The Phuket News April 10, 2020

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FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

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STRANDED RUSSIANS RECEIVE HELP > PAGE 2

LOCKDOWN ROLLING ORDERS SEE ISLAND AREAS CONTAINED AFTER PATONG BLITZ TESTS 1,000 FOR COVID-19

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series of orders issued by Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana has seen the main island tourism and residential areas isolated after Patong was “shut down” at midnight last Saturday night (Apr 4), followed by Karon, Chalong, Rawai and Kathu.

The order by the Gover nor to shut down Patong was posted publicly at about 11pm last Saturday, and came into effect just one hour later, at the stroke midnight.

All non-essential travel in or out of the tourism town is now banned in the hope of preventing a major outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus on the island. The same applies in all other areas under “lockdown” by order. Karon and Rawai came under official lockdown on Monday.

Chalong and Kathu came under lockdown on Tuesday. More lockdown orders were expected to be issued if virus infections continued to spread.

The orders have been publicly released with very little notice for people to prepare. The orders on Monday came less than two hours before the lockdowns came into effect.

The orders on Tuesday came after the orders were officially in effect.

People in lockdown zones are asked to say in their homes, and public health teams will be deployed to check the areas for the virus. Any persons in the areas who start to experience any symptoms of infection are to report to officials immediately.

A ll mu n icipalit ies responsible for areas under lockdown have been ordered to ensure important public areas are santised.

In all the official lockdown orders, Governor Phakaphong noted,

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Return of the real Songkran traditions

“[We] ask people in the area not to leave their homes or place of residence to protect themselves from infection and [because] they may be a carrier and spread the CONVID-19 virus to other people.”

The orders also pointed out that breach of the order would violate Section 52 of the Communicable Disease Act 2015, which may incur a penalty of up to one year in prison or a fine of up to B100,000, or both.

A l l l o c k d ow n o r d e r s a r e in effect until f u r ther notice.

On Monday (Apr 6), Governor Phakaphong also issued an order warning that persons anywhere in Phuket found not wearing a face mask while in a public area risked being fined up to B20,000.

Last week Governor Phakaphong “kindly requested the cooperation” of all people to remain indoors from 8pm-3am. That request now remains

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Dead tourist blamed for COVID spread

LIFE

A driver heading towards Patong shows a military security officer his evidence to allow him to pass the main checkpoint set up in Kathu. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

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bolstered by the nationwide curfew issued by Prime Minister Prayut which came into effect last Friday (Apr 3).

The nationwide curfew bans all people from being on the streets from 10pm to 4am each night unless they have express permission. Rescue workers, emergency personnel, officials performing their duties and some regular citizens, such as nightshift workers, are permitted to travel or transit during the curfew – but must be able to prove their cause.

The Phuket Provincial Office this week repeated its warnings that breaking the nationwide curfew constituted a breach of the Emergency Decree issued by PM Pryut, and may be punished by up to two years in jail or a fine of up to B100,000.

In Patong, which has become the epicentre of infections in Phuket (see page 3), health officials randomly tested 1,000 people. One officer at...

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6.5mn may lose jobs in COVID-19 fallout > p5

Stranded Russians receive help

After more than a week sleeping at funeral sala, moved to resort Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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hree Russian tourists who had been sleeping in an open-air building next to the crematorium at Wat Mai Khao for more than a week as they had been unable to board any flights home have been moved to a resort at Nai Yang Beach.

“The owners of the resort will provide free accommodation and free meals until a plane from Russia arrives,” said Phuket Vice Governor Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai, who visited the Russian trio – Nikolai Sharov, 28; Sofia Sharova, 23; and Aleksei Galievi, 30 – at the temple last Sunday (Apr 5).

“The Russian government may send a plane to pick up Russian nationals who need to get home, but at this time

The Russian tourists were very grateful for food brought to them by local villagers. Photo: Winai Sae-iew the exact date and time are not yet known,” he added.

Also present at the temple to speak with the three Russians yesterday were Maj Ekkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police and Winai Saeiew, Village Headman (Phu Yai

Baan) of Moo 4, Mai Khao.

Mr Winai explained that he first learned that the three tourists were staying at the temple building on Mar 25, after he went to investigate reports by local villagers of noises coming from the building.

“At first local villagers thought they were ghosts,” he said.

The tourists explained that their flight home was cancelled and that they were waiting for their ticket refunds.

They had already informed

the Russian embassy of their predicament, but in the meantime they had no money to pay for another flight home or to pay for any accommodation, Mr Winai explained.

“Our officials checked their temperatures, and none of them had a fever. They are all healthy,” Mr Winai said.

“I also gave them masks and offered them to move to another building, but they declined saying they were fine where they were,” he added.

Mr Winai continued to check on the three tourists, while news of their predicament made its way to the upper echelons of provincial administration and to leading tourism officials.

Mr Winai himself reported the situation to the Phuket Tourist Police.

Meanwhile, feeling sorry for the tourists, local residents living around the temple

brought the three Russians fruit and other food to eat. All three of the tourists expressed their deep gratitude to the generous Thai spirit.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office Director of Napasorn Kakai on Monday (Apr 6) became aware of the Russians’ situation.

“I asked relevant officials to check the area for where the foreigners could stay, and I asked for health officials check all three of the tourists for COVID-19 just to be sure,” she said.

“I have also asked for local officials to coordinate with the [Russian] embassy to provide assistance,” she added.

“Please, any tourists who need assistance, contact your embassy,” Ms Napasorn concluded.

Additional reporting by Tanyaluk Sakoot

Lockdown orders hit main Phuket areas Continued from page 1 ...the Patong Municipality Health Division confirmed that new cases of infection had been found. However, at the time of going to press not all test results had been returned and the officer declined to confirm how many news cases had been confirmed.

Phuket Immigration on Tuesday set up mobile units at Patong Immigration Office, at Chalong Police Station and at Karon Police Station. The units are to be open from 10am to 3pm workdays, and are empowered to issue extensions to long stay visas (more than 30 days), short stay visas (30 days or less), re-entry permits as well as residence notifications and 90-day reports.

Phuket Immigration Deput y Chief Col Nareuwat Putthawiro confirmed to The Phuket News on Tuesday that the need to

A motorcyclist is checked. visit an immigration office constitutes “essential travel” and foreigners en route to or from an immigration office in Phuket will be permitted to pass the checkpoints set up across the island.

A lso allowed t h roug h t he checkpoints are any persons heading to the airport on an outbound flight home, he said.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

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Tourist blamed for infections

COVID-19 may have contributed to Hungarian tourist’s death, says doctor The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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Hungarian tourist who died af ter a serious road accident could have contracted COVID-19 whilst in hospital which may have contributed to his death.

The 25-year-old male was involved in a serious crash in the early hours of Mar 25 although the specifics of his accident were not disclosed

by Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Dr Chalermpong Sukontapol, who explained the death of the tourist to the press on Monday (Apr 6).

The tourist was taken to Chalong Hospital at 4:30am then transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital an hour later.

Dr Chalermpong confirmed that on arrival the man was still able to talk and communicate but was unable to move his arms and legs.

He did not undergo any testing for coronavirus at this stage, he also confirmed.

After initial x-rays it was revealed that a crucial part of his spinal column had been

Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Dr Chalermpong Sukontapol. Photo: PR Dept badly injured, affecting his nervous system. He underwent an operation around 3:30pm later that day but was unable to regain functionality in his arms and legs.

Several days later, on Mar 31, the patient complained of

a high fever and temperature and was tested for coronavirus, returning a positive result. He then admitted to medical staff that he had been a regular visitor to Bangla Rd in Patong during the two weeks before his accident.

Ban on inbound passenger flights extended THE BAN ON ALL INBOUND INTERnational passenger flights into Thailand has been extended through to April 18.

Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) Director-General Chula Sukmanop last week ordered a three-day ban on all inbound international passenger flights. The ban started last Friday (Apr 3) and was to conclude at midnight Monday (Apr 6).

However, Mr Chula issued a new notice late Monday afternoon, just hours before the initial ban issued on Friday was to expire.

The new order extended the ban from 00:01am Tuesday (Apr 7) through to 23:59pm on April 18.

The ban does not apply to state or military aircraft, emergency landing, technical landing without disembarkation, humanitarian, medical

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A staffer at Phuket airport holds up a photos comparing how empty the airport is with the ban in effect. Photo: AoT Phuket or relief flights, cargo flights and any flights arriving in Thailand to repatriate nationals back to their home countries.

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He was taken to an isolation ward in the NomKhrao building of the hospital and placed under observation. All medical staff who had been in contact with the patient were asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.

At approximately 2:40am last Friday (Apr 3) the patient was found as registering no pulse. Doctors administered CPR but it transpired it was too late to revive him and he was pronounced dead, Dr Chalermpol said.

The tourist had been under care and close observation in the hospital for a total of 10 days.

Dr Chalermpong did admit that although the injuries sustained in the crash were almost certainly the cause of death, coronavirus could have played a part in his demise.

In explaining the death of the tourist to the press, Dr Chalermpong focused heavily on the need for patients to tell medical staff about their possible exposure to COVID-19 risk areas.

Of 112 medical staff at Chalong Hospital and Vachira Phuket Hospital, 108 have been exposed to high risk patients and were instructed to self-quarantine at PSU Phuket campus, Supitcha Hotel, and their own houses, he said.

Ninety-four of the staff have been tested and were

not infected, while the rest are still waiting for the result, he added.

Patong has become a hotbed for the spread of the disease with 70 of 123 cases officially recognised “as confirmed” by the Phuket Communicable Disease Committee, which is chaired by Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana.

However, the number of cases being reported by officials in Phuket has come under dispute in the past week.

On Monday (Apr 6), Bangkok health officials reported an official total of 135 confirmed cases in Phuket while Phuket officials reported only 123.

On Monday, the Phuket Communicable Disease Committee reported just four new confirmed cases, while maintaining that 98 persons were waiting for test results – despite Dr Chalermpong on the same day, Monday, claiming that 94 of the staff involved with the Hungarian tourist had been tested and were not infected, while the rest are still waiting for the results.

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BUSINESS NEWS

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Pandemic and property

How will the COVID-19 crisis affect the long term?

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H

ow will the current global situation affect the Phuket property sector? Given the economic uncertainty unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic, there seems to be a widespread belief that this should have some kind of a knock-on effect on the Phuket real estate sector. Many potential buyers see this as opportunity to hunt for bargain basement prices in the months ahead.

But will the likely economic slowdown we face really lead to lower prices across the board? Well, this remains to be seen. While there may be bargains to be found on global stock markets, the multitude of discounted properties which many are expecting (and hoping) to find in Phuket may never materialise. We did hint at this in our last article, and promised to expand upon it.

Everyone loves a good deal, and finding a property bargain is especially gratifying. Properties regularly hit the market at ridiculously attractive prices, and these get snapped up almost as soon as they are listed.

While we have seen such bargains already this year, their sale price had nothing to do with coronavirus or its aftermath.

A highly motivated seller – someone who must liquidate a property quickly – may list a truly cut-price villa or condo, but such owners in Phuket are very rarely that desperate to sell. This owes much to Phuket’s foreign real estate sector being a cash market with almost no borrowing. We estimate that only 1% of properties sold to foreigners here have any bank lending, so neither unemployment nor a credit crunch is going to affect mortgage payments.

The peaks and troughs found in other property markets around the world are generally caused by credit drying up and the subsequent risk of foreclosure. Because this is a systemic problem across the broader economy, some people are forced to “fire sale” their home, either to avoid losing it completely or to plug holes elsewhere in their finances. Phuket does not experience the same volatility because there is virtually no borrowing/leverage in the market.

In the last 20 years, Phuket has faced bird flu, SARS, the tsunami, military coups and red-shirt, yellow-

Mohamed Hassan / Pixabay shirt political disruptions. Globally we have seen 9-11, the dot-com bubble popping and the 2008 global financial crisis with its destructive credit crunch. Each of these events resulted in a contraction in tourism, but not once in the last two decades did we see property prices fall significantly. Instead, prices stagnated for a period of time – a sideways movement rather than a collapse.

Sellers of real estate in Phuket are very rarely desperate for money because, unlike sellers in most other countries, they did not borrow beyond their means to finance the property in the first place. Saying that, we may yet see “motivated sellers” begin to reduce prices to make their properties more attractive. People sometimes “buy the dream” and their irrational or emotional purchase may have cost them significantly more than their property was worth. After a period of denial, and if money becomes tight, they may need to raise cash quickly, finally cutting their losses and off loading the property at a lower price.

But this is highly unlikely to occur on a scale that would precipitate the same widespread drop in property prices seen in other countries.

For every bargain that comes on the market in Phuket there are 25 people who have been hunting that bargain – sometimes for months.

Such a deeply discounted property is sold before most people ever saw it listed.

Most of the “bargains” found today are properties bought 10 years ago (or more) by people from countries such as Sweden, Russia or Australia. Their currencies have depreciated against the baht, so even by selling at a supposedly low price, the stronger baht means they are still making a tidy profit in their home currency.

There has also been a change in rental focus by property owners, but this actually started a year ago or so in the wake of the government enforcing short-term rental regulations. Owners began to shift their attention from the holiday market to longer-term residential rentals, and this trend has intensified due to the recent drop off in tourism. Because the foreign residential population today is significantly higher than it was during previous crises, it has been no real struggle to find tenants.

Owners must accept slightly lower annualised returns than they would

have received with holiday rentals, but they are not panicking and they are certainly not selling.

Finally, we must mention the tourists who are not traveling to Phuket at this time – whether by personal choice or due to national travel bans. Nearly EVERY airline is offering some form of credit for travel to be completed either by the end of 2020 or within 12 months.

We have spoken with hundreds of people who have postponed their trips, but they are all planning to be in Phuket by the end of the year.

We don’t know when travel bans will be lifted. We don’t know when tourism will return to normal. But we do know that every significant hit to Phuket tourism in history has been temporary, and Phuket always bounces back. We can expect nothing less this time.

This article was provided by Thai Residential, creators of the 2018/2019 Phuket Property Guide. To view the 2019/2020 Thai Residential Phuket Property Guide online, visit thairesidential.com/phuket-property-guide.

You can also contact Thai Residential directly at Email: phuket@thairesidential.com or Tel: +66 9484 11918. thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

THAILAND NEWS

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COVID-19 forces scared 144,000 lose jobs in shutdown sex workers onto streets THAILAND

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he nationwide shutdown to contain the COVID-19 coronavirus has killed Thailand’s party scene.

Red-light districts from Bangkok to Pattaya have gone quiet with night clubs and massage parlours closed and tourists blocked from entering the country.

That has left an estimated 300,000 sex workers out of a job, pressing some onto the streets where the risks are sharpened by the pandemic.

“I’m afraid of the virus but I need to find customers so I can pay for my room and food,” Pim, a 32-year-old transgender sex worker told AFP. Since last Friday (Apr 3) Thais have been under a 10pm to 4am curfew. Bars and eat-in restaurants closed several days earlier.

Many of Bangkok’s sex workers had jobs in the relative safety of bars, working for tips and willing to go home with customers.

When their workplaces suddenly closed most returned home to wait out the crisis. Others like Pim went to work the streets.

The government says it is ready to enforce a 24-hour curfew if necessary to control a virus that has infected more than 2,220 people and killed 26, accord-

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Red-light districts have gone quiet with night clubs and massage parlours closed and tourists blocked from entering the country. Photo: AFP ing to official figures at time of press.

Pim is paying a heavy price for the movement restrictions – she has not had a customer for 10 days and the bills are stacking up.

High risk Her friend Alice, another transgender sex worker, has also been forced to move from a go-go bar to the roadside.

“I used to make decent money, sometimes B10,000-20,000 a week,” Alice says.

“But when businesses shut down my income stopped too. We are doing this because we’re poor. If we can’t pay our hotel they will kick us out.”

The already high risks of sex work have rocketed as the virus spreads and there are fears the malaise could last for months, yanking billions of tourist dollars from the economy and leaving those working in the informal sector destitute.

Women are suffering the most from the virus measures. Many are mothers and their family’s main income earner, forced into sex work by lack of opportunities or low graduate salaries.

“I think the government has been really slow. They don’t care about people like us who work in the sex industry,” Alice said.

“We’re more afraid of having nothing to eat than the virus,” she concluded.

MORE THAN 140,000 EMployees lost their jobs last month due to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Department of Employment.

The Employers’ Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry has also estimated that from March until the end of the pandemic at least 6.5 million will be put out of work, if migrant workers and those in the informal sector are accounted for, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Suchat Pornchaiwiseskul, director-general of the department, said that a total of 144,861 people signed up to receive unemployment benefits in March – a 72% rise from the figure in February when 84,177 people filed for benefits, or almost 100% more than January’s figure of 74,775.

He said that people who have contributed to the Social Security Fund for at least six consecutive months can register for the help via https://empui.doe.go.th or by phoning 1506.

A man s et tle s in at a homeless shelter in Prawet district, Bangkok. Photo: Bangkok Post Labour Minister MR Chatu Mongol Sonakul said that people who have lost their jobs because their employers had to cease their business as a result of the outbreak are entitled to 70% of their final month’s wage for six months up to B15,000 in total.

For those who resigned, the percentage falls to 45%, the minister said.

If employees have to go into a 14-day quarantine, they can register for compensation with the Social Security Office, MR Chatu Mongol added.

Bangkok Post

6 CULTURE

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FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

Lessons from yesteryear

How the quiet roots of Songkran can help us today ALL ABOUT BUDDHISM Jason A. Jellison mitnoy@live.com

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t was the biggest water festival in the world. The party lasted all night long.

Every year, it attracted over 500,000 foreign tourists; to say nothing of the millions Thais who perennially returned to their hometowns in anticipation of the celebration. It brought in revenue of over B22 billion and, well, I suppose you really could say “it was the biggest show on Earth!”

The ‘it’ I am referring to is, of course, the traditional Thai New Year (Songkran), and it has been greatly scaled back this year due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Usually, areas like Old Phuket Town and downtown Bangkok are normally jam packed with jubilant revelers of virtually all ages, and all nationalities. But this year, that’s probably not going to happen.

Sadly, there could be no more efficient method to dramatically spread COVID-19 than to celebrate the traditional Thai New Year in the ways which we often do

today. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the celebration is completely over.

You see, Songkran was not always the huge street party which we have grown accustomed to. In ancient times it actually had very quiet, very spiritual beginnings, and, if we understand those bygone days, perhaps we might be able to repurpose them to celebrate Songkran in these trying times today.

In ancient times, Songkran essentially marked the beginning of the Siamese New Year. Old Siam functioned on a lunisolar Buddhist calendar and this differentiated Siam from the West in a number of interesting ways.

The traditional Siamese calendar was a Zodiac calendar, and Zodiacal calendars operate on systems comprised of 12 ‘signs’.

A sign represented 30 degrees of graduated transit in the stars; culminating in a 12-month system. But, this system had some differences from what we are accustomed to in the West.

First, months were counted from December as a starting point, not January. Also, the celebration of the New Year occurred in April, instead of on the more familiar January 1. Plus, the

months were all different than what we are accustomed to in modern times.

Months alternated between 29 and 30 days. Years were either 354, 355, or occasionally 384 days long. On a long year, the eighth month would be repeated, and months were subdivided into two periods.

Months were structured such that the first 15 days of a month occurred when the moon was ‘waxing’ (the time required for a new moon to mature into a full moon).

The last two weeks of the month centered around the time required for a full moon to retire into a new moon, or as the moon was ‘waning.’

The names of the months were drawn from ancient Khmer.

The entire traditional Siamese Calendar was based on four lunar stages, and this played a role in determining when great feasts and Buddhist Holy Days would be marked. On today’s calendars, Songkran would generally be marked on April 13, but ancient Siamese people would have known this date under the terms of their calendar.

Days were similar to what we know today. However, Siamese time was 17 minutes and 56 seconds out of sync with the modern

A young monk quietly reflects with water. Photo: Sasin Tipchai / Pixabay

system. This was equalized on April 1, 1920, when everyone had to move their clocks roughly 18 minutes ahead, for good. Days were divided into four six-hour time periods.

Technically, the Songkran we know is really one of 12 songkrans. ‘Songkran’ (or “Sam-kranti” in my Sanskrit-English dictionary) translates to ‘movement,’ and a ‘songkran’ marks the movement as the sun transits out of one Zodiacal position and into another. The Songkran we celebrate today simply marks the most important transition, which is when the sun transits out of Pisces and into Aries, thus ending the old year.

In ancient times, Songkran was not a gigantic water fight. In fact, the original idea was to mark the changing of the year by having younger people gently sprinkle their elders (aged 60 and up) with holy water.

The hope was that the holy water would wash away the sins and sorrows of the past year, and it would not be unfair to speculate that many people would hope for a prosperous new year.

Traditionally, many Thais would return to their villages in order to mark the holiday. Many young boys would ordain and become novice monks, and prayers would be offered for dearly departed loved ones.

The sprinkling of holy water was much more of a quiet, subdued affair than it is now. Rather than having water fights in the streets, in these days you would have seen street stalls that were stacked with piles of hand-rolled cigarettes, handmade baskets, and inside those baskets could have been many wonderful handcrafted treats, like rice balls or any number of sweet desserts – many of which still are popular to this day and are referred to by Thais as Khaaw Tom. Out in the town square, you would have seen Buddha statues having water poured over their torsos and, inside the local temples, great sermons would be recited from senior monks standing behind long, flowing scrolls. Reenactments of great Buddhist stories were often conducted, and some of these reenactments even included choreographed historical reenactment on elephant-back. Fish would frequently be released into local rivers for good luck, and many locals would bring sand to their temples as a gift.

Yet, Songkran would have been at its most quaint in very small, very rural communities. In thatched villages with little more than a few dozen residents, it is obvious that Songkran would have been a very quiet family or community affair; this year, those are the days which we probably have to return to for a while.

I know many junior Buddhist monks who recently finished ordination, and they tell me that they will skip large groups and gatherings, but are planning on a quiet celebration with their families. They still intend to sprinkle holy water on their elder relatives, and several former monks I know are planning to make large feasts while they stay at home.

Since large gatherings are out this year, the best we can do is rediscover Songkran in its early, more intimate days. With a little creativity, we can repurpose that knowledge for a safe and happy Songkran today.

As of the time of this writing, travel options will simply be unknown. Thus, rediscovering the days of very small gatherings could be timely.

The celebration will never be over for Songkran as long as we celebrate it in our hearts and homes. We may have to go ‘back to basics’ this year, but knowing the history of Songkran might help us overcome our temporary circumstances.

Someday, we will return to normal times. Someday, things are going to get better… and, when that day comes, we shall arise stronger than ever. thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

Fine dining gone viral

DINING 7

A MEAL WITH...

Baz Daniel baz_gunner2000@yahoo.com

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o say that we live in challenging times is a bit like saying Donald Trump may not be the smartest kid on the block – a huge understatement. The COVID-19 viral crisis has exploded with unprecedented speed and venom hitting every aspect of Phuket life, none more so than the all-important tourist industry and within that our once- thriving fine dining sector.

As I write this, all restaurants have had to temporarily close and while many fine dining establishments around the Andaman had already put in place some excellent initiatives to protect the health and wellbeing of their customers, how will this sector cope once it re-opens to life in the “new normal” with COVID-19 as an ongoing factor?

Not many weeks ago the main challenge to enjoying Phuket’s multiplicity of fine dining options was choosing from the abundance of tantalising cuisines, locations, views, ambiances, styles, price-points and complementary drinks lists available.

Once the sector re-opens, hopefully in a just few weeks’ time, the challenge will be firstly to steel yourself to go out to dine at all, and also to find a conducive location offering healthy, immunity-boosting cuisine in an environment that is safe and allows sufficient social distancing!

However, the reality is that in Phuket we are actually spoilt for choice when it comes to gorgeous indoor/ outdoor restaurant settings, which facilitate the flow of fresh clean breezes, abundant space for sensible social distancing, and food choices which are both healthy and contain many ingredients that are scientifically proven to enhance our immune systems.

Counter-intuitive though it may be,

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After the virus wave has passed, the tables will turn. going out for a fine meal in lovely surroundings and a bit of banter with your pals may be exactly what that harried doctor would actually have suggested, had she had a spare moment to see you!

There’s ample research proving that fresh, healthy foods, upbeat social interaction, enlivening beach and waterside locales, and even the anti-oxidant resveratrol found in the red, grape-based complementary beverage which often goes with this attractive package, will all boost your immune system, making you stronger, more virus-resistant and enhancing your mental outlook.

Think of Phuket’s booming beach club scene where internationally-famous outlets like Xana, Catch, Dream, Café del Mar and HQ Beach Clubs offer fabulous healthy food, in equally fabulous, healthy surroundings!

They also tend to be situated in large open, well-ventilated spaces, where social distancing (should that be your choice!) is easy and you can even get a well aerated work-out by dancing to the pulsating beats with sand between your toes and a new moon rising above the palm fronds!

Or think of legendary beachside restaurants offering outside terraces such as at the Boathouse on Kata; Kata Rocks poolside; Mom Tri’s Villa Royale overlooking Kata Noi; and the Nai Harn’s Rock Salt, Hansha and Cosmo restaurants all overlooking Nai Harn Beach. Each of these fabulous outlets enable you to dine on healthy cuisine on an outdoor terrace, where social distancing is easy, invigorating island breezes keep you well ventilated, while you gaze upon the most fabulous island vistas. Just what the doctor might have ordered!

One of the most inspiring initiatives within the fine dining ambit comes from Bart Dykers and Thomas Brack who own and manage the 9th Floor restaurant in Patong, surely one of Phuket’s most ground-breaking eateries since its launch in 2003.

Bart told us: “When we re-open the 9th Floor our greatest priority is that our guests and team members feel safe and secure in our restaurant and to ensure this, we have put in place enhancements to our already rigorous cleaning regimen.

“Everyone, including guests and

team members, will have easy access to health stations with hand wipes, hand soap and hygiene gel, while all kitchen staff and food-handlers wear gloves and respiratory protection at all times.

“All areas of the restaurant are regularly and thoroughly cleaned to the highest standards, paying special attention to high-touch areas such as door handles, elevator button, etc.

“Ongoing training and staff meetings will continue to ensure that team

members are fully prepared to provide information and updates to our guests and we will also ensure that the table next to the yours stays empty so we can secure a safe distance between our guests.”

Let us all hope that fine dining in Phuket re-opens very soon and we are able to recommence enjoying one of those very rare things in life… an activity which is both immensely pleasurable and very good for us at the same time!

8 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. What is the correct name of The Who rock song often called “Teenage Wasteland”?

2. Robert Downey, Jr.’s birthday was on April 4. How old is he?

3. This week COVID-19 passed the milestone of infecting more than a million people worldwide. Which country has had the most confirmed infections?

4. The orantique, or tangor, fruit is a combination of which two fruits?

5. What is the Italian word meaning “scratched drawing”?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Hard

Across 1. Setback 5. Ogres 9. Called balls and strikes 14. “Strength , Courage and Wisdom, singer, India 15. Kinks song 16. Teases 17. Color hue 18. Biblical shepherd 19. “Love Story” star 20. Intense stage of conflict 23. Alternatively, in ___ of 24. Overseas refusal 25. ___-relief (sculpture style) 28. Causes of personality clashes 31. View 33. Some reproductive cells 36. Red River capital 39. Diamond Head locale 40. Rally cry for many revolutions 44. ‘’___ Russia with Love’’ 45. “I __ born yesterday!”

46. Saturate 47. Spurs 50. Workplace safety org.

52. Pal of Piglet 53. Tach readings 56. Site of Theo.

Roosevelt Natl. Park 59. The Battle of Britain, for example 63. Stick

66. Boat with an open hold 67. Itty-bitty bit 68. Gas-reducing supplement 69. Slow gait 70. Barbershop request 71. Reality show judge Cowell 72. Deep desires 73. ____ right up

27. Buffalo 29. Stumblebum 30. Kind of job 32. Horror writer, Edgar Allan 33. Employer’s proposal 34. Sign of late summer 35. Galore, in disco lingo Down 1. Framework for 37. Man-mouse link plaster 38. In that case 2. Large bay window 41. UK ship titles 3. Moses’s mountain 4. Medium-sized sofa 42. E.R. workers 5. Norwegian king and 43. Prefix with centric saint 6. ___ Report (luxury 48. Salem’s home lifestyle magazine) 49. ‘On the Media’ airer 7. Fresh from the 51. Fesses up shower 54. Play ___ for me 8. Off-color 9. Horseshoe-shaped 55. Start of an oath fasteners 57. Halt 10. Challenge for a 58. Bright-eyed Couric barber 59. The ‘’A’’ in A.D. 11. ___ in the sky 60. Canadian bird 12. LAX landing approximation 61. 100-lb. units 13. High-speed 62. Pack (down) Internet inits.

63. Evening news 21. Should, with “to” 22. Leaves from China, producers often 64. Hawaiian headwear 25. Hippy necklace 65. “___ ... I Said” (Neil 26. Allergy season sound Diamond)

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Baba O’Reilly; 2) 55;3) United States; 4) An orange and a tangerine; 5) Graffiti

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

1

tree cut down for paper production in Sweden is replaced by three new trees planted.

6' 2"

or taller makes you taller than 94% of the world’s population.

11

days and 25 minutes is the world record for not sleeping.

126

gallons is the formal volume measurement for a Buttload.

1 million US dollars is how much the show ‘Friends’ generates in syndication revenue each year. Each of the six main cast members earns about 2% of that… roughly US$20 million a year.

Cooking with a smile. Photo: Gianni Bordani Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

This week in history April 10, 1812 Mount Tambora volcano in Indonesia begins a three-month-long eruption. In total, the eruption kills 71,000 people and affects Earth’s climate for the next two years.

April 11, 1981 A massive riot in Brixton, south London, results in almost 300 police injuries and 65 serious civilian injuries.

April 12, 1945 US President Franklin D. Roosevelt dies in office; Vice President Harry Truman, becomes President upon Roosevelt’s death.

April 13, 1997 At 21 years old, Tiger Woods becomes the youngest golfer to win the Masters Tournament, winning the competition by a record-breaking 12 strokes.

‘Sinking of the Titanic’ by Willy Stower.

April 14, 1986 The heaviest hailstones ever recorded (1kg) fall on the Gopalganj district of Bangladesh, killing 92.

April 15, 1912 The RMS Titanic sinks in the North Atlantic at 2:20am, two hours and 40 minutes after hitting an iceberg. Only 710 of 2,227 passengers and crew on board survive.

April 16, 1943 Albert Hofmann accidentally discovers the effects of the research drug LSD. He intentionally takes it three days later. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

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CLASSIFIEDS

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

Trades & Services

9

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10 EVENTS & CLASSIFIEDS

FRI

10 APR

SUN

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

PROPERTY FOR SALE

12 APR

Property for Sale

Ocean View Kata. Fully furnished 1 bedroom condo 44.2.s.q.m. Sea & Sunset views over Kat a bay.

3 . 9 M B o.n.o. Fo r d et ai l s e m ai l ianscondo21@gmail.com

TAKE AWAY ONLY

TAKE AWAY ONLY

Mussels night @ Shakers

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet

1. 2kg mus sels ser ve d w it h Frenc h 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.

SAT

11 APR

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.

MON

13 APR

BOATS, YACHTS FOR RENT

Fully equipped Liveaboard 4 sale

24m Live-aboard sleeps 22 Divers with all extras for diving included Dingy Tanks compressors Now running with Guest Joseph Hue, 48/13 Thai Mueang Phang-Nga, joe@similan-divers.com, 0878918912.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Investor With 90 million THB of Clean Funding to Invest In Deep Sea Fisheries Project Required

TAKE AWAY ONLY

TAKE AWAY ONLY

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.

FRI

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.

Investor With 90 million THB of Clean Funding to Invest In Deep Sea Fisheries Project Required Project would be eligible for Thailand Board Of Investment approval with 5 year tax breaks. Project calls for the importation / Thai FlaggingRegistration of 2 fully operational Pelagic Tuna & Swordfish Longline Vessels currently operating successfully in the Indian Ocean Fishery. Thailand Domestic & Japan Fresh-Chilled Auction Floor Export Markets targeted. Thai Captains / Australian-NZ Pelagic Longline Fishing Masters-Crew Trainers on each vessel with minimum 50% Thailand National Crew. Writer is Australian National Fishing Vessel Manager / Pelagic Longline Fishing Master / Marine Engine Driver / Crew Trainer who has been catching & exporting sashimi grade fish killed by the Ikijimi method to the Japanese Auction Floor since 1978. Advertiser has previously been employed as Chief Engineer on 1 of the vessels to be purchased & been employed as Captain/Fishing Master on the other Vessel to be purchased. It is time to develop the totally undeveloped Thai Flagged Pelagic Longline Fishery. Qualified Investors Post Your Confidential Register Of Interest to; Capt. Brad Durkin - PESCADOR SEAWAY Co., Ltd - P.O. BOX 144, Phuket Post Office, Phuket 83000. Capt. Brad Durkin, P.O. BOX 144, Phuket Post Office, Phuket, 83000

PROPERTY FOR SALE

22 MAY UR

GE

N

A TS

LE

Superb large Laguna Townhouse

Beautiful and completely renovated villa, new windows, doors, plumbing, air conditioning and much more situated on a large plot of 910 sq. metres in the heart of Laguna in a quite cul-de-sac of just 8 properties and walking distance of 5 minutes to Boat Avenue, Central and all Laguna amenities and superb beaches of Bangtao and Layan. 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, large office/5th bedroom, fully fitted European kitchen, large lounge and dining with high ceilings, pool, relaxation sala , outdoor dining and wonderful gardens. Fabulous example of a Laguna Home and includes free membership of Laguna Golf Club for 2 adults and 2 children and discounts on all F and B and services throughout Laguna Phuket. 23.5 million Baht, ceopaulm@hotmail.com, 0898737075.

Villa in Patong prime location

Villa in Patong , top condition. Can generate 1.3 MB tourist rental income/y . 3 bed, 3 bath, 160sqm living. Furnished, 12.9 MB o.n.o.. Ms. Manatchanok, 0800409411.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Price Reduced Rawai Pool Villa

Secluded Rawai Pool Villa on 1600 sqm land plot A good opportunity to buy a furnished, well constructed and maintained three bedroom, two bathroom pool villa in large mature gardens in a very quiet, peaceful cul de sac. This private home of 172 sqm sits on a large plot with a Chanote land title. It is within walking distance from a busy main road with numerous restaurants, bars and assorted retail outlets. Enter through the remote controlled front gate up the 70 m long picturesque drive to park in either the double sized covered car port, or double garage, which also has a remote controlled electric door. The teak front door opens into a spacious main living dining area of over 80 sqm. There are marble floors throughout the property. The master en suite bedroom is 27 sqm, the second bedroom is 15 sqm and the third bedroom is 14sqm. The modern, western style kitchen / utility room of 14sqm has a Hafele oven and extractor hood and Smeg electric/gas hob. The room includes a very large side by side fridge freezer, wine fridge, plus a front loading washer drier.

At the front of the villa is a 10m x 4m salt water chlorinated swimming pool with LED lighting. One end of the pool is a Sala with a table and 4 chairs, while at the other end is an outdoor Jacuzzi complete with an ornamental water feature.

The properly is conveniently located close to the following locations:- Saiyuan Road 2 minutes, Friendship Beach 5 minutes, Nai Harn Beach 10 minutes, Ya Nui Beach 10 minutes, Central Festival Mall 30 minutes. 21,900,000, Paul, ptd2505@yahoo.co.uk, 0848384607.

The 5th annual Phuket Hospitality Challenge 2020

The 5th annual Phuket Hospitality Challenge 2020 is open for registration. The event brings together the Industry’s top professionals for an enjoyable day of golf and sampling of some of the finest food and beverage anywhere on a golf course. Once again the aim is to raise vital funds for the Children’s First Fund Charity, which looks after orphaned children all over Phuket with education and sustenance.

Contact Mark at mark@asean-events.com or Laguna Golf Phuket for further information.

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE G UR

EN

T

Toyota Corolla Altis

Toyota Corolla Altis 1600cc Just one Lady owner from new. Replacement 1800cc Engine approx 50,000km ago. Air Conditioning. Extra Dark Tinted Windows. Full Leather interior. Drivers Airbag. Power Steering. Remote Central locking. Full Infra Red Alarm.

Alloy Wheels with 4-good Pirelli’s. Electric Windows and Mirrors. 4-speed Automatic.

Drives Great. Road Tax paid until 25.10.2020.

Priced for fast sale THB 99,000. 99,000, stephentroup@btinternet.com, 0835237092.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

Sports habits COVID-19 could wipe out for good ALL SPORTS

AFP

A

s the coronavir us brings the international sports calendar to a grinding halt, we look at three long-standing habits which could change forever once competition resumes.

Let’s not shake on it Pre-match handshakes were abandoned in top football leagues just before the sports shutdown.

Premier League leaders Liverpool also banned the used of mascots while Southampton warned against players signing autographs and stopped them posing for selfies.

Away from football, the NBA urged players to opt for the fist bump rather than the long-standing high-five.

“I ain’t high-fiving nobody for the rest of my life after this,” NBA superstar LeBron James told the “Road Trippin’ Podcast”.

Basketball stars were also told not to take items such as balls or teams shirts to autograph.

US women’s football star Megan Rapinoe says edicts to ban handshakes or even high-fives may be counterproductive anyway.

“We’re going to be sweating all over each other all game, so it sort of defeats the purpose of not doing a

@thephuketnews

Spit it out! Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins. Photo: AFP handshake,” she told the New York Times in March.

Saliva to take shine off swing bowling It’s been a tried and trusted friend to fast bowlers throughout the history of cricket.

But the days of applying saliva to one side of the ball to encourage swing could be over in the aftermath of COVID-19.

“As a bowler I think it would be pretty tough going if we couldn’t shine the ball in a Test match,” said Australia paceman Pat Cummins.

“If it’s at that stage and

we’re that worried about the spread, I’m not sure we’d be playing sport.”

Towels in tennis - no touching Tennis players throwing towels, dripping with sweat and blood and probably a tear or two, at ball boys and girls, has often left fans sympathising for the youngsters.

Moves by officials to tackle the issue took on greater urgency in March when the coronavirus was taking a global grip.

Behind closed doors in Miki, ball boys and girls on

duty at the Davis Cup tie between Japan and Ecuador wore gloves. Baskets, meanwhile, were made available for players to deposit their towels.

Back in 2018, the ATP introduced towel racks at some events on a trial basis, but not everyone was overjoyed.

“I think having the towel whenever you need it, it’s very helpful. It’s one thing less that you have to think about,” said Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas when he was playing at the NextGen Finals in Milan.

“I think it’s the job of the ball kids to provide towels and balls for the players.”

SPORT 11

Tawa set to appeal ‘unfair’ doping ban WEIGHTLIFTING THE THAI AMATEUR Weightlifting Association (Tawa) will appeal the International Weightlifting Federation’s (IWF) ruling which bans its athletes from taking part in the Tokyo Olympics, among other sanctions, over doping.

“It is too harsh and unfair,” IWF vice president Intarat Yodbangtoey said in a press release issued by Tawa. “Tawa will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to seek fairness.”

Maj Gen Intarat, a former Tawa president, said the IWF had suspended China and Russia for only one year in similar cases in the past.

The IWF said in a statement on April 4 that athletes from Thailand, as well as those from Malaysia, “shall not compete at the Tokyo Games, regardless of the change of date”.

The IWF also imposed a US$200,000 (B6.5 million) fine on Tawa.

Eight Thai weightlifters, including 2016 Rio Olympic champions Sukanya Srisurat and Sopita Tanasan, tested positive for banned substances at the 2018 world championships.

The Thais were caught when the IWF carried out extra tests in Cologne, Germany, on samples taken in

Sarat Sumpradit during a training session in July 2019. Photo: AFP November 2018 from “target athletes” at the world championships in Turkmenistan.

Tawa bosses claimed they and their athletes were innocent and blamed their Chinese coach for using gel with banned substances without their knowledge.

The Chinese coach has since been sent home, according to Tawa.

The country was also involved in a doping scandal in 2011 when seven teenage girls were banned after testing positive.

A mong t he m we re Sukanya and Chitchanok Pulsabsakul who were suspended for two years and were both named again in the 2018 case.

Weightlifting is Thailand’s most successful sport at the Olympics with five gold medals, followed by boxing with four.

They are also the only two Thai sports associations which have brought Olympic gold medals to the country. Bangkok Post

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

COVID-19 may change sports habits > p11

KAPE TO HIT UFC Manel Kape, seen with the team at AKA Thailand gym, points to his UFC contract. Photo: AKA Thailand

MMA The Phuket News

P

huket-based former RIZIN Fighting Federation bantamweight champion Manel Kape is headed to the UFC. Kape, who lives in Porto, Portugal but regularly bases himself and trains at AKA Thailand gym in Rawai, has signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC after terrific form inside the RIZIN ring in 2019 that saw an impressive 3-0 win run.

“It is with great enthusiasm and joy that I am the new athlete of UFC,” Kape announced on his Facebook page.

Although no details have

yet been confirmed as to Kape’s first opponent, he has wasted no time in demonstrating his ambition by calling for a debut bow against former bantamweight gold-holder, Cody ‘No Love’ Garbrandt.

Of Angolan descent, Kape becomes the first fighter from that country to enter the UFC Octagon since jiu-jitsu world champion Joao Roque’s sole appearance against Jens Pulver at UFC 26 in 2000.

“We are all so proud of Manel,” commented Mike Swick, Founder, Co-Owner and CEO at AKA Thailand.

“He works so hard and deserves this. Not only is he one of the hardest workers at the gym, but also one of the most loyal. That’s hard to find these days,” Swick added.

“We have no doubt he will be a UFC Champion one day,” he concluded.

‘14 stoppage wins’ Kape’s most recent victory was a New Year’s Eve knockout on December 31 last year as he defeated Japan’s Kai Asakura to secure the bantamweight championship at the RIZIN 20 MMA bout at the Saitama Super Arena just outside of Tokyo, Japan.

The victory saw Kape avenge his 2018 defeat to Asakura and become only the second fighter to win the RIZIN bantamweight belt.

He exited the promotion as champion shortly after.

Kape’s other two victories in 2019 saw him overcome Seiichiro Ito and Takeya Mi-

zugaki by knockout, both bouts being held in Japan.

The Phuket-based fighter had an impressive start to his RIZIN career in 2017 with eye-catching knockouts against Erson Yamamoto and Ian McCall. The following year, in 2018, he then lost back-to-back fights to Kyoji Horiguchi and Asakura.

Since then, however, he has emerged victorious in three of his past four bouts on his way to a 15-4 record with 14 stoppage wins.

‘The law of minimum effort’ Nicknamed “Prodígio” (translating to prodigy, wonder or marvel) 26-year-old Kape was born in Angola but moved to Portugal when he was four. He

has been based at the famed AKA Thailand gym in Rawai for several years.

“I am extremely grateful to all the people who have been and are part of my sports career, because I would not be where I am or achieved what I have already achieved. A big thank you to all,” he posted on his Facebook page.

“T he road was long, hard and cruel, but with all persistence dedication and hard work we all managed to achieve our goals,” he continued.

“Just believe even in the grey days of our life we will believe. And when they all doubt you (as has happened to me thousands of times) prove them with facts that they were wrong and yes they just gave

you fuel to show who you are.

“My work, my focus and my determination will be redoubled because I have a goal this year or the next to become world champion again,” he concluded.

Kape dedicated his most recent victory against Asakura to his mother and shared insights into his winning mentality and mindset via his Facebook page.

“When it comes to the search for greatness there is no middle ground. Great achievements require great efforts, and obsessive focus. Hard work, sacrifice, resilience, dedication and most important of all persistence. Practicing ‘the law of minimum effort’ is to give yourself a ticket to mediocrity.”

Phuket Obstacle Trail Run postponed until November TRAIL RUN

LAGUNA PHUKET HAVE CONfirmed that the “Singha Obstacle Trail Run 2020” has been postponed due to health and safety precautions relating to the coronavirus COVID-19.

Originally scheduled for May 2 at Laguna Phuket, the event has now been confirmed to take place on Sunday, November 1 at Sugar Palm Arena Laguna Phuket.

Dubbed “Keng” (meaning “to excel”), the race was originally due to be Singha’s very first beach obstacle trail event, marking the beginning of Singha Obstacle Trail Series 2020.

The additional events in the series are scheduled for Ratchaburi

Tackling tough times.

Photo: Laguna Phuket PR

Province in September and Chiang Rai in December. There had been no announcements on either of these at time of press and they are both expected to proceed as planned.

“The obstacle race layout will showcase the diverse natural envi-

ronment throughout the destination of Laguna Phuket and runners will have a unique playground to test their limits,” commented Paul Wilson, SAVP – Group Golf and Destination Sales & Marketing, Laguna Phuket.

“This exciting new race ideally

complements our world-renowned Laguna Phuket Marathon and Laguna Phuket Triathlon,” he added.

Official event organisers, Sports Republic Thailand, helped explain via their website what exactly Singha Obstacle Trail is all about: It is about how much fun you have crossing the finish line.

It is about putting a smile on your face.

It is about pushing yourself (and your team/family/group) to discover how strong you are.

It is about teamwork, camaraderie and doing something fun to remember.

It is about helping people around you that need it and pushing yourself outside of your com-fort zone.

It is about enjoying the Great Outdoors.

We are encouraging you to register with friends as a group or team.

You can go through the course helping each other and having fun.

Distances & Categories 8km (Age group Male & Female) 15km (Age group Male & Female) 24km (Team Open) 2km Family & Kids walk run To discover further details about the event, and learn more about special offers on accommodation, please visit the Sports Republic Thailand website: https://sportsrepublicth. com/en/events-calendar/the-singhaobstacle-trail-2020-1/ The Phuket News thephuketnews