28-12-2012

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NEWS

2012 in review: looking back at the past year

page 6

LIFE

From fat to fit, how muay Thai saved his life

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SPORT

Thailand lose to Singapore in Suzuki Cup

page 24

ABU DHABI-BOUND PLANE IN EMERGENCY LANDING DRAMA > P3

SYDICTIVE

PARTY ON! After weeks of ‘Will it or won’t it happen?’ it has been confirmed that the New Year Sydictive Element megaparty is definitely on, at the south end of Patong Beach The ThaiBev-sponsored free party in Patong has been swept aside and a large chunk of the beach will be walled off, accessible only to those who have paid to get in FULL STORY ON PAGE 2

Great piles of building materials are stacked up along Patong beach on Wednesday, ready to create the New Year party venue.

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News

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

Up in smoke

Early morning fire wrecks rooms in Patong resort, sends guests fleeing in their nightclothes > 5

execeditor@thephuketnews.com

Karon party is on, and it’s free

Remembering all the victims of the tsunami WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, WAS a day for remembering the victims of the Asia Tsunami of eight years ago.

Commemorations started with a quiet ceremony at the Tsunami Wall in Mai Khao, where about 100 people, mostly Thai, joined in a morning ceremony under clear skies, with Buddhist, Christian and Muslim prayers for the dead.

The participants then laid wreaths along the wall.

In the evening, at Loma Park in Patong, a crowd of 200 or so, bulked out with local students, gathered in near-silence to hear prayers for the dead and missing in the island’s greatest disaster, before lighting candles and placing them in holes in the beach.

Others brought white roses which they laid around the tsunami memorial.

Among the participants were the Ecker family from Austria, who were staying at the Graceland Hotel in 2004.

Thanks to warnings from Thais they fled the beach in time and suffered only scratches.

They said they timed their two-week vacation this year to coincide with the anniversary.

Next to the stage, an exhibition of tsunami paintings by children drew an elderly Swedish couple, Lily and Luke. They turned away, tears rolling down Lily’s face.

Luke told The Phuket News, “We flew back to Sweden one day before the Tsunami but our friend stayed on and we lost her.”

White roses for remembrance are laid at the temporary tsunami memorial in Patong on Wednesday night.

Megaparty confirmed

T

he Sydictive Element New Year party was confirmed today after an official meeting in Patong chaired by Phuket Vice-Governor Somkiat Sangkhaosutthirak.

Lobbying hard for the private party to be permitted on a public beach – something that Patong Mayor Pian Keesin had opposed – the chairman of Sydictive Element Co, Dr Vorachart Petnunthawong, explained that the party will occupy only about one tenth of the beach, an area stretching from the end of Bangla Rd for about 800 metres to the south.

There will be 500 security officers, included 40 men from the Royal Thai Navy and 20 scuba divers to rescue anyone who gets into trouble in the water.

The temporary wall around the event will include a barrier to keep partygoers from

After the meeting that confirmed the Sydictive Element New Year party, the major participants posed for photographs. From left, Sydictive chairman Dr Vorachat Petnunthawong, his son Jirat, V/Gov Somkiat Sankhaosutthirak, and Patong Mayor Pian Keesin. going out into the sea (and gatecrashers from coming in).

There will be a single entrance, equipped with a scanner to prevent anyone from bringing weapons to the party.

Apart from the beach party area, two small barges will

be moored close to the huge floating stage, and reserved for VIP guests only. He refused to give names but V/Gov Somkiat said in the meeting that they would include some powerful political figures and members of royalty from overseas.

The floating stage itself is 70 meters long and 30 meters wide, so large that the organisers have invited the editors of the Guinness Book of World Records to measure it for inclusion in the book.

Dr Vorachart also said that

Sydictive representative have already negotiated with retailers and business operators in the area and they are pleased to join the party by selling their products inside the party.

A jet-ski operator told The Phuket News earlier in the day that he had been paid B30,000 to compensate for loss of business.

Finally, V/Gov Somkiat asked, “Are there any more questions? Any more problems?” There was no response.

Somsak Rattana, Phuket director of beer maker Thai­Bev, which has sponsored free New Year parties on Patong Beach for several years, and was due to do so again this time, told The Phuket News yesterday (December 27) that the firm “has stepped back”.

Outside the venue, ThaiBev will sell beer. It will also supply beer for sale inside the Sydictive party venue, he said.

WHILE EVERYBODY’S been wondering if the New Year’s Sydictive party would happen, the one in Karon definitely is – and it’s free.

This will be the second year that the Phuket Electronic Music and Dance Festival has been held on Karon Beach; the festival was launched last year by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in collaboration with Department of Intellectual Property, the Ministry Of Commerce and Karon Municipality.

The goal of the Phuket Electronic Music and Dance Festival 2012 / Karon Beach New Year Countdown 2013 is to promote electronic music in Thailand, and to encourage talented Thai electronic artists to participate in the electronic music industry.

The two-day festival will showcase a line up of more than 30 international and Thai DJs, including J Montonn and DJ Domination, winner of this year’s Best Video DJ of the World contest.

Combined with the festival is the Creative IP DJ Hunt Southern Region, which aims to unearth undiscovered talent in Phuket and southern Thailand. The top three winners of the hunt will receive B20,000, B10,000 and B5,000 respectively, and also prizes from Pioneer.

Highlights of the event will be aired on Fashion TV. For more information, visit the Phuket Electronic Music and Dance Festival 2012 Facebook page.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

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Airport chaos after emergency landing A

Namboon lies on his side, firmly stuck. Photo: Sert Tongdee

Scary adventure for 3-ton jumbo NAMBOON, A 40-YEAR -old bull elephant weighing three tons, had to be rescued on Sunday (December 23) after he wandered into deep mud in Chalong.

A rescuer from the Phuket Ruamjai Foundation explained that the elephant went missing from his camp near the Luang Pu Supa Temple. He wandered into a tin lagoon and quickly sank in the deep mud along the edge.

By the time his mahout found him, at around midday,

Namboon had sunk so deep that all that could be seen of him was his back, the top of his head, one eye, one ear and the end of his trunk.

It took almost five hours for the mahout, helped by rescuers from the Ruamjai Foundation and the Amazing Bukit Safari to get a heavy-duty sling around the elephant and drag him out with an excavator.

Namboon was exhausted and more than a little muddy, but otherwise none the worse for wear.

n Air Berlin plane with its left engine on fire landed safely at Phuket International Airport on the night of December 20, but caused chaos with flights delayed and diverted until the runway could be cleared.

The 8:30 pm flight, AB/ BER7425 from Phuket to Abu Dhabi in the UAE, caught fire after takeoff, with 249 passengers, mostly German nationals, on board.

According to the Aviation Herald, passengers reported “repeated bangs and sparks flying off an engine”.

With flames pouring from the left engine of the twinengine Airbus A330-200 aircraft, the captain managed to circle and put the aircraft back down on the runway in Phuket at 9:30 pm.

No one was hurt in the emergency landing, but three tyres – two on the left and one on the right – burst during the landing, causing delays in getting the aircraft off the runway.

Airport officials told The Phuket News that they were full of admiration for the pilot, saying he demonstrated

Engineers (in orange) examine the wheels of the aircraft. Three tyres burst on touchdown. “fabulous flying skills”.

One official said that the pilot, with just one engine, had to slideslip the plane repeatedly to keep it on course on the way into Phuket.

After the plane landed, airport staff evacuated the passengers. They then had to change the wheels in order to move the plane. It took until 3am on Friday (December 21) to get it off the runway, and park it in a bay around the back of the freight area.

By midnight the passengers had been taken to nearby hotels for the night. A substitute

aircraft arrived the following evening to take them on to Abu Dhabi.

The emergency caused disruption to flights in and out. One flight from Emirates and one from Bangkok Airways were forced to land at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, two AirAsia flights landed at Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport, one from Jetstar diverted to Penang, and a Qater Airways flight landed in Kuala Lumpur.

Five flights due to take off from Phuket were delayed – two from Thai International,

and one each from AirAsia, Orient Thai and Bangkok Airways.

In the early morning the airport was jammed with waiting passengers but by 9am officials said the backlog had been cleared and flights were back to normal.

The airline confirmed that, following the emergency landing, a report had been submitted to the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation and to Thai authorities.but added, “It cannot be confirmed” that the engine caught fire.

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

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

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

TOM METCALFE Sub Editor editor2@thephuketnews.com From New Zealand; 15 years as a print journalist and television news producer in the UK, NZ and Southeast Asia, including BBC World and Reuters in London, and Al Jazeera in Kuala Lumpur.

TANYALUK ‘MANGO’ SAKOOT

Envoys ‘are out of date in jet-ski remarks’ TH E CHIEF OF TH E Phuket Marine Department has criticised recent warnings about jet-ski scams by the British and Australian ambassadors to Thailand which, he says, are inaccurate and based on out-of-date information.

Speaking to The Phuket News, Phuriphat Teerakulpisut, Chief of the Marine Department Region said, “Now, 286 jet ski owners in Phuket have registered [with the department] and are operating legally.”

Chief Phuriphat added that the majority of Phuket jet-ski operators also have insurance, which they themselves had arranged.

The jet ski mafia are also “much better behaved”, according to Chief Phuriphat.

For these reasons, Mr Phuriphat said that the Australian Ambassador’s comments did not reflect the everchanging and improving beach scene on the island.

“There are black sheep in any society – that’s normal – but I am confident that Phuket jet-skis are better behaved and, I believe, the relationship between the officials and the watersport community is good.”

Jet-ski extortion was highlighted worldwide in the video series Big Trouble in Thailand, posted on YouTube in September last year.

NATTHA ‘KAMIN’ THEPBAMRUNG

A forklift truck was used to push the concrete cubes over the side of the barge.

Artificial reef created Nattha Thepbamrung reporter2@thephuketnews.com

A

total of 1,800 concrete cubes were planted in the sea along the Kata-Karon shore last week to create a new artificial reef.

Creating the reef was a simple exercise. As a barge full of the open concrete cubes chugged through the water, a forklift truck on board simply pushed the cubes over the side.

The creation of the eightkilometre-long artificial reef came after the success of a similar project off Nai Yang Beach three years ago, which has boosted the coral and fish in Nai Yang Bay.

Manop Leelasuthanon, chief officer of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (OrBorJor), said that the artificial reef will not only become a thing of beauty, attracting tourists and increasing local people’s income, but will also help to revive marine resources.

He explained that a lack of a proper management plan for Phuket’s environment had affected marine resources, with coral reefs being killed off by human activity, so the OrBorJor had embarked on a project to create artificial reefs.

The first was in Nai Yang Bay in 2009, and two more were created in 2010 in Bang

Tao Bay and off Kamala.

He said that the Nai Yang reef already had good coral growth and had attracted schools of fish.

However, said Sompong Dabpetch, deputy mayor of Karon, the three earlier artificial reefs had already been damaged by trawlers because no plan had been made to keep fishing boats away.

In the case of the new reef, he said, the departments concerned will be consulted to work out ways to protect it from plundering by fishermen.

The creation of the reef was paid for by the central government and managed by the OrBorJor.

Intl Hospital marks 30 years THE PHUKET INTERNATIONAL HOSpital celebrated its 30th Anniversary last Friday (December 21) by launching two charitable projects.

The first is a “Run for Health, Run for Charity” event in February. Registration

is already open. Competitors may enter by visiting the hospital or by calling 076 249 400 or 080 532 2556.

The hospital has launched an alternative medicine and rehabilitation project to treat 20 children suffering from cerebral palsy”.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

Fire wrecks wing of Patong hotel Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.com

F

ive guest rooms were destroyed and another two badly scorched at the Royal Phawadee Village resort on Sawadtirak Rd, Patong, in the early hours of Wednesday.

A number of guests were left standing in the road in their nightclothes after their belongings were destroyed in the f lames, but no one was hurt.

Hotel owner Claude de Crissey told The Phuket News that, based on initial inspection, the morning fire, just before dawn, seems to have started from a faulty electric cable, but he was waiting on results of an investigation conducted by Police forensic experts.

“I don’t know what happened, but an electricity cable caught fire at about 5.30 am and spread throughout the wing.”

“Two or three customers have lost luggage,”said Mr de Chrissey, “the rest of

PHUKET NEWS

IN BRIEF American, Thai die in bike smash

A 51-year-old American man and a Thai ladyboy are dead following a motorbike smash on Viset Rd in Rawai just after midnight on December 20.

Police said the American, Theodore Paul Roe, was riding on one motorbike, and two ladyboys were riding together on another bike.

Police said they were not sure yet what happened, but friends of Mr Roe said they had heard that two Thais pulled out of a side road in front of Mr Roe. The other Thai was taken to hospital.

243 arrested in crime drive

Smoke pours from the front of the Royal Phawadee Village. Photo: Golf Thairat them managed to take their belongings with them after the fire started.”

The fire also blew out a window in one of the rooms, which led to the blaze spreading to the neighbouring hotel, the Silver Resortel.

“Damage was caused to one or two of their rooms and actually some of those guests are now staying at the Royal Phawadee Village Resort.”

It took firemen about an hour to extinguish the flames.

Guests from the Royal Phawadee Village Resort whose rooms were destroyed by the fire have been relocated to the Holiday Inn. Mr de Crissey is paying their bills and will also pay for replacement of burned belongings.

“One of the major problems is that my hotel is ful-

ly booked for the next two weeks, so I will have to find somewhere for [new guests arriving]. I will do my best,” said Mr de Crissey.

The Royal Phawadee Village Resort is still open, as just one part of the resort was affected by the fire. Mr de Crissey explained, “It is only the exterior of the resort that is wooden. The interior is a concrete structure.”

Phuket police have arrested 243 criminals in 169 cases in a concerted drive against crime in the 16 days leading up to the New Year.

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Choti Chavalviwat told The Phuket News on Monday (December 24), “We began this drive to arrest drunk drivers, thieves and gangsters around Phuket on December 15. I believe we will wrap up many more cases.”

He added that major checkpoints have been set up in a variety of places, along with mobile checkpoints that will

be shifted every two hours, continuing until next Thursday (January 3).

Metalworker dies from shock, fall A metal worker died on December 12 in Vachira Phuket Hospital after he received an electric shock and severe burns, and then fell from the top of a four-metre-high archway where he had been working.

Ekkamon Authasri, 17, from Uthai Thani, was erecting a flagpole on top of the arch at the Panyanukul Special School in Thalang when the pole touched a high-voltage power line.

Two-gun game player arrested Phuket Town investigators arrested a man carrying two unlicensed pistols just after midnight on Tuesday morning (December 25), following a tip-off.

Police found Sarawut Leejareukul, 24, playing computer games in the NF internet café in Wichit. He told them that the guns were purely for his own protection.

But police had reason to believe that he was planning to use them to shoot “an enemy” and so arrested him.

‘James Mental’ gang caught ASTONISHED TOURISTS AT Kata Viewpoint watched with fascination on Christmas Eve (December 24) as two young men from Rawai, re-enacted their vicious attack on a Russian man five days before.

Their victim helped the re-enactment by playing his part in it.

Aleksei Shvetsov, 38, was kicked off his motorbike by the duo, Perapon “James” Boonchoui, 20, and Thanapat “Juke” Wattano, 23, at around 3am on December 19.

James and Juke, riding together on one bike, came up alongside and kicked at

Mr Shvetsov’s bike till he fell over. As they went to grab his belongings – with a special eye for his B70,000 platinum neck chain – Mr Shvetsov fought back. James stabbed him in the arm.

At this point six friends of the duo arrived and attempted to subdue Mr Shvetsov by beating him with metal bars.

A pitched battle ensued, with Mr Shvetsov – despite his stab wound – managing to punch and hurl some of them to the ground.

At this point Mr Shvetsov’s friend arrived and went to his aid. The robbers grabbed the

injured man’s B27,000 iPhone 5 and fled.

Mr Shvetsov and his friend returned to their accommodation in Rawai where local people patched them up and called officers from the new Karon police station.

Suspecting a Rawai gang known as “James Mental”, police rounded up five of them.

After questioning four – James, Juke and two juveniles – confessed to carrying out the attack. The other denied taking part, but police say they are quite sure he, too, is guilty.

They expect to arrest the other three gang members soon.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

2012: A YEAR JANUARY: No shortage of news in the first month of 2012. Property and hotel personality, and hiso darling Vorasit “Plawan” Issara is viciously attacked with a home-made axe in a late-night Phuket Town bar.

Phuket journalist Wisut “Ae Inside” Tangwittayaporn is shot dead in a professional hit and in Thalang a man dies in mysterious circumstances, possibly from a spider bite.

On the plus side, John and Gill Dalley of Soi Dog receive an international award worth B630,000.

And the Dolphin Seaways hydrofoil service to the Similans is launched, as is a new ladyboy show, Simon Star.

FEBRUARY: Magician Joe Conrad pulls off his greatest trick to date, making himself disappear in a cloud of debt.

Australian girl Juliet Childs, aged 8, goes viral on YouTube, wearing an “I Love Phuket” T-shirt – great publicity for the island. The view tops out at around 24 million. Local kid-rock band Legends of Siam also cut their first single.

Tourists are rushed to hospital when the chlorine system at a Karon resort explodes, gassing them.

Air Australia goes bust, leaving hundreds of holidaymakers stranded in Phuket.

MARCH: Norwegian Steen Dokset is arrested after police find the remains of his girlfriend stuffed in a wheelie bin in his house.

PM Yingluck Shinawatra arrives in Phuket for a mobile Cabinet meeting, with projects worth billions being approved (in principle).

Phuket’s Vanessa Muangkod is crowned Miss Thailand World. Phuket goes live on Google Street View.

APRIL: MP Chuwit Kamolvisit alleges there is a huge casino in Patong;

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Above: Mourning for the dead in the Tiger disco fire. Below left, Lee ‘Pitbull’ Aldhouse is returned to Phuket from the UK to face trial for murder. Below right, police inspect the car in which Wisut ‘Ae Inside’ Tangwittayaporn was assassinated.

police can’t find it.

A tsunami alert causes chaos, but the wave never arrives; phew!

A 4.3 Richter earthquake cracks houses in Thalang and a Facebook post predicts that Phuket will sink under the sea on April 28; it doesn’t.

In Patong police look for but fail to find any ping-pong shows.

Masked men set fire to a snake show building; no snakes are hurt.

MAY: Jaruwat “Dome” Chea­wa­ram of Phuket wins the Thai TV singing competition The Star.

Three foreigners are arrested for a B30 million jewellery heist in Phuket Town but the leader, a Mexican woman, escapes.

The 450 staff of the Evason Resort are laid off when the resort is sold and closed for renovations.

The old Chartered Bank building in Phuket Town reopens as a museum of Peranakan history.

JUNE: Australian travel agent Michelle Smith is fatally stabbed in a botched bag-snatch attempt; her killers are caught in a massive manhunt.

Villagers on Koh Racha complain that the once-pristine island is becoming overrun by pollution.

Parks boss Damrong “the Demolisher” Pidech arrives to begin an investigation into land-grabbing in the Sirinart Marine National Park.

Mini-twisters damage 25 homes in Thalang.

The father of two Canadian sisters Noemi and Audrey Belanger, found dead on Phi Phi, alleges a cover-up by Thai authorities.

JULY: Police announce plans to install 5,000 CCTV cameras around

the island; no-one knows where the money will come from.

A fishing boat blows up, injuring seven crew.

Australian tourist Stevie Bamford spends two weeks in jail for falsely claiming she was raped.

Damrong Pidech names 10 hotels and developments he believes encroach on Sirinat Park; they include some prominent names.

‘Spies’ are ordered to seek out illegal tour guides; they fail.

Outrigger Hotels signs a deal to buy the Laguna Beach Resort; the price is not disclosed.

AUGUST: The Tiger disco in Patong burns down with the loss of four lives including two foreigners.

Police raid Racha Noi island where, it is suspected, a casino is being built; the results are inconclusive. Michelle Smith’s killers are sent to jail for life.

Dhanin Chearavanont, Thailand’s richest man, says casinos should be legalised in Phuket. Laguna announces plan to build hundreds of lowcost condos.

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PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

7

ON THE ISLAND

rested for skimming ATMs. An American scientist offers a new theory in the deaths of the Belanger sisters; his theory is ignored by both Canadian and Thai forensic scientists.

Evil Man From Krabi, a music video by the father of an Ao Nang rape victim, goes viral.

The government suspends the Sirinart land probe.

The Phuket News announces plans for a Russian edition.

Above: people wait for the all-clear high above Patong after the tsunami alert in April.

Below, Stein Dokset behind bars after his arrest in the ‘body in the bin’ murder case.

Eight-year-old Australian Juliet Childs boosted Phuket's image with the T-shirt she wore in her viral YouTube video My First Hardcore Song which gathered 25 million views.

Singer Gig and performance artist Romadon Suriyan get into the finals of Thailand’s Got Talent, but neither wins.

SEPTEMBER: Work starts on the B6 billion expansion of the airport. Work also starts on converting illegal “black-plate” taxis to legal green plates.

Two robbers in wigs rip off a gold shop; one is later caught.

Environment lobbyists plead for a crackdown on corruption and unbridled development which, they say, threaten to ruin the environment.

Fury from travellers as AirAsia dumps direct flights

to Bali and Ubon Ratchathani.

OCTOBER: The owners of Tiger disco are charged with negligence over the August fire.

Governor Tri Augkaradacha retires, to be replaced by Maitree Intusut. The island also gets a new police chief, Maj Gen Choti Chavalviwat.

International showoff Paris Hilton announces plans for the Sydictive New Year’s party for 50,000 people, on Surin Beach; local hotels are horrified.

After decades of dithering, the government officially buries plans for a large convention centre on Phuket.

The most active club in Phuket with monthly events.

Retail outlet at Wana Park, Cherng Talay (Manik).

To join the club or see our products visit andaman-wine-club.com

NOVEMBER: Lee “Pitbull” Aldhouse is extradited from Britain to Phuket

to face trial for a murder in 2010. Sixteen year-old Tia Li Tawepanitchaphan, a student

at BIS, is crowned Miss Teen Thailand.

Two Bulgarians are ar-

DECEMBER: Phuket-based HotelTravel. com is sold for B1.8 billion.

Nepalese Prince Paras Shah is arrested on a marijuana possession charge.

Two Hungarians are arrested for the murder of a third, Peter Reisz.

An American surfer goes mysteriously missing on the island; he is still being sought.

The Sydictive Party organisers announce the party has been moved from Surin Beach to Patong.

Eight people are hurt, but not badly, when a crane boom takes the top off a minibus they are in.

Strange tracks on Bamboo Island have locals worried about a giant serpent. Shortly before the eighth anniversary of the Asian Tsunami, the tsunami movie The Impossible packs cinemas in Phuket.

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Daily baked Italian Breads and Italian Pastries, from our Executive Chef Massimo Pettinau.

Wide selection of Italian cold cuts and cheeses, delicatessen, fruit and vegetables, pasta, fine extra virgin olive oils, and special gourmet products.

Enjoy our Illy coffee at the coffee bar, or a nice lunch from our carte of Italian traditional specialty.

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THAILAND NEWS

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Thai court jails ex-trader over royal health internet rumours A THAI COURT JAILED A former equity trader for four years on Tuesday for posting false internet messages about the king’s health that sent stocks plunging in 2009, an official said.

Katha Pajariyapong, 39, was found guilty of three counts of breaching the kingdom’s controversial computer crime laws in messages posted under his username on the Sameskybooks. org internet forum.

The messages on October 14-15 in 2009 were followed by a slump in the Thai stock market – which at one stage plunged by more than eight per cent – over rumours about the condition of the revered but ageing King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The court found Katha, of brokerage company KT ZMICO,

guilty despite his denials during trial, a court official told AFP, adding “he is sentenced to four years in jail immediately”.

An initial sentence of six years was reduced by a third because he had confessed when he was first charged three years ago, despite later pleading not guilty at trial.

The monarchy is a highly sensitive topic in politically turbulent Thailand. The 85-yearold king, who is revered as a demi-god by many Thais, has been hospitalised since September 2009.

Soon after Katha was charged a media rights group called for the dismissal of the “baseless” charges against him, and two others.

The trio were charged under

section 14 of the computer crime act which punishes anyone found guilty of spreading “false information into the computer system” that damages national security or causes the public to panic.

Thailand also has a strict lese majeste law under which insulting or defaming any members of the royal family is punishable by up to 15 years in jail.

The internet has become one of the key battlegrounds for Thailand’s complex political debates with social networks surging in popularity over the last few years.

Tens of thousands of web pages have been removed from the internet in recent years for allegedly insulting the monarchy. AFP

Austrian man arrested in Pattaya after alleged sexual assault of former girlfriend THE FORMER GIRLFRIEND of a 37 year-old Austrian, claims she was sexually assaulted in his rented room in Central Pattaya on Saturday afternoon (December 22).

