The Phuket News 25 January 2019

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RUNNING ON EMPTY WATER RATIONS IN FORCE TO STAVE OFF EXHAUSTING SUPPLY BEFORE RAINS RETURN

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NEWS

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Call for caution as Patong Hill carnage returns

LIFE

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In the mind of a record-breaking sailor: Yassine

Water levels at Bang Neow Dum reservoir in Srisoonthorn are dangerously low. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

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arge areas of Cherng Talay, mostly concentrated in the Bang Tao area, went on water rations this week in an attempt to prevent what water remains in Bang Neow Dum reservoir from running out before the annual rains return in May. The order to implement water rations, directly affecting Moo 2, 3 and 5 of Cherng Talay, was introduced with immediate effect on Tuesday by a directive issued by Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) Chief MaAnn Samran.

“During the dry season, there is less water to replenish water supplies.

This leads to having not enough water that people need to use,” Mr MaAnn said in his statement announcing the water restrictions.

Mr MaAnn urged residents to use as little water as possible and to keep water reserves in containers for use when mains water supply is not available.

“If you see a pipe water broken or damaged, please inform the Cherng Talay OrBorTor at 076-271096-7,” Mr MaAnn added.

“If there are any changes (to the scheduled water rationing), Cherng Talay OrBorTor will make further

announcements,” he added.

The water ration measures were as follows: In Moo 2, which includes Soi Bang Tao 8, Soi Nok Na, Soi Ao Bang Tao 4 and Soi Bang Tao 12, water is now available from 7am to 8pm only.

Throughout all of Moo 3, water supply is available from 5:30am to 10:30am, and from 3:30pm to 9:30pm.

In Moo 5, which includes Soi Bang Tao 3, Soi Bang Tao 4/1 and Soi Bang Tao 5, 7, 9 and along Srisoonthorn Rd from Soi Bang Tao 3 to Soi Bang Tao 9, water will be available from 5:30am to 9:30am and from 4:30pm to 9:30pm only.

The warnings for local residents

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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in the Cherng Talay and Srisoonthorn areas to start using water more sparingly were first unveiled by a report

by The Phuket News in November, when Somsawat Chaisinsod, Director of Phuket Provincial Irrigation Office, explained that the Bang Neow Dum reservoir contained only about 3.25 million cubic meters. The reservoir’s full capacity is 7.2mn cubic meters.

“Of that, we are able to use only 3.14mn cubic meters as 0.11mn cubic meters of that capacity is useless. It’s just mud, which we can’t use,” Mr Somsawat explained.

“We need about 5mn cubic meters – or about 70% of the reservoir’s capacity – by the end of December to...

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US Govt shutdown delays tsunami buoy going online THE US GOVERNMENT shutdown due Congressional a p p r op r iat ion s lef t t he t s u n a m i -w a r n i n g b u oy deployed off Phuket last Friday (Jan 18) useless as the buoy remained to be manually activated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“The tsunami-warning buoy was deployed at about 9am, but the buoy is not activated yet. It must be connected to the monitoring and warning system operated by the NOAA,” Dr Prasong Thammapala, Scientist Senior Professional Level at the National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) in Bangkok, explained to The Phuket News.

“I contacted the NOAA in Washington, DC this morning (Jan 18) and they said the buoy was not yet activated because of the government shutdown,” Dr Prasong said.

“As it is a new buoy brought online, it must be

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Officials, Soi Dog set quarantine zone after dog dies of rabies > page 4

Patong Hill mayhem Call for caution amid multiple-vehicle wipeouts The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

The tsunami-warning buoy was deployed last Friday morning (Jan 1 8), but remains to be activated.

Photo: NDWC manually activated,” he added.

“The NOAA apologised for the inconvenience. They said they have limited staff working there right now who are already overloaded with work.”

“They gave their word to me that they would work as fast as possible to get the buoy online,” he said.

Dr Prasong later confirmed that the tsunami-warning buoy was brought online at 1:50am last Saturday (Jan 19), Phuket time.

Tanyaluk Sakoot

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atong Police are urging motorists to exercise caution over Patong Hill after a slew of collisions on the busy road on Wednesday (Jan 23), following a six-wheeled truck wiping out six vehicles late Tuesday afternoon.

Capt Jaruwat Jiamnaka of the Patong Traffic Police issued the call for caution Wednesday morning after a tour bus and a pickup truck sideswiped each other on the busy road at about 10am.

The pickup truck was travelling downhill into Patong and the tour bus was climbing the hill out of Patong when they struck each other.

“There were no injuries in the accident, and both vehicles were soon moved out of traffic’s way,” Capt

The call for caution on Patong Hill comes amid a slew of multiple-vehicle wipeouts. Photo: Patong Fire Dept Jaruwat explained.

Another tour bus arrived soon after and carried the tourists on with their journey, he added. “ I d o n’t k n ow w h a t nationality the tourists were, but they were all safe,” he said.

However, that accident paled in comparison to the multi-vehicle wipeout that happened in front of Wat Patong at about 3:40pm

Wednesday afternoon when a tour bus, two passenger vans, several passenger cars, a pickup truck and a motorbike were all involved in a series of collisions at the bottom of the hill.

The two vans collided head-on in front of Wat Patong. Several passenger cars were involved in collisions immediately nearby.

The pickup tr uck and

the motorbike collided on the small road that joins the Patong Hill road partway up the hill, but the tour bus remained skewed across the road heading out of Patong at the bottom of the hill, where a six-wheeled truck sat in front of it jammed into a power pole.

Three people were reported as injured in the collisions, police reported.

All the wrecks strewn across the main road caused havoc for traffic for hours after.

That slew of accidents followed a r unaway sixwheeled truck colliding with several cars before slamming head-on into another truck in front of Wat Patong late Tuesday afternoon (Jan 22).

The driver, Boonloam Boonprom, claimed that the brakes of the truck failed while he was descending the hill into Patong.

Water rations in force ‘just in case’ Continued from page 1 ...cope with the demand during the dry season (December-April),” he warned.

“My advice is for people and businesses in the affected areas to start storing water reserves so they can use it for their own needs in the first few months of 2019.

This week, Mr Somsawat confirmed that the reservoir is currently holding about 2.3mn cubic meters of water, or just less than 32% of capicity. That reading was taken on Monday (Jan 21).

Mr Somsawat declined to confirm or deny whether the forced water restrictions were at his request.

Instead, he explained that a plan for watersaving measures “was given to” the Phuket Provincial Water Authority office, who “modified the plan by themselves”.

“The plan will conserve water supplies for people until April 2019. That’s the plan,” he said.

“Bang Neow Dum reservoir just needs 3 million cubic meters to be enough for the dry season this year, but we don’t have that much water in the reservoir,” he pointed out blankly.

Mr Somsawat noted that plans were being drawn up to counter the problem, but declined to reveal any details.

“I can’t tell you about the plan in detail yet.

I will check the water level again at the end of January, then I will present the plan to the Provincial Water Authority (PWA),” he said.

“It is the PWA’s responsibility to manage water supply to be enough to serve local residents,” Mr Somsawat said guardedly.

That understanding, however, flies in the face of the duties and responsibilities listed on the Royal Irrigation Department website, which plainly states as the top priority: “1. Im-

Water levels at the Bang Neow Dum reservoir in Srisoonthorn have never been so low.

Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot plementation of activities aimed at achieving, collecting, storing, controlling, distributing, draining or allocating water for agricultural, energy, household consumption or industrial purposes under irrigation laws, ditch and dike laws and other related laws.”

Meanwhile, Thamdongrak Kumphet, the Phuket Provincial Water Authority (PWA) official responsible for water supply, flatly denied that the PWA had called for any rationing of water supply.

“We have not had any ideas to limit water supply. Our plan is to source water from privately owned water sources. We will have meeting to talk about this issue next month,” he said on Tuesday.

Regardless, Mr Somsawat warned that water supply issues in the area will not go away, especially considering the growth in developments in the area, specifically in Srisoonthorn, Baan Manik and Cherng Talay.

“Phuket residents use of a lot of water, and presently the reservoir is not enough for residents and businesses in nearby areas.

“I think Phuket province needs an extra reservoir, and soon. If there isn’t one, residents won’t have enough water supply,” he said. thephuketnews

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Police officer arrested for street slaying, bails The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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Border Patrol Police LanceCorporal wanted for shooting dead a local councillor’s son in Phuket early last Saturday morning has presented himself to police, Wichit Police confirmed this week.

However, the suspect, Jakkrit Sangsaart, 23, from Chachoengsao province, has already been released on police bail.

The victim, Theerasak Sae-Ong, was gunned down on Rattanakosin 200 Pi Rd near Saphan Hin at about 3:30am.

He was the 30-year-old son of Rassada Municipality councillor Charoen Sae-Ong. Jakkrit presented himself at Wichit Police Station at 5:30pm last Sunday (Jan 20), Wichit Police Chief Col Nikorn Somsuk confirmed to The Phuket News on Monday (Jan 21).

However, Jakkrit denied the murder charge against him, Col Nikorn said.

He also denied a charge of carrying a firearm in a public place, Col Nikorn added.

Col Nikorn made no mention of whether or not Jakkrit was still a serving officer of the Royal Thai Police – or was at the time of the murder.

However, calls by The Phuket News elsewhere confirmed that at the time of the murder L/Cpl Jakkrit was still serving as a Lance-Corporal with Border

Officials and workers clearing the seaweed on Patong Beach. Photo: Patong Municipality

Patong seaweed ‘safe’ says expert

Main: The scene of the fatal street shooting. Inset: Jakkrit Sangsaart, 23, from Chachoengsao, as pictured on his arrest warrant.

Patrol Police 425 unit, which is based in Phuket and which has been very active in making drug arrests in recent months.

The other suspect wanted for the slaying, named by police as Kongkiat Songkram, called Wichit Police and said he was going to surrender himself, but had yet to present himself in person, Col Nikorn explained on Monday.

At this stage, both men are facing a charge of murder for the slaying of Mr Theerasak, Col Nikorn said.

Both were named in arrest warrants issued last Saturday, he added.

Jakkrit has been released on “around” B400,000 bail, Col Nikorn noted.

Police are waiting in good faith that Kongkiat will still present himself.

“He said he was raising the money to post bail,” Col Nikorn said.

Kongkiat has already served a jail sentence for robbery in another province, he added.

“He was released not long ago,” he said.

Wichit Police are continuing their investigation into the murder, Col Nikorn said.

Maid hides meth haul in client’s house A N A NTI-NA RCOTICS TEA M LED

by Border Patrol Police have arrested a maid from Chalong who was hiding 2,600 methamphetamine (ya bah) pills and three kilograms of packed cannabis in a client’s home in Rawai.

Police explained in their report that the raid followed the arrest last Monday (Jan 14) of Yoh “Phen” Longor, who had been charged with possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell.

Yoh told police that she got the drugs from Wanli “Mai” Eadkerd, age 47, who cleans homes in Rawai for a living.

Yoh even told police of that exact address in Soi Yanui, in Saiyuan, Rawai, where they would find Wanli later that day.

The officers set up camp and kept the house under watch. The officers also brought the suspect Yoh with them to identify Wanli.

By 4:30pm Wanli arrived, as expected.

Undercover officers approached her and then identified themselves as police officers, and took Wanli to Chalong Police Station for questioning.

A subsequent search of the home found 2,600 ya bah pills hidden in a storeroom at the back of the house.

The pills were packed in 13 blue and black reusable plastic bags, which were covered with yellow paper embossed with “999”.

Each of the smaller blue and black reusable bags contained 198 orange pills and two green pills. The orange-coloured pills were embossed with the letters “WY”, police noted.

Police also found three one-kilo packs of cannabis. Each pack was wrapped in gold paper, and the three packs were all wrapped together in a green Kerry Express package, @thephuketnews

The drugs were found stashed at a house in Saiyuan, Rawai, that the maid was hired to clean. Photo: Border Patrol Police 425 police noted in their report.

Wanli confessed that the drugs were hers, and that she had sold drugs to Yoh. Wanli also told police that she had bought the ya bah pills from a couple she knew only as “Mr Chai” and “Miss Noo Lek” She said she did not know their whereabouts, but admitted that she had bought drugs from the couple three times. Each time, Mr Chai and Miss Noo Lek would tell her where to pick up the drugs.

Wanli also explained that she had bought the cannabis from a man through Facebook and had the drugs delivered by “a private transportation company”.

Wanli was charged with illegal possession of a Category 1 drug (methamphetamine) with intent to sell and illegal possession of a Category 5 drug (cannabis) with intent to sell, police confirmed.

Police noted that they are continuing their investigation into the drug supply chain for that network.

Eakkapop Thongtub

A MASS OF GREEN SEAweed that washed up on Patong Beach on Monday (Jan 21) is harmless, according to marine biologist Dr Jiraporn Charoenvattanaporn.

Over one kilometre of the seaweed was washed up on Patong Beach, sparking Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup to order a big clean-up operation.

The mayor led officials from the Department of Sanitary Engineering and the Ministry of Public Health to the beach where they found far greater than normal amounts of seaweed on the shore.

Officials began clearing up the seaweed on Monday and continued on Tuesday morning as Mayor Chalermluck ordered backhoe loaders to be brought in for the operation.

Dr Jiraporn Charoenvattanaporn, a marine biologist who specialises in the study of phytoplankton diversity and red tide phenomena at the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC), told The Phuket News, “The green seaweed on Patong beach is not harmful for the skin, although small marine organisms in seaweed could cause the skin to itch.

