The Phuket News March 20, 2020

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FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

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PHUKET POLL: TOURISTS SAY WILL STILL TRAVEL > PAGE 5

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NEWS

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Officials ramp up coronavirus countermeasures

LIFE

BARS, CLUBS CLOSED FOR 14 DAYS OVER COVID-19 FEARS

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Tropic Gardener publishes the essential guide

Bangla Rd dark and shuttered on Wednesday night (Mar 18). Photo: Jao Blue Car 2299

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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angla Rd in the heart of Patong went dark on Wednesday night as all entertainment venues were ordered closed for 14 days by order of the government in the hope of stemming the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana gave the order late Tuesday night (Mar 17) following the Cabinet resolution earlier that day.

All sports venues, cinemas and massage shops must remain closed for 14 days, Governor Phakaphong said.

The same closure of all entertainment venues is in force in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, he added.

“As for remedial measures for

those affected, the government has issued many remedial measures and so the Phuket Government will follow the national measures, not exclusive measures only for Phuket,” Governor Phakaphong said.

Owners of venues can file a request directly to the Phuket Governor’s Office to be considered whether their venues should be closed or not, he noted.

“However, they must have good reasons to support the consideration under the Communicable Disease Act, B.E. 2558 (2015),” he added.

Official notices announcing the closure will be sent to about 300 venues to be closed in Phuket, he said.

“Those venues which match the definition of a place of entertainment will also have to close, and whoever

violates the announcement will be punished according to the Communicable Disease Act,” he warned.

Penalties for any person who violates or fails to comply with the order of a communicable disease control officer range from up to one month in jail or a fine of up to B10,000, or both, up to one year in prison or a fine of up to B100,000, or both, depending on which section of the act the transgressor is deemed to have violated.

The forced shutdown of all entertainment venues followed Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan on Tuesday ordering all educational institutions to close. While all government and other national Thai curriculum schools had concluded the end of their school year last Friday (Mar 13), the

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order forced all international schools, colleges and universities throughout the country to close their campuses.

In line with the order for no large gatherings to be held, Cabinet this week also declared the public holidays for the upcoming Thai New Year Songkran celebrations cancelled, along with the cancellation of all public events planned for the annual nationwide festival. Government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek on Monday said the holiday will no longer fall on April 13-15, but new dates weren’t announced.

As of last Friday, the Ministry of Public Health expanded its requirements for people arriving from any of the “Ongoing Local Transmission Areas” (OLTAs), which now comprises France, Spain,...

SPORT

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Benfica sign local BISP boy Pedro de Souza

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The remains of the obliterated ‘songtaew’ bus. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Lucky escape: Truck wipes out ‘songtaew’ THREE PEOPLE ESCAPED without life-threatening injuries after a truck wiped out a local “songtaew” bus on the northbound section of Thepkrasattri Rd in Thepkrasattri early last Thursday morning (Mar 12).

The songtaew suffered massive damage. Its driver, 71-year-old Mr Phon Wonghiran, sustained scratches and bruises across his chest and to his right leg and was taken to hospital.

The truck, registered in Pathum Thani, had veered off the road following the collision and also sustained damages. Its driver, Kiattipon Phittayanan, 28, and his pas-

senger, On-uma Chanpruek, 38, had suffered injuries to their bodies and were taken to Thalang Hospital.

Lt Pattarakorn Phongphaiboon of the Thalang Police was called to the scene at 5:45am together with Kusoldharm rescue workers and an emergency team from Thalang Hospital.

According to police, Phon stated that he was making a U-turn on the northbound section of the road when the truck, which was travelling very quickly, hit the back of the bus, resulting in the drivers of both vehicles losing control and crashing.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

Nursery faces probe for toddler abuse > p4

Surin beach vendors defy order, face fine

Khunanya Wanchanwet reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

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each chair and umbrella operators who have returned to Surin Beach will be fined for ignoring the ban on any trade on the sands at Surin, Chief of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration (OrBorTor) MaAnn Samran has confirmed.

Mr MaAnn said he became aware that beach chair and umbrella operators had returned to the beach last week.

“They are not allowed. No trade of any kind is allowed on the beach,” Mr MaAnn told The Phuket News on Monday (Mar 16).

Under the beach management policy implemented during the days of the military-run National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), Surin Beach was designated a “virgin beach”, meaning a “vendor-free beach”, as it was to be left bare for all people to enjoy.

Of note, Phuket was the only province in the country where a “beach management policy” was introduced.

Meanwhile, the vendors remain on the beach, Mr MaAnn confirmed.

“We have already told the local vil-

The beach chair and umbrella vendors have returned to Surin Beach. Photo: Supplied lagers and the beach operators. In addition to sending them warning letters, we have installed four signs on the beach to remind them that no trading is allowed on the beach,” Mr MaAnn said today.

“Now we are coordinating with the Phuket Beach Management Committee [which regulates all beaches in Phuket] for legal proceedings,” Mr MaAnn confirmed.

Mr MaAnn said that he at this stage he did not know how much the fines would be.

However, he said that the beach vendors were in breach of both the Public Health Act, which bans the distribu-

tion of goods in public places or ways without express permission from the local authority, and were encroaching on government land.

The local vendors return to Surin Beach follows the Cherng Talay OrBorTor posting a notice on Dec 23 ordering all vendors to vacate the sands at Surin Beach by Jan 12 – or face having their business demolished by the OrBorTor and the vendors themselves face legal action.

Not wanting to tempt fate, the beach vendors all vacated their areas immediately, but later filed an appeal with the Phuket Governor for the right to make a living by serving tourists on the beach.

‘Barmageddon’ hits as country prepares for Stage 3 COVID-19 lockdown Continued from page 1 ...the United States of America, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain, specific cities in Japan.

All travellers arriving from those areas must now – before check-in at the airport of origin – show the documents to the airlines, including health certification describing “No evidence of COVID-19 infection in the previous 48 hours and no signs of sickness in the

Governor Phakaphong gave the order to shut the bars late Tuesday. Photo: PR Dept 14 days prior to the departure date” and health insurance to the amount of US$100,000 (about B3.223 million) to cover

all expenditures of medical treatment while travelling abroad.

After landing in the country, all travellers from OLTAs are to self-monitor their health for 14 days and report any health issues to authorities immediately. However, at the time of going to press, OLTA arrivals were subjected to quarantine.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday said preparations for a “Stage

3” nationwide lockdown were underway as a precaution in case the coronavirus situation deteriorated further.

“Preparations cover facilities. They include arranging for beds at existing and additional facilities. These may be military hospitals, private hospitals and even hotels. They will be used as additional places for quarantine,” Gen Prayut said.

“Information must be collected and preparations must be made beforehand, starting today [Mar 18]. If the outbreak reaches the third stage, it will be hectic and the country will be locked down,” he said.

ASSURANCES At the meeting late Tuesday night, Phuket Governor Phakaphong repeated that health officials in Phuket have been screening arrivals at Phuket International Airport and other ports of entry “continuously”.

“As for the tourists who come from the serious risk countries [Italy, Iran, South Korea, China, including Hong Kong and Macau], the government has taken measures by cancelling visas on arrival, so that tourists from those areas

must have a visa before coming,” he said.

“For example, for Chinese people traveling to Thailand wanting to enter the country on a visa on arrival, which is issued at the airport, the authorities have now canceled their visa-free visa and visa on arrival [privileges], therefore [nationals from] any country that is subject to a visa on arrival cannot come [without first having a visa].

Of note, Governor Phakaphong made no mention of whether or not he considered the cancellation of visas on on arrival applied to Russian passport holders – a point that has yet to be clarified after Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda last week (Mar 11) announced that Thailand had cancelled the grant of visa on arrival for 18 countries and visa exemption for three others in order to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Russians were named among those affected by the visa ban, with Gen Anupong explaining that all arrivals from the countries affected had to apply for visas at a Thai embassy or consulate and travel with a medical cer-

tificate to prove they are not infected with the virus.

However, the Royal Thai Embassy in Moscow has posted a notice plainly explaining that the new requirements do not apply to holders of Russian passports.

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

Governor Phakaphong did explain that any persons arriving from the six risk areas wanting to enter Thailand must submit at a Royal Thai Embassy or consulate documents including a medical certificate issued within the past 48 hours confirming that the applicant was not infected with COVID-19, and they must have health insurance of at least US$100,000 – both requirements already long made clear by the DDC on its website.

Governor Phakaphong also repeated that that officials had the power by law to enact the precautionary measures. thephuketnews

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COVID-19 checks expanded Arrivals from France, Germany, Singapore now asked to self-quarantine Of note, Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana was present at the meeting.

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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fficials in Phuket will now check on all arrivals from Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Germany, France, and Spain each day to monitor their health to make sure they are not infected with COVID-19, Phuket Vice Governor Phichet Panaphong has announced.

“On arrival, travellers from these countries and territories must confirm with officials where they will be staying so officers can go and check on them every day to make sure they do not develop any symptoms of infection,” V/ Gov Phichet told the meeting of the Phuket Communicable Disease Committee last Thursday (Mar 12).

“Officers will also check on those already on the island, but these arrivals will not have to self-quarantine themselves,” he said.

Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Dr Chalermpong Sukontapol added, “If they have a body temperature lower than 37.5ºC, they will be allowed to

A person is checked for elevated body temperature on walking into Phuket International Airport. Photo: AoT go out of their hotel but must be checked daily.

“They will also be suggested to go to open-air places, such as beaches, and avoid crowded places, such as pubs,” he said.

“If they have a temperature higher than 37.5ºC, they will be taken to local hospital, where they will be tested,” he added.

