The Phuket News 29 June 2018

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

thephuketnews thephuketnews1 thephuketnews.com Friday, June 29 – Thursday July 5, 2018

Since 2011 / Volume VIII / No. 26

FLIGHTS DIVERTED AS RAINS PELT AIRPORT > PAGE 3

PORKED OFF

NEWS

20 Baht

PAGE 12

Working without a work permit now possible

LIFE

PAGE 16

Chef Bastian’s balancing act in ‘Back to Basics’

Local residents in Moo 3 Mai Khao are suspicious of the claims that the factory will not affect their communities or the environment they live in. Photo: Supplied

LOCAL RESIDENTS PROTEST PORK-PROCESSING PLANT TO BE BUILT IN MAI KHAO ‘GREEN ZONE’ Chutharat Plerin thai@classactmedia.co.th

L

ocal residents in Mai Khao, at the northern end of the island, this week were up in arms over a pork-processing plant to be built in their neighbourhood, saying that it would directly affect the local environment and their community.

The facility in question is a 1,500-square-metre “pig part processing centre” planned to be built on a 40-rai site at Baan Yid in Moo 3, Mai Khao.

The facility is to be operated by Thai agrifood giant Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF), which maintains that the facility will not be a slaughterhouse, rather a pork meat processing plant.

Although local residents made no claims that the legal due process had not been followed for CPF being granted permission to build the plant, they complained that they were not even informed that an application to build the processing centre had

been filed.

Worse, many said that they only became aware that the plant was to be built after a notice was posted at the site on June 8.

The residents on Tuesday (June 26) said they objected to the plant as they did not want their neighbourhood to become a home to factories and that Mai Khao was an “environmentally clean” area, posing the question of what will happen to waste from the plant.

They also argued that the area of Mai Khao was a prime natural tourist attraction.

One local resident, a 50-yearold who was born and raised in the nearby village Baan Dan, told The Phuket News’ Thai-language sister newspaper Khao Phuket that the plant should not be approved solely for environmental reasons.

“There are concerns about hygiene, sewage, dust and odour, and the effect on the local ecosystem that requires natural living. There should be no

factories in the area,” he said.

“Mai Khao is a green area. There should not be any factories, especially pork factories. The villagers are certain that the plant will have an impact on the lives of the people living in the area, whether it is the smell, noise or even the wastewater from keeping the factory clean,” he added.

Another concern is the effect the plant will have with Sirinath National Park nearby.

“This area is the last green area of Phuket. It should be preserved, and a as green area it can also be developed as a community attraction in the future,” said the villager.

Another resident added, “We know that the factory area is only a small part of the land, but how can we be sure that if the company is successful [with this one particular plant] that it will not expand the factory later? And if one factory is allowed, then other business owners can do it as well.

What will our lives and the future

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 @thephuketnews

for our children be like?”

Chao Ruangsawat, CPF’s Assistant Managing Director - Southern District 3 for Swine and also a Vice Chairman of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, was surprised by the village protest on Tuesday.

“We are in the process of applying for a permit to operate a factory here. The plant will meet industry standards. The relevant agencies will explain all this to the villagers at a meeting on Thursday (June 28),” he said.

“I guarantee that this plant will not create problems for the community. If we create problems for the community, then our employees will not be able to work here,” Mr Chao added.

“The factory will be a sealed area with its own controlled environment in accordance with food safety regulations. No smell or sound will come out. If we do not adhere to these standards, we will not be able to produce safe food,” he insisted...

SPORT

PAGE 32

Phuket team takes honours at WCGC Worlds

News 2

PHUKET NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

Russian prosecutors vague on Phuket abduction, murder extortion > page 5

Deadly day tour

Chinese tourist, 30, drowns, two rescued Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

O A sign saying ‘Beware of baby crocodiles – If you see one call 076-374105’ was posted in Soi Palai, Chalong, earlier this year. Photo: Supplied

Crocodile warning for Soi Palai stands ‘as a precaution’ A SIGN SAYING “BEware of baby crocodiles – If you see one call 076374105” installed in Soi Palai earlier this year remains in place because officials cannot be sure that there are no reptiles in the area, Chalong Municipality has confirmed to The Phuket News.

“The sign was posted many months ago after a fisherman found a baby crocodile in this area,” Korrawat Phatthanakor from Chalong Municipality’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation office, explained.

“The parents of the baby crocodile were not found, so we worry that mature reptiles might still be in the area as well as other baby crocodiles,” Mr Korrawat said.

“That is why we decided to leave the sign there. If you see a crocodile do not approach it, just call us at 076-374105,” he warned.

In early February, residents of Soi Na Kok in Chalong’s Moo 5 village caught a baby crocodile estimated to be only two to three months old. The reptile was about 50 centimetres long and weighed about 300 grams.

T he crocod ile wa s caught by Suchatri Anoma, 37, on Feb 1, near a local lake and only 50 metres away from one of the houses.

There were no reports of any adult crocodiles spotted in the area, leaving people wondering where the baby crocodile’s mum and dad might be.

The Phuket News

ne Chinese tourist drowned and another two were saved during a trip to Koh Racha, east of Phuket, last Friday afternoon (June 22).

Officers from Chalong Police were informed at 4:30pm that day that a Chinese tourist had drowned at Patok Bay, Koh Racha while another two had been saved by lifeguards.

The body of the deceased, named as Su Wang, 30, was taken back to Chalong Pier by speedboat where Maj Tada Sodarak from the Chalong Police, Phuket Marine Police, Tourist Police and rescue workers from Phuket Ruamjai Rescue Foundation were waiting.

Officers carried out a preliminary check on Mr Su and found that he had been dead for about one hour. There were no wounds or any traces of an attack on the body.

Mr Su’s body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town.

The two tourists who had been saved, Liang Yu Lin, 29, and Pu Bin, 26, were also taken to hospital as they had suffered minor injuries and taken in water.

Police reported that the Chinese tourists booked a tour via the Apple Tour Company and travelled to Koh Racha with Nonthasak Marine.

There were a total of 35

Mr Su’s body arrives at Chalong Pier last Friday (June 22), from where it was transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub tourists in the tour group.

At 12:30pm, after the tourists had finished their lunch, Mr Su, Mr Liang and Mr Pu went out into the water without life jackets and without telling the tour guides.

A lifeguard from a nearby hotel saw the tourists get pulled out by waves so went out with other lifeguards to try to assist. They managed to pull Mr Liang and Mr Pu from the water but could not find Mr Su. Officials searched the area but could not find a body.

A short time after a passing

speedboat saw a body floating in the water and raised the alarm.

After being informed of the drowning, at 5:40pm, Phuket Vice Governor Thawornwat Kongkaew, Director of the Phuket office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Prapan Kanprasang, chief of the Phuket Tourist Police Maj Eakkachai Siri, and Busaba Jaipium from the Phuket Public Relations Department went to Vachira Phuket Hospital to visit Mr Su’s family.

They then visited Mr Liang

and Mr Pu who were receiving treatment at Bangkok Hospital Phuket.

V/Gov Thawornwat said, “Phuket expresses [our] sincere condolences to the family of the deceased and will contact the China Consul-General for continued help.

“I would like to point out that guides are strict when it comes to taking care of tourists. However, we will carry out a check to see if there are a sufficient number of lifeguards stationed at Koh Racha for the number of tourists who visit the island.”

CPF pork-processing plant mired in village controversy Continued from page 1 ...Mr Chao explained that the company has a pig farm in Krabi, from which pigs will be taken to municipal slaughterhouses in Phang Nga province for “processing” before all the pork parts will be transported at -4ºC to the factory in Phuket.

“All the parts, we sell. Not even bones are leftover. There will not be any [pork] parts left,” he said.

“And any water used in the plant is treated by an on-site treatment process for use in the plant.

Even the water from the cleaning will be treated before being used to

water plants within the 40-rai site [of the factory],” Mr Chao added.

“We have more than 40 rai of land, of which about 1,500 square metres will be used for construction. We also have plenty of water.

It will not leave a negative impact on the environment,” he assured.

However, several villagers told reporters that they did not trust the information that the company had provided to the Phuket Provincial Industry Office, the industrial permit issuing authority for the island.

Mr Chao stressed that the company is in compliance with

all laws, including informing local villagers of the plan to build the plant since Nov 4 last year.

At that time, the company informed local people that CPF would transform the 40-rai site from a pig-rearing farm, which it had operated the site as since 1991, to a pig slaughterhouse, and the people understood and agreed, Mr Chao said.

‘The company then had concerns about the trouble this may cause for the surrounding communities, so we change our plan to this [processing] factory, which will have less effect on the nearby

communities,” he added.

“We held a meeting to inform the community a year ago at the Sala Prachakom in Tambon Mai Khao, where we explained the plan for people to understand about what will happen with the land and the construction of the factory, but some local people didn’t attend the meeting and still have some doubts for the company to explain,” he said.

Mr Chao asserted that the village leaders who attended the meeting last year did not pass the news on to local residents.

Regardless, he said on Tuesday

The site of the plant is located in the heart of Mai Khao’s stillundeveloped ‘green zone’. Image: Google Maps / Supplied that another meeting would be held at the community meeting hall in Moo 3, Mai Khao, on Thursday (June 28) to explain the project fully to local residents. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

CCTVs, tourist safety tops officials’ agenda The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he installation of an additional 499 CCTV cameras across the island and tourists’ safety at Koh Racha topped the agenda of a meeting held by the Governor of Phuket on Tuesday (June 26).

Other issues discussed at the meeting included action taken to prevent further flooding at high-risk areas on the island and the establishment of a “Sport City” in Mai Khao.

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong presided over the meeting, which was attended by Vice Governors Snith Sriwihok and Prakorb Wongmaneerung, heads of local government agencies, military officials and police.

As of now Phuket has 1,239 CCTV cameras installed, however, Gov Norraphat said that a further 499 cameras are required bringing the total number to 1,738.

Gov Norraphat assigned the Phuket Provincial Administration Office (PPAO, or OrBorJor) to conduct a survey

Governor Norraphat speaks at the meeting, which covered topics ranging from additional CCTVs, flooding, tourists safety and the setting up of a ’Sport City’ in Mai Khao.

Photo: PR Dept to find the budget requirement for the purchase and installation of the addition cameras.

The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) Phuket branch were assigned to oversee the connection of the cameras once the budget has been approved.

Following the drowning of Chinese tourist Su Wang, 30,

at Patok Bay, Koh Racha last Thursday (June 21), an incident which also saw another two Chinese tourists pulled safely from the water, Governor Norraphat stated that the Phuket Provincial Office of Tourism and Sports had reported that they had already agreed to compensate Mr Su’s family for the loss of life.

Landslide risk areas hit new map THE PHUKET PROVINCIAL OFFICE of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket) has created a map available to the public showing landslide risk areas across the island.

The map, created only last week, can currently be seen at the DDPM-Phuket office at Phuket Provincial Hall, but will later become available to view for free online.

The map currently features all 18 recognised landslide areas across the island, comprising eight in Maung District, three in Kathu (two in Patong, one in Kamala), and seven in Thalang.

“The map is a joint effort by the DDPMPhuket and the Department of Mineral Resources Phuket office,” DDPM-Phuket Chief Prapan Kanprasang explained to The Phuket News.

The map will be updated every year by the Department of Mineral Resources, he added.

Previously, the DDPM-Phuket kept only a list of landslide risk areas, detailing the Moo Baan (Village) that are at risk of landslides.

The list is available free from the DDPMPhuket office*.

However, Chief Prapan said the map will help the DDPM-Phuket staff perform their functions.

“The map is useful for us when informing local administrations of danger areas within their areas of jurisdiction,” Chief Prapan said.

“We can also use the map to compare the level of risk in certain areas and prepare strategies to provide better, different, protection options, in each area,” he added.

“For example, some areas need concrete retaining walls, but other areas just need us to watch out for risky situations, such as @thephuketnews

The full original map as used by DDPM officials. A copy of the map from the DDPM office is free, and a free online version will be available soon. Photo: The Phuket News when there is heavy rain and storms,” Mr Prapan said.

Sirapisit Bunchoocheep – Additional reporting by Tanyaluk Sakoot * The DDPM-Phuket office, located at Phuket Provincial Hall, is open Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm. The list of landslide risk areas is free.

However, Gov Norraphat ordered the Phuket Provincial Office of Tourism and Sports be strict on tour companies when it comes the safety of tourists.

“The number of guides and staff must be sufficient for the number of tourists. Rawai Municipality must coordinate with relevant agencies to support lifeguards to ensure the safety of tourists on Koh Racha,” Gov Norraphat said.

Turning to flood prevention, Gov Norraphat was told that necessary works had been completed in front of Thai Watsadu on Thepkrasattri Rd to prevent further flooding.

Other necessary works had also been completed to prevent flooding at the Bang Jo intersection and the Cherng Talay Municipality Office, the Susco petrol station in Muang Mai, and in front of SuperCheap on Thepkrasattri Rd in Rassada.

However, Gov Norraphat assigned local government agencies to monitor rainfall levels so that residents can be advised immediately of any possible flood risks.

PHUKET NEWS

3

Flights redirected as rains hit airport H E AV Y R A I N A N D strong winds late Tuesday afternoon (June 26) saw 11 flights unable to land at Phuket International Airport for safety reasons.

The downpours, which started just after 5pm, saw 138.6mm of rainfall recorded at the airport during the three-hour period from 4pm-7pm, followed by another 71.2mm in the next three-hour recording period – bringing the total rainfall in six hours to a soaking 209.8mm.

Staff from Airports of Thailand (AoT), which operates Phuket airport, confirmed that 11 flights were not able to land during the dangerous weather.

Five f lights were set into holding patterns until the weather cleared, while two flights were diverted to Krabi International Airport, two more flights were diverted to Surat Thani International Airport, one flight was diverted to Hat Yai International Airport and one other flight was diverted to Samui Airport.

The deluge of rain over-

An aircraft is obscured from view by heavy rain.

Photo: Russell Street / Flickr flowed gutters on the roof of the terminals, with water pouring into several areas inside the two terminals, including what staff reported as baggage checking areas, boarding gates and airline offices on the third floor.

Water also cascaded off the roof of the International Terminal, pouring heavily down onto the artificial turf waiting area three floors below.

AoT staff at the airport reported that they fixed the problems and cleaned the affected areas as quickly as possible and AoT management apologised for any inconvenience.

