The Phuket News July 19, 2019

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FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

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MAIN: Bang Neow Dam reservoir pictured on Tuesday (July 16) despite heavy rains this week. Photo: Supplied INSET: The plan to pipe water across the bridges to Phuket has been presented for Cabinet approval. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

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Student killed in park light pole electrocution

LIFE

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Tuning into the second album

by Fake Smiles

OFFICIALS REVEAL B3.5BN PLAN TO PIPE WATER FROM MAINLAND AS RESERVOIRS HIT NEW LOWS The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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huket Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) Chief Graisorn Mahamad this week unveiled a B3.5 billion plan to have water piped across the channel from Phang Nga as a long-term solution to the island’s increasing water-supply woes.

The news comes as Phuket’s main reservoirs remain at record low levels despite heavy rains this week. The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) delivered shocking news on Wednesday that Bang Wad reservoir in Kathu contained just 0.6 million

cubic metres of usable water of its more than 10.2 million m3 capacity, while the Bang Neow Dum reservoir in Srisoonthorn contained about 0.34mn m3 of usable water of its 7.2mn m3capacity.

“The pipe will be connected to a Phang Nga PWA water source, be piped across the channel to Phuket and be connected directly to residents houses. After that, Phuket people will not suffer water shortages anymore,” he said.

The project was initially submitted to PWA officials in Bangkok last year, Mr Graisorn told The Phuket News.

“Experts from the PWA’s Construction Division came down to Phuket

and Phang Nga last week. I showed them the project areas for inspection in the afternoon on July 10,” he said.

“I am confident this project will be approved soon. The budget already has been submitted to Cabinet for approval,” he added.

Mr Graisorn’ estimates that Phuket needs 123,476m3 per day in order to meet demand for the next 10 years.

“Phuket has grown phenomenally over recent years. There are more tourists, more residents, more businesses,” he said, noting he expects that growth to continue.

PHASED IN The entire project is planned to be

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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rolled out in two phases costing a budgeted B3,517,785,000, with Phase 1 alone costing B2.597bn, Mr Graisorn explained.

Phase 1 will see a water-production station built to draw water from the Phang Nga Canal, which runs through Phang Nga Town.

“This will purify water and be able to supply Phuket about 3,000m3 per hour,” Mr Graisorn noted, adding that the water will be dedicated to supplying Phuket only.

Phase 1A will see B846.266mn spent on building a water-producing station and a pump station in Phang Nga, and the beginning of water mains installation…

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Island water-shortage crisis finally hits national agenda

Tourists were warned of strong waves and flash rip currents at the beaches during the current weather.

Storm warning hits hard TWO FILI PI NO TOU Rists are feared dead after disappearing in strong waves at Freedom Beach, south of Patong, late Wedesday afternoon (July 17). The search for the men continued on Thursday.

The tourists’ disappearance followed heavy rain and dangerous surf warnings being issued on Tuesday.

Wind waves in the Andaman Sea were likely to each two to three metres high, In thundershower areas, waves will be more than three meters high, the Thai Meteorological Department noted.

The TMD identified all Andaman coast provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Ranong, Trang and Satun as at risk of the storm conditions.

The Phuket Marine Office on Tuesday issued a warning in effect through Sunday, calling for all boat operators to beware storm conditions and for small boat operators to stay ashore.

The International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA) warned that high surf, rip currents and flash rips posed greater danger during the current weather.

The Phuket News

Continued from page 1 ...Phase 1B, costing B889.468mn, will see construction of a pump station building and pipe installation in Mai Khao, and Phase 1C will see B861.266mn spent on installing the water pump equipment, and more pipe installation, at the Mai Khao pump station.

The second phase of the project is expected to cost B920.785mn, with construction hoped to start in 2023, Mr Graisorn said.

Phase 2 will see water production in Phang Nga ramped up 5,000m3 per hour, he added.

The project will also require the PWA acquiring 100 rai for a new reservoir in Nop Pring in Phang Nga’s Muang District and five to 10 rai for each of three water-distribution stations: one in Mai Khao; one in Pa Khlok; and one in Kalai in Phang Nga’s Takua Thung District, on the north side of the bridge from Phuket.

LONG WAY TO GO Mr Graisorn admitted that the project

Bang Neow Dam reservoir in Srisoonthorn had less than 4.6% of its 7.3 -million-cubic-metre capacity of water as of Tuesday. Photo: Supplied still has a long way to go, but hopes that the full legal process will be completed quickly with support from officials and the public.

“The project still needs to be approved, and pass its Environment

Impact Assessment (EIA) and public hearings,” he said.

Mr Graisorn also pointed out that the project relied on the Phang Nga Canal providing water surplus to Phang Nga’s needs

“The water level in Phang Nga Canal is high during the rainy season from May through October.

The Phuket PWA can take the water during these months, but in the dry season the water must be for Phang Nga first,” he said.

“So during the rainy season we will use the water to refill Phuket’s reservoirs, and during the dry season we will also have the (yet-to-be-built) Nop Pring reservoir to make sure we have enough water during the dry season,” he added.

The move to pipe water from Phang Nga follows nearly two decades of the proposal to pipe water from the massive Cheow Lan reservoir being refused on environmental grounds.

Cheow Lan is an artificial lake covering 185 square kilometres stretching from Surat Thani province right across into Phang Nga province.

The Cheow Lan pipeline was first proposed a water-shortage crisis in Phuket in 2002, but was refused as the lake is located within the Khao Sok National Park, Mr Graisorn explained.

Husband takes baby by force in street snatch, with cops POLICE ARE INVESTIgating Phuket-based BritishThai model and Channel 3 actress Selina Pearce having her 16-month-old baby taken from her by force by her estranged husband and a group of men – including two police officers – on the outskirts of Phuket Town last week.

The incident occurred on the street in front of the popular Kanom Jeen restaurant in Saphan Hin at about midday last Friday (July 12).

Ms Pearce, 25, filed a com-

plaint at Phuket City Police Station immediately after the incident and then filed another report at the Phuket office of Damrongtham Centre (Ombudsman’s Office) at Phuket Provincial Hall.

Ms Selina, a resident of Koh Kaew, north of Phuket Town, said that her, Ayla, was taken from her by force by the child’s father, Bangkok-based property developer Ditsadetch Kanokwiriyasanti.

Ms Pearce explained that she went to reverse her car in

Phuket-based model actress Selina Pearce explains how her 16-month-old baby was taken from her by force. front of the restaurant when her exit was blocked by another car, with a man in a white shirt

pointing at her.

A man in a black shirt approached and opened her car door and kept her trapped in the driver’s seat while another man opened the back passenger door and took Ayla from the arms of her nanny by force.

Two police officers and several men blocked her from reaching her husband, she said.

Before Ms Pearce arrived at Phuket City Police Station to report the incident, Mr Ditsadetch’s lawyer had already filed a statement on behalf of

Mr Ditsadetch admitting he had taken the baby by force “because he is worried that the girl will not be well treated.”

Col Sakchai Chunyong of the Phuket City Police received the statement, and told the press that he still needed to question witnesses in conducting his investigation.

No mention was made of Mr Ditsadetch having court order permission to remove the baby from her mother or the role of the two police present.

Eakkapop Thongtub

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Student killed by park light

Police assure quick repairs will not jeopardise investigation The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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haled “Nikki” Nour, an 18-year-old firstyear student at the Prince of Songkla University Phuket campus, was killed by electric shock from a basketball court light pole at Suan Luang (King’s Park) at about 6:30pm last Saturday (July 14).

Mr Nour was playing basketball at the courts with friends in the popular public park.

His classmate, Cherdsak “Enzo” Vaiano was also electrocuted, but survived and was rushed to hospital.

City officials were quick to respond to the danger, and announced on Tuesday that repairs had already been made to the pole to render it safe.

However, Phuket City Police Chief Col Sompong Thiparpakul told The Phuket News on Wednesday (July 17) that he is not concerned that the quick repairs may affect the police investigation into possible negligence causing death.

Col Sompong on Wednesday was not even able to confirm whether his officers

Council workers have already repaired the lethal light pole at the Suan Luang basketball courts that killed Mr Nour and electrocuted another student. Photo: Phuket City Municipality had already inspected the condition of the wiring fitted to the pole as part of their investigation.

Instead, he assured, “I don’t know who reached the incident scene first, but you don’t need to worry because forensic science officers are investigating the scene.

“Phuket Provincial Elec-

tricity Authority specialists and inspectors went there.

Everything is under investigation,” he said.

Col Sompong confirmed that the families of both Mr Nour and Mr Cherdsak had filed complaints to police over the deadly incident, but declined to confirm any details filed in the complaints,

notably especially whether the complaints sought charges of criminal negligence.

Capt Anuwat Raksayot, the police inspector responsible for the case, also declined to share any details of the complaints filed, and instead repeated the police mantra that charges had not yet been pressed because the investiga-

tion was still ongoing.

Asked if the basketball courts public area was now safe, Capt Anuwat only offered, “It is Phuket City Municipality’s responsibility to make it safe.”

While visiting Mr Cherdsak at Siriroj International Hospital on Monday (July 15), Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneer ung told the press that the Phuket Provincial Government was taking urgent steps “to build confidence in safety”.

“The Phuket Provincial Government will send an official letter to every municipality to check the electrical systems in public parks and sport courts every six months,” he said.

“Even though staff take care of the electrical systems, this will increase the confidence among Phuket residents,” he said.

The Phuket News has confirmed that Mr Cherdsak has recovered from his lifethreatening ordeal and has been discharged from hospital.

Mr Cherdsak has been interviewed by Capt Anuwat, but was unable to recall anything other than regaining

consciousness at the court.

“I hope every public park and sports court will be a safe place for everyone for exercising,” Mr Cherdsak said.

“I am ready to go back to play basketball at Suan Luang if the safety there has improved,” he added.

Also at the hospital on Monday, Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana offered a public apology for the incident.

“I have urged the relevant authorities to find the cause of the incident and promised to focus more on the level of safety,” she said.

“Phuket City Municipality hired an external company to take care of the internal electrical systems. Some municipal officials are taking care of utilities and lighting systems, which covers more than 6,000 light bulbs in the park,” Mayor Somjai explained, without clarifying precisely who was responsible for the lethal light pole.

“Additionally, we also have to be responsible for the medical expenses of the injured.

Phuket City Municipality has set up a board to find the truth and the cause of the incident,” she said.

Foreign man wanted for attacking dog CH A LONG POLICE CH I EF Col Therdthoon Sroisukphaphan this week ordered Chalong Police Deputy Chief Lt Col Sanan Janrong to investigate a video posted online showing a foreign man attacking a dog with what appeared to be a knife or a metal rod in Nai Harn on Monday night (July 15).

“This behaviour is so cruel to a dog. This man looks so angry, but there is no need to use a knife to hit the dog. Poor dog…,” Chalong Police Chief Col Therdthoon Sroisukphaphan told The Phuket News on Tuesday

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after viewing the video, which was posted on the “Naiharn Beach Dogs” Facebook page.

“I have ordered Chalong Police Deputy Chief Lt Col Sanan Janrong to follow up on this case now that we have been shown the video clip, which is so cruel,” Col Therdthoon confirmed.

“I want to find the dog first. I want to know the extent of the dog’s injuries right now. Then we need to get statements from witnesses about it. We will look for this cruel man,” he assured.

Col Therdthoon declined to speculate what charge the foreign man may face.

“We must find him for questioning first and conclude our investigation before we can consider that,” he said.

The Thai Cruelty Prevention and Welfare of Animals Act, which came into force in 2014, allows for prison terms of up to two years and/ or fines of up to B40,000 for those found guilty of cruelty to animals.

However, as noted by John Dalley, co-founder of the renowned Soi Dog Foundation, thus far the courts

have applied much lighter sentences.

Posts by followers of the “Naiharn Beach Dogs” Facebook page believe they have already identified the man, named as a 42-year-old British national living in the Rawai area.

The man was reportedly already brought to Chalong Police Station just last month and fined for violent behaviour toward a female neighbour over his anger against a dog in the neighbourhood.

Also posted on the Facebook page was that the dog, which is well known to dog lovers in the area, had

Police have begun their investigation into the attack after the man was caught on CCTV. Image: Naiharn Beach Dogs / Facebook already been checked by a Soi Dog Foundation veterinarian. The dog “does not seem to be in pain or discomfort and has eaten”, one caring member wrote. Tanyaluk Sakoot

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Police have been unable to identify the body found last week. Photo: Phi Phi Na Krab

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POLICE HAVE YET TO identify the body of a foreign man found some 500 metres offshore at Karon Noi late Wednesday last week (July 10).

The man’s body was found in the water by a passing local boat operator and brought ashore at about 6:15pm.

“We have checked all hotels in the area. None of them reported any guests as missing,” Capt Charnnarong Pakonggeua of the Karon Police said last Friday (July 12).

“We have informed Tourist Police and all police stations on the island to be aware of any information that may help identify the man,” he said.

T he Cauca sia n ma n , thought to be in his 40s, was dressed in a black singlet, sport shorts and trainers. He was about 180cm tall, and rather overweight, Capt Charnnarong said, urging anyone who believe they might be able to identify him to call the Karon Police at 076-396393.

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Surin Beach lifeguards on hold as storm lands The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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he arrival of trained, professional lifeguards at Surin Beach is on hold until contractual issues have been resolved, MaAnn Samran, Chief of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor), revealed this week.

Mr MaAnn only last week promised that trained, qualified lifeguards would start this week.

The lifeguards were being hired under a B170,000 short-term arrangement, month by month, to patrol Surin Beach, and had to be hired on only a temporary basis as legal issues still prevent the OrBorTor from offering a government contract to provide full-time lifeguards, he explained last Wednesday (July 10).

The move to rush to hire temporary lifeguards followed a 52-year-old British national from Hong Kong drowning at Surin Beach on July 3 after being caught in a rip that dragged him away from shore. The man’s 25-year-old son was rescued and rushed to hospital.

“There will be five lifeguards and a lifeguard team leader with five automated external defibrillator (AEDs), a jet-ski and other surf life-saving equipment at their disposal,” Mr MaAnn said last Wednesday.

“I have been told these lifeguards have two years’ experience working

The sole so-called ‘lifeguard’ currently ‘on duty’ at Surin Beach relaxes in a chair in the shade (right) with his back to the beach while a family play by the red no-swimming flag on the beach. Photo: Supplied as lifeguards in Phuket and they have lifeguard training certifications. I don’t know which company they used to work for, but they are qualified to be lifeguards,” he assured.

Mr MaAnn last week did admit that Monday (July 15) was only a tentative start date, but has now admitted that there is a delay in having trained albeit temporary lifeguards at the touristpopular beach due to “problems with details in the contract”.

Mr MaAnn declined to explain to The Phuket News exactly what the problems were.

“There are some problems with the details in the contract to hire the lifeguards, so I am not able to have them start this week. We have to postpone the start date,” Mr MaAnn said.

Mr MaAnn at this stage was not even confident that the temporary lifeguards will be able to start sometime this month.

“I can’t confirm when they will start. I will try hard to make it as fast as possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, only one person remains at the beach as a volunteer on the OrBorTor’s behalf to warn tourists of the dangers of strong waves and deadly rip currents at the beach during this time of year.