Police were called to the Pandia Apartments in Soi Baokao just before 5pm and met with Khun Sawalot, aged 33, who, despite being hard of

hearing and unable to speak, communicated to police a number of accusations against her former boyfriend, Mr Christian Leiter.

Mr Leiter allegedly attempted to sexually assault her in his room after Khun Sawalot agreed to accompany him after an agreement was made for him to pay her for

sexual services.

He refused to pay any money when inside the room and she attempted to leave.

Mr Leiter is alleged, at this point, to have forced her onto the bed. He is then alleged to have placed his hands around her neck which preceded an attempted sexual assault.

Pattaya One

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

Dems face uphill

task in city poll

A

s the Bangkok gover nor race draws near, Democrat dissatisfaction with incumbent Sukhumbhand Paribatra and other alternative candidates has led them to try to enlist deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij to rescue the party in this vital election.

The Democrats face an uphill battle to convince a reluctant Mr Korn, who is reported to have ambitions of becoming the party’s next leader and the country’s next premier.

Mr Korn is a member of the party’s selection committee for the governor election, scheduled for February 17.

The committee, headed

by Democrat Party adviser Banyat Bantadtan, has listened to the visions of four potential candidates: MR Sukhumbhand, Democrat list-MP Prakorb Jirakitti, former vice minister Apichai Techa-ubol and former deputy prime minister Korbsak Sabhavasu.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the party’s executive board will convene this week to select a suitable candidate for the governor race.

2009 election poster for Sukhumbhand Paribatra.

A Democrat source who requested anonymity says it is unlikely the executive board will accept any of the four candidates who have thrown their hats into the ring.

The board must try to convince MR Sukhumbhand to cooperate, otherwise he may become critical of the party and affect its competitiveness in the election, the source said.

“MR Sukhumbhand’s performance over the past four years has failed to satisfy the executive board of the party

and Bangkok residents may wonder why the party does not field a better candidate,” the source said.

Democrat executives have repeatedly asked Mr Korn to run in the election due to his popularity and executive image. He has so far rejected all requests and has never expressed any interest in the local election.

Mr Korn nominated Mr Ong-art, saying he had served as a Bangkok MP and a Bangkok councillor on several occasions, knew Bangkok’s problems well and enjoyed great support from Bangkok MPs, councillors and district councillors.

Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, a political scientist of Sripatum University, said Mr Korn would be a more energetic Bangkok governor and boost the popularity of his party in the capital.

However, he would have to sacrifice or put on hold his national political ambitions because it would be inappropriate to abandon the governor’s seat before serving out his term to stand for national office, Mr Somchai warned. Bangkok Post

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

ASIA NEWS

9

Long-stay schemes lure foreigners M. Jegathesan

L

ike many Japanese mothers, Ritsuko Kawasaki fretted over the health and safety risks of remaining in Japan after 2011’s earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters.

So in August she and her two boys moved to the Malaysian island of Penang under a government long-stay programme that aims to lure foreigners – and their money – to the country.

“I don’t think I want to return to Japan. Life here in Penang is so comfortable,” said Kawasaki, 43.

With its warm climate, political stability and modern economy, Malaysia has drawn 19,488 foreigners to settle in the country since launching the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme 10 years ago.

MM2H and similar schemes in Thailand and the Philippines have traditionally targeted western retirees in the hope they will settle down and boost the economy.

But programme officials say Asians are now the typical applicants, led by post-quake Japanese and increasingly affluent Chinese.

A total of 2,387 MM2H applicants were approved in 2011, and the government is targeting 3,000 for 2012, officials say.

The Malaysian incentives include a ten-year multi-entry visa, tax exemption for remittances of offshore pension funds, the right to open a business, tax-free purchases of locally made cars, and other enticements.

Applicants, meanwhile, must deposit a certain amount of money in a local bank account – US$50,000 for MM2H – in return for a life under the sun.

For Britons Keith and Adrienne Francis, sunshine was the clincher as they mulled whether to settle back in England after Keith’s 2004 retirement from 35 years in the Hong Kong

Shigeru Tanida supervises karate students in Kuala Lumpur. Tanida, 65, has lived in Malaysia’s capital since 2006, drawn by the year-round sunshine and far lower living costs than in his homeland of Japan. Photo: AFP police force.

“Look at the UK, it is dull and cold,” Adrienne said as the couple sipped sweet milk tea in an Indian restaurant in Georgetown, Penang’s British colonial-era capital.

Their other options had included the Thai resort Phuket.

“I didn’t like Phuket because of the bars,” she said of its bawdy nightlife.

The couple said Muslimmajority Malaysia was attractive due to its high living standards, lack of political upheaval seen often in its neighbours, quality medical care and widely spoken English.

Under MM2H, retirees also can own freehold property and land – although some restrictions apply – a key factor for the Francises, who shuddered at the thought of a costly and cramped retirement nest in Hong Kong.

Home is now a spacious 2,500-square-foot (232-squaremetre) seaside Penang condo they bought in 2004 for US$182,000.

But increasingly it is Asians, and particularly Chinese and Japanese, driving the so-called “silver” market – business opportunities linked to seniors

– says Janice Chia, managing director of Singapore-based consultancy Ageing Asia.

She said by 2050 Asia will account for an estimated 63 per cent of the world’s senior citizens, who will become increasingly important to economies, especially as medical advances extend lifespans.

“Traditionally, MM2H has attracted Western retirees, but there will be greater movements of Asian retirees to Southeast Asia,” where they “can stretch their retirement dollar,” Chia said.

Siti Nani Shaarani, director of MM2H, said its applicants are now led by China, Japan, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom and Iran.

The Philippine Retirement Authority cites a similar mix of origins for the nearly 21,000 people now in its retirement incentive programme, led by China, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan.

England, America and Germany still top Thailand’s long-stay scheme, which approved 35,488 applicants in 2011, according to Thai immigration figures.

Coming to Malaysia was a big leap for Kawasaki, who

speaks only Japanese. She likes that her two boys, nine and three years old, are learning English in school.

But Malaysia’s relative safety appealed to her the most. The country is seismically stable and free of the typhoons that annually rake east Asia.

“A month later (after the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami), I visited Miyagi prefecture to witness the damage. I was totally shocked by the

extent of the destruction,” the former career consultant said.

The tsunami crippled a nuclear power plant, triggering a meltdown that released large amounts of radiation into the environment, shattering Japanese public confidence in nuclear power.

Jessie Ong, director of Overseas Living, a firm that helps MM2H applicants settle in Malaysia, said incoming Japanese typically claim they are “being

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driven out by last year’s tsunami and nuclear fears.”

Whatever the motivation, Japanese led the pack of new applicants for 2012, with 558 as of August compared to 195 for all of 2010.

Shigeru Tanida, 65, has lived in Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur since 2006, drawn by the year-round sunshine and far lower living costs than in Japan.

He considered Spain, Thailand and the Philippines after retiring from Japanese electronics giant Panasonic, before settling on Malaysia.

He now teaches karate, and plays his beloved golf far more cheaply than he could at home.

“Living costs here are a third lower than Japan and the weather is good,” he said.

MM2H participants Bernd Freytag, a German, and his American wife Kimmie gripe about the choking traffic of Malaysian cities like Georgetown and Kuala Lumpur, and the country’s often haphazard development.

But Freytag, 70, gazing out at the blue Andaman Sea from the spacious Penang flat that is now home, says he will never leave.

“I told my kids, when I go away, just throw my ashes in the sea off Penang,” he said. AFP

has

arriv ed!!

10 WORLD NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

Britian’s Queen Elizabeth II gives her first 3D Christmas broadcast

Q

ueen Elizabeth II gave thanks on Tuesday for Britain’s year of Olympic and diamond jubilee festivities, in her first Christmas message to the Commonwealth broadcast in 3D. The 86-year-old monarch said it had been “humbling” to see the vast crowds joining celebrations marking her 60th year on the throne and paid tribute to the volunteers, as well as the athletes, who took part in the London Olympics.

“The success of these great festivals depended to an enormous degree upon the dedication and effort of an army of volunteers,” she said.

“All those who saw the achievement and courage at the Olympic and Paralympic Games were further inspired by the skill, dedication, training and teamwork of our athletes.”

Everyone was able to share in the “excitement and drama” of the Games, she added.

The monarch formally opened the Games in dramatic fashion herself, after taking part in a James Bond scene which ended with the pair seemingly parachuting down to the Olympic Stadium from

Queen Elizabeth II watches the recording of her annual Christmas message to the Commonwealth which is to be broadcast in 3D for the first time. Photo: AFP a helicopter.

Her pre-recorded Christmas message was broadcast across Britain and all 15 Commonwealth realms where she is head of state – although just a small minority have access to the 3D-television facility.

The 3D broadcast comes exactly 80 years after the queen’s father, King George V, gave the first royal Christmas

broadcast to the Commonwealth by radio.

Behind-the-scenes photographs showed the queen beaming as she previewed the footage, wearing customised 3D glasses marked with a “Q” in diamante studs.

Earlier Tuesday, the monarch joined other British royals for a Christmas church service on her Sandringham

estate in Norfolk, eastern England – but Prince William and his pregnant wife Kate were absent.

William and the former Kate Middleton, who is recovering from severe morning sickness that saw her hospitalised for four days earlier this month, broke with tradition to spend Christmas Day with her family rather than the royals.

The queen had missed church on Sunday due to a cold but appeared in good spirits as she arrived for the morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church wearing a turquoise coat dress and matching hat.

Her 91-year-old husband Prince Philip, who spent last Christmas in hospital following a heart scare, was also at church along with heir to the throne Prince Charles and his wife Camilla.

The royals traditionally spend Christmas at Sandringham, but William’s younger brother Prince Harry will also be absent from this year’s festivities as he serves in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot.

William and Kate’s office at St James’s Palace said the couple, whose first child will be third-in-line to the British throne, would visit Sandringham later in the holidays.

The queen and Prince Philip are understood to have approved their grandson’s decision to spend Christmas Day with his parents-in-law, Michael and Carole Middleton, who run a party supplies business. AFP

Pope: ‘end to bloodshed’ POPE BENEDICT XVI called for an “end to the bloodshed” in Syria and denounced the “savage” violence in Africa on Tuesday, even as Nigeria witnessed a Christmas attack on Christians.

Speaking in his traditional Christmas message, the pope touched on several other of the world’s conflict zones.

A capacity crowd of 40,000 pilgrims filled the vast St Peter’s Square to hear the 85-year-old pope, resplendent in red vestments, deliver the “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and to the World) message.

Speaking from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, the pope called for a return to peace in Nigeria, where he said “savage acts of terrorism continue to reap victims, particularly among Christians.”

As he spoke, news was filtering in of a deadly attack there.

Gu n men at t acked a church in the northern state of Yobe during a Christmas Eve service, killing six people, including the pastor, before setting the building ablaze.

It was the latest attack blamed on the radical Islamist sect Boko Haram, which has repeatedly targeted churches during times of worship. AFP

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS 11

CELEBRATION Tax revenue rises, tax rates to be cut W

Under new management: The Evason will be given a new lease on life, and a new name.

Evason to be InterCon THE INTERCONTINENTAL Hotels Group (IHG) – the world’s largest hotel group in terms of number of rooms – has announced that it has signed a management contract for the former Evason Resort in Rawai.

The resort is undergoing an extensive overhaul under the guidance of award-winning Australian designer Bill Bensley (responsible also for the Indigo Pearl Resort).

When completed, it will have about 240 rooms and villas. It is scheduled to open in 2014 and will become the flagship property for the InterContinental brand in Thailand.

The former Evason is owned by JTM (Thailand) Ltd, a subsidiary of LC Develop-

ment Ltd of Singapore, which also owns the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket and the Crowne Plaza London Kensington in the UK – both IHG brands.

LC Development’s MD, Kelvin Lum, said, “We have had a great partnership with IHG for more than two decades and the signing of the management agreement …cements this relationship further.

“The resort, when operational, will be our second hotel managed by IHG in Thailand after the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket in Patong.

“We are confident that IHG is the ideal operator for this unique hotel in Rawai, Phuket. We are excited about the possibilities this latest collaboration brings and are

looking forward to seeing our first InterContinental come to life in Phuket.”

Though the IHG Group has three Holiday Inns on Phuket, and is due to open a Hotel Indigo at Naithon Beach in June 2014, this will be its first InterContinental-brand property in Phuket.

Jan Smits, CEO of IHG Asia, Middle East and Africa, remarked, “We’ve been looking for the right partner and right opportunity to add a luxury resort offering to meet the demand on the island.

“We are delighted that LC Dev has made this agreement with us and are looking forward to the InterContinental Phuket Rawai Beach Resort opening in 2014.”

Govt ‘to step up’ battle against counterfeiting THE COMMERCE MINIStry has vowed to step up the fight against piracy and counterfeiting next year.

It will target violations of intellectual property rights (IPR) after the US Trade Representative (USTR) added eight red zones to its list of areas under scrutiny in Thailand.

They eight are MBK Center, Chatuchak market, Siam Square, Sukhumvit Rd and Patpong night market in Bangkok; Karon and Patong in Phuket; IT City in Pattaya; and Rong

Klua market in Aran­yaprathet.

The new zones were reported in the USTR’s Out-ofCycle Review of Notorious Markets released on Dec 13.

Previously, only Pantip Plaza, Khlong Thom, Saphan Lek and Baan Mor shopping areas in Bangkok were designated as targets.

The US has put Thailand on its priority watch list each year since 2007.

The list carries no threat of sanctions but rather is aimed at shaming governments into

45x90 |

cracking down on piracy and updating their copyright laws.

Thai authorities stage frequent and high-profile crackdowns on pirated music and films, but these have scarcely made a dent in the problem.

Intellectual Property Department’s statistics show that raids on intellectual property rights pirates across Thailand in the first nine months of this year resulted in 8,416 cases, with 6.2 million items seized.

Bangkok Post

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ith the government t h row i ng huge amounts of money at propping up rice and rubber prices, there was good news this week: Thailand’s revenue from tax collection in the first two months of the 2013 fiscal year (October-November) hit B321 billion.

The tax man is so delighted that personal income and company profits tax rates are to be cut.

The B321 billion was 8.5 per cent higher than the target, mainly due to the government’s policy of tax refunds for first-car owners, the Finance Ministry announced.

Somchai Sujjapongse, director general of the Fiscal Policy Office, said the collection of excise tax from first-car purchase was B5.89 billion, 58 per cent higher than expected, while the expansion of domestic consumption has contributed B5.66 billion, a 10 per cent increase in the collection of value added tax (VAT) from the original target.

Mr Somchai said the state coffers also received B1.65 billion from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission and B1.95 billion from CAT Telecom.

The Finance Ministry received revenue from CAT Telecom much earlier than the expected delivery of May next year, he said.

He said the country’s economic growth and the positive signals of global economic recovery have boosted the Finance Ministry’s confidence in achieving the targeted tax collection of B2.1 trillion for the 2013 budget year.

Revenue Department director-general Satit Rungkasiri has announced that low earners will see their income tax cut by 50 per cent under a new tax structure, and top-rate payers will see a 20 per cent reduction.

Under the new system, workers now taxed at 30 per cent will see their burden fall to between 25 and 30 per cent, those taxed at 20 per cent will fall to between 15 and 20 per cent and those taxed at 10 per cent will drop to 5 per cent.

Consequently, people on the lowest incomes will see their annual tax payment halved, while the middle range will enjoy a cut of up to 30 per cent cut and top-rate payers will benefit from a cut of as much as 20 per cent.

Personal income will be

subject to progressive tax rates by increasing the number of tax brackets from five to seven.

The first 150,000 baht will still be exempt from taxation and the first B300,000 will be taxed at 5 per cent.

Those earning B300,001 to B500,000 will be taxed at 10 per cent, while those earning B500,001 to B750,000 baht will pay 15 per cent and those earning B750,001 to B1 million bracket will have an unchanged rate of 20 per cent.

People earning B1,000,001 to B2 million will pay 25 per cent tax, down from 30, while those earning 2,000,001 to 4 million baht will pay 30 per cent and those earning more than 4 million baht will be taxed at 35 per cent, a nudge down from 37 per cent.

The new brackets will be effective for individual income earned from 2013.

Meanwhile, corporate income tax will be cut to 20 per cent from 23 per cent in the second half of 2013.

The new corporate income tax rate will be the second-lowest in the Asia-Pacific and Oceania regions. Hong Kong has the lowest at 17 per cent. MCOT/ Bangkok Post

12 BUSINESS NEWS

AirAsia set to buy 100 more planes AIRASIA HAS CONFIRMED an order for 100 more Airbus A320s.

The order consists of 36 A320s with the Current Engine Option (CEO) and 64 A320s with the New Engine Option (NEO).

The airline says the aircraft will be used to accelerate its growth in its core markets of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia followed by the newer markets of Japan and the Philippines.

The order was announced during a visit by British PM David Cameron to the Airbus wing manufacturing facility in the UK, where Mr Cam­ eron witnessed the signing of documents by Tony Fer­ nandes, AirAsia Group Chief Executive, and Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President & CEO. The contract reaffirms AirAsia’s position as the largest A320 customer in the world.

Altogether, the carrier has now ordered 475 single-aisle aircraft from Airbus. Over 100 have already been delivered to the airline and this additional purchase will see AirAsia’s aircraft deliveries continue until 2021.

Mr Fernandes said, “We

have three gold mines in Ma­ laysia, Thailand and Indone­ sia. On the other hand, the Philippines and Japan have enormous potential growth.

This goes in line with our strategy to … allow AirAsia to maintain its market leadership and dominance, especially in Malaysia and Thailand.”

His remarks contrast sharp­ ly with Thai AirAsia’s decision three months ago to axe its Phuket-Bali and Phuket-Ubon Ratchathani direct services and use the aircraft on routes in and out of China.

Mr Fernandes, said, “We have seen the likes of lowcost carrier giants Ryanair and EasyJet dominating the European Skies, and Southwest in the United States.

“Their first-mover advan­ tage, low-cost mantra and disciplined business model has allowed them to be market leaders.

“We are the only airline [in Asia] that possesses those three attributes and we are excited to be in a market of over 3.2 billion people.”

AsiaTravelTips.com

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

Car taxes to be linked to exhaust emissions T he Cabinet has ap­ proved a new excise tax structure for vehicles, to take effect in January 2016, that will be in linked to the amount of carbon dioxide emissions.

It also agreed to hike the excise taxes on large luxury motorcycles by 20 percentage points, with immediate effect.

The Finance Ministry had earlier asked the Cabinet to agree to an equitable solution to what it saw as distortions in the tax structure, and to sup­ port the automotive industry.

The new excise tax struc­ ture is divided into seven types, according to the type of vehicle.

A 30 per cent tax rate will be applied to sedans and ve­ hicles of no more than 10 seats with a cylinder capacity of no more than 3,000cc and CO2 emission of no more than 150g/km. A 35 per cent tax will be levied on emissions of 150-200g/km, and 40 per cent for emissions of more than 200g/km.

A 25-per cent tax rate will cover automobiles using E85 or natural gas and with engine

Always lusted after one of these? It’s now going to cost you 10 per cent more, all of it tax. capacities of no more than 3,000cc and CO2 emissions of no more than 150g/km.

Vheicles emitting 150-200g/ km will be taxes at 30 per cent, and more than 200g/km at 35 per cent.

Hybrid cars with an en­ gine capacity of no more than 3,000cc, emitting CO2 at no more than 100g/km will be taxed at 10 per cent. Those emitting carbon dioxide at 100-150g/km will be taxed at 20per cent, 150-200g/km at 25 per cent, and more than

200g/km at 30 per cent.

A 3-per cent and a 5-per cent tax will be levied on pick-up trucks with no space behind driver and with a cyl­ inder capacity of no more than 3,250cc, releasing CO2 at no more than 200g/km and more than 200g/km, respectively.

Pickup trucks with space behind driver, with no more than 3,250cc cylinder capacity and less than 200g/km CO2 emission will be taxed at 5 per cent, and those with emissions over 200g/km at 7 per cent.

Double-cab pickups with no more than 3,250cc cylinder capacity and less than 200g/km CO2 emission will be taxed at 12 per cent, while those with over 200g/km emissions pay a rate of 15 per cent.

Rates of 25 per cent and 30 per cent taxes will apply to passenger pickups with a cylinder capacity of no more than 3,250cc, releasing no more than 200g/km CO2 and over 200g/km, respectively.

The Finance Ministry pre­ dicts it will garner revenues of around B25 billion from excise taxes in 2016.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet agreed to a Ministry pro­ posal to raise excise taxes on imported luxury motorbikes from 103 per cent to 123 per cent for 800-1,000cc engine capacity. The new tax rate is already in effect.

The measure is expected to bring in some B150 million in extra tax revenue. The ministry reasoned that those with the money to buy such bikes are wealthy enough to pay higher taxes. MCOT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PROPERTY NEWS 13

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

A GOOD DEAL? Mortgages for foreigners available again EXPAT MONEY

market for loans to foreigners on these terms but potential borrowers should be fully aware of the fees and especially the inherent currency risk involved in borrowing in a different currency to that of one’s income and/or capital base.

Overall, however this is certainly a welcome development, especially in the current economic climate, and is one way for an expatriate foreigner to buy a condominium in Thailand without tying up too much capital to do so.

Jerry Dingley editor@thephuketnews.com

O

ver the past 20 years there have been a few periods when loans have been accessible to foreigners wishing to buy property in Thailand.

Such offerings came and went almost unnoticed with the winds of political change in the domestic banking sector, and in any event were made available only for relatively short periods of time.

It would now appear that overseas foreign currency loans are available again for those looking for a place to call their own in the Land of Smiles – as long as it is a condominium in a specified location.

Lending to expatriates buying property in Malaysia and Singapore has long been an option so it is good to see some Thai banks providing loans again and there are currently two major institutions with overseas branches publishing guidelines to non-Thais wishing to acquire freehold condominiums here.

In the interests of brevity and to keep this article succinct, we have put together only the general loan parameters and application guidelines as they have been made available to us.

Eligibility Foreigners aged between 21 and 65 years at the end of the loan period.

Minimum and verif iable income of US$60,000 or S$72,000 per annum for those with a work permit in Thailand and US$85,000 or S$100,000 per annum for ‘other’ foreigners resident or not resident in Thailand.

Condos close to mass transit facilities in Bangkok, such as the BTS system, are eligible for the biggest loans. Photo: Eric Pesik

Property Types and Location Freehold condominiums with a valuation exceeding B3 million.

Property to be located in Bangkok, Cha’am, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, Phuket, or Pattaya.

Loan Amount Up to 70 per cent loan to value for property in Bangkok situated within a two-kilometre radius of the BTS, Airport Link or MRT stations, and up to 60 per cent loan to value for property that is located in the other specified areas.

Loan Tenor The term is between three and 20 years, with a maximum loan amount of B35 million.

The loan currency may be in Singapore or US Dollars only, in order to comply with foreign currency inward remittance regulations and the property law as it applies to non-Thais: for a foreigner to acquire a freehold title the funds used to buy it must originate from overseas and in a foreign currency amount that is then converted to Baht

on arrival.

Interested parties should be aware that there are many associated costs tacked onto these offerings, some perhaps as a result of limited competition.

Among these are penalties for early repayment; fees for set-up, processing, cancellation, registration and valuation, the bank’s legal costs, plus fire and mortgage protection insurance premiums. All have to be paid in advance.

In addition, with loan interest rates set at between 6 and 7 per cent a year this is anything but a low-cost loan proposition and viability should therefore be carefully assessed before application.

It is probably fair to say that with the costs involved – some of which are applied on a fixed rather than a percentage basis – that it is not worth considering the mortgages offered for loans of less than B10 million, which at 70 per cent loan-to-value equates to a property purchase of something over B14 million.

There is a place in the

Kata Rocks wins second big award

PHUKET’S KATA ROCKS has picked up another significant award, for its marketing, at the International Property Awards dinner in London.

Out of entries from over 100 countries from around the world, the judging panel picked Kata Rocksas the “Best International Development Marketing”.

Richard Pope, the developer of Kata Rocks said, “We are absolutely delighted to receive our second “Best in the World” title following the “Best Apartment in the World” title that we were awarded previously [in 2010].

The gala dinner took place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Park Lane and was attended by more than 400

people from around the globe.

Entries first have to win their country award, then their region (Asia Pacific for Kata Rocks) before being put forward to the London final where they compete against the winners from all the other regions.

What is remarkable about all the accolades received by Kata Rocks is that it completed its show unit only in November this year, yet won its first “Best Apartment in the World” award in 2010.