V/Gov Phichet repeated

that all arrivals from China, South Korea, Macao, Hong Kong, Italy, and Iran must self-quarantine themselves for at least 14 days.

V/Gov Phichet also revealed, “There are currently around 400 people from the two groups [the original six “risk areas” and the new “second group”], including Thais and foreigners, and we already

Frenchman faces hefty fines for dropping anchor on protected corals A 67-YEAR-OLD FRENCHman is facing serious fines for dropping anchor on protected corals off Koh Racha Yai, south of Phuket.

Somnuek Boonyai, Chief of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) Region 6 office’s Preservation of Marine Life Section, told The Phuket News that he was notified by a member of Marine Rangers on Mar 6 that a yacht named “Cotinga” had dropped anchor anchor in a protected coral area, causing damage to corals.

DMCR officers filed a complaint with the Chalong Police and contacted Dream Yacht Charter (Thailand) Co Ltd, which had chartered the yacht out to Jean Girard, 67, from France.

Mr Girard confirmed that he had rented the yacht on that day to have a trip with his family, Mr Somnuek said.

Mr Girard was taken to Chalong Police Station on Mar 8 and faces two charges, Mr Somnuek confirmed.

One charge is to breach of a regulation introduced by the DMCR under Section 17 of the Act on the Promotion of Marine and Coastal @thephuketnews

The yacht dropped anchor in Patok Bay, on the northwest side of Racha Yai Island. Photo: DMCR Resources Management B.E. 2558 (2015), which can incur a penalty of up to one year in prison or a fine of up to B100,000, or both.

The second charge is for breach of Section 12 of the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act 2019, which can incur a penalty of up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to B1 million, or both.

Asked how much Mr Girard will be fined, Mr Somnuek explained on Mar 11, “At this stage, police have not yet fined him as they are still waiting for a report confirming how much damage was done to the corals.”

Mr Somnuek confirmed that the yacht charter company will not face any charges.

The protected area where the corals were damaged are

located at Patok Bay, the northwest side of Racha Yai Island, Mr Somnuek explained.

“The reef there is a designated protected area. Boats are allowed to pass through the area, but not allowed to drop anchor there,” he said.

There is a sign on the beach to explain about the protected coral area, but there are no buoys on the water to indicate where the protected zone is, Mr Somnuek confirmed.

Asked whether the area will be marked on the water as a protected zone, Mr Somnuek said, “Having signs out there is not sustainable, they can be damaged easily by the wind and waves. However, I will find a good solution later.”

Khunanya Wanchanwet and Eakkapop Thongtub

have information where they are staying.

“I confirm that of these 400 people we have not found any persons suspected of being infected,” he said.

“If any of them are found to have any symptoms of the disease, they will be taken to local hospital where they will be tested,” V/Gov Phichet repeated.

AIRPORT WALK-INS Staff at Phuket International Airport this week started screening all people walking into the International and the Domestic Terminal for possible infection of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Persons found with body temperatures higher than 37.5ºC will not be allowed to enter the terminals, explained a notice posted by airport management last Sunday (Mar 15).

Any persons found with elevated body temperatures will be rechecked by doctors and Department of Disease Control (DDC) officers at the airport.

“If they are found to have any symptoms of being infected with the virus, they will be taken to a local hospital immediately,” the notice said.

Of note, the first and most common symptoms of COVID-19 are exactly the same as those for the common cold:

elevated body temperature, runny nose and a sore throat.

Only the more developed signs of the diseases include difficulty breathing and severe coughing.

The screening points have been set up at the entrances to the International Terminal, as follows: • Entrance No. 2 and 5 of the Arrival Hall (Floor 1) • Entrance No. 2 of the Departure Hall (Floor 3) • Walkway between the international and domestic terminals (Floor 2) The Domestic terminal will have screening points at Entrance No 2 and 3 of the Departure Hall (Floor 2).

The entrance from the car park building to Floor 2 of the International Terminal and to the Arrival Hall on Floor 1 of the Domestic Terminal have been closed.

The notice also suggested that to prevent missing flights, travellers are urged to arrive at the airport one to two hours hours in advance.

“We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause,” the notice said.

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Infant abuse alleged Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

GENERAL MANAGER Jason Beavan 086 479 7471

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British national Richard James Dillon was arrested in Kathu last Friday (Mar 13). Photo: Phuket Provincial Police

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

POLICE ARRESTED RICHard Dillon, 46, at Phuket Golf View Condominium in Kathu at 10:30am last Friday (Mar 13) after he was found with 6.92 grammes of dried marijuana and overstaying his permit to stay by 245 days, reported Lt Col Pathapee Srichai of the Phuket Provincial Police.

Dillon was taken to Kathu Police Station for further questioning. “Then he will be handed over to Phuket Immigration,” Lt Col Pathapee said.

The Phuket News

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ichit Police recorded a Phuket woman’s complaint regarding alleged abuse of her 15-monthold daughter at a local nursery.

Yet it took the mother a visit to the Damrongdhama Centre (Ombudsman’s Office) to get the complaint registered by the police.

Teenage mother Natthanan Phetmak, 18, filed a complaint at the Damrongdhama Centre at Phuket Provincial Hall last Thursday (Mar 12), saying her 15-month-old daughter was injured at a night-time nursery in Villa Suan Luang and Wichit Police had refused to investigate the incident.

“My girl is just one year and three months old. First, on Mar 5, we picked her up from the nursery with a small wound on her nose which was not serious.

Natthanan Phetmak, 18, filed a complaint at the Damrongdhama Centre, claiming police refused to investigate her case. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub On the next day, Mar 6, we sent her to the nursery as well. Then at 9pm the nursery staff called me to tell that my girl had been admitted to Phuket Provincial Hospital because some other kid at the nursery hit her,” Ms Natthanan said.

“She had bruises and other wounds all over her body and head, including a scratch near her left eye, a bite wound on the head, a wound on her left cheek, bruises on her head.

My girl had to spend two days at the hospital as per doctor’s recommendation,” the mother continued.

The woman insisted that the nursery was equipped with CCTV but didn’t specify if the records were shown to her.

Ms Natthanan told the media that on Mar 8 she went to Wichit Police Station to file a formal complaint, but police officers did not believe her story and declined to register the complaint.

The same happened when she went to Wichit Police Station with her mother on Mar 9.

“I require this nursery to be prosecuted for my girl’s injuries.

And I have already complained to the Pavena Foundation about this case as well,” Ms Natthanan added.

The complaint was finally registered by Wichit Police on Mar 13.

“I have already recorded this complaint. The case is being processed,” Lt Col Boonserm Kleawwatee from Wichit Police told The Phuket News.

Ms Natthanan also said that officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security have talked to her and will conduct their own investigation.

“I don’t believe that my girl was hurt by another child of her age. I want the nursery to be held responsible,” Ms Natthanan said.

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Phuket Town school fire causes B500k in damage NO PEOPLE WER E I Njured in a fire that broke out at Piboonsawasdee Municipal School in Phuket Town last Saturday (Mar 14), police confirmed. Yet the blaze caused an estimated B500,000 in damage.

The fire broke out at the school on Damrong Rd at about noon, Capt Keufah Pongsapan of Phuket City Police reported.

Three fire trucks were quickly dispatched to the scene and had the fire under control in half an hour. There were no students in the building at the moment because of Thai school break.

“The fire started from the school shop room and then spread to the school bank room located in the same part of the building. After the fire was stopped, I inspected both rooms. All fans, air conditioners, clothes and other assets were burned. The cost of the damage caused by the fire is estimated at B500,000,” Capt Keufah said.

“No students’ money was burned. All money is safe at Government Savings Bank,” school Director Wirot Khamkliang added.

The fire started in the school shop and spread to the school bank room. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub According to Capt Keufah, the fire was caused by a spark coming from welding work carried out on the second floor of the school building, right over the school shop room.

“A worker was welding steel on the second floor of this building. One of the sparks landed on the shop room below and started the fire, which later spread into the shop room and bank room,” Capt Keufah explained.

School food vendor Janjira Kroysoongnern was the person to spot the fire and raise the alarm.

“Now we are looking for the worker who did the welding. No charges have been pressed so far as we are continuing the investigation. The details of the fire are being investigated as well,” he added.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

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Tourists say will still travel

Poll: 53% vote would come to Phuket even if COVID-19 confirmed PHUKET POLL The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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ore than half of the foreign visitors to Phuket who responded to an online poll by The Phuket News voted that a person in Phuket being confirmed as infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus should not affect tourists’ decision to travel here: “It should not affect their decision at all as long reasonable precautions are taken.”

The poll ran online for two weeks and drew more than 1,700 respondents, of whom 33% were Thai nationals, 14% were local expatriate residents and 53% were foreign visitors to Phuket.

In response to ongoing travel bans, self-quarantine requirements and oblique reporting of COVID cases in Phuket, The Phuket News asked readers the simple question: “Even if Phuket had one or more confirmed cases of people infected with the coronavirus, if those people were quickly identified and moved to isolation, should this affect tourists’ in their decision to come to Phuket?”

A total of 23% of all respondents voted, “Yes, tourists should cancel

@thephuketnews

Tourists are checked at Phuket International Airport. Photo: AoT their trips to anywhere for now to help stop the virus from spreading,” and a further 16% of all respondents voted, “Yes, tourists should cancel their trips to Phuket and elsewhere in Thailand, as there is little confidence in measures taken to contain the spread of the virus.”

However, 52% of all respondents voted, “No, the virus is already

spreading everywhere. It should not affect their decision at all as long reasonable precautions are taken.”