Chutharat Plerin

4

PHUKET NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM PHUKET SEVEN DAY WEATHER FORECAST

The Phuket News offers flexible advertising options both online and in print.

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018 www.foreca.com

FRI JUN 29

SAT JUN 30

SUN JUL 1

MON JUL 2

TUE JUL 3

WED JUL 4

THU JUL 5

High: +31° Low: +23°

High: +31° Low: +23°

High: +32° Low: +24°

High: +31° Low: +23°

High: +31° Low: +23°

High: +31° Low: +23°

High: +30° Low: +23°

Wind 4 m/s

Wind 2 m/s

Wind 3 m/s

Wind 3 m/s

Wind 4 m/s

Wind 4 m/s

Wind 4 m/s

Winds of change The motorbike and sidecar were engulfed by the fireball.

Photo: Kathu Municipality Jason Beavan 086 479 7471

Vendor's buns ashed by blaze

SALES SUPPORT

A MOBI L E SA L A PAO vendor had to jump for his life after the gas canister on his motorbike with sidecar burst into flames in the heart of Kathu last Friday (June 22).

Firefighters from the Kathu Municipality Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation office were called to scene, near the King Kong night market on Phra Phuket Kaew Rd, at 11am.

Firefighters took some 20 minutes to put out the blaze, but the bike and food sidecar were destroyed..

The salapao (“steamed stuffed buns”) vendor explanied to police that he was on his way from one housing estate to another site to sell more buns when the hose fitted to the gas canister came loose, and escaping gas caught alight, resulting in an unstoppable blaze. Eakkapop Thongtub

GENERAL MANAGER

gm@classactmedia.co.th

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

SALES REPRESENTATIVE Kiattisak (Rudy) Deamer 088 754 1371 sales2@classactmedia.co.th

Are the Thai people ready to hold elections?

PHUKET POLL The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

P

rime Minister Gen Prayut Chano-cha has confirmed the country’s readiness to strengthen trade ties with England and hold a general election early next year.

During his visit to the UK, Gen Prayut had talks with Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord Fowler, about promoting trading opportunities between the two countries through the “Global British” policy and the “Thailand 4.0” policy, with the Thai-UK Business Leadership Council playing a key role in the matter, state news agency NNT reported last Friday (June 22).

Gen Prayut also confirmed that the general election would be held in February next year and that local elections might take place three months after the general election.

The issue of Thailand returning to elections to select the nation’s leaders has played in international and local headlines for years, with many confusing reports accusing particular people of attempting to delay the return to democracy as well as a plethora of recently re-registered,

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has confirmed that Thailand will hold a national general election early next year. Photo: NNT and new, parties – including the age-old entrenched power brokers – already chomping at the bit to get their hands back on the levers of power.

The coup of May 2014 was staged in the name of stabilising the country from wave after wave of political – and physical – acts of retribution that most people agreed were slowly tearing the country apart.

It is now more than four years later and people are still divided as to whether the main aims of the coup have been fulfilled, and whether new objectives were now the primary goal of the current administration.

To all this, The Phuket News asks our readers the simple question, “Is Thailand ready for elections?”

Responses available in the poll are: 1) Yes, Thailand is ready and elections should be held as soon as practicably possible.

2) No, Thailand is not yet ready for elections, which should be delayed until the political climate is ready for them to be held.

3) It doesn’t matter whether Thailand holds elections or not.

To cast your vote, visit the website ThePhuketNews.com and select “Poll” from the “News” menu.

Underpass opens one Jet-ski mechanic drowns in lake lane at airport turnoff

A JET-SKI MECHANIC was found drowned in a lake in Srisoothorn last Thursday night (June 21) after he took a jet-ski that he had serviced for a test drive.

After a five-hour search, Phuket Marine Police and rescue workers from the Kusoldahrm Foundation recovered the body of Eakkachai Thonnam, 33, a resident of Koh Kaew, from the lake near The Valley 2 residential estate on Route 4025.

Police and rescue workers called to the scene were told by family members that Mr Eakkachai was last seen at about 4:20pm that day.

Mr Eakkachai worked at a Yamaha jet-ski service centre in Koh Kaew, and after working on a jet-ski he had agreed to take it for a test drive on the lake.

M r E a k k a ch a i wa s known to be not a good

A search of the lake for Mr Eakkachai was launched late last Thursday afternoon (June 21). swimmer and did not wear a life jacket during the test drive, police were told.

A friend at the scene told police that he saw Mr Eakkachai fall into the water on the far side of the lake and swam out to help him. However, by the time his friend got there he was unable to find Mr Eakkachai, prompting the call to emergency services for help.

Mr Eakkachai’s body

suffered no lesions, noted police. Regardless, his body was taken to Thalang Hospital for further medical examination to confirm the cause of death.

Meanwhile, officers said they were continuing their investigation by questioning people who may know more about the circumstances involving Mr Eakkachai’s death.

Eakkapop Thongtub

WORKERS AT THE UNderpass under construction at the turnoff for Phuket International Airport last Sunday (June 24) opened one lane to traffic travelling northbound as a temporary measure to ease traffic congestion at the site.

“We believe that doing so made travelling through the area more convenient for people,” Department of Highways project engineer Somkiet Yimpong confirmed to The Phuket News.

The single northbound lane will remain open until further notice, he added.

Mr Somkiat also reported that construction of the underpass has reached the 62% milestone.

“And it will definitely be finished on time,” he said.

“The project is scheduled for completion in August 2019.

We are confident that the construction will be completed in

The sign is still there, but motori st s are allowed to drive on the single nor thbound lane open through the underpass. time,” Mr Somkiet assured.

Meanwhile, Thalang Police have cautioned motorists that traffic is expected to be affected as the tunnel will be closed while Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) install new 115kV power cables at the site and repair existing 33kV cables from 6am-5pm on three consecutive Thursdays: the first yesterday (June 28); and again on July 5 and July 12.

The Phuket News thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

PHUKET NEWS

5

Details disappear afore trial Russian prosecutors vague on Phuket extortion, murder case Anton Makhrov news@novostiphuketa.com

R

ussian prosecutors have announced that they have concluded their investigation of a crime committed by Russian nationals in Thailand several years ago, with the only known case to match the description provided being the kidnapping and murder of Alexei Slabinskiy in Phuket in 2014.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office for Russia’s Far East region Primorsky Krai announced last Thursday (June 21) that the office had handed to the court a criminal case involving some “Mr. Z”, accused of kidnapping, extortion, murder and more.

The announcement was posted on the Public Prosecutor’s Office website under the following headline: “Court in Primorie [Primorsky Krai] will hear a case of a series of crimes against person and property committed by a group of persons”.

As follows from a vague description in the announcement, some of the episodes took

MAIN: Andrei Zabelin and the arrest warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court.

INSET: Yana Strizheus, abducted and ransomed in Phuket. Photos: The Phuket News / File place in Thailand and the only matching case reported by Thai and international media is the case of Slabinskiy/Strizheus dating back to 2014.

Russian national Alexei Slabinskiy and his girlfriend Yana Strizheus went missing in Phuket in early March 2014. The search for the couple started after they called their relatives claiming that they were in trouble in Phuket, and urgently needed US$100,000 to solve some unexpected

problems. After the call, Mr Slabinskiy and Ms Strizheus’ cell phones went silent, and their concerned families raised the alarm.

Ms Strizheus was then found wounded but alive at a local hotel, the dead body of her partner was discovered only weeks later. Ms Strizheus told the police that they were kidnapped for extortion of money.

Phuket Police issued an arrest warrant for two suspects

Police noted that there appeared to be no signs of a struggle on Mr Barfield’s body or in the house that he was living in. Photo: Phuket City Police

Retired Californian police officer found dead in home POLICE ARE INVESTIgating the death of a retired California police officer whose body was found in his rented house in Koh Kaew on Tuesday (June 26).

Police were called to Soi Koh Kaew 23 at 2:30pm.

They arrived to find the body of 58-year-old Ronald Barfield on the floor in the bedroom.

Lt Wipawan Wattanangernthanong of the Phuket City Police estimated that Mr Barfield had died several @thephuketnews

days before his body was found.

There appeared to be no signs of a struggle on his body or in the house, Lt Wipawan, noted.

Yupin Ocharot, 39, from Kapoe District in Ranong province, north of Phuket, told police that she and Mr Barfield used to be in a relationship, but had separated years ago.

She had arrived at the house but was frightened to enter after realising the odour

emanating from within, and so contacted the owner of the house, Saruda Chuaychana, 40, to explain the situation.

Ms Yupin said Mr Barfield had lived in the house “two to three years” and that she was aware that the man had high blood pressure, but did not know if he suffered any other conditions.

Mr Barfield’s body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town for further medical examination.

Eakkapop Thongtub

both Russian nationals: Aleksandr Novichkov and Andrei Zabelin. The latter was later identified by Russian media as an ex-officer wanted by local police for two crimes since 2005.

The announcement by the Public Prosecutor’s office in Russia last Thursday said that the “deputy prosecutor of Primorsky Krai approved the criminal indictment on charges against Z. who is accused of kidnapping commit-

ted by a group of persons on preliminary conspiracy, extortion committed with causing grave harm to the health of the victim, illegal deprivation of liberty committed by a group of persons, murder”.

“According to the investigation, the person who was wanted for a previously committed crime since 2005, stayed on the territory of the Kingdom of Thailand, where he got acquainted with a certain citizen. During the conversations with this citizen, the person learned that the latter had a large amount of money in his bank accounts, which he decided to take possession of by means of extortion,” the announcement continued.

“For the purpose of committing the crime, the suspect lured the victim to come to a villa where the suspect’s accomplice was waiting. The victim was chained to a bed and demanded to transfer money in the amount of US$100,000.

Not having received a positive decision, they fraudulently lured to the villa the female partner of the victim, where, using violence, forced her to

obey and drive to an ATM to withdraw the required amount.

Following a similar scheme, they received about B100,000.”

The Prosecutor’s Office of Primorsky Krai does not name directly any of the suspects or the victims, so it is yet to be confirmed whether or not the case that judges in Russia are ready to hear is the notorious Slabinskiy/Strizheus incident in Phuket. The fact that the murder of the victim is not mentioned raises doubts as well.

According to Russian officials, “the criminal case has been sent to court for hearing on the merits. The second suspect remains at large”.

Of note, the announcement also mentions another restriction of liberty and murder committed by Mr. Z in Russia after fleeing from Thailand.

Prosecutors claim that the suspect committed that crime with his ex-wife who was classified as an accomplice, charged with deprivation of liberty and will face the court as well. It is yet to be clarified if the woman could have been involved in kidnapping, extortion and murder in Phuket.

Opinion 6

OPINION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

editor@classactmedia.co.th

CONTACT US

editor@classactmedia.co.th 076 612 550

KODCHANAT THINSEPON Editor

CHRIS HUSTED

Executive Editor

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

MATTHEW POND

News & Sports Editor

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

M

EDITORIAL

A bookable offense

ich Koh, head of public policy in Southeast Asia for Airbnb, and the global online giant’s regional team will meet with Thai officials next Tuesday (July 3) to discuss “tourism growth and how the company can help drive the sector here”.

The outcome, if any, will be very interesting as the sector is seemingly impossible to regulate, and the current stance verges on impinging on the right of any property owner to allow guests to stay in their abode – notwithstanding that income tax be fully declared and paid.

In a world where people can click to accept terms and conditions and pay online by credit card, online bookings for individually owned accommodations today seem like a legitimate, obvious option. It is also very difficult to see what the Thai government might

object to in allowing property owners to rent out their properties at daily rates.

If the issue is income tax, then target that aspect. If the IRS in America can use income tax to bring down Al Capone, there is no excuse for officials for failing to enforce those laws, especially in the internet age where computerised tracking makes enforcement so much easier.

Again, if the issue is construction quality of the abodes and serious concerns such as fire safety and ensuring that tourists will not unknowingly book themselves into a “slum condo”, then regulate those laws. Japan is currently rolling out its “minpaku” policy whereby property owners must register the premises to be rented out, which is indeed inspected for safety as well as aesthetics, and still holds the property owners liable

for making sure all guests are registered with immigration, just as all hotels and landlords here in Thailand must do.

Worse, the oddity exists where the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) itself has been heavily promoting tourism to less developed destinations within the country – the same areas that are far less likely to have hotels. Instead, being less developed, such areas are much more likely to have only small venues that are exactly what Airbnb is designed to serve.

Funnily enough, the TAT even heavily promotes that tourists enjoy “homestays” in such areas. How’s that for irony?

The only issue at stake that seems obvious is the revenue generated by an entirely new sector, and there’s no doubt the Thai government wants a slice of that pie – and in this day and age that can easily be rectified, and best so with Airbnb’s help.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Phuket raid at Patong plaza catches lone fake brand-name bag vendor Phuket Opinion: A mild disaster Phuket jet-ski, parasail operators threatened for operating in strong waves Motorcyclist killed while exiting Phuket underpass More foreigners rounded up for visa offences Divers enter flooded cave in search of missing students Phuket construction project manager found dead at Pa Khlok home Chinese tourist, 30, drowns off Phuket, two saved Russian prosecutors vague on heinous Phuket extortion, murder case Beware of crocodiles in Soi Palai, Chalong municipality warns

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY Pedal power SIRAPISIT ‘FAME’ BUNCHOOCHEEP Reporter

091 165 0259 reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

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

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

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

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

Re: Ride 4 Kids Thank You Dear Jason, Everybody involved with our Ride 4 Kids V 2.0 Charity Event would like to thank you all personally, as well as extending our thanks to the entire CAM community who embraced and helped drive our initiative to raise money and awareness for the needy children of Phuket.

The event was once again a huge success and we managed to smash our target goal of B1 million and topple B1.5mn, which is incredible and will make a huge difference in the lives of many children of Phuket.

We really appreciate your sponsorship of the event, radio interviews, What’s on Guide, newspaper articles, ads live interviews etc, we very much appreciated your support.

Many thanks once again and I look forward to doing it all again in 2019!

Donna Toon Dear Jason, May I add my sincere thanks to Donna’s.

You know we REALLY appreciate all that you do

for so many charities on this island.

THANK YOU. Tina Hall

Big Joke

Re: More foreigners rounded up for visa offences There’s a fine line between prosecuting “transnational crime” or protecting “national security” and just arresting overstayers. To simply assume the two go hand-in-hand is just plain racist.

A nd if the goal is to “improve Thailand’s tourist image” then they need to look a lot closer to home to cure Thailand’s international laughing-stock status.

CaptainJack69

Pisa off

Re: Thailand threatens to quit Pisa test Not expect the outside world will give a damn for a Thai threat. Join or not join Pisa, free choice.

What I see is that this junta for the last four years has not done enough to get Thai education at a higher level, especially for the “rural” country. Well, unneeded sub-

marines and tanks, and now twisting about Pisa, right?

Probably afraid that we’d see Thailand sink further down education-wise.

Kurt

Seeing is believing

Re: Additional CCTVs, Koh Racha safety discussed at Phuket officials meeting “More CCTVs to notice crimes, Not to prevent them.”

Don’t know why someone is complaining again. How many times did we read on here that culprits got caught after checking those cameras?

DeKaaskopp

Digging deep

Re: Phuket airport-turnoff underpass opens one lane I fail to see how this underpass will benefit travellers to and from the airport. Only travellers going north or south will benefit. Another waste of public money.

Shwe It’s never been about improving the road, there was nothing wrong with it to begin with, it’s all about the money.

Pauly44

Both ways now

Re: Phuket History: Sex in early Siam Thailand is a male dominated society that is run by women.

Sir Burr Yada yada yada. Women were, and are still doing all the housework, i.e. acting as personal body servants who perform sexual services, even changing their names upon marriage. Doesn’t get any more subservient than that.

Christy Sweet

Still waters

Re: Beware of crocodiles in Soi Palai, Chalong municipality warns Life finds a way.

Island Man

World of shopping in your pocket Re: Phuket raid at Patong plaza catches lone fake brand-name bag vendor

Every shop in Patong has counterfeits of one sort or another. The only one that got raided was because of a lack of tea money. vegasbaby

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

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

THAILAND NEWS

7

Further detention approved ‘Body chopper’ charged with manslaughter, concealment of body BANGKOK Bangkok Post

T

he Min Buri Provincial Court on Tuesday approved a police request to detain for a further 12 days a 36-year-old man who allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend.

Thanakrit Prakob, who is suspected of killing 24-yearold Laksana Kamlangkeng on June 12, was taken from the court Tuesday morning (June 26) to be detained at Min Buri Remand Prison until July 7.

Thanakrit has initially been charged with manslaughter and concealment of a body.

However, Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) Deputy Commander Sompong Chingduang has told Metropolitan Police Division 3 Deputy Chief Chanwit Poompoh to set up a team to investigate circumstances behind the killing more thoroughly.

The investigators would see if there were evidence that would justify a premeditated murder charge against the suspect.

Police must question six

Thanakrit Prakrob is being detained at Min Buri Remand Prison on charges of manslaughter and concealment of a body. Photo: Wut Thanakrit Prakob / Facebook more witnesses and are awaiting the results of examinations of evidence from experts including the suspect’s fingerprints.

Police said even though the

suspect has admitted killing his ex-girlfriend, the results are key.

Thanakrit was arrested last Saturday (June 23) two days after a Romsai Rescue

‘We were drunk,’ say gold thieves SURAT THANI TWO PAKISTANI MEN charged with stealing a B102,000 gold bracelet from a gold shop say they were drunk when the crime occurred, but police are sceptical.

Muhammao Bashis, 41, and Allah Basksh, 29, made the claim during a crime reenactment staged by police last Saturday (June 23) at the Mae Malee 7 gold shop on Na Muang Rd in Muang district of Surat Thani province.

The duo were arrested on Khao San Rd in Bangkok by Chana Songkhram Police last Thursday (June 21), a day after the incident in Surat Thani.

Muhammao, wearing a white T-shirt, and Allah, wearing an orange vest, entered the gold shop last Wednesday afternoon (June 20). They showed an interest in buying a gold ring worth B2,800.

While discussing the price with a saleswoman, Muhammao asked to see a gold bracelet worth B102,000. His friend started @thephuketnews

Allah Basksh (left) and Muhammao Bashis apologise to a saleswoman at the Mae Malee 7 gold shop in Muang district of Surat Thani after a re-enactment of a gold theft. Photo: Supapong Chaolan talking with the saleswoman while Muhammao took the bracelet and quickly concealed it under his wallet.

He then took B2,800 from his wallet to pay for the ring to divert the attention of the saleswoman..

Security camera video showed the man in the white T-shirt covering the bracelet with his wallet.

After the crime re-enactment, the pair apologised to the shop’s staff. They claimed they had no intention of committing a crime but were under the influence of alcohol at the time.

However, police were not convinced.

Maj Gen Apichart Boonsriroj, chief of Surat Thani police, said checks found that the suspects had entered Thailand on June 9. They rented a car in Pattaya before heading to Phuket and other southern provinces.

Police say the two men are also suspected of having stolen a diamond-studded Rado watch worth B61,200 from the Srithong shop in Hat Yai, and that they may be linked to thefts in other provinces.

Bangkok Post

Foundation worker found a human head in a backpack lying in some bushes along Sam Wa Rd in eastern Bangkok’s Klong Sam Wa district last Thursday night (June 21).

Other pieces of the victim’s body were found soon after.

Ms Laksana was later identified from her fingerprints.

The suspect chopped her into 14 pieces and dumped her body in Klong Sam Wa district two weeks ago.

Following his ar rest, Thanakrit said the killing was not planned and that he acted alone, Col Chanwit said.

After the killing, the suspect did not go on the run as he was confident nobody would be able to identify the corpse, the officer said.

“He is from Satun. His mother died when he was young and his father passed away when he was 20,” said Pol Col Chanwit.

He said the suspect had also lost his wife six years ago. She died along with her unborn twins after being savaged by a dog.

“Police have contacted the suspect’s relatives in Satun about his case, but they distanced themselves from him and said they did not want to become involved,”

the officer said.

Police insist Thanakrit is not mentally ill.

“He gave a coherent and lucid account [of the killing],” said Colf Chanwit, However, the suspect appeared tense and agitated after being taken into custody, Col Chanwit said, adding other inmates in the cell at the police station were asked to talk to him to calm him down.

The suspect had not eaten food provided by police, he said.

Somphob Sangkhutkaew, chief of Min Buri Remand Prison, said he had talked to the suspect.

He said the man did not appear to be stressed and was currently being detained at the prison’s reception centre.

However, he said he ordered wardens to keep a close eye on the man in case he tried to self-harm or was attacked by other inmates.

Meanwhile, according to sources, Thanakrit’s new girlfriend, who works at a convenience store, had nothing to do with the killing.

THAILAND NEWS

8

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

Deaths blamed on police

One victim’s father says that justice has not been served BANGKOK Bangkok Post

O

n March 31, 2014, a group of nine police cadets were preparing for skydiving training at the Naresuan camp in Phetchaburi’s Cha-am district. The drill was part of a mandatory course for the young cadets, who were in their second year.

The training, however, turned to tragedy when two cadets died after their parachutes failed to open.

The cause of the fatal accidents was to do with the static lines used to deploy the cadets’ parachutes. Both lines snapped.

Two young and promising lives were lost.

The first was Chayakorn Putthachaiyong, 19. The other was Nathawuth Tirasuwannasuk, 21. Apart from the two deaths, two other cadets suffered from rough landings.

“We did not want him to be a policeman. But he always wanted to be policeman,” Sathon Putthachaiyong, father of the late Mr Chayakorn, told the Bangkok Post.

The death of children is naturally painful for parents, but the pain for Mr Sathon is overbearing and rarely goes away.

Mr Sathon, a teacher at a

Mr Sathon is keen to take the other defendants to the Criminal Court. Photo: Bangkok Post school in Ratchaburi, came to see his son’s parachuting exercise on March 31 at the training site. The father saw his only child plunge from the plane and fall to the ground.

The families of the dead cadets went to court seeking justice and compensation.

On May 21 this year the Administrative Court in Phetchaburi awarded more than B6.5 million in compensation to the families of two police cadets. The Administrative Court held the Royal Thai Police (RTP) responsible for negligence resulting in

the two deaths and ordered it to pay compensation to the families.

According to the court’s ruling, RTP officials failed to make sure that the maintenance of the parachute equipment was up to standard before it was used in the exercise.

Mr Chayakorn’s family had been awarded B2.365mn plu s a n nu al i nt e re st of 7.5% while the family of Mr Nathawuth was given B2.367mn plus annual interest of 7.5%.

Yet Mr Sathon said justice

has not been served.

“It has been four and a half years since my boy passed away. There has been no support from the public not to mention defendants because everyone denied the responsibilities,” Mr Sathon said.

Mr Sathon said the compensation is not all he wants.

What still upsets him is that 10 out of 11 officials and authorities involved in providing the parachutes were acquitted.

Mr Sathon said he wants to set a standard by taking to the Criminal Court all

parties involved in providing parachutes.

The investigation had a total of 11 defendants; seven members from the Thai Aviation Industries (TAI), one member of Thai Airways International (THAI) and three members of the Thai Police Aviation Division.

“They acquitted all defendants and ended up only filing charges against one TAI member who was responsible for buying the substandard slings,” Mr Sathon said.

Mr Sathon is keen to take the other defendants to the Criminal Court.

On June 1, he submitted a petition to the Office of the Attorney-General, complaining the court has been silent on developments in the case despite having adequate information to file charges against the wrong-doers.

He said he wants the court to look into the purchase of substandard slings because he believed there are some irregularities which need to be exposed.

Based on the official record of the investigation, the sling used for the parachuting drill that day was substandard.

The official slings that are supposed to be used for the police cadet parachute training cost B99,000 a piece and two are required for each plane.

The investigation revealed that the substandard sling in question was bought for under B5,000 and required technicians from TAI to manually modify it in order for it to fit, according to official information from the probe.

Mr Sathon said he wondered why THAI did not have an expert in the types of plane used for parachuting and has a concession to supply the plane to the cadet school for practice. THAI then forwarded the job to TAI. It is only personnel from TAI who are legally responsible.

Mr Sathon also submitted details of the questionable parachute sling supplied and went to national television to tell the story.

Mr Sathon knew he is fighting against defendants who are larger than himself.

He said he has constantly received death threats since he tried to bring the case to court and gave interviews to media.

Two years ago, soldiers came to see him at school without a prior appointment.

Instead of laying low or just stopping the lawsuit, Mr Sathon retaliated by submitting names of suspects – some of them officials who make a threat to the Office of the Attorney-General.

Drugs worth B13bn get torched BANGKOK THE DOOR OF THE NARcotic treasury room at the Food and Drug Administration office is made of heavy steel with a combination lock, like the ones used to store valuables at a bank deposit room.

Wachira Umphon, director of the Substance Control Division is one of the few people with the authority and the password to open it.

Inside the room are hundreds of ordinary cardboard boxes. He opened one to reveal pricey but prohibitive items.

Inside the boxes are drugs

such as crystal meth (ya ice) and heroin.

On the street, a small package of these drugs can fetch thousands of baht, he said.

The entire contents are 6,322 kilograms of confiscated drugs worth B13 billion.

The drugs include 5,514kg of methamphetamine pills (ya

bah), 486kg of ya ice, 108kg of heroin, 122kg of morphine, 10kg of ecstasy and 5kg of cocaine. They were confiscated in 7,245 narcotic cases.

The authority burned the haul on Monday (June 25) to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Tuesday (June 26).

“The cases relating to these drugs have all been cleared, so we can now dispose of these drugs,” Mr Wachira said.

The drug treasury at the FDA office in the Chaeng Watthana area was opened to the media last Thursday (June 21) to show how the drugs and substances are stored and secured.

The burning of confiscated drugs has been done for more than 40 years. Each year, almost 10 tons of drugs are incinerated.

The drugs are set to be destroyed at temperatures higher than 800ºC, he said.

This type of incineration ensures that there are no harmful chemicals, especially

Food and Drug Administration officials display 6,322kg of illegal drugs confiscated during various cases. The drugs, stored at the agency’s warehouse, were incinerated at the Bang Pa-in industrial estate in Ayutthaya on Monday (June 25). Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill carcinogenic dioxins, left airborne after the incineration, Mr Wachira said.

In another development, two Myanmar men were apprehended with 30kg of ya ice valued at B30 million in Chiang Rai last Sunday (June 23). The duo were identified as Sai Lyoe, 32, and Sai Hlang Han, 23.

The arrests came after the Narcotics Suppression Bureau received a tip-off that the drugs

would be smuggled into the country at a hotel on Phahonyothin Rd in Mae Sai district.

Meanwhile, in Pathum Thani, a policeman was shot dead last Thursday by a drug dealer during a drug operation.

Sgt Maj Asarn Ketjampa, 32, a drug suppression officer attached to Nonthaburi province, died after Yongyut Wangpairee, 27, allegedly shot him in the chest.

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

ASIA NEWS

9

Vietnam’s water puppets A show that lures tourists but is largely shunned by locals VIETNAM Delphine Thouvenot and Quy Le Bui

I

n a darkened theatre in central Hanoi, a wooden dragon emerges from a pool to the sound of cymbals crashing in a traditional water puppet show that lures hundreds of tourists daily but is largely shunned by locals.

Backstage behind a thin bamboo screen, around 20 puppeteers slosh around waist-deep in rubber overalls wielding the marionettes with long rods.

“The puppets are pretty heavy... and the water also creates resistance,” said puppeteer Nguyen Thu Hoai, who swapped her galoshes for flip-flops between sold-out shows.

“But our years of training and experience helps us control them,” added Hoai, who like many of her colleagues graduated from Hanoi’s College of Theatre and Cinema.

Some of the puppets weigh as much as 10 kilograms and the largest ones, like the one-metre-tall fairy, require four people to manipulate.

The shows at Hanoi’s Thang Long theatre have become a staple on the well-trodden tourist circuit

@thephuketnews

This picture shows Vietnamese singers and musicians rendering accompaniment during a water puppet performance at the Thang Long theater in Hanoi. Photo: Manan Vatsyayana / AFP and draw thousands every week, including many first-time viewers.

“I’ve never seen a puppet show that way with the water,” American tourist Caroline Thomoff said after a show.

“I could really see people fishing, dancing and all the different performances that happened.”

Vietnam is the birthplace of the centuries-old art form that emerged in the northern rice paddies as entertainment for farmers.

The earliest record of the performances is on a 12th century stele that

still stands at a pagoda in northern Ha Nam province, but historians say water puppetry likely originated even earlier.

The shows traditionally featured age-old fables and mythical lore, like the famous Hanoi parable about a Vietnamese king’s treasured sword that was used to fight off Chinese invaders.

