The Phuket News September 6, 2019

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

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PARIS COURT HANDS DOWN JAIL TERM FOR PHUKET AIR CRASH > PAGE 2

CODE RED

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NEWS

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Norwegian skips court amid Brit killing charge

LIFE

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Earth5R founder shares plan for a greener Phuket Lifeguards assist a tourist who ignored red ‘No Swimming’ flags at Patong Beach on Tuesday last week (Aug 27). Photo: Patong Surf Life Saving

OFFICIALS LOOK TO DRAFT ‘RED FLAG’ LAW AFTER 17 TOURISTS RESCUED AT PATONG ON ONE DAY Tanyaluk Sakoot & Eakkpop Thongtub reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

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huket Vice Governor Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai this week revealed that he will raise the issue with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in Bangkok of having a law drafted so that red “No Swimming” flags can be enforced on Phuket’s beaches.

Speaking after a conference focusing on developing Phuket as a Smart City at the Novotel Phokeetra hotel on Tuesday (Sept 3), Vice Governor Supoj explained, “The Phuket Government has been trying to find ways to

prevent drownings from happening at our beaches, because there is no way to enforce red flags at the beaches under Thai law.

“We will present this issue about red flags to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, to have a law written about the issue.”

Recognition that only posting red flags has little to no effect on preventing tourists from entering the water has been a long time coming, and V/Gov Supoj’s admission came one week after lifeguards at Patong Beach rescued 17 tourists from strong waves and dangerous rip currents at the popular beach last Tuesday (Aug 27).

The tourists rescued comprised four Chinese, one Thai woman, an Arabian man and 11 European tourists, Patong Surf Life Saving Chief Somprasong Sangchart told The Phuket News.

Lifeguards had repeatedly warned the tourists to swim only in the safe zones, Mr Somprasong said.

“Some were pushed out of the zone by strong waves, but others simply ignored our warnings,” he added.

All 17 people rescued did not require hospital treatment. “After we provided assistance, all of them were fine,” Mr Somprasong said.

Lifeguards closed Patong Beach

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

@thephuketnews

to swimmers last Friday (Aug 30) during the height of foul weather, which came amid a national weather warning, as strong wind and rain and powerful waves lashed the coast.

Safe swim zones marked with yellow-red f lags were set up last Saturday, yet Mr Somprasong’s call for beachgoers to obey lifeguards’ warnings and the red flags posted elsewhere along the beach went unheeded, with lifeguards rescuing eight more tourists last Sunday (Sept 1).

Meanwhile, Chinese tourist Yin Lei, 35, from Henan, China, was swept from a rock by a large wave at Freedom Beach, south of Patong...

SPORT

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Phuket hockey players on the fast break

News 2

PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

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Hopsital chief defends call for donations > page 5

French court faults airline

Paris court sentences ex-airline CEO over One-Two-GO air crash The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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French cour t on Tuesday (Sept 3) sentenced the former head of the nowdefunct Thai budget airline OneTwo-GO to four years in jail over the 2007 crash at Phuket International Airport that killed 89 people, nearly two-thirds of them foreigners.

The suit, filed by the families of the nine French victims aboard the flight, claimed that the crash landing on Sept 16, 2007 was “an accident waiting to happen”.

The Paris court found Udom Tantiprasongchai, the former head of One-Two-Go, guilty of voluntary manslaughter and also set a fine of 75,000 euros (B2.518 million), reported AFP. But despite an international warrant for his arrest, Mr Udom has never been detained and did not respond to the French judicial summons, and was tried in absentia.

Phuket’s deadliest air disaster since the opening of Phuket International Airport happened on Sept 16, 2007, when a One-Two-Go aircraft crashed during an attempted go-around after an aborted landing.

A McDonnell Douglas MD-82 with 123 passengers and seven crew members on board was performing a scheduled Bankok-Phuket flight (OG269). The plane was sched-

Workers and officials inspect the site of the crash at Phuket International Airport on Sept 17, 2007, a day after the plane crashed as it tried to land in poor weather, killing 89 people in Thailand’s worst air disaster in a decade. Photo: AFP uled to land at around 3.40pm but shortly before that ground control denied landing due to driving rain and heavy winds and instructed the crew to execute a go-around.

The plane crashed into one of the runway embankments and burst into flames.

A total of 89 of the 130 people on board died at the scene, while

one survivor succumbed to burn injuries later in the hospital. In all, 40 others survived but received various injuries.

The victims’ families accused the airline of trying to cover up a series of failings which led to the crash, including overworked pilots and falsified flight logs.

In its ruling, the court found

evidence of “mistakes” by the pilots but also faulted the airline, saying the crew “did not have the capacity to react correctly… because of their fatigue and stress”.

Among the dead were 33 Thai nationals and 57 foreigners, mainly tourists from Britain, Israel and France.

One of the plaintiffs, Gerard

Bembaron, who lost a brother in the crash, hailed a ruling that “sends a serious warning to airlines with dubious practices, even if they don’t fly in France”.

French courts are allowed to hear cases involving accidents or attacks anywhere in the world if French citizens are victims.

One-Two-GO and its parent company Orient Thai have both ceased to operate since the crash.

Mr Udom stepped down from his position as CEO at Orient Thai Airlines but maintained an active role in the company as Chairman of the Advisory Board.

Mr Udom in 2012 publicly announced that he was in talks with Asean and Chinese entities to create a new budget carrier on a scale that would challenge heavyweight players like AirAsia and Jetstar.

He confirmed he had been in discussions with “a couple” of potential partners located in Southeast Asia and China about the creation of a new airline to launch within a year. An industry source said one of the parties was from Indonesia.

However, the airline failed to launch and Orient Thai ceased flights in July last year, and ceased all operations three months later.

One-Two-GO, the budget subsidiary of Orient Thai, ceased operations in July 2010, just three years after the 2007 disaster.

Officials seek ‘red flag’ law as disaster office stands aside Continued from page 1 …that same evening.

A search was launched last Sunday night, but was forced to be called off due to the heavy weather. The search resumed on Monday.

Mr Yin’s body was finally found in the water near Freedom Beach at 8:28am on Tuesday (Sept 3).

V/Gov Supoj on Tuesday acknowledged that he had been informed of Mr Yin’s death.

He also pointed out that the number of tourists drowning at Freedom Beach may prompt officials to ban swimming at the beach entirely during the dangerous southwest monsoon.

“It’s quite strange that a lot of tourists died around that beach, so we may announce

that swimming anywhere in the area near that beach will be prohibited for safety of tourists,” he said.

“To tourists, please follow lifeguards’ suggestions. Do not swim in areas marked with red flags, or maybe not during the monsoon season at all, no matter how good you are at swimming – because most tourists who have died were confident in their skills at swimming,” V/Gov Supoj added.

DDPM blanks action The dangerous coastal weather struck Phuket after days of repeated warnings by the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) and the national office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

It also followed an express order from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha for officials to take pre-emptive steps to protect people from harm during the onslaught of weather.

That message was reissued by Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda, who also serves as the chief of the national DDPM office.

Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatna also called all relevant officials, including the current DDPM-Phuket acting chief, to a meeting to ensure the message was relayed.

Regardless, DDPM-Phuket acting chief Mongkol Temrat told The Phuket News on Tuesday that lifeguards and protecting tourists from drowning at the beaches was not his office’s responsibility

despite the orders from the highest-ranking officials in the country.

“No, we can’t do it. It is the responsibility of local administrations to find lifeguards with their own budget, not us,” Mr Mongkol said plainly.

Mr Mongkol denied to even comment about the situation at Surin Beach, where no lifeguards are on duty at all (see page 3).

“It is our standard process to share information and support for rescue and search teams. We will support what local administration officials are unable to do,” he said, and yet still maintained that the inability of Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) to provide lifeguards at

A police officer observes as the body of Yin Lei is brought ashore at Freedom Beach. Photo: Supplied Surin Beach was none of his concern.

Incredibly, Mr Mongkol claimed that his office strictly follows orders from his ultimate superiors.

“We follow only the

instructions as received in written orders issued by the DDPM in Bangkok. We hold to what the DDPM in Bangkok writes in the order. We can’t add or change anything in the order,” he said. thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

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MaAnn slammed for no lifeguards

Tourists rescued by local surfer at Surin Beach

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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herng Talay Tambon Administration (OrBorTor) Chief MaAnn Samran on Monday (Sept 2) gave no explanation as to why no red flags were posted on Surin Beach last Sunday while he was already aware that there were no lifeguards on duty during dangerous surf conditions that saw at least two tourists rescued by a local surfer.

Surin Beach, for years already notorious for its dangerous surf during the southwest monsoon from May through October, was especially dangerous last Sunday from the heavy weather that pounded Phuket’s west coast over the weekend.

Waves up to two metres high were dumping on the beach, while deadly rip currents whisked swimmers away from the shore, local surfers and regular beachgoers told The Phuket News.

At about 5pm, a Filipino couple were caught in a rip current, requiring local surfer Danny Hyams to grab a long board and paddle out not once, but twice to rescue the couple one by one.

The Filipino woman was found several hundred metres offshore by the good Samaritan surfer. Witnesses

Swimmers enter the water at Surin Beach without any lifeguards to warn them that the surf is still dangerous, or to rescue them.

INSET: The Filipino woman is rushed to hospital. Photos: Supplied say the woman was in poor condition and she was rushed to hospital by ambulance.

Mr MaAnn told The Phuket News on Monday that he knew about the two tourists needing to be rescued by a local beachgoer, but was unable to give any description of their current physical condition.

He also gave no explanation as to why red flags that had already been posted along the beach had been removed, though he knew

there were no lifeguards on duty.

Instead, Mr MaAnn said he wanted to warn tourists that swimming at Surin Beach is dangerous.

“Please do not go into the water at Surin Beach until there are yellow-red f lags posted on the beach,” he said.

The Phuket News confirmed that on Monday through Wednesday there were no yellow-red “Safe Swim Zone” flags posted anywhere along the beach.

Norwegian fails to appear in court for charge over killing British tourist ROGER BULLMAN, THE 53-YEAR-OLD Norwegian man charged with manslaughter for the killing of British tourist Amitpal Bajaj at a resort in Phuket last month, has had a warrant issued for his arrest after he failed to present himself at Phuket Provincial Court on Monday (Sept 2), Karon Police have confirmed.

However, the officer responsible for the case, Maj Techin Deethongon of the Karon Police, told The Phuket News that he was in contact with Bullman and that he was not worried that the Norwegian will skip bail and flee the island.

“He knew he had to come to court, but he didn’t come because he did not feel safe.

He said was he was being hounded by some media following him who were invading his privacy,” Maj Techin said on Tuesday (Sept 3).

Asked where Bullman is now, Maj Techin declined to answer.

Asked whether he thought Bullman would flee before trial, Maj Techin said, “I don’t think so. He is still around Phuket. His passport is still being held. The Phuket Provincial Court is now the authority responsible for him.”

Bullman was released on bail by the Phuket Provincial Court after he was arraigned, and has been free to roam the island since.

Bullman faces a charge of trespass by an act of violence, which if he is found guilty of will incur a sentence of up to five years in jail or a fine of up to B10,000, or both.

He has also been charged with manslaughter, defined under the Thai Criminal Code as causing the death of a person by inflicting injury upon the body of such person without intent to cause death. @thephuketnews

Norwegian tourist Roger Bullman shows police a wound in his shoulder that he says was sustained in the fight. Photo: Karon Police / file If found guilty of manslaughter, Bullman will face a punishment of three to 15 years imprisonment.

Maj Techin on Tuesday confirmed that the new charge of failing to present himself in court has been added to his docket.

Bullman has admitted to choking Mr Bajaj with a restraint hold amid a fight that started over Bullman making too much noise at his hotel room at the Centara Grand Resort on Aug 21, but maintains that killing Mr Bajaj was accidental.

The Phuket News

“There are red f lags clearly posted along on Surin Beach. Please don’t go into the water with bad weather like this,” Mr MaAnn said.

“Today, I have added (sic) 12 more red flags, which are marked ‘Do Not Swim’ in Thai and English language. I think they are good enough for tourists to understand them,” he added.

The red flags have been posted high, about 1.8 to two metres, Mr MaAnn said.

However, photos provided to The Phuket News showed only plain red flags with no written warnings on them posted on tall sticks planted along the shore.

Mr MaAnn, angered for being questioned, went at lengths to explain that there were no lifeguards on the beach because he had no choice due to decisions made beyond his control.

“There is an internal management issue concerning the Comptroller General’s Department (CGD),” he said.

“The CGD opinion is to agree for LP Laikhum to provide lifeguards on Surin Beach (under a local council project funded) by Cherng Talay OrBorTor. “I have presented the issue to ask the opinion of officials at Phuket Provincial Office (headed by Phuket

Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana), and they agree for LP Laikhum to be hired (to provide lifeguards),” Mr MaAnn said.

“I have sent an official reminder to LP Laikhum to work (sic) at Surin Beach. If they are not ready to work, I will continue to hire the previous lifeguard team,” he added.

“But I must wait for LP Laikhum to reply to me within one week,” Mr MaAnn said.

Mr MaAnn initially agreed to give The Phuket News contact information for “lifeguards”, but did not clarify whether the contact information would be for LP Laikhum or the lifeguards who patrolled the beach last month. Mr MaAnn called back later to retract the offer to allow The Phuket News access to confirm his version of events.

International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA) Marine Safety Officer Daren Jenner noted, “The ISLA condemns the acts of any public official who knowingly or willfully removes lifeguard services when lives are at stake. This incident is much more than a coincidence and should be investigated to the full extent of the law,” Mr Jenner said.

“In this case, it placed the lives of both victims and the humanitarian rescuer at stake,” he added.

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PHUKET NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

PHUKET SEVEN DAY WEATHER FORECAST

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

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Chinese talk ‘Sister City’

Phuket deepens relations with fourth Chinese ‘sister’ The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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he Vice Mayor of Zhanjiang, in Guangdong Province in China, visited the Phuket Governor on Monday (Sept 2) to continue talks of twinning Phuket and the Chinese southwestern Chinese city as “Sister Cities” and developing trade relations, especially in the areas of marine resources, tourism and shipbuilding technology.

Zhanjiang is a prefecturelevel city at the southwestern end of Guangdong province with a population of nearly 7 million people, with 1.6mn living in built-up areas.

In 2007, the city was named among China’s top 10 livable cities by Chinese Cities Brand Value Report, released at the 2007 Beijing Summit of China Cities Forum.

Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana welcomed Zhanjiang Vice Mayor Ou Xianwei and his entourage at the main meeting chamber of

Zhanjiang Vice Mayor Ou Xianwei (left) and Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana exchange gifts at a meeting on Monday (Sept 2). Photo: PR Dept Phuket Provincial Hall.

Governor Phakaphong noted that Phuket and Zhanjiang started building their relationship toward becoming “Sister Cities” with the signing of an agreement on July 18, 2016, in the hope of cooperation and exchange in terms of business, trading, culture, education, tourism and

navigation, among other areas of common interest.

