25-08-2017

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

thephuketnews thephuketnews1 thephuketnews.com Friday, August 25 – Thursday, August 31, 2017

Since 2011 / Volume VII / No. 34

GOV BANS UNSAFE BUSES FROM THE ISLAND > PAGE 3

BARKING MAD?

20 Baht

NEWS

PAGE 2

Media frenzy ends infant parasail rides

LIFE

PAGE 14

Public speaking fears begone

Villagers stand proud with soi dogs wearing the high-tech vests. Image: Soi Dog Foundation

SOI DOG FOUNDATION TO TRANSFORM LOCAL STREET MUTTS INTO HIGH-TECH WATCHDOGS Shela Riva reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

A

team at the renowned animal welfare charity Soi Dog Foundation, based in the northern half of Phuket, is pushing ahead with a project to transform unwanted – and often brutally mistreated – street dogs into valuable “high tech” watchdogs to protect communities.

Together with a creative team at

advertising agency Cheil Thailand, collaborators are developing a “smart vest” to take full advantage of dogs’ biologically bred sense of purpose and keen senses, with the hope of integrating them better into Phuket’s communities.

Leading the team, Pakornkrit Khantaprab explained to The Phuket News, “We’ve created a smart vest for stray dogs to turn them into ‘Watchdogs’. The vest will combine technology with dog instincts – such

as barking, super senses and territorial behaviour.”

When the dog wearing the vest barks, a notification will be sent straight away to the people near the location where the dog is barking via 4G/Wi-Fi, Mr Pakornkrit said.

Anybody with the mobile phone application the team has created can access the information and even view what the dog can see via a highdefinition camera stitched into the vest, he added.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

@thephuketnews

“Our app can distinguish between normal barking and furious barking.

The sound waves are different,” Mr Pakornkrit explained.

“Technically, the camera can be accessed all the time but we can program it to activate only when the dogs are barking,” he said.

To prevent the camera being activated when the dogs are getting up to inappropriate “happier” things, Mr Pakornkrit said, “The sound waves would also be different. We have...

SPORT

PAGE 30

One man, one leg, and one hard challenge

News 2

PHUKET NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

Bite frenzy spurs call for protection against shark fishing > page 5

Patong Beach operators curb infant parasail rides Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

Lifeguards provide emergency treatement to a Chinese tourist at Nai Thon Beach, where the man’s two children were also rescued. Photo: Phuket Lifeguard Service

More beach rescues from dangerous surf PHUKET LIFEGUARDS have repeated their warning for swimmers to beware of dangerous surf along Phuket’s west coast after two Chinese tourists were rescued from drowning at Nai Harn Beach on Tuesday evening (Aug 22).

One of the Chinese tourists rescued from the rip current was taken to hospital to be treated for exhaustion.

The Chinese tourists were recovered from the surf at 6:25pm.

“Both of the tourists were caught in a rip current. One of them was exhausted, so we sent him to hospital,” one lifeguard told The Phuket News.

The double-rescue on Tuesday followed Phuket Lifeguard Service President Prathaiyuth Chuayuan on Monday (Aug 21) urging swimmers to obey the red “No Swimming” flags at beaches along Phuket’s west coast.

That warning followed lifeguards closing off a section of Nai Thon Beach on

Phuket’s northwest coast due to dangerous surf there, and a Chinese father and two children being rescued at Nai Thon Beach last Saturday (Aug 19). The Chinese family, later identified as Mr Doojun, 39, and his two children Zhen Zhe Su, 8, and Chan Ruiying, 9, had reportedly ignored red warning flags indicating “no swimming”.

“Where the flags are placed differs from time to time and day to day. Sometimes the flags will be moved around depending on the waves,” Mr Prathaiyuth explained.

Mr Prathaiyuth also pointed out that many sections of beaches remain safe to swim and have lifeguards on duty.

“Remember to swim between the red-and-yellow flags only,” he urged.

The current rough surf pounding Phuket’s west coast is likely to continue for at least the next few days, Mr Prathaiyuth noted.

The Phuket News

P

arasail operators met with Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup on August 15 to formalise a self-imposed rule to no longer allow young children on parasail rides at the popular tourist beach.

The news follows international headlines of a Chinese man taking his infant daughter on a screaming skyward ride at Patong Beach on Aug 16.

The incident was made public by tou r ist David Carlyle, who reported, “We watched as the toddler was clearly crying and in distress while these men were forcing the harness on her.

“Thirty seconds later she was being towed up and out with her father behind her along with a local, as they quickly ascended into the sky.

“They all had absolutely no concern about what they just did to that poor little girl,” he said.

Prajat Somnam, who as President of Patong Parasail Club represents all parasail operators on Patong Beach, has ordered all parasail operators to no longer allow children of the ages of about five or six years old on parasail rides, Patong Parasail Club spokesperson Nucha

The news broke after a Chinese tourist took his infant daughter screaming into the air on a parasail ride at Patong Beach on Aug 16. Photo: David Carlyle via The Sun Petchvimol told The Phuket News last Thursday (Aug 17).

“We have yet to decide on the exact age and height yet, but it is obvious that operators were not cautious enough with this tourist,” Mr Nucha, who is also President of the Patong Jet Ski Association, said.

Mr Nucha pointed out that the operators’ club was unaware of the incident until he was informed of it by Mayor Chalermluck and asked to have the issue resolved immediately.

“For the past 30 years there have not been any of-

ficial rules for parasail operators to abide by, but this parasail operator should have already known to take better care of tourists’ safety than this, regardless of how careless a parent might be with their own child,” Mr Nucha explained.

Mayor Chalermluck told The Phuket News, “After we learned of this news, I urged my colleagues to figure out what we can do with these operators.

“After the 70-year-old Australian man died after falling into the sea during a

parasail ride at Kata Beach in July, the Phuket Governor ordered parasail operators to take better care of tourists.

Then I found out this, showing that they are unable to do anything unless officials force them,” she added.

“This happened in Patong, which is my responsibility. I cannot let anything like what happened to the 70-year-old Australian man happen again.

“I realise that Patong Municipality has no direct legal authority on this matter, but we must do something,” she said.

Revolutionary project aims to transform street dogs into valuable watchdogs

The high-tech vests allow people to check via a mobile phone app exactly what the local soi dog is barking at, making the dogs valuable watchdogs in the community. Photo: Soi Dog Foundation

Continued from page 1 ...programmed it to detect only when they bark at something suspicious.”

Regarding the development of the vest itself, Mr Pakornkrit said, “The vest was created based on Raspberry Pi technology (a small single-board computer). We programmed it to detect when the dog is barking, then we linked it to a camera. After we finished with the mechanics we made sure the vest fits comfortably on most dogs.

“However, right now, the vest is still under development. We did use it a couple of times to improve it, including when we filmed the video (announcing the project),” he added. The video is available on the Soi Dog Foundation’s YouTube channel.

Mr Pakornkrit says he thinks the biggest challenge for the project is to

convince people that it is possible for stray dogs to become “Watchdogs”.

“However, we believe that there is no need for stray dogs to be trained to be ‘Watchdogs’. The only thing they need is love and care. Every dog is different and they are all unique, but we believe that deep inside, the ‘Watchdog’ is already in every dog,” he said.

The long-term aim of this project is to create a mutual relationship where communities and stray dogs can sustainably live together.

“Our aim is to get people to perceive stray dogs in a better way and ultimately, solve the stray dog issue in the long term. The stray dog issue is becoming more crucial in Thailand. This issue leads to a bigger problem of animal cruelty and dog meat trades – we do not want to see that,” Mr Pakornkrit explained.

Mr Pakornkrit said that he welcomes all feedback regarding the idea.

“We hope that people are going to like the idea, so that we have more confidence to develop it further,” he said.

“We think that stray dogs have the right to live in the place where they belong. There is no need for stray dogs to be kept in cages. The solution for the stray dog issue is not in any animal shelter or government control.”

Regarding where in Thailand the team will launch the project, despite Soi Dog Foundation being based in Phuket, Mr Pakornkrit said, “We will be happy to launch this wherever the project is welcome.”

To contact Mr Pakornkrit email pakornkrit2531@gmail.com. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

PHUKET NEWS

3

Gov bans unsafe tour buses

Buses failing safety checks to be refused entry onto the island The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

S

peed cameras on Patong Hill and mandatory safety checks on all buses coming onto the island are among a slew of safety measures announced

by Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong to prevent more deadly accidents on descent into Patong.

“Last year there were 260 accidents on this road, and so far this year there have been 125 accidents with many injuries and deaths,” Gov Norraphat noted in announcing the safety measures last Thursday (Aug 16).

“During the past three months, there have been three major accidents on Patong Hill that caused injuries and deaths. This damages Phuket’s image,” he added.

“The road from Kathu to Patong is steep and winding for over 4.5 kilometres. This is the main road between Phuket Town and Patong, which is a busy tourism area, so traffic on the road is often heavy and accidents have happened

@thephuketnews

many times,” Gov Norraphat explained.

Gov Norraphat identified three main factors that contribute to causing accidents on Phra Baramee Rd over Patong Hill.

“First is the road’s engineering. The road has sharp curves and steep slopes. When it is raining, the road surface is more slippery than usual,” he said.

“The other factor is the condition of the vehicles. Most accidents that happen involve big tour buses that are not registered in Phuket. Some of these buses from out of Phuket are poorly maintained, and the knowledge and behaviour of these drivers is a factor, as they do not follow instructions, which leads to reckless driving and accidents,” he added.

The Phuket Provincial Office has approved a budget of B2 million to upgrade the surface of the road and install high-grip areas at three specific locations along the section of road from the Wyndham Sea Pearl Resort to Patong Temple at the bottom of the hill.

Other works to come in-

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong announced a slew of safety measures in a comprehensive bid to prevent more deadly accidents on Patong Hill. Photo: PR Dept clude adding more warning signs to more clearly instruct drivers to reduce speed, emergency escape lanes for heavy vehicles that suffer brake failure and to make the road wider at certain sections.

The Phuket Highways Office has been instructed to make this happen, Gov Norraphat explained.

Further, Gov Norraphat stipulated that a committee that

he has already formed has been tasked with investigating tour companies to find how much they spend on hiring buses on the understanding that cheap tours encourages cost-cutting by bus operators, leading to more dangerous vehicles being used to carry tourists around the island.

The committee will also check that tour buses dedicated to carrying tourists in Phuket

undergo safety checks twice a year.

The new stance on tour bus and heavy vehicle safety on Patong Hill came into effect last Saturday (Aug 19) with every heavy vehicle entering Phuket now required to undergo a safety check at Phuket Checkpoint at Tha Chatchai to make sure it is safe to be driven on the island, Gov Norraphat revealed.

Officers will also be stationed at the Thung Thong Police checkpoint, on the eastern side of Patong Hill, to ensure vehicles are safe to the climb up – and down – the steep inclines.

Any vehicles that fail the checks will not be allowed into Phuket or over Patong Hill, Gov Norraphat assured.

As the campaign got underway, Kathu Police last Friday (Aug 18) inspected dozens of heavy vehicles and prevented 20 trucks and tour buses from attempting to climb the hill as they were deemed unsafe to do so.

A further measure was to extend the hours that Phuket tour buses and other heavy

vehicles are not permitted to travel over Patong Hill from 4pm-11pm each night. The ban was previously from 4pm to 7pm each night.

Heavy vehicles are already banned from travelling over the hill from 6am-9am each day.

“The committee has already ordered the Traffic Police to enforce this,” Gov Norraphat said.

Traffic Police have also already been directly ordered by the Governor to use speed cameras to get motorists to reduce speed on Patong Hill, he added.

The committee must report to Gov Norraphat in 15 days all updates on progress made on the implementing the safety measures on Patong Hill.

“The committee is also to make recommendations about what safety measures can be introduced on the roads from Kamala and Karon into Patong.

This must be included in the report,” he said.

“Many accidents in Phuket are caused by speed. The traffic law must be strictly enforced,” Gov Norraphat said.

NEED UPDATE 4

PHUKET NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

Phuket Seven Day Weather Forecast The Phuket News offers flexible advertising options both online and in print.

FRI AUG 25

SAT AUG 26

SUN AUG 27

MON AUG 28

TUE AUG 29

WED AUG 30

THU AUG 31

High: +33° Low: +26°

High: +33° Low: +25°

High: +32° Low: +25°

High: +33° Low: +25°

High: +32° Low: +25°

High: +32° Low: +25°

High: +33° Low: +25°

Wind 4 km/h

Wind 3 km/h

Wind 2 km/h

GENERAL MANAGER

Jason Beavan 086 479 7471

gm@classactmedia.co.th

Ma Aom was overwhelmed with grief after identifying the body of her husband.

Missing man found dead SALES MANAGER Jittiya (Tiya) Rakdej 088 754 1371

salesmgr@classactmedia.co.th

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

PR MANAGER Natchaya (Nat) Sittiprasert 088 765 5881 pr@classactmedia.co.th

www.foreca.com

POLICE ARE INVESTIgating whether a man whose body was found in a canal near an international school in Koh Kaew last Sunday (Aug 20) drowned while drunk.

Officers noted while recovering the body, later confirmed to be that of 43-year-old Suphiab Sanglay, that gold necklaces and amulets were still around his neck and a watch was still on his left wrist. There were no signs of trauma on his body. His motorbike was parked nearby.

His wife, Aom Puangnin, 52, had reported her husband as missing three days earlier.

She broke down and fainted, overwhelmed with grief when asked to identify his body Ms Aom and Suphiab lived about two kilometres from where his body was found.

Ms Aom told officers that Mr Suphiab was often drunk, said police.

Eakkapop Thongtub

Wind 2 km/h

SALES SUPPORT Mantarin (Zara) Klinjun 088 765 5883

sales1@classactmedia.co.th

Wind 4 km/h

Wind 4 km/h

Canadian tourist faces charges for killer U-turn CCTV footage showed the car making a U-turn as two motorbikes approached at speed.

Image: CCTV

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

A

37-year-old Canadian tourist has been charged with reckless driving causing death and injury after his attempted U-turn across the path of two motorbikes on Chao Fa West Rd in Chalong late Monday afternoon (Aug 21) left one of the riders dead and the other in hospital.

Lt Chanat Hongsithchaiyakul of the Chalong Police, who is leading the investigation into the accident, declined to reveal the Canadian man’s name.

“He was driving from Phuket Town toward Chalong (southbound), then made a U-turn in front of Siriyanyon motorbike dealership, about 100 metres from the entrance to Tesco Lotus Chalong,” Lt Chanat said.

The accident occurred at about 4pm, Lt Chanat noted.

The accident was recorded on the motorbike dealer’s shopf ront CCT V, which showed the white Toyota Vios being driven by the Canadian

man initiating a U-turn then being struck by two motorbikes travelling at speed as he was halfway through the manoeuvre.

One of the motorbike riders, named by police as Pririya Kraikeaw, 24, was pronounced dead as a result of head injuries at Vachira Phuket Hospital. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, Lt Chanat said.

The force of the impact left the forks and front wheel of the motorbike being driven

by Mr Pririya still lodged in

Underpants meth mule nabbed PHUKET POLICE TOgether with Royal Thai Army soldiers took two suspetcts into custody last Thursday (Aug 17), one with his underwear loaded with meth and another who sidelined in selling firearms to teenagers.

The first arrest came when soldiers at the Phuket Checkpoint conducted a routine check of a minivan bringing passengers from Hat Yai at about 1:30am.

The search by soldiers uncovered nothing suspicious until specially trained sniffer dogs reacted to passenger Kritsada Wongduen, 23, from Kanchanaburi.

More specifically, the dogs were reacting to something in his underpants.

A search of his person found 24 packets of crys-

Wind 5 km/h

One suspect confessed to selling guns to teenagers who placed orders. Photo: Phuket Provincial Police tal meth (ya ice) totalling 12.433 grams of the drug and 195 methamphetamine pills (ya bah) – all stuffed in his underwear.

Soldiers did not reveal whether the drugs were stuffed down the front or the back of his undergarment.

Later the same day, Phuket Provincial Police arrested 32-year-old Teeraphong Wonganansak after noticing he was riding his motorbike erratically in

Rassada at about 4pm.

Officers found 50 meth pills and 2.1g of ya ice in his pockets, and 472 more meth pills, 42.47g of crystal meth, two handguns – one a Glock 9mm – and more than 120 rounds of matching ammunition in his rented house in Soi Paniang, Samkong, Teeraphong confessed that he sold the guns to local teenagers who placed orders with him, police said.

Eakkapop Thongtub

the front of the car.

“The second motorbike driver, Trirachat Junsawet, suffered leg injuries. He was wearing a helmet while riding his big bike. He is in Vachira hospital now. I will follow up with more investigation today,” Lt Chanat added on Tuesday.

“The Canadian man was also taken to Vachira hospital, but he did not have any serious injuries. He is only a tourist, not an expat. He has been charged with reckless driving causing death and injury,” Lt Chanat confirmed.

Video footage at the scene shortly after the accident shows a beer bottle on the ground where the passenger in the front seat exited the car. In Thailand, it is illegal to consume alcohol in a moving vehicle.

Also, the passenger-side airbag of the Vios had been deployed.