Kata Rocks is a development and resort consisting of 34 oceanfront sky villas located on the west coast of Phuket. For more information see katarocks.com

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Note: This article contains general information only and is not intended to be taken as specific financial advisory, investment, or tax advice.

A personal analysis should be obtained before acting or refraining from acting upon any information given Jerry Dingley and Tim Whiteley have been advising expatriates in the Asia Pacific region for more than 20 years. They can be reached by email to info@ifainter nationalgroup.com

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14 OPINION

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Opinion

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

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Gerry’s View

Editorial

2013: Here we go

S

As an amateur photographer I never leave the house without my DLSR or point and shoot cameras as one never knows when the great or perfect shot is going to materialise. As it happened I was driving in town and was approaching a red light and noticed the motorbike and sidecar stacked with cardboard, and also the small dog at the top of the heap. He was obviously delighted with being there, and the looks on the faces of the owners showed the same. But as I slowed and reached for my camera the light changed to green so it was a very fast focus and adjustment and a quickly taken shot of this most humorous scene. Gerry Cummings

If you have a Phuket photo to share, email it with a caption to editor@thephuketnews.com

o that’s another year done and dusted, almost. And the end of the Mayan calendar didn’t hurl us all into oblivion on December 21. Big surprise, that.

We may not have hurtled into oblivion, but Phuket does seem to be hurtling into a new and very different future.

In the past 35 years we’ve gone from a little-known paradise (and in those days it really seemed that it was) with the tourists on Patong beach countable on the fingers of two hands (see Life page 10) to a situation where a private beach party will gather 50,000 people on the same beach. Maybe. Or maybe not.

We’ve gone from small ribbons of tarmac, fraying at the edges, where meeting other motorists was unusual enough to make it an occasion for waving at each other, to gridlock that would make a Bangkokian proud.

With the soaring populations of residents and visitors has come increased crime –

Comments, Facebook & Twitter Objections raised [Re. Patong business people object to Phuket party] Seven years ago we planned to create a free event of a similar style to encourage people to return to Phuket after the tsunami.

We had written permission from the Mayor of Patong to use the beach, official support from TAT and financial backing from major drinks” companies and even Phuket OrBorJor. Major International and Thai artists were lined up to appear, however after numerous meetings and discussions and nearly a year of planning it became clear that only one person with a vested interest could scupper the event.

It was at this point that we decided to leave Phuket to its own devices.

Rockit Bob

thephuketnews.com

Stage fright [Re. Karon to hold huge Phuket New Year’s dance festival] I hope they don’t put all the local politicians on the stage with the models again.

Trust me, we all want to look at the models, but it really dampens the mood when we see them surrounded by not-so-attractive fat men smiling as if they themselves are stars. jsrit

Party rocking [Re. Phuket megaparty ‘almost confirmed’ for Patong] Power. Corruption. Games. Sounds like the Olympic Committee!

LaundryTruck When people organise a major event like this, it should be planned years in advance with all teams sitting around the table so that nothing gets in the way to work on the production.

Hallelujah Twenty thousand tickets were sold he

said. With at least B2,000 for each, that equals revenue now at 1.333 million dollars that they already pocketed on ticket sales.

So I guess everyone is happy then!

As for locals who want to use the beach, well, Patong beach is big enough that they can still find some area to party.

Personally I would like to join this party but I don’t want to shell out B4,000 for my girlfriend and I. Some 99.99% of Thai people can’t afford B2,000 for a party, sorry. jsrit

A monster story [Re. ‘Giant serpent’ invades island near Phuket] Lol thanks a lot for the morning laugh guys.

Rob Del Rosario Could be the suction cups of a squid or octopus arms!

Or maybe a land/water vehicle of some type.

David Childress

facebook.com/ThePhuketNewspaper1

Pilot is a legend [Re. Flaming Air Berlin plane lands safely at Phuket] I was on that flight and the pilot is a legend. Absolute lifesaver!

Jeremy Sands

Dangerous roads [Re. Phuket yachtsman attacked by ‘samurai’ motorbike gang] Neil mate, didn’t know this had happened till now. Hope you are recovering okay.

The road from Kata to Nai Harn via the lookout is definitely not a road to take late at night, with several attacks there over recent years.

Mark James Pescott

Problem paths [Re: ‘James Mental’ gang members re-enact Phuket attack] Some of the problems in Rawai are that the road lighting requires attention many lights are out providing robbers good oppertunities to strike even on well travelled roads.

Jake

twitter.com/thephuketnews

and not just the petty crime of days gone by, but brutal crimes: muggings, knifings, shootings. And a rise in foreigner-on-foreigner crimes, too. The Eden of Phuket now has many serpents.

Fifteen years ago the most expensive homes on the island would set you back B10 million. Now the prices at the top end are closer to B300 million. At the low end the big boys from Bangkok have been pouring into the island, th rowing up one condo building after another.

Also at the low end, the “never mind the quality, look at the numbers” attitude of tourism bodies has resulted in vast numbers of package tourists flying in, their giant diesel-belching buses adding to the gridlock.

W here it will all end is anyone’s guess. All that we do know is that 2012 is coming to a close, and we’re about to enter another brandnew year. Not much choice really, is there?

Happy New Year.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Phuket-UAE aircraft catches fire: passengers safe Flaming Air Berlin plane lands safely at Phuket‘ British man loses 100kg in Phuket muay Thai camp American dies in Phuket bike smash Mis sing American ‘rented Phuket home for 3 more months’ Confusion follows Phuket aircraft fire Phuket megaparty ‘almost confirmed’ for Patong’ Air Berlin submits incident report following Phuket plane fire 2013 ‘Artificial reef created off Phuket coast’ Flyer announces Sydictive Patong party plans

Visit thephuketnews.com today for all the latest news

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

POWERED BY

How former national tennis star Voranuch Intana is still serving aces

World War II veteran Eric Walker recalls his 1976 visit to Phuket

03

10

Fighting fat Briton James Mason on how muay Thai training helped him lose 100kg after doctors told him he had five years to live > p5 JeffSakoot Sainlar Photo: Photo: Tanyaluk

2 ARTS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 28,2012 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 28,

Finding the perfect balance Jody Houton editor3@thephuketnews.com

Above: Photo of the Big Buddha. Right: Alessio Cocchi in front of one of his paintings at his Art Caffè in Nai Harn.

A

lessio Cocchi has been in Phuket for 11 years, “Relaxing, scuba diving, mountain biking and travelling to Florence and Milan in Italy to take photos of the world’s most beautiful women.”

He also takes photos of Thai daily scenes and the island’s many temples – in his own inimitable way.

“I first take a photo with my digital camera and then print it out. Then I take a Polaroid image, which I then press out large on a canvas.”

This method – which Alessio believes he invented – gives his shots a very unique appearance and a startling depth of colour and texture.

“A while ago I knew that digital photos would kill photography. Now everybody is a photographer. So I try to work with a mix.

“Nobody is doing the same as me. I am applying for a patent for this technique.”

Alessio has produced books that utilise and showcase the results, and since October of this year has run his own a cafe where he hangs his works of art.

“I live in Nai Harn and one morning I woke up and jogged to the lake, like I do every day.

“On the way back I looked for a good and clean place to have a breakfast and couldn’t find anywhere, so I decided to open my own place – Art Caffè.”

Alessio says that his latest venture is an admission that he has decided to wear one of his two hats slightly more than the other.

“I have two lives really. Before I used to work for many magazines, such as Vogue

and Cosmopolitan, but since coming here I have had to relax my Italian life a little.

“I still have a photography studio in Milan where I do my fashion and art. I also regularly go back to Florence to work for Gucci, to take photo shoots and organise their website.

Alessio injects his cafe with the same passion, professionalism and pride he has with his photography.

“We have the best tiramisu on the island. We also have the best coffee on the island. We have imported salami and cheese – and a ‘Tuscany plate’ with imported cold cuts and olive oil from my home town.”

He is also still devoted to his art. Alessio plans to put on several different exhibitions in the coming months, “The Thai guys are very talented, but not so many are actually taken care of,” he said.

Ultimately, just like his dual lives in Italy and Phuket, he has found a sense of balance running the Art Caffè, where promoting art is just as important as serving impeccable coffee and cake.

“Everything needs to be in symmetry, everything needs to be the same and equal.”

More info: thephuketnews.com/ art-caffè-34505.php

PEOPLE 3

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

Left: The coach at her Phuket tennis courts in Chalong.

Above: A young Voranuch perfecting her backhand.

The ace tennis coach Paritta Wangkiat meets former national tennis player Voranuch Intana

10 Questions

1

When and why did you start playing tennis?

I began playing tennis in 1976 when I was in high school.

One of my favourite teachers played tennis at the tennis court in front of Phuket Provincial Hall. I often went to see her play until one day she asked me to help collect tennis balls.

My first coach saw me and asked me if I would like to join the training. He didn’t charge me any fee. That’s how I started.

2

How did your family react to you playing?

Voranuch Intana is a Phuket-born former professional national tennis player turned coach. She built her own tennis court in 2009, which has since become a centre of excellence for many of today’s young stars.

In the past, my family didn’t want me to join the training because they thought sport was not as beneficial as doing chores. I used to tell them that I had an extra English class instead of telling them the truth that I actually went to play tennis.

In those days people used to think tennis was an activity for rich people, so they didn’t send their kids to play tennis. It’s true that this perception still exists today as there is a considerable cost needed to cover the expense of equipment and training fee.

However, I think everyone should be able to play tennis. It depends on the tennis court operators and if they decide to offer opportunities to young kids to try tennis.

3

How about at your school, do you give such opportunities to students?

Yes. Although I earn my living from teaching tennis, I can be flexible.

For example, some of my tennis trainers

are from poor families and I decided to teach them for free to give them opportunities to have jobs on tennis court.

Sometimes I give discounts on the training fees in the case of kids whose parents may find it difficult to pay the fees. Many more Thai children will have the chance to play tennis if the fee was more flexible.

4

When did you build your own tennis court?

I always wanted to have my own tennis court.

So I finally decided to rent land on Soi Ta-iad in Chalong to build my own tennis court - Intana Tennis Court - which officially opened in 2009.

I’ve invested B5 million, part of that money came from a bank loan. I can honestly say that it doesn’t generate much profit, but I do have a place where I can dedicate myself to teaching tennis in freedom.

I think as teaching tennis as my way to give something back to society, at least, it encourages kids to enjoy sport.

5

Tell us about your tennis career.

I won at least 30 single and double matches in both national and international competitions. I’ve been in the National Senior Tennis Player Team since 2007.

6

What has been your proudest moment in your career so far?

To see my students achieve playing tennis.

Some of my students have become top youth tennis players. Some have won national youth games.

When I teach, I also teach students social

manners, kindness and the spirit of athletes. It makes me feel proud when I see them become good people as well as good tennis players.

7

What are the secrets of being a good tennis coach?

First of all, it’s very important to teach my students with metta (the Buddhist principle of the cultivation of loving-kindness).

It’s very adaptable to teaching kids play tennis because if you want kids to follow the lessons while continuing training, you must be a good model for them as well as be good with them.

8

Who attends your tennis classes?

Recently, mixed-race children have become a major group that have joined my tennis class. About 80 per cent of kids in my tennis classes are mixed-raced.

9

Apart from tennis, is there anything else you are interested in?

Recently, I have become interested in meditation. Though my life has been busy teaching and running my tennis court, I still need peace during any intervals I have.

10

What is your life goal? Do you have anything else left to do?

I want to teach tennis to kids until I am no longer able to teach any more.

At that point, I want to retire and look for someone who can come to replace me, while I can be the back-up.

For my tennis playing career, I will enter competitions until I have no more ability to play. I love tennis. Tennis is my life.

4 ENVIRONMENT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 28,2012 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 28,

Promoting green hospitality THAI EYE Kanokwan Homcha-aim kanokwan@myseek.org

Are Thais and foreigners on the same page with regards to Phuket’s environmental issues?

SEEK Coordinator Kanokwan Homcha-aim runs through the environmental news from last month’s Thai press.

P

art of our strategy to help the island is to spread the word that going green can not only be positive for the environment but also for the wallet. With a focus on the Thai community and local businesses, I am happy to share the following success story.

A few months ago I met Jintana Trakulhoon, the General Manager of the Royal Phuket City Hotel. I was referred to her by the Phuket Provincial Government Incinerator Plant (PPGIP) in Phuket Town while doing research on recycling.

The PPGIP mentioned that Jintana had won many GREEN awards and her hotel is actually used as a learning centre by the government for effective microorganism (EM) technology and recycling.

Upon meeting Jintana, I was very impressed with her commitment to make a difference and the numerous programmes she had in place at her hotel which she proudly showed us.

Jintana has saved over B80 million in six years through her programmes, as well as making the hotel more environmentally friendly in the process. A total of 27 programmes are in place at the property and she has received numerous awards for her efforts.

Some of the programmes were more expensive to implement, but with her background in accounting it was an easy sell to her owners as the long-term cost saving was tangible.

Here are some of Jintana’s examples:

Jintana Trakulhoon, GM of the Royal Phuket City Hotel delivers her tips on how to run a green hotel.

• Changing her boilers to heat pumps • Converting the fuel from diesel to LPG • Changing to long-life light bulbs • Buying electronic equipment that uses less power • Use of effective micro-organisms that recycle food waste and create cleaning products • Switch to ozone system in laundry • Special shower heads that reduce water use • No use of plastic bags – only linen and paper By educating the staff and developing programmes and clubs for the team with some financial rewards, the programmes become self-sustaining and run by themselves.

Every associate is part of the success and all of the team work proudly to continue to improve.

Seeing that this could benefit other hotels she agreed to share her knowledge and programmes with them and host a SEEK Phuket event at the Royal Phuket City Hotel on cost saving and environmental initiatives.

The event, held last month, was a great success with over 40 participants showing up with a strong

Thai contingency (70 per cent) all learning how to improve their own business models to be more sustainable while saving costs.

A variety of hoteliers were in attendance from the GM of the Indigo Pearl to the GM of the JW Marriott Khao Lak, CEO of Absolute Hotels and Resorts together with a host of hotel engineers and associates.

Jintana proudly shared her programmes and gave a detailed presentation and video of her GREEN concept.

With an eye focused on the SEEK Phuket Sustainability Plan for 2013, this workshop was perfectly in line with supporting Phuket’s sustainable development as we move forward as a group to try and promote best practice and network for a brighter future for all.

For more information on SEEK, visit myseek.org

Khao Yai croc shocks tourists

R

“Ayutthaya Night Market” A taste of traditional yet rare Thai cuisine.

Experience the Ayutthaya Night Market at Black Ginger, set amidst onyx waters.

Enjoy the old time hawker showcase, an ancient Phuket practice.

Recipes are traditionally Thai with a unique twist and can only be found at Indigo Pearl.

Local culture with luxurious standards.

Every Friday from 6:30 to 10:30 pm with unlimited Ayutthaya buffet cuisine, Free flow selected beverages.

THB 1,490++ per person 50% off for Children 5-12 yrs Complimentary for Children under 5 yrs For reservations, please email: bastien@indigo-pearl.com or call 076 327 006, 327 075 Indigo Pearl Phuket, Nai Yang Beach and National Park, 83110, Thailand

angers are actively trying to catch a two-metre crocodile that has been spotted several times lurking by a waterfall at Khao Yai National Park.

With the New Year and holiday crowds approaching, wildlife protection authorities want to snag the crocodile before anyone gets hurt.

Theerapat Prayulasiddhi – the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department’s deputy chief said that they had received many complaints about the reptile hanging out around Pa Kloi Mai waterfall.

The crocodile was first discovered and made headlines in 2009. Park rangers tried and failed to catch it at that point and gave up the search until now.

Theerapat said he has ordered the

park chief to determine whether the animal is too close to tourist areas and then find an efficient way to catch it.

“First we need to find out whether it is a Thai crocodile. If it is, we might be able to return it to its likely original habitat such as Pang Sida National Park in Sa Kaeo province or send it to the wildlife breeding centre,” he said.

Khao Yai Park chief Krisada Homsood, said he had indeed set up a team to look for the beast and expressed confidence that they’d find it by the end of the month.

Krisada said the crocodile was enjoying a varied and abundant diet of pythons, monkeys and otters in the area – and that his staff sometimes found munched-on monkey carcasses near the waterfall. Coconuts Bangkok

HEALTH 5

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

Briton James Mason loses 100kg at muay Thai camp Claire Connell editor1@thephuketnews.com

M

orbidly obese British man James Mason arrived in Phuket nine months ago and enrolled at the island’s Tiger Muay Thai boxing camp, determined to lose weight after doctors told him he had five years to

live.

Mr Mason, from Essex in England, weighed around 250kg when doctors told him he was in severe health trouble. At age 27, he was wearing 7XL clothes and trousers with a 58-inch (147cm) waist.

His story appeared last week in the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper, when Mr Mason returned back to the UK for the Christmas holidays. He will return to Phuket in a couple of weeks.

The newspaper says that in 2011, Mr Mason was so dangerously obese he was given just five years to live. At 27, and at 250kg, the death sentence finally proved the spur he needed to shed the weight.

A year and a half on, Mr Mason can be proud of the fact he’s shed 147kg, around 100kg of that during his nine months spent training at Tiger.

Mr Mason admitted his weight was the result of his unhealthy lifestyle in England, as he regularly binged on greasy, fried food and meals out while working as a second-hand car salesman, the Daily Mail reported.

He was in poor health due to his weight, which caused breathing trouble, swollen legs and other serious physical problems. After the stark diagnosis, Mr Mason turned to the internet for help.

He discovered Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, booked a flight, and took the drastic decision to leave his job and move to Thailand.

Despite struggling to even walk around the camp when he first arrived, his training soon began in earnest.

Each morning he would run 5.5km on an empty stomach followed by a breakfast of fresh fruit salad, and took part in three or four high-energy Thai boxing sessions every day.

Whereas before he would feast on greasy takeaways and high fat snacks, now a typical dinner was grilled chicken, with vegetables and brown rice.

He told the Mail, “When I was at school I was captain of the basketball team, I played rugby too. When I went to work I got lazy. My weight just crept up on me over the years, I didn’t want to admit to myself that I needed to change my life.

“One day I went to the hospital and they said, “You have got five years to live”. I then went on the internet and found Thai training camp Tiger Muay Thai and then just upped and left.

Now I am training people all over the world,” he was quoted as saying.

Mr Mason, who has kept a blog of his time in Thailand, and is now back in the UK for Christmas, said his

Before and after: In 2011, Mr Mason was given five years to live. Photos: Jeff Sainlar family and friends cannot believe the change.

“People still don’t recognise me.

Mum and dad recognised me at the airport, just, but they had to take a second glance. Some friends here have walked straight past me,” he told the Mail.

But the journey has not been easy for Mr Mason. While he battled with his weight, he also caught a flesh-eating bug and could have lost his leg, and tore his ACL. He spent three months in hospital in Thailand, and then returned home to the UK for six months, before returning to Tiger.

“It was a struggle to walk 400 metres to begin with and now I am running 10km every morning. It changed my life. I am training four or five times a day.

“I was badly ill in August 2011, I was out of action for three months and had three operations to cut both my legs open and cut the infection out.”

Tiger Muay Thai director Will Elliott said he was “incredibly proud” of Mr Mason and his achievement.

“I think he’s leading the way for quite a few other people who might have been intimidated, shy and too insecure to come here. But now they’ve seen it’s okay, it’s not a hostile environment.

“It’s been pretty inspiring because it hasn’t been easy at all. He had some complications with his leg and was in the hospital and it was pretty serious.

“He was ready to jump on a plane and fly home. He’s had some major setbacks – life threw a lot of curveballs and he adapted. It wasn’t an easy ride, it was tough. But he earned it.”

When Mr Mason first arrived at Tiger, Mr Elliott said, “I was just waiting to see if he was going to put his money where his mouth was. He’s lost more weight than anyone here, ever.

“A lot people make bold claims, but whether they can stick to it with diet and exercise, is another story altogether. I think he surprised everyone.”

“It’s about perseverance – it is early mornings, training even when you’re tired, mental fatigue, and sticking to a diet that may not be that appealing.

You have to be disciplined.”

Mr Elliott said he expected Mr Mason’s story in the Daily Mail to have positive flow-on effects for Tiger.

“We always get people that see his blog and come here, and I think this story will add to it. We expect it to yield results for sure.

“He’s been on television in the UK, and been featured in smaller publications, and people find out about him on the internet and on forums. People see it and become inspired – many people have come here because of James.

“He’s part of the family here. He’s a great example, and I think his principles can be applied to life, not just weight loss. You have to persevere, stick to it, overcome adversity.”

Mr Mason is now determined to keep his healthy lifestyle going and has organised a 750-mile bike ride from Phuket to Bangkok in January to raise money for disabled children in the country.

For more information, visit weight lossthailand.com

6 EDUCATION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

US shooting fuels bulletproof bag sales

O

Students burn contracts BUDAPEST: Hungarian students burn their contracts, which commit students to work in Hungary after graduation, in Budapest on December 21, 2012. Protests over higher education reform in Hungary have spread despite government efforts to appease students angry over cuts to study grants and new rules making them promise not to move abroad after graduation. AFP

n the heels of the deadly shooting tragedy in Connecticut, parents’ anxiety is driving a surge in sales of bulletproof backpacks, in the hope the armoured bags can give their kids a safety edge.

For under US$300 (B9,100), the company Amendment II – a play on the Second Amendment to the US constitution, which guarantees the right to bear arms – is selling a boys’ pack with Avengers characters on it and a Little Mermaid one for girls.

“Sewn into the rear of the pack, you can always be confident that the armour hasn’t been accidentally left at home and that you or your child are protected in case of the unthinkable,” the company says.

“It is an awful thing – you would never imagine your child with this kind of stuff – but since the Newtown tragedy, our sales are more than 10 times better than usual,” said Richard Craig, head of the Utah company.

He refused to give precise sales figures, and his company also makes a less-costly bulletproof insert.

Amendment II is among a handful of companies that have seized the moment to offer protective gear for US schoolchildren whose parents arguably feel more vulnerable than ever.

Another company, BulletBlocker,

is offering inserts for US$150-200 (B4,600-B6,100) that slip into a backpack like a book – but with a different purpose.

“Light, easy to use, it is as big as a book,” says Elmar Uy, vice president at the New Hampshire company.

He said that since Friday, sales were up by 40 per cent to 40 inserts a day.

“We don’t guarantee anything,” he stressed. “It is just peace of mind, security for parents.”

In last week’s shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, a disturbed 20-year-old shot his mother, then 20 first graders and six staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School, before taking his own life.

“It is non-stop since Sandy Hook.

It is all about the terrible things that happened last week, the end of the world hysteria, the Mayan prediction; there is a lot of political uncertainty,” said Devin Standard. His company Black Dragon Tactical has been selling 30 ‘ballistic panels’ a day. “The question is: is your life worth 229 dollars?

Most people, when they think about this, they say yes,” he added.

“If you have a car, you have car insurance; if you have a house, you have home insurance,” he argued. “It is a little security blanket, it weighs almost nothing. But it is always there, just in case you are at the wrong place one day.” AFP

Bicycle-style Christmas tree blooms in Phuket

S

tudents from the Phuket International Academy Day School and staff at Thanyapura Sports & Leisure Club Phuket have been enjoying a Christmas tree with a difference for the past few weeks.

To promote one of the most popular sports on the island, triathlon cycling, the tree was creatively formed by joining up ten bicycles of varying sizes with a stunning lighting design.

Three times LPT winner, second place winner in the recent 70.3 Ironman Phuket and triathlon Olympian Radka Vodickova was the guest of honour and spun the generator wheel to send electricity flying

up and illuminating one of the most unique Christmas trees ever seen on Phuket.

The bicycle-bedecked tree will remain up for the entire festive season.

FRIDAY, 28,2012 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 28,

School admin seek pay pledge

A

lmost 100 school administrators last Friday converged on the education ministry to find out whether their monthly salary will rise to B15,000 as promised by the Pheu Thai-led government They handed in their letter to Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pong panit who later promised that he would try to solve all the problems by next week.

The Pheu Thai Party pledged in its election campaign last year to pay a starting salary of B15,000 to university graduates if it came to power.

However, the campaign caused confusion among school administrators when the Comptroller-General’s Department in June told the public that the B15,000 salary would not apply to school administrators who had been hired as temporary employees.

Shortly after the report came out, school administrators under the Administration School Federation called on the cabinet to consider the matter. But no progress has been made to date.

Vitrapong Pumbunpak, head of the federation, who led the administrators, said school administrative staff were working in the public sector and had bachelor’s degrees. As such they were entitled to the same B15,000 salary as other state employees.

Mr Vitrapong said the matter had been forwarded to the cabinet for consideration and the cabinet had pledged the decision would be known in August, but no reply has been received.

“Several months have passed but there has been no clarification, only confusion,” he said.