Governors of both “cities” (sic) had since visited each other three times each, Governor Phakaphong explained.

Governor Phakaphong explained that Phuket is “an outstanding tourist destination”.

“The most common purpose of visit is to see clear

water and beautiful beaches,” he added.

“Tourists also pay attention to the variety and uniqueness of multicultural Phuket, which is also one of Unesco’s 18 Creative Cities of Gastronomy, and is the first city in Thailand and Southeast Asia to receive that recognition,” he said.

Governor Phakaphong explained that campaigns to develop Phuket are branded under a “4M” strategy – Marine hub, Medical hub, Manpower development and MICE city – and a “3S” strategy, comprising “Smart city, Sport city and Sustainable development”.

“In accordance with the campaigns, the Phuket Government not only focuses on Phuket being a tourist destination, but also pays much attention to sustainable development,” Gov Phakaphong said.

“Thank you government officers for visiting Phuket again. Zhanjiang is like a friend that we have known for a long time.

“Phuket officials will go

to CMEE 2019 this coming November. I hope every officer enjoys his stay in Phuket,” he added.

In reply, Vice Mayor Ou said, “I am impressed with this warm welcome. I have come to Phuket this time to strengthen our two cities’ connection and want to discuss trade, and investment in three key areas of natural resources, marine products and tourism – as well as in shipbuilding technology, because Zhanjiang has shipbuilding technology for yachts and tour boats, and has a shipbuilding university.”

Mr Ou also invited Phuket officials and private sector representatives to visit Zhanjiang to inspect how business and other activities are conducted there.

Phuket is already twinned with nine other places worldwide: Bali, Nice in France, Port Blair in the Andaman Islands, Las Vegas, the Crimea in Ukraine, Nakhodka in Russia, and Hainan, Yantai and Xiuning in China.

Man gunned down outside kratom house

Firefighters took just 10 minutes to extinguish the fire, which is believed to have been started by an electrical short circuit.

Screengrab: Anit Jenrop / Kusoldham Phuket Foundation

Restaurant scorched in electrical short fire AN ELECTRICAL SHORT circuit is suspected of starting a fire at a closed restaurant in Samkong, on the north side of Phuket Town, last Friday afternoon (Aug 30).

Firefighters were called to the scene, Ja Rerrn Jai B.E 2561 restaurant on Yaowarat Rd Soi 1, just before 3:40pm.

The fire had already been extinguished by the time police arrived, explained, Lt Col Suchart Meelampong of the Phuket City Police.

Firefighters said they had the fire under control in about 10 minutes, he added.

“There were no injures or deaths from the fire, as the restaurant was closed at the time,” Col Suchart said.

“I think the fire might have been caused by an electrical short circuit,” he added.

“There is lot of damage, but it is too early estimate the value of the damage done,” Col Suchart noted.

The Phuket News

POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE street shooting of a man on Koh Siray, on the east side of Phuket Town, late last Wednesday night (Aug 28) and confirmed that paraphernalia for making the notorious kratom-based “4x100” (“four times one hundred”) drug mixture were found in his house.

Lt Col Sakon Krainara of the Phuket City Police was notified of the shooting, in Baan Laem Nga, at 11pm.

Col Sakon, along with Lt Col Rungrit Rattanapakdee and Capt Wetchasak Jun-Adung, arrived at the scene to find Attapon Panyasak, 26, from Satun, on the ground on the road to Laem Nga Beach, about 100 metres from Laem Nga Anusorn Rd. Attapon had a bullet under his skin between the right eyebrow and nose. He also had bullet grazes on his right upper arm and his back.

He was taken to Phuket Provincial Hospital by rescue workers at the scene.

Attapon’s friend Suton Jesa, 26, was found in a state of shock at the scene, police reported.

Suton explained that he was riding back home after doing some shopping with Attapon as his passenger sitting behind.

When the two reached the house, three men were standing near a car parked about 20-30m away, Suton said.

One of the men then opened fire at Attapon, who fell to the ground immediately,

Attapon Panyasak, 26, originally from Satun, receives treatment from Kusoldharm rescue workers at the scene. Photo: Phuket City Police while Suton fled back to his house.

After the men had left, Suton, his girlfriend and Attapon’s girlfriend returned and called the police. The two girlfriends, frightened by what had happened, quickly rode off on their motorbike, Suton added.

Inside Attapon’s house, police found a pot used for boiling kratom juice, a bottle of cough syrup, some residue of kratom leaves, and bottles of cola – the main ingredients for making the “4x100” drug mixture.

Police seized all drug-making paraphernalia and took Suton to Phuket City Police Station for further questioning.

Officers will check CCTV footage in the area to track down the assailants, police reported.

Eakkapop Thongtub thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Call for donations goes under the microscope

PHUKET NEWS

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The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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achira Phuket Hospital Director Dr Chalermpong Sukontapol has gone public to deflect wild comments online over one of its doctors calling for donations in order for the hospital to buy a microscope.

Hospital doctor Boonlert Sripairojkul last week posted on Facebook that the hospital’s microscope – used for microsurgery and neurological procedures – had been used since 2002 and “fixed several times”. He said the microscope no longer worked well, which put doctors under “a lot of pressure” when treating patients.

He later edited his post to say “the microscope had been used for almost 20 years” and posted in Thai “I have to wait for donated money from P’ Toon (Future Minister of Public Health LOL) running in October.”

Dr Boonlert also explained that the hospital needed B18 million to buy the quality of microscope needed.

The “P’Toon” reference was to celebrity Artiwara “Toon” Kongmalai of the popular Thai rock band Bodyslam who will run nearly 300-kilometre run in October to raise funds for five government hospitals in Southern Thailand, including Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town – the leading government hospital on the island.

The dead dolphin was found washed ashore at Rayee Beach, south of Kamala last Thursday morning (Aug 29).

Photo: Niruj Kamala Digital Cable TV

Dolphin found dead near Kamala Beach

Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Dr Chalermpong Sukontapol (left) and former Phuket MP Raywat Areerob face the press last Friday (Aug 30). Photo: PR Dept Dr Chalermpong told a press conference last Friday (Aug 30) that the Ministry of Public Health had approved to provide B10mn to buy a new microscope.

“The microscope cannot be fixed anymore. The ministry has acknowledged the problem, leading to this press conference today, which aims to help us find the funds quickly.

“For more money, the hospital has to find by themselves,” Dr Chalermpong said.

“Vachira Phuket Hospital welcomes patients from four Andaman provinces – Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Ranong – about 2,200-2,400 patients per day… Now our

microscope is broken, so we cannot do [some] operations for our patients, so we urgently have to find some funds to buy a new microscope,” he said.

Joining Dr Chalermpong was Raywat Areerob, former Phuket MP and current Assistant to the Minister of Public Health.

Mr Raywat assured that proper procedures were being followed in the procurement of a new microscope for the hospital.

He also pointed out that Phuket’s resident population far exceeded the number of people registered as living in Phuket – the key factor used in determining government budgets.

Murder suspect arrested after 20 years, caught by traffic stop A MAN WANTED FOR murder committed in broad daylight on Thepkrasattri Rd 20 years ago has been arrested in Satun province, south of Phuket, after he was stopped for driving a car without license plates.

Col Somsak Meesatjanon, Chief of the La-ngu Police, handed over the suspect, 43-year-old Satun native Seree Thong-iab, to Maj Hansuk Sritan and Capt Seree Ong-oad of the Phuket City Police last Thursday (Aug 29), Capt Amnoui Medee of the La-ngu Police confirmed to The Phuket News.

Officers Maj Hansuk and Capt Seree had travelled from Phuket to Satun specifically to collect Seree, and bring him back to face prosecution.

Seree was wanted on Phuket Provincial Court arrest warrant no. 222/2019, issued on Aug 16, 2019, Capt Amnoui explained.

In the arrest warrant, Seree was wanted for premeditated murder, theft and illegal possession of a gun in a crime he allegedly @thephuketnews

Police in La-ngu stand with arrested suspect Seree Thong-iab (holding paper to hide face), 43, in front of the police station. Photo: La-ngu Police committed in Phuket on Aug 16, 1999.

Col Somsak and other officers caught Seree on the La-ngu – Pak Bara Rd, in Moo 6, La-ngu, at 3:40pm on Aug 28, Capt Amnoui explained.

“The suspect was driving a white Toyota Camry without license plates,” he said.

Officers stopped and checked the vehicle, and checked Seree’s identification details through the national crime database, and found that he was wanted for murder, he added.

Police examined the car but did not find anything

illegal, Capt Amnoui noted.

Seree was allegedly involved in a murder in front of a SuperCheap store on Thepkrasattri Rd in Rassada at 1:30pm on Sept 6, 1999, Capt Amnoui explained.

“He had been on the run for 20 years, and this criminal case had only one week left before the statute of limitation for the crime expired,” he said.

Capt Amnoui added that he did not know any other details of the crime.

“We were just made aware of the arrest warrant issued for Seree on Aug 16 this year,” he said.

The Phuket News

OFFICERS FROM T H E Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) were called to Rayee Beach, south of Kamala, last Thursday morning (Aug 29) where a dolphin was found dead, washed ashore with serious injuries to its beak.

Concerns remained for three other dolphins seen swimming close to shore, apparently in weak condition.

Kamala rescue workers were notified by local residents of the dolphins at 8:15am, and in turn called the PMBC. The remains of the fatally injured dolphin have been taken to the PMBC at Cape Panwa, Chief Kongkiat Kittiwatanawong told The Phuket News.

PMBC officers also tried to provide assistance to the three

dolphins swimming near the beach, he said.

The death of the dolphin found washed ashore followed security guards at a beachfront resort further north at Bang Tao finding an Olive Ridley sea turtle struggling in a fishing net on the beach at 6:15pm just three days earlier (Aug 26).

The turtle, which had a wound on its front left flipper, was about 10 years old, and measured about 35 centimetres wide and 50cm long.

The security guards cut the fishing net from the turtle and called the PMBC to collect it.

The security guards also reported finding the dead body of another turtle, and due to its advanced stage of decomposition decided to bury it.

Eakkapop Thongtub

Opinion 6

OPINION

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EDITORIAL

Dying for willful ignorance

huket Vice Governor Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai’s revelation this week that island officials are to ask for a law to be drafted so that red “No Swimming” flags can be enforced to help prevent tourists from drowning at our beaches during the annual southwest monsoon was a real head-turner for a slew of reasons.

First, no new law is needed.

Police, officials and even average citizens are already empowered to prevent a person from endangering themselves. Yet that authority does not extend to lifeguards. Maybe that’s worthy of consideration first.

Further, Mr Supoj thought it “strange” that “a lot of tourists” die at Freedom Beach – a comment noted after the body of Chinese tourist Yin Lei was found on Tuesday (Sept 3) after he was swept from a rock by a large wave there last Sunday.

Mr Supoj was the provincial official tasked with overseeing the body recovery efforts of Filipino tourists Angelo Cortez, 29, and Noah Ibay, 40, in July after they were swept away by strong surf there. As with the death of Mr Yin, their deaths came amid a national weather warning and in both instances there were no lifeguards at the beach at the time they entered the water.

Perhaps by now that should have been brought to Mr Supoj’s attention, but right there might be exactly where the whole problem lies.

Phuket’s leading provincial officials either have no idea what is happening on our beaches, or they do know and just want to avoid taking any responsibility for it – no matter how many times they meet the families of those who died while on holiday here or tell envoys to their faces that

serious steps are being taken for the safety of tourists.

Even Phuket’s provincial DDPM (Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation) officials have ditched any responsibility for keeping people alive at our beaches, instead choosing to dump that liability on local administrations.

That understanding comes despite a direct order from the Prime Minister as well the Minister of Interior and the Governor to take steps to ensure public safety during the weather warning in effect all last week, when Patong lifeguards rescued 17 tourists in one day alone.

And it comes while the same key office responsible for public safety from natural phenomenon knows that there are no lifeguards at Surin Beach.

You couldn’t come up with a better definition of culpability if you tried.

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Phuket in for a stormy weekend Phuket Immigration explain TM30 and TM28 requirements for reporting foreigners Patong Beach closed as heavy weather slams west coast Typhoon Podul fallout to drench large parts of the country Phuket Opinion: TM30 storm in a teacup Patong beachfront road open to traffic until Monday Search launched for Chinese tourist swept away by large wave south of Patong Patong lifeguards rescue 17 tourists in one day Patong Beach re-opens with ‘safe zones’, dangerous surf warning remains

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY Enough is enough

Re: MaAnn slammed for no lifeguards at Surin Beach, tourists rescued by local surfer Is it not possible to transfer Mr MaAnn to a small inland village were he can do no harm by his passiveness in beach and environment matters? His village head network in Cherng Talay and around it seems not to work in these matters. When will the government look into this dysfunctional being?

Kurt This should be the last straw for Mr MaAnn. At best, his inaction represents dereliction of duty; at worst, criminal negligence of a public official.

The people throughout his jurisdiction deserve better, and most have had enough of his ongoing disregard for public safety, the environment and for quality of life in general.

Time for the Governor to step up for a change and do something.

BenPendejo The man is an absolute disgrace and [shows] no contrition whatsoever when things bite him in the backside. It’s always “bigger boys did it” or

“not my responsibility” or “I must wait for…” Nothing in it for him I guess so he’s not interested.

Fascinated

Floating ideas

Re: Phuket officials look to draft ‘red flag’ law to prevent tourist beach drownings Yada yada. If they really cared, summertime tourism would not be promoted, and the Ministry of Tourism’s sites would warn that beaches are deadly during monsoon season.

Christy Sweet Let us hope a strong lifeguard association is formed.

Phuket lifeguards deserve better than the present situation.

More funding, better pay, honest government support. These lifeguards are too important to society to be neglected the way they have been.

Arcadia HK But the question is: who decides what’s dangerous?

For non-swimmers, all water is dangerous. But for surfers, windsurfers and good swimmers, surf is good fun. By

saying “no swimming on the beaches”, it will force people off them and onto rocky, more dangerous areas. The way to do it is to say “swim in the safe areas with lifeguard cover. If you swim outside this and need rescuing and medical treatment you will be charged for the rescue”. B100,000 for risking the lifeguards’ lives and taking them away from the areas they are meant to be watching plus all medical bills on top. If you can’t get through to their heads, then get in through their wallets. Stopping people using the beaches full stop will just kill tourism dead.

Simon Lomas There needs to be signs explaining what red f lags mean. Most tourists who don’t spend much time at beaches won’t know what they mean, just as I didn’t at first.

Keilah Martin

No show

Re: Norwegian fails to appear in court for charge over killing British tourist He killed a person and is out on bail? Probably on the run and will surrender himself to the Norwegian or British

authorities to avoid Thai prison!