The man, who confirmed to one local resident on Monday that he was indeed the “lifeguard on duty”, was noticed to be sitting mostly with his back to the surf.

Only one red flag had been planted in the sand to warn tourists not to enter the water.

Greek murder fugitive roams free POLICE STILL HAVE YET TO REQUEST an Interpol Red Notice be issued for Greek national Dimitrios Chairopoulos, wanted for the murder of local beautician Niramon Aewkaew in Phuket in February.

Cherng Talay Police requested their superiors in Bangkok to request a Red Notice be issued for Chairopoulos, who will turn 43 years old on Aug 1, after officers learned that he had already fled the country before the warrant for his arrest had been issued on Feb 18.

Chairopoulos boarded Emirates Flight EK0379 to Dubai, departing Phuket at 2am, on Feb 14 – the same night that Ms Niramon, 43, originally from Phatthalung, is believed to have been murdered.

Her body was found by her sister two days later on Saturday (Feb 16). She had been battered to death.

When Ms Niramon’s body was discovered, her hands and feet were still bound and she had a black cloth stuffed into her mouth.

Cherng Talay Police filed their request with Royal Thai Police Foreign Affairs Division in Bangkok on Feb 20.

“The request is still in process with Royal Thai Police,” Cherng Talay Police Chief Col

Dimitrios Chairopoulos.

Photo: Immigration Bureau Akkanit Danpitaksan told The Phuket News.

“It is taking a long time because it must pass the workings of Foreign Affairs Division of the Royal Thai Police and the public prosecutor. It is their duty to respond to this case,” was all Col Akkanit could offer to explain the delay.

If a Red Notice is finally issued and if Chairopoulos is arrested outside Thailand, police will seek extradition, Col Akkanit assured.

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Traffic U-turn plan hits Human skeleton land ownership hurdle found near estate The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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huket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana has appealed to 10 landowners to accept the offer by the government to buy their land so that construction of the long-awaited U-turn on Thepkrasattri Rd south of the Heroines Monument may commence in order to alleviate traffic congestion in the area.

The Governor levelled his appeal at a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on July 11, attended by Phuket Highways Chief Somwong Lohanut, other relevant officials and some of the landowners involved.

The project budget for two flyover U-turns to be built, including one at Koh Kaew, was approved in 2016, the Governor explained.

However, even back then owners of land along the side of the road were reluctant to sell in order to let the project proceed.

The problem became moot late last year after historical sites near the proposed flyover U-turn sites forced the Highways Office to conduct new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports for both construction projects.

By law local residents must give their approval through public meetings in order for the projects to pass EIA requirements.

An official explains that expanding the U-turn south of the Heroines Monument will alleviate traffic jams in the area. Photo: PR Dept In January this year, local residents voted not to have a U-turn flyover built over Thepkrasattri Rd in Koh Kaew.

Instead, they opted for an expanded ground-level U-turn at the site.

Expanding the ground-level U-turn will need the full road width to be expanded to 35 metres on each side, resulting in 10.7 rai of roadside land needing to be acquired by the government in order for the project to proceed.

“This is so the U-turn lanes can be big enough to allow large vehicles, even semi-trailers, to make U-turns in a fully separated U-turn lane so that motorists can make U-turns safely and uninterrupted, without causing any delays to traffic passing by,” Phuket Highways

Office Deputy Chief Pichak Sornchana explained in January.

Governor Phakaphong told the landlords present at the meeting, “This U-turn project will help to solve traffic problems on the Thepkrasattri Rd, which is a main road for inbound and outbound traffic during rush hours.

“We have spoken with local residents in the area… The Department of Highways have come up with a way to look after local residents who might be affected by this construction,” he added.

“I want all landlords to have the same understanding to agree to this construction so that traffic will finally flow after this U-turn project is done,” Governor Phakaphong said.

Python caught feasting on hens M EM BER S OF T H E Rawai Municipality Rescue Team snared a three-metrelong python still feasting on chickens at an organic farm on Saiyuan Rd, Rawai, on Monday night (July 15).

The rescue team was called to the “A Little Farm” organic fresh produce farm just after 10pm.

“I went out to where we keep the hens to check on them and collect eggs at about 10pm,” said owner Anuchit Mookdee.

“I saw one hen being strangled by the snake, and about four others that had been killed, so I rushed and called the rescue workers at Rawai Municipality,” he added.

“We never thought a snake could attack our chickens (which are used for producing eggs only) because we have the area protected by wire grille, but the python still got into that area,” Mr Anuchit said.

Rescue team member Sakkarant Matakuathong told The Phuket News, “When three of us arrived, the python was still stran@thephuketnews

MURDER MOST FOUL: The snake had killed five hens before it was caught. Photo: Rawai Rescue Team gling one of the hens. We used blue plastic pipes, like we normally do, to hold the snake still until we could put it in a bag, which took about 10-15 minutes.

“The python weighed about seven kilograms and was about three metres long.

We will release the snake later in a safe place in the jungle,” he added.

Mr Sakkarant noted that the wire cage used by the farm was not a good choice for preventing snakes from entering the chicken area.

“It would have been better to use a fishing net.

Setting up a fishing net around the perimeter of your yard can stop snakes from getting near your house,” he said.

“But if you live in the Rawai area and have a snake near your house, do not approach it and try to catch it yourself. Instead, just call us at 062-6721669 or call the emergency hotline 1669 and we will come and catch it for you,” Mr Sakkarant urged.

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POLICE ARE INVESTIgating a human skeleton found in the jungle near a housing estate in Srisoonthorn, central Phuket, last Sunday (July 14).

Capt Kraisorn Boonprasop of the Thalang Police was called to the scene, about 150 metres from the Baan Ua Arthorn government housing estate in Moo 1, Srisoonthorn, just before 3pm.

Local fruit vendor Pakchai Thongjan had ventured into the area to collect papayas and mushrooms when he found the pile of bones and reported it immediately to the police, Capt Kraisorn reported.

Capt Kraisorn and fellow officers arrived to find the skeleton on the ground under an Auri tree.

As best as the officers could tell, none of the bones were broken.

The remains of blue men’s underwear were found among the bones, indicating that the person was likely male and that this was all he was wearing at the time of his death, police noted.

Near the body officers also found the remains of blue denim jeans, a pair of black

The human skeleton was found about 150 metres from the Baan Ua Arthorn government housing estate in Moo 1, Srisoonthorn.

Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub rubber shoes and a stainlesssteel necklace.

Officers also found a nylon rope about 1.25 metres long tied to a branch that was about five metres above the ground.

Police suspect that the remains are of a migrant worker, Capt Kraisorn noted in his report.

“The bones were found only 100m away from where a worker’s camp moved out a year ago,” he said.

The remains are to be handed over to Forensic Police for examination while police continue their investigation, Capt Kraisorn reported.

Eakkapop Thongtub

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AMY BRYANT

T

he incident involving a foreign man attacking a dog in Nai Harn this week stunned and appalled our expat community on the island.

CCTV footage posted online plainly showed the man pulling up on his motorbike and retrieving a weapon – which in a second video posted appeared to be an extendable metal rod – from under the motorbike seat. He then walked up to the dog and repeatedly hit it, entirely unprovoked. He then took off on his motorbike.

Outrage was instant online, with many people calling for at least the same treatment to be meted out to the man, who was quickly named in posts as a 42-year-old Brit living in Rawai. Some people called for even harsher punishment.

If this man were caught and found guilty of the same act in his homeland, under the

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Hit the dog Animal Welfare Act 2006, the latest animal welfare legislation in England and Wales, penalties for neglect and cruelty include fines of up to £20,000, a maximum jail term of 51 weeks and in some circumstances a lifetime ban on keeping pets.

That’s a maximum fine of up to more than B767,000, and in the land of animal welfare one could easily expect some further penance ordered by the judge.

But under the Thai Cruelty Prevention and Welfare of Animals Act, which came into force in 2014, while penalties do allow for prison terms of up to two years, fines are limited to no more than B40,000.

At the time this article went to print the man had yet to present himself or be taken in for questioning by police, and offer his excuse – if any could be made.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com Regardless, social media has likely served greater justice than the wheels of the legal system is likely to do here. The man has been publicly identified by the community, leaving even his social options limited. It would be more disturbing if his attitude became more cavalier. His friends, too, must now weigh their options in being publicly associated with him.

The attack also galvanised our community, with people from a wide range of nationalities deploring the attack as despicable. The response was uniform: the attack was simply unacceptable. And that’s the opinion strongly expressed by a community whose tolerance has been tempered by all the enraging issues that come with living here.

The message was simple – we don’t want this in our community.

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Student killed by electrocution in Phuket public park Phuket hotels caught in fallout from unsustainable boom Storm weather warning issued for Phuket Thai model actress Selina has baby forcibly taken from her on Phuket street Religious holidays bring two-day alcohol ban Police struggling to identify body of foreign man found off Karon Police still yet to seek Interpol help for arrest of Greek national for Phuket murder Phuket health chief probes Aussie ‘Pad Thai’ parasite complaint Strong baht deals blow to Pattaya tourism, outbound tourism surges BoT tightens screws on nonresident accounts

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

EDITORIAL

RIP Mr Nour

Re: Student killed by electrocution in Phuket public park under investigation This is so sad and makes me so angry. A totally avoidable tragedy. My condolences to all his family and friends.

Rest in peace.

Nicola Lowry There are many poles with this problem. I used to be the interpreter for a young Canadian man who also lost his life by electrocution in Patong.

There were many cases like this. We must find the department to take responsibility.

Never keep quiet and let it go again. Every life is precious.

Karudee Chotithamaporn Re: After Phuket student killed by electrocution, officials assure public park areas are safe I am the father of this angel who died, and you cannot get him back no matter what.

The carelessness of worker inspection cost his death. No more words to say. God bless his soul.

Amr Nour Too little too late. How many more lives have to be

wasted before safety becomes a priority? God bless his soul.

Jackie Lister The PEA always insist that the neutral wire be earthed at the breaker, that way any leakage will trip the breaker and no “safety system” is required. In fact they’ll refuse to connect your power if this isn’t done. Why was it not done here? If it was this poor kid would still be alive. This is clear criminal negligence.

CaptainJack69

Family matters

Re: Thai model actress Selina has baby forcibly taken from her on Phuket street That “man” and his cronies are a disgrace. What man does that to a woman? That’s pure vengeance. What an awful person. Hope she gets her baby girl sooner rather than later. Just obnoxious.

Acacia Mar Sounds like kidnapping to me without a court order…

Charles Pulaski Even if the husband can claim (which we have not seen yet) some form of custody

claim, by his actions (and with policeman in tow) he just committed kidnapping.

He should be doing stuff in the legal process if he wants custody. Looks like he just blew his chances.

Bangla Walking Street

Round two

Re: PHUKET XTRA: VIDEO: Second Phuket water crisis? ‘Peace walk’ monk returns! Dangerously sweet! || July 12 No, not a second water crisis. Phuket still remains in its ‘first’ water crisis, as nothing has been done so far to secure water availability, only waiting for enough rain that obviously isn’t coming so far. In six months’ time, Phuket [will be] without water, properties lose value, property agents leave, tourists not coming.

Kurt Re: Phuket hotels caught in fallout from unsustainable boom It will be even more bad news when, not if, Phuket runs out of water...

Robert Taylor [The water crisis] is a looming disaster for tourism

in Phuket! All three reservoirs are all but empty. The private suppliers’ lakes will only last so long. Another hot day in Phuket! We need water from [Khao Sok] dam.

Lincoln Marrable Re: Dept warns of worst drought in decade The Phuket solution: bring in more tourists!

Michael Bosch

Price of paradise

Re: Phuket Poll: The cost of living in paradise Would it be cheaper, nicer, cleaner living back in the old country? I would always comment on how things seem to be getting more expensive in Phuket, until I take a vacation back “home” only to find those prices have skyrocketed and gotten higher in the same time.

Talking to a client last night living and working in Hanoi, Vietnam about the relative cost and living conditions, Thailand/Phuket is light years ahead for living, but harder to make money and a bit more expensive. I find people usually leave a place that’s not good to live in…

Brian Wells

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

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FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

As Cabinet takes oath, NCPO era comes to end

THAILAND NEWS

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THAILAND

Bangkok Post

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rime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his new Cabinet have officially begun their tenure as the highest-ranking elected officials in Thailand after swearing of the oath of office before His Majesty the King on Tuesday (July 16).

His Majesty the King granted an audience for the premier and Cabinet ministers to give an oath at Ambara Villa in Dusit Palace at 6pm on Tuesday, followed by the PM’s first meeting with all ministers and deputies in the coalition government.

The ceremony signalled the end of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), which has ruled Thailand since May 2014.

PM Prayut called a special Cabinet meeting last Monday (July 15) to discuss certain issues including a memorandum of understanding with Laos tabled by the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, while

Miss Grand Khon Kaen 2018.

Photo: Miss Grand Thailand

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the new cabinet swore an oath of office before His Majesty the King. Photo: Bangkok Post file photo spending plans may also be on the table.

The swearing-in of the ministers in the presence of His Majesty the King is required by the constitution.

With that done, the government now has to deliver a policy statement before the House of Representatives which is scheduled to last three days from July 25-27.

Combining the election campaign pledges of 19 coalition partners into a single

policy manifesto will be tricky and the opposition led by the Pheu Thai Party is widely expected to take this opportunity to examine not only the policies but also the individual Cabinet ministers.

Pheu Thai deputy leader Chavalit Wichayasut said even though the opposition has yet to study the policy statement, the debate will focus on whether the manifesto covers all election campaign pledges and if it is in the country’s

Dolphin ‘catch’ vid sparks ire PATTANI AN INITIAL INVESTIGATION BY the Port-in Port-out (Pipo) control centre in Pattani has found that a widely shared online video showing many dolphins caught in a net set by fishermen for tuna came from a Malaysian boat.

The five-minute-long clip posted online on Monday (July 15) included the voice of a Thai-speaking man ordering his crew to lift some dolphins out of the sea and load them aboard their boat.

The clip enraged netizens and garnered interest from a marine scientist and the incoming natural resources and environment minister, prompting Pipo in Pattani, under the Fisheries Department, to launch an investigation.

Pipo in Pattani said in a statement that the video showed the fishing boat Sor Pornthep Nawee 9, which a Thai owner had sold to a Malaysian on June 29, 2017 for operation in Malaysian waters.

A source from the National Fisheries Association of Thailand said that the captain of the trawler is Thai.

“I don’t understand why the captain and his crew caught such a large amount of dolphins given the fact that they cannot be sold in general markets,” the source said.

Marine scientist Thon Thamrongnawasawat also shared the clip and wrote that it broke his heart to see a pod of dolphins caught in a net set for long-tail tuna.

Natural Resources and Environment @thephuketnews

A screenshot from a video clip shows a dolphin being loaded onto a fishing boat after being trapped in a net set for long-tail tuna.

Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, who was sworn in this week, said he had seen the video clip.

“The dolphins may have been trapped when they followed the boat and tried to eat tuna caught in the net,” he said.

