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FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
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Discover the best of the island’s dim sum dishes Aroon Kreuajan, one of the Patong drivers’ representatives, delivered the message loud and clear on Wednesday. Photo: Premkamon Ketsara
PATONG TAXI, TUK-TUK DRIVERS TAKE ON ARMY OVER MORE BEACHFRONT PARKING SPACES Premkamon Ketsara thaiassist@classactmedia.co.th
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undreds of taxi and tuk-tuk drivers massed near Phuket Provincial Hall this week to “negotiate” with officials over parking spaces along the Patong beachfront and elsewhere in the island’s busiest tourism town, following an Army push to make more spaces available to the public. The drivers, bolstered by scores of other drivers from Patong’s fleet of “green plate” and “yellow-and-
black” commercial passenger vehicles – aka “private taxi” cars and vans – demanded a “fairer share” of the parking spaces in Patong. The push follows Maj Gen Pornsak Poonsawat, Deputy Commander of the Army Region 4 base in Nakhon Sri Thammarat, which is responsible for all of Southern Thailand, inspecting Patong Beach in February and noting that parking spaces along the entire beachfront had been commandeered by private taxis, tuk-tuks and car and motorbike rental operators. “Rental vehicle operators and taxi
drivers must park somewhere else. Lots of tourists visit Patong Beach, especially during the (tourism) high season. We need to take care of their needs,” Gen Pornsak said. “The car park spaces are for the public, not for private business,” he added. Since then, officials have tallied that there are currently 84 taxi and tuk-tuk ranks in Patong – and last Thursday (May 18) unveiled plans to slash that number to just 21. Facing forced reduced presence on the streets, unhappy drivers massed
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at Provincial Hall on Wednesday (May 24) to voice their grievance at a meeting joined by Phuket Vice Governor Siwaporn Chuasawad, Patong Police Chief Col Chaiwat Uikam, Patong Deputy Mayor Weerasak Khaminthong, officers from the Phuket Land Transportation Office – and Col Santi Sakuntanark, Commander of the 25th Infantry Regiment and the highest-ranking army officer stationed in Phuket. “We want number to stay at 84, but if that is not possible, then we want the taxi rank areas combined...
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Fake-passport fugitives escape custody, arrested in Patong > page 6
Flying off the bend Driver loses arm in airport-bound accident Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th
A map showing the location of the 3.4-magnitude earthquake off Phuket on Wednesday. Image: TMD / Google Maps
Small earthquake rocks Koh Yao Yai A 3.4 MAGNITUDE TREMor shook Koh Yao Yai in Phang Nga Province on Wednesday afternoon (May 24), with residents of the island feeling its rumble. The quake was centred on the Klong Marui fault, which runs close to the east coast of Koh Yao Yai, only a handful of kilometres off Phuket’s east coast. The Thailand Seismology Bureau told The Phuket News that following the first quake at 12:58pm on Wednesday, which measured 3.4 on the Richter scale, aftershocks were possible but were unlikely to be significant. The Marui fault last rumbled in 2015, bringing to island residents five small quakes in
one week, but none measuring more than 4.6 in magnitude. Dr Smith Dharmasaroja, the man who warned Thailand to prepare for disaster before the 2004 Asian Tsunami devastated the Andaman Coast, warned of the Marui fault producing small earthquakes in 2014 – nearly a year to the day before the earth started shaking Phuket in 2015. After the May quakes in 2015, Dr Smith in June urged Phuket officials and residents to prepare for the worst in case a severe earthquake strikes, though admitted this was “better to be safe than sorry” as he agreed the quakes from the Marui fault were not likely to be significant. The Phuket News
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man, who police have yet to confirm whether or not was working as an illegal taxi driver, had an arm severed in an accident while driving two men to Phuket International Airport on Wednesday morning (May 24). The accident happened on Route 4026, which connects Phuket Airport to the island’s main artery, Thepkrasattri Rd, at 7am. Police and rescue workers arrived to find a wrecked black Toyota Fortuner at the bottom of a five-metre-deep ditch after it had struck a roadside power pole. T h e d r i ve r, T h a w i n Chaiponrit, 51, was trapped inside the vehicle. Rescue workers used hydraulic cutters to free Mr Thawin and sped him to Thalang Hospital. After f ive minutes of searching the undergrowth, rescue workers also found Mr Thawin’s severed left arm and also rushed that to hospital.
The driver, Thawin Chaiponrit, 51, had his left arm severed in the accident. Photo: Maikhao rescue workers
His passengers Mohammed Ali Alaa Hasan, 23, and Imran Shafiq, 32, escaped with only minor injuries, confirmed Lt Col Thanakarn Auchanaratsamee of the Sakoo Police. “The vehicle was heading to Phuket International Airport,” Col Thanakarn said. “When they arrived at the bend, the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit the
guardrail by the side of the road. The car then hit a power pole and flipped over down into the ditch,” he explained. “At this stage we believe that the driver was not familiar with the road. Also, this area is well known for accidents. We have yet to question the driver,” Col Thanakarn added. Col Thanakarn made no
mention as to any investigation into whether or not Mr Thawin was working as an illegal taxi driver, as the Fortuner was not registered as a commercial passenger vehicle. Col Thanakarn also did not postulate whether Mr Thawin was speeding or under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident.
Drivers fight for Patong parking Lifeguards warn of ‘Man o’ war’ PHUKET LIFEGUARDS have issued a warning for all beachgoers to beware of Portuguese man o’ war stingers along the island’s west coast beaches. The Phuket Lifeguard Service on Wednesday (May 24) posted the warning on its Facebook page along with two pictures showing the siphonophores at Nai Thon Beach. The warning notes that the return of the stingers coincides with the return of the southwest monsoon. It also warns that the tentacles of the Portuguese man o’ war contain venom, and that they should not be touched as the venom can cause severe pain, sometimes worse if the victim has an allergic reaction to it. Lifeguards stationed at Patong, Nai Thon and Kamala have been urged to also be on the lookout
Swimmers have been warned to beware the Portuguese man ’o war stingers at beaches along the west coast. for Portuguese man o’ war, Phuket Lifeguard Club Chief Prathaiyuth Chuayuan told The Phuket News. “They are found more when storms and strong winds hit the shore, so all lifeguards stationed at the west coast beaches should be watching out for them,” he said. “Lifeguards and other officials who take care of tourists on the beach are always on alert and
keeping beachgoers safe is their priority, especially with regards to no-swimming zones,” he added. “Lifeguards have been provided with basic training on what to do should a swimmer get stung by a Portuguese man o’ war – and that is to wash the affected area with warm or seawater for 30 seconds to prevent the venom getting into the blood stream,” he added. Tanyaluk Sakoot
Continued from page 1 ...create bigger ranks,” said Anan Pluemjit, one of the drivers’ representatives. Mr Anan added that taxi and tuk-tuk drivers were willing to reduce the number of vehicles occupying streetside parking spaces to leave about 50-60% available for the public to use. Vehicles currently using parking spaces will instead be on standby elsewhere and called up to join the rank when spaces become available. However, after the meeting on Wednesday, fellow driver representative Aroon Kreuajan said that if officials were to reduce the number of ranks in Patong to 21 – then it would have to be at locations agreed by the Patong drivers. To this, Col Santi explained, “Many tourists have trouble finding parking spaces in Patong, because there is not lot of public transport. We are trying to find a solution for
The Patong taxi and tuk-tuk drivers ‘appealed’ to the Army for a more ‘flexible’ approach. Photo: Premkamon Ketsara everyone within the confines of the law. “Thai and foreign tourists who come to Patong beach will have a place to park their vehicles,” he assured. “The request for more than 21 ranks in Patong – or bigger ranks – in my opinion is possible, but this must be
approved by the Phuket Provincial Office, Col Santi added. V/Gov Siwaporn said the issue would be handed over to another Phuket Vice Governor to head an investigative committee, which was to convene at a later date – yet to be specified – to further discuss the issue. thephuketnews
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Governor urges more ‘responsible reporting’
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huket Governor Norraphat Plodtong has called for the public to “post responsibly” on social media after a warning of a bomb threat in Phuket gained traction online last week. The call for responsible reporting came at a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Monday (May 22) attended by Army Region 4 Deputy Commander Maj Gen Pornsak Poonsawat. “I want people to love each other and to work together to develop long-term tourism, especially regarding information about Phuket that is very sensitive,” Gov Norraphat said. “People and the media have to make sure with us that the news (is genuine) before (sharing it) to prevent any (negative) effect on Phuket tourism,” he added. The call by Governor Norraphat followed Phuket Provincial Police Chief Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen holding a press conference last Sunday in the wake of the social media
The pipes, marking what a restaurant owner believed to be the boundary of his land, have since been removed.
PVC pipes cleared at Bang Tao Beach ‘Post responsibly’ was the message from Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong (centre). Photo: PR Dept reports, which stemmed from the news of Indian fugitives at large in Phuket last Saturday night (May 20). (See page 6.) “I have heard about a message that went viral on social media claiming that a police officer told a mother not to walk in markets in Phuket because there were people from three (specific) provinces in Phuket,” he said. In terms of creating public fear, the “three provinces” would refer to the provinces Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat,
where combined areas of longstanding violence have become known as the “Deep South”. “I want to say to media that we do not know where this information came from. I want people think first before forwarding any news because it can make people scared,” Gen Teeraphol said. “I have read this message and I think it is unreliable. Thailand is a free country. Some people from the three provinces are in Phuket to look for jobs because they cannot
Truck owner donates B20k towards funeral for Ms Sophie Anderson THE OWNER OF THE 18-wheel truck which killed Sophie Emma Rose Anderson on May 8 has given her family B20,000 in contribution to funeral arrangements. The truck owner, Suwan Maad Adan, was at Thalang Police Station at 2.30pm last Friday (May 19) to hand over the B20,000, which was received on behalf of Ms Anderson’s family by her ex-husband and father of her five-year-old son. “I wanted to give this money because I feel very sorry for what happened. I feel very sorry for her child, and I feel sorry for her. I wish it had never happened,” Mr Suwan told The Phuket News. “My truck insurance representative is working on getting the compensation payment now. But this B20,000 is from me, to Sophie’s family, for her funeral,” he added. Ms A nde r son’s exhusband, named only as ‘John’, was also at Thalang Police Station along with @thephuketnews
Suwan Maad Adan, who owns the truck but was not driving it at the time of the accident, makes his donation to the family. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot a Tourist Police officer, to provide additional background information about Ms Anderson in the ongoing investigation. Lt Col Sanit of the Thalang Police said, “We still need to gather more information about the case before handing it over to the court. Although police have charged both drivers, the final decision is still up to court.” Chief of the Thalang
Police, Col Sompong Thipapakul, added, “The investigation is still ongoing. But the compensation money, which comes later, will go in part to Sophie’s five-yearold son.” According to police, Ms Anderson’s body is being held at Thalang Hospital until the investigation is closed. The location of her funeral services have yet to be confirmed. The Phuket News
find jobs in their provinces. They are not terrorists,” Gen Teeraphol noted. “To be careful and to keep our eyes open to situations is good, but do not create a public panic. People in Phuket are very concerned about this issue “People should be careful when receiving any news like this. When you want to post a message, it must be checked first. Do not just spread it around – it is not good for anybody.”
PVC PIPES PUMMELLED into the sand at Bang Tao Beach last week have been removed following orders from Chief of the Cherng Talay local authority to officials from Thalang Municipality. Ma-Ann Samran, Chief of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor), told The Phuket News last Friday that he was notified of the pipes being placed in the sand on May 13. “I was notified that a large number of blue pipes had been placed in the sand at Bang Tao Beach last weekend, and I believe the pipes were placed there by the owner
of a restaurant who became upset after the Royal Thai Army inspected the beach line at Bang Tao Beach and the restaurant put the pipes there to mark their boundary,” Mr Ma-Ann explained. “However, I informed the Thalang District Chief that they needed to speak to the restaurant owner about their actions as the pipes have been placed on public land which comes under the jurisdiction of the Phuket Marine Office. “The District Chief has done as I requested and the pipes have now been removed,” he added. The Phuket News
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The monitor lizard was found sleeping behind the toilet. Photo: Kathu Municipality
Monitor lizard makes itself at home in toilet A MON I T OR L I Z A R D found taking a nap in the bathroom in Kathu was captured and released back into the wild last week by members of the Khao Yai rescue team. Called to a house in the Sing Thao Thani village, in Soi Namtok, Kathu, at 11am on Tuesday (May 16), rescue workers were led to the bathroom where they found the monitor lizard measuring 1.65 metres in length and 21 centimetres wide. Yongyoth Cheswichean, head of the rescue team, said, “The monitor lizard was in the bathroom behind the toilet. It took us a few minutes to remove the reptile and then we bound its legs so it could not escape,” he said. The lizard was released back into the wild near the Khao Bang Pan area in Kathu, he added. Tanyaluk Sakoot
Expat loses control of pickup, injures five Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th
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Frenchman lost control of his fully loaded pickup truck in Kata and slammed into a taxi stand injuring himself and four others last Saturday (May 20). Karon Police were notified of the accident, in front of the Family Mart near the intersection of Khok Tanod Rd and Kata Sai-Yuan Rd in Kata (the start of the road to Rawai), at 11:20am. Capt Channarong Prakongkua of the Karon Police together with Karon and Rawai rescue workers arrived at the scene to find a silver Nissan pickup truck that had collided with a 1.5-metre-high cement barrier as well as hitting chairs and umbrellas from a taxi stand. Items in the tray of the pickup were scattered across the scene. Five people were injured in the accident, two of them were taxi drivers who were unable to escape the path of the pickup, one suffered a broken the arm and the other a broken leg. They were taken to Patong Hospital. Two other
The crash occurred near the intersection of Khok Tanod Rd and Kata Sai-Yuan Rd in Kata. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub people suffered minor injuries. The pickup driver was named by police as French national Christian Bouvy, 64. Mr Bouvy was stuck in the cab of the mangled pickup. Rescue workers took 15 minutes to free him with hydraulic cutters. He sustained minor injures to his knee and arm. He was taken to Karon Police Station. Capt Channarong said,
Russian rampages through spa PR MANAGER Natchaya (Nat) Sittiprasert 088 765 5881 pr@classactmedia.co.th
A RUSSIAN MAN WHO Tourist Police were told was bipolar was hospitalised as a precaution after smashing up a room at a spa in Wichit last week. Wichit Police were notified of the incident, at the Nature Spa in Wichit, on the Wednesday afternoon of May 17. Tourist Police and Kusoldharm rescue workers arrived to find the Russian man, name and age not disclosed, still destroying property in the spa. Due to the man’s size and how he was acting it took officers and rescue workers some time to calm and stop from causing further damage. Once they had managed to apprehend him, it was decided to restrain him with
A Tourist Police officer attends the scene of the incident. Photo: Tourist Police chains and then placed in an ambulance and taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital. Officers reported that t he ma n’s act ions ha d caused damage to a large number of items in the spa room including a table, cabinet, jars, books, and electrical equipment and that the damage was estimated to be tens of thousands of baht.
“We were told by the man’s neighbour that the man suffers from bipolar disorder. The neighbour also said that the man’s behaviour was often erratic. “Staff at the spa had attempted to stop the man but were unsuccessful and they were very frightened by the incident,” an unnamed officer said. Eakkapop Thongtub
“Mr Bouvy was moving his items from a house in Rawai to a house in Kamala. He was heading downhill and tried to reduce speed, but the items in the back of the pickup were too heavy and he couldn’t stop the vehicle.” Nopparat Hwansu, 44, a taxi driver who witnessed the accident, said, “While I was sitting there with five other people we saw the pickup
heading toward us. I shouted at everyone to move but some people were not able to escape and were hit by the pickup.” Capt Channarong told The Phuket News on Tuesday that he had yet to conclude his investigation into the accident, but assured, “Mr Bouvy will face charges for causing injury to others.” Details of insurance coverage were not disclosed.
Airport holds tsunami drill OFFICIALS AT PHUKET International Airport carried out the facility’s annual emergency tsunami drill on Tuesday (May 23), simulating the co-ordinated response by first responders, including armed forces, in the case of a Phuket tsunami threat. Phuket Vice Governor Snith Siriwihok officiated the opening ceremony of the exercise, accompanied by officers from the nearby Sakoo Police Station as well as from the Tha Chat Chai Police, Phuket Tourist Police and Royal Thai Thai Navy Third Area Command, based at Cape Panwa. The exercise, held from 2pm to 5pm, saw a simulated evacuation of all passengers and officials from the terminal buildings due to a significant earthquake and tsunami warning, including an exercise simulating the
The drill simulated the evacuation of all passengers and officials from terminals at Phuket International Airport. Photo: AoT rescue of injured persons. Phuket Airport General Manager Monrudee Gettuphan explained, “The objective of the training was for all participants, including airline employees and airport officials, to do our best to simulate the emergency situation. “Workers from the community and local residents also took part in the exercise. It successfully simulated the real situation,” she added. Shela Riva thephuketnews
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Indians re-arrested for fake passports Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th
Police found that Mr Kumafaisol was arrested for drugs charges in 2011 and jailed for two years.