Rangsan Maneelek, director of the Office of the Basic Education Commission’s Policy and Planning Office, added that he knew that some school administrators were asked to help with teaching duties because the ministry was facing a shortage of teachers in some small schools.

Bangkok Post

WEIRD WORLD 7

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

The Mayan Prophecy was a weird hit in 2012, despite the lack of any rational explanation for the ‘end of the world’. Here we take a second look at some of this year’s other odd moments.

January – Sex-change couple remarries: Like a lot of happy couples, Barry and Anne Watson wanted to renew their vows after nine years of marriage. But the second-time around there was a big difference: this time Barry was a woman called Jayne. “At first Anne was furious when I told her I wanted a sex change,” says Barry, 43, a former bus driver who changed his name to Jayne by deed poll.

“Our marriage had been going through problems and she thought I’d been cheating on her with another woman. But I just wanted to be one.” Anne, 53, said: “I grieved for the loss of Barry, but there were sides to Jayne I enjoyed getting to know. Now we sit and giggle and talk about hair, clothes and make-up.”

April – Unemployment scheme fails: When job centre staff threatened to force Austrian Hans Url to undergo a medical if he failed to accept the work they found for him, he decided to take measures into his own hands. To prove he was too sick to work, the 56-year-old sawed off his left foot above the ankle and threw it into an oven so it could not be reattached. Police said Url waited until his wife and adult son had left the house, then used a mitre saw to slice off his left foot above the ankle.

Url then threw the leg into the fire so it would be impossible to reattach, before calling the emergency services. But the local job centre said Url could still be forced to get a job because he could still work, even without one of his feet.

June – Eat me, says Japanese artist: Mao Sugiyama cooked his own genitals and served them to five paying diners in Tokyo to cover the medical costs, in a bizarre act to raise awareness about sexual minorities. Sugiyama had his penis and testicles surgically removed in March, and kept them frozen for two months before serving them up to customers, according to postings on his Twitter account and local police. Diners paid 20,000 yen (B8,000) for the plate with a portion of genitals.

Sugiyama, an artist who considers himself “asexual”, or without gender, initially thought about eating his genitals himself, but decided to solicit paying customers to help pay his hospital bills for the surgery.

Tokyo Police said they knew about the episode, but Sugiyama had not broken the law because cannibalism is not illegal in Japan.

August – Roadkill poses for Kiwi kids: Schoolteachers in New Zealand encouraged kids in their classes to dress-up dead possums for a class project. As part of an annual fundraiser for the Uruti School in the North Island, children at the school fitted hunted and “road-killed” possums in a variety of costumes, including wedding dresses and bikinis, then arranged them in comedy poses, such as riding a tricycle and posing in a boxing ring. Possums are considered noxious pests in New Zealand, where they are responsible for damaging native forests. Another New Zealand school got into hot water a few years ago for staging a possum-throwing contest, in which students swung dead possums around their heads and hurled them across the playground.

T

he world failed to end last Friday, contrary to a popular prediction. The idea that Mayan priests more than a thousand years ago had the inside dope on the Apocalypse turned out to be total nonsense, but the idea still enthralled people around the world.

Instead, a day of light-hearted, doomthemed celebration and superstitious scaremongering dawned at the ancient temples of the Mayan people, whose calendar sparked the latest rumours of the end of the world.

December 21 marked the end of an era that lasted 5,200 years, according to the Mayan “Long Count” calendar. Some believed the date marked the end of the world, as foretold in Mayan hieroglyphs.

That belief was scorned by by historians and Mayan elders alike – who explained that the date merely marked the end of the old Mayan calendar and the beginning of a new one.

But that didn’t stop thousands of people from gathering at Mayan stone pyramids in the Guatemalan jungle, where actors in ancient costumes staged elaborate dances to a mournful pan-pipe tunes.

Unfortunately the crowds were too much for one of the ancient structures – officials said parts of one temple at the Tikal archaelogical site had been damaged by doom-seekers and party-goers.

In the village of Sirince in Turkey, about 500 villagers and roughly the same number of disappointed journalists watched the clock tick past the appointed hour for the End of Days, with no whisper of a Last Trump.

Doomsayers had identified Sirince as a haven where believers could escape destruction on a boat, like “Noah’s Ark” - and local merchants had laid on extra supplies of wine to cope with the expected demand.

Some villagers were bemused by the whole thing: “We have no clue why people thought we would have

An ancient Mayan calendar: just one day after another. thousands pouring into Sirince,” said Ali Gulumser.

“To me it sounds like a hoax invented by the media.”

“I heard from a Turkish car driver that Tom Cruise was here,” said Ina Teichert, a 47-year-old German tourist visiting the town. “The world will continue tomorrow and after tomorrow. But we thought maybe we could come here and meet Cruise.”

Crowds also flocked to Alto Paraiso, a small town in central Brazil built over a crystal quartz formation that mystics have long associated with special energy.

But the authorities there were prepared for the crowds, because in 2000 the town was also swamped by outsiders preparing for a different end of the world, which also didn’t happen.

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‘Alien’ skulls unearthed in ancient graveyard

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rchaeologists in Mexico have discovered a cache of ancient human skulls warped into strange, alien-like shapes.

The tradition of binding boards to the skulls of children as they grew was once common in Central America, but the findings suggest the practice spread much farther north than had been thought.

The graves were discovered in the northern Mexican state of Sonora by villagers digging an irrigation canal.

The site, known as El Cementerio, contained the remains of 25 human burials. Seventeen were of young children between 5 months and 16 years old, and 13 of bodies had skulls that had been deformed into a pointed ‘alien-like’ shape.

p am

November – Man attends own funeral: A Brazilian man who family members thought was dead surprised mourners when he appeared, alive, at his own funeral. Jose Marcos Araujo, 41, shocked his family when he walked into the ceremony in the town of Alagoinhas. Jose’s brother had misidentified a body at the morgue after a shooting at the car wash business where he worked. But the body was that of a different worker at the car wash who resembled Jose – and it was mistakenly taken to Jose’s house for the funeral ceremony. When the real Jose Marcos returned home, “some people fainted and others were so scared they ran away. It was a big shock,” a family friend said.

Apocalypse, Not

en

2012 in Weird News

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8 DINING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 28,2012 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 28,

It’s a Patong steak-out Simon Ostheimer editor@thephuketnews.com

Clockwise from above: Nachos Tijuana, garlic prawns ‘Casa Marcos’; sausage skewer; the fanand air-con-cooled interior. Photos: Kiri Heald

L

et’s face it, there’s no shortage of places to dine in Patong. Catering for every budget, and available at almost every hour of the day, you can get everything in this Phuket town: From shwarma to sushi, pasta to pad Thai. Of course, that is no guarantee whatsoever that your meal will be any good.

Thank goodness, then, for restaurants like Churrasco, a smart South Americanstyle steakhouse in Jungceylon Mall. Located on the shopping centre’s al fresco Sino Phuket strip, it features simple yet stylish red and white décor, accented by dark wood furniture.

Directly opposite the entrance, on the far wall, are framed portraits of menu highlights, while the left wall features the menu itself. It’s a nice touch that means you’re already choosing your meal before you’ve even sat down (or perhaps have been persuaded to dine by seeing what’s on offer). Staff are pleasantly attentive without being overbearing, giving you time to peruse the choices.

Order a drink while you’re thinking – Churrasco has an extensive drinks list, with varieties from around the world. Chilean and Argentinian selections make an expectedly strong appearance.

The six page evening menu (they also have a lunch one) begins with salads and soups. If it’s to your taste, waitresses will recommend the gazpacho Andaluz, a chilled Andalusian vegetable soup that is perfectly suited to Phuket’s hot climate – though we skipped straight to the mains and sides.

This is a steakhouse after all, so it goes without saying that you first need to choose between ordering Wagyu or Angus steaks.

It’s a matter of preference, but our eyes were drawn to the solomillo de tenera (a ‘Top Tender’ cut from the inside of the rump) Wagyu steak (B450, 200g).

Extremely tender and wonderfully marbled, the meat packed a concentration of amazing flavour. We accompanied this with a mixed sausage skewer (B380), with its selection of lamb, pork, and chorizo, and a small assorted beef skewer with grilled vegetables (B350).

The mains are best paired with your selection of side dishes, all reasonably priced from B60-B90. Since we’d already ordered so much meat, we plumped for the sauteed spinach with garlic and green beans

with bacon, though the hand-cut fries and crushed herb potato also sounded good.

You also have your choice of sauces – the signature Churrasco BBQ sauce was the obvious choice, though we also took a shining to the smoked chilli sauce, while the Brazilian tomato intrigued, but was saved for next time. That’s because we’ll definitely be back, especially since we were too full to try the desserts such as the classic banana fritters with a choice of ice cream (B180).

In sum, with great food, decent prices, and an extremely pleasant air-con and fancooled location, it’s a much preferable alternative to dining in the Patong maelstrom outside the walls of the mall.

Churrasco Phuket Steakouse, Jungceylon Mall, Patong. 076 366 723. churrascophuket. com. Open daily 11am-11pm.

Foie gras off the menu in Britain’s House of Lords

B

ritain’s House of Lords has taken foie gras off the menu after animal rights activists complained it was being served in its restaurants, a spokesman for the upper house of parliament said Thursday.

Catering chiefs in the Lords, which broke up for Christmas on Wednesday, have decided not to serve the delicacy when peers return in the new year.

Foie gras, which is made by forcefeeding grain to ducks or geese to produce a fatty enlarged liver, is already off the menu in the House of Commons.

The campaign group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals hailed the decision by the upper chamber, say-

ing it had won the support of several peers for the pate to be banned.

“We are delighted that the House of Lords will join the House of Commons in taking a stand against cruelty and removing this most un-British of products from its menus,” Peta associate director Mimi Bekhechi said. AFP

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012 List your restaurant here: call 076 612 550 or email sales@thephuketnews.com

DINING GUIDE 9

EUROPEAN

INTERNATIONAL

ITALIAN

SEAFOOD

Bodega & Grill

Weaves Restaurant

Acqua

Trisara Seafood

Bodega & Grill is situated on a picturesque patio by the lagoon. The restaurant serves premium char-grilled steaks and seafood from a wood-fired oven, as well as authentic homemade pastas, risottos and paellas. Bodega’s generous steaks are available in portions of up to 1.2 kilogram. Angsana Laguna Phuket, Cherngtalay; 076 324 101

Watch the evening sunlit ocean in the lavish and contemporary ambient atmosphere that is the Weaves restaurant. With its intimate low lit private dining, Weaves serves a variety of delectable Asian and International fusion cuisine, rich enticing desserts and tropical blended refreshments. Manathai Resort Phuket, Surin Beach, 076 270 900

Connoisseurs of fine cuisine can revel in Acqua’s experiential concept. The Acqua restaurant experience promises to deliver only the freshest of ingredients, sourced from only the best producers both local and international. Taste explosions from the portfolio of Chef Alessandro Frau, of both traditional & contemporary are offered. Kalim Bay-Patong, 076 618 127

The first truly world-class destination seafood dining experience on Phuket. A private entrance leads guests either to an outdoor, beachfront deck or to the cool, relaxed interior. The menu is a balance between local and imported seafood prepared and served in a Mediterranean way.

Lunch 12.30pm-3pm, Dinner 7pm-10.30pm (Closed Sundays). Trisara, 076 310 305

Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Irish Times

Art Caffè

RE KÁ TA Beach Club

Enjoy fine dining with panoramic sea views in sensually indulgent setting. Delicious Thai and European creations are served on the open-air terrace. Mom Tri’s Villa Royale is the winner of the Wine Spectators Award of Excellence. Situated on the only road into to Kata Noi Beach.

Reservations recommended. momtriphuket .com; 076 333 568

The only Irish owned and managed Irish Pub in Phuket. A real Irish Pub at the heart of Phuket’s world famous nightlife. In this traditionally styled Irish pub you will find a very warm welcome from the Management and their fantastic staff. All your favourite Irish food and beverages. Jungceylon, Patong Beach; irishtimespub-phuket.com

The idea of Art Caffè comes from the need to have a place to stop and enjoy something different. Meet friends, exchange ideas, propose initiatives, organizing events or reflect only reading, watching and perhaps enjoying a good cup of coffee. The exhibition space is an affront to the repetitiveness of the artistic culture of the island. Naiharn-Saiyuan Road, 076 388 546

The beachfront restaurant off­ers modern innovative cuisine with a strong focus on seafood.

In the evening RE KÁ TA transforms with Kata’s magical sunsets and cool sounds along with the delicious drinks and tapas, right on the beach.

Open daily 6.30am-11pm; Kata Beach (next to Boathouse); info@rekataphuket.com, rekata phuket.com, 076 330 421

Tablespoon Salad & Grill

Super Natural

DaVinci

Baan Kalim Restaurant & Seafood

Discover newest stylish restaurant in modern vintage setting. Creative and unique salad and grill menus are served while you experience a delectable dining in romantic and intimate atmosphere with a reasonable price tag.

Open 11am-10pm. 2nd Floor, HomePro Village, Chalong; 076 383 244

Super Food deserves a Super Location. SuperNatural and more. The only waterfront restaurant in Phuket serving exciting raw vegetarian cuisine in addition to our delicious seafood, Thai and International menu. Great selection of fresh to order juices & smoothies, as well as great wines and chilled beers.

Open 365 days a year. Facebook Supernatural -Phuket, 2.5km south of Chalong Circle.

Great food and people you know! Authentic Italian cuisine in Nai Harn area. Three different dining areas, cocktail lounge, children’s play area, Delicatessen, live music....DaVinci is not just a meal, it is an experience of taste, atmosphere and more. Restaurant open daily 5pm-11.30pm; Deli open 11am-6pm; Sunday close; Naiharn 076 289 574. davinciphuket.com

Start your evening with delicious food and fine wine. Pick the perfect spot to take in stunning views of Patong bay, as the evening breeze surrounds you. Relax and enjoy live music to make your evening into that truly wonderful and unforgettable dining experience. Open daily 11am-Midnight. Patong; baankalim.com; baankalimrestaurant@hotmail.com, 076 618 125

FRENCH

Gallery Cafe by Pinky

Diavolo

THAI Baan Vijitt Restaurant

Breeze Restaurant

A menu of modern Mediterranean influences created by Chef Ryan to tantalize the senses in a modern ambience. Offering everything from fresh seafood pastas to simple good pizzas. An impressive selection of well priced beverages and stunning sea views complete the experience. Open daily for lunch or dinner. Paresa Resort, Kamala Beach; 076 302 000

Phuket’s most exciting new restaurant is situated on the waterfront at Cape Yamu. Chef Cheryl Johnson is providing diners with her innovative modern French interpretations of local ingredients. Open from Tuesday to Saturday for dinner, and from Wednesday to Saturday for lunch. Our menus change frequently. Cape Yamu, Paklok, 081 271 2320

Gallery Cafe by Pinky proudly present to you cafe food at its best. Whether you’re looking for an excellent breakfast or a quick light lunch or dinner plus an outstanding range of fine wines or cocktails. A homemade cake or freshly roasted premium coffee.

Open everyday from 8am - 10pm. Rassada Road, Phuket Town. Facebook page ‘Gallery cafe by Pinky‘. www.gallerycafe-phuket.com, 089 103 7000

Tre by DoublePool Villas

Boathouse Wine and Grill

Tamarind Restaurant

An array of culinary experiences is offered to tempt and intrigue in Tre - the exclusive contemporary French Vietnamese restaurant set among the superb surroundings of the DoublePool Villas. Tre’s signatures dishes include scallops and green apples and tartar with pan-fried foie gras. Banyan Tree Phuket, Cherngtalay; banyantree.com

The legendary Boathouse Wine and Grill is a celebration of great French and Thai cuisine right on Kata beach, simply the best oceanfront dining on Phuket. The wine cellar houses over 800 bottles and has been awarded Best of Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator since 2006. Open daily 11am-11pm; Kata Beach; boathousephuket.com; facebook.com/boathousephuket, 076 330 015

To complement an already distinctive cuisine, Tamarind is bringing to the island high quality authentic Japanese cuisine, courtesy of Master Chef Shiraishi. Gracing our Japanese menu will be fresh sushi, sashimi, healthy salads, yakitori and tempura and much more. Tamarind is your ultimate destination to savour the best Japanese cuisine in Phuket. Cherngtalay; banyantree.com

JAPANESE

A half-century old Sino-Portuguese style house at The Vijitt Resort Phuket offers a unique authentic experience of Thai cuisine with a focus on regional specialties. Thai Select Premium Award certifies the quality and standard of product and service here. The Vijitt Resort Phuket, Rawai; fb@vijittresort.com, 076 363 600

Talung Thai

The restaurant has a stunning sunset location, offering views of the Andaman Sea. The menu of southern Thai specialties and true local dishes, are not seen on many other restaurant menus in Phuket. Chill with a cocktail from our award wining mixologist at sunset and then relax with authentic Thai cuisine. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Paresa Resort, Kamala; 076 302 000

10 TRAVEL

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Back to the 70s

FRIDAY, 28,2012 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 28,

Eric Walker describes a visit to Phuket in 1976, when bandits ruled the roads

E

nglishman Eric Walker first came to Phuket with his wife Lily in 1976.

What they saw and experienced so delighted them that the couple, from the island of Jersey, have come back every winter since then, always staying in the same hotel, the Pearl on Montri Rd in Phuket Town.

Mr Walker, who served in the British forces in Italy, Greece and France in World War II – he is the last of the British soldiers who liberated the Channel Islands from the Germans – is now 89 years old.

This year, he says, is probably the last time he will come here. “Travelling is just getting too difficult.”

Here, he tells of his and Lily’s first delightful visit to the island, a trip very different from the one visitors today experience.

I

t was 1976. My wife and I were holidaying in Bangkok when a chance encounter with a reporter from the Siam Travel News changed our lives.

He had just returned, he said, from the grand opening of the Pearl Hotel in Phuket and he was so full of praise for this new hotel and this lovely island that we decided to see if his words were true.

This was more easily decided than done. The bus left Bangkok about 3pm and the journey, I think, was about 15 hours. We were the only tourists aboard.

Late that evening found us in a large car park where the nightly convoy was assembled. I have no idea where this was but everyone had a good meal of rice and crab so it must have been near the sea.

The army were in control, giving everyone a place in the convoy: cars to the front and lorries to the rear. As a passenger bus we had the safest place in the middle. We also had an armed guard. So, with an armoured car in the lead, and permitted to use sidelights only, we took the road to Phuket.

Soon the bus was asleep – until one passenger woke and ran to tell the driver that his bus was on fire.

The driver was not a bit worried. He knew the white stuff was not smoke but fine dust. It was just like a London fog and most unpleasant. My advice: don’t ride in the middle of a convoy.

The dust became really bad when we passed the night’s northbound convoy and we had to stop and

Tin was the industry and every possible method was employed to extract it. Bucket dredgers operated day and night in most bays.

Suction pumps worked the inland ponds while water jets washed tin from the hillsides. Even the village ladies joined in this tin rush, panning for tin in the shallow water

TRAVEL 11

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

TRAVEL NEWS

Win a free Bali holiday at island’s new Le Méridien

clean the air filters on the engine using buckets of water.

I took the opportunity of asking the escorting officer why we could not travel in the daytime. He explained that it was safer at nighttime as the bandits could not shoot so well in the dark. This seemed reasonable.

Once we were underway again I must have fallen asleep and when I woke we were alone, rolling through green countryside.

At the Pearl Hotel we were most welcomed, with flowers, fruit and lobster for dinner every night. The staff lent us a motorcycle and we soon set about discovering Phuket.

We even took the road to Patong Beach. That was a real adventure – not for the faint-hearted. This road was closed every night.

We heard of an especially beautiful island that was a must-visit. But how to get there? The fishermen of Chalong Bay promised us that if we were able to put together a party of 15 passengers they had the necessary two boats.

So we became travel agents and managed to collect some tourists and the money.

Phi Phi Island was well worth the that trouble. Flying fish flew around our boats as we landed at the little fishing village, where the main attraction was a tame fish eagle. The island was so peaceful.

Not so Phuket. Tin was the industry and every possible method was employed to extract it. Bucket dredgers operated day and night in most bays. Suction pumps worked the inland ponds while water jets washed tin from the hillsides.

Facing page, Patong beach in 1980, devoid of umbrellas and with few tourists. This page, Patong Beach Road in the early ’80s. Photos: Jeroen Deknatel

Even the village ladies joined in this tin rush, panning for tin in the shallow water. Seeing this, I thought I would take a chance to get rich so, borrowing a pan and a leather bag and big hat, I started.

I soon found it was very hot, hard work for very little tin. But all was not lost. When the girls at my wife’s hairdresser had no customers they would sit on the floor with a tray sorting tin from gravel. I joined them but soon discovered this task tedious and not easy money.

So I tried another get-rich idea.

At night time we would go along the beach looking for the telltale tracks to lead us to the turtles’ nests where there were lots of eggs – about 120 to a nest. Most shops had the eggs displayed for sale in large glass jars. That is why there are so few turtles today.

The children of Chalong Bay also had a bad idea. They would catch a certain type of fish. These, when put in a jam jar would fight each other. Each child would claim to have the champion fish. I think they also bet on the outcome. This activity would not be approved of today.

We did have one small fright when a policeman ordered us to stop on our motorbike. We had no paperwork or license plate, so I expected trouble. However, after some pleasant conversation I asked, “Why have you stopped us?”

He replied, “I just wanted to practice my English.”

Until 1976 we had been world travellers but this visit changed everything. We had found our paradise and have returned to the Pearl Hotel every winter since then.

Weeks from the opening of Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran, the resort has launched social media photo contest that is designed to curate creativity from Le Méridien fans.

The photo contest at facebook.com/leMéridienbalijimbaran invites novice and professional photographers, and will run through until 31 January 2013 with a grand prize of a holiday trip to become a part of the Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran First Night event.

Located on the secluded, tranquil Jimbaran Bay on the southwest coastline of Bali, Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran features majestic views of the Indian Ocean and Jimbaran Bay. Complementing the location, Le Méridien Bali will juxtapose traditional Jimbaran heritage against a contemporary creative

space surrounded by serene and refreshing elements of water featuring 75 guestrooms, 35 suites, 4 penthouses and 4 roof top Pool villas.

The décor reflects a contemporary approach to Balinese from the modern Batik motives, to the artworks that completes the room and finished with the finest marbles.

“This innovative contest is designed to curate people’s creativity and how they connect with the Le Méridien brand that is committed to chic, cultured and discovery.

“Our three promises that has been there since the beginning of our journey” said Arnaud Champenois, Asia Pacific Brand Director of Le Méridien.

“We are excited can’t wait to unveil Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran and we believe with the power of social media, we can unlock this journey together with our fans” added Simon Dornan, General Manager of Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran.

For more information about Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran, visit lemeridien.com/balijimbaran

Tourism Australia Facebook page hits 4 million fans Tourism Australia’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/ seeaustralia, has now exceeded four million fans worldwide.

Tourism Australia Managing Director, Andrew McEvoy, said the national tourism agency was harnessing the power of Facebook to allow advocates of Australia to share their stories about what makes the country such a unique place to visit.

I n Aug ust of th is year, Tourism Australia launched a new app on its Facebook page.

The ‘Discover Australia Through Your Friends’ app merges the best of Google Maps and Facebook technology to create a unique travel planning tool to not only help choose where in Australia to go, but also provide inspiration and advice from friends who may already have been there.

12 GAMING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 28,2012 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 28,

IN BRIEF Disney Infinity game information leaked

Leaked images and videos from the gaming site Polygon showcase the highly anticipated Disney Infinity game as a world that uses characters from both Pixar and Walt Disney collection of films.

The game, which is being developed by Avalanche Software, is intended to have both custom story modes that vary with each character and missionbased play. One of the main concepts behind the game is to include several gaming genres – race, shoot, build, and role play.

Disney is expected to unveil the game to the gaming press in January 2013.

Final Fantasy now on iOS

One of the most successful gaming franchise’s of alltime is now available on iTunes as Final Fantasy IV hit the market last week.

The game, which saw its first version released in 1991, will be available for download and compatible for the iPad, iPod Touch, and iPhone.

It features voice acting and will include several system-specific features and include the Game Center where gamers can track their progress against others.

Final Fantasy IV is available for US$16 (B415), making it one of the more expensive role-playing games for the iOS.

7,000 Wii U consoles stolen

Thieves stoles an estimated 7,0 0 0 Wii U consoles from the Nintendo distribution bay at SeaTac A irpor t in S eat t le, Wa sh i n g t on last week.

The consoles, which are valued at US$2.1 million (B64.2 million) total, were taken by thieves who used semi-trailers during a storm. Police do not have any leads and are not sure how many people were involved.