Footage at the scene also showed three foreign men waiting nearby. One of them was crouching down, holding his head in what seemed to be a state of distress.

Stop stealing the marigolds T H A L A NG DI ST R IC T Chief Vigrom Jarkti, who is the top-ranking administrative official for the district covering the northern half of Phuket, has called on local residents to stop “removing” marigolds planted in honour of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Marigolds were planted on a central reservation on Thepkrasattri Rd ahead of the Royal Funeral for King Bhumibol on October 26, but some of the marigolds have since “disappeared”, Mr Vigrom said.

“Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong ordered every government office to plant marigolds or other yellow flowers for late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The flowers will be ready to be in full bloom during the funeral, which will be held October 25-29,” he said.

“In Thalang District, mari-

Phuket residents have been urged to stop ‘removing’ the marigolds planted along Thepkrasattri Rd in honour of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Photo: PR Dept golds are being planted along centre of Thepkrasattri Rd, but we have found that some of marigolds are now gone.

This damages the scenery,” he added.

“We invite people to take care of the marigolds that have been planted along the road so they will be ready to be in full colour during the funeral for the late King,” Mr Vigrom urged.

The Phuket News thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

‘Bite’ frenzy spurs call against shark fishing The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

A

leading marine life expert and official Adviser to the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources has called for more action to protect sharks from fishing and for people to not engage in “shark hating” following a tourist being bitten on the foot in Phuket last week.

Sharks made their way into international headlines when Dr Kongkiet Kittiwattanawong, Chief of the Marine Endangered Species Unit at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre, said a Blacktip Reef Shark was likely to blame for biting a tourist’s foot at Phuket’s Kamala Beach last Wednesday (Aug 16).

However, Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong quickly jumped into the fray last Wednesday to say that another marine life expert had told him unequivocally that the bite was from a barracuda.

“I believe that the bite was a barracuda fish, but it could have been a Blacktip Reef Shark,” said DMCR Adviser

Dive instructor Saranu Pinjaroen said he saw about 30 sharks on display at the fish market. Photo: Saranu Pinjaroen Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, who is also a marine biology lecturer at Kasetsart University.

“Don’t forget that a tourist was bitten in this region two years ago,” he added, referring to when Australian tourist Jane Neame, 37, suffered a serious bite to her foot at Karon Beach in 2015.

In the publicity frenzy that followed that incident, shark

expert Tassapon Krajangdara, a specialist at the Phuket Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Centre, was adamant that the animal that bit Ms Neame was not a shark.

However, his opinion did not stop a helicopter assisted shark hunt being mounted.

“Please don’t hate sharks, because sharks don’t aim to hurt people, they just mistake you for small fish. When they

Gates of Hell open early A PHUKET MAN CLAIMS the Gates of Hell opened in Phuket on Monday night (Aug 21) ahead of the Hungry Ghost Festival, also known on the island as the “Por Tor Festival”. However, he might have been a tad premature.

Warin Nakchainaramit, 39, a Phuket native and Phuket Vegetarian Festival volunteer at Bang Niew Shine in Phuket Town, on Tuesday (Aug 22) announced, “Last night the Gates of Hell opened in Phuket.

They opened at 11pm for the Hungry Ghost Festival.”

Under the Thai lunar calendar, still used for observing traditional and religious events in Thailand, Mr Warin would be right as the Hungry Ghost Festival usually begins on the 30th day of the sixth lunar month of the year.

However, many people explained online that the originally Chinese festival this year will rightly begin on Sept 5, in line with the traditional date of the 15th day of the seventh waxing moon on the Chinese lunar calendar.

In Phuket the festival will be observed for just over two weeks, between Sept 3-19, a time when the Gates of Hell open to set free spirits in need @thephuketnews

Also on Tuesday, rescue workers held a procession to urge Chinese spirits to make the deadly road over Patong Hill safer. of appeasement, including angry souls seeking acknowledgement and even those of dearly departed family members.

In response, according to Taoist beliefs, the living make merit and provide offerings to appease the spirits so they can return to the underworld in peace.

Meanwhile, Phuket City Municipality has announced there will not be a traditional parade of red turtle cakes, called Ang Ku, which in Phuket have become a symbol of the Por Tor Festival. “This year Phuket Municipality will not hold the Ang Ku parade or other amusements as part of the festival because we are in mourning for King Bhumibol Adulyadej,” said Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana.

“Thai-Chinese people believe that the spirits of ancestors are released to visit their relatives during this festival,” Mayor Somjai explained.

“The festival is also called the Hungry Ghost Festival, as believers prepare food not only for their ancestors but also to nourish spirits who have no living family to visit.

“Every year at this time, Phuket holds the Por Tor Festival to give thanks and offering to our ancestors as a way to express our gratitude. This practice have been passed down to us from generation to generation,” she said.

“This not only gives the spirits great food, but also brings luck and good health in return to the givers,” she added.

The Phuket News

realise you are not the right food for them, they leave you alone,” said Dr Thon.

“We should find more ways to protect them, and push for sharks to be listed as protected marine animals. Sharks play an important role in the marine environment as they keep prey populations healthy. Sharks are at the top of the food chain in virtually every part of every ocean. In that role, they keep populations of other fish healthy and in proper proportion for their ecosystem. If sharks are removed, the marine ecosystem loses its balance,” he explained.

“The government should protect sharks by law. We have to understand and find ways to save and protect them,” Dr Thon said.

Last Tuesday (Aug 15) Phuket dive instructor Saranu Pinjaroen posted photos on Facebook showing the remains of about 30 sharks splayed out at a fish market near Jearawanich Pier in Rassada.

“Very sad,” he said in his post. “I never see them when diving, but I can find them here at the market.”

PHUKET NEWS

5

The man fell from the speeding tuk-tuk at about 2:30am last Sunday (Aug 20). Image: CCTV

Tourist falls out of speeding tuk-tuk TOURIST POLICE ARE trying to locate a tourist who fell off a tuk-tuk still moving at speed in Kathu early last Sunday (Aug 20) in the hopes of gaining more information about the incident and the extent of his injuries, and to bring charges against the tuk-tuk driver.

“We must find him for f ur ther enquiries before searching for the driver of the tuk-tuk for legal proceedings,” Phuket Tourist Police Deputy inspector Capt Ekkachai Siri told The Phuket News on Monday (Aug 21).

Passers-by notified Kathu rescue workers of the incident, at the “Ket Ho intersection” on Wichit Songkram Rd, at about 2:30am.

The tuk-tuk continued driving away after the incident, local residents reported.

The incident was also caught on CCTV. Rescuers arrived at the scene and provided first aid to the man before transporting him to Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he was treated for head injuries under the name “Dabin Yliawylia”, age 37.

However, the man has since been discharged and police are unable to locate him, Capt Ekkachai said.

He added, “The actions of the tuk-tuk are an offence under the Land Transport Act: abandoning a passenger after an incident, and reckless driving causing injury to others.”

Eakkapop Thongtub

Opinion 6

OPINION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

editor@classactmedia.co.th

CONTACT US

editor@classactmedia.co.th 076 612 550 KODCHANAT THINSEPON Editor

CHRIS HUSTED

Executive Editor

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

MATTHEW POND

News & Sports Editor

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

MARK KNOWLES

Lifestyle Editor

editor1@classactmedia.co.th From Melbourne, Australia, Mark holds a BA from La Trobe University where he completed a double major in Anthropology and Media Studies.

He has over eight years experience as a journalist, photographer and editor for several magazines and newspapers.

TANYALUK ‘MANGO’ SAKOOT Reporter 091 165 0260 reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

SHELA RIVA Reporter

062 672 6456 reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

RAPIPAN ‘GOONGNANG’ SUKSAWAT Translator 095 004 0497 translate@classactmedia.co.th

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

The Phuket News @thephuketnews ADVERTISING

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

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

EDITORIAL

Always a pleasant experience

W

ith the Thai Immigration Bureau’s online 90-day reporting option being offline, not for the first time we should add, those of us who have to make these regular reports, have the lucky opportunity to visit the happy faces of the staff at immigration.

Visiting immigration last week, I realised I had forgotten just how amusing these visits can be. I thought I was taking a safe option – visiting later in the afternoon when the morning rush should have died down. How wrong I was.

Arriving at 2pm, a line of foreigners was queuing out the door, this came as somewhat of a surprise – albeit a simultaneously pleasant and unpleasant one. The pleasant side being that even though it’s “low season”, there are still plenty of tourists in Phuket. The unpleasant side: the dread of

knowing how long it was going to take get my report done.

“Anyone for 90-day reporting?” asked an immigration volunteer stationed inside.

Three or four of us moved forward and were given our numbered tickets. Steeling myself for a long wait, I sat in a chair facing counter two, where the man – let’s just call him “Mr Happy” – who deals with 90-day reporting resides.

There he sat – Mr Happy – blissfully pressing his “next customer” button – 96 go to counter number one, indicated the electronic board above the waiting area. The seat behind counter one sat empty. Nevertheless, some people dutifully approached the empty counter, looked around confusedly, and seeing no other course of action, sat back down.

Then he spoke, quietly considering the volume of the general hubbub in the busy

room, “96,” he said… then, five seconds later, “97,” nothing…

“98,” and so it continued. With nobody approaching Mr Happy, including the people who had got tickets before me, eventually my number, 107, was called.

I jumped in front of Mr Happy and was getting my 90-day report processed when four or five people approached the counter, tickets in hand, exasperated as to why they hadn’t been dealt with in the correct order.

My report completed, I left the building knowing full well why I was served first. They were looking for a logical, orderly process – I, on the other hand, have been in Thailand long enough to know there is no such thing when it comes to Thai bureaucracy. If Monty Python were still being broadcast today, a visit to Phuket Immigration would make for a rather amusing sketch.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Phuket marine experts believe tourist bitten

by Blacktip Reef Shark Canadian charged for killer Phuket U-turn Phuket tourist falls out of speeding tuk-tuk Phuket motorcyclist dies after crashing into pregnant buffalo Phuket Opinion: As good as it gets Phuket to farewell Chris Hill, a ‘true’ expat Man dead as motorcycle hits central reservation in Phuket The 9th Floor named ‘Best Independent’ restaurant in Phuket Phuket airport employee arrested for smartphone theft Tourism blamed for killing off Phuket turtle nesting sites

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY Immigration woes

Re: Phuket Opinion: As good as it gets Thai “authorities” are renowned for not seeking expert advice in solving problems.

Seems that the “authorities” always want to re-invent the wheel. How long will it take for Thai governments to learn to be pro-active and not reactive with problems? The flooding every year is an outstanding example of inaction.

Oz Geoff I successfully applied online for my 90-day report on August 2 and got the status of “pending”. My only other successful 90-day online report was approved in a matter of hours. After nine days of my unchanging status, I called Phuket Immigration to ask if anyone was actually looking at these online applications.

After being passed around (fobbed off) four times, it became obvious no one had an answer and that I had to come in person to Immigration in Phuket Town. It wouldn’t be so bad if I understood the reason for 90-day reports in the first place.

Sir Burr

Patong still got the low-spending blues

I’ve been to Patong a few times. Since my first arrival, back in 2007, I’ve seen the town rise (a bit) and then go through this downfall. Prices rose, crooks grew, tourists changed.

The most recent time I was there in November 2016.

It was the worst time. Most of the bars in the side sois were dead empty and with unreasonably high prices. It looks like the board is accusing the Chinese people as the cause of this fall, but I disagree.

Okay, they stick in herds and don’t spend much, but when I was there, hotels were mostly empty, bars were empty, restaurants were the same.

All this room could be filled with spend-happy Russians, Europeans, Americans and Aussies. But why weren’t they there? Patong isn’t attractive to them anymore. Like many of my European brethren, this year I’m not coming back.

The reason is that the beaches are spoiled, filthy and bad smelling and the tour guides unfriendly. Patong Beach is noisy with the roaring sounds of the jet-skis and parasailing

boats. Taxi drivers are very unfriendly and costly. I love Thailand and I like Patong. It’s been painful to see how it’s crumbled down. I miss those funny nights with crowded bars, cheap food and drinks and nice beaches.

Franz 977 ...................................................

mentioned. I think the life uards do a good job under difficult circumstances. This gent is a real hero and a special human being to volunteer and put his life in danger to save others.

Wishing you a long and happy life that you deserve and thanks again for the insight.

LES

Escaping justice

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

Re: Interpol alert out for Red Bull scion The major charge of reckless driving causing death ends on Sept 3, 2027 but is likely not provable. If there were any witnesses they will have now ‘forgotten’ what they saw. The one about to expire clearly was easily provable. On 03 September he has effectively escaped any punishment.

Andy ...................................................

Unsung heroes

Re: Veteran volunteer lifeguard speaks out about funding cuts and lack of training Firstly congratulations to this correspondent for explaining his experiences, sadly when there is no financial profit, lifesaving operations on the island can be ignored or neglected as

Who does it help?

Re: Online e-cigarette sales ring busted In whose interest is the banning of vapour and e-cigs?

Certainly not the public’s.

I smoked for 30 years and quit in a day by switching to a vaping device. It is cleaner, healthier, etc. In a country where the public burden from smoking is immense one has to wonder who and why these devices are banned.

Martin K ...................................................

Misdirected prayer Re: Phuket rescue workers appeal to Chinese gods for a ‘safer’ Patong Hill

They should be praying to the Chinese god of vehicle safety checks and driver training.

Captain Jack 69

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

8

THAILAND NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

Thai forensic investigators inspect a hotel room on the southern island of Koh Tao. Photo: AFP

Koh Tao pair will face two-week appeal wait BANGKOK I T W I L L TA K E AT least two weeks for the Supreme Court to decide whether to accept the appeal against the death sentences handed down to two Myanmar nationals convicted of the September 2014 murders of two British backpackers on Koh Tao. Amporn Sungthong, a lawyer for the two Myanmar men, on Tuesday (Aug 22) said the judges had to review the appeal request first.

She was speaking after submitting 319 pages of documents on Monday (Aug 21) to the court appealing against an Appeal Court ruling on March 1.

She said it could take at least a fortnight before the court makes a decision.

Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both 22, were also convicted for the theft of an iPhone from one of the victims. The mobile phone, discarded near a hotel on the island, was later found by police and used as evidence.

Ms Amporn said the theft charge cannot be appealed.

If the court does not accept the appeal, it is expected the pair may cite new reasons and request another counter-appeal to have the ruling reconsid-

ered, she said.

Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun were sentenced to death in December 2015 for the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and the murder of David Miller, 24, on the resort island on Sept 15, 2014.

In March, the Appeal Court for Region 8 upheld the death sentences.

The main arguments in the defence’s appeal are that the investigation did not follow “international standards of forensic science”, and that the pair were not provided legal representation during questioning.

The defence will argue against the reliability of forensic evidence and the legality of the investigation process in their appeal.

Nakhon Chompuchat, head of the defence team, said its lawyers will argue that the forensic procedures and autopsy results which confirmed DNA from the two men matched samples collected from Ms Witheridge’s body were unreliable.

According to the Appeal Court ruling, the results were in line with international standards and the pair committed the crime “without a doubt”, but the defence lawyers would point out some doubt still remained and the tests may not be completely reliable, he said.

Bangkok Post

Nopadol Choihirun, 55, is one of Bangkok’s last remaining postmen to deliver mail by boat. Photo: AFP

Bangkok postman who makes deliveries by boat BANGKOK Sippachai Kunnuwong

R

evving up his engine as the monsoon clouds begin to open, Nopadol Choihirun steers his weathered boat under a twolane bridge to keep his pile of envelopes and parcels dry.

Dodging the downpour is a regular challenge for the 55-year-old, one of Bangkok’s last remaining postmen to deliver mail by boat to waterfront homes in low-lying parts of the capital.

“I have to be really careful to watch the clouds,” he said from beneath the shelter of the bridge, munching on a banana as the droplets began to fall.

The genial postman crisscrosses the swampy canal in Bang Khun Thian district twice a week. Residents know

their mail has arrived by the sound of his rusty engine – and the barking it provokes from the suburb’s dogs.

Drift wood and trash that often get stuck in the boat propeller make the job a daily adventure.

But Nopadal says the work is about more than just handing out goods.

“This is better than sitting at the office or riding the bikes. I meet with the people and interact with them more,” he said as he called out to waterfront residents while steering his boat.

A veteran mailman who switched to the boat service five years ago, Nopadol is taken with the languorous charm of Thailand's canal life.

“Some villagers invite me in for lunch or try to offer me a glass or a bottle of water. This is the charm of my job and it

makes me happy,” he said.

Yet the profession is increasingly threatened by booming development in Bangkok’s sprawling metropolis, with canals paved over and waterfront homes torn down.

With an extensive network of moats and man-made canals, Bangkok is often dubbed the “Venice of the East”.

The riverine landscape that snakes through the city and connects to the mighty Chaophraya River was once home to thriving communities and trade hubs, where boats played a vital role for transport and commuting.

But rapid urbanisation has seen the capital’s population explode and move into everhigher skyscrapers and condos.

“Former residents in Bang Khun Tian have either moved out of the canal side or left

the elders at home” said Kijja Phaukmoungsri, assistant director of the local post office that runs the service.

The need for floating postmen has steadily diminished, with only seven post offices in Bangkok still carrying the service today.

