30-01-2015

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

thephuketnews thephuketnews thephuketnews.com Friday January 30 – Thursday February 5, 2015

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‘Duo shoot gun, run checkpoint and dump drugs’

AN ISSUE ONCE AGAIN LIFE

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A taste of Italy in Santosa’s raw food menu

TIMESHARE BUSINESSES SAY THAT THEY FOLLOW REGULATIONS, BUT SOME DO NOT Nattapat Tuarob reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

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ice-Governor Dr Punlop Singhaseni and relevant officers last Thursday (January 22) went to check on timeshare businesses in Patong and Cherng Talay that were the subjects of complaints lodged with the Damrongtham Centre.

The first to be visited was Absolute World Group in Patong. The team was met by Mike Hall, the company’s AsiaPacific Managing Director.

V/Gov Punlop told him, “The problem is that clients have complained that they have paid for memberships but didn’t get what they were supposed to get according to the contract.

“Also, there is a problem with the sales technique; the sales people do not have a good hospitality manner.

“They accost foreigners walking along the street, which is unacceptable and will ruin the image of Phuket.

“I am also worried that these sales people may not have work permits.”

Mr Hall put up a stout defence of Ab-

solute. “We have been doing this for many years, and we can guarantee that more than 90 per cent of our clients are satisfied with the products provided.

We have solutions for our clients.

“If they book a specific time to stay [at a timeshare location], but it happens to be full, we will provide them with another partner location, which we have around the globe.”

As for the problem of timeshare touts, or – politely – Off Premises Canvassers (OPCs), whose job it is to persuade tourists to go to timeshare

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

@thephuketnews

The methods used by timeshare OPCs have often been a topic of conversation, not only in Phuket but many wellknown tourist destinations.

company offices to hear the sales pitch from company staff, Mr Hall told the Vice-Governor he was aware of this.

“I understand that there are some areas of timeshare in Phuket and Thailand that cause a bad name for tourism. That’s true. But not because of Absolute.”

He explained after the meeting, “The Vice-Governor said that he wants all of our people to be clearly identifiable with name badges with a photograph and with a work permit if they are foreign.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

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Sirinart encroachment losses valued at B31b > page 6

Timeshare complaints affect island’s image

Continued from front page “I said, ‘Yes. All of our people have uniforms, name badges and lanyards with their ID [showing] that they are an employee. And if they are foreigners they have valid work permits. That’s something we are proud to say.’

“It’s up to the governor’s department to attack the other timeshare operations and check on their legality. He doesn’t want our people, at any level, to be aggressive, and I respect that, so I invited him – don’t tell me when, don’t tell me who – mystery-shop our people. Test for yourself.

“If our people don’t follow the rules we let them go. Unfortunately some of them go and work for other [timeshare] companies, but we can’t be held responsible for the way other companies work, whether it’s the way their people work or the product works. I welcome any attempt to try and clean up [the industry].

“We have followed all the regulations set by the government, and it is our job to protect the benefits of the clients.”

V/Gov Punlop’s second stop was at the Laguna Holiday Club (LHC) in Cherng Talay, one of the longest-standing timeshare businesses in Phuket.

Amnuay Nawachotichaiyakul, financial controller of LHC, told the Vice-Governor, “Our clients see the real accommodation they will receive when they buy a membership, and we give them 14 days to consider the purchase after they have

Raffaele Straforini, 60, points to his stolen items.

Thieves get lucky – then unlucky Saran Mitrarat

V/Gov Dr Punlop Singhaseni (right) talks with Absolute World’s Mike Hall. bought a membership. If they are not satisfied with the product we will give their money back.

“In the agreement letter for our clients we have a list of the hotels and resorts in our network to look at before they make a decision.

“Also, we have our on-line system where we encourage our clients to plan ahead, up to one year in advance. If they want to travel to one of the hotels in the period that they buy, they can check whether there is any availability at the time.

“If they want to stay at that property but there is somebody taking the room, we will try to reorganise their stay by asking if they are comfortable to stay at

another period of time.

“If our clients don’t use their holiday in one year, they can save their holiday and top up in the following year, but they have to pay a fee for that.”

A Provincial regulation issued in 2013, specifies that the timeshare operator must provide: Clear address of the company and partner residences, plus details like length of time bought and the rights of members.

Expenditures and membership details – terms and conditions.

Details of the rights and limitations and terms of membership use.

The client’s right to cancel the contract.

K ARON POLICE ON Friday (January 23) arrested two men who stole an Italian tourist’s bag and then, realising that the bag contained his hotel room key, went on to plunder the room.

The police arrested the two after the victim, Raffaele Straforini, 60, reported the theft of B1,020 in cash, a gold watch, a motorcycle key, the key to his room at the Relax Garden Bungalow resort, a driving licence, a yellow bag, and a Honda Scoopy

motorcycle.

Police managed to identify the two after looking at CCTV footage from the resort and speaking to witnesses.

The two, Mitr Thongkliang, 23, and Prae Jomjai, 25, were caught riding Mr Straforini’s motorcycle around Karon later the same night. They were still carrying all of his other missing belongings.

Mitr and Prae admitted to first stealing Mr Straforini’s bag from the beach, and after realising they had a key to his room, going on to steal more items from there.

Semi-conscious, the 40-year-old man was rushed to the hospital after the car rolled several times.

Korat businessman hurt in spectacular Phuket crash A BUSINESSMAN FROM Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) was rushed to hospital on January 21 after he crashed his car at speed while heading south along Thepkasattri Rd. Pitchayakarn Masuk, 40, owner of a video production company in the capital of Isan, missed the notorious Makphrok bend at about 6pm.

The car rolled several times

before ending up, severely damaged, on the central reservation.

Mr Pitchayakar n was taken to Thalang hospital semi-conscious and with a variety of injuries.

Police believe he either may have fallen asleep at the wheel of the car, or he was not familiar with the road and tried to take the bend too fast. thephuketnews

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PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Phuket water boost after villagers protest drought Nattha Thepbamrung reporter3@classactmedia.co.th

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t took 20 Pa Khlok villagers protesting outside of Provincial Hall in Phuket Town for the Phuket Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) to admit that it is having trouble supplying the whole island and is spending hundreds of millions of baht to increase its capacity.

After having little or no water for more than three months, the protesters from the Phrompan Village in Pa Khlok voiced their frustration over the lack of responsiveness from the (PWA).

“It’s been more than three months, since the middle of October, since the water stopped. Initially, when I called the office, they said there was a pipe leak and they would fix it, but after only few days, the water stopped again. Then they told us, ‘The water supply is not enough’,” said Pakornpat Petchsut, a board member of the 280-household Phrompan Village.

Mr Pakornpat said that

A disgruntled-looking Pisak Chonlayuth (right) meets villagers from the Phrompan Village in Pa Khlok. the PWA dodged complaints by villagers whenever they called and staff were never available. Therefore, on January 22 the villagers handed a formal complaint letter to the Damrongtham Centre asking it to push the PWA to solve their problem.

Protest signs carried messages aimed at the Director of

the PWA, Pisak Chonlayuth, who later showed up to appease the villagers by announcing that trucks will be giving away water at Phrompan Village everyday at 5pm beginnning immediately.

Director Pisak went on to announce a plan to boost water supply in Phuket because, as he explained, “It is not only

at Phrompan Village or in Pa Khlok. Everywhere in Phuket has low capacity for water supply.”

“This is why we have a project to increase capacity from the main tank, going from supplying 500 – 650 cubic metres per hour to 800 cubic meters per day, and there is also another project to build another tank that supplies another 500 cubic meters, so there will be a total of 1,300 cubic meters an hour around the island.”

In addition, a B400-million project has been approved to increase the capacity of existing pipelines around Phuket with another B81 million dedicated specifically to build a new water treatment plant in the Bang Jo area. Both projects are expected to be finished by August.

Some supply will be cut from Kamala to give relief to Pa Khlok, Mr Pisak said, adding that the PWA has signed an deal with a company to use water from a tin mine lake in Bang Jo. This water will then be used to raise again the sup-

ply to Kamala.

The area surrounding Phuket Town has seen several water shortages the last few months, mostly due to construction of the underpass on Chaofa West Rd. Since October, villagers have been supported by the developer of their homes. Prapa Setthapongsak, who said he had bought water for each house.

“I keep buying water to give away to people in the village to help temporarily.

Yesterday, I bought water for four trucks at B4,000,” said the developer.

“At the beginning, when I filed the village plan for environmental approval, the PWA came to build the pipeline and guaranteed that water supply was enough. But when there is a water shortage, we cannot touch any of the equipment and we have to contact the office to solve the problem.”

“I understand if the water is not enough for the rapid growth of Phuket City but I want the director of the office to pay attention to the villagers here also. It has been a long time.”

No known cause for fire outbreak FIRE BROKE OUT IN AN abandoned building at the back of the Yee Teng complex in Phuket Town on Monday afternoon (January 26).

After the alarm was raised two fire trucks and crews from the Phuket City Municipality arrived at about 2:30pm and took 20 minutes to bring the fire – which at one time threatened nearby buildings – under control.

Investigators said the fire started inside the building, near the Slaughterhouse Intersection, and was fueled by styrofoam food containers and bits of woods in what used to be a market but recently had been used only for storage.

No one was hurt in the fire. Investigators are trying to establish the cause.

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Wasu Kumprayune (seated): Local said he was well known for his hands-on rituals.

Shaman charged with rape of 13-year-old A PATONG SHAMAN was arrested in Phang Nga on January 22 to face allegations that he raped a 13-year-old girl last year.

Police arrested Wasu Kumprayune, 45, in Kokloy, Phang Nga with a warrant of arrest from Phuket court issued back on November 14 last year.

According to Lt Col Suthichai Tienpo, the shaman was known for using his home on Pisitkoranee Rd in Patong to receive visitors – mostly women – who came to him for fortune-telling, blessings for charms and @thephuketnews

casting spells to attract men.

In early November, Wasu saw the 13-year-old who come to his house with her mother, Lt Col Suthichai said. Wasu allegedy told the mother that the young girl needed to go through a blessing ritual to increase her fortunes and allegedly sent the mother out to the market to buy some offerings before he could enter into a trance.

When the mother came back, she said she saw Wasu lying on top of the frightened little girl, who was topless.

Wasu’s alleged misconducts were well-known to locals, many of who said his rituals involved more than just touching believers.

The mother, whose name is being withheld because the case involves a minor, filed a police report at Kathu Police Station and accused Wasu of raping her daughter.

He disappeared.

After being caught in Phang Nga and returned to Phuket, Wasu was charged with rape or attempted rape of an underage victim. He was being held in Kathu Police Station without bail.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

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13-year-old sought for necklace snatch A

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13 -ye a r- ol d b oy is currently being sought by police in connection with a snatch theft in Karon on Tuesday (January 20).

The boy is the alleged accomplice of a 21-year-old man arrested last week for snatching a gold necklace from the neck of a Danish man while driving on a motorbike.

Karon police arrested the 21-year-old, Nawamin Daijareonsuk, in Soi Patuk 22, and retrieved from him the broken gold necklace, along with a small Buddha amulet.

The victim, Preben Anderson, 67, and his wife, both Danish, immediately filed a report at Karon Police Station.

Mr Anderson told police that he was driving his motorbike, with his wife on the

Thumbs-up from the Andersons and a blank look from snatch robber Nawamin (left). back, when two people on a motorbike started to follow the couple.

W hen they caught up with Mr and Mrs Anderson, the driver of the other bike

snatched the gold necklace from around Mr Anderson’s neck and sped away towards

Rawai.

Mr Anderson said that he tried to follow them but couldn’t keep up.

After police checked several CCTVs in the area, they spotted a Phuket-registered Honda Click which Mr Anderson identified as the one ridden by the thieves. This quickly led to the arrest of Nawamin.

Nawamin confessed to the robbery and told police about his 13-year-old friend.

Nawamin and his friend face charges of theft using a vehicle, and the 13-year-old’s parents have been told by the police to bring him to the station as soon as possible.

At the time of speaking to police the parents said that they did not know where the boy was.

No change after drink sales rules announcement

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A policeman stands by in the Vachira Hospital emergency room as Pongchanasit is treated.

Punch-up loser gets even by shooting his opponent A 19-YEAR-OLD WAS SHOT IN THE TOP OF the head on Sunday afternoon (January 25), right behind Thung Tong Police Station.

The victim, Pongchanasit Umthaisong, 19, from Vichit, was shot with a .22-calibre pen gun. He was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital emergency room.

The victim told police, before passing out, that he and an acquaintance had got into a brawl on the

road behind the police station. The acquaintance lost, but as Pongchanasit walked away the loser pulled out the pen gun and shot him.

Luckily the bullet did not penetrate Pongchansit’s skull, and Vachira Hospital staff confirmed in the evening that an operation to extract the bullet went well and Pongchanasit is out of danger.

Police are waiting for him to recover to the point where he can tell them who his opponent was.

FOLLOW I NG T H E announcement in the Royal Gazette last Friday (January 23) of the official times for alcoholic beverage sales, The Phuket News has received clarification as to how this actually affects the Island, especially with regard to entertainment venues.

The new regulations state that alcoholic beverages may now be sold only between 11am and 2pm and from 5pm to midnight any day.

The rules – which are in fact not new – apply only to shops.

The only exception to the new regulations are international airport terminals and entertainment venues.

The rules do not apply to sales of more than 10 litres and do not men-

tion restaurants.

There was initially concern that the rules would apply to entertainment venues which, in Phuket, can legally sell alcohol until 2am. A change in that time would have had a huge effect on Patong, Kata and other tourist hotspots.

But when asked on Sunday (January 25) about the rules, the head of the Entertainment Association of Patong, Weerawit Kuresombut, said, “Nothing has changed or been adapted according to the new regulation.”

A police spokesman confirmed to The Phuket News on Sunday (January 25) that police are waiting to receive the provincial order before taking any action. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Police seeking drug dealers in shoot-up P

olice are hunting for two drug dealers after a Hollywood-like series of events that included the duo opening fire in the middle of Phuket Chaofa Garden Home 3 village in Koh Kaew last Friday evening (January 23).

Pol Lt Col Chao Pomna of Phuket City police received a report of an incident in which the occupants of a white Toyota Vios car had fired shots in the village.

Worried that village residents might be at risk, he and a team of officers went straight there but found the place quiet.

Villagers gave them the license plate number of the car, adding that no one had been hurt in the shooting.

Later in the evening, police received further information that one of the two men had been involved in a fight with a resident of the village. The reason for the fight was not immediately clear.

Then, at around 1.10am on Saturday morning (January 24), Thalang police, who had set up a checkpoint, saw the Vios driving towards them at high speed.

The car blew right through the

Officers tally up the contents of the bag thrown from the window of the car by the shoot-em-up duo. checkpoint and continued on towards Baan Muang Mai, but crashed into a signpost in front of the Mission Hills Golf Course. The driver and passenger ran from the car and into the golf course.

Police and Kusoldharm volunteers searched the area but were unable to find the two men.

Checking the abandoned vehicle,

officers found it had a dashcam installed.

When officers checked the footage on it, they found that it had captured the shooting incident at Chaofa Garden and was still recording when the men drove through the checkpoint.

During the recording the suspects could be heard talking about

Better late than never: Police take a statement from the crash and robbery victim.

‘Good Samaritans’ stop at crash site – and rob victim TWO MEN WHO STOPPED, supposedly to help a third who had crashed his motorike on Sunday night (January 25), had larceny more than assistance in mind.

Akarapon Chumnamanee, 27, was on his way home at 11.30pm when he crashed his bike in Baan Muang Mai on Thepkrassattree Rd, injuring his right arm, banging his head and breaking a couple of fingers.

Two men on another bike @thephuketnews

stopped as if to assist him. But then, instead of helping, they threatened him and then robbed him of his wallet, containing B10,000 in cash and an ATM card, and also took two mobile phones.

Thalang Police were alerted by a friend of Mr Akarapon’s, Pienchai Thepabutr, 53, but relatives said that the officers had responded very slowly.

They called Phuket police commander Pol Gen Pachara Boonyasit to complain that

they had been waiting “too long” for officers to arrive at the emergency room of Thalang Hospital to speak with Mr Akarapon about the robbery.

Gen Pachara promptly ordered Thalang Police to send someone immediately to the hospital.

This they did, taking a statement from Mr Akarapon, who was then transferred, at the family’s request, to the Mission Hospital for further treatment.

throwing away drugs and a gun after driving through checkpoint.

Police later searched the roadside and found a cloth bundle containing 10.74 grams of crystal meth, 2,060 meth pills, a bag of marijuana, an 11mm automatic pistol and ammunition.

The search for the two men continues. Eakkapop Thongtub

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British man in hospital after fight in Phuket bar A BRITISH MAN WAS ADMITTED to Vachira Phuket Hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning (January 24), suffering from head wounds he sustained during a brawl with a Thai man at a bar in Rawai.

According to police – who were notified of the incident by staff at the hospital only late on Saturday afternoon – at around 1am that morning Christopher Michael Stark, 50, got into a fight with Sarawuth Kongpat, 37, a resident of Patong, in the Banana Bar in Soi Samakee, Rawai.

Ms Dian, the owner of Banana Bar and Mr Sarawuth’s wife, told police that Mr Stark had refused to pay his food and drink bill when Mr Sarawuth asked him to.

Mr Stark got annoyed when Mr Sarawuth persisted in demanding he pay the bill, so he punched Mr Sarawuth in the face.

In retaliation, Mr Sarawuth grabbed a nearby piece of wood and whacked Mr Stark twice on the head.

It is believed that Mr Stark will remain in the hospital for at least seven days. He is currently being cared for by Ms Dian, who is staying at his bedside.

By Wednesday (Jan 28) no charges had been filed against either man.

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Srinart encroachment losses valued at B31b Nattha Thepbamrung reporter3@classactmedia.co.th

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osses of natural resources to encroachment in Phuket’s Sirinart Marine National Park have been valued at around B31 billion.

The big number emerged at a meeting on Wednesday (January 28) at which it was also announced that investigators have so far looked in depth at 367 of the 815 land plots they believe may have been stolen from the park. The 815 pieces combined cover 1,035 rai of land.

The numbers were revealed

by Sujit Jansawang, Forestry Senior Specialist and leader of the special Encroached Land Investigation Team.

Mr Sujit explained that the Parks Department has already reported to the Land Department (which he said he hoped to see more cooperation from) that 16 plots totalling around 244 rai should have their land papers rescinded.

Ten of these are Chanote

Land under the abandoned Peninsula Resort at Nai Yang Beach has been declared to have been encroached from Sirinat Marine National Park. papers while the remainder are NorSor3 Kor. Another five plots covering around 415 rai of land in Tambon Saku have been denied upgrades from SorKor1 land paper to Chanote by the Thalang District Land Office, while another 34 plots covering around 374 rai of land are

under investigation by the Land Department to decide whether the papers would be cancelled.

“The total encroached land is approximately 1,035 rai. If we price that at an average of B30 million a rai, market price, the loss of national resources to the nation is around B31

billion.”

Sirinart Park Chief Kitipat Tharapiban noted that the holders of bad title may not only be subject to criminal and civil action but may also be investigated by the AntiMoney Laundering Office.

Chairing the meeting was Maj Gen Ronnarong Kod-

damrong, Deputy Director of Co-Operation Center 5 of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC).

Later in the day, during a visit to the Peninsula Project in Saku – one of the 16 sites deemed illegal – Gen Ronnarong said he believed in the effectiveness of the Sirinart investigation team.

“We have a chance to take a look at the site today and the results of the work are satisfactory. There is great progress on the paperwork in these cases.

“I believe we can bring back all national park land.

The gover nment expects Phuket to be the model for other places solving encroachment issues.

“I understand that there is great stress in working on this issue because officers have to struggle with many big businesses.

“I will supply 300 agents to guard officials who receive threats and we will assist in cases where officials face lawsuits.”

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Veera Kerdsirimongkol.

Former Kathu District Chief back on island FORMER KATHU DISTRICT Chief Veera Kerdsirimongkol returned to Phuket last Saturday (January 24) as District Chief at Thalang.

He took over from Surapot Chanakit, who moved last Thursday (January 22), to the equivalent post in Muang District.

The moves come after an order from the Ministry of Interior on January 16.

Mr Veera was moved suddenly in the middle of last year after an anonymous pamphlet campaign accused him of taking bribes – allegations he strenuously denied. He was posted to Donsak Disrict in Surat Thani, the ferry gateway to Koh Samui.

Revenge turns sour for robbers POLICE CAUGHT TWO robbers on Monday (January 26) just hours after they robbed a Patong pharmacy at gunpoint in the early hours of the morning. Kathu Police received a report that two men had carried out the robbery at the JK Healthcare pharmacy at around 4:30am.

Pharmacy owner Sangdao Phusangkam told officers that the men had pulled up outside her shop on a motorcycle.

One entered the pharmacy holding a gun and demanded money. Ms Sangdao handed over B12,220 in cash. After checking CCTV footage from inside the shop, police confirmed Ms Sangdao’s description of the duo and circulated it to all officers

The two robbers meet the press after their arrests.

Soon after, Hassadin ArhOnsri, 26, from Phang-Nga and Jessda Petchkaew, 24, from Nakorn Sri Thammarat, were spotted sitting in front of a rented room in Pisitkoranee Rd, and were arrested.

Police also seized the gun, which turned out to be a replica. During questioning by

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police, the duo admitted to robbing JK Healthcare. They also admitted that the previous day they had tried to rob the Bangla Pharmacy in Bangla Rd. In that case they were unsuccessful because the owner, Kanittha Noonak, pushed the gun away from herself and screamed loudly for help.

They added that these were their first two robberies, and they had committed them because they were angry that the prices charged in these pharmacies were “too expensive”.

But further investigation by police revealed that one of the robbers was the boyfriend of a woman who had worked at both pharmacies and had been fired from both after being caught with her fingers in the till.

The police are now also looking into these allegations . thephuketnews

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PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Food shacks ordered erased from Laypang Nattha Thepbamrung reporter3@classactmedia.co.th

team of officials led by Cherng Talay Chief Executive Ma’ann Samran last Friday (January 23) inspected five food shacks being built on Laypang beach.