The tropes haven’t changed much, and neither have the hand-carved wooden figures of animals, boats, farmers or fish painted in brilliant golds, reds and greens, according

to Chu Luong, the director of Thang Long theatre.

“When our children and later generations see performances they will be just like the original versions,” he said.

Despite its ancient roots – or perhaps because of them – the shows draw little attention from local Vietnamese viewers, especially millennials.

More than half of Vietnam’s 93 million people are under 30 and often prefer their entertainment in digital form.

“There are new types of entertainment now, electronic devices and the internet, so apart from festivals we can’t perform all the time because (local) people don’t watch a lot,” said Pham Dinh Viem, a third-generation puppet carver from a craft village in Thai Binh province.

Like other puppet craftsmen in the village, Viem doesn’t earn enough to support his family making the marionettes so he picks up work on the side as a manual labourer.

But he perseveres, hopeful the next generation might pick up a passion he says runs in his blood.

Yet as interest wanes at home, there are signs water puppetry may be gaining traction abroad.

Canadian Director Robert Lepage returned to Toronto this year with an adaptation of Stravinsky’s opera “The Nightingale”, in which the orchestra pit was transformed into a pool of water for singers-come-puppeteers commanding marionettes.

For puppet maker Viem, such innovative approaches may be the secret to reviving the centuries-old tradition among locals.

“If the script and the performance don’t change, it’s impossible to serve the audience in the long-term,’ he said.

AFP

10 WORLD NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

New York puts its rats on ice Big Apple’s new weapon spells certain death for resident rodents UNITED STATES Thomas Urbain

A

snout and two little black eyes pop out from the hole, too late: A foot already covers them and the hole will be quickly filled with dry ice.

This new weapon in the hands of New York’s sanitation service spells certain death for the rat.

Rick Simeone’s team is at work in Sara D. Roosevelt Park on the Lower East Side, one of Manhattan’s oldest districts.

The day before, they spent more than three hours locating all the entrances to the burrows, 67 in all. That means there could be more than 250 “rattus norvegicus”, the scientific name for common brown rats, living there.

Burrow by burrow, the team drops into each hole several small pellets resembling ice cubes but which are actually dry ice, carbon dioxide in solid form.

The surrounding air temperature ensures that the carbon dioxide reverts to gaseous

A rat tries to escape as Health Department workers place dry ice into rat burrows in Sara D. Roosevelt Park, in China Town. NYC’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Division of Environmental Health workers currently exterminate rats using dry ice. Photo: Don Emmert / AFP form and asphyxiates the rats, which are usually asleep at this time of the day.

Normally, 90 to 100% of the rodents are exterminated.

“It’s a method that’s very effective in mostly green

spaces, parks,” says Simeone, director of pest control for the New York City Health Department.

“You always hear that rats are winning the battle. But this turns it around.”

Rats have made their home in New York since the middle of the 18th Century and are responsible for the transmission of numerous diseases.

A 2014 study published by a PhD candidate at Columbia University estimated there are about two million rats in the US financial capital, which has a human population of more than 8.5mn.

The rats are most often seen scurrying in the street or in the subway. A celebrated video posted on YouTube in 2015 showed a rat dragging a slice of pizza on the subway stairs.

They live an average of only six or seven months in the port city, but a female can give birth to as many as 100 baby rats each year.

In 2012, John Stellberger became the first to use dry ice against rats in the United States, based on an idea from one of his employees.

The head of EHS Pest

Control company, Stellberger recalls that he spoke of the idea with sanitation officials in Boston, who conducted a brief trial in 2016.

That pilot was suspended after several months pending an approval by the US Environmental Protection Agency, which came in June 2017.

At the beginning of this year after several months of tests, New York officially adopted the dry ice technique, joining Boston, Chicago and Washington.

Dry ice is only used in open spaces including parks and green areas, Simeone explained, because it would be too complicated to identify rat tunnels in the streets or residential areas where concrete is everywhere.

Aside from its effectiveness, dry ice presents no risk to wildlife in parks and public gardens, unlike rodenticide which had previously been the only weapon deployed

against rats.

The newer method, which costs about the same as poison, corresponds to the times, Stellberger explains. Many of his customers ask him to get rid of rats without cruelty.

Simeone says the rodents “sort of go to sleep” as they asphyxiate.

But dry ice alone will not resolve New York’s rat problem, warns Simeone, as well as Robert Corrigan, the president of RMC Pest Management Consulting who is sometimes called the “Rat Czar” for his expertise in ridding the world of rodents.

In July, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio presented a major $32 million (B1.055 billion) plan targeting rats and focused on the three most infected districts of the city.

The plan did not put dry ice in the forefront but rather the rats’ access to food, which is the heart of the problem. Each pest needs about 80 grams of food a day to survive.

Intelligent garbage cans, closed containers, greater frequency of garbage collection, and collaboration among different city services – the program aims to put an end to the permanent pantry which New York streets have become for rats.

Corrigan, who worked with the Department of Health for 12 years, is pleased that authorities have finally chosen to tackle the question from a scientific rather than an empirical way.

“When I see a lot of rats on a block, instead of asking where should I put my poison, I ask: ‘Who’s feeding these rats?’,” Corrigan said to illustrate this change in philosophy.

As Simeone says, “eliminate the garbage” and you no longer need poison.

AFP

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

BUSINESS NEWS 11

AccorHotels inks deal for Pullman Khao Lak PROPERTY The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

Thailand in May welcomed no fewer than 2.755 million foreign visitors, which represented a year-on-year increase of 6.35%, the Tourism Ministry has reported. Photo: NNT

A

ccorHotels has signed an agreement with Thailand-based real estate developer Khaolak Inter Co Ltd to launch the brand-new 251-room Pullman Khao Lak Resort opening in 2021.

The resort is the group’s second partnership with Khaolak Inter Co Ltd, following the opening of Novotel Phuket Patong in 1996.

“This partnership marks an important step for AccorHotels and we are very excited to partner with Khaolak Inter Co Ltd to expand our portfolio in Southern Thailand with the Pullman brand,” said Patrick Basset, Chief Operating Officer AccorHotels Upper Southeast & Northeast Asia and the Maldives.

“Pullman represents global nomads of hyper-connected travellers and sophisticated explorers who enjoy combining work and pleasure,” he added.

Located an hour’s drive north of Phuket, the Pullman Khao Lak Resort will offer beachfront accommodation opening onto the white-sand beach.

Designed by award-winning Tierra, Design and Hypothesis, the resort will be located near the historical heritage town of Takua Pa.

@thephuketnews

Thailand welcomes 16.4 million arrivals The resort will also offer seven private villas and an adult-only infinity pool overlooking the Andaman Sea. The resort will boast 50 family suites and a large kids club specially designed for guests travelling with children.

For couples and business travellers looking for a peaceful getaway, the resort will also offer seven private villas and an adult-only infinity pool overlooking the Andaman Sea. “We look forward to another exciting partnership with AccorHotels with the launch of Pullman Khao Lak. The resort offers travellers a gorgeous backdrop of the island’s sunsets with stunning views of its surrounding nature that showcases a rich historical local culture,” said Khaolak Inter Director Michael Choo.

“The combined expertise with AccorHotels will give us an opportunity to

contribute to the growth and development of the local community in the area.”

Pullman today features more than 120 worldwide properties including Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel, Pullman Park Lane Hong Kong, Pullman Shanghai South, Pullman London St Pancras and Pullman Sao Paulo Vila Olimpia.

In Phuket the company operates the Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach and the Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach.

The Pullman brand is part of AccorHotels, which operates more than 4,300 hotels, resorts and residences along with some 10,000 high-end private homes around the globe. There are currently over 120 Pullman hotels in 33 countries.

TOURISM DURING THE FIRST FIVE months of 2018, Thailand received a total of 16.4 million overseas visitors, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS).

MOTS Permanent Secretary Pongpanu Svetarundra announced that Thailand in May welcomed no fewer than 2.755 million foreign visitors, which represented a year-onyear increase of 6.35%, state news agency NNT reported last Saturday (Jan 23).

The international tourists in May alone generated more than B136.71mn in tourism revenue, Mr Pongpanu said.

The top three foreign na-

tionalities visiting Thailand were from China, Malaysia and India.

Mr Pongpanu added that tourism has been sluggish during the month partly due to the fasting ritual of Ramadan.

During the first five months of 2018, the number of foreign visitors surged 12.62% to 16.456mn who spent a total of B867.46mn, an increase of 16.11% year-on-year, Mr Pongpanu said.

Of note, so far this year 802,496 Russians have visited Thailand, an increase of 21.36% on the same period last year, together generating a total of B63.811mn in tourism revenue, a marked increase of by 22.18% on the same period last year.

NNT

12 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

Working WITHOUT a permit?

Emergency Royal Decree introduces raft of new changes of up to an additional 15 days may be made;

LAW Jerrold Kippen

T

Tax & Law Expert Duensing Kippen

he general rule is that someone who is not a Thai citizen must obtain a work permit if he or she wants to work in Thailand.

Recently, however, Thailand has made a few significant exceptions to this general rule, as well as, some other notable changes to the foreign work permission regimen.

Until last year Thailand regulated foreign work permissions under the Alien Workers Act (2008) (the “Act”). In 2017 the Emergency Decree on Non-Thais’ Working Management Emergency Decree, (2017) (“Decree No. 1”) repealed the Alien Workers Act (2008).

Decree No. 1, however, incorporated much of the repealed Alien Workers Act’s provisions and kept in force most of the regulations issued under it.

Normally, an Act, a law,

For some people the need to be issued a work permit has just gone the way of the dodo. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot can only be repealed in Thailand by another law passed by the legislature. However, Decree No. 1 was issued under Section 172 of Thailand’s Constitution, which provides for the King of Thailand to issue an emergency decree “for the purpose of maintaining national or public safety,

national economic security, or averting public calamity”.

And Section 172 also provides that such an emergency decree has the force of an Act or law as long as such decree is later approved by the legislature.

On March 27, 2018, the Emergency Decree on Non-

Thais’ Working Management (No.2) (2018) (“Decree No. 2”) was issued. Decree No. 2 amended Decree No. 1.

Interestingly, the definition of “working” under the Decree No. 1 remained as broad as in the Act and was defined as “the use of physical strength or knowledge for engaging in an occupation or a job with or without an intention to obtain wages or any other benefit”.

Decree No. 2 now redefines “work” as “an engagement of any profession, with or without employer, but excluding business operation of a licensee under the law governing foreigners’ business operation”.

Decree No. 1 prohibits people who are not Thai citizens from engaging in specific occupations. Permission to do such work will not be granted.

Other occupations are open to non-Thais; however, the work performed by anyone who is not a Thai citizen is strictly limited to the activities and conditions to conduct such provided in the permission granted. However, Decree No. 2 now provides for exceptions to the mandatory work permit application requirement as well as other revisions of note.

T he most sig nif icant changes under the Decree No. 2 are as follows: A. The following non-Thais can carry out certain activities in Thailand without a work permit: (1) a non-Thai who comes to Thailand on a short-term periodic basis to: hold or to attend a meeting, lecture, seminar, training, exhibition of art or culture, or sports competition; provide an opinion; inspect work of others;

or, any other activities, as prescribed by the Council of Ministers.

(2) a non-Thai who enters into Thailand to: operate a business; make an investment; or who has knowledge, ability, or skills that are considered beneficial to the development of the country; (3) a non-Thai legal representative (e.g. director) of an alien juristic person that is licensed to operate business under the Foreign Business Act (1999); B. The need for “emergency work”. It remains the case, as provided for under Decree No. 1 that a non-Thai who wishes to work in Thailand on an urgent and necessary basis for a period of up to 15 days is no longer required to receive formal approval of such from the Department of Employment and need only to notify the Department of such (Note: failure to do so is subject to a fine of up to B50,000). However, Decree No. 2 has amended this provision such that if the work cannot be completed within 15 days an application for an extension

C. An employer of and a non-Thai employee must notify the Department of Employment of: (1) the name, nationality and nature of work of a nonThai employee within 15 days of employment; and (2) the cessation of employment and the reason for such cessation of employment of a non-Thai employee within 15 days after the employment ends.

Note: an employer or a non-Thai employee who fails to notify the Department of Employment of the above is subject to a fine of up to B20,000; D. Work permit applications are now permitted to be filed electronically; and E. Penalties under Decree No. 1 have been significantly reduced. For example: (1) the penalties for working without a work permit under Decree No.1 was an imprisonment for a term not exceeded five years or a fine ranging from B2,000 to B100,000, or both. But under Decree No. 2 that has been reduced to a fine ranging from B5,000 to B50,000 and the imprisonment penalty has been repealed; and (2) the penalties for employing a non-Thai employee without a work permit under Decree No. 1 was a fine ranging from B400,000 to B800,000 for each employee so employed.

Under Decree No. 2 this has been changed to a fine ranging from B10,000 to B100,000.

DUENSING KIPPEN is an international law firm specialising in business transaction and dispute resolution matters, with offices in Bangkok and Phuket, Thailand and affiliated offices in over 50 other countries. Visit them at: duensingkippen.com

A ‘Tentative Translation’ of the decree posted on the thai Department of Employment website. Photo: DoE thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

Southern Thailand’s cultural seam of design

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

14

Classics get a deft a makeover at Big Fish

16

KEEPING MUSIC ALIVE Ivan Sharapov’s amazing musical journey around Phuket and beyond

Image courtesy of Dmitry Vyalkov, a screengrab from his video of Ivan playing at the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary in Thalang.

Anton Makhrov news@novostiphuketa.com

I

t was on an ordinary tropical night in early 2015 when a musician knocked on the door of The Phuket News’ office. Fresh off the boat to Phuket shores, he was desperate for guidance into the local musical scene, but had zero acquaintances on the island and not a single clue on where to start. A local newspaper looked as good a starting point as anything else. After all, journalists should know people around the place, shouldn’t they?

That is how I first met Ivan Sharapov, probably the most amazing piano player and music teacher in Phuket, and beyond.

Now in his mid-30s, Ivan – a piano virtuoso and opera singer – mastered his skills at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory and the Moscow State University of Culture and the Arts. Now he is busy showcasing his talent all around Thailand as well as passing his knowledge to local students in Phuket who learn performing arts under his guidance.

This burning desire to play music is exactly what brought him to The Phuket News those few years ago and @thephuketnews

later turned his life into an amazing trip around Thailand that is still ongoing.

