The Phuket News November 8, 2019

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PHUKET FLASH FLOOD DELUGE DAMAGES 400 HOUSES > PAGE 3

SAVE WATER

NEWS

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Local drownings leave five dead, one in coma

LIFE

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Phuket author inspires in new vegan book A PWA officer shuts down a water-release valve at Bang Wad reservoir earlier this week.

Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

WATER FLOW FROM BANG WAD RESERVOIR ALREADY CUT BY 25%, TO BE HALVED FROM NEW YEAR Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

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ater supply from Bang Wad reservoir, the island’s main water source, was reduced by 25% last Friday (Nov 1), and will be reduced to half its regular flow from Jan 1, the busiest week for tourism on the island for the whole year.

The move comes as water officials take drastic measures in the hope of making water reserves last until the annual monsoon rains return in earnest next May – and leaving the island dependent on supply from

private water sources until then.

“The water we have at the three main reservoirs now is not enough to last through the whole dry season next year (2020),” the chief of the Phuket office of the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA), Graisorn Mahamad, admitted this week.

“We urge everyone to start conserving how much water they use as much as possible,” he said.

The Office National Water Resources (ONWR) ordered Mr Graisorn and his office to immediately take steps to conserve water following ONWR Secretary-General Somkiat Prajamwong arriving in Phuket in

person Monday last week (Oct 28) to deliver his message personally.

(See The Phuket News page 1 story last week.)

“Plus the Phuket Provincial Irrigation Office [PPIO] has reduced how much water being released from Bang Wad reservoir. Previously, it was 20,000 cubic metres a day, last Friday it was reduced to 15,000m3 a day,” Mr Graisorn explained.

The PPIO is responsible for maintaining and regulating the water levels at the island’s main reservoirs, while Mr Graisorn and the Phuket PWA office is responsible for distributing it.

“Next, the water released from

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Bang Wad reservoir will be reduced to 10,000m 3 per day, starting on January 1,” Mr Graisorn confirmed.

The bad news doesn’t stop there.

“Next week, the PPIO will ban the PWA from using any water from the Bang Neow Dum reservoir as any water there now will be held back for use in case of emergency,” he said.

Phuket PWA Deputy Manager Thamrak Kumpech told The Phuket News, “It’s hard to predict how much people will suffer from this, but it will affect people living in high areas and near the end of supply network.

“We will probably be able to better estimate the situation at the end...

SPORT

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Hamilton on track to make F1 history

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Dive tour deaths spark full review of safety > p5

Five dead in week of drownings Russian-Swiss woman in coma after rescue by tourist at Patong The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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huket this week suffered six drowning incidents that left four tourists and one local man dead and one Russian-Swiss woman comatose as of yesterday morning (Nov 7).

Russian-Swiss dual national Natalia Startseva Bahni, 49, remains comatose in care at Vachira Phuket Hospital after she was pulled from the water unconscious at Patong Beach early Wednesday morning (Nov 6).

Ms Bahni was pulled from the water, about halfway along Patong Beach, by passing tourist Ethiopian national Ephrem Shimondi Gebreegziabher, 38, said Capt Ittikorn Pacharadej of the Phuket Tourist Police.

“Mr Gebreegziabher said that he saw Ms Bahni floating face down in the water at around 6:45am. He brought her ashore and called lifeguards for help,” he said.

“We had lifeguards there on patrol from the night shift who started performing CPR. She was revived and started breathing on her own. She regained consciousness and we asked her in Russian, ‘Are you okay?’. She responded with a nod, but her breathing was still very weak,” said

Rescue workers attend to 61-year-old Russian tourist Altaf Sharifulin, originally from Moscow, on Tuesday morning (Nov 5) after he was brought ashore at the far northern end of Karon Beach, where the beach is patrolled only by lifeguards provided by a nearby resort. Photo: Karon Municipality Patong Surf Life Saving Chief Somprasong Sangchart.

“An ambulance took her to Patong Hospital and she was later transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital the same day,” Mr Somprasong said.

Capt Ittikorn of the Phuket Tourist Police confirmed yesterday morning (Nov 7), “She is still in the RCU room [Respiratory Care Unit] at Vachira Phuket Hospital. We have asked the management of Patong Tower Condominium to contact her relations.”

Patong Surf Life Saving

Chief Mr Somprasong also confirmed to The Phuket News, “Patong Beach is always closed to swimmers from 6:30pm to 8:30am the next day. This is for safety.”

Late Wednesday afternoon (Nov 6), 55-year-old Russian national Sergei Oshkin, from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in Russia’s Far East, died after being pulled from the surf unconscious and unresponsive at Karon Beach at about 5pm.

Mr Oshkin was seen struggling in the water after he was dragged away from the

southern end of the beach, reported Tourist Police.

He was brought to shore by a tourist swimming nearby, and rescue workers began administering CPR. Mr Oshkin was rushed to the emergency center at the yet-to-fully-open Chalong Hospital, but was later pronounced dead.

The report did not mention any lifeguards on duty responding to the incident.

Mr Oshikin’s death followed that of 61-year-old Russian tourist Altaf Sharifulin, originally from Moscow, at

the far northern Karon Beach on Tuesday morning.

Rachen Phuntarakit, the Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) at Karon Municipality, explained to The Phuket News that no lifeguards provided

by Karon Municipality patrol the far northern end of Karon beach. “That section of beach is patrolled by lifeguards provided by the resort,” he confirmed.

Those deaths followed that of Japanese tourist Ryo Kubota, 37, who died on Monday after being pulled

from water unconscious on a snorkelling tour to Pileh Bay at Phi Lei Island. Mr Ryo was rushed to Phi Phi Hospital and then to Krabi Hospital on the mainland, but later pronounced dead.

Mr Ryo’s death came while officials were still searching for missing 31-year-old Belarus tourist Maksim Shchartsou, who disappeared while swimming at Nai Thon Beach on Wednesday night last week (Oct 30).

Mr Shchartsou’s body was found at the southern of Nai Thon Beach last Saturday (Nov 2).

Irene Roslik, 29, who arrived in Phuket with Mr Shchar tsou, remained in Phuket while the search continued. She is pregnant with his child.

Tourist Police and other officials provided Ms Roslik with what assistance they could.

The spate of foreign deaths all followed that of local resident Sarawut Dungsikaew, 38, who disappeared in the surf while crab fishing at Layan Beach last Tuesday night (Oct 29). His body was finally recovered offshore between Kamala and Patong last Thursday (Oct 31).

Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub

Water supply reduced as officials consider rations for the New Year Continued from page 1 ...of December. If there is not enough water in the reservoirs then, we will start thinking about water rations,” he said.

Water supplied from private sources, which the PWA began securing in the aftermath of the water crisis in Phuket earlier this year, is hoped to deliver enough water for the coming months, though Mr Graisorn has his doubts.

Bang Wad reservoir as of Wednesday contained 3.274mn m3 of its 10.2mn-plus m3 capacity. “This is enough to last 72 days [at current usage rates],” Mr Graisorn said.

To supplement that supply, the PWA has signed contracts with five private water source owners

to provide about 12,600m3 of water per day to supply homes and businesses served by Bang Wad reservoir. The contracts last five years and total B325 million, he explained.

Although Bang Neow Dum reservoir in Srisoonthorn, Thalang, currently contains about 0.69mn m3 of its 7.2mn m3 capacity, that water will be off-limits as of next week, Mr Graisorn repeated.

“We have contracted three private water source owners to provide about 16,400m3 per day to serve those connected to water supplied by the Bang Neow Dum reservoir, and we have constructed a temporary weir along the Jea-Sa canal in Cherng Talay which we can use to help serve people in the area,” he said.

The three contracts each last for five years and cost the PWA about B260mn, he added.

“All this water from private sources we can use now. The total cost of sourcing water from private owners costs about B585 million. But all this private water goes directly to people’s homes, none of it can be used to refill the reservoirs,” Mr Graisorn explained.

“If the private water owners can continue to supply the volumes they have agreed to in the contracts, we should fine. But I am not confident they will be able to sustain the volume of supply contracted after the end of December,” he cautioned.

“We will have to check again then. If the private water sources start running short, then we will

Whatever water is in Bang Neow Dum reservoir will be kept for emergencies only. Photo: PWA have a serious problem,” Mr Graisorn said.

Meanwhile, at the southern end of the island, the Khlong Kratha reservoir in Chalong as of this week contained about 2.040mn m3 of its 4.32mn m3 capacity – enough to last about 30 days, Phuket PWA

Deputy Manager Mr Thamrak confirmed.

No private water sources have been found to supplement that end of the island, though much of the distribution in the southern end of the island is connected to the island’s main water supply network. thephuketnews

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Cleaning up after the storm

More than 400 homes damaged by flash floods Cleanup teams took to helping local residents in Chalong and Karon clear their homes from mud and other debris brought by the flash floods. Photo: PR Dept

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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ore than 400 houses suffered damage in the flash floods that struck Phuket last Thursday (Oct 31). The tally was confirmed at a meeting last Friday (Nov 1) led by Phuket Vice Governors Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai and Wongsakorn Nunchukan to oversee official support for victims affected by the flash floods.

About 300 households were affected in Chalong, with more than 70 households in Baan Tak Daet in Moo 4 Chalong suffering damage, the meeting was told.

A further 121 households were affected in Karon, with the most heavily affected being in Baan Karon (Moo 1) and Baan Bangla (Moo 3), the officials were told.

Vice Governor Wongsakorn confirmed that the selected affected areas had been officially recognised as affected by a flood disaster, which avails the provincial government access to disaster-relief funds

to render assistance.

“The Phuket Government orders municipality officers to examine affected areas and urgently assist people,” he said.

During the height of the downpours, people from 170 homes were evacuated to shelters for safety.

Many areas in Chalong were heavily affected by the flash floods with Chao Fa West Rd rendered impassable,

leaving all traffic diverted onto Chao Fa East Rd, which very quickly became jammed by a massive tailback.

Areas in Karon were also heavily affected, particularly hard hit were homes and businesses on Patak Rd Soi 18.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Phuket office (DDPM-Phuket) set up an emergency shelter at a Muay Thai camp located

Expat faces child sex charges PETER HARRIS, A RETIRED AUSTRAlian school principal well known in Phuket for his deep involvement in local community charity projects, has been arrested in Australia on child sex offences allegedly committed as far back as the 1970s an ’80s.

Harris, now 78, was arrested on the night of Oct 22 while attempting to board a flight at Melbourne Airport, a police spokesperson confirmed to Australia newspaper The Age. Dr Harris faces five charges, including assaults in East Melbourne, Maryborough and Castlemaine in the Australian state of Victoria between 1975 and 1983, noted the report.

The charges include gross indecency with a male, two counts of indecent assault on a male person, indecent assault, and knowingly possessing child abuse material, noted the initial report of his arrest.

Harris was founding principal of Billanook College in Mooroolbark in Melbourne’s outer-east, which opened in 1980. He left the school in 1996.

Before his position at Billanook College, he was founding principal at Maryborough Christian Community College, now known as Highview College, near Bendigo, which opened in 1974, explained The Age report.

Dr Harris was also a teacher at prestigious Melbourne private school Haileybury College in Keysborough from 1967 until 1973. He was a commerce teacher, librarian, hockey coach and boarding house master, the report added.

Harris was bailed and presented himself at Bendigo Magistrates Court on Oct 29, when he was granted bail again to re-appear in court on April 1 next year.

Of note, in marking his court appearance it was revealed that Harris was allegedly in @thephuketnews

Dr Peter Harris at an event at held at Koh Siray School, east of Phuket Town, in March last year for the handing over of B740,000 from Australian Direct AID Bangkok for its ‘Clean Water, Clean Hands, Clean Klong’ project. Photo: The Phuket News possession of child abuse material at the time of his arrest on Oct 22.

Dr Harris was deeply involved in many local community projects, including a project sponsored by the Australian Government to revitalise a village on Koh Siray, on the east side of Phuket Town, and help establish the kindergarten as a sustainable centre with fresh drinking water and a garden.

The village-focused project is part of a wider project sponsored by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which aims to transform Koh Siray into a self-sustained ecosystem, reduce waste to zero, break the poverty cycle by em­powering local waste management and increase commercial gain by creating products to sell in local markets.

The Phuket News

behind the TOT office on Chao Fa West Rd in Chalong and another shelter at Karon Temple, where families evacuated from their homes were given blankets, food and other assistance.

Those not evacuated to the shelters were taken into safe government buildings.

Cleanup teams were deployed to the affected areas last Friday to help local resi-

dents restore and repair their homes, and to clear thick mud left behind by the torrents that flowed through the streets and people’s homes.

Meanwhile, students from Phuket Technology College and staff from power tool and building equipment retailer DDay Group Co Ltd this week launched a free repair service for residents in Chalong and Karon whose homes were damaged in the flash floods.

The f ree ser vice was launched last Saturday (Nov 2), with teams deployed to Baan Tak Daet in Chalong, one of the worst-hit areas of the flash floods.

The team of repair personnel continued their efforts in Baan Tak Daet last Sunday, attending to washing machines, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators and any other appliances no longer working after being subjected to fast-moving floodwaters carrying mud and muck into resident’s homes.

“We knew the difficulties the people living in the area are facing, so we contacted Phuket Technology College in

order to repair local people’s broken electrical appliances,” explained Chockchai Ongsantipap, head of the D-Day Group outlet in Phuket.

“We are doing the repairs for free as it might cost B500 to B2,000 to have just one appliance repaired somewhere else,” he said.

Some repairs may take several days, Mr Chockchai noted. “If we cannot fix them in one day, we will come to fix them in the following days,” he said.

Jinda Buppetanan, a teacher at Phuket Technological Collage, noted that many of the local people needed the service.

“They have many appliances and equipment – washing machines, refrigerators, grass cutters – to be repaired.

This project helps to reduce the burden these people are already facing and it is a good opportunity for our students to apply what they have learned,” the teacher said.

Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub

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PHUKET NEWS

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Violent sex attacker caught

Woman fights off plantation attack, perp nabbed in Phuket Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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Jason Beavan 086 479 7471

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

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man wanted for attempted rape in Ao Luek, Krabi, was arrested at a housing estate in central Phuket on Tuesday (Nov 5).

Nantachai “Lub” Boonrak, 29, from Phattalung, was arrested at the National Housing Authority residential estate in Baan Lipon in Srisoonthorn at about 11am, Phuket Provincial Police Chief Maj Gen Rungrote Thakurapunyasiri announced at Phuket City Police Station late Tuesday afternoon.

Nantachai was arrested by a team of Phuket Provincial Police officers led by Maj Suchart Chompuseng who acted on information provided

by Krabi Town Police, Maj Gen

MAIN: The victim with police at the scene of the attack.

