. Growing up we were told that ‘Fish will never die with too much water’.

Everybody here is very hard working.”

Ajarn Pranee said that it was also a proud day for Phuket’s Baba people as their cultural dress had finally been recognised as national costume by the Ministry of Culture.

EDUCATION 3

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

Kids celebrate the real meaning of Christmas WALKS LIKE AN EGYPTIAN Children from the Key Stage 2 class at British International School, Phuket brought ancient Egypt back to life earlier this month in two productions of The Pyramid.

YOUNG SCIENTISTS The first annual Headstart Year 6 Science Fair was held earlier this month. Students conducted, observed and collected evidence and then proved or disproved hypotheses throughout the day using graphs, boards and games.

O

n Saturday December 15, Darasamuth Phuket S c ho ol st a ge d t hei r a n nua l Christmas Fair.

S t e p h e n Brady, the Head of the English Programme, explained the importance of the winter festival, “As this is a Catholic School, we go all out for this holiday and the celebrations have continued all week.”

Students were treated to tombola stalls, ice sculpting demonstrations, a wheel of fortune and, in what turned out to be the unexpected school favourite, Christmas bingo.

Throughout the week, children also put on special performances on the school’s main assembly stage.

There was something for everyone including kindergarten kids – dressed as an army of mini Santas – dancing to Jingle Bells, and secondary students performing their own rock music.

Photo: Roy Costello

Clockwise from top: KG3 prepare to dance to Jingle Bells; Joseph and Mary get ready for the Nativity Play; P6 students rock.

4 MOTORING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 21,2012 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 21,

The lure of the Spyder Alasdair Forbes execeditor@thephuketnews.com

We go testing at the Nardo Ring [Fiat’s high-speed test track in southern Italy] where we hold a lot of records

W

e’ve seen Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Porsches in Phuket. And a Spyker. We even have, at Central Festival, a special parking area for supercars (usually an irritatingly empty space in the mall’s jampacked car park).

But what we hadn’t seen until a couple of days ago was the B40-million Audi R8 Spyder. There’s one now on display in the new DAD Auto showroom on Thepkrassattree Rd, next to the Mission Hospital.

It’s a stunning piece of machinery: a twoseater mid-engine beast. Sleek, low, appropriately brutal-looking.

The engine is the same, basically, as the Lamborghini Galliardo -- the Audi 5.3-litre v10. Both companies have made their own tweaks, Lamborghini using Cosworth and Audi using MTM, a German tuning firm.

Actually, “tweaks” is too small a word. On a visit at the end of November to Phuket, the founder and boss of MTM, Roland Mayer, told The Phuket News “We raised the horsepower from 530 to 606.

With one prototype we raised it to 777.”

Mr Mayer was on a quick visit to Phuket because of his links with Thai motor company DAD and its tuning arm.

Usefully, MTM also tunes Skodas, and DAD is the new Skoda dealer in Phuket.

In fact, if you have a Lambo, an Audi, a Skoda, a VW, a Bentley, a Porsche, a Spyker, a McLaren or a KTM X-bow and you don’t think it’s quite special enough, DAD and MTM can give it that little

The R8 Spyder uses the same engine as the Lamborghini Gallardo. Below left, Roland Mayer. extra something. They will also be able to fix anything that goes wrong with any of those makes.

This is because the first six makes on the list above are part of Volkswagen, so when you’ve got an engine that works – and can be made to work spectacularly better, too – it makes sense to spread it around.

And MTM developed the supercharger for the Spyker.

The various marques share other elements, too, and MTM is more than happy to make any of these special.

Mr Mayer started working on engines with tuning company Treser, moving on to Audi, where he was involved in the development of the now legendary five-cylinder inline Audi Quattro engine.

“In 1990 I established MTM,” he says. “We

Pet

started with engines, then moved into everything else to let you use the extra power.”

That includes brakes, suspension and even wheels. “We do our own development and we go testing at Nardo [Fiat’s high-speed test track in southern Italy] where we hold a lot of records.”

The company already has a showroom in Bangkok, on Sukhumvit, but he sees Phuket as an interesting market. “Bangkok is difficult because it’s very expensive and when you have a powerful car you can’t use it there.”

We hate to tell him this, but it’s rapidly getting like that in Phuket, though the highways north of the bridge do offer off-island excursions where one can let rip.

The R8 Spyder will be at DAD until midJanuary. Grab the opportunity to look it over before it disappears back to Bangkok.

Every month, the best pet wins a B500 voucher from:

These two beautiful cats belong to Phuket musician Mari Okawa, who lives in Kata. Bebe and Tiger really love jazz music too, just like their owner. Bebe’s favourite food is boiled fish and rice, while Tiger loves processed cat food.

Want to see your pet here? Email your photo to editor1@thephuketnews.com

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

HEALTH 5

Christmas hygiene tips

H

ere is a quick reminder of the basic food hygiene rules, to help ensure everyone can enjoy a food poisoning-free festive season.

1. Give your fridge and freezer a good clean before you stock up for Christmas.

Make more space by using up sauces and pickles stored in the fridge.

2. Don’t overstock your fridge or freezer – it makes it difficult to maintain the right temperature (fridge 1-4 C, freezer below -18 C).

Food should be stored separately in covered containers and properly wrapped.

3. Wash your hands frequently – especially before preparing or touching food, and after touching raw food, coughing, sneezing or touching pets.

4. Frozen turkeys or other poultry must always be thawed thoroughly and fully before cooking.

5.There’s no need to rinse your turkey under the tap.

Thorough cooking will kill any bacteria present.

6. Use separate chopping boards and utensils or wash them thoroughly to avoid cross-contamination between raw meat, and any cooked or ready-toeat foods.

7. Ideally, cook your stuffing separately, but if you feel you must stuff the bird, make sure you take the stuffing weight into account when calculating your cooking time.

8.Poultry, sausages and chopped and minced meat must always be thoroughly cooked – check to make sure there are no pink bits in the middle, that the juices run clear and that they are hot throughout.

9. Don’t use raw eggs in food that will not be cooked – such as chocolate mousse or homemade mayonnaise – use pasteurised egg instead.

10. Always serve hot food piping hot and as soon as it is ready. If there’s a delay between heating and eating then keep the food covered and at no less than 63 C. 11. Don’t leave leftovers lying around – but make sure that hot food cools quickly before putting in the fridge.

12. Avoid reheating food more than once – if you reheat leftovers make sure they're piping hot throughout and don't keep leftovers for more than two days.

These food safety tips are provided by Stuart Baker from Food Hygiene Asia.

Foodhygieneasia.com

The importance of doing Jody Houton gets bent out of shape with his first ever yoga class

I

’ve never understood the idiom ‘It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.’ Of course it’s about winning. Why else compete?

Up until last night when I did my first yoga lesson, exercise was never really about doing, it was about completing. It was about start and end. Goal, accomplish. Think, do.

Mountain, climb.

I’m a man, an absurdly logical, harsh and cold man. I don’t do things by half. I know love, I know hate, but my knowledge of the range of emotions are as limited as my knowledge of the range of muscles.

As I sat self there self-consciously in the yoga studio – the only guy in the class I should add – I pondered as to whether the two were inextricably linked.

While contorting my body I kept one eye on the door, fearing that someone may see me on all fours with my derrière in the air. After a while I forgot about the possible intrusion of someone I knew and attempted – but quite often failed – to keep up with the efforts of my female classmates.

At one point, as I was attempting to wrap my left arm under my leg and connect it to my right arm, while lowering my knees and looking up, I thought to myself, ‘What would I give to be lifting a 40 kg weight above my head right now’.

I remember that when I told a friend I was thinking of doing yoga, he asked me why.

The most natural answer, despite it also being good for strengthening the muscles and improving posture, was flexibility. I told him so and he immediately asked ‘Why do you want to be flexible?’

There is something so intrinsically beautiful, calm and effective about yoga that in many ways it does defy male reasoning. It is about getting to know your body and how it moves.

At the risk of coming across as too ‘New Age’, the simple and expressive manner of yoga is likely to reveal how you truly feel – about how you inter-

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pret yourself, both physically and emotionally.

I used to think, ‘Why do Yoga?’ You may as well also ask, why dance? Why paint? Why sit on a mountaintop and watch the sun come up? Why take time to stop and smell the roses?

You see, it’s not about force, about power, about dominating, about controlling. It’s about learning about yourself, about your body and discovering what and how something can be done.

In just one class, yoga has taught me so much more than just stretching. It’s taught me about the merit of doing something for the purpose of doing, rather than just to get something done.

Above: Man contemplates the benefits of yoga, why he must grunt when doing exercise and if there’s a correlation between knowledge of the physical and emotional self.

6 PEOPLE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Ho, ho, ho!

10 Questions

1

You’re immediately recognisable thanks to your distinctive garb. Have you ever thought about updating it or amending it so it is more befitting to modern-day life?

Certainly not the colours. Over the years I’ve worn green and white and now my uniform is primarily red after I (St) Nicked the colour off Coca-Cola. I do however like to accessorise in black or de-accessorise depending on which part of the world I’m in.

In Phuket for example I like to go barefoot and lose the black boots. In Scandinavia I always look forward to donning my black ear muffs. In dangerous places like Iraq and the USA, my accessories aren’t so visible but I always make sure I’m armed with suitable weaponry to protect the kiddies.

2

Are there any Phuket residents that have made it onto your Naughty List?

Santa doesn’t do naughty, I see the good in everyone. Tuk-tuk drivers are just sadly misunderstood, greedy developers had the misfortune of a disadvantaged childhood, and tradesmen who never show up on time simply can’t afford a watch. As I said, Santa doesn’t do naughty, and you can’t blame the kiddies for the sins of their fathers.

Santa Claus goes barefoot in Phuket, but wears the same, familiar smile (underneath the beard).

3

What about about the other end of the scale, are there any Phuket residents that have been exceptionally nice over the past year?

Absolutely. The wonderful

FRIDAY, 21,2012 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 21,

Santa on tuk-tuks, barbecued squid and the price of fame people at The Good Shepherd Charity who work so hard all year round on behalf of the disadvantaged women and children on the island. They know who they are and one of them might get a very special present from Santa on Christmas morning this year if she plays her cards right. I would also like to give a special mention to the Soi Dog Foundation. Without their efforts it’s doubtful I could convince my recalcitrant crew of reindeer to come anywhere near the island. Unlike SDF, Donna and Blitzen aren’t huge dog lovers. There’s a bit of trivia you probably didn’t know.

4

Mince pies and a tot of Scottish spirit are rather hard to find in Phuket, what treats do you most look forward to when you drop by Phuket homes?

You can’t beat a good pad Thai goong or barbecued squid, and Mrs Claus is always happy for me not to be eating the heavier foods I tend to find left on the mantelpieces of Europe and the Americas. She maintains love handles are one thing but monster truck tires are entirely another. As for a libation or two in Phuket, my motto is ‘anything will do as long as it’s cold’. Incidentally, this is an adage the reindeer abide by as well although we have to keep an eye on Dancer. She’s a bit of a sipper that one, and tends to boogie to her own beat after one too many. That’s how she got her name.

5

Is it politically correct to call your helpers ‘little’ anymore?

It is. The tallest one is only 130 centimetres tall with his hands in the air so what else would you call them?

When you consider for the most part they’re called scallywags, scamps and rogues, ‘little’ is the least of their worries. They’re forever taking anything that’s not tied down and I couldn’t even guess at the number of times I’ve had to replace the alloy wheels on the sleigh.

‘Helper’ is the word I’d be questioning if I were you, and serial pests is a more accurate description of them.

6

What do you do for the rest of the year?

The rest of the year? I only get one day off as it is and that’s the 26th of December. For the next two days we have a Santa Inc. board meeting to review my performance over the past year and to anticipate trends for the coming one.

After that I’m straight back into it. New production lines have to be constructed because you can’t build an Xbox on a Barbie Doll line, and with the greening of the world, recycled paper has to be sourced, my carbon footprint has to be reduced and the reindeer have to be fed non-methane producing foods. There’s no rest for me and the Santa Union doesn’t believe in annual holidays I’m afraid.

7

Where do you park your sleigh in Phuket? Don’t the tuk-tuk drivers get upset if you take a spot?

Yes, we learned that early on. They can be tetchy, especially if an inebriated tourist mistakes the sleigh for a tuk-tuk and tries to hitch a ride. You’d think my reindeer would be a dead giveaway but surprisingly that’s not always the case.

Those people don’t like the idea of someone getting a free ride and they don’t care who’s giving it. However, Rudolph has become rather adept at biting tuktuk drivers and I’m afraid he’s acquired quite a taste for them.

8

What’s been the most requested toy for Phuket boys and girls this year?

That would be iPhones, iPhones and more iPhones. Here’s a tip for if you if you haven’t already jumped on: There’s a certain fruit-named company in the US that might be onto something.

9

You dress in red, is that a nod to your political leanings?

No, as I mentioned previously it’s purely a Coca-Cola thing. Wow, can those boys and girls market something when they put their mind to the task and to think I was a sad and lonely philanthropist with a very limited profile until the 1930s. Santaville is actually apolitical, doesn’t hold elections and is ruled by a very generous and benevolent dictator, namely me.

10

Does Mrs Claus ever get jealous of your global fame?

Absolutely. She says it’s bad enough everyone the world over knows the names of my nine reindeer and Rudolph even has song in his honour, but when a certain Queen who shall remain nameless got confused one year and wanted to knight some of my ‘serial pests’, she almost went ballistic.

We would like to thank Rick Tudor for helping us contact Santa Claus.

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WEIRD WORLD 7

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

THE BIG LIST WEIRD DANCES

Warning: the deadly threat of Gangnam Style dancing

M Whether sublimely graceful or just plain goofy, dancing is one of the most popular of all human pastimes, and also one of the most curious.

Human dances have clear parallels with the mating dances of birds and other animals, but human societies everywhere have developed their own funky flavours. Here are some of the weirder dances seen around the world.

Morris Dancing: Morris dancing (pictured above) often features several bearded bellbedecked blokes ceremonially belting each other with broomsticks. It is now regarded as a quintessentially English tradition, but chances are that its origins lie in the dance traditions of the Middle East and southern Spain. Some historians think it may have been brought back to England by soldiers returning from the Crusades, who mimicked the so-called “Moorish dancing” for the folks back home.

Peruvian Scissor Dancing: The tradition of “scissor-dancing” in Peru’s remote Chanka region dates from the 16th century, when local people – said to be possessed by tribal spirits – would perform frenetic dances to express resistance to the Spanish Conquest. The dancers brandish oversized scissors which they snip and twirl in the air. “This dance ... expresses the continuity of an ancestral vision of the world that is transmitted and redefined by the Chanka population,” Peru’s national cultural institute explained when it submitted scissor-dancing to be included as an “Intangible Heritage of Humanity” on Unesco’s world heritage list.

Amputee Pole-Dancing: The recent popular appeal of pole dancing as an (almost) respectable pastime has spawned the somewhat unusual sub-genre of amputee pole-dancing.

Its famous practitioners include Australian Deb “Debzilla” Roach, who swung her way to success at the International Pole Championships in Hong Kong last year, despite having only one arm.

Dances with the Dead: Once every seven years, villagers in parts of Madagascar open their family graves and perform a macabre ritual of dancing with their honoured dead – a ceremony known as Famadihana, or “turning the bones” in the Malagasy language.

The revered corpses are exhumed, wrapped in fresh shrouds, and then taken for a spin around the dance floor by their relatives, while a live band entertains both the quick and the dead.

The dead are returned to their graves after three days of noisy celebrations.

The Dancing Plague: Outbreaks of uncontrolled dancing swept through parts of Europe in the late Middle Ages, sometimes affecting thousands of people at a time who would leave their work and homes, and start dancing in a crowd for hours or days until they collapsed from exhaustion. Major outbreaks of the Dancing Plague, also known as “St Vitus’ Dance” were recorded at Aachen in Germany in the 14th Century and at Strasbourg in 1518.

Today no-one’s sure what caused the Dancing Plague, but the likely explanation is that the plague was a mass psychogenic illness – which sounds like less fun than it probably was.

iddle-aged men have been warned not to attempt Gangnam Style dancing, after the death of a 46 year-old man who attempted the vigorous dance moves at an office party.

Father-of-three Eamonn Kilbride, an IT manager, collapsed with chest pains at the party in Blackburn in the UK as he mimicked the moves made world-famous by South Korean rapper Psy. Mr Kilbride’s wife Julie, who was celebrating her birthday on the same night, paid tribute to her husband of 23 years, calling him “the life of the party.”

In response to Mr Kilbride’s death, one specialist warned other middle-aged men to take it easy over the Christmas party season.

Professor Bernard Keavney, a cardiologist at Newcastle University, warned older men not to “stray outside your comfort zone” when dancing at Christmas parties this year.

Professor Keavney even suggested that middle-aged men should leave any strenuous dancing to other, more able-bodied party goers: “The chance that you’ll come to grief is very small. But as with any form of untypical exercise,” he told the The Daily Telegraph. “Be somewhat measured. Let the lady dance around you.”

South Korean pop sensation Psy’s “Gangnam Style” is now YouTube’s most-watched video of all time, with more than 800 million views.

The 34-year-old rapper has rocketed to fame since “Gangnam Style” – in which he performs his now famous horse-riding dance – became a worldwide hit following its release in July.

Psy’s song, which refers to an upmarket neighbourhood in Seoul, has topped charts from Britain to Australia and has been name-checked by global notables including US President Barack Obama and UN chief

Stylish monkey sets off global internet frenzy

A

stylishly-attired monkey became an internet celebrity when it was found wandering in the car park of a Canadian IKEA store.

The months-old rhesus macaque, named Darwin, was found wandering around the Toronto parking lot wearing a sheepskin coat – apparently after opening the door of his owner’s vehicle.

Other shoppers took photographs of the cute critter and posted them online – and Darwin shot to internet stardom on social media.

His image was pasted into mockups of the IKEA catalogue, atop Toronto’s CN Tower, in Canada’s parliament seated next to the prime minister and elsewhere.

A prankster registered a Twitter account in Darwin’s name, writing: “I’m way over dressed for this animal shelter” and “There’s a cat giving me weird looks... What do I do?” AFP

Gangnam Style may be hazardous to your health.

Ban Ki-moon.

It has spawned numerous tribute videos, been imitated by an impressive roster of big names, including Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei, and helped the singer land a contract with Justin Bieber’s management agency.

And the public has joined in, with tens of thousands turning out for giant flashmob performances of Psy’s horse-riding dance in cities like Paris and Rome.

The song has also shown impressive staying power: it is still going strong four months after it went viral on YouTube, despite calls from some commentators for the craze to finally end.

