The Phuket News May 31, 2019

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FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

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Since 2011 / Volume IX / No. 22

HM THE KING DONATES 1.2 TONS OF FOOD TO DOG SHELTER > PAGE 5

PATIENCE MONUMENT AFTER YEARS OF DELAYS, CHALONG UNDERPASS TO FINALLY OPEN The iconic tower amid Chalong Circle is topped with a sculpture of a lotus flower, a Buddhist symbol of body, speech and mind. Photo: Phuket Highways Office

Tanyaluk Sakoot & Waranya Prompinpiras reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

R

esidents across the southern parts of Phuket can celebrate this weekend as they rejoin the island with the long-awaited opening of the Chalong Underpass.

More than three years and 11 months in the making, paid for with

an overall budget of B546 million, the 350-metre-long tunnel is scheduled to open to motorists today (Friday, May 31). Phuket Highways Chief Somwong Lohanut broke the news on Wednesday (May 29).

The final electrical systems were being installed, with the contractor promising to have the work done by midnight Thursday (May 30), in line with the extended contract, Chief

Somwong told The Puket News.

“We will not open the tunnel after midnight on May 30 because it would be too dangerous for drivers,” he said.

“We will make sure all the systems are working, especially the electrical systems inside the tunnel, in the morning on May 31,” he added.

Once the final checks are complete, the underpass will be opened to motorists, he said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

@thephuketnews

Chief Somwong confirmed that the underpass will open with one lane for traffic in each direction, with only orange plastic poles standing just 80cm tall as lane dividers.

After confirming that each lane is 3.5 metres wide, Chief Somwang assured that the lanes are wide enough for tour buses to pass in opposing directions.

“We are sure that tour buses can...

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Forestry brass to clear beaches

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UWCT scholars seek to inspire

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Mongolia World Cup Phuket prep

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Police arrest two men for dangerous tourist bag theft A W EEK-L ONG M A Nhunt launched by police for two men wanted for snatching a Chinese tourist’s bag in Rawai last week, during which the woman was ripped off her feet during the theft, finally resulted in the two suspects being arrested in Karon on Tuesday (May 28).

Chalong Police Chief Col Therdthoon Sroisukphaphan gave the order to hunt down the robbers after he received a report of a Chinese tourist having her bag snatched by two men on a motorbike near a Mini Big C store in Rawai on May 22.

Stolen in the bag was B1,600 in cash, the woman’s passport and her credit cards, said the official police report.

Yet the serious issue was how the woman, who police did not name, was dragged sideways through the air and landed heavily on her head and shoulder on the road as she did not have time to let go of

Police ramp up charges against ambulance attackers > p4

Condo GM denies Kalim Beach wasterwater spill Waranya Prompinpiras reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

The woman was ripped through the air and landed heavily in the attack. Image: CCTV via Chalong Police the bag as the men sped past on the motorbike.

After an intensive investigation by led by Phuket Provincial Police Investigator Maj Prasert Srita, officers tracked down and arrested 25-year-old Phuket native Monthon Kruapanit and Supalert Kruaeu, also 25, from Nakhon Pathom, at separate locations in Karon on Tuesday (May 28) Both Monthon and Supalert were charged with theft by snatching causing bodily or mental harm to another person, police confirmed. The charge may incur two to seven years in jail. Eakkapop Thongtub

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

T

he general manager of The Residence Kalim Bay has denied allegations that wastewater that spilled onto Kalim Beach last weekend originated from his condo complex.

Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup announced on Monday (May 27) that The Residence Kalim Bay will be prosecuted for releasing their wastewater onto Kalim Beach after an inspection found the condo complex to be the source of wastewater flowing onto the beach just north of Patong.

“We carried out inspections to determine whether the wastewater flowing onto Kalim Beach was a result of problems in the municipality’s wastewater treatment system.

It was confirmed that our

Red liquid flowed onto Kalim Beach after officials put red paint through the wastewater system of The Residence Kalim Bay on Sunday (May 27). Photo: Patong Municipality system was not overflowing in that area and therefore the wastewater must be coming from private companies.

“So we decided to put red paint through the wastewater system of The Residence Kalim Bay which is located opposite the beach.

“The test proved conclusive

as red liquid subsequently f lowed out onto the beach from the exact point that the complaints were directed at,” she explained.

“The condominium has its own wastewater tank and we hold all wastewater in that tank only,” said GM Sahapoom Dokkaew. “We regularly hire

officers from Patong Municipality to collect the wastewater from the tank into their trucks.

The last time we did so was only in April.

“On May 27, officers put red paint into two drainage points; the first was in a drain on our lawn; the second was into an open drain which also takes wastewater from the local community on Soi Phra Baramee 5.

“We, therefore, asked officers to inspect the water that flows into the open drain before it reaches us as we believe the wastewater may come from the community.

“We have now closed the drain to stop any more wastewater from flowing onto Kalim Beach. If Patong Municipality wants us to make any further changes, we are willing to cooperate with them fully,” Mr Sahapoom said.

Chalong Underpass to finally open Continued from page 1 ...pass inside the underpass as the width of the lanes are international standard,” he said.

Somkiet Yimpong, Project Manager at the Phuket office of the Highways Department, on Wednesday explained that construction of the overall project, including decorative features, was “about 98% complete”.

“Once the security system is complete, we will open the Chalong Underpass to traffic on May 31,” he confirmed.

However, Mr Somkiet allowed for some last-minute delays in his assurance the tunnel will open this weekend.

“The contractor has promised that everything will be done on May 30, but I will need to inspect the construction. If I find any defects making the tunnel unsafe or insecure, the contractor will have to fix the construction,” he said.

“I will confirm on May 30 whether or not the Chalong Underpass will open to traffic, but only after I have completed my inspection,” he said.

Mr Somkiet also pointed out, “The Chalong Underpass is not the same as Phuket Airport Underpass or the Bang Khu Underpass. The Chalong Underpass tunnel is 350m long and the road is curved.

“The Phuket Airport Underpass tunnel in only 160m and it is straight, giving motorists a clear view through the tunnel from beginning to end. So with the Chalong Underpass we cannot have workers complete the finishing touches in the tunnel

Workers make the finishing touches to the entrance of the Chalong Underpass.

Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot while opening one lane of the underpass to motorists at the same time.

“We must wait for everything to be done and the security system completed before we open the Chalong Underpass to traffic. If we opened it now, accidents would happen,” he said.

The golden lotus tower, standing 16m tall in the middle of Chalong Circle at a cost of B3 million (included in the B546mn budget), will also be completed by week’s end, Mr Somkiet assured.

The tower features a sculpture of a lotus bulb, an iconic symbol of Buddhism, as its crowning glory.

“The construction of the golden lotus tower isn’t finished just yet. We must finish painting it and complete a lot of detail, but it will be finished on time on May 30,” Mr Somkiet said. (See Editorial on page 6.) thephuketnews

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PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

3

Fight against land grab Nui, Freedom Beach buildings to be demolished within two months Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

A

fter a drawn-out dispute between locals and business owners, the Royal Forest Department (RFD) has vowed that all illegally built structures on Nui Beach and Freedom Beach in Karon will be demolished within two months.

RFD Director-General Atthaphon Charoenchansa and Cheewapap Cheewatham, who now serves as the Director of the RFD’s Forest Protection and Fire Control Bureau, as well as Phuket Provincial Forest Department officials, went to inspect several areas under dispute last Sunday (May 26) including Pha Hin Dam, known as Black Rock Viewpoint, Dragon Cape, Freedom Beach and Nui Beach.

The officials inspected the various sites with Winai Chidchiew, who serves as Kamnan (Subdistrict Headman) for Kata-Karon.

Following the inspection, Mr Atthaphon said, “We received a complaint from Mr

Officials inspect disputed land in Karon following complaints from locals.

Winai about people illegally using the land for commercial purposes.”

Mr Winai explained that the situation on Nui Beach has been a problem for a long time.

“Locals are threatened with guns, threatened for money and assaulted by people running the beach club on Nui Beach known as Nui Bay Member Club.

“It causes a lot of fear and tension in the area and I hope the land will be returned to

the public soon.”

Regarding Nui Beach, Mr Atthaphon said, “This land has quite a complicated history. It falls under reserve forest and should be used and managed by local communities.”

The beach club was ordered to be demolished in July 2015 following violent threats from its operators towards people who tried to access the beach without paying.

Inspections revealed that the structures had been illegally

Airport taxi driver stabs colleague

AN AIRPORT TAXI DRIVER HAS BEEN charged for stabbing a fellow driver working for the same company after teasing each other escalated into a full-blown fistfight, which ended when one driver stabbed the other in the chest with a knife last Sunday (May 26).

Sakoo Police Chief Col Kittipong Kaikaew confirmed to The Phuket News that the driver stabbed, Sangworn Panin, 46, originally from Pathum Thani, has been released from critical care but remains at Thalang Hospital recovering from his stab wound.

“He is no longer in critical condition, but we have yet to receive an update on his condition,” Col Kittipong said on Monday (May 27).

Col Kittipong explained that police were called to the scene of the stabbing at 10am.

Both drivers work for Phuket Maikhao Sakhu Co Ltd, a public transport company which has a concession to pick up passengers at Phuket airport, he added.

“The incident happened in front of the company’s office, located near a mini-mart beside the road about 500 metres from the entrance to the airport,” he said.

At the scene, police and rescue workers found Mr Sangworn had been stabbed once in the left side of his chest. Rescue workers provided first aid at the scene, then rushed him to Thalang Hospital, Col Kittipong explained.

“Anucha Wongjit, 36, from Phang Nga, was still at the scene. Police found a knife in Mr Anucha’s bag. He confessed to police at the scene that he had stabbed Mr Sangworn,” Col Kittipong said.

“Witnesses at the scene told police that the two men started arguing through an online chat app before the fighting started,” he noted.

“Both men arrived at the company’s office. @thephuketnews

Rescue workers assist Sangworn Panin, 46, after he was stabbed in front of the office of Phuket Maikhao Sakhu Co Ltd, some 500 metres from Phuket International Airport.

Photo: Sakoo Police They started pushing each other and then started hitting each other. Other people at the scene tried to stop their fighting, but it continued,” he said.

“Mr Anucha started losing the fight, and used a knife to stab Mr Sangworn,” he added.

Col Kittipong said that at this stage police were still not sure what was said that enraged the men into a fight.

“It started out as just joking between them.

They chatted and teased each other until they both became angry. They should have calmed down and talked it out slowly. It would have been better,” Col Kittipong added.

Anucha has been charged with carrying a weapon in a public place and using a weapon to injure another person, Col Kittipong confirmed.

“At this stage we cannot confirm whether Mr Anucha will face any further charges. That we will not be able to confirm until the investigation has concluded,” Col Kittipong said.

“Now that Mr Sangworn is no longer in critical care, we hope to question him soon,” he added.

Eakkapop Thongtub

built on sand. However, the demolition never happened and was never enforced.

On Feb 5, 2015, one of the venue’s workers was caught

by Navy officers while trying to flee after complaints were made that staff had fired shots into the air to intimidate people.

T he man, Ja k kapong Sawadtawee, was stopped and arrested in possession of a semi-automatic pistol and crystal meth paraphernalia.

While inspecting Nui Beach, officials arrested a man operating a backhoe on the beach.

Mr Winai last Sunday also took officials to Dragon Cape, where 142 rai of land was being used illegally for palm oil, bananas and other crops.

Mr Atthaphon said, “The areas in question should be marked as community forests, used and managed by the local community.

“We are currently working on the cases and have referred to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to follow up on the matter as we are concerned that it is having a significant impact on the environment.

“The Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro) will investigate the cases in detail to determine the legal status of the land in question. Then all will be presented to the Royal Forest Department for allocation as community forest,” Mr Atthaphon confirmed.

Chief Cheewapap said, “The land in question covers about 600-700 rai. This

area (in the Nakkerd Hills) is always being trespassed on and has been a source of conflict for a long time as the area provides impressive views, which makes the area so valuable.

“This working together of different departments shows a good combination to get everyone who has occupied the land without permission out, off the land.

“The total value of the disputed land is about B10 billion and must therefore be managed correctly and not fall into the possession of individuals,” Chief Cheewapap stressed.

“Mr Atthaphon has now ordered the demolition of the buildings on Nui Beach and Freedom Beach and within two months there will nobody there demanding money on these beaches any more.”

Chief Cheewapap also confirmed that control of the 142 rai of land will be rightfully returned to the public.

Additional reporting by Tanyaluk Sakoot

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Police load up charges over road-rage ambulance attack Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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huket Provincial Police have ramped up the charges against the two men arrested for the road-rage attack on an ambulance on the bypass road Monday last week (May 20), in which the assailants attacked the emergency vehicle with an axe.

The two suspects were presented to the press at Phuket Provincial Police Station last Thursday (May 23), with Phuket Provincial Police Chief Maj Gen Wisan Panmanee and Deputy Commander Col Sermpan Sirikong leading the conference.

Lt Col Prawit Engchuan, chief of Investigations at the Phuket Provincial Police,

The two men were angered by Mr Dejnarong sounding the ambulance horn at them in order to avoid a collision, police said. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub was also present, along with Dejnarong Songsang, who was driving the ambulance at the time.

Gen Wisan identified the suspects as Sagive “Gift” Yomyai, 22, and Sutthi “Benze” Sripul, 29, both from Trang.

The two men were arrested at a rented room in Moo 6, Wichit, Gen Wisan explained.

In making the arrests, police also seized a homemade handgun, two shotgun cartridges and a homemade explosive device loaded with

nails. Marijuana inhaling paraphernalia was also found on the premises, but no drugs were reported as seized in making the raid.

Also seized were the knife and axe used in the attack, and the clothes worn by the two men while carrying out the attack on Monday.

Police also seized the Honda motorbike, registered in Trang province, used in the road-rage incident.

Gen Wisan told the press that both men confessed to the charges already pressed against them.

The two men were angered

by Mr Dejnarong sounding the horn at them in order to avoid a collision as both vehicles were entering the same lane from different sides at

the same time, he said.

Both men were arrested on arrest warrants that were quickly issued by the Phuket Provincial Court on Monday soon after the attack was reported to police.

Specifically the men face charges under Section 358 and Section 392 of the Criminal Code, which legislates against threatening behaviour and damaging property.

Gen Wisan confirmed that the two now face additional charges of illegal possession of a “weapon”, carrying a weapon in a public place and illegal possession of ammunition.

“Officers are still continuing their investigation into the men and the incident. Additional charges may follow,” he said.

Cannon, gun base found declared national heritage T H E A RT EFACTS R Ecovered from the seabed in a bay at Koh Racha Noi last week have been confirmed to be a cannon and a slab used to fire the cannon from dating back to the Rattanakosin period.

Both relics have been declared objects of national heritage, Komart Pankeard, Chief of the Phuket office of the Ministry of Culture, told The Phuket News last Friday (May 24).

The area where both artefacts were discovered is now under the protection of the Royal Thai Navy, he said.

“The cannon and its base remain about 20 to 30 metres from shore, resting on the seabed at a depth of only about three metres. At low tide, the cannon and base are covered by only about half a metre of water,” he explained “The Royal Thai Navy will seal off the site by installing buoys to make sure boats and people do not enter the area,” Mr Komart explained.

“Experts from the Fine Arts Department will inspect the cannon and the base and record their observations, and search the area for more

The cannon and its base remain half-buried in sand in shallow water of the northern shore of Koh Racha Noi. Photo: PR Dept artefacts of historical value,” he said.