INSET: Nantachai Boonrak. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Rungrote explained.

Nantachai, presented to the press on Tuesday, was wanted on arrest warrant no 449/2019 issued by Krabi Provincial Court on Oct 22 for the at-

tempted rape of a woman in a palm plantation in Ao Luek on Oct 20.

According to the report to police filed by the victim, Nantachai attacked and at-

tempted to rape her in a palm plantation in Moo 5, Khao Yai subdistrict.

The woman told police that she went searching for mushrooms when she came across Nantachai, who said he was hunting birds.

While walking back to her motorbike, Nantachai grabbed her from behind with a chokehold, then hit her in the stomach and face until she fell to the ground, Col Kritsanat Wongklahan of Ao Luek Police noted in his report.

Nantachai then tore her clothes while he tried to rip them from her body. The woman begged to be let go, but Nantachai continued his attack, the victim reported.

The woman fought back and managed to escape after kicking him between the legs

until he fell down.

The woman ran for help while Nantachai fled the scene, Col Kritsanat noted.

Maj Gen Rungrote told the press that Nantachai had an extensive criminal history.

In 2005, Nantachai was arrested by Ao Luek Police for attempted rape and murder, for which he was sentenced to prison, Maj Gen Rungrote said.

Phuket City Police arrested him in 2009 for theft, and again in 2011 for possession of illegal drugs, again in 2012 for escaping from Phuket Provincial Prison, and again in 2015 for possession of illegal drugs, Maj Gen Rungrote explained.

Nantachai was handed over to Krabi Town Police to be brought to trial there, Maj Gen Rungrote confirmed on Tuesday.

SALES REPRESENTATIVE Kanokwan (Meo) Rungseang 088 754 1371 sales1@classactmedia.co.th

The remains of the car. Photo: Tha Chatchai Police

Driver dodges major injuries in wipeout A 24-YEAR-OLD MAN HAS been charged with reckless driving causing damage to state property but is lucky to escape a serious wipeout with just scratches after his car took out a guardrail on the main road onto the island last Thursday afternoon (Oct 31).

Capt Thanom Thongpaen of the Tha Chatchai Police reported that he was notified of the accident at 3:40pm.

Officers and rescue workers from Mai Khao Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) arrived at the scene, the section of Thepkrasattri Rd between the bridge leading onto the island and the Phuket Checkpoint at Tah Chatchai, to find a grey

Phuket-registered Toyota Camry still embedded in the guardrail.

T he d r iver, Ji n nawat Thawonkit, suffered only minor injuries in the wipeout, which took out eight segments of the guardrail, Capt Thanom noted.

Jinnawat told police that when he was driving to Phuket when he lost control of the car and hit the guardrail.

No other explanation was given for the wipeout.

The road was dry at the time of the accident.

Jinnawat was charged with reckless driving, causing damage to government property, Capt Thanom confirmed.

Eakkapop Thongtub thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

PHUKET NEWS

5

Dive tour safety probed Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

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halong Police Chief Col Terdtoon Soisukphaphan has confirmed that Island Wonders Co Ltd, the company involved in the incident that saw a South Korean tourist and Thai dive instructor both drown at Koh Racha last month, will be charged for not having the requisite mandatory accident insurance required by law.

South Korean tourist Sunghyun Cho, 37, was on a dive tour to see coral reefs at Ao Lah, the northernmost bay on the east side of the island, on Oct 19 when he began moving frantically as if experiencing breathing difficulties, according to initial reports.

Pongsathorn Madnui, the 34-yearold Thai dive instructor leading Mr Cho on his dive, went to Mr Cho’s assistance, but both men “collapsed” before reaching the surface.

The dive was reportedly to a depth of no more than seven metres.

The men were pulled onto the boat, which took them to shore at Chalong Pier before they were taken to the Accident & Emergency unit of the yet-to-open Chalong Hospital, where doctors tried unsuccessfully to revive them.

“We will charge Island Wonders Co Ltd as the tour operator does not

Vice Governor Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai at the meeting on dive tour safety on Oct 30. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot have accident insurance coverage for tourists and tour guides while conducting their tours,” Col Terdtoon told The Phuket News last Friday (Nov 1).

Chalong Police Deputy Chief Lt Col Chana Soottimas also confirmed that the charge will be pressed.

“The company used to have accident injury insurance as required by law, but it had expired at the time of the incident,” he explained.

The news follows Governor Phakaphong on Oct 24 ordering that measures be taken to shore up dive tour safety, leading to a

closed-door meeting on Oct 30 led

by Vice Governor Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai.

After the meeting, Vice Governor Supoj told The Phuket News, “I ordered the Tourism Business and Guide Registration Office (TBGR) to investigate Island Wonders Co Ltd. “The TBGR has also been ordered to check the tour business registrations of all tour companies operating on Racha Island. The TBGR is to do this with the assistance of a team of other officials, which I set up today,” he added.

Royal Thai Navy Capt Tham-

Rohingya trafficker finally caught A BAHT-BILLIONAIRE ALLEGEDLY involved in the human trafficking of Rohingya fleeing persecution in Myanmar in the notorious case leading to the discovery of mass graves of the migrants on the Thai side of the Malaysian border four years ago has been handed over to Thai authorities after being arrested in Cambodia.

The trafficking ring saw Rohingya shipped to Phuket as well as Bangkok and to the South in the hope of being smuggled into Malaysia, Immigration Bureau Deputy Chief Maj Gen Surapong Chaichan explained at a special press conference held in Bangkok last Sunday (Nov 3).

The suspect, Supat “Kotok” Santipiyakul, 59, was handed over to Thai immigration officers at the Aranyaprathet Border Checkpoint last Saturday (Nov 2), Gen Surapong said.

Supat was wanted on arrest warrant no.

401/2015 issued by the Nathawee District Court in Songkhla on Aug 11, 2015 for charges of trafficking persons under the age of 15, helping aliens to enter to the Kingdom illegally, and kidnapping, Gen Surapong noted.

Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division Police (ATPD) was informed that Supat had fled to Cambodia, and informed Sakaeo immigration officers to coordinate with Cambodian Police to seek his arrest.

Supat was wanted for his involvement in the human trafficking ring that saw the discovery of some 30 graves on a mountain in Padang Besar in Sadao district, Songkhla, near the Malaysian border in 2015. The bodies were found close to a makeshift camp and were believed to be Rohingya migrants, victims of human trafficking.

The case involved 103 defendants, one of them disgraced former army adviser and Lt @thephuketnews

The arrest was announced in Bangkok last Sunday (Nov 2).

Photo: Immigration Bureau Gen Manas Kongpan, Gen Surapong explained.

Charges were dismissed against 40 defendants, but jail terms were handed down to 62 defendants charged with their roles in the human trafficking operation.

Last Thursday (Oct 31), the Appeal Court rejected an appeal by the defendants and increased jail sentences to around 80 years for defendants, including Manas and several local southern politicians.

The Appeal Court did not change the stiffest 94-year term, given to Myanmar national Soe Naing, who had been found guilty of human trafficking and assault causing death.

The court also convicted some of the defendants who were earlier acquitted. They included former army captain Wisut Bunnag of the Internal Security Operations Command in Chumphon province, and former Satun provincial councillor Anas Hayeemasae.

The arrest came as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha last Friday engaged in talks with US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross over the US threatening to cut $1.3 billion of import benefits for Thai goods over poor enforcement of base workers’ conditions.

The Phuket News

mawat Malaisukrin, deputy chief of Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC) in Phuket, after the meeting told The Phuket News that he had raised the issue of freelance dive instructors being used by dive tour companies.

“I urged Mr Atipong to look into freelance divers who work for tour companies because this is a potential issue,” Capt Thammawat said.

“The relevant officials must have safety measures to check dive equipment and the experience and qualifications of the freelance dive instructors they hire,” he added.

V/Gov Supoj admitted to The Phuket News that he has yet to fully appreciate how tour companies using freelance dive instructors, whether Thai and foreign, affects safety on dive tours.

“These issue are still unclear.

Also we do not have any officials who are clearly responsible for making sure that dive tour equipment is safe,” he said.

Vice Governor Supoj noted that there are currently no regulations specifically drafted to address safety measures in the dive industry.

“Safety measures are our main concern, and so I am looking for ways for make diving activities safer.

Also, I have raised the idea with relevant officials to create a diving guideline handbook for tourists. I have not concluded those details yet.

“At the meeting, we talked about what laws we can enforce on dive tours because currently there are no direct laws that regulate diving activities,” he said.

Vice Governor Supoj did point out that “Try Dive” tours, which teach beginners the basics of scuba diving, will come under scrutiny first.

“We have not come up with any specifics for Try Dive tours yet because we need to understand the bigger picture, but we will focus on Try Dive first and we need to figure it out quickly,” he said.

Opinion 6

OPINION

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EDITORIAL

Moratorium on stupidity

his week’s confirmation that the volume of water released into the island’s mains supply network from the Bang Wad Reservoir has been already drastically reduced by 25% is a real eye-opener.

The pre-emptive move to make what water reserves we have last as long as possible is a far cry from the baneful ignorance earlier this year. Yet it might have been a handy point for our local leading officials to at least ask the public to start conserving as much water as possible. That seems to be the normal thing to do elsewhere where water shortages are imminent.

However, events earlier this year made it plain that Phuket waterworks chief Graisorn Mahamad is in a tough spot when it comes to balancing doing his job and appeasing higher-ranking officials. He

tried to introduce water rations ahead of the water supply crisis last dry season but was then ordered to call them off as our governor stepped into the limelight.

Despite the repeated warnings over the years by Mr Graisorn’s office – and that of the Phuket Irrigation Office, which is responsible for maintaining water reserves on the island – we have a serious problem. We already are facing the prospect of not having enough water to see us through to the next annual rains.

With that as our immediate future, the island’s authorities are now stuck with their lack of foresight, and any house and condo projects already approved must go ahead. Ordering a halt on projects already underway only risks sending developers into bankruptcy, with the government at fault. That creates an entirely new crisis.

Yet there still has not been a peep about a moratorium or even stymieing more construction on the island. That can be done right now until our water woes have been sorted out.

On that note, not so long ago one savvy developer in Kathu realised just how many projects were being built without first fulfilling all legal requirements.

To mark his competitive advantage, and draw genuine buyers, he simply had put on a billboard promoting his development “EIA Approved”.

Housing and condo developers looking to sell their units fast now might want to follow suit. Taking steps to ensure water supply to their units and telling prospective buyers “Water supply guaranteed” might work well right now. After all, who would buy any property if you had no idea whether you would have water during the hottest months of the year?

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Phuket Carnival in Patong gets underway Patong roads to close for Phuket Carnival Phuket Opinion: Water, where art thou?

Phuket mops up after storm wreaks havoc Phuket expat charged in Australia over child sex offences More than 400 houses damaged by Phuket flash floods Phuket airport underpass completed on time, without fanfare Phuket probe into dive tour deaths to target Try Dive, freelance instructors Baht vexes tourism groups Two motorbike riders die in separate accidents within minutes

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HAVE YOUR SAY Good deeds

Re: Students, D-Day step up with free electrical appliance repairs for Phuket flash flood victims Any time there is a natural disaster you will find publicspirited Thais stepping up to the mark.

Dave HalfwayInn Wilson

mean 30 to 40 passengers per boat to stay profitable, thus this disaster will happen again.

Stuart Went

Re: Phuket probe into dive tour deaths to target Try Dive, freelance instructors It’s always the same story: drastic crackdown for one or two weeks with few arrests What a wonderful thing but well publicised in local to do. Well done guys. There media, then everything goes is still some faith in the hu- back to the same as it was before. Unfortunately, Phuket is man race.

Mr Richie always the first province for any change and reinforcement in the Thailand tourism industry Deep end while other coastal provinces along the Andaman Sea enjoy Re: Japanese tourist dies after pulled from water una small warning at most. Any conscious on Phi Phi snorchange about dive regulation kelling tour and laws should be reinforced As far as I know, only equally in all provinces and two operators in Phuket will tourist resorts. commit to a [maximum] tour Seafarer Divers Charlie group size of 18-20. The abilPhuket ity to monitor passengers in the water is greatly enhanced There are rules and standwith a small group. That said, ards in the diving industry but in Pileh, most swimmers tend this doesn’t mean accidents to stay close to the boat so and disasters are impossible. should have been relatively Wiesel easy to monitor when compared to snorkelling locations like Re: Search for Belarus tourViking Cave. Phuket is mostly ist to enter Day 5 a budget-orientated market for Once tourists drown, the boat tours so this will always Thai government keeps up ap-

pearances by spending lots of money to “find the body”. Too bad they won’t spend the same money on properly trained and equipped lifeguards, which could prevent many of these drownings in the first place.

Then they launch cash giveaways to lure tourists back, and more drown. A vicious cycle.

Daren Jenner

All play, no work

Re: Cabinet approves Dec 30 as additional New Year holiday Why not just approve all 365 days as a national holiday and save everyone the bother of working!

Geoffrey Morris The only Thais who get the day off are those in the banking and government sectors who work slow enough as it is. Little wonder anything going through the courts takes an aeon.

Tamsyn Stead

Bottom of the barrel

Re: Phuket Opinion: Water, where art thou?

It seems all this governor does is tell everyone to “take necessary measures”.

Absolutely no insight as to

solutions, and no leadership to see that things are addressed.

BenPendejo When Phuket really does have a water shortage, it’s possible to walk on the bed of the [Bang Wad] reservoir as I did 20 years ago. We’re a long way from that point.

Geoffrey Morris Just keep building those tourist hotels and apartment buildings. Excellent balance of infrastructure versus tourist development… NOT. Robert John Windsor

A real sanctuary

Re: Phuket Elephant Sanctuary to launch island’s first ’hands-off’ experience And where exactly is Phuket Elephant Sanctuary?

Only there’s no shortages of tourist traps on Phuket claiming to be “sanctuaries” that are actually just exploitative (both of the animals and the visitors). The place described in the article sounds great, and if it’s true then we should all be recommending it. [100, Moo 2, Pa Klok, Thalang – Ed].

CaptainJack69

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

THAILAND NEWS

7

Shopping spree leads to arrest

Fridge murderer suspect’s money trail a dead giveaway CHIANG MAI Wassayos Ngamkham

A

n intensive five-day police search paid off after a suspected murderer blew his cover by going on a spending spree while on the run.

Withun Sitabut, 39, was apprehended as he made a stop to buy food from a roadside vendor. He confessed to killing Wannee Jiracharoenying, 58, for her money and stashing her body inside a refrigerator at her home in Chiang Mai’s Chom Thong district.

Withun met the wealthy woman while driving her and others in his songthaew passenger vehicle around Chiang Mai. He later quit the job to work as a chauffeur for Wannee who habitually made merit-making trips to temples in the north.

