The Phuket News July 28, 2019

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FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

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Work continues on Route 4027 through Pa Khlok, being expanded to alleviate traffic congestion on Thepkrasattri Rd when construction of the lightrail finally begins. Photos: Phuket Highways Office

HIGHWAYS DEPT SPENDS B720MN ON ‘RING ROAD’ TO EASE LIGHT-RAIL CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

T

he Phuket office of the Highways Dept is spending B720 million on a four-lane road through Pa Khlok to join the Heroines Monument with what is to become a major intersection at Muang Mai, north of Thalang Town.

The project, hoped to be completed within 2023, is aimed at easing congestion along the island’s busiest road, Thepkrasattri Rd, technically called Route 402, when construction of the light-rail finally begins. (See page 5.)

Officially dubbed the Tha Rua – Muang Mai Highway, the road

construction has already seen Phase 1 complete along 5.9km of the southern end of the existing road, Route 4027, starting from the Heroines Monument heading towards Baan Pa Khlok.

Work on Phase 2, stretching 8.1km from Baan Pa Khlok to Baan Para, is already underway, with the remaining 6km of Phase 3 yet to begin and yet to overcome some major challenges.

“This project was initially presented in 2016. We started construction early this year and expect to finish it by our target, 2023. This road will be finished before light-rail construction begins,” Phuket Highways Chief Somwong Lohanut told The Phuket News this week.

“This is to be an alternative route while the light-rail is under construction. During that time, the light rail will be built in the middle of Route 402 (Thepkrasattri Rd). Route 402 will still be open but some lanes are likely to be closed while the construction continues. The traffic will definitely be slower, and this road is already nearly full to capacity with traffic,” he said.

“Route 4027 will be another way for drivers to get to their destination,” Mr Somwong added.

Breaking down the budget figures, Mr Somwong explained that Phase 1, from the Heroines Monument to Baan Pa Klok, cost about B50mn.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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“This part is already done. Only roadside drains to be installed, and this will be completed soon,” he said.

Phase 2, from Baan Pa Khlok to Baan Para, is budgeted to cost about B380mn, while Phase 3 from Baan Para to Muang Mai is budgeted to cost about B290mn.

However, Phase 3 has already hit some obstacles without an excavator even breaking ground. A section of 140 meters along the road is to be elevated as it passes through mangroves.

The projected affected area extends some 500m from the road, covering an area of about 217 rai, Mr Somwong pointed out.

“That means this part of the...

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Paris court to hear case over One-Two-GO crash Rescue workers stand next to the wreckage of Thai budget carrier One-ToGo plane in September 2007. Photo: AFP

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An elevated section of 140m along Phase 3 needs special approval from Cabinet as it will pass through mangroves.

New B720mn ‘ring road’ to ease traffic Continued from page 1 ...project must have Cabinet approval by law before the road can be built through the mangroves,” he explained.

“We have started to compile our request to present to Cabinet, but it must be very thorough. It is not finished yet.

I am pushing for this to be done and approved within two years,” Mr Somwong added.

As Phuket residents – and Bangkok officials – learned in the building of the Thepsrisin Bridge at Saphan Hin, Cabinet tends to take such requests seriously.

It took years for Cabinet approval to be finally granted in order for the bridge to cross mangroves from Sakdidet Rd to Saphan Hin on the outskirts in Phuket Town, even with the support of then-PM Yingluck Shinawatra.

Worse, Phase 3 may need extra budget, Mr Somwong added.

The final section of the road near where Route 4027 rejoins Thepkrasattri Rd is planned to

have a flyover U-turn.

“That in itself will require its own Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and we must expropriate privately owned land in order to build it,” Mr Somwong said.

The intersection where Route 4027 rejoins Thepkrasattri Rd in Muang Mai is also on the plans to become a major junction in the near future.

The extended plans for the intersection will see the junction transformed into a major motorway crossways with separate individual on- and off-ramps for vehicles exiting and joining Thepkrasattri Rd The intersection will feature an elevated “loop ramp”, an overpass and will connect with Route 4026 on the western side of Thepkrasattri Rd. The plans also account for Route 4026, currently a minor road leading to the airport, being upgraded into a major artery feeding traffic to the long planned “airport expressway” that is to begin on the west side of the junction.

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

U

dom Tantiprasongchai, the former head of budget Thai airline One-Two-GO, went on trial in Paris on Monday (June 24) over the deadly 2007 plane crash that killed 90 people, nearly two-thirds of them foreigners.

Filed by the families of the nine French victims along with one survivor, the civil suit says the crash was an “accident waiting to happen”.

It raises a string of allegations against the nowdefunct airline, running from exhausted pilots to falsified flight logs.

The crash happened on Sept 16, 2007, when One-TwoGO Flight OG269 carrying 123 passengers and seven crew skidded off the runway at Phuket International Airport and burst into flames while trying to land in driving rain and heavy winds.

The victims’ families have accused the airline of trying to cover up a series of failings which led to the crash, with Monday’s case levelling a manslaughter charge against One-Two-GO president Udom Tantiprasongchai.

At the time, he admitted the airline had to accept partial responsibility for what was Thailand’s worst air disaster in a decade.

But despite an international warrant for his arrest, he has never been detained and has never responded to a judicial summons, meaning he will likely be tried in absentia.

Among the dead were 33 Thai nationals and 57 foreigners, mainly tourists from Britain, Israel and France.

“It’s not about money,” said Gerard Bembaron, one of the French plaintiffs who lost his brother in the crash.

Accident waiting to happen “We want to return to this forgotten accident so that the families can be recognised as victims. It was not inevitable, it was an accident waiting to

happen given the way this company functioned.”

An investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand concluded the plane crashed as a result of human error as the pilot and his copilot sought to land in bad weather.

But it also found the pilots had exceeded their weekly number of flight hours and were suffering from accumulated stress due to tiredness and lack of rest, which meant that their responses were impaired in a critical situation.

As the investigation got under way, the airline submitted documents falsifying the number of hours the pilots

had flown, to make it look as if they were within the correct limits, a source close to the case said.

Twelve years on, the French inquiry has revealed numerous failings in the recruitment, training and working habits of the pilots as well as in the maintenance of the fleet.

The extended flying hours were commonplace, with pilots earning cash bonuses, a former pilot told investigators, alluding to a “criminal business culture” that included “serious breaches of the most basic security norms”.

One-Two-GO and its parent company Orient Thai have both ceased to operate.

Nigerian ‘romance scammers’ arrested in Patong TWO NIGERIAN MEN HAVE been arrested in Phuket for allegedly swindling a Thai woman out of more than B100,000 in a so-called “romance scam”, Phuket Immigration Police announced last Friday (June 21).

The two men – named by police as Okoro Ifeanyi Daniel and Ihegha Marcualey Ihiechri – were both arrested at a hotel on Nanai Rd in Patong on June 15, Phuket Immigration Chief Col Kathathorn Kumthieng told a press conference at Phuket Immigration Office.

Present to lead the press conference was Pol Maj Gen Jessada Yaisoon, who heads Immigration Police Region 6.

Col Kathathorn said that on June 9 the two men made contact with a woman in Suphan Buri Province

through the mobile chat app LINE. The men had created a profile used the name Petpu Carol, and using a photo of a good-looking, middleaged, fair skinned foreign man for the main profile image.

The men added several friends to the profile, and started chatting with the woman to gain her trust.

Through the app, the men promised the woman that they would send gifts from aboard to her.

Then someone called the woman by telephone, using the phone number 061-4540476. The person pretended to be staff from the Excel Transport International Co Ltd, a genuine logistics company based in Bangkok.

“They called the woman and informed her that a parcel had arrived from abroad for her, but

that she had to pay B38,000 tax in order to receive it. Only then could they deliver the parcel to her,” Col Kathathorn explained.

“The woman transferred B38,000 to the account number given, Siam Commercial Bank account number 803-216143-0. Then the same person called her back, using the same phone, to explain to her that the contents of the parcel were of very high value, and that she had to pay B98,500 more in order to receive it,” he added.

The woman transferred the money, Col Kathathorn confirmed.

“She then called back the number that had called her, but no one answered the phone. She tried chatting with Petpu Carol on LINE, but the profile did not exist anymore,” he said.

“That’s when the woman realised that she had been scammed, and filed a complaint at Bang Pla Ma Police Station in Suphan Buri Province, in Central Thailand on June 14.

“The total damage done was about B136,500,” Col Kathathorn said.

The police began their hunt to track down the perpetrators, leading them to an ATM at the Jungceylon shopping mall in Patong, where CCTV cameras recorded the men withdrawing money from an account created in the name of a woman called Siriwan Chanapongma.

“Police checked and found that about B502,000 had been transferred to that account from June 12-14. Officers also found many other unusual transactions,” Col Kathathorn said.

Among the “unusual” transac-

Phuket Immigration Chief Col Kathathorn Kumthieng explains the scam at a press conference last Friday (June 21). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub tions were money transfers to an account in Cambodia, he noted.

Okoro and Ihegha were both charged with using an electronic card of another person wrongfully in a manner likely to cause detriment of the other person, and both were charged for overstaying in the country. “We will investigate further to try to track down any other victims,” Col Kathathorn assured.

Eakkapop Thongtub thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

Tuk-tuk driver claims self-defence shooting Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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Patong tuk-tuk driver has claimed selfdefence in the fatal shooting of a motorbike taxi tout in a fight near the Patong beach road early last Sunday morning (June 23).

Patong Police Chief Col Anotai Jindamanee held a press conference last Sunday night after the shooter, Chartchai Dumchua, surrendered himself at Patong Police Station and handed over the gun used in the shooting.

Also present were Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Col Arayapan Pukbuakhao, along with Sub Lt Wattanachai Klongpradit of the Royal Thai Army 25th Military Circle, based in Phuket.

The incident happened in front of a FamilyMart located on the street exiting from the Patong Tower Condominium onto the beach road, at 4am.

Col Anotai explained that the fight started between Narong Dernchuaykit and motorbike taxi tout Panya

Patong Police Chief Col Anotai Jindamanee holds up the gun used to shoot Panya Kingjumpa last Sunday (June 23).

INSET: Shooter Chartchai Dumchua. Photos: Patong Police Kingjumpa, who was shot dead in the fight.

Narong called fellow tuktuk driver Chartchai to help him as he was being beaten by Panya, and Chartchai brought his gun, Col Anotai said.

Chartchai said that Panya began to beat him too, repeatedly striking him on the arm and head with what he said was an iron rod.

Chartchai said he was beaten to the ground and fired

one shot to make that attack stop, Col Anotai said.

After shooting Panya, he fled, but later felt guilty and contacted the police in order to surrender, Col Anotai added.

Chartchai defended his actions, saying that he never intended to cause an incident or kill Panya, but fired the gun only to protect himself.

He also offered his apology to the family of the deceased.

Col Anotai repeatedly

Tsunami drill praised as a success

THE TSUNAMI-EVACUATION SIRENS sounded the alarm at Patong Beach at 1:30pm on Tuesday (June 25), marking the start of the mass evacuation drill which was joined by more than 600 people.

The evacuation drill was hailed a success by organising officials, who orchestrated a slew of government departments, emergency-response agencies and medical staff in providing the disaster-emergency that would be required in the event that a genuine tsunami would strike our shores again.

Enthusiasm in taking part led several participants into making a false start, running from the beach before the alarms sounded, explained Patong Deputy Mayor Boonma Aeapsap, responsible for the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation at Patong Municipality (DDOM-Patong).

“Today was not so smooth because of the weather, but still many people took part. Some were a bit lost in the exercise, and some groups started running before the sirens sounded the alarm,” Mr Boonma said.

“They were called back and it was explained to them again to not start until the sirens sound.

After that, they had a much better understanding of the exercise,” he added.

Mr Boonma said that the mass evacuation drill did not interfere with Patong’s daily affairs, despite the beach road and Bangla Rd being closed for the exercise.

“It was not that much of a disturbance. After the evacuation was complete, police removed the barriers and re-opened the roads to traffic after 3pm,” he said.

Patong Municipality will work to improve on their emergency-response effectiveness, Mr Boonma added. @thephuketnews

The tsunami-evacuation drill conducted in Patong on Tuesday (June 25) was hailed a success. Photo: PR Dept “We will improve on what we achieved today. DDPM-Patong will hold our own mass-evacuation drill sometime early next year,” he said.