The mayor was escorted

by Navy troops during the inspection.

“There were five food shops being built on NorSorLor land on Laypang Beach in front of the Banyan Tree Resort.

“Around a month ago I placed an order on the front of each shop stating that they have to stop construction. However, today, almost 30 days since the date of the first order, the buildings are still here.

“We have already ordered the owners to demolish or remove the buildings from the area, and if they haven’t done so within 37 days we will return to do it ourselves,” Mr Ma’ann told The Phuket News.

He added that along with the five food shops there were

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Illegally set-out sunloungers are loaded on a truck for removal on Mr Ma’ann’s orders. also umbrellas and beach loungers in the area, which he ordered be removed immediately.

“They are not on the sand, but they are on public land.

Even though this is NorSorLor land, it is for public use so, we have to remove businesses that occupy the land.”

Meanwhile, he stated that

he has added one more location for beach zoning in addition to Surin beach.

“For Laypang and Bangtao beaches, there are hotels on the beach front that provide beach loungers and umbrellas inside the hotels area already, so I am not providing zones for these beaches.

“Initially, only Surin Beach

was to be zoned as it is popular and there are no hotels on the beach front. However, I have also added a zone for Layan beach” Vice-Governor Somkiet Sangkhaosutthirak told The Phuket News that the deadline for working on beach management would be around Tuesday or Wenesday this

week (January 27/28), when a final meeting will be held and regulations will come into force.

“The beach management project is more than 95 per cent complete. I admit I was a little slow, and this was because we had to wait until every beach was ready.

“At the end of this month, regulations will be announced and enforced, while Beach Guard Officers, a new team specially created for this measure, will work to monitor and control the regulations,” he said.

“Every beach will be under the same rules and standards.

No chairs will be allowed, only mats and umbrellas brought for personal use. Masseuses can wait on the beach or anywhere for customers but may not reserve a space for business.

“Umbrella operators will stay in the tourism centres that we have already specified for each beach. The umbrella rental fee will be B200 a day for every area,” he said.

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Arrested: Samkhan Pongwut.

Man arrested with a pistol under his seat A MAN FROM PITSANULOK was arrested at 7:30pm on Monday night (January 26) for illegal possession of a pistol and 18 bullets.

Lt Col Nikorn Chuthong and a team of officers from Tha Chat Chai and Sakoo arrested the man, Samkhan Pongwut, 35, at a check point which had been set in Sakoo.

After stopping Samkhan at the check point, police checked under the seat of his motorcycle and found a Spanish-made Llama 7.65mm pistol, 18 bullets, two magazines and a holster.

Samkhan was charged with possession of a gun and ammunition without a permit and carrying a gun illegally in a public place.

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PHUKET NEWS

Burmese concert ‘may be cancelled’ Nattha Thepbamrung reporter3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

View, centre, with the two winning Bruneian contestants.

Local student comes 3rd in English contest

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concer t featuring major Burmese stars, scheduled for tomorrow (January 31), appears to be in doubt after provincial authorities expressed security concerns.

Giant posters advertising the Thai-Myanmar Cultural Relationship Concert have appeared in several places around the island, listing stars such as R-Zarni, Ni Ni Khin Zaw, Hun Htun and The Trees band.

The concert is scheduled to take place near the old bus station on Phang Nga Rd in Phuket Town with a ticket price of B500.

But Vice-Governor Somkiet Sangkhaosutthirak told The Phuket News on Monday (January 26) that the concert may have to be cancelled.

“We [provincial authorities] were not told in advance about the concert. Staging a concert for thousands of people, especially foreign

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Huge billboards around town advertising the concert caught the eyes of thousands. workers, poses a risk of violence and chaos,” he said.

“Security measures must be in place, but no one – not the police nor provincial volunteers nor anyone else who should be involved – has been contacted by the concert organisers.

“There would have to be meetings between many

organisations in advance to discuss how to manage security.

“There is also pressure from Phuket people [in the concert area] who are concerned about the potential for chaos.”

He said he understood that cancelling the concert would cause a lot of disappointment

among Burmese people on the island, but “officials probably are not going to take the risk of letting it go ahead”.

On Wednesday (January 28), as The Phuket News went to press, V/Gov Somkiet said he still did not know whether the concert was definitely cancelled or not. The organiser declined to comment.

RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY Phuket student Pannaphak “View” Takrue has been awarded third place in an international English speech contest.

Ms View, 23, vied for honours with 36 students from 13 universities around Asia to win third place in the contest, held at Rajabhat Thepsattri in Lopburi on January 14.

A student in the Humanities & Social Sciences Faculty of Rajabhat Phuket, majoring in English, she is currently working as a PR intern with Class Act Media.

She told The Phuket News, “I was so excited when they announced my ranking. I was really surprised to get third place.

“In the first round there were 36 competitors separated into two teams, with

the coaches from one group judging the competitors in the other group.

“Each competitor had previously been given a choice of four topics to speak about, for 5 to 7 minutes.”

View chose to speak about the opportunities Thailand has gained and will gain from membership of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean).

She made it through the next round and into the final, up against two boys from Brunei Darusaalam, a Filipina and a Chinese girl.

In the final she was asked, “What are the disadvantages to Thailand of Asean membership?” This time she had to answer without any preparation.

The two boys from Brunei took first and second, while View came third.

thephuketnews

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PHUKET NEWS FOCUS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

9

Phuket Port finally gets EIA Nattha Thepbamrung

reporter3@classactmedia.co.th

P

ort expansion gets EIA approval after 5 years Governor Nisit Jansomwong has announced that the proposed expansion of the deep sea port has received Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval from the Office of the National Environment Board.

The approval removes the major hurdle to the expansion, which has been held up for five years because of it.

It comes just 10 days after Minister

of Transport Air Chief Marshall Prajin Janthong announced government plans to turn Phuket into a yachting and cruise ship “hub for Asean”.

The plan, announced previously

by Wattanachai Ruangpanyalertkul, Chaophaya Terminal International Co’s Director of Songkhla and Phuket ports, provides for separate berthing for cargo and cruise ships, with a 60-metre extension using “dolphins”, bridges to connect the dolphins to the land, a cruise terminal building, basic facilities, internal roads and parking.

“After this the Phuket Treasury Office [which owns the land] will

organise private sector investment and assist with planning of the development.

“This will benefit Phuket and support the [government] plan to make the island a yachting and cruise ship hub. In a few days, public hearings will be held in Phuket to discuss the plan,” he added.

On Saturday Royal Phuket Marina owner Gulu Lalvani proposed rule changes to give a boost to the superyacht and megayacht charter industry in Phuket, which would back the government plans for Phuket to be a yachting hub. See story on page 15.

A cargo ship unloads at Phuket Deep Sea Port, taking up quay space.

in truck dies of CO gas – Prisoners become scouts Man but his cats survive unscathed to prepare for life outside EIGHTY INMATES OF Phuket Prison – 40 women and 40 men – have just completed a four-day scout training exercise aimed at preparing them for their return into society.

The training exercise was opened on Monday (January 26) by Phuket Vice-Governor Somkiet Sangkhaosutthirak, who said at the opening ceremony, “This course will help prisoners improve their behavior.

“When they get back into society, they will be a quality part of it.

“Scout training will teach them the value of morality, harmony, rules, positive attitudes to society, and emotional control when facing problems,” he said.

Along with behavioural training, the scouts will also be trained in first aid, map reading, the history of the Thai Scout movement, and HM the King’s example of devotion to society.

Phuket Prison Commander, Pichit Wannajit, went on to speak about drugs in society and how they are a large, long-term issue.

@thephuketnews

A 42-Y EA R- OLD M A N found dead in his truck, parked near the Prince of Songkhla University, probably died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Amazingly, two cats in a cage on the back seat survived with no apparent ill effects.

Police were called to the scene at 4:45pm on Monday (January 26) after local people spotted the man slumped in the truck with the engine running and all the doors shut. The AC was set at maximum.

V/Gov Somkiet meets a member of the behind-bars girl guides.

“Eighty-two per cent of prisoners in Phuket Prison, including 198 foreigners, have been arrested because of drugs. It is the main issue in society.

“Everyone in here may have made a mistake in the past, but they are learning the lessons of life and realise how suffering is the result [of their mistakes]. I believe they will go out into society as quality people.”

He also mentioned progress on plans for the new Phuket Prison.

Mr Pichit said, “Now that

the budget of B1,052 billion has been approved by the government, the Department of Corrections is writing the terms of reference for contractors who want to bid for the contract.

“After the contract is signed, it will take about three years to construct the new prison at Baan Bang Jo in Thalang District.”

“Phuket prison is currently about 200 per cent over capacity; the prison was designed to hold up to 950 prisoners, but we now have around 3,000,” he said.

The doors of the truck were not locked and rescuers took the lifeless body of the man, identified later as Niwat Sathon, to Vachira Phuket Hospital for further examination. They found no signs of foul play and said they estimated that Mr Niwat had been dead for at least six to eight hours.

Locals said they never seen him before but had noticed him drive to the area and park, leaving the engine running and apparently taking a rest. No one

paid any particular attention, believing that he might simply be tired after a long drive.

“We became concerned after some time passed and he was still sleeping in the car, so we checked on him though the window and when we couldn’t rouse him we called the police,” said one resident.

Police said, “We believe the victim succumbed to poisoning by carbon monoxide that had leaked from the exhaust into the car while he was asleep.”

Opinion 10 OPINION

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KODCHANAT THINSEPON Editor

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

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STEVEN LAYNE Life Editor editor3@classactmedia.co.th From the USA; BA in Communication Arts from Bangkok University International College; six years’ experience at Nation Junior Magazine, Bangkok Recorder, Phuket.net, Farangs.com and Phuket Gazette.

DALIA HILMI News Editor editor1@classactmedia.co.th

Touts out

I

t’s all too often forgotten that timeshare is actually a very good idea. If you really like going to a particular place and you don’t want to be at the mercy of constantly fluctuating hotel prices, and you like the idea of a familiar place to take your family on a regular basis, it’s great.

Become a member of the right timeshare scheme – or holiday/vacation club, as they are now more commonly called (because “timeshare” has lost its shine) – you can opt for the services of one or more of the world’s huge timeshare exchanges: This year Phuket, next year Cancun, maybe? Or Athens, or Dubrovnik?

The problem has always been, and continues to be, the way that timeshare is marketed. More specifically it’s the OPCs, or Off Premises Canvassers. While legitimate resort timeshare operations don’t generally employ OPCs

Originally from Canada; BA in Sociology from the University of Birmingham in the UK and an MA in Online/ Print Journalism from the University of the Arts in London. Three years experience for Britain’s third-biggest publisher, Immediate Media, as well as Bauer Media and InStyle magazine.

Getting paid twice

News Editor

Re: Phuket timeshare an issue once again The timeshare industry makes it’s money two ways. First, they make a fortune from selling the weeks and the maintenance fees. Second, they make the money as a hotel/condo rental.

The worst part for the owners, since the timeshare already has your money, is many nonowners get the rooms. Most timeshare companies operate this way. Essentially, they get paid twice for every room night when occupied. That’s why they don’t exchange well. I always rent. Why buy it?

Foot

Originally from the UK; Has four years experience as editor and reporter for Phuketindex.com magazine and website, and InPhuket magazine.

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because their sales people can approach prospective buyers in the resort, timeshare operators in places such as Patong don’t have this luxury.

They have to somehow get tourists – the main market – into the sales office, where the selling actually takes place.

This is sensible. Imagine trying to sell a timeshare to someone sitting at a Bangla Rd bar.

OPCs are ambitious, aggressive, and very often downright sneaky. They pose as survey takers, perhaps, offering prizes if a person will fill in a short survey about tourism in Thailand for a totally bogus tourism organisation. There’s a prize if you do – all you have to do to collect it is go to a certain office.

Or they bounce up to offering you – very persistently – a scratch card. Free. Did you win? Gosh, you did. Just follow me to the office to collect your prize. And so on.

Most people find this kind of dishonest approach irritating and unpleasant, but there are obviously enough people who end up buying timeshares to make it worthwhile still using such methods, provided you are sufficiently deficient morally.

One does have to wonder, however, how effective the checks made on two timeshare operations in Phuket this week (see page 1) will be in rectifying the OPC problem.

For the fact is that Laguna Holiday Club and Absolute World are among the Phuket timeshare operations recognised as being generally straightforward and upright.

Mike Hall of Absolute was right when he urged ViceGovernor Punlop to “attack” the shonkier timeshare companies.

They are the ones that need cleaning up if Phuket’s tourism reputation is not to go on being scarred from time to time.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Yet another young foreigner found dead on Koh Tao Phuket police seize beach furniture in Patong British man in hospital after fight in Phuket bar Couple arrested for theft from Phuket tourist Phuket ladyboys arrested for taking drugs Five food shacks to be removed from Phuket’s Laypang Beach Phuket Holiday Inn staff back at work after brief walkout Phuket timeshare an issue once again Phuket unaffected by new drink regulations, for now Tourist drowns on trip to Racha Island

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY

MATTHEW POND editor3@classactmedia.co.th

EDITORIAL

Noise pollution Re: Five food shacks to be removed from Phuket’s Laypang Beach Again they target a few tiny businesses while not too far away along the coast there are large hotels built on National Park land. A few beach chairs behind the tree line are doing no harm and providing a wanted service. A few hundred metres away you cannot use the beach at all due to the obnoxious noise from Nikki Beach

Club. And this is right next to the National Park Office. Go figure. Nikki Beach apparently has correct title to the land but I cannot understand why the noise pollution is allowed.

Andy

Nobody seems surprised Re: Cement truck rams into Phuket food shops Boy... big surprise. Another reckless idiot in a cement truck.

So, “He was taken to Thalang Police Station and charged with reckless driving”, but what they didn’t say is that “then he went back to work and got in a different truck and didn’t change anything about the way he drives like an idiot”.

Ed Sanders Having just spent 2 months in Phuket, the quality of driving

by Thais is absolutely unbelievable, if any of them have passed a driving test then they need to resit them!! Driving too close, too fast and with no consideration for other road users, no wonder the death toll on the roads is so high! Why don’t the police have patrol

cars and pull people up! Oh yeah, that would mean them doing their job!! malczx7r

Most in agreement Re: Phuket police seize beach furniture in Patong I support the police who enforced the law. Beaches are for everybody. In the past, tourists might get the sand kicked in their face if they didn’t rent the sun-beds when sitting near these people’s area.

PeterLong Great job, kick them off and keep them off. The tourists know there are no legal sun lounge vendors on the beach so leaving their private chairs with a vendors pile of chairs the tourist knows the person they are leaving their chair with is breaking the law. Good on the police. simon01

Where’s our water Re: Phuket water boost announcement after villagers protest over drought Nice to hear [the authorities plan] to increase access to

water. The Ao Po area has schools, marinas, hotels, and a substantial local community.

We have no town supply despite the fact that the water main passes the Ao Po turnoff a few kilometers away. Can the governor tell us when we can expect to receive town water?

Confused Kevin

A big talking point Re: Koh Tao Mayor Blasts UK Media’s ‘Negative Reporting’ I can understand the Mayor’s point of view. In the murder of the 2 tourists, police did themselves no favours. The police report on this death should’ve been straightforward in that they didn’t “suspect” foul play & the coroner needs to decide. I also agree that many tourists show no respect for Thai culture & need to be educated?

Bjay Why re-educate tourists? They all have the right when they come and spend there money!

Thai’s have to decide, take the money or respect there culture.

Guess what they decide?

Horst

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Another Brit ‘may be missing on Koh Tao’ A

27-year-old traveller from the United Kingdom has been reported missing on the island of Koh Tao. Coconuts Bangkok reports that Lauren Hebden was last heard from on December 22 when she was thought to have been on Koh Tao, according to reports from Missing Abroad and Missing People, two UK-based nonprofits.

“Lauren went travelling in September 2013 and kept in touch regularly via email and Skype,” reads the information from Missing Abroad.

“However [she] stopped in September 2014, apart from one email in December 2014.”

According to the information, Hebden was last seen on Koh Tao but might have moved since the time of her last contact.

The location of her disappearance is likely to be of particular interest. During the past six months there have been an unusual number of deaths of foreigners on Koh Tao, including the brutal

Christina Annesley (left) was found dead in a room last week and Lauren Hebden (right) was believed to have been on Koh Tao at the time of her disappearance. murder of two young British backpackers.

A third Briton, 23-yearold Christina Annesley, died last week. Local police were quick to rule out foul play in her case.

Ms Hebden is described as Caucasian, of medium build with blue eyes and brown hair, about 178 centimeters in height.

Anyone who may have seen her or who has information is urged to call the charity at +44 800-098-8485 or send email to operations@

missingabroad.org.

Meanwhile, Ms Annesley, 23, who was discovered dead in a bungalow on Koh Tao last Wednesday (January 21) had consumed a potentially fatal combination of alcohol and Valium, police said Tuesaday (January 27), citing preliminary autopsy data.

“The initial results from the autopsy found Valium and alcohol in the victim’s body,” Thai police spokesman Lt Gen Prawut Thavornsiri told AFP. “There were no signs of

Bag snatchers in operation at Suvarnabhumi Airport AUTHORITIES ARE ON alert for luggage snatchers at Suvarnabhumi airport following the recent arrest of a Taiwanese man who stole three designer bags from a Japanese traveller while the items sat on a conveyor belt.

The theft exposed flaws in the airport’s security and is worrying travellers in the queues at immigration control who don’t know whether they will become the next victims.

Each year there are at least 50 cases of robbery similar to the one that hit the Japanese tourist, say police who are concerned the airport is being targeted by foreign robbers as a place to steal expensive baggage.

They raised the warning after they arrested Chiang Yu Ting last Monday (January 19) and seized from him the three brand-name bags, a shoulder satchel and sunglasses, with a combined value of about B100,000.

His arrest followed a complaint by Otsuka Tatusya, 51, who realised his bags were missing after waiting in vain at the baggage claim area. On January 18, Mr Tatusya arrived @thephuketnews

The recent theft of a Japanese man’s three pieces of luggage has highlighted flaws in the airport’s security. at Suvarnabhumi from Vietnam on a Thai Airways flight. After passing through immigration, he watched as other passengers collected their bags and left him standing alone at the empty conveyor belt.

Deputy Tourist Police Division chief Pol Col Rungrot Sayanprasoet was informed of the irregularity and, after determining their disappearance did not result from an airline mistake or other passengers accidentally picking them up, launched a search.

Investigators checked security camera footage near the conveyor belt and saw a suspect taking the silver, gold and black Rimowa luggage before leav-

ing the terminal. Mr Tatusya identified the three pieces as belonging to him. Investigators canvassed the airport and learned the suspect left the airport in a private vehicle to a nearby hotel. Police staked out the hotel until morning when they saw a man emerge who looked like the person in the footage. He was leaving the hotel with the three stolen bags.

The suspect was later arrested at the airport as he was checking in at the China Airline counter.

Mr Chiang, 37, who was about to fly back to Taiwan, allegedly admitted stealing Mr Tatsuya's bags from the conveyor belt. Bangkok Post

rape,” he added, saying the full autopsy results would be released within three days.

In an indication that they want to avoid any criticism over their handling of the case, Ms Annesley’s body was sent to Bangkok for a full autopsy, which was carried out Sunday (January 25).

Many of Annesley’s final tweets – under the handle @chrstinadarling – spoke of the beauty of Koh Tao’s white sand beaches and azure waters.

But she also made reference to taking both Tramadol, a painkiller, and Valium, an anti-anxiety medication, in the days leading up to her death.

Last week Koh Tao police said they had found three kinds of medicine in her room, but no illicit drugs.

British daily The Evening Standard reported that Christina’s mother, Margaret, has demanded body be returned to the UK for autopsy, saying she feared a “cover-up” by local police.

Coconuts Bangkok/AFP

THAILAND NEWS 11

AirAsia leads the way MALAYSIA’S BUDGET airline, AirAsia Group, announced that it is abolishing its fuel surcharge effective January 26 for all group airlines following the drop in global crude oil prices.

AirAsia Group Chief Executive Tony Fernandes said in a statement that the decision to end the surcharge was made in November 2014 in line with declining global oil prices.

“We believe removing the fuel surcharge and reducing travel costs will be a huge boost to the tourism industry,” he said.

With the removal of the fuel surcharge, customers are now required to pay only the air fare, the administration fee and airport tax.

Meanwhile, Thai AirAsia X has recently

announced a partnership with Counter Service in Thailand to introduce an easy Book & Pay option.

The deal means that Thai AirAsia X f lights, such as those to Tokyo, Osaka and Seoul, can be purchased at all Counter Service branches across the Kingdom.

Counter Service outlets are available at 7-Eleven stores all around Thailand as well as at other marked venues.

During the launch of Book & Pay at Counter Service for flights to Japan and South Korea with Thai AirAsia X, all flights booked with the system will receive an instant 200 THB discount.

Bangkok Post and Asiatraveltips.com

12 ASIA NEWS

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Court hears how Khmer Rouge ate human parts A witness told Cambodia’s UN-backed court last Wednesday (January 21) that Khmer Rouge soldiers slit prisoners’ throats and ate their gall bladders during the 1970s, as the genocide trial of the two most senior surviving leaders resumed.

Nuon Chea, 88, known as “Brother Number Two”, and former head of state Khieu Samphan, 83, face charges over the killing of ethnic Vietnamese and Muslim minorities, forced marriage and rape during the 1975-1979 regime that left up to two million people dead.

In August the pair were given life sentences for crimes against humanity -- the first top Khmer Rouge figures to be jailed -- after a two-year trial focused on the forced evacuation of Cambodians from Phnom Penh into rural labour camps and murders at one execution site.

The genocide trial, which began last July, has faced repeated delays due to boycotts by the defendants’ lawyers and most recently because of the brief hospitalisation of Khieu Samphan.

He was well enough to attend the hearing last Wednesday alongside his defence team,

Nuon Chea (left) and Khieu Samphan face charges over the killing of ethnic Vietnamese and Muslim minorities, forced marriage and rape. Photos: FishInWater while Nuon Chea followed the proceedings from a holding cell due to dizziness.