BLAST FROM THE PAST Jean-Pierre Mestanza editor2@thephuketnews.com

D

North Korea releases first ever video game

T

he first widely available North Korean video game was released online last week and has already made headlines around the world.

Pyongyang Racer lets gamers drive along the almost empty streets of the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. The objective of the game is simple: collect barrels of petrol to make sure your car continues to move while trying to avoid the few other vehicles on the streets.

Occasionally, one of the city’s traffic girls will warn you about driving straight and avoiding vehicles. The game, though boring, is intended to give users a glimpse

of Pyongyang to the outside world, according to the website that hosts the game, koryogroup.com The website is the online arm of a Beijing-based tourism company that offers packages to secluded North Korea. It was developed by a western IT company called Nosotek, which bills itself as the first of its kind in country.

“This game was developed in 2012 and is not intended to be a high-end technological wonder hit game of the 21st century, but more a fun race game (arcade style) where you drive around in Pyongyang and learn more about the sites and get a glimpse of Pyongyang,” Koryo Tours said on the game’s website.

THQ files for bankruptcy, ready for fresh start

V

ideo game publisher THQ has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States, entering into an asset purchase agreement that allows the company to sell nearly all of its assets, including four whollyowned studios and games in development.

The company announced that they have obtained an estimated US$37.5 million (B1.1 billion) in financing commitments from lenders Clearlake and Wells Fargo, subject to court approval, and the sale

will not include THQ’s operations in Canada.

“The sale will allow THQ to shed certain legacy obligations and emerge with the strong financial backing of a new owner with substantial experience in software and technology,” THQ said in a statement.

THQ’s assets are valued at an estimated US$60 million (B1.9 billion) according to Clearlake. The company expects to complete the sale process within 30 days.

The games in development include Saints Row 4; Metro: Last Light;

TOP VIDEO GAMES THIS WEEK

1

Scribble Hero

Xbox 360

2

Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

PS3, Xbox 360, PS3, PC

3

Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition

9

Lego The Lord Of The Rings

Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, 3DS

4

Hollywood Monsters

10

Skylanders Giants

Wii

5

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

6

Hitman Absolution (18+)

Xbox 360, PS3,PC

7

Halo 4

Fifa 13

Xbox 360, PS3, VITA, Wii

8

4

Just Dance 4

Wii, Xbox 360, Wii U, PS3

5

Far Cry 3

Xbox 360, PS3

Call Of Duty: Black Ops II (18+)

2

Hitman Absolution (18+)

3

TOP MOBILE GAMES Xbox 360, PS3, PC

Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii U

1

South Park: The Stick of Truth; Homefront 2; Company of Heroes 2; and a game called 1666 which is being developed by Assassin’s Creed developer Patrice Desilets.

“The most important thing to understand is that Chapter 11 does not mean the end of the THQ story or the end of the titles you love. Quite the opposite is true, actually,” said THQ President Jason Rubin in a statement.

“Our Chapter 11 process allows for other bidders to make competing offers for THQ.”

o you remember Pokemon Red and Blue?

It was originally released in Japan as Pocket Monsters: Red & Green in 1996 and was based on of the wildly popular Pokemon franchise, which itself started as a card game in Asia.

Both versions of the game were made for the original Game Boy and became the start of what is now a billion dollar franchise that has gone on to include movies, game sequels, comic books, and a cartoon television show.

The premise of both versions of the Pokemon game was for the gamer to navigate throughout the world and capture as many Pokemon characters – up to a maximum of 150 – as they can, all the while defeating several bosses in different cities to become a ‘Poke Master’ (we’re not joking).

At the start of the game, each player chooses to use one of three Pokemon: Bulbasour, Charmander, or Squirtle.

Each character represented either earth, fire, or water and each had their own weaknesses according to the element.

During battles, gamers could substitute characters according to their strengths and earn experience points that were used to help their Pokemon evolve (for example, the baby dragon Charmander would become the f ire-breathing megadragon Charmeleon).

Gamers could even trade Pokemon via the Game Link Cable and because the game was structured in a way that play seemed endless.

The game has stood the test of time with several competitions around the world still going strong.

The gaming site IGN. com ranked Pokemon Red and Blue at number 37 on its “Top 100 Games of All Time” list in 2007.

Do you have a Blast from the Past? Let us know at editor2@ thephuketnews.com

FILM 13

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

IN BRIEF China ‘V for Vendetta’ broadcast amazes viewers

Life of Pi

Metaphorical feast FILM REVIEW Tom Metcalfe editor2@thephuketnews.com

Director: Ang Lee Starring: Suraj Sharma Irrfan Khan Adil Hussain Gerard Depardieu

I

f Life of Pi doesn’t make you believe in God – as one character ventures in the script – Ang Lee’s visually beautiful film will at least affirm the power of cinematic illusions.

And metaphors.

Pi Patel grows up as the son of a zookeeper in Pondicherry in India, where he is exposed in turn to the world’s major religions – Hinduism, Catholicism and Islam – and the uncompromising rationalism of his father.

After this thorough induction into matters spiritual, Pi is ready for his lesson in worldly concerns: his family flee the political uncertainty of the Indian Emergency in the mid-1970s, packing up their zoo animals and taking a ship for a new life in Canada.

But the ship is wrecked in a storm, and Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with only an ape, a hyena and a tiger from the zoo collection for companions.

Soon just Pi and the tiger remain, and the core of the movie revolves around Pi’s

elaborate efforts to survive as he and the beast drift across the ocean.

This is no cuddly cartoon tiger – the beast is one of the film’s special effects triumphs, a hyper-real manifestation of malevolent ferocity that is ready to devour its human shipmate at any time.

Director Ang Lee’s luxurious production of Yann Martel’s novel (which I confess I have not read) is almost certain to win every technical Oscar for its expert blend of 3D and CGI effects.

The 3D effects are deployed with more subtlety than the jaw-dropping constructions of movies like Avatar, but differ again from the relatively realistic sense of depth cultivated in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit, the other big 3D film of the season.

The recurring visual theme is of horizons and surface appearances, which – metaphorically – reflect the limits of human experience and the unknowability of God. And so Pi’s little boat is seen, again and again, sus-

pended alone in 3D space – between the starry heavens and the stars reflected on the waters; or between a sunrise and its perfect mirror; or from overhead, above a vasty deep; or above a night-dark sea filled with phosphorescent sea creatures. It’s spectacular, but this sort of thing takes up roughly half the movie.

The visual horizon is also used to evoke the sensation of memory – as an older Pi (Irrfan Khan) recounts his story, the action transitions in 3D to a background layer where the younger Pi (Suraj Sharma) plays out the voyage across the ocean.

Yet the movie’s most impressive use of 3D may be its underwater action – a long shipwreck scene, where Pi swims through the sinking ship to rescue his family, is especially effective.

Life of Pi is a stronger visual experience than a emotional one, and it delivers its final twist like the punchline of a joke: just like Pi’s name – an irrational number – it was all a metaphor, do you see?

Leaked photo reveals Tom Hardy as Mad Max

A

blurred online photograph has given movie fans a first glimpse of the new movie Mad Max: Fury Road – with British actor Tom Hardy in the title role.

Hardy plays Max Rockatansky, the role played by Australian actor Mel Gibson in the first Mad Max movie and its two sequels. Mad Max: Fury Road is due in cinemas in 2014.

The photograph of Hardy as Mad Max surfaced on the Instagram website, and the image has been confirmed as genuine by the producers, Warner Brothers.

Chinese Zodiac (T) [15+] Countdown (T/E Sub) [18+] The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (E/3D) [G] The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (E/F) [G] The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (T) [G] The Impossible (E) [G] Life of Pi (E/3D) [G]

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

Cash troubles threaten ‘Gladiator’ tomb in Rome

The tomb of the Roman general who inspired the film Gladiator risks falling into oblivion despite a plea from Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe to save it, as recession-hit Italy struggles to preserve its archaeological jewels.

“It’s incredibly sad, this is an extraordinary site. Its fate has caught the eyes of the world,” said Daniela Rossi, head archaeologist on the dig that unearthed the tomb of Roman general Marcus Nonius Macrinus, who served as Proconsul of Asia under the Emperor Marcus Aerelius in the 2nd Century.

French, Austrians up for foreign Oscar, Asians out

French blockbuster Les Intouchables and Austrian Michael Haneke’s Palme d’Or winner Amour lead a shortlist of nine films for the best foreign language film Oscar.

The list, whitled down from 71 nominations, includes f ilms from Canada, Chile, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Romania and Switzerland.

But Hong Kong director Johnnie To and China’s Chen Kaige – whose Farewell my Concubine won the Palme d’Or in 1993 – did not make the cut.

The Oscars will be awarded on January 10.

US BOX OFFICE TOP 10 Weekend Gross gross

Film

The production of Mad Max: Fury Road is being kept tightly under wraps, and these are the first images from the movie to become public.

According to the Aint It Cool News website, the online image is taken from autographed film still given by Hardy to the cast and crew after shooting the principal photography in southern Africa.

Director George Miller, who wrote and directed the original Mad Max movies, shot the desert scenes in South Africa and Namibia, where prying eyes were kept well away.

SFX Coliseum Phuket (Central Festival)

China’s state-run television network shocked many viewers by airing V for Vendetta, an anarchist-themed film showing an uprising against an authoritarian government.

The film, which was once banned in mainland China, was shown on the state broadcaster’s movie channel.

After the broadcast, some Chinese web users wondered if the broadcast indicated a relaxation of censorship – though most were skeptical that it indicated any major change in policy.

S u b v e r s iv e q u o t e s f r o m t h e movie cited online included: “The p e ople s hou ld not b e a f r a id of the government, the government shou ld be a f ra id of the people.”

1

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

$36.7M

$150M

2

Jack Reacher

$15.6M

$15.6M

3

This Is 40

$12M

$12M

4

Rise of the Guardians

$5.9M

$79.7M

5

Lincoln (2012)

$5.63M

$117M

6

The Guilt Trip (2012)

$5.39M

$117M

7

Monsters, Inc. (2001)

$5.04M

$6.53M

8

Skyfall (2012)

$4.7M

$280M

Life of Pi (2012)

$3.8M

$76.2M

$2.6M

$282M

9

10 The Twilight Saga:Breaking Dawn Part 2

SFC Jungceylon Phuket (Patong) Chinese Zodiac (T) [15+] Cloud Atlas (E) [18+] Countdown (T/E sub) [18+] The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (E) [G] The Impossible (E) [G] Life of Pi (E) [G]

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

As some movies and movie times times change every Thursday morning, morning, after The Phuket News has gone to to press, the accuracy of the following following information cannot be guaranteed. guaranteed.

For up -to - date information, visit visit sfcinemacity.com, or call the cinemas directly: SFX Coliseum Phuket 076-209000 and SFC Jungceylon Phuket 076 - 600 -555.

14 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

DANCE, DANCE REVOLUTION A press conference was held at the Bangkok office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand on December 19 to announce the Phuket Electronic Music and Dance Festival 2012. In attendance were members of the national media, performers and DJs. For more information on the festival, see p16.

SANTA MAKES HIS ROUNDS These photos show Pete from the Aussie Pub organising presents and a visit from Santa for the children from Phuket Has Been Good To Us.

LITTLE CHEFS MAKE CAKE Budding master chefs prepared their culinary creations during Quest’s ‘Little Chefs’ Christmas party at Laguna Phuket on December 21st. The talented cooks made fruity Christmas cake and chocolate brownies.

FRIDAY, 28,2012 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 28,

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

ISLAND SCENE 15

CENTRAL CHRISTMAS Central Festival Phuket shopping mall held a concert to celebrate Christmas and New Year from December 22-23. There were performances from Four-Mod, Girly Berry (pictured above), Fey-Fang-Keaw, Phuket’s Dome The Star and Nuvo (left).

RACING TO THE INDIGO PEARL

MILLENNIUM CHEER On Christmas Eve, Millennium Resort Patong held its ‘Christmas Celebrations’, where children from the Sussex House Orphanage had the chance to meet with Father Christmas at his real gingerbread house in Jungceylon shopping mall.

On Friday, December 21, Indigo Pearl held a post-race party for Dylan Young. The Phuket-based racing driver (left), partly sponsored by Indigo Pearl, was joined by resort General Manager Kelly Lewis (right) in celebrating Young’s recent successes at the Buddh International Circuit in New Delhi.

The Australian-born racer is aiming to reach Formula 1 by 2015.

FINE ART AT THE PAVILIONS The inaugural Art Cocktail @ The Pavilions took place at the resort’s Plantation Club last Friday. The resort will be hosting regular art exhibitions.

16 ENTERTAINMENT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, 28,2012 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 28,

DJs and organisers of the Phuket Electronic Music and Dance Festival 2012 at the press conference, held at the TAT Bangkok office.

Karon to hold huge NY dance festival

T

he Phuket Electronic Music and Dance Festival 2012, being held on Karon beach in conjunction with the Karon Beach New Year Countdown 2013, will be a great way to see in New Year 2013.

The festival, which runs from December 30 through early January 1, was launched last year by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in collaboration with Department of Intellectual Properties, Ministry Of Commerce and Karon Municipality.

The goal of the Phuket Electronic Music and Dance Festival 2012 / Karon Beach New Year Countdown 2013 is to

promote electronic music in Thailand, and encourage talented young Thai electronic artists to participate in the electronic music industry in Thailand.

The two-day festival will showcase more than 30 international and Thai DJs, including J Montonn and DJ Domination, winner of the Best Video DJ of the World contest 2012.

Combined with the festival is the Creative IP DJ Hunt Southern Region, which aims to unearth undiscovered talent in Phuket and southern Thailand. The top three winners of the IP DJ hunt contest will receive B20,000, B10,000 and B5,000 respectively, and also prizes from Pioneer.

The Creative IP DJ Hunt will take place on Karon Beach starting at 5pm on December 30, with the award and opening ceremony for the festival taking place around 9pm.

Then the New Year 2013 Countdown ceremony will be held on Karon Beach starting 11.30pm.

Entrance to the event is free, and this year’s concept is ‘White Winter’, so expect plenty of foam. Fashion TV, a fashion and life style channel and also a co-organiser of the event has invited more than 50 international fashion models to join the countdown on stage.

Highlights of the event will be aired on Fashion TV.

Ministry of Sound DJ spins at Xana Claire Connell editor1@thephuketnews.com

M

inistry of Sound DJ Nick Sheldon rocked the house at Xana Beach Club on December 19 – his first time in Asia since becoming resident DJ at the famous London club six months ago.

Sheldon arrived in Phuket last Sunday on a four day trip to Phuket.

Sheldon, aged only 23, has already been performing at Ministry of Sound for three years, only recently becoming a “tours resident” DJ, meaning he now travels the world.

“I’ve been working hard for six years – I moved to London to pursue my music career.

“I worked in a studio as an audio engineer for two years, and I first played in the “main room” at the Ministry last December. From there, I caught the attention of the guys who work there, and I was lucky enough to get a residency.

“This year has shot up really. I’m grateful – it has taken me a long time to get here, and there’s still a lot of

DJ Nick Sheldon, aged only 23, has already been performing at Ministry of Sound for three years. work to do now.

He also does a lot of producing, and has had several releases. He describes his music as “techy vibes”.

“I have a lot of influences. I love deeper house and all kinds of music. It’s good party music. I hate to use the expression EDM (electronic dance music), but that’s what it is.”

Is it his first time in Asia and so far he is loving it.

He went to Shanghai before arriving here, and then got back on the plabe to travel to Seoul for another gig.

“I’ve been doing abso-

lutely nothing [in Phuket].

For me, because I’m in the studio every day, it’s so nice to come to a place and have some head space and chill for a bit.

“Xana beach club looks like its really set up to be a good venue for some of the big names to come over here and play.

“It’s definitely somewhere a lot of people would want to play. If we get the right crowd tonight it will be amazing,” he said before his set.

When asked what people could expect of his gig, he

said he had a lot of his own tracks ready to go, including two new tracks he created while on the plane to China.

“It’s great to be able to play for longer. In London, you’ve got one or two hours straight, but tonight it is just me for three hours or more, so it’s very exciting.”

Sheldon is part of an impressive line-up of DJs scheduled to play at Xana over the coming months, including the “Godfather” of house music Frankie Knuckles, and Paul Oakenfold.

For more information, visit xanabeachclub.com

Especially for you. Photo: nicogenin

Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan reunite after 23 year break

K

ylie Minogue and Jason Donovan were reunited on stage for the first time in 23 years on Friday as the Australian pair duetted on their 1988 smash hit “Especially For You” at a show in London.

“How long have you waited for this for?” Minogue asked as they sang together at the 20,000-seater O2 Arena, which erupted in rapturous applause.

During a musical interlude, Donovan swept Minogue – dressed in a short black dress – off her feet in a heartfelt embrace.

The duet sold more than one million copies in Britain alone and topped the charts across Europe and Australasia.

Donovan and Minogue won popularity as on-screen couple Scott and Charlene in the Australian soap opera Neighbours in the late 1980s and were secretly a real-life item at the same time – but their romance did not last.

Minogue went on to a stellar global pop career, while Donovan still performs as an actor and musician.

Now both 44, the pair were joined by 1980s and 1990s pop stars Rick Astley, Bananarama, Sinitta and Steps among others for the Hit Factory Live – Christmas Cracker show.

The concert celebrated the Stock Aitken Waterman songwriting and production team, which created a string of hits for various singers.

The show had been due to take place in London’s Hyde Park in July but was cancelled due to torrential rain. AFP

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

US stars in video that ‘demands’ gun control action now

F

ilm, television and music stars including Jeremy Renner, Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyonce have recorded a hard-hitting video urging action on gun control following the Newtown school massacre.

Julianne Moore, Jamie Foxx, Selena Gomez and Chris Rock also appear in the video, backing a “Demand a Plan” campaign which notably seeks a ban on assault weapons, as well as criminal background checks for every gun sold in America.

“Columbine. Virginia Tech. Tucson. Aurora. Fort Hood. Oak Creek.

Newtown. Newtown. Newtown,” they intone in the black-and-white video, taking turns to list the names of America’s worst gun massacres of recent years.

“How many more? How many more colleges? How many more classes?

How many more movie theaters?

How many more houses of faith?

How many more shopping malls?” they add.

The video, also featuring Ellen DeGeneres, Jon Hamm, Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston and Conan O’Brien, appears on the website of the campaign claiming 750 mayors and 750,000 supporters “to demand that President Obama and Congress step forward with a plan to end gun violence.”

“For the children of Sandy Hook,” says Beyonce, referring to the elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, where a gunman slaughtered 20 young children and six adults last Friday, in one of the worst US massacres ever.

The “Demand a Plan” campaign calls for criminal background checks to be required for every gun sold in America; assault weapons and highcapacity magazines to be banned; and that gun trafficking be made a federal crime.

The video can be seen at demand aplan.org.

Obama this week appointed Vice President Joe Biden to head a task force charged with framing proposals within a month to stem a rash of US gun violence.

On Friday, the National Rif le Association (NRA), breaking a weeklong silence, called for armed police to be deployed in every school in the country, saying: “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.” AFP

ENTERTAINMENT 17

Christy and Jonas: Luk Thung superstars Claire Connell editor1@thephuketnews.com

F

oreign-born luk thung superstars Christy Gibson and Jonas Anderson performed at the Patong Carnival in Phuket last Thursday (December 20), attracting a large crowd.

The two are well known in Thailand for singing traditional Thai folk music, and both grew up in Thailand after their families moved to Nakhon Ratchasima, in Isarn, when they were young.

The two grew up as family friends, being two of only a handful of foreign children in the city back then. Jonas now lives in Bangkok, and Christy lives in Patum Thani.

Sweden-born Jonas, 40, has released five solo albums, plus three duet albums with Christy. For her part, Christy, who is half English and half Dutch, has also released five albums of her own.

“There was no thought in either of our minds that we would ever be Luk Thung singers – it’s not something that we were aspiring to be,” Christy said.

“In fact, I never thought I would even be a singer at all. I loved music and signing but it was much more of a hobby. I took classes and had an Australian singing coach, because it was something I loved to do.

“In a way it came naturally, even though it doesn’t seem natural for a foreigner to be singing [Luk Thung]. I’ve been hearing it ever since I was young. I just picked it up. It’s really colourful and the whole culture of it is very fun – the singers, the dancers and the lights.

“We have done performances abroad and the non-Thais who have come to our shows, a lot of them have never been to Thailand before. But they will come in, they can’t understand a word, but are dancing and having a great time,” Christy said.

Jonas also says he never planned to be a Luk Thung star, despite his keen interest in performing. “But it’s been 12 years now and I’m still singing,” he says with a laugh.

“At first we just tried it out, and just

even the rather feeble attempt at doing it got a very good response. For both of us, it sparked more of an interest and appreciation for Luk Thung, and we wanted to know more about it. At that point it was very much just trying it out, but one thing led to another,” Jonas said.

“No matter what the demographic of the audience is, you can’t play the songs without people trying to rock along.”

And what did their friends and fam-

ily think when they first started?

“They were thinking this is weird, this is cool. All kinds of reactions. It was kind of a surreal feeling,” Jonas said.

Christy agreed. “Thais are known already for being very warm, welcoming and friendly, and I think every foreigner experiences this: Try to speak a little bit of Thai and they just love you.

“It’s something special about Thailand. I think they think it’s really cool.”

18 EVENTS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, 28,2012 2012 List your event for FREE at thephuketnews.com/events.php FRIDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 28,

FRI DEC 28 - SUN DEC 30

SUNDAY DEC 30

pan, Patong. B290 per person. See www. expathotel.com.

Fish and Chips Friday Night B250 per person. At Irish Times Pub, Jungceylon Patong.

Robin Gillow’s Contemplative Oils An exhibition of recent oil paintings by Robin Gillow. Open to the public. Contact Boathouse on Kata Beach. Call 076 330 015, email: info@boathousephuket.com, www.boathousephuket.com.

FRI DEC 28 - THU JAN 3

FRIDAY DEC 28

Kids eat free when adults buy main courses.

B99 beverages during live sports coverage.

Located at Patong Promenade. www.hogs breath.co.th.

MONDAY DEC 31 Live acoustic band. B99 beverages during live sports coverage. Located at Patong Promenade, www.hogsbreath.co.th.

Sunday Chillout At Sunsets Bar Sunday chillout every week. Live music, free BBQ or buffet, free karaoke, free pool table. Happy hour every day midday to 6pm, beverages from B60. Bar open every day midday until late. Farang hospitality, everybody welcome. Sunsets bar and guesthouse, 62 Hasip Pee Road, Patong.

For more information call Kiwi on 083 640 1082.

Steak Night Buffet at Centra Ashlee Hotel Patong Char-grilled and delicious. Tender cuts of quality meats cooked to perfection. Tasty side dishes, selection of fine sauces and a deliciously fresh salad bar. Start from 6.30-10pm. Contact 076 349 800-7, email chp@chr.co.th.

SATURDAY DEC 29 Curry Fridays at Navrang Mahal Every Friday, all-you-can-eat authentic Indian curry buffet, B449 net per person.

7pm-11.30pm. Call 076 286 464.

Special Sunday at Hogs Breath

Special Friday at Hogs Breath

Marilyn Band Opening Reception Well-known Phuket artist Marilyn Band presents her latest artwork, oil paintings and water colours, inspired by scenes from her recent travels in exotic locations. She has had numerous exhibitions in Thailand and internationally, most recently in France.

Artwork on display until January 3, 2013.

076 333 568, momtriphuket.com/artgallery/ index.html.

Sunday Carvery B399 per person all you can eat. Roast beef, BBQ ham, chicken, pork, fresh vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and a glass of selected beverage. At Irish Times Pub, Junceylon Patong.

BBQ at Expat Hotel 8pm, Expat Sports Bar, Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www.expatsportsbar.com.

Bring in the New Year in style Pool Lounge Party - B2013++ per person. Live food stations and pass-around cocktail food. Beverages on consumption.

Restaurant Dinner and Party. B5,500++ per person Set dinner with a 5-course menu and access to the party Champagne Deck VIP Access - B12,999++ per couple.

Includes a bottle of selected beverages per couple, plus oysters, a chilled seafood bar and tapas. Contact 076 330 421, info@ rekataphuket.com. Facebook: rekataclub.

Sunday Brunch at Hilton Phuket Enjoy our lavish international buffet with friends and family each Sunday at Sails – a Hilton experience. Our jazz band sets the mood for a relaxing afternoon with delicious food, live cooking stations, refreshing drinks and good company. Balloon artists entertain the little ones with face painting and kids’ activities. Every Sunday at 12pm3pm. B1,100++ per adult. B700++ per child (Ages 5-12). Make your reservations at phuket.sales@hilton.com.