The drill at Patong was a co-ordinated exercise with mass-evacuation and emergencyresponse drills held in every province along the Andaman Coast under the banner of the Integrated Disaster Management Exercise (IDMEx 2019: TSUNAMI).

Under the project, mass tsunami-evacuation drills were conducted in Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun on Monday and Tuesday (June 24-25).

From July 4-6, evacuation drill exercises will be held at the Phuket Deep Sea Port at Ao Makham, Wichit, followed by a review of the exercise at the Phuket Deep Sea Port on July 7.

In announcing the drill last week, the DDPM-Phuket office asked, “Those who are living in the evacuation drill areas, please join the evacuation drills at the set locations and times.”

For details about tsunami-drills call the DDPM 24-hour hotline 1784.

The Phuket News

stressed that the slain motorbike taxi tout was not a motorbike taxi driver.

The emphasis was likely due to the recent high publicity over the mass motorbike taxi street brawl in Bangkok just one week earlier that resulted with one innocent bystander shot dead.

Col Anotai noted that one more person was being sought for involvement in the deadly fight.

All persons involved will be charged with murder, he said.

Col Anotai in giving the updated version of events did not recognise the claims

by Panya’s widow, Rattana Boonchu, who witnessed the shooting, saying that her husband was attacked by up to “four to six” tuk-tuk drivers.

Chartchai had explained that the fight started because Panya has been cautioned over trying to trick and steal tourists’ belongings, leading to the fight and shooting, Col Anotai said.

Col Arayapan noted that Narong and Panya knew each other from working close by.

PHUKET NEWS

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The turtle was found washed ashore at Bang Tao Beach on Monday last week (June 17). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

No plastic found in dead turtle’s stomach A N E X PE RT AT T H E Phuket Marine Biology Centre (PMBC) has confirmed that no plastic was found in the stomach of a dead turtle found on Bang Tao Beach last week.

Security guards at a local resort were patrolling the beach when they saw what they first thought was a child’s doll in the sand. As they neared, they realised it was a turtle and pulled it out onto the sand, only then realising that it was dead.

The men called their supervisor, who then contacted marine officials upon seeing the dead turtle, an olive ridley sea turtle (Tao Ya) weighing 30kg and measuring 70cm long.

The turtle was found with wounds on its head and shell, possibly from contact with rocks in the sea, officials reported.

A marine biologist at the PMBC, who asked not to be publicly identified, confirmed to The Phuket News last Thursday (June 20) that the turtle was in an advanced state of decomposition, which made it very difficult to positively identify the exact cause of death.

“The turtle had been dead for quite some time before being found washed up on the beach, but from our preliminary examinations we could not find any obvious cause of death,” the officer explained.

At this stage it seems most likely that the turtle died from fishing-related activities, like being caught in a net, she said.

The check confirmed that the turtle was not a victim of swallowing any plastic materials, the officer said.

The Phuket News

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PHUKET NEWS

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Chinese takeaway undone

Men use fake taxi ploy to kidnap, rob female tourist Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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Chinese man was arrested this week for his role in the kidnapping of a Chinese woman and extorting of some B200,000 by threatening her with a fake gun.

Police became aware of the crimes only after officers noticed two Chinese tourists, Li Peilin and Ming Xiang, standing in front of Patong Police Station at 10pm Sunday night (June 23), Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Wisan Panmanee explained at a press conference on Tuesday (June 25).

The officers approached the couple and asked them what was wrong. The tourists explained that the driver of a taxi had kidnapped them and robbed them both at gunpoint.

The taxi driver had tied both their hands and feet with cable ties, drove around and used Ms Li’s credit card and ATM card to withdraw ap-

Chinese national Ming Xiang under guard at the press conference this morning. proximately B200,000 from her accounts, the officers were told.

Mr Ming said he had been robbed of around US$28,000 – more than B850,000 – in cash.

The couple had known each other and met several times in China and Thailand, police said.

During questioning by Patong Police investigating officers, Ms Li said that money had been withdrawn in Rawai, so the officers took the couple to Chalong Police Station to explain to investigators there what had happened, Gen

Wisan said.

However, police started to doubt the information given

by Ming during questioning and began to suspect his involvement in the crime, Gen Wisan added.

The officers eventually tracked down the rental car that was used in the kidnapping and robbery – a white Phuket-registered Toyota Yaris – which had been rented by Chinese national Wu Chengxi during the time that the kidnapping and extortion took place.

The car was returned to

the rental agent the morning after the crime was carried out, Gen Wisan said.

Police were able to confirm through CCTV that Wu had made withdrawals from an ATM by using Ms Li’s credit card.

Police also confirmed that Ming had lied about also being bound hand and foot, and blindfolded. In the footage, Ming and Wu looked like they were friends, Gen Wisan noted.

Once presented with the new evidence, Ming confessed during questioning that he and Wu had planned together to rob Ms Li, Gen Wisan said.

Wu had rented the car and pretended to be a taxi driver.

He drove Ming and Li to a restaurant, where the couple had a meal. Afterwards, Ming called Wu to pick them up.

Wu used a fake gun to force Ms Li to tie Ming’s hands, before Wu tied Li’s hands and feet and blindfolded her.

Wu then drove to an ATM

to withdraw money from Ms Li’s accounts, then kicked the couple out of the car at an intersection in Rawai leading to Nai Harn Beach, Gen Wisan said.

Police obtained arrest warrants for Ming and Wu. Under the arrest warrants, both Ming and Wu are to be charged with working together to commit kidnapping and robbery through deception, Gen Wisan said.

Police have Ming in custody, but Wu is already known to have fled the country, Gen Wisan added.

However, no explanation was given as to what steps were being taken to apprehend Wu. “If police were unable to close this case, it would have caused very much damage to the image of Phuket and Thailand, and to [the image of] taxi drivers and the tourism industry,” Gen Wisan said.

“Thank you to everyone for your help in closing this case,” he added.

Blacklisted for 100 years, caught again Police now offer free TWO MEN WHO HAD BOTH PREVIously been deported and blacklisted from entering Thailand for 100 years were caught again last week after they were found to have re-entered the country using new passports issued in new names.

Chinese national Xie Dajiang was arrested, charged and deported in 2013 after he was found to have entered Thailand on a fake passport, Phuket Immigration Chief Col Kathathorn Kumthieng told a press conference last Friday (June 21).

Present to lead the press conference was Pol Maj Gen Jessada Yaisoon, who heads Immigration Police Region 6.

“Mr Xie was banned from re-entering the Kingdom of Thailand for 100 years, from the year 2013 until the year 2113,” he said.

But Xie entered Thailand again after changing his name to Xie Daijiang, and was issued a new Chinese passport. He arrived via Phuket International Airport and was issued a tourist visa for 60 days, allowing him to stay in Thailand until July 3, 2019.

“After he came to the Phuket Immigration Office on Wednesday (June 19) to apply for an extension to stay, the officer processing his application discovered that Mr Xie was already named on the (Immigration) blacklist,” Col Kathathorn said.

haircuts, close shaves

The arrest of the two men, one Chinese and the other a Bangladesh national, was announced this morning (June 21).

Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Bangladesh national Md Arian Hoque had also been caught entering Thailand on a new passport issued in the name of Md Ziaul Hoque, Col Kathathorn said.

“We found that Md Arian had been arrested and prosecuted for working illegally (in Thailand) in 2014. He was also deported and banned from re-entering Thailand for 100 years, from 2014 until 2114,” he said.

Md Arian was also arrested while applying at Phuket Immigration for an extension to his permit-to-stay.

Both men had been charged for illegally entering the country and were to be deported – again, Col Kathathorn confirmed.

Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET CITY POLICE opened their own barber shop at Phuket City Police Station on Tuesday (June 25) to provide free haircuts to the public.

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Wisan Panmanee was the first to get his haircut at the new salon.

“The barber shop will provide services for free to police officers, school students, university students, and everyday people on low incomes who want to save money,” Gen Wisan said.

The barber shop, located beside the police station’s canteen behind the main building, is open Monday to Friday, but closed Wednesdays.

“The shop is closed on Wednesdays in accordance with the Thai belief that is bad luck to get your hair cut on a Wednesday,” Pol Capt Piya Yongpradeum explained.

“Students from the Phuket Polytechnic College will provide the free haircuts from

Phuket Police Chief Maj Gen Wisan was the first to get his haircut at the new salon.

Photo: Phuket City Police 9am to 4pm, then from 4:30pm to 8pm police officers themselves will be providing the haircuts,” he said.

Shaves by using cutthroat razors – a highlight tradition among barbers throughout the country – will be available on request, Capt Piya confirmed.

“The students will be able to provide shaves by using cutthroat razors, but it will be up to the police officer providing the haircuts during the evening hours to decide whether he is confident enough,” he explained.

Tanyaluk Sakoot thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

Light rail B34.8bn for Phase 1, to jump 10% The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has revealed that the budget for Phase 1 of the Phuket light-rail project is likely to increase by 10%.

However, MRTA’s Project Development Department Director, Gardphajon Udomdhammabhakdi, who was in Phuket last Thursday (June 20) to deliver the news, has since confirmed to The Phuket News that the 10% increase would apply only to the budget for Phase 1 of the project, which he confirmed stood at B34.8 billion.

“Actually, we don’t know how much Phase 2 will cost,” Mr Gardphajon said.

Previous reports by officials announced that the budget for the entire project totalled B40bn, following a jump of B594 million announced by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) in late November.

That number now appears to have been corrected, with the total cost of the project

@thephuketnews

Officials announced last week that the B34.8bn budget for the Phuket light-rail project is only for Phase 1 of the project and is likely to increase by 10%. Image: MRTA now nowhere in sight.

Phase 1 of the project covers 42 kilometres and entails installing double tracks and building 21 stations between Phuket International Airport and Chalong Circle.

MRTA’s Project Development Department Director, Gardphajon Udomdhammabhakdi, attended a press conference at Phuket Provincial Hall last Thursday, joined by Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana, who presided over the meeting, to provide an

update on the project.

Mr Gardphajon explained that the main area of construction will be along Thepkrasattri Rd (Route 402), being a very busy road that runs from the north to the south of the island. Construction plans are being adapted to have as little impact on traffic as possible, which requires further funding, Mr Gardphajon explained.

One area in particular that faces heavy traffic is around the Bang Khu Underpass, an area that officials want to avoid

adding further congestion to.

Officials expect to spend a further four to six months on planning and research before announcing the final plan and budget required.

Initially, in 2017, the Phase 1 budget was set at B24bn but was increased to B34.8bn as plans were amended.

When asked about the budget for Phase 2, which will extend 16km from the airport turnoff on Thepkrasattri Rd (intersection of Route 402 and Route 4026) to Tha Noon in Phang Nga province, Mr Gardphajon told The Phuket News, “Phase 2 plans are still with the OTP. At present, we are only addressing Phase 1.”

Mr Gardphajon said that the Ministry of Transport is not worried about the budget of the Phuket light-rail project as long as it is safe and does not interfere with traffic.

He said in the next four to six months, planning will focus on the island’s key intersections and congested roads.

In places, the route will go underground, he added.

Light-rail services are expected to start in 2024, he said.

PHUKET NEWS

5

Mother gives birth in tuk-tuk, stuck in traffic RAWAI RESCUE WORKers stuck in a traffic jam in Phuket Town on Wednesday (June 26) had an unexpected call to provide assistance when a tuk-tuk driver jumped in front of their ambulance, asking them to help a woman give birth in the back of his vehicle.

Nuttapol Kaewpraju of the Rawai Municipality’s Rawai Rescue Team told The Phuket News that his team were heading back to Rawai after transporting a patient to Vachira Phuket Hospital when they became stuck in traffic on Yaowarat Rd near the Sam Kong Intersection.

“We were on the way back and traffic was very slow, then a man jumped in front of our ambulance, waving his hands,” Mr Nuttapol explained.

“The man told us to come quickly, and that a passenger was about to give birth in the back of his tuk-tuk,” he added.

The rescue team made their way to the bright pink tuk-tuk, also stuck in traffic, to find 34-year-old Hlaing Hlaing Oo from Myanmar in the throes of childbirth, with a friend accompanying her.

“The driver told us that he had picked up Ms Hlaing and her friend in Patong, but the

The baby girl was delivered by the side of the road on the outskirts of Phuket Town.