“Once that information has been recorded and the search of the area has been completed, we will arrange for both the cannon and the base to be safely recovered. That will likely happen at the beginning of next year,” he added.

Mr Komart noted that the cannon is about 100cm long with a diameter of about 20cm.

The “gun base” slab, still half buried in the sand on the sea floor, measures 155cm by 126cm across the top, and is about 70cm thick, he added.

Both the cannon and its firing base will later be put on display at the Thalang national Museum, Mr Komart explained.

Tanyaluk Sakoot thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

PHUKET NEWS

5

Strays bestowed royal gift

HM The King donates 1.2 tons of pet food to Phuket dog shelter Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

H

is Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn last Thursday (May 23) donated a large amount of pet food and supplies to Phuket Stray Dog Shelter in Thalang.

Maj Gen Thawatchai Srikaew of the Royal Thai Airforce presented the pet food to Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana at the shelter yesterday. Also in attendance were Phuket Provincial Office of the Department of Livestock Development (DLD) Chief Manas Thepparuk, Soi Dog Foundation founder John Dalley and various officials.

Mr Manas expressed his gratitude for the donation saying, “I feel deeply grateful for His Majesty’s kindness to the shelter. There are not many people who are willing to do such jobs and to dedicate their lives to caring for stray dogs.

“His Majesty donated a total of 1.2 tons of pet food – 60 sacks each weighing 20kg. In addition there are 30kg of medicine mixed into the food as well as 24 cans of pet food and 12 boxes of flea and tick protection.

“At present, the Phuket Stray Dog Shelter has a total of 813 dogs comprising 384 males and 429 fe-

Maj Gen Thawatchai Srikaew presents the King’s donation to Phuket Stray Dog Shelter in Thalang last Thursday (May 23). Photo: PR Dept males,” Mr Manas explained. “Also, Soi Dog Foundation have a total of 783 dogs comprising 387 male dogs and 396 females, as well as 225 cats.

“New strays are brought in all the time,” Mr Manas said.

“We still need ongoing donations of food and cash as the cost of caring for more than 800 dogs is well over the B1 million that we receive per year. That is not enough

to cover the cost of food, treatment and staff. We need about B3 million a year,” he stressed.

“People can donate into a box at the Phuket Stray Dog Shelter,” Mr Manas added.

Gov Phakaphong spoke at the shelter expressing his gratitude for the donation and the King’s kindness towards the animals.

“I am grateful to His Majesty

Volunteer divers bag 230kg of trash

A TEAM OF VOLUNTEER DIVERS ASsisted the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) in collecting 230kg of trash from the sea at Koh Mai Thon and Koh Hae in Phuket last weekend.

The team of 50 divers first collected trash from the sea around Koh Mai Thon in Rawai last Saturday (May 25) from 8am until 4pm.

The following day, the team worked around Koh Hae, also in Rawai, from 8am until 3pm.

Nathawan Jamlongkard, Director of MNRE Phuket office, told The Phuket News, “The clean-up was carried out under a project named ‘Protect Andaman’ which covers the six coastal provinces of the Andaman Sea – Phuket, Phang Nga, Ranong, Krabi, Satun and Trang.

“This year we received a budget for collecting trash from the sea in two areas: Koh Mai Thon and Koh Hae. We chose Koh Mai Thon and Koh Hae because there is a lot of fishing in those areas and as a result, a lot of debris is found there,” Mr Nathawan said.

At the same time, divers require the water to be clear to be able to find trash, and these islands provide good visibility.

“Last year, we received a budget for collecting trash from the sea in four areas: Koh Mai Thon, Koh Racha, Patong Beach and Karon Beach. We do not have an exact schedule to carry out the work as we are relying on several factors. We have to receive the funds from the budget and we also have to rent boats, which are difficult to get hold of in the high season.

“Every diver that helps us does so without receiving anything in return. Many volunteers helped us last year and came again to help this year. Before we organise the activities, we send invitations to a group of diving volunteers who we have worked with in the past. We @thephuketnews

A team of 50 volunteer divers, Thais and expats, collected 230kg of trash off Phuket on Saturday (May 25) and Sunday (May 26). Photo: MNRE have a quota to support only 50 volunteers, so we do not advertise publicly as we don’t want to deny people who want to help,” Mr Nathawan explained.

“At Koh Mai Thon, we collected a total of 94kg of trash. The 50 divers who helped us were from the Phuket Diver Volunteer Network, Diving Association of Thailand, Buffalo group – which is a team of foreign divers – and Marine Police. The vast majority of the trash found was rope and pieces of fishing net.

“At Koh Hae, we collected a total of 136kg with the same divers that helped at Koh Mai Thon. We also found 16kg of diving equipment at Koh Hae such as goggles, diving masks and snorkels,” Mr Nathawan added.

“In addition, we found other bits of trash at both islands such as plastic bags, plastic bottles, glass bottles, glass fragments, rope, scrap metal, cans, PVC pipes, other fishing debris and rubber buoys.”

Waranya Prompinpiras

for his support of the shelter. Many of the dogs are disabled and many were abandoned. The shelter is located at 217, Moo 5, Thepkrasattri in Thalang on four rai of Royal Forest Department land and was founded in 2004.

“The shelter is managed by Phuket Livestock officials and supported by the Phuket Provincial Office and local administrative

organisations,” the Governor noted.

John Dalley of the Soi Foundation later told The Phuket News, “We applaud the visit of the King’s representative and the very welcome and much needed focus it is giving the GDP (Government Dog Pound).

“We hope the donation of food from His Majesty will set an example for others to follow. Great improvements have been made to the GDP and Soi Dog is pleased to have been able to assist the DLD and the Governor to this end. There is still much more that can be done, and we look forward to working hand in hand with DLD and the Governor in these efforts to improve things even further, as there is still much to be done and more funding is needed.

“We do believe that too many dogs are being taken there unnecessarily and overcrowding leads to outbreaks of disease and fighting. As with Soi Dog’s own shelter, it should be used only for truly dangerous dogs and those that cannot survive on the streets for whatever reason.

“The object of large scale vaccination and neutering is to return those dogs to where they came from to build up immunity and prevent the cycle of more and more unwanted dogs. Removing such dogs does defeat the object of this,” he added.

Opinion 6

OPINION

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FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

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EDITORIAL

One way, or the other

he opening of the Chalong Underpass this weekend will serve as a form of victory for local officials involved in its construction. The beleaguered project has suffered an unending series of setbacks since the initial contract for works to begin came into effect on July 28, 2015 – an auspicious day for the nation.

Work on the underpass itself began after nearly a year delay in having power lines, communications cables and pylons moved to make way for the construction, followed by more delays in acquiring the land needed for the project.

The delays embittered many local residents and business owners, especially those in Rawai, to the extent that former Phuket Democrat MP Raywat Areerob along with Chalong Mayor Samran Jindaphol confronted Norraphat Plodthong,

the Phuket Governor at the time, at the Governor’s House in Phuket Town on Jan 18 last year to file a formal complaint.

Under the initial contract, the underpass was to open on Sept 14, 2017, allowing for a total of 780 days of construction, Mr Raywat pointed out.

Fed up with the situation, Mr Rayway said plainly, “Since construction started, Rawai Municipality has received numerous complaints… about traffic jams at the construction site. The late construction will affect the island’s tourism economy, so we have handed this notice to the Phuket Governor to ask exactly what date construction will be finished.”

That single point did not go unheard. Businesses began going public with their complaints and Governor Norraphat started taking first-hand involvement in site inspections and making changes to speed up traffic

flow past the construction site.

However, there is one point that sticks out like a sore thumb: the one lane in each direction being allowed to pass through the tunnel.

We beg the Phuket Highways Office to learn from the opening weeks of the Darasamut Underpass. The collisions and injuries came so thick and fast that the entire middle lane of the three-lane underpass was shut down and barriers were installed to help prevent head-on collisions.

Little orange plastic poles not even one metre tall will do nothing to stave off two juggernaut tour buses from slamming into each other, nevermind the carnage that will unfold if a tour bus and a car carrying a family collide.

Phuket Highways Office, please rethink this, and make traffic flow through the tunnel one way, or the other.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Phuket braces for heavy weather, small boats advised to stay ashore Roads closed during Her Royal Highness Princess official visit Phuket Opinion: Diving in HM the King donates 1.2 tons of pet food to Phuket shelter Phuket airport taxi driver charged for stabbing fellow driver after ‘joking’ gets out of hand One billion baht found in teenage drug dealer’s accounts Major power outage in Patong Men arrested for axe-wielding road-rage attack on ambulance Truck driver dodges charge for dangerous load as 33 tons of rice flip semi-trailer onto its side Nui and Freedom Beach buildings to be demolished within two months

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY Troubled water

tanks and should dispose of their waste according to the law. I hope whoever is responsible gets a very heavy fine and should be shut down until the problem is fixed. This has caused embarrassment to everybody who lives here and it’s this kind of news which does all of us harm.

Simon Youens

In Phuket Villa, where I own, we just connected to the sewer system after almost 10 years. Apparently, we are of but a few who have done so.

I was told that if a building is not connected, they must pay a small fee to Patong municipality each year. That means they already know who the violators are. Inaction to date has been intentional. It’s up to the current mayor to put their feet down and clean things up!

Sean M Ulvihill

More than two decades to discover, but better late than never!

Geoffrey Morris

Re: Patong condo caught dumping wastewater onto Kalim Beach The water quality is no secret. The businesses/residences connected to the system are no secret. The solution is no secret. The fines and payoffs are the secret.

John OToole

I wonder why corals are dying...

Bas Lemmens This is absolutely disgusting. There is no excuse for doing something like this. All buildings should have septic

Healthy advice

Re: Phuket marks thirdhighest hand, foot and mouth disease infection rate in the country Clean your hands and tell your kids to clean their hands before you go out, before you eat, after you’ve been to the playground etc. That is the best cure for not spreading diseases.

Thomas Tc Christensen Re: Expat health insurance: an alternative in the offing Insurance with reputable companies is always straightforward as long as you are honest with the insurance

company. The majority of people that complain about insurance companies tell only their side of the story. In most cases, these people lied about their true health condition and complain the insurance company cheated them. In 20 years of working in the insurance business I have not experienced a single insurance company that cheated one of my customers.

Eric Dohlon

Fighting corruption

Re: The graft-buster who never stops [Secretarygeneral of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission] Good article. Optimism has to endure even if it is an uphill battle. Hats off to the man and his team. How, when corruption exists at such a cellular level and is so endemic, can it be reversed when it is seen as normal and even ok? It will surely be an evolutionary process and maybe something we won’t see radically changed any time soon.

Pete Bolton The trouble is this has been going on at all levels for a few hundred years. Even back in

the 1500s and 1600s the East India Company tried to set up here and said it was impossible to as the local corruption will make it not worthwhile. When something is so ingrained it will take generations to get rid of it totally. It’s good that people are trying to fix it, but it seems that as soon as people start to make a difference they get transferred for one reason or another. But given enough time there may be some real changes.

Simon Lomas

Quest for damage prevention

Re: Coral Values: Behind the reef restoration projects at Maya Bay Awesome efforts Ocean Quest. Sad thing is that natural coral propagation gardeners are called for support only when destruction has already taken its toll on the reef. (Unregulated tourism, anchor dropping, abandoned and failed artificial reef projects). We don’t want to just be a last or desperate action for natural coral propagation.

Damage prevention and protection are critical to minimise reef rescue and rehabilitation.

Reggie Reyes

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

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

THAILAND NEWS

7

The relentless graft-buster

PACC ‘never stops’ fighting corruption despite constant struggles BANGKOK King-Oua Laohong

O

ne truth about state agencies is there are so many abuses of power and acts of dishonesty that graft watchdogs generally can’t keep up.

This sentiment was echoed by the new SecretaryGeneral of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) when he was asked to reflect on the PACC’s decadelong war on rogue behaviour.

“We have so many corruption problems that the PACC and NACC alone can’t completely eliminate them,” Pol Lt Col Wannop Somjintanakul told the Bangkok Post, referring to allied organisation, the National Anti-Corruption Commission, which also faces a similarly heavy workload.

But Col Wannop refuses to make excuses and insists his investigators are going full steam ahead on as many cases as possible despite criticism that they do not act quickly enough against corrupt officials.

However, he concedes there have been delays in some cases.

“To put it bluntly, I have to admit we aren’t aware of every [corruption] case,” he said, blaming a lack of knowledge of irregularities for a slow response to some misconduct.

Pol Lt Col Wannop Somjintanakul, PACC Secretary-General, urges everyone to help the PACC to fight corruption. Photo: Bangkok Post The embezzlement of subsidies in state-run schools is one example.

Evidence of the crime was found in more than 50% of the 30,000 schools randomly checked by the PACC. Indeed, the culprits would have got away scot-free had PACC investigators not received complaints in the first place.

“The ‘ghost student’ scandal only came to light after a school director lodged a complaint,” Col Wannop said.

This is the name given to a scam involving fictitious students who appeared on

Facial recognition leads to fake-passport arrest BANGKOK A FOREIGNER CARRYing a fake Malaysian passport was arrested with $500,000 (B15.9 million) at Suvarnabhumi airport last Friday morning (May 24) in the first passport-fraud arrest based on biometric facial recognition.

The Asian man carrying a Malaysian passport under the name of Oh chee boon went to the airport immigration checkpoint to have his face scanned by the biometric facial recognition system at around 10.30am.

The device found his face did not match what was in the passport chip, said Pol Col Roengron Rimphadee, deputy commander of the Immigration Bureau’s division 2.

The man, 40, was about @thephuketnews

to board Philippine Airlines’ flight PR731 to the Philippines.

He was taken for questioning.

Col Roengron said the man insisted he was the same person shown in the passport but his passport was found to be fake. Immigration officers also found $500,000 in his possession.

Records showed the man had entered the country via Thai-Malaysian checkpoints on several occasions using this passport.

Aut hor it ie s i n it ia l ly charged him with holding a counterfeit passport with fake visa stamps. The investigation would be extended to find other people involved in the passport fraud.

The man was held in immigration police custody for legal action.

Bangkok Post

school enrolment documents and was first reported in 2018.

School directors were found claiming higher student numbers than they actually had to receive inf lated financial assistance from the government.

The PACC conducted nationwide checks on schools supervised by the Office of Basic Education (Obec) after a new director of Kham Sakae Saeng School in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Kham Sakae district blew the whistle on the hustle.

The school reported to the Obec it had enrolled

1,510 students, but the new school director noticed the true number was only 1,319.

“According to the PACC probe, crooked directors fabricated the numbers to grant them the right to additional budget,” Col Wannop said.

“We’ve still not dug into whether any of the embezzled money was also paid to colluding state officials,” he said.

Witness accounts claimed some of the subsidies were siphoned off for educational equipment and building maintenance bills, but they did not have proof.

Col Wannop said this

case awakened his team to previously unnoticed flaws in the bureaucratic system.

Complaints about delays into the investigation of cases are typified by the snail’s pace of the probe into the rice-pledging scandal, which is years old but still ongoing.

During the Pheu Thailed government of 2011-14, a policy was introduced to help farmers which involved buying their rice at artificially high prices and storing it in contracted warehouses.

Irregularities in the contracts were discovered and the PACC began to look into the matter in 2017.

The programme caused hundreds of billions of baht in state losses and did little to ease the poverty of farmers.

It was also criticised for being inefficient, fraught with loopholes, and benefiting only intermediaries. The investigation continues today.

“The probe has been carried out at a speed that may dissatisfy many people, but we need to ensure fairness for both sides,” Col Wannop said.