The prosecution’s first witness, Meas Sokha, told the court that he saw Khmer Rouge soldiers kill hundreds of inmates at Kraing Ta Chan prison in Takeo province, around 80 kilometres (50 miles) south of Phnom Penh, where he was detained along with 11 other family members.

“While I was tending cows and buffaloes, I could see how prisoners were killed. Most of them had their throats slit,” said the 55-year-old.

“Two ( K h mer Rouge guards) would hold a prisoner tight and another would slit the throat of the prisoner,” he said, adding that the Khmer Rouge played music through a loudspeaker “to hide the sounds of the killing”.

He said at least 20 prisoners were killed per day after a week of starvation at the prison, where he was held for more than two years from 1976. His father and younger siblings also died at the jail.

The witness added that soldiers killed small children by throwing them against a

tree before dropping their bodies into the mass grave at the prison.

He told the court that Khmer Rouge cadres would eat the gall bladders of executed prisoners after drying them in the sun.

“Whenever there were killings, the guards would drink wine together with gall bladders,” said Meas Sokha. “I knew these gall bladders were from humans. There were many gall bladders dried in the sun near the fence.”

The complex case against Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan was split into a series of smaller trials in 2011 to try to obtain a faster verdict against the pair, both of whom are elderly and frail.

They deny all charges against them and are appealing their life convictions.

Somewhe r e b et we e n 100,000-500,000 ethnic Cham Muslims and 20,000 Vietnamese were believed to have been killed during the regime’s rule.

Led by “Brother Number One” Pol Pot, who died in 1998 without ever facing justice, the Khmer Rouge dismantled modern society in Cambodia in their quest for an agrarian Marxist utopia. AFP

China officials dine on endangered salamander C H I N ESE OF F ICI A LS feasted on a critically endangered giant salamander and turned violent when journalists photographed them, according to media reports Tuesday (January 27) .

The 28 diners included senior police officials from the southern city of Shenzhen, the Global Times said.

The species is classed as “critically endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of threatened species .

Metropolis Daily, which said its journalists were beaten when their identities were discovered by the diners.

O ne wa s k icked a nd slapped, another had his mobile phone forcibly taken off him, while the photographer was choked, beaten up and had his camera smashed, the The Chinese giant salamander is believed to have anti- reports said.

A total of 14 police have ageing properties. Photo: Micromesistius been suspended and an inves“Commercial over-exploita- the IUCN said. tigation has been launched into tion for human consumption is The Global Times cited the the incident, added the Global the main threat to this species,” Guangzhou-based Southern Times. AFP

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

HK police hunt young girl over diamond heist HONG KONG POLICE SAY they are hunting a girl aged between 12 and 14 years old over the theft of a diamond necklace worth more than HK$36 million (B151.5 million) from a luxury jewellery store.

Police say she helped carry out the audacious theft with two women and a man, all aged between 30 and 40. The adults “pretended to be customers choosing items from the shop” police said, while the girl stole the necklace. The gang of four then left the store before a staff member realised it was missing. The necklace was 100-carat gold embedded with more than 30 diamonds, the South China Morning Post said, and police confirmed it was worth HK$36 million.

The young girl managed to steal a key from a drawer to open a cabinet while staff were distracted, the SCMP

said, citing an unnamed police source.

“The three adults posed as big spenders and demanded employees show them jewellery in an apparent move to divert staff attention,” the source said. Local media reported that the theft was from the Emperor Jewellery store in the Tsim Sha Tsui shopping district, but the store would not confirm it had been targeted when contacted by AFP. The girl was caught on CCTV as she left the mall, the SCMP said, showing a picture of a girl dressed in black trousers, a blue shirt and a grey-hooded top.

Police described her as “slimly built”.

The gang spent around half an hour in the shop and staff did not notice the necklace was missing until later in the day, the SCMP added. AFP

Returned relics are fake STATUES AND OTHER artifacts returned to Cambodia last week after being seized from a disgraced Thai police commander’s hidden trove may not be treasures after all.

Experts have said that the five historical Khmer treasures are fakes – and not very good ones at that.

“I don’t know why they think the statues might be real,” Kong Vireak, director of the National Museum of Cambodia, said in the Phnom Penh Post of the five objects.

Thailand’s Fine Arts Department said expert relic hunters helped choose the five objects which included a Khmer-style Buddha, Shiva, Brahma and multi-limbed figure.

They believed them to be about six centuries old. The French institute which has studied Khmer culture and managed the Angkor Wat com-

plex for more than a century wasn’t impressed.

“I’ll be short. Those statues are new,” Bertrand Porte of Ecole Francaise d’ExtremeOrient said. Thailand, which has recognised that many of the objects recovered were indeed fake, has said it would return 16 genuine artifacts.

The objects were discovered in a hidden vault belonging to Pongpat Chayaphan, former head of the Central Investigation Bureau who was caught up in a wide scandal and removed from his duties for prosecution Bangkok.coconuts.com

HUGE REDUCTIONS on exclusive properties in Phuket, details on page 17

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14 BUSINESS NEWS

Bangkok Airport cabs want B50 hike in basic fare

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

‘2nd boat show’ postponed T

he island’s “second boat show”, the Phuket Yacht Show, aimed primarily at the boat charter business, has been postponed.

Originally scheduled to THAILAND’S MINISTRY take place from February 12 to of Transport’s Department of 15 in the Phuket Yacht Haven Land Transport is considering marina, it is to be rescheduled a proposal to raise the Suvar- to a date yet to be set, the ornabhumi Airport taxi fee to ganisers have announced on B100 up from B50 at present. the show’s website.

In a joint statement, the Taxi drivers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport marina owners and the show complained to authorities that organisers said they regretthey are not making enough ted the impact that this might money serving passengers at have on exhibitors’ plans, but the airport and have requested will work closely with them that the B50 surcharge be to minimise this. The show’s new dates will be announced raised to B100.

Transport Minister ACM shortly.

One of the reasons for the Prajin Juntong, said evaluation of the request would delay, they explained, is that be completed by yesterday in the past week or so there has been a positive exchange (January 29).

“If the feasibility study with Thai Government officials is positive then we will raise indicating significant support the surcharge,” he said, not- for the new show later in the ing the regulations will need year and, importantly, support to be updated and that takes for a proposal from the show organisers and local industry two weeks.

The minister acknowl- representatives to increase edged that larger, five-door the number of superyachts taxis had higher costs than coming to Thai waters from the standard four-door taxis. the Mediterranean.

The government has subHe also noted that the taxi surcharge at Don Mueang sequently announced that it Airport would also be raised intends to promote Phuket as if the Suvarnabhumi proposal an international yachting hub.

Andy Treadwell, Managwas approved.

Prime Minister Gen Pra- ing Director of organisers 3L yuth Chan-Ocha has urged Events, explained, “Both my taxi operators not to take team and the Yacht Haven Marina team have all worked advantage of passengers.

Most importantly, he said, really hard to get the Show off “They must not turn down the ground this year.

“It’s a massive project, and passengers, be they Thais or foreigners.”

TTR Weekly a highly significant one for

Computer-generated aerial image of Yacht Haven, showing the new clubhouse at the foot of the ‘‘cliff’. yachting in Asia, but we all agree that it would be better to delay until conditions are perfect.’

He continued, “What is most important is the fantastic interest the event’s launch has sparked in the industry – we can see it’s going to become a key event, and a real catalyst for the development of the yachting industry here.

“And the main point was the focus on charter, so it’s also exciting to have had a positive reaction from the Thai Government – this could give a serious boost to the industry worldwide.”

Jean Phataraprasit, of the family that owns Phuket Yacht Haven Marina, said, “We are delighted that there seems to be a lot of positivity about yachting tourism and support for these initiatives coming from the government of Thailand now.

“It’s fundamental to the important investment we have made in this project that Phuket remains the superyacht hub for Asia.

“We’re excited that Yacht Haven with its new clubhouse, and the international-scale show that Andy’s team is planning, will be at the forefront

of development of the yachting industry here.”

Meanwhile, the organisers of the 2015 Phuket International Boat Show (Pimex), staged last month at the Royal Phuket Marina, said this year’s show was “a record-breaker”.

They also announced the dates for the 2016 show: January 7 to 10.

In what is likely to be seen by some as an effort to counter the new show at Yacht Haven, the Pimex organisers announced that special facilities will be included next year to cater to very large boats, with a dedicated Superyacht Zone.

At the moment the largest yacht that can make it up the channel from the sea is about 35 metres in length, but the Pimex organisers are to set up a superyacht reception area in the Royal Villas with its own private dock.

From there, shuttle boats will take potential buyers and guests out to superyachts that will be anchored in Sapam Bay. Only two marinas on the island have the depth of water to accept yachts more than 35 metres in length: the Ao Po Grand Marina and Yacht Haven, which can both accept yachts up to 80 metres.

Thailand movie-shoot income drops in 2014 THAILAND EARNED B1.93 billion from location film shoots last year, according to the Thailand Film Office (TFO).

Scenes for 631 feature films, documentaries, advertisements, TV series, and music videos were filmed on location in Thailand during the year.

This was a drop of 12 per cent in the number of shoots and a drop in revenue of 11pc compared with 2013, when 717 shoots took place, generating revenue of B2.17 billion. The drop reflected the fall in overall tourist numbers in 2014.

Japanese filmmakers topped the list in 2014 with 133 productions, followed by 122 from Europe, 107 from India, 37 from China, 28 from Hong Kong, 26 from the United States, 22 from South Korea, 18 from Australia, two from Taiwan,

and 136 from elesewhere.

Although the figures were down for the year as a whole, December saw 57 shoots generated B180 million, compared with 35 generating B82 million during the same month of 2013.

The TFO is part of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

Although the revenue from film crews is substantial, the bigger advantage is that the various films, advertisments and documentaries help to promote Thailand to potential tourists – at no cost to Thailand.

Among recent high-profile shoots in Thailand were scenes for Mechanic: Resurrection, starring Jason Statham; Top Gear – Burma Special Part 2; Indian adventure comedy Bang Bang; and Kickboxer: Vengeance, starring JeanClaude Van Damme and David Bautista.

TTR Weekly thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

BUSINESS NEWS 15

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

New firms over B5m capital must now show the money THE NATIONAL DEPARTment of Business Development has amended regulations on company and partnership registration, and on increasing company capital.

With effect from January 5, any company or partnership declaring capital of B5 million or more when registering must prove that the capital actually exists. The same applies to companies increasing capital to more than B5 million.

The new rule came into force after Commerce Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikaya noted that there had been a surge in such businesses being registered since January 5 this year.

Any business registering as having B5 million or more in capital must produce documentary evidence of cash invested in the company within 15 days of registering. If the investment is in assets (land, for example), supporting documentation must be produced within 90 days.

In the case of capital in

an existing company being increased, evidence of that must be produced at the time the increase is registered.

Surachai Chaiwat, Vice President Phuket Chamber of Commerce said, “I completely agree with this.

It brings transparency to business.

“I don’t think there will be many objections to this because usually it’s only big businesses that have registered capital of more than B5 million – such as my own vehicle business.

“It creates a level playing field for all businesses at this level.”

The Vice-Chairman of the International Business Association of Phuket, Jason Beavan, GM of Class Act Media, agreed. “It’s sensible.

There have been too many people exploiting the existing loopholes up until now,” he said.

The new rule does not affect existing businesses as long as they do not increase their capital beyond B5 million.

Govt ‘should relax rules on chartering’ Alasdair Forbes execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he owner of the Royal Phuket Marina, Gulu Lalvani, has urged the government to make two changes to regulations which, he says, will create a new boom in high-end tourists coming to Phuket.

The two changes would be to issue visiting yacht skippers and crew with six-month visas – they currently get 30 days after which they must leave the country – and to open the boat charter industry to all boats, not only Thai-flagged vessels, as is currently the case.

Mr Lalvani said this would allow Phuket to compete for charter business on even terms with neighbouring Malaysia and even classic yachting centres such as the South of France.

He put these ideas to Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul when she was in Phuket last week and, he told The Phuket News, they were well received.

“My main point to her was that we have to do whatever we can to get more affluent tourists to come to Phuket. And people with boats are wealthy.

“But there are certain crazy for the construction of a sixth bits of red tape and rules that bridge linking Ubon Ratcha- stand in the way of improving thani and Saravane.” the boating industry.

He said, “If Laos agrees to “She very quickly caught on the project, the Department of and said these rules put people Highways will conduct a fea- off. People with big boats sibility study at its own cost.” who want to keep them in the In addition, Thailand will region, when they go abroad propose to Laos the improve- they keep them in Langkawi ment of the Laotian road system [in Malaysia]. between Nakhon Phanom and “You have the French RivHanoi in Vietnam. iera and we should be the “The roads will help con- Riviera of Asia and eventually nect Thailand and Laos via overtake the Riviera of Europe Hanoi with Nanning in China, because there are a lot more speeding up transport of cargo,” places here to discover by sea. he noted.

TTR Weekly “I want owners to bring

5th and 6th Thai-Laos bridges on the cards THE MINISTRY OF TRANSport is to hold discussions with the Lao government on financing a fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge.

The fifth bridge will link the northeast province of Bung Kan with Pak Sane town in Bolikhamxai province of Laos.

Permanent Secretary Voradej Harnprasert, said Thailand has already completed the design work for the bridge, which will cost an estimated B3.7 billion.

“The two countries are also in the negotiating process

Accor opens Pullman in Khao Lak ACCOR HAS ANNOUNCED THE OPENING of the Pullman Khao Lak Katiliya Resort & Villas in Phang Nga. The resort has 223 rooms and suites, and 97 villas, many of which have private pools and are located on the beach overlooking the Andaman Sea. It has six restaurants, from casual beachfront venues to specialty restaurants, and two bars serving light meals, cocktails and beverages.

Leisure facilities include five swimming pools, a spa, two fitness centres, and a children’s club.

Meeting facilities include the 400m² Chong Fa Ballroom, three medium size function rooms, all with state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment. @thephuketnews

Aerial view of the new Pullman resort.

The resort is offering a special introductory rate of B 3,300++ per room night.

For more information or to book a room, email reservations@pullmankhaolak.com or call 076 427 500.

RPM owner Gulu Lalvani (left) with Tourism and Sports Minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul (centre) and Phuket Governor, Nisit Jansomwong. megayachts here and leave them here.

“But you’ve got to do two things: waive those stupid 30-day-visa rules for the crew … and allow owners to charter out their boats, which is currently not allowed [because they are not Thai-registered].

These rules put people off.”

If superyachts and megayachts can be chartered out, he argued, many wealthy people would extend their holidays in Phuket because they could add a week on a superyacht to their stay.

He cited as an example Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, who chartered a boat seven years ago for a holiday that included two weeks in Phuket.

But, Mr Lalvani explained, Mr Gates had to charter the yacht from Singapore. He could not do so in Phuket because no super/megayacht owner wants to go Thai-flagged. He chartered the boat for three weeks, Mr Lalvani said, but spent two weeks in Phuket waters.

He also noted that if anyone wanted a Thai-flagged boat they must not only pay 7 per cent VAT but must also set up a Thai company with 70pc Thai ownership to own the boat.

He denied a report in another publication that he had suggested to Ms Kobkarn that the 7pc VAT be waived.

“I know that to change the rules on VAT would be a long struggle. I said, ‘Keep that VAT for those who want a Thai-flagged boat, but make a concession that foreign-flagged boats are allowed to charter.’”

If that concession could be made, he pointed out, the main objection to the VAT would disappear.

“The average owner [of a large yacht] uses it maybe six weeks of the year so it’s lying here for the rest of the time, earning nothing. If people could charter it, there’s fuel bought here, the charterer will come here shopping, and all this adds a lot to the economy.

“That would [also] make it a

lot more palatable for the owners to leave their yachts here.”

He noted that the rule changes would not bring great benefit to his marina, which cannot take boats of more than 35 metres in length – superyachts are generally defined as being from 24 to 50 metres, while megayachts are greater than that length.

“I’m not looking at the benefits for my marina – it doesn’t matter to me if boats go to another marina – I’m looking at the benefits to Phuket.”

Mr Lalvani’s proposal fits well with the recent announcement that the government wants to see Phuket beome a yachting and cruising hub in Asean.

Last Friday (January 23), Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-Ocha, in his weekly TV address, announced that talks had been held with the Vietnamese government about making join efforts to promote marine tourism in the region, and that Vietnam had responded positively.

16 WEIRD NEWS

THE BIG LIST Affluent animals We’re counting down the richest animals this side of the milky way. One rule: can’t have been in a film. Sorry Keiko (Free Willy).

Gunther IV: This is pretty ridiculous. Gunther IV, a German shepherd, has just over US$372 million. The dog actually inherited his money from his father, Gunther III, who inherited from the German Countess Karlotta Liebenstein – she died in 1991.

Gunther IV has servants, maids, a chauffeur, a personal chef and even his own Miami mansion (which use to be Madonna’s) as well as a villa in the Bahamas. It is reported that Gunther IV also dines on caviar and steak everyday.

Tommasino: Also known as Don Tommasino, this cat was in the Guinness Book of World Records as the richest cat in the world with an inheritance of US$15 million.

The Italian cat, who started life as a stray, received the money after the death of his 94-year-old reclusive owner. In Italy, however, a animals cannot inherit directly although they can be beneficiaries after a trustee is found – enter Stefania, a nurse entrusted to take care of the fortune and the animal.

Trouble: Billionaire property tycoon Leona Helmsley made headlines around the world when it became known that she bequeathed US$12 million to her pet Maltese, named Trouble. She disinherited her two grandchildren to give away the fortune, but after she passed away in 2007, legal battles have seen Trouble’s fortune slashed to a mere US$2 million.

Trouble later passed away in 2011, an event covered in a 1,005-word article in The New York Times.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

This dog has more money than you S

ome dogs have all the luck.

Like Princess Bella Mia, whose owner left her a reported US$1 million trust fund and a home. Yes, really.

Not only has Rose Ann Bolasny, an accountant from New York City, given the three-year-old Maltese a share of one of her son’s trust funds, but Bella Mia is also set to inherit one of the family homes in Florida.

“I discussed having Bella Mia included in the trust fund with my sons and they totally understood,” Bolasny said. “My sons at that point were not part of that house because it’s a recent purchase. It was Bella Mia’s third birthday and my husband and I wanted to

leave her that house for her birthday.”

So exactly how lavish a lifestyle does this pooch have? Bolasny reportedly feeds Bella Mia fillet steaks, buys her diamond jewellry and even bought over 1,000 designer outfits, each worth up to US$900.

Bolasny spent a reported US$98,100 on Bella Mia last year alone.

“My children are grown and successful. They don’t need my money.

They know how happy she has made my husband and I. We decided that we had given her such a lavish life that we wanted to make sure she’d still have what she was accustomed to when I was gone,” Bolasny told reporters.

Odd reason why bakery accused of ‘religious discrimination’ A BAKERY IN DENVER, Colorado, is being sued by a customer who wanted them to adorn some cakes with the message “God hates gays”.

In addition to the words, customer Bill Jack said he also wanted the bakery to draw a picture of two men holding hands with a red

cross above them.

Azucar Bakery owner Marjorie Silva said she tried to appease Mr Jack by making the cakes and then offering to sell him the icing so he could decorate it himself.

Mr Jack refused the offer, choosing instead to file a lawsuit with the Department

of Regulatory Agencies after telling a local news station that he was “being discriminated against by the bakery based on my creed”.

The bakery is now under investigation and the complaint could possibly be sent to the Colorado Civil Right commission.

World’s sexiest couple?

L AS V EGAS COU PLE Buck and Michelle Miller have dubbed themselves the “world’s sexiest couple”.

Both work as personal trainers and professional bodybuilders, spending about £50,000 a year on tanning, haircuts, manicures and, of course, gym memberships.

“If there was a competition for the world’s best looking couple I would sign up right now,” Buck said in a Barcroft TV video on Youtube.com.

“Even if we take our son to Chuck E Cheese, everyone is

just looking and saying ‘holy cow, that is one jacked couple’,” he added.

But they didn’t always have these bodies as Michelle has had breast enlargement surgery several years ago to “maintain her femininity.”

“I can still have muscles and be sexy,” she said in the video. The couple, who live with their 12-year-old son Kyla, maintain a house with walls that are covered in pictures of themselves.

“These are reminders to never get comfortable,” he said.

Gigoo: Worth a reported £10 million (US$14 million), Gigoo is perhaps the richest hen in the world. The hen’s owner, publishing mogul Miles Blackwell, put Gigoo – whom he considers one of his children – in his will after his wife Briony died and no heirs remained. Just in time too, as Miles died only three weeks after Briony. It’s no surprise that Miles, part of the fourth-generation of Oxford book-sellers, established many animal charities during his lifetime.

Toby Rimes: Worth an estimated US$92 million, Toby Rimes the poodle who received his inheritance from owner and New York millionaire Ella Wendel in 1931. Funny enough, the money continues to flow since every one of the dog’s offspring has been named Toby Rimes and inherited the cash. It’s not known how much of the original amount is left.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Deep Pockets – A man in the Hebei Province of China recently decided to pay for

his brand-new car with only coins – a total of 51,800 Yuan (B270,100). It took eight sales people a whole afternoon to sort and count all of the money. The deposit on the vehicle, a total of 20,00 Yuan (B98,000) fit inside four nylon bags weighing a total of 150kg. The salesman at the car dealership told a local reporter that the man had warned him before buying the car. “He said he’d pay in petty cash. I thought it was old and small notes, but never expected they would all be in small denomination coins,” the salesman said.

King Tut’s 3,300 year old beard glued on DURING RESTORATION efforts of King Tut’s death mask, cleaners glued the 3,300-year-old beard back onto the facial portion after it broke clean off.

Now, experts are furious that cleaners at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo used epoxy to glue the beard back on, saying restoration efforts should never have taken place.

The mask, which was discovered by British archeologists Howard Carter and George Herbert in 1922, was glued on using epoxy – an “irreversible material”.

“Epoxy has a high property for attaching and is used on metal or stone but it wasn’t suitable for Tutankhamun’s golden mask. They were in a rush to get it displayed quickly again,” one conservator at the museum told local reporters.

