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POLICE FAIL TO FIND PING-PONG SHOWS
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n a strange exercise last Friday night (April 20), police officers acting under orders from the Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTD) of Police Region 5, raided five Patong bars suspected to be staging pornographic “ping-pong” shows. They failed to find any. Members of the media, who had been alerted to the impending raids, were not allowed to accompany the officers during the raids, which focused on the Soi Bangla area, but were told to wait in a nearby bar until called. When reporters were even-
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tually allowed to join the officers at a nightclub on Soi Sea Dragon, they found the officers in relaxed mood while girls in skimpy bikinis jiggled around poles on a stage. The reporters were surprised to be told, “No, we didn’t find any pornographic shows.” Outside on Soi Bangla, touts for ping-pong shows continued to grab at tourists, trying to drag them in to see the entertainment. The tourists presumably would be bitterly disappointed to find that no such shows exist in Patong – that’s now official.
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Evening falls on Soi Sea Dragon, location of the ping-pong raid.
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Masked men set fire to snake show
Rakop Srisupa’at, director of the Customs Investigation and Suppression Bureau, inspects the smuggled diesel oil aboard one of the boats seized on Sunday, April 22.
Diesel smugglers arrested Two Taiwanese fishing boats were seized and 12 crew members arrested near Phuket on Sunday (April 22) for smuggling diesel oil into Thai waters. The two tuna longliners were detected and stopped to the north of Tapao Yai island, which is just off Cape Panwa. Between them, the two boats were carrying 47,000 liters of
diesel stored in refrigeration lockers normally used for icing down the catch. Arrested by Customs officials were seven Indonesian and five Taiwanese crew, including the skippers of both the Ching Chunfa 168 and the Ming Chi Tsai 16. The illegal oil was found inside the cold storage lockers at the bow of the two boats,
leading officers to believe the suspects had smuggled oil before, since the lockers cannot be used to store fish after being contaminated with oil. Officials said they suspect that the oil was bought in Indonesia. Diesel is heavily subsidised in Indonesia, and sells for around B18 a litre, compared with B32 to B35 in Thailand.
Police are looking for four men who attacked a security guard early on Monday morning (April 23) and set fire to the snake show and health shop in Chalong that he was guarding. The guard, 25-year-old Anuchit Chaitongngam, was found tied up and unconscious in front of Phuket Healthy Nutriment, a tourist attraction on Soi Ta-iad that stages snake shows and sells herbal products. He was taken to Vachira Hospital for treatment. CCTV footage showed him being attacked and bludgeoned by four men wearing masks. After disabling the guard, the
four broke into the building and set fire to several parts of it. The fire caused an estimated B20 million in damage to the welcome area, herb shops and various pieces of furniture After interviewing the owner and staff of Phuket Healthy Nutriment, police say they believe a business conflict with a competitor was probably behind the arson attack. The company has been serving tourists for almost 20 years, attracting more than 500 tourists a day, most of them Chinese. No snakes were reported injured or killed in the attack.
IN BRIEF Light rail ‘needs private sector’
Paiboon Upatising, president of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (OrBorJor), fired a salvo at government foot-dragging on Monday (April 23), his first day back in the job after being reelected on April 7. Speaking after a news conference at the OrBorJor Hospital in Phuket Town, he gave as an example the light rail project proposed for Phuket. “I don’t think the project is coming soon if the government insists on handling it, not in 10 years. They won’t even have started. “But if the private sector handles it, I think there’s a strong possibility it will be … completed – within a reasonable length of time.”
No money for light on deadly road
Thai actress Autthama Cheewanitchapan adds glamour to the reusable bag launch. With her, from left, are Tesco Lotus Senior Corporate Affairs Manager Chakrit Direkwattanachai; its Director of the Retail Operations, Southern Thailand, Boonchai Cheeparanai; and her mother.
Tesco launch reusable bags After plans to launch an islandwide campaign to end the use of plastic bags faltered in February, Tesco-Lotus decided to go it alone on Friday (April 20), rolling out its campaign with a ceremony at the new hypermarket in Thalang. Tesco has trained staff in
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Phuket to encourage the use of reusable bags and has set up special checkout equipment to facilitate the use of the bags. Tesco is selling the cloth bags until May 2 at B29 each, and users get so-called green points on their discounts cards for using them.
Phuket authorities held a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Monday (April 23) to discuss ways to reduce the road accident toll on Pa Khlok Rd. The meeting followed a blockade of the road by villagers on April 11, after two of their number died in a collision with a pickup truck. The mob dispersed after authorities promised to install street lights on a 1.5-kilometre stretch of the road. Monday’s meeting heard, however, that there is no money to install lighting; a request for a B3.6-million budget for street lights was turned down by “central authorities” last year. A n a p pl ic at ion for emergency funding is now being considered.
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Prince’s statue erected at PSU In a glittering ceremony on Tuesday (April 24), a statue of HRH Prince Mahidol Adulyadej, father of HM King Bhumibol, was lifted onto its plinth in front of the new President’s Office Building at the Prince of Songkhla University Phuket Campus.
The placing of the statue of the prince – who was also Prince of Songkhla – was presided over by former prime minister Chuan Leekpai, assisted by Assoc Prof Boonsom Siribumrungsukha, the President of Prince of Songkla University;
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha; key university officials and senior government officers. Pictured above, Chuan Leekpai pulls on a symbolic string to lift the statue. Right, the statue is bolted in place. Photos: Dan Miles
If Phuket sinks, I’ll quit – Gov Paritta Wangkiat reporter3@thephuketnews.com
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha declared last Friday (April 20) that he would resign his post if Phuket sinks into the sea tomorrow (April 28), as was predicted in a Facebook post four days ago. His said that his declaration was aimed at reassuring islanders that the post is nothing but a rumour. “We want people to rely on information from the Phuket authorities,” he added. The post, put up on Facebook by ‘Chany Jane’, told
a tale of two middle-aged woman who, while in a Phuket hospital, were possessed by the spi r its of Phuket’s two Heroines. The post said that, through the two women, the Heroines warned people to flee the island before tomorrow, when it will sink under multiple disasters. The post came in for fierce criticism but, as it spread by word of mouth, many of Phuket’s more credulous citizens have taken it as genuine. O ne of t he women named in the post, Suwaphat Petcharat, 44, the mother of
famed Miss Tiffany winner, actress and model Treechada ‘Nong Poy’ Petcharat called a press conference to slam the post as false, stressing that on April 16 she went nowhere near a hospital. Last Friday the head of the Phuket Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Wiroj Suwannawong, lodged a complaint with Phuket City Police, demanding they identify Chaney Jane. Police have apparently received information that Chaney Jane is a female student at a university in Phuket. In addition, police have been urged to identify the
person who printed out the post, and left multiple copies around the Sri Soonthorn area, close to epicentre of the April 16 Thalang earthquake. Meanwhile, geologists have announced that they have narrowed down the location of the 4.3-Richter earthquake. After collecting data from sensitive monitoring equip-
ment installed five days earlier, the Director of the Active Fault Research Division (AFRD) of the Department of Mineral Resources, Suwith Kosuwan, said on Monday (April 23) that the epicentre was 10 km below the ground in the foothills of the Khao Pra Taew ridge. The epicentre was about 1 to 2 kilometres northeast
of Baan Bang Kham community in Moo 2 of Tambon Sri Soonthorn, where the walls of some 200 houses were reported to have been cracked by the quake. Mr Suwit added that the fault appears to be stabilising, with aftershocks diminishing in both frequency and intensity.
Using an industrial crane, the stranded speedboat is carefully loaded onto a fresh trailer. The bent frame of the crashed trailer can be seen in the foreground of the photo.
Boat crash on the bypass road Cars, truck and bikes crashing on the bypass road are not unusual. Boat crashes, however, are rather more of a rarity. But that’s what happened last Friday (April 20) when a large tour company speedboat on a trailer lurched off the bypass next to the Keehin
store. No one was hurt. An employee of the speedboat company, Sarina Boat Tours, told The Phuket News that the trailer, being towed behind a pick-up truck, slid on the wet road after a downpour and ended up in the ditch on the left of the northbound carriageway.
A crane was called to lift the speedboat onto a fresh trailer. The boat appeared to have suffered no more than a few scrapes to its hull but the employee said that it would be carefully checked for structural damage before being put back in the water.
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Forestry Dept slams Land Office for not revoking ‘dodgy’ Freedom Beach deeds The Lands Department (LD) has failed to respond to an emergency request by the Forestry Department (FD) urging it to revoke two title deeds covering 65 rai of controversial land next to Freedom Beach, south of Patong. Bangkokbiznews.com this week quoted Samak Donnapee, director of the Forest Land Management Division of the FD, as saying the request letter was sent on April 2, after the FD had confirmed that the land was within the boundaries of the Nakkerd Forest Reserve. According to Bangkokbiznews.com, the FD and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) conducted an investigation. This uncovered evidence that led them to believe some officials had been involved in corruptly issuing the title deeds. Mr Samak gave three reasons why the FD thought there was something wrong in the issue of the land deeds: In 2010 a former FD director approved supporting documents related to the issue of title deeds within an hour of receiving the documents. “I think this is quite suspicious,” Mr Samak said. “Generally, officials must discuss [such] documents with other relevant authorities before giving approval. But in this case, the approval
Land claimant Benja Sawetwaan (right) on site in February, in confrontation with Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit. was given very fast.” Some documents proving the land is in a forest reserve had disappeared from the files of related authorities. The director of the FD, Suwit Rattanamanee, recently ordered an investigation of specialists involved in analysing aerial photographs – part of the process of issuing supporting documents for land deeds. Mr Samak said it was suspected that someo n e m i g h t h a ve “ m i s -
Patong-Chalong road ‘essential for evacuation’ Phuket authorities are pushing forward the Nanai-Luang Pu Supha Road project, which would link Nanai Rd in Patong and Luang Pu Supha Temple Rd in Chalong, as a solution to traffic chaos during tsunami evacuations. The three-kilometre-long road project has been on the back burner for some years, partly because some sections would run through National Forest areas. This means that special approval would be required from the central government. However, Gov Tri said on Wed nesday (April 25) that the relevant authorities are now working on an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), due to be completed by June. After that the project proposal will be sent to the Ministry of Interior (MoI) to ask for its urgent approval. If the MoI gives the go-ahead, Gov Tri said, work on the road could begin as early as August.
r e a d ” t h e p h o t og r a p h s for personal gain. With this evidence pointing to possible corruption, the FD sent its urgent request to the LD, but this has so far been met with silence. After the debate over the Freedom Beach land hit the headlines, Benja Sawetwaan and Eakchai Sae’ew came forward on February 10, telling the press that they were the legitimate owners of the land. They claimed that the
land was occupied before the Nakkerd Forest Reserve was declared in 1973. This, they argued, gave them the right to request title deeds, which were first applied for in 1990. They also said that a number of relevant authorities, including the Administrative Court, had investigated the case and had concluded that the land was eligible for title. They were granted the deeds last year, 21 years after the first application was made.
Corruption busters offer big rewards for evidence The Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) held a seminar in Phuket on April 19 to promote new regulations that include a witness protection programme and rewards for witnesses who provide information leading to convictions for corruption. Speakers at the seminar, attended by around 150 government officials and members of the public, encouraged people to come forward with information on corruption they have experienced and rely on the NACC to follow through fearlessly. A me mb e r of t he NACC, Wichai Wiwitsevi, said that the commission would focus on cases involving officials who have become rich
rapidly because “there is tangible evidence”. “The NACC has around 600 officials yet it seems that’s not enough because of the increasing number of corruption cases in recent years,” said Mr Wichai. “So we need members of the public to cooperate with us to root out corruption in Thailand.” Most recent complaints to the NACC involve officials of local authorities such as municipalities and tambon administration organisations. Many other reports received by the NACC involve biased treatment of junior officials by their superiors, or unfair treatment of members of the public. Bribes are repeatedly mentioned in reports. In Phuket, Mr Wichai
said, most graft complaints received relate to land transactions. According to the new regulations, witnesses fearing for their safety can request protection from the NACC. If the NACC believes the request is rational and credible, it will provide protection. In urgent cases the NACC is empowered to provide protect ion wit h immediate effect. Witnesses who provide information leading to a conviction will be entitled to rewards equivalent to 10 per cent of the money seized, up to a maximum of B10 million. The reward will be paid when the accused is convicted by a court. NACC investigators are not eligible for the rewards.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
A local guides one of the dolphins back out to sea.
Flippers flip out at Patong Beach Phuket had some rather unexpected visitors taking in the sights on Wednesday morning (April 25) – two striped dolphins swimming in the shallow waters off Patong Beach. One of the dolphins was a baby measuring just one metre long, while its mother was about two metres i n leng t h, accord i ng to Patcharaporn Keaemoang, a vet from the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC). Both appeared to be in good health, though were exhibiting signs of unusual
behaviour. Locals reported that the two dolphins had repeatedly swum back towards the shallows despite being helped back out to sea by onlookers. Ms Patcharaporn speculated that the mother may be sick, or the pair may have strayed from their pod and become disorientated, both scenarios that are believed to be causes of dolphin strandings. Eventually, early this afternoon, the two dolphins were successfully led to deeper waters, and have not been seen again in the shallows.
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Karon by-law aims to end battles on beach Phuket authorities hope to enforce a new municipal bylaw on Karon Beach vendors by the end of June. The bylaw attempts to control the burgeoning numbers of beach vendors – who are seen by authorities as having created chronic problems – by forcing beach vendors to register with Karon Municipality. It is estimated that more than 400 beach vendors earn a living on Karon Beach. Most of them come from the edges of central Thailand and the northeast. The by-law will also bar immigrant workers from selling goods on the beach, an incursion that has led to several battles over territory between Thais and immigrants. Indeed, the will to enact the by-law stemmed from a fight between Thai and Cambodian vendors on February 7, which took place on Karon beach. The village head of Karon Moo 1, Arunsri Klanma, said the fight began with a melée between a Thai and a pickupload of Cambodians. Other Thais joined in and three people ended up being sent to hospital. Five
A vendor sells artificial flower hairgrips to sunseekers catching rays on Karon Beach. Cambodians were arrested. Three of them had neither visa nor work permit. One of the five, Wan Thairat, 32, told the media that he and his group had moved from Patong to sell sunglasses in Karon three days before the battle on the beach. He said that Patong police had guaranteed his group would be left alone by the authorities, and had promised that they would be protected by Chalong police. In return, each
of Cambodians paid B1,000 a month to officers in Patong. In a meeting on Tuesday (April 24) a member of Karon Municipal Council, Anurak Yamtai, said that he had investigated the claim, and had discovered that some officers had offered to protect immigrant workers from bureaucrats in return for money. A day before the battle on the beach, a Karon Municipality official caught four immigrant vendors in the Karon
area, Mr Anurak said. The official had received a call from a police officer urging him to release the four. Karon Municipality has been trying to keep the peace on the beach, Mr Anurak told the meeting, but the tension between Thais and immigrant vendors continued to break out into occasional brawls, thus the decision to enact the by-law. Its effectiveness will be monitored and the results assessed after a year.
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Xi’an wants ‘sister’ deal with Phuket
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Xiang De, a senior political figure from the Chinese province of Xi’an, on a visit to Phuket, declared his interest in establishing Phuket and Xi’an as sister cities. During a meeting with a Vice Governor Sommai Prijasilpa, Mr Xiang – who is a Vice President of the Xi’an People’s Political Consultative Conference – said the twinning of the cities would result in increased flows of tourists in both directions. Xi’an is famed for its imperial tombs containing thousands of terracotta warriors, dating back 2,500 years. Mr Xiang said he was also interested in establishing cultural exchanges with Phuket. The large proportion of Thai-
Chinese in Phuket’s population share a common heritage with Xi’an, he pointed out. Two direct flights a week currently bring tourists to Phuket from Xi’an. A third flight will be added next month. V/G ov Som m a i s a id after the meeting that she would discuss the Chinese approach with Governor Tri Augkaradacha and relevant authorities, to see if Phuket is ready to establish a closer relationship with Xi’an. Phuket is already twinned with nine other places worldwide. These are Bali, Nice in France, Port Blair in the Andaman Islands, Las Vegas, the Crimea in Ukraine, Nakhodka in Russia, and Hainan, Yantai and Xiuning in China.
Xi’an is famed for its terracotta army, dating back 2,500 years, and a major tourist draw. Photo: Maros Mraz
Phuket airport to get equipment upgrade The air traffic control system at Phuket International Airport is to be improved by the installation of new, more sophisticated equipment, as part of a nationwide upgrade. Aphinun Vannangkura, vice president for air traffic movement of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai) said that the upgrade will begin next year and should be completed by October 2014. He did not reveal how much will be spent on new equipment for
Phuket, but said Aerothai will spend about B4 billion upgrading air traffic control nationwide. Improvements will include controller-pilot data link communications, which will use computers to send and receive information between aircraft and control towers, in addition to conventional voice contacts by radio. Also to be installed will be a socalled Sid-Star system, standing for “standard instrument departure and
standard arrival route”, which defines pathways into and out of airports. Another innovation will be a satellite-linked Performance-Based Navigator (PBN) to boost the navigation system around the airport. Training staff to use the new equipment will take 15 months. Mr Aphinun said the technology is important to keep up with the continuing increase in the number of visitors and aircraft flying into Phuket.
Also, once it has been upgraded, Phuket airport will be regarded in the airline industry as safer and more reliable, and therefore more attractive to airlines, he said. Although Aerothai is a state corporation under the Transport Ministry, and although the upgrade programme has been approved by the government, no state funding will be forthcoming, Mr Aphinun said. Aerothai will have to rely on loans to fund the upgrades, he said.
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IN BRIEF English teacher held for drugs Detectives arrested Steven Palmer, 42, a British national working as an English teacher in Sattahip, Chonburi, and charged him with drug trafficking. Police alleged that ya-ice worth B4,000, ready to be traded, was found in a lady’s make-up box in his room in central Pattaya. Police said the suspect taught at Singsamut school and sold ya-ice to prostitutes and beer bar tourists in Pattaya during school holidays.
Yingluck to call on Gen Prem Agriculture and Cooperatives Deputy Minister Nattawut Saikuar said on Tuesday (April 24) that he believes the Red Shirts would understand the Prime Minister’s effort to help reconciliation by meeting Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra intended to lead a delegation to Gen Prem’s home yesterday (April 26) for a traditional Songkran water ceremony. Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit has said he will go too, along with two other deputies, Kittirat Na-Ranong and Yutthasak Sasiprapa.
Plan B for free tablet handout The Education Ministry is now preparing Plan B, to hand out textbooks to Prathom 1 students, because computer tablets ordered from China will not arrive for the coming semester. The much-publicised One Tablet Per Child scheme intends to provide nearly one million free tablets to all Prathom 1 students at the star t of the new semester next month. Students will get new textbooks instead for now.
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Compensation for victims Army kills 5 ‘insurgents’ of violence in Deep South Agence France-Presse
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The Government on Tuesday (April 24) approved a B2.01 billion compensation package for victims of an insurgency in the Muslimmajority deep south that has left thousands dead over the last eight years, officials said. The families of people killed in the conflict will each receive B500,000, or B1.5 million if government officials were responsible, Justice Minister Pracha Promnog said after Cabinet agreed on the measure. “We hope it will make the situation in the south more peaceful and we hope it will be sufficient because some of them have received compensation before,” Mr Pracha said. The offer is less than the B7.5 million that the Government has said it will pay each family of victims killed in political violence during a series of rival protests in Bangkok since 2005. The families of more than 4,000 members of the public who were killed and roughly 6,000 who were wounded would be eligible, along with those of 1,056 government officials who lost their lives, Mr Pracha said. Militant suspects who were arrested and jailed but later freed because their cases were dismissed
Army soldiers carry the coffin of a dead comrade killed by suspected Muslim insurgents in the south. The Government is paying compensation to families of victims of the violence. Photo: AFP by the courts would also receive money, Mr Pracha said. “We expect to deliver first payment in the next two weeks,” he added. The shadowy insurgency, without clearly stated aims, has plagued the far south near the border with Malaysia since 2004, claiming more than 5,000 lives, both Buddhist and Muslim, with near-daily bomb or gun attacks. A Muslim leader in Yala province expressed doubt that the compensation offer would bring an end
to the violence. “Remedies are part of the solution but the Government has to clearly identify the root of the problem,” 54-year-old Ma Samae told AFP. “Personally I think it’s hard to end the southern unrest because most residents are Muslim but the leaders are not.” Eight people were wounded Tuesday (April 24) by a roadside bomb targeting patrolling soldiers in Narathiwat province, including a soldier and a three-year-old Muslim boy whose conditions were serious.
Security forces killed five suspected insurgents, including a wanted leader, during a 15-minute shoot-out in a village in the Muslim-majority deep south, the Army said last week. About 40 soldiers, paramilitary rangers and police sealed off the village in Yala province on last Thursday after a tip-off that more than a dozen suspected militants were hiding there. After an exchange of gunfire, the bodies of five men were found including Sakueri Japakiya, 38, who was believed to be a senior member of the Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) insurgency group, the military said. “He was an RKK leader with seven outstanding arrest warrants... His team specialised in ambushes,” Army spokesman Col Pramote Promin told AFP by telephone. “Local religious leaders, forensic police and civilian officials are examining the scene of the clash for more evidence.” Army Chief Gen Prayut Chan-O-Cha said this month that the country was fighting against more than 3,000 Muslim militants waging a shadowy insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives since the violence flared in 2004. A state of emergency is in force in the worst-affected parts of the region, which rights campaigners say in effect gives the tens of thousands of military troops based in the area legal immunity and fuels rights abuses.
Prison raid nets drugs and phones Some 600 officials on Sunday (April 22) carried out a predawn raid at the Nakhon Si Thammarat Central Prison as the prison was suspected as being a base for drugtrafficking gangs. Inmates have also reportedly paid over B350,000 to smuggle i n i Phones, reported The Nation. Pr ison Ch ief Na rong Yongnarongdejkul was immediately transferred from his post on Sunday. He appeared stressed during the search
operation, which began at 3am. About 300 cell phones, including iPhones and iPads, 1,700 meth-amphetamine tablets, and one kilogramme of ice, were uncovered, along with weapons. “I have tried [to prevent these items coming in] but money power has prevailed,” Prison Chief Narong was heard telling police. Police said the prison was raided suspects confessed they had ordered illicit drugs from inmates at the prison.
Take the plunge! Daily Trips to Phuket‘s best dive sites Special packages for Residents Holiday programmes for Kids Unique customer service e-mail: info@sea-bees.com tel: +66 (0)76 381 765
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8
REGIONAL NEWS
IN BRIEF S. Koreans launch anti-North leaflets across border South Korean activists launched balloons across the border with North Korea Tuesday carrying boxes of chocolates as well as thousands of leaf lets denouncing the North’s defiant and costly rocket launch. A dozen activists including defectors f rom the impoverished country f loated ten helium balloons from a seaside border area west of Seoul. “Through today’s event, we are urging North Korea to solve its food shortages,” Seo Kang, an activist based in Seoul, told AFP. The balloons carried thousands of small leaflets that included slogans such as “Instead of missiles, food for hungry North Koreans!”
Malaysia to get Asia’s first Legoland Hotel
Asia’s first Legoland Hotel is to open in Malaysia in 2014 next to a theme park dedicated to the popular children’s building bricks. Groundwork for the hotel in southern Johor state – the world’s fourth Legoland
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hotel – began last month, developers said. The hotel will be constructed out of more conventional building materials and will be built next to the 76-acre Legoland theme park, which is due to open at the end of this year.
Six-legged baby has extra four limbs removed A si x-legged baby ha s had four of the limbs removed i n a successf u l operation in Pakistan. The youngster was believed to have had a parasitic twin, which had not developed properly in the womb, resulting in the extra legs.