Officials should take action against those responsible, he said.

Social media posters strongly condemned the fishermen for allowing the dolphins to be caught in their net.

Bangkok Post

best interest.

Meanwhile, Deputy Education Minister Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich said she is ready to push a policy that computer coding should be taught in schools to help children keep up with the digital age, where computer programmes are essential.

She expects to work well with Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan from the PPRP and would meet him soon to plan their work.

Thailand: Land of the megaraptor KHON KAEN A FA S T- R U N N I N G megaraptor equipped with long claws and an appetite for meat is the latest dinosaur species to be discovered in Thailand’s northeast.

Up i n K hon Kaen, where raptors were the apex predators millions of years ago, the Phuwiangvenator yaemniyomi recently became certified as the 10th dinosaur species

discovered in Thailand since 1976. They grew to be upward of six meters in length and lived in the Cretaceous period.

Remains from the species were first discovered nearly 30 years ago in the Phu Wiang National Park, according to the Mineral Resources Department.

Officials are embarking on a four-year campaign to see the park become a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Coconuts Bangkok

THAILAND NEWS

8

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Getting tougher on big bikes Stricter regulations loom for drivers of powerful motorcycles THAILAND Wassayos Ngamkham

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ig bikes will be redefined in the law and riders of the vehicles subject to stricter licensing procedures to increase road safety, according to highway police.

Highway Police Division (HPD) Deputy Chief Santikorn Vorawan admitted, however, that the Department of Land Transport (DLT) is the authority in charge of vehicle classification and issuing driver’s licences.

Pol Col ML Santikorn said catching big bike riders is easier said than done. The bikes are often driven at high speed although they are legally classified in the same group as ordinary motorcycles.

The speed and lack of special driving skills to handle vehicles capable of travelling at such high speeds leave their

Big bikes will be redefined in the law and riders of the vehicles subject to stricter licensing procedures to increase road safety. Photo: Bangkok Post file photo riders especially prone to road accidents. When crashes involving big bikes occur, the extent of the damage is usually far greater than those involving ordinary motorcycles, the deputy commander said.

The bikes have bigger bodies and more powerful engines than ordinary motorcycles, he added.

Pol Col ML Santikorn said the HPD has brought up the issue of making big-bike riding safer for discussion with the DLT. It is agreed a legal announcement will be issued by the DLT to set big bikes apart from ordinary motorcycles.

In terms of size, the department will specify that motorcycles with an engine of 400cc or

bigger which produce at least 47 horsepower are treated by law as big bikes.

Also, a person must be 18 years or older to hold a big-bike driver’s licence. Currently, the minimum age for holding a motorcycle licence is 15 years old.

Pol Col ML Santikorn added that “anyone applying

for a licence to ride a big bike will need to attend special training sessions” and pass a test organised by the DLT. The deputy commander, meanwhile, said fining speeding big-bike riders is not easy since motorcycles carry the number plates on the back of the vehicle whereas the police’s remote speed sensors

only capture photos of vehicles from the front.

He added that some big bikes were owned by people connected to high-ranking individuals or those with influence, and junior police who caught them violating traffic laws were afraid to arrest or fine them.

Bangkok Post

Mekong water level lowest in decade NAKHON PHANOM THE WATER LEVEL IN THE Mekong river is the lowest in 10 years, according to local media reports.

The water level, 2.60 metres, is about 10 metres below the spill-over point on the Mekong river bank, which is 13m high. In the same

period last year, the water was about 12m high.

The meteorological station in Nakhon Phanom revealed that this year’s average rain volume has been about 90 millimetres, much lower than the roughly 300mm recorded last year.

Moreover, a long dry period during this year’s rainy season has

brought a severe drought, lowering the water in the Mekong to a critical level.

The drought has also caused water in the Mekong’s tributaries such as Nam Kam, Nam Oun and Nam Songkhram to be about 2030% of their holding capacities.

The problem is certain to get worse unless rain starts.

The provincial irrigation office has begun to conserve water at all 13 reservoirs in the province’s 12 districts in a preparation to provide drought relief.

Farmers outside the irrigated zones have been told to reduce farming activities to avoid damage from the drought.

Bangkok Post

The water level of the Mekong river in Nakhon Phanom’s Muang district. Photo: Pattanapong Sripiachai

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

BUSINESS NEWS

9

Charging ahead WIRED ON WATER

Octopus Electrical Marine

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re you considering changing to lithium LFP batteries in your boat? If so, here some things you should know.

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) is the safest of the mainstream li-ion battery types. The nominal voltage of a LFP cell is 3.2V (lead-acid: 2V/cell). A 12.8V LFP battery therefore consists of four cells connected in series; and a 25.6V battery consists of eight cells connected in series.

Rugged A lead-acid battery will fail prematurely due to sulfation, that is, if the battery is rarely, or never at all, fully charged, or if it is left partially charged or worse, fully discharged.

An LFP battery does not need to be fully charged. This is a major advantage of LFP compared to lead-acid. Other advantages are the wide operating temperature range, excellent cycling performance, low

Two more key advantages are size and weight. LFP batteries weigh just 25% of what standard lead-acid batteries weigh, and most existing charging systems can be used without any major changes.

internal resistance and high efficiency. LFP is therefore the chemistry of choice for very demanding applications.

Efficient In several applications – especially boats off-grid solar and/ or wind – energy efficiency can be of crucial importance. The round-trip energy efficiency (discharge from 100% to 0% and back to 100% charged) of the average lead-acid battery is 80%. The round trip energy efficiency of an LFP battery is 92%. The charge process of lead-acid batteries becomes particularly inefficient when the 80% state of charge has been reached, resulting in efficiencies of 50% or even less in solar systems where several days of reserve energy is required (battery operating in 70% to 100% charged state). In contrast, an LFP battery will still achieve 90% efficiency under shallow discharge conditions.

Endless flexibility LFP batteries are easier to charge than lead-acid batteries.

The charge voltage may vary

LFP batteries are easier to charge than lead-acid batteries and have much longer recharge cycle lives. Photo: Supplied from 14V to 16V (as long as no cell is subjected to more than 4.2V), and they do not need to be fully charged.

Huge battery life What a lot of people don’t know is that a Lithium Phosphate battery is not finished/ dead after 2,000 cycles, unlike lead-acid batteries. Instead, their long-term performance is as follows: • 2,000-2,500 cycles – the battery is reduced to 80% of its original capacity (up to 14 years based on one cycle

Thailand Yacht Show set to return MARINE THE THAILAND YACHT Show (TYS) will return to the award-winning Royal Phuket Marina from Jan 9-12, 2020, the expo’s organisers have announced.

The four-day event will once again bring together a spectacular display of yachts, marine exhibits and lifestyle products, said a release issued on July 10.

“The 2020 edition will welcome the region’s key players in the marine and luxury lifestyle industries, with over 90 brands and almost 50 yachts and superyachts on the water – including a selection of regional and world premieres,” the release noted.

“The Show’s superyacht rendezvous (TYSRV) will once again be moored off the stunning island of Koh Rang Noi with an hourly ferry service out to visit the growing display of superyachts for sale and charter.

“We’ll be bringing even more vibrancy to the Marina with the launch of our new Floating Bar, the perfect @thephuketnews

The Thailand Yacht Show (TYS) will return to the awardwinning Royal Phuket Marina from Jan 9-12, 2020.

Photo: Thailand Yacht Show setting for visitors to relax with friends – or close a deal – surrounded by some of the most desirable motor- and sailing-yachts in the region.

In the Exhibition Hall, our bespoke VIP Lounge will offer existing boat and yacht owners, prospective buyers and high-level visitors a ‘smart-casual’ environment where they can relax away from the hustle and bustle of the Show,” the release said.

Exhibitors and visitors can look forward to an enhanced social programme of complementary events and family-friendly activities

which will elevate the overall visitor experience.

“A daily-schedule of live music, fashion shows, familyorientated activities and car parades while the boardwalk will be a veritable smorgasbord of culinary delights and imbibing options.

“The Demo Platform, will have crowds heading down to the Marina to try some of the many on-water activities on offer, from flyboards to sailing boats and paddle-boards, the Thailand Yacht Show ensures that play-time isn’t just for kids!” the release concluded.

The Phuket News

every two days).

• 3,000 cycles – the battery is reduced to 70% of its original capacity.

• 4,000-5,000 cycles – the battery is reduced to 60% of its original capacity (up to 28 years based on one cycle every two days).

• 6,000-10,000 cycles – the battery is reduced to 50% of its original capacity (has not been tested by the manufacturer).

Also at any point you can add new batteries to increase capacity (no need to throw out the old ones).

Essential facts: 1. An LFP cell will fail if the voltage over the cell falls to less than 2.0V. 2. An LFP cell will fail if the voltage over the cell increases to more than 4.2V. 3. The cells of an LFP battery do not auto-balance at the end of the charge cycle.

4. The cells in an LFP battery are not 100% identical.

Therefore, when cycled, some cells will be fully charged or discharged earlier than others. The differences will increase if the cells are not balanced/equalised from time to time. In a lead-acid battery a small current will continue to flow even after one or more cells are fully charged (the main effect of this current is decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen). This current helps to fully charge other cells that are lagging

behind, thus equalising the charge state of all cells.

The current through an LFP cell, however, when fully charged, is nearly zero, and lagging cells will therefore not be fully charged. Over time the differences between cells may become so extreme that, even though the overall battery voltage is within limits, some cells will fail due to over or under voltage. Cell balancing is therefore highly recommended.

One last important warning to remember is that LFP batteries can be damaged due to over discharge or over charge.

This article is part of the Wired on Water series provided by Octopus Electrical Marine, based at Phuket Boat Lagoon, with more than 40 years combined experience working in the marine industry on the latest in marine technology. For more information, contact Octopus Electrical Marine at Phuket Boat Lagoon. Tel/ Fax: +66 (0) 76 600143. Email: sales@ octopusasia.com Visit www. octopusasia.com

10 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Some of 168 Chinese tourists arriving on the Qingdao Airlines inaugural direct flight from Qingdao to Phuket on July 11 are welcomed on landing. Photo: AoT

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

The aircraft was given a traditional welcome on landing. Photo: AoT

Phuket tourism: The road ahead Fallout from boom bites hard as 55 new hotels under development TOURISM The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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ew research from consulting group C9 Hotelworks in their Phuket Hotel Market Update Mid-Year Edition has revealed an island development pipeline of 15,348 keys set to enter the market over the next five years, which represents an 18% push in total supply.

During the first four months of 2019, which is ranked as high season, year-on-year international passenger arrivals at Phuket International Airport slipped by 3%, while the domestic segment was down 6%.

Looking into the data, the first half of 2018 had been a record-setting tourism period, as the succeeding six months experienced a sharp decline due to the retraction of the Mainland China market, explained C9 Hotelworks Managing Director Bill Barnett in a release issued last Sunday (July 14).

“Mainland China remains at the forefront of any discussion about Phuket and the seg-

ment remains volatile with a 19% decrease registered this year from January through May. Russian arrivals have yet to fully recover. On the upside, fast-growing India tripled its tourism arrival trajectory during the same period versus 2018,” Mr Barnett wrote.

“Hotel performance has mirrored the current trend, according to STR data this reflects a 12% retraction of RevPAR, driven largely by lower market-wide occupancy.

“While May and September are the two lowest months for Phuket hotels, July and August are projected to experience boosts in occupancy. But the reality remains that non-high season attracts significantly lower room rates and this factor will undoubtedly suppress overall rate growth during the year,” he added.

The C9 Hotelworks report also highlighted the growing influence of hotel-branded residences on the Phuket accommodation market, with over 50% of the incoming pipeline or 8,337 units are being developed.

The majority of these products are condominium properties with many being affiliated

to international hotel groups via management or franchise agreements. Despite the drop in Chinese tourists, a number of Mainland real estate conglomerates have entered the island property sector, the report noted.

“Summarising Phuket’s forecasted tourism market conditions, C9 Hotelworks’ view is that with the development of the new Greater Phuket airport by AoT in Southern Phang Nga, the long-term forecast remains positive. It’s probable that the current hotel sector will experience a similar cycle that Bali saw between 2014 through 2018 and that new supply will eventually be absorbed on a medium-term basis, but in the shorter term, demand remains a key risk factor impacting operators and owners,” the report concluded.

DIGGING DEEPER Following the release of the Phuket Hotel Market Update Mid-Year Edition, Mr Barnett on Monday further explained his understanding of what the data and report means for the future Phuket’s tourism industry.

“As Phuket’s hotel operators

and owners face a disruptive 2019, we thought it was time to do a deep dig into the island’s accommodation performance metrics,” Mr Barnett wrote.

“Global hospitality data and analytics group STR was the logical resource, so we spoke to their Area Director Asia Pacific, Jesper Palmqvist,” he noted.

Mr Barnett explained that the following were the key takeaways from the highly focused look at Thailand and Phuket’s hotel sector: “To set the stage for the declining numbers this year it’s important to cast an eye backward into 2018 and understand the first quarter of 2018 for Thailand including Phuket well eclipsed the previous two years. Call it a high water mark, but it’s important to understand the benchmark was set exceedingly high,” Mr Barnett noted.

For Mainland Chinese arrivals into the country in 2017 by percentage topped a threeyear trend (2016-2018) and in fact for the first four months of this year, 2019 is above the same period in 2017, he said.

“By now, you have to be wondering what this all means?

In a nutshell, one could say that perhaps market expectations from 2018 have created unrealistic expectations and that after a long night of binge drinking, the current hangover is somewhat self-imposed,” he added.

“Still, Mainland Chinese as of the first four months of this year, represents 40% of the international market, with Russia at 12% and 5% for the thunder down under Australia.

On the airlift front yes, three airlines have ceased service but five more have entered the fray.

“RevPAR for the highperformance months of January through April 2019 was

down 12%, but again be reminded this is a year-on-year comparison against the epic 2018 uptick.

“What has to cause concern though and is a tell-tale sign of a slowdown is that over a 12-month period the market has registered a consistent pattern of lower demand. That reality is now a fact, and one hoteliers are now coming to grips with,” Mr Barnett highlighted.

Another question mark was performance in May this year which, despite being a traditional low-period, was even more pronounced. “Is this the new normal, with a return to more seasonal trading swings or just a blip in trading? Only time will tell,” he also posed.

One interesting takeaway is that softening rates marketwide have largely followed demand drop, but for properties outside Patong the rate swing has generally been more significant. On a seasonal scale, Phuket hotels in the three months of December through February have over the past five years even been able to gain high rates, particularly in periods when occupancy hits 80% an above, hotels have been able to cash in.

The summer months of July and August this year are capturing everyone’s interest and

while demand is expected to rise, it will be hard for rates to recover, Mr Barnett predicted.

“One of STR’s key comparisons is to Phuket’s symbiotic resort cousin Bali. The Island of the Gods has seen occupancy move upward the past few years after a period of tremendous new supply growth.

There is only a 2% occupancy difference presently. If you go back three years, Bali trailed by 13% lower occupancy so there is little doubt that Southeast Asia is a more competitive landscape,” he said.