Photo: Rawai Rescue Team woman wanted to go Vachira Hospital as that is where the doctor she is seeing about her baby is,” Mr Nuttapol explained.

“But the tuk-tuk was stuck in traffic, and there was no way she would have made it in time,” he said.

The rescue workers stayed and helped deliver the baby, a girl, into the world by the side of the road.

A medical team from Vachira Hospital arrived soon after to cut the umbilical cord and take the mother and child into care.

“They were taken to the hospital to make sure they were both okay,” Mr Nuttapol said.

At last report both mother and child were healthy.

Tanyaluk Sakoot

Opinion 6

OPINION

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FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

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EDITORIAL

Killing a tourism image

he shooting of 45-yearold motorbike taxi tout Panya Kingjumpa in front of a FamilyMart on the Patong beach road early last Sunday morning (June 23) has drawn a line in the sand in just how out of control Phuket’s so-called “public transport drivers” are getting.

The shooting, now claimed to be in self-defence, came just 19 days after the Patong Police had hauled in taxi and tuk-tuk drivers in Patong to ask them to please stop beating and cheating tourists.

That meeting was called after six people comprising tuk-tuk drivers and at least one motorbike taxi driver were filmed viciously beating two tourists from the UAE in front of Malin Plaza in Patong.

If the Patong Police believe they have any form of control over this, they are kidding only themselves. It’s just a few

Lifestyle Editor

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and killing a motorbike rider while carrying a tourist as passenger from Phuket airport during rush hour traffic.

And Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Wisan Panmanee this week said that if police had failed to catch at least one of the two Chinese men who used a fake taxi ploy to kidnap and rob a Chinese woman of B200,000 while on holiday in Phuket, it could have “caused very much damage to the image of Phuket and Thailand, and to [the image of] taxi drivers and the tourism industry”?

You have got to be kidding. Gen Wisan, that ploy was planned a long time ago in China. The tourists brought the crime with them.

But when it comes to hailing a ride in a Phuket tuk-tuk or taxi, tourists have no idea what type of person is smiling at them in the rear-view mirror.

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Two men blacklisted from entering Thailand caught again in Phuket Tsunami evacuation drill to be held at Patong Beach Patong tuk-tuk drivers attack, kill motorbike taxi tout Surf danger warning issued for Phuket Smoking at home to be banned Paris court to hear case over 2007 Phuket plane crash ‘I only shot him to stop the attack’, says Patong tuktuk driver Heavy rains hit Phuket as weather remains in force Phuket Opinion: Cruelty is in the eye of the beholder Phuket ‘Seasteading’ case stumbles along as Chad and Nadia get married

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

bad apples spoiling the barrel, they always say, but there’s no denying the rot is spreading.

The latest surge in violence follows one airport taxi driver stabbing another after joking got out of hand on May 26, and a bar tout was stabbed to death on Bangla Rd on May 13.

Even at the tail end of the tourism high season, a Patong taxi driver shot dead another taxi driver in broad daylight at a taxi rank on Phra Metta Rd on March 7.

If anything, Phuket’s illustrious bad boys behind the wheel, the tagline they seem to be wanting, think they are above the law. You can’t blame them, it certainly looks like they are, from smiles while being questioned for homicide over last Sunday’s shooting to taking more than seven months to have charges of reckless driving causing death presented after wiping out six vehicles

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

Riding shotgun

Re: Patong tuk-tuk drivers attack, kill motorbike taxi tout Still TAT is wondering why European tourists came so much before but not anymore. Now you know one of many reasons.

Jeroen Tak Re: ‘I only shot him to stop the attack’, says Patong tuktuk driver Why was he carrying a gun in the first place? It’s about time the police in Phuket started to search these people who we trust with our safety, Sometimes seems they have more weapons than the police.

Gary Strike Is it not about time that Phuket Provincial Hall stops looking away from the absence of decent public transport in Phuket? The government acceptance of a transport mafia, with guns and more, is very bad for tourism. Don’t they realise these happenings go viral worldwide? Phuket ‘transport’ is a dangerous thing. Guns, steel rods, clubs, knives. Pray for safety before you enter them.

Kurt

Tourists spend less and less with the local people than before, and low-paid employees in the tourism industry and tuk-tuk drivers are fighting for their own survival.

Very sad situation that will get worse and worse unless the Thai administration is able to correct the mismanagement in Phuket to provide decent salary for local folks.

Seafarer Divers Charlie Phuket

Smoke & mirrors

Re: Smoking at home to be banned Smoking in the home is a main contributor to childhood asthma. Ban it in cars too.

Dave Wilson Great news. Anyone that tries to stop this addictive habit and save lives makes me happy. But how will they enforce this?

Lynn Carter They say they know how many die from smoke. No one knows how many die of first- or second-hand smoke.

There’s a correlation? So what? Maybe it’s from all the black smoke belching out of

the buses outside? Or both?

Jack Petith Cannot smoke at home but kids are driving motorbikes and killing themselves daily.

MP Frederik Start with public places and restaurants first.

Raffael Molina

Unsafe and sorry

Re: Tourism still wounded one year on from Phoenix disaster Many factors affect tourism. A horrific disaster like this sure is no help. The people responsible for disasters like this – irresponsible operators, poor manufacturing, minibus drivers speeding and intoxicated, etc – need to be made powerful examples of. Hold them to standards of safety and stop allowing them to skirt the law via cash. Do that and watch the tourists and real money roll in. Don’t do it and watch your economy slide.

Westerners are inundated with safety their whole life and they still go anywhere that ticks the boxes guaranteeing their safe return from a happy vacation.

James Bahr

Don’t take it personally.

International tourists from China shrank from 22.4 million in fourth quarter 2017 to 17.5 million in fourth quarter 2018. Likely first quarter 2019 was worse. Blame Trump.

John OToole

Know the drill

Re: Patong tsunami-evacuation drill hailed a success, spurs an excited false start A fake success. Cars, trucks and motorbikes were banned on Bangla for the evacuation and all the small shops on the footpath. A totally unrealistic scenario. Try to repeat on any normal day.

But hey, it was nice. They should make Bangla a walking street if not for pleasure then for safety.

Lars Peter Jacobsen

Art for good

Re: Artist transforms flotsam and jetsam from Phuket beaches into treasure Khun Sai, your art is very creative. What a wonderful idea to use the proceeds to give stray dogs food. This shows what a caring person you are.

Arcadia HK

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FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

Cabbies get ride-share payout offer from govt BANGKOK Thodsapol Hongtong

B

humjaithai deputy secretary-general Supachai Jaisamut has promised the party will offer compensation to more than 100,000 taxi drivers affected by ride-sharing services if the party is given the Transport Ministry to oversee, according to Withoon Naewpanich, president of a network of taxi cooperatives in Bangkok.

Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul has reportedly been bargaining for the transport portfolio, in addition to the deputy prime minister post, during talks to join the Palang Pracharath-led government.

Mr Anutin insisted earlier that a condition for his party joining the government led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha was that its key policies had to be adopted and implemented.

His party’s presence in the new government has apparently worried taxi drivers.

Around 30 of them representing the network led by Mr Withoon drove their vehicles

Taxi drivers rally at the Department of Land Transport to call on the government to clamp down on illegal ridesharing services. Photo: Patipat Janthong to the Department of Land Transport (DLT) in Bangkok on Monday (June 24) to submit a petition to the government.

The group of drivers asked the government to help them when ride-hailing services are legalised.

They also visited the headquarters of the Bhumjaithai Party, which carried an election campaign pledge to legalise the services.

The group, which claimed to represent some 80,000 taxi drivers, had four requests.

First, there must be remedies for them if the change affects their jobs.

Second, legal action must be taken against current ridesharing drivers.

Third, the Taxi OK programme, initiated a few years ago to help them better compete with ride-hailing services by global players, must be revamped.

Finally, fares must be revised to reflect real costs.

A group of motorcycle taxi riders also submitted their own

New law targets smoking at home PHUKET THOSE WHO SMOKE AT home and affect the health of others may be considered to be breaking a new law that comes into effect on Aug 20 if they are deemed to have caused harm as a form of domestic abuse, the Director-General of the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has confirmed.

Department DirectorGeneral Lertpanya Buranabandit last Friday (June 21) explained that the Family Development and Protection Act B.E. 2562, which will become effective on August 20, 2019, aims to prevent severe hazards to families as well as promote the welfare of family members, reported state news agency NNT. Any person considered to have caused a severe hazard to the physical and mental health, freedom or reputation of a member of the family is subject to legal penalties, he said.

That may result in a @thephuketnews

Offenders may be required to appear in two courts, including the Criminal Court and the Central Juvenile and Family Court. Photo: NNT criminal lawsuit in cases of physical assault and a lawsuit in the Central Juvenile and Family Court, which may legally force the smoker at home to undergo a rehabilitation course and to quit smoking for the sake of family members, Mr Lertpanya added.

News of the new law breaking late last week sparked much heated debate online over the rights of smokers and what people do in their own homes versus the impact smokers have on other people’s health.

The Promotion and Protection of Family Institutions Act defines domestic violence as any act a person in the family commits onto another for the purpose that may cause harm to life, body, mind, health, freedom,

or reputation of the person, reported Thai PBS. Smoking at home also “may lead to physical or emotional violence” because of aggressiveness when there is a lack of smoking, according to Post Today, adding that the behaviour could also ruin relationships between a smoking family member and non-smokers in the house.

According to Post Today, offenders may be required to appear in two courts, including the Criminal Court and the Central Juvenile and Family Court.

Once convicted, the court may order a person to receive treatment to quit smoking in an attempt to protect the person’s family, said the report.

The Phuket News

similar petition shortly after.

DLT director-general Peerapol Tavornsuppacharoen said legalising the ride-hailing services would not be in the country’s best interests, but if the policy was to be implemented, it must introduce a level playing field.

Currently, taxis drivers must pay more than B1 million to acquire a vehicle while the ride-hailing providers are able to use cheaper vehicles.

The presence of Singapore-based Grab, which provides hailing services for both car and taxi services on smartphones, has changed the face of the industry.

Like their peers in large cities worldwide, traditional drivers have found it increasingly difficult to compete with people who drive taxis part-time using their own cars, which are generally newer, cleaner and in better condition.

Local registered taxis have also faced numerous complaints over passenger refusals during rush hours and meter tampering.

Bangkok Post

THAILAND NEWS

7

Vets try to shed light on giant whale’s death SURAT THANI AN AUTOPSY HAS BEEN conducted on a 10-tonne Bryde’s whale to try to find out the cause of its death off the coast of Chumphon province.

Veterinarians from the Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Centre began examining the mammal after it was towed to Suan Son beach in Tha Chana district of Surat Thani last Thursday (June 20).

The whale was found floating dead at sea by a fishing boat on Thursday. It was 10 years old, 10.8 metres long and weighed 10 tonnes, according to the Marine and Coastal Resources Department. It was one of the biggest ever seen in the country, where only 60 Bryde’s whale sightings have ever been recorded.

Veterinarian Watchara Sakornwimol said last Friday there were three possible reasons for its death. The animal might have been ill and subsequently struck some rocks, it could have become trapped by fishing nets, or it might have been struck by a trawler.

Vets conduct an autopsy on a dead Bryde’s whale on Suan Son beach in Tha Chana district of Surat Thani June 20. Photo: Supapong Chaolan Ms Watchara said officials are checking to confirm whether the whale had been tagged and registered with the department.

Chamlaeng Suwanna­ wong, a fisherman in Tha Chana, said he was shocked to see the whale of this size dead.

“It was a great loss,” he said, adding that he hoped the carcass would be preserved for future generations to study.

Department director-general Jatuporn Buruspat said officials were seeking more information from fishermen, tour operators and tourists about the whale.

He said that a mammal of this size and age would not normally die of natural causes.

Bangkok Post

8

THAILAND NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

Big Joke lands new job on police panel BANGKOK

DEPU T Y PR I M E M I N IS ter Gen Prawit Wongsuwon on Wednesday (June 26) confirmed that sacked immigration chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn has been appointed to a Police Commission sub-committee.

Gen Prawit, also defence minister and chairman of the Police Commission, insisted it was perfectly in order for a civilian to serve on the panel.

The appointment of Pol Lt Gen Surachate to the police subcommittee responsible for laws and regulations was an internal matter of the Royal Thai Police Office (RTPO), he said.