This scandal is divided into 993 separate cases, mostly occurring between 2011 and 2012, and interviews with a large number of witnesses and experts have been necessary, according to the PACC chief.

“We’ve already decided to lodge indictments in most of the cases,” Col Wannop said.

Thorough investigations and good decision-making are both hallmarks of the PACC’s remit and also Col Wannop’s career, observers say.

Col Wannop studied law at Ramkhamhaeng University before going to work with the Department of Special Investigation.

In both his studies and that initial post with the DSI, he learned how to exercise due caution and assiduity to secure convictions in complex, often high-profile, criminal cases.

His current work at the PACC is no exception, but he acknowledges the sheer number of complaints his team receives places a strain on the department’s resources, sparking complaints when probes do not go as quickly as hoped.

Since its creation in 2008, 35,826 complaints have rolled in to the PACC. The investigators have so far considered over half of them and agreed to take on 4,721 for further inquiry, he said.

“It is true Thailand has not made significant progress in the Corruption Perceptions Index [prepared by Transparency International], but our anti-graft officials never stop working,” he said.

“PACC’s officers never take a breather. They’re fighting corruption night and day.”

Bangkok Post

8

THAILAND NEWS

Gen Prem passes away BANGKOK GEN ER A L PR EM TI Nsulanonda, statesman and President of the Privy Council, died peacefully at Phramongkutklao Hospital last Sunday morning (May 26).

After suffering a heart seizure at about 5am, he was rushed to Phramongkutklao Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9am. He was 98 years old.

Gen Prem served as the 16th Prime Minister of Thailand, leading three administrations from 1980 to 1988.

The son of a warden at Songkhla Prison, Gen Prem is credited with ending communist insurgency in Thailand and igniting economic growth.

Gen Prem announced his retirement from national politics on Aug 4, 1988. He was installed as Privy Councilor by royal order of King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Aug 23, 1988, and was President of the Privy Council by Sept 4 that year During the reign of King Bhumibol, Gen Prem as President of the Privy Council was perceived as the “voice of the king”. He openly promoted many of King Bhumibol’s projects and self-sufficiency policies, including those related to

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

B1bn found in teenage drug dealer’s accounts BANGKOK

Gen Prem Tinsulanonda.

August 26, 1920 – May 26, 2019. education, drug suppression, poverty and national unity.

Gen Prem served as Regent of Thailand from the death of King Bhumibol on Oct 13, 2016, until the proclamation of His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn as King on Dec 1, 2016.

He was among the handful of people present in person to witness the marriage of His Majesty King Vachiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun and Queen Suthida on May 1 this year. Gen Prem was also asked to sign the marriage registration papers.

Gen Prem is well known for his love of boxing and football, and often granted audiences with sportsmen and women before travelling for major competitions to encourage and the support the athletes and teams.

He was also known well for being a family man, and enjoying writing musical compositions. The Phuket News

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

Wassayos Ngamkham

N

ine drug suspects, including a 19-year-old major trafficker with more than B1 billion baht in his bank accounts, have been arrested in separate police raids in Bangkok, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi. More than 7 million meth pills were seized.

Drugs including methamphetaminne pills (ya bah) and crystal methamphetamine (ya ice), weapons and other items seized from the nine suspects were displayed during a media briefing last Wednesday (May 22).

In the first police operation, officers from the Patrol and Special Operations Division (or 191 Patrol) arrested four men and seized 240,000 ya bah pills, two cars and five mobile phones with a total value of over B2 million.

The suspects were arrested on Bang Na-Trat Rd in Bang Na district, Bangkok, said Pol Maj Gen Samrarn Nuanma, commander of the 191 Patrol.

Police inspect the haul of speed pills seized in separate raids before a media briefing last Wednesday (May 22).

Nine suspects were arrested in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani provinces. Photo: Wassayos Ngamkham The men were identified as Thananon Ekwaranon, 29; Yachu Khalaku, 28; Saran Jitprapa, 29; and Natthawat Saengchoo, 33.

The arrests came after police investigators received a tip-off that Thananon and his accomplices were involved in the drug trade in the Bang Na area. A police officer posing as a drug buyer contacted the gang to purchase ya bah pills.

When the gang showed up to deliver the drugs, officers arrested them.

The suspects confessed

the drugs came from a drug network in the North, said Gen Samrarn.

In the second raid, four men were arrested in Thanyaburi district of Pathum Thani province with 5.4mn ya bah pills and 876.8 grammes of ya ice. A pickup truck, a van, four cars, three motorcycles and two pistols were seized.

The four suspects were named as Somphop Khamchan, 20; Manas Sarabut, 30; Sarayut Wongtom, 24; and Surachat Khuanbuppha, 32.

Gen Samrarn said detectives then extended the investigation, leading to the seizure of another 1.4mn ya bah pills at a house in Bang Bua Thong district, Nonthaburi.

The dates for the first two raids were not given.

In the third raid, on May 5, major drug suspect Nonthawat Saputhawong, 19, was caught in Thon Buri area, Bangkok with B3.7mn in cash.

The teenager was among four men involved in an earlier drug bust, when 1.5mn ya bah pills were seized from their van on Nov 26 last year.

The three other suspects were caught, but Nonthawat managed to flee, said Gen Samrarn.

A police investigation found that more than B1.4bn passed through the 19-yearold suspect’s bank accounts between Mar 15 and May 5.

Pol Lt Gen Sutthipong Wongpin, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the investigation was being extended and more arrests would follow.

Bangkok Post

Activists campaign against sexual violence at the Victory Monument in Bangkok.

Photo: Bangkok Post / file

Rape redefined, penalties toughened BANGKOK THE CRIMINAL CODE has been amended to increase penalties for rapes and indecent assaults, including those recorded on video.

The Royal Gazette late last Monday (May 27) published the amendments to many sections related to rape and indecent assault in the Criminal Code.

Section 280/1 stipulates a rape or an indecent assault recorded on video for commercial or other illegal purposes, such as blackmail, is subject to one-third harsher punishment – and if such recordings are forwarded to others, the punishment can increase by half. The

base punishment is five to 20 years in jail and/or a fine of up to B300,000.

Section 281 revokes any settlement plan with rape victims who are not married to the perpetrator.

Under Sections 285 and 285/2, rapes of parents, siblings, other relatives, those over whom the perpetrator has authority and those who are unable to defend themselves carry one-third greater punishment. The base punishment for those crimes is a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of up to B400,000.

Under Section 286, offences related to procurement of rape victims carry jail terms of up to life imprisonment and a fine of up

to B400,000.

Section 366/1 sets a jail term of up to three years and/or a fine of up to B60,000 against those who insert their sex organs into a corpse's vagina, anus or mouth.

The death penalty remains for rapists who cause the death of their victims.

The legal amendment also defines rape as the insertion of an offender’s sex organ into the vagina, anus or mouth of another person.

The new definition no longer considers using an object to penetrate the victim as rape. That abuse is instead defined as indecent assault, but carries the same punishment as rape.

Bangkok Post

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

BUSINESS NEWS

9

Tourism growth diversifies Arrivals continue to flourish despite mainland Chinese slide TOURISM Anton Makhrov news@novostiphuketa.com

I

nternational tourist arrival statistics released late last week brought some good news for those worrying if traditional and alternative markets can compensate the declining arrivals from mainland China.

According to statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism & Sports last Friday (May 24), international arrivals for April 2019 totalled 3.2 million, an increase of 3.31% yearon-year, while visits from China in the same month dropped by 8.9% year-on-year to 898,994.

Overall spending also grew to B164.11 billion for April 2019, compared with B57.91bn for April last year – a growth of 3.93%. Chinese spending meanwhile dropped by 6.61% – from B51.92bn to B48.48bn.

Worth mentioning is that the continuing decline is characteristic of arrivals from mainland China only. Arrivals from Hong Kong and Taiwan in April grew by 28.24% and 8.8% receptively and totalled 154,636, while spending reached B6.37bn, a growth of 21.1%.

India, labelled as Thailand’s lat-

Songkran celebrations failed to boost Chinese arrivals, but tourists from other countries joined Thai festivities in droves as they had done before. Photo: Patong Municipality / File photo est prioritised market, continued to show high growth rates with arrivals showing a 35.1% increase for April year-on-year (163,938 visitors). With extended waiver of visa-on-arrival fees and more direct flights to the Kingdom, the future seems cloudless.

Impressive growth was also recorded in the market of Japan. In April some 149,597 Japanese visitors were recorded as entering Thailand, an increase of 25.61% year-on-year.

Meanwhile, Russia stumbled as a source market, with a 14.31% fall in arrivals for April year-on-year (108,308 in 2019, compared with 126,402 in 2018) and a 13.12% fall in spending (B8.47bn in this year, down from B9.75bn last year).

However, Russia remains Thailand’s leading non-Asian market with 723,856 arrivals and B53.1bn spent in January-April (decline of 2.89% and 2.63%, respectively).

Patong conference centre tabled MICE PAT O N G M AYO R Chalermluck Kebsup this week headlined a major event to lure MICE tourists to the tourism town amid concerns of the falling number of tourists visiting Patong during the tourism low season months of May through October.

Key to the event was the proposal for Patong to have a major conference centre that can accommodate 5,000 to 10,00 people, Mayor Chalermluck told The Phuket News ahead of the event, held on Tuesday (May 28).

The event, held at the Duang jitt Resort & Spa, saw representatives from 31 government departments and agencies attend, including key figures from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Ministry of Tourism & Sports (MoTS), the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), airlines and the Thai Hotel Association.

The event was tabled as a key national interest, with Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha initially scheduled to attend, according to the unofficial itinerary by the Public Relations Department. @thephuketnews

Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup (left) speaks with TCEB representatives about developing Patong into a MICE destination. Photo: Patong Municipality However, the sad passing of Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda on Sunday took precedence.

Mayor Chalermluck told The Phuket News that she had already raised the prospect of developing Patong as a MICE destination with TCEB representatives at an event last month.

“We all know that Patong has been a world-renowned tourist destination for many years. Many tourists come to visit Patong, which generates a huge income for the country,” Mayor Chalermluck said.

“However, Patong is still having economic problems.

Patong is especially affected during the (southwest) monsoon season, when there are much fewer tourists,” she added.

The whole town of Patong is dependent on tourism, meaning that the effects are felt widespread throughout the beachside resort, she added.

“This affects everyone in Patong, with the fall in income making it difficult for people to make a living – and this fall in income affects all sectors, including large hotel operators, shops, restaurants, small entrepreneurs and public transport drivers,” Mayor Chalermluck pointed out.

“Making Patong an attractive destination for MICE travellers is one solution that can help to alleviate this problem, by becoming a centre for conferences, seminars and national trade shows,” she added.

Tanyaluk Sakoot

Other top European markets in April included the UK (97,362 arrivals, up 12.32% year-on-year), Germany (74,980 arrivals, up 12.98% year-onyear) and France (64,322 arrivals, down 3.33% year on year).

In total, the European market (including Russia) provided Thailand with 516,369 arrivals (up 1.62% yearon-year) and B38.9bn in spending (up 3.31% year-on-year).

Known as pretty unstable in re-

cent years, the markets of Australia and New Zealand performed well in April. Australian visitors grew by 2.5% to 75,202. Arrivals from New Zealand grew by 6.24% to 10,350.

Combined spending by Australian and New Zealand visitors totalled B6.71bn.

Positive dynamics were also recorded in the markets of North America. US visitors increased by 5.71% to 94,254. Arrivals from Canada were up 1.26% to 23,182.

Combined spending by US and Canadian citizens totalled B8.85bn.

Middle East as a combined source market continued to show healthy appetite for what Thailand has to offer with 12.74% growth in visitor arrivals for the month of April to 57,174, and an increase in spending of 17.66% over the month to B5.12bn.

Specifically targeted by Thai tourism authorities, Israel led the pack with 73.8% growth in arrivals (to 20,656) and 77.27% growth in revenue (to B2bn).

Overall this year the Ministry of Tourism & Sports expects 41mn arrivals, generating B2.2 trillion in revenue. The total for January-April stands at 13.99mn arrivals (up 2.11% year-on-year) and B737.91bn in spending (up 1.15% year on year).

10 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

Positives in the driving seat

A look at the key factors driving growth in Phuket real estate creates another dynamic within the Thailand property market.

Should the couple decide to live in Thailand, and purchase a home, this would be an obvious boon to the real estate sector (and to the economy as a whole) because the capital to purchase the home would typically be transferred into Thailand from overseas.

THE PHUKET PROPERTY GUIDE Thai Residential phuket@thairesidential.com

T

he vast majority of buyers in Phuket today have a positive outlook on the property market, and it is easy to see why.

It is always good to understand what influences any market, and here we examine the key drivers ahead for the Phuket real estate sector.

The island’s natural beauty has long inspired foreigners to move here. Photo: The Phuket News / file

A Stable Real Estate Sector A credit crisis typically inflicts the greatest immediate pain on the property sector.

Because lending to foreigners is restricted, however, the booms and busts witnessed in other real estate markets around the world have not really been seen in Phuket.

Investors from around the world came to buy Thai property, and prices have certainly risen. But the increases have not been excessive, and Phuket property has avoided “bubble territory”.

Positive Effects of Inflation Much of the trillions of dollars created by post-2008 quantitative easing in the United States f lowed into global stock and property markets.

Global Marketing Global marketing has had a significant impact on the Phuket property market. In addition to properties being sold to those living in Thailand and to people visiting on holiday,

Phuket now receives incredible international exposure. In fact, property shows are now promoting Phuket property around the world.

Demographic Changes Even without the foreigners who have decided to make Phuket their home, Phuket is experiencing strong population growth (over 7% annually), which is higher than most other regions of Thailand.

Historically, the elderly in

Thailand have lived with their children, but many younger Thais are now living in condominiums, townhouses or in gated housing estates.

Both of these trends are driving the local property market in Thailand.

Thais Marrying Foreign Nationals It is no secret that foreigners who come to Thailand often find a Thai partner. This trend is not slowing, and obviously

The Hospitality Driver: What Tourism Means for Phuket Real Estate For a small country, Thailand has a remarkable tourism industry. Thailand is consistently among the top five countries in the world in terms of revenue generated from tourism.

In fact, at US$46 billion per year, Thailand outstrips both France and Italy in this category. Tourism is growing steadily year-on-year, and currently contributes circa 20% to Thailand’s GDP – nearly double the global average.

Tourists are clearly part of the fuel that keeps the property sector burning.

Ongoing Improvements in

Infrastructure Anyone who has lived here or visited Phuket during the last couple of decades has seen remarkable upgrades to the island’s infrastructure.

Both the local and national governments have taken these improvements seriously, and hundreds of billions of baht have been allocated for public transportation projects, including rail, bus and airport upgrades, all designed to make travelling to (and around) Phuket much smoother.

The island’s improved road system means that there is land which can be developed close to or adjacent to these new roads, which will bolster both the tourism and the property markets.

This article is from the 2018/2019 ThaiResidential Phuket Property Guide. To download the 2019/2020 Guide visit: thairesidential.com/ phuket-property-guide or call +66 9484 11918. Stay tuned for Phuket Property Guide column next week, when we explore the negatives affecting Phuket’s property sector.

Beware the online payment revolution BANKING A LEADING FIGURE IN global online payments systems has urged Phuket businesses to keep pace with the rapid changes unfolding in the online payments sector to ensure they don’t miss opportunities or access to key markets simply because of the ability or convenience to pay.