Costly fuel is another downside of boat deliveries, which are 10 times more expensive than distributing mail by road.

But for those still living along the canals, the service is indispensable, even if most of the snail mail consists of little more than water and electricity bills.

“We live along the canal and there’s no road access.

For sure, a mail service like this one is much needed,” said Pacharee Kladpipoon, a waterfront villager.

AFP

Suspects in dismemberment case indicted KHON KAEN PROSECUTORS ON TUESDAY (AUG 22) indicted four suspects in court for the murder of a karaoke bar worker, body concealment, theft, illegal detention and weapons possession while the fifth suspect was charged only with theft.

Wichet Saenkham, a provincial public prosecutor, said the indictment came on the last day of police’s 84-day detention of the five suspects.

Charges of premeditated murder, body concealment, theft and weapon possession in public places went to Preeyanuch Nonwangchai, 24, Kawita Ratchada, 25, Apiwan Sattayabundit, 28, and Wasin Namprom, 22. Miss Apiwan was also charged with drug abuse.

The fifth suspect Jidarat Promkhun, 21, was charged only with theft.

The Khon Kaen Provincial Court were likely summon the five defendants

Police escort suspects in the karaoke bar worker murder case after an indictment at the Khon Kaen provincial court yesterday (Aug 22). Photo: Jakkrapan Nathanri for arraignment on Wednesday (Aug 23) and in 15 days would set dates for witness hearings, Mr Wichet said. The five defendants, who were arrested between late May and early June, are detained in Khon Kaen.

Earlier, Preeyanuch, Kawita, Apiwan and Wasin confessed to premeditated murder and body concealment.

The three women were arrested near

the Myanmar border. The man was arrested in Laos and Jidarat was apprehended in Ubon Ratchathani province bordering Laos.

Police said the suspects were allegedly complicit in the murder of Warisara Klinjui, 22, whose dismembered body was found in a shallow grave in Khao Suan Kwang district, Khon Kaen, on May 25.

Police quoted Preeyanuch as saying she wanted to teach Ms Warisara a lesson after the victim had earlier provided the police with information that led to the arrest of Preeyanuch’s husband – allegedly in connection with drug abuse.

The victim was reportedly strangled in a rented car in Khon Kaen on May 23. The body was dismembered and then buried.

Jidarat denied involvement in the murder, saying the other four met her in Bangkok after the killing and sold the victim’s mobile phone.

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

ASIA NEWS

9

Street joints and empires

Traditional noodle vendors face competition from big businesses HONG KONG Elaine Yu

F

rom decades-old holes in the wall to multimillion-dollar businesses, Hong Kong’s noodle scene is a money spinner in a city that runs on quick and affordable comfort food.

Steaming bowls are served up 24 hours a day, often in clear richly flavoured broths and topped with fishballs, beef tendon or pork knuckle.

Other favourites come with Spam and fried eggs, an echo of the city’s British colonial past.

Lau Fat-cheong is one of the last traditional noodle makers in Hong Kong, preparing them fresh each day for customers at his three Lau Sum Kee restaurants in the bustling working class neighbourhoods of Sham Shui Po and Cheung Sha Wan. In an old method rarely used now, he sits at the end of a five-feet-long bamboo pole, nimbly bouncing on it to pound balls of dough on a workbench underneath.

Hong Kong’s noodle culture reflects its history as a city of migrants from all over China as well as its colonial history which has led to Western-style noodle toppings from cheese to canned tomatoes and luncheon meat. Photo: Isaac Lawrence/AFP Lean and wiry, in his mid40s, Lau started working for the family noodle business at the age of 11.

His grandfather founded it in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou in the 1940s before Lau’s father took it on, moving to Hong Kong and selling shrimp dumplings and noodles from a street cart.

“We’ve been doing this for

all these years and have developed an emotional connection to it,” said Lau, explaining why he adheres to traditional methods.

“There’s a satisfaction in the work.”

Customers across his restaurants slurp more than 500 bowls of fresh egg noodles at around HK$30 to $40 (B149) each day.

‘Poop School’ to change name SOUTH KOREA A SOUTH KOREAN ELementary school whose name means “shit” has decided to adopt a more fragrant moniker, school officials said last week.

Many Korean names and words are based on Chinese characters, so when rendered in the Hangul alphabet they can have the same spelling, but multiple meanings.

The unfortunate consequence for the Daebyun Elementary School in Busan is that human faeces are the first thing that come to mind when Koreans hear its name.

“A re you f rom Poop School?” was a typical taunt students and former pupils have endured for 55 years, reports said.

They have mounted a campaign to change the name, gathering more than 4,000 signatures since April, a school official who declined to give her name said.

“We want to have a pretty school name,” read a banner put up on the school wall by the students and their parents.

A school committee will choose among three options next week and submit a request to local authorities to @thephuketnews

The unfortunate consequence for the Daebyun Elementary School in Busan is that human faeces are the first thing that come to mind when Koreans hear its name. Photo: AFP change the name, she said, with permission expected to be granted from the spring term next year.

One of them, Haeparang or sea waves, would f lush away the stench of the past, while the other two are geographically based.

Founded in 1963, the school, which has 77 students, was named after a village called Daebyun-ri, a shortening of the nearby Daedonggobyunpo port, or Daedong Warehouse Coast.

The Kyunghyang Sinmun daily said other schools also have embarrassing homo-

graphs, including Jung ja (sperm), Junggwan (seminal duct), Yadong (pornography) and Mulgun (slang for penis).

None of the four said they were considering changing their names, they said.

“Absolutely not,” said an employee of the Mulgun school, in the southeastern county of Namhae. “That would be absurd.”

Last year, Japan’s Kinki University bowed to years of foreign sniggering by changing its nomenclature to the less saucy-sounding “Kindai”.

AFP

The best-selling dishes come with wonton – shrimp and pork dumplings – or tossed liberally with dried shrimp roe, harking back to Hong Kong’s origins as a fishing village.

But despite the steady stream of loyal visitors, Lau said rising rents and wage levels are a challenge.

There is also pressure from Hong Kong’s lucrative noodle

empires with branches all over the city.

Popular Tam’s Yunnan Rice Noodles chain, known for its variety of spicy broth bases and customisable toppings, was recently sold to Japanese restaurant operator Toridoll for HK$1 billion (B4.24bn).

But food writer Janice Leung Hayes said independent businesses like Lau’s still survive because of a sense of nostalgia and classic flavours.

“They have never gone out of fashion, so I do feel like even though there are big chains trying to dominate, the small ones still have a chance,” said Leung.

Hong Kong’s noodle culture reflects its history as a city of migrants from all over China as well as its colonial history which has led to Western-style noodle toppings from cheese to canned tomatoes and luncheon meat, first imported in the 1950s post-war era.

A quick, filling bowl also appeals to Hong Kong’s fast pace, with office workers often grabbing one on their breaks, a cheap option in a city where

the cost of living his sky-high.

“Hong Kong people love things that are efficient,” says Leung.

Ho Shun-kan’s shop, Kan Kee Noodles, perched on a sloping street in the heart of Central district, is a linchpin of the city’s noodle scene and has been serving customers for 70 years.

Buyers pick from a variety of flavours including spinach and abalone, preferring them to the mass-produced brands ubiquitous in supermarkets.

“You can no longer taste the shrimp roe in the (big brands) – and you can’t get these traditional flavours elsewhere,” said customer Ami Wong.

“We have preserved all the measurements (for the recipes),” said Ho, as he compressed sheets of dough with a machine at the back of his store, alongside his son who is in his thirties.

The gentrification of Hong Kong’s traditional neighbourhoods has raised concerns that small businesses like Ho’s will be pushed out.

AFP

10 WORLD NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

Secrets of the deep

Slave shipwreck detective scours seabed for elusive vessels SENEGAL Jennifer O’Mahony

S

taring out to sea on a flawlessly sunny day, underwater archaeologist Ibrahima Thiaw visualises three shipwrecks once packed with slaves that now lie somewhere beneath Senegal’s Atlantic waves.

He wants more than anything to find them.

Thiaw has spent years scouring the seabed off the island of Goree, once a west African slaving post, never losing hope of locating the elusive vessels with a small group of graduate students from Dakar’s Cheikh Anta Diop University.

Goree was the largest slavetrading centre on the African coast between the 15th and 19th centuries, according to the UN’s cultural agency Unesco, and Thiaw believes his mission has a moral purpose: to heal the open wounds that slavery has left on the continent.

“This is not just for the fun of research or scholarship. It touches us and our humanity and I think that slavery in its afterlife still has huge scars on our modern society,” he said, pulling on a wetsuit and rubber

Underwater archaeologist Ibrahima Thiaw (right) and a team member work on a boat during a diving expedition to find traces of slave shipwrecks off the island of Goree, once a west African slaving post. Photo: Seyllou/AFP boots for the day’s first dive.

Thiaw believes his native Senegal, with its own long and violent history of trade in human flesh, could tell the world more about how modern capitalism was founded on violence inflicted on African bodies.

“The Atlantic slave trade was the foundation of our modernity, so this is a history for all mankind,” he added, referring to the so-called “Triangular Trade” of human labour for consumer goods between Africa, the Americas and Europe.

After making final checks on the magnetometer that will run up and down a painstakingly designated strip of seabed for traces of wreckage, Thiaw disappears under the surface of the dark green waves.

African nations affected by the slave trade have never fully come to terms with it, Thiaw believes, and even today in countries like Senegal, a caste of people still refer to themselves as slaves.

The horrors of the so-called Middle Passage, or journey across the Atlantic, not only

industrialised the trade of people but ripped entire societies from their roots.

“The umbilical cord between Africa and its diaspora was broken and in the ocean (slaves) were being seasoned to be other people, to adapt to other conditions,” he notes.

Thiaw, who originates from a rural area of Senegal but went on to study in the United States, had become known for his research into slaves’ living conditions on Goree island when he was approached three years ago by the US National

Park Service and National Museum of African American History and Culture to find a west African base for their “Slave Wrecks” project.

They offered dive training, equipment and expertise and had already helped establish similar dive sites in Mozambique and South Africa, with one historic success.

Artifacts, including shackles and ballasts from the Sao Jose Paquete de Africa, a Portuguese slave vessel that sank in 1794 with more than 200 slaves on board, were dredged up off the coast of Cape Town in 2015.

Around 1,000 slave shipwrecks are believed to dot the seabed between Africa and the Americas, according to “Slave Wrecks” researchers, but few have been found.

Today’s dive, like dozens before it, was unsuccessful.

“We found a modern shipwreck, a big one,” the powerfully built Thiaw said, seawater running down his face, but “it’s not really what we are looking for”.

The trio of wrecks Thiaw seeks – the Nanette, the Bonne Amitie and the Racehorse – all disappeared off Goree in the 18th century, taking with them crucial evidence of how

enslaved Africans were carried across the harrowing Middle Passage.

The key is building a team of Senegalese archaeological divers who will dedicate themselves to the task, as some of his students graduate and move on.

The overwhelming majority of slave ships were re-purposed and simply rotted away after abolition, meaning the slave shipwrecks preserved by the sea will provide precious clues.

Thiaw complains that there is a lack of interest within Senegal for his work, especially at the institutional level where, he said, there was “very little funding for research”.

“I think in Senegal there’s a lot of silence surrounding the issue but I think the time is ripe that we start to teach our students and our children how to respect people of different or lower status, slave caste,” he said.

Discrimination remains a problem in the country, with some people still referred to as slaves using the word “jaam” in the country’s majority Wolof language.

“There are still people, who are still known to be slaves,” he said.

AFP

Crime knocks rhythm out of Rio nightlife BRAZIL WHEN BARS IN RIO DE Janeiro’s hottest nightlife districts throw open their doors these days, they don’t know who’ll walk in: revellers – or armed robbers?

Paulo Sergio, who owns Bar do Serginho in the Brazilian city’s trendy Santa Teresa area,

says he has been the target of a dozen assaults over the last year.

All of Rio is experiencing rising insecurity but the crime wave in Santa Teresa is especially bad – and it threatens to kill the city’s party spirit.

“Clients aren’t coming any more. They’re scared,” Sergio said.

Brazil’s government has sent almost 10,000 troops to

help the police in Rio de Janeiro state, which is nearly bankrupt after years of corruption and hosting last year’s Olympics.

But that is not helping to maintain what had been a growing nightlife economy.

With its cobbled streets and quaint houses, Santa Teresa has become a magnet for music events, small hotels, restaurants and galleries. But now it’s also

a magnet for brazen robberies.

“They arrive in groups of four, stop the car outside, then steal clients’ phones and watches and remove the cash register,” said Sergio, who has run the bar for four decades.

“At night, you don’t see anyone in the streets. You’d think it is a ghost town,” he said. “People will use their car now just to go 400 or 500 metres.”

The owner of a restaurant called Espirito Santa, Natacha Fink, says there have even been clients who called ahead “to ask if the restaurant is safe”.

Businesses are responding to the crime wave as best they can. When taxis refuse to take passengers to Santa Teresa, one restaurant offers to pick them up and bring them home free of charge.

Sergio has had to start closing early, because “the attacks start at about 8pm”.

Francisco Dantas, who runs Cafe do Alto, is among those who have started doing home deliveries.

“If people won’t come out,

A musician plays at an empty restaurant in the Santa Teresa neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: AFP then I have to go them,” he said.

“The numbers of clients coming into the restaurant has fallen 30 to 40% since November. It’s the first time that my revenue has fallen in 15 years.”

Banding together two months ago in a neighbourhood association called Amosanta, locals hope to improve the area’s image and pressure the authorities into doing more about their safety.

“It’s better. There are already more police, but it’s still not like before,” Fink said.

Rio’s hottest nightlife area, Lapa, is also feeling the chill.

Valter Gabriel said visits to his bar, called Arco Iris, have dropped a third since last year’s

Summer Olympics and that customers leave earlier.

“I’m afraid of getting robbed,” he said. “People don’t feel safe in the streets.”

Ricardo Rabelo, from the culture website Bafafa, says Lapa is Rio’s “thermometer” and that the diagnosis is not good.

Rio’s residents, called Cariocas, “aren’t afraid of crowds – it’s empty spaces they are afraid of”.

The city’s cultural life is actually growing, he said, with some 70 events typically scheduled on any given weekend.

“The difference is that Cariocas are going to the ones that take place in daytime.”

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

BUSINESS NEWS 11

Building on quality projects Thailand Property Awards draws ‘Best of the Best’ for accolades SPONSORED The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he 12th annual edition of PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards, supported by Thailand’s leading property site DDproperty. com, have announced the final shortlist of nominees, comprising 41 companies with outstanding developments in Bangkok, Phuket, Samui, Hua Hin, Khao Yai and the Eastern Seaboard.

Leading the nominations is boutique developer The Riviera Group, which collected seven nods for various condo and resort projects on Thailand’s progressive Eastern Seaboard.

The Riviera Group dominates the condo and design categories for the Eastern Seaboard, a rising economic and industrial zone that is at the centre of many infrastructure developments, following the announcement of the Kingdom’s Eastern Economic Corridor Development in mid-2016.

Other big nominees in-

@thephuketnews

A total of 41 companies are vying for top honours at 12th annual PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards 2017. Photo: Supplied clude Sansara Development Ltd and Sansiri, earning six places on the shortlist each; Phuket mixed-use developer MontAzure, collecting five nominations; and in a fourway tie with four nods each are Proud Residences, FYNN Development, D’Well Grand Asset Co, and Sena Development.

A total of 39 categories, including special awards in corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainable development, green development, and universal design, comprise this year’s awards programme, which celebrates its 12th an-

nual edition.

Kamolpat Swaengkit, Thailand country manager, DDproperty.com, a subsidiary of the PropertyGuru Group, said: “We’re optimistic about the future of the Thai property market especially with the knowledge that consumers will benefit from these exemplary developments.

“Urbanisation will continue in Thailand and quality developments will set our prime investment destinations apart from their regional counterparts,” she added.

Winning at the PropertyGuru Thailand Property

Awards is highly regarded as the ultimate benchmark of success, as all entries are fairly and ethically judged following a strict set of criteria set by an independent panel of judges.

With BDO Thailand acting as official supervisor, the judges visited the nominated developments and deliberated on their quality and standard of construction.

The Thailand judging panel is once again headed by Suphin Mechuchep, managing director of JLL Thailand.

“This is a great opportunity to share to the world what are being developed in those

locations and to celebrate the key factors that drive the growth of the real estate industry in Thailand. The Thailand Property Awards have showcased high quality developments and have well demonstrated an increased recognition and respect gained from the country’s real estate industry,” noted Ms Suphin.

Shortlisted finalists will be recognised either as Winner or Highly Commended during the gala dinner that will host around 600 key senior figures from the real estate sector and related industries in Thailand and beyond, making the event the biggest and longest-running annual real estate awards gala in the country.

The exclusive, black-tie awards gala evening takes places on Friday, September 15, at the Plaza Athenee Bangkok (a Royal Meridien hotel), the same venue where the PropertyGuru Thailand Real Estate Summit – a gathering of more than 100 domestic and international experts in the property sector – will be held a day before.

As always, the awards gala

dinner will begin with an hour of cocktail reception, followed by the opening remarks, a four-course dinner, and the awards ceremony proper.