Juergen Schenker I imagine one of the conditions of his bail is that he reports to the police and also attends court dates. Take away the bail… stegee I really feel bad for him because those darkest hours of intoxication ruined or damage two families. One two-year-old boy lost his father, and Bullman’s nine-year-old daughter won’t be seeing her father for few years (if he’s imprisoned).

An innocent person died and the consequences are faced by both families.

Harry Narula

Baht for boy racers

Re: Cash for road race tipoffs How will these arrests work out? A B500 fine or so? If that is it, the youth will laugh about it. Only confiscating/scrapping the motorbikes will impress.

Kurt Can we tip them off about the commuter vans and taxi drivers?

Alan Stephen

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

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

THAILAND NEWS

7

Man hurt after burning his own house to ground NAKHON PHANOM

Bomb squad officers check the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road after one of two bombs went off on Aug 2. Photo: Bangkok Post

Bomb-maker suspect, two others, arrested BANGKOK Bangkok Post

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uthorities have arrested the suspected bomb-maker responsible for the explosives used in a series of blasts in Bangkok last month as the city hosted a major regional summit, police said on Tuesday (Sept 3).

Four people were wounded when six small bombs and six incendiary devices went off on Aug 2 as Southeast Asian foreign ministers met at the summit attended by senior diplomats from world powers including China

and the United States.

The suspected bomb-maker has been charged with organised crime, arson, causing explosion and illegal possession of explosives, police said.

Authorities arrested two men on the same day and have issued arrest warrants for 11 others who are still at large.

Police said all the suspects are from the country’s Malay-Muslimdominated southernmost provinces where an insurgency has killed nearly 7,000 people since 2004.

“We have issued warrants and know who they are but many have fled the country,” Deputy Prime Minister

A man walks past a scene where a bomb went off near Chong Nonsi BTS station in Bangkok on Aug 2.

Photo: Bangkok Post Prawit Wongsuwon told reporters.

The police have said that the coordinated attacks could also be linked to political issues.

Hemp now off controlled substances list BANGKOK THE PUBLIC HEALTH Ministry has removed the seeds and oils extracted from some marijuana plants from the list of controlled substances under Category 5 of the Narcotics Act. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he believes the country’s economy will benefit from the new ministerial regulation, which would effectively allow the use of hemp oil and seeds as ingredients in locally made drugs, food and cosmetics products.

Hemp is def ined by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) as a Cannabis sativa L plant which contains no more than 0.5% of THC by weight in its flowers and stems, and no more than 0.3% of THC by weight in its seeds.

According to the regulation, only hemp extracts that contain a ratio of cannabidiol (CBD) to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) not exceeding 0.01% to 0.2% by weight can be used in drugs and herbal products. @thephuketnews

Cannabis oil for medical treatment is displayed at a herbal fair. Photo: Bangkok Post The regulation also sanctions the use of dried hemp bark, stems, fibres and seeds in traditional medicine, food and cosmetics preparations.

CBD is one of the active ingredients in hemp plants that are believed to have medicinal properties, while THC is the ingredient responsible for the plant’s psychoactive effects.

The regulation said such products must be classified as drugs or herbal products under related laws and must be used only for these purposes.

In the first five years beginning on Aug 27, 2019, only local licenced producers will be allowed to use parts of the plant in their products.

Recently, the ministry

granted permission to the Highland Research and Development Institute to grow local hemp strains in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Tak and Phetchabun provinces.

Hemp strains found in these provinces are known for their high-quality fibres, which make them suitable for use in the textile industry.

Meanwhile, Tares Krassanairawiwong, secretarygeneral of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said the FDA is amending its regulations to allow companies to grow hemp as a cash crop, before adding that the agency is also working towards issuing new rules on foods and cosmetics that contain CBD. Bangkok Post

A MAN BELIEVED TO BE high on drugs was badly burned after setting fire to his own house in Na Kae district last Sunday morning (Sept 1), police said.

Pol Lt Col Sangwian Sriyos, the Na Kae police chief, said firefighters from Nong Sang and Na Kae tambon administration organisations (TAOs) were dispatched to the two-storey house at Kham Mek village in tambon Nong Sang after being informed of the fire, which broke out at about 2.30am.

When the firefighters arrived, the wooden house was already in flames.

While spraying water to douse the fire, the firefighters found a man suffering from severe burns and lying unconscious on the ground floor out of the house.

The man was later identified as Khunthueng Nuengkhammee, 48, the owner of the house.

The firefighters were able to put out the fire in about 30 minutes.

Police learned from an initial investigation that Mr Khunthueng had been addicted to alcohol and drugs. It was believed he set fire

Local residents watch a house fire set by its owner in Na Kae district in Nakhon Phanom last Sunday (Sept 1). Photo: Bangkok Post to his own house after getting high on drugs, since he had tried many times before to burn the house but the neighbours managed to put out the fires.

This time, the neighbours were not able to stop the fire in time as it happened late at night.

Banchi Namket, 54, an elder sister of Mr Khunthueng, said her brother is the last of the family’s six children. A few years ago, Mr Khunthueng, who was unmarried, had a motorcycle accident and became disabled. After that he became addicted to alcohol and drugs. He was taken to hospital many times for rehabilitation, but to no avail.

Mr Khunthueng has been detained by police for legal action.

Bangkok Post

THAILAND NEWS

8

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Rights activist Billy was killed PETCHABURI

Bangkok Post

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he Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is identifying suspects after concluding that missing Karen rights activist Porlajee “Billy” Rakchongcharoen was murdered, following the discovery of a burnt piece of his skull in the reservoir of Kaeng Krachan Dam in Phetchaburi province.

DSI chiefs on Tuesday (Sept 3) announced their investigation findings about the disappearance of Porlajee, 30, in April 2014. He had earlier led a fight against the eviction of Karen people from Kaeng Krachan National Park and helped relatives sue officials for the destruction of their homes there.

The department’s deputy directorgeneral, Korrawat Panprapakorn, said DSI detectives and officials from other organisations had joined the investigation to find evidence related to the disappearance.

On April 26 and May 22-24, a sonar-equipped underwater drone of King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok was used together with divers from the Border Patrol Police to comb specific locations at the bottom of the reservoir under a rope bridge.

They found an oil barrel, its lid, two steel rods, a burnt piece of

A portrait of missing Karen activist Porlajee ‘Billy’ Rakchongcharoen is displayed at an event held in Kaeng Krachan district, Phetchaburi province, in 2017. Photo: Bangkok Post wood, and two bone fragments. The Justice Ministry’s Central Institute of Forensic Science found that one of the fragments was a piece of a human skull. It was found to be burned, cracked and shrunk due to exposure to extremely high temperatures of 200-300 degrees Celsius.

As the genetic traces of the bone matched that of Porlajee’s mother, the DSI concluded that it belonged to Porlajee, Pol Lt Col Korrawat said.

“Even though the DSI has concluded that Billy was killed, it did not know how he was killed. The DSI was convinced that the body was burned to conceal the crime,” he said.

Divers re-examined the scene on Aug 28-30 and found 20 more bone fragments, eight of which were identified as human. The DSI concluded that the crime was a torture murder, Pol Lt Gen Korrawat said, adding that investigators have some clues about the identity of the suspects.

Porlajee was last seen on April 17, 2014 in the custody of state officials. At the time of his arrest, he was helping his relatives, a group of ethnic Karen, to sue Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, the former chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park, for setting fire to their bamboo huts and rice barns during a series of forest evictions.

DSI Deputy Director Korawat Panpraphakorn points at the picture of the oil barrel found under a suspension bridge at the reservoir of the Kaeng Krachan Dam. Photo: Bangkok Post Mr Chaiwat later claimed Porlajee was arrested for collecting wild honey, but was released after a warning.

Mr Chaiwat and his team faced a murder charge related to Porlajee’s disappearance but were eventually acquitted due to a lack of evidence.

On June 28 of last year, the DSI accepted the case for a special probe.

However, since some state officials were implicated in the case, the DSI had to send its investigation report to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for another probe.

In December last year after finishing its inquiry, the NACC returned the case to the DSI, according to DSI

director-general Paisit Wongmuang.

The investigation covers two issues. The first involves Kaeng Krachan National Park officials who are facing a charge of dereliction of duty in failing to hand Porlajee over to police for a probe in connection with the charge of collecting of wild honey. The second involves the disappearance of Porlajee, according to Pol Col Paisit.

The DSI chief also said that Porlajee’s wife and mother have now been placed under the witness protection programme and that the case has been changed from a missing persons case to an investigation into a murder and the hiding of a corpse.

Local polls likely ‘early next year’ THAILAND LOCAL ELECTIONS WILL likely be held early next year to fill the approximately 100,000 positions left vacant after the May 22, 2014 military coup, Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paojinda said on Tuesday (Sept 3).

He was responding to calls for elections to elect local leaders including the Bangkok governor, presidents of provincial administrative organisations and members of tambon administrative organisations.

Early next year should be the right time, as state agencies responsible for organising local elections will be ready by then, he said.

The interior minister said he disagreed with calls for a new committee to be set up to study the possibility of establishing a specific ministry to direct local administrative organisations with the aim of preventing them from being manipulated politically.

Gen Anupong explained that local administrative organisations are structurally designed to function as independent entities free of manipulation.

Former Metropolitan Police chief Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Thoopkrachang reacts after his decision to contest an election in Pathum Than in August. Photo: Bangkok Post “This isn’t something to be worried about at all,” he said.

Responding to the likelihood of local polls taking place early next year as suggested

by Gen Anupong, some politicians foresaw no problem with the issue.

Bunloet Buranapakon, president of the Chiang Mai provincial administrative organisation, said the proposed timing should not pose a problem since politicians have waited for years for the polls and are prepared for them.

It would be better to hold the elections when everything was ready than to rush them only to run into problems,

he said.

He noted that voters and major political parties appeared enthusiastic about the prospect of local elections taking place in the months ahead.

Rohim Nuandam, mayor of tambon Khwan Sao Thong municipality in Tamot district, Phatthalung province, agreed that many voters were looking forward to the local elections.

He said he expected a high turnout in the local polls.

The previous election covering the tambon municipality saw a 70% turnout, he said, adding that turnout for the next local poll could top 80%.

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

BUSINESS NEWS

9

Thanyapura expands into China WELLNESS

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

hanyapura World, the Singapore-based holding company for the Thanyapura Health and Sports Resort brand, has announced its entry into the Chinese market with the signing of its newest resort, Sanya Thanyapura Health and Sports Resort, in Sanya, Hainan Province.

The property is Thanyapura’s first branded resort in China, and the company expects other management agreements to follow as property developers around the world look for new, experiencedriven concepts that inspire guests to optimise their lives, noted a release announcing the launch.

“To that end, Thanyapura World offers a model that combines resort living with sports, lifestyle medicine and wellness.

The company believes its ‘active wellness’ model meets the needs of developers and visitors that want more than just a hotel with a wellness centre,” the release said.

“This is a very exciting

The Sanya resort plan.

Philipp Graf von Hardenberg, President and CEO of Thanyapura. moment for the entire team of Thanyapura Phuket. We have worked hard over the past years to develop a resort concept, which caters to the wishes and needs of travellers and patients in the 21st century,” said Philipp Graf von Hardenberg, President and CEO of Thanyapura.

“Sanya is China’s most popular resort destination and in many aspects comparable to Phuket,” he added.

The Sanya Thanyapura Sports and Health Resort sits on approximately 58 hectares

centrally located between Yalong and Haitang Bay, and will be designed by Dallasbased architectural firm, HKS, known for its cutting edge sports stadiums, hotels and healthcare facilities.

The new property will offer 585 hotel rooms, condominiums and villas, world-class sports facilities featuring, swimming, running, tennis, cycling, soccer and multi-sport fitness; a lifestyle medicine clinic focusing on chronic disease reversal programmes;

Sadao to open second checkpoint TRADE S A DAO, H O M E T O Thailand’s largest crossborder trading location, is building a second checkpoint.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit recently led an inspection of the new checkpoint, along with Deputy Interior Minister Niphon Boonyamanee and Deputy Transport Minister Thaworn Senniam.

Joining the site inspection were the Songkhla provincial governor and officials of the southern border administrative center.

The construction of the checkpoint is 95% complete and is expected to open by the end of this year.

The value of cross-border trade between Thailand and Malaysia amounted to about B803 billion last year and B387.41bn in the first half of this year.

Of the total, up to 70% passed through the Sadao customs checkpoint.

Thailand currently has nine customs checkpoints @thephuketnews

Deputy PM and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit heads a meeting about the checkpoint. Photo: NNT along the southern border with Malaysia, with Sadao checkpoint handling the highest value of imported and exported goods.

The Sadao customs checkpoint is viewed by authorities as a strategic economic gateway which is efficiently providing import and export services and continues to expand.

The Sadao checkpoint is a main gateway for tourists from Malaysia visiting key areas in Southern Thailand, including Hat Yai. According to the latest statistics reported by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS), 314,981 Malaysian nationals visited Thailand in July this year,

up 6.78% on 294,981 in July last year.

Visitors from Malaysia in July this year also spent an estimated B8.203bn, up 6.27% on B7.72bn spent in July 2018, the statistics noted.

From January through July this year, a total of 2,245,008 Malaysians visited Thailand, an increase of 8.47% on the 2,069,797 during the same period last year.

Malaysian visitors to Thailand from Januar y through July 2019 spent B57.056bn, the MoTS reported, showing an increase of 10.58% on the B51.598bn spent during the same period last year.

NNT / The Phuket News

wellness centre; a membersonly leisure club; multipurpose function rooms, as well as food and beverage, art and retail outlets.

Thanyapura’s flagship resort located in Phuket, Thailand, is recognised as a leading sport, health and wellness destination, attracting top athletes including Maria Sharapova, Jenson Button, two-time Ironman world champion Patrick Langer, and national swim teams from around the world. Thanyapura Phuket is the only officially

Attendees at the Sanya Sports and Health Tourism Forum. registered FINA training centre in Asia and through its scholarship program trains swimmers from many countries to prepare them for world championships and Olympic Games.

“We are on the cusp of something very big,” said Hardenberg. “We offer something very unique in the international hospitality market that others cannot easily replicate.

“China is a massive market with unlimited potential, and we are entering at the right time in the right location and

with right partners with whom we are now exploring further resort locations in the country.

Thanyapura Resorts support local government’s ambitions to become magnet destinations for sports and health tourism.”

Thanyapura World is working closely with developers, local governments and health promotion boards throughout Asia to build healthy holiday destinations that offer an escape from the city and access to sports facilities and wellness programmes.

10 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

New challenges, new methods

Sales expert reveals new way of doing business in new world we must also focus very hard to control our urges and not talk as much, rather to listen.

Empathy should also be used when presenting our products or services by using the FAB approach. Always say F (Feature or Fact) about your product, then describe it using A (Adjectives) followed by highlighting the B (Benefit) or “what’s in it” for the client. This approach morphs the way sales people talk from feature dumping or simply stating what they have to always being about the client and what our product and service can do for them and their business needs.