The remaining 9% voted, “It depends on whether the people contracted the virus while in Phuket.”

In a breakdown by demographic, 23.06% of all Thai nationals who took part in the poll, 25.21% of all local expatriate residents who took

part in the poll and 21.91% of all foreign visitors to Phuket who voted in the poll responded, “Yes, tourists should cancel their trips to anywhere for now to help stop the virus from spreading.”

Similarly, it was the local expatriate residents who held the least faith in local officials in taking reasonable precautions to prevent the disease

from spreading in Phuket, with one quarter (25.21%) of all expats on the island voting, “Yes, tourists should cancel their trips to Phuket and elsewhere in Thailand, as there is little confidence in measures taken to contain the spread of the virus.”

Only 15.15% of all Thai nationals who voted in the poll believed likewise, and only 14.18% of all foreign visitors to Phuket who voted in the poll believing the same.

An overwhelming majority of all respondents in each demographic voted that people should be able to come to Phuket, as long as precautions were taken.

A total 52.15% of all Thai nationals who voted in the poll responded, “No, the virus is already spreading everywhere. It should not affect their decision at all as long reasonable precautions are taken.”

A further 47.11% of all local expatriate residents who voted in the poll voted the same.

The most telling statistic was that 53.06% of all foreign visitors to Phuket who voted in the poll agreed: “It should not affect their decision at all as long reasonable precautions are taken.”

For the full poll results, visit ThePhuketNews.com and select “Poll” from the “News” menu.

Opinion 6

OPINION

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EDITORIAL

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Songkran will survive

hai officials are going to have their hands full trying to contain an outbreak of Songkran fever in three weeks’ time. They can cancel the public holidays, they can shut the bars, but telling Thais they cannot celebrate their own New Year is going to be a tough act.

Cancelling the public holidays is an obvious move to try to stem the outpouring of Thais who live and work in Bangkok from returning to their family homes in the provinces over the traditional holidays. Bangkok’s estimated resident population ranges from 8.2 million recognised in the 2010 national census to some 10.2mn by more recent estimates, but more tellingly is that the estimated daytime population ranges up to as high as 15mn people.

As many as some 6mn people on the move from a

concentrated area where the COVID-19 coronavirus has been confirmed is a sincere health risk, especially when people may not know they are carrying the virus in their first 14 days of infection. More so is that the annual journey home over Songkran is for working Thais to visit their parents and grandparents, the very people most at risk from the virus.

We all understand that the coronavirus countermeasures implemented by the government so far aim to flatten the virus exposure curve, and thus try to avoid the healthcare system being overwhelmed and try to prevent any unnecessary deaths. No one wants to to be held responsible for unleashing a 21st century biological version of Logan’s Run for the elderly.

The measures also aim to mitigate the economic impact of the disease, yet the policies implemented so far seem to

be creating the impact all by themselves.

It would be nice for Thai officials to at least publicly admit these are the aims. The goal cannot be the impossible protection from the disease.

It is a highly contagious virus that will eventually reach throughout the country, just like everywhere else in the world. To wit, the race is on to create a vaccine for the virus.

We only hope that by the time a vaccine arrives COVID-19 has not already evolved into COVID-20 or 21.

Meanwhile, without rolling out domestic travel bans the likes of which Communist states would be proud of, Songkran will go ahead. Many good Thais will do their best to prevent spreading the disease, but people will travel, they will celebrate. Officials can call it what they want, but Songkran will survive.

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Airport readies to roll out COVID-19 entry requirements Poll: 53pc of tourists say will still travel to Phuket even if COVID-19 case confirmed Phuket Opinion: Sensing the fear PHUKET XTRA: Highest jump in Thailand coronavirus infections! Phuket to check on more new arrivals?

PHUKET XTRA: Phuket’s secret quarantine location and more coronavirus updates! Baby turtles hatch!

Phuket airport downshifts COVID entry requirements Officials announce daily COVID-19 checks on all arrivals from France, Germany, Spain, Singapore…

Slew of major events fall victim to COVID-19 Phuket Governor shuts four virus quarantine zones, opens new secret location Phuket airport starts screening walk-ins

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY Gone viral

Re: Thailand reports 30 new coronavirus cases The figures speak for themselves. During this 2½ months of “pandemic” a grand total of one person has died in Thailand. During that same period more than 5,000 people have been killed on its roads. I don’t see anyone insisting we should close all the busy roads to try and stop the epidemic of stupidity out there.

CaptainJack69 Re: Poll: 53pc of tourists say will still travel to Phuket even if COVID-19 case confirmed Interesting! Please continue to conduct more polls on coronavirus and other issues affecting Phuket. Present the results once a week in a simple pie chart. Thank you Apirath Re: ‘Muay Thai Under The Sky’ event postponed There have been, essentially, NO DEATHS from COVID-19 in people under 50, as of March 16. Yes, you can get sick for a few days.

It's not a threat to most of the world. Old folks, such as me, need to be careful plus all

efforts should be directed to the +50-year-olds. Honestly, why the panic? Economies and countries are being destroyed all for the sake of an inflammatory news story.

Foot Re: Slew of major Phuket events fall victim to COVID-19 Yep, can’t let a little inconvenience like COVID-19 get in the way of making money off of the Russians.

Island Man Re: Confusion over entry requirements for Russians as Thailand cancels visa on arrival for 18 countries “Confusion”, now why doesn‘t that surprise me, when so many different announcements come from so many different ret **ds. In more intelligent countries the announcement comes from one source, that message is then communicated by underlings.

Uneducated, non-professional ret**ds.

Rorri_2 Re: Phuket Governor shuts four virus quarantine zones, opens new secret location There is only one thing

to say: IDIOT.

Shwe

Re: All inbound arrivals face mandatory measures Seems like Italy, Germany USA and Iran could take lessons from Thailand. Only 50 cases in Thailand, whereas deaths in Europe surged today to 631 deaths. Policies seem to be working. Better than doing nothing. [Posted Mar 11] Jor12

Forced to run

Re: Phuket officials announce daily COVID-19 checks on all arrivals from France, Germany, Spain, Singapore, Japan and Taiwan How about expats working in Thailand who have to exit the country every 90 days?

Why not waiving this stupid visa run and have them report to immigration instead.

Albator Visa runs make healthy persons risk infection. Where is the logic? Much better just to show passport during 90-day report at drive-in counter at Immigration, Modernise the system up to 2020 setting.

Waiting for a daring Immi-

gration station colonel who will become a general after pushing for a modernisation change.

Kurt

The Gentleman

Re: Phuket honours a true gentleman of the seas Sad to hear! I think he and his Hong Kong friends helped me and Big A in 1996 to win the Phuket King‘s Cup and warned me that the Frogs in our team will try to steal the trophy – Horst BigA

Coral heads

Re: Frenchman faces hefty fines for dropping anchor on protected corals We have read many other articles on boats dropping anchor on corals. Some even had video evidence along with very clear pictures of the boats involved. Of course those were Thai tour boats so no mention of 10 years in jail or a million-baht fine.

The Thai boat “captains” can pretty much do whatever they like and get away with it. Even killing a few farang passengers from time to time.

Timothy

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

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

THAILAND NEWS

7

50 former FFP MPs Online virus tracker a big hit look to Move Forward BANGKOK

THAILAND

Bangkok Post

F

ifty former Future Forward MPs have applied to join the Move Forward Party and elected Pita Limjaroenrat as the leader of the opposition party.

At their first meeting at the Thon Buri coordination centre formerly used by the now-dissolved FFP, the Move Forward members chose the party’s 10 executives.

Chaithawat Tulathonwas voted Secretary-General. Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, who exposed the army’s online “information operation” against critics of the government during the recent no-confidence debate, was elected party spokesman.

At the meeting, the new logo, featuring two arrows pointing to the future, and its orange colour, representing sunrise, was approved.

“Move Forward is the new chapter of Future Forward,” Mr Pita told supporters as he discussed the party’s plans. “It will uphold its intentions, ideology and spirit and will be the hope of desperate people in this country.

“We will bring the country back to democracy, end dictatorship and establish the rule of law under which everyone is equal.”

@thephuketnews

Fifty MPs gather at an event to announce their entry into the Move Forward Party at the Thon Buri coordination centre last Saturday (Mar 14). Photo: Arnun Chonmahatrakool He pledged to continue with FFP policies that focus on tackling structural problems.

“We’ll continue to push existing bills – those aimed at abolishing all NCPO orders and ending the military draft which will pave the way for military reform, as well as the new labour protection and liquor bills to end the industry’s monopoly.”

Above all, he said, the party will push constitutional amendments to give people real power so that elected bodies can speak for them. “We will push for the end of appointed senators and the 20-year national strategy, as well as

making sure independent organisations are linked to the people.”

The number was of MPs who applied last Saturday (Mar 14) was lower than projected. Earlier, Mr Pita had said 55 would apply.

Of the missing five, one has already joined a party in the governing coalition, one failed to show up on Saturday and has yet to inform anyone of his plans, and the remaining three confirmed their intention to join the party but could not do so on Saturday.

Under the electoral law, they have until April 21 to join a new party – 60 days from the court-ordered dissolution of FFP.

LOCAL TECHNOLOGICAL innovations are helping with the fight against COVID-19 and also fake news surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.

One of the most popular is covidtracker.5lab.co, an online map that provides information on the spread of COVID-19 in Thailand. The website features an interactive map with updates on the number and location of cases, as well as false reports about the contagion.