Cash-strapped, he told police he asked to borrow money from Wannee but she refused, which upset him. He then plotted to kill her.

On Oct 11, he broke into her house through the back

@thephuketnews

Angry locals gather as Withun arrives in Chiang Mai. Photo: Bangkok Post

Withun Sitabut was arrested in Nakhon Sawan for the murder in Chiang Mai. Photo: Bangkok Post door with the intention of robbing her. He forced her to give him her ATM card and pin number, then beat her up and knocked her unconscious before leaving the house to make cash withdrawals.

After taking out the money, he returned to the house to find the victim had regained consciousness, so he covered her head with a plastic bag until she suffocated, and then placed her body in her refrigerator and sprinkled cement powder over it, thinking the powder would preserve the body and mask the odour.

After killing Wannee, Withun fled with his girlfriend, identified by police only as Nam, to Rayong where they checked in at a luxury resort on Koh Samet – he even posted pictures of his holiday on his Facebook page.

After their holiday, his girlfriend returned to Chiang Mai, and he rented a room in Bangkok to hide out. But as Wannee’s murder grabbed headlines, he travelled further off the beaten track to Nakhon Pathom to evade capture, after he bought a brand new B160,000 motorcycle, camping

gear, a solar-powered battery charger and a map.

In the meantime, he kept withdrawing cash on a daily basis using the stolen card.

The police, meanwhile, secured a court-approved warrant for the suspect’s arrest on robbery and murder charges.

The Provincial Police Region 5 initially mounted a search for the BMW X1 sport utility vehicle owned by Wannee, which Withun had taken with him when he fled.

On Oct 27, police found the vehicle abandoned in roadside woodland in Saraphi district of

Chiang Mai. They later found that he was still in regular contact with his girlfriend.

Police were able to conclude from interviews with Nam that even though she was trying to keep his guilt from them he was responsible for the murder. The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) then stepped in and took over the manhunt for Withun.

A team of four CSD detectives led by Pol Col Man Menyaem, chief of the CSD’s Sub-Division 4, began tracing the expenditures and withdrawals made using Wannee’s

ATM card, which led them to the shop that sold Withun the motorcycle where they learned that he was headed to Nakhon Sawan.

After two nights of pursuit, one of the four detectives spotted the motorcycle Withun had bought driving past.

The police quickly placed him under arrest. He was carrying on him B1.2 million in cash he had withdrawn from Wannee’s ATM account and a gold necklace thought to have been bought using her money as well.

Bangkok Post

8

THAILAND NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

Pattaya fugitives caught in Sa Kaeo SA KAEO AN AMERICAN PRISON escapee allegedly shot and wounded himself and his wife as police moved in and arrested them and a third Pattaya Court fugitive in Sa Kaeo province on Wednesday (Nov 6).

The trio’s capture culminated a massive police manhunt launched after they escaped in chains from Pattaya Court on Monday afternoon, leaving a critically wounded police officer in their wake.

Pol Lt Gen Satawat Hirunburana, assistant to the national police chief, on Wednesday said that one of the escapees, Noi Nilthes, 40, had contacted police through his relatives and said he wanted to surrender, according to Jor Sor 100 radio.

He came out of hiding and gave himself up at a sugarcane plantation near the junction of Watthana Nakhon and Khao Chakhan districts in Sa Kaeo province.

Police later surrounded an area about one kilometre from where Mr Noi surrendered, intending to arrest the other two escapees, US national Bart Allen Helmus, 39, and his Thai wife Sirinapa Wisetrit, 30.

Gen Satawat said Helmus

Security officials at the attacked checkpoint in Yala province on Wednesday morning (Nov 6). Photo: Bangkok Post

Officers take an injured man, believed to be Bart Helmus, to hospital in Sa Kaeo on Wednesday (Nov 6). Photo: RTP was under stress because of the hot weather and the threemonth pregnancy of his wife.

As police moved in, Helmus used a pistol to shoot his wife and himself, he said.

Gen Satawat said police did not fire any shots at the couple during the operation to arrest them.

Sirinapa was reported wounded. Helmus was said to be in a critical condition in the ICU of Khaochakhan Hospital.

The three escapees, who were facing trial on drug trafficking charges when they made their escape, will be interrogated in Sa Kaeo before being taken back to Pattaya.

They f led the court in chains on Monday, severely wounding Pol Capt Thanamet Photipan as they dashed to short-lived freedom. An in-

vestigation is underway into how they obtained a handgun and knife used in the escape.

In Monday’s escape, the inmates were brought to the Criminal Court in Pattaya to stand trial on drug charges, when one of them stabbed Pol Capt Thanamet Phothiphan and a pistol was fired upwards to pave the way for the fugitives.

He remained in an intensive care unit as of Tuesday.

According to the spokesman, Helmus and his Thai wife were charged with possessing one kilogramme of crystal methamphetamine for sale and a firearm, and in a separate case Noi was charged with possessing crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) and ketamine for sale and a firearm. Their offences carry up to the death penalty.

Bangkok Post

Insurgents attack security checkpoint in south, 15 killed YALA AFP

A

t least 15 people were killed in attacks by suspected Muslim militants in Thailand’s violence-wracked south, an army spokesman said on Wednesday (Nov 6), the latest incident in the 15-year bloody insurgency.

Thailand’s three southernmost provinces have been in the grip of a conflict that has killed more than 7,000 people, as Malay-Muslim militants fight for more autonomy from the Thai state.

The region is under martial law, heavily policed by the military and sometimes staffed with trained civilian volunteers, with residents and rights groups accusing them of heavy-handed tactics.

Late Tuesday (Nov 5) militants struck two checkpoints in Yala province manned by civil defence volunteers, opening fire on them as a group of villagers stopped to talk, southern army spokesman Pramote Prom-in told AFP. In the largest death toll in years, 12 were killed at the scene, two more (died) at the hospital, and one died this morning (Nov 6),” said Pra-

mote, adding that five others were injured.

The attackers took M-16 rifles and shotguns from the checkpoints, he said, and nails were also scattered on the roads in an effort to slow the security forces.

The areas surrounding the checkpoints have been closed off and are currently under forensic investigation.

Tit-for-tat attacks Rebels seeking autonomy for the culturally distinct region bordering Malaysia have been fighting the Buddhist-majority Thai state, which colonised the area over a century ago.

The conflict is characterised by tit-for-tat attacks that usually target symbols of the Thai state and its security forces but civilians from both Muslim and Buddhist communities often get caught in the crossfire.

The violence has bled into tourist destinations, like in 2012 when a series of car bombs in Songkhla province’s Hat Yai killed 13 people.

The incidents have been fewer in recent years, but the hits have been “more intense”, said Don Pathan, an expert on the so-called Deep South.

Tuesday’s attack marked the largest coordinated effort “in

a very long time”, he added.

The rebels accuse the state of railroading their distinct culture as well as carrying out routine abuses which go unpunished.

The latest incident stoking outrage in the region was the death of Abdulloh Esormusor, a Muslim man who was detained by the military and left in a coma after being interrogated at a notorious Thai detention centre.

Suspects are routinely taken for interrogation and held under emergency laws in detention centres where rights groups have documented torture.

Days after Abdulloh’s detention, four people were killed in a late-night attack on a military outpost, fuelling speculation of a retaliatory operation.

A week later several small bombs exploded in Bangkok, injuring four people as the city hosted a major summit attended by top diplomats, including US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Thailand has linked the bombs to southern insurgents and said the devices used were similar to those found in the south – though no group ever claimed responsibility for the attacks.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

BUSINESS NEWS

9

Stealth enters the light MARINE

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he latest launch from Chalong company Asia Catamarans kissed the water for the first time last week. The newest of the “Stealth” designs, 47-foot power catamaran SeaExplorer, has an impressive specification and is very fuel efficient. Asia Catamarans are well known in Phuket as creators of many award-winning sailing catamarans especially around the Asian yachting regatta circuit.

Asia Catamarans, formerly Composite Yacht Constructions, was started in 2000 by Swiss-born carpenter and sailor Roger Diggelmann.

Thai fluent, Roger has trained his team of Thai workers and over the years honed their skills to achieve a high level of finish and structural integrity in boats built for local and overseas markets.

Roger and his Thai partner, Pornthip, along with Alan Carwardine and 20 Thai workers make up the company team.

The majority of the Thai team come from the same village

The newest from Chalong company Asia Catamarans’ Stealth designs, 47-foot power catamaran ‘SeaExplorer’, kissed the water for the first time last week. Photos: Supplied in rural Thailand and many are related.

In 2012, Roger found a business partner in Alan Carwardine, an Australian boat designer, builder and sailor who had designed and built his own “Stealth” performance sports boat and the first of his Stealth catamaran design.

Alan was halfway through the build of his second Stealth “cat” when work commitments brought him to Asia and the

need to find a competent boat builder to finish it off. The client-customer turned into a 50:50 partnership and the rest is history.

To kickstart the new company, Alan set about designing a new range of Stealth cats with more modern looks and fine tuning of the many areas that make for a good, userfriendly and very livable but particularly fast cruising cat.

The latest launch brings the

Property fees slashed for 14 months PROPERTY TR ANSFER AND MORTGAGE FEES for residential properties under B3 million each have been drastically cut for two months as part of stimulus measures for the property sector.

Effective from last Saturday (Nov 2) to Dec 24 next year, both the transfer registration and mortgage registration fees were cut to 0.01% of property prices from 2% and 1%, respectively, according to an Interior Ministry announcement published in the Royal Gazette last Saturday.

The new rates apply only to land and residential buildings, as well as condominium units, priced under B3mn each and for same transactions.

Charnkrij Dejvitak, a vice minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, said a buyer applying for a B3mn loan at the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives will now pay the fees totalling B600 from B90,000 earlier.

“We hope pent-up demand will begin to ease now. A meeting will also be held on Wednesday (Nov 6) with the three property associations to conclude details on joint promotional campaigns with government agencies to tap year-end demand,” he said last week.

The move is expected to last six months and is meant to help property developers sell off their inventory, a source at the Finance Ministry who requested anonymity told the Bangkok Post last month.

The source said the measures aim to alleviate the financial burden of real homebuyers.

Transfer and mortgage fee reductions in the past proved successful in lifting property sales, the source said. @thephuketnews

Prospective homebuyers are expected to make decisions over the next 14 months to take advantage of the reduced fees.

Photo: Somchai Poomlard / Bangkok Post Putting a cap on homes with price tags of up to B3mn will help middle- and low-income earners who want to own their own home, the source said.

The country’s sluggish economy and the Bank of Thailand’s loan-to-value (LTV) regulations that took effect on April 1 have dealt a blow to the property sector.

Of the 553 condo projects recorded in metropolitan Bangkok during the first half this year, there were 64,969 unsold units valued at a combined B265 billion, up 38.4% year-on-year, according to GH Bank’s Real Estate Information Center.

Total unsold properties amounted to 152,149 units at 1,670 projects, with a combined value of B670bn.

The centre estimates that property sales will shrink by 5-7% this year.

Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana said the ministry is seeking measures to shore up the property sector, focusing on middle- or lower-income earners, first-time homebuyers and those affected by the central bank’s measures.

Bangkok Post

number of yachts built in the Chalong boatyard to 20.

Two new Stealth 47ft powercats, Infinity and Maserati, the largest the company has designed and built, are also out there working within the charter industry carrying 37 guests and three crew with a maximum speed of 23 knots and a cruising speed of 18.

The sailing cats range from the very fast semi-race, semi-cruising Stealth 11.8s to a

fully fitted out and liveaboard Stealth 13c charter cat with all the bells and whistles, and include the Stealth 13s, a faster, more basic 13-metre version plus a fast world-cruising 14m design now halfway around the world with well over 25,000 nautical miles under her hulls.

The Stealth designs have been dominating the Asian regattas in recent years and there seems no reason why this will not continue into the

future with more Stealths and new Stealth designs on the race course.

It is great to see the success of Asia Catamarans based here in Phuket designing and building world-class catamarans for the local charter industry and overseas, and employing a large number of skilled Thai workers in what could be described as a professional yet relaxed and family based company.

10 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

Caution amid tourism winter

Phuket arrivals jump for October no reason to celebrate: PTA chief TOURISM Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

A

n 18% year-on-year jump in the number of international arrivals at Phuket International Airport for the month of October is no reason to celebrate just yet, says Phuket Tourist Association President Bhummikitti Ruktaengam.

The cautionary perspective on Phuket’s coming tourism high season this year-end follows the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Intelligence Center this week reporting that 409,316 international arrivals passed through Phuket airport throughout October, an 18.44% increase on the 345,598 international arrivals recorded during the same month last year.

Mr Bhummikitti warned that the year-on-year jump for October alone is not an indication of the coming high season.

“We should compare the number of tourist arrivals for the whole year, not only one month because it could be affected by many factors,” he said.

“First, we have to see where the tourists were from. We had 14.4 million tourists in total by the end

International arrivals at Phuket International Airport throughout October showed an 18% jump year on year. Image: TAT Intelligence Centre of December last year. This year we expect the number to be up by 7-8%.

“I can explain why the number grew for October, but I cannot explain what that means for the whole year by using a comparison of the number of tourists for only one month.”

Mr Bhummikitti pointed out that comparing year-on-year figures for October was more complicated by the ongoing fallout from the Phoenix

tour boat disaster in July last year, in which 47 Chinese tourists died, still affecting the arrivals figure for October last year.

“There was an accident in July 2018 that affected the number of tourist arrivals up to and through October 2018 – and this year the number was up due to the Chinese National Day holidays [‘Golden Week’],” he said.

“There are events happening each

month affecting tourism. At this stage we cannot make any comparisons.

We’ll just have to wait to see the overall number of tourists for the whole year,” he added.

However, the tourism outlook for Phuket over the 2019-2020 high season, from about mid-November through to March, was looking positive, Mr Bhummikitti noted.

“For Q4 this year, we checked the number of tourist arrivals from two sources: the airlines and our member hotels. As for the airlines, we had a meeting last month and were told that flight bookings to Phuket are quite healthy,” he said.

Mr Bhummikitti was confident that arrivals passing through Phuket during the high-season months would show an increase of 8-10% compared with the same months last year.

However, he added, “We could only check from the airlines the number of passengers coming to Phuket International Airport, we could not tell where they go, whether they stayed in Phuket or went elsewhere, such as Khao Lak.” “Chinese and Indian tourists won’t go somewhere else, but Europeans may go to Khao Lak. That said, we will not know until we can get comparative figures of the num-

ber of tourists from each country.”

The figures from the TAT Intelligence Center provided only the total number of arrivals for each day, with no other details available.

Advance bookings among PTA member hotels also looked solid, Mr Bhummikitti said.