At the end of the day, selling is essential, all businesses are in it to win it and even non-profit or charities must sell. If their brand ambassadors or client advisors (as I don’t want to call them sales people anymore) follow the two foundations of Information & Empathy then they stand a much higher chance of success.

Best of all, none of this is rocket science, its easy, simple and can come naturally if we just align our mindset to it.

SALES Tareq Bagaeen

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nternational sales expert Tareq Bagaeen, Founder and CEO of Aqedina Hospitality Sales Excellence and also a hotelier with over two decades of extensive experience in international sales, was the guest speaker at the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) Multi-Chambers Phuket Briefing & Networking event at the Banyan Tree Phuket resort last Friday (Aug 30).

In a special missive provided to The Phuket News, Mr Bagaeen explains here his message at the event: The profession of selling is as old as time. For all of us, it starts off in our youth where we try and convince our parents to give us what we desire, that is selling at its most basic form.

In today’s business environment, however, selling has developed and it’s becoming harder and harder as the days go by. This is driven by a few factors: 1. Clients are becoming smarter with huge access to knowledge and as such becoming more difficult to deal with, are now stronger negotiators and more demanding.

2. The market, whatever you are selling, is brimming with choice. In Phuket for example, if you are selling a five-star pool villa resort, you have dozens of competitors which puts a further strain on sales people to differentiate themselves when doing this for their product becomes neigh on impossible.

3. With so many businesses, there are large numbers of sales people running around and being pushed by aggressive targets, which decays their mindset and turns them

Tareeq at the BCCT event last Friday (Aug 30). Photos: BCCT

Engagement is essential. into result-hungry, aggressive and selfish business people.

As such, sales people are not well-liked or trusted anymore.

So, is it all doom and gloom or is there a solution?

Luckily, there is and its simpler than you think…

Sales people should adjust their mindset and align it with the two most powerful concepts to make them

As is Empathy. successful: Information & Empathy.

When applied, these two words can have a dramatic effect on how sales people are perceived, welcomed, respected and trusted.

Information Our world is overflowing with knowledge and that’s great, but because in most industries

sales people are pushed with minimum numbers of sales calls or client interactions, they tend to jump on the phone, on their email or their car and rush through their day meeting clients with little or no preparation.

By doing this, they will have no hope but to seem like regular sales people whose main aim is to get something from the client as they talk about irrelevant small talk to break the ice and then go in for the kill.

If a sales person would take five to 10 minutes to prepare for meetings to uncover useful information about their prospect or even existing client, that would give them a higher level of confidence and showcase to the client that they are prepared, which in turn shows respect for their time and the meeting and will also assist the sales person to navigate their way through the business interaction as they roughly know the clients’ business, needs, divisions, projects and so on.

A little information can go a very long way and what’s amazing is that all it takes is a few minutes and the use of your phone, which is easy and convenient.

Empathy The definition of insanity is: Doing the same thing and expecting a different result.

Well, if we have been selling the same way forever and not factoring in that our clients have changed, then we are setting ourselves up for failure. Clients don’t need us to talk about our products as much anymore, they know and if they don’t, they can find out on their own.

The concept of empathy is to basically put ourselves in our client’s shoes; to fully understand their needs and situation and this can only happen by NOT SELLING; rather using powerful questions to thoroughly qualify the account and again, understand their needs to see how we can meet or exceed them.

Alongside asking questions,

Tareeq Bagaeen is a hotelier down to each fibre of his being and a true globally oriented commercial leader. He thrives through client interactions and striking sound business deals. Throughout his career, he has held sales and marketing responsibilities whether on property or from a regional directive covering dozens of hotels and his journey has taken him to lead teams and handle clients in over 100 countries; giving him a pragmatic approach to varied cultures, economic up or downturns, monopolized or aggressively competitive market places and pushing out brands from the budget range right up to the highest spectrums of luxury.

Throughout his commercial excellence journey, he has trained senior associates from Rosewood Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, Kerzner International, Rotana, Mövenpick Hotels, Accor and W Hotels to name a few.

He has also conducted sales programs for financial institutions, the insurance industry, real estate development firms, as well as travel management firms. His philosophy is that no two people are alike, no two business units or their mother companies; as such, every single learning cycle that he has conducted is unique. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Sumptuous Saturday brunch at The Surin

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

12

Why do countries move their capitals?

15

INDIA’S GREEN MAN In conversation with accidental environmentalist Saurabh Gupta

these risks, but because of the smaller land area on islands, the chain of nature is more closely connected, and even tiny changes can have a big impact.”

Amy Bryant editor1@classactmedia.co.th

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n 2012, Saurabh Gupta was caught up in the corporate rat race of Mumbai, the beating heart of India’s finance and commerce sector. He was working hard, drinking harder and living for the weekend. A photo of him – pitcher in hand and a faraway look in his eyes – punched up on the screen behind him as he delivers a TEDx talk in Paris, attests to this.

The Saurabh in front of the screen, however, bears almost no resemblance.

Some seven years later, he’s the vibrant and athletic head of Earth5R, one of the world’s largest citizen-led sustainability movements. Over 35,000 volunteers in 25 countries are using the movement’s Action, Collaboration and Transformation (ACT) model – built on the five Rs of Respect, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Restore – to lift entire communities out of poverty and repair degraded and damaged ecosystems, to great success.

The Asia Pacific Environmental Network Thailand/Australia (APEN) is enlisting Saurabh’s and Earth5R’s help to build a sustainable Phuket, starting with Koh Siray, the poorest area of the island. Ahead of APEN’s strategic planning forum on September 4, Saurabh took the time to speak to The Phuket News about his journey from desk jockey to eco-warrior and his visions for our island’s green future.

Tell us how you became, in your words, an “accidental environmentalist” “I think everyone becomes an accidental environmentalist at some point.

If you don’t think so, it’s just because you haven’t had that moment yet! For me, it was after I quit my corporate job in 2012 and started cycling. I cycled over 50,000 kilometres in two years across Africa, Europe and Asia, and my health and mindset changed completely.

“I reconnected with my time growing up in the Himalayas. It was a real community and we lived in harmony with nature. Fishermen traded fish for fruit and so on, and no one bought anything.

But I lost that connection when I moved to the city. I realised I wanted to live meaningfully and work with and for the Earth, so I set up Earth5R in 2014.”

How did you build up Earth5R? “The founding idea has always been very simple: every citizen must take care of three kilometres around their house (which is the size of my home village). You don’t have to give your life @thephuketnews

What are your impressions of Phuket?

“I’m impressed by its biodiversity.

Community engagement is good too, with a lot of people eating at local, independent restaurants. I saw beautiful things that the residents of Koh Siray are doing already. They’re catching and conserving rainwater for cleaning, showering and so on, and it was great to see the local school composting. It sets a great example.

“But I can see that Phuket has a very challenging situation. There’s an insane amount of plastic, compostable waste is going to landfill when it needs to go back to the soil, recyclable waste is being incinerated, the jungle is being cleared for building… The demands of tourism to have everything quickly means the balanced and interdependent ecosystem is breaking down.

“A major shift towards ecotourism is essential for long-term change. It would be interesting to look at solar energy on the island too.”

Eco-warrior Saurabh Gupta.

Saurabh teaches composting in a Mumbai slum.

Waste management on Koh Siray is key. up or go out of the way. You just have to look after your area. It’s a personal, civil responsibility. It’s our waste and we can’t just blame the government because we pay taxes.

“We started with Mumbai where we created zero-waste slums. We help build formal waste management systems and teach families to use their food waste as compost to grow plants on their rooftops which we then buy from them. We also collect offcuts from garment factories so they can make clothes and items to sell.

These people are artists and entrepreneurs, and they’ve created livelihoods by using what’s around them.

“From steps like these, entire social change started to happen.”

What has been your career highlight?

“Earth 5R was one of five environmental projects selected from across the world to present at the Paris Peace

Forum 2018. We met Vladimir Putin, Angela Merkel, Justin Trudeau, Emmanuel Macron, Carlos Alvarado… It was an out-of-this-world experience.

President Carlos Alvarado invited us to Costa Rica afterwards and now we’re running a project there.”

You’ve been working with a lot of islands too. Ibiza, Malta, Hawaii, Fiji...

“We have a special focus on islands – or countries with island-like biodiversity – and we realise that they need to be treated differently to the mainland.

They’re fragile ecosystems that come under enormous pressure from tourism and demand for their resources.

“We see more species arriving that don’t belong to that ecosystem, we see more species lost that do belong and we see more topsoil erosion, meaning the ground cannot support tree growth.

On the mainland, it’s easier to mitigate

What will Earth5R’s ACT Phuket project do to tackle these issues?

“Continue to improve waste management so that food waste returns to the soil as compost, and recyclable waste is, well, recycled. We want to look at green jobs and entrepreneurship from waste.

Even the shells on the ground [on Koh Siray] I see as coins thrown away. They could be processed by industry for their calcium and phosphorous.

“Social integration is one of the major focuses of ACT so we can learn from each other and preserve culture.

We’ll be working with residents and local partners APEN, SEEK Phuket, the government of Thailand, Phuket Hotels Association and Prince of Songkla University. We’ll host hackathons with local businesses to brainstorm sustainable solutions to systemic problems.

These have been hugely successful in the past and real-world solutions have been implemented from them.

“I come from India so I don’t intend to be a permanent part of a project that’s in Thailand. [Earth5R] will be a spark. I want the local people to run it, otherwise it’s someone else’s programme. They must own it.”

For more information, visit earth5r.org.

To watch Saurabh’s talks, search ‘Saurabh Gupta’ in the ‘TEDx Talks’ YouTube channel.

12 DINING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Brunch is served at the Beach restaurant, an intimate oceanside space with stunning views.

Saturdays at The Surin Beachside brunch with a focus on quality and sophistication THE CULINARY DETECTIVE Chris Watson chriswatsonth@gmail.com

W

e are all aware of the plethora of island brunch offerings available as both hotels and restaurants exhibit their best efforts to strenuously provide us with activities to excite whilst also maximising their revenue opportunities, particularly through this challenging season. However, most will tell you, if asked, that brunch is in general what we call in the trade a loss leader. It is largely there to generate PR and exposure to entice visiting holidaymakers to perhaps stay with them next year whilst also to generate a semblance of loyalty from us demanding Phuket residents.

Traditionally, brunch is served up on a Sunday and is, as the name indicates, a meal between breakfast and lunch, combining both breakfast egg-based plates and slightly more substantial lunch dishes.

The offerings have evolved over time, as has diner expectation, from eggs benedict and pancakes to foie gras, lobster and wagyu beef, and refreshment-wise from a glass of bubbles to the dreaded “free flow”, a restaurateur’s nightmare. It would be appropriate for me to comment at this point that the occasion of brunch has also morphed into an event at which one must consume as much as possible, both food and drink (preferably high-end), within what is an incredibly short window of opportunity.

So when the somewhat debonair general manager of The Surin, Claude, invited me for brunch, if I am truly honest, I was far from excited. Yet another mundane buffet with in excess of a hundred other diners, queuing for a slice of roast beef which had been cooked the day before and/or an equally lengthy line awaiting their choice of fried/poached/scrambled. The first indication that this would be far from the reality came when he said, “We only host brunch once a month, and on a Saturday.” Really? I was intrigued…

Arriving at The Surin, I make my way to the Beach restaurant, a cool pavilion sitting oceanside with stunning views. Seated and on surveying the environs, I notice that the space is quite intimate, and on asking Manuel, the hotel manager, he informs me that numbers are limited to 50 diners. This ensures a desired genteel atmosphere of calm exclusivity.

The focus here is definitely quality over quantity.

I experience a neat touch; whilst enjoying the cool music provided by a DJ and considering arising from the table at which I have just sat down, a smartly attired and effusive staff member presents me with an array of delectable morsels to begin my gastro

French oysters on ice. experience and whet my appetite. Clever idea Khun Claude! The same charming staff member also shares with me a short menu from which, in addition to the quite extensive buffet, I may choose appetisers, mains and desserts which are prepared “à la minute” and brought to your table. In fact, for the monthly changing offerings, including oysters, Saint Jacques, homemade ravioli and a decadent pan-seared foie gras with local figs, I may remain seated!

Having determined that in the interests of our readers I should visit the buffet, I am accompanied

by Executive Chef Alberto who walks me through the live cooking stations where he indicates both Western and Thai specialties. A regular feature of the brunch menu is the signature surf and turf which consists of tender New Zealand lamb chops with Atlantic lobster and a velvety béarnaise sauce. Another house special, which by request will never be removed from the menu, is an unctuously sticky double-braised Black Angus beef cheek with mashed potato. Alberto also believes in surprising the diner with new dishes in addition to those that remain; examples would be Patagonian king prawns in a soon-to-feature risotto, a tasty lamb gigot and a pork fillet samunprai. Good reasons to return; my kind of food!

Ordering several dishes from the menu whilst occasionally visiting the buffet is, for me, an ideal combination. Enjoying the setting, occasionally interspersed with very brief exercise as I wander, requesting a further few slices of hand-carved meltin-the-mouth pata negra – absolutely perfect!

Stand-out dishes for me are the earthy truffle risotto, a yellow curry of local grouper and a stellar Black Angus Tomahawk with morel mushrooms surrounded with ribbons of rich meat jus. To finish, there is a tempting selection of cheeses, or alternatively there is always a hot dessert prepared and brought to you at table; classics such as cherries jubilee or crêpes suzette accompanied by your choice of homemade ice creams. Too many options to mention.

Classic desserts to top off brunch.

Executive Chef Alberto in action.

I depart the restaurant and head to reception, comfortably replete and rethinking my perception of brunch. This is a clever concept, flying in the face of what we all expect from brunch: quality products, freshly prepared and served up in a truly relaxed and intimate club-like ambience by friendly and efficient staff. I am slightly reluctant to share the price of food, as at B2,600 ++ it is incredibly good value. I fear in the rush to book for next month I may not get a table. Claude?

The Surin offers brunch monthly on a Saturday from 12-3pm on the following dates: September 28, October 19 and November 16. Reservations essential. +66 (0) 76 316 400 beachrestaurant@thesurinphuket.com www.thesurinphuket.com Chris is a former Michelin Guide Inspector who, following an international career in hospitality spanning 30 years in both the Middle East and Asia, has now settled in Thailand and contributes a monthly restaurant column. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

HEALTH 13

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Where there’s smoke

Despite the continued ban on e-cigarettes, usage in Thailand is going up

F

Arusa Pisuthipan

ollowing the government’s announcement last month that the ban on e-cigarettes would stay in place, the public debate on vaping has once again been brought to the fore.

Even though e-cigarettes are illegal in Thailand, the market has seen huge growth in recent years, according to pulmonologist Dr Suwannapa Pakotiprapa, citing statistics collected by a Kasetsart University lecturer.