The website is the fruit of unpaid efforts by a team at 5Lab, a Bangkok-based IT company. It launched last Friday morning (Mar 13) and quickly became a phenomenal hit, attracting as many as 30,000 visitors per minute, according to Nithi Prasanpanich, chief design officer at 5Lab. “The project was born from the passion of junior staff in our company. After noticing there was lots of fake reports about the outbreak, they came up with the idea for an online platform where people can verify COVID-19 news. So we created it right away,” Mr Nithi told the Bangkok Post.

The team updates the digital map with officially veri-

A screenshot of an online map developed by 5Lab, a Bangkok-based IT company, to provide news and information about COVID-19 in Thailand and help stem fake news. fied news on COVID-19 and links to information such case numbers and infection status.

A Covidtracker mobile app is in the pipeline.

OpenDream and ChangeFusion have launched a crowdsourcing chatbot that encourages users to report infections and their whereabouts. Dubbed @Sabaideebot, the chatbot allows Line subscribers to view data from fellow users, while also providing Public Health Ministry updates on the outbreak and links to hospitals.

The chatbot is in Thai.

The Thailand Tech Startup Association also uses @ Pedthaisupai to spread useful information on Facebook.

Bangkok Post

BUSINESS NEWS

8

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

Govt slammed over COVID-19 Tourism players call for overhaul, non-official command centre TOURISM The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

N

ine major Phuket tourism business associations have publicly posted a list of “suggestions” for the government to follow in its response to contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, including establishing a non-government command centre and having journalists releasing information to the public, not government agencies.

The public statement followed a meeting of the “Big Nine” at the offices of the Phuket City Development Co Ltd, better known by the initials PKCD, last Friday (Mar 13).

Present at the meeting were representatives from the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, Phuket Industry Council, Phuket Tourist Association, Thai Hotel Association Southern Chapter, Phuket Real Estate Association, Patong Hotel Association, Kata Karon Hotel Association and Phuket

Phuket during the same period last year. If the recovery starts that early, the association predicts that the number of tourists from China should return to near-normal levels during the Chinese National Day holidays in October “As for other tourists from other countries, such as South Korea, Singapore, Japan and Taiwan, we have to wait to see signs of recovery over the same months,” the statement added.

THE SEVEN KEY RECOMMENDATIONS:

technology is to be used to screen people passing through Phuket International Airport, the Phuket Check Point (at Tha Chatchai), and other main ports of entry to • Flights from the six risk areas the island. should be banned for at least 30 days, and possibly longer, depending on • Local administration officers should provide medical training the situation in each area. to local residents so they can help • Use appropriate technology to local hospital staff to check those screen all people coming to Phuket who are self-quarantined at their • Local administrations should spend homes or other accommodation. money on buying medical equipment • The Phuket Reporters Association for doctors and relevant officers. should be the main organisation • Set the Digital Economy Promotion for collecting information from Agency ( DEPA) as t he mai n relevant officers and presenting it organisation to identify which to the public.

• A Phu ket COVID-19 Cr isis Management Command Centre should be set up and be independent from the Phuket Government.

Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot City Development Co Ltd. PLUNGE CONTINUES The statement pointed out that according to the group’s information the number of arrivals at Phuket International Airport in February fell 42% on average compared with February last year. Of those, the number of international arrivals fell by 48%, while the number of domestic passengers arriving in Phuket fell by about 36%.

That trend only grew worse

as March began, the statement noted.

The number of arrivals at the airport for March 1-10 fell by 52% on average compared with the same period last year.

Of those, international arrivals fell by about 64% and domestic arrivals fell by about 38%.

While the number of arrivals from China, Hong Kong and South Korea plunged dramatically amid the travel bans and quarantine requirements, the number of Indian tourists also fell due to the

cancellation of direct flights from India and the domestic flights connecting through Don Mueang International Airport and Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.

“Italy and other countries in Europe not allowing their citizens to travel has had a huge impact on the travel of European tourists, and people from some of those countries prefer to travel to Phuket in the summer, such as Belgium, Netherlands and France,” the statement said.

Advance bookings have dropped considerably in March, April and May and charter flights from Russia, Finland and other Scandinavian countries are about to expire in mid-April 2020, the statement added.

ECONOMIC IMPACT According to the Phuket Tourism Business Association (PBTA), the outbreak has cost Phuket at least B24.5 billion in lost revenues in the tourism industry in February alone, and at least a further B18.96bn in lost revenues in other industries, not including losses in the real estate sector.

“Economic losses in March 2020 should be higher than estimates in February 2020 as the epidemic has spread throughout Europe and the number of people infected has increased dramatically and quickly,” the statement added.

The PTBA estimates that direct economic losses for Phuket’s tourism industry will be at least B29.7bn in March, and at least B20.96bn for other industries, again not including losses in the real estate sector.

The best prediction the PTBA could give, if the infection rate in China falls, is that Chinese tourists will start to return in late July.

Even then, the association expects the number of Chinese tourists to reach only 50% of the number who travelled to

CONFUSION While praising the intent and some of the efforts by the national government to contain the spread of the virus, the statement also highlighted some dire deficiencies in the government’s handling of the situation.

“The outbreak of COVID-19 shows that the current government administration system is fragile and without effective management mechanisms, especially the budget system, which does not allocate a reserve budget for emergencies in order to be able to support important activities as needed,” it added.

“This results in ineffective measures for controlling the outbreak in Phuket, and the budget for supporting various operations requires fundraising from the private sector because we cannot wait for the budget from the government,” the statement said plainly.

“Confusion in how to comply with notifications by the Ministry of Public Health on matters outside of the Kingdom regarding contagious areas has raised many questions about how to proceed, including ways to control tourists from risk countries, including detaining them and tracking systems.

This has raised questions about how this is to be done, especially with the unclear announcement about the 14-day detention centres for tourists from the four serious risk countries [Italy, Iran, south Korea and China, including Hong Kong and Macau],” the statement added.

“Although the private sector has made a request for clarification, we still have not received any clarification from the Ministry of Public Health.

“Instability in work and lack of integration of agencies in the screening process at Phuket Airport, especially with announcements from many departments, have resulted in many conflicting instructions, which have caused those [try-

ing to] comply with the orders becoming confused and in the end, unable to do anything,” the statement added.

THE PROPOSAL The statement from the nine associations “urged” the government to establish a “Phuket COVID-19 Crisis Management Command Center” to operate outside the bounds of the usual bureaucracy “in order to integrate all departments to be able to prepare and handle the outbreak in the third phase and to be the only unit that commands the control and supervision of various measures by the government, both economically and socially, to achieve maximum efficiency, including making preparations by use of scenarios to respond to an outbreak of the highest severity so we are prepared before the real event occurs.”

The group called on the government to consider allocating a budget of at least B100 million to set up such a command centre. The budget is to account for the provision of the necessary medical equipment and IT support required to monitor people in quarantine, the setting up of an appropriate site with the needed equipment and facilities for people to be held in quarantine to be used as a “reserve hospital” in advance.

The com mand cent re should be run and staffed by experts and other people with the appropriate credentials and experience in crisis management “who are not regular civil servants from the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Public Health, because the implementation of the previous measures shows the limited potential for managing Phuket in a crisis by both the Phuket Governor and Phuket Public Health Chief,” the statement said.

Sarayuth Mallam, President of Phuket Tourism Industry Council and the Phuket Tourist Association’s Vice President of Government Relations, was among several key representatives who held a press conference in Phuket Town on Monday (Mar 16) to discuss the statement.

Mr Sarayuth told The Phuket News, “At this stage it has a not been formally proposed to any level of government… The statement was created specifically regarding Phuket as we believe each area has been affected differently, and there should be an individual plan for each area,” he said. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

JoJo Rabbit asks essential questions

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

SAFFRON SUBLIME

11

Baz reveals his secret to a perfect morning

12

Chef Gai marks quarter of a century perfecting classic Thai dishes Worapong ‘Chef Gai’ Paenchoo is all smilesafterserving up classicThai dishes at Banyan Tree’s Saffron restaurant for 25 years. Photo: Supplied

THE CULINARY DETECTIVE Chris Watson chriswatsonth@gmail.com

L

et’s face it, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out in Phuket; from street food all the way up to our Michelinstarred PRU, and in between offerings of all cuisines at a multitude of price points including a world-class selection of both premium imported and quality local products.

But this was not always the case…

@thephuketnews

Just for a moment, let us reflect on what was available 25 years ago. I am sure that many of you reading this article were probably here at that time. For those of you who weren’t, let me share a picture: Banyan Tree Phuket had just opened in the Laguna complex, and yes, there were several other notable hotels, but at that time it was truly a luxury pioneer, a leader that has evolved into what it represents today.

I am indeed confident that for those who lived here at that time, Phuket, and more specifically, Laguna, was a different place altogether. However, imagine not only what it was like for residents for the first time finding

their way around this charming and unspoiled island, imagine the hotel employees and for the purposes of my diatribe today, those culinary wizards, the Chefs! What was it like for them? Diners were definitely much less demanding, but equally getting hold of quality food products was an almost insurmountable daily challenge and surviving as a restaurant, albeit within a hotel, with commitment to the same concept till today, is an achievement worthy of acknowledgement.

Saffron is Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts signature Thai restaurant across its ever-expanding portfolio of properties. Named after the spice de-

rived from the crocus with 75,000 flowers needed to produce just one pound, this unique and highly priced spice is a refined and treasured delicacy.

The very first Saffron restaurant was opened together with the hotel in Phuket, in 1995 and led as a group concept by Executive Chef Renu Homsombat, still carving a path to offer authentic Thai recipes with an occasional innovative twist. Chef Renu was recently celebrated by Banyan Tree on International Women’s Day for her dedicated contribution.