In 2017, the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards features nine domestic gala ceremonies in eight countries: Cambodia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore. The Awards series has also been expanded this year to include categories for Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, Laos, India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and South Korea.

Domestic winners from these 17 markets will then advance to the final round and compete for regional awards.

The regional winners will be announced on the night of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final to be held in Singapore on November 8 2017.

For details of the awards email info@asiapropertyawards. com or call +66 (02) 204 9599.

The Phuket News is a proud Media Partner of the Thailand Property Awards.

12 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

First in, best served Holiday Inn marks more than a generation serving guests in Patong Patong over the years and how did the resort overcome them?

Thailand and Phuket were one of the countries that were hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and subsequent tsunami. The west coast of Phuket endured flooding and the tsunami caused damage to almost all the major beaches such as Patong, Karon, Kamala and Kat. The key challenge throughout the impact was how to bring back the confidence in tourists to travel to Phuket, which took some time to recover.

HOSPITALITY The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he Holiday Inn Resort Phuket at Patong Beach last month marked the opening of its celebrations of 30 years of serving guests in what has become one of the best-known island-vacation towns on the planet.

Here, Susan Bambridge, Director of Marketing & Sales Holiday Inn Resort Phuket, and Area Director of Marketing & Sales Holiday Inn Resorts for Thailand and the Maldives, based in Patong, explains to The Phuket News what the resort’s history means to them and what lies in store for the iconic resort.

How did the resort originate?

Whose idea was it and how was the Holiday Inn partnership forged?

In 1976 Phuket airport became international and during the 1980s visitor numbers to the island began to rise rapidly. Phuket accommoda-

In the midst of the madding crowd, the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket has stood tall at Patong Beach for 30 years. Photo: Supplied tions moved more upmarket in the late 1980s with the construction of more salubrious brand-name beach hotels such as Club Med in Kata, Holiday Inn in Patong, the Phuket Yacht Club in Nai Harn, Le Meridien in Karon, the Chedi and Amanpuri in Surin and the Laguna Resort, built on old mine lands in Bang Tao. The Holiday Inn Resort Phuket opened on July 23, 1987. It was the first interna-

tional resort in Patong and just the second international resort in Phuket.

The resort was built by AF Global Limited in 1987, who had then the tremendous foresight to foresee the emergence of Phuket, and especially Patong Beach, as a truly global tourism destination. Listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, AF Global Limited focuses on hospitality and investment holdings,

maintaining operations in Singapore, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and the United Kingdom.

AF Global Limited will continue to invest in Phuket and is currently developing an iconic luxury beach resort in Rawai on one of the last remaining seafront plots on the island.

What key challenges has the Holiday Inn Phuket faced in

What key challenges lay ahead for the resort, and how is management preparing to respond to them?

Accepting and adapting to change is key for survival. We have been managing change no matter how disruptive it is by developing solutions that support business models and overcome challenges that may hinder long term success.

The key challenges we have been facing include slow global demand and last-minute

booking trends, as well as how the hotel management prepares for the future growth along with Phuket competition in the hotel industry. How we fare with all this depends on recognising trends which will drive future travel habits and consumer expectations.

We are well aware that by choosing the right tools we are able to analyse and react to trends in real time. In order to do this effectively, we have put people at the centre of success including leadership development, team coaching and customer relationship management.

We have been striving to leverage an increased awareness of guests’ expectations, re-imagined technology strategy as well as differentiated offerings to provide unmatched travel experiences to deliver Patong’s best resort experience to our guests. Returning guests are provided with personalised services to ensure a memorable stay experience.

Customer experience will drive more loyalty than points and miles.

Broad changes afoot for excise tax TAXATION ORGANIC LAWS CONcerning the new excise tax rates, which will apply to all products subject to excise duties except for alcohol and cigarettes, will top the Cabinet’s agenda this week.

The Cabinet will seek to approve new duties for alcohol and cigarettes shortly before the new excise tax regime comes into force on Sept 16.

The move is aimed at preventing people from hoarding products to reap windfall profits, said an informed source at the Finance Ministry.

The Excise Department insists that the new excise tax structure will not add a significant burden to operators, the source said.

The new excise tax will mark a radical change in how taxes are computed for products spanning vehicles, alcohol, cigarettes, non-alcoholic drinks, batteries, crystal glass and air conditioners.

The system replaces the existing ex-factory prices and cost, insurance and freight (CIF) values with suggested retail prices. The Excise Department hopes that the new basis will create a fairer sys-

The Excise Department is about to get hundreds of new instructions from the Cabinet. Image: Google Maps tem for manufacturers and importers after the revelation that some businesses were exploiting ex-factory and CIF values to understate their tax bills.

The source said the new excise tax will cap the variance in price tags of cars set by independent car distributors (known as grey-market operators) and authorised dealers at 15%, a move to stem loopholes used by grey-market distributors in understating tax bills.

The new tax will require car prices set by grey-market operators to be at least 85% of those fixed by authorised dealers. At present, some greymarket dealers declare selling prices of 30-40% lower than those of authorised dealers; the government loses considerable

tax revenue as a result.

The Finance Ministry source said the permission for grey-market dealers to use prices lower than those of authorised dealers in calculating import duty is because the former has lower overhead costs and do not provide aftersale service to buyers.

For alcohol, non-alcoholic drinks and cigarettes, the agency will survey prices from mom-and-pop shops, convenience stores and modern trade to set the mode used as the reference price for excise tax calculation, the source said.

The Excise Department can order vendors raise their retail prices to at least 95% of the mode set by the agency, the source said.

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

Overcome your fear of public speaking

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

14

Wasps have a nasty sting but they’re not all bad

16

From ‘Kuan Ta Eiam’ viewpoint you can see the newly planted oil palms abutting the mangrove forests that ring the edges of Phang Nga Bay. Photo: Jamie Monk

EXPANDING YOUR VIEWS The Thai entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well – new viewpoints like ‘Kuan Ta Eiam’ are sprouting up like mushrooms around the region JAMIE’S PHUKET

M

Jamie Monk

y family loves hills and great views, so we’re very lucky to be living in this hilly part of southern Thailand. Phuket has lots of amazing views and hills over 500 metres above sea level. To the north of Phuket, over the bridge, you have Phang Nga province, which is largely rural and also very mountainous.

Several great viewpoints on privately owned land have been opening up to the public over the last few years. In early 2016 we found Khao Kai Nui, which had not been open that long, then later in 2016 we visited Samet Nangshe, which is incredibly gorgeous. And just recently, we visited Black Rock Viewpoint in the south of Phuket, which has been rather secret for a few years but now has an improved road and some signposts (in Thai only).

It seems that anyone who owns land on a hill is opening it up to the public to make a little bit of money on the side. So long as it’s kept neat and tidy, I’m all for it. If the hillsides in rural areas start getting lined with @thephuketnews

sunset bars, hotels and bus loads of Chinese tourists – maybe not so good.

So, last week we took a family drive into Phang Nga once again. I had seen a viewpoint called Kuan Ta Eiam on an Instagram post by some local video makers (Fat Mango Videos). The pictures looked like Phang Nga, and they sent me a location – thanks guys! Turns out, it’s just a few kilometres from Samet Nangshe, so our little drive had two objectives… to find Kuan Ta Eiam and also revisit Samet Nangshe to see what had changed since last year.

We stopped first for a late breakfast at the Benyaran Museum, which is on the way and run by a local landowner. We really should visit the museum next time too. But the museum also has a decent restaurant with cheap, tasty Thai food and air-con – so we have eaten there a few times.

After eating, we headed to Samet Nangshe. I want to write more about this, because there is a new place opening a couple of hundred metres along the hill, and we had a look. It’s a boutique hotel with camping areas and a small restaurant. It’s being tastefully done, and it turns out that it’s being done by the same owner as the Benyaran Museum. We plan to return and hire a couple of tents for the night when it’s 100% open. Right now it’s

open, but with builders everywhere!

We found Kuan Ta Eiam to be unsignposted. But it is marked on Google Maps, so we found the correct side road and then guessed the right dirt road heading uphill. The dirt road heading up was dry and easy to drive (we don’t have a 4x4), but if the road was slightly wet I would think twice about trying this! There were no signposts at all, but at the top we found a large parking area, benches, and it’s obviously being set up as a viewpoint.

But as yet there is no entry fee, not even a drinks stall, and there were no other people at all. I actually wondered if we should be up there. Maybe a farmer would shout “get off my land!”

You can see that the top of the viewpoint is almost ready for visitors with a bench and a swing and rocks painted with the name of the viewpoint in Thai. Kuan is a southern Thai word for hill, and Ta Eiam means “Grandpa Eiam”. I am not sure who Eiam is. But I guess it’s his hill!

Maybe this place will have to play second fiddle to Samet Nangshe, as the view from there is slightly more spectacular. But we very much enjoyed this little afternoon of exploration, as we often do. This part of Phang Nga is quickly becoming a popular attraction. We first drove around here in June 2015 and there

was really nothing developed.

The Samet Nangshe viewpoint opened in 2016, and then the fishing village of Hin Rom started a village collective, with longtail boat trips and a small restaurant later in 2016 – we did a trip exploring caves and islands in November 2016. I feel like we have grown up with this area. And we plan to be back again and sleep in tents at Samet Nangshe for a night. Very nice to find Kuan Ta Eiam and have the place to ourselves. Another lovely family day out in beautiful southern Thailand.

Jamie Monk blogs about all things Phuket. For more great local information and pictures, visit his excellent website: jamiesphuketblog.com

14 EVENTS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Freedom from fear of public speaking The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

C

ountless surveys and studies have consistently confirmed that public speaking regularly tops the list of things that terrify us – often even more so than the fear of dying! But this doesn’t have to be the case.

There are many techniques that you can learn, practice and use to help you banish this often irrational fear and become a talented public speaker.

Watcharaporn “Jay Jay” Yankomut is a noted public speaking coach and founder of the ‘Star on Stage’ course.

The detailed course is designed to teach you the skills and techniques to help you develop a lively on stage persona and captivate your audience when speaking in public. She has worked with business executives, television and radio presenters, as well as regular people to improve their public speaking ability and reap the gains in self-confidence that naturally follows.

In this article Jay Jay will outline some of the key ideas developed over her career in teaching public speaking. She will be expanding on the topics outlined in this article during a live talk on Aug 27 from 6-8pm as part of the Inspired Phuketians series of talks hosted by Skye Lake Club.

Why are so many people so afraid of speaking in public?

Staring out into a silent and expectant crowd, your mind races with terrifying possibilities… will I freeze up?

Will I forget my speech? Will my voice waiver? Will people not laugh at my

jokes? Will I bore them to death? These are some of the most common reasons why people are afraid of public speaking. But the good news is, with knowledge and practice, you can free yourself from these fears and become at ease on the stage – making it much more likely that people will listen and pay close attention to what you have to say.

How can we get rid of the fear?

If you fear something, the only way to overcome that fear is to do it! Each time you do it, and survive, it will become less and less daunting. This is good advice with confronting any fear.

Think through your fear rationally, analyse any potential problems, and prepare for them. As you continue to practice, you will confront and overcome these problems, and the next time you try it will be even easier. Often, fear of the unknown is really what you were afraid of, but with practice comes familiarity, and before long, that fear of the unknown will evaporate and your confidence will grow.

More practice equals more chance of successful communication No athlete wins without constant practice. No pilot can fly skilfully without hundreds of hours of hard-won experience in all weather condition. So if you want to be a great speaker, you need to do the same. Yes, at first you might fail, but if you do, pick yourself back up and do it again, and again, and again. As the saying goes, success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration!

Engage your audience with your voice When we go to the beach, we like the sound of waves. When we go to a

spa, we like the sound of relaxing music. It’s the same as with the human voice, a well practiced speaking voice draws the listener in and engages them. Practice using a gentle voice, then modulate it with powerful high and low tones to emphasise key words and parts of your speech. Again, practice is the key. When speaking about an exciting story use an upbeat and enthusiastic voice.

When speaking about a serious story, use a softer steadier voice. Good public speakers have built up this skill and can vary their manner of speaking instinctively as they progress through their speech.

Good personality, halfway to success We have all been taught not to judge people by their appearance. And while this is good advice, it doesn’t mean every one follows it. Presentation is important and first impressions really do count. So taking the time to dress well and in a style appropriate for your audience, and the message you are trying to convey, is crucial.

Want to be a good speaker? First, you must be a good listener One of the most important things I tell people when I’m teaching public speaking, is to not get caught up in your own head. When you are nervous or focused on your own task, it can be easy to forget about the audience.

Make sure to pay attention to them, take note of their reactions, good or

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

Watcharaporn ‘Jay Jay’ Yankomut. bad, and use this knowledge to improve the way you present yourself and your speech.

Next time you find yourself in an audience, do the same thing, take note of what you like or don’t like about how the speaker conducts themselves. Ask yourself why something worked well or failed to engage you. Being a good listener is crucial to becoming a good speaker.

By learning more and practicing these approaches you to can free yourself from the fear of public speaking and become a better communicator in both your work and life.

Listen to Ms Yankomut speak in person at the next Inspired Phuketians event at Skye Lake Club on Aug 27 from 6pm to 8pm. The talk will be in Thai with a simultaneous Powerpoint presentation in English.

This event is proudly sponsored by The Phuket News, Khao Phuket and Live 89.5.

Millennium Charity Run’s 10th year of giving

I

n conjunction with its 10th year celebrations, the Millennium Resort Patong will be holding a run-for-charity event on Sunday, October 1. The event will be held under the theme of “Engaging with Autism”.

Money raised during the event will be donated to the Phuket Panyanukul School (PPS) to support and improve teaching quality by researching and implementing new and effective ways to improve educational outcomes for children with autism.

The event is also aimed to further promote community awareness of children with special needs, as well as encouraging healthy lifestyle activities.

Endorsed by the Phuket Governor and Patong Municipality, the charity run will consist of a five-kilometre “Fun Run” and a 10km “Mini-Marathon” along the Patong beachfront.

Participation fees will be B300 net and B350 net per person, for

Runners at last year’s Millennium Charity Run. the respective runs. The collected participation fees will be donated to the school.

The PPS was established on November 29, 1993 and is located at in Pa Khlok. It is recognised by the local Region 4 division of the Ministry of Education and was established in response to the Thai Government’s policy of expanding education opportunities to children from kindergarten to high

school level with special needs, including emotional and behavioural disabilities and autism.

As part of on-going efforts of the hotel, through its community service responsibility (CSR) programs, Millennium Resort Patong has, since 2014, sponsored students at PPS by providing painting supplies for weekly art classes conducted by and artist employed by the hotel. The hand-painted art pieces created by the children are currently on display at the hotel’s lakeside lobby and are available for purchase. All proceeds from the sale of the art pieces are donated back to the school.

For registration or further information about the event, please contact: charity@millenniumpatong.com or visit the website: gotorace.com/event/millenniumcharity-run This event is proudly sponsored by Class Act Media. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

TRAVEL 15

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

Unseen Kagoshima Andrew J Wood

I

love travelling in Japan, and when I recently returned for the third time to Kagoshima prefecture on Japan’s south island of Kyushu, I knew I wanted to explore new places and have new experiences. Fortunately, Kagoshima has a basketful of treasures to choose from. I particularly wanted to visit the Tanegashima Space Center on Tanegashima Island and watch turtles lay their eggs at Turtle Beach on Yakushima Island.

After landing safely at Fukuoka Airport we took a short Shinkansen train ride from Hakata station to Izumi station. Before long we were heading up into the mountains and forests around Isa City for a special “black” pork lunch at OKB (Okita Kurobuta) Farm, where they rear their own famous black pigs.

They roam the forests in the area. The BBQ pork and cold drinks were great.

Afterwards we checked into the Ryokojin Hotel Sanso (a hot springs mountain lodge) in Kirishima. The hotel opened in 1917 so it’s celebrating its centennial this year. Before unpacking we headed straight to the onsen (bathhouse) for a refreshing soak in the natural waters from the hot springs that has made this region famous as a spa destination. It was wonderful to bathe and relax before changing into yukatas (cotton robes) for a traditional Japanese dinner, with so many delicious courses I lost count.

After a good sleep and early breakfast we checked out to catch the high speed ferry to Tanegashima Island from Kagoshima port to visit the JAXA Space Centre. The JAXA run Tanegashima Space Centre (TNSC) is a Japanese space development facility.

It was established in 1969 when the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) was formed, and is now run by JAXA. The activities that take place at TNSC include assembly, testing, launching, and tracking satellites, as well as rocket engine firing tests.

It is Japan’s largest space development centre. Orbital launches of the H-II rockets take place from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex. Yoshinobu has

Shinkanshen at Hakata Station. Photo: M Chernov

The Tanegashima Space Center. Photo: Polimerek @thephuketnews

The lush green forests of Yakushima. Photo: Σ64 An aerial view of the majestic Kirishima volcano. Photo: Jun Seita two launch pads. There are also buildings for assembly of spacecraft, and for radar and optical tracking of launched spacecraft. On days of rocket launches, space enthusiasts from all over Japan gather on the island.