“Thailand’s e-cigarette market has grown by leaps and bounds during the past three years. The year-toyear growth rate is around 100%. The overall value of the e-cigarette market in Thailand is B3-6 billion, but it’s only 5% of the entire tobacco industry,” Dr Suwannapa explained.

An important factor contributing to the rapid market growth, she says, is social media, which has acted as a strong driver for the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes, especially over the last five years.

What’s most worrying is the fact that e-cigarettes are much more popular among the younger generation. Dr Suwannapa cited a 2017 report by the Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Centre which surveyed high school and university students in Thailand. From around 2,000 subjects, around 30% of high-schoolers said that they had used e-cigarettes at least once. The situation was worse among university students, where 60% were reported to have vaped.

“A large number of students have access to e-cigarettes and this is dangerous,” Dr Suwannapa said.

“Like heroin, nicotine is easily addictive. This could

@thephuketnews

Smuggled e-cigarettes seized by Thai customs. Photo: Worrapon Payakum lead to a rise in the number of smokers in the future.

When students get addicted to nicotine, they could end up smoking traditional cigarettes or electronic ones.

Either way, they’re still addicts.”

Vaping devices are now making headlines across the world following an outbreak of severe lung disease in the US which could be associated with e-cigarette use. According to a statement by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 215 cases of severe lung illness potentially resulting from e-cigarette use were reported in 25 states between June 28 and August 27 this year, with one death in Illinois.

“This tragic death in Illinois reinforces the serious risks associated with e-cigarette products. Vaping exposes users to many different substances for which we have little information about related harms – including flavourings, nicotine, cannabinoids and solvents,” said

CDC Director Dr Robert Redfield in a statement.

Dr Suwannapa warned that smokers can take in more nicotine from puffing an e-cigarette than a traditional roll.

“A traditional cigarette could contain, say, 8mg of nicotine, of which the body takes in around 1-2mg.

But in an e-cigarette, the e-liquid can contain up to 18mg of nicotine, which could mean the body receives 5-10 times the amount of a traditional cigarette,” she explained. Nicotine can lead to brain damage among younger users. Prolonged nicotine consumption also shrinks blood vessels, which increases the risk of coronary artery diseases and stroke in adults.

A paper published by the US National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health states that e-cigarettes are not an evidence-based method of smoking cessation. Dr Suwannapa agrees, pointing out that only 5-9% of smokers quit successfully after using vaping devices as a smoking cessation method. This is relatively low when compared to nicotine replacement, which renders a 15-20% success rate, or medication, with a 27% success rate. Even smokers who quit by themselves without depending on any aids reportedly have a 10-15% success rate.

Regulating e-cigarettes in Thailand is an extremely controversial issue, and Dr Suwannapa recognises that stakeholders have different perspectives on the devices.

“Whether or not you are for e-cigarettes depends on your personal perspective,” she said. “But as medical personnel, we don’t want any narcotics in the country at all. The expansion of the e-cigarette market directly affects our kids.”

Bangkok Post

14 PETS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Aggressive play. Photo: Renata Cholpankulova / Pexels

Resource guarding. Photo: Everson Mayer / Pixabay

Barks, bites, growls and snarls Understanding and dealing with common forms of canine aggression UNLEASHED Russell D Russell info@k9pointacademy.com

Modifying aggressive behaviour can be challenging but it is possible.

Remember, your dog isn’t giving you a hard time – he’s having a hard time.

A

ggression is a term that’s often misused.

People see another dog barking and label it as aggressive, seemingly forgetting that barking, growling, snarling, etc are all part of canine communication. There’s an abundance of labels for aggression, with new ones added all the time, but regardless of the label, there are many commonalities and I’ll list a few of them here.

Before we go any further, though, true aggression is seriously dangerous, and if you are challenged by your dog’s aggressive behaviour, I strongly urge you to get in touch so we can help create and implement an appropriate behaviour management and modification programme.

Fear-related aggression By far the most commonly seen type of aggression, and one that is often responded to most inappropriately, is fear-related aggression. When a dog shows signs of fear, they are trying to compel those nearby to move away. But to make matters worse, it’s natural for humans to try to comfort someone who appears afraid or, worse yet, take them closer to that which they are fearful of. This is exactly what the fearful dog does not want, especially from a stranger or from someone who may have punished the dog in the past for eliciting said behaviours.

If a fearful dog is trapped, or has been trapped in the past, they may take a “the best defence is a good offence” approach, especially if there is a history of punishment for their fearful displays. Keep in mind that “trapped” can include being on a leash, being followed, being cornered when they try to retreat or simply feeling confined in a small enough space that

they’re uncomfortable (such as a living room or a study).

parks, uncontrolled play dates and outof-control dogs not being on a leash.

Pain-related aggression Anyone who has worked with shelters or rescues will know that when you go to pick up an injured dog that has been hit by a car, they are not always calm, friendly and helpful. Dogs who are in pain, regardless of breed, generally don’t want to be touched and may show signs of aggression in an effort to get people or other animals to leave them alone.

What many owners don’t realise is that even less obvious pain can be significant contributors to a dog’s propensity to bite. Arthritis, spinal problems, sore muscles, gastrointestinal issues – there are numerous “invisible” conditions that can cause or contribute to a dog’s aggressive behaviour.

An ageing dog with increasing arthritic pain may begin to growl at approaching children because they know from past experience that those children may fall on or try to play roughly with them. “You’re making me very uncomfortable,” the dog says. “Please don’t come any closer.” A protective parent, outraged that the family dog would growl at the child, physically punishes the dog, adding to their pain as well as their anticipation of punishment when children approach, thus increasing the likelihood of them becoming more aggressive toward children, not less.

Possession aggression Often called “resource guarding”, this is a relatively normal behaviour.

Think about it: you walk away from your house, you lock the door – you’re resource guarding. However, there’s a rather flawed belief among dog owners that they have the right to take anything away from their dog anytime they please, such as removing food bowls during a meal so the dog learns to accept it. Er, nope. Bad idea.

Trust and respect are the key factors here, and our dogs should trust that we won’t challenge them for valuable items.

We need to teach our dogs a voluntary “trade” behaviour, so we can safely ask them to voluntarily relinquish something when we need them to do so.

Play aggression Aggressive play is normal and acceptable, as long as all dogs are happily participating. This can include growling, biting, wrestling, chasing, body slamming and more. But when things go wrong, it turns into play aggression.

This can happen when one participant becomes uncomfortable with the escalating level of arousal and tries to signal that they wants to tone things down. If the other dog fails to respond and things continues to escalate, they may aggress in self defence in an effort to stop the action.

While the first participant is often blamed for starting the fight, it is, in fact, the other dog’s fault for failing to respond appropriately to the request to back off the level of arousal. This is one of the primary reasons I’m against dog

Redirected aggression This behaviour occurs when a dog is highly aroused but thwarted from addressing the object of their arousal.

Fence-fighting is a classic example.

Unable to reach the dog on the other side of the fence, the dog may redirect aggressively in frustration to a canine companion on their side of the fence or to an owner who is attempting to intervene in the conflict.

This is by no means a complete list of the various aggression labels. Others in common use include predatory, social protection, maternal, territorial, barrier and idiopathic aggression. What you call the behaviour is, in many ways, less important than how you interpret and deal with it.

Modifying aggressive behaviour can be challenging but it is possible.

Remember, your dog isn’t giving you a hard time – he’s having a hard time.

If you would like some more information on canine training, or behavioural issues, then please to contact us on 091 654 1960, email info@k9pointacademy. com, or check our website www.k9pointacademy.com. CPA is the only K9 organisation in Thailand accredited with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), and as an American Kennel Club (AKC) Evaluator. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

HISTORY 15

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Cities on the move Countries that relocated their capitals and the reasons why Amy Bryant editor1@classactmedia.co.th

S

ince World War I, the world has seen a country move its capital every five or six years. From Kazakhstan to Pakistan to Nigeria; for political gain, for environmental protection, for better, for worse. There’s something oddly fascinating and dramatic about the idea of capital moves, although they aren’t particularly uncommon.

Just last week, Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced that the country is on the cusp of making the big move and shifting its political heart away from congested and sinking megalopolis Jakarta, an idea initially floated by the country’s founding father Sukarno more than half a century ago.

So why do countries move their capital cities? In Indonesia’s case, the burden on Jakarta as the centre of governance, business, finance, trade and services is “too heavy” and the city is suffering pollution, traffic congestion and subsidence as a result. Decades of uncontrolled and excessive depletion of groundwater reserves, rising sea-levels and increasingly volatile weather patterns mean swathes of the city have started to disappear in what is one of the fastest-sinking cities on Earth.

With existing environmental measures having little impact, there isn’t much choice but to take drastic action and shift the capital entirely.

The proposed location for the new Indonesian capital is a yet-to-be-built city on Borneo island, near Balikpapan and Samarinda. The area is at minimal risk of natural disasters, the government already owns some 445,000 acres of land there and it’s at the centre of Indonesia, close to urban areas, said President Widodo in justification of the move.

Relocation is set to start from 2024, if approved by parliament.

The motives behind President Widodo’s decision seem clear; however, this isn’t always the case. Myanmar’s capital shift from Yangon to Nay Pyi Taw in the mid-2000s remains shrouded in mystery. The country moved the seat of government some 370 kilometres north, a decision driven by military rule. The information minister at the time, Kyaw Hsan, justified it as a strategic move, its central location and transport network allowing the government quick and easy access to other parts of the country.

However, analysts both inside and outside the country were unconvinced.

Some suggested that leaders feared foreign invasion. Other believed they wanted to suppress political dissent and monitor ethnic minorities in the Shan, Chin and Karen states. Credence has even been given to the idea that fortune tellers advised them to move.

Whatever the reason, the sprawling city of Nay Pyi Taw, which has almost six times the land area of New York, remains sparsely populated with 900,000 residents compared to Yangon’s 4.4 million. Its 20-lane highway, glitzy shop@thephuketnews

Carefully planned Brasilia. Photo: Marcelo Bastos / Pixabay

Ruins of Ayutthaya, once a bustling trading hub.

The burden on megalopolis Jakarta is now ‘too heavy’. Photo: Tom Fisk / Pexels ping malls and luxurious hotels are often entirely empty, lending the city an almost post-apocalyptic feel.

Brazil, on the other hand, saw greater success when the government shifted its capital from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia. Although the country’s Constitution mandated the move inland in 1891, the wheels weren’t put in motion until 1956. The reason for the move? Poor design of Rio de Janeiro at the time was slowing government work; ministries and other offices were located far from each other and officials faced heavy traffic when travelling between them.

To ensure the new capital wouldn’t suffer the same fate, a team of architects, engineers and city planners spent four years building Brasilia, neatly organising it into numbered blocks and areas for different employment sectors.

The city experienced rapid growth after its birth in 1960, and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 in recognition of its large-scale modernist architecture and impeccable planning.

This wasn’t the first time Brazil shifted cities. Salvador was the country’s first capital – a port city used in the slave trade and for exporting sugarcane – but as gold began to drive the economy, it was moved to the mining region of Rio de Janeiro in 1763.

And in a bizarre historical anomaly, Rio de Janeiro went on to serve as the capital of Portugal between 1808 and 1821 after Napoleonic forces invaded Lisbon and the royal family fled to Brazil, then a Portuguese colony.

Thailand, too, has had a number of capital cities, namely Sukhothai (from approximately 1238-1378); Ayutthaya (1350-1767); Thonburi (1767-1782); and now Bangkok. Before Sukhothai, there

was no unified country or Kingdom of Thailand in the way we understand it today; instead, it was a series of separate kingdoms. The formation of capital cities helped put Thailand – then Siam – on the map.

Ayutthaya is the former capital that seems to have stuck in the public consciousness the most, perhaps on account of its dramatic rise and fall. The capital grew to become one of the largest trading hubs in Asia and had with in excess of a million inhabitants, but a Burmese siege in 1767 saw its infrastructure burned to the ground and its residents massacred.

Palace, temple and statue ruins remain in a historical park which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, telling the story of this once prosperous city.

Sukhothai’s ruins are also UNE-

SCO-protected. In its heyday, the city was one of the largest centres of Buddhism in the world. It made huge advancements in art and architecture and is even credited as the birthplace of the earliest Thai script. But Sukhothai’s population and cultural significance diminished significantly after the city was absorbed by Ayutthaya in 1378, and it was largely abandoned. It would be some 450 years until the city was rediscovered by the future King Rama IV. That’s not to say that former capitals are destined to fall to ruins or tumbleweed wasteland. Jakarta will remain a megacity for as long as Mother Nature allows; tourists still choose Yangon over Nay Pyi Taw; and Rio de Janeiro is arguably as vibrant as it’s ever been.

Whatever the fate of a former capital, there’s sure to be an interesting tale, or conspiracy, behind it.

16 DINING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Keeping it fresh and local New, innovative dishes added to The Plantation Club menu The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

I

nnovative fine dining continues apace at The Plantation Club, The Pavilions Phuket’s awardwinning modern Thai restaurant, as Culinary Director and Executive Chef Rey Ardonia adds a host of new dishes to an already delectable menu.

Inspired by the region’s rich colonial history as a trade route, The Plantation Club’s culinary focus is to reinterpret classic Thai dishes while utilising 100% locally sourced ingredients. The menu exclusively features fresh produce grown only in The Pavilions’ gardens or by local farmers who grow their products ethically.

New additions include Sakon Nakhon wagyu tartar (diced wagyu in authentic northern Thai dressing, lotus root chips and grated duck yolk), moo ping (pork jowl on sugarcane sticks grilled over burning coals), phed krapoa mi krob (12-hour slow-cooked duck leg with anise smoke and sousvide duck egg drizzle) and kaeng run juan (shrimp paste sauce with tender Sakon Nakhon wagyu beef flank and fragrant beef broth).

The new dishes join staples such as geang poo bai chaplu (blue swimmer

Phed krapoa mi krob.

Chef Rey Ardonia in The Pavilions’ garden and farm. crab chargrilled and marinated with yellow Phuket curry and served with rice noodles and crispy bitter leaves), massaman neua (8-hour braised oxtail, charcoal-grilled wagyu beef flank, potato espuma, charred onions, garlic confit and baby carrots topped with a spicy massaman curry sauce) and coconut surprise (sticky rice, pandan sago, buffalo milk and mango ice cream and fresh seasonal fruits served with kaffir lime and coconut broth). Guests can sample new additions and old favourites by choosing from the à la carte option or the four- and six-course tasting menus or embarking on the

‘Plantation Journey’ – a nine-course discovery of Thailand’s rich traditional cooking culture.

“We are always looking for new local products to feature on the menu,” explains Chef Rey, a dynamic New Zealander with nearly 20 years of experience in fine dining, including a stint at the award-winning Bracu in New Zealand. “Our own garden and farm is also developing and offering fresh seasonal produce, and through our ongoing relationships with our local farmers, we ensure our guests receive the freshest seasonal produce all year round, while also supporting sustain-

ability within our community.”