A person from outside the police force could be a member of the police panel. The appointment of outsiders was within the authority of the Police Commission, Gen Prawit said. He had just signed his name to the order.

National police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda and Pol Gen Weerachai Songmetra, deputy national police chief, would release the actual details, he added.

He was responding to questions on the appointment of Gen Surachate to the police subcommittee, which was reported in Thai media on Tuesday.

Gen Surachate was in April abruptly transferred from the police force to the civil service to serve as a special adviser at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The transfer was made under a National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Section 44 dictate to clear the way for an investiga-

Lt Gen Surachate 'Big Joke' Hakparn. Photo: Bangkok Post tion. The allegations against him were never made public.

Gen Prawit said the Police Commission would meet on Wednesday afternoon.

Asked if the appointment of Gen Surachate to the panel signaled his likely return to a key post in the RTPO, he repeated his earlier assurance that the former immigration chief could not return to the police force as he is now a civil servant.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam earlier said Gen Surachate could be transferred back to the police force by a normal order after the NCPO is dissolved.

Gen Prawit refused to comment when asked about Mr Wissanu’s remark. Reporters should ask Mr Wissanu instead, he said.

On June 15 Gen Prawit signed his name to the order appointing Pol Lt Gen Surachate to the police sub-committee, which is chaired

by Gen Weerachai.

Earlier, Gen Chakthip denied reports of the imminent return of Gen Surachate to the police force.

Gen Prawit on Monday also denied speculation that Gen Surachate may return as an assistant to the police force.

Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Photo: AFP

Cabinet is nearly ready, pledges PM BANGKOK Wassana Nanuam

P

rime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha affirmed on Tuesday (June 25) a new government will be in place by the middle of next month, saying background checks on would-be Cabinet ministers were progressing.

He said the Cabinet list will likely be forwarded for royal endorsement following his return from the G20 summit in Japan.

He did not say if it would be submitted as received from coalition parties.

“We’ll ask them [nominees] to fill out forms. We’re running background checks with agencies concerned and they will give general information.

For those who face lawsuits, the agencies concerned will give details, but eventually those individuals will have to verify information,” he said.

The Cabinet Secretary-General is responsible for the matter, he noted.

Gen Prayut also said there are only 35 places in the Cabinet and some candidates might not get a job if the number of proposed individuals exceeds the available posts.

The prime minister did not say whether he would join and possibly take the helm of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) following reports he would be named PPRP leader after the government line-up is finalised.

“Why? Would it affect anyone if I did or I didn’t?” he said.

Meanwhile, a source in the Chartpattana Party said party adviser Suwat

Liptapanlop is holding talks with PPRP leaders about Cabinet posts following rumours the party might be overlooked.

The party gained only three MPs in the election, and party leader Tewan Liptapanlop was put forward to join the Cabinet. However, it was reported the party’s allocation would be given to the National Council for Peace and Order.

Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul on Tuesday denied reports that the party was making changes to its ministerial line-up.

He said their nominees are wellsuited for their posts and implementing the party’s policy platform. Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon declined to say whether he would be part of the new Cabinet.

41% of fruits, vegetables contaminated with toxins THAILAND THE ANNUAL SURVEY of vegetables and fruits by the Thailand Pesticide Alert Network (ThaiPAN) found high toxic contamination on 41% of sampled vegetables and fruits, and the problem was bigger at retail stores than wet markets.

The network and its partners – local health officials, farmers and residents – collected 286 samples of popular vegetables and fruits from retail stores and wet markets in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Sa Kaeo, Yasothon, Chanthaburi, Ratchaburi and Songkhla for toxic contamination tests, ThaiPAN coordinator Prokchol Ousap told a news conference in

Nonthaburi on Wednesday (June 26).

The samples were sent for standard laboratory tests in the UK, and high toxic contamination was found in 41% of them, she said.

Vegetables with the highest contamination were Chinese mustard greens, kale, hot basil, parsley, chilli and cauliflower. Fruits with the highest percentages of harmful contamination were tangerines, rose apples, guavas and grapes.

Unsafe contamination was found in 33.3% of imported fruit and 48.7% of local fruit. Unhealthy contaminants were found in 44% of samples from retail stores, and 39% of samples from wet markets, Ms Prokchol said.

Bangkok Post

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

BUSINESS NEWS

9

Dialling up instant advantage The Pavilions Phuket brings Portier Tech to guest experience TECHNOLOGY The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

he use of technology has now landed proper in the Phuket hopsitality industry with The Pavilions Phuket, recognised as one of Asia’s most outstanding and intimate resorts, now providing guests with customised Portier Phones, lifting the guest experience into the digital age and taking personalisation to new heights.

The Portier Phone not only allows guests to make complimentary phone calls to anywhere in the world and surf the internet, but ensures that the whole travel experience is covered, from booking a spa treatment at the hotel to accessing unique experiences across the island, The Pavilions noted in its release this week.

Perhaps most importantly, guests now have an uninterrupted connection to the hotel’s guest experience team and can request assistance with any requirement they may have to ensure a more personalised and memorable stay, it added.

“The Pavilions Phuket continually looks for ways to enhance our guests’ experience. We believe Portier to be right for our guests

Portier phones are now on the island, delivering that long-promised bottom line impact that integrated technology is supposed to deliver. so that they’re connected while on holiday, and so we create an experience beyond expectations,” said Conor O’Leary, General Manager at The Pavilions Phuket.

Mr O’Leary also remarked that he expects the Portier service to have a positive impact on the resort’s environmental goals, helping to reduce the need for excessive printing and thus, further lowering the property’s carbon footprint.

“Having always believed in the romance of a unique hotel experience, it’s great to see yet another distinctive resort property adopt

our platform,” commented Mike Pope, Portier Technologies’ Chief Revenue Officer.

“At Portier Technologies, our job is to enhance the already excellent abilities of hotel staff members.

We believe that working with The Pavilions Phuket will give us an opportunity to deliver a world-class guest experience via the resort’s world-class guest experiences team.”

Portier began its journey in Thailand in 2017, after the company’s first deployment of “Portier” customised mobile phones to The Siam hotel in Bangkok, a 2017 Conde Nast Traveler

Small hotels set to legalise ventures HOSPITALITY SOME 5,000 NON-REGISTERED SMALL hotels are expected to legalise their business after a recent order issued by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Small and non-registered hotels are abundant in many popular tourism destinations such as Pattaya.

The small hotels are among the roughly 23,000 hotels nationwide operating illegally or without an operating licence under the Hotel Act of 2004, said Samphan Panpat, honorary adviser to the Thai Hotels Association (THA).

The order, enforced under Section 44 powers, is aimed at bringing illegal hotels and accommodation service providers under better state control and boosting safety for guests.

According to Mr Samphan, these small hotels with fewer than 50 keys had planned to register with local authorities but their attempts were obstructed by a 2016 ministerial regulation of the Interior Ministry.

The regulation required operators that transformed their buildings into hotels to comply with the Town and City Planning Act as well as the Building Control Act before seeking an operating licence. While waiting for the licence, they could not operate without risking a fine or punishment.

Mr Samphan said the Section 44 order is considered a relief for them, as they can continue doing business while waiting for a licence under the Hotel Act. But the NCPO order issued by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on June 12 indicates that all operators that changed their properties to be hotels must comply with all @thephuketnews

Roughly 23,000 small hotels nationwide are operating illegally or without an operating licence. Photo: Bangkok Post / file required legislation such as laws related to town planning and building control by 2021.

The NCPO order will likely benefit those hotels with fewer than 50 rooms and those with more than 50 rooms with restaurants.

“Most of the 23,000 or so non-registered properties are small accommodations providing fewer than 100 rooms,” Mr Samphan said.

The move will add more legal hotels to the industry in a few years on top of about 12,000 existing registered hotels.

Mr Samphan brushed aside claims that the order may benefit Airbnb, since the authorities are mulling amending the Hotel Act to include that platform.

“To be a registered hotel will benefit everyone involved,” he said. “Not only will it raise the overall standards of the hotel business, which is directly related to the tourism industry, but hotel operators also get support from our association and benefit from tax perks because domestic tourists can use hotel receipts to claim tax deductions.”

It also means tourists can access trustworthy accommodation while in Thailand, he said.

Bangkok Post

Gold List property. Portier outfitted each of the property’s guest rooms with a customized 4G Smartphone, which are integrated into the hotel’s guest services systems and feature daily local art, cultural and entertainment coverage.

The phones themselves need only operate with Android 4.4 of higher, or be Apple iPhones with iOS 8.0 or higher. The rest is the fully customised software platform.

The Portier phones include hotspot connectivity, allowing guests to bypass data roaming fees or the hassle and expense of purchasing and installing a local SIM card.

Each Portier phone comes with a hotel’s compendium translated in up to five languages that are most common among the hotels’ guests.

Further, the system’s Concierge Connect allows hotel guests to chat directly to individual staff or departments. Each message is auto translated to enable better guest support. Guest services can access the translated chat via the web-based view, their mobile device, or the Portier chat app.

To align hotel services with guests’ growing preferences for mobile communications, Portier phones are directly integrated into hotel systems – allowing guests

to text hotel staff and explore and book services whether on property or while off exploring.

Later in 2017, Banyan Tree Samui witnessed an eight-fold increase on RoI, measured in incremental guest spending, thanks to ancillary revenue tech by Portier Technologies.

The American company’s in-hotel smartphone product drove a 20% uplift in spa bookings alone – which translated into US$48,000 in additional revenue.

Banyan Tree Samui engaged Portier in late 2017 to increase guest spending while in-property, improve support for a widening base of international clientele and deliver a solution that would amplify, not distract from, Banyan Tree’s guest services team, reported Travel Daily Media earlier this year.

In the case of Banyan Tree Samui, in the year following the Portier rollout, the smartphone drove over 200,000 article reads, as guests accessed their custom Banyan Tree smartphones 21 times a day. Ancillary bookings also grew; in-villa bath treatments rose 433% in 2018, while cooking class bookings grew 127%.

These specific areas alone contributed to over US$200 in additional revenue per villa year on year compared to 2017, the report noted.

10 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

Low season dips even further Tourism arrivals, revenues generated fall for May year on year TOURISM The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

T

ourism arrivals figures fell in May, according to the latest statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS), with tourism revenues also falling year on year. Yet total arrivals and spending during the first five months of 2019 are still slightly higher than last year.

So far, 16,717,060 tourists have visited Thailand from Jan through May, up from 16,456,470 during the same period last year (+1.58%).

Meanwhile, the fifth month alone saw a decline from 2,755,059 last year to 2,726,808 (-1.03%), reported the MoTS. The fall in arrivals in May saw a corresponding fall of 0.95% in tourism revenue to B134.56 billion during the month, down from B135.856bn last year. Although total revenue during the first five months of this year is still 0.82% higher than last year (B872,47bn, compared with B865,402bn).

Phu ket I nter nat ional Airport saw 323,713 arrivals (9,529 Thai, 314,184 foreign) during May, along with 389,167 departures (10,600 Thai, 378,567 foreign), bringing total passengers throughout the airport to 712,880.

Among the international arrivals nationwide, tourists

Scores of tourism and travel industry representatives hunt for the best deals they can find at the Thailand Travel Mart in Bangkok earlier this month. Photo: TAT from Mainland China, still by far Thailand’s largest tourist source market, fell 8.55% to 794,913 in May 2019, down from 869,235 during the same month last year.

Tourism revenues from Mainland Chinese tourists during the period also fell 6.26%, from B46.613bn in Jan-May last year to B43.69bn this year.

Meanwhile, from Asia, tourists from Hong Kong rose by 2.12% to 84,897, visitors from Japan also rose 6.74%, to 116,440, while tourists from Taiwan rose 6.05% to 56,268.

Tourists from Korea, however, fell by 8.78% from the same period year on year, to 111,911.

Tourist arrivals from all of the main European markets

also fell, as follows: United Kingdom -0.13% (to 61,653); France -8.19 (to 35,207); Germany -19.45% (to 36,741); Netherlands -2.72% (to 12,782); Italy -2.87% (to 9,623); Switzerland -9.35% (to 8,459); Spain -2.59% (to 7,808); and Austria -10.07% (to 4,082).

Belgium was the only European market to show a rise in tourism arrivals during the period year on year, from 4,884 last year to 4,983 this year (+2.03%).