We had booked a guided tour of the facilities (in advance) explored the expansive site on a bus, and even approached the launch pad. An amazing tour. We also saw the rocket components and the control centre. This is the only site in Japan that offers such a tour. It was an outstanding visit. Thoroughly enjoyable with great exhibits and tours.

You must visit the space shop afterwards!

After another good sleep and fabulous breakfast at the Cosmo Resort, we were off – first stop, the Hirota Site Museum. The Hirota Site is the remains of an ancient cemetery dating back more than 2,000 years. About 160 sets of human bones and 44,000 artefacts made from shells have been excavated at this site. Due to its unique location and artefacts, the site was designated as a national historic site in 2008. The museum exhibits show how the people lived at the time, and how they were buried.

This was followed by a visit to the amazing Chikura Cave (Chikura No Iwaya – “The Cave of 1,000”). The cave is huge and can hold 1,000 people – although we were pretty much alone.

After the caves we drove north back to the ferry port to visit Yakushima Island. We were now in Kagoshima Prefecture. It’s known for its wildlife, waterfalls, cedar forests and turtle nesting grounds. Firstly, we visited Yakusugi Land – a forested area home to scores of 1,000-year-old cedar trees. Raw nature and pristine forest. We saw some deer and many varieties of birds.

Afterwards we drove to our hotel, the Yakushima Iwasaki. On the way we saw a few monkeys. Apparently, the island has more monkeys and deer than people. We managed a quick visit to the wonderful and huge onsen in the hotel and changed before heading off to dinner. At about nine o’clock, with dinner finished, we set off to Turtle Beach a short drive away at Kurioshima. Turtles had been seen earlier in the week.

Would we be lucky tonight?

After a wait of about one hour in bright moonlight… Good news! A turtle had been spotted! We all lined up and were taken to watch silently as the sea turtle dug her nest in the sand and layed over 100 soft round pingpong-ball-sized white eggs. We were told we couldn’t use flash photography

and could only stay behind the turtle. I think it was a loggerhead or a leatherback turtle although the locals called it a blue turtle. The season for egg laying is May-July when they would expect 500 turtles on this stretch of beach.

Watching this amazing animal that had returned to the beach where she was born and dragged herself up the sand dunes above the high-water mark to lay her eggs was a wonderfully unique and moving event – a truly oncein-life-time experience.

The next day we paid a visit to the thundering Ohko No Taki waterfall (one of Japan’s tallest). It was a beautiful day, bright sunshine and clear blue skies. This was followed by a visit to the Yakusugi Museum to look at the history and management of the giant cedar trees that are many hundreds of years old.

Afterwards, it was back to Kagoshima by ferry for our last two nights. We stayed at the Sun Royal Hotel and in the evening we went to see a football match: Kagoshima United FC vs Gainare Tottori. We came to support the Thai player – Khun Sitthichok Paso.

His team KUFC won 2:1. The teams were well supported and there were many families with young children among the supporters. Outside the stadium there were great food vans selling a wide array of delicious snacks and drinks. It had a fun carnival atmosphere.

The next day we drove 40km north west to Ichikikushikino City to visit a Shochu distillery. The Kinzangura Shochu Factory is located in a gold mine and accessed by a miniature railway deep inside the mountain. Shochu is

‘Ohko No Taki’ Waterfall. Photo: David Stanley a Japanese alcoholic beverage made from sweet potatoes, rice and malt. We later visited the Maguro No Yakarta fish market and restaurant, for lunch.

It’s a great restaurant and retail area.

The building looks like a ship with a mast and port holes along with a wheel house.

Next, we visited the amazing Yoroi armour factory, makers of replica Japanese samurai armour. It’s a traditional community factory with all items made by hand on-site. Suits take one to two months to make, many are produced for young boys as a traditional gift when they reach the age of five. The suits of armour also often feature in films and historical TV dramas.

The next day we flew out and so ended my third trip to this very special region of Japan. I’m not sure if or when I might be back, but if I do, I’m sure there will be plenty more to explore in this endlessly fascinating and beautiful region of the country.

Andrew J Wood is a travel writer and a regular university guest lecturer. A long-time resident of Thailand, Andrew is a former hotel general manager and Immediate Past President of Skal International Thailand. Andrew is also a Director of Worldwide Destinations Asia Co Ltd in Bangkok.

16 GARDENING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

Paper wasps and horrid hornets Wasps set up home in your garden? One reader finds a novel solution

I

t is amazing what can happen to your property in Thailand when you go away for a while. I have heard tales of a couple returning to piles of collapsed furniture – the result of termite infesPatrick Campbell tation. Recently however, reader Maria Cotter came home from holiday to discover something rather different: the emergence of a strange Reader structure among her ixora bushes. Have a look at her photograph below. The design is rather beautiMaria ful, but hardly what you want in your garden.

Cotter Why? It is the nest of the paper wasp or Polistes came home from dominula, a species of social insect that, like most bees and wasps, constructs its dwelling by chewing holiday to discover off dead fibres from wood and plant stems. These something rather it mixes with saliva to form a papery compound different: the emer- with which to construct their nests. Normally the founding queen will choose to start things off in a gence of a strange spot – under eaves or rafters, in a tree hole structure among her sheltered or along a branch. Selecting a low-growing shrub is ixora bushes. distinctly unusual.

But it leaves Maria with a problem. Not only is this nest waterproof and ant-proof, it is now home to lots of rather large insects who will sting anything or anyone that directly threatens their fortress – now occupied by wasp larvae and workers. When I was a boy we regularly found wasp nests the size and shape of footballs in cavities in the garden soil.

We disposed of them by plugging the tiny entrance with a lump of poison such as cyanide.

That is not an option here. Maria has three choices. She can either call her local pest control agency or, if that is not feasible, she can handle the problem herself by buying a powerful pesticide and spraying the nest at night when the wasps are relatively inactive. She will need to cover up well, and wear protective clothing. And the treatment will work more effectively if she can locate and douse the main entrance.

Of course you could leave well alone and let sleeping dogs lie: the paper wasp will not attack unless provoked, and it is actually useful in the garden both as a pollinator, and as a predator of pests such as grubs and caterpillars. Thirdly, inaction, which would be my personal choice.

Wasps have a bad reputation but it is less deserved than that of the hornet. The largest of the social wasps, hornets can reach two inches in length.

The commonest variety here in Phuket is Vespa orientalis, which has a distinctive broad yellow band across its abdomen. And they are much more aggressive than wasps. If you make the mistake of disturbing a nest, the whole colony can attack and sting in defence by the production of pheromones.

Such attacks can be lethal. Imagine 700 hornets coming at you. Every year there are cases in Thailand of people dying from multiple stings, people who made the mistake of trying to remove nests from their sites in hollow trees.

The giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia), fortunately a rarity here, is one of the most venomous of insects.

Every year, it claims the lives of numerous victims in the mountains of China and Japan. And hornets are not just a menace to humans. More importantly, they are one of the main reasons why honey bees are in serious decline, for they frequently attack hives to steal honey and pollen.

On the other hand, bees, as we should all The huge wasp nest Maria found in her garden. Photo: M Cotter be aware, are the most

GREEN THOUGHTS

Paper wasps make their large nests from plant fibre and even discarded paper. Photo: Hans Hillewaert

Maria’s neighbours enjoying the cooked wasp larvae. Wasp larvae are quite nutritious. Photo: Waugsberg valuable insects on the planet. I was delighted when a colony of Asian honey bees (Apis cerana) decided to build their pendulous oval nest on a branch of my mango tree. They are dainty creatures with yellowish abdomens and rarely sting, since the act of injecting their barb causes them to die.

Like all varieties of honey bee, they are under threat. If a man walks into your local bar with a bucket full of honeycomb, don’t be tempted to buy.

Several wild bee’s nests, whole colonies of honey bees, have been sacrificed in order to sell a few bottles of raw honey.

Get your honey from commercial sources, from apiaries. Look for labels that say “organic” or better “produced without insecticides”.

But even hives are in decline as the beleaguered bee faces an unprecedented number of enemies – not just marauding man, but robber wasps and hornets, parasitic red mites and zombie flies, something still not fully understood called colony collapse syndrome, and most important of all, pesticides and herbicides.

Our planet depends for its very survival on pollinating insects – of which the bee is by far the most important.

Unlike carnivorous wasps and hornets, bees obtain all their nutritional requirements from a flowery combi-

nation of pollen (rich in protein) and nectar (which they convert into honey).

In order to obtain these goodies, they accidentally pollinate most of our crops and flowers in our gardens. Without this fertilization, these crops will not fruit, our blooms will fail to produce seeds.

Industrious bees always keep their side of the bargain. It has been calculated that one colony may fly 90,000 miles, equivalent to three orbits of the earth, in order to collect one kilogram of honey. And though bees don’t know it, they not only produce the most complete natural food known to man, they literally keep our planet going. And have been doing so, here in Thailand, for millions of years.

The good news is that we, as gardeners, are doing our bit to help.

Postscript: After I sent this article to The Phuket News, they followed up with Maria to ask how she finally went about removing the nest. It turns out the solution she found was one that didn’t immediately occur to me. Having asked her Thai neighbours for help, they gladly obliged – removing the (apparently quite hefty) nest wholesale and throwing it on barbecue for an impromptu family feast on the juicy larvae within. It just goes to show, you can’t beat a bit of local knowledge... thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

HEALTH 17

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

Reshape and Recharge Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort unveils weight loss retreat in Phuket SPONSORED The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

T

hanyapura Health & Sports Resort, a leader in sports training for professional and upcoming athletes, makes its foray into the health and wellness domain with the launch of the “Reshape & Recharge” weight loss retreat in Phuket.

Thanyapura is breaking new grounds with innovative lifestyle modification programs aimed at empowering guests to make intelligent choices about adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Thanyapura is the only resort in Phuket to offer medically-guided holistic weight loss, detox, de-stress and hormone balancing programs. The program goes beyond providing weight loss and exercise regimens by introducing consultations, diagnostics, treatments and fitness plans, group training activities and plant-based cuisine.

Up to 70% of all diseases are preventable through “lifestyle modification”, which begins in the mind. Today’s leading causes of death are mostly selfinflicted. Thanyapura offers education and empowerment to patients to make

the right decisions. Thanyapura’s team of medical doctors, wellness advisors, nutritionists and Olympic-level coaches concentrate on preventive care and alternative treatments with fewer chemicals and scalpels.

Thanyapura Health takes an individual approach for guests who are considering therapies most beneficial to their health. This process – combined with optimum nutrition and activity – is the heart of their holistic approach to healthy ageing and healing. Their wellness advisor and anti-ageing doctor recommends tests and treatments that matches one’s goals.

These therapies include natural bio-identical hormones, vitamin and mineral infusions, colon hydrotherapy, chiropractic care, personal sport training and traditional Chinese therapies such as acupuncture and cupping.

Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort is located in a national park just fifteen minutes away from Phuket International Airport and presents a unique and inspiring destination for individuals, groups and families looking for a balanced approach to their lifestyle. Athletes of all levels train and prepare for global sporting events in the state-ofthe-art facilities offered at Thanyapura, whereas health conscious guests escape

Step toning aerobics exercise for weight loss. to rejuvenating health programs which edify the body and mind.

Facilities feature a 50 metre Olympic pool, a 25m pool, athletic track, modern 900sqm gyms, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, Muay Thai training ring and a Fifa standard football pitch.

There is a dynamic 77-room Pool Wing, tranquil 37-room Garden Wing, awardwinning restaurant, holistic wellness centre, a clinic run by expert doctors and the renowned United World College Thailand International School.

The ‘Reshape & Recharge’ weight loss retreat rates start from B127,800 net for single occupancy or B234,100 net for double occupancy. Inclusions for both rates are: • Accommodation in Standard Room with round trip airport transfer • Welcome package • Plant-based weight loss nutrition meal plans • Four consultations with medical doctors, wellness advisors, nutritionists and mind training experts • Take home farewell nutrition plan • Body composition analysis • Fitness and skeletal muscular sys-

tem assessment • Weight loss profile check • Tailored exercise plan, medical and wellness treatments • Group activities including cooking class, trips to the beach, sightseeing and excursions • Expert health talks and workshops and mind training sessions The dates for the “Reshape & Recharge” weight loss retreats are: • 8-day, 7-night Camp: September 10 – 17, 2017; April 1-8, 2018; and July 8-15, 2018.

• 15-Day, 14-Night Camp: September 10-24, 2017; April 1-15, 2018; and July 8-22, 2018.

To learn more about Thanyapura’s weight loss programs or to book a retreat, please contact: reservations@thanyapura.com or call +66 76 336 000. The package is available during the specified days and can be tailored for other days outside the specified time frame.

A reservation of one week in advance in required. Standard cancellation policies apply. For full program details, please visit: thanyapura.com

Endometriosis: a hidden epidemic

L

ong dismissed as “women’s troubles”, endometriosis affects one in 10 women of reproductive age, yet a lack of research and funding has led many sufferers to live in severe pain, unable to work or socialise.

During monthly menstruation, the female body sheds the uterine lining (endometrium). In women suffering from endometriosis, some of the menstrual fluids are retained in the body and endometrium abnormally implants in areas outside of the uterus where it should not be present.

A common complication of endometriosis, estimated to affect 176 million women globally, is the development of a cyst. This blood-filled growth is called an ovarian endometrioma or an endometrial cyst. Ovarian endometriomas are highly common and may be present in up to 30-40% of women suffering from endometriosis.

Colloquially known as “chocolate cysts” these benign ovarian cysts get this unusual name from the blood inside which has thickened and darkened.

Women can be affected by a “chocolate cyst” at any point in their lives, but most commonly before menopause. The cysts can be the size of a pin’s head or up to the size of a lemon. They can lead to a range of painful symptoms, but in @thephuketnews

many cases can also progress without any obvious symptoms.

However, if an endometrioma cyst ruptures, the fluid inside can spill into the ovaries and pelvis area. As well as being very painful, it can also cause some of the organs in the pelvis to bind together, including the fallopian tubes or ovaries – which can lead to infertility.

Symptoms Symptoms of endometriomas include abdominal cramping/swelling during the menstrual cycle, abnormal bleeding/spotting, painful periods, excessive vaginal bleeding or dark-coloured vaginal discharge. Experiencing the following could also indicate the presence of a “chocolate cyst”: pain when going to the toilet, both urinating and emptying the bowels; pain during sexual intercourse; or pain when doing exercises such as bending and stretching.

Treatment Apart from medications and conventional open surgery, laparoscopic surgery is the modern “gold standard” to remove an ovarian cyst. Its advantages include greater precision, less blood loss and pain, and a faster recovery. Laparoscopy – a surgical procedure where a camera is used to look inside the ab-

dominal cavity – is the best way to effectively diagnose endometriosis.

This article was written in conjunction with the Women’s Health Centre of Bangkok Hospital Phuket. All women over 30 should have an annual checkup by a gynecologist for early detection and prompt treatment. For more information, call the Women’s Health Centre on: 1719 ext.

1021-2, or visit: phukethospital.com

Endometriosis can have debilitating effects on women.

18 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

From left: Pierre-Andre Pelletier, Craig Ferguson, Julie Bishop MP and Richard Margo.

AMARI PHUKET WELCOMES THE AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER Amari Phuket’s team, led by Pierre-Andre Pelletier, Regional Vice-President, Operations – Southern Thailand, Vietnam and the Maldives and Richard Margo – Hotel Manager gave a warm welcome to the Hon. Julie Bishop MP, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Craig Ferguson, Australian Consulate-General to Phuket during the Ms Bishop's visit to Amari Phuket for a reception to mark the formal opening of the Australian Consulate-General in Phuket on August 4.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

From left: Tony, Michael, Max and Luc.

THE BOATHOUSE GIVES SNEAK PEEK OF BIG RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY Regular guests, VIPs and local media were given a sneak peek at the new look of The Boathouse Phuket on Friday, August 18. Guests were also given an update on what to expect when the iconic resort reopens in November this year – in time for the island’s high season.

From left: CJ and Sue

From left: Lyndon, Thomas, Richard and Scot.

SKAL INTERNATIONAL PHUKET GOES ‘GLAMPING’ FOR MONTHLY MEETING SKAL International Phuket held its monthly meeting on August 17 at Impiana Private Villas, Kata Noi. Members and guests were treated to an array of tasty food and drinks in keeping with the “glamping” (glamorous camping) theme of the evening.

Governor Norraphat (centre) awards the winner of an agricultural product competition.

Local officials pose with prizewinners of the Tour de Andaman cycling event.

PHUKET GOVERNOR OFFICIATES AT LOCAL CYCLING AND FARMING EVENTS On Thursday (Aug 17) Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong presided over the opening of the Phuket Agricultural Event, organised by the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation. The Governor also presided over the prize-giving ceremony of the Tour de Andaman Cycling event on August 20 at Yacht Haven in Thalang.

PHUKET MARRIOTT RESORT AND SPA, NAI YANG BEACH, GETS SERIOUS ABOUT SAFETY

The team at Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa brush up on their critical first-aid skills.

Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach, recently held a first-aid training session for staff and management.

The training took place at the resort’s Paksa Sawan meeting room, and was hosted by medical representatives from Bangkok Hospital Phuket, who taught basic first-aid skills to the hotel’s team of associates.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

Paolo Randon guards the coveted ‘Thanyapura 7 Soccer Cup’.