Police nab armed robber hours after 7-Eleven holdup POLICE APPREHENDED a 25-year-old man within hours of him robbing a 7-Eleven near the Heroines Monument in Thalang at gunpoint early last Friday morning (May 19). “Staff told us that a man who looked to be in his teens and was wearing a helmet, orange raincoat and black trousers had used a gun to rob the store at 3:30am,” said Capt Kraisorn Boonprasop of the Thalang Police. “At gunpoint he forced the staff to hand over B4,100 in cash before speeding away,” he said. The store’s CCTV cameras caught the robber leaving the store and turning left at the back of the Tha Reua fresh market. He took off his raincoat and helmet and headed southbound on Thepkrasattri Rd. Police began a search for the suspect in the area. At 5pm police arrested
Kumafaisol Kuborsu, 25, from Pattani., at a rented room about two kilometres from the 7-Eleven store. Police found B2,000, a fake gun and mask in the room. Kumafaisol confessed to police that he had committed the armed robbery, saying “I robbed the 7-Eleven. I have been unemployed for about one month and I needed money.” Police found that Kumafaisol was arrested on drugs charges in 2011 and jailed for two years. He had also previously been caught stealing beer from a shop, but no charges were filed against him. He was recently working for a company in Patong as a security guard but was fired because he was always late for work. Mr Kumafaisol was charged with robbery. Eakkapop Thongtub
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wo men who escaped custody at Sakoo Police Station while being detained for using fake passports to enter South Korea were rearrested in Patong at 11pm last Saturday night (May 20). The men were initially taken into custody at Phuket International Airport after they were deported by South Korean officials for trying to enter that country by using fake passports. The chase began on Saturday morning after the news broke that the men – Indian nationals Sandeep Singh, 30 and Raj Kumar, 36 – had escaped from Sakoo Police Station. A public appeal was launched to help find the suspects. Eventually, officers arrested Singh and Kumar in front of a tailor’s shop near the Otop market in Patong According to Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Teerapol Thipcharoen, although there were 10 police officers on duty at Sakoo Police Station on Saturday morning, the suspects somehow managed to escape the station at 8am after asking to go outside to smoke. “Sakoo Police together with officers from the Patong Police managed to trace the men using CCTV footage,” Gen Teerapol said. “Officers found that the men had taken a ‘green-plate’
Fake cops busted for kidnapping teens POLICE HAVE ARRESTED three men for kidnapping two teenagers in Phuket and demanding a ransom of B60,000. The men impersonated Region 8 Police investigators in carrying out the failed kidnap and ransom. Police arrested the men at a petrol station in Cherng Talay at 4pm last Sunday (May 21). Region 8 Police Investigator Lt Col Kraison Chomchuen led the joint operation with Thalang and Cherng Thalay Police that that netted the three suspects, named by police as Thongchai Kadthong, 30, from Surat Thani, and Ithipon Krinara, 32, and Pathompong Ratthanasuwan, 51, both from Nakhon Sri Thammarat. The officers arrived at the petrol station after a friend of the two teenagers – named by police only as “Mr A” and “Mr Wan”, but ages not disclosed – told them that’s where the
The kidnappers were caught at the drop-off point for the ransom money – at a petrol station in Cherng Talay. ransom was to be dropped off. Mr A and Mr Wan were drinking kratom at a place at Soi Palai in Chalong at about midday, Col Kraison reported. But their teen party was broken up when the three men arrived, saying they were officers from Region 8 Police. The men placed Mr A and Mr Wan under “arrest” and took them to bungalow on Sakdidet Rd, Col Kraison added. They then had Mr A and Mr Wan call their close rela-
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
tives and tell them to pay B60,000 ransom – or the two teens would would be charged for taking drugs. A close friend called back the kidnappers and managed to talk the ransom down to B50,000 and was given a location of where to make the drop-off – the petrol station in Cherng Talay, Col Kraisorn explained. The same “friend” also called Region 8 Police to inform them of what had happened – and at the same time confirmed that three kidnappers were not Region 8 Police. All three kidnappers were taken to Thalang Police Station for “further questioning”, Col Kraisorn confirmed. The two teenagers Mr A and Mr Wan, however, were still charged for their confessions of possessing and using kratom. Eakkapop Thongtub
One of the two men is led from a van after his arrest in Patong late last saturday night. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub taxi from Soi Pa-neum in Sakoo to Sainamyen Rd in Patong. “After that, good citizens started to send us photos of the suspects who they had seen walking in front of the Patong Seafood Restaurant on Thaweewong Rd (the beach road) in Patong. “We understand that the men changed their clothes before disappearing from the area. Another tip-off then led officers the Otop Market on Rath-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd. “Finally, at 11pm, officers caught the two men while walking in front of a tailor’s shop,” Maj Gen Teerapol said. “Both men said that they contacted a passport forgery network in India, however, we believe the men actually obtained the fake passports via a network in one of the
southern provinces of Thailand and that they bought them for two million rupees, or approximately B1.2 million. “After paying for the passports the suspects came to Bangkok in the middle of March via Suvarnabhumi Airport. On this occasion they used real passports to travel to Phuket while they awaited delivery of the fake passports,” he continued. “On Friday (May 19), Singh and Kumar travelled to South Korea on transit to Canada but they were found to be using the fake Portuguese passports so were deported back to Phuket,” he added. Gen Teerapol pointed out that after questioning the two men he was sure the two men were in no way connected to terrorism activities. “According to the suspects,
it was their intention to go to work in Canada. They used forged passports to be able to stay in Canada longer. If they used Indian passports they would not be able to stay in Canada long-term and would not be able to work. “Canadian officials are very strict with Indians because of smuggling,” he said. “However, officers will need to investigate the case in greater depth to thoroughly check where the suspects have come from and how they came here. We will also investigate the network where they obtained the fake passports, the rest is simply legal proceedings. “Although the men are not Thai and the forging was not done in Phuket, this type of incident damages the reputation of the country so we must follow the law. “Sakoo Police must now file charges against the men for using fake documents. They must also charge the men for escaping detention. “Further, they must investigate how the men escaped detention and prevent this from happening again,” he added. Gen Teeraphol also said immigration officers will probe fake passports being used at Phuket International Airport. He added that although Phuket was not known as a place for producing fake passports, the island had become a place where fake passports were distributed.
Man dies in Ninja bike smash
A 20-YEAR-OLD MAN died on Monday afternoon (May 22) after his 1,000cc sport motorbike slammed head-on into a pickup truck at high speed in Chalong. Wichit Police were notified of the accident at about 3pm. Police arrived to find rescue workers from the Ruamjai Kupai foundation already at the scene, near the Phuket Animal Rescue Foundation on Kwang Rd, reported Lt Col Narong Muangduong of the Wichit Police. In the middle of the road was an Isuzu D-Max pickup truck with a heavily damaged front end. On the ground in front of it was an obliterated Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R sport bike. Dead at the scene was the
The motorbike rider, 20-year-old Chalermchart Podok, died at the scene from the impact. motorbike rider, 20-year-old Chalermchart Podok, dressed in black jeans and a T-shirt. A helmet was found at the scene. Standing with rescue workers waiting for the police was the driver of the pickup, Kittipibun Supa, 59. “Mr Kittipibun said that he was pulling out from the side of the road to head towards Chao Fa West Rd when the motorbike slammed
into the front of his pickup at high speed,” Col Narong said. Police said they had yet to confirm Mr Kittipibun’s version of events with CCTV cameras in the area. Mr Kittipibun was taken to Wichit Police Station for further questioning, where Col Narong said he still faces the possibility of being charged with reckless driving causing death. Eakkapop Thongtub thephuketnews
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FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
Copyright blitz Patong crackdown nets B20mn of goods
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fficials who carried out a series of raids in the tourist-popular Patong Beach area have reported in a matter of hours to have seized more than 10,000 illegal trademark items with an estimated street value of more than B20 million. The monster haul of illicit goods were announced at a high-profile press conference held at 8:30pm last Thursday night (May 18), after the raids on 10 locations in the beach resort town were launched at 4:30pm that afternoon Present to tell the the press about the raids were no less than Col Anan Yuprasit of the Phuket office of the military’s Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) national security agency. Hailing from Bangkok were Mana Simma, chief of the Criminal Case Investigation Division of the national Department of Provincial Administration and officers from Department of Intellectual Property. Also present were local officials Kathu District Chief Sayan Chanachaiwong and Lt Col Saksan Khomsakhorn of Patong Police. It was not revealed how many officers were used in carrying out the raids, or specifically which shops were raided.
Officers say they arrested 10 ‘alien suspects’ and seized more than 10,000 items with a street value of more than B20 million in the raids in Patong. Photo: ECD/police However, the officers did announce that 10 “alien suspects” had been arrested and charged for selling counterfeit trademark items, but did not name any of the suspects or identify their nationalities. The officers did report that most of the 10,000 items seized were counterfeit brandname bags, shoes and clothes, including brands such as Nike and Adidas. “This raid and seizure of illegal trademark items being sold came after we received reports from owners of the trademarks that copies of their goods were being sold in Phuket, especially in Patong, which is a ‘red area’ for counterfeit copyright goods,” Mr Mana said. “Patong is one location in 21 provinces in the Internal Security Operations Command plan to protect against and to
Police score big at gamblers’ cockfight THALANG POLICE ARrested 15 people when they were caught gambling on a cockfight being held in a garden of a property in Pa Khlok in Thalang last Sunday (May 21). Col Sompong Thipapakul, Lt Col Amnuay Kraiwutanan, Lt Col Prasan Thoworn, and Capt Suchart Leucha of the Thalang Police arrived at a home in the Para village at about 3.30pm to find about 30 loud and cheering participants watching a cockfight in the garden of the property. All attempted to flee when police arrived. Thalang Police reported to The Phuket News that of the 30 people, 15 were apprehended while the others disappeared into the surrounding area. The 15 arrested gamblers varied in ages from 19 to 54 @thephuketnews
An officer inspects a pen where the fighting cocks were kept. years old with 10 of those arrested being from Phuket, one came from Pattani, one from Chiang Rai, one from Loei, one from Sisaket and another from Myanmar. It was reported that there were nine cocks waiting to fight and B300 in gambling stakes were found at the scene. Cockfighting equipment, such as a timer and cages were also seized. Eakkapop Thongtub
suppress intellectual property infringement,” he added. “I want to warn other people who sell illegal fake trademark items that if they are caught, they will face legal action. This affects the image of the province and the nation,” he said. “Officers will continue their raids to eradicate all illegal fake trademark items,” he vowed. “The owners of markets and other buildings (where such goods might be sold) will be called in to be informed about selling illegal trademark items and asked to co-operate by keeping their eyes on this – and to not to let any illegal trademark items be sold in their places.” Mr Mana said. However, despite the highbrow press conference, specifically regarding the Patong raids, no officials made any
mention of any attempt to identify who hired the foreigners to sell the fake goods or any attempt to track down where the fake goods originated from. The campaign continued with counter stalls at Central Festival Phuket raided last Friday (May 19), with 524 illegal items seized worth an estimated B2mn. According to a police report, 11 shops were raided including Panhya shop, OA shop, Nice shop, Soni Ericson shop, Naza Phone shop, Sawasdee shop, Phuket Unlock shop, At One shop, OIL Mobile shop, I Mobile shop and PK shop. Most of the counterfeit items seized are mobile phone cases imprinted with fake brand names such as Louis Vuitton, Channal, Gucci, and MCM. Other items are fake Beats and JBL headphones,
PHUKET NEWS
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Tour guide safe after power cable climb A CH I A NG M A I M A N who reportedly worked in Phuket as a tour guide is safe after he was found climbing along electrical cables in front of the Poonphon Night plaza in Phuket Town last Friday (May 19). Lt Col Chalaew Thaihu of Phuket City Police and Kusoldharm recue worker and officer from Phuket Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) arrived at the scene soon after 8am to find the man climbing along the power wires in front of the building. After 20 minutes, officers talked the man to making his way to the first floor of the building, where rescue workers pushed him clear of the cables, sending him falling safely onto the air mattress below. The man, Decha Saeyang 32, became frightened after he realised that he was to be taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital. “He refused to go and shouted for help when we tried to get him into the ambulance,” the rescue worker said. After more talks, the man was finally convinced to go, he added. Mr Decha was a resident at the nearby Ng House apartments, confirmed Mr Yoh (last name withheld by request), who works as a room attendant at the apartment block. “Mr Decha lived on the third floor. He was a guide in Phuket. His relatives are ethnic Chinese, who live Chiang
Decha Saeyang cried out for help as he was loaded into an ambulance by rescue workers before being taken to hospital. Dao District in Chiang Mai,” Mr Yoh said. “Mr Decha has lived here alone since 2015. He is a friendly person. Someone saw him climb out from his apartment and fall down to the second-f loor awning,” he said. “After that he stood up and climbed onto the power cables. I tried to stop him, but he ignored me, so I called for help,” he added. It has yet to become clear what inspired Mr Decha’s emotional breakdown, Mr Yao said, but that it was unlikely to have been heartbreak. “I have spoken with Mr Decha’s sister, who is in Chiang Mai. She said that he doesn’t have a fairn (romantic partner), so it is not likely that it was because of a relationship,” he said. Police officers said they were waiting for a hospital report on Mr Decha’s health and that they would continue their investigation. Eakkapop Thongtub
Opinion 8
OPINION
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
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EDITORIAL
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ince our inception in 2011 The Phuket News has seen many governors come and go. Each of them land on the island proclaiming they have a mission – to fix the island’s problems once and for all. Each of these governors set their sights on what they see as the island’s most-pressing problems, whether it’s the taxi mafia, waste disposal or illegal hotels. All good problems to fix, but not really ones that make international headlines. But perhaps Phuket’s biggest problem – one which no governor has really attempted to solve but which regularly makes headlines around the world – is the daily carnage on our roads. We have seen some governors ramp up helmet safety campaigns, but never has a governor come out and spoken directly about the recklessness of so many
drivers here in Phuket. Many readers would surely agree that reckless driving is a leading cause or road deaths on the island. Most readers would also agree that it is a result of lax or wrong-headed enforcement of the traffic laws by police. There are nationwide campaigns, albeit usually at Songkran or New Year, aimed at making Thailand’s roads safer, but once these campaigns are over it’s back to more of the same. More recklessness, more lives lost. There has never been a local campaign to improve how safe local drivers are or traffic law enforcement and it’s not as though the problem could have escaped the governor’s attention. Last week’s editor ial highlighted how the world watches Phuket and you can rest assured that the world
also watches when it comes to this issue. If current Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodtong really wants to give the world something to see, now is the time to make a stand. The latest road death, involving a 20-year-old Kawasaki Ninja rider, is a case in point. It appears that both parties in the accident were behaving recklessly, surely knowing they had little to fear from the police, who are ostensibly responsible for enforcing traffic laws. Gov Norraphat should come out and make it clear that this recklessness can no longer continue. If he does, he can be assured that The Phuket News, and the whole of Class Act Media, will support a plan to make a change. We are fed up with reporting road deaths on a daily basis from accidents that could so easily be avoided.
TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com
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Phuket Police hunt foreigner for attack on Patong toilet attendant Phuket Police charge British boyfriend for death of Ms Anderson Two men caught at Airport with fake passports have escaped Phuket roads flood amid severe weather Local authority orders removal of PVC pipes Officials raid Phuket Central Festival IT shops, for fake goods Man, 20, dies as sports bike slams head-on into pickup at speed Police hunt suspects after B138k ATM skim Bipolar Russian rampages through Spa Ladyboys ‘safe’ after Patong Hill motorbikepickup slam
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HAVE YOUR SAY Take responsibility
Re: Man, 20, dies as sports bike slams head-on into pickup at high speed There’s a video of this on Facebook from the CCTV at “Phuket Animal Welfare Society”. The bike was easily doing 100kph and the pickup was turning across the entire width of the road (four lanes). This stretch of road is dead straight and always busy. Long story short, they were both at fault here, the bike was going too fast, the pickup was U-turning irresponsibly. Tragically in this case one party is dead, so the other needs to accept responsibility for that. Wait, what am I talking about? A Thai accept responsibility and admit being wrong? That’ll be the day. Captain Jack 69 Almost all accidents – of any kind, really – are a result of two or more mistakes by the involved parties. In Thailand’s notorious vehicular stats, driving too fast is usually involved, which is the sort of mistake that should be the hardest to make – if policing were adequate. It is not. Christy Sweet
Unfortunately “motorcycle blindness” is a phenomenon the world over, and was really only recognised in the UK after a massive government campaign to “Think Bike!” Would be great if the Thai government used some of its funds to start a campaign on TV and social media (maybe during the evening TV soaps’ ad breaks to really push home safety messages about driving and riding: no drink or drugs, helmet use, follow traffic rules, etc. The messages are out there, they have ready access to the media of TV, Facebook, Line, etc. I really can’t understand why this has not yet happened. Discover Thainess ...................................................
It won’t be easy
Re: Phuket Opinion: The world is watching us No doubt Thailand, and Phuket in particular, has come a long way in the past 20 years. Having seen the coral reefs demolished by tourism in my home state of Florida (in the USA), I applaud their efforts like closing the parks for several months so nature can catch up. I sincerely hope they can be successful in preserving
the things that draw tourists to Thailand in the first place. It won’t be easy! Amani Jnana ...................................................
Living in fear
Re: 11 organisations call for ‘true’ police reforms National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) have not made any progress regarding police reforms – leaving a majority of Thai people to continue living in fear of maltreatment by people in uniforms. Sam Hayman ...................................................
Surin is a disgrace
Re: Beaches, transport, security top Phuket tourism development agenda “The beach is to be maintained in an appropriate manner to honour the late King...”. Surin beach remains a disgrace. Mr Governor, please come down the entrance at the south end of the beach... it is Ma-Ann’s trash collection area, so the first thing visitors see is fetid bags of rotting trash. Continue down the driveway to see more bags of trash, downed cables and rubble, all of which has been there for over a year. Thailand should be embar-
rassed. To hold this area in honour of the great King is disgraceful. Clean Surin up now... and maybe you should start with the responsible official that allowed it to get to the current state Ben Pendejo ...................................................
No public transport
Re: Beaches, transport, security top Phuket tourism development agenda My opinion, and that of many residents in Phuket, Thais and foreigners alike, would say that Phuket does not have public transport, as it is understood around the world, excepting a few pink buses in Phuket Town and vans from Phuket International Airport. All other types of transport, such as regular songtaews, tuktuks and taxis are in the hands of clans and cartels which are fighting each other on regular basis and all of them are against a large mass transit transport for the whole Phuket Province. This is the main reason why Phuket owns the record of the worst traffic accidents and deaths per inhabitant around the world and we should not be proud of it. Asterix
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FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
THAILAND NEWS
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Calls for ‘true’ police reforms
‘People continue living in fear of maltreatment by people in uniforms’ BANGKOK Bangkok Post
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leven people’s organisations last Sunday (May 21) issued a joint statement opposing a proposal to bring the Royal Thai Police (RTP) under the control of the Justice Ministry without undergoing concrete structural reforms. The proposal was made by a joint special sub-committee of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) and the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA), chaired by Lt Col Bunruang Phonphanit. Lt Col Bunruang said at a news conference last week that the main purpose of bringing the RTP under the jurisdiction of the Justice Ministry was to ensure improved integration and cooperation among the various branches of the judicial system. He said the proposal was to be forwarded to a tripartite committee with members from the cabinet, the NLA and the NRSA for approval
A police cadet stands near the national flag during a graduation ceremony at the Royal Police Cadet Academy in Samphran district. Photo: Pawat Laopaisarntaksin before it goes to the cabinet for endorsement. Included in the proposal were new qualification requirements for future RTP chiefs and an increase in police salaries to a level considered sufficient for them to support their families and boost morale. The 11 organisations –
which included the People’s Network for Police Reforms (PoliceWatch), the Cross Cultural Foundation, the Human Rights and Development Foundation, the Union for Civil Liberty, the Committee of Relatives of May 1992 Heroes, the Friends of Women Foundation, the Campaign Committee for Human Rights
Flame it on the sunshine PHETCHABURI NOT MANY CHEFS DON a welding mask before they enter the kitchen, but Sila Sutharat prefers to cook his chicken sunny side up. Two hours south of Bangkok this 60-year-old roadside vendor has found an ingenious way to offer his customers something a little different by harnessing the power of the sun. Using a large wall of nearly 1,000 moveable mirrors – a device he designed and built himself – he focuses the sun’s rays onto a row of marinated chickens, sizzling away under the intense heat. His unusual culinary methods raised a few eyebrows when he first hit upon the idea. “They said that I’d gone mad, that cooking chicken like this was impossible,” he said while standing next to his stall, the row of sun-drenched chickens behind him too bright to look at for any length of time. “After a long time passed by, they’d say: ‘Actually, you could do it’,” he added. That’s because the solar reflector generates intense heat, easily enough to match an oven, with a sunshine-baked chicken taking just twelve minutes to @thephuketnews
Food vendor Sila Sutharat cooks his chickens with rays of sun reflected on an oversized mirror panels. Photo: AFP cook through. For much of the last 20 years Sila grilled in relative obscurity for a fairly local crowd. But after videos of his solar-cooker went viral online, people from across Thailand have flocked to his stall in Phetchaburi province. Sila says the idea came to him in 1997 when he was struck by the heat reflecting off a passing bus. “I thought, with this heat reflecting from the window from the sun, I could possibly change it into energy,” he said. Sila says that compared to a traditional charcoal grill – which he used before his solar epiphany – his meat is more tender and evenly-cooked. And given Thailand’s sweltering tropical climate, the
sun is a free, clean and totally sustainable energy source. “At the time, energy such as petrol and gas was becoming more expensive and suppliers were also running out of wood to sell,” he recalled. “I thought if I used solar energy, I could save a lot. And it also decreases pollution.” Sila and his wife Pansri now cook around 40 chickens – as well as several sides of pork – each day. “We’ve been eating here for a long time,” said regular patron Thanyarat Kaewpaleuk, who was tucking into lunch with her husband. “It’s delicious. His chicken is fatty, it’s not burned and doesn’t smell like a charcoal grill.” AFP
and the Campaign for Popular Democracy – issued a statement saying that the proposal should not be approved without the inclusion of measures to reform the police agency. In the statement, the organisations said they did not want the RTP, with over 220,000 police under its command, to continue to exist and
operate in its present form, which they said had caused trouble to the people for the past several decades. The police reforms must concentrate on concrete structural changes to ensure justice for the people, they said, not on the qualifications of future RTP chiefs or an increase in police salaries. The increase in police salaries would not be a guarantee that senior police officers would not be corrupt or act as “villains in uniforms”, said the statement. The organisations called for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to respond quickly to a resolution passed by the NLA for nine police units to be transferred to other ministries, based on their responsibilities. They called for interrogation work to be taken away from the RTP to ensure justice in crime investigations, and for public prosecutors to handle the interrogations of cases which carry a jail term of more than 10 years. They argued that there should be rooms especially
designed for interrogation, equipped with audio-visual devices to record the questioning sessions, which could be called up for review as needed. The statement said that it would not make any difference whether the RTP was under the Justice Ministry, the Interior Ministry or the prime minister as long as the agency had not undergone true structural reforms, particularly the transfer of interrogation work from the police to another agency. There would be no real reform if a police officer was allowed to sit as chairman or as a member of a committee working on police reforms, the statement said. The organisations said in the statement that after three years of waiting, the government installed by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) had not made any progress regarding police reforms – leaving a majority of Thai people to continue living in fear of maltreatment by people in uniforms.