Tourism arrivals from all the Scandinavian countries also fell for the period year on year: Sweden -6.22% (to 6,169); Denmark -14.91% (to 4,719); Finland -13.91% (to 3,082); and Norway -15.06% (to 3,689).

Arrivals from Russia also

shrank 2.38% year on year, from 57,098 in May last year to 55,738 this year.

Even arrivals from Eastern Europe, where the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has pushed its promotion activities over the past 18 months, fell -0.77%, from 17,087 in May last year to 16,956 this year.

MONEY Tourists from Japan led the spending figures in May with an increase of +8.88% during the period, from B4.729bn last year to B5.148bn this year, while visitors from Hong Kong also spent more, r isi ng f rom B3,554 last year to B3.702bn this year (+4.16%).

Revenues from Kore-

an tourists fell 7.41% (to B5.216bn), while visitors from Taiwan spent 8.17% more during the period year on year, to B2.353bn.

Tourists from the United Kingdom led the spending among the European tourism markets, rising 1.37% to B5.238bn.

However, spending by tourists from France fell 6.81% (to B2.055bn), while revenues from tourists from Germany plunged 18.25% (to B2.605bn).

Spending by tourists from the remaining major European tourism markets was as follows: Netherlands -1.27% (to B971 million); Switzerland -7.99% (to B742mn); Italy -1.41% (to B677mn); Spain -1.13% (to B508mn); Austria -8.72% (to B320mn); and Belgium +3.56% (to B341mn).

Spending by all the Scandinavian countries fell, as follows: Sweden -5.28% (to B539mn); Denmark -14.06% (to B388mn); Norway -14.21% (to B347mn); and Finland -12.62% (to B249mn).

Spending by tourists from Russia also fell in May, but by less than the corresponding fall in the number of tourists, falling 0.92% from B5.193bn last year to B5.145bn this year.

Despite a fall in the number of tourist arrivals from Easter n Europe, tourism revenues from the source market rose 0.72%, from B1.159bn last year to B1.167bn this year.

INDIA Tourism arrivals from India, the biggest growth market for Thailand and for Phuket in particular, has continued to show strong improvement since the beginning of the year, with tourist arrivals from the subcontinent country in May rising 10.59%, from 156,462 last year to 173,033 so far this year.

Spending by Indian tourists in May also rose 12.25% year on year, from B5.715bn last year to B6.416bn this year.

In terms of spending, the revenue generated by the Indian market is now comparable to that by tourist arrivals from the US. Spending by US tourists in May this year stood at B6.347bn, up from B6,129.86 last year (+3.55%).

However, visitors from the US remain “spending strong” tourists, creating slightly more in tourism revenues compared with the Indian market despite having less than half the number of visitors visiting Thailand.

The number of tourist arrivals from the US rose 2.02% year on year for the month of May, from 81,177 last year to 82,815 this year.

Of note, the MoTS, for years, issued standard “Tourism Situation” reports for public release posted on its website and usually announced at a press conference by the ministry’s permanent secretary. Those releases and press conferences ceased in January.

Business confidence hits 15-month low ECONOMY U NCERTA I N T I ES R Egarding the forming of a new government and trade war concerns have resulted in

confidence among business operators in May 2019 continuing to decline, reaching a 15-month low, as shown in the latest TCC Confidence Index.

However, the figure is expected to improve in June once

the new government proceeds with proposed megaprojects, injecting the economy with cash flow expected to help the Thai economy grow by 3.5% this year, reports the University of the Thai Chambers of

Commerce (UTCC).

The UTCC has released the May 2019 TCC Confidence Index, showing results from a survey of 370 Thai Chambers of Commerce members nationwide.

The UTCC Confidence Index figure in May 2019 is recorded at 47.7, which is the lowest in 15 months, with lower indication scores in all regions including Bangkok and neighbouring provinces.

Consumption and investment performance has decelerated due to concerns regarding the forming of a new government, low farm product pricing affecting purchasing power, and the ongoing trade war between the US and China affecting the Thai exports sector, the industrial sector, and trading sector.

The UTCC’s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting Director, Thanawat

The UTCC’s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting Director, Thanawat Ponvichai. Photo: NNT Ponvichai, has described the Thai economy, especially local economies, as not robust, with farm product pricing becoming an issue in all regions, with only the tourism and service sectors in the eastern and northern regions performing above the median value of 50, indicating that the tourism industry is the key economic driver at the moment.

He said positive attributes can now be seen from improving farm product pricing in June, such as rice, palm oil,

and rubber, while the establishment of the new government should lead to implementation of economic stimuli, especially disbursements of investment budgets, resulting in more hiring and procurement in various areas, as well as farm product price control measures, all of which are expected to help the Thai economy to grow by 3.8-4% in the latter half of 2019, pushing the annual growth this year to come in at 3.5%.

NNT thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

Fine Japanese dining at Taihei, Banyan Tree

13

Cooking with lotus flower and water lily

15

BRIGHT SPARK

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

Teen entrepreneur making Phuket proud with charity start-up

Amy Bryant editor1@classactmedia.co.th

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ounder and CEO of Sandee for Good, Asia’s Regional Director & Club President at LaunchX, Alumni at Quarter Zero, Cofounder of KétoPlants. This might read like the LinkedIn profile of a successful businessperson at the peak of their adult career, but it is in fact the CV of Irawadee Thawornbut, known as Bai-Dteuy, an accomplished Phuketian entrepreneur of just 16 years old.

To do justice to her successes, infectious enthusiasm and enterprising spirit would require much of the Life section – a Bai-Dteuy special. Perhaps her greatest achievement, though, is Sandee for Good, an online marketplace that allows users to purchase goods for non-profits in need across Thailand, picking from each organisation’s tailored wish list.

“I found that so many people are willing to help and donate to communities, but they don’t know where to. So they tend to donate in places near their houses, or to places that are well known.

This leaves non-profits in rural areas unnoticed, thus receiving less support,” says Bai-Dteuy. “So I wanted to create this platform where distance is not a barrier for non-profits anywhere and where they all have equal voices.”

Sandee for Good currently supports five carefully chosen charities – Child Watch in Phuket; the Duang Prateep Foundation and forOldy in Bangkok; the Umphang Hospital Foundation in Tak; and The Orphanage Foundation of the Southern Thailand – changing the lives of children at risk, stateless refugees and the elderly. The platform’s name is wonderfully apt, ‘sandee’ meaning ‘protector of mankind’.

“We really stress transparency to know where the money and goods go and how they’re being used,” explains Bai-Dteuy. “Non-profits take photos when they’ve received the goods and then when they’re being used too. It’s really refreshing and heartwarming for the donors to see.”

Sandee for Good breaks away from the often faceless donation systems and instead connects charities closely with their donors, and its success is marked by the B68,000+ in goods donated since its launch in December 2018. So how does a full-time student create such a successful platform, nurturing it from a concept to launch in just six months? @thephuketnews

Bai-Dteuy at her TEDx talk.

Sandee at Child Watch Phuket.

Bai-Dteuy and Pawoot.

Bai-Dteuy discovered her entrepreneurial spark in 2017 after the LaunchX young entrepreneurs programme came to British International School, Phuket – BISP where she studies. The programme helps students leverage their talents and build start-ups that solve real-world problems. Bai-Dteuy and her three teammates responded to that year’s theme of ‘environmental sustainability’ with KétoPlants, a vertical farming venture for hotels which they pitched at LaunchX’s annual regional event in Shenzhen, China – which, as LaunchX Regional Director for Asia, she now helps organise – in February 2018 and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology two months later.

With the bug for entrepreneurship caught and her mind abuzz with ideas, Bai-Dteuy then secured a scholarship

for Quarter Zero’s Catapult Incubator summer programme in San Francisco, Chicago and New York. It was here, in a community of like-minded, inspiring high school entrepreneurs, that the idea for Sandee for Good started to take shape and become a tangible reality.

“Quarter Zero helped me with the hands-on part of creating a company. We learnt how to do market research and how to build a team and a company culture,” Bai-Dteuy explains. “I learnt that a company should always consider social impact. That should be the direction of every company in the world.”

On return to Thailand, fate, or perhaps Facebook algorithms, presented Bai-Dteuy with an opportunity to take Sandee for Good forward when an ad appeared on her newsfeed for Win Win WAR Thailand auditions, a TV compe-

tition she describes as “like The Voice but for business”.

Chosen from over a thousand applicants, Bai-Dteuy competed on the show between September and December last year under the mentorship of Pawoot Pongvitayapanu – CEO and Founder of TARAD.com, the first and biggest e-commerce service in Thailand – fighting her way to the final five where she received the Creative Innovation Award, the show’s only accolade after winner.

“I was the only child in the competition. At first, I was kind of scared. I didn’t have the experience everyone had. They were all accomplished in their fields,” Bai-Dteuy says. “But the whole experience really taught me to just be on your own level, improve where you are and be happy with that. Don’t bring yourself down.”

Bai-Dteuy echoed this advice in her confident and empowering TEDx talk about her roller coaster entrepreneurship journey, encouraging adults and children to put doubt aside and pursue their passions as there are lessons to be learned in both success and failure.

Despite balancing school and a workload that would have high-flying city managers pining for an early retirement, Bai-Dteuy continues to strive for more, citing her mother’s proclivity for planning, the support of her family, friends and teachers, and the tenacity of Elon Musk as her inspiration. While they say never meet your heroes, encountering Musk at the 2018 Hyperloop competition only served to fuel her determination.

“He really inspired me to continue doing what I’m doing. What I really like about him is he has no limits set to himself. He started PayPal. Normal people would have stopped there, but he went on to Tesla and SpaceX. It doesn’t mean you have to put pressure on yourself, it’s just knowing that you can improve and do more.”

With this in mind, Bai-Dteuy heads to Harvard Summer School to embark on a new area of study: Modern Data and Stellar Astrophysics. Each new venture comes with a degree of unpredictability, which entrepreneurship helps her navigate, but what’s certain is that as long as she keeps reaching for the stars, Bai-Dteuy is going to be a name Phuket remembers.

To watch Bai-Dteuy’s TEDx talk, search ‘Irawadee Thawornbut’ in the ‘TEDx Talks’ YouTube channel. Visit her platform at www.sandeeforgood.com

12 ART

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

All the world’s a stage The flying thespian reports from afar THE PLAY’S THE THING! Joel Adams

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has an 80-year head start on Theatrix in Phuket. But we here can at least dream and put our dreams into action.

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f you recall, in my maiden article I spoke of one of my greatest theatrical inspirations: the Oregon Shakespeare Festival under the leadership of Angus Bowmer. Well, guess what? I’ve just spent two wonderful days there, watching a number of plays. In short, The Play’s the Thing! has gone international!

To top off the joy of being able to see shows at the festival, one of my friends, Mark Murphey, who I studied acting at university with, is playing one of the two leads in an original play called Mother Road.

I had always admired his acting but had not seen him in decades, so it was a great joy to catch up with him and see him in action again.

Ashland is a lovely town nestled in the hills of southern Oregon, a gorgeous state in the northwest of the US, a place I had never visited before and am rapidly growing to love with its great climate, rolling hills, snow-capped mountains, magnificent evergreens, lakes, rivers and lots of welcoming, downto-earth people. Ashland is also a cultural hub with the festival and several other theatres thriving there.

What could be better than a town with great natural beauty and a friendly population that also loves and proudly supports its theatres?

Anyway, back to the shows I got to see. The first I saw was called Cambodian Rock Band. It told the story of the thriving underground rock scene in Cambodia prior to the takeover by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge.

With great music, inspired story-telling and terrific acting by six Cambodians/Americans, this show moved effortlessly from the tale of a fledgling rock band in the pre-Khmer Rouge days, to the actual takeover by Pol Pot with all its resultant interrogations and genocide, to modern days with a Cambodian/American journalist trying to find and prosecute one of the Khmer Rouge war criminals while attempting to solve the mystery of one of the survivors of this villain’s camp.

Mystery, music, humour, twists, horror and a surprise ending made this original play a powerfully moving experience. Thankfully, it avoided falling into the trap of leaving us desperate and sad. Conversely, it ended with joyous music and the actors and audience dancing wildly together on the stage. Afterwards, we were able to meet and talk with the cast in the lobby, delightful young people who were both wonderful actors and accomplished musicians.

I thought how great it would be to have the cast perform this play in Phuket and tour the region. When I mentioned this, they liked the idea, but for now, they are booked around the US with San Diego the next stop after Ashland. But who knows the future?