“The mask should have been taken to the conservation lab, but they were in a rush to get it displayed quickly again and used this quick drying, irreversible material,” the conservator added. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

3rd generation Nissan X-Trail reviewed

4

Into the mind of a 3-star Michelin chef

9

OUT OF COMA INTO ART

Russian schoolkid turns trauma into triumph > Page 2

@thephuketnews

2 ART

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Viktor and Irina Lukashov with their son Sevastan.

From a coma to a solo exhibition Dalia Hilmi editor1@classactmedia.co.th

T

hey say that there’s a silver lining in every cloud. When you begin to look for reasons to believe that every experience is a blessing, you will start to find those reasons.

This is certainly true for 18-year-old Sevastan Lukashov. Originally from Russia, Sevastan is a student of the British International School Phuket (BISP), and back in March 2013 he was involved in a serious motorbike accident. Almost two years on, he is soon to hold an exhibition showcasing all the art he has created since the accident.

Sevastan spent three weeks in a coma and had to have a metal plate fitted into his skull. After a heart wrenching time for his family and friends, Sevastan finally regained consciousness.

A year after the accident, Sevastan began to express himself through art and painting. He did actually start to draw when he was just seven years old, but Sevastan claims he didn’t draw very well because it wasn’t “very interesting” for him at the time.

It was 10 years later (2014) that he began to draw again, but this time his art tells a story. Sevastan started to express his emotions and feelings through music and art. He began to familiarise and relate to some of the greats, like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

“I really like Mozart. It’s classic music and it can really help you work,” Sevastan told The Phuket News in an interview last week.

One person in particular has witnessed the inspiring creative change in Sevastan, Neil Richards, Headmaster at BISP. “For me, you were expressing what you were feeling. That’s what art

is, right? And what’s really powerful, was it felt like you were starting to come out. You started to express yourself to music. Just full of life.

“After the accident we were worried, but then you started to communicate your feelings and thoughts through painting. People who knew about the accident could see that, it was like you were saying ‘I’m here, I’m alive!’”

Claire Lester, Art Coordinator at BISP, spoke about him with sheer pride and joy in her eyes. “From the very first painting, you could see how much he had developed. His movement was restricted, but now it’s all coming back.

From smaller paintbrushes, to the way he started to reach up. His brain was really starting to heal.”

Claire explained how Sevastan’s development, both physically and mentally, was a testament to the school and how well everyone looked after and nurtured him.

“It was hard to believe he was ever going to come out of the coma. No one knew if he was going to make it.”

His zest for life is evident through his new-found interest in music, he has even started to learn how to play guitar. Both his teachers have said he is embracing life and making the most of every minute. And the things he’s grabbing, are creative: music and art.

Prior to the life-changing accident, Sevastan spent his days like most young boys; playing video games and football. But now, he wakes up early, watches the sunrise and enjoys being around nature. He’s also made an effort to show his love to his parents, Viktor and Irina.

“I didn’t show them before. But, you can lose your life easily, you have to savour every moment and go out and do what you enjoy. Every human came to this life to do something. You should try to do good not only for yourself, but for other people. I found myself really wanting to come to school and learn,” Sevastan said.

Each of his art pieces, all of which he has entitled himself, are representative of something in his life, . His favourite

piece is his first one, Winter in my city, which is about the snow and beautiful winter colours where he comes from.

Neil explained that the raw emotion in the art is Sevastan responding to being alive. His ability to communicate in this manner has shocked and inspired so many, both friends and other pupils at the school. Neil described how the school gave him the time, expense, and equipped him with being able to paint over the last year.

“Most of his pieces are finished within an hour. He gets so into it and we are really proud of him.”

Both his parents supported him through the traumatic ordeal, and his mother Irina says all she did was cry.

She never smiled. A stark contrast to the happy, joyful and relieved parents present in the room last week.

Indeed, it would seem that the accident has done something so powerful to the whole family. It has somehow made them stronger and brought them even closer together. The special bond they now hold is something which can be seen by everyone.

Although Sevastan is not afraid of life, he is a lot wiser and thinks about things a lot more. Something unfortunately not all teenagers do.

The exhibition will be Sevastan’s first and will showcase all his paintings. It will be held at BISP on Wednesday February 4 and will be open to the general public.

Going forward, Sevastan hopes to be a businessman, while continuing his passion for painting and art. His charismatic and warm personality is a strong part of him, and he has used this experience to help him grow and explore who he is through music and painting.

“One day, when I have children, maybe they will paint too. The art comes from my soul,” Sevastan concluded.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

COMMUNITY 3

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Have you been tested?

Dear The Phuket News. A QUESTIONS QUESTION: friend of mine recently told me that having & ANSWERS unprotected oral sex with a partner was

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

not a big deal as most diseases were caught by having intercourse. Is oral sex without a condom or dental dam (female condom) safe? Also, in general, is there any place she can be tested for STDs anonymously as she is scared of the reaction her parents might have?

If you have unANSWER: Sexually Transmitted Diseasprotected es, or STDs, are transmitted through genisex and feel unsure tal fluids from both men and women whethabout your partner, er it is oral, vaginal or anal sex, according to Dr Prauk Sethasathien, Diplomate of the it is better to come Thai Board of Obstetric Gynecology and in and check for any of the Thai Board of Gynecologic Oncology from Bangkok Hospital. virus or disease.

Do you have any Phuketspecific questions that need to be addressed?

Email editor@classactmedia.co.th

“The most common STD is HPV which stands for Human Papillomavirus. While HPV can be responsible for causing condyloma and cervical cancer through intercourse, it can also be responsible for causing oropharyngeal cancer during oral sex.

“If you have unprotected sex and feel unsure about your partner, it is better to come in and check for any virus or disease. Here you can check for STDs such as chlamydia, herpes, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, syphilis and HIV. “HPV virus can cause molluscum contagiosum (a viral skin infection that causes raised, pearl-like papules or nodules on the skin) which can be removed with proper treatment, which will reduce the possibility of spreading.

“There is also a vaccine for this virus. It can help protect you from the virus up to 7080 per cent.”

He said HPV virus has a 20-30 per cent possibility of causing cervical cancer and the vaccine is pretty useful for it.

“The vaccine is most effective before having sex or between 9 - 26 years old when the body can produce its own antibodies the best.

However, the vaccine can be taken any time, even after the patient discovers the molluscum caused by the HPV virus. The vaccine can reduce the percentage of the virus devel-

oping into cancer.

“Other common orally transmitted diseases are gonorrhea, genital herpes and syphilis.”

“The best way to avoid all these problems is to use a condom, check your health regularly, and do not hesitate to check for an STD if you are unsure about your partner”.

Government Anonymous Clinic

If you don’t feel like going directly to an obstetrics and gynaecology department in a big hospital, there are some other options:

Anonymous Clinic, Phuket Provincial Public Health Office

This is a convenient and easy option, especially for those living in Phuket Town. The clinic is at the public health office near the provincial hall.

“We can check for all STDs,” said an officer at the clinic.

“We do not provide a treatment service here as we do not have a doctor, but we offer testing for any local, expat and tourist who wants to check their condition.

“They will be tested by our laboratory agents who are trained at the Venereal Disease Department of Bangrak Hospital in Bangkok.

“The clinic opens from 8.30am-3.30pm Monday to Friday, with a fully equipped lab and fluent-English-speaking staff.

“The patient can choose to remain anonymous, but all records will be kept confidential under regular medical standards.

For further information, please call 076212-297 ext 103 or 104.

Tourist Clinic, anonymous clinic for privacy

If you live near Patong, there is a clinic named the “Tourist Clinic” on Taweewong Rd, which includes a full check and a course of treatment, and is open every day including public holidays.

“We can check for any STD such as herpes, chlamydia, hepatitis A, B and C, etc,” said Dr Paweena Faifuenfusiri.

“The patient can request to remain anonymous. There are a lot of patients who require

Dr. Prauk Sethasathien. privacy, both Thai and foreign, who come to this clinic.

“Apart from HIV screening, we also provide HIV DNA testing.

“The screening test is quicker and easier and only takes one day to get the results, but it is less detailed.

“The HIV DNA test checks for the HIV virus, even if the patient only contracted it recently. We will test for the virus using a blood sample. The patient can check for the virus five days after intercourse and will get the results within seven days. This way of checking is quite popular because it is 100 per cent accurate.”

The price for checking is approximately B1,000 - 1,500.

For further information please call 076-297000

Youth Talent Contest returns to the Royal Phuket Marina next month

T

he Youth Talent Contest will take place again on Friday February 6 at the Royal Phuket Marina in Phuket, starting at 6pm.

This year the competition has been split into two separate categories: Vocal Performance and Instrumental Performance.

The competition is aimed at students schooled in Phuket between the ages of 8 and 18.

Traditionally the contest has been limited to 40 students on a first-come basis, but this year in an attempt to cater for the overwhelming amount of entries, the facilitators have made an additional 10 slots available.

The 50 competing students will be judged by an independent panel of judges from the industry. 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes will be awarded in @thephuketnews

both categories.

The main cash prize sponsor for the event is the Phuket International Academy.

This is the 2nd year that PIA will be the main sponsor, underlining its firm dedication and support for developing the arts through the youth music programmes in Phuket.

Additional sponsors of prizes for this year’s event are Hard Rock Café Phuket, Legend Music and Siobhan’s Music School in conjunction with Rock School out of the UK. The competition has an entry fee of B500, and students will be limited to 3 minute performances each.

To enter contact 084 304 2587 or email admin@phuketacademyofperformingarts.com.

4 MOTORING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

The New Nissan X-Trail – Phuket’s First Ride WISE WHEELS Richard Jones richard@pixy.asia

Perhaps where the X-Trail excels the most is with the driver technology.

T

he best selling SUV in Japan for the last eight years has been given a complete overhaul for its latest incarnation, the all new third generation Nissan X-Trail was launched at the Thailand International Motor Expo in November last year and is now available at your local Nissan dealership.

We took the 2.0V 4WD model for a spin around Phuket and there’s a lot of good things to be said about Nissan’s compact SUV. First-up, the body design is a big improvement over the previous model’s boxy and somewhat dated look, with smoother angles and more similarities with the Nissan Teana styling, the X-Trail should no longer be dismissed on its looks alone.

Inside there are seven-seats, though you will sacrifice nearly all the luggage space by utilising the additional two back seats, and given the available legroom in the back, these are really only practical for children.

The 2.0 litre petrol engine that we tested delivers 144hp, a 10hp improvement over the previous model, but we still found the vehicle

to be on the heavy side and would recommend the 2.5 litre option which should have the additional horses to remedy that.

Since the 1990’s Nissan has been putting Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) – or single speed transmission – into it’s vehicles, and their latest version developed for the new X-Trail is very smooth – an advancement over it’s predecessors where there would be noticeable lag between putting your foot to the floor and the car responding.

Perhaps where the X-Trail excels the most is with the driver technology. The Around-View Monitor (AVM) impressed us by combining four cameras (front, back, left and right) into a single real-time birds-eye view of the vehicle displayed on the classleading seven-inch touchscreen display, an amazing aid for getting in-and-out of those

Richard Jones is the Managing Director of BuyCar24 and can be contacted through www. buycar24.com.

tight parking spots. Other gadgetry includes dualzone climate control, cruise control, Nissan Connect navigation system with six speakers, multifunction steering column and Hill Descent Control (HDC), though some of these options are only available on the higher spec models.

The four-wheel drive (4WD) on model that we tested is also worth a mention. As you would expect the driver can choose between two or four wheel drive, but there’s also an automatic option where the vehicle determines whether to engage a four wheel drive and calculates the optimum distribution between the front and back wheels.

This is the first X-Trail to be made-inThailand at Nissan’s Bangna Trad factory near Bangkok and there’s speculation that the build quality has been improved over previous Indonesian-made X-Trails.

Despite being the market leader in Japan, all previous models of the X-Trail, since 2002, have failed to make inroads into Thailand’s SUV market losing-out to the dominant Honda CRV and more recently the Chevrolet Captiva. With Nissan predicting modest domestic sales of only 8,000 units a year, this could make it a compelling choice for those who want to stand-out from the Toyota/Honda crowd.

With prices starting from B1,172,000 for the 2.0-litre 2WD, it’s the cheapest SUV in it’s class and with all the improvements both inside and out, the X-Trail now gives the Honda’s CRV a run for its money.

For more information or to book a test-drive in the all new Nissan X-Trail, you can contact Siam Nissan A.R located in Chaofa West Road on 076 217 953-8.

One door, two-seats, three-wheels New American eco-car could be a game-changer for petrol motors market Steven Layne editor@classactmedia.co.th

I

f you thought Thailand’s three-wheeled Tuk Tuks were cool, wa it till’ you have a look at the new American designed and manufactured Elio eco-car. It may look like funky-looking futuristic concept car ornament for car shows, but this one is already assembly-line ready for pilot on the American market; manufacturing of the three-wheeler eco-car is set to begin this spring from Elio Motors’ base in Shreveport, Lousiana, in the Southern US. According to its website, 90 per cent of the automobile’s content will be sourced in North America. It does not specify where the other 10pc will come from.

Super specs

At only 4 metres long with a wheel base of 2.8 M (two wheels are in front, and a single wheel in the rear, see photo), the Elio can seat two in tandem, and is apparently designed to seat 95 per cent of men – tall and heavy – and thus women should have no problem getting comfy.

It is touted to be able to

achieve up to 35.7 km per litre of petrol (84 mpg), and go as fast as 160 kph (0-100 in just over 9 seconds) – all this with only 1 litre of displacement via a 3-cylinder, 70 HP engine. With a 30 litre fuel tank (8 gallons), this means it would theoretically be able to make it to Bangkok from Phuket on one tank, or roughly B1,000!

Even with city driving,

it’s purported to be able to achieve 20kpl fuel economy.

And the best part of all is its starting price tag of just $6800 (B223,000)!

Even at Thailand’s current automobile import duties and excesses – 187.47pc for cars that have engines not exceeding 2,000cc according to Thai Customs website – a vehicle like this would pay for itself here in Phuket pretty quickly, especially comparing what you can get currently on the market for less than B500,000.

And unlike many of the entry models of local cars, the Elio was designed with a full Safety Management System, that includes air bags and roll cage, among other features.

Indeed, the traditional Japanese order of motors dominating the market

have a lot of marketing and design homework ahead of them, that is if they want to maintain their stranglehold on the local market. But

only time shall tell.

For more info about the Elio, see http://www.eliomotors. com/ thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Aiming for low-carbon creative approaches

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hailand’s Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration, (Dasta) is targeting Low Carbon Tourism and Creative Tourism during the low season as its two key projects for tourism development plans for 2015.

Low carbon tourism is expected to raise public awareness of the impact of global warming caused by tourism. Meanwhile creative tourism should help stimulate the number of tourists during the low season.

Last year, twelve tourism-based communities in six special designated areas have, since 2013, helped reduce carbon caused by tourism by 436,722 Carbon Kilos, equal to 7.65%.

The Director of Dasta revealed that this year Dasta has been allocated a total of B505 million.

From this budget 67% is for project implementation, 20% for personnel management and 13% for operational procedures.

The budget will be spent on sixty-six projects covering both on-going and new projects in six special areas.

The latter has received around B338 million to improve the effect of tourism in economic, social and environmental arenas with the hope of promoting sustainable tourism through the cooperation of Thailand and overseas networks.

According to Dasta’s survey of community welfare in 2014, 748 samples from 33 communities in six special areas have a welfare index of 75.47, well above the average of 60. Projects initiated by Dasta have nearly doubled public income in these areas, at 92.26% with gains from such tourismrelated businesses as food and souvenirs. NNT

ENVIRONMENT 5

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Solar-assisted yacht makes Phuket debut

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he future of luxury yachting is also on the cutting-edge of solar technology.

Heliotrope 65, a high-end 65foot catamaran, runs on two engines. But when yacht loungers want to catch a beautiful sunset, see the coast or simply swim in temperate waters, conventional luxury yachts use loud generators that take away the experience of serenity at sea.

Not Heliotrope 65.

Once anchored, this yacht is powered completely on solar energy – everything from the dishwasher, washing machines, to all the lights and more. The solar panels take up 34 square metres on the fly-bridge (roof) and produce 7 Kilowatts an hour. The boat can even run all the electricity the entire night and still have at least 70 per cent power left (assuming power was at 100 per cent).

According to Caroline Lieb, the Oversea Sales and Marketing specialist of Pattayabased Bakri Cono Shipyard, where the yacht was made, Heliotrope 65 is world’s first solar-assisted luxury yacht.

The Phuket News got a chance to tour the yacht, which glimmers against the waters off Phuket thanks to its gold colour which, yes, has actual bits of real gold powder integrated into it. The boat is currently being showcased at marinas and events

around Southeast Asia by the shipyard.

The story goes that the German owner of the boat, who wished to remain anonymous, wanted to have a yacht that was not just unique on the inside but would run on solar energy when docked. She took her idea to shipyards around Europe and the United States, according to Lieb, and was

repeatedly rejected. Eventually the owner teamed-up with Bakri Cono and Heliotrope 65 is the result.

“If you make the first one, its not going to be easy. You have to develop. You have to think. You have to work harder,” Lieb said.

It took three years for Heliotrope 65 to go from concept to completion, Lieb explained, and included assistance from some of the top experts in the field of solar technology, including NASA astronaut Michael Lopez Alegria.

In addition, Bakri Cono was assisted by Raphal Domjan, the Swiss founder of Planet Solar who went on the first world tour with a solar-powered boat from September 2010 to May 2012.

The yacht drew a lot of interest during the recent Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) earlier in January. It’s worthnoting that the entire boat – from the eight different wood finishings to the four cabins and everything in-between – was developed entirely in Thailand.

“Seeing that everybody was very impressed, that [Heliotrope 65] was done in Thailand and that [Thais] could produce something like this, we wanted to go out and present this to people,” Lieb added.

In addition, Bakri Cono Shipyard is planning to develop a luxury yacht that is fully solar-powered, including the engines.

“That’s far down the line,” she said.

‘No chance’ of beating climate change without India: Obama

U

S President Barack Obama warned Tuesday that the world does not “stand a chance against climate change” unless developing countries such as India reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

“I know the argument made by some, that it’s unfair for countries like the United States to ask developing nations and emerging economies like India to reduce your dependence on the same fossil fuels that helped power our growth for more than a century,”

Obama said in New Delhi.

“But here’s the truth: even if countries like the United States curb our emissions, if growing countries like India – with soaring energy needs – don’t

also embrace cleaner fuels, then we don’t stand a chance against climate change,” he added in a speech on the last day of a visit to India.

India has so far baulked

at committing itself to major cuts in carbon emissions ahead of a UN climate summit in Paris in December, arguing that it will not set itself targets that undermine efforts to end poverty.

But Obama, whose visit has been designed at forging what he has called a “global partnership” with India, says that partners share responsibilities.

“Being global partners also means confronting the urgent global challenge of climate change,” said the US president.

“With rising seas, melting Himalayan glaciers, more unpredictable monsoons, and cyclones getting stronger – few countries will be more affected than India.” AFP

LOOKING FOR THE BEST

PROPERTY DEALS IN PHUKET *FIND THEM ON PAGE 17 @thephuketnews

6 EDUCATION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

English…do you speak it?

ASK THE AJARN

Eric Haeg eric@teflcampus.com

Get the employer interested by submitting your CV in person.

This will give you a chance to flaunt your fluency before the boss notices your nationality...

A TEFL trainer since 2007, Eric Haeg welcomes all questions and comments: eric@teflcampus.com

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on-native English speakers need not apply.

That’s the message schools send when asking for “nativeEnglish speakers only” in TEFL job ads across Thailand. While many blame the employers for what seems like a prejudicial requirement, it simply reflects most Thais’ assumption that only a native-English speaker (NES) can be a TEFL teacher.

What far too many parents and adult students don’t understand is that non-native-English speakers (NNS) who are fluent in English can be just as good as the their NES counterparts; arguments against this are as antiquated as the notion that we cannot end our sentences with a preposition.

So who exactly is a native-English speaker? According to Thailand’s Ministry of Education, NESs come from the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. While it’s possible for citizens of other countries to teach English, getting a foot in the door can prove difficult for many.

One main reason for this is that there are too many NNSs who claim to be fluent but are in fact not. Employers have grown tired of contacting applicants who claim fluency, only to realise the applicant is far from this expectation.

The result is that getting hired to teach English as an NNS can take considerable effort. With this in mind, here are a few tips for a NNS who wants to teach in Thailand.

Be sure you have a valid and qualify-

Photo: Susana Fernandez.

Photo: Ben Russell.

ing IELTS, TOEIC or TOEFL score—they are 5.5, 600 or 550 respectively. In addition to being a requirement for Non-immigrant B visas (for teaching work), high scores on these esteemed exams double as the most valid proof of fluency.

Get the employer interested by submitting your CV in person. This will give you a chance to flaunt your fluency before the boss notices your nationality and cruelly dismisses your application.

Include references of NESs who have worked with you and encourage the employer to contact them in order to vouch for your fluency. This not only shows that you’re a savvy applicant, but also shows confidence in your fluency and might pique interest.

Focus on teaching jobs where you’ll be

teaching English to young learners. Right or wrong, many schools feel NNS teachers are more appropriate for teaching kids, or perhaps adults who have very low English skills. From there, you can work your way up into other classes.

Ensure all your documents and correspondence are free of errors. This is important for any applicant but it’s particularly important for NNSs. Check, double check and then have a friend check to ensure 100 per cent accuracy.

The good news is that there are plenty of NNS TEFL teachers in Thailand. Through hard work and determination, as well as following the tips mentioned above, NNS teachers can find employment throughout Thailand.

Darasamuth kids score high

S

tudents of Da rasamuth Phuket School did exceptionally well in their Cambridge ESOL exams which were taken in December. The exams are internationally accredited that prepare students for the main suite

of Cambridge ESOL exams.

The results were not only high, but they were also exceptionally better than results achieved in the rest of Thailand.

Students will be presented with their certificates in the graduation

ceremony at the end of the school year, on March 7.

For more information or for any parents considering entering their children at Darasamuth, they are advised to apply now. Visit http://darasamuth.com A s i a ’s m o s t awarded reg ional airline

Making every journey worth its while.

That’s A joy to f ly.