“Seaweed can rot and smell bad which is not nice for people on the beach. Removing the seaweed is a good short-term solution,” Dr Jiraporn said.

“The seaweed would have washed up on the beach due to strong waves tearing it off of the substrate on which it grows,” she added.

Tanyaluk Sakoot

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Quarantine zone enforced Officials, Soi Dog rally after Chalong dog dies of rabies The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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Jason Beavan 086 479 7471

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rabies quarantine zone has been established across a large section of Phuket as officials work alongside staffers from the Soi Dog Foundation to ensure against an outbreak of rabies.

The move follows confirmation that one dog in Moo 4 Chalong had died of the disease.

The zone boundaries stretch from Baan Ketho in Moo 7, Kathu in the north, to Baan Bang Khonthi in Moo 5, Rawai, in the south and from Baan Borrae in Moo 6, Wichit in the east to Wat Suwankhirikhet (Wat Karon) in Moo 1, Karon on Phuket’s southern west coast.

The quarantine zone was brought into effect last Thursday (Jan 17) by order of the Phuket Livestock Office Acting Chief Manat Thepparat.

The zone will remain in effect until Feb 16, Mr Manat told The Phuket News.

Several other dogs at Baan Na Yai Chalong have been isolated to monitor their condition as a precaution, he added.

“Please don’t panic. If you have any dogs or cats that have not yet been vaccinated against rabies, please have

The Soi Dog Foundation mobile clinic, which provides sterilisation and vaccination free of charge, has begun in Rawai. Photo: Soi Dog Foundation it done now,” Mr Manat said.

Soi Dog Foundation Founder John Dalley explained in a statement, “A dog was brought into Soi Dog by our dog catchers after it was reported to be vomiting and unable to stand.

“It received treatment for several days but did not respond, and symptoms of staggering and being unable to open its mouth, and head tilted to one side led our veterinary staff to suspect rabies as these are classic symptoms.

“The dog was euthanised and its body sent to the government testing laboratory. The result indicated that the

dog tested positive for rabies, the first positive case seen in a dog on Phuket for many years,” Mr Dalley noted.

The dog arrived at the foundation on Jan 3 and died on Jan 10. Confirmation that the dog had rabies became known only last Thursday (Jan 17), the foundation told The Phuket News.

Soi Dog are working closely with the Department of Livestock Development (DLD) to vaccinate all dogs within a five-kilometre radius of where the dog was picked up, he said.

“Soi Dog will focus on strays and the DLD on owned dogs. Five teams (two from DLD and three from Soi

Dog) are currently working in the project where the positive dog was found.

“There is no cause for alarm. We see numerous positive cases in dogs in Bangkok, but no human cases have occurred there in the past 12 months.

“The traditional picture of a rabid dog foaming at the mouth and attacking people is not a true picture, as with this dog,” Mr Dalley stressed.

Anybody being bitten by a dog at any time should always immediately wash the wound with soap and water and go along to their local clinic or hospital to receive the necessary injections, he urged.

Chalong Municipality, together with the Phuket Livestock Office and Soi Dog Foundation, provided free rabies vaccinations at specified locations throughout Chalong on Monday, and the SDF also set up its mobile clinic in front of the Wastewater Treatment plant beside Nai Harn Lake on Tuesday, where they are looking to provide free vaccinations and to sterilise up to 35 cats and dogs a day.

The clinic will be open from 8am5pm, Monday to Friday, through Feb 1.

For details about the anti-rabies campaign by Chalong Municipality, call 076-383775 or 065-6676100, or the Soi Dog Foundation at 076-681029.

The sausages from China contained the African Swine Fever virus. Photo: Kifo

Swine fever in China sausages PROCESSED PORK PRODucts seized from a Chinese tourist in Phuket last Wednesday (Jan 16) have been found to contain a viral strain of African Swine Fever (ASF) The sausages were seized from a man who flew from Chengdu to Phuket.

ASF is a fatal and incurable pig virus transmitted via direct contact with an infected animal.

Outbreaks have devastated pig industries in several countries.

In its current form, the virus is not transmissable to humans.

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

Opinion 6

OPINION

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

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EDITORIAL

Failing the water quality test

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KODCHANAT THINSEPON Editor

CHRIS HUSTED

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084 307 7408 execeditor@classactmedia.co.th Fifteen years working in news and covering local issues and events in Phuket, with 18-month hiatus spent working for the Brunei Times on Borneo. From Queensland, Australia; 10 years living in the UK before moving to Phuket in 2000. Degree in business management. Spare time spent sailing or with family.

PORIA MERMAND

News & Sport Editor

editor3@classactmedia.co.th From risk analyst to music producer to news editor, Poria has worked in various contrasting fields following his graduation from university. Growing up in central London before moving to Phuket in 2016, he has but one ambition, freedom.

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he water at Patong Beach is green again.

This time they’re calling it “seaweed”, just like they did more than 10 years ago.

There was nothing any officials could do to disguise this week’s recurrence of the annual “bloom”, when there is no surly southwest monsoon to flush the bay out. There it was being washed ashore in a great mass for all to see.

Dr Jiraporn Charoenvattanaporn, a marine biologist who specialises in the study of phytoplankton diversity and red tide phenomena at the Phuket Marine Biological Center, said plainly that the “seaweed” was pulled from its roots on the coastal seabed and washed up by strong waves. Only one problem with that: we’ve had no strong waves since Pabuk passed two weeks ago.

There was no mention of algae, no mention of elevated

Former freelance writer and editor for a music news and reviews website in the UK. Now turning her hobby into a career with The Phuket News and broadening her scope from music to, well, everything. Likes the weird and wonderful.

TANYALUK ‘MANGO’ SAKOOT

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ment, the local Environment office, the Marine Department, the mighty Department of Marine and Coastal Resources all have NEVER confirmed that the raw untreated sewage from the canal – which most hotels in the busy tourist town dump into – no longer flows into the bay.

We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: world-class destinations have the same problems; it’s what they do about it that makes the difference.

Only last week Hawaii closed 10 beaches due to excessive bacteria found in the beach water there. That’s all it takes, a conscience, or a legally enforced duty of care.

We all know what is happening at Patong Beach and what hotels, guesthouses and other businesses are dumping into the canal. Is just a modicum of honesty too much to ask?

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Rescue worker catches huge king cobra with bare hands Swedish tourist rescued at Patong Beach Snorkelling: safe or dangerous? It’s up to you Bad day in Phuket: Australian found hanged, Frenchman dies of heart attack Phuket Opinion: ‘Reviving’ drowning victims Man slain in Saphan Hin street shooting French tourist drowns in Surin Islands snorkelling trip Phuket officials, Soi Dog rally after dog rabies death Murder suspect wanted for Phuket land fraud Danish man dead after motorbike hits truck making U-turn

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY

AMY BRYANT

Lifestyle Editor

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levels of phospherous and nitrogen – as if to blind us with science that we don’t know what feces breaks down into once in water – and certainly no mention of the filthy canal that runs through the town and empties into Patong Bay at the southern end of the beach, right where the “seaweed” was found.

Dear Dr Jiraporn, it’s not the seaweed that we’re worried about – it’s the state of the water that prompted the “seaweed” to flourish. In a country full of farmers, everyone knows what helps a plant to grow.

We do feel sorry for Dr Jiraporn though, to put her credentials on the line for the sake of others who refuse to stand up and be held accountable for at least being honest. It is not her place to explain why untreated wastewater continues to flow.

To wit, Patong Municipality, the Pollution Control Depart-

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

Stayin’ alive

Re:‘Reviving’ drowning victims I’m a first aid instructor but I would never give CPR to someone in Thailand for one simple fact: Thailand is one of the few countries that doesn’t have a Good Samaritan law, meaning if you help someone and they have complications (whether it had anything to do with you trying to help) you are in legal jeopardy! I guess that’s why so many people just stand around taking pictures instead of helping.

Galong We have Hollywood to thank for images of people miraculously reviving after CPR. In real life all it does is keep oxygenated blood circulating in the victim’s body until more effective treatment can be given. But here in Thailand you take your freedom in your own hands since the victim or their family can sue you for damages if you try and help regardless of the outcome.

CaptainJack69 The more people that get taught to be first responders the better. Not just on the

beach but in all workplaces as you never know when or where accidents will happen.

Simon Lomas

the reef at low tide, pick free lobsters and take them home for dinner.

Wolfgang Riessbacher

More of this should be taught and also at school, and also basic first aid.

Nick Vanderzee

Keep it simple. If Thai officials know so exactly what brand sunscreens are harming the coral environment then forbid the Thai shops to sell them! Same as Singapore decades ago forbid chewing gum (made out of oil) to be sold. This matter really has to go to Thai Cabinet level?

Kurt

Coral values

Re: Sunscreen among contributing factors killing Phuket’s coral reefs Sun-protection creams, soaps, shampoos during boat trips or during fishing for all professional fishing boats without forgetting all boat crews cleaning the boat hulls on the beaches at low tide (Chalong Pier in late afternoon) with bleach and chemical detergent products are not good at all for marine life and coral reefs.

Asterix The coral used to span from Ao Yon all the way past Chalong Pier and along to Rawai in pristine condition!

It was not only the sunscreen which destroyed it, it was the dredging machines of the tin mining companies. Ask any of the old local people about it. They used to go down to

Ban the sale of toxic sunscreen then. Natural non-toxic products exist.

Marcus Cesare

High and dry

Re: Mains water supply outage announced They could hire a generator to run the pumps while the power is out… or maybe not…

Timothy Re: Cherng Talay goes on water rations I saw this coming long ago. The dam is being pumped dry. We had a lot of rain up until lately. All the small lakes in the area are full of

water. Where did they pump the millions of cubic meters of water? There are many big developments and condos being built… What’s going to happen when they are occupied and need water too?

Timothy

Oh, buoy

Re: New B25mn tsunamiwarning buoy ‘to be operational tomorrow’ In 2014, neither of the buoys were working. Well, at least station 23401 is sending data, but it’s useless if a tsunami comes from the Sakraekrang fault line.

Rorri_2 Re: US Govt shutdown prevents tsunami-warning buoy going live I wonder who would be responsible right now if something would happen?

BigA Why is such an expensive and important thing administrated from the USA? This should be in a foundation that is paid from all countries that use the service and not belong to any single country.

Thomas Weisser

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

THAILAND NEWS

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Cabinet approves price control at all hospitals NATIONWIDE

Campaigning for the general election is already underway. Photo: Bangkok Post

Decree spurs motion, election on March 24 NATIONWIDE Bangkok Post

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he general election will be held on March 24, the Election Commission announced on Wednesday afternoon (Jan 23).

EC chairman Itthiporn Boonprakong said commissioners had met and agreed on the date after a Royal Decree calling for the election of a new House of Representatives was published in the Royal Gazette on Wednesday morning.

Voters outside the country will be

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able to cast votes from March 4-16.

March 17 has been set for voters residing outside their electorates to cast their ballots.

The EC will forward its decision to the government, which will publish the dates in the Royal Gazette.

Candidates for election can apply for registration from Feb 4-8 and their names will be announced on Feb 15, the EC chief said.

The Royal Decree and poll date will also pave the way for four Cabinet ministers to resign from their portfolios as they have already formed the Palang Pracharath Party to contest the polls.

PM’s Office Minister Kobsak Pootrakool said last Friday (Jan 18) that he and other Palang Pracharath Party members in the Cabinet would find an appropriate date to step down.

Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana is the Palang Pracharath leader and Mr Kobsak is a spokesman. The other Cabinet members who set up the party are Science and Technology Minister Suvit Maesincee, who is the deputy party leader, and Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong, who is the party’s Secretary-General.

The general election will be the first since May 2014.

PRICES OF DRUGS, MEDIcal supplies and medical services will soon be overseen by a joint panel after the Cabinet approved adding them to the price control list on Tuesday (Jan 22).

Unlike other goods, the addition of these products to the list does not mean their prices would be capped, Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong said after the cabinet meeting.

“Medical care is quite different from other products and services whose prices can be fixed,” he explained.

Instead, a sub-committee will be set up to work out fair measures for all stakeholders, including people who may have to use the services at private hospitals from time to time, he said.

The panel will consist of representatives from the government – namely the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Public Health – insurers, private hospitals, consumers’ groups and the National Health Security Office, operator of universal health care programme, he added.

“Please don’t think the government is trying to cap the prices of medical services. Of some 50

Dr Pongpat Pathanwanit (right) and Dr Paiboon Eksaengsi, of the Private Hospital Association. items currently on the list, only sugar sees its price capped. The prices of other products are based on their real costs,” he said.

The Commerce Ministry earlier proposed the addition after receiving numerous complaints from the public about the high prices.

The Cabinet meeting did not lay down any special policy on the issue but wanted the subcommittee to introduce appropriate measures including price displays on websites, he said.

The measures would be proposed to a central committee on product and service prices in the near future, the commerce minister said.

The management of private hospitals, through the Private Hospital Association, expressed their disagreement on the price control initiative, saying they deserved the right to set their own prices because they had invested in the hospitals. Bangkok Post

8

THAILAND NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Wild elephants kill Murder pineapple farmer

suspect wanted for Phuket land fraud

CHACHOENGSAO WILD ELEPHANTS ARE believed to have pulled a man from a small hut in a pineapple field and stomped him to death.