That evening I went to see Shakespeare’s All’s Well that Ends Well in the open-air Elizabethan theatre, the first of its kind in the US, having been built in the ’30s. This play is considered one of Shakespeare’s

Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Elizabethan stage. Photo: Amy Richard

‘problem plays’ because it doesn’t readily fit into the category of tragedy, comedy or history. Some critics have felt it is not even that great a play, but director Tracy Young and her cast did a commendable job of playing it for laughs and giving us a lot of fun.

The protagonist, the lowly Helen in love with a noble above her station who rejects her advances, is an awkward, nerdy genius who we love and empathise with immediately. Her love interest’s cowardly soldier friend, Parolles, gave us many a laugh as did the Clown character. All in all, it was a delightful evening.

The next afternoon was the high point of the visit for me, seeing my friend in Mother Road by Octavio Solis. Mark said the following about the play, “Playing Will Joad has been a great pleasure to me. Octavio Solis has written a wonderfully complex character with enigmas in the first part of the play which become clear in the second but done with a masterful touch to make it seem almost effortless in the writing.

“There is so much I love about this play. Its connections to The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck being so carefully thought out and worked into the fabric of the script is a great aspect of the story. Then there are the two main characters coming to terms with their demons, prejudices, and overcoming them. The themes of redemption are always something I love doing.”

Mark also told me, “The live stage has been the mainstay of my acting, and I have been very fortunate to find work for the past 50 years on a regular basis. I love being on the stage doing a show every night to a different audience. It’s alive and vibrant, just because it is live. That’s what I love about the theatre. The immediacy and intimacy with a live audience.”

Both he and I love movies and watch them avidly, but when it comes to acting, there is no thrill like acting for live people, giving them something that has never been exactly the same nor ever will be again.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has an 80-year head start on Theatrix and others of us who are involved in theatre in Phuket. Not only have they brought quality theatre to a small town in Oregon, they have also gathered a huge, loyal audience to the point that Ashland has become the second most visited city in the US for the purpose of seeing theatre, just behind New York City. It has a population of 20,000 and gets 400,000 visitors a year! We here can at least dream and put our dreams into action, can’t we, and who can predict the outcome?

Joel Adams is building a vibrant theatre community right here in Phuket. You can contact him at theatrixphuket@ gmail.com or by phone on 093 6490066.

Facebook: Theatrix Group thephuketnews

DINING 13

Memoirs of Taihei THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

Authentic cuisine at Banyan Tree Phuket’s Japanese restaurant Amy Bryant editor1@classactmedia.co.th

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hailand has a growing appetite for Japanese food. As the country has slowly relaxed its visa requirements for tourists over the past decade, Thais and expats alike have flocked to Japan to experience a nation that sits on the cutting edge yet also remains profoundly in touch with ancient tradition. And on return, these travellers seek a slice of the timeless cuisine they enjoyed there.

Finding a restaurant that can emulate that Japanese dining experience authentically, with the knowledge, precision and dedication that a Japanese itamae – or sushi chef – masters during years of rigorous apprenticeship training, is no mean feat. Conveyor belt sushi in a shopping centre just won’t cut it once you’ve had the real thing.

Fortunately, Banyan Tree Phuket hits the mark with Taihei, its highend Japanese restaurant. Taihei translates as ‘peace’ or ‘tranquillity’, fitting given the calm surrounds of the restaurant. Diners sit by a still pool that’s bordered by tall palm trees, and with room for only 35 guests, the restaurant remains relatively quiet. The only sounds are lounge music and the friendly buzz of other diners’ chatter that travels up into the high-ceiling tiered pavilion overhead that’s reminiscent of a Japanese pagoda.

Chef Shiga Takahiro. @thephuketnews

Running the Taihei show is Shiga Takahiro, a chef with 20 years’ experience who honed his culinary talents in Chiba and Tokyo before taking his brand of Japanese cuisine to China, Malaysia and now Thailand. In his short tenure at Taihei – since only April this year – the restaurant has secured a place in the Michelin Guide.

After a palate cleansing welcome drink of Tokyo iced tea and a light snack of edamame with homemade onion, garlic and chili sauce, it’s time to sample the best of Chef Shiga’s menu which marries local, fresh produce with high quality imports from Japan.

Dishes are designed for sharing and arrive steadily throughout the evening, each plate pleasingly symmetrical and elegant in its presentation.

Starters of Rainbow and California maki rolls – layers of avocado, fish and roe with rice, hand-rolled and tightly wrapped in nori – serve up a pleasant savoury, umami taste which can be elevated or softened by the sides of punchy wasabi, pickled ginger and sweet soy sauce.

The main course moriawase sashimi set showcases sweet shrimp alongside different cuts of blackfin and yellowfin tuna, including the prized otoro, or lower belly, cut. Each portion differs in colour, taste and texture, from coral pinks to rich reds, from tender to unctuous, meaning there’s something to satisfy everyone around the table. The moriawase sushi set adds rice, scallops, salmon, surf clams and California maki to the mix.

Another must-try main is the misoglazed black cod yuzumiso. The buttery meat, wrapped in a hoba leaf, falls apart at the touch of a chopstick.

Nothing beats the interactive experience of teppanyaki, though, which is a real highlight at Taihei. The flattop, hot-plate grill is wheeled out to provide a fiery display for diners and a chance to see the artistry of the chefs in action. The grade 4 Australian wagyu tenderloin from the grill, cubed and drizzled in sweet soy sauce, is full-flavoured and just sensational.

Also available are large-bodied tiger prawns, firm, fresh and served with assorted vegetables.

Rich, homemade matcha green tea ice cream with a side of sweet red bean paste rounds off the meal nicely.

While Phuket can never mimic the cherry blossom of Japan’s sakura season or the magic of its snow festivals, it can answer to the island’s craving for its unrivalled cuisine, and Taihei shows that there’s something to be said for experiencing this cuisine here in the tropics.

Taihei’s pagoda-style pavilion.

Moriawase sashimi set.

Taihei is located at Banyan Tree Phuket, 33, 33/27 Moo 4, Srisoonthorn Rd, Cherng Talay, Amphur Thalang, 83110.

Open for lunch from 12pm-3pm and for

dinner from 6:30pm-11pm daily.

For reservations, email fb-phuket@banyantree.com or call +66 76 372 400. banyantree.com/en/thailand/phuket

14 COMMUNITY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

Sing for your coffee Superstar Singto Numchok starts mobile coffee shop Shoo We Doo Wa CAFE SOCIETY Amy Bensema bensema.amy@gmail.com

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hip coffee roaster founded by one of Thailand’s favourite superstars, Shoo We Doo Wa Coffee Roaster inspires coffee lovers to “Just Have Fun” while enjoying their robust brews.

Singto Numchok is one of Thailand’s most popular musicians, but don’t let his fame fool you. He is a charming, laid-back gentleman who enjoys hanging out by the beach and surfing. Singto also enjoys a good cup of coffee.

The idea to start his own coffee roaster came from not finding the perfect cup of coffee he wanted in Bangkok. Singto mentioned that when he’d go out into his neighbourhood to grab a coffee, he would end up with a cup that was extremely watered down or one that was too bitter to drink. Feeling frustrated, in the little spare time that he had he started to canvas the internet to learn about the different varieties of coffee beans available and how to roast them.

He bought beans from a variety of places in Bangkok and started to experiment with roasting coffee in his home. First with simple drip coffee and then later with a vintage moka pot. This is when I had the opportunity to indulge in my first cup of Shoo We Doo Wa coffee. The flavour was rich and there was no bitter aftertaste. It was a strong cup of coffee that needed neither milk nor sugar.

Fast forward a few months and Shoo We Doo Wa Coffee Roaster has taken Thailand by storm. Currently popular as a mobile coffee shop, the coffee roaster brews its speciality coffee out of the back of vintage Volkswagen vans as well as setting up shop at a variety of music and tourist events across Thailand.

Shoo We Doo Wa recently went on tour. The coffee roaster brought its signature brand of coffee brews to Phuket during the Phuket Surf Fest 2019 in Patong late last month, calling their Volkswagen pop-up shop “Shoo We Doo Wa On the Beach”. To the delight of many of his fans, Singto was there working as a barista, brewing up his special blends of beans and getting customer feedback about his coffee drinks.

Much to my surprise, many of the owners of the coffee shops I have previously written about for this column were also there sampling the coffee and buying

beans to use in their own establishments.

Currently, Shoo We Doo Wa Coffee Roaster functions as a mobile coffee shop only, but there is a plan for the future to open a flagship coffee shop, and Singto and his partner are currently researching the market in both Bangkok and Phuket.

For now, Singto hopes to encourage coffee lovers to follow in his footsteps and experiment with coffee bean varieties in the comfort of their own homes. In that spirit, Shoo We Doo Wa Coffee Roaster has made their coffee bean varieties available to order online.

There are three beans to choose from: Guatemala, a Brazil Honduras Guatemala mix and an Ethiopia Yirgacheffe. Each of the bean varieties boasts a unique taste and balance as well as roast level. The Ethiopia Yirgacheffe is my favourite. It’s a sweet and lively brew with floral, caramel and citrus blends. While I do love a good cup of coffee, I am certainly no barista, so I grind the beans in the morning and use them to brew coffee in a very old “Mr.Coffee” drip coffee maker.

If you are looking for a high-quality bean to make coffee at home, head to Shoo We Doo Wa Coffee Roaster’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/shoowedoowa/) and place your order, or follow the mobile coffee roaster’s adventures on Instagram at www.instagram.com/ shoowedoowacoffee/ or email shoowedoowa@gmail.com Written by Amy Bensema, Cafe Society is a monthly column which chronicles one girl’s search for the perfect cup of coffee. Have a cafe to recommend? Contact Amy via email at bensema.amy@gmail.com or follow her caffeinated adventures as @phukestagram on Instagram.

Concert at Hard Rock Cafe Phuket raises B120k for children’s charity The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

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fundraising concert featuring award-winning singer Da Endorphine at the Hard Rock Cafe Phuket in Patong on June 17 raised B120,000 for the Destination Kids Foundation.

The funds, raised from ticket sales, will go towards supporting the Destination Kids Foundation’s children’s activities, and the foundation expects that this year it will be able to move these plans forward with funding of up to B10 million in generous donations from affiliated companies.

The Destination Kids Foundation focuses on aiding children in need of medical support or living in poverty or unsafe environments, such as those that are disabled, homeless, abused or HIV-infected. The charity also supports children whose parents are imprisoned or deceased. Support includes scholarships and other educational opportunities. The foundation also advocates other non-profit children’s foundations.

The Destination Group operates hospitality businesses under the label of Destination Properties. Based in Bangkok, Destination Properties manages hotels in many tourist destinations, including Novotel Karon Phuket, Novotel Hua Hin, Swissotel Resort Patong, Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok and Swissotel Resort Patong.

The operator is currently involved in the development of more hotels, five-star

Da Endorphine.

The team behind the concert. meeting halls and clubs in industrial areas across the east of Thailand. Destination Properties also owns restaurants and bars under the management of Destination Eats. The most prominent of these are Hooters Asia, Hard Rock Cafe and The Drunken Leprechaun.

In 2016, the group won the Developer of the Year award from the USA for their Hooters chain. Hard Rock Cafe is no less significant as an iconic American restaurant that has been open for over 30 years.

Now, in 2019, the Destination Group is moving forward and expanding their business with brands such as Big Boy restaurants in Thailand and wider Asia. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CULTURE 15

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

The lotus eaters T A symbol of purity. Photo: Al Soot / Unsplash

Water lily stems are great for cooking.

Bua sai is used in many dishes.

The flower at the heart of Buddhist tradition and wonderful dishes

Suthon Sukphisit

he lotus flower may be small in size, but culturally, it holds great significance for Thais and Buddhists around the world. You can see one in gold at the top of a tower at Chalong Circle. The lotus, a plant that emerges from mud and rises above water, is a symbol of purity. Symbolically, it cleanses and purifies. Buddhists use lotus flowers as offerings to convey their sincere respect for monks and venerated figures in Buddhism.

Besides its auspicious meaning in religion, the lotus has many uses, not least in cooking. There are two types: lotus and water lily. These two varieties and their different parts serve various purposes. Grown in water, the lotus is deemed clean and safe to eat.