Team Thanyapura were rearing to go.

ISLAND SCENE 19

The JW Marriott team get ready to take to the pitch.

Two members of team Outrigger take a break from the action.

HOTELS TEAMS BATTLE IT OUT AT THE THANYAPURA 7 SOCCER TOURNAMENT Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort recently hosted the “Thanyapura 7 Soccer Charity” tournament over August 19-25. The tournament raises money for a school for underprivileged children in Phuket’s neighbouring Phang Nga province. Teams from local hotels and businesses battled it out on Thanyapura’s Fifa-standard football pitch. All proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Yaowawit School, Kapong. The Thanyapura 7 Soccer Charity tournament is proudly sponsored by The Phuket News.

Some of the PIWC ladies enjoy the tasteful surrounds of Tawai Thai Restaurant.

The tasty Thai food was enjoyed by all.

PIWC MEMBERS DIVE INTO SOME DELICIOUS THAI CUISINE AT TAWAI RESTAURANT FOR AUGUST LUNCHEON Members of the Phuket International Women’s Club (PIWC) gathered at Tawai Thai Restaurant in Cherng Talay on Thursday, August 17 for the club’s monthly luncheon event. To join them, visit piwc-phuket.com for event details.

From left: Mr Sarawut Srisakukam, Mayor of Mai Khao Municipality, Mr Igor Protasov and Mr Stuart Coakley, Sales Director of Mai Khao Beach Condotel and CEO of the Thai Business Development Company Group.

LOCAL DEVELOPERS GET THE NOD FOR MAI KHAO BEACH CONDOTEL PROJECT Mai Khao Beach Condotel is proud to announce that the Thai Business Development Company Group received the first EIA and Construction Permit for a “Condominium with a commercial purpose” for its planned project – The Mai Khao Beach Condotel. @thephuketnews

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

25 AUG Sunday Brunch Kids Summer Bash

Pool Competition at Expat Sports Bar Competition starts at 9pm - Expat Sports Bar at the Expat Hotel Soi Taipan Patong. See map at www.expathotel.com

Kids eat free when any entree ordered. Face painting and balloon making. Reservations, Hard Rock Cafe Phuket. sales1@phuket-hrc.com 076 366 381

SUN

27 AUG

Mussels night @ Shakers 1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: natural, marnière, Provençale, garlic & cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended 295 baht P.P., shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

Traditional Sunday Roast Angus O’Tool’s Karon Beach Lunch or dinner served from 2pm. Your choice of either roast beef, chicken, loin of pork or leg of lamb served with roast and boiled potatoes, three fresh vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. Only B350 per person which includes a free glass of house red or white. Opposite Centara Karon Resort. See: otools-phuket.com

7 Soccer Charity Thanyapura is helping to raise money for Yaowawit School Kapong, a school built for underprivileged children in the province of Phang Nga, Thailand. If you work in a hotel and love football, don’t miss out on this event. All proceeds are donated to the school, the first location in Southeast Asia to pioneer “Pre-Vocational Education” concepts with Marriott International’s Thailand Business Council. The event started last Saturday (Aug 19) and ran from 9am-8pm last Saturday and Sunday. This week, from Monday to Friday (Aug 25) the event runs from 4-8pm. This event is proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Khao Phuket.

SAT

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

26 AUG

INSPIRED PHUKETIANS

Jay Jay Yankomut: Confidence, Speech and Presentation = Success Held monthly, and open to the public, this event gives an opportunity for well-lived people to share their life experiences. Inspired by the famous TED Talks, it’s a great way for people to really connect with authentic ideas that will benefit their well-being and happiness in general. All of the speakers are chosen because of their ability to share an idea that connects with and inspires people. Limited to 55 seats only and priced at B350/pax/net including one drink and pass-around canapé. Register now by email to sales@skyelakeclub.com. Skye Lake Club, Cherng Talay. Sponsored by The Phuket News and Live89.5. *The presentation will be in Thai with a Powerpoint in English.

ThrifTique @ Blue Siam Beach Club

Steak Night Delicious special cuts of beef are offered especially for meat lovers. Reservations, HYATT REGENCY PHUKET RESORT, fnb.phuhr@hyatt.com, 076 231 234 # 5106.

Phuket’s first community boutique/thrift fair (Expats and locals welcome). New and used items to buy, sell or exchange. Blue Siam Beach Club is a beautiful newly renovated venue sitting on the coastline of Bang Tao Beach, next to Palm seafood. Food and beverages available on the day. Ample parking in the Blue Siam land opposite the Beach Club and also next door. Email: steve@bluesiamgroup.com

It’s Sunday, Enjoy the most family-friendly brunch on the island! Wide selection of Thai and international dishes - Foam party for the kids – All sports events covered at Champions and more for the parents!

Only 499 THB! Served From 12.00 until 15.00 Booking strongly advised. Tel: (0) 76 303 300. Reservations, Novotel Phuket Surin Beach Resort.

Sunday Roast All Day All Night 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 395 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favourites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavoured with Thyme and Garlic. Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy. Enjoy live music from 8pm-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.

MON

28 AUG

Live Sports at Expat Hotel NRL, AFL, Soccer, Rugby Union. Any live sport, we will show it. Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www.expatsportsbar.com

Beef, Pork & Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding – roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes – gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservation recommended 350 baht P.P., shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

THREE-COURSE HOME-COOKED DINNER FOR 300 BAHT! Free Flow Soup, Pie, Mash, Gravy and Peas, Apple Pie and Custard. Lady Pie cafe, 32 Srisoonthorn Road, Cherng Talay. 6.4km from Heroines Monument on the Right on Surin Road. www.ladypie.com Best to book. 076 271 049, 081 273 1740 or harry@ladypie.com (Reject Pies will be available at discounted prices).

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. 350 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

Quiz Night - Rotary Club Patong The Rotary Club of Patong Beach cordially invites everybody to consume (responsibly) for a cause at the Aussie Pub Kamala’s trivia night. Raffles + trivia + drinks + food + raising money for charity = A) fun B) very fun C) boring? If your answer is A or B, show up by 7:30pm. See www.rotarypatong.org for more information.

THU

31 AUG

All you can eat BBQ night 6pm – 11pm: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns & Squid, Salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. 395 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

WED

30 AUG

SURF & TURF NIGHT EVERY WEDNESDAY @ TWO CHEFS All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet

“HOT” WET SEASON BUDGET DINNER

All you can eat! Grilled Australian rib-eye steak, teriyaki-marinated chicken and grilled tiger prawns with BBQ sauce, red wine sauce and Bearnaise sauce, Caesar salad and herb-sautéed potatoes.

Only 495 baht. Two Chefs Live Band on stage from 8 pm until late. www.twochefs.com Karon 076-286479, Patong 076-344-914, Kata Beach 076-333370, Kata Center 076-330-065 COME FOR THE FOOD | STAY FOR THE FUN!

Chalong Bay Experience by Marriott Resort Phuket Merlin 1,950 THB net price per person. 3pm - 5pm, leaving at 2pm. Including transportation, distillery tour, cocktail class and Thai pantry dinner with Chalong Bay. Reservation at 076 335 300.

SAT

2 SEP

WILD WEST COUNTRY NIGHT! Saddle up Boys & Girls! Only at Two Chefs Kata Center, September 2nd, 2017. Yehaa!! - 50% off on all selected beverages only for cowgirls. - Wear your cowboy boots and cowboy hat and get a free shot.

Make your reservation at Two Chefs Kata Center, 076 333 065. Two Chefs Live Band on stage from 8pm until late, delivering sweet music. COME FOR THE FOOD | STAY FOR THE FUN!!

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SAT

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

2 SEP

Kata Rocks Collective Series 10

at 16:30 in the Boat Port meeting room, followed at 18:00 with the Sundowners held on the deck of the Anchor Building. Members - THB 400 and non-members - THB 800. Includes Aussies meat pies, cocktail style food and drinks. office@austchamthailand.com Location : Phuket Boat Lagona.

FRI

15 SEP

Dam Kathu. The event aims to raise funds for Pun Fun Pun Yim and HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Children’s Foundation. There will be 21km, 10km and 3km runs. Check their Facebook official page, Run to Give 2017, Phuket.

SUN

1 OCT

Phuket’s most highly-anticipated event of the summer, Collective Series X ‘Best of Mixology’. An AllStar crew of Asia’s best from 28 KongKong Street SING; Mandarin Oriental, BKK’s Bamboo Bar, legendary bartender Michele Montauti and Kata Rocks and Brand Connect. Tickets THB 2,500 Net p.p.

7pm until late with live performances (DJ & Sax) and Chef Laia’s canapés. Limited tickets dining@ katarocks.com

SUN

3 SEP

Mountain Bike Classic 2017 A new mountain bike race through Khao Phra Thaeo nature reserve highlighting ecological tourist destinations comes to the island on September 3 2017, following the highly-popular King of the Mountain Trail Run on the same day. The Thanyapura Mountain Bike Classic features a new route through Northern Phuket’s 23 sq km rainforest. Bikers can test their endurance in four distances: the 4km fun race, the 9km, the 18km (two loops of 9km laps) or the 27km (three loops of 9km laps). Proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Khao Phuket.

Thailand Property Awards 2017 Returning for a landmark 12th year held at Plaza Athenee Bangkok. With a professionally run awards system supervised by BDO, the world’s fifth largest auditing and accountancy firm, the PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards is the biggest and most prestigious real estate event in the Kingdom, with the top and emerging names in real estate celebrating the best developers, projects and designs. Proudly sponsored by The Phuket News.

SUN

17 SEP

King of the Mountain Phuket Trail Run, one of Thanyapura’s most popular races, returns on September 3, 2017. Beginner and experienced trail runners can compete in three distances: the 4-kilometre fun run, the 8 kilometres and the 15 kilometres along steep hilly terrain amid beautiful waterfalls of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. Proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Khao Phuket.

FRI

8 SEP

To create an annual fundraising event which supports the improving education and well-being of underprivileged children within the community we live and work. Our priority is to raise funds for local schools in Phuket and nearby provinces and support to Accor Yim Kids Project, which is a part of ACCOR HOTEL’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

More info: tel. 076602544 (Thai) 076602541 (English) or Facebook: HeartBreakHillPhuket. Venue: Khao Kad, Panwa Cape. Proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Khao Phuket.

EVERY DAY

Cooking Classes Every Day

SUN

SEE-FOOD Eat It! Seafood Promotion for THB 250 / dish: Seafood Basket, Fish Fillet “Parmigina”, Fish Kebab, Salmon Croquettes.

Mixed Drinks for THB 150 / drink with any of the dishes *from selected crafty beverages. The Drunken Leprechaun Irish Pub Phuket, Swissôtel Resort Phuket Patong Beach. For reservations: Priyagrn.Suwanphanya@swissotel.com, 076 337 000

La Gritta’s Discovery Menu Take your taste buds on a culinary tour through some of the finest Italian flavours. Chef Patrizia has created a six-course discovery menu consisting of the appetiser, main course and dessert, priced at 1,590 THB++ per person. The terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice. Reservations, lagritta@amari.com

24 SEP

076 292 697.

The Joint Mexican Food Bar & Lounge

Austcham Phuket Sundowners & Panel discussion

Run to Give 2017

All welcome, panel discussion on the “Outlook for the Phuket Marine and Hospitality industries” starts

Marriott hotels in Andaman area will hold the 7th Run to Give charity event on September 24, 2017 at Bang Wad

@thephuketnews

In aid of Phuket Panyanukul School – Engaging with Autism The 10th Anniversary Millennium Resort Patong Phuket Charity Run 2017 is a run-for-charity organised by Millennium Resort Patong Phuket (MRPP) in conjunction with its 10th year celebrations. “Engaging with Autism” has been chosen as the theme for this marathon. More info at gotorace. com/event/millennium-charity-run/. Proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Khao Phuket.

Do an afternoon cooking class with Nan and discover why the Halfway Inn has been rated in the Top 10 Thai restaurants in Patong on TripAdvisor for the last 4 years running. Classes can be booked any time between 2pm till 6pm any day of the week. Google Halfway Inn, Patong’ for more details or call Nan to arrange a very fun and unique Thai culinary experience. Line:+66(0)852533278. Khun Nan, Halfway Inn Patong, halfwayinnpatong@hotmail. co.uk, 085-2533278.

3rd ACCOR HOTELS Heartbreak Hill Mini Marathon 2017

King of the Mountain Trail Run 2017

10th Anniversary Millennium Charity Run

Welcome to THE JOINT PHUKET! Floor 1 plays the latest in movies & TV shows while providing you with the only authentic Mexican food on the island. Floor 2 provides a full spectrum of music in our bar & night lounge area, bringing a bit of Patong to Chalong. Floor 3 is a rooftop, where you can smoke, mingle, and take in the beautiful sights that is Phuket. Please follow @thejointphuket & @ fallenangel510 on Instagram & Facebook for all updates, parties, events, and weekly specials as we look to unify people through food, fun and music by providing you what you asked for! 11/64 Moo 5, Chao Fa Road, Chalong, Phuket, Thailand. 096 858 4848.

7 Nights 7 Themed Dinners at Rim Talay Make each night unique! Enjoy our themed dinners with the cool sea breeze. World of Curries @790 THB++, Thai & International Buffet @790 THB++, Seafood Night @980 THB++, Ribs, Wings & Rings @770 THB++, Butchers Night @market price, Surf & Turf @950 THB++, Thai Seafood Gala @980 THB++. The terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice. For reservations, rimtalay@amari. com or 076 340106-14 #8027.

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. Which Asian country became the leading exporter of uranium in 2010?

2. In which sport would you perform a “Randolph”, also called a “Rudy”?

3. A stock market crash in 1883 provoked who to give up stock broking and paint full-time?

4. Charles Ingram made headlines by cheating on which trivia quiz game show in 2001?

5. Who was the first actor to appear on Time magazine?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Hard

57. Red giant in Across Cetus 1. Settles from weight 5. “Let’s go already!” 58. Miami ___ 59. Port-au-Prince 9. Postal scale unit locale 14. “___ Bill” movie 60. Data transfer 15. Enjoy speed measure 16. Render harmless, 61. Uncomplicated in a way 17. Stronger than any 62. Twiddled one’s thumbs war 63. Eyes, in some 18. Kind of criminal animals trial 64. Culminating 19. Salon supply point 20. NFL team 23. Remorse Down 24. Coffee maker 1. ___ row 25. Heads 2. Congress person 29. July birthstone 3. Pinnacle opposite 31. Whale grouping 4. Bohemian, e.g.

34. Sight-related 35. Pseudonym of H. H. 5. Singing group 6. Time will tell Munro 36. “___ the Nation” 7. ___ the hill 8. Student of Seneca 37. NFL team 9. Uproar 40. Advocate 10. ___ Pacific 41. Goings on 11. Korma sides: Var. 42. Expression of 12. Vacuum tube surprise (abbr.)

43. Indeed 13. German resort 44. Hightails it 21. Not slouching 45. NFL apparel 22. Egyptian 46. HRH part kingdom 47. “___ City” 25. A ship’s officer 48. NFL RB 26. Drama 55. Fastener

27. Like a Shakespeare set, perhaps 28. Place 29. Woodworking tools 30. Four stringed instruments 31. Stares stupidly 32. Pear-shaped tropical fruit 33. Untidy 35. Ore deposit 36. Correctly estimated, as of market value 38. Asian capital 39. African carnivore 44. Clear 45. Holy wars 46. Undue speed 47. Do away with 48. Monopoly landing 49. Early pulpit 50. Who’s pants are on fire?

51. Perlman of “Cheers” 52. Ballet move 53. Relieve 54. “The Serpent is Rising” singers 55. Fraternity letter 56. Youngster

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Kazakhstan; 2) Trampolining (single front somersault with 1.5 twists); 3) Paul Gaugin; 4) Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?; 5) Charlie Chaplin

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

Aug 25, 1875 Captain Matthew Webb at age 27 becomes the first person to swim across the English Channel, travelling from Dover, England, to Calais, France, in 22 hours. He later dies at age 35 attempting to swim through the Whirlpool Rapids on the Niagara River below Niagara Falls.

9

milligrams of cocaine is estimated to have been in each glass of Coca-Cola under the original formula created by John Pemberton.

20

Aug 26, 1498 The first Europeans and firearms arrive in Japan.

IQ points the average intelligence of humans has risen since 1950, according to one study.

Aug 27, 1883 Eruption of Krakatoa: Four enormous explosions destroy the island of Krakatoa and cause years of climate change.

75

Aug 28, 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom: The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. gives his I Have a Dream speech.

trained dolphins are used by the US Navy to detect enemy swimmers and underwater mines.

3,100

tons of chemical weapons remained in the US military’s arsenal as of March 2015.

Aug 29, 1895 Rugby league is founded by 22 clubs at a meeting in the George Hotel, Huddersfield.

2.1 million people are estimated to still use AOL’s near-extinct dial-up modem technology.

Source: Uberfacts

This week in history

Aug 30, 1945 Hong Kong is liberated from Japan

by British Armed Forces.