Searchers found the broken body of Ek Homhuan, 73, outside a hut in a pineapple field at Ban Khao Kluay Mai in Tha Takiab district, near Khao Ang Ruenai Wildlife Sanctuary, on Monday (Jan 21).

A villager informed police and park officials he had heard elephants entering the village, followed by a man shouting in fear, late last Sunday night.

A search on Monday led to the discovery of the man’s body in a pineapple field, about 20 metres from a small hut.

Poj Maj Col Suraphisit Maingam, duty officer at Tha Takiab, said evidence found at the scene indicated elephants may have used their trunks to pull Ek from the hut.

An examination of the body found his skull was crushed and there was severe bruising over his body.

It looked like he had been stomped to death.

RANONG

Bangkok Post

The body of Ek Homhuan was found in his pineapple field in Tha Takiab district of Chachoengsao on Monday (Jan 21). He was killed by wild elephants pillaging his fruit crop overnight. Photo: Bangkok Post Villagers said Ek had gone to sleep in the hut to guard his crop against thieves, animal and human.

His body was sent for a full autopsy at Tha Takiab Hospital.

Col Suraphisit said he was informed by the park that three elephants could have been involved, but after feeding they had returned to the sanctuary.

Villages around Khao Ang Rue Nai are frequently raided by wild elephants coming down from the mountain in search of food.

Bangkok Post

A

man accused of murdering his wife and four in-laws in Uttaradit allegedly also swindled almost B30mn from a priest who served as the rector of a Catholic college in Chon Buri.

Police looking into the origins of Teerapon Pinanon’s wealth found he stands accused of duping Chaiyo Kitsakul, 66, a priest he had known for several years, into lending him B29.86mn to help clear a case involving the sale of land in Phuket.

The money was never repaid and Teerapon did not own the land, according to a police complaint filed by the priest.

Teerapon, 37, was arrested in Kra Buri district of Ranong near the Myanmar border on Tuesday morning last week (Jan 15) by a team of police and soldiers after fleeing Uttaradit.

His mother-in-law, Namphueng Kingkaew, and her two elder sisters, Nampha and

Teerapon Pinamon with his wife, Kanyarat Kingkaew, in an undated photo released by police.

Kanokwan Inthasit, were shot dead on Jan 13 at a house in Phichai district in Uttaradit.

Teerapon’s wife, Kanyarat Kingkaew, and his father-inlaw, Wirat Kingkaew, were killed shortly after at another house nearby.

Two other men were also wounded at the second house.

The suspect was released from jail after serving time for drug offences before he

met his wife. Witnesses told police he told his wife he had made a lot of money investing in stocks.

Police learned that Teerapon had driven to see the 66-year-old priest at Darasamut School in Sri Racha district, Chon Buri, last year.

Teerapon allegedly told the priest he had sold land he owned in Phuket, about 10 rai, for B35mn, but the money had

been frozen by authorities because his relatives faced drug charges. Teerapon produced land documents in his name and persuaded Mr Chaiyo to lend him B29.86mn. When he was due to pay back the money, Teerapon kept postponing payment and then disappeared.

A l a r m e d , t h e p r ie s t checked with the Phuket land office, which told him that Teerapon was not the owner of the land he claimed to have sold.

The priest then filed a complaint with Sri Racha police, accusing Teerapon of swindling him out of the money, the reports said.

In Uttaradit last Wednesday (Jan 16), police made Teerapon re-enact his alleged crime.

Pol Col Thapset Khuenkaew, chief investigator of Uttaradit, said the re-enactment took place at the provincial police office instead of tambon Phayaman in Phichai district, where the murders occurred, because police feared the victims’ relatives and friends would attack him.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

BUSINESS NEWS

9

Hotels lured to cut plastic use TAT jumps on board with incentives of government promotions TOURISM

What’s wrong with this picture?

Photo: Toa Heftiba

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

• Reduce plastic packaging used for bathroom amenities.

• Reduce the use of plastic bags in hotel rooms (laundry or trash bin).

• Use local products made with biodegradable packaging materials.

• Reduce plastic water bottles; use reusable containers instead, especially for meetings and seminars.

• No plastic straws.

• Self-service corner for coffee/tea breaks during meetings and seminars.

• Reduce single use plastic food or drink containers.

• Separate trash bins on beach areas adjacent to hotels.

• Create a sustainable ‘no plastic’ rate card for meetings and weddings customers.

• Separate waste at the hotel.

• Organise all departments within the hotel to reduce plastic.

T

he Thai Hotels Association (THA) is joining the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in its ongoing effort aimed at reducing the use of plastic.

Various campaigns will encourage hotels, both THA members and independent Thai hotels, to reduce singleuse plastic plus motivate tour companies, travel agencies and online travel agencies to support participating hotels that are part of this project.

TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said, “We look forward to working closely with the THA on this important project. Thai hotels can play an important role both in raising awareness among their guests and reducing plastic waste in daily hotel operations.”

The TAT will support all participating hotels at their participation in trade shows, such as the ITB, TTM, WTM, among others.

Also, the TAT will invite

@thephuketnews

The joint effort will invoke 12 preliminary guidelines for participating hotels to follow:

and support green-friendly operators that meet core criteria to join trade shows and roadshows.

The joint effort between TAT and THA marks the first step under TAT’s collaboration initiative with various stakeholders signed in July last year, said the TAT in a release on Tuesday (Jan 22).

Other public and private

sector partners joining in TAT’s reducing tourismrelated waste initiative include the THA, the Expedia Group, Tourism Council of Thailand, Siam Piwat Retail and Development Company, Chao Phraya River tourismrelated businesses including ICONSIAM, Nonthaburi Municipality, plus other local communities in Bangkok.

“All pledge to raise environmental awareness while encouraging other tourismrelated businesses to support their initiative,” said the release.

The THA is one of several tourism-related bodies that signed a memorandum of understanding with the TAT last July to reduce single-use plastic materials by 50% by

2020 under a campaign called the ‘National Cleaning Declaration’.

Further, the names of the hotels will be published and promoted through public relations media of the TAT and the THA, and the certification can be used for other environmental assessment standards.

THA president Supawan Tanomkieatipume said that under the Thai Hotels PlasticFree Project there are several requirements for hotels to follow, such as reducing the use of plastic containers and replacing them with locally made biodegradable products instead.

Other key conditions include cutting the use of plastic bottles and drinking straws in hotels and using a cooler to provide drinking water for guests or participants in the seminar room.

The idea is to handle plastic materials at all stages, from use in restaurants and hotels to plastic rubbish awaiting disposal, reported the Bangkok Post.

Furthermore, building awareness of reduced plastic

use among hotel workers, clients and owners will be carried out.

Mrs Supawan said legal hotel operators can apply for the project from now to Dec 31. More details are available at www.thaihotels.org.

Mr Yuthasak voiced confidence that the project could help reduce plastic waste at hotel properties and tourism destinations, and that tourism service providers could use the campaign as a selling point because many tourists, especially Europeans, are concerned about environmental protection.

Thailand has huge amounts of plastic waste. The country’s 66 million people use two plastic bags a day on average, according to the Plastics Institute of Thailand.

Thailand received about 38mn foreign visitors last year and aims to receive 40.5mn this year. Mrs Supawan said the waiver of the B2,000 fee for visa on arrival for 21 nations until the end of April will boost arrivals for next month to 3.8mn, up from 3.5mn last year.

10 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

PTA goes on show in India India predicted to become Phuket’s top source market by 2022 TOURISM The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he Phuket Tourist Association (PTA) held a tourism and travel trade roadshow in India last week to drive the number of visitors from the subcontinent to Phuket on holidays.

The roadshow, supported in budget by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO, or OrBorJor) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office, was held in Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai from Jan 15-18.

The tour also saw the delegation present Phuket at the “South Asia’s Leading Travel show (SATTE) 2019” and the “India Expo Mart” held in New Delhi.

Inspiring the delegation to present Phuket and its attractions as a destination to tourism and travel operators in India were the recent launch of the first-ever direct flights between India and Phuket late last year.

The number of direct

The roadshow also saw the delegation present Phuket at the ‘South Asia’s Leading Travel show (SATTE) 2019’ and the ‘India Expo Mart’ held in New Delhi. Photo: PR Dept flights have grown to now see Go Air providing five flights per week and Indigo Airlines operating eight flights a week between Delhi and Phuket.

Sukris Koyakradej, a PTA executive committee member, said the roadshow presented 10 tourism operators from Phuket to local tourism operators in the major Indian cities.

‘‘These ten operators have been very successful in opening up Phuket to the Indian tourism market,” he said.

“With India having a population of about 1.3 billion, tourists from India have the potential to make Phuket’s tourism industry bustling again,” he added.

PTA President Sathirapong

Na Takuatoong noted, “At present, there are many forms of tourists from India, such as FITs (free independent travellers), groups visiting by themselves (not as package tours), as well as the seminar market and groups coming for weddings.

“In 2018, there were 400 Indian weddings held in Thai-

land, with each wedding event seeing between B40-80 million spent on average,” he added.

“The Indian market is still being considered as a ‘new’ market after China. However, at present, Indian tourists are ranked number one in terms of tourism spending,” Mr Sathirapong said.

According to the Ministry of Tourism & Sports (MoTS) report for November 2018 (currently the latest figures available on the MoTS website), a total of 141mn visitors from India arrived in Thailand in November 2018 alone, a 19.89% increase year on year.

In terms of generating revenue, the Indian market generated B6.36bn in November, a 23.48% increase year on year.

According to the statistics, Indian tourists on average are spending B22,000 per person during their visit to Thailand.

“We expect this to grow even more,” Mr Sathirapong said.

Sakchai Chaowai, PPAO Vice Chairman, rated the SATTE event as an “ideal

opportunity” for Phuket tourism operators to present their products and services.

“We had the chance to present unique Thai culture, traditions, food and various tourist attractions,” he said.

“At the moment, the number of Indian tourists travelling to Phuket are increasing to the point that one in every five tourists staying at each hotel in Phuket arrived from India.

“This includes family groups, businessmen, MICE groups and married couples with high-spending behaviour,” Mr Sakchai added.

“We expect that the trend of tourists from India will increase to become Phuket’s number one tourist by 2022,” he said.

“From the statistics of the Ministry of Tourism, the Indian market group is an interesting customer segment because there is a high growth rate of purchasing power and we now have direct flights from India.

“This will have a positive effect on tourism to Phuket,” Mr Sakchai said.

Laguna launches new ‘resort villas’ PROPERTY L AG U N A P RO P E RT Y has launched its all-new resort investment property, Dusit Laguna Resort Villas Phuket. Developed by Laguna Phuket and managed by Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, the latest waterfront property is launched with only 22 twoand three-bedroom villas nestled between a lagoon and the beach in the heart of Laguna Phuket.

The Dusit Laguna Resort Villas Phuket are integrated into a proven rental program that allows owners to maximise returns by having their villa professionally managed by Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, part of Thailand’s award-winning hotel chain with luxury hotels and resorts throughout the Kingdom, as well as overseas.

“Laguna Phuket has been redefining resort living for over three decades and Dusit Thani Group has been synonymous with world-class hospitality for over 50 years.

Together, we are proud to create a product that offers an excellent combination of financial and lifestyle returns for homeowners,” said Stuart

The Dusit Laguna Resort Villas Phuket, developed by Laguna Phuket and managed by Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket.

Reading, Head of Banyan Tree Group Property.

The three-storey properties feature private rooftop pools with views over the Andaman Sea or the sparkling lakes that define Laguna Phuket.

The stylish interiors of the villas create an ambience of a sophisticated yet informal tropical lifestyle in the carefree environment of an island residence.

Occupying the entire ground floor, the dining and living spaces have direct access to a private open air garden courtyard with lagoon view. The rooftop, complete with an infinity-edge pool, an outdoor shower and a sundeck with sun loungers, rounds off the inspiring features.

Buyers of Dusit Laguna Resort Villas Phuket receive a share of the room revenue generated from their property.

They also enjoy complimentary personal use of up to 60 days per year, adding a significant lifestyle return on the overall investment.

A host of privileges and rewards also await buyers, including complimentary membership to The Sanctuary Club, which provides access to a large portfolio of properties within the Banyan Tree network worldwide.

Dusit Resort Villas Phuket homeowners can exchange part of their annual entitlement for a complimentary stay at any destination within The Sanctuary Club network.

The Phuket News thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

A break for coffee and cake in Karon

14

Artist returns with exhibition ‘Existence’

15

BRAIN SAILING

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Ocean waves and brainwaves with Yassine Darkaoui The Laser dinghy was designed with simplicity and performance in mind. Photo: Pxhere

Amy Bryant editor1@classactmedia.co.th

I

often feel that I haven’t quite landed in Phuket. Almost daily I’m fortunate enough to meet some of the remarkable, accomplished individuals that call the island home. These “pinch me” encounters leave ideas and plans bouncing around my brain, like a frantic game of Breakout on an Atari, without much time to fully process them.

A recent afternoon spent with Yassine Darkaoui, or Yass, was no different.

The 40-year-old Moroccan entrepreneur has restlessly pursued a host of different projects since he relocated to Phuket in 2011, his most recent being ‘Always Higher 4.0’. The aim: to set a world record sailing his Laser dinghy 500 miles, or 800 kilometres, in the Gulf of Thailand.