Bua sai, or water lily, is an ingredient that appears in various Thai recipes. The most popular is kaeng sai bua with pla tu nueng (sai bua curry with steamed mackerel). This dish is made by peeling bua sai stems and cutting them into pieces about five centimetres long. The pieces are washed thoroughly and left to drain. Next, the curry paste is prepared by pounding together shallots, shrimp paste and krachai. This is

@thephuketnews

cooked with coconut milk and seasoned with salt and sugar. Madan is added to give a sour flavour. Fish sauce is not recommended in this recipe as it causes the lily stems to blacken. After the soup is seasoned, the lily stems and a whole pla tu are added to complete the dish.

Another popular main is stir-fried sai bua with shrimp. This easy dish involves cutting the stems into pieces.

Add a little oil to a hot wok, and fry some chopped garlic until fragrant.

Next, add some shrimp and bua sai stems, and season with sugar and salt.

Fry for 2-3 minutes only, otherwise the stems become too soft. Bua sai stems can also served raw with nam prik.

Aside from main dishes, bua sai stem is used to make kanom sai bua, an old-style Thai dessert. Preparation is similar to making kanom kluay (banana pudding). Instead of using ripe bananas, bua sai stems are pounded until fine before being kneaded with rice flour, coconut cream, salt and sugar. The mixture is then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed.

The other type of lotus is called bua luang in Thai. It is famed for its beautiful pink flowers. Bua luang propagates by shoots that grow out of the tuber.

The tuber can be several metres in length. When the tuber is embedded in the soil underwater, a new rhizome will

form and tubers will grow downward into the mud.

Bua luang stem is not eaten, because it is hard and tough with thorny skin. However, the growth shoot, called lai bua in Thai, is edible. By washing the shoots thoroughly and cutting them into pieces, you can make phad cha lai bua with catfish or shellfish. Phad cha is a spicy stir-fried dish. First you need to make paste by pounding red chillies (prik chee fa) with bird’s-eye chillies, garlic and galangal. Heat some oil in a wok, add the paste and fry until fragrant. Then add catfish or shellfish and lai bua and stir-fry. Next, add sliced red chillies, kaffir lime leaves, sliced krachai roots (aromatic rhizome) and fresh peppercorn. Season with fish sauce, sugar and add basil leaves just before removing the wok from the heat.

Lai bua is also used to make kaeng som (spicy sour curry). Lai bua retains its crunchiness even when cooked.

The problem is it is not easy to find. If lucky, you might be able to buy it at a large fresh market that sells regional vegetables.

Lotus seeds can be eaten fresh and dried. Fresh lotus seeds are delicious when made into a soup by boiling pork bone or minced pork. But fresh lotus seeds are only sold at places in proximity to the areas where lotuses are grown.

Dried lotus seeds can be found anywhere, but the best sources in Bangkok are Yaowarat and Sam Yan markets where the seeds are imported from China. Dried lotus seeds can be used to make various dishes, such as bajang (sticky rice dumpling), khanom maw kaeng (a custard-like dessert) and khao phad haw bai bua (fried rice wrapped in lotus leaf).

Lotus leaves are highly functional.

A special quality is that they are waterproof. Traditionally, people used the leaves to wrap rice in lieu of lunch box.

Rice doesn’t stick to the leaf. Furthermore, it absorbs the leaf’s fragrant scent.

With such unique qualifications, it makes sense for lotus leaves to be used in khao phad haw bai bua. To make this dish, the rice is fried together with Chinese red pork, a sweet Chinese sausage called kunchieng, salted egg, ginkgo seeds and lotus seeds. When seasoned to taste, the mixture is wrapped in a lotus leaf and steamed.

These days, the beautiful petals of lotus flowers are frequently used as a garnish and as an ingredient in appetisers.

These are but a few attributes of this special plant. It is cherished in religious belief and in cooking. Amid growing concerns about food safety, the lotus can be considered a safe choice.

Bangkok Post

16 EDUCATION

Alma matters

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

Choosing between US and UK universities EDUCATION CORNER Dale Ford

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s students begin to think of life beyond secondary school, one of the issues they need to consider is the type of university that provides the best fit for their higher education plans.

There are a number of differences between US and UK universities. Perhaps the biggest one relates to majors or courses of study. In the US, students aren’t expected to know what they want to study when they apply to university. In the first two years, students take classes in many disciplines which provide an overview of the arts, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences and social sciences.

This is done as a preparation for a variety of careers versus a specific career path. Except in professional areas like engineering, students don’t specialise (choose a major) until the final two years. The rationale is that

Corpus Christi College at the University of Cambridge, UK. Photo: David Iliff people no longer choose a professional path and remain in that same job for a lifetime. It’s important that, regardless of their job, they are broadly educated and can write well, communicate and solve problems.

In the UK, the process of education is quite different. Students apply to universities to study a particular course or subject. For those who are certain they want to study economics or biology or some other particular academic area, the UK provides a very specialised academic programme. Individual classes all relate to the course of study.

A typical degree takes three years to complete rather than four years in the US. This can be a significant saving

both in terms of money and time. Applications to the UK and the US reflect these differences. In the UK, students apply through a centralised application centre and are limited to five applications. The application consists of information about where the student wants to study, exam scores (predicted or final), a one-page personal statement and a one-page reference that supports their suitability for the course.

In the US, applications vary by institution with each university asking different questions and requiring different information. Applications can be tedious and ask a lot more about life outside of the classroom. There is no limit on the number of applications –

Photo: Jonathan Daniels / Unsplash other than the amount of time it takes to complete each one.

Universities in Singapore, Hong Kong and Canada – thanks partly to their British roots – follow more of the UK model of universities.

When it comes to choosing a university, it’s important to understand the differences between the various systems and choose the type that will best lend itself to both academic and personal success.

Dale Ford is one of two University Counsellors at British International School, Phuket. For more information, visit them at www.bisphuket.ac.th or call them on +66 (0) 76 335 555.

Public school teachers in Thailand some of the highest paid in Asia The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

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sia has a heavy focus on education and societal respect for teachers but does this mean that teachers are paid well, and how do different Asian countries compare to one another in this regard? In order to find out, consumer research company Value Champion compiled data on the average income of secondary and high school teachers in 14 Asian countries (plus the US and France for comparison with western countries) compared to each country’s GDP per capita.

Thailand ranked third in the study in terms of paying the most to its teachers, about US$12,000 per year, roughly 165% the country’s GDP per capita.

Thailand has had a series of education reform in the past decade, and this high teacher pay may reflect some of that effort. However, Thailand’s education system still faces some major challenges, such as its 85% completion rate for lower secondary education.

Thailand sits behind India where teachers earn between US$3,500 and US$5,000, two times the country’s GDP per capita. India’s economy has been heavily reliant on upgrading its labour base to knowledge workers, and this high teacher income reflects the country’s efforts to invest in education.

Korea topped the list, paying teachers US$55.000, 175% of the country’s GDP per capita. Although Korean students spend a large chunk of their study

Photo: Joshua E. Walters outside of the classroom at extracurricular classes at ‘cram schools’ or with private tutors, teachers remain highly paid, like other public servants there.

The lowest ranked was Vietnam where even experienced teachers earned around US$1,800 per year, about 70% of the country’s GDP per capita.

China, despite often ranking top in the world in maths and science competitions, did not fare much better, its teachers earning US$7,300, about 76% of the country’s GDP per capita.

Perhaps the most surprising outcome of the study was Singapore’s low ranking, just above China, with teachers earning approximately 80% of the country’s GDP per capita. Still, they are earning a relatively high income of US$50,331 on average, and the low teacher income to GDP per capita ratio is likely the result of the high productivity of the economy as a whole. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

B50,000 of the funds raised went towards music equipment for Ban Chalong School.

ISLAND SCENE 19

Vice Governor Supoj (centre) and Lions Club of Phuket Pearl President Igor Protasov (to his right) present a cheque to the school.

LIONS CLUB OF PHUKET PEARL CHARITY DINNER RAISES FUNDS FOR KIDS On June 15, Vice Governor Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai joined Lions Club of Phuket Pearl at their annual charity dinner. The fundraising event, held at Mai Khao Garden Grill & Restaurant, saw live music and auction prizes and raised much-needed funds for Ban Chalong School and underprivileged children.

Jae and Maria.

Stephanie, Perdita and Missy.

PHUKET INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S CLUB LUNCHEON GETS ITALIAN TWIST Ladies from across the island came together on June 20 for the monthly Phuket International Women’s Club (PIWC) luncheon. L’Opera Ristorante Italiano were wonderful hosts, serving up three delicious courses whilst everyone caught up and welcomed their two new members.

Sirima Vongsarakit, Val Simon Roque and Maria Veleddie Foz.

QSI Director Robert Peters (3rd from left) welcomed guests to the important event.

QSI MARKS KEY FILIPINO ANNIVERSARIES WITH BLOOD DONATION DRIVE On June 16, QSI International School of Phuket marked the 121st anniversary of the proclamation of the Philippine Independence and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Philippines and Thailand. The event celebrated Filipino food, music and culture, and kind guests took part in a blood donation drive. Attendees included Sirima Vongsarakit, Chairman of Public Relations of Service and Blood Supply of Provincial Red Cross, Phuket Chapter; Val Simon Roque, Consulate General of the Philippine Embassy Bangkok; and Maria Veleddie Foz, President of the Association of Filipinos in Thailand, Southern Region Chapter.

Guests heard from experienced wedding planners and consultants Garima Kumar, Annika Taiwar and David Barret, and TAT New Delhi director Isara Sathapanaset.

Matthias Y. Sutter (left) was proud to welcome guests to JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, the leading resort in Phuket for Indian weddings.

TAT INDIAN WEDDING SYMPOSIUM HELD AT JW MARRIOTT PHUKET Matthias Y. Sutter, General Manager of JW Marriott Phuket, welcomed the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), wedding planners, local hoteliers, suppliers and organisers at the Indian Wedding Symposium & B2B Session 2019 on June 20 at the resort and spa. Attendees discussed future business opportunities and heard from guest speakers about how Thailand can attract more Indian weddings, a market that generated over B500 million last year. @thephuketnews

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SUN

28 JUN

30 JUN

Mussels night @ Shakers

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

MON

1 JUL

All you can eat BBQ night Sunday Roast All Day, All Night

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.

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

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

Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken.

Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic.

Yorkshire Pudding and Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-Late Performed by Our Famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - Stay for the Fun. RESERVE Your Table Now Online at bit. ly/TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents Reservations, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong., Kata Beach 076-333-370 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.

6pm – 11pm: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns and Squid, Salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. B395 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

TUE

2 JUL

All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet Beef, Pork and Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding – roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes – gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservations recommended. B350 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.

Licker Pastry Invasion June 25-28, 2019. Jason Licker, celebrity pastry chef, comes to Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach for a week of pop-up internationally-acclaimed desserts. Jason Licker’s win at Iron Chef Thailand makes him one of the most elite pastry chefs in the global desserts scene. Chef Licker reached the highest honor with a James Beard nomination with Asianaccented desserts in the category of “Cooking from a Professional Point of View,” a self-published book based on his culinary adventures.

Reservation, Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach, narattiya.phochanahan@marriott.com, 076 335 300.

SAT

Saturday Brunch & Bar

ANDAMAN CATCH TUESDAY

From Grilled Seafood - Premium Meats - Sushi Corner - Salad Bar Appetizers and Delectable Desserts to all time favorite Free-Flow Beverages. Treat your Saturday to the fullest. Let’s Brunch! *THB 2.399++ per person (including free-flow beverages) *THB 1,699++ per person (including soft drinks). *50& off for children aged from 6-12 years old. Reservation, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, dtlpfb@dusit.com, 076 362 999 ext.7310

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

Sala Phuket.

29 JUN On Saturday we Brunch!

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

The island’s most anticipated brunch is back with culinary highlights as mouthwatering as ever! The brunch starts from 12:00 noon featuring culinary delights ranging. THB 2,600++ per person for food only. Reservation is essential: +66 (0) 76 316 40 The Surin Phuket, Pansea Beach, 118 Moo 3, Cherngtalay Phuket 83110, hotel@thesurinphuket.com, +66 (0) 76 316 400, +66 (0) 76 621 590.