The message came from Dwight Willis, the head of the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) Digital IT & Innovation Committee, during a business briefing held before the AustCham Phuket Sundowners at Le Méridien Phuket last Friday (May 24).

Mr Willis is CEO of DollarSmart Global, a global online money transfer company with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia.

“The most important thing to know is that international payments in the tourism industry are rapidly changing,” Mr Willis told The Phuket News.

“Make sure you know your customer base, where they come from and what is their preferred payment channel,” he added.

“The next step is to approach your local Thai fi-

Dwight Willis speaks at the AustCham event last Friday (May 24). Photo: AustCham nancial institution and find one that covers these key channels,” Mr Willis urged.

Mr Willis was in Phuket to relay the findings from a panel discussion held in Bangkok last week on “Leveraging new and emerging payment methods in your business”.

The focus of the session in Bangkok was specifically on revenue opportunities as well as transactional cost savings to improve profit, for small and large hotel operators alike, using established global payment/banking institutions including PayPal, TicketMelon, DollarSmart, Visa and Agoda.

In Phuket, Mr Willis updated AustCham members on developments in innovative payments methods for the hotel and tourism industry on the island.

Of his key point “Know

your customers and where they come from,” Mr Willis explained, “There are multiple different payment channels developing in different countries and different tourists will bring with them needs to make payments through these different channels – PayTM for Indian customers, WeChat and AliPay for the Chinese inbound tourism market and PayPal/Visa for Europeans, Australians, US and some parts of Asia.

“The customer data is all important. Your payment partners should be able to provide you with spending data to augment your data and understand how to get more of the customer spend in Phuket,” he added.

Mr Willis also highlighted how different banks offer different online systems, and the need to identify which ones offer the types of services best suited for each business.

“Thai banks have lots of different payment solutions that can help you connect to automated payment systems. You need to find the right expert in the bank to discuss your requirements and find the right solutions,” Mr Willis said.

Chris Husted thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

Sailing record-breaker back out on the water

12

The life of Buddhism’s never-crowned queen

13

BRIGHT FUTURES

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

UWCT students earning scholarships for top-flight universities

Amy Bryant editor1@classactmedia.co.th

I

n the north of Phuket, halfway along a quiet, forest-lined road, is the surprisingly vibrant campus of UWC Thailand (UWCT). The international school, founded in 2008, is well known for its comprehensive International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes, mindfulness-based practices and perceived bohemian approach to learning; however, it’s the diverse and inspiring student body that makes it so extraordinary.

A handful of UWCT students come from refugee backgrounds. Having made their way to the school against the odds and despite circumstances unimaginable, these students go on to great academic and personal success, including securing dream scholarships to some of the top universities and colleges in the world, funded by philanthropists, such as Shelby Davis, or universities themselves. Quite incredible for an independent school in the foothills of our small island.

These scholarships lead to degrees, professions and changed lives, and without them, these students would face the prospect of returning to the conflict and instability of their home countries.

On a Friday afternoon amidst their IB exams, four of these soon-to-be scholars kindly took the time to tell The Phuket News about their experiences of navigating the important path to higher education. Their names are Elias, Tala, Laura and Zane and they are wonderful ambassadors for their home countries, for UWC and for Thailand. *

The first time Elias Nkuansambo boarded a flight, it was the long-haul departure that took him from his home country of Angola to Thailand.

He wasn’t entirely sure where UWCT was and had only a handful of English words in his vocabulary.

“That was difficult at the airport in Bangkok!” Elias jokes. “But learning English is one of the greatest experiences that has impacted my life.”

Just 18 months after his airport debacle, Elias is fluent and has an ease with language and storytelling akin to that of a stand-up comedian. He has the room in stitches.

The acquisition of the English language was Elias’ launchpad into a scholarship for Concordia College in @thephuketnews

Elias, Tala, Laura and Zane.

Minnesota. In fact, he received seven offers from different universities, but chose Concordia after much introspection and many a visit to the office of Len Peters, the school guidance and university counsellor.

“The knowledge I’ll learn I want to take outside of the classroom. I’m also looking forward to a change in climate.

I want to see snow,” Elias says.

Tala Khalil, from Syria, is equally excited to head for colder climes having been admitted to the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver.

Tala’s application process came with a set of individual challenges, though, including the United States’ draconian travel ban which inhibited her from applying to universities and colleges there. Instead, she focused her energy on four places in Asia, Europe and Canada. And it was UBC that ticked the right boxes for her.

After being nominated by UWCT, Tala also successfully passed through a separate selection process for the Donald Wehrung International Student Award for high academic achievers who show leadership skills and come from war-torn areas.

“UWCT has been a life-changing experience and I’m leaving with a toolkit,” she explains. “I won’t hesitate to go to a new place and meet new people and speak English every day.

I have more self-confidence and more understanding of myself.”

Laura Avetisyan is similarly grateful to UWCT for the transformative education it has given her.

“What UWCT has done for me is expanded the way I think. That’s probably going to be the most significant thing I take from here. You are always seeking to look at things from multiple angles,” she explains.

It’s this critical thinking and reasoning that caught the attention of Laura’s future alma mater, University College London (UCL). And she is looking forward to life in the bustling capital.

Originally from Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous disputed region between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and now enjoying island life in Phuket, she has yet to live in a city.

Laura applied to UCL a few days before the deadline. Competition was fierce with students applying from 17 UWC schools worldwide and only two scholarships available.

“It looked very unrealistic and I felt discouraged to write the 1,000-word essay. But I wrote it,” says Laura, who blew UCL away with her answer to ‘If an entire country disappeared as a result of natural disaster or climate change, how should the international community respond?’ and was promptly awarded one of the two coveted scholarships.

Unlike Laura, Zane Sabbagh’s application process was a lengthy one which started over a year ago and saw

him writing 25 essays over the December break – from ‘Write a letter to a tree’ to ‘Tell us about your arch nemesis, fictional or real’ – and covering 3,000 kilometres over a fortnight visiting university and college campuses.

“I chose Stanford University, California in the end because the student body has a reputation for creativity and I want to surround myself with people like that,” explains Zane.

He’s also excited to live in the United States again. Although a US citizen, of Jordanian-Palestinian heritage, the last time he was resident there was some 15 years ago.

Zane’s time at UWCT has taught him to manage competing priorities, but his lasting memory of the school will be something quite different.

“It’s a diverse environment and it’s nice that we take away knowledge of places we had never even heard of before,” he says as he smiles and nods to his Angolan roommate Elias.

The school’s core belief is that education can be a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. And there it was in action, in a single nod, in a school office on a small island between two students who 18 months ago were worlds apart, but not anymore.

For more information, visit uwcthailand.ac.th > About > Publications > UWCT Case for Support

Back on board 12 PEOPLE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

Making more waves with record-breaker Yassine Darkaoui Amy Bryant editor1@classactmedia.co.th

When battling with the elements, I asked myself why I put myself in a situation where everything could go wrong in a fraction of a second.

Yass hiking.

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he name Yassine Darkaoui might ring a bell. That’s because the Moroccan sailor, entrepreneur and Phuket expat graced the Life cover in January this year, sat in lotus on the bow of a boat against the backdrop of Phang Nga. At the time, Yass was one sponsor away from heading to Hua Hin to attempt to set a world record sailing his Laser dinghy 800 kilometres in the Gulf of Thailand.

Time escaped me, and before I knew it, there was a message from Yass in my inbox.

“Done. I’m still flying. I didn’t land. Amazed and confused. I saw magic, danger, connection with everything. Better to talk. I don’t want to write.”

Interest piqued, I arranged to meet him in Phuket Town in a café lined with canvas tepees, faintly reminiscent of the shisha lounges of his hometown of Tangiers, and settled in for another afternoon of stories from the sea.

A mere two days after securing his third and final sponsor in February, Yass was on a plane to Bangkok.

“I went to the embassy to meet the Moroccan Ambassador to Thailand, His Excellency Abdelilah El Housni,” Yass explains. “He welcomed me with flags, gifts and traditional food and we had lunch together in Sukhumvit. It was a great pleasure to talk to him and get his advice.”

Diplomatic mission complete, he travelled back down the coast to Hua Hin for a fortnight of daily sailing practice and brain training using his selfproduced meditation tracks ahead of the world record-breaking attempt. But, as they say, the bestlaid plans of mice and men often go awry, and a trio of unforeseen circumstances forced Yass to rethink the attempt almost entirely.

“I found out that the guy that holds the current record was having breaks every evening to sleep on shore, so my attempt [without breaks] was crazy. Then the wind direction changed. Then the insurance company modified the contract saying I could only sail a few kilometres from the shore. It was a nightmare,” Yass says.

Determined to make something of his trip, Yass registered a record in another category: the furthest distance sailed in a Laser dinghy in a loop without assistance and

One man and his Laser.

with the best average speed. This might sound a little convoluted at first glance, but sailing a Laser requires a great deal of physical and mental strength. Continuously adjusting the position of the body to improve upwind speed – known as hiking – makes the core work overtime, while long sailing periods without sleep and in the dark of night wreak havoc with sensory perception.

What’s more, behind the boundary set by the insurance company, the bay was a minefield of fishing boats, nets and sandbanks, barely visible in the moon’s half light. Yass plays me a video of him sailing in the early hours. I can hear much more than I can see, making out the occasional facial feature in the glint of his torch while waves break against the boat and he shouts “Come on!” to the wind.

“In the evening, fishing boats leave the port and turn off their lights. It gets darker, darker, darker. Visibility was less than five metres. It’s more about feeling where you are, feeling the waves. They will remind you that you are not just floating,” explains Yass.

With buoys marking the boundary, turmeric and moringa powder for fuel and a will stronger than the waves, Yass successfully completed his attempt in 30 hours, covering 220 kilometres.

“I don’t like that people ask ‘Who did you beat?’ instead of ‘What did you learn?’” Yass says. “The most important

lesson I learned from my journey was the choice. When battling with the elements, I asked myself why I put myself in a situation where everything could go wrong in a fraction of a second. I was there because of conscious and probably unconscious choices.

“We have the choice most of the time. We can choose what our life will look like. We can control our reactions, and by developing a healthy thinking process, most of our problems are not problems anymore. So I am always looking to make choices in the most conscious way.”

Yass thanks his sponsors – Homeless to Billionaire author Andres Pira, Andaman Leisure Phuket and Batik Surf – for their own choices to take that risk with him.

In the spirit of his project ‘Always Higher 4.0’, Yass will return to Hua Hin once again in September and attempt to sail 560 kilometres to Koh Pha-ngan and back. This time things will be different. He will sail in a straight line in the light of the full moon, using the southwesterly winds to reach maximum speed.

And I’ll wait patiently for the next enigmatic message in my inbox.

For more information, go to www. facebook.com/alwayshigh­er4.0, www.alwayshigher.asia or email extremdinghy@ gmail.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CULTURE 13

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

Artist: Nandika Dutt / Fine Art America

Image: hindihaat.com

Trailblazers: Nun Ambapali

The forgotten women living in the time of Buddha: Part 3 ALL ABOUT BUDDHISM Jason A. Jellison mitnoy@live.com

She was supposed to remain little more than an object of men’s desire, yet she rocketed through every glass ceiling that was placed within her path.

@thephuketnews

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f the stories of Queen Samavati and Queen Mallika in Trailblazers parts one and two taught us anything, it’s that the age of Buddhist kings was far more than just an age of great men. The age of Buddhist kings was equally an age of Buddhist queens.

It was a time in which newly minted Buddhist monarchies could profoundly improve the lives of every man, woman and child within their borders. As Buddhism swept through ancient India, millions of royal subjects watched their lives dramatically improve.

Poverty was sharply reduced and wealth inequality was slashed. Healthcare and food became readily available for all. Women’s rights expanded and women directly oversaw charitable projects that popularised the faith.

Yet, our ancient texts also recount the tales of some kings who simply could not hit the mark without substantial feminine encouragement. In these cases, independent women often rose to fill a leadership vacuum after they met Buddha. The story of Ambapali is a story that recalls how one unofficial queen would rise up to provide calm in an unstable male republic.

Ambapali was a girl of unknown parentage who was discovered in a mango grove. Traditional texts suggest that she was abandoned there at birth. More colourful legends suggest that she was divinely incarnated there.

Regardless, all parties agree that she was found under a mango tree by a royal gardener. ‘Ambapali’ roughly translates to ‘mango girl’ and the texts say that Ambapali was discovered in Vaishali, which was the capital of the Licchavi Republic.

The Licchavi Republic was a powerful stronghold amongst ancient India. Very few records of their government have survived the passage of time, but the Buddhist Jatakas #149 and #301 suggest that the Licchavi Republic was a primitive democracy governed by about 7,700 tribal leaders. These men are sometimes colloquially called ‘princes’ in the ancient texts as democratic terminology was unknown to ancient writers.

The Licchavi Republic was male-dominated in the extreme and this misogyny eventually became the centrepiece of Ambapali’s life. Ambapali became profoundly beautiful in her early teens and this led to fierce competition among the tribal princes.

Fighting over a woman could spark a war, so a rule was installed throughout the Licchavi Republic which decreed that the most beautiful woman throughout the land would be appointed to a position that this author has dubbed ‘state courtesan’.

The state courtesan served a term of seven years and was an equal companion to all of the Licchavi princes. This idea might be offensive to modern sensibilities, but it seemed perfectly rational to the ancient mind.

Within ancient India, Ambapali grew to be viewed as something of an independent woman and she was lauded for her extreme generosity. She became a hero to the poor even before she met Buddha, and she would be unofficially sainted when she later became a Buddhist nun.

Ambapali was so profoundly beautiful that statues bearing her likeness still exist today. Her celebrity status was also enhanced by a vast fortune that she shrewdly amassed from the fees which the Licchavi princes paid in remuneration for her companionship.

Yet, Ambapali did not become a hero to the ancient world simply by being beautiful and wealthy. Rather, she became one of the ancient world’s most enduring icons because of her generosity and perseverance.

She commissioned great acts of welfare for the benefit of the less fortunate. Additionally, although her position within the Licchavi Republic was clearly that of a woman in chains she never once sought revenge against her oppressors and frequently converted India’s warring kings into ‘cooler heads’ simply by outsmarting them.

After she met Buddha, Ambapali would become one of the biggest lynchpins within the rise of early Buddhism across northern India. As a confidant of Buddha Himself and as a Buddhist nunin-waiting, she sparked a competition amongst numerous Licchavi princes who wanted to try and stay within Buddha’s good graces; bearing critical effects for the early Buddhist world.

The 16 great Buddhist kingdoms struggled to form a large empire whilst Buddha was still alive because their monarchs were routinely feuding amongst themselves. However, as these kings sought out Ambapali’s beauty, they began to rule their subjects far more kindly.

When Ambapali met Buddha, she gave up her life as a state courtesan and became one of Buddhism’s most esteemed nuns. The Licchavi Republic itself would soon crumble, but Buddhism itself would build a powerful new world faith out of the ashes.

In her finest hour, Ambapali’s actions ended wars and contributed to the overthrow of chauvinistic rulers, as well as the dissolution of brutal

regimes. In The Terigatha, she left behind some of the most poignant poetry on ageing that Buddhism has to offer.

Ambapali’s legend has found itself perpetually reincarnated amongst all future generations because she was supposed to remain little more than an object of men’s desire, yet she rocketed through every glass ceiling that was placed within her path.

She rose to become more affluent than kings, yet ultimately gave all her money away to the poor. She lit up the world with her goodness and proved that any woman could become a Buddhist nun – even a woman of the night.

Ambapali represented a new age in ancient India that is important for us to understand today. Some 2,600 years ago, Buddhism allowed women to get an equal education for one of the first times in human history. The age of Ambapali was an entirely novel era in which well-educated, independent women could command great crowds and bow men under the yoke of truth.

Ancient Buddhist nuns were very well-educated women and they have just as many fingerprints upon the bricks of Buddhism as men do if you know where to look. Today, there are at least 250 million female Buddhists in the world and many of these women are reenergising the very roots which trailblazing women like Ambapali planted 2,600 years ago.

Editor’s Note: Ambapali (occasionally called Amrapali) is a resurging pop culture hero in modern India. However, the veracity of her legend is up to every reader to determine for themselves.

Many Buddhist texts concerning her are fragmented and they conflict with the surviving texts from non-Buddhist religions of her time.

The only text that survived in full recording Ambapali’s meeting with Buddha is the Chinese Ekotarra Agama. For details pertaining to Licchavi-style democracy, see the Buddhist Ekapanna and Cullakalings Jatakas.

For a more complete accounting of Ambapali’s life, see The Legend of Amrapali by Anurag Anand or watch the Bollywood movies entitled Amrapali, copyrighted in 1945 and 1966 respectively.

14 HEALTH

The cycle of life THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

How jumping in the saddle can take our love lives up a gear BLAZING SADDLES Baz Daniel baz_gunner2000@yahoo.com

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sk any advertising executive and they’ll tell you that using the words “sex or sexy” in an article will increase an ad’s readership by almost 100%. In fact, the article you are now perusing could well become the most widely-read in the long-running Blazing Saddles series, and you may well be one of many who has never previously read a Blazing Saddles article and indeed has very little interest in cycling!

The truth is that we as a species are incredibly interested in sex, most certainly for its zesty bodily pleasures, not to mention its tangential role in the continuation of our species. An immense body of scientific research exists underlining how good the simple act of pedalling about on a bicycle is for your bedroom athletics, and this is in addition to the obvious sensual benefits of

Photo: msannakoval

Photo: Pixabay wearing bottom-hugging sweaty Lycra next to your panting body!

In Phuket, as is the case worldwide, cycling is rapidly growing in popular-

ity, partly because of the multitude of physical, mental, social and environmental benefits it confers. In addition, our ‘naughty bits’ also respond very positively to regular cycling, particularly long distance aerobic work and intense interval training and sprints.

Research from the British Heart Foundation sampling 600 men and women found that 25% would rather date a cyclist than any other athlete!

The UK Cycle Scheme survey into the impact of cycling on sex reported that 79% of respondents claimed that cycling home from work put them in a good mood for their partner, while 66% thought that their relationships improved as a result of cycling, and 39% said commuting by bike gave them more energy which also improved their sex life.

“Cycling is a major contributor to improved cardiovascular health and increased blood flow,” explains Roger Walker, consultant urologist at Spire St Anthony’s Hospital in Surrey, England.

“Both are proven benefits for healthy sexual function. Cycling has been shown to be an ideal low-impact means of addressing the issues linked

Photo: Globetrotter19

to sexual dysfunction, especially among men approaching, or in, middle age.”

Indeed, it’s the aerobic benefits and the boost to blood flow that’s been shown to make cycling a sexual enhancer for many.

In Italy, where a healthy interest in sex and an enthusiastic cycling culture make it an ideal place for such studies, the Lancisi Heart Institute in Ancona revealed how cycling acts as a sex aid.

In trials comparing 30 men experiencing sexual dysfunction linked to weak heart muscles, they demonstrated that by cycling three times a week for eight weeks, those weak-hearted patients underwent a major transformation.

The men in question not only recorded improved oxygen uptake and blood flow, but in response to questionnaires, their wives and partners said that they exhibited improved sexual performance too.

Regular cycling also helps manage our production of stress hormones – those fight-or-flight chemicals such as adrenaline and cortisol – which, when released, can hamper sexual arousal.

Cycling is also associated with a decrease in depression and improved mood and happiness, all factors leading to increased motivation and capacity for bedroom gymnastics!

With so many health benefits associated with cycling, why isn’t everyone doing it? Well, there are concerns that long sessions in the saddle may cause numbness of the genitals, inflammation and bruising. However, recent findings of a University of London study into the impact of long-term cycling on erectile dysfunction or infertility concluded that the many health benefits far outweighed any potential health risks.

All this is true with the strong caveat, most certainly applicable in the Phuket context, that you don’t have an accident while out cycling.

Happy and safe sex and cycling to you all! thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

COMMUNITY 15

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019 The mini tea room is reminiscent of a small street stall.

Black choco.

Caramel fresh milk.

Taiwanese tapioca treats

HwaanYen is the cream of Phuket’s bursting bubble tea scene CAFE

SOCIETY Amy Bensema bensema.amy@gmail.com

The bubble tea is mixed just right. While the drinks are sweet, they are neither overbearing or cavity-inducing.

@thephuketnews

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very now and again, I stray away from attempting to find the island’s best cup of coffee. A few months ago on a particularly hot day, I found myself wandering around town and came across – HwaanYen – .

I was immediately intrigued, pulled up a stool and asked for a menu.

Located near the old bus station in Phuket Town, HwaanYen is a tiny tea room which serves a wide array of rich, creamy bubble tea varieties. If you are not familiar with bubble tea, it is a Taiwanese tea-based drink that is generally made of green or black tea and has flavours of milk and sugar.

Bubble tea also has tapioca balls, which look like shiny, colourful pearls and have the consistency of a chewy, gummy candy. The drink is Instagram-worthy and goes down a sugary sweet treat.

In recent months, a large number of bubble tea rooms and shops have popped up around Phuket, giving testament to the trendiness of the drink. I have tried most of these places, but in all fairness, I find HwaanYen to be the best due to their creative and ever-changing menu. Another reason I really like this place is that the bubble tea drinks are mixed just right. While the drinks are sweet, they are neither overbearing or cavity-inducing.

HwaanYen is tiny. The mini tea room is reminiscent of a small street stall. The shop only has seating for four. The seats are tall stools that allow you to watch while your tea is being made. The tea barista here is friendly and has an inviting smile. Despite the slight language barrier, she does her best to make drink recommendations and let customers know what’s new on the menu.

The menu at HwaanYen is really creative and there are many bubble tea flavours to choose from.

New delicious menu items include caramel fresh milk, premium choco marble and black choco. While these flavours are all really good, my favourite drink at HwaanYen is the mint choco. Rich and creamy, the drink is the perfect combination of mint and chocolate. The mint flavouring is really smooth and doesn’t leave any kind of strange aftertaste, which also gets two thumbs up from me!

For those who aren’t big fans of bubble tea, HwaanYen has other drinks to choose from. There is traditional Thai tea and iced coffee as well as refreshing concoctions such as pineapple strawberry soda, lemon mixed berry soda and a fruity mangorita. Some of the more colourful drinks include the vibrant red and light blue mix of strawberry blue soda. The soda drinks at HwaanYen are essentially more creative varieties of Italian soda.

If you are in the mood for something different, I – HwaanYen – highly recommend you check

when you are in Phuket Town.

The drinks are vibrant and refreshing, and the mini tea room is super adorable.

HwaanYen is open daily from 10:30am6pm. For more information, head over to the tea room’s Facebook page at www. facebook.com/Hwaanyen/

Written by Amy Bensema, Cafe Society is a monthly column which chronicles one girl’s search for the perfect cup of coffee. Have a cafe to recommend? Contact Amy via email at bensema.amy@ gmail.com or follow her caffeinated adventures as @phukestagram on Instagram.

16 HEALTH

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

Stopping the contagion

Phuket marks third-highest hand, foot and mouth disease infection rate in the country Sores and lesions are among are the key signs of hand, foot and mouth disease. Photo: NNT The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

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he Ministry of Public Health is calling on parents and schools to be on the lookout for hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) – a mild, contagious viral infection common in young children – with Phuket as of last Friday (May 24) having the third-highest infection rate in the country. The news comes hot on the heels of students returning to the classrooms in the opening weeks of the return to school after long holidays.

HFMD, characterised by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet, is most commonly caused by a coxsackievirus.

There is currently no specific treatment for HFMD. The best parents and doctors can do is keep

an infected child separated from other children and provide treatment to alleviate symptoms of infection.

Phuket has the third highest infection rate of HFMD in Thailand, Dr Thanit Sermkaew, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO), told The Phuket News on May 27.

“Phuket has the third highest a morbidity rate (infection rate) of hand, foot and mouth disease in Thailand, but I think there is no reason to worry about the situation as the number of people infected is not high and it is quite normal for children to contract HFMD after they return to school and the rainy season returns,” he said.

Dr Thanit explained that from January 1 through May 24, the PPHO had recorded 143 patients with HFMD, giving an infection (“morbidity”) rate of 35.50 per 100,000 (based on the registered population of 402,707 people).

“There have been no deaths,” Dr Thanit confirmed, noting that HFMD is usually a mild disease, and nearly all patients recover fully in seven to 10 days without medical treatment.

“The age group affected the most was 0-4 years old, with a total 130 infants/ young children infected, followed the age group of 5-9 years old, with 11 children infected,” he said.

Mueang District, comprising Phuket Town and the southern end of the island, recorded 58 cases, Kathu District recorded 17 cases and Thalang District recorded 68 cases, Dr Thanit added.

“To prevent any further spread of the disease, where an individual child is found to have HFMD, we have that child not go to school for a week until the child recovers.

“Where two children in the same class are found to have HFMD, we have all the students in the same class stay at home for about one week to make sure the disease does not spread to other children, and we have the classroom cleaned thoroughly” he explained.

“However, so far this year we have not had to suspend any classes,” he added.

Dr Thanit urged parents to check their children for signs of infection, which include low fever, weakness, mouth sores and a rash on the hands and feet.

He also urged parents not to panic.

“Of course take your child to a doctor to be sure, but nearly all children recover with simple rest, good food and

Image: DDC / MoPH keeping them warm to fight the infection,” he said.

“But it is important to keep them away from other children so they don’t become infected too,” he added.

Dr Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, Director-General of the Ministry of Public Health’s Department (MoPH) of Disease Control, in a statement issued on May 24 noted, “Now Thailand is entering the rainy season. The cold and humid air is conducive to the growth of various pathogens. At the same time, students are returning to school.

“Therefore, one disease that requires special attention is hand, foot and mouth disease, which is more common among children under 5 years old.

“This disease can be contracted directly by receiving the virus through the mouth. The virus may also be passed by hands or toys that are contaminated with snot, saliva, water from wound and stool or contact from coughing and sneezing,” he added.

Dr Suwanchai pointed out that from Jan 1 to May 21, the MoPH had recorded 11,107 people throughout the country as having contracted HFMD. “The most affected age group is 1 year old, followed by 2 years old and 3 years old,” he said.

“The province with the highest morbidity rate in Thailand is Surat Thani, followed by Chiang Mai, Phuket, Chumphon and Prachuap Khiri Khan,” Dr Suwanchai noted. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

EDUCATION 17

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

The path to success

Teaching and learning are all about the journey EDUCATION CORNER Chris Greene

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n the first half of this article – The ‘Nev Mars’ effect – I alluded to how I was inspired to study languages by my teacher, not because he was a brilliant, effective, disciplined practitioner, but because he touched my heart and inspired me to love the subject he was teaching.

At the end of the piece, I asked: What is it that makes an inspiring and effective teacher in this day and age? I will attempt to answer that question here.

There is a well-known meme which has done the rounds on social media. A teacher is pondering: Am I getting better at teaching or just lowering my expectations? That is a pertinent question and encourages us to look closely at a current buzzword in UK education circles at present: accountability. Teachers are accountable to the management of the school, their colleagues, their students, the parents and also to themselves.

The joy of journeying. Photo: BISP A teacher will have good days and bad days. We are on a journey with the children and it is a journey which is not necessarily a joy every day. Sometimes it can be a real slog. The weight of expectations can be daunting. Parents have entrusted us with their most precious possession: their children. Our job is to accompany them on a journey, supporting, cajoling, persuading, encouraging, pushing and challenging them whenever we can.

Most of a teacher’s workload goes

IB students to learn social media algorithms, privacy and fake news The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

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tudents in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme will learn about social media algorithms, privacy, fake news and security in the latest curriculum update and launch of the new digital society course.

Joel Adams, curriculum manager for the emerging digital society course, said, “Digital technology and media are changing our world and transforming how we think, communicate and create.

For the last two years, we have been hard at work designing for these changes with this exciting updated course.

Digital society will allow educators and young people to critically explore the changing world to better understand where we are now and imagine where we might go next.”

Students will explore global and ethical value systems and match these to pressing dilemmas in digital society through practical exercises and projectbased activities. A media project – also part of the course – will ask students to investigate and evaluate the ethical, social and cultural implications rising from the use of digital technologies and media in the world around them.

British International School, Phuket – BISP is one such school to offer the digital society course. Lee Phillips and Jonathan Clark, who teach computer science and information technology in a global society (ITGS) at BISP, told The @thephuketnews

Phuket News, “BISP has been at the forefront of delivering the current ITGS course and is looking forward to delivering the updated digital society syllabus.

“Recognising what is reliable information and being able to disregard biased and fictitious content are essential life skills. At BISP, these vital skills are taught as part of our curriculum across many subject areas, both in primary school and throughout secondary school.

“There are more online news sources than ever before, and the skills we develop at BISP enable our young people to actively filter this wealth of information in order to make reasoned and balanced opinions on international issues.”

Building on the strengths and expertise in the current ITGS offering, the digital society course will provide additional opportunities to explore contemporary digital society from inquiry-rich perspectives that empower teachers and students to forge connections between their own experiences, real world issues and the new course’s broad multidisciplinary content.

unseen, and the preparations for the journey are as important as the journey itself. Perhaps the most important aspect of this “educational journey” is that all the participants arrive at the destination safely, soundly and together. No-one is lost on the way or gives up. The participants in the journey help each other to make it to the end.

There will be ups and downs on the journey and lots of challenges, especially in a world that is ever more frenetic and complicated. Teachers need to feel the

joy of journeying with their students.

Using a slightly different analogy, the student is the boxer and their parents and teachers are the backup team, the corner men. After each round, it is their job to cool the fighter down, fan them, give them some water and then send them back into the ring fit and strong enough to face the next round.

In a world where everyone is becoming more and more accountable through facts, figures and social media, teachers need to find a way of avoiding these shackles and focus on what is important in the classroom: helping their students make progress in their learning.

I love my job because I go to work every morning with the excitement of never knowing what lies ahead. If I can make a positive difference to a young learner which helps them to become a better person in any way, if I touch someone’s heart – “the place where intellect, emotion, spirit and will converge in the human self” – then I will have achieved something worthwhile.

Chris Greene is the Head of Modern Languages at British International School, Phuket – BISP. For more information, visit them at www.bisphuket. ac.th or call +66 (0) 76 335 555.

18 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

Jae, Noi, Wipa, Masami Windsor and Maria.

Valerie, Wipa and Sue.

PHUKET INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S CLUB DINE AT THE BOATHOUSE, KATA The Phuket International Women’s Club (PIWC) swapped their monthly luncheon for dinner at The Boathouse on May 25. PIWC members brought their partners and friends along to the award-winning restaurant and enjoyed an evening of excellent food, unmatched views and, as always, great company.

BISP Class of 2019.

Graduates line up to receive their certificates.

BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, PHUKET CLASS OF 2019 GRADUATE Parents flew in from around the world for the graduation ceremony on campus on May 25, which featured a keynote speech by Managing Director Asst. Prof. Dr. Nares Pantaratorn. BISP 2019 graduates will attend universities in 13 different countries, with the most popular destinations being USA (13 confirmed acceptances), UK, Australia, Switzerland, Thailand, Netherlands, Philippines, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Sweden. Congratulations to the 53 graduates of the BISP Class of 2019.

Winners received medals, cash prizes and accommodation, spa and dining vouchers.

Ladies night.

XANA BEACH CLUB WELCOMES 2019 MISS UNIVERSE FINALISTS FROM NZ On May 24, Michal Zitek, area general manager of Angsana Laguna Phuket, welcomed Miss Universe 2019 contestants from New Zealand for a special dinner with media at the luxury resort’s beach club.

JW MARRIOTT PHUKET HOSTS LIFESAVING CHAMPIONSHIP 2019 Lifeguards from hotels and resorts on the island participated in the competition on Mai Khao Beach which included body board races and a ‘Beach Iron Man’. The day aimed to help develop lifesaving skills and knowledge ahead of monsoon season.

Keen volunteers were undeterred by the rain.

LAGUNA PHUKET’S GREENING COMMUNITY PLANTS 2,500 TREES On May 23, Laguna Phuket marked the 13th year of its Greening Community initiative by planting 2,500 mangrove saplings at Baan Thasak Village in Pa Khlok with the help of over 200 volunteers.

Peck received a warm welcome in the reception of the boutique retreat.

SINGER PECK PALITCHOKE STAYS AT CAPE KUDU HOTEL, KOH YAO NOI Timo Kuenzli (2nd left), general manager of Cape Kudu Hotel, recently welcomed Peck Palitchoke Ayanaputra (3rd left), renowned Thai singer, to the hotel. Peck recently promoted the Thailand Tourism Festival 2019 under the theme of environmentally-friendly travel. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ISLAND SCENE 19

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

Raghav and Prathana.

Adam, Alexandra and Jason.

Ravinder and Kirandeep.

BANYAN TREE PHUKET CELEBRATES LAUNCH OF ITS NEW LAGOON DECK On May 25, 50 selected event planners, wedding planners and MICE agents from Phuket and Bangkok were treated to a lavish party for the launch of the Lagoon Deck, Banyan Tree Phuket’s new purpose-built event centre. Guests enjoyed the deck’s 180-degree views overlooking the resort’s main lagoon and green surroundings.

Igor and Alexey Protasov, the men behind MBC Condotel.

Dozens turned out for the event.

MAI KHAO BEACH CONDOTEL BY TBD GROUP HOLDS GRAND OPENING Dozens gathered at Mai Khao Beach Condotel, Phuket on May 19 to take part in the grand opening of the new development in the north of the island. Celebratory activities included Ram Auoy Phon – a Thai dancing show – a lucky draw and live music by Phuket’s favourite Ivan Sharapov.

Brendan, Khun Lak and Julian.

Sumi and Joy.

Peter, Susan and Matt.

Gren, Pimpa, Sukanya and Alan.

BUSINESS AND PLEASURE AT MAY’S AUSTCHAM PHUKET SUNDOWNERS The Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce Sundowners networking event at Le Méridien Phuket on May 24 went down a treat. Business folk from across the island caught up with friends, worked on existing partnerships and created new ones. Among those represented were Novotel, the French Embassy, the Canadian Embassy, Squires Loft in Patong, Lady Pie, Phuket Has Been Good to Us, Lambert Brothers Insurance Brokers and Image asia. The event was proudly sponsored by The Phuket News and Live 89.5. @thephuketnews

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SUN

31 MAY

Saturday Brunch & Bar From Grilled Seafood - Premium Meats - Sushi Corner Salad Bar Appetizers and Delectable Desserts to all time favorite Free-Flow Beverages. Treat your Saturday to the fullest. Let’s Brunch! *THB 2.399++ per person (including free-flow beverages) *THB 1,699++ per person (including soft drinks). *50& off for children aged from 6-12 years old.

Reservation, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, dtlpfb@dusit.com, 076 362 999 ext.7310

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

Sunday Roast All Day, All Night

The Phuket News - Match Play

Ride 4 Kids 2019

SAT

Starting June 1st. All proceeds to go to Phuket Has Been Good to Us. Open to all players with a recognized Handicap* Each round to be played at a course where one player is a member. If both players are members the higher handicapper choses the course. Laguna GC to offer special price to any pairs matched against each other where neither golfer is a member at Phuket Club. To be played from white Tees unless agreed by both players. 500thb entry fee / 300thb fee per round. All losers in round one to play in ‘PLATE’ Competition. Standard match play, FULL difference of handicaps to be given. Trophies for winner and Runner both main event and plate. Vouchers for all semi finalists. *All club handicaps recognized – Society handicaps accepted but may be adjusted.

Email queries to matchplay@classactmedia.co.th Entry fees paid via phuketticketmaster.com

Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic. Yorkshire Pudding and Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. RESERVE Your Table Now Online at bit.ly/TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents Reservations, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong., Kata Beach 076-333-370 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

MON

3 JUN

Ribs, beats, brews - Wednesday Devour our succulent pork rib set complete with sweet corn chowder, blue cheese salad, moist cornbread and finished off with a bread and butter pudding. DJ Q will keep the soul flowing and your toes tapping as you wash down those tender ribs with a bucket of craft brews. Full Rack set 1,400 Baht, half Rack set 1,100 Baht. Reservations, SALA Phuket, events@ salaphuket.com, 076-338-888

FRI

7 JUN

All you can eat BBQ night

TUE

4 JUN

Light and Fresh Buffet All you can eat BBQ Ribs night

WED

5 JUN

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

1 JUN

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

ANDAMAN CATCH TUESDAY Every Tuesday our culinary team prepare a special Andaman Catch menu featuring our fish of the day selection prepared in one of three ways, a special seafood appetiser and a sweet finish dessert. Pair your catch with one of our sommelier selections special offers, available Tuesday only. 950* Baht.

18.30 - 22.00 www.salaphuket.com Advance bookings are recommended - 076 33 8888. *Subject to 10% service charge and 7% value added tax. Sala Phuket.

ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 495 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs! Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavor-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. www. twochefs.com Kata Beach 076-333-370 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

Ride 4 Kids V3.0 is in full swing, riders will be cycling 700 kms from Phuket on the 27th May – 1st June 2019, all to raise money for The Good Shepherd, PHBGTU and Outrigger’s Share4Change. Join the coming home party at Metzos on 1st June and meet the team, tickets available for 2500 thb per ticket, please email organizer and LIVE 89.5fm host Donna Toon lunch@classactmedia.co.th and visit www.ride4kids.co for more information.

Taste, under new Dutch management. Please register and choose your menu by adding selection into the comments.

If not Western, just mention Thai food. Starter - Cazpacho or Smoked salmon salad. Main - Pork Tenderloins or Baked salmon with tagliatelle. Desert - Chocolate mousse + vanilla ice cream or Dutch apple pie + vanilla ice cream. 500.00 THB per person. Register - https://rotarypatong.org/event/dinnerout-june-2019/

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet

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

2 JUN

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

The Watercourt is presenting a line of tasty Italian Cold Cut, Gourmet Salads, Hearty Soup, Flavourful Desserts and Seasonal Fruit. From THB 1,200 net per guest (Choice of Meat & Seafood grilled - Additional). Banyan Tree, The Watercourt, fb-phuket@banyantree.com, 076 372 400.

Rotary Monthly Dinner Meeting Our last dinner-out in this Rotary year brings us to a new restaurant in Kamala. The Euro Cafe, formerly known as

Grow Boating Networking Evening - June 2019 This month’s Grow Boating we are delighted to announce that Asteri, a sister company to Asia Yacht Agency, will be our drinks sponsors. Asteri is the official distributor for Thailand for Zodiac, Bombard and Avon RIB’s. www.asiayachtagency. com/ There will be a light buffet sponsored by the Speakeasy Yacht Club and special prices on your favourite local drinks.

Come and join in the fun, everyone is welcome. There is no entry fee, just drop your business card or register at the bar.

We hope to see you at The Speakeasy Yacht Club, Royal Phuket Marina from 5pm. The Grow Boating Networking Evening is proud to support the Thai Yachting Business Association https://www.facebook.com/groups/491098897758155/

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SAT

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

million Thai Baht. Free entry for spectators, great afternoon out for the family. Exotic Fishing Thailand, Exotic Fishing Thailand, Phang Nga, exoticfishingthailand@gmail.com, English 088 379 9377 and Thai 081 199 5922.

8 JUN

FRI Laguna Phuket Marathon 2019

The Greatest Show presented by HeadStart Dance Academy Ladies and gentlemen / Boys and girls ... Witness something you’ve never seen before, heard before, dreamt of before ... An amazing show in Phuket! “ The Greatest Show” presented by HeadStart Dance Academy on Saturday 8 June 2019 at 6.30pm with over 150 performers in the Sport Hall of Headstart International school Phuket. With a Circus theme including the magic of Hip Hop, Contemporary and Jazz Dancers, cheerleaders, aerial artists and singers. Come and enjoy a variety of famous musical scenes from Cats and the Greatest Showman. It’s going to be a bumpy ride to the other side!!! Tickets available at Headstart front office. HeadStart Dance Academy, Headstart International school Phuket.

Laguna Phuket Marathon has helped to put Phuket on the map as a running mecca, delivering an event to the highest international standards that is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, is professionally timed by Sportstats Asia, and is certified

by AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races). Laguna Phuket Marathon 2019 offers six distances: 2 km Kids Run, 5 km and 10.5 km will take place on Saturday 8th June in the afternoon while the Half Marathon (21.0975 km), Marathon (42.195 km) and Marathon Relay (42.195 km) will take place on Sunday 9th June in the morning. For the full schedule, visit http://www.phuketmarathon.com/raceschedule

MON

10 JUN

9 AUG

BCCT Multi-Chamber Phuket Networking & Briefing British, together with American, Australian, European Association, German, Netherlands, Singapore and Swedish Chamber of Commerce Thailand, cordially invites you to BCCT MultiChambers Phuket Briefing & Networking on Thursday 13th June at X2 Vibe Phuket Patong from 5 – 9 pm. The briefing by Grant Thornton Chairman, Chris Cracknell, will cover current global economy updates, followed by networking. For booking, please call 02-651-5350 or e-mail Urosesri at urosesri@ bccthai.com

MON

17 JUN

PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards 2019 Celebrate Thailand’s finest developers by nominating them for the industry’s most prestigious awards. With a professionally run judging system supervised by the award-winning team of BDO, one of the world’s largest auditing and accountancy firms, the Asia Property Awards is the gold standard in real estate. Gala Dinner & Awards on 9 August 2019 at The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok.

EVERY DAY Filipino Fiesta at Two Chefs Bar & Grill In celebration of the Philippine Independence Day, Two Chefs Bar & Grill is having its annual Filipino Fiesta on June 8, 2019 at Two Chefs Karon. Feast on your favourite Filipino dishes and jam along with our awesome Filipino Two Chefs House Band all night long!! For more information, you may visit our website www.twochefs.com or follow us on Facebook www. facebook.com/twochefsthailand. Get festive! Book your tables NOW! Two Chefs Bar & Grill.

GLENN WOOL IN PHUKET Do not miss GLENN WOOL (CAN) with special guest AIDAN TACO JONES (AUS) and host KYLE LEGACY (UK) at Phuket Marriott, Merlin Beach on Monday, 10th June. Tickets are on sale now for 350 THB (early bird), 650 THB (show only), 950 THB (burger, two Mooshead brews & show), 1,200THB (hotel buffet & show), or 1450 THB for VIP tickets, which include free-flow drinks from 7-10 PM and meet & greet with the comedians. Tickets are available for purchase at: www.phuketticketmaster.com Magic Rock, Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach, Phuket

THU

13 JUN

Prime at Rock Salt

Da Endorphine Live Charity Benefit All ticket proceeds will be donate to benefit the destination kids foundation supporting orphanages across Thailand. Get your tickets at EVENTPOP. Hard Rock Cafe Phuket, Hard Rock Cafe Phuket, 076 366 381.

SUN

Prime at Rock Salt is the home of smoke and fire at Naiharn Beach. An exclusive eatery, Prime offers a collection of roasted, smoked and chargrilled creations from its custom-designed kitchen. The al fresco dining experience is completed with panoramic ocean views across Naiharn Beach. Open Daily 6.00 – 10.00 pm at Naiharn Beach For more information and bookings, please call +66 76 380 200 or rocksalt@ thenaiharn.com

30 JUN

DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON The Elton John tribute show

by Tim Hedges Experience the ultimate Elton John tribute act performed by Tom Hedges (colleague and approved tribute artist by Sir Elton John himself) accompanied by the famous Dream Beach Club fresh seafood buffet! Buffet and Show priced at THB 2,200 nett per person. Dinner starts from 7.00PM and show starts at 8.30PM. Dream Beach Club, reservations@dreambeachclub.com, 098 048 3500.

@thephuketnews

Phuket Wellness Connection 2019 (registration free is 12,000 baht) Free Olig o s c a n t e s t i n g ( 8 , 0 0 0 b a h t v a l u e ) . Novotel Phokeethra Hotel Phuket, heatantiaging@gmail.com, 061 401 0345

2 Major Freshwater Fishing Events June 30th and July 6th. 2 Major Freshwater Fishing Events at the amazing Exotic Fishing Thailand. Huge prizes valued at 1

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. Which is geographically larger, Phuket or Luxembourg?

2. Sir Edmund Hillary, first to scale Mt Everest with sherpa Tenzing Norgay, was of which nationality?

3. Empress Dowager Cixi, famed for her role in the Boxer Rebellion, died of what cause?

4. Which make and model of car did James Dean die in?

5. What is Theresa May’s middle name?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Hard

Across 1. PC maker 5. Savvy 8. Be familiar with 12. Unlikely to defect 14. Some contests 15. Outbreak, of a sort 16. Title role for Renee Zellweger 17. Abdul-Jabbar is one of its grads 18. Tear 19. Ant eaters 21. Cried, of a goat 22. Animal and vegetable fats 23. ___-bran 24. Hinged catch 27. Freely 30. Slalom course shape 33. Antiparkinsonian agent 35. Contraction with ‘’do’’ or ‘’work’’ 36. Most common in English 37. Two cities 41. Trademarks, abbr.

42. “Interview with a Vampire” writer 43. Great ____ (large dogs) 44. Best guess, abbr.

45. In the future 48. Tales and such 49. Deluge refuge 50. “___ life!”

52. Arabian capital

55. Bowing deeply in the Middle East 60. A Disney bear 61. Bird that went bye-bye 62. Potato 63. Pot payment 64. Not many 65. Dr. Hahn’s first name on “Grey’s Anatomy” 66. Ancient drink made from honey and alcohol and water 67. “She’s a ___ eater” Hall and Oates 68. Black Down 1. Inter ___ 2. Mrs. Dithers in “Blondie” 3. Observer 4. Air Force base near San Antonio 5. Non-bleeped expletive 6. Elongated fishes 7. Good works ad 8. Gold standard 9. Final Four org.

10. Enough, for some 11. Garden intruder 13. ___ Strauss & Co. 14. Not hold it in 20. Menu phrase 21. Chanteuse’s

specialty 23. Spanish stew pot 24. Batter’s position 25. Maude or Samuel 26. Bottom of the barrel 28. ___ and dined 29. ‘’___ be an honor!’’