As with all Banyan Tree’s product offerings, environmental awareness...

Continued on page 10

10 DINING

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Four hour braised short rib beef Massaman Curry.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

Saffron - Banyan Tree Phuket.

Serving true delights at Saffron Continued from page 9 ...through supporting the local community with an emphasis on sustainable local products is always paramount. With Saffron’s reputation for connecting the diner with the local environment, I am excited to be experiencing this restaurant for the very first time.

It’s Head Chef is Chef Worapong Paenchoo, nicknamed Chef Gai, who has been with the restaurant almost since opening day.

Originally from Trang province, he will cook for me today his signature dishes. We meet and I leave myself in his hands; Omakase! Or as Thais say, Laew Tae Khun! I begin with Khong Wang Ruam, a delectable platter of appetisers including moist chicken satay, banana blossom prawn salad and fried white snapper rice noodle rolls. Whilst enjoying this, Chef Gai pauses for a moment at table to tell me he learnt to cook from his mother using carefully sourced products in traditional methods; his passion till today, to slow cook.

His next dish perfectly exemplifies this philosophy; a four-hour braised short rib beef Massaman curry, cooked Southern style as Chef Gai tells me, “With lots

of love!” It is certainly a triumph of a perfectly balanced sauce with pickled vegetables ensuring it is not oversweet, the meat literally falling off the bone.

As this is served to me, a charming waitress arrives with a trolley showcasing an intriguing range of different rice; turmeric, organic brown, pandan and of course jasmine. During my selection, I am delightfully educated in their individual health benefits; a first time for me!

I continue with a Kanom Jeen Nam Ya Pla, a salmon yellow curry, theatrically finished off tableside and a traditional Phad Thai with that perfect taste profile of sweet, savoury and sour that has made this dish world renowned.

Chef Gai again joins me, enthusiastically narrating each dish and how he has adapted and evolved the recipes over the years. He informs me that Saffron started out as a simple curry house when diners had more basic requests and local product expectations were not that high. But this has changed and we now have truly exacting standards to meet the diner demands sought after by international visitors.

Although, Chef Gai laughs and adds, “Most returnee diners frequently request the same dishes they had during their last stay, a little reluctant to explore new flavour combinations; the classics are the most popular.”

Almost time for me to leave, I am gently persuaded to end with a house specialty of banana fritters with Thai tea ice cream and a classic mango sticky rice.

Whilst the former is slightly decadent and the latter refreshingly delicious, I can only manage a few of course, generous mouthfuls before my capacity is reached! I say farewell to Chef Gai and his team reflecting that Saffron is indeed a gem, a jewel in Banyan Tree’s crown and with Chef Gai at the helm, I am confident of another successful coupling of a further 25 years.

Chris Watson is a former Michelin Guide Inspector who following an international career in hospitality spanning 30 years in both the Middle East and Asia, has now settled in Thailand and contributes a monthly restaurant column.

The Phuket’s Best Burger event has been postponed until September. Photo: Phuket’s Best Burger

Hold those buns! Best Burger event postponed until September

D

ue to the current situation with the coronavirus Phuket’s Best Burger will be postponed until September.

“We have done our very best to not postpone the event, going as far as having temperature stations for when guests come to the event as well as having Ecolab sponsor the event with standalone hand sanitisers, and taking advice from the local government, however due to a number of competitors dropping out over the weekend and the fact that we feel the number of people visiting the event will be way down on previous years, we have decided to postpone Asia’s biggest burger event until September,” organiser Jay Leshark of Shark Productions explained in statement issued to The Phuket News on Monday (Mar 16).

“An exact date will be released shortly,” he added.

“For anyone who has already paid the entrance fee, we will return this in full, or we can keep this for the next event in September. If you would like the refund then please do provide us with full bank details and our team will return the funds,” Mr Leshark noted.

“We are very sorry for this, BUT we are a small business and the Phuket’s Best Burger event is the biggest event in our year and we wish for it to be as best as it can be and grow year on year as it has done for the past five years,” he added.

“Thank you so much for your support to Phuket’s Best Burger and we hope that you will continue to support us later in the year,” Mr Leshark said.

The Phuket News thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

ENTERTAINMENT 11

Down the Nazi rabbit hole David Griffith

I

s it okay to ever try to get a laugh out of somebody’s misfortune?

How about trying to get a laugh out of one of the worst massacres ever in human history? It sounds like a brutal question, yet it was a question many were asking after the announcement that filmmaker Taika Waititi was going to be making a comedy that featured himself playing Adolf Hitler while centering on a young Hitler Youth member.

The idea of something funny coming out of such a tragedy is almost unfathomable. To be honest, as someone who has interviewed a Holocaust survivor in person, I was one of the people that was questioning whether or not JoJo Rabbit should ever have been made.

That was before I saw the film though, as now I find myself championing it and encouraging others to see it as it delivers a powerful message that is still very relevant to society today.

The reason for my turnaround is that Waititi takes his central character, named JoJo (Roman Griffin Davis – Silent Night), on a journey of learning, discovery and intense character building. While early on JoJo is excited about the training he is receiving from his military trainers Captain Klenzendorf (Sam Rockwell – Moon) and Fraulein Rahm (Rebel Wilson – Pitch Perfect) and the adventures that his

@thephuketnews

A still from the movie JoJo Rabbit.

Photo: Fox supplied

training will lead to, his values are later put to the test when he discovers that his mother, Rosie (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish teenager, named Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie – The King), in a secret room in their house.

There are several things that make JoJo Rabbit such a brilliant and interesting film. First, normally a Nazi is portrayed as pure evil and the events of World War II are rarely shown from their point of view. Here we see these events through the eyes of a young member of the Hitler Youth. Through the eyes of JoJo we see the hatred that has been forced into him by those around him and, of course, the propaganda that he sees daily from the man

he idolises – Adolf Hitler. But then we also see the utter confusion that he goes through as he meets Elsa. For the first time he is forced to see a Jewish person as a human and he is forced to question whether or not the stories he has been told about them being monsters are true. Then there is also the fact that by his own beliefs his mother is now an enemy of the State.

Audiences should be prepared to be put through a range of emotions as well.

Waititi is smart enough to know where the right places are to get a laugh and when it is not acceptable. His timing and pace throughout the film are quite genius and there is one moment in this film I can guarantee where every mem-

ber of the audience will be in tears.

In his own performance as Hitler, Waititi puts in a comical yet balanced performance. The audience needs to remember that this is not Waititi’s view of what Adolf Hitler was like and his slap-stick portrayal is not there to simply garnish laughs – instead it is there to show how the dictator may have been viewed by those who idolised him at that time.

As a film JoJo Rabbit is also lifted by its fantastic performances. The young cast of Thomasin McKenzie and Roman Griffin Davis put in sterling performances well beyond their years and it is easy to see that the two are destined to become stars. Scarlett Johansson is amazing, despite her limited screen time, but the true brilliance here comes from Sam Rockwell. This often under-rated actor again puts in a stunning performance.

At times the film may not be easy to watch but at the end of the day this is a film so powerful that it deserves to be mentioned alongside great Holocaust films such as Schindler’s List and The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas.

4/5 Stars David Griffiths has been working as a film and music reviewer for over 20 years, in radio, television and in print.

You can follow him at www.facebook. com/subcultureentertainmentaus

12 PEOPLE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

Bicycling breakfast BLAZING SADDLES

Baz Daniel baz_gunner2000@yahoo.com

B

icycling and breakfast go irrevocably together… they are made for each other in a mutually-enhancing way. My own perfect Phuket morning starts with firstly earning that health-giving breakfast with an invigorating bike ride. My criteria for a pre-breakfast ride includes deep breaths of pure clean air, huge gulps of reviving water and

fabulous ocean and mountain views, all of which help produce a natural hunger for a nourishing, protein-laced breakfast to restore body and brain.

Where in today’s Phuket can we ride then have breakfast in a life-enhancing natural environment, far away from the traffic, pollution, danger and stress that challenges cyclists in so much of the island?

For my money, there’s no better place than the deep south of the island, starting from the lovely oceanside vistas of the Rawai beach road and ending up at the gorgeous beachside restaurant named Rock Salt overlooking the fabulous broad sandy beach at the Nai Harn

Resort. Here the cuisine is healthy and beautifully-prepared by Executive Chef Mark Jones and his team with the utmost dedication and attention to detail.

But first to earn that delicious, replenishing breakfast!

Aged 71, I now consider myself a fairly senior recreational cyclist and increasingly I find my body and mind are best served by a mixed cross-training morning regimen, rather than a hardcore, lung-busting bike ride per se. I like to start with a bike ride, then build in a walk, and finish off with a swim and some stretches and there’s ample scientific evidence that this mixture of different types of outdoor exercise is the optimum way to keep mind and body healthy and happy, while keeping the rampaging dogs of ageing at bay!

My own cross-training ride starts on the Rawai waterfront road as the dawn starts to paint the morning sky, followed by the fairly intense lung-busting hills up the Promthep headland, thankfully void of pollution-belching tour buses in these virally challenged days! At the top, you can walk up to the Lighthouse Memorial and take in magnificent views over the Andaman at the southern tip of the island as long-tailed boats plough white frothing furrows past Koh Kaeo Yai Island with its little Buddhist monastery.

Take the 30-minute walk along the track to the tip of the headland and back, then jump back on your bike and cycle carefully down Promthep to Yai Nui Beach for a jog and sea swim. Finally, climb the last big hill up and past the glorious Windmill Viewpoint and down on to Nai Harn Beach itself.