“Looking into the crystal ball there are signs of tourism markets across the region softening in 2019. Where are the opportunities? Source markets like India, MICE and niche segments and the shoulder season. Though there is growing apprehension what October will bring, operators and owners need to understand the need for improved management and sales and marketing strategies in the year ahead,” Mr Barnett concluded.

To read the full Phuket Hotel Market Update Mid-Year Edition, visit C9Hotelworks.com and select Phuket Hotel Market Update July 2019 from the “Latest C9 Market Research Reports” sidebar. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Japanese cuisine and tradition alive at Kiko

13

New market tackling plastic bag scourge

15

PARADISE ROCK

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Phuket band Fake Smiles to rock island with roaring second album

Amy Bryant editor1@classactmedia.co.th

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huket’s music scene can leave a lot to be desired. Unless you’re a really big fan of The Cranberries’ Zombie – a staple of every cover band’s set list – or cheesy hotel entertainment, you might have to dig a little deeper for a truly memorable live experience or album. Phuket is, after all, a destination island and the music is in tune with that.

Thank the music overlords, then, for Legend Music, a record label and music production and publishing company with the potential to change that. Run

by South African expat Gary Crause out of his family home in Koh Kaew, Legend Music has provided talented artists across the island and beyond with a creative space for almost a decade.

A recording studio packed full of hand-built boutique mics, high-end preamps and sleek acoustic, electric and bass guitars tell the story of a man who lives, breathes, knows and loves music. While the studio is also something of a KISS hall of fame, lined with framed records, vintage posters and the band’s signature series guitars, and Paul, Gene, Eric and Tommy are immortalised in ink on Gary’s arm, Legend Music does not discriminate; Gary has guided recording artists to success in a range of genres, from rock, blues and classical to hip hop, jazz, rap, funk and dance.

Gary’s most recent project has been recording Broken Strings, his son Blaze KC’s heavy rock second album. Having essentially grown up in a recording studio, with a constant buzz of bands around him, Blaze, known as Fake Smiles, had early aspirations to be a musician. He picked up a guitar as soon as his hands could comfortably stretch across the fretboard, aged only nine, and has since only put it down to pick up another.

Proving that the Crauses are surely the coolest collective around, Blaze joined his first band, pop-punk fivepiece Legends of Siam, a year later, aged 10, and went on to open for some of Thailand’s most prominent artists, including alternative 10-piece Paradox, gangsta-rock singer-songwriter Hugo and reggae legends Job2Do. But three albums later, in 2016, it was time for Blaze to dissolve Legends of Siam and take his music in a new direction.

“Because of how volatile Phuket is @thephuketnews

Blaze KC aka Fake Smiles.

Where did Blaze’s KISS influence come from...? and how everyone is constantly leaving, the band’s lineup was like a revolving door! We had to keep changing band members and our repertoire, so I decided I’d give singing a try myself and that turned into the Fake Smiles project,” explains Blaze, now 18 years old.

Fake Smiles started out as a threepiece but Blaze made the decision to go solo in 2017, and so he bravely takes the lead on all guitar, bass and lead vocals on Broken Strings, although the album also features rolling drums by

Gary in action. former band member Rannze Davies, soaring backing vocals from an LA session musician and an electrifying guitar solo from South African rockers Toxic Shame. Recorded by a family from Johannesburg in a Phuket studio and mastered in New York, it’s an international album with wide appeal.

“We started the recording process about a year ago. It was a really fun process,” says Blaze. “We did a lot of work getting the right guitar sounds. It was layers on layers of guitars and amp

sounds. Being a massive guitar nerd, that was heaven for me.”

For evidence of Blaze’s guitar nerd status, see Exhibit A: his guitar collection made up of some 22 bass and electric guitars and three acoustic guitars plus the recently added shimmering teal Gibson Les Paul Futura, a purchase he couldn’t resist whilst visiting Denmark Street, a London street rich in musical history... and enticing guitar shops.

Broken Strings afforded Blaze the opportunity to dust off, restring and play some of his enviable collection.

Prominent on the album are his Gibson Les Paul Studio 2018 and Gibson Firebird, giving Fake Smiles a more mature, heavier rock sound than ever before.

Lyrically the album is heavier too.

While less politically charged than Fake Smiles’ first album, Keyboard Warriors, it retains the aggression and tackles the hard-hitting subjects of depression, self-doubt and abuse, borne from both Blaze’s experiences and observations.

“When your work is music and your free time is music, you listen to and draw inspiration from so many bands it’s hard to pinpoint influences,” laughs Blaze. “But from the age of seven I got into heavy metal. Ozzy Osbourne, Seether, Zakk Wylde. Of late, I’ve been listening to a lot of La Dispute, Placebo, Fall Out Boy. There’s also probably more shades of KISS [in my music] than I realise or give credit for.”

A little tug of war in the studio was inevitable as Gary leaned towards songs with commercial value while Blaze preferred the edgy, unhinged sounds less favoured by your average mainstream radio station, but the album finds a balance. Lead single Broken Strings, written by Blaze at an artist’s getaway at Karma Studios in Chonburi, has heaps of commercial pop appeal while tracks like Machine Gun Mouth, Blaze’s personal favourite, and Fair-Weather Friends see him free to go all-out thunderous rock.

Given Blaze’s impressive musical CV at only 18, it’s safe to say that Fake Smiles is certainly one to watch. And if you aren’t keeping an eye out, Blaze will be sure to make himself heard with his brand of riff-heavy rock.

Broken Strings will be released on July 31 on all online and retail sites. The album is available for preorder through iTunes. Follow Fake Smiles at www.facebook.com/FakeSmilesBand and Legend Music at www.facebook.com/legendmusicphuket and legendmusic.net

12 ENVIRONMENT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Why beach clean-ups work Anchalee Buesching

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each clean-ups have become a popular activity as part of humanity’s ‘bid to save the planet’. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people globally participate in ridding the shores of plastic. The activity is a campaign for plastic pollution awareness, but how beneficial is it to the environment itself? During monsoon season in Phuket, collected waste can be replaced in a matter of minutes.

The never-ending supply of marine litter is a daunting task for a few clean-up groups to tackle.

Trash Hero, one of Phuket’s most recognised clean-up groups,

has cleaned approximately 14,504 kilograms of plastic since its establishment in August 2016. That’s roughly 0.0000001% of the ocean’s plastic, or 0.000002% of the plastic that has entered the waters this year alone. For a local group on a small island, it’s an impressive feat; on a global scale, it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

In fact, those who have been here for years only report an increase in plastic pollution, with no improvement being made on smaller beaches. More popular hotspots such as Laguna have appeared cleaner as of late, but how much of that is due to their prevalent maintenance? The overall problem is this: most days, the health of these beaches and oceans can’t be accurately

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Photo: Kamala Green Club

Trash heroes. determined because litter is picked up almost as consistently as it washes ashore. Unfortunately, bettering the visuals most likely won’t better the issue itself.

In any case, beach cleaning isn’t a long-term fix. The energy, time and money it would cost for clean-ups big enough to make a direct impact is astronomical. It simply can’t be sustained, especially when plastic consumption rates are only increasing. By 2021, the amount of plastic bottles bought every minute is expected to rise from one hundred million to half a trillion.

As Kimberly Kriege, a former teacher who resides at Kamala Beach, said, “A better solution would be a regulation on single-use plastics in businesses.

Pollution’s just gotten worse. The government needs to step up.”

So if beach clean-ups have almost no direct impact on the environment, why do we bother? “Because,” Susan Leong, Trash Hero Phuket manager, states, “it’s about the little things, and every bit helps. In the end, it’s about heart.

We love Thailand, and we love the oceans. It’s the right thing to do. It’s not much, but it’s right.”

Susan also mentions the spreading of awareness, including Trash Hero’s work with schools on the island and the educational materials they provide them with. While these ventures might not make the biggest dent in the pollution crisis, the awareness they generate is invaluable.

Kamala Green Club (KGC), who organise weekly beach clean-ups using a rotating zone schedule with each zone represented by a business in the area, are on the same page. KGC coordinator, Roland Bleszynski, explains that, “By organising and motivating local stakeholders and community members to participate in these beach clean-ups, as well as other environmental initiatives, we set a positive example for others – whether they be tourists, other Kamala locals or simply just visitors.”

By forcing people to witness the consequences of their consumption and holding them accountable for their actions, beach clean-ups help to lower the consumption rate itself.

As Kimberly said, “When you see it firsthand, that is the biggest influence on how you might change your behaviour.” With less demand, less plastic is produced and less plastic winds up in the world’s waters.

Reduced amounts of marine litter also stem from reduced amounts of land litter, but the shores have clearly become our central focus. While the beach clean-up movement has picked up increasing momentum over the last few years, the work of Thai public school students, who participate in regular clean-ups and have done for some time, is hardly recognised as much as that of local beach groups.

Picking up land litter is a crucial step in breaking the plastic cycle. The beach is the reciprocal of everything we do; plastic will always find its way from land to ocean. By getting rid of plastic on land, it prevents those items from potentially harming sea creatures in the ocean before getting picked up on the beach.

However, in comparison with each other, the beach is the most logical spot to clear. Location-wise, it seems to garner more willingness from potential volunteers, and as Leong sad, “Everyone knows where the beach is. It’s easy, it’s accessible and it’s better than nothing”.

Indeed, Trash Hero has experienced a major growth in volunteer numbers since its first clean-up. Starting out with only two people at their weekly clean-ups on average, they now up to the dozens. Over 2,300 volunteers have taken part in total.

With such momentum comes the reassurance that the Trash Hero’s message, and that of other Phuket groups, is being heard: with heart, hope and hands, communities can be brought together. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

DINING 13

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Japanese please The sakura tree, centre stage.

Bento salmon set.

Dining under the blossoms at Diamond Cliff’s Kiko restaurant Amy Bryant editor1@classactmedia.co.th

O

n my very first trip to Japan, while slurping noodle soup in the window seat of a ramen joint in Kyoto’s historical Gion district at dusk, I spotted a geisha scuttling across the dimly lit street. Smoothing her hair and slipping off her shoes, she entered an adjacent tea house. It was a brief but holiday brochure-level experience I’ll always remember. It was Japan plus.

Now, I might not be able to truly revisit an experience like this without travelling some 10 hours to the former Japanese capital and waiting it out in a side street restaurant, but Diamond Cliff Resort & Spa’s Japanese restaurant, Kiko, brings elements of traditional Japan to Phuket, and flies as close as possible to emulating them without seeming gimmicky.

A sakura tree from Japan takes centre stage in one of the dining areas – the trunk and branches real and alive, the mock cherry blossom petals individually handcrafted – and grazes the ceiling while fanning out in a beautiful display. The private rooms, a more intimate affair for group dining, feature sunken horigotatsu seating and sliding doors with rice paper-style panels that let in natural light. Tall torii gates – that typically mark the entrance to shrines – line a stretch of gravel that’s carefully combed in the style of a Japanese garden. And the attentive waitresses wear colourful kimonos with wide obi sashes.

One of two private rooms with sunken seating. @thephuketnews

This attention to detail extends to the restaurant’s hefty menu of Japanese specialties, all delicately prepared and served in a mismatch of lacquered wooden bowls, deep ceramic plates and even decorated sushi boats, the different sizes and patterns turning the table into an abstract but pleasant culinary display. As one of the first Japanese restaurants on the island, Kiko has had time to perfect its art so it can serve these delights to 60 diners at a time without compromising quality. That the restaurant is often enjoyed by the resort’s Japanese guests is testament to this.

A trio of classic appetisers kick off proceedings. The tsukemono mori, or assorted pickles, are crunchy and punchy, and it’s a good idea to hold a few back as a sour garnish to complement the main courses to come. Chuka wakame, or seaweed salad with sesame oil, a subtly sweet yet healthy dish, and salted edamame follow soon after.

Nanasyu mori, assorted sashimi, arrives in a decorative boat. Slices of tuna and salmon as well as scallops in a shell sit in the hull and a healthy daub of wasabi can be found at the bow. The scallops are imported from Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido where the cold seas give them their sweet flavour and firm texture.

Hotategai, seared giant Hokkaido scallops, are also on the menu and go well with smoky garlic rice, as does the lean wagyu sirloin which arrives at the table still sizzling from its time on the teppanyaki iron griddle.

Kiko also offers a range of bento boxes, each featuring rice, fish, meat, pickled and cooked vegetables and soy sauce. The variety and functionality of these compartmentalised, lunchboxstyle meals have stood the test of time, their history reaching as far back as the 1300s. The bento salmon set at Kiko is a particular highlight, showcasing sweet teriyaki-glazed salmon, crispy strips of chicken, sticky rice, sashimi and salad. Ranging from B510-B620, the boxes offer great value for money as well as a lunchtime alternative.

Whether you’re laughing and drinking it up like a Japanese businessman in a private room, sampling a bento box under the cherry blossoms or watching the chef roll sushi at the open kitchen, you’ll be glad you got a taste of the Land of the Rising Sun in the Land of Smiles.

Kiko is located at Diamond Cliff Resort & Spa, 284 Prabaramee Rd, Patong Beach, 83150.

Open from 11am-11:30pm daily. www.diamondcliff.com/dining/kiko booking@diamondcliff.com +66 (0) 7638 0050

14 HISTORY

Slavery in Siam

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Debt slaves in Bangkok, 1895.

A picture of the slave trade in Phuket before the chains were broken HISTORY OF PHUKET

Colin Mackay

There are no precise figures given for Phuket, but a sizable proportion of the island’s population, at times over 50%, would have been slaves.

S

ince labour was such a scarce resource, slavery remained legal in Siam until 1905 and was integral to peninsular society. Hwang Chung, a visiting Chinese trader in the 16th century, reported that on the peninsular west coast the people said, “it is better to have slaves than to have land because [the labour of] slaves [is] a protection to their masters”.

In 1809 Antonio de Morga, a Spaniard, writing of the rampant slavery in the Malay world, noted that “slaves constitute the main capital and wealth of the natives … Thus they are sold, exchanged and traded just like any other article of merchandise”.

In 1855 the British ambassador visiting Bangkok, Sir John Bowring, noted, “there are distinctly much more than a third of all Siamese who are slaves”. As late as 1890 Mr Alabaster, a British adviser to the Siamese king, went so far as to say, “nine tenths of the non-Chinese inhabitants of Bangkok were slaves”.

There are no such precise figures given for Phuket, but a sizable proportion of the island’s population, at times over 50%, would have been slaves.

There were generally five ways whereby one became a slave in Siam: 1. Peasants selling themselves or their family into bondage in exchange for cash, food or upkeep; these would probably have been the most numerous in Phuket.

2. Failure to meet one’s debts; the debtor was often his own collateral.

3. Being sold off by an overlord as a punishment for not paying fines or for commit­ting crimes. (The idea of prisons as developed in Europe would have seemed like a ridiculous waste of manpower and money.)

4. Being captured in war or in frequent slave raids; these captives were the lowest class of slave.

5. Being born a slave through inheriting the bondage or debts of one’s parents. War slaves in Siam, especially foreign war slaves, were by all accounts much more harshly treated than debt slaves.