Chef Rey’s method starts from understanding the culinary roots and culture of where he is, before sourcing the best local ingredients and combining traditional cooking practices with ultra-modern cooking techniques to prepare each dish. The resulting menu serves as a journey through eras and dynasties, uncovering forgotten flavours for guests to enjoy either indoors as a gentle ocean breeze cools them through French open windows or on the comfortable al fresco wooden deck overlooking the west coast of Phuket and the Andaman Sea.

As sour fruit orchards disappear, so do time-honoured Thai dishes

M

any kinds of sour fruit have their place in Thai cuisine. They are indispensable in bringing out the harmonious and balanced Thai flavour – sour, salty, spicy and sweet.

Each citrus fruit gives a unique sourness that enhances the identity of a particular Thai dish.

Madan can be added to gaeng krathi sai bua sai pla tu neung (a coconut cream-based soup-like curry with lotus stems and steamed mackerel). When it is added, the name is changed to tom priew. Despite its sharp, sour taste, madan can also be made into dessert if cooked in syrup. This perfect combination of sweetness and sourness is called madan chae im.

Ripe mandarin orange fruit is usually sweet. But the small and young fruit is sour and called som men. The whole fruit with green rind is thinly sliced and added to nam prik called nam prik som men, an ancient dish made by court ladies.

Kumquat, som jeed in Thai, is juicy with aromatic sourness. It is normally sliced into thin pieces and added in nam prik kapi or squeezed and made into a drink that has a similar sour taste to lemon juice, but more fragrant.

Som sa (bitter orange) is similar in shape and flavour to kaffir lime fruit.

Its best part is the skin. The finely chopped skin is essential to several ancient Thai dishes, such as mee krob (crisp-fried noodle doused with sticky, sweet-sour-salty seasoning sauce) and sai krawk pranaem (an old-fashioned

Finely chopped som sa (bitter orange) skin is essential to several ancient Thai dishes. pork sausage snack).

Some of these old-style Thai dishes have vanished from our cuisine. This is all due to the demise of traditional garden groves in Nonthaburi. The former agricultural areas have been turned into paved roads and highways, housing estates and factories. The remaining orchards are small in number and plot size. Moreover they have been affected by a degraded environment, polluted air and water. New farming areas have appeared but they tend to specialise and grow only a single type of plant in response to market trends.

Farmers have not come to realise the significance of sour fruits. Only with the return of sour fruits will the lost old-style Thai dishes be brought back, I believe.

Suthon Sukphisit, Bangkok Post thephuketnews

18 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Bright futures lie ahead for these students.

A sea of Phuket Vocational College students show their gratitude to Wipa with bouquets and floral garlands.

The PIWC ladies were out in force to support the event.

OVER 160 STUDENTS AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS AT PIWC PRESENTATION The Mahogany Hall at Satree Phuket School was packed to the rafters with students on Aug 28 for the Phuket International Women's Club (PIWC) annual scholarship presentation. Over 160 students received scholarships funded by PIWC events, PIWC membership fees and donations from kind benefactors. Past students showed their gratitude by giving moving speeches, and new students showered Wipa Tanmanatragul – the head of the club’s scholarship committee – with bouquets and floral garlands. The scholarships will see some students through school, others to university or vocational college, but all lead to bright futures and transformed lives.

Wipa has played a vital role in the PIWC’s long history of awarding scholarships to students on the island.

Smiles all round.

Jureewan has also worked hard on the scholarship committee and as former president of the PIWC.

The committee works with schools across Phuket to select eligible students, like the two pictured here.

PIWC members Carole (2nd left), Tasnee (3rd right) and Jureewan also awarded students at the presentation. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ISLAND SCENE 19

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Florian and Sriram.

Elena, Woranit, Jou and David.

Kit, Vincent and Charida.

Take and Darya.

ALL HANDS ON DECK AT LATEST BCCT MULTI-CHAMBER BUSINESS EVENT The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand, in cooperation with a host of other chambers, hosted a briefing and networking evening on Aug 30 at Banyan Tree Phuket’s Lagoon Deck. Tareq Bagaeen, CEO of aQedina and experienced hotelier, shared his insights with the 85+ guests present, detailing how he strives to develop hungry and effective salespeople in today’s markets for today’s consumers. Guests spent the rest of the evening forging new connections and catching up with familiar faces in the Phuket business community while enjoying drinks and food courtesy of Banyan Tree.

Mike and James.

Katie, Alan and Stephen.

Le Meridien Phuket team has the golden touch.

Mini masterchefs.

MARRIOTT NAI YANG BEACH COOKS UP A STORM WITH LOCAL KIDS The kitchen team at Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach paid a visit to Yaowawit School in Phang Nga last month to share their knowledge with 40 young students in grades 4 to 6. Together, they prepared popular Thai dessert tab tim krob (water chestnut rubies in coconut milk) and much fun was had in the process. The aim of the visit was to enhance the children’s confidence in the kitchen and to help them develop more advanced hospitality skills that could benefit them in the future. @thephuketnews

LE MERIDIEN PHUKET GETS GOLD FOR ECO, SOCIAL PROGRAMMES On Sept 3, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort announced that it has achieved ‘Gold Award Certification’ from Travelife, an independent, internationally recognised accommodation sustainability programme based in London. The resort “has shown evidence that they are taking action in the following areas: Minimising their environmental impacts, improving the economic and social impacts for people in their community, respecting and protecting human rights and fair labour practices, and safeguarding animal welfare and biodiversity,” Travelife said.

20 EVENTS

FRI

6 AUG

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

TUE

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.

10 SEP

The Sunday Brunch Club Come 4 Pay 3

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.

Back to The ’80s

We’re going back to the totally awesome times of the ‘80s with DJ Garry and mixology inspired by this groovy era. Every Saturday night at Firefly from 6 pm - late. Reservation, Firefly Pool & Restaurant at Pavilions Hotels, firefly.phuket@pavilionshotels.com, 076 371 600.

Green season special! Enjoy COME 4 PAY 3 The Sunday Brunch Club for a limited time.

Book your table for the most vibrant Sunday Brunch on the island now. Dream Member Price THB 1,590++. Adult Brunch THB 1,890 ++ Kids under 10 eat free (1 paying adult = 1 child free). ** Toddler area open with designated staff, babysitting service, and kid activities.

Offer valid every Sunday until 29 September 2019. Reservation, Dream Beach Club, reservations@dreambeachclub.com, 098 048 3500.

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 076344-914.

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night

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.

SUN

8 SEP

Grow Boating Networking Evening - September 2019

The Grow Boating Networking Evening for September 2019 will be held at The Speakeasy Yacht Club, at The Royal Phuket Marina on Friday the 6th of September 2019 from 5pm onward. We are delighted to announce that Des Kearns, who is an absolute legend in the Asian yachting community will be the drinks sponsor.

Des will be launching his new book, Beyond Boundaries, at the event. See: www.deskearns. com There will be a light buffet sponsored by The Speakeasy Yacht Club and special prices on your favourite beverages. 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 there and if you know anyone you think would be interested in coming please invite them along.

SAT

7 AUG

Sunday Roast All Day, All Night

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.

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet

Light and Fresh Buffet

The Watercourt is presenting a line of tasty Italian Cold Cut, Gourmet Salads, Hearty Soup,

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.

Malaysia’s Queen of Comedy, Joanne Kam LIVE IN PHUKET!

Standup Asia is proud to bring yet another rapturous night of live comedy to the paradise that is Phuket Island! On Sunday 8 September, be prepared to laugh yourself silly with the unique comedy stylings of Malaysian Queen of Comedy Joanne Kam, supported by veteran US comic Matt Davis and Pakistan’s very own Umar Rana! The show, at the illustrious Marriott Resort, Merlin Beach, begins at 8pm with doors opening at 7pm. Magic Rock, Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Merlin Beach.

MON

9 SEP

Thai Night Buffet

Experience Authentic Thai Food. Let’s take a tasteful journey through Thai cuisine, Baan Talay is feature a tempting selections of traditional Thai food and local Phuket delicacies.

Enjoy with a variety of live station; Thai papaya salad, spicy soup and much more to give a true taste of Thailand. THB 950++ per person.

Every Tuesday from 6 pm to 10 pm. Reservation, Angsana Laguna Phuket, fbreservationlagunaphuket@angsana.com, 076 358 500.

WED

11 SEP

All you can eat BBQ night

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.

Ribs, beats, brews Wednesday XANA BAREFOOT BBQ

Experience barefoot dining with freshest seafood from the Andaman Sea while watching a fire performance and listening music from our DJ. Every Monday and Thursday from 18:00 – 22:00 hrs at XANA Beach Club.Price THB 1,450++ fbreservation-lagunaphuket@angsana.com +66 (0) 7635 8500.

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. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRI

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

13 SEP

WED

18 SEP

WWW.FACEBOOK/TWOCHEFSTHAILAND You may also call us directly at Two Chefs Patong 076-344 915 COME FOR THE FOOD STAY FOR THE FUN!

at Anuphas Showroom, 200 meters from Heroines Monument on way to Cherng Talay. Free registration. Dress Code: Gentleman Style.

Start Time: 13:00 Ride Time: 15:00 from showroom to Layan beach and back. Unity After Party: 17:00 – 22:00.

FRI

1 NOV

Joint Phuket Sundowners hosted by AustCham

Taking advantage of the beautiful surroundings at the Boat Lagoon, the Phuket Sundowners offers a great opportunity to network with likeminded people from the business community.

Prior to the Sundowners, we will hold a Panel Discussion on “Asian Regattas – Highlights on Phuket, Towards Sustainability”, with a panel of experts on organising and participating in regattas in Phuket and throughout Asia. Baht 500 for AustCham members, partner Chambers’ members**, and Australian Alumni Members.

Baht 900 for non-members.

SAT

14 SEP

Architect & Hotelex 2019

19th Construction Materials Tools Hotel Restaurant Equipment Decorative items Exhibitions on 18 - 21 September 2019 at Novotel Phuket Phokeethra. Most of the investor, developer of real estates, resorts spa and hotels come from many countries and take this chance to arrange meeting with architect team to design, to plan and to build or renovate their properties and they must finish the construction before the next high season start in the following year. Don’t Miss.

THU

19 SEP

Children First Charity Event

A charity journey from day into night under the theme “Swing for Good” where you will enjoy a fun golf tournament throughout the day at Laguna Golf Phuket. As the sun sets, sit back and unwind in a unique “Battle of the Chefs” charity dinner gourmet experience, complete with delicious food, free-flow beverages and live entertainment – all to support children in Phuket.

Register your interest now at just THB18,000 per team of four and help to raise big bucks for children in need – golf@lagunaphuket.com

FRI

27 SEP

Now you see me charity event

“NOW YOU SEE ME” is the biggest charity Event in Phuket will be happening here at Café del Mar Phuket on Saturday September 14th 2019 from 8pm. Entrance fee: 1,500 baht. This amount goes 100% towards the above mentioned organisations. Galla Dinner: 3,900 baht.

Including the entrance fee. Dress Code: Glamorous Sexy Disco Soul. Music: Joe Gradante, Nicola Vega, DJ Man. DJ Khansa. Live Performance by Eka Soundz. Bookings & Info: +66(0) 61 359 5500 / ira@cafedelmarphuket. com or Ira +66846900430.

PIWC - September Lunch

September lunch will be held on Thursday the 19th. At Chilli Kitchen, Tinlay Place, Laguna/ Cherngtalay. Registration: 11.30am for a 12 start Price: Members 700 Baht / Non Members 850 Baht. Please RSVP by email to: shelp mitchell@gmail.com

SAT

21 SEP

Faldo Series Championship Phuket 2019

Faldo Series returns to Phuket this September 27th - 29th at Laguna Phuket Golf. All male and female juniors are welcome to compete to try qualify for the prestigious Asia Grand Final in March. Competing age groups include U21 to U11 (age on 1st January 2019). Full details and online entry: www.faldoseriesphuket2019.golfgenius.com. Contact fredrik@golfdevelopment asia.com

SUN

29 SEP

Two Chefs Reggae Night

Have a night of no worries on September 21, 2019 at Two Chefs Patong! Let’s jam all night long at Two Chefs Reggae Night! Hear the Two Chefs house band play your favorite reggae hits and transport you to the Caribbean!

Who doesn’t like that?! We also have our All You Can Eat Jamaican Inspired Mixed Grill for just THB495! Message us NOW to book your table! Live music starts from 8:30pm and goes late Reservations are highly recommended. Y ou can book on our website at WWW. TWOCHEFS.COM or find us on Facebook at

@thephuketnews

From Nov 1st to March 1st. Test your fishing skills Phuket and Catch a Monster fish and Monster Prize. 50 tagged fish with 50 prizes valued at over 1.5 Million baht. Anyone can enter for just 1,000 baht in addition to your daily fishing ticket ................. Exotic Fishing Thailand, Phang Nga, exoticfishingthailand@gmail. com, English 088 379 9377 and Thai 081 199 5922.

EVERY DAY

Art on a Helmet

An expression of the creativity of more than 20 International and local artists... on Helmets!

Sculpture, Painting, Dance, Catwalk and more, there are no rules.. no redlights. Join us for the joyride! Free entry. Catwalk 8:00pm followed

by Helmet exhibiton at Home Kitchen at Kalim Beach. Find out more information online - Facebook: HOME.kitchen.bar.bed

The Exotic Fishing Thailand 1.5 Million Baht Tagged Fish Challenge

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2019

The world’s largest charitable motorcycle event for owners of classic and vintage styled bikes.

The goal for 2019 is to raise awareness and $7m USD for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health on behalf of charity partner the Movember Foundation. Registration and Donations can be made online at www. gentlemansride.com or at the event. Location

Prime at Rock Salt

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 – 10.00pm. For more information and bookings, please call +66 76 380 200 or rocksalt@thenaiharn.com

Art @Chaofah introducing First Gallery Exhibition at Ramada Plaza Hotel

Art @Chaofah is holding the first Gallery Exhibition of the work of the two artists of the Phuket Art Club; Mr. Monthian Yangthong and Mr. Mekphat Srinantaphan showcases their contrasts of the work from 27th August 2019 to 11th October 2019 on 2nd floor at Peranakan Courtyard.The Contrast is part of our ongoing Art @Chaofah exhibition series that is hopefully to create emotions, ideas and inspiration.

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. The death penalty is legal in how many US states?

2. As a girl, which actress smuggled messages and supplies for the Dutch resistance during World War II? 3. Tetris was originally developed in which country?