However, over an hour passes before we even touch on this project. Instead, Yass and I get wrapped up in the science of binaural beats and isochronic tones, two sorts of meditative therapies in which sounds of differing frequencies are played to listeners in order to stimulate their brain’s electrical activity and alter their mental state.

He has created an application of selfdesigned sounds to aid mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, encourage creativity and even stimulate natural highs. The app is yet to be launched but he has great faith in its success, believing it could be as, if not more, popular than the mindfulness movement.

Intrigued, I don Yass’ noise-cancelling headphones, close my eyes and let my brainwaves meet ‘Kishuman’, a track designed to build tolerance to stress. The baseline is made up of pulsating, repetitive vibrations interspersed with the occasional chime of a town hall clock. It’s more ominous than I expected but quite hypnotic too. Ironically, the anxiety of being stripped of two of my senses whilst sitting in a café surrounded by strangers means I can’t relax enough to feel the desired effects.

I get the idea, though.

Yass’ tracks are self-produced and he’s been known to put himself into difficult and uncomfortable situations in order to create the conditions, or states of mind, necessary to test them.

Yass’ interest in psychology spans @thephuketnews

Yass in his happy place decades. During struggles with addiction in Morocco, he often found himself an observer, studying the unusual behaviour of those around him.

“There’s a kind of irony in the name ‘Always Higher 4.0’,” he says. “It’s about the real high. The one without any side effects. The good one. A natural high by doing what you like,” he adds.

His darker days of addiction are far behind him now and we don’t linger on the topic for long. It’s evident that he’s a different person now. Yass 4.0.

Born and raised in the Moroccan coastal city of Tangiers, Yass is no stranger to the sea. There he was a member of the Moroccan National Laser Team. Here he spent 77 hours sailing, unofficially breaking the world record for the longest time spent in a Laser dinghy and the Asian record for the furthest distance sailed in a Laser dinghy. It was also the second furthest distance sailed in a Laser dinghy in the world.

His newest world record-breaking attempt will see him sail between Hua Hin, Chonburi and Koh Chang across four to six days in a small sailing dinghy. The route and timings are all dependent on weather and sea conditions.

He will go armed with a desalination

kit (to make seawater drinkable), nuts, leaves, roots, animal fat, soy sauce (to garnish any fish he catches) and a tracking device. He has two sponsors and awaits one more to get on board before he can travel to Hua Hin, train then set sail to make history.

Preparation of both mind and body is key ahead of such an arduous journey. Alongside a punishing fitness regime and strict diet, he is practising meditation using his own app. He will make use of it en route too in order to ensure the few hours of sleep he gets each day are deep and restful and to stave off the hallucinations of 12-hour looping ringtones and multi-headed monsters he experienced on his last record-breaking attempt.

Yass acts out the imaginary beast that taunted him as well as the other harrowing, painful experiences he has endured throughout his nautical career.

He is spilling over with stories, theories, observations.

Fifteen dislocations. Eight teeth knocked out. Hallucinations. Exhaustion. Near-drowning. Such intense chafing he couldn’t sit down for a week.

I had to ask, why? Why the gruelling self-set challenges? Why the risk of the above or worse?

“This is a process that will never end. We can always learn about ourselves. The more fears and limitations we remove, the more we get in touch with the source of who we are,” he answers.

On that inspiring note, we leave the café and wander down Thalang Rd past colourful heritage buildings, stopping to browse trinket stalls. Then Yass starts to whistle. It’s light, cheerful and sounds a little like birdsong, like it should greet Snow White in the morning.

“That’s our conversation today but in song,” he says.

He whistles again.

“That’s your walk but in song.”

I must look blank.

“If aliens come, how will we communicate in a common language? It’ll have to be in song. Music is timeless and universal,” he explains.

Come space invasion, I hope aliens meet Yass first. There might just be some method in – what may appear to be – his madness.

If you are interested in becoming Yass’ third sponsor, or for more information, go to www.facebook.com/alwayshigher4.0, www.alwayshigher.asia or email him at extremdinghy@gmail.com

12 ART

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Theatre at a moment’s notice The power of ‘Yes, and…’

THE PLAY’S THE THING! Joel Adams

S

ome of you will see ‘yes, and...’ and know immediately what I’ll be talking about in this month’s article. For those of you who are as yet uninitiated, I am referring to the foundation stones of one of my favourite forms of theatre: improv. Improv is short for ‘improvisational theatre’, theatre that is unscripted and made up on the spot. One of the most exciting things about improv is that no two shows are alike.

But what does ‘yes, and…’ have to do with improv? Before I explain, let’s explore how improvisational theatre actually got started.

It’s presently undergoing a tremendous revival, having slowly reemerged in the early 20th century in both America and England, and then snowballed in the last half of the century. Improv theatres and theatre groups are springing up all over the world: across the US; across Europe; even in Bangkok, Phnom Penh and now Phuket. Howev-

er, it’s much older than a mere hundred years. The earliest theatre we know of involving improvised comedy is the Atellan Farce dating back to 391 BCE in Rome. The first concerted attempt to build a professional improvisational comedy theatre troupe took place in the 16th century in Renaissance Italy, and Commedia Dell’Arte was born.

Commedia performed improvised plays around a lineup of stock characters and familiar situations with lots of slapstick, mime and running jokes.

Each character, with the exception of the ‘lover characters’, wore stylised masks, and they all had special movements and characteristics. Commedia was extremely popular, its influence on theatre felt right up to the present day. We see elements of Commedia in the plays of Moliere and Shakespeare, in many operas and in such characters as Charlie Chaplin’s Gentleman Tramp and Buster Keaton’s sad sack underdog hero.

In modern times, around the turn of the 20th century, improvisation was used extensively by the great Russian director, actor and theatrical entrepreneur Konstantin Stanislavski.

However, Stanislavski used improv as a tool to help actors in their scripted

A Commedia dell’Arte troupe performing sometime between 1630 and 1640.

roles, not as a performance piece in itself.

It was in the 1920s that the vaudevillian performer Dudley Riggs was credited with being the first actor to ask for audience suggestions to improvise sketches onstage. Starting in the 1940s and continuing to the 1960s, Viola Spolin developed hundreds of improvisation exercises that are now codified in her book Improvisation for the Theatre, called ‘the Bible of Improvisation’ by some. Her work led to the foundation of Second City Theatre in Chicago under the leadership of her son, Paul Sills, and from there improv burgeoned in many directions.

Many of the original comedians of Saturday Night Live came from Second City; people like Mike Myers, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Dan Akroyd and John Belushi. Keith Johnstone, an improviser in England, created Theatre Sports, a competitive improvisational event that has become very popular today.

Today, when we think of improv, we often think of Whose Line Is It Anyway? Drew Carey and his team were extremely funny. That show did only short-form sketches, but there are troupes who perform long-form improv, which to me is very fascinating; an entire play created on the spot from audience suggestions. Often these are very funny, but they can also be serious and highly poignant. In the words of one of the earliest long-form improvisers and the creator of the form called The Harold, Del Close, “You don’t always have to be funny, but you always have to be interesting.”

And what could be more interesting than seeing theatre that is made up by a team of actors who get their ideas from the audience? Just think, what

you are watching and/or performing is being created at that precise moment and will never ever be done again. And you were part of that creative process.

Oh, yes. I almost forgot. What do we mean by ‘yes, and…’? In short, whatever you receive from your fellow actors, you say, “Yes” to and then add on, building a story together as a team to the delight of your audience.

(Yes,) The story is not built if an actor denies: “Hi, Mum. What’s for dinner?”

“I’m not your mother.”

(And…) The story is not built if you don’t add something: “Let’s go swimming.”

“Good idea.”

Rather than: “Good idea, can I bring my pet elephant along?”

That’s what we mean by ‘yes, and…’

It’s that simple and so much fun.

And now for the best news. OUTTA THE BOX, Theatrix’s improv team, will be performing an evening of improv comedy theatre at Shanti Lodge in Chalong tomorrow (Jan 26) starting at 7:30pm for just B150. This is part of a monthly series of improv nights now in planning. It’s interactive, never the same twice and lots of fun for performers and audience alike.

And that’s not all. On Valentine’s Day (Feb 14), LOVE BITES, a dinner theatre evening of comic plays on love and marriage, also at Shanti Lodge, will be on the boards from Theatrix!

Contact Theatrix or Shanti Lodge or look for details coming soon.

Joel Adams is building a vibrant theatre community right here in Phuket.

You can contact him at theatrixphuket@ gmail.com or by phone on 093 6490066.

Facebook: Theatrix Group

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CULTURE 13

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

East meets West. Photo: Pete Johnson / Pexels

Learning on the go. Photo: Pxhere

Punishing Rewards Eastern teachers and Western students mix like oil and water ALL ABOUT BUDDHISM Jason A. Jellison mitnoy@live.com

T

his year, it is expected that over 30 million tourists will come to Thailand. If you’re a tourist reading this, then chances are you’re thinking at least a little bit about extending your stay. If you’re like some of us expats in Thailand, you might even be thinking about making that stay permanent.

Some intrepid tourists have asked: Could I become a Buddhist monk in Thailand? The honest answer is: ‘Yes, but...’

Yes, we at all times have a few dozen foreign monks somewhere in Thailand and yes, there are a very modest number of foreigners who have done it, so you can certainly do it too.

However, it is a process that is little understood by the outside world and ordination is fraught with highly unusual challenges. I’ll leave the specifics of monastic life to another article, but in order to understand the life of a foreign monk, it might help if you had a general Thai frame of reference.

Historically, Thailand has been well over 90% Buddhist. In agricultural times, it was common for men to ordain as a monk during the off season in order to accrue good merit for their families. At this time, a woman could also ordain as a nun.

However, times changed. The Buddhist Order of Nuns was wiped out about 1,000 years ago and it is no longer possible to ordain as a Buddhist nun in Thailand. (Although I understand that women can ordain in China and the West.)

Today, seasonal ordination has largely given way to more modern practices. Thai temples, seemingly superannuated by time, often sojourn in the shadows of modern skyscrapers and it has become common for many modern Thai men to ordain for just a week or two in order to make merit for their families.

However, those wishing to @thephuketnews

be foreign monks face a slew of challenges. Immigration is usually not a problem, but many temples will not ordain someone that they do not know.

In addition, Thai people spend many years learning the complicated chanting that is involved with normal ceremonies. My temple had Sunday school for juvenile chanting, and a foreign monk would probably need to be paired with a Thai monk who knows Sanskrit, Pali, Thai and English, and such a person is not to be found just hanging out at your local store.

The biggest problem over the long haul will be what I call ‘punishing rewards’, the human costs of the tremendous cultural differences between Eastern teachers and Western students.

Thais have not historically been raised to find information independently. Indeed, Thai students are famed for rote learning and this has proved to be a major handicap for many Western students.

What is more, Thai Buddhist gurus may not understand just how much really will be lost in translation between the translating monks and the intended foreign recipient. It is not the same, especially when you are talking about four very estranged languages.

This loss in translation often causes a somewhat constricted flow of information because the student rarely understands everything. This, of course, leads to the student yearning to understand more.

Yet, it is frequently a mortal sin for novice monks to listen to speeches on Buddhism that have been recorded by someone other than their primary teacher. In historical Thailand, a novice frequently committed to only one teacher until Enlightenment was obtained, a process that routinely spanned many years.

This system has worked well for many novice Thai monks who are trying to avoid unorthodox sources of information, but might be the worst possible system for a foreign monk studying in modern times.

Unfortunately, some Thai monks are simply unable to understand that Buddhist talks recorded in native

English are critical to filling in the gaps that a translator cannot.

So, if you want to be a foreign monk in Thailand then, by all means, I say carpe diem and go for it. The journey into Thai Buddhism will be a Bodhi tree that bears much rewarding fruit, but rarely will reaching that fruit come easy.

In the end, do not be surprised if you find that you have inadvertently stumbled upon a land of punishing rewards.

All About Buddhism is a monthly column in The Phuket News where I take readers on my exotic journey into Thai Buddhism and debunk a number of myths about Buddhism. If you have any specific queries, or ideas for articles, please let us know.

Email editor1@classactmedia. co.th, and I will do my best to accommodate your interests.

14 COMMUNITY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

A good day starts at Mr.Coffee CAFE SOCIETY

Amy Bensema bensema.amy@gmail.com

A

charming venue with seating for 20 guests, Mr.Coffee is an Italian-owned coffee shop and bakery located on Patak Rd in Karon. Offering a varied menu of breakfasts and sandwiches, plus a spectacular display case of freshly baked pastries and delicious cakes, it’s an excellent place to stop off for a bite to eat before heading to Karon Beach.

Mr.Coffee is a breezy little coffee

shop and bakery that radiates good vibes. A favourite amongst expats in the Karon area, the cafe buzzes with friendly conversation and laughs. The atmosphere is really warm and inviting, and I already like the place before I even sit down.

The owners have done really well with transforming a small space into a lovely gem. The open plan design suits the coffee shop and bakery really well, and the white interiors give the cafe real depth. There’s an outdoor terrace with lots of tropical green plants, and a small urban garden where various herbs and vegetables, used in creating dishes on the menu, are grown.

The focal points of the coffee shop and bakery are the wooden display case loaded with fresh pastries and the cake fridge next to it. The display case is piled high with various pastries and breads, while the cake fridge features the cafe’s signature mango passionfruit cheesecake and a rich chocolate lava cake as well. All of the Italian breads, croissants, pastries and cakes are made from scratch by the owners. Baked daily on-site, there are no preservatives or chemicals in any of the homemade items at Mr.Coffee.

While the menu features classic breakfast favourites such as mushroom and cheese omelettes, fried eggs with bacon and both English and American breakfasts, it’s the more creative items on the menu that capture my attention. Recommendations include

the tuna croissant sandwich and the vegetarian focaccia. Fresh and tasty, the sandwiches really hit the spot and make for a wonderful lunchtime treat.

For those who have a sweet tooth, the assortment of freshly baked cakes and pastries are sure to please. The cinnamon roll is sweet and moreish, and the perfect accompaniment to a piping hot, frothy cappuccino. The chocolate chip cookies are soft and moist, while the chocolate lava cake is rich and decadent. Make sure to try the signature mango passionfruit cheesecake. Light and bursting with tropical flavours, the cheesecake is simply delicious.

In addition to the robust coffee menu, Mr.Coffee also features an assortment of other beverages.

For those hosting a special occasion, such as an anniversary or a birthday, customised cakes can be ordered. Let the staff know at least 24 hours in ad-

vance so they can make preparations.

Mr.Coffee is open daily from 8am to 4pm. The Italian coffee shop and bakery has free WiFi and is located within close proximity to Karon Beach. Do stop in next time you’re in the area and let the lovely owners, Lucas and Zuzana, know that you found out about their cafe here.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Mr.coffe phuket Instagram: www.instagram.com/mr_ coffee_phuket Written by Amy Bensema, Cafe Society is a monthly column which chronicles one girl’s search for the perfect cup of coffee. Have a cafe to recommend? Contact Amy via email at bensema.amy@gmail.com or follow her caffeinated adventures as @ phukestagram on Instagram.

thephuketnews

‘Existence’ THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Artist Robin Gillow’s exhibition puts life in the picture

EVENTS 15

LIFE’S EDGE.

The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

I

t’s been a while since Robin Gillow last exhibited her drawings and paintings in Phuket. Wellknown for her work both locally and internationally, ‘Existence’ is her first exhibition following a five-year break from painting after her husband Kevin, known on the local sailing circuit, suffered a stroke in 2014. Fortunately, Kevin’s health has steadily improved and Robin has once again been afforded the luxury of studio time in her self-designed container home.

Robin, born and married in South Africa, headed to Australia with Kevin in 1983, a move that saw the couple add a daughter and their beloved yacht Poco to the family. A number of years sailing between Australia, Africa and Asia followed, enabling Robin to exhibit her work far and wide, picking up commissions en route.

‘Existence’ is Robin’s ninth exhibition in Phuket and those who follow the artist will easily recognise her style and depiction of her subjects. That’s not to say that new surprises won’t be on display, though.

“My style changes with my mood, the subject matter, the light available at the time I am painting or simply whatever medium I have on hand at that moment,” Robin says.

“My work varies from total realism – particularly with my animal or human portraiture – to impressionism,” she adds.

A tribute to Robin’s revived life as an artist, as well as life in general, ‘Existence’ promises to suit all manner of creative tastes. There are a few of her much loved graphite drawings, pen and ink drawings, a number of oil paintings and her ever-interesting collages, all with their added ‘Gillow’ touch.

Most intriguing of all, though, are her abstract works and use of oil pastel on canvas, the latter being the newest

@thephuketnews

Robin is renowned for her equine portraiture.

RETROSPECTION in a VASE. addition to the artist’s creative palette.

One of the larger works and more abstract pieces on display is ‘ADRIFT’.

Completed earlier this year, it expresses Robin’s emotions when the opportunity resurfaced for her to paint again.

“With my husband’s continued health improvement, I could float free from the restrictions the situation had placed on us as a family and create again,” Robin says.

“There is more to this work, but I leave you, the viewer, to contemplate its full meaning,” she adds.

One of Robin’s more realist works, titled ‘LIFE’S EDGE’, was coincidentally completed the day of her husband’s stroke. Not one to dwell on the negative, she instead sees this piece as having taken on further meaning; as a beginning rather than a loss or ending; the ebb and flow of the tide bringing new life.

It will be a while before Phuket residents and tourists will have a chance to view Robin’s work again as the latter half of 2019 will see Robin and her husband returning to Australia for several years. While there, Robin will prepare work for a number of exhibitions along the east coast (from Queensland south to Melbourne, Victoria).

She will also return to animal portraiture, in particular equine por-

traiture, one of her favourite creative past-times for which she is renowned in Australia, South Africa and Kenya.

These works will depict the stud farms – racing or otherwise – event venues and the horses themselves, her aim being to both publish a book of the works as well as exhibit the collection before returning to Thailand in a few years’ time.

‘Existence’ will be on display at Mom Tri’s Wok Gallery Kitchen, located at 32/78 Patak Rd, Rawai, between Feb 1 and March 31.

For more information, or for an appointment to visit the studio, contact the artist directly on +(66) (0) 81 797 1421 or at robinzart@gmail.com

16 DINING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Thai tapas with a modern twist

Iron Chef Thailand winner tantalises your taste buds at JW Marriott The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

J

W Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa is honoured to bring chef Prasertchai Trongvanichnam, also known as Chef Jack, Chef de Cuisine of Flavors restaurant at Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, to Phuket.

Chef Jack recently won the prestigious title of ‘Iron Chef Thailand’ after appearing on the television competition. The award-winning chef is ready to excite the palates of diners with his exceptional modern Thai dishes at an upcoming Marriott guest chef’s pop-up event ‘Thai Tapas with a Modern Twist’ which is taking place from Feb 4-7 at Ginja Taste restaurant and Ginja Cook cooking school.

The programmes for the extraordinary cooking and dining experience are as follows: Feb 4-7 from 6pm: Tantalise your taste buds with a mouthwatering Thai tapas with a modern twist. Select either the six or 10-course set menu created by chef Jack, the Iron Chef Thailand champion.

The Thai tapas dégustation menu features stunning dishes revolving around the theme of molecular gastronomy and

Crispy pork belly, steamed kale, turnip and chili pesto. there’s a story behind each course. The sampling menu includes: ceviche-flamed tuna topped with coconut drops, lemongrass and onion powder and mint gel; 24-hour sous-vide black Angus (grassfed) short ribs, massaman crusted and coconut gnocchi; truffle potato in mushroom dust and pumpkin puree; crispy pork belly, steamed kale, turnip and chili pesto; and butterfly pea granita, to name a few.

A dinner is not complete without desserts. Chef Jack offers a choice of chili and chocolate sphere with pineapple tex-

Chef Prasertchai Trongvanichnam. tures or mango sticky rice.

Attendance to the event costs B2,800++ per person for the six-course set menu and B3,500++ per person for the 10-course set menu.

The Iron Chef Thailand winner’s à la carte menu is also available at Ginja Taste, JW Marriott Phuket’s Thai restaurant.

Feb 5 from 11am-2pm: Chef Jack will hold a live cooking demonstration at Ginja Cook followed by a three-course Thai molecular tapas menu.

Highlights include: miang kam foie gras; tom yum espuma; and inked barramundi and sea grape seaweed. This intimate cooking class is limited to just 10 seats.

Price is B2,400++ per person for food only.

For more information or for reservations, kindly contact the Food & Beverage dining experience team.

Tel +66 (0)76 338 000 Email: fbdiningexperience@marriotthotels.com

thephuketnews

18 KIDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Birthday Baz with his daughter Libby

ISLAND SCENE 19

Joel, Jazon, Miki and David

BICYCLING BAZ CELEBRATES 70TH WITH A BIRTHDAY BASH TO REMEMBER Surprise! Baz Daniel, regular contributor to The Phuket News and well-known long-term Phuket expat, held his 70th birthday celebrations at Land & Houses Park on Jan 18. The night saw lake views, a seafood buffet, live music, risqué speeches and a portrait painted by the talented Watcharin Rodnit - and a lot of fun! Well done, Baz!

Zoey (left) and Pimporn (right) of Holiday Inn Resort Phuket with Teerayut (middle) of Phuket.net

We have a winner! Kim of Hana Tour with Wirapol of Holiday Inn Resort Phuket

HOLIDAY INN PHUKET THROWS ‘THANK YOU PARTY’ FOR TRAVEL AGENTS The Holiday Inn Resort Phuket and Sea Breeze Cafe team members were pleased to welcome travel agents to their ‘Thank You Party 2019’ on Jan 18. The exclusive evening gave the resort and its partners the opportunity to meet up and dine together. There were a lot of wonderful prizes for the lucky draw, food and beverage vouchers, Tea Tree Spa vouchers and hotel gift vouchers.

The happy couple

Proud family gathered round to celebrate

A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN: TAE AND MILK’S WEDDING A CLASS ACT Nited Manee (Tae), Graphic Designer at Class Act Media, and his now-wife Pornprapa Suparp (Milk) tied the knot on Jan 18 at Phuket Merlin Hotel. Hundreds of friends and family members joined the couple to celebrate their big day. Congratulations from all of us at Class Act Media. @thephuketnews

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

25 JAN

tional School Phuket, the Cruzeiro Saturday morning league will allow your child to play fun, competitive football at the incredible facilities.

Bring them along to either U9/U11 or U13/U15 fixtures at the advertised times! See you there!

SUN

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

27 JAN Traditional Sunday Roast at O’Tool’s

Mussels night @ Shakers

Sunday Roast All Day, All Night

1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: natural, marnière, Provençale, garlic and cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended B295 P/P. shakersphuket@ gmail.com 081 891 4381.

Australia Day Beach BBQ

ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 495 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs! Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavor-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. www.twochefs.com Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

SAT

26 JAN

Celebrate Australia Day with a traditional Beach BBQ, a few drinks and great friends. Australians in Phuket (AIP) is hosting a very informal get together on the beach in front of the Mövenpick Resort Bangtao Beach Phuket. The BBQ will be fired up along with chilled drinks in the esky, a few beach sports and activities for kids. Enjoy 60THB drinks & sausage sizzle or BYO food & drinks. FREE for all to attend. AIP members shall enjoy a complimentary welcome drink. 3.00pm till sunset. facebook.com/aussiesinphuket

Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic. Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. RESERVE Your Table Now Online at bit.ly/ TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents Reservations, Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong., Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

Served from 2pm. Your Choice of either Roast Beef, Chicken, Loin of Pork or Leg of Lamb Served with Roast & Boiled Potatoes, 3 Fresh Vegetables, Yorkshire Pudding & Gravy. Only 350 Baht. Includes a Free Glass of House Red or White. See: www.otools-phuket.com

The Great Nai Harn Phuket Sunday Brunch Every Sunday from 12:30 - 15:00 hrs Guests can savor delectable creations prepared by culinary maestro, Executive Chef Mark Jones,While enjoying spectacular views over Nai Harn Bay and listening to the sounds of Resident DJ Sun. THB 5,500 net per adult (With free- flow premium beverage handpicked by James Suckling) THB 3,850 net per adult (food only) THB 2,200 net per child aged from 6 to 18 (with free-flow juices and soft drinks) For more information and bookings, please call +66 76 380 200 or fbreservation@thenaiharn.com

PAPA Event 2019 On the 26th of January 2019 the PAPA will host Instruments for Orphans Live at the Underwood Art Factory to raise funds for the Instruments for Orphans drive. It start at 7pm and will feature the best and cutest students from PAPA, The Young Musicians Collective, JamStart and special guest AndreaH. For information email papa@legendmusic.net

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet

MON

28 JAN

Beef, Pork and Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding – roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes – gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservations recommended. B350 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

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

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night 6PM – 11PM: All you can eat BBQ Ribs served with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauces. Reservation recommended. 295 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com, 081 891 4381.

Grand Opening at GALAXY Roof Club Patong

Futsal League 2019 Is your child interested in football? Would they enjoy enhancing their football skills whilst spending time with friends? At British Interna-

Set the date! We’re delighted to invite you to our Grand Opening of the Galaxy Roof Club in the heart of Patong! Come join us in your sharpest outfits, bring friends and celebrate this special night with us. Wonderful live performances, fire show, stunning dancers, live music and special guest DJ PAN-POT from Berlin will bring the party to the next level till late! FREE ENTRY from 7:00 PM with a welcome drink and canapé.

Private Parking Space available. Info/Bookings and reservations via email reservations@galaxypatong.com , or tel at 0804807777 more info on Facebook or at www.galaxypatong.com

Sala Sunday Night Steak & Seafood Premium barbecue main course, including imported Australian Rib Eye, full rack of Lamb or whole Phuket Lobster accompanied by buffet of delicious appetizers. Live music from 6.30pm. Premium BBQ. 1,700*Baht. Reservations, Sala Phuket, events@salaphuket.com 076 338 888.

Simmer & Spice Curry buffet, Great variety, Vibrant flavours.

Every Monday from 18.30 - 21.30. Reservations, SALA Phuket, events@salaphuket.com, 076 338 888.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

MON

28 JAN

Michelin-Starred Chef Massimiliano Celeste This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that diners should not miss. Chef Celeste proudly presents a delectable 5-course set menu inspired by seasonal cooking that reflects his philosophy with a passion for precision and beauty. His signature dishes are very distinctive as he takes influences from different parts of Italy and the world to come up with creations that surprise the palate. January 28th - 29th, from 6.30: A lavish 5-course gala dinner. Price is THB 2,990++ per person food only and THB 5,790++with selected beverages pairing. And January 29th, from 11.00 am to 2.00 pm: Chef Celeste will hold a live cooking demonstration at Ginja Cook followed by a 3-course signature Italian set menu.

THB 2,600++ per person food only. Reservations, Cucina Italian Kitchen, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, fbdiningexperience@marriotthotels.com, 076 338 000.

WED

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

30 JAN

cial Flambé 300g Australian grass fed rib eye steak served with a creamy peppercorn sauce, roasted vegetable medley and potato gratin for ONLY 595 THB. Have a sweet tooth? Treat yourself to the Two Chefs banana flambé served with vanilla ice cream for ONLY 95 THB. Sit back and enjoy one of our drink specials as you listen to the famous Two Chefs band performing all your favorite retro hits and more! Live music starts from 8pm and goes late at all of our Two Chefs locations. Reservations are highly recommended. You can book on our website at WWW.TWOCHEFS.COM or find us on Facebook at WWW.FACEBOOK/TWOCHEFSTHAILAND/ COME FOR THE FOOD STAY FOR THE FUN! Reservations, Call us directly at Two Chefs Kata Center 076-330-065, Kata Beach 076-333-370, Karon 076-286-479, Patong 076-344-914

FRI

1 FEB

Grow Boating Phuket Networking Evening The Grow Boating Networking Evening for February 2019 will be held at The D’Deck Bar, at The Ao Po Grand Marina on Friday the 1st of February from 5pm. We are delighted to announce that Asia Pacific Superyachts have generously agreed to be our drinks sponsors. There will be a light buffet sponsored by The D’Deck Bar and special prices on your favourite local beverages. Come and join in the fun, everyone is welcome. There is no entry fee, just drop your business card or register at the bar. We hope to see you there and if you know anyone you think would be interested in coming please invite them along. A special thanks to our Media Partners for 2019 The Phuket News, Live 89.5 Radio and Phuket News TV.

Devour our succulent pork rib set complete with sweet corn chowder, blue cheese salad, moist cornbread and finish it off with a bread and butter pudding. DJ Q will keep the soul flowing and your toes tapping as you wash down those tender ribs with a bucket of craft brews. Full Rack set B1,600, Half Rack set B1,200, bucket of craft brews B800. Reservations, SALA Phuket Resort and Spa. Email: events@sala phuket. com or call 076 338 888.

The award-winning Chef Prasertchai ready to excite the palates of diners with his exceptional Modern Thai dishes, an upcoming Marriott’s guest chef’s pop up event. 4 – 7 February, from 6.00 onwards at Ginja Taste: Select either 6 or 10-course set menu. 5 February at Ginger Cook, cooking class 11 am - 2 pm for 3 course set menu. Reservations, JW Marriott Phuket Resort.,diningexperience@marriotthotel.com, 076 338 000

FRI

8 FEB

PIWC - Annual Fundraiser 2019 Phuket International Women’s Club Annual Fundraiser 2019. At Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort on February 16, 2019. Start from 18.30. Dresscode: Rock or Pop. Tickets 2,500 baht; Buffer, welcome drink and Live Band. All proceeds go to PIWC scholarship fund. Ticketing & info: info@ piwc-phuket.com

SAT

27 APR

Blue Horizon WCGC Thailand 2019 Earth Wind & Fire Experience feat Al McKay at Café Del Mar Phuket

WED

13 FEB

The Blue Horizon World Corporate Golf Challenge continues in 2019 with the top 10% of teams (2 people per team) from each qualifier gaining entry to the Thailand Final on the 27th of April 2019 at Laguna Golf Club Phuket. Prominent sponsors provide an all-expenses paid trip to the World Final at Oitavoss Dunes in Cascais, Portugal. For more details and to sign up contact events@foremanagement.com

EVERY DAY

31 JAN

The 22nd Bay Regatta 2019

RETRO NIGHT – BACK TO THE 70s & 80s Don’t miss out on our newest, exciting weekly event at Two Chefs. Come and join us for our spe-

@thephuketnews

SAT

16 FEB

Thai Tapas With A Modern Twist

if you are a fan of EWF or American funk music in general, be sure to see and hear the Al McKay’́s Earth, Wind & Fire Experience on its worldwide tour. It is truly the opportunity of a lifetime and an experience not to be missed. Café Del Mar Phuket, 061 359 5500

Sala Wednesday nights: Ribs, beats, brews

THU

MON

4 FEB

Boat Lagoon Weekend 1-2 February 2019 Beats & Bites. Music & Food & Fun. From 6.00 pm till 10.00 pm at Lagoon Quay. พบกับงานแสดง

่ ดนตรี อาหาร และความสนุกหลากหลายรูปแบบ ทีงานโบ๊ ทลากูน วีคเอนด์ Phuket Boat Lagoon

The 22nd Bay Regatta is expected to be the biggest yet and will firmly stand out as one of South East Asia’s finest yachting events. Taking place in some of the most beautiful scenery the region has to offer, the four days racing and daily prizegiving dinners will bring a buzz of excitement to Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. More info at: facebook.com/bayregatta

ZUMA returns to Anantara Layan Award-winning contemporary Japanese restaurant, ZUMA, returns for a third season to the beachfront at Anantara Layan Phuket Resort between 15 December 2018 and 15 February 2019. For more information and bookings, please call + 66 (0) 7631 7200 or email zuma@ anantara.com

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York

1. How much does a 10-baht coin weigh?

2. Which 1980s band was “Suggs” lead singer of?

3. How many times have the New England Patriots won the Superbowl?

4. Who was the first person born on Antarctica? What was his nationality, and when was he born?

5. Who is the current US Vice President?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Hard

Across 56. Work out on the 1. Bit of smoke road?

5. “Dear” ones 60. Skunk’s defense 9. Express 62. Playground 13. Protection: var. apparatus 14. Welcome 63. Opposin’ 16. Not prerecorded 64. Twenty-four 17. Russian parliament carat 18. Admit 65. Gown fabric 19. Mimicked 66. “Doggone it!”

20. Regular walks, for 67. Protein laden example bean 23. Enthrall 68. Glimpsed 24. Greek letter 69. Congers 25. Ho-hum routine 28. “Forest Gump” Down character 1. United in 29. Condo, e.g. matrimony 32. Wise 2. Spiny lizard 34. Gym machine 3. Swinger 36. Mount ___ 4. Sacred hymn (volcano) 5. Italian seaport 39. 6th note of the 6. Holly musical scale 7. With no thinking 40. Infamous fiddler involved 41. Act of moving 8. Bake, as eggs 46. Descartes, for 9. By bad luck example 10. Venomous 47. Envelope wax 11. Joanne 48. It’s full of periods Woodward 51. Grassland Oscar-winning 52. Cirque de Soleil role equipment 12. A primary color 54. Spice 15. Secure

21. Part of BYO 22. Hawkeye state 26. Tech support caller 27. Through (archaic) 30. Water-locked land 31. Ivans 33. False story 34. Short staff 35. You, old way 36. And all the rest 37. Aligned 38. Swimming related 42. Done for 43. Most liberated 44. Yellowish cloth 45. Lead 48. Someone who leaves their native land 49. Call again 50. Middlemen 53. Anklebone 55. Swap 57. Space 58. Nastiness 59. Not working 60. Goddess of Harvest 61. Double header?

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) 8.5 grams; 2) Madness; 3) Five; 4) Emilio Palma (Argentine), Jan 7, 1978; 5) Mike Pence

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

1.7

This week in history Jan 25, 1995 The Norwegian rocket incident: Russia almost launches a nuclear attack after it mistakes Black Brant XII, a Norwegian research rocket, for a US Trident missile.

percent is how much the healthiness of the foods we eat decreases by with every hour that passes in the day.

Jan 26, 1788 The British First Fleet, led by Arthur Phillip, sails into Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) to establish Sydney, the first permanent European settlement on Australia. Commemorated as Australia Day.

27

seconds is all it takes for a person to make a first impression.

Jan 27, 1967 Apollo program: Astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee are killed in a fire during a test of their Apollo 1 spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

33

Jan 28, 1393 King Charles VI of France is nearly killed when several dancers’ costumes catch fire during a masquerade ball.

is the age the average millennial starts coming up with a proper plan or understanding of finances.

150,000 US teenagers identify as transgender.

17 billion

US dollars is how much marijuana sales are expected to to reach worldwide this year.

Source: Uberfacts

Jan 29, 1980 The Rubik’s Cube makes its international debut at the Ideal Toy Corp. in Earl’s Court, London.

Jan 30, 1703 The Forty-seven rōnin, under the command of Ōishi Kuranosuke, avenge the death of their master.

The light within the red. Photo by Amalie Sofie, 14 years old @ QSI Phuket Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket?

Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

Jan 31, 2012 The Toyota Corolla is known as the best-selling car of all time, selling more than 37.5 million units.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 23

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Jobs

International Sales Support

APR is an international company dealing with customers in Asia and Australia, as well as decorative surface suppliers from Europe. Asia Pacific Representatives Ltd. are looking for: Support staff for our sales team Age: 20-35 years Thai National Excellent English language skills required Knowledge of Microsoft office Comprehensive understanding of Microsoft Excel Office location: Phuket – Chalong Tasks will include: - Project tracking and follow up - Communication with international suppliers and customers - Understanding of our products and services Please submit your resume and recent photo jobs@apr-pfleiderer.com @thephuketnews

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

Website operator

Female website operator capable of building a shopping site and driving traffic to the site via Google, Facebook, Twitter, Shopify, blogs and other systems. Will work a flexible 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. Fixed salary B20,000 + 5% commission on sales generated by the site. 20,000 + commission. Contact Ron via: S i a m . s e r e n i t y. t h @ g m a i l . c o m , 0874178715.

URG

ENT

Personal Assistant

For retired UK/CAD businessman in high end resort. Good English, some driving, shopping etc. Part Time OK. Brian 089 054 4354.

Thai Yoga Instructor

Position available now - Full Time Position - 24 Yoga Classes per month. Wellness Skills - Certificated to teach various Yoga Styles. Additional Health Skills i.e. Aerial Yoga, Acro Yoga, etc. - Assist with Yoga Class inquires and Retreat health consultations. English Speaking - Thai National only 25,000 to 30,000. Kenneth Miller 0866041333. www.ccshideaway.com/ wellness.htm

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Trades & Services

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ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

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26 CLASSIFIEDS

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Trades & Services

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

MARINE SERVICES

OTHER

PERSONAL SERVICES

POOL SERVICES

TRAINING

ADVERTISE HERE

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Buy & Sell BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE

Riviera sport fishing boat

Perfectly maintained and cared for, this boat is in excellent condition and will provide great enjoyment for the next owner. Powered by twin 660hp Caterpillar diesel engines and fitted with every conceivable optional extra including True Visions satellite connection through a 42� Smart TV, Raymarine navigation system, Dive Compressor, powerful stereo system and extensive fishing equipment. Selling to upgrade to a larger vessel.

9,000,000, Phuket Yacht Haven, sc@crone.net.au

Boat Rinker 290

Rinker 290 with trailer Continental 2017, engine Volvo Penta, Under warranty includes all standard equipment, less then 100 hours used. More information in link: clc.la/07hDmA 3,990,000, +66-97-175-00-96.

Toyota Soluna - cheap!

Year 2000, under 200,000km, recently changed battery, checked engine - all works. Has dents and scratches but starts every time and goes from A to B. 0836012526.

Toyota GT 2013 - FT86

GT Brembo brake system. Adjustable suspension, remote auto adjust w/ te controls. Performance exhaust. 2Din Pioneer AVH-X8850BT sound system. Audison speakers. Wheels ADV7.1SL. 1 Piece forged. 1.7 mil. Or best offer..., Dan Miles, danmilesmedia@gmail.com, 065 621 5541, Thai 091 165 9332

Amazing Deal!

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CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE Subaru XV

Cross trek bought new 2013. Well maintained, glass coating, rust proofing, new tires, single owner. Must see! Nicha Residence, 0892873128

@thephuketnews

1 Bed Condo for Sale in Rawai

The Title Rawai, Phuket This beachfront 1 Bedroom condominium is located in one of the premier developments on Rawai Beach. Also, the beauty, luxury, and durability of this condo is immediately apparently from its genuine teak wooden flooring. Designed with absolute care and attention to detail! Also, only the highest quality materials have been selected throughout, and every square metre of useful space is utilised to the fullest. Furthermore, the large common area has 3 swimming pools. Also, there are 2 saunas, and a fitness room. Moreover, it is surrounded by tropical jungle. Also, within walking distance of shops, bars, and international and Thai restaurants. However, you are nevertheless ensured of complete peace and tranquility. This development was completed in April, 2014, and is available for sale on a leasehold basis. ADDITIONAL UNITS AVAILABLE. PLEASE CONTACT FOR DETAILS. Christine, phuket@thairesidential.com, 0948411918

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2012 Ford Ranger 2.2 Open Cab

78,000km. Six-gear manual transmission. Looks and feels like a new car, treated like a baby by its single owner. Engine clean as. Full set of new tyres. B500,000. Call 081 427 5168.

Sale - Koh Kaew, 2-Bed Condo

2-Bedroom Royal Phuket Marina Condo. Must be seen to be believed. So much space! 195m2 Stylish, Tastefully-Decorated Condominium Fully Furnished Overlooking Yacht Marina an absolute bargain @ 13.5 Million Baht, Christine, 0948411918

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Golden Business Opportunity

Brand new two story massage shop for sale with high end furniture. 10 Beds, 6 chairs and nail Salon. Great opportunity for high season. 1.2 Million THB ono, Lek, Soi Post Office, Patong Beach Road, sweet_lek55@ hotmail.com, 099 362 7979.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

2016 Toyota Vios Model E with only 35,000 Km on it. Is an automatic, with fog lights, windows are tinted already, has the plastic insert for the trunk, rubber floor mats for all seats, rain shields on all windows. Only driven locally in Phuket. It is kept in great condition and is available to view in Chalong. Only 465,000 THB. Adam 091 016 1167.

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@thephuketnews

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE

FOR SALE AIR BERTH M320

250,000THB incl VAT. For boat up to 32 feet / 9.5 metres. Contact: Asia Yacht Agency Co., Ltd. Contact@AsiaYachtAgency.com, 081-894 -3234 (French/English), 086-269-0808 (Thai/ English).

The Phuket News

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BOUGHT IN SB DESIGN SQUARE PHUKET. LUXURY KELVIN GIORMANI SOFA. PERFECT, NEVER USED. PAID PRICE B67,500/UNIT TOTAL B135,000 NOW B50,000/UNIT TOTAL B100,000. W2.30m D1.65m H65-90cm. 0930914502.

MOTORBIKES FOR SALE Ducati Multistrada 2012

2012 Model Multistrada. Perfect condition. Only 23,000 kms. Faithfully maintained. Have panniers and 15 liter tank bag. Steve, ducphuket@gmail. com, 081-734-8309.

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1 Bed Condoin Kamala

Great 1 Bed Condo just 200m fromKamala Beach.

Comes with pool and on- site restaurant. Fantastic location and not to be missed. Fully furnished with appliances. Homestay or investment. B5,417,000.

Call Andy. 083 800 1888

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Karon 1 Bed Condo for Sale

Karon Butterfly hillside condo for sale just 800m from beach. Amenities close by. Fully furnished and condo facilities. Great investment in great area of Phuket. Shuttle Bus to Beach and Rental Program.

A must see!!!! B4,300,000, Dmitry, 082 030 7199.

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Mueang Phuket 1 Bed Condo

Wonderful 1 Bedroom Condo near Central Festival area. Just 10 minutes to Panwa Beach. A must see!!! Fully furnished and conveniently located. Amenities close by as well as tourist attractions. Full condo facilities. B2,500,000, Christine, 094 841 1918.

28 CLASSIFIEDS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy & Sell

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Villa for sale

Important VILLA with 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. Garden 1300 square meters, 16x4 pool. Fully furnished Mediterranean style. Private negotiation. Owner, Loch Palm Golf Kathu, Phuket, 080 603 4079 English and Thai

Lovely Pool Villa, Nai Harn

Prime location, 4 bedrooms, large garden and pool, 764 sqm, Chanote title, double garage. Great family home or investment property. Motivated seller. 12,500,000, Dean, dmuir@exotiq.com, 0857932667.

Dream Village Phuket house

2bed 2bath 295sqm land 100sqm living + veranda, compl. renovated.: new water, electric., tiles, paint in/out, windows, 3A/C, built in kitchen. 0870608400 engl/german picharly@ gmail.com, 66870608400.

Single story home for sale

5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, 1 living room, 2 cars parking space. Fully furnished, Jacuzzi, walk-in wardrobes, garden and swimming pool with Sala. Can do more build-in. Sunny, sunny@transinco.eu, 0823775555.

House for Sale/Rent

PROPERTY FOR SALE

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House for Sale or Rent, Rawai

Cape Lam Promthep, Rawai - Nature area, beside sea. Swimming. Very quiet, just live and enjoy your life. If you want to make money perfect for building Rental Homes or Healing or Mediation center - Chanote land is not the way to go. We can’t own anything here with Thai wife unless stay together a long time and can take everything so best to Rent Land and have contract with a Thai. - All houses this area some WORTH MILLIONS OF EUROS ARE ON, “ LAND RENTED FROM GOVERNMENT,” FOR APPROXIMATELY 1000 BAHT A YEAR FOR AS LONG AS YOU WANT. “You can Sell your Right to Occupy to others,” – this is LEGAL - Same as Crown Land in Canada, New Zealand, Australia and America, but still hasn’t stopped people from building expensive homes and title can be up graded with time - 12 million baht sale or 30,000 baht rent (one year rent in advance) - Almost 3 rai BESIDE THE SEA ( Zoned Yellow) CAN BUILD MULTIPLE HOMES, Healing or Meditation Center - TWO HOUSES, One large house 2 bedrooms and 2 bath, 2 decks, One Small House 1 bedroom and 1 bath 1 deck 12million or 30,000 month Andy, capt_canada42@yahoo.com, 091 823 2271.

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HOT PRICE - SURIN BEACH

Villa with 4 beds, open-plan living area, western kitchen. Separate 1-bed guest suite. Separate workshop and laundry. Pool 11mx5m, large private garden, residential area. www. thaivillaonline.com Price - B15,750,000.

0844477247.

BKK condo

by Chaophya River

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House for sale

Detach single story home, 1 Rai of land, 4 bedrooms 5 bathrooms, 2 kitchens 1 living room, 2 cars parking space with garden and swimming pool. Sunny, 25/11 Soi Salika, Moo 2, Viset Road. 082 377 5555.

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jitsarn@yahoo.com, 0859776301.

Penthouse for sale

432.44 sqm Penthouse for sale: 320 Degree view of Patong bay and city. Private pool.

22nd floor (top floor) at Andaman Beach Condominium, Patong, Phuket, Thailand. Condo Facilities. See beachsuites.com/gallery.

No brokers please. 60 Million Baht O.N.O., Songpan, songpanpirom@hotmail.com, 081 737 8662.

COMMUNITY

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Villa in Boat Lagoon Marina

5 bedroom, pre-school place in walking distance, 10mins to BISP, 30mins to UWC and HeadStart. Must Sell, Pls contact for price. Pen, pen@mindproperties.net, +66 (0) 874658883.

1 Bed Condo in Laguna

Exquisite Property meets Luxury Area in the Heart of Phuket. Welcome to the Ocean Sands, an upcoming hotel development located close to the Laguna Area, one of Phuket’s most luxury and trending areas. Comprising a total of 213 keys ranging from our signature 1 Bedroom Deluxe Suite up to our well-appointed Family Suite, this exquisite property equipped with large swimming pools around central simulated beach and five-star standard facilities will become a new enjoyment for lifestyle living.

Invest with us and elevate your lifestyle, be a part of the Ocean Sands. phuket@ thairesidential.com, 0872699206.

Unique investment opportunity not to be missed: 5 pool villas, big land, large entertaiment areas, parking garages and private gates. More info www.thegardenkptphuket.com www.thegardenkptphuket.com

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5-Bed Pool Villa 1.2 Rai Rawai

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Unique Investment Opportunity

A Unique luxury condo 2 bed, 2 bath, 155sqm. Foreign FREEHOLD. Architect remodel in tropical white.

Jacuzzi. All round beautiful views.

Completely furnished to a high standard. Very motivated owner leaving Thailand. Available to agents.

Priced at 16MB or offers. Contact Brian (Owner) 089 054 4354, 076 360 943. bggvirgo@gmail.com

3 B/R, Duplex, 170 sq/m. Shared pool, three decks, fully furnished. 400 meters from Surin Beach. Great Condition. Must sell jgstryker@gmail.com 5,699,000, 0836450097

The Water Mark: Luxurious living by the majestic river “Chaophya”, the river of the King.

Located on Charoen Nakhon Road. Beautiful, spacious condo 283.6 Sqm. / 4 bedrooms / high floor (52nd floor) /panoramic view of the city & river / fully fitted to highest standard Facility: swimming pool by the river, gym, sauna 40,500,000-, Jitsarn, jitsarn@yahoo. com, 0859776301.

Fully furnished with swimming pool, 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms + maid room, 2 living rooms, Large entertainment area. Convenient location close to major shopping center and international schools. Easy access to airport.

Long term lease 65,000 includes pool +garden services. Negotiable Price, Bea, Baan Saun Loch Palm Kathu, l.thumwong@gmail.com, 098 194 9351 and 097 352 4114.

Bkk urban living near BTS

NEW 2 bedrooms for sale: Noble Ploenchit Condominium Next to BTS Ploenchit Station, Walk to Central Embassy & Central Chidlom Dept Store. 2 bedrooms, 85 Sqm, corner unit, high fl, unblock View, fully fitted wardrobe & kitchen, aircon, bathrooms Facility: beautiful swimming pool & common area, gym, sauna 23,500,000-, Jitsarn,

Villa in Patong prime location

One of the last Villas available in Patong. in top condition. 24 hour security. 3 bed, 3 bath, 160sqm living. Fully furnished, garden. Ms. Manatchanok, 0800409411.

Villa Mission Heights Big Pool

3bed, 3 1/2 bath, 330sqm living, 900 sqm land, very quite aera, 2 km mission hill golf, 6km UWC, 8 km airport. owner finance. 0870608400 engl/german 12.9MB, picharly@gmail.com

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3 B/R Surin Duplex

400m from Surin Beach, fully furnished.

Shared pool, 3 bathroom, and two decks/salas. 38k per/month jgstryker@ gmail.com 0836450097.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

SPORT 29

Patriots sight Super Bowl 53 Rams to face Patriots in Atlanta after controversial overtime playoff NFL AFP

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ive-time champion Tom Brady guided the New England Patriots into their third consecutive Super Bowl, where they will face a Los Angeles Rams squad that advanced Sunday (Jan 20) in dramatic but controversial fashion.

The only day in NFL playoff history with two over-time thrillers saw the Patriots win 37-31 at Kansas City on Rex Burkhead’s 2-yard touchdown run in the American Conference final.

“Over-time, on the road, against a great team, it required everything,” Brady said. “This is crazy. That was a hell of a game. It’s unbelievable.”

The Rams edged host New Orleans 26-23 on Greg Zuerlein’s club playoff record 57-yard over-time field goal in the National Conference final, their rally from 13-0 down the best in team playoff history.

“Unbelievable. Can’t find the words,” Rams quarterback Jared Goff said. “To be down 13-0, the defence to play the way they did. And our kicker made a 57-yard field goal.

Unbelievable.”

New England quarterback Tom Brady gets a hug after guiding the Patriots to a 37-31 overtime victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and into Super Bowl 53. Photo: AFP New England will face Los Angeles in Super Bowl 53 on Sunday Feb 3 in Atlanta in the NFL championship spectacular.

The Patriots seek their third title in five years in their ninth Super Bowl trip in 18 seasons under Brady, who at 41 could surpass 39-year-old Peyton Manning as the oldest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl and become the first to do it six times.

“It feels pretty sweet,” Brady said. “We earned it and I’m really happy for us. It was awesome. What a game.”

Brady became the first quarterback in NFL playoff history to go 3-0 in over-time,

having won all three on the opening drive of the extra session.

This one came after four lead changes in the fourth quarter and a dramatic fightback drive by Kansas City to force the first extra-time American Conference final since 1986.

“The players just competed really hard today,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. “You can’t buy these. You’ve got to earn them and they earned this one.”

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will not become the youngest Super Bowl champion quarterback at 23, but he served notice he could trade

dramatic late-game drives with Brady, the sport’s master of such heroics.

The Saints, meanwhile, were livid over the lack of a late-game penalty call when Rams defender Nickell RobeyColeman ran into Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis on a third-down pass. New Orleans lost a chance to run down the clock and make a last-play short field goal try.

“They blew the call,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “I don’t know if there was ever a more obvious pass interference call.”

“It’s a tough way to lose a game, especially when you’re

in a position like that to win it,” Payton said. “We’ll probably never get over it.”

The Saints received the ball to begin over-time but Rams linebacker Dante Fowler hit Brees as he threw, and safety John Johnson picked off the awkward lob while falling onto his back, the lone New Orleans turnover setting up Zuerlein’s winner.

“I was cr ying on the bench,” said Rams defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. “I’ve never been this excited.”

Rams coach Sean McVay, who turned 33 on Thursday, became the youngest coach to reach the Super Bowl.

“It’s a credit to the people you have around you,” McVay said. “Our team demonstrated great mental toughness. It was a tough start. We had confidence and we got it done. It was a great win.”

The Rams seek their fourth NFL crown but their first for Los Angeles in the Super Bowl era. The team won NFL titles in 1945 based in Cleveland, 1951 based in Los Angeles and by winning the 2000 Super Bowl while based in St. Louis. The franchise lost two other Super Bowl trips in 1980 (Los Angeles) and 2002 (St. Louis).

At Kansas City, there were four lead changes and a conference-finals record 38 points scored in the fourth quarter.

Brady marched the Patriots 65 yards in 84 seconds and New England seized a 31-28 lead thanks to Rex Burkhead’s 4-yard touchdown run with 39 seconds remaining.

Mahomes then drove the Chiefs into position for Harrison Butker’s 39-yard equalizer field goal with eight seconds remaining.

The Patriots took a 14-0 half-time lead on Sony Michel’s 1-yard touchdown run 8:05 into the game and Brady’s 29-yard touchdown pass to Phil Dorsett with 27 seconds to play in the second quarter.

Mahomes answered 2:04 into the second half on a 12yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce but the Patriots answered on Stephen Gostkowski’s 47yard field goal.

