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■ Four die in a fire at the Tiger disco

complex on Bangla Road in Patong

■ Tourists and locals trampled in panic to escape the fierce flames

About 100 people gathered in the rain in front of the Tiger Disco on Soi Bangla in Patong at 2:39am on August 21 to mourn the four people killed during last Friday’s horrific blaze.

■ Excessive use of Styrofoam may have contributed to severity of fire FULL STORY ON PAGES 2-3

info@tile-asia.com | www.tile-asia.com | Phuket Showroom : Wana Park, Srisoonthorn Road, Thalang, Phuket 83110 | Tel 076 620 168 | Fax 076 620 169.

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NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

Island floods once again

The heavens opened on Tuesday night, causing flood chaos across the island > 5

Alasdair Forbes, Jody Houton & Claire Connell execeditor@thephuketnews.com

TIGER TERROR Survivors tell of horror in the burning disco Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter4@thephuketnews.com

N

udaeng Pramangkata had just reached the Tiger Discotheque on Patong’s Soi Bangla and was at the bar, enjoying her first beer there when she heard “two sounds like bombs going off, one after the other.

“At first I really didn’t think much about it,” 42-year-old Nudaeng said. “But then I saw flames rippling along the airconditioning ducts – the foam insulation was on fire. A load of it fell onto a man below.

“I’ll never forget it. There was no power and no lights, and no warning, and the air was full of the stink of toxic fumes from burning plastic.

“Somebody tried to use a fire extinguisher but the flames were already too high and moving too fast.

“The whole place was filled with smoke and everyone was screaming and running for the exits.

“I fell down but some foreigner picked me up and held me up.

“I saw another foreign man burning and screaming. The sounds he was making were

Badly burned: Benjamin Tallanotte in Patong Hospital. really horrible. But by that time everyone was completely panicked, so no one helped him.

“I ran, but I fell down again, and other people stepped on me as they rushed to escape.

“I lost consciousness and woke up in the hospital.”

Nudaeng has since been discharged from hospital, suffering from nothing more serious than bad bruising of her chest.

But four people died in the blaze, and Frenchman Benjamin Tallanotte, who is

now in a hospital in Bangkok, suffered second-degree burns to 40 per cent of his body.

Mr Tallanotte could not speak when The Phuket News visited him at the Bangkok Hospital Phuket – his scorched throat had swollen up – but his brother in law, who asked not to be named, was also in the disco. The lights went off, he said, and before he knew it there were flames.

He and his nephew were right by the door on the ground floor of the building and left quickly, but Benjamin was a floor above with another friend.

That was the last they saw of him until they heard, four hours later, that he was in a bad state in Patong Hospital, where all the injured were taken for initial treatment.

Although Benjamin could not speak, he was able to move his limbs. “The doctor said this is a good sign,” his niece said.

“We are so shocked. We are in a different country, and not our own country. We never imagined we would see him in this state.”

Three other French people were injured in the fire, along with seven Thais. All have now been released from hospital.

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Carrying candles and roses, the night community of Patong mourns lost friends.

Friends mourn the disco dead A B O U T 10 0 P E O P L E gathered in the rain in front of the Tiger Discotheque on Soi Bangla in Patong at 2:39 on Tuesday morning (August 21) to mourn the four people killed during Friday’s horrific blaze.

Candles were lit to symbolise the light guiding the dead to rest in peace. Hundred of roses were laid in front of the discotheque to show people’s sadness over the tragedy.

It was an emotional occasion, with tears pouring down the faces of those who believe their friends may be among the four dead, three of which are unidentified.

Some of female bar workers whispered, “Anyone could have died. It’s just about one’s fortune whether one was there at that time or not.”

Most of those who came to the solemn ceremony were bar and night club workers, but others included members of the Ruamjai Katanyou rescue team, tourist police, local club owners and tourists.

“This is the big loss for Soi Bangla,” said the President of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA), Weerawit Kreasombat, who was instrumental in organising the wake.

“We feel sorry for the losses, and we hope that Tiger will be able to get through this.”

The gathering also showed how the Soi Bangla community, who come from all parts of Thailand, regard themselves as one big family.

The dead were taken by road to the Institute of Foren-

Joseph Tzouvanni shows a picture of his missing brother Michael, now identified as one of the four dead. sic Medicine in Bangkok for identification. At time of going to press, one has already been identified: 24-year-old British tourist Michael Tzouvanni.

From reports to the police of people missing since the blaze, the others are likely to be two Thais and a French tourist, but identification has yet to be confirmed.

Kathu Police Station Pol Col Jirapat Poachanaphan said, “We can’t confirm which nationalities or genders the bodies are until we get the DNA test results.”

Sema Sinchai, General Manager of the disco’s operators, Sara Entertainment Co, said the company would pay B1 million compensation to the families of each person who had died in the inferno.

Those who were injured would have their medical fees covered and receive compensation of B5,000.

He said that the company has already been in touch with about 20 of the injured.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

PHUKET NEWS

3

What started the fire?

Fire probe will look for breaches of regulations Paritta Wangkiat reporter3@thephuketnews.com

I

t is not yet clear how the fire in the Tiger Discotheque started, but the liberal use of flammable material for decorations in the disco, along with modifications to the building may have contributed to the severity of the deadly blaze.

On Monday (August 20), Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha led a team of experts to inspect the discotheque to try to establish what caused the fire and the deaths of four people.

After the inspection, the President of the Safety in Architecture section of the Association of Siamese Architects, Bundit Pradabsook, said 20 per cent of the surface of the discotheque, inside and out, was decorated with expanded polystyrene (EPS, or styrofoam), a highly inflammable material that would have made the fire spread more quickly.

The party noted six fire exits, complying with building regulation. However, they also noted that the stairs leading down from some of the fire exits did not reach the ground. Some news sources had described fleeing discogoers jumping to the ground.

According to new regulations for entertainment venues brought in in March this year, f lammable materials such as EPS must not cover more

Expert Bundit Pradabsook (left) makes a point to Gov Tri Augkaradacha. than 10 per cent of building’s surface.

The reg ulations were brought in as a result of the fire at the Santika Club in Bangkok in the early hours of New Year’s day in 2009, which killed 66 people and injured another 222.

After the new regulations were announced in March this year, entertainment venue were given 180 days (in other words, until next month) to make the necessary modifica-

tions. “It’s the responsibility of the authorities to notify entertainment venues about the new regulations, but it’s up to the operators of the venues to research and understand the rules, and to comply,” said Mr Bundit.

The Chief of the Technical Section of Patong Municipality, Sub Lt Lerdpong Tanamunset, confirmed that the building housing the Tiger Discotheque had been modified.

He said the owner of the building had originally applied in 1999 for a permit from the municipality to build “a two-storey semi-commercial-residential building”.

Later, the building was modified as a discotheque and bar complex. Sub Lt Lerdpong said the municipality had not received an application for either the modification to the building or the change of use.

But he noted that the master plan for the building was

among many kept on the ground floor of the Municipality building, which was hit by the 2004 Asian tsunami, resulting in the destruction of many of those records.

The modifications included the addition of fire exits and the decoration of the walls.

However, Sema Sinchai, General Manager of Sara Entertainment Company, which operated Tiger, insisted that the use of the building

was definitely legal. “I can’t comment in depth right now,” Mr Sema said.

“After we receive the results from Institute of Forensic Science, we will comment further and show evidence that proves the legality [of our operation].”

T hai Nat ional Police assistant chief Pol Lt Gen Chalermkiart Sriworakan said after inspecting the site: “Presently, a committee has been appointed to investigate facts and determine whether the disco was open for business after official closing. The committee is also looking into what caused the fire, contacting witnesses and collecting evidence. Autopsies will be performed on those who died at the Institute of Forensic Medicine.”

This, he said, would be carried out “as swiftly as possible.”

“We have yet to f ile charges because the matter is still under investigation,” he explained.

Former Supreme Court Judge Sophon Jantrama, a member of the board of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), who was in Phuket for a meeting on Wednesday (August 22), said the PACC would be checking to see whether any officials had colluded in the breaking of any laws or regulations governing the operation of the disco.

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SIMON OSTHEIMER Managing Editor 083 922 9265 managingeditor@thephuketnews.com From Hong Kong; a decade’s experience as editor of magazines and newspapers in Shanghai (City Weekend, that’s Shanghai), Beijing (tbjhome, Urbane), Hong Kong (Time Out Hong Kong), Kuala Lumpur (Vision KL), Bangkok (Bangkok 101) and Phuket. Journalist for Esquire, Fah Thai, Vacations & Travel, Travel & Leisure, CNNGo, Surface and Dwell.

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

DANE HALPIN Sub Editor editor2@thephuketnews.com From Australia; Degree in Journalism, Charles Sturt University. Four years’ experience at: The Australian, The Central Western Daily, The Leader, The Canberra Times, and The Vientiane Times.

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

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

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NO THANKS A protestor’s T shirt makes the message plain. Opponents say 10,000 people will be adversely affected.

700 join protest against Tesco Phuket Town plan Paritta Wangkiat reporter3@thephuketnews.com

A

bout 700 people from clubs and communities in Phuket Town marched through the streets on August 16 to protest against a proposal to build a new TescoLotus complex on Bangkok Rd, close to the Slaughterhouse Intersection.

The new complex is expected to have a footprint of 15,950 square metres. The project is currently in a stage of conducting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to support the proposal. It will also need approval from the Phuket City Municipality.

“The new Tesco will affect more than 10,000 people in the area,” said one of protest leaders, Theerapong Iamananjaroen.

“It will bring traffic problems, affect local businesspeople and even ruin the local way of life.”

The location of the new Tesco is in a planning orange zone, defined by land zoning regulations as being for medium-density residences.

The regulations state that retail buildings may be built in the area only if they have a footprint of less than 1,000 square metres.

According to Mr Theerapong, Tesco clarified with local people that the Tesco’s own retail building on the site would cover 1,000 sqm.

However, it’s not yet clear how much area will be covered by other buildings in the planned complex. “We require transparency in the public hearing, as well clear details of the new Tesco,” he said.

Protestor Vinai Ruengjaruwan, a local tourism entrepreneur, said he thought the new Tesco would create a “department store culture” among young people.

“Phuket City has its own unique local culture that you can’t replace with anything else,” said Mr Vinai. “We don’t want to see our kids growing up by preferring to eat steak rather than local food.”

The protestors at first planned to gather at Suan Luang Park before marching to the public hearing at the Katrina Hotel on Sakdidetch

Rd, and then going on to Phuket Provincial Hall to hand a letter of complaint to Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha.

However, the company conducted Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Tesco on August 15 announced an indefinite postponement of the hearing.

After the protestors met with Gov Tri, he assured them that he would bring the issue up at the next meeting of the provincial EIA committee, which he chairs.

“Approval of the new Tesco will be the responsibility by Phuket City Municipality. I think the municipality will need to consider the proposal thoroughly since local people are not in favour of the new Tesco,” Gov Tri said.

On Monday (August 20) Tesco Lotus Thailand issued a statement defending itself following the protests.

“Tesco Lotus has been operating in Thailand for 18 years,” the statement said, “delivering excellent value for our customers and actively contributing to local communities where we operate.

“We have helped customers lower their cost of living through low-price products and promotional campaigns, offered business opportunities to over 5,000 suppliers who sell their products in our stores, created over 40,000 full-time jobs nationwide and helped local communities through active staff volunteering of over 2.3 million hours last year.

“We always ensure that any proposal to open a new store complies with the relevant local and national regulations.

“For the planned project [in Phuket Town], we have gathered feedback from the community and conducted an environmental impact assessment which will be shared with the local community.

“We will continue to engage all local stakeholders to ensure that any action we take will best serve the people of Phuket.”

Similar protests attended the opening of the first Tesco Lotus hypermarket, on the bypass road, 13 years ago.

‘3,400 drug addicts in Phuket’ PHUKET HAS FAR MORE DRUG addicts than was realised, it was revealed at a meeting at Provincial Hall on August 15.

Phuket Provincial Public Health Office nurse Jehaleumoh Pantarakit said, “We originally thought we would treat around 200 people per year. “But after the plan was revised we found there were far more drug addicts in Phuket than we initially

thought. So we increased the budget and now hope to treat around 3,400 per year.”

The meeting, chaired by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha, was held to update officials on progress since a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by them on Feb 14 as part of a drive to decrease drug use in Phuket and help rehabilitate addicts.

Under the MoU, steps include building a new drug rehabilitation facility to treat addicts, identifying those taking drugs in the community, and encouraging them to undergo treatment.

Police will identify drug risk areas of the community and also refer addicts to the new centre which, when completed, will be the fourth in Phuket.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

FLOODS AGAIN

PHUKET NEWS

5

Claire Connell editor1@thephuketnews.com

L

arge areas of Phuket were underwater on Wednesday morning following torrential rain overnight that resulted in part of the Patong Hill collapsing.

A massive 163.5 mm of rain fell on Phuket in a 24 hour period between 7am on Tuesday and 7am Wednesday, the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DPM) said.

Blogger and Phuket News contributor Jamie Monk recorded a tremendous 200mm overnight in his personal rain gauge, the largest rainfall he had recorded in the last two years.

Part of the Patong Hill road – about 150 metres to the Kathu side of Sea Pearl Villas – collapsed following the rainfall.

The motorbike lane and most of one of the other lanes disappeared on the Patongbound side of the road, replaced by a yawning hole several metres deep.

Parts of Phuket old town were severely flooded, including Dibuk, Yaowarat and Phang Nga Rds while there were also major delays on Thepkrassat-

Above: Road to nowhere as part of the Patong Hill road subsides. Below: The biggest waterway in Phuket Town, Klong Bang Yai, came ominously close to breaking its banks.

Two men get comfortable on Yaowarat Rd, Phuket Town, as they watch the flooding. tri Rd south of the Heroines Monument, with deep floods close to Wat Tha Reua and in Koh Kaew. Schools were closed for the day.

Apart from heavy flooding in Phuket Town and in Patong itself – where flooding of some streets was reported to be thigh-

high – the DPM reported floods in at least three and possibly as many as eight villages in Tambon Srisoonthon.

In Kathu District, homes in the villages of Baan Tak Det, Chom Thong and Tak Thong, close to Tesco Lotus in Cherng Talay, were in-

vaded by muddy flash floods at around 3 in the morning.

In Koh Kaew, villagers, fearful of flooding from the wash of passing traffic, set up barrels and poles in the road to direct vehicles into the far lane, understandably – but also adding to traffic woes.

Frenchman Contractors hit by killed by closure of illegal speedboat A FR ENCHM A N DIED when a speedboat hit him while he was snorkelling off Phi Phi island on Saturday (August 18).

Pol Lt Visawa Sane-ha, from the Ao Nang police station, said the 42-year-old man was identified as Olivier Raymond Philippe Jannequin.

Lt Visawa said Mr Jannequin was snorkelling with a friend near the beach. The friend dived down to look at something on the sea bed and when he came up again found himself rising though clouds of blood.

“The friend believes that the speedboat propeller hit Mr Jannequin in the head and body,” Lt Visawa said.

Tour bus crashes A TOUR BUS DRIVEN BY Sitthiporn Tippakdee, 24, crashed into the concrete barrier in the middle of Thepkrasttree Road, close to Super Cheap, early on Tuesday (August 21), resulting in traffic chaos for several hours.

Mr Sitthiporn was injured and taken to Vachira Hospital.

Later he told police the lost control on a slippery section of the road during rain.

Phang Nga mine A GROUP OF CONSTRUCtion contractors and sand traders visited Governor Tri Augkaradacha on Monday (August 20) to ask for his help in reducing the price of sand, which has doubled in recent weeks.

The price of a cubic metre of sand has leapt from B500 to B1,000 following the closure by the Department of Special Investigations (DSI) of a massive illegal sand mine in Phang Nga, the source for most of Phuket’s sand supplies.

Representing the sand traders, Pairoj Oapattanakul said

that because of the shortage of supplies, contractors and traders were now having to buy from other provinces, at greater expense.

“We need the authorities’ help to look for a new source of sand in a nearby province to replace the source we’ve lost,” he said.

“If possible, we would like the authorities to allow the raided sand mine to be reopened temporarily.”

Gov Tri said he would collaborate with relevant authorities to search for sources of sand close to Phuket.

Cabinet hikes taxes on cigarettes and alcohol THE PRICE OF CIGARET­TES and some types of alcoholic drinks rose on Tuesday following a Cabinet decision to increase “sin” taxes.

Cigarettes will rise in price

by B6 to B8 per pack of 20, depending on make and source.

The rises in alcohol prices apply only to liqueurs, vodka and brandy. The tax is calculat­

ed on the alcohol content rather than the drink as a whole but, as a guide, a bottle of vodka will now cost B7.50 more, a bottle of brandy B5.40 more and a bottle of liqueur B12 more.

Beer, wine and other spirits are not – so far – affected by the rises, which are expected to suck an additional B10 billion a year into government coffers.

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Phuket Seven Day Weather Forecast FRI AUGUST 24

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GAMBLERS LOSE Raids follow Chuwit’s Facebook casino list Paritta Wangkiat reporter3@thephuketnews.com

P

olice on August 15 raided seven locations around the island listed in a post on maverick Bangkok MP Chuwit Kamolvisit’s Facebook page as being casinos.

The MP’s “Chuwit I’m No. 5” Facebook page listed casinos in all three districts of Phuket: On Soi Bailan in Phuket City, opposite the Siam Commercial Bank; At Chalong Circle, owned by “Ko Bee”; In Kuku, on the outskirts of Phuket Town, owned by “Ko Ber”;

Close to Kathu Municipality school, owned by “Ko Nong”; Close to the Heroines Monument, owned by “Ko Jai”; and Close to Phuket International Airport, owned by “a local official”.

Mr Chuwit warned Phuket people to be aware of this issue and urged them to help him “bring back justice to society”.

In response to the post, a police team led by the Phuket Provincial Police Superintendent of Investigations, Pol Col Wanchai Palawan, raided the seven locations listed by Mr Chuwit.

However, they found only one “casino”, in a work camp close to Kathu Municipality School, which also contains an area for raising and training fighting cocks.

Eleven people were arrested, and B4,000 in cash and gambling equipment was seized.

“It shouldn’t really be called a casino,” said Col Wanchai. “It’s a kind of gathering place where a small group of people come to gamble after work. When we talk about a casino, you would expect at least 50 gamblers to be involved.

As for the other six loca-

tions police raided on August 15, Col Wanchai said he thought they are probably similar operations, which move from one place to another from time to time.

He stressed that the Commander of Phuket Provincial Police, Pol Maj Gen Chonasit Wattanavrangkul, has consistently pushed his men to suppress the establishment of casinos in Phuket.

In April Mr Chuwit alleged that there were large casinos operating in Phuket. Officers of the Anti-Human Trafficking Division came down from Bangkok to look for them but went back empty-handed.

Seafood festival begins today THE PHUKET SEAFOOD FIESTA 2012 KICKS off this evening (August 24) with an official opening at 6pm at Jungceylon in Patong.

The annual festival aims to promote the eating of seafood by both locals and tourists.

Highlights include a trainee chef cooking competition tomorrow at 3pm, followed by a towel folding competition and a “classic” bartender competition.

Sunday will see a DIY cooking competition at 3pm, followed by a “flair” bartender competition at 5.30pm, the Thailand Champion Bartender Show at 6pm, and then the closing ceremony.

The Phuket News and Live 89.5 are media sponsors of this event.

For more information call 076 212 213.

THE EXPRESSWAY AUthority of Thailand (EXAT) expects the total budget for the Patong tunnel to be B6 billion – more expensive than the original plan drawn up for Patong’s municipal government.

EXAT has also set a target of 2018 for opening the tunnel to traffic.

During a visit to Phuket earlier this week with the Senate Sub-committee on Communications to inspect work related to expansion of Phuket International Airport and roadways, Sintop Siri­ singh, EXAT vice governor in charge of the Technical Section, told reporters his office is studying a budget for the Patong Tunnel, beginning in fiscal year 2013, just six weeks from now.

He described the project as a “raised expressway” aimed at “solving traffic problems” and improving access to the popular tourist resort.

Mr Sintop said his office has already met with provincial officials, Patong Municipality, public sector agencies, and members of the private sector, who all “extended their approval and are happy to support the project”.

Mr Sintop gave a list of “important points” of the tunnel: Motorcycles will be allowed to use the tollway; Areas for use as parking lots at the tunnel entrances are being looked at; Construction of a dual carriageway is being considered, to facilitate evacuation in case of natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis; Also being studied is how best to connect the tunnel to the main road network to Phuket Town and the airport.

As for the final shape of the project, and where the on-ramps and carriageways will be placed, Mr Sintop said, “We are still waiting for the results of feasibility and design studies.”

He did not mention what toll rates are being considered.

– Source: Manager Online

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

PHUKET NEWS

7

urged New movie brings Public to help fight back the tsunami corruption Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.com

I

t’s been almost eight years since the December 26, 2004, Asian Tsunami that devastated Phuket and many other places around the Bay of Bengal.

A new movie The Impossible, starring Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts is scheduled to be released to coincide with the anniversary of the tragic events this December.

Starring alongside the Hollywood A-listers was Phuket resident Richard Valentine, who worked as an extra for three weeks for B3,000 a day during November 2010.

“My scenes were in Phang Nga hospital, I played ‘fat man in Speedos’. So that was three weeks wearing little else but Speedos hanging around in the waiting room,” he said.

Besides the tiny item of swimwear, Richard – as one of the badly wounded – also wore a prosthetic wound on his shoulder.

Although Richard wasn’t in Phuket or any of the af-

Ewan McGregor, star of new movie The Impossible. fected areas during the time of the 2004 tsunami, he told The Phuket News that many of the staff at the hospital and many of the local people had been.

“Because it’s a working hospital, I’m sure many of them were reliving it all over again and it was probably very hard for them emotionally,” he said.

The majority of the scenes of the movie were filmed in Khao Lak, Phang Nga and Phi Phi island.

As many of Richard’s ‘scenes’ were in the hospital, he was literally acting alongside Australian actress Naomi Watts, famed as the blonde bombshell in King Kong.

“I was in the hospital bed

directly behind Naomi Watts,” recounts Richard, “So if you see a belly rising up and down or a bobbing head, that will be me.”

A trailer has been released featuring scenes set around a swimming pool at a Thai resort at the moment when the tsunami flooded the area.

Visit thephuketnews.com to see the trailer.

A MEMBER OF THE BOARD of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) met with 200 local people at The Metropole hotel in Phuket City on Wednesday (August 22) to encourage them to set up anti-corruption networks.

“Phuket is one of many spotlighted areas of corruption, especially corruption over the land deeds,” said former Supreme Court Judge Sophon Jan­trama.

“Influential people have their own networks to cover their crimes. We need to create an anti-corruption network to prevent losses from corruption.”

Corruption in Thailand is a pyramid, said Judge Sophon, with junior officials being the base and senior ones toward the pinnacle.

Not many senior officials are right at the top, which is occupied mostly by important national figures and politicians, he said, who may take time to get through investigations.

Speaking about the length of time it takes to bring down corruption kingpins, he said

New Stoc k

that most of the corruption over land in Phuket involves senior government officers, at levels beyond the PACC’s powers.

So, when the PACC finds officials are beyond its reach, the cases are passed to the Office of the National AntiCorruption Commission, which may take more time investigating until it brings legal action.

Although intense PACC investigations can gather clear evidence of wrongdoing, the revocation of land deeds, too, will take time because other authorities have to carry out their own investigations.

“In some cases of corrupt issue of title deeds, we may not have a problem making a case for tghe land being returned to the public. But actually getting it returned may not be easy,” he said.

The PACC’s remit is to investigate official corruption, particularly relating to land and smuggling.

This may soon include the smuggling of immigrants, which usually involves officials taking bribes.

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thephuketnews.com

8

THAILAND NEWS

Counting on a fag break Pattaya One

POLICE A R R EST ED a 48-year-old Ger man national in the early hours of Monday, accused of stealing five cartons of cigarettes worth B4,000.

The alleged theft took place at Gulliver’s Pub & Restaurant at the northern end of Pattaya Beach Road when the venue was closed.

The manager Mrs Banjarat, aged 34, arrived later on Sunday morning to open the restaurant and saw that a burglary had taken place and only the cigarettes had been taken. She looked at CCTV images and spotted a foreign man breaking-in and stealing the items.

On Sunday night, she spotted the suspect, later named as Michael Ederer, walking past the restaurant and called the police who arrested him and took him to Pattaya Police Station, where he confirmed he had lived in Pattaya for one year and had run out of money.

He intended to sell the cigarettes and use the money to rebuild his life in Thailand. He is now behind bars on a charge of burglary and awaits a court appearance.

Swede kills NZ man over dog

Pattaya One

A

New Zealand national was allegedly stabbed to death by a Swedish man in the early hours of Tuesday (August 21) outside a bar in Soi Diana Inn, Central Pattaya.

Police and rescue services were called to the area, in front of the Areca Lodge Hotel and were confronted by an angry mob who claimed to have witnessed the Swede, Andreas Ringvall, aged 40, use a fruit knife to stab 43-yearold Robert E. Hollick twice in his neck.

Mr Hollick was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead-on-arrival. Members of the public were able to detain Mr Ringvall and his Thai wife ‘Dow’ aged 26.

She was extremely vocal in defending the actions of her husband, which she claimed was self-defence. Mr Ringvall remained silent throughout the initial arrest and questioning later at Pattaya Police Station.

A motorcycle-taxi driver, Muan, witnessed the incident and said that a confrontation

A fruit knife, similar to the one involved in the attack. between the two men occurred on the street.

Mrs Dow was allegedly seen to slap the face of Mr Hollick, while the two men verbally confronted each other.

Seconds later Mr Ringvall apparently stabbed Mr Hollick.

Mr Muan and others then rushed Mr Ringvall and his wife and detained the pair.

Mr Supipar aged 47, who works for a bar close to the scene of the altercation claimed that Mr Ringvall and his wife were sitting and drinking in her bar before the altercation.

Everything appeared normal until Mr Hollick arrived with his pet dog which caught

the attention of Mrs Dow who took the dog to her husband.

Mr Ringvall took a disliking to the animal and used bad language towards Mr Hollick.

The altercation in the street then occurred.

Mrs Daw has claimed that Mr Hollick was the aggressor and was stabbed by Mr Ringvall out of self defence, which she claims would be backed up by security camera footage.

Police are now investigating the case further but for now Mr Ringvall has been charged with murder and his wife is being held pending further investigations.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

Two die violently in rubber plantations Manager Online

THA SALA DISTRICT IN Nakhon Sri Thammarat does not seem to be a good place to be in the rubber trade at the moment, with two violent deaths – one suicide and one a murder – being recorded on Tuesday (August 14) alone.

In the first case 29-year-old Sarawoot Plirat, was found dead in a cabin, from a shotgun blast to his head. On top of him lay a long-barrelled shotgun.

Police said, “He owed a great deal because of the steep drop in rubber prices. With his income drying up, he couldn’t keep up with his debt payments.

This worried him all the time.

So, finally, he killed himself.”

Prices for Thailand’s highest grade of rubber fell 3.23 per cent last week, from 294.35 US cents a kilogramme on Monday to 284.83 US cents on Friday (about B88 to B85.5).

On the same day, police were called to another plantation where the corpse of Suchat Sisaeng, 62, was lying among the rubber trees. Police said he had been beaten badly “with a blunt object and shot with a shotgun through his right hand”.

Their enquiries revealed that Suchat was employed to

cut rubber for a large local plantation owner. The morning of his death he was standing at one of the trees cutting rubber when Tanint Duangpan, 54, described as “a big guy from the same village, also employed to cut rubber,” came to cut at a nearby tree “because in that area latex was flowing freely”.

This angered Suchat, who felt Tanint was encroaching on the zone he had reserved for himself. He shouted at Tanint, telling him to “go cut rubber some place else”.

Tanint, however, refused to budge. The ensuing quarrel erupted into a fight.

Tanint grabbed a big brick lying nearby and smashed Suchat repeatedly in the face and head. He died on the spot.

Tanit later handed himself in to the police, with shotgun in hand, and protested that he killed him because he had to.

Yellow Shirt founder denies royal slur Agence France-Presse

THE FOU NDER OF Thailand’s royalist ‘Yellow Shirt’ protest movement on Tuesday (August 21) denied charges of insulting the monarchy, saying his trial was politically motivated.

Sondhi Limthongkul, one of Thailand’s most controversial political figures, faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty over excerpts of a speech by a rival political activist that he repeated in 2008.

“My aim was to tell people that there was an insult against the monarchy, and to encourage the police to take legal action against those who said it,” Sondhi told Bangkok’s Criminal Court.

“I don’t have any intention to insult the monarchy and all my past actions show my loyalty to the monarchy,” the media mogul added, blaming unspecified political opponents for pushing the case against him.

Protests by the Yellow Shirts helped to trigger a coup by royalist generals in 2006 that ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Sondhi’s longtime rival.

Thaksin now lives in self-

thephuketnews.com

Sondhi Limthongkul remains adamant of his innocence. imposed exile overseas to avoid a jail term imposed in his absence for corruption, but his younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra is the current prime minister.

In 2010 Sondhi was convicted of defaming Thaksin and handed a six-month suspended jail sentence.

The woman whom Sondhi quoted, Daranee Charnchoengsilapakul – a hardcore supporter of the rival ‘Red Shirts’ – was jailed for 15 years in December for her comments, which she made during political rallies four years ago.

Thailand has seen a series of rival street protests in recent

years by the Yellows and the mainly poor and working-class Red Shirts, whose demonstrations in Bangkok in 2010 sparked a military crackdown that left about 90 people dead.

In February, the Criminal Court sentenced Sondhi to 20 years in prison for corporate fraud in a case dating back to the mid-1990s. He was released on bail pending an appeal hearing on those charges.

The Yellows claim allegiance to the throne and are backed by the Bangkok-based elite, although their influence has waned since 2008 when they seized Bangkok’s airports and stranded hundreds of thousands of tourists.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

thephuketnews.com

10 ASIA NEWS

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

China’s Gu Kailai: High flyer turned murderer Agence France-Presse

s a high-flying international lawyer married to one of China’s most promising politicians and with a son at Harvard, Gu Kailai appeared to have it all.

But a life of luxury and influence is a distant memory for the wife of disgraced leader Bo Xilai after a court on Monday handed her a suspended death sentence for murdering a British man – a crime she had confessed to.

Pictured on state television, her hair short and wearing a plain white shirt and black jacket, Gu told the court she accepted the sentence, which “reflects particular respect to the law, the truth and life”.

The daughter of a renowned general, Gu, like her husband Bo Xilai, is a member of an elite group in Communist Party-ruled China whose family background has given them influence and privilege not enjoyed by most.

But since her detention

A

earlier this year, a new picture has emerged of an at-times volatile woman with a troubled childhood and a reported history of depression.

Like Bo, she studied at the prestigious Peking University, although the pair did not meet until 1984, while she was on a research trip near the eastern city of Dalian, where he had taken a post as a local party secretary.

“He was very much like my father, that sort of extremely idealistic person,” Gu, now 53, told the Southern Weekend, a local weekly, in an interview published in 2009, recalling her first encounter with Bo. “He lived in a small dirty room. He offered me an apple before telling me about his ideas.”

They married two years later and in 1987 had a son, Bo Guagua, who attended one of Britain’s most prestigious private schools, Harrow, followed by Oxford University and a postgraduate degree at Harvard.

This frame grab taken from Chinese television CCTV shows Gu Kailai, the wife of disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai, facing the court during her sentencing in Hefei.

Gu began work as a lawyer the same year her son was born, later setting up her own firm and winning plaudits as the first Chinese attorney to successfully challenge a legal decision in US courts – an experience she recounted in two books that became bestsellers in her home country.

Ed Byrne, an American lawyer who worked with Gu, recalled her as “smart, charismatic, attractive”. “I was very

impressed with her,” he said in a television interview.

As her husband’s political career took off, Gu gave up law, a sacrifice to which Bo paid tribute at a press conference in March that was to prove one of his last appearances before the couple vanished from public view in April.

He described her as a stayat-home mother who had given up a promising career to take

care of her family, and hit out at allegations – which at that stage were not yet public – that he said had been made against her.

Details that have emerged in recent months of Gu’s life with Bo, however, suggest that his portrayal of a humble housewife was far from the reality.

She is reported to have spent several years in Britain while her son was at school

there – a place arranged by her victim Neil Heywood.

While in Britain, she stayed at the most expensive hotels and enjoyed access to a private jet owned by a billionaire friend, according to sources quoted in The New York Times.

Despite rising to a position of influence, Gu’s life had not always been comfortable.

During the Cultural Revolution her parents were detained and her four sisters sent to the countryside for re-education, forcing her to drop out of school and scrape a living variously as a construction worker, a butcher and a lute player.

On trial earlier this month, she confessed to killing 41-year-old Heywood by pouring poison down his throat, saying that he had threatened her son after a business deal went sour.

She told the court the case had been “like a huge stone weighing on me for more than half a year”.

Lion bones: Asia’s new delicacy Agence France-Presse

LION BONES HAVE BEcome a hot commodity for their use in Asian traditional medicine, driving up exports from South Africa to the East and creating new fears for the survival of the species.

Conservationists are already angry over lion trophy hunting.

The skeletons are mostly shipped to Vietnam and Laos, feeding conservationists’ fears that the market will drive up lion poaching – just as the illegal hunting of rhinos escalates for their horns, also

thephuketnews.com

popular in Asian traditional remedies.

Around 500 lions are hunted legally every year in South Africa, most of them from commercial lion breeding farms which also supply zoos all over the world.

Until recently hunters paid $20,000 (B630,000) just for a trophy to hang above the fireplace, and the carcass was thrown to the dogs.

But their crushed bones have become popular as substitute for the bones of tigers in love potions or “tiger wine”.

Trade in tiger parts is banned under international law as the

animal is a threatened species.

Now Asian hunters buy lion trophy hunting permits to get at the bones.

Most swear it’s about the trophy, which means safari operators and breeders can easily dispose of the carcass at the same time and make an extra buck.

A lion skeleton these days fetches up to $10,000 (B315,000).

A few hundred partial or complete lion skeletons were shipped out of the country in 2010, according to latest official figures – all completely legal.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

WORLD NEWS 11

Breivik: from ‘average guy’ to Norwegian mass killer Agence France-Presse

A

nders Behring Breivik, who is to be sentenced today (August 24) over twin attacks in Norway, comes across as your average guy but behind his courteous exterior lurks one of history’s most gruesome killers.

Tall, blond and with piercing blue eyes, the 33-year-old rightwing extremist fuelled by a hatred of multiculturalism and Islam, has confessed to killing 77 people on July 22, 2011, when he gunned down youths attending a Labour party camp after setting off a bomb outside government offices in Oslo.

The massacre was “a preventive attack against state traitors” guilty of “ethnic cleansing” due to their support for a multicultural society, Breivik said.

Born on February 13, 1979 in tranquil and affluent Norway, Breivik said he had an unremarkable childhood, with a diplomat father and a nurse mother who divorced when he was just one year old.

“I have had a privileged upbringing with responsible and intelligent people around me,” he wrote in a 1,500-page manifesto he published online just before the massacre.

Raised by his mother in a

Anders Behring Breivik will be sentenced today. middle-class family, he said he never had financial problems and has only one gripe: “I had way too much freedom though if anything.”

But from a young age, child welfare services were concerned that he may not have been receiving proper care.

“Anders has become a contact adverse, somewhat anxious, passive child... with a feigned, disarming smile,” a psychologist wrote when he was just four.

“Ideally he should be placed with a stable foster family,” the expert wrote in a report revealed by Norwegian media.

But that never happened.

Around the same time, his father failed in his bid to obtain custody of his son.

After this episode, Anders Behring Breivik appeared to have a typical childhood with no major problems.

“When he was younger, he was an ordinary boy but not very communicative. He was not interested in politics at the time,” his father told Norwegian media.

The diplomat cut off all contact with his son when he was around 15, supposedly when Anders, during a hip-hop phase, was caught for graffiti.

He quit high school at age 18 without getting his diploma, supposedly to undertake a

Photo: AFP career in politics.

In 1999 he joined the populist right-wing, antiimmigration Progress Party and was active with its local youth branch.

He left the party in 2006, writing later on an internet forum that he felt the party was too open to “multicultural demands” and “the suicidal ideas of humanism”.

During his trial, Breivik’s old friends described him as sociable, intelligent and even tolerant, very concerned with his appearance and who totally isolated himself after 2006.

While he has repeatedly criticised Islam, multiculturalism and “cultural Marxism,” Breivik describes himself as

IN BRIEF Romney urges US lawmaker in rape row to step aside The US lawmaker whose controversial remarks about rape sparked a furore said Tuesday he would not quit his race for a Senate seat, despite Republican White House hopeful Mitt Romney’s demand to do so.

T he f i restor m ove r congressman Todd Akin’s comments about “legitimate rape” has dominated campaign headlines and put the sensitive issue of abortion back into the spotlight ahead of the Republican convention in Tampa, Florida.

a “militant nationalist” who is conservative but not racist, and who sacrificed himself in order to protect “ethnic Norwegians” from the disintegration of their country.

He told the judges during his trial, in a serious tone: “I am a very likeable person under normal conditions.”

But on July 22 last year, he spent more than an hour methodically killing 69 people, most of them adolescents, on the island of Utoeya, in what is believed to be the deadliest shooting ever carried out by a single person.

He called his actions “cruel but necessary”, a plan he apparently spent years plotting and carried out alone.

Breivik claims he began his ideological crusade in 2002 as part of the “Knights Templar” – an organisation whose existence police have never been able to confirm.

Psychiatrists are split on the question of Breivik’s sanity, and the verdict to be handed down today (Friday) will determine whether he will be sent to prison or a closed psychiatric care unit.

Breivik himself has said psychiatric care would be “worse than death”, and wants to be declared sane – even if it means a long prison sentence – so that his manifesto is not seen as the ravings of a lunatic.

Iraqi pleads guilty in US to supporting insurgents A 24-year-old Iraqi national prosecuted in the United States for supporting terrorists, including members of Al-Qaeda, in his home country has pleaded guilty, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.

Mohanad Shareef Hammadi faces 25 years in prison to life for attempting to provide weapons to “terrorists” in Iraq and notably trying to equip Iraqi insurgents with Stinger missiles.

Hammadi will be sentenced on December 5.

US drug op uproots over 578,000 cannabis plants

British city goes rogue with own currency AS BRITAIN LOSES FAITH IN its banks and feels shockwaves from the euro crisis, one city is trying to keep local wealth in local pockets with the launch of its own currency.

The Bristol pound – usable only with member businesses in the city in southwest England – is to launch in September, and organisers are deluged with local firms wanting to sign up.

“The perception of banking and

money is that it’s a very ruthless system: people are out for what they can get,” co-founder Ciaran Mundy told AFP. “This is about saying yes to something new. It’s tapping into a different set of values about money.”

The scheme has “captured people’s imaginations”, he added, in a recessionhit year when British banks have been beset by scandals and ministers talked

openly of a possible euro collapse.

Hundreds of businesses have joined, from the acclaimed Arnolfini arts centre to the Chandos deli chain, and the launch had to be postponed from May to September 19 because of the level of interest.

Security professional Richard Wright signed up his company Wright Guard as soon as he heard about the Bristol pound, hoping it would help

him fight back against encroaching security giants. “I’m Bristol born and bred, and I always want to support local businesses,” he told AFP. “I’ll want to keep the Bristol pound flowing.”

The notes feature symbols of local pride from nineteenth-century religious writer Hannah More to the Concorde aircraft, partly developed in Bristol, and images of the St Paul’s Carnival Caribbean street festival.

More than 578,000 cannabis plants, worth over US$1 billion, have been uprooted from forests and national parks in a major operation in the western United States, the Justice Department said Tuesday.

The two-month enforcement operation, which began July 1 in seven states – California, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington – was led by the nation’s anti-drug and forest authorities.

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12 LETTERS/VIEWPOINT

THE PHUKET NEWS

OPINION

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

editor@thephuketnews.com

Editor’s Viewpoint

Norachai’s World

Safety first

O

ne of the delights of living in Thailand is the lack of rules and regulations that crimp one’s fun, or sanuk.

Or to be more precise, the lack of enforcement of rules: the ability to ride around on a motorbike with no helmet and little likelihood of being stopped, for example; or the ability to get a drink at just about any time, never mind the laws on bar closing times.

The dark side of the same equation is that the habitual scoffing at laws, and the habitual inability of authorities to enforce them, kills people.

The investigation into the Tiger Discotheque fire is still ongoing, so it would not be appropriate to point fingers at this stage.

New rules brought in following the horrific Santika Pub fire in Bangkok, which killed more than 60 people, are not due to be complied with until next month, so the vast amounts of highly flammable styrofoam at the Tiger disco – which are believed to have accelerated the blaze

The Tiger remembers those lost...

Letters to the editor Sense of community [Locals to protest against new Tesco] This is like the problem in the US with Walmart expansion.

Walmart likes to build as close to sacred burial grounds as possible in Mexican Inca cities, they also like to build huge malls on preservation wetlands which earlier politicians and concerned groups tried to save from extinction.

Now the mom and pop stores of Phuket face the same extinction due to “progress” and modernisation.

You can bet, I would be willing to bet, that if the store were built it would attract many people on a constant basis.

Mej313

Fighting the truth

Conspiracy theory

[Aussie beaten, left for dead’, say family] I live in Kathu and have never had any problems whatsoever with any locals during my time in Phuket. I have heard about Italian tourists and others being attacked in Nai Harn but wonder if they’ve just been disrespectful to groups of young Thais?

My take on this is that he’s maybe run into a car on his scooter and started mouthing off at the driver, he’s started a fight he couldn’t finish.

Does he really not remember anything or maybe doesn’t want to? I’m not condoning this behaviour but he’s obviously had a good working-over, probably with a baseball bat or lead pipe following what was probably a minor accident.

Why is it that the only people who have these problems are Thai boxers and Aussie bogans, I wonder?

[A pitiful waste: B23m community centre becomes a rotting carcass] This sort of thing happens in ghettos in America, and my opinion is that this is deliberate sabotage in order to keep the poorer people stuck in poverty and ignorant as much as possible in order to control them.

People from the West who don’t donate in order to help lift the quality of life here come here to exploit the land so they can develop their communities where Thais serve them like “free” slaves who are brainwashed, like puppets.

Call it a conspiracy theory, but that’s an opinion based on how other such types of community places fall into chaos.

Mej313

Bogan Beater

of kms to the Tesco at Samkong anyway, as well as Big C, Central and Home Works.

Big stores like that do not belong in the centre of town.

Jamie

Light at the end?

[More details of Patong tunnel plan emerge] EXAT are in cloud cuckoo land if they think this tunnel will ever happen.

Most of the 3.08 km involved already has residential, or business premises on it, not to mention the countless new condominium blocks and hotels that are in its path.Any compensation, if agreed at all, would probably triple the current project estimate, and take years of difficult negotiation.

Agogohome

No Tesco please

The wolf writes in

[700 join anti-Tesco protest] If Phuket town people want to visit a mall, it’s just a couple

[Mayor’s son urges autonomy for Patong] Hi, this is the wolf here. Just

This week in history wanted to mention that we don’t need a farmer to watch the hen house as I’ve got it covered. In fact those chickens are better off than ever before.

Come to think of it, that farmer is getting annoying...

Just Amazing

Stop the loris touts [Bangla Loris touts still at it] I was there around 8pm on Monday August 13 and there were at least 10 people with them. Very obvious to everyone. This needs to be stopped.

Phuket local

Moving movie

[Phuket tsunami immortalised in ‘The Impossible’] Very moving, but not sure I could watch the whole movie.

I was safe behind a 2-metre-high sea wall on the southeast coast of Phuket when the tsunami struck.

The Observer

Letters may be edited for clarity or length. Email editor@thephuketnews.com. Please include your full name, phone number, and email address.

thephuketnews.com

last Friday morning – are not, technically, illegal.

But legally right or wrong, the attitude that businesses needn’t bother to do anything about safety until forced to do so (and even then, there are ways to make that “problem” go away) is morally offensive.

The nighttime entertainment business in any country tends to attract a less appealing kind of operator, not often given to moral contemplation.

Thailand is no different.

Once again, disaster has hit Phuket and somehow, somewhere, one knows that a cynical attitude to safety, an attitude that values money over life, lies behind it.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit, a regular visitor to Phuket in controversial times, has called for a crackdown on night venue safety.

Let’s hope that local authorities are listening, and will summon up the courage to compel operators to comply.

If not, there are dozens of disasters just waiting to happen. It’s just a matter of time.

■■ Aug ust 2 4 , 18 91 – Thomas Edison patents the motion picture camera.

■■ Aug ust 25 , 16 0 9 – Galileo Galilei demonstrates his first telescope to Venetian lawmakers.

■■ August 26, 1920 – The 19th amendment to United States Constitution takes effect, giving women the right to vote.

■■ Aug ust 27, 18 8 3 – The eruption of Krakatoa, which killed 36,417 people. The explosion is considered to be the loudest sound ever heard in modern history.

■■ August 28, 1898 – Caleb Bradham invents the carbonated soft drink that will later be called ‘Pepsi-Cola’.

■■ August 29, 1966 – The Beatles perform their last concert before paying fans at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

■■ August 30, 1945 – Hong Kong is liberated from Japan by British Armed Forces.

THE PHUKET NEWS

TOURISM/AVIATION 13

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

BUSINESS

Regatta matters

Kae Wattana has pretty much got a lock on the regatta business in SE Asia > 14

Alasdair Forbes execeditor@thephuketnews.com

STILL BOOMING

Thai drops plan for Hotel investment in Phuket this year ‘will exceed B9bn’ ULCC line Claude Baltes.

Baltes to run Beyond Krabi KATA GROUP RESORTS has announced the appointment of Claude Baltes as GM of Beyond Resort Krabi, the group’s newest high-end resort.

Born in Luxembourg, Mr Baltes is a graduate of the École Hotelière de Lausanne in Switzerland, and has more than 20 years’ hotel management experience.

He worked for Shangri-La and Sheraton, before deciding to settle in Phuket while working at the then-new Banyan Tree Phuket in 1995. He moved to Bintan Island in Indonesia where he successfully opened the first Angsana Resort & Spa, first as Rooms Division Manager and then as Operations Manager after opening.

Returning to Phuket in 2002, he was appointed Resident Manager at the Six Senses Evason where he remained as Resort Manager until 2008, then joined the Golden Tulip group in 2009 in Phuket and then Bangkok, before taking his latest appointment.