Pakistan detains airline boss after deadly crash Pakistan blocked the head of an airline whose jet crashed near the capital from leaving the country as it began an investigation into the country’s second major air disaster in less then two years. The Bhoja Air passenger jet crashed last Friday as it tried to land in a thunderstorm at Islamabad’s main airport, killing all 127 people on board.
THE PHUKET NEWS
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
The Lady yet to take seat, EU nations halt sanctions Agence France-Presse
Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi shunned the opening of parliament on Monday while the nation’s president vowed “no U-turn” on reforms as the EU suspended wide-ranging sanctions. Suu Kyi’s party has refused to swear to “safeguard” an army-created constitution in the first sign of tension with the government since a landmark by-election this month saw the democracy icon win a parliamentary seat. The spat comes as European Union nations put a halt to most sanctions against the impoverished nation for one year to reward a series of dramatic reforms since direct army rule ended last year. A statement adopted by foreign ministers from the 27-nation bloc hailed “the historic changes in Myanmar/ Burma over the past year”, as they agreed a suspension of measures against almost 500 individuals and more than 800 firms in a meeting in Luxembourg on Monday. Myanmar, long-isolated
Aung San Suu Kyi, pictured in January. under military dictatorship, has seen a rapid improvement in relations with the international community after the Nobel Peace Prize winner and her party achieved a decisive win in the April 1 polls. Suu Kyi has shown increased confidence in the refor mist gover nment of President Thein Sein in recent weeks, calling for the EU sanctions suspension and planning her first international trip in 24 years.
Photo: AFP
“If the reforms are continued, I think all the sanctions will disappear,” said Nyan Win, a spokesman for Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD). “I am not an expert in economics, so I cannot say precisely how it will effect Myanmar, but I think it is important for the economy of our country.” Thein Sein, who is currently on a visit to Japan, on Monday vowed that he would
not backtrack on the country’s democratisation. “There won’t be any Uturn,” he said, according to the Mainichi Shimbun. T he president, a former general, told reporters that it was up to Suu Kyi whether or not she took her seat in parliament. The NLD – the main opposition force after securing 43 of the 44 seats it contested in the by-elections – has appealed to the president directly over the stalemate, asking that the wording of the oath be changed from “safeguard” to “respect” the constitution. The party, which boycotted a controversial 2010 election, agreed to rejoin the political mainstream last year after authorities changed a similar phrase in party registration laws. Suu Kyi has said one of her priorities as a politician is to push for an amendment of the 2008 constitution, under which one quarter of the seats in parliament are reserved for unelected military officials. MPs from other parties took the oath in a new session of parliament on Monday.
THE PHUKET NEWS
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
Berlusconi says wild parties were just ‘burlesque contests’ Agence France-Presse
Silvio Berlusconi on Friday said his wild parties were “burlesque contests,” as the former Italian prime minister made a first appearance at his trial for having sex with an underage prostitute. The scandal-tainted former The parties, which in- Italy PM Silvio Berlusconi. cluded strippers dressed as nuns, policewomen and pr ime minister. Imane sexy Father Christmases, Fadil said she was paid were described by Berlus- 2,000 euros (B80,300) by coni as “elegant dinners” Berlusconi that night. She also alleged that one characterised by an atmoof the stripper nuns was sphere of “joy, serenity Nicole Minetti, a former and conviviality.” He said that after dinner starlet who is now a regional his female guests would then councillor for Berlusconi’s hold “burlesque contests People of Freedom party in and practised” with him in Milan and who is on trial for a discotheque in the villa. procuring prostitutes for him. Berlusconi is charged “I wasn’t the judge, I just watched. I had a with having sex with Moroccan nightclub dancer lot of fun,” he said. The 75-year-old said the Karima El-Mahroug when girls danced in harem outfits she was just 17, and then algiven to him as a present legedly abusing his powers by his friend, the Libyan by getting police to release dictator Moamer Kadhafi. her when she was arrested The scandal-tainted bil- in a separate incident. El-Mah roug, betlionaire, who stepped down ter known by her stage in November, also defended himself against accusations name of “Ruby the Heart from prosecutors that pay- Stealer”, denies having sex ments he made to three with Berlusconi and he women due to testify at the rejects all charges. At Friday’s hearing wittrial could be a way to influnesses spoke about the night ence their testimony. At the last hearing on in which Berlusconi called a Monday one witness re- police station in Milan after counted coming to a party El-Mahroug was arrested for at Berlusconi’s villa near theft and pressured them to Milan for the first time and release her into the care of seeing strippers dressed his trusted aide, Minetti. The cour t f ixed the in nun costumes and football jerseys perform for the next hearing for May 7.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Romney lays claim to nomination with five-state sweep Agence France-Presse
Mitt Romney effectively claimed the Republican presidential nomination on Tuesday, revelling in a five-state primary sweep and urging voters to help him oust President Barack Obama in November. With wins in Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, according to US media forecasts, Romney essentially kicked off his general election campaign and began making his case to take over the White House. “Tonight is the start of a new campaign,” Romney told ecstatic supporters in New Hampshire – scene of his first Republican primary victory back in January and a potentially pivotal general election battleground. “Tonight is the beginning of the end of the disappointments of the Obama years – and it’s the start of a new and better chapter that we will write together.” He trounced former House speaker Newt Gingrich and congressman Ron Paul, the two remaining Republicans in the race, in the northeastern states that are largely friendly territory to Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts. Romney basked in the glow of the clean sweep, and effectively staked his claim to the nomination.
Republican Mitt Romney.
Photo: Gage Skidmore
“After 43 primaries and caucuses, many long days and not a few long nights, I can say with confidence – and gratitude – that you have given me a great honor and solemn responsibility,” Romney told supporters. After Tuesday, Romney will still be shor t of the 1,144 delegates needed to be crowned the official nominee at the Republican convention in late August. Rom ney has 683 delegates, compared with 141 for Ging r ich and 84 for Paul, according to a tally by RealClearPolitics.com. Rick Santorum has 267 delegates but he bowed out of the race two weeks ago.
Santorum has declined as of yet to endorse Romney, but said Tuesday he was hoping to meet with his former rival in the next few weeks. Gingrich, under pressure from Republicans to drop out, campaigned in the small state of Delaware where he earned some endorsements by state politicians. It wasn’t enough, and Gingrich finished with less than half as many votes as Romney. While Gingrich refused to quit, he acknowledged a reassessment was in order. “Over the next few days we’re going to look realistically at where we’re at,” Gingrich reportedly said.
9
IN BRIEF Two Sudans move closer to war All-out war between Sudan and South Sudan is closer after planes bombed a large town in the South, destroying a street market, killing a boy and injuring 10 people. The President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, raised tensions by suggesting the time for talking was over, leaving only “the language of the gun and ammunition”. Weeks of fighting have brought the neighbours to the brink less than a year after South Sudan gained independence. On Monday the European Union joined the US and African Union in urging restraint.
California to weigh up ending use of death penalty The future of America’s largest death row lies in the hands of California’s voters after opponents of capital punishment succeeded in placing a measure that would outlaw the practice onto November’s election ballot. If passed, the initiative would repeal the death penalties hanging over all 725 of the convicted murderers being held at the State’s Death Row facility. Their sentences would be commuted to life behind bars, without the chance of parole. California would become the 18th State in the nation without a death penalty, and the sixth to abolish executions in the past five years.
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10 LETTERS/VIEWPOINT
THE PHUKET NEWS
OPINION
City of ‘Dead Wood’
“Before, it was necessary to come into [Phuket] town to shop, now it isn’t. Everything is close to home. No one wants to come into the city anymore” > 11
Editor’s Viewpoint
NORACHAI’S WORLD
BIZARRE SHOW IN BANGLA The ping pong show “raids” in Patong’s Bangla Rd area last Friday night by police officers may have backfired. Unlike conventional mediabacked raids – when police lead and media follow right behind, flashguns blazing – police this time told reporters to stay put nearby and wait for them to call. When they eventually called the media after raiding all five bars, they had astonishing news: They hadn’t managed to find a single ping-pong show. As any first-time tourist visiting Bangla will tell you, finding such shows is not hard. In fact, besieged by touts carrying menus of anatomically unusual acts involving ping-pong balls, needles, razor blades and even budgerigars, a harder trick may be avoiding such shows. Theories as to why the police so dismally “failed” to find a ping-pong show vary. Perhaps it was an attempt to improve the images of both Phuket and the police, to get the message out in the media that police are doing such a good job enforcing the law that ping
Anyone for a paddle?
Letters to the editor Just ban it [Re. Tesco kicks off cloth bag campaign] Many supermarkets in Canada, US and Europe charge per plastic bag – Tesco, Tops, Big C etc should do the same. All plastic bags should biodegrade in the sun as should any product packaged in plastic bags. Look at the vegetable section in supermarkets and see how many items are pre-packaged in plastic bags and Styrofoam containers. Phu ket could ban plastic bags as have many cities in the world, for example Tesco in the UK. The Government could also tax plastic bags. What about the disgraceful widespread use of Styrofoam? Walk along any Phuket beach and you will see Styrofoam ‘sand’ forming, along with plastic rubbish of every description. Phuket is becoming an environmental disaster, and this will undermine and destroy tourism and hence the local economy. Richard Eyre
Cold, hard truth [Re. Tesco kicks off cloth bag campaign] Every Tesco employee will start putting whatever you buy into a plastic bag automatically, whether you’ve got a cloth bag on your shoulder or not, or whether you repeatedly tell them in Thai that you don’t want a plastic bag. This is the reality of the situation no matter what the management claims. This is marketing, not reality. Sorry, as much as I want to believe this will work, it won’t. Given the option, people will go for the most convenient method – a plastic bag. Remove the option if you’re serious. Dave
Take out the trash [Re. Tesco kicks off cloth bag campaign] I’ll get excited about these anti-plastic bag campaigns when I see them being geared towards Thai take-out food. A simple take-out order involves
about half-dozen bags and rubber bands. At least shopping bags can be used as trash can liners. Bak C Daa
Too much effort? [Re. Tesco kicks off cloth bag campaign] Is it really surprising that so few reusable bags have been handed out, if you have to go to Phuket town and show a passport or I.D. card to claim one? Agogohome
Over the net
[Re. Police fail to find ping-pong shows] Never been into table tennis so don’t know what all the fuss is about. Keefers Kathu
Rhyme and reason
[Re. Police fail to find ping-pong shows] Somboon, an old boy from Phuket, said, ‘There’s something I really regret. That I never did go, to a
ping-pong show, do they lose if it goes in the net?’ Limerick Joe
All aboard [Re. New bus terminal opens on Saturday] Finally! Viola
Save me Samui [Re. Not one quake but TWO – one close to home] Bugger, I am going to Samui where it’s safe. David_langdown
Titanic comparison [Re. If Phuket sinks, I’ll quit – Gov] The Titanic captain said, if The Titanic sinks, I will sink with her. The Phuket Governor, did not say, if Phuket sinks into the sea, I will sink with Phuket! He said he will resign from his post, which would not exist then anyway. A Hoeld
Letters may be edited for clarity or length. Email editor@thephuketnews.com or fax 076 612 553. Please include your full name, phone number, and email address.
thephuketnews.com
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
pong shows no longer exist. But given the number of touts still promoting officially “non-existent” shows – at the time of the raids – that doesn’t really work. Reporters came to a different conclusion: that they were being used by the officers involved as a threat. Something along the lines of, “Rates are going up, and if you don’t like it, our tame reporters will splatter you all over the front pages tomorrow.” Whatever the reasoning by the individual officers involved, it has not done the image of the police as a whole any favours. Coming out with a claim that no naughty shows could be found when clearly they were eminently findable – probably even during the time the claim was made – borders on the bizarre. People on this island are not stupid. But these particular police officers don’t seem to know this. Either that, or they just don’t care what people think.
This week in history ■■ April 27, 1981 – Xerox PARC introduces the computer mouse. ■■ April 28, 1950 – His Majest y K ing Bhu mibol Adulyadej mar ries Queen Sirikit. ■■ April 29, 1967 – Muhammad Ali is stripped of his boxing titles after refusing induction into the United States Army. ■■ April 30, 1975 – Communist forces gain control of Saigon, and the Vietnam War formally ends. ■■ May 1, 1948 – The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) is established, with Kim Il-Sung as leader. ■■ May 2, 1536 – Anne Boleyn, Queen of England, is arrested and imprisoned on charges of adultery, incest, treason and witchcraft. ■■ May 3, 1978 – The first ever unsolicited bulk commercial e-mail (‘spam’) is sent by a Digital Equipment Corporation marketing representative to every ARPANET address on the west coast of the United States.
THE PHUKET NEWS
FEATURE 11
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
CITY OF DEAD WOOD Once bustling, is Phuket Town now slowly fading away?
Marque A. Rome editor@thephuketnews.com
W
hen tourism superceded tin as Phuket’s principal business in the 1980s, having a shop in the talad – the market – was still a byword for riches among the local population. By talad, just one place was meant: Phuket Town’s central market place, the ‘old town’ as we might call it today. The talad lay then, as it had for a hundred years, along Rassada, Ranong, Krabi, Yaowarat, Phang-nga, Dibuk and Thalang roads. On these roads were the island’s principal places of business – the banks, suppliers, grocers, dry goods vendors and fruit sellers. The old Chartered Bank, at the corner of Phang-nga and Phuket roads, lay opposite a small police station, placed there, so it is said, because the city father of the time, Kaw Sim Bee, progenitor of the Na Ranong clan, feared bankers would not do business without the near presence of constabulary. That was the first bank, and others sprang up nearby: it became the banking centre of the island. It still is. But the Chartered Bank is gone, its premises empty, as are those of the quaint, clock-towertopped police station. The clock stopped working a long time ago. So did many of the businesses. Phuket’s imposing array of banks still subsist, but their neighbours are abandoned shops, antique stores and artists’ galleries. The area has a run-down look, as if turning into a ghost town. “It’s dead wood,” says lawyer Siripong Luenchavee, who has an office on Satun Rd, a stone’s throw from the
The old Chartered Bank (right) opposite the former police station, some of the empty buildings in the ‘ghost town’. sprawling pile of Krabi Rd’s Prapitak mansion. Mr Siripong, who specialises in tax and property cases, is not optimistic about the area’s future. “I opened another office on Kra Rd, in the Bang Niao area, because my clients have no place to park, and traffic is congested, particularly when school is in session.” He thinks the city’s decline as a business centre is directly related to the lack of parking, a point on which there is general agreement. Says Phuket Municipality deputy mayor Kawee Tansukatanon: “A seven-storey parking garage was proposed, and Jui Tui (the island’s largest Taoist shrine, on Ranong Rd) has the land. But no one was found willing to invest. They’re all afraid.” Traffic congestion is an issue today in most of the island’s built-up areas. In Phuket town it’s especially trying.
“When the school term has begun, it takes an hour, sometimes longer, for me to get from work to home,” says Sumalee Titipuree, of Ruam Choke Karnka lumber yard on Surin Rd. She lives by Khao Rang Hill, perhaps a kilometre away. Ruam Choke has been on the same site for over 35 years and supplies wood of all types to projects around the island. Mrs Sumalee says her records show construction is booming within Phuket Town’s municipal boundaries, but she admits it is “nearly all residential”. For the flight of business from the town, she thinks modern technology and better distribution systems are partly to blame. “I like convenience. The banks in Phuket’s old town are difficult to get to, and they take a long time time to answer the phone. “So now I go to the branch near me, where the manag-
er has time to be attentive; and I do the same things just as fast – I don’t need to go to the main offices. “It’s the same with shopping: whereas before it was necessary to come into town to shop, now it isn’t. Everything is close to home. No one wants to come into the city anymore. They’re looking at their watches.” Another reason for decline is cited by Chaowapong Mekarakkul, whose business interests include property, publishing, fish processing and entertainment, mostly in the the Phuket town area. He explains, “When Poomperm Suwanakul built the Phuket Island Resort [now the Evason], it became plain that tourism was the future. All the old money clans poured investment into the beaches; and their children stayed there to look after the business. That’s where all the money’s gone.”
He thinks the future of the old town is tourism, as does nearly everyone. The problem is attracting tourists. “They should renovate the old buildings and make the new ones look old. Then tourists can admire the architecture, take pictures and enjoy themselves, like at Disneyland.” Deputy mayor Kawee, keenly aware of the business district’s decline, is trying to attract tourists via conservation of Phuket’s unique culture. “We contacted Unesco to submit our city for its Gastronomy Award. The Unesco Culture Unit chief for southeast Asia, Tim Curtis, came to see how we are training young people to make Phuket food – o-tao, mee hokkien and the like – so that it attains gastronomic status and hotels will be proud to serve it.” He thinks that if Phuket is selected for the award, “It will put our city on the map as a
place for gastronomes.” He also sees value in the city’s klongs, which have occasionally been used for boat rides during the Old Phuket Festival at Chinese New Year. But the canals are often smelly, which rather ruins the romance. “We pressure homeowners and businesses to refrain from pouring pollution into the klongs. The difficulty is that these waterways are some 20 kilometres long, originating in Kathu, where they have pig farms, and elephants and chickens, and the refuse all goes into the klong. “If we could stop all pollution [in town], they’d still be polluted because of what happens upstream – we have no control over other tambons.” He says some discussions about cleaning up the klongs took place a few years ago with the Provincial Administration Organisation. “But there’s been none recently and no budget was ever appropriated.” Mr Kawee thinks that, to get the job done, “the central government must get involved”. Mr Chaowapong says, “Twenty years ago I bought a quarter-rai shop on Phuket Road for B250,000. Today it’s worth about B2 million, an increase of about 10 times. “But in some beach areas, land values have shot up 100fold. “We need a way to pull tourists from Patong. A well-lit freeway and a tunnel would be useful, so they can get here.” “Phuket should be a tax haven,” says Mr Siripong, the lawyer. “It’s the perfect place.” A centre for gastronomes, a Disneyland, a tax haven – Phuket town could be any or all. But presently it’s none, and business is ebbing away. In 10 years’ time will it really be what Mr Siripong calls it, “Dead wood”?
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12 BUSINESS/TECHNOLOGY
THE PHUKET NEWS
BUSINESS
Always a silver lining
The Phuket tsunami scare on April 11 was not all bad, says property firm > 14
business@thephuketnews.com
MR CHAIR MAN SUCCESS
Stor y
James Firth is the founder of East Furniture & Interiors, which makes a range of furnishings for private and commercial properties, and also offers complete interior fit-out services. East has factories in Pranburi and Phuket, with a third expected to open near the Eastern Seaboard by 2013. He is also cu r rently chairman of the International Business Association of Phuket (IBAP). When did you arrive in Thailand/Phuket? I have lived in Thailand for almost 13 years now. The first seven years were spent in Bangkok and the past six based in Phuket, though I travel frequently around the country. What made you think of starting a business in Thailand/Phuket? I have never really been a good employee. I guess I am just too stubborn and headstrong to take orders. Add to this my extreme desire for success and a sickening work ethic, and I guess it was always inevitable that I would run my own business. What was your initial investment?
A certain amount of cash and a lot of blood, sweat and tears! Landmarks in the development of your business? From humble beginnings, our major landmarks can only be measured in the quality of the projects we are now being commissioned to work on. We are now the company of choice for quality interior work, with a list of clients in Phuket alone that includes Trisara, Shang-du and The Village, Coconut Island, among others. What was easiest to do in developing your business? What was most difficult? The easiest thing to do in any business is to get carried away in trying to expand too quickly and the hardest is trying to hold back from doing so, especially when times are good. Steady, fortified growth is the mainstay of a solid and structured business that will last for a long time. If you were to do this all again, what would you do differently? There are certain times when you must listen to those around you with more experience. At one point I was given some very good advice by a close friend and business associate but, being the way I am, I thought I knew better. In hindsight, heeding this
Going greener is a priority for Firth and East Furniture. advice at a crucial time in the world economy, is probably the only thing I would have done differently, as it almost cost me the business. But it is these trying times that give us substance and I am all the stronger because of it. What do you love/hate most about what you do? I love almost everything about what I do. The people, the clients, the creative work, the results, the list goes on. Hate? Only two things: the stress levels and missing time with my family. How is business right now?
We believe that the success of a project is essentially based on a serious management
Business is as tough as it always is. Anybody who says running a company is easy is either lying or not trying hard enough. The most important thing for me is to take care of our employees. Without them, we are nothing. Where does your business go from here? I will continue to drive the company and business in a sustainable way, something everybody should focus on. This is critical to me, being an accredited professional GREENleader from the Sustainable Furnishings Council in America, we promote green practices wherever we can. At the same time I am looking into other businesses, again all focusing on sustainability issues. W hat adv ic e wou l d you give to other entrepreneurs starting up in Thailand/Phuket? Join IBAP. You will meet many people who have vast experience of both successful and failed businesses in Thailand. You will probably learn as much from those who have failed as you will from those who have run successful businesses. Either way, the association holds great monthly networking programs with professional speakers.
liberto@construction-thailand.com
liberto@construction-thailand.com 40 years experience of more than 20 years at your service in Thailand.
Main Contractor:
Study Project Architecture Design Construction & Management
Office 3.L.H & I.C.P. Manufactory 3.L.H & I.C.P.
thephuketnews.com
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
A new way of getting news during a crisis When the quakes hit Phuket on April 11 and 16, one almost immediate effect was a desperate need for information – family and friends phoning each other to check if they were alright, and were not in the tsunami zone, and people trying to get trustworthy information from local websites. The result: the mobile phone system was jammed with calls and inaccessible most of the time. Even SMS messages – including blanket government warnings – were not getting through. Local websites crashed or slowed to a crawl. One new way of getting information out, however, worked excellently in certain parts of Phuket – a system originally intended for advertising. Local company Bluaje specialises in pushing advertising via Bluetooth to smart phones. Clients, on signing up, get an ad designed for them, and a transmitter box to broadcast the ad by BlueTooth or WiFi to passing smart phones. The ads are interactive and can even make calls directly to the advertiser. They may also be changed or deleted remotely and instantaneously. During the crises of April 11 and 16, however, Bluaje also broadcast updates from The Phuket News and 89.5FM Phuket Live Radio to anyone walking past any of their clients on Phuket. These updates included the tsunami warning. “When there is an emergency,” Adam Duggan, Bluaje’s Managing Director explains, “we issue an emergency warning, and device users can choose to accept this warning or reject it.” Warnings, he adds, are issued only “when there is a quantifiable risk”.
Eye-catching warning for local smart phone users. Bluaje clients include shops in Jungceylon and Central Festival and a number of hotels on the island. The network is still growing. Mr Duggan added, “We have arrangements for two units at the Phuket International Airport with final decisions being made this month. We will most likely see them active before the end of May.” The company is also stalking major clients with, potentially, hundreds of outlets around Thailand. The normal operating range of Bluaje WiFi and Bluetooth is about 200 metres. “We usually connect to 28 Bluetooth devices at a time and 100 or more WiFi devices, which may be just a fraction of a second per device, which is long enough for the interaction.” Some users of smart phones may find it irritating to have advertising pushed onto their phones (though they can opt to reject them), and may turn off the Bluetooth or WiFi. But when there’s an emergency on, and other sources of information are crashing, this may be an effective way to get reliable information. For more information visit bluaje.com
THE PHUKET NEWS
BUSINESS/AVIATION 13
LAST CHANCE?
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
IN BRIEF Stock Exchange sets new records The stock market supervisory agency says the Thai bourse has seen record growth in the first quarter of this year, with the index approaching 1,200 points. Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) president Charumporn Chotikasathien said the SET index increased by 16.7 per cent year-on-year to 1,196 points at the end of the first quarter, the fastest growth in 16 years and faster than stock markets in other emerging countries. He said the average trade volume for the SET was B31.2 billion a day in the first quarter. Mr Charumporn added that Thailand’s secondary bourse, the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI), also grew, by 10.57 per cent from last year to end at 292.2 points.