10 THAILAND NEWS
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
Attacks could delay election PM Prayut says decision depends on everyone’s co-operation BANGKOK Bangkok Post
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ext year’s general election could be delayed if law and order continues to be disrupted by bomb attacks and other threats to peace, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Tuesday (May 23). He made the remarks following a blast at Phramongkutklao Hospital on Monday (May 22) apparently targeting commissioned and retired officers, that left 25 people injured. The timing of the election could change unless peace is preserved, Gen Prayut said. “Most importantly, as long as the situation continues this way – bombings, use of war weapons, conf licts among people and other such problems – can the election still take place? It depends on everyone’s cooperation,” he said. Gen Prayut condemned the bombing of the army-run hospital as a gross violation of human rights. The prime minister claimed there were rumours on social media that his government was behind the blasts in order to hold onto power. “No government conducts a crazy act like that, except those who want to be the government,” he said. There was a noticeable tightening of security around Bangkok on Tuesday, but particularly at Phramongkutklao Hospital, where soldiers checked everyone entering the facility, including checks on
Police exit the front entrance of Pramongkutklao Hospital, which was struck by a small bomb, in Bangkok on Monday (May 22) injuting 22 people. Photo: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP all belongings and bags. Police and soldiers were deployed to several key locations, especially crowded areas, to prevent a similar incident, Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr said after last weekend’s cabinet meeting. The explosion took place in the dispensary’s waiting room, known as the Wongsuwon room, for commissioned officers at 10am. Thai media earlier reported that 25 people were hurt, one critically. As of Tuesday, seven remained in hospital. Deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said investigators had confirmed that the explosive device stashed in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe had been placed inside a flower pot. They also found the device had an integrated circuit timer set for two to four hours, Gen
Srivara said, adding that investigators had been told to look for any suspicious people who appeared at the hospital in the hours leading up the blast. Gen Srivara said police received a bomb alert in the form of a handwritten letter three days earlier warning them that an attack was imminent. The letter was sent to the director of the National Cancer Institute on Rama VI Rd about 1 kilometre from Phramongkutklao Hospital, a source said. It warned that three staterun hospitals in the area would be targeted for “terrorist attacks” from the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) rebel group in the deep South and the Islamic State (IS) terror group, the source said. A member of IS reportedly escaped from Malaysia and arrived in Thailand last week. “Keep an eye out for a
Muslim woman wearing a hijab and carrying a bag,” the letter read. The letter was signed by “a villain who has turned over a new leaf”. Weerawut Imsamran, the institute’s director, confirmed he had received a warning letter last Thursday (May 18) and brought the matter to the attention of Phaya Thai police last Friday (May 19). The letter was handwritten and the sender gave a Muslim name and an address in Bangkok, he said. “I did not think it would really happen,” he said, adding that his institute has since beefed up security, including checking closed-circuit cameras and increasing surveillance. Police are investigating whether the letter might be linked to the hospital bombing or whether it was a hoax or just a coincidence, Gen Srivara said.
Lt Gen Sanit Mahathavorn, chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said investigators have obtained footage from a mobile phone recorded five minutes before the hospital blast. The footage was an important piece of evidence, he said. A source with the investigation team said that nine of 13 CCTV cameras at the blast scene were not working at the time of the explosion. Col Kamthorn Ouicharoen, chief of the city police explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit, said the components used to make the hospital bomb were the same as those used in two previous bombings. He was referring to the blast in front of the National Theatre near Sanam Luang on May 15 and an explosion outside the old Government Lottery Office on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue on April 5.
On Tuesday, police arrested a man in connection with the letter warning of a series of blasts targeting hospitals, they said. The man’s identity has not been disclosed. Also on Tuesday, Pheu Thai’s acting deputy secretarygeneral Chavalit Wichayasut said Gen Prayut must not use the bombings as an excuse to break his promise to follow the election roadmap. The government has been in office for more than three years and should stick to its roadmap, he said. Pramual Aimpia, a Democrat Party deputy spokesman, also urged the government not to change course or use the incident to delay the poll. Akanat Promphan, spokesman of the Muan Maha Prachachon for Reforms Foundation, a reincarnation of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee, said the foundation agreed that an election should be held only when the country is at peace. “What use is it to have an election amid civil war or insurgencies? How can that be called democracy?” he said. He said the public should not panic but rather condemn the attacks and support the government as it investigates cases and finds ways to prevent further incidents. Meanwhile, the Police General Hospital said it had checked on the condition of its 300 closed-circuit television cameras as part of beefed-up security. Rubbish bins, VIP rooms and emergency rooms were also checked for suspicious objects, hospital officials said.
After 10-year gap, Thailand’s pink lotuses bloom again PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A decade a Thai lake has given up its dazzling secret – the pink blooms of tens of thousands of lotuses. The sea of colour in Khao Sam Roi Yot national park, three hours south of Bangkok, is a show-stopping feat of nature that has locals hoping for a tourist bonanza. But it has also sparked warnings over the fragility of the environment with park rangers pleading with people not to visit until the lake is healthy enough to deal with an influx of tourists. The flowers, considered sacred in Thai culture, are good news for
locals who have been ferrying camera-toting visitors through the lotuses which lie in knots on the lake’s vast waters. But “currently they should not come”, said head ranger Rungroj Aswakultarin. “The national park is in the process of restoring the lotuses. When it comes to the right time the park will open them up to the public,” he said. Rungroj’s caution is understandable. For the last decade the park – a stunning jumble of lakes, tributaries and towering limestone karsts three hours south of Bangkok -- saw no widespread lotus bloom. No-one has been able to pinpoint exactly why.
A tourist takes a photograph of lotus flowers while riding in a canoe through a lake in the Khao Sam Roi Yot national park in southern Thailand. Photo: AFP But officials blame a mixture of drought and pollution from fertilisers and nearby seafood farms. In recent years rangers have tried to clean up the park and this year were rewarded with a sea of pink flowers. Thailand struggles to balance
its lucrative tourism industry with preserving the environment. Few countries have experienced the kind of stratospheric growth in tourism. In the last decade the number of foreign arrivals has more than doubled from 13.8 million in 2006
to 32.5 million last year, growth partly powered by Chinese arrivals. Those expecting to find the kind of pristine, untouched beaches in tourist brochures are often left disappointed among hordes of visitors. Thailand’s tourism minister has called for the industry to chase fewer holidaymakers but ones with deep pockets. This month 61 national parks, including 25 marine parks, closed to visitors for the monsoon season, an annual move to try and help them recover. But environmentalists have argued the most vulnerable ecosystems need to close for longer, or face stronger restrictions on visitor numbers. AFP
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FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
ASIA NEWS 11
Out with the old in Saigon
Disappearing colonial architecture sparks fears it is losing its charm VIETNAM AFP
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hey for med the charming backdrop to Graham Greene’s sin-filled Saigon in “The Quiet American”, but the colonial-era buildings of Vietnam’s biggest city are fast disappearing – sparking fears it is losing its unique charm. Any visitor to Ho Chi Ming City, as Saigon is now known, cannot help but notice the construction cranes dotting an increasingly crowded skyline. They are the most visible symbols of one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies. But like many locals, office worker Tran Trong Vu is dismayed the city’s gleaming new look is so often at the expense of its colonial-era architecture. “They have cultural value, so we should preserve them, not replace them with highrise buildings,” he said in the bustling commercial hub. Others are concerned the demolition of its famed French architectural gems will render Ho Chi Minh City indistinguishable from other Asian megalopolis. “In the 1960s and 1970s it was very much French, but now it’s very Americanised, McDonald’s on every corner,” said Hiep Nguyen, born in Ho City Minh City and author of
They formed the charming backdrop to Graham Greene’s sin-filled city in ‘The Quiet American’ but Saigon’s colonial buildings are fast disappearing, sparking fears the metropolis, now known as Ho Chi Minh, is losing its unique charm. Photo: Hoang Dinh Nam/AFP several books on its architectural history. “A streetscape without a story has no value,” he added. Much of the demolition is happening in the city’s rapidlydeveloping downtown core, to keep apace with a mushrooming young population hungry for modernity and to feed the demand for more housing and office space. But those aren’t the only needs being fed, says Nguyen. “The key is money, the key is interest groups,” he said from Sydney, where he now lives. Developers with deep
pockets have scooped up swathes of land in the city centre, with privately-owned old villas or historic municipal buildings replaced by sprawling construction zones. The most recent demolition to spark ire from conservationists is the Ba Son ship yard, an enormous French-built military complex on the banks of the Saigon River. It is now being developed into a series of high-rise towers by Vincom Group, owned by the country’s richest man, Pham Nhat Vuong, dubbed the “Donald Trump of Vietnam”. City officials have invento-
Car ‘vending machine’ dispenses with tradition SINGAPORE A VENDING MACHINE that dispenses luxury cars to well-heeled buyers is the latest space-saving innovation in land-starved Singapore – just don’t try to shake it if it gets stuck. Used car dealer Gary Hong has taken to displaying his wares in a glass-fronted, 15-storey building. Like choosing a chocolate bar, the buyer can see everything on display, before pressing some buttons and having their choice delivered. Hong, 45, said he got the inspiration for the new showroom during a trip with his four-year-son to buy toy cars. “From there I realised that the Matchbox arrangement is @thephuketnews
a mini version of our inventories that can be displayed and arranged nicely,” he said. From the comfort of a plush sofa on the ground floor, potential buyers can order a Ferrari, Maserati or Lamborghini among other brands, all with the touch of a hand-held device. Once a selection is made, a promotional video of that car is played on a flat-screen television while the vehicle is automatically transported down by a lift. “When the customers see a car that is presented in a best way like a beauty pageant, they just decide that this is a winner, and we got a deal,” said Hong, who added that sales have risen by 30% since the move to the new premises in December.
With a population density ranked by the World Bank to be third highest in the world, behind Macau and Monaco, land comes at a premium in the tiny city-state. But Hong said his unorthodox Sg$3 million (B73.91mn) solution can boost land use. The company stores between 70 and 80 cars at its facility – an amount that would otherwise require five times the space if the vehicles are parked traditionally, Hong said. A similar car vending concept currently exists in the United States, through online auto retailer Carvana, which was last reported by US media to have five such facilities around the country as of April. AFP
ried more than 1,000 buildings built by the French when they ruled the country from 1887 to 1954 remain today, including the famed Opera House, Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral, all must-sees on city tours today. A few of the old haunts on Rue Catinat frequented by Greene remain, but the street is now called Dong Khoi and also features Hermes and Chanel boutiques for the city’s growing number of high-rollers. There is no comprehensive survey of how many buildings have been demolished. But in one central district,
some 50% of French villas have gone down since 1993, according to Fanny Quertamp, the co-director of the urban development organisation PADDI. The breakneck pace of destruction has prompted some to leap into action. Former video game developer and conservation buff Daniel Caune is creating a mobile app called “Heritage Go” for city residents and tourists. The app, which is still in development, will ask users to hold their phones up to colonial-era buildings, and
aims to automatically generating images of the edifice in eras past. “It’s to make people conscious of their heritage,” said Caune, who helps to run the Heritage Observatory website dedicated to archiving colonial-era buildings in Vietnam. City officials are now writing a nine-point plan to classify buildings and mark some for protection, but admit such a huge task could take years to be implemented. “Pressure for economic development is very high,” said Tuan Anh Nguyen, deputy head of the architecture research centre in Ho Chi Minh City’s planning department. He said many developers who scoop up precious downtown land do not value historic buildings, adding that he would like to see the structures incorporated into development plans, as has happened in Old Montreal, for example. The destruction in Ho Chi Minh City comes even as developers have built a replica French medieval village in the tourist hub of Danang, drawing foreign and local tourists keen for a slice of history. The city risks losing the millions of tourists that stop into the city every year to soak in its colonial charm, said architect Ngo Viet Nam Sơn. He said, “It’s like losing the chicken that gives the golden egg.”
Snickers bar: check. Can of Coke: check. Maserati: check. An innovative car show room in landstarved Singapore is using a vending machine-style system to sell luxury cars. Photo: Roslan Rahman
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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
In Cuban times A living postcard immune to change CUBA AFP
Immaculately dressed, smiling broadly and with hair and hat perfectly in place, the nannies-in-training at Norland College aim to embody the model of a modern-day Mary Poppins. Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP
British nannies get counter-terror skills UNITED KINGDOM BRITAIN’S PRESTIGious Norland College, which has trained the crème de la crème of the world’s nannies for over a century, has added anti-terrorism training to its curriculum. For 125 years, the college in Bath, southwest England has trained modern-day incarnations of Mary Poppins to care for the children of the global elite, including most recently Britain’s Prince George. It was the world’s first college to offer childcare courses but students are now taking lessons on evasive driving and cyber security provided by former intelligence officers. The training aims to provide nannies with a “foundation to think ahead and prepare for potentially threatening changes in their environment,” said Paul Gibson, former head of UK Counter Terrorism. Due to the increasing
range of threats facing high net worth individuals and their families, nannies are “in a unique position to both be targeted and to act as a credible obstacle to actions such as kidnap”. Norland graduates, famous for their first-class training and their iconic uniforms, command the highest salaries and secure the most sought-after posts. Prince George’s Spanish nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, is a former student. In the past few years, the college has broadened its curriculum to equip nannies with self-defence and safe-driving skills. The latest addition will show “our clients that they’ll be able to have someone who will be able, we hope, to cope in most circumstances,” Norland’s director, Janet Rose told BBC Radio. “That’s what our students have said: that they feel more aware, a lot more prepared and a lot more confident in carrying out their professional duties.” AFP
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n Old Havana, locals still watch life go by from the balconies of their dilapidated colonial buildings, as classic American cars putter down cobblestone streets and seemingly endless games of dominoes play out on sidewalk tables. Tourists love the island’s timelessness, which gives it the aura of a living postcard immune to change. For Cubans, who have made standing in line an art form and bureaucracy a way of life, this vestige of communism is less charming. “We live in slow motion – because we’re an island, because it’s the Caribbean and because of the whole legacy of socialism,” said the writer Wendy Guerra, a rising star of Cuban literature. “Time isn’t money here. Very few people produce anything for themselves. The country stopped producing a long time ago. People act like they’re working, and the state acts like it pays them,” the 46-year-old novelist and poet said. “There’s no schedule. No one ever has to be somewhere urgently. There’s no traffic, and public transportation problems have made us all officially unpunctual.” In her novel “Everyone Leaves”, Guerra’s heroine ends up frozen on Havana’s famous seaside boulevard, the Malecon, “stuck in the immobility of Cuba”. Cuban artist Alejandro
Despite major changes in the past few years, the rhythm of life in Cuba remains languid. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP Campins also addresses the island’s lethargy in his work. “Every Cuban’s subconscious is a waiting room,” he said. Standing in line “is in our DNA”, said port agent Daniel Rios, 36, whose job involves a lot of queuing. Many artists have found inspiration in Cuban time. “Coming to Cuba is like travelling back to the past. Time doesn’t move here,” said the artist Dagoberto Rodriguez. He and a collaborator made waves in 2012 with a piece where a troupe danced backward up a Havana avenue, symbolising Cubans’ peculiar relationship with time. But things have been evolving since President Raul Castro came to power in 2008. Since he replaced his big brother Fidel, tourism has boomed, Wi-Fi hotspots have flourished, and private restaurants and hotels have gone from banned to blossoming.
Besides the long-unthinkable rapprochement with Washington, Raul Castro has sought to modernise Cuba’s Sovietstyle economy by allowing small private businesses, the sale of cars and homes, and international travel. “Time has accelerated in Cuba as a result of the economic reforms,” said Arturo Lopez-Levy, a professor at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Still, the country is not exactly jumping to light speed. “Time may be moving quickly by Cuban standards, but not by the standards of the rest of the world,” said Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue research institute. “For most Cubans, life remains unchanged even to this day.” Nearly six decades after the Cuban Revolution, a Castro is still in power, dissent is muzzled, the US embargo
remains in place and the island’s economy is 80% controlled by the state. Foreign investment is limited, and requires navigating a labyrinthine bureaucracy. “Foreign corporations have a hard time understanding why things take so much longer here. A contract that would take three or four months somewhere else takes a year or two,” said cell phone maker Nokia’s Cuba representative, Charles Ferrer. Cuba is stuck in “a different dimension of time”, said Cuban economist Pavel Vidal, who teaches in Colombia. Raul Castro’s economic reforms, he said, could have been “faster and broader”. The president has said he will implement his reforms “without hurry, but without pausing”. But with the 85-year-old leader preparing to hand over power in February 2018, he may now be the one who finds time running short.
At the end of the world in Chile, a culture on the brink CHILE JUST OUTSIDE THE SOUTHernmost settlement in the world, an 89-year-old woman is the last native speaker of her people’s ancient language and struggling to ensure she does not take it to her grave. Cristina Calderon, known locally as “Grandma Cristina,” lives among her fellow Yaghan in Chile’s “End of the World” region of Tierra del Fuego, close to Cape Horn. “I’m the last speaker of Yaghan. Others can understand it but don’t speak it or know it like I do,” Cristina said in Villa Ukika, where the approximately 100 remaining Yaghans live, less than 1.5 kilo-
metres outside Puerto Williams, the southernmost settlement on the planet. The Yaghan once lived off fishing, paddling their canoes along coastal waterways, but mostly live off tourism now, making handicrafts and working as seasonal labourers. After her sister Ursula died, Cristina was recognised in 2009 by the Chilean government as “living human treasure” for her work in preserving an indigenous culture at risk of extinction. Cristina spends her days making reed baskets and other handicrafts and imparting as much of the language and culture of her people as she can to her grandchildren and a niece.
Cristina Calderon, 89, was recognised i by the Chilean government as a ‘living human treasure’ for her work in preserving an indigenous culture at risk of extinction. Photo: Martin Bernetti/AFP The melodic language has no written form, and is at risk of vanishing when she dies. “The younger generation know the language but not to the same degree that Cristina does,” said
Maurice van de Maele, an anthropologist living in Puerto Williams. The Yaghan have lived here for some 6,000 years and numbered around 3,000 people before the arrival of Europeans.
