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Firefighters across the island are on standby to respond to any wildfires that may break out. Photo: The Phuket News / file
Tanyaluk Sakoot & Eakkapop Thongtub reporter2@classactmedia.co.th
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irefighters throughout Phuket have been put on alert following a spate of small wildfires breaking out across the island. Prapan Kanprasang, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket) confirmed the order on Wednesday (Feb 20). “This year the dry season has arrived quickly. Hot weather and a lack of rain in areas can cause fires to spread easily, just like every year,” Mr Prapan said.
FIREFIGHTERS PUT ON STANDBY AS DRY CONDITIONS TAKE HOLD, SMALL WILDFIRES BREAK OUT
“Fires can easily start from people’s activities, such as burning trash, as well as dry grass and activities in fields. During weather like this, such fires can spread quickly,” he warned. The order was handed down to all local municipalities and tambon administration organisations (OrBorTor) to be responsible for their areas. “All fire equipment and firetrucks must be ready at every local administration,” Mr Prapan explained. “They must understand that this is their own responsibility. They have their own fire departments to respond to fires, whether they be household fires or wildfires,” he said. “If they are not able to control a
fire, the provincial level will step in,” Mr Prapan added. The order followed a spate of small wildfires breaking out at five different locations on the island last Sunday (Feb 16), with the most threatening fire, along the Cherng Talay – Baan Don Rd in Thalang, taking eight firetrucks two hours to bring under control. By that time, the fire had scorched about three rai of a coconut plantation. Sub Lt Suwarin Mrodmuang of the Cherng Talay Police was notified of the fire at 4:30pm. “I immediately informed the firefighters from Cherng Talay OrBorTor and Cherng Talay Municipality. The
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fire was spreading quickly,” Sub Lt Suwarin explained. “Concerned that the fire would soon grow out of control, a total of eight fire trucks were called in. It took all of them two hours to completely stop the fire,” Sub Lt Suwarin added. “We are not sure what started the fire. Nobody knows how it happened yet,” he said. “Luckily, the firefighters stopped the fire before it got close to mansions, luxury villas and residents’ homes,” Sub Lt Suwarin noted. Mr Prapan called on residents to take precautions to prevent fires from starting, and take proactive steps to prevent them from spreading…
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NEWS
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Greek hunted for brutal murder of local beautician
LIFE
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Marine mural art for turtle’s sake in Mai Khao
SPORT
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Phuket City FC first home match held at Surakul
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Chalong Underpass makes breakthrough THE TUNNEL THAT WILL become the Chalong Underpass has now been fully excavated and the construction engineer for the project still hopes that the underpass will be open to traffic in April. Somkiet Yimpong, Project Manager at the Phuket office of the Highways Department, told The Phuket News last Friday (Feb 15) that the tunnel breakthrough came in late January. Work on installing the panelling along the walls of the underpass have already begun, he said. “We still have to install all the fume-extraction fans, noise dampers, water pumps, lights and other things, but overall right now the construction project stands at 76% complete,” Mr Somkiet said. Mr Somkiet still hopes for the underpass to open to traffic in April. “Once all the systems are installed we will have to go through the testing
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Russia set to open Consulate-General in Phuket before year’s end > page 4
Cleaning Koh Racha Go Eco spurs DMCR action over reef blocks Waranya Prompinpiras reporter1@classactmedia.co.th
The tunnel has now been fully excavated and the underpass is hoped to open to traffic in April. Photo: Phuket Highways Office phase, but hopefully this will be all done before the end of April,’ he said. Meanwhile, the structure that now sits in the middle of what used to be Chalong Circle is nearly complete. Construction of the tower is on schedule to be complete next month, Mr Somkiet said. The tower is being built at a cost of B3 million, as part of the overall B546mn budget for the entire underpass project, he explained. The Phuket News
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he Depa r t ment of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) will move to tidy up a pile of artificial reef blocks dumped on the sea bed off Koh Racha Yai, south of Phuket, as they have been targeted as an eyesore for foreign tourist divers. The news follows local marine conservation group Go Eco Phuket posting photos of the pile of concrete cubic frames, sitting piled up on the sea floor in “Bay 1” off Koh Racha, on its Facebook page last Wednesday (Feb 13). Nipon Thongyoo, head of the Development of Fisheries and Marine Environment Division at the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) head office in Bangkok, told The Phuket
The unsightly pile of unused artificial reef blocks dumped on the sea bed in Kon Kare Bay at Koh Racha Yai, south of Phuket, is drawing fire from tourists. Photo: Go Eco Phuket News last Friday (Feb 15) that the Go Eco Phuket post had been brought to the attention of DMCR Director-General Jatuporn Buruspat. “Now, he has ordered me to fix this problem. I plan to do so in the next two to three weeks, but we cannot do anything right now as the wind is too strong,” Mr Nipon said.
Go Eco Phuket confirmed that the pile of blocks sit at the bottom of Kon Kare Bay, on the east side of Koh Racha Yai. Local divers refer to the bay simply as “Bay 1”. Go Eco Phuket Secretary Ittiput Schadt told The Phuket News, “Foreign tourists pay money to dive at Racha Yai. It is a very beautiful island,
but when they dive there, they see a boat that had been sunk to be a dive site and nearby they see these blocks. “At the end of January, a foreign tourist took pictures of these blocks and posted on their own social media with the caption ‘Concrete waste of Phuket tourism’,” he said. One pile alone comprises about 20-30 blocks, amongst about 100 blocks across the sea floor, Mr Ittiput explained. After being informed that DMCR Chief Mr Jatuporn had ordered for action to be taken, Mr Ittiput said, “I am glad that the DMCR gives importance to this issue… If the DMCR is not ready to fix this, if it does not have the budget or the workers ready, they can call us for help. We believe that there are many volunteer divers who are willing to help re-arrange the blocks,” he said.
Wildfire, drought plans take shape Continued from page 1 ...“Do not throw away cigarette butts in risk areas, such as dry grass. Also, please keep fire extinguishers in good condition at all times,” he said. He also urged people who see any fire unattended and seemingly causing risk to life or property to call the 199 fire emergency hotline. “In case of fire, people should use any fire extinguishers available to counter the fire while waiting for help to arrive. Local fire departments in Phuket will deal with fires in their areas. We have teams of firefighters with equipment that can access where fires are and help people very quickly,” Mr Prapan said. Mr Prapan on Wednesday stressed that Phuket had not yet been officially declared amid a “drought”, though admitted a “drought plan” had been drawn up and was to be presented to Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana soon. Meanwhile, Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana this week called on Phuket Town residents to prepare for water rationing in case rain does not arrive soon to replenish the town’s water-supply reserves. “We are requesting cooperation from the public to save water,” Mayor Somjai said. “From January-April every year, we have dry conditions,” she added. Mayor Somjai explained that Phuket City Municipality provides tap water to more than 18,096 residences in Phuket Town and nearby areas and admitted that water reserves were lower than usual for this time of year, but also called on residents to not panic. “There is no crisis yet because we use
The fire in Cherng Talay scorched three rai near homes. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub three water-supply systems connected together that can supply 23,000 cubic meters of water each day,” Mayor Somjai explained. “The municipality uses municipal water supplies, private tin mining lagoons and Bang Wad Reservoir to provide tap water,” she said. Bang Wad Reservoir currently contains about 4,090,595 m3 of water; municipality raw water sources contain about 657,161 m3; Suan Luang Park lake contains about 159,998 m3; a lake near Vachira Phuket Hospital contains about 126,005 m3; the lake along Soi Pha-niang contains about 175,000 m3; Mayor Somjai explained. “However, if there is no rain for a long time, or the raw water sources run too low, Phuket City Municipality has prepared a plan to prevent water shortages,” she said. “If the amount of raw water is not enough, Phuket City Municipality will have to reduce the water pressure from 10am to 5pm and from 10pm to 5am each day,” she explained. “This may cause people in some areas, such as far from water-supply points or in high areas, to have less water and possibly no water flowing at certain times,” she said. thephuketnews
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PHUKET NEWS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Interpol help sought, Greek husband wanted for murder Waranya Prompinpiras reporter1@classactmedia.co.th
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herng Talay Police have filed a request for Interpol to issue a Red Notice for the arrest of 42-year-old Greek national Dimitrios Chairopoulos, who is wanted for the murder of Phuket beautician Niramon Aewkaew. The request was submitted with the Foreign Affairs Division of the Royal Thai Police and the Office of the Attorney-General in Bangkok yesterday, Cherng Talay Police Chief Col Serm Kwannimit confirmed to The Phuket News on Wednesday (Feb 20). “The request is for the Royal Thai Police to ask Interpol to issue a Red Notice for the arrest of Chairopoulos,” Col Serm added. The request for the Interpol Red Notice follows Phuket Provincial Court on Monday (Feb 18) issuing a warrant for the arrest of Chairopoulos, Col Serm explained. That arrest warrant was issued after Cherng Talay Police confirmed that Chairopoulos was seen leaving the room at a guesthouse in Bang Tao where Ms Niramon’s body was found on Saturday (Feb 16). Ms Niramon, 43, originally from Phatthalung, had been battered to death.
Niramon Aewkaew was found battered to death last Saturday (Feb 16) Photo: Tookta Massage for Health & Beauty Salon. INSET: Greek Dimitrios Chairopoulos left Phuket just hours after Ms Niramon was last seen alive. When Ms Niramon’s body was discovered, by her sister, her hands and feet were still bound and she had a black cloth stuffed into her mouth. Police have confirmed that they are waiting for the results of a post-mortem examination to determine whether Ms Niramon was sexually assaulted. Col Serm confirmed to The Phuket News that Ms Niramon and Chairo-
poulos were married at the time of her death. “Their marriage was registered at the Thalang District Office in 2017,” he said. However, Col Serm also noted that one year earlier, in 2016, Ms Niramon filed a report at Cherng Talay Police Station alleging that Chairopoulos, in a jealous rage, had threatened to kill her if she ever left him.
Tourist gored amid elephant trek
AN ITALIAN TOURIST WAS GORED after he and his friend were thrown to the ground during an attack by an elephant they were riding during a jungle trek in Phang Nga on Tuesday (Feb 19). Italian tourists Manuel Trofa, 29, and Francesco Di Megu, 31, were injured in the attack, which happened at about 10:30am. They were riding through a palm oil plantation in Tambon Song Phraek, on Phang Nga’s northern border with Surat Thani province, confirmed Lt Col Boriboon Yusuksomboon of the Thung Kha Ngok Police. Col Boriboon stressed to The Phuket News that the elephant, 8-year-old bull Thanwa (meaning “December”), from Bangkaew Adventure Tour, was not in musth. “We are not sure what provoked the elephant to act violently, it was probably just because of the mood of the elephant,” he said. “And this elephant has never caused harm to humans before,” Col Boriboon added. The mahout, 26-year-old Kanchanapong Karnvijit, told police that they were riding along when Thanwa began acting unusually, Col Boriboon explained. “The elephant started trying to shake the people off its back, so Mr Kanjanapong used the hook once, but the elephant shook more until the two tourists and Mr Kanchanapong were thrown off,” he said. After throwing the tourists and the mahout to the ground, Thanwa turned on them and gored Mr Di Megu in the stomach. The wound saw some of his small intestines spill out, Col Boriboon said. “Mr Kanchanapong and other mahouts together stopped the elephant from hurting the tourists any more. They called staff from @thephuketnews
The Italian tourists were rushed to hospital after they were attacked by the elephant they were riding on. Photo: Phangnga Wat Kao Charoen Tham Rescue Staff the camp to help take the elephant and tie it up in a safe place,” he added. Mr Di Megu was rushed to Phang Nga Hospital, where doctors closed his wound. “He will be taken to Bangkok Hospital Phuket today (Feb 20), where doctors will determine what further treatment he may need,” Col Boriboon said. “Mr Trofa suffered injuries to his left leg. At this stage we are not sure if it was broken in the attack,” he added. Mr Trofa has already been brought to Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Col Boriboon noted. The mahout, Mr Kanchanapong, suffered no major injuries and did not require hospital treatment, he said. “At this stage we still do not know whether or not tourists will claim damages, but the tour company has insurance coverage for medical expenses (in such situations),” Col Boriboon said. “If medical costs exceed the insurance coverage, by law the tour company must be responsible for paying it,” he said. Waranya Prompinpiras
Regardless, Ms Niramon went on to marry Chairopoulos the following year. Col Serm said police had obtained CCTV footage showing the couple leaving the room in the afternoon of Feb 11 – the last time that Ms Niramon was seen alive. The couple returned to the room that evening, but Chairopoulos was seen leaving the room alone that night, Col Serm explained. Chairopoulos was reported as clearing Immigration to exit the country at Phuket International Airport at 10:14pm that same night. “He had bought a ticket from Phuket to Dubai,” Col Serm said. According to Phuket Immigration records, Chairopoulos boarded Emirates Flight EK0379 to Dubai, departing Phuket at 2am. “We are already working on having Chairopoulos taken under arrest,” Col Serm said. “We have already asked the Greek Embassy in Bangkok for their cooperation in arresting him. We have already sent them a copy of the arrest warrant,” he added. “Staff at the Greek Embassy have already called me to confirm details of the case,” Col Serm said. However, at this stage it has yet to be confirmed what action the Greek Embassy will take, he noted.