“The mission of all music is to bring pleasure to people, it should resonate.

Music is not the kind of art you can keep in a drawer of your desk. Music is dead when it’s not being played,” Ivan explains.

Ivan’s first performance in Phuket took place at the inaugural Laguna Phuket Food and Music Festival. To be exact, Ivan played and sang after the official program of the show as his participation was absolutely spontaneous.

“I was enjoying a walk around Laguna area one day and saw some people installing a stage. Feeling the desire to perform, I approached the organisers of the event and asked if I could sing a couple of Italian songs after the official program. Surprisingly, they agreed and I hurried home to get dressed into a proper suit,” Ivan says.

Ivan returned to that stage three years later to take part in this year’s Laguna Phuket Food and Music Festival.

During those three years he gave numerous concerts for various audiences.

Ivan performed for patients and staff at Mission Hospital; for the men in uniform at Region 8 Police Headquarters; at numerous events at the Russian Embassy; at a big Red Cross Charity and at the Pa

Khlok Nursing Home for the Elderly.

For Ivan there are no such things as unsuitable place, time or audience.

Music should be heard, otherwise it is dead. On Ivan’s Facebook page one can find a musical video of his “Concert for the Elephant”, a performance at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary where he played classical pieces for 37-year-old female elephant Phang Tong Kwaw. “An unforgettable project” is how Ivan calls that performance.

Ivan’s most challenging and important performance so far took place on October 13 last year when he played a nine-hour-long non-stop music marathon in remembrance of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The event took place at River City Bangkok, a crowded place on any day. Some people just passed him by, others stopped for a while to listen, few stayed for long and Ivan kept playing and playing compositions by Rachmaninoff, Chopin, other composers of the past and His Majesty King Rama 9 of course.

Ivan’s supporting team say that passers-by could not believe that a man can perform a nine-hour non-stop set of complicated compositions. Ivan did.

“This was our mission on behalf of all Russian people. We were paying tribute to the man who turned Thailand

into the country we know and love, the county we enjoy visiting, living and raising our kids in. This was the expression of our deepest gratitude to His Majesty,” the marathon pianist says.

Ivan’s current repertoire is a true celebration of diversity. The musician performs pieces by great composers of the past, as well as modern songs. A program may include Seasons and the Serenade of Don Juan by Tchaikovsky; various preludes by Rachmaninoff, Heroic Polonaise by Chopin, What a wonderful world by Armstrong and songs by King Bhumibol. The latter are nearly a must for Ivan on any big event.

“Royal songs are deeply loved by Thai people and widely popular. Thais know them by heart and can continue any song from any given place,” Ivan says.

Right now Ivan is busy preparing a special repertoire for his musical tribute to His Majesty King Rama 10. He is planning to play in honour of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun on Thursday, July 26. Stay tuned to ThePhuketNews.com for more details.

Also, Ivan will be performing at the Open Your Heart Charity Dinner by Lions Club of Phuket Pearl tomorrow (June 30). See pages 20-21 for details.

14 EXPLORE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

Sino-Portuguese shophouses in of Phuket Old Town (above), and in the heart of Songkhla Town (above, right). Photos: TAT

Southern Thai charms Phuket boom spurs European architectural influence in Thailand Luc Citrinot

I

f you could travel back in time, would you like to immerse yourself in the dawn of Peranakan culture? This fascinating marriage of SinoPortuguese communities, that in the 19th century developed their cultural identity, lives on today in Southern Thailand and is also responsible for some of the region’s most remarkable architecture.

It all started in Phuket. By the middle of the 19th century, as the island’s tin mining industry grew, it became an important trading hub on the Andaman Sea. Tin mining was an important revenue source and major commodity for the wealthy Phuket elite.

These mines were developed by the British in Kathu district as early as 1830 and then in Thalang around 1860. Mining particularly attracted Chinese workers and traders who mostly came from Penang in the then “Malaya”.

Walk around Phuket Town and Georgetown,

Penang in Malaysia today and it is obvious that the two destinations are linked architecturally as defined by the rows of SinoPortuguese shophouses and gracious stand-alone mansions.

Peranakan design influences in Sino-Portuguese architecture include bright colours on walls and tiles, columns, stucco and pediments.

Many stunning examples are clustered along Krabi Rd, Yaowarat Rd and Dibuk Rd where some villas were converted into museums, such as the beautiful Thai Hua Museum that recognises the Chinese community or the imposing Chinpracha Mansion still owned by the same family. Others are now restaurants, the most impressive being the former Governor’s residence, superbly restored as the Blue Elephant Restaurant.

Along Soi Romanee, Dibuk Rd, Thalang Rd and Yaowarat Rd stand rows of shophouses beautifully restored with their classical columns, bas-relief and colourful tiles. Some are now small boutique hotels and available for very decent rates.

Moving north of Phuket, visitors can travel to Phang Nga province and discover the provincial town of Takua Pa, another important centre of tin mining in the first half of the 20th century. The town’s main road is lined with the ubiquitous shophouses. Takua Pa recently found its revival spirit with new cafes and small inns opening, probably seduced by the old town charm.

Heading south, travellers need to pass Krabi to reach Trang province, where its regional capital is also deeply steeped in history.

Trang is a rather low-profile city, populated mostly by ethnic Thais or Chinese. The latter arrived some 130 years ago from Southern China for work along the ports or in the tin industry.

And like in nearby Phuket or Penang, Trang is full of

Colourful shopfronts in Trang Town’s old quarter. Photo: TAT houses built in a simplified SinoPortuguese style. Walking around the streets of the historical centre of Trang around the railway station and the market, visitors can discover many of these shophouses.

Most historical houses in Trang can be found between Kantang Rd, Sathanee Rd and Ratchadamnoen Rd. A simple, retro lifestyle represents this low-profile city and will surely take travellers back in time in Thailand as it used to be in the early 1970s.

Over in Songkhla province, just over the mountain range to the east and easily accessible by bus, Songkhla Town’s historic old town is bordered by Nakhon Nok Rd, Nakhon Nai Rd and Kao Hong Rd (also called Nang Ngam Rd).

Songkhla Town’s old town is one of the best Sino-Portuguese preserved cities in Thailand, as it still has three to four dozen oldstyle houses. They are decorated with stucco, Ionic or Corinthian columns. Each is still part of Songkhla’s lively heritage, as many are still owned by the same families, many for more than 100 years. Others are home to biscuit and cake makers, small craft shops,

coffee outlets and restaurants that are all around the old town with families still living and working there for generations.

Then there are two of Songkhla’s not-to-be-missed iconic buildings.

The National Museum, which used to be the private residence of Songkhla Vice Governor Phraya Sundranuraksa. Its design is mostly inspired by Chinese mansions. However, it also has many European flourishes; such as, a grand staircase and arched galleries.

And it is impossible to miss the strong red façade of the Hub Ho Hin Rice Mill, a factory that was built according to British standards and equipped with steam engines from England. It was used as a rubber storage house and now serves as a private pier for small boats.

Note: This is the second of the five-part story on European architectural heritage in Thailand written by Luc Citrinot, a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years’ experience, for the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PEOPLE 15

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

Sea change of adaptation First genetic adaptation to diving discovered in ‘Sea Nomads’

Kerry Sheridan

Ms Ilardo took genetic samples and did ultrasound scans, which showed that Bajau had spleens about 50% larger than those of the Saluan.

The Bajau community. @thephuketnews

R

esearchers have discovered the first evidence that people can genetically adapt to deep diving, as shown by the unusually large spleens in indigenous people of Indonesia known as the “Sea Nomads”, a scientific study has revealed.

The spear-fishing Bajau people regularly free-dive to depths of up to 70 metres, with only weights and a wooden mask.

They spend up to 60% of their work day diving for fish, spearing octopus and gathering crustaceans – an amount of time rivalled only by sea otters – and can stay underwater up to 13 minutes at a time, said the report in the journal Cell.

Intrigued by this unusual ability, American researcher Melissa Ilardo, at the time a postdoctoral candidate at the Centre for GeoGenetics at the University of Copenhagen, wondered if they had genetically adapted somehow to be able to spend more time underwater than other people.

She spent several months in Jaya Bakti, Indonesia, with the help of a translator, getting to know the Bajau and another nearby group that did not dive, the Saluan.

“I spent my whole first visit to Jaya Bakti introducing myself, the project, and the underlying science,” she said.

“I wanted to be sure that they understood exactly what I was asking of them so they could help to direct the project to reflect their interests. They were very curious and excited about the research.”

Before her second visit, she learned some Indonesian in order to be able to communicate directly with the Bajau.

Scans and gene tests Ms Ilardo took genetic samples and did ultrasound scans, which showed that Bajau had spleens about 50% larger than those of the Saluan.

Spleens are important in diving – and are also enlarged in some seals – because they release more oxygen into the blood when the body is under stress, or a person is holding their breath underwater.

Spleens were larger in the Bajau people whether they were regular divers or not, and further analysis of their DNA revealed why.

Comparing the genomes of the Bajau to two different populations, the Saluan and the Han Chinese, scientists found 25 sites that differed significantly.

Among them was one site on a gene known as PDE10A, which was determined to be linked to the Bajau’s larger spleen size.

In mice, “PDE10A is known for regulating a thyroid hormone that controls spleen size, lending support for the idea that the Bajau might have evolved the spleen size necessary to sustain their long and frequent dives,” said the study.

More research is needed to understand how thyroid hormone affects human spleen size.

The findings could boost research in medicine by helping researchers understand how the body reacts to a loss of oxygen in various contexts, from diving to high-latitude climbing to surgery and lung disease.

“This really tells us how valuable and important indigenous populations are around the world that are living

A Bajau diver hunting fish underwater using a traditional spear off the islands of Indonesia. Photos: AFP / Melissa Ilardo

extreme lifestyles,” said co-author Eske Willerslev, a professor at the University of Copenhagen.

Willerslev admitted he initially urged Ms Ilardo not to pursue the research for her PhD thesis, believing it was too risky and that she may find nothing.

“She said she wanted to do it anyway and that paid off. Melissa was right and our concerns were wrong.”

Ms Ilardo said she was aware of the risks but “believed so strongly in this project”, that she had to push on.

“The Bajau and other Sea Nomads are simply extraordinary and I wanted to be able to prove that to the world,” she said, now a US National Institutes of Health postdoctoral scholar at the department of Molecular Medicine at the University of Utah.

AFP

The Bajau dive using only a wooden mask.

16 DINING

Big Fish, hooked on classics Executive Chef Bastian Ballweg goes ‘Back to Basics’, with a twist Chris Husted execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

The theme to the new dining options available at Big Fish is to provide more focus on “back to basics” and local cuisine.

Executive Chef Bastian Ballweg.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

A new favourite: Surf ’N’ Turf, with softshell crab, not prawns.

F

inding the delicate balance of whether to introduce a new twist to a classic dish or to just leave the long-standing favourite alone takes a masterstroke of culinary discipline, yet that is exactly what Bastian Ballweg, the new Executive Chef at the Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach, has undertaken.

Chef Bastian, who hails from Germany, has devised for the Big Fish Restaurant & Bar at the resort a menu of seven new of plats du jour, literally one for each day of the week: Monday – Naiyang Surf ’N’ Turf (B1,050++); Tuesday – Seafood “Mediterranean” (B950++); Wednesday – Duck A L’Orange (B1,050++); Thursday – Best of Andaman (B950++); Friday – “Strindberg” Ribeye (B1,050++); Saturday – Tasmanian Salmon (B950++); and Sunday – Tenderloin Rossini (B1,050++).

All seven dishes are well-known classics, but Chef Bastian has brought a touch of his own flair to set the dishes slightly apart from the norm, inspired from his experience in the region. After arriving on the island in 2012 to join to the South American Steakhouse as Executive Chef, he joined The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket, in 2015, the prestigious property that now forms part of Marriott International’s portfolio.

Of the new “Dish of the Day” selection at Big Fish, Chef Bastian explains, “I chose these dishes because they are very traditional and old recipes, but I give these recipes a little bit of a modern twist.”

The theme to the new dining options available at Big Fish is to provide more focus on “back to basics” and local cuisine, he adds.

“Back to Basics is for me like a restaurant 20 years ago – service in front of the guests, really good food, simple and tasty,” Chef Bastian explains.

Sourcing local produce is also rated high in importance, as is in any fine cooking. “We don’t need many imported items, we have very nice ingredients right

Highlights – Top left: Tasmanian Salmon. Above: Tenderloin ‘Rossini’. Left: Best of Andaman. here on our front door,” he notes.

Popular highlights on the Dish of the Day menu are the Naiyang Surf ’N’ Turf, the Duck A L’Orange and the Strindberg Ribeye.

“We put a twist of classic Western food to the modern presentation of the food at Big Fish in general,” Chef Bastian says.

By example, he explains, “For Naiyang Surf ’N’ Turf, in the old days surf meant prawns and fish but now we use softshell crabs, and as for the presentation of the dishes, we make it simple and straightforward.

“What you order is what you see on the plate, there is no food ‘transformation’ and we do not process it much in order to allow guests to use their taste buds to savour the original taste of the food,” Chef Bastian adds.

“The Food at Big Fish has been created with our Marriott local adaptation.

We make food from what we have and we do not encourage much imported food.

“For a la carte seafood served, there are some fusion ingredients between Thai and Western,” he says, adding by example, “Our seafood dipping sauce is a

mixture of olive oil and seafood instead of using fish sauce. However, guests can request it if they want it,” he smiles.

Yet Chef Bastian will not risk any change to traditional dishes whose welltoned tastes and textures have only become more popular and respected over time. “Good running dishes I will not change,” he says plainly.

Looking to the future of diners’ preferences in Phuket, and the shape of things to come on dining tables across the island, Chef Bastian sees vegetarian fare rising to prominence.

“The growing trend is more and more guests are going to be vegetarian. This is a trend we have to follow up,” Chef Bastian explains.

“We have vegetarian options in our menus, but we are working on having more and my team is happy to create individual vegetarian dishes for our guests,” he says.

The Big Fish Restaurant & Bar is located at the Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach. Call 076-625555, or visit Facebook: Big Fish Restaurant & Bar or PhuketMarriottNaiYang.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

EDUCATION 17

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

Taking part in environmental projects broadens horizons.

Excursions and camps promote a deeper understanding of the importance of wildlife.

A formula for success

QSIP initiatives extend excellence in Math into Arts and Life Charles Dimpfl Head of Secondary, QSIP

A few of our recent endeavours undertaken by our student body have produced amazing results, in the disciplines of Science, Math and the Arts.