They fished the region’s notoriously dangerous waters, wearing little clothing and smearing their bodies in seal fat, only donning seal skins when temperatures plummeted. European settlers only arrived in the area about 150 years ago. Their presence slowly changed the Yaghan, causing them to adopt a more sedentary lifestyle and to start wearing clothes. While they retain some of their traditional customs, such as weaving baskets with reeds, they are gradually losing their tribal legends, as well as knowledge of ancient trails through the mountains and the places their people once frequented. AFP thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
BUSINESS NEWS 13
Driving local growth Pasi Business Center generates business focal point SERVICES Chris Husted execeditor@classactmedia.co.th
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local venture in the heart of Phuket is proving to be a haven for resident independent professionals and people travelling to the island on business by providing an “office away from home”. The Pasi Business Center in Srisoonthorn, located halfway along “Srisoonthorn Rd” (Route 4015), between the Heroines Monument and Cherng Talay, strikes at several key target groups. The area is long known for the number of professional foreigners living in residential estates nearby off the main road, and the location is ideal for business folk visiting Phuket’s fast-developing central west coast. The business centre also provides a venue for professionals looking to avoid becoming snarled in traffic when travelling to use business facilities in Phuket Town. Sasitorn Termpan, Founder and Director of the centre and company, explains, “Our facilities include furnished offices with premium quality furniture, full office equipment, plant pots and decoration, a co-working space and business lounge with fully furnished kitchen and amenities, two meeting rooms each
The Pasi Business Center in Srisoonthorn, central Phuket, has become an unofficial ‘second office’ for many professionals and roving business people on the island. fully equipped with a 55-inch screen, projector, whiteboard, Bluetooth speakers and microphones. “We also provide computer connections to those screens with cameras and microphones for online conferences and meetings,” she adds. “Our main services are virtual office assistance, virtual accounting, business process outsourcing, business development consulting, offshore/ Thai company registration, legal assistance and corporate secretarial services. We also provide a mailbox service and business address service,” Ms
Andacura names new GM for Nook-Dee HOSPITALITY ANDACURA HOTELS & Resorts has announced Buppha Jitkhong as the new General Manager for its flagship NookDee Boutique Resort in Phuket. Ms Buppha has an extensive hospitality background from well-known properties such as Banyan Tree and Moevenpick. “I am proud and honoured to be the new General Manager for Nook-Dee Boutique Hotel by Andacura,” said Ms Buppha. “I love the fact that this amazing, famous and very popular five-star boutique property is focusing not only on delivering guests an amazing product, but also focuses on delivering ‘sweet memories’ and ‘lovely guest experiences’ @thephuketnews
Andacura’s Wikanda Phithak (left) hands over the resort to Buppha Jitkhong (right), the new General Manager. besides on ongoing focus to let guests and employees rediscover the true charms of Thailand,” she added. “Our beloved Nook-Dee Boutique Resort is by now outperforming its competitors in many ways. The guest reviews and agent feedback is simply fantastic,” said Ms Wikanda Phithak, Andacura’s Group Director of Operations, who has also been acting GM at Nook-Dee. The Phuket News
Sasitorn explained. The centre opened in July last year after Ms Sasitorn recognised the gap in professional workspaces available in the area. “After working many years in International Business Development and having used business centres in the United States, Hong Kong, Dubai and Bangkok, I felt that Phuket was lacking such facilities so I thought I could do something about it,” she says. “Phuket is not only a touristic place, many international business men and women come here for work. They now have
a place that can provide all the amenities they need to work in an enjoyable environment with premium quality furniture and services provided by professionals. “It’s also a great opportunity for them to be able to meet business workers from different fields and countries and can help them grow their social circle. “We know how hard it can be to start a business here in Thailand for foreigners as well as for locals and we are able to provide assistance at any stage of the company creation. Our facilities can also be used for
a director to recruit and hold business meetings.” Since opening its doors, the centre has been well received, Ms Saistorn notes. “We have received very good feedback from our inhouse customers. They really appreciate the cosy place as well as the assistance and services we provide for them,” she says. “We do our best to keep a high standard of quality of customer relationship, we love our job and we do everything we can for our customers to feel like they are working in their second home. “Communication with our customers is essential to us. Our staff is multicultural and speak Thai, English and French.” Regardless, Ms Saistorn pointed out that true professionals always leave room for improvement, and that includes leaving the door open to introducing new amenities and services at the centre. “This depends on client demand, but we are willing to expand our business centre to meet the needs of our customers,” she says. Pasi Business Center Co Ltd. 177/25-26 Moo 4 Srisoonthorn Rd, T. Srisoonthorn, A, Thalang, Phuket 83110 Thailand. Email: pasibizcenter@ gmail.com Tel: 076-620180. Mobile: 095-4286116. www. pasibiz.com
Permanent Secretar y Somchai Sujjapongse discounted the notion of a hike in VAT rates.
No rise in VAT vows Finance TAXATION THE FINANCE MINISTRY has brushed aside a National Legislative Assembly (NLA) proposal to raise the valueadded tax (VAT) by one percentage point, saying a hike would be inappropriate in the current economic climate. Permanent secretary for finance Somchai Sujjapongse said that even though the current VAT rate of 7% appears to be among the lowest in the world, an increase could stall growing economic momentum. Moreover, the e-tax system aimed at stemming tax evasion could raise tax collection by at least B100 billion a year when it is fully adopted, making it unnecessary for the government to raise the VAT rate, Mr Somchai said. Meanwhile, Mr Somchai said the Finance Ministry is considering the introduction of a land windfall tax, which would be imposed on the inflated value of land from infrastructure projects. Bangkok Post
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FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
HRH Princess Sirindhorn graced the official opening of the Novotel Phuket Phokeethra hotel in Phuket Town last Thursday (May 18).
Novotel launch a Royal affair
HRH Sirindhorn graces re-opening of ‘Grande Dame’ of Phuket Town HOSPITALITY The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th
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he Novotel Phuket Phokeethra hotel, the 17-storey “Grande Dame” of Phuket Town, was officially opened late last Thursday afternoon (May 18), when Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn cut the ribbon, marking the start of the hotel’s spectacular grand
opening festivities. Some 350 guests attending the event, including the Governor of Phuket, Vice Governors, the Army Area Commander, ambassadors, travel agents, corporate personnel and local media joined the event, which included a presentation highlighting Phuket’s rich history and many in-land and beach destinations. Participants were also treated to live music, plus a whole spread of local fare
to sample, prepared by the hotel’s team of highly experienced chefs. Shortly after sunset, the festivities culminated in a fabulous dinner celebration, when the guests enjoyed a sumptuous set dinner, along with a whole evening of local entertainment. Included in the entertainment line up were traditional musical performances by students Sian Nan and Satta Kinnara Phu Pate from Phuket Rajabhat University and the Prince of
Songkla University Phuket campus. The celebrations concluded on a high note, when the group assembled at the property’s Estrela Sky lounge for more live music, while taking in the venue’s breathtaking panoramic views of both the city and sea. The 17-storey hotel, for decades known as the Thavorn Grand Plaza Hotel, enjoyed a “soft re-opening” last year after closing for renovations in January 2012.
The 17-storey building has for decades stood as the ‘Grande Dame’ in the heart of Phuket Town.
Minor splashes B9bn on ultra-luxury villas, key Phuket projects PROPERTY MINOR INTERNATIONAL IS concurrently launching three new projects with a total economic value of over B9 billion to bolster its presence in Phuket. The new investments comprise an ultra-luxury residential development, a new development phase of Anantara Vacation Club and a mixed-use retail and commercial building. Minor, listed on the Thai stock exchange, is set to invest in a second luxury residential project with a total sale value of approximately B6bn through a 50:50 joint-venture partnership with Kajima Overseas Asia, a unit of Kajima Corporation (Kajima), an established construction and real estate development company listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The plot of about 99 rai is adjacent to the Anantara Layan Phuket Resort and The Residences by Anantara, Layan, Phuket. The new ultra-luxury estate, named Avadina Hills by Anantara, will consist of 16 luxury villas for sale, divided into two phases. The first phase, comprising 11 villas, is currently under construction and expected to be completed in subphase starting in 2018. The second phase of the remain-
Minor International will spend B6 billion alone on developing its ‘Avadina Hills by Anantara’ ultra-luxury villa estate on Phuket’s west coast. ing five villas will begin construction after completion of the first phase and is expected to be ready from 2020. Part of the plot will be leased to Anantara Layan Phuket Hotel to develop new tennis, gym and spa facilities, while the remaining land may be used for future development under the partnership. The second major project, announced by Minor International last Wednesday (May 17), is the development of 97 newly-designed Anantara Vacation Club (AVC) luxury apartments and pool villas on the new 20-rai area next to the existing Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao.
The new AVC luxury apartments, expected to be completed in 2018, will come at an estimated real estate value of B3bn. The third major project announced by Minor International last Wednesday is its plan to expand its Turtle Village shopping mall. Scheduled to open in 2019, the new expansion bloc, adjacent to the current mall, will be a threestorey mixed-use building with approximately 1,270sqm of retail space and 534sqm of office space, with the entire office space already fully booked on a long-term lease commitment. “With its reputation as one of the
world’s best-known holiday destinations together with improving new infrastructure including the new international and domestic airport terminals on the island, Phuket will draw domestic and foreign travellers for many years to come,” said William Heinecke, Founder and Chairman of Minor International. “Last year’s tourist arrival growth of 18% was even stronger than the 13% from the prior year. Our confidence in the future of Phuket compels us to launch these three new projects,” he added. Dillip Rajakarier, Group COO of Minor International and CEO of Minor Hotels, also noted, “We are particularly excited to announce the development of Avadina Hills by Anantara in the Layan beach area. “With the strength of our Anantara brand and MINT’s development capability, together with Kajima’s expertise in construction, we are confident that this new development will follow the success of The Residences by Anantara Layan Phuket, and ensure that our pipeline of residential and mixed use developments continue to produce a steady stream of revenue and earnings. “We also look forward to exploring other expansion opportunities with Kajima in the future,” he added. Minor International is a global
company focused on three core businesses: restaurants, hospitality and lifestyle brands distribution. It is one of Asia’s largest restaurant companies with over 2,000 outlets operating system-wide in 19 countries under The Pizza Company, Swensen’s, Sizzler, Dairy Queen, Burger King, Thai Express, The Coffee Club, BreadTalk (Thailand) and Riverside brands. Minor International is also a hotel owner, operator and investor with a portfolio of 155 hotels and serviced suites under the Anantara, AVANI, Oaks, PER AQUUM, Tivoli, Elewana Collection, JW Marriott, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Radisson Blu and Minor International brands in 24 countries across the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe and South America. The company is also one of Thailand’s largest distributors of lifestyle brands focusing primarily on fashion, home and kitchenware and contract manufacturing. Its brands include Gap, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Esprit, Bossini, Etam, Charles & Keith, Pedro, Radley, Anello, Zwilling J.A. Henckels, Joseph Joseph and ETL Learning. Bemynt is MINT’s e-commerce platform offering premium fashion and lifestyle products. The Phuket News thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
The cultural intricacies of karma in Thailand
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Delving into Phuket’s dim sum restaurants
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LUXURIOUS LUXURY
Le Meridien Phuket’s former GM looks back at his long career in the hotel business > P20 Rudy Borgesius stands in front of the hotel he helmed for 16 years. @thephuketnews
16 COMMUNITY
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
HRH receives flowers from Phuket Town Mayor Somjai during the official opening ceremony. Photo: PR Dept
Princess opens museum to honour heritage
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uring her visit to Phuket, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn also oversaw the official opening of the Peranakannitat Museum in Phuket Town on Wednesday, May 17. HRH Princess Sirindhorn was welcomed on her arrival at the Old Standard Chartered Bank building in Phuket Town by Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong and accompanying officials. Present for the occasion were Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana and Dr Kosol Tang-utai, who is Phuket City Deputy Mayor and the Museum President. “The ‘Peranakannitat Museum’ was named by HRH Sirindhorn on Nov 30, 2015,” Mayor Somjai explained. (Nitat is a high-level archaic Thai word meaning “vision”.) “Inside the museum are exhibitions showing the lives of Peranakan people in Phuket,” she added. “Also, across the road is another classic Phuket building, an old police station commissioned by Phraya Rassada during the reign of King Rama VI. At that time the police station was built to guard the bank, but now features exhibitions with pictures and animations depicting the history of Phuket Town,” Mayor Somjai noted. Her Royal Highness unveiled the museum’s name plate and signed a brass plate to officiate the venue’s opening. The Phuket News
Yaowawit School honoured
HRH Sirindhorn presides over new program launch The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th
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er Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the official launch of Yaowawit School, Kapong’s “Pre-Vocational Education Academies” in Phang Nga Province on Thursday, May 18. Founder of Yaowawit School, Mr Philipp Graf von Hardenberg said, “This special occasion marks Her Royal Highness’s fourth visit to Yaowawit School, the last one being in 2008 and we are proud of her ongoing support and interest in our school. “Since then, we built a meditation house, started a visiting program with 16 international schools from all over the world, set up a solar energy plant, added 12 hotel rooms for the Yaowawit Lodge and started our bilingual Thai/ English program in the kindergarten and primary school. “From the beginning, Yaowawit practiced ‘Life-Skills Education’ and in 2016, Yaowawit teamed up with Marriott International, the Phang Nga Tech-
nical College and the Office of Vocational Education Commission to design and build the Yaowawit Pre-Vocational Hospitality Academy. “In February of 2017 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed for the Yaowawit Pre-Vocational Agriculture Academy with OVEC and the Phang Nga Agriculture and Technical College,” added Mr Graf von Hardenberg. During the ceremony, Yaowawit’s students performed a tin mining dance for Her Royal Highness and Mr Graf von Hardenberg introduced six supporters of Yaowawit, who made donations to Her Royal Highness, who then gave them to representatives of Yaowawit School: • Ms Supatra Charuariyanon is a businesswoman from Phuket who sponsors school materials and funds a scholarship for one of the students. • Mr Jens Moehrle, Senior Director of Playmobil, is Yaowawit’s supporter in its operations and farm projects. • Mr Frank Steinbacher, Vice President Sales and Marketing of MercedesBenz Thailand, serves as Yaowawit’s brand ambassador and tells the school’s stories through public relations cam-
paigns and media trips. • Mr Simon Philipps, Arrowsmith Program supporter and the school’s newest friend, sends Yaowawit’s teachers to training sessions on its “Brain Training” exercises in Canada. • Mr David Teplitzky is a philanthropist who helps with international fundraising for the Agricultural PreVocational Academy. • Ms Yaowapa Boonsaweng is the school’s dear friend and supporter from Kapong. Her Royal Highness also toured the school’s facilities: • The Pre-Vocational Hospitality Academy program designed in cooperation with Marriott International and the Phang Nga Technical College • The Hospitality Learning Class, conducted by Yaowawit’s hospitality professional selected by Marriott Thailand Business Council • The school’s library • The kindergarten class’s Bilingual Program Class • The “Arrowsmith Program for Brain Training” program room • The Botanical Classroom
BISP’s ‘Project Restart’ helping schools in post-earthquake Nepal
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n response to the 2015 earthquake tragedy in Nepal, students and staff of British International School Phuket banded together and organized several events over time to successfully raise more than B500,000 towards the cost of building a school there. The disaster claimed about 9,000 lives, displaced three million people and destroyed half a million homes. Moreover, 8,000 schools were damaged and 20,000 classrooms completely destroyed. ‘Project Restart’ was formed in June of 2015 and by the year-end, over B350,000 had been raised by the team. The ‘Project Restart’ Committee would like to further the cause and invite all members of the community to get involved, either directly by joining the committee or helping with future fundraising activities such as the ‘BISP Run the Hour’ on Sunday, May 28.
‘In Your Hands’ team members with schoolchildren in Nepal. Back in February, BISP’s Iain Richardson visited Nepal and met with representatives of a UK-based charity “In Your Hands”, which is focussed on re-building schools, aiding the development of education through link schools, volunteers and teaching support as well as the health and well-being of
UK-based charity ‘In Your Hands’ is focussed on re-building schools in Nepal.
the communities. Mr Richardson also met with the Nepali “The Mandala Organization”, which has already started building more than 200 earthquakeresistant houses and schools for needy victims of the earthquake in remote areas of Sindhupalchowk. The two organisations have joined
hands to forge links with schools in remote regions of Eastern Nepal to provide funds for reconstruction, teaching resources and teacher training. BISP will be working closely with both in the future to ensure that the funds raised will be used to maximum effect. The Phuket News
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
EDUCATION 17
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
Headstart tells ‘Chicago Stories’ Students transport audience into world of 1920s through song and dance Miki Edouard
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he HeadStart International School auditorium was filled with an eager crowd of spectators on May 13 for the schools blockbuster music and dance performance. Over 100 students aged 5-18, from the Dance Academy and Creative and Performing Arts Academy (CAPA) performed Chicago Stories. The performance was a fantastic display of beautifully choreographed hip-hop and modern jazz and featured some captivating aerial ballet. The solo singers and narrator swept the audience into the world of the 1920s where the recent disappearance of several key characters in the town had everyone wondering who has committed the crime. A big congratulations and thank you to Ms Fabienne Mester and everyone else involved for pulling off such a wonderful show.
A student skillfully performs some aerial ballet as part of the show.
Young ‘Iron Chefs’ to battle at QSI
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SI International School Phuket will be hosting an International Student Cooking Competition and Food Fair at the school campus on Saturday, June 10, from 3-7pm. The competition has been dubbed “Iron Chef Kids” and will see students from across the island go head-to-head in the kitchen. The Phuket News spoke to School Director Brian Gerbracht about how the competition came about and what will be involved. Where did the idea come from? It germinated from an event we ran in November. QSI is an American International School. As an American, I thought we should have a Thanksgiving Dinner. Thanksgiving is a holiday that exemplifies the true nature of Americans. We share a meal and remember and give thanks to our loved ones and those who support us. I spoke to our chef, Chef Noi of Positive Kitchen and the owner of Suay Restaruant, about my idea. He was very
@thephuketnews
much in favour. We sent out an invitation to our QSI friends and families to celebrate with us. We received 160 responses to join our first ever meal. Chef Noi has done events like this before and was confident we could do this. At this time I inquired about student help – if he needed any and could they join? So, four students helped in the kitchen leading up to the event and also on the morning of the event and it was a special day filled with joy. So, I asked Chef Noi about holding a cooking competition on our campus for students, and again, he was very much in favour of the idea. So we sat and planned and it seemed feasible. Can you describe the event? There are four components to this event to make it fun for the entire family. First, there is the competition. Each English speaking school invited, both International and local Thai schools, has the opportunity to send one team of four students from ages 10 to 18.
They will create two culinary delights in one hour. One dish they can practice and prepare for as a group ahead of the competition. They will bring their uncooked ingredients to the event which will cost no more than B1,000. The second dish will be presented by our celebrity chefs – Chen Noi and Chef Ronnie of Café Del Mar. The students will have to pay close attention as they will need to recreate this dish as best as possible using ingredients from Farang Food Paradise. Within one hour, the student teams will have to make both their prepared dish and their impromptu dish. They will then be judged by our celebrity chefs. As the competition takes place, guests will be able to browse shops and purchase organic produce and home-crafted food products from local vendors including Pura Organic. For a fee of B300 for adults and B100 for kids 12 and under, our guests will be able to sample exquisite tastes from local restaurants, including Suay, Café
Chef Noi will take a leading role in the competition. Del Mar, Gallery Café and many more. Finally, the chefs on hand will be providing mini tutorials in food and dish preparation. And, thanks to our friends at Tuna Paradise, our chefs will be cleaning and portioning fresh fish and preparing dishes for the crowd to sample. It should be an exciting day! For information and current updates about restaurants and businesses attending please go to Etable: facebook. com/etable.asia. If you would like to participate in the event, please contact Khun Aom in our QSI office: k-aom@ pkt.qsi.org or 076 304 312. We will help you get your answers. For more information visit: facebook.com/qsi.phuket/
18 CULTURE
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
Spirit houses, or ‘saan phra phum’, can be found outside of almost every dwelling in the Kingdom.
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
One of the best ways to improve your karma is to donate food to monks.
The culture of karma ALL ABOUT BUDDHISM
Jason A. Jellison mitnoy@live.com
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was recently doing some research and I happened upon an interesting story. In fact, it’s even a ghost story, so I thought I would share it with everyone who reads my humble little newspaper column. The story goes like this: One day, a Buddhist monk was sitting in his office and the telephone rang. On the other end of the phone was a stressed out, suburban mother who had a real crisis on her hands. Her call was unusual these days but hardly unheard of – she was calling for an exorcism. Alarmed, the monk quickly made his way to the house which was some distance from his temple. He was greeted upon arrival by the woman who had called, as well as her children. They were all very visibly tired, irritable and frustrated. Apparently, this ghost had done a real number on them. The monk asked for more information and soon learned that the family had only recently purchased the house. They had no idea, of course, that it was haunted by a malevolent ghost. They went onto explain that this monk was not the first religious authority that they had called. No, no, no. They had called the Cath-
A depiction of the karmic cycle of death and rebirth.