“We checked the advance booking rate last month and found that the rate for Q4 so far this year and advance booking rate for Q4 last year are the same, so we think occupancy will not be less than last year,” he said.

Again, Mr Bhummikitti offered as a rider, “Please note that we could only check the occupancy rates at 300 hotels that are our members, so the number may not represent all hotels on the island.”

While the advance figures for this high season looked good, but without growth, Mr Bhummikitti urged people to not project the tourism industry’s performance much past the New Year.

“We are not looking that far into next year because tourist behaviour can change very quickly. Many tourists these days, when they change their travel plans, do so at very short notice. They don’t make early bookings as much anymore, and the average length of stay is getting shorter and shorter,” he cautioned.

ADR expert to headline BCCT event LEGAL T H E BR I T ISH CH A Mber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT), in cooperation with the Australian, Canadian, EABC, French, German, Netherlands and Singapore Chambers of Commerce, will hold a Multi-Chamber Phuket Briefing & Networking event next Friday (Nov 14) with the special topic this month being Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Victor Smith, Chair of The Commission on Arbitration & ADR for the International Chamber of Commerce Thailand and Chair of the Thailand Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, will speak about Avoiding Court Disputes with Arbitration in Phuket.

“Commercial disputes are a common occurrence today in all types of businesses. Is it best to refer these disputes to the Thai courts or to arbitration and can the arbitration take place in Phuket? Victor will be explaining what are the advantages and disadvantages of arbitration when compared to litigation in the Thai courts, what must be done if you wish to avoid having your disputes referred

Arbitration and ADR expert Victor Smith will speak about ‘Avoiding Court Disputes with Arbitration in Phuket’. to the Thai courts, what practical measures should be taken into consideration to maximise the benefits of the arbitration process and the practicalities of arbitration in Phuket,” noted the release announcing the event.

After the briefing will be the business networking event, often noted as an excellent opportunity to connect with other business people, from Phuket and Bangkok, while enjoying great food and drinks.

The event will be held at Dream Beach Club in Layan, on Phuket’s central west coast.

The briefing by Victor Smith will be one hour long, from 5pm to 6pm, while the networking event will be held from 6:30pm to 9pm.

The business briefing is free to attend but pre-registration is required.

The networking event costs B500 for BCCT members and participating chambers to attend, and B900 for nonmembers. Entry is payable at the door.

The price includes food and free-flow selected beverages.

For more information or to book attendance at the event, email banthita@bccthai.com The Phuket News The Phuket News is a proud media partner for the MultiChamber Phuket Briefing & Networking event and other events held in Phuket organised by the BCCT. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

Loy Krathong Festival to light up Thailand

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

14

Dine with a difference at PHBGTU fundraiser

16

Some of the 85-plus ‘legends of change’ profiled in the book.

LEGENDS OF CHANGE

Phuket author shares stories of women leading the vegan revolution

Amy Bryant editor1@classactmedia.co.th

“V

egan” has become a loaded term.

Utter the word in the 1940s, when it was coined by The Vegan Society, and you’d likely be met with blank stares. Drop the v-bomb in conversation today, however, and you seem to awaken the inner caveman in anyone within a mile radius.

“No! Man eat meat! Man need protein!” grunt the critics, beating their chests and tearing chunks out of giant drumsticks.

But the near-constant vitriol only seems to stoke the plant-based fire, so much so that 2019 has been hailed as the year of the vegan by The Economist and Forbes.

The numbers speak for themselves. Over a quarter of Americans between 25 and 34 say they’re vegan or vegetarian, an increase of 600% in just six years, and the retail market for plant-based foods is estimated to be worth a staggering $4.5 billion.

While these statistics have their place, it’s the firsthand stories about the transformative power of the plant that make the most compelling case for veganism. Patients defying doctors and reversing chronic diseases; athletes at the top of their game and the podium; men and women losing weight and getting a new lease of life after years of hopeless fad diets.

Phuket expat Rebecca Frith has compiled more than 85 of these empowering stories in her self-published book Legends of Change: The unstoppable rise of veganism, launching this month. The book hears from a host of inspiring vegan and plant-based women from around the world, from doctors to Olympians, nutritionists to weightlifters, mothers to activists – all of them female as a reflection and celebration of the movement at large which is spearheaded by women.

Rebecca herself transitioned to a plant-based lifestyle in 2015. After losing her aunt – to whom Legends of Change is lovingly dedicated – to cancer, she vowed not to suffer the same fate and began to heavily research the effects of meat and dairy on the body.

“A turning point for me was [the documentary] What the Health. I felt like I’d been lied to all of my life that we need meat, that we need milk,” explains Rebecca over a soy cappuccino. “Going plant-based was an overnight decision.”

Four years on, Rebecca feels at the peak of her fitness, health and happiness. Sitting opposite her, it must be said that her energy and blemish-free com@thephuketnews

Author Rebecca Frith. plexion do not reflect that of a mother-of-two with an overflowing inbox and a book launch imminent…

A criticism often levied against members of the vegan and plant-based community is a propensity for being forceful or pushy. Not Rebecca. She remains modest, burying her own story deep in the book and even omitting her name from the cover of the initial drafts.

Her quiet dedication in compiling Legends of Change over the past two years was borne from a genuine desire to spread positive change, to lift up the women at the forefront of the vegan and plant-based movement, as opposed to her own personal bid for the limelight.

“I wanted the book to be something people could gift to others as encouragement or for those difficult conversations. Your non-vegan friends, your sister, your grandma, your colleague, your mum or even the men in your life,” explains Rebecca. “When people connect to a story, it’s so much more powerful.”

Legends of Change is comprised of candid Q&As and closes with a selection of recipes and an index of resources. The short interview format has seen huge success in works such as Timothy Ferriss’ Tribe of Mentors and Jack Canfield’s Chicken Soup for the Soul and makes for accessible yet impactful reading.

At 429 pages, covering life-changing health, weight loss, activism, experts, athletes, mothers and influencers, the book feels almost bulletproof. Rebecca has cast the net wide to ensure there’s a story to get even the most hardened carnivores thinking and questioning.

The book also breaks away from the shock tactics that vegan activists have drawn criticism for. There

are no unpleasant surprises here. No graphic descriptions of abattoirs. No guilt-inducing horror stories. Just uplifting and powerful accounts centred on what there is to be gained from adopting a vegan or plant-based lifestyle, not what is being left behind.

Notable names – such as activist and businesswoman Heather Mills, PETA co-founder Ingrid Newkirk and record-breaking marathon runner Fiona Oakes, to name only a few – give credence and weight to the work of this first-time author, too. Heather is even flying in from the UK to speak at the Legends of Change launch here in Phuket on November 22.

“In the early stages, there were weeks when I was only getting one or two stories, and then nothing for weeks after sending hundreds of emails, so getting someone like Heather on board was a huge breakthrough,” explains Rebecca.

“But I’m grateful to all of the women in the book.

Their online audience combined is about seven million which is key in getting our message out there.”

From Phuket to the world, Legends of Change is going global. Let’s hope that caves are WiFi enabled and the Neanderthals are on Instagram these days.

Legends of Change is available on www.bookdepository.com (with free international delivery) and www. barnesandnoble.com. The launch will take place on November 22 from 4-7pm at Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort. Tickets must be purchased beforehand through the Facebook event page (Search “Exclusive Book Launch; Pre Purchased Tickets Only”).

12 GARDENING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

L. grandis is recognisable by its deeply notched leaves. Photo: William Warby / Flickr

The fountain palm is one of the easiest of all palms to grow. Photo: Esculapio

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

Crytostachys offers surprising and beautiful shades of red. Photo: Kristine Paulus / Flickr

Small and mighty

Bring the rainforest to your home or garden with these low-growing palms GREEN THOUGHTS Patrick Campbell

W

hile many arecaceae are notable for their impressive height, characterised by a solitary, unbranched stem surmounted by a crown of fronds, and often producing massive seeds – the coco de mer has seed pods weighing up to 30 kilograms – other palms are neat and shrub-like, often denizens of the understory and able to survive with limited access to sunlight.

In fact, their diversity is highest in tropical rainforests.

SMALL PALMS Lady palm (rhapis) Of all the smaller palms, the lady palm (rhapis) is probably the easiest to cultivate. It grows in clumps with slender, fibrous and hairy trunks. Often it is seen in garden centres with its root ball wrapped in plastic, a testimony to its durability. It is a small tree, at most

three metres tall, but its great virtue is that it can survive in areas of deep shade where other sun-loving palms are difficult to grow. It will even function as a house plant, provided it can – in common with all indoor plants – be given spells in the open air. And its glossy, dark green, fan-shaped foliage is very eye-catching when rhapis is cultivated in groups. These colonies look especially attractive when situated next to white masonry.

The only important requirement is permanently moist soil: if allowed to dry out, some of the fronds will turn brown and lifeless. Not only is it useful for covering up those bare patches in the garden, it is also one of the few palms that can tolerate conditions indoors. Rhapis can be propagated by rooted offshoots.

Fan palm (licuala) Less durable but even more striking is the genus of fan palms or licuala.

There are about a hundred species, and some of them can be found in your local plant nursery. They have huge, deeplypleated, glossy leaves with notched

edges – nearly circular in shape. The commonest is probably L. grandis, recognisable by its deeply notched leaves.

L. orbiculis has more symmetrical leaves and is one of the most beautiful of all the small palms.

All licualas will grow in sun but prefer filtered shade. What they cannot handle is an exposed position: the fragile and sail-like leaves need protection from winds.

CLUMP PALMS Red lipstick palm (cyrtostachys) Many palms are multi-stemmed. One of the most distinctive is the so-called lipstick or red sealing wax palm. Cyrtostachys has stems that sprout directly from the ground, and both these crown shafts and the leaf sheaths are a surprising and beautiful shade of red – hence the name.

Ramrod-straight stems – and there may be as many as 20 or more – grow close together in a dense clump. As a result, this beautiful but slow-growing palm is often grown in a large container, though it is better suited to open ground, where it will attain a much larger size – in ideal conditions up to ten metres tall. In the wild it does best in marshy ground. As with the lady palm, it will not survive droughts, and even a short period without water will lead to dieback.

Golden cane palm (dypsis lutescens) Another multi-stemmed palm is the golden cane palm (dypsis lutescens), perhaps the variety most frequently used as a garden presence in Southeast Asia.

More open in form than cyrtostachys, its stems grow into substantial, bamboolike, ringed canes.

The feathery foliage which sprouts from near the top of each stem is light green, but in sunny conditions it can turn an attractive golden yellow. Extremely hardy, it is often cultivated as a pot plant where, in the right location, it will retain its golden fronds. It will also survive periods indoors.

Macarthur palm (ptychosperma macarthurii) Two more palms deserve a mention as possible subjects for the tropic garden.

Both the Macarthur palm (ptychosperma macarthurii) and livistona are medium-sized trees, reaching about four metres in height. Superficially, the Macarthur palm’s habit resembles that of the golden cane palm, for it also grows in clumps of smooth, greenishgrey, narrow trunks, each with a crown of darker green leaves.

While the foliage is less elegant, this palm does produce long panicles of white flowers which are followed by strings of yellow fruits which then turn an attractive glossy red. Much favoured by birds. A suitable container subject, it is consequently a familiar presence on terraces and patios.

Fountain palm (livistona chinensis) Livistona is a genus of palms native mostly to Australia (L. australis). On the other hand, livistona chinensis comes from Japan and southern China. Cultivated as an ornamental in gardens, it produces bright green, fan-shaped leaves which radiate from a solitary source and droop elegantly downwards – hence its common name “fountain palm”.

The trunk is rough textured, and its fruits, which hang in dense clusters, are an attractive shade of blue. Its modest height makes it ideal for the smaller garden, where it will accept partial shade or full sun. It is one of the easiest of all palms to grow.

Patrick has been writing for thirteen years about gardening in Phuket and allied topics. If you have horticultural or environmental concerns, please contact him at drpaccampbell@gmail.com Many of his earlier creative and academic publications can be found at Wordpress: Green Galoshes. Patrick will shortly be publishing ‘The Tropic Gardener’, an indispensable guide to Southeast Asia’s flowering plants, based on his experience of gardening in Phuket. thephuketnews

Scorpio rising THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

HEALTH 13

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

LET’S GET BENT

Kim White info@kimwhiteyoga.com

H

ello and welcome.

Ok ok, I can sense that there are a few people looking at this month’s yoga photos and thinking, “Kim has gone mad!” I assure you I have not. I just wanted to have a bit of fun this month and share with you what I like to call a party trick yoga pose. Plus it’s November, meaning it’s the astrological scorpio star sign month and a scorpio moon is coming, so what better yoga asana to share with you than the scorpion pose or vrschikasana?

I have modified the pose and given you three different variations for the skill level you will be working on. What I love about this posture is its focus on stretching the neck and therefore working on the vishuddha chakra – the throat chakra – an area of the energetic body that is quite blocked for many. So here’s to learning a cool new party trick, finding your voice, speaking your truth and being as epic and as bold as a scorpion!

The scorpion pose is great for strengthening the shoulders, abdominal muscles, arms and back and for stretching the hips, neck and vertebral column.

Let’s look at pose one first: 1. Start on your hands and knees and curl your toes in towards your shins.

2. Extend your chin forward as you bend your arms and press your elbows into the sides of your body.

3. Place the underside of your chin

@thephuketnews

and the front of your neck on the mat.

4. It’s always best to have your tongue placed on the roof of your mouth throughout this exercise.

5. Hold this posture for 20 seconds.

If you are comfortable here and want to progress, then let’s look at pose two: 6. Once your chin is placed on the mat, take the weight of your body into your hands and your left foot, pressing all these three points into the mat firmly. Keep your elbows close to the sides of your body.

7. On inhalation, lift your right foot upwards and bend your knee slightly to create the curl of the scorpion tail. Hold for 20 seconds with a steady breath.

If you are comfortable here and would like to progress, then let’s look at pose

three. Let me point out that pose three is a lot more difficult and should not be attempted if you are unable to hold pose two for 30 seconds or more.

8. Press your hands, chin and knees into the mat and take an inhalation.

9. On exhalation, lift both legs towards the ceiling; your chin, hands and shoulders will now take the weight of your body. Bend your knees to create the tail and breathe steady. Hold for 10-30 seconds and then release your feet to the floor and rest in child’s pose.

I know that this month’s asana is a little more challenging, but there are levels to work towards, and what is life without a little challenge every now and then to keep things interesting? As a bonus, this month I created a video of the poses as I was shooting them. You can

watch it on the online version of this article on The Phuket News website and on my Instagram TV @kimwhiteyoga Happy stretching, Metta, Kimbha oxo One of the main motivations that drives Kim to teach yoga is her desire to keep true, real yoga alive; the propagation of yoga for yoga. She strives to achieve this through teaching and helping people fall in love with yoga every day. She gives you her yoga mind and yoga heart to guide anyone wishing to traverse the beautiful journey that is yoga. Teaching group classes, private classes, yoga intensives and retreats across the island.