Hitchhiking spider on the road up to the Big Buddha. Photo by Kurt Heck Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket?

Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

Aug 31, 1422 King Henry V of England dies of dysentery while in France. His son, Henry VI, becomes King of England at the age of 9 months.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

Jobs

@thephuketnews

CLASSIFIEDS 23 The Phuket News @thephuketnews

24 CLASSIFIEDS

Jobs

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

Trades & Services

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

FISHING CHARTERS

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

MOVING SERVICES

@thephuketnews

26 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Trades & Services

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

MARINE SERVICES

PERSONAL SERVICES

STORAGE Reserve Your Storage Space

Call 076 29 29 09

or visit mystorageasia.com

 Sizes to Suit all Budgets  Personal & Business Storage  Motorcycle Storage  Left Luggage Service  We Sell Boxes  Storage Insurance Inclusive

Secure, Clean & Cost Effective Self Storage Jungceylon Shopping Center, Patong, Phuket

TRAINING

HOME DECORATION

ADVERTISE HERE

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

Buy & Sell

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE Long Tail Boat For Sale

Ready to go “Long Tail Boat” with or Without Captain (Thai) Get special price, please call 085 781 9167 (English) Bangtao Beach, Phuket, B275,000, giorgionaef@aol.com 085 781 9167.

Boating deal of the year: 7.5m baht (reduced from 10m baht)

Due to serious health reasons, the owner must part with his beloved 80’ tour boat.

New wiring throughout, power outlets, transformer and voltage meters. New upholstery throughout bar and entertainment area. Engines & generator fully reconditioned & serviced. All maintained to European standards. Ideal boat for quality day trip business. beachsando1@gmail.com 080 695 3933.

CABLE TV PULSE TV. ASIA’S No.1 EXPAT TV

140 channels (HD & SD) in English, French, German & Thai. All Premiership & Euro Leagues live plus all your favorite Soaps & Series from back home. ONDemand Movie/TV Series library with over 700 of the latest titles, more added daily & with our CATCH-UP Facility (Records all Channels for instant Playback) you’ll never miss a show. This is not kodi – Our high quality set-top boxes come pre-loaded with our own in-house developed App backed up by our own highspeed Asia based Servers & Online Support Network.

PULSE TV, sales@pulse-tv.net +66(0) 99 316 6212.

CAR FOR SALE Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8G VVTI

2013 - 35,000km - Automatic White - CD Radio, Air-con, Alloys Excellent Condition, Only used for school runs. 525,000, Duang, Royal Phuket Marina, gavinmullins@hotmail.com 083 093 9724.

2014 Nissan Juke For Sale

2014 Nissan Juke, one owner, full history, leather interior, rear sensors, climate control. Perfect Phuket runabout, only 82000km. 530,000, soiana56030@gmail.com, 0950 924 729

Ur

t ge n

s al

e

Honda Jazz 2009 1500cc Auto

57,000km. One owner since new.

Regularly serviced by Honda. Tax and Insurance until the end of June and available now at right offer. Reduced by 40,000 bht, REDUCED to 330,000bht o.n.o, Andy +6684 690 9144, andysmalster@gmail.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT TechWorX Projects

TechWorX Projects now offer a full Electrical Contractor service. This complements our existing offerings of AV, IT, Home Automation, Home Cinema and Security systems. If you are planning a new build or renovation please contact us for a free consultation. Daragh, 393/8 moo 1 Srisoonthorn road, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110, daragh@techworx.asia, 084 443 9863.

MEMBERSHIPS Life Time Family Membership

Blue Canyon: 750,000 THB includes 140,000 transfer fee.

Loch Palms: 425,000 THB includes 72,000 transfer fee.

Tanita, 094 695 3536 / 063 992 3226. @thephuketnews

MEMBERSHIPS Phuket Country Club Golf Membership

Golf membership for sale, includes transfer fee of 60,000 THB. 450,000, David, dsgrabham@yahoo.co.uk 087 881 7545.

Loch Palm Golf Membership

Lifetime Loch Palm Golf membership for sale. 400,000 baht, the Loch Palm transfer fee of 72,000 baht will be shared equally between the buyer and seller. sales@joydive.asia

MOVING SERVICES Looking for a Moving Company?

With over 15 years of experience Bigmove Phuket is the number 1 provider of moving and shipping in and out of Phuket Thailand. We provide storage in a state of the art clean, secure, storage facility located centrally in Phuket. www.bigmovephuket.com. Mr Joe: bigmovephuket@gmail.com 081-797-5377.

LEGAL, FINANCIAL Bangkok law firm in Phuket

The Bangkok law firm PUGNATORIUS Ltd. provides its foreigner-focussed legal support and assistance through a trusted partner law firm in Phuket. For a protected corporate structure in full compliance with the law. For a comprehensive due diligence which truly lives up to its name. For a most efficient hotel business licensing process. For a more competitive design of the property development. The PUGNATORIUS advantage is badly needed at a place where foreign investments are typically built on sand. Protect your investment in paradise. phuket@pugnatorius.com, (00) +66 22 072 647

PUBLIC NOTICES Relocation of Major Office

Phuket Plus Co.,Ltd, Corporate Registration Number 0105549008784 has relocated its head office, originally located at 580/123, Moo 2, Saimai Sub-district, Saimai District, Bangkok, Thailand. The company’s head office is now located at 45/11, Moo 4, Kamala Sub-district, Kathu District, Phuket, Thailand. This announcement is on behalf of Mr Manusanan of Phuket Plus Co., Ltd. 45/11 Moo 4 Kamala, Kathu, Phuket 83120. Contact: rattana65992@gmail.com, 076-525-848, 076-525-715.

PERSONAL SERVICES Rawai Custom Tailor store

Rawai Tailor – Ladies and Gents custom Tailor Store. Serving local and international clients for the past 10 years, get a free shirt for each suit ordered, fully air conditioned, clean environment, friendly staff, parking space, quality materials, good workmanship and money back guarantee. Located within walking distance from major hotels in Rawai, opposite Sea Shell Museum on Viset road in Rawai. Visit us for free consultation, no obligation to buy. www.RawaiTailor.com Thomas Ghimiray, 158/2, Moo 2, Viset Road, Rawai, Phuket. info@RawaiTailor.com, +6681-415-4883.

REAL ESTATE SERVICES Property in Phuket!

Looking to buy property in Phuket? International Property Advisory (IPA) can help!

Give us a call today on 098-064-4408/Email:info@ipa. black/Website:www.ipaphuket.comContact Khun Pat, International Property Advosory, utopia@ipa.black, 076-604-260, 080-886-9660.

Chatta Real Estate

REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Chattha Real Estate and Professional Rental Management in Phuket. SELL-BUY-RENT-MANAGEMENT-MAINTENACE-GAURANTEED RENTAL. Inquire NOW! www.chattha.asia, 076-636-244, 090-179-6635.

Chanapa, Chattha Real Estate Co., Ltd., info@chattha. asia 076 636 244, 090 179 6635.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Condo for sale

Nice Condo for sale in Rawai 27m2, 2nd Floor renovated. Fully furnished. Ready to move in.

300m from the beach. 750,000 THB, Duverne Jacques, Rawai, Eng-061-0686696, Thai-065-0714228.

'New' foreign freehold condo

Totally renovated in 2016, located in centre of Patong. Size of 65 sqm with a common fitness, sauna and large swimming pool. Perfect for living or investment! B5,600,000, guy@sunny-property.com, 0831 052 707.

28 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy & Sell

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE Land: 3 Rai close to Monument

Land for sale in Phuket. 3 Rai close to Monument Thepkrasattri Thalang.

Perfect for apartments. Contact Thai/English 093 619 2323.

12,000,000, supaku1013@hotmail.com, 093 619 2323.

House for Sale in Karon

House for sale the price is negotiable.

3 bedroom, 3 bathroom house in Karon with a salt water pool. Great opportunity to buy in a good location where houses rarely come up for sale.

Good as an investment or a place to call home. 16,000,000 Baht, ณริศรา โคทส์, g-a-coatesy@outlook.com, 063-541-5642.

Royal Place Condo For Sell

Royal Place Condo is located at the center of Phuket Town, opposite the Tesco Lotus, close to international school, 3 minutes to Big C and Phuket International Hospital, 4 Minutes to Central Festival. 45SQM, 5th floor, Corner Room, 2 balconies, 1 bedroom, 1 living room. Before price 2,800,000 Now Available for 2,250,000. Harry: h.jabary@ gmail.com, 084 249 0526.

1 BRM UNITS FOR SALE

Spacious, modern 90sqm luxury European style apartments in a Golf Resort for sale.

For further information please contact 062-019-1421. 4.9 Million THB, Bruno, Golf Resort, brunohaag@yahoo.com, 062-019-1421.

PROPERTY FOR SALE 4 bedroom house in Chalong

4 king bedrooms (one with ensuite, the others with dedicated bathrooms), 5 bathrooms (1 with a bath, the other showers), Living room, Morning room (lounge/diner), 2 studies, Home cinema, 7 seater, DVD/CD library, 2 carports, 3 separate entrances (+ 5 French windows, a total of 8 exits). Property is at the end of a quiet soi near Big Buddha, no passing traffic. It overlooks a stream and jungle. The garden is 12 years old with bananas, papayas, mulberry bushes, cherry bushes, flowering plants and shrubs and several palm trees. There are frequent bird visitors…2 birdbaths. Just a few minutes drive from Tesco and Villa/Home Pro on Chao Fa West. Only 12 min drive to Central or big Tesco/Big C/Makro. 16.9MB (negotiable). Area of the site: 137.9 square wah (approx 560 square metres). To view, call 081 415 5522 or email m.allen.phuket@gmail.com

COMMUNITY

PROPERTY FOR RENT Rawai Naiharn with spa pool

Unique Thai style home, open plan, close to beach and shops, AC, 3-bedroom 2-bathroom with spa pool, must see! Eng: 090 867 4849 Thai: 081 081 9875.

House for Sale/Rent

Locate Baan Saun Loch Palm Kathu. Fully furniture with swimming pool, 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms + maid room, 2 living rooms. Large entertainment area. Very convenient location. Close to BIS, Headstart School, shopping centre, Central, Tesco Lotus, 10 min to Patong beach. Easy access to the Airport. Long term lease 65,000/month including pool + garden service. Sale 13.5 millions baht (negotiable). Khun Bea, Loch Palm Kathu, I.thumwong@gmail.com 098 194 9351.

Long term luxury Villa

Luxury 2 bed villa available for long term rental 10 minutes from Patong with outstanding sea views from B95,000 per month. We have other villas available for shorter rentals. Contact Justin 084 242 6952 (Eng) or Tan 094 596 2558 (Thai).

To rent: 1800 m2

To rent: 1800 m2 of concrete slab with 5m high walls + 500 m2 of parking. Heroines Monument area. Roofing may be arranged, long term and serious interest only. Open to ideas, Leo: 081 821 4064. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

SPORT 29

F1’s three-month finale Formula One world championship battle resumes in Belgium BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

N

ine rapid-fire rounds spanning Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East will decide the closely fought 2017 Formula One world championship.

Emerging from the sport’s enforced three-week midseason shutdown, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel leads Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas in the drivers title standings by 14 and 33 points respectively.

But Vettel’s championship lead tells only part of the story. Ferrari, historically more interested in the prestige of the drivers’ championship, is backing the German over teammate Kimi Räikkönen, who is a distant fifth on the table after a lukewarm half season.

Vettel’s title advantage is partly down to this given the Ferrari, though it started the year as a marginally faster car,

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel drives over the finish line to win the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring racing circuit in Budapest on July 30.

Photo: Peter Kohalmi/AFP is almost certainly no longer superior to the Mercedes, and the constructors’ standings prove it: the Silver Arrows leads the Scuderia by 39 points at the halfway mark.

Victory in Hungary for the red cars by no means halted Mercedes’s recovery from a difficult early season, and with only two of the remaining nine circuits likely to suit Ferrari as well as Budapest did, it’s not hard to mount an argument that the Italians will resume

the season on the back foot.

Unfortunately for Ferrari the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday (Aug 27), an undoubted Mercedes-friendly circuit, will only compound matters.

The seven-kilometre Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps comprises mostly high-speed corners and long straights in a similar configuration to the British Grand Prix’s Silverstone Circuit, which was dominated

by Mercedes and Hamilton.

Verbal jabs as countdown begins BOXING FLOYD MAYWEATHER and Conor McGregor traded verbal jabs on Tuesday (Aug 22) as the circus-like countdown to their money-spinning super-fight cranked into overdrive on the Las Vegas Strip.

The cross-combat collision has appalled boxing purists, with many decrying the event as a farcical publicity stunt more in keeping with the choreographed traditions of WWE wrestling.

McGregor, a massive underdog in what will be his first professional boxing fight, insisted Tuesday he was ready to stun the odds makers.

“This is not even close to my toughest challenge ever. I will crumble him,” McGregor said.

“I have adapted perfectly to boxing, I am very pleased and ready. I’m a special man, I will prove that August 26, this will go one or two rounds, maybe I will bang him out and hurt him.

“If he survives, I will decide whether I embarrass or seriously hurt him.

“I’m calm and cool, same as I am in every fight. I’m fit, sharp and I’m gonna be ruth@thephuketnews

his fitness, telling the US website FightHype that he believed his opponent would struggle to make the 154-pound limit for Sunday’s bout.

“Conor McGregor is extremely heavy right now,” Mayweather said. “I think he’s 164 so he’s still got 10 pounds to go.”

McGregor could face a painful financial penalty if he Floyd Mayweather Junior is unable to tip the scales inside (left) and Conor McGregor.

Photo: AFP the limit. Boxers often have the option of cancelling a fight less in there. I believe he’ll be or collecting a larger share of unconscious inside one round.” the purse if an opponent fails A relaxed-looking May- to make weight. weather meanwhile had earlier Mayweather, who is exencouraged fans to bet on the pected to earn at least $100 fight finishing inside 12 rounds. million (B3.33 billion) from “I talked to you before and Sunday’s contest, indicated he said that this fight wouldn’t go would take the money. the distance,” Mayweather said.

“I get that extra money if “If you’re going to bet, bet you can’t make the weight,” it won’t go (the distance).”

Mayweather said. “Get those Mayweather did his best extra millions ready. UFC get to play down his status as a those extra millions ready.” heavy favourite, insisting that “If he don’t make the his two-year lay-off from the weight, we still going to fight ring had blunted his prowess. but there’s going to be a heavy “That’s what makes this fine.” fight so intriguing, I’ve been out Mayweather has fought at a few years, feel like I’ve lost a 154 pounds before but is more few steps,” Mayweather said. used to fighting at welterweight “So we’ll just have to wait (150 pounds). McGregor howand see.” ever has fought at 170 pounds Earlier Tuesday, Mayweath- in MMA. er had taunted McGregor over AFP

The Mercedes W08’s long wheelbase paired with its still class-leading power unit made the reigning constructors’ champion untouchable in England, as is likely to be the case in Belgium.

But the hitherto private battle between Mercedes and Ferrari for the title is unlikely to define the second half of the season. Red Bull Racing, rapidly improving after a poor start to the season, is likely to play a decisive part in the

distribution of championship points despite the team being out of contention for both titles.

Between the Canadian Grand Prix, which was the beginning of Mercedes’s recovery, and the British Grand Prix, Ferrari outscored Red Bull Racing by just two points, and what’s intriguing is that the RB13 could have defeated the Ferraris at the next race in Hungary were it not for a first-lap clash between drivers Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo.

Nonetheless, the team’s improved pace is giving Red Bull Racing principal Christian Horner the confidence to target Ferrari in the next nine rounds.

“I think the [championship] gap between us and Ferrari and Mercedes is too big to claw back,” he said. “[But] I would like to at least outscore Ferrari in the second half of the year.

“I think if we can get into a situation to challenge for podiums and the higher places on the podium in the races at the end of the year, that is a

realistic and an aggressive target for us.”

A resurgent and ruthless Red Bull Racing poses the biggest threat to Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel’s slender drivers’ championship lead than Mercedes alone. While its all-for-one strategy to benefit Vettel could prove strong enough to outfox a faster Mercedes, also overcoming a quicker pair of Red Bull Racing cars would likely prove a bridge too far in slower machinery.

The pressure has never been greater at Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters, where the team’s first drivers’ championship since Kimi Räikkönen’s 2017 success is within touching distance. Victory is the only acceptable outcome for the world’s most famous racing team, but against Mercedes and Red Bull Racing, the decade’s two most successful teams, the 2017 title will not come easy.

Don’t forget to tune in to Live 89.5 from 9am each and every Saturday for the Box of Neutrals radio show.

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

A ONE-LEGGED RACE

Mac Rosen to take part in world’s biggest obstacle challenge ENDURANCE Hayden Rhodes editor3@thephuketnews.com

F

ormer pro-wakeboarder Mac Rosen has teamed up with Coconut Tennis Academy and RPM Health Club as they sponsor, support and help him race in the upcoming Spartan Race on September 9 in Chonburi province.

The Spartan Race is quite simply the biggest and best obstacle race in the world.

Participants are challenged mentally and physically to over-come their fears and push past limiting beliefs.

The race represents life; as obstacles appear in life and it is those people who overcome them that continue to grow, learn and evolve.