Offering to the spirits residing in spirit houses is said to bring good luck and good karma. olics and, when they failed, they called the Lutherans, then the Jews, then the Mormons and so on. In the meantime, the ghost continued to terrorize the family and they just couldn’t take it anymore. Desperate, they told the monk that failure was not an option. Now realizing the importance of this, and with the utmost of diplomacy, the monk gently asked what horrors this evil spirit had inflicted upon the family. Now braced for the worst, he got his answer: The ghost didn’t like the television shows that his new owners watched and kept changing the channel. Stunned, and probably rather amused, the monk thought for a few seconds, and responded with a question. “Well, why don’t you just buy another TV?” Then, after moment of awkward silence, the monk left. Today, the family watches a new television set and the ghost watches the other set. Everyone lived happily ever after. I found this story to be very amusing but I also found that it has an obvious moral that we can all adapt for our daily lives. The obvious moral of the story is that most of us have a tendency to generate all of this stress whenever we encounter a problem that could be solved by simply sort of letting it go, as we Buddhists like to say. However, the less obvious moral of the story is that stressing out under needless circumstances is bad karma, and bad karma begets nothing but more bad karma. Not only does everyone stress out around us like the kids in the story, but the bad we create hangs in the air around us and becomes something of an aura. Much like a light bulb in the
forest on a lonely summer night, this attracts nothing but the worst of pests and problems into our lives. Most Westerners have a general idea of what karma is. Basically, as we say in the West, what goes around comes around. Karma, of course, is the sumtotal of all of the good, or all too often, the bad that we have done in our lives. Westerners seem to be somewhat aware that it follows you throughout your life but, what you may not know is that Buddhism teaches that it follows you into your next life, too. You see, Buddhists believe that life is not a one-shot deal. They believe that the good or bad you do follows you and, upon the moment of death, it basically directs you into your next existence. For example, a good man who was kind to people in this life may be reborn into a wonderful life free of most health and financial problems with a happy family. A bad man might be reborn into an unpleasant life besot with ill-health, squalor and unhappiness. Yet, all is not lost. We may not be able to amend the karma of our past lives but we certainly do control the karma of our present one. It is never too late to change your ways as long as the desire to change sincerely exists in your heart. (That’s the part that most people never get to… step one, if you will.) You might wonder what impact karma has over here in Thailand. Sadly, here in Thailand, karma does not stop people from being careless. Visitors to Thailand quickly notice that Thai people are not exactly very safety-oriented. When people live in Thailand for a while, sometimes they might start to think that Thai people are reckless
because they think that Thai people believe that past karma dictates if they will have bad luck, like an accident. There’s a little truth to that but, in reality, Thai culture is unusually interested in making everything easy and fun. That’s why Thailand is so tolerant and such a nice place to be in. Alas, the downside of that is carefree people tend to be unaware of safety risks. So, they don’t often wear seat belts, a motorcycle helmet, drive on the correct side of the road, or anything that is an added burden. The mai pen rai (no problem) culture makes them a little lax on safety. Sadly, terrible accidents occasionally happen because of it. This “street version” of Buddhism leans a little towards superstition but it also results in many beautiful things. Any visitor to Thailand will immediately notice all of the beautiful spirit houses outside most homes and businesses. Thai people believe that these little spirit houses help ward off bad spirits and bad karma. Some of these Thai spirit houses can actually be quite large. The one outside of my building is nearly six feet tall. Visitors to Thailand will see people trying to build good karma by making offerings of coconut, mango, fried rice, rambutan and exotic flowers – as they realize that nature has its own karma. What we do causes an effect in nature, which causes yet another effect and so on and so on. A saan phra phum spirit house has only one pillar. The pillar represents Mount Sumeru, the cosmic realm of the Gods, and visitors to Thailand will see a resident angel inside who is of HinduVishnu origin. This angel is named Pra Chai Monkol. She came to Thailand through the Khmer Empire. The Thai view of karma is unique because it is based on a very ancient style of Buddhism. The concepts are understood somewhat differently than in more modern settings. To be continued: More about the Thai flavour of karma next month.
All About Buddhism is a monthly column in The Phuket News where I take readers on my exotic journey into Thai Buddhism and debunk a number of myths about Buddhism. If you have any specific queries, or ideas for articles, please let us know. Email editor1@classactmedia. co.th, and we will do our best to accommodate your interests. thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
EXPLORE 19
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
Welcome back waves! Phuket’s surf season is cranking up and we’ve already seen some impressive swells
This incredible wave shows just how good surf in Phuket can get when conditions are good. Photo: Charlie Benzies
SURF THAILAND Mark Suarkeo & Jeremie Schatz
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nfortunately it happens every year in Phuket. The rains subside, the winds swing around and blow from the east-northeast and, sadly for some, the swells fizzle out. The Andaman Sea reverts back to its non-monsoon-season personality – docile, clear and safe. During this period from November-April, the only waves to be seen are the waves of tourists crashing onto Phuket’s beaches. For the island’s surfers, body-surfers and boogie boarders, this time of year is viewed with a dose of disdain and loathing. This is the dreadful end of surf season when we sleep in a little later, our muscles get a bit softer, and we just generally lose some of the bounce in our step. Some wait patiently for the waves to return, while others use this opportunity as an excuse to venture to nearby surf destinations such as Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. In fact, half of the Surf Thailand crew just returned from Indonesia while the other half is gallivanting around the Philippines now. Meanwhile, Phuket’s west coast started getting battered by our first real swell with overhead sets getting everyone’s hearts racing. Now is the time to rejoice as Songkran has come and gone and our precious swells (although not too consistent yet) have begun finding their way to our beaches. Finally, the skies have filled with clouds, the red “No Swimming” flags have started to appear and it’s time to
put a fresh coat of wax on your board! However, it takes more than a flip of a switch for Phuket’s waves to get reasonably surfable. The sandy beach breaks require some abuse from heavier waves and high-tide storm surges to strip away some of the sand that has been gradually accumulating on the beach. That sand gets redistributed into sand bars for the waves to break on until the ocean calms and slowly moves the sand back to the beach. Thailand’s few reef breaks don’t require this kind of maintenance, but are a bit gutless without bigger, more powerful swells. As the surf season comes to life it’s important for us wave wranglers to be aware of the obstacles around us – namely swimmers. Although there are far fewer tourists swimming around than pre-April, we are undoubtedly going to encounter a few brave souls taking a dip in the turbulent waters. Remember that it is our responsibility to keep our boards/watercraft under control and avoid causing any injuries. Swimmers are often unable to quickly move out of the way of a surfer; keep an eye where the swimmers are around you and look down the line while on a wave to avoid surprises. Keep in mind that the reach of your board is the length of the board plus the length of the leash adding another 30cm/1 foot for leash stretch. Those going in the water at beaches like Kata, which have a lot of motorized traffic, need to be keenly aware of these fast-moving hazards. The jet skiers often have no idea what they are doing, the parasailing boats continually come very close to shore and force you to move (watch out for their ropes!), and any other fast-moving craft out there is
Let’s hope we see more waves like this one as the surf season kicks in this year. @thephuketnews
Surf Thailand’s Mark Suarkeo gets ready to hit the surf at Nai Harn as some supporters urge him on. likely to inflict harm upon you if they make contact so beware! Do your best to be diplomatic and avoid angry confrontations as these will never work out in anyone’s favour. Mark Suarkeo and Tracey Suarkeo are the founders of Surf Thailand. Mark is a Certified Prosthetist and can be reached at mark@surfthailand.com. Tracey can be reached at tracey@surfthailand.com. Jeremie Schatz is director of Andaman Board Sports and can be reached at jeremie@andamanboardsports.com. Visit surfthailand.com and andamanboardsports.com for more information.
Nice waves seen just weeks ago in southern Phuket.
20 PEOPLE
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
Rudy Borgesius.
A Dinner with Rudy Borgesius
Recently retired GM of Le Meridien looks back on 16 years at the helm
hursday, March 30 this year saw Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, one of the island’s most stylish and longestablished five-star hotels, host a very special party for their very special retiring General Manager Rudolph “Rudy” Borgesius. An invited crowd of around 200 movers and shakers from the tourist industry and Phuket society gathered in the resort’s huge ballroom to savour cocktails and wine, graze on canapés and honour the retirement of Rudy, who has served as GM of this iconic property for 16 years, firstly from 1996 to 2000 and again, from late 2005 until now. In fact Rudy has spent nearly all of his stellar 50-year international career with Le Meridien at properties in many colourful locations such as Kuwait, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Martinique, Seychelles, Rio de Janeiro, Cairo, Sham El Sheikh, Chennai and Singapore prior to completing his illustrious career in his truly beloved Phuket. I was fortunate enough to be one of the invitees to Rudy’s leaving party and able to witness the outpouring of affection and good humour which Rudy engendered in his colleagues, staff, long-term repeat guests, friends and fellow tourism professional alike. Rudy is an almost legendary presence in the Pantheon of Thailand’s tourism professionals and so I asked if
we could have a meal together and if he would be willing to give an interview for this series “A Meal with…”. As a man who historically has given few interviews and prefers to let his work and reputation stand testament to his many achievements rather than talking about them, I was grateful when he suggested we have dinner at Le Meridien’s fabulous Ariake Japanese restaurant which sits next to the resort’s huge swimming pool. It was a Tuesday evening at about 7pm when we met and walked along beside the terrace overlooking this huge aquamarine swimming pool thronged with happy families and visitors enjoying the resort’s many other enticing restaurant outlets. Of course Rudy was welcomed with open arms and beaming smiles in Ariake by Chef Manee Emamorn and his team of consummate professionals. We settled into seats beside one of the sizzling teppanyaki griddles with its toque-wearing chef flipping Wagyu beef, Phuket lobster, fresh Andaman fish and most amazingly of all, a single, shelled egg, with great dexterity and aplomb much to the delight of the assembled diners and their laughing children. Settling into our chairs with glasses of traditional Japanese fermented rice sake, I asked Rudy what had first attracted him to the hospitality industry. “I was just a naive 20-year-old starting out in the hospitality business when I started working in the Rooms and F&B departments of various hotels at home in Holland and then in Germany, Spain and Switzerland. I enjoy people and as a natural extrovert who wanted
Grilled Wagyu beef with king oyster mushrooms.
Fresh sashimi at Le Meridien’s Ariake restaurant.
A MEAL WITH...
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Baz Daniel
An aerial view of Phuket’s ‘Grande Dame’ Le Meridien, which occupies a small secluded beach south of Patong. Photo: Le Meridien to travel, this seemed the perfect vocation for me. After a couple of years I realised I needed to formalise my training in this arena and so enrolled at hotel school in Switzerland. After graduation I managed to get more managerial roles and postings further afield such as in the Middle East. It was there, in Kuwait in fact, that in 1981 I first worked as a Hotel Manager for Le Meridien Group and the rest, as they say, is history.” As we enjoyed a fine selection of fresh sashimi, I asked Rudy what was the key to successfully managing a huge iconic property like Le Meridien Phuket? “Hotels and resorts are of course people-orientated businesses, both in terms of ensuring the customer experience is exceptional and also that those delivering that experience are well trained and motivated. So I think the training and professionalism of our team here in Phuket is an absolutely vital part of our success. “We have many repeat visitors who come back to Le Meridien year after year and when they see the same smiling faces of our staff and are greeted by name and asked how their children are doing… these things really set us apart from our competitors and humanise the holiday experience. While we are now owned by Marriott International, I believe it is these very human, very personal Thai touches that will continue to
be the essence of Le Meridien brand as our customers actually experience it.” We finally walked down to the beautiful beach upon which the hotel stands and sat outside having a nightcap overlooking the appropriately named Relax Bay and I asked Rudy where he thought Phuket was heading in future. “While we can control the microcosm of our own resort grounds and this wonderful beach and headland, the real challenge is what is happening outside our gates within greater Phuket environment that we cannot directly control. “Obviously, traffic density, uncontrolled construction, urbanisation, road works and environmental degradation are anathema to time-starved tourists seeking a relaxing escape from their daily existence. Clearly, if Phuket cannot solve these developmental problems, then in the longer term, guests will choose somewhere else to vacation.” It is perhaps noteworthy that Rudy himself has chosen to split his wellearned retirement time 50-50 between his home in the Laguna area of Phuket and back in Holland. Phuket and Le Meridien have benefited greatly over the years from the energy, foresight and enthusiasm of Rudy Borgesius and we can only hope that many more such insightful individuals will steer our island through the turbulent waters of its current challenges. thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
Dim sum delights
DINING 21
STREET EATS
Mark Knowles editor1@classactmedia.co.th
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he perennially popular Thai breakfast of dim sum is at its most basic, small serves of bite sizes food steamed, served in steamers made from bamboo and plenty of hot tea. Owing to Phuket’s strong Chinese roots, dim sum is an incredibly popular meal among locals and you can find a dim sum restaurant in almost every town or neighbourhood on the island. As is often the case, particularly in Phuket, Thaistyle dim sum has its origins in Southern China, where the practice of eating dim sum with many cups of jasmine tea is known as yum cha. Naturally, over the years Thais have adapted the recipes for Chinesestyle dim sum dishes to suit their tastes, and the tea to pandan tea, but many of the most iconic dishes remain quite similar to their Chinese predecessors. Steamed dumplings are an essential part of any dim sum meal and several varieties are commonly found here in Phuket. Har gow are simple dumplings made of minced shrimp wrapped in a rice based pastry and steamed until translucent. Shu mai is a close cousin that is usually made with minced pork, prawn or crab (or a combination of them) and wrapped in a yellow or green won-ton wrapper that remains open at the top – they are also often topped with a pinch of crab meat or fish roe to give a visually pleasing and tasty garnish. Perhaps the next most common dish you will see at dim sum shops in Phuket are simply minced, seasoned pork topped with anything from quail eggs, vegetables and tofu to scallops, mussels, black preserved eggs (also known as century eggs) and mushrooms. This dish is the catch-all of Thai dim sum and comes in as many varieties as there are restaurants – and often changing depending on what was available at the market that day. It seems that this style of dish is a unique Thai adaptation as I haven’s eaten dim sum dishes quite like this anywhere else. Next up are the meat and seafood dishes. Boneless pieces of fish are often served quite simply with
Here are four of my favourite Dim Sum restaurants, but no matter where you are, you’re sure to find one nearby. • Ratcharod Dim Sum. Located on Yaowarat Rd, 1km north of Phuket Old Town, about 200m south of the Phuket Provincial Police Station and on the opposite side of the road. One of the best I’ve found in Phuket. A little bit more expensive but well worth it for the fresh ingredients and generous serves. Get there early or you’ll miss out. • Bunyarat Dim Sum. Located on Soi Tilok Uthit in Phuket Town, about 200m south of the intersection of Phang Nga Rd. A long-standing favourite of Phuket Town locals. • Mala Dim Sum. Located in Kata on the beach side of Patak Rd about 300m southward from the main Kata fresh market. A good selection of dim sum as well as other breakfast choices. • Ketho Dim Sum. Located in Kathu on Wichit Songkram Rd 1km south of the new Kathu fresh market next to a klong and opposite a restored Sino-Portuguese mansion. Good selection, yummy jok and friendly staff. @thephuketnews
Racharod Dim Sum’s handmade dim sum.
Just some of the vast selection of dim sum dishes to sample. a touch of shredded ginger for flavour. My personal favourite, although it’s often not easy to find, is slow-cooked pork belly, marinated in Chinese five-spice powder and cooked until the fat is melt-in-your-mouth tender. It is then sliced into one centimetre thick pieces and served in the individual dim sum plated on top of a bed of pickled greens. Other seafood choices can include plain unseasoned mussels or scallops. Most dim sum places will also offer a few deep-fried dishes – but be warned they can be quite heavy going at breakfast time. Popular ones include crispy fried won tons filled with minced pork or prawns – delicious with some sweet chilli sauce. Crab and prawn cakes are also popular, and of course the ubiquitous spring rolls.
One my absolute favourite freshly-made dishes is served at Racharod dim sum on Yaowarat Rd north of Phuket Town. The dish consists of a thin steamedrice flour slurry spread over a cloth and steamed until firm, then filled alternatively with red barbecued pork (moo daeng), whole small prawns or pure crab meat, then wrapped up and served with flavourful broth – I highly recommend if you get the opportunity. Many of the larger dim sum places will also serve a variety of other breakfast dishes, such as rice porridge or rice soup ( jok and khao tom) with a choice of toppings. One to try is eggs-on-a-pan (kai kratha) – typically two fried eggs sunny side up and served in the pan with a topping of Chinese sausage, minced pork and green onion.
Traditionally dim sum is served at tables from carts circulating in the dining room, but Thai style dim sum is a bit different. Usually there will be several glass refrigerators with a wide selection of the dim sum plates – you simply select the ones you want and put them on your tray, then take them to the steamer and tell them where you are sitting. Typically dishes are between B10-B20 with special dishes ranging up to about B80, and two people will usually have about six or eight dishes between them. It’s always a good idea to go with several friends as that way you can try more dishes. Most good dim sum places open early at 5am-6am and are closed by noon. Try to get in early lest you miss out on some of the most popular selections.
22 ISLAND SCENE
Guests enjoyed some pub-style finger food.
This table got a front row seat for a night of intrigue at Greenmane Towers.
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
Young P.J. Notley (left), pictured with his dad Peter, used his keen powers of observation to deduce the murderer and was awarded first prize.
The Theatrix theatre group and friends take a bow at the end of the evening.
THEATRIX PRESENTS AN EVENING OF MURDER AND MYSTERY AT THE GREEN MAN The Green Man was packed to the rafters on Saturday night for local theatre group Theatrix’s first ever murder mystery event – Murder at the Greenmane Towers. The murderer proved quite elusive with only a few amateur sleuths able to successfully piece the puzzle together and collar the femme fatale Scarlett. Young P.J. Notley from Chalong used his keen powers of observation to deduce the murderer and was awarded first prize. Congratulation to P.J. and a big thanks to everyone who came out to make the evening a resounding success. This event was proudly sponsored by The Phuket News.
Some amateur gymnastics on the grass at the Alan Cooke Ground.
Almost a dozen performers took to the stage for AsiaLIFE Radio Music Festival 3.
Festivalgoers get ready for the onstage performances.
The festival featured food, drink and craft stalls.
ASIALIFE RADIO MUSIC FESTIVAL ROCKS THE ALAN COOKE GROUND The AsiaLIFE Radio Music Festival 3, proudly sponsored by Live 89.5, was an all-day to late-night open-air carnival of music held at the Alan Cooke Cricket Ground (ACG) on Saturday, May 20. Seven bands and three DJs took to the stage to provide stellar sounds, and the fun-fair style attractions, arts and crafts, and foodie favourites were a hit with the kids. This year’s line-up featured Shark Boy Alive, Lord Liar Boots, The Grumps, Moody Band, The Fuzztonez, DTACH & DJ Tank, The Odd Gods, Funk-R, DJ Ejanan and DJ Rozza. thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
From left: Lions Alfred, Karl, Franz and Norbert.
ISLAND SCENE 23
(L-R) Lions Arfinn Oines, Igor Protasov and Alexey Protasov kids from Sunshine Village.
LIONS CLUB OF PHUKET PEARL CHARITY BOWLING COMPETITION AT BIG C Lions Club of Phuket Pearl held its Charity Bowling Competition at Big C Supercenter on Sunday, May 21. Dozens of people lined up to bowl and take part in the charity auction to raise money for projects that help children in need. This event was proudly sponsored by The Phuket News, Khao Phuket and Live 89.5
Chaine de Rotisseurs members and their guests enjoyed the fine food at ACQUA.
The group meets once a month to enjoy the best food and wine Phuket has to offer.
