The Phuket News October 11, 2019

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

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THANK YOU CLASS ACT MEDIA WINS ‘OUTSTANDING SMALL COMPANY’ NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARD

NEWS

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Lifesaving skills crucial: ILS chair

LIFE

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Street art comes to Blue Tree

Class Act Media General Manager Jason Beavan receives the award in Bangkok last Friday (Oct 4). Photo: BCCT

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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lass Act Media has won the “Outstanding Small Company” category at the King Power Thailand International Business Awards (Tiba), held on Oct 3 at the Amari Watergate hotel in Bangkok.

“A fabulous night was had by all who attended the event which attracted an extremely high quality of entries.

TIBA serves as platform to present Thailand’s most successful and dynamic businesses and entrepreneurs,”

said the awards’ main organisers, the British Chamber of Commerce in Thaiand (BCCT).

The awards were held by the BCCT in collaboration with The BigChilli, Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand (BOT).

Class Act Media General Manager Jason Beavan was simple in his message of gratitude in winning the award.

“All of us here at Class Act Media and IMAGE Asia would like to thank everyone for their support in helping Class Act Media being bestowed the Outstanding Small Company Award at the King Power Thailand International Business Awards 2019,” he said.

The other two finalists in the category were Hughes Krupica and R.W.T. International Law Office Co Ltd. Asked what did Class Act Media do that convinced judges that the company deserved the award, the BCCT responded, “All five judges

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@thephuketnews

evaluated the nominee’s profiles based on the five criteria below and your company has met the criteria: Clear explanation of overall business; Performance; Creativity/Innovation; Contribution to the Thai economy; and Level of staff participation/ involvement.”

Judges made no specific comment on comparative attributes among the contenders for the award.

Class Act Media was founded in 2009 and is the sole survivor of the intense competition between Phuket’s foreign language newspapers. The...

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Health insurance now required for long-stays THE IMMIGRATION BUreau has announced that the mandatory health insurance requirement for foreigners applying for a one-year extension to stay based on a Non-Immigrant O-A visa will come into effect on Oct 31.

The announcement was posted on the Immigration Bureau website on Tuesday (Oct 8), stating that the change in the Immigration regulations follows the Cabinet resolution made on April 2 this year.

Under the new rule, all foreigners applying for a one-year permit to stay on an O-A visa must have health insurance coverage for up to B40,000 for outpatient services and up to B400,000 for inpatient services.

The order, issued by Royal Thai Police CommissionerGeneral Chakthip Chaijinda on Sept 27, specifically states that the new rule comes into effect on Oct 31, 2019.

The order notes that health policies offering such coverage are already available at the website longstay.tgia.org The order also states that policies issues by other insurance providers will be accepted as long as the B40,000 / B400,000 requirements are upheld.

The accompanying documents published with the

B700mn fraud fugitives from China arrested > p4

Training in lifesaving skills ‘crucial’: expert

est progress on preventing drowning.

Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

T The order specifies health insurance is now required ‘in case of retirement’. Image: Immigration Bureau order on Tuesday as the redrafted regulations note that under Section 2.22 “In case of retirement”, the applicant must satisfy the same financial criteria as explained to The Phuket News by Phuket Immigration Deputy Chief Lt Col Archeep Jaroensuntisuk in February – namely that applicants must have evidence of receiving a monthly income of at least B65,000, OR have B800,000 in Thai bank account.

The order published full B800,000 must remain in the Thai bank account at least two months before the date of the application and at least three months after the application has been filed – and must never fall below B400,000 throughout the year.

The Phuket News

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

he Chair of the International Life Saving Federation (ILSF) Drowning Prevention Commission, Justin Scarr, has stressed the importance of lifesaving training, community involvement and making public information available in key local areas as crucial in preventing more drownings at Phuket’s beaches.

Speaking to The Phuket News at the World Conference on Drowning Prevention held in Durban, South Africa, this week, Mr Scarr explained, “The ILS and WHO raise global, regional and national awareness of drowning and its prevention in order to reduce the number of drownings worldwide.

“We are aiming to reduce the number drownings more quickly, and to achieve that in Phuket lifesaving training is important.

“A lso, buildi ng up a drowning prevention group by local people and making public information available in several local areas are crucial,” he added.

“It is not only about drownings at the beach, but also at

ILSF chair Drowning Prevention Commission Justin Scarr speaks at the World Conference on Drowning Prevention in Durban, South Africa. Photo: Anthony Grote swimming pools in hotels or homes and at lakes,” Mr Scarr pointed out.

“I expect that people learn, focus on and build up drowning prevention groups in their communities,” Mr Scarr said.

“Also people are being trained in drowning prevention

by Phuket Life Saving, which is the only such [lifesaving] organisation in Thailand, and which has the experience and skills from the International Life Saving Federation,” he noted.

More than 200 presenters from 50 nations have been

invited to take part the World Conference on Drowning Prevention in Durban, which quietly began with workshops and international committee meetings starting last Friday (Oct 4) and culminates with a series of keynote speeches by leading figures in drowning prevention from Tuesday through today (Oct 8-10).

T h e c o n fe r e n c e h a s brought together the world’s foremost experts, researchers and policy-makers in drowning prevention, rescue, lifesaving and water safety to exchange, debate and review the lat-

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Thailand has been given clear prominence at the conference following confirmation in August that the country is still “number one” for child drowning deaths among Asean countries, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) notes that the rate of drownings in Thailand is twice as high as the world’s average.

Caroline Lukaszyk, Region Data Coordinator of the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific and South-East Asia, reported at the conference that the rate of drownings in Thailand is at a record high. “The estimated drowning mortality rate in the Western Pacific and South-East Asia Region for Thailand is 8.2 per 100,000 population. It is still the highest [for Thailand] on record,” she said.

Tanyaluk Sakoot was one of only 10 journalists selected to attend the World Conference on Drowning Prevention (WCDP2019) through a Reporting Fellowship generously provided by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) to empower journalists.

Class Act Media wins national business award Continued from page 1 ...company’s portfolio encompasses The Phuket News (in English, Thai and Russian), Phuket News TV and Live 89.5 Radio.

In May this year, the island’s two leading publishers of print and online media, Class Act Media and Image Asia, joined forces.

Established in 1999 and well known as the creator of leading yacht racing event, Phuket Raceweek, and Thailand’s first international boat show, PIMEX, Image Asia’s core business has always been its print and online publishing, including Where to Eat in Phuket, Window on Phuket and The Map of Phuket (English, Chinese and Russian).

Image Asia relocated its base to Class Act Media’s offices near the Samkong (Tesco-Lotus) intersection, but its print and online media continue to appear under its own identity, created by the same editorial team and overseen by Image Asia’s founder, Grenville Fordham.

“Both our companies have come through some very stimulating times

Class Act Media GM Jason Beavan is congratulated on stage on receiving the award at the Amari Watergate in Bangkok last Friday (Oct 4). Photo: BCCT for the media industry, and there are still plenty of exhilarating challenges ahead,” said Mr Beavan at the time.

“By joining forces, not only can we now offer something that will work for every Phuket advertiser, but we benefit from economies of scale that will allow us to ramp up our investment in the digital future,” he added.

In total, 44 businesses were in contention for the Tiba awards.

The full list of awards and their winners is as follows:

Most Innovative Company Award, sponsored by NEOBÖMI: Winner –Senior Aerospace Thailand Outstanding Small Company sponsored by NEOBÖMI: Winner – Class Act Media Most Promising New Business, sponsored by Boat Lagoon Yachting: Winner – DRVR Co., Ltd. Thailand Outstanding Company, sponsored

by King’s College International School Bangkok: Winner – INSEE Ecocycle Co., Ltd Thai Entrepreneur, sponsored by Thai Airways: Winner – Rachadawan Kelar Young Professional Award, sponsored by Evolution Wellness (Fitness First): Winner – Pinyapa Somphong Social Impact, sponsored by the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT): Winner – British Community in Thailand Foundation for the Needy (BCTFN) Expat Entrepreneur, sponsored by The BigChilli: Winners – David Norcross, Peter N. Wainman and Daniele Cosentino. thephuketnews

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PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

Phuket Town Mayor readies for surge in medical waste The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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huket City Municipality has assigned King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok campus to carry out a project to study and design the construction of an infectious waste disposal system to cope with the rising volume of medical waste on the island.

Currently more than 1,300 kilograms of infectious waste is delivered to the waste disposal facility at Saphan Hin each day, Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana told a meeting held at the Royal Phuket City Hotel last Thursday (Oct 3) to discuss the issue.

“This is likely to increase due to the increasing number of private hospitals and clinics on the island as a result of the policy to develop Phuket as a medical tourism hub,” Mayor Simjai said.

Just three years ago, in 2016, 460 tons of medical waste was delivered to the disposal facility a year.

“The Phuket Government has assigned Phuket City Mu-

More than 1.3 tons of medical waste is delivered to the waste-disposal facility at Saphan Hin each year. Photo: The Phuket News / file nicipality the responsibility of eliminating infectious waste from hospitals,” she said.

“Therefore, we need to come up with an appropriate management system for infectious waste to prevent problems from occurring, Mayor Somjai added.

“We need a system to be designed that is able to dispose of such waste and not affect

the environment in accordance with the law,” Ms Somjai noted.

“The study is also to take into account the increasing amount of infectious waste in the future, and to come up with a solution that is worth the investment cost and is beneficial for Phuket,” she said.

Mayor Somjai’s attention focusing on medical waste

Already blacklisted, caught in Phuket

TWO FOREIGNERS ALREADY BLACKlisted and banned from re-entering Thailand have been caught in Phuket thanks to biometric passports, reports the Immigration Bureau.

Immigration Bureau Chief Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang explained to a press conference recently held in Bangkok that the two cases involved a Russian woman identified only as “Julia” and an Iraqi national identified only as “Ali Hassan”.

The Russian woman “Julia” had been caught working illegally in Thailand in 2012, Gen Sompong said.

At that time, the name in her passport was given as “Yulia”.

The woman was charged, deported and blacklisted, banned from re-entering Thailand for 100 years, from 2012 to 2112, Gen Sompong said.

However, “Yulia” changed the spelling of her first name to “Julia” and was issued a new passport, he added.

She arrived in Phuket on Aug 24 this year on a Non-Immigrant visa that allowed her to stay until Nov 21, he said.

However, Julia came unstuck on Sept 16 when she was prosecuted by the Patong Police, Gen Sompong said. However, he did not elaborate what Julia had been prosecuted for.

Regardless, she was handed over to Phuket Immigration, which through checking biometric passport records discovered that Julia had already been banned from re-entering Thailand for 100 years, Gen Sompong said.

The second case saw Iraqi national Ali Hassan taken into custody on Sept 13, Gen Sompong noted.

Ali was caught and prosecuted last year for overstaying his permit-stay for 1,272 days. He @thephuketnews

Immigration Bureau Chief Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang credited the arrests to biometric passports. Photo: Immigration Bureau was blacklisted and prohibited from entering Thailand for 10 years, from 2018 to 2028.

At that time Ali was travelling on a passport giving his first name as “Alaa”, Gen Sompong said.

He officially changed his first names to Ali Hassan and was issued a new passport, he added.

Ali arrived in Phuket on Sept 13 on a tourist visa that allowed him to stay until Nov 11.

Phuket Immigration officers later learned that Ali was staying at a barber shop in Soi Sansabai, Patong. On Sept 24 officers arrived at the location and took him to confirm his identify with biometric records and found that he was blacklisted, Gen Sompong said.

Gen Sompong gave no explanation as to what had prompted immigration officers to start tracking down Ali’s whereabouts.

Both Ali Hassan and Julia have had their visas and permits-to-stay revoked and both have been deported to their home countries, Gen Sompomg said.

The Phuket News

follows the Directing Committee of the International Health Center approving a proposal to include the United States and Japan in the group of countries from which patients may have medical treatment in Thailand for a period of 90 days without needing a visa.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who also serves as Deputy Prime Min-

ister, and Tourism & Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitparkarn approved in principle the inclusion of the United States and Japan in the 90-day medical treatment visa-waiver programme, reported state news agency NNT. The inclusion of the two countries brought the total number of nations in the scheme to 13; the other 11 are the Gulf Cooperation Council countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as well as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and China.

Mr Anutin said that the government is focused on the promotion of innovation and medical excellence, as well as health-related tourism, to add economic value, NNT reported.

Over 3.4 million healthrelated visits were made to Thailand last year, generating over B28 billion in revenue, he said.

Thailand, which has 68 internationally recognised health service units, the most in Asean, plans to turn the country into a world Medical Hub in 2020, he added.

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One of the 9mm handguns seized at the checkpoint.

Photo: Kathu Police

Guns seized at checkpoint

A REGULAR DAYTIME police checkpoint in Kathu last week resulted in two men being arrested with both carrying 9mm handguns.

Both firearms were legally registered, but the men were caught without a permit to carry them in a public place.

The men were arrested at a checkpoint set up on Soi Bangthong between 2pm and 4pm Tuesday last week (Oct 1), reported Kathu Police.

Lt Col Nopparut Sukkree named the men as Eakkapop Yuyangyun, 39, from Nakhon Pathom, and Weerayuth Soontrakul, 33, from Pathum Thani.

Mr Eakkapop was found carrying a 9mm handgun with 24 bullets, two magazines and a holster. Mr Weerayuth was found with a 9mm handgun, seven bullets, two magazines and a gun holster. Both guns were being carried in plastic carry cases, police noted.

The Phuket News

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PHUKET NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

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Chinese fugitives caught in Kamala The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

GENERAL MANAGER

Jason Beavan 086 479 7471

gm@classactmedia.co.th

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

Two women, one 23 years old and the other 25, died in the fire. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Two dead, two injured in Phuket townhouse fire TWO WOMEN DIED AND TWO MORE people were injured in a fire in a townhouse in Rassada early Monday morning (Oct 7).

Col Somkid Onchan of Phuket City Police, who was notified of the fire at 3:50am, identified the two women killed in the fire as Ms Chiliporn Hemboot, 23, originally from Ratchaburi province in Central Thailand, and Ms Suphak Chantarat, 25, originally from Bueng Kan in the Northeast.

Two other people living the townhouse were identified as Phuket native Chumpon Jitwarin, 37, and Darin Panyaros, 27, originally from Bueng Kan. Both had already been taken to hospital for injuries sustained when they leapt from the upper floor to safety.

Police were told that Chumpon and Darin woke to the smell of thick smoke at about 3am, Col Somkid said in his report.

They woke Chiliporn and Suphak then jumped out of the townhouse from the upper floor, he wrote.

Somehow, Chiliporn and Suphak did not manage to escape the fire.

Forensic police have been called in to investigate the fire, Col Somkid noted.

Police have yet to give any explanation of what started the fire.

Eakkapop Thongtub

I

mmigration Bureau Chief Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang has announced the arrest of three Chinese fugitives hiding in Phuket wanted over more than B700 million being embezzled from a company in China.

Gen Sompong told a press conference in Bangkok Wednesday last week (Oct 2) that the Immigration Bureau received an official request for cooperation in helping to arrest the Chinese suspects on Sept 18.

The three – named only as Mr Ma, 42; Mr Li, also 42; and Mrs Chen, 30 – were all wanted on arrest warrants issued in Tianjin City, Gen Sompong explained.

They had all fled China and were hiding in Phuket, he added.

A team of investigators was ordered to expedite their investigation in tracking down the fugitives, Gen Sompong said.

The team, including six officers from Phuket Immigration, soon found all three suspects were staying at a room in Kamala, he added.

All three were “invited” to come to the Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town, where

The arrests of the three Chinese fugitives hiding in Kamala were announced in Bangkok. Photo: Immigration Bureau their permission to stay in Thailand were revoked and all three detained in the immigration detention cells.

Ma was a financial officer at a company where he used USB memory sticks to transfer company funds by online banking to a company that his parents had founded, Gen Sompong explained.

In total, through 188 transactions since 2017, Ma had transferred 124 million yuan – equivalent to more than B700

million – to his parents’ accounts, he added.

Later, when Mr Ma knew he was wanted on an arrest warrant, he arranged for himself and Mrs Chen, who was also wanted on an arrest warrant, to come to Phuket.

Mr Li, who is also wanted on an arrest warrant in China, arrived first to make arrangements, then Mr Ma and Mrs Chen followed later, he added.

All three will be deported to China, Gen Sompong said.

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

Snake commandeers car in Chalong A CHALONG TR AFFIC Police officer had a rough start to the day when he watched a two-metre-long python slither under his car before dawn last Thursday (Oct 3).

Phuket Ruamjai Rescue Foundation Chief Sayan Thammaphan said that he received a call asking for help to remove the snake at 4am.

“We were asked to come and remove the snake as officers were too frightened to handle it themselves,” Mr Sayan said.

A Traffic Police officer was standing near his car, a black Honda parked in front of the station, when he saw the snake slither underneath, Mr Sayan said.

“We arrived shortly after, but it took us an hour to find the snake as it had moved into the engine bay,” Mr Sayan told The Phuket News.

Phuket Ruamjai Rescue Foundation Chief Sayan Thammaphan had the snake in hand within three minutes of locating it in the engine bay. Photo: Phuket Ruamjai Rescue Foundation Once the snake was located, it took Mr Sayan just three minutes to have it in hand.

“The snake was a python, about two metres long,” he said.

“We will release the snake into the wild in the Nakkerd Hills (between Chalong and

Kata-Karon),” he said.

Mr Sayan urged any people to call him for help in removing an unwanted snakes from their home, or car.

“Anyone who wants my help can just call me 24 hours a day at 098-7045345,” he said.

Tanyaluk Sakoot thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

PHUKET NEWS

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To honour ‘Father of a Nation’

Phuket readies to commemorate King Bhumibol Memorial Day The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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huket Vice Governor Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai this week briefed officials on preparations to be made for activities marking the third anniversary of the passing of the deeply revered late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

King Bhumibol, Rama 9 of the Chakri dynasty, reigned over the Kingdom for seven decades. He passed away on Oct 13, 2016, leaving behind a legacy of goodwill and remains adored by the Thai people. (See tribute on page 17.)

As the national public holiday this year falls on a Sunday, the national public holiday will be observed, with all government offices closed, on Monday (Oct 14).

Speaking at a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Tuesday (Oct 8), Vice Governor Supoj explained that the official itinerary of events to be held included merit-making ceremonies and volunteer activities.

Com memor at ion s on

Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana leads the formal ceremony to honour King Bhumibol as part of the memorial events held last year. Photo: PR Dept Sunday will begin at Phuket Provincial Hall at 7am, when an alms-giving ceremony for 89 monks will be held.

At 8am, a ceremony for the offering of wreaths in front of an image of King Bhumibol will be held at the meeting hall of Phuket Rajabhat University.

At 11am, volunteers will together clean up the Tha

Kraeng Canal in Phuket Town.

At 6:30pm, a candle-lit ceremony will be held at the meeting hall of Phuket Rajabhat University to commemorate King Bhumibol’s benevolence.

Government officers attending the ceremonies are required to wear their white uniforms, and police and other

ONWR warns of heavy rain, flooding PHUKET, PHANG NGA AND KRABI have all been named as areas likely to be affected by heavy rains and possible flooding expected to deluge the South next week.

The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) is expecting heavy rain in 14 provinces with a heightened flood risk in southern provinces from Oct 15. Local authorities have been ordered to be on alert, install necessary mitigation equipment and notify villagers, state news agency NNT reported on Monday (Oct 7).

ONWR Secretary-General Somkiat Prajamwong disclosed the outcome of a joint meeting with the National Water Command Center and related agencies to assess the water situation, advising that high precipitation is expected from Oct 15 onwards in Chonburi, Chantaburi and Trat in the eastern region; Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan in the western region; Surat Thani, Chumphon, Ranong and Trang in the southern region; and in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi and Songkhla on the mid-southwest coast of the country, where the situation is expected to be more severe.

The office has already coordinated with the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) to install equipment such as water pumps, flow accelerators and excavators in the flood-risk areas, and notify villagers to prepare for a potential disaster, NNT reported.

“What we need to watch out for is from 15th October in the southern region, particularly in the mid-section of the west coast. 14 provinces will be affected. The main issue is in October from the 15th, so we have already assigned @thephuketnews

ONWR Secretar y General Somkiat Prajamwong announced the warning on Monday (Oct 7). Photo: NNT the Royal Irrigation Department and DDPM to relocate their machinery and equipment into flood risk areas to prevent difficulties, especially in Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi and Songkhla which could be most affected,” Mr Somkiat said.

On the drought disaster at the other end of the country, latest information shows there is now no more than 1 billion cubic metres of reserved water for the second rice farming season and other continuous cropping in the Central region, Mr Somkiat explained.

The ONWR has notified related agencies to make plans accordingly to avoid water shortages. In the northeastern region, current low water availability at dams in Khon Kaen and Chaiyaphum has prompted related agencies to work on a back-up plan in the likelihood of water shortages in next year’s dry season, he added.

NNT

armed services are asked to not wear their hats, or their gloves and swords.

State enterprise employees are asked to wear their corporate uniforms and students attending while representing their schools are asked to wear their school uniforms.

Members of other associations, such as volunteer

organisations, are asked to wear their uniforms.

Members of the public are asked to dress respectfully and to wear yellow.

Volunteer activities will also be held on Oct 18 and Oct 23, honoured each year as the Chulalongkorn Day public holiday, V/Gov Supoj explained.

On Oct 18, volunteers will take part in cleaning and restoration projects at religious venues and places of worship, he said.

On Oct 23, volunteers will join a campaign to help tidy up tangles of cables from utility poles along main streets, he added.

Meanwhile, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Rungrote Thakurapunyasiri has cautioned that a 24-hour ban on the sale of alcohol will be in effect nationwide this weekend as the country marks Wan Org Pansa, the end of Buddhist Lent, also on Sunday (Oct 13).

The ban on the sale of alcohol will come into effect at midnight on Saturday night and end at midnight

Sunday night, explained Gen Rungrote.

The alcohol ban for Wan Org Pansa was instituted by law under an announcement by the Prime Minister’s Office on January 22, 2015.

Under the order, the sale of alcohol is prohibited on five specific Buddhist religious days: Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha Day, Khao Pansa and Wan Org Pansa days.

Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha and Asarnha Bucha Day are all public holidays in the Kingdom.

Khao Pansa and Wan Org Pansa, however, are not.

Although the King Bhumibol Remembrance Day is respectfully honoured throughout the Kingdom, there is no ban on the sale of alcohol by law.

Regardless, Gen Rungrote urged people to be respectful on the day.

The offices of Class Act Media and IMAGE Asia will be closed on Monday to observe the national holiday.

The offices will re-open on Tuesday (Oct 15).

Opinion 6

OPINION

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

editor@classactmedia.co.th

EDITORIAL

Making waves, making money

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PURIYA BEAVAN Editor

CHRIS HUSTED

Executive Editor

084 307 7408 execeditor@classactmedia.co.th Fifteen years working in news and covering local issues and events in Phuket, with 18-month hiatus spent working for the Brunei Times on Borneo. From Queensland, Australia; 10 years living in the UK before moving to Phuket in 2000.

Degree in business management.

Spare time spent sailing or with family.

AMY BRYANT

Lifestyle Editor

editor1@classactmedia.co.th Former freelance writer and editor for a music news and reviews website in the UK. Now turning her hobby into a career with The Phuket News and broadening her scope from music to, well, everything. Likes the weird and wonderful.

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T

he news from Simpson Marine this past week announcing that the first Sanlorenzo SL86 in Asia has been handed over to owners in Phuket and is now cruising around Southeast Asia marks a serious benchmark in Phuket’s marine industry.

The superyacht will now use Singapore, Malaysia’s east coast and Phuket as major ports of call for touring the region.

This opens the door for the yacht to tour Phang Nga Bay and the islands of the Andaman Sea, as well as Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Mergui archipelago to our north. That is what these boats can do.

To give some context to the news, while prices for such yachts are usually available only “on request”, one 2017 SL86 currently for sale in Miami is going for just under US$6 million. A 2018 model

also in Florida is going for more than US$8.6mn At those prices, that means the SL86 now using Phuket as a base is anywhere around B180mn of money-making machine moving into the neighbourhood.

Nick Stratton, Sanlorenzo Asia Sales Manager, noted, “The sale of this beautiful yacht following her very recent arrival into Asia is a testament of the growing appreciation for the Sanlorenzo brand around the region. Further new models will be delivered later this year.”

Whether or not that means more Sanlorenzos heading for Phuket we’ll just have to wait and see, but only earlier this year saw a record number of 36 superyachts visiting Phuket, occupying berths at Yacht Haven Marina. That bodes well for the industry. Such yachts bring many benefits for the economy generally, the tourist industry and the people employed in a

range of support industries.

The Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous (KRSR) and the Thailand Yacht Show are also doing their part in attracting superyachts to the region.

A strong environmental argument still stands against use of superyachts, but even those concerns are starting to be addressed with nine superyacht builders, including heavyweights Feadship and Benetti, in July signing a commitment to reduce and offset superyacht carbon footprints.

While the Thai government has for years made much noise about doing more to attract superyachts to Phuket, The Phuket News has yet to confirm any great milestones achieved in that area. Hopefully, there is very good news on the horizon.

If you want larger tourism income generated per person as part of your sustainable tourism definition, this industry is it.

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Two blacklisted foreigners in Phuket arrested, deported Man claims ‘Russian Rules’ in shopping mall watch theft ‘Lucky’ Marquez aims to race after crash at Thailand MotoGP practice Patong beachfront road re-opening slightly delayed Testing Faith: Phuket Vegetarian Festival facing fall in tourism appeal Phuket newborn found abandoned has died Russian tourist faces jail for handing out ‘souvenir dollars’ in bar Chalong Police call for help as snake commandeers car B10k reward offered to catch Phuket thief Alcohol ban for end of Buddhist Lent over long weekend

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HAVE YOUR SAY Abstaining from tourism

Re: Testing Faith: Phuket Vegetarian Festival facing fall in tourism appeal True locals/believers probably prefer it without tourists.

Dawn Farrell Respect the local beliefs and traditions. Tourists are welcome, of course, and everyone is treated with respect just how it should be. This will be repeated for many years with or without tourists.

Simon Youens Sorry to say this, but it’s turned into another nuisance jamming Phuket’s roads. In Kamala, the narrow residential roads were in horrible shape, overcrowded with cement and water trucks that are much too big, pickups and motos parked willy-nilly blocking them, and convoys of festival pickups coming through. It was an ordeal just to go to the store.

Daren Jenner Hardly surprising, is it?

Tourism is in freefall, and this spectacle has little to do with vegetarian beliefs.

Dale Sheldon

“Festival” and “chaos” – the lines are very blurred.

Wade James

Caught on camera

Re: B10k reward offered to catch Phuket thief “The CCTV footage did show a man, likely a night security guard, behind the front desk while the thief stole the envelope”. Pay peanuts, get monkeys, as the saying goes.

Geoffrey Morris Hmmm. That sucks if true. But why would one leave jewellery, gold and cash cards and important documents in their car at a hotel parking lot when they already have rooms in that hotel? Why not put in the safety deposit box in the room or at reception? Some common sense?

Michael Spigarolo

Inaction plan

Re: Phuket launches initiative to become smarter and safer In reality, the primary purpose of all these “smart projects” is to create a budget to burn, and to feed friends and family with money-making opportunities without any

accountability. None of these projects have done anything except burn budgets. Even listening to officials yak on shines light on the fact that they hardly know what they’re talking about.

BenPendejo Nothing wrong with aiming high.

Simon Lomas

Heartbreaking. Herd animals trying to help each other and coming to grief… So sad.

Natalie Hunter My heart is broken. How many more?

Rosemary Toerien Goosen

Chumphon charm

Big loss

Re: Destination: The real Siam – Thailand’s Central Gulf Coast shines bright I lived 70 kilometres north of Chumphon for four years.

It certainly is a beautiful area.

There is an international airport being built about 25km north of the town and there are advanced plans already done for a deep sea port. So I would recommend going sooner rather than later.

Brian O’Neill

Re: Drone spots 5 more dead elephants at Khao Yai waterfall Difficult to see how it could have been avoided.

Michael Reynolds

The whole of Thailand is/was immensely beautiful but in my opinion is being ravaged by money-hungry corporations, hotel chains and Western influences. Should keep the few “untouched” areas exactly that before there is a Costa, McDonald’s and masses of ignorant pleasure seekers ruining Chumphon too!

Jason Jackson

I’ve lost count of the amount of CCTV cameras that have supposedly been installed over the last 15 years.

It’s an ineffective moneymaking scam. Strange how they are normally “broken” when images are needed.

Fascinated

Re: Park rescuing 2 jumbos after 6 fall from waterfall Thank you for saving the two that could be saved! So very sad.

Lauren Frances Perkins

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

THAILAND NEWS

7

Panel set up to probe judge Investigation after judge shoots himself in court following ruling YALA Bangkok Post

T

he Judicial Commission has set up a special panel to look into the facts involving the attempted suicide of a judge in the Yala court last week.

The panel, which comprises three commissioners, each from the three tiers of courts, will conclude its findings and report to the commission later this month.

Khanakorn Pianchana, a senior judge at the Yala Provincial Court, pulled out a pistol and shot himself at the end of a hearing on Friday afternoon (Oct 4), officials said. He was rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery for injuries said not to be life threatening. The incident reportedly took place in a third-floor courtroom.

A 25-page statement Mr Khanakorn purportedly posted on his Facebook account last Friday before he shot himself was circulating on social media. The document has since been deleted from his account,

@thephuketnews

The online statement from Judge Khanakorn Pianchana. Photo: Bangkok Post

Yala Provincial Court, the location of the shooting. Photo: Bangkok Post but copies are still in circulation online.

The document allegedly described disagreements among senior judges over the case ruling, in which Mr Khanakorn reportedly decided to acquit all five defendants.

Messages reading “Return the ruling to the judges” and “Return justice to the people” were repeated three times in the document.

“You need clear and credible evidence to punish some-

one. So if you’re not sure, don’t punish them,” he said during the ruling in court, which was broadcast on Facebook live through his phone. “The judicial process needs to be transparent and credible... punishing wrong people makes them scapegoats.”

The Facebook feed then cut, but witnesses said Khanakorn recited a legal oath in front of the former Thai king’s portrait, before shooting himself in the chest.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Monday (Oct 7) it was up to the courts to make decisions in this case.

“The secretary-general of the Courts of Justice already said no one could intervene with the court’s procedures.

I don’t want to escalate the conflict,” he said.

On the same day, the Human Rights Lawyers Association, together with 12 organisations, issued a statement calling for an investigation

into the facts.

“We urge the Judicial Commission to set up an independent and impartial panel to look into the alleged interference claimed by Mr Khanakorn Pianchana. If wrongdoings are found, we urge criminal and disciplinary actions.”

The statement also suggested the Supreme Court’s president review and propose amendments to the regulations on the handling of important cases to prevent intervention

and create mechanisms for a fair trial. It should also have a recourse for affected judges to safely seek justice, according to the statement.

Judges should also have moral courage to refuse to bow to extrajudicial influence and bias, which could compromise justice.

As well, media should not distort the news, which could further politicise the case and polarise the country, the statement said.

8

THAILAND NEWS

Cop, local leader’s son both caught during police drug raid SONGKHLA A POLICE COR POR A L and a local leader’s son were arrested and drugs seized during a police raid on a house in Bang Klam district on Monday evening (Oct 7).

The arrested policeman had earlier accused police from Provincial Police Region 9 of kidnapping him and friends for a B500,000 ransom.

Pol Cpl Sanyalak Jandam, 24, of Kapho Police Station in Pattani, and Piyapong Ruangchuay, 31, son of a local leader in Bang Klam district, were apprehended in a bedroom of the house at Ban Nong Khuan in Bang Klam district around 6pm.

Police also seized 89 methamphetamine pills, 3.5 grammes of crystal methamphetamine, a pistol, a digital scale, plastic straws used for delivering a quantity of crystal meth, glass tubes and quantities of kratom cocktail found in the house.

The two men were taken to Bang Klam Police Station on charges of colluding in possession of illicit drugs with intent to sell, and violating the firearms law.

Pol Col Seksan Churangsarit, deputy chief of Songkhla Police, said investigators from Bang Klam Police Station and drug suppression officers from the Songkhla earlier received information that the house was

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

11 dead elephants found at bottom of waterfall NAKHON NAYOK

Bangkok Post

Pol Cpl Sanyalak Jandam (L) and Piyapong Ruangchuay (R). Photo: Bangkok Post a centre for selling and using drugs. Acting on the information, they obtained a warrant and raided the premises.

One of the men told the arresting officers that he was a policeman, but failed to produce a police card when asked.

Further checks revealed he was Pol Cpl Sanyalak Jandam of Kapho Police Station in Pattani, Pol Col Seksan said.

He would face both disciplinary and criminal action that would see him dismissed from the force, Pol Col Seksan said.

In May, Pol Cpl Sanyalak filed a complaint with Hat Yai Police alleging that a team of police attached to Provincial Police 9 had kidnapped him and some friends for a B500,000 ransom in Hat Yai. This resulted in three police officers being transferred and investigated for the alleged abduction.

Police handling the case learned that Pol Cpl Sanyalak was involved in illicit drugs, but did not find firm evidence implicating him at the time, a police source said.

Bangkok Post

O

fficials are struggling to remove the carcasses of 11 dead elephants that were found lifeless near the same waterfall at Khao Yai National Park.

Last Saturday morning (Oct 5), park officials discovered the bodies of six dead elephants at Haew Narok waterfall inside the national park, all believed to have drowned after a fall. Later in the afternoon, officials managed to help two other members of the herd, which were struggling to clamber out of the waterfall.

Then, on Tuesday (Oct 8), Nakhon Nayok Governor Natthapong Sirichana announced that drone footage flying over the area led to the discovery of five more dead elephants at the same waterfall, near the location where the other six were found on Saturday.

Officials believed all were from the same herd, but the reason they plunged into the strong current remains unknown.

The gruesome accident is one of the biggest losses to Thailand’s wild elephant population in recent memory.

The most recent tragedy of similar scale happened in

Two elephants were rescued (top) while six others (bottom) were discovered lifeless at Haew Narok waterfall in Khao Yai National Park. Five more have since been found. Photo: Bangkok Post 1992 when eight elephants drowned as they tried to cross a flooding river. So far, it is estimated that over 25 elephants have died in such a way over the past three decades.

Khao Yai National Park built a 100-metre concrete barrier near the hazardous spot after the 1992 incident.

The park straddles Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok and Prachin Buri provinces. The area where the elephants died is in Pak Phli district of Nakhon Nayok.

Drones are being used to search for two surviving animals that apparently returned to the forest.

Park officials and rescuers are hoping to trap the carcasses of the dead elephants in a large net capable of handling up to 40 tonnes. The plan is to remove the carcasses be-

fore they reach and pollute a reservoir nearby from where they were first discovered.

The dead elephants will be examined for clues to their deaths before burial.

Digital Economy and Society Ministry’s WiFi demand draws flak THAILAND THE DIGITAL ECONOMY and Society (DES) Ministry’s demand that all cafes store data passing through their WiFi connections has drawn flak from shop owners, especially small-scale operators, who said the measure would impose

a financial burden on them, including server expense.

Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta said on Tuesday (Oct 8) that coffee shops must keep the traffic data, known as a log file, for at least 90 days in line with Section 26 of the Computer Crime Act. The move is meant to al-

low authorities to track down those behind illicit acts or remarks on the internet.

A company linked with PTT Plc, which owns Cafe Amazon, expressed worries about the cost of the measure.

“The business must spend more on a software system or technology to serve the government’s policy,” said

Pongsak Tantikul, chief executive of PO Oil Co, a franchise trader of oil and gas under PTT. “We don’t know yet how much it will cost us, and the company is concerned about that.”

Small and medium-sized enterprises will be more affected by the policy than large firms, he said.

An owner of the Roi 8 Coff coffee shop in Klong Toey district said that in order to comply with the law, a server must be acquired to keep the information.

When asked whether this would be an additional expense, the owner, who gave only his nickname Pong, said “absolutely”.

“If the government wants shops to store the information, they need to have a proxy server to store logs that can help identify who has used WiFi,” said Mr Pong, 41, adding that it could cost B20,000.

Paiboon Amonpinyokeat, founder of the P&P law firm and an adviser to the DES

Officials are ordering shops to keep user data for at least 90 days. Photo: Bangkok Post Ministry, said coffee shops or internet cafes can just keep records on paper rather than using a server or data storage.

These shops can ask customers to write their names and ID numbers, along with the time and date they used WiFi, he said.

This information, coupled with CCTV footage at shops, can help track people who violate the act, said Mr Paiboon, who participated in the drafting of the Computer Crime Act. “The intent of the law

mandates that only large service operators, such as internet service providers and mobile operators, keep a log file in servers,” he said, adding that the law is not meant to put the burden on SMEs. Mr Paiboon said that since the law came into force in 2007 and was amended in 2017, not a single case has been enforced under the legislation.

Criminals sometimes use public WiFi to commit offences, he said.

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

BUSINESS NEWS

9

KRSR launches Charity Gala Inaugural event to headline Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous 2019 MARINE The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

D

ecember marks the start of another spectacular yachting season in Phuket, beginning with the King’s Cup Regatta and culminating with the fourth annual Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous 2019 (KRSR). From Dec 12-15, the KRSR draws on the glitziest guest list, an impressive social programme, along with some of the most remarkable superyachts ever to be on display in Asia.

The KRSR is expanding its environmental and marine conservation efforts on top of promoting yachting and luxury lifestyle in the region.

International SeaKeepers Society Asia is back for the second consecutive year, together with Phuket-based Oceans for All, and will host an ultra-exclusive charity gala event on Saturday, Dec 14. This elegant sit-down dinner will also feature spectacular entertainment throughout the night, with tickets available shortly. All proceeds generated will be donated to SeaKeepers Asia and Oceans for All. “We are grateful for the support from the Kata Rocks Superyacht

The Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous (KRSR) is expanding its environmental and marine conservation efforts on top of promoting yachting and luxury lifestyle in the region. Photo: Supplied Rendezvous (KRSR) with its firstever KRSR Charity Gala. Asia is home to a diverse range of marine biodiversity, and our coral reefs provide a huge ecosystem to coastal living,” said Julian Chang, President of International SeaKeepers Society Asia.

“Being part of the first Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous Charity Gala 2019 will assist us to reach out to yacht owners and the community to encourage involvement and commitment to research, protect, conserve and restore.

“Phuket, a must-do on the Asian yacht sailing itinerary, is the right

place for us to be able to lend our support and resources to create a better awareness of the current situation of our oceans. The KRSR is really stepping up efforts to expand its environmental and marine conservation footprint, and together with Oceans for All funds raised will go towards marine conversation and research in Phuket and beyond,” Mr Chang added.

The International SeaKeepers Society is a registered not-for-profit organisation that supports marine science and conservation by utilising privately owned yachts as platforms for oceanographic research,

Angsana unveils ‘ACES’ MICE venue MICE THE ANGSANA LAGU NA PHUK ET resort complex has launched its 1,500sqm world-class event hall for hosting meetings and events of all requirements and sizes.

The Angsana Convention and Exhibition Space (ACES) can be configured into layouts suitable for any requirement from MICE business conferences and brand product launches, to weddings and grand gala dinner events, noted a release announcing the hall’s launch.

Lighting and sound themes are custom designed for each event to create a bespoke, professional and sophisticated ambience for business events or a more lively, upbeat atmosphere for fashion events, product launches, exhibitions or even dance parties.

Angsana’s team of Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Certified Incentive Specialists (CIS) are on-hand to assist from start to finish, helping to create and curate the event envisioned, the release noted.

For theatre-style seating, ACES can accommodate up to 1,500 guests, ideal for multi-national business conferences or a MICE seminar. For training events, ACES can comfortably sit 850 guests in Classroom setting, while for other kinds of business events, the U-shape and boardroom-style seating can both fit 225 guests in, with room to spare for light, sound and staging.

For social affairs and gatherings, the hall can hold up to 800 guests in round-table seating, ideal for wedding receptions or gala dinners. For sophisticated cocktail receptions, ACES can host up to 1,500 guests, standing.

Catering is also provided for all types of @thephuketnews

ACES can accommodate up to 1,500 guests and would make a spectacular space for a multi-national business conference or a MICE seminar. Photo: Supplied events, including themed coffee breaks and banquet fine dining. In addition to resort F&B set-ups, meeting and event planners have the added advantage of personalising menus with any one of Angsana Laguna Phuket’s six restaurants and bars, covering local and international cuisines.

“Combining all the necessary components crucial for a front-runner in the meetings and events industry, the Angsana Convention and Exhibition Space (ACES) at Angsana Laguna Phuket is guaranteed to make a memorable backdrop for events to engage, inspire and remember,” the release noted.

Angsana Laguna Phuket was recently recognised by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) for meeting the Thailand MICE Venue Standard Designation (TMVS) and ASEAN MICE Venue Standards certifications to host international-standard MICE events, offering a wide range of seating styles for delegates.

The Phuket News

educational outreach and marine conservation. Its efforts eliminate vessel costs and permit scientists to allocate those funds to maximise research potential.

Oceans For All Foundation is a non-profit organisation that endeavours to restore, protect and nurture the ocean’s ecosystem wherever tourism activities affect its balance and health. It is convinced that the tourism industry must be a leading promoter of preservation of the ocean. It seeks to leverage synergies and like mindfulness among private and public sector entities. It started in Phuket with projects such as coral farming, beach cleaning and of course educating the local community. The foundation plans to further expand to other destinations where oceans are the leading tourism resource.

Mr Chang also said International SeaKeepers Society Asia is looking forward to supporting the local Phuket community through various CRS activities together with Oceans for All before the KRSR and moving forward into 2020.

The KRSR is also pleased to welcome Sunseeker Yachts for the first time to the 2019 edition, and welcome back the world’s leading yachting brands that are set to shine.

These include prestigious shipyards such as Oceanco, Benetti, Burgess, Camper & Nicholsons, Lee Marine, Northrop & Johnson, Princess Yachts, Seal Superyachts and many more that are supporting the KRSR. Craig Murphy, Principal Dealer Sunseeker Thailand-Vietnam, said, “The KRSR offers excellent opportunities and we are delighted to host the inaugural Sunseeker Owner’s dinner. We look forward to working with the KRSR team on future synergies and grow this already outstanding event.”

The success of the KRSR over its first three years continues to elevate its status by featuring an impressive fleet of attending superyachts and by generating excellent recognition within the global yachting sector. It has been celebrated by industry leaders as the definitive superyacht event in Asia, hailed as an outstanding success both in terms of prominent yachting brands on display and its relaxed and productive business setting. All help further strengthens Phuket’s reputation as the region’s yachting playground.

The Phuket News is a proud media sponsor of this event. For more information visit KataRocksSuperyachtRendezvous.com

10 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

Senate urged to help drive Phuket tourism development Nationals of the listed countries do not need to secure pre-arranged approval before arriving at the airport as was the case in the past. Photo: TTR Weekly

Myanmar expands visa-on-arrival list TOURISM MYANMAR HAS ADDED more countries to its visa-onarrival list to make it easier for tourists to visit the country as it raises its tourism appeal worldwide.

Effective since Oct 1, tourists from six countries – Australia, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain and Switzerland – are eligible for a visa-on-arrival (VOA) at Myanmar’s Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw international airports.

Nationals of the listed countries do not need to secure pre-arranged approval before arriving at the airport as was the case in the past.

They can apply for a visa at the VOA counters at any of the designated airports. The fee for the visa on arrival is US$50.

Japanese, South Korean, Hong Kong and Macau nationals were granted visa-free entry last year.

Indian and Chinese nationals from mainland China were also granted visas-on-arrival (VOA).

During the second quarter of this year, the tourism industry in Myanmar witnessed an increase in arrivals from all the nations that were either eligible for visa-free entry or a visa-on-arrival.

“We do hope that all these new regulations to ease access to Myanmar, will lead to more travellers from around the world discovering Myanmar’s unique culture, nature and most of all the hospitality of the people,” said Myanmar Tourism Marketing Chairperson May Myat Mon Win. TTR Weekly

TOURISM The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

L

ocal tourism operators have called on the government to do more to help develop and diversify Phuket as a tourism attraction to help drive tourism arrivals to the island and to support Phuket’s “sustainable” future.

The call for more support came during a mobile visit to Phuket by members of the Senate Standing Committee on Tourism and Sports last Friday (Oct 4).

The committee members had arrived on the island to be briefed on the tourism situation in Phuket.

The delegation, led by Committee Deputy President Chumnoom Ardwong, was welcomed to Phuket Provincial Hall by Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana and a host of other local officials and business operators.

“We are impressed with the organisation of Phuket Vegetarian Festival and the coordination between government officers and the private

Senate Standing Committee on Tourism and Sports Deputy President Chumnoom Ardwong. Photo: PR Dept sector,” Mr Chumnoom said.

“Phuket is the second-most income-generating province in Thailand, so to develop tourism there are two most important issues to consider: the capacity to support the area, and the sustainability of the development,” he added.

Tourism of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office Director Kanokkittika Kritwutikon said that statistics from the Phuket Pro-

vincial Office of Tourism and Sports showed that 9,848,246 tourists visited Phuket from January to August this year.

Only 20% of those were Thai, she said.

“The biggest number of tourists was from China, about 3 million people. Tourists from Russia made the secondmost with about 900,000 tourists, followed by German tourists with about 600,000

(visitors),” she said.

“Recently there have been a lot of Indian tourists coming to Phuket because there are more direct flights from New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru,” Ms Kanokkittika added.

Phuket Chamber of Commerce President Thanusak Phungdet along with other representatives at the meeting called on the committee to consider the options of building a convention centre in Phuket to support the development of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) tourism segment.

“We want the government to support Phuket to be sports tourism city, and to build a big convention hall to be available for future international meetings,” Mr Thanusak said.

“Additionally, we also want the government to promote more flights from India, which is currently still obstructed by government regulations,” he added, “If the government can do these things, it will help generate a lot more income for Phuket and Thailand,” Mr Thanusak pointed out.

RPM a Thailand first for ‘Clean Marina’ MARINE ROYAL PHUKET MARINA (RPM) has become the first and only marina in Thailand to achieve environmental accreditation under the International Clean Marina Program, helping position Phuket as a centre of yachting in Asia.

RPM Chairman Gulu Lalvani said the accreditation represents a significant milestone for the development of Thailand’s marina industry.

“We are delighted to be the first and only marina in Thailand to achieve International Environmental Accreditation. Since opening Royal Phuket Marina we have been an accredited 5 Gold Anchor Marina and we also remain the only such marina in Thailand to achieve this status,” he added.

“We had a bold vision to become the country’s leading marina, and these latest awards have also helped Phuket become an epicentre of the yachting scene in Asia,” he added.

Commenting on the professionalism and dedication of Royal Phuket Marina staff, the auditor conducting the evaluation for the Marina

Royal Phuket Marina has become the first and only marina in Thailand to achieve environmental accreditation under the International Clean Marina Program. Photo: Supplied Industries Association (MIA) noted that “the systems used to manage the marina operations are exceptionally well thought through and adhered to by the entire marina team”, a statement said.

RPM Manager Ben Mccrory said, “These accreditations demonstrate our commitment to continually improving the experience of our clients.

In a fast developing marine tourism destination such as Phuket, it is also important that marinas such as Royal Phuket Marina play a strong environmental leadership role,” Mr Mccrory said.

Royal Phuket Marina caters to motor boats up to

35 metres in length and has well-protected facilities for 216 yachts within the site that includes a hard stand, dry stack, luxury apartments, villas and retail outlets.

The MIA Clean Marina accreditation is based on a site assessment by an independent auditor using a 103-point checklist developed by industry and government specialists in Australia.

The audit includes inspections of mechanical activities, boat maintenance and storage, fuelling, facility and waste management, workshop, risk management and emergency planning and boater education.

The Phuket News thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

Flashes of brilliance in student photobook

14

16

Netflix goes Thai with supernatural drama

THE BIG PICTURE Mauy the street graffiti artist: spraying a wall near you

Keep Clean The Ocean.

Amy Bryant editor1@classactmedia.co.th

P

huket’s new family entertainment venue Blue Tree is taking shape in Cherng Talay, and there’s no doubt that it’s a colourful addition to the island. Perfectly painted colonial-style shopfronts make up the community shopping area, a mismatch of patterned Mediterranean tiles line the floor, and talented graffiti artists from across Thailand are spraying any expanses of blank wall in sight.

One such artist is Piyasak Khiaosaard, better known by his tag “Mauy”. Inspired by the burgeoning street art scene he saw on a trip to Germany, Mauy sold his noodle shop in 2013 and began painting full time, scraping by on his limited savings. Back then, he lived to paint. Now that he’s gained notoriety, he paints to live too.

Mauy is renowned for his art in his native Chiang Mai and is making a name for himself abroad too. His vibrant works decorate walls in Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines and France, and the commissions keep rolling in. To keep up with demand and increasingly challenging projects, he’s enlisted a team of eight other artists to support him as he zips around the kingdom and beyond.

For his Blue Tree project, Mauy brought along fellow northern Thai artists Ohm, Waris and Nap. I met them on a scorching Saturday morning as they put the final touches to Keep Clean The Ocean. The culmination of three days’ work – painting in the daytime, sketching ideas at night – the piece dresses up the walls and ceiling of a walkway by the freshwater lagoon and waterpark and spills over the skylight and into the Sunset Bar above.

Crescents of paint under his nails and respirator mask resting on a damp brow, Mauy walked me through the team’s labour of love. @thephuketnews

Ohm, Waris, Mauy and Nap. “I’m really inspired by European artists, mainly Spanish,” says Mauy. “Street art in Spain is full of life, fun, colourful. But the detail I use is more to do with Southeast Asia.”

Mauy’s work focuses almost entirely on animals from around the world – “Animals is king” reads the tagline on his Facebook page – and he uses them to spread powerful messages about their conservation and rights as well as the wider environment.

One of his most notable and proudest pieces Give Me The Tree, in Mae Sot, sees a koala bear in pop art hues leaning as if perched on a branch, but the branches in fact make up the animal’s stomach – symbolic of how the forest and the koala are interconnected and damning of deforestation. Mauy’s work is almost an act of rebellion against urban society and a celebration of what he loves about his rural home in the north.

“I was born in the outskirts of Chiang Mai. It’s a place that was totally green. Forests, wild animals, non-hunting zones. But now it’s taken over by buildings. It’s disappointing to me,” explains Mauy. “I used to paint animals as silhouettes in the background, and

Give Me The Tree. you could only see them if you looked close, but now I’ve brought them to the front. I think it’s important.”

Keep Clean The Ocean depicts a giant deep-sea octopus collecting plastics from the ocean bed on one side, and a sea turtle gliding through the water as a baby dolphin hitches a ride on his shell and catches waste with a net on the other. Mauy toned the piece down to fit the family feel of Blue Tree, but it still carries an important message for the observer willing to look beyond the candied colours.

Mauy, Ohm, Waris and Nap are due back at Blue Tree later this month to take on an even bigger project by the venue’s outdoor arena. The team are busy drawing up ideas at the moment and details are sketchy, but whatever they choose, it’s bound to be big, bold and far from boring. Be sure to head over to see them in action, alongside a host of other incredible Thai artists.

Blue Tree Phuket is located at 4/2 Srisoonthorn, Cherng Talay, 83110. For more information, visit www.bluetree.fun or call 076602435. Follow Mauy’s work on Instagram @mauy_msv

12 GARDENING

Grand palms

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Thailand’s favourite towering tropical trees GREEN THOUGHTS Patrick Campbell

W

hen I was a boy, I had to endure long waits on sooty railway stations – yes, it was the age of steam – whose walls were plastered with posters of seaside resorts with azure seas, white sands, bronzed maidens and swaying palm trees. No beach in the UK looked remotely like that: it was years later that I glimpsed my first grove of bona-fide palms as I drove a rickety car across Southern Spain.

With global warming, things have changed. There is now a licuala palm within a stone’s throw of my London apartment. But palms remain quintessentially tropical, not only graceful additions to most gardens but among the easiest plants to cultivate. The range is simply vast. Maybe 2,000 species. One Thai collector, I read, has no fewer than 90 different varieties of fan palms.

Coconut palm (cocos nucifera) Any discussion of palm trees ought to start with the coconut palm (cocos nucifera). After all, it is the most famous and the most useful tree in Southeast Asia, and life without it in Thailand would be unthinkable to Thais.

Every little bit has its uses – the flesh, the milk, the husk, the wood, the leaves. Most Thai curries contain coconut milk or pulp, and the juice not only

makes a refreshing drink but is the only naturally occurring liquid to have exactly the same pH as blood plasma.

When dried, the husk (copra) yields commercial oils, and the fronds make durable thatching. The wood is strong and wonderfully grained, and the fibre can be woven into mats and canopies.

And what would we gardeners do without coconut husk? All in all, cocos nucifera is a treasure…

This palm is too grand for the average garden, reaching as much as 30 metres in height, and its heavyweight nuts are a potential hazard to anyone passing below. Nonetheless, its elegant form, with its huge, pinnate fronds carried at the top of the trunk, graces many parks and vistas with distinction. A pity then that commercial coconut groves are currently in rapid decline, a consequence of the twin-pronged attack of developers and hispine beetles.

Fortunately, dwarf varieties are available. Indeed, many growers prefer the accessibility of fruit that do not need specialised climbers or macaque monkeys to get at them. And for the tropic gardener, they are a much better bet.

“Malay Dwarf”, for example, has a short trunk and heavy crops of yellow nuts.

Royal palm (roystonea) Of other large palms, several are grown as specimen ornamentals, often dominating large open areas, expansive lawns, or fronting high walls.

The grandest of these is roystonea, appropriately know as the royal palm.

Recognisably a palm with a character-

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

Coconut palms are indispensable in Thailand. Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh / Pixabay istic long, smooth, ringed trunk, grey in colour and sometimes swollen near the base, it is surmounted by a crown of green, pinnate leaves. Just the blades of these leaves may be more than 20 inches long. It produces fragrant white, cup-shaped flowers and purplish-black, inedible fruits.

When mature, its height can rival that of cocos nucifera, so it is not a candidate for the intimate garden. Like most palms, it likes moist, fertile soil and plenty of sun. It is seen to good effect when grown along tree-lined avenues.

Bismarck palm (Bismarckia nobilis) A better choice for the medium to large garden is the Bismarck palm. A native of Madagascar where it is, ironically, in serious decline, Bismarckia nobilis is an ornamental species which provides a talking point wherever it is encountered.

A fan palm with amazing glaucous fronds that may be six or eight feet across, their grey-green colour and circular, divided appearance gives the tree an exotic and striking character. Instead of appearing at the top of a tall, slender stem, these fronds appear symmetrically on massive stalks that grow out from the thick trunk most of the way up the bole.

My specimen has just produced huge clusters of shiny, marble-sized, black fruits that resemble small grapes.

Though inedible, the flesh can be stripped away, and the bare seeds planted in deep soil. Germination will take two to three months.

Traveller palm (ravenala madagascariensis) The jargon of gardening is full of anomalies. Take the traveller palm. It is not strictly speaking a palm at all, but a banana. Nonetheless, the popular name survives and gardeners regard it as a member of the palm family. What is more important is its value to us as gardeners, especially when planted along a wall where it can show off its good looks.

But remember that ravenala madagascariensis is a spreading and rapidly growing tree which will, in time, develop a squat, thick trunk from which radiate as many as 30 banana-like leaves The majestic beauty of ravenala lies in its wonderfully symmetrical shape, a narrow fan which allows it to dominate borders without crowding out smaller plants which can survive before or behind its giant but slender form, with its narrow alignment of enormous, paddleshaped fronds.

The exotic and striking Bismarck palm.

The traveller palm needs little maintenance, storing its own supply of water at the base of each stem. That, incidentally, is how it got its common name: the palm will offer up a cooling drink to the knowing and thirsty traveller. It will accept full sun or partial shade, but if you want to retain its characteristic symmetry, you will need to cut away the many offshoots that appear around its base.

These same offshoots can be repotted to create new palms.

Foxtail palm (wodyetia) Another favourite and one I regret not featuring in my own garden is the foxtail palm. Wodyetia is not as grand or dramatic as Bismarckia or ravenala, but it is the most graceful of trees. A quintessential palm, it possesses a slim, smooth, ringed trunk and a crown of long, delicate fronds from which the leaflets radiate all around its rib, hence the resemblance to a fox’s brush.

It is becoming a preferred subject for landscaping in Thailand and, because of its dainty appearance, as an ornamental in small gardens. It is also widely employed for decorating urban avenues, both because of its neat appearance and low maintenance. The fruits are reddish and can be used for propagation. A must for your new garden.

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

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

EVENTS 13

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

The stars come out in Phuket

VIPs to hit the island for exclusive three-day amfAR fundraiser

The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

O

ver 200 of the world’s top celebrities, entertainment industry elite and international society will descend on Phuket in January 2020 for the first ever amfAR – Thailand, a three-day awareness and fundraising event for HIV/AIDS in the Asia-Pacific region.

The event is organised by amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, one of the world’s leading non-profit organisations in the fight against AIDS. Founded in 1985 as a response to the rapid increase in cases of AIDS and meeting a need for more research, amfAR has invested more than B15 billion in its programmes and awarded more than 3,300 grants to research teams worldwide. The funds have helped research into a number of areas, including treatment and prevention, but today the foundation is focused squarely on the pursuit of a cure for HIV. amfAR – Thailand 2020, which will run in tandem with the Thailand Yacht Show 2020, kicks off with a welcome party on Friday, January 10 at COMO Point Yamu in Phuket followed by a gala dinner, live auction, private performance and after party on the serene private island of Koh Rang Noi on Sat-

@thephuketnews

The private island of Koh Rang Noi, six kilometres off Phuket’s east coast. urday, January 11 and a yacht party on Sunday, January 12. After Phuket, the event will head to New York, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Cannes, Paris, Milan, Italy, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The guest list for Phuket is being kept under wraps for now, but previous amfAR hosts, performers and guests include Victoria Beckham, Cher, Tom Ford, Bill Gates, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Julia Roberts and Stevie Wonder, to name only a few.

The event is part of a new band of events that will introduce amfAR’s research programmes to a regional

Jessica Chastain and Will Smith at the amfAR Gala Cannes 2017. audience. It’s designed to highlight amfAR’s TREAT Asia (Therapeutics Research, Education and AIDS Training in Asia) programme, a model of regional collaboration on HIV/AIDS for almost two decades. This exclusive experience will engage amfAR’s loyal supporters and introduce the foundation’s cure-focused research programmes and lifesaving work to an entirely new audience.

Paul Poole (South East Asia) Co., Ltd have opened up a number of commercial sponsorship and partnership opportunities for businesses to get

involved with this high-profile fundraising event, including title and presenting sponsors, official partners, official suppliers and official media partners. The independent marketing consultancy, based in Bangkok, are sponsorship experts who work with both rights holders and brands – acting as a catalyst by bringing them together and maximising the relationship.

For more information about sponsorship and partnership opportunities, visit www.paulpoole.co.th or email paul@paulpoole.co.th. To learn about amfAR’s work, visit www.amfar.org

14 EDUCATION

A different point of view.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Illuminated.

Reach for the sky.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

Sight.

Lights, Camera, Education QSIP photo book showcases snap happy students’ newfound skills Warren Murray

F

or the past year and a half at QSI International School of Phuket (QSIP), we have been focusing on updating our media and technology curriculum in order to better represent the constantly shifting landscape of film, photography and multimedia.

We set out to create a course that would give our students the opportunity to engage with their surrounding world and the technology

available through multiple mediums and in a creative manner.

As such, our students have exceeded expectations, creating documentaries, stop motion animation and a number of creative assignments in the film component of the curriculum.

The student photography course has consisted of multiple field trips and oncampus theory classes engaging in composition, lighting, technical operation, framing and movement. The students have covered themes from architectural and landscape photography to portraiture and still life. As a result, they have created some phenomenal work culminating in an end-of-year showcase magazine and numerous features in The Phuket News’ “Island View” section.

The students have also started to explore graphic design and are building in proficiency in programs such as Photoshop, Lightroom and After Effects, to name a few.

QSIP’s mastery learning philosophy – tailored teaching that ensures each student has mastered a topic before they move on to the next – means the students have the opportunity to constantly hone their skills, to try new concepts and experiment in order to reach their end objective. This philosophy works perfectly with the creative arts as there is no single direct or rigid path that needs to be adhered to, but rather a roadmap to success that has new routes added and is constantly evolving. As the students find new ways to relate to the content, the process evolves. The curriculum moulds and adapts to meet their needs in assisting them with the end goal as opposed to focusing on restrictive rules within the path. Students can thus engage with the content on their terms with the flexibility needed to present the information as relevant to them.

An example of this was an exercise where the students needed to photographically recreate a famous painting. They wanted to integrate graphic design in order to better get the final effect that they needed, and thus the assignment evolved to include Photoshop compositing. This not only gave the assignment a new learning objective but also created a larger landscape

Aquamarine. for creativity which would have been restricted by sticking to the parameters of only using photographic methods.

We have also been building our own on-campus studio. We have a full lighting setup which has allowed students access to lighting in order to experiment with different studio-based photography with the ease of not having to outsource or leave campus. As a result, the students have not only become proficient in taking photos and videos but also in setting up a studio to suit the particular needs of their shoot.

The school year culminated in the creation of a photo book. All work in this publication is student created, and the quality of shots after only a year in practice is very impressive. The students have shown a great understanding of the core concepts taught and have used them to execute some high-quality work. The book, titled Picture This, can be found on sale at the school and is a great coffee table conversation piece.

You can see some examples of the fantastic work above.

The amount of talent in such a small pool of students is staggering, and the growth that they have shown in the past year is impressive. We look forward to their continuing progress and more amazing work from them in the year to come.

Warren Murray is the Marketing Manager for QSI International School of Phuket.

For more information, visit www.qsi.org/ thailand/pkt thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

HEALTH 15

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

Take it to the floor

An exercise to work the pelvic muscles LET’S GET BENT Kim White info@kimwhiteyoga.com

H

ello and welcome.

This month I want to address an issue that I am asked to help with on a very regular basis, one that is often asked in hushed tones, behind a hand with downcast eyes: a weak pelvic floor. There’s no need to feel embarrassed as it is a very common issue that is usually quite easy to fix.

Many people believe that only women have to worry about pelvic floor exercises. Think again. Weak pelvic floor muscles are an issue for both sexes.

Chinese Taoists believe that the very lower dantien of the body is the centre of vitality. This lower dantien includes the pelvic floor muscles. Taoists practise many lower dantien-strengthening exercises regularly to maintain youthfulness and internal fortitude. Some of these exercises can seem a little wacky to the common man and I won’t be focusing on those this month. Instead, I will share with you a simple exercise that can be practised by everyone with surprisingly fast results.

Most people have heard of Kegel exercises and they are a great tool to have when wanting to strengthen your pelvic floor. I want to give you another alternative.

First, let’s make sure you know where the pelvic floor muscles are so you can work the right muscles in this exercise. You can identify your pelvic floor muscles by trying to stop urination midstream or by squeezing the ring of muscle around the back passage as if you are trying to stop passing wind. Once you have located the muscles and can perform the action of tensing and releasing them, you are good to start practising my pelvic floor exercise.

I like to call this exercise “The Depends” as a reminder of what you may have to end up wearing if you neglect the pelvic floor (for those of you that do not know, Depends are a brand of adult diapers). Enough said, don’t you agree?

Before I give you the steps to follow, let us first have a look at the benefits of pelvic floor exercises: • improves bladder and bowel control; • reduces the risk of prolapse; • improves recovery from childbirth and gynaecological surgery (in women); • improves recovery after prostate surgery (in men); • increases sexual sensation and orgasmic potential; and • increases social confidence and quality of life.

Now let’s look at the steps involved in practising The Depends exercise: Start by lying on your back. You will notice that when you lie naturally, your back has an arch. You can slide a hand from one side of the small of your back to the other. You want to take this gap away by tilting your pelvis and trying to pour your hips bones into your belly button. This will press your lower back into the floor. (I like to say you want to feel like you could crack a nut between your lower back and the floor; this is how much the lower back presses into the floor.)

Keep your big toes touching. I know this sounds @thephuketnews

Natural back.

Flat back.

weird, but trust me, this is a very important part of the exercise.

Keep your shoulders relaxed. You will notice that the top of your shoulders will want to lift off the floor.

The goal is to maintain this pelvic tilt with your back pressed into the floor for one minute. (If this is a challenge, try for 30 seconds first and gradually work up to one minute.)

In actual fact, all the muscles in your abdomen, back, buttocks and sides should remain loose. You want to be isolating only the pelvic floor here. I understand this may take some practice, but practice makes perfect. You may also find that you may be holding your breath. Maintain an even, steady breath pattern throughout the hold.

My advice is to practise The Depends every day – morning and night – and as inspiration I will leave you

with this funny quote: “If my body was a car, I would trade it in for a new model, cause every time I cough or sneeze my radiator leaks and the exhaust backfires.”

Happy stretching, Metta, Kim 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

16 ENTERTAINMENT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

Netflix embraces Thainess Supernatural drama The Stranded to be platform’s first Thai original series Melalin Mahavongtrakul

A

n island wrecked by a tsunami. Over 30 teenagers left at shore to fend for themselves.

Supernatural occurrences.

These elements make up The Stranded, Thailand’s first original series to be premiered on the Netflix global streaming platform at the end of this year.

With the success of Asian-bound originals like Sacred Games from India and Kingdom from South Korea, Netflix is gearing for more Asian content to join its growing slate. One of the exciting projects that will soon be unveiled from Thailand is The Stranded, directed by Thai filmmaker Sophon Sakdaphisit who has helmed successful horrors like Laddaland and Coming Soon. The project is developed by Netflix, GMM Grammy and H2L Media Group.

Sophon believes Netflix, available in over 190 countries around the world, is a great platform for Thai content to reach a global audience. But it also brings a great challenge in making Thai content that the rest of the world can understand and enjoy. Much of the working experience between teams in the US, Singapore and Thailand is about tuning in to each other’s perspec-

Losing contact with the outside world, the teens have to work together to survive. Photo: Tossapon Somwong / Netflix tive and culture, making sure everyone is on the same page.

The show’s premise centres on a group of teenagers left stranded on an island after a tsunami. Losing contact with the outside world, they have to work together to survive as strange incidents shrouded in myth and folktale continue to surface on the island. This is also pretty much what Sophon got in his early brief. It then became his responsi-

bility to develop that plot point to fit the Thai context and culture for the sevenepisode series. This is also Sophon’s first time directing a series.

“A series is different from films in that there are so many characters. So, one of the challenges is about making each character memorable with their individual stories, so they can be more than supporting roles in the background. We also have to find people who are unique enough to present each character distinctively that the audience can remember,” he said.

“The funny thing is also that foreigners tend to perceive Asians as looking all alike,” Sophon added. “Aside from making characters that stand out, we also want them to look Thai enough, since it’s a Thai original series. Our leading guy [Kram] is a fisherman’s son, a rural Thai islander. And looking back to many Thai actors nowadays, this kind of look is hard to find now that most people look Chinese and Korean.”

To present what’s local to global eyes, one of the resonating themes Sophon finds is the adolescents at the heart of the story. When situations call for it, they slowly reveal their true colours.

“I think teenagers around the world are pretty similar, in some ways. They’re all about using emotions to decide different things in life. If it’s a movie about grown-ups, they’d make a decision based on reasons. It’s all the more fun because the series is not just about teenage problems, but also supernatural elements. So when we put teenagers in that situation, their logic won’t work the same way as adults. Adults would say it’s dangerous and don’t go in. But teens are eager to discover things and take risks, even to do something crazy.

“As audiences, we try to find out what each character is like. At the same time, the characters are also finding out who they really are,” Sophon said.

Erika North, director of International Originals at Netflix, added, “We’re showcasing a beautiful side of Thailand. The visuals. The geography.

I think the geography also mirrors the emotions of the characters. They’re stranded on an island, whereas emotionally they’re also stranded. They need to figure out who their life rafts are, who’s connecting them together,

Papangkorn ‘Beam’ Lerkchaleampote, who plays protagonist Kram, and co-star Chayanit ‘Pat’ Chansangavej. Photo: Netflix and that’s where you see the character Kram comes to the fore.”

Since the story is set in Thailand’s South, the production incorporates Thainess in small details, such as choosing a local kolae boat to be featured on the island, and picking local southern fabric prints for certain characters to wear. But nothing too obvious. You won’t see anyone dressed to the nines in Thai silk, the director joked.

“We’re almost like cultural ambassadors sometimes,” he said. “We do start with what people are familiar with, like an international school, kids from high society, and then we slowly bring everyone into our house and show them what’s interesting about Thailand.”

In addition to focusing on the surviving kids after a disaster, The Stranded is also nestled in mythology and folktale.

It raised a question during our roundtable discussion that, as Western series like Black Mirror dive into the world of tech and science, why is Thai content largely rooted in folklore?

“In making a series or anything, you can pick any direction, whether to go scientific or supernatural,” Sophon said. “We may make this for global audiences, but don’t forget the story and characters are in Thailand. For the scientific way, many people have done it well, and it’s believable too because they have a lot of science stuff. But imagine if we make a story about astronauts in Thailand, it’s pretty contradicting to our nature […] We have our own unique things and we shouldn’t look down on our own legends and roots.”

Erika also compliments the rich tradition of mythology that Thailand possesses. It was important for The Stranded to be rooted in that reality.

“What we see on Netflix is the more locally and authentically grounded the story is, the better its prospect to travel,” she said. “I know that might sound strange, but we’ve seen it on Netflix with shows like La Casa De Papel [Money Heist] from Spain and The Rain from Scandinavia. Those stories are very rooted in those cultures. But there’s a universality to the experience of the character and genre that helps the show travel, and I believe that will be the case with The Stranded.”

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PEOPLE 17

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

Remembering King Bhumibol Looking back at a long life lived with love for his people The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

T

hree years have elapsed since King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed, and he remains firmly and forever in the hearts of Thais.

This weekend will see communities across the country come together in his memory: planting trees in honour of his committed development of the agricultural industry as a means of improving the people’s living conditions; performing his much-loved compositions at live concerts in honour of his passion and talent for music; and gathering together as families in honour of King Bhumibol as a family man and Father of the Thai nation.

In this article we will look at some of the key events in King Bhumibol’s long and prosperous life.

King Bhumibol was born on Monday, December 5, 1927 in Boston, Massachusetts. The family returned to Bangkok with him in 1928 where Srapathum Palace had been set up as their family home.

From an early age, Prince Bhumibol showed himself to be precocious and lively, with interests ranging from sports, music, science and technology to carpentry and the arts. The bespectacled young prince displayed agility in various sports, including skiing, badminton and water sports.

Prince Bhumibol started learning to play the accordion, but later switched to the saxophone. Upon completing high school, Prince Bhumibol received a baccalaureate majoring in French literature, Latin and Greek. He applied to study science at the University of Lausanne.

Photography was one of Prince Bhumibol’s passions during this period; but the prince also began composing jazz numbers in collaboration with Prince Chakrabandhu, who had been a regular at the musical soirees at Villa Vadhana in Lausanne. Most of the King’s much-loved compositions were composed during this time.

On December 5, 1945, the Mahidol family arrived back in Bangkok. During this trip, King Ananda Mahidol made his first visit to Bangkok’s Chinatown, with Prince Bhumibol acting as his brother’s official photographer. Tragically, King Ananda Mahidol was mysteriously killed by a gunshot to the head on June 9, 1946. Suddenly and unexpectedly, Prince Bhumibol found himself King.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej threw himself into his studies after returning to the University of Lausanne, planning to return to Thailand in 1948 for his brother’s cremation. But just as fate had brought unexpected tragedy to him earlier, fate now brought an unexpected romance into the picture. @thephuketnews

The King had previously met Mom Rachawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara, daughter of the Thai ambassador to London, Prince Nakkhatra Mangala Kitiyakara, but romance did not develop until the King was involved in a serious car accident which resulted in the loss of his sight in his right eye.

On August 12, 1949, the day MR Sirikit turned 17, the couple announced their engagement. In February 1950, the couple returned to Thailand. On April 28, the Royal Wedding took place at Srapathum Palace.

This was followed a week later by the Coronation at the Grand Palace, during which he swore: “We shall reign with righteousness, for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese people.”

During the early years of his reign, the King was already finding ways to help improve the livelihood of his people through various projects funded through the King’s own private purse.

Realising that his people were suffering from malnutrition, he experimented with fish breeds so that the rural poor could have an easy source of protein. From this grew the Royal Chitralada Projects, which aim to serve as models for the agriculture sector. This would soon include demonstration forestry, experimental rice fields, biogas production, crop planting, a dairy farm, milk centre, experimental rice mill, rice husk grinding and compressing plant, fruit juice plant, the Suan Dusit powdered milk plant, milk-pellet plant, cheese plant and alcohol distillation plant for fuel research.

The family soon grew, with the addition of HRH Prince Vajiralongkorn in 1952, HRH Princess Sirindhorn in 1955, and HRH Princess Chulabhorn in 1957. In 1955, Their Majesties made their first visit to Thailand’s impoverished northeastern region, the first monarch of the House of Chakri to do so.

In December 1955, Queen Savang Vadhana, passed away at the age of 93, and following her cremation in the following year, King Bhumibol entered the monkhood according to Thai tradition.

The fourth decade of the King’s life was marked by a series of state visits that put Thailand on the global stage. In all, Their Majesties visited more than 25 countries.

As part of his plan to help his people, King Bhumibol started dedicating himself to agricultural experiments to improve the well-being of his people.

Despite severe bouts of illness, His Majesty worked harder than ever. His understanding of localised problems came from listening to the villagers. “Villagers are your teachers,” King Bhumibol explained. “You must learn from them first, about their way of life and culture, and then use your knowledge to complement the work, and in advising them.”

The Royal Projects helped hill tribe villagers replace opium crops with commercially viable crops. In

1979, the first of many “Living Museums” was opened at Khao Hin Son, Chachoengsao province, as a research and development centre. The key principle of this and subsequent Living Museums was the restoration of ecological balance that would allow the local people to work on the land using folk know-how and become self-supporting.

This principle of self-reliance and moderation was constantly brought up in King Bhumibol’s speeches during the 1970s, and formed the basis of what was to become known as “Sufficiency Economy” and “New Theory” in the 1990s.

On July 2, 1988, King Bhumibol celebrated another milestone. At 42 years and 23 days on the throne, his reign had now surpassed that of the previously longest reigning Thai monarch, King Chulalongkorn.

The following year, on November 13, 1989, King Bhumibol became the longest reigning monarch alive.

As he entered his 70s and with health and age taking a toll, King Bhumibol was obliged to call a halt to his travels upcountry which had featured so prominently throughout his reign. Yet he was hardly at leisure, working constantly whether he was resting within the palace confines or at Siriraj Hospital, where he spent much of his later years under close medical supervision.

While still in hospital, King Bhumibol held meetings with the prime minister and members of the Strategic Formulation Committee for Water Resource Management (SCWRM) who reported to the King on the progress of flood control measures, while King Bhumibol would offer his suggestions, as he has always done. Deforestation and greed was partly to blame for the great floods, King Bhumibol cautioned.

Sadly, his health deteriorated again and he returned to Siriraj Hospital on October 3, 2014. His doctor continued to treat King Bhumibol for a range of maladies over the following two years. His health later worsened due to a liver infection and his condition remained unstable. King Bhumibol died at the hospital on October 13, 2016 at 15:52pm, the devastating news was announced by the Bureau of the Royal Household later that day.

The death of King Bhumibol cast Thailand into a period of deep mourning as the people expressed their love for their revered King and Father of the nation.

Regardless of the differences and disparities across Thai society, King Bhumibol was a solitary constant, a beacon of hope for Thais rich and poor, young and old, rural farmers and urban residents alike. The late King’s selflessness, generosity and compassion will always be remembered.

This text is condensed version of an article that appeared in the Bangkok Post

18 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

Kata Rocks’ new GM Gordon Aeria (right) with Thoye Manin (2nd right) and friends from Bonjour Phuket.

Eka Liu Habib from Eka Soundz (right) and friends.

SUPER TROUPERS TURN OUT FOR KATA ROCKS’ CS16 MAMMA MIA! PARTY Kata Rocks’ Collective Series 16 (CS16) returned on Oct 5 with a “Mamma Mia! – The Party Edition” extravaganza, an epic tribute to one of the world’s most popular musical acts. The fun-filled party featured Mamma Mia-inspired beverages created by a talented team of mixologists, gourmet canapés, a surprise flash mob of dancers and ABBA hits spun by resident DJ Wiithat which had guests singing and shaking right up until last call.

Beach clean chic.

SGS SECURITY TEAM UP WITH PARK RANGERS FOR BIG BEACH CLEAN It turns out Thailand’s premier security provider SGS Security Guard Ltd. isn’t just focused on protecting people but nature too. The company joined forces with Sirinath National Park rangers on Oct 3 and cleaned trash from Sai Kaew Beach in Mai Khao. The joint operation netted an impressive 35 bags of trash, including over 1,000 straws, plastic utensils and disposable lighters.

Not a piece of trash in sight. Nice work!

BOAT LAGOON GOES BAVARIAN AT OKTOBERFEST FESTIVAL 2019 A wunderbar time was had by all who headed to Phuket Boat Lagoon, Phuket’s most lively marina, on Oct 5 for the annual Oktoberfest Festival. Guests washed down homemade German specialties with steins of imported brews and enjoyed performances by 43GHB band and Live 89.5’s Jason Wilder who brought the fun with games and competitions.

Cheers, ladies!

Students wore white, a symbol of purity that’s central to the festival.

UWCT’S VEG FEST A CULTURAL AND CULINARY CELEBRATION UWC Thailand International School (UWCT) hosted its second “UWCT Vegetarian Festival” on Oct 4. The community had the opportunity to learn about the festival, watch a student-written play and try a wide variety of unique Thai and international vegetarian dishes – including the elusive Impossible Burger – all cooked and served by UWCT’s outstanding parent community.

Hajo and Rose.

Ladies who brunch.

TICKLED PINK AT PULLMAN’S SUNDAY BRUNCH WITH PURPOSE Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach held an exclusive “Pink Edition” Sunday brunch on Oct 6 at the resort’s Vero Trattoria & Wine Bar to raise funds for the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation. Guests, dressed in shades of pink, enjoyed a spread of fine Italian food, with fine pours to match, and bid on luxury goods and stays during the live auction. Through these themed brunches, the resort hopes to raise B100,000 for the foundation. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ISLAND SCENE 19

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

General Manager Bjorn and Executive Chef Marco.

Um, Mat and Fon.

A CULINARY JOURNEY AT NEW INTERCONTINENTAL PHUKET RESORT InterContinental Phuket Resort welcomed Phuket’s top local media on Oct 4 for an exclusive press dinner at Jaras Restaurant. It was an intimate evening at which the resort showcased its three restaurant outlets, starting with a tour of Pinto Restaurant, which serves international comfort food, followed by sunset beverages at Pine Beach Bar and ending with a five-course dinner at the resort’s farm-to-table restaurant Jaras.

Piak, Ann, Mr.Zen and Vincent.

Sila and Bubbles.

A PARTY… WITH ART OPENS TRIO’S EXHIBITION IN STYLE AT MOM TRI’S Artists Mr.Zen, Sophirat Muangkum and djm opened their joint exhibition at Mom Tri’s Wok Gallery Kitchen on Oct 5 with a party packed full of drinks, tunes from DJ Tommy Innocent and surprise performances. The artists’ ever-changing works will be on display until the end of November.

Lions Club International Zone Chairman Igor Protasov (7th from left) and Dr Sathit Pitudhecha (2nd from right).

Live 89.5’s Jason Wilder, suited and booted.

LIONS CLUB OF PHUKET PEARL AT THE RESCUE WITH EKG DONATION

DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN’S RIDE BRINGS OUT BONNY BIKERS

Phuket service organisation Lions Club of Phuket Pearl kindly donated a hospital bed and EKG machine to Chalong Hospital on Oct 5. The vital equipment, worth around B1 million, was gratefully received by Deputy Minister of Public Health Dr Sathit Pitudhecha on his visit to the facility.

Riders tweaked their moustaches, pressed their finest tweed and drove from the Anuphas Showroom to Layan Beach on Sept 29 for The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, a charity event for prostate cancer and male mental health. Hats off to you, sirs!

ROSEWOOD GUEST BARTENDER SERVES UP SOPHISTICATED EVENT AT MAI BAR

Smiles all round.

@thephuketnews

The event was held at the resort’s chill-out lounge and bar Mai.

Alchemy Ambassador and award-winning mixologist Valentin Julian took over as guest bartender at Rosewood Phuket on Oct 5. Guests at the exclusive event, held at the resort’s Mai Bar, sipped Valentin’s signature beverages, nibbled on canapés and enjoyed views of the glistening Emerald Bay, all to the tune of a talented saxophonist.

20 EVENTS

FRI

11 OCT

Mussels night @ Shakers

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

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SUN

13 OCT

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.

ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ RIBS

Come join us for our WEEKLY BBQ EVERY FRIDAY served ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in All You Can Eat BBQ Pork Ribs, Chicken and Sides for ONLY 495 BAHT! Our BBQ is famous at Two Chefs! Come try us out and enjoy our mouthwatering pork ribs, flavor-bursting chicken and more! Join us for Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. www.twochefs.com Kata Beach 076-333-370 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076344-914.

SAT

12 OCT

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.

MON

14 OCT

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.

WED

16 OCT

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

17 OCT

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.

Have a night of no worries on October 19, 2019 at Two Chefs Kata beach! 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 Kata Beach 076-333370 COME FOR THE FOOD STAY FOR THE FUN!

SUN

20 OCT

15th Turtle Fun Run 2019

The 15th Mai Khao Turtle Fun Run and Half Marathon 2019 will be taking place on Sunday October 20th, from 4.00 am – 7.00 am, at the Phuket Gateway. The money raised will go towards The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, which is committed to protecting the marine and coastal environment. Our online registration is available from now until September 30.

Call 076 338040 Email: maikhaoturtlefoundation@gmail.com

THU

24 OCT

XANA BAREFOOT BBQ

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

INDONESIAN FOOD FESTIVAL

PIWC October Lunch

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night

SAT

19 OCT

Two Chefs Reggae Night

THU

High Tea@ChaoFah serves 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 Sino-Portuguese 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.

TUE

15 OCT

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

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.

Come and join us for lunch on Thursday the 17th October at the Amatara Wellness Resort, 84 Moo 8, Sakdidej Road, Tambol Vichit, Amphur Muang. Registration is at 11.30am for a 12 noon start. There is a choice of fish or chicken for the main course. Please nominate your choice when you RSVP. Unfortunately, all RSVP’s MUST be in by no later than midday on Monday the 14th October, no exceptions so please don’t leave it until the last minute. RSVP at shelpmitchell@gmail.com For those north of the island, a minivan can be arranged based on numbers.

WITH GUEST CHEFS IGEDE AND PARTAMADANA FROM LE MERIDIEN BALI, JIMBARAN. The exotic tastes and colours of Indonesian cuisine awaits! Explore regional Balinese and Indonesian specials including Bebek Betutu, Sate, Babi Guling, Jimbaran Seafood, and Otak Otak, coupled with live entertainment and shows at these venues: BUFFET DINNER AND BALINESE SHOW - 24 & 26 Oct at Pakarang Restaurant. THB 1,275++ Per Adult. BBQ BUFFET DINNER WITH FIRESHOW AND DJ MUSIC. 25 Oct at Beach BBQ. THB 1,500++ Per Adult. ‘AU SOLEIL’ BRUNCH BUFFET: BALINESE-STYLE SEAFOOD, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT. 27 Oct at Beach BBQ. THB 850++ Per Adult. *Prices are subject to 17.7% government tax and service charge. Reservation, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, Restaurant.Phuketbeach@lemeridien.com, 076 370 100 ext. 5307.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

FRI

25 OCT

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.

thrilled to be hosting the Melbourne Cup 2019 here on the island, Tuesday 5th November from 9 am to 2 pm. Dress code: At the Races Venue: Angsana Laguna Phuket FREE FLOW FOOD & BEVERAGES Donation: 3,000 Baht Reserve your ticket at tina@phukethasbeengoodtous.org

SAT

23 NOV

Grow Boating Networking Evening - November 2019

SpeakEasy Yacht Chub Indian Night

Do you want to try authentic exclusively Indian food? The best Indian chef in Phuket is inviting you to enjoy it on 25th of October at The Speakeasy Yacht Club, Royal Phuket Marina!

RSVP call: 081 971 2082, Email: catherinem@ royalphuketmarina.com

WED

30 OCT

The Grow Boating Networking Evening for November 2019 will be held at the d’deck Bar, at the Ao Po Grand Marina on Friday the 1st of November from 5pm. We are pleased to announce that Yacht Shop at Yacht Haven marina have agreed to be our drinks sponsor. See https://www.facebook.com/YachtShopPhuket/ There will be a light buffet sponsored by the d’deck bar and special prices on your favourite beverages. Come and join in the fun, everyone is welcome. There is no entry fee, just drop your business card or register at the bar. We hope to see you there and if you know anyone you think would be interested in coming please invite them along. To join our mailing list please send an email to growboatingphuket@gmail.com Grow Boating is kindly supported by our media partner The Phuket News, Live 89.5 radio and Phuket News TV. See www.thephuketnews. com The Grow Boating Networking Evening is organised by the Thai Yachting Business Association. Find us on Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/groups/491098897758155/ or our Website https://www.thaiyachtingbusinessassociation.com/

SAT

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 world-renowned estates will personally be present at the event.

Guests will be treated to a multi-course live cooking dining experience at the casual openair 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

30 JAN

2 NOV

World Cup Rugby 2019! at Two Chefs

Come and visit Two Chefs between 20 September until 2 November during the World Cup Rugby 2019! For only 295 Baht Two Chefs will prepare a delicious deep-fried chicken burger or a beautiful chicken parmigiana for you, while you watching the exciting World Cup Rugby Games all day and night! And if you do need some hydration, just order an ice-cold drink for just 99 Baht! Book your table now at twochefs. com/twochefsreservations or call our branch in Kata (076-333-370, opens 8am until 12am) Karon (076-286-479, opens 5pm until 12am) or Patong (076-344-914, opens 12pm until 12am.

And of course our Houseband will entertain you with some amazing live music starts from 8pm every day! Come for the FOOD, stay for the FUN!

Prime at Rock Salt

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

Halloween Eve Texas Smokehouse

Make this year’s Halloween one to the remember at Firefly Pool & Restaurant. Fest on delicious Texas-style brisket, buffalo wings, smoked pork ribs, creole styke chicken, Halloween themed desserts and much more! From 6-9 pm and priced at THB 890++. Reservations are advised. Reservation, Firefly Pool & Restaurant at The Pavilions Phuket, restaurants. phuket@pavilionshotels.com, 076 317 600.

FRI

1 NOV

Thailand Health & Fitness Expo 2020

Saints & Sinners at 360 Bar

Saturday night Sinner or Sunday morning Saint? Find out at 360 Bar this year with creepy mixology concoctions, and spooky sweet and savoury snacks, prizes for best dressed and entertainment by resident DJ Gary. From 6 pm, entrance is costume and receive a complimentary’s creepy concoction welcome drink! Reservations are advised. Reservation, 360 Bar at The Pavilions Phuket, restaurants.phuket@ pavilionshotels.com, 076 317 600.

TUE

5 NOV

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

EVERY DAY

THE CLASSIC MIDDLE EASTERN DISH

The Exotic Fishing Thailand 1.5 Million Baht Melbourne Cup Brunch 2019 Tagged Fish Challenge Ladies and Gentleman of Phuket, The Good

From Nov 1st to March 1st. Test your fishing skills Phuket and Catch a Monster fish and

@thephuketnews

Shepherd, Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation and Angsana Laguna Phuket are

Bodega & Grill brings you Lamb Tagine, vibrantly flavoured with colourful spices, authentically prepared with peppers and couscous.

Experience the rich traditions of the Middle East’s culinary showpiece. Available daily from 6:00 – 10:30 pm at Bodega & Grill Restaurant THB 1,050++ per set serving for 2 persons.

RESERVATION, fbreservation-lagunaphuket@ angsana.com, 076-358500.

Art @Chaofah introducing First Gallery Exhibition at Ramada Plaza Chaofah – CONTRASTS

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

DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York Across

1. How much did Banksy’s Devolved Parliament art piece, depicting the House of Commons overrun with chimpanzees, sell for last week?

2. Yerevan is the capital of which country?

3. In which province was the Thailand MotoGP held?

4. Stuart Leslie Goddard is the real name of which British singer?

5. For what percent of their lives do cats sleep?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Easy

56. Actress Swenson 59. 2009 Best Seller 1. “What immortal 63. Lubricate once ___ or eye could more... frame they fearful symmetry” William 66. Singer Turner 67. “When it’s ___” Blake (old riddle answer) 5. Jam pack 68. Foaming at the 9. Cogged wheels mouth 14. “Shall I compare 69. Take ___ the waist ____...” (alter) 15. “I forget the words” 70. Nickname for bit Conan O’Brien 16. Just clear of the 71. Pigeonhole bottom 72. Sniffer 17. Blue shade 73. Golfer’s bagful 18. Sweeping 19. Frank of the Mothers Down of Invention 1. URL starter 20. 1987 best seller 2. Like the leader of 23. Finish off the pack 24. Desensitize 3. “Rad!” 25. Nabokov novel 4. Texas border city 28. “What ___?”

5. Laine of jazz 31. Hunted out 33. Geographical abbr. 6. Bewitched 7. Regulate 36. Alpha opposite 8. Chinese territory in 39. Good looking guy 1999 40. 2008 best seller 9. Park feature 44. Little ___ 10. Updated midflight 45. Part of a mall nos.

46. Auto pioneer’s 11. French surrealist monogram 12. Mr. Van Winkle 47. Descend 13. Health resort 50. A valley 21. About to endure 52. Word on a Ouija 22. “Delicious!” board 25. Buzzing 53. Icy coating

26. Devil 27. Increase the number 29. Personal statement intro 30. “Working Girl” girl 32. Currency exchange board abbr.

33. Smelly smoke 34. Severe pang 35. Severs 37. Prime meridian std.

38. Affirm 41. Hiss’s cousin 42. Chapter in history 43. Make even deeper 48. Big fish pursuer 49. Negative 51. Actually 54. Be a player 55. Safari sight 57. Action figure favorite 58. “It’s ___ against time” 59. Quote a source 60. Much may follow it 61. Robinson of the NBA 62. Antony’s friend in Egypt 63. Clear 64. Before to Byron 65. Birdbrain

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 4) Adam Ant; 5) 70%.

1) 12.2 million US dollars; 2) Armenia; 3) Buriram;

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

0.01

percent of all living things on Earth are humans (who have, in turn, destroyed 83% of wild mammals and 50% of plants).

85

of the things we worry about never happen, according to psychologists at the University of California, Riverside.

3,000

herbal cigarettes were smoked

by Cillian Murphy in the filming of Peaky Blinders.

177,147 is how many ways there are to tie a tie, according to mathematicians.

1 million

is how many skin cells are shed by the average human every day.

Source: Uberfacts

A sign in Sam Kong. Photo by Tony Edwards.

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

This week in history October 11, 1968 NASA launches Apollo 7, the first successful manned Apollo mission.

October 16, 1962 Cuban missile crisis begins: Kennedy is informed of photos taken by a U-2 showing nuclear missiles (the crisis will last for 13 days starting from this point).

tive Mansion (known as the White House since 1818) is laid.

October 12, 1810 The citizens of Munich hold the first Oktoberfest, initially a public celebration of the wedding between Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese.

October 14, 2012 Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner jumps to Earth from a balloon in the stratosphere. He sets world records for skydiving 39 kilometres, reaching a top speed of 1,357.64 km/h.

An early Oktoberfest celebration.

October 13, 1792 In Washington, D.C., the cornerstone of the United States Execu-

October 15, 1995 Saddam Hussein is reelected president of Iraq through a referendum.

Hussein’s deputy announced that he had won 99.96% of some 8.4 million valid votes cast.

October 17, 1943 The 415-kilometre Burma–Thailand Railway is completed by the Empire of Japan to support its forces in the Burma campaign of World War II. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 23

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

Jobs

GE UR

NT

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

@thephuketnews

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

GE UR

NT

Admin assistant wanted - Part Time

Excellent and Writing and Computer skills. (English Mother tongue) Home based. Send CV -.personalassistantphuket@gmail.com , personalassistantphuket@gmail.com

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Owners

Starting salary between 35,000 and 41,000 baht per month plus service charge. Must have strong experience in Western foods in a 4* or higher hotel or well-regarded restaurant and speak English. Must have experience in managing food costs and using Point of Sales systems. Thai nationals only. minimum 2 years Culinary degree, experience in managing a staff of 6 cooks. Skills in baking, teaching cooking classes, vegan foods, breakfast buffets and overseeing staff meals are also desirable. Hands-on candidates preferred. Schedule: M-Sat: 12:30-8:30 - - Position available now - Send CV to kataphuketresort@gmail.com

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 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, OCTOBER 11, 2019

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

PERSONAL SERVICE

OTHER

TRAINING

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

Buy & Sell BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE Speedboat for Sale

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

CARS, TRUCKS FOR RENT Toyota Fortuner 2007 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.

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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

@thephuketnews

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE 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

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

COMPUTERS, LAPTOPS Lenovo Nova Notebook 530

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

COMMUNITY Lost dog in the Patong - Kalim - Kathu area.

Female by the name of Lola. If you see her, please contact 0620611191.

MEMBERSHIPS Blue Canyon Family Membership

Blue Canyon Country Club Family Membership For Sale 450,000 split transfer fee 092-801-9855

Loch Palm Membership

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

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

BABY GRAND w/ DISC PLAYER

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

PROPERTY WANTED Allamanda 2 Bed Freehold

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

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

U RG

ENT

3 Bedroom Condo Wanted

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

Willing to Sell / Rent Property in Laguna?

Willing to sell or rent your property in Laguna area?

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

House Wanted in Chalong

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

PERSONAL SERVICES Tom Jones Of Philippines

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

28 CLASSIFIEDS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy & Sell SERVICES

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE

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

1 Bed Condo Sale Rawai

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

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

PROPERTY FOR SALE

PROPERTY FOR RENT

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.

Thalang House for RENT

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

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.

4BED 4BATH VILLA FOR SALE

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

0873800065. jenjiramountford@gmail.com

Shophouse near Boat Lagoon

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

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.

Dream Village Phuket house

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

Villa in Patong prime location

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.

Villa Mission Heights Big Pool

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

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Absolute Beachfront Pool Villa

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2-Bed Furnished Kathu House for Rent

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

OCEAN FRONT VILLA

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

PROPERTY FOR RENT

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4-Bedroom House for rent

4 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms furnished house for rent. 7 minutes to BIS. Newly renovated. Swimming Pool and Garage. 65,000, Owner, Baan Suan Loch Plam, heitmann@ hlbthai.com, 081-8996557 (Eng)/ 088-7602825 (Thai)

RPM by owner

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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.

1 Bedroom Condo Kata For Sale

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2 Bed Condo Bangtao Phuket

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Karon 1 Bed Condo for Sale

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

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

SPORT 29

U14 Team celebrate winning the title. Photo: Supplied

BISP Cruzeiro team win title in Europe FOOTBALL

JP Mestanza tv@thephuketnews.com

T

he BISP Cr u zei ro Academy can now call themselves European champions after impressive outings at the IBERCUP in Spain and Portugal this past summer, including a massive win for the U15 Boys football team.

Six years after British International School, Phuket teamed-up with legendary Brazilian football club Cruzeiro Esporte Club to create the youth academy here in Phuket, the seeds are bearing fruit with alumni from the academy now heading to European clubs and a haul of medal and trophies for the junior teams.

“So far I think we are really happy with the overall development of the program.,” said Jonathas Candido, the Head Coach of the BISP Cruzeiro Academy, who sent their U14 and U19 Boys teams to the IBERCUP in June.

The IBERCUP is a top-tier competition that takes place every year in Spain and Portugal attracting a number of youth teams and professional clubs in Europe.

The U14 Boys team, led by academy assistant coach Victor Alberice de Oliveira Rodrigues, walked away with an improbable championship title, despite a rocky start.

The competition, which took place in Marbella, Spain, kicked-off with a round-robin group format. The U14 BISP Cruzeiro team started the tournament with three straight losses, including a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of CDS Alberto Magno. The team finished 4th in the group, and qualified for the playoffs.

That’s when things got interesting.

A change in strategy saw @thephuketnews

U19 Team won Silver in their category. Photo: supplied the U14 BISP Cruzeiro squad win their first quarterfinal 1-0.

In the semi-final, they went up against CD Estepona, but after a 1-1 draw, the BISP Cruzeiro team pulled away with a victory on penalties 4-3.

In the final, it wsas another rematch – this time against CDS Alberto Magno – a team linked with La Liga side Sevilla and who beat BISP Cruzeiro 4-1 in the group stage.

“It was a big stadium, lots of fans, so we could see that all the boys were a bit nervous before the games, they never faced that in their lives. It’s nice to hear the Thailand national anthem playing – it was such a great atmosphere,” Candido said.

With new found confidence, the U14 BISP Cruzeiro managed to squeak out another 4-3 penalties victory.

“It was really nice to see how the kids hit the next level during the playoff games. From the first group game to the last, it was a completely different attitude,” said coach Oliveira, who admitted that the transition from playing their usual 7-a-side style – a requirement for the U14 teams in Asia – to playing an 11-a-side format in the tournament was a big adjustment for the team.

“That transition is a challenge, we try to make it as smooth as possible. But the team plays a lot of 7-a-side in Asia, all the international school events are 7-a-side, so it’s hard to even find competitions for that age group,”

added Candido.

Academy coaches had little time to celebrate, as they flew over to Estoril, Portugal for the squad’s U19 team to take part in the IBERCUP in early July – a team made up of mostly 17 year-olds and included 14-yearold Thailand national team standout Siam Yapp.

“There were lower expectations, we wanted them to get the experience, but the results were up and down in the group stage,” Candido said.

After winning three games, the team qualified for the playoffs. During the quarterfinals, the U19 squad beat Ultimate Madrid on penalties, before moving on to dominate professional Portuguese club GD Estoril Praia 3-1.

During the finals, U19 BISP Cruzeiro, coached by assistant Eder Diniz, took on a familiar foe in Promesas Del Norte – a Spanish youth team that beat them 3-0 in the group stage.

“I think that was the hardest part for all boys, to cope with the physical challenge.

It’s difficult for a 14-year-old to go up against a 19-yearold [opponent]. Most of the playing time [Promesas] had possession,” Candido said.

Still, U19 BISP Cruzeiro managed to score first.

But Promesas tied it up shortly after the break, and then won it in the last minute of the match, taking the U19 IBERCUP title 2-1.

The results are a far cry from their first outing in the

IBERCUP back in 2015, when Candido took his squad to survey the level of competition of European youth clubs.

“In that time, we didn’t see the ball, just playing defense the whole time. The kids were shocked with the level, but it’s good for them to see the reality of football, to get used to it,” he said.

“I’m extremely proud of the team, it’s a great experience and I think they will have a great season based on what they showed in Europe.”

Thanyapura Super Sprint brings out speedsters SWIMMING IT’S TH AT TIME OF year again, when worldclass Thanyapura hosts swim meets that see toplevel competition from around the region.

International schools across Phuket saw their student swimmers take part in the 2019 Thanyapura Invitational Super Sprint meet on Oct 4-6.

The event, which is open to all swim clubs and international schools from the entire Asia-Pacific region, sees hundreds of swimmers compete in all age groups – from chil-

dren as young at 8 up to teenagers.

T he U WCT Ma nt a Swim team alone brought 75 swimmers to the event, taking first place in overall high points, while also taking home first overall in the 13-14 Girls group (Man Nghi Trinh), 13-14 Boys group (Zheng Yeap), and 15-17 Girls group (Annie Jain).

The Phuket News

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

Chinese media slams NBA’s ‘about face’ on Hong Kong BASKETBALL AFP

Thailand striker Chananan Pombupha. Photo: Bangkok Post

Chanathip ruled out for qualifier match FOOTBALL THAILAND COACH Akira Nishino on Monday (Oct 7) called up True Bangkok United striker Chananan Pombupha to replace Chanathip Songkrasin in the national team, but added that it would be “very difficult” for anyone to fill in for the injured star playmaker.

The War Elephants are scheduled play a warm-up game with Congo on Thursday (Oct 10) at BG Prathum Stadium before taking on the UAE in their third 2022 World Cup Asian zone qualifier five days later at Thammasat Stadium.

Consadole Sapporo’s Chan-

athip has been allowed to pull out of the team after he sustained muscular sprains before a J-League match last Friday (Oct 4). He has been advised a two-week rest.

Chananan was in the 23man squad for Thailand’s first two qualifying games with Vietnam and Indonesia but was left out of the team for the UAE game.

“It’s very difficult to replace a player like Chanathip and we will miss him for sure in the match against the UAE,” admitted Nishino.

Meanwhile, the last set of players joined the national team’s training camp earlier this week.

Bangkok Post

C

hinese state media slammed the NBA for an “about-face” Tuesday (Oct 8) after the body said it would not apologise for a tweet by the Houston Rockets General Manager supporting pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

The US league has drawn fire for from Chinese broadcasters, sponsors and social media after Daryl Morey tweeted a message last Friday (Oct 4) saying “Fight for freedom. Stand with Hong Kong.”

After the NBA called Morey’s tweet “inappropriate” in a statement on Chinese social media platform Weibo, league commissioner Adam Silver insisted at a press conference in Tokyo on Tuesday (Oct 8) that the league would not apologise and would “support freedom of expression”.

In an editorial, the state-run China Daily accused the NBA of a U-turn and said Silver’s remarks showed the league’s earlier “honey-mouthed” statements had been “nothing but an attempt to prevent the hemorrhaging of profits made in China.”

It added that “Silver’s about face, which will definitely give a shot to the arms of the rioters in Hong Kong, shows his organization is willing to be another handy tool for US interference in the special administrative region.”

Beijing has often accused foreign

The venue that was scheduled to hold fan events ahead of an NBA China game between Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers, at the Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China October 9, 2019. Photo: AFP forces of fuelling the unrest in Hong Kong.

An editorial in the nationalistic Global Times also blasted the NBA for bowing to “political correctness in the US”, saying there was now “little room for reconciliation” as the issue had escalated into a clash of values between China and the US.” The NBA commissioner said he hoped to discuss the situation with Chinese officials in Shanghai, where the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers were set to play an exhibition game on Thursday (Oct 10), but plans were scrapped on Wednesday (Oct 9).

Crews at Shanghai’s Mercedes-Benz arena, where the Nets and Lakers were

to tip-off, were seen Wednesday morning removing the logos of the NBA, Nets, Lakers, and corporate sponsors from lamp-posts and walls in the area.

The NBA has built a lucrative Chinese fanbase in recent years thanks in part to the popularity of former Rockets centre Yao Ming.

But after Morey’s tweet, state broadcaster CCTV and Chinese internet company Tencent both suspended broadcasts of Rockets games and two preseason NBA games in China.

The Chinese Basketball Association, which Yao now heads, has also cut off ties with the Rockets.

Murray stepping up return from injury Continued from page 32 ...He lost in the last eight to top seed Dominic Thiem, who would go on to win the China Open, but said afterwards that the comeback was going better than expected.

“I think this (week) was maybe the best in terms of how I played since I came back,” Murray said.

His ranking, which had plunged to 503, jumped to 289.

‘I can do much better’ Murray stepped up his return at the Shanghai Masters this week, defeating 56thranked Argentine Juan Ignacio Londero in three sets in his opener on Monday.

On Tuesday (Oct 8) he faced his toughest opponent yet, the 12th-ranked Fabio Fognini.

Murray twice served for the match but eventually went down in three sets, after which he accused the Italian of trying to put him off by shouting while he went for a volley.

It was a bitter end to a day which began with the Australian Open announc-

Andy Murray in action against Argentina’s Juan Ignacio Londero during the Shanghai Masters on October 7.

Photo: AFP ing that Murray will return to Grand Slam tennis there in January.

It will be a fitting return because it was in Melbourne nine months ago that Murray broke down in tears and said that his career could be over because of his troublesome hip.

There were high emotions again after defeat to Fognini, but this time anger – with himself for failing to close out the match, and with his opponent’s histrionics.

“There is a lot of things

that I need to get better at and I can do much better,” a fuming Murray said.

Murray told AFP in Zhuhai that success in China would be winning two matches at each of the three tournaments.

He did not manage that, but on this evidence, coupled with his deserved reputation as a fighter, few would bet against Murray capping his comeback with a 46th title.

Next he will play at the European Open in Antwerp, which starts on Monday (Oct 14).

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

SPORT 31 English Premier League 2019 - 2020 Team

Newcastle’s Allan SaintMaximin runs from Manchester United’s Scott McTominay at St James’s Park last Sunday (Oct 6). Photo: AFP

Man Utd sinking fast as Solskjaer flounders FOOTBALL AFP

H

ow far will Manchester United sink? Just two points above the relegation places, the one-time powerhouses of English football are without an away win since March and are enduring their worst start to a league season for 30 years.

Old Trafford has witnessed a decline in fortunes since Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013.

Under Ferguson, United finished in the top three every year from 1992 until 2013, winning 13 league titles. In the six seasons since, the Red Devils have finished in the top four just twice.

But while they kept their heads above water in the immediate aftermath of the Scot's departure, winning a handful of cups and finishing second under Jose Mourinho,

they are now in the middle of a full-blown crisis under beleaguered boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Mourinho, speaking a few weeks after his rancorous departure from Old Trafford last year, spoke about how taking the club to second in the table in 2017/18 was one of his best achievements.

Eyebrows were raised as Solskjaer oversaw a dramatic turnaround in fortunes during his caretaker spell in charge, but the wheels started to come off towards the end of last season.

United’s 1-0 defeat at Newcastle on Sunday (Oct 6) left them languishing in 12th spot in the Premier League – an incredible 15 points behind leaders Liverpool after just eight games.

Goalkeeper David de Gea apologised to United supporters, saying it was the toughest time he had experienced since moving to Old Trafford

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@thephuketnews

in 2011.

“It’s difficult to say something. Sorry to the fans, we will keep fighting for sure,” he told Sky Sports.

No goal threat United are woefully short of midfield spark and clinical finishers. Just two goals in their past five games is part of a longer-term trend, with Solskjaer’s men scoring more than once in a game just three times in their past 23 matches.

The risk in allowing forwards Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to depart to Inter Milan without signing a replacement has massively backfired, with a out-of-sorts Marcus Rashford shouldering the attacking burden alone in the absence of the injured Anthony Martial.

Over-reliant on a crop of raw youngsters, Solskjaer pointed to a spate of injuries after the Newcastle defeat but said it was not an excuse for

their lame display.

United have spent hundreds of millions of pounds under four different managers since Ferguson’s departure and have the highest wage bill in the Premier League, but are still miles behind rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.

Former United defender Gary Neville said the club’s hierarchy should take responsibility for the mess, saying they were getting the pain “they deserve” for poor decisions at board level related to recruitment and managerial policy.

Last month executive vicechairman Ed Woodward, pledged his faith in Solskjaer and the Old Trafford hierarchy will be wary of making yet another managerial change.

But since the Norwegian was appointed permanently in late March, United have won just 17 points in 16 Premier league matches, the fourthworst tally among the 17 ever-

MP

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Liverpool

8

8

0

0

20

6

+14

24

2

Manchester City

8

5

1

2

27

9

+18

16

3

Arsenal

8

4

3

1

13

11

+2

15

4

Leicester City

8

4

2

2

14

7

+7

14

5

Chelsea

8

4

2

2

18

14

+4

14

6

Crystal Palace

8

4

2

2

8

8

0

14

7

Burnley

8

3

3

2

11

9

+2

12

8

West Ham United

8

3

3

2

11

11

0

12

9

Tottenham Hotspur

8

3

2

3

14

12

+2

11

10 Bournemouth

8

3

2

3

13

13

0

11

11 Wolverhampton

8

2

4

2

11

11

0

10

12 Manchester United

8

2

3

3

9

8

+1

9

13 Sheffield United

8

2

3

3

7

7

0

9

14 Brighton

8

2

3

3

8

10

-2

9

15 Aston Villa

8

2

2

4

13

12

+1

8

16 Newcastle United

8

2

2

4

5

13

-8

8

17 Southampton

8

2

1

5

8

15

-7

7

18 Everton

8

2

1

5

6

13

-7

7

19 Norwich City

8

2

0

6

10

21

-11

6

20 Watford

8

0

3

5

4

20

-16

3

Manchester United’s French midfielder Paul Pogba reacts after missing a chance during a match against Rochdale at Old Trafford on Sept 25. Photo: AFP present teams in that time.

Liverpool, who dominated English football during the 1970s and 1980s, have taken 30 years to get back to the top.

Fe r g u s o n f a m o u s l y quipped his biggest challenge at United was to knock Liverpool “off their perch” in his early years in charge.

Liverpool are flying high

after winning their sixth European Cup last season and opening up an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Next up for the league leaders is a visit to Old Trafford after the international break with few expecting the gloom over United to be lifted anytime soon.

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

BISP Cruzeiro team win title in Europe > p29

ON A MISSION

Honda returns home with victory in sight Max Verstappen during the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit in October last year. Photo: Red Bull Photo Pool

BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

H

onda, for so many years the laughing stock of Formula One engine manufacturers for its unreliable and underpowered motors, will start its home Japanese Grand Prix with an eye to propelling Red Bull Racing onto the top of the podium.

The fledgling AustrianJapanese partnership has flourished beyond expectation in 2019. What was initially written off as a transitionary year for the two companies to

allow the chassis and engine teams to bond has already delivered two victories and a pole position, and at only three races has Red Bull Racing not had a car finish in the top four.

There was more on offer too, with victory in Hungary snatched in the final laps by clever Mercedes strategy, while the potential for a strong performance at Singapore was lost to wayward set-up that handed Ferrari the initiative.

These are indeed happy days at Honda, which little more than 24 months ago was at risk of falling out of the sport as a failure after a horror three-year stint partnered with McLaren.

Red Bull, in the guise of

development team Toro Rosso, offered the Japanese marque a lifeline for 2018, and though Honda’s steps forward in power delivery in the less-pressured environs of Faenza were big enough to convince senior team Red Bull Racing to take on its engine this season, few would have been bold enough to suggest it would be fast enough or reliable enough to win races so quickly.

This is thanks largely to Honda pursuing an aggressive development programme to close the gap in the power stakes. Whereas each driver is allowed only three power units for the entire season, Honda has brought five, with each improving power or bettering

reliability, albeit at the cost of myriad grid penalties.

But Red Bull Racing has been able to take these penalties tactically at races it didn’t expect to contend for victories.

The team took on the latest upgrade at the preceding Russian Grand Prix, sacrificing starting position to have a fresh engine ready for this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, where the motor will also be boosted by a new fuel in a bid to deliver Honda its first home victory since 1991.

“It is definitely the goal to win in Japan,” Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko told motorsport.com.

“Out first goal was to win races, and a win at Suzuka

would of course be the top.

“It is a circuit that suits Max [Verstappen] well and it is the home race of Honda, so what could be better than that?”

But Verstappen is wary of predicting home glory for Honda, noting that Ferrari remains ahead in the power stakes.

“Fer rari will be ver y strong as they have so much power and will be fast on the straights, but our car will be quick in the corners, so hopefully we can gain some time there,” said the Dutchman. “It won’t be easy at Suzuka, but we will of course deliver the best performance possible for the Japanese fans.”

But question marks remain

about Red Bull Racing’s ultimate potential. Ordinarily balance and poise are strengths of the Milton Keyes-based team, and such aerodynamic traits are rewarded handsomely around the famed Suzuka Circuit’s 18 corners, but the team struggled to nail its set-up at the previous two races in Singapore and Russia. Singapore in particular was a missed opportunity, having been chalked up as an expected victory.

So while local attention will be on Honda at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, the pressure will be on Red Bull Racing to execute cleanly in pursuit of the first Hondapowered home victory in a generation.

Murray shows comeback could yet have fairytale ending TENNIS ANDY MURRAY EXITED THE Shanghai Masters in a fiery defeat but three tournaments in China offered enough evidence to suggest that his comeback from major surgery could have a fairytale ending.

Just over two weeks ago the 32-year-old Briton told AFP that it would be “naive” to think he will return to being the player that topped

the world rankings in 2016.

At that point, the start of his time in China, he had yet to win an ATP Tour singles match since undergoing career-saving hip-resurfacing surgery in January.

At the Zhuhai Championships two days later he got that landmark first victory.

He lost his next match, to eventual champion Alex de Minaur, and said afterwards that he was playing “top 70, top 60” tennis.

Most observers felt that the threetime Grand Slam winner, who only returned to playing singles in midAugust, was being harsh on himself.

Last week he moved on to the China Open in Beijing, which boasted a stronger field, and offered more proof that his comeback was moving along very nicely.

In his opener Murray claimed his biggest post-surgery scalp yet, defeating 13th-ranked US Open semifinalist Matteo Berrettini.

Murray has consistently said his hip is pain-free but that he does not have the fitness to play several matches a week and needs to be quicker across the court.

Nevertheless, the next day he beat fellow Briton Cameron Norrie in three sets.

Victory brought another small landmark, putting Murray in the quarter-finals of a tournament for the first time in a year.

Continued on page 30

Andy Murray reacts during his match against Juan Ignacio Londero in the first round of the Shanghai Masters. Photo: AFP thephuketnews