“A major obstacle in my life was losing my left leg,” says Mac. “I decided to participate in the Spartan challenge to help build myself back up and to motivate others that life’s obstacles can be overcome. I also know that a healthy body positively im-

Mac Rosen and two of his Phuket Spartan teammates make use of whatever equipment they can find in preparation for the Sept 9 Spartan Race in Chonburi. Photo: Matt Pond

Teamwork is a major part of taking part in the Spartan Race.

Inset: Mac’s current prosthetic limb. Photos: Matt Pond

pacts the brain… and well… we all want a healthy mind and body don’t we?”

Mac will be racing on one leg over 5-6 kilometres with some pretty challenging obstacles to overcome during the Spartan Race. He is racing on one leg because he does not have a prosthetic limb suitable for walking or running.

“Thankfully, Coconut Tennis Academy and RPM Health Club are supporting me and our team, The Phuket Spartans, which now has over 20 members who will help me,

available at the RPM Health Club reception or support the cause financially to help me get on with my life,” Mac added.

Mac is no ordinary guy and he is transforming his life by adopting the Spartan philosophy that he can laugh in the face of failures and continue forward. He hopes you will look after your body and thus your brain and he hopes you can embrace some of the Spartan spirit.

motivate me and perhaps even have to carry me some of the way – the goal is for all of us to finish this race together.”

Mac has spent the last year and a half in and out of hospital and has a basic prosthetic limb to get around on.

However, his hips and back are taking a lot of strain and he wants to be able to move properly without the pain.

“My life has been a big obstacle the last few years and I have one more… raising B3 million for a new leg that will have a proper knee and ankle so that I can walk

without injuring my body further.

“I’ve spent enough time in hospital to know I have to look after and respect my body, and I am grateful for this leg, however, to live an active wholesome lifestyle and also look after my hips and back for the long term I require a better functioning foot, ankle and knee.

“I am hoping people will support me through this race by joining the Phuket Spartan Team (facebook.com/phuketspartans) or purchasing a Phuket Spartan team shirt,

For donations please visit RPM Health Club or speak

directly with the Club Manager Hayden Rhodes on 086 383 4232 or email Hayden@ RpmHealthClub.com For direct bank-to-bank donations please deposit into Mac’s New Leg Account.

Account Name: Mackinthai Thomas Rosen Bank: Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) Account Number: 601 402070 5 Swift code : SICOTHBK Please leave a message if you donate this way so Mac can thank you personally.

Thank You.

Phuket’s loss leaves sour taste in fans’ mouths Run To Give 2017 Continued from page 32 ...It was a make or break game for both teams last Sunday, firstly because Satun could have, and did, become league champions. Secondly, because Phuket need as many points as possible as they attempt to keep their 2nd spot in the league table with the aim of reaching the Thai League 4 Champions League and vie for a promotion place to Thai League 3.

Phuket got off to a great start, opening the scoring just 12 minutes into the game.

A shot from Thawatchai Suphanam (23) was fumbled

by Satun keeper Safaree Nunsen (30), the ball fell to the feet of their defender Mohamed Mahdi Bamba (5) who tripped over the ball which was then smashed into the back of the net by Phuket’s Porncha Rodnakkaret (25).

But it was also a fumble by Phuket’s keeper Jirasak Kunnapan (69) which presented Satun with their equaliser some 25 minutes later.

A low shot from Job Njouonkou Mountap Elvis (9), who played for Phuket in the first half of this season, was fumbled by Jirasak leaving

it to fall to Daiki Konomura (14) who made no mistake putting the ball home to bring the score to 1-1.

The score remained at 1-1 when the teams went in at half time.

The second half got underway with Satun seeming clearly happy to walk away with a point, being as it would be enough to give them the league title, but Phuket certainly weren’t going to give up easily and were looking to get a second goal.

Sat u n also had t hei r chances but certainly weren’t threatening. But the game’s remaining minutes is when a controversy occurred.

Phuket’s captain Jhanawat Arewansuk (24) took a free kick from just inside Satun’s half, he played a long ball into Satun’s penalty area which was headed back to Nattapoom Maya (7). His beautifully placed kick struck the bottom of Satun’s bar and rebounded to cross the line.

Pretty much the entire crowd, bar Satun’s fans of course, erupted in celebration, of, what to most present, was a clear goal. However, the linesman on the right flank

CHARITY P

W

D

L

GD Pts

1

Team Satun United

22

16

4

2

25

52

2

Phuket FC

21

12

5

4

15

41

3

Pattani FC

21

12

3

3

10

39

4

Chumphon FC

21

11

5

5

9

38

5

Hat Yai FC

22

7

5

10

-6

26

6

Phatthalung FC

21

6

7

8

-4

25

7

Yala United

21

7

3

11

-4

24

8

Surat Thani City FC

22

3

3

16

-21

12

9

Sungaipadee FC

21

2

5

14

-24

11

Date

Time

Match

Home/Away

Sun Aug 27

6pm

Phuket FC vs Hat Yai FC

Surakul Stadium

Sat Sept 2

6pm Phuket FC vs Surat Thani City FC

Sat Sept 9

4pm

Phatthalung FC vs Phuket FC

didn’t award the goal for the Andaman Dragon despite much protest from the players.

Considering President of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), former commissioner-general of the Royal Thai Police Somyot Poompanmoung, said during his presidency campaign: “My slogan is ‘fair’... meaning being fair in managing the association, fair in spending money and fair in refereeing”,

Surakul Stadium Phattalung Provincial Stadium

nodding to “doubts” about the impartiality of officials in the Thai game, it will be interesting to see whether Phuket FC take the evidence they have to the main man himself, as there are clearly some Thai football officials who certainly seem to be officiating totally against Mr Somyot’s campaign pledges.

The team return to action this Sunday (Aug 27) when they are set to take on Hat Yai FC at 6pm at Surakul Stadium.

HAVING ALREADY HELD the event for six consecutive years, Starwood properties, together with Marriott properties in southern Thailand, representing as Marriott International, are once again organising the “Run To Give” charity event, to be held on September 24 at Bang Wad Dam in Kathu.

This will be the seventh year that all hotels and resorts under the Starwood and Marriott banners will co-organise the charity run which aims to raise funds for the Pun Fun Pun Yim Foundation and HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Children’s Foundation, represented by famous artists, beauty queens and sports enthusiasts who are all very active within the foundation. Both foundations focus on under privileged children in rural areas.

Over the past six years, this event has raised more than one million baht, with approximately B700,000 being raised in 2016 alone.

Along with the 3-kilometre fun run and 10km run, this

Competitors smile for the camera ahead of last year’s edition of the charity race ‘Run to Give’. year adds a 21km route from the newly renovated Bang Wad Dam to the new road that reaches Chaofah district.

In total, this charity event expects 1,600 runners and the organisers have arranged to give Marriott hotel vouchers, 118 trophies and 1,600 medals to winners and finishers and a round-trip ticket from Phuket to Bangkok to the fancy costume winner.

The 3km run will have an open category for both male and female runners and the 10km and 21km runs will have six categories: Open, 20-29 years old, 30-39 years, 40-49 years old, 50-59 years old and 60 years old and up, for both male and female runners.

For updates please check at: facebook.com/runtogive2017phuket/ thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

SPORT 31

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Four things we learned in the Premier League A FOOTBALL

AFP

s we enter week three of Premier League action there are five teams who remain pointless at

Ibrahimovic loss a blessing in disguise for Man Utd

Zlatan Ibrahimovic could scarcely have enjoyed a better maiden season at Manchester United, scoring 28 goals in 46 games and inspiring his side to League Cup glory before injury curtailed his Zlatan Ibrahimovic campaign. But while Ibra- scored 28 goals in 46 himovic thrived, United’s games last season for other forwards struggled, Man United. Photo: with nobody else in the squad Soren Andersson/AFP mustering more than 11 goals.

New striker Romelu Lukaku is a far more mobile player than Ibrahimovic and his movement has opened up space for United’s other attacking players to exploit. Lukaku took his tally to four goals in three games in United’s 4-0 win at Swansea City, while Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial have each scored two goals in two games and Henrikh Mkhitaryan has already supplied four assists.

the bottom of the table, while at the top are three teams who have picked up maximum points, the most surprising

being Huddersfield Town.

Here we look at four things we learned from the English Premier League last weekend:

Spurs need a Wembley win

Tottenham’s impressive display in their 2-1 home defeat

by Chelsea gave the lie to suggestions they are unable to perform at Wembley, their home for the season while White Hart Lane is rebuilt, but the sooner they Tottenham fans wave get a win there, the better. flags at Wembley. Photo: Spurs have lost eight and Ben Stansall/AFP won just one of the last 10 games they have played at the national stadium, a record that has created talk of a ‘Wembley curse’. Their loss to Chelsea, who prevailed through Marcos Alonso’s 88thminute winner, brought an end to a run of 14 successive home league wins. They were unfortunate not to have claimed at least a point, having drawn level through Michy Batshuayi’s own goal in the 82nd minute.

Liverpool have options at full-back

Wenger woes return

A new season has brought familiar problems for Arsene Wenger last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Stoke highlighted his team’s Achilles heel once again. Having battled back for a dramatic After last weekend’s de4-3 win over Leicester in feat to Stoke, Arsene their season opener, Arsenal Wenger had to admit Arhad shown a rare glimpse senal had been sluggish of the kind of fighting spirit and unconvincing. Photo: often missing from their Johannes Eisele/AFP play. But just eight days later they reverted to type with a tame surrender at the hands of old nemesis Stoke. Most alarming for Wenger was the limp manner in which his back three allowed Jese Rodriguez to gallop through unchecked for the 47th minute winner. And for all Wenger’s complaints about Alexandre Lacazette having an equaliser ruled out for offside, even the Frenchman had to admit Arsenal had been sluggish and unconvincing.

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1647: Saturday August 26 Run Start Time: 4PM Hares: The Mighty Quim, Murkury Location: Cape Panwa - Ao Makham Directions: From all directions. Start at Fifa training facility on Sakdidet Rd south of Phuket Town.

From there travel 700 metres south on Sakdidet Rd and turn right onto Soi Pattana U-Thid Rd (HHH sign). Travel on up the hill 600m to Laager site on the left (HHH sign). Orderly parking please. Backing in just off the road will allow to accommodate many.

Bus pick-up: Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 2:30pm Patong @ Expat Hotel: 3pm More info: phuket-hhh.com

@thephuketnews

Full-back was something of a problem for Liverpool last season. Jurgen Klopp was heavily dependent on Nathaniel Clyne at right-back and became so disillusioned with Alberto Morenoon the Andrew Robertson (right) other flank that midfielder vies with Crystal Palace’s James Milner ended up slot- Ruben Loftus-Cheek. ting in at left-back for the Photo: Oli Scarff/AFP entire season. This season, things appear to be different. Eighteen-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold has earned rave reviews in the absence of the injured Clyne and in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, enterprising left-back Andy Robertson was named man of the match in his first appearance since signing from Hull City. With 20-year-old Joe Gomez slotting in assuredly for Alexander-Arnold on the other flank, Liverpool kept only their fourth home clean sheet of 2017.

MAIN SPONSOR

The overall competition winner will receive a 3 day/2 night stay in a Sri panwa one bedroom luxury private pool villa including daily breakfast plus a 120 minute spa treatment for two persons. Total prize value: B123,000 The monthly competition winner for August 2017 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at Islander Bar & Restaurant in Rawai.

EPL PREDICTIONS MONTHLY STANDINGS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

TEAMS / INFO

NRL NRL AFL Test 2, Day 1

Raiders v. Knights Tigers v. Cowboys Hawthorn v. Western Bulldogs England v. West Indies, Headingly

Rugby Championship Rugby Championship NRL Currie Cup Currie Cup Test 2, Day 2 EPL EPL EPL EPL EPL EPL Formula 1 MotoGP AFL AFL AFL

New Zealand v. Australia, Dunedin Argentina v. South Africa Sharks v. Roosters Western Province v. Sharks Cheetahs v. Golden Lions England v. West Indies, Headingly Bournemouth v. Man City Newcastle v. West Ham Man United v. Leicester Crystal Palace v. Swansea Huddersfield v. Southampton Watford v. Brighton Qualifying, Spa Francorchamps Qualifying, Silverstone Collingwood v. Melbourne Sydney Swans v. Carlton Geelong Cats v. GWS Giants

Cross Code Fix Up AFL AFL NRL Test 2, Day 3 EPL EPL EPL EPL Formula 1 Formula 1 MotoGP Motul Superbikes

Mayweather v. McGregor Essendon v. Fremantle West Coast Eagles v. Adelaide Crows Panthers v. Dragons England v. West Indies, Headingly West Bromwich v. Stoke Chelsea v. Everton Liverpool v. Arsenal Tottenham v. Burnley Raceday, Spa Francorchamps Belgian Grand Prix British Grand Prix, Silverstone Lausitzring, Germany

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Red Dragon 13 YanuiPla 13 CAFC 12 paulhp25 12 Turnerg 12

English Premier League 2017 - 2018 MP

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Team Manchester United

2

2

0

0

8

0

+8

6

2

Huddersfield Town

2

2

0

0

4

0

+4

6

3

West Bromwich

2

2

0

0

2

0

+2

6

4

Watford

2

1

1

0

5

3

+2

4

5

Manchester City

2

1

1

0

3

1

+2

4

6

Liverpool

2

1

1

0

4

3

+1

4

7

Southampton

2

1

1

0

3

2

+1

4

8

Everton

2

1

1

0

2

1

+1

4

9

Leicester City

2

1

0

1

5

4

+1

3

10

Tottenham Hotspur

2

1

0

1

3

2

+1

3

11

Arsenal

2

1

0

1

4

4

0

3

12

Chelsea

2

1

0

1

4

4

0

3

13

Burnley

2

1

0

1

3

3

0

3

14

Stoke City

2

1

0

1

1

1

0

3

15

Swansea City

2

0

1

1

0

4

-4

1

16

Bournemouth

2

0

0

2

0

3

-3

0

17

Newcastle United

2

0

0

2

0

3

-3

0

18

Brighton and Hove

2

0

0

2

0

4

-4

0

19

Crystal Palace

2

0

0

2

0

4

-4

0

20

West Ham United

2

0

0

2

2

7

-5

0

Premier League fixtures (Week 3) Saturday August 26 Match

Time in Thailand

Bournemouth

vs

Man City

6:30pm

Crystal Palace

vs

Swansea

9pm

Huddersfield

vs

Southampton

9pm

Newcastle

vs

West Ham

9pm

Watford

vs

Brighton

9pm

Man Utd

vs

Leicester

11:30pm

Sunday August 27

*Times may be subject to change EVENT

OVERALL STANDINGS

Red Dragon 13 YanuiPla 13 CAFC 12 paulhp25 12 Turnerg 12

Live Sports TV Schedule SPORT START STOP Friday August 25 Rugby League 15:00 17:00 16:45 18:50 Aussie Rules 16:30 19:30 Cricket 17:00 00:00 Saturday August 26 Rugby Union 14:30 16:30 00:30 02:30 Rugby League 16:30 18:30 Rugby Union 19:55 22:00 22:10 00:00 Cricket 17:00 00:00 Soccer 18:30 20:30 21:00 23:00 23:30 01:30 21:00 23:00 21:00 23:00 21:00 23:00 Motor Racing 18:30 19:30 Motor Bikes 18:00 22:00 Aussie Rules 10:30 13:30 13:30 16:30 16:30 19:30 Sunday August 27 Boxing 09:30 12:00 Aussie Rules 10:00 13:00 13:30 16:30 Rugby League 11:00 13:00 Cricket 20:00 02:00 Soccer 19:30 21:30 19:30 21:30 22:00 00:00 22:00 00:00 Motor Racing 18:00 18:45 18:45 21:20 Motor Bikes 18:00 22:00 Motor Bikes 16:15 21:00

MONTHLY SPONSOR

Match

Time in Thailand

Chelsea

vs

Everton

7:30pm

West Brom

vs

Stoke

7:30pm

Liverpool

vs

Arsenal

10pm

Spurs

vs

Burnley

10pm

Sport editor3@classactmedia.co.th

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

F1 season resumes as drivers head for Belgian GP > p29

PHUKET FC ROBBED Satun take league title amid controversial goal disallow FOOTBALL Matt Pond editor3@classactmedia.co.th

S

atun United drew 1-1 with Phuket FC last Sunday night (Aug 20) to take the title of 2017 Euro Cake Thai League 4 Champions.

However, the issue of whether Satun should have picked up the league title following last Sunday’s match now has a large cloud over it – as video footage from the game clearly shows that Phuket had a ball cross Satun’s goal line which the linesman decided should not be allowed.

This writer was standing in a far worse position than the linesman when the goal was scored and could clearly see that the entire ball had crossed the line.

In fact, having spoken to players and fans following the game, even people at the far end of the pitch confirmed they saw the ball cross the line.

So now one question hangs in the air: Why did the match officials not see what everybody else saw?

And all this comes at a time when the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has said it is looking to send a team to Thailand to investigate irregularities in match results…

Continued page 30

A screengrab from footage of the game clearly show’s Phuket’s disallowed goal fully crossed the line: Photo: Screengrab

thephuketnews