Economy on track says top banker Banthoon Lamsam, CEO and MD of Kasikorn Bank, said this week that the country’s economic fundamentals are still healthy, but natural disasters such as flooding and earthquakes must be kept under close watch. Mr Banthoon said political problems also pose obstacles to business, though he added that he thinks the country is still attractive to investor. He predicted economic growth this year of 5 per cent so long as there are no major political issues or large natural disasters. He also commented on the daily minimum wage increase to B300, which came into effect on April 1, saying it could help to enhance purchasing power, though the private sector must be watched to see if companies can adapt to the new higher wage.
Industry sentiment still improving
The Thai Industries Sentiment Index (TISI) in March rose for the fourth consecutive month, as companies recovered from the flooding of last year. According to its monthly survey, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) said the index rose from 100.9 in February to 102.1 last month. FTI Chairman Phayungsak Chartsuthipol said the rising Thai Industries Sentiment Index (TISI) resulted from improving orders, sales, production quantity and turnover in major industries including food, beverages, sugar and auto parts and spares.
Kingfisher pins hopes on change in investment law Agence France-Presse
India’s struggling Kingfisher Airlines – once the country’s largest airline and now its smallest – is banking for survival on an expected government decision to allow foreign airlines to buy stakes in domestic carriers. But experts say this may not be enough to save the cash-squeezed company. Its shares surged last week on hopes that the Indian Cabinet could soon agree to give foreign carriers the green light to invest – a move that could throw a lifeline to the airline controlled by billionaire liquor baron Vijay Mallya. But Kingfisher, which has never made a profit since it was created in 2005, is in urgent need of as much as US$600 million to stay in business, said the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), a consultancy firm. Kingfisher, which has shut down its overseas operations and slashed domestic flights, desperately needs the cash infusion to pay the millions of dollars it owes to suppliers,
GR Gopinath is set to have a second go at launching a scheduled airline in India. Photo: Ranjit Bhaskar lenders and other creditors. Mallya is rooting for the new foreign direct investment (FDI) policy which could be Kingfisher’s last chance of survival. But the policy move is “like the government calling his bluff”, said Sonam Udasi, research head with IDBI Capital.
Udasi said foreign investors may show interest in some Indian airlines in hopes they will start making money at some point, but better-managed carriers such as the lowcost SpiceJet would likely be more attractive. CAPA’s South Asia chief executive Kapil Kaul added
that investor interest in India’s embattled aviation industry was “limited” due to high fuel taxes and poor airline balance sheets. (Kingfisher last week received government approval to import aviation fuel itself, which will lower its costs somewhat.) In February, India logged the second-best air traffic growth in the world, at 12.3 per cent, according to global airline body IATA. But despite this, five of India’s six main airlines are losing money because of high fuel costs, fierce competition, price wars and an economic slowdown. Just one Indian airline, the budget carrier IndiGo, is profitable. This month, Kingfisher started to pay staff salaries that had been unpaid for months, after its bank accounts were unfrozen, but it still owes more taxes and also has to pay airports and clear fuel bills. The reputation of the airline is in tatters after it more than halved its daily flights to about 120 operated by 20 aircraft, down from a peak of over 250
flights with 64 planes. Mallya, who also runs a profitable brewery business, has confirmed “interest” from prospective buyers to invest in Kingfisher, which could help reduce its US$1.5 billion net debt. Foreign airlines are currently barred from holding stakes in Indian airlines. Meanwhile, in a move not without its irony, GR Gopinath, who introduced the no-frills airline concept in India by starting Air Deccan, which he later sold to Kingfisher, now plans to launch another scheduled carrier. India’s Business Today quoted Gopinath as saying, “I have got the clearance,” though he declined to go into detail. When Mallya’s UB Group bought a 26 per cent stake in Deccan in 2007 (he eventually completed a takeover after buying more shares), the deal included a five-year non-compete clause, barring Gopinath from launching a new airline to compete with Kingfisher/Deccan. That clause expires in a couple of months.
Qantas eyes S’pore for new airline base Agence France-Presse
Australian flag carrier Qantas is still considering Singapore as the base for a new premium carrier in Asia, chief executive Alan Joyce said in a report published Monday. Qantas’ Asian plans, which it sees as key to its strategy of revitalising its loss-making international business, were dealt a blow when talks with Malaysia Airlines over the premium joint-venture collapsed last month. Talks with Singapore on the issue also lapsed but Joyce told The Australian newspaper that the airline was still looking at a range of options for a premium Asian airline.
“This will take a bit longer than we originally thought, but we’re still keen to set up a premium airline in Asia and we’re still looking at a range of options available to us – and Singapore is one of them,” Joyce said. He added that Qantas was still talking with the Singapore government about the idea. Qantas holds 65 per cent of the Australian market but has struggled with an underperforming international business. It is attempting to refocus on Asia, the world’s fast-growing aviation market, and last month announced a new Hong Kong-based budget airline, Jetstar Hong Kong, which it hopes will be in the air in 2013.
thephuketnews.com
14 BUSINESS/PROPERTY
THE PHUKET NEWS
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
Bluepoint architect wins Canadian prize Phuket’s Bluepoint Condo development, which is already confirmed as having won a prize in the asia-Pacific Property Awards, this week announced that it has won another, this time from Canada. Paul Raff Studio, the architects for Bluepoint, have won an Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) award for their design of the development’s sales pavilion. Mr Raff is an Ontarian. The pavilion design was submitted under the “Small buildings, design excellence” category, described by the OAA as “Recognising the innovative skills of Ontario architects in creating spaces, buildings and communities that respect and enhance the environment and enrich human activity.” Entries were evaluated by a jury of architects for their creativity, context, sustain-
ability, good design/good business and “legacy”. Mr Raff describes his design as “a project that transforms a prefab box-frame and off-the-shelf planks into an artful, dynamic pavilion. “The pavilion’s form, material and construction were inspired by the iconic regional presence of the curved wooden boats of local fishermen. “Fishing boats today are still constructed in the manner of the region’s first-known inhabitants 2,000 years ago, by curving lengths of timber over a [wooden] framework.” The pavilion is primarily made out of an innovative wood composite material composed of sawdust waste from timber mills. The pavilion’s form is shaped to shade the interior, reducing heat gain and associated carbon footprint by more than 60 per cent.
Detail of the fishing-boat-inspired wooden curves that helped Paul Raff Studio win the Ontario architecture award.
Impact of quake on property sales ‘will not last long’
‘Refugees’ from the tsunami that never came enjoy the sea vista from Vista del Mar.
A silver lining to the tsunami alert Every cloud has a silver lining, it’s said, and it seems that the developers of Vista del Mar, near Naithon Beach, have found the silver lining in the April 11 tsunami evacuation. “We have good news and very good news,” gushed Yuliya Shkliarova of the development’s sales and marketing team, in a round-robin email. “The good news is that, as you may k now, there
was a false alarm and no tsunami came. “The very good news is that Vista del Mar site was officially declared a Tsunami Evacuation Point and a lot of the people from the Naithon Beach area were relocated to Vista del Mar hill, which is only 600 metres from the beach. “The Project itself is located 30 to 70 metres above
the sea and has fantastic sea views. That’s why all the tourists were sitting around our show villa and looking out to the sea for the coming wave.” Ms Shkliarova also sent pictures of happy evacuees enjoying the view. She did not mention whether Vista del Mar is also earthquake-proof – the development is about nine kilometres from the epicentre of the April 16 Phuket quake.
Real estate services firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) believes the April 16 quake in the Thalang district will have only a short-term impact on property transactions in Phuket, as long as there are no stronger quake centred on the island. But JLL has also urged property developers and owners to carry out inspections on their buildings. Dexter Norville, JLL’s head in Phuket, said, “The good news is the Phuket quake was of a relatively low strength and most of the luxury resort and residential properties in the coastal areas are believed to be constructed to high standard. “It may be too early to judge and analyse to what extent the Phuket real estate market will be affected by the recent earthquake. We will
still have to wait and see if bigger quakes follow. “But for now, the recent quake is unlikely to have a long-term effect on the Phuket real estate market as the Richter scale [rating] was low and the damage has been minimal and restricted to old properties close to the epicenter. “Having said that, the incident will inevitably have a short-term effect on some property transactions on the island as news about the quakes has created some panic in the market.” Mr Norville urged property owners and managers to carry out inspections and ensure that evacuation plans are in place for multi-storey buildings. “To ensure the highest safety, property owners together with their property managers
are encouraged to carry out property inspections, even if the property is a low-rise or low-density development. “Inspections should include the major structural members of the building, including shear walls, beams and columns, looking for any major damage, and cracks greater than 2-3 mm wide. “Property owners or management firms that do not have in-house experts should ask the municipality to send civil engineers or civil surveyors to inspect the property. A series of inspections may be required if the tremors continue. “Condominium or apartment buildings should also have a set of evacuation plans for different circumstances because, at present, safety procedures focus mainly on fire.”
Phuket resort joins the club The Anantara Phuket is to join the Anantara group’s fledgling timeshare operation, the Anantara Vacation Club (AVC) by the end of 2012, local property pundit Bill Barnett reports in his blog, thephuketinsider.com. AVC already lists properties on Koh Samui and in Queenstown, New Zealand, as timeshare destinations, and AVC members can also access properties listed by the RCI timeshare exchange.
thephuketnews.com
THE PHUKET NEWS
LUXURY 15
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
LUXURY PHUKET
The dictionary defines luxury as “a material object, or service conducive to sumptuous living”, while Wikpedia states: “Luxury goods are products and services not considered essential but are associated with affluence. The concept of luxury has been present in various forms since the beginning of civilisation. Its role was just as important in ancient western and eastern empires as it is in modern societies.” On this new page, we’ll promote the very best in luxury living on Phuket, whether it be a yacht, jet, car, watch, fashion, or jewellery – so read on, and enjoy the Phuket luxe life.
Wahoo Luxury Yacht Charters T her e i s no b et ter way to appreciate the Andaman Sea, with its crystal clear waters and some of the most stunning scenery in the world than on a private charter yacht with Wahoo Luxury Yacht Charters. Wahoo - Phuket’s favorite private yacht charter company offers
an unforgettable cruising, game fishing or diving experience in Phi Phi, Phang Nga, Krabi and beyond Your magical day begins with a warm Thai welcome from their on-board service team, who will ensure you are pampered to the fullest extent throughout the day, leaving you to relax, enjoy a
refreshing swim or explore on the Jet Ski and Sea Canoes. Their sumptuous food menus are all freshly prepared on board, allowing you to dine al fresco in beautiful surroundings, with every possible luxury taken care of. Email info@wahoo.ws, visit www. wahoo.ws or call 076 281 510,
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16 ART
THE PHUKET NEWS
CULTURE
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
BIG LIST: Terrible TV shows > 20
culture@thephuketnews.com
KNOW WHERE THIS IS? GUESS RIGHT AND WIN!
GERRY’S view
THIS WEEK’S HINT: “This statue represents two Thai ladies who have been dead for over two hundred years, but are embedded in the hearts of all Thais for their heroic act of defending the motherland in 1785 against a Burma (Myanmar) invasion; for this selfless act of heroism, they were honoured by King Rama 1. “The statue and plinth were built and erected in 1966, and are an easy marker during the day or night for anyone travelling to the southern end of the island of Phuket.” –Gerry Cummings
EMAIL US ENTER ONLINE
editor@thephuketnews.com thephuketnews.com/ login-game-view.php
GUESS THE CORRECT LOCATION AND WIN A B500 GIFT VOUCHER FROM PHOTO HUT: www.photohutgroup.com
photohutgroup.com
Congratulations go to Bart Smetsers, Mogan, psang518, Sineenart ‘Apple’ Srisutam, and Jureerut Brett, who all correctly guessed that last week’s photo was of the Phra Pitak Chinpracha Mansion, now home to the Blue Elephant Restaurant.
Master of puppets
thephuketnews.com
Designed by Woulfe Studio
Baan Wana Park, 177/22 Moo.4, Srisoonthorn Road, Thalang, 076 620 071, designedbywoulfe.com.
Dream Gallery
Norachai Thavisin editor3@thephuketnews.com
Artist Apinan Sarochwong sits in his studio in the front of his small suburban house located off busy Chao Fa East Road, just south of Phuket Town. He is framed by a large golden artpiece that he painted from a photo of himself located behind a screen, dancing leather shadow puppets in a theatre show. He gets up and begins to carefully unpack, from a big woven rattan folder, a stack of his friends, the precious shadow-puppet figures, each standing about a metre tall. Each one comes alive in his hands, as he speaks in three or four different voices to the convincing mouth movement of each puppet. Intricate in their details, the figures are beautifully-made by cutting cured skin of water buffalo and cattle by craftspeople in the southern provinces. The puppets are coloured by food dyes that allow light projected from behind to show through the thin leather membrane. So the village puppet shows are in fact in colour. This ancient art form is based in Phattalung province.
PHUKET GALLERIES
Boat Lagoon, 23/122 Thepkasattri Rd, Koh Kaew, 076 273 487, gallery@asiansourcingallery.com, thedreamgallery.asia.
I Mon Art Gallery
29/2 Phang Nga Rd, Phuket Town, 086 961 8968, montian_29@live.com. Open daily 8am-7.30pm.
Nakonnai Art Museum
84/34 Moo7, Soi Saiyuan 2, Rawai. 085 974 7218, nakonnaiartmuseum@yahoo.com.
P. Fire Studio
Phuket Art Village, Soi Naya 2, Rawai, 085 591 1587, virat-uttakut@hotmail.co.th. Open daily.
Red Gallery
Phuket Art Village, Soi Naya 2, Rawai, 087 323 321, redgallerythai@yahoo.com; phuketredgallery.com. Open daily.
Sarasil Art Galllery
121 Phang Nga Rd, Phuket Town, 076 224 532, somkiatkaewnok@yahoo.com; oilpaintingsphuket.com. Open daily 8pm-9pm.
Tawan Ook Art Gallery
Phuket Art Village, Soi Naya 2, Rawai, 081 956 5872. Open daily.
Puppeteer and painter Apinan Sarochwong speaks in many different voices for his puppet friends. The artist’s live-in studio at the Phuket Art Village in Rawai shows his paintings also. But puppeteer Apinan puts on his shows, lasting some five hours, mostly in Surat Thani at temple fairs or for merit-making in private houses, with him as sole puppeteer, and backed by a small ensemble playing traditional instruments.
He writes all the traditional poetry and words of his plays himself, speaking and singing the show only in the Southern dialect, as required by tradition. He can perform a shorter version of the puppet show, on a smaller screen to record-
ed traditional music, at your event or school. Apinan’s new self-built, at the Phuket Art Village in Rawai, is just about ready for him and his family to move into. One side of the house is a fact a big custom-made screen, ready to be strung with white cloth for an inaugrual shadow puppet show. For a taste of a truly special talent, don’t miss his opening show later in the year. To book him for a special performance, see the contact details for Tawan Ook Art Gallery in the listings.
The Love Art Studio
Phuket Art Village, Soi Naya 2, Rawai, 089 471 5653, pui.t.l.a.s.@hotmail.com; theloveartstudio.com. Open daily.
Veerachan Usahanun
110/34 Cherng Talay, Bang Tao Beach Rd, 081 490 4359, usahanun@live.com; veerachanusahanun.com.Open daily.
Vichen Gallery Bzenter
Behind Da Vinci Restaurant, Saiyuan Rd, Rawai, 087 890 3722. Open daily 3-9 pm. (Telephone to view before 3pm.)
VR Gallery & Coffee Shop
Next to Mom Tri’s Villa Royale, 12 Kata Noi Rd, Kata Noi, 076 333 568; art@momtriphuket.com, momtriphuket.com.
Watcharin Art Studio
27 Yaowaraj Rd, Phuket Town, 088 386 1449, watcharintinorodnit@hotmail.com, rindamagicalart.com.
Wua Gallery and Studio
1 Phang Nga Rd, Phuket Town, 076 258 208, wua.artgallery@gmail.com; wua-artgallery.blogspot.com.
COME JOIN EVERYONE AT THE SOI DOG SOIREE
2500 BAHT INCLUDING DINNER , FREE FLOW BEVERAGES AND ENTERTAINMENT DRESS CODE: BLACK N WHITE CONTACT CRISTY FOR TICKETS AT 084 054 4367 OR For reservations at angsana Phone 076 324 101 or email reservations-lagunaphuket@angsana.com
18 PEOPLE
THE PHUKET NEWS
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
YOU LOOKING AT ME?
From taxi driver to media celeb What started as an innocent photo to keep the people of Bangkok informed about an explosion in February resulted in a Bangkok motorbike taxi driver becoming an overnight celebrity. Dejchat Puangket was the first to post photos and news of February’s bomb blast in eastern Bangkok, where a suspected Iranian bomber had his legs blown off as he hurled a grenade at police. Bomb squad experts were called out to the Sukhumvit Rd area after a blast at a house, following which three men were seen fleeing. One of the men hurled an explosive device at a taxi, which refused to stop, and then tried to throw another at police, triggering a blast at the side of a busy road which tore off his legs. Dejchat was one of the first on the scene, and the first to post news of the blast via his Twitter account @ motorcyrubjang. He tweeted information and posted photos online immediately. “The bombing happened on my beat, as I usually work about five or 10 minutes away
Dejchat has become an overnight national celebrity. from the scene,” he told The Phuket News. “So I went there and took photos as a community service, more than for anything else. I usually take pictures with my phone anyway, of anything of interest, while I am riding around.” Journalists soon got in touch with the likeable taxi driver, asking for more information and wanting to reuse his photos. For the last two years, Dejchat has tweeted and blogged about his life, and directly after the bombings followers on his Twitter account quadrupled. His followers are now numbered
at more than 5,000, and his bomb blast updates even attracted the attention of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the BBC reported. The Bangkok resident, – who said he learned how to use the internet from a book and taught himself the rest – became an overnight celebrity, and has been the subject of many media interviews since. He is now using his increased Twitter profile to advertise his own delivery services, along with of course a steady stream of local news. “After all the hype about my becoming famous from the attention that the press gave me, life goes on as usual. I still work around that area.” Despite his new-found fame Dejchat says he has no intention of giving up his job as a taxi driver. “Riding a motorcycle is what I’m good at and I know a lot of routes. And it’s easy and free, I have no boss and I enjoy that freedom,” he told the BBC. Follow Dejchat on Twitter at @motorcyrubjang or read his blog at oknation. net/blog/motorcyrubjang.
Dejchat Puangket, above, was one of the first to post photos and news of February’s dramatic bomb blast in eastern Bangkok, informing photographers from agencies such as AFP who raced to the scene, below, to get their snaps of the explosion’s aftermath.
ENVIRONMENT
All hail the king MEET
the natives When you are lucky or unlucky enough to see a King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), you can immediately identify it as being different from other cobras from its length. The longest venomous snake in the world can grow up to 5.6 metres in length, though it averages three to four metres long. Found in the forests of India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, this king of cobras feeds mostly on other snakes, hence its Greek scientific name.
Perhaps it’s just as well that this native does not often startle Phuket residents. The snake makes news now and then when king cobra’s eggs, white, large and oblong, are dug up in a backyard. One is more likely to meet it in a local snake show for
tourists, being kissed by its human controllers who are proud of their apparent ability to control this fearsome reptile. These snake showmen may not realise that, when threatened, a king cobra can launch a strike from up to two metres away. Then its deadly venom can be injected through its 1.5-centimetre fangs into the victim, that attacks the central nervous system, causing severe pain, blurred vision, paralysis, cardiovascular collapse, renal failure, and in most cases, death. It’s lucky perhaps that king cobras rarely attacks humans.
THE IMPERIAL ADAMAS SERVES THE EARTH: The
team at the Imperial Adamas Beach Resort, Phuket organised a beach clean-up day on April 22. At the fun event, the team and hotel guests happily joined together to help serve the earth. The Imperial Adamas Beach Resort, Phuket, is located on one of the most secluded beaches on the island, Nai Yang. Their luxury accommodation features stylish contemporary Thai décor set in lush tropical gardens and coconut palm tree groves.
thephuketnews.com
THE PHUKET NEWS
EDUCATION 19
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
A student from South Island School, part of the English Schools Foundation, looks at her computer screen while working on a marketing project. Foreign businesspeople moving to Hong Kong are being forced to leave their children behind because of a shortage of primary school places, business leaders and relocation companies say. Photo: AFP
SCHOOL’S OUT
HONG KONG’S SHORTAGE OF ENGLISHLANGUAGE SCHOOLS DETERS EXPATS Agence France-Presse
A shortage of English-language school places in Hong Kong is hurting expatriate families and damaging the city’s reputation as a regional business hub, parents and lobby groups say. The situation is drivi ng some compa n ies to look at alternatives such as Singapore, Bangkok and Shanghai, they say. International chambers of commerce have united to pressure the semi-autonomous Chinese’s territory to wake up to the problem, but say their pleas for action have fallen on deaf ears. “There is no space and no flexibility for families like ours. It’s a big sacrifice on my family’s part ... to come to Hong Kong,” said a recently arrived American businessman and father-of-two, requesting anonymity. “All we as parents are concerned with coming to Hong Kong is will any school accept our children? A lot of firms have decided to go to other cities in Asia where school accessibility is easier. Hong
Kong is losing out.” Hong Kong had the dubious distinction of making assignment services firm Brookfield Global Relocation’s Top 20 list of most challenging destinations for the first time last year, with schooling cited as the major problem. “This continues to be the number one burning issue that (foreign companies) are facing in growing their businesses out here,” in Hong Kong, said Janet de Silva, the American Chamber of Commerce’s (AmCham) education affairs group chairwoman.
HK SCHOOLS FAIL TO KEEP THE PACE
Immigration department figures show the number of US and UK passport holders issued with Hong Kong employment visas increased 42.48 per cent from 2009 to 2011, as more people are drawn to the city as a gateway to the Chinese market. But the former British colony’s English-language schools have struggled to keep up with the demand due to land shortages, red tape and
funding problems. School waiting lists typically contain up to 100 names, and only two state-funded English-language schools had any spare spaces at the start of this year, according to school data and relocation specialists. The government cut its annual subsidy for the Englishlanguage school system (ESF) after Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule in 1997. It has been frozen at HK$284 million (B1.1 billion) for 11 years. ESF figures show applications for Year One places at the foundation’s schools across the territory have leapt 76 per cent since 200607 to more than double the 1,020 available places – an amount that has remained flat over that period. Horror stories abound of distraught parents fighting to get their little ones into appropriate schools. Home schooling is a growth industry, while relocation companies are branching out into school placement. Shaila Gidwani of moving firm Crown Relocations says one of her British cli-
ents was “totally panicking” because his twins could not get into British international schools in Hong Kong. Crown regional account manager Bushra Siddiqui tells of a partner in an international law firm who, unable to find the schooling he wants for his three children, will now leave his family in Singapore and commute on weekends. “We are seeing an increasing trend of families choosing to stay behind, so that only the employee moves, and that puts a lot of strain on the relationship and on the assignment,” she told AFP. It’s also putting strain on companies that want their best people in Hong Kong. “In the last year or so we’ve seen a slightly increasing trend of families just refusing to come, purely because they can’t get schooling,” Siddiqui said, adding that schooling was a greater concern than sky-high rents or pollution. “That obviously means that companies go from their first pick for a position to their second or third, so they’re not getting the talent they want.”
Parents are forced to split their children between schools, move to undesirable catchments where waiting lists are shorter, or send their children to Cantonese-language schools where English is taught as a subject.