BBQ All You Can Eat Mondays and Thursdays. BBQ all you can eat: Pork, Chicken, Beef, Prawns, Fish and Squids with salad buffet, cold and hot sauces, Garlic Bread, baked potatoes, potato salad and more for B325 per person. pm-11pm. Located in Patong on Rat-U-Tit 200 Pee Road next to Hotel Mercure.

Schnitzel Day Pool Competition at Expat Hotel

Special Saturday at Hogs Breath

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

B99 beverages during live sports coverage. Located at Patong Promenade: www.hogsbreath.co.th.

Sunday Roast Pork Sunday roast pork or beef dinner every Sunday 2pm onwards Expat Hotel, Soi Tai-

Kokosnuss Restaurant - Every Monday, Schnitzel, fried potatoes and salad buffet B190 per person. Starts 5.30pm. For more info please visit phuketkokosnuss.com.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28,List 2012 your event for FREE at thephuketnews.com/events.php FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

EVENTS 19

Ao Chalong Yacht Club Everyone welcome

“Award winning chef from Airlie Beach, Australia.

Fabulous breakfast, and authentic western Sunday roast from 12 - 4pm - just like home! Home made desserts eg. cheesecake, bread & butter pudding, apple pie made fresh every day.”

There is parking on site, cool breezes and a beautiful view.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8.00am 7 days per week.

Tel: 090 890 8993 email: amandaleehay@bigbond.com

TUESDAY JAN 1

2 Prize B1,000. Every Wednesday Night From 8 pm. Free entry. Maximum 4 people per team. At Irish Times Pub, Jungceylon Patong.

THURSDAY JAN 3 Half Chicken Spit Roast Tuesdays and Saturdays: Half chicken spit roast with French Fries, Salad buffet, Potato Salad & Gravy sauce for B225 per person. 7pm-11pm. Located in Patong on Rat-U-Tit 200 Pee Road next to Hotel Mercure.

Pork Roast and Roast Chicken Every Thursday. Buffet includes salads, soups, mashed potatoes, bread dumplings.

ALL YOU CAN EAT B190. www.phuketko kosnuss.com.

activities for children. The Prime Minister usually gives each Children’s Day a theme that can be summarised by its motto.

Many Government offices are open to children and their family. In Bangkok: this includes the Government House, the Parliament House Complex and various Military installations. A notable example is the guided tour at the Government House, where children have an opportunity to view the Prime Minister’s office and sit at the bureau. The Royal Thai Air Force usually invites children to go and explore the aircraft. There are also activities for families with children around Phuket on this day.

EVERY DAY

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

WEDNESDAY JAN 2

Karaoke Night Fever

Phuket Wake Park:

Enjoy Karaoke night every Thursday at Ao Chalong Yacht club. Starting at 7pm. Call 090 809 8993.

Come wake board at Asia’s BEST and newest wake park located in Kathu. Full morning just 550 and evening sessions from 500 baht! We have happy evening! All evening riding only for 650 baht. Wake in the day or wake up your night! See www. phuketwakepark.com.

FRIDAY JAN 4

BBQ Ribs All You Can Eat Wednesdays and Fridays. BBQ ribs all you can eat with salad buffet and potato salad for B295 per person. 7pm-11pm. Located in Patong on Rat-U-Tit 200 Pee Road next to Hotel Mercure.

Pool Competition: Meet The Best Players in Town Art Exhibition @ VR Gallery

Wicked Wednesdays Ladies day. Buy one beverage get one free. Located at Patong Promenade. www.hogsbreath.co.th.

Phuket artists Watcharin Rodnit and Kriangrat Thephabutra have a joint exhibition of oil on canvas and mixed media sculpture.

Watcharin has a Masters of Fine Art from Silpakorn University and has exhibited internationally. Kriangrat also attended Silpakorn University and received a Bachelors of Fine Art. His paintings and sculptures have been exhibited throughout Thailand.

Contact 076 333 568, http://momtriphuket. com/artgallery/index.html.

Designed and built by a Thai-Canadian family in 2011, The Plaza is a very fine sculpture and walled relief garden and entertainment centre. Artist’s pictures can be seen at the plaza walls all year round.

The art pieces are donated by “The Unique One,” a rare selection of art by Khun Manop and Mike. Pool competition is sponsored by Komodo Bar at 9pm. Entry fee B100 plus one free beverage. Come on everybodylet’s party. Call 087 280 3282.

SATURDAY JAN 12 Phuket’s First Audio Video Interactive Pub Quiz B99 per drinks and selected beverages buy 1 get 1 free. Quiz master Dj Doris, from 91.5FM. Bar Tabs: 1 Prize B1,500.

Thailand National Children’s Day

Double Happy Hours

is celebrated on the second Saturday in January. Children are considered as the most valuable resource of the country.

Many organisations from both government and commercial sectors have celebration

At the end of the Rawai beach strip, Rawai Plaza is the best entertainment venue for those who seek a bit more fun after a good meal. Listen to good music, enjoy sport on large TV. Play pool or dart games or just

enjoy the unique surroundings. Selected beverages. At 4-8pm and midnight till late.

Plus free pool sponsored by Komodo Bar. From 8-9.30pm. Come on everybody - Let’s party. Call 087 280 3282.

The Unique One Rare Selection of Art by Khun Manop & Mike Runs until January. 31, 2013. Born in 1982, Nakonsitumarat, Thailand. Monap (Boy) Srisawang graduated with a Bachelor of fine arts degree in 2004 from Rajamangala University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. He worked in Chiang Mai for two years after graduation. He moved to Phuket island in 2006. During this time, Khun Boy has proven himself as a very fine relief sculpturist and created many relief sculptures that can be seen all over Phuket. His work will be on display at Home-Pro Shoping cetre, Chalong, from 9am - 9pm daily and at Rawai Plaza, Rawai Beach all year round.

Tel: 087 280 3282.

Monday Party, Tue. Party, Wed, Party, Thur. Party, Fri. Party What the Puck Saturday Party, Sunday Party Come on everybody, let’s party At Rawai Plaza, cool atmosphere, unique setting. happy people.

WILL PERFORM JUST FOR ASKING!!!

POLE DANCE BY EMMY THAI DANCE BY NANCY & HIS FRIENDS SO, DON’T BE SHY!!

Shows sponsored by Emmy & Joey Bar Nancy Ni Nancy Bar Rawai Plaza, Rawai Beach, Phuket 087 280 3282

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

20 TIME OUT

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

This week in history

GOT YOUR NUMBER

■■ December 28, 1612 The Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei observes the undiscovered planet Neptune for the first time, but mistakes it for a star.

■■ December 29, 1170 The Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas à Becket is assassinated inside Canterbury Cathedral by followers of King Henry II. ■■ December 30, 1911 Chinese revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen is elected the first president of the Republic of China at a meeting in Nanking (now Nanjing).

■■ December 31, 1720 Charles Edward Stuart, aka Bonnie Prince Charlie, the pretender to the British throne who will lead an unsuccessful rebellion in 1745, is born in Italy.

■■ January 1, 1950 Communist revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro topple the régime of President Fulgencio Batista and take control of Cuba.

■■ January 2, 1492 The Emirate of Granada, the last Moorish stronghold in Spain, surrenders to Castilian forces, completing the Christian reconquest of the country.

■■ January 3, 1910 French engineer and inventor Georges Claude gives the first demonstration of neon lighting, at the Paris Motor Show.

10,000,000 The number of times the average person blinks in a year.

15,000

Litres of fuel used by a fullyladen Boeing 747 during take-off.

44

Estimated percentage of Americans who go on a diet each year.

9

Number of days a cockroach can survive without its head. (After that it dies of starvation.)

Galileo observed the planet Neptune for the first time in 1612. Photo: Nasa

1. On a roulette wheel, what colour is the number 0?

2. Before reunifications, what was the capital of West ?

3. What is the only English-language anagram of the word ‘english’?

4. What is the Greek liquor ouzo flavoured with?

5. Which chess piece can move only diagonally?

Answers at the foot of the page.

SUDOKU

Across 1. Computer valley. (4) 3. Building chap with the German lizard. (10) 9. Wave competitor takes bad furs to her majesty. (6) 10. Itemized about two points, then lent an ear. (8) 12. Berate beer-buying turn. Thanks. (5, 2) 14. A little extra something to make insurance payment. (7) 16. Recall something about limb. (8) 19. A creditor’s right to a foreigner. (5) 21. Bad housing put 50 in totals. (5) 22. Indications: stomps badly in my back. (8) 25. Hates Des in exams.

(7) 27. News of water movements? (7) 30. Al leaves Australian national. (8) 32. Point to fish: “What a stink!” (6) 33. Insures cop breaks sound barrier. (10) 34. Virginia’s after the French magma. (4)

Down 1. Stop Mr Arnaz on the street.

(6) 2. Key to a Bogart movie. (5) 4. Respite for you, when surrounded by students. (4) 5. Bad feeling of tightwad? Yes. (6) 6. Rather give prosecutor a pole.

(3) 7. Rudi intended to say, “Basic principle.” (8) 8. Parents take note: birds need them. (8) 11. Mel’s damaged the tree. (3) 13. Bath as brass. (5) 15. In the vernacular, I’d take 10 and 1,000. (5) 17. Take a tonne of pure reversal to expel 34 across. (5) 18. Send timer back – it’s within your power. (5) 19. Medicine against love? (8) 20. Secondhand vehicles employed rolling stock. (4, 4) 23. Marks transgressions about gratitude. (6) 24. Has the endless mother’s ailment. (6) 26. Swallow tea? Not exactly. (3) 28. Assassin in town in Java. (5) 29. Presently, short name not known. (4) 31. Poor fool takes a step back.

(3)

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1.Green; 2. Bonn; 3. Shingle; 4. Aniseed; 5. The bishop

WEEKDAYS Breakfast The Power Hour Lifestyle Drive Non Stop Music

Sam & Natasha Live 89.5

SATURDAYS 7am - 11am 11am - 12pm

Live 89.5 Got Talent Weekend Brunch

Siobhan McGovern Kirsty Meyer

9am - 10am

Best Of Breakfast

10am - 1pm

Live 89.5 Dance Anthems

SUNDAYS Sam & Natasha

5pm - 7pm

Weekend Brunch

Kirsty Meyer

10am – 1pm

Steve

7pm - 10pm

The Spin

Tim Newton

1pm - 4pm

Jason Wilder

4pm - 7pm

Steve Johnston

12pm - 3pm

Phuket News Radio

Live 89.5

1pm - 2pm

Saturday Night Fever

Live 89.5

10pm – 12am

International Chart Show Top 40

Jason Wilder

3pm - 7pm

Box Of Neutrals

Live 89.5

2pm – 3pm

Non Stop Music

Live 89.5

12am – 10am

Sunday Night Chill

Live 89.5

7pm - 10pm

Live 89.5

7pm - 7am

Going Green

Nick Anthony

3pm – 5pm

Tel: 076 612 895 SMS: 090 490 7895

Non Stop Music

Live 89.5

10pm – 7am

Reach Thailand's huge

RUSSIAN MARKET

Thailand's first weekly Russian-language newspaper Available in 600+ locations - starting 5 January 2013 • Contact us now for advertising opportunities & great packages including Print, Radio & Web

• Hurry, limited spaces available

Call 076 612 550

or email sales3@thephuketnews.com

16 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

Jobs

Luxury villa for rent

Kamala, modern style villa, 3-bed > 19

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

Mobile Car Rental is hiring!: Rapidly ex-

URGENT! Job vacancies in a 5-star hotel in Phuket is looking for strong candidates in F&B Jobs Position: 1. Mixologist (Bar) 2. Restaurant Coordinator 3. Wine Guardian Service charge guarantee 8,000 baht. Experience: All candidates need to have at least 1 to 2 years food and beverage service experience in a restaurant within a luxury lifestyle brand. Benefits: Social security, accommodation, all meals, work 5 days, off 2 days, public holidays as per resort standards, free transportation, health insurance, uniform, provident fund.

Contact us: Email: jobs@eventsthailand.net Mobile: 089-785-6994 (English) Phone: 076-612-550 Ext.800 Visit our website: www.jobphuket.net.

Experienced Foodservice Salesperson Wanted: *Must live permanently in Thailand and organise own residency status. *Must speak fluent Thai and English. *Must have experience selling food/ alcohol to executive chefs and purchasing managers.

Experienced food service. *Must have own car. Only people meeting all above criteria please send resume to george_d@jagota.com. organisation skills. Working hours 11.00-22.00. Good tips. Please contact 086 940 4801.

Graphic Designers Content Management 2 Positions Wanted: /Marketing: QualificaSPIKEMEDIA is a creative media agency based in Phuket working for a variety of national and international clients. We are seeking fulltime Graphic Designers, to work on a diverse range of print and web design projects. Salary depending on experience and talent level. Please send CV and some samples of work to: info@spikemediagroup. com.

tions: Thai Nationality and speak basic English and good interpersonal skills.

Preference given to those with driver’s license. Please email: kritsanaphat@lepep group.com.

-Waitress 5 Positions.

-Bartender 2 Positions.

Salary B9,000. Service charge B4,000. If you worked in hotels before it will be an advantage. Contact 076 210 511. Send CV and photo to linkwanjai@me.com.

Admin O f f icer re quired: Club Asia Fitness

requires an Admin Officer urgently. Good salary and benefits. Candidates must have good English communication skills. Email cluba siaphuket@hotmail.com.

Thai Cook-Sous Chef Wanted: Thai/Western restaurant is looking for a experienced Thai cook.

Must work under pressure, team player and with good

basic English and good interpersonal skills. Develop and modify websites on detailed design specifications. Email: kritsanaphat@ lepepgroup.com.

Phuket Brasserie Jobs Recuitment:

Webdeveloper: Knowledge: HTML, CSS, JQuery, Javascript, Photoshop, Thai nationality and speak

panding car rental company is hiring new staff members. Required: good English knowledge, driving license, independent thinking, positive attitude, computer skills. Call us: 081 970 5204.

Personal Assistant Required: PA required to help CEO of charter boat company. Duties would include marketing, hospitality and some book keeping.

Suit attractive Thai lady with ver y good English.

Contact Mike: blueworld safaris@gmail.com.

Thai Admin Wanted:

Sala Phuket Jobs Vacancy: -Purchasing Manager: 1 Position -Chief Engineering: 1 Position -Spa Therapist: 4 Positions -Reservation Officer: 1 Position Contact 076 338 888.

Email: pncphuket@sala phuket.com.

Organizing paper wor k, documents and computerbased information. Taking care of inventory and stock levels. Providing secretarial support to the Director. Basic accounting.

Dealing with customers.

Email: m.hill@phuketsoc cerschools.com.

Sales Staff Wanted: English-speaking female.

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

Class Act Media is southern Thailand's most comprehensive media company, incorporating Phuket’s leading English newspaper ‘The Phuket News’, Phuket’s leading English radio station ‘Live 89.5’, a host of publications & services including ‘The Phuket Colouring book’, ‘The Southern Sun Samui’ & ‘Phuket Ticket Master’. WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING

Sales Manager

S a l e s / M a r ke t i n g People: 4 Full time and 2 Part time sales/marketing people required.

English essential. Good commission and incentives. New Australian te r m i te m a n a g e m e nt product. Call Jody 087 266 2252.

Restaurant Manager Wa n t e d: Re st au r a nt manager / accounting with experience managing restaurant, accounting, managing staf f and ser ving customers. Call 087 471 1351.

Thai or Foreigner (Located in Phuket)

Responsibilities : ● Managing the sales team (including responsibility for recruitment of new sales staff when needed) ● Weekly & monthly sales budget meetings and reporting ● Developing and following up new sales leads ● Reaching own personal sales targets and responsibility for reaching team targets

We offer: ● Competitive salary, bonuses and travel expenses ● Friendly work environment ● Social security (10%) paid by the company ● Excellent career progress opportunity ***The company may offer accommodation plus local transportation costs to successful candidates.***

Interested candidates are invited to send application with full resume in English indicating qualifications, experience, expected salary with recent photo via email to adminmgr@thephuketnews.com or post to below address.

Class Act Media Co., Ltd.

99/7 Moo 1 T. Kathu A. Kathu Phuket 83120 Tel: 076 612 550-2 ext 100 Fax: 076 612 553 adminmgr@thephuketnews.com

Air Con/Refrig Technician: Looking for a technician with experience in electrics, air or refrig (compressors), for servicing, repairing and maintaining equipment. Competitive salary and bonuses. Call 084 915 9507.

We are looking for key members: Restaurant manager, executive chef, waiter / waitress, guest service agent (English speaking and writing, male preferred) room maid, room boy, cleaner, technical engineer. Care@ bydlofts.com.

T

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 17

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

List your ad for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php

JOBS IN PHUKET

Graphic Designer: will be trained in Spain with Knowledge: Illustrator, Photoshop, Thai nationality and speak basic English and good interpersonal skills.

Create professional website design, flyers, banners, business cards. kritsanaphat@ lepepgroup.com.

Personal Assistant Required: PA required to help CEO of charter boat company. Duties would include marketing, hospitality and some book keeping.

Suit attractive Thai lady with very good English. Contact Mike: blueworldsafaris@ gmail.com.

Situation Vacant: CLEANER part time Patong area. 3 - 4 hours 2 times weekly. Call 089 972 3861.

HELP Wanted Koh Phangan Recept: Receptionist, help wanted.

Thai Nationality for busy resort in Koh Phangan. Call Erika 077 377 247.

Office Manager: Fe-

male /Thai , fluent in speaking and writing English, good computer skills, Accounting and administration skills required. Preferably experience of at least 2 years.

Email: monsoonpatong@ gmail.com.

Apprentice Chef: Looking for a young Thai chef for new restaurant in a villa complex in Phangnga. Successful candidate

Boomerang Village Resort: Job Opportuni-

three Michelin stars chef.

Good command of English required. Email: hr@iniala. com.

Staff for Dive Center Office: Immediate start. 6 days/week. Good salary, adjusted to ability/ experience. Thai female with good English/computer/book-keeping skills required. In-house training possible. Chalong area. 088 380 9712.

ties at Boomerang Village Resort Cafe Del Sol Restaurant.

C & C Marine Urgent Positions: 1. Store Head: Good command in English/is responsible/ Leadership/Problem solving skill. 2. Mechanic. 3.

Machining. Responsible and Teamwork. Please contact : 076 273 247, 076 272 049 or Send resume by info-phuket@candc-marine.com. around the globe to contribute 400 – 1,200 word articles. Submission guidelines: See http://sam bawalker.com/about/writers-wanted. Email: contrib utor@sambawalker.com.

5pm, Chalong. Call 080 624 7060. Email: phuketpreschool@yahoo.com, www. buds-phuket.com.

Kindergarten Teacher: Female cauLooking for people who love animals: And would like to do some volunteer work looking after sick, injured & homeless dogs in Thalang area. Please Contact : Sherin.peace@ gmail.com.

casian native English speaking teacher with ex p e r i e nc e to te ac h class of 10-12 children ages 2-6, Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm, Chalong.

Contact 080 624 7060, www.buds-phuket.com.

Email: buds.span@ yahoo.com.

Net zilla Co., Ltd.: Secret ar y Kinder- Programmer: Netzilla Travel Writers Want- garten: Must have good is looking for talented proed: SambaWalker seeks English and computer skills grammers to join our team f reelanc e w r iter s f r o m

Monday-Friday, 7.30am-

in PHUKET! Qualifications:

Waiter / Waitress (4) Restaurant Captain (1) Bartender / Bartendy (1) Boomerang Village Resort Receptionist (2) Manager, Receptionist (1) Guest Relation (1).

Contact: Email boomerangvillageresort@gmail. com, 085 692 3474.

Min. 2 years experience in related field. - Excellent working knowledge of PHP, MySQL, & JavaScript. Email: hr@netzillaphuket.com.

lish speaking is required.

Emial: hr@iniala.com.

Resort Photographer Needed: Photograph guest activities and sell photos at Club Med resort.

Experience, happy friendly personality and English speaking is a must. Please email to Khun Nok: Lighthousephotograph@gmail. com.

Apprentice Chef: 6 Star resort on Natai Beach is looking for young Thai chef with positive attitude, motivation and creativeness to work with 3 Michelin star chef. Good Eng-

DaVinci Restaurant in Nai Harn: Thai nationality only. Waitresses 2 positions, Bartender 1 position. Experience and good English will be an advantage. Good salary and benefits. Contact Khun Jana 086 947 5197, jana@davinciphuket. com.

18 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

Buy&Sell

Yacht for sale

Beautifully maintained top of the line > 18

from Patong, Karon, Kata, Phuket, Rawai and Chalong.

Tel: 076 384 638, 080 624 7060. Website: www.budsphuket.com.

TV For Sale: TV Large 72 cm B9,500. Call 089 972 3861.

BBQ with Gas for Sale:

CLUBS & MEMBERSHIPS

BBQ with gas bottle B8,000.

Call 089 972 3861.

Dog Foundation have over 300 beautiful dogs and puppies available for adoption.

Fully vaccinated and sterilised. Contact 085 574 4258 or email: cindy@soidog.org.

Singapore Club Phuket: Calling all Singaporeans in Phuket to join Singapore Club Phuket. Contact Robin on 081 803 7189.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

BOATS & YACHTS

Motorbike Trailer with Tow bar: Professionally

Yacht For Sale (Exceptional): Beautifully

PERSONAL SERVICES

maintained top of the line wauquiez PS40 see details at www.http://wauquiezforsale.blogspot.com, contact Rober t:087 632 8259 or send email: caminata40@ hotmail.com.

Investors Resort project: Resort project. Situated by Laguna, develop a 44 or 60 room resort on a 2 rai plot. Sought after area, 25 year lease. Realistic ROI within 3 years. Lucrative & secure investment in ideal location. Offers may be considered for sale of lease.

Contact 087 884 0644.

POOL TABLES

built motor bike trailer, with tow bar and coupling. Cost B45,000 to built, will sell for B25,000. Ideal for dog caring or shopping. Very stable.

Please ring 084 858 1917.

Speed boat for sale!: 6 metre body Bayliner, 200 HP (EFI) Mercury engine, Yamaha 5 HP back up engine. Blue book. Including: trailer, 2 anchors, and cover, Garmin deep sounder and fish finder brand new.

Call 081 477 5637 THAI; 086 283 0082 ENG, RUS.

PET ADOPTION Why buy a pet?: Soi

Lodestart RIB: 3.8m, To h a t s u 4 0 h p, Tr a i l e r, skis, tube, lifejackets. THB 140,000. Contact 080 073 5371.

Backgammon: Players Wanted. Tel: 081 577 8443, email: phuketconnection@ yahoo.com

Xmas Present?: Brand new “Heavy duty” Soccer/ Foosball Table for rent and sell. Suitable for bars and hotels. Call us now at 081 823 4627, 085 782 1200.

SPORTING GOODS & EXERCISE COOKING CLASS

Kite Surf Equipment for Sale: 2 new boards, never used. 2 Kites, used 2-3 times. New price was more then 200.000 Baht.

Sell altogether for 100.000 B a h t . Fo r s i n g l e i t e m s please call. 086 747 9292 (English) or 081 970 520.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Moonsoon for sale: A Steal For A Quick Sale: 2007 Italian demo yacht Cranchi 47f t Hard Top. Fully loaded with Tropical air con, genset, Electrical winches, garage, roof, Raymarine Premium Navy, BBQ, Ice Maker, 3 Fridges, “Bose” Sound, Neon light, Twin 570HP with reliable shaft drive, under 300 hours, Brand New Condition. Euro385,000. Call: 089 971 0278, eddyelan@ yahoo.com.

28Ft, registered for 15 passengers. 200Hp/ V6 Mercury motor, only 240 hours, totally restored 40 hours ago, perfect for snorkeling, diving trips, island hopping, water taxi navigation system + fishfinder, 5hp spare motor. Boat and motor in very good condition. Located at Boat Lagoon. Priced for quick sale at B330,000.

Contact at : 086 747 9292 or claudstrey@gmail.com.

Tile It: Thalang. Wana Park on Srisoonthorn Rd. Phuket’s quality tile boutique. Tiles for interior, exterior, residential, commercial. Contact 076 620 168 or 081 424 2828. Email info@ tile-asia.com.

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.

CHILDCARE

Ski Boat for Sale: Speedboat for sale Hull Only: Excellent condition, 12.18m Fiberglass Bowrider, 12mm thick hull, 600ltr fuel tank, 150ltr water tank, licensed for 25 passengers, storage area, manual head, 5 years old, B1.4 million o.n.o, please contact 076 362 300 Ext.1801.

Glastron Carlson design, Thai registered, 120ltr fuel tank, 200hp Yamaha engine in excellent condition.

Includes trailer, boat cover, wakeboard pole, ropes and ski equipment. Call 081 894 5822, email: markbreitis@ gmail.com.

Buds Nursery: Phuket’s oldest international childcare facility. High-quality, time proven schedule and curriculum.