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The tsunami-evacuation drill in Patong will be on Mar 7. Photo: The Phuket News / file
Patong tsunami drill announced A tsunami-evacuation drill will be held in Patong next month as authorities prepare for a regional exercise in April or May. The evacuation drill in Patong will be conducted on March 7, Phuket Vice Governor Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai confirmed at a meeting held on Feb 13. The meeting comprised officials from local municipalities, who were told to begin preparations for the exercise. Prapan Kanprasang, chief of DDPM-Phuket told The Phuket News, “Officials and the public should understand the evacuation procedure prior to the regional exercise that will be carried out at the end of April or May by the National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC). “NDWC officials will be in Phuket during the regional exercise,” he added. Tanyaluk Sakoot
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PHUKET NEWS
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
PHUKET SEVEN DAY WEATHER FORECAST
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Russian Consulate-General to open in Phuket this year
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THE RUSSIAN FEDERAtion is expected to open a Consulate-General in Phuket later this year to cater to the needs of the resident Russian expat community and Russian tourists alike, Russian Ambassador to Thailand Evgeny Tomikhin has announced. Mr Tomikhin made his announcement on Feb 9 in front of Russian reporters in the run-up to Diplomats’ Day, an event celebrated by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and its staff each year on Feb 10. “We are planning to begin work to open our ConsulateGeneral in Phuket this year. That will give a boost to our diplomatic presence,” Russia’s TASS agency quotes the Ambassador as saying. Mr Tomikhin stressed that Phuket ranks high on the list of Thai locations with the biggest
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Driver fined B400 for reckless U-turn Waranya Prompinpiras reporter1@classactmedia.co.th
For years Russian residents of Phuket had to fly to Bangkok to get the consular services they need. number of Russians resident abroad, alongside Bangkok, Pattaya, Koh Samui, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai. It has yet to be officially announced where the Consulate-General will be located and when exactly it will open its doors on the island. A Russian Honorary Consulate opened last year on Koh Samui, one of the top destinations for Russian tourists and expats in Thailand. Anton Makhrov
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woman who made a dangerous U-turn in Kathu last Wednesday (Feb 13) that forced a tour bus to swerve off the road and into a power pole – cutting off power supply to the area for four hours – has been fined B400 for reckless driving. The bus struck the power pole with enough force to snap the pillar in two. Communications and internet cables were also felled in the impact. The incident occurred at the U-turn in front of the entrance to Soi Samakkhi Si Kor on Phra Phuket Kaew Rd at about 5:30pm, confirmed Capt Nipon Temsang of the Kathu Police.
The bus swerved to avoid hitting a white Fortuner that had made a U-turn right in front of it. Image: Kathu Police CCTV There were no tourists on the bus at the time. The bus driver, 28-yearold Aithakorn Jamratklang, was not injured in the impact, though the front of the bus sustained damage and a broken windscreen. Mr Aithakorn explained to police that he had swerved to avoiding hitting a white Fortuner SUV that had made a U-turn right in front of him. By avoiding hitting the Fortuner, he was unable to avoid hitting the power pole, he said. Meanwhile, the white Fortuner continued on its way and left the scene. The entire incident was recorded on Kathu Police traffic camera CCTV. However, the driver of the
Fortuner, 45-year-old Saichol Muasikew, later presented herself at the police station, confirmed L/Cpl Phatchara Wichernnara of the Kathu Police. She was fined B400 for reckless driving causing damage to another person's property, Capt Nipon said. “She said she was shocked and scared. She presented herself at the police station without police having to track her down,” he added. “Miss Saichol will be held responsible for paying damages for the cost of repairing the broken power pole and for the cost of repairs for the bus,” Capt Nipon said. Waranya Prompinpiras and Eakkapop Thongtub
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Opinion 6
OPINION
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
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084 307 7408 execeditor@classactmedia.co.th Fifteen years working in news and covering local issues and events in Phuket, with 18-month hiatus spent working for the Brunei Times on Borneo. From Queensland, Australia; 10 years living in the UK before moving to Phuket in 2000. Degree in business management. Spare time spent sailing or with family.
PORIA MERMAND
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editor3@classactmedia.co.th From risk analyst to music producer to news editor, Poria has worked in various contrasting fields following his graduation from university. Growing up in central London before moving to Phuket in 2016, he has but one ambition, freedom.
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EDITORIAL
Last orders, please
s residents and tourists alike witnessed this week, Thailand still has laws in effect bringing in nationwide alcohol bans. The ban this week was for Makha Bucha, one of five religious days throughout the year on which the sale of alcohol is banned by law. The ban applies to every person in the Kingdom, and we have four more to go this year: Visakha Bucha (May 18), Asarnha Bucha (July 16), Khao Pansa (July 17) and Wan Org Pansa (Oct 13). With the March 24 national election just four weeks away, those who have not been in Thailand for electoral polls – and specifically expats who landed on the island in the past four years – are about to learn that the Election Act also mandates that an alcohol ban be enforced from midnight to midnight on election day in
Former freelance writer and editor for a music news and reviews website in the UK. Now turning her hobby into a career with The Phuket News and broadening her scope from music to, well, everything. Likes the weird and wonderful.
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sibly later – but very likely to all be held before the end of the year. We are hoping that some common sense will prevail and that all the local council elections for Phuket are held across the island on one day, with the PPAO election held on another. That would create just two more islandwide alcohol bans in Phuket due to elections, instead of having 20 more piecemeal alcohol bans in constituencies where and when local elections are being held, including the heavy tourist areas of Patong, Karon and elsewhere along Phuket’s west coast as well as in Phuket Town. In a country with its most popular faith eternally calling for people to find the middle way in resolving issues in life, surely we can find some middle ground on this particular issue, especially on the country’s most successful tourism island.
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Phuket Immigration clarifies new rules on retirement visas to start March 1 Phuket Opinion: Fear and loathing in paradise Patong tsunami evacuation drill announced Patong traffic alert for Central opening Police hunt killer of local beautician Police probe launched after Chinese tourist suffers DCS in ‘try dive’ Chalong Underpass makes breakthrough Patong Police Chief: Leave your valuables at home Alcohol sales prohibited on Makha Bucha Day Phuket health officials, police unite to enforce Makha Bucha alcohol ban
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AMY BRYANT
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areas where an election for a public post is being held. On March 24, that means a nationwide alcohol ban. What most people have yet to realise is that with the national election out of the way, the door opens for elections for every single local council and elected seat in the country as all of them have now exceeded the maximum four years for any incumbent. In Phuket, that means elections will be held for 19 local councils – 12 municipalities and seven tambon administration organisations (OrBorTor) – as well as the provincial elections for council members of the Phuket Provincial Administration (PPAO, or OrBorJor). According to the Phuket office of the Election Commission of Thailand, the local elections for these posts are all expected be held sometime from May through July – pos-
TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com
Rules and regs
Re: Holding the balance: Phuket Immigration clarifies new rules on retirement visas to start March 1 That date of 21st October 2008 is a misprint. It should read 21st October 1998 as per police order. Sir Burr The issue is the constant changing of rules. Lots of my mates are now looking to move elsewhere in SE Asia. Bill Latham
Driving a hard bargain
Re: Driver fined B400 for reckless driving as tour bus slams into power pole to avoid collision B400 – that will teach her! Fascinated Why is it that the wages people expect to earn here have increased ten-fold in the last decade but the traffic fines are still stuck in the 80s? B400 is only just above the minimum day’s wage on Phuket. An effective deterrent is a week’s wages, not just the cost of a cheap dinner. Of course we all know that no one
pays the fines no matter the amount, so logic says don’t bother, right? CaptainJack69 Although the fine is very low for dangerous driving, the costs of all the repairs is going to be pretty high. suave
Trash talk
Re: Koh Kaew OrBorTor tackles roadside dumping Congratulations to the OrBorTor President Khuakiet Chitkhua on a brilliant idea. Now how about islandwide? A small fee could be charged and some of the items collected could be repurposed. Island Man Whichever OrBorTor is in charge of Koh Siray, they need to do something about the increasing amount of trash being dumped in the mangrove between the bridge and the clocktower. Galong Recycling locations should be provided by every municipality. Somewhere people can take their “unacceptable” waste. Currently there is no
alternative for many things but to dump them. The pick-up service is an excellent idea but it’s unsustainable and wont last unless a fee is charged. CaptainJack69
Valuable lesson
Re: Patong Police issue warning and advice after French tourist’s bag is stolen with thousands of euros inside it. A fool and her money are soon parted. Why carry that much money knowing you will be leaving your bag unattended? If I know I’m going to the beach I will only carry B500-1,000 with me. Cara Love When I go to the beach I know roughly how much I need; the rest, including essential documents (passport, ID, drivers licence), stay in the safe. Never had a problem in my 15 years visiting any destination in Thailand. Stephan Koechli Insurance scam? Sorry for the cynicism, but who would take a bag to the beach containing a wad of cash, and not know exactly how much? Geoffrey Morris
I highly doubt it’s an insurance scam. Even the expensive policies only cover you for a few hundred euros. It does seem fishy though. Alan Stephen
Not such a long way to go
Re: Chalong Underpass makes breakthrough When it is finally completed, there will still be a roundabout! Someone should have videoed this start to finish and put it to Benny Hill's theme song. Galong I am optimistic that it will be two lanes, fully drained, great signal system and safe speed cameras. Or any one of the above. Please. I can’t stand another year of being trapped below Chalong all summer. Vanessa Louise Temple Three million for the tower. Crazy. Just for someone to hit within three months. Nigel Ward No central barrier. Looks like a lot of accidents are going to happen in there. Anthony Bridges
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
THAILAND NEWS
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Crackdown on criminal monks
CSD chief vows to make 2019 year of ‘sweeping temples clean’ NATIONWIDE Bangkok Post
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he Crime Suppression Division (CSD) has added a Suphan Buri temple abbot to a list of arrested criminal suspects on Valentine’s Day in its latest operation to “purify” Buddhism in the country. A day earlier the CSD announced it nabbed 18 monks accused of various wrongdoings, including murders and sexual harassment. CSD chief Chiraphop Phuridet vowed his agency will make 2019 a year of “sweeping temples clean” by further unmasking criminals-turnedmonks nationwide. Investigators are identifying who they are and tracking down where they were ordained, getting clues from piles of arrest warrants. “I’ve ordered CSD officers to conduct cross-country investigations by looking at each arrest warrant,” Pol Maj Gen Chiraphop said. The suspects cannot simply use the monkhood to shield
CSD chief Chiraphop Phuridet vowed his agency will make 2019 a year of ‘sweeping temples clean’. Photo: AFP themselves, he stressed. “I want to purify the religion, so people will trust monks wholeheartedly again.” The latest case in Suphan Buri, the 19th on the list, came to light after police found Phra Sangkharak Kanatathamo, abbot of Wat Ro Charoen in Bang Pla Ma district, had
escaped charges of attempted murder and illegal possession of weapons for 15 years. The 40-year-old monk is actually Paphonsan Phetphun who, along with his friends, allegedly shot a rival in Nakhon Sri Thammarat’s Tha Sala district in 2006, according to the CSD.
Gen Apirat Kongsompong (right). Photo: AFP
Army chief’s song evokes protest BANGKOK SMALL GROUPS OF PROand anti-military activists gathered in front of army headquarters on Wednesday (Feb 20), expressing opinions on the army chief’s predilection for an anti-communist song from the mid-1970s. Activists and police also engaged in a brief song battle. The two groups showed up about the same time on Ratchadamnoen Avenue. Police quickly separated them and let anti-regime activists express their views first. Among them, Prit Chiwarak called on army chief Gen Apirat Kongsompong @thephuketnews
to stop the playing of the song Nak Phandin (Burden on the Land) over the army’s many radio outlets and at army units. He said that the lyrics accused political opponents of undermining society. Another anti-regime activist, Ekachai Hongkangwan loudly played the anti-regime song Prathet Ku Mee (What My Country’s Got). Seconds later police countered with the national contribution song Khwam Fan An Soong Sood (Greatest Dream), played briefly and loudly on a big portable speaker. Later a pro-military group from Thon Buri area of Bangkok took its turn. Leading the group,
Bancha Panwiwat said the military protected the country and they supported the military. About 50 police supervised the scene. Earlier this week, Gen Apirat responded to politicians’ election policies promising to cut the defence budget and end compulsory conscription by recommending they listen to the song Nak Phandin – a right-wing anticommunist song associated with the massacre of students and activists on Oct 6, 1976. This drew strong criticism, and demands that the army commander-in-chief stay out of politics. Bangkok Post
The following year, he again fired a gun at a person on Koh Samui. The suspect entered the monkhood to escape arrest warrants issued by Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Samui provincial courts and appeared to have evaded arrest until police caught up with him
on Valentine’s Day last week. Cases like this are dangerous as suspects often simply continue to offend. “They exploit people’s faith to commit more wrongdoings,” Maj Gen Chiraphop said. “The problem is, people don’t know [their past criminal
records] and local police don’t pay much heed. “If no immediate action is taken, not only will Buddhism be marred, but monks wearing saffron merely to hide their misdeeds will also raise concerns over the safety of temple-goers,” he said. “They do not know whether monks they wai, or pay respect to, are in fact involved in serious crimes.” A monk in a temple in the north-eastern province of Kalasin had been also on the run for a charge of attempted murder for 15 years, the CSD said. The alleged wrongdoing of Phra Bunchu, or Bunchu Champasi, 48, after he, along with a female suspect, injured a rival with a broken bottle during a dispute in Rayong in 2007 was totally unknown to his followers in Kalasin. The CSD says it needs help if it is to nab these monks. “Temples and people dealing with ordination must carefully check the criminal backgrounds of prospective monks,” Maj Gen Chiraphop said.