S

tudents from QSI International School of Phuket participated in the World Math Games competition for the school year of 2017-18. We are pleased to announce that students from our school ranked #1 in mathematics in all of Phuket and ranked #2 in all of Thailand.

Overall our school ranked 60th in the whole world, based on the results provided by the World Mathematics Organization for the school year 2017-18.

The World Math Games are an event held every year and challenges students and schools to compete, mathematically, for ranking. The World Math Games are sponsored by Unicef (the United Nations Children Fund) and was, also, originally created by another sponsor, Nasa (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

One of our students finished the World Math Games in the top 125 (out of 4-6 million students competing), at one point of the competition he was ranking 21st in the world. We, here at QSI, are so proud of him and of all of our students showing Thailand and the world, the potential and capabilities provided by the QSI International School of Phuket academic curriculum!

QSI International School of Phuket is centrally located, easily accessible from all locations on the island. QSIP is a private, non-profit institution that opened in September of 2000. It offers an exemplary education in English language for elementary and secondary students.

Our warm and welcoming school community makes an ideal place for children to learn and grow. This is one of the factors that allows our students to thrive, be it mathematically as proven above, or through our Science curriculum. There are many disciplines of study here at QSI, I am going to highlight the amazing opportunities and accomplishments set by QSI students.

“Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.” (A. Einstein)

Charles Dimpfl, Head of Secondary, QSI International School of Phuket. @thephuketnews

Here at QSI International School of Phuket we pride ourselves, not only in the warm, family-orientated atmosphere we provide for all of our students, but for the level of excellence we motivate our students to pursue. To get involved! Our students cherish the

abundance of opportunities we, here at QSI, continue to offer. And our students have taken it to heart. A few of our recent endeavours undertaken by our student body have produced amazing results, in the disciplines of Science, Math and the Arts.

A few of the achievements our students thrived at in the Sciences recently include collaboration with the Mai Khao Turtle Foundation. Every year the Foundation releases baby turtles into the ocean in an attempt to increase the indigenous turtle populations. Our students worked in high collaboration with the Foundation, not only being recognised by the Mai Khao Foundation as an integral part of its success, but our students have been recognised, internationally and awarded by the United States Department of Agriculture, C.I.T.E.S. (conservation of endangered species) a Certificate of Appreciation.

Other events include our annual “Mineral Lick” excursion. The students here at QSI International School of Phuket are given special permission to enter prohibited government land (Thailand jungle), camp, and deposit specific minerals to the biology of Thailand wilderness in an attempt to further promote wildlife populations.

The students learn the importance of practising good citizenship and servitude to our Planet Earth. These are just a couple of examples of the wonderful things we do here at QSI International School of Phuket to promote success for all of our students.

In terms of our mathematics’ curriculum, as previously mentioned above, our students thrive in their proven abilities, on a local level, as well as internationally! Besides placing first in Phuket, second in all of Thailand, and 60th in the world, based on the World Mathematics Organization, our students excel with their NWEA [international Core Standards] MAP mathematical assessments. Students in Secondary School are expected to show a growth rate of +3 points [on their assessment], throughout the year.

Our students, on average, show a mathematical growth rate of +8 points. This growth rate is approximately three times the international average expected. Yet another example of our students here at QSI International School of Phuket excelling and going “above and beyond” expectations.

Freeing baby turtles is good for the mind and the soul.

“Our experience up to date justifies us in feeling sure that in Nature is actualized the ideal of mathematical simplicity.” (A. Einstein) In conclusion, I am honoured to be an educator and to be a part of such a motivated, academic and intrinsically student-based institution. The stewardship of our students here, at QSI International School of Phuket expresses their drive for over-achieving, and the possibilities set forth by this institution, make it a privilege to experience and to be considered a member of “the QSI family”!

18 ISLAND SCENE

So professional, so young. Well done!

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

From left: Gareth Eynon, Permkiat Ketkul, Thidaporn Laoviseskul, Pimphan Yorsangrath.

It was a proud performance for young and old.

Lovely ladies ready to join the audience.

MUCH ADO ABOUT DR DOLITTLE AT KAJONKIET END OF YEAR SHOW 2018 Kajonkiet International School, Phuket (KIS) proudly presented the production of Dr Dolittle Junior in its KIS End of Year Show 2018 last weekend. More than 100 students from Nursery through Year 9 took part in the school show, which was performed on both the Friday and the Saturday (June 22-23) to much enjoyment of the more than 400 parents and guests. Khun Permkiat Ketkul, the school director, warmly welcomed all the guests in person before the show’s premiere on the Friday.

A proud effort by one and all.

On the road, for a 700km round-trip.

RIDE 4 KIDS BREAKING BARRIERS FOR CHARITY The Ride 4 Kids V2.0 Charity event held earlier this month has smashed its pre-ride target of B1 million for three local charities that are all child orientated: Phuket Has Been Good to Us, The Good Shepherd and Outrigger’s own charity initiative, Share 4 Change. The pre-ride target was B1 million baht and at the time of writing fundraising had passed B1.5mn, and money is still rolling in. Needless to say whatever the final figure is, the organiser, Donna Toon, said she had been “totally blown away by the generosity and support of the Phuket community who’ve really taken this event to heart. We can’t wait to see the good that all their efforts will do locally for the children less fortunate than our own”.

Organiser Donna Toon (right) ready to pedal.

A hard six days’ ride for a good cause. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ISLAND SCENE 19

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

A swing and a hit on the golf course.

A host of sponsors stood up to be counted in taking part in the event.

Boon Yongsakul (centre) of Phuket Boat Lagoon helps to hold up one of the prize cheques.

Sam Sethi addresses the crowd.

PHUKET REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT 2018 The Phuket Real Estate Association’s annual Charity Golf Tournament for 2018 took place at Laguna Golf Phuket last Saturday (June 23) with this year’s winners named as The Social Butterflies. As with previous editions of the event, the aim was to have a great day of golf and lots of fun for a great cause, and as always, the main objective of the event was to raise money for charity, and this year’s beneficiary will be the Thalang Hospital. Monies raised will provide much needed medical equipment for the facility.

Phuket Vice Governor Thawornwat Kongkaew (left) is welcomed to the event.

The annual expo is a must-attend for many in Phuket.

ANDAMAN HOTELIER AND TOURISM FAIR BRINGS TOGETHER EXPERTISE

Youngsters strut their stuff at the grand opening last Friday.

@thephuketnews

The Andaman Hotelier and Tourism Fair 2018 kicked off last Friday (June 22) at Central Festival Phuket East, with the annual show open 10am to 8pm, and concluding last Sunday (June 24). The three-day event featured various skill competitions under the concept “Green and Innovation”, including creating flower arrangements from recycled items, arranging floating flowers in spa settings in a “saving the world” style, as well as the now-traditional contests for setting up of spa beds, fruit and vegetable carving, cooking with local ingredients and the popular contest for the best bartender. Further, this year there was a Miss and Mr Andaman Hotelier 2018 pageant with B100,000 first prize up for grabs.

The event, which has long been strongly supported by many businesses and organisations engaged in the local hotel and tourism industry, aims to support and improve the skills of staff at all levels in Phuket’s hospitality and tourism sectors to international standard and features an expo of booths focused on hotel and tourism products and services.

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

29 JUN

SAT

30 JUN

Mussels night @ Shakers

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night

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

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

Boucherie Restaurant, Chalong, Phuket. For tickets please contact Sara Nattaporn 084-745-4497 (ThaiEnglish). For your convenience, payment may be made by transfer to Lions Club of Phuket Pearl, Siam Commercial Bank Public Co.,Ltd. Saving Account No: 633-2-11903-4 Chaofa Road Branch, Phuket City.

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites!

Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken.

Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic. Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band!

Come for the FOOD - RESERVE Your Table Now Online at bit.ly/TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents Reservation, Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

An Italian Evening Enjoy a selection of Italian antipasti, cold cuts, premium cheese, marinated olives, grill vegetables, homemade pickles, caprese skewers, bruschetta and homemade breads - all complemented by free-flow Italian beverages. B1,999 net per person for antipasti buffet and free-flow Italian beverages. Enjoy 25% OFF when you dine with four persons or more. Reservations at Dusit Thani, Laguna, Phuket: dtlpfb@dusit. com or call 076 362 999 ext.7303.

ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 445 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs!

Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavor-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. www.twochefs.com

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

Royal Thai Cuisine with Gracious Hospitality Ruen Thai opens its doors to unveil the charming authentic Royal Thai recipes passed through the ages, paired harmoniously with carefully selected premium beverages and spirits to enhance your evening. Exclusive Royal Thai Cuisine Pairing Dinner, Available at Ruen Thai during 30 June - 6 July 2018. THB 2,500++per person (Dusit Gold Member enjoys 10% discount) 6:00PM - 10:30PM Advanced reservation is required. Reservations, Ruen Thai Restaurant at Dusit Thani Laguna, Phuket, dtlpfb@dusit.com, 076 362 999 ext 7310.

Jazz Night Jazz Night at Mom Tri’s Wok Pagoda Kitchen, Every Saturday night from 18:00 - 20:00 with Canape & Cocktail. For more infomation & reservation please contact 076-333-568 or fb@villaroyalephuket.com THB 850 per person. Mom Tri’s Wok Pagoda, fb@villaroyalephuket.com, 076-333-568.

SUN

1 JUL Go Live Sunday Seafood Brunch - Only July and August

Healthy Vegan Buffet at DiLite Restaurant Come to Thanyapura’s DiLite Restaurant to enjoy a healthy vegan buffet every Monday to Saturday. Lunch: 12pm to 3pm Dinner: 6pm to 8:30pm. Price: Lunch B350 and Dinner B550. Information and bookings call 076 336 000 or visit: thanyapura.com/hotel/dining/

Open Your Heart Charity

by Lions Phuket Pearl We would like to invite you to join us by sponsoring to join this Charity Dinner by chef Pascal Geudin - Professional Chef from France. Needy students scholarships has always been our focus as we know that funds must be there to ensure that learning will not stop and this is why we need your help! On Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 7.30 P.M. to 10.30 P.M. at La

Sunday Roast All Day, All Night Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach

The Banyan Tree Brunch experience offers a generous selection of live fresh, local and imported seafood with exceptional Lobsters dishes, Japaneses starters, mouth-watering meats, Asian wok and Western grill treats. Gourmet cuisine, exceptional service, Live Jazz and tranquil surroundings, The Banyan Tree Brunch has something for everyone! Every Sunday 12.00 - 15.30, Prices start from THB 2,800 net per person. **Come 4 pay 2 so 50% off or come 2 and get 25% off. Reservations, Banyan Tree Phuket, fbphuket@banyantree.com

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

SUN

1 JUL

WED

SUN

4 JUL

Traditional Sunday Roast at O’Tool’s

GREG FLEET - AUSTRALIA’S FUNNIEST COMEDIAN

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

MON

2 JUL

Live Organic Blues Rock Colin illy Hill Band, every Thursday from 9pm till midnight @ Expat Sports Bar. No cover charge, Car parking available. Visit: facebook.com/ExpatSportsBar

Independence Day Celebration Friendship Beach Resort Independence Day Celebration @Friendship Beach Resort - Great Fireworks Display, Party & Dance with DJ A, Welcome drink, BBQ Buffet Dinner - Grilled Salmon Filet, BBQ Ribs (award winning), Southern Fried Chicken, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie, and a large selection of Sides, Salads, & Desserts. Adults THB750++, Children under 12 THB290++ For Bookings call 66 (0) 89 728 5304 or Email chef@friendshipbeach.com Khun Jao, 22/1 Soi Mittrapap Rawai Phuket.

All you can eat BBQ night

29 JUL

THU

THU

19 JUL

5 JUL

‘One of the best comedians in the world ever’ - Stewart Lee. Greg Fleet is one of Australia’s most highly respected stand-up comedians. He has performed in 26 Melbourne International Comedy festivals. He became infamous when his character Dave Summers was involved in the killing of Daphne in Australia’s popular soap-opera Neighbours. He has been on screen with Nicole Kidman, made Netflix shows with Jim Jeffries and toured all over the world getting 5-star reviews.

The Scotsman wrote, ‘Brilliant... inspired nonsense, utterly fresh, utterly hilarious’ Now he comes to Phuket at Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach as part of Stand Up Asia’s monthly comedy tour. They brought Doug Stanhope and Bill Bailey to Thailand and promise to bring the best international comedian to Phuket every month. Do not miss this fascinating, Australia comedy genius with special guests Matt Wharf (Australia) and Dusty Moore (South Africa). Sunday, 29 July Buffet 6pm. Doors 7pm and Show 8pm. Early bird tickets from only 500 baht or with buffet for only 1,200 baht. For more information to book your tickets, contact: Magic Rock, Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach.

Website: http://www.ticketflap.com/gregfleet-puk18

EVERY DAY

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

PIWC Luncheon – July 2018 RETRO NIGHT – BACK TO THE 70S & 80S

Simmer & Spice Curry buffet, great variety, vibrant flavours. Every Monday from 18.30 - 21.30. Reservations, SALA Phuket, events@salaphuket.com, 076 338 888.

@thephuketnews

Don’t miss out on our newest, exciting weekly event at Two Chefs. Come and join us for our special Flambé 300g Australian grass-fed rib eye steak served with a creamy peppercorn sauce, roasted vegetable medley and potato gratin for ONLY B495. Have a sweet tooth? Treat yourself to the Two Chefs banana flambé served with vanilla ice cream for ONLY B95. Sit back and enjoy one of our drink specials as you listen to the famous Two Chefs band performing all your favorite retro hits and more! Live music starts from 8pm and goes late at all of our Two Chefs locations. Reservations are highly recommended. You can book on our website at www.TwoChefs.com or find us on Facebook at Facebook/TwoChefsThailand. Come for the food, stay for the fun! Reservations: Call us directly at Two Chefs Kata Center 076 330 065, Kata Beach 076 333 370, Karon 076 286 479 or Patong 076 344 914.

The July Lunch will be held at Mom Tri’s Villa Royale. B700 for members and B850 for guests. Arrive at 11:30am for registration for the 12pm lunch. Please book at: info@PIWC-Phuket.com.