4. What percent of the 10.2 million annual visitors to the Louvre go solely to see the Mona Lisa?

5. In which year did the ruling military government change the name of ‘Burma’ to ‘Myanmar’?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Medium

Across 1. Top Gun star 4. Music category 8. One of golf’s “majors” 11. Way too uptight 13. Small amount 14. Corp. heads 15. Shia LaBeouf’s birthday 18. Makes a sad noise 19. Dryness 20. Co. founded by Steve Case 22. 2003 A.L. Manager of the Year Tony 23. Hungarian pianist Franz 27. Old lab heaters 31. Cobwebby area 32. Joyce Carol Oates novel 33. DSL provider 36. Megan Fox’s birthday 40. Exchange down under 41. Oil measure 42. Massenet opera 43. “...give what thou ___” (Cowper) 44. “The Wonder ___” Fred Savage sitcom 45. Whatever will be, will be word 48. Sounds of woe 50. Map collections

53. Prudential competitor 57. James Taylor’s birthday 61. Wasn’t hurt 62. First name in late-night TV 63. Nile queen, informally 64. Introverted 65. URL starter 66. Some forensic evidence Down 1. First word of an Indian mausoleum 2. Millstone 3. Gershwin’s “The ___ Love” 4. Take action against 5. Genderless pronoun 6. Bruins’ home 7. Size up 8. Corral 9. Must, slangily 10. Blanched 12. Stage 13. Very 14. Abdicate 16. Cover the roof 17. Celebrities 21. Admits 23. Tibetan priest

24. “Take ___ a sign” 25. Charon’s river 26. Clearasil target 28. Dilutes 29. Alongside 30. Invoice fig.

33. Ancient S. American 34. Ruckus 35. Academic types 37. Environmental controller 38. French president’s residence 39. Wide shoe spec 43. Available money 45. Hiding place 46. N.F.L. Hall-ofFamer Hirsch 47. Lamb portion 49. Sign of boredom 50. Writer Kingsley 51. Leave one’s mark on 52. Drink of alcohol, small 54. R.N.’s forte 55. Can. province 56. Rate ___ (be perfect) 58. Med. specialty 59. Select 60. Gp. in charge of condominiums, perhaps

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 3) Russia; 4) 80%; 5) 1989.

1) 29 (out of 50); 2) Audrey Hepburn;

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

2.5

hours is how long James Earl Jones spent recording all of Darth Vader’s lines for Star Wars.

43

is the age the world’s oldest known spider lived to. She died after being stung by a wasp.

2,500

left-handed people are killed every year from using righthanded products.

102,000 is how many full-time employees Google has across the world.

39 million

US dollars is how much scorpion venom costs per gallon. It’s the most expensive liquid in the world.

Source: Uberfacts

“Big Daddy” at the 16th Thailand Goat Festival 2019. Photo by Cynthia Tomaszewski Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

This week in history September 6, 1620 The Pilgrims sail from Plymouth, England on the Mayflower to settle in North America. The ship becomes a cultural icon in the history of the United States.

September 7, 1996 An unknown man in a white Cadillac shoots Tupac Shakur four times in the chest in Las Vegas, Nevada. The rapper succumbs to his injuries six days later. The case remains unsolved.

September 11, 2011 al-Qaeda kill 2,996 people in suicide attacks using four hijacked aircraft.

Two crash into the World Trade Center in New York, a third into The Pentagon in Virginia and a fourth into a field near Pennsylvania.

September 8, 1888 In England, the first six Football League matches are played by clubs from the Midlands and North of England.

September 9, 1939 U Ottama, national hero of Myanmar (then Burma) dies in prison after a hunger strike to protest Britain’s colonial government.

September 10, 2008 The Large Hadron Collider at

The Mayflower in Plymouth Harbour.

CERN, described as the biggest scientific experiment in history, is powered up in Geneva, Switzerland.

September 12, 1962 President Kennedy delivers his “We choose to go to the Moon” speech to persuade Americans to support the Apollo programme.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 23

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Jobs

Events Operations Manager

Phuket Weddings and Events successful Rental Supplies and Event Support Division is looking for an innovative and articulate Operations Manager to further develop the brand. Hotel experience is preferred within F&B and/or Operations with strong leadership and management skills. The role includes managing client enquiries; corporate inventory; logistics; staffing and on-site installations and support. Applicants should have a good knowledge of local venues and contractors, must have excellent communication skills in English and Thai and be passionate and focused. This is a great opportunity for the right applicant to expand their future prospects in an exciting and rewarding position where everything is possible. Full time position in Cherngtalay; excellent package and bonus scheme. Please contact us on 062 698 2426. Fern Chaiyaporn, fern@ phuketweddingsevents.com, 062 698 2426.

@thephuketnews

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

GE UR

NT

Urgent required

Asia Marine Ltd., a yacht managemet company in Phuket, is looking for Chief Accountant. Candidate must be graduated in accounting field, English speaking, min 5 years’ experience in management, extensive corporate and personal tax experience, expertise working with Quickbooks and financial statements. Interested candidates, please email your CV with photo to chatpassorn@asia-marine.net Mobile: +66 8 1823 4736 40,000-55,000, Chatpassorn, 20/99 Moo 2, Thepkassattri Rd., T. Kohkeaw, Muang, Phuket 83000, chatpassorn@asia-marine.net, 0818234736, 076238805.

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Owners

Starting salary between 30,000 and 36,000 baht per month plus service charge. Must have strong experience in Western foods in a 4* or higher hotel or well-regarded restaurant and speak English. Must have experience in managing food costs and using Point of Sales systems. Thai nationals only. minimum 2 years Culinary degree, experience in managing a staff of 6 cooks.

Skills in baking, teaching cooking classes, vegan foods, breakfast buffets and overseeing staff meals are also desirable. Hands-on candidates preferred. Schedule: M-Sat: 12:30-8:30 - - Position available now - Send CV to kataphuketresort@gmail.com

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Trades & Services

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CORPORATE SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

@thephuketnews

26 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Trades & Services

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

OTHER

TRAINING

ADVERTISE HERE

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Buy & Sell BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE

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2014 Ford Focus S white w/ black leather interior, sunroof, full options, one owner, accident free. LED front, black roof, 9,400km. Ted Blenkers, Chalong Phuket kapitanted@gmail.com, 0899085199

Speedboat for Sale

FORD WILDTRAK 2014 FOR SALE

14.2 m Speedboat, named Rayao DD, is still in a good condition with 3 engines, four-stroke engine, Yamaha manufacture. The boat is owned by 1 owner for 1 year (2018) with well maintenance. 4,400,000, Jane, social@karonseasand.com, 062 842 486.

2.2L Double Cab 4WD 6 GearAutomatic. One owner. 50,000km. ARB Crash Bars. New Tyres. English: 081-958-1055 Thai: 081-606-5772 580,000 baht, pauljames@expathotel.com, 0819581055

CARS, TRUCKS FOR RENT

Mitsubishi Mirage 10/2018

Toyota Fortuner 2007 for sale

9 months old, 9,000km, first class insurance. Like new. THB 360,000. Andy, Call 082 281 5976 ENG/098 059 8714 THAI

200,000 km. Two owners. Smart TRD 3.0 Good condition! Great deal! Call now!!

590,000 THB, Nony, Kathu, Phuket, Thailand, Nony_ntp@hotmail.com, (Eng/Thai) 099 2650808.

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COMPUTERS, LAPTOPS Lenovo Nova Notebook 530

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Approx 2 months old. CPU Intel i3 - 7130V. 2.7 GHz Ram 8GB Storage 128G SSD Windows 10 14” screen Plus pen./ headphones and carrying case Cost approx 24k baht. Kevin Carter, Unit 5/ 220 The Base condo phuket 094 3146995, knc552015@gmail.com

Car rental @fair prices

Low season prices Monthly from 10,000 Baht.

Daily from 400 BHT. High Season from 12,000 monthly. All our cars are in very good conditions at affordable prices. From 10,000 BHT monthly, Stig Johansson, 110/78 Moo 2 T Pa­ klok A Thalang 83110 Phuket, stigisaan@gmail. com, 0848474377.

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE

MEMBERSHIPS Loch Palm Membership

Individual full membership. Price includes transfer. Jeff, schendl@loxinfo.co.th 086 2688061.

7 seater for rent

We have a New top-model Sienta 7 seater for rent. Has reverse camera, mag wheels, leather and automatic sliding doors. Available from Sept 7.

Price daily or per month. 0848474377. stigisaan@gmail.com

@thephuketnews

PROPERTY WANTED

LIKE BRAND NEW

Big A S+S Swan 55

S+S Swan 55, must let her go. Getting too old! In perfect running cond. El winches Yanmar, all sails and more. bigasail@yahoo.com, 0869401860.

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@thephuketnews

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE

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The Phuket News

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

Allamanda 2 Bed Freehold

Hi, Am looking for a 2 Bedroom Freehold Unit at the Allamanda in Laguna.

Budget is 8million baht. Can contact me on wandererthomas1@gmail.com Thanks in advance!

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ENT

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

Willing to Sell / Rent Property in Laguna?

Willing to sell or rent your property in Laguna area?

Please contact me raisa@rl-property.com +66 (081) 737 1687 (Viber, WhatsApp, Line) Raisa Sheludkina, Railand Property International., 46., Lagoon Road.,Ch erngtalay.,Thalang.,Phuket 83110., raisa@rl-property. com, 0817371687, 076324448.

House Wanted in Chalong

4 Bedroom House Wanted in Chalong for under 10 million baht. Please email me at mick11468@gmail.com

PERSONAL SERVICES Tom Jones Of Philippines

Has been doing a show in different country here in Asia like Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Macau, China, Japan, Canada and here. He is now in Phuket, Thailand. For special occasion please call. Jun Alvarez (AKA), junalvarez331591@gmail. com, 096 592 6297 / 094 947 7712.

28 CLASSIFIEDS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy & Sell

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

SERVICES

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Credit and investment in private section

1 Bed Condo Sale Rawai

With honesty, we are offering credit and investment in private section with excellent condition.

Please feel free to contact us for more information. Georgette, GEORGESVALLER@ financier.com

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

SPORTING GOODS, EXERCISE

2-Bed Furnished Kathu House for Rent

Oceanus Speargun for Sale

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

▪72cm speargun ▪2 new Dunlop bands with wishbones ▪1 stock steel spear ▪1 tempered-steel Salvimar spear ▪10m of multifiliment line Rawai, Phuket, 618921323.

PROPERTY FOR RENT

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Thalang House for RENT

2 Bedrooms, semi-furnished with next door gym and smiming pool. 199/167 Moo 9 Thepkasattri Rd. Thalang Phuket, 089 882 9246 sawasdeeka84@hotmail.com

4BED 4BATH VILLA FOR SALE

Sale by owners! A secure 4-bed 4-bath with a swimming pool and beautiful garden in Baan Suan Loch Palm. 5 mins to BIS, 12 to 15 mins to Central, Patong and Phuket Town.

0873800065. jenjiramountford@gmail.com

Shophouse near Boat Lagoon

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1 Bedroom Condo Kata For Sale

Super villa for sale

Super villa for sale. 4 bed, 4 bath, 450 sqm private pool villa, 500 sqm land, Heavily reduced price 14.9M. Call +66 (0) 92-6950329 15.000.000,-, +66 (0) 92-6950329.

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

Absolute Beachfront Pool Villa

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Absolute Beachfront Pool Villa, 3 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom, fully serviced. Short Term Rental from 35‘000 THB/Week to 195‘000 Month depend on Season. Long Term on Agreement. sunparasol@gmail.com, +66 91 040 8869

4 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms furnished house for rent.

7 minutes to BIS. Newly renovated. Swimming Pool and Garage. 65,000, Owner, Baan Suan Loch Plam, heitmann@hlbthai.com, 081-8996557 (Eng)/ 0887602825 (Thai)

Condo in Patong for Rent

Full-furnished studio with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living room, kitchenette, mountain view, and free wifi.

2 Rooms available; 66 sq.m and 88 sq.m. Start from 25,000 THB/month, Jane, social@karonseasand. com, 062 842 4861.

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).

PROPERTY FOR RENT

COMMUNITY

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

Dream Village Phuket house

3bed, 3 1/2 bath, 330sqm living, 900 sqm land, very quite aera, 2 km mission hill golf, 6km UWC, 8 km airport. owner finance. 0870608400 engl/ deutsch, price is negotiable. 10.9MB, picharly@gmail.com

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Karon 1 Bed Condo for Sale

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

Villa Mission Heights Big Pool

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1 Bed Condo in Kamala

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

44 sqm Condo for sale at THB 5,200,000 – Parking space included – Quiet Unit – email: sale. hd.design@outlook.com - 66937198098.

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

Ms. Manatchanok, 0800409411

Sell your products at one of Phuket's most successful five-star Resorts! Le Meridien Phuket has one 31-sqm shop space for rent. Sumalee Intana, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort 29 Soi Karon Nui, Karon, Muang 83100 Phuket Thailand, sumalee. intana@lemeridien.com, +6676370100.

4-Bedroom House for rent

CONDO FOR SALE THE DECK PATONG

Villa in Patong prime location

Shop Space for Rent (31 SQM)

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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

Seaview land Nai Harn Beach

2bed 2bath 295sqm land 100sqm living + veranda, compl. renovated.: new water, electric., tiles, paint in/out, windows, 3A/C, built in kitchen. 0870608400 engl/deutsch, price is negotiable picharly@gmail.com, 66870608400

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MUST SELL Nice shophouse near Boat Lagoon 30% below market. Bank financing optional. Buyer pays transfer fees. https:// bit.ly/31621Pb 30/12 Moo2 Thepkrasattri Rd, Koh-Khao, Phuket THA 83000, 0922537251, info@remxep.com

2.5 rai of superb seaview land overlooking Nai Harn bay & the Andaman Sea, ideal for deluxe villa (s) or resort. Walking distance to beach. Email development@amsasean. com Henri.

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Paul MOORHOUSE

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

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.

7 Bed Boutique Hotel for Sale

A unique opportunity to buy a beautiful, fully licensed and 100% legally compliant boutique hotel business in Cherng Talay.

The resort has full restaurant, alcohol and cigarette licenses. B30,000,000, Mike, phuket@thairesidential.com

1 story building for rent

150m2 - Located in Allamanda 1 Laguna Phuket is available for rent. Rent is negotiable especially for long term lease. 096 646 6287.

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

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

SPORT 29

Penguins swing the brooms Patong team sweep the Misfits in Phuket Ashes cricket series CRICKET Jason Robertson

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clash of the Phuket titans, as the Patong Penguins were able to come away with big wins over the Phuket Misfits last Saturday (Aug. 31) at the Alan Cooke Ground in Thalang.

After a delayed start due to heavy rains throughout the island, the games were reduced to 15 overs a side.

The Penguins batted first in game one and made 110 for 4 in their allotted overs. The Misfits capitulated for 66 all out, as scoreboard pressure and some excellent bowling by the Penguins. Give them Penguins game 1 by 54 runs and a swagger bordering on arrogance heading into Game 2.

The Misfits would fare no better in game two. They batted first and posted a mediocre 100 for 4, which the Penguins had no problems in reaching with 2 full overs to spare.