CHAINE DE ROTISSEURS GOURMETS ENJOY MONTHLY DINNER AT ACQUA The Phuket chapter of Chaine de Rotisseurs held its monthly dinner at the acclaimed ACQUA Restaurant with 24 members and guests in attendance. The highlight was the Tuscan Pecorino stuffed ravioli with wild boar ragout and black Italian truffle followed by the Wagyu beef cheeks with cauliflower horseradish and artichoke Alla Giudia.
Dozens of new and long-standing members attended the delicious lunch.
PIWC members Sue, Athena, Sue and Nittaya.
PIWC MAY LUNCHEON AT MOEVENPICK’S PACIFICA RESTAURANT IN KARON Members of the Phuket International Women’s Club (PIWC) gathered Moevenpick Resort in Karon last week for their monthly luncheon. Pacifica’s à la carte menu focuses on blending the pure flavours of Thai cooking with traditional Western favourites and offers both outdoor and indoor seating with views of the main pool.
CONGRATS TO PHUKET’S LEENA DEWIS – CROWNED MISS LONDON 2017 Congratulations to Phuket’s Leena Dewis who was crowned Mis s London 2017 on May 12 and will be representing the city of London at the Miss England Final on July 12-14. Leena also won the public vote and took the popularity title for Miss London.
From left: Um, Chris, Lucas, Kurt, Boyd and Ris.
STUDENT VISITS CLASS ACT MEDIA Young student Lucas from Oak Meadow International School stopped by the Class Act Media offices last week to learn how a media organisation runs, from gleaning some tips on how to write an interview story to dropping in to meet the Phuket Xtra TV team – and even being interviewed live on Live 89.5 by Donna Toon. We wish Lucas all the best in his future writing career! @thephuketnews
Leena also won the public vote and took the popularity title for Miss London.
24 EVENTS
FRI
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
26 MAY
Mussels night @ Shakers 1.2kg mussels served with french fries, your choice, your style: nature, marnière, provençale, garlic & cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended 295 baht P.P., shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
Chill Out Fridays in Surin 5 Gourmet Tapas plus 2 drinks for just B690 net!!! And French Oysters for just B50 net/piece. Never worry about where to spend Friday evenings again! Join DeDos LeLounge for our Chill Out Fridays featuring cool beats from DJ Not from 7:30pm until late! So grab your friends and start your weekend off right! www.dedos-lelounge.com 076 621 692.
SAT
27 MAY
All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet 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.
Bodega Italian Brunch
Live Sports at Expat Hotel Pool Competition at Expat Sports Bar
NRL, AFL, Soccer, Rugby Union. Any live sport, we will show it. Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www.expatsportsbar.com
All you can eat BBQ night
Go Live Sunday Seafood Brunch The Banyan Tree Seafood Brunch experience returns with a generous selection of live fresh, local and imported seafood with exception Lobster dished, Japanese starters, mouth-watering meats, Asia wok and Western grill treats. Gourmet cuisine, exceptional service, Live Jazz and tranquil surroundings, The Banyan Tree has something for everyone! Every Sunday 12.00-15.30, price start from B2,800 net per person. Reservations, Banyan Tree Phuket, fb-phuket@banyantree.com 076 372 400.
Boat Lagoon Weekend
พบกันงานแสดง ดนตรี อาหาร และความสนุกหลายรูปแบบ ทีง่ านโบ๊ทลากูนวีคเอนด์
From 6.00pm till 10.00pm at Lagoon Quay, Phuket Boat Lagoon.
MON
29 MAY
Experience our exquisite ‘Italian Sunday Brunch’, which began on May 7 and runs weekly throughout the season. Choose from a wonderful variety of dishes, including lobster spaghetti, foie gras on saffron risotto, grilled suckling pig, live pizza and pasta stations and much more. Email for reservations at Bodega & Grill: Paneenart.Pengraksa@angsana.com
The competition at 9pm - Expat Sports Bar at the Expat Hotel Soi Taipan Patong. See map at www.expathotel.com
Beats & Bites & Music & Food & Fun.
BISP Run the Hour BISP is hosting a charity run called BISP Run the Hour and is open to all ages. There will be two races held on campus over a closed 1km loop. All profits will go to the BISP Project Restart charity which is a student-driven initiative to help children in devastated or impoverished areas, and their first campaign has been to help restart a school in Nepal following the Gorkha earthquake. More info contact running@bisphuket.ac.th. Proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Live 89.5
6PM – 11PM: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns & Squids, salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. 395 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
TUE
30 MAY
Live 89.5 - Summer Saturday @ The Village Coconut Island Come and meet the Live 89.5 team! Tickets include return boat transfers, Beach BBQ and drinks. All welcome to this fun family friendly afternoon at The Village Coconut Island. Tickets available at phuketticketmaster.com
SUN
28 MAY
Rotary Club of Phuket South Mini Marathon 2017 The second running of this annual family friendly event is expected to attract over 2,000 runners for its 10.5km mini-marathon and 3.5km fun run. Entry fees are B350 per person for the mini-marathon and B300 per person for the fun run. Entries are now open, so to register contact 097 267 5969 or for tickets go to phuketticketmaster.com. This event is proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Khao Phuket.
TEX MEX TEX MEX BUFFET IN KARON AND PATONG TWO CHEFS! A feast for everyone to join, mouthwatering Fajitas, crunchy Tacos, delicious Mexican Spring Rolls, creamy Guacamole, Jalapeños, Tomato Salsa and sour cream. Salad, Beans, Corn, Cheese and Onion. Nachos and spicy Ground Pork. + MORE. Two Chefs Live Band on stage from 8 pm to late. www.twochefs. com Karon 076-286-479, Patong 076-344-914.
Phuket International Rugby 10s May 26-28, 2017, will once again see teams from around the world coming together at the superb sports facility at Thanyapura Sports Club to compete at this year’s 19th Annual Phuket International Rugby 10s. With teams from Australia, The Arabian Gulf, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, it promises to be a fun action-packed weekend. Entry to the tournament is free so come on down and enjoy some spectacular rugby and support your local Phuket Vagabonds team. More info visit: phuketrugby10s.com. Proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Khao Phuket.
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
Traditional Sunday Roast
DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON
It’s Sunday, So That Means Sunday Roast!! Sunday Roast With All The Trimming Only 400 THB Served From 12pm Til Sold Out! Get In Early. Tel: 076 337 000.
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
WED
EVENTS 25
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
31 MAY
SAT
3 JUN
THU
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.
Laguna Phuket Marathon 2017
8 JUN
SURF & TURF NIGHT EVERY WEDNESDAY @ TWO CHEFS
healthy snacks & salads. Find us at the Entrance of The Royal Paradise Complex, Patong. Mon - Sat 8.30am 4.00pm. Facebook: CafeSiamGuesthousePhuket 081 676 9411.
PIWC Luncheon June PIWC Luncheon June will be held at Divino Tapas Restaurant in Boat Avenue, Cherng Talay. Registration starts at 11.30 am followed by Lunch at 12.15 pm Please send your booking to info@phuketiwc.com, attention Carole Dux Price for members is 600 baht and for guests 750 baht.
FRI
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 CEASAR SALAD AND HERB SAUTEED POTATOES. ONLY 495 BAHT. Two Chefs Live Band on stage from 8 pm until late. WWW.twochefs.com Karon 076-286-479, Patong 076-344-914, Kata Beach 076-333-370, Kata Center 076-330-065 COME FOR THE FOOD | STAY FOR THE FUN!!
THU
15 JUN
More than 6,000 athletes from around the world head to Phuket this June to “Run Paradise” at the 2017 Laguna Phuket Marathon. Having put Phuket on the map as a world-class sports tourism destination, the Laguna Phuket Marathon has grown to become the leading destination marathon in Southeast Asia and will take place on June 3 and 4, 2017. More info visit phuketmarathon.com. Proudly sponsored by Live 89.5.
THU
1 JUN
campus in Kathu on Saturday, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Student teams from across the island will construct two signature dishes which will be judged by two celebrity chefs. Many local restaurants will be providing samples to taste while you watch the competition. And, local organic produce and products will be for sale. Come see the excitement and celebrate local cuisine. Entry fee is 300 baht for adult and 100 baht for children under 12. Proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Live 89.5.
23 JUN
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.
PIWC Meet & Greet Coffee June New members are encouraged to join our monthly Meet & Greet Coffee Morning to find out more about our organisation. It’s also a great opportunity to chat with a few members in a more casual setting over a cup of coffee. For more info, please contact Joan Watson – imm@loxinfo.co.th or Renate Hirte – hirtefamily@hotmail.com. From 10.30 - 12.00 hrs @Starbucks Central Festival.
SAT
10 JUN
La Gritta’s Discovery Menu Laguna Phuket Hospitality Challenge 2017 The second annual Laguna Phuket Hospitality Challenge – Charity Golf Tournament will take place at Laguna Golf Phuket. The event sees hospitality professionals from Phuket and surrounding areas come together at the award winning golf course. To register your team, please visit www.lagunagolf.com/phuket or email golf@lagunaphuket.com for more information. Proudly sponsored by The Phuket News, Live 89.5 and Khao Phuket.
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 076 292 697.
MISCELLANEOUS
EVERY DAY RETRO NIGHT THE TWO CHEFS BAND WILL TAKE YOU BACK TO THE 70s & 80s WITH SOME OLD GOODIES AND TAKE REQUESTS! EVERY THURSDAY @ TWO CHEFS KARON – PATONG – KATA CENTER. CHEF’S RETRO SPECIAL: FLAMBEED RIB-EYE STEAK 300g, ONLY 495 BAHT; BANANA FLAMBE, ONLY 95 BAHT. www.twochefs.com Karon 076-286479, Patong 076-344-914, Kata Center 076-330-065 COME FOR THE FOOD | STAY FOR THE FUN!!
@thephuketnews
Rotary Club of Patong Beach
Iron Chef Kids at QSI
All Day Breakfast at Cafe Siam
The First Annual International Student Cooking Competition and Food Fair will take place on QSI’s
Aussie bacon & egg rolls NOW at Cafe Siam. All day breakfast, just like mum makes. Lavazza Coffee,
Lunch meeting at Days Inn, Patong - every Friday except first week of every month. Starts at 12pm. Dinner out at selected restaurant - every first Tuesday of every month. Start at 7pm. Fun Raiser Quiz Night at Aussie Pub, Kamala - every last Wednesday of every month starts at 7.30pm. For more info please visit rotarypatong.org
26 TIME OUT
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. Vulcan is the Roman god of what? 2. Who was the third person to walk on the moon? 3. Near which city do the White and Blue Niles join? 4. The “shark-inflating pellet” was a James Bond gadget in which 1973 film? 5. How many strings does a violin usually have? Answers below, centre
SUDOKU
Medium
Across 1. Short order? 4. Medieval worker 8. Nile viper 11. Diamond Head locale 13. Aboveboard 14. Collagist’s need 15. Tree trimmings 18. Harsh 19. Insistent 20. Havana residue 22. Prying 23. Command to a dog 27. The ___ bird catches the worm! 31. Lord’s worker 32. Native Canadian from Ontario 33. Tire meas. 36. Lodge bashes 40. Governor in the Ottoman Empire 41. Too 42. Picasso’s equipment 43. Foils 44. Soft fabric 45. “General Hospital,” e.g. 48. Pilot’s announcement, briefly
23. Thick piece 24. Snowman prop 25. Inspiring a feeling of fear 26. Bio stat 28. Get out of bed 29. Sleep 30. Pastoral place 33. Galileo’s birthplace 34. Percolate 35. Cruise stopover 37. Gullible one Down 38. Take back 1. Carton 39. Road surface 2. Flees material 3. All __ Jazz 43. Sweeping 4. Min. part (for 45. Balm short) 46. Mandate 5. Latin “I” 6. Like hen’s teeth 47. Battlestar Galactica 7. Linen fabric character 8. Healing juices 49. ___ sandwich 9. Bright 50. Campus store 10. Exasperating 51. Light greenishchild blue 12. Put to work 52. Select 13. Camera part 54. Lentil sauce 14. Computer rule of bad input, bad 55. Single piece 56. Light brown output 16. Ducks and ___ 58. Gobbled up 59. High dudgeon 17. Wee 60. Absorb, as a cost 21. Badger 50. Heart related 53. Excessive 57. “Should ____ be forgot.......” 61. Above 62. With violet or conservative 63. Old Italian bread 64. A pop 65. Away from the wind 66. Batman foe
Solutions to last week’s puzzles:
Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Fire; 2) Pete Conrad; 3) Khartoum; 4) Live and Let Die; 5) Four
GOT YOUR NUMBER
ISLAND VIEW
This week in history
16.5
May 26, 2004 US Army veteran Terry Nichols is found guilty of 161 state murder charges for helping carry out the Oklahoma City bombing (on April 19, 1995).
33
May 27, 1907 Bubonic plague breaks out in San Francisco. (121 cases, 113 deaths.)
centimetres is how much a female baboon’s butt can swell up to when she’s ready to mate.
per cent more sugar and 25% more salt and fat is contained in a typical ultra-processed meal than a meal comprised of natural and minimallyprocessed foods.
May 28, 1999 In Milan, Italy, after 22 years of restoration work, Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece The Last Supper is put back on display.
98
May 29, 1953 Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay become the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest, on Tenzing Norgay’s (adopted) 39th birthday.
per cent of a jellyfish is water that’s why they evaporate in the sun.
50,000
May 30, 1431 Hundred Years’ War: In Rouen, France, the 19-yearold Joan of Arc is burned at the stake by an Englishdominated tribunal.
Americans died from drug overdoses in 2015 – the most ever.
560 million is the estimated number of login names and corresponding passwords that have been hacked. Source: Uberfacts
May 31, 1223 Mongol armies of Genghis Khan led by Subutai defeat Kievan Rus’ and Cumans.
Sunlights bursts through the clouds. Photo by Paolo Piazza Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th
June 1, 1495 A monk, John Cor, records the first known batch of Scotch whisky. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews
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MOVING SERVICES
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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
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Buy&Sell
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
ACTIVITIES, GROUPS Sign up today for a discount code
The new website for Tiya’s hammocks is ready! Visit now at: native-habitat. com and subscribe for a discount code to use for online shopping. Tiya: hammockphuket@yahoo.com 076 631 841.
AUTOPARTS, TIRES Used 4 Wheel & Tire for sale
For 4 pcs. (Wheel & Tire) Size 235/40 ZR 18” Used only 6,000 KM. 18,000 Baht, Near Panwa Beach, Phuket, marnskjold@gmail.com 083 635 1440.
BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE Sell 1/2/3 engine speed boats
3 engine speedboat: Length 13.5m; Width 3.4 m; Capacity 45 passengers + 3 crew. Front seats. 2 engine speedboat: Length 11.6 m; Width 2.83 m; Capacity 32 passengers + 3 crew. Front seats. 1 engine speedboat: Length 8.1m; Width 2.40 m; Capacity 15 passengers + 3 crew. All boats are in good condition. Prices start at 600 000 THB. Vladimir, sales@joydive.asia, 084 182 8685.
Motorboat for sale
Superb “Bayliner 215” motorboat with trailer built in 2010 and fully maintained throughout. Full service record. 650,000 baht O.N.O 650000, Barry Daniel, Fisherman Way, Chalong, Phuket 83100, baz_gunner2000@ yahoo.com.au +66843053974.
CAPELLI TEMPEST TE 800
Year 2016. Engine Yamaha 300 HP, Special hypalon tubes, Refigerator, Shower, Electric Toilet, Sink, Teak floor, Navigation, Water thank 60 L. 2,900,000, Owner, 093 575 2304.
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.
Steel boat for sale
32 metre steel boat for sale. Built 2012, 2 x Cummings engines, 10hrs work only. International REG. Excellent for live-aboard or ferry. Price 6MB. Contact: call Joe 087 8918912 or email joe@similan-divers.com @thephuketnews
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Restaurant set up for sale
CAR FOR SALE n r ge
t sa
le
Honda Jazz 2009
A fully equipped restaurant in the highly 1500cc Auto U sought after Boat Avenue mall in Laguna. 57,000km. One owner since new. Stainless steel kitchen, Wi-Fi, bar counter, Regularly serviced by Honda. Tax and service area. Ready to go in days. Email: Insurance until the end of June and available now at right jukeboxphuket@gmail.com 081 090 1608. offer. Reduced by 40,000 bht, REDUCED to 330,000bht o.n.o, Andy +66846909144, andysmalster@gmail.com Looking for investor / partner
Looking for investor / partnership for Patong beach front location to start with Japanese and Indian restaurant. Narin, narinpga@gmail.com 081 826 9390.
Beauty Salon with Equipment
For Sale, Nai Harn Beauty Salon with Equipment & lease, B290,000. Salon Equipment replacement cost is more than B300,000. All equipment shown as new. Must view to see excellent opportunity to purchase Salon for extremely good price in prime location. Call Nok for details 098 017 8818.
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. ON-Demand 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 high-speed Asia based Servers & Online Support Network. PULSE TV, sales@ pulse-tv.net +66(0) 99 316 6212.
CAR FOR SALE 2009 Ford Focus Ghia
Excellent condition, 63k miles, silver grey, beige leather interior. Automatic, Ford serviced, 310,000 baht. Call 096-809-9350 (Eng).
CAR FOR SALE 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
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.
Convertible
Mercedes CLK 200 Cabriolet W-209 Brabus Package - seat 4. Excellent condition and fun to drive. 37,400km. 1,199,000 Bht. Eng - Thai 094 695 3536 / 063 992 3226.
FINANCIAL, LEGAL 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
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Buy&Sell
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
MEMBERSHIPS 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
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.
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.
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 081 797 5377.
OTHER SEARCHING FOR PAUL VAN DIJK
Searching for Paul Adraan van Dijk. The executors of the estate of Adraan Geurt van Dijk are searching for Paul Adraan Van Dijk, formerly of New Zealand (aged about 57 – born 15 June 1960 or 15 June 1961). Paul is believed to be residing in Thailand. Please contact the executors’ solicitor by email: nick@hjc.co.nz
PROPERTY FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE SERVICES Need condo issues resolved?
We can help with condominium and estate-related, developer, management, non-compliance, Juristic Person issues. Structure (by-laws) register at land dept, provide CJP services, in-depth advice and organize, AGM/EGMs.
Phuket real estate tour
Real estate investment tours are specially designed to help you to achieve your investment goals with the right property in the right location. You will get advice on the multitude of lucrative investment opportunities in Phuket. md@tourasian.com 080 826 4665.
WEBSITES, IT For Sale: hoteldealsphuket.com
PHD has 125,000 pages indexed in Google and an average of 22,000 page views per month! See stats image. Also see the selling points on the link below. Quick sale: 33.000B!, Mark, mr.m.hopkins@gmail.com
Beautiful Land in Rawai For Sale
LAND FOR SALE IN RAWAI
4 Rai, 2ngn, 64tlw, total 7.456sq.meter. chanotte title. Near Shell Museum, 3 minute to Rawai Beach. Great for project. already have electric and road. Email: harrij@ loxinfo.co.th 36 MB, Harrij@loxinfo.co.th 089 731 0283.
COMMUNITY
085 790 2021.
Beautiful mountain view with option of sea view land of 742m2 for sale in Rawai with chanote title. For more information contact
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
5 BED LUX SURIN VILLA FOR SALE
URGENT SALE BY OWNER: Reduced from THB28.9m to JUST THB16.750.000! MUST SEE! My luxury lake-side 5 bedroom pool villa is within a secure gated community and is only 5 minutes walk to Surin & Bang Tao beaches. A MUST SEE Villa, requiring a little upgrade, but is a TRUE bargain for anyone looking to enter Phuket’s most exclusive property market. Call owner(Cass)NOW on 0925 710 770 for viewing, or visit my web ad for full details: www. hoteldealsphuket.com 16.750.000, Cass, 0925 710 770 thephuketnews
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CLASSIFIEDS 33
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
Buy&Sell
PROPERTY FOR SALE HOUSE FOR SALE/RENT IN RAWAI
Land 620 sqm. 2 story with 4 bed & 2 Bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, 4 Air-con, big tropical garden with swimming pool, car park, Wi-Fi. In a very quiet area. For long lease 70,000 Baht/month. Email: harrij@loxinfo.co.th 11.9 MB Negotiable, Harrij@loxinfo.co.th 089 731 0283.
LUXURY GERMAN POOL VILLA
URGENT SALE BY OWNER: Luxury Villa, Floor Area 420m2 – Land Area 800m2 (Approx.), High perimeter wall with sliding gates, 6 Bedroom, 7 Bathroom, Maid- & Guest-App, Saltwater Pool with Jet-Stream, Spa with Sauna, Roof Top Jacuzzi & Massage Room, Chanote Freehold - Can be sold with holding company, Price: 18.9 mio Bath. Tel.: 062-9851024 Sandra Grunewald, 68/124 Kwang Road., 062-9851024.
LAND NEAR WATERFALL FOR SALE
Prime Kathu land with panoramic views and quiet location. Starts from 400sqm. Perfect for private Villa. Close waterfall with more land plots and different beach!!! Start from 2.5 MB, K. Pam, Phuketmyhouse@gmail.com +66 (0) 94 829 3619.
House for sale
Private pool villa with lovely garden half a rai. Quite and safe area. 3 bedroom 2 bathroom open kitchen. 160 m2 Situated in Ban Pahra. 12 minutes to PIA, Phuket Airport, Nay Yang beach, and Blue Canyon Golf course. 2 min to Mission Hill Golf course. 7.5 million baht, bergsstigen@telia. com 090 701 4204.
House for sale
Good location in Chalong area. 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom, 200 sqm. House on 800 sqm plot. Including furniture, 084 745 5546.
Apartment
1.65mill. 60qm 2bed 2bath + 30qm balcony, liv-kitchen, 3 a/c, quality doors/wind., Dream Village near mission hill golf, tel: 087 383 8709.
HERE IS THE FUTURE. 17 RAI FOR SALE
Between Kok Loi and Thai Muang, 38 km from the airport, we are selling a beautiful peice of land with 2 new houses. A perfect place for artists or a sport resort. The land is more than 17 Rai, full of old trees, with a big private lake and located directly behind the river. Chanote title. With a canoe it takes 20 min to paddle to the sea. A great opportunity for a fair price. Price 9.5M, Yupin, residler@gmail.com 081 817 4805 Thai, Eng, Deutsch. @thephuketnews
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
PROPERTY FOR SALE LAND NEAR WATERFALL FOR SALE
Beautiful, gently sloping land for sale near Bang Pae waterfall. Good road, 3-phase power. NS3 paper (upgrade applied for). 7 rai, B4m/rai. 087 884 9964 (En) or 087 272 5594 (Th). alasdair.phuket@gmail.com
Ten Room Villa for sale
With 5 Rai land. 5 sleeping rooms, 5 bathrooms, 5 balconies, 2 kitchens, big living room, play room, lobby, car port. Hillside Maikhao Beach sunset seaview. Asking price 24 MB. julius_schuster2001@ yahoo.de 087 267 1192.
House for Sale
House at Land and House for sale. 2-storey with 3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, balcony, jacuzzi, library, laundry. Near kids’ playground, two swimming pools, sauna, gym. Enough land to build a second house on the same plot. Ekaterina Oseledets, 095 861 7571.
Land For Sale
Land for sale. Anuphas Golf Ville, Kathu. 81 sq wah. Golf course view of Phuket CC. Quiet village, convenient location. E-mail for details Contact David, d1jarvis@hotmail.com
House for Sale
3 bed, 2 bath, living/dining, Farang & Thai kitchens. Back/both sides under cover. Water fall/relax area. BBQ area under cover/car port. 4 aircons/7 fans. Very private, close to all services, 500 meters from Heroines Monument. B4.9 mil. o.n.o. Contact Randy. randyalltime@gmail.com
Outstanding Beach Front Pool Villa
A rare opportunity to purchase a 4 bedroom beachfront villa in a 5* resort at The Village Coconut Island. A “snip” at 22m THB. Somjit, aadmo@btinternet.com 081 979 1945.
Land For Sale at Kamala Beach
PROPERTY FOR SALE Land for sale in Saku - Phuket
1 to 5 Rai. Chanote. 10 mins south to the airport. Nice quiet location near Naiyang - Naithon Beach. Fixed price only 2.6Mil Baht per Rai. Kanchana, kanchanajit09@gmail.com 087 076 6016.
Foreign freehold corner unit
76 sqm, sea and mountain view in Patong Tower, Patong. Reduced to 8.8mn. Special deal with car, info@sunny-property.com 083 105 2707.
PROPERTY FOR RENT For Rent Per Month
KATA BEACH CENTER LUXERY APARTMENTS studio/one bedroom 60 sqm AND 2 bedrooms 140 SQM. FROM 18.000.B. PER MONTH. FOR INFO TEL/SMS 064 532 3637 e.mail:katainnphuket@yahoo.com
Amazing 5 Bed/Bath Villa Rawai
Stunning 5 Bed Pool Villa quiet and private location. Quality furn and fully equipped. Beautiful lounge/kitchen, very spacious with great pool. 90000 Baht per month, bricothailand@hotmail.com 081 271 7092.
House For sale or rent Baan Manik (Cherngtalay)
Attractive 3 bed, 2 bathroom detached house for sale or rent. Set in quiet surroundings but with easy access to Laguna, Boat avenue, PIA, airport, Surin, Bangtao and Layan beaches. The property boasts many additional features including, Auto-gate, Western-styled kitchen, security system, natural stone floors, imported ceiling fans, 12volt LED Garden Lighting and air-con throughout. Asking B4.5 Million Negotiable Rent 25K Per Month Fully furnished or 20K per month unfurnished. 081 9686 051.
Kata Western Apartment
PRIME LOCATION LAND FOR SALE 3.3 RAI total 6,200 sq.m. Chanote title. 5 minutes walk to Kamala Beach. Call: 081-4766431 Bow, 100/206-207 kamala, kathu, phuket, asakura_yo_26@hotmail.com, 081-4766431.
1 and 2 115sqm furnished apartments, full kitchen, huge covered terraces, mountain and seaview. 1 month minimum, 1 year lease starting B20,000/month. gordy240@hotmail.com 084 840 1262.
Large building near airport and sea view land near Bang Pae Waterfall for sale or lease. Any reasonable offers accepted. Lana, Lana.phuket@gmail.com 080 271 6484.
2 condos for sale 48 sqm. - sale price $60,000 (developer’s price $116,000) & 54.5 sqm. - sale price $70,000 (developer’s price $128,000). Fully furnished, near Central, Big C, BIS, Lotus, hospitals, schools. Communal pool and gym. Short & long time rent available: 48 sqm – THB 10,000-15,000 per month; 54.5 sqm – THB 15,000-20,000 per month + electricity & water. Ekaterina Oseledets, 095 861 7571.
Property for sale
Apartment Country Golf Club House
One room with kitchen in main house Country Club. 6th floor with balcony 75sqm. Membership in Country Club included. Price 3.3 Million THB. Contact pzw@gmx.at Per Dompert, 086 043 4315 (English and German)
Two condos for sale/rent
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
SPORT 35
Vagabonds mean business
Islanders looks to regain cup it won for first and only time in 2015 RUGBY Pat Cotter editor3@thephuketnews.com
I
t’s been a tough year for the Phuket Vagabonds with many players lost through injury or moving on to new adventures. It has always been and always will be the case on the island as people rotate through on longterm holidays or short-term contracts. What ever the situation, however, the Vagabonds always field a team and over the last few years have had a string of successes winning the Bowl and Plate at the Bangkok 10s, Cup winners twice at the Pattaya 10s and the icing on the cake winning, the Phuket 10s in 2015 for the first time. At this years Phuket 10s the Vagabonds will endeavour to win the tournament again with friends flying in from South Africa and New Zealand to answer the call with the help of Huw Butler and Athena Siam Ltd. Speaking to The Phuket
Tjaart van der Walt (centre) seen here in action in last year’s event. Photo: Rob Brewer News ahead of this weekend’s competition, South African Tjaart Van Der Walt said, “Having been part of the Phuket International 10s since 2012 it’s surely has to be one of my favourite rugby tours each and every time. “Players congregate from all over and compete on and off the pitch in one of the best 10s tournaments in the world. “I’ve made good friends, won some silverware and had the time of my life! See you in May 2017 Phuket,” he said. But he added, “Without the
players in the pub, the playing field would be empty.” Jedwyn Harty, studying quantity surveying at NMMU, is another South African player and he will make his debut at this year’s event, he told The Phuket News, “Once coach Tjaart told me about the Vagabonds and the Phuket 10s I have been extremely excited and I feel privileged to be a part of such an event. “Having played my junior rugby for the Sharks and EP Kings I am currently playing for the Madibaz in the Varsity
Premier League Predictions:
Congratulations to Phil Seamen, who with 39 points was the monthly winner of The Phuket News’ Premier League Predictions Competition for April winning himself a B3,000 voucher to spend at any of the island’s Two Chefs outlets. Many thanks to the four monthly sponsors; Walkabout Sports Bar, Karon; Islander Bar & Restaurant, Rawai; Angus O’Tool’s, Karon and Two Chefs, and also the overall prize sponsor Wahoo Luxury Yacht Charter Phuket.
HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1634: Saturday May 27 Run Start Time: 4pm Hares: Lucky Lek, Gorgeous You W*****, What-a-rat, What-a-c*** (VH) Location: Wichit – Hanuman World Directions: If coming from the south: Travel north on Chao Fa West Rd and turn left at the Honda dealership (back road to Prince of Songkla University). Continue for 1.3 kilometres until you reach the gravel quarry on the left just after concrete mixing plant and enter at HHH sign. Follow gravel road for approx 200 metres to laager. If coming from the from the north: Travel south on Chao Fa West Rd from Central Festival Phuket for 2.7km and then turn right at the traffic lights with Honda dealership on your right. Continue as above. If coming from the west: At the start of the dual carriageway road leaving Prince of Songkla University continue for approx 2km and make a U-turn and return to the entrance of the gravel quarry with HHH sign and continue as above. (If you don’t know this back road, continue to Central Festival Phuket and turn right onto Chao Fa West Rd) Bus pick-up: Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 2:45 pm Patong @ Expat Hotel: 3:15pm More info: phuket-hhh.com
@thephuketnews
Jedwyn Harty Cup competition in the eastern Cape province. “Thank you to all who made this opportunity possible, I cannot wait to get onto the field with the Vagabonds and play some exciting rugby,” he said. The organisers of the Phuket International Rugby 10s said that they would also like to put a special shout out to a company in South Africa; Ga-Nala Plant, and also to Christo and Sandra Venter who have also made this trip possible for the South
African lads. Along with the guys who are flying in, the local talent on the island will make for a strong Phuket squad and the team would like to send Vagabonds stalwarts Grant Olson and Garrett Cutler off to pastures new as Phuket Champions. The Hooters Phuket International Rugby 10s kicks off at Thanyapura Sports Club with the Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers Vets Tournament with 14 teams today (May 26), with the Open tournament
comprising 16 teams tomorrow (May 27), along with a three team ladies division. The finals are on Sunday (May 28) to culminate a weekend of rugby and fun. Entry is free so please go down and enjoy one of the region’s premier rugby tournaments raising funds for the Asia Center Foundation Children’s Scholarship Program. Thanks also go out to event sponsors the Swissotel Resort Phuket Patong Beach and The Drunken Leprechaun Phuket.
36 SPORT
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
Champs headline in Phuket
Local and national talent to feature at inaugural Singha Open 2017 GOLF Matt Pond editor3@thephuketnews.com
B
oth national and local champions are to provide the Asian Development Tour (ADT) talents with a stern test at the Singha Phuket Open, which started yesterday (May 25), as new Asian Tour champion Rattanon Wannasrichan aims for back-to-back wins, and local boy Napat “Toy” Paramacharoenroj looks to go one step further following his recent win at the 11th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final. Rattanon, who won the Thailand Open last Sunday (May 21), will headline the ADT event alongside ADT Order of Merit leader Brett Munson of the United States and Martin Dive of Australia, ranked second on the Merit rankings.
Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan hits a shot during the third round of the Thailand Open at the Thai Country Club in Bangkok. Photo: Paul Lakatos/AFP Thailand’s Jak raphan Premsirigorn, Panuwat Muenlek, Steve Lewton of England and Oskar Arvidsson of Sweden, who are all ranked inside the top-10 on the Order of Merit will also feature in the
B2 million event being staged at the Laguna Golf Phuket. John Michael O’Toole of the United States who finished tied-10 at the PGM Northport Glenmarie Championship in Malaysia and Janne Kaske of
Finland are among the talented ADT members searching for a victory in the new event. The 30-year-old Munson has enjoyed a good season so far on the ADT after finishing tied second in January and
winning his second ADT title at the PGM CCM Seriemas Championship in Malaysia in February. He hopes to continue his momentum at the Singha Phuket Open and extend his lead on the Order of Merit. If he stays inside the top-five on the final Merit rankings, he will be afforded with an Asian Tour card for 2018. “T he ga me has been feeling good since coming through the Qualifying School. I went back home and practised in the cold during my off season in winter last December. I am glad to be able to reap some rewards from it,” added Munson M e a n h i l e , To y, t h e 15-year-old British International School, Phuket (BISP) student claimed an impressive victory at the 11th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final in March, and this will be his first professional full start
after qualifying through his Faldo win. Toy made his way to final, held at Laguna Lăng Cô in Danang, Vietnam, after recovering brilliantly from a nightmare start to claim victory in the inaugural Faldo Series Thailand Championship – South 2016, held in September last year. “We would like to wish Toy all the best and anybody wishing to support him is welcome to attend the event,” said Oliver Bates of the BISP Golf Academy. The Singha Phuket Open is co-sanctioned between the ADT and the All Thailand Golf Tour. By featuring on the ADT schedule, the event will receive Official World Golf Ranking status, with the winner of each tournament receiving a minimum six points and the top-six players and ties earning points on a sliding scale.
La Liga and Premier League teams face-off in Youth Development League U7s
FOOTBALL
Runners cross the finish line in last Sunday’s (May 21) mini-marathon. Photo: Karon Municipality
All Thai affair at KataKaron Mini-Marathon MINI-MARATHON KARON MUNICIPALITY held the 11th Kata-Karon Mini-Marathon at Karon Park last Sunday (May 21), and it was Thai nationals who took podium places in all of the eight age group categories in the main 11-kilometre race. Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong and Karon Mayor Tawee Thongcham were on
hand to start the event, which featured over 1,000 competitors, and got under way at 5.30am last Sunday morning. In addition to the main 11km race there was also a 5km Fun-Run, 2km Family Run and 2km Kids Run. There were a number of locals clubs represented at the event including Kai Mook Andaman club, Club Med and Suwan Kirikhet Club. The Phuket News
Race Winners
11km Mini-Marathon (20-29 yo) Sarawut Kamcheu 11km Mini-Marathon (30-34 yo) Suriyan Satthaman 11km Mini-Marathon (35-39 yo) Yutthapong Sitthichai 11km Mini-Marathon (40-44 yo) Sanis Kanphai 11km Mini-Marathon (45-49 yo) Jai Putchuay 11km Mini-Marathon (50-54 yo) Kachen Dengkanlayanawat 11km Mini-Marathon (55-59 yo) Pracheu Bamrungphet 11km Mini-Marathon (Over 60) Paichayut Lohakul
IT WAS A CLASH OF LA Liga and Premier League teams when play in the Phuket Youth Development League (YDL) resumed last Saturday morning (May 20) with Real Madrid taking on Barcelona and Chelsea playing Manchester United in all four age groups of the competition; U7s, U9s, U11s and U13-16s. And those in attendance, and it was a great turnout, didn’t go home disappointed as they were witness to some 68 goals in what were mostly well balanced matches played in great spirit. In the U7s age category Real Madrid made it two wins from two after beating Barcelona 7-6 while Chelsea saw off Manchester United with a 9-7 win. The win for Real Madrid leaves them three points clear in the U7s league table with Chelsea, who they are set to play tomorrow (May 27), in second just ahead of Barcelona on goal difference. In the U9s age category, Chelsea went top of the league table after thrashing Manchester United 11-1 – if only it could like that in the real Premier league eh? While Barcelona went second, albeit with the same points but
P
W
D
L
F
A
Real Madrid
2
2
0
0
13
11
2
6
Chelsea
2
1
0
1
15
14
1
3
Barcelona
2
1
0
1
10
7
3
3
Man Utd
2
0
0
2
12
15
-3
0
P
W
D
L
F
A
GD Pts
Chelsea
2
1
1
0
11
1
10
4
Barcelona
2
1
1
0
4
2
2
4
Real Madrid
2
1
0
1
10
7
3
3
Man Utd
2
0
0
2
4
19
-15
0
U9s
Chelsea play Man Utd in the U7s age category. greater goal difference, after beating Real Madrid 4-2. Chelsea also sit top of the U9s league table after they also picked up their second win of the YDL last Saturday beating Manchester United 4-1. Barcelona now sit in second after they picked up their first win beating Real Madrid 4-0. But it’s Manchester United who sit top of the U13-16s table having secured the maximum two wins available so far. They secured their second win last weekend beating Chelsea 3-1. Barcelona sit at second in the U13-16s table following a 5-4 win over Real Madrid last Saturday. The YDL will pick up where it left off last weekend tomorrow (May 27) with Manchester United playing Barcelona and Real Madrid taking on Chelsea. Some of the leagues could well be decided this weekend should results go some team’s ways. Let’s wait and see! Matt Pond
GD Pts
U11s P
W
D
L
F
A
Chelsea
2
2
0
0
7
3
GD Pts
Barcelona
2
1
0
1
6
3
3
3
Man Utd
2
1
0
1
7
8
-1
3
Real Madrid
2
0
0
2
4
10
-6
0
3
6
U13-16s P
W
D
L
F
A
Man Utd
2
2
0
0
12
5
GD Pts 7
6
Barcelona
2
1
1
0
10
9
1
4
Chelsea
2
0
1
1
6
8
-2
1
Real Madrid
2
0
0
2
8
14
-6
0
Full results Saturday May 20 (week two) U7s Manchester Utd Barcelona
7-9
Chelsea
6-7
Real Madrid
U9s
Manchester Utd
1-11
Chelsea
Barcelona
4-2
Real Madrid
U11s
Manchester Utd
1-4
Chelsea
Barcelona
4-0
Real Madrid
Manchester Utd
3-1
Chelsea
Barcelona
5-4
Real Madrid
U13-16s
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
SPORT 37
Cracks starting to appear
Despite making up most of Thai team, wheels are falling off Kirins FOOTBALL Bangkok Post
C
risis? What crisis, you may ask. League leaders.