At the northern end of this beach you’ll spy the beautiful clean white lines of the Nai Harn Resort among the verdant hillside foliage with your breakfast destination, Rock Salt restaurant at its base.

Every morning on Nai Harn Beach you’ll find an informal community of southern Phuket residents walking, talking, swimming and exercising along this glorious kilometer of sand, before arrival of the tourists and intense heat. Join in with this crowd for a final swim and don’t forget your postride stretches.

Then it’s in to the welcoming embrace of lovely beachside Sea Salt restaurant where their healthy breakfast menu is served from 7:30am to 10am. It includes such favourites as wild Scandinavian salmon and creamy scrambled

Baz ready for a breakfast of champions. eggs on granary toast for just B365 inclusive of service and VAT. Or there’s Eggs Benedict for B295, or their signature full Rock Salt breakfast comprising homemade English pork sausages, chargrilled bacon, plum tomato, chestnut mushrooms, granary toast and fresh eggs, poached, scrambled or fried just as you like them all for B325!

Wonderful coffees are just B70 or B85 for a cappuccino or latte and there’s a terrific selection of fresh-baked pastries such as almond croissants, or naughty fruit Danishes all priced at under B100. Attention to detail and a quest for perfection is everywhere in this lovely breakfast. For example, their in-house baker works from 5am every morning producing the fresh pastries you’re so gratefully devouring, and the sausages and bacon are all produced and smoked in-house.

Sitting at Rock Salt overlooking that wondrous beach and back south at the hilly ride you’ve just conquered, you feel like a king and reward yourself with another well-deserved coffee in the sound knowledge that you’ve found the best bike and breakfast combination in Phuket!

“Bicycling” Baz Daniel fell off his first bicycle aged three... a case of love at first slight. Since then he has spent a further 65 years falling on and off bicycles all over the world, but his passion endures.

When not in traction, he found time to become Senior VP of the world’s largest advertising and communications group, finally retiring to Phuket in 2006. He has been penning his Blazing Saddles column, chronicling his cycling adven­ tures in Phuket and beyond, since 2013. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

The Tropic Gardener

GARDENING 13

GREEN THOUGHTS

Patrick Campbell

M

y book, The Tropic Gardener, has just come off the printer’s press. As readers of this column and of earlier pieces in the Phuket Gazette and elsewhere will be aware, I have been writing about tropical plants and their cultivation for some 13 years.

This book derives in part from those reflections; it is the culmination both of my own attempts to create a garden in Southeast Asia, and in so doing to offer a written hands-on guide to available plants and their cultivation.

You will be right to point out that there is no shortage of books about the flora (angiosperms) of the region. However, this book seeks to be different.

True, it describes and illustrates the most popular ornamental plants in the tropics, not just flowering shrubs but plants grown primarily for their foliage and even those cultivated – mostly small trees, annuals or herbs – for their edible fruits or leaves.

But the word “cultivation” is pivotal: it is the process that this book seeks to emphasise. While the main text offers a detailed written description of tropical favourites, it also reveals how best to grow them – by considering their specific requirements in terms of location, soil, light, moisture, fertiliser and so on. And not just how to raise them in conventional garden beds, but where appropriate, in containers on sunburnt concrete terraces, or indoors where light and humidity are in short supply. Container gardening, widely practised in urban and suburban locations in Thailand, is an art in itself.

For new gardeners, Thailand presents new challenges – climatic challenges in the form of extra heat and humidity, botanical choices in the form of an eye-catching gallery of shrubs, vines and trees. The region boasts 60,000 flowering plant species – perhaps 25% of the global total. It is, however, not just the increased range of unfamiliar plants. Everything grows faster and, by and large, bigger and stronger. A potted plant such as ficus elastica which sits primly in an English lounge, can mutate into a forest giant in the tropics.

Not only are plants more vigorous,

@thephuketnews

Phuket’s own Dr Patrick Campbell has compiled more than 13 years of gardening articles into a single compendium of knowledge and experience. after all rainforest trees average 40 metres in height and recover miraculously from apparent desiccation after the first monsoon rains, they also tend to produce larger leaves and tougher foliage to cope with the sun, more brilliantly coloured flowers, and harder frames.

Often their sap is sticky and milky. And their cultural requirements vary more – just as they do in the wide-ranging habitats of tropical woodland, where climbers snake up to the airy canopy, while shade dwellers settle for the rich, dank, organic substrate of the forest floor. Horses for courses.

This is a substantial book: it runs to 360 pages and has more than 150 illustrations. Intended as a practical guide, it is robustly bound to ensure its durability. Most of my horticultural books have fallen to bits through excessive use. This one should not.

It will be available from a number of outlets at B995 or at a promotional price of B795 direct from the author.

While stocks last, a copy of Phuket Days, my publication about life on the island, will be included free to personal callers.

A high proportion of the floral illustrations are taken from my own patch. Most entries are given both their common and botanical monikers plus its transliterated Thai name. That information, plus a photograph, should provide adequate identification for any nurseryman or woman. Though the floral display in local garden centres may be spectacular, there is rarely labeling of names or details concerning the cultural needs of specimens.

Most of these plants have been

tested in the wind-tunnel of my Phuket garden. And I admit, not always successfully. I have, at relevant points, tried to indicate these gardening gaffes, in the hope that readers may avoid making the same mistakes.

A word about structure. Flowering shrubs, the staple of any tropical garden, constitute the biggest section, followed by vines, foliage plants, annuals, water and marsh dwellers, herbs and vegetables for the kitchen garden, shade plants, ground coverers, palms, ornamental and fruiting trees.

In addition, the book features a series of introductory and wide-ranging essays which I hope will enlist the interest of committed gardeners: on such

topics as the migration of plants, the environmental role of our gardens and the conservation of habitats. Basic topics include planning and maintaining your garden, methods of propagation, buying plants, keeping them going in containers or indoors, identifying natural friends and foes in Eden, and so on. There should be something for everyone…

Happy reading – and more important – happy gardening.

Dr Patrick Campbell can be contacted at his home Camelot, located at 59/84 Soi Saiyuan 13; Rawai; Phuket 83130. Tel:66 076613227 (land line), 0655012326 or 0857827551 (mobile).

EVENTS 15

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

FRI

20 MAR

SAT

21 MAR

THU

26 MAR

THU

Rise & Shine

FRI

27 MAR

ST

All you can eat BBQ Ribs night 6PM – 11PM: All you can eat BBQ Ribs ser ved with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauces.

R e s e r v a t i o n r e c o m m e n d e d . 2 9 5 b a h t P. / P. shakersphuket@gmail.com, 081 891 4381.

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

9 APR

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

PO

Angsana Thali

SUN

22 MAR

PO NE D

FRI

17 APR

Briefing 5.00 - 6.00 pm/ Networking 6.30 - 9.00 pm at Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resor t Cost: The briefing is free to attend but pre-registration is required. Please state briefing when making a booking.

The networking is THB 500 for BCCT members and participating chambers and THB 900 for non-members payable at the door. Price includes food and beverage.

SAT

28 MAR

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

PO NE D

Explore the true flavours of India, our Chef Parvin Baban Gayke takes you on a culinary journey to savour a selection of authentic staples from his homeland.

Starting from THB 890++ per set saving for 2-3 persons Please join us at Poolside restaurant on Fridays and Seedlings restaurant on Saturday For more information please contact: 076 358 500 or fbreservationlagunaphuket@angsana.com

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

ST

Muay Thai Under The Sky

BCCT MULTI-CHAMBER PHUKET BRIEFING & NETWORKING

PO

ST

PO NE D

PO

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.

is welcome. There is no entry fee, just drop your business card or register at the bar. We hope to see you there and if you know anyone you think would be interested in coming please invite them along. To join our mailing list please send an email to growboatingphuket@gmail.com The Grow Boating Networking Evening is organised by the Thai Yachting Business Association. Find us at www. facebook.com/groups/GrowBoatingNetworkingEvening/ or our Website www.thaiyachtingbusinessassociation. com/grow-boating-networking-evening Grow Boating is kindly supported by our media partner The Phuket News, Live 89.5 radio and Phuket News T V. See www.thephuketnews.com

PO NE D

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ST

Phuket Best Burger 6 Greatness, Redemption, Glory

PO

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

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet Fun XANA Night

MON

23 MAR

PO NE D

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

ALCOHOL MAY BE A HEALTH HAZARD!

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.

The Grow Boating Networking Evening - April

ST

10 Years 10 Hands at Paresa

PO

Paresa is turning 10 years young. To celebrate this special occasion, we shall be hosting one of our renowned charity dinners on 20 th March 2020. The money raised will go towards PHA’s Green Planet initiative, educational and environmental projects in Phuket. Join us for this unforgettable culinary experience when 5 top chefs will present a night of gastronomy accompanied by Thailand’s first and only pop-opera band Fivera. Priced at THB 7,000/person. Reserve at pagm@paresaresorts.com or call 076 302 000.

@thephuketnews

FRI

3 APR

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.

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

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

FRI

22 MAY

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

16 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. Which is the only planet that rotates clockwise?

2. Which was the shortest war in history?

3. How many cards make up a typical tarot card deck?

4. Name Donald Trump’s three sons.

5. At the nearest point, how far apart are Russia and America?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Hard

Across 1. Cork’s country 5. Pronoun in a Hemingway title 9. Marina sights 14. Exotic berry in some diets 15. Continental money 16. Hindu poet 17. Eve’s first-born 18. Maple for one 19. “Four Quartets” poet 20. Ariana Grande hit 23. Time measured in ages 24. Pre-___ student 25. Bivouac 29. Gambler’s marker 31. Range units, abbr.

34. Looped rope 35. Bollywood superstar actor, last name 36. “The Italian Job” actor, ___ Wahlberg 37. Line in the Beatles debut single 40. Landers and others 41. Ready and willing 42. Capri, e.g.

43. ____ a good example.

44. Hair holder

21. Sultanate 22. Kind of acid 25. Ethereal singer, and namesakes 26. #1 Alicia Keys hit of 2007 27. Dracula, for one 28. Invites 29. Bonzo 30. Healthy 31. Urban V.I.P. 32. “Lord of the Rings” bad guy 33. Bonxies 35. “The Bridge on the River ___” 36. Tableland 38. Gazed amorously 39. “My Cousin ___” 44. Moon hole 45. Play Down 46. Suggest 1. A pop 2. UN aircraft group 47. Pitch 48. “Take ___ a sign” 3. Reason for 49. Star in Lyra postponement 4. Article in Die Zeit 50. Broadcast 5. Clean, as a floor 51. Cut some opinions, perhaps 6. Michigan lake 52. Pakistan 7. Creme cookie language 8. Faucet brand 53. Speck of dust 9. Rank modifier 54. Actress Swenson 10. Lubricated 55. Naval 11. “B ___ boy” investigation 12. Biblical pronoun show 13. Where visitors 56. Adroit count 45. Tree knots 46. Fury 47. Japanese honorific 48. Start of a famous Adele song 57. Appeal to 58. Negligible amount 59. Grimm beginning 60. Mentally quick 61. Thought, prefix 62. Cry of relief 63. Half human, half horse, deity 64. Jethro ___ 60’s rock band 65. Toward sunrise

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz:

1) Venus; 2); Zanzibar and England, 1896 (38 mins); 3) 78; 4. “Don Jr”, 39); Eric Trump (33); Barron Trump (11); 5) About 4km

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

1

in five women broke up with their boyfriends because they played video games too much, according to a UK poll.

20

years is how long it roughly takes for a four-year degree to become profitable.

450

balls are held in the Austrian capital Vienna each year, providing about 2,000 hours of ball dancing annually.

1770

was the year that the English Parliament declared lipstick illegal because it seduced men into matrimony by cosmetic means.

1.2 billion

hot dogs and 11.6 billion Swedish meatballs have been sold by IKEA since founder Ingvar Kamprad learned that many customers would leave without buying anything due to being hungry.

Katathani beach. Photo: Tony Wayne Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

This week in history March 20, 2003 Invasion of Iraq: In the early hours of the morning, the United States and three other countries (the UK, Australia and Poland) begin military operations in Iraq.

March 21, 1935 Shah of Iran Reza Shah Pahlavi formally asks the international community to call Persia by its native name, Iran.

March 22, 1784 The Emerald Buddha is moved with great ceremony to its current location in Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok.

March 23, 1540 Waltham Abbey is surrendered to King Henry VIII of England; the last religious community to be closed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

rels (38,000m3) of crude oil after running aground.

Space Shuttle ‘Columbia’. Photo: NASA March 24, 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill: In Prince William Sound in Alaska, the Exxon Valdez spills 240,000 bar-

March 25, 1979 The first fully functional Space Shuttle orbiter, Columbia, is delivered to the John F. Kennedy Space Center ahead of its first launch.

March 26, 1934 The United Kingdom driving test is introduced. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 17

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

Jobs

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

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

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

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

Class Act Media Co., Ltd.

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

NT GE UR Good staff required

(Thai)

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

@thephuketnews

GE UR

NT

Admin assistant wanted - Part Time

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

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

18 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Trades & Services

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

CLEANING SERVICES

CORPORATE SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 19

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

Trades

PERSONAL SERVICE

@thephuketnews

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PERSONAL SERVICE

OTHER

20 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

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

UR

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

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

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

UR

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE Toyota Corolla Altis

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

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

Nissan X-Trail SUV 2012

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

UR

N GE

T

2017 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

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

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

Baht1.1M, Terry, 063 078 7808

MEMBERSHIPS Golf Memberships

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

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

Family membership

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

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

PROPERTY WANTED Superlai Park@Downtown Phuket

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

NT

Super sale!

GE

S NT

AL

E

Superb large Laguna Townhouse

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

Restaurant for sale

T

GE

PROPERTY FOR SALE

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

EN

@thephuketnews

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

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

G UR

The Phuket News

SPORTING GOODS, EXERCISE

Fully equipped Liveaboard 4 sale

BUSINESSES FOR SALE

U

E RG

S NT

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4 Rai land for sale in Pa Khlok

G UR

SA

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Superb sea views Cape Panwa

Unbelievable views over Cape Panwa from every room in this 4 Bed/6 Bath pool villa.

Truly a magnificent large property with superb pool deck and entertaining facilities.

Elevator installed and newly completely renovated. Must be viewed. 63MB, ceopaulm@hotmail.com, 0898737075.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Price Reduced Rawai Pool Villa

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

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

Seaview Condo for sale Karon

Beautiful, flat and all services available.

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

Sea View Villa on East Coast

Luxury Condo for sale 300 m. from the beach.

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

Villa in Patong prime location

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

PROPERTY FOR RENT

3,200 sqm land in a gated community, 4 bed, 4 bath, 1 maid room, European kitchen, office, gym, sauna, pool 4.5 x 10m, jacuzzi, laundry room, well water, carport for 3 cars. 39MB, konilion@hotmail.com, 083 633 1910.

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

Luxury Bangla Road

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

Large Detached House

Property for Sale

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

PROPERTY FOR SALE T EN

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

Beautiful Phuket condo with a view of the islands

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

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

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

New House for LongTerm Rent

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

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

SPORT 21

Phuket Open Bowls Singles Swede ‘Ue’ takes crown among a strong field of 24 bowlers BOWLS Robert Knight

W

ith the largest and possibly strongest field ever assembled of 24 bowlers from nine nations, it was always going to be a tough ask to be crowned this year’s Phuket Open Bowls Singles Champion 2020.

That proved to be exactly the case on March 10. Not only would it be a test of skill and stamina but with such a large field and an initial set of “scroungers rounds” necessary to trim the field it was likely there would be some “favourites” (favourites on paper and in their own opinion!) who would be early casualties.

Somewhat predictably that proved to be the case but progressing through to the quarter finals were George, Ue, Stroud, Ron, Pat, Peter, Glen and Rupert. No female representation in the quarters was somewhat of a surprise and four former winners of “majors” were also eliminated in the scrounger section.

@thephuketnews

Ulf ‘Ue’ Egersatad (left) is presented his trophy by club owner Nid along with losing finalist Stroud Dale (right). Photo: Rob Knight Five of the quarter-finalists had never won a major before so the smart money was on either last year’s champ Peter Kuschel possibly going for a repeat victory, or serial finalist

George Sasonov to emerge victorious.

As is possible with any cup/knockout competition, the shocks continued as the “rookie element” in the com-

petition surprised their more experienced opponents and the semi-final line up was Swede Ulf “Ue” Egerstaad versus Canadian Ron Blackwood.

The other semi was an all

Australian affair as Stroud Dale faced off against Rupert Maunder.

Only Ue had tasted victory in a “major” before, albeit several years ago, whilst, if any of the other three could get their hands on the trophy, we would have a new name to add to the Honours list.

In the first semi, Ron took an early lead but Ue fought back and prevailed 9-7.

Rupert and Stroud had an epic “ding dong” battle that was only decided by the latter after a sudden death end following the match being level 8-8 after normal play.

So the stage was set for a close encounter and, even though many ends were decided by the tightest of margins, Ue held a four-shot lead heading into the final end, despite Stroud valiantly attempting to pull things back.

Ue, however, had learnt from his previous disappointments where he had let winning positions slip, this time protecting his lead by allowing Stroud two shots but making sure there was no chance of his opponent claiming the

maximum score of 4 that he needed to tie the game and force another sudden death end.

Ultimately Ue prevailed by a score of 8-6 to return to the winner’s circle after an absence of a few years, meaning the club still awaits a breakthrough win from other contenders. With three new players in this years semifinals, however, it will surely only be a matter of time before they do.

Congratulations to Ue! Elsewhere, in the plate final for first round losers, Judy Maunder produced, in her words, “the game of her life” in a match of an extremely high standard worthy of the grand final itself to deservedly beat Rob Knight 8-5 and lift the plate.

The next “major” is a triples competition on March 24.

Kamala Lawn Bowls is Open six days a week and all equipment is provided. Beginners afternoon is Wednesdays at 2:45pm and all are welcome.

For further details contact the club on 0948987476.

22 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

Botched GP a wake up call Plenty of lessons to be learned for F1 following Aussie fiasco BOX OF NEUTRALS Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

F

ormula One gambled and lost on trying to start its 2020 season amid the worsening coronavirus pandemic, but its handling of a potential outbreak has called into question the judgement of those running the sport at its highest levels.

The appearance of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus inside the paddock was inevitable for a sport that was due to travel to 22 countries this year. The amount of international transit puts those working in Formula One among the most at risk of contracting the disease, and the confined working environment of each circuit is ideal for rapid transmission.

It was always a matter of when, not if.

So when McLaren confirmed a positive case among its ranks late on Thursday night (Mar 12) there was no doubt what had to happen

The Australian Grand Prix was cancelled just hours before cars were due to hit the track. Photo: AFP next. With one infected team member quarantined and 14 teammates subsequently isolated for testing, the team withdrew from the sport to protect the wellbeing of its staff, and Formula One subsequently had to call off the race.