All you can eat Thai Tapas menu An array of unlimited tapas-size table serving of travelers’ and locals’ favorite Thai dishes, Kantok is the perfect place to devour the best of the best Thai cuisine at once, from mouth-watering appetizers and savor soup of Phuket specialties and soul satisfying desserts. Only THB 750-net per person. Serving daily from 11am-11pm. Reservations, Kantok Restaurant, Burasari Phuket, 076 292 929.

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. Martha Jane Canary was better known by what name?

2. What name is given to a planet outside the solar system that orbits a star?

3. Which legendary twin brothers are credited with the founding of Rome?

4. What exactly is Deep Space Nine in the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine?

5. What is Bart Simpson’s full name?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Hard

Across 1. Kind of blocker 5. Not yet final, at law 9. Car part 14. Kind of cappuccino 15. Divisive word?

16. Tight 17. Pioneers 20. ___ cord 21. Chief 22. Deep bellowing sound 23. Crime fiction writer Johansen 25. Safety ___ 27. Actor Bateman 30. Soft drinks 33. ___ money 37. Knack 38. Like some mushrooms 40. Cough (up) 41. Shower and don fancy duds, maybe 44. Airport in Portugal 45. Graphic ___ 46. Lungful 47. In a muddle 48. Thespian Barbara 49. Food fish 51. Scuff 53. Mountain pool 55. North Sea diver 58. Cloth measure 61. Porridges in a

nursery rhyme 65. Clean and shiny 68. White house?

69. Wind instrument?

70. Coin featuring Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man 71. Andrea Bocelli, for one 72. Cantatrice’s offering 73. Chose at random Down 1. Alabama county 2. Linen color 3. Tiger Beat reader 4. Slowly, to a conductor 5. JapaneseAmerican 6. Whistle Stop ___ 7. Watch part 8. Home of the Cyclones 9. Held up 10. Duran Duran single 11. Astringent 12. Match game?

13. Cocoyam 18. Heart 19. Aromatic root 24. Laced

26. Become friendlier 27. Israeli port 28. Fields 29. Firewood measure 31. Having a lot to lose?

32. Lamentation 34. Dispirit 35. Blood or oil follower 36. Ford or Miller 39. French philosopher 42. Good earth 43. Pork chops, maybe 50. Blase 52. Can’t stomach 54. Sleeping disorder 55. Not much 56. Impel 57. Where firing takes place 59. Kind of lamp 60. Abdicator of 1917 62. See 56-Down 63. James Joyce country 64. Reception problem 66. Bit of baby talk 67. Black cuckoo

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Calamity Jane; 2) Exoplanet (or extrasolar planet); 3) Romulus and Remus; 4) A space station; 5) Bartholomew Jojo Simpson

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

1

in every 10,000 chickens can change their gender.

2

escalators only are in the entire US state of Wyoming.

80

percent of the world’s opioids are consumed by the United States.

1,160

US dollars a month and $13,926 annually is how much New Yorkers save on average by using public transportation.

60 billion

US dollars of sunken treasure is estimated to be still sitting at the bottom of the world’s oceans.

Source: Uberfacts

Tourists appraise the work of an excavator at Nai Harn Beach. Photo: Patricio Forci Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

This week in history June 29, 1613 The Globe Theatre in London burns to the ground.

June 30, 2013 Protests begin around Egypt against President Mohamed Morsi and the ruling Freedom and Justice Party, leading to their overthrow during the 2013 Egyptian coup d’état.

July 1, 1997 China resumes sovereignty over

the city-state of Hong Kong, ending 156 years of British colonial rule. The handover ceremony is attended by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Prince Charles of Wales, Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

July 2, 1937 Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan are last heard from over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to make the first equatorial round-the-world flight.

until the French Revolution in 1792.

July 4, 1892 Western Samoa changes the International Date Line, causing Monday (July 4) to occur twice, resulting in a year with 367 days.

July 3, 987 AD Hugh Capet is crowned King of France, the first of the Capetian dynasty that would rule France

July 5, 1946 Micheline Bernardini models the first bikini on July 5, 1946 at the Piscine Molitor in Paris. (Photo: WikiCommons) Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

Jobs

@thephuketnews

CLASSIFIEDS 23 The Phuket News @thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

Trades & Services

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

@thephuketnews

26 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Trades & Services

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

MARINE SERVICES

MOVING SERVICES

POOL SERVICES

PROPERTY SERVICES

OTHER

ADVERTISE HERE

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

Buy & Sell

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

JOBS T EN Live-in housekeeper wanted G R ULive-in housekeep wanted for house in Kata. Must understand English and love dogs. Excellent conditions. 31/3 Soi Plukjae Kata Phuket. Contact: Lillian Dinic: lil@ladolcevitare. com.au or call 080 690 5248.

GE UR

NT

Bar staff wanted

Blondie Bar 2 at Otop Market Patong requires Bar Staff. Thai nationals only. Good salary and room provided. Phone Mick: 081 087 6114.

BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE FOR SALE AIR BERTH M320

250,000THB INC.VAT FOR BOAT UP TO 32 FEET/ 9.5 METRES. CONTACT: ASIA YACHT AGENCY CO.,LTD VIA CONTACT@ASIAYACHTAGENCY.COM, 081-894 -3234FRENCH / ENGLISH — 086-269-0808 THAI / ENGLISH. E

S NT

AL

E

FOR SALE SILVERCRAFT 31

ALMOST NEW 35 HOURS ONLY, STILL UNDER WARRANTY EXTRAS GRAB RAILS COVERS. AVAILABLE NOW THAI REGISTERED AND TAX PAID SEA TRIAL AT SHORT NOTICE OK, new price inc reg & extras B4,863,000 offers over B4.6 million considered. Please contact William at: wfphelps@me.com or call 00 44 11 89 841 627.

G UR

G UR

T EN

SA

LE

Boat For Sale

72’(22m) Thai Trawler partially-converted as Tour Boat Business. Rebuilt from top to bottom 3 years ago (spent just over 1MB) including engine as was planned to use for a tour business, owner had to return to the UK unable to return (very ill son).

Some weather damage and need some repairs. Engine has only done only 6 hours, has new 12 kua generator. Currently in Hua Hin. Viewing can be arrange. Must sell within the next few months. Offers over THB 500,000. Contact Shayne on 0934 189 529 or shayne.inbox@gmail.com

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE UR

GE

N

A TS

LE

78,000km. Six-gear manual transmission.

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

CARS, TRUCKS FOR RENT

BUSINESSES FOR SALE MINI RESORT - Near Laguna

Luxury Villas, 4- and 3-bedroom, pool, office/Apt, 1/2 Rai, well furnished – tropical garden setting. Now on vacation rentals, a money maker. Only B13.5mn - 089 594 4067.

U

E RG

NT

SA

LE

SURIN: LUXURIOUS BAR-RESTAURANT SALE

Totally renovated, Italian design and furniture, all-new imported kitchen and bar equipment, ready to operate. Large Bar, DJ booth, garden lounge, rooftop. Seats 50 indoors, 50 in garden and 40 rooftop. Pablo: 080 143 5541. info@dedos-restaurant.com

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE Amazing Deal!

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

Only 495,000 THB. Adam 091 016 1167.

2012 Ford Ranger 2.2 Open Cab

GE

R NT

EN

T

CARS FOR RENT

We offer car rental at affordable prices.

Monthly from B10,000. Daily from B400.

Call us and find out what we offer. B10,000 monthly. Stig Johansson, 110/78 Moo 2, T Paklok, A Thalang, 83110 Phuket. Contact: stigisaan@gmail.com, 084 847 4377.

UR

HOME IMPROVEMENT Flat roof waterproofing

We do flat roof waterproofing with a 20year warranty by installing quality four layer slate spotted bitumen torch foil + crack repair! Andreas Ruthe, 22/5 Moo1 Kamala, Kathu. Contact: office@tcm-asia.com, 086 943 9834 or 076 385 081.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE For Sale

New set of Kasco G7 golf clubs RH R FLEX. Driver 10.5°, 3 Wood 15°, U4 Hybrid 19°, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, P, S irons.

Milled head putter. 11 clubs, 4 head covers, graphite shafts except putter. B25,000. Bob Mather, Kathu.

Contact: bobmather_4@hotmail.com, 095 549 2748.

OTHER Accountancy,Bookkeeping,Tax

Accountancy, Bookkeeping, Australian Taxation, GST, VAT, Business Advisory Anabel Da Silva, PO Box 161, Palmyra, Western Australia, 6957, anabel@dasilva-accounting.com, +61 40 400 6236. @thephuketnews

POOL TABLES AMAZING DEAL NOT TO BE MISSED!

Like new English Riley Pool Table for sale.

Measures 320cm long by 170cm, comes with six pool cues and cue rack as well as game counter.

Pick up in Chalong no delivery. Only 50,000 THB. Adam 091 016 1167.

Rasson Victory 2 Pro Tounament

Style is forever! The Victory Tournament 9 ft. pool table is a tournament-style, highquality pool table designed with commercial and private use in mind, slate bed. B228,000.

REAL ESTATE SERVICES CHATTHA Property and Rental Management Service in Phuket

Our services: Housekeeping, Garden, Swimming Pool, Maintenance and Repair. www.chatthamanagement. com office: 076 636 244 or mobile: 090 179 6635.

Chattha Management.

PROPERTY FOR SALE 80m2 freehold condo in Patong

Freehold 80m2, 2-bedroom apartment in quiet condo with swimming pool in Patong. Ideal investment in most active tourist area in Phuket. B5.9 million. Contact Michel GUILLIEN, Andaman Beach Suites, Unit 1604, Patong, Phuket. Email: mguillien@gmail.com or call 097 920 2339.

Nicklas Klodner

Two-storey villa in a gated community @ Pruksa The Plant, Kathu. Corner land plot 170 sqm, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Indoors 140 sqm. With furniture ready to move in B8,100,000, Nicklas Klodner, The Plant 144/15. Email: nicklas.klodner@gmail.com or call +66 80 519 7719.

28 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy & Sell

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE RPM owner direct

Unique luxury condo 2 bed, 2 bath, 155sqm. Foreign FREEHOLD. Architect remodel. New Jacuzzi. Views to lake, mountain, marina, pool, etc. Completely furnished to a high standard, toothbrush only required. Owner leaving Thailand. Priced at 16MB for quick sale.

Contact Brian (Owner): 089 054 4354, 076 360 943. bggvirgo@gmail.com RoyalPhuketMarina Condos.com

Luxury Villa

With private boat morning and jacuzzi.

Email paradise11@mac.com for pictures, plans and price.

Amazing 1-bedroom house in great area

Brand-new one bedroom house with full kitchen and car parking and ready to move in, right in the heart of Rawai. Perfectly priced home on the most desirable street of Rawai, so don’t miss out! B2.9M for quick sale. Contact Benni by email at: b_gholami@ hotmail.com or call 088 168 5032.

New Modern Villa – 5 Mins to Ao Po Grand Marina

200 sqm, land 500 sqm, 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, swimming pool, close to UWCT school. Including: pool/garden/wifi/TV.SAT/services. Google map: tiny.cc/deltaho. Contact owner (Alain): mrdupouy@yahoo.fr. 65,000/ month, Alain, 57/3 Moo 3 Soi Ban Bang Pae, T. Pa Khlok, T. Thalang, Phuket 83110. Email: mrdupouy@yahoo.fr or call 081 893 5270.

Building for Sale

One-unit building for sale in business area Boat Avenue near Villa Market Laguna. Three and a halfstorey, 24 square wah. Khun Mhee (owner), 49/23, Cherng Talay. Email: anmehee@hotmail.com or call 095 545 0017 or 086 346 2622.

Unique Investment Opportunity

Unique investment opportunity Not to be missed: 5 pool villas, big land, large entertaiment areas, parking garages and private gates.

More info www.thegardenkptphuket.com www.thegardenkptphuket.com

5-bed pool villa, 1.2 Rai

3 detached buildings, L-shaped open plan living, Western kitchen, guest suite, pool 11mx5m, quiet residential area. 1.2 rai plot. THB19,750,000. Contact Mrs Simpson by email: thaivillaonline@gmail.com or call 084 447 7248. More info at: thaivillaonline.com

Chalong Office, Workshop/Store

300sqm office on 2 floors with all services incl.3 phone lines + 300sqm undercover workshop/store with 4m ht & 3 phase. Chanote 0.5rai.

B12,000,000, Simon Jupe, 29/4 Soi Nayai, Chalong, Phuket 83130. Email: simonj@cscoms.com or call +66 (0)87 883 2542

Single house for sale

Located the way to Yamu Pa Khlok, from the main road 500m, 55 SQW, 3 bedrooms, 2 restrooms, with modern kitchen, 2 cars parking, free space 140 SQM. 3.5 Million Baht, K. Suwit: suwitlap5@gmail.com, 081 895 6969.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Penthouse for Sale

432.44 Sqm.Penthouse for sale: 320 Degree view of Patong bay and city. Private pool. 22nd floor (top floor) at Andaman Beach Condominium, Patong, Phuket, Thailand. Condo Facilities : Two tennis courts, 10 x 24 Meters swimming pool , fitness & game room,restaurant, parking. 60 Million Baht O.N.O., Songpan, songpanpirom@hotmail.com, 081 737 8662.

PROPERTY FOR RENT Ready 01/07/2018

Rent. The Heritages Suites, nice 2 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, Jacuzzi, 160sqm. Modern furnished. Lease long term (minimum 1 year). Parking, pool, fitness. Close KIS, Lotus. 39,000 per month, Owner, Kathu, Thai 089 552 9303/Eng 093 717 9343.

Pool Villa For Rent PhangNga

4-Bed Pool villa nearby Natai beach.

Surrounded by nature. North of Phuket, 25 mins from airport. Idea for retired/long term stay family. Yupadee: miakcg@yahoo.com, 081 926 3286.

COMMUNITY

PROPERTY FOR RENT

Property 5 Mins to Ao Po Grand Marina

Very big house 750sqm, Land 4,000sqm, available 15 June, 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, swimming pool, jacuzzi, close to UWCT school, including pool, garden, service, wifi-tv/sat.

Google map: tiny.cc/deltaho, Contact owner (Alain): mrdupouy@yahoo.fr. Long term 145,000/Month, Email Alain: mrdupouy@yahoo.fr or call 081 893 5270.

PROPERTY FOR RENT 3-Bedroom Western Villa

Near Laguna, has all, full kitchen, quality furniture.

Live in tropical garden, good security, secluded.

6/M lease: B20,000/M. Call 089 594 4067.