BUYING IN Companies with enough spare cash pay up to HK$3 million (B12 million) for debentures for senior executives’ children, the price of a ticket to the top of a waiting list at one of the city’s elite international schools. “They’re very expensive and they’re not available even in the secondary market... We’ve seen a trend of companies being less willing to buy these simply because it’s a huge financial commitment,” Siddiqui said. AmCham wrote to the gover nment last year to call for immediate action to address the crisis. Almost 70 per cent of AmCham’s members say the problem is affecting their business, a survey found last year. Another poll by the Australian Chamber of Commerce pro-
duced a similar result. “Increasing numbers (of companies) are relocating senior positions and their teams to markets like Singapore, Shanghai and Bangkok,” AmCham’s de Silva told Hong Kong lawmakers in a speech last month. “Put simply, there is a critical shortage of English language primary school places on Hong Kong island. This is a serious challenge to Hong Kong’s competitiveness.” T he gove r n me nt r e sponded with a review of the situation that concluded there was enough room. It says 5,000 more places will be available by 2013. But de Silva and other spokespeople for the foreign business community say the government’s position does not account for the acute shortage of primary school places on Hong Kong island, where most expatriates live and work. “Our biggest concern is that this continued denial and inaction is harmful for children, it's harmful for families and it’s really harmful for the future of Hong Kong,” she told AFP.
thephuketnews.com
DANE'S WORLD
20 WEIRD NEWS
THE PHUKET NEWS
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
with Dane Halpin editor2@thephuketnews.com
THE BIG LIST
Box of idiots
So television may have quite literally gone to the dogs. But as these following examples show, the idiot box had lived up to its name long ago.
TV GOES TO THE DOGS
A new breed of television is set to take the US by storm following the launch of DogTV, the very first TV channel for bored canines. After successfully launching the on-demand cable television channel across San Diego, parent company PTV Media is now set to launch DogTV nationwide. The on-demand eight-hour
slot of programmes have been scientifically designed to keep pet owners’ dogs relaxed, stimulated and entertained while they’re at work. Over one million subscribers currently have access to the bespoke channel, but the company is confident of concluding a deal to roll out the US$4.99 a month (B150) service across America over
the next few months. San Diego pet owner Mary Catania is a fan of DogTV, claiming her French bulldog Bleu was really entertained. “I always feel guilty leaving him alone all day when I’m at work,” Catania said. “Anything that makes him happy makes me happy. “He will, you know, jump up on the TV console and try
and get into the television. “He just gets really excited to watch it and it’s a great occupier for him because he’s always looking to get into trouble.” The channels’ TV shows are filmed from a dog’s point of view and feature specifically designed canine images, sounds and music specifically written for dogs.
Portman signs ‘tampon’ in music video Ever wanted to see actress Natalie Portman sign the word for tampon? Okay, you probably didn’t, but now you can anyway, and it’s all thanks to Paul McCartney and that woefully named new album of his, Kisses on the Bottom. The Beatles legend recruited Portman and fellow Hollywood star Johnnie Depp to sign the lyrics to his track My Valentine in a black-andwhite promo directed by McCartney himself. However, deaf devotees have now pointed out errors
made by the actors – Portman signs the word ‘tampon’ instead of ‘appear’, while Depp makes the motion for ‘enemy’ while attempting ‘valentine’. However, a representative for The British Deaf Association has heaped praise on the duo for their efforts. “It’s great that famous people such as Johnny Depp and Natalie Portman are highlighting the use of sign language. Their use of it is more a poetic expression,” a spokesperson said. “The sign for tampon does seem to come up from both Johnny and Natalie, which
Natalie Portman leaving little to the imagination. causes some confusion, especially as American and British sign languages are different. “It would have been nice if genuine deaf people had been used. But it’s still great.”
Thai parliament gets provocative Irish Pubs • Restaurant • Guest Houses
KARON BEACH
PHUKET
If there are subtle ways of curing the monotony of stifled political debate, watching porn is definitely not one of them. It’s therefore been a bad week for Thai politics. First, a flash. Monitors that had been showing the debate suddenly flashed a picture of a
woman in a ‘provocative’ pose. Then, a more personal embarrassment. On Friday (April 20), Democrat MP Nat Bantadtan was forced to admit he had used his mobile phone to look at a porn image – during the same meeting that the TV incident occurred.
F**KING HAD ENOUGH! Draft Beer Great Food Cool Rooms Good Music Live Sport
thephuketnews.com
The prank calls were the last straw. The residents of F--king, Austria, are set to vote on whether to change their town’s name. And just to be clear, we are dashing out the ‘u’ and ‘c’ for the sake of common decency – this town really does bear the same name as that naughty word. “The only problem is that we need all of the F--king
residents to agree to the name change,” Mayor Franz Meindl told The Sun. “Everyone needs to agree for it to happen.” It’s pretty safe to say that shouldn’t be too difficult.
Boobless bay: Baywatch Nights took a revolutionary leap in television drama by taking Baywatch, and adding a detective agency. Of course, we’ve heard worse ideas for shows, and it naturally featured gripping performances from nuanced character actor David Hasselhoff (pictured). So, what went wrong? The answer: everything. Namely, following the success of Mulder and Scully’s early-90s sci-fi shenanigans, Baywatch got inexplicably X-Filed, forcing a science-fiction plot into every single episode. And if you think they would run out of sci-fi beach crime plots quickly, you’d be correct. Thus some of the most ridiculous plots ever aired on TV were born, including: Sea monsters; unfrozen Norse gods; surfing aliens; a mutant mermaid serial killer; mutated Brazillian-body-snatching snails; and David Hasselhoff. Perhaps more crucially, the episodes did not feature Pamela Anderson’s breasts. Hanky panky: We like to think Bosom Buddies was originally going to be an ordinary comedy about two single guys, until someone went and said something very, very wrong when pitching it to those suit-clad, pipe-smoking TV executives. Instead of laughing at the ridiculous premise of a cross dressing Tom Hanks, the TV executives laughed with it, (probably) saying “Dresses!? And men!? Sold!” while throwing handfuls of cash into the air. The result would forever be known by its more common title: ‘That show where Tom Hanks dresses up as a woman so he could stay in a ladies-only apartment building’. Thankfully, it was cancelled after two seasons, because the only thing more ridiculous than wearing a dress to trick your landlord is doing it for a third year. Cox-block: Crime-fighting is the source of many-a-terrible television show. But what makes crime fighting cooler? Wacky mutants with powerfully stupid abilities, naturally. The stars of The Misfits of Science for example: One guy is seven feet tall. That isn’t his power, but it is cooler than his actual power, which is the ability to become seven inches tall. One guy’s power was being very cold, which sounds even more stupid considering he would melt and die if it got too warm out. He literally spent most of his time in an ice cream truck. One girl’s power was being a young Courteney Cox, which wasn’t terribly useful at the time, but proved to be very powerful at becoming a bane on humanity later in life. Does not compute: Automan was a show about a programmer who made a computer programme to help him solve crime. But this was no ordinary computer – this programme had skillz. Namely, when fed enough power, it would manifest itself as a charming crimefighting gentleman with immaculate blow-dried hair and pearly white teeth. It was also probably the first ever computer program to wear a seatbelt. Thankfully, Automan was so terrible it was axed after only 12 episodes. Gaydar imaging: Boy Meets Boy was a reality dating show for gay people where half the contestants were only pretending to be gay, apparently some sort of devious experiment to uncover the secrets of gaydar (otherwise interpreted as a morbid scheme to encourage sexual insecurity among unsuspecting men for pure entertainment value). Episode titles included ‘It’s Raining Gay and Secretly Straight Men’ and ‘Where Have All The Possibly Straight Cowboys Gone?’. The fact that the show’s producers set heterosexual traps for the clueless gay man was controversial, but frankly, if a man is willing to pretend to be gay in front of millions of people for a fairly average day rate, he’s not that straight.
THE PHUKET NEWS
TIME OUT 21
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
BOOK
MUSIC
FILM The Raven 111 minutes Rating: 18+
Director: James McTeigue Starring: John Cusack, Alice Eve, Luke Evans, Brendan Gleeson
Drift: Unmooring of American Military Power Rachel Maddow “One of my favorite ideas is, never to keep an unnecessary soldier,” Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1792. Neither Jefferson nor the other American founders could ever have envisioned the modern national security state, with its tens of thousands of “privateers”, its bloated Department of Homeland Security, and its rusting nuclear weapons. Written with bracing wit and intelligence, Rachel Maddow’s Drift argues that the US has drifted away from its original ideals and become a nation weirdly at peace with perpetual war, with all the financial and human costs that entails.
Out of the Game
Rufus Wainwright Out of the Game represents a fairly major shift in Rufus’ sound as he continues to search for that elusive pop success. Created with go-to producer Mark Ronson, the album largely dispenses with the lush orchestral backings of much of his previous work, instead being driven by soul grooves, classic American R&B and, more overtly, 1970s pop. Respectable Dive, for instance, finds him settling into a slow country shuffle, complete with twangy guitar, while Bitter Tears somehow manages to transpose classical chamber music onto ‘70s disco. Will it be popular in mainstream pop circles? Probably not, but then maybe Rufus is a level above that anyway.
Dane Halpin editor2@thephuketnews.com
“Are you surprised?” The Raven’s killer asks as he reveals himself for the film’s denouement, to which we can only respond: “No, not really.” And so it is that a film which fancies itself as an antidote to the exuberance of Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes, yet borrows heavily from the plot structure of The Bone Collector, lacks the sense of intrigue necessary to make it the workable and
intelligent piece of crime fiction it longs to be. The film centres on a series of grizzly murders which appear to be based on the macabre works of Edgar Allen Poe. Detective Emmett Fields (Luke Evans) then enlists Poe (John Cusack) to help catch the killer. Part of the problem with the film though is Poe, and specifically John Cusack. While he certainly looks the part, he is simply never convincing as anything more than an incompetent sidekick to a marginally
more competent detective. As a literary genius, despondent in the grips of alcoholism and ego, he fails dismally, lacking the brooding introspection and melancholy the character surely needs. In terms of the film’s portrayal of Poe, for a writer who single-handedly invented detective fiction with his Monsieur Dupin stories, his on-screen lack of deductive skills is also disappointing. The dialogue though is colourful enough, and writers Ben Livingston and Hannah Shakespeare deserve praise for the script’s glimmers of dry wit, even if not all of it is delivered with the necessary energy from the cast (Brendan Gleeson is the exception – it is impossible not to have on-screen energy when you’re sporting such luxurious mutton-chops). Director James McTeigue
(V For Vendetta) opts for a camp horror tone vaguely reminiscent of Tim Burton’s Sweeny Todd, which is a good thing – the scenes of fatal injury and dismemberment are lavish in their use of gore. For avid readers of Poe’s work, there are constant allusions to spot, some subtle, some less so – his poems are read aloud, everything the killer does is borrowed in some shape or form from Poe’s tales of mystery and imagination, while Poe himself rants in the same elaborate prose he uses in his stories. All these things are fun to discover, but sadly, the film itself is rather less inventive than the yarns from which it draws. But this is it, and hopefully, nevermore.
As some movies and movie times change every Thursday morning, after The Phuket News has gone to press, the accuracy of the following information cannot be guaranteed. For up-to-date information, visit sfcinemacity.com, or phone the cinemas directly: SFX Coliseum Phuket 076-209-000 and SFC Jungceylon Phuket 076-600-555.
SFX COLISEUM PHUKET (CENTRAL FESTIVAL) Battleship (E) [13+]: 11:50, 14:30, 17:10, 19:50, 22:30 Battleship (E/F) [13+]: 13:30, 18:30 Battleship (T) [13+]: 11:15, 12:40, 13:45, 15:20, 16:25, 18:00, 19:05, 20:40, 21:50 Home (T) [18+]: 14:00, 16:50, 19:40, 22:25 The Raven (E) [18+]: 14:55, 17:20, 19:45, 22:10 The Raven (E/F) [18+]: 16:10, 21:15 Titanic (E/3D) [13+]: 14:30, 20:30
SFC JUNGCEYLON PHUKET (PATONG) Battleship (E) [13+]:
11:30, 14:10, 15:15, 16:50, 19:40, 21:40
The Cold Light of Day (E) [13+]:
11:40, 13:45, 15:50, 17:55, 20:00, 22:00
Home (T) [18+]: The Hunger Games (E) [15+]: The Raven (E) [18+]: Wrath of the Titans (E) [G]:
11:15, 13:50, 16:40, 19:30, 22:35 12:00, 20:10 12:00, 14:25, 16:50, 19:15, 22:20 18:00
BRAIN TEASERS Across
Down
1. Claimant to the throne, before proposal. (9)
1. Who composed the Liverpool FC anthem You’ll never walk alone? 2. What does the B stand for in movie director Cecil B de Mille’s name? 3. Who invented the hovercraft? 4. What is the correct name for the S-shaped sound holes in the face of a violin? 5. What does latte macchiato mean in English?
Solutions to last week’s puzzles:
Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1. Rogers & Hammerstein; 2. Blount; 3. Sir Christopher Cockerell; 4. f-holes; 5. Stained milk.
SUDOKU
1. Raincoat strip? No substitute for putting things off. (15) 9. Tuck in cape tail with a couple of prepositions. (3,2) 10. World body discovered Edward? A kind of rumor. (9) 11. Almost get into train to have a party. (9) 12. Snigger! Teetotaler in rank. (6) 14. What the…? Little Richard has three points. (7) 18. In an atelier, a kind of number. (3) 20. Dodging revolution in Seoul. (7) 21. Sprinted on gravity to province. (6) 24. Confused mum, saying “Exercise hall”. (9) 28. Backed Cardinal Pon. So red! (9) 29. Take Dan to court, we hear, in African country. (5) 30. Costa Rica models turned around German party. (6,9)
2. Month and French musical ensemble. (5) 3. Regarding luggage carrier and news hound. (8) 4. Underwater gear for southern Caribbean island. (5) 5. In admirer, floor piece is childish. (9) 6. Beast of burden outside, at talisman. (6) 7. Race in note? Yes. (4) 8. Jog, unclothed, holding key. (5) 13. Small bag for the French and you and I. (4) 15. Pass a drink. (4) 16. Astounded, put on an act in little Germany. (9) 17. 1,000 units hold men to titles. (9) 19. Movie park in mountains, thus. (8) 22. Nothing of the French ship a Ukrainian city. (6) 23. Whities stinging insects? (5) 25. Two mothers make a lady. (5) 26. In Latin, diamond country. (5) 27. Rubbish! A hundred in army training corps. (1,1,1,1)
thephuketnews.com
22 KIDS PAGE
THE PHUKET NEWS
COLOURING CONTEST
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
E
very week, colour in Sophie's drawing, have a photo taken with your work, and email it to editor@thephuketnews.com The winner will be announced on this page next week. As there were school holidays last week, and most kids were outside enjoying their freedom, we unfortunately don't have a winner. However, in case you wondered what she looked like, here is a photo of Sophie!
mail@ sophieillustration.co.uk
Thanks to all the children at Da r a s a m u t h Ph u k e t S c h o o l, Kajonkietsuksa School, HeadStart, British International School Phuket, Phuket International Academy, and Coconut Club for their entries. Please keep them coming in, remembering to write your name, age and school on your work.
thephuketnews.com
THE PHUKET NEWS
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
LIFE&STYLE lifestyle@thephuketnews.com
SHOPPING 23 Scent of success
A visit to herb shop Nguan Choon Tong > 26
fashion file Have an outfit to show off? Send a photo to:
editor@thephuketnews.com
All dressed up Lucy Hernandez
Marketing executive White seashell earrings (B300) bought while in Venezuela. Colorfully patterned dress (B2,000) also found in Venezuela. White high-heel shoes (B1,500) found on a trip to the United States.
Street smarts Baramee Wongsesiri Fashion shop owner
Cap (B800) bought at Platinum Mall in Bangkok. Black top (B290) also purchased at Platinum Mall. Bright yellow shorts and belt (B390) from Platinum. Animal print handbag (B390) picked up at Platinum Mall. Red, strappy shoes (B500) f rom Seacon Square in Bangkok.
ACCESSORIES
SINCE 1892
1
2
3
4
1. Painted wood necklace 2. Painted wood necklace 3. Leather bags 4. Fashion belts
B490 B590 B890 each B320 each
Accessories from Since 1892, 136 Thalang Rd, Old Town, 076-218-400. Open daily 8.30am-8.30pm.
thephuketnews.com
24 DINING
THE PHUKET NEWS
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
A bubbly treat for diners
Norachai Thavisin editor3@thephuketnews.com
The piping hot fried beignet of blue crab, wild sea bass and mango, served on a big white plate, is a real delicacy, tasting very much of the sea that is not all that far away from Mom Tri’s Kitchen in Kata Noi. It is served with chilled, honey-tasting golden champagne, the Cuvée Grand Siècle of the French Laurent-Perrier champagne house, whose wines some 30 diners are lucky to be savouring this Wednesday evening (April 18). Ludovic De Lageard, Regional Director of Export for Laurent-Perrier, introduces the wine to diners now as the best champagne of the house. No one seems to dispute that opinion. From a stately vineyard in the town of Tours sur Marne in the champagne region in the northeast of France, near Reims, Laurent-Perrier is famous the world over for its fine champagnes that the house started to make in 1812. One reads with interest though that when MarieLouise Lanson de Nonan-
court rescued the house from bankruptcy during the bleak war year of 1939, she only had 1,000 mortgaged cases of champagne. She also hid 100,000 bottles safely behind a wall, while her two sons went to fight. Executive Chef Darren Wiper from England seems to relish cooking dishes to match four different champ a g n e s a c c o m p a ny i n g each of his dishes. Pressed Phuket lobster, scallop and leek offers a rare and welcome taste of fresh leek as well as that of the delicate seafood. Wagyu veal cheek, braised slowly until tender, is accompanied by a slice of rich foie gras that brings another taste of the French countryside. A phenomenal red wine is served with this – Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2005. Deep burgundy in colour, and subtly fruity, it has a taste one savours now and then try later to unravel, still unsuccessfully. The pale pink pinot noir Cuvée Rosé finishes this rare local treat of food and champagne with a gentle flourish.
From left: Mom Tri’s FB Manager Mongkol Suwannahong, Executive Chef Darren Wiper, PR Manager Sylvie Yaffe, Regional Director of Export for Laurent-Perrier, Ludovic De Lageard, Mom Tri’s Wine Director George Ciret, and Managing Director of Canpac Beverages, Ekachai Mahaguna. Photo: Dan Miles
Wagyu veal cheek, foie gras and wild mushrooms.
Pressed Phuket lobster, scallop and leek.
A different kind of joke STREET EATS
A cook at the Nurisa Joke stand serves up a hot bowl of goodness to take home.
It’s a quiet Sunday night in the middle of the Songkran festival. Cook Nai of the Nurisa Joke stand, is serving just one customer. His stall is located next to a big 7-Eleven on the right hand side of Viset Rd, as you head south to the pier at Rawai Beach. The usually busy nearby Rawai market is packing up as well. There are not many people around, with many residents travelling home to other provinces to visit families and relatives. For Thai diners, the joke rice porridge is a wonderful
and popular supper, eaten piping hot late at night, in the cool of the evening. Joke is a different kind of porridge than khao tom (boiled rice), which is also eaten late as a supper. Instead of whole rice being boiled, like with khao tom, joke is made from broken tips of rice that in the cooking dissolve almost completely into a glutinous paste. The ingredients of this nutritious hot thick soup include pork or chicken stock, plus a flavoured paste made from fried garlic, fish sauce, pickled vegetables, finelydiced fresh ginger and fresh coriander leaves. Some shops also add a dash of aromatic sesame seed oil and pepper. Known as congee in Chi-
natowns worldwide, Chinese diners like to add cooked pieces of pork meat and intestine into the boiling soup, and some also stir in a raw egg just before serving. But the Nurisa Joke stand is Muslim. So instead of pork, you can choose to add chicken, boiled quail eggs and a salted egg cut in half, at B25 for a big bowl. The more adventurous can try adding a halved 100-yearold egg, dark and jelly-like, matured for a time like European cheese, but in a mixture of rice husk, salt, lime and clay, albeit not for quite as long as 100 years. Disturbingly though, the Thai name for the egg is kai yeo mah (horse-pee egg).
Raw food cafe opens in Thalang The Living Food Cafe and Health Food Store in Naih a r n o p e n s it s s e c o n d branch in Bang Tao on May 1. The cafe specialises in raw vegan cuisine. The shop and cafe, run by Dr Richard Cracknell, is located down the soi opposite the Tesco Lotus, next to the Or Bor Tor office. livingfoodcafe.com
thephuketnews.com
THE PHUKET NEWS
DINING 25
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
Penang’s famed food hawkers see tradition lose momentum Agence France-Presse
Soon Chuan Choo has spent 45 years sweating next to a sizzling curbside wok in Malaysia’s heat, frying up flat noodles mixed with chilli sauce, prawns, tofu, cockles, egg and sprouts. It may not sound like much of a life unless you grasp the priorities of her home state Penang, where cheap, spicy street food and the hawkers who provide it are venerated as local treasures. “I grew up eating her char kway teow and still it’s so perfect and she is such a character,” said office worker Janthi Victor, referring to Soon’s trademark protective goggles, floppy red chef’s hat and sour demeanour. For well over a century, Penang’s food hawkers have been conspicuous by the clouds of steam, pungent aromas and devoted crowds surrounding them. But some fear it is a dying art as a new generation shuns taking over their parent’s modest curbside stands, threatening beloved recipes and a slice of the island’s multicultural character. “My daughter won’t do it so I don’t know what will happen,” Soon said in the Hokkien dialect spoken by many Malaysian Chinese as she brusquely plunked a steaming plate onto a wobbly plastic table of tourists from Indonesia. Penang food blogger C.K.
Lam says many young people today are not keen on a life of “sweating under the hot sun”. “Some lucky hawkers are able to pass it on but many just hope to earn enough to retire and there is nobody to follow up,” she said. Once one of Britain’s oldest Asian settlements, Penang is widely recognised as Asia’s street food capital, its mix of immigrant Chinese, Indian, and local Malay flavours creating a unique culinary heritage. Street hawkers first sprang up to meet the needs of the immigrant underclass and today operate from portable metallic stands on lanes in and around Georgetown, Penang’s capital. Street food is prevalent across Malaysia but most dominant in Penang, whose name is evoked by hawker stalls across the country as a mark of tastiness. Penang’s hawkers serve up a diverse array of dishes unique to Malaysia, typically based on noodles and packing a spicy punch. Char kway teow is considered a signature dish, typically kept moist, but not oily, by discreetly-added lard. The rice noodles of curry mee swim in a broth of curry, coconut milk and pig’s blood, while various other rice and noodle dishes are packed with intestines and other organs proudly advertised on hawker signs as “offal”.
Street stalls such as these are found all over Penang.
Penang’s prized char kway teow, similar to Pad Thai. Locals develop strong allegiances to certain hawkers – an iPhone app helps them keep track of who is cooking what and where – and often closely watch cooks in hopes of divining their fiercely guarded secrets. “We all get along well except when it comes to (Penang hawker) food,” said Chua See Poh, a government worker from the nearby city of Ipoh, while slurping down curry mee with friends. “It’s the only thing we might argue about.” Soon became a target of such passions in 2010 when a Facebook boycott was launched after a customer reported being verbally abused by her while waiting for a 7 ringgit (B70) plate of her char kway teow. The boycott campaign fizzled, however, and the demanding crowds keep her as grumpy as ever. When celebrity TV chef Anthony Bourdain visited recently for a piece on Penang, he asked Soon if she spoke English, said Penang Global Tourism Director Ooi Geok Ling. Soon snapped in Hokkien, “If I could speak English, I wouldn’t be doing this, would I?” Her polar opposite is Mahboob Zakaria, a garrulous ethnic Indian Muslim whose family has for more than 80 years sold its delicious mee goreng – thin noodles fried with a smoky tomatochilli sauce, squid, potato, and other ingredients. A showman, the 57-year-
old Mahboob spins his sizzling wok with a flourish while tossing in the ingredients as he banters happily with customers in English, Tamil, Malay and Hokkien.