The quirky star, whose real name is Park Jae-Sang, has won adulation in his homeland for the global hit and was this month awarded one of South Korea’s highest cultural honours, the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit.

South Korea sees popular culture as a potent export force, providing international exposure for a country that still feels overlooked in comparison to neighbours China and Japan.

8 DINING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 21,2012 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 21,

Barista named champ of southern Thailand

Chef turned TV star

V

set restaurant chef Ronnie Macuja will have his “one hour of fame” next week when he appears as a challenger on the popular television show Iron Chef Thailand.

Award-winning executive chef Mr Macuja was invited several weeks ago to compete on the programme, along with his two assistants Ann and Yean from Vset.

The Japanese reality show started in 1993 and is based around a cook-off featuring guest chefs challenging one of the show’s resident “Iron Chefs” in a timed cooking battle using surprise ingredients. Iron Chef Thailand debuted in January this year.

Mr Macuja arrived back in Phuket late on Monday night after three hectic days of filming in Bangkok.

“It was really enjoyable. I was really nervous, especially as they were interviewing me in front of cameras, which I’m not used to.

“It was stressful. You have to do the cooking within one hour and it’s very challenging.”

Mr Macuja said during the Christmas-themed show he chose to “challenge” the Western chef, as that is his preferred cuisine.

And as for the outcome of the show? Well, viewers will just have to make sure they watch the December 26 episode, which screens on Channel 7 at 11pm.

P

hu ket ba r ista Chakrit Hamphitak was declared the winner of the Indy Barista competition at Jungceylon last weekend, making him the champion barista of southern Thailand.

He also won the latte art competition, taking home a total of B15,000 in prize money and a place in the national finals in Bangkok, to be held in March 2013.

Chakrit, 28, is originally from Phang Nga but has been living and working in Phuket for the last four years. He is employed as a barista

at the Garage Cafe in Kamala.

Winning both competitions was a “dream come true”, says Chakrit, but says he must now lift his standards even higher for the national finals in Bangkok.

Chakrit qualified in first place for the final in the regional competition, and fought off competition from five others to take out first place.

There were four others in the latte art section.

Chakrit was trained by local coffee guru Danny Hyams from Phuket Coffee Lab, who also owns the Garage Cafe.

THE RESTAURANT WHERE YOUR INDULGENCE WILL BE COMPLETED

THE FINAL FLING AT TRISARA The year’s final gala dinner event for 24 La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs guests was held on December 4 at Trisara Resort. Pre-dinner beverages and canapés were served on the upper pool deck of one of the private villas overlooking the sea.

Bangkok Beer & Beverages, island's largest wholesaler of 500+ premium beverages from 12 countries.

Ask for our extensive portfolio: bart@bbb.co.th and visit www.bbb.co.th for more info.

Tel: 076-200751-3, Fax: 076-200754

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012 List your restaurant here: call 076 612 550 or email sales@thephuketnews.com

DINING GUIDE 9

EUROPEAN

INTERNATIONAL

ITALIAN

SEAFOOD

Bodega & Grill

Weaves Restaurant

Acqua

Trisara Seafood

Bodega & Grill is situated on a picturesque patio by the lagoon. The restaurant serves premium char-grilled steaks and seafood from a wood-fired oven, as well as authentic homemade pastas, risottos and paellas. Bodega’s generous steaks are available in portions of up to 1.2 kilogram. Angsana Laguna Phuket, Cherngtalay; 076 324 101

Watch the evening sunlit ocean in the lavish and contemporary ambient atmosphere that is the Weaves restaurant. With its intimate low lit private dining, Weaves serves a variety of delectable Asian and International fusion cuisine, rich enticing desserts and tropical blended refreshments. Manathai Resort Phuket, Surin Beach, 076 270 900

Connoisseurs of fine cuisine can revel in Acqua’s experiential concept. The Acqua restaurant experience promises to deliver only the freshest of ingredients, sourced from only the best producers both local and international. Taste explosions from the portfolio of Chef Alessandro Frau, of both traditional & contemporary are offered. Kalim Bay-Patong, 076 618 127

The first truly world-class destination seafood dining experience on Phuket. A private entrance leads guests either to an outdoor, beachfront deck or to the cool, relaxed interior. The menu is a balance between local and imported seafood prepared and served in a Mediterranean way.

Lunch 12.30pm-3pm, Dinner 7pm-10.30pm (Closed Sundays). Trisara, 076 310 305

Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Irish Times

Art Caffè

RE KÁ TA Beach Club

Enjoy fine dining with panoramic sea views in sensually indulgent setting. Delicious Thai and European creations are served on the open-air terrace. Mom Tri’s Villa Royale is the winner of the Wine Spectators Award of Excellence. Situated on the only road into to Kata Noi Beach.

Reservations recommended. momtriphuket .com; 076 333 568

The only Irish owned and managed Irish Pub in Phuket. A real Irish Pub at the heart of Phuket’s world famous nightlife. In this traditionally styled Irish pub you will find a very warm welcome from the Management and their fantastic staff. All your favourite Irish food and beverages. Jungceylon, Patong Beach; irishtimespub-phuket.com

The idea of Art Caffè comes from the need to have a place to stop and enjoy something different. Meet friends, exchange ideas, propose initiatives, organizing events or reflect only reading, watching and perhaps enjoying a good cup of coffee. The exhibition space is an affront to the repetitiveness of the artistic culture of the island. Naiharn-Saiyuan Road, 076 388 546

The beachfront restaurant off­ers modern innovative cuisine with a strong focus on seafood.

In the evening RE KÁ TA transforms with Kata’s magical sunsets and cool sounds along with the delicious drinks and tapas, right on the beach.

Open daily 6.30am-11pm; Kata Beach (next to Boathouse); info@rekataphuket.com, rekata phuket.com, 076 330 421

Tablespoon Salad & Grill

Super Natural

DaVinci

Baan Kalim Restaurant & Seafood

Discover newest stylish restaurant in modern vintage setting. Creative and unique salad and grill menus are served while you experience a delectable dining in romantic and intimate atmosphere with a reasonable price tag.

Open 11am-10pm. 2nd Floor, HomePro Village, Chalong; 076 383 244

Super Food deserves a Super Location. SuperNatural and more. The only waterfront restaurant in Phuket serving exciting raw vegetarian cuisine in addition to our delicious seafood, Thai and International menu. Great selection of fresh to order juices & smoothies, as well as great wines and chilled beers.

Open 365 days a year. Facebook Supernatural -Phuket, 2.5km south of Chalong Circle.

Great food and people you know! Authentic Italian cuisine in Nai Harn area. Three different dining areas, cocktail lounge, children’s play area, Delicatessen, live music....DaVinci is not just a meal, it is an experience of taste, atmosphere and more. Restaurant open daily 5pm-11.30pm; Deli open 11am-6pm; Sunday close; Naiharn 076 289 574. davinciphuket.com

Start your evening with delicious food and fine wine. Pick the perfect spot to take in stunning views of Patong bay, as the evening breeze surrounds you. Relax and enjoy live music to make your evening into that truly wonderful and unforgettable dining experience. Open daily 11am-Midnight. Patong; baankalim.com; baankalimrestaurant@hotmail.com, 076 618 125

FRENCH

Gallery Cafe by Pinky

Diavolo

THAI Baan Vijitt Restaurant

Breeze Restaurant

A menu of modern Mediterranean influences created by Chef Ryan to tantalize the senses in a modern ambience. Offering everything from fresh seafood pastas to simple good pizzas. An impressive selection of well priced beverages and stunning sea views complete the experience. Open daily for lunch or dinner. Paresa Resort, Kamala Beach; 076 302 000

Phuket’s most exciting new restaurant is situated on the waterfront at Cape Yamu. Chef Cheryl Johnson is providing diners with her innovative modern French interpretations of local ingredients. Open from Tuesday to Saturday for dinner, and from Wednesday to Saturday for lunch. Our menus change frequently. Cape Yamu, Paklok, 081 271 2320

Gallery Cafe by Pinky proudly present to you cafe food at its best. Whether you’re looking for an excellent breakfast or a quick light lunch or dinner plus an outstanding range of fine wines or cocktails. A homemade cake or freshly roasted premium coffee.

Open everyday from 8am - 10pm. Rassada Road, Phuket Town. Facebook page ‘Gallery cafe by Pinky‘. www.gallerycafe-phuket.com, 089 103 7000

Tre by DoublePool Villas

Boathouse Wine and Grill

Tamarind Restaurant

An array of culinary experiences is offered to tempt and intrigue in Tre - the exclusive contemporary French Vietnamese restaurant set among the superb surroundings of the DoublePool Villas. Tre’s signatures dishes include scallops and green apples and tartar with pan-fried foie gras. Banyan Tree Phuket, Cherngtalay; banyantree.com

The legendary Boathouse Wine and Grill is a celebration of great French and Thai cuisine right on Kata beach, simply the best oceanfront dining on Phuket. The wine cellar houses over 800 bottles and has been awarded Best of Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator since 2006. Open daily 11am-11pm; Kata Beach; boathousephuket.com; facebook.com/boathousephuket, 076 330 015

To complement an already distinctive cuisine, Tamarind is bringing to the island high quality authentic Japanese cuisine, courtesy of Master Chef Shiraishi. Gracing our Japanese menu will be fresh sushi, sashimi, healthy salads, yakitori and tempura and much more. Tamarind is your ultimate destination to savour the best Japanese cuisine in Phuket. Cherngtalay; banyantree.com

JAPANESE

A half-century old Sino-Portuguese style house at The Vijitt Resort Phuket offers a unique authentic experience of Thai cuisine with a focus on regional specialties. Thai Select Premium Award certifies the quality and standard of product and service here. The Vijitt Resort Phuket, Rawai; fb@vijittresort.com, 076 363 600

Talung Thai

The restaurant has a stunning sunset location, offering views of the Andaman Sea. The menu of southern Thai specialties and true local dishes, are not seen on many other restaurant menus in Phuket. Chill with a cocktail from our award wining mixologist at sunset and then relax with authentic Thai cuisine. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Paresa Resort, Kamala; 076 302 000

10 TRAVEL

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 21,2012 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 21,

The Tao of Laos Claire Connell discovers the quiet capital city of Vientiane

It’s a lovely tranquil spot with enough tourist sites to enjoy, and don’t forget to enjoy a cold drink while watching the sun set on the Mekong – just spectacular

I

land at Vientiane International Airport, collect my bag, walk outside and jump into the taxi.

The driver looks at me alarmed, then I realise what I’ve done. I’m sitting in the driver’s seat.

I’ve only been in Laos for about 15 minutes and already a local man thinks I’m about to hijack his car. Turns out in this country, unlike in Thailand, cars drive on the right hand side of the road.

I laugh hysterically (and eventually, once he realises I’m not going to steal his car, the taxi driver offers a small nervous laugh too) and switch to the passengers seat. Then off we go.

The sleepy capital of Laos is less than 20 kilometres from the Thailand border, and the climate, food, and culture seem rather similar to that of its near neighbour. Just like the Thais, the local people in Vientiane are very friendly, welcoming and were

happy to help out a lost tourist.

Though it’s firmly on the backpacker trail, Laos still gets far fewer visitors than other countries in the region. This really showed – there were no more than 10 visitors at any of the “tourist” spots I visited – and at times the city seemed completely devoid of tourists.

Most visitors tend to stay in Vientiane for only a few days, usually on route to the more popular towns of Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng, as there just isn’t a lot to do. This was fine by me – I was after several days relaxation and enjoying a few sights at a leisurely pace.

I was staying at the Vientiane Travellers House, across the street from the mighty Mekong that runs south of the city, and for much of its length acts as the de facto border between Laos and Thailand.

This hostel was one of the best ones I’ve stayed in – dorm rooms were the equivalent of B170 a night, were clean and comfortable, and best of all, the price included a cooked breakfast.

The man who runs the hostel, Michael, is originally from Vietnam. He is well travelled – through Europe and the United States – and this was where he got the idea for the hostel. It is centrally located and because the city is relatively small, most of the main sights are within walking distance.

My first stop was Wat Si Saket, Vientiane’s oldest surviving monastery. Built by King Anouvong in 1818, it has been restored several times but unfortunately not much has been done recently. The outside is surrounded by many deteriorating statues, while inside the temple grounds are a number of Buddha statues – many of which are also very worn and broken.

Wanting more from my statues, next on my list was Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan. This park, full of Buddha statues as the name suggests, is 25km southeast of Vientiane.

This was quite a way out of the city centre – I spent nearly two hours on different buses trying to get there, but those who travelled by tuk-tuk said it

Top, watching the sun set over the Mekong River is a must. Above, one of the many Buddha statues at Wat Si Saket. Below, the statues in Buddha Park.

Opposite page, top, Buddha Park’s famous reclining Buddha statue, the Patuxai gate, and below right, monks at Wat Si Saket.

TRAVEL 11

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

TRAVEL DEALS

Agoda offers film fans New Zealand promotions

didn’t take more than 30 minutes for them.

But what an unbelievable sight it was, and well worth the long trip in a hot, dusty bus. The park was built in 1958 by artist and mystic Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat, but when Laos, along with Vietnam and Cambodia, fell to communist forces in 1975, he fled to nearby Nong Khai in Thailand and built another religious sculpture park there. After Luang Pu left Laos, the government took over his private park and opened it to the public and it has remained that way ever since.

The main feature of the park is a 120-metre long reclining Buddha, surrounded by a plethora of sculptures – many Buddha themed – but also including humans, gods, and animal statues.

Also worth a trip in Vientiane is the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE) Visitor Centre,

particularly if you’re interested in the devastating effect land mines, cluster bombs and other devices of war have had – and still do have – on people who live in rural Laos.

It has been estimated that around 50,000 people have been injured or killed in Laos as a result of unexploded ordnance incidents between 1964 and 2008. Research shows roughly 30,000 of these incidents occurred during the time of the Vietnam War, which saw Laos bombed by the Americans.

COPE is the only provider of rehabilitation centres across Laos for victims.

The centre provides an interactive look at their work – through videos, displays, and rehab victims to talk to.

Rather than being a depressing visit, I found the amazing stories of victims’ survival and adaptation quite inspiring. There’s some great information that is easy to follow, and a quirky souvenir shop too.

Next up was a visit to Patuxai, Vientiane’s “Victory Gate”. This war monument was built between 1957 and 1968, in memory of those who fought in the struggle for independence from France.

It’s a nice view from seven stories high, and has well-cared-for gardens and a fountain on the grounds.

And what better way to end my trip than with a stop at the iconic Pha That Luang, the gold-covered large Buddhist stupa. The stupa is regarded as the most important national monument in Laos and a national symbol – visitors will notice the image graces every postcard and magnet in the country.

Four days was enough for me in Vientiane, but I’d certainly recommend it for a long weekend or a stopover.

It’s a lovely tranquil spot with enough tourist sites to enjoy for a short time, and don’t forget to enjoy a cold drink while watching the sun set on the Mekong – just spectacular.

Agoda.com is celebrating the growing number of international travellers that are choosing New Zealand as their tour destination by offering special hotel deals in some of the world’s most picturesque locations.

New Zealand’s increasing visibility on the global tourism metre over the past few years has been driven by one thing above all others – movies. Indeed, until about 10 years ago, it was still a rather mysterious country with a steady but unglamorous travel industry.

But that all changed with the release with The Fellowship of the Ring in 2001, which became a worldwide phenomenon and instant classic, ensuring the success of its two follow-up films.

And people noticed. Not only did New Zealand see a surge of interest by fans

who wanted to visit the locations where the movies were filmed, but also by other film companies who wanted to take advantage of the breathtaking variety of landscapes available – from thermal beaches on the Coromandel Peninsula to lush green farmland to the massive Fox Glacier.

As more and more films continue to use New Zealand as their production base, the majestic scenery on silver screens in cinemas around the globe is proving to be the perfect showcase for the country. And with the release of The Hobbit on December 14, New Zealand is again getting ready for an influx of film fans as business, government and tourism sectors go all out to welcome visitors.

Thankfully, film crews aren’t the only ones able to take advantage of New Zealand’s amazing scenery, and to help travellers see the best that the island nation has to offer, Agoda.com is presenting fantastic deals on hotels close to some of the most popular locations.

For deals on hotels worldwide, visit agoda.com

YTL Hotels announce ‘Seaside to City Lights Escape’

YTL Hotels has announced that guests booking three or five nights at its luxury resorts of Pangkor Laut Resort, Tanjong Jara Resort and Gaya Island Resort as part of its Seaside to City Lights Escape from today till November 2013 will be entitled to one and two complimentary nights respectively at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

The second in the company’s Classic Hotels line, The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur represents a renaissance of one of Kuala Lumpur’s most loved iconic historical landmarks.

Offer is valid December 1, 2012 through November 30, 2013. Book direct through preferred tour agents, respective resort websites pangkorlautresort. com, tanjongjararesort.com and gayaislandresort.com or email YTL Travel Centre directly at travelcentre@ ytlhotels.com.my

12 GAMING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 21,2012 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 21,

IN BRIEF Delay for Arma III release Originally scheduled to be released in 2012, Bohemia Interactive announced last week that they will now release their military shooter Arma III sometime in 2013.

This year has been eventful for the gaming company, as Arma III project leader Daniel Musil left to pursue other opportunities and two other developers are still in a Greek jail on suspicion of spying.

Metal Gear Demo in January All gamers will now get the chance to try out the Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance demo as Konami announced they will make it available to all PS3 and Xbox 360 users in January.

The 3.5 gb demo was previously only available to those who had purchased the Zone of the Enders HD collection.

The final version of the highly anticipated game will be available on February 19 in North America , February 21 in Asia, and February 22 in Europe.

Rockstar wants one giant GTA Vice City In a recent interview, head of Rockstar North Leslie Benzies stated her vision of gamers having the chance to revisit areas in past Grand Theft Auto games in one place.

“In that context reimagining Vice City would be very interesting,” Benzies said.

GTA: Vice City was released for the iPhone last week in honour of its 10th anniversary.

Cheat of the Week Trenched Xbox 360

“Near-instant reload” When using tripod legs that have quickload, press A to activate the leg special. When you need a quicker reload, press [reload] and immediately press A again. Your ammo should be re-filled as soon as your trench is up and able to move again.

Do you remember GoldenEye 007?

T

Borderlands 2 wins top gaming honours

T

he gamer social-networking site Raptr has released this years list of the most-played games with Borderlands 2 leading the way with three honours.

The game won the Most Played New Game, Most Played Long-Awaited Sequel, and the No Bathroom Break honours, edging out Mass Effect 3 by a slim margin to take home the final award.