30. Prefix with biology 31. Absolute 32. Realize 34. Colorful sight in the sky 38. Swim’s alternative 39. Top flyer 40. Squid 46. Burning 47. Indeed!

49. Goes with oohed 51. British art gallery name 52. E commercial, perhaps 53. First-class 54. ___ care in the world 55. Resting place 56. Yemen’s Gulf of ___ 57. “Put ___ writing” 58. Vampire’s target 59. Color for a wolf or whale 61. Boulder/Coolidge

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Luxembourg (2,586 km²); New Zealand; 3) Arsenic poisoning (1908); 4) Porsche 550 Spyder; 5) Mary

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

This week in history

1

metre long was the length of the arms of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, but they were strong enough to lift several hundred pounds each.

May 31, 2008 Usain Bolt breaks the world record in the 100m sprint, with a wind-legal (+1.7m/s) 9.72 seconds. He later set a record time of 9.69s, and 9.58s, in 2009. (Photo: Nick Webb)

11

firearm-related homicides in total was all that Japan, with its poplation of 126 million, had throughout the entire year of 2008.

June 1, 1941 The Farhud, a massive pogrom in Iraq, starts and as a result, Iraqi Jews are forced to leave their homes immediately following the British victory in the Anglo-Iraqi War and the collapse of the pro-Nazi government.

121.7

June 2, 1692 Bridget Bishop is the first person to be tried for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts; she was found guilty and later hanged.

decibels is the world record for the loudest shout by a person – an Irish female teacher who shouted, “Quiet!”

37,000

June 3, 1839 In Humen, China, Lin Tse-hsü destroys 1.2 million kg of opium confiscated from British merchants, providing Britain with a casus belli to open hostilities, resulting in the First Opium War.

US dollars compensation was awarded to Florida man Daniel Rushing in 2016 after police mistook glazed donut crumbs in his car as meth.

1.3 million

Earths would be able to fit inside our sun. That’s how big it is.

Source: Uberfacts

June 4, 1989 The Tiananmen Square protests are violently suppressed in Beijing by the People’s Liberation Army, with at least 241 dead.

June 5, 1883 The first regularly scheduled Orient Express departs Paris.

Surin Beach by accident. Photo by Fleming Nielsen Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket?

Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

June 6, 1944 Allied invasion codenamed Operation Overlord begins with 155,000 Allied troops landing on the beaches of Normandy.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 23

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

Jobs

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The Phuket News @thephuketnews

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Personal Assistant

For retired UK/CAD businessman in high end resort. Good English, some driving, shopping etc. Part Time OK. Brian 089 054 4354.

@thephuketnews

Art House Real Estate company

Looking for Thai Marketing manager at the property booth, Patong Area, for more detail please contact: info@arthouse.asia

Thai Yoga Instructor

Position available now - Full Time Position - 24 Yoga Classes per month. Wellness Skills - Certificated to teach various Yoga Styles.

Additional Health Skills i.e. Aerial Yoga, Acro Yoga, etc. - Assist with Yoga Class inquires and Retreat health consultations. English Speaking - Thai National only 25,000 to 30,000. Kenneth Miller 0866041333. www.ccshideaway.com/wellness.htm

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

Trades & Services

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CORPORATE SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

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26 CLASSIFIEDS

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Trades & Services

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

OTHER

PROPERTY SERVICES

TRAINING

ADVERTISE HERE

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

Buy & Sell BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE UR

Monterey 415SY. Perfect condition. 1 owner. Regular maintenance in authorised centers. Twin Volvo IPS600 435hp, joystick control, Engine Hours: 670. Furuno radar. GPS. B6,900,000. 0878970501.

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Car for sale

Car For Sale

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Golden Business Opportunity

Brand new two story massage shop for sale with high end furniture. 10 Beds, 6 chairs and nail Salon. Great opportunity for high season. B900,000 ono, Lek, Soi Post Office, Patong Beach Road, sweet_ lek55@hotmail.com, 099 362 7979

@thephuketnews

Ford Fiesta 2012 For sale English 095 420 9662 Thai 082 629 1419 Janthisa Jaikwang, 199/14 หม ู ่ 5 ตำ�บลศร สี นุ ทร อำ�เภอถลาง จังหวัดภ เู กต็ , B 250,000 info@lifestyleinthailand.com, 0826291419

Refurbished Restaurant & Bar

Recently refurbished restaurant & bar for sale in Karon, Phuket, with accom located above. CCTV fitted throughout the building. The business is up for sale for 1.9MB or near offer and includes all fixtures, fittings and stock at point of sale. 062 210 1368. newconceptbars.thailand@ gmail.com

Car rental @fair prices

Chevrolet Trailblazer LTZ 2.8 CC. 4X4 For sale English 095 420 9662 Thai 082 629 1419 janthisa jaikwang, 199/14 หม ู ่ 5 ตำ�บลศร สี นุ ทร อำ�เภอ ถลาง จังหวัดภ เู ก ็ต, info@lifestyleinthailand.com, B 725,000

BUSINESSES FOR SALE GE

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CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE

250,000THB incl VAT. For boat up to 32 feet / 9.5 metres. Contact: Asia Yacht Agency Co., Ltd. Contact@AsiaYacht Agency. com, 081-894 -3234 (French/ English), 086-269-0808 (Thai/ English).

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We offer car rentals at affordable prices. Monthly from 10,000 Baht. Daily from 400 Baht. Call us to find out what we offer. 10,000 Monthly. Stig Johansson, 110/78 Moo 2 T Paklok A Thalang 83110 Phuket, stigisaan@gmail.com, 0848474377.

FOR SALE AIR BERTH M320

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@thephuketnews

CARS, TRUCKS FOR RENT

42ft Sport Yacht, Reduced Price

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The Phuket News

Subaru XV

Cross trek bought new 2013. Well maintained, glass coating, rust proofing, new tires, single owner. Must see! Nicha Residence, 0892873128.

MEMBERSHIPS

BLUE CANYON GOLF MEMBERSHIP

425,000 THB and Seller pays the transfer fee. For more information call 098 946 0709. Rob George.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

BABY GRAND w/ DISC PLAYER

“Classic” Baby Grand Piano with “Disc Player”. In perfect condition. 7 years old. Original price 428,000 THB. 170,000, Phuket Town, daryldavies9@gmail. com, 080 159 5239

PROPERTY WANTED The Chava Surin - Freehold

Hi, Am looking for a Freehold Condominium Unit at The Chava in Surin. Please email details to mick11468@@gmail.com . Many thanks! Michael

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3 Bedroom Condo Wanted

Looking for 3 Bed Condo/Apartment any area of Phuket for 3million Thai Baht or thereabouts. Please email mick11468@gmail.com. Thanks! B3,000,000, Mike

Mandala Condo Freehold Wanted

Foreign Freehold Wanted for Mandala Condominium in Kamala. Please email details to mick11468@gmail.com.

SPORTING GOODS, EXERCISE GYM EQUIPMENT TREADMILL

LIFE FITNESS F1 TREADMILL - FOLDABLE Brand new: THB 35,000+(VAT) from retail price of 188,000 Compact foldable treadmill. 35000, carolinelaleta@gmail.com, +66869504961

PROPERTY FOR SALE Apartment Block in Soi Ta-Eiad

Amazing residential block for sale comprising of 5 x 190sqm fully furnished 3 Bedroom Units. Highest quality fixtures and finishing’s with exceptional build quality. All units have internal surround sound systems and wireless internet routed in the walls.

Full Western kitchen in all units. Rooftop Salt Water Swimming Pool with 8 person Jacuzzi and bar. Spectacular panoramic views. Units currently being rented out with almost 100% occupancy, so fantastic investment opportunity. Potential returns of 9% per annum. B61,500,000, Tina, phuket@ thairesidential.com

28 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy & Sell

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE OCEAN FRONT VILLA

3 Bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 10 meter infinity swimming pool, maid quarter, fully furnished and ready to move in, usable area of over 330 sqm, very convenient located in a gated community at the south end of Aopor, 50 meter from the ocean, 150 meter from the new Sheraton Grand Bay Resort , 3 minutes from Grand Aopor Marina, 20 minutes from Airport and shopping centers, for sale directly by owner 22.9 mln. + 66 95 0147888.

OCEAN FRONT LAND

7 Rai with 185 meter of ocean frontage, 800 meter from Yacht Haven Marina on Phangnga side, water, electricity, concrete road on the back of property, building permission for 12 two storey pool villas. For sale direct by owner for only 6 mln Baht per Rai. + 66 95 0147888.

PROPERTY FOR SALE 2-Bed Furnished Kathu House for Rent

Karon 1 Bed Condo for Sale

Karon Butterfly hillside condo for sale just 800m from beach. Amenities close by. Fully furnished and condo facilities. Great investment in great area of Phuket. Shuttle Bus to Beach and Rental Program. A must see!!!! B4,300,000, Dmitry , phuket@thairesidential.com

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PROPERTY FOR SALE UR

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Phuket Town 1 Bed Condo

Wonderful 1 Bedroom Condo near Central Festival area. Just 10 minutes to Panwa Beach. A must see!!! Fully furnished and conveniently located.

Amenities close by as well as tourist attractions. Full condo facilities.

B2,500,000, Tina, phuket@thairesidential.com, 0948411918.

Rawai 1 Bed Seaview Condo Sale

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RPM by owner

Unique luxury condo 2 bed, 2 bath, 155sqm. Foreign FREE HOLD. Architect remodel in tropical white. Jacuzzi. All round beautiful views. Completely furnished to a high standard. Very motivated owner leaving Thailand. Available to agents. Priced just REDUCED to 15MB or offers. Contact Brian (Owner) 089 054 4354, 076 360 943. bggvirgo@gmail.com

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1 Bedroom Condo Kata Sale

Great 1 Bed Condo just 200m fromKamala Beach. Comes with pool and on- site restaurant. Fantastic location and not to be missed. Fully furnished with appliances. Homestay or investment. B5,417,000. Call Andy. 083 800 1888

Saturdays Residence beautiful condo in Rawai. Tastefully decorated with class. Short drive to beach. All condo amenities. Looks so good that you do need to see to believe. You will fall in love at first sight. B6,300,000, Dimitry, phuket@thairesidential.com, 082 030 7199

1 Bed Condo in Kamala

MontAzure Twinpalms Residence-Great condo located in Kamala. The ultimate in luxury.

Has got to be seen to be believed. Fantastic facilities in this resort condo. B15,800,000, Tina, 0872699206.

Mai Khao 1 bed condo for sale

Mai Khao beach condo. Great new condohotel. 470 meters from the sea. 36 sqm.

Wonderful place in Phuket. B3.5mn, +66812958526, Victoria.

Mandala Condominium - Wonderful spacious condo. Great location near Bangtao beach and Laguna. 184sqm with private pool and tropical gardens. B15,900,000, Andy, 083 800 1888

Dream Village Phuket house

2bed 2bath 295sqm land 100sqm living + veranda, compl. renovated: new water, electric., tiles, paint in/out, windows, 3A/C, built in kitchen. 0870608400 English/German. Email: picharly@gmail.com, B4.9mill.

Royal Phuket Marina 2 Bed

2-Bedroom Royal Phuket Marina Condo. Seen to be believed. 195m2 Stylish, Tastefully-Decorated Condominium Fully Furnished Overlooking Yacht Marina an absolute bargain @ 13.5 Million BahtTina, phuket@thairesidential.com, 948411918.

Property for rent YAMU

Very big house. 400sqm, Land 4400sqm. Available 1st May. 4 bedrooms- 4 bathrooms , swimming pool. Close BIS, UWCT. Must see. Long term lease 110,000 baht/month including pool+ garden service. Khun DIDIER, aouichedidier@ hotmail.com, 093 717 9343 (English+French)/ 089 552 9303 (Thai).

Located at Amari Phuket's lobby building. Size: 33 sqm. Partly furnished: shelves, counter, airconditioner and telephone line. 40,000 THB/ month (negotiation available). Khun Mallika, mallika.t@amari.com, 076 340106 #8006

PROPERTY FOR RENT

COMMUNITY

1 Bed Condo Sale Rawai

Lovely condo at Utopia Kata for Sale. Completed in 2017 and close to Kata Beach. Fully furnished. Close to restaurants and amenities. Great views. Rental programme. Full facilities. Dimtry, 082 030 7199. B7,100,000

2 Bed Condo Bangtao Phuket

1 Bed Condo in Kamala

Paul MOORHOUSE

‘Frontline’ sea view villa overlooking G Ao Yon Bay and the southern islands.

UR Magnificent property with private elevator, 4 bedroom suites/6 bathrooms as well as 2 living areas, European design kitchen, games room, bar, sauna, steam room and wonderful pool deck with in-ground jacuzzi, infinity pool and waterfall. Fabulous property reduced to 65 million Baht for quick sale. 0898737075.

PROPERTY FOR RENT

Shop for rent at Amari Phuket, Patong Beach

Fantastic seaviews. Fully furnished. Condo facilities including pool and gym. Close to amenities. This 53sqm condo at Babylon Sky Garden is a great buy. B4,297,277, Andy, phuket@ thairesidential.com

T EN

2bd/2bth furnished house for rent in Kathu near Loch Palm Golf Course. See link for more photos and details. www.kathuhouseforrent.com B13,500, May or Wes, wes@pillarmarketing.com, 0899733276

PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m. Chanote

PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m.

Chanote

Private location in prestige area.

Outstanding Value. Call owner (Alan): 084 0657590.

Renovated 3bed Home Boat Lagoon

AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY: Beautifully renovated & decorated 3bed+mezzanine, 250 sqm contemporary house featuring: boat berth, rooftop jacuzzi, open kitchen, wine cooler, 2 parkings, storage & laundry area. B 75,000 per month, Henry Cumberlege, hcumberlege@gmail.com

Stunning Ocean Views!

4 bed/bath large pool villa. Privately located in Cape Heights Cape Yamu.

Furnished. Gardens. Fiber WiFi. 80,000/rent long term or 30 million to sell. Richard, Cape Yamu, Phuket, richarddesmondcapeheights@yahoo. co.uk, +66824203270, WhatsApp

Villa in Patong prime location

One of the last Villas available in Patong. in top condition. 24 hour security. 3 bed, 3 bath, 160sqm living. Fully furnished, garden.

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Villa Mission Heights Big Pool

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

SPORT 29

A Ferrari blessing in disguise

Hamilton scrapes Monaco win despite team strategy error BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

L

ewis Hamilton is no stranger to hyperbole, but there was no exaggerating the relief on his face after an excruciating duel with Max Verstappen to win the Monaco Grand Prix.

For 67 laps he rebuffed Verstappen’s siege, the Dutchman on more durable tyres pressuring Hamilton’s own exhausted rubber, but the Briton wasn’t to be denied victory, putting on a masterclass in defensive driving to starve his young rival of so much as a whiff of opportunity.

In the end Verstappen attempted a long lunge into the chicane on the penultimate lap, more out of hope than confidence, but it came to naught, with both sailing over the kerbs after light contact and Hamilton emerging with his lead intact.

It was one of Hamilton’s best drives, made all the more memorable for its iconic set-

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Lewis Hamilton held off Max Verstappen for 67 laps to win at Monaco. Photo: Wolfgang Wilhelm / Mercedes AMG Petronas ting at the world’s most famous motor race.

“I think it was the hardest race I’ve had,” he exclaimed.

“It was the biggest challenge I think I’ve had and I’m really grateful I was able to pull it off.”

But it wasn’t meant to be so difficult. Mercedes estab-

lished from the beginning of practice that its car’s historical weakness around the unique Monte Carlo layout has been largely ameliorated in 2019, and a front-row lockout for the Silver Arrows, Hamilton leading teammate Valtteri Bottas, should have been a virtual guarantee of success come the

end of the 78-lap race.

But Monaco has a habit of generating unusual results.

Indeed it isn’t Verstappen nor his Red Bull Racing team Formula One has to thank for the gripping tension that enveloped so much of its showpiece event; it’s Charles Leclerc, the grid’s only true Monaco

native, who retired from his home race after just 16 laps.

Despite pencilling in Monte Carlo as its potential first win of the season after six straight drubbings by Mercedes, at no point during the weekend did Ferrari look like the Monaco challenger it was at the previous two runnings of the event. Sebastian Vettel spent most of the weekend f lirting with the barriers, and though Leclerc looked promising during final practice, a bafflingly incompetent qualifying strategy eliminated him from Q1 in 16th place.

Overtaking is so difficult around Monaco that even in a Ferrari, a car substantially faster than all bar Mercedes and Red Bull Racing, Leclerc’s afternoon was destined to be a long and painful one, and so it transpired, with a crash while hastily attempting to pass Nico Hulkenberg.

The damage was so severe that he was forced to retire, but the shards of debris and burst tyre littering the track necessitated a race-defining safety car.

Hamilton was switched

onto what turned out to be the wrong compound, while Verstappen had his tyres changed so quickly from third place that he exited his pit box alongside Valtteri Bottas, bumping him into the barriers to steal second and begin his pursuit of the Finn’s unexpectedly hamstrung teammate.

It’s painfully ironic that after five races of stumbling over itself to ease Mercedes’s way to a dominant 118-point constructors championship lead it’s taken the Italian team’s worst blunder of the season to come close to denying Mercedes its sixth straight victory, doubly so given Vettel landed himself second place as a result – the team’s best result of the year – after Verstappen earnt himself a penalty for his Bottas clash.

Is there any hope for Ferrari in 2019? The upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, with its long, power-hungry straights, should benefit its class-leading engine – but only the bravest of punters would bet on the hapless Italians besting a Mercedes team swelling in confidence.

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

Mongolia play a friendly match against Phuket City FC.

Phuket beckons Blue Wolves Mongolian national team prepare for World Cup qualifier in Phuket FOOTBALL Steve Wallace

T

he weather forecast for Ulaanbaatur shows a low of 1ºC by the time the Mongolian men’s national football team returns home from their 10-day training camp at Thanyapura Hotel & Sports Resort in Phuket.

In stark contrast to the heat, humidity and sunshine they’ve encountered during their visit to the island, there’s a possibility of overnight snow when they arrive back on home soil.

When he asked if he could bring his team to Thailand to acclimatize, the Mongolian Football Federation agreed to support the meticulous preparations of their German coach, Michael Weiss, who is aiming to lead his team to the next stage of World Cup qualifying for the first time.

In less than a week they face the first step, taking on Brunei over two legs, with the reward a place in the 2022 World Cup Qualifying group

National team training in Phuket. Photo: MFF The Mongolian men’s national football team prepare at Thanyapura Phuket for their World Cup qualifier against Brunei. Photo: MFF stage against the top teams in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

In addition to extended training sessions on the field, the Mongolian national team has been changing their routine off of it, engaging in a range of core, Pilates and yoga classes as well as a demanding schedule in the gym.

“The facilities at Thanyapura are amazing, we have taken advantage of many

highly professionally conducted classes in order to get the players in optimal physical shape. The recreational measures like the spa, sauna and jacuzzi are also top class to help players recover. The accommodation, the excellent athlete oriented food – everything we need for professional training is here on the campus,” said coach Weiss.

To further aid team preparations, two friendly matches

for Mongolia were arranged against Phuket City FC (formally known as Banbueng FC) and Krabi FC in cooperation with Football Head Coach Steve Wallace.

“Despite the ongoing Thai League season, being able to secure matches at short notice against local opposition helped us play under the hot and humid conditions we will soon face in Brunei, conditions that our players are not used to,” said Weiss.

The hosts put on a solid performance to beat the visitors 2-0 in what was a friendly training match where coaches used many substitutes as the Mongolians got accustomed to the tropical climate.

Wallace added, “I’m extremely grateful to Ben Tan at the Football Association of Thailand for his guidance on setting up games and to both Phuket City and Krabi FC for their willingness to play at a busy time of year for them.

“I’d especially like to thank all of the staff at Thanyapura who have worked very hard to assist the Mongolian national team in all facets of

their visit to Phuket. They’re a credit to the organisation and this couldn’t have been done without their support.”

One unexpected bonus from training camp for the Blue Wolves is the speedy recovery of their star striker.

Ganbayar Ganbold, 19, is seen as a hot prospect for the future, having become the first Mongolian player to sign a professional contract in Europe. Getting Ganbold back from a recent hamstring injury and ready for the two matches could potentially be the big difference maker for the Mongolian team. The ability to receive advanced medical treatment in the on-

site Integrated Health Centre has boosted his quest for a quicker than anticipated return to action.

Weiss summarised the trip by saying, “All in all, it has been a fantastic experience and camp in a highly competitive and professional environment.”

Mongolia will play the first leg against Brunei on June 6 in front of a sold out crowd at the MFF Football Centre, before travelling to Brunei for the return fixture.

Phuket City’s next game will be a league match at home on Saturday (Jun 1) against second place North Bangkok University. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

SPORT 31

‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ has regained its place as Liverpool fans’ favoured anthem, especially since the Hillsborough tragedy, according to Tim Marshall, author of a book on football chants. Photo: Paul Ellis

Chanting armies head to Madrid

English football fans’ history of lifting stadiums through song FOOTBALL Pirate Irwin

W

hether Liverpool are winning or losing a minute from time in Saturday’s Champions League final with Tottenham Hotspur, a rendition of their emotive song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” will reverberate round the stadium in Madrid.

It will be competing with their opponents’ anthem “When the Spurs go Marching In”, but according to Tim Marshall, author of “Dirty Northern Bastards, Soft Southern Bastards – The Story of Britain’s Football Chants”, it is the song that originates from the 1945 musical Carousel, not as many believe the 1963 Gerry and the Pacemakers hit, which will have the hairs standing up on the back of many fans’ necks.

“You’ll Never Wal k Alone” is most closely associated with Liverpool – though Celtic fans sing it as well – and has made a comeback among their fans.

“You’ll Never Walk Alone is definitely back at Liverpool,

especially post-Hillsborough,” Marshall told AFP, referring to the 1989 FA Cup semi-final when 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death.

“The lyrics refer to higher noble aspirations and, if you have lost people, it essentially says ‘hope springs eternal in the human heart’.

“You’ll Never Walk Alone is the one of the two anthems that makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck as it’s just that massive identification with the club, that long history.

“The fact scarves and flags go up with it at the same time makes it also a visual thing.”

Spurs’ chant is also sung

by Southampton supporters, re-worded to “When the Saints Go Marching In” – “Leave them to argue over that one,” says Marshall – and is another to cross the Atlantic. “‘The Saints Go Marching In’ dates back to the 1800s with the lyrics about the Apocalypse,” said Marshall.

“It is about saints marching through the gates of heaven and fire and brimstone as the world is destroyed, and claps of thunder.

“The version as we know it dates back to New Orleans jazz; 1920s jazz became very popular here in the 1950s and took hold in football – it is another English football chant that comes from the New Orleans jazz explosion.”

Come what may, though, no matter what the score, spectators inside the Metropolitano stadium and TV viewers will be treated to a singing contest.

“Liverpool fans always begin to sing ‘You'll Never Walk Alone’ a minute before the end of the game,” said Marshall.

“They will sing it in a different vibe depending on whether they are winning or losing. If it is the latter it won’t be mournful, it will be resigned.

“If Liverpool have won, it will be ‘hey world, this is our song’.”

Marshall, formerly foreign editor at Sky News, says while supporters of clubs abroad also sing, it is Britain that sets the standard.

“I think they (British football fans) were the first to sing and then to chant which goes all the way back to the

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1920s,” said the 60-year-old Englishman.

“It came into its prime, though, in the popular culture of the 60s – everyone knew the songs.

“The British not only pioneered it but also are the best at it for the range of songs, chants, imagination and humour, you name it.”

They are a discerning crowd too. Fans of Wolverhampton Wanderers rejected the great English composer Edward Elgar’s tribute to the team, “We’ll Bang the Leather for Goal” – rather ungrateful given that he used to bicycle 48 miles (77 kilometres) from Malvern to watch them play.

Marshall, who cites West Ham’s “Forever Blowing Bubbles” and “Goodnight Irene”, Bristol Rovers’ mournful tune by three-time jailbird Lead Belly about love and suicide as other American songs to have been adopted by supporters, says fans do not think twice about singing along with thousands of others as he does week in week out with Leeds fans.

“That feeling of community and togetherness and identity and tribalism is very

strong” he says.

“It feels ethereal. On really big nights it is tangible, it’s as if you can feel it.

“Ethereal doesn’t create another degree of existence, that would be going too far, but it creates another dimension inside that bowl or stadium which the outside

world has nothing to do with.

“This encased mix of sounds, vision, noises, smell and another thing created by belief, passion, is what hangs in the air and everybody feels it almost telepathically.

“It is special, there is nothing like it.”

AFP

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editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019

Mongolia national team training in Phuket > p30

BARBARIC VICTORY

PAC Barbarians win the 2019 Aussie Bar Phuket Int Rugby 10s RUGBY

Pat Cotter

T

he weather was set fair for this year’s 21st Aussie Bar Phuket International Rugby 10s hosted by the Thanyapura Sports Club amid dire storm warnings which thankfully failed to materialise, contributing to some tremendous rugby being played across all competitions.

As is traditional the weekend kicked off last Friday (May 24) with the Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers over-35s and the One Foot in the Grave over-45s. The tournament kicked off with the Stray Cats from Australia taking on a youthful Hong Kong Bulls side prevailing 15-5.

After some sterling performances the Cats would go on to contest the Plate final last Sunday against a very good San Miguel Wrinkleys side from Singapore, who put them down 29-5.

The KL Tigers, back in force after a couple of years, started slow, falling to the Yangon Dragons 26-0 before picking up steam and defeating the Bulls and Stray Cats to earn a spot in the cup semi-final eventually going down 10-0 to the Phuket Viagrabonds.

Old friends the Old Bangkok Bangers were another team on a roll winning two of their games to make the Cup semi-final beating a spirited Yangon Low Flying Dragons outfit 19-7 to book a final with their old nemesis the Phuket Viagrabonds.

The Sunday final was a hardfought game in front of a large crowd with the result in the balance until the Viagrabonds scored a second try on

full time to clinch it 10-0, becoming the Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers Champions and winning back the Weasel cup from the Bangers.

You would have thought that the One Foot in the Grave over-45s would have been a more sedate affair, but it was far from it. With old rivalries rekindled and new battles to be fought, these old warriors were not settling for a back seat. The Asian Japanese Dragons took on the Moorabbin Rams, who fielded some players who have played in every Phuket Tour which was a fantastic achievement.

Against a sprightly Japanese side they were always second best going down 14-0.

The Dragons went on to complete a clean sweep of the group games to make the final. The Rams bounced back against the Cottesloe Pirates winning 17-12. The Pirates playing good rugby, made mistakes at crucial times and lost their remaining games 17-0 against the KL Tigers and the dragons 10-0 to end the tournament winless.

The Tigers excelled in the warmer afternoon games as limbs and bones eventually warmed up, making the final with wins over the Rams and the Pirates in the group stages and taking out the Rams in the semi-final 10-0.

The Sunday final was a sparkling affair with the quicker dragons buzzing around the park and the Tigers using their bulk and forward prowess to good affect. At the end though the humidity and heat took its toll on the Tigers and the Asian Japanese Dragons were crowned Over-45s Champions, claiming the ACF Cup with a 17-0 victory.

Saturday saw the start of the Open Tournaments kicked off with the expanded ladies division. The form team from day one was the Emirates Firebirds, who topped their group from Phnom Penh Sparkling Rahus and the Vientiane Buffalettes with two wins and a draw.

In Group B defending champions the Bangers Belles were playing second fiddle to Wahine RFC from Japan, who won all their games and finished second in the group ahead of KL Tigers Ladies and Shenzhen Dragons.

Sunday’s Knockouts saw the Firebirds getting a “walkover” the Dragons whilst the Belles put in a fine performance to take out the Buffalettes 17-0 to set up a semis showdown with the Firebirds.

The Rahus booked their place in the semi with a fine 10-5 win over the tigers. Wahine would be their opponents after getting a bye. The Firebirds looked a bit lacklustre in their semi-final and the Belles were coming in hot and took the game with a surprising 27-0 score. They would play the Rahus after their win over Wahine.

The final was an all-out, noholds-barred affair with the Rahus showing some exceptional skill, but in the end the Belles’ experience and big game knowhow won the day as they were crowned Ladies Champions for the second year running with a score of 12-0. Fantastic to see so many ladies teams this year and the competition was a big step up from last year.

The eagerly awaited men’s tournament kicked off with hometown defending champions the Phuket Vagabonds taking on the Vientiane

Buffalos in Group A, beating them and going on to win all their group games against the Groote Eylandt Mudchooks from Australia, Bedok Kings from Singapore and the Pattaya Panthers without losing a point to make the cup quarter finals against the US boys the Yomitan Beach Boys, who came through as best third teams from Group B, comprising East Admiralty, PAC Barbarians, Phnom Penh Sparkling Rahus and the local Thai lads the Old Man Mix. Group C was topped by the SA Scorpions from South Africa followed by the Phuket Vagabond Rabittohs, KL Tigers and The Bangkok Bangers.

The quarter finals were all tough games with the Vagabonds scraping through to the cup semi-final when the Yomitan Beach Boys’ player miscued a kick in the dying seconds to allow the Vagabonds to score the winning try.

The Beach boys got some consolation by winning the Plate, by defeating the Vagabonds Rabittohs by virtue of scoring first in their game. The other Cup quarters saw the SA Scorpions advance to play the Vagabonds squeezing past the Vientiane Buffaloes 14-5. PAC Barbarians beat the Rabittohs and the KL Tigers got a walkover East Admiralty. In the Cup semi the Vagabonds saw off the Scorpions 17-0 and the Barbarians beat KL Tigers.

The final saw the Vagabonds starting strong but they faded in the second half to a very strong PAC Barbarians side coached by rugby legend Justin Barrett and went on to lose 17-0.

Big thanks to Jean Luc and all the refs for a job well done, Jon Prichard for his wit, humour and droll use of the microphone, Jame and all the staff from the Phuket International Hospital, Paul and the staff from ‘Really Good’. Thanyapura Sports Club and their staff and last but not least Bubble Bee and the staff at the bar.

Special Thanks to the Aussie Bar and Athena Siam Limited for all their support over the years.

Cup Winners & 2019 Aussie Bar Phuket International Rugby 10s Champions PAC Barbarians Plate Winners Yomitan Beach Boys Bowl Winners Pattaya Panthers Shield Winners Old Man Mix Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers Vets Champions Phuket Viagrabonds Plate Winners San Miguel Wrinkleys ACF One Foot in the Grave O 45s Vets Champions Asian Japanese Dragons Player of the Tournament Shuaib Bom Samaai (Phuket Vagabonds) Women’s Player of the Tournament Belinda Holloway (Emirates Firebirds) Vets Player of the Tournament Mark Cunningham (KL Tigers) Tour Virgin Beauty Pageant Winners Phuket Vagabonds

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