His son Sabik Ahamed will take over the operation someday, calling it predestined. “This came from God,” he said. But increasingly, sons and daughters demur, and the food suffers as secret homemade recipes are replaced by storebought ingredients used by new hawkers, said Lam. Hope for keeping traditions alive may lie in people like John Martin, who bought the hawker set-up and secret recipe of Ewe Chooi Guan in 2005. For decades, Ewe’s family had served Penang laksa -–a spicy-sour noodle soup unique to Penang and made from
homemade fish stock, prawn paste, and pineapple – but had no willing heirs. “We wanted to keep up the tradition. It is such good food, it would have been a waste to just start from scratch,” said Martin, who is of PortugueseChinese descent. Ma r t i n ma de pla st ic moulds in a previous job that earned about 3,000 ringgit (B30,000) per month. He makes more now, he says, while declining to say how much. “There is a risk of losing these great foods. A lot of work goes into preparing them, you work from 7 am to 9 pm. Most people wouldn’t do that.”
thephuketnews.com
26 EXPLORE
THE PHUKET NEWS
NGUAN CHOON TONG
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
Mixing herbs the old way JAMIE’S PHUKET Jamie Monk lifestyle@thephuketnews.com
T
here's a place on Thalang Road in the heart of Old Phuket Town that always turns heads. If you walk past this place, you are bound to notice the smell – an ancient and magical scent. Outside is a sign that says ‘Oldest Herbs Shop’, though its actual name is Nguan Choon Tong. Inhale deeply. Thalang Road is my favourite street in Phuket. There's history here, and a very different kind of Phuket compared to the beaches. Tourism does have some influence, there are more little cafes and guesthouses here than there were 10 years ago, but a lot of the tourists that come are Thai. Thalang Road has also been spruced up, with the most noticeable thing being the lack of overhead cables. I love the old shophouses, the wooden shutters, the
mix of Muslim and Chinese businesses, some of which have been on the street since the early 20th century when this area was built. The herb shop opened in 1917, opened by the grandfather of the current proprietor. It's a family business run by the Bumrungwong family who also own the buildings either side of the herb shop, both of which are restaurants. On one side is Wilai, the other side is Kopitiam. I was in Kopitiam a couple of weeks ago. One of the family running Kopitiam is Wiwan, great granddaughter of the man who opened the herb shop. Her uncle, Wisit Bumrungwong, runs Nguan Choon Tong now. I asked Wiwan to ask her uncle for permission to take some photos, as he’s not overly keen on tourists snapping away in his face. It was a good time to take photos, as Khun Wisit, assisted by his wife and son, was preparing medicines. Portions of herbs were being weighed on the old scales and added to piles, ready
Run by the Bumrungwong family, the shop opened in 1917.
for sale. I am quite amazed that business is still strong. Doesn’t everyone use modern pharmacies now? At least in the Old Town, Chinese herbal medicine is still popular. The knowledge of Chinese herbal medicine has to be handed down to the next generation. Khun Wisit sometimes still asks his father, Khun Narong Bumrungwong, for advice. Khun Narong lives next door, at Kopitiam. Only a few of the family live here now, but until 30 years ago, the herb shop was a home and business. It was a typical shophouse. No commuting to work necessary. Old Phuket Town is actually not so old. Most of the buildings were constructed in the early 20th century as Phuket Town became the new centre of commerce for the island, with business driven by the tin mining and the rubber industries. That’s when Phuket became important. And Nguan Choon Tong herb shop was right there to catch the wave. The old Chinese traditions are very evident today. There are Chinese shrines all over town, and festivals like the Phuket Vegetarian and Hungry Ghost Festivals show that the traditions are not lost. And the herbs live on too. Read the full version at jamiemonk.blogspot.com. Jamie works at liveaboard dive specialists Sunrise Divers in Karon: 084-626-4646, sunrise-divers.com
Founder of the shop, ‘Yan Keng’.
Portions of herbs are weighed on the old scales and added to piles, ready for sale.
FESTIVALS & FAIRS Phuket Otop Fair Promotes food and products made in Phuket. Date: Mid-May. Location: Centre Stage, Sapan Hin Public Park. Prisoner Product Fair Sells products made by prisoners across southern Thailand. Date: Mid-June. Location: Centre Stage, Sapan Hin Public Park. Phuket Halal Food Festival Introduces Muslim culture in Phuket, with fashion show, live music and singing. Date: Late July. Location: Various. Seafood Fiesta Celebrates the sea, with a wide range of freshly cooked local seafood, including lobsters, crabs, octopus, squid, clams and all kinds of fish, together with vegetables, fruit and a variety of interetsing juice drinks. Date: August Location: Rawai Beach. Por Tor Festival Fair Also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore, ethnic Chinese worldwide believe that during the 7th lunar month, the ghosts of their ancestors visit their home. To make sure their visit is a happy one, offerings of food are made, such as the common local offering of a red cake in the shape of a turtle. Date: Seven days in late August. Location: Phuket Road. Patong Carnival Marks the start of high season. The highlight is the colourful parade held on the first day. Date: December 15-20. Location: Patong Beach Road. Phuket Red Cross Fair Charitable occasion to mark the arrival of the New Year, with vendors and a popular raffle. Date: Late December. Location: Centre Stage, Sapan Hin Public Park.
thephuketnews.com
PHUKET MUSEUMS Chinpracha House
Seashell Museum
This elegant colonial-style mansion was completed in 1907 by wealthy Chinese immigrant Tan Ma Siang. Chinpracha House is one of the most integral ancient remains on the island. Old photographs, Italian floor tiles, imported furniture from China and old utensils are wellmaintained in the house’s interior.
Over 2,000 species of sea shells that were collected by the Patamakanthin family are now displayed in the museum.
98 Kr abi Rd, Phuket Town, 076 211 281. Open daily 8am4pm. B100.
Thai Hua School Museum
Kathu Mining Museum
Built according to colonial architecture, imitating a mansion of a tin miner, the museum shows the origins of Phuket’s culture and history especially from the mining era. Several indoor exhibition rooms display different themes such as Phuket architecture, mining , Thai - Chinese way of life, Chinese immigrants’ life, the Baba’s marriage and the solar system. The outdoor exhibition displays equipment including a dredge and hydraulic mining gear. Muang Tor Sung Rd (behind Loch Palm Golf Club), Kathu, 088 766 0962. Open daily 9am4pm. B50 for Thais, B100 for foreigners, children half-price.
Philatelic Museum
The museum is in the old preserved Post Office, housing old equipment such as telegraph tickers, telephones, parcel-weighing machines and collections of Thai stamps issued since 1951. There are also a small library and a souvenir room. Phuket Post Office, Montri Rd, Phuket Town, 076 224 883. Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm. Sat 9am-12pm. Free entrance.
2/2 Moo 2, Viset Rd, Rawai, 076 613 666; www.phuketsea shell.com. Open daily 8.30am5.30pm. B100 for Thais, B200 for foreigners, children half-price.
The museum is in what used to be the main Chinese-language school, built in 1934. Classrooms inside were renovated as exhibition rooms, displaying Phuket Thai-Chinese culture and tradition. 28 Kr abi Rd, Phuket Town, 076 211 224; www.thaihua museum.com. Open daily 9am-5pm. B50 for Thai, B200 for foreigners, add extra fee for photograph.
Thalang National Museum
The museum focuses on the history and archaeology of Phuket and nearby provinces. Has archaeological finds such as ancient statues, pre-historic beads and tools. On 4027 Road (eas t of the Heroines monument), Thalang, 076 379 895. Open daily except public holiday 9am-4pm. B20 for Thai, B100 for foreigners.
Thavorn Hotel Lobby Museum
Located in the walkway from the lobby to the dining room of the Thavorn Hotel, this small museum corner shows old photographs, posters, ornaments, utensils and mining tools from the Phuket’s mining era and World War II, collected by the owner of the hotel. 74 Rassada Road, Phuket Town, 076 211 333. Open daily 8am5pm. B30.
THE PHUKET NEWS
TRAVEL 27
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
TRAVEL NEWS B e i j i n g ’s n ew h i tech Summer Palace Preservation Centre Beijing’s Summer Palace has inaugurated the Summer Palace Monitoring Centre for World Cultural Heritage. This centre will lead the way in protecting the site’s cultural heritage through the use of real-time monitoring technologies, such as 3D scanning and mapping of ancient buildings. As China’s most historic garden, the Summer Palace is an emblem of the country’s dynastic legacy. Built during the Qing dynasty, the garden was the favourite summer resort of the late emperors and the notorious empress Cixi. A maze of lakes, hills, gardens, and palaces, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most beautiful sites in the city.
A must-see for any visitor to Beijing, the Summer Palace can be visited in a morning or afternoon during a city tour. The China Guide can arrange visits to the Summer Palace, as well as boat rides from the city into the garden. More info: thechinaguide.com
Starwood Hotels & Resorts tops 100th hotel in China With recent hotel openings in Ningbo, Sanya, Yangzhou and Xian, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced it has surpassed the opening of its 100th operating hotel in China with plans to open 15 additional hotels by the end of this year. With eight hotels already opened in the first quarter of
2012, Starwood will open a total of 23 hotels in China in 2012, which is on pace with 2011 openings. This makes 2012 the second consecutive year the company has opened a record number of hotels here in any one year. “In addition to the recordbreaking pace at which we are opening hotels in China, we’ve signed 12 new deals in the first three months of 2012 and Greater China accounts for 44 per cent of our global pipeline driven by an everincreasing Chinese domestic travel market, as well as the fast-growing international inbound market,” said Frits van Paasschen, President & CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “Additionally, China continues to be the richest source of new
Starwood guests with more than 600,000 active Starwood Preferred Guest members which is up 62 per cent from last year.” Since Starwood’s landmark debut of The Great Wall Sheraton Hotel in Beijing in 1985, China has now become Starwood’s second largest market in the world after the United States and Starwood continues to lead as the largest high-end hotel operator in the country. More info: starwoodhotels.com
Choice meetings at Banyan Tree Bangkok If you are looking for the perfect venue and the ultimate experience for your corporate functions, social gatherings, incentive trips or themed events, then look no further
as Banyan Tree Bangkok has just what you need to ensure your events’ success. Banyan Tree Bangkok is offering an exclusive group booking rate to accommodate your event needs, making your business meetings and social function a breeze. The choice meetings package includes a minimum booking of 15 rooms for 2 nights in a lavish accommodation with rates starting from B4,500++, a choice of Full Day Meeting at B1,500++ per person or Half Day Meeting at B1,300++ per persons and 3 selections of many excellent benefits. Valid for booking and staying f rom now until December 29, 2012 (both dates inclusive). More info: banyantree.com
New InterCon Samui Baan Taling Ngam resort invites families to “reconnect” InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam, the new ‘grand dame’ of 5-star resorts on the idyllic Thai island of Koh Samui, is inviting families to ‘Reconnect’ with a limitedtime only villa promotion tailored for parents with children. The resort is one of the island’s only luxury resorts to fully cater to families with its 17 2-bedroom stand-alone hillside villas, a dedicated Kids Club and numerous land-based recreational activities, and its Family Retreat Package is available until July 15, 2012 and priced from B13,982 per night for a minimum 3-night stay. More info: samui.intercontinental.com
thephuketnews.com
28 ISLAND SCENE
THE PHUKET NEWS
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
FASHION FEVER A large crowd of screaming women kicked off the Central Festival Men’s Summer 2012 collection fashion show on Saturday. Models showed off the newest clothing from the Boutique, Casual, Denim, Swimwear and Underwear collections available from the department store, much to the delight of the women in the audience. The most popular model appeared to be Phuket celebrity Tack Paranyu (left, and below far right), who even took time out to have photographs with members of the audience.
thephuketnews.com
THE PHUKET NEWS
ISLAND SCENE 29
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING Hundreds of keen bikies from around Thailand and further afield arrived in Phuket on Friday for the start of Phuket Bike Week 2012. Loma Park in Patong came alive when the opening party began. Participants later took part in a bike trip around the island on Sunday, followed by other fun-filled events.
The winner of the Miss Phuket Bike Week 2012 competition, announced on Sunday, was Khun Preaw, a student at Prince of Songkla University, who won B10,000 plus many other prizes. Runners up were Khun Kaimook and Khun Kam Yui. The three will feature in a photo shoot for Ride Thailand magazine.
thephuketnews.com
30 ENTERTAINMENT
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
THE PHUKET NEWS
THE TICKET with Claire Connell
editor1@thephuketnews.com
Thai filmmaker to feature at Cannes Thai filmmaker Apichatpong “Joe” Weerasethakul will make his return to the Cannes Film Festival next month with his new work, Mekong Hotel, which will feature in an out-of-competition special screening. The festival will r un from May 16 to 27. During a recent interview with Britain’s Guardian newspaper, Apichatpong said Mekong Hotel was “definitely not going to be a film that will just have a foreign movie star for the sake of it”. “It’s going to be an exchange of ideas, of images,
Thai filmmaker Apichatpong ‘Joe’ Weerasethakul. of ... I don’t know. It’s like a game for me: the river, the pigs and Tilda Swinton.”
The film focuses on the Mekong River and the impact it has in the everyday lives
of people in the current political situation. Earlier this year the filmmaker and Ms Swinton curated the quirky Film on the Rocks festival at Six Senses Yao Noi in Phuket. He has a long history at Cannes, going back to 2002, when he won the Un Certain Regard prize with Blissfully Yours. He won the Palme d’Or top prize in 2010 with Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives and took the Jury Prize in 2004 with Tropical Malady. He ser ved on the Cannes main jury in 2008.
Meeting Rita The Industrial Revolution, originating in 18th and 19th century Britain, marked a major turning point in history. Major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times. Salford, a major factory town and inland port, was of even greater commercial importance than neighbouring Manchester. Canal building provided further stimulus and Salford Docks became a major inland port and principal dockyard of the Manchester Ship Canal. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels studied the plight of the working classes. Engels described Salford as “really one large working class quarter…very unhealthy, dirty and dilapidated district…”
Over time industry changed, causing local economic depression; mills closed and Salford declined. A a particular part of Salford is known to millions as Weatherfield. With cobbled streets and Victorian terrace houses it is the home of Coronation Street, the world’s longest r u n ning television soap opera. After the first airing on December 9, 1950, The Daily Mirror commented, “The programme is doomed from the outset.” The public thought otherwise, as audiences soared to over 20 million for the following three decades. A var iet y of celebr i-
Pippa Middleton.
thephuketnews.com
A French aristocrat said on Wednesday he had apologised to Pippa Middleton after a toy gun was pointed at paparazzi from a car driving the royalty celebrity around Paris last weekend. The incident sparked an uproar in Britain where The Sun newspaper printed photos showing the younger sister of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, riding in a convertible car as its driver appears to produce a gun and take aim. Arthur de Soultrait, a
Adele and Pippa make Time magazine 100 list Agence France-Presse
What do singer Adele, soccer genius Lionel Messi and British royalty celebrity Pippa Middleton have in common? They’re among the 100 most influential people in the world, according to Time magazine. Time has published its annual list, showcasing a typically eclectic mix of personalities, ranging from the rich and powerful, like financier Warren Buffett or US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernake, to popular entertainers like Adele and Beyonce.
Grapevine’s David Brook, with Barbara Knox, right. ties have appeared over the years – Ben Kingsley, Peter Noone, Fulton Mackay Phil Taylor, and Violet Carson (the indomitable Ena Sharples).One other notable character joined Coronation Street in December 1964, originally as Rita Fairclough, played by Barbara Knox. An Oldham lass herself, Barbara rarely gives interviews but does enjoy gardening, tapestry and an occasional flutter on the horses.
This is where I met her, as a VIP Guest of Seagrams at the Aintree Grand National. It was a delight and pleasure to spend time with her as she recounted experiences from her acting life. Truly a remarkable lady, as she also picked the national winner. I watched the original episode of Coronation Street… and still watch it to this day here in Thailand. And I know what happens to her next, but that script is secret!
Pippa Middleton’s host sorry for Paris gun incident Agence France-Presse
Singer/songwriter Adele made it into the Time 100 list.
French viscount and fashion designer, said in a statement sent to AFP the gun-pointing incident was a joke gone wrong, and that he had apologised to Pippa Middleton. By way of explanation, he said Middleton “had been subject to constant and dangerous harassment by paparazzi throughout her time in Paris,” and was being followed by photographers when the incident occurred on Saturday. “The car was being driven by a friend of mine, whom Pippa had only met a few hours before,” said de Soul-
trait, who invited Middleton to Paris for a fancy dress birthday party on the theme of “18th-century decadence”. “As a joke, my friend brandished a toy pistol in their direction. Obviously Philippa had no idea that he was going to do that and told him to stop immediately. She did not find it funny,” de Soultrait said. “I regret enormously that this incident happened, and especially that Pippa has been subject to the subsequent attention through no fault of her own. I have apologised to her for this.”
The list, broken into moguls, breakouts, icons, pioneers and leader categories, is compiled by Time after an online poll of readers. This year Time chose 38 women for the top 100, which was more than in previous years. Although the list is still heavily US-centric, featuring popular Asian-American basketball player Jeremy Lin and politicians like New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, it had 54 international names – the first time they outweighed the American contingent.
WEEKDAYS Breakfast
Sam Clarke
7am-11am
Non Stop Classics
Live 89.5
11am-12pm
Lifestyle
Steve Johnston
12pm-3pm
Drive
Jason Wilder
3pm-7pm
Non Stop Music
Live 89.5
7pm-7am
SATURDAY Box Of Neutrals
Rob James, Peter McGinley & Michael Lamonato
9am-10am
Saturday Morning Glory
Sam Clarke
10am-12pm
Phuket News Radio Dazed and Confused Phuket News Radio
Jason Wilder & 12pm-1pm Simon Ostheimer Bongo Bob 1pm-4pm & Baba Fats Sam Clarke & 4pm-5pm Alasdair Forbes
Going Green
Nick Anthony
5pm-7pm
Saturday Night Fever
DJ Burt
7pm-11pm
SUNDAY Dazed and Confused
Bongo Bob & Baba Fats
1pm til 4pm
Lazy Sunday Afternoons
Jason Wilder
4pm til 7pm
www.phuketliveradio.com Tel: 076-612-895, 090-490-7895
THE PHUKET NEWS
EVENTS 31
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
WHAT’S ON IN PHUKET
List your event for FREE at thephuketnews.com/events.php UNTIL APRIL 27
luxurious Theatre enjoy live music, comedy and circus extravaganza during gourmet 4-course dinner, served by “outrageous” team of international performers. An amazing mix of wonderful meal, spectacular entertainment and a warm atmosphere. Price: B2,200 includes a 4-course dinner, spectacular show, one welcome drink, and free transfer! Location: 86/3 Moo 6 Vichidsongkram Rd., Kathu, Phuket (Near Kathu Waterfalls).
Featuring Scottish artist Elsie Evans and renowned Thai artist Boonkasem Saekow there will be a public open day, exhibition and silent auction for “Home is where the heart is” on Friday April 27 at 3pm. Contact 076 335 555k, see bi sphuket.ac.th.
MAY 6
APRIL 28 - MAY 19 IB Visual Arts Exhibition The British International School Phuket Year 13 IB Visual Arts students exhibition will take place in the foyer of the Main Teaching Building of BIS at 4.30pm on Monday, March 19. Public viewing will take place until Friday, April 27. Some great pieces on display from very talented students. Contact 076 335 555, email: info@ bisphuket.ac.th.
UNTIL APRIL 28 VOTED #1 THE MOST UNIQUE FAMILY ACTIVITY IN PHUKET by US!
OPEN APRIL 20 - 28th 7 son Sea arriott d M an JW t Thail nce! ke erie Phu rs Exp a e 25 Y
Try & Fly 1x Fly 1/2 Hr Fly1Hr
“Learn to Fly” TRAPEZE
ALL 4 Ye AGES ars & Up!
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC EVERYDAY! CLASS TIMES EVERYDAY: 10:00 AM - 2:00PM 4:00PM - Late
Somrak Maneemai at VR Gallery
Columbia Trail Masters 2011
Somrak Maneemai’s “Lost in the Clouds” collection is his newest work. Somrak has a MFA from Silpakorn University. His Red Gallery was specially mentioned in the New York Times and has recently relocated to the Phuket Art Village in Rawai. The NYT commended the art village for its originality. The VR Gallery is located adjacent to Mom Tri’s Villa Royale at the entrance of the Baan Kata Estate. Contact 076 333 568. See momtriphuket.com.
Offering exciting routes that travel along scenic trails exploring the mountains, farmlands and greenery of tropical Phuket. The start and finish will be at Asia’s leading sports complex Thanyapura Sports & Leisure Club set among the majestic scenic view of Khao Phra Taew National Park. Distances: 21.5km Off Road Half Marathon-10km-3km for all and children. www.ama-events.com.
COME JOIN EVERYONE AT THE SOI DOG SOIREE
www.KidzSole.com
Ron Pascoe (K.Pee) 08.4837.5726 - Greg Ludwig (K.Gee) 08.6003.0241 SAFETY BELTS, SAFETY LINES, SAFETY MATS, & INSTRUCTORS ARE ALWAYS USED!
I Can Fly...PATONG BEACH @LOMA PARK...I Can Try! Patong Fantasy Fly Show April 27 & 28th!
MAY 2-5
2500 BAHT INCLUDING DINNER , FREE FLOW BEVERAGES AND ENTERTAINMENT
MAY 11
DRESS CODE: BLACK N WHITE CONTACT CRISTY FOR TICKETS AT 084 054 4367 OR CRISTY@SOIDOG-FOUNDATION.ORG For reservations at angsana Phone 076 324 101 or email reservations-lagunaphuket@angsana.com
Learn to Fly - Flying Trapeze “Learn To Fly” Flying Trapeze lessons on Patong Beach at Loma Park. Open to the public, for all ages 4 years and up. Starts April 23- 28, 10am- 12pm and 4pm till late. We have “Try and Fly” classes and one-hour sessions. And don’t miss “The Patong Fantasy Fly Show” presented early evening, April 27 to 28 at Loma Park Patong Beach. “Extraordinary People doing Extraordinary things!”( Located next to football stadium). Contact: K. Pee 084 837 5726 or K. Gee 086 003 0241, www. KidzSole.com.
New Orleans Night Start 6 pm until late at Kata Center. Large Cajun-Creole style buffet with: Cajun-style boiled crayfish, Cajun shrimp Creole, Seafood Jambalaya, Fried soft crab with black pepper, Chicken Fajitas, Tacos, Chili con carne, Prawn Quesadillas, Blackened salmon cakes, fresh oysters, cheese cake, chocolate cake, apple crumble pie. Our popular houseband will be here all night long. All this and much more B495. Free- flow Chang Draught and house wine, B795.
APRIL 27 Home Is Where The Heart Is Come and experience our Artists in Residence Week to help raise funds for the NAT Association which benefits children who were and still are affected by the 2004 Tsunami.
Palazzo Comedy Dinner Show Surrounded by timeless atmosphere of a
For reservations 076 330 065 www. t woc hef s.c om, w w w.fac ebook.c om / twochefsthailand.
News_AD.indd
2
MAY 12 It's Party Time
19/ 4/ 2555
9:18:56
Come join everyone at the Soi Dog Soiree. At Xana Beach Club, Laguna. Time: 6.30 pm till late. B2,500 including dinner, free flow beverages and entertainment. Dress code: Black and white. Special rate of B3,800 net per night including breakfast at Angsana, Laguna. Contact Cristy for tickets at 084 054 4367 or cristy@ soidog-founation.org. For reservations at Angsana, phone 076 324 101 or email reservation-lagunaphuket@angsana.com .
thephuketnews.com
32 EVENTS
THE PHUKET NEWS
WHAT’S ON IN PHUKET
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
List your event for FREE at thephuketnews.com/events.php MAY 11
SUNDAY
Roaring Bhoys Live Music every Monday night. The largest selection of draught beer in Phuket. Irish Times, Jungceylon, Patong.
TUESDAY AA Phuket Meetings @ TGM All meetings are one hour long and held in English at The Green Man Pub, one km from Chalong circle. Call 081 895 4763.
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Pool Competition At 9pm Expat Guesthouse Sports Bar, Patong. See map at www.expatguesthouse. com.
IBAP Networking Ariya Banomyong, Head of Google Thailand, will be speaking on “Getting to know Google in Thailand”, an overview of Google’s business and focus areas in Thailand. Location A2 Resort, bypass road. All welcome. Doors open 6.15pm. http:// ibap-phuket.org.
FRIDAY Curry Fridays at Navrang Mahal Every Friday, all-you-can-eat authentic Indian curry buffet, B449 net per person. Draught beer B50. 7pm-11.30pm. Call 076 286 464.
SATURDAY
.
Palazzo Sunday Circus Show Kids and adults of all ages are invited to our Sunday live circus shows in amazing mirror “Big Top” near Kathu Waterfalls. Palazzo Sunday Circus is a colorful modern show where “outrageous” team of international performers (acrobats, jugglers, aerial gymnasts and clowns) dissolve the borders between stage and audience so that you could be a part of the show. Price: Children B300, Adults B500. 076 202 277, www. phuket-palazzo.com.
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Sunday Roast Pork Every Sunday 2pm onwards Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong B290 per person. Please see www.expathotel.com.
Live Music Enjoy live music at Kamala’s only live music venue. Every Saturday from 8.30pm with free buffet. Call for more info on 085 655 5127.
Two Chefs Saturday Brunch
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At Two Chefs Kata Center. Every Saturday 12pm-3pm, you can enjoy a big delicious buffet with a touch of Scandinavia, and listen to our live music. For example: Our home-smoked salmon, smoked prawns, Swedish meatballs, roasted porkloin, home-made bread, delicious desserts and much more. B395 or B695 include free flow of Chang draught, wine, Sangria. See www.twochefs.com, 076 330 065, katacenter@twochefs.com.
Best Sunday Carvery in Phuket Roast beef, BBQ ham, chicken, pork and Yorkshire pudding. All you can eat B399. Irish Times, Jungceylon, Patong.
Two Chefs Tex Mex Night At Two Chefs Karon 6pm-1am. Every Wednesday you can enjoy Phuket’s best Mexican food. Chili con carne, Mexican rice, Mexican springrolls, nachos, pork fillet skewers, salmon quesadillas, grilled corn cob, desserts from our bakery and much more. Our house band will be here to play live music. B495 or B795 include free flow Chang draught and Sangria. See www.twochefs.com, call 076 286 479, karon@twochefs.com.
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Quiz Night @ Peppers Quiz Night every Wednesday at Peppers Sports Bar near Laguna. Great food, great music, great beer. Contact 081 728 1010. Facebook Peppers Sports Bar.
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Interactive Pub Quiz Night
MONDAY
Starts from 8pm every Wednesday night. The largest selection of draught beer in Phuket. Irish Times, Jungceylon, Patong.
THURSDAY
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BBQ Buffet All You Can Eat
BBQ at Expat Hotel
Only B325 per person at Shakers. Rat-UThit Rd, Patong. Reservations 081 891 4381.
Time 7.30pm, Expat Sports Bar, Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www.expatsports bar.com.
The Craíc
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Live Music every week
All Major Sports Live
Roaring Bhoys - Tuesdays & Saturdays
On the big screen. F1, MotoGP, Tennis, Golf, AFL, NRL. Irish Times Irish Pub, Jungceylon, Patong.
Bangkok Travellers - Sundays Draught Guinness at the only Irish Bar in North Phuket Open from 5pm, closed Mondays Laguna Phuket
thephuketnews.com
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AA Phuket Meetings @ TGM All meetings are one hour long and held in English at The Green Man Pub. Contact 081 895 4763.
WEDNESDAY
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Two Chefs Surf Night At Two Chefs Kata Beach. Every Monday from 6pm-12am. You can enjoy our big BBQ Buffet with Blackened red snapper, beef burgers, Chicken Fajitas, Tacos, Chimi-Churri marinated chicken, desserts from our bakery and much more. One member from our house band will sing pleasant music during the night. Only B495. See www.twochefs.com, 076 284 155, kata@twochefs.com.
AA Phuket Meetings @ TGM All meetings are one hour long and held in English at The Green Man Pub, one km from Chalong circle. Contact 081 895 4763.
.
DAILY
Grizzly’s Sports Bar & Restaurant Watch all the sport that is on TV this weekend with us. Located between Loch Palm Golf Course and Kathu Waterfall. Call 087 471 8747.
THE PHUKET NEWS
JOBS 33
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
CLASSIFIEDS
Modern two storey villa Now available for sale, living space 200 sqm > 36
classifieds@thephuketnews.com
List your ad for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php
Real- Estate Staf f Wanted: Looking for full time young Thai staff, fluent in spoken and written English with real estate business experience. Please send an e-mail with a photo to info@ molokophuket.com.
Swimming Teacher: Looking for a qualified Thai swim teacher to teach and assist teaching swimming for HeadStart International school and after school classes at FunStart. Salary B15,000 plus good commission. Contact 076 203 185, 087 882 5544.
Receptionist: Receptionist needed for FunStart Family Sports Club in Kathu. Should have a working knowledge of cashier duties, a good command of English and good customer relation skills. Salary at B15,000. Contact Phone : 076 203 185, 087 882 5544.
our team to teach 10-12 children aged 3- 6 years of age. Must have a minimum Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent. Contact Daniel 084 520 4978, email: info@ c ravensnur ser yphuket. com.
originals, and dub! Contact movidaflow@gmail.com.
Collection Officer 2 positions: Qualification: - Thai, Malaysian, Indonesian, Filipino welcome. - Experience in member service is advantage - Good computer literacy is required. - Fluent in English. - Salary and great benefits Please contact : Eve. Tel: 081 271 9340 or 076 344 161 #4302. Email: eve @ p a t o n g b ay v a c a tionclub.com.
peace@gmail.com. or call 084 877 3566.
Japanese Staff: Wed- Administrative asding coordinator: Japanese sistant: English-speaker female, good English and computer skill. Sa- mer Wedding, www.sa-mer.com Email: info@sa-mer.com.
Vacancy for Cook: Cook wanted. Must be able to cook both Thai and Western Food and be able to speak a little English. Six day week. Good salary, negotiable. 089 855 3207.
JOBS IN PHUKET
with good Microsoft Office skills and references. CV to info@techworx-projects. com.
Staff Wanted: Siam Div- M ar ket ing Per son ing Enterprises and Pier 42 Wanted: Full-time/partBoutique Resort in Chalong are seeking staff for the following positions (Thai nationals only): Reception, café staff, housekeeping, porter, kitchen staff helper, sales staff, sales supervisor, warehouse/drivers. Interested candidates please send CV to ian@ sde-asiapacific.com. Call 076 384 476.
Salesperson Required: Thai female – good command of English, confident, and highly-motivated for a Design Agency based in Phuket. Basic salary plus commission. Contact: john@cre8-media.net or call 083 502 5552.
time. Great opportunity with Phuket-based company. Must speak good English. Must have good computer skills & internet knowledge. Please send resume to:gary@shadesasia.com.
Sales Executive: We
have an opening for a field sales executive to promote our range of luxury website and print design products. See our jobs page on lfrasia.com for more info and details on how to apply. Email sales@lfr-asia.com.
Qualified Teacher/Tutor wanted : English-
Reggae Musicians: speaking, tutor wanted for Project Manager / Looking for a reggae lead Grade 4 student, 2-3 hours Sales: Motivated Thai guitarist and keyboardist to per day, 6 days a week, to male 25-30 years. Degree in Civil Engineering or related field. Proficient in English and Autocad. Willing to learn products, travel and sell. Two years minimum experience preferred. Send CV to cj@searasports.com.
help form a reggae band in Phuket. The goal is to create a quality Roots Reggae band that does covers,
do extra tutoring (reading, writing, math) in Thalang. At Phuket International Academy School. Contact:Sherin.
Looking for Staff: DaVinci Restaurant in Rawai Naiharn is looking for staff. Waitress and bar tender with experience. Working hours 4.00 pm-11.30 pm, one day off, good salary. Contact 086 947 5197.
Looking for Thai Sales Lady: Good English, with selling experience, own bike/car, positive and outgoing personality.Starting B14,000+fuel+phone+ Excellent commission. Call 085 782 1200.
Kindergarten Teacher Wanted: We are looking for a native English kindergarten teacher to join
thephuketnews.com
34 CLASSIFIEDS
THE PHUKET NEWS
BUY & SELL IN PHUKET
List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php sional organisation of leaders from all branches of the travel and tourism industry. www. skalphuket.org.
Singapore Club Phuket: Calling all Singaporeans in Phuket to join “Singapore Club Phuket”. Contact Robin on 081 803 7189, 076 303 500.
DIVING BUSINESS SERVICES Phuket Consult Services: Insurance, personal
BOATS & YACHTS
Boutique Hotel For Sale: Speedboat Dive/ Snor kelling: Cus tomised speedboat diving, snorkelling, GPS radio, 2x Yamaha engines 200cc. Also available Bauer compressor 40 tanks regs BC DS boat. 900,000 baht. Call Joe 087 891 8912, joe@ similan-diving-safaris.com.
Tile It: Thalang. Wana Park
- 6 rooms (television, refrigerator, air-conditioning, safety box and furniture included)
on Srisoonthorn Rd. Phuket’s quality tile boutique. Tiles for interior, exterior, residential, commercial. Contact 076 620 168 or 081 424 2828. Email info@tile-asia.com.
- Kitchen (c ooker, hood cooker) - Reception area (Currently used as coffee shop) - WiFi
BUSINESSES FOR SALE
assistance, legal assistance, police and emergency assistance, property management, sales and rentals, company registration, visa and work permit and accounting. Call 081 691 9679.
- 4 floors
- 7 bathroom (1 downstairs bathroom)
- CCTV - Key card and key tag system
Guesthouse and Shop For Sale: Three -storey
- Good security
10-metre-wide double shop premises plus 10 newly-fullyfurbished rental rooms above for sale in Phuket Country Club area. Chanote title. B22 million or nearest offer. Call 081 606 5772.
- Good location
Indo Construction: 40 years’ experience and more than 20 years at your service in Thailand. Main contractor: study project, architecture design and construction and management. Contact 076 381 895.
- Growing area - Successful business Price B10 million. Call 088 761 2617, 085 261 3405.
Farang Food Paradise: Your specialist of imported food and drinks in Phuket. Visit our shop at the Billion Plaza, opposite Tesco Lotus. Contact 076 612 733, 076 248 900. www.phuketfood.com.
CARS FOR RENT A1 Car Rentals: Fully-
air-con, power-steering needs some love and attention. For sale B95,000 ono. Call 090 071 7270.
All 4 Diving: 5/4 Sawatdirak Road, Patong Beach. Contact 076 344 611.
EDUCATION Toyota Vigo 2008: Four wheel drive, automatic, diesel, four doors, four times 4 ETCi VSC and cruise control, clear blue metallic, excellent condition, one careful owner, 65,000 km. B720,000. Call 089 474 0543.
Russian Language for Your Kids: Are your chil-
New Mazda2 & Vios for Rent: First class insurance, special price for long term rental. Call 080 521 9888, email sornin_s@yahoo.com.
The car for rent: Car in good condition, shor t and long-term rental with first-class insurance and delivery service. Call 086 690 6007, email: k.niwatt@hotmail.com.
CARS FOR SALE Good Cheap Car for Sale: Toyota Corolla good runaround car, Good starter,
food in Thailand. Good Karma, all natural healthy, natural and organic products. Contact 082 276 1675. www.goodkar mathailand.com.
MOTORBIKE SERVICES Dynamic Tyre Balancing: Dynamically balance your motorcycle tyres for a smoother ride with DYNA BEADS! Available at West Coast Service Center Phuket, your big bike specialist on the bypass road. Contact 085 785 4440.
PERSONAL SERVICES
dren starting to forget Russian? Sign up to our Russian Language For Kids program. Visit http://PhuketRussian School.com, email us at info@ phuketrussianschool.com or call 082 804 9131.
CHILDCARE Buds Nursery: Phuket’s oldest bilingual international child care facility. High-quality, time-proven schedule and curriculum. Now in brand new purpose-built school. Experienced native English teachers to teach ages 1 1/28. Mon-Fri 8am.-5pm. Bus service available from Patong, Karon, Kata, Phuket, Rawai and Chalong. Website: www.buds-phuket.com.
Kiddies Home Nursery: Award for top Nursery for Phuket Province 2011. Ages 3 months to 4 years. Open 7 days a week and from 6.30 am to 7pm. Rock Garden Village. Call 076 528 862, mobile 082 539 8252, email: kiddieshomenursery@gmail. com.
CLUBS & MEMBERSHIPS
Want to Practice your Thai?: Thai courses and lessons for daily life (culture and language) with friendly and energised Thai female teacher. Graduated from university. Negotiable prices can be offered. Plus have outdoor activities for your experience. Call 080 386 5026.
Cooking School: Fire up your creative flair with Food Services Cooking School. Italian, Western and Thai cuisine. Try our famous pizza school. 082 816 0126, email: info@ foodservicesth.com.
Guitar Lesson By Pro Player: Guitar/bass lessons beginner to advanced. Personal one-on-one or by DVD. Diploma of Teaching (Aust) degree. Call 089 777 3063.
LEAVING & MOVING SALE
insured. Starts at B12,000 to B18,000 per month. Please call 089 831 4703. Email for more info: a1carrent@gmail. com.
thephuketnews.com
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
Techworx: Custom design & installation. Professional service and support. Premium service: home cinema, home automation, marine AV and IT, lighting control and multiroom audio-video. Call 084 443 9863.
Bon Café Phuket: A producer of premium coffee blends and powdered mixes as well as selling, maintaining, servicing and repairing all major brands. 076 355 600-1. Havana Cigar Shop: Opposite HomePro Village Chalong. Contact 081 956 2024, vinoltds@hotmail.com.
Club Asia Fitness: Royal Phuket City Hotel. Offers Zumba/LesMills classes/weight training/sauna/steam/swimming pool, all inclusive. For a free trial workout, come along and join the action. Tel 076 354 027, 087 275 3614. www. clubasiaphuket.com.
Funstart: Family sports and leisure club. Swimming/golf/ playcentre/gaming arcade. Call 076 203 185, 087 882 5544. See funstar tphuket. com.
SK A L I n t e r n a t i o n a l Phuket: Skål is a profes-
We Sell Boxes & Moving Supply: At MY STORAGE Self Storage you can buy quality moving and packing supplies like individual boxes, bubble wrap, packing tapes & knives plus secure padlocks. We also help you to Move and Store. Call 076 292 909.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS FOR SALE Health Food : Online health
Phuket Visa: Offers consulting and services on company registration, work permit, visa, accounting, auditor, legal advice. Contact 081 892 9960. Buon A p p et i to: D e li market and bistro.Number one supplier of Italian Deli in Phuket. Call 076 384 273, info@buonappetitogroup.com, www.buonappetitogroup.com.
Haris & Hawryluck - Attorneys at Law: Unit 6D CCM Complex, call 076 510 111, email info@hhlegaladvi sors.com, www.hhlegaladvi sors.com.
THE PHUKET NEWS
CLASSIFIEDS 35
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php PERSONAL SERVICES Personal Trainer: Fully-qualified female personal trainer from the UK. With guaranteed results and over 10 years of experience in men and women’s health and fitness. Pre- and post-natal exercise. Nutrition and weight management. For a free consultation contact Sarah on 084 985 8161, email: sarah@ one2one-fitness.net.
American Health Clinic: Chiropractic spinal adjustment with an experienced chiropractor can take away the pain almost as quickly as it began. Call 076 612 707.
Atmanjai: World’s best natural health programmes to improve health, reduce stress, weight loss, detox, rejuvenation, vitality and overcome disease. See atmanjai.com.
PET ADOPTION Why buy a pet?: Soi Dog Foundation have over 300 beautiful dogs and puppies available for adoption. Fully-vaccinated and sterilised. Contact 087 050 8688, email: john@soidog.org.
Loving Home Wanted: Hi, my name is Spot. Eight months ago, I got caught by the dog catchers and thrown in the Phuket stray dog pound, where I got beaten up by all the other aggressive dogs and became very frightened and sick.
POOL TABLES
Ch a l o n g H o u s e f o r Rent: Two-bedroom house
Phuket Pool Tables:
with one air-con. internet, hot water , two cable TV with 80 channels , DVD, two fridges. From now or to share house or rent fully from 23 May to
www.phuketpooltables.com. Your number one billiard and snooker supplier in Phuket. Sales, rent and profit-sharing. All accessories and services. Call for more details on 081 823 4627.
Is there anyone out there who would like a quiet, wellbehaved male guard dog, that prefers to come out at night? During the day I hang out in the backyard in my new wooden home that you see in this picture. I would love to meet you. Please mail me on: gon e2thedoggies@gmail.com and we can talk, if you include your phone number.
end of August. 087 280 1721.
PROPERTY CONCIERGE maid service, sea view. Call 081 893 5188.
Until one day a lovely lady came and rescued me and took me out of this awful place. That was the best day of my life. Since then I have been at her home recovering, but now I’ve fattened up and am fully-recovered and she needs to move to a home with no backyard and I don’t want to go back out on the streets.
BUY & SELL/HOMES IN PHUKET
Private Pool Villa: Pri-
THE SUNRISE OCEAN VILLAS
vate pool villa for rent, Rawai area, 5 minutes to Chalong center, fully furnished. Please contact : 089 472 9870, email: dchaibut@gmail.com
Selling or Renting Your Property?: We have buyers for foreign freehold, sea view properties and land. Call 080 143 2929 or visit realestate.phuket. net.
PROPERTY FOR RENT
Kata Luxury Seafront Villa: Three bedroom, 320sq metre villa. 15m above sea, spectacular Andaman Sea view, 6mx15m infinity pool. Surrounded by dense foliage, spacious balconies, outdoor showers, private and secluded. Excellent Thai cook. www. housephuket.com.
Space for Rent in Patong: Of fice, Busin e s s s p ac e f o r r e nt o n fifth floor of Patong Towe r. C a l l 0 7 6 3 41 3 7 0 .
Pa to n g:Ni c e A p a r tment for Rent: Condo with swimming pool, security 24/7, furnished, 46sqm. Daily/ monthly. 089 728 4005, thamad17@ya hoo.com.
The Heights Stunning O c e a n V i e w Pe n thouse: 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 219sq metres of modern luxury. The ultimate in indooroutdoor living. Panoramic ocean/sunset views. Huge balcony. Spectacular common pool and gym. May 1-31, B100,000 per month. Contact 083 833 6863.
PROPERTY FOR SALE
After a great success of the first phase, the Sunrise Ocean Villas is now starting to build the 8 other villas of "Phase2". The price of 17.9 million baht makes the project one of the most compettitive on the island for being only 60m from the beach. Each villa has an living area of over 300 sqm, has 3 spacious bedrooms, all sea views, 5 bathrooms, a 10x4m infinity pool, maid's quarter and a covered 2-car parking. The houses are specially designed to guarantee a complete privacy, with an open panoramic view of the sea.
WRITE YOUR CLASSIFIED FREE ONLINE: 189 CHARACTERS + 1 PICTURE Headline: ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......
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189 CHARACTERS
Furnished 3bed 2bath + Office Near Central for Rent: Furnished house for rent opposite HeadStart International School by Central and Makro. 2 air-con. ADSL, washer, 2 hideaway sofa, 2 TVs, 3 desks, office with view over shared swimming pool. B17,000. Contact May 089 973 3276.
6.1 Rai Land for Sale: 6.1 rai (10,000sq metre). B2,500,000 per rai. Total price: B15,600,000. - 5 minutes to Naithon Beach. -10 minutes to Naiyang Beach.,10 minutes to airport., 7 minutes to new Tesco Lotus. Roadside land and chanote title. Call 085 793 2718.
For appointment or more details, contact the project director Khun Monta at 081 343 0777 (Thai, English & German) Email: thesunrise villas@yahoo.com.
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Four Bedroom House for Sale/Rent: Two stories single house 126 sq.wa. Four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a working room, a maid room, a modern kitchen, a big space for living area and a nice garden. Safe and comfortable. For long-term rent. 081 787 2201.
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DEADLINE: MONDAY 11.59PM (MIDNIGHT) FOR THAT FRIDAY’S ISSUE Hand this in at agent shops, our office or fax: 076 612 553
Patong Hill Seaview: One bedroom fully-furnished apartment. 20,000/month for six month or more. Tam 082 271 4487.
Condo in Phuket Town for Rent: New condo, 1 bed, fully-furnished, WiFi,
Come visit the villas and you will be wonderfully surprised by the quality of the project as well as the quality of life you can find here.
www.thesunrisevillas.com
Home/Self-Contained Office: Fully-established estate between Patong and Kamala. Ground floor: selfcontained office with own entrance (approx. 70sq metre) First floor: entrance, kitchen, dining, living plus games ro om. Sec ond f lo or : Two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Master with separate living room/third bedroom. Price: B5,500,000. Sold with 20 year lease (B23,000 per month equivalent). Contact Paul +66 89 586 2959.
Phuket- Surin Beach Area for Sale: Land for sale, chanote title at Maniktownship. 20x25 metres in natural surrounding, 2.4 million baht. Phone 087 275 9621, email nuttapol_trateng@ya hoo.com.
House for Rent Near Heroines Monument: Two bed, one bath, cable TV, internet, fully-furnished house at B8,000 per month. Call 080 521 9888.
thephuketnews.com
36 CLASSIFIEDS
THE PHUKET NEWS
HOMES IN PHUKET
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php available rental daily and monthy basis. www.awphuket.com.
PROPERTY FOR SALE CONT.
Kata House For Sale:
Modern, New Two Storey Villa for Sale: Incredible investment: Five bed, four bath pool villa. Luxury furnished. Wood pizza oven, 14x4 metre salt water pool, Chanote, Thai company and finance available. B14.9 million. www.villademeo-phuket.com, call 087 897 4421 or sakt27@gmail. com.
Living space 200 m2, balcony. terraces, three beds, two baths, furnished, ADSL, tropical garden, calmly gated village, Clubhouse Pool/Tenniscourt, near Phuket Town, Shopping, Rawai-Naiharn beach. Call 089 593 8690, ruen_narayan@hotmail.com.
Land for Sale: Land Mis-
SEAVIEW LAND FOR SALE: Near Chalong pier,
Pa l m a n d Ru b b e r Farm 67 Rai: House
450 sq metre, under roof. 400m of water frontage on river. Income producing. Two small klongs for holding fish. Close to Rajaprapa Golf Course. English and Thai for details Tantita 081 797 3326.
sion Hills half rai plot, quiet select location, chanote, water, electricity. Price B1.6m. Six rai hilltop, sea/mountain views, chanote, water, electricity and office. B4.2m per rai. Call 087 978 5804.
B6 million now. 200m off main road near Chalong temple. Full chanote title. Call 087 053 6181/089 651 3479. Email philcroker69@ hotmail.com.
for one plot, B3.2 million for cottage + plot. Call 080 467 7770 (Thai), 083 520 0020 (English). www.jinda rin.com, Email: eam1008@ me.com.
Land for Sale: 11 rai, one kilometre from Naiyang beach. B6.5 millions per rai. Please call : Siriporn +66 (0) 896 499 939.
Condo in Phuket Town for Sale/Rent: New condo, 1 bed, fully-furnished, WiFi, maid service, sea view. Call 081 893 5188.
Discount Rentals Daily / Weekly / Monthly / Lease LUXURY VILLAS NEAR LAGUNA
Nice One Rai in Chalong: Reduced, just
Jindarin Beach Club & Resort: B1.5 million
150 metres from the sea. Three rai and one ngan plot. Chanote title. Price: B20 million per rai. No agent. Call 087 278 7206
Allamanda (Laguna) Residences/Phuket: 1 condo unit, half of a deluxe twin house, fully-furnished and equipped, set direct on the picturesque lagoon with balcony right over it. 3 bedrooms each with shower/bathroom, roof terrace with sala, etc. For sale or long-term rent. Phone (66) 081 737 0365 (English, Thai, German) email: utaipan@yahoo.com.
Info: 089 594 4067
Top Rawai Beach Condo For Sale: Serenity Resort & Residences. Two bed / two bath, 134 sq metre. Only B11.9 million. See www. stefan.asia for details.
top, sea/mountain views, chanote, water, electricity and office. B4.2 million per rai , Contact : 087 978 5804.
rent and lease in luxury building with pool. Per day, week, month, year and 30 years. Contact Scott Bolls, email: sbolls@ hot mail.com. Contact +66 81 828 0972.
stairs, walls, 2 bedrooms. Land 330 sq metre, peaceful location, five minutes to Patong, Chanote title. B5.5 million. 086 268 8701, email: f430spiderf1@hotmail.com.
B1.9 Million New Condo: New Studio (1 bedroom) condominium in The Point, across from Phuket International Hospital and BigC. Beautiful four-year-old central atrium building with no stuffy hallways. 36 m2, high-speed internet, cable TV, and swimming. Parking under building. Third floor with nice view. B1.9 m. Contact Walter at wp drake2@yahoo.com, 083 301 3470.
Perfect Land for Villa: Approx three rai, with chanote title, 2 km south of Thai Muang town centre. Just 24 km north of Sarasin Bridge. Good road access and electricity. Very quiet, green area. Urgent sale for just B5 million total, nonnegotiable. 089 652 1951 or email phuket.pn@gmail.com.
1.5 Rai (2 X 0.75 Rai) Chanote at Cape Yamu: 1.5 rai flat land
at Cape Yamu. 2 x 0.75 rai adjoining plots OrBorTor road access to super end of soi private location. Private sale direct from the owner. Only 3.5 million baht per rai. Contact 081 087 9237, www. phuketlandforsale.net.
Great House for Sale: Three bedrooms, four bathrooms and pool. B5 million. Contact 089 469 2897.
New Apartment for Sale Patong: Condo: swimming
pool, security 24/7. Furnished, 46sqm, freehold: B2.9 million. 089 728 4005, thamad17@ yahoo.com.
Kathu House for Rent and Sale: House and land
for half and 22 sq wah with mountain view style near Serenity hotel and condo very peaceful natural environment. For detail please call owner Boonsin 081 691 3940.
Ka t a B e a c h Ce n t r e Phuket: Apar tments for
Thai Style House for Sale: Teak wood floors,
thephuketnews.com
Land For Sale: 6 rai Hill-
5 minutes to beach, large modern house, three floors, furnished, three beds, two full bath, air-con, western k itc hen, spac i ous liv ing room, garage with laundry/ over head storage, large c overed patios, secur it y do or s / windows, garden, company name available. B5.5 million. Call 081 131 5751, email: seadog5000@ yahoo.com.
Modern Pool Villa: Stunning three-bedroom pool villa, five minutes from Laguna 600 sq metre plot in peaceful location. Finished to a very high specification. MUST SEE. Selling price B12.9 million. Please contact 084 994 9303 or email phuketpoolvilla.info@ gmail.com.
Nice Villa for sale: Three bedroom villa with separate bedroom/office, opposite pool. Khoa Khad Road, two minutes walk to river, four km to Ao Makham beach. Secure parking for two cars, government water, six ring oven, fridge, washing machine, satellite TV, cable TV, Wi-Fi, nature gardens, plot size 104 sq metres. Asking price B7 million. Call owner 084 304 6723 Thai/ English.
Kamala Two Brand New Villas: Two bedr o o m s , t wo b at h r o o m s , Western kitchen, 130 sq metre. Nice garden with large pool in quiet area. Price: B5.5 million or minimum threemonth rental. Call 081 496 9070 (Eng/Swedish) or 081 719 1175 (Thai). Email:diod@ telia.com.
Rawai Pool Villa: 4 bed-
room/4 bathroom European style single-storey house with self-contained guesthouse and pool on 736m2 plot. Large master bedroom with en-suite, walk-in wardrobe. Modern western-style kitchen with granite tops, built-ins throughout and 4 air-cons. Electric gate, TV and phone line. Large verandahs, carport, and established garden. Chanote title B11m, 087 891 9349.
Sea View Villa: Luxury seaview Patong-Karon villa, four bedrooms, private pool. Sell for B22 million, and also
Gentleman’s Farm 20 Rai Land: House 1,000 sq metre, under roof made from granite rock, salas and walkways, 400m of water frontage on r iver. Many types of fruit trees. Close to Rajaprapa Golf Course. English and Thai for details Tantita 081 797 3326.
REAL ESTATE SERVICES
24 Rai Flat Land Cheap:
24 rai flat land close to Phuket zoo. Owner direct, B3.8 million per rai, chanote title. Call 085 789 1773.
New Townhouses in Kamala: This is a development of affordable 3-bedroom townhouses, located in Kamala, approximately 1.5 km from the white sandy beach of Kamala and about 10 minutes drive to Patong. Prices from only B4,900,000. 087 882 2856 or email luc@phuket-tropicalrealestate.com.
MY STORAGE– The Home Extension: Store your belongings at MY STORAGE Storage solutions to home space problems arising from situations such as: Moving, Renovating, Relocation, Travel or simply lack storage space at home. Call 076 292 909.
THE PHUKET NEWS
TRADES 37
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
AQUARIUM SERVICES
HOME IMPROVEMENT
MARINE SERVICES
HOME IMPROVEMENT
MARINE SERVICES
HOME IMPROVEMENT
REMOVALS
HOME IMPROVEMENT
STORAGE
Design service for aquarium, fish pond and fountain. Filtration systems for fresh and salt water. All aquarium equipment. Fresh-water and salt-water fish from around the world. Clear water guarantee. Bangkok Branch: 02 272 4334.
Phuket branch: 076 258 340 (Thai), 081 562 7939 (English)
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Wana Park, Srisoonthron Road, Thalang, Phuket 83110 Tel 076 620168 info@tile-asia.com
HOME IMPROVEMENT We believe that the success of a project is essentially based on a serious management
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liberto@construction-thailand.com 40 years experience of more than 20 years at your service in Thailand.
Main Contractor:
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Office 3.L.H & I.C.P. Manufactory 3.L.H & I.C.P.
HOME IMPROVEMENT
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
HOME IMPROVEMENT
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SWIMMING POOLS
w w w. e m
p ir e p o o ls p h u k e t . c o m
1,800 baht pool service
for the first 20 customers (standard size pool)
19/43, 19/45 Moo 7, Srisoontorn Rd, T. Srisoontorn, A. Thalang, Phuket 83110. Tel: 076-620113 or 084-8506140 Fax: 076-620015
thephuketnews.com
38 ISLAND SPORT
THE PHUKET NEWS
The traditional beach game during ACST Phuket Cricket Week. Photo: Tony Pope
It’s not just cricket After some unscheduled and lengthy ‘drinks’ breaks due to rain, the finals of the 9th Phuket International Cricket Sixes tournament were played under glorious sunshine at the Kata Group Sports Ground in Chalong on Sunday (April 22). After three days of rainaffected competition, the 24 competing teams were ranked and placed in Cup, Bowl, Plat e a nd Sp oon divisions for the finals. In the prized Cup final, MG7 from Kuwait joined compatriots Skylarks in what proved a one-sided affair. MG7 posted a challenging 85 runs, and in reply, Skylarks quickly lost their star batsman Razzak for just two runs and
thephuketnews.com
then collapsed all out for just 28, giving MG7 their first Cup victory in Phuket. The Southern Stars of Australia lifted the Plate trophy following a very narrow win over fellow Aussies St Francis, chasing down the required 59 with a
single off the last ball. The Bowl final was an entertaining affair between Asia Pacific side CBB SCs and the Singapore Slingers. Batting first, the Slingers put on 4-68, which was comfortably chased down by CBBers with an over to spare.
The Spoon trophy was won by Baulk ham Hills CC of Australia with three balls to spare against compatriots Pinjarra CC. But proving that the tournament is about more than just winning, a massive B190,000 was also raised for the Phuket Junior Cricket Development Fund to be used for local activities and programmes that benefit the development of junior cricket in Phuket. The Phuket International Cricket Sixes was the final event of a series of cricket tournaments, functions and parties organised by the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour (ACST). Thirty six teams plus supporters and officials participated.
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
Fish to fly at BIS swimming meet SWIMMING
After successfully competing in meets in Malaysia, Singapore, Bangkok and Surat Thani this year, the Flying Fish swim team from British International School Phuket (BIS) will be looking to replicate that success when they host their own tournament next weekend. Judging by recent results, that is looking quite likely. At the local Sapan Hin Meet held on April 21-22, involving 38 clubs and 350 swimmers, the Flying Fish had some outstanding personal bests, and both Syakirah
Frost (12) and Raymond Windsor (13) were awarded high point age group awards. The BIS Flying Fish 4th annual International Swimming Invitational will be held on May 5-6, with 14 teams – or 320 athletes – from seven countries around Asia participating. The meet is split into age groups of eight and under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15+. It will run on Saturday from 8am-4pm, and Sunday from 8am-12:30pm. For more information on the meet, email hsweeney@ bisphuket.ac.th, or visit bisphuket.ac.th/flyingfish
HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run 1364: Saturday April 28 at 4pm Directions: From Honda Garage traffic lights on Chao Fa West travel south towards Wat Chalong for 2.2km. At the traffic lights next to the very large TOT office, turn right into the narrow road leading towards Island Safari. Keep going towards Island Safari until you see a Hash sign to turn right into the laager on a black gravel track.
THE PHUKET NEWS
ISLAND SPORT 39
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
Phuket scrape dour draw Thai Premier League (TPL) Division 1
FOOTBALL
Team
Dane Halpin editor2@thephuketnews.com
FC Phuket may have had their financial future secured, but on the pitch it was an all too familiar story as they took on Suphanburi FC at Surakul Stadium on Saturday (April 21). Fresh off the back of an extended break over Songkran, and buoyed in the knowledge Rawi Lohtong, owner of Siam Sports Group, had guaranteed financial surety for the club, the Southern Sea Kirin entered the match in 10th place, two points behind the 9th placed ‘Warriors’ of Suphanburi. In a scrappy and at times frustrating match played in slippery conditions, the local boys could just manage a point – their fourth draw of the season after just six rounds. New Brazilian recruit Alonso da Silva again looked competent with the gloves for Phuket – though at times a touch too confident, stepping up to take a free kick just outside the Suphanburi box in the opening minutes, only to be turned back by his confused teammates. Phuket midfielder Niran Phanthong was causing some problems down the left wing
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Above right: FC Phuket coach Miloš Joksić reacts to yet another draw. Right: Niran Phanthong attacks down the left wing. early on, though wasn’t finding support up front as several opportunities went wasted. Indeed, as the first half approached the midway point, there had been few real goalscoring opportunities to speak of. It was Suphanburi who looked the dominant side in attack though, consistently finding holes in the Phuket midfield only to run into a determined defence, led by the stalwart Nene Bi. But when Phuket midfielder Porawat Siriwattanakorn was brought down after finding space off an Alonso throw,
Phuket were awarded a free kick within range. After a quick pass, Suwit Najumrern found himself with a clear shot on goal, but could only find the hands of Suphanburi keeper Prasit Nuamsala. However the move sparked life into the Phuket attack, and Watcharapong Chan-ngam found himself with another chance less than a minute later, only to be undone by a scrambling Suphan defence. The two sides traded blows for the rest of the half, and while it was Suphan who had the upper hand in attack and the majority
Ratchaburi Krabi PTT Rayong Sriracha Bangkok United Phattalung Nakhon Ratchasima Suphanburi Rangsit JW Songkhla Khonkaen Phuket Siam Navy Raj Pracha Air Force United Bangkok Saraburi Chanthaburi
Promotion
of possession, the scoreboard still read 0-0 as the players disappeared down the tunnel. Whatever the coaches said during the break worked though, as both teams reemerged looking to play a more physical brand of football. Suphanburi midfielder Yutthana Jongnork saw yellow early for a heavy tackle, a favour returned by Phuket shortly after. And while Phuket were finding more attacking opportunities than in the first half, they again seemed to have some communications issues up front. Coupled with a determined Suphanburi
MP
W
D
L
F
A
GD
6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
4 4 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
2 1 2 1 1 1 1 3 2 2 2 4 3 3 2 2 1 1
0 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 3 3 4 5
12 9 9 10 12 11 7 4 9 8 10 3 10 7 6 10 5 5
4 4 7 7 10 9 6 2 9 8 11 5 9 9 8 14 9 16
14 13 11 10 10 10 10 9 8 8 8 7 6 6 5 5 4 1
Relegation
defence, they simply weren’t threatening the opposition goal. The Warriors, meanwhile, were having no such problems. After a scrappy passage of play inside the Phuket box, Suphan forward Pipat Thonkanya jumped on the loose ball and found the back of the net after 65 minutes. But the celebrations were premature – instead of chalking up a goal, he was instead given a yellow card for a heavy challenge on the ball, and the score remained 0-0 PAs four minutes of injury time was announced, Phuket
forward Poramat Krongborisut made a strong break down the right wing, though went for goal from an acute angle despite having clear options on the inside. His shot lacked power, and was easily stopped by the Suphanburi keeper. Both teams had a few more opportunities, but in the end there was nothing to separate them following what was a fairly lacklustre display from both sides. Final score 0-0. In their next game, Phuket travel to Sri Racha on Sunday (April 29), before taking on Saraburi at home on May 5.
Leopards’ forfeit gives spots to rivals CRICKET Dane Halpin editor2@thephuketnews.com
Phuket Leopards were forced to forfeit their match in the Island Furniture Cricket League (IFL) on Sunday (April 22) due to a lack of players, gifting Island Cricket Club (ICC) the full seven points. But more importantly, with only one game remaining in the regular IFL season, it means the spots for the finals race have all but been decided. No matter what the result is
this weekend between TNT and Laguna, it will be The Village and Laguna contending for top honours come finals week, while ICC and Patong will duke it out for third and fourth. Laguna will go into the match as slight favourites following their comprehensive win when the two sides met earlier in the season. In that match, Laguna posted 5-202 before ripping through The Village batting lineup for just 62 runs. On paper, the Laguna lineup looks strong with Andrew Cole, the competition’s leading bats-
men, at number three. He had a good knock against The Village in their previous match, scoring an unbeaten 84, and his last innings against Liquid Lounge Lizards yielded 61. Stuart Reading has also been in good form with the bat recently, blasting 60 off 33 in his last innings against Liquid Lounge Lizards, and will add some firepower to the Laguna middle order. Cole is the only Laguna batsman inside the top ten though in the IFL batting rankings, and The Village look to
Island Cricket Team
P W L D NR Pts
1
Village
6 5 1 0 0 30
2
Laguna
5 4 1 0 0 26
3
Island
6 4 2 0 0 26
4
Patong
6 3 3 0 0 25
5
Lizards
6 2 4 0 0 18
6
TNT
5 2 3 0 0 14
7
Leopards 6 0 6 0 0 1
have slightly more depth with Divan Mydeen, Martin Foster and Justin White all among the season’s top ten batsmen. Foster will be the main man to watch for The Village - he’s number one in the bowling and
The Village’s Martin Foster. number six in the batting stakes. Laguna are well represented in the bowling stocks, with Sameer Khan and Val Guirard both in the top ten for the
season, at second and seventh respectively, but The Village also boast number one bowler Martin Foster and number five Tom Gordon, which should make for an even battle. Of course, form will mean little come finals day, and the only thing that is certain is that after an unexpectedly close season, this is expected to be a very close affair. Patong play ICC in the 3rd/4th playoff on May 6, while the final between The Village and Laguna will be played on May 13.
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40 INTERNATIONAL SPORT
IN BRIEF Murray says Nadal is best on clay The accolades continued to rain down Monday on Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard made tennis history at the weekend by winning an eighth straight Monte Carlo title in beating world number one Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-1. But with the king of clay now turning his attention to lifting a seventh from eight attempts at the Barcelona Open, he’s received an unexpected morale boost from his second-seeded main rival this week, Andy Murray. “I don’t think anyone can question the fact that Nadal is the best ever on clay,” said world number four Murray, who learned his own dirt tennis in the Catalan capital as a teenager.
Smith leads Aus to victory over NZ Australian skipper Cameron Smith inspired his team to a 20-12 win over New Zealand in the Anzac Test Friday, continuing the Kangaroo’s dominance in the annual fixture. Smith, handed the captain’s armband after Darren Lockyer’s retirement, scored a crucial try in Australia’s
come-from-behind victory at Eden Park in Auckland and led the way in defence, making a mammoth 51 tackles. Australia ran in three tries to two against a committed Kiwis outfit desperate to win the one-off mid-year fixture for the first time since 1998, the only other time it has been played on New Zealand soil.
Mixed views as Matfield ponders Test return Opinion is divided over whether one-time lord of the locks Victor Matfield should come out of retirement and lead South Africa in a three-Test home series against England this June. World Cup-winning former Springbok coach Jake White says the move “would make sense’’ while Johannesburg-based ex-British and Irish Lions scrum-half John Robbie disagrees. Retired Springbok legends Frik du Preez, Naas Botha and Wynand Claassen believe it may be too late for 34-year-old Matfield to get match-fit ahead of Tests in Durban, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth on consecutive Saturdays.
THE PHUKET NEWS
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
Chiefs smoke Sharks Aaron Cruden ensured the Waikato Chiefs stayed at the head of the Super 15 table with a tight victory over the Sharks, keeping them two points clear of the Western Stormers. The Chiefs beat their hosts 18-12 in Durban to make it seven wins in a row, and have kept their margin over the Stormers – who have also only lost one game – thanks to bonus points. Week nine saw no changes among the top five, with the Chiefs on 35 points followed by the Stormers (33) and ACT Brumbies (26) as the conference leaders ,with the Northern Bulls (33) and Otago Highlanders (30) further back. The weekend’s big movers were the Canterbury Crusaders who thrashed the Wellington Hurricanes to claim sixth place, while the NSW Waratahs jumped from 10th after the Sharks and Queensland
Super 15
Team
P
W
D
L
F
A
1
Chiefs
8
7
0
1
208
148
3
2
Stormers
8
7
0
1
193
141
1
33
3
Brumbies
8
4
0
4
208
186
6
26
4
Bulls
8
6
0
2
270
171
5
33
5
Highlanders
8
6
0
2
192
170
2
30
6
Crusaders
8
5
0
3
216
173
4
28
7
Waratahs
8
4
0
4
193
182
5
25
8
Hurricanes
8
4
0
4
239
237
5
25
9
Sharks
9
4
0
5
202
218
7
23
10
Reds
8
4
0
4
153
216
1
21
11
Cheetahs
8
3
0
5
227
238
5
21
12
Force
8
2
0
6
181
212
5
17
13
Rebels
8
2
0
6
154
241
2
14
14
Lions
7
1
0
6
130
192
2
14
15
Blues
8
1
0
7
176
217
4
12
RESULTS: Hurricanes Waratahs Sharks
14 – 42 30 – 21 12 – 18
Conference leader
Crusaders Rebels Chiefs
Bulls 36 – 34 Highlanders 30 – 27 Reds 13 – 23 Byes: Cheetahs, Force, Lions
BP Pts 35
Brumbies Blues Stormers
Wild card team
Reds suffered defeats. Cruden scored 13 points for the Chiefs while the Sharks were restricted to four penalties from Patrick Lambie, underscoring the Chiefs rating as the best defensive side in the competition, leaking only eight
tries in eight games. They also buried their reputation for not travelling well by going three weeks on the road unbeaten, following wins against the Western Force and Central Cheetahs. The Stormers put behind
them last week’s loss to the Crusaders to hold off a strong finish by defending champions Queensland Reds in a 23-13 victory in Brisbane. The South Africans led 20-3 early in the second half but the Australians fought back to cut the margin to seven points before being denied a bonus point by a Peter Grant penalty on fulltime. Springbok fly-half Morne Steyn returned to his best goal-kicking form as the Bulls beat Australian conference leaders ACT Brumbies 36-34 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, while the Crusaders continued their mid-season rush up the Super 15 ladder with a 42-14 demolition of the Hurricanes to enter the top six. In Sydney, three penalties to Brendan McKibbin proved the difference as the Waratahs beat the Melbourne Rebels 30-21.
Myanmar swings into action GOLF
Agence France-Presse
After decades in the shadows, Myanmar’s sudden opening-up to the outside world is shining
a new light on the country – and revealing, amongst other things, one of Asia’s most vibrant golf communities. Behind Myanmar’s “bamboo curtain”, golf, a relic of British colonialism, has been an enduring pastime with scores of public courses – often with green fees as low as B150 – and a dozen driving ranges in the capital Yangon alone. According to Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han, a highly successful Myanmar golfer who first represented his country at the 1980 World Cup, many visitors are taken aback when they see the extent of the country’s facilities. “People don’t realise how popular golf is in Myanmar. They don’t know that we already have such a strong golf culture,” Han said. “There are lots of public courses. It’s like Scotland, or Australia. You don’t have to be a member, you can just turn up and play.” Han estimated there were up to 80 courses in Myanmar,
Golf is flourishing in impoverished Myanmar. Photo: Gusjer which borders Thailand and has an estimated population of 54 million. Its golf-playing history of 100 years is among the longest in Asia. Now the relaxation of military-ruled Myanmar in politics and border controls is expected to bring an influx of investment including plush new golf resorts, greater prize money and more opportunities for the country’s players. “We’ve always had a good history of golf being played there so it’s not like Vietnam, or Cambodia, or even China – we’ve been playing
golf for the last 100 years. So the potential is great.” Golf was first played in Myanmar by the British military, who left behind several courses when the country gained independence in 1948. Since then, it has remained mainly the preserve of the military and business elite. “It will take time. At the moment only the politics has changed. Everything will have to settle down and afterwards they (players) will come up. But it’s looking very good for the future in Myanmar at the moment,” Han said.
WORLD PEACE BANNED BASKETBALL Agence France-Presse
NBA disciplinary officials slapped Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace with a seven-game suspension Tuesday for a vicious elbow to the head of Oklahoma City guard James Harden. The ban came two days after World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, drove
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his left elbow into the side of Harden’s head during a game at Staples Center arena. World Peace once served one of the longest suspen-
sions in league history – a 86-game ban for his role in a fight between Indiana players and Detroit Piston fans in November 2004. The then Pacers player charged into the stands to attack a fan after someone threw an object at him, while other Pacer players brawled with Piston fans on the court. Harden suffered a concussion in Sunday’s incident and has yet to be cleared to play.