THAILAND NEWS
8
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Poisonous pesticides for now
National committee rejects ban on toxic agricultural chemicals BANGKOK Bangkok Post
T
he national committee on hazardous substances has rejected a request by a network to support a total ban on the use of three toxic agricultural chemicals, namely paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos in Thailand. The national committee on hazardous substances held a special meeting on Thursday (Feb 14) to consider the network’s request for the ban, which has also received support from the Public Health Ministry and the Office of the Ombudsman. Last December, the Ombudsman submitted its suggestion to the panel that it should ban paraquat by Jan 1, 2020. The network, which consists of almost 700 organisations from across the country, says it is mulling whether to appeal to the Central Administrative Court against the decision. However, the committee meeting chaired by deputy permanent-secretary for in-
dustry, Apichin Jotikasthira disagreed with the petition, saying it was only supporting the use of paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos in farming areas until new substances can replace the chemicals. On Wednesday Feb 13, members of the Pharmacy Council organised a small public protest to demand an immediate ban on two herbicides, paraquat and glyphosate, and the pesticide chlorpyrifos by the end of the year in the interests of public safety. In a statement, council president Assoc Prof Jiraporn Limpananont said a ban would be in line with the internationally recognised precautionary principle on the control of hazardous substances, to protect farmers and consumers, and the principle of ensuring sustainable agricultural resources. She said the three chemicals were extremely poisonous. A few teaspoons of paraquat were lethal. Researchers had found paraquat contamination in the blood of pregnant women, umbilical cords, meconium (a newborn’s
The national committee on hazardous substances rejected a ban on paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos. Photo: AFP faeces), water, plants and food. Fifty-three countries had already banned its use, including the biggest producer of paraquat, China, she said. Glyphosate was deemed a carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer) by the Interna-
tional Agency for Research on Cancer. Researchers had found it in mothers and umbilical cords. Many countries had banned it and the chemical’s producer in Germany lost a major legal dispute, with nearly 10,000 lawsuits related
The three agro-chemicals are still commonly used by Thai farmers for corn, cassava and other crops. Photo: AFP
to the weedkiller, Assoc Prof Jiraporn said. Chlor pyrifos retarded children’s learning ability and had been found in the blood of pregnant women and umbilical cords. it was banned in many countries, including the United States, she said. The three are still commonly used by Thai farmers in the cultivation of corn, cassava, sugarcane, rubber, oil palm, and fruits. Apichin Jotikasthira said the panel will evaluate the controlled use of the chemicals every three months to see whether control measures are effective. “We will reconsider the matter in two years in regards to whether we will ban them or not,” he said. He said the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will issue regulations on control of the use of the substances, including limiting exports, restrictions on which areas and on which
plants they can be used, and which shops will be licensed to sell them. Mr Apichin said the committee had spent four hours discussing the petition and agreed improper use of any hazardous substances would have impacts on people's health and the environment. The authorities would have to make sure the direct users of those chemical substances realise how to use them properly, he said. The Department of Agriculture is the prime state agency that will help provide information on the proper use of the chemical substances. Prokchol Ousat, coordinator of Thai-PAN, one of the organisations in the network, said she was disappointed with the committee appeared not to care about the people's health and environment. “The network is considering to appeal to the court,” he said.
Robbers bomb ATM, get no cash CHANTHABURI A SM A LL BOM B WAS detonated at an ATM in Khlung district about 2am on Wednesday (Feb 20), but the cash box remained intact and the two would-be robbers fled empty-handed. The explosion occurred as an ATM in front of I Mang Credit Union Cooperative on Sueng Patana Sai 5 Rd in Tambon Sueng. The blast shattered the
A capture from Channel 8 news footage shows the bombed Bangkok Bank ATM. body of the seven-month-old Bangkok Bank ATM, and damaged the concrete wall and ceiling lamp. However,
the cash box showed only a few dents and the thieves were unable to open it. An eyewitness said he heard an explosion at about 1:54am, when he was adding money to his prepaid phone account at a kiosk about 100 metres away. He saw two men, who covered their heads as they fled on a blue Honda motorcycle. Police said a pipe bomb was used for the attempted robbery. Bangkok Post thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
BUSINESS NEWS
9
Central takes hold in Patong
B2bn Central Patong mall opens, sets sights on foreign tourists RETAIL The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th
C
entral Patong, the 23rd Central Department Store in the country, officially opened with a Grand Opening last Friday (Feb 15). The festivities included ‘The Grand Celebration Show’, which featured spectacular performances, including the ‘Flying Angels’ acrobatics, a Lighting Extravaganza and special guest appearances from singer Thassapak Hsu (Bie KPN) and actor Alek Teeradetch. The celebrations continued through to last Sunday (Feb 17) with a host of activities and performances to entertain visitors, including the Patong Carnival Troupe, the Joe Louis Traditional Thai Puppet shows, Muay Thai shows & B-Boy dancers. The store, built at a total investment of B2 billion, is expected to help boost Phuket’s tourism and economy, bringing shoppers the same world-class quality and standards as its Bangkok-based Central stores, with leading international brands, tempting opening offers and spectacular events, said a release announcing the opening.
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Central Patong, near the intersection of Bangla Rd and Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd, is targetting shoppers from China, Russia and Europe, with multilingual Service Ambassadors throughout the mall. Photo: Central Patong Natira Chirathivat Boonsri, Managing Director of Central Department Store Ltd, explained that Central Patong, located near the corner of Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd and Bangla Rd, is the Central Group’s “second” mall in Phuket, with the decade-old Central Festival and the recently opened Central Floresta
buildings being considered together as the one “Central Phuket” mall. Ms Natira rated the site in Patong as “the perfect location for visitors from around the world, especially those from China, Russia and Europe.” “Central Patong is set to help drive business and tourism in the
area, with new shopping experiences and services, securing Central Department Store’s reputation as being Thailand’s best-loved department store,” she said. To that end, Ms Natira added, “Central Patong is dedicated to both its local and international visitors with a complete range of services.”
Among the tourist-oriented services available are VAT Refunds for foreign tourists who spend B2,000 or more in the mall within the same day, and Luggage Delivery & Storage by Airportels, which provides a luggage storage service at counters and a shipping service for shopping bags to be delivered to customers’ desired destinations. The mall also offers Home & Hotel Delivery, which Central touts as the only home-delivery service in Thailand that delivers to hotels for free when spending B3,000 or more in the mall within the same day. Visitors are also treated to two hours of free WiFi, and Service Ambassadors and Interpreters proficient in English, Mandarin and Russian have been positioned throughout the mall to provide assisstance. “This ‘One-Stop for All’ shopping destination offers all the modern touches for the global visitor,” Ms Natira said. “The vast 35,000 square metres of space, offers a facade of greenery, high-definition LED screens throughout; and each level has its own unique interior design, infusing contemporary touches, with elements of the natural beauty that Phuket has to offer,” she added.
10 BUSINESS NEWS
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
ACT flags airport graft risk TRAVEL
Bangkok Post
T
he Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) has warned of the potential for foul play during the upcoming auction of Suvarnabhumi Airport’s duty-free concession and the planned construction of a Terminal 2, as the country counts down to the election. “The ACT is worried about the lack of transparency [of the projects],” the anti-graft watchdog said on Sunday (Feb 17). Both schemes are being pursued by Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) and both have come under public scrutiny over the past year. “During a period when most people are paying attention to the election, concerns are being raised as to whether those in power will rush through approvals before political change happens,” the watchdog said. “People and the media must not stand idly and they should help keep an eye on the matter for the sake of the maximum public benefit.”
An artist’s rendition of Suvarnabhumi airport Terminal 2, from blueprints. The AntiCorruption Organisation of Thailand has labelled it as a corruption magnet. Image: Airports of Thailand AoT as of Monday was to ask its board to approve the Terms of Reference (ToR) for duty-free concession bidding for Suvarnabhumi Airport on Wednesday. AoT President Nitinai Sirismatthakarn has previously told the media that the outcome of the bidding must be concluded before Aug 27 this year, one year before the concession expires, so the current operator can deal with
stocks and existing facilities. King Power International Group has been the sole dutyfree operator at Suvarnabhumi since the airport’s opening in 2006. Academics and the public have voiced concern over the transparency of the bidding process and over which concession model will be applied. As Suvarnabhumi Airport has expanded considerably over the past decade, enabling only
one operator to manage all the duty-free zone may not be the most effective business decision, according to observers. Not only that, but some academics claim that granting one company sole control of the duty-free business would also run afoul of the Trade Competition Act of 2017. Meanwhile, the AoT board remains adamant it will press on with controversial plans to
build Suvarnabhumi Airport’s Terminal 2 despite critics asking for the plan to be dropped. The terminal was also to be deliberated by the AoT board on Wednesday. Plans for Terminal 2 were shelved late last year following criticism from several organisations, including the Council of Engineers and the Architects Council of Thailand, who claim the facility would be poorly located and veers away from the original Suvarnabhumi master plan approved in 2003. The original plan concerned the construction of only two terminals – the existing northern terminal and an identical southern one. However, the AoT’s adjusted plan includes the construction of a new terminal in a northeasterly position, adjacent to the current terminal. T he new ter m i nal is planned to be built on around 400,000 square metres of land within Suvarnabhumi airport’s grounds at a cost of B42 billion. The construction is set to start this year and the terminal is expected to be completed in 2021. The new plan was also
challenged by the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), which wrote to the Transport Ministry on Jan 16, recommending the AoT stick to the master plan. Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who is in charge of economic affairs, said earlier this month that AoT was ordered to review its Terminal 2 plan and suggested the project could be dropped if irregularities are found. Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the NESDB had pointed out that Terminal 1 must be expanded in both western and eastern wings first, in line with an earlier 2010 cabinet resolution. The NESDB also cast doubt about the AoT’s latest plan which aims to enable Suvarnabhumi to be able to handle 150 million passengers a year, according to Mr Arkhom. AoT’s president, Mr Nitinai, insisted the company is still committed to pressing ahead with Terminal 2 and its study of the project will be considered by the firm’s board on Wednesday before it is presented to the NESDB.
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
The darling of the coffee roasting scene
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
13
Thai-European fusion like no other
14
REDL creating animal magic.