Borderlands 2 was only released three months ago on September 18.

According to Raptr, gamers logged an average of 49 hours per person on Borderlands 2, a total of 50 per cent more than runner-up Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.

Borderlands 2 also picked up two honours at the Spike Video Game Awards, including Best Shooter and Best Multi-Player Game two weeks ago, bringing the game’s end-of-season awards to five.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare was named Raptr’s

Most Played Game with a total playtime of 120 hours. The site notes that COD gamers are far more attracted to the multi-player combat mode with only 57 per cent of gamers finishing a singleplayer story.

The Most Played XBLA (Xbox Network) Game was Minecraft (Xbox 360 Edition), logging 350 per cent more playtime than runner-up Trials Evolution. The Most Played New IP (online game) was Dragon’s Dogma, with an average session length of three hours.

Star Wars: The Old Republic was named the Most Successful Paid to F2P (free-to-play) Game of the Year, with an increase of 136 per cent in overall playtime per person within the first two weeks after switching.

All the awards are based on XBLA (Xbox Network) and PC gaming numbers, which allows gamers access to average playtime statistics.

THQ raises over US$5 million in Humble Bundle

T

he Humble THQ Bundle earned over US$5 million (B153 million) in sales as it closed last week, with company president Jason Rubin’s US$10,000 (B305,000) purchase making him the top contributor overall.

A total of 885, 320 bundles were sold with the money spread between THQ, Humble Bundle organisation, and several charity outlets.

The move allowed gamers to name their price as they purchased seven games, giving them the option on how to spread their money between THQ and charities.

Launched on November 29, the Humble THQ Bundle included six games – Darksiders, Metro 2033, Red Faction, Company of Heroes, Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor, Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts, and Saints Rows: The Third – all of which would be available for

download for Windows operating system.

Gamers paid an average of US$5.76 (B176) per bundle, which also came with select games’ soundtracks.

Following the success of the Humble THQ Bundle, Rubin said the company is investigating its options on Linux with an eye to possibly developing games for the operating system. “[There are] vibrant communities of gamers using other operating systems besides the dominant ones, and a company like THQ should not overlook them,” Rubin said in an interview recently.

TOP VIDEO GAMES THIS WEEK 1

Call Of Duty: Black Ops II (18+)

Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii U

6

Hitman Absolution (18+)

2

Far Cry 3 (18+)

Xbox 360, PS3

7

Halo 4

3

Fifa 13

Xbox 360, PS3, VITA, Wii

8

4

Just Dance 4

Wii, Xbox 360, Wii U, PS3

5

Assassin’s Creed III (18+)

Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii U

TOP MOBILE GAMES Xbox 360, PS3, PC

1

The Walking Dead: Assault

Xbox 360

2

GTA: Vice City

Need For Speed: Most Wanted

PS3, Xbox 360, VITA, PC

3

Mutant Mudds

9

Lego The Lord Of The Rings

Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, 3DS

4

Bladeslinger: Episode 1

10

WWE ‘13

Xbox 360, PS3, Wii

5

CrossMe

h is Ni nt endo 6 4 game became one of the most popular first-person shooters of all-time time following its release in 1997.

The game was based on the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye and was lauded for its free-roaming style and realism.

Though first-person s ho ot er s h ave b e en around since 1992, this game was the first to include several features t hat have b e c ome a staple in the genre and proved that the FPS’ can play well on console as well as PC. Impressively, this game was created by a team of just nine developers that had no prior video-game production experience.

The game was in development at the same time as the Nintendo 64, so developers had to use a Sega Saturn controller for early playtesting since the final specifications of the console were not yet finished. It took about two and a half years to complete.

G ol d en Eye wa s a turning point in FPS games with the amount of stealth elements needed to complete missions, obtain several weapons, and the likeness to the film. The game was the third best-selling Nintendo 64 game of all time, behind Super Mario 64 and Mario Kart 64.

The zoomable sniper rifle, in particular, has been used in almost every FPS game since and the popularity of multiplayer deathmatches made it as much fun as a single-player story mode.

Si nce its release, G oldenEye has been included on several ‘alltime’ games lists for several publications and won ‘Console Game of the Year’ award from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences in 1998.

Jean-Pierre Mestanza

Do you have a Blast from the Past? If so, let us know at editor2@ ThePhuketNews.com

FILM 13

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

IN BRIEF ‘Psycho’ Writer’s family: ‘Hitchcock’ Full of Lies The widow and son of Psycho screenwriter Joseph Stefano are in settlement talks with Fox Searchlight Pictures over the new movie Hitchcock, claiming it wrongly credits Alfred Hitchcock’s wife with Stefano’s ideas about the plot of the classic thriller. Hitchcock is about the relationship between the filmmaker, played by Anthony Hopkins, and his wife Alma Reville, played by Helen Mirren. The movie suggests Reville came up with the idea of killing off the heroine only 30 minutes into the movie Psycho, but the screenwriter’s family insist the idea was Stefano’s.

The Hobbit: “An Unexpected Journey”

Lohan could face jail as probation revoked

Epic ‘Hobbit’ amazes

FILM REVIEW Tom Metcalfe editor2@thephuketnews.com

Director: Peter Jackson Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Andy Serkis Running time: 169 minutes

I

t was always going to be hard for filmmaker Peter Jackson to follow his epic Lord of the Rings trilogy of movies with a “prequel” based on JRR Tolkein’s shortish novel The Hobbit.

Where the books of Lord of the Rings are epic high fantasy involving powerful sorceries and massed magical battles, The Hobbit is a more intimate book originally written for Tolkein’s children, featuring the bumbling adventures of a slightly comic crew of dwarven warriors, the rumpled wizard Gandalf, and the eponymous hobbit, Bilbo Baggins.

Jackson’s answer has been to turn Tolkien’s little book into a full-blown epic itself. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Adventure is the first of three movies based on the book, and alone weighs in at almost three hours long.

To fill the time, every scene from the book is rendered in meticulously faithful detail, sometimes at ponderous length: for example, after 45 minutes Bilbo (Martin Freeman), Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and their team of most unusually coiffed and bearded dwarves have yet to actually leave on their adventure, but spend the time enjoying raucous meal followed by a soulful dwarvish sing-along. As one critic wrote, it’s a bit like Dorothy staying in Kansas for the the first half of The Wizard of Oz. When the action does occur, however, it’s

worth the long wait. Jackson’s Middle Earth (in fact, his native New Zealand) looks glorious in high-resolution 3D, and its exotic denizens – orcs, goblins, trolls, elves and the rest – are portrayed with an astonishing richness of detail.

Martin Freeman is perfect as Bilbo Baggins, a caricature country gentleman who joins Gandalf to aid the intrepid dwarf prince Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) regain the wealth of his forefathers from the dragon Smaug.

But Smaug himself makes only a very brief appearance in the final scene of this first movie, stirring beneath his horde of gold. Instead, most of the plot concerns a journey through underground caverns infested by goblin hordes and Bilbo’s first encounter with Gollum, played as in the Rings movies by Andy Serkis, under heavy layers of computer graphic wizardry.

The elven queen Galdriel (Cate Blanchett) and Lord Elrond (Hugo Weaving) also make reappearances from the “earlier” movies.

The Hobbit is a technical tour de force and passionately faithful to its literary sources. If it suffers a little from being stretched to match the epic qualities of Jackson’s earler Middle Earth movies, it fully deserves five stars as a fantastic spectacle of modern film-making.

‘Lincoln’ leads Golden Globe nominations with seven nods

S

teven Spielberg’s presidential drama Lincoln topped the Golden Globes nominations announced on December 13, with nods in seven categories, followed by Argo and Django Unchained with five apiece.

Les Miserables, the romantic comedy Silver Linings Playbook and the Osama bin Laden hunt movie Zero Dark Thirty by Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) were tied in third place with four nominations each.

The Golden Globe nominations are

widely seen as an early bellwether of Hollywood’s annual awards season, which culmninates with the Oscar awards in February.

Lincoln, about the US president’s efforts to end slavery against the backdrop of the Civil War, won Globe nominations for best drama, best director and best actor, for Daniel Day-Lewis.

In the best drama category, Lincoln is up against Ben Affleck’s hostage crisis thriller Argo, Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained, Life of Pi by Ang Lee and Zero Dark Thirty. AFP

SFX Coliseum Phuket (Central Festival) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (E) [G] The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (E/3D) [G] The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (E/F) [G] The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (T) [G] Hotel Transylvania (E/3D) [G] The Impossible (E) [G] Rise of the Guardians (E/3D) [G] Yod Manut Nguen Duen (T/E Sub) [15+]

14:00, 20:30, 21:30 12:25, 15:40, 18:55, 22:10 13:10, 16:25, 19:40 10:50, 11:35, 14:50, 17:15, 18:05, 21:20 13:25, 17:30, 19:30, 21:35 12:00, 14:25, 16:50, 19:15, 21:40 11:20, 15:25 11:30, 14:00, 16:30, 19:00

A US court has revoked actress Lindsay Lohan’s probation, setting her up for a possible new jail sentence, after she was charged for allegedly lying to police about a car crash. Lohan did not appear in court for Wednesday’s brief hearing, in which the Los Angeles Superior Court revoked her probation stemming from a 2011 theft of a necklace from a jewelry store near her Venice, California home. The court set a date of January 15 for a new hearing on the probation violation. AFP

‘Dallas’ actor Larry ‘JR’ Hagman dies Actor Larry Hagman, who rocketed to worldwide fame with his portrayal of villainous Texas oilman JR Ewing in the US TV series Dallas, has died at the age of 81 after losing a battle with cancer, his family said. Hagman first became a TV star in 1965 in the comedy series I Dream of Jeannie, in which he played an amiable astronaut who meets a beautiful but sometimes troublesome blonde genie, portrayed by Barbara Eden.

Hagman’s big screen roles included his portrayal of corrupt southern Governor Picker in Mike Nichols’s political film Primary Colors. AFP

US BOX OFFICE TOP 10

Daniel Day Lewis as the Great Emancipator in Spielberg’s ‘Lincoln’.

Cloud Atlas (E) [18+] The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (E) [G] The Impossible (E) [G] Rise of the Guardians (E/3D) [G] Yod Manut Nguen Duen (T/E Sub) [15+]

Gross

1

The Hobbit: An Unexpected $84.6M Journey

$84.6M

2

Rise of the Guardians

$7.14M

$71.1M

3

Lincoln

$7.03M

$108M

4

Skyfall

$6.56M

$272M

5

Life of Pi

$5.41M

$69.6M

6

The Twilight Saga: Breaking $5.14M Dawn – Part 2

$277M

7

Wreck-It Ralph

$3.22M

$169M

8

Playing for Keeps

$3.15M

$10.7M

9

Red Dawn

$2.41M

$40.9M

$2.11M

$17M

10 Silver Linings Playbook

SFC Jungceylon Phuket (Patong) Skyfall (E) [13+]

Weekend gross

Film

21:20 11:30, 14:50, 18:10, 21:30 11:00, 12:40, 14:15, 15:55, 17:30, 19:10, 20:45, 22:25 14:15, 16:40, 19:05, 21:40 12:00, 16:40 11:50, 14:10, 18:50

As some movies and movie times change every Thursday morning, after The Phuket News has gone to press, the accuracy of the following information cannot be guaranteed.

For up -to - date information, visit sfcinemacity.com, or call the cinemas directly: SFX Coliseum Phuket 076-209000 and SFC Jungceylon Phuket 076 - 600 -555.

14 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 21,2012 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 21,

IT’S ALL BLUE AT AO PO It was a great night out at the Blue Party, organised by Andaman Cruises at Ao Po Grand Marina on December 15.

Bunny, Annie, Gilles, David and Julie.

Ann, party organiser Pinky and Too.

UNIQUE STYLE IN PATONG A large crowd gathered in Patong on December 15 to celebrate the soft opening of Ella, a contemporary-style hotel on Soi Post Office.

The Ella team: Pete, Dalinee and Frank.

HELPING OUT THE KIDS Members of the Rotary Club of Patong Beach give out polio vaccines to the children in the Moken Village on Koh Siray, on December 12.

Back left, Boy, At, Dennis, Pol, Samsia and Arvie. and front from left, Francois and Dalinee.

CAPITAL SUNDOWNERS

It was an impressive gathering at the Austcham end of year sundowners held at the residence of Australian Ambassador to Thailand James Wise, in Bangkok.

Jen LeVasseur, Becky Taylor and Shatchawan Bunwasnalikhit.

GRAND OPENING

From left, Lady Pie’s Sue Usher, Australian Ambassador to Thailand James Wise, Baan Rim Pa’s Sue Ultmann and Phuket News GM Jason Beavan.

Phuket House Mafia rocked the grand opening of the Comics bar on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town on Friday evening (December 14). The bar/restaurant opened several months ago, and has been designed in the style of Japanese comic figures which adorn the walls of the venue.

Comics team: Mook, owner Aek, Fah and Fon.

ISLAND SCENE 15

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

A LAVISH AFFAIR Phuket Town came alive on Sunday evening at the grand opening of the Baan Sea Nam piano lounge, watercolour gallery, cafe and boutique on Thepkrassatri Road.

The venue, owned by Phuket Town businessman Khun Mongkol Hongyok, was relaunched on December 16.

HELPING OUT A FRIEND Friends of expat Kevin Ashby, who was diagnosed with colon cancer, held a fundraising night at the Ao Chalong Yacht Club on Friday (December 14) to raise funds for his medical treatment. So far, more than B200,000 has been raised.

Thai entertainer Tik Shiro.

Dave, Cook, Janzi, Lisa, ChuChu and Linda.

Add, Baan Sea Nam owner Khun Mongkol Hongyok, Noi and Benjamin.

KIND DONATION

The Imperial Adamas Beach Resort, donated an LCD TV as a lucky draw prize for The Red Cross Fair, being held at Saphan Hin from December 27 to January 6.

Sylvie, Linda, Sandra, Lisa, Pete and Ali.

CHRISTMAS IBAP CHEER The International Business Association of Phuket (IBAP) celebrated the end of the year with a Christmas party, held at the Full Moon Brew Work in Jungceylon on December 14.

Tai, Ranee and Anna, from McEvily and Associates law firm.

Jerrold Kippen, partner in Duensing Kippen; Jason Beavan, GM Phuket News; Peter Bricknell of Phuket Universal Services; and James Firth, president of IBAP.

FESTIVE SPIRIT

Despite the rain, a festive time was had by all at the Good Shepherd Christmas Market, held at Da Vinci in Naiharn last Sunday afternoon. Photos: Kiri Heald

The Delish team: Greg, Liz, Ta, Angela and Bieb.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Delish Cafe in Rawai, owned by Australians Greg and Liz Johnston, celebrated its second birthday on Saturday (December 15) with a get-together at the cafe.

16 ISLAND SCENE

PATONG FESTIVITIES The annual Patong Carnival kicked off in style on Saturday evening on the beach road, as its parade delighted tourists and locals alike. The carnival finished yesterday (December 20).

SHAKE THOSE HIPS

The Zumba Charity Christmas Party was held at the Naiharn Lake on Sunday (December 16), attracting a large number of families and Zumba-fans.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 21,2012 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 21,

ENTERTAINMENT 17

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

Xana’s hot line-up Dec 22: Peter Hook of New Order DJ Peter Hook of New Order, formerly of Joy Division, is bringing the success of his career spanning over 36 years to Xana Beach Club. Hook’s experience and reputation is very impressive, boasting work with Factory records, Mani (The Stone Roses) and Andy Rouke (Formerly of The Smiths).

Dec 29: Ollie Humphreys Holding positions at top London clubs such as Chinawhite, Maddox, Playboy Club and Luxx – Ollie Humphreys, the name on everyone’s lips finally heads to the sand of Bangtao Bay after a highly anticipated wait. In 2011, Ollie was nominated for the prestigious LCB award (London’s best DJ award).

Dec 31: Aaron Ross New Year’s Eve is set to ring in 2013 with style as XANA celebrates with uplifting sounds from DJ Aaron Ross of Soul Heaven and Restless Soul. Aaron Ross has an innate passion for house music and has come a long way since his humble beginnings as a soulful house DJ on Pirate Radio.

Jan 5: Frankie Knuckles The Godfather of House Music, DJ Frankie Knuckles makes his debut at Xana Beach Club in January.

With a place in the Dance Music Hall of Fame, the American DJ earned his Godfather title due to his instrumental role in developing the House Music genre and his outstanding achievements as a DJ. One of the biggest DJs to Phuket in recent years is set to ignite the region with some big sounds.

Jan 12: Nakadia There’s another phenomenal night ahead as we enter 2013, when Asia’s No 1 female DJ, Nakadia, becomes the hottest ticket in town. Having toured the globe for the past eight years she has made herself a name as one of the very few globally successful female electronic music artists.

Frankie Knuckles will perform at Xana in January.

Jan 31: Dennis Ferrer Grammy nominee and worldwide entertainer, Dennis Ferrer, is known for his ability to shock and delight audiences with audacious performances.

Feb 23: Matt Caseli Ibiza legend Matt Caseli needs no introduction after 14 years residency at the world’s most famous and beautiful club Pacha. Matt Caseli has a bright future and it will be exciting to see him light up the night at Xana Beach Club.

April 28: Paul Oakenfold Paul Oakenfold is one of the true superstars of dance music and remains one of the leading forces in the world music scene today. His fame is well deserved with such honours of opening the Ministry of Sound, London and being their first resident DJ. For more information, visit xanabeachclub.com

Private memorials for Shankar

P

rivate memorials will be held in India and California for legendary Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar, a publicist said after his death last week.

Concerts to celebrate the 92-year-old’s life will be held next year in New York and London, he added.

“Memorial services will be held near his homes in Southern California and in India,” said the publicist, Stuart Wolferman, noting that they would be “private” events.

“Both services will be attended by family and

Photo: Alexandra Ignatenko friends, and will offer an opportunity for loved ones to share intimate memories and thoughts about the musician.

“Public concerts celebrating Ravi’s music, in both New York and London, are being discussed

for 2013,” he said.

Shankar died Tuesday in southern California at the age of 92, after failing to recover from surgery at a hospital in La Jolla, near San Diego last week.

The sitar pioneer taught his close friend George Harrison, the late Beatle, to play the instrument and collaborated with him on several projects, including the ground-breaking Concert for Bangladesh.

Shankar is also to receive a posthumous lifetime achievement Grammy award. AFP

Live 89.5’s Got Talent

T

une in to Live 89.5 on Saturday mornings from 9am to 10am as Siobhan McGovern interviews Phuket’s up and coming talent.