Damian Williams scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns for the Chiefs on catches of 1 and 23 yards from Mahomes and a 2-yard run.

Brady, 72-1 as a starter when up by 14 or more, marched the Patriots for rookie Michel’s 10-yard touchdown run and Burkhead’s go-ahead and winning touchdown runs.

WCGC qualifiers return to Laguna, ahead of Portugal final Continued from page 32 …prominent sponsors, providing high value from the entry fees at each qualifier. This year reinstates Thai Airways as the Exclusive International Airline for the third year in a row. This year also sees several high-profile sponsors with the likes of SuperSports (Silver Sponsor), Monroe Consulting and the Singha Corporation (Bronze Sponsors) and Centara Resorts and Hotels as the exclusive hotel partner.

@thephuketnews

Other event partners for this golfing challenge include FenixXcell, The Phuket News, Birdie, Golf Citizen, Bangkok Golf Centre, 4 Moles, Live 89.5 and Thai Visa.

Events will be hosted by several prestigious courses throughout Thailand on the following dates: The World Corporate Golf Challenge The World Corporate Golf Challenge is the biggest corporate golf tournament in the world and since

its inception 25 years ago, over one million golfers have competed across the globe for the chance to represent their company and country at the World Finals.

Recent years have been a period of significant development for the WCGC, building on the success of the previous years and World Finals in Scotland, Sotogrande, Spain, and Cascais, Portugal. The World Final continues to be broadcast by Golfing World TV to over 50 broadcasters with an estimated home reach of 350

million globally. The World Final continues to also be covered by Time and Fortune magazines.

The World Corporate Golf Challenge first came to Thailand in 2017 after Fore Management Group purchased the licence. The event doubled in size from 2017 to 2018 and Fore Management Group expect the event to double in size this year with over 300 teams taking part.

Team Thailand have made a huge impact on the WCGC World Finals, finishing 3rd in 2017 and winning the

WCGC Champions ‘Team Thailand’, comprising Paul Judge and Pim Surintarangoul from Phuket’s Prime Real Estate, celebrate their 2018 World Final win. world final in 2018. As the process begins to find the Thailand winners of 2019, the team hope to retain their world crown.

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Riky rises in Captains Cup

Black Sheep skipper too deft for Shot Bar Harry, Jig takes third POOL Gregg Bremner and Richard Hearne

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n amazing turn-out of Rawai Pool League players and spectators descended on Black Pearl Bar on Monday night (Jan 21). As is tradition, the climax of the Rawai pool season is the Captains Cup – a mini-tournament played by the captains from all teams in the RPL. There were 23 players that registered to represent 23 teams, and each was randomly placed into one of four groups before the round-robin qualification round began.

Group A included captains from two of Division A’s top teams, and both Riky from Black Sheep and Harry from Shot Bar progressed to the quarter finals. There was strong competition from Andy Moore playing for Islander A and host Dave from Black Pearl Bar, and it was the deciding frames that determined which two players would proceed to the next round.

Group B provided a super example of just how competitive and close this scoring system can be.

Four players ended with 40+ points, but in the end it was Black

Captains Cup finalists: (from left) Jig (3rd), Noi (4th), Riky (winner) and Harry (runner-up). Photo: Richard Hearne Bull’s Andy and White Hart’s Jig going through.

The tide turned many times in Group C, and Otis from Future Bar and Richard from Pita Bar managed to sneak through to the quarters.

Pita Bar’s Richard had started disastrously when he thought he potted off the break and carried on potting until his error was noticed.

Despite that he still managed to take top spot in the group. Top-ranked female player Pang ran the break to put Gero out of the running, but

Otis just pipped her to the post by two points.

The final two players making their way to the quarters were Philipp from Division B winners Roses Bar and Noi from the all-girl Pink Sheep team.

Mango Bar’s Gregg looked certain to progress, only to fall when Pink Sheep’s Noi ran the table off the break.

Moving into the quarter finals the format changed to straight elimination, race to two frames.

Harry played Otis in the opening quarter final, and the Shot Bar captain produced a solid 2-0 performance. The second quarter final saw Noi and Andy square off.

After taking the first frame, Noi tried to play safe, but not safe enough and Andy promptly cleared up.

Luckily for Noi, she still managed to take the deciding frame.

Riky played Richard next in an intriguing battle.

In the end Black Sheep’s Riky played better to win 2-0.

The last quarter final allowed White Hart’s Jig to really show his skill and experience – he played some great pool to beat Philipp 2-0.

The semi finals retained the same format, and the two matches pitted Harry against Noi and Riky to play Jig. With captains of Division A’s top three teams making it to the last four, expectations were indeed high that some quality pool would be on display.

In her first frame Noi uncharacteristically missed pots she would sink any other day, and Harry happily took advantage to finish the first frame off. Harry then really entered the zone and played some exceptional positional shots to clear the table for a 2-0 victory.

His opponent was being decided

on the next table in an epic battle between Riky and Jig. Riky managed to salvage the first frame with some solid potting, but Jig came straight back with some great shots to level the score 1-1. The last frame was probably the most entertaining of the night, with Jig once again coming back strong by potting four balls in a row but he fell out of position and the crowd was stunned. Next came an amazing shot to the middle pocket to gave Jig new hope, but he missed his final ball. This gave Riky the opening, and he put Jig out with some flawless shots to go through to the final.

The final was a race to three frames, and the experience of both finalists was obvious with some very rapid play.

Frames were conceded where easy shots were left for the opponent, and in the end it was several uncharacteristic misses by Harry that allowed Riky to claim the Season 14 Captains Cup. A special thank you to Black Pearl for hosting the event, and to main RPL sponsor ThailandPoolTables. com. If your bar would like to join Season 15, please visit Rawai-poolleague.com

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

SPORT 31

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM Emiliano Sala has scored 13 goals for French club Nantes this season. Photo: AFP

MAIN SPONSOR

MONTHLY SPONSOR

The overall competition winner will receive a 3 day/2 night stay in a two-bedroom private pool villa including daily breakfast plus a 90-minute spa treatment for two persons at Baba Beach Club Phuket. Total prize value: B130,000 The monthly competition winner for January 2019 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at Angus O’Tool’s Karon Beach.

EPL PREDICTIONS MONTHLY STANDINGS

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English Premier League 2018 - 2019 1 2 3 4 5 6

Sala feared dead after suspected plane crash FOOTBALL AFP

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remier League club Cardiff City’s record new signing, Emiliano Sala, is missing presumed dead after a light aircraft he was travelling in disappeared over the English Channel, with a search to find the plane being called off on Tuesday (Jan 22).

The Argentine striker, signed last Saturday (Jan 19) from French club Nantes for a reported fee of 17 million euros (B613.18mn) – a record for Cardiff City – was flying to Cardiff aboard the plane that disappeared from radars around 20 kilometres north of the island of Guernsey on Monday night.

The search continued throughout Tuesday before being suspended for the night, with police on the British island warning that survival chances were “slim” if the aircraft landed on water.

A 15-hour search covering a 3,000 square-kilometre area in the Channel spotted “a number of floating objects in the water”, Guernsey police added.

“We have found no signs of those on board. If they did land on the water, the chances of survival are at this stage, unfortunately, slim.”

French civil aviation authorities had confirmed that 28-year-old Sala “was on board the plane”. It is thought there was one other passenger on the aircraft. @thephuketnews

On Sunday (Jan 20), Sala travelled back to Nantes to say goodbye to his team-mates and collect his belongings after spending two days in Cardiff finalising the move.

On Monday he f lew from Nantes to Cardiff at 19:15 (France time) but, at 20:30, the Piper Malibu light aircraft he was aboard went missing off Alderney in the Channel Islands.

The plane had been flying at 5,000ft when it contacted Jersey air traffic control requesting descent. The plane lost contact while at 2,300ft.

O ne of t he r e s c u e r s searching for the missing plane earlier admitted they were “fearing the worst”.

“Sadly we are fearing the worst...the sea temperature is so cold at the moment," John Fitzgerald, Chief Officer of Channel Islands Air Search, told AFP. The player’s mother, Mercedes, claimed in an interview with Argentine television channel C5N that the plane belonged to the Cardiff chairman, Mehmet Dalman.

“The last time I spoke to Emi was before take-off and he was very happy in the best time of his career,” she added.

Sala, who had been at Nantes since 2015 and had scored 13 goals in all competitions this season, had signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with relegation-threatened Cardiff subject to receiving international clearance.

“We were very shocked

upon hearing the news that the plane had gone missing.

We expected Emiliano to arrive last night into Cardiff and today was due to be his first day with the team,” the Premier League club’s executive director Ken Choo said in a statement.

“We continue to pray for positive news.”

Cardiff called off a training session planned for Tuesday morning, whilst stunned supporters gathered outside the club’s ground to lay flowers and scarves.

With his former teammates in shock, Nantes had their French Cup tie against third-tier side Entente Sannois Saint-Gratien postponed from Wednesday until Sunday (Jan 27).

Meanwhile, hundreds of fans of his former team gathered for a vigil in the western French city on Tuesday evening, placing flowers, scarves and flags on the water fountain and chanting the striker’s name at Place Royale.

“I still have hope, he is a fighter,” said Nantes president Waldemar Kita in a tweet published by the Ligue 1 club.

When he put pen to paper at relegation-threatened Cardiff on Saturday, Sala, who also has Italian nationality, said in a statement: “I’m very happy to be here. It gives me great pleasure and I can’t wait to start training, meet my new team-mates and get down to work.

“For me it feels special (to be the club’s record signing).

I have come here wanting to work and to help my teammates and the club.”

Sala’s last post on Instagram showed him surrounded by players from Nantes. “La ultima ciao (the last goodbye),” he wrote.

The accident, if confirmed, comes only three months after Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the Thai billionaire owner of Leicester City, died in a helicopter crash that shocked the club and supporters around the world.

Sala began his footballing career at French club Bordeaux, who he joined in 2010, and had loan spells at other French clubs including Orleans, Niort and Caen.

He joined Nantes in 2015 for one million euros and had scored 42 Ligue 1 goals in three and a half seasons at the Stade de la Beaujoire.

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Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change

SPORT START STOP Friday 25th Jan Cricket 12:30 14:30 23:00

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO

Test 3, MCG

Australia v India, Day 3

Test 1, Centurion

South Africa v Pakistan, Day 3

Cricket

14:50

Cricket

12:30

14:30

Test 3, MCG

Australia v India, Day 3

Cricket

14:50

23:00

Test 1, Centurion

South Africa v Pakistan, Day 3

Saturday 26th Jan Rugby Union 22:00 Soccer

00:00

Gallagher Premiership

Saracens v Worcester

22:00

00:00

EPL

Watford v Newcastle

22:00

00:00

EPL

Brighton v. Everton

22:00

00:00

EPL

Tottenham v Wolves Liverpool v. Arsenal

00:30

02:30

EPL

Soccer

18:30

22:00

SPFL

Rangers v Celtic

Cricket

12:30

14:30

Test 3, MCG

Australia v India, Day 4

Cricket 14:50 Sunday 27th Jan Cricket 12:30

23:00

Test 1, Centurion

South Africa v Pakistan, Day 4

Cricket

14:30

Test 3, MCG

Australia v India, Day 4

14:50

23:00

Test 1, Centurion

South Africa v Pakistan, Day 4

21:05

23:00

EPL

Burnley v West Ham

Soccer

21:15

23:10

EPL

Southampton v Man City

23:30

01:30

EPL

Man United v Bournemouth

Cricket

12:30

14:30

Test 3, MCG

Australia v India, Day 5

Cricket

14:50

23:00

Test 1, Centurion

South Africa v Pakistan, Day 5

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Patriots book place at third consecutive Super Bowl > p29

TEAM THAILAND TEES UP

World Corporate Golf Challenge qualifier returns to Laguna Golf Club GOLF

The Phuket News editor3@classactmedia.co.th

T

he World Corporate Golf Challenge is the biggest corporate golf tournament in the world and since its inception 25 years ago, over one million golfers have competed across several different countries globally.

The golfing challenge continues in 2019 with a qualifier at the Laguna Golf Club in Phuket on April 26 where teams will be battling for the remaining six places at the world final.

Winners will receive an all expenses trip to the World Final at Oitavoss Dunes in Cascais, Portugal, provided by prominent sponsors such

The organisers of the WCGC stand at the ready. Photo: Supplied as Thai Airways.

This year, Team Thailand and Blue Horizon will be the defending champions with the team coming back from an eight-point deficit to win

the World Final in 2018 on the last hole in dramatic style.

One of last year’s winners Paul Judge remarked, “I feel very lucky to have been able to take part in such an event,

let alone actually win it. Truly a dream come true.”

This year sees the continuation of sponsorship from Blue Horizon Developments, with CEO Andres Pira comment-

ing, “We at Blue Horizon are delighted once again to be part of the World Corporate Golf Challenge Thailand. Last year was a great success and Thailand winning the world

final made it that much better.

We are very much looking forward to working with Fore Management Group again delivering Thailand’s biggest and most prestigious amateur golf event in the country for 2019.”

Chris Watson (Managing Director of Fore Management Group) commented, “We are so excited to get started on the 2019 event, with last year’s victory at the world final in Portugal, this year’s event for Thailand promises to be bigger and better than ever before.

“We are especially grateful to Andres and Blue Horizon Developments for their continued support,” he said.

The Blue Horizon World Corporate Golf Challenge has the inclusion of several…

Continued on page 29

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