30kg Baggage Allowance

Inflight Meal

Reliable Flight Schedule

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thephuketnews

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HEALTH 7

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

A Whole New Life HEALTH MATTERS Susanna Eduini anna@santosaphuket.com

Doing this exercise while walking in the woods or in the countryside is a good way to really listen to yourself...

I

n the last article I spoke about change and the tools we have for it.

I’m a licensed facilitator of a method named “A Whole New Life”, created by a world known coach and trainer, Lucia Giovannini from Italy.

In her book, which has the same title, Lucia speaks about fears, change and how we can overcome our fears in order to experience the change we long for, and want.

I always use this powerful exercise during training, because people try to get in touch with their most important values and goals. Ultimately we try and think of ‘how’ we do things, rather than ‘why’.

Other than the tools that we already have (the power of choice, living in the present and accepting who we are), we have access to a very powerful tool: the power of making decisions, and it is in our own interest to make the best decisions for ourselves.

These decisions can lead us towards our goals; we can create an action plan and stick with it.

The new year has just begun, so there is still time for you to plan some exciting 2015 goals. Below you will find a series of questions specifically designed to create your action plan.

This is all you need: a notebook, a pen, and time for you, and for you only.

Doing this exercise while walking in the woods or in the countryside is a good way to really listen to yourself, and to listen to the answer that will flow from your heart, as well as your true ambitions and goals.

Measurable, doable and really rewarding.

Good luck, or chokdee!!

The 10 easy steps for obtaining your outcome:

Susanna Eduini is the Executive Chef at Santosa Wellness Centre in Phuket, Thailand.

She describes herself as a Meta-Coach, Autrice & Spiritual Chef and offers coaching sessions about food and cooking classes. She is the author of three best-seller books about raw food, published in Italy by Edizioni MyLife. @thephuketnews

1. Think about what you want, not what you don’t want. Represent what you will be doing and thinking.

2. State it in sensory based terms: “ I will see....”

“I will feel...” “I will hear...”.

3. Describe the context of the outcome, when, where, with whom, etc.

4. Describe action steps and stages, and also those behaviours that will move you to achieving your goal.

5. Locate on your time-line: when?

6. Describe the process and the behaviour that is within your own control, that you can initiate.

7. Describe the resources you will need to achieve your outcome (both physical resources like money, and emotional resources such as, patience, empathy, joy.

8. Describe how the outcome motivates you.

9. Describe the outcome in a way that you recognise anything ecologically related in life.

10. Identify a procedure that will let you know when you have achieved your goal.

And here are the powerful questions to ask yourself: What do you want?

What are you going towards?

When you have your goal, what will you see, hear, feel? (Please use all of your senses in this de-

scription) Where, when, how, with whom, etc, will you get this outcome?

In what context or contexts is this outcome appropriate?

What are the steps involved in reaching this goal? What are the stages involved?

Is your goal within your control?

Can you initiate the actions to get yourself started?

What resources do/will you need to get this outcome? Do you know someone else that has already achieved this outcome? Have you ever had or done this before?

Is the outcome compelling? Will it get you up out of bed in the morning?

How much do you want this?

What does it mean for you? When you think about it, what do you think?

Is the outcome ecological? Is it achievable? Does it respect your health, relationships, etc? Are there any parts of you that object to having this outcome?

How will you know that you have achieved your outcome?

When you will feel satisfied?

As I like to say, every moment is perfect for achieving a goal, so I invite you to do this exercise and to answer the above questions.

Good work and good luck!

8 DINING

Inspiring culinary delights through raw food Dalia Hilmi editor1@classactmedia.co.th

For a minute I forgot that, of course, all these meals were still vegan. That’s how tasty they were.

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aw food is anything prepared below 105 degrees. There is no boiling, no deep frying, no steaming, no oven baking.

It promotes well being and consciousness of the body, mind and spirit. It has a deep impact and effect on our physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and sexual levels.

Santosa Detox and Wellness Centre in Kata offers a range of detox programmes, as well as exciting classes, and an exuberant and rejuvenating dining experience through modern vegan and raw foods.

The restaurant itself sits upon a hill, offering guests a beautiful view of the Andaman Sea as well as some of the most mesmerising sunsets – the perfect backdrop for tasty, healthy and refreshing food.

The food was something which, admittedly, I was quite hesitant to try. I expected to sit down and be served an unexciting selection of vegetables. Be it as it may, I was more than pleasantly surprised when I headed down there recently to sample out the menu.

First up was the starters. We were served an

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

array of delicious salads: beetroot with a vegan mayonnaise dressing; leafy greens with carrots and veggie sausages; and an olive based salad. Each of them so individual, yet delightful.

Following this, we were offered four different soups which were served to us in pretty jam jars. The first two soups were cold: pineapple and spring onion, and a delicious sweet, thick tomato soup. The remaining two soups were warm: pumpkin, and lentil. They each had mouth-watering flavours, and were so different in their own way.

The warm soups complimented the cold ones really well.

I was surprised when I was served a plate of pesto pasta. This, along with a zucchini style lasagne (all vegan of course); sushi style vegetables wrapped in seaweed, served with soy sauce; and delicious mouthwatering arancini balls. For a minute I forgot, that of course, all of these meals were still vegan. That’s how tasty they were. Some of the misconceptions about vegan food is that people don’t realise how much we already include it in our diet. And more importantly, how delicious the food can be.

Susanna Eduini is the Executive Chef at Santosa Wellness Centre.

Originally from Italy, she explained that she was raised in a family where food was very important, and where there was a certain kind of knowledge, “we take our protein from meat, we need to drink cow milk, and so on.” It wasn’t until she got sick and discovered that “food” is actually what can make us more healthy, vibrant and energetic.

So she decided to become a vegetarian, then vegan and then finally, a “raw foodist”. A vegan raw foodist to be exact.

She explained how even some of

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Susanna Eduini. the most guilty pleasures can be eaten healthily. And that’s where the desserts came in.

This was by far my favourite course. Alternatives of tiramisu; chocolate fudge sticks (made with cocoa powder); and a lemon cheesecake with a nutty base (with no cheese of course!). They were all beautifully made, and bursting with flavour, and should be tried by everyone.

Overall, each of the courses were extraordinary and have inspired me to try to include more vegan and raw food into my diet. The menu offers a selection of culinary delights that are pleasing to the most discerning of palates, with great nutritional benefits.

Many dishes on the menu can also be ordered either as starters or mains, giving you the chance to sample a variety of dishes in one sitting. Perfect for an after-workout meal.

Selection of raw and vegan foods: (From bottom) beetroot salad, with a vegan mayonnaise dressing; zucchini style lasagne with cherry tomatoes and beans; and a zuuchini, mint, cherry tomatoes and pesto. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

DINING 9

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Eneko Atxa’s truffle shuffle to day, but may include such delights as Crispy Airbag, Avocado and Iberico Ham, or Mojito Bonbon, with macaroons and passion fruit sorbet to finish off.

The main restaurant offers more unusual fare. For a start, the initial course in both the Roots and Inspire menus (B4,500 and B6,500 respectively) is not eaten in the restaurant but on the lawn outside where diners are invited to stand and pluck Juicy Cherry Tomatoes and “Tree Bark” from bonsai trees and wash them down with a hibiscus infusion.

It just gets better from there. I’m not going to describe it – I don’t really have the words. So you’ll have to make the pilgrimage to Natai Beach and try it all for yourself.

Alasdair Forbes exeditor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he traditional way of truffling eggs, Eneko Atxa explains, takes three days. Seal the truffle in a box with the eggs and leave for three days. This all well and good, but the eggs, after three days, are far from fresh.

So Eneko did a little thinking outside the box. Instead of waiting for three days for the truffle to flavour the eggs by infusion, he separates the yolks, each onto a spoon of its own.

He then gently pricks each yolk and uses a plastic disposable syringe – the type used in hospitals – to suck out a few millilitres of the yolk and then injects a similar amount of fine truffle oil.

We’re ready. Tip the yolk from the spoon into your mouth, enjoy its soft, smooth roundness on the tongue, then apply gentle pressure. The mouth is flooded with the rich fresh creaminess of the egg and then the earthy forest flavour of the truffle oil. This a very good start to lunch – or any other meal.

This kind of creativity is why Eneko, in November 2012 when he was just 33 years old, received the third Michelin star for his restaurant Azurmendi in Lezama, just outside Bilbao, capital of Spain’s Basque country. His was the first restaurant in the Biscay area to get the ultimate accolade for a chef.

And now you don’t have to travel to Spain to experience the truffled eggs or the other wonders he has devised.

In December last year he opened a new restaurant, Aziamendi, at the extraordinary Iniala Beach House on Natai Beach, just north of Phuket.

Eneko is not your classic big-name celebrity chef. This is no Gordon Ramsay, screaming at sous chefs and abusing diners. This is no Jamie “Naked Chef” Oliver or mouthed Peter RussellClarke.

Softly spoken, with a shy smile, he exhibits no airs and graces. He chats quietly with diners, inviting them to truffle some eggs for themselves. What he does exude is a high-voltage passion for fine food.

He does not spend all his time at

@thephuketnews

Right, Eneko Atxa is passionate when he talks about food. Left, truffling egg yolks the Eneko way.

Aziamendi – the restaurant in Bilbao commands his first loyalty, and he has also organised pop-up restaurants, in Hong Kong and, most recently, the highly successful Aziamendi100 in Malta, which is the primary home of Iniala creator and owner Mark Weingard.

But he has assembled a team at Iniala who understand his ethos thoroughly and keep the food stakes high.

They include Chef de Cuisine Alex Burger who worked for five years with Daniel Boulud, owner of seven New York restaurants including Michelin-starred Daniel; executive chef Sandro Aguilera, formerly of the Centara Grand in Karon; executive pastry chef David Inglada, named best pastry chef in Spain; and head sommelier Fabien Etienne, formerly of Dinner by Hester Blumenthal and recent winner of the best wine list in Thailand.

All of them are young, enthusiastic, bright, inventive, highly skilled and dedicated to providing the best in fine dining.

The kitchen at Aziamendi is as large as the restaurant – it needs to be to accommodate all the staff required to turn out astonishing food.

But while the kitchen is all utilitarian white and stainless steel, the restaurant is a riotous feast for the eyes, with

art collected by Mark and his art curator Steven Pettifor. Every wall is decorated with astonishing, colourful, playful pieces by some of Asia’s best artists.

The restaurant is divided in two.

At the moment one side is usually reserved for Plates, the restaurant’s Basque Pintxos tasting menu. Priced from B1,450 the menu changes from day

For more details visit aziamendi.com, where you can also make a booking. The restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

And when you have finished your magnificent meal you can feel not only righteously full of some of the best food in Thailand – indeed, in the world – but also spiritually righteous, knowing that five per cent of the money you paid (yes, restaurant revenue, not profit) will go direct to Mark Weingard’s Inspirasia Foundation.

Since 2003 the foundation has disbursed more than US$11 million – about B330 million – to a wide variety of causes in Indonesia, India and Thailand. For more details visit Inspirasia.org

12 TECHNOLOGY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Gaming wars: Best sports game?

Our in-house gaming fanatics go head-to-head and debate over several aspects of the industry. This month’s question: What is the best multi-player sports game?

J.P. Mestanza editor@classactmedia.co.th

Chad Nolan Meyers chadnolanmeyers@hotmail.com

FIFA all the way

NHL is better

t’s FIFA, and then everything else.

Other than it’s worldwide appeal, the FIFA videogame series stands as the top game that causes your friends to cry, especially after a good trash-talking session.

There are tons of players and teams that everyone in the world can identify, so strengths and weaknesses are easy to gauge. In contrast, there are maybe two names in the NHL that can (arguably) come close to having the same name recognition, and they’re both retired – Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. OK, Martin Brodeur, too (go Devils!).

I agree, Chad, hockey is a great sport. But nothing can top the feeling of staging a comeback while you are down two goals against Real Madrid – something like this would be talked about for weeks.

Football is a very straightforward sport, but somehow EA Sports has managed to narrow down the excitement of the beautiful game to a 10-20 minute experience that fits in all

here is only one correct answer to “What is the best sports game to play against your friends”.

And that answer is NHL. With the speed of football, the violence of the NFL, and the most unique surface in sports, hockey itself is already great. Now, add friends and a controller, and enjoy the ride.

Hockey is a fantastic sport. It’s three 20-minute periods of frenzy, where your nails would be bitten off if your hands weren’t securely glued to the controller. There are no timeouts, and barely any breaks to the actual game, so the high-pace stays up throughout the session. Hitting and fighting are allowed, so not only can you win the game, you can physically beat up your opponent/friend as well.

Commit a penalty? Congratulations, you are now down a player for two to four minutes. Two minutes have never felt so long until you are stuck on defense, waiting for your player to get out of the penalty box, while your opponent is rifling off

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I

time schedules. Holding a stick? I’d rather see Lionel Messi make your entire team look like six-year-olds on his way to scoring between your goalkeeper’s legs. Over the years, FIFA has perfected it’s AI (artificial intelligence) to the point that the computer might as well talk trash.

The pace is quick, but there’s a lot of room for strategy and patience which is a nice option to have. FIFA also requires some understanding of formations and tactics which can even translate to real life pick-up football matches with your friends.

FIFA 15 is available for the PC, PS3, PS4, PS VITA, 3DS, Wii, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.

shots.

Scoring, like soccer, is hard to come by and 1-0 is a very probable outcome. So, when you score, whether on a slap shot from the blue line or faking out the goalie off a breakaway, all that anxiety is released in one glorious moment of ecstasy. You will stand up, dance around, and talk smack to your friend. Now wait until the moment you are in sudden death overtime, next goal wins it, and you score. Pure bliss.

FIFA is great, but I’ll take the faster pace, physicality of NHL, and being right over JP any day.

NHL 15 is available for the PS4, PS3, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

Govt yields to pressure on cybersecurity bill

L

egislators have bowed to pressure over the controversial cybersecurity bill, promising to add a clause which would require authorities to seek court approval before accessing web users’ personal information.

Surangkana Wayuparb, chief executive of the Electronic Transactions Development Agency, admitted on Saturday (January 24) that the draft legislation had been “rushed” and would hand the Thai government excessive power.

The ETDA is working

under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Ministry, and is responsible for drafting 10 new laws as part of the government’s digital economy policy.

“We admit our mistakes, particularly Section 35 of

the Cybersecurity Bill, as our working team had to rush to draft all 10 bills so we could enforce them before the next general election,” Mrs Surangkana said.

Section 35 would allow the national cybersecurity committee to access people’s personal information through email, telegraph, fax and electronic devices in the name of national security.

The section does not state whether authorities would have to seek court approval or not, raising fears it would accommodate human rights and privacy violations as well as impede foreign investment.

The Cybersecurity Bill was among eight digital economy-related bills which earned cabinet backing early this month, on top of two others which received preliminary approval last month. But it has since been subject to complaints from experts and privacy activists who have urged a revision to prevent abuse of power by the state.

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

FILM 13

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM 4, 2014 THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FRIDAY,APRIL JANUARY 30, 2015

Trigger happy FILM REVIEW J.P. Mestanza editor2@classactmedia.co.th

AMERICAN SNIPER

Kyle is seemingly evenkeeled for much of it but a slow building hubris begins to form, attributed to the “legend” moniker he gained in war...

Starring: Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller Director: Clint Eastwood Running time: 133 minutes

@thephuketnews

I

t’s almost impossible to make a modern war film without addressing how conflict and violence affects both the mind and military families.

We can sit here and say that American Sniper is a great portrayal of a soldier’s psyche, a sort of treatise on the mental torment that one goes through when violence and evil is lurking everywhere at all times.

But that would only be half right.

American Sniper, as much as it seems to champion the reasons for going to war (history be damned), goes a bit further than showcasing what happens to soldier’s and their families. The film also cuts into the folly of revenge and guilt.

While based on The New York Times bestselling autobiography of real life American Navy S.E.A.L. Chris Kyle, the film takes many liberties with the book’s narrative to make a compelling story. It wouldn’t be such a big deal, if we weren’t talking about the most important international conflict of the

last decade.

The film suggests that Kyle, a Texan, enlisted in the U.S. Navy after seeing the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings. The audience sees Kyle before, during and after the war as his family chugs along virtually without him. During his time in the military, Kyle acquires the nickname “legend” after a particularly good day of killing insurgents. He eventually amasses 160 confirmed kills making him the most accomplished marksman in American military history.

As a film character, Kyle is seemingly even-keeled for much of it but a slow building hubris begins to form, attributed to his “legend” moniker. It’s war, and soldiers eventually die, but Kyle deals with revenge on his own terms which doesn’t exactly put him in an easy position with his camrades everytime, given that his actions have the potential to put his fellow soldiers in peril.

But being a sniper is a heavy burden, since he has to make calls on the fly and he’s usually the only one with a clear view of the

entire battlefield.

American Sniper is well-edited with many scenes that carry intercutting shots that, while sometimes disjointed, moves the narrative along by essentially killing two birds with one stone – serenity and violence goes back-and-forth with ease.

Director Clint Eastwood has done a fantastic job of creating a character piece that makes Kyle seem like a superhero, only to humanise him with bits of family strife. Kyle struggles to cope with the mental anguish and his family suffers for it.

On the flipside, however, this is a film about a killer who is lionised for helping eliminate “the other”. There’s a blind sense of reverance for the military and its actions.

There’s also the accusations that Kyle made up parts of several tales that occurred in the book (and subsequently, the film).

Still, as an audience member willing to pay for popcorn and a movie ticket, American Sniper is an entertaining war film that deserves several viewings.

14 PEOPLE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Show me the money Steve Layne editor@classactmedia.co.th

P

huket continues to build on its reputation as the ideal destination for hosting major international events. The 16th Pencak Silat Championship and the 12th Phuket International Boat Show earlier this month (in January) complemented the successes of the Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest and 4th Asian Beach Games late last year (2014).

Ensuring fruition behind the scenes of many of the island’s most successful international events over the past decade has been the diligent planning, audit and contract negotiation of commercial sponsorship & partnership marketing experts of Bangkok-based firm, Paul Poole (South East Asia) Co., Ltd – The Sponsorship Experts.

To learn more about the finer details of effective event sponsorship The Phuket News sat down with The Sponsorship Experts founder Paul Poole on the boardwalk at the recent Phuket International Boat Show (Pimex).

A decade on

The latest Pimex coincided with exactly 10 years since Paul relocated to Thailand, from London. Making his foray into the world of marketing through clothing, Paul spent 15 years with fashion brands – mostly jeans. Notably, Paul was the Marketing Director for the popular Italian clothing brand, Diesel, and he prides himself on launching Polo Jeans for Polo Ralph Lauren; he was also the Marketing Manager for Levis and was a Brand Ambassador for Wrangler.

“I turned 30 in the year 2000, and realised I was becoming an old man working in fashion, so made the move over to the agency side.”

He initially joined the board of PR21, an Edelman company, before joining the board of Cohn & Wolfe, a WPP company – the largest communications firm in the world.

“To be honest, I hated being agency side …After spending 15 years brand side and two years agency side, I really missed being with the brands. Being on the board of the two agencies, I saw the client when we won the business or lost the business, never in between.”

So he decided to set up his own consultancy in London, and ultimately in Bangkok by late 2004. So what brought him to Thailand initially? Like many of us, it was a Thai woman.

“I met my [ex] wife in London. She is Thai and was doing her Ph.D in Fine Art there. We were together for a num-

ber of years, got married in London and she wanted to move back to Thailand, to teach at Silapakorn University.”

In relocating to Thailand, his original plan was to set up a general marketing consultancy, but he soon found that “nobody wanted to pay for advice in this part of the world. So, I took another look at the market and found that event marketing was a very popular and successful tool. But I was shocked to find that even though every event was reliant on sponsorship, there wasn’t anybody really specialising in commercial sponsorship & partnership marketing.”

He had found his niche and ran with it. A decade on, his firm represents approximately 50 sponsorship platforms a year, or on average, one a week. A large number of his clients are repeat, some have worked with him the entire 10 years.

“Even after 10 years, we don’t have much competition. I’d like to have more competition – it would make us more hungry. Our biggest competition now is when events do it badly… for every bad sponsorship deal done by an event, it’s good for our business.”

Working with over 6,000 qualified decision makers in sponsorship globally, The Sponsorship Experts core team of just 10 employees are lauded in the industry for being highly organised, efficient and diligent.

“For any one event, we target 500 decision makers, engage in 500 conversations with 500 brands … We don’t take any project with less than a six months lead-time, preferring nine months to a year. Ideally, we’d like to finalise our job six months before the event starts to provide enough time to get more leverage out of the sponsorship in the run-up to the event. That’s not always easy in Thailand, where sometimes decisions can take longer and some people won’t make a decision until right up to the event.”

Always outnumbered never outgunned...

Asked how a staff of just 10 can cover so much ground, he explains that they don’t do everything – “Our copy writing, design, translation, public relations and social media are outsourced to specialist firms and professionals. Speciality is key.

“We specialise in Commercial Sponsorship and Partnership Marketing. 90 per cent of our business is working for rights holders – people seeking sponsors.

That might be an event, Pimex for example, or an individual athlete, or it could be a sporting facility or stadium, it could be anything. The other 10 per cent of our business is working with brands seeking an opportunity to sponsor or looking to

maximise an already sponsored opportunity,” he explains.

Paul explains that his firm will conduct an audit to look at what opportunities are out there that might be of interest to a brand and look at the potential benefits being offered as part of the sponsorships.

“For example, if Rolls-Royce are looking to sell 10 cars to a certain market, we will audit the events out there to determine the best events for them to achieve that objective.

“When we’ve actually secured a sponsorship, then we activate the sponsorship. This means that we exploit the sponsorship to ensure that they get either a return on investment (ROI), or return on objective (ROO), or both.”

Powering Pimex

The Sponsorship Experts have worked with Pimex each year since 2006, with each year topping the previous one.

Paul goes on to talk about devising benefits for clients, which he notes vary at such an event; they could be branding benefits, media benefits or networking, hospitality and data capture benefits.

But the number one benefit that most brands want, he notes, “… are experiential marketing benefits – where you experience the brand at the event. Once we figure out what those benefits are, then we create rights inventories and sales tools and go out to market those benefits to prospective sponsors.