Name: Sascha P.S. Age: 19 What instrument do you play?

Vocalising and six-stringing. I’ve been singing since I popped out of the womb and just never gave it up.

Since I can remember I’ve always had a fascination for music. Initially, I started off learning the piano at 6. Not long after I quit.

A couple years later, with a better understanding of the world and the social conventions it holds, I decided to make the coolest instrument on earth a part of my life – guitars.

Do you ever get stage fright?

I call it stage excitement. It is only intimidating when a piece is to be played and you have never heard it before. Yes, learning a song five minutes before jumping on stage is not rare for a muso. However, I do know the unpleasant feeling of sweaty hands, heartbeat rate at 240 and

the re-occurring thought of ‘don’t pass out’. That is when meditational exercises help; ‘visualisation’ or ‘mindlessness’ techniques.

Nonetheless, nervousness before hitting the spotlight is part of the fun. My personally prescribed dose of adrenaline.

Tell us about one of your best performances.

I am very lucky to have many memorable performances but the highlight of the year was gigging with the Legends of Siam at the Hard Rock Café. The whole experience was amazing. Free HRC food, 4 star hotel room to dress and mess about in and all with a Mötley Crüe party attitude. Finally, an hour set of pure rocking.

Nothing comes close to the amazing feeling of being in a rock band!

18 EVENTS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, 21,2012 2012 List your event for FREE at thephuketnews.com/events.php FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 21, CHRISTMAS BRUNCH AT

NEW YEAR’S SET DINNER AT

Angsana Laguna Phuket

Angsana Laguna Phuket 31 DEC

25 DEC 12:30-15:30

19:00-22:30

Kids under 12 dine for free when accompanied by a paying adult

Kids under 12 dine for free when accompanied by a paying adult

Celebrate The Joy of The Season

Christmas Mass at 9:00 Live Entertainment Welcome Drink Santa Visit

THB 1,550* per person at MARKET PLACE *Price is inclusive of service charge and tax For reservations, please conatct fbcoordinator-lagunaphuket@angsana.com

Join us the Christmas lunch or dinnner with a welcome drink and 3 course set menu.

24th-25th December, 2012 From 1pm - 9pm All for only B590 per person and B290 for kid.

Booking now being taken for more information please contact Pinky 089 103 7000

5 Courses Live Entertainment Welcome Drink

THB 4,000* per person at BODEGA & GRILL *Price is inclusive of service charge and tax For reservations, please conatct fbcoordinator-lagunaphuket@angsana.com

Gallery cafe by Pinky

FRI DEC 21 - THU JAN 3

SUNDAY DEC 23 Curry Fridays at Navrang Mahal Every Friday, all-you-can-eat authentic Indian curry buffet, B449 net per person.

7pm-11.30pm. Call 076 286 464.

BBQ Ribs all you can eat With salad buffet and potato salad for B295 per person. 7pm-11pm. Located in Patong on Rat-U-Tit 200 Pee Road next to Hotel Mercure.

Marilyn Band Opening Reception Well-known Phuket artist Marilyn Band presents her latest artwork, oil paintings and water colours, inspired by scenes from her recent travels in exotic locations. She has had numerous exhibitions in Thailand and internationally, most recently in France.

Artwork on display until January 3, 2013.

076 333 568, momtriphuket.com/artgallery/ index.html.

Sunday Roast Pork

Special Sunday at Hogs Breath

Fish and Chips Friday Night B250 per person. At Irish Times Pub, Jungceylon Patong.

Sunday Carvery B399 per person all you can eat. Roast beef, BBQ ham, chicken, pork, fresh vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and a glass of selected beverage. At Irish Times Pub, Junceylon Patong.

FRIDAY DEC 21

Sunday roast pork or beef dinner every Sunday 2pm onwards Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. B290 per person. See www.expathotel.com.

Kids eat free when adults buy main courses.

B99 beverages during live sports coverage.

Located at Patong Promenade. www.hogs breath.co.th.

MONDAY DEC 24

Pool Competition at Expat Hotel BBQ Ribs all you can eat With salad buffet and potato salad for B295 per person. 7pm-11pm. Located in Patong on Rat-U-Tit 200 Pee Road next to Hotel Mercure.

Pool Competition at 9pm. Expat Sports Bar, Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www. expatsportsbar.com.

SATURDAY DEC 22

Half Chicken Spit Roast Special Friday at Hogs Breath Live acoustic band. B99 beverages during live sports coverage. Located at Patong Promenade, www.hogsbreath.co.th.

With French Fries, Salad buffet, Potato Salad & Gravy sauce for B225 per person.

7pm-11pm. Located in Patong on Rat-U-Tit 200 Pee Road next to Hotel Mercure.

Best Family Xmas Eve Dinner Sunday Chillout At Sunsets Bar Sunday chillout every week. Live music, free BBQ or buffet, free karaoke, free pool table.

Happy hour every day midday to 6pm, beverages from B60. Bar open every day midday until late. Farang hospitality, everybody welcome. Sunsets bar and guesthouse, 62 Hasip Pee Road, Patong. For more information call Kiwi on 083 640 1082.

Friendship Beach Resort’s famous Xmas Eve Dinner. Festive buffet of seasonal treats - roasted turkey, baked ham, Christmas puddings and much more. Enjoy your dinner with live music right on the beach. Open 6pm, Buffet served 6.30pm, entertainment from 7pm. This event sells out every year, book early to avoid disappointment. Adults B1,400 ++, Kids under 12, B390 ++. Book with Chef Charlie 089 728 5304.

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

Steak Night Buffet at Centra Ashlee Hotel Patong Char-grilled and delicious. Tender cuts of quality meats cooked to perfection. Tasty side dishes, selection of fine sauces and a deliciously fresh salad bar. Start from 6.30-10pm. Contact 076 349 800-7, email chp@chr.co.th.

Special Saturday at Hogs Breath B99 beverages during live sports coverage. Located at Patong Promenade: www.hogsbreath.co.th.

Sunday Brunch at Hilton Phuket

A Chilled Out Christmas Eve

Enjoy our lavish international buffet with friends and family each Sunday at Sails – a Hilton experience. Our jazz band sets the mood for a relaxing afternoon with delicious food, live cooking stations, refreshing drinks and good company. Balloon artists entertain the little ones with face painting and kids’ activities. Every Sunday at 12pm3pm. B1,100++ per adult. B700++ per child (Ages 5-12). Make your reservations at phuket.sales@hilton.com.

Chill out with cool sounds on the beach over a welcome drink, before enjoying an amazing four course menu by Chef Bryan Burger in the stunning new RE KÁ TA Beach Club, overlooking Kata Beach. Our DJ line-up will heat up the pace with party music until late.

Welcome drink at 6pm - dinner from 8pm onwards. B3,800++ per person paired with beverages B2,500++ per person without beverages. Contact 076 330 421, Facebook: rekataclub.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21,List 2012 your event for FREE at thephuketnews.com/events.php FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

EVENTS 19

Ao Chalong Yacht Club Everyone welcome

“Award winning chef from Airlie Beach, Australia.

Fabulous breakfast, and authentic western Sunday roast from 12 - 4pm - just like home! Home made desserts eg. cheesecake, bread & butter pudding, apple pie made fresh every day.”

There is parking on site, cool breezes and a beautiful view.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8.00am 7 days per week.

Tel: 090 890 8993 email: amandaleehay@bigbond.com

per person. 7pm-11pm. Located in Patong on Rat-U-Tit 200 Pee Road next to Hotel Mercure.

BBQ All You Can Eat Pork, Chicken, Beef, Prawns, Fish and Squids with salad buffet, cold and hot sauces, Garlic Bread, baked potatoes, potato salad and more for B325 per person.

7pm-11pm. Located in Patong on Rat-U-Tit 200 Pee Road next to Hotel Mercure.

Schnitzel Day Kokosnuss Restaurant - Every Monday, Schnitzel, fried potatoes and salad buffet B190 per person. Starts 5.30pm. For more info please visit phuketkokosnuss.com.

TUESDAY DEC 25

Phuket’s First Audio Video Interactive Pub Quiz B99 per drinks and selected beverages buy 1 get 1 free. Quiz master Dj Doris, from 91.5FM. Bar Tabs: 1 Prize B1,500. 2 Prize B1,000. Every Wednesday Night From 8 pm.

Free entry. Maximum 4 people per team. At Irish Times Pub, Junceylon Patong.

THURSDAY DEC 27

per person. Open buffet from 7pm-10pm.

Happy hour drinks from 7pm-8pm buy one get one free. For all information and enquiries. Please call Les Anges on 076 360 803 or K. Mai 084 306 6729. See lesangesphuket.com.

A Night at The Moulin Rouge Phuket: Welcome in the New Year 2013 in elegant style at Boathouse Wine & Grill with a Moulin Rouge themed evening never to forget. See out the old year in ultimate style with our live band and performances, costume props, party favours, original decoration and midnight fireworks. Cocktails at 7pm - Dinner from 8pm onwards. B8,000++ per person. Contact 076 330 421.

Pork Roast and Roast Chicken Every Thursday. Buffet includes salads, soups, mashed potatoes, bread dumplings.

ALL YOU CAN EAT B190. www.phuketko kosnuss.com.

Half Chicken Spit Roast With French Fries, Salad buffet, Potato Salad & Gravy sauce for B225 per person.

7pm-11pm. Located in Patong on Rat-U-Tit 200 Pee Road next to Hotel Mercure.

Karaoke Night Fever Enjoy Karaoke night every Thursday at Ao Chalong Yacht club. Starting at 7pm. Call 090 809 8993.

Bring in the New Year in style Pool Lounge Party - B2013++ per person.

Live food stations and pass-around cocktail food. Beverages on consumption. Restaurant Dinner and Party. B5,500++ per person Set dinner with a 5-course menu and access to the party Champagne Deck VIP Access B12,999++ per couple. Includes a bottle of selected beverages per couple, plus oysters, a chilled seafood bar and tapas. Contact 076 330 421.

EVERY DAY

Pool Competition at Expat Guesthouse Pool Competition every Tuesday 9pm Expat Guesthouse Sports Bar, Patong.

See map at www.expatguesthouse.com.

WEDNESDAY DEC 26

Wicked Wednesdays Ladies day. Buy one beverage get one free. Located at Patong Promenade. www.hogsbreath.co.th.

BBQ All You Can Eat Pork, chicken, beef, prawns, fish and squids with salad buffet, cold and hot sauces, Garlic Bread, baked potatoes, potato salad and more for B325 per person.

7pm-11pm. Located in Patong on Rat-U-Tit 200 Pee Road next to Hotel Mercure.

FRIDAY DEC 28

those who seek a bit more fun after a good meal. Listen to good music, enjoy sport on large TV. Play pool or dart games or just enjoy the unique surroundings. Selected beverages. At 4-8pm and midnight till late.

Plus free pool sponsored by Komodo Bar. From 8-9.30pm. Come on everybody - Let’s party. Call 087 280 3282.

Pool Competition: Meet The Best Players in Town Designed and built by a Thai-Canadian family in 2011, The Plaza is a very fine sculpture and walled relief garden and entertainment centre. Artist’s pictures can be seen at the plaza walls all year round. The art pieces are donated by “The Unique One,” a rare selection of art by Khun Manop and Mike. Pool competition is sponsored by Komodo Bar at 9pm. Entry fee B100 plus one free beverage. Come on everybody-let’s party. Call 087 280 3282.

The Unique One Rare Selection of Art by Khun Manop & Mike Runs until January. 31, 2013. Born in 1982, Nakonsitumarat, Thailand. Monap (Boy) Srisawang graduated with a Bachelor of fine arts degree in 2004 from Rajamangala University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. He worked in Chiang Mai for two years after graduation. He moved to Phuket island in 2006. During this time, Khun Boy has proven himself as a very fine relief sculpturist and created many relief sculptures that can be seen all over Phuket. His work will be on display at Home-Pro Shoping cetre, Chalong, from 9am - 9pm daily and at Rawai Plaza, Rawai Beach all year round.Tel: 087 280 3282.

Monday Party, Tue. Party, Wed, Party, Thur. Party, Fri. Party What the Puck Saturday Party, Sunday Party Come on everybody, let’s party At Rawai Plaza, cool atmosphere, unique setting. happy people.

WILL PERFORM JUST FOR ASKING!!!

POLL DANCE BY EMMY THAI DANCE BY NANCY & HIS FRIENDS SO, DON’T BE SHY!!

Shows sponsored by Emmy & Joey Bar Nancy Ni Nancy Bar Rawai Plaza, Rawai Beach, Phuket 087 280 3282

Phuket Wake Park: Phuket’s Best Indian Buffet BBQ Ribs All You Can Eat With salad buffet and potato salad for B295

Phuket’s best Indian buffet is back with a new chef and new menu. Homemade authentic Indian. Special promotion at B449

Double Happy Hours At the end of the Rawai beach strip, Rawai Plaza is the best entertainment venue for

Come wake board at Asia’s BEST and newest wake park located in Kathu. Full morning just 550 and evening sessions from 500 baht! We have happy evening! All evening riding only for 650 baht. Wake in the day or wake up your night! See www. phuketwakepark.com.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

20 TIME OUT

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

This week in history

GOT YOUR NUMBER

1 billion

Copies of novels by Barbara Cartland sold worldwide, making her the world’s top-selling author.

602

Number of rooms in Buckingham Palace, London residence of the Queen of England

150

Number of people worldwide killed by falling coconuts in an average year.

23

Novels written by Barbara Cartland in 1983, her most prolific year.

The 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami comes crashing through trees at Ao Nang, Krabi. Photo: David Rydevik

1. What is Donald Duck’s middle name?

2. Who wrote The Murders in the Rue Morgue?

3. Which is larger, the Rock of Gibraltar or El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in the US? 4. Elvis Presley was a twin: True or false?

5. Ichthyophobia is the fear of what?

Answers at the foot of the page.

SUDOKU

Across 1. Dull bard returns. (4) 3. Belt has tip twisted for admiral’s pride.

(10) 9. Zigzag slam takes 50 and nothing. (6) 10. Pay attention to coronary tube and oil back around.

(6,2) 12. Sea and a chap. (7) 14. Twister ripped a party. (7) 16. I’m decent…not! (8) 19. Turkish officer has personal assistants?

Ha! (5) 21. Sad about the French side-dish. (5) 22. Demanding former spouse onstage. (8) 25. Pardon Amy, about to set up home. (7) 27. Unpredictable Eric swallows rodent. (7) 30. Arab role, oddly, is up a tree. (8) 32. Plant bachelor and medic on rings. (6) 33. Point to conical frame for old museum initially.

That’s thrifty! (10) 34. Old man bursts. (4)

Down 1. Dishearten and speak ill of month. (6) 2. Prize for an election district? (5) 4. Fee for bell-ringing, perhaps. (4) 5. Slim, twisted, so inside gracefully supple. (6) 6. Hospital for a French-Asian tribesman. (3) 7. Hold up ring to Sal, offering marriage. (8) 8. Absinthe flavor for mescal addition to copse. (8) 11. Light loses initial over long time.

(3) 13. Relative is mostly nice. (5) 15. Burning down a right child. (5) 17. Me, left, on fruit. (5) 18. Track cart back to a point. (5) 19. Fatherly Patrick gets to learn poorly. (8) 20. Climb opera house in French summer. (8) 23. Brook could make a saint take a bundle. (6) 24. Comes back east with a hundred garden implements. (6) 26. I go after cardinal. (3) 28. Bat back rings? That’s forbidden.

(5) 29. Group nearly bar the way. (4) 31. Loud noise finishes 32 across. (3)

■■ December 21, 1937 The first full-length animated feature film, Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, goes on show in Hollywood.

■■ December 22, 1944 German forces demand the surrender of the US Army’s besieged 101st Airborne Division in Belgium. Gen McAuliffe responds in an typed response: “NUTS.” ■■ December 23, 1888 Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh cuts off his left ear after an argument with painter Paul Gauguin.

■■ December 24, 1818 The Christmas carol Silent Night (Stille Nacht in German) is performed for the first time, at a parish church in Austria.

■■ December 25, 336 Christmas is officially celebrated on December 25 for the first time.

■■ December 26, 2004 A magnitude 9.3 earthquake off Sumatra sparks a tsunami that kills an estimated 230,000 people, 10,000 of them in Thailand.

■■ December 27, 1968 Nasa mission Apollo 8 splashes down in the Pacific Ocean after completing the first manned mission to orbit the moon.

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1.Fauntleroy; 2. Edgar Allan Poe; 3. El Capitan (twice the size); 4. True; 5. Fish

WEEKDAYS Breakfast The Power Hour Lifestyle Drive Non Stop Music

Sam & Natasha Live 89.5

SATURDAYS 7am - 11am 11am - 12pm

Live 89.5 Got Talent Weekend Brunch

Siobhan McGovern Kirsty Meyer

9am - 10am

Best Of Breakfast

10am - 1pm

Live 89.5 Dance Anthems

SUNDAYS Sam & Natasha

5pm - 7pm

Weekend Brunch

Kirsty Meyer

10am – 1pm

Steve

7pm - 10pm

The Spin

Tim Newton

1pm - 4pm

Jason Wilder

4pm - 7pm

Steve Johnston

12pm - 3pm

Phuket News Radio

Live 89.5

1pm - 2pm

Saturday Night Fever

Live 89.5

10pm – 12am

International Chart Show Top 40

Jason Wilder

3pm - 7pm

Box Of Neutrals

Live 89.5

2pm – 3pm

Non Stop Music

Live 89.5

12am – 10am

Sunday Night Chill

Live 89.5

7pm - 10pm

Live 89.5

7pm - 7am

Going Green

Nick Anthony

3pm – 5pm

Tel: 076 612 895 SMS: 090 490 7895

Non Stop Music

Live 89.5

10pm – 7am

On Sale

NOW!

Every book sold helps disadvantaged kids.

With 22 Island Scenes to colour in, it makes the perfect gift for your children, friends and family.

Free colouring crayons with every copy!

For commercial inquiries, call Boo on 088 766 1615 or email pr@thephuketnews.com

POWERED BY

To order your copy today, call 076 612 550 or email info@thephuketnews.com

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16 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

Jobs

Restaurant & guesthouse for sale 8 rooms, freehold > 19

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

tive chef, waiter / waitress, guest service agent (English speaking and writing, male preferred) room maid, room boy, cleaner, technical engineer. Care@ bydlofts.com.