TTR Weekly

Property

M

Regent Cape Panwa Pullman Arcadia Nai Thon Thanyapura Sports Thalang Avista Hideaway Patong U Sunsiri Nai Harn Tune Hotel Patong Holiday Inn Express Patong The Naka Kamala Nikki Beach Bang Tao Novotel Kamala Bay Kamala All Seasons Patong Patong Patong Bay Hill Patong Kata Rocks Kata Days Inn Phuket Town Point Yamu Cape Yamu Phuket Grandville Thalang Grand Mercure Patong Centara Grand Patong Four Points Patong Sleep With Me Patong Aloft Patong The Hermitage Kata New World Patong Marco Polo Koh Sirey Park Hyatt Koh Sirey Hotel Indigo Nai Thon

ore than 5,000 hotel rooms are expected to open on Phuket by 2015 with the majority of the investments focused on mid-scale and budget properties, according to the C9 Hotelworks mid-year report.

The addition of 5,080 rooms will increase the island’s capacity by 11 per cent, based on the current 42,498 rooms last surveyed in March 2011, according to the Phuket market report.

The majority of new hotels, totalling 3,125 rooms, will be in the Patong area.

This represents 20 per cent of total new investment in the province. Approximately 80 per cent of the investment will be in mid-scale to budget properties.

Altogether, 26 properties are due to open by 2015. Of those, 11 will be in Patong, two each on Nai Thon, Thalang, Kamala, Kata and Koh Sirey, and one each in Phuket Town, Cape Panwa, Nai Harn and Cape Yamu.

The report also says that the transaction volume in the first half of the year hit US$170 million (B5.1 billion)

Location

and predicts it will exceed US$315 million (B9.45 billion) for the year.

It also predicts that many of the owners of older hotels will be forced to sell their properties due to rising renovation costs.

For the first half of this year, Phuket recorded an occupancy of 75 per cent. There

Rooms Opens 105 262 77 150 133 150 280 94 174 168 250 744 34 120 109 105 318 350 290 230 250 80 113 294 70 130

Oct Nov Nov Nov Nov Dec Dec Dec 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2015 2015 2015 2015

were marked increases in both average room rates (ADR) and revenue by available room (RevPAR) of 5 per cent to 8 per cent.

This was due mainly to the influx of Asian travellers who elevated overall market earnings, more than offsetting a decline in the spending power of visitors from the Eurozone.

Mid-scale hotels in Phuket registered room rate growth of 10 per cent, followed by the budget sector, which was able to increase rates by 8 per cent.

Apart from new hotel developments, many hotel transactions have been completed in the first half of this year, including Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach (April), Evason Phuket and Bon Island Resort (May), Bundarika Villas & Suites Resort (June) and Laguna Beach Resort (June).

Meanwhile, five new hotels in and around Khao Lak are due to open during the fourth quarter of this year, adding 1,014 rooms to Phang Nga province’s room count.

They are Sensimar Khao Lak Beachfront Resort on Khao Lak Beach (151 rooms), Beach Sands Khao Lak by Katathani Resorts on Nang Thong Beach (316 rooms), Mai Khaolak Beach Resort and Spa on Pak Weep Beach (200 rooms), Sentido Graceland Khao Lak Resort and Spa on Bang Sak Beach (338 rooms) and Khao Lak Blue Lagoon Resort on Khuk Khak Beach (nine rooms).

Phang Nga currently has 170 hotels with 7,500 rooms, most located in Khao Lak.

T H A I A I RWAYS H A S shelved its ambition to launch an ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) to complete its “brand matrix”, and is now apparently hoping its 49-per-cent subsidiary Nok Air will fill the gap.

Controversial plans unveiled in 2010 to launch a joint venture ULCC with Singaporebased Tiger Airways were dropped last year after repeated delays in securing government approvals.

But as recently as March Thai Airways executives were saying that the group still believed it needed a new brand with lower fares than Thai Smile or Nok. In May, however, the airline’s board fired CEO Piyasvasti Amranand, and many of his plans have followed him out of the door including, it seems, the ULCC dream.

Nok CEO Patee Sarasin said Thai’s board has now decided to take the ULCC brand “out of the matrix … to focus more on their own products.”

One thing Thai management will be trying to resolve is the airline’s loss of B1.53 billion in the second quarter.

It expects to see a profit in the third quarter when the tourism high season begins.

Beekers joins BYD Lofts FEMKE BEEKERS HAS joined BYD Lofts & Apartments in Patong as GM. Ms Beekers, who has more tha 20 years’ experience in the industry, was previously GM of Impiana Private Villas in Kata.

She started her hospitality career in Thailand as a hostess in 2000, in guest relations and later as director of sales and marketing. From there, she moved on to managing several family-owned and international

Femke Beekers. boutique hotels & resorts.

She also worked as resort manager, leading the preopening team of a new hotel, Samaya Bura.

thephuketnews.com

14 TOURISM/PROPERTY

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

Regatta queen THE PHUKET NEWS

Kae Wattana owns one regatta in Asia and runs four more SUCCESS

Stor y

Alasdair Forbes execeditor@thephuketnews.com

K

ae Wattana is on a roll. Three months ago her company, Regattas Asia (RA), signed a deal giving it all the rights to the Samui Regatta. That makes it five she’s running now, though this is the first she owns.

RA was already running two more regattas in Thailand – the Phuket King’s Cup and the Bay Regatta – along with the Royal Langkawi in Malaysia and the Sabang Regatta in Indonesia.

That’s enough for now, says Kae. It’s all she and her crew can manage.

Bangkok-born Kae, who arrived in Phuket 10 years ago after being transferred from Australia by the company she was working for, Royal Marketing, saw an opportunity in the King’s Cup. Swiftly she set up her own company and then pitched for the job of managing the event.

“I wanted to improve the regatta to put it in my resumé,” she says. “I was the first Thai and the first woman to run it.”

Initially the regatta “was my hobby,” she says – she was already making good money from trading stocks on the internet, but this allowed her to get out and meet people,

Kae Wattana: ‘You have to make it better every year.’ something she had always enjoyed. Stock trading, she says, is lucrative but “boring”.

“It was tough,” she says.

“It was not easy because it involves HM the King’s name, so everything has to be perfect.”

The second year was harder.

“You have to make it better every year,” she explains. “When people come to a regatta they don’t want it to be the same as last time, and that applies to the fun on the water and on land.”

Plainly, she has succeeded in making the King’s Cup increasingly popular. When she first started about 700 sailors

were involved. The figure at last year’s event was around 2,000.

She has her own measure of success. “I count the number of DNSs [did not start] each day,” she explains with a grin.

“A big number tells me the party the night before was a big success.”

Each regatta has its own character and its own needs.

For example, the Bay Regatta, which she took on seven years ago, is, she says, “more fun”. But the logistics are not easy – delivering everything needed for parties on islands around the bay requires skillful

We believe that the success of a project is essentially based on a serious management

planning and execution.

In Langkawi she had to overcome prejudices – against women running anything, and against the booze aspect. “It was difficult. [In Malaysia] they like a man to be in charge.”

There were similar difficulties in arranging the Sabang Regatta, first staged in September last year. The Indonesian government, wanting to promote sailing among its thousands of islands as a lucrative niche form of tourism, put up a budget of US$5 million (B150 million). In the end, only 16 yachts joined in, but each

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required its promised free ration of alcohol, which had to be delivered from Jakarta, Sabang being a strictly Muslim area.

“But the islands there are still beautiful. It’s still unspoiled.”

She and her business partner Simon James, who handles the racing at events, have a crew of about 30 to help them.

When there’s a regatta to be organised they all work terribly hard over long hours, with the compensation that, in between, they get plenty of time off.

She has bound the crew closely to her with an unusual form of team building. “We go out dancing and drinking together. My slogan is ‘Work hard, play harder.’ I always spoil my team. In return they give me love and hard work.”

Playing hard is important to Kae – drinking lots with other people helps to lubricate deals and make things go more smoothly, she says. And she has a legendary capacity for it.

What does she most enjoy about the business? “I like being organised. I’m a stubborn woman. I get my way. I want to make it professional.”

That includes the downside: dealing with “mafia” groups who expect to make money out of the events she runs.

“This is the most difficult thing to deal with. It requires great patience. You have to get them to listen and cooperate.

I’ve built relations with all the top guys, so I never pay them any money.”

She also knows that any successful regatta depends on keeping not only the sailors happy but also the sponsors.

This means a certain wow factor. “For Samui I persuaded Suthep Thaugsuban [Surat Thani MP and Democrat Party heavy-hitter] to come. That helps to get sponsorship.”

Is there a phrase to describe what she does? “I’m the cleaner,” she says with a huge grin. “My job is to clean up the BS.”

Phanason launches Phase 2 of Green Place MASS MARKET developer Phanason Group has launched Phase 2 of its Green Place condo development on the back road between Surakul Stadium and Sam Kong.

Prices start at B1.4 million for apartments ranging in size from 36 to 160 square metres, one to three bedrooms.

The deposit is B10,000, and the current sales promotion includes free furniture, wallpaper and air conditioning.

Communal facilities include a large club house, swimming pool, fitness room, tennis courts, playground, health park, and a large lobby with wifi internet connection for visitors.

In addition, there will be two large elevators, cable and satellite TV connections, a PABX telephone system, and automatic fire suppression water supply and smoke detectors.

Sales for Building A of Phase 2 will open tomorrow (August 25) between 3pm and 6 pm on the second floor of Central Festival Phuket.

Another senior staffer quits Pata THE REVOLVING DOOR in the management of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) continues to spin. Just two months after she was promoted to Regional Director for Greater Asia, Ben Montgomery has announced she’s leaving.

Mrs Montgomery does at least go out on a friendly note.

Pata CEO Martin Craigs commented, “Pata is proud to see personal progress especially as she has already restated her dedication to Pata as a future member and on-going cheerleader.”

In the past eight months Pata has lost Reid Ridgeway (regional director), Stu Lloyd (senior director – marketing and membership services) and Chief Financial Officer Nawarat Khamsai.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

2

Romadom paints his way through to competition finals

17

Supergroup Lost Legends manage to find themselves

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

POWERED BY

Grave plans

The town of Anlong Veng, a former Khmer Rouge stronghold, hopes to become the next must-see destination on Cambodia’s dark tourism trail > Pages 10 - 11

This photo taken on May 13, 2012 shows Nhem En, Anlong Veng district deputy governor and former photographer at Tuol Sleng prison, also known as S21, (pictured), holding the ‘killing camera’ at his home at Anlong Veng district in Oddar Mean Chey province, some 400 kms northwest of Phnom Penh.

Photos: AFP / Bjørn Christian Tørrisse

WEEKDAYS

SATURDAYS

SUNDAYS

Breakfast

Sam & Natasha

7am-11am

Weekend Brunch

Jay Le Shark

10am - 1pm

Weekend Brunch

Jay Le Shark

10am – 1pm

The Power Hour with Radenska Natural Water

Live 89.5

11am-12pm

Phuket News Radio

Live 89.5

1pm - 2pm

The Spin

Tim Newton

1pm - 4pm

Jason Wilder

4pm - 7pm

Live 89.5

7pm - 8pm

Live 89.5

8pm – 11pm

Lifestyle

Steve Johnston

12pm-3pm

Saturday Sport

Sam Clarke

2pm - 5pm

Drive

Jason Wilder

3pm-7pm

Going Green

Nick Anthony

5pm – 7pm

Lazy Sunday Afternoon Phuket News Radio (repeat)

Non Stop Music

Live 89.5

7pm-7am

Saturday Night Fever

Live 89.5

7pm – 11pm

Sunday Night Chill

thephuketnews.com

2 ART

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

Romadom steals the show Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.com

“My performance will show love for the people, and encourage people to love one another.

There are lots of problems right now in Thailand, in the south we have fighting between the Muslims and Buddhists and throughout Thailand there are problems with Red and Yellow shirts. If we could just love each other and stop the problems, Thailand would be beautiful.”

thephuketnews.com

I

t was louder, messier and even more perplexing, but Romadom’s Thailand’s Got Talent semi final performance on Sunday was also incredibly thought provoking, symbolic and emotional.

It started with Romadom tearing himself from a plain white canvas. From there he clumped and clanged around the performance area, drinking, spewing and pouring paint in, what seemed at the time, a complete random fashion.

Replacing the American music of his previous performance, the Phuket-based artist twirled and spun to a compilation of traditional Thai music, interspersed with gun shots and breaking glass…

In typical Romadom style, he threw himself at the canvas more than once, rolled on the floor a few times and with an almost tangible amount of intense passion created an abstract image of black, yellow and red.

But the pièce de résistance came when he once again became part of the canvas, immersing himself in the black section of the painting (as at this time he was covered from head to toe in dark paint), and pulled a thread from within the painting to reveal a Thai flag.

With obvious political overtones, the overall image was one which is sure to resonate with every Thai citizen and Thai resident – and one which now adds much more meaning to his words

when The Phuket News met with him a few weeks ago.

He had said, “My performance will show love for the people, and encourage people to love one another. There are lots of problems right now in Thailand, in the south we have fighting between the Muslims and Buddhists and throughout Thailand there are problems with Red and Yellow shirts.”

“If we could just love each other and stop the problems, Thailand would be beautiful and we all could drink coffee together.”

Romadom’s shirt was covered in paint, so it was impossible to tell what polictical party, if any, he belongs to.

More importantly however is that he loves Thailand.

R omadom retu r ned to Phuket on August 20 for some much-needed rest and repuceration and to spend time with his young family.

“My wife Idaya told me that she cried a little when she watched me on TV,” he said.

Idaya was unable to travel from their small Nai Harn home - which also doubles as Romadom’s studio - as she was taking care of their 3-month-old baby boy Moobarok.

It is they who motivate him and for them that he works tirelessly to create something that will not only make them happy, but also hopefully inspire a nation.

“I was very happy with the performance, I wanted to make it beautiful and not so scary this time around.”

It worked and his performance won the hearts of the three panel judges and the audience and now Romadom joins fellow Phuketian, Gig, in the upcoming grand finals of the hit TV show on September 2.

Romadom is keen not to give too much away for his final performance, but anyone who knows Romadom’s type of work will know what he means when he says, “I have an idea that every human comes from the ground until they die and go back to the ground... but I have many ideas and it will surely involve lots of colour.”

He is hoping that his wife and son will be able to make the treck to the capital to see him, but if they cannot, he is content that they will be watching on TV. Even if little Moobarok is not yet old enough to recognise the ‘colourful man’ on the screen as his father, he can probably recognise his mother’s love for the man who is adding just a bit more colour to Thailand.

From top: Romadom’s intense, beautiful and powerful semi final performance; the artist at home.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

ENVIRONMENT 3

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

Finding green shoots Nick Anthony editor3@thephuketnews.com

L

et’s take a moment or two to celebrate our recent environmental successes on this changing island.

But then we need to move on, we need to prepare for the future, a future where protected, preserved and pristine waters will prevail.

Take away that thin, fragile veil of desirability and the tropical landscape becomes a marine desert. Ten minutes could very well be the difference between life and death. A happy coral gets washed with a layer of sediment from the construction site above. The silt smothers the coral and decades of coral growth is desecrated in an instant – dead in ten minutes.

“Paved paradise to put up a parking lot” were words by Carly Simon, and a beacon for a generation to heed. But mankind was both blind and deaf to mother nature’s travails as the fast-paced ‘advancement’-obsessed ’80s set to begin its 15 years of destruction.

However, it is not all bad news. ‘Green shoots’ come in many shapes and forms, such as consistent small beach cleaning groups like ‘Kamala Green’ that are supported by local hotels. Green shoots also sprout in school programmes where art and vision come together such as the recent Kajonkiet ‘save the earth’ exhibition. It’s often the kids who speak up on the litter.

Roadside litter is now being cleared by the Or Bor Tor every two weeks, with grass cutting and litter

bagging and a concerted new island-wide anti-litter campaign currently being prepared. Combined with the effects of regular beach cleaning, beach litter volumes have dropped by as much as one third in the last two years.

Island-wide curbside recycling, new beach bins and community recycling stations are welcomed plans. The recent Asia Pacific Environmental Network [APEN] workshop with Phuket schools and supported by Phuket’s local government has encouraged broader teaching.

With support of big retailers the first phase of the plastic reduction programme is being promoted and companies such as Tesco and 7-Eleven are mobilising change with staff education programmes.

Habit changing and positive respect for waste disposal is being felt throughout the island and many people understand now the plastic issue both for dengue fever risks and also for the impact on our oceans and marine life.

Most of our Phuket guests come from countries with strong local communities and have a loving respect for our island and our planet, Phuket is our pearl of the Andaman and deserves to be well protected with all our support.

Look for green shoots to support and make the changes at home, at work and at play.

Left: Green shoots are springing up all over Phuket and every bit is helping, according to environmental activist Nick Anthony (above).

Swissôtel Resort cleans up

On Monday August 20, new General Manager of the Swissôtel Resort Phuket, Kevin Furrer, and his team cleaned the hotel surroundings including the access and the canal leading to the beach, as well as a major part of the beach itself.

Take the plunge!

Daily Trips to Phuket‘s best dive sites Special packages for Residents Holiday programmes for Kids Unique customer service e-mail: info@sea-bees.com tel: +66 (0)76 381 765

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4 EDUCATION

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

It’s raining brains at BIS

A

Dr Kery O’Neill.

John Joseph.

team of passionate and experienced educational specialists has jumped at the opportunity to work for three months with school students, parents, teachers and the general community in Phuket.

Focus Education Asia, headed by John Joseph (the Brain Man) will begin working from September this year in the newly opened International Learning Centre (ILC) located within the grounds of the British International School in Phuket. They will be offering mind-active workshops and conferences to engage and support parents, students and teachers.

The work of Focus Education Asia is based on translating and sharing current research in neuroscience, cognitive psychology and classroom studies – collectively known as Neuroeducation.

The knowledge in this field has been growing rapidly over the last 15 to 20 years, and Mr Joseph and his team have presented in 26 countries for more than 350,000 delegates over the past 16 years.

Mr Joseph said: “Our mission is to advance the understanding of brain, mearning, memory and behaviour within school and family contexts.”

Focus Education Asia will also be undertaking some action research while in Phuket on the impact of critical, creative and curious thinking on learning outcomes.

“The brain is a pretty amazing bit of gear really,” Dr Kery O’Neill, a trainer with the group, said.

“We all can, and do, build our own brains throughout our lives and learning how to be the site manager for this project is incredibly powerful stuff! Regardless of our heredity, socioeconomic status, culture or age, each of us has a right to know what we are capable of achieving for ourselves, for our families and for our communities in the future.

“With the evidence coming from research into brain plasticity it is very exciting to think about the great level of control we have over the success of our learning experiences. We can all make our own ‘smarts’ and we all make our own choices about what we do with it. Focusing on a brighter future is a wonderful motivator.

“Recent research into how the brain learns offers an unprecedented opportunity to reflect on what education is all about. It also informs debate on creating learning environments and working conditions that can engage and empower all individuals in our diverse populations,” Mr Joseph said.

While there has been debate about the validity of some ‘brain based’ approaches in the early days, and indeed some debate continues, educational experts agree that the language of the basic biology of the brain and a knowledge of basic function are things that are becoming more important for communicating how we learn, how we feel and how we behave. Projects like Harvard’s ‘Cultures of Thinking Program’ and John Hopkins University’s ‘Neuroeducation Initiative’ are examples of this in action.

Mr Joseph said: “For students it can kick start their motivation and learning capacity. For teachers it can help create high performance classrooms that boost student achievement and satisfaction and reduce teacher stress, and for parents it can help support parenting our kids in today’s challenging, fast paced, igadget world.”

Brains can be fun and educational.

Integral to the launch of the International Learning Centre (ILC), Focus Education Asia are running a free thought provoking, fun and interactive seminar on Wednesday August 29 to share some of their work (which will include a live dissection of a pig’s brain).

This is a free workshop at BIS and is open to everyone in Phuket (parents, students and teachers). So that everyone has the chance to attend, the free workshop on Wednesday 29 August will run twice, firstly at 2.00pm and then in the evening at 6.00pm.

To confirm your place at the workshop please email Viktoria (Director of the ILC): ILC@bisphuket.ac.th For further information about Focus Education Asia please visit focuseducationasia.com

John Joseph Dip T, B Ed, M Ed John has presented keynote addresses, conferences and workshop sessions to more than a 300,000 people representing more than 3,000 education institutions across 26 countries. Week after week, he facilitates full-day workshops for student groups where he challenges young people to learn about learning, behaviour and emotions. John uses computer-generated graphics and actual brain dissections to engage kids. He has facilitated the dissections of more than 140,000 sheep brains. Little wonder that people refer to him as ‘The Brain Man’.

Dr Kery O’Neill BVSc, DipEd

Kery has a background that incorporates research science, veterinary surgery, education and management. Kery is well practised in lifelong learning.

With nearly 20 years experience teaching students of all ages, she has set the goals of her Professional Development programmes to excite, engage and empower for learning and for life. She has both “talked the talk” and “walked the walk” of Neuroeducation in her instructional and management practice. Kery has also been responsible for developing learning programs that are linked to life and assessments that value skills and understanding more than “numbers”.

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

HEALTH 5

The Olympics are over – but we’re all still far from athletic Khalid Boukdid editor@thephuketnews.com

Khalid Boukdid is the Associate Partner at Askserenity. com, a Thailandbased online retailer of health supplements, health products and services.

I

t is all over. The flame is put out, the Queen is back at Buckingham Palace, James Bond is back shooting baddies and the athletes, of course, are enjoying their glorifying and fleeting moment of writing sports history.

But what about you sitting at home? Besides bringing out a sense of pride and nationalism whenever one of ‘us’ wins Gold, what has the Olympic Games done for you?

Has it got you thinking that maybe you ought to be working on your own physical condition or health?

Or is it a simple ‘back to reality’ shift and off we are back to the complete opposite of anything that comes even close to an Olympic athlete’s lifestyle?

How come major sporting events like these don’t motivate us enough to change our lifestyle and add just a pinch more health? How come that even though we are watching others write sports history, we celebrate every victory with a Double Quarter Pounder, three mugs of beer and a super jumbo size of rubbery chicken nuggets?

So how can we get people more motivated to add a pinch or maybe even a double pinch of health and exercise to their lifestyle? There is no simple answer to this question, but let me share my view. Becoming healthier is a conscious choice that typically happens in several stages. The difficult stage is the awareness stage.

People that pursue an unhealthy lifestyle are quite comfortable with it and they like the benefits that come with that lifestyle. Motivating them to change simply will not work, because they are afraid they will lose their benefits once they go healthy.

Recently, I have been helping a very close friend of mine to lose weight and it was remarkable how motivated he eventually became. It turns out, he was actually inspired by watching me work out all the time which had helped trigger his awareness stage and now he is on his way to become slimmer, fitter and healthier. And no, he is not on a non-stop diet of sticky rice and carrots.

Inspiration here is key, but to really push someone over the edge, you need to show him/her that being healthy doesn’t mean you have to stay away from sweets, it does not mean you need to spend an hour a day on a treadmill and it definitely does not mean you need to start eating salads all the time.

What if I told you that 15 minutes a day is all you need to get fit, more slim and more energized and you can keep the occasional cheesecake? Would you believe me?

If yes, then you have entered into the awareness stage and if no, well maybe you just need another Olympics to get you there.

Let me leave you with a few tips to start off with after the intensive Olympics to get back in shape: 1. Forget everything you think you know about fitness, health, losing weight and/or pumping up - I don’t think that would be hard for the most of you- being healthy is not complicated, despite the fact that most ‘gurus’ tend to make it look that way.

2. Stop diving into the Men’s Health ‘20 best ways to get a six-pack or to lose weight’ - they seem to have 20 best ways every month or so. Honestly, there is only one way, but different variations.

3. Prepare yourself for minor changes in your health lifestyle. Don’t freak out: I said minor, but don’t expect to keep your average 5 beers a day quota.