Now in brand-new purposebuilt school. Experienced native English teachers to teach ages 1 1/2-8. Mon-Fri 8am5pm. Bus service available

Phuket Cooking A c a d e my: C o o k i n g and baking classes have never been more fun using our top-class professional facilities. With complimentary transport from around the island, head to the best Masterchef kitchen on the island. Learn the tricks of the trade from international award winning Chef, Lionel Raiffort. Learn how to cook, from Thai & European cuisines, to the art of baking. Get involved and make a day of it, groups are welcome. For more information, visit w w w. phuket-cooking-academy. com or call 081 821 4064.

Tr e k R o a d B i k e B75,000 ono: Trek Ma-

• Movement • Stillness • Balance M obile:0 81-728 - 9 9 8 0 Email: Serenethai@yahoo.com

done 4.5 road bike. Ashima wheels. Carbon aero-bars.

Profile design water bottle.

Great condition plus travel case worth B20,000. Call 087 887 1292, email drew joy27@yahoo.com.

Life Fitness Walking Machine: Brand new retail B150,000. Sell for B70,000.

Call 0872760529.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS FOR SALE Health Food: Online health food in Thailand. Good karma, all natural, healthy, and organic products. Please contact 082 276 1675, www.good karmathailand.com.

Are You Looking to get a New Dog or Cat?: Why not adopt a homeless dog? Many lovely pups free to a good home, also full grown adult dogs that would make great guard dogs and a best friend. Contact: gone2thedoggies@gmail.com.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 19

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

Property

Patong seaview land 11 rai, with main road access > 21

PROPERTY FOR RENT

“More than just office space”

Bar, Pi z zer ia , Ho t el, Rawai Beach: B800,000 yearly rent, longterm lease. Negotiable, 9 bedrooms, full guest. No key money, 60m to beach.

Call 084 242 8914, email: rawai4@yahoo.com.

For your private or virtual office call Martin on 08 9874 9080 info@asiapacificoffices.com

Office for rent Patong Tower: 3 Offices for rent

on 5th floor of Patong Tower, close to beach, post office, Jungceylon. 69 sq.metre: B34,500 per month. 106 sq.metre: B53,000 per month.

126 sq.metre: B63,000 per month. 076 341 369-71.

www.asiapacificoffices.com

ศูนย์ธุรกิจปาล์มพลาซ่า

Laguna area, Cherngtalay From 8m2 to 120m2

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Restaurant / Guesthouse: Established res-

Retail Space Opportunity: Large international resort in Karon seeks retail tenant. Excellent year round occupancy. Flexible rental terms. Must sell quality merchandise. Khun Boonchu call 076 396 200–5, fcckr@ chr.co.th.

Patong Bangla Building for Sale: B28 million, Phuket Villa for Rent ( A SV 2 2): B16 , 5 0 0 33,000 per night. 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms. The villa is located in one of the most convenient locations on the island being walking distance to Surin Beach within 20 minutes driving distance of the airport. Ms.Laddawan - CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) 076 239 967/085 661 0623.

Commercial Building For Sale: 5 metre x

Shop Front for Rent: The Royal Phuket Yacht Club shop front space for rent 4.34 M. x 4.37 M. Located on the first floor of a great looking area for retail shop, boutique etc. Call 076 380 200 ext. 601 Khun Naphat.

Surin Beach Office For Rent: Prime location

fully renovated sales office/ shop with initial lease of 6 years. Internal area 144 m2, walled back garden 60 m2, 4 parking spots, 3 phase, kitchen, internet, phone/ fax, TV, 5 AC. Contact 085 060 0033.

Chanote, 4 floors 6mx 14m. 1st & 2nd tenanted.

Flr 3-staff accom, bath, kitchen. Separate office with access to lower floor.

4th flr private Penthouse one bed. 087 881 7600.

Ocean Front Villa for rent: Luxury brand new villa, fully furnish and ready to move in, 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms with infinity 10 metre long swimming pool and truly beautiful sea view. Located in a small development, only 50 metres from the sea and 3 mins from Grand AoPor marina.

For sale B19.9 million or for long term rent B150,000 per month. Call 081 343 0777, email : montha_phuket@ yahoo.com.

NaiHarn Beach Lagoon Resort: on South end of Naiharn Beach, Phuket, just 10 minutes to Kata. Nice and quiet nature for your relaxation.

Massage, Tours, and Services.

Start from only B599. Contact 083 173 9636. B.Jack, email: naiharnbeachresort@hot mail. com.

18.30 metre, three floors, located close by condo at Saiyuan, two big halls, two bedrooms, four bathrooms, clean and new building.

Negotiable price. For more details please call 087 881 7979, 081 472 0770, email: ss.kijrungruang@gmail.com.

Investment Property for sale!: New, modern waterfront townhome at the Boat Lagoon for sale. Rented out long term at 570.000 Baht/year. 3 bed/4bath, 2 balconies, terrace at canal, 6 m berth in front of house.

250 sqm living space. Top condition. Luxury finishings. Brokers welcome.

B9.9 million. 086 747 9292 (English) or 081 970 5204 (Thai/English).

taurant covering two shop houses with private terrace and owners apartment or 8 room guesthouse. Freehold (no lease/rent). Includes all equipment and newly renovated kitchen. Contact for details. Projected ROI 4 years. Call 081 956 3166.

House For Sale In Chalong By Owner: Chanote title. 412 sq.metre.

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms.

Extra penthouse with open k itc he n an d sto re r o o m.

Lovely garden, very quiet and cosy place. Access to pool nearby. Price B3.9 mill. negotiable. Telephone 087 881 3062 (After 5/4-13 +47 47390581) email: kjellsyvertsen@hotmail.com.

Mission Heights: Land area 500m2, House area 164m2. 3 bed, 4 bath, fully furnished, aircon in all rooms, fans, Internet, satellite TV, swimming pool, independent water supply wells. Finish work December 2012. B10 million. Call 088 838 3242.

20 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php PROPERTY FOR SALE CONT.

of Patong. The house has 3 floors, 3 sleeping rooms, 1 living room, 3 bathrooms and a roof terrace with jacuzzi, garage. Good rental return. Price on request. 084 188 4544.

villa with 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 12 metre swimming pool, guest bungalow, ready to move in. Perfectly located in a development with underground electricity and security, only 800 metres from Mission Hills golf course, less then 10 mins to airport, Phuket International Academy and Grand AoPor Marina. For sale B14.9 mil or long term rent 100,000 Baht/month.

Tel 081 343 0777, Email : montha_ phuket@yahoo. com.

Rawai B eachf ront Pool Villa for Sale:

PROPERTY IN PHUKET

off+aricon. Nice view of club house: big garden, pool, tennis. 300sqm, B5.9Million. Call 089 925 5486.

Sea-View ChalongResidence: Dream pool

Pool Villa nex t to PIA: Brand new, luxury

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

villa with 5 bedrooms all with ensuite on 1 rai of land.

Big hall, office, maidsroom.

Brand-new construction opposite Wat Chalong on the way up to the hill. A huge 685 sq.m of living area, fully furnished. Modern European- designed kitchen. Big sea view pool terraces incl sala and attractive bar area. Security alarm system. Selling price on request. By owner directly. Call 085 654 4011 or 089 404 0737. Email: schulz.th@gmx.de.

Rawai Beach front pool villa for sale. 3 bedrooms, furnished. Contact Siriporn on 089 649 9939.

NEW Studio Apt in Kathu: 30 sqm, 1 bedroom, kitchen, washing machine, aircon, balcony, fully furnished. Condo with gym, 24hr security, car park. 5 mins to Patong, Loch Palm golf. Good view. B1.25 million. Call 086 947 1273.

Furnished House for Sale Phuket Villa 5: 3 bedroom house with furniture, close to Kajonkiet School. Secure area, Cul De Sac. Nice gardens, two b at h r o o m s. 3 . 5 M B a ht .

Negotiable. 081 370 8114 (Thai) 087 889 3838 (Eng), e m a i l:d av i d g e m 9 8 @ h ot mail.com.

Opportunity Knocks: B24,500,000. Deceased Estate - Absolute waterfront.

Occupying a stunning location on the east coast of Phuket this five-level villa has panoramic sea views from every level. Renovation work required. 085 793 2667. See exotiqproperty. com. Ref AB-V453, email: dmuir@exotiq.com.

Golf View Villa For Sale: Near British International School, state-ofthe-art villa overlooking the Loch Palm Golf Course: 4 bedrooms + maid’s room; 485 m2 built on 1,860 m2 land. B28million. Contact owner 089 724 7211.

for sale in Permsap Villa, Cherng Talay. Land 735 m2, original 4 bedroom house w it h 2 3 0 m 2 f l o o r are a modified to 3 bedroom, all windows and doors from SUNPARADISE, separate carport from Shades. Very quiet estate. First owner since 2009. Price 10.9mln o.n.o. Call 083 509 8797 for information.

House for sale near Loch Palm: Three bedroom pool villa in Kathu close to international schools. Views over Loch Palm. All bedrooms with aircon and en suite bathrooms. Two car garage and secluded garden. Chanote title. 0848440991

One + Two Homes for Sale with AC, Rawai:

Best Functional House for Sale: 3 bed+4 bath, 205/34 Soi Thamdee Nanai 6: House for sale in a very good location in the heart

aircon, warm water, 2aircon for living+dining, 1 laundry, big kitchen+long island 1 front

Laguna/Layan. Luxury private pool villas in secure development. Available now.

All beds ensuite. Fully furnished. Rental programme available. B12-20 million.

Contact owner: 085 549 7110.

Apar tment on Golf Course: Tastefully renovated large (83m2) apartment in Phuket Country Club.

Golf view. 1 bed but easily converted to 2. Store. Large western kitchen and all furniture included. Ideal (holiday) home

ed near Phuket town. Land: 855sq.m. House: 650sq.m.

Furnished. 3 beds, 2 offices, 2 staff quarters, 1 free room.

2 Parkings. Price B54.9 mill.

Tel: 081-8953628 E-mail: jin_ koy@yahoo.com

rai, with Chanote. 22 Double villas with kitchens, large pool and big coconut garden with own well. Restaurant and bar with satellite TV and Adsl. Opened for 15 years, with lots of repeat customers, parking, quiet. 086 940 1860.

3 & 4 Bed Pool Villas:

ing kitchen, 3 beds and 2 baths. Private swimming pool and easily maintained grounds. All furniture with fitted kitchen included. Ideal for small family or as rental investment.

Sea-View Contemporary Pool Villla: Locat-

Resort for Sale: Resort 2

Freehold House for sale: Freehold house

3-Bed House - Sale or Rent: Lounge, din-

Main home: two bed, extended bungalow with outside kitchen, shower and seating salas set in mature, walled, private gardens. Own well, tanks and pumps. Sold, furnished.

Will sleep 8+ can be sold with a 30-year land lease for non Thai. Price B5.5 nego: Mobile: Eng 082 416 0150. 3BB WiFi internet also.

Beautiful Karon Villa: Modern open living villa has it all, fully furnished, private secure estate close to beach enjoy the private salt water pool undercover parking, 3 large bedrooms freehold investment. 081 719 4688.

Patong Tower for Sale: And for rent. Sea view and mountain views. Freehold from 64 to 448 sq metres. Phone no: 080 692 6114. Email: orsoreal estate@hotmail.com.

Phuket Villa for Sale (PKS0275): B19,900,000. 3 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms. Unit size: 240 sq.m. Land Area: 403 sq.m.

Ms.Prakaipeth - CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) 076 239 967 / 081 538 6879.

House on The Corner for Sale: Quiet location and only 500m from the main road. Thepkrasattri, Heroines Monument.

70sqw x 280sqm, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, big living room with open-plan kitchen (9x9m), 1 separated kitchen, carpark for 3 cars and a small storehouse, 2 aircons, cable TV, 1 phone line TT&T. Price: B3.5 million including furniture.

Excl. furniture B2,995,000.

Must see! Email: jochenschmitz16@gmail. com. Call 081 607 8000.

Patong Condo: Makes a good condo deal now. 1-bedroom corner condo 56sqm, fully furnished. Only 1.99 mil.

Normal price 2.6 mil. 10mins walk to beach and Bangla road.Tel: 0898726895 or jos peder@live.no.

Patong Lof t Condo: Makes an good condo deal now.1- bedroom, fully furnished, 67 sqm living area.

Only 2,99 Mill baht. Big swimmingpool. Normal price 3.7 mil baht. Tel: 0898726895 Email: jospeder@live.no.

7.5 M House and Pool Bypass Rd: Very clean 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom house with 5 x 10 metre pool 10 minutes south of Central Festival, walking distance to Kajonkiet Bilingual School.

To see: 083 301 3470, email: wpdrake@hotmail.com.

3 gorgeous lots, clean Titles: For sale or long lease.

2 Lots on Island-Beachfront (Bungalow-/Housing-Estate) and 1 big Mainland-MountainProperty all in very quiet, safe, well maintained locations near Krabi. 0892914671.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 21

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

List your advert for FREE at thephuketnews.com/classifieds.php

PROPERTY IN PHUKET

PROPERTY FOR SALE CONT.

Seaview 1 BDRM New Condo Patong: Stunning seaview, city view 1 bdrm condo on hill 500m from Patong beach. Fitness centre, roof top pool, security,car park, freehold.

Only 4,400,000. Keith 084 628 3 4 3 0, keit hb o25 @ gmail.com.

Phuket Cottages Urgent Sale - Make an Offer: Studio condo at The

Point near Lotus, Big C, Central. All furniture and inventory include. Great views 6th floor. Cost over 2.8M Baht.

Call 087 889 3838 or 081 370 8114. Email: davidgem98@ hot mail.com

Near British International School, pool-villas starting from THB 8,800,000.

www.phuket-cottages.com

Call: 089-724-7211

New Condo ‘Phuket Villa Patong’: Prime location, deluxe 43sqm, 1 bed 1 bath apartment, freehold, modern full furnished, pool,gym, sauna, CCTV + security 24hrs, private park. 3.5MB. Jeab: 087 978 1947 (Eng/Th) Email: nhoj0512hotmail.com.

Guesthouse for Lease in Patong: 12 rooms, good location Nanai road. 9 years lease: very low rent, strong starting, easy to manage and good return on investment.

Price 1.2MLN. Take this opportunity. Thamad17@yahoo. com. 089 728 4005.

Patong Apartment Reduced Price: Condo 4 years old. Swimmingpool, security 24/7, cafeteria. Studio 46sqm fully furished. Freehold for foreigners. Price:2.6MLN. Urgent sale, no agent. tel.089 728 4005. Mail:thamad17@ yahoo.com.

1 Rai Sea-View Land: Rawai Condo Sale/ Rent: Sell 1.1MB, Full ownPatong Condo for Sale: My condo is ready

for immediate sale located at Lotus Residence, a small 3-storey boutique condo of only 12 apartments total.

It is located on a southern hillside above Patong Bay. Call 084 436 2540.

ership forever-beyond the financing plan of 10 years.

Rent 9,000B/Month. Studio Room Renovated With furniture. A/C, WiFi, kitchen, 200m to Beach.084 242 8914. Rawai4@yahoo.com.

Patong/Kalim sea view condo: Freehold, 2nd floor, corner unit, stunning sea view, pool, car park, security, best location, ca. 110sqm, 2 bedroom, German kitchen, all new, terrace, only a few metres to beach, B10.6 M 081 824 1385.

Patong and only 10 minutes to Phuket Town, located at Kathu, total 141 square wah or 564 square metre with ready public utility. Call 081 892 0610,081 472 0770, tan_ohio@hotmail.com.

views over the Lake and Loch Palm. Very quiet, secluded plot but with all facilities ready to go. 1551 sqm plot, freehold leasehold with full Chanote title. 081 273 6959.

Apartment for sale in Patong: Apar tment for

SALE in Patong; 50 sqm of the living area, sea-view / mountain view, furnished, Po o l, 24 h r s e c u r i t y, f o r SALE B2.8M - B3.3M. Contact +66 (0) 83 103 3801, 081 415 7774.

1 Rai Chalong Pier Land Sale: 1483 square meters (0.927 Rai). Chanote Title. New Survey. Public road, electric and good well water. 450m walk to Chalong Pier and all boat tours. Build your dive resort. 085 784 0209.

2 Rai Seaview Landplot for sale: Beautiful 180 degree Oceanview plot for sale near Bang Pae Waterfall. Peaceful with a lot of privacy. One of Phuket’s last available Seaview Plots.

Only B3.8 M per rai (total B7.6 M). Brokers welcome.

Call 086 747 9292 (English) or 081 970 5204 (Thai/English). Email: claudstrey@ gmail.com.

Condominium in Patong for Sale: Less than 1 Km from the beach, large 2-bedroom apartment with communal swimming pool and balcony. FREEHOLD (can be foreign owned). B7.5M. Call owner 089 724 7211 or julien@phuket immo.com.

top land for sale. B4.2 million per rai. Full chanote, water, electrical, sea/mountain views. Call 087 797 8503 (Eng).

Hill Land for Sale: Very nice location hill land by the Bangwat Dam, total 60 rai, 96,000 square metre.

Contact: Attapong 081 892 0610 (Thai), Jantiwa 081 890 8268 (Eng). e-mail: jantiwa_ j@hotmail.com.

Beachfront land for sale: 2 rai absolute amazing beachfront, few min. boat ride from Phuket, facing west to sunset and views of Phuket.

B13 million per rai +66(0)86 278 8300 or izzy.serenitygroup@gmail.com.

Land for Sale - in Marina: Design and build

Ama zing Sea View Penthouse: Panoramic

sea view, mountain view and Big Buddha. 310 sq metre, 2 beds, 2 baths with option to convert in 3 beds. Contact: Izzy +66(0)86 278 8300 or izzy.serenitygroup@gmail. com.

Land for Sale: One rai.

Very quiet and private, close to all services, 10 min to school, airport, beach, golf, Tesco. B3.4M. 087 276 0529 for info.

6 Rai Hilltop Land for Sale: Mission hills 6 rai hill-

Prime Location 35M Lake Front: Fantastic

Karon Hill Condo for sale ! Foreign Freehold: Seaview over Karon B e ac h. 10 0 sqm. Li v ing area. 1 bedroom, walk in closets, luxury bathroom, terrace, etc. Fully furnished.

Many upgrades. Luxury furnishings. Only 6.9 million baht. Brokers welcome. Call 086 747 9292 (English) or 081 970 520 4 (English/ Thai). Email: claudstrey@ gmail.com.

Opposite Wat Chalong on the way up to the hill, Chanote, ca. 36 m x 45 m, sophisticated hillside project, proratable, B8.5 mil direct to owner: 085 65 44 0 11 or 089 40 40 737.

Land At Kathu For Sale: Only 15 minutes to

Ocean Front Land: 7 rai with 185 metres of sea frontage. Water, electricity, road and boat access, located 800 metres from Yacht Haven marina, perfect site for small beach front development. For quick sale only B5 million per rai. Tel 081 3430777 Email : montha_phuket@yahoo.com.

G o l f Co u r s e L a n d For Sale: Near British

Intl School, 17 rai with public road access. Suitable for resort or housing project. Can be divided. Price: B 4. 5 m p e r r ai. C o nt ac t owner 089 724 7211, email: julien@phuketimmo.com.

Don sa k B eac hf ront Land 3 rai: 67 metres absolute beach frontage, fully infrastructured, ready to build.

Close to ferry going to Koh Samui. Chanote title. 6.6MB for all. Tel 087 978 1947 (Eng/ Thai) Jeab Email: nhoj0512@ hotmail.com.

your own home with good location and gated community.

All the infrastructure you need is available such as water, underground cabling for power, telephone, ADSL internet etc.

Contact 076 238 948, email: marketing@phuketproperty trip.com.

Seaview Land Patong: Land For Sale: 3/4 of rai in small community, very quiet and private, close to all services, 10 min to school, airport, beach, golf, Tesco B2.5M. 087 276 0529 for info.

Two parcels of superior land 11 rai. Inc seaview. Main road frontage. Ideal for resort and condominiums. 150 mil Baht. (Thai) 087 889 3838 or (Ger) 081 370 8114. Email: davidgem98@hotmail.com

Absolute beach front land: Songkla district near new deep sea port. 4.5 Rai divided into 7 Chanote plots.

Reluctant sale. B4.9M the lot. mail jmicchia@yahoo. com or call 087 276 0529.

Rawai Half Rai for Sale:

Land plot 100 metres to Rawai Beach, about 850 sq.metre.

Chanote title deed, private road with sewer, 3 phases electricity and wall around the land. Email: rawai.steen@ gmail.com, call 080 530 6880.

22 CLASSIFIEDS

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EQUIPMENT SALES & RENTAL

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PHUKET SPORT 23

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

Christmas shopping spree by Phuket FC FOOTBALL

Phuket Soccer Schools U9s player Daniel Christensen (right) running with the ball in the group final against Kajonkiet FC in the JSSL Arsenal Phuket 7’s tournament.

Kazira Hans editor2@thephuketnews.com

New Year training from Phuket Soccer Schools

P

huket FC boss Jakkapob Soo-gnan presented a Christmas gift to the team and its fans in the form of yet two more player signings – goalkeeper “Spider Ming” and Chun Ya Gin, the twin brother of Phuket FC midfielder Chun Boas.

Twenty-eight year-old goalie Ninuruddin Niderhar – nicknamed “Spider-Ming” after his sticky-hands – joins the Islanders from Pattani FC, the Division 2 Southern Region runner-up in the 2012 season.

“Spider-Ming” has been well-known to Phuket football fans since 2010, when he saved Diarra Ali’s penalty shot at Surakul Stadium, where Pattani beat what was then FC Phuket 3-0.

The team’s second new player, Chun Ya Gin, joins the Islanders from PTT Rayong FC. Ya Gin is now reunited in the midfield with his twin

New signing Chun Ya Gin, the twin brother of Phuket FC midfielder Chun Boas. brother, Chun Boas – the Chun brothers were part of Phattalung FC under manager Anurak Srikert, who last year helped Phuket FC stay in Yamaha League 1.

Mr Jakkapob says he believes that Ya Gin and Ninuruddin would boost Phuket’s success in the league this year.

Ninuruddin is one of the Southern region’s rising stars and a very disciplined footballer, while Ya Gin is a strong

player with the skills that Phuket FC needs to succeed in the league, Mr Jakkapob said.

He also expressed hopes that the inclusion of Ninuruddin and recent signing Sakareeya Kolae, both Muslims from southern Thailand, would help promote the team’s popularity among Muslim fans.

Phuket FC also announced a friendly match against Krabi FC on January 19, 2013 at Phuket’s Surakul Stadium

SANTA GOES TO SEA Thanyapura Aquatics Academy organised a successful Santa

Sea Swim Social event on December 22 with over 20 participants. The coaches and trainers all joined in open sea training wearing Santa costumes, which generated a stir among the public on Nai Thorn beach. Laguna Phuket Triathlon winner Ruedi Wild was amongst the team. Thanyapura Sports & Leisure Club is currently organising a variety of Christmas and New Year Camps for the holiday season.

where the new footballers would be introduced to the team’s fans.

Mr Jakkapob urged fans to come to the game: “It’s free entry and it will be a good opportunity for fans to see first hands who will be their next football hero.

“I must say, as manager I am working very hard to get us the best footballers so we, Phuket FC, will go to Thai Premiere League in 2014.”

PHUKET SOCCER Schools (PSS) are holding a New Year training camp at the British International School from January 2 to January 4, following their successful Christmas training camp at the Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club (TSLC) in Thalang.

The New Year camp is for players aged four to 16 years, and featured specialised training programmes for soccer beginners, strikers and goalkeepers, as well as a daily “small-sided games” tournament, with awards for the winners.

Parents can sign their chil-

dren up for individual days or for the whole three-day training camp.

PSS have also announced their new Academy training schedule for 2013, which starts on January 19th, and in February PSS will host youth soccer teams from all over Asia for the 3rd annual Phuket International Youth Cup tournament, at the TSLC. Parents interested in enrolling their children for the training camps and other PSS events can contact head coach Martin Hill by calling 085 331 0295 or emailing info@ phuketsoccerschools.com

Hash House Harriers

Run 1399: 3:30pm on Saturday, December 29 Hares: Nothing, Hawaiian Ho and George le Poulet Directions: From Central Festival: travel south on Chao Fa Road and turn right at lights opposite TOT complex. From Chalong circle: travel north on Chao Fa Road and turn left at light opposite TOT complex. Follow road up, past Island Safari, to the top. Signs will be posted.

More info: phuket-hhh.com

WHEN YOU’RE SICK OF GIRLIE FOOD JOIN US FOR A JUICY STEAK Great steaks, burgers and salads.

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SilkAir and Singapore Airlines Connecting you to Places.