URGENT! Job vacancies in a 5-star hotel in Phuket is looking for strong candidates in F&B Jobs Position: 1.Mixologist (Bar) 2. Restaurant Coordinator 3.Wine Guardian Service charge guarantee 8,000 baht. Experience: All candidates need to have at least 1 to 2 years food and beverage service experience in a restaurant within a luxury lifestyle brand. Benefits: Social security, accommodation, all meals, work 5 days, off 2 days, public holidays as per resort standards, free transportation, health insurance, uniform, provident fund.

Contact us: Email: jobs@eventsthailand.net Mobile: 089-785-6994 (English) Phone: 076-612-550 Ext.800 Visit our website: www.jobphuket.net.

Experienced Foodservice Salesperson Wanted: *Must live permanently in Thailand and organise own residency status. *Must speak fluent Thai and English. *Must have experience selling food/ alcohol to executive chefs and purchasing managers.

Experienced food service. *Must have own car. Only people meeting all above criteria please send resume to george_d@jagota.com.

Mobile Car Rental is hiring!: Rapidly ex-

Content Management nication skills. Email cluba /Marketing: Qualifica- siaphuket@hotmail.com. tions: Thai Nationality and speak basic English and good interpersonal skills. Preference given to those with driver’s license. Please email: kritsanaphat@lepep group.com.

Thai Cook-Sous Chef Wanted: Thai/Western restaurant is looking for a experienced Thai cook.

Must work under pressure, team player and with good organisation skills. Working hours 11.00-22.00. Good tips. Please contact 086 940 4801.

Phuket Brasserie Jobs Recuitment: -Waitress 5 Positions.

-Bartender 2 Positions.

Sala Phuket Jobs Vacancy: -Purchasing Manager: 1 Position -Chief Engineering 1 Position -Spa Therapist 4 Positions -Reservation Officer:

Admin O f f icer re quired: Club Asia Fitness

requires an Admin Officer urgently. Good salary and benefits. Candidates must have good English commu-

panding car rental company is hiring new staff members. Required: good English knowledge, driving license, independent thinking, positive attitude, computer skills. Call us: 081 970 5204.

1 Position Contact 076 338 888.

Email: pncphuket@sala phuket.com.

Salary B9,000. Service charge B4,000. If you worked in hotels before it will be an advantage. Contact 076 210 511. Send CV and photo to linkwanjai@me.com.

Sales Manager Responsibilities : ● Managing the sales team (including responsibility for recruitment of new sales staff when needed) ● Weekly & monthly sales budget meetings and reporting ● Developing and following up new sales leads ● Reaching own personal sales targets and responsibility for reaching team targets

We offer: ● Competitive salary, bonuses and travel expenses ● Friendly work environment ● Social security (10%) paid by the company ● Excellent career progress opportunity ***The company may offer accommodation plus local transportation costs to successful candidates.***

Interested candidates are invited to send application with full resume in English indicating qualifications, experience, expected salary with recent photo via email to adminmgr@thephuketnews.com or post to below address.

Class Act Media Co., Ltd.

99/7 Moo 1 T. Kathu A. Kathu Phuket 83120 Tel: 076 612 550-2 ext 100 Fax: 076 612 553 adminmgr@thephuketnews.com

to help CEO of charter boat company. Duties would include marketing, hospitality and some book keeping.

Suit attractive Thai lady with ver y good English.

Contact Mike: blueworldsafaris@gmail.com.

Sales Staff Wanted: English-speaking female.

Thai with previous selling experience with own car, outgoing personality with ability to sell to farangs, flexible hours. Retainer, fuel, phone and commission. Call Khun Nam: 076 272 702. Island Curtains.

Class Act Media is southern Thailand's most comprehensive media company, incorporating Phuket’s leading English newspaper ‘The Phuket News’, Phuket’s leading English radio station ‘Live 89.5’, a host of publications & services including ‘The Phuket Colouring book’, ‘The Southern Sun Samui’ & ‘Phuket Ticket Master’. WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING

Thai or Foreigner (Located in Phuket)

Personal Assistant Required: PA required

Reservations Assistant full time: Full time.

Western. Must have excellent written english, organisational & computer skills, self motivated/good communicator. Home based.

Send CV to phuketbook ings@gmail.com

Class Act Media is southern Thailand's most comprehensive media company, incorporating Phuket’s leading English newspaper ‘The Phuket News’, Phuket’s leading English radio station ‘Live 89.5’, a host of publications & services including ‘The Phuket Colouring book’, ‘The Southern Sun Samui’ & ‘Phuket Ticket Master’. WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING

FULL TIME FINANCE & ADMIN. MANAGER Responsibilities : ● Perform day to day processing of financial, accounting & administrative transactions ● Coordinate with suppliers for purchasing ● Prepare company’s payroll including monthly social security ● Coordinate with revenue department/social security office as required ● Liaise with external audit firm for yearly ending and ensure that all tax reports are accurate and submitted in a timely manner ● Assist in the visa/work permit application process for expat staff members ● Maintain filing system for all financial, legal & admin. documents ● Communicate with the bank and manage all bank documents ● Supervise the team of minimum 5 staff ● Other financial, accounting & admin. duties as assigned and required

The applicant must have: ● Thai National ● Excellent interpersonal skills ● Very good command of English ● Experience in finance, accounting & admin is essential

We offer: ● Competitive salary & bonuses depending on company profits ● 5 day work week – (Monday – Friday 8.30 am – 6 pm) ● Friendly work environment & excellent progress opportunities

Interested applicants are invited to apply in person or send application with full resume indicating qualifications and experience, expected salary and recent photo to: adminmgr@thephuketnews.com Tel: 076 612 550-2 ext 101

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

S a l e s / M a r ke t i n g People: 4 Full time and 2 Part time sales/marketing people required.

English essential. Good commission and incentives. New Australian te r m i te m a n a g e m e nt product. Call Jody 087 266 2252.

Webdeveloper: Knowledge: HTML, CSS, JQuery, Javascript, Photoshop, Thai nationality and speak basic English and good interpersonal skills. Develop and modify websites on detailed design specifications. Email: kritsanaphat@ lepepgroup.com.

Two Graphic Designers Wanted: Restaurant Manager SPIKEMEDIA is a creative Wa n t e d: Re st au r a nt media agency based in manager / accounting with experience managing restaurant, accounting, managing staf f and ser ving customers. Call 087 471 1351.

Air Con/Refrig Technician: Looking for a technician with experience in electrics, air or refrig (compressors), for servicing, repairing and maintaining equipment. Competitive salary and bonuses. Call 084 915 9507.

We are looking for key members: Restaurant manager, execu-

Phuket working for a variety of national and international clients. We are seeking fulltime Graphic Designers, to work on a diverse range of print and web design projects. Salary depending on experience and talent level. Please send CV and some samples of work to: info@spikemediagroup. com.

Home Help - Couple Wanted: Live-in position for couple, Thai nationals preferred. Lady will be cleaner/nanny and man will drive and do household maintenance. Good conditions and salary. Please call 080 208 7454.

T

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 17

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

JOBS IN PHUKET

List your ad for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php puter/book-keeping skills required. In-house training possible. Chalong area. 088 380 9712.

Thai Admin Wanted: and administration skills reOrganizing paper wor k, documents and computerbased information. Taking care of inventory and stock levels.Providing secretarial support to the Director.Basic accounting.

Dealing with customer.

Email: m.hill@phuketsoc cerschools.com.

Graphic Designer: Knowledge: Illustrator, Photoshop, Thai nationality and speak basic English and good interpersonal skills.

Create professional website design, flyers, banners, business cards. kritsanaphat@ lepepgroup.com.

Personal Assistant Required: PA required to help CEO of charter boat company. Duties would include marketing, hospitality and some book keeping.

Suit attractive Thai lady with very good English. Contact Mike: blueworldsafaris@ gmail.com.

quired. Preferably experience of at least 2 years.

Email: monsoonpatong@ gmail.com.

C & C Marine Urgent Positions: 1.

male /Thai , fluent in speaking and writing English, good computer skills, Accounting

Kindergarten Te a c h e r : F e m a l e

Looking for people who love animals: And would like to do some volunteer work looking after sick, injured & homeless dogs in Thalang area? Please Contact : Sherin.peace@ gmail.com.

Apprentice Chef: Looking for a young Thai chef for new restaurant in a villa complex in Phangnga. Successful candidate will be trained in Spain with three Michelin stars chef.

Good command of English required. Email: hr@iniala. com.

Situationd Vacant: Office Manager: Fe-

in related field. -Excellent working knowledge of PHP, MySQL, & JavaScript. Email: hr@netzilla-phuket.com

CLEANER part time Patong area. 3 - 4 hours 2 times weekly. Call 089 972 3861.

DaVinci Restaurant in Nai Harn: Thai nationality only. Waitresses 2 positions, Bartender 1 position. Experience and good English will be an advantage. Good salary and benefits. Contact Khun Jana 086 947 5197, jana@davinciphuket. com.

HELP Wanted Koh Phangan Recept: Receptionist, help wanted.

Thai Nationality for busy resort in Koh Phangan. Call Erika 077 377 247.

caucasian native English speaking teacher with experience to teach class of 10-12 children ages 2-6, Mon-Fri, 8am4pm,Chalong. Call 080 624 7060, www.budsphuket.com. Email buds. span@yahoo.

Travel Writers Wanted: SambaWalker seeks f reelanc e w r iter s f ro m around the globe to contribute 400 – 1,200 word articles. Submission guidelines: http://sambawalker. com/about/writers-wanted.

Email: contributor@sambawalker.com.

Store Head: Good command in English/is responsible/Leadership/ Problem solving skill. 2.

Mechanic. 3. Machining.

Responsible and Teamwork. Please contact : 076 273 247, 076 272 049 or Send resume by infophuket@candc-marine. com.

Open House Day 22-23 December: We are looking for selfmotivated and enthusiastic professional candidates to join our inspiring team. Start time interview at 9.00 –17.30hrs at U Sunsuri Phuket. For more details contact 076 388 691, Email:hrm@ usunsuriphuket.com.

Boomerang Village Resort: Job Opportuni-

Secret ar y Kindergarten: Must have good Staff for Dive Cen- Net zilla Co., Ltd.: English and computer skills ter Office: Immediate Programmer: Netzilla Monday-Friday, 7.30amstart. 6 days/week. Good salary, adjusted to ability/ experience. Thai female with good English/com-

is looking for talented programmers to join our team in PHUKET! Qualifications: -Min. 2 years experience

5pm, Chalong. Call 080 624 7060. Email: phuketpreschool@yahoo.com, www. buds-phuket.com.

ties at Boomerang Village Resort Cafe Del Sol Restaurant Waiter / Waitress (4) Restaurant Captain (1) Bartender / Bartendy (1) Boomerang Village Resort Receptionist (2) Manager, Receptionist (1) Guest Relation (1). Email: boomerangvillageresort@ gmail.com, 085 692 3474.

WRITE YOUR CLASSIFIED FREE ONLINE: 189 CHARACTERS + 1 PICTURE Headline: ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......

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189 CHARACTERS

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Online upgrades:

Website link B199

Urgent banner B199

UPGRADE TO PREMIUM

PAY ONCE UNTIL SOLD FOR JUST B2,799 + VAT, WILL RUN ONLINE AND IN EVERY PRINT EDITION UNTIL YOU HAVE SOLD. INCLUDES ADDITIONAL 9 PICTURES ONLINE. Print upgrades:

Extra lines B99

Box B199

Colour Background B199

Colour Headline B199

DEADLINE: MONDAY 11.59PM (MIDNIGHT) FOR THAT FRIDAY’S ISSUE Hand this in at agent shops, our office or fax: 076 612 553

18 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

Buy&Sell Plaza, opposite Tesco Lotus.

Contact: 076 612 733, 076 248 900. www.phuketfood.com.

CHILDCARE

House for sale

Spacious 3 bed, 4 bath property > 20 Singapore Club Phuket: Calling all Singaporeans in Phuket to join Singapore Club Phuket. Contact Robin on 081 803 7189.

PERSONAL SERVICES

COOKING CLASS

BOATS & YACHTS

Ski Boat for Sale:

Speed boat for sale!: 6 metre body Bayliner, 200 HP (EFI) Mercury engine, Yamaha 5 HP back up engine. Blue book. Including: trailer, 2 anchors, and cover, Garmin deep sounder and fish finder brand new.

Call 081 477 5637 THAI; 086 283 0082 ENG, RUS.

Glastron Carlson design, Thai registered, 120ltr fuel tank, 200hp Yamaha engine in excellent condition.

Includes trailer, boat cover, wakeboard pole, ropes and ski equipment. Call 081 894 5822, email: markbreitis@ gmail.com.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Buds Nursery:Phuket’s oldest international childcare facility. High-quality, time proven schedule and curriculum. Now in brandnew purpose-built school.

Experienced native English teachers to teach ages 1 1/2-8. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

Bus ser vice available from Patong, Karon, Kata, Phuket, Rawai and Chalong.

Tel: 076 384 638, 080 624 7060. Website: www.budsphuket.com.

CHILDREN’S CLUB FunStart: Family sports and leisure club. Swimming/ golf/ playcentre/ gaming arcade. Contact 076 203 185, 087 882 5544. See funstart phuket.com.

CLUBS & MEMBERSHIPS

dition, 12.18m Fiberglass Bowrider, 12mm thick hull, 600ltr fuel tank, 150ltr water tank, licensed for 25 passengers, storage area, manual head, 5 years old, B1.4 million o.n.o, please contact 076 362 300 Ext.1801.

ditional organic Thai herbs and make quality homemade spa products, cosmetic and OTOP health and beauty products. Shop: Kata Night Plaza and Raya Beauty Rawai Sai Yuan. Call 081 979 3504 Khun Wan.

Phuket Cooking A c a d e my: C o o k i n g

bilt motor bike trailer, with tawbar and coppling. Cost B45,000 to built, will sell for B25,000. Ideal for dog caring or shopping. Very stable.

Please ring 084 858 1917.

food in Thailand. Good karma, all natural, healthy, and organic products. Please contact 082 276 1675, www.good karmathailand.com.

Tile It: Thalang. Wana Park on Srisoonthorn Rd. Phuket’s quality tile boutique. Tiles for interior, exterior, residential, commercial. Contact 076 620 168 or 081 424 2828. Email info@ tile-asia.com.

Farang Food Paradise: Your specialist of imported food and drinks in Phuket.

Visit our shop at the Billion

POOL TABLES

Xmas Present?: Brand new “Heavy duty” Soccer/ Foosball Table for rent and sell. Suitable for bars and hotels. Call us now at 081 823 4627, 085 782 1200.

Kite Surf Equipment for Sale: 2 new boards,

Motorbike Triler with Tawbar: Professionaly

Health Food: Online health 28Ft, registered for 15 passengers. 200Hp/ V6 Mercury motor, only 240 hours, totally restored 40 hours ago, perfect for snorkeling, diving trips, island hopping, water taxi navigation system + fishfinder, 5hp spare motor. Boat and motor in very good condition. Located at Boat Lagoon. Priced for quick sale at B330,000.

Contact at : 086 747 9292 or claudstrey@gmail.com.

gone2thedoggies@gmail.com.

SPORTING GOODS & EXERCISE

ated by Laguna, develop a 44 or 60 room resort on a 2 rai plot. Sought after area, 25 year lease. Realistic ROI within 3 years. Lucrative & secure investment in ideal location. Offers may be considered for sale of lease.

Contact 087 884 0644.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Moonsoon for sale:

Are You Looking to get a New Dog or Cat?: Why not adopt a homeless dog? Many lovely pups - free to a good h o m e, a l s o f u l l g r ow n a d u l t d o g s t h at wo u l d make great guard dogs and a best friend. Contact:

and baking classes have never been more fun using our top-class professional facilities. With complimentary transport from around the island, head to the best Masterchef kitchen on the island. Learn the tricks of the trade from international award winning Chef, Lionel Raiffort. Learn how to cook, from Thai & European cuisines, to the art of baking. Get involved and make a day of it, groups are welcome. For more information, visit w w w. phuket-cooking-academy. com or call 081 821 4064.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS FOR SALE

Investors Resort project: Resort project. SituSpeedboat for sale Hull Only: Excellent con-

Baan Cananga Spa Products: We use tra-

Club Asia Fitness: Royal Phuket City Hotel.

O f fers Zumba / LesMills classes/ weight training/ sauna/ steam/ swimming pool, all inclusive. For a free trial workout, come along and join the action. Tel 076 35 4 027, 087 275 3614. www.clubasiaphuket.com.

TV For Sale: TV Large 72 cm B9,500. Call 089 972 3861.

BBQ with Gas for Sale: BBQ with gas bottle B8,000.

Call 089 972 3861.

• Movement • Stillness • Balance

never used. 2 Kites, used 2-3 times. New price was more then 200.000 Baht.

Sell altogether for 100.000 B a h t . Fo r s i n g l e i t e m s please call. 086 747 9292 (English) or 081 970 520.

M obile:0 81-728 - 9 9 8 0 Email: Serenethai@yahoo.com

Backgammon: Players Wanted. Tel: 081 577 8443, email: phuketconnection@ yahoo.com

PET ADOPTION Why buy a pet?: Soi Dog Foundation have over 300 beautiful dogs and puppies available for adoption.

Fully vaccinated and sterilised. Contact 085 574 4258 or email: cindy@soidog.org.

Tr e k R o a d B i k e B75,000 ono: Trek Madone 4.5 road bike. Ashima wheels. Carbon aero-bars.

Profile design water bottle.

Great condition plus travel case worth B20,000. Call 087 887 1292, email drew joy27@yahoo.com.

Life Fitness Walking Machine: Brand new retail B150,000. Sell for B70,000.

Call 0872760529.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 19

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

Property

1 rai of land for sale by Chalong Pier Chanote title > 21

PROPERTY FOR RENT “More than just office space”

Bar, Pi z zer ia , Ho t el, Rawai Beach: B800,000 yearly rent, longterm lease. Negotiable, 9 bedrooms, full guest. No key money, 60m to beach.

Call 084 242 8914, email: rawai4@yahoo.com.

For your private or virtual office call Martin on 08 9874 9080 info@asiapacificoffices.com

www.asiapacificoffices.com

ศูนย์ธุรกิจปาล์มพลาซ่า

Laguna area, Cherngtalay From 8m2 to 120m2

NaiHarn Beach Lagoon Resort: on South

Retail Space Opportunity: Large international resort in Karon seeks retail tenant. Excellent year round occupancy. Flexible rental terms. Must sell quality merchandise. Khun Boonchu call 076 396 200–5, fcckr@ chr.co.th.

Office for rent Patong Tower: 3 Offices for rent

on 5th floor of Patong Tower, close to beach, post office, Jungceylon. 69 sq.metre: B34,500 per month. 106 sq.metre: B53,000 per month.