Debt slavery, which was often voluntary, was usually the most common form of slavery. In 1664 the

scribe to a Persian ambassador to Siam wrote, “The pawning of men or women is one of the most common practices in Siam. For a certain sum the Siamese will pawn themselves or their sons and daughters. An attractive girl will go for ten to fifteen thousand dinars. Whoever is doing the pawning keeps the money … and when he has attained his end with the capital and regained his dignity, he pays back the loan in full … while they cannot pay back the loan they work for the pawnee as if they were his slave … they may remain in their master’s chains until the true proprietor, God, claims the cash of their existence and forecloses on the loan of their life”.

The Dutchman Dieter Wilkens says that gambling debts, especially on cock fighting, were a common cause of bondage and men would go to cock fights with a special rope as a sign that their bodies were surety for their debts. The Portuguese Galvão (Galvano) in 1544 noted, “Whoever does not avow his debt is … punished by death”.

Slaves were used in all sorts of work: as domestic helpers, labourers, soldiers, agricul­tural workers, market traders, fishermen, musicians, concubines, craftsmen and even surgeons. Debt slavery in the peninsula seems to have been more like serfdom, or like domestic servants in Europe. Slaves were often able to buy their own freedom by work­ ing outside and saving their pay.

Bowring in 1857 felt that, “Masters cannot ill treat their slaves for they have always the remedy of paying the money they represent and he must be a very worthless character who cannot get somebody to advance the sum … in fact whenever they are emancipated they always sell themselves again”.

Carl Bock, a 19th century traveller in Siam, agreed, noting that a debt slave “very rarely succeeded in working off [his] indebtedness … and lives in a permanent state of semi bondage with which his indolent nature fully harmonizes, I have seldom seen a slave debtor discontented with his lot”.

Debt slavery appears to have been relatively benign because it was relatively easy for a slave to run away. In 1798 the Dutchman Johan Stavorinus explained that exasper­ated slaves often ran away from their masters, who thereby lost a valuable property. To counteract this, it was common law that another member of the slave’s family would be bound to return the runaway, or take his/her place. Such runaways might be killed if the master so wished, thus let’s not paint too rosy a picture; it

was still slavery, which allows for massive abuse and a slave owner could essentially do what he liked with his debt slaves. If, for example, he chose to kill them to discipline them, few people of impor­tance would object as anyone else of position and power had slaves too.

The rajah of Thalang would have acquired most of his slaves by advancing credit to people unable to pay it back, sometimes at interest rates of up to 30% a year. The 19th century French vicar apostolic Jean Baptiste Pallegoix tells us, “a family in need is obliged to [take a] loan at usuri­ous rates and since it usually does not find anything to pay the interest and the debt doubles or triples in a short time, the credi­tor, by virtue of law, may take his wife and children as slaves”.

Marriage between slaves and freemen was common, as was owners using slaves for sex. One Siamese rajah’s slave woman on the peninsula explained her work thus: “Our chief works are cooking, nursing and carrying water, splitting firewood, pounding rice and at nights we are to prostitute ourselves, giving half of this earning to the rajah and half to supply ourselves with clothing and provisions for the sultan’s house and other slaves.

“If we fail to get money from prostitu­tion we are punished with thick rat­tans. We are prevented from marrying anyone who wishes to [make an offer for] us in marriage”.

A raft of laws existed concerning the position of children of liaisons between freemen and slaves and between a slave owner and a slave woman: were they his slaves or his (free) children? These laws applied only to unmarried slaves; it was both illegal and immoral under Siamese law to interfere with a married slave. A female follower who became a concubine of her master and bore him a child could be entitled to her freedom.

Rajahs or powerful men often kept a retinue of female slaves, to satisfy their own sexual appetites and more importantly those of their young retainers, both to attract more henchmen and to prevent them from making forays among the ruler’s peasant subjects to seduce or abduct the women for sex as common law allowed them to do in most places.

Adapted with kind permission from the book ‘A History of Phuket and the Surrounding Region’ by Colin Mackay.

Available from good bookshops and Amazon.com. Order the softcover 2nd edition directly at: www.historyofphuket.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ENVIRONMENT 15

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Market values at PRU Phuket Rajabhat University launches eco- and vendor-friendly markets The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

T

he Andaman Natural Agriculture Centre, located in the grounds of Phuket Rajabhat University (PRU) in Rassada, launched ‘Andaman Punsuk’ last week, a “clean and naturefriendly” local food market.

The market, which runs from 10am-5pm on every second and last Wednesday of the month, encourages environmental awareness and sustainability, with one of its core aims being to reduce the use of plastic bags.

The launch on July 10 came in the same week that state news agency NNT reported that 45 billion plastic bags are produced and used in Thailand each year, of which 40% – or 18bn – are handed out at fresh markets and street stalls, so Andaman Punsuk is a welcome initiative worthy of our support.

Staff, students, farmers, sellers and local residents attended the launch where Asst Prof PhD Noppadon Chanrawang, Vice President of Student Affairs at PRU, led the opening ceremony and Nithi Raktaetrakuon, the founder of Wong Panit recycling depot and separation plant in Phuket, gave a speech about how to manage recyclable waste

Going green at Andaman Punsuk.

effectively. A host of other educational talks and ‘how-to’ sessions followed.

Guests learnt how to install solar panels, dye fabric with natural colours, make natural and healthy fermented drinks, make organic fertiliser and wrap goods in cloth in Japanese furoshiki style to eliminate the need for plastic bags.

And, of course, there were stalls selling fresh produce, such as durian, mangosteen, rambutan and other local fruits and vegetables, as well as street food, including the popular spicy papaya salad and Pad Thai.

It seems that PRU is on a roll, having also launched their ‘Lad WorKor’ market this month to offer traders unable to secure stall pitches sites at other

Lights, Camera, Sustainability!

Enter PHIST’s eco-film contest The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

T

he organisers of Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism (PHIST) 2019 have launched a short film contest for young people to highlight the fight against environmental challenges the world is facing, with up to B65,000 in prizes up for grabs.

The contest, called ‘Green Beat 60’, invites “wacky, wild, in-your-face ideas” in Asia’s first green short film competition, which aims to unearth the region’s new generation of eco-activists.

“The brainchild of PHIST co-founder Bill Barnett, Green Beat 60 is an innovative video competition that offers a completely no holds barred opportunity for budding eco-activists to show their passion and creativity to shoot for a minute on what makes them mad about the environmental mess we are in,” the press release said.

Green Beat 60 invites all ages to create 60-second videos on an environmental theme that really matters to them; for example, climate change, ocean plastic, deforestation, wildlife extinction, food shortages, soil degradation etc.

“When it comes to the environment, the kids are leading the way – just look at Greta Thunberg and the School Strike 4 Climate campaign. So let’s listen to them. Green Beat 60 lets all-comers, including schoolkids and students, share their ideas about the environment, what it means to them and how the future will look unless we get it sorted. It @thephuketnews

Photo: maxpixel.net doesn’t matter how insane it is – we’re listening,” said Mr Barnett.

No special equipment is needed; any mobile device or digital camera will do.

Documentaries, sketches, skits, vlogs and music videos are all invited, as long as they don’t exceed 60 seconds. So whether you’re a student with an exciting project, a school class saving the rainforest, colleagues curing climate change or simply someone with a story to tell, visit the Phuket Hotels Association website and get involved.

Filmmakers will be judged in eight categories, ranging from primary school age to university students, families, community groups, hotels and more.

The best film from each category will be screened at PHIST 2019, the sustainability forum that attracts over 500 tourism and hospitality delegates from across Southeast Asia. The top three entries will receive prizes, including B65,000 in retail and hospitality vouchers, and the best film will win the Green Beat Best Film Award.

Lad WorKor in full swing.

markets a chance to sell their wares on the university grounds. The market, which launched on July 1, features food and drink, clothing and knick-knacks and runs every Monday from 4pm-9pm.

Lad WorKor market manager Areena Khajonkiat explained that she had been thinking of creating a market based on her experience of selling products at markets for six years.

“I know how hard it is being a market vendor. It’s really difficult to sell things at a market. Even if you have enough money to rent a stall, you still have to come to reserve a stall early in the morning, otherwise there may be no stall available for you to rent,” she said.

“That’s why this market was cre-

ated, so that vendors don’t need to fight for a stall to sell their stuff like at other markets,” she added.

Ms Areena pointed out that she had the opportunity to sell her products in the Cultural Centre at the university, without having to pay any stall rent fee.

“While selling and seeing student’s activities, I thought that it could be a good idea for people who live around the university to sell their products and do activities together. The market can also be a place where university students can showcase their works and talents,” Ms Areena said.

For more information, visit www.pkru. ac.th/en/faculty-institute-eng

16 COMMUNITY

All aboard

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Disabled Sailing Thailand calls for support to set up in Phuket The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

The regular programme is for people with disabilities who wish to experience the freedom and empowerment of sailing.

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isabled Sailing Thailand, a not-for-profit sailing programme that supports and promotes accessibility to sailing for people with disabilities, is seeking support in bringing four of the S\V14 boats – sailing boats designed specifically for use by people with disabilities – to Phuket.

Disabled Sailing Thailand has an established base in Chonburi at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club who recently purchased eight S\V14s and are creating a regular sailing programme for people with disabilities who wish to experience the freedom and empowerment of sailing.

The organisers are now looking to establish a base in Phuket and a para sailing programme with a fleet of S\V14s, and are inviting any businesses or individuals who wish to support the programme to get in touch with them.

“We are bringing down four S\V14s, including the Royal S\V14 built by Austhai Marine and donated by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to Disabled Sailing Thailand,” Phuket-based marine surveyor Peter Jacobs, one of the key driving forces behind Disabled Sailing Thailand, explained to The Phuket News.

“We have bought a trailer to bring down the boats and for future transport but we still need to pay for the rental of the pickup, the fuel and the driver.

“Additionally, we would like to change the stickers to the design made by Morgan Mahler, a Phuket girl

The S\V14 being put through its paces.

Photo: Disabled Sailing Thailand now studying Animation in Belgium.

In total, we are looking at around B30,000,” he said.

The move is to create a regular sailing programme in Phuket for people with disabilities, as has already been launched in Chonburi in collaboration with the Royal Varuna Yacht Club.

The Disabled Sailing Thailand project was borne from Peter’s frustration after the International Paralympic Committee in 2015 dropped sailing from the 2020 Paralympics. Realising there were no disabled sailing programmes in Thailand, and boats were prohibitively expensive, he turned to Facebook.

“I posted on my Facebook page asking if any of my yachting friends could help me design a new, sexy-looking, competitive and most importantly cheap and accessible boat for disabled people, and within a few minutes I received a reply from Alex Simonis and Maarten Voogd of Simonis-Voogd Design, saying that they were willing to take up the challenge.

“Russel Vollmer, a paraplegic sailor friend, joined our efforts and soon we were sitting at the bar of the Royal Cape Yacht Club in Cape Town making our first concept on a tissue,” Peter said.

The S\V14, which took a year of design and engineering to come up with, is a 14-foot modern yacht which can be completely built out of 11 sheets of 4′ x 8′ plywood, 1 sheet of 3′ x 6′ 12 millimetre steel and 22′ x 10′ strips of hardwood. Disabled Sailing Thailand has prepared a CNC cutting package using these raw materials, which can be put together like a jigsaw puzzle to create the boat in an estimated time of less than 200 man-hours.

Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya bought eight S\V14s which arrived earlier this year and were raced for the first time in a one-design class for Para Sailors at the Top of the Gulf Regatta, held April 30 to May 5. Simpson Marine also paid for one, whilst the very first S\V14, the fully tested and operational prototype dubbed “No. 1”, was paid for by Gulu Lalvani of Royal Phuket Marina. A second S\V14 was built in Thailand by Austhai Marine and donated by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Disabled Sailing Thailand recently held a charity fundraiser at the Bang Saray Beach Club in Chonburi. More than 250 people turned out in support and enjoyed an afternoon packed full of fun activities. Stalls, games and live music kept the crowds entertained into the evening while a buffet provided by

S\V14 sailors at the charity fundraiser in Chonburi.

Photo: Disabled Sailing Thailand Bang Saray Beach Club ensured nobody went hungry, said the organisers in a press release.

Prizes for the tombola and raffle were donated by the local business and sailing community, and included tickets to attractions, hotel vouchers, meals in restaurants, sailing lessons, boating equipment and much more.

One of the highlights of the evening was a live auction for a 14-foot kayak which was kindly donated. The bidding was fast and furious, and finished with more than B10,000 raised and one happy owner of a new kayak. Funds raised on the evening totalled B76,000.

The Disabled Sailing Thailand team, volunteers, sponsors, members of the Thai and expat business community and friends were out in force to support the worthy cause.

Also present were Thailand’s para sailors who Disabled Sailing Thailand supported to compete at the Para Sailing World Championships in the US in September last year, and in Japan at the World Sailing Paralympic Development programme in October last year, and who continue to enjoy sailing in the Chonburi area.

“Disabled Sailing Thailand wish to thank everyone who supported the charity fundraiser at Bang Saray Yacht Club, and also all who have and continue to support Disabled Sailing Thailand in its mission to make sailing accessible for all,” the organisers said.

For more information, visit www. disabledsailingthailand.org or www.facebook.com/disabledsailingthailand. To find out how you can support Diasbled Sailing Thailand, email info@disabledsailingthailand.org thephuketnews

EDUCATION 17

One to remember THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Reflections on a great academic year for BISP Primary Kenneth Page

I

t’s been a fantastic year in Primary at British International School, Phuket – BISP. The most visible improvement has undoubtedly been our introduction of Jigsaw, a wellbeing programme that runs right through the Primary section from Early Years to Year 6, providing us with a common spine and consistent approach to this subject. This has complemented the focus on our primary virtues of Respect and Kindness, which are becoming ever more embedded. It is gratifying to hear other departments commenting on the observable benefits of this programme.

Our whole staff professional development has built on previous work on the teaching of writing and moved on to the teaching of reading. The focus has been on developing the ‘balanced reader’, with due attention being given to decoding, comprehension, fluency and phrasing. Teachers are already seeing the benefits of this.

We have also started looking at Mathematics, with staff having been to China to learn more about the Shanghai Maths Project. We have had staff presenting at

BISP’s performance of Aladdin was a lively, colourful affair. Photo: BISP

Spirits were at an all-time high at the Soccer 7s tournament. Photo: BISP conferences on our professional learning model and regarding our library.

It is difficult to pick highlights of the year, but these must include the Year 1-3 performance of Animal Rumble Grumble and the Year 4-6 performance of Aladdin. The sports days and swimming galas were notable not only for the tremendous ability of our children but also for the sportsmanship on display, whilst Primary teams achieved great success in the annual Soccer 7s tournament.

As is always the case in an international school, we have had new staff join

Over 1k students across Thailand open IB results, take next steps The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

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n July 5, 1,053 students across Thailand, including Phuket, celebrated receiving their International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP) results.

These students join a community of over 1.85 million graduates in 152 countries who have all demonstrated the knowledge, skills and determination to address our greatest challenges.

This marks a 5% increase on last year in the Asia Pacific region.

To deliver these results the IB processed more than 623,000 examination papers in 72 languages.

Over 13,700 examiners across the world worked together to establish accurate, internationally benchmarked grading criteria across subjects, and ensure consistency throughout the evaluation process.

Dr Siva Kumari, the IB’s director general, said on results day, “I extend heartfelt congratulations to students worldwide receiving their results. They have shown a thirst for knowledge, a determination to succeed and a conviction in their ability to take on their next best step equipped with highquality preparation.

“Higher education institutions and employers are telling us we need young people who can collaborate, communicate and think critically while creating new knowledge. Research suggests that @thephuketnews

IB students across the world jumped for joy. an IB diploma prepares students with these skills. Our alumni are addressing the challenges humanity face with open minds and creativity. I wish this year’s graduates all the best for the future and for making our world better”.

Paula Wilcock, the IB’s chief assessment officer, said, “I offer many congratulations to all students celebrating their achievements. I would like to thank our global community of teachers, invigilators and examiners who ensure that every student receives a fair and meaningful result. I look forward to continuing to develop assessments that challenge students to go beyond not just what they know, but how their studies fit into the wider context of our world”.

us. They have been, without exception, positive additions to our team. Once more this year we will say goodbye to a number of staff and children, to whom we wish every happiness and success, and look forward to the arrival of new colleagues and students in August.

It is a joy to work in a school with such positive and supportive colleagues, and such cheerful, friendly and hardworking children.

Have a great holiday, everyone.

Here’s to further success in the 20192020 academic year!

Kenneth Page is the Primary Principal at British International School, Phuket. For more information, visit them at www.bisphuket.ac.th Watch the ‘Animal Rumble Grumble’ livestream on the BISP Facebook page (www.facebook.com/bisphuket), the ‘Aladdin’ recording on the BISP student-led YouTube channel (www. youtube.com/user/bistekphuket) and the Soccer 7s tournament highlights on the BISP YouTube channel (www. youtube.com/user/BISPhuket).

18 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Andrew, Colin and JP.

Mark and Richard.

Sammy, Darunya, Jareet and Peter.

Hatty and Bob.

'

WORK AND PLAY AT JULY’S PHUKET BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENT Another productive edition of the Phuket Business Networking event was held on July 12 at the Ramada Plaza Phuket Chao Fah. Over 35 local business people exchanged ideas, networked and forged new connections while enjoying food and beverages on the hotel’s Peranakan Courtyard.

Claude, Gren and Monica.

Summer and David.

Jay and James.

Nattinee and Gordon. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

The LUSH Patong team raring to go.

As part of LUSH’s strong environmental policies, they use only recyclable packaging.

ISLAND SCENE 19

Teamwork makes the dream work.

The group collected 40 bags of trash, weighing approximately 20kg each.

LUSH THAILAND CLEAN-UP LIFTS 800KG OF TRASH FROM PATONG BEACH More than 20 volunteers collected a staggering 800 kilograms of trash from Patong Beach on July 7 as part of a clean-up organised in conjunction with the opening of LUSH Thailand’s new pop-up store in Patong. Volunteering customers and Trash Hero Phuket were invited to take part in the activity and, in just two hours, the group collected 40 bags of dry trash, weighing approximately 20kg each. Well done all.

Chefs Sunisa Pimpa, Sengngai Phubodi, Mos Anan Chankhaw, Rungthiwa Chummongkhon and Titaporn Khawplod.

The competition showcases the cream of the crop.

PHUKET CHEFS HEAD TO BANGKOK FOR YOUNG CHEF COMPETITION La Chaine de Rotisseurs’ Young Chef competition, which has taken place every year for over 40 years, this year saw four young chefs from Phuket compete in Bangkok.

The competition is in line with the gourmet group’s aim to encourage the development of young chefs and sommeliers.

Marriott finance directors, general managers and food and beverage directors get athletic.

Winner Scott with Fong and Katherine from Sri Panwa Phuket.

WINNER OF EPL TIPPING CONTEST AWARDED BABA BEACH CLUB STAY Congratulations to Scott Griffin (player name: Griffsbar), the overall winner of The Phuket News’ 2018/19 English Premier League Predictions competition (or EPL Tipping Contest). He came joint-first with giggs, finishing on the same number of points (219), but Scott won more monthly competitions so he wins the overall prize: a voucher for a memorable stay for four at Baba Beach Club Phuket (worth B130,000). @thephuketnews

THIRD ANDAMAN SPORTS DAY AT MARRIOTT NAI YANG BEACH On July 6, Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Nai Yang Beach joined forces with nine other Marriott hotels and resorts in Southern Thailand for the third annual Andaman Sports Day. Approximately 1,000 associates from Marriott properties in Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak competed in a series of sporting competitions, including soccer, running, badminton, sepak takraw, beach volleyball, chairball, table tennis and swimming.

20 EVENTS

FRI

19 JUL

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SAT

20 JUL

Light and Fresh Buffet 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.

in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic.

Yorkshire Pudding and Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. RESERVE Your Table Now Online at bit.ly/TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents Reservations, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong., Kata Beach 076-333-370 Karon 076-286479 Patong 076-344-914.

sine, Baan Talay is feature a tempting selections of traditional Thai food and local Phuket delicacies. Enjoy with a variety of live station; Thai papaya salad, spicy soup and much more to give a true taste of Thailand. THB 950++ per person. Every Tuesday from 6 pm to 10 pm. Reservation, Angsana Laguna Phuket, fbreservation-lagunaphuket@angsana.com, 076 358 500.

The Watercourt is presenting a line of tasty Italian Cold Cut, Gourmet Salads, Hearty Soup, Flavourful Desserts and Seasonal Fruit. From THB 1,200 net per guest (Choice of Meat & Seafood grilled - Additional). Banyan Tree, The Watercourt,fb-phuket@banyantree.com, 076 372 400.

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet

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

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

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

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

22 JUL

ANDAMAN CATCH TUESDAY Every Tuesday our culinary team prepare a special Andaman Catch menu featuring our fish of the day selection prepared in one of three ways, a special seafood appetiser and a sweet finish dessert. Pair your catch with one of our sommelier selections special offers, available Tuesday only. 950* Baht. 18.30 - 22.00 www.salaphuket.com Advance bookings are recommended - 076 33 8888. *Subject to 10% service charge and 7% value added tax.

Sala Phuket.

WED

24 JUL

Aperitivo Italiano With Urbani Truffle products From 18.30 to 21.00, 490+ Baht. Free flow sparkling beverages with pass-around Cicchettis (Italian tapas). Ristorante Italiano L’Opera, pnesi@loperagroup. com, 076 271 430/095 468 2248.

Meet Brian Jacks at The Cider House Britain’ first Olympic judo medal winner and multiple British and European Superstar winner. Join us for a unique opportunity to meet Brian Jacks for an open and exciting Q&A session. Limited spaces.

So book your place now by contacting us on Whatsapp +66 93 187 3360 or by texting 089 934 6890. Free entry & free barbecue burgers and hot dogs from 5-6 pm. Friday 19th July - 8pm. at The Cider House Cherntalay. Phil and Andy, The Cider House, Whatsapp +66 93 187 3360 / 089 934 6890.

SUN

21 JUL

Sunday Roast All Day, All Night Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge

All you can eat BBQ night 6pm – 11pm: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns and Squid, Salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended.

B395 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

TUE

23 JUL

Thai Night Buffet Experience Authentic Thai Food. Let’s take a tasteful journey through Thai cui-

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

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

THU

25 JUL

BACK TO THE ’70s & ’80s EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT Don’t miss out on our newest, exciting weekly event at Two Chefs. Come and join us for our special Cajun Grilled Chicken Breast served on a wooden plate with mashed potato, red wine sauce, and bearnaise sauce for ONLY 395 THB. Have a sweet tooth? Treat yourself to the Two Chefs banana flambé served with vanilla ice cream for ONLY 95 THB. Sit back and enjoy one of our drink specials as you listen to the famous Two Chefs band performing all your favorite retro hits and more! Live music starts from 8:30pm and goes late at all of our Two Chefs locations.

Reservations are highly recommended.

You can book on our website at WWW. TWOCHEFS.COM or find us on Facebook at WWW.FACEBOOK/TWOCHEFS THAILAND. Come for the food, stay for the FUN! Reservations, Call us directly at Two Chefs Kata Center 076-330-065, Kata Beach 076-333-370, Karon 076-286479, Patong 076-344-914

SUN

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

FRI

2 AUG

Grow Boating Networking Evening The Grow Boating Networking Evening for August 2019 will be held at The Port of Call Bar and Restaurant, at The Ao Po Grand Marina from 5pm onward. Please contact us if you would like to be our drinks sponsors. Sponsorship is available from 10,000 baht and includes a generous advertising package from The Phuket News. There will be a light buffet sponsored by the Port of Call bar and restaurant and special prices on your favourite beverages. Come and join in the fun, everyone is welcome.

There is no entry fee, just drop your business card or register at the bar. To join our mailing list please send an email growboatingphuket@gmail.com Grow Boating is kindly supported by our media partner The Phuket News, Live 89.5 radio and Phuket News TV. The Grow Boating Networking Evening is organised by the Thai Yachting Business Association. Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ groups/491098897758155/ or our Website https://www.thaiyachtingbusinessassociation.com/

28 JUL Kata Rocks - Four Hands Michelin Starred Dinner

The Phuket Drum Circle 7th Year The Phuket Drum Circle will celebrate the 7th year anniversary on Sunday July 28 in Naiharn Beach from 4:30 pm to about 10:00 pm. This event is always free and open to the public. Participants can drum, dance, or enjoy the scenery and good vibes. Experience the magic of community drumming and dancing! For updates and videos visit the Facebook page: Phuket Drum Circle

Kata Rocks is hosting Chef Thomas Diepersloot from Michelin-starred Restaurant Voltaire in Leersum, the Netherlands. This will be a very exclusive “FOUR HANDS” dinner event; Chef Thomas will partner with executive chef Laia (one of the leading female chefs in Phuket) to present a six-course dinner in one of the iconic Penthouse Sky Pool Villas, limited to 20 guests, for two night only (2 and 3 August). Priced at THB 6,000 net per guest for the six-course menu with drink pairings overlooking the Andaman Sea. Make your bookings today at dining@katarocks.com

FRI

9 AUG

PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards 2019 Celebrate Thailand’s finest developers by nominating them for the industry’s most prestigious awards. With a professionally run judging system supervised by the @thephuketnews

award-winning team of BDO, one of the world’s largest auditing and accountancy firms, the Asia Property Awards is the gold standard in real estate. Gala Dinner & Awards on 9 August 2019 at The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok.

THU

15 AUG

and Monster Prize.

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

EVERY DAY

Dot Property Thailand Awards 2019 Dot Property Winning Weekend is a little more than two months away, but excitement for the historic event continues to build. The four-day showcase will include the Dot Property Thailand Awards 2019 winners presentation, an exclusive winners party and the return of Thailand’s number one property show. Bangkok’s premier shopping and lifestyle destination, EmQuartier, will host the 1st annual Dot Property Winning Weekend. Here’s what you need to know about the can’t miss event. Sunniya Kwatra.

SAT

21 SEP

Children First Charity Event A charity journey from day into night under the theme “Swing for Good” where you will enjoy a fun golf tournament throughout the day at Laguna Golf Phuket. As the sun sets, sit back and unwind in a unique “Battle of the Chefs” charity dinner gourmet experience, complete with delicious food, free-flow beverages and live entertainment – all to support children in Phuket. Register your interest now at just THB18,000 per team of four and help to raise big bucks for children in need.

FRI

QSI Summer Camp 2019 Open to all children from 5 - 12 years of age. American curriculum intensive. English course with the option of Map testing at the end of the camp. Each student receives 2 Tee shirts and a cap as well as daily snacks and lunch. Sign up today at phuket@qsi.org or call 076 304 312.

Prime at Rock Salt Prime at Rock Salt is the home of smoke and fire at Naiharn Beach. An exclusive eatery, Prime offers a collection of roasted, smoked and chargrilled creations from its custom-designed kitchen. The al fresco dining experience is completed with panoramic ocean views across Naiharn Beach.

Open Daily 6.00 – 10.00 pm at Naiharn Beach For more information and bookings, please call +66 76 380 200 or rocksalt@thenaiharn.com

1 NOV

The Exotic Fishing Thailand 1.5 Million Baht Tagged Fish Challenge From Nov 1st to March 1st. Test your fishing skills Phuket and Catch a Monster fish

Kata Rocks Presents Contemporary Art Exhibition Kata Rocks will host an exciting contemporary art exhibition, in collaboration with Latitudes Magazine, when prominent Thai artist Narath Boriboonhiranthana showcases her unique style from 20 July to 20 August 2019. Titled ‘The Remembrance’, her work explores the intersection of Art Nouveau and tradition Thai art. Narath creates delicate paper cut art pieces inspired by her personal history and vivid imagination. marketing@infiniteluxury.com

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. What is the name of the druid in the Asterix comics?

2. What was the last letter to be added to the English alphabet?

3. Charles Dickens had an unusual pet named Grip. What was it?

4. What is the capital of Morocco?

5. In the 1975 movie Jaws, what was the name of Quint’s boat?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Easy

Across 1. Cinemax competitor, for short 4. Traffic director 9. Famous tower city 13. Elton’s john 14. N.F.L. coaching legend Don 15. Computer menu option 16. Talks about innermost feelings 19. Peppermint, for one 20. Chew persistently 21. Joan’s home, on TV 25. African pests 30. Compass point 31. Variety of Spanish liqueur 33. Citizens 34. Font 36. Kunis of Hollywood 37. Enjoys a private chat 41. She married Clark 42. Equivocates 43. Charge 46. Poet’s adverb 47. Horse 50. Former Spanish monetary units 52. Artificial tooth 54. Gold-medal speed skater Johann ___ Koss 56. River into the English Channel

57. Cry on someone else’s shoulder 63. Swarm 64. Store selection 65. Mine find 66. Misdeals 67. The ____ : Dostoevsky novel 68. Old cartoonist Hoff

27. Show disgust 28. French lady 29. Swell place 32. Suppress 34. Offspring 35. Signed over 37. Better 38. Pretense 39. ‘’The African Down 1. Island greetings Queen’’ scriptwriter 2. People who go on 40. Cousin of a gull being miserable 41. Cut 3. Compel by force 44. Attacks 4. Dummy 5. Letter on some 45. In fine fettle campus 47. Collectibles sweatshirts 48. Mean 6. Manage 49. Bellyached 7. Rival of Coco and Christian 51. “Everyone ___ __ 8. Carole King’s “___ love you” (Woody Born to Follow” Allen movie) 9. Tiny 53. Small hill 10. Actress, Lupino 11. Elton John, e.g.

55. Invalidate 12. Verizon rival, 57. Sault ___ Marie initially 58. Ship, to a sailor 17. Hoops gp.

59. Flying prefix 18. Metal fastener 22. Information 60. Weapon in “The 23. “The doctor will be Terminator” __ ten” 61.

Antique auto 24. Felt sick 26. Encyclopedias, e.g. 62. Clock std.

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Getafix; 2) The letter J; 3) A raven. The bird appears in his novel Barnaby Rudge and inspired Edgar Allan Poe’s poem The Raven; 4) Rabat; 5) The Orca.