Patong Promenade Rooftop. Corner of Bangla and Rat- U- Tit Rd. Patong.

24 THAILAND SPORT

Schaefer deal to be examined next year FOOTBALL THE FUTURE OF WINfried Schaefer, Thailand’s head coach, will be discussed early next year when the board of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) meets to consider the direction of the national team.

After Saturday’s heartbreaking AFF Suzuki Cup final, Schaefer made it clear he hoped to stay on, already targeting the King’s Cup and AFC Asian Cup qualifying rounds. But FAT president Worawi Makudi, although happy with Schaefer’s performance, gave little indication of whether the coach would be retained.

“Early next year, there will be a meeting with the FAT executive board committee and his work will be analysed,” Worawi said. “Winnie [Schaefer] has worked for the past two years with the Thai national team ... we are very pleased but we have to discuss it at the meeting. I cannot tell what the result will be.”

The FAT secretary general, Ong-arj Kosinkha, was equally circumspect.

“I cannot say the details

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

Singapore’s Lions hold off Thailand to win Suzuki Cup FOOTBALL

S

Winfried Schaefer. about this now, because we have to get the resolution from the meeting first,” Ong-arj insisted. “I can only say that we will not rush to extend the new contract.”

Ong-arj also pointed out that Schaefer would not be in charge of the Thai team that competes at the SEA Games in Myanmar next year, as the country will be represented by an under-23 side.

“Schaefer will not be the head coach of the team,” Ongarj said. “It will be another coach ... it will be a Thai coach with Thai coaching staff.”

However, a source within the FAT suggested Schaefer may not be kept on as coach because his salary has become a concern. Bangkok Post

ingapore won the Asean title for a record fourth time with a 3-2 aggregate win over Thailand on Saturday, despite the Lions’ 1-0 loss in the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup final.

Thailand striker Kirati Keawsombut scored the only goal on the night in a one-sided match at a packed Supachalasai Stadium, but it was not enough to overturn Singapore’s 3-1 win in the first leg on Wednesday, held in the city state.

It was a repeat of the 2007 final, in which Singapore won 2-1 in the first leg and then held Thailand to a 1-1 draw at Supachalasai Stadium in the return leg in Bangkok.

Thailand coach Winfried Schaefer blamed the Thai Premier League season, which he claimed was too long, as one of the factors behind his men’s unsuccessful Suzuki Cup campaign.

“Every Thai player played very well throughout the match,” Schaefer said after the match.

“Some of them were too tired because of the long do-

Striker Kirati Keawsombut (right) scored the only goal in Thailand’s 1-0 win over Singapore on Saturday. Photo: AFP mestic league, but they gave their all for their country. I don’t like second place and I really wanted to win the tournament.

We played better but anything can happen in football.”

He also blamed the Football Association of Thailand for arranging too few international warm-up matches for his men.

Schaefer, though, still believes Thailand have a bright future and could become as strong as South Korea or Japan.

“We have a good team and can become stronger in the future,” he said. “We will now look forward to the Asian Cup qualifying and we will have

to start working hard soon.”

Victorious Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic said: “I am very happy that we are No.1 of Asean football.

“In the end we deserved to win, because we scored three goals [in the first leg]. It was a long, hard campaign. Thailand were not the losers today, we won at home and they won here. But the difference is that we had some luck.”

Earlier, Avramovic confirmed that he would step down as coach of Singapore after the tournament. The 63-year-old Serb took over as Singapore coach in 2003 and has led the

Lions to three Asean titles in 2004, 2007 and 2012.

At Supachalasai Stadium, Singapore made the most of their two-goal advantage on aggregate and clung on despite relentless pressure from the spirited home side, who were left to rue missed chances.

Schaefer started with two strikers, Teerasil Dangda teaming up with Kirati. The War Elephants threw everything at the visitors and dominated the game but failed to break Singapore’s defence until the final moments of the first half.

Kirati’s bullet header gave Thailand hope of winning the title for the first time since 2002, which was their third triumph in the Southeast Asian championship.

But they could not find a second goal, Singapore’s defence resolute in the face of wave after wave of Thai attacks.

Singapore took home B6.1 million) in prize money while Thailand received B2.3 million.

Teerasil won a consolation award as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals. However, he failed to score in the final.

Bangkok Post

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

WORLD SPORT 25

2012: A Sports Oddity S

ports sometimes have an unfortunate tendency to become too serious for their own good, but occasionally a touch of humour or an unlikely tale arises to offer an antidote to run-of-the-mill results and match reports. Here are a few sporting oddities that caught the imagination this year.

Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Not only did they find him drunk and four times over the legal limit, but he was dressed in a bright purple Tellytubbies costume. And to make matters worse for Sheahan, he was also carrying a team-mate’s identity papers.

Sheahan, a 20-year-old Canadian who plays for Detroit Red Wings, failed a breathalyser, with a bloodalcohol level of .30 – twice Michigan’s “super-drunk” limit, an offence which carries even stiffer penalties.

(The pur ple cost ume on the Teletubbies’ children programme belongs to the character Tinky Winky, not Laa-Laa, but so what?)

Football: Oh no, Joey, what are you talking about?

Joey Bar ton not only swapped cliches when he switched clubs from QPR to Marseille, he seemed to pick up a new identity into the bargain.

Barton, whose exploits on and off the field have become the stuff of legend, went from being the “bad boy” of English football to the “enfant terrible” of the Stade Velodrome but stunned everyone with his audacious attempts at communicating with his new fans.

At his first press conference Barton appeared to have grasped what few around him had – that speaking English with a comic French accent, complete with theatrical pauses and Gallic shrugs, would get his message across.

It didn’t, much to the amusement – and bemusement – of all those present, as well as the millions who tuned into the video of the event on YouTube.

Ice Hockey: Red Wings star in “Laa-Laa” Land

Police were in for a surprise when they pulled over ice hockey player Riley Sheahan driving the wrong way in

Football: The goal’s this way, just follow the arrow

These days the chant from the terraces of “You don’t know what you’re doing” is a common refrain, but cheeky fans of German side FC Magdeburg went one step further and took things into their own hands to help their team end a five-match goalless streak.

Each armed with a giant fluorescent arrow, they stood behind their opponents’ net to show their players the way, beside a banner proclaiming: “We’ll Show You Where The Goal Is!” And it seemed to do the trick as Magdeburg finally found the back of the net after 558 minutes without a goal when US striker Chris Wright equalised in the 78th minute of their 2-1 defeat at home to Berliner AK 07.

Football: Give me back my boots, player begs

Mfanzile Ndzimandze is not likely to forget Mbane Highlanders’ worst drubbing for decades in a hurry.

Highlanders’ fans went berserk after the 5-1 defeat to Malanti Chiefs and among the casualties were striker Ndzimandze’s best pair of boots, which went missing from the dressing room during a near-riot.

“I really want my Nike boots back,” he told AFP at the time.

He had been one of a group of players trying to protect manager Sipho Xaba from rampaging fans after the side’s worst defeat in 22 years but insisted taking his boots would not help, because they were not responsible for the team’s troubles.

Golf: “Birdie” drops live shark on the fairway

Things don’t always land where they’re supposed to on a fairway, but the shark that mysteriously appeared near the 12th tee of a California golf club seems to have been the result of a birdie.

The two-foot (60 cm) long leopard shark is thought to have been picked up by an osprey off the nearby Pacific coast and dropped as the bird flew over the San Juan Hills Golf Club, south of Los Angeles.

“One of our on-duty marshals was making his rounds

and noticed something wriggling in the grass on our number 12 tee,” Director of Club Operations Melissa McCormack said.

“After going over to investigate, he realised it was a small shark. He promptly placed it in the back of his golf cart and brought it to the clubhouse.”

McCormack, who snapped a picture, said the fish had what appeared to be bite marks which made them think it was dropped from a bird’s beak. They decided to rush it back to the ocean, eight kilometres away.

attentive. He is looking at the horizon, expressing an optimistic attitude towards the future. The expression on his face is smiling, happy, positive and at the same time astonished.”

But probably not half as astonished as many of the competitors doing their best to put the vagaries of cycling’s murky recent past behind them.

Rugby League: US porn star in coaching row Cycling: Time to get on your bike, Pinocchio

The award for “bad timing” of the year must surely go to the organisers of the 2013 World Cycling Championships.

With the sport reeling from the fall-out of the Lance Armstrong doping scandal, the organisers chose as a mascot for the event – Pinocchio.

The choice of the wooden, fictional character whose nose grows when he lies could be seen as more than a little unfortunate under the circumstances.

But the organisers tried to make the best of a bad job when they justified their decision by saying: “Ours is a Pinocchio connected to his origins, happy, athletic and

Rugby League players are a macho bunch, and as such, having a former porn actress in the dressing room is unlikely to make them bat an eyelid.

Even so, Australian club Gold Coast Titans felt the need to defend its decision to hire American Kortney Olson, the 31-year-old wife of Titans chief executive David May, as a strengthand-conditioning coach for their under-20s players.

Despite her X-rated past, Olson also happens to be a qualified personal trainer and international bodybuilding competitor. “It would be nepotism if she was employed and getting paid, but she’s a volunteer. If anybody is unhappy with it, the NRL, our fans, players or sponsors, I will deal with it,” May said.

“She has battled some of the most vicious and difficult personal demons, including rape, drug and alcohol abuse and addiction and during a period which was very difficult for a young woman, Kortney did some things which perhaps in hindsight she wouldn’t have done now.

Ever yone does things they aren’t proud of but she has put it behind her. I am proud of Kortney.”

Youth Olympics: Swearing the athletes’ oath, literally

It is traditional for one competitor to be singled out at the start of an Olympic tournament to swear the athletes’ oath on behalf of all those taking part.

But the opening ceremony at the first Winter Youth Olympics in the Austrian Alps, the 15,000 -st rong crowd was treated to a quite unusual version of the Olympic Oath as Austrian alpine skier Christina Ager, 16, swore, quite literally, to respect the ideals of the Olympic movement.

In the live broadcast ceremony, Ager fluffed her lines just as she came to the part about “respecting and abiding by the rules” – and audibly swore before reading the rest of the oath from a piece of paper. AFP

26 WORLD SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PREMIER LEAGUE PREDICTIONS: WEEK 20

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

THIS YEAR’S GRAND PRIZE IS SPONSORED BY:

Chelsea beat Villa in 8-0 thrashing FOOTBALL

C

helsea’s fading Premier League hopes enjoyed a sudden revival with a 8-0 victory over Aston Villa that moved Rafael Benitez’ side back up to third spot.

Fernando Torres kick-started the win with his seventh goal in six appearances, while Frank Lampard marked his 500th Premier League start with a goal that made him the club’s all-time top scorer.

Ramires scored twice, with David Luiz, Branislav Ivanovic, Eden Hazard and Oscar also on target in a victory that emphatically drew a line under the club’s recent slump.

Liverpool winger Stewart Downing ended his Premier League goal drought when the Reds trounced Fulham in a 4-0 victory at Anfield.

After Martin Skrtel scored Liverpool’s opener early in the first half, Downing set up England captain Steven Gerrard for the second goal and then bagged the third himself after the break.

Uruguay forward Luis Suarez side-footed the fourth goal

Torres has scored seven goals in six games. Photo: AFP home in stoppage-time.

Manchester United were prevented from restoring their lead over Manchester City when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Swansea City.

Swansea’s top scorer Michu cancelled out Patrice Evra’s opener for United in the first half and the visitors left South Wales with only a point.

Manchester City’s bid to catch up United in the league gained ground with a dramatic 1-0 win against Reading at Eastlands on Saturday.

Gareth Barry finished off Reading with a controversial headed winner in the 93rd minute.

South Africa midfielder Steven Pienaar lifted Everton into fourth place in the Premier League as his team came from behind to win 2-1 at West Ham. West Bromwich Albion brought Norwich City’s 10-match unbeaten run in the league to a crashing halt with a 2-1 win at the Hawthorns.

Robert Snodgrass gave Norwich the lead with a 23rdminute free kick, but Zoltan Gera ended the hosts’ goal drought two minutes before the break.

Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku, on loan from European champions Chelsea, then nodded in the decisive goal

A controversial penalty by Mikel Arteta gave Arsenal a hard-fought 1-0 victory over struggling Wigan at the DW Stadium.

Arsenal’s third successive league win was secured by the second half penalty converted

by Spanish midfielder Arteta after Jean Beausejour challenged Theo Walcott from behind.

Newcastle ended a miserable run of six defeats from their last seven league games when Shola Ameobi clinched a 1-0 victory against Queens Park Rangers at St James’ Park.

Southampton’s recent revival after a dismal start to the season came to an abrupt halt at home as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Sunderland.

Tottenham slipped to fifth place in the league after being held to a 0-0 draw by Stoke at White Hart Lane.

In The Phuket News tipping competition, players Blackrosebar and jamiemonk are now tied at the top of the December monthly competition, with 87 points each. Ping, gafferworld, and mickeyleads all stand just three points behind the leaders.

And as we go into the the

TOM’S TIPS WEEK 21 Everton v Wigan Fulham v Southampton Man United v Newcastle Norwich Cityv Chelsea QPR v West Brom Reading v Swansea Sunderland v Man City Aston Villa v Tottenham Stoke v Liverpool

Win Win Win Lose Lose Draw Lose Lose Lose

MONTHLY STANDINGS 1. Blackrosebar 2. jamiemonk 3. gafferworld 4. mickyleeds 5. Ping 6. bazerb 7. MRB 8. scottkip 9. alanphuket 10. aquamarine

THIS MONTH'S COMPETITION IS SUPPORTED BY:

OVERALL STANDINGS 87 87 84 84 84 81 81 81 78 78

last week of the year, Suncat100 still clings to the lead in the overall standings with 355 points – but top challenger mickeyleeds is just two points behind, at 353, and player scottkip is just six points behind that, at 347.

This month (December

1. suncat100 2. mickyleeds 3. scottkip 4. bazerb 5. Blackrosebar 6. apollo131 7. diggersd 8. MRB 9. toptipster 10. alanphuket

355 353 347 338 330 329 324 324 324 318

2012) the competition is sponsored by Australian Bar & Grill in Kata. The monthly winner will receive a 3,000 baht voucher to spend at the venue. The overall winner at the end of the season will win a brand new Honda Scoopy courtesy of AP Honda.

Big money, but is China worth it for football stars?

FOOTBALL Cameron Wilson

IF FRANK LAMPARD IS to swap Chelsea for China, he might do well to first consider the colourful experiences of his former team-mates Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba.

Pay disputes, off-pitch rows and an alien culture have seen many of the foreign stars to have joined the Chinese Super League beating down the door to get out again, sometimes months after arriving, after being unable to settle.

Former France striker Anelka became the first genuine world football figure to play in China when he was snapped up by Shanghai Shenhua for a widely reported US$283,000 a week 10 months ago.

He was joined in Shanghai in the summer by Drogba, who signed for an eye-watering US$323,000 a week.

But the 33-year-old Anelka quickly saw his move turn sour and is in talks with the club to leave, with reports suggesting Drogba might go with him.

Drogba is yet to receive his salary for December because of a boardroom row, said the Oriental Sports Daily, while

Shenhua said that talks are under way with Anelka to cancel the remaining year of his mammoth contract.

Drogba has at least been a hit on the pitch, scoring eight goals in 11 games for a side that finished the recent season ninth out of 16 teams. Anelka netted only three goals all season.

It is a far cry from the fanfare that greeted Anelka – who has not always endeared himself to supporters during his nomadic career – upon arrival in February. He insisted he was not going to China just for the money.

Things soon unravelled.

The Shenhua head coach, former Fulham boss Jean Tigana, was sacked after just five games in charge.

Weeks later Anelka was making headlines again by threatening to quit Shenhua – whose middle-aged owner gives himself a game occasionally – after the club asked the Frenchman to make way for former Argentina manager Sergio Batista. And then there is the strange case of the Argentine Dario Conca.

The attacking midfielder, voted the league player of the year in Brazil for two years in a row at Fluminense, has

Shanghai Shenhua football fans cheer in July as they hold up pictures of former Chelsea football star Didier Drogba after his arrival at Pudong airport in Shanghai. Photo: AFP followed that up with consecutive Chinese championships at Guangzhou Evergrande.

He joined Guangzhou in the summer of 2011 for a Chinese record US$10 million transfer fee, on a three-year deal worth a staggering US$1.3 million a month, according to the Sina Sports website. Now he too looks set for the exit door.

Last month he left a note with the club saying “I’ve gone and I’m not coming back”.

He told Sina Sports that he was unhappy at the “many

strange things which go on here”, but did not elaborate and remains in dispute with the club.

It’s not only the current crop of international stars who have run aground in China.

Perhaps most famously was the case of former England, Spurs and Lazio midfielder Paul Gascoigne, who joined Gansu Tianma in 2003 but left after four games saying he wasn’t getting paid – Anelka and Drogba might sympathise.

Lampard, 34, who is yet to

be offered a new contract with Chelsea and has been heavily linked with a lucrative move to China next season, might like to have a word with Ian Walker, a coach at Shanghai Shenhua.

The former Spurs goalkeeper has spoken openly about the difficulty of settling into a wholly unfamiliar culture on the other side of the planet.

“The worst thing is the food,” he said recently. “I haven’t been served any dog yet. They tell me they don’t do

that anymore – but I did have a very suspicious burger once.

“There’s the heat and the humidity, which I found tough at first. And it’s dangerous crossing the road. Forget zebra crossings; that’s not an option here. Just try to dodge the cars.

It’s very noisy, too, because everyone beeps their horn every five seconds,” he told the South China Morning Post.

He added: “I used to go out, but not that much. I’m quite happy to sit at home and watch TV. There’s one sports channel luckily. Even though it’s Chinese it has all the football and tennis and motor racing.”

Success stories of players coming from Europe’s top leagues are few. Former Everton and Blackburn striker Yakubu scored nine goals in 14 appearances for Guangzhou R&F last season, which saw members of the city’s large expatriate African population regularly cheering the team alongside locals.

The former Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and West Ham striker Marlon Harewood also enjoyed a successful spell at Guangzhou R&F, scoring four times before opting to return to England after just 10 games in 2011. AFP

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012

WORLD SPORT 27

Sport

Twins effect

Phuket FC sign twin brother of midfielder Chun Boas > 23

editor2@thephuketnews.com

Sydney-Hobart race fleet gets under sail, without Wild Thing SAILING

T

he Sydney to Hobart yacht race got off to a controversial start Wednesday with fancied supermaxi Wild Thing ruled out at the last minute due to paperwork issues.

Race favourite Wild Oats XI – tipped for a sixth line honours win and hoping to clock a new race record – led the 76-vessel fleet out of Sydney Harbour and took a commanding lead early boosted by a strong southerly wind.

Wild Oats XI holds the race record of one day, 18 hours, 40 minutes and 10 seconds set seven years ago.

Fellow 100-footer Ragamuffin-Loyal (which took line honours in 2011 as Investec Loyal) and 98-foot yacht Lahana are also in the reckoning.

Wild Oats XI skipper Mark Richards admitted that his boat’s 2005 race record was up for grabs.

“For all of us it’s just going to be pedal to the metal,” Richards told a news conference.

His navigator Adrienne Cahalan said winds were ideal.

“Ever y Hobar t sailor dreams about a southerly on Christmas Day, so it’s a very exciting forecast for us,” she said.

But the start of the annual 628-nautical mile bluewater classic was overshadowed by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA)’s decision to bar Grant Wharington’s 100-footer Wild Thing due to paperwork problems.

The 2003 line honours winner was among the top three race favourites but officials scratched it just three hours before the start, citing

The 68th Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet after the start. Photo: Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

Team

SPORT

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO

Saturday, December 29 09:00 – 13:00 16:45 – 21:00 18:00 - 20:00 11:00 – 14:00

Tennis Tennis Tennis Cricket

Hopman Cup Hopman Cup Hua Hin Invite 2nd Test

Spain v South Africa Germany v Australia Victoria Azarenka vs.

Serena Williams Australia v Sri Lanka

7:30 – 9.15

Football

EPL

Sunderland v Tottenham

22:00 – 23.45

Football

EPL

Fulham v Swansea

22:00 – 23.45

Football

EPL

Man Utd v West Brom

22:00 – 23.45

Football

EPL

Norwich v Man City

Sunday, December 30 12:30 – 2.15

Football

EPL

Arsenal v Newcastle

09:00 – 13:00

Tennis

Hopman Cup

USA v South Africa

16:45 – 21:00

Tennis

Hopman Cup

Spain v France

20:00 – 21.45

Football

EPL

Everton v Chelsea

23:00 – 00:45

Football

EPL

QPR v Liverpool

22:00 – 23: 45

Rugby

Top 14

Castres v Stade Toulousain

ing the 1998 edition sank five yachts and claimed six lives.

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia race includes a fleet of old and new, big and small boats and is a well-established

Spanish Primera Liga

MP

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

MP

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

1

Manchester United

18

14

1

3

44

25

43

1

Barcelona

17

16

1

0

57

19

49

2

Manchester City

18

11

6

1

34

15

39

2

Atlético Madrid

17

13

1

3

37

17

40

3

Chelsea

17

9

5

3

36

17

32

3

Real Madrid

17

10

3

4

41

17

33

4

Arsenal

18

8

6

4

32

18

30

4

Málaga

17

9

4

4

28

12

31

5

Everton

18

7

9

2

30

22

30

5

Real Betis

17

9

1

7

26

28

28

6

Tottenham Hotspur

18

9

3

6

30

25

30

6

Levante

17

8

3

6

21

24

27

7

West Bromwich Albion

18

9

3

6

26

22

30

7

Real Sociedad

17

7

4

6

24

20

25

8

Liverpool

18

6

7

5

27

23

25

8

Rayo Vallecano

17

8

1

8

22

32

25

9

Stoke City

18

5

10

3

15

13

25

9

Valencia

17

7

3

7

23

26

24

10

Norwich City

18

6

7

5

20

27

25

10

Getafe

17

7

3

7

21

25

24

11

Swansea City

18

6

6

6

27

23

24

11

Real Valladolid

17

6

4

7

23

21

22

12

West Ham United

18

6

5

7

22

22

23

12

Real Zaragoza

17

7

1

9

20

24

22

13

Fulham

18

5

5

8

28

33

20

13

Athletic Club

17

6

3

8

21

34

21

14

Newcastle United

18

5

5

8

20

26

20

14

Sevilla

17

5

4

8

22

26

19

15

Sunderland

18

4

7

7

19

24

19

15

Granada

17

4

4

9

13

25

16

16

Aston Villa

18

4

6

8

15

32

18

16

Mallorca

17

4

4

9

16

29

16

17

Southampton

17

4

3

10

22

33

15

17

Celta de Vigo

17

4

3

10

16

22

15

18

Wigan Athletic

18

4

3

11

18

33

1

18

Espanyol

17

3

6

8

19

26

15

19

Queens Park Rangers

18

1

7

10

15

31

1

19

Osasuna

17

3

5

9

14

19

14

20

Reading

18

1

6

11

21

37

9

20

Deportivo La Coruña

17

2

6

9

21

39

12

*Times may be subject to change

TIME

been dogged by controversy – as recently as last year there was an official jury protest accusing line honours winner Investec Loyal of misconduct.

Catastrophic weather dur-

incomplete documentation of major modifications extending the vessel to 100 feet.

It is not the first time the daunting annual dash down Australia’s southeast coast has

English Premier League

Live Sports TV Schedule

Boxing Day spectacle as the yachts make their way out of Sydney Harbour.

With a tailwind, the big boats are backed for line honours while smaller vessels could face a buffeting if the westerly impacts late on.

The race awards line honours as a well as handicap honours which take into account each boat’s dimensions, including sail area, whether it has a canting or fixed keel and age.

For some, such as the 80-year-old, 30-foot Maluka of Kermandie, which was the last to cross the line in 2011, just finishing is its own reward.

“Certainly it will be a big boat race,” skipper Sean Langman said.

“We’ll be listening and just hoping we’ll get there in time for the New Year’s Eve fireworks.”

RESULTS Wigan Manchester City Newcastle Southampton Tottenham

0–1 1–0 1–0 0–1 0–0

Arsenal Reading QPR Sunderland Stoke

West Brom West Ham Liverpool Swansea Chelsea

2–1 1–2 4–0 1–1 8–0

Norwich Everton Fulham Manchester United Aston Villa

Team

RESULTS Rayo Vallecano Real Sociedad Espanyol Valencia Atlético Madrid

3–0 2–1 2–0 4–2 1–0

Levante Sevilla Deportivo La Coruña Getafe Celta de Vigo

Real Betis Real Valladolid Osasuna Málaga Athletic Club

1–2 1–3 1–2 3–2 0–2

Mallorca Barcelona Granada Real Madrid Real Zaragoza

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