2 Major Freshwater Fishing Events June 30th and July 6th. 2 Major Freshwater Fishing Events at the amazing Exotic Fishing Thailand. Huge prizes valued at 1 million Thai Baht. Free entry for spectators, great afternoon out for the family. Exotic Fishing Thailand, Exotic Fishing Thailand, Phang Nga, exoticfishingthailand@gmail.com, English 088 379 9377 and Thai 081 199 5922.

Thai Night Buffet Experience Authentic Thai Food. Let’s take a tasteful journey through Thai cuisine, Baan Talay is feature a tempting selections of traditional Thai food and local Phuket delicacies.

Enjoy with a variety of live station; Thai papaya salad, spicy soup and much more to give a true taste of Thailand. THB 950++ per person.

Every Tuesday from 6 pm to 10 pm. Reservation, Angsana Laguna Phuket, fbreservationlagunaphuket@angsana.com, 076 358 500.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

TUE

2 JUL

enjoy one of our drink specials as you listen to the famous Two Chefs band performing all your favorite retro hits and more! Live music starts from 8:30pm and goes late at all of our Two Chefs locations. Reservations are highly recommended. You can book on our website at WWW.TWOCHEFS.COMor find us on Facebook at WWW.FACEBOOK/TWOCHEFSTHAILAND COME FOR THE FOOD STAY FOR THE FUN! Reservations, Call us directly at Two Chefs Kata Center 076-330-065, Kata Beach 076-333-370, Karon 076-286-479, Patong 076-344-914

FRI

QSI Summer Camp 2019 Open to all children from 5 - 12 years of age.

American curriculum intensive. English course with the option of Map testing at the end of the camp. Each student receives 2 Tee shirts and a cap as well as daily snacks and lunch. Sign up today at phuket@qsi.org or call 076 304 312.

WED

3 JUL

4th of July is coming up and what better way to spend it than some good food, cold beverages, and great live entertainment! Visit our Two Chefs Bar & Grill Patong branch and get an amazing deal for the American Independence Day! Texas Smoky Barbecue Platter with Pulled Pork, Smoky BBQ Pork Ribs, Hot Buffalo Chicken Wings, Beef Brisket, Mashed Potatoes, Bread and Butter, Jalapenos, Coleslaw, Grilled Corn for just THB595! For booking and inquiries you may message our Facebook page www.facebook/twochefsthailand or you may call our Patong branch at 076 344 915!

See you there! Two Chefs Patong.

5 JUL

Ribs, beats, brews Wednesday

THU

4 JUL

12 JUL

4th of July at Two Chefs Bar & Grill

FRI Devour our succulent pork rib set complete with sweet corn chowder, blue cheese salad, moist cornbread and finished off with a bread and butter pudding. DJ Q will keep the soul flowing and your toes tapping as you wash down those tender ribs with a bucket of craft brews.

Full Rack set 1,400 Baht, half Rack set 1,100 Baht. Reservations, SALA Phuket, events@ salaphuket.com, 076-338-888.

ing package from The Phuket News. Lagoon Saloon will fire up the BBQ serving their famous Friday night burger free to all attendees and there will be special prices on your favourite beverages. Come and join in the fun, everyone is welcome. There is no entry fee, just drop your business card or register at the bar.

To join our mailing list please send an email to growboatingphuket@gmail.com The Grow Boating Networking Evening is organised by the Thai Yachting Business Association. Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ groups/491098897758155/ or our Website https://www.thaiyachtingbusinessassociation. com/

2019 Bartender of the Year Championship

Don’t miss out on our newest, exciting weekly event at Two Chefs. Come and join us for our special Cajun Grilled Chicken Breast served on a wooden plate with mashed potato, red wine sauce, and bearnaise sauce for ONLY 395 THB. Have a sweet tooth? Treat yourself to the Two Chefs banana flambé served with vanilla ice cream for ONLY 95 THB. Sit back and

Phuket Business Networking - Jul 2019 A small entry fee, THB 500 per person, that includes the first 3 drinks and a light buffet. Make sure to bring lots of business cards, as getting to know each other is what PBN is all about.

Location - Ramada Plaza Phuket Chao Fah. Register your attendance here - https://www. facebook.com/events/395819527694538/ or call Jason - 086 479 7471.

MON

15 JUL

@thephuketnews

The Grow Boating Networking Evening for July 2019 will be held at The Lagoon Saloon, at The Phuket Boat Lagoon Marina from 5pm onward.

Please contact us if you would like to be our drinks sponsors. Sponsorship is available from 10,000 baht and includes a generous advertis-

Celebrate Thailand’s finest developers by nominating them for the industry’s most prestigious awards. With a professionally run judging system supervised by the award-winning team of BDO, one of the world’s largest auditing and accountancy firms, the Asia Property Awards is the gold standard in real estate. Gala Dinner & Awards on 9 August 2019 at The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok.

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

DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON

2019 Bartender of the Year Championship on Friday, 05 July 2019 from 3-5 PM at the Beach BBQ, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort. Catch the most creative ’mixologists’ of Marriott Resorts in Southern Thailand showcase their concoctions. Brought to you by Marriott Resorts Southern Thailand. ADMISSION IS FREE!

Grow Boating Networking Evening - Jul 2019

PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards 2019

EVERY DAY

JOHN LYNN IN PHUKET BACK TO THE ’70s & ’80s EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT

FRI

9 AUG

Do not miss JOHN LYNN (Ireland) with special guest KAVIN JAY (Malaysia) and host SAM SEE (Singapore) at Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Merlin Beach on Monday, 15th July. Tickets are on sale now for 350 THB (early bird), 650 THB (show only), 950 THB (burger, two selected beverages & show), 1200 THB (hotel buffet & show), or 1450 THB for VIP tickets, which include free-flow drinks from 7-10 PM and meet & greet with the comedians. Tickets are available for purchase at: www.phuketticketmaster.com Magic Rock, Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach, Phuket.

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. On average, how many seconds a day do humans spend laughing?

2. What is the literal translation of the Japanese word “kimono”?

3. Nomophobia is the fear of what?

4. What do the songs Bohemian Rhapsody and Hey Jude have in common?

5. What company is the world’s biggest toy distributer?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Easy

Across 1. Slithery Nile reptile 4. Hybridized fruit 8. “Stop filming!”

11. “That was close!”

13. Crying veggie 14. Big name at the Louvre 15. Game played by the sea 18. In a fog 19. Elephant variety 20. Corporation type 22. Furtive “Hey!” 23. Stand 27. Words of agreement 31. Inhabitant of Waterloo 32. ID 33. W.W. II fliers 36. Armchair quarterback’s hobby 40. Regd. names 41. “Hop ___!”

42. Nice day introduction 43. Humerus’ neighbors 44. Kitchen mixer?

45. “Laugh-In” segment 48. Business abbreviation 50. Vanity 53. City west of Daytona Beach 57. Winer Olympics sport 61. Valuable deposits 62. Ryan of “The Beverly

Hillbillies” 29. Hammed it up 63. Punjab princess 30. Prefix, recent 64. Old cartoonist Hoff 33. “The Sounds of 65. Noun suffix India” musician, 66. Sun follower? first name Down 34. Newcastles 1. Police alert perhaps 2. Site of Buckner’s 35. ___ jacket blunder 37. Super Bowl XXXIV 3. Organic fertilizer winners: Abbr.

4. Numero ___ 5. Hodges of the 38. Impact noise Dodgers 39. Dickensian cry 6. Angelina’s “Shark 43. Salt Lake City Tale” role college team 7. Dom Pedro’s ill-fated 45. Hasbro board wife 8. Layers of paint game 9. Not turned on 46. Hit, in a way 10. Apres-bath powder 47. Sherberts 12. Heads overseas?

49. Speaker maker 13. Horse course 50. Corp. money 14. Entrepreneurs’ degs. managers 16. Seat of Montana’s 51. “Put ___ a Love Lewis and Clark Song” (Alicia Keys) County 52. Lebanon port 17. Jack Russell 54. Mattress type sounds 21. Bryce or Grand 55. Actor Neeson 23. Knack 56. AD part 24. Wander through 58. Arles article 25. Holds 59. One-striper: abbr.

26. Cylinder 60. Card player’s cry 28. Soprano group

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) 360; 2) “Thing to wear”; 3) Being without a mobile phone; 4) They were recorded using the same piano; 5) McDonald’s.

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

3

years in prison – or a US$10,000 fine, or both – is how much you can get in Singapore for using someone’s WiFi without their permission.

71

grams of sugar is consumed by the average American each day, 46 more than recommended.

1997

is when Netflix was founded, a year before Google.

33,000

years ago, dogs evolved the specific muscles needed to raise their inner eyebrows in order to manipulate humans with ‘puppy dog eyes’.

51 million

trees have been planted in Kenya in the past 42 years by the Green Belt Movement, a grassroots organisation.

Source: Uberfacts

Laem Singh Beach. Photo: Poria Cyrus Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

This week in history June 28, 1919 The Treaty of Versailles is signed, ending the state of war between Germany and the Allies of World War I. June 29, 2007 Apple Inc. releases the first iPhone.

It took 74 days after its market release for Apple to record its millionth iPhone sale.

June 30, 1937 The world’s first emergency tel-

ephone number, 999, is introduced in London after a man who was held in a call queue while reporting a deadly fire wrote a letter to the The Times which prompted a government inquiry.

July 1, 1770 Lexell’s Comet is seen closer to the Earth than any other comet in recorded history, approaching to a distance of 0.015 astronomical units (2,200,000 km). It has not been seen since.

crisis. Indonesia, South Korea and Thailand were the countries most affected by the crisis.

July 3, 1035 William the Conqueror becomes the Duke of Normandy and reigns until 1087.

The Evening World reports war is over.

July 2, 1997 The Bank of Thailand floats the baht, triggering the Asian financial

July 4, 2009 The Statue of Liberty’s crown reopens to the public after eight years of closure following 9/11.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 23

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

Jobs

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Personal Assistant

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

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ART HOUSE DEVELOPMENT

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

UR

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SECRETARY

Wanted part or full time Secretary for foreign couple residence of Boat Lagoon. christine, boat lagoon park residence 2, koh kaew, a.muang,Phuket

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

Trades & Services

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

ADVERTISING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

CORPORATE SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

MARINE SERVICES

@thephuketnews

26 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Trades & Services

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MARINE SERVICES

OTHER

PROPERTY SERVICES

TRAINING

ADVERTISE HERE

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

Buy & Sell BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE

Car for sale

Car For Sale

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

BUSINESSES FOR SALE G

Refurbished Restaurant & Bar

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

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Golden Business Opportunity

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

CARS, TRUCKS FOR RENT G UR

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Car rental @fair prices

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

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

@thephuketnews

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

Car for sale

250,000THB incl VAT. For boat up to 32 feet / 9.5 metres. Contact: Asia Yacht Agency Co., Ltd. Contact@AsiaYachtAgency.com, 081894 -3234 (French/English), 086-269-0808 (Thai/English).

UR

Willing to Sell / Rent Property in Laguna?

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

FOR SALE AIR BERTH M320

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PROPERTY WANTED

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

Monterey 415SY. Perfect condition. 1 owner.

Regular maintenance in authorised centers.

Twin Volvo IPS600 435hp, joystick control, Engine Hours: 670. Furuno radar. GPS. B6,900,000. 0878970501.

SA

@thephuketnews

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE

42ft Sport Yacht, Reduced Price

T EN

The Phuket News

MEMBERSHIPS

Allamanda 2 Bed Freehold

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

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

BLUE CANYON GOLF MEMBERSHIP

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

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

House Wanted in Chalong

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

BABY GRAND w/ DISC PLAYER

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

PROPERTY WANTED The Chava Surin - Freehold

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

Mandala Condo Freehold Wanted

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

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ENT

3 Bedroom Condo Wanted

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

SPORTING GOODS, EXERCISE GYM EQUIPMENT TREADMILL

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

28 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy & Sell PROPERTY FOR SALE 1 story building for rent

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

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE UR

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RPM by owner

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

Apartment Block in Soi Ta-Eiad

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

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1 Bed Condo in Kamala

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

OCEAN FRONT VILLA

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

OCEAN FRONT LAND

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

Karon 1 Bed Condo for Sale

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

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Paul MOORHOUSE

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

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

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Phuket Town 1 Bed Condo

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

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

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

2 Bed Condo Bangtao Phuket

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

Dream Village Phuket house

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

Royal Phuket Marina 2 Bed

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

2-Bed Furnished Kathu House for Rent

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

PROