The Phuket News March 13, 2020

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

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COVID-19 QUARANTINE ZONE GOES UNDERGROUND > PAGE 2

CANCELLED

NEWS

Water shortage continues as taps run dry

LIFE The popular Lard Yai Walking Street market in Phuket Town is just one of the major events to fall victim to COVID-19. Photo: Phuket Walking Street

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Royal history remembered in Patong

SLEW OF MAJOR EVENTS THAT ENCOURAGE CROWDS FALL VICTIM TO COVID-19 The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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ey tourism figures this week supported moves to cancel or postpone mass-gathering events across the island to help stave off the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

The support comes as the official Songkran Thai New Year festivities in Patong were cancelled, along with the annual Phuket Bike Week event.

Even the popular Lard Yai Phuket Walking Street night market in Phuket Town has been put on hold until further notice, and school summer camps at all 19 municipalities and local administrations in Phuket have been cancelled. The “camps”, basically day care for young children, are

essential for working parents over the Thai school holidays, which begin today (Mar 13).

The support for cancelling any events that cause large crowds also comes as Dr Chayanon Pucharoen, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at PSU Phuket’s Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism, estimates that the huge plunge in the number of international tourist arrivals to Phuket (see page 8) has already cost Phuket B12-B15 billion in lost tourism revenue.

The cancellation of major events will cost Phuket even more, Dr Chayanon said.

“It is already bad, and March is not going to get any better. It might be even worse in April, but it is hard to predict at this stage,” he added.

The number of international tourists coming to Phuket is likely to fall further after Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda on Wednesday (Mar 11) announced that Thailand had cancelled the grant of visa on arrival for 18 countries and visa exemption for three others in order to contain the spread of the virus.

Gen Anupong said all arrivals from the countries affected have to apply for visas at a Thai embassy or consulate and travel with a medical certificate to prove they are not infected with the virus, reported the Bangkok Post.

At the time of going to press, whether the cancellation applied to Russian tourists was in doubt as the Royal Thai Embassy in Moscow had posted a notice plainly explaining that

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the new requirements do not apply to holders of Russian passports.

“The latest news on the Thai Government’s decision to temporarily suspend visa on arrival (VoA) for 18 countries DOES NOT affect holders of Russian passports. Russians can still visit Thailand for 30 days without visa,” the embassy said in a statement on its website.

How much that development will cost Phuket remains to be seen, as according to statistics by the Ministry of Tourism & Sports 1,483,453 Russians visited Thailand last year, generating B103.78bn for the country.

In March 2019 alone, 194,471 Russians visited the Kingdom, generating B13.224bn.

Other coronavirus countermeasures deployed this week included…

SPORT

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Phuket honours a gentleman of the seas

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Russian did not die of COVID-19: officials A RUSSIAN MAN WHO died while under close care of doctors at Vachira Phuket Hospital for 14 days did not die from COVID-19, Hospital Director Dr Chalermpong Sukontapol told the press on Monday (Mar 9).

The man, Ilyas Karimov, 64, was pronounced dead from severe pneumonia at 9am on Feb 29, Dr Chalermpong explained.

“He did not die from COVID-19. We did not find the COVID-19 virus in his body,” Dr Chalermpong later confirmed by phone call to The Phuket News.

“And at this stage, there still have not been any persons in Phuket infected with the COVID-19 virus,” he assured.

Mr Karimov died after receiving medical treatment at the hospital since Feb 15, Dr Chalermpong said.

Dr Chalermpong explained that Mr Karimov presented himself to a private clinic for feeling unwell and a sore throat on Feb 11. He was told he had a throat inflammation.

On Feb 15, Mr Karimov, sick, coughing and having difficulty breathing, presented himself at Vachira Phuket Hospital. Doctors concluded that he had pneumonia and needed to be admitted to the hosptial for care.

Mr Karimov’s condition

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A thermoscanner camera at Vachira Phuket Hospital.

Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot deteriorated, and on Feb 16 he was administered a respirator to assist his breathing.

Then on Feb 18, last Tuesday, doctors confirmed that Mr Karimov had acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pneumonia, and rheumatoid factor (RF), and he was moved to the Respiratory Care Unit (RCU), Dr Chalermpong said.

“Mr Karimov was set as a patient under investigation (PUI) from Feb 18 until he died at the end of February,” Dr Chalermpong added.

“Mr Karimov’s cause of death was identified as ARDS and unspecified pneumonia,” Dr Chalermpong explained today.

“Mr Karimov did not die from COVID-19. The medical team tested him twice for COVID-19, and both tests came back negative,” he added.

“I confirm, the number of the coronavirus infected in Phuket is still zero,” Dr Chalermpong said.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

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huket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana has announced that he has closed the four COVID-19 quarantine zones he proclaimed only last Friday (Mar 6) – but added that he has opened a new quarantine zone at a secret location in Phuket where five Thais who returned to Phuket from South Korea last Saturday are now being held under observation.

Speaking at a meeting of the Phuket Communicable Disease Committee on Tuesday (Mar 10), Governor Phakaphong said that the five Thais were working illegally in South Korea. They landed at Phuket International Airport on Saturday (Mar 7).

“None of them showed any symptoms of being infected with the coronavirus, but they are now in quarantine under observation by doctors. They will have to remain in quarantine for 14 days,” Governor Phakaphong said.

“Doctors have not found any signs of infection among any of them. However, we cannot reveal where the five are,” he said.

“Right now, there is only one quarantine zone, but I

Governor Phakaphong speaks to local residents in Srisoonthorn on Monday (Mar 9) after they rallied against a quarantine zone being established at a government centre there. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub cannot reveal where the new quarantine zone is, in accordance with the measures and regulations of the Ministry of Public Health in order to not make local people panic.

“The new quarantine zone is ready and meets the Ministry of Public Health standards,” he assured.

The move to close the four quarantine zones follows strong opposition by local residents in Srisoonthorn against having a quarantine zone set up at a neighbourhood government centre there.

“All people arriving from

any foreign countries will be screened at Phuket International Airport as normal,” Governor Phakaphong assured.

“If they have a high fever, they will be taken to hospital to be checked. If doctors find they are suspected of being infected, they will be taken to the quarantine zone to remain under close care by doctors there,” he said.

The Governor did not reiterate the Ministry of Public Health’s requirement for all people arriving from any of the six risk areas – China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau,

Italy and Iran – to undergo 14-day self-quarantine.

However, Phuket Provincial Public Relations Chief Bussaya Chaipeum confirmed to The Phuket News on Wednesday (Mar 11) that all Thais returning from South Korea must undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine.

As for foreigners arriving from any of the six risk areas, she said, “After screening, if they don’t have a fever, they can just go out – but be careful and they must report themselves if they start to show any symptoms.”

Not recognised at the meeting on Tuesday was that the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced that travellers arriving from COVID-19 infected countries and territories must produce medical certificates prior to boarding their flights to Thailand to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Also announced on Tuesday was that the Department of Disease Control (DDC) plans to impose compulsory measures for all inbound arrivals, including notifying personal information and contact information such as mobile phone numbers and email addresses as part of steps to control the COVID-19 outbreak.

Coronavirus countermeasures start to stifle mass arrival of tourists Continued from page 1 ...the Department of Disease Control (DDC) announcing plans to impose compulsory measures for all inbound arrivals, including notifying personal information and contact information such as mobile phone numbers and email addresses, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) requiring travellers from the COVID-19 infected South Korea, China, Italy, Iran, Macau and Hong Kong to produce medical certificates prior to boarding their flights to Thailand to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob on Monday (Mar 9) said travellers from the six areas who fail to show their health certificates to authorities before boarding their flights to Thailand will not be allowed to continue their journey.

Protective measures in Phuket over the past week saw more than 2,000 passengers and crew on board the Costa Fortuna cruise liner being

refused permission to disembark in Patong last Friday (Mar 6) because 64 Italians on board had left Italy in the previous 14 days. The refusal followed the Thai government just one day earlier instituting a 14-day quarantine on all people arriving from the six “risk areas” above.

Just days later, Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup confirmed to The Phuket News that all official Songkran celebrations in the tourism town had been cancelled.

However, Mayor Chalermluck stressed, “People still can enjoy their water play on Bangla Rd. We don’t have any authority to ban people playing with water during the festival.

They can if they want to.”

Thanusak Phungdet, President of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce (PCC), openly supported the move to cancel mass-gathering events.

“I prefer Phuket to close down for at least two months. It is better than an outbreak affecting Phuket for 10 months,” he said.

More than 2,000 passengers and crew on the Costa Fortuna were not allowed ashore. Photo: Supplied However, he added, “But I can’t make any decisions about this. Protection is the most important factor right now, as is confidence in Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana.

It is his job to make people feel confident about his actions.

“For now, it doesn’t matter whether people are holding small or big gatherings. We must be concerned about who joins the gatherings. We need to control this, and people need to avoid exposing themselves to risk.”

But the sense of fear is rising,

and not helping, Mr Thanusak noted, when asked about the move this week by Kasikornbank (Kbank) to close all its currency-exchange booths and have all staff involved in currency-exchange transactions to stay at home on a 14-day quarantine.

“That is the reaction of the bank, and people are worried about the coronavirus. It’s not necessary to close exchange booths, it does not help,” he said.

“For this they could just use hand sanitiser to protect their staff,” he added.

Sarayuth Mallam, Vice President of Government Relations at the Phuket Tourist Association, praised the move by organisers to cancel or postpone major events.

“Preventing large crowds at events attended by foreigners and Thais is good. It shows people are wary of the virus spreading in Phuket and want to avoid the risk of an outbreak,” he said.

However, Mr Sarayuth also pointed out that being careful did

not mean people had to cancel all events.

“The coronavirus is serious, but I am not asking people to cancel all events. Happy activities should go on. There is no need to cancel every event or activity,” he said.

Bhuritt Maswongssa, General Manager of the Patong Resort Hotel and key member Tourism Development Committee of South Andaman Tourism Development Area under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, agreed.

To Mr Bhuritt, it is the number of people joining events and where they come from that is important.

“Events with under about 30 people are fine. But any persons coming from any of the six risk areas must have confirmation from a hospital to show that they are not infected with the virus.

“People can still hold some events.

It is up to the organiser and the host to make sure that people attending the event are not infected,” he said. thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

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Water shortages take hold

Phuket Town residents on emergency supply, Cherng Talay takes a hit Khunanya Wanchanwet reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

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huket City Municipality has set up 20 emergency water-distribution points in the hard-hit area of Hatchana Niwet, where residents no longer have running water, while residents ni Cherng Talay have had their water supply reduced to just four hours a day.

“We have installed 20 water tanks that each can contain 2,000 litres of water in the area, as people are facing water outages because the water pressure is not enough to deliver running water,” Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana announced on Monday (Mar 9).

The tanks will be refilled at 10am and 6pm each day, she added.

The water outages in Hatchana Niwet began as the council was forced to reduce water mains water pressure throughout the town yet again in the hope of making water reserves last as long as possible.

Phuket City Municipality

Emergency water tanks have been set up in the hard-hit Hatchana Niwet area in Phuket Town. Photo: Phuket City Municipality first reduced water pressure throughout Phuket Town in January, with water supply reduced from 9am-5pm and from 10pm to 5am each day.

The latest reduction in water pressure comes as the council worries about water reserves running low at the five main sources used to supply Phuket Town residents.

Mayor Somjai explained that water reserves for Phuket

Town were currently as follows: Bang Wad Reservoir, 1,542,069 cubic meters; Pond near Phuket City Municipality office, 404,560m 3; Pond in King’s Park (Suan Luang), 122,894m3; Pond near Vachira Phuket Hospital, 54,716m 3; and Pond in Soi Paniang, 60,000m3.

“We expect that reducing the water pressure even more can leave us with enough water

Police hunt for firestarter after Kamala hills trash fire flares up POLICE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO TRACK down who started a trash fire in the hills behind Kamala last Sunday (Mar 8) after the flames quickly scorched through the dry grass in the area and endangered local residents’ homes.

Nopporn Karuna, Deputy Chief of the Kamala Tambon Administrative Office (OrBorTor), told The Phuket News that his office was informed of the fire, on Khao Ketni (Ketni Hill) in Moo 5, Kamala, at 2:40pm Sunday.

“We were notified by local people that someone had set a pile of garbage on fire near the base of hill,” he said.

Firefighters from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) contingent stationed at Kamala OrBorTor arrived to find that the strong wind and dry grass fueled the fire to quickly spread up the hill.

“The fire spread so quickly. It reached about 50 metres from some people’s houses,” Mr Nopporn explained.

Understanding their limited ability to contain the fire, the Kamala firefighters called for help, resulting in a total of seven water trucks from nearby government agencies, including the Royal Thai Navy, arriving at the scene.

“At around 5pm, Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana also came to see the how the firefighters were progressing,” Mr Nopporn said.

The firefighters took until 10pm Sunday night to douse the flames, he said.

“About 30 rai was scorched by the fire. In many areas the firefighters had difficulty in reaching the flames. The water trucks could @thephuketnews

Firefighters struggled for more than seven hours to contain the blaze only for it to flare up again. Photo: Kusoldharm Foundation not get close enough, and firefighters had to carry hoses across the terrain,” he explained.

“We had some officers staying at the scene overnight to standby in case the fire started burning again,” Mr Nopporn added.

And that it did. Firefighters were called back to the scene at 7:30am Monday to douse the fire after it flared up again.

As of midday Monday, the firefighters were satisfied that the flare-up had been contained and that the area had been soaked enough to prevent another the fire from restarting.

Mr Nopporn confirmed that a search for the firestarter is underway.

“We have already filed a complaint to Patong Police to search for the person who started the fire,” he said.

“Please don’t burn garbage,” Mr Nopporn urged.

“It is dangerous and can causes fires, and we have very little water which should be used for something else,” he said.

The Phuket News

to last until the end of April, and we have been looking for new water sources,” she said.

Meanwhile, water trucks have also been posted at three locations in Phuket Town where residents can collect emergency water.

The water trucks have been posted at the DDPM office on Kra Rd; the DDPM office on Soi Paniang; and the Phuket City Water Treatment Plant

at Suan Luang Park.

Any Phuket Town residents in need of emergency water supply can call the DDPM hotline 199 or Phuket City Municipality Waterworks Division at 076-212457 or 076-211130 (24 hours).

“We urge people to use water sparingly and to be prepared in case water supply stops. Keep water in containers in the house so you can use it when you need to,” Mayor Somjai said.

In Cherng Talay, residents who rely on Cherng Talay Municipality for running water have had their mains supply reduced to just four hours a day due to the municipality running out of water reserves.

The water restrictions came into effect last Friday (Mar 6), confirmed Tripoom Musikkarat, Water Production Division Supervisor at Cherng Talay Municipality.

“With the drought situation, we do not have enough water to supply to people in the area, so Cherng Talay Municipality has to allow water supply only from 5pm to 9pm each day,” Mr Tripoom

told The Phuket News.

“Cherng Talay Municipality has been forced to buy water from a private supply company, which can provide only about 1,000m3 of water per day,” Mr Tripoom explained.

“This means we can supply water for only four hours a day, but this should be enough for families to use as long as they are using containers to store water in the home,” he added.

“We chose these hours because people are out of work and at still home," Mr Tripoom said.

"By doing this, we expect to be able to supply enough water for people living in the area for another three months, until the annual rains come,” he noted.

Any persons living in the area left without any water supply can call the municipality at 076-325225, Mr Tripoom said.

“People can call this number 24 hours a day, but water will be delivered only between 8am and 6pm, or until all the people who called that day have been delivered water,” he said.

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DSI targets illegal resort GENERAL MANAGER Jason Beavan 086 479 7471

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Charges to be pressed over national forest encroachment Khunanya Wanchanwet reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

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aisarn Noopichai, Director of the Phuket office of the Royal Forest Department (RFD), has confirmed to The Phuket News that a formal complaint has been filed with the police to press charges over 200 rai of protected forest being cleared to make way for construction of a small pool resort.

Mr Paisarn explained that officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Phuket RFD officer inspected the site, in the hills overlapping the boundaries of Wichit and Chalong, on Mar 3.

The inspection followed Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin receiving a complaint alleging that “influential people” had have cut down trees covering 200 rai in the Khao Nakkerd National Forest.

Officers from the Royal Forest Department (RFD) and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) inspected the site, in the hills overlapping the boundaries of Wichit and Chalong, last week. Photo: RFD The complaint was then handed to the DSI to investigate, Mr Paisarn explained.

The complaint alleged that several land brokers had con-

spired together to clear the land and build on it, then apply later to have land titles issued on the basis that the land had already been occupied for many years.

The complaint also alleged local politicians were involved, and that wood harvested from the area had been used by a local municipal office.

However, Mr Paisarn told The Phuket News, “The investigation has confirmed that the encroachers are just three local residents, no politicians were involved.

“I cannot reveal the names of those people because the information is about to be given to the police,” he said.

Mr Paisarn also said that the investigation had confirmed that wood used by Wichit Municipality is not from this part of the forest area.

“It is a different type of wood and sourced from villagers in the area,” he said.

The formal complaint for police to press charges was filed with Wichit Police on Friday (Mar 6), Mr Paisarn confirmed.

“The DSI is continuing its investigation to gather more evidence, including aerial photographs and survey maps, to be used in the case” he added.

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Frenchman found hanged from Patong hotel balcony

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POLICE AR E I NVEStigating the death of a 47-year-old Frenchman who was found hanged by a rope tied to a hotel balcony rail in Patong on Monday afternoon (Mar 9).

Lt Pongsathorn Phothong of the Patong Police said officers were called to the scene, in Soi Patong City, near Patong Hospital, at 1:15pm.

Police together with Kusoldharm rescue workers arrived to find the body the Frenchman hanged by a rope to a balcony rail on the third floor.

The man, identified as Roland Madrid, 47, from Nimes in southern France, was dressed in only denim shorts, Lt Pongsathorn said.

Officers found no marks on Mr Madrid’s body to indicate he had been involved in an altercation, Lt Pongsathorn said.

However, he added that Mr Madrid’s body had been taken to Patong Hospital for further examination.

Police at the scene con-

Phase 5 of the expansion may well be completed in time for the next tourism high season. Photo: Patong Municipality

Patong ramps up efforts to resolve wastewater

Police at the scene on Monday afternoon (Mar 9).

Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub firmed that Mr Madrid checked in at the hotel alone last Thursday (Mar 5). He was scheduled to check out on Monday (Mar 9).

“I checked his visa with immigration. He entered Thailand legally and did not overstay,” Lt Pongsathorn said.

However, Lt Pongsathorn declined to give any further details about

Mr Madrid’s death. “ Pol ic e a r e che cking footage from CCTV cameras at the hotel and nearby, and questioning witnesses. We have not concluded whether or not the man committed suicide or whether there were any suspicious circumstances involving his death,” he added.

Eakkapop Thongtub

CONSTRUCTION OF THE final phase in the expansion of the Patong Wastewater Treatment Plant is proceeding quickly, and may even be completed ahead of its scheduled deadline Mar 2 next year, Patong officials have confirmed.

Construction of Phase 5 of the expansion, costing about B129.35 million, started on Sept 10 last year, explained Wiriya Tevanukul of Patong Municipality’s Division of Public Health.

“At this stage, construction is already proceeding ahead of schedule. If the construction keeps going quickly like this, Phase 5 will be finished much faster than the plan,” Ms Wiriya said.

The previous expansion, Phase 4, upgraded the plant to treat ap-

proximately 30,000 cubic litres of wastewater a day, Ms Wiriya explained.

“On a normal day, there is about 24,000m3 of wastewater to be treated, but in the high season this can rise up to 32,000m 3,” she said.

“Currently, when the volume of wastewater to be treated exceeds the plant’s capacity, we have to keep the excess in holding tanks first and treat later when the plant can accommodate it,” she added.

“But when Phase 5 is completed, the plant will be able to treat up to 39,000m3 of wastewater a day, which is higher than the amount of wastewater we need to treat in the tourism high season,” Ms Wiriya said.

Khunanya Wanchanwet thephuketnews

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PHUKET NEWS

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number of turtle Airport expressway cost Low hatchlings worrying jumps to massive B30bn Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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ew budget figures for the proposed expressway linking Sakoo to Koh Kaew have been set at B30 billion, equating to roughly B1.4bn per kilometre for the 22.4km route – a staggering increase on the purported figures from June 2017, which estimated the project costs at approximately B5.5bn.

When asked for a justification and breakdown on the increased costs, Phuket Chamber of Commerce (PCC) President Thanusak Phungdet confirmed to The Phuket News that B12bn is to be allocated for the actual construction costs and the remaining B18bn to be used to acquire the land for the project to be built.

The long-slated expressway was the topic of conversation at a meeting held at Phuket Provincial Hall on Mar 4 between President Thanusak, Phuket Vice Governor Wongsakorn Nunchukan and Gen Yodyuth Boonyathikarn, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee of Transportation.

Gen Yodyuth explained that the committee had previously received many complaints about transportation issues in Phuket, and that the objective of the meeting was to hear officers’ opinions with the aim of collectively solving all relevant problems.

President Thanusak explained how he urged Chairman Yodyuth to support all

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Phuket Governor at the time, Norrapat Plodthong (2nd from right), in 2017 inspects the site where the new expressway is to be built. Photo: PR Dept major transportation projects in Phuket and encouraged consideration of Phuket as a special economic zone.

Elaborating, he claimed that, as representative of nine private organisations in Phuket, the central goal was for the committee to solve problems relating to increasing traffic jams and that, over the past four years, there has been both a high increase in the volume of traffic on the roads and, subsequently, the number of related accidents.

The expressway road project was the main area of focus although it transpired that the mandatory environmental impact assessment (EIA) still has not been approved – despite former Phuket

Governor Norrapat Plodthong in June 2017 stating that the EIA approval was a mere formality and the project would be proceeding in due course.

Mr Thanusak also requested consideration of six more projects, including the Chalong to Patong road, and the Patong tunnel. All six projects are part of a holistic transportation project, respectively linking in to the proposed Surat Thani to Phuket mass transit rail link that was first mooted in October 2013.

“I also want consideration for Phuket to be classified as a special economic zone, in order to generate further income and improve the potential to remain competitive with nearby countries,” he said.

A CLUTCH OF LEATHERback baby turtle eggs hatched at Sai Kaew Beach, in the north of Phuket, on Mar 5.

However, only 25 of the 94 eggs hatched with baby turtles making their way to the sea.

The remaining 69 eggs were either infertile or the embryos had died in their shells, Phuket marine experts have explained.

The hatchlings were from a nest laid on the beach on Jan 19, confirmed Prarop Plangngarn, Chief of Phuket Marine National Park Operations Center 2.

“Our officers saw the sand above where the eggs were laid start to sink at about 7:30am.

They watched and waited, and about two hours later 13 baby turtles came out from the nest and headed to the sea,” Mr Prarop explained.

“We kept monitoring the site as we knew there were more turtles coming, and 12 more baby turtles came out at about 10:30pm,” he added.

The officers continued to watch and wait, but by about midnight, concerned for the hatchlings, the officers dug the sand away from the nest, Mr Praprop said.

“They found that 47 of the eggs were infertile and that

An officer watches a newly hatched turtle at Sai Kaew Beach on Mar 5. Photo: DNP the remaining 22 eggs did not form correctly, meaning that the embryos had died.

“The unhatched eggs were taken to the Phuket Marine Biological Centre PMBC to be examined,” he added.

The high number of eggs that failed to produce offspring is a concern, as the nest that hatched on Nai Yang Beach on Mar 3 saw 79 baby turtles hatch.

Of those, 43 were strong enough to be escorted into the ocean and the remaining 36 were taken into care and observation.

Mr Prarop said that of the turtle nests laid on Phuket beaches in recent months, the nest laid on Mai Khao Beach on Feb 7 was expected to hatch next.

“That nest is expected to hatch around April 7,” he said.

Khunanya Wanchanwet

Opinion 6

OPINION

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EDITORIAL

Sensing the fear

T

he big question on everyone’s lips right now is, ‘Where do we go from here?’ Plunges in share prices on Feb 24 and again on Feb 26 amid coronavirus fears followed by the ‘Black Friday’ hammer blow by oil prices on Mar 6 has seen total market capitalisation on the Thai stock exchange lose B3.25 trillion since the beginning of the year.

The thing to remember when reading headline stories about the economic impact of COVID-19, and now oil prices, is that in most other places in the world much of it right now is pure speculation. It’s panic among the people and a money-run among investors.

Thankfully Phuket has had no panic buying of toilet paper and food shortages, but the impact on the tourism industry is very real.

Tourism is crucial to Thailand as spending by foreign

visitors amounted to B1.93 trillion last year, or 11% of gross domestic product (GDP).

As the TAT sees it, the worst case scenario for the year is a fall of 10 million foreign tourists and B1.5trn lost in tourism revenues.

What we do need, and what has been lacking, is a shot of common sense. The new Phuket TAT Chief Napasorn Kakai openly admits Thailand’s overdependence on China as a source market and is already taking what steps she can to spread the range of tourists feeding our island economy.

The move by Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Chalermpong Sukontapol this week to go public with details about the death of 64-year-old Russian man Ilyas Karimov is also much welcomed. Whether skeptics believe him or not is their choice, but at least the

death is publicly recognised with information people can take reasonable precautions to protect themselves, and avoid panic.

The rash of cancellations of mass-gathering events this week also raised concerns. It was almost as if all major event organisers had received a direct order, not a recommendation by the health officials. To be clear, our cinemas and shopping malls remain open and our schools and fresh markets have not been closed, and there has not been any outbreak reported by a public who are heavily attached to their mobile phones and social media networks.

Cancelling events with large numbers of people in crowded areas is a prudent measure and this issue needs caution, but there is no reason at this stage to shut down the island. We ask all event organisers to choose wisely.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Italian ‘risk’ tourists see more than 2,000 stranded on cruise liner in Phuket Phuket Opinion: Hiding the truth Phuket-Samui flights among Bangkok Airways cancellations Phuket Governor announces forced quarantine for arrivals from South Korea, blanks all other risk areas PHUKET XTRA: VIDEO: New cases of coronavirus in Thailand! Rock climbing death in Krabi?

Bodies of missing father and son found off Phuket’s east coast Qatar bans arrivals from Thailand over virus fears Patong Songkran official events cancelled PHUKET XTRA: VIDEO: Over 2,000 on cruise banned from Phuket over coronavirus! Thailand to quarantine visitors?

Thai quarantine flip-flop throws holidays into doubt

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY Hot zone

Re: Phuket Opinion: Hiding the truth Hell, forget the truth, they cannot even get their story and orders straight as demonstrated by the still ongoing fiasco regarding quarantines from “hot zones” (which originally included places that are not hot zones just to keep the Chinese happy).

Jsombra Amazing how they fail to see all this “face saving” just makes them look even more stupid than just telling the truth!

Malczx7r Sadly this is typical of the current military government here. Believe everything we tell you and all will be fine…

Absolutely pathetic!

JohnC We are advising out clients to AVOID attending VFS Global Bio Metric Data collection Centres as they are a serious risk to public health and safety. If the appropriate national government will not act it is incumbent on the host nation to consider closing them down. It is negligent and

irresponsible tor government to require person to attend these centres under the circumstance.

Offshore Migration Re: Medical certificate required for travellers from risk areas as COVID-19 measures ramped up Doctors of travellers from countries of high risk stated in this article could not legally sign off on a medical certificate of clearance until they had medical evidence to support their diagnosis! So the request from (CAAT) of a medical clearance certificate is not without merit. Doctors would be breaking the law singing off on a certificate without correct medical information (my opinion only).

Sandbar Maybe people in the USA or Europe who get that health paper are already infected, but don’t know it – then sit 12-16 hours in an aircraft shoulder to shoulder with others, arrive in Thailand and get sick one week later. During the flight they can infect others. Useless paperwork. Best is not travel to Thailand.

Kurt

Re: Phuket Bike Week ‘postponed’ Back from “Surat Bike Week”. A funny weekend with people who still enjoy their life without constant hysterical talk about that virus. Apart from that, I’m not sad that Phuket Bike Week is postponed or more likely cancelled because over the years it became a more and more boring event.

GerryT81

Drying out

Re: Emergency water distribution points set up in Phuket Town These supplies “might” hold the given amount of water, but just how much is usable? And it is a fact, earth dams walls should not be allowed to dry out.

Rorri_2 Complete debacle resulting from Phuket officials having zero forethought and planning, just living day by day with no regard to the future.

I have a friend on very limited income that had to buy her own 1,000-litre tank, and is now forced to pay B300 to refill it every three or four days. Wouldn’t be a bit sur-

prised to learn that the local crooks teamed up with water trucks to rip people off for profit.

Capricornball Re: Cherng Talay residents’ water supply reduced to four hours a day We read an article a few months back that stated that the PWA were going to pay B277.3 million to suppliers of “private water”. Those were supposed to be a five-year contract deal. What happened to that water? That 277.3 million would have paid for a reliable desalination plant. Now 277.3 million is gone, and we still have no water.

Timothy

Suspicous fall

Re: Woman dies in rockclimbing fall in Ao Nang I have seen the side with her body tides to the rope... and I don’t think that can be happen like someone trying to make us believe. An experienced climber would never die like this. There is too many questions on that site??? thaidk

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

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

THAILAND NEWS

7

Medical certificate required Proof of health necessary for travellers from COVID-19 risk areas THAILAND Bangkok Post

T

he Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is requiring travellers from COVID-19 infected countries and territories to produce medical certificates prior to boarding their flights to Thailand to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said on Monday (Mar 9) the CAAT has issued an official announcement, saying travellers from South Korea, China, Italy, Iran, Macau and Hong Kong who fail to show their health certificates to authorities before boarding their flights to Thailand will not be allowed to continue their journey.

The restrictions are in line with Thailand’s Communicable Diseases Act (2015), the minister said.

Upon arriving at Thai airports, they must present their health certificate along with a filled-out T8 form to disease

@thephuketnews

An official studies a computer monitor to check passengers’ body temperatures with a thermal scanner upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport. Photo: Wichan Chaorenkiatpakul control officials for verification, said Mr Saksayam.

According to the minister, anyone found producing fake certificates to Thai health authorities will face legal action and mandatory quarantine.

Mr Saksayam also assured that Suvarnabhumi airport, as Thailand’s main international gateway, has put strict screening measures in place to help curb the spread of the

disease from air travellers.

He also insisted that to date, airport officials assigned to screen passengers have not shown any fever and/or other symptoms.

Withaya Yamuang, Director-General of the Marine Department, on Monday also applied similar rules to boat passengers and crews from COVID-19 affected countries and territories.

“Boat passengers and crew will be required to provide health certificates to enter Thailand, and they will also be subjected to the country’s quarantine regulations,” Mr Withaya said.

In addition, boat captains must submit necessary documents to disease control authorities 24 hours prior to docking, he said.

The documents include

the maritime declaration of health, a list of 10 ports they had just visited, crew and passenger manifest and the results of their body temperature checks over the past week. Violators are liable to fines of between B1,000 and B10,000.

As of Tuesday (Mar 10), Thai officials had confirmed 53 local cases of COVID-19.

Thirty-three people have recovered, 16 patients are still in hospitals while one has died.

Dr Yongyos Thammawut, deputy permanent secretary for health, said one of the new cases was a 41-year-old woman who had not travelled abroad but was in close contact with a previously recorded COVID-19 patient, a man who returned from Italy.

She developed a fever on Saturday (Mar 7), was examined and then registered as the 51st local case. She was being treated at Rajavithi Hospital in Bangkok.

The 52nd and 53rd cases are a couple. The wife, 46, returned from Italy to Thailand on Feb 28 and later did

not feel well. Her husband, 47, did not go abroad and fell sick on Saturday with a high fever and body ache.

The man went to a hospital first and tested positive for the disease. His wife was then tested. Both had been in voluntary home quarantine.

They were now receiving treatment at a hospital in Nakhon Pathom province.

Another 4,518 people have been placed under observation. Of them, 2,729 have been cleared or recovered.

Most of them had seasonal influenza, he said.

In another development on Monday, health authorities and local officials in Nakhon Pathom’s Muang district, raided a hotel where a group of 32 Chinese tourists were staying, following tip-offs from netizens on social media that had sparked worries among local residents.

After the raid, officers found that the Chinese tourists were employees of a private firm, who travelled from China’s Zhejiang province.

All were found to be in good health.

BUSINESS NEWS

8

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

ism revenue to be gained from those tourists. “It is hard to say about the money while the coronavirus situation is still unfolding,” she said.

They are hard-working and love to learn and be productive.

Their country is developing very quickly, and now their education is really strong with English-communication skills.

“Their young generation has so much energy and motivation in life, and is hungry for travelling. They are a good target to travel to Phuket,” she added.

Ms Napasorn doesn’t consider the fast-developing Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc as a competitor, but rather as a destination that Phuket can work together with for the benefit of both islands.

“Phu Quoc is starting to develop, but it is growing quickly, as if it were Phuket’s sister. The island has very similar terrain to Phuket. The beaches on the west side are beautiful, but the east side is mud – but it is a cheaper there and a new island opening up to tourism,” Ms Napasorn noted.

“Campaigns to travel to Phu Quoc are mainly targeting European, especially Scandinavians,” she said.

“Phuket, along with Phang Nga and Krabi, is already a well established destination for these markets, and our plan is for us to combine our tour campaigns with theirs as ‘share marketing’,” she said.

“Tourists visiting Phu Quoc can also visit Phuket, and vice-versa,” she added.

“We should not miss out on ‘share tourist marketing’ with Vietnam,” Ms Napasorn stressed.

However, to make that happen, Ms Napasorn said it was vital more direct flights between Phuket and Vietnam be developed.

Steps are being made in that direction. VietJet Air already operates a direct flights from Hanoi, Danang and Phu Quoc, and Vietnam Airlines in October launched direct flights three times a week between Phuket and Ho Chi Minh City, she noted.

Taking the domestic route TOURISM

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

N

ew Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office Director of Napasorn Kakai says that the TAT will be targeting domestic tourism to help ease the economic pain being inflicted by the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Phuket’s tourism industry was already heavily affected by the strength of the Thai baht when the virus outbreak began, compounding the island’s tourism revenue woes, she added.

Visitors from China, Thailand’s biggest source of tourists, tumbled 85.3%, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn told a meeting of tourism operators on Monday (Mar 9).

In the worst-case scenario, the number of foreign tourists may fall to 30 million this year from last year’s 39.8 million, with spending down 22% “if the virus situation bottoms in May”, he said.

Just last week, Mr Yuthasak said tourist numbers might drop by 6 million this year.

Tourism is crucial to Thailand as spending by foreign

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office Director Napasorn Kakai. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot visitors amounted to B1.93 trillion last year, or 11% of gross domestic product (GDP).

The TAT sees a worst case this year of 10 million foreign tourists staying home and B1.5 trillion lost as forward bookings continue to flash warning signs.

Governor Yuthasak said that if the coronavirus crisis extends beyond May, the number of tourists would hit rock bottom in that month.

In such a scenario, it would take another three months for restoration and business would be back in September.

As a result, Thai tourism would have 30mn international visitors, down from 39.8mn in 2019.

For the best-case scenario, visitors would decline to 34.2mn if the tension subsided in March, with business cratering in April before bouncing back by July.

Mr Yuthasak said Thai tourism stands a 30% chance of the worst-case scenario after international arrivals from Jan 25 to Feb 29 plunged 40% year-on-year to 2.8 mn.

During that period, the Chinese market tumbled 81%

to 264,653 visitors.

Demand for travel to Thailand during this month will be stagnant, as forward bookings at full-service airlines are down 40% year-on-year, Mr Yuthasak said.

The average occupancy rate of hotels nationwide in February fell to 63.2% from 71.9% a year earlier.

Phuket’s suffering is apparent just by the numbers.

February saw the number of international arrivals at Phuket International Airport fall by 35.83% compared with the preceding year. So far, for March 1-9, that number has blown out to -47.36%.

Inter national ar rivals at the airports in Bangkok, which feed tourists to Phuket via domestic flights, fared worse. Suvarnabhumi marked a 44.22% fall in the number of international arrivals in February, and marked a -60.64% drop for Mar 1-9.

Don Mueang airport’s plunge was similar, falling 53.11% year on year for February, and -68.63% so far for March.

“I expect the number of international tourists visiting Phuket this year to reach about 14mn,” Ms Napasorn told The Phuket News.

However, she declined to give an estimate on the tour-

NEW PLANS The TAT is maintaining its domestic targets of 172mn trips and B1.13trn in tourism revenue.

“The plan is to create domestic tourism packages targeting Thai people, encouraging them to take trips to places like Ranong, Phang Nga, Krabi and Phuket during the hot season,” Ms Napasorn said.

“I already have feedback about this idea. People are interested in this idea a lot. So this idea will be presented at the end of March,” she said.

On the international front, Ms Napasorn will be focussing on India, France, Russia and Vietnam as source markets.

“For India, I have invited social media bloggers and YouTubers to create content to promote Phuket,” said Ms Napasorn, who arrived from Vietnam to take up the post as TAT Phuket chief last month.

“For France, I have just issued to tour agencies a compilation of information about hotels and tourist attractions in Phuket so they can create new tour packages. We have just done the same for Russian tour agents.

“For Vietnam, I am thinking about creating tour packages focusing on family trips,” she said.

VIETNAM Ms Napasorn arrived in Phuket after serving as director of the TAT’s Ho Chi Minh City office, and held the post Chief of Action Plan Section of the TAT’s East Asia Market Division, and she believes that Vietnam is a high-priority target for Phuket, both as a source market and to align marketing campaigns with.

“Vietnamese people are very effective in manpower.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

Being in the doghouse isn’t always bad

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

STEP BACK IN TIME

11

Boho Brunch packs a punch at Blue Tree

12

Patong residents commemorate King Bhumibol visit 61 years ago The Ratchapatanusorn Monument on Phisit Korani Rd, built specifically to commemorate King Bhumibol’s visit to Patong. Photo: Patong Municipality

Khunanya Wanchanwet & Kiattikul Chumanee reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

H

idden away at the bottom of the hills at the back of Patong is a treasure of Phuket’s past that most people are simply unaware of. Traffic descends Patong Hill all day, every day, and those looking for a shortcut to the area behind the main roads that run north-south through the town turn left at Wat Patong and continue along the small road that meanders its way to Nanai Rd, and further on to join Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd.

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That road is called Phra Phisit Korani Rd, but good luck finding any street signs to tell you that. Immediately after Wat Patong, the road runs through Baan Mon, one of the last remaining true community neighbourhoods in Phuket’s busiest tourism town.

On the right is a small building decorated in blue and featuring an elaborate traditional Thai-style roof, leading most people to think it is a shrine. They’re nearly right. The building is called the Ratchapatanusorn, otherwise known locally as the “Monument to The King’s Footprint ”.

The significance of the building is lost to most people, but it was re-

membered this week, as it has been by Patong families for just over six decades now. The building stands at the site of where Rama IX, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, first set foot on Patong soil 61 years ago.

The main festivities usually held each year to remember the auspicious occasion were this year cancelled at the last minute in light of concerns of the COVID-19 coronavirus spreading, yet the blessing ceremonies continued, including the launching of a raft at Loma Park to honour the King’s visit.

THE VISIT According to records kept by Patong

Municipality, King Bhumbol arrived in Patong unannounced on March 11, 1959. His Majesty and Queen Sirikit had arrived in Phuket three days earlier on their first official visit to the island.

However, in Patong, King Bhumibol approached local villagers in Baan Mon alone, with his security entourage nowhere in sight.

Sukhon “Ei” Sae-ong, a 28-year-old mother at the time living in a house across from where the Ratchapatanusorn stands today, in an interview in 2016 when she was 85 years old recalled her experience meeting King Bhumibol.

Continued on page 10

10 COMMUNITY

The plaques.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

King Bhumibol in Baan Mon.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

A stop at Wang Kee Aon waterfall. Photos: Patong Municipality

Remembering a first visit to Patong Continued from page 9 “On that day, I was sweeping garbage over there,” she said, pointing to the front of her house, and adding that there was no road at that time.

“A man approached me and asked me in Southern Thai, ‘Don’t you go to see the King?’ “I replied that I have a baby. If I went, who would take care of my child?” Ms Sukhon said.

“The man smiled and said, ‘You don’t have to go, I’m already here.’ I was shocked and speechless,” she added.

“He left and asked the pregnant woman living in the house opposite the same question. After His Majesty told her who he was, she quickly offered a wai. Then he asked her about her living conditions here,” Ms Sukhon recalled.

A villager invited King Bhumibol to see the Wang Kee Oan waterfall nearby, located some 200 metres away where Phisit Korani Rd joins Hasip Pi Rd (“50 Year Rd”).

His Majesty accepted the invitation and walked along the dirt track to the waterfall, now a protected natural site,

where he surprised some villagers doing their laundry.

“One of the villagers offered him a glass of nam bilit [soda and syrup drink]. The King graciously accepted it, and drank it,” Ms Sukhon remembered.

By that time villagers had learned of King Bhumibol’s visit and started arriving in larger numbers. His entourage of soldiers and bodyguards had also finally caught up with him and invited him to return to his accommodation.

THE MONUMENT Understanding the importance of the occasion, one villager, Mr Chow Piromrith, used a stake to mark where King Bhumibol first stepped out of his car onto Patong soil, at 12:06pm that day.

Under the guidance of the Abbot of Wat Patong at the time Phra Khru Pisitkoranee (also called Phor Than Khiaw), local villagers and monks from Wat Patong had a marble plaque one metre wide and 1.5m high installed at the site to remember the visit.

People also built a roof to protect the

monument from sunlight and rain. “At first, it had only a tin roof,” Ms Sukhon noted.

On Feb 24, 1967, King Bhumibol’s mother, the Queen Mother Srinagarindra, also visited the site. Then on July 23, 1968, King Bhumibol returned to Patong, this time with Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn. The Crown Prince turned 16 years old five days later, and today reigns as Rama X, King of Thailand.

Signatures from King Bhumibol, His Majesty Vajiralongkorn and Queen Mother Srinagarindra are now inscribed on smaller plaques placed under the main plaque, marking their officials visits.

Time passed, and the weatherbeaten roof protecting the monument gradually deteriorated. A simple house was built around the monument to give it better protection from the elements, yet that too aged quickly.

In 2011, Pian Keesin, Mayor of Patong at the time, spend B4.99 million on building a new structure to house

the monument. The foundation stone was laid on Aug 8 that year.

The building that people see today is considered the “sixth edition” of the monument building.

All through the years the people of Patong have commemorated the first visit by King Bhumibol with blessing and merit-making ceremonies, as well as festivities including live music performances and traditional Thai arts such as Nang Talung shadow puppet plays.

Mayor Chalermluck considers the visit – and the commemoration of the visit – among the most auspicious occasions remembered in Patong.

“Patong people regard the royal celebration of the Ratchapatanusorn as an annual event in Patong and is considered an important part of the history of Patong,” Ms Chalermluck explained during an interview last year.

“That visit resulted in people around the world learning about Patong, and today Patong is a famous tourist destination,” she added.

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PETS 11

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

Benefits of being in the doghouse Raising your dog right can make a kennel or a cage a dog’s happy place UNLEASHED Russell D Russell info@k9pointacademy.com

L

et’s start with a key disclaimer: I’m a fan of crate training.

I find it an invaluable tool as part of a balanced training programme. Oh and incidentally, despite what you’ve read, been told, or possibly think – dogs do like crates.

Well, more specifically, dogs like dens, closed spaces and the feeling of security and closeness. Sure, they like to roll in the grass, run on the beach or lay down out in the driveway from time to time – but watch them closely, dogs will very often lie under chairs, tables, or backed up against the sofa or a corner. Whelping mothers will burrow a den to have her pups, it’s instinctual – the den is a safe sanctuary.

The problem with using crates however, is two-fold. First, we’re human and generally prefer large open spaces, rather than cozy dens, so we automatically think “that’s what the dog wants”, and second, most people don’t know how to properly introduce a dog to a crate.

It becomes a punishment tool, or somewhere to put the dog to “stop it being naughty” – and then it’s a nightmare existence, for both dog and owner, but particularly for the dog.

However, if you show your dog that the crate is their den, their sanctuary, their safe space – they’ll absolutely love going into it. I have a number of crates at home and during the day, they are

@thephuketnews

Dogs like to spend time in their own space, but don’t abuse it. Photo: Supplied all open, and you will always find a dog in some of them. They choose to take themselves in there to relax.

Of course the critical thing here is time, and how much of it is spent in the crate. If your dog is crated eight hours overnight and then another eight to 10 hours during the day whilst you’re at work – that’s way too much, and no fun at all. Dogs, as we know, are social animals and require interaction and engagement with other dogs, people and the world around them. They also need both physical and mental stimulation let alone the need to relieve themselves in the right place.

That said, dogs and particularly puppies, sleep a lot. Pups can easily snooze 16-plus hours a day. And while it doesn’t all have to be in their crate, it can certainly be a good safe place for them to get some proper downtime.

Crates are also an excellent tool to help with both management and training programmes. House-training, especially for new puppies, can be tricky for some. But using a crate correctly can give you rapid progress in house training your pup, and help to show them “this is where I sleep, and this is where I poop!” Additionally, the use of a crate can be a really effective tool in helping dogs acquire some confidence, and also help relieve, or actually prevent, separation anxiety… which itself is a big topic and will have its own column shortly!

As well as being a quiet, safe place for your dog to hang out, it’s also a good

place for your dog to learn about chewing toys, and not your shoes. As part of a solid management programme, if you get your dog excited about chewing his chew toys, he’s not going to learn about the excitement of chewing your shoes.

Again it’s worth stressing the point, that the use of a crate (or indeed any management, or training tool) needs to be done in the proper manner. Your dog needs to be properly introduced to the crate, not just thrown in there and left to his own devices. Remember, it’s about showing them it’s safe, it’s comfy, it’s their den.

And once you have a dog that is solidly crate trained, you’ll find that he’ll choose to spend time in there on his own from time to time – maybe sleep in there at night, even with the door open.

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

12 DINING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Tender salmon.

Imported cheeses.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

Seafood specials.

Sunday by the Blue Tree Lagoon Tree House Beach Club & Restaurant launches Boho Beach Brunch Anton Makhrov life@novostiphuketa.com

I

t goes without saying that the brunch scene in Phuket is overcompetitive with a plethora of offerings available every Sunday at various hotels, restaurants and beach clubs. It’s always a big challenge for a new venue to join the game, and thus personally I’m always intrigued to see what a newcomer has on offer to stand out and get the discerning public excited.

You can call Phuket spoiled, but lobsters alone are no longer enough to impress the local crowd. Brunch-goers want an extra treat to savour and an

extra thing to do.

The brand-new Boho Beach Brunch at Tree House Beach Club & Restaurant stands out at least in terms of venue and its multi-dimensional character.

Is there a beach club? Yes, obviously.

A waterpark? Here it is. A restaurant?

More than one! A shopping arcade, a food truck market, a concert space, a pristine Crystal Lagoon? All included and even more. A destination for all things leisure, Johnny-the-marketingguru could say. Much more to do than just filling the belly, I would add.

Having arrived at the complex we boarded an electric tuk-tuk and in a minute reached Tree House, a fourstorey, tree-shaped restaurant, beach

lounge and chill-out bar on the banks of the Blue Tree Lagoon. While the staff were busy setting up for brunch, we took the chance to ascend to the top level of the Tree House and enjoy some stunning panoramic views of the place before taking a seat at a table on a shaded veranda on the second floor. The perfect place to observe all the water activities and take in the cool breeze.

Being true to Blue Tree’s credentials of sustainability and environmental awareness, Tree House is all bamboo, rattan and has other natural materials everywhere. Add to these the most comfortable chairs with soft pillows and friendly-service and you’ll get the atmosphere right.

Meanwhile, the food stations downstairs were set and we headed to the first floor, escorted by staff always happy to liberate you from the questionable manoeuvering with filled-plates among other diners (greatly appreciate that). Some of us opted for fresh local and imported seafood, including Fine De Claire oysters, cold-served poached lobster tails, Andaman prawns and New Zealand mussels with either lemon or a variety of sauces, including Thai Nam Chim for a spicy local angle. Both quality and freshness were superb, as well as the speed with which personnel placed new loads of seafood on ice, while Cobia Ceviche and Tuna Tartare were also in high demand.

Authentic Indian cuisine comes to Angsana Laguna Phuket

A

ngsana Laguna Phuket has welcomed Indian Chef Pravin Gayke to its highly skilled and creative culinary team.

Well-versed in the art of authentic Indian cuisine, the addition of western Indian native Chef Pravin has already delighted his first Indian wedding bride, groom, and guests with an array of aromatic, savoury Indian dishes, noted a release announcing his appointment.

“Destination weddings with an Indian twist are a specialty of Angsana Laguna Phuket, and the addition of Chef Pravin is sure to heighten our entire Indian wedding experience,” the release said.

“Rich flavours and authentic tastes of Chef Pravin’s culinary creations are sure to excite all palates.

Chef Pravin’s dedication to the preparation of authentic Indian cuisine and his excellent background are a true asset to the culinary team at Angsana Laguna Phuket,” it added.

Classic Indian favorites such as Aloo Gobhi Masala with potato and cauliflower, luscious Bindhi Masala comprised of fried okra, onion and tomato, and Chicken Tikka Biryani can now be enjoyed from a dedicated Indian cuisine menu at Angsana Laguna Phuket, the release noted.

The resort, located by Bang Tao Bay and known for hosting extrava-

Indian Chef Pravin Gayke, now serving at Angsana Laguna Phuket. gant Indian weddings at ACES (Angsana Convention & Exhibition Space), the Angsana Ballroom, Poolside Garden and Xana Beach Club, has also launched its all-new Angsana Thali Set promotion, served as a variety of sampling dishes including Palak Patta Chat featuring crispy fried spinach, onions, tomato, tamarind chutney and sweet curd; Masala Papad with fried papad, onions, tomatoes and Indian spices; a savoury Vegetable Samosa of potatoes and peas, and Kachumber Salad. Condiment choices also abound.

The Phuket News thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Dining high up in the Tree House.

Being not in a seafood mood, I proceeded to the charcuterie station where Prosciutto Di Parma, pancetta and other Italian cold-cuts awaited alongside assorted cheeses and breads. With hummus, big marinated olives, grilled eggplants with tzatziki, tabouli and a few more additions, I finally got the heavenly Mediterranean platter of my liking. And of course, I could not go past those small pine nuts which make hummus what it should be. Bliss.

The third way to start your Boho Beach Brunch is as simple as eggs.

Please hold off on saying you can have them at home. Sure, we all can have fried, boiled or scrambled any day, but how often do you start your day with delicate black truffle Eggs Benedict with caviar and double-smoked ham or rye-bread toast topped with poached eggs, avocado and feta cheese? And it goes without saying, that all eggs are straight from an organic farm where hens spend days in free-range open spaces providing you the best produce.

@thephuketnews

DINING 13

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

The kid’s slides.

When it comes to main courses, meatlovers can enjoy succulent grilled beef flank steak, slow roasted pork belly, herbcrusted lamb shoulder and other nice cuts. I opted for the flank which went perfectly with home-made gravy and grilled vegetables, turning my brunch into a sort of beachside Sunday roast, while the rest of the company enjoyed grilled king prawns and salt-baked salmon, trying to cover both surf and turf options.

At Blue Tree, those with a sweet tooth have a variety of treats to finish their brunch with, but we limited ourselves to sharing a chocolate brownie and a blueberry cheesecake in order to stay agile enough for the rest of the fun, as Boho Beach Brunch tickets include access to all the rides and fun activities of Blue Tree Lagoon. And this is what definitely makes this brunch stand out among the rest.

The options are plentiful. If the food brings you into a relaxed mood, feel free to refresh in the crystal clear waters and then comfort yourself on a beachlounger with a cool drink of your choice.

For a little bit more action, you take an SUP-board to slowly glide from one side of the lake to another or, maybe, play some beach volleyball and football.

Feeling adventurous? Then ride over the lagoon on a zip-line, test your courage and jump off one of the cliff diving points, do some rock climbing or try the exhilarating Slip-N-Fly slider, catapulting you into the air before you land safely back in the lagoon. Actually, you can even take part in the daily Slip-N-Fly competition, show the crowd your skills and get amazing photos of you taken.

Visitors with kids are welcomed to the Family Splash Zone, featuring fun water slides, fountains and speciallydesigned obstacles that keep kids entertained all day long. Surely you don’t want your children to miss the foam party, another daily fun activity and a great photo opportunity.

Boho Beach Brunch takes place at Tree House Beach Club & Restaurant at Blue Tree every Sunday, from noon till 4pm. The brunch is priced at B1,800++

Cliff jumpers only. and B2,500++ per adult depending on preferred drink package and B900++ per child aged 5-12 years (kids below 5 years dine free of charge). All tickets include Rider access to Blue Tree Lagoon. Blue Tree Members are entitled to a 25% discount on all brunch packages and a complimentary kid’s brunch package (1-12 years) with purchase of any of adult packages. For reservations, please call +66(0) 76-602-436 or email treehouse@bluetree.fun And if you are after some great weekend sounds, head to Blue Tree Lagoon Beach every Friday to dance your night away, enjoy incredible fire show performances, live entertainment, exciting DJ line-ups & BBQ specials. The free-entrance party starts at 7pm and lasts until 2am. Dress code: Tropical Feet in The Sand.

This article was originally published in the Jan 24, 2020 issue of Class Act Media’s Russian-language newspaper Novosti Phuketa.

14 ISLAND SCENE

The Speakers: ML Laksasubha, Andrea, Nicola, Donna and Matthew.

Debbie, Donna, Tracey and Louise.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

Anu, Chris and Caryll.

Donna, Martin, Eka and Michaela.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: TAKING A STAND FOR TRUE EQUALITY Another fantastic luncheon organised by Good Shepard and Phuket Has Been Good to Us at InterContinental Phuket resort in Kamala. The welcome address by Matthew Barclay, Australia’s Consul-General to Phuket and by inspiring speakers ML Laksasubha Kridakon, Vice President AustCham Thailand; Nicola Upham, Head – Global Humanitarian Surge, Save the Children; and Andrea Edwards, The Digital Conversationalist all carried the message: Equality is good for everyone. We all have a part to play in getting to equality.

Wyndham Grand’s Chef Mario Prestigiovanni being thanked by PIWC President Maggy Wigman and Vice President Missy Devlin.

PIWC members Jeannie Cornet, Maggy Wigman, and Jo Seitz checking out The Phuket News' latest edition.

PIWC FUNDRAISING LUNCH AT THE WYNDHAM GRAND PHUKET KALIM BAY Oops, we made a mistake. Several names plus the lunch location were inadvertently mislabeled in the February 20 photos regarding the Phuket International Women’s Club scholarship fundraising lunch to benefit local children. The first photo features the Wyndham Grand’s Chef Mario Prestigiovanni with PIWC President Maggy Wigman and Vice President Missy Devlin. The second photo features PIWC members Jeannie Cornet, Maggy Wigman, and Jo Seitz.

BACK, FROM LEFT: Ms Tirawan, Ms Srei Vacharaphol, Ms Wiwa, Mr Naris, Mr Pongvarut Pangsrivongse, Ms Patrawan Palakawong Na Ayudhaya and Eric Tobua, the famous set, props and head-dress artist.

CAPE KUDU HOTEL GOES GREEN Tirawan Taechaubol, Group Project Development Manager of Cape & Kantary Hotels, recently organised the 2nd Kudu Goes Green project (2019/2020) to encourage tourists and visitors who stay on Koh Yao Noi to collect recyclable waste in exchange for a free drink or an ice cream at Café Kantary. Recyclable waste is sent to local schools for the Kudu Goes Green contest, where the students in the area turn waste into the best Recycled-Material Art for 24 scholarships from Cape Kudu Hotel and Café Kantary, valued at 62,000 baht.

Jane and Nikki with the award.

RPM RECOGNISED BY TCEB FOR MICE SPECIAL EVENT VENUE The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) recently granted Royal Phuket Marina’s Exhibition Hall the Thailand MICE Venue Standard (TMVS) for 2020-2023 under the Special Event Venue category. The venues that have been TMVS certified appear on the TCEB’s “Approved List” and receive international publicity as event sites that meet the highest quality standards. Well done, RPM! thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRI

EVENTS 15

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

13 MAR

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.

SUN

15 MAR

SAT

21 MAR

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.

MON

16 MAR

Muay Thai Under The Sky

FRI

27 MAR

SAT

TUE

17 MAR

14 MAR All-day St Patrick Party at Drunken Leprechaun Mar 17

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

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Drunken Leprechaun located in the heart of Patong on March 17th, from 11pam to 1am. Hosted by our Leprechauns in our Irish decorated outlet from 11am to 1am. Family with children?

No problem, between 3pm-6pm our leprechauns offers candy and face paints for all children. In the evening from 6pm-1am there will be a St. Patrick’s Party featuring perfectly chilled Irish green beverages, live music and Leprechaun dance offs! We are also excited to announce that Thailand’s first arrival of a Dueling Piano show starts at 9pm. So come on over and join us for a real Irish styled St. Patrick’s Party! For more info: Tel: 076 337 000

THU

19 MAR

Rise & Shine

Phuket Cricket Week 2020 ACST Phuket Cricket Week 2020 at the Alan Cooke Ground, Thalang, Phuket. Featuring the 17th Phuket International Cricket Sixes from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th and the 9th Thaland International Cricket 7’s from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th April. Admission is free and refreshments are available. Come and enjoy Fun in the Sun and make Friendships Through Cricket.

All you can eat BBQ night

Fun XANA Night

THU

9 APR

JOIN US for a night of Muay Thai to support free English education for underprivileged Thai children. Phuket Has Been Good To Us and Sutai Muay Thai are joining forces to give thousands of disadvantaged children the chance of a better future. Amateur and Pro fighters will step in the ring at Blue Tree Amphitheater and battle it out for a good cause. Food and beverages will be available throughout the evening. Tickets will be available soon for purchase.

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.

Free entry every Friday 7.00 pm. onward. THB 99 selected drinks, special food & drinks, cocktail buckets and swimimg pool access. Reservation, XANA BEACH CLUB (Angsana Laguna Phuket), fbreservation-lagunaphuket@angsana.com, 076 358 500.

ALCOHOL MAY BE A HEALTH HAZARD!

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 The Grow Boating Networking Evening is organised by the Thai Yachting Business Association. Find us at www. facebook.com/groups/GrowBoatingNetworkingEvening/ or our Website www.thaiyachtingbusinessassociation. com/grow-boating-networking-evening Grow Boating is kindly supported by our media partner The Phuket News, Live 89.5 radio and Phuket News TV. See www. thephuketnews.com

BCCT MULTI-CHAMBER PHUKET BRIEFING & NETWORKING

FRI

17 APR

Briefing 5.00 - 6.00 pm/ Networking 6.30 - 9.00 pm at Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort Cost: The briefing is free to attend but pre-registration is required.

Please state briefing when making a booking. The networking is THB 500 for BCCT members and participating chambers and THB 900 for non-members payable at the door. Price includes food and beverage.

SAT

28 MAR

Rock Salt 4th Anniversary Celebration SAVE THE DATE APRIL 17, 2020 FREE ENTRYROCK SALT invites you for a special night to celebrate our 4th year anniversary! From 5.30 - 6.30 pm complimentary selected beverage and snacks will be served. Seats are limited in the bar area and strictly on a first come first served basis. For dining, please make a reservation at fbreservation@thenaiharn.com or call +66 7638 0200

Phuket Best Burger 6 Greatness, Redemption, Glory Everyone loves a great burger. The perfect ratio of burger to bun, the selection of choice ingredients and the overall personality of the burger maestro are all major factors in determining whether any hamburger is worthy of the label “Phuket’s Best Burger”. Restaurateurs and chefs will all compete to see whose burger reigns supreme and become Phuket’s Best Burger 2020. Phukets Best Burger, Blue Tree Phuket, Cherng Talay, phuketsbestburger@gmail.com

FRI

3 APR

La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Phuket Dinner - April 2020 Location - Suay Restaurant, Baan Wana. For more details - www.facebook.com/laChainePhuket

FRI

22 MAY

Free yoga session by Yoga Republic every Thursday 7.30am. Free beach cabana for a group of 4. 4 free adult entry into Blue Tree Lagoon. 10% discount on sunrise breakfast. Reservation, Blue Tree Phuket, treehouse@ bluetree.fun, 062 894 4310

The Big Green Saint Patrick’s Party Join us as we pay tribute to St. Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland, for a celebration of all things Irish!

Headlining the event is local Irish band, Vicky Kiely and Mike Mitchel playing classic Irish music from 7:30pm onwards, Chef Rey has prepared an Irish inspired buffet featuring Irish lamb stew, boiled ham and cabbage, Colcannon and more, special themed live stations featuring Bantry Bay oysters, Baileys Irish Cream and Toblerone; and of course, Guinness on tap! The Irish themed buffet is priced at THB 990 ++ per person, 7-10 pm, Saturday 14 March. Reservation, Restaurants.phuket@pavilionshotels.com. ALCOHOL MAY BE A HEALTH HAZARD!

@thephuketnews

The Grow Boating Networking Evening - April PIWC Lunch - March 2020 The AGM for March has been postponed to April. In view of this, the March 19th lunch venue has now been changed to The Boathouse, 182 Koktanode Road, Kata Beach. Registration at 11.30am, lunch at 12 noon. Members 700 baht. Non-Members/Guests 850 baht. Ladies in the North, a minivan will still be leaving from outside the rear entrance of Tawai Restaurant in Boat Avenue.

The Grow Boating Networking Evening for April 2020 will be held at The Dock A Café, at The Phuket Boat Lagoon Marina on Friday the 3rd of April from 5pm onward. We are very pleased to announce that Sky Marine Group will be the drinks sponsor for the evening. See www.skymarinegroup.com As drinks sponsor for the evening, Sky Marine Group can display their products and services on the evening and give a 10-minute presentation on their company. There also will be a light buffet sponsored by the Dock A Café and special prices on your favourite beverages. Come and join in the fun, everyone is welcome.

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

16 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. What is Chuck Norris’s real first name?

2. At the minimum, how hot is molten lava?

3. Which river runs through Baghdad?

4. Which US President featured on the US$500 bill (no longer in circulation)?

5. Which is the only sea without any coasts?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Medium

Across 1. Egyptian cross 5. Officers 10. Declines 14. Cher’s former partner 15. Chinese or Indian, e.g.

16. 1982 science fiction flick 17. Still-life piece 18. Pelvic bones 19. Beginner 20. Oscar winner 23. Sitting Bull’s home 24. Accept 25. Suffix with glycer26. Time 27. Rubberneck 31. Security system part 33. Buying back 36. Physicist Georg 37. Oscar winner 40. Introduction, in a way 42. Trellises 46. Docket 49. Prefix with sphere 50. Sward 51. Genetics lab study 52. Styled after 54. Bona fide 56. Oscar winner

61. Ride company 62. Hooch 63. Site for a vault 64. ‘Born Free’ heroine 65. Acquired relative 66. “Beauty ___ the eye …”

67. Best of three for women at Wimbledon 68. Scorches 69. Addition column

21. German philosopher 22. Trainreversing track arrangement 28. Professional org.

29. All-inclusive 30. Jewish potato puff 32. “Me neither” 34. First governor of Alaska 35. Stare, openmouthed Down 1. Accessory to the 38. Cap 39. Drink garnish crime 2. Some live in it’s 40. Base middle 41. Most ignoble 3. Leg protectors 43. Sinuosity 4. Mount 44. Restrains 5. Space exploration 45. Gets down in the agency dumps 6. “Hurry!”

46. Contests a case 7. Paddy output 47. Simpleton 8. Chocolate 48. Defenses substitute 53. Do penance 9. Confused 55. Look for situations 10. “Seven Day Fool” 57. Baseball stats 58. Overseas singer James greeting 11. ___ Columbia 59. Russian ruler 12. Ennui 13. Noisy bedfellow 60. Chops

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz:

1) Carlos (Carlos Ray Norris, born March 10, 1940); 2) At least 700ºC (up to 1,200ºC); 3) Tigris; 4) William McKinley; 5) Sargasso Sea (North Atlantic)

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

1

painting only is all that Vincent van Gogh sold during his lifetime; a few months before he died.

3

times more likely to get a potential date’s phone number is a man if he has a dog with him.

6

years is how much the average person spends dreaming during his or her lifetime.

7

percent of American adults believe chocolate milk comes from brown cows, according to a 2017 study.

30

US cents per day is all it costs for US internet providers to provide the average person internet access.

38

hours every year is how long the average American spends stuck in traffic.

Source: Uberfacts

Back in the coffee shop. Photo: Mark Redall Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

This week in history March 13, 2003 The jour nal Nature repor ts 350,000-year-old footprints of upright-walking human found in Italy that are later nicknamed Ciampate del Diavolo (“Devil’s Footprints”, see photo.)

March 15, 44 BC Julius Caesar, Dictator of the Roman Republic, is stabbed to death

by Marcus Junius Brutus, Gaius Cassius Longinus, Decimus Junius Brutus, and several other senators on the Ides of March.

The ‘Devil’s Footprints’. Photo: Edmondo Gnerre

March 18, 1241 First Mongol invasion of Poland: Mongols overwhelm Polish armies in Kraków and plunder the city.

March 14, 1964 A jury in Dallas finds Jack Ruby guilty of killing Lee Harvey Oswald.

March 16, 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War: The People’s Liberation Army crosses back into China, ending the war.

March 17, 1963 One of the largest and most devastating eruptions in Indonesia’s history, Mount Agung, erupts on

March 19, 1932 The Sydney Harbour Bridge, based on the Hell Gate Bridge in New York, opens. Source: Wikipedia

Bali, killing killing an estimated 1,100 to 1,500 people.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 17

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

Jobs

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

Class Act Media is southern Thailand’s most comprehensive media company, incorporating Phuket’s leading English weekly newspaper “The Phuket News’’, Russian Language newspaper “Novosti Phuketa’’, the Thai language “Khao Phuket’’, Phuket’s leading English radio station “Live 89.5", “Phuket News TV” and a host of publication & services.

Radio and Television Production Editor Class Act Media is seeking an experienced Audio/Video production editor to join our broadcast media team. Duties include: ● Production of Radio and Television Commercials ● Filming and editing Television Content ● Managing the Radio Playout System The ideal candidate will be highly creative and motivated individual with a strong teamwork abilities. If hired you will join a small team of both Thai and Foreign staff, however this position is for Thai Nationals only.

What We offer: ● Competitive salary ● Five day work week (Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 6:00pm) ● Social Security, of which our company pays 100% of the cost Interested candidates are invited to fill out an application and attach their full resume in English indicating qualifications, experience and expected salary, with a recent photo on: thephuketnews.com/job.php

Class Act Media Co., Ltd.

99/7 Moo 1 T. Kathu A. Kathu Phuket 83120 Tel: 076 612 550 Fax: 076 612 553

NT GE UR Good staff required

(Thai)

Staff required for popular hotel in Patong. We have several positions available. Great starting salary and lots of extras including commissions. Potential to grow and develop with the business. Must speak English. Great career oppurtunity. Tcooper8765@gmail.com

@thephuketnews

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Admin assistant wanted - Part Time

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

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

18 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Trades & Services

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

CLEANING SERVICES

CORPORATE SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 19

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

Trades

PERSONAL SERVICE

@thephuketnews

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PERSONAL SERVICE

OTHER

20 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

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

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

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

Qualified Investors Post Your Confidential Register Of Interest to; Capt. Brad Durkin - PESCADOR SEAWAY Co., Ltd - P.O. BOX 144, Phuket Post Office, Phuket 83000. Capt. Brad Durkin, P.O. BOX 144, Phuket Post Office, Phuket, 83000

ENT

Super sale!

MEMBERSHIPS

PROPERTY WANTED Superlai Park@Downtown Phuket

Wanted : Studio, 1 or 2 bed. Preferably high floor. South facing. Must be attractively priced for quick sale. Tel/SMS 0840541476 e-mail clive@clivetown.com

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE UR

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Nissan X-Trail SUV 2012

TOP DEAL - XTRAIL 2.0 - Only 49000 km, Automatic gear, leather, Top condition, 2nd owner, electric chairs, 10/2012, petrol motor B549,000, 0867479292, claudstrey@gmail.com

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PROPERTY FOR SALE

Toyota Corolla Altis

Toyota Corolla Altis 1600cc Just one Lady owner from new. Replacement 1800cc Engine approx 50,000km ago. Air Conditioning. Extra Dark Tinted Windows. Full Leather interior. Drivers Airbag. Power Steering. Remote Central locking. Full Infra Red Alarm. Alloy Wheels with 4-good Pirelli’s. Electric Windows and Mirrors. 4-speed Automatic. Drives Great. Road Tax paid until 25.10.2020.

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

2017 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Only done 12,000kms, very clean inside out. 2017 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.4GT, just registered and insured to August 2020.

Tinted with electric fronts seats and video screen for back passengers. No dealers!

Baht1.1M, Terry, 063 078 7808

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Henry James Kaye, 83 years of age, passed away peacefully on the 7th of March 2020 in Phuket, Thailand. A larger than life, spectacular and one-of-a-kind character, Henry lived life to the fullest. A hero during the Malayan Emergency, a tea-trader in Sri Lanka, a watch salesman in Switzerland and an entrepreneur in Hong Kong and Thailand, Henry was one of the world’s true adventurers and raconteurs. A legendary member of the sailing community, Henry won titles across the globe, captained the Hong Kong Olympic Yachting Team in 1968, promoted yacht racing across Asia and was a stalwart member of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. He sailed his last race at 81 years old, and even then had no intention of stopping. We will remember Henry as one of life’s originals. Always the first to help those less fortunate, he was a pillar of forthright honesty, selflessness and good (at times outrageous) humour. He is a true friend and inspiration to countless people around the world. An exceptional and much-loved father, husband, grandfather, brother and uncle, Henry is survived by his three children Stella Whiffin, Martin Kaye and Anna Kaye, his ex-wives Janet Kaye and Maria Kaye, son-in-law Sam Whiffin, his grandchildren Natasha, Samantha, Francesca and Max Whiffin, his sister Carole Seigne and his nephews and niece John, Michael, Patrick, Timothy and Jane Seigne. Henry has left an enormous void in our lives.

MEMBERSHIPS Golf Memberships

Loch Palms and Phuket Country Club 200,000 baht plus transfer fee each.

Don Morris, discobamboo9309@hotmail.com, 081 597 7442

LE

Superb large Laguna Townhouse

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

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Price Reduced Rawai Pool Villa

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Secluded Rawai Pool Villa on 1600 sqm land plot A good opportunity to buy a furnished, well constructed and maintained three bedroom, two bathroom pool villa in large mature gardens in a very quiet, peaceful cul de sac. This private home of 172 sqm sits on a large plot with a Chanote land title. It is within walking distance from a busy main road with numerous restaurants, bars and assorted retail outlets. Enter through the remote controlled front gate up the 70 m long picturesque drive to park in either the double sized covered car port, or double garage, which also has a remote controlled electric door. The teak front door opens into a spacious main living dining area of over 80 sqm. There are marble floors throughout the property.

The master en suite bedroom is 27 sqm, the second bedroom is 15 sqm and the third bedroom is 14sqm. The modern, western style kitchen / utility room of 14sqm has a Hafele oven and extractor hood and Smeg electric/gas hob. The room includes a very large side by side fridge freezer, wine fridge, plus a front loading washer drier. At the front of the villa is a 10m x 4m salt water chlorinated swimming pool with LED lighting. One end of the pool is a Sala with a table and 4 chairs, while at the other end is an outdoor Jacuzzi complete with an ornamental water feature. The properly is conveniently located close to the following locations:- Saiyuan Road 2 minutes, Friendship Beach 5 minutes, Nai Harn Beach 10 minutes, Ya Nui Beach 10 minutes, Central Festival Mall 30 minutes. 21,900,000, Paul, ptd2505@yahoo.co.uk, 0848384607.

Seaview Condo for sale Karon

Luxury Condo for sale 300 m. from the beach.

100 sqm., furnished, parking, 4th floor, foreign freehold, 1 bedr. Long-term rent. Claudio, claudstrey@gmail.com, 0867479292

Villa in Patong prime location

4 Rai land for sale in Pa Khlok

Beautiful, flat and all services available. Situated on a side Soi just 400 metres from the main road to Cape Yamu/Ao Po Marina in 7 minutes and Heroines monument in 5 minutes and 10-15 minutes from the airport/ Blue Canyon/Laguna/Boat Lagoon and Royal Phuket Marina. An oasis of peace and quiet yet in a superb location. Almost square piece, perfect for large villa and extensive grounds or quality development. ceopaulm@hotmail.com

PUBLIC NOTICES Henry James Kaye

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Family membership

Blue Canyon Country Club for sale B550,000 I will pay the transfer.

Lars 06-5758-2520 or email info@laliinvest.se

Restaurant for sale

T EN

@thephuketnews

A used road bicycle for sale: PIN ARELLO DOGMA 2014. Details: - Handle bar (Ritchey Carbon) Size 42 c/c Stem UNO 90 mm - Crankset SHIMANO ULTEGRA MD.6800 50 -34T,170 mm - Front and Rear DERAILLEUR SHIMANO ULTEGRA MD 8000 - Cassette SHIMANO ULTEGRA 11-28 T - Wheels Set S-Fight ALU 33 mm (include tire) -Shifters Lever Set SHIMANO 105 MD 7000 - Caciper F& R SHIMANO ULTEGRA MD 8000 - Pedals LOOK KEO Carbon - Saddle SELLE ITALIA SLR Carbon - Chain SHIMANO ULTEGRA Contact K.Pom, 081-901-8577

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Thai food, Sea food restaurant at Karon beach for urgent sale. 1M, George, Karon Beach, georgio spolyno@gmail.com, George 081 088 1451. May 061 891 0243.

The Phuket News

SPORTING GOODS, EXERCISE

Fully equipped Liveaboard 4 sale

BUSINESSES FOR SALE

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

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

PROPERTY FOR RENT 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

Superb sea views - Cape Panwa

Unbelievable views over Cape Panwa from every room in this 4 Bed/6 Bath pool villa. Truly a magnificent large property with superb pool deck and entertaining facilities. Elevator installed and newly completely renovated. Must be viewed. 63MB, ceopaulm@hotmail. com, 0898737075.

Sea View Villa on East Coast

3,200 sqm land in a gated community, 4 bed, 4 bath, 1 maid room, European kitchen, office, gym, sauna, pool 4.5 x 10m, jacuzzi, laundry room, well water, carport for 3 cars.

39MB, konilion@hotmail.com, 083 633 1910.

Luxury Bangla Road

Freehold 60 SQM in Absolute Bangla Suites, very quiet. Rooftop swimming pool, bar, restaurant and panoramic view of Patong Bay. Bought 8.5MB, sell at 4.5MB. sfrkata37@gmail.com or 081 894 8446.

Beautiful Phuket condo with a view of the islands

Very close to Ao Por Pier and Ao Po Grand Marina.

3 rooms 132 m / 2 with private terrace, 22m pool, 2 bath, aircon, security service, good shopping, private parking and sunrise over the islands every morning. Fully furnished. Direct From Owner at only B5.3M, jensclausen@yahoo.de +66 0804746609 +49 01738742350.

Property for Sale

Ocean View Kata. Fully furnished 1 bedroom condo 44.2.s.q.m. Sea & Sunset views over Kata bay. 3.9MB o.n.o. For details email ianscondo21@gmail.com

Large Detached House

Detached House available April 1st to Oct 31st 2020. 3 en-suite bedrooms. Private Pool. Nice views.

Contact Paul 0937934258 or email pwhittall@aol.com for details. 30000 pcm, PAUL WHITTALL, Phuket Private Lagoon, Moo 6, Chao Faa West Road. Chalong. pwhittall@aol.com, 0937934258

New House for LongTerm Rent

Single house close to shopping mall, quiet area, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, furniture, 3 aircons, parking space, garden, shared pool.Wan, ไทย – English – Deutsch, Chalong, 0989724852

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

SPORT 21

Aussie rules football is back

Season curtain-raiser sees Richmond take on Carlton at MCG AFL

Peter Bricknell

T

here is so much to look forward to as the 2020 Australian Football League (AFL) Premiership season kicks off next Thursday (Mar 19) when Richmond entertain Carlton at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Once again, 18 teams will be competing in 23 rounds of the home and away format with the ultimate goal of challenging for the illustrious Grand Final award, historically the last Saturday in September.

Running over 124 seasons, elite AFL was originally established as a state competition but has evolved into a vibrant national affair. Typically, the 10 current Victorian-based teams compete for bragging rights with some of the biggest clashes taking place at the internationally renowned MCG. One such game is the annual Anzac Day (April 25) clash between Collingwood and Essendon, something on the bucket list for every AFL supporter.

Always a meeting of the highest calibre with over 90,000 die hard fans cheering each team on while, most importantly, remembering our

@thephuketnews

The world famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will host numerous big matches during the 2020 AFL season, culminating in the Grand Final on the last Saturday in September. Photo: AFP fallen war heroes, this year’s edition will take place under floodlights for the first time.

The Indigenous round where homage is paid to the wonderful players of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, past and present, celebrated by all teams and honoured by the general population with huge crowds and team jumpers adorned with aboriginal emblems and artwork.

“Dreamtime at the ‘G” pays homage to indigenous players in the annual game between Essendon and Richmond which brings home the true meaning of mateship and reconciliation.

Too many names to mention but the likes of Farmer, Burgoyne, Cable, Wanganeen, O’Loughlin, Krakouer, Goodes, Winmar, Dempsey and, of course Long are prime examples of players standing proud of their

heritage and their team.

New players entering the foray and bringing their heritage to this wonderful game including Sudanese such as Daw, Aliir, Jok and Chol, all finding the highest level of skill to participate in this tough game.

Spectators playing their crucial role with over 6.8 million attending home and away throughout the 2019 season, culminating in over 100,000 at the September Grand Final.

Will Richmond remain favourites this season? Can the newest franchise Greater Western Sydney pick up the pieces from their demoralising grand final loss in 2019? Can Essendon make the final and finally triumph for the first time in over 15 years?

Can Brisbane bring the same attitude that garnished them with a such a fine result in 2019?

Can Sydney recover from a poor 2019 with the dynamic Buddy Franklin playing such a key role?

Can the lower teams such as Gold Coast, Carlton and Melbourne find their rhythm and cause a few upsets among the top order?

So many questions and potential scenarios, the answers to which will start to present themselves as we kick off the 2020 season next Thursday when two powerhouse clubs meet.

Frankly, I cannot predict a winner but am thoroughly looking forward to a season of enthralling footie action as the anthem that brings all supporters together rings in my mind…

“Up there Cazaly, in there and fight. Out there and at ’em, show ’em your might. Up there Cazaly, show ’em your height. Fight like the devil, the crowd’s on your side” Bring it on.

22 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

Phuket cricket week returns

Asian Cricket Sixes Tour scheduled to start April 9 at ACG CRICKET

ACST Media

T

he annual Asian Cricket Sixes Tour (ACST) Phuket Cricket Week will soon be upon us, staged at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG) on Thursday, April 9.

The Phuket International Cricket Sixes, which was inaugurated in 2004, gets things underway, with matches played until Sunday April 12. Games consist of five overs per side, which sees the batsmen looking to hit big right from the start, while bowlers use their skills to try and limit any damage.

The more relaxed Thalang International Cricket Sevens will be staged for the ninth time, taking place Friday through Sunday (April 17-19).

The Sevens allows skippers the added luxury of an extra fielder and being able to omit a couple of his side from the five overs of bowling to aid his tactical armoury.

As ever, the carnival of cricket will see participants travel from around the globe to

Heritage Cricketers. Sixes Cup Winners 2019. Photo: ACST Media

Cricket Club of Dibrugarh. Sevens Cup Winners 2019. Photo: ACST Media continue “Making Friendships Through Cricket”. Enthusiasts from Australia, India, Bangladesh, UAE, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Pakistan, England, South Africa and New Zealand will be taking part alongside the regular local contingent.

While it’s a dream holiday to many visitors, there is no quarter given come Finals Day

in both events. The cricket displayed by the two 2019 Cup winners; Heritage Cricketers of Dhaka in Bangladesh in the Sixes and Cricket Club of Dibrugarh of Assam in India in the Sevens was of the highest standard.

Monies will continue to be raised throughout for the development of local youth cricket

and sports on the island.

ACST Chairman Michael “Cat” Maher is certainly looking forward to the 2020 Phuket Cricket Week.

“The ACST would like to offer sincere thanks to the committee of the ACG and Phuket Cricket Group as we continue to build our excellent relationship,” he said.

“It’s truly wonderful to be able to meet up with so many friends, both old and new whether players or supporters to a beautiful venue in such an idyllic setting. There will be players of all backgrounds and skill levels, but we offer everyone the same welcome.

It really is my favourite time of the year,” Maher concluded.

For further details, please contact Mr Maher at mma her.padmir@bigpond.com or on +61 407 385 481. www.cricketsixes.com www.phuketcricket week. blogspot.co.uk Facebook: Friends of Asian Cricket Sixes Twitter: @sixescricket

Smiles and promise for women’s cricketers CRICKET THAILAND’S WOMEN CAME INTO their inaugural Twenty20 World Cup tournament this month as an unknown quantity, but won over fans with not only gutsy performances, but their smiles and graciousness.

After struggling in their opening three games, they put together an imposing 150 for 3 against Pakistan, their highest score in T20s, before rain ruined hopes of a maiden World Cup win.

Skipper Sornnarin Tippoch said it had been a learning curve and their final game was a statement of what to expect in the future.

“I think that game really put things into perspective of how well we can deal with situations and how well we prepared for the

Thailand’s Chanida Sutthiruang in action at the recent Twenty20 women’s World Cup. Photo: AFP tournament,” she said.

“We couldn’t control the rain but I’m really happy how we controlled the innings and built that innings, making a statement of how we can play cricket.”

AFP

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

SPORT 23

Are Man United finally on their way back to the top? and their season could yet disintegrate but there are a number of reasons for optimism.

FOOTBALL AFP

M

anchester United are showing signs under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that they could finally be turning the corner after completing a league double over Manchester City.

The Norwegian appeared to be bringing the good times back to Old Trafford when he took over from Jose Mourinho last season but their run of results proved a false dawn.

This season has also been a difficult one for United, who are a scarcely credible 37 points behind their historical rivals Liverpool in the Premier League.

There have been high points, including an openingday thumping of Chelsea and a 2-1 away win at the Etihad but some desperate lows, with defeats against West Ham, Bournemouth and Watford.

But there are genuine signs of recovery under Solskjaer, with United now unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions and at last playing with purpose and style, illustrated by the 2-0 home victory against City last Sunday (Mar 8).

Bruno Fernandes, who arrived in January, has slotted in straight away, bringing swagger, leadership and desperately needed creativity to a ponderous and flat midfield.

Solskjaer said after Sunday’s win that the Portugal

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MAN UNITING: Bruno Fernandes’ arrival at Old Trafford has revitalised the club with the team now unbeaten in 10 games. Photo: AFP international had energised the whole club and had brought an “X-factor” to United.

Defensively the team has tightened up, conceding just two goals in their 10-match unbeaten run. Harry Maguire is proving a leader at the back and Aaron Wan-Bissaka shone against City.

United are now fifth in the Premier League, which could be good enough to qualify for the Champions League next season, depending on the outcome of City’s appeal against their ban from European football.

Fan bond Solskjaer focused on the growing bond between his players and the fans after they completed a first derby double over City for 10 years at a pulsating Old Trafford.

“The desire, attitude, commitment, the connection between fans and players,” said Solskjaer. “What a day they’ve had today.

“It’s a derby. The fans love it, the players love it. You can say it’s only three points, but to beat a team like Manchester City with the problems we’ve had is fantastic.”

United have the chance to end the season on a high. They are just three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in the Premier League and eight behind Leicester, in third.

They have a favourable draw against Austrian side LASK in the last 16 of the Europa League and travel to struggling Norwich in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

They are a long way from their domination under the leadership of Alex Ferguson

Giving youth a chance United finally appear to have got a grip on their transfer policy with Fernandes, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James all sound acquisitions.

Even last-minute January loan signing Odion Ighalo has hit the ground running, scoring three times so far.

The in-house talent factory is also bearing fruit with teenagers Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams impressing.

Their recent run has come in the absence, through injury, of top-scorer Marcus Rashford, who will add firepower on his return.

Perpetual talk about the missing Paul Pogba has subsided and either he returns to the side or is sold for big money, swelling the coffers.

Solskjaer, scarred by last season's collapse, is not getting carried away and was clear that the City win was just “one game”.

“We feel we are improving all the time,” he said.

“We know we lack one or two, three players, and some experience, to be considered a title contender.

“But we are not going to start talking about that now.

We are just going to start talking about going up the table, getting more points, to that top four.”

English Premier League 2019 - 2020 Table correct as of Friday (Mar 13) Team

MP W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Liverpool

29

27

1

1

66

21 +45

82

2

Manchester City

28

18

3

7

68

31 +37

57

3

Leicester City

29

16

5

8

58

28 +30

53

4

Chelsea

29

14

6

9

51

39 +12

48

5

Manchester United

29

12

9

8

44

30 +14

45

6

Wolverhampton

29

10

13

6

41

34

+7

43

7

Sheffield United

28

11

10

7

30

25

+5

43

8

Tottenham Hotspur

29

11

8

10

47

40

+7

41

9

Arsenal

28

9

13

6

40

36

+4

40

10 Burnley

29

11

6

12

34

40

-6

39

11 Crystal Palace

29

10

9

10

26

32

-6

39

12 Everton

29

10

7

12

37

46

-9

37

13 Newcastle United

29

9

8

12

25

41

-16

35

14 Southampton

29

10

4

15

35

52

-17

34

15 Brighton

29

6

11

12

32

40

-8

29

16 West Ham United

29

7

6

16

35

50

-15

27

17 Watford

29

6

9

14

27

44

-17

27

18 Bournemouth

29

7

6

16

29

47

-18

27

19 Aston Villa

28

7

4

17

34

56

-22

25

20 Norwich City

29

5

6

18

25

52

-27

21

Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change

SPORT

START STOP

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO

ODI1 - Sydney

Australia v. New Zealand

Super Rugby

Chiefs v. Hurricanes

Friday 13 Mar th

Cricket

10:15 18:45

Rugby Union 13:05 15:00

Saturday 14th Mar Rugby Union 10:05 12:00

Super Rugby

13:05 15:00

Super Rugby

15:15 17:15

Super Rugby

Rugby Union 21:15 23:00

Six Nations

Wales v. Scotland Watford v. Leicester

Soccer

Blues v. Lions

Sunwolves v. Crusaders (Brisbane)

Reds v. Bulls

19:30 21:30

EPL

22:00 00:00

EPL

Man City v. Burnley

00:30 02:30

EPL

Aston Villa v. Chelsea

Soccer

22:00 00:00

EPL

Brighton v. Arsenal

Soccer

22:00 00:00

EPL

Newcastle v. Sheffield United

Formula 1

Qualifying, Melbourne

Super Rugby

Brumbies v. Waratahs

Motor Racing 12:30 14:30

Sunday 15th Mar Rugby Union 12:05 14:00

Rugby Union 21:30 23:30 Gallagher Premiership

Sale v. Harlequins

Soccer

21:00 23:00

EPL

West Ham v. Wolves

Soccer

23:30 01:30

EPL

Tottenham v. Man United

Motor Racing 11:00 12:00

Formula 1

Raceday, Albert Park

12:10 14:30

Formula 1

Australian Grand Prix

Cricket

07:00 13:45

ODI2 - Sydney

Australia v. New Zealand

Cricket

15:00 23:00

ODI2 - Ardonamau

India v. South Africa

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

ACST Phuket Cricket Week build up > p22

SAIL ON WE MUST

Tributes pour in for one of Phuket’s most loved Henry James Kaye (1937-2020). Fair winds and safe passage. May the wind always be on you shoulder and the sun on your back. Photo: Natasha Kaye Whiffin

SAILING Ben Tirebuck editor3@classactmedia.co.th

P

huket lost a giant of a man last weekend as the sad news was confirmed that one of its most favourite residents Henry Kaye had passed away.

A master yachtsman. An adventurer. An entrepreneur.

A successful businessman. An ex-serviceman. A gentleman.

A generous soul. Charming, principled, honest, selfless, no-nonsense, a fighter with impeccable style.

A dear friend to many who will miss him immeasurably.

Everyone has a story about Henry because he touched everyone he met in one way or another. All that knew him

would no doubt agree it is very difficult to summarise or capture the very essence of the man in words alone. He was truly unique, a shepherd among sheep in many ways.

Henry was born in Huddersfield, UK in March 1937.

He spent the second World War as a child in North Wales and served his National Service as an active Platoon Commander combating the Malayan Emergency.

Later he was an extremely successful businessman, running a trading company out of Hong Kong specialising in watches, clocks, reading glasses and a full range of household gifts.

Sailing was his outright passion and saw him represent and captain Hong Kong in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.

Henry racing on his trimaran ‘Thor’. Photo: Guy Nowell Henry contributed significantly to establishing the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club as one of the finest yacht clubs in the world as Vice Commodore between 1986-1988 and Rear Commodore (Sailing) between 1984-1986. He also served on the General Committee, Sailing Committee, Balloting Committee and the China Sea

Race Committee.

A keen golfer and resident of Phuket since 2002, he continued with his sailing to great success aboard his yacht “Thor” in the Phuket King’s Cup and other regional regattas.

He was instrumental in the promotion of the Firefly Class of Racing Catamarans in Thailand and helped build up the f leet in Phuket. He was one of the Founders of the King’s Cup in 1987 and helped promote yacht racing and sailing across the region.

‘Get a real drink in!’

“He was a larger than life, complicated and kind character,” his grand-daughter, Natasha Kaye Whiffin said.

“Always exploring and off on an adventure, he lived many lives – as a tea trader in Sri Lanka, a watch salesman in Switzerland, a solider on the front lines in Penang and in his later years as the non-official ‘Mayor of Phuket’. He read a book a day, was always up to

speed on the rugby scores and could drink any challenger under the table.”

As chairman of the “Table of Knowledge” at Pepper’s Sports bar in Cherng Talay, Henry would often hold court with witty anecdotes of his past sailing endeavours and his razor-sharp insights into sports, excluding football of which he strongly disapproved!

What became regarded almost as his catchphrase, “Shut up lad and get a real drink in”, was always fondly received and will be sadly missed.

“A gentleman always prepared to help others in need who will be sorely missed by all that had the privilege of knowing him,” said close friend Grenville Wilson.

Another close friend, Grenville Fordham, recounted, “Over the nine years I ran Phuket Raceweek, I came to know Henry well… Never shy to coach regatta organisers – especially a racing novice like myself – on how to set the right courses, his warm yet mischievous sense of humour was equalled only by his willingness to share his racing knowledge. A true champion for whom winning was the only acceptable outcome,” he added.

less fortunate on numerous occasions.

One such example was during the immediate aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami in Phuket. Henry’s home became a refuge for tourists and residents alike as he spent the following weeks in a state of exhaustion, working with rescuers and injured and those frantically seeking relatives in the wake of the tragedy. He also assisted with relief to both the local Thai and expatriate residents of Kamala Beach, where he had maintained a house and lived for some years.

‘Charitable soul’ Examples of his charitable soul are endless. He was renowned as being the first person to step forward and help those

A family only service will be held at St Joseph’s Church, Soi 8 Pasak 4pm today (Mar 13).

There will be a reception at Bangtao Beach 2 afterwards.

‘Warped humour’ Despite his ailing health, Henry’s self-proclaimed warped humour held strong. On his 83rd birthday (Mar 2) he posted on Facebook about how he had been evading the Grim Reaper, stating “if you see me racing down Cherngtalay High Street in a stolen Tuk Tuk with the little hair I have left standing on end – please grab the bastard pushing me, steal his scythe and pack him back off to Patong in a new robe.”

The world will unquestionably be a poorer place without Henry in it – but we are all significantly richer having had the privilege of knowing him.

thephuketnews