THE PHUKET NEWS
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
HADDIN YOU HEARD? Centurion Wade still playing second fiddle CRICKET Agence France-Presse
Matthew Wade said Brad Haddin remained Australia’s number one test match wicketkeeper despite Wade’s own maiden test century Tuesday, shifting the final West Indies Test in favour of the tourists. Wade, 24, was thrust behind the stumps for this series when 34-year-old Haddin stunned his side by announcing he was returning home for personal reasons and would not be available for selection. Wade, a promising Aussie Rules footballer in his teenage years when growing up in Tasmania, came in when Australia were tottering on 164-6 in their first innings on the first day on Monday. While he took time to move to his half century he went on the attack after that and scored his second fifty off just 33 balls, with the highlight being two successive sixes off the West Indies’ most potent bowler Shane Shillingford. He was eventually out for 106 as Australia were dismissed for 328 on Tuesday and by stumps on day two had
INTERNATIONAL SPORT
IN BRIEF Marathon death sparks charity More than £300,000 (B15 million) has been raised for the charity of a runner who died during last weekend’s London Marathon. Claire Squires, a 30-yearold hairdresser from North Kilworth, central England, was enter ing the home straight of the 26.2 mile race when she collapsed i n Bi rdcage Wal k near London’s St James’s Park. Paramedics tried to revive Squires, running on behalf of the Samaritans, but she died at the scene on Sunday.
Pirelli defend tyres Matthew Wade scored his maiden Test century against West Indies on Tuesday. Photo: AFP the hosts in trouble on 165-8 giving them a lead of 163 and looking set to win the series in which they hold a 1-0 lead. Wade, who overcame testicular cancer aged 16, refused to get carried away about his innings being the one that sealed his place ahead of Haddin in the test side. “I don’t think it changes anything, my mindset definitely hasn’t changed,” said the Victoria number one. “There’s a lot of one day and T20 cricket in between, a
lot of water under the bridge before the first Test against South Africa at the Gabba (in November), so I’ll do my job and see how it goes. “Rodney Marsh (Australian selector) said that ‘Hadds’ is No. 1 in Test cricket and that sits fine with me, I’m happy to fill the void for a while and go and play some one day cricket.” Wa d e , wh o s e f a t h e r Scott played Aussie Rules for the famed Hawthor n club in Melbourne, said that he was not looking too far
down the road as regards his long term test career. He added that the tour had been a gradual learning process where he had had to adapt to vastly different conditions from those he had encountered before. “I don’t think I had any doubt I could play Test cricket, it’s been a massive tour for me, I’ve learned so much from the first game we played, the one dayers where the conditions were just so different from what I’m used to,” he said.
41
Formula One tyres suppliers Pirelli on Monday defended themselves after being accused by seven-time champion driver Michael Schumacher of creating tyres that prevent drivers pushing to their limits. Schumacher complained after Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix that the current tyres prevented all-out racing and were turning F1 into a tyreconservation contest. “The main thing I feel unhappy about is that everyone has to drive well below a driver’s, and in par-
ticular, the car’s limits to maintain the tyres.”
Ageing Yousuf out to revive career Veteran Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf took part in a fitness test on Tuesday to try to revive his international career, insisting he could still compete at the highest level. The 37-year-old played the last of his 90 Tests against England at Lord’s in 2010 – a match marred by the spot-fixing scandal involving three of his teammates.
Yang leads Korean charge at home championship
Asia’s first golf Major winner, Y. E. Yang, wants to notch up another golfing milestone this week by becoming the first home player to win the Ballantine’s Championship, which was due to tee off yesterday (Thursday). The 40-year-old Korean, who famously went head-tohead with Tiger Woods and came out on top in the 2009 US PGA Championship at Hazeltine, would love to win the fifth edition of the tournament at Blackstone Golf Club, just outside his home city of Seoul.
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42 INTERNATIONAL SPORT
THE PHUKET NEWS
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FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
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Dramatic draw puts title in City’s reach FOOTBALL This Monday will see “the most important derby game” in Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson’s lifetime after the Premier League title race took an unexpected twist on Sunday. United conceded two late goals to draw 4-4 with Everton at Old Trafford, while City comfortably beat Wolves 2-0 to close the gap to three points, and send Wolves down to the Championship next season. United led 4-2 with eight minutes remaining but goals from Nikica Jelavic and Steven Pienaar levelled proceedings, while City ran out easy winners at Molineux thanks to Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri strikes. The gap is now three points, though with City’s superior goal difference, they will regain top spot if they beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s men at the Etihad Stadium next week. Ferguson acknowledged the magnitude of the game. “It is probably the most important derby game in my time. We have to go
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson: “[Next week] is probably the most important derby game in my time.” there, make sure we perform in the right way and not give away silly goals. “There’s no reason why we can’t get a good result.
China official claims torture in football graft trial FOOTBALL Agence France-Presse
The former head of China’s soccer association alleged Tuesday he was tortured into confessing to bribe-taking as he and other officials faced trial in a crackdown on graft in Chinese football. Xie Yalong, ex-chief of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), went on trial in the northeast city of Dandong for allegedly receiving bribes, state media said, becoming the highestranking former soccer official to face justice. His successor as China’s soccer boss, Nan Yong, was to go on trial a day later in a court in the city of Tieling, also for accepting bribes. Both cities are in Liaoning province. But Xie told the court he was tortured with electric shocks, beaten, and doused with water while being interrogated during investigations, state media reports said. T he People’s Daily
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quoted Xie’s lawyer Jin Xiaoguang as saying his defendant feared for his life during the interrogation and confessed to crimes he did not commit “because he wanted to stay alive”. The popular Chinese web portal QQ.com reported Xie was beaten so hard in the head his ears bled. Dozens of CFA and club officials, referees, and players have been ensnared for their roles in a match-fixing and gambling scandal exposed two years ago, which has rocked Chinese football by lifting the lid on deeprooted corruption. The revelations have combined with poor play by China’s national squad to repel increasingly indifferent Chinese fans, threatening the future of the world’s most popular game in the world’s most populous country. Xie, 56, was charged with 12 counts of accepting bribes, which totaled more than 1.7 million yuan (B8.5 million or US$273,000), news agency Xinhua said.
There has been an expectancy from City that this could be their decider, but it’s our decider too,” he said. Elsewhere, Newcastle
United moved a step closer to Champions League football with a 3-0 victory over Stoke City at the Sports Direct Arena. Blackburn Rovers claimed a valuable three points as they battle to avoid the drop, beating Norwich City 2-0 at Ewood Park, while Liverpool’s miserable home form continued as they lost 1-0 to West Brom at Anfield. Wolves’ relegation means there are now only two other places at stake and five teams at risk of occupying them. Blackburn are still in the bottom three, in 18th spot, in spite of an excellent 2-0 victory over Norwich at Ewood Park on Saturday. T hey’ve r isen above Bolton, who could only draw at home to Swansea, though Owen Coyle’s men do have two games in hand though and are only a point behind. Just four points ahead of the Trot ters are both Wigan and QPR. In The Phuket News tipping competition, ‘gafferworld’ had a strong week to extend his lead at the top of the overall competition table.
Phone +66 76 270958 abpoffice@yahoo.co.uk www.lcc-albatross.com THIS MONTH'S COMPETITION IS SUPPORTED BY:
DANE’S TIPS ROUND 34 Everton v Fulham home win Stoke v Arsenal draw Sunderland v Bolton draw Swansea v Wolves home win West Brom v Aston Villa draw Wigan v Newcastle away win Norwich v Liverpool away win Chelsea v QPR home win Tottenham v Blackburn home win Man City v Man Utd draw TOP 10 PERFORMERS (MARCH): 1. Farang2005 2. scottkip 3. dcoutts 4. Clare Bolzon 5. chasman 6. MRB 7. zestrealestate 8. gafferworld 9. colinsmith99 10. mickyleeds
73 70 69 63 62 62 62 60 59 59
He now sits 22 points clear of MRB, and it will take something very special for him not to win the return flight to the UK, courtesy of Albatross Lufthansa City Center. In the monthly competition for April, Farang2005
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still has his eyes on the B3,000 voucher to be spent at the Peppers Bar & Restaurant, Phuket’s premier sports bar. But with a week still to play, it’s still up for grabs, as is this year’s Premier League competition.
Debatable penalty gifts Brisbane A-League title FOOTBALL Agence France-Presse
A controversial penalty in the sixth minute of stoppage time gave Brisbane Roar a 2-1 win over Perth Glory on Sunday and ensured they became the first club to win back-toback A League titles. With the scores locked at 1-1 and the game headed to extra time, referee Jarred Gillett ruled Besart Berisha had been brought down in the box, despite replays seemingly showing no contact had been made. The Albanian international stepped up to convert the penalty and send the 50,000 Roar fans into raptures. Berisha had brought Brisbane back into the contest only moments earlier when his powerful header in the 84th minute had equalled the scores following an own goal from Roar defender Ivan Franjic in the 52nd minute. While Perth will feel they were robbed by the decision, the Roar had dominated for much of the match and were only kept out by a superb defensive
Besart Berisha scored a controversial penalty as Brisbane Roar defended their A-League title. effort from the visitors. It is the second year in succession that the Roar have come back from the brink to win the final – in 2011 they were 2-0 down deep into extra time before beating Central Coast on penalties. Perth took the game right up to the more-favoured Roar in the first half, with the home side seeming to struggle with the surface, which had been cut
up by a Super 15 rugby match two nights before. The first goal, when it came, was against the run of play as Perth’s Billy Mehmet stole the ball and went on a 50 metre run before laying it off to Travis Dodd, whose cross was turned into his own goal by the unlucky Franjic. Brisbane were finally rewarded in the 84th minute when the Roar’s German talisman,
Thomas Broich, put in a piercing cross and Berisha launched himself at the ball to head it past the stationary Vukovic. The Roar kept attacking and Berisha’s winner, although controversial, was almost inevitable. “I don’t have words really,” Perth captain Jacob Burns said. “You’ve got to congratulate Brisbane but I feel as though I’ve been robbed there. That decision cost us the grand final.”
THE PHUKET NEWS
INTERNATIONAL SPORT 43
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
Lotus light up podium as Red Bull roars again 32-year-old Finn, looking for his 19th career win, challenged winner Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull for victory, and said he hoped to push for victory again during the season. He said: “We had the car already in the first three races to be up there, but we made some small mistakes and it cost us too much. Today wasn’t far away. “I really should have made it, but I didn’t so, like I said, hopefully we can put ourselves
FORMULA 1 Agence France-Presse/ The Phuket News
Kimi Raikkonen promised more of the same on Sunday after claiming a surprise second place for Lotus in the Bahrain Grand Prix ahead of his team-mate Romain Grosjean. Just four races into his comeback after two years out of the sport spent rallying, the
English Premier League Team
MP W
Vettel in Switzerland where the 53 Finn, he claims, normally beats 49 the German at table tennis. “I pretty much knew that 48 43 was my only chance.” 43 The result is especially important to Lotus, with the Constructor Standings 1. Red Bull 101 British manufacturer only 2. McLaren-Mercedes 92 returning to the sport in 2010 3. Lotus-Renault 57 following a 15 year hiatus from racing. The last time they because I chose the wrong side were successful as a team was and then my tyres dropped off in 1978, when they won both and that was it,” said Raik- the driver’s and constructor’s konen, a near-neighbour of championship.
Driver Standings 1. Sebastian Vettel 2. Lewis Hamilton 3. Mark Webber 4. Jenson Button 5. Fernando Alonso
Kimi Raikkonen finished second for Lotus in Bahrain. in this position more often to have a chance.” Raikkonen admitted that he didn’t make the most of
his one realistic opportunity to pass Vettel on lap 36. “We got one try on Sebastian, but I couldn’t use it
French Ligue 1 D
L
F
A
P
D
L
F
A
P
D
L
F
A
1
Manchester United
35
26
5
4
86
32
83
1
Montpellier
33
21
6
6
60
31
69
1
Juventus
33
19
14
0
57
18
71
2
Manchester City
35
25
5
5
87
27
80
2
Paris Saint-Germain
33
19
10
4
63
35
67
2
Milan
33
20
8
5
63
27
68
3
Arsenal
35
20
5
10
67
43
65
3
Lille
33
17
11
5
62
36
62
3
Lazio
33
16
7
10
49
41
55
4
Newcastle United
34
18
8
8
53
42
62
4
Lyon
33
17
5
11
52
43
56
4
Udinese
33
14
10
9
44
32
52
5
Tottenham Hotspur
34
17
8
9
57
39
59
5
Rennes
33
15
9
9
45
36
54
5
Napoli
33
13
12
8
58
41
51
6
Chelsea
34
16
10
8
56
38
58
6
Saint-Étienne
33
15
8
10
44
37
53
6
Roma
33
15
5
13
52
46
50
7
Everton
34
13
9
12
42
38
48
7
Toulouse
33
15
8
10
36
30
53
7
Internazionale
33
14
7
12
47
45
49
8
Liverpool
34
12
10
12
40
37
46
8
Bordeaux
33
11
13
9
40
37
46
8
Catania
34
11
13
10
44
46
46
9
Fulham
34
12
10
12
45
44
46
9
Evian
33
12
9
12
48
47
45
9
Chievo
34
11
10
13
30
41
43
10
West Bromwich Albion
35
13
6
16
41
47
45
10
Marseille
33
10
11
12
40
38
41
10
Atalanta
34
12
13
9
38
36
43
11
Sunderland
35
11
11
13
42
41
44
11
Nancy
33
10
11
12
33
39
41
11
Siena
33
11
9
13
41
35
42
12
Swansea City
35
11
10
14
39
45
43
12
Nice
33
9
10
14
34
39
37
12
Palermo
33
11
8
14
46
51
41
13
Norwich City
35
11
10
14
47
60
43
13
Valenciennes
33
10
7
16
31
40
37
13
Bologna
33
10
11
12
34
39
41
14
Stoke City
34
11
9
14
32
48
42
14
Lorient
33
8
11
14
32
44
35
14
Parma
33
10
11
12
44
50
41
15
Aston Villa
35
7
15
13
36
50
36
15
Caen
33
8
10
15
35
49
34
15
Cagliari
34
10
11
13
36
42
41
16
Queens Park Rangers
35
9
7
19
39
57
34
16
Dijon
33
9
7
17
37
54
34
16
Fiorentina
33
9
11
13
32
38
38
17
Wigan Athletic
35
8
10
17
34
60
34
17
Ajaccio
33
7
13
13
33
54
34
17
Genoa
33
9
9
15
44
62
36
18
Bolton Wanderers
34
10
3
21
39
67
33
18
Brest
33
6
15
12
28
33
33
18
Lecce
33
8
11
14
38
49
35
19
Blackburn Rovers
35
8
7
20
47
73
31
19
Sochaux
33
8
9
16
34
54
33
19
Novara
33
5
10
18
27
56
25
20
Wolves
35
5
8
22
34
75
23
20
Auxerre
33
5
13
15
37
48
28
20
Cesena
33
4
10
19
21
50
22
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa 0-0 Blackburn Rovers 2 - 0 Bolton Wanderers 1 - 1 Fulham 2-1 Newcastle United 3 - 0
Chelsea Sunderland Norwich Swansea Wigan Athletic Stoke City
QPR
1-0
Tottenham
Manchester United 4 - 4
Everton
Liverpool
0-1
West Brom
Wolves
0-2
Manchester City
Aston Villa
1-2
Bolton Wanderers
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0-1 1-4 0-2 2-1 1-0
Stade Rennes Saint-Étienne Lille Toulouse Valenciennes
Nice Bordeaux Ajaccio PSG Olympique Lyon
1-0 2-1 0-0 6-1 3-2
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Team
Parma Chievo Catania Napoli Fiorentina Milan
MP W
3-0 0-0 2-0 2-0 0-0 1-1
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German Bundesliga
MP W 28
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Borussia Dortmund
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Schalke 04
12
50
47
52
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13
48
47
49
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Real Madrid
34
2
Barcelona
34
25
6
3
Valencia
34
15
10
4
Málaga
34
15
7
5
Levante
34
14
7
Team
MP W
D
L
F
A
P
23
6
3
71
23
75
32
21
4
7
71
21
67
32
18
4
10
67
42
58
Mönchengladbach
32
16
8
8
46
24
56
5
VfB Stuttgart
32
14
8
10
60
42
50
00:00
01:55
Rugby Union
01:00
03:55
Rugby Union
6
Athletic Club
34
12
12
10
49
44
48
6
Bayer Leverkusen
32
13
9
10
47
43
48
8, 816, 107
16:30
18:30
Rugby League
NRL
Bulldogs v. Sea Eagles
7
Atlético Madrid
34
13
9
12
47
42
48
7
Hannover 96
32
11
12
9
39
43
45
816, 104
17:30
01:30
Tennis
ATP Series
8
Osasuna
34
11
14
9
38
54
47
8
Werder Bremen
32
11
9
12
46
52
42
00:30
Rugby Union
HSBC Asian 5 Nations
Barcelona Open Quarter Finals
9
Sevilla
34
12
10
12
41
39
46
9
1899 Hoffenheim
32
10
11
11
38
41
41
10
Espanyol
34
12
9
13
44
46
45
10
VfL Wolfsburg
32
12
5
15
42
56
41
11
Getafe
34
12
9
13
38
45
45
11
FC Nuremberg
32
11
6
15
34
43
39
12
Mallorca
34
11
10
13
36
41
43
12
FSV Mainz 05
32
9
11
12
47
48
38
13
Real Betis
34
12
6
16
40
49
42
13
SC Freiburg
32
9
10
13
41
56
37
14
Real Sociedad
34
10
10
14
41
50
40
14
Hamburger SV
32
8
11
13
35
56
35
15
Rayo Vallecano
34
12
4
18
50
60
40
15
FC Augsburg
32
7
13
12
35
49
34
16
Granada
34
11
6
17
31
49
39
16
FC Köln
32
8
6
18
37
67
30
17
Villarreal
34
8
13
13
35
48
37
17
Hertha BSC
32
6
10
16
35
59
28
18
Sporting Gijón
34
8
7
19
35
64
31
18
FC Kaiserslautern
32
4
11
17
21
47
23
19
Real Zaragoza
34
8
7
19
29
60
31
20
Racing Santander
34
4
14
16
24
53
26
812, 109
22:55
Super XV
Team
Italian Serie A
Lions v. Brumbies
Amlin Challenge SF Toulon v. Stade Francais
UAE v. Hong Kong
Saturday, April 28 814
23:45
01:20
Rugby Union
Heineken Cup SF1
Ulster v. Edinburgh
8, 816, 107
14:35
16:30
Rugby Union
Super XV
Chiefs v. Hurricanes
16:40
18:20
Rugby Union
Super XV
21:55
00:00
Rugby Union
Super XV
Western Force v. Stormers Cheetahs v. Highlanders
Amlin Biarritz v. Brive Rugby Union Challenge SF Rugby NRL Rabbitohs v. Cowboys League Rugby Challenge Warrington v. League Cup Bradford MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix Motorbikes Qualifying
00:00
01:55
8, 816, 107
18:30
20:15
814
20:40
22:30
813, 109
17:55
20:30
102
21:00
23:00
Soccer
EPL
Swansea v. Wolves
813
21:00
23:00
Soccer
EPL
Wigan v. Newcastle
104
21:00
23:00
Soccer
EPL
Everton v. Fulham
817, 103
21:00
23:00
Soccer
EPL
Sunderland v. Bolton
812, 101
21:00
23:00
Soccer
EPL
Stoke v. Arsenal
817, 103
23:30
01:30
Soccer
EPL
Norwich v. Liverpool
816, 104
18:30
21:00
Tennis
ATP Series
Barcelona Open Semi Finals
817, 103
23:30
01:30
Soccer
EPL
QPR v. Tottenham
Super XV
Waratahs v. Crusaders
Mallorca Sporting Gijón Barcelona Sevilla Granada
1-0 2-1 1-2 1-1 1-0
Real Zaragoza Rayo Vallecano Real Madrid Levante Getafe
Real Sociedad 1-1 Racing Santander 0 - 1 Atlético Madrid 3 - 1 Valencia 4-0 Osasuna 1-1
Villarreal Athletic Club Espanyol Real Betis Málaga
Mainz 05 Werder Bremen Nürnberg Hoffenheim Köln
0 - 0 1-2 1-1 0-1 1-1
Wolfsburg Bayern München Hamburger SV Bayer Leverkusen Stuttgart
Champions League Relegation
Hertha BSC
1-2
Kaiserslautern
Borussia Dortmund 2 - 0 Mönchengladbach Augsburg
1-1
Schalke 04
Hannover 96
0-0
Freiburg
Champions League qualifiers
Premier League promotion
Europa League
Premier League play-off
Sunday, April 29 8, 816, 107
12:10
14:00 Rugby Union
8, 816, 107
14:15
16:00
Rugby League
813, 109
15:55
20:00
Motorbikes
814
21:00
22:30 Rugby Union
812, 101
19:30
21:30
22:00
00:00
21:00
23:30
Tennis
816, 104
NRL
Eels v. Wests Tigers
Moto GP Main Race Heineken Cup SF2
Spanish Grand Prix Clermont v. Leinster
Soccer
EPL
Chelsea v. QPR
Soccer
EPL
Tottenham v. Blackburn
ATP Series Barcelona Open Final
thephuketnews.com
44 INTERNATIONAL SPORT
SPORT
THE PHUKET NEWS
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
Teeing off
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sport@thephuketnews.com
ZERO TO
HERO Torres and Chelsea stun Barcelona to seal their place in the Champions League final on May 19
Fernando Torres scored in the last minute to secure Chelsea’s stunning victory. Photo: AFP
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Agence France-Presse
It was something few could have predicted – the world’s two best players choking at crucial moments to send Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid and Barcelona crashing out of the Champions League. But that’s exactly how the semi-finals played out this week as World Player of the Year Lionel Messi smashed a penalty against the bar in Barca’s semi-final reverse to Chelsea on Tuesday, while Real’s Cristiano Ronaldo had his saved by Manuel Neuer in Wednesday’s dramatic shootout that sent Bayern Munich through to next month’s final. The Portuguese had scored from the spot early in the first half, his 25th successive penalty success, but when he stepped up to take a second after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate, Neuer dove to his right to palm the ball to safety. The world’s most expensive player, for whom Real paid United around 94 million euros (US$123.93 million, or B3.8 billion) in 2009, could only look on in anguish as Neuer also stopped Kaka’s penalty, Sergio Ramos skied his shot over the bar and Bastian Schweinsteiger stepped up to send the Germans through. Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes was delighted with his club’s performance. “We played a great game against an extraordinary opponent who went 2-0 ahead tonight but we have managed to get a goal back, our goalkeeper has been great at the end and we’ve had a bit of luck.” Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho
thephuketnews.com
SEMI FINAL RESULTS Real Madrid 2 - 1 Bayern Munich Bayern won 3-1 on penalties Barcelona 2 – 2 Chelsea Chelsea won 3-2 on aggregate
was philosophical about the defeat. “You have to be level-headed about it when you win and lose, football is like that. “At 2-1 any mistake would have lost the game but I’m proud of my players and we have to be strong,” he said. He went on to analyse the final between Bayern and Chelsea. “I hope it’s a good game but I obviously want Chelsea to win, they were heroes to beat Barcelona with ten men.” But beating Bayern will be no easy task for the Blues, who will be without veteran captain John Terry after he was shown a red in their semi-final return leg against Barca for a foul on Alexis Sanchez. Terry, desperate to atone for the penalty shoot-out miss which cost Chelsea victory in the 2008 final over Manchester United, agreed it would hurt to miss the final. “On a personal note, of course,” he said. “But this is what this football club deserves. We deserve to be in the Champions League final. The boys were excellent and I hope the incident doesn’t take away from how hard they worked.” Bayern will also be without three players due to suspension after Holger Badstuber, David Alaba and Luiz Gustavo picked up yellow cards at the Santiago Bernabeu. Bayern will face Chelsea at Allianz Arena on May 19. A full preview will appear in the May 18 issue of The Phuket News.