Using what is called a sponsorship assessment matrix, The Sponsorship Experts worked out that Pimex can comfortably accommodate 28 sponsors – 1 title sponsor, 1 presenting sponsor (Thailand Elite for the first time this year), 6 co-sponsors, 10 official suppliers and 10 media partners.

The top 8 sponsors – title, presenting and six co-sponsors – pay money, and in return get the benefits The Sponsorship Experts team has identified.

Meanwhile, the official suppliers and media partners pay in kind, meaning they offer goods and services that the event would usually pay for.

“Our new official suppliers for this year’s Pimex include Sixt Rent-a-Car and Uber, who’ve provided transportation services to/from the event; while brands such as Beluga, Two Tales, and Whisgars have provided goods for the various cocktail parties; media partners (such as Class Act Media) pay in kind by offering advertising and editorial services.”

Paul explains that events with multiple sponsors receive full exclusivity – that’s why you have only one presenting and title sponsor, and the co sponsors, official suppliers and media are selected ensuring there is no competitive conflict

of interests.

In addition to sponsorship, there are other opportunities, namely exhibitor opportunities, he explains. “We could have chosen one car brand to be a sponsor, but due to the nature of the show, we wanted more car brands represented, so what we did is put them in as exhibitors instead. So that’s how we got Aston Martin, BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce represented.”

So once they’ve signed up, The Sponsorship Experts work with the sponsors and exhibitors on the “activation”. So for the car dealers, this means helping them get target customers signed up for a test drive, and other activities to add value to the sponsorship, or participation.

“A rule of thumb is for every dollar spent on sponsorship, we encourage them to spend an additional dollar on activation of the sponsorship. So if someone spends $100,000 on a sponsorship, they’d get all the benefits of the sponsorship, and they’d spend an additional $100,000 to activate the sponsorship and get bespoke activity for their particular brand.”

He adds that all sponsors will pay the same amount of money for the same amount of benefits.

“If we have six different sponsors paying six different fees for different benefits, it becomes really difficult to manage expectations, and thus ROI,” he explains.

Most sponsors are looking for an ROI, and like most businesses, work on the basis of whether they sell anything or got anything quantifiable from the sponsorship.

“But that’s not always the case.

Sometimes, a sponsor will seek a ROO – such as launching into the country.

For example Azimut were represented at Pimex for the first time this year. Of course they would love to sell a boat, but their main objective of being in the show was to show that they have a new importer and distributor here in Thailand.

Measuring ROO is not as easy as ROI, Paul notes.

“You can’t always put a monetary value on an objective, so our objectives need to be SMART – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timed. It can be hard sometimes, because everyone’s objectives vary... After the event, we jointly assess the objectives to evaluate the sponsorship to see if it worked, and how it might be improved.

“We’re always selling the event throughout the year.”

Indeed, as soon as the 2015 Pimex ended, The Sponsorship Experts team had already begun work to prepare for the 2016 edition, which Paul certainly expects to be the biggest and best yet. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ISLAND SCENE 15

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Vanessa, Mile and Lara.

SURF HOUSE CELEBRATES YEAR TWO Surf House Phuket in Kata Beach celebrated their 2nd Anniversary on January 24 with tons of food, guests and performers. Surf House was recently awarded Venue of the Year and Community Excellence award by Whitewater West, one of the largest multi-national water parks and attractions company.

Ying and Nui.

Soon Papan (white shirt) and PPAO President Paiboon Upatising (yellow) during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

FIRST SOLO OF NATURE&LOVE The first solo exhibition of artist Soon Prapan, titled “Nature & Love”, opened on January 19 and will run until March 19. Phuket Provincial Administration (OrBorJor) President Paiboon Upatising gave the opening speech and was guest of honour at the event, which took place at Napas Gallery in Cherng Talay.

Khun Wan (centre) with organisers Gregory Westcott and Rodney Gothe.

FUNDRAISER GIVES LEGS TO THE DISABLED The Phuket News was proud sponsors of a fund-raising event held on January 23 at the Kangaroo Bar on Bangla Road in Patong, to raise funds to buy a mobility scooter for a local disabled woman, Khun Wan.

@thephuketnews

FOR THE WIN!

Paul Kildea (centre) and his partner Tara Artner collect their Live 89.5 FM “12 Days of Christmas” competition prize from Class Act Media Public Relations Manager Oil Pichsinee. The couple are on their way to a fabulous dinner at Aziamendi restaurant at the amazing Iniala Beach House.

16 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Phil Teese and Live 89.5’s Tim Shaw.

A VERY PHUKET STYLE AUSTRALIA DAY, MATE! Songkran (centre) and Donna Stephens (right).

Phuket Aussies celebrated Australia Day on January 26 with heaps of food and good banter at the Ladie Pie restaurant in Cherng Talay.

Dozens came out for the event, which was hosted by the Aussies in Phuket group. For more information, visit aussiesinphuket.com.

Sue” Lady Pie” Usher (left).

Chef Daniel Bojstrup Nielsen and the rest of the kitchen staff during the event.

THE TASTE OF SIAM AT DUSIT THANI Siam Winery’s Kathrin Puff and Resident Manager of Dusit Thani, Benjamin Perera.

ROLLING IN THE ROLLES THE MGC ROLLES ROYCE

Scott Toon, Baz Daniel and Santiago Lopez.

Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket and Siam Winery hosted ‘The Taste of Siam’ wine dinner, highlighting the Monsoon Valley wines from Hua Hin Hills, on January 23 at the resort’s Ruen Thai Restaurant. Award-winning Danish Chef Morten Bojstrup Nielsen prepared a four-course menu of exciting Thai classics with a modern twist.

MGC-Asia Ultimate Luxury Vehicles has arrived at Phuket. Now locals will be able to check out Rolls-Royce, Aston Matin, Azimut, BMW and MINI. The temporary showroom of BMWs and MINIs is now at Premium Outlet on Bypasss Road. Recently MGC-Asia held a reception at the Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX 2015) at Royal Phuket Marina on January 9.

Fredy Reutlinger (far right) presents a B5,000 check to Holland House.

COMMUNITY HELP FOR THE HOLLAND HOUSE CHILDREN (From left) Sompraj Bosuwan : GM of MINI, Komkrit Nongsawat, GM of Aston Martin Bangkok; Chatvithai Tantraporn, Dep MD of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bangkok; Piyathep Siwakas, Dep MD of BMW - Millenium; Sebastien Bernard, Country Manager of Azimut – MGC.

Several expats came together to sell Christmas cookies over the last few weeks. On January 20, proceeds from the sale of the cookies were given to the Holland House child care facility in Kathu, including 40 toy bags and a B5,000 check. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ISLAND SCENE 17

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

AUSSIE PUB MONTHLY QUIZ On the last Monday of each month, Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation, in conjunction with Aussie Pub Kamala, hosts monthly pub quizzes.

On January 26, dozens came out to the event, which has a B100 entry fee. Proceeds go directly to help underprivileged local children.

ENGINES ROAR AT XOD RACE CHALLENGE

THE ‘ROAD TO SUSTAINABLE MARINE TOURISM’ BIKE RIDE On Janury 23, several children, parents, and friends of the Gecko Community in Thalang took part in a bike ride all the way to the JW Marriott Hotel in Khao Lak under the banner “Road to Sustainable Marine Tourism” . The event helped raise funds to help send some Gecko children to Japan to help stop the slaguhter of thousands of dolphins.

Kondanai Sudkaew.

PSU PHUKET CYCLISTS TAKE ON KATHU ROAD The roads around Kathu looked somewhat different on January 24 with over 40 cyclists. The ride was organized by staff and students from the Prince of Songkla University Phuket Campus and the PSU Phuket Bike Club to promote cycling. Cycling is taking off in Phuket with many local administrative organizations putting up plans and events. Kathu Town Municipality recently opened a designated bike path on the road towards Bang Wad Reservoir and is organizing a regular bike ride around Kathu area every Thursday at 4:30pm as part of their plans to make Kathu a bike-friendly town. Hopefully more roads in Phuket will be made cyclist-friendly as more people cycle.

@thephuketnews

The Race Factory XOD Challenge 2014 series continued on January 25 at the Kangkajan Circuit.

Class Act Media-sponsored driver Kondanai Sudkaew took part in the event.

18 EVENTS

FRI

30 JAN

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM ed to perform live at Central Festival Mall in Phuket. To find out more visit www.musiclessonsphuket.com or phuketacademyofperformingarts.com. Or 084 304 3587 or info@musiclessonsphuket.com and admin@phuketacademyofperformingarts. com. Proudly supported by Class Act Media - The Phuket News, Novosti Phuketa, Live 89.5 & The Phuket News TV.

Grove. Enjoy a variety of goods from food stalls, clothing, home décor, arts and crafts, to music and performances, dining area and much more! Starting Sunday 1st February at 4pm for the first time, with opening ceremony and mini-concerts by Jennifer Kim and Noom The Voice! Contact: 076 362 300 ext 1417. Email: nantaneec@lagunaphuket.com

Fridays from 7pm Enjoy live jazz with a delicious banquet of grilled meats, fresh seafood and more. From THB 800++ per guest Book Now: 076 372 300, Person: RSVP, Address: Dewa phuket, Email: sales2@dewaphuket.com

Sunday Poolside Chill Out Brunch at Kata Rocks

Suk Singpatong + Sitnumnoi

The competition at 9pm Expat Sports Bar at the Expat Hotel Soi Taipan Patong.

See map at www.expathotel.com.

Every Saturday night, Num Noi Singpatong, the head trainer and owner of Singpatong + Sitnumnoi gym in Patong Beach, hosts an elite fight series “Suk Singpatong + Sitnumnoi Saturday fight night” at Patong Boxing Stadium (Sai Nam Yen Road), where top international and Thai fighters compete. Visit pattongboxingstadium.com for more info. Contact 087 628 2719. Proudly supported by Class Act Media. Remark: Free transportation in Patong, Karon, Kata areas when requested in advance.

Chill out poolside every Sunday for brunch, with our shared table family style dining along with live chill out music. Chef serves modern Mediterranean inspired plates and platters with an Australasian accent. Relax the afternoon away enjoy the brunch then cool off in our stunning 35 meter oceanfront infinity pool Chilled live beats will set the tone and backdrop to the perfect Sunday session 12 noon till 4 pm every Sunday 1500++ per person for brunch and 2500++ including free flow of selected beverages Reservations required, Email: reservations@katarocks. com, Phone: +66(0)76 370 777

Phuket Walking Street, “Laad Yai” is a Village & Community Development Potential Project (SML) of the “Old Phuket Town Community” in Laad Yai, Phuket Town.

The visitors can enjoy the Old Phuket Town atmosphere which benefit to the local economic growth in the Old Phuket Town community. Open every Sunday from 16.00 - 22.00 Hrs. For more info visit facebook. com/phuketwalkingstreet or contact: 089 474 5253. Proudly supported by Class Act Media - The Phuket News, Novosti Phuketa, Live 89.5 & The Phuket News TV.

MON

2 FEB

SWASDEE SIAM at Dewa Phuket

For THB 499/-nett.

All you can eat

Mondays from 7pm An evening of Thai cultural performance and aromatic flavours from our Thai kitchen. Just THB 650++ per guest, Kids Eat Half. Price Book Now: 076 372 300, sales2@dewaphuket.com

Indian Curry Night on Fridays Come to Navrang Mahal in Karon Sea Sands Resort & Spa for an authentic Indian Feast every Friday in Karon Beach.

Try out our delicious naans, mutton vindaloo, chicken tandoori, dal makhini, butter chicken, samosas, lassis and many more mouth-watering dishes. For only 499/- nett and special reduced prices on drinks, 076-286464 Ext 4.

SAT

club, starting at B2,800++ per person including free flow of selected beverages. Advance bookings are highly recommended, Contact 076 372 400. fbphuket@banyantree.com

Phuket Walking Street

Jazz, Blues & BBQ at Dewa Phuket

Pool Competition at Expat Sports Bar

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

31 JAN

BBQ at Expat Hotel Time 8pm, Expat Sports Bar, Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www.expatsportsbar. com

SUN

1 FEB

Traditional Sunday Roast Angus O’Tool’s Karon Beach Lunch or dinner served from 2pm. Your choice of either roast beef, chicken, loin of pork or leg of lamb served with roast and boiled potatoes, three fresh vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. Only B320 per person which includes a free glass of house red or white. Opposite Centara Karon Resort. See otools-phuket.com

Live Seafood & Jazz Sunday Brunch at Banyan Tree Monthly Student Performances at Central Festival Mall Each month selected students from the Phuket Academy of Performing Arts and Siobhan’s Music School in the disciplines of vocals, piano, violin and guitar are invit-

Laguna Market on First – Starting Sunday 1st Feb 2015 On the first of every month, Laguna Phuket invites you to experience “Laguna Market on First” in the park at Laguna

Join Banyan Tree’s indulgent LIVE Seafood Sunday brunch featuring lots of LIVE Canadian Lobsters, Tiger prawns, freshly shucked Oysters, Wagyu rump and Foie Gras. Meander from one live cooking station to the next, and don’t forget to leave room for cheese and dessert. With live Jazz music and a kids

Free Sauna TRX – Santosa Signature training Santosa Wellness Center is the home of Phuket’s only certified, open TRX class.

Born in the Navy SEALs, TRX Suspension Training bodyweight exercise develops strength, balance, flexibility and core stability simultaneously. TRX is the original workout system that leverages gravity and bodyweight to perform hundreds of exercises. TRX is highly functional and efficient in achieving extreme results quickly! To book this class, or to find out the other TRX class times, please go to www.santosaphuket. com or find us on facebook, Santosa Wellness Center. 076 330 600 Patak Rd, Kata.

daily event updates on

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

TUE

EVENTS 19

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015 084 304 2587 or admin@phuketacademyofperformingarts.com. This event is proudly sponsored by Class Act Media.

3 FEB The Good Shepherd Craft Shop

Zumba in the Jungle We do not consider Zumba a class, it is a fitness party! Making exercising fun, the dynamic Latin-based dance workout has taken the fitness world by storm. Vibrant and energetic, an hour of serious cardio passes by in such a flurry of colourful smiles, that it doesn’t feel like exercise at all! Join us at Santosa, where the formidable Geti Pici transforms our fitness pavilion into a fit-party! To book this class, or to find out the other Zumba class times, please go to www.santosaphuket.com or find us on facebook, Santosa Wellness Center. 076 330 600 Patak Rd, Kata.

WED

4 FEB

PASTA MANIA at Dewa Phuket Wednesdays from 7pm Savour the flavours of Italy with fresh pasta, homemade sauces, tasty appetizers and desserts.

Just THB 650++ per guest, Kids Eat Half Price Book Now: 076 372 300, sales2@ dewaphuket.com

Opens every Wednesday from 10AM to NOON and every Saturday from 9AM to NOON. We have a wide and wonderful selection of handicrafts such as educational toys, dolls, puppets, paper art, greeting cards for all occasions, Novelties like tooth fairy pillow, and many more. All proceeds go directly to The Good Shepherd mission.

More info visit www.thegoodshepherd. info/shop/ E-mail: reginatudor@gmail.com, Contact: 083 104 0788

THU

5 FEB Love to Hate Valentine’s Day

Aerial Yoga–Unique to Santosa The fluid, gravity-defying twist on yoga shows how we can learn to fly whilst relieving compressed joints and re-aligning the body. The practice uses graceful, trapezelike movements which sometimes seem like acrobatics. A wonderful way to do inversion poses, aerial yoga really is an innovative fitness trend, and Santosa are extremely proud to be the only center in Phuket offering suspended movement in every direction along with stimulation of the organs, muscles and bones. To book this class, or to find out the other Aerial yoga class times, please go to www.santosaphuket.com or find us on facebook, Santosa Wellness Center. 076 330 600. Patak Rd, Kata, colleen@santosaphuket.com

FRI

SAT

14 FEB

Centra Ashlee Hotel Patong presents Love to Hate Valentine’s Day. Join us for a unique Valentine’s Party. Here everyone is welcome. Live DJ from 19:00 – Midnight. At Air Rooftop Bar & Lounge. 750.- Smoking BBQ Buffet and Welcome Drink, 500.- Free flow beverages whole night, 200.- Free flow soft drink. Email: saleschp@chr.co.th, Contact: 081 171 0143, 076 349 870-7

WED

22 FEB

6 FEB

Join Thailand’s Largest Pool League !

Have Fun - Meet People - Play Pool For more details LIKE us on www.facebook. com/vneaphuket or call: 085 797 0005 For Schedules, Standings & Statistics check out: www.compusport.us Proudly supported by Class Act Media - The Phuket News, Novosti Phuketa, Live 89.5 & The Phuket News TV.

@thephuketnews

Youth Talent Contest 2015 Taking place again at the Royal Phuket Marina in Phuket, starting at 6pm. This year the competition has been split into two categories of Vocal Performance and Instrumental Performance. The main cash prize sponsor is Phuket International Academy. Additional sponsors are Hard Rock Café Phuket, Legend Music and Siobhan’s Music School in conjunction with Rock School out of the UK. Entry fee is B500. To enter contact

RBFC THAILAND 2015 ‘Classic’ Sport Fishing Tournament To be held 18 to 20 March 2015 off the beautiful Similan Islands, the tournament boasts the most generous prize money in Asia!!!

At least 20 boats have already confirmed, including teams from Australia, Canada, USA, UK, Germany, Oman, Hong Kong and Singapore. For further details please contact Warren Crowe Tel: +66(0) 812704291 or Andy Bright Tel: +66(0) 862739948. E-mail: info@rawaibeachfishingclub.com

TUE

3rd’ Thailand SUP Invitational, Stand Up Paddle racing

VNEA Pool Leagues Season 2

WED

Come & soak up all the action & witness the best of the best SUPers on offer as we crown Thailand’s SUP champions doing an Elite 6km race & 1km Sprint race.

It’s not all serious with plenty of fun & family races & the unforgettable Island team relay challenge where business’ & hotels battle it out for bragging rights. There is a special SUP clinic for beginners to try as well as Music, Indie markets, games, food, beer tent, Finished off with an epic after party at Bliss Beach Club with the freakishly talented “Soundwave Sunday” DJ’s. 500THB/ person includes race registration & equipment hire. Enter as many race categories as you wish. For early registration & more info contact: tim@standupprojects.com, 082 519 3282 Proudly supported by Class Act Media The Phuket News, Novosti Phuketa, Live 89.5 & The Phuket News TV.

18 MAR

27 MAR

CONSTECH 2015 Thailand International Construction Machinery, Equipment and Technology Exhibition 2015 is an international business platform gathering more than 400 exhibiting companies & brands from around the world spanning a vast range of construction and mining machinery and equipment, and machinery for building material production. More than 5,000 trade buyers, industry player and key decision makers from Thailand and ASEAN construction and mining industries are expected to visit the event. CONSTECH 2015 is organized by Thai Contractors Association under H.M. the King’s Patronage (TCA) and managed by IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd. CONSTECH 2015 is a must visit exhibition!, Address: IMPACT Exhibition & Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand., Email: pasinc@impact.co.th, Phone: 02 833 5208 Proudly supported by Class Act Media - The Phuket News, Novosti Phuketa, Live 89.5 & The Phuket News TV.

20 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York Across 1. What is the name of cartoon character Snoopy’s brother?

2. Which actress was a Bond girl twice? In which movies?

3. When were roller skates invented?

4. Allurophobia is a fear of what?

5. Which animal is believed to be the most poisonous in the world?

Answers below, centre.

SUDOKU

___ that has acres o’ charms”: Burns 21. Sampler 1. Groban or Brolin 22. Mind set?

5. Like some piano keys 26. Ordained 9. Receptacle 27. Mysterious: Var. 14. Celebes buffalo 29. Census data 15. Push 30. Prefix with god 16. Bizet work 31. Witty remark 17. Foot 32. Hightail it 18. Get to 33. Unit of pressure 19. Orbital point 34. Pot over a fire 20. Valuable books 35. One of the Ringling Brothers 23. Second shot 36. Strip 24. Appoint starter Down 39. Billiards bounce 25. Cable network 1. Cooler 40. Most unsteady 26. Kind of hour 2. Way to walk 45. ___ nut tree 28. One of the Pillars of 3. Amiens is its Islam 47. Overflow capital 32. Brown fur 49. Hypothesis 4. Commonly used 35. Companion of 50. More malodorous 5. City in Northern Artemis 51. Ensepulcher California 37. Go right 52. Insect-eating 6. Modern ___ 38. Valuables lizard 7. Look like a wolf 41. Modern address 53. Labyrinth 8. Desideratum 42. Wretched 54. Organic 9. Neotropical compound 43. Afflict mammal 55. Salty septet 44. Plain 10. Snooty 46. Preschoolers?

11. Tender in Tijuana 56. Eat like a bird 47. Pitcher, of a sort 12. Burnett of CNBC 57. Bridge toll unit 58. Berth place 48. Self center 13. “O, gie me the 50. The bear is its symbol 53. Valuables 59. Certain ridge 60. Big show 61. Bibliog. space saver 62. Fervors 63. Staff leader 64. Final Four game 65. Simplifies 66. Groove made by a cutting tool 67. Catch-22

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz:

1. Spike; 2. Ursula Andress in Casino Royale and Dr No; 3. 1760; 4. Cats; 5. The golden dart frog (Phyllobates terribilis).

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

■■ January 30, 1826

The Menai Suspension Bridge, considered the world’s first modern suspension bridge, connecting the Isle of Anglesey to the northwest coast of Wales, is opened.

6

Months in jail imposed on North Koreans who were not seen mourning the death of Kim Jong-Il

■■ January 31, 1747

The first venereal diseases clinic opens at London Lock Hospital. It treated primarily syphilis.

36

■■ February 1, 1994

Punk rock band Green Day release their album Dookie, which goes on to sell more than 20 million copies worldwide.

Percentage of Americans who feel they absolutely MUST have access to the internet at all times.

■■ February 2, 2004

Swiss ten nis player Roger Federer becomes the No. 1 ranked me n’s si ngle s player, a position he will hold for a record 237 weeks.

77,500

Approximate number of TV commercials seen by a child by the time they reach the age of 12.