4. Have a look at your current diet and see where the overlap is and where you need to ‘add’ some health.

5. Start jogging for 10-15 minutes this week to get you warmed up and reduce the risk of sore muscles especially for those who have been living unhealthily for the past 12 months or more.

The greatest sports competition in history is over and you’re back on your sofa once again. You’ve finally prised the TV remote from your fingers. Now, are you going to pick up the chicken drumstick or the dumbbell?

Have a critical look at your diet and your health condition and ask yourself where you can use more ‘health’ and where you can afford to cut a little slack.

thephuketnews.com

6 PEOPLE

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

Serving tea to the Queen Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.com

At the young age of 18, Briton Paul Brown was looking through a local newspaper and saw an advertisement for a butler position for a ‘large Berkshire home’. He sent an application and then two weeks later received a letter from Buckingham Palace inviting him down for an interview. A month later he was offered a position as a Junior Footman.

P

Clockwise from right: Buckingham Palace; Hollywood sign; Sandringham House; Holyrood Palace - just some of the places that Paul has worked at.

aul Vincent Benedict Brown’s early life was much like any other British teenager’s, until he reached 18-years-old, when it took a rather dramatic and odd turn.

One evening, Paul was watching a TV episode of Upstairs, Downstairs, a British drama from the 1970s that followed the exploits of an upper class family and their house staff.

While many watched the show for its glamorous depiction of upper class family life, there were others who tuned in to follow the escapades and relationships of the down-to-earth servants. Paul remembered thinking that ‘it’ looked like “rather interesting”, but then thought nothing more of it.

“The next few days I was looking through a local Windsor newspaper and saw an advertisement for a butler position for a ‘large Berkshire home’. I applied and then about two weeks later I received a letter from Buckingham Palace inviting me down for an interview.”

Although it was more than 20 years ago, Paul remembers it like it was yesterday, “It was one of the worst hours of my life... It was so daunting, I was 18-years-old and this was my second ever interview.

“I thought no way was I going to be offered something.

No way was I going to work at Buckingham Palace.”

“I was incredibly nervous. I thought I answered every question wrong, at one point he noted that I was answering a lot of questions with ‘okay’, so he told me ‘You don’t say that, you say, ‘very well sir’ and I responded, of course, ‘okay’.”

However, Paul must have done more than okay, as about a month later he was offered a position as a Junior Footman. And Paul’s regular life in modest accommodation came to an end.

“I was based full time at Buckingham Palace, but I also travelled wherever Her Majesty the Queen went

and all of her different castles – be it Windsor, Balmoral Castle, Sandringham House, Palace Holyroodhouse or onboard HMY Britannia.

But it was a while before Paul was allowed to pour a cup of tea for Her Majesty. In fact, as an interesting aside, the Royal Family actually get their own breakfast, in a sort of self-service style.

“They are quite informal in the mornings, they would make their own tea and coffee and get their own fruit and so on. Each family dines separately in their own huge rooms and houses.”

After three short years, Paul became a Senior Footman which allowed him much closer access to the Royal Family. This, Paul recounts, was perhaps the happiest time during his tenure as a Royal Butler.

“It was great, because in that era it was still very much happy families with the Prince and Princess of Wales having just got married.”

Paul says with a smile how vividly he remembers the first time he was responsible for his own work, in the role of Senior Footman, “I was in Windsor castle. I was responsible for serving the potatoes and I was told two things: don’t shake and don’t sweat.

“Of course in being told not to do so, I did both... but it was okay I’m only human, as they are really.”

Although not solely because he signed the Secrets Act, Paul shirks from answering any personal ques-

thephuketnews.com

Photos: me; хенрик (talk); Oreos; RXUYDC; Saffron Blaze

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

Paul worked as a private butler for an American TV producer – famed for producing Beverly Hills 90210, Charlie’s Angels and Melrose Place – for five years and said that he enjoyed his time, albeit that it was extremely different than his service for the royal family.

“I think he liked the idea of having a butler who used to be the Queen’s butler.

The duties working for Mr Spelling were rather different, I had to ensure that everything was arranged and everything was in order.

He also had places in Malibu and Las Vegas and I would always go with him wherever he went.”

tions on the behavioural habits of the Royal Family out of loyalty to his former employers.

He does admit however that they were, at times, like any of us, susceptible to the foibles of emotion and that they too were ‘only’ human.

One particular human that Paul has an obvious fondness for is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, “She was nice, very pleasant and made everybody feel at ease.

Always asking ‘how you were’ and things like that.

“She always called me by my first name and I thought if the Queen can call me Paul, then everybody else can.

After six years of working for the most famous family in the UK, the numerous ‘fun’ parties between the 26 chambermaids and 13 junior footmen, and enjoying perhaps one of the most luxurious views in London (the servant’s quarters is located on the top floor of Buckingham Palace) he was offered an opportunity that he found impossible to turn down.

One foggy morning in November 1991, Paul was contacted by a representative of famous Los Angeles TV producer Aaron Spelling to see if he wanted to come and interview for a position of butler.

Although Paul admits he was happy at this time, he decided to go ‘just for a holiday’. He requested what he though of at that time was a ridiculously large amount (£100,000) and was surprised when they accepted.

Paul worked as a private butler for the American TV producer – famed for producing Beverly Hills 90210, Charlie’s Angels and Melrose Place – for five years and said that he enjoyed his time, albeit that it was extremely different than his time at the palace.

“I think he liked the idea of having a butler who used to be the Queen’s butler. The duties working for Mr Spelling were rather different, I had to ensure that everything was arranged and everything was in order.

He also had places in Malibu and Las Vegas and I would always go with him wherever he went.”

Paul said that far from living the stereotypical ‘wild’ L.A nightlife scene, Mr Spelling was a quiet pipe smoker, but added that Hugh Hefner did live on the same street. Although he believes that most traditional butler duties are more often performed by personal assistants than butlers these days, he hopes that the value of his role will never diminish.

“A good butler is both a butler and a P.A. It’s about learning how to get things done.” He also admits that he’s ‘a butler snob’. He scoffs at those who take the fast

TRAVEL 7

track option of paying USD5,000 and training for 3 months. “With all the intense and extensive training I had to do to become a butler it’s not really the same.”

“That’s one great thing about what they offer at Buckingham Palace, they offer a great apprenticeship,” he said.

An apprenticeship that has stood him in good stead and led him to find his current employment as the Executive Assistant Manager of the Village Coconut Island.

Around five years ago he took a break from helping others, and on the brink of his 40th birthday he decided that he had had enough of what he was doing at the time – freelance butlering in the UK – and wanted to perhaps do things that he should have done as a young man, and go travelling.

This was how he found himself in Thailand. “I was perhaps the most inappropriate backpacker ever, and packed stuff that I would never use, much too formal, but I ended up giving it away quite quickly.”

Paul believes that certain butler skills help him in his role as assistant manager, but all-in-all, running a private house and a hotel is ‘quite different’.

“In a private house, you have to make sure everything is 100 per cent perfect, if it’s not then you don’t do it.

So it’s quite a different kettle of fish.”

Paul still enjoys watching re-runs of Upstairs, Downstairs, and although it is no longer on television, Downton Abbey (a fictional series set in the Yorkshire country house of the Earl and Countess of Grantham, following the lives of the Crawley family and their servants) is.

Paul enjoys watching the hit British TV series, and apart from the difference in the time era, believes that these shows are in fact rather accurate.

Although Paul still introduces himself as a Professional English Butler and doesn’t rule out returning to the role of a butler in a private residence in the future, he is happy where he is, at least for now.

After a spell working for one of the most famous families in the world, Paul went to L.A to become a butler for perhaps the most accomplished TV producer of the 90s.

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

8 DINING

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

The new aroma of Thailand coffee

Shining pearl

F

or the birthday of HM Queen Sirikit on August 12, which is also Mother’s Day in Thailand, the Indigo Pearl laid on a special one-off brunch that attracted several hundred people.

Lasting from midday to 3pm, the brunch served up a huge range of food, from giant prawns to sushi and sashimi (straight off the tuna, with freshly made wasabi), to a big grill with chicken, mutton, steak and an entire pig on a spit, to Indian curry and huge skewers of meat and vegetables, and a huge range of excellent desserts.

The brunch cost B2,150++ a head included free flow wine (three reds, three whites, a rosé and two sparkling wines) or Heineken draft or a choice of four cocktails; or B1,950 with soft drinks and juices. Children under five ate free, while those from five to 12 got a 50 per cent discount.

Thoroughly good value. Anyone who did not come away staggering under the weight of a full stomach and plentiful booze was, frankly, failing in his or her duty.

The resort will start running regular Sunday brunches at the start of the high season, around the end of November.

For more information on Indigo Pearl, see indigo-pearl.com

thephuketnews.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

Above: The delicious food available at the Indigo Pearl.

C

offee producer and supplier Boncafe Thailand opened its first branch in Phuket in 2000, and since then the business has gone from strength to strength.

Boncafe Thailand now works with more than 300 hotels and coffee shops and restaurants around Phuket – helping them purchase coffee machines, supplying coffee and providing in-depth training for baristas.

Closely involved in the Phuket branch is Sales and Marketing Manager Chris Centlivres. Hailing from Lausanne, in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, he loves his coffee.

He’s been in Phuket almost six years, spending four and a half of those with Boncafe Thailand, helping to market and develop the Phuket branch into what it is today.

Boncafe Thailand first started in 1991, part of the larger Boncafe, which has offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Dubai. There are now 12 showrooms around Thailand.

Coffee machines for the home start from around B6,000, right up to the high end machines suitable for large production at resorts. The machines are imported from Europe and the United States.

The company sells its own branded coffee, either Arabica from the Chiang Rai area, or Robusta from Krabi, or various blends of the two.

Boncafe Thailand buys directly from farmers and then roasts it in its factory

Chris Centlivres in Chonburi province, east of Bangkok.

They also have a stack of imported tea and other beverage items such as a Sri Lanka tea range and green tea from Japan.

“Russians usually prefer strong black coffee, and Australians like the popular blends.

“It is pretty new for Asians to drink coffee. If you think back to 15 years ago in Thailand, there was no local coffee culture, and it was very difficult to get a decent espresso. Now, thanks to us and our competition, more and more people are drinking coffee.”

Many younger Thais living in Phuket tend to be more well travelled than their older relatives, and have often been to Western countries such as France and Italy, where coffee culture is strong and where people are far more likely to meet up in a cafe.

International corporations such as Starbucks moving into Asia have also had an impact, and made coffee more accessible, says Chris.

He believes there will always be a market for the B15 cup of instant iced coffee from local sellers, however demand may lessen as the new younger generation of Thais get into business and realise that good coffee doesn’t have to cost the earth.

There is also the stigma that good coffee has to be expensive, when really people only have to invest in the machine, Chris says.

For more information on Boncafe, see boncafe.co.th

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

DINING 9

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

Clockwise from top left, steamed pork in soya sauce soup; Hainan soup with fish head; Niyom Wiyuwongsri, the owner of the “Khao-kheang khalee faan Hainan” restaurant; and where to find the restaurant on Phuket Road.

Something smells fishy STREET EATS Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter4@thephuketnews.com

Below, the yellow Hainan soup, with steamed pork in soya sauce, and fried pork balls, served with steamed rice.

T

he delicious soup dish keang ka-lee, also known as Chinese Hainan soup, can only be found at a handful of stalls around Phuket.

The dish originated in Hainan Island in southern China, and the Chinese who moved to Phuket many years ago brought their favourite spicy fish soup recipe with them.

While once common, these days it is hard to find around Phuket, but one restaurant owner who happily continues to make the delicious dish is Niyom Wiyuwongsri.

Forty-five year-old Mr Niyom has been running the family “Khao-kheang khalee faan Hainan” (Hainan soup with rice) restaurant on Phuket Road for around 10 years, but the business has been going for more than 80 years. Mr Niyom is the third generation in his family to make the dish.

“This type of dish used to be very popular around this

area in the past, and there used to be hawkers everywhere – all around Phuket Town.

“But now there is not much for sale, and the only people who sell it have had the recipes passed down from generation to generation – just like my restaurant.”

Traditionally the yellow-hued soup, made from curry powder, includes fish head. It is often served with steamed pork in a soya sauce soup, and pork balls.

The pork balls, also known as moo pat chor, are made from pork mince, mixed with garlic and parsley. All three dishes are usually served with steamed rice.

“Most of my customers are people who live in the area, though sometimes local politicians, lawyers and policemen come to eat lunch here.”

“Khao-kheang khalee faan Hainan” is open daily from 6am-10am, 4pm-9pm. The price of each dish starts at B50.

thephuketnews.com

10 TRAVEL

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

Tourist future for last killing fields Michelle Fitzpatrick/AFP editor@thephuketnews.com

Anlong Veng, near the Thai border, was the Khmer Rouge’s last rebel centre before the movement disintegrated in the late 1990s. As locals relish the lucrative prospect of welcoming more tourists, observers stress the need to avoid turning the destination into a Khmer Rouge nostalgia tour.

W

ant to see Pol Pot’s grave or his broken toilet seat? How about a visit to the house of a feared Khmer Rouge commander known as “The Butcher”?

Welcome to the town of Anlong Veng, a former Khmer Rouge stronghold which hopes to become the next must-see destination on Cambodia’s dark tourism trail, but which faces calls not to glorify its role in the country’s bloody past.

A rectangular mound of earth lined with half-buried glass bottles and protected by a corrugated iron roof marks the spot where Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot was hastily cremated in 1998.

Aside from a sign asking visitors to “please help to preserve this historical site” there is no information on offer, leaving Cambodian tourist Pov Dara, 27, to ponder the significance of the low-key grave.

“I feel sad for the people but not for him,” she decides, after snapping a photo of her relatives flashing the peace sign. Up to two million people died from overwork, starvation or execution when the Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, attempted to create a communist utopia in the late 1970s.

His cremation site, which attracts some 10 visi-

tors a day, is one of 14 tourist spots the government intends to “preserve and develop” in northern Cambodia’s Anlong Veng. Other places of interest include leaders’ old homes and a rusty radio truck used to broadcast Khmer Rouge propaganda.

Impoverished Cambodia is no stranger to genocide tourism, with the Tuol Sleng torture centre in Phnom Penh and the nearby Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, where thousands died, among the nation’s most popular attractions.

But while the focus at those sites is on victims of the 1975-1979 regime, Anlong Veng is populated by one-time loyal Khmer Rouge followers, giving it the feel of a town that has found itself on the wrong side of history.

Photos: Oliver Spalt, Brad Barnes, Bjørn Christian Tørrissen and jcw

‘Memories are not for sale’ As locals relish the lucrative prospect of welcoming more tourists to the once isolated area, observers stress the need to educate guests about Cambodia’s history – and avoid turning the destination into a Khmer Rouge nostalgia tour.

To that end, the tourism ministry has teamed up with the esteemed Documentation Centre of Cambodia, which researches Khmer Rouge atrocities.

The centre is preparing to publish a guidebook based on the stories of long-time residents and it is training tour guides to provide meaningful information about “what happened and why during the Khmer Rouge regime’s final days”, said the group’s director Youk Chhang. A museum is also planned.

But it is important not to exploit the country’s tragic past, he said.

Cambodia’s memories are “not for sale”, he said.

“We have the responsibility to ensure that Anlong Veng is a historical and responsible site to educate the public.”

The Khmer Rouge was ousted by Vietnamese forces in 1979, though regime leaders and supporters continued to wage a low-level guerrilla war against the government.

Anlong Veng, near the Thai border, was the Khmer Rouge’s last rebel centre before the movement disintegrated in the late 1990s. One of the best-preserved

Pol Pot’s cremation site, which attracts some 10 visitors a day, is one of 14 tourist spots the government intends to “preserve and develop” in northern Cambodia’s Anlong Veng.

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

TRAVEL 11

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

Tuol Sleng prison (interior above) chief Duch was in February sentenced to life in jail by Cambodia’s UN-backed war crimes court, the first person to face justice for horrors committed under the regime. visitor sites in town is the lakeside home of late military commander Ta Mok, known as “The Butcher” for allegedly orchestrating brutal massacres that killed thousands, although locals remember him as a generous leader who gave the town a road, a bridge, a hospital and a school.

Ta Mok, who briefly led the Khmer Rouge in its final days, was the only rebel who refused to surrender or strike a deal with the government after Pol Pot’s death. He was arrested a year later and died in prison in 2006 awaiting trial.

His airy house is little more than a shell today, its furniture looted long ago. But several walls are still adorned with colourful yet amateurish murals of temples and a map of Cambodia – symbols of Ta Mok’s patriotism, according to the site’s caretaker San Roeung, himself an ex-Khmer Rouge soldier. “A lot of people here liked Ta Mok. When the enemy came, he took people to safety,” said the 60-year-old, who helped build the house as well as the two cages outside used to hold Ta Mok’s enemies.

He added that he hoped an influx of visitors would improve living standards for locals, who could “grow mangoes to sell to tourists”.

preferring to muse about Anlong Veng’s nascent tourism industry. The ancient temples of Angkor, which attract more than a million visitors a year, are a mere two-hour drive away, and Nhem En believes that if a fraction of those visitors added Anlong Veng to their itinerary, his town would benefit considerably.

“Anlong Veng will not go backwards,” he said, though he emphasised that his own collection of memorabilia is about more than just profiting from his time with the Khmer Rouge.

“I’m doing this to make the world understand more about the Khmer Rouge regime,” he said.

‘I call it the killing camera’ Few are more excited about the town’s tourism potential than Anlong Veng district deputy governor Nhem En – who was the chief photographer at Tuol Sleng, where he endlessly captured images of inmates awaiting certain death.

A Khmer Rouge insider until he defected in the mid-1990s, Nhem En has built up a huge archive of photos, as well as a bizarre collection of keepsakes such as Pol Pot’s sandals, his uniform and his shattered toilet seat.

Now he is looking for a partner to help set up a private museum to display his treasures, he said, having apparently given up on the idea of selling key items in the hope of earning hundreds of thousands of dollars. “These items might not be worth much financially but, in historical terms, they’re invaluable,” he said at his home, after showing some of his favourite possessions.

“This camera, if I put it in a museum, I would call it the killing camera,” he said, as he held up a vintage Rolleicord, “because all of the people in Tuol Sleng who came before it died.”

Nhem En insists he was not in a position to help any prisoners, all he could do was “follow orders” and “mind his own business”.

Tuol Sleng prison chief Duch was in February sentenced to life in jail by Cambodia’s UN-backed war crimes court, the first person to face justice for horrors committed under the regime. The court is now trying the three most senior surviving Khmer Rouge members, but Nhem En has little interTwo of the victims tortured at Tuol Sleng prison (S21). est in the proceedings,

thephuketnews.com

12 DANE’S WORLD THE BIG LIST Animal Farm

Frederico the Great Goat: Frederico was a highly popular candidate for mayor in the Brazilian town of Pilar (animals running for office is a common theme in Brazil). He was also a goat. He was so popular, though, that he even attracted a convoy of 50 vehicles that drove through town showing their support. The convoy was promptly shot at. Okay, so maybe running a goat for mayor also attracted a few enemies. That’s why some people found it highly suspicious when the candidate was found dead under ‘mysterious’ circumstances.

Prime primate: We should clarify: Technically Stuart Drummond was the name on the ballot, and he is a human. However, Mr Drummond ran for mayor in the English borough of Hartlepool in a monkey costume, which was part of his regular job as a local sports team mascot (ironically, qualifying him perfectly to be an elected official in the United Kingdom). Although he spoke about actual local issues at times, his biggest campaign pledge was a banana for every schoolchild.

He was re-elected to a third term in 2009.

thephuketnews.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

H

ank, a cat running for the US Senate, bared his claws last week with a radical proposal for improving America’s unpopular Congress: get rid of the humans.

“It’s okay to make a change. It’s okay to vote the humans out,” a campaign video released by the feline politico says.

Most media coverage of the Senate race in Virginia focuses on Republican former governor George Allen and Democratic nominee Tim Kaine, another former governor and ally of President Barack Obama.

But Hank is not one to whinge about media bias. He writes on hankforsenate.com that his traditional American self-reliance is the way forward.

Born to a single mother and forced to live on the street, Hank says he “earned his success and his name through hard work.”

Although there is little polling data on Hank’s bid to become the first cat in the Senate, a vote based on popularity of his Facebook page would have him breathing down the Democrat’s neck.

At last count, Kaine’s site scored 24,271 “likes” to Hank’s impressive 23,664.

Horsing around: The Roman Emperor Caligula is mostly known for being mildly insane. He also apparently appointed his horse to the Senate, which may go some way to explaining the whole insane thing. Some historians say he wasn’t crazy, and that the horse Senator was some sort of practical joke. We say those historians are crazy. This much is (maybe) true: Caligula’s horse had his own palace. He owned slaves, which we like to think the horse rode around all day. He also ate oats covered in gold, though it’s probably fair to say ‘Senator’ Incitatus didn’t have a lasting effect on policy.

Horny councilor: The City Council member for Sao Paulo, the largest city in Brazil and the entire Southern Hemisphere, was won in 1958 by Cacareco, a female zoo rhinoceros. Not to take anything away from her audacious political courage, but her victory basically represented a whole bunch of people saying “screw you” to the standing politicians. Cacareco’s votes were eventually, and unfortunately, nullified, but her noble cause was not lost. Today, the term “Voto Cacareco” (Cacareco vote) is commonly used to describe protest votes in Brazil. Cacareco’s candidacy also inspired the Rhinoceros Party of Canada, nominally led by the rhinoceros Cornelius the First.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

Hank clawing his way to US Senate

We all know some of our politicians behave like animals. Here are some that actually were.

Half-assed: In 1938, the fair residents of Milton, Washington, had a decision to make: who would be their Republican Precinct Committeeman? It was apparently a pretty cruisy gig, and Boston Curtis sounded like a pretty politiciany sounding name, so they gave him 51 votes. Boston Curtis was a mule. In fairness to old Boston, he never even really wanted to enter the world of politics – most of his election campaign involved eating grass and casually defecating around the town. It was actually all the sinister plan of a man called Kenneth Simmons, who, being an avid Democrat, said he wanted to embarrass the Republicans.

While there’s no record of whether Boston served out his full term, he probably did, because frankly he was as capable and just as much of an ass as any of the current Republican candidates anyway.

THE PHUKET NEWS

Chinese housing market looks up

In a densely populated city, in the middle of the planet’s most populated country, land can be an elusive commodity.

But sometimes, the solution can be right above you – right above where you shop, that is.

Because while there may not have been any suitable square footage at ground level, these people in Zhuzhou City, in Hunan Province, China, have instead built their homes on the roof of an eight storey shopping centre.

China has the world’s biggest population and is struggling to find space to build homes for everyone.

The luxury properties on top of the Jiutian International Plaza each boast 500 square feet of space, with spacious balconies and huge gardens to enjoy the ‘great’ city views.

But an investigation has begun into whether developers had permission to build them – and it seems planning bosses might be about to hit the ceiling.

A local planning expert said it was “incomprehensible” that Jiutian would have got the official green light for such an unusual construction.

These unusual ‘villas’ mean residents never have to leave home again.

US has ‘life of pi’ as population hits maths milestone The US population has passed a nerdy and delightful milestone.

Shortly after 2:29pm on August 14, the number of living Americans was exactly 314,159,265 – or for the maths minded people out there, Pi times 100 million – the US Census Bureau reported last week.

“So go out and celebrate this American pi,” quipped the US Census Bureau’s chief demographer, Howard Hogan, in a statement marking the milestone.

“This is a once in many generations event,” Hogan added in the release. He also took the opportunity to remind readers who failed junior mathematics that “pi is a mathematical constant that is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.”

Of course, the population at any given time is just a rough estimate, right? So it’s equally safe to assume it actually reached the figure an hour and five minutes later – at 3.14pm. But then again, perhaps that’s being irrational.

Fans and maths geeks usually celebrate pi on March 14 (3.14), Pi Day, by eating pies, reciting digits and engaging in other pirelated activities.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

FILM 13

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

Kirk Douglas shows off ‘censored’ Spartacus Agence France-Presse

H The Expendables 2

Explosive lineup packs plenty of star firepower Dane Halpin editor2@thephuketnews.com

102 minutes Rating: 15+ Director:

Simon West Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Nor r is, Randy Couture, Liam Hemsworth, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, A r nold Schwarzenegger

T

he Expendables 2 is never going to win an Oscar. But with a lineup of 80s action stars this good and more one liners than a Kate Moss Columbia vacation, who really cares?

For the latest installment, Con Air director Simon West takes over the reins from Sylvester Stallone, and the decision proves a good one, with West delivering the star-studded action epic fans had hoped for with the first film.

The plot is simple enough (as expected): The titular mercenaries (Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Jet Li, Terry Crews, Randy Couture and new team members Liam Hemsworth and Yu Nan) launch a suitably brutal revenge mission after losing one of their own, while also trying to track down a stack of old Soviet nuclear material.

Also hunting the nuclear material is a villain played by Jean-Claude Van Damme, whose name is Vilain to avoid any ambiguity. He’s suitably sinister, so much so that he even wears sunglasses while down an underground mine.

It’s cheesy, over-the-top, and more often than not, cringeworthingly bad – everything you would expect

from a homage to everything that was brilliant about 80s action films – overflowing with classic one-liners, physics defying stunts and plot holes so big even the entire musclebound cast could plough a tank straight through them (not a bad idea for the possible sequel).

After the lukewarm reception to the first movie though, there were some concerns that with the second’s increased line up, the film would become even more cluttered and unfocused. But the use of every major new name is shrewdly done for maximum effect – picture Bruce Willis telling Arnie “I’ll be back”, only for Arnie to respond “Yippee ki yay”.

If there is only one weakness though, I’m almost ashamed to say it’s the former ‘Governator’. His character, Trench, has dialogue that’s little more than awkwardly delivered self-referential quips, and there are really only so many ‘I’ll be back’ jokes that can be made in the space of 102 minutes.

Still, this is not exactly meant to be a great film fleshed out with compelling character performances – it’s a pure unashamed throwback to the 80s heyday of action cinema, and in that respect, The Expendables 2 a resounding success. They’ll be back.

ollywood legend Kirk Douglas earned a standing ovation from a packed Los Angeles theatre as he introduced a screening of the 1960 classic Spartacus that included a previously censored scene.

“When you’re 95 years old, you don’t look forward. You look backwards, you take inventory,” Douglas said late Monday, as he sat on stage to talk about the film that immortalised him as a movie legend.

Douglas said that Spartacus – a 2.5-hour epic about a slave rebellion in the Roman empire – challenged censorship during an era when Hollywood actors and screenwriters were blacklisted due to their alleged communist sympathies.

Douglas produced and starred in the movie, which won four Oscars. The film was directed by Stanley Kubrick and co-starred Laurence Olivier and Tony Curtis.

The complete Spartacus, which was restored in 1991, includes a homoerotic scene that censors cut out when the movie first screened.

In the scene, Olivier’s character, a wealthy Roman, comes to his slave – a young, half-naked Curtis – and asks him to enter the tub and help bathe him.

US BOX OFFICE TOP 10 Film

Weekend gross

Gross

Film

Weekend gross

Gross

1

The Expendables 2

$28.8m

$28.8m

6

The Dark Knight Rises

$11.1m

$410m

2

The Bourne Legacy

$17m

$69.6m

7

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

$10.9m

$15.2m

3

ParaNorman

$14m

$14m

8

Hope Springs

$9.1m

$35.1m

$13.4m

$51.7m

9

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

$3.85m

$38.8m

$12m

$12m

$3.5m

$51.8m

4

The Campaign

5

Sparkle

SFX Coliseum Phuket (Central Festival) The Bourne Legacy (E) [15+]: The Bourne Legacy (E/F) [15+]: Brave (E/3D) [G]: Echo Planet (T/D3D) [G]: The Expendables 2 (E) [15+]: The Expendables 2 (E/F) [15+]: Sat 2 Mon (T/E.SUB) [15+]: Yes or No 2 (T/E.SUB) [13+]:

16:45, 19:30, 22:15 12:10, 15:20 12:20, 14:30, 16:35, 18:50 11:15, 13:00, 14:50 13:10, 15:20, 17:30, 19:40, 21:50 18:30, 20:40 12:10, 14:35, 19:25, 21:50 14:20, 16:40, 19:10, 21:30

10 Total Recall

SFC Jungceylon Phuket (Patong) The Bourne Legacy (E) [15+]:

11:15, 13:55, 16:40, 19:20, 22:00

The Dark Knight Rises (E) [G]:

12:00, 17:40, 21:50

The Dictator (E) [18+]:

12:20, 14:15, 16:10, 18:05, 20:00

The Expendables 2 (E) [15+]: 11:30, 13:40, 15:50, 18:00, 20:10, 22:20 Sat 2 Mon (T/E.SUB) [15+]: Total Recall (E) [13+]:

15:10, 20:50 11:30, 14:00, 16:30, 19:00, 21:30

As some movies and movie times change every Thursday morning, after The Phuket News has gone to press, the accuracy of the following information cannot be guaranteed. For up-to-date information, visit sfcinemaci ty.com, or phone the cinemas directly: SFX Coliseum Phuket 076-209-000 and SFC Jungceylon Phuket 076-600-555.

thephuketnews.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

THE PHUKET NEWS

14 ISLAND SCENE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES

Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket celebrated the 80th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on August 12 with a candle lighting and anthem singing ceremony. Pictured right is the resort’s General Manager Peter Komposch.

ROCK ‘N ROLLAS

Patrick the owner of Rockin’ Angels.

Adrian and Christina.

The Legends of Siam, made up of teenage island rockers Paul Mulloy, Blaze KC, Sascha Zen and Rannze Davies, performed live at the Rockin’ Angels in Phuket Town on Friday (August 17). See legendsofsiam. net for more info.

Tarryn and Jenny.

Legends of Siam: From left, Paul, Sascha and Blaze. (Rannze on the drums, obscured).

FAMILY BRUNCH AT CENTARA On August 12, Mare Restaurant at the Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket launched their monthly Sunday Family Lunch (held on the first Sunday of the month). A fabulous meal was accompanied by live music from 12pm to 3pm. After lunch, families enjoyed the swimming pool, kid’s pool, lazy river, jumping cliff and water slides. Priced at B1,290 net per person included soft drinks, water, coffee & tea; B1,690 net per person with one bottle of red, white or rose wine per couple; free for children under age 5; half price for children ages 6-12. For more information, call 076 201 234 or email marermcpbr@chr.co.th.

thephuketnews.com

Pond Guinault and Rerkdee Thammachod with her children.

Executive Chef Sandro, centre, with guests.

The Chevrier family.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

ISLAND SCENE 15

ROYAL CELEBRATION Srisoonthorn Mayor Worawut Songyot, below, led a celebration on behalf of the Srisoonthorn Municipality for the 80th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on August 12.

FUN IN THE SUN Centara Karon Resort Phuket held its second of a series of pool parties on August 16. The fun evening was family focused and included water activities such as water volleyball, water walking, and sea boxing for both adults and children. There was also a live band.

Centara Karon Resort Phuket staff, from left, Human Resource Manager, Jirayus Yungyuen; Sales & Event PR Manager, Chutarat Manachaipornpis; Hotel Manager, Michael Gaarde Nielsen; General Manager, Darren Shaw; and Executive Assistant Manager, Noppadol Pongtoon.

PHUKET’S PHANASON HOST TOUR Chachanee and Rakchanok Ittinuntawan, the Managing Directors of Phanason group, hosted a visiting company partner group from Bangkok from August 4 to August 5. The group spent time visiting the Phanason Green Place Condominium during their stay on the island of Phuket.

thephuketnews.com

16 ISLAND SCENE

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

A SEA OF DRAGONS The Rawai-Naiharn Dragon Boat Racing Club organised a family day out at the beautiful Laem Ka Beach in Rawai on August 12, to celebrate Mother’s Day in Thailand. The day included Zumba on the beach, volleyball, beach boules, dragon boat racing and a sandcastle competition.

BMW GO FAST LAH! Members of BMW Motorrad Motorcycle Club Singapore visited Phuket from August 9 to 11, and were hosted by the BMW Motorrad Club (Thailand South).

Club members stayed at Ban Thai Resort and Spa, Patong, for three days before riding back down to Singapore.

GOOD ART LOVERS

SINGAPOREANS EXPLORE PHUKET

Mom Tri’s VR Gallery held the opening reception for Spanish Artist Gomez Bueno represented by Think Design on Saturday (August 18). From left are Richard Zweng, Gabriela Zweng, Claudia Rathmayer, Sylvie Yaffe, Yasuko Zweng and Michael Earle representing the artist.

Photo: Dan Miles

Nok Rattanyoo, General Manager of Sea Sun Sand Resort & Spa, Phuket recently welcomed a familiarisation trip from Singapore, organised by Tourism Authority of Thailand. The fam trip was led by William Low Chun Yeen, Marketing Manager of TAT Singapore (seated front left) with TAT invited agents.

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

ENTERTAINMENT 17

The Lost Legends are found

T

The Lost Legends: From left, Jimmy Fame aka Jim Newport, Pjae Stanley and Colin “illy” Hill.

he Lost Legends of Phuket are not really that lost.

They just happen to be four talented people who were highly successful in their home countries who have made Phuket their home and love living and playing music here. Lost, but lost in paradise.

The Lost Legends of Phuket are Colin “illy” Hill; Jimmy Fame aka Jim Newport, a Hollywood production designer, novelist and “blues shouter”; Pjae Stanley, a classic rhythm and blues and jazz singer from Texas and John Underwood, the only non-musician, whose eclectic designs are found in many of the world’s leading hotels.

The idea of the Lost Legends of Phuket came out of John Underwood’s designer imagination a few months ago, born of a desire to help his musician friends and to create a venue, not only for them to perform regularly, but also to encourage and financially help local Thai musicians.

A spectacular stage has been built by John’s team at Underwood Art Factory so the musicians have the best possible venue to play in. Advice on acoustics has been provided by American acoustics expert, Tom Hidley, who lives in Kamala.

John’s factory production manager and lighting expert Wirot Unsiam was also a key player in bringing the show together.

The Lost Legends concept will lead patrons through a gradually evolving evening of music involving the Lost Legends as they bring their various musical genres to the stage.

Colin Hill has devised an evening that is cool and sophisticated and with a raw rock ‘n roll edge.

So who are the Lost Legends of Phuket?

Colin “illy” Hill has been on Phuket 11 years. He was a professional musician, music teacher, and manager of a large musical instrument retail store in Australia.

He has toured Australia and the world with some of the

leading bands of the time. A master of the acoustic and bass guitars, Colin has been a featured performer at blues and rock festivals on Phuket for many years.

Jim Newport, a long time Phuket resident, is a novelist, and Emmy-nominated production designer for both film and television and singer.

His alter ego on Phuket is blues shouter Jimmy Fame. His books include ‘The Siamese Connection’ part of a Vampire of Siam series, and a novel about rock guitar legend Jimi Hendrix. Wanted Man is a CD Jim made with Colin Hill.

Pjae Stanley has quickly established in the year she has been on Phuket a devoted following around the island. A classic rhythm and blues, jazz singer from Texas, Pjae also tours Southeast Asia with her five-piece band. She moved to Phuket after having lived and worked in Ho Chi Minh City for five years.

John Underwood is the only non-musical Lost Legend, but he is certainly a “legend” on Phuket, where he has lived for the last 20 years, creating the dynamic Underwood Art Factory of design.

An award winning artist and designer in his native Australia, John has created his eclectic brand of art and design for many of the world’s leading hotels.

The Lost Legends of Phuket will perform at Underwood Art Factory on the bypass road, starting at 8pm on Saturday, September 1. Admission by ticket or pay at the door is B900 which includes a select menu and one free drink.

The Phuket News and Live 89.5 are sponsors of this event.

Tickets can be bought online at phuketticketmaster.com, or by calling 091 034 3381 or emailing info@underwood-phuket.com

thephuketnews.com

18 EVENTS

THE PHUKET NEWS

List your event for FREE at thephuketnews.com/events.php Get your wine list into shape and win a trip to Italy...

Wine List of the Year Thailand 2012 Awards is a first-of-its-kind competition in the Kingdom of Thailand, aiming to recognize the efforts and expertise amongst the hotels, resorts, restaurants cafes and wine bars in the development of wine lists and wine culture in Thailand.

Registrations open July 1st, 2012 and can be done online at

www.winelistoftheyearthailand.com

Get your wine list into shape and win a trip to Italy...

The Wine List of the Year Thailand 2012 Awards is generously sponsored by:

Wine List of the Year Thailand 2012 Awards is a first-of-its-kind competition in the Kingdom of Thailand, aiming to recognize the efforts and expertise amongst the hotels, resorts, restaurants cafes and wine bars in the development of wine lists and wine culture in Thailand.

Registrations open July 1st, 2012 and can be done online at

www.winelistoftheyearthailand.com

The Wine List of the Year Thailand 2012 Awards is generously sponsored by:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

WAHOO THAILAND 2013 SPORT FISHING TOURNAMENT Offshore The Similan Islands

19th - 21st February 2013

Proudly organised by the Rawai Beach Fishing Club, (RBFC) Phuket, Thailand.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available!

OCTOBER 13 Wine List of The Year 2012 Visit www.eventsthailand.net/en/events/winelistoftheyear2012.php or contact us by email at jorge@eventsthailand.net or by phone at +66 (0)89 725 6994.

AUGUST 24-26 Phuket Seafood Fiesta 2012

Get your wine list into shape and win a trip to Italy. Wine List of the Year Thailand 2012 Awards is a first of its kind competition in the Kingdom of Thailand, aiming to recognize the efforts and expertise amongst the hotels, resorts, restaurants cafes and wine bars in the development of wine lists and wine culture in Thailand. Registrations open July 1, 2012 and can be done online at www.winelistoftheyearthailand. com. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Visit www.eventsthailand.net/en/ events/winelistoftheyear2012.php or contact us by email at jorge@eventsthailand. net or by phone at 089 725 6994.

tional artist Bueno Gomez. The Spaniard continues his run in Asia. Gomez has been living in Los Angeles since 1988. He has become a well -known and celebrated artist, with a passion for love of the underground, graffiti and protest. His work has been displayed in galleries in Los Angeles, New York and Spain. Contact Mom Tri’s VR Gallery in Kata Noi, 076 333 568, www. momtriphuket.com.

believed to be the period when spirits are released. The gates are opened and spirits released to wander or revisit homes.

During the festival, people bring food and nicely-decorated fruits to make offerings to Por Tor Kong to pass onto those spirits.

Summer Family Festival

UNTIL OCTOBER 17

SEEK Inaugural Conference and AMCHAM Forum The event is a joint cooperation between the AMCHAM Greater Phuket Chapter and SEEK. Find out how green sustainable programs ranging from recycling, energy and water savings and more can help the island. Whether you work in a hotel, tourism industry, and property development or run a business here, this practical seminar by leading experts from the hospitality sector is set to help you take the first step towards contributing something back to Phuket. On Friday August 24 at Holiday Inn Patong. Registration starts at 4pm with the session running from 4.30-6pm.

Networking drinks will follow. AMCHAM attendance is open to the public for B100 and includes drinks.

To register for the event, please visit the website www.amchamthailand.com or contact Sheree Tanpensuk by email sheree@amchamthailand.com or call 02 254 1041ext 212.

An essential offering for the festival is red turtle- shaped cake, large or small.

They believe that turtles symbolise longevity. The fresh market on Ranong Road under the Office of Phuket City is where residents here hold the Por Tor Hungry Ghost Festival to make merits and offerings to their ancestors. As it is organised in many communities in Phuket city, each location begins at a different date but within the seventh lunar month or around August each year.

SEPTEMBER 1

Por Tor Festival New Exhibit - Gomez Bueno

Ethnic Chinese in Phuket believe that Por Tor Kong is a God of Devil. The seventh lunar month in the Chinese calendar is

CASH AND PRIZES TOTALING OVER APPROX. 3,000,000 BAHT ($100,000) For further details please contact Warren Crowe or Andy Bright info@rawaibeachfishingclub.com Warren tel: +66 (0) 812604291 Andy tel: +66 (0) 862739948 Website: www.rawaibeachfishingclub.com RAWAI BEACH FISHING CLUB IS AN OFFICIAL SPONSOR CLUB OF THE INTERNATIONAL GAME FISHING ASSOCIATION. RBFC SUPPORTS IGFA’S STANDARDS OF GOOD SPORTMANSHIP IN RECREATIONAL FISHING

derful Pjae Stanley—yes, they ARE the Lost Legends of Phuket, for a night of food, fun and terrific music. The fun starts at 8pm. B900 buys you the entertainment, a delicious menu and a free drink. Tickets available at phuketticketmaster.com or at the door. For more info call 091 034 3381 or info@underwood-phuket.com.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an annual event held during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. It is believed that the vegetarian festival and its accompanying sacred rituals bestow good fortune upon those who religiously observe this rite. During this time, local residents of Chinese ancestry strictly observe a 10-day vegetarian or vegan diet for the purposes of spiritual cleansing and merit-making. Sacred rituals are performed at various Chinese shrines and temples and aesthetic displays such as walking barefooted over hot coals and ascending ladders with bladed rungs are performed by entranced devotees known as “Ma Song”.

OCTOBER 23 Chulalongkorn Day

AUG 31 - SEP 6 California Surfing -Opening reception August 18 at 7pm Original art work by interna-

Huge media coverage!

OCTOBER 15-23

AUGUST 24

Laguna Phuket’s Summer Family Festival runs until August 25. Canal Shopping Village is transformed into a carnival playground, with a Beer Tent for parents to socialise and relax while their youngsters enjoy the Kidzsole Flying Trapeze, bouncy castle, trampoline and games in the Kidz Lounge. And a popular return attraction for the youngsters at this year’s festival will be the Kidz Fun Zone, serving up daily afternoons of sports skills, cooking lessons, adventure and educational activities, golf excursions and outings to local amusement parks, for just B200 per session.

See http://www.lagunaphuket.com/events/ family-festival.

- Stop fishing!

Visit www.eventsthailand.net/en/events/winelistoftheyear2012.php or contact us by email at jorge@eventsthailand.net or by phone at +66 (0)89 725 6994.

One of the main symbols of Phuket will play an important role as the main selling point to encourage more tourists to visit Phuket during the green season. It is a good chance for all diners to join many activities in a relaxed environment in the exquisite Phuket environment, at the Port Arena Jungceylon Phuket. Activities include bartender competition, cooking competition, towel folding competition, special promotion seafood and seafood selling. For more information contact Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phuket Office 076 211 036, 076 212 213. E-mail: tatphuket@tat.or.th.

UNTIL AUGUST 25

57 hours of non

Sponsorship opportunities are still available!

The Lost Legends at Underwood Phuket Join Phuket’s own Colin “illy” Hill, Jim Newport, aka Jimmy Fame, and the won-

A public holiday in remembrance of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1910. Thai people lay flower wreaths at his statue in Bangkok and in the provinces. Piya Maharat is the nickname for the King, meaning the beloved great king.

www.phuketticketmaster.com

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

List your event for FREE at thephuketnews.com/events.php

EVENTS 19

Summer Promotions!

Best mini golf in Phuket! Phuket Adventure Mini Golf – fun for everyone! A challenging 18 holes miniature classic championship golf course surrounded by palm trees, stones, water, bamboo and bushes. Designed and built together with Scandinavian Adventure Golf. Whether living close by or here on a fabulous holiday, this is the place for the whole family, friends and couples to enjoy at all times. Contact 076 314 345, 080 147 2468, www.phuketadventuremi nigolf.com.

FRIDAYS

more.

or call for more information. See www. seedchurchthailand.com.

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

SATURDAYS

Call 098 764 5353, 084 056 7027, 081 891 2503.

One member from our house band will sing pleasant music during the night. Only B495. See www.twochefs.com, 076 284 155, kata@twochefs.com.

................................................................................

................................................................................

Our house band will be here to play live music. B495 or B795 include free flow Chang draught and Sangria. See www. twochefs.com, call 076 286 479, karon@ twochefs.com.

THURSDAYS AA Phuket Meetings @ TGM All meetings are one hour long and held in English at The Green Man Pub, one km from Chalong circle. Contact 081 895 4763.

EVERY DAY Sunday Roast Pork

Two Chefs Saturday Brunch At Two Chefs Kata Centre. Every Saturday 12pm-3pm, you can enjoy a big delicious buffet with a touch of Scandinavia, and listen to our live music. For example: Our home-smoked salmon, smoked prawns, Swedish meatballs, roasted porkloin, home-made bread, delicious desserts and much more. B395 or B695 include free flow of Chang draught, wine, Sangria.

See www.twochefs.com, 076 330 065, katacenter@twochefs.com.

Sunday Roast Pork or Beef Dinner every Sunday 2pm onwards Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. B290 per person. See www. expathotel.com.

................................................................................

Surin Beach Just Got Better

Monthly Pub Quiz at Aussie Pub Kamala - August 27

................................................................................

TUESDAYS Lazy Sunday Jazz Morning at Paresa BBQ at Expat Hotel Time 8pm, Expat Sports Bar, Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www.expatsportsbar. com.

SUNDAYS Come Hear the Loving Words of Jesus At The Seed Church in Cherngtalay. Enjoy a great fellowship, practical preaching, contemporary music and free snacks in one of the fastest growing churches in Thailand!

English services every Sunday at 2pm in Cherngtalay. Visit our website for directions

Kick back and enjoy a lazy Sunday breakfast at Paresa with jazz music, free flow sparkling wine and stunning selection of breakfast dishes. Spend the rest of the day at Paresa’s Infinity Pool or Beach Club.

B600++ per person. Every Sunday 9am to noon. Call 076 302 000.

.

MONDAYS

Pool Competition at Expat Guesthouse

Sea Breeze has joined forces with The Burger Bar and Beach Club to bring you not only superb Thai cuisine in a beach front setting but also an excellent range of gourmet 100% Australian beef burgers.

To celebrate we are offering up to two free kids meals with any two full paying adults.

Look for the voucher inside this paper.

Live sport every day including our 100” HD screen. Ask about our new Pool Club, plus kids and adults parties planned and catered for. Contact 076 270 399, info@ seabreezesurin.com, www.thebestbeach club.com.

................................................................................

Pool Competition Every Tuesday 9pm Expat Guesthouse Sports Bar, Patong. See map at www.expatguesthouse.com.

WEDNESDAYS

Two Chefs Surf Night

Two Chefs Tex Mex Night

Traditional Home Cooked Food

At Two Chefs Kata Beach. Every Monday from 6pm-12am. You can enjoy our big BBQ Buffet with Blackened red snapper, beef burgers, Chicken Fajitas, Tacos, Chimi-Churri marinated chicken, desserts from our bakery and much more.

At Two Chefs Karon 6pm-1am. Every Wednesday you can enjoy Phuket’s best Mexican food. Chili con carne, Mexican rice, Mexican springrolls, nachos, pork fillet skewers, salmon quesadillas, grilled corn cob, desserts from our bakery and much

Traditional home cooked food, also special club membership for expats entitling members to discounts on food and drink. Ask Jamie for details. All NRL and AFL games shown live on big screen. Sugar Reef opposite Tescos Cherngtalay.

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

20 TIME OUT

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012 KNOW WHERE THIS IS? GUESS RIGHT AND WIN!

GERRY’S

editor@thephuketnews.com thephuketnews.com/ login-game-view.php

view

THIS WEEK’S HINT:

“The large human-like figures on the upper wall of this building are intended to represent the rather physical activities that take place inside once or twice a week.

“This is one of Thailand’s best known sports activities that draws participants from many foreign countries and is spoken about reverently by followers of the sport.

“The building is relatively new, built within the past two to three years, and is located in the centre of one of Phuket’s most favoured tourist destinations.”

–Gerry Cummings

EMAIL US ENTER ONLINE

www.photohutgroup.com

editor@thephuketnews.com thephuketnews.com/ login-game-view.php

GUESS THE CORRECT LOCATION AND WIN A B500 GIFT VOUCHER FROM PHOTO HUT

Congratulations go to Ellie Luk and Pete Spurrier, who both correctly guessed that last week’s photo was of the road that runs along the southern boundary of the British International School located about 3kms from Theprasattri Road (Route 402) on the road that runs to Kathu.

1. What is a natterjack?

2. In billiards, how many points are scored for a cannon?

3. Who were the runners up in the 1994 football world cup?

4. How many kilometres are there in a nautical mile?

5. Ronan Keating headed up which band?

Answers at the foot of the page.

Across

Down

1. Not officers, men on mission get doc confused.

(15) 9. After right, go in to lessee.

(6) 11. Roy goes back after five in pure seller. (8) 12. Bovine note? Right, to cubes of yellowness. (9) 14. I had a part of hotel in state. (5) 16. Being lazy, I’d take the French. (4) 18. Biting a kind of power identity. (4) 19. As to the left, in charge of old souvenir. (5) 21. Clumsy, it takes pen back.

(5) 22. Month a pre-Columbian appears. (4) 23. Fruit is not quick, they say.

(4) 25. And in ship, dunes. (5) 27. Mom’s cut in a mess – red!

(9) 29. Said “Go away”, not so much as barefoot. (8) 31. Perform karaoke? Ha! Beer! (6) 34. Musician this month takes spirit to odd nail test. (15)

2. O! The French Spanish cry.

(3) 3. Reduce slice. (3) 4. In French sea I had Ian and world line. (8) 5. I’m quiet little devil. (3) 6. Fly high, it’s said – that hurts! (4) 7. Where to wear apron?

That’s too much. (9) 8. Ech! River’s in era. (5) 9. Wrecked – if eyes rights. (9) 10. New before the Spanish post. (5) 13. City was trendy in the past.

(7) 15. 34 ac’s place, or box right to note. (9) 17. Edit pen – ex is appropriate.

(9) 20. Monkey Mose is in the market. (8) 24. Prone to dissembling. (5) 26. Pale as hen. (5) 28. Boyfriend’s note to French water. (4) 30. Female? Points outside hospital. (3) 32. There’s nothing at the start of the Nile. (3) 33. Possesses laughs. (3)

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1. A type of toad; 2. Two; 3. Italy; 4. 1.852; 5. Boyzone.

thephuketnews.com

SUDOKU

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

thephuketnews.com

16 CLASSIFIEDS

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

JOBS

Private Pool Villa for rent

In Rawai, 3 bed, 3 bath, fully furnished > 20

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

Senior Teacher of English: Phuket Has

Been G ood To Us re quires a Senior Teacher for the English Education programme. Leading a small, dynamic team of ESL teachers in two Thai schools in Phuket.

You will be an experienced educator with strong leadership and ESL skills. Experience in the Thai educational system and the ability to communicate in Thai is advantageous. Salary B65,000 - B70,000 per month. Full position description at www.phukethasbeengoodtous. org. Please submit a one page letter of application, CV and a recent photograph by August 31 to info@ phukethasbeengoodtous.org.

H e a d o f E n g l i s h speaker to teach Drama Department: We are for after school activities looking for a Thai Female Nationality with teaching skills to handle four English teachers to teach English to our Security Guards.

Please contact 081 607 6637, email: pornthip@ sgsphuket.com

Drama Teacher Needed: HeadStar t Interna-

tional School is looking for a certified native English

to kids ages five-teenage.

Email: miki@headst ar t phuket.com.

Class Act Media is Phuket's leading media company - publishing The Phuket News , Phuket's leading weekly English Newspaper and broadcasting Live 89.5 – Phuket's premier English radio station. Class Act Media also has other publications and a host of other products in Phuket and Samui.

Due to recent expansions we are seeking the following position

Sales Manager Thai or Foreigner (Located in Phuket) Responsibilities : - Managing the sales team (including responsibility for recruitment of new sales staff when needed) - Weekly & monthly sales budget meetings and reporting - Developing and following up new sales leads - Reaching own personal sales targets and responsibility for reaching team targets We offer: - Competitive salary, bonuses and travel expenses - Friendly work environment - Social security (10%) paid by the company - Excellent career progress opportunity ***The company may offer accommodation plus local transportation costs to successful candidates.***

Chef de Partie Needed: Phuket Adventure Mini

Golf is currently looking for a Chef de partie. Salary B12,000-B17,000. Minimum two years experience required. Please email: manager@phuketadven tureminigolf.com.

Interested candidates are invited to send application with full resume in English indicating qualifications, experience, expected salary with recent photo via email to adminmgr@the phuketnews.com

Class Act Media is Phuket's leading media company - publishing The Phuket News, Phuket's leading weekly English Newspaper and broadcasting Live 89.5 – Phuket's premier English radio station. Class Act Media also has other publications and a host of other products in Phuket and Samui.

Due to recent expansions we are seeking the following position

Sales Representatives Qualifications: - Thai or Expat.

- Excellent communication and negotiation skills in Thai and English.

- Highly motivated self-starter with a positive attitude.

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

We offer:  Competitive

salary, bonuses and travel expenses. friendly work environment.  Social security paid by the company.  Excellent career progress opportunities. A

Please email full resume in English indicating expected salary with recent photo to

Please email full resume in English indicating expected salary with recent photo to

adminmgr@thephuketnews.com or call 076 612 550-2 for more info.

adminmgr@thephuketnews.com or call 076 612 550-2 for more info.

Customer Ser vice O p erator Wanted: Wanted: Customer ser- Looking for a Thai national

vice for frozen yoghur t shops/Patong, good English, shop experience, good salary, bonus and career prospects. CVs gkonstan tinidismail@facebook.com, call 088 225 4742.

Staff for Housekeeping: H ousekeeper for

with good English communication skills. Experience in operator or reception work is preferred. Send CV to jobs@hoteltravel.com or call 076 282 808.

hotel. Looking for Thai nationality, self-motivated and organised, familiar with housekeeping is advantage, please contact Khun Manuela 083 392 8462.

Wanted Admin Kindergarten Teach- Assistant Part Time: er: Female caucasian na-

Sales & Marketing Manager: Condominium

tive English speaking teacher with experience to teach class of 10-12 children ages 2-6, Mon-Fri, 8am - 4pm, Chalong. Please contact 080 624 7060. www.budsphuket.com, email buds. span@yahoo.com.

One or two days plus one evening per week to start.

Must be fluent in English and Thai. For details call Larry on 081 487 4812 or e-mail: lamsden@phuket.ksc.co.th.

Project Sales and Marketing Good command of English. At least one year’s experience required. Must be an enthusiastic and self-motivated professional. Email: sales.admin2@ ap.jll.com.

Sales Staff Wanted: Office/Admin Manager: Boat service com-

pany in Yacht Haven Marina for secretarial, accounting and administration. Accurate and organised team member with the ability to manage multiple tasks.

English essential rogerg@ seamarineservices.com.

English-speaking female.

Thai with previous selling experience with own car, outgoing personality with ability to sell to farangs, flexible hours. Retainer, fuel, phone and commission. Call Khun Nam: 076 272 702.

Island Curtains.

Sales Agent: Male/fe-

male 25- 45 years, good

Office Staff Wanted: communication and negoFemale, English-speaking staff to work in nice environment with outgoing personality and basic book keeping skills. Please call K. Nam 076 272 702. Island Curtains.

thephuketnews.com

tiation skills in English. Main task to take care of hotel and tour agency agreements. Basic salary, comission and travel expenses.

Email salesex@phuket adventureminigolf.com

Free Security Training Course: Free security training course open to all Thai nationals over the age of 24. You must have a basic command of English and be physically fit. Please email info@securitysafe stop.com for details. 076 620 010.

Pharmacist: Position as licensed pharmacist in Rawai, Phuket available valid lic ense required; English language skills a plus competitive salary++; accommodation available, contact us now: 076 344 531.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

CLASSIFIEDS 17

List your ad for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php

JOBS IN PHUKET

O f f ic e / Administration for Irish Pub at Jugnceylon: Female /Thai , fluent in speaking and writing English, good computer skills. Accounting and administration skills required. Preferably experience at least two years.

Email: tommakornc@gmail.com or call 076 366 085.

Graphic Designer wanted: S PI K EM E-

Content Writer Needed: We are Media

DIA is a creative media agency based in Phuket working for a variety of national and international clients. We are seeking full-time Graphic Designers, to work on a diverse range of print and web design projects. Salary depending on experience and talent level. Please send CV ’s and some samples of work to: info@ spikemediagroup.com.

and Marketing company who require a content writer for various websites covering different topics. Subject matter will vary so the ability to research is also necessar y. Topics could be as diverse as Search Engine Optimisation to Anger Management, so good research skills will also be necessary. The successful candidate will have excellent command of English spelling and grammar. Send CV to info@spikemediagroup. com.

Real- Estate Staff Wanted: Looking for

full time Thai staff, fluent spoken/written English and real estate business exper ienc e required.

Please send an e-mail with a photo to info@ molokophuket.com.

Restaurant Staf f Vacancies: Hog’s Breath Cafe requires experienced waitresses, bartenders, kitchen staff. Spoken English needed. Good salar y and work place. Internal book keeper also needed. Call Khun Yong 084 625 8259.

YOUR FREIGHT CONNECTION WITH THE WORLD PREMIER FREIGHT AND REMOVALIST COMPANY IN PHUKET ONE OF OUR VALUED STAFF IS RELOCATING TO BANGKOK SO WE HAVE AN IMMEDIATE VACANCY FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE / OPERATIONS / SALES ALL ROUNDER -

VERY GOOD ENGLISH SPEAKER.............ESSENTIAL HIGH QUALITY COMPUTER SKILLS.........ESSENTIAL THAI NATIONALITY....................................ESSENTIAL DRIVING LICENSE...................................PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE OF WORLDWIDE LOGISTICS... GREAT BUT NOT ESSENTIAL AS WE WILL FULLY TRAIN

COME JOIN OUR HAPPY TEAM AND BE WELL REWARDED APPLICATIONS BY EMAIL PLEASE, ADDRESSED TO.... pusco@loxinfo.co.th CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR OFFICE LOCATION AND SCOPE OF BUSINESS www.phukettransport.com 076238824-6 APPLICATIONS CLOSE 31/8/12

Thai Freelance Phot Construction consulo g r a p h e r : Phuket tant Wanted: Looking

Photo Tours is looking for a Thai Freelance Photographer to perk up tourist activities in Phuket. Excellent knowledge of English is required. CV and photo at info@phuketphototours. com.

for construction consultant overlooking renovation of a large proper ty, weekly visits and reports.

Please send resume and expected salary to info@ phuketlp.com.

thephuketnews.com

18 CLASSIFIEDS

THE PHUKET NEWS

BUY&SELL

Phuket Visa Law Office Fully qualified lawyers and notaries > 19

Tile It: Thalang. Wana Park on Srisoonthorn Rd. Phuket’s quality tile boutique. Tiles for interior, exterior, residential, commercial. Contact 076 620 168 or 081 424 2828. Email info@ tile-asia.com.

CARS FOR RENT

BOATS & YACHTS

for 35 people, sundeck, bathroom, big cooler, two outside showers, places for 50 scuba tanks, VHF Radio, storeroom, lighting for night diving, good for business best design on the island. Call 084 188 4544, email: michahildner@hotmail.com.

Fi shi n g Ya c h t f o r S a l e: F o r s a l e 19 9 1

Sell Company: S ell freelance diver company B30,000. 086 280 9282.

Near New Inflatable Tender: West Mar ine hypalon RIB 3.5 metre including all accessories.

Plus SAIL (made by Yamaha) 15 HP four stroke outboard. One month old.

B175,000 negotiable. Call 08 7388 3090.

tram 510 Flybridge luxury yacht. USD825,000. Email mar tin@phuket fishboat. com.

Custom build Speedboat: 49 foot f iberglass Speedboat. build 2011,3 Honda Engines a 225 Hp, custom build for diving and day trips, international survey, excellent condition, side entry and exit, seats

thephuketnews.com

CARS FOR SALE

BUSINESSES FOR SALE Charter Fishing Business: Owner is changing business disciplines and wants to exit the charter fishing business. For sale ‘02 Bertram 510 Flybridge and ‘91 Tairia sport fishing yacht. Plus website and all past customers. www. phuketfishboat.com, email martin@phuketfishboat.com.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Natural Mountain Stone: Original from ancient time. Shaped by expert craftsman. Unique with its texture and colors. Harmony with traditional and contemporary. Commit to best and always available to our valued customers. Call +66 (08) 1719 6930. Email: info@maxxnova.com

Farang Food Paradise: Guesthouse Backpacker Hostel: Strong bookings

Your specialist of imported food and drinks in Phuket. Visit

years’ experience and more than 20 years at your service in Thailand. Main contractor: study project, architecture design and construction and management. Contact 076 381 895.

CHILDCARE Buds Nursery: Phuket’s oldest bilingual international childcare facility. High-quality, time-proven schedule and curriculum. Now in brand new purpose-built school. Experienced native English teachers to teach ages 1 1/2-8. Mon-Fri 8am -5pm. Bus service available from Patong, Karon, Kata, Phuket, Rawai and Chalong.

Website: www.buds-phuket. com.

CHILDREN’S CLUB Funstart: Family sports and leisure club. Swimming/ golf/playcentre/gaming arcade. Call 076 203 185, 087 882 5544. See funstart phuket.com.

our shop at the Billion Plaza, opposite Tesco Lotus. Contact: 076 612 733, 076 248 900. www.phuketfood.com.

Indo Construction: 40

Tairia sport fishing yacht USD275,000. Please email mar tin@phuket fishboat. com.

L u x u r y Ya c h t f o r Sale: For sale 2002 Ber-

Car for rent: Car in good condition, short and long-term rental with first-class insurance and delivery service. 086 690 6007, email: k.niwatt@hotmail. com.

and online ratings, 41 beds in 18 guest rooms (Five with jacuzzis) three retail shops paying 50 percent building rent, two staff rooms, office, in-house laundry, tour counter, #19 tripadvisor. 087 173 1773.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

CRV ‘07 2.4 Auto Excellent Condition: Female owner, no accident, done 61,xxx km electric adjusting, leather seat, reverse/ parking sensors. Honda Garage serviced on time, cruise control multifunction steering wheel, central locks.

Price B839,000. Call 089 695 0088.

CLUBS & MEMBERSHIPS SK A L I nt e r na t i onal Phuket: Skål is a professional organisation of leaders from all branches of the travel and tourism industry. www.skalphuket.org.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

CLASSIFIEDS 19

List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php CLUBS & MEMBERSHIPS

TV Large Screen/ Samsung II for Sale: TV large screen 70 cm old model B12,000. Samsung II mobile new, still in unopened box from Europe will unblock B15,200. Call 089 972 3861.

Health Food : Online health food in Thailand. Good Karma, all natural healthy, natural and organic products.

Contact 082 276 1675, www. goodkarmathailand.com.

BUY & SELL IN PHUKET

PERSONAL SERVICES

MOTORBIKE SERVICES Dynamic Tyre Balancing: Dynamically balance Club Asia Fitness: Royal Phuket City Hotel.

Of fers Zumba /LesMills classes/ weight training/ s au n a /s te a m /s w i m m i n g pool, all inclusive. For a free trial workout, come along and join the action. Tel 076 35 4 027, 087 275 3614. www.clubasiaphuket.com.

Baby and Maternity Items for Sale: Gently used Maternity clothes and baby items including a Graco Playard, bottle sterilizers, Avent bottles, pop-up tent, Met Tai carrier. Located in Chalong. Email for photos and prices at kiriheald@ gmail.com.

your motorcycle tyres for a smoother ride with DYNA BEADS! Available at West Coast Service Center Phuket, your big bike specialist on the bypass road. Contact 085 785 4440.

MOVING & STORAGE

gaporeans in Phuket to join Singapore Club Phuket. Contact Robin on 081 803 7189, 076 303 500.

COOKING CLASS

expert in systems and control designs of highest quality Home Automation, AV, Cinema Room, Lighting Control. Professional services certified by CEDIA. English speaking call +66 (08) 1719 6 930. Email: i n f o @ m a x x n ova . c o m , www.maxxnova.com

Safeway Storage: Self storage from B800/M. Container rental B3,000/M. Sales/ Site of fice A /C B6,000/M. Mobile toilets B2,80 0/M month. Chalong, opposite Wat Chalong. Thalang, main highway. Please contact 076 313 235 or 081 125 1873.

Singapore Club Phuket: Calling all Sin-

Sound Engineer! AV Home system! : We’re

producer of premium coffee blends and powdered mixes as well as selling, maintaining, servicing and repairing all major brands. Contact 076 355 600-1.

Phuket Cooking Academy: Offers many cooking and baking classes in our top-class professional facilities. Come to learn how to cook with our professional chefs and discover the art of bakery, and Thai and European cuisines. Open to all from the age of 12 years old and without any prior cooking experience. For more info visit us at: www. phuket-cooking-academy. com or call 081 821 40 64.

We Sell Boxes & Moving Supplies: At MY STORAGE Self Storage you can buy quality moving and packing supplies like individual boxes, bubble wrap, packing tapes & knives plus secure padlocks. We also help you to move and store.

Call 076 292 909.

Backgammon: Players Wanted. Tel: 081 577 8443, email: phuketconnection@ yahoo.com

Bon Café Phuket: A

Jacuzzi Shower Half Price Sale Include: • Blue/black temp. glass • Touch screen panel • FM radio • Telephone receiver • Back massage jets • Foot massage machine • Rain shower • Soap dispensers • Mirror 3 models B46,000-B69,000 Safeway-main Highway, Thalang (Next to Shell gas station) 081 125 1873 - 081 892 4804

086 105 8144 or click www. huketechnology.com.

Haris & Hawryluck - Attorneys at Law: Unit 6D CCM Complex. Please contact 076 510 111, email info@ hhlegaladvisors.com, www. hhlegaladvisors.com.

Pro t e c t Yo u r H o m e w i t h C C T V: C C T V & alarm service. Protect your home with high-quality CCTV camera,and GSM alarm. Free survey and quote. Please call

Buon A p p et i to: D e li market and bistro. Number one supplier of Italian Deli in Phuket. Call 076 384 273, info @buonappetito group. c o m , w w w. b u o n a p p e t i t o group.com.

Ghost Writer: For life story of successful business man.Gambler, playboy, world traveler now living Patong Beach. Email: pent house2102@gmail.com.

Are You Thinking Of Getting A New Dog O r Puppy ?: Please

Personal Trainer: Ful-

consider adopting a homeless dog, rather than buying from a pet shop or puppy mill. Contact:

ly-qualified female personal trainer from the UK. With guaranteed results and over 10 years of experience in men and women’s health and fitness. Pre- and post-natal exercise. Nutrition and weight management. For a free consultation. Contact Sarah on 084 985 8161, email: sarah@ one2one-fitness.net.

Gone2thedoggies@gmail.com

If your interested in seeing some of the many dogs looking for a new home.

PET HOSPITAL Chaofah Pet Hospital: 8/28–29 Moo 9, Chaofah East Road. Contact 076 283 365.

PET ADOPTION

POOL TABLES

Why buy a pet?: Soi Dog Foundation have over 300 beautiful dogs and puppies available for adoption. Fully vaccinated and sterilised.

Please contact 085 574 4258 or email cindy@soidog.org.

Phuket Pool Tables: www. phuketpooltables.com. Your number one billiard and snooker supplier in Phuket. Sales, rent and profit-sharing. All accessories and services. Call 081 823 4627.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS FOR SALE

Bouncy Castle for sale: Great and healthy fun for the kids. Made in Europe. Contact 081 891 8689 or email villathani@ hotmail.com.

thephuketnews.com

20 CLASSIFIEDS

THE PHUKET NEWS

PROPERTY

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

Rawai pool Villa for sale 3 bedroom property “off the plan” build > 21

Discount Rentals Daily / Weekly / Monthly / Lease LUXURY VILLAS NEAR LAGUNA

Info: 089 594 4067 Furnished House for Sale/Rent in Kathu:

PROPERTY FOR RENT

Land size 153.85 sq metre. Fur nished, garden, swimming pool. For sale B17,000,000 or rent plus Honda civic B65,000 per month. Contact ket.phuket@ hotmail.com.

Nice House for Long Term Rent: Juse few minutes walk to Naiharn beach.

Two-three bedroom, aircon. two bathroom, kitchen, garden.

Minimum one year B15,000.

Call 081 397 1835.

Private Pool Villa For Rent: Three bedrooms, three bathrooms,full furnished. Five minutes to Chalong centre, 10 minutes to Rawai Beach. Please contact Khun Poy for more detail: 089 472 9870 or 086 471 522.

Kata Beach For Rent:

5 star apartment, stunning seaviews with all Mod Cons, pool, gym, restaurant. A must see, call James 090 864 4519. Well worth a viewing.

House for Rent-Kathu: Two bedrooms/two bathrooms.

Calm and clean area. Built in early 2012, first occupant.

Aircon in all rooms. Floor area 120m2 + back and front yard, furnished. Contact 091 034 0035.

Fully Furnished Homes for Rent: Fully furnished 1-3 air-con bedroom rental homes.Quiet area near Ao Yon beach,Cape Panwa.1bdr start from 9,000/m,2-3 bdr from 20,000 free wifi, Tel. 081 892 4311, http://panwagreen. weebly.com.

Three Bedroom Furnished for Rent: B11,000 per month, one bathroom, lock up garage and carport on 800 sq metre lot. Close to PIA school, golf, beach and airport. For more info email gordon_asia@hotmail.com.

Detached House For Sale: Three bedroom (all

Friday 21st (Room For Rent) Good cond i t i o n: H i g h S e as o n

B800.- per day, B18,000.per month. Low Season B500.- per day, B13,000.per month.

ensuite) plus fitted wardrobes and aircon. Big balcony, L shaped lounge, sliding glass doors, leading to kitchen/dinner/shower, Western style, small pool, nice garden, covered car par k. C o nt ac t 0 8 9 4 6 9 2897.

Mission Heights Residence

Please contact 076 344 133, TUM 081 171 7993, BAS 080 523 5371, e-mail: friday_21st@hotmail.com.

Facebook: Friday Twenty one.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Designed specially for families, the Mission Heights Residence offer very spacious 540 sqm houses, all with 12 metre long swimming pool, 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, guest bungalow, maid quarter and a nice garden in a very secure, children friendly environment only couple of minutes from Phuket International Academy.

WRITE YOUR CLASSIFIED FREE ONLINE: 189 CHARACTERS + 1 PICTURE Headline: ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......

Rawa i B e a c h f ro n t Pool Villa: Rawai Beach

front pool villa for rent/sale.3 bedrooms,furnished. Contact Siriporn on 089 649 9939.

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Body: ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......

189 CHARACTERS

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Online upgrades:

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DEADLINE: MONDAY 11.59PM (MIDNIGHT) FOR THAT FRIDAY’S ISSUE Hand this in at agent shops, our office or fax: 076 612 553

thephuketnews.com

Kamala Two Brand New Villas: Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, Western kitchen, 130 sq metre. Nice garden with large pool in quiet area.

Price: B5.5 million or minimum three-month rental. Call 081 496 9070 (Eng/Swedish) or 081 719 1175 (Thai).

Allamanda (Laguna) Residences/Phuket: One condo unit, half of a deluxe twin house, fully furnished and equipped, set direct on the picturesque lagoon with balcony right over it. 3 bedrooms each with shower/ bathroom, roof terrace. Longterm rent or sale. Contact 081 737 0365, email utaipan@ yahoo.com.

Located only 10 minutes from airport, Grand Ao Por Marina, new Tesco Shopping center, 2 golf courses, Naiyang Beach, Thanyapura Sport & Leisure Center and international school, the Mission Heights Residence is a perfect place to live for families without traffic in a very peaceful, secure and natural surrounding.

The Villas currently under construction being built to highest western standard and are launched at only 13.9 million Baht for the first 3 houses. For appointment or more details contact project director, Khun Montha at 088 751 1750 or email mission_ heights@yahoo.com.

Villa for Sale at Kathu: Overlooking golf course.

Fully furnished. Land size 800sq metre. Living area 487sq metre. Large pool. four beds, four baths. Fully-fitted Western kitchen.

Lifetime membership. B20 million. Call 087 222 4770.

THE SUNRISE OCEAN VILLAS

After a great success of the first phase, the Sunrise Ocean Villas is now starting to build the 8 other villas of "Phase2". The price of 17.9 million baht makes the project one of the most competitive on the island for being only 60m from the beach.

Each villa has a living area of over 300 sqm, has 3 spacious bedrooms, all sea views, 5 bathrooms, a 10x4m infinity pool, maid's quar ter and a covered 2-car parking. The houses are specially designed to guarantee complete privacy, with an open panoramic view of the sea.

Come visit the villas and you will be wonder fully surprised by the quality of the project as well as the quality of life you can find here.

For appointment or more details, contact the project director Khun Montha at 081 343 0777 (Thai, English & German) Email: thesunrisevillas@yahoo. com.

www.thesunrisevillas.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

CLASSIFIEDS 21

List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php

PROPERTY IN PHUKET

Phuket Cottages

Near British International School, luxury pool-villas starting from THB 8,800,000. www.phuket-cottages.com

Call: 089-724-7211 of Phuket, Rawai. This villa has been designed and furnished to the highest standards. Email mintra99@gmail.com.

PROPERTY FOR SALE CONT.

400sq metre Beautiful Land for Sale: In Soi Rawai Pool Villa: Unique three bedroom pool villa “off the plan�. In Rawai.

Three easy payments over eight months build time.

Over looking a peaceful, fish filled lake. Valued at B12,000,000 on completion.

Save MILLIONS!! Contact 081 270 4291, email: thai landmls@gmail.com.

S e avi ew L a n d Fo r Sale: Near Chalong pier, 150 metres from the sea.

Three rai and one ngan plot.

Chanote title. Price: B25 million per rai. No agent. Call 087 278 7206

Villa Resort Style: Villa resort style six bedroom. Located in peaceful area South

Luxury Private Pool Villas: Brand new Bali style three and four bed villas, one km to Nai Harn Beach. High rental guaranteed investment. Prices from B12.9 million (include full furniture pkg). Enquiries sakt27@gmail.com, call +66 (0)87 897 4421.

Suksan, the land has views of the Nai Harn and Rawai mountains, and would be ideal for a family home. Ready to build. Quality western villas on the same soi. Contact 089 973 1180.

6.1 Rai Land for Sale: 6.1 rai (10,0 0 0 sq metre).

B2,50 0,0 0 0 per rai. Total price: B15,600,000. - 5 minutes to Naithon Beach. -10 minutes to Naiyang Beach. -10 minutes to Airport. -7 minutes to New Tesco Lotus. - Roadside land and Chanote title.

Call 085 793 2718.

Beach Front Plots: Located opposite Yacht Haven Marina in a very peaceful, natural environment. Ready to build, electricity and water on site, road and boat access. 2 Rai plots each with 60 metre of ocean frontage, perfect for living as well as investment. For sale direct from owner, price only B12 million. Call 081 343 0777.

Three bedroom house for sale: O n Land and

House Park, Chalong. Gym,

Land for sale near Golf Course: Near British International School, 18 Rai with public road access. Suitable for resort or housing project. Can be divided. Price B80,000,000.

Contact owner at 089 724 7211. swimming pool and nice restaurant on site. Price reduced to sell quickly. Furnished or unfurnished. Call 089 291

furnished. Price: B10 million / Rent: B50,000. Call 081 539 7311 Th/Eng.

7078.

Modern, New Two-Storey Villa for Sale: Living space 200 m2, balcony. terraces, three beds, two baths, furnished, ADSL, tropical garden, quiet gated village, clubhouse pool/tennis court, near Phuket Town, shopping, Rawai-Naiharn beach. Call 089 593 8690.

Pool Villa in Chalong: 3 0 0sq metre. Three bed rooms four bathrooms, one western kitchen, one living room, private pool, two car parking. electric gate, fully

Land for Sale at Loch Palm Kathu: 20 Rai overlooking golf course with concrete access road and electric. Ready for building project. Call 087 888 4770.

Two Bed Villa 1/2 Rai B7.2m: Gated community, Pa Klok, land 832 sq metre, house 212 sq metre. Unfurnished, full aircon. two bed, two bath, big garden for pool/extentions. 10 minutes from Heroines Monument. Priced to sell, offers. Call 081 737 0722.

Phuket- Surin Beach Area for Sale: Chan ote title at Manik-township.

20x25 metre in natural surrounding, B2.6 million. Free design+construction permit.

Phone 087 275 9621, email nuttapol_trateng@yahoo.com.

Condo in Phuket Town for Sale/Rent: New condo, one bed, fully-furnished, WiFi, maid service, sea view. Call 081 893 5188.

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THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

EQUIPMENT SALES & RENTAL

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

REMOVALS

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

SPORTS EQUIPMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

STORAGE Reserve Your Storage Space

Call 076 29 29 09

or visit mystorageasia.com

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Wana Park, Srisoonthorn Road, Thalang, Phuket 83110 Tel 076 620168 info@tile-asia.com

Secure, Clean & Cost Effective Self Storage

MARINE SERVICES

SWIMMING POOLS

Jungceylon Shopping Center, Patong, Phuket

w w w. e m

p ir e p o o ls p h u k e t . c o m

1,800 baht pool service

for the first 20 customers (standard size pool)

19/43, 19/45 Moo 7, Srisoontorn Rd, T. Srisoontorn, A. Thalang, Phuket 83110.

Tel: 076-620113 or 084-8506140 Fax: 076-620015

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

PHUKET SPORT 23

Islanders knock out raging Bulls FOOTBALL Kazira Hans editor2@thephuketnews.com

T

he ‘Iron Bulls’ of Bangkok FC were put down last weekend as a resurgent Islanders outfit snatched another vital three points – their third win from as many games.

The match was played at 10am on Sunday (August 19), postponed from Saturday due to torrential rain that flooded the pitch 25 minutes after kick off and forced the referee to abandon the match.

Before the game, Phuket FC was 11th on the Yamaha League 1 table, just one place above the Bulls, with both sides desperately seeking a win to distance themselves from the relegation zone.

The rescheduled match began at the 26 minute mark, with the same lineup as the day before and Phuket’s Marcio Santos booked with one yellow card. Both teams were being cautious as the sodden pitch made it difficult to con-

Phuket scores with new soccer school FOOTBALL A F R EE FOOT BA LL coaching session is being held tomorrow (August 25) to mark the launch of Phuket Soccer Schools (PSS).

Open to both boys and girls aged 8-14 of all abilities, this complimentary morning session will allow players and parents to meet the PSS staff, as well as inspect the new equipment and training gear.

After being involved in Phuket football for two and a half years, PSS head coach Martin Hill said he is excited about the new soccer school, adding to that long term goals of football scholarships and professional trials for exceptional players will be available through PSS. The free coaching session will be held tomorrow (August 25) from 9-10.30am at British International School. Meet at Gate 1. No booking required.

A PSS master schedule around Phuket is now available. Email info@phuketsoc cerschools.com for this and more information.

trol the ball.

The sun, however, was shining, and Phuket made the most of home advantage to control the tempo, but couldn’t find the target as they missed successive opportunities.

Both teams sent on reinforcements in the second half, hoping to shake things up; Phuket’s Korean midfielder Seong Won was sent in to replace Kornprom Charoonpong, while Bangkok sent Sarayuth ‘Jo 5 yards’ Chaikamdee in, determined to score a goal.

But it was Phuket fans that soon were roaring with delight. Local defender Nontapan Jiarasathawong sent in a free kick from the right wing, Bangkok’s Anusorn Iampasee tried to clear the shot, but ended up sending the ball past the grasp of his own keeper and into the net for an own-goal.

As the clock ticked down, Bangkok grew more desperate and their game became more aggressive, but Phuket’s new number one goalkeeper Kampol Pathom-akkakul did all

he could to deny an equaliser.

The game ended with a 1-0 victory to Phuket, moving them up to 10th on the table with 29 points from 23 games played.

Phuket FC president Pamuk Atchariyachai said he was very happy with the result, proudly announcing to fans that Phuket footballers will be B100,000 richer after each victory, with a goal earning players another B10,000 from his own pocket.

“They have been working very hard and playing very well in their past four games.

I’m happy to reward them for their performances.”

Mr Pamuk also revealed his ambition: “We hope to be promoted to the Thai Premier League within two years, and from the way we played, the results we are getting, I believe we are all on the right track.

“I would like to thank the footballers for their dedication and the fans for their support.”

Phuket now host topplaced Ratchaburi FC this Sunday at Surakul Stadium.

Kickoff at 6.30pm.

Thai Nee (white) take on Pita Bar Phuketeers (red).

Photo: Karl Ward

Shakers clear at top of the table FOOTBALL

IN THE SECOND ROUND of the Super Six League last week, several Division 1 teams were starting to show their season ambitions.

First off in the top flight was the grudge match between Shakers FC and Morning Star.

Sha kers have always proved a worthy opponent for Morning Star, and this game was no different. Although Morning Star were ahead at the break, Shakers deservedly came back to win the match 5 – 3. The result put them three points clear at the top of the table (see below).

Next up was Rugantino,

searching for their first win of the season against new boys PSU Alumni, who were coming off the back of a win on their league debut the week prior.

Rugantino however finally showed why they are reigning champions, grinding out a 4-2 win.

In the final Division 1 game, there was nothing between Nanai Boys and The Hulk as they drew 4-4.

In Division 2, the game of the week was between arch-rivals Atmanjai and Mr Moo. The fiery encounter served up 40 minutes of fast-paced action and verbal abuse, to the enjoyment of all the spectators.

New boys Mr Moo how-

ever looked tactically superior, and Dave Jordan’s goal-scoring prowess saw them run out 8-4 winners.

In other Division 2 results, Pita Bar Phuketeers continued their winning streak against new team Thai Nee FC with a 5-2 victory, while new kids on the block Vanilla FC picked up their first points against Seduction with a cool-as-ice 4-2 win.

Phuket Serenity Villas also made a meal out of Aladdin Fans 9-3, while Puensil FC made themselves one of the Division 2 favourites with an 8-5 victory over Babynoname.

Visit phuketfootball.com for more Super 6 action.

The Phuket News is a league sponsor.

SUPER SIX SOCCER Division 1

Team

P

W

D

L Goals GD

1

Shakers FC

2

2

0

0

10

5

Pts 6

2

Joy Dive FC

1

1

0

0

6

4

3

3

PSU Alumni FC

2

1

0

1

8

-1

3

4

Morning Star

2

1

0

1

5

-1

3

5

Ristorante Rugantino

2

1

0

1

6

-2

3

6

Nanai Boys

2

0

1

1

9

-1

1

7

The Hulk

2

0

1

1

5

-1

1

8

Sweet Lemon FC

1

0

0

1

2

-3

0

Team

P

W

D

L Goals GD

9

Mr. Moo

2

2

0

0

14

9

6

10

Puensil FC

2

2

0

0

19

8

6

11

Phuket Serenity Villas

2

2

0

0

13

7

6

12

Pita Bar Phuketeers

2

2

0

0

12

4

6

13

Vanilla FC

2

1

0

1

7

1

3

14

Babynoname

2

0

1

1

9

-3

1

15

Atmanjai

2

0

1

1

8

-4

1

16

Aladdin Fans

2

0

0

2

9

-7

0

17

Seduction

2

0

0

2

3

-7

0

18

Thai Nee FC

2

0

0

2

8

-8

0

Division 2

Pts

Thai Division 1 D

L

F

A

Pts

1

Team Ratchaburi

MP W 23

17

4

2

58

19

55

2

PTT Rayong

23

14

4

5

50

21

46

3

Suphanburi

23

14

4

5

41

15

46

4

Sriracha

23

14

4

5

49

27

46

5

Bangkok United

23

14

4

5

38

25

46

6

Krabi

23

13

4

6

36

19

43

7

Siam Navy

23

8

9

6

35

28

33

8

Nakhon Ratchasima

23

10

3

10

24

30

33

9

Phuket

23

8

7

8

23

29

31

10

Air Force United

23

8

6

9

29

30

30

11

Phattalung

23

6

9

8

25

34

27

12

Saraburi

23

7

5

11

30

35

26

13

Khonkaen

23

7

5

11

24

34

26

14

Songkhla

23

7

4

12

27

35

25

15

Bangkok

23

6

6

11

40

36

24

16

Rangsit JW

23

5

6

12

24

44

21

17

Raj Pracha

23

3

6

14

20

40

15

18

Chanthaburi

23

0

2

21

15

87

2

thephuketnews.com

24 PHUKET SPORT

THE PHUKET NEWS

Misfits misfire against PCG Misfits no challenge for PCG

CRICKET L A S T S AT U R DAY (August 18) saw a Singapore Misfits touring side take on the might of the Phuket Cricket Group (PCG) in a 30 over match at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG).

And while the Misfits proved their name is little more than just that, they couldn’t overcome a determined batting effort from the PCG side.

Despite some overnight rain, the match started on time, with the Misfits winning the toss and, no doubt because of the numerous hangovers in the squad, decided to have a bat first.

PCG skipper-for-the-day Neil Culpan opened the bowling and was rewarded early on with the wicket of A. Abhi (3), who top edged a ball to local Thai lad ‘Jay’ Letingoo at mid-off, leaving the Misfits at 6-1.

A second wicket stand of 35 runs saw the score march along to 41 before I. Inzy (19) nicked one behind to the gloves of Martin Foster off Paresh Borkar’s first ball.

R. Rakesh, who was looking very comfortable on 25, soon lost his wicket when he was clean bowled by Val Guiraud, and the Misfits were suddenly 69-3.

Despite some pretty accurate bowling from the PCG team, the Misfits kept the scoreboard ticking over at a decent rate of 6 runs an over, and by the 15th over, they were looking good at 89 for 4.

However, they soon lost big hitting O. Pringle to a calf injury, bringing Nick ‘Moose’ Olin to the crease to help steady the ship along with P. Mclean.

Moose, who continued with his assault, went on to

top score for the day with 49 not out and help the Misfits reach 192 for 7 after their allocated 30 overs. Pick of the PCG bowlers were Sadarangani with figures of 4-17-2 and Guiraud with 6-27-2.

After a short break for lunch, PCG took to the field with a target of 193. Ian Henry and Berger Marx got the home side off to the solid start with 11 runs off the first over including two fours from Henry.

Marx eventually fell in the eighth over however, bowled by R. Ranga while on 9.

Henry was joined by Mike Khan at the crease and the two put on an additional 33 runs before Henry was dismissed for 38 while the score was on 75.

K han (10) followed shortly after when he was caught off the bowling of another local Thai lad ‘Pao’ Suttiprapha who was playing for the Misfits – PCG 76-3 at the 15 over mark.

PCG skipper Culpan (37) was then joined in the middle

by Roshan Jayasuriya (27), and the two of them averted a batting collapse and went about giving the run-rate a boost with a 46 run partnership from 27 balls to put the local side back in the hunt for a win.

By the time Jayasuriya fell, PCG needed 44 runs for victory off 8 overs.

Some smart batting and running between the wickets from Sadarangani (22 not out) and Letingoo (10 not out) saw the PCG reach the 193 target with 14 balls to spare.

This week sees a break from cricket action at the ACG with the Outrigger T20 competition resuming on Sunday September 2.

For more information, visit phuketcricketgroup.com

Phuketians take second in Hua Hin TRIATHLON Dane Halpin editor2@thephuketnews.com

A

challengi ng bi ke course and poisonous jellyfish couldn’t stop two Phuket locals from taking podium positions in the Hua Hin Queen’s Cup Triathlon last Sunday (August 19).

Jaray Jearanai and Sarah Wheeler each took out second place overall in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.

But it didn’t come easy.

Both athletes said the bike course was extremely challenging, littered with potholes and even consisting of dirt road in some sections.

“I think I had a good race,” 31-year-old Jaray said. “I had a good preparation at Thanyapura and I was in good shape for the swim. I felt really good on the bike.”

Despite the poor quality of the road surface for the bike leg, Jaray said the flat course still gave him an advantage.

“It was very easy for me.

I normally train in the hills, but this was very flat.”

Jaray transitioned off the bike in fourth place, and managed to gain another two

Above: Jaray Jearanai shows off his silverware. Above right: Sarah Wheeler. Photos: Autcharawan Pratumwan places over the fairly flat running course to take out second in a time of 2:15, three minutes behind the overall winner.

Sarah, meanwhile, suffered a severe jellyfish sting early in the swim leg, but managed to push through the pain and leg cramps. The 37-year-old owner and editor of TriMag

Asia magazine moved to Phuket only two and a half weeks ago after living in Hong Kong for 26 years, and said while her preparation was not ideal, she was happy with her overall race.

“I had a good swim – I think I came first out of the water in the women’s compe-

tition,” she said, adding that she was only metres behind Jaray at that point.

The jellyfish sting took its toll in the bike leg, with Sarah suffering cramps and fatigue, but she still managed to stay out front at the final transition.

“But in the run, I died,” she said. Sarah was passed at the 7km mark, though still managed to hold on for second in a time of 2:44, three minutes behind women’s winner Kathrin Puff.

“I wish the run had gone a little better, but I’m happy to come in second,” she said.

“It was a nice first race in Thailand. I enjoyed it.”

Jaray is now preparing for next month’s Ironman 70.3 in Las Vegas, while Sarah will head to Weihai, China, for the ITU Longcourse on September 19.

Aus surfing legend to join Quiksilver comp

Over 90 Cities, One Perfect Gateway.

SilkAir and Singapore Airlines Connecting you to Places.

thephuketnews.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

MORE THAN 300 SURFERS from around the world are expected to take part in the fourth Quiksilver Open Phuket Thailand 2012, with prizes totalling B300,000.

Competition will take place over three days, from September 12 to 15, at Patong Beach.

One of the competitors will be Australian surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore, who is also a brand ambassador for

Quiksilver. There will be five divisions in the competition: open short board, open long board, short board women only, groms (up to 16 years of age) and masters division (for over-35s).

Announcing details of the competition on Thursday (August 16) at Phuket Graceland, Surachet Muangtong, General Manager of Quiksilver Thailand said: “This year, the

competition in Phuket will be the last of a series of seven being held around Asia, so this will be the event at which the champions are decided.”

In addition to the events, there will be a surf clinic conducted by professional surfers for anyone interested in learning to surf or improving technique, a fashion show, live music and skateboarding demonstrations.

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

WORLD SPORT

Paralympic Games: events explained

PARALYMPICS

to ensure fairness.

Brazil won gold in 2004 and 2008.

LONDON 2012

FOOTBALL 7-A-SIDE

Agence France-Presse

ome Paralympic sports require no explanation, but some might be a little unfamiliar. Here is an explanation to some of the events at the London Paralympic Games from August 29 to September 9:

S

ATHLETICS The biggest sport in the Paralympics, with some 1,100 participants, athletics features lightning-quick sprinters with prostheses, powerful throwers, intellectual disability athletes and runners with sighted guides.

South Africa’s ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius – a triple gold medallist at Beijing 2008 – is likely to be a major draw, having become the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics when he ran in the 400m heats and 4x400m final.

China won 77 track and field medals in 2008, including 38 gold – three times as many as their nearest rivals Australia, South Africa and Britain.

BOCCIA Introduced as a competitive sport in the 1984 New York Paralympics, Boccia is a game of skill and accuracy played from a wheelchair by athletes with cerebral palsy, quadriplegia and other conditions affecting limb function.

The game, similar to bowls, is to land balls as close as possible to the target ball or “jack”. It consists of four rounds in individual and pairs competitions and six in the team event.

FOOTBALL 5-A-SIDE A Paralympic sport since Athens in 2004, five-a-side football is open to athletes with visual impairments.

Each game lasts 50 minutes and although the rules are similar to the non-disabled game, the ball makes a noise when it moves, there is no off-side and everyone apart from the goalkeepers uses eye shades

Introduced in 1984, seven-a-side football is for players with cerebral palsy and is similar to the able-bodied game.

Matches last 30 minutes, the playing surface is smaller, there are no offsides and players can take throw-ins with one hand.

Ukraine are the current champions, but The Netherlands are strong contenders.

GOALBALL

Requiring lightning reflexes and razorsharp hearing, goalball made its debut in the Toronto Paralympics in 1976 but was initially devised to rehabilitate visually impaired veterans from World War II. Games consist of two halves of 12 minutes, with two teams of three players each wearing blackout masks on court. The aim is to roll the ball, which has a bell in it to help orientate players, into the opposite goal.

SITTING VOLLEYBALL

Sitting volleyball is played on a 10m x 6m court with a lower net. Games are best of five sets, with the first team to reach 25 points with at least a two-point lead winning a game.

The game involves two teams with six on the court at a time. Athletes have to keep their pelvis on the ground at all times. Service blocks are allowed.

Iran are defending champions and will be hotly favoured to take out a sixth gold in the event.

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL One of the Paralympics’ most popular sports, wheelchair basketball involves two teams of five playing on a regulation court with standard 10ft-high (three-metre) hoops.

Basketball is open to athletes of all levels of physical ability, with players rated between 1 and 4.5 depending on their functional ability. Teams must not exceed 14 points on court at any time.

Australia are Olympic men’s champions with the USA winning gold in the women’s.

WHEELCHAIR FENCING Open to men and women with amputations, spinal-cord injuries and cerebral palsy. Athletes’ wheelchairs are fastened to the piste during competition and the distance between them fixed.

Points are scored by hitting target areas on the opponent with their foil, epee or sabre.

WHEELCHAIR RUGBY Also known as “murderball”, wheelchair rugby is a no-holds-barred mix of wheelchair basketball, ice hockey, handball and rugby. Four players per side are allowed on court at one time for four periods of eight minutes each.

Points are scored by crossing the opponents’ goal line with two wheels on the floor and the ball in the players’ hands. Players in possession have to bounce the ball or pass within 10 seconds of receiving it.

WHEELCHAIR TENNIS

SWIMMING The second-biggest sport in the Paralympics. Competitors are classified according to the type and extent of their disability, including learning difficulties.

The undisputed star of the pool is South Africa’s Natalie du Toit, who is hanging up her goggles after a stellar career.

The United States won 44 medals in Beijing, including 17 gold, followed by China (52) and Ukraine (43).

Introduced in Barcelona in 1992, wheelchair tennis follows able-bodied rules although the ball is allowed to bounce twice. Categories are for players with disabilities in three or all limbs (quad) or one or both lower limbs (open).

Competitors have to have a permanent or substantial loss of function in one or both legs and can compete in singles or doubles in best-of-three set matches.

India begin life after Dravid, Laxman CRICKET

Agence France-Presse

Last legend standing: Sachin Tendulkar.

Photo: AFP

INDIA ARE CURRENTLY experiencing life without retired batting stars Rahul Dravid and Venkatsai Laxman, with their two-Test series against New Zealand in Hyderabad beginning yesterday (August 23).

Dravid bid farewell in March and Laxman called it

quits last Saturday, leaving Sachin Tendulkar the only surviving veteran of the golden generation of Indian batsman that included Sourav Ganguly.

The main task for India in the busy home season that also features four Tests each against England and Australia is to find replacements for Dravid and Laxman, who had a combined tally of 22,069 Test runs in 298 matches. The batsmen

in contention for the two vacant slots, Cheteshwar Pujara, Suresh Raina and Subramaniam Badrinath, have a combined tally of just 20 Tests. Ajinkya Rahane has yet to debut in the five-day game.

India will also miss Dravid and Laxman in the slips. Both were gifted with safe hands with Dravid taking a Test record 210 catches and Laxman 135.

25

IN BRIEF Henry joins Auckland Blues coaching staff World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry will join the Auckland Blues as a technical advisor to help the Super 15 franchise rebuild after a disappointing season, the club announced Wednesday.

The Blues said Henry would work with new head coach John Kirwan, who replaced Pat Lam last month after the three-times champions finished 12th on the ladder.

Henr y, who stepped down as All Blacks coach after guiding the team to victory in the 2011 World Cup, was in charge of the Blues from 1996-98, when they won two of their titles.

Adebayor returns to Spurs Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday announced that Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor has returned to the club on a permanent basis after signing from Manchester City.

Adebayor, 28, spent last season on loan at White Hart Lane from City and scored 18 goals in 37 appearances to finish the campaign as the London club’s leading scorer.

Spurs did not reveal how much they had paid to secure Adebayor’s services but reports in the British media claimed the transfer fee was £5 million ($7.9 million, 6.3 million euros).

Pietersen out of T20 squad Kevin Pietersen was left out of England’s World Twenty20 squad announced on Tuesday.

The South Africa-born batsman was the man of the tournament when England won the 2010 World Twenty20 in the Caribbean – the first time they had lifted a major piece of International Cricket Council silverware.

But he was dropped from the England team that lost the third Test against South Africa at Lord’s by 51 runs on Monday after sending “provocative” text messages.

thephuketnews.com

26 WORLD SPORT

THE PHUKET NEWS

DANE’S PREDICTIONS: ROUND 1

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

THIS YEAR’S GRAND PRIZE IS SPONSORED BY:

Man U, Dane biggest losers FOOTBALL

A

s the English Premier League kicked off last weekend, so too did The Phuket News annual tipping competition, Dane’s Predictions.

In football action, Manchester United were the big losers of the opening round, going down 0-1 to Everton on Monday, despite Robin van Persie making his eagerly-anticipated United debut as a 68th minute substitute with his new side trailing to Marouane Fellaini’s second half goal at Goodison Park.

But the Dutch striker, who completed a £24 million move from Arsenal last Friday, was unable to inspire Sir Alex Ferguson’s team, who lost their opening game of the Premier League season for the first time since 2004.

Meanwhile, Liverpool were the big casualty on the Premier League’s opening day on Saturday, losing 3-0 to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

It was a sweet moment for Albion manager Steve Clarke, who was sacked by Liverpool at the end of last season after spending 18 months at Anfield.

Pepe Reina kept Liverpool

Everton downed Man U in the upset of the round. in the match when he saved Shane Long’s woeful second half penalty after Reds defender Daniel Agger was sent off for a professional foul.

But Albion won another penalty in the 64th minute and this time Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie stepped up to blast home.

Manchester City launched their Premier League title defence in familiar fashion as the champions came from behind to beat Southampton 3-2 thanks to Samir Nasri’s late winner at Eastlands on Sunday.

After an early missed pen-

alty from David Silva, the champions appeared to be on course for another home victory thanks to a goal just before the interval from Carlos Tevez, only for Southampton substitutes Rickie Lambert and Steven Davis to each score within minutes of their introductions.

That sparked a frantic finale which brought back memories of the final day of last season when City scored twice in stoppage-time to beat QPR and win the English title for the first time in 44 years.

They didn’t leave it quite that late this time as Edin Dzeko

equalised with 18 minutes remaining before France midfielder Nasri struck 10 minutes from full-time to preserve City’s unbeaten home run, which now dates back to December 2010.

In other results, Arsenal began life without Robin van Persie with a frustrating 0-0 draw against Sunderland.

New Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas suffered a losing start as Newcastle won 2-1 at St James’ Park.

Villas-Boas, sacked by Chelsea last season, saw Newcastle take the lead through Demba Ba’s superb 54th-minute goal.

Jermain Defoe equalised with a close-range effort in the 76th minute, but Hatem Ben Arfa was hauled down by Aaron Lennon four minutes later and the French midfielder picked himself up to score the spot-kick.

Goals were not a problem for Fulham and Swansea, with both enjoying 5-0 routs over Norwich and QPR respectively.

It’s early days in Dane’s Predictions, but Dane himself has kicked off with a terrible round, scoring just six points.

Zedi44 has raced to an early

DANE’S TIPS ROUND 2 Swansea v West Ham draw Aston Villa v Everton away win Man U v Fulham draw Norwich v QPR home win Southampton v Wigan away win Sunderland v Reading draw Chelsea v Newcastle home win Tottenham v West Brom home win Stoke v Arsenal away win Liverpool v Man City away win MONTHLY STANDINGS 1. zedi44 2. nattaphat666 3. tim at acorn 4. alanphuket 5. dcoutts 6. diggersd 7. gafferworld 8. InfoPhuketNews2 9. jamiemonk 10. Kathu Bandit

THIS MONTH'S COMPETITION IS SUPPORTED BY:

OVERALL STANDINGS 27 23 23 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

lead, while defending champion ‘gafferworld’ proved last year’s success was no fluke, scoring 20 points.

The winner of this month’s competition will win a B3,000 voucher to spend at Angus O’Tools in Karon. The overall winner at the end of the

1. zedi44 2. nattaphat666 3. tim at acorn 4. alanphuket 5. dcoutts 6. diggersd 7. gafferworld 8. InfoPhuketNews2 9. jamiemonk 10. Kathu Bandit

27 23 23 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

year will win a brand new Honda Scoopy i courtesy of AP Honda.

To get i nvolved i n Dane’s Predictions, just go to thephuketnews.com, click on the ‘Sport’ tab, and then on ‘Predictions’ in the dropdown menu.

Alex Song ‘happy to join best team in the world’ FOOTBALL Agence France-Presse

CAMEROON INTERNAtional Alex Song says he is “happy to join the best team in the world” after signing with Barcelona from Arsenal in a transfer worth 19 million euros (US$23.67 million, B750 million).

“A few weeks ago, I was set to extend my contract with Arsenal and it was taking some time. But when Barcelona arrived, I said yes straight

Alex Song. away, because Barcelona is not a team to be turned down and when the train arrives

once in a lifetime, you have to take your chance,” he told reporters as he was unveiled at a club presentation.

The 25-year-old – who is related to Cameroon legend Rigobert Song – had three years left to run on his contract with Arsenal but scrapped that in favour of a five-year deal with the four-time European champions.

Barcelona opened their La Liga season last Sunday with a 5-1 thumping over Real Sociedad, helped by two goals from Messi.

Fergie fumes as Van Persie’s debut falls flat FOOTBALL Agence France-Presse

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson criticised his own players for failing to utilise Robin van Persie’s talents after they crashed to a surprise 1-0 defeat at Everton.

Van Persie made his eagerly-anticipated United debut as a 68th minute substitute with his new side trailing to Marouane Fellaini’s second

thephuketnews.com

half goal at Goodison Park on Monday.

But the Dutch striker, who completed a £24 million move from Arsenal last Friday, was unable to inspire Ferguson’s team.

“We played around him too much, we didn’t show enough penetration and with Robin in your team you know you want to use his ability against centre-backs in situations he is very good at. But we didn’t use him enough,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson explained his

decision to start van Persie on the substitutes bench by insisting the striker hadn’t played enough during pre-season.

“He’s not played any football, given the expectation of him playing at any given moment, it was better for him to start on the substitutes’ bench,” he said.

“He’s a great player and there is always the temptation to play him when you have a player like that. But the sensible route is to start him on the bench.”

THE PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

WORLD SPORT 27

Kepu joins Pocock on Wallaby injury list that can typically sideline a player for a month, the Australian Rugby Union said.

It is another blow for the Wallabies who are reeling from news that Pocock could be out of action for three months following a knee operation Tuesday.

The captain had keyhole surgery to repair damage to the articular cartilage of his right knee suffered during Australia’s 27-19 defeat to New Zealand in the opening

RUGBY Agence France-Presse

W David Pocock could be sidelined for three months. Photo:AFP

English Premier League Team

French Ligue 1 D

L

F

A

Pts

D

L

F

A

Pts

D

L

F

A

Pts

Fulham

1

1

0

0

5

0

3

1

Olympique Lyonnais

2

2

0

0

5

1

6

1

Barcelona

1

1

0

0

5

1

3

2

Swansea City

1

1

0

0

5

0

3

2

Olympique Marseille

2

2

0

0

3

0

6

2

Real Betis

1

1

0

0

5

3

3

3

West Brom

1

1

0

0

3

0

3

3

Bastia

2

2

0

0

5

3

6

3

Deportivo

1

1

0

0

2

0

3

4

Chelsea

1

1

0

0

2

0

3

4

Bordeaux

2

2

0

0

4

2

6

4

Mallorca

1

1

0

0

2

1

3

5

Manchester City

1

1

0

0

3

2

3

5

Lorient

2

1

1

0

4

3

4

5

Sevilla

1

1

0

0

2

1

3

6

Newcastle United

1

1

0

0

2

1

3

6

Lille

2

1

1

0

3

2

4

6

Málaga

1

1

0

0

1

0

3

7

Everton

1

1

0

0

1

0

3

7

Toulouse

2

1

1

0

3

2

4

7

Rayo Vallecano

1

1

0

0

1

0

3

8

West Ham United

1

1

0

0

1

0

3

8

Nancy

2

1

1

0

2

1

4

8

Real Valladolid

1

1

0

0

1

0

3

9

Reading

1

0

1

0

1

1

1

9

Valenciennes

2

1

1

0

1

0

4

9

Atlético Madrid

1

0

1

0

1

1

1

10

Stoke City

1

0

1

0

1

1

1

10

Brest

2

1

0

1

1

1

3

10

Levante

1

0

1

0

1

1

1

11

Arsenal

1

0

1

0

0

0

1

11

Ajaccio

2

1

1

0

1

0

2

11

Real Madrid

1

0

1

0

1

1

1

12

Sunderland

1

0

1

0

0

0

1

12

PSG

2

0

2

0

2

2

2

12

Valencia

1

0

1

0

1

1

1

13

Southampton

1

0

0

1

2

3

0

13

Montpellier

2

0

1

1

2

3

1

13

Espanyol

1

0

0

1

1

2

0

14

Tottenham Hotspur

1

0

0

1

1

2

0

14

Nice

2

0

1

1

0

1

1

14

Getafe

1

0

0

1

1

2

0

15

Aston Villa

1

0

0

1

0

1

0

15

Evian TG

2

0

0

2

2

4

0

15

Celta de Vigo

1

0

0

1

0

1

0

16

Manchester United

1

0

0

1

0

1

0

16

Saint-Étienne

2

0

0

2

2

4

0

16

Granada

1

0

0

1

0

1

0

17

Wigan Athletic

1

0

0

1

0

2

0

17

Reims

2

0

0

2

1

3

0

17

Real Zaragoza

1

0

0

1

0

1

0

18

Liverpool

1

0

0

1

0

3

0

18

Rennes

2

0

0

2

0

2

0

18

Athletic Club

1

0

0

1

3

5

0

19

Norwich City

1

0

0

1

0

5

0

19

Sochaux

2

0

0

2

2

5

0

19

Osasuna

1

0

0

1

0

2

0

20

QPR

1

0

0

1

0

5

0

20

Troyes

2

0

0

2

1

5

0

20

Real Sociedad

1

0

0

1

1

5

0

0-0 5-0 0-5 1-1 3-0

Sunderland Norwich Swansea Stoke Liverpool

West Ham Newcastle Wigan Athletic Manchester City Everton

Live Sports TV Schedule SPORT

Aston Villa Tottenham Chelsea Southampton Manchester United

CHANNEL GUIDE

1XX - True Visions; 8XX – Astro; 8 – Setanta

*Times may be subject to change

CHANNEL START END

1-0 2-1 0-2 3-2 1-0

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO

Friday, August 24 816, 107

16:30

18:30

Rugby League

NRL

Sea Eagles v. Broncos

521

16:30

19:30

Aussie Rules

AFL

Richmond v. Essendon

Cricket

Test Match Day 2

India v. New Zealand

ODI No. 2

Pakistan v. Australia

29 32

11:00 21:00

18:00 03:00

Cricket

Saturday, August 25 816, 107

16:30

18:30

Rugby League

816, 107

14:25

16:25

Rugby Union

Rugby New Zealand v. Australia Championship

816, 107

02:00

04:00

Rugby Union

Rugby Argentina v.

Championship South Africa

521

10:30

13:30

Aussie Rules

NRL

AFL

Cowboys v. Knights

St Kilda v. GWS Giants

521

16:30

19:30

Aussie Rules

AFL

West Coast Eagles v.

Collingwood

521

21:00

00:00

Aussie Rules

AFL

Sydney Swans v.

Hawthorn

812

18:45

20:45

Soccer

EPL

Swansea v. West Ham

813, 101

21:00

23:00

Soccer

EPL

Tottenham v. West Bromwich Albion

103

21:00

23:00

Soccer

EPL

Aston Villa v. Everton

817, 103

23:30

01:30

Soccer

EPL

Chelsea v. Newcastle

29

11:00

18:00

Cricket

Test Match Day 3

India v. New Zealand

Team

Spanish Primera Liga

1

RESULTS Arsenal Fulham QPR Reading West Brom

MP W

allaby prop Sekope Kepu has joined skipper David Pocock on the Australian injury list and will miss Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup encounter with the All Blacks in Auckland.

The powerful Kepu sustained a strain to the medial ligament of his right knee in training on Tuesday, an injury

from Rocky Elsom.

Australia must win Saturday’s do-or-die Bledisloe Cup fixture to prevent the New Zealanders from holding the title for a 10th consecutive year.

The Wallabies have not won at Eden Park since 1986, and coach Robbie Deans also faces a selection headache over whether to retain Kurtley Beale at fullback or recall mercurial fly-half Quade Cooper.

The Bledisloe Cup is a three-match series this year.

Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship match last weekend.

Halfback Will Genia, who captained Australia once before against the United States in last year’s World Cup, has been confirmed as the new skipper.

He will be Australia’s fourth captain in barely 12 months with first-choice James Horwill ruled out of the four June Tests and the Rugby Championship with a hamstring injury. He took over

RESULTS Olympique Lyonnais Lorient Bastia Brest Toulouse

MP W

4-1 2-1 2-1 1-0 2-1

Troyes Montpellier Reims Evian TG Saint-Étienne

Valenciennes Bordeaux Marseille Ajaccio

0-0 1-0 2-0 0-0

Nice Rennes Sochaux PSG

AFL

Team

MP W

RESULTS Celta de Vigo Sevilla Mallorca Athletic Club Real Madrid

0-1 2-1 2-1 3-5 1-1

Málaga Getafe Espanyol Real Betis Valencia

Barcelona Levante Deportivo Rayo Vallecano Real Zaragoza

5-1 1-1 2-0 1-0 0-1

Real Sociedad Atlético Madrid Osasuna Granada Real Valladolid

NRL P W D

L

1

Team Sydney Swans

20

16

0

4

2117 1415

F

A

150

% Pts 64

2

Hawthorn

20

15

0

5

2482 1568

158

60

3

Adelaide Crows

20

15

0

5

2125 1690

126

60

4

Collingwood

20

15

0

5

1961 1644

119

60

5

West Coast Eagles

20

14

0

6

2067 1654

125

56

6

North Melbourne

20

13

0

7

2175 1888

115

7

Geelong Cats

20

13

0

7

1990 1735

115

8

Fremantle

20

12

0

8

1723 1572

9

Carlton

20

11

0

9

10

Essendon

20

11

0

9

11

St Kilda

20

10

12

Richmond

20

13

Brisbane Lions

20

Team

P

W

L

D

B

F

A

Pts

1

Bulldogs

22

17

0

5

2

520

325

38

2

Storm

22

15

0

7

2

533

337

34

3

Rabbitohs

22

14

0

8

2

503

426

32

4

Sea Eagles 22

14

0

8

2

457

381

32

30

52

5

Sharks

22

12

1

9

2

405

385

29

52

6

Cowboys

21

12

0

9

2

507

387

28

110

48

7

Broncos

22

11

0

11

2

456

419

26

1902 1721

111

44

8

Tigers

22

11

0

11

2

480

481

26

1962 1884

104

44

0

10 2078 1777

117

40

9

0

11 1961 1780

110

36

8

0

12 1672 1938

86

32

9

Raiders

22

11

0

11

2

469

508

26

10

Titans

22

10

0

12

2

411

417

24

11

Knights

22

10

0

12

2

428

448

24

Dragons

21

9

0

12

2

316

392

22

14

Port Adelaide

20

5

0

15 1492 1934

77

20

12

15

Western Bulldogs

20

5

0

15 1408 2066

68

20

13

Warriors

22

8

0

14

2

469

529

20

16

Melbourne

20

4

0

16 1459 2090

70

16

14

Roosters

22

7

1

14

2

408

564

19

17

Gold Coast Suns

20

2

0

18 1349 2242

60

8

15

Panthers

22

7

0

15

2

361

534

18

18

GWS Giants

20

2

0

18 1158 2483

47

8

16

Eels

22

6

0

16

2

417

607

16

RESULTS Port Adelaide Bulldogs Hawthorn Essendon GWS Giants

6.14 (50) – 14.14 (98) 13.7 (85) – 26.11 (167) 19.15 (129) – 10.5 (65) 8.12 (60) – 24.12 (156) 9.5 (59) – 11.18 (84)

West Coast Fremantle Swans Collingwood Gold Coast Carlton Brisbane Melbourne Geelong

13.16 (94) – 11.6 (72) 8.13 (61) – 13.13 (91) 13.17 (95) – 12.13 (85) 18.15 (123) – 11.15 (81)

Richmond N Melbourne Adelaide St Kilda

RESULTS Titans Warriors Sea Eagles Raiders

24 – 16 16 – 18 42 – 20 24 – 20

Eels Panthers Knights Roosters

Sharks Broncos Bulldogs

20 – 7 18 – 19 23 – 22

Rabbitohs Storm Tigers

Sunday, August 26 Rugby Argentina v. South Championship Africa (recorded)

107

17:30

19:30

Rugby Union

521

10:00

13:00

Aussie Rules

AFL

Geelong v.

Western Bulldogs

816, 107

12:00

13:50

Rugby League

NRL

Rabbitohs v. Eels

812, 101

19:30

21:30

Soccer

EPL

Stoke v. Arsenal

817, 101

22:00

00:00

Soccer

EPL

Liverpool v. Man City

Cricket

Test Match Day 4

India v. New Zealand

29

11:00

18:00

thephuketnews.com

THE PHUKET NEWS

SPORT

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

Tri-hards

Phuket locals dominate Hua Hin Queen’s Cup triathlon > 24

Dane Halpin editor2@thephuketnews.com

London Pt 2 Paralympics get underway

South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius at the London Olympics.

Next week he will join the world’s top athletes with a disability as the London 2012 Paralympics begin.

Photo: AFP

T

he world’s top athletes with a disability, including ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius, converge on London next week for what organisers say will be the biggest and most high-profile Paralympics in the Games’ 52-year history.

From Wednesday (August 29) a record 4,200 athletes from 166 countries will be in the British capital, with the 11-day Games a near sell-out and expected to be watched by an estimated global television audience of four billion people.

Britain is considered the birthplace of the Paralympic movement, after World War II veterans with spinal injuries competed in archery events at Stoke Mandeville in southern England in 1948, 12 years before the first official Games in Rome.

The International Paralym-

thephuketnews.com

PARALYMPICS pic Committee (IPC) said that history, a desire to see more elite sport after a successful Olympics, increased media coverage and sponsorship have combined to drive up interest and awareness.

“There’s a fantastic buzz in the air, waiting for it to kick off and people talking about it,” IPC president Philip Craven said before Wednesday’s opening ceremony.

China held the last Paralympics in Beijing in 2008 and did much to raise the Games’ profile.

The previous hosts won 211 medals, including 89 gold, and will be looking to replicate that success this time round.

But challenging them will be the current hosts, who came third in the Olympics

medal table, galvanising wide support for the Games across the country and lifting a national mood hit by lingering economic woes.

ParalympicsGB have been set a minimum target of 103 medals from at least 12 different sports – one better than in Beijing – and to match their second-place finish four years ago.

For the home team, hopes are highest for athletes like Jonnie Peacock, who in June set a new T44 100m record of 10.85secs and is expected to challenge South Africa’s Pistorius for gold in the showpiece track event.

With Pistorius’ long-standing rival Jerome Singleton, of the United States, and a host of other lightning-fast sprinters likely to line up in the final, organisers even predict that all eight runners could dip under 11secs.

Among the wheelchair racers, Britain’s David Weir, the T54 800m and 1,500m champion four years ago, is set to renew his rivalries with Australia’s Kurt Fearnley and Swiss world record holder Marcel Hug. In the pool, Ellie Simmonds has become a poster girl for the Games after winning two golds in Beijing aged just 13.

But like Pistorius – the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics and the Paralympics’ biggest star – there are other big names.

South Africa’s Natalie Du Toit is retiring after a decade at the top, while Matthew Cowdrey – an eight-time gold medallist – needs just three more golds to surpass athlete Tim Sullivan to become Australia’s most successful Paralympian.

London will also see vet-

eran medallists like shooter Jonas Jacobsson, dressage specialist Lee Pearson and Dutch wheelchair tennis player Esther Vergeer going for gold alongside first-time athletes from smaller nations.

Now 47, Sweden’s Jacobsson has competed in eight Paralympics and has 16 golds; Pearson, of Britain, has won gold at every Games since Sydney 12 years ago; while Vergeer won in 2000, 2004 and 2008 and is unbeaten in over 450 matches.

The US Virgin Islands will have their first ever Paralympian in the shape of rider Lee Frawley, while North Korea make its debut in the competition with swimmer Rim Ju Song.

Some 200 athletes with intellectual disabilities will also compete for the first time since Sydney and a scandal involving the eligibility of

Spain’s basketball team.

And while every athlete has as much determination to overcome adversity as talent and skill, few have as remarkable a backstory as Martine Wright, who lost her legs in the 2005 suicide attacks in London – a day after the city was awarded the Games.She will be a member of Britain’s sitting volleyball team.

London organising committee chairman Sebastian Coe has repeatedly maintained that the Paralympics and the Olympics are two equal parts of the same event.

“We want to change public attitudes towards disability, celebrate the excellence of Paralympic sport and to enshrine from the very outset that the two Games are an integrated whole,” he said.

More Paralympics coverage on page 25.