For Rent Kata Beach

Nice one-bedroom apartment, modern furnished, 68sqm first floor close to indoor pool-saunaelevator. B25,000 per month.

Exclusive electric, minimum rental period 6 months. Tel: English 064 532 3637, Thai 094 803 5944. Email English: villaonroof@gmail.com or Thai: maliwan_kaewmeesri@ yahoo.com

New Rawai Villa Rent & Sale

PuriAnda Villa: 2 Bed, Furnished, Kitchen, Private Pool, Sala, Land 350m2, House 165m2, 2km to Nai Harn. Short or Long Term Rent Only B60,000, Sale: 8.9m. info@purimasproperty.com, 0815384588

PROPERTY WANTED Looking for property in Laguna

Willing to sell or rent your property in the Laguna area? Please contact me: raisa@ rl-property.com or +66(0) 81 737 1687 (you can use Viber, Whats App or Line) raisa@rl-property.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

SPORT 29

McLaren takes a gamble F1 team makes big-money move for out-of-contract Ricciardo BOX OF NEUTRALS

McLaren has reportedly made a big-money move for Daniel Ricciardo, the out-of-contract Red Bull Racing driver. Photo: Johannes Eisele / AFP

Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

E

ight races into what was billed to be its renaissance, the French Grand Prix was McLaren’s worst weekend in an already difficult season.

Knocked out of qualifying in 16th and 18th, Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne were tootling towards the back of the field and well out of the points eight laps from the finish.

It had been an arduous week for the Woking team.

Racing director Eric Boullier had been grilled by the media for the car’s poor performance, including via a UK report that McLaren staff were rallying to have him replaced.

Morale was low, so Alonso’s pit wall brought the Spaniard in for a late tyre change, switching him to the ultrasoft tyres to give him a chance to set the fastest lap of the race, a small consolation after a

@thephuketnews

weekend of woe.

But as the prodigious 36-year-old prepared for maximum attack his rear-left suspension promptly broke. He limped back to his garage and retired from the race.

There could be no better analogy for McLaren’s season.

The troubled McLarenHonda partnership was dissolved last year, with the team proclaiming Renault engines

would allow it to demonstrate that it still has one of the best chassis on the grid, but 2018 has shown up those claims to be exaggerated at best.

Though it sits fifth in the standings thanks to a flurry of points early in the season, as its rivals have come to grips with their new cars McLaren has slipped down the order, so much so that in Canada and France it was the second-

slowest machine on the grid.

It hasn’t scored in more than a month.

It’s little wonder that after four years of McLaren struggle Alonso, perhaps the best driver of his generation, is tipped to leave Formula One for America’s IndyCar series.

Locked out of the championship race, Alonso’s new target is to win the nebulous motorsport “triple crown”,

comprising the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, the World Endurance Championship’s 24 Hours of Le Mans and the IndyCar Indianapolis 500.

Already a two-time Monaco winner and having won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Toyota earlier this month, only Indianapolis remains.

Fortunately for Alonso, McLaren is considering a 2019 IndyCar entry, which would keep him under the team umbrella if and when the F1 squad returns to competitiveness.

Meanwhile McLaren must prepare for a post-Alonso era. Stoffel Vandoorne, now in his second season, has not impressed in the way his junior record had suggested he would, notwithstanding he drives a difficult car for a team in turmoil alongside the most talented driver in a generation.

Waiting in the wings is 18-year-old Lando Norris, winner of a junior category every season since 2015 and currently leading the Formula Two championship, but partnering him in his rookie season with the still inexperi-

enced Vandoorne would leave McLaren without leadership in the cockpit.

It therefore isn’t surprising that the team has reportedly made a big-money move for Daniel Ricciardo, the outof-contract Red Bull Racing driver.

The Australian has yet to decide where he will drive in 2019. Mercedes is likely to retain Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, and though rumours suggested he had entered discussions with Ferrari earlier in the season, the Italian team now appears to be leaning towards its junior driver Charles Leclerc.

It seems unlikely that Ricciardo, one of the grid’s foremost talents, would be tempted to join one of the slowest teams on the grid regardless of the cash on offer, but with the so-called silly season to crescendo in July, we won’t have to wait long to find out.

Don’t forget to listen to Live89.5 each and every Saturday at 9am and 5pm for the Box of Neutrals radio show.

30 SPORT

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1691: Saturday June 30 Run Start Time: 4pm Hares: Saint BJ, Fungus, Invisible Man (VH) Location: Pa Khlok Directions: At the Heroine’s Monument head East [4027] and drive for approx. 13.7 kilometres. Continue 300 metres past Ban Para School on the left and then turn left (HHH). This turn is 150m before the Ban Para 7-Eleven if travelling from the north of the island. Continue for approx 1km and then turn left (HHH) onto the narrow concrete road (mind the deep concrete gutters). Laager site will be 70m on the right in the trees (HHH). NOTE: No Early Walkers. Very strong walkers can walk the run.

Bus pick-up: Patong @ E x pat Hotel: 2:15pm Kamala @ Black Cat’s Bar: 2:45pm More info: phuket-hhh.com

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

Team Thailand win WCGC with eight-shot comeback Continued from page 32 ...Although all teams competed valiantly to become World Corporate Champions, there could be only one winning team lifting the trophy at the end of the week (designed and produced by Vista Alegre). In last year´s edition, that honour fell to the team from China.

The team from Thailand arrived nice and early in Cascais, allowing them to get in a few early practice rounds before the other world finalists arrived.

On day one Thailand were paired with the Czech Republic and got off to solid start scoring 65 points lying in joint 3rd place behind China on 68 points and Portugal the home team and favourites on 73 points.

Day two saw Thailand paired with France in the 3rd from last group. Knowing they needed to get off to a fast start they came out flying and gained on leaders Portugal. By the 16th hole Thailand were in the lead. Coming down the 18th the team knew they would probably need four points to

Team Thailand’s Paul Judge hits a shot from the rough at the WCGC World Final. Photo Supplied clinch it, and Judge, greenside in three shots, played an unbelievable shot from the waste bunker and holed the putt for his five.

With China out of the picture and Portugal needing a birdie and par down the last to tie, which proved too much,

it meant that Thailand had overcame an eight-shot deficit to win the World Corporate Golf Challenge World Final by two shots. Their remarkable score of 80 stableford points as pair, a score never been hit before in 25 years of the WCGC finals.

Judge, part of Thailand’s winning team, said, “This has been a truly unbelievable experience. We never thought after being eight shots behind after day one we would be WCGC Champions. Chris Watson our licensee jokingly this morning said, ‘Go out there and get 80

points and we might win it’.”

Judge went on to say, “I have to thank Fore Management and Chris Watson the Thailand Licensee for giving us this opportunity, also Blue Horizon Developments our main sponsor and Thai Airways for flying us here all the way from Thailand.”

Commenting on the success of the event, José Guerra, chairman of the WCGC, said: “We are delighted to bring the World Final to the spectacular coast of Lisbon and in particular to Cascais which offers beaches, quaint villages and pristine forests.

“Cascais and Estoril are must-see destinations for any visitor to Portugal.

“Some of the best golf courses in Europe are located here, including the headquarters of this year’s World Final, Oitavos Dunes, considered one of the top 100 courses in the world, voted #58 in the world in 2015 by Golf Magazine.

The golf course offers a true ‘professional’ golf tournament experience to all of our competitors and guests.”

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

SPORT 31

Surf’s up in Phuket

Six-event surf series gets underway this weekend in Patong SURFING The Phuket News editor3@classactmedia.co.th

P

huket’s surfing season kicks off in earnest this weekend with the Pearl of the Andaman Surfing Championships at Patong Beach. The two-day contest, this Saturday and Sunday (June 30 – July 1), is part of the six-event Phuket Surf Series, which this year includes a new event at Khao Lak, north of the Phuket, and an installment of the international REnextop Asian Surfing Tour (Rast).

The official launch of the series, which continues into October as the southwest monsoon surf pounds the west coast, came at the Surf House Phuket on the Patong beachfront last Saturday (June 23). Present in a strong show of support from officials were Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office Director Kanokkittika Kritwutikon and Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup.

Ms Kanokkittika explained that the TAT, as a major sponsor of the series, strongly supported the move for the surfing contests as they provided sports tourism as another form of tourism attraction for the region and helped to encourage more local people to engage in water sports.

In addition to the Pearl of the Andaman Surfing Championships in Patong this weekend, the Phuket Surf Series this year includes the regular Kamala Go Surfing 14th Contest (July 7-8); the Kalim Reef Surfer Surfing Contest (Aug 3-5); and the Surin Beach Surfing Contest (Sept 22-23) – but also the new Khao Lak Surfing Contest to be held at Pakarang Beach on Oct 26-28.

@thephuketnews

Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup (left) and TAT Phuket Office Director Kanokkittika Kritwutikon. Photo: Chris Husted But the big drawcard is the Rast REnextop Asian Surfing Tour event to be held at Patong Beach on July 18-21.

“We’ve got surfers from all over Asia to take part in the event,” explained Tim Hain, Media and Event Development of the Asia Surfing Cooperative, which has helped organise major international surfing contests in Phuket since the Quiksilver event in 2009.

“We’ll be bringing surfers from Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia and I think even from Myanmar, and from a couple of other countries probably like Australia and the Philippines,” he said.

Mr Hain explained that the ASC for years had been deeply involved in organising the Asia Surfing Tour and the associated major surfing events in Phuket as part of the tour, but this year was involved in only a facilitatory role with Chinese event company REnextop, headed by CEO Lillian Chen, who was in Patong in person for the launch last Saturday.

The previously ASC-organised “Asia Surfing Championship Tour” is now the

“REnextop Asian Surfing Tour”, or just “Rast”, but to local surfers it just means better competition and a chance to surf throughout Asia – and they’re stepping up.

The first Rast event this year, at Kuta Beach, Bali, on May 2-5, saw a total of 105 competitors from nine countries – Australia, China, Hawaii, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Russia and the USA – join in the four-day competition.

The event was broadcast live each day by Freshair Broadcasting, with more than 17 million viewers alone in China via the Yi Zhibo platform. The final day logged in 5.32 million viewers and Facebook alone saw 30,000 viewers on the final day as well.

“I think it [Rast] gives them an opportunity to meet surfers from different areas so they can swap stories, make some connection – maybe they get to travel to some places,” Mr Hain told The Phuket News.

“The level of surfing here is not world class yet – it is still developing – so it gives them a chance to meet surfers who

are both above and below their ability and let them compare themselves and see what’s possible.

“These people are travelling to the Thai people’s country to experience their waves, a different kind of feeling, a different kind of wave, a more exotic location, so I think it makes locals proud to be able to welcome these people. It gives them an opportunity to make new friends and it gives them a chance to pit themselves in competition with surfers other than their local people, as they compete with their local surfers all the time,” he said.

Regarding the development of youth surfing in Thailand, Mr Hain rated the progress in the sport and its broader benefits as “excellent”.

“You are getting more and more kids whose parents are giving them the opportunity to surf. Surfing used to be a taboo thing – “oh you might drown”, and all that kind of thing – and children more often than not are just told to stay away from the water, but with surfing they become surf

aware,” he explained.

“It gives them the opportunity to lose their fear of the ocean, to participate in the sport under the watchful eye of people who have been surfing all their lives. It takes the fear factor out of it a little and it shows that surfing is not just some crazy sport by a bunch of boys getting drunk

and stuff,” Mr Hain said.

“There is actually a career path to surfing – you can be a surfer, become a surfing instructor, be a surf guide, you can own your own surf shop and if you’re good enough you can be a professional surfer and actually get paid for this as a living.

“And from all this it improves the economy of the local areas that we go to, because sometimes the areas we go to, like in the Philippines and other places, are still developing.

They’re still in their infancy.

These events gives them the chance to set up guesthouses, restaurants, bars and whatever else can cater to surfers and it gives them a whole new market,” he added.

But to be back in Phuket among the “monsoon waves”, Mr Hain noted happily, “Overall, we’re just happy to be here again. We were last here in 2012 and we’re really happy to be back and we hope this continues onward into the future.”

Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change

SPORT

START STOP

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO England v. Belgium

Friday 29th June Soccer Soccer

01:00

03:00

FIFA World Cup

01:00

03:00

FIFA World Cup

Panama v. Tunisia

17:30

19:30

FIFA WC

England v. Belgium - Repeat

Rugby Union 14:30

16:30

Super XV

Blues v. Reds

16:40

18:40

Super XV

Rebels v. Waratahs

Rugby Union 14:30

16:30

Super XV

Highlanders v. Chiefs

16:40

18:40

Super XV

Brumbies v. Hurricanes

18:50

20:50

Super XV

Sunwolves v. Bulls

22:10

00:10

Super XV

Sharks v. Lions

21:00

23:00

FIFA World Cup – L16

France v. Argentina Uruguay v. Portugal

Saturday 30th June

Soccer

01:00

03:00

FIFA World Cup – L16

Rugby League 16:25

18:30

NRL

Broncos v. Raiders

Motor Racing 19:45

21:30

Formula 1

Qualifying, Spielberg

21:00

23:00

FIFA World Cup – L16

Spain v. Russia

01:00

03:00

FIFA World Cup – L16

Croatia v. Denmark

Motor Racing 19:00

19:45

Formula 1

Raceday, Spielberg

19:45

22:30

Formula 1

Austrian Grand Prix

Sunday 01st July Soccer

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

Phuket Surf Series 2018 gets underway this weekend > p31

IN THEIR ‘PRIME’ Judge and Pim from Phuket’s Prime Real Estate win WCGC World Final 2018 GOLF Mattt Pond editor3@classactmedia.co.th

T

eam Thailand – Paul Judge and Pim Surintarangoul from Phuket’s Prime Real Estate – were crowned champions of the World Corporate Golf Challenge (WCGC) World Final held at the Oitavos Dunes Golf Course and Quinta Da Marinha in Cascais, Portugal, on June 22-23.

A full week of business net-

working, emotions and competition. This is what was experienced during the 25th edition of the WCGC World Final, the culmination of the world’s largest network of corporate golf days, where the National Winners from approximately 30 countries came to Cascais to compete.

Executives from companies around the world represented both their company and country. The “Road to Cascais” was the result of more than 150 events throughout more than 30 countries...

Continued on page 30 Paul Judge and Pim Surintarangoul from Phuket’s Prime Real Estate celebrate their win at the World Corporate Golf Challenge (WCGC) World Final held in Cascais, Portugal. Photo: Supplied

thephuketnews