Check. In the last 16 of Asia’s premier club competition for the first-time ever, including a win over Japanese champions Kashima Antlers. Check. One of the most exciting talents to come out of Thailand, indeed Southeast Asia, for years (Chanathip Songkrasin). Check. But make no mistake, the wheels have started to fall off SCG Muang Thong United’s title defence. Despite hoovering up the nucleus of the Thai national team from back to front, they have fallen to three straight defeats, all against newly promoted teams – Thai Honda, Port and Ubon UMT. Their lead at the top is now just on goal difference ahead of bitter rivals Buriram United. Indeed, they would have finished second if the season had ended today due to their
@thephuketnews
Muang Thong’s Theerathon Bunmathan scores against Ubon UMT from the penalty spot. Photo: PR inferior head-to-head record against the Thunder Castle. Last Saturday’s (May 20) 3-2 loss at home to Ubon UMT, who have themselves slipped down the league following their rollicking start, was particularly shocking. The Kirins were all at sea at the back and looked toothless going forward – lots of possession with little end product. Thailand international
Theerathon Bunmathan scored a penalty against Ubon UMT but his embarrassing temper tantrum at the final whistle summed up their frustration. But when you look a little bit deeper, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised. Firstly, there are their injuries. They’ve lost star striker Xisco Jimenez, the former Newcastle United man, who was their main source of goals. There isn’t really an ad-
equate replacement until former Ratchaburi hotshot Heberty Fernandes becomes available in the second half of the season. Key midfielder Sarach Yooyen’s long-term absence has clearly hurt them. He makes the side tick. Further, their outstanding AFC Champions League campaign – and outstanding it has been (they played the first leg of their last 16 game
against Kawasaki Frontale on Tuesday night (May 23) – has badly exposed the depth of their squad. Manager Totchtawan Sripan has tried to rotate, but it has backfired. Former anonymous squad men have been forced to take the step up. The squad have struggled to adapt their tactics between games in Thailand and on the continent. Thai League teams have simply sat back and attacked them on the break – what Muang Thong do to sides in Asia. To give you an idea about how thin their squad look, they’ve been playing wideman Mongkol Tossakrai – often a substitute for relegated Army United last term let’s not forget – up front. The opposition has clearly not been scared. But while the Kirins have imploded, their rivals have failed to take full advantage. Buriram have squandered silly points – last Sunday’s (May 21) draw at Police Tero a case in point. Big spending Chiang Rai United are third, but seem
to lack the consistency for a title push. Muang Thong are still favourites to take back-to-back titles, but they will be losing star man Chanathip to Japan in the second leg of the season. They need to get their chequebook out – they’ve been linked with Ubon UMT’s impressive Thailand striker Sirod Chatthong – and their house in order. It was only a month or so ago that Totchtawan was being talked about as the next boss of the Thai national team. He still has substantial credit in the bag, but has yet to sign a new contract with the Kirins – and the club’s owners may be having second thoughts. Muang Thong are far from the worst offenders, but Thai League owners are not known for their patience in standing by coaches in rough times. Because they have to travel to Kawasaki next week, their match against Chiang Rai this weekend has been postponed to June 2 when the Kirins will try to stop the rot on the domestic front.
38 SPORT
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
Duel for F1’s crown jewel Hamilton and Vettel to go head-to-head in glittering hills of Monte Carlo Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel steers his car during the Formula One Russian Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom circuit in Sochi on April 30. Photo: Andrej Isakovic/AFP
BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com
W
hen Formula One makes its customary May stop in the glittering hills of Monte Carlo this Sunday (May 28), it won’t be just for kicks. The Monaco Grand Prix so often promises to be the world’s most expensive procession in which the season’s fastest car almost always starts from the front and cruises to the flag. It’s so hard to pass along the slithering streets of the principality that the old F1 adage ‘to win at the slowest possible speed’ returns to the sport’s lexicon as drivers and teams, desperate not to lose precious track position to a silly error or tactical mistake, tip-toe their way to the finishing line. And with so many visceral examples in recent memory, who could blame them? In 2015 it was eventual champion Lewis Hamilton who learnt the hard way how
split-second decisions can lead to unrecoverable mistakes in Monte Carlo. A late race safety car panicked the Brit, then comfortably leading the race, into asking to stop for new tyres. The Mercedes pit wall made a crucial miscalculation and heeded its driver’s call – but when none of Hamilton’s rivals did likewise, Lewis fell to third place, where he ultimately finished. Hamilton was inconsolable, but one year later he would be the beneficiary of another
howler, this time on the part of Red Bull Racing. Daniel Ricciardo converted his maiden career pole position into an early race lead despite heavy wet conditions – but his pit wall fumbled its way through his race strategy so badly it lost an easy win. First Red Bull Racing was outplayed on tyre strategy – Ricciardo was stopped twice; Hamilton made just one stop – then second it made the inexcusable error of calling Ricciardo into the pits without having his tyres ready.
A furious Ricciardo finished second in the world’s most famous race. Proof, then, the mystique of Monte Carlo can undo even the sport’s finest – as has been the case for Max Verstappen in his two visits to the seaside circuit, both of which the Dutchman failed to finish. The teenage prodigy and the sport’s youngest race winner has impressed at just about every race bar Monaco, crashing out in 2015 in a botched overtaking attempt and again in 2016 after locking up in the
damp conditions. Even the best are tripped up in Monaco, which will make the knife-edge battle between Mercedes and Ferrari, Hamilton and Vettel, all the more enthralling. Mercedes has form on its side, leading this year’s constructors title and having won the last four Monaco grand prixs, but Ferrari’s 2017 car has presented no obvious or specific weaknesses, growing in strength race on race. What is interesting is that the final sector at the Span-
ish Grand Prix’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – a slow and twisty part of the track similar to Monaco’s tight layout – suggested that Mercedes will lead the way ahead of Red Bull Racing, with Ferrari third fastest. The Monte Carlo circuit puts a premium on downforce while placing minimum emphasis on engine power, which has historically suited Red Bull Racing’s team philosophy. But in 2017 RBR’s chassis lacks as much, if not more, than the Renault power unit bolted into the back. Design guru Adrian Newey, who has progressively stepped away from Formula One in recent seasons, is increasing his involvement to help the team works its way up the order. Any gains before the Monaco Grand Prix are likely to be modest, however, lending credibility to the possibility that Red Bull Racing will be little more than an also-ran for the first time this decade at Formula One’s favourite race. Tune in to Live89.5 each and every Saturday from 9am to listen to the Box of Neutrals radio show.
US Superbike rider Nicky Hayden dies after bike accident MOTO GP AMERICAN WORLD SUperbike rider Nicky Hayden, hit by a car in a bicycle accident in Italy last week, has died of his injuries, the Italian hospital where he was treated said Monday (May 22). Hayden, 35, who won the 2006 MotoGP world title, suffered severe chest and head injuries in the accident, which happened while he was training on his bicycle in central
Italy, south of the seaside resort of Rimini. Photographs published by local media outlets after last Wednesday’s (May 17) crash showed substantial damage to the front windscreen of the car and the bicycle. Hayden, nicknamed “The Kentucky Kid”, raced for Honda in MotoGP from 2003 to 2015, before moving to the Superbike World Championship for the 2016 season. Hayden won just three grand prixs in MotoGP – all
in 2005-06 – but he famously took the world title that season after fighting tooth-andnail with Valentino Rossi’s Yamaha. His death comes exactly a month after veteran Italian professional cyclist Michele Scarponi was killed after being hit by a van while out on a training ride on roads near his home. Honda teammate Stefan Bradl said he was “deeply touched and saddened”. “It was an honour to
share the garage with you. My thoughts are with his family. We will never forget you #69 RIP.” Dani Pedrosa, Hayden’s teammate in 2006 when he won the world title, posted a photo on twitter of the American along with the words “Always in my heart, champ. RIP Nicky. #69.” Honda added: “Nicky passed away at 19:09 CEST this evening at Maurizio Bufalini Hospital in Cesena, Italy. His fiancee Jackie, mother Rose and brother Tommy were at his side. “Throughout his career Nicky’s professionalism and fighting spirit was greatly valued and carried him to numerous successes, including his childhood dream of being crowned MotoGP World Champion with Honda in 2006. “As well as being a true champion on the track, Nicky was a fan favourite off it due to his kind nature, relaxed demeanour, and the huge smile he invariably carried everywhere. “Nothing says more about Nicky’s character than the overwhelming response ex-
Former world motorcycling champion Nicky Hayden died on Monday (May 22) at the Bufalini di Cesena hospital. Photo: Vincenzo Pinto/AFP pressed by fellow racers and his legions of fans over the past few days. Jackie and his family are truly grateful for the countless prayers and well wishes for Nicky.” Hayden’s brother Tommy added: “Although this is obviously a sad time, we would like everyone to remember Nicky at his happiest – riding a motorcycle. He dreamed as a kid of being a pro rider and
not only achieved that but also managed to reach the pinnacle of his chosen sport in becoming World Champion. We are all so proud of that. “Apart from these ‘public’ memories, we will also have many great and happy memories of Nicky at home in Kentucky, in the heart of the family. We will all miss him terribly.” AFP thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
SPORT 39
PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM MONTHLY SPONSOR
MAIN SPONSOR
The overall competition winner receives a two day/one night private fishing charter to Racha Island on board Wahoo Yacht Charters Phuket’s Reel Blue. Total prize value: B180,000 The monthly competition winner for May 2017 will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at Angus O'Toole's Irish Pub in Karon.
EPL PREDICTIONS FINAL MONTHLY STANDINGS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
FINAL OVERALL STANDINGS
carst 26 The Red Card Gang 26 fazza 25 aquamarine 24 diggersd 24
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
The Red Card Gang 226 carst 221 phils64 220 scottkip 219 Sidwell Guduka 218
English Premier League 2016 - 2017 Crystal Palace’s ex-manager Sam Allardyce awaits kick off in the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Burnley at Selhurst Park in south London on April 29. Photo: Ian Kington/AFP
Is it really the end of the road for ‘Big Sam’? FOOTBALL AFP
H
ere The Phuket News picks out five facts on Sam Allardyce who resigned as Crystal Palace manager just three days after the end of the Premier League season having achieved his task of saving them from relegation: Love affair over with ‘Beautiful Game’ Allardyce once told the BBC in the early days of his managerial career he would not manage beyond the age of 50. Now 62 his comment he had “no ambitions to take another job” after resigning from Palace rings true after a bruising season which saw the dream job of England coach disintegrate after just 67 days due to ill-advised remarks to undercover reporters thinking they were East Asian businessmen on a variety of subjects including how to circumnavigate transfer rules. Yet again he showed when given the chance of rehabilitation by Palace there is no better manager in preserving a modest team’s Premier League status. However, it appears that at last family have won the battle with football: “While I’ve got the energy, I want to travel and also spend more time with my family and grandchildren without the huge pressure that @thephuketnews
comes with being a football manager.”
Big Sam Blunt talking is his style – reflected in his autobiography ‘Big Sam’ – and no surprise after a playing career where uncompromising and nononsense would be the attributes most commonly used to describe him as a central defender. Former Wimbledon and Sheffield United manager Dave Bassett quipped: “He was what I called a ballplaying defender... If he wasn’t playing with the ball he was playing with your balls.” It’s a fair cop Allardyce’s father Bob was a policeman who rose to the post of sergeant. “My old man always said you only get what you graft for,” he told The Daily Telegraph in 2014. “It doesn’t matter how intelligent you are, how much education you’ve got, you’ll only get there on work rate. My dad was a policeman for 25 years, a sergeant, and he taught me discipline. Any problems on our estate were always sorted out by Bob Allardyce. If we got into any trouble we’d be in trouble with my old man. So discipline was everything. Getting up for work on time, don’t be late, shave, don’t let anyone down.” Bet your house on him Had Allardyce reached the level he did as a player
today he would have been more than adequately paid. However, in his day, he had to cast around with an eye on how to supplement his playing income. He bought up modest properties in Bolton, doing them up before selling them on. “We modernised terraced houses. Buy the place for £6,000 (B268,287). It didn’t have a damp-proof course and needed rewiring, so you’d do a rip-out job, revamp it and sell them for £10,000 (B447,146) to £12,000 (B536,575). I did a lot of the mortgages during the season and in the summer, I’d be in there with a sledgehammer, knocking down walls,” he told The Daily Telegraph – ironically the newspaper which was to bring him down years later.
Finds his rhythm at Limerick Rafael Benitez and Allardyce have had a running feud for
years. Not the least of the perceived slights was when Benitez claimed Allardyce had never won silverware – wrong because ‘Big Sam’ won the 1992 League of Ireland title as player/manager of Limerick City. The experience Allardyce had there marked him, not only because he learnt about management but about the tough side of life as the city had many poverty-stricken neighbourhoods where local priest – and chairman of the football club – Father Joe Young played a key role in giving youngsters some hope. “The collar (priesthood) has mighty powers there. Watching Joe, with his faith, was a massive eye-opener for me. He looked after one of the poorest parishes in Limerick, working with people who were struggling, down and out, but it never got him down. We had a brilliant time together.”
Team
MP W
D
L
F
A
GD
Pts
1
Chelsea
38
30
3
5
85
33
52
93
2
Tottenham Hotspur
38
26
8
4
86
26
60
86
3
Manchester City
38
23
9
6
80
39
41
78
4
Liverpool
38
22
10
6
78
42
36
76
5
Arsenal
38
23
6
9
77
44
33
75
6
Manchester United
38
18
15
5
54
29
25
69
7
Everton
38
17
10
11
62
44
18
61
8
Southampton
38
12
10
16
41
48
-7
46
9
Bournemouth
38
12
10
16
55
67
-12
46
10
West Brom
38
12
9
17
43
51
-8
45
11
West Ham United
38
12
9
17
47
64
-17
45
12
Leicester City
38
12
8
18
48
63
-15
44
13
Stoke City
38
11
11
16
41
56
-15
44
14
Crystal Palace
38
12
5
21
50
63
-13
41
15
Swansea City
38
12
5
21
45
70
-25
41
16
Burnley
38
11
7
20
39
55
-16
40
17
Watford
38
11
7
20
40
68
-28
40
18
Hull City
38
9
7
22
37
80
-43
34
19
Middlesbrough
38
5
13
20
27
53
-26
28
20
Sunderland
38
6
6
26
29
69
-40
24
Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change
SPORT START STOP Friday May 26
EVENT
TEAMS / INFO
Rugby Union 14:30
16:35
Super Rugby
Blues v. Chiefs
16:40
18:40
Super Rugby
Reds v. Western Force
Rugby League 19:10
21:00
NRL
Rabbitohs v. Eels (D)
Aussie Rules 16:30
19:30
AFL
Sydney Swans v. Hawthorn England v. Korea
17:55
20:00
FIFA U20’s
Saturday May 27 Rugby Union 12:10
Soccer
14:20
Super Rugby
Sunwolves v. Cheetahs
14:30
16:30
Super Rugby
Highlanders v. Waratahs
16:40
18:30
Super Rugby
Rebels v. Crusaders
Motor Racing 18:45
20:15
Formula 1
Qualifying – Monte Carlo Arsenal v. Chelsea
23:30
02:00
FA Cup Final
Rugby Union 20:30
Soccer
22:30
Aviva Prem Final
Wasps v. Exeter
17:00
01:00
ODI2 - Southampton
England v. South Africa
Aussie Rules 10:30
13:30
AFL
Western Bulldogs v. St Kilda
13:30
16:30
AFL
Melbourne v. Gold Coast Suns
AFL
Richmond v. Essendon
Cricket
16:30
19:30
Sunday May 28 Aussie Rules 10:00
13:00
AFL
Collingwood v. Brisbane Lions
13:30
16:30
AFL
Carlton v. North Melbourne
Rugby League 13:00
15:00
NRL
Raiders v. Roosters
18:00
French Open
Roland Garros - D1
Tennis
14:30 21:30
01:00
French Open
Roland Garros - D1
Motor Racing 18:00
18:45
Formula 1
Raceday – Monte Carlo
18:45
21:30
Formula 1
Monaco Grand Prix
Rugby Union 19:30
21:30
Super Rugby
Lions v. Kings
Sport
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
editor3@classactmedia.co.th
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
Hamilton and Vettel go head-to-head in Monte Carlo > p38
‘MOOSE’ ON THE LOOSE Former Warringah and Wallabies prop hits island for 10s RUGBY
Matt Pond editor3@classactmedia.co.th
A
t the ripe old age of 53 most professional rugby players would have hung up their boots and called it a day. But there are others who just can’t call it a day and continue to play the game in one form or another. One such player is former Warringah and Wallabies prop Adrian “Moose” Skeggs, whose 16-year career has seen him play against some of the greatest players of his time, especially as a member of the Wallabies touring team facing the likes of the British Lions, Canada and France – when he covered for the injury-troubled Dan Crowley. But Skeggs isn’t ready to hang up his boots just yet. As this article goes to print, Skeggs is here in Phuket, limbering up with the rest of The Lord Howe Island Woodhens, to compete in this year’s Phuket International Rugby 10s tournament. Ahead of the 10s, The Phuket News caught up with Skeggs to talk to him about life, his
rugby career and what this weekend’s event means to the rugby world. Born on September 28, 1963, on Lord Howe Island, Skeggs later attended The Armidale School, where he came under the watchful eye of former Wallaby great John Hipwell. And it was Hipwell who recognised Skeggs’ ample talents and launched him into the second row of the school’s First XV. “As a troubled youth I was sent to a boarding school where I thrived and [soon] found that sport was a major part of my life. “Getting a teaching career was next, as I enjoyed being with young people, and found out that island life had given me the ability to motivate and drive other young people. “My mother’s courage, tenacity and drive gave me the ability to play first-grade rugby, and in 1989 I was selected for New South Wales to play against the British Lions and I never looked back,” Skeggs recalled. “Playing for Queensland and winning the Super 10s was a highlight of my career, however, there was nothing
like going on the 1993 Wallabies tour. “I remember having a photo of Lord Howe in one pocket and a photo of [my] mother in the other pocket when I played my first Wallabies game. “These days I use the incredible rugby networks to build business opportunities and I also convene the Australian Rugby Business Network,” he said. So some of you may be wondering what’s with the “Moose”, and Skeggs said, “There are many reasons, maybe it’s the way I dance. I was Greenpeace’s most wanted when I was young and being a big Moose was it. It’s also a reflection of my personality as well,” he said. W hen asked how and why he is taking part in 10s, Skeggs explained, “It’s actually quite simple. One of the players, Josh Owens, who lives on Lord Howe Island, a community of just 400 people, said let’s try something different, [so we] chose the Phuket 10s and here we are now.” Skeggs’ team, for this tournament at least, is the Lord Howe Island Woodhens – an
Adrian ‘Moose’ Skeggs (top left) seen here playing in his heyday for Warringah against Randwick back in 1989.
invitation team that played in 2002 and when they assembled in Phuket this week they had their very first training session together and their first chance to discuss strategy. “Obviously, we have a limited number of players to select from, but we added around 10 mates of the [Lord Howe] Island guys, and we have invitation player Andrew Walker – an ex-Wallaby and Rugby League player – as guest player for the Woodhens,” Skeggs said. “We have a core group of players that have played some quality level rugby in the past, and there are some who would think that any game time in a Woodhens jersey will be a massive achievement,” he said. “But let’s put it this way, we haven’t come to Phuket just to make up the numbers,” he added. When asked what rugby events such as the Phuket 10s do for the world of rugby, Skeggs replied, “Rugby is booming massive globally and is now the fastest-growing team sport in the USA. “I have coached in places like the West Indies, Cuba and Guam and I know that rugby
has grown massively in each of these regions, like it has in Asia. The white lines of rugby are all around the world but it’s off the pitch that rugby offers its uniqueness. “The 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan is a massive opportunity to expose rugby to a wider audience and it is an opportunity to show how it can grow the great business and rugby connectivity through it’s trusted networks. “While rugby is supported in many regions of the world by ex-pat communities, the key is how you connect with the community, business and government links in each region,” he said. Back in 2014 Skeggs embarked on a bike ride for charity and The Phuket News was interested to learn if he was planning on doing any similar activities in the future. “Yes, I rode a bike 1,150 kilometres in eight days from Adelaide to Melbourne – mainly to do something different as I have had neck issues from 15 years of packing scrums. “For this ride I was supporting a great mate of mine and his son. While my man bits where massively chal-
lenged on the ride, the purpose and being part of a team drove me on. And yes, should the chance arise I would certainly do it again,” he said enthusiastically. As for the future of the Woodhens and whether they would return to Phuket at any point to compete in the 10s again, Skeggs said, “I know that the Woodhens are going to have a massive time at the Phuket 10s and I have heard nothing but praise of the event for its rugby, fun and what the region brings the guys. “Rugby has been very kind to me so I am keen to widen the horizons of the guys and maybe every two years we will consider a tour of this nature. “I am really looking forward to the team making new friends and bonding with the locals. We have sponsored a child from the orphanage in Phuket as well to leave some legacy here, while we also sponsor our local island school with some activities. “While rugby has been kind to me, I am passionate about Lord Howe Island and I want the group to share that feeling on the tour.” thephuketnews