The Phuket News 22 June 2018

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

thephuketnews thephuketnews1 thephuketnews.com Friday, June 22 – Thursday June 28, 2018

Since 2011 / Volume VIII / No. 25

THREE HELD FOR ATTACK ON CHINESE TOURISTS > PAGE 3

BLOWN OVER

NEWS

20 Baht

PAGE 3

Blue bottle stingers back at the beaches

LIFE

PAGE 16

Brotherly bond spans oceans and generations The strong winds brought down power lines onto Phuket’s busy Thepkrasattri Rd just after midday on Monday (June 18). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

WEEK OF STORM WINDS LEVELS TREES, BRINGS DOWN POWER LINES, LEAVES 91 HOUSES DAMAGED Eakkapop Thongtub & Sirapisit Bunchoocheep reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

R

esidents and tourists across Phuket will be breathing a collective sigh of relief this weekend as extended periods of sunshine are forecast to return after the island was battered by nearly a week of heavy downpours and strong winds that gusted upwards of 40 knots – bringing down trees, power lines and causing storm damage to more than 100 homes across the island.

Prapan Kanprasang, Director of

the Phuket office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket), told The Phuket News on Wednesday (June 20) that his office had been notified of 91 houses in 21 villages that had suffered damage during the onslaught of weather, which began Thursday last week (June 14) and culminated in storm bursts and extreme gusts of wind exceeding 70km/h.

The spread of damage confirmed that very few parts of the island escaped unscathed.

“The damaged houses, and vehicles, were located in 14 different

subdistricts throughout all three districts in Phuket,” Mr Prapan said.

Most damage was caused by trees falling across roads and onto houses in areas including Wichit, Muang District, Pa Khlok, Thalang, Kamala and Kathu, he added.

Thankfully the damage was not extensive. “The estimated cost of the damage caused is B373,500,” Mr Prapan said.

There were also no reports of damaging flash floods or landslides.

The government is providing disaster assistance to households that qualify, Mr Prapan noted.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

@thephuketnews

However, to receive support affected families must report the damage to their local municipality or Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor).

“Local officials will inspect and assess the damage before assistance will be granted,” Mr Prapan explained.

The strong winds brought down power lines across Thepkrasattri Rd in front the Hongyok School near Moo Baan Suan Maphrao at about midday on Monday.

Tha Chatchai Police Chief Col Prawit Suttiruangarun was notified of the downed power lines at 12:30pm...

SPORT

PAGE 32

Golfers swing to raise B176k for local charity

News 2

PHUKET NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

Student launches survey of tuk-tuk, taxi fares across the island > page 5

Battered by winds

Trees felled, Jungceylon shades shredded

Frenchman Claude Felix Fernand Pascal Gasca, 78, was taken to Mission Hospital Phuket to recover.

Frenchman, 78, safe after lost in storm A 78-YEAR-OLD FRENCH expat who was reported missing by his wife on Tuesday (June 19) has been found safe and in good health.

Chalong Police were notified at 1:30pm on Tuesday by Thipmonta Khaothong that her husband Claude Felix Fernand Pascal Gasca, 78, from Bordeaux, France, had gone missing after trying reach his boat Striana moored in Ao Yon by dinghy from Chalong Pier at around 10pm on Monday night. Repeated attempts

by Ms Thipmonta to contact her husband by phone were unsuccessful.

A rescue team confirmed at 5:30pm on Tuesday that Mr Gasca had been found safe, along with his dinghy, stuck in mangroves in the Baan Nit area nearby Ao Yon.

He was taken to Mission Hospital Phuket, where doctors reported that his general condition was good but they needed to keep him in as he was suffering from fatigue which needed to be monitored.

Mr Gasca told police that he retired in Phuket and lives with his Thai wife. Every day he uses his dinghy to reach his boat, which was reported to have been hit by another boat which had been pushed off its anchor by the strong winds on Monday.

“Last night there were big waves and my dinghy got pushed into the mangrove forest. My phone had got wet so I was unable to make contact with anyone,” Mr Gasca said.

Mr Gasca and his wife thanked all those involved in the search. Eakkapop Thongtub

Continued from page 1 ...Nine power poles were felled in total.

Police were dispatched to the scene to help direct traffic past the hazard while workers from the Thalang office of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) began the unenviable task of clearing the cables and restoring power in the heavy rain.

Also on Monday, Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong ordered relevant government agencies including the DDPM-Phuket and local administrative offices to prepare rescue equipment for those in need of urgent assistance.

Staff should be able to provided 24 hours assistance in case of any disasters, especially in high-risk areas where landslides and floods are possible, he said.

However, Gov Norraphat added that cooperation is needed from residents to beware of the dangers of heavy rains causing flash floods during the weather warning period.

That call for awareness followed a huge, 100-year-old Banyan tree on Narisorn Rd in the government quarter of Phuket Town being brought crashing down, luckily in the opposite direction from a house situated right beside it.

No people were injured, but emergency workers took hours to clear the massive tree from the road.

In Patong, where blackouts affected areas for days, the storm-struck Jungceylon shopping mall saw the strong winds last Sunday rip apart the huge sail shade

MAIN: The wind left the large sail shades at Jungceylon in tatters. INSET: A tree fell onto a moving car in Baan Pru Jampa. Photos: Supplied / Eakkapop Thongtub canopies held overhead by steel pylons.

The mall reopened after all-night repairs were carried out.

Staff at the mall confirmed on Monday that the remains of the sail shade covers and all the support pylons damaged had been removed and that no people were injured in the incident.

“Due to the situation yesterday and after our hard work all last night, we are pleased to kindly inform you that no serious damage or injuries have been reported and that all the broken structures have now been removed. Jungceylon is completely back to usual operating

again,” The Phuket News was told.

“We do not have a plan to fix the sail shade, but we plan to replace it with a new one with a new design soon,” one representative at Jungceylon told The Phuket News.

Long before that onslaught, a young couple house hunting in the Ban Pru Jampa area in Tambon Thepkrasattri last Saturday luckily escaped injury when a large tree fell onto their car while they were driving home at about 8:30pm, cracking the windscreen and causing heavy damage to the roof of the car, a Honda Civic.

Storm power outages leave residents waterless Mains power supply restored to Patong AN OFFICIAL FROM THE PHUKET Provincial Waterworks Authority on Tuesday (June 19) confirmed that power outages caused by storms last Sunday (June 17) had left some residents on the island with no water supply.

However, the official also confirmed that the water supply to all areas should resume by that afternoon.

In addition, areas in Kathu had also been affected due to a broken water main near the Esso petrol station on the bypass road, according to the official Provincial Water Authority website.

Speaking to The Phuket News on Tuesday, Phuket Provincial Water Authority Chief Somchai Kulthanan said that some areas in Phuket had no water supply all day Monday (June 18) and that some areas remained affected on Tuesday.

“The power outage the island suffered on Sunday (June 17) affected water being pumped from Bang Wad Reservoir in Kathu, Bang Neow Dum Reservoir in Thalang and the Klong Katha Reservoir in Chalong.

“However, as soon as the power went

The post on the Provincial Water Authority website announcing the broken water main on the bypass road. Image: Screengrab out staff from the Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority monitored the situation for repairing the power supply and managed to restore power by midnight on Sunday,” Mr Somchai explained.

“Unfortunately, it is now just a case of waiting for the water supply to reach higher areas as lower areas will be supplied a lot quicker.

“Areas still affected by Sunday’s problem include Srisoonthorn, Cherng Talay, Thalang, Koh Kaew, Rassada and Koh Siray but these areas should have their full water supply back by this afternoon (June 19).

“However, I must point out that there a lot of areas which have been unaffected by this issue,” he added.

Mr Somchai also said that once the water supply returns there is a high possibility that water will contain sediment and that this is due to pipes being dry for a long time.

“Some areas may find that the water is brown in colour when the water first returns and we apologise for this,” he said.

Meanwhile, properties along the bypass road including the Class Act Media office also had no water supply for the two days, but according to a post on the Provincial Water Authority website posted on Tuesday, that was due to a broken water main.

The post read, “The Phuket Provincial Water Authority announces there is no water supply in some areas due to a broken mains pipe before the Esso gasoline station on bypass road (Chalermprakiat Rd). The Phuket Provincial Water Authority cannot specify the time to complete the repairs.”

The Phuket News

AREAS IN PATONG THAT were without power supply since the storm struck last weekend were to have normal power supply restored

by Wednesday (June 20), reported the Patong office of the Provincial Electricity Authority.

The news followed The Phuket News receiving several reports of ongoing blackouts in Phuket’s busiest tourism town.

As of Tuesday, power was finally restored to Soi Kebsup and along the beachfront from Leam Petch temple to the Dolphin Circle at the northernmost end of the beach.

Residents and guests at resorts in the Soi Jintana area, behind the Tiger complex, also were to have power restored after three days without electricity.

“Soi Jintana is back to

PEA workers made repairs as quickly as they could to restore power to all areas in Patong. Photo: PEA / file normal already. Most of Patong is back to normal electricity,” one officer at the Patong PEA told The Phuket News late Tuesday afternoon.

Officials in Patong have for years sought to have the mains power supply cables installed underground to prevent major blackouts in Patong, but the project has been repeatedly delayed due to one bureaucratic problem after another.

The Phuket News thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

PHUKET NEWS

3

guards warn of Neutered monkeys let Beach Portuguese man-o-war loose back into the wild The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

O

fficials have revealed that the two “Monkey Islands” off Phuket will be Koh Thanan, some 2.2 kilometres offshore from the headland north of Ao Por on Phuket’s northeast coast, and Koh Payu further north along the northeast coastline.

A team of officials arrived on the small, round island of Koh Thanan, which measures just 140 metres across, last Wednesday (June 13) along with a handful of private workers hired to install a holding tank for freshwater. The tank features a press-feed dispenser so that monkeys relocated to the small isle will not be left thirsty.

Leading the work team was Pongchart Chouehorm, Director of the Khao Phra Thaew Natural and Wildlife Education Centre, who has been tasked with coordinating the “wild monkey campaign”.

The campaign is to have specific troupes of wild monkeys across Phuket sterilised or sterilised and relocated in

Koh Thanan sits just offshore from Ao Por on the northeast coast. Image: Google Maps

Officials set free the first 42 neutered monkeys back into their native mangrove forest on Tuesday. Photo: PR Dept accordance with feedback from local residents living in areas where the growing numbers of wild monkeys has created problems and raised health concerns.

Mr Pongchart and the team of handymen then installed a freshwater holding tank on last Thursday (June 14).

Koh Payu is directly offshore from the site of the controversial Ao Kung Marina

project that Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong has ordered another public feedback meeting to be held on after fears were raised about the extent of environmental damage coral reefs in the area would suffer if the project went ahead.

Meanwhile, Mr Pongchart on Tuesday (June 19) reported a near-instant positive result of the mass sterilisation project

Three held over Chinese attack

THREE MEN HAVE SURrendered to police after a video showing them attack two Chinese tourists at a Phuket port was widely shared on social media.

The three suspects – Liayaoyi, 26, from Myanmar; Sili Sankham, 27, from Chiang Mai; and Pa Thongdee, 25, found carrying an ID card issued by Thai authorities in Chiang Mai that only identified him as a Non-Thai citizen – were taken into custody at Phuket Provincial Police Station.

The video, posted online last Wednesday evening (June 13), showed three men attacking two Chinese tourists at the Nonthasak Marine Departure Port on Koh Siray on the east side of Phuket Town.

After learning about the video, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen ordered Thalang Police Chief Col Sompong Tipapakul and Lt Col Rungrit Rattanapakdee to coordinate with Phuket Tourist Police Chief Maj Eakkachai Siri to track down the suspects.

However, at 8pm last @thephuketnews

Chinese tourists Lin Jaiwei and Lyu Jinlin are attacked as they leave the Nonthasak Marine Departure Port last Wednesday (June 13) . Photo: Screengrab Wednesday night, Liayaoyi, Sili and Pa handed themselves in at Phuket Provincial Police Station.

Liayaoyi told police that he took his family to visit Phi Phi Island that morning.

While they were on the boat they had an argument with two Chinese tourists – Lin Jaiwei and Lyu Jinlin – because they had their bags on seats.

Liayaoyi felt that by doing this Mr Lin and Mr Lyu had no regard for other tourists on the boat.

The boat returned to the Nonthasak Marine Departure Port at 3:30pm, and Liayaoyi, who had Sili and Pa waiting

for him there, went to talk to the two Chinese tourists.

However, the discussion quickly escalated into a fight.

During the course of the fight Mr Lin suffered a head injury when he was struck with a rock, while Mr Lyu suffered an injury to his ear when struck with a bottle, and also an injury to his shin.

Both were taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for treatment.

At last report police were continuing to question Liayaoyi, Sili and Pa to see what charges would be pressed against them.

Eakkapop Thongtub

in the Rassada area, where the first 42 wild monkeys neutered under the campaign were released back to their home mangrove swamp near Kingkaew Soi 9 on Monday (June 18), in the same area where they were caught just days earlier.

Mr Pongchart on Tuesday led a team of officers to question local residents in the Kingkaew Soi 9 area about the monkeys’ return. The feedback was that the monkeys seemed to have returned to their wild habitat to live normally, without interaction with humans, at least for now.

Residents in nearby Soi Tha Jeen also gave similar reports, and Mr Pongchart noted that the people were happy with the outcome.

T H E PH U K ET LI FEguards Service on Monday (June 18) issued a warning for beachgoers after Portuguese man-o-war had been found at three of Phuket’s west coast beaches.

Announced through a post on their Facebook page, the Phuket Lifeguard Service said, “Warning to all beach swimmers Portuguese mano-war found on Nai Yang beach, Mai Kaow Beach and Patong Beach. If you feel painful on your skin. It may caused by their sting. Please see Lifeguard for Treatment.”

During the southwestern monsoon season, Portuguese man-of-war, or blue bottle, are often found along Phuket’s west coast. Their venomous long tentacles deliver a painful sting, which is powerful enough to kill fish.

Stings usually cause severe pain to humans, leaving whiplike, red welts on the skin that normally last two or three days after the initial sting, though the pain should subside after about one to three hours (depending on the biology of the person stung).

However, in some rare cases the venom can travel

The Phuket Lifeguard Service put out its warning after Portuguese man-o-war were sighted at Nai Yang, Mai Khao and Patong beaches.

Photo: Márcio Cabral de Moura / Flickr to the lymph nodes and may cause symptoms that mimic an allergic reaction including swelling of the larynx, airway blockage, cardiac distress, and an inability to breathe.

Other symptoms can include fever and shock, and in some extreme cases, even death, although this is extremely rare.

Treatment for a Portuguese man-o-war sting usually begins with the application of poured salt water to rinse away any remaining microscopic nematocysts. Salt water is used as fresh water has been shown to cause nematocystic discharge.

Matt Pond

4

PHUKET NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM PHUKET SEVEN DAY WEATHER FORECAST

The Phuket News offers flexible advertising options both online and in print.

SAT JUN 23

SUN JUN 24

MON JUN 25

TUE JUN 26

WED JUN 27

THU JUN 28

High: +31° Low: +25°

High: +31° Low: +24°

High: +30° Low: +24°

High: +21° Low: +25°

High: +31° Low: +25°

High: +30° Low: +25°

High: +30° Low: +25°

The month of overnight road closures begin next Friday.

Map: PR Dept

Jason Beavan 086 479 7471

gm@classactmedia.co.th

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

SALES REPRESENTATIVE Kiattisak (Rudy) Deamer 088 754 1371 sales2@classactmedia.co.th

www.foreca.com

FRI JUN 22

Wind 3 m/s

GENERAL MANAGER

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

Chalong Circle road to close OFFICIALS H AVE ANnounced that Chao Fa West Rd immediately north of the Chalong Circle will be closed overnight from 9:30pm to 6:30am from June 29 to July 28 so that workers can safely continue the excavation of the Chalong Underpass.

The news was announced at a meeting on Monday (June 18), led by Phuket Vice Governor Snith Sriwihok and attended by Phuket Highways Office Director Somwang Lohanut.

Motorists travelling in small vehicles northbound are urged to use Soi Anusorn from Patak Rd to travel around the road closure and continue their journey along Chao Fa West Rd further north of the road closure. Larger vehicles are to deviate at Chalong Circle and drive along Chao Fa East Rd. The Phuket News

Wind 3 m/s

Wind 3 m/s

Wind 3 m/s

Wind 4 m/s

Wind 3 m/s

Wind 4 m/s

Tourists can now join the queue for driver’s licences The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

ourists wanting to get a “temporary” Thai driver’s licence – as advocated by a Phuket Vice Governor to an ambassador earlier this month – will have to join the queue along with everyone else applying for a new Thai driver’s licence, The Phuket News has confirmed.

The re-confirmation follows Dutch Ambassador to Thailand Kees Pieter Rade visiting Phuket on June 9 to ask officials here about what steps were being taken to improve the safety of tourists on the roads while they are on holiday in Phuket.

Among the assurances given, Phuket Vice Governor Thawornwat Kongkaew told Ambassador Rade that tourists could get a “temporary” driver’s licence. Specifically, he said, “Moreover, the Phuket Provincial Transport Office can also accommodate tourists by providing them with a

Tourists can apply for a Thai driver’s license, but only the usual first-instance ’temporary’ license. Photo: Mark Knowles / file temporary driving licence”.

However, the Chief of the Driving Licence Department at the PLTO, Kanda Santipattranont, has told The Phuket News that no such special “temporary licence” for tourists exists.

“The only temporar y driver’s licence we issue is the standard ‘Temporary 2 years’ driving licence that everyone gets when they first

apply for their Thai diver’s licence,” she said.

As such, any tourists wanting to obtain a Thai driver’s licence must book an appointment, for which the first available time may be weeks away, obtain a letter from their embassy or Phuket Immigration confirming their registered address, complete five hours of driver training provided by a recognised

driving instructor or school, and pass the standard theory and practical tests.

As for tourists proving their residential address in order to be issued driver’s licence, Ms Kanda explained that as tourists are entered by hotels into the immigration database as staying at their hotel, tourists can just go and ask Phuket Immigration for a letter confirming where they are registered as staying.

A staffer at Phuket Immigration confirmed this to The Phuket News, but noted that the letter is not an official form marked with a TM” number.

Alternatively, to avoid being fined by every police officer who stops them while driving during their holiday in Phuket, tourists must obtain an International Driver’s Permit issued in their home country and present that along with their actual driver’s licence issued in their home country.

If tourists don’t have these, they will be officially fined in the range of B200-B500.

Taxi driver dodges ‘standard’ charges Driver found dead on

T H E PH U K E T TA X I driver whose Toyota Forturner went off-road in a single-vehicle accident in the early hours of June 4 will not be charged for fleeing the scene of an accident and will not be charged for drunk driving.

The news follows Capt Eakkasak Kwanwan of the Thalang Police confirming to The Phuket News on Monday (June 18) that the driver, who police have not named, will face only one charge: reckless driving causing damage to property.

The accident on June 4 saw the white Fortuner, registered as a Phuket taxi, end up buried in undergrowth in a field in Thalang after the vehicle wiped out a roadside sign and came to rest after hitting a power pole.

The wreck was noticed by passers-by, and when rescue workers and the police turned up, the driver was nowhere

parked Phuket bus

The driver of this Toyota Fortuner taxi will not be charged for fleeing the scene. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub / file to be seen.

Regardless, Capt Eakkasak on Monday said, “He did not flee the scene. The driver did not escape. He went to the police station after the incident.”

However, Capt Eakkasak’s description of events on Monday did not include that Capt Eakkasak himself had confirmed to The Phuket News earlier that the driver did not present himself to Thalang Police Station until the next day (June 5).

Yet Capt Eakkasak on Monday also said, “He was

not at the scene because he had to arrange for his passengers to be picked up and taken to their destination.”

Apparently, no people were injured in the accident, Capt Eakkasak said.

Regarding the standard threat that police will charge any drivers who refuse to give a breath test to police when testing for alcohol, for this Phuket taxi driver that will not happen, Capt Eakkasak confirmed. The driver had been tested but the results were negative, he said.

The Phuket News

A 52-YEAR-OLD DRIVer of a Phuket-Phatthalung bus was found dead on the back seat of the vehicle last Wednesday (June 13) while it was parked behind a petrol station on Damrong Rd on the outskirts of Phuket Town.

Police together with Kusoldharm Foundation workers arrived at the scene after 11am to find Surat Nooklin, 52, dead on the back seats of the bus, operated by the Rung Rueng Tour Company.

An 18-year-old man who also worked on the bus, Danit Hattong, told officers that Mr Surat drove the bus from Phatthalung on June 12 and arrived in Phuket at 9pm.

“Mr Surat drank brandy until 10pm and then went to get some sleep at the back of the bus while I slept at the front,” he said.

“This morning, when it was almost time to go back to Phatthalung, I went to check

Surat Nooklin, 52, was found dead on the back seat of the bus by a fellow worker. that Mr Surat was almost ready to leave but I couldn’t wake him up. He wasn’t breathing,” he explained.

“I was in shock so I called a group of drivers to report the issue to police,” he added.

At this time officers believe that hot weather and alcohol may have caused Mr Surat’s death. However, his body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for autopsy to confirm the exact cause of death.

Mr Surat’s relatives have been made aware of his passing said police.

Eakkapop Thongtub thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

PHUKET NEWS

People called to wear yellow for HM King

5

HM King’s birthday coincides with auspicious holidays The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he government is inviting people to wear the colour yellow throughout July to celebrate the 66th birthday of His Majesty The King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun and to commemorate the auspicious Buddhist occasions of Asarnha Bucha and Vassa, also called “Buddhist Lent”.

HM King Maha Vajiralongkor n’s bir thday will be celebrated with a public holiday on July 28, the same day that Buddhists observe Vassa, which marks the beginning of annual Khao Phansa rains retreat, when many novices enter the monkhood for three months during the rainy season.

Immediately preceding both occasions, on July 27, is the important Buddhist religious day Asarnha Bucha, honouring the Buddha’s first discourse. Asarnha Bucha is commemorated in Thailand with a special public holiday during which no alcohol sales

are allowed.

To mark the month of special events, the government is calling on households, workplaces and government offices to be decorated from July 1 with images of HM The King and national flags together with Royal Standards of the monarchy. Thai flags are to be set at the right side of the buildings and flags of the monarchy are to be set at the left.

Community projects to honour the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej under the banner “Volunteer for canal and life development on sufficiency for benefit and happiness of the people” will be held through all provinces during the month, and there will be special religious ceremonies at Sanam Luang in Bangkok on July 22-28.

A special multi-faith religious ceremony for charity will be held at the Santimaitri Building, Government House, on Thursday, July 26.

A national cleanup day held in honour of HM The King, with the event led by

the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, will be held near Government House also on July 26, with separate Big Cleaning Day projects conducted in every province across the country on Saturday, July 28.

As part of the celebrations, the government has requested the Royal Family to lead a Royal Blessing Ceremony to honour His Majesty the King by inviting 243 monks to attend a ceremony at the Royal Court at Dusit Palace.

A merit-making ceremony will be held nationwide at the same time, 7am, on Saturday, July 28. In Bangkok, the ceremony will involve involving 670 monks and novices and will be held at Sanam Luang, but in the provinces the ceremony will be held at the Provincial Hall.

Similarly, leading government officials and representatives from the private industry and foundations, as well as members of the public will be invited to pay their respects to images of HM The King

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong leads a ceremony to honour the birthday of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn last year. Photo: The Phuket News / file nationwide from 5pm Saturday, July 28. In Bangkok, the ceremony will be held at Sanam Luang, while in each province the ceremony will be held at the Provincial Hall.

Also held simultaneously nationwide from 7pm on Saturday, July 28, will be a candle-lighting blessing ceremony in the name of the Thai people. Again, in Bangkok the ceremony will be held at Sanam Luang, while in the provinces the main ceremony will be held at the Provincial Hall, but may also be held

Student takes on survey of public transport AN ENTERPRISING YEAR 12 STUdent in Phuket has taken on the challenge as part of his school studies to survey what Thai and foreign tourists as well as expats and other local residents think of Phuket’s public transport options, with a special focus on the prices and services provided by the island’s taxi and tuk-tuk drivers.

The Year 12 student, who has asked that his name and his school not be named in this report, is conducting the survey, which also separately includes face-to-face interviews, as part of his Economics studies.

“I am writing an academic Economics essay on the transportation of Phuket for my high school diploma. One of the requirements of the essay is to include a survey, as well as an interview, as part of my research,” the student explained to The Phuket News.

“I am studying in-depth the economics of public transportation projects, taxis, alternative transportation and impacts of new technology of Phuket.”

The questionnaire focuses on public @thephuketnews

A woman tuk-tuk driver in Patong holds up a sign showing tourists that she charges only the standard fares.

Photo: The Phuket News / file transportation, taxis and alternative transportation of Phuket.

“My aim is to survey 50 residents and 50 tourists of Phuket within one to two weeks,” he notes.

“The survey will be anonymous and will be used solely for my essay. Its purpose is mainly to show my tutors that

I am able to gather necessary information. Thank you for your time and help in advance,” he adds.

The survey includes key questions such as, “Do you know the existence of any other transportation in Phuket (other than taxis/tuk-tuks)?” and “If more alternative public transportation is introduced in Phuket (e.g. subway system, regional bus network), will you still use taxis/tuk-tuks?”

It also challenges people to express their thoughts on the fares charged, with posers such as “Have you ever negotiated taxi prices with a taxi/tuk-tuk driver?” and “If yes… how many times has it been successful?”

The Phuket News is not directly involved in the survey, but welcomes such initiative from young people in Phuket. We will happily publish the survey results once completed.

To take part in the survey or to contact the student to arrange a face-to-face interview for the survey, email: phuket. transport.survey@gmail.com The Phuket News

at other appropriate places.

As part of the celebrations, the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office together with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will host a trade skills fair at Sanam Luang on July 27-28.

The event will include free job training and a free household appliance repair service as well as stalls selling Thai desserts and herbal juice

health drinks, cheap food and drinks from food trucks and Blue Flag products.

The Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office also noted in an official release, “All Thai people are invited to participate in the activities on the birthday of His Majesty the King on July 28 and dress in yellow throughout July.

“However, as this year HM The King’s birthday falls on a religious holiday, Buddhists can dress in white as is tradition.”

Opinion 6

OPINION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

editor@classactmedia.co.th

CONTACT US

editor@classactmedia.co.th 076 612 550

KODCHANAT THINSEPON Editor

CHRIS HUSTED

Executive Editor

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.

MATTHEW POND

News & Sports Editor

editor3@classactmedia.co.th Originally from the UK; Has over six years experience as editor and reporter for Phuketindex.com magazine and website, and InPhuket magazine.

S

EDITORIAL

A mild disaster

trong winds and rain battered Phuket for this whole past week, starting last Thursday and driving hard through last weekend before easing off and returning with a vengeance come Sunday through Tuesday.

Winds gusted up to about 40 knots (about 75km/h), depending on which reports you read. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) initially reported a relatively mild breeze of between 11-16 km/h (only about 6-8.6 knots), but days later revised their wind speed assessments to 31.5km/h near Phuket Airport on Monday and 48km/h last Sunday near Phuket Town.

Yet even then any persons with experience in strong winds held those reports in doubt, especially when other independent and well-respected weather services reported much more believable wind speeds

in excess of 40 knots.

And this is where the problems begin. If you cannot trust even your national weather service to give accurate reports in a timely fashion, what can you trust local government services to provide adequately?

Well, residents and tourists found out. The strong winds lashed driving rain across the island, pushing down large trees and, of course, power lines. Blackouts struck so many pockets of residential and tourist-popular areas that they might have well been just one whole power outage.

To be fair, Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) workers braved the foul weather to restore power as quickly and safely as they could, but the question remains for their superiors of how they intend to prevent the next storm from doing the same. We look forward to reading about that one day.

But in Phuket one poor infrastructure problem befalls another. Hard to believe, but many areas were affected without – of all things – water supply, as the power outages rendered mains water pump stations useless. Yes, while it was teeming down outside, people had no water to flush their toilets inside. That’s Phuket.

Storms do cause damage and this was a strong one, but it was hardly a disaster. Phuket suffers at least one strong storm each rainy season, it is literally in the nature of the place. Yet declare a disaster for some people our Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Phuket office (DDPM-Phuket) Chief Prapan Kanprasang do this in order to access funds to provide assistance to the families of some 90-plus homes damaged by the storm. We are thankful that common sense will prevail there.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Storm lashes Phuket Storm damage mounts as winds blast Phuket Killer put to death in first execution in nine years Myanmar Airlines suspends Phuket flights Wet weather warning for Phuket Three men surrender for Chinese tourist attack in Phuket Lifeguards warn of Portuguese man-o-war at Phuket beaches Weather warning for Phuket still in effect Phuket’s first ‘Monkey Island’ revealed Grand Palace touts nabbed

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY Monkey business SIRAPISIT ‘FAME’ BUNCHOOCHEEP Reporter

091 165 0259 reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

NITAD ‘TAE’ MANEE THANAPONG ‘OAK’ KHAO-AMPHAIPHAN NIRAVIT ‘MOS’ VORAVANITCHA Graphic designers

Re: Phuket’s first ‘Monkey Island’ revealed The big problem is on the way to “Phang-Nga Bay tour”. All speedboats and crew on tour boats will have the opportunity to sell food to feed the monkeys from the boat decks.

Monkeys will learn quick to swim and climb onto boats to grab food.

So we may expect some funny stories and injuries in the coming months. I got that problem while touring in kayaking on the dam at Kaeng Krachan National Park.

Asterix

Passing the buck

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

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

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

Re: Surapong gets two years for issuing Thaksin’s passport That’s the first time I’ve ever heard of a “court for politicians”. Is there different law applying to them or something? Or are their crimes considered so egregious that they warrant special treatment?

Or are there (ahem) “other reasons” why the regular court system can’t try these cases?

Fills you with confidence doesn’t it.

CaptainJack69

Over the Rainbow

Re: Rainbow Warrior arrives in Phuket with a clear message Communist China has dropped all subsidies on its solar panel manufacturers. There will be plenty of cheap solar panels around soon.

However, as Bloomberg reports today: “A Greener Future Starts With Natural Gas, World Energy Chief Says”. Thailand has plenty of its own LNG Reserves to power Thailand well into the future without Greenpeace’s unsolicited & unneeded advice.

Capt B “Greenpeace’s unsolicited & un-needed advice?” Unsolicited, sure, the last thing Thai officials want is someone else calling them out on pursuing the filthiest form of energy on Earth.

This [coal-fired power plant] project is about a limited number of well connected officials and their cronies making BIG baht. And Greenpeace isn’t offering advice… it is stating facts about a stupid project and obsolete energy source.

BenPendejo

As Thailand has indeed LNG reserves to power Thailand it is strange would they like to build new coal-fired power plants (Krabi and elsewhere), despite the “no need” and popular protests. As extra, Thailand sails against the wind, as many countries now stop the use of coal-plant power. Wind, hydro, LNG, so much available for a cleaner and more healthy environment.

Greenpeace underlines that.

Kurt

Enviro-killers

Re: Thai turtle’s plasticfilled stomach heightens ocean crisis It has everything to do with the nations’ inability to educate people on the detrimental effect of discarding recyclable material on the ground where it then washes into the ocean.

Christy Sweet

Dressed for success

Re: Phuket Opinion: Window dressing Phuket’s tourism success far outstrips the government’s ability to manage it.

The industry intellectuals

should provide the government a list of infrastructure priorities and demand some real actions.

With education, dedication and enlightened leadership, it will take a generation to change the tourism service mentalities. Only then will there be any real improvements.

Vegasbaby

Pushing buttons

Re: Ukrainian caught over B18mn, Phuket villas ATM skim scam The banks need to monitor their ATMs, not the customers. What about all the tourists who are not familiar with Thai ATMs. Paddy

Hollowed out

Re: Three men surrender for Chinese tourist attack in Phuket So in the week when senior officials from the Chinese consulate were promised their folks would be well looked after, we have a minibus crash, a bus crash and now this attack.

Are these hollow words as usual then?

Discover Thainess

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

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

THAILAND NEWS

7

Vows of Doi Suthep protest

Activists call for officials to move out of controversial estate CHIANG MAI Bangkok Post

A

n activist network in Chiang Mai called on judicial members to move out of the controversial housing estate at the foot of Doi Suthep within 10 days if they want to avoid a big protest.

A forum was held at the chapel of Wat Phra Non Khon Muang in tambon Don Kaew of Chiang Mai’s Mae Rim district as part of a campaign against the housing project for the judges and staff of the Administrative Office of Appeal Region 5 in Mae Rim district.

It sits on the highest location of the compound.

The activists network plans to organise a big rally against the housing project on June 30.

Teerasak Rupsuwan, who serves as a coordinator of the network fighting to reclaim the Doi Suthep forest area, said the group would hold a rally on Monday (June 18) in front of the Administrative Office of Appeal Region 5 and place a sign reading “No Man’s Land”, and on Tuesday

@thephuketnews

An opponent of a housing complex at the foot of Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai shows a banner reading ‘No man’s land’, at a protest Monday (June 18) calling for the project to be abandoned. Photo: Courtesy of Network for Reclaiming Doi Suthep (June 19), the group were to petition the president of the Court of Appeal to revoke the construction contract.

“There must be no resident in the buildings located in the forest, and the land must be quickly returned to the Treasury Department. We will give 10 days, if there is no answer, we will certainly have a big rally,” he said.

Last month, the government decided the 113-rai area

where the 45 houses and nine flats are being built on Treasury Department land under the project will no longer be zoned for residential use. The land will be returned to the department. The project has provoked resistance from local people and environmental activists who demanded the land be reforested, although the judiciary has insisted it obtained access to the land legally.

However, it was reported recently that dozens of families have moved into the houses in the project.

Prime Minister’s Office minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana last Friday (June 15) denied this claim by saying that people moved into flats in a housing project situated outside the controversial area.

The department has named a panel to oversee the retransfer of land. It said there are

no technical or legal problems with reforestation but that careful consideration was required to decide what to do with the houses and the flats already built or half-built.

M r Teerasa k said he learned that on June 27 there will be a meeting of a panel in charge of the forest rehabilitation, after some state authorities and academics had visited the area seeking information.

The panel will propose its recommendation to the provincial and then national committees.

“From the information collected, we found more trees have been cut to pave way for the fences of the project. In the past, academics found footprints of wild pigs, wild cats and mushrooms in the area.

Now that trees are removed, we found piles of rubbish both inside and outside the construction area,” he said.

Chatchawan Thongdeelert, another campaigner in the network, said Doi Suthep is a symbol of Chiang Mai. The fight was for spiritual value which is invaluable.

He also said that apart from violating local tradition, the construction would also lead to flooding and landslides which will subsequently affect the people of Chiang Mai. Last Saturday (June 16), a Facebook page named “Reclaiming Doi Suthep Forest Area” posted that there had been some landslide in the project area after the rains over the past two weeks.

It also posted pictures of fallen electricity poles which it said were taken by provincial electricity authority officers.

Mr Suwaphan said last Sunday (June 17) that he has assigned the Chiang Mai governor as well as authorities in charge of security to work with the network of local people.

“I asked all the parties to think of public interest and work on the basis of empathy and understanding and friendly attitude,” he said.

“What can be done for the local area in the short run, please do it and then discuss to find the resolution for the medium and long terms,” he said.

8

THAILAND NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

Coronation to be held before poll next year BANGKOK Bangkok Post

T

Prison officials demonstrate the use of the death penalty by lethal injection. Monday's (June 18) execution was the first in Thailand since two drug traffickers were executed since 2009. Photo: Bangkok Post / File

Killer put to death BANGKOK A 26-YEAR-OLD CONvicted killer was executed by lethal injection on Monday (June 18), the seventh person to be put to death since the method was introduced and the first since 2009, Corrections Department chief Pol Col Naras Savestanan said.

Theerasak Longji, 26, was convicted for the brutal killing of a 17-year-old boy in Trang.

He stabbed his victim 24 times in a frenzied attack on July 17, 2012, before making off with his mobile phone and money.

Theerasak was convicted of the crime and his conviction was upheld by the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court.

The death sentence was

carried out in line with regulations and the Criminal Code, Col Naras said.

Theerasak was the seventh convict to be executed by lethal injection since it was introduced in 2003, replacing execution by firing squad.

Col Naras said 326 convicts have now been put to death since modern-day executions were introduced in 1935.

A total of 319 people faced a firing squad which was officially abolished on Dec 11, 2003.

The first convict to receive a lethal injection came the next day.

Theerasak’s execution was the first death sentence to be carried out in Thailand since August, 2009, when two drug traffickers were executed simultaneously.

Bangkok Post

he coronation of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun will take place before the election, according to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Responding to a media question as to whether the poll would be held before or after the coronation, Gen Prayut said: “definitely after”.

He was speaking at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday (June 19) and responding to journalists’ questions about the proposed meeting with political parties to discuss the election which is expected to be held in February next year.

He said peace and order was the priority as the government was preparing for the coronation ceremony.

“I want the country peaceful and stable, as this would have investment implications during this period of time. As for the election, we will go forward in line with democratic means,” Gen Prayut said.

Meanwhile, the administration is preparing to hold activities to celebrate His Majesty the King’s 66th birthday on July 28.

The activities will be held July 22-28 in Sanam Luang, Prime Minister’s Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, backed by Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana, Minister at the PM’s Office at a Sustainable Thai-ness event, now says it may not be possible to meet his promise for an election ‘definitely in February’. Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul said after a meeting to discuss events to mark the King’s birthday.

The government is in the process of relaying information about the activities to the King.

He said provinces will also hold their own events to mark the occasion.

On July 28, a procession of offerings for him and a blessing ceremony for the King will be held.

Gen Prayut will represent the Thai people in an address to honour the King at 7pm.

At Sanam Luang an exhibition of photos showing

voluntary activities under the “Tam Kwam Dee Duay Hua Jai” (Do good deeds by hearts) project, in line with the King’s guidance, will be held.

The pictures will be gathered from activities taking place across the country.

Mr Suwaphan said people are invited to bring their own pictures showing their involvement in the project to be displayed at the exhibition.

On July 27 and 28, free skills training will be held, including how to make garlands, Thai sweets and herbal drinks.

Low-priced food and bev-

erages as well as low-cost products will also be on sale at the events.

Cultural and entertainment performances will be staged during this period.

Provincial authorities will hold activities to celebrate the auspicious occasion at their own discretion, the minister said.

As the events coincide with Asarnha Bucha and Buddhist Lent days on July 27 and 28 respectively, Buddha’s relics would be moved to Sanam Luang from the National Museum to let people pay homage, said Mr Suwaphan.

Surapong gets two years for Thaksin’s passport BANGKOK FORMER FOREIGN MINIster Surapong Tovichakchaikul has been sentenced to two

years in prison for issuing a passport for Thaksin Shinawatra.

The court for politicians on Monday (June 18) ruled him guilty of malfeasance

under Section 157 of the Criminal Code and the 2000 anti-corruption law.

Since he planned to appeal, the court later approved his request for temporary re-

lease on a bond of B5 million.

Prosecutors filed the suit against Surapong, who was also deputy prime minister in the Yingluck Shinawatra government, in March last year after the NACC found the case had ground a month earlier.

He was released on bail during the trial on a bond of B3mn and was prohibited from travelling abroad.

The court on Monday found Surapong, 65, had prepared to issue the passport for Thaksin from the application stage. He had a role in the review and removal of Thaksin’s name from the list of people who must be checked before a passport can be given. Such actions violate the 2005 passport regulation, it said.

“The defendant cited a government policy which did not exist. His actions led to the issuance of the passport.

Former foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has been sentenced to two years in prison for issuing a passport for Thaksin Shinawatra. Photo: AFP This means the defendant, as a minister, aided and abetted Thanksin, who was on an arrest warrant on national security charges,” the court said in a statement.

His actions allowed Thaksin to travel freely and live abroad and the Thai government could

not ask a country to expel or extradite him on the charge of not having a passport, read the statement.

“This weakened the judicial procedures and court sanctions.

It also tarnished the reputation of the country.”

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

ASIA NEWS

9

Continuing a cultural heritage Creators of silk Koran hope it will preserve Islamic calligraphy AFGHANISTAN Allison Jackson

O

ne of the only Korans e ve r m a d e f r o m silk fabric has been completed in Afghanistan – a feat its creators hope will help preserve the country’s centuries-old tradition of calligraphy.

Each of the Islamic holy book’s 610 pages was produced by hand in a painstaking process that took a team of 38 calligraphers and artists specialising in miniatures nearly two years to finish.

Bound in goat leather and weighing 8.6 kilograms, the Koran was produced by Afghan artisans, many of them trained at the British foundation Turquoise Mountain in Kabul.

“Our intention was to ensure that calligraphy does not die out in this country – writing is part of our culture,” Khwaja Qamaruddin Chishti, a 66-year-old master calligrapher, said in a cramped office inside Turquoise Mountain’s labyrinthine mud-brick and wood-panelled complex.

@thephuketnews

In this photograph Afghan master miniature artist Mohammad Tamim Sahibzada shows a handmade Koran made with silk fabric at the Turquoise Mountain Foundation in Mourad Khani, in the old city section of Kabul. Photo: AFP With the Koran considered a sacred text, calligraphy is highly venerated in Islam and Islamic art.

“When it comes to art we cannot put a price on it. God has entrusted us with this work (the Koran)... and this means more to us than the financial aspect,” Chishti continued.

Using a bamboo or reed

ink pen, Chishti and his fellow calligraphers spent up to two days carefully copying Koranic verses onto a single page – sometimes longer if they made a mistake and had to start again.

They used the Nask h script, a calligraphic style developed in early Islam to replace Kufic because it was

easier to read and write.

The decoration around the script, known as illumination, was more time-consuming, each page taking more than a week to complete.

A team of artists used paint made from natural materials, including ground lapis, gold and bronze, to recreate the delicate patterns popular

during the Timurid dynasty in the 15th and 16th centuries in the western city of Herat.

“A l l t he c olou r s we have used are from nature,” M o h a m m a d Ta m i m Sahibzada, a master miniature artist who was responsible for creating the vibrant colours used in the Koran, said.

Sahibzada said working on silk fabric for the first time was challenging. The locally sourced material – all 305 metres of it – was treated in a solution made from the dried seeds of ispaghula, or psyllium, to stop the ink from spreading.

Tu r q u oi s e Mou nt a i n began work in 2006 in Kabul with the aim of preserving ancient Afghan craftsmanship, including ceramics, carpentry and calligraphy.

It hopes the silk Koran will generate demand for more hand made Islamic religious texts that could create employment for its artisans and help finance the institute.

“We will show it to other Islamic countries to see if it is possible to create job opportunities for graduates

to work on another Koran,” said Abdul Waheed Khalili, the organisation’s Afghan director.

For now it will be kept in a specially made handcarved walnut wooden box to protect its delicate pages from the elements at Turquoise Mountain’s offices, which are in the restored Murad Khani, a historic commercial and residential area in Kabul’s oldest district.

There Turquoise Mountain has trained thousands of artisans with the support of Britain’s Prince Charles, the British Council, and USAid. “The copying of the Koran onto silk is very rare,” country director Nathan Stroupe said.

He said the project has been “an amazing way to train our students at an incredibly high level in a very traditional type of work”.

“If a Saudi prince or a book collector in London... was interested in it, we would be thinking in the $100,000 (B3.26 million) to $200,000 (B6.53mn) (price) range,” he added.

AFP

10 WORLD NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

Escape from Nazi Germany

Ex-child refugee retraces his journey to freedom, on a bicycle GERMANY Hui Min Neo

P

aul Alexander was just a toddler when his mother handed him to a volunteer nurse on a train leaving Nazi Germany in 1939.

Now 81, t h e fo r m e r refugee child last Sunday (June 17) began retracing that journey to freedom – but this time by bicycle as part of a commemorative ride to pay tribute to the Kindertransport scheme that saved him and thousands of Jewish children eight decades ago.

“I did this journey 79 years ago when I came out from the hatred of Nazi Germany to the safety in England,” he said, adding that “it’s extremely exciting and emotional to do this journey again after such a long time.”

“The thought that came to my head is that this is my answer to Hitler, to sort of prove to myself, to show the world and to express my thanks for succeeding in life and being a happy married man with a family.”

Alexander is doing the 1,000-kilometre bike journey with his 34-year-old son and

Paul Alexander (centre), son Nadav (left) and grandson Daniel, pose at rail station ‘Friedrichstrasse’ before cycling from Berlin to London to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the ‘Kindertransport’ wartime rescue effort. Photo: Tobias Schwarz / AFP 15-year-old grandson.

Besides the trio, 39 other cyclists went on the six-day journey taking them from Friedrichstrasse in Berlin to Liverpool St in London, via the Netherlands then aboard an overnight ferry to Harwich in England.

Some are descendants of children rescued 80 years ago, while others are cycling in memory of the escapees in the fund-raising ride initiated by the World Jewish Relief,

an aid organisation that grew out of the agency that carried out the rescue effort. “ We h ave org a n i s e d this ride as a tribute to the amazing life-saving work of our predecessors,” said Raf i Cooper, director of com mu nications for the charity, which maintains historical records from the period.

“Tens of thousands of people would not be alive today were it not for their

heroism back then.”

After the Night of Broken Glass (Kristallnacht) pogroms on November 9, 1938, a group of Protestant, Jewish and Quaker leaders appealed to then British prime minister Neville Chamberlain to allow in unaccompanied Jewish children.

A rescue effort mobilised s w i f t l y, a n d t h e f i r s t Kindertransport arrived at Harwich on December 2, 1938, carrying 196 children

f rom a Berli n Jewish orphanage which had been torched by the Nazis on Kristallnacht.

Over 18 months, 10,000 children fleeing persecution i n G e r m a n y, A u s t r i a , Poland and what was then Czechoslovakia, were brought to safety in Britain.

Younger children were placed with families while those above 16 were given help to obtain training and employment.

The last transport left from the Dutch port of Ymuiden on May 14, 1940 – a day before the Netherlands surrendered.

For many parents, leaving their children with strangers not knowing if they would see each other again was not an easy decision.

A lex a nd e r’s mot he r, who suffered two stillbirths previously, had agonised over what to do with her only child.

“Sending a child of one year and eight months away, you’ll appreciate, is heartrending,” said Alexander.

H i s s o n Na d av w h o himself has a toddler, said: “I can’t imagine myself, how can someone give his baby (away) without knowing if he will ever see him again.

It’s incredible. So this is an amazing journey for the three of us.”

What they did not know is that both Alexander’s parents would soon join him in safety.

His father ar r ived in England 13 days after him and his mother on September 1, 1939, the day the Nazis invaded Poland and launched World War II. The family was finally reunited for good three years later, having all escaped the Holocaust in which six million Jews were exterminated.

Alexander himself later t rained as a law yer and married an Israeli living i n L o n d o n . T h e y h ave th ree child ren and nine grandchildren and now live in Israel.

The sprightly 81-year-old retired from the bank where he worked as its legal counsel in 2002, but still works today as a notary.

For him, last Sunday’s journey is “a symbolic victory ride”.

“It is a very meaningful a nd poig na nt way of celebrating my life. I thought it was poignant to do it with my child and grandson.”

AFP

Snake-handlers of West Virginia test faith with poison UNITED STATES THE TINY COMMUNITY of Squire, West Virginia, near a coal mine in the Appalachian mountains is made up of a few scattered houses, a car wash, and one of the few remaining Pentecostal Signs churches.

W i t h ol d f a s h i o n e d apostolic gospel music echoing through the small wooden building, members of the

congregation dance and spin in a trance as Pastor Chris Wolford reaches into a box and pulls out a three-foot long timber rattlesnake, a test of faith.

Swinging the snake over his shoulder he proclaims that God is present, and allows the snake to move around in his hands, before laying it across the lap of another worshipper playing the guitar.

Serpent-handling Christians

believe taking up snakes, as well as drinking poison and applying flames to themselves is something they are commanded to do.

They take their scriptural mandate from the Bible’s Gospel of Mark 16: 17-18 (In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all).

“Now we don’t believe that they won’t bite us,” says Pastor Wolford. “We know every time we go in the box that there may be a chance that we may get bit, and that we may die.

“But see, when I got saved, when I got in this, he put something in me that, to live for me is for God, and to die is for God.” Thirty to 40 worshippers came from all over West Virginia and nearby states for the special Memorial Day service, in honour of Chris’s brother, Randy “Mack” Wolford, who was the previous pastor but died of a rattlesnake bite, his fourth, on the same weekend in 2012.

Their father, too, was a pastor and died of a snake bite when Chris was only young.

West Virginia is the last remaining state where serpenthandling is legal.

According to William Dinges, Ordinary Professor of Religion and Culture at Catholic University, “the act of taking up serpents is not something that is endorsed by any denomination”.

A timber rattlesnake, seen during a Pentecostal serpent handlers service at the House of the Lord Jesus church in Squire, West Virginia in May. Photo: AFP “As far as the sna ke handling chu rches are concerned, what they do, even though this is disowned by other religious bodies, they believe this is a very clear biblical mandate by way of their literal reading of the scriptures.”

Services build like concerts with the music growing into a frenzy of activity with drums, slide guitars, and keyboards telling the congregation when to get to their feet and call out in worship.

Serpent-handling only plays a small part of the service, some of which last almost four hours. The rest of the time members proclaim

their faith, dance; preach, and take communion.

Traditionally kept within the family, many members of the faith are related or closely connected. A few outsiders trickle in and some have become followers as well, but overall it feels like an extended family.

There are an estimated 125 serpent-handling churches left.

The movement is currently in decline, but it has waxed and waned over its 100 year history, and since the tradition is passed down from one generation to the next, it is likely to stay alive for many years to come.

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

BUSINESS NEWS 11

Singha Estate B4.17bn deal takes in Outrigger HOSPITALITY The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

S

ingha Estate Public Company Limited has announced the successful acquisition of six outstanding properties, including Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, from the Honolulu-based hotel chain and management company, Outrigger.

T he US$310 m i l l ion (B4.177 billion) acquisition is part of Singha Estate’s strategic investment approach focused on the expansion and entry in high-yield tourist destinations around the globe.

With 70 years of hospitality development and management experience, Outrigger’s resort properties are dotted throughout Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region. With over 4,700 employees worldwide, Outrigger has been ranked 15th among the top 100 management companies in the US

by Hotel Business Magazine.

“Singha Estate’s vision aims to drive the business to become a ‘premier property development and investment holding company’ generating revenue of B20bn by 2020.

We believe that this strategic investment and acquisition of Outrigger resorts in four countries will generate recurring income and further diversify the company’s profile and geographical risk,” explained Naris Cheyklin,

Chanchai Wangyuenyong, Myanmar National Airlines’ Country Manager, Thailand, speaks at the launch of the Phuket-Yangon flights at Phuket International Airport in March. Photo: MNA

Myanmar Airlines suspends flights TOURISM Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort (pictured above) is one of six properties acquired

by Singha Estate Public Company Limited in the B4.17-billion deal. Photo: Supplied Chief Executive Officer, Singha Estate Public Company Limited.

Outrigger will continue to manage the six properties: Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort and Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort in Thailand, Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort and Castaway Island in Fiji, Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort in Mauritius, and Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort in the Republic of Maldives; with a total of 859 room keys.

These premier beachfront resorts represent up-andcoming tourist destinations globally in the Asia-Pacific, Oceania and Indian Ocean regions with high growth

potential, Singha Estate noted in its release announcing the deal.

“With Singha Estate’s e st e e me d re put at ion a s outstanding stewards of the properties and places in which it invests, Outrigger has full confidence that its premier resorts will continue in exceptional care,” said Jeff Wagoner, President and CEO, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts. “ T h is a sset sale a nd strategic partnership now provides new capital for f ur ther expansion while retaining Outrigger’s brand presence and management of world-class properties,” he added.

The completion of the

acquisition will raise Singha Estate’s hospitality business portfolio to a total of 4,644 room keys by the end of 2018, with 10 distinctive properties catered to visitors in global tourist destinations and a collection of 29 properties in some of the finest locations throught the United Kingdom.

Dirk De Cuyper, Chief Hospitality Officer, S Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary of Singha Estate PCL, concluded, “These newly added six properties will further elevate the portfolio of S Hotels & Resorts to a new level. Our guests can truly relax, play, work, and enjoy a unique experience in quality settings around the world.”

Laguna Phuket holds anti-corruption training MANAGEMENT LAGU NA R ESORTS & Hotels (LRH) on June 14 held an Anti-Bribery and Corruption Training at the Angsana Laguna Phuket that saw 270 LRH executives together with Laguna Phuket associates taking part.

The training was held in two sessions: a morning session in English language for expatriate associates, and a Thai-language session in the afternoon.

The anti-bribery and corr uption training was held with the objective of educating Laguna Phuket associates on an overview of anti-bribery and corruption, LRH’s “zero-tolerance” @thephuketnews

More than 270 LRH executives together with Laguna Phuket associates took part in the training. anti-corruption policies and corruption-related red flags.

The training is also in compliance with the Thai government’s anti-corruption

policies and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) measures against bribery and corruption.

There was a post-training

test to evaluate participants’ knowledge. The test results will be recorded for future reference.

In November 2017, LRH signed the declaration to join Thailand’s Private Sector Collective Action Coalition Against Corruption (CAC).

The training is part of LRH’s self-evaluation tool and suppor ting evidence as required by the CAC. The Phuket News

MYANMAR NATIONAL Airlines (MNA) has suspended its flights between Phuket and Yangon from June through August, citing low passenger traffic during the tourism “low season”.

The twice-weekly service, which comprised one flight each way on Fridays and Sundays, will resume from Sunday, Sept 2, Chanchai Wangyuenyong, Myanmar National Airlines’ Country Manager, Thailand, confirmed to The Phuket News last Thursday (June 14).

Regarding the promotion still featured on the airline’s website home page, offering discounted fares between Phuket and Yangon from May t h roug h O ct ob e r this year, Mr Chanchai

explai ne d , “ For t hose passengers who had booked and were issued tickets for f lights now suspended, MNA has made ar rangements for those passengers to board other flights – all passengers have been taken care of.

“We have requested the Thai authorities to permit us to launch one more flight on the Phuket-Yangon service, on Wednesdays, from September. However, we have yet to receive confirmation for a slot [at Phuket International Airport] for such a flight,” Mr Chanchai said.

The suspension of flights on t he Phu ket-Ya ngon service follows a highprofile launch in March this year amid hopes of the airline blazing a new tourism trail from Thailand into Myanmar.

Sirapisit Bunchoocheep

12 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

Grand Bay in show of strength

B4bn The Residences at Sheraton site boasts 70% units sold PROPERTY The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he Residences at Sheraton Phu ket G ra nd Bay, a B4 billion mixed-use, low-density development located at Ao Por, on Phuket’s east coast, is enjoying strong interest with 70% of units already sold to Thai and international investors, developer Apex Development Public Company Limited announced on Monday (June 18).

Located on 66 rai of hillside land with a 650-metre long coastline and a 220m sandy beach, the development comprises 103 pool villas and suites and a 183-key five-star resort managed by Sheraton.

“Our focus is mixed-use developments in high growth tourism provinces in prime locations, with international brand management that generates a good value for

The main infinity pool at The Residences at Sheraton Phuket Grand Bay. buyers, and The Residences at Sheraton Phuket Grand Bay is a perfect example of this,” said Aekkachai Na Ranong, Apex Vice President International Affairs & Development.

“Phuket’s east coast offers something special, the views are unmatched and Phang Nga Bay is just minutes away by yacht. This is a true investment in lifestyle where owners can use their units 30 days per annum as well as place them

in an optional rental program to be managed as part of The Sheraton Phuket Grand Bay Resort,” Mr Aekkachai added.

T he low-r i s e d e sig n incorporates five unit types; Pool Villas (Type A, B, C) which range from 90sqm to 137.5sqm; Pool Suites are 84sqm in size; and Suites at 53sqm. Prices range from B9.8 million to B36.7mn, with an option for either sea or mountain views, and units

are available with freehold condominium title.

Located on the northern and southern sides of the site, The Residences at Sheraton Phuket Grand Bay surrounds The Sheraton Phuket Grand Bay Resort, which will feature a host of five-star facilities for guests and villa owners to enjoy, including all-day dining, specialty restaurants, lobby lounge, swimming pool and pool bar, spa and fitness centre,

business centre, 24-hour room service and housekeeping and laundry facilities.

Play i ng key roles i n creating The Residences sees the architecture by The Office of Bangkok Architect; contemporary interiors using natural stone and timber, with a hint of blue to reflect the seaside setting, by Leo International Design Group; while landscaping is by the multi-award-winning Thai landscape specialists Shma Co Ltd. “We believe in delivering the best qualit y for ou r customers. Working with experts in their respective fields ensures the end product is of the highest quality, which means guests will enjoy the best possible five-star experience and residence owners will get the best value for their purchase,” said Mr Aekkachai.

The constr uction completion date for The Residences at Sheraton Phuket

Grand Bay is scheduled for Q3 and Q4/2019, while the construction completion date for The Sheraton Phuket Grand Bay Resort is scheduled for Q3 2020.

Of note, property development company Apex Development PCL specialises in mixed-use developments in Thailand’s tourism and b u si n e s s s e c t o r s , s u ch as residential properties, commercial buildings, hotels, ret i rement a nd med ical care resorts, and shopping complexes.

Hotel and residential projects the company has in the pipeline, include Movenpick Residences & Pool Villas (Na Jomtien, Pattaya), Four Points

by Sheraton Pattaya, Jomtien Beach, Jomtien Bay Residences (Na Jomtien, Pattaya), Sheraton Phuket Grand Bay Resort and Residences (Phuket), Nai Yang Phuket Resort and Residences (Phuket), Club Med Krabi (Krabi) and Krabi Long Beach Resort and Residences (Krabi).

Andaman Hotelier Fair kicks off Developers set for Thailand awards HOSPITALITY THIS YEAR’S EDITION of the Andaman Hotelier and Tourism Fair 2018 kicks off today (June 22) at Central Festival Phuket East.

The annual show will be open 10am to 8pm, and conclude on Sunday (June 24).

In a show of support for Phuket’s homegrown hospitality trade expo, a recent media launch for the event was led

by Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong and joined by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office Director Kanokkittika Kritwutikon and Phuket Provincial Office of Tourism and Sports Director

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong (centre) gives a thumbs-up during a taste test at the recent media launch for the event.

Sirawee Waloh as well as leading business f igures Kongsak Khoopongsakorn and Poomsak Tortika.

The event, which has long been attended and supported by many businesses and organisations engaged in the local hotel and tourism

industry, aims to support and improve the skills of staff at all levels in Phuket’s hospitality and tourism sectors to international standard.

The event will feature various skill competitions under the concept “Green and Innovation”, including a flower-arranging contest using recylced materials and the now-traditional contests for setting up of spa beds, fruit and vegetable carving, cooking with local ingredients and the popular contest for the best bartender.

Further, this year there will be a Miss and Mr Andaman Hotelier 2018 pageant with B100,000 first prize up for grabs.

The Phuket News

PROPERTY

PH U K E T PROJ E C T S will feature prominently when the PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards retur ns to Bangkok on August 31 to honour the country’s best real estate developers and the top projects of the year.

Nominations from the general public are open until June 29 and eligible entries from developers in key regions across the country, including Phuket, will be accepted until July 6.

“In a fast expanding property market like Phuket, developers and investors understand the benefits of quality endorsement by a prestigious awards program,” said Ter r y Blackbu r n, managing director of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards.

“The Proper t yGu r u Thailand Property Awards encourage excellence across all aspects of the real estate industry, which is why the number and quality of entries from Phuket and around the country increases every year,” he added.

In Greater Phuket, hotly contested categories this year include Best Housing

From left: Preaw Rungruengrayupkul, Awards Manager, Asia Property Awards; Terry Blackburn, Founder and Managing Director, Asia Property Awards; Robert Krupica, Senior Partner, Hughes Krupica and Head of Phuket judging team; Kamolpat Swaengkit, Country Manager (Thailand) DD Property; Emma Gray, Head of Events Marketing, Asia Property Awards & Asia Real Estate Summit.

Development (Phuket), Best Condo Development (Phuket) and Best Resi­dential Development (Phang Nga and Krabi).

Developers and designers will also be aiming for national acclaim in categories such as Best Boutique Developer, Best Hotel Architectural Design as well as hoping for special recognition in awards such as Best Green Development.

“The Proper t yGu r u Thailand Property Awards continue to gain respect and awareness within and beyond the country,” says Robert Krupica, who leads the Phuket judging panel. “ We h a v e a l r e a d y

received a very high calibre of entries on Phuket, and the judges are looking forward to the site inspections when we decide on the merits of each eligible entry,” he added.

The win ners in the main categories at the PropertyGuru Thailand P roper t y Awa rd s w ill advance to the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final, which will be hosted

by Thailand for the first-time ever this year. The awards ceremony and gala dinner will be integrated with the two-day PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit at The Athenee Hotel, Bangkok on Nov 8-9.

The Phuket News thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

A family bond that survives generations

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

16

Phi Ta Khon goes international in Loei

15

WARM WATERS

Natural hot springs in Phang Nga make for a relaxing day trip away during the quiet season Guests enjoy the hot pool at the Hotspring Beach Resort and Spa in Phang Nga. Photo: Hotspring Beach Resort and Spa

Vera Vestfal

O

n a recent weekend my family and I decided to make a day trip to a familiar hot-spring resort located just in Phang Nga province, north of Phuket.

We have visited the Hotspring Beach Resort and Spa two times before and we always really enjoyed the experience, it is the perfect destination for a leisurely day trip to get off the island on the weekend.

Previously we had travelled there on a bus tour, which is also a good idea if you want to sit back and relax rather than drive, but this time we decided to go in our own car. As we had learned during previous trips, a great place to stop on the way to the hot spring is Wat Suwan Kuha, also known as the “Monkey Temple”. Here you can take a rest from driving, watch the monkeys and take a pleasant stroll through the temple, which is located in a cave under towering limestone cliffs. It is full of statues of Buddha and its centrepiece is a big reclining Buddha statue on a large platform. If you venture deeper into the cave, you will also see bunch of stalactites and even a few bats!

My favourite part of the drive is crossing the bridge to Phang Nga. A tour guide once told us that you have @thephuketnews

to hold your breathe and make a wish while you drive across, a practice from the days when cars used to cross on the old Sarasin Bridge, which is now a tourist attraction in itself. So my family now do exactly that every time we cross over the bridge.

Almost at our destination, travelling along the curvy road that hugs the coast as you approach the resort, my mother decided that we should stop at the beach and have a look around.

The beach was absolutely deserted, not a soul was there and we had the endless expanse of sand completely to ourselves. The monsoon weather had whipped up some huge waves, up to two or three metres tall, which I captured with my camera. After a while, we jumped back in the car and 10 minutes later we finally reached our destination.

The whole journey only took us about one and a half hours.

The Hotspring Beach Resort and Spa has very spacious grounds, dotted with pools that capture the hot water as it flows up from the depths of the earth.

There are two hot pools, both with a decidedly hot temperature of about 40ºC. There are also two cold pools, the coldest of which is about 16ºC – a stark contrast to the hot pools.

The hot spring itself was found about 40 years ago and water tests revealed that it contained significant amounts

of calcium, ammonia, iron, magnesium chloride, nitrogen sulphur and more – all minerals believed to be helpful for your body and can help treat skin problems.

Also, the very hot water, at around 4045ºC can help to relieve muscle tension and tiredness, and soaking in it is generally a very relaxing experience.

Each of the minerals found in the water have different properties that can improve health. The calcium helps to develop strong bone density, the iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen more effectively and the magnesium is one of the most important constituents of muscular tissue. Besides swimming, tourists can also enjoy various other therapeutic activities such as aroma therapy, facial treatments and Thai massage.

After swimming for about an hour, we took a walk around the resort so we could take some more photographs. The atmosphere around the hot spring was very peaceful, quiet and enjoyable; in part due to the large size of the grounds that lets people spread out without crowding any one spot. Later we walked to the beach, located close to the hotel.

We strolled along the beach for about 15 minutes to the relaxing sounds of crushing waves, stopping occasionally to examine some interesting sea shells.

By the time we returned to the resort it had started raining and we quickly went upstairs to the restaurant near

the pools to eat lunch. We ordered some traditional Thai dishes such as khao pad gai (fried rice with chicken), som tam (papaya salad), pad Thai (stir-fried noodles) and for the drink I chose to have a fresh young coconut. All of the dishes were served quite quickly and we enjoyed every single one of them. As we ate, the grey rain clouds covered the sky – the perfect weather to relax you while you are at the hot spring.

After lunch we plunged into the hot pool again to warm ourselves, and then jumped straight in the cold one.

The rapid contrast of the temperatures make your body tingle and feel like it is burning. It is said that the change in temperature helps your pores breathe and absorb more oxygen, also it helps to make your skin cleaner and clearer.

About 4pm we started to pack our things for the drive back to Phuket, and by 4:30pm we had left the hot spring and started our journey home. The drive back took us a little bit more than one hour, as it was Sunday we managed to avoid the traffic that often adds significant time to the journey. During the drive we took the chance to discuss our trip and share our pleasant experiences and feeling about the hot springs with each other. We hope to come back to the Hotspring Beach Resort and Spa one more time to enjoy more relaxation and positivity!

14 HEALTH

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

The future of healing

Health sector gives blockchain glowing prognosis in patient privacy

S

Etienne Balmer

ecuring safe interchange of patient data, improving the conduct of clinical tests and medicine traceability, and lowering costs. These are just some of the potential boosts for global healthcare the widespread use of blockchain technology, still in its relative infancy, could bring to the table, the sector hopes. The myriad potential applications of the cutting-edge technology used by cryptocurrencies led by bitcoin are countless – and gradually making their presence felt, albeit for now in small, disparate doses.

The blockchain uses chunks of data via distributed ledger technology, permitting the secure, immutable and transparent sharing of almost any form of information. The concept led Forbes magazine recently to observe that “it seems that blockchain is about to have an impact on nearly every industry”.

The advent of blockchain technology has been steadily creeping into various sectors ranging from finance and cybersecurity to logistics, from agrobusiness to energy via air transport.

In the health sector, a number of trial projects are already sifting data, the

Keeping patients’ data invisible from prying eyes has taken a leap forward with blockchain. Photo: Pixabay goal being to guarantee security of medical systems and manage patients’ digital dossiers.

“Blockchain is already being used in pilots for health data analytics, medical device security and electronic patient records,” French pharma giant Sanofi said in a recent note.

“Beyond that is the potential to apply the technology to everything, from more efficient clinical trials and speedier approvals of new therapies to reducing counterfeiting and increasing transparency about cost.”

Respect right to be forgotten In the United States, IBM Watson Health has been working with US food safety body the Food and Drug Administration to come up with a blockchain-based, seamless and secure health data exchange system. IBM Watson Health is also teaming with offices of the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs) to determine how blockchain can facilitate secure data exchange.

The idea is to use a blockchain platform to revolutionise data analysis through cognitive computing and improve epidemiological responses to health crises such as that of 2014, when CDCs earned some criticism over their response to four laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases in the United States.

Currently, says IBM, “around 80% of health data is invisible to current systems because it’s unstructured”.

In Europe, the MyHealthMyData uses a blockchain model compatible with tough new EU privacy laws that came into effect last month on online personal data protection.

“We only stock in the blockchain links to information, and not the information itself,” MyHealthMyData coordinator David Manset said.

MyHealthMyData, helped with 3.5 million euros (B124.55mn) of EU finance and whose partners include Germany’s Siemens, prioritises ease of access to health data and the ease of sharing clinical trials data where administrative tasks currently eat up around “80% of researchers’ time”, according to Manset.

Yet a balance has to be struck between people’s right to have their data disposed of – the “right to be forgotten” in terms of wiping their digital information trace – set against blockchain’s key selling points of immutability and unlocking efficiency advantages.

Some US estimates put the potential gains not least from cutting administrative and operational waste at hundreds of billions of dollars in a market where global expenditures surpassed $3 trillion in 2017 and will hit a projected $8.7 trillion by 2020, according to Deloitte.

MyHealthMyData suggests if somebody wishes definitively to erase his or her data from the trove then the links to that information could be rendered unusable rather than cause an actual break in the chain.

All cherry; no cake?

Manset explains that “we see blockchain as underpinning third party trust”.

But Anca Petre, co-founder of 23 Consulting, specialising in blockchain health sector potential, thinks large scale industry adoption will take time considering the sensitive nature of the data.

“For that we would have to have 100% digitised data and software interoperability” for all parties, which is very far from being the case today, Petre said.

“The first issue is to get everybody on board” which “will take time,” concedes Luca Comparini, in charge of blockchain at IBM France.

Petre is blunter.

“Blockchain is the cherry on the cake.

But first you need the cake,” she said.

AFP

Tainted eggs recalled in Europe

P

oland’s veterinary service last Friday (June 15) recalled some 4.3 million eggs contaminated with an antibiotic, just days after Dutch eggs were pulled from supermarket shelves in Germany.

Officials ordered the eggs, on sale in the domestic market, to be removed following an inspection.

“The recall is caused by the presence of residues of the antibiotic lasalocid at a rate exceeding its maximum allowed value,” a statement said.

The head of the Polish veterinary service Pawel Niemczuk said the drug was added “erroneously” to the feed given to laying hens on a farm near Poznan.

“The feed for fattening chickens (which legally uses the antibiotic)

In all, four million eggs were recalled. Photo: AFP was mistakenly given to laying hens,” he told the Polish news agency PAP. On June 12, German authorities pulled around 73,000 Dutch eggs from supermarket shelves after they were found to be contaminated with fipronil, the same insecticide that sparked a huge food scare last year.

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CULTURE 15

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

Taking life in a stance SIRINYA’S WORLD Dr Sirinya Pakditawan pakditawan@googlemail.com

R

epresentations of the Buddha can be found throughout Thai temple compounds. The Buddha is represented as either a statue or in mural painting as an idealised image of the Great Buddha who lived in northeast India in the 6th century BC. He is commonly shown in either of the following four positions: seated, standing, walking, and reclining. The Buddha’s hand gesture and posture refer to important events in his life.

Siddhartha Gautama of the Sakya clan, who was to become the Buddha, was born in a small Hindu kingdom neighbouring to Nepal. First he became an ascetic before reaching enlightenment. Afterwards, he taught the truths he had learned and hence gained many disciples. He died around the age of 80.

The Buddha put forward the four noble truths concerning man’s condition and the eightfold path that should lead to enlightenment, perfection, absence from rebirths and finally to nirvana, which is to be understood as the extinction of the “three poisons”: passion, aversion and ignorance.

When these poisons or “fires” are extinguished, freedom from the cycle of rebirth (samsara) is attained.

In the reclining posture, the Buddha is also referred to as being in the “sleeping lion’s” position which is the state in which the Buddha died. Buddha lies on the right side with knees slightly bent and the left hand on the thigh. In Buddhism, the sleeping lion posture is also the traditionally recommended mode for dying. A well-known Buddha image in this position is the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho in Bangkok.

For example, a walking Buddha is the Buddha Monthon (Phutthamonthon) which is created in the Sukhothai style. The image performs the abhaya mudra, the gesture of reassurance and dispelling fear. Characteristic of the period are the broad shoulders

A participant strikes a pose during the Phi Ta Khon Festival main parade in Loei. Photo: TAT

‘Phi Ta Khon’ Festival in Loei takes international flavour

T

he annual Phi Ta Khon, also known as the “ghost mask festival”, was held in its home province of Loei last weekend, from June 16-18.

Bringing an international flavour to the long-held festival were participants from Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and South Korea who were invited by the Ministry of Culture to display their beautiful masks and costumes.

The Phi Ta Khon was held in the Dan Sai district in a joint effort between the Ministry of Culture, local public and private organisations as well as a network of culture related agencies.

Culture Minister Vira @thephuketnews

Rojpojchanarat said during a press conference announcing the event that it was being held to promote local tourism, a colourful local tradition and cultural exchanges between Thailand and other countries.

In addition to a parade of masked Phi Ta Khon performers, visitors enjoyed a traditional rocket launching ceremony, a Phi Ta Khon mask contest, a variety of local products and cultural performances. It is thought the event has its origins in a fertility festival but these days it’s part of a two-day merit-making event.

It is one of the most popular festivals of Isarn alongside other events, such as, the Bun Bang Fai rocket festival.

NNT

The Reclining Buddha in Wat Phra Chetuphon. Photo: Dudva and pendant arm. The flat feet and projecting heels are part of the anatomy characteristic of a great being.

It is also important to note that there are Buddha statues for each day of the week, each in a different pose.

They are often lined up in a row at a temple. Many Thai people know the day and hour they were born thus paying respect to the Buddha image presiding over their day of birth.

The Buddha of Monday is the one preventing calamities. The image for Tuesday is in the reclining posture.

Wednesday, in fact, has two Buddha images, in the morning it is the Buddha holding an alms bowl and in the evening he is in the posture of retreating in the forest. The Thursday image is meditating and on Friday the Buddha is in reflection. The Saturday statue is sitting in meditation while

being protected by Muchalinda’s cobra hood. Finally, the Sunday Buddha is in pensive thought.

The most prevalent posture and gesture in Thailand is the Buddha in sitting position with his right hand pointing down to the earth. By doing so, he calls on the Earth to be his witness that over many lives he fulfilled and accomplished himself thus being able to reach enlightenment.

Summing up, we may say that the Buddha image in Thai culture is very prominent and deeply revered.

Sirinya Pakditawan is a ‘luk kreung’, or half-Thai, and she enjoys writing about Thailand, with a focus on culture, art, history, tradition and on the people. To read the original story, and many more, be sure to check out Sirinya’s blog: sirinyas-thailand.de

16 PEOPLE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

A unique brotherly bond

Descendants of original Siamese Twins Chang and Eng visit the homeland Apipar Norapoompipat

They were very exotic, and the misconception is you start thinking that they’re not real people with real feelings, emotions, intelligence and talents.

I

f Zack Blackmon Jr were to tell you that he’s a direct descendant of the original Siamese Twins Chang and Eng Bunker, there’s no way you’d believe him. White skinned, blue eyed and with a delightfully thick North Carolinian accent, Blackmon Jr, 67, is in fact the great-great grandson of Eng. “One of the comical things is when people look at me and say, ‘Which one are you kin to?’. I always say Eng, and they say, ‘How do you know?’, and you can’t help but think, ‘Well, Chang was there’, he said with a laugh.

Jokes aside, last week marked an important step forward for the Bunker family descendants as well as Thai-American diplomatic relations. Blackmon Jr and 13 other fourth-and fifth-generation descendants of the original Siamese Twins came on a 10-day official trip from America to visit their ancestor’s homeland of Thailand.

The event, sparked by a viral Matichon article by Gen Nipat Thonglek on the twin’s unbelievable story, was co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand as part of the 185th anniversary of ThaiAmerican relations. Touring Samut Songkhram, the birthplace of their great or great-great grandparents’, the descendants, with tears of joy in their eyes, celebrated the twins 207th birthday with a traditional Buddhist ceremony, planted an Inchan tree (Gold Apple tree) in front of their bronze statue and also unveiled a new street named Chang and Eng near the statue. “‘The ‘Elephant and the Eagle’, the Thai and American relationship – a lot of that was created back with Eng and Chang,” said Blackmon Jr, who was on

The Chang and Eng Bunker families circa 1865. Photo taken by Mathew Brady his first trip to Thailand. “They sort of helped start the relationship, and it’s getting stronger.”

Eng and Chang were born in Siam in 1811 to Chinese parents. Conjoined at the chest by a band of cartilage as well as a fused liver, they were discovered by a Scottish businessman and an American captain at the age of 17. They were contracted into their service for five years (paying their mother an equivalent of US$500 and asking permission from King Rama II), but for more than a decade, they toured the world in circuses, freak-shows and hospitals to be poked and prodded, exhibited and gawked at as “monstrosities”.

Known for their high intelligence and wit, by 1832, the twins were able to collect enough money to free themselves and settle down in southern Mt Airy, North Carolina, as some of the richest men in the county – even owning 33 slaves. Using loopholes in the law (they were considered white by census as the official government didn’t have a category for Asians until 1870), they became US citizens, married two white sisters – Adelaide and Sarah Yates – and to the fascination of everyone from then till now, fathered in total 21 children.

Today, there are about 1,500 descendants of the Siamese Twins (with around seven sets of non-conjoined twins), and the fourth and fifth generations especially take high pride in their ancestry.

“With their unusual bondage, they not only survived, but they thrived,” said Blackmon Jr. “You can look down the generations and there’s generals in the army, there’s a president of the Union

Zack Blackmon Jr, the great-great grandson of Eng Bunker, with a mini Bunker family tree. Photo: Apipar Norapoompipat / Bangkok Post

A poster promotes Chang and Eng as attractions.

Pacific Railroad, and there’s Alex Sink, [former chief financial officer of Florida] who also ran for governor.

“From their generation down, all their children were hardworking and became fairly well-to-do. They encouraged their children to go to school, to college, and that sort of went down the generations.

We wouldn’t have had the start and push we had. It had to start somewhere. We applaud them.”

The descendants take their lineage so seriously that for the past 28 years, they have been having family reunions in Mt Airy every last Saturday of May. Hundreds of descendants gather, do a roll call (each descendant has their own code), find out more about the history and information about the twins, and eat Thai food provided by the Embassy of Thailand – a friendship which has been going on for the last 10 years.

“My grandmother didn’t talk about the twins very much. I think she was embarrassed,” said Chang’s great-great granddaughter Alex Sink, who actually grew up in Chang’s farmhouse in Mt Airy. “Nobody wanted to talk about the sex. They had a lot of children. They did something [laughs]. But that human desire to produce children and to have families was just very strong, and fortunately they found two sisters that fell in love with them. It’s a good family story.”

“When I was growing up, sometimes I heard them being called circus freaks,” said Sink. “They were oddities – they were one-of-a-kind. Nobody had ever seen anybody like this, and they were Asian.

They were exotic, and the misconception is you start thinking they’re not real people with real feelings, emotions, intelligence and talents. As soon as they could, they knew they wanted to settle down and live a normal life.”

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

GARDENING 17

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

The migration of plants Untangling the complex and world-wide botanical web The very familiar rubber tree. Photo: Andreas Krappweis

GREEN THOUGHTS Patrick Campbell

B

ecause the climate here is so conducive to growth, we tend to assume that most ornamental plants in our tropic gardens originated in Thailand or at least Southeast Asia. Not true.

Sometimes by happenstance, mostly by design, perhaps our flora has fetched up here from other corners of the globe. Take the chilli, perhaps the single most distinctive ingredient in Thai cooking. This pungent spice was unknown outside the Americas until Columbus made his voyage to the New World towards the end of the 15th century. Ironically, he was searching for black pepper, then a commodity as valuable as gold dust.

Chillis and peppers probably came to Thailand’s dinner tables much later. One wonders how the local cuisine managed without nam prik for so long.

The migration of plants has been going on for eons. The Romans brought plums, walnuts, parsley and even roses to foggy Albion; later potatoes, pineapples and tomatoes arrived in northern Europe from America. But the 19th century was the great age of plant collectors; numerous expeditions were mounted with the primary purpose of “discovering” new species and bringing these exotics to the attention of a “civilised” world. The development of the glasshouse and – aptly named “conservatory” – meant that these exotica could literally be “conserved”, indeed might even flourish, in manmade micro-climates that sought to accurately reflect conditions in the wild.

Kew Gardens in London, which still houses the largest botanical collection in the world, was founded in 1840 and is a palpable expression of a Victorian explosion of interest in plant hunting.

Why, one might justifiably inquire?

Britain was of course enjoying its imperialist moment, the greatest nation in the world with an empire where, it was boasted, the sun never set. How better to demonstrate this tentacular reach than to display fruits and flowers from these remote lands.

A period of plant-hunting fever, this frenzy spawned both famous collectors and collections. And the motives were not always political or even commercial, but the product of a passion for @thephuketnews

botany and natural history. George Forrest, for example, was not only the greatest collector and cataloguer of rhododendrons – mostly from China – but also of Camellia saluensis, a species now grown in temperate gardens everywhere.

On the other hand, Scottish botanist Robert Fortune, who introduced the Chinese tea plant to northern India in 1848, was attracted by the commercial potential of a beverage nowadays enjoyed the world over. An employee of the East India Company, he somehow managed to smuggle 20,000 seedlings into Darjeeling. It triggered the birth of the Indian tea industry. But he was not just a mercenary. Many other plants are named after him including a euonymus and a mahonia, Hosta fortunei and a celebrated climbing white rose.

But the most famous plant heist, and everywhere visible in Thailand, was that engineered by Sir Henry Wickham, who in 1876 stole a huge quantity of rubber tree seeds from their native habitat in Brazil and personally accompanied the cache to London’s Kew Gardens.

Subsequently, the seeds were dispatched to a number of British colonies including what was then Malaya. Still regarded in Brazil as a “bio-pirate”, his efforts bore substantial fruit in Malaya and subsequently in Southern Thailand, aided by the manic efforts of one “Rubber Ridley”, and the development of more efficient production methods.

To this day, and despite the competition from synthetic rubber and plastic, these Southeast Asian countries remain preeminent producers. It is no coincidence that here in Phuket 60% of the woodland consists of plantations of Havea Braziliensis. By a strange irony, most of these young para rubber saplings grow alongside rows of pineapples. Ananus comosus had also found its way into Thailand, if more circuitously, from the New World.

Evidence of this great botanical migration is all around us. Canna lilies, bougainvilleas, heliconias, acacias, ixoras and allamanda are just a few of the flowering shrubs visible from my window – all of them imports from other parts of the globe. Foreign plants, some as yet without local names, continue to appear in garden centres on the island.

So is this all good news? Well, for the most part it is. Indeed, some immigrants fare better in their new surroundings than in their original environment. But that is in itself a double-edged sword.

Some do so well that they become invasive, supplant local varieties and require culling. Of course the limelight hugging stories concern invading animals: in Florida’s watery wilderness known as the Everglades, there are now so many Burmese pythons – cast-off pets or escapees – that the entire local fauna is threatened. Australia now plays host to 56 invasive animals including the rabbit and the cane toad, consciously introduced from South America in an attempt to control infestations of beetles in the sugar cane fields. The toad did nothing to eliminate the offending insects, but killed off most or the country’s smaller predators. Closer to home, the most serious importee is the hispine beetle which arrived accidentally in Thailand from Indonesia. Its larvae are steadily munching their way through groves of coconut palms.

The list of “take-over” plants is less spectacular. Here in Thailand, gardeners know of the existence of the giant sensitive plant (Mimosa pigra) or the Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata).

But in general they approve of wedelia, a small ground-hugging plant that quickly colonises waste lots, and produces attractive star-shaped flowers. It has the happy knack of surviving where grass will not. Or lantana, considered a pest in Australia, but here treated as a decorative perennial and frequently displayed in nurseries as a multi-hued hybrid suitable for containers.

In Phuket, I would point the accusatory finger at only one plant – the water hyacinth, or Eichoria crassipes.

Originally from the Amazon basin,

Even the chilli is not native to Thailand. Photo: Pexels where presumably it was eaten by other animals, it has become a pernicious presence in Thailand. Near my house is a large lake now so carpeted by the floating weed that the water is no longer visible. It not only clogs canals and impedes boats but offers a prime habitat for mosquitoes, and worse still, kills fish by depriving them of life-giving oxygen, Its fibres have commercial applications: these need to be urgently exploited.

But lets’ not leave on a downbeat note. As far as garden plants are concerned the migratory process, manmade or accidental – has been almost entirely beneficial. All our gardens, everywhere, would be the poorer without these invaders who have come to stay.

18 ISLAND SCENE

Craig, Marcus and Bier.

Graham (left) and Andrea (right).

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

Organiser Donna Toon with flowers for her efforts.

Sadly, no prizes for the beard.

GOOD FOLKS PUT THE PEDDLE TO THEIR METTLE FOR RIDE 4 KIDS CHARITY A welcome home party for the riders, crew, their friends and families of those who took part in the Ride 4 Kids V2.0 was held at Outrigger’s Metzo’s Bar and Bistro last Saturday (June 16). Prizes were up for grabs through raffles and silent auctions, all in the name of the charity to help boost the funds raised by the 20 riders who cycled a 700km route starting and finishing from Phuket on June 11-16, all to raise money for local charity foundations The Good Shepherd, Phuket Has Been Good To Us (PHBGTU) and Outrigger’s Share4Change. Visit www.ride4kids.co for more information. The Phuket News was proud to support this event.

Project Co-ordniator Larry Amsden (centre) with the team of water-safety instructors.

Children pay attention during one of the lessons.

Practice in the pool removes the fear of being in the water.

ROTARY PATONG STEPS UP TO HELP PREVENT YOUNG CHILDREN DROWNING Recognising that drowning is the leading cause of death in Thailand among young children, the Rotary Club of Patong Beach in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Chiangmai International and Safe Child Thailand have launched a project to teach young (Grade 4) children in Patong water safety fundamentals and to learn to swim. The classes, held at a swimming pool in Kathu, included about 30 children each, with all 90-plus Grade 4 students at Sai Nam Yen School in Patong to later undergo the training. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

Jason Wilder hopping happy.

Mark and Sean are all smiles.

ISLAND SCENE 19

The swinging cast and crew of the Third Annual Laguna Phuket Hospitality Challenge.

THE LAGUNA PHUKET HOSPITALITY CHALLENGE SWINGS INTO ACTION The Third Laguna Phuket Hospitality Challenge charity golf tournament took place last Friday (June 15) at the Laguna Golf Phuket course. The atmosphere was once again fun yet competitive, with 17 teams battling for bragging rights as the best hospitality golfers in the region. The event yet again provided an amazing day of gourmet golf, treating all the golfers to some fun challenges and exciting food and beverage service, all in aid of the Children First Fund. Class Act Media’s Live89.5FM and Phuket News TV were proud to be Media Partner and Sponsor.

Life-savers worthy of honouring.

The Central Pattana team with Class Act Media GM Jason Beavan.

BE THERE FOR SOMEONE ELSE. GIVE BLOOD, SHARE LIFE

CENTRAL PATTANA DEVELOPING POSITIVE RELATIONS IN PHUKET

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong along with his wife, Phuket Red Cross President Sudawan Plodthong, led a special event at the Grand Ballroom of the Novotel Phuket Phokeethra Hotel last Thursday (June 14) to mark World Blood Donor Day 2018 to thank and praise blood donors. Governor Norraphat and Mrs Sudawan handed out certificates of appreciation and The Red Cross Awards Medal to supporting organisations and blood donors.

The marketing team from Central Pattana PCL, Thailand’s largest retail property development and investment company, operated under Central Group, dropped in to say hello at the Class Act Media offices on Tuesday (June 19). In the office in person were (from left) Pornwadee Rocharungsat, AVP-Public Relations; Lalida Lohachitanond, AVP-Marketing Communications; Pitiporn Jutisiriwatana, VP-Corporate Communications; and Thanaroj Taengkhem, AVP-Digital Marketing Communications.

Jamie Monk (left) ready for giggles.

Jay, Russell, ‘the fun dude’ and Emily all strike a pose at the fun-loving event.

Jason Wilder (left) with Celtic funsters Phil Kay (2nd from left) and Aiden Killian (right).

Aiden shares a smile with Trevor.

CELTIC COMEDY LEGENDS BRING BIG JOY HITHER, WITH AN ACCENT Another great night of live stand-up comedy went on show at the Phuket Marriott Merlin Beach Resort last Tuesday night (June 12) with Celtic Comedy Legends Phil Kay and Aidan Killian giving the audience a hefty rate of return on their laughter investment. We can’t wait for the next one. @thephuketnews

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

22 JUN

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

SUN

Midsummer celebrations with a Tribute to the awesome band ABBA. The buffet is served at 7pm and the Two Chef’s house band will start the show at around 8:30pm. The all you can eat-buffet is ONLY B795 (B395 for children) For more information or reservations please contact us at: katacenter@twochefs.com or call 076 330 065.

24 JUN

Sunday Roast All Day, All Night An Italian Evening

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 445 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs!

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

Andaman Hotelier and Tourism Fair 2018 See the creative ideas to help improve the skills that our world needs. You will see the combination of hotel people and touring people going head to head in “World Love” , competition, such as bartending, barista, towels folding, flowers arrangement, bed making and more. Come and cheer the winner of Mister & Miss Andaman Hotelier 2018. For more special promotion such as discounted hotel rooms, come and see us at HomeWorks on June 22-24 from 10am till 9pm. To register please contact; Facebook – Andaman Hotelier or call 095 234 2451. Supported by Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Beverage Public Company limited.

KIS End of Year Show Each June since opening in 2011, Kajonkiet International School, Phuket has hosted an end of academic year theatre production. This June, our End of Year Show is Dr.Dolittle JR. The production will be held at Kajonkiet International School, Phuket, 125/1 Soi The Valley 1, Praphuketkaew Road Kathu, Phuket on Friday 22 June and Saturday 23 June. This exciting production, filled with unforgettable songs and characters is a fun-filled presentation of music and drama by KIS students to be enjoyed by both the school and the wider community. We warmly invite you to participate in this particular event!

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

SAT

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

Jazz Night Jazz Night at Mom Tri’s Wok Pagoda Kitchen, Every Saturday night from 18:00 - 20:00 with Canape & Cocktail. For more infomation & reservation please contact 076-333-568 or fb@villaroyalephuket.com THB 850 per person. Mom Tri’s Wok Pagoda, fb@villaroyalephuket.com, 076-333-568.

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 - RESERVE Your Table Now Online at bit.ly/TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents Reservation, Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet 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.

23 JUN

Go Live Sunday Seafood Brunch P-REA Charity Golf 2018 All you can eat BBQ Ribs night MIDSUMMER ABBA PARTY! On Friday the June 22 we are serving up our large Swedish Smorgasbord again! This year we are combining

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.

Raising funds for medical equipment for Thalang Hospital. Teams of 4 - B11,000, individuals - B2,900 includes Green fees, T-shirt, cap, dinner, drinks, prizes, awards and more. Carts - advance booking - B700 shared. Rego - 10:30am, Shotgun start - 12:29pm, Dinner 6:30pm. Hole in One - Volvo V60 (B1.9M) from Stockholm Auto. prea.news@gmail.com, 086 471 4874, 081 982 9208 (Sam).

The Banyan Tree Brunch experience offers a generous selection of live fresh, local and imported seafood with exceptional lobster dishes, Japanese starters, mouth-watering meats, Asian wok and Western grill treats. Gourmet cuisine, exceptional service, live jazz and tranquil surroundings, The Banyan Tree Brunch has something for everyone! Every Sunday 12pm 3:30pm, Prices start from B2,800 net per person. For reservations email: fb-phuket@banyantree.com or call 076 372 400.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

SUN

24 JUN

THU

28 JUN

at La Boucherie Restaurant, Chalong, Phuket. In view of insuring that our objective “To Serve” is reached with success. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details. Email: pr@thai-bd.com or anna@ thai-bd.com (Russia-English). For ticket requirement (Thai-English) please contact Sara Nattaporn 084745-4497.

WED

FRI

20 JUL

4 JUL

RETRO NIGHT – BACK TO THE 70S & 80S

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

MON

25 JUN

Don’t miss out on our newest, exciting weekly event at Two Chefs. Come and join us for our special Flambé 300g Australian grass-fed rib eye steak served with a creamy peppercorn sauce, roasted vegetable medley and potato gratin for ONLY B495. Have a sweet tooth? Treat yourself to the Two Chefs banana flambé served with vanilla ice cream for ONLY B95. Sit back and enjoy one of our drink specials as you listen to the famous Two Chefs band performing all your favorite retro hits and more! Live music starts from 8pm and goes late at all of our Two Chefs locations. Reservations are highly recommended. You can book on our website at www.TwoChefs.com or find us on Facebook at Facebook/TwoChefsThailand. Come for the food, stay for the fun! Reservations: Call us directly at Two Chefs Kata Center 076 330 065, Kata Beach 076 333 370, Karon 076 286 479 or 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.

SAT Independence Day Celebration Friendship Beach Resort Independence Day Celebration @Friendship Beach Resort - Great Fireworks Display, Party & Dance with DJ A, Welcome drink, BBQ Buffet Dinner - Grilled Salmon Filet, BBQ Ribs (award winning), Southern Fried Chicken, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie, and a large selection of Sides, Salads, & Desserts. Adults THB750++, Children under 12 THB290++ For Bookings call 66 (0) 89 728 5304 or Email chef@friendshipbeach.com Khun Jao, 22/1 Soi Mittrapap Rawai Phuket.

THU

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

DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON

Live Organic Blues Rock

SAT

30 JUN

Open your heart charity by Lions Club of Phuket Pearl Curry buffet, great variety, vibrant flavours. Every Monday from 18.30 - 21.30. Reservations, SALA Phuket, events@salaphuket.com, 076 338 888.

@thephuketnews

The Lions Club of Phuket Pearl is organizing a Charity Dinner by Chef Pascal Geudin to raise funds for our continued actions in the various sectors in our community in need of our support. The event will take place on Saturday, June 30, 2018 from 7.30 pm - 10.30 pm

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.

19 JUL

Colin illy Hill Band, every Thursday from 9pm till midnight @ Expat Sports Bar. No cover charge, Car parking available. Visit: facebook.com/ExpatSportsBar

Simmer & Spice

21 JUL

PIWC Luncheon – July 2018 The July Lunch will be held at Mom Tri’s Villa Royale. B700 for members and B850 for guests. Arrive at 11:30am for registration for the 12pm lunch. Please book at: info@PIWC-Phuket.com.

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. Which is taller, a full-grown Tyrannosaurus Rex or an adult giraffe?

2. How old was Pelé when he played in his first FIFA World Cup in 1958?

3. What was Nobel Prize winner Lech Walesas’s occupation at the Lenin Shipyard, Gdansk?

4. La Scala opera house is in which European city?

5. Ailurophobia is the fear of what?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Medium

Across 49. Sparkle 1. Like the Great 50. Some Italian Plains natives 5. “___ Turtle and 55. Mary Poppins Dum Dum” and My Fair Lady (Hanna-Barbera 58. First round draft cartoon) choice?

11. Actors org.

59. Jitters 14. Winged-fruit tree 60. “-zoic” things genus 61. Bucko 15. Matched 62. Said no 16. Wine cask 63. Mesh of veins 17. Brecht and Weill musical Down 20. Most comme il 1. Brewery faut equipment 21. “___ Window” 2. Feel sympathy 22. Stickers 3. Bone-dry 23. Winds off 4. Shook 26. Carrels 5. Pig-like beasts 29. Sci-fi extra 6. S-shaped 30. Pocket problem moldings 31. Skating event 7. Cemetery sights 32. Jump into a pool? 8. Ancient warrior 35. Woodstock and 9. “___ Jude” Live Aid 10. Nigerian state 39. ___ tempore 11. Word with drum 40. Be exultant or magnolia 41. Couturier Ricci 12. Ear-related 42. They have flat tops 13. Growls 43. Mendicant 18. Jewish month 45. Holy thing of old 19. Motivate 48. ___ red 24. Norse goddess

of fate 25. Microprocessor type 26. Boutique 27. Hit the road 28. Puente ___ 29. Freshwater fish 31. Introductions 32. Sailing ship 33. It towers over Taormina 34. Ted Bell thriller title 36. Column type 37. Roughly 38. Stir up 42. Smaller version 43. Flourished 44. Halftime lead, e.g.

45. Relating to blood 46. “Be-Bop-___” 47. Treated with radiation 48. Kind of call 51. Wood sorrels 52. Green land 53. Back ___ 54. Actual being 56. Bra part 57. Tennis pro Ivanovic

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) T, Rex (but only just at full height, 6.1 metres); 2) 17; 3) Electrician; 4) Milan, Italy; 5) Cats

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

1

person is killed by a drunk driver every hour in the US.

42

percent of telecommuters worldwide suffer from insomnia, compared to just 29% of those who report to an office setting, according to a UN study.

70

percent of female online gamers chose to play as male characters rather than contend with sexual harassment.

1,668

Promthep sunset. Photo: John Priestly Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

US dollars is the median credit card debt of someone with a bachelor’s degree in the US.

44 billion

US dollars is how much has been spent on gift cards that have never been used in the US since 2008.

Source: Uberfacts

This week in history June 22, 1986 The famous Hand of God goal, scored by Diego Maradona in the quarter-finals of the 1986 FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and England, ignites controversy. This was later followed by the Goal of the Century.

Argentina wins 2–1 and later goes on to win the World Cup. June 23, 1611 The mutinous crew of Henry Hudson’s fourth voyage sets

Henry, his son and seven loyal crew members adrift in an open boat in what is now Hudson Bay; they are never heard from again.

mas is declared a federal holiday in the United States.

June 27, 1971 After only three years in business, rock promoter Bill Graham closes Fillmore East in New York, the “Church of Rock and Roll”.

June 24, 1939 Siam is renamed Thailand by Plaek Phibunsongkhram, the country’s third prime minister.

June 25, 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn and the death of Lt Col George Armstrong Custer. (Image: “The Custer Fight’

by Charles Marion Russell) June 26, 1870 The Christian holiday of Christ-

June 28, 1997 Holyfield–Tyson II: Mike Tyson is disqualified in the third round for biting a piece off Evander Holyfield’s ear. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

Jobs

@thephuketnews

CLASSIFIEDS 23 The Phuket News @thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

Trades & Services

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

@thephuketnews

26 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Trades & Services

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

MARINE SERVICES

MOVING SERVICES

POOL SERVICES

PROPERTY SERVICES

OTHER

ADVERTISE HERE

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

Buy & Sell

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

JOBS T EN Live-in housekeeper wanted G R ULive-in housekeep wanted for house in Kata. Must understand English and love dogs. Excellent conditions. 31/3 Soi Plukjae Kata Phuket. Contact: Lillian Dinic: lil@ladolcevitare. com.au or call 080 690 5248.

GE UR

NT

Bar staff wanted

Blondie Bar 2 at Otop Market Patong requires Bar Staff. Thai nationals only. Good salary and room provided. Phone Mick: 081 087 6114.

BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE T EN

SA

LE

FOR SALE SILVERCRAFT 31

ALMOST NEW 35 HOURS ONLY, STILL UNDER WARRANTY EXTRAS GRAB RAILS COVERS. AVAILABLE NOW THAI REGISTERED AND TAX PAID SEA TRIAL AT SHORT NOTICE OK, new price inc reg & extras B4,863,000 offers over B4.6 million considered. Please contact William at: wfphelps@me.com or call 00 44 11 89 841 627.

G UR

G UR

T EN

SA

LE

Boat For Sale

72’(22m) Thai Trawler partially-converted as Tour Boat Business. Rebuilt from top to bottom 3 years ago (spent just over 1MB) including engine as was planned to use for a tour business, owner had to return to the UK unable to return (very ill son).

Some weather damage and need some repairs. Engine has only done only 6 hours, has new 12 kua generator. Currently in Hua Hin. Viewing can be arrange. Must sell within the next few months. Offers over THB 500,000. Contact Shayne on 0934 189 529 or shayne.inbox@gmail.com

BUSINESSES FOR SALE MINI RESORT - Near Laguna

Luxury Villas, 4- and 3-bedroom, pool, office/Apt, 1/2 Rai, well furnished – tropical garden setting. Now on vacation rentals, a money maker. Only B13.5mn - 089 594 4067.

UR

G

T EN

SA

LE

SURIN: LUXURIOUS BAR-RESTAURANT SALE

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

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE Amazing Deal!

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

Only 495,000 THB. Adam 091 016 1167.

Chevrolet Cruze

As new only 27,000 KMS 1 owner, service history, gps, front/rear cameras, 4 new tyres, new battery, new rear shockers 2011 LTZ model + All extras. 385,000, John, Kathu, 0822784521.

G UR

EN

T

L SA

E

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. @thephuketnews

CARS, TRUCKS FOR RENT G

T EN

RE

NT

CARS FOR RENT

We offer car rental at affordable prices.

Monthly from B10,000. Daily from B400.

Call us and find out what we offer. B10,000 monthly. Stig Johansson, 110/78 Moo 2, T Paklok, A Thalang, 83110 Phuket. Contact: stigisaan@gmail.com, 084 847 4377.

UR

HOME IMPROVEMENT Flat roof waterproofing

We do flat roof waterproofing with a 20year warranty by installing quality four layer slate spotted bitumen torch foil + crack repair! Andreas Ruthe, 22/5 Moo1 Kamala, Kathu. Contact: office@tcm-asia.com, 086 943 9834 or 076 385 081.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE For Sale

New set of Kasco G7 golf clubs RH R FLEX. Driver 10.5°, 3 Wood 15°, U4 Hybrid 19°, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, P, S irons.

Milled head putter. 11 clubs, 4 head covers, graphite shafts except putter. B25,000. Bob Mather, Kathu.

Contact: bobmather_4@hotmail.com, 095 549 2748.

OTHER Accountancy,Bookkeeping,Tax

Accountancy, Bookkeeping, Australian Taxation, GST, VAT, Business Advisory Anabel Da Silva, PO Box 161, Palmyra, Western Australia, 6957, anabel@dasilva-accounting.com, +61 40 400 6236.

POOL TABLES AMAZING DEAL NOT TO BE MISSED!

Like new English Riley Pool Table for sale.

Measures 320cm long by 170cm, comes with six pool cues and cue rack as well as game counter.

Pick up in Chalong no delivery. Only 50,000 THB. Adam 091 016 1167.

POOL TABLES Rasson Victory 2 Pro Tounament

Style is forever! The Victory Tournament 9 ft. pool table is a tournament-style, highquality pool table designed with commercial and private use in mind, slate bed. B228,000.

REAL ESTATE SERVICES CHATTHA Property and Rental Management Service in Phuket

Our services: Housekeeping, Garden, Swimming Pool, Maintenance and Repair. www.chatthamanagement. com office: 076 636 244 or mobile: 090 179 6635.

Chattha Management.

PROPERTY FOR SALE 80m2 freehold condo in Patong

Freehold 80m2, 2-bedroom apartment in quiet condo with swimming pool in Patong. Ideal investment in most active tourist area in Phuket. B5.9 million. Contact Michel GUILLIEN, Andaman Beach Suites, Unit 1604, Patong, Phuket. Email: mguillien@gmail.com or call 097 920 2339.

Nicklas Klodner

Two-storey villa in a gated community @ Pruksa The Plant, Kathu. Corner land plot 170 sqm, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Indoors 140 sqm. With furniture ready to move in B8,100,000, Nicklas Klodner, The Plant 144/15. Email: nicklas.klodner@gmail.com or call +66 80 519 7719.

28 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy & Sell

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE RPM owner direct

Unique luxury condo 2 bed, 2 bath, 155sqm. Foreign FREEHOLD. Architect remodel. New Jacuzzi. Views to lake, mountain, marina, pool, etc. Completely furnished to a high standard, toothbrush only required. Owner leaving Thailand. Priced at 16MB for quick sale.

Contact Brian (Owner): 089 054 4354, 076 360 943. bggvirgo@gmail.com RoyalPhuketMarina Condos.com

Luxury Villa

With private boat morning and jacuzzi.

Email paradise11@mac.com for pictures, plans and price.

Amazing 1-bedroom house in great area

Brand-new one bedroom house with full kitchen and car parking and ready to move in, right in the heart of Rawai. Perfectly priced home on the most desirable street of Rawai, so don’t miss out! B2.9M for quick sale. Contact Benni by email at: b_gholami@ hotmail.com or call 088 168 5032.

New Modern Villa – 5 Mins to Ao Po Grand Marina

200 sqm, land 500 sqm, 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, swimming pool, close to UWCT school. Including: pool/garden/wifi/TV.SAT/services. Google map: tiny.cc/deltaho. Contact owner (Alain): mrdupouy@yahoo.fr. 65,000/ month, Alain, 57/3 Moo 3 Soi Ban Bang Pae, T. Pa Khlok, T. Thalang, Phuket 83110. Email: mrdupouy@yahoo.fr or call 081 893 5270.

Building for Sale

One-unit building for sale in business area Boat Avenue near Villa Market Laguna. Three and a halfstorey, 24 square wah. Khun Mhee (owner), 49/23, Cherng Talay. Email: anmehee@hotmail.com or call 095 545 0017 or 086 346 2622.

Unique Investment Opportunity

Unique investment opportunity Not to be missed: 5 pool villas, big land, large entertaiment areas, parking garages and private gates.

More info www.thegardenkptphuket.com www.thegardenkptphuket.com

5-bed pool villa, 1.2 Rai

3 detached buildings, L-shaped open plan living, Western kitchen, guest suite, pool 11mx5m, quiet residential area. 1.2 rai plot. THB19,750,000. Contact Mrs Simpson by email: thaivillaonline@gmail.com or call 084 447 7248. More info at: thaivillaonline.com

Chalong Office, Workshop/Store

300sqm office on 2 floors with all services incl.3 phone lines + 300sqm undercover workshop/store with 4m ht & 3 phase. Chanote 0.5rai.

B12,000,000, Simon Jupe, 29/4 Soi Nayai, Chalong, Phuket 83130. Email: simonj@cscoms.com or call +66 (0)87 883 2542

Single house for sale

Located the way to Yamu Pa Khlok, from the main road 500m, 55 SQW, 3 bedrooms, 2 restrooms, with modern kitchen, 2 cars parking, free space 140 SQM. 3.5 Million Baht, K. Suwit: suwitlap5@gmail.com, 081 895 6969.

PROPERTY FOR SALE 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 : Two tennis courts, 10 x 24 Meters swimming pool , fitness & game room,restaurant, parking. 60 Million Baht O.N.O., Songpan, songpanpirom@hotmail.com, 081 737 8662.

PROPERTY FOR RENT Ready 01/07/2018

Rent. The Heritages Suites, nice 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Jacuzzi, 160sqm.

Modern furnished. Lease long term (minimum 1 year). Parking, pool, fitness. Close KIS, Lotus.

39,000, Aouiche, Kathu, Thai 089 552 9303/Eng 093 717 9343.

Pool Villa For Rent PhangNga

4-Bed Pool villa nearby Natai beach.

Surrounded by nature. North of Phuket, 25 mins from airport. Idea for retired/long term stay family. Yupadee: miakcg@yahoo.com, 081 926 3286.

COMMUNITY

PROPERTY FOR RENT

Property 5 Mins to Ao Po Grand Marina

Very big house 750sqm, Land 4,000sqm, available 15 June, 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, swimming pool, jacuzzi, close to UWCT school, including pool, garden, service, wifi-tv/sat.

Google map: tiny.cc/deltaho, Contact owner (Alain): mrdupouy@yahoo.fr. Long term 145,000/Month, Email Alain: mrdupouy@yahoo.fr or call 081 893 5270.

PROPERTY FOR RENT 3-Bedroom Western Villa

Near Laguna, has all, full kitchen, quality furniture.

Live in tropical garden, good security, secluded.

6/M lease: B20,000/M. Call 089 594 4067.

For Rent Kata Beach

Nice one-bedroom apartment, modern furnished, 68sqm first floor close to indoor pool-saunaelevator. B25,000 per month.

Exclusive electric, minimum rental period 6 months. Tel: English 064 532 3637, Thai 094 803 5944. Email English: villaonroof@gmail.com or Thai: maliwan_kaewmeesri@ yahoo.com

New Rawai Villa Rent & Sale

PuriAnda Villa: 2 Bed, Furnished, Kitchen, Private Pool, Sala, Land 350m2, House 165m2, 2km to Nai Harn. Short or Long Term Rent Only B60,000, Sale: 8.9m. info@purimasproperty.com, 0815384588

PROPERTY WANTED Looking for property in Laguna

Willing to sell or rent your property in the Laguna area? Please contact me: raisa@ rl-property.com or +66(0) 81 737 1687 (you can use Viber, Whats App or Line) raisa@rl-property.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

SPORT 29

Tested with a triple-header

Formula One teams face three grands prix in as many weekends BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

W

hen lights go out at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet this Sunday (June 24), Formula One will be embarking on more than just the first French Grand Prix in a decade – it will begin a marathon three grands prix in three weekends.

Such an ambitious undertaking of races is unheard of in modern Formula One – the effort required to move across nations and continents in as little as 48 hours makes joining even two race weekends a logistical miracle – but the sport’s unwillingness to clash with the FIFA World Cup has forced its hand.

The World Cup, running from mid-June to mid-July, coincides with what is usually one of the busiest parts of the F1 season as the sport flits between neighbouring European destinations, but the scheduling of the World Cup Final on July 15 presented the sport with a major headache given a clash would likely leave any grand prix substantially worse off.

But with teams keen to preserve the three-week August break for the record-equalling

With three grands prix over three weekends all Formula One teams are going to be put to the test. Photo: Mark Thompson / AFP 21-race season and with six of the nine races after the break already paired on back-to-back weekends, the F1 felt it had little choice but to lay down a taxing gauntlet of three consecutive races in France, Austria and Britain and hope for the best.

“It was an emergency measure,” F1 motorsport boss Ross Brawn told German television after the calendar was handed down last year. “The World

Cup presented us with a very unusual problem … and it would have been very unfair to have run the race on that weekend.

“We could only solve that by having three races in a row, but it’s not something we want to repeat in the future.”

Brawn is war y of the schedule for good reason, with the ever-lengthening calendar trying team personnel past breaking point.

With race weekends generally demanding attendance from Wednesday to Sunday and with the addition of preseason and in-season testing staff can easily spend more than half the year away from home.

The ratio of races outside of Europe is particularly straining. This season 57% of the 21 grands prix will take place off the sport’s home continent, up from 44% 10

years ago and 31% in 1998.

How the teams handle the three consecutive races, plus the back-to-back German and Hungarian grands prix, making five races in six weekends, will likely affect how aggressively Formula One pursues its aim to expand the calendar, though the under-consideration 2019 schedule already includes a new Miami Grand Prix, subject to a final deal being

struck with the American city.

But taxing or not, the upcoming three races will undoubtedly have an effect on the finely balanced drivers and constructors standings, in which Sebastian Vettel leads Lewis Hamilton by one point and Mercedes leads Ferrari by 17.

The Circuit Paul Ricard is a fast and sweeping track that will favour engine performance and aerodynamic efficiency, and though Ferrari has proven over the first third of the season that its power unit is now a match for Mercedes, the German marque will be bringing a new engine to France after delaying an upgrade in Canada.

Moreover, Mercedes’s long wheelbase car is at home on the French circuit’s long bends, which will engender hope in the team that it can win its first race in more than a month.

But with Formula One cars last having tackled the full Circuit Paul Ricard in 1985, the French Grand Prix will be a step into the unknown for all teams, with the fastest thinkers amongst the frontrunners best placed to reap maximum points.

Don’t forget to listen to Live89.5 each and every Saturday at 9am and 5pm for the Box of neutrals radio show.

NSW and Queensland add new players for State of Origin II RUGBY LEAGUE A NEW SOUTH WALES (NSW) side featuring 11 débutantes took first blood in Australia’s State of Origin rugby league series with an impressive 22-12 win over Queensland in Melbourne on June 6.

However, in a bid to strengthen their side even further front-rower Ryan James was one of three new players called into the NSW squad last Sunday (June 17) for the second State of Origin rugby league match against Queensland.

James is joined by prop Matt Prior and stand-off Luke Keary in a 20-man squad named by coach Brad Fittler for the game in Sydney on Sunday (June 24), after the opening 22-12 win over Queensland in Melbourne.

The only player missing @thephuketnews

SQUAD LINE-UPS QUEENSLAND Jai Arrow, Will Chambers, Gavin Cooper, Dane Gagai, Tim Glasby, Coen Hess, Valentine Holmes, Ben Hunt, Greg Inglis (capt), Felise Kaufusi, Andrew McCullough, Josh McGuire, Cameron Munster, Dylan Napa, Josh Papalii, Kalyn Ponga, Billy Slater, Jarrod Wallace.

Temperatures reach boiling point in the first game of the State of Origin 2018.

Photo: Screengrab via 9 News Australia from the series opener is front-rower Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who suffered a broken jaw playing for the Penrith Panthers in last Friday’s (June 15) club match against the Sydney Roosters.

NSW cent re Lat rel l Mitchell will need to prove his fitness after suffering a neck injury playing for the Roosters in the same match.

Meanwhile, exciting young fullback Kalyn Ponga was named in Queensland’s squad on Monday (June 18) for the second State of Origin rugby league game.

Ponga, 20, has been outstanding in his first season for the Newcastle Knights and replaces Anthony Milford in an 18-man squad.

“He’s been playing some

good football for the Newcastle Knights this year and he’s been knocking on the door. He was very close (to being selected) for game one,” Queensland coach Kevin Walters said.

“It’s a great opportunity for him. He’s a been a standout in the competition and he’s got the potential to be a long-term player

NSW BLUES Josh Addo-Carr, Nathan Cleary, Damien Cook, Boyd Cordner (capt), Angus Crichton, Jack de Belin, Tyson Frizell, Ryan James, Luke Keary, David Klemmer, James Maloney, Latrell Mitchell, Tyrone Peachey, Matt Prior, James Roberts, Tariq Sims, James Tedesco, Jake Trbojevic, Tom Trbojevic, Paul Vaugha (for Queensland).”

Test fullback Billy Slater was included pending a fitness test on a hamstring injury that ruled him out of game one.

Walters said he was confident Slater would be fit to make his return for the Maroons after sitting out Melbourne Storm’s club win over the Knights last Sunday.

Queensland will give prop

Dylan Napa more time to recover from an ankle injury he suffered while playing for the Sydney Roosters over last weekend, with Tim Glasby on standby.

Queensland must beat the Blues in Sydney on Sunday to keep the interstate series alive after losing the opening game.

AFP

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

Swinging clubs for charity

Continued from page 32 ...The atmosphere at last Friday’s event, as with previous years, was fun yet competitive, with teams battling for bragging rights as the best hospitality golfers in the region.

Being the only event of its kind in the region, if not the world, it was the ideal networking opportunity for local hoteliers, restaurateurs, landlords, club owners and others involved in the hospitality industry to come together in a relaxed environment.

The unique “Gourmet Golf ” concept event saw Laguna Phuket hotel establishments such as Banyan Tree, Angsana, Cassia, Dusit Thani and Outrigger provide on-course food and drinks for golfers.

Bringing even more to this year’s event were other leading entertainment venues from around Phuket, including new additions such as Tile It, Whisky Hole, Luna Walk International Cigar Hole, Captain Hook’s Smokehouse and Two Chefs.

In addition to the teams mentioned above, other teams at this year’s event included, a team of Thailand’s four top chefs, Outrigger Resorts, Tai Pan and a team all the way from Oman.

Organisers had all 18 holes sponsored with some refreshments and food and a very special hole where the Banyan Tree Spa gave golfers a refreshing neck massage.

On the par 3 holes there was a “Beat-The-Pro” event, where Mat-

Team

successful.

“We have 68 golfers playing today, all 18 holes have been sponsored by different restaurants, bars, hotels and other businesses from across the island and it’s all about a very good cause, to raise money for the Children First Fund.”

Adding more about the Children First Fund, event organiser Mark Cameron of Asean Events

Net

Laguna

64

7

57

Runner-up

Irish Times

62

5

57

Winners

Speer Chuckers

60

3

57

The Wedgies

65

7

58

SGS

65

6

59

Patong Sunseekers

68

8

60

The Locals

64

4

60

Asean-Events

69

8

61

The Ladies

69

8

61

Hyatt

69

8

61

Last Minute Dot Com

69

8

61

No Name

69

7

62

Integrity Yachting

71

8

63

Tai Pan

72

7

65

Captian Hooks

74

8

66

Two Chefs

76

10

66

Tile It

70

8

62

Hospitality Challenge event organiser Mark Cameron of Asean Events tees off at the shotgun start. Photo: Matt Pond thew Richardson, a PGA Professional from Laguna Golf Academy, challenged each golfer to beat him.

Speaking just minutes ahead of the shotgun start at midday last Friday, Laguna Golf Phuket’s assistant vice president and group golf director Paul Wilson told The Phuket News, “Today is the third Laguna Phuket Hospitality Challenge and the last two have been extremely

Gross Team Hcp

said, “The Children First Fund is a Laguna charity that takes care of over 400 orphans.

“We supported the charity last year and managed to raise over B200,000,” he said.

Speaking post-event, Cameron said, “What a fantastic turnout we had with 68 golfers and after a small sun dance by me in the morning, we got a break in the rain and bright

sunshine ensured everyone had a memorable day.

“We raised over B175,000 for the charity which will go a long way to help the orphans on the island, so much thanks to everyone who participated and supported the event.”

The Phuket News, Khao Phuket and Live89.5 were proud to be sponsors of this event.

All close in Patong Pool League after week three POOL

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1690: Saturday June 23 Run Start Time: 4pm Hares: Secret Agent Dick Gobbler, F.A. CUP Location: Car park Kruvit Restaurant next to mosquito lake Directions: From Heroines Monument go South for one kilometre and take the first U-turn, immediately turn left in to soi, see HHH sign. From the South turn left before Wat Tha Ruea, 1km before Heroines Monument. Follow the road 2km to the laager site. Some cars will need to park on the side of the road.

At the laager all dogs must be on leashes Bus pick-up: Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 2:30pm Patong @ Expat Hotel: 3pm More info: phuket-hhh.com

THE THIRD ROUND OF Patong Pool League (PPL), sponsored by Thailand Pool Tables, Genius 2 Garden and Restaurant and Tualek Whisky was played last Thursday (June 14) with Caddy Shack keeping their one-point lead at the top of the league table.

Caddy Shack managed to keep their marginal lead at the top of the table following an strong 8-3 home win against Genius Bar. Photos from last Thursday’s game posted on the Patong Friendly Pool League showed that despite the loss, Genius still had a great night at the host’s venue.

Elsewhere, Red Light Bar hosted the team from Simon & Oils, the latter of whom have had an impressive start to the new season and appear to have a more competitive team than ever.

Tai, Gordon and Thong, all playing for Simon & Oils, won their singles and double

Pi Pom usually plays for Martin Swiss but last Thursday came to the assistance of Happy End Bar. Photo: Supplied matches as did Tony from Red Light. However, Simon & Oils were too strong for their opponents on the night and sealed a comfortable 8-3 win.

Ting Tong played away at Wombat, whose players Darren, Kob, Frank and Reed all won their singles and doubles games.

Sadly Ting Tong couldn’t get a grip on their opponents and Wombat went home after sealing an easy 9-2 victory.

Meanwhile, Kiki Sports Bar hosted Team Kwan (formerly Hole in One Bar) and this was a close-fought match going right up until

the beerleg.

After the third set in the beerleg Team Kwan was finally able to turn the match in their favour and ended up sealing a good 7-5 win.

Last but not least was Natalie Bar playing at home against Happy End who were strengthened by Pi Pom from Martin Swiss and Roy, who had just flown in from Norway where he plays for the National Pool Team.

However, it was evident that Roy was still feeling the effects of jet-lag from his trip and was unable to contribute any points for Happy End.

The only player from Happy End who was able to make an impression on the night was Khun Oye who won her singles and doubles games.

However, with Natalie, Oh and Napoli all winning their singles and doubles games the end result was a 8-3 victory for Natalie Bar. The fourth round of the Patong Pool League was to be played on Thursday (June 21).

Any people interested in playing, as well as visitors, are all welcome to attend at one of the 11 participating bars. You can also visit their

League Standings Caddy Shack

22

Natalie

21

Simon Oil

21

Wombat

19

Kwan Team

17

Kiki Sports

15

Ting Tong

14

Genius

13

Martin Swiss

10

Red Light

10

Happy End

9

Patong Friendly Pool League Facebook page.

Matt Pond thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

SPORT 31

Sex, drugs and... football

Mexico went into their opening game with a lot on their plates WORLD CUP AFP

B

etween the orgy accusations and the drugtrafficking charges facing their veteran star, Mexico had their share of distractions as they headed into their World Cup opener against Germany last Sunday (June 17).

The headaches started last year when the US Treasury Department accused El Tri’s longtime captain, Rafael Marquez, of being a “front person” for an international drug-trafficking organisation.

And they got worse on June 5, when gossip magazine TVNotas reported that nine members of Mexico’s World Cup squad had an all-night party with a group of 30 prostitutes after their farewell home match that weekend.

The Mexican Football Federation decided against punishing the players, because “they have not missed training” and “a free day is a free day”, in the words of general secretary Guillermo Cantu.

But the public condemnation and online mockery have been blistering.

“The federation doesn't have to punish the partyboy players. The public and private ridicule will be more than enough,” sports journalist David Faitelson of ESPN wrote on Twitter.

As the scandal swirled, midfielder Hector Herrera asked for a leave of absence from training in Denmark to travel to Portugal, where he is based, and tend to “personal matters”, according to media reports.

Trying to calm the storm, star striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez posted a video online that he said proved the team “didn’t do anything

@thephuketnews

Mexico’s players take part in horseplay during a training session at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on the eve of their World Cup opener against Germany. Photo: Yuri Kadobnov / AFP bad” – though he admitted, “I don’t think we’d do it again.”

The controversy echoes similar scandals around the team in recent years.

In September 2010, Mexico players had an all-night party in their hotel with unidentified women after a friendly.

On that occasion, the federation fined 11 players and slapped six-month suspensions on defender Efrain Juarez and forward Carlos Vela.

In June 2011, before a trip to Argentina for the Copa America, Mexican players hired sex workers in a hotel in Quito, Ecuador. They were fined and suspended from the team for half a year.

The latest chapter has particularly outraged some die-hard fans, who worry the scandal will distract the team going into their high-stakes opening match against the world champions.

“The scandal will affect

the family life of those involved, their relationships with their teammates and their performance at the World Cup,” said Mexican writer

Juan Villoro in a scathing newspaper column entitled “Locker-room anthropology”.

Other fans take the view that in football, as in love, it

is best to forgive and forget.

“I’m with my Mexico, just like during every World Cup,” said Alfonso Avila, a 37-year-old fan.

“I hope when the team starts delivering results that all those people who criticised them aren’t going to try to jump on the bandwagon.”

So will El Tri be distracted by the noise?

AFP asked veterans of the Mexican national team to weigh in.

“I think it will distract them, and I think a lot of the players will have family problems,” said Manuel Negrete, a member of Mexico’s 1986 World Cup squad.

“They need to be extremely concentrated on the one-on-one against Germany.”

But there is nothing new in footballers behaving badly, said 89-year-old Antonio “Tota” Carbajal, a five-time World Cup veteran.

“This isn’t the first team to go through this. I went through it myself,” he said, recalling an incident from the

Live Sports TV Schedule

What’s on at the ACG Date Fri June 23

Time 4:30pm

Activity Thalang Tigers – Kids’ Cricket Coaching

SPORT

START STOP

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO Brazil v. Costa Rica

Friday 22nd June 19:00

21:00

FIFA World Cup

22:00

00:00

FIFA World Cup

Nigeria v. Iceland

01:00

03:00

FIFA World Cup

Serbia v. Switzerland

17:30

19:30

Friendly

Western Force v. Crusaders

11am

C&C Marine − Patong White v Patong Blue

Sun June 25

10am

C&C Marine – Goa Panthers v Easy Living

2pm

C&C Marine – Kashmir CC v Patong White

4:30pm

*Times may be subject to change

Senior Cricket Nets Practice Sat June 24

Wed June 27

1966 World Cup in England, when two players snuck out of training camp to go to a bar – and coach Ignacio Trelles followed them to drag them back.

This year’s squad “did a stupid thing, you can’t deny it”, he said.

“But these things unite the team.”

The bigger problem may be longtime leader Marquez’s legal woes.

Marquez, who was the team captain for years, is playing in his fifth World Cup, and coach Juan Carlos Osorio says he is counting on his leadership.

But the 39-year-old arrived in Russia under the cloud of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation that cost him sponsors and forced him to take a nearly three-month break from football last year to focus on his legal defence.

“He’s a guy whose leadership will be very necessary at the World Cup,” said former national team member Joaquin Beltran.

Soccer

Rugby Union

Saturday 23rd June Rugby Union 14:30

16:30 Summer Internationals

17:00

19:00 Summer Internationals

Australia v. Ireland

22:00

00:00 Summer Internationals

South Africa v. England

Thalang Tigers – Kids’ cricket coaching Soccer

New Zealand v. France

19:00

21:00

FIFA World Cup

Belgium v. Tunisia

22:00

00:00

FIFA World Cup

South Korea v. Mexico

01:00

03:00

FIFA World Cup

Germany v. Sweden

Motor Racing 20:45

22:30

Formula 1

Qualifying, Le Castellet England v. Panama

Sunday 24th June Soccer

Phuket’s C&C Marine 8 by 20 League resumes following last weekend’s washout. Photo: Michael Way

19:00

21:00

FIFA World Cup

22:00

00:00

FIFA World Cup

Japan v. Senegal

01:00

03:00

FIFA World Cup

Poland v. Colombia

Motor Racing 20:00

20:45

Formula 1

Raceday, Le Castellet

20:45

23:30

Formula 1

French Grand Prix

17:00

01:00

ODI5 – Old Trafford

England v. Australia

Cricket

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

Three GPs in three weeks set to test all F1 teams > p29

LUCK OF THE IRISH Team Irish Times win Hospitality Challenge, B176k raised for charity GOLF Mattt Pond editor3@classactmedia.co.th

T

he team from Irish Times at Jungceylon in Patong took the winners’ title at the third annual Laguna Phuket Hospitality Challenge Charity golf tournament held at Laguna Golf Phuket last Friday (June 15) finishing with a Net score of 57.

There were three teams who finished with an equal Net score, however the Irish Times team comprising Tommy Corley, Oliver Bates, John White and

Miss Yanee took the title on a back-nine sudden death countback.

Coming in at second place, taking into account hole-by-hole countback and sudden death on the last hole, was the team from Laguna and then following them in third place was team Speer Chuckers.

However, one of the main reasons for the event, in addition to claim the winners’ title, was to raise funds for charity and it has been confirmed that the total amount raised from last Friday’s event was B176,980, which will once again be donated to the Laguna’s Children First Fund...

Continued on page 30

John White from team Irish Times sinks a putt as teammates Tommy Corley and Oliver Bates look on. Photo: Mattt Pond

thephuketnews