Monthly subscription is also available on her online yoga channel at KimWhiteYoga.com and you can also listen to her yoga podcast “Let’s Get Bent”.

14 CULTURE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

A prayer of sorts is often made shortly before sending the little vessel out on the water. Photo: John Shedrick / Flickr

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

On top of a krathong you will usually find a candle, three sticks of incense, a small offering of food and sometimes a coin. Photo: Patong Municipality

Loy Krathong Festival Give people the light and they will find their own way Jason A. Jellison mitnoy@live.com

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oy Krathong has often been called “the festival of the lights” and it is one of Southeast Asia’s most recognisable holidays. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tiny, handsized candlelit boats are sent out on Thai waterways to light up this very special evening.

Loy Krathong is generally regarded as a Siamese holiday whereupon people attempt to let go of the sins and angers that they have held over the previous year as well as give thanks for a year of prosperity. The holiday has travelled to many nearby countries and is wellknown in Asia, but is not quite as wellknown in the West.

Commemorated on the first full moon of the 12th traditional Thai lunar month – November 11 this year – Loy Krathong is traditionally observed in Thailand by uncountable candlelit flotillas that are sailed across high tides.

The Thais call these floating little lanterns krathong which very coarsely

could be translated to “little float” or “little raft”. (There is no exact translation.)

Until recently, many people fashioned their krathong by hand, and on top you would usually find a candle, three sticks of incense, a small offering of food, sometimes a coin or, in the old days, an errant betel nut. In more recent years, however, it has become increasingly common to see street vendors make a few extra baht by offering these little boats for sale.

Common sources sometimes claim that Loy Krathong is a southwestern Thai or upper-central tradition, but it might be best if we simply allow everyone to believe their local legends as Loy Krathong has a very personal meaning to most people who live in Thailand.

The holiday was originally celebrated with little more than small water offerings. The original idea was to sacrifice an illuminated water raft once a year onto the water goddess Phra Mae Kongkha. A prayer of sorts was often made shortly before sending the little vessel out on the water, and the hope was that the offering onto Phra Mae

Kongkha would wash away the sins of the last year as well as make amends for water pollution.

However, the holiday is sometimes now celebrated with much more dramatic means. Flame-lit sky lanterns or dramatic fireworks might also be on display, depending on where you find yourself within the kingdom. You might be interested to learn that some Thai communities reserve certain firework displays and colours solely for this particular holiday.

In the north of Thailand, the Thais have sky lanterns which they call khom loi, and these are more of a recent addition to the holiday. Tens of thousands of these khom loi make an awesome spectacle to behold and also provide a rare opportunity for the youth of today to set down their phones.

Kite construction has proved to be a popular social as well as family activity, but the khom loi are not without their critics. Modern airline pilots have an understandable distaste for flying jet-fuelled aircraft past unannounced flaming balls of high-altitude hazard.

Each year, an untold number of commercial flights have either found themselves entirely cancelled or abruptly steered around flaming obstacles.

Back on the ground, some Thais believe that Loy Krathong really got its start during the Sukhothai period when a consort of one of Thailand’s more famous ancient kings floated the first candlelit raft. The name of this woman was Nang Nopphamat, and modern street legend holds that she was a very beautiful consort of the Sukhothai King Si Inthrathit.

Yet just how much fact there may be versus fiction is somewhat difficult to know. Much of our English language understanding of Nang Nopphamat hinges on two very obscure 19th Century books which were probably written somewhere between 1807 and 1835. In addition, some Thais feel that Loy Krathong is actually significant because of a Thai fable that

claims that all of the krathongs will be scooped up by nagas (mythical serpentlike creatures) and brought to the Lord Buddha in Heaven.

Regardless, the legend of Nang Nopphamat endures, and it is quite common for beauty pageants to be held during the Loy Krathong holiday in Thailand. Tourists would be well advised to enquire how the holiday is being celebrated in their particular area.

In addition, it is interesting to note that Loy Krathong is also celebrated in nearby countries, and each of these countries has a unique way of marking the occasion. In Cambodia, they host live boat races during their version of the Loy Krathong holiday and they also have torch-lit evening processions. In Myanmar, hot air balloon contests are popular, as are Buddhist robe weaving competitions. It is important to note that the holiday has a unique name in each culture. But still, it might be fair to suggest that every wish, prayer and quiet “thank you” to a deity comes bearing the unmistakable hallmark of someone’s individual name, and every one of us will offer our own words this Loy Krathong.

Some of our more traditional Thai farmers might silently thank the goddess of the water for another year of productivity. Meanwhile, the urban youth of Bangkok’s busy neighbourhoods might sheepishly let go of a few dark secrets as they float their krathong for good luck, and first-time tourists to Thailand are bound to bring buoyant well wishes from far-off lands.

This November 11, Thailand will celebrate one of its more popular and picturesque holidays. In the end, Loy Krathong stands apart from all other holidays because candles have always been involved with some of the most undeniable enigmas about human nature, almost as if to say to us: candlelight not only empowered mankind to define darkness but it endowed him with the spiritual incandescence to defy that darkness, too. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

EVENTS 15

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

November at The Nai Harn

Pizzas, pairings and more at resort’s Italian takeover Chris Watson chriswatsonth@gmail.com

F

litting between Bangkok and Phuket has advantages and disadvantages. It enables me to enjoy the best that Thailand has to offer: the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and the leisurely pace of tropical Phuket with sun, sea and sand, but the disadvantages are sadly many.

As I plan my trips quite far in advance, inevitably I miss certain events I just can’t quite coincide. I made a conscious decision that this year in November I would forego the pleasures of Phuket and visit Chiang Mai, another of my favourite culinary destinations.

In hindsight, a huge error on my part as I discovered when my phone rang last week and the effervescent Frank Grassman, general manager of The Nai Harn, cordially advised me that Italy would be visiting the resort this year, and guess when? Smack bang in November!

So here I am writing this about the pleasures I will be missing but giving you the opportunity to attend.

November 8-14 The extravaganza begins with a sevenday culinary stint from Neapolitan pizza master Salvatore de Rinaldi in cooperation with the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. Salvatore will be cooking authentic pizzas at Rock Salt from November 8 to 14.

The True Neapolitan Pizza Association was founded in Naples with its mission to promote and protect the true Neapolitan pizza. Neapolitan pizza is a style of pizza made with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. It must be made with either San Marzano tomatoes or Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio and Mozzarella di Bufala Campana with the milk from water buffalo raised only in designated locations within Italy.

The art of its making is included on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. This style of pizza gave rise to the New York-style pizza that was first made by Italian immigrants to the United States in the early 20th Century.

According to the rules, the genuine Neapolitan pizza dough consists of wheat flour, natural Neapolitan yeast, salt and water. The dough must be kneaded by hand and, following the rising process, the dough must equally be formed by hand and may be no more than 3 millimetres thick. The pizza must be baked for 60-90 seconds in a 485°C (905°F) wood fire oven and, when cooked, it should be soft, elastic, tender and fragrant.

There are different variants, but the original one is the famed pizza margherita and another the similarly celebrated pizza marinara. @thephuketnews

November 13 This pizza festival will be followed on November 13 by an exclusive dinner at Prime attended by Federico Ceretto, a renowned Italian maker of that wonderful grape juice we love to pair with quality dining. The Ceretto family are also owners of two renowned restaurants, one of which is the three Michelin-starred Piazza Duomo in the heart of Alba’s old town centre. With around 80 years of ultra-fine grape growing, the Ceretto family have become a benchmark in the region of Piedmont.

Sadly, I fear that by the time you read this, it will be fully booked up, providing me a further opportunity to grumble at my good friend Khun Frank.

But do certainly seek a reservation as the menu will feature many signatures from Executive Chef Mark Jones’ repertoire given a one-off Italian twist.

Dishes will include his tartare of Angus beef fillet and a no doubt silky smooth porcini risotto, both dressed with shaved truffle and the latter finished with salty pecorino romano sheep milk cheese perfectly complementing the earthy risotto. Elegant premier pairings from the Ceretto cellars will share the stage with Mark’s culinary creations.

November 22 This epicurean experience will be followed on November 22 by an equally tempting and upscale dinner at Cosmo with a Travaglini pairing featuring this renowned producer’s liquids highlighting the Nebbiolo grape. These will be perfectly matched with dishes such as a Diamantina flank steak. Although Australian, the steak’s origins can be trace back to an Italian immigrant family, the respected Menegazzo beef producers who moved from Italy in the 1920s.

The menu also features Gorgonzola Dolce, a soft, blue, buttery cheese made with uncooked whole cow’s milk. The cheese took its name from a small town in Lombardy near Milan, where it is said to have been born in the 12th Century. This is partnered with a northern Thailand blossom honey and served on a stellar “Mark Jones” ciabatta. I believe seats are still available, but do call soon!

November 23 This series of unmissable events culminates with the now annual showcase of premier league Italian grape drink producers and a must-be-seen-at tasting evening. James Suckling will again preside with almost 50 of the whose-who of top grape growers in attendance.

This will be held at Reflections, The Nai Harn’s spectacular rooftop terrace with live cooking stations, on Saturday, November 23 from 6pm. Booking essential.

I am, as always, confident that this November at The Nai Harn will be veramente magnifico! Sadly, I will be unable

Don’t miss pizza master Salvatore de Rinaldi’s seven-day residency.

Chef Mark’s beef tartare will get an Italian twist.

The breezy and casual Rock Salt restaurant. to join you as I will be in Chiang Mai, enjoying a bowl of khao soi… Mamma mia, Frankie G, next time, tell me sooner!

To book your place, call 076 380 200 or email fbsec@thenaiharn.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 column.

16 COMMUNITY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

English class in action.

Your table awaits you…

Chow Down For Charity

Exclusive dining experience to raise vital funds for Phuket nonprofit The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

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eserve a Chef’s Table for you and your friends on Saturday, November 30 for a dining experience unlike any other.

Choosing from a list of highly acclaimed participating restaurants, reserve up to 10 seats and enjoy a unique Chef’s Table Menu specially created for the evening.

This private dining experience, Chow Down For Charity, is an opportunity to taste new culinary delights while helping local underprivileged children learn English.

Donation per seat varies by venue. All donations go to Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation (PHBGTU), a local nonprofit that provides five full-time, fully qualified English teachers at two government

schools in Phuket. These teachers educate over 800 underprivileged Thai children in English, as well as mathematics and science in English, at no expense to the children or schools.

Over 220 of the children PHBGTU support live in dormitories at Kamala School because they are orphans or have nowhere to live during the school year.

PHBGTU gives these children additional support through an after school programme called Coconut Club. Coconut Club is so important for the children left at school without family to care for them, who seek nurturing guidance from PHBGTU teachers and volunteers.

Help PHBGTU continue English education and after school support for hundreds of disadvantaged Thai children by reserving your seats for November 30.

Invite your friends and enjoy a sumptuous Chef’s Table Menu at one of these notable participating restaurants:

Age at Anantara Layan Phuket Resort; Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao Phuket; Bampot Kitchen & Bar; Diavolo at Paresa Resort Phuket; Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket; Jaras Restaurant or Pinto Restaurant at InterContinental Phuket; Presidential Sea View Suite at Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa; SALA Restaurant at SALA Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort; Seafood at Trisara; Taste Bar & Grill; Tatonka Restaurant; The Plantation Club at The Pavilions Phuket; The SIS Kata, Phuket; and Two Chefs Bar & Grill (Kata and Karon branches).

For more detailed information on the Chef’s Table Menus and donation per seat, visit the Facebook event page “Chow Down For Charity”. For all inquiries and reservations, contact Tina Hall at tina@phukethasbeengoodtous.org or 0801 439 554, or message Chow Down For Charity on Facebook.

Soi Dog Foundation hits 350,000 sterilisations on its 16th birthday

S

oi Dog Foundation has had much to celebrate recently, namely its 16th birthday and the milestone sterilisation and vaccination of a staggering 350,000 dogs and cats around Thailand.

The sterilisations and vaccinations form part of Soi Dog’s CNVR process (catch, neuter, vaccinate, return) which the foundation not only implements in Phuket but surrounding provinces too through its mobile sterilisation clinics. The foundation is also committed to a long-term project of CNVR in Bangkok and its suburbs where there are currently six mobile sterilisation clinics. Teams five and six were added this year thanks to financial support from British animal welfare charity Dogs Trust.

CNVR also helps to eliminate rabies and other diseases, and Soi Dog was honoured for its efforts in helping to eliminate rabies through mass vaccination with an award from the Ministry of Public Health at the World Rabies Day 2019 event in Bangkok on September 28.

Soi Dog has also been recognised for stepping in to assist dogs and cats

in natural disasters, such as the recent flooding in Ubon Ratchathani, the Bangkok floods in 2011 and 2017, and the 2004 tsunami.

The foundation has rescued animals from crisis situations like the exaggerated rabies scare in Nakhon Phanom in 2018 and played a decisive role in helping to end the dog meat trade in Thailand in 2014, going on to rehome many of the affected animals.

“None of this would have ever been possible without [our supporters]” read a post on Soi Dog’s Facebook page marking the foundation’s birthday.

“Thank you for 16 years of love, sup-

port, prayers and faith that a small group of people can change the world for those who have no voice.”

While Soi Dog has a great deal of achievements to reflect on, the foundation is always looking forward, most recently on offering its expertise to the Thai government who are seeking to resurrect a controversial plan to get the public to register their pets and have the animals microchipped for identification purposes.

Soi Dog is questioning the details of the proposed amendment to the Animal Cruelty Prevention Act, especially the fee structure.

“While registration has some value, it must be applied carefully,” said Louise Rose, Soi Dog CEO. “In particular, we believe very careful thought must be given to pricing, so that generous souls who run refuges for strays are not penalised, and so that owners do not decide to dump their animals rather than pay the fee, thereby increasing, rather than decreasing, the numbers of strays.”

Louise also stressed Soi Dog’s belief that registration will do nothing to solve the real problem of stray dogs in Thailand, an issue the foundation has worked hard to control, particularly in Phuket where the stray dog population has been reduced by 90% since Soi Dog’s founding in 2003.

“By pushing for registration without first controlling the stray population, the Livestock Department is putting the cart before the horse.

“The only approach that will bring the stray population under control is a concerted long-term campaign of Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return such as SDF has been carrying out over the past 16 years,” added Louise.

The Phuket News thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

Ghosts of music past Success stories from beyond the grave MUSING IN THE MIRE David Jacklin david@littleloud.com

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ongratulations. You survived another Halloween. Just when you thought it was safe to return to the land of the living, the latest album releases blast out of limbo from somebody who didn’t.

In a growing trend within the music industry, record labels are increasingly requesting deceased artists’ estates or collaborators to complete and hand over unfinished works for general release. After all, a contract is a contract, and whether you’re breathing or not is rather inconsequential to some.

There’s big money to be made in the posthumous works of long-gone legends.

First up for the resurrection is one of the greatest and most influential artists in the history of jazz and 20th Century music: Miles Davis. As a maestro of the trumpet, starting out as part of Charlie Parker’s bebop quintet of the 1940s New York scene, Davis went on to record and change the face of the genre for over five decades, championing cool jazz and fusion.

Having died at the age of 65 in 1991, jazz enthusiasts will be delighted, if not a little surprised, to learn he has a new album out entitled Rubberband. The album sessions, including vocals from American R&B artist Ledishi, were recorded in 1985 and were part of Davis’ plan to widen his appeal to a more mainstream audience of the day. As other projects and collaborations took over, the album never saw the light of day.

The recent release employed the skills of Davis’ nephew, Vince Wilburn Jr., to modernise the production into what can be best described as an alternative R&B addition to Davis’ later works.

The next, more lyrical Lazarus is the Canadian singer, songwriter, poet and novelist Leonard Cohen. The acclaimed writer of classics such as Hallelujah, Suzanne and Famous Blue Raincoat passed to the other side in 2016. But poets tend not to allow such trivial events as death from limiting the power of their word.

His new 15th studio album titled Thanks for the Dance is scheduled for release later this month. Described by his representatives as an unexpected harvest of new songs [No kidding? – Ed], the released new single The Goal has Cohen still squaring things away.

Settling at last Accounts of the soul This for the trash That paid in full And if a new album wasn’t enough, Cohen fans were treated to Nick Broomfield’s well-received documentary earlier @thephuketnews

this year, Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love. This was a tender and haunting on-screen farewell, charting the meeting and relationship of Cohen with his influential Norwegian muse.

Possibly the most orchestrated swan song of recent times has been David Bowie’s Blackstar. Released on Bowie’s 69th birthday, the experimental album strayed far from his previous musical styles, as if in a final refusal to cater to radio stations and fan expectation.

More essentially this is a deliberate puzzle book of clues and deeper references for fans to decipher in the wake of his death, only two days after the album’s release.

Bowie’s final recording became one of the best-selling and critically acclaimed albums worldwide that year.

The music critic Sean O’Neal described Blackstar as “a sonically adventurous album that proves Bowie was always one step ahead – where he’ll now remain in perpetuity.”

Blackstar, like Bowie’s life, was much more than a collection of great songs. It is the final act of an art movement that radiated from one of the most enigmatic figures in contemporary music.

I’m dying to Push their backs against the grain And fool them all again and again Even from Neverland Michael Jackson’s catalogue of work still commands the annual GDP of a small state. According to Forbes, the Peter Pan of commercial pop magnates earned an astonishing $400 million in 2018 from the sale of his EMI Music Publishing stake, nearly a decade after his death.

Despite singing Too Much in 1957, it apparently wasn’t enough for the King of Rock and Roll. From the man that stated, “Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine”, over 40 years after his death Elvis still has a Ford Mustang driving his Memphis bank account.

At the time of Elvis Presley’s death, his estate was valued at $4.9mn, equal to $19.6mn today. He left his entire estate to his only child, Lisa Marie Presley, who was nine years old when he died. He certainly didn’t leave her in the ghetto. With an average earning of over $15m each year, Elvis Presley’s net worth has risen to an estimated $300mn today. The King’s estate has grown by over 1,400% since his death.

But of all the ghosts of music past, the artist that will have all the others singing “Nothing Compares 2 U” will be Prince. The diminutive pop royalty was famously prolific, banking a vast body of unreleased works since the early 1980s in a private vault at his Paisley Park Studios. After his untimely death in 2016, the vault was opened to reveal a reported back catalogue of enough music to release a new album every year for the next century.

Bowie’s cryptic but brilliant epitaph ‘Blackstar’.

Photo: RCA Records This year’s purple-one parting gift, Originals, which compiles the original demo versions of songs Prince wrote and gave to other artists, was released through Warner Bros. Records in June.

CULTURE 17

Prince’s back catalogue will have him adorning front covers long after we’re gone.

Photo: Doyoun Seo Unsplash

Miles Davis toots again. Photo: Warner Music Whilst the rest of us are contemplating working much later in life before being able to draw a respectable pension, the other-worldly pop stars will be raking it in long after their sell-by date.

18 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

QSI Phuket Director Rob Peters (left) with the Board of Directors.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

The conference brought together 70 staff from QSI schools worldwide.

QSI DIRECTORS FLY IN FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE FOR FALL CONFERENCE Last week (Oct 28-Nov 1), QSI International School of Phuket hosted all of the school directors, regional directors and headquarters for the annual fall directors conference at Beyond Resort Kata. Over 70 administrators from QSI schools worldwide met to participate in professional development and collaboration.

Richard, Guy, Derrick and Charles.

Jay and Michael.

Dave and Ian. You’re never too young to get networking…

GROW BOATING FIRST PORT OF CALL FOR PHUKET’S MARINE INDUSTRY Phuket’s yachting community kicked off the month the right way on Nov 1 with the Grow Boating Networking Evening at the Port of Call at the Ao Po Grand Marina.

The Yacht Shop at Yacht Haven Marina sponsored the drinks, the Port of Call put on a light buffet, and a healthy crowd provided the good times and banter.

It’s taking part that counts…

AND THE AWARDS KEEP COMING… Michael and Gordon.

Jason Beavan, General Manager of Class Act Media and IMAGE asia, picked up the Booby Prize after coming 2nd… last at this year’s “Amazing Thailand – The Tin Mine Open 2019” held at Red Mountain Golf Club, Phuket on Nov 2. Well, there’s always next year! thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

ISLAND SCENE 19

Dressed to the nines.

Live 89.5’s Chris Howson broadcast live from the event.

Here come the girls.

The event took place at the stunning Angsana Ballroom.

A RACE DAY TO REMEMBER AT THE ANGSANA BALLROOM Melbourne Cup enthusiasts donned their best racewear and headed to the Angsana Ballroom on Nov 5 for a stylish and fun-filled race day. Guests enjoyed free-flow food and beverages, took to the catwalk for The Pavilions’ “Fashions on the Field” competition and bid on a number of prizes before settling in to watch the famous race. Best of all, the event was organised by The Good Shepherd and Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation as a fundraiser to benefit both charities.

The event raised funds for The Good Shepherd and Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation.

Race day ready.

@thephuketnews

Prizes were awarded, including for best hat, best dressed couple, and the table with the most stylishly dressed guests.

Smiles all round.

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

WED

8 NOV 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.

Mussels night @ Shakers

13 NOV

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

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.

Ribs, beats, brews 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.

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

From 18.30 to 21.00 for Baht 490+. Free flow of Italian Sparking - red and white beverages with pass around Cicchettis (Italian Tapas). L’Opera, Laguna Road, pnesi@loperagroup.com, 076 271 430/095 468 2248.

The Sunday Brunch Club: Brunch & Pool Party Get together for seafood buffet experience at Dream Beach Club offering fresh local and import items plus premium BBQ dishes and international favourites. Live performance by Jessie Cassin (NZ Top 10_ followed by Resident DJs, guest musicians, Dream dancers and more! ** DREAM MEMBER priced at THB 1,590/ person. ** BRUNCH ONLY priced at THB 1,890++/ person. ** Add free-flow package priced at THB 1,500/ person (4hrs). ** Kids under 10 eat free. 7-10 years old half price. Dream Beach Club, reservations@dreambeachclub.com, 098 048 3500.

THU

14 NOV

BCCT Multi-Chamber Phuket Briefing & Networking XANA BAREFOOT BBQ

Indian Night at Speakeasy Yacht Club

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.

Do you want to try authentic exclusively Indian food? The best Indian chef in Phuket is inviting you to enjoy it on 8th of November at The Speakeasy Yacht Club, Royal Phuket Marina! RSVP: 081 971 2082, Email: catherinem@royalphuketmarina.com

Save the date - 6th Annual Bollywood Phuket Theme Night Phuket Business Networking - Nov 2019 Make sure to bring lots of business cards, as getting to know each other is what PBN is all about. A small entry fee, THB 500 per person, that includes the first 3 drinks and a light buffet. Location - Ramada Plaza Phuket Chao Fah. Register your attendance here - https://www.facebook.com/phuketbusinesnetworking or call Jason - 086 479 7471.

SAT

9 NOV

High Tea@ChaoFah served with free Day Pass to fitness and pool High Tea @ChaoFah serves more than 10 options of selected teas, delightful cream sandwiches, home-made warm scones with all the trimmings and truly Peranakan specialties. in the surrounding décor of exquisite SinoPortuguese architecture. Every Saturday and Sunday from 2-5pm and special on Sunday, nice music from Annie Guzheng. Free for children under 12yrs with complimentary day pass to fitness and swimming pool. RSVP +66 76 338 699.

Ramada Plaza Chao Fah.

Join us for a great cause and in celebrating our 6th annual BOLLYWOOD THEME NIGHT. 7pm -10pm +. Dress code: your favorite Bollywood celebrity. DJ Music Dancing. @ THB699 per person. As you arrive: Welcome drink. 7-8pm: Finger licking live station appetizers, 8-8:30pm: Intro and Entertainment, 8:30-10pm: Mind blowing Buffet, 10-11:30pm: Dance and fun until you’re done! Charity committed towards Phang-nga Special Education Centre.

SUN

10 NOV

XANA Sunday Fun Brunch An extraordinary weekend with XANA Sunday Fun Brunch at Angsana Laguna Phuket, spend quality time with friends and family, enjoying a one of a kind Sunday brunch on a perfect day of sunshine by the ocean at XANA Beach Club.

Food Highlight: Tuna Ritual, Seafood & Mezze, Live stations & BBQ, Chill-out dessert lounge Activity highlight: Live Band, Dj, Massage corner, Kid’s corner & Bouncing castle, Beachside swimming pool access Every Sunday from 12.00 to 15.30 hrs. THB 2,700 net Brunch with free-flow soft drinks.

THB 3,900 net Brunch with free-flow selected beverages.

THB 900 net per child (7-12 years). Kids under 6 dine free when accompanied with a paying adult. Reservation, fbreservation-lagunaphuket@angsana.com, 076-358500.

MON

11 NOV

BCCT in cooperation with Australian, Canadian, EABC, French, German, Netherlands and Singapore Chambers of Commerce invites you to a Multi-Chamber Phuket Briefing & Networking. Victor Smith, Chair of The Commission on Arbitration & ADR for the International Chamber of Commerce Thailand and Chair of the Thailand Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, will speak about Avoiding Court Disputes with Arbitration in Phuket. After the briefing, join us for business networking. Time: Briefing 5.00 - 6.00 pm/ Networking 6.30 - 9.00 pm Cost: -The briefing is free to attend but pre-registration is required. Please state briefing when making a booking -The networking is THB 500 for BCCT members and participating chambers and THB 900 for non-members payable at the door. Booking: please email banthita@bccthai.com

FRI

15 NOV

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.

TUE

12 NOV

Marriott Resorts Southern Thailand Chef’s Dinner 15 Nov 2019! We’re hosting an epic, one-night only culinary event as the head chefs and gourmet leaders at several Marriott Resorts in Southern Thailand craft their signature specials at the Pakarang Restaurant. A nine-course + premium beverages pairing at THB 2,500++ per guest. Reservation, Pakarang Restaurant at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, 076 370 100 ext. 5307.

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.

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.

DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SAT

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

16 NOV

SAT

23 NOV

2,200 net. 29 - 30 November: Degustation Dinner Food only THB 2,999 net. Food with special selected beverages THB 3,999 net. Starting from 6.30 at Tre Restaurant. Reservation, Tre Restaurant at Banyan Tree Phuket, fb-phuket@banyantree.com, 076 372 400.

SAT Two Chefs Reggae Night Have a night of no worries on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at Two Chefs Karon! 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. You can book on our website at WWW.TWOCHEFS.COM or find us on Facebook at WWW.FACEBOOK/TWOCHEFSTHAILAND You may also call us directly at Two Chefs Karon 076-286 479 COME FOR THE FOOD STAY FOR THE FUN!

THU

21 NOV

Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show 2019

FRI

Join the Race of Legends this 23rd & 24th November, and rub shoulders with world champions at 26th Laguna Phuket Triathlon. Now with Sprint Distance and Charity Fun Run. Compete in this award-wining triathlon race amidst the beauty of Phuket beach, green hills and local villages. Leave positive impact by supporting the race’s charity partners “Children First Fund” and “Kao”. Register now at LagunaphuketTri.com

Thailand Health & Fitness Expo 2020 Effortless Running Clinic

Great Wines of Italy @ The Nai Harn James Suckling will bring his successful event for a third time to Phuket’s iconic The Nai Harn Resort. More than 40 of the top Italian wine producers and winemakers of worldrenowned estates will personally be present at the event.

Guests will be treated to a multi-course live cooking dining experience at the casual open-air setting of Reflections rooftop terrace. For more information and bookings, please call +66 76 380 200 or fbsec@thenaiharn.com or check out https://www.thenaiharn.com/dining/james-suckling/ ALCOHOL MAY BE A HEALTH HAZARD.

THU

Remember that Effortless Running feeling you had as a child? When you felt you could run forever? Every movement just flowing naturally, like it is supposed to? Well, you can feel that way again! You will learn how to run effortlessly with very simple and easy to follow techniques. As a bonus, instant bio hacks to transform into a more healthy lifestyle.

From 8am-2pm. Location Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach. Price THB 2,000 per person, includes - Video Gait Analysis. darrenscherbain@gmail.com

Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet Party Friendship Beach Resort Friendship Beach Waterfront Resort welcomes you to our annual Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet & Party. Featuring: Live Music w/Fiddlehead, Welcome Cocktail, Imported Roast Turkey w/Gravy, Apple Cranberry Stuffing, Cranberry Port Relish, Prawn Cocktails, Stuffed Salmon Lox, Mashed Potatoes, Thai Special Entree, and a large selection of Sides, Salads & Desserts. Vegetarian options available. Adults 890THB++ Children under 12 yrs. 350THB++ For Reservations call (66)089-728 5304 or email to chef@friendshipbeach.com Chef Charlie, 27/1 Soi Mittrapap Rawai Phuket 83130, chef@friendshipbeach.com, (66) 89 728 5304.

On November 30th, dine at one of our exclusive participating restaurants, savoring the unique Chef’s Table menu specially created for the evening. 100% of ticket donations go to Phuket Has Been Good To Us to teach English to underprivileged children. Seating is limited! For bookings and enquiries: tina@phukethasbeengoodtous.org or 080 143 9554 or message Chow Down For Charity on Facebook!

WED

4 DEC

MARILYN BAND’s new exhibition at Mom Tri’s WOK Gallery MARILYN BAND, one of Phuket’s most significant artists, invites you to her new exhibition from 30 November 2019 - 31 January 2020, at Mom Tri’s WOK Gallery Kitchen. “...

I am presenting recent work, a more abstract expression of Phang Nga Bay’s beauty, which intends to encourage the viewer the opportunity to interpret and appreciate a little bit of paradise.” Contact Lies Sol, liesphuket@gmail.com

Prime at Rock Salt New Zealand Wine & Food Showcase 2 Returning for the 2nd year to Firefly bringing together the island’s to suppliers of the New Zealand beverages and ingredients showcasing the kiwi’s culinary scene at its best, with entertainment by NZ Idol finalist. Jessie Cassin. Thursday 28 November. 7 - 9 pm. Tickets are priced at THB 1,200 net ALCOHOL MAY BE A HEALTH HAZARD! Reservation, The Pavilions Phuket, firefly.phuket@pavilionhotels.com, 076 317 600.

29 NOV

Christmas Fair 2019 We invite you to join UWCT and the Phuket community in a fun filled family day in celebration of “The Season for Giving”.

The 2019 Fair will host A Christmas Wishing Tree - come select a child profile and help fill Santa’s Sleigh for Charity, Christmas Themed Student Performance, a Santa’s Grotto with family photo opportunities, Retails, Sustainability and Ecco Friendly focused Gift and Services Stalls, a fantastic array of Festive Stalls, and Games for all to play. 2:30 - 6:30 Free Entry. UWC Thailand.

TUE

Prime at Rock Salt is the home of smoke and fire at Nai Harn 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

24 DEC

Legends of Change Exclusive Book Launch

@thephuketnews

EVERY DAY

Chow Down for Charity

FRI A revolutionary book powered by woman-kind… From doctors, nutrition experts and Olympic athletes, to mums, daughters and women struggling with chronic illness, Legends of Change is the ultimate compilation of 85+ first-hand stories, helpful habits, and life-changing tips from women who have transitioned into a vegan lifestyle. Guest Speaker: HEATHER MILLS, Plant-based buffet and cooking demo by Chef Jamie Raftery. 1 copy of the inspiring Legends of Change book.

Limited Tickets THB1,100 until Nov 12, THB 1390 until the 22nd November. facebook.com/events/324561141721431/

The inaugural Thailand Health & Fitness Expo from 30th January to 2nd February 2020 will showcase brands and services related to the health, fitness and wellness industry.

A four-day extravaganza featuring an exhibition as well as workshops and networking events. Among scheduled events are a sportswear fashion show, healthy lifestyle seminars, healthy cooking workshops, group classes, dancing, DJs and live music. For more information please contact Munlika Boonyawong on +66 (0) 76 600 225 or email munlika.b@ jandevents.com or info@thailandhealthandfitnessexpo.com

28 NOV

BISP’s 18th Annual Soccer 7s Tournament The much-awaited BISP Soccer Sevens, hosted by British International School, Phuket - BISP, will take place on November 22nd-23rd, 2019. This exhilarating football tournament will feature over 1,500 players, 152 teams and 37 international schools! For details, email sportsadmin@bisphuket.ac.th and visit www.bisp7s.com

THU

30 JAN

LAGUNA PHUKET TRIATHLON 2019

Don’t miss the biggest boat show exhibition in Thailand! Taking place at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, South East Asia’s largest marina complex. Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show represents many of the world’s leading boating, marine, water toys, properties, and luxury goods. Making the 2019 show a must-attend event for everyone.

22 NOV

30 NOV

farewell to 2019 and look ahead to 2020 at The Nai Harn Phuket overlooking beautiful Nai Harn Bay. Please contact us for more details at Tel: 076 380 200 Email: fbsec@thenaiharn.com Reservation, The Nai Harn Phuket, fbsec@thenaiharn.com, 076 380 200.

The Exotic Fishing Thailand 1.5 Million Baht Tagged Fish Challenge MARTINA CARUSO : THE BEST FEMALE CHEF OF THE YEAR

Festive Season 2019

For THE PRESTIGIOUS MICHELIN ITALY GUIDE 2019. 29 November: Masterclass and Lunch starting from noon, THB

Come and celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve oceanside style. We are offering an exciting program as you bid

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.

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. When is Thanksgiving celebrated in Canada?

2. What is the name of the fictional island Wonder Woman lives on?

3. Who is Cristiano Ronaldo named after? (Clue: focus on his second name.)

4. Greta Thunberg has had a new species of which animal named after her?

5. In Greek mythology, what is Nike the goddess of?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Medium

Across 1. Org. with eligibility rules 5. Double-reed instruments 10. Bash 14. Jack-in-the-pulpit 15. Dehydrate 16. Example 17. Root 18. M.C.’s lead-in 19. Hanging on every word 20. Cookie making stuff 23. Come together 24. “___ gather” 25. Archetype 29. “Chicago” lyricist 32. Fable maker 36. It says who is the fairest of them all 38. Corinne Bailey ___ 2007 Grammy nominee 40. It makes men mean 41. Container of sweet stuff 45. Calendar pages, abbr.

46. Circular veggie 47. Armed attack 48. Express contempt 51. U.S.N.A. grad 53. Greasy of football 54. Nat ___ Wild 56. Tic-tac-toe winner 58. Stock kitchen item?

66. Resort town near Santa Barbara 67. Nicolo, teacher of Antonio Stradivari 68. Name of 12 popes 70. Feedbag feed 71. Kind of raise 72. Summer quaffs 73. Big kid event 74. “Sunflowers” setting 75. In case Down 1. Singer ___ King Cole 2. Complain 3. A certain air 4. Out of control 5. Suppose 6. Rigid bracelet 7. Treats for Rover 8. Pantyhose color 9. Mall units 10. Young and feminine 11. Palm species 12. Easy run 13. Sandwich crawlers 21. Arctic villa 22. Bluegrass genus 25. Mosque heads 26. Mustard choice 27. Black out 28. Airport monitor

abbr.

30. Jones of the original Rolling Stones 31. ___ Harbour, Fla. 33. Dancer’s boss 34. Buck ___, first African-American coach in Major League Baseball 35. Check casher 37. Vendor request, abbr.

39. Koch and Harris 42. Dwarfish 43. Great respect 44. You can dig it 49. Selfishness 50. Call, as a game 52. Pushover 55. Malia, for one 57. Newspaper section 58. Dwelling, for short 59. Not fully closed 60. Grp. headquartered in Brussels 61. Part of ER: Abbr.

62. Countess’s husband 63. Australian export 64. Daily riser 65. Tints 69. Mach 1 breaker, abbr.

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 4) Beetle (nelloptodes gretae); 5) Victory.

1) On the second Monday in October; 2) Themyscira; 3) Ronald Reagan.

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

3

years is how long Tabasco sauce is aged for in used whiskey barrels before it’s bottled.

41

percent of the world’s population are under 24.

1,500

to 2,000 is how many eggs a queen bee can lay per day.

960,105

The colours of Phuket Old Town. Photo by Mark Reddall.

Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

US dollars were left behind in trays at airport security

This week in history

checkpoints in the US in 2018.

2 million

red blood cells are made by the body every second.

Source: Uberfacts

November 8, 2016 Donald Trump is elected as 45th president of the United States.

November 9, 1923 In Munich, Germany, police and government troops crush the Beer Hall Putsch in Bavaria. The failed coup is the work of the Nazis, led

by Adolf Hitler.

November 10, 1871 Henry Morton Stanley locates missing explorer and missionary

November 13, 2015 A set of coordinated terror attacks in Paris, including multiple shootings, explosions and a hostage crisis, kill 138 people, including seven attackers, and injure 368.

Dr David Livingstone in Ujiji, Tanzania, famously greeting him with the words, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”

November 11, 1869 The Victorian Aboriginal Protection Act is enacted in Australia, giving the government control of indigenous people’s residence, employment and marriage.

November 12, 1970 Oregon Highway Division attempts

Nellie Bly travelled the world in 72 days, beating the fictional Phileas Fogg. to destroy a beached whale with explosives, leading to the infamous “exploding whale” incident.

November 14, 1889 Pioneering female journalist Nellie Bly (aka Elizabeth Cochrane) begins a successful attempt to travel around the world in less than 80 days.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 23

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

Jobs

GE UR

NT

Admin assistant wanted - Part Time

1. Social Media Officer - No need experience 2. Senior Search Engine Optimization (SEO) 3. Google Adverting 4. Social Media Specialist 5. Real Estate Sales Agent (Based on Kamala Full time) 6. Financial Officer 7. Project Construction Supervisor (Expat) 8. Quantity Surveyor 9. Personal Assistant to CEO and COO 10.

Senior Associate Attorney – Real Estate 11. Marketing 12. Architect HRBluehorizon-thailand, recruitment@bluehorizon-thailand.com, 061 149 3233.

@thephuketnews

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

NT GE UR Wanted- Designer

HTML Eflyers

Designer and creation of HTML responsive email marketing newsletters. Excellent written English, must be able to use Campaign Monitor. Please email CV - personalassistantphuket@gmail. com

Marketing Executive

Art House Real Estate is looking for Native Russian speaking, basic salary plus commission. info@arthouse. asia, 089 594 6888

Chinese Marketing Manager

Art House Real Estate is looking for Chinese speaking, basic salary plus commission. Art House Development Co., Ltd, info@arthouse.asia, 089 594 6888

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 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, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

PERSONAL SERVICE

OTHER

TRAINING

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

Buy & Sell CARS, TRUCKS FOR RENT Toyota Fortuner 2007 for sale

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE

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.

G UR

EN

T

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 Pa­klok A Thalang 83110 Phuket, stigisaan@gmail.com, 0848474377.

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

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE Mitsubishi Mirage 10/2018

9 months old, 9,000km, first class insurance. Like new. THB 360,000.

Andy, Call 082 281 5976 ENG/098 059 8714 THAI

@thephuketnews

LIKE BRAND NEW

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

COMMUNITY Play Bridge

Come and join our happy group of Bridge players. Whether you are a beginning or champion, you will have a great time with people from many countries.

Didier, 080 142 8122.

MEMBERSHIPS Loch Palm - Membership

280,000+transfer. Call 083 388 8036 and Thai 089 972 5378.

Golf Membership

Phuket Country Club. Family membership. Two golf courses. Walk or buggy.

Reduces for quick sale. 300,000 baht plus transfer fee. Alan, paradise11@mac. com, 084 065 7590

MEMBERSHIPS Loch Palm Membership

Loch Palm Memberships with share (family) 340,000+1/2 transfer. Call 089 594 4067.

PROPERTY WANTED House Wanted in Chalong

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

28 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy & Sell SERVICES Credit and investment in private section

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

SPORTING GOODS, EXERCISE Oceanus Speargun for Sale

▪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 SALE White sand beach

29 Rai with breathtaking views and 128 meter of white sand beach frontage on Koh Yao Yai , just 20 minutes from Phuket away , secure Chanote tittle , public concrete road , water, electricity and ready to build for sale direct from owner for only 5.5 mln per Rai. Montha, montha_phuket@yahoo.com, 095 0147888.

OCEAN FRONT LAND

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

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE

PROPERTY FOR SALE

OCEAN FRONT VILLA

Dream Village Phuket house

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

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

Villa in Patong prime location

4BED 4BATH VILLA FOR SALE

Villa in center Patong , top condition.

Can generate 1.3 MB tourist rental income p.a. 3 bed, 3 bath, 160sqm living.

Furnished, garden. Ms. Manatchanok, 0800409411.

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

Villa Mission Heights Big Pool

Shophouse near Boat Lagoon

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

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

PROPERTY FOR RENT

Seaview land Nai Harn Beach

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.

UR

GE

Absolute Beachfront Pool Villa

NT

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

1 Bed Condo Sale Rawai

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

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

Casa Lagoon Phuket House 4 Rent

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096 646 6287.

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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

1 Bedroom Condo Kata For Sale

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

SPORT 29

Elite Thai golfers on the rise

PGA Tour sees growing number of male golfers from Thailand where he missed the cut. His best finish was in the 2019 PGA Championship where he finished T14. Look for more PGA tour appearances from this young golfer in the future.

GOLF Jordan Fuller

T

he PGA Tour has traditionally been dominated by golfers touting American or European banners, while Asian powerhouses like South Korea and Japan remain well-represented.

But Thailand’s golfing profile is rising with several golfers joining the tour. Let’s look at some notable Thai-born golfers to either play on the tour or attend multiple PGA major championships.

Prayad Marksaeng Considered one of the most successful Thai golfers not to play a significant number of PGA events is Prayad Marksaeng.

Prayad captured his first victory in 1996 at the Volvo China Open. He was one of the first members to join The Asian Tour from its formation in 1995 and was one of the first ten men to reach one million US dollars on tour with seven victories.

He played in his first PGA

Jazz Janewattananond with the Korea Open title he won in June of this year, his fourth Asian Tour victory. Photo: Bangkok Post major championship in the 1999 Open Championship where he missed the cut.

Prayad’s best finish was in the 2008 PGA Championship where he finished T15.

Jazz Janewattananond In 2018 and 2019, Jazz Janewattananond had great success as he added some big wins, including the SMBC Singapore Open in 2019.

Jockey Craig Williams (R) onboard Vow and Declare wins the Melbourne Cup horse race on November 5. Photo: AFP

Australia’s Vow and Declare wins Melbourne Cup thriller HORSE RACING AUSTRALIAN GELDING Vow and Declare won the coveted Aus$8.0 million (US$5.5mn) Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday (Nov 5).

With veteran jockey Craig Williams in the saddle, the four-year-old ended a decade of international domination in a thrilling finish to edge out Prince of Arran, Il Paradiso and Master of Reality in an ex@thephuketnews

citing finish to the famous 3,200-metre “Race that stops a nation”.

Twilight Payment set the pace until the Danny O’Brien-trained Vow and Declare got up on the line to upset a field packed with overseas runners and containing only two Australian-bred horses.

“I was lucky enough to sit on Vow And Declare. A credit to Danny O’Brien,” said Williams, who has now won the Melbourne Cup to go with the Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and

Golden Slipper during an illustrious career.

Master of Reality, ridden by Frankie Dettori, crossed the line second in a photo finish ahead of British raider Prince of Arran and American stallion Il Paradiso.

But a stewards’ protest over interference by Dettori in the final 100 metres was upheld with Prince of Arran elevated to second, Il Paradiso to third and Master of Reality relegated to fourth.

AFP

That win earned him a ranking in the top 100 and subsequently locked in a tee time at the 2019 Open Championship. His luck ran out in his first major event

Thongchai Jaidee Unlike many other golfers starting golf from a very young age, Thongchai Jaidee started playing as a teenager and turned professional at 31 years old in 2001.

He had an incredible run from 2001 to 2004, attaining the record for most Asian Tour earnings and second in victories with 13 total.

In 2004, he became the first Thai player to win a European Tour event – the Carlsberg Malaysian Open.

Additionally, in 2001 he played in his first PGA major at the US Open and was again awarded a special invitation to the 2006 Masters where he, unfortunately, missed the cut. He played in several PGA majors and other tournaments from 2001 through 2017 with his highest PGA major finish T13 at the 2009 Open Championship.

Kiradech Appinbarnrat Kiradech Appinbarnrat joined the PGA tour in 2013 and has qualified in each year since.

Prior to joining the PGA tour, Kiradech won his age group in the 2003 and 2004 Junior World Golf Championships.

Kiradech turned pro in 2008, and he turned heads by winning two events on the European Tour, including the Maybank Malaysian Open in 2013. He and Jaidee are the only Thai-born players to record multiple European tour victories.

He’s since competed in several major events with a T15 finish at the Masters and a 15th place finish in the 2018 US Open. Kiradech is the only Thai player to gain full PGA eligibility.

Jordan Fuller is a golf enthusiast who has been on the green for 25 years. He loves to share golf news and advice.

A few years ago, he started his own website, GolfInfluence.com, where he shares his learnings about the sport and recommends the best golf clubs.

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

Landmark equal wage deal for Aussie football FOOTBALL

AFP

The camp takes place December 16-19, open to players aged between 7-14 years. Photo: File Photo

Wolves Academy youth coaching back in Phuket FOOTBALL WORLD-CLASS YOUTH football coaching is coming back to Phuket as two fulltime coaches from the Wolves Academy – of the Wolverhampton Wanderers youth academy – will be leading a training camp on the island this December.

The Wolves Academy Camp Phuket will take place from December 16-19 at the Berda Claude International School in Chalong with support from the Kingdom Cafe.

Wolves Academy U13 coach Adrian Ganchev and U12 coach Ryan Howard will lead

the training camp in Phuket, focused on player development and talent identification.

Last year’ Wolves Academy Camp Phuket saw close to 60 young footballers take part with some youngsters having stood out and invited to be special guests for a full week of training with high-ranking Category 1 academy coaches in the team’s facilities at Compton Park, Wolverhampton England.

Open to footballers aged 7-14 years. Camp fee is B6,000 for four half-days of elite youth football coaching – spaces are limited to nine per age group, reservations are first come, first serve. Register by email at info@bcisphuket.com.

W

omen footballers playing for Australia’s national team will earn the same as their male counterparts under a deal unveiled Wednesday (Nov 6) and hailed as landmark for gender equality in sport.

Under a new centralised contract system announced by Football Federation Australia (FFA), Matildas stars such as Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter will be paid an equal amount as big-name Socceroos like Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan.

The four-year deal runs through the next World Cup cycles as the Socceroos and Matildas will receive a 24% share of national team revenues, rising by 1% each year.

In other words, the better they do, the more they get paid.

Professional Footballers Australia chief John Didulica called the agreement “unique” in world football.

“We believe it sets the model for where all federa-

The new centralised contract system is unique in the world of football with both men and women national teams gaining 24% revenue share. Photo: AFP tions and players – male and female – can take the game to unlock the incredible social and commercial opportunity that, in particular, women’s football presents,” he said.

They will also be afforded business class flights to international fixtures and tournaments, like the men.

The breakthrough will be a big boost for America’s women footballers, who have filed an equal pay lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation due to be heard in May next year.

The United States triumphed at the Women’s World Cup in France this year with chants of “equal pay” ringing

out after they defeated the Netherlands in the final.

“Football is the game for everyone, and this new collective bargaining agreement is another huge step toward ensuring that we live the values of equality, inclusivity and opportunity,” said FFA chairman Chris Nikou.

South African celebrate rugby title Continued from page 32 …Moemedi Mashiolane, 45, works in the security industry and took advantage of free train transport from central Johannesburg to join the celebrations.

“Rugby has united us. Where I come from rugby is a sport played by white people but today it has united us,” he said Mashiolane said he loved the speech Springbok captain Kolisi – the first black Test captain in the nation’s history – made last weekend about unity as it uplifted his spirits.

What made the Springboks’ success special was it being achieved with a team reflecting both racial groups with nine whites and six blacks in the starting line-up.

“I came here because this is Nelson Mandela’s legacy – this is what he would have

South Africa’s players celebrate winning the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final match between Wales and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama. Photo: AFP wanted,” Mashiolane said, referring to the support the deceased former state president gave the Springboks.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

SPORT 31 English Premier League 2019 - 2020

Leicester City midfielder Youri Tieleman takes a shot during their Premier League match against Crystal Palace last Saturday (Nov 2). Photo: AFP

Three things we learned in the Premier League FOOTBALL AFP

L

iverpool and Manchester City left it late to secure come from behind wins as the Premier League's top four moved further clear of the chasing pack with Leicester and Chelsea continuing their fine form.

Manchester United’s minirevival came undone in a 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth, while Tottenham and Arsenal’s chances of Champions League football next season suffered another blow in 1-1 draws with Everton and Wolves respectively.

Here, AFP Sports looks at three things we learned from the Premier League weekend.

Liverpool late shows rile Guardiola Late winners for Liverpool

and City kept the gap between the top two still at six points ahead of next weekend’s topof-the-table clash at Anfield.

Liverpool scored twice in the final three minutes plus stoppage time at Villa Park to turn another losing position into a vital victory.

Jurgen Klopp’s men have now taken 10 points after falling behind in just 11 games and the European champions’ ability to find a way to win is beginning to get to City boss Pep Guardiola.

Sadio Mane scored Liverpool’s winner in the 94th minute after earlier being booked for diving.

The Senegalese also won late penalties at home to Leicester and Tottenham in recent weeks to turn 1-1 draws into 2-1 wins.

“Sometimes he’s diving, sometimes he has this talent to score incredible goals in the

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS

last minute,” said Guardiola to already ramp up the animosity for this Sunday’s (Nov 10) mouth-watering clash.

Arsenal going backwards Unai Emery’s decision to leave Granit Xhaka out of the Arsenal squad for Saturday’s (Nov 2) 1-1 draw with Wolves removed the poison between players and fans at the Emirates.

But there was an air of apathy rather than anger as another two points were frittered away to further damage Arsenal’s top four chances and Emery’s long-term job prospects.

After an encouraging start to his reign in charge, Emery’s Arsenal are rapidly going backwards.

They have won just twice in their last nine Premier League games and, despite the Spaniard’s constant tacti-

Run #1762: Saturday November 9 Run Start Time: 4pm Hares: No Hope, Singha Location: Ban Hin Lat Dead End Road Directions: Head North on Thepkasattri Road [Rt 4002] towards the Airport. Turn left at the Old Airport Road traffic lights [Rt 4031] and carry on west for 2.5 km, turning LEFT HHH at the second left-hand junction- Ban Namuang. After 1.1 km, at the jct. turn RIGHT HHH., then more 700 m at the jct. turn RIGHT HHH. Drive 1.4 km to the end of the road where we have laagered before. Please park to one side of the road to enable others to pass. Beer Truck will be signed.

Hare Notes - Those of you that know the Airport shortcut road be advised it is being resurfaced.

- Without exception ALL dogs are to be on leads at ALL times in the Laager and on the run. There are numerous packs of pigs with young piglets in the area, If you are not prepared to restrain you mutts don't bring them. Singha is extremely concerned about the piglets being attacked.

Bus pick-up: Patong @ Expat Hotel: 14:30 More info: phuket-hhh.com

@thephuketnews

Team

MP

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Liverpool

11

10

1

0

25

9

+16

31

2

Manchester City

11

8

1

2

34

10 +24

25

3

Leicester City

11

7

2

2

27

8

+19

23

4

Chelsea

11

7

2

2

25

17

+8

23

5

Arsenal

11

4

5

2

16

15

+1

17

6

Sheffield United

11

4

4

3

12

8

+4

16

7

Bournemouth

11

4

4

3

14

13

+1

16

8

Brighton

11

4

3

4

14

14

0

15

9

Crystal Palace

11

4

3

4

10

14

-4

15

10 Manchester United

11

3

4

4

13

11

+2

13

11 Tottenham Hotspur

11

3

4

4

17

16

+1

13

12 Wolverhampton

11

2

7

2

14

14

0

13

13 West Ham United

11

3

4

4

14

17

-3

13

14 Burnley

11

3

3

5

14

18

-4

12

15 Newcastle United

11

3

3

5

9

17

-8

12

16 Aston Villa

11

3

2

6

16

18

-2

11

17 Everton

11

3

2

6

11

17

-6

11

18 Southampton

11

2

2

7

10

27

-17

8

19 Norwich City

11

2

1

8

11

26

-15

7

20 Watford

11

0

5

6

6

23

-17

5

cal tinkering, he has failed to find the right balance.

After being ostracised for most of the season so far, Mesut Ozil was recalled against Wolves but made little impact, while club record signing Nicolas Pepe spent the whole 90 minutes on the bench.

Top four pull away Arsenal’s woes are compounded by the consistency of the top four with Leicester and Chelsea in pole position to join Liverpool and City in next season’s Champions League.

Leicester’s 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace means despite being in fifth, Arsenal are now six points off the top four and that gap could easily grow when Emery’s men travel to the high-flying Foxes this weekend.

Chelsea go from strength-

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola with Liverpool’s Sadio Mane prior to their Premier League encounter earlier this year. Photo: AFP to-strength under Frank Lampard with their 2-1 win at Watford a fifth straight in the Premier League and a club record seventh consecutive victory away from home.

And the struggles of Man-

chester United and Tottenham, who are level on 13 points from 11 games in 10 th and 11th , mean it is the unlikely trio of Sheffield United, Bournemouth and Brighton who occupy sixth to eighth.

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019

Elite Wolves Academy back in Phuket > p30

CHAMPION

Hamilton wins sixth title. Next Stop: Schumacher 2019 Formula One World Drivers Champion Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates after the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on November 3, 2019 in Austin, Texas. Photo: AFP

BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

L

ewis Hamilton had to finish just eighth at the United States Grand Prix to guarantee the title, but the now six-time champion has never been one to cruise and collect.

His lacklustre fifth-place qualification, albeit only 0.292 seconds off teammate Valtteri Bottas’s pole-setting pace, may have belied his desire, but his rivals would’ve been foolish to discount the Briton at a circuit he’d fail to conquer only twice in its history.

By the end of the first lap he

was up to third, and by lap 15 he had the lead, though with an alternative strategy that dared him to replicate his long-run heroics that delivered unlikely victory in Mexico.

While Bottas and contender Max Verstappen set themselves about the faster two-stop strategy, Hamilton committed to making just one.

It would mean a long 32-lap stint without a tyre change, but with expert management Mercedes expected him to be in with a shout of claiming the championship from the top step of the podium.

The race ended in a cliffhanger, with Bottas slicing past his teammate with just five laps remaining, but Hamilton was able to salvage second from

Verstappen after a two-lap defence to the flag – more than enough to seal the deal on his sensational sixth series triumph.

“It’s beyond surreal to think that this journey, my life journey, has brought me to this point in winning a sixth title,” he said. “But I don’t really know how I’m supposed to feel right now.”

Indeed it’s difficult to define the latest of Hamilton’s triumphs. His first with McLaren was the fulfilment of childhood promise. His second and third, now with Mercedes, were characterised by bitter battles with Nico Rosberg.

His fourth was the rebound championship after Rosberg’s 2016 snatch and grab and his fifth was the mental oblitera-

tion of Sebastian Vettel.

But his sixth? While undoubtedly an exacting season, Hamilton’s unyielding grip on the sport makes it feel like a waypoint to something greater.

Already Hamilton is F1’s quickest man, his 87 poles comfortably the most amassed by any driver, and with six titles and 83 wins it’s unthinkable he won’t at least match the great Michael Schumacher’s seven championships and 91 victories, benchmarks once assumed unimpeachable.

History beckons, but the Briton insists records aren’t behind his insatiable appetite for sporting conquest.

“Reaching Michael’s [records] was never a target for me,” he said. “I’m not really

one that really thinks of records and those kinds of things.

“I’m not trying to think of what’s going to happen potentially at the end of next year or 2021. I believe that I have the ability to continue to grow and to do more with this team and within Formula One, so that would be the target.”

Introspection, growth and self-expression have defined what is incontrovertibly Hamilton’s golden era. No longer the precocious talent of his McLaren years nor the emotionally vulnerable driver that bitterly battled Nico Rosberg in 2014-16, the 34-year-old Briton has emphatically answered every question asked of him on track and off.

Hamilton may not yet

hold the outright records to statistically make him the sport’s greatest competitor, but there’s nothing left for him to prove. The Briton’s working with a blank canvas, his only limitation the depth of his imagination.

“I’m so grateful to this sport for giving me a life and giving my life purpose,” Hamilton said.

“I really like the idea of trying to create a masterpiece.

I think we all should be challenging ourselves to create our own masterpiece in some way, shape or form, and mine’s not finished.”

What shape the masterpiece takes upon completion is anyone’s guess, but sure is that its legacy will be indelible.

South Africans scream, sing and dance as Springbok heroes return RUGBY

South Africa’s Siya Kolisi lifts the Webb Ellis Cup after winning the Rugby World Cup. Photo: AFP

THOUSANDS OF SOUTH AFricans screamed with joy, danced and sang at OR Tambo airport near Johannesburg on Tuesday (Nov 6) as the Springboks returned home after winning the Rugby World Cup. Forward Pieter-Steph du Toit, voted World Rugby Player of the

Year two days ago, and scrum-half Faf de Klerk were among the first to arrive.

Nearly four hours later, the star attractions, captain Siya Kolisi and coach Rassie Erasmus, touched down to a frenzied reception.

Erasmus, who celebrated his 47th birthday on Tuesday, said: “What we want to keep on lasting is what we’re seeing here at the airport

(racial unity).

Black and white, male and female, young, middle aged and old, low-income earners and the wealthy all descended on the airport east of Johannesburg to salute their heroes.

The Springboks dominated prematch favourites England 32-12 in Yokohama, Japan last Saturday (Nov 2) to lift the World Cup a recordequalling third time.

Winning the four-yearly showcase of rugby so decisively has lifted the spirits of a nation mired in economic and social quagmires.

Although boasting the most developed economy in Africa, South Africa is struggling with stagnant growth, near 30% unemployment and widespread poverty and inequality.

Continued on page 30 thephuketnews