OCEAN SPRAY The graffiti artist painting the town blue for a good cause
Amy Bryant editor1@classactmedia.co.th
M
ai Khao is one of few Phuket beaches that sea turtles use as a nesting spot. Between the November to February breeding season, these incredible reptiles use the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate their way back to the very beach on which they were born and lay their eggs. A monumental commute and feat of nature. To protect and raise awareness of endangered sea turtle species and conserve their marine ecosystems, JW Marriott Phuket opened the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation (MKMTF) on-site almost 17 years ago. Just last week, the foundation welcomed Ricky, a hawksbill turtle with a damaged shell, and Ya-whan, an olive ridley turtle with a missing flipper. Both were found stranded in the sand, tangled in fishing nets. They join longstanding residents Tommy, who was born blind, and Kaew, whose internal GPS isn’t quite working as it should. Ricky and Ya-whan will be released back into the ocean during an annual ceremony later this year; other turtles are unable to be rehabilitated and will be taken care of at the facility permanently. Ricky and Ya-whan’s arrival was a colourful affair as it coincided with a visit from Patrick Redl Wehrli – known as REDL – a Zurich-based graphic designer, illustrator and graffiti artist who flew to the resort to spray a marine mural for the foundation. The world-renowned artist has been @thephuketnews
active since the rise of hip hop and graffiti culture in Europe in the 1980s. “At the beginning, there were no graffiti magazines and no internet. If you wanted to know how they painted in Paris, you had to go to Paris and meet people there, often in neighbourhoods you didn’t want to go. If you had the phone number of a graffiti artist, you were the boss. I went to New York once to find an artist in the South Bronx. All I had was his phone number.” REDL would find himself forgetting to eat for days on these trips, fuelled solely by the adrenaline of the cross-continent chase. Creative horizons expanded, he would return to Switzerland each time with new skill sets in tow. He eventually became one of the main exponents of this new form of creative expression in Switzerland in the ’90s. REDL’s dynamic 3D urban art adorns walls in Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Egypt, Brazil and Hong Kong. He splits his work into three themes, the first being one of the cornerstones of graffiti: lettering. “With 26 letters, you can say anything in the world. You can say ‘love’, you can say ‘hate’. For me, an ‘A’ is not just an ‘A’, it’s three lines and there are so many possibilities to change its dynamics.” The second is detailed, illustrative depictions of humans, often his own children. “When I paint human beings recently, I’ve found it’s usually kids. Largely because I’m a dad of two girls now, but also in the sense that they represent the future. I painted one of my daughters standing in a paper boat on a 24 x 12 metre wall (right). It shows how fragile
Zurich, 2016. the future is and how we have to care about it for them and create something peaceful.” Thirdly, and aptly for the MKMTF, animals. “I like to add a surrealistic touch and make small things big, like bees and dragonflies. We now know these animals are very important and I want to show the beauty of their architecture. I want to give them a big stage.” Although you’re more likely to come across facades of insects and land mammals, like lions and camels, in his portfolio, he appreciates the special beauty of the underwater world and is grateful for the opportunity to paint part of it. “It fascinates humans, including me, because it’s this other world.” REDL’s work at the MKMTF is a dynamic, vibrant seascape of elkhorn corals, butterfly fish and larger-than-life sea turtles. It took eight hours of preparation – sourcing images, combining them, scouring Bangkok for the correct paint – and 16 hours of painting. Graffiti art takes a great deal more work and is far more physically demanding than
Zurich, 2017. many of us might imagine, especially under a mask in the punishing Phuket heat. However, he’s happy to suffer both for his art and in the name of such a good cause. Asked how graffiti is viewed around the world, REDL replies, “The funny thing is, in Switzerland, if I’m painting with a roller or brush, people see me as an artist. As soon as I have a spray can in my hand, people have perceptions of painting in the night illegally.” However, he thanks and respects Banksy for how his simple yet powerful works have shifted the public perception of urban art over the years, allowing him to forge an international career in a creative industry he loves. The MKMTF is open on weekdays from 9am to 3pm. Website – www.maikhaomarineturtlefoundation.org REDL’s other works can be found at www.redl.ch. He is also available for commissions and can be contacted at post@redl.ch
12 ART
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
Please Have a Seat from ‘Love Bites’. Photo: Joel Adams
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Post Its from ‘Love Bites’. Photo: Tony Edwards
To act, or not to act? The benefits of theatre as a passion, not a career THE PLAY’S THE THING! Joel Adams
H
ere we are again, celebrating the wonder of theatre arts. We at Theatrix have recently performed two well-received improv nights at Shanti Lodge as well as an evening of comic short plays – Love Bites dinner theatre – on
Valentine’s Day. If you missed these, don’t worry. Improv will be a monthly event at Shanti Lodge, and the Outta the Box team is more than willing to perform improv in other places if invited. Our next Shanti Lodge improv show will be March 30. Also, Theatrix plans to perform Love Bites in various venues around the island so stay tuned and be sure not to miss these events as they happen. Like ‘Theatrix Group’ on Facebook and you will be kept informed. Now, the subject for the article. Why should anyone study acting and en-
gage in theatre if they do not plan on making it a career? Does it have any benefits? If so, what are they? To name all the benefits of participating in and studying theatre would need more than this space can contain, but I will try to enumerate those I consider the most important. First of all, it’s fun! It is hard work, I admit, but I wouldn’t trade the laughs, the excitement and the joy of performing for an appreciative audience for anything in the world. One of the greatest advantages I have continually heard expressed by one person after another is that it helps you overcome shyness. Do you have a fear of public speaking and yet must make presentations? It is said that most people would rather undergo a root canal than get up and speak in front of a room of their peers and, even more frightening, a hall of strangers. Acting helps you get over that fear. You may never lose the butterflies in your stomach – I haven’t – but you learn to make them fly in formation and to channel the energy of your nervousness. And, in the process, you get a kick out of the experience. Acting with a team teaches you teamwork and negotiation skills like almost nothing else. In a play you sometimes take centre stage and lead, and other times you step back and support someone else’s moment of glory. You continually switch between following and leading, giving and taking; acting teaches you to do it seamlessly without any sensitivity or hurt feelings, all for the good of the team. A side effect of that is how you and your fellow performers become friends who have each other’s back. I have many people I count as true friends that I first met and worked with on the theatrical boards. Acting is also a mini-course in psychology as you delve into the thoughts, feelings, hopes, motivations, fears and joys of imaginary characters in an effort to make them come alive on a stage. Along with that, you learn empathy as you put yourself in the shoes of many types of people, some you will never meet the likes of in your lifetime, yet you have had the chance to walk in their shoes for a few weeks. Of course, memorising is becoming a lost art in today’s world of instant ac-
Surprise! from ‘Love Bites’. Photo: Tony Edwards cess to our collective global knowledge, and I for one do not think that is a good thing. If I were to promote acting for no other purpose than memorising lines, it would make it worth it. The benefits of memorising alone are manifold: it exercises your brain like a muscle; improves neuroplasticity; is important for creativity; teaches your brain to remember; enhances your capacity for future learning; helps you focus; prevents cognitive decline; and improves your problem solving skills. In closing, here is what Guy, a current adult acting student of mine, has to say: “I always wanted to learn acting, but let’s face it, going into acting at the age of 50 isn’t going to turn me into a George Clooney. So why do I do it? To help me become a better ‘me’ because acting improves life. Acting classes give me an opportunity to: observe and learn more about myself; discover how I listen and react; exercise and control how I manifest myself to other people; explore and fit comfortably into new and dynamic situations; improve and enrich my communication skills, both verbal and physical; stretch and deepen my creative brain muscles; and engage with others who share a similar passion. I’m happy I jumped on the bandwagon when I heard about acting classes. I’ve learned that, once I recognise an opportunity, I should grab it with both hands.” Joel Adams is building a vibrant theatre community right here in Phuket. You can contact him at theatrixphuket@gmail.com or by phone on 093 6490066. Facebook: Theatrix Group thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
COMMUNITY 13
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Introducing Campus Coffee Roaster CAFE SOCIETY Amy Bensema bensema.amy@gmail.com
L
ocated in the heart of Phuket Old Town, Campus Coffee Roaster is a speciality coffee shop with a tranquil vibe and Instagram-worthy interiors. It’s one of Phuket’s must-visit coffee shops and features an extensive menu of coffee as well as a range of delicious baked goods and pastries. As an independent small-batch roaster, Campus Coffee Roaster draws attention to the diversity of single-origin beans from the north of Thailand; many of the coffee shop’s signature drinks are composed of Thai Arabica varieties. The house blend is a testament to the robust flavours that can be found in the Kingdom’s northern provinces. Campus Coffee Roaster’s slow bar presents the perfect opportunity to not only snap some dreamy photos, but to also watch the baristas in action and learn a bit about the coffee you are about to drink. Set up at the entrance to the coffee shop, the slow bar features a kettle, a scale and the very retro-looking Spirit Duette espresso machine. Before seating, take a few moments to stand by and watch your coffee being prepared. The baristas are truly profes-
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sional and, depending upon your order, the preparations can be quite meticulous and detailed. Trust me when I say that Campus Coffee Roaster raises the bar when it comes to latte art. The owner is a very cool, young Thai man called Khun Golf. He is super friendly, speaks English really well and, as one would expect, is highly knowledgeable about coffee. A true coffee connoisseur. Khun Golf’s path to coffee roasting, and eventually the opening of Campus Coffee Roaster, started while he was a university student. While working as a barista, he gained a lot of hands-on experience and later purchased a small roaster. After hours of trial and error, he was finally able to master the art of coffee roasting.
These days, Khun Golf and a number of his friends, who are also cafe and coffee shop owners, share a roasting machine and do their best to roast coffee that showcases the unique flavours and varieties of single-origin coffee beans from northern Thailand. If you stop into Campus Coffee Roaster, I highly recommend the shop’s cold brew coffee, house blend or signature honey espresso on the rock. Check out what coffee brews they have on hand that day, and take a bag home to recreate the experience in the comfort of your own kitchen. Truly the darling of the Phuket coffee roasting scene, Campus Coffee Roaster is a pleasant place to drop in for a freshly brewed coffee and some dessert.
It’s a well-designed space with plenty of seating, and a great place to meet up with friends before further exploring Phuket Old Town. Campus Coffee Roaster is open daily from 10am to 7:30pm. Email – campuscoffeecafe@gmail.com Facebook – www.facebook.com/campuscoffeeroaster Instagram – www.instagram.com/campuscoffeeroaster Written by Amy Bensema, Cafe Society is a monthly column which chronicles one girl’s search for the perfect cup of coffee. Have a cafe to recommend? Contact Amy via email at bensema.amy@gmail.com or follow her caffeinated adventures as @ phukestagram on Instagram.
14 DINING
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
A recipe for success The restaurant has a breezy open-plan design.
Thai-European fusion at number one brasserie Thong Dee Amy Bryant editor1@classactmedia.co.th
N
ominative determinism is the theory that your name influences your profession or personality. See Sara Blizzard the BBC weather girl and Usain Bolt the world-record sprinter. This goes some way in explaining why the dining experience at Thong Dee – which translates as “good gold” and has come to mean “good quality” – is so excellent. The Kathu brasserie is located on Bangthong Rd and offers a surprisingly peaceful respite from the busy main road just a stone’s throw away. A hit with locals, expats and tourists alike, the fine dining eatery is rated the number one restaurant in Phuket on TripAdvisor out of a staggering 2,975 on the island. Despite being so highly regarded, there is no sense of pretension. The restaurant’s breezy open-plan design means their doors are, quite literally, always open. The warm violet interiors make for a relaxed ambience while the striking checkerboard floor and varied artwork from around the world give the restaurant a certain trendy edge. It’s clear to see why some customers choose to celebrate birthdays, weddings and other special occasions here. Staff and General Manager Patrik Lundgren are extremely friendly and
Starting light with beef carpaccio. attentive throughout the dining experience without being intrusive or disingenuous. Patrik and his wife, Executive Chef Phonchan, opened Thong Dee eight years ago with the aim of offering high-quality European and Thai food. In their experience, when restaurants offer both, one cuisine is excellent but the other suffers. However, they felt able to buck this trend given their backgrounds: Patrik was born in Chile but raised in Sweden and Phonchan was born and raised in Thailand. As a result, the menu is varied. They do a lot, yes, but they do it all very well. First to the table is a Spanish favourite: gambas pil pil. The dish – prawns nestled in a mini Le Creusetstyle pot, sautéed in chili, garlic, olive oil and oregano and topped with parsley – is succulent and customers will be grateful for the accompanying bread to soak up what’s left of the juices.
The yellowfin tuna steak is not to be missed. Beef carpaccio follows shortly after. The thinly-sliced Australian beef, drizzled in truffle oil and sprinkled with sheets of Parmesan, sits under a rucola salad of tangy rocket, tomatoes, lemon and black pepper. It’s a lighter dish that should leave room for vegetarian spring rolls with aromatic sweet chili and plum sauce. After a small palate cleanser of mango sorbet, it’s time for the main event: duck Pad Ka Prao Ped. The meat is usually minced in this traditional Thai dish but the chef’s decision to serve it sliced is a welcome change. Chili, fried Thai basil, green peppercorn and white rice are the natural accompaniments here. As with many dishes on offer, customers can choose a different meat – in this case chicken fillet – as well as their preferred spice levels for a tailor-made dish. However, it’s the yellowfin tuna, grilled medium-rare, and served with
diced mango, paprika salsa, mashed potato and rosemary jus that steals the show. The fillet is tender and the contrast of the sweet mango and punchy salsa is a fantastic accompaniment to it. Patrik is on hand to recommend beverage pairings from a comprehensive worldwide list. Lastly, dessert is served: savoury rhubarb merged with a light sponge cake, topped with an almond crunch and served with vanilla sauce. The dessert is a family recipe of Patrik’s. The rhubarb is imported from France on account of its superior taste to the bitter, Thai offering. If you’re looking for something richer, the warm, dark chocolate lava cake with a melted centre might just hit the spot. Thong Dee have experimented with different chefs over the years – some offering molecular gastronomy, others pub food – but it’s clear that they have found their happy medium now that the kitchen is run by Phonchan and her family. As Patrik says, it’s all done with heart. Thong Dee is located at Bangthong Rd, 110/25, Kathu, 83110. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm to 10pm, Sunday 12pm to 10pm. Closed Monday. Website – www.thongdee.com Email – contact@thongdee.com Phone – +66 (0)76 319 323 / +66 (0)84 3091 198
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
EVENTS 15
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
‘Student Top Chef’ to battle at QSI
See the island’s students cook up a storm on March 16
O
Rob Peters, QSI International School, Phuket
n Saturday March 16, QSI Phuket will host the third annual Culinary Competition at its school campus from 11am-3:30pm. The competition, dubbed the ‘Student Top Chef’, will bring students from across the island together and see them go head-to-head in the kitchen. The competition teaches students to appreciate just what it takes to get lunch on their tray each day, and develops their understanding of food science and nutrition. Our student chefs also gain valuable life skills by working as a team and presenting and speaking about their recipes to the judging panel and audience. This year we are fortunate to have our event sponsored by Two Chefs and their amazing team. Taking the lead this year is Adam Goodman, General Manager of Phuket’s famed Two Chefs Restaurants & Catering. An alumnus of world-famous French culinary school Le Cordon Bleu, his notable international repertoire includes cooking for the Prime Minister of Canada, catering the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and running kitchens and catering operations in Canada, China and Thailand. Our second celebrity chef needs little introduction: Iron Chef Noi of Posi-
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Iron Chef Noi. tive Kitchen and the owner of Suay Restaurant. After being awarded the title of Iron Chef, he spent the following years cooking some fantastic culinary delights at his Suay Restaurant. Chef Noi has always been an important supporter of this event as he feels that such a competition allows students to be creative while learning about the hard work and dedication it takes to be an Iron Chef. Our remaining three chefs bring a wealth of experience to our judging panel this year. Executive Chef Jonathan Bruell, from Romance at Boathouse Kata Beach, has worked all over the world cooking for many fine dining establishments. Jonathan cooks in
Chef Adam Goodman. modern Australian, European, Asian, South American and basic Arabic styles; he is a veritable chef for all seasons and styles. Michael Bitz, Executive Sous-chef at Robinson Club Khao Lak, has worked as an executive chef for the Robinson Club at various locations around the world and has been working as a chef for more than 20 years. Rounding out the team is Chef Alex Stathos, owner of Spartan Burger and Poached restaurant. This passionate culinary entrepreneur has quickly made his mark on the Phuket restaurant community. This year each invited school, both international and local Thai schools, has the opportunity to send one junior
team of three students aged 8-12 and one senior team with students aged 1218. The junior division will create one original dish while the senior division will create three culinary delights in one and a half hours including a starter, original culinary dish and a dish following a recipe provided by the celebrity chefs. The students will have to pay close attention as they will need to recreate this dish as closely as possible. When the one and half hours of culinary concentration finishes, the dishes will be judged by our celebrity chefs. Special thanks to our media sponsors The Phuket News and Class Act Media. Their dedication to supporting events in and around Phuket is unmatched and we will be live on 89.5 with Jason Wilder during the event. Entrance to the event is free. Our guests will be able to purchase their own treats from our food and drink stand and win free gifts and deals from our celebrity chefs. It should be an exciting day for all. Come join us and support our future chefs! If you would like to participate in the event, please contact phuket@qsi.org or 076 304 312. One of our team will help you get your answers. For more information and event updates follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/qsi.phuket or on Instagram @qsiphuket
16 PEOPLE
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
Journey of a lifetime Turkey’s most-travelled man is putting Phuket on the map Amy Bryant editor1@classactmedia.co.th
A
Turkish man walks into an office with an ornamental cat, a coin purse, a torch, a bag of coffee, a compass and a framed picture of a boat… There’s no punchline. That’s what happened last week at The Phuket News. The man in question is Orhan Kural, Lecturer at Istanbul Aydin and Esenyurt Universities, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Benin, Vice Honorary Consul of Vanuatu and President of The Traveler’s Club of Turkey. Quite the CV. However, the most exclusive circle Dr Kural moves in is of those who have visited every country in the world. Dr Kural has written 17 books, led over 6,000 conferences (which are more like one-man shows, he says) and has
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
On a Norwegian longtail.
his own TV and radio programmes, all advocating that the more a country loses its environmental resources, the more it loses its tourism potential. He took the time out of his five-day whistle-stop tour of the island to tell us about his lifetime of travel and how he hopes to promote Phuket in Turkey. Tell us about your travels. It’s just always been in me to travel. When I was 11 years old, I said to my mother “I haven’t even seen Europe yet!” It went from there. I am the first person from Turkey to visit all 193 countries recognised by the UN. I completed this last year in Samoa aged 68. I’ve been the first Turkish person to ever venture to certain countries, especially in African states and smaller islands. It’s very difficult to get visas to some places, even with a diplomatic passport.
Taking his chances on a moped. What brings you to Phuket? There isn’t sufficient information in Turkey about Phuket at the moment. What is written doesn’t mean too much. I want to promote the island to the Turkish people and invite them here. I’ll write articles and dedicate a chapter of my book about Thailand to Phuket. I’ll also mention on my TV and radio programmes that it’s cheap now that direct flights are available and you can find everything here: history; shows; nightlife; quiet beaches in the north; and islands all around. How are you spending your time here? I’ve been to Patong by motorcycle. They said it was very dangerous to do so but God decides about that. And I’m not afraid of anything really; I’ve been to Libya alone and I’m going to North Korea again this year. In Patong, I visited a local school, talked about the environment and gave them my book – Let’s Save Our Planet Together...Do Something for Earth – in Thai as a present. I went to Simon Cabaret and I’m going to James Bond Island. For me, it’s not about temples, cathedrals, mosques and archaeological museums. These are everywhere. I like to travel independently and meet and talk to the local people. I go to the backstreets to hear the stories. That’s the real social life. That’s why I’ve opened my house in Istanbul to couchsurfing and Airbnb. What do you think of the island and Thailand in general? I’ve been to Thailand five or six times now and I’m always happy to be here. It’s a multicultural place. The people are very friendly, smiling and helpful. I’m really pleased to hear of the decision to close Maya Bay. However, I’m against the animal shows, zoos and aquariums. I also don’t think tourism should be dependent on people lying like crocodiles on the beach, spending all their time in bars and luxury places. Which country have you enjoyed the most and the least? Definitely the Kingdom of Bhutan. This is the only country where smoking is prohibited, they still wear their tradi-
The name’s Kural, Orhan Kural. At James Bond Island. tional dress, hunting is banned, cutting down trees is prohibited, about 60% of the country is protected forest and tourism is regulated. For me, there is something interesting in every country. Of course, I’ve had problems in some places. In Afghanistan I was in jail for one day. My money was stolen in Romania. I don’t blame the people though. It could happen in any place. Does your environmental conscience come from what you’ve seen on your travels? Certainly. I’ve been to all 54 African states and there I saw poor people happier and more sincere than rich, famous actresses living by Central Park in New York. A boy living in Africa consumes 20 times less than a boy living in the United States. People who consume too much don’t do anything that can be remembered. When I die, most of my money will be given to the government to build a new school. I want to give something to the world. That’s why I travel and give information about the environment. How do you find the time for all of your projects? I work harder now I’m retired than I did before! I sleep only three hours a day. I’m not married. I never watch football or any TV series. I’m good at mathematics so I can manage my life well. Mathematics is very important and helps you to arrange your time better. I write everything down so I don’t forget anything. These are the things I obey in my life. What’s next? I’ve been to Australia, Tasmania, Moldova, Finland and now Phuket this year already. Next I will go to Minsk, North Korea and then Murmansk in Russia to see the Northern Lights. thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
EDUCATION 17
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
BISP students are good sports Everyone’s a winner on Sports Day Kenneth Page
I witnessed two boys helping each other through their 600metre race, finishing hand in hand in a demonstration of mutual support and kindness.
@thephuketnews
T
he middle of the school year is the time for Sports Days at British International School, Phuket – BISP. In fact, there are four Sports Days our children participate in. These are organised for Early Years (aged 3-5); Key Stage 1 (aged 5-7); Key Stage 2 (aged 7-11) and our children in the secondary section of the school (aged 11-18). This was the second year of our Early Years Sports Day. The emphasis was firmly placed on participation and enjoyment as children tried a number of different activities all based around a superheroes theme. The students and staff dressed accordingly and there was a wonderful carnival atmosphere. It was all tremendous fun. The aforementioned emphasis continued through the other Sports Days, which comprise more conventional athletic events. In the primary section of the school, our core values are respect and kindness. Sports Day gave our children plenty of opportunities to demonstrate these values and they certainly grabbed them. All runners were cheered on by an enthusiastic audience, comprising their peers, parents and staff who celebrated the endeavour of everyone regardless of where they finished, whilst new school records were greeted by widespread cheers. I witnessed two boys helping each other through their 600-metre race, finishing hand in hand in a demonstration of mutual support and kindness. I also witnessed a Wing Priow team spontaneously shake hands with all members of the team that had just beaten them. In many ways, it was an extension of what we, at BISP, try to do on a day-to-day basis. Children were challenged to see how well they could do in a range of events, including those in which they
It’s the taking part that counts. Photo: BISP were less confident as well as those in which they felt comfortable. A safe, supportive environment provided by enthusiastic and encouraging staff gave the children the confidence and the opportunity to practise the life skills of doing their best with the task at hand, keeping going even when it is tough and learning to win and lose with equal grace. Baron de Courbetin, founder of the International Olympic Committee, summed it up nicely more than a cen-
tury ago: “The most important thing... is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.” Kenneth Page is the Primary Principal at British International School, Phuket – BISP. It is an English medium, coeducational, day and boarding school. Visit their website – www.bisphuket. ac.th – for more information.
18 ISLAND SCENE
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Philip, Alessandro, Marcella and Chef Daniel.
Alessandro, Marcella and Chef Salvatore.
Alessandro, Natalie, Frank and Marcella.
Luc, Marc and friends.
AWARD-WINNING ACQUA RESTAURANT CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY On Feb 10, Acqua owner/chef Alessandro Frau and his wife Marcella Mocci hosted an evening of fine dining and beverages to mark 10 successful years in business. Chefs, friends, customers, suppliers and staff, some of whom flew in from other parts of Asia, joined the celebrations and Alessandro and Marcella thanked them for being part of their story here in Thailand.
Kiranee, Martin and Sukij.
Sukij addressing merry attendees.
HOPPY TIMES AT BREWWORKS ‘BREW FOR GOOD’ CHARITY EVENT Full Moon Brewworks, microbrewery and restaurant, held a ‘Brew for Good’ charity event on Feb 9 in order to raise funds for the Life Home Project Foundation, a non-profit organisation who aim to prevent the spread of HIV and help HIV-infected/affected people and AIDS patients. Help from all participants, including paintings from Gongkan and Pang Torsuwan, helped make a big impact for charity and made the night a huge success.
Sombat Atiset.
The evening featured an impressive range of artistic music, dance and martial arts performances.
PHUKETTHAIHUA OPEN HOUSE 2019 SHOWCASES TALENTED YOUTH Phuketthaihua Asean Wittaya School held its annual Open House on Feb 16 to put on show the school's range of international and Thai curriculum study programs and its huge variety of extracurricular activities. Sunan Malichoo, School Manager and Headmaster, led the proceedings followed by School Chairman leading Phuket figure Sombat Atiset. VIP guest at the event was Lee Chun Fu, Deputy Chief of the Office of Passport and Consular Service at the Chinese Consulate office in Phuket. thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
ISLAND SCENE 19
Family gathered round to celebrate the occasion.
The happy couples.
Suits you, sir.
Over 100 friends and family celebrated the day.
IGOR AND IRISH, AND ALEXEY AND RACHATHAMOL TIE THEIR KNOTS Well-known expats and businessmen Igor and Alexey Protasov married their respective partners Irish and Rachathamol in a joint ceremony on Feb 14. Over 100 guests celebrated in the Grand Ballroom of the Royal Phuket City Hotel. A romantic and memorable day for all.
Glitzy guests.
Dressed to the nines.
This year’s dress code was ‘rock or pop’.
Throwin’ it back.
PIWC PUT THE FUN IN FUNDRAISING AT ANNUAL CHARITY PARTY The Phuket International Women’s Club held their annual fundraising party on Feb 16. The event, dubbed ‘30 Years and Still Rocking’, was held at the Meridien Phuket Beach Resort with all proceeds going to the PIWC Scholarship Fund. Guests dressed to impress in rock or pop style and grooved all night to the live band. @thephuketnews
20 EVENTS
FRI
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
22 FEB
competitive football at the incredible facilities. Bring them along to either U9/U11 or U13/U15 fixtures at the advertised times! See you there!
on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents Reservations, Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong., Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.
Mussels night @ Shakers 1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: natural, marnière, Provençale, garlic and cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended B295 P/P. shakersphuket@ gmail.com 081 891 4381.
ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 495 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs! Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavor-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. www.twochefs.com Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.