■■ February 3, 1959

4

Rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP “The Big Bopper” Richardson, die in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa.

Number of northern white rhinos left in the world. They are all in captivity and three are getting rather old.

■■ February 4, 2004

O n l i ne so cia l networking site Facebook is fou nded by 20-year-old Mark Zuckerberg.

25

Edible lifespan, in years, of a fruitcake kept in an airtight container.

Source: Uberfacts

This week in history

Sunset at Nai Yang Beach. Photo by Trish Cochrane Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket?

Email it to editor1@classactmedia.co.th

■■ February 5, 1909

Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland announces the creation of Bakelite, the world’s first synthetic plastic.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

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EDUCATION

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STORAGE Reserve Your Storage Space

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Jobs

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

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BB PHUKET NEEDS YOU! Come and join us to be a part of our Dream Team. The new unique Pool Bar and Restaurant on Phuket’s stunning East Coast is looking for you.

Position:

- Restaurant Manager/ Assistant Manager (ผูจ้ ดั การห้องอาหาร, ผูช้ ว่ ยผูจ้ ดั การห้องอาหาร) - Bartender/Bartendy (บาร์เทนเดอร์, บาร์เทนดี�) - Host/Hostess (พนักงานต้อนรับในห้องอาหาร) - Banquet Attendant (พนักงานฝ่ายจัดเลี�ยง) - Marketing /PR (การตลาดและประชาสัมพันธ์)

Incentives:

Salary package: ��,���-��,���, competitive compensation and benefit packages and guaranteed service charge. (รายได้รวมอยูร่ ะหว่าง

��,��� – ��,��� บาท ตามตำแหน่ ง , ความสามารถ และประสบการณ์)

- Daily tips - Staff Food - Staff Van - FUN at Work

Requirements:

- “Can Do” attitude (มีทัศนคติดี) - Outgoing personality (บุคลิกภาพดี) - Good English (สามารถสื�อสารภาษาอังกฤษได้ดี) - Great communication skills (มีทักษะการสื�อสารที�ดี) - Passionate (มีความชื�นชอบในสายงาน) - F&B Knowledge (มีความรู้ในด้านอาหารและเครื�องดื�ม) - Hard working (มีความอดทนในการทำงาน) - Reliable (ซื�อสัตย์ม, สุจริต)

Thai& Non Thai nationals Contact us on Jobs@bbphuket.com Phone number: English: 0848927517, Thai: 0935757770

Luxury Hospitality Management is Thailand’s leading luxury management consulting company, offering services to organisations primarily within the Hospitality, Travel and Tourism industries.

We are growing and hiring: SALES CO-ORDINATOR Thai nationality only, fluent in English, with background & experience in OTA and connections with wholesale agents, Minimum two years experience in Sales. Able to work independently in headquarters office. Good benefit and bonus by KPI targets.

TOUR DESK SALES CO-ORDINATOR Thai nationality only, Sales coordinators for our LHM Adventure tour counter To be based in the properties we manage, fluent English with strong sales mind, full time and part time, good salary, attractive commissions with KPI target bonus structure.

Interested candidates are invited to send an application with complete resume, in English, with qualifications, experience, a recent picture and expected salary to: md@luxuryhospitalitymanagement.com Phone: 0897256994 http://luxuryhospitalitymanagement.com/

Join an International Team, Princess Yachts Phuket is hiring

Native English Teachers

Are you looking for a Nanny?

1 Position: Yacht Charter Assistant; excellent written and spoken english, computer and internet, secretarial experience, Thai national 1 Position: Marketing Assistant; Video, Photo, Adobe, Internet and good English, Thai national Please call Rico Stapel at: 0866900444 and send resume to rico@princessyachtssea.com

Chalong International School is looking for two experienced teachers for our preschool and primary school to start Jan 6 Mon-Fri resume to phuketteacher@yahoo.com, 080 624 7060

Job Wanted!!! If you are looking for someone who can look after your child, pets or house when you plan to get away at night or during the weekend, Pls contact Email : jj_icu@hotmail.com, 081 476 7570

Swimming coach & assistant Swimming coach & assistant wanted: 2 yrs experience teaching Babies. (1 yr for asst.) Native English speaker. Sal 50K/20K with other benefits., K.Bee, mantakids.pkt@gmail.com

TELE SALES WORK FROM HOME Earn up to 3,000 - 5,000 baht/day. International organization specialized in holiday rentals listing is expanding to new areas of interest. The ideal candidate is a responsible and diligent person with experience as a telemarketer or in sales. Good English and excel skills are essential. Thai or foreigners can both apply. We offer: full training, telephone and email support, high commissions, Email: recruitment@holiplanet.com

The Terminal Phuket

Phuket Sirinath Property & The Terminal Phuket Sales Staff 2 (2 years Experience) Marketing 1 (3 years Experience) Accounting 1 (5 years Experience) A & S Supervisor 1 (10 years Experience) M & E Engineer 1 (10 years Experience) HR, Naiyang Beach, k.taksakorn@gmail.com, 076 327 590

WE WANT YOU

Vacancies for property sales reps 1.Sale English,Chinese,Russia (Good commission)Have experience in line of Sale 2.staff at booth for Property(17,000 + Lunch + Commission) Can communicate Good English, Kaew, kaew@agtropical.com, 094 807 3434

HANA-PHUKET’S NEW UNIQUE DINNING EXPERIENCE IS OPENING NOW. THE RESTAURANT OFFERS A FINE DINING EXPERIENCE. LOCATED ON THE TOP FLOOR OF THE PLAZA, SURIN. IT FEATURES HIGH QUALITY MODERN JAPANESE CUISINE, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON FRESH AND LOCALLY SUSTAINBLE PRODUCE. THE KITCHEN IS HEADED BY ANTHONY SOUSA TAM, FORMALLY NOBU, HAKKASAN LONDON & MOMO AMSTERDAM, HIS SPECIALITY IS TO PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF JAPANESE

HEAD CHEF 100,000BAHT+ SOUS CHEF 55,000BAHT+ PASTRY CHEF 45,000BAHT+ CHEF DE PARTIE 35,000BAHT+ COMMIS CHEF 28,000BAHT+

CUISINE.

RESTAURANT MANAGER 50,000 BAHT+ HEAD WAITER 25,000BAHT+ HEAD BARMAN 30,000BAHT+ BARMAN 20,000BAHT+ WAITER 20,000BAHT+

Russian Property Broker 150k+ We are one of the leading real estate companies in Phuket that is expanding fast and looking for talented individuals to join our young, dynamic team. We have a position for a Russian speaking agent who has a number of years experience in real estate & within the Phuket market. This is a great opportunity for any hungry and talented sales people to join a market leader. Top Level Commission offered., Top Level Commission, Kamala, Phuket, 092 474 6157, paul@livephuket.com

Excellent THAI CHEF Looking for an excellent Thai Chef to work abroad. I am looking for an excellent Thai Chef to work overseas in Sri Lanka at a new Thai Restaurant. Would require to speak little bit of english but what I am looking for is a really good chef who can make Authentic Thai food. Will provide great salary and accomodation. Please contact me on suranga.sd@ gmail.com to discuss further.

Assistant Branch Manager 20 K We are hiring!!!!! Both positions for our new branch in Phuket and to be part of our energetic team. Excellent commission & benefits. Email info@ thailandpooltables.com, 20,000 THB per month, Ying.

Kotasovac An offer you can not refuse! Anyone who wants to be within a few weeks of earning money an interesting way, contact us. It involves a simple promotional activity on the Internet, which is very fairly assessed and which can behandled easily, by even a schoolboy! For work, you need a computer, patience and a desire to change their financial situation for the better. If you want to have an interesting monthly income, contact us as soon as possible.

We would like to help. Contact by E-mail only: kotasovac@gmail.com

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU? THEN WE WANT TO HEAR FORM YOU! IF YOU POSSES ALL OF THE ABOVE, PLEASE EMAILS A RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO info@hanaphuket.com or call 0950877818

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Buy&Sell BOATS & YACHTS

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BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Luxury Motor Yacht for sale BRAND NEW REFIT - IMMACULATE Condition This luxurious 85-foot motor yacht is a Raymond Hunt Design (Bertram boats) 2 x caterpillar C12 ACERT 705hp (Digital Controls) Licenced for 60 passengers or 12 berth A full specifications sheet is available upon request. 39,265,992 THB, Stuart Walker, elitechartershk@gmail.com, +85297600287

COMPANY FOR SALE

Silver Princess Yacht PC530

A 53 ft Power Catamaran by Silver Princess Yachts. Beautiful design, compact yacht with space & modern interior. Dimensions: 53 ft length, 21 ft beam, 4 ft draft, 50 passengers, 22,000,000 THB, Sonny, 669 8810 5024, www.silver-princess.com, sonny@silver-princess.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Sale Double Shophouse - Kathu

3 storey with six large rooms, large shop/office on ground floor. Rooms fully furnished with cable TV and internet access. Car park available. 14.5 MB, Paul, Email: info@ expathotel.com, 081-606-5772

Restaurant For Sale Kitchen equipment, furniture, bar ect. All new. Seats 20 but more capacity available outside. Monthly rent THB 20,000 No key money for THB 700,000., K.Bernd, Email: bernd. schild@gmx.net, 081 891 9818

One of a kind retail space One of a kind retail space for rent!! Road front building, 36-50 SQM price from 12 to 16,000 THB per month. Call now 085 797 0005

INVESTMENT IN RAWAI German design, 5 units, 50sqm to 100sqm. Building 2014 + 1-shop 40sqm. Complete price: 28.5 million Baht.

Tel: 0801453533 Chistina.

RAWAI RESTAURANT For Urgent Sale. Area 3.800 Sqm Reduce from 1.5 MB To 980,000 baht Yearly Rent 200,000 baht Includes 2 Houeses.,K.Asoke, big_redchili@yahoo.com, 089 646 7176

For sale Navy Bar Soi Sea Dragon, Bangla, Patong.

Key money paid until October 2015. Asking price for 1.6 MB., playschoolphil@ yahoo.com, 081 083 3231

Company for sale - Owner retiring Well known 12 year established company specializing in sales and rental of containers, site/sales offices, Porta Loos as well as Self Storage. Customer base includes Tesco Lotus, Laguna, Marriot, Boat Lagoon and many more. Enormous potential for expansion and export. A conservative value of company assets exceed 11MB which is included in the sale price of 14MB. Call Gordon 081 892 4804, www.safewayasia.com.

equipped Restaurant with Bar for Rent in an excellent location on Nanai Rd, Patong. The 105 M2 premises includes a fully equipped Kitchen, Restaurant and Bar with ample seating for 50 customers and excellent parking facilities., Peter Wesche, info@phuket-besthomes.com, 081 892 8526

Business For Rent Massage Spa and Travel Agent with Room for Motorbike Rental good location close to Laree Hotel in Patong Beach. Low key money and Rent, Darren, billycross666@outlook.com, 098 040 8356

Bangla rd bar for sale Bangla rd Patong bar for sale 10 meters from the band everything included alcohol stock computer fridge chairs 8 year lease 3.9 million baht eng.

086 2752264 or thai 0806195985, 3.9 THB, ed bayford, edbay54@yahoo.ca

CAR FOR SALE Ford Explorer Limited 2006

Triton 2.5. Only 25,000km. With tinted windows, reverse sensor and camera. A1 condition. Full service history with Mitsubishi dealer, 650,000 THB, Sam Hannah, samhannahtci@gmail.com, 096 053 8117

For more information, please call 081 416 4177 or 076 381 341.

@thephuketnews

Toyota Vios 1.5 J, ABS, Auto, 2010 model, Silver. 64,XXX KM. First class insurance till 25 January 2015. Only THB 339,000. Call 086 479 7471 to view.

NEW MAZDA BT50PRO PICKUP TRUCK Perfect condition. Only 7800 km. Only 720 000 bht. See more pics http://goo.gl/zZW0Xi, Kathu, 083 391 6554

Arctic silver with satin gray wrap, Advance racing wheel, STI front and side spoiler, Cold air intake, HKS exhaust, Fuel bank system, STI rear diffuser, Engine remapping, Turbo boost control, Front anti roll bar, Front and back strap bar, Racing STI steel wheel, Mint 2,000 km., 3,500,000 THB, Rujiporn (Fang), fang@sripanwa.com, 076 371 000

Band available for events New on Phuket island; 5-piece good quality music band available for all sorts of events Corporate events, weddings, gala dinners, parties, festivals etc. Genre: pop/top 40, motown and a bit of rock. Please contact: Brigitta, 0822577102, brigittalouisa@yahoo.com

FOR SALE Mitsubishi Triton

Chalong Pier Road ground floor unit available for shop or office use. Excellent location on this popular and well-known road.

kms (47,000) White 325i Sport with a full compliment of accessories. The car is in new condition with good rubber, full insurance and still has 12 months warranty remaining., 1.67 MB, hsewaugh@yahoo.com, 0849138926

Subaru WRX STI A Line 2012 Restaurant & Bar For Rent A long established fully

4.6-liter, V-8, 240 horsepower, 104,349 km. Urgent Sale!!! (can be negotiated), Email: info@theviewphuket.com, 081 666 6622

Office/Shop For Rent

2010 BMW 325i Sport Immaculate low

TOYOTA VIOS for Sale

4.1M/40HP RIB, 09/2014 AS NEW! BOUGHT IN SEPT. 2014,14HRS ONLY! SUZUKI ENGINE+BOAT UNDER WARRANTY (SUZUKI PHUKET).

BIMINI+TRAILER+TUBE COVERS. 0935840565 (RUS/ ENG) 0987086632 (FR/ENG, 350,000 THB, )

CAR FOR SALE

2013 SUZUKI CARRY 2 cars, 8100 km and 16500 km. Top condition.

Price: 300,000 THB/car o.b.o. Tel 080-5889390 Eng or 092-5628762 Thai

DIVING EQUIPMENT Dive Gear for SALE Axiom BCD ML), Aqua Lung Regs LX with SPG, Dive bag, Dive knife, SMB, 2 masks, fins (US 10), Only used 4 times. Email for further details., 35,0000 THB, Sam, Bang Tao, samhannahtci@gmail.com, 096 053 8117

FURNITURE Folding Event Chairs

100 funky, modern design chairs that fold for easy storage. Made from high quality plastic that won’t change colour in the heat. Great for a restaurant or events. Bought in Bangkok from Pioneer Furniture. Paid approx 950 THB per chair.

Willing to separate but would prefer to sell as a bulk lot. Some are still brand new in un-opened boxes and all are in excellent condition, 650 THB each, Andrea, andreachappell@gmail.com, 080 208 7454

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE CAMERA baby car seats for sale BAKLONG Car Seat - Very good condition, suitable for newborn to 25KG. Prices are THB 4,000 per seat, buy both for only THB 7,000. Call 086 479 7471.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

BUY & SELL IN PHUKET

COMMUNITY

PETS FOR ADOPTION CALLING THE DOG LOVERS OF PHUKET Soi Dog are looking for dog lovers in Phuket to come and spend time with our 300+ street dogs in residence at our shelter in Mai Khao, North Phuket. We need volunteers to help socialise and walk our dogs - as this is fundamental in preparing our lovely dogs for adoption in Phuket and around the world. Whether you can spare one day a week or can come every day, we would love to have you help our dogs. Volunteering at Soi Dog is an amazing experience and may well change your life. For more details, please email Diana at volunteering@soidog-foundation.org

MOTORBIKES FOR SALE HONDA FORZA 2013

Honda Forza low 8,775 kms. White, still under warranty, Excellent condition. Note: Helmets inc. Not top box, 120,000 THB, ross@microbase.com.au, 082 2781570 Honda 200cc Motorbike + Trailer Perfect condition, will sell separately or both. Bike B60,000, trailer B20,000.

Ideal 4 shopping, camping, dog carring., pino.ellul@ yahoo.com, 0848581917

Motorbike and trailer for sale

We are 15 weeks old. We are very sweet with people and can get along easy with other dogs too! We hope you are the one who can give us a home. We will protect your house and love to cuddle. We already got some basic training.

If you are interested in us you will get 2 dog training lessons for free.A dog is often happier when they have a friend around. These are best friends, so it would be best if they can stay together, Diana Koster, info@ phuket-dog-resort.com, 083 599 6017

Neo and Cookie

Missing Quincy

Missing our dog Quincy, Airdale terrier, male, black and brown coat. He got lost on the 31st of december in Patong,3000 Baht reward, 0870912798

OTHER Beautiful land plot for sale very convenient

located in a secure estate with underground electricity less than 10 mins from Phuket International Academy, Airport, Tesco , Naiyang beach, Grand AoPor marina in a peaceful foreigner community, Chanote title,1100sqm, flat land with fences around, mountain view , ready to build, good investment.

For quick sale direct from owner only B3.5 mln., Montha, 081 343 0777, montha_phuket@yahoo.com

OTHER FOR QUICK SALE

Sea-View Land & Luxury Villa project in Kamala including architect plans & building permit for 9 villas, 4000m2 sale only THB 30 MB, MIO, pupillopascal@gmail.com Call:088 768 0942

Land for Sale Phang-nga

18 rai Land with Rubber Plantation for sale In Thayu, Phang Nga. 600,000 baht/rai Tel: 086 276 0041 Owner.

Inexpensive land plots / commercial property Inexpensive

land plots on east coast of Phuket for sale, 0.3 - 8 rai, some with a sea view (Bang Pae, Yamu Hills). Direct sale by owner. Price starts from 500 000 THB. Commercial property: two-storey building: 50 rooms, 13 bathrooms, 3 kitchens, 4 rai land plot, 7 min from airport. Nicely renovated. Can be a hospital/school/commercial/residential property. 35 mln baht, Lana, lana.phuket@gmail.com, 080 27 16 484, 090 870 7773

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

27

Phuket FC split series with Yokohama FC FOOTBALL fter winning the first of a two-game pre-season series 3-1 on Thursday (January 22) against Yokohama FC, Phuket went on to lose Sunday’s match (January 25) by a 2-0 scoreline.

Both matches, which took place at Surakul Stadium, saw an all-new Phuket FC lineup that included foreigners Moussa Silla and Berlin Ndebi with coach Daeng roaming the sidelines.

In the first match, Phuket FC’s Ndebi scored all three goals in the 3-1 victory. Ndebi’s spectacular debut was the first time Phuket FC fans were able to see the new team take to the field.

“We try to focus on being more efficient in the counter attack and have patience in the defending. In particular, we need to get rid of the ball quicker and attack as soon as possible,” said coach Daeng In the second match on Sunday (January 25), Coach Daeng employed a much more aggressive zone defense – a tactic which back-

A

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Ronins to kick off 2015 season at Trat on Feb 14 FOOTBALL JP Mestanza editor2@classactmedia.co.th

fired. Yokohama took advantage of the Ronins’ heavy pressure and were able to sneak two goals

into the back of the net to split the series before the visitors headed back to Japan.

PHUKET FC WILL KICK OFF the 2015 league campaign on the road against Trat FC on February 14 and end the season on December 12 against the same team.

The Ronins will play a total of 38 matches this season, up four from last year. The increase in matches is due to Yamaha League-1’s expansion from 18 to 20 teams (the Thai Premier League, in contrast, went from 20 to 18 teams).

Phuket FC will host back-to-back home games on April 22 and April 26 (vs Samut Songkhram FC and Chiang Mai FC, respectively) while they go on the road in consecutive games on September 12 and 20 (against the

same opponents).

Pattaya United, the former team of current Phuket FC Head Coach Somyot “Daeng” Klinsrisuk, will visit the Ronins on April 4. The return match will take place on August 19.

All matches start at either 6pm or 7pm, a change from the usual 6:30pm kick-off from last year.

International competitions will force the league to have multiple breaks this upcoming season. The AFC U-22 Championship 2016 qualifiers takes place in March, while the 28th Southeast Asia Games in Singapore is scheduled for June 5–16.

World Cup qualifiers will also begin in October and November.

All Phuket FC games are played at Surakul Stadium, in Phuket Town, on Vichit Songkram Rd. Class Act Media is a proud media partner of Phuket FC.

28 SPORT

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

ICC take win over Thalang in Phuket 40-Over League CRICKET Andrew McMillan editor2@classactmedia.co.th

T

he Island Cricket Club (ICC) (8/192) were victorious over the Thalang Cricket Team (6/190) in a back-and-forth contest last Sunday (January 25) at the Alan Cooke Ground in Thalang.

Both teams had a soter of heavy hitters with ICC bringing in Vaigankar and Mydeen while Thalang named Buck, Culpan, McMillan, Thomatos and Murphy on their side.

Batting first, Thalang were unable to score and at the first drink break they were a meagre 1/24. After the break, the ICC bowlers were able to get the batsmen to play some attacking strokes. Neil Culpan was spectacularly caught-out by Vaigankar at point, Wetherell hit the ball straight up, and Stahmer, 22 runs from 47 balls, was adjudged LBW. Justin Thomatos made his long-awaited return to the crease and built a solid partnership with Craig Murphy.

ICC’s skipper A nand Chand switched the ball between his bowlers but it wasn’t until the 34th over that that partnership was broken.

Thomatos (45) was caught after he mis-timed a pull shot from the bowling of Ventrapatti and TCT were 5/156.

Murphy (42) was bowled by Chand and back in the shade soon after Thomatos.

ICC’s Sami, Virdikar, and Chand continued to bowl a tight line, until the last over of the innings, when a Thalang batsmen finally had the better of an ICC bowler. Runhaar hit a six from a no ball and Thai cricketer ‘Pao’ found the fence a few times to take 18 runs from the over to set

ICC 191 to win.

ICC’s innings started with a hot first over from Thalang’s Culpan. On the fourth ball of the over the bowling side thought they had their first wicket when Culpan found the edge of the bat. Once the dust cleared it was Mohammad who took advantage of the frustrated Thalang players.

Mohammad plundered 40 runs in leg-side boundaries

during the next 4 overs before Alex Runhaar took one of the running catches of the season at deep fine leg to end Mohammad streak.

Only another 45 r uns were added during the next 15 overs and at the 20 over drink break ICC’s total was 2/97 with Mehra 17.