126 sq.metre: B63,000 per month. 076 341 369-71.

e n d of N a i h a r n B e ac h, Phuket, just 10 minutes to Kata. Nice and quiet nature for your relaxation. Massage, Tours, and Services. Start from only B599. Contact 083 173 9636. B.Jack, email: naiharnbeachresor t@hot mail.com.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Restaurant / Guesthouse: Established restaurant covering two shop houses with private terrace and owners apartment or 8 room guesthouse. Freehold (no lease/rent). Includes all equipment and newly renovated kitchen. Contact for details. Projected ROI 4 years. Call 081 956 3166.

House for sale near Loch Palm: Three bedroom pool villa in Kathu close to international schools. Views over Loch Palm. All bedrooms with aircon and en suite bathrooms. Two car garage and secluded garden. Chanote title. 0848440991

Phuket Villa for Sale (PKS0420): B75,000,000. Three Bedrooms, three bathrooms, Ao Por. Unit Size: 2,092.40 sq.metre Land Area: 4,000 sq.metre Ms.Prakaipeth CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) 076 239 967 / 081 538 6879.

Investment Property for sale!: New, modern

Phuket Condominium for Rent (PT): B8,250

Shop Front for Rent: The Royal Phuket Yacht Club shop front space for rent 4.34 M. x 4.37 M. Located on the first floor of a great looking area for retail shop, boutique etc. Call 076 380 200 ext. 601 Khun Naphat.

- B16,500 per night. 2 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms. Unit Size: 239.6 sq.m. Facilities: Swimming pool and fitness centre. Pets: Not allowed.

Ms.Laddawan - CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) 076 239 967/085 661 0623.

Patong Bangla Building for Sale: B28 million,

Chanote, 4 floors 6mx 14m. 1st & 2nd tenanted.

Flr 3-staff accom, bath, kitchen. Separate office with access to lower floor.

4th flr private Penthouse one bed. 087 881 7600.

3 Bed Pool Villa Pa Khlok: 3 Beds, 2 Bath 6x3m pool. Full aircon and funishings. Ready for occupation and rental. Secure estate, private parking. 6km from Heroines monument.

Close to PIA , BCS and shops. 081 737 0722.

House For Sale In Chalong By Owner: Chanote title. 412 sq.meter.

2 bedrooms,2 bathrooms.

Extra penthouse with open kitchen and storeroom.

Lovely garden, very quiet and cosy place. Access to pool nearby. Price B3.9 mill. negotiable. Telephone 087 881 3062 (After 5/4-13 +47 47390581) email: kjellsyvertsen@hotmail.com.

waterfront townhome at the Boat Lagoon for sale. Rented out long term at 570.000 Baht/year. 3 bed/4bath, 2 balconies, terrace at canal, 6 m berth in front of house.

250 sqm living space. Top condition. Luxury finishings. Brokers welcome.

B9.9 million. 086 747 9292 (English) or 081 970 5204 (Thai/English).

Ocean Front Villa for rent: Luxury brand new

Surin Beach Office For Rent: Prime location

fully renovated sales office/ shop with initial lease of 6 years. Internal area 144 m2, walled back garden 60 m2, 4 parking spots, 3 phase, kitchen, internet, phone/ fax, TV, 5 AC. Contact 085 060 0033.

villa, fully furnish and ready to move in, 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms with infinity 10 metre long swimming pool and truly beautiful sea view. Located in a small development, only 50 metres from the sea and 3 mins from Grand AoPor marina.

For sale B19.9 million or for long term rent B150,000 per month. Call 081 343 0777, email : montha_phuket@ yahoo.com.

Commercial Building For Sale: 5 metre x 18.30 metre, three floors, located close by condo at Saiyuan, two big halls, two bedrooms, four bathrooms, clean and new building.

Negotiable price. For more details please call 087 881 7979, 081 472 0770, email: ss.kijrungruang@gmail.com.

Beautiful Karon Villa: Modern open living villa has it all, fully furnished, private secure estate close to beach enjoy the private salt water pool undercover parking, 3 large bedrooms freehold investment. 081 719 4688.

Freehold Home / Mini Resor t: 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, swimming pool, 20 minutes north of Phuket Airport. Peaceful country setting, flood and tsunami free. Minutes from beach.

B10.9 million. Email: info@ mythaihouseforsale.com.

Mission Heights: Land area 500m2, House area 164m2. 3 bed, 4 bath, fully furnished, aircon in all rooms, fans, Internet, satellite TV, swimming pool, independent water supply wells. Finish work December 2012. B10 million. Call 088 838 3242.

20 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

PROPERTY IN PHUKET

PROPERTY FOR SALE CONT.

Sea-View ChalongResidence: Dream pool

Pool Villa nex t to PIA: Brand new, luxury villa with 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 12 meter swimming pool, guest bungalow, ready to move in. Perfectly located in a development with underground electricity and security, only 800 metres from Mission Hills golf course, less then 10 mins to airport, Phuket International Academy and Grand AoPor Marina. For sale B14.9 mil or long term rent 100,000 Baht/month.

Tel 081 343 0777, Email : montha_ phuket@yahoo. com.

villa with 5 bedrooms all with ensuite on 1 rai of land.

Big hall, office, maidsroom.

Brand-new construction opposite Wat Chalong on the way up to the hill. A huge 685 sq.m of living area, fully furnished. Modern European- designed kitchen. Big sea view pool terraces incl sala and attractive bar area. Security alarm system. Selling price on request. By owner directly. Call 085 654 4011 or 089 404 0737. Email: schulz.th@gmx.de.

One + Two Homes for Sale with AC, Rawai:

B e s t Fu n c t i o n a l House for Sale:

Main home: two bed, extended bungalow with outside kitchen, shower and seating salas set in mature, walled, private gardens. Own well, tanks and pumps. Sold, furnished.

Will sleep 8+ can be sold with a 30-year land lease for non Thai. Price B5.5 nego: Mobile: Eng 082 416 0150. 3BB WiFi internet also.

3 b e d+ 4 b a t h , a i r c o n , warm water, 2aircon for living+dining, 1 laundry, big kitchen+long island 1 front off+aricon. Nice view of club house: big garden, pool,tennis. 300sqm, B5.9Million. Call 089 925 5486.

NEW Studio Apt in Kathu: 30 sqm, 1 bed-

3 & 4 Bed Pool Villas:

Freehold House for sale: Freehold house for sale in Permsap Villa, Cherng Talay. Land 735 m2, original 4 bedroom house w it h 2 3 0 m 2 f l o o r are a modified to 3 bedroom, all windows and doors from SUNPARADISE, separate carport from Shades. Very quiet estate. First owner since 2009. Price 10.9mln o.n.o. Call 083-5038797 for information.

Rawai B eachf ront Pool Villa Sale/Rent:

Laguna/Layan. Luxury private pool villas in secure development. Available now.

All beds ensuite. Fully furnished. Rental programme available. B12-20 million.

Contact owner: 085 549 7110.

room, kitchen, washing machine, aircon, balcony, fully furnished. Condo with gym, 24hr security, car park. 5 mins to Patong, Loch Palm golf. Good view. B1.25 million. Call 086 947 1273.

Luxury Villa in Chalong: Perfect condition, 660 sqm on 3 levels, 1.600 sqm land, 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, swimming pool 12.5m x 6m with jacuzzi, large sala, double garage. Top quality construction. Reduced price: B25.5 million www.tamataphuket.com crishausb@ hotmail.com Tel. 086 271 3260 or 086 273 4149.

Pool Villa For Sale Nai Harn: Modern, open design villa with a large 9x3 meter pool, 2 floors, nice garden, car park and mountain views, 6 years young, 120 sqm floor, 2 bedrooms, chanote, located close to center & beach. Call 085 473 7812.

Opportunity Knocks: B24,500,000. Deceased Estate - Absolute waterfront.

Occupying a stunning location on the east coast of Phuket this five-level villa has panoramic sea views from every level. Renovation work required. 085 793 2667. See exotiqproperty. com. Ref AB-V453, email: dmuir@exotiq.com.

Kathu-Pool Villa for sale: Hillside setting. Luxu-

Single House Special Price B9.5 million:

Ocean Front Villa for rent: Luxury brand new

Nice house fully furnished with teakwood furniture, ready to move in. 240 sqm.

4 bed 4 bath, close to Kathu waterfall and market. Near Loch Palm, major stores, BIS and KIS. Call Oranwan 086 883 3169.

villa, fully furnish and ready to move in, 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms with infinity 10 meter long swimming pool and truly beautiful sea view. Located in a small development, only 50 metres from the sea and 3 mins from Grand AoPor marina.

For sale B19.9 million or for long term rent B150,000 per month. Call 081 343 0777, email : montha_phuket@ yahoo.com.

rious 6 bedroom, 5 bathroom pool villa for sale or rent. Sale 20M Baht. Rent minimum 6 months. High season 9 0K per month.

Twelve months or more 70K PM. 087 078 6379.

Rawai Beach front pool villa for rent/sale. 3 bedrooms, furnished. Contact Siriporn on 089 649 9939.

7.5 M House and Pool Bypass Rd: Very clean 5

205/34 Soi Thamdee Nanai 6: House for sale Golf View Villa For Sale: Near British International School, state-ofthe-art villa overlooking the Loch Palm Golf Course: 4 bedrooms + maid’s room; 485 m2 built on 1,860 m2 land. B28million. Contact owner 089 724 7211.

in a very good location in the heart of Patong. The house has 3 floors, 3 sleeping rooms, 1 living room, 3 bathrooms and a roof terrace with jacuzzi, garage.

Good rental return. Price on request. 084 188 4544.

bedroom, 3 bathroom house with 5 x 10 metre pool 10 minutes south of Central Festival, walking distance to Kajonkiet Bilingual School.

To see: 083 301 3470, email: wpdrake@hotmail.com.

House on The Corner for Sale: Quiet loca-

BanYan Villa: 2 yearold 3 -storey townhouse 31.5 s.q wah or about 126 s.q.m at bann yan villa 3 bed rooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 kitchen, 1 aircon, fully furnished located near by land and houses park, Chalong. Pr ic e 3. 2 m.

Contact owner tel 081 535 1252 Mr. Krich.

Pool Villa in Marina: Resort for Sale: Resort 2 rai, with Chanote. 22 Double villas with kitchens, large pool and big coconut garden with own well. Restaurant and bar with satellite TV and Adsl. Opened for 15 years, with lots of repeat customers, parking, quiet. 086 940 1860.

Ready to move in, single storey pool villa with 3 bedroom situated in the impressive Park Residence sector of Boat Lagoon Marina.

Impressively constructed along a modern Asian theme. 076 238 948, email: marketing@phuketproper tytrip.com.

tion and only 500m from the main road. Thepkrasattri, Heroines Monument.

70sqw x 280sqm, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, big living room with open-plan kitchen (9x9m), 1 separated kitchen, carpark for 3 cars and a small storehouse, 2 aircons, cable TV, 1 phone line TT&T. Price: B3.5 million including furniture.

Excl. furniture B2,995,000.

Must see! Email: jochenschmitz16@gmail. com. Call 081 607 8000.

Furnished House for Sale Phuket Villa 5: 3 bedroom house with furniture, close to Kajonkiet School. Secure area, Cul De Sac, nice gardens, two bathrooms. B3,500,000 negotiable. Details 081 370 8114 (Thai) 087 889 3838 (Eng), email:davidgem98@ hotmail.com.

Townhouse Chalong Bargain!!: Town house on 3 levels with mezanine, 112 sqm, fully furnished, 3 BR, 3 Bth room, 2 kitchens, 3 air con. Tasteful western decoration, MUST see, HP English 0854415115. Thai 081 555 1230.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 21

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php

PROPERTY IN PHUKET

PROPERTY FOR SALE CONT.

Seaview 1BRDM New Condo Patong: Stunning seaview, city view 1 brdm condo on hill 500m from Patong beach. Fitness centre, roof top pool, security,car park, freehold.

Only4,400,000. Keith 084 628 3 4 3 0, keit hb o25 @ gmail.com.

Phuket Cottages Urgent Sale - Make an Offer: Studio condo at The

Point near Lotus, Big C, Central. All furniture and inventory includ. Great views 6th floor. Cost over B2.8million.

Call 087 889 3838 or 081 370 8114. Email: davidgem98@ hot mail.com

Near British International School, pool-villas starting from THB 8,800,000.

www.phuket-cottages.com

Call: 089-724-7211

New Condo ‘Phuket Villa Patong’: Prime location, deluxe 43sqm, 1 bed 1 bath apar tment, freehold, modern full furnished, pool,gym, s a u n a , C CT V + s e c u r i t y 24hrs,private park. 3.5MB. 087 978 1947(Eng/Th): Jeab Email: nhoj0512hotmail.com.

Guesthouse for Lease in Patong: 12 rooms, good location Nanai road. 9 years lease: very low rent, strong starting, easy to manage and good return on investment.

Price 1.2MLN. Take this opportunity. Thamad17@yahoo. com. 089 728 4005.

Patong Apartment Reduced Price: Condo 4 years old. Swimmingpool, security 24/7, cafeteria. Studio 46sqm fully furished. Freehold for foreigners. Price:2.6MLN. Urgent sale, no agent. tel.089 728 4005. Mail:thamad17@ yahoo.com.

1 Rai Sea-View Land: Rawai Condo Sale/ Rent: Sell 1.1MB, Full ownPatong Condo for Sale: My condo is ready

for immediate sale located at Lotus Residence, a small 3-storey boutique condo of only 12 apartments total.

It is located on a southern hillside above Patong Bay. Call 084 436 2540.

ership forever-beyond the financing plan of 10 years.

Rent 9.000B/Month. Studio Room Renovated With furniture. A/C, WiFi, kitchen, 200m to Beach.084 242 8914. Rawai4@yahoo.com.

Patong/Kalim sea view condo: Freehold, 2nd floor, corner unit, stunning sea view, pool, car park, security, best location, ca. 110sqm, 2 bedroom, German kitchen, all new, terrace, only a few metres to beach, B10.6 M 081 824 1385.

Patong and only 10 minutes to Phuket Town, located at Kathu, total 141 square wah or 564 Square metre with ready public utility. Call 081 892 0610,081 472 0770, tan_ohio@hotmail.com.

views over the Lake and Loch Palm. Very quiet, secluded plot but with all facilities ready to go. 1551 sqm plot, freehold leasehold with full Chanote title. 081 273 6959.

Apartment for sale in Patong: Apar tment for

SALE in Patong; 50 sqm of the living area, sea-view / mountain view, furnished, Po o l, 24 h r s e c u r i t y, f o r SALE B2.8M - B3.3M. Contact +66 (0) 83 103 3801, 081 415 7774.

1 Rai Chalong Pier Land Sale: 1483 square meters (0.927 Rai). Chanote Title. New Survey. Public road, electric and good well water. 450m walk to Chalong Pier and all boat tours. Build your dive resort. 085 784 0209.

2 Rai Seaview Landplot for sale: Beautiful 180 degree Oceanview plot for sale near Bang Pae Waterfall. Peaceful with a lot of privacy. One of Phuket’s last available Seaview Plots.

Only B3.8 M per rai (total B7.6 M). Brokers welcome.

Call 086 747 9292 (English) or 081 970 5204 (Thai/English). Email: claudstrey@ gmail.com.

Condominium in Patong for Sale: Less than 1 Km from the beach, large 2-bedroom apartment with communal swimming pool and balcony. FREEHOLD (can be foreign owned). B7.5M. Call owner 089 724 7211 or julien@phuket immo.com.

top land for sale. B4.2 million per rai. Full chanote, water, electrical, sea/moutain views.

Call 087 797 8503 (Eng).

Hill Land for Sale: Very nice location hill land by the Bangwat Dam, total 60 rai, 96,000 square metre.

Contact: Attapong 081 892 0610 (Thai), Jantiwa 081 890 8268 (Eng). e-mail: jantiwa_ j@hotmail.com.

Beachfront land for sale: 2 rai absolute amazing beachfront, few min. boat ride from Phuket, facing west to sunset and views of Phuket.

B13 million per rai +66(0)86 278 8300 or izzy.serenitygroup@gmail.com.

Land for Sale - in Marina: Design and build

Ama zing Sea View Penthouse: Panoramic

sea view, mountain view and Big Buddha. 310 sq metre, 2 beds, 2 baths with option to convert in 3 beds. Contact: Izzy +66(0)86 278 8300 or izzy.serenitygroup@gmail. com.

Land for Sale: One rai.

Very quiet and private, close to all services, 10 min to school, airport, beach, golf, Tesco. B3.4M. 087 276 0529 for info.

6 Rai Hilltop Land for Sale: Mission hills 6 rai hill-

Prime Location 35M Lake Front: Fantastic

Karon Hill Condo for sale ! Foreign Freehold: Seaview over Karon B e ac h. 10 0 sqm. Li v ing area. 1 bedroom, walk in closets, luxury bathroom, terrace, etc. Fully furnished.

Many upgrades. Luxury furnishings. Only 6.9 million baht. Brokers welcome. Call 086 747 9292 (English) or 081 970 520 4 (English/ Thai). Email: claudstrey@ gmail.com.

Opposite Wat Chalong on the way up to the hill, Chanote, ca. 36 m x 45 m, sophisticated hillside project, proratable, B8.5 mil direct to owner: 085 65 44 0 11 or 089 40 40 737.

Land At Kathu For Sale: Only 15 minutes to

Ocean Front Land: 7 rai with 185 metres of sea frontage. Water, electricity, road and boat access, located 800 metres from Yacht Haven marina, perfect site for small beach front development. For quick sale only B5 million per rai. Tel 081 3430777 Email : montha_phuket@yahoo.com.

G o l f Co u r s e L a n d For Sale: Near British

Intl School, 17 rai with public road access. Suitable for resort or housing project. Can be divided. Price: B 4. 5 m p e r r ai. C o nt ac t owner 089 724 7211, email: julien@phuketimmo.com.

your own home with good location and gated community.

All the infrastructure you need is available such as water, underground cabling for power, telephone, ADSL internet etc.

Contact 076 238 948, email: marketing@phuketproperty trip.com.

Don sa k B eac hf ront Land 3 rai: 67 metres absolute beach frontage, full infrastructured, ready to build. Closed to ferry go to Samui. Chanote tiltle. 6.6MB for all. Tel.087 978 1947(Eng/ Thai):Jeab Email:nhoj0512@ hotmail.com.

Land For Sale: 3/4 of rai in small community, very quiet and private, close to all services, 10 min to school, airport, beach, golf, Tesco B2.5M. 087 276 0529 for info.

Sea View Land for Sale: Phuke Ao-Yon, 13.5

rai, chanode title.10m/rai.

Call Siri 089 649 9939, email:siri_phuket@changrunner.com.

Absolute beach front land: Songkla district near new deep sea port. 4.5 Rai divided into 7 Chanote plots.

Reluctant sale. B4.9M the lot. mail jmicchia@yahoo. com or call 087 276 0529.

Rawai Half Rai for Sale:

Land plot 100 metres to Rawai Beach, about 850 sq.metre.

Chanote title deed, private road with sewer, 3 phases electricity and wall around the land. Email: rawai.steen@ gmail.com, call 080 530 6880.

22 CLASSIFIEDS

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EQUIPMENT SALES & RENTAL

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PHUKET SPORT 23

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

trail running Cameroon’s Moudourou Thailand champs announced for Moise joins Phuket FC Pattaya next month FOOTBALL Kazira Hans

C

ameroonian centreba ck Mou dou rou Moise has joi ned Phuket FC on loan from Suphanburi FC, a signing that the team management hopes will lead the Islanders into the Thai Premier League for 2014.

Moise formerly played for Thai Port FC, where he scored the winning penalty that secured the team’s championship title in the Thai Com FA Cup in 2009. He also took part in the team victories in

the Toyota League Cup 2010, helping land Thai Port FC a spot in Toyota Premier Cup 2011 against Japan’s Shonan Belmare FC. In 2011 Moise signed a contract with Suphanburi FC, and then was loaned to Chainat FC where he helped them advance to the Thai Premier League.

Moise, who is 27 years old, says he wants to help Phuket FC reach their Thai Premier League dream.

On Wednesday Phuket FC announced a further signing – right wing-back Sakareeya Kolae, formerly of Pattani FC, who started training with the team this week.

RUNNING

Phuket FC’s latest signing, Cameroonian Moudourou Moise, with team manager Jakkapob Soo-ngan.

THE FOURTH THAILAND Trail Running Championship, “Columbia Trail Masters 2013”, will be held at Horseshoe Point Resort, Pattaya on January 13, 2013.

The event consists of trail running races over three distances: a 21.5km off-road half marathon, a 10km trail run, and a 4km fun run (or walk) for families and children – all along scenic trails exploring the mountains, farmlands and greenery of the Pattaya countryside.

Organized by Active Management Asia, the off-road half marathon and 10km trail run will feature awards for men’s

and women’s age categories.

The four kilometre family fun run is open to all ages, with free race registration for children aged 14 and below.

The fun run, supported by the Horseshoe Point Resort, is designed to involve the local community in the event and to to promote sports, fair play and friendship amongst children.

The event also features a barbecue dinner pre-race on Saturday January 12 with horse shows and activities for families, a kid’s corner, and the trophy ceremony and presentations, followed by a festive post-race lunch.

To register or for more information, call 02 718 9581 or visit ama-events.com

Phuket Soccer Schools teams ICC edge TNT for first league win CRICKET shine at local 7’s tournament FOOTBALL

PHUK ET SOCCER Schools’ (PSS) Under-9 team took away class honours against Samui United Academy in the JSSL Arsenal International Phuket 7’s Soccer Tournament on Sunday.

PSS fielded its U9 and U13 Academy teams in the tournament at the British International School, hosted

by JSSL Arsenal from Singapore.

In the morning games, the PSS Academy Under 9 team won their group with 10 points and found themselves up against Headstart for a place in the final.

PSS won the match 2-0 and went on to the final against a Samui United Academy team that they had tied with in the group games.

But the PSS team was now brimming with confidence and went onto comfortably win the game 3-0 and be crowned the Under 9 Division Champions.

Joe Hunter was named Man of the Match for his excellent performance on and off the ball and his five goals, including three in the semifinal and final.

In the afternoon the PSS Under 13 team were were in the spotlight, attempting to

Phuket Soccer Schools’ U13s player Peter Kanjansaya (left) on the ball in the game against Kajonkiet FC. emulate their U9 club mates.

They made an excellent start by beating Kajonkiet FC 4-0 and tying 0-0 against Darasamuth, but lost 0-1 against JSSL Arsenal.

The U13s then faced strong competition from Samui United Academy and a strong Youth Football Home side, losing both matches 0-3.

The last group game against Headstart, for a fourth place slot in the semifinal, ended in a 0-0 tie. This meant that PSS Academy U13’s finished joint fifthplace in their group, just missing out on a semifinal place.

Despite this disappointment the boys had a great experience and learnt a lot from each game they played.

Ian Santos was awarded the Man of the Match award for his strong and disciplined performance in defence.

PSS head coach Martin Hill says, “Fantastic weather and good company, PSS always look forward to this tournament every year and we would like to thank JSSL Singapore for the invite.

“Our Under 9 squad performed extremely well and showed a wonderful team spirit and were proud winners of their age group.”

Phuket Soccer Schools are running soccer training camps around Phuket over the New Years holidays from January 2 to January 4. For more information email info@phuket soccerschools.com

Hash House Harriers

Run: 1398 at 3:30pm on Saturday, December 22 Hares: Lucky Lek, Tiger & Tequila Slapper Directions: From Phuket Town drive to British International School at Koh Kaew, then follow the road right of the school building for 800m. Look for construction project sign “HABITOWN”, then turn left and drive 1.5km to the laager at the end of the road.

More information: phuket-hhh.com

J U B A DAY S I S L A N D Cricket Club (ICC) took on Thanyapura News Tigers (TNT) in the third match of the JLL league on Sunday, December 16. Both teams were chasing their first win of the season, but ICC prevailed and emerged as the winners on the day.

After winning the toss the TNT boys strode out to face the onslaught of the ICC bowling attack. Despite losing two early wickets they were able to post their first 50 runs in quick time.

However, after drinks ICC started tightening the screws and the TNT run flow dried up. This was predominantly due to a good bowling display

TNT’s Simon Wetherell faces the ICC bowling attack.

by Imtiyaz Mushtaq, 2 for 21, and Ali Ahmed, 2 for 13.

Besides a solid innings

by Anthony Dupont, 47 not out, no other TNT batsmen really troubled the ICC attack, eventually scoring 165 after 35 overs.

With a relatively low total the ICC run chase would always be a comfortable one.

Despite the TNT bowlers giving it their all, Imtiyaz Mushtaq led the charge to victory,

54 off 67, ably supported by S Kumar, 32.

While several wickets fell towards the end their innings, ICC scored the winning runs in the 31st over.

The next game in the JLL league will be played early in the New Year, on Sunday January 6, when Patong CC will take on The Village at the Alan Cooke Ground.

For more information, visit phuketcricketgroup.com

Soccer 7s return for Songkran T H E 2ND SONGK R A N International Soccer 7s tournament will be held in Phuket over the Songkran festival holiday, April 13-14, 2013.

Hosted by the Thanyapura

Sports and Leisure Club, the tournament competitions include Open Age, Masters over-35s and Women’s 7s categories.

As with last year, the Soc-

cer 7s tournament will run under FIFA rules – but no offside – with teams of up to 12 players, rolling substitutions, and 15-minute games.

More info: Thai7s.com

24 THAILAND SPORT

Grosjean outpaces rivals to claim prize

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

MOTORSPORTS

F

rench Formula One star Romain Grosjean won Bangkok’s first Race of Champions after beating Denmark’s Tom Kristensen in the final at Rajamangala National Stadium.

Having defeated Formula One legends Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher in earlier rounds, Grosjean had few problems against Le Mans expert Kristensen, winning 2-0 in the best-of-three final before a big crowd on Sunday.

Grosjean, 26, won the crown in his second ROC appearance, while 45-year-old Kristensen has failed to win the title in 13 attempts.

Eight-time Le Mans champion Kristensen also reached the final last year before losing to another Frenchman, Sebastien Ogier.

On Sunday, Kristensen defeated Ogier in the quarterfinals, while Grosjean finished off Vettel in the last eight and beat Schumacher in the last four.

“It’s been a tough end to the F1 season but I finally got

Despite his physical disadvantage, Buakaw gave challenger Hurkou a Muay Thai lesson. Photo: Bangkok Post

Buakaw easily defeats Hurkou in Thai Fight final MUAY THAI Romain Grosjean heads for victory in Bangkok last weekend. Photo: Race of Champions back on the podium,” Grosjean said. “It’s great to get this win before I head off for a holiday.

Thanks to everyone in Thailand because the welcome has been fantastic.”

Kristensen said small mistakes cost him the title this year. “Romain is a deserved winner,” said Kristensen, who beat former Formula One driver David Coultard in the semi-finals.

“I’m getting closer every year. It was a small gap between us in each of the heats. I made small mistakes but that’s

the challenge of the Race Of Champions in jumping into different cars,” he said.

Grand prix legend Schumacher was knocked out by Grosjean in the semi-final of the headline event while threetime Formula One champion Vettel stumbled at the quarters for the second year running.

But it was not all bad news for the German superstar, as he claimed the ROC Nations Cup on Saturday for the sixth time in a row with compatriot Schumacher.

Thailand hopefuls Nat-

tavude Charoensukawattana and Tin Sritrai failed to reach the knockout stages.

Thailand will host next year’s edition of the Race of Champions under a two-year contract, and Thai officials hope the race will lead to the country getting approval to organise a Formula One race.

They say Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has agreed in principle for the kingdom to host a Grand Prix in 2014, but a formal deal has not yet been reached.

Bangkok Post

BUAKAW POR PRAMUK successfully defended his Thai Fight title with a comfortable win over Vitaly Hurkou in Bangkok on Sunday.

In the final of the junior middleweight (70kg), Buakaw found it easy to beat his opponent from Belarus in the three-round fight to the excitement of the crowd.

Despite his physical disadvantage, the 30-year-old Buakaw made a full use of his skills to give the less experienced Hurkou a Muay Thai lesson, controlling the fight from its beginning Winning the title seemed to be a great reward for Buakaw

in a year in which he had struggled.

Buakaw announced his retirement from the sport in May over a conflict with his Por Pramuk training camp.

But two months later, the two-time K1 champion Buakaw returned to the ring, after his dispute with the camp had been solved.

Since then, Buakaw has worked hard in an attempt to retain the Thai Fight title.

He started his 2012 campaign with a knockout win over Mauro Serra of Italy in the third round on October 24 before securing a final spot following his victory over Nishkawa Tomoyuki of Japan in the semi-final on November 26. Bangkok Post

Chon Buri claim golden football double at Chiang Mai Games GAMES

CHON BURI SWEPT THE men’s and women’s football titles at the National Games in Chiang Mai. In the men’s final, Chon Buri edged Chanthaburi 1-0 in an eastern derby with Prateep Panjerakarn scoring the winner after 77 minutes.

In the women’s final, Chon Buri came from behind to beat Bangkok 2-1. Bangkok’s Kanjana Sangngern opened the scoring after 63 minutes only for Wanwisa

Wanjiem to equalise six minutes later.

Supinya Chaiyarak hit the winner for Chon Buri six minutes from time.

In tennis, Sakon Nakhon’s Nattanon Kanjapanan won gold in the men’s singles after beating Phangnga’s Krittina Koyakul 6-4, 6-1.

In the women’s singles final, Nonthaburi’s Katherine Pornyupa Wetburi defeated Bussarin Raktaengarm of Phuket 6-2, 6-4.

In the mixed doubles final, Chiang Mai’s Yada

Wasutpongchai and Tara Tantasuwannalert defeated Phitsanulok’s Tanasan Issarapong and Gelwalin Sukkarattanapreecha 7-6 (10), 4-6, 10-8.

On Monday, rhythmic gymnast Tarathip Sridee swept all four individual apparatus titles.

The Chon Buri athlete, who had also won the individual all-round event earlier, was in a class of her own in the individual clubs, hoop, ball and ribbon competitions.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

Despite massive growth, Asian golf has problems

Asia Team players perform the ‘Gangnam Style’ dance after dramatically beating Europe Team in their playoff game to win the Royal Trophy in Brunei, which finished last Sunday. Photo: Entertainment Group Ltd.

GOLF Talek Harris

R

apid growth has made Asia the big new destination for world golf but there’s an unmistakable sense of gloom as long-standing events face an uncertain future and local talent stalls.

While rich tournaments and even richer stars continue to flood east, grabbing widespread attention and making large sums for the game’s elite, for the home-grown scene it’s a different story entirely.

A bitter turf war between two rival circuits, which has spooked sponsors and divided players, shows little sign of easing, and Asian golfers are making slow progress on the world stage with just nine listed in the top 100.

China, the great new market with an ever-increasing number of courses and recreational players, is developing at a glacial rate in competitive terms with only three men ranked among the world’s best 800.

Asia’s inter-circuit rivalry even ended up before the courts with four struggling players, who were fined and suspended by the Asian Tour for taking part in OneAsia events, winning a restraint of trade case

in Singapore.

Meanwhile traditional cornerstone events are facing trouble. Prize money at the venerable Hong Kong Open was slashed to just US$2 million (B61 million), and organisers went cap-in-hand for government funds to pay appearance fees for top players.

The Singapore Open, touted as “Asia’s Major” and its oldest national open dating back to 1961, lost title sponsor Barclays and is missing from next year’s European schedule, with its future date and backers unclear.

While those events hit hard times, the European and American tours remain in a powerful position with a series of big, multi-million dollar tournaments that remain the season’s highlights.

The WGC-HSBC Champions, which featured just nine winners of Asian Tour events and four Chinese players at its last edition in November, has signed on for a five-year stint in Shanghai with Major-level prize money of US$8.5 million (B260 million).

But the year’s most talkedabout event, China’s “Duel at Jinsha Lake”, was unsanctioned, featured only Woods and Rory McIlroy and was over in just one day of spectator mayhem and gratuitous

displays of wealth by the organisers.

Perhaps not surprisingly, local players barely figured at the top tournaments and out of five European and PGA-backed events since late October, only three Asians, in total, finished in the top 10, and none in the top five.

And among Asia’s top performers this year, several, including Asian Tour merit winner Thaworn Wiratchant, and Thongchai Jaidee and Jeev Milkha Singh, who won the Wales and Scottish opens respectively, are in their forties.

However those victories also show it’s not all bleak for Asian golf, and there are other signs to cheer the optimist.

In June, Beijing-bor n Florida resident Andy Zhang played the US Open at just 14, and China’s Guang Tianlang, who is the same age and also trains frequently in the United States, is set to break the US Masters age record next year.

Asians continue to dominate the women’s game with four of the top five players, including world number one Yani Tseng and Park In-Bee, the highest earner on this year’s US LPGA tour.

The men in charge of Asia’s rival tours both insist that the future is bright and that the

trajectory, despite admitted problems, remains upward.

Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han said his organisation provides the “right balance” of tournaments to nurture players, adding in an email: “We are confident the future of professional golf in the region is secure.”

OneAsia chairman and commissioner Sang Y. Chun called Asia’s development “alarmingly strong”, and even held out the possibility of working with the Asian Tour to bring the region on to a more equal footing with Europe and the PGA. However for some observers, the current situation is very different from the high hopes of nearly 20 years ago, when the Asian Tour first came into being.

“Some people on all sides are claiming they’re working for the betterment of golf and in fact they’re doing no such thing,” Spencer Robinson, managing editor of Asian Golf Monthly, told AFP last month.

“You just want to shake these guys, pick them up by the ears and bash their heads together and say, ‘For Christ’s sake, there’s a big enough pie.

Let’s all sit down and work together’.” AFP

WORLD SPORT 25

Hot-blooded US athletes like their gun arsenals US AT H LET ES W ER E quick to denounce the Connecticut school massacre, but a string of shootings involving star players indicates that many are avid gun owners who pack their heat wherever they go.

The shootings have alarmed fans and drawn the wrath of league commissioners like Roger Goodell of the National Football League, trying to crack down on bad behaviour with tougher rules, longer suspensions and increased counselling.

Professional athletes have been known to take guns on team flights, carry them in their cars and even sneak them into their teams’ dressing rooms.

Earlier this month, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher used a .40-calibre handgun to kill his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, in their home.

Belcher then drove to the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium, where he used a different handgun to kill himself in front of the team’s coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli.

Many American sports stars were shaken by the slaughter of 20 young children and six adults allegedly shot by 20-year-old Adam Lanza at a Connecticut elementary school on Friday.

Some, like Tennessee Titans player Chris Johnson, paid tribute to the victims by wearing shoes with the names of the children and their teachers written on them.

But Belcher’s case is not an isolated one. There have been a number of off-field incidents over the years involving US athletes and firearms.

Three years ago, NBA player Delonte West, who was

playing for Cleveland at the time, was riding a motorcycle when he was pulled over by police.

They found a 9mm handgun in his waistband, a .357 Magnum revolver strapped to his leg and a shotgun hidden in a guitar case slung over his shoulder.

Lito Sheppard, who played for the NFL’s Oakland Raiders last year, reportedly owned around 17 guns, while former NBA star Jayson Williams was showing his gun collection to friends in 2002 when a gun went off accidentally, killing his limo driver Costas Christofi.

NFL player Darrent Williams was shot dead in his limousine outside a Denver nightclub six years ago following an earlier altercation.

In 2006, a total of 15 NFL players were arrested on violence-related charges.

Incidents like these have left experts asking whether there is an increased gun culture among athletes, or if they are a reflection of American society as a whole.

Many athletes say they need guns because their celebrity and wealth makes them a target.

Former NFL head coach Tony Dungy said that when he was coaching, he’d always ask at the team’s first teaming of the season, “How many of you guys have guns?”

“I was always shocked at the number of guys who raised their hand. (But) it’s just a fact of life. These guys had them,” he told USA Today earlier this month.

“I think so many of these young guys have been around guns and have seen guns, and they just feel that’s part of the landscape for them.” AFP

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26 WORLD SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PREMIER LEAGUE PREDICTIONS: WEEK 19

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

THIS YEAR’S GRAND PRIZE IS SPONSORED BY:

Cazorla treble lifts Arsenal gloom FOOTBALL

S

anti Cazorla scored a hat-trick to lift Arsenal’s spirits as the Gunners bounced back from their League Cup humiliation with an emphatic 5-2 victory at Reading on Monday.

Spain midfielder Cazorla struck twice in the first half after Lukas Podolski’s opener and completed his treble after the break to shatter Reading’s hopes.

Adam Le Fondre and Jimmy Kebe reduced the deficit for Reading, but Theo Walcott’s late strike confirmed Arsenal’s rise to fifth place, and left the hosts at the bottom of the table, six points adrift of safety.

League leaders Manchester United preserved their six-point lead at the top, seeing off Sunderland 3-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Goals from Robin van Persie and midfielder Tom Cleverley gave the hosts a half-time lead and Wayne Rooney added a third before the hour, only for United old boy Fraizer Campbell to pull one back late on for the Black Cats.

Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla. Photo: Ronnie Macdonald Ferguson’s team have now won 10 of their last 11 league matches, while Martin O’Neill’s Sunderland remain just one point above the relegation zone after their defeat at Old Trafford.

Manchester City won by the same 3-1 scoreline at Newcastle United, but are still six points behind United, who beat them a week ago.

Liverpool were brought down to earth in a 3-1 loss at home to Aston Villa.

The Reds were gunning for a third straight win in the league but Belgian striker Christian Benteke scored twice and set up a goal for Andreas Weimann to lift Paul Lambert’s side three

points clear of the bottom three.

Queens Park Rangers ended their long wait for victory at the 17th attempt, winning 2-1 at home to Fulham to climb off the foot of the table at the expense of Reading.

Adel Taarabt’s deflected shot broke the deadlock seven minutes after half-time and the mercurial Moroccan then scored a superb second goal in the 68th minute, before Mladen Petric replied for Fulham to leave QPR fans with a nervous wait for the final whistle.

Tottenham Hotspur rekindled their push for Champions League qualification by overcoming Swansea City 1-0 to

return to the Premier League’s top four.

Jan Vertonghen claimed the game’s only goal with 15 minutes remaining at White Hart Lane. Spurs had slipped out of the top four after shipping two late goals in a 2-1 loss at Everton a week earlier.

West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United both failed to reverse disappointing series of results with a 0-0 draw between the teams.

The draw left West Brom in sixth place, two points below the top four, while visitors West Ham lie 11th following a run of matches that has seen them pick up just five points from a possible 18.

Kenwyne Jones’ first Premier League goal of the season preserved Stoke City’s unbeaten home record as the Potters drew 1-1 with Everton on Saturday.

Norwich City have now gone 10 games unbeaten in the Premier League after winning 2-1 at home to Wigan Athletic to climb to seventh.

In The Phuket News tipping competition, players gafferworld, mickyleeds, jamiemonk and Blackrosebar are tied at the top of the December monthly

TOM’S TIPS WEEK 20 Wigan Athletic v Arsenal Manchester City v Reading Newcastle United v QPR Southampton v Sunderland Tottenham v Stoke West Brom v Norwich West Ham v Everton Liverpool v Fulham Swansea v Man United Chelsea v Aston Villa

Lose Win Win Win Win Win Lose Win Lose Win

MONTHLY STANDINGS 1. Blackrosebar 2. gafferworld 3. jamiemonk 4. mickyleeds 5. Ping 6. bazerb 7. diggersd 8. Kathu Bandit 9. MRB 10. sami

THIS MONTH'S COMPETITION IS SUPPORTED BY:

OVERALL STANDINGS 69 69 69 69 66 63 63 63 63 63

scores with 69 points each.

Suncat100 still leads the yearly total scores with 340 points, but challenger mickeyleeds, at 338 points, may have narrowed the gap to within striking distance.

This month (December 2012) the competition is spon-

1. suncat100 2. mickyleeds 3. scottkip 4. bazerb 5. apollo131 6. Blackrosebar 7. diggersd 8. toptipster 9. MRB 10. Kathu Bandit

340 338 329 320 317 312 309 309 306 305

sored by Australian Bar & Grill in Kata. The monthly winner will receive a 3,000 baht voucher to spend at the venue.

The overall winner at the end of the year will win a brand new Honda Scoopy courtesy of AP Honda.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

WORLD SPORT 27

Clarke in race to be fit for 2nd Test

Big task for depleted Black Caps on South Africa tour CRICKET

CRICKET

T H E N EW Z EA LA N D Black Caps will be underdogs on their cricket tour of South Africa, with the first Twenty20 international against South Africa scheduled for Durban on Friday.

Hit by injuries and the unavailability of leading batsman and former captain Ross Taylor, New Zealand’s best chance of matching their powerful hosts would appear to be in three Twenty20 internationals, which precede two Tests and three one-day internationals.

Led by Brendon McCullum, one of the world’s leading T20 batsmen, New Zealand will hope to match an experimental South African squad in the shortest form of the game.

Their chances in the Tests would seem to be minimal against South Africa, who claimed the world No 1 ranking by beating England in England earlier this year and then endorsed that status with an away win against Australia.

New Zealand’s hopes in the Tests are likely to depend on a handful of key players

A

ust ralian captain Michael Clarke is confident he will be fit for the second Test against Sri Lanka and started an intensive physio campaign Wednesday to overcome a hamstring strain.

The world’s leading Test batsman suffered the twinge in his team’s 137-run win over the tourists in Hobart this week and he is racing the clock to recover in time for the next encounter in Melbourne from December 26.

“I k now I’m in g reat hands with (team physio) Alex (Kountouris) and I know how great a physio he is,” said Clarke, who reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Test batsman rankings released Tuesday evening.

Cla rke, who e nt e re d the Hobar t Test t railing Shivnarine Chanderpaul by just one ratings point, now leads the West Indian by nine points after knocks of 74 and 57.

“Obviously my preparation will be a little bit different to the lead-up to this Test match but I’ve done a fair bit of bat-

World’s leading Test batsman Michael Clarke. Photo: AFP ting throughout the summer so I’m confident,” he added.

The prolific Clarke needs just 55 runs to equal Ricky Ponting’s Australian record of 1,544 Test runs in a calendar year, set in 2005. The Melbourne Test is the last chance to overhaul his now retired former team-mate.

Clarke was included in the 12-man squad announced

Live Sports TV Schedule

CHANNEL GUIDE

END

SPORT

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO

Friday, December 21 32

23:00

02:30

Cricket

T20

South Africa v.

New Zealand

Saturday, December 22 107

20:00

22:00 Rugby Union Aviva Premiership

Bath v. Saracens

107

22:00

00:00 Rugby Union Aviva Premiership

Northampton v.

Harlequins

814

21:00

22:45 Rugby Union

29

20:30

23:30

811

22:00

00:00

811

00:10

02:10

French Top 14

Grenoble v. Toulouse

Cricket

T20

India v. England

Soccer

NPower

Leicester v. Cardiff

Soccer

NPower

Crystal Palace v.

Huddersfield

813, 109

18:30

21:30

Soccer

Suzuki Cup

Thailand v. Singapore

812, 101

19:45

21:45

Soccer

EPL

Wigan v. Arsenal

812, 101

22:00

00:00

Soccer

EPL

Man City v. Reading

102

22:00

00:00

Soccer

EPL

West Bromwich v.

Norwich

813, 103

22:00

00:00

Soccer

EPL

Tottenham v. Stoke

817, 106

22:00

00:00

Soccer

EPL

Newcastle v. QPR

161

22:00

00:00

Soccer

EPL

Southampton v.

Sunderland

817, 103

00:30

02:30

Soccer

EPL

Liverpool v. Fulham

Sunday, December 23 107

20:55

22:55 Rugby Union Aviva Premiership

Wasps v. Sale

32

23:00

02:30

Cricket

T20

South Africa v.

New Zealand

812, 101

20:25

22:30

Soccer

EPL

Swansea v. Man United

817, 101

23:00

01:00

Soccer

EPL

Chelsea v. Aston Villa

Team

bowlers.

Faul talked up the appeal of the South African side, claiming that local supporters would be eager to see their country’s stars in action on home soil for the first time in almost a year.

The New Zealand T20 squad includes five new caps and there is one uncapped player, left-arm spinner Bruce Martin, in the Test party. The oneday squad has not been announced.

McCullum, appointed captain in all three formats after what appeared to be a botched communication between Taylor and coach Mike Hesson, admitted the Black Caps would have been stronger if Taylor was in a team already missing world-class spin bowling all-rounder Daniel Vettori.

“There’s obviously been some distractions back home, but we know there is a monumental task in front of us,” said McCullum. “To take it on without some of our better players is disappointing, but that’s what we’ve got to do.” AFP

Spanish Primera Liga

English Premier League

1XX- True Vision, 8XX - Astra; 8 - Setanta

*Times may be subject to change

CHANNEL START

Tuesday with Usman Khawaja on standby. The Pakistan-born Khawaja played the last of his six Tests against New Zealand in Hobart a year ago.

“I’m really confident that with seven, eight days’ turnaround (the injury will heal),” added Clarke.

“I’ll be giving myself every opportunity, that’s for sure.” AFP

such as batsmen McCullum, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson and fast bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult.

Not only will the New Zealanders have difficulty matching South Africa on the field, but they will also have to convince a sceptical local public that they are worthy opponents.

Jacques Faul, the acting chief executive of Cricket South Africa, took the unusual step of distancing the organisation from negative media comments about the quality of a New Zealand side ranked eighth in Test and T20 cricket and ninth in one-day internationals.

South Africa are first, fifth and second in the respective categories.

“It is fundamental at any level of sport to respect the opposition, regardless of the team they put in the field,” said Faul.

He pointed out that New Zealand had recently drawn a Test series in Sri Lanka, McCullum had hit a record T20 international score, and that New Zealand had a crop of talented young cricketers, especially among their fast

MP

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

MP

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

1

Manchester United

17

14

0

3

43

24

42

1

Barcelona

16

15

1

0

54

18

46

2

Manchester City

17

10

6

1

33

15

36

2

Atlético Madrid

16

12

1

3

36

17

37

3

Chelsea

16

8

5

3

28

17

29

3

Real Madrid

16

10

3

3

39

14

33

4

Tottenham Hotspur

17

9

2

6

30

25

29

4

Málaga

16

8

4

4

25

10

28

5

Arsenal

17

7

6

4

31

18

27

5

Real Betis

16

9

1

6

25

26

28

6

Everton

17

6

9

2

28

21

27

6

Levante

16

8

3

5

21

21

27

7

West Bromwich Albion

17

8

3

6

24

21

27

7

Getafe

16

7

3

6

19

21

24

8

Norwich City

17

6

7

4

19

25

25

8

Real Valladolid

16

6

4

6

22

18

22

Team

9

Stoke City

17

5

9

3

15

13

24

9

Real Sociedad

16

6

4

6

22

19

22

10

Swansea City

17

6

5

6

26

22

23

10

Rayo Vallecano

16

7

1

8

19

32

22

11

West Ham United

17

6

5

6

21

20

23

11

Valencia

16

6

3

7

19

24

21

12

Liverpool

17

5

7

5

23

23

22

12

Athletic Club

16

6

3

7

21

32

21

13

Fulham

17

5

5

7

28

29

20

13

Sevilla

16

5

4

7

21

24

19

14

Aston Villa

17

4

6

7

15

24

18

14

Real Zaragoza

16

6

1

9

18

24

19

15

Newcastle United

17

4

5

8

19

26

17

15

Celta de Vigo

16

4

3

9

16

21

15

16

Sunderland

17

3

7

7

18

24

16

16

Osasuna

16

3

5

8

13

17

14

17

Southampton

16

4

3

9

22

32

15

17

Granada

16

3

4

9

11

24

13

18

Wigan Athletic

17

4

3

10

18

32

15

18

Mallorca

16

3

4

9

14

28

13

19

Queens Park Rangers

17

1

7

9

15

30

10

19

Espanyol

16

2

6

8

17

26

12

20

Reading

17

1

6

10

21

36

9

20

Deportivo La Coruña

16

2

6

8

21

37

12

RESULTS Newcastle United Chelsea Liverpool Manchester United Norwich City

1–3 Pstp.

1 – 3 3–1 2–1

Manchester City Southampton Aston Villa Sunderland Wigan Athletic

QPR Stoke City Tottenham West Brom Reading

2 – 1 1 – 1 1 – 0 0–0 2 – 5

Fulham Everton Swansea City West Ham United Arsenal

RESULTS Getafe Mallorca Granada Sevilla Real Zaragoza

1 – 1 0–1 0–0 0–2 0–1

Osasuna Athletic Club Real Sociedad Málaga Levante

Valencia Real Madrid Barcelona Deportivo La Coruña Celta de Vigo

0–1 2–2 4–1 0–0 0–1

Rayo Vallecano Espanyol Atlético Madrid Real Valladolid Real Betis

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Sport

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012

Phuket FC make new signings Club announces two reinforcements, more promised in January > 23

editor2@thephuketnews.com

Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match FC Barcelona versus SL Benfica at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on December 5. He will once again be central to his team’s chances of Champions League glory. Photo: AFP

Chasing glory FOOTBALL

A

glamourous ceremony held in Nyon, Switzerland yesterday (December 20), after The Phuket News had gone to press, unveiled the much anticipated pairings for the knockout phase of the Champions League, as the 16 remaining teams continue their quest to reach the May 25 final at Wembley.

A fresh champion will lift one of the most recognisable trophies in the game after holders Chelsea suffered the humiliation of becoming the first defending champions to exit following the group phase.

Perennial favourites Barcelona went into the hat for

next February’s matches, as the team everyone wants to avoid, although fellow pool winners Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, Malaga, Juventus, Schalke 04 and Bayern Munich were all guaranteed to avoid the four-time champions as seeded teams.

Real Madrid, who won the last of their nine European Cups in 2002, were the pick of the second-placed group teams although, along with Valencia, they cannot face their Catalan arch-rivals as teams from the same country cannot face each other until the quarter-finals.

Celtic who became the first British team to win the trophy back in 1967 when they beat

Inter Milan, are the only other side from the runners-up that include Porto, Galatasaray, Shakhtar Donetsk, AC Milan and Arsenal, who are certain to avoid Tito Vilanova’s team.

Paris Saint-Germain, who make their first appearance in the knockout stages since 1995, had the best record in the group round as two-time champion Carlo Ancelotti guided the mega-rich capital outfit to five wins and one defeat – 1-0 against Porto.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, who guided Porto and Inter Milan to unexpected crowns in 2004 and 2010 respectively, prophesised that 1997 champions Dortmund can go all the way under Juergen Klopp, after pipping his

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (FRA)

Coach: Carlo Ancelotti (ITA) Champions League/European Cup best: semi-finalists (1995)

Pipped to the Ligue 1 title by Montpellier last season, mega-rich Paris Saint-Germain are desperate to make a mark in the Champions League this term. With close-season signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the fore, they won five of their six group games to finish above Porto in Group A and boast the competition’s meanest defence with just three goals conceded.

SCHALKE (GER)

Coach: Jens Keller (GER) Champions League/European Cup best: semi-finalists (2011)

Schalke finished top of a group that also contained Arsenal and French champions Montpellier, but Dutchman Huub Stevens was sacked as coach at the weekend after picking up just two points from a possible 18 in the Bundesliga. Former Stuttgart coach Jens Keller was promoted from within to succeed him until the end of the season.

MALAGA (ESP)

Coach: Manuel Pellegrini (CHI) Champions League/European Cup best: last 16 (2013)

Despite making their maiden appearance in the competition, Malaga finished above AC Milan in Group C after taking four points from the Italian giants as they finished the group phase unbeaten. Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini previously led modest Villarreal to the semi-finals in 2006.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND (GER)

Coach: Juergen Klopp (GER) Champions League/European Cup best: winners (1997)

Back-to-back German champions in 2011 and 2012, Dortmund have finally translated their high-octane style to the European area and finished ahead of Real Madrid and Manchester City in Group D. Juergen Klopp’s side have fallen off the pace in the Bundesliga, but their attacking football won plenty of admirers during the group stage.

team to top spot and finishing undefeated.

Bayern Munich are off to a blistering start in the Bundesliga where they are runaway leaders and are back on track to win their first Champions League since beating Valencia in 2001.

Their opponents will come from a group that include Real Madrid, Celtic, Porto, Shakhtar or Arsenal.

Manchester United who won the first of their three European Cups in 1968 when Bobby Charton and George Best were on target in the 4-1 win over Benfica at Wembley, were another team to avoid.

Although they went out in the group phase last season, manager Alex Ferguson has

again tweaked the Old Trafford juggernaut with the inspired signing of Robin van Persie who has already combined with Wayne Rooney for 19 domestic goals, including his league leading 12.

The same cannot be said of Arsenal, who came closest to becoming continental champions in 2006 when they lost 2-1 against Barcelona, but the poor league form of Arsene Wenger’s men in December will count for nothing in a two-legged knockout round, two months down the road.

Juventus took four points off Chelsea including a 3-0 home thrashing and a 49game unbeaten run in Serie A speaks for itself, as the Serie A champions bid for their

third title after wins in 1985 and 1996.

Schalke were the biggest surprise as group winners, but a run of just two points from 18 in Bundesliga action cost Dutchman Huub Stevens his job and the coaching duties now lie with former Stuttgart handler Jens Keller.

Another group winner to look out for is Malaga, who are in the competition for the first time in club history thanks to some inspired leadership from Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini.

The cash rich Costa del Sol outfit finished well clear of AC Milan to set them up nicely for Thursday’s draw. AFP Visit thephuketnews.com to read about the final draw.

JUVENTUS (ITA)

Coach: Antonio Conte (ITA) Champions League/European Cup best: winners (1985, 1996)

Back among the European elite after two seasons in the wilderness, Juventus emerged from a difficult group at the expense of defending champions Chelsea. Their 49-game unbeaten run in Serie A may have been ended by Inter Milan last month, but they go into the draw with an imposing seven-point lead in the Italian top flight.

BAYERN MUNICH (GER)

Coach: Jupp Heynckes (GER) Champions League/European Cup best: winners (1974, 1975, 1976, 2001)

Last season’s penalty shoot-out loss to Chelsea in the final at their own Allianz Arena home was one of the most painful moments in the club’s history, but they appear determined to make amends this season. They recovered from a shock defeat by Belarusian side BATE Borisov to finish top of Group F and they are nine points clear of Bayer Leverkusen ahead of the Bundesliga’s winter break.

BARCELONA (ESP)

Coach: Tito Vilanova (ESP) Champions League/European Cup best: winners (1992, 2006, 2009, 2011)

Despite being eliminated by Chelsea in the semi-finals last season, Barcelona remain the team to beat, having won the competition twice in the last four years. Tito Vilanova has made an assured start to life at Camp Nou since succeeding Pep Guardiola and Barca are already nine points clear in La Liga, thanks in no small part to the continued brilliance of Lionel Messi.

MANCHESTER UNITED (ENG)

Coach: Alex Ferguson (SCO) Champions League/European Cup best: winners (1968, 1999, 2008)

Knocked out in the group phase last season, United finished top of Group H despite two defeats and several wobbly defensive performances. Former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has taken to life at Old Trafford like a duck to water and United’s recent 3-2 win at Manchester City gave them a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League.