In-game one the Penguins would get off to a quick start, with Matt Kohler at his destructive best, reaching the

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Shivam Bhat (centre) bowling to Sajal Gaur. Photo: Michael Way set retirement score of 30 in a mere 17 balls. Delano Buchner who has come a long way as a batsman and now fills an allrounder role for the Penguins also managed to reach the retirement score of 30 from 25 balls. David Abrahams played the anchor role with a beautifully played 23.

Pick of the Misfits bowlers was Pir Sami with 4 for 13 in 3 overs. He was also the only wicket take for the sorry Misfits.

In response, the Misfits never got going and only Hank Hamilton (19) managed

to make double figures, with a run a ball 19. The highlight of the innings, however, belonged to the very rare mode of dismissal as Shivam Baht bowled to Sajal Gaur and after a horrid shot was caught by Saju Abraham for the rare ACG trifecta.

In the second game the Misfits fared slightly better with Chairman Bootsy (30*) finally making some runs, after his dismal run with the bat at the Koh Chang Beach Cricket Tournament the previous week.

But, with Jason Robertson

(2/13) ripping the heart out of the batting line up at the other end, with the wickets of arguably the islands two best batsman in Hank Hamilton (0) first ball and then clean bowling Sameer Khan (2), it was always going to be a struggle for the Misfits. Only Sajal Gaur, who looked good with the bat, before unexpectedly retiring hurt as his recurring rash flared up mid-game, made any further significant runs for the Misfits as they limped to end exactly on 100 runs.

The Penguins with 101 runs to sweep the Ashes hoped

Player of the match Saju Abraham (left) for the ACG triple play, as Matt Kohler (2nd left) celebrates while Craig Morgan and Jeremy Bootsy look on. Photo: Michael Way that Craig Morgan would fair slightly better in the second innings after a disappointing first at-bat when he picked the wrong ball to play the Ben Stokes reverse to as Pir Sami destroyed his stumps.

However, you can’t keep a good player down for long as Pancake (39*) bludgeoned the Misfits bowlers to all corners of the ground, into the dam and through a roof or two, before retiring with consecutive sixes off Ike Bekker. After that carnage, all the Penguins needed to do was canter home and canter home they did.

Sameer Khan (2/14) was the pick of the Misfits bowlers in the second game but it was not enough to change the inevitability of the Penguins sweep.

Next up for Phuket Cricket is the Bootlegger sponsored super sixes at the ACG Cricket and Sports Facility this Sunday (Sept 8) from 10 am.

Phuket Cricket is always looking for new players and sponsors. For more information contact them through the Phuket Cricket Facebook pages or by email at jbriggs11689@ gmail.com.

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Tragedy turned into victory

Bittersweet win for Ferrari’s Leclerc, dedicated to fallen friend BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

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hen Charles Leclerc looks back on his first Formula One victory his recollection will be bittersweet.

His inevitable ascent to the top step of the podium at the Belgian Grand Prix came as a relief. Not only did Leclerc make good on his burgeoning form after being denied wins by technical failure and inferior strategy earlier in the year, but for 44 laps of the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps the Monegasque had to suppress the sorrow of the previous 24 hours.

Just one night earlier, during Formula Two race at the same circuit, Anthoine Hubert had been killed in a shocking high-speed collision.

Having already crashed at the top of the fearsome Eau Rouge-Raidillon complex after being forced into sudden evasive action, Hubert was hit at speed in excess of

Charles Leclerc holds his trophy and gestures towards the sky in tribute to late French driver Anthoine Hubert next to second placed Lewis Hamilton (left) and third placed Valtteri Bottas (right) after the Belgian Grand Prix on September 1. Photo: JOHN THYS / AFP 270 kilometres per hour by rival Juan Manuel Correa and thrown back into the barriers.

Both had been attempting to avoid a damaged car on the road ahead of them.

The forces of the smash destroyed both cars. Correa was evacuated to hospital and treated for fractured legs and a spinal injury, but Hubert’s wounds were too severe, and

he was pronounced dead that evening.

Formula One was plunged into mourning.

The 22-year-old Frenchman’s career had only just started to blossom. He’d burst onto the scene in 2014 by winning the French Formula Four title on debut, but a lack of funds meant he meandered through a series of junior

single-seater categories on his way to GP3 in 2017.

By 2018 he was the GP3 champion and had earnt the attention of Renault’s junior driver programme, which helped him enter the Formula Two championship for 2019.

He’d won two races this year, at the blue-ribband Monaco Grand Prix and his home race in France, but

this weekend his motorsport journey came to a cruel and sudden end.

A racing death hits all drivers hard, but for Leclerc this was particularly impactful.

Hubert and Leclerc’s careers were intertwined, having formed a promising Frenchbacked racing contingent in their early years along with Pierre Gasly, now at Toro Rosso, and Mercedes junior Esteban Ocon. Hubert was the final piece of the puzzle, and with Renault’s backing it seemed he might finally have the opportunity to state his case to reach the pinnacle.

But on Saturday night that promising quartet had become three, and Sunday became a tribute to Hubert’s life.

Drivers and team personnel wore black armbands and cars were liveried with memorial stickers. A moving minute’s silence was observed before lights-out, all 20 drivers and Hubert’s mother and brother standing solemnly before the helmet of their fallen fellow traveller.

“I told Charles [Leclerc] before the race, ‘Please win

this race for Anthoine’, because we started racing in the same year,” Pierre Gasly reflected afterwards, and the pole-sitting Monegasque needed no further encouragement.

Visor down, he was almost f lawless through the race, which climaxed with him absorbing pressure from a fast-finishing Lewis Hamilton to take the chequered flag by less than a second.

But as soon as he crossed the finish line, his visor back up, the emotion returned.

Celebrations for his first win were muted. His thoughts were only of Hubert.

“On the one hand I’ve got a dream since being a child that has been realised, but on the other hand it has been a very difficult weekend,” he said. “We have lost a friend.

“It is very difficult in these situations, so I would like to dedicate my first win to him.”

Formula One will race on this weekend with the Italian Grand Prix, but hearts will be a little heavier carrying the memory of a driver who paid the ultimate price for chasing his dream.

Brady, Patriots chase more history GRIDIRON NEW ENGLAND PATRIots quarterback Tom Brady is plotting another improbable chapter of his record-breaking career as the National Football League kicked off its 100 th season on Thursday (Sept 5).

Almost 100 years after the Dayton Triangles defeated the Columbus Panhandles, regarded as the first meeting between two NFL teams, the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers launched the 2019-2020 campaign in a

Tom Brady started the 2018 season with an impressive performance against the Houston Texans. Photo: AFP blockbuster season-opener at Soldier Field.

Brady and the Patriots meanwhile make their season bow in another eye-catching

clash on Sunday (Sept 8), when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium.

The Patriots start the season as the team to beat, led by 42-year-old Brady in what will be his 20th NFL season. He won a record sixth Super Bowl crown in February against the Los Angeles Rams in Atlanta, making him the oldest quarterback to win the Super Bowl.

A successful defence of the NFL crown would make the Patriots only the second team in history to win backto-back Super Bowls.

AFP

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

North London thriller caps exciting weekend FOOTBALL

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iverpool and Manchester City continue to move away from their ‘top six’ rivals at the top of the Premier League as Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham all dropped points last weekend.

Arsenal and Spurs played out a thrilling 2-2 draw, while United and Chelsea threw away leads to take only a point each from games with Southampton and Sheffield United respectively.

Liver pool eased past Burnle 3-0 to continue their 100% start and maintain a two-point lead over City at the top of the table.

Here, AFP Sports looks at three things we learned from the Premier League weekend: Laporte a big loss for City Man City cruised to another routine 4-0 victory over Brighton with Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne in fine form, but victory came at a huge cost that could yet have a big bearing on the title race.

Defender Aymeric Laporte was stretchered off with a nasty looking knee injury late in the first-half with City boss Pep Guardiola predicting the Frenchman “will be out for a while.”

Centre-back is arguably the only area of the field where the champions are not blessed with great strength in depth.

City decided against signing more cover there despite the departure of former captain Vincent Kompany at the end of last season.

Laporte has been by a distance City’s outstanding centre-back over the past year with Guardiola calling him

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SPORT 31 Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change

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Mitre 10 Cup

Manukau v. Tasman

Friday 6th Sep Rugby Union Cricket

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England v. Australia, Day 3

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15:00 17:00

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Parramatta v. Manly

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AFL Qualifiers

Geelong v. Collingwood

12:00 14:00

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North Harbour v. Waikato

14:30 16:30

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Bay of Plenty v. Wellington

Saturday 7th Sep Rugby Union

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22:00 00:00 Currie Cup Final

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14:30 16:30

NRL

Bulldogs v. Broncos

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12:20 15:30

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16:30 19:30

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Brisbane v. Richmond

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23:00 01:00

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England v. Bulgaria

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17:00 02:00 4th Test, Old Trafford

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19:45 21:30

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Qualifying, Monza

Sunday 8th Sep Rugby League

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Tigers v. Sharks

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23:00 01:00

Euro 2020

Switzerland v. Gibraltar

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17:00 02:00 4th Test, Old Trafford

Motor Racing

Arsenal’s French striker Alexandre Lacazette shoots to score their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London last Sunday (Sept 1). Photo: Ben STANSALL / AFP the best left-footed player in his position in the world on Friday (Aug 30).

Should he be sidelined for a long period, Guardiola will be forced to rely on the inconsistent Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones, or move holding midfielder Fernandinho into defence as he did for the second-half against Brighton.

Short-handed Man Utd stumble again Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rued missed chances as his side failed to win for the third straight game in a 1-1 draw against 10-man Southampton last Saturday (Aug 31).

The Red Devils have now won just one of their last 10 matches stretching back to a disappointing end to last season and they look ill-equipped to deal with the rigours of a long campaign having sold Romelu Lukaku and loaned out Alexis Sanchez to Inter Milan without buying any

forwards over the summer.

Solskjaer insisted on Friday he is happy for Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial to carry the goalscoring burden, but with Martial out injured for the trip to St Mary’s, Rashford, still just 21, had to bear that responsibility alone.

Mason Greenwood, 17, came off the bench in the search of a winner, but with so few attacking options to call on, a lack of firepower looks likely to be a familiar failing of United’s season.

Balancing act ahead for Arsenal Arsenal, by contrast, are blessed with attacking talent as Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang started together for the first time in last Sunday’s (Sep 1) thrilling 2-2 draw against Tottenham in the north London derby.

However, the difficult task that faces Unai Emery in

fielding all three of his star forwards was laid bare as Arsenal were torn apart on the counter-attack by Spurs.

Lacazette started the fightback in first-half stoppage time, but it wasn’t until he was sacrificed for Aubameyang to

England v. Australia, Day 5

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19:45 22:30

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Italy Grand Prix

play in his favoured central role that Arsenal equalised as the Gabon international prodded home his third goal in four games.

Emery was reluctant at times last season just to field Lacazette and Aubameyang

together as it left his side a man light in midfield.

But after a club record £72 million (B2.678 billion) fee was splashed on Pepe, the Spaniard must find a way to shore up his midfield and defence behind the talented trio.

Sport

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editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Bittersweet win at the Belgian GP > p30

ISLAND FAST BREAK

Phuket Ice Hockey tournament sees players from all over

Bangkok Zeus (white) against the Singapore Ice Dragons (red). Photo: JP Mestanza

HOCKEY JP Mestanza tv@classactmedia.co.th

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he glide of skates on ice, the slaps of the puck, the cheers of the crowd.

It’s not often you see any ice hockey in Thailand, but last week’s tournament at the Phuket Ice Arena in Boat Lagoon saw teams of various ages from all over the region compete for top prizes.

The Phuket Ice Hockey Tournament was the brainchild of Phung Ponglerkdee, the organiser and captain of the Thailand Women’s Ice Hockey Team.

“We have to go to Bang-

kok to play [ice hockey], we have many teams who play there. One student who lives in Phuket and plays with us, they told me about the arena in Phuket so we did our first tournament last year,” Phung told The Phuket News.

That first tournament, held at the end of August 2018, saw about 20 teams compete across several age categories.

This year’s edition saw just 15 teams compete, as there was another tournament in Bangkok where others decided to register, but the Phuket competition still attracted enough people to have an Under-8, Under-10, Under-13 and an Open Adult age group.

Players as far as Japan come to take part while a

Organiser Phung Ponglerkdee. Photo: JP Mestanza Singapore-based team brought enough players for two squads, their U-10 and U-13 teams.

“It’s just a great opportunity to start the season. Many of the kids have played a little throughout the summer, or have not played at all so it’s

good to get the kids together in a great atmosphere and work out the kinks,” said Singapore Ice Dragons coach Troy Gerry.

From the referees certified by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), to the scores of parents who take

countless photos and videos, to the organiser who keeps everything humming along with little to no issues, the Phuket Ice Hockey Tournament is more than a well-run competition, it’s a chance for hockey to spread in Thailand.

“I just love hockey because it’s like an exotic sport. It doesn’t get as much love like football. It’s a very similar sport to football, but, not to brag, I think hockey is more interesting than football,” said 12-year-old Finley, a defenseman for the Bangkok Zeus squad.

The tournament in Phuket is just a small part of the Thailand ice hockey calendar, with more competitions taking place in Bangkok, and

semi-professional leagues that serve as feeder programmes for the Kingdom’s national teams. Phung herself started playing at 12 years old, and now, 22 years later, says the sport has grown.

Her experience comes in handy, especially after leading the Thai women’s team to a gold medal finish at the 2019 IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia tournament in Abu Dhabi this past April.

“Seven years ago I started to do ice hockey games for kids in Thailand. When we started, there was just only 30 kids, not all the same age.

Now, there’s more than 300 kid ice hockey players. It’s getting bigger and bigger all over Thailand,” Phung said.

Qatar unveils 2022 World Cup logo round the globe FOOTBALL QATAR UNVEILED THE LOGO for the 2022 World Cup which will be hosted by the Gulf emirate, displaying it in public spaces in Doha and cities around the world on Tuesday (Sept 3).

The design is a stylised Arabic white unisex shawl with maroon patterning, which is displayed in

a figure-of-eight symbolising infinity while creating a heart shape above the words “FIFA WORLD CUP Qatar 2022”.

It was projected onto the vast facade of the country’s National Archives in the capital’s southern Msheireb district to fanfare that included a procession of soldiers on horseback watched by a crowd of hundreds.

The building was illuminated

with the emblem at exactly 20:22 local time – the same as the year of the tournament.

“The logo is very elegant and showing local culture with the (burgundy) colour of the Qatari flag,” Algerian hospitality worker Mourad Bencheikh, 36, told AFP as visitors crowded to photograph the new branding.

The emblem was also displayed in Madrid, Buenos Aires and

Beirut along with several other major cities.

The Qatari organisers said the logo “was inspired by traditional woollen shawls worn during the winter months”.

The 2022 event will be held in November and December to avoid the scorching Gulf summer.

“Like football, the shawls’ popularity is a unifying force, woven into the everyday fabric of

Photo: AFP people’s lives,” added the Supreme Committee in a statement.

AFP thephuketnews