Thalang will regret a couple of dropped catches in the next session. A broken finger put an early end to Barrie Buck’s match, and when Sam Ali dropped a simple chance the match was slipping out of TCT’s grasp. Vickky Mehra’s good fortune and clean hitting allowed him to reach 59 runs. ICC scored 60 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in the session.

Needing only 34 runs to win from the last 10 overs with 5 wickets remaining, Thalang’s skipper Stahmer threw the ball to McMillan.

He picked up 2 wickets off his first over and there would have been a third if not for TCT’s Simon Wetherell instructing the umpire to change his decision.

Thalang dropped another two difficult chances near the rope before ICC all-rounder Mydeen hit a six to bring up the winning runs in the 36th over.

The result keeps ICC on the top of the Phuket Cricket League table after 7 matches with Patong to play the Village this Sunday.

Thai star Teerasil leaves La Liga for TPL FOOTBALL T H E HON EY MOON IS over for Thailand football star Teerasil Dangda and Spanish La Liga club UD Almeria as he opted out of his loan deal citing language barrier and lack of playing time, the Bangkok Post reports.

Teerasil joined the Spanish club last July on a one-year loan from SCG Muang Thong United of the Thai Premier League. He was the first Thai national to play in Spain’s top-flight league.

“I had a lot of problems, particularly communications with the coach and teammates, and that made it difficult for me to understand the team’s tactics,” Teerasil told the Post’s Tor Chittinand.

Teerasil played one of his first matches in an Almeria uniform in a friendly against Phuket FC last August, which the Spanish side won 3-1.

Teerasil had mentioned his unhappiness with the

Spanish club during a press conference last November.

“Right now, I’m only thinking about working hard here to try and play, because the time hasn’t come for me to decide where I’m going to be in the future. When the January transfer window opens, then I’ll have a clearer picture of whether I’ll stay at Almeria or if I prefer to go to another team,” he said at the press conference.

The 26-year-old is expected to play for Muang Thong in the upcoming TPL season, which begins on February 4.

Meanwhile, Thailand national team coach Kiatisak “Zico” Senamuang told reporters that he would welcome Teerasil to join the team for the upcoming King’s Cup, which takes place February 1–7 in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The King’s Cup includes the Uzbekistani, South Korean, and Honduran nation al teams in a round-robin competition.

English trio confirmed to join Thailand Classic field GOLF THREE ENGLISH PLAYers will take part in next month’s Thailand Classic at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, organisers said Tuesday (January 27).

The trio includes Tommy Fleetwood, the 2013 Johnnie Walker Championship winner, David Howell, the 2013 champion of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, and Simon Dyson, a six-time European Tour winner.

Belgium’s long hitter Nicolas Colsaerts will also compete in the US$2 million event to be held from February 12-15.

They will join the likes of Miguel Angel Jimenez, Thomas Bjorn, Koumei Oda,

Anirban Lahiri and Asian Tour No.1 David Lipsky in Hua Hin. T he T hai cont i nge nt features Thongchai Jaidee, Thaworn Wiratchant, Prayad Marksaeng, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Prom Meesawat and Chapchai Nirat.

The richest golf tour-

nament in Thailand is cosanctioned by the European and Asian tours. It is also part of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai.

Black Mountain will be hosting their first European Tour event in Thailand since 2007, the organisers said.

Bangkok Post

Jump shots – Top local basketball teams from around the island took part in the second annual Challenge Cup basketball tournament, hosted by British International School, Phuket. Thai Hua fended off a tough BISP Senior Boys team 19-17 in a low scoring affair. Meanwhile, the BISP Senior Girls team lost to local powerhouse Satree Phuket in overtime. This was the first year that the competition saw a Girls tournament. “After watching the over-15 boy’s team’s success in last year’s tournament, the girl’s team and myself were so excited to participate in this year’s tournament,” said Esme Plunkett, Captain of BISP Senior Girls. thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

SPORT 29

Local swimmers dominate int’l school competition SWIMMING

T

he performance of several British International School, Phuket (BISP) swimmers turned a lot of heads last week during a competition that pitted other international schools from across Asia.

The inaugural FOBISIA (Federation of British International Schools in Asia) Age Group Swimming Championships, hosted at Shrewsbury International School in Bangkok from January 23–25, saw over 530 athletes from 19 of the region’s top athletic schools taking part in 60 different aquatic events.

In a first for the competition, the girls had the opportunity to compete over 800 metres, with some of the boys taking part in a 1500m race.

BISP finished the competition as High Point Average Champions (with the highest

Aussie Rules Football in Phuket this March AUSSIE RULES Photo: BISP score average of all swimmers on each team), in addition to the Team Champions 15+ trophy for both boys and girls combined.

The team broke 32 school records, including Namibian international Lushano Lamprecht breaking four short course records for his national side.

In addition, the team won all 16 races in the 13-14 age

group Girls Individual Events category, 14 out of 16 races in the 15 and over Girls Inidividual Events category and 13 out of 16 races for boys over 15.

BISP also won all races in the 15 and over Girls and Boys Relay Event.

“It was a privilege to watch such an amazing team performance with outstanding athletes. Many congratulations

to the entire BISP Flying Fish team on their record-breaking achievements,” said BISP Headmaster Mr Neil Richards, who flew up to Bangkok to attend the competition.

For more information about British International School, Phuket, contact Wirawan Woraprutthangkoon: wirawanw@bisphuket.ac.th

PEDAL TO THE METAL Thanyapura welcomed 20 cyclists from the Siam Bike Tour who all recently arrived to Phuket after riding 833km over 8 days from Bangkok. The tour was led by Jurgen Zack, Thanyapura’s Triathlon Head Coach and Ironman legend. The tour also included swim and running sessions with Zack. For more information, visit Thanyapura.com.

AUSSIE RULES FOOTBALL is coming to Phuket for the first time on March 7 at the Alan Cooke Ground in Thalang.

The Thailand Tigers – a Bangkok-based competition club made up of mostly Australian players – will take on the Malaysian Warriors at 1pm at the ACG. In addition, the event will also see an Auskick Junior AFL Clinic for any interested players to participate. The clinic preceds the match and will begin at 11:30am, also on March 7.

The team hosts regular training sessions every Tuesday and Saturday in Bangkok.

Anyone interested in participating the Auskick event should contact bangkokauskick@gmail.com.

Those interested in possibly playing in the match or for other inquiries, contact thailandtigers@gmail.com.

No toothless Tiger, all smiles for return GOLF TIGER WOODS, WHO HAD a front tooth knocked out by a video cameraman last week, displayed a full smile Tuesday (January 27) after a nine-hole practice round ahead of the Phoenix Open.

“Every sport you get teeth knocked out,” Woods said. “Unfortunately I wasn’t actually competing and got teeth knocked out.”

Woods’ first PGA Tour event since the PGA Championship last August after a back injury was commanding the golf world’s attention.

“My speed is back up again and that’s fun,” Woods said. “I’m touching numbers I did 15 years ago and that’s cool.”

But far greater than the state of his game was the interest in the state of his teeth after one was chipped and another was cracked on January 19 when he was struck in the mouth while watching cameramen photograph his girlfriend, Lindsey Vonn, after she won her record 63rd

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Thailand Tiger take on the Malaysian Warriors on March 7. Photos: Thailand Tigers website.

Tiger Woods is all smiles during a press conference in 2011. Photo: Flipde World Cup ski race in Italy. “ T he photog r apher changed positions and I got hit,” Woods said. “It was an accident... luckily he hit the one I had a root canal on.”

With Woods, the story is typically about his quest to match the career record of 18 major titles won by Jack Nicklaus. This will be the first tournament for Woods since turning 39 and no player has won more than three majors beyond his 39th birthday. AFP

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Bradford City’s Irish midfielder Mark Yeates (C) drops to his knees as he celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal in their FA Cup fourth round match agaiants Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Photo: AFP/Justin Tallis

Chelsea, Man City humbled in FA Cup FOOTBALL

P

remier League title challengers Chelsea and Manchester City both crashed out of the FA Cup after being sensationally beaten by lower-league opponents in the fourth round on Saturday (January 26).

A weakened Chelsea team threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 at home to third-tier Bradford City in one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s recent history, while City lost 2-0 to Championship high-fliers Middlesbrough at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester United, who are fourth in the Premier League, face a replay against fourth-division Cambridge United after a 0-0 away draw last Friday (Janaury 23).

With Southampton beaten 3-2 by Crystal Palace on Saturday (January 24), three out of the top four teams in the EPL standings are out of the FA Cup, blowing the competition wide open.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho had warned prior to kick-off at Stamford Bridge that it would be a “disgrace” if his side were beaten by Bradford and he declared himself “ashamed” at the final whistle.

Bradford’s win carried echoes of famous FA Cup upsets by Hereford United, Sutton United and Wrexham, and came two years after the League One club’s run to the League Cup final in 2013.

“The day we got to the League Cup final, that result at Villa Park, was a very special one,” said Bradford manager Gary Parkinson.

“But today, in terms of the performance, that has to be the best. To come to the Premier League leaders and score four goals will take some beating.”

Chelsea’s Ramires made it 2-0 in the 38th minute after a one-two with Mohamed Salah, but Jon Stead replied for Bradford three minutes later and former Chelsea youth player Filipe Morais equalised 15 minutes from time.

A money-spinning replay beckoned for the team who are currently seventh in the third tier – 51 places below Chelsea – but they went ahead in the 82nd minute when Andy Halliday found the top corner from 18 yards.

Bradford substitute Mark Yeates also scored to take his own piece of FA Cup folklore.

“I repeat a word I used before this match – it’s a disgrace for a big team to lose to a small team from a lower league,” said Mourinho.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough weathered heavy pressure from City in the first half before capitalising on some in the 53rd-minute with a Patrick Bamford strike.

Substitute Kike secured victory for Boro’ in stoppage time by finishing off a counterattack led by Bamford.

“I can’t find words to explain my feelings today,” said Middlesbrough coach Aitor Karanka. “But I’m proud of the players, the crowd, the fans, the staff and the club.”

Furious City fans took to social media to express their dissatisfaction, ahead of a visit to league leaders Chelsea next weekend that could leave their side eight points off the pace in the title race.

“We don’t have any problem with motivation,” said Pellegrini, whose side had lost 2-0 at home to Arsenal in their previous home game. “We are going to work hard and hope that we can win that game at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool avoided the fate that befell Chelsea and City,

but they were taken to a replay by Championship club Bolton following a 0-0 draw at Anfield.

Alan Pardew ended former club Southampton’s cup run as his Palace side twice came from behind to win 3-2 at St Mary’s, with Marouane Chamakh scoring twice and on-loan Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo opening his account for the club.

Cup holders Arsenal suffered a late scare by a surging Brighton but came away with a 3-2 victory and avoided the same Chelsea/City/Southampton misfortune.

West Ham won 1-0 away to third-tier Bristol City thanks to a Daifra Sakho header nine minutes from time and Aston Villa beat Championship leaders Bournemouth 2-1 to make it to the last 16. AFP

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OVERALL STANDINGS 58 58 58 55 55 52 52 50 50 50

Monday 26th January 2015 Rochdale

1-4

Stoke

Sunday 25th January 2015 Bristol City 0-1 West Ham Aston Villa 2-1 Bournemouth Brighton 2-3 Arsenal

Saturday 24th January 2015 Blackburn 3-1 Swansea Birmingham 1-2 West Brom Cardiff 1-2 Reading Chelsea 2-4 Bradford Derby 2-0 Chesterfield Man City 0-2 Middlesbrough Preston 1-1 Sheff Utd Southampton 2-3 Crystal Palace Sunderland 0-0 Fulham Tottenham 1-2 Leicester Liverpool 0-0 Bolton

Friday 23rd January 2015 Cambridge

0-0

Man Utd

Wednesday 14th January 2015 R Bradford R Ipswich R Tottenham

4-0 Millwall 0-1 Southampton 4-2 Burnley

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426 413 412 408 408 408 407 405 405 404

English Premier League 2014 - 2015 Team

MP W

D

L

GD

Pts

1

Chelsea

22 16

4

2

51 19 32

52

2

Man City

22 14

5

3

45 22 23

47

3

Southampton

22 13

3

6

37 16 21

42

4

Man Utd

22 11

7

4

36 21 15

40

5

Arsenal

22 11

6

5

39 25 14

39

6

Tottenham

22 11

4

7

32 30

2

37

7

West Ham

22 10

6

6

35 25 10

36

8

Liverpool

22 10

5

7

31 27

4

35

F

A

9

Swansea

22

8

6

8

26 30

-4

30

10

Stoke

22

8

5

9

23 27

-4

29

11

Newcastle

22

7

6

9

26 35

-9

27

12

Everton

22

5

8

9

30 34

-4

23

13

Crystal Palace

22

5

8

9

25 33

-8

23

14

West Brom

22

5

7

10 20 29

-9

22

15

Aston Villa

22

5

7

10 11 25 -14

22

16

Sunderland

22

3

11

8

19 33 -14

20

17

Burnley

22

4

8

10 21 36 -15

20

18

Hull

22

4

7

11 20 30 -10

19

19

QPR

22

5

4

13 23 39 -16

19

20

Leicester

22

4

5

13 20 34 -14

17

EPL FIXTURES

Crystal Palace v Arsenal

15:00

Saturday 31st January 2015

Everton v Leicester

15:00

Hull v Newcastle

12:45

Hull v QPR

15:00

Crystal Palace v Everton

15:00

Man City v Newcastle

15:00

Liverpool v West Ham

15:00

Southampton v Liverpool

15:00

Man Utd v Leicester

15:00

Sunderland v West Brom

15:00

Stoke v QPR

15:00

Swansea v Man Utd

15:00

Sunderland v Burnley

15:00

Tottenham v West Ham

15:00

West Brom v Tottenham

15:00

Chelsea v Man City

17:30

Sunday 1st February 2015

Saturday 28th February 2015 Arsenal v Everton

15:00

Burnley v Swansea

15:00

Arsenal v Aston Villa

13:30

Leicester v Chelsea

15:00

Southampton v Swansea

16:00

Liverpool v Man City

15:00

Man Utd v Sunderland

15:00

Saturday 7th February 2015

FA CUP PREVIOUS RESULTS:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Aston Villa v Chelsea

15:00

Newcastle v Aston Villa

15:00

Burnley v West Brom

15:00

QPR v Tottenham

15:00

Everton v Liverpool

15:00

Stoke v Hull

15:00

Leicester v Crystal Palace

15:00

West Brom v Southampton

15:00

Man City v Hull

15:00

West Ham v Crystal Palace

15:00

Newcastle v Stoke

15:00

QPR v Southampton

15:00

Aston Villa v West Brom

19:45

Swansea v Sunderland

15:00

Hull v Sunderland

19:45

Tottenham v Arsenal

15:00

QPR v Arsenal

19:45

West Ham v Man Utd

15:00

Southampton v Crystal Palace

19:45

West Ham v Chelsea

19:45

Liverpool v Burnley

20:00

Tuesday 10th February 2015

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

Arsenal v Leicester

19:45

Hull v Aston Villa

19:45

Man Utd v Burnley

19:45

Man City v Leicester

19:45

Southampton v West Ham

19:45

Newcastle v Man Utd

19:45

Sunderland v QPR

19:45

Stoke v Everton

19:45

Crystal Palace v Newcastle

20:00

Tottenham v Swansea

19:45

Liverpool v Tottenham

20:00

West Brom v Swansea

20:00

Wednesday 11th February 2015

Wednesday 4th March 2015

Saturday 14th March 2015 Arsenal v West Ham

15:00

Burnley v Man City

15:00

Chelsea v Everton

19:45

Chelsea v Southampton

15:00

Stoke v Man City

19:45

Crystal Palace v QPR

15:00

Everton v Newcastle

15:00

Saturday 21st February 2015 Aston Villa v Stoke

15:00

Leicester v Hull

15:00

Chelsea v Burnley

15:00

Man Utd v Tottenham

15:00

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

SPORT 31

Super Bowl caps season of turmoil in the NFL GRIDIRON

Mairbek Taisumov kicks Anthony Christodoulou in the face during their UFC bout on January 24.

Phuket’s Taisumov “sorry” after KO win MMA JP Mestanza editor2@classactmedia.co.th

F

Photo: Mairbek Taisumov Facebook page.

ollowing another training camp in Phuket, professional MM A fighter Mairbek Taisumov (235) came away with a knockout victory over Anthony Christodoulou at the UFC on FOX 14 event in Stockholm, Sweden last Saturday night (January 24).

The 26-year-old lightweight Chechen finished Christodoulou (12-5) – who took the fight on less than a

month's notice – within 38 seconds of the second round.

Christodoulou attempted to go for a takedown, which Taisumov countered by throwing the 27-year-old Greek fighter to the ground. From there, Taisumov threw a barrage of punches that would eventually knock Christodoulou out before the referee stepped in.

During a post-fight interview, Taisumov, who trains at Tiger Muay Thai and MMA Training Camp with UFC veteran Roger Huerta, would apologise several times for hitting Christodoulou after

he was knocked out.

“I didn't see that he was out and that is why I am apologizing for that. That was not nice.

If I didn't see that he was out, maybe the referee also didn't see that he was out.”

This was Taisumov's fourth fight in the UFC – the premier promotion in the sport – and second win in a row following a first round TKO win over Marcin Bandel on October 4.

Later this month, fellow Phuket fighter Tarek Suleiman (3-0) will take on undefeated fighter Christofer Silva in Desert Force 15 in Abu Dhabi on February 9.

SEATTLE TAKE ON NEW England in what promises to be a compelling Super Bowl 49 on Sunday (February 1), but the title showcase caps a season of turmoil in the NFL. Com m issioner Roger Goodell has been at the center of the storm as the league grappled – often clumsily – with charges of violence by players against women and children that put fans and sponsors on edge.

Goodell was lashed for his handling of Ray Rice, the Baltimore Ravens running back who knocked out his then-fiancee Janay Palmer in a casino elevator.

Goodell initially banned Rice for two games, but after a video of the actual blow was later posted online, Rice was promptly cut by the Ravens and banned from the league indefinitely by Goodell.

A probe conducted by former FBI director Robert Mueller uncovered no evidence that the league had seen the video of the punch, but scolded the NFL for failing to conduct a more complete investigation.

Public outcry over that case and others – a domestic violence case involving Carolina defensive end Greg Hardy and a child-beating charge against Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson

Former Balitmore Raven player Ray Rice.

-- prompted Goodell to reevaluate the league’s personal conduct policy.

But the NFL Players Association has objected to the imposition of new standards without collective bargaining.

Indeed in November, Rice’s indefinite suspension was overturned upon appeal, and while he didn’t play in 2014 that decision was another setback for Goodell.

Peterson’s indefinite suspension, imposed after he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge for whipping his son with a tree branch, was upheld by an arbitrator.

Through it all, the league’s massive popularity has remained. The most-watched show in US TV history was the 2014 Super Bowl, with 112 million viewers and last autumn’s most-watched television series was NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.” AFP

Legendary goalie Brodeur retires HOCKEY MARTIN BRODEUR, THE National Hockey League’s all-time win leader among goaltenders retired on Thursday (January 29) and joined the St. Louis Blues’ front office.

The 42-year-old Canadian hung up his skates after 21 seasons with the New Jersey Devils and seven games this season for the Blues, who have hired him for a hockey operations management role, Blues general manager Doug

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1510: Saturday, January 31 at 4pm Hares: Secret Agent D*** Gobbler Location: Bang Pae Waterfall Directions: At the Heroines Monument circle turn East on 4027 toward Paklok. Drive approximately 8 km and

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Armstrong said on the team website.

Brodeur went 3-3 with a

2.87-goals against average and 89.9 save percentage while St. Louis netminder Brian Elliott

was injured in December and January.

Brodeur won three Stanley Cup crowns with the Devils – in 1995, 2000 and 2003 – as well as helping backstop Canada to Olympic gold in 2002 and 2010.

He finishes his career with 691 victories in 1,266 games, including 125 shutouts. All three of those totals are NHL all-time records. Brodeur also captured the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender in a season in 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008. AFP

Sport

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editor2@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015

Phuket UFC fighter takes emphatic KO win > page 31

AUS–KOREA SHOWDOWN

Goal-heavy ‘Roos’ say they have jump on Korea Australia’s Tim Cahill celebrates his goal during the AFC Asian Cup quarterfinal match against China in Brisbane on January 22. Photo: AFP/Saeed Khan.

FOOTBALL

A

nge Postecoglou said he’s not worried about South Korea’s strong defence in the Asian Cup final this Saturday (January 31) after the Socceroos underlined their incredible ability to score through almost any player.

Defenders Trent Sainsbury and Jason Davidson struck in

Tuesday’s 2-0 semi-final win over UAE to extend Australia’s tournament-leading tally to 12 -- with 10 different scorers.

And Australia’s record has given coach Postecoglou heart as he prepares for a Korean side which has reached the final without conceding, the first since in 39 years to do so.

“We’ve played five games, we’ve scored 12 goals and conceded two, and we’re in

the final, I think that speaks for itself,” said Postecoglou. Striker Tim Cahill is the only man to net more than once, with Massimo Luongo, Mile Jedinak, James Troisi, Matt McKay, Robbie Kruse, Mark Milligan and Tomi Juric all grabbing one apiece. UAE marked Cahill heavily after his two goals in the quarter-final against China, but they were caught by surprise when Sainsbury

and Davidson popped up for their first international goals.

“There has been a lot of emphasis on Timmy, and rightly so, because he was fantastic in the quarter-final, but I think this tournament has shown that we can score goals from other areas,” said Postecoglou.

Before South Korea, Iran in 1976 – when only six teams played – were the only side to reach the final without conced-

ing, and they remained unbreached as they lifted the title with a 1-0 win over Kuwait.

But Postecoglou remains confident over his attacking philosophy, saying it was popular with both players and the nation. No other Asian Cup side has had more than six different scorers. And with Australia into their second straight Asian Cup final after their 2011 loss to Japan, the

boss urged his players to grasp the opportunity of a lifetime.

“It’s a massive game. We’ve now been in Asia a little while but we haven’t won anything and this gives us an opportunity to achieve something,” Postecoglou said.

“We’re not going to host another one in our lifetime.

That’s why I think it’s really important for us,” he added.

AFP

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