SAT
23 FEB
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
MON
25 FEB
All you can eat BBQ night DJs Meat, Fishmonger @ Baba We welcome Meat who will bring his signature house sounds to Baba Beach Club Phuket. Escape to our Music Lovers’ oasis on Natai beach for an elevated weekend experience. For more information & bookings, contact us: +66 76 429 388, phuket@bababeachclub.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/BabaBeachClub Instagram: www.instagram.com/bababeachclub Website: www.bababeachclub.com Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/baba-beach-club
SUN
24 FEB
The Great Nai Harn Phuket Sunday Brunch, just got better... With our exclusive offer 4 guests eat for the price of 3! Culinary maestro Executive Chef Mark Jones, added exquisite new dishes for the most demanding palates. Experience it while enjoying the spectacular views over Nai Harn Bay and listening to the sounds of Resident DJ Sun. Every Sunday from 12:30 - 15:00 hrs THB 5,500 net per adult (With free-flow premium beverage handpicked by James Suckling) THB 3,850 net per adult (food only) THB 2,200 net per child aged from 6 to 18 (with free-flow juices and soft drinks) For more information and bookings, please call +66 76 380 200 or fbreservation@thenaiharn.com
All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet Traditional Sunday Roast at O’Tool’s Served from 2pm. Your Choice of either Roast Beef, Chicken, Loin of Pork or Leg of Lamb Served with Roast & Boiled Potatoes, 3 Fresh Vegetables, Yorkshire Pudding & Gravy. Only 350 Baht. Includes a Free Glass of House Red or White. See: www.otools-phuket.com
Beef, Pork and Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding – roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes – gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservations recommended. B350 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
6pm – 11pm: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns and Squid, Salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. B395 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
Simmer & Spice Curry buffet, Great variety, Vibrant flavours. Every Monday from 18.30 - 21.30. Reservations, SALA Phuket, events@salaphuket.com, 076 338 888.
WED
27 FEB
All you can eat BBQ Ribs night 6PM – 11PM: All you can eat BBQ Ribs served with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauces. Reservation recommended. 295 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com, 081 891 4381.
Sunday Roast All Day, All Night
Futsal League 2019 Is your child interested in football? Would they enjoy enhancing their football skills whilst spending time with friends? At British International School Phuket, the Cruzeiro Saturday morning league will allow your child to play fun,
Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic. Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. RESERVE Your Table Now Online at bit.ly/ TwoChefsReservations Check out more details
Sala Wednesday nights: Ribs, beats, brews Sala Sunday Night Steak & Seafood Premium barbecue main course, including imported Australian Rib Eye, full rack of Lamb or whole Phuket Lobster accompanied by buffet of delicious appetizers. Live music from 6.30pm. Premium BBQ. 1,700*Baht. Reservations, Sala Phuket, events@salaphuket.com 076 338 888.
Devour our succulent pork rib set complete with sweet corn chowder, blue cheese salad, moist cornbread and finish it off with a bread and butter pudding. DJ Q will keep the soul flowing and your toes tapping as you wash down those tender ribs with a bucket of craft brews. Full Rack set B1,600, Half Rack set B1,200, bucket of craft brews B800. Reservations, SALA Phuket Resort and Spa. Email: events@sala phuket. com or call 076 338 888.
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
EVENTS 21
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
FRI
1 MAR
WED
6 MAR
SAT
16 MAR
“Queen Sirikit Center for Breast Cancer Foundation” under the royal patronage of Her Royal Highness Queen Sirikit, and “The National Paralympic Committee of Thailand” which is under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King. Register for 5 races at once and enjoy a 10% discount.
WED
3 APR
Food Competition 2019 International Women’s Day Luncheon Boat Lagoon Weekend 1-2 March 2019 Beat & Bite. Music & Food & Fun. From 6.00 pm till 10.00 pm. at Lagoon Quay. พบกับงานแสดงดนตรี ่ อาหาร และความสนุกหลากหลายรูปแบบ ทีงานโบ๊ ทลากูนวีคเอนด์ Phuket Boat Lagoon, Phuket Boat Lagoon
Celebrate the social and economic achievements of women. Join the Phuket community to hear empowering speakers whilst enjoying a set luncheon and beverages at Angsana Laguna Phuket. Make a donation of 1,000 baht net to book your seat. Contact lunch@classactmedia. co.th (Donna) or tina@phukethasbeengoodtous.org (Tina).
FRI
TUE
5 MAR
SAT
23 MAR
8 MAR Ramp Up Your Run Clinic - Starting You on the Road to a Healthier and Active Lifestyle
Grow Boating Networking Evening Superyacht Services Guide, regionally represented by Marieke Derks and Zara Tremlett, will be co-sponsoring The Grow Boating network evening on Friday 1st March, at the Speakeasy Yacht Club, Royal Phuket Marina from 5 pm. A light buffet, sponsored by The Speakeasy Yacht Club and some drinks, sponsored by Superyacht Services Guide, will be provided. Everyone is welcome to join the fun so, please spread the word, bring others and make the most of this relaxed networking event. We look forward to seeing you there! There is no entry fee, just drop your business card or register at the bar. Contact for Superyacht Services Guide: zara@superyachtpublications.com To join our mailing list please send an email to growboatingphuket@gmail.com
Don’t’ miss the 3nd Annual Culinary Completion @ QSI Phuket on Saturday March 16th from 11:00 – 15:30. Schools from around Phuket will compete in two divisions, junior and senior. They will compete in creating an original and chef replicated dish. These dishes will then be judged by our celebrity executive chef judges, who will decide this year’s Top Chefs.
Phuket Sundowners - Mar 2019 AustCham Thailand is delighted to invite members and guests from AustCham and partner chambers to join our Phuket Sundowners to be held on Friday 8th March, 2019, at the Angsana Laguna Phuket. Cost: Baht 500 for AustCham members, partner Chambers’ members, and Australian Alumni Members. Baht 900 for nonmembers.
SUN
10 MAR
March 23rd 7am @ Phuket Boat Lagoon. 10km or 1/2 marathon Preparation for the Laguna Phuket Marathon. Have you ever wanted to run a10km or 1/2 marathon? Are you a seasoned runner and thought just because you are getting older that your best times are behind you? Your Entry Includes: *Dynamic better running technique training session *10 week step by step training guide for either the 10km or 1/2 marathon *Healthy Nutritious Post Training meal and lunch *Injury prevention *Healthy nutrition *Running specific strength training *Mindset training *Instant access to The Ramp Up Your Run Community. Ticket Price - 2,900b. Darren, Phuket Boat Lagoon, darrenscherbain@gmail. com
SUN
31 MAR
Rock Night
Supersport 10 Mile International Run 2019
YOU WANNA ROCK?? Head over to our famous Rock Night at Two Chefs Karon on the 5th of March. Live music starts at 8:30 pm until late. Chef Daniel our executive head chef will be doing his signature “Rock Night” Burger, PRICE: UP TO YOU! (We leave the price up to our dear customers for this special burger, on this special night! Mexican lover? We also got 20% Discount from our Tex-Mex items on that day! Make your reservations NOW at: karon@twochefs.com or call: 076-286479 Reservation.
Get yourselves ready for the Supersports 10 Mile International Run Series Thailand 2019. Thailand’s number 1 sports retail store, Supersports, is coming back next year with 5 challenging races across Thailand. • Phuket (31 March 2019) at Thanyapura Phuket • Hatyai (28 April 2019) at Central Festival Hatyai • Bangkok (19 May 2019) at CentralWorld • Korat (29 September 2019) at Central Plaza Nakhon Ratchasima • Chiang Mai (27 October 2019) at Central Festival Chiang Mai Part of the entry fees will be donated to both the
@thephuketnews
KEVIN GILDEA & IMRAN YUSUF IN PHUKET Do not miss KEVIN GILDEA (IRL) and IMRAN YUSUF (UK) with host DEEPAK CHANDRAN (IND). Early bird tickets are on sale now from 350 THB or 600 THB at the door. Get your tickets today on TicketFlap: www.ticketflap.com/ phuketcomedy-kevingildea Magic Rock, Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach, Phuket.
Hospitality Golf Challenge 2019 The 4th Laguna Phuket Hospitality Challenge charity golf tournament will take place on the 3rd April 2019, with an amazing day of gourmet golf at Laguna Golf Phuket Course all in aid of The Children First Fund. Why not come and join the event with some great local hole sponsors treating all the golfers to some fun challenges and exciting Food and Beverage service. We are proud to have 89.5FM and Phuket News TV as our Media Partner and Sponsor. Visit www.aseanevents.com or email mark@asean-events.com
SAT
27 APR
Blue Horizon WCGC Thailand 2019 The Blue Horizon World Corporate Golf Challenge continues in 2019 with the top 10% of teams (2 people per team) from each qualifier gaining entry to the Thailand Final on the 27th of April 2019 at Laguna Golf Club Phuket. Prominent sponsors provide an all-expenses paid trip to the World Final at Oitavoss Dunes in Cascais, Portugal. For more details and to sign up contact events@foremanagement.com
EVERY DAY
Prime at Rock Salt Prime at Rock Salt is the home of smoke and fire at Naiharn Beach. An exclusive eatery, Prime offers a collection of roasted, smoked and chargrilled creations from its custom-designed kitchen. The al fresco dining experience is completed with panoramic ocean views across Naiharn Beach. Open Daily 6.00 – 10.00 pm at Naiharn Beach For more information and bookings, please call +66 76 380 200 or rocksalt@ thenaiharn.com
22 TIME OUT
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. What is the Northern Star otherwise known as? 2. What currency is used in Egypt? 3. How many space flights did the Space Shuttle Enterprise make? 4. In which year did it become legal for men in America to show their nipples in public? 5. What is Sylvester Stallone’s real first name? Answers below, centre
SUDOKU
Easy
Across 57. Salon 1. Not completely requirements closed 60. Islamic division 5. River through 61. Film crew Kazakhstan member 9. Out in front 62. Plant seed 14. Proofreading 63. Lying next to symbol Europe 15. Arias, usually 64. Indian site of 16. Transport boat marble tomb 17. Job for a plumber built for an 18. Lighten emperor’s wife 19. Picture enclosure 65. Player in general 20. Time that’s 66. Big name in relative? hotels 23. Preceding even the 67. Guzzlers first 24. Has actual being Down 28. Double standard? 1. States further 29. Oktoberfest drink 2. Sherry source 31. Piece of property 3. Wonderland girl 32. Mushroom tops 4. Newspaper 35. Cancel employee 37. Go (of a car) 5. Comfortable with 38. Office times 6. Kind of motel 41. Piercer 7. Moreover 42. Rabbit description 8. In ___ of 43. Wet thoroughly (replacing) 44. Condiment 9. Append 46. Play (with) 10. Rupture 47. Fall off 11. Chapter in 48. Protect history 50. Extras 12. Make ready for 53. Time for entrees? battle
13. Golf course maker 21. Not at all 22. Clairvoyants 25. Lag or selftapping 26. Bridge support 27. Taste, e.g. 29. Religious place 30. Orange tie, e.g. 32. Cycle 33. Inhabitant of Waterloo 34. Slow times 35. 60’s do 36. Morsel 39. Quaker cereallike 40. Helium, for one 45. Spill 47. Artificial 49. Stage item 50. Mongrel dog 51. Florida’s Key ___ 52. Go around 54. Computer proprietor 55. Spicy cuisine 56. Relaxation tubs 57. Minor player 58. Super N__ 59. Well-known flower, for short
Solutions to last week’s puzzles:
Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Polaris; 2) Egyptian pound; 3) None (it was the main test craft); 4) 1937; 5) Michael (Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone)
GOT YOUR NUMBER
ISLAND VIEW
1
in eight people have traces of cocaine on their hands, even if they don’t use the drug, according to UK researchers.
6
in 10 Americans believe they’ve seen a ghost, according to a survey, and six in 10 Americans say they are “too scared” to go to the dentist.
20
percent of the world’s population has a second toe longer than the first; a trait known as “Morton’s Toe” or “Greek Toe”.
400
questions a day the average 4-year-old child asks, reported a 2013 UK study.
1 million dogs in America are the primary beneficiaries in their owner’s wills. Source: Uberfacts
Kata Noi sunset. Photo: Patrizio Forci Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th
This week in history Feb 22, 2006 At least six men stage Britain’s biggest robbery, stealing £53 million (about B2.13 billion) from a Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent.
Barrier Reef and sinks off the Australian east coast, killing approximately 100, including a number of high-profile civil servants and dignitaries.
Feb 23, 1905 Chicago attorney Paul Harris and three other businessmen meet for lunch to form the Rotary Club, the world’s first service club.
Feb 25, 1932 Adolf Hitler obtains German citizenship by naturalization, which allows him to run in the 1932 election for Reichspräsident.
Feb 24, 1875 The SS Gothenburg hits the Great
Feb 26, 1993 World Trade Center bombing: In
and injuring over a 1,000. Feb 27, 1964 The Government of Italy asks for help to keep the Leaning Tower of Pisa from toppling over.
New York World Trade Centre, 1993. New York City, a truck bomb parked below the North Tower of the World Trade Center explodes, killing six
Feb 28, 1939 The erroneous word “dord” is discovered in the Webster’s New International Dictionary, Second Edition, prompting an investigation into how it got there. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
CLASSIFIEDS 23
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Jobs
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
International Sales Support
APR is an international company dealing with customers in Asia and Australia, as well as decorative surface suppliers from Europe. Asia Pacific Representatives Ltd. are looking for: Support staff for our sales team Age: 20-35 years Thai National Excellent English language skills required Knowledge of Microsoft office Comprehensive understanding of Microsoft Excel Office location: Phuket – Chalong Tasks will include: - Project tracking and follow up - Communication with international suppliers and customers - Understanding of our products and services Please submit your resume and recent photo jobs@apr-pfleiderer.com
The View Kata - Wanted
Interested Buyer looking for Foreign Freehold Units at The View Kata Phuket. If you are an owner or have any available units, please contact: +66872699206 or email mick11468@gmail.com URG
ENT
Personal Assistant
For retired UK/CAD businessman in high end resort. Good English, some driving, shopping etc. Part Time OK. Brian 089 054 4354. @thephuketnews
Art House Real Estate company
Looking for Thai Marketing manager at the property booth, Patong Area, for more detail please contact: info@arthouse.asia
Thai Yoga Instructor
Position available now - Full Time Position - 24 Yoga Classes per month. Wellness Skills - Certificated to teach various Yoga Styles. Additional Health Skills i.e. Aerial Yoga, Acro Yoga, etc. - Assist with Yoga Class inquires and Retreat health consultations. English Speaking - Thai National only 25,000 to 30,000. Kenneth Miller 0866041333. www.ccshideaway.com/wellness.htm
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CLASSIFIEDS 25
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Trades & Services
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26 CLASSIFIEDS
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Trades & Services
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
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CLASSIFIEDS 27
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Buy & Sell BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE Sunreef 60 Loft, year 2016, 185,000 baht day charter
All prices are for up to 6 people, include: - land transfers, lunch, soft drinks, water, tea/coffee and selected beverages, fruits and services of a captain and a stewardess. Charters start at 9 am, finish at 5 pm. Hours can be adjusted. Pavel, fortuna-2009@bk.ru, +7 984 188-62-89. Pavel (WhatsApp) +7 914 79073-78 Pavel (WhatsApp) +66 83-475-7351 Pavel + +35799989736 (WhatsApp)
Toyota GT 2013 - FT86
Immaculate condition, QUICK SELL REDUCED PRICE includes over 1M baht in options; GT Brembo brakes, Adjustable suspension, performance exhaust. Pioneer AVH-X8850BT with Audison sound system. ADV7.1SL. 1 Piece forged rims. B1.5M OBO, Dan Miles, danmilesmedia@gmail.com, 065 621 5541, Thai 091 165 9332
Subaru XV
Cross trek bought new 2013. Well maintained, glass coating, rust proofing, new tires, single owner. Must see! Nicha Residence, 0892873128.
250,000THB incl VAT. For boat up to 32 feet / 9.5 metres. Contact: Asia Yacht Agency Co., Ltd. Contact@AsiaYachtAgency.com, 081-894 -3234 (French/English), 086-269-0808 (Thai/English).
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Golden Business Opportunity
Brand new two story massage shop for sale with high end furniture. 10 Beds, 6 chairs and nail Salon. Great opportunity for high season. B900,000 ono, Lek, Soi Post Office, Patong Beach Road, sweet_lek55@hotmail.com, 099 362 7979
CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE Car For Sale
Ford Fiesta 2012 For sale English 095 420 9662 Thai 082 629 1419 Janthisa Jaikwang, 199/14 หม ู ่ 5 ตำ�บลศร สี นุ ทร อำ�เภอถลาง จังหวัดภ เู กต็ , B 250,000 info@ lifestyleinthailand.com, 0826291419
Car for sale
Chevrolet Trailblazer LTZ 2.8 CC. 4X4 For sale English 095 420 9662 Thai 082 629 1419 janthisa jaikwang, 199/14 หม ู ่ 5 ตำ�บลศร สี นุ ทร อำ�เภอถลาง จังหวัดภ เู ก ็ต, info@ lifestyleinthailand.com, B 725,000
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2012 Ford Ranger 2.2 Open Cab
78,000km. Six-gear manual transmission. Looks and feels like a new car, treated like a baby by its single owner. Engine clean as. Full set of new tyres. B500,000. Call 081 427 5168.
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@thephuketnews PROPERTY WANTED
CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE
FOR SALE AIR BERTH M320
BUSINESS FOR SALE
The Phuket News
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Mitsubishi 2.0 GT Mivec Auto
Excellent Condition. Modifications on the car - Dual stainless steel exhaust, Bonnet, front & rear bumper, side skirts are Evo X Upgrade, Tinted windows and Upgraded alloy wheels. THB 470,000. Call Lek 0991677378.
The Heights Phuket - Freehold
Interested Buyers looking for Foreign Freehold Units at the Height Phuket, if you are an owner or have any available units, please contact: +66872699206 or email mick11468@gmail.com
PROPERTY FOR SALE 1 Bedroom Condo Kata Sale
Lovely condo at Utopia Kata for Sale. Completed in 2017 and close to Kata Beach. Fully furnished. Close to restaurants and amenities. Great views. Rental programme. Full facilities. Dimtry, 082 030 7199. B7,100,000
Mai Khao 1 Bed Condo Sale
Mai Khao Beach Condo-Great condo. 5mins from Splash Jungle Water Park. Wonderful location and is a must see. B5,300,000, Christine, 0948411918.
2 Bed Condo Bangtao Phuket
FINANCIAL, LEGAL
Mandala Condominium - Wonderful spacious condo. Great location near Bangtao beach and Laguna. 184sqm with private pool and tropical gardens. B15,900,000, Andy, 083 800 1888
Loan money for bail
Pablo, pablolawyer@gmail.com, Whats up +79841886289 Whats up +79147907378
1 Bed Condo in Kamala
MontAzure Twinpalms Residence-Great condo located in Kamala. The ultimate in luxury. Has got to be seen to be believed. Fantatsic facilities in this resort condo. B15,800,000, Tina, 0872699206.
MOTORBIKES FOR SALE Ducati Multistrada 2012
2012 Model Multistrada. Perfect condition. Only 23,000 kms. Faithfully maintained. Have panniers and 15 liter tank bag. Steve, ducphuket@gmail.com, 081-734-8309.
PERSONAL SERVICES Business Services
Providing International Clients with Complete Debt Recovery Solutions in the Phuket. Pablo, Umbrellacorp144@gmail.com, +66952688880 and +35799989736 (WhatsApp)
PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m. Chanote
PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m. Chanote
Private location in prestige area. Outstanding Value. Call owner (Alan): 084 0657590.
Sale - Koh Kaew, 2-Bed Condo
2-Bedroom Royal Phuket Marina Condo. Must be seen to be believed. So much space! 195m2 Stylish, Tastefully-Decorated Condominium Fully Furnished Overlooking Yacht Marina an absolute bargain @ 13.5 Million Baht, Christine, 0948411918
28 CLASSIFIEDS
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
Buy & Sell
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
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Mueang Phuket 1 Bed Condo
Wonderful 1 Bedroom Condo near Central Festival area. Just 10 minutes to Panwa Beach. A must see!!! Fully furnished and conveniently located. Amenities close by as well as tourist attractions. Full condo facilities. B2,500,000, Christine, 094 841 1918.
Villa for sale
Important VILLA with 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. Garden 1,300 square meters, 16x4 pool. Fully furnished Mediterranean style. Private negotiation. Owner, Loch Palm Golf Kathu, Phuket, 080 603 4079 English and Thai
Dream Village Phuket house
2bed 2bath 295sqm land 100sqm living + veranda, compl. renovated: new water, electric., tiles, paint in/out, windows, 3A/C, built in kitchen. 0870608400 English/ German. Email: picharly@gmail. com, B4.9mill.
White sand beach
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House for Sale or Rent, Rawai
Cape Lam Promthep, Rawai - Nature area, beside sea. Swimming. Very quiet, just live and enjoy your life. If you want to make money perfect for building Rental Homes or Healing or Mediation center - Chanote land is not the way to go. We can’t own anything here with Thai wife unless stay together a long time and can take everything so best to Rent Land and have contract with a Thai. - All houses this area some WORTH MILLIONS OF EUROS ARE ON, “ LAND RENTED FROM GOVERNMENT,” FOR APPROXIMATELY 1000 BAHT A YEAR FOR AS LONG AS YOU WANT. “You can Sell your Right to Occupy to others,” – this is LEGAL - Same as Crown Land in Canada, New Zealand, Australia and America, but still hasn’t stopped people from building expensive homes and title can be up graded with time - 12 million baht sale or 30,000 baht rent (one year rent in advance) - Almost 3 rai BESIDE THE SEA ( Zoned Yellow) CAN BUILD MULTIPLE HOMES, Healing or Meditation Center - TWO HOUSES, One large house 2 bedrooms and 2 bath, 2 decks, One Small House 1 bedroom and 1 bath 1 deck 12million or 30,000 month Andy, capt_canada42@yahoo. com, 091 823 2271.
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RPM by owner
A Unique luxury condo 2 bed, 2 bath, 155sqm. Foreign FREEHOLD. Architect remodel in tropical white. Jacuzzi. All round beautiful views. Completely furnished to a high standard. Very motivated owner leaving Thailand. Available to agents. Priced at 16MB or offers. Contact Brian (Owner) 089 054 4354, 076 360 943. bggvirgo@ gmail.com
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House for sale
Detach single story home, 1 Rai of land, 4 bedrooms 5 bathrooms, 2 kitchens 1 living room, 2 cars parking space with garden and swimming pool. Sunny, 25/11 Soi Salika, Moo 2, Viset Road. 082 377 5555.
Rawai 1 Bed Seaview Condo for Sale
Fantastic seaviews. Fully furnished. Condo facilities including pool and gym. Close to amenities. This 58sqm condo at Babylon Sky Garden is a great buy. B3,600,000, Andy, phuket@thairesidential.com, 083 800 1888.
1 Bed Condoin Kamala
Great 1 Bed Condo just 200m fromKamala Beach. Comes with pool and onsite restaurant. Fantastic location and not to be missed. Fully furnished with appliances. Homestay or investment. B5,417,000. Call Andy. 083 800 1888
1 Bed Condo Sale Rawai
Saturdays Residence beautiful condo in Rawai. Tastefully decorated with class. Short drive to beach. All condo amenities. Looks so good that you do need to see to believe. You will fall in love at first sight. B6,300,000, Dimitry, phuket@thairesidential.com, 082 030 7199
5-Bed Pool Villa 1.2 Rai Rawai
Villa with 4 beds, open-plan living area, western kitchen. Separate 1-bed guest suite. Separate workshop and laundry. Pool 11mx5m, large private garden, residential area. www.thaivillaonline.com Price B15,750,000. 0844477247.
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1 Bed Condo for Sale in Rawai
The Title Rawai, Phuket This beachfront 1 Bedroom condominium is located in one of the premier developments on Rawai Beach. Also, the beauty, luxury, and durability of this condo is immediately apparently from its genuine teak wooden flooring. Designed with absolute care and attention to detail! Also, only the highest quality materials have been selected throughout, and every square metre of useful space is utilised to the fullest. Furthermore, the large common area has 3 swimming pools. Also, there are 2 saunas, and a fitness room. Moreover, it is surrounded by tropical jungle. Also, within walking distance of shops, bars, and international and Thai restaurants. However, you are nevertheless ensured of complete peace and tranquility. This development was completed in April, 2014, and is available for sale on a leasehold basis. ADDITIONAL UNITS AVAILABLE. PLEASE CONTACT FOR DETAILS. Christine, phuket@thairesidential.com, 0948411918
29 Rai with breathtaking views and 128 meter of white sand beach frontage on Koh Yao Yai, just 20 minutes from Phuket away, secure Chanote tittle, public concrete road, water, electricity and ready to build for sale direct from owner for only 5.5 mln per Rai. Montha, montha_phuket@yahoo.com, 095 0147888.
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Karon 1 Bed Condo for Sale
Karon Butterfly hillside condo for sale just 800m from beach. Amenities close by. Fully furnished and condo facilities. Great investment in great area of Phuket. Shuttle Bus to Beach and Rental Program. A must see!!!! B4,300,000, Dmitry, 082 030 7199.
Villa in Patong prime location
One of the last Villas available in Patong. in top condition. 24 hour security. 3 bed, 3 bath, 160sqm living. Fully furnished, garden. Ms. Manatchanok, 0800409411
3bed, 3 1/2 bath, 330sqm living, 900 sqm land, very quite aera, 2 km mission hill golf, 6km UWC, 8 km airport. owner finance. 0870608400 engl/german 12.9MB, picharly@gmail.com
Penthouse for sale
432.44 Sqm.Penthouse for sale: 320 Degree view of Patong bay and city. Private pool. 22nd floor (top floor) at Andaman Beach Condominium, Patong, Phuket, Thailand. Condo Facilities. see beachsuites.com/gallery. No broker please. 60 Million Baht O.N.O., Songpan, songpanpirom@hotmail.com, 081 737 8662.
COMMUNITY
PROPERTY FOR SALE
2-Bed Furnished Kathu House for Rent
2bd/2bth furnished house for rent in Kathu near Loch Palm Golf Course. See link for more photos and details. www.kathuhouseforrent.com B13,500, May or Wes, wes@pillarmarketing. com, 0899733276
PROPERTY FOR RENT
Paul MOORHOUSE
Solid, profitable business for sale at the entrance to Laguna Phuket. Specialising in Ladies Fashion, Beachwear, Footwear, accessories and jewelry. New 3 year lease on large unit and fully equipped and quality stocked store. Ready to take over and no additional costs. Tel 089 8737075 for more information.
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
SPORT 29
No time for Valentine love Patong Pool League leaders score big as gap widens POOL
PPL STANDINGS WEEK 13 – PPL 2019-19
Jaroen Tak
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he 13 round of the Patong Pool League (PPL) sponsored by Thailand Pool Tables and Genius 2 Garden and Restaurant was played on Thursday, Feb 14. Caddy Shack played at home against Natalie, and with Caddy Shack now second in the PPL rankings, they looked anxiously for points to close the gap with Kwan’s Birdie Team. Everybody from Caddy Shack won their singles and doubles except Justin Morgan. Was it because he has a baby due any day now or just Valentine’s blues? Dr Ben seven-balled top player Nui playing for Natalie from the break as Young Man alias Trevor wore his Crocodile Dundee outfit. Kwan’s Birdie Team finished early but was very curious and to see what was going on. Caddy Shack took 10 points from Natalie who went back over Patong Hill with one th
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Genius team played away against Happy End team in the 13th round of the Patong Pool League. point but will be back for sure next week. Martin Swiss played away at Kiki Sports Bar and did not bring any Valentine’s presents for Kiki Sports bar. Kid, Jig, Pom and Martin all playing for Martin Swiss won their singles and doubles games as Kiki Sports Bar players had the Valentine’s flu and were not in great shape. The beer leg was a three-setter and also won by Martin Swiss, who won the evening with a
remarkable score of 9-3. Kwan’s Birdie Team played at home against Ting Tong and were seriously going for the championship this season albeit without Colin but had an excellent replacement in his mistress, Lucky. Kwan’s Birdie players won all their singles and doubles, although Ting Tong won one game in the beer leg and the final score was a comfortable 11-1 victory for Kwan’s Birdie Team. Simon and Oil played
away at Red Light. In the morning Simon and Oil were on the beach with Andy and Thierry from Red Light but in the evening there was a pool game to be played. Top player Luke from Simon and Oil had a serious Valentine’s date and was missing. Scott, Andy and Thierry won their singles and doubles games. Reed, playing for Simon and Oil did the same. Red Light was leading 6-3 before the beer leg. However, Simon
Oil came back strongly and won the beer leg in two sets but lost the evening with 6-5 in favour of Red Light. Happy End, who was short of players and had brought in an English guest player named Colin, played at home against Genius. Genius came with their all-Asian team but was meeting some heavy competition. Tak, Andy, Jerry and Colin, playing for Happy End team, all won their singles and doubles games. However, the
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beer leg was won by Genius in three sets although Happy End was quite happy with their 8-4 win on the night. The 14th round of the Patong Pool League will be played on Thursday, February 21. People who are interested in playing, as well as visitors, are all welcome to attend at one of the 11 participating bars. For details, visit the Patong Friendly Pool League Facebook page.
30 SPORT
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Banbueng pushes for Phuket Continued from page 32 ...“Phuket used to have a football team that was renowned in the country,” Mr Thummawan told an eager audience. “Now the city has no fully professional team, and with my position as President of the Phuket Sports Association and the Sports Commission of Thailand, I want to push Phuket City FC back into the professional league where it belongs.” One of Mr Thummawan’s first moves as the club’s new president was to call on the expertise of Therdsak Chaiman to join the club as the new manager. Mr Therdsak had a successful career as a player and manager at Thai League 1 side Chonburi FC as well as earning 75 caps for the national team. “I am very confident about the team this season,” Mr Thummawan said proudly. “We have foreign players and a great manager and I am confident we will move up to Thai League 2.” The club’s first home game of the 2019 season was no easy task as it came against Krabi FC who were relegated last season from the second flight of the country’s two
Thummawan Charoenyot, Chairman of Phuket City FC – or Banbueng FC – was in Phuket to rally support for “the island’s football club”. Photo: Phuket City FC professional leagues – Thai League 2. Prior to the match, Mr Thummawan offered the team B50,000 if they were to pick up three points from arguably one of the toughest
opponents in the league. The islanders were off to a perfect start as new Nigerian signing Efe Obode put away a searching ball from the corner spot to put Phuket
ahead after 17 minutes. The lead was short-lived, however, as 13 minutes later fellow new signing Frank Lionel tried to dribble the ball out of his own half and
was tackled, leading to a swift equaliser by Teerawut Churok. The first half ended 1-1 leaving all to play for in the second. As the sun set, the flood lights went on and the teams came out to cheers from both sides’ supporters. Five minutes into the second half, Phuket’s attacking form earned them a corner which was crossed into the box and quickly cleared by the Krabi defence who wasted no time in sending the ball forward to man-of-the-match, Raphael Manhaes in a blistering counter attack. As Manhaes ran at Phuket keeper Wattanapong Tabutda, he was brought down in the goal area by defender Autthagowit Jantod and instantly awarded a penalty, to little protest. K rabi striker, Witoon Sukjit, stepped up to the penalty spot and fired the ball into the top right corner, sending the keeper the wrong way. Krabi managed to hold their lead and the match ended 1-2 as Phuket marked their second loss in two games, leaving them third from bottom in the table, with Krabi in second place after two wins. Last season Phuket finished fifth out of 14 teams in
the Thai League 3 southern region table. The club has been struggling since announcing its termination in November 2017 after it was unable to pay FIFA-issued fines totalling B83 million for contractual breaches relating to three international players. Subsequently, Chonburi FC took over the island’s football representation by replacing existing Thai League 3 club Banbueng FC with a newly formed ‘Phuket City FC’. As the original Phuket City players dispersed, heaps of players were brought in from Chonburi FC on loan, and although the ‘new’ club was branded as ‘Phuket City FC’, it was, and still is recognised as Banbueng FC by the Football Association of Thailand. Phuket’s next game is at home to Thai League 4 team Pattani FC in the first round of the Toyota Thai League Cup on Saturday, February 23 at 6pm. Tickets for the game are B80 and available on arrival at Surakul Stadium. Phuket’s next Thai League 3 game is away at Grand Andaman Ranong United on March 2.
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
SPORT 31
PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM MAIN SPONSOR
MONTHLY SPONSOR
The overall competition winner will receive a 3 day/2 night stay in a two-bedroom private pool villa including daily breakfast plus a 90-minute spa treatment for two persons at Baba Beach Club Phuket. Total prize value: B130,000 The monthly competition winner for February 2019 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at any one of the island’s Two Chefs outlets.
EPL PREDICTIONS MONTHLY STANDINGS
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OVERALL STANDINGS
SirBR 14 adamrosindale 13 diggersd 13 lufc 13 stafsulaiman 13
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giggs 155 fazza 153 Griffsbar 151 Smiley Bar 151 Fitz 148
English Premier League 2018 - 2019 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
How much? Sacking Jose Mourinho cost Manchester United nearly £20 million (B813mn). Photo: AFP
Manchester Utd confirm huge Mourinho pay-off FOOTBALL AFP
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anchester United have revealed that sacking Jose Mourinho cost the club nearly £20 million (B813mn), with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward hailing the impact of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. T he su m of £19.6m n (B797mn), which is listed under “exceptional items” in the club’s second-quarter results, includes pay-outs for the members of Mourinho’s staff who left with him after he was sacked in December. The fortunes of the Premier League club have been transformed since Solskjaer took the helm as interim boss. United are now in the top
four after being 11 points adrift of the Champions League places when Mourinho left. Solskjaer won 10 and drew one of his opening 11 games, but the remarkable run came to an end on Feb 12 when United were beaten 2-0 at home in the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain. Speaking on a conference call with investors, Woodward hailed the “fantastic start” under the Norwegian, who set a club record by winning his first eight matches in charge. But he refused to be drawn on the process of appointing a new permanent boss. “We communicated around December-time about what we were doing putting Ole in place as a caretaker and the next communication with regard to this will be when we have
something to announce regarding the manager,” he said. “We’re not going to give updates part-way through,” he added. And he was also coy on the club’s reported move for a director of football. “A lot has obviously been written about this… With regard to the overall structure, we are looking at that and looking at ways that we can make it stronger and that is something we do on a continual basis,” he said. In their earnings report, the club announced record revenues of £208.6mn (B8.5 billion) for the quarter. That amount translates into earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of £104.3mn (B4.24bn) and an operating
HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1725 : Saturday Feb 23 Run Start Time: 4pm Hares: Fungus, Not old Enough, Clitmas P**sy, Jungle B**ls Location: Cherngtalay - Manik Dam Directions: From the south turn west [4025] at Heroines towards Cherng Talay. After approx 3.4 km turn LEFT (HHH) into (very narrow) Soi Moo 1. Follow HHH signs to Laager. From Cherng Talay Police Station head east for approximately 3.54 km then turn right into Moo 1 (HHH). Follow the directions as above. Bus pick-up: Patong @ Expat Hotel: 14:45 | Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 15.15 | Chalong More info: phuket-hhh.com
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profit of £44mn (B1.79bn). As well as replacing the Mourinho regime with Solskjaer and assistant manager Mike Phelan, the club have recently agreed new contracts with Anthony Martial, Ashley Young, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Scott McTominay. The club’s wage bill for the quarter, which ended on December 31, was £77.9mn (B3.16bn), an increase of 11.8% on the corresponding period a year ago. Real Madrid last month knocked Manchester United off the top of Deloitte’s Football Money League after two years at the top for the Premier League club. United’s share price, which hit $17.28 (B537) in New York in December, is now heading back towards $20 (B621).
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Manchester City Liverpool Tottenham Hotspur Manchester United Arsenal Chelsea Wolverhampton Watford Everton West Ham United Bournemouth Leicester City Crystal Palace Brighton Burnley Newcastle United Cardiff City Southampton Fulham Huddersfield Town
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Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change
SPORT START STOP EVENT Friday 22nd Feb Rugby Union 13:35 15:35 Super XV Cricket 15:00 23:00 Test No. 2, Port Elizabeth Cricket 22:00 02:00 ODI2 , Barbados Saturday 23rd Feb Rugby Union 11:15 13:15 Super XV 13:35 15:35 Super XV 15:45 17:45 Super XV 20:05 22:00 Super XV 22:15 00:05 Super XV Rugby Union 21:10 23:15 Six Nations 23:40 01:40 Six Nations Soccer 19:30 21:30 EPL 22:00 00:00 EPL 00:30 02:30 EPL 22:00 00:00 EPL Cricket 15:00 23:00 Test No. 2, Port Elizabeth Sunday 24th Feb Rugby Union 22:00 00:00 Six Nations Rugby Union 12:00 14:00 Six Nations Soccer 14:50 17:00 EPL 21:00 23:00 EPL 21:00 23:00 EPL Soccer 23:30 01:30 League Cup Final Cricket 15:00 18:30 BBL Final
TEAMS / INFO Highlanders v. Reds South Africa v. Sri Lanka, Day 2 West Indies v. England Sunwolves v. Waratahs Crusaders v. Hurricanes Brumbies v. Chiefs Sharks v. Blues Stormers v. Lions France v. Scotland Wales v. England Burnley v. Tottenham Bournemouth v. Wolves Leicester v. Crystal Palace Newcastle v. Huddersfield South Africa v. Sri Lanka, Day 3 Italy v. Ireland Wales v. England (Rpt) Cardiff v. Watford (Rpt) Arsenal v. Southampton Man United v. Liverpool Chelsea v. Man City tbc
Sport editor3@classactmedia.co.th
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Man Utd confirm huge Mourinho pay-off > p31
PHUKET PUSH FOR PROMOTION FOOTBALL Poria Mermand editor3@classactmedia.co.th
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he only club to claim to represent all of Phuket as an island, ‘Phuket City FC’, officially known as Banbueng FC, formally launched its 2019 season with a strong push for promotion.
The new president of Phuket City FC, Thummawan Charoenyot, officially launched the club’s 2019 season at the Royal Phuket City Hotel in Phuket Town last Thursday (Feb 14), where he called on local football fans to get behind the team ahead of their first home game of the season last Sunday (Feb 17) against Krabi FC at Surakul Stadium in Wichit. Continued on page 30 Phuket goalscorer Efe Obode takes the ball on his chest during the match against Krabi FC last Sunday (Feb 17). Photo: Phuket City FC
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