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

1.93

kilometres is the length of the longest pizza ever made. It took a team of over 100 people 54 hours to create.

39

is often used in Japan to say ‘thank you’ in text speak because of how 3 (san) and 9 (kyu) sound when said out loud.

200

hours of socialising is how long it takes to become close friends with someone, according to a University of Kansas study.

108,000 is how many times the average person’s heart beats a day (based on the average heart rate of 75).

1 billion

US dollars is how much revenue Colorado has generated in marijuana sales since legalising it in 2014.

Source: Uberfacts

Patong beach road. Photo by Michael Rafael Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

This week in history July 19, 1545 The Tudor warship Mary Rose sinks off Portsmouth. In 1982 the wreck is salvaged in one of the most complex and expensive projects in maritime history.

July 20, 1969 Apollo 11’s crew makes the first manned landing on the Moon in the Sea of Tranquility. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first humans to walk on the Moon six and a half hours later.

July 21, 1960 Sirimavo Bandaranaike is elected Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, becoming the world’s first female head of government.

July 22, 2011 Norway attacks: A bomb blast targeting government buildings in Oslo, followed by a massacre at a youth camp on Utøya island.

July 23, 1921 The Communist Party of China

July 24, 1911 Hiram Bingham III re-discovers Machu Picchu, “the Lost City of the Incas”, and makes its existence public. In 2007, it’s named as one of the new seven wonders of the world.

One giant leap for mankind.

(CPC) is established by Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao at the founding National Congress.

July 25, 1965 Bob Dylan goes electric at the Newport Folk Festival, signalling a major change in folk and rock music.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 23

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Jobs

N GE UR

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Personal Assistant

For retired UK/CAD businessman in high end resort. Good English, some driving, shopping etc. Part Time OK. Brian 089 054 4354. @thephuketnews

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ART HOUSE DEVELOPMENT

Looking for Russian speaking marketing representative with good communication skills high motivated and confident training will be provided. info@ arthouse.asia, 089 594 6888

GE UR

NT

House keeper / maid Nai Harn

Seeking a full time maid / house keeper at a private villa in Nai Harn. Please text your facebook link along with a message to 099-398-5375 for consideration. Bobby, 099-398-5375.

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Trades & Services

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CORPORATE SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

@thephuketnews

26 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Trades & Services

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

OTHER

PROPERTY SERVICES

TRAINING

ADVERTISE HERE

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Buy & Sell

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Car for sale

Golden Business Opportunity

NT

Car For Sale

Ford Fiesta 2012 For sale English 095 420 9662 Thai 082 629 1419 Janthisa Jaikwang, 199/14 หม ู ่ 5 ตำ�บลศร สี นุ ทร อำ�เภอถลาง จังหวัดภ เู กต็ , B 250,000 info@lifestyleinthailand.com, 0826291419

MEMBERSHIPS

Car rental @fair prices

We offer car rentals at affordable prices. Monthly from 10,000 Baht. Daily from 400 Baht. Call us to find out what we offer.

10,000 Monthly. Stig Johansson, 110/78 Moo 2 T Paklok A Thalang 83110 Phuket, stigisaan@gmail.com, 0848474377.

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE Mitsubishi Mirage 10/2018

9 months old, 9,000KM, first class insurance.

Like new. THB 360,000. Andy, Call 082 281 5976 ENG/098 059 8714 THAI

FORD WILDTRAK 2014 FOR SALE

2.2L Double Cab 4WD 6 GearAutomatic.

One owner. 50,000km. ARB Crash Bars.

New Tyres. English: 081-958-1055 Thai: 081-606-5772 580,000 baht, pauljames@ expathotel.com, 0819581055

@thephuketnews

Willing to sell or rent your property in Laguna area? Please contact me raisa@rl-property. com +66 (081) 737 1687 (Viber, WhatsApp, Line) Raisa Sheludkina, Railand Property International., 46., Lagoon Road.,Cherngtalay. ,Thalang.,Phuket 83110., raisa@rl-property. com, 0817371687, 076324448.

Chevrolet Trailblazer LTZ 2.8 CC. 4X4 For sale English 095 420 9662 Thai 082 629 1419 janthisa jaikwang, 199/14 หม ู ่ 5 ตำ�บลศร สี นุ ทร อำ�เภอ ถลาง จังหวัดภ เู ก ็ต, info@lifestyleinthailand.com, B 725,000

CARS, TRUCKS FOR RENT GE

Willing to Sell / Rent Property in Laguna?

Bought 30th Dec 2015 we paid baht 1,500,000 sell for 890,000 or nearest offer. 062 956 5777.

Brand new two story massage shop for sale with high end furniture. 10 Beds, 6 chairs and nail Salon. Great opportunity for high season. B900,000 ono, Lek, Soi Post Office, Patong Beach Road, sweet_lek55@hotmail.com, 099 362 7979

UR

PROPERTY WANTED

Car for sale

Refurbished Restaurant & Bar

Recently refurbished restaurant & bar for sale in Karon, Phuket, with accom located above. CCTV fitted throughout the building. The business is up for sale for 1.9MB or near offer and includes all fixtures, fittings and stock at point of sale. 062 210 1368. newconceptbars.thailand@gmail.com

T EN

@thephuketnews

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE

BUSINESSES FOR SALE T EN

The Phuket News

Allamanda 2 Bed Freehold

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

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

BLUE CANYON GOLF MEMBERSHIP

425,000 THB and Seller pays the transfer fee. For more information call 098 946 0709. Rob George.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

House Wanted in Chalong

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

BABY GRAND w/ DISC PLAYER

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

PROPERTY WANTED The Chava Surin - Freehold

Hi, Am looking for a Freehold Condominium Unit at The Chava in Surin. Please email details to mick11468@@gmail.com . Many thanks! Michael

Mandala Condo Freehold Wanted

Foreign Freehold Wanted for Mandala Condominium in Kamala. Please email details to mick11468@gmail.com.

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ENT

3 Bedroom Condo Wanted

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

SPORTING GOODS, EXERCISE GYM EQUIPMENT TREADMILL

LIFE FITNESS F1 TREADMILL - FOLDABLE Brand new: THB 35,000+(VAT) from retail price of 188,000 Compact foldable treadmill. 35000, carolinelaleta@gmail.com, +66869504961

28 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy & Sell PROPERTY FOR SALE Super villa for sale

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

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Apartment Block in Soi Ta-Eiad

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RPM by owner

Unique luxury condo 2 bed, 2 bath, 155sqm. Foreign FREE HOLD. Architect remodel in tropical white. Jacuzzi. All round beautiful views. Completely furnished to a high standard. Very motivated owner leaving Thailand. Available to agents. Priced just REDUCED to 15MB or offers. Contact Brian (Owner) 089 054 4354, 076 360 943. bggvirgo@gmail.com

OCEAN FRONT LAND

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

Karon 1 Bed Condo for Sale

Karon Butterfly hillside condo for sale just 800m from beach. Amenities close by. Fully furnished and condo facilities. Great investment in great area of Phuket. Shuttle Bus to Beach and Rental Program. A must see!!!! B4,300,000, Dmitry , phuket@thairesidential.com

T EN

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Paul MOORHOUSE

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

UR Magnificent property with private elevator, 4 bedroom suites/6 bathrooms as well as 2 living areas, European design kitchen, games room, bar, sauna, steam room and wonderful pool deck with in-ground jacuzzi, infinity pool and waterfall. Fabulous property reduced to 65 million Baht for quick sale. 0898737075.

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1 Bed Condo in Kamala

Great 1 Bed Condo just 200m fromKamala Beach. Comes with pool and on- site restaurant. Fantastic location and not to be missed. Fully furnished with appliances. Homestay or investment. B5,417,000. Call Andy. 083 800 1888

OCEAN FRONT VILLA

@thephuketnews

LE

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

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

The Phuket News

PROPERTY FOR SALE

CONDO FOR SALE THE DECK PATONG

Amazing residential block for sale comprising of 5 x 190sqm fully furnished 3 Bedroom Units. Highest quality fixtures and finishing’s with exceptional build quality. All units have internal surround sound systems and wireless internet routed in the walls. Full Western kitchen in all units. Rooftop Salt Water Swimming Pool with 8 person Jacuzzi and bar. Spectacular panoramic views. Units currently being rented out with almost 100% occupancy, so fantastic investment opportunity. Potential returns of 9% per annum. B61,500,000, Tina, phuket@thairesidential.com

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Wonderful 1 Bedroom Condo near Central Festival area. Just 10 minutes to Panwa Beach. A must see!!! Fully furnished and conveniently located.

Amenities close by as well as tourist attractions. Full condo facilities.

B2,500,000, Tina, phuket@thairesidential.com, 0948411918.

2 Bed Condo Bangtao Phuket

Mandala Condominium - Wonderful spacious condo. Great location near Bangtao beach and Laguna. 184sqm with private pool and tropical gardens. B15,900,000, Andy, 083 800 1888

Dream Village Phuket house

2bed 2bath 295sqm land 100sqm living + veranda, compl. renovated: new water, electric., tiles, paint in/out, windows, 3A/C, built in kitchen. 0870608400 English/German. Email: picharly@gmail.com, B4.9mill.

Royal Phuket Marina 2 Bed

2-Bedroom Royal Phuket Marina Condo. Seen to be believed. 195m2 Stylish, Tastefully-Decorated Condominium Fully Furnished Overlooking Yacht Marina an absolute bargain @ 13.5 Million BahtTina, phuket@thairesidential.com, 948411918.

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

1 story building for rent

150m2 Located in Allamanda 1 Laguna Phuket is available for rent. The building has its own drive in, at this time only short term rental available. 096 646 6287

PROPERTY FOR RENT 4-Bedroom House for rent

4 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms furnished house for rent.

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

Rawai 1 Bed Seaview Condo Sale

Fantastic seaviews. Fully furnished. Condo facilities including pool and gym. Close to amenities. This 53sqm condo at Babylon Sky Garden is a great buy. B4,297,277, Andy, phuket@ thairesidential.com

1 Bed Condo Sale Rawai

Saturdays Residence beautiful condo in Rawai. Tastefully decorated with class. Short drive to beach. All condo amenities. Looks so good that you do need to see to believe. You will fall in love at first sight. B6,300,000, Dimitry, phuket@thairesidential.com, 082 030 7199

1 Bed Condo in Kamala

MontAzure Twinpalms Residence-Great condo located in Kamala. The ultimate in luxury.

Has got to be seen to be believed. Fantastic facilities in this resort condo. B15,800,000, Tina, 0872699206.

Lovely condo at Utopia Kata for Sale. Completed in 2017 and close to Kata Beach. Fully furnished. Close to restaurants and amenities. Great views. Rental programme. Full facilities. Dimtry, 082 030 7199. B7,100,000

Mai Khao beach condo. Great new condohotel. 470 meters from the sea. 36 sqm.

Wonderful place in Phuket. B3.5mn, +66812958526, Victoria.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Phuket Town 1 Bed Condo

1 Bedroom Condo Kata Sale

Mai Khao 1 bed condo for sale

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m. Chanote

Condo in Patong for Rent

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

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

Property for rent YAMU

Very big house. 400sqm, Land 4400sqm. Available 1st May. 4 bedrooms- 4 bathrooms , swimming pool.

Close BIS, UWCT. Must see. Long term lease 110,000 baht/month including pool+ garden service. Khun DIDIER, aouichedidier@hotmail.com, 093 717 9343 (English+French)/ 089 552 9303 (Thai).

Shop for rent at Amari Phuket, Patong Beach

Located at Amari Phuket's lobby building. Size: 33 sqm.

Partly furnished: shelves, counter, air-conditioner and telephone line. 40,000 THB/month (negotiation available). Khun Mallika, mallika.t@amari.com, 076 340106 #8006

PROPERTY FOR RENT

COMMUNITY

PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m.

Chanote

Private location in prestige area.

Outstanding Value. Call owner (Alan): 084 0657590.

Villa in Patong prime location

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

Ms. Manatchanok, 0800409411

Villa Mission Heights Big Pool

3bed, 3 1/2 bath, 330sqm living, 900 sqm land, very quiet area, 2 km mission hill golf, 6km UWC, 8 km airport. owner finance. 0870608400 engl/ german 12.9MB, picharly@gmail. com

Beach Front Land

* 128 meter of white sand beach frontage * amazing views * 9 Rai , Secure Nor Sor 3 Kor tittle * located on Koh Yao Yai * 20 minutes boat drive from Phuket * public road with water and electricity * ideal for high end development * ready to build * sale direct by owner *ONLY 11.9 Mill. Baht / Rai montha_phuket@yahoo.com, 095 014 7888

Renovated 3bed Home Boat Lagoon

AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY: Beautifully renovated & decorated 3bed+mezzanine, 250 sqm contemporary house featuring: boat berth, rooftop jacuzzi, open kitchen, wine cooler, 2 parkings, storage & laundry area. B 75,000 per month, Henry Cumberlege, hcumberlege@gmail.com

Stunning Ocean Views!

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

Furnished. Gardens. Fiber WiFi. 80,000/rent long term or 30 million to sell. Richard, Cape Yamu, Phuket, richarddesmondcapeheights@yahoo. co.uk, +66824203270, WhatsApp

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Barty stays at No. 1 despite early upset TENNIS

AFP

A

shleigh Barty hung on to top place in the WTA rankings on Monday despite crashing out of Wimbledon in the last 16.

The French Open champion, who was hoping to become the first Australian to win at the All England Club since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980, lost in three sets to the American Alison Riske.

The top three of Barty, Naomi Osaka and Karolina Pliskova remains unchanged although none of them reached the quarter-finals. Aussie Ashleigh Barty retains her No. 1 spot in the WTA rankings. Photo: AFP Simona Halep, who Former world number second round at Wimbledemolished Serena Wil- three places to number four.

Williams also moves up one Angelique Kerber, who don, drops out of the top liams in under an hour in Saturday’s final, moves up one place to nine. lost to Lauren Davis in the 10 to 13.

SPORT 29

Halep: Serena lost ‘intimidation’ factor TENNIS SIMONA HALEP BELIEVES that Serena Williams has lost the intimidation factor that once condemned rivals to defeat even before they set foot on court.

Halep handed the American legend a 6-2, 6-2 rout in the Wimbledon final last Saturday (July 13) to become the first Romanian to win a singles title at the All England Club.

The 56-minute dissection of the Williams playbook was the 23-time Slam winner’s most lopsided loss in a major final.

With her 38th birthday fast approaching, her dream of matching Margaret Court’s all-time mark of 24 majors seems as far away as it has ever been.

“I have always been intimidated a little bit when I faced Serena,” admitted 27-year-old Halep.

Simona Halep easily took the Wimbledon Ladies’ Singles title in one hour. Photo: AFP “She’s an inspiration for everyone and the model for everyone. But I decided before the match that I’m going to focus on myself and on the final of Grand Slam, not on her.”

AFP

Sixers star Simmons out of Aussie World Cup bid BASKETBALL BE N SI M MONS, N EW LY signed to a five-year, $170 million contract extension with the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, confirmed Tuesday he won’t play for Australia at the World Cup. In a statement posted on Twit-

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ter, the Melbourne-born star said he wouldn’t make the trip to the FIBA championship that tips off in China on August 31.

“I wanted to let everyone know that after consulting with my representation, I’ve made the difficult decision to forego playing in the World Cup in China,” Simmons said.

“Ultimately, we decided it was best that I use the time in September to return to Philadelphia to acquaint myself with my new teammates and prepare for the upcoming NBA season.”

“I’m really excited about the talent we have on the Boomers squad, especially moving closer to 2020 where I will be honored

and humbled to represent my country on the world’s biggest sporting stage at the Olympics in Tokyo.”

Simmons was the number one overall draft pick in 2016 and after injury saw him miss the 2016-17 NBA season he was named Rookie of the Year in 2017-18.

AFP

Ben Simmons is staying in Philadelphia after the team acquired superstar Al Horford from the Boston Celtics.

Photo: AFP

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Djokovic hailed ‘King of Tennis’ after Wimbledon TENNIS

AFP

Antoine Griezmann leaves Atletico Madrid for the bright lights of Barcelona in a $135mn, five-year deal.

Atletico outcry after transfer to Catalonia FOOTBALL FRENCH FORWARD ANtoine Griezmann said on Sunday (July 14) that Atletico Madrid’s angry response to his transfer to La Liga rivals Barcelona is “a pity”.

Barcelona revealed on Friday they had paid the 28-year-old’s 120-million-euro ($135 million) release clause to sign the World Cup winner on a five-year deal, prompting a furious response from Atletico who said the amount was “insufficient”.

“Regarding Atletico, it’s a pity. I went to see them on purpose so they would not be caught off guard and could prepare for the future,” the player told a news conference as he was presented at

the Camp Nou. “We reached an agreement but finally it changed, it’s like that, you have to accept it,” he added when asked about Atletico’s response.

Shortly after the Catalans had announced the signing, Atletico complained Barcelona and Griezmann had negotiated the deal before the buy-out price dropped from 200 million euros at the start of July.

Griezmann scored 133 goals in 257 appearances for Atletico since he joined them in 2014 from Basque club Real Sociedad, who scouted the attacker when he was just 14.

He helped Atletico lift the Europa League in 2018 and won the World Cup with France last year.

AFP

T

he Serbian press on Monday (July 15) proclaimed Novak Djokovic “King of Tennis” with the “heart of a hero” after he claimed his fifth Wimbledon title beating eight-time champion Roger Federer.

The 32-year-old Serbian saved two match points as he took his Grand Slam tally to 16, four off Federer’s overall record of 20 in the longest final in the tournament’s history on Sunday (July 14).

“Novak, King of Tennis,” read the Blic daily paper frontpage headline.

“The fifth Crown for the King,” echoed the Vecernje Novosti paper.

“He certainly did not play his best tennis but he knew how to handle the key moments due to his main weapon, his mental strength,” Blic commented.

Djokovic, contrary to his habits, “did not show any emotion during the whole match” which lasted four hours and 57 minutes, the longest Wimbledon final and the first to be settled by a final set tiebreak.

The world number, who is now level on five Wimbledon

Serbian press crown Djokovic ‘King of Tennis’. titles with Bjorn Borg, is the first man in 70 years to win the title after recovering from two match points down.

Despite being outplayed by the 37-year-old Swiss for large parts of the knife-edge encounter, Djokovic triumphed 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 13-12 (7/3).

For the Informer tabloid Djokovic won “against Federer and the public” cheering for the Swiss. The Politika daily paper said that “all was against Djokovic” during the match.

Djokovic is only four Grand Slam titles away from Federer’s record of 20.

“I like to transmutate it in a way: When the crowd is chanting ‘Roger’ I hear

‘Novak’,” said the 32-year-old Djokovic. “It sounds silly, but it is like that.”

England celebrate World Cup win as All Blacks call for review CRICKET ENGLAND REVELLED IN their first World Cup triumph on Monday (July 15), soaking up the adulation of a disbelieving nation after one of the most extraordinary finishes to a cricket match in history.

The host country, after 44 years of trying, finally

became world champions with a stunning victory over New Zealand at Lord’s, triumphing on superior boundary count after both the match and the additional Super Over shootout ended with the scores level.

The game was watched by the biggest audience in a generation, with around 30,000 packed into Lord’s, thousands

congregating in front of a big screen in Trafalgar Square in central London and the first free-to-air terrestrial coverage in 14 years.

Hundreds of children flooded across the outfield at the Oval – across town from Lord’s – to help Eoin Morgan’s men celebrate their historic triumph.

The south London ground

was where England launched their World Cup campaign with a victory over South Africa way back on May 30.

Many of the young children at the Oval were wearing the kit of the All Stars junior programme run by the England and Wales Cricket Board and others were dressed in their school uniforms.

As Happy by Pharrell Williams blared out, the youngsters were delighted to catch sight of England stars such as Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer and flocked towards their new heroes.

England coach Trevor Bayliss, drafted in with the aim of winning the World Cup following their miserable first-round exit at the 2015 tournament, said, “I heard some of the young guys in the team say the 2005 Ashes inspired them to bigger and better things.

“I think they are very proud they’ve been put in a position where they can hopefully inspire a few of the next generation.”

This year’s Cricket World Cup final was watched by the biggest audience in a generation, about 30,000 at Lord’s.

Meanwhile, New Zealand coach Gary Stead has called for the Cricket World Cup’s rules to be overhauled, labelling the showpiece final “hollow” after England defeated the Black Caps on a technicality.

The teams could not be separated at the end of both regular play and a Super Over shootout, so England were

handed victory because they had a superior boundary count.

“It’s a very, very hollow feeling that you can play 100 overs and score the same amount of runs and still lose the game, but that’s the technicalities of sport,” Stead told reporters in remarks released

by New Zealand Cricket earlier this week.

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Lampard looking ahead

SPORT 31

New Chelsea manager says he won’t look backwards FOOTBALL AFP

C

helsea legend Frank Lampard said on Tuesday (July 16) he won’t be looking backwards as he takes on possibly the biggest challenge of his career: managing his former team.

Speaking in Japan where the Blues are playing two friendlies, Lampard said he was “very happy” with his squad but expects to work the team hard during the pre-season.

“For me the story is not to look backwards,” said Lampard, whose return to his former club as head coach was confirmed earlier this month.

Over in Newcastle, midfielder Matt Ritchie said on Tuesday that he was “surprised” and “disappointed” to see manager Rafael Benitez leave the Premier League crisis club.

Newcastle have approached Steve Bruce over the vacancy and the former Manchester United defender has reportedly resigned as manager of Sheffield Wednesday.

But the time is ticking down to Newcastle’s Premier League opener on August 11 and the club has lost key players, while also in limbo

Former star player Frank Lampard returns to Chelsea as their new manager. Photo: AFP over the managerial hot seat.

Newcastle fans were furious that hated club owner Mike Ashley failed to convince the hugely popular Benitez to stay, and the Spaniard has since moved to China as coach of Dalian Yifang.

Newcastle are now among the favourites for relegation – Benitez was widely praised for

steering the northeast club to 13th last term.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos is close to joining Arsenal on a season-long loan.

Spanish newspaper Marca said the 22-year-old would head to north London “without an option to buy”, and the Gunners “would be responsible for

100% of the player’s salary, which is about three million euros (B104mn)”.

Ceballos was voted the player of 2017 European U-21 championship and was picked on the team of the tournament at this year’s edition which Spain won.

“He understands that he will have limited opportunities

under Zinedine Zidane,” wrote Spanish sports daily Marca.

In other news, Pablo Zabaleta says this will be his last season in the Premier League and could even be his final campaign before retirement.

The veteran Argentine defender has signed a new one-year deal with West Ham United and revealed on Tuesday that it will be his swansong in English football.

Asked if he will retire for good after the coming season, Zabaleta, speaking in the Chinese city of Nanjing, said, “I don’t know, honestly. The reason I’m here is because I’m still enjoying my football.”

Over in Manchester, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Tuesday he was optimistic that goalkeeper David De Gea would sign a new deal to remain at Old Trafford.

United’s pre-season tour of Australia has been overshadowed by speculation over the futures of several stars, including De Gea who is in the last year of his contract and has been linked with French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

The Spaniard is reportedly close to signing a new fiveyear deal with United worth in excess of £350,000 (B13mn) a week that would make him the highest paid goalkeeper in the world.

Matthijs de Ligt got the better of Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus in the Champions League. Photo: AFP

New Juventus player de Ligt arrives in Turin FOOTBALL A JA X CA PTA I N M ATthijs de Ligt arrived in Turin on Tuesday (July 16) to complete his transfer to Juventus.

T he 19-year- old who led Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals is due to undergo a medical before signing for Juventus for a reported 75 million euros (B2.9bn).

He has played 117 games for Ajax in all competitions, scoring 13 goals, including three as the club reached the last four of the Champions League last season, only to lose in the final seconds to Tottenham.

De Ligt scored the winner in Turin as Ajax eliminated Juventus in the quarter-finals.

He has played 17 times for the Netherlands.

AFP

Barcelona complete signing of ‘Japanese Messi’ FOOTBALL BARCELONA ANNOUNCED on Monday (July 15) they had completed the signing of young Japan winger Hiroki Abe from the Kashima Antlers of the J-League.

The Catalan club said they had paid 1.1 million euros (B38.1mn) for

the 20-year-old and assigned him to their reserve team, which plays in the third-tier Spanish Segunda B. Barcelona said Abe had signed a four-year contract with a 40 million euro (B1.3bn) buyout clause which would rise to 100 million euros (3.4bn) if he is promoted to the first team.

He “is considered to be Japanese

football’s big promise ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games,” Barca said on their website.

Abe, who made his international debut in the Copa America last month, can play anywhere across the front line, but “has predominantly been used on the left flank”.

He was the J-League’s young player of the year in 2018 and started

HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Run #1746: Saturday July 20 Run Start Time: 4pm Hares: Murkury, Not Long Enough Location: Bang Jo Directions: From Heroines Monument continue North to the first traffic lights just past the PTT station and turn LEFT (HHH). After that go a bit and turn RIGHT (HHH) into Phanason and head to the back where you will see the truck.

Bus pick-up: Patong @ Expat Hotel: 14:45 | Kamala @ Aussie Pub: 15:15 More info: phuket-hhh.com

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both legs as Kashima won the Asian Champions League title in the same season. He made 79 appearances for the Antlers over the last three seasons scoring 10 times.

Barcelona matched Real Madrid who last month signed teenager Takefusa Kubo, nicknamed the ‘Japanese Messi’, from FC Tokyo.

AFP

Hiroki Abe was the J-League's best young player last season.

Photo: AFP

Sport

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editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Aussie sits atop latest tennis rankings >p29 Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton surfs on a wave of supporters as he celebrates victory in the British Formula One Grand Prix at the Silverstone motor racing circuit in England. Photo: AFP

RISK PLUS TALENT

Hamilton clear top dog after British Grand Prix win BOX OF NEUTRALS

Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

I

t was hard to pick whether Lewis Hamilton or Silverstone’s stubbornly overcast skies were glummer on Saturday evening (July 13).

The British Grand Prix is a regular celebration of Lewis Hamilton, the stands invariably packed with motorsport fans waving the Union Jack and flags bearing Hamilton’s number 44.

It’s an atmosphere few other races can replicate, and Hamilton feeds on the adoration. No current driver comes close to his level of success

at the historic circuit, and this year he had the chance to seize the record for most wins ever at Silverstone.

So you can imagine his disappointment when teammate Valtteri Bottas pipped him to pole position by just 0.006 seconds.

“Ultimately not good enough,” he lamented. “We had worked hard throughout the session but it just got a little bit away from us.

“But it’s a long race tomorrow – we’ve got a great crowd here and hopefully I can do something good for them tomorrow.”

And in his head he already had a plan to bring home the trophy for the capacity crowd.

The Silverstone Circuit has

always been a well-rounded test for man and machine, but in 2019 a fresh resurfacing had added an extra element of variability.

Tyre-wear had become extremely high, virtually guaranteeing drivers would have to make a stop for fresh tyres twice just to make it to the end of the race.

Hamilton, however, with a famously sensitive feel for the Pirelli rubber, was ruminating on a different strategy.

“The long runs, everyone else’s tyres were degrading massively, and I had the best long run on Friday [practice] of everyone,” he said. “I’m sure everyone would have seen my data and been looking at how I saved the tyre and tried

to do the same, and I just did the opposite.”

Immediately from lightsout Hamilton engaged Bottas in a fierce duel for the lead. It caught the poleman off guard, just as Lewis had predicted, and by lap 16 he’d dived into the pits for a fresh set of the same medium-compound tyres, guaranteeing himself another pit stop to satisfy the rule requiring two different types of tyres be used in a race.

Hamilton, now in first place, stayed out.

Unbeknownst to both Bottas and even the Mercedes pit wall, Hamilton was determined to gamble on making only a single pit stop on a day everyone else was stop-

ping twice to overpower his teammate.

It set up a fascinating prospect for the end of the race until fate intervened – a lap-20 safety car, caused by Antonio Giovinazzi’s beached Alfa Romeo, allowed Hamilton to pit for fresh hard-compound tyres without losing a place.

Bottas, now in second and with another pit stop still to make, was beaten on the spot, and Hamilton had his record-breaking seventh British Grand Prix win.

Hamilton insisted the safety car wouldn’t have made a difference to the result considering his superior tyre usage, and though its impossible to know the answer with certainty, his bonus point

for the fastest lap, set at the very end of the race when his rubber should have been shot, suggests he could have pulled it off.

Whatever the case, there’s no doubt Hamilton’s instinctive gamble was decisive, and as he crowdsurfed over a joyous throng of adoring British fans after hoisting the famous golden winners trophy, his championship lead boosted to 39 points with 11 races remaining, one couldn’t help but wonder whether there’s any force on the grid with the power to slow his accelerating momentum.

Certainly there was none at Silverstone, where fortune favoured the brave Lewis Hamilton.

Sister acts spice up inaugural LPGA team event GOLF

THE LPGA’S FIRST OFFIcial team event tees off with a pair of sister acts and a veteran Solheim Cup duo spicing up the field for the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.

The 72 two-woman teams will compete for a $2 million

purse at Midland Country Club in Midland, Michigan.

Thai sisters Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn will play together and are grouped in the first and second round with US sisters Nelly and Jessica Korda.

Some of the world’s top players, including world number one Park Sung-hyun, are skipping the event as they prepare for next week’s

Evian Championship in France, which will be quickly followed by the Women’s British Open.

South Korea’s Ko Jin-young and Australian Minjee Lee – at number two and three in the world – are the highest-ranked team.

Former world number one Lydia Ko of New Zealand and Chun In-gee of South Korea – who own four major titles between

them – will team up.

“Golf is a very individual game, it’s just you and your caddie out there,” she said.

“It’s nice that you have a partner that you can rely on, and even if it doesn’t go your way, you’re out there supporting each other. I think that’s the great thing about team play.”

AFP

Jutanugarn sisters Moriya (left) and Ariya (right) become a formidable duo.

Photo: AFP thephuketnews