But instead paralysis gripped the sport, and for almost 12 excruciating hours its

lack of process and preparation was laid bare, during which not the fans or the media or even members of the teams knew whether the weekend would continue.

First the event was going ahead. Then it wasn’t. As the hours ticked by the teams voted to continue racing. Then they voted to cancel the race.

Two teams abstained. F1 management favoured a one-day extension and reassessment on Friday night (Fri 13). The FIA felt unable to act for fear of being held liable for lost revenues.

As the sun dawned on a sleep-deprived paddock Melbourne was still no clearer as to what had been decided.

In the absence of confirmation to the contrary the race organiser said the event would proceed, only for the gates to remain closed to the public as the masses gathered ahead of the scheduled start of track action.

At 9am the state government announced that spectators would be banned from the circuit anyway on health grounds, but the decision wasn’t communicated to the increasingly frustrated fans as unheard, unseen and unexplained negotiations continued somewhere behind the locked gates.

It took Mercedes to end the farce. Just after 10am the team said it had requested the FIA and F1 management to cancel the event and that it would start packing up its garage. Minutes later Formula One relented and confirmed the grand prix was cancelled.

Both McLaren and then Mercedes had shown up the sport as being unprepared to make difficult decisions, their decisive action contrasting starkly with F1’s directionless dithering.

F1 CEO Chase Carey insisted F1 was simply caught out by the “fluid” nature of events, but the proactive action of other sports, so many of which have now suspended their seasons, shows this up as either disingenuous or naïve.

In any case F1 had at least 24 hours from the time the McLaren team member was tested to the positive result to plan for the worst. Evidence suggests it neglected to do so.

Calling off an F1 grand prix is an undoubtedly complex and costly process, with a wide array of stakeholders to every multimillion-dollar hosting contract. But offered the choice between ensuring the wellbeing of the paddock and risking it all for the status quo, F1 appeared choose the more lucrative latter until its hand was forced.

F1 cannot make the same mistake again, and with the first four races now suspended and at least another two looking doubtful, tentatively placing the first race at the end of May, it has plenty of time to learn from its embarrassing gamble.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

SPORT 23 English Premier League 2019 - 2020 Table correct as of Friday (Mar 20)

To play or not to play, that is the question in the UK after the coronavirus forced the suspension of all league games. Photo: AFP

COVID 19 – Football 0 FOOTBALL Ben Tirebuck editor3@classactmedia.co.th

I

t’s been a week since the Premier League made the decision to suspend all fixtures until April 4 due to coronavirus precautions.

Many feel the actual likelihood of resuming the fixture list at that juncture is merely wishful thinking as the virus is not expected to peak in Britain for several weeks, meaning the hiatus would be extended or games potentially scrapped altogether. Confusion regarding the ramifications is huge.

Matches in the English Football League, FA Women’s

@thephuketnews

Super League and Women’s Championship are also on hold as are games in the Europa and Champions League. England’s friendly internationals against Italy and Denmark at the end of the month have been scrapped.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, magnanimous as ever given the fact Liverpool are on the verge of securing their first domestic title in 30 years, accepted the suspension.

“If it’s a choice between football and the good of the wider society, it’s no contest.

Really, it isn’t,” said Klopp in an official club statement.

West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady said if the Premier League fixtures could not

be completed, the only fair solution would be to declare the season “null and void”.

"Who knows who would have gone down or come up if the games have not actually been played in full?” she commented.

The fact West Ham currently sit two points above the relegation zone may have influenced Brady’s stance, of course.

Financial hit Rumours abound the final nine games will be played at a later date although when exactly is unsure. They may be played behind closed doors. Or not at all. Nobody is certain.

The financial implications

are equally as complex and clubs at all levels face enormous losses.

If the season is not completed then the league is in breach of contract to broadcasters and that’s where it could get really messy. The Premier League generates £3 billion (B118.5bn) a year from overseas and domestic TV rights. But if there is no content for broadcasters to show, then what happens?

Then there are the fans and businesses who have paid subscriptions but are being short-changed. Will they be reimbursed?

Many clubs have committed this TV revenue and could be in breach of Financial

Team

MP W

D

L

F

A GD Pts

1 Liverpool

29 27

1

1

66 21 +45

82

2 Manchester City

28 18

3

7

68 31 +37

57

3 Leicester City

29 16

5

8

58 28 +30

53

4 Chelsea

29 14

6

9

51 39 +12

48

5 Manchester United 29 12

9

8

44 30 +14

45

6 Wolverhampton

29 10 13

6

41 34 +7

43

7 Sheffield United

28 11 10

7

30 25 +5

43

8 Tottenham Hotspur 29 11

8

10 47 40 +7

41

9 Arsenal

28

9

13

6

40 36 +4

40

10 Burnley

29 11

6

12 34 40 -6

39

11 Crystal Palace

29 10

9

10 26 32 -6

39

12 Everton

29 10

7

12 37 46 -9

37

13 Newcastle United

29

9

8

12 25 41 -16

35

14 Southampton

29 10

4

15 35 52 -17

34

15 Brighton

29

6

11 12 32 40 -8

29

16 West Ham United

29

7

6

16 35 50 -15

27

17 Watford

29

6

9

14 27 44 -17

27

18 Bournemouth

29

7

6

16 29 47 -18

27

19 Aston Villa

28

7

4

17 34 56 -22

25

20 Norwich City

29

5

6

18 25 52 -27

21

Fair Play (FFP) rules if their budgets are compromised.

Add on lost gate receipts, should matches be played behind closed doors, and it is a nightmare scenario.

The fall-out further down the football pyramid could be even more painfully felt.

“Many clubs are surviving on a match-to-match basis and are reliant on the loyal few thousand turning up,” football finance expert Kieran Maguire told the BBC. “We have to consider the

staff at clubs, they are reliant on the income they get from football clubs to pay their own bills as well,” he added.

Klopp is right, of course.

Whereas the implications of this virus-induced suspension could be devastating for the beautiful game, the health of society is paramount.

It seems any possible resolution is as complex and divisive as the game itself in that everyone has an opinion but nothing is certain. We wait and see…

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

F1 COVID fiasco Down Under > p22

SAFE HANDS Born in Brazil, trained in Thailand, signed by Benfica BISP’S Pedro Haueisen de Souza has just signed professional terms with Portugal’s biggest club, Benfica. Photo: Pedro de Souza / Instragram

FOOTBALL Lee Blake

T

he soaring and courageous eagle seems to follow Pedro Haueisen de Souza wherever he goes.

In Thailand, the Brazilianborn Portuguese footballer wore the Sea Eagle on his playing shirt at British International School, Phuket (BISP) as he commanded his goalkeeper area with confidence and skill.

For the imminent future, Souza will continue to wear the symbolic eagle on his shirt, having just signed his first professional contract with top Portuguese club S.L. Benfica – nicknamed The Eagles.

The club’s emblem features a bald eagle on top of the club’s crest, and its trained mascot – an eagle named Vitória (Victory) – flies around the stadium during home games carrying red and white ribbons. After a few laps, he lands on the club’s crest, completing it.

Seventeen-year-old Souza has spent the last three seasons as a goalkeeper for Benfica’s U18 academy side – the reigning national youth champions.

His newly penned professional contract will start next season, linking him with last year’s league champions for at least the next three years.

Souza was in the BISP Cruzeiro Football Academy from 2015-2017 under head

Pedro in Benfica colours. Photo: Pedro de Souza / Instragram coach, Jonathas Candido.

“It’s a pleasure to see someone like Pedro reaching out to his dream of becoming a professional football player,”

said Coach Jonathas. “I’ve known him since he was an under-9 player at Cruzeiro in Brazil and have followed his career closely ever since.

His hard work and dedication have paid off.”

Coach Jonathas added that the path to professional football is not an easy one.

“It’s complicated and there are no guarantees. The road is very hard and full of barriers.

“Young football players must reach for their playing dreams and stretch beyond their comfort zones. Pedro did that when he decided to move from Brazil to Thailand and he has reaped the rewards of this brave step.”

Benfica is the most decorated club in Portuguese football having won 80 domestic trophies and never having been relegated from Primeira Liga, the top tier in Portugal. They

have an estimated 14 million supporters worldwide.

Notable players that have graced the shirt over the years include Paulo Sousa and Rui Costa, who were part of the Portuguese national team’s “Golden Generation” of the 1990s, former Brazil captain Ricardo Gomes, current Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson and several players from Portugal’s celebrated team of the 1960s including, most notably, Eusebio, who is regarded as one of the finest players of all time.

For more information on the BISP Cruzeiro Football Academy, please contact info@ bisphuket.ac.th

ACST Phuket cricket week cancelled CRICKET T H E ASI A N CR ICK ET Sixes Tour (ACST) Phuket Cricket week, scheduled April 9 through 12, has been cancelled due to coronavirus precautions.

“Sadly we at the ACST have had no choice but to cancel the Annual Phuket Cricket Week 2020,” an official statement provided to The Phuket News said.

“We make this decision

Photo: ACST Facebook page with a very heavy heart, seeing as it has always been such an important part of our Club Cricket Tournament year, especially April each year in Phuket.

“Sadly because of Government and Airline rulings, this has meant it is not realistic for

teams to travel,” it concluded.

The tournament included the Phuket International Cricket Sixes and the Thalang International Cricket Sevens.

Participants were due to come from Australia, India, Bangladesh, UAE, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Pakistan, England, South Africa and New Zealand to join the regular local contingent.

It is hoped the tournament will resume next year although no dates have yet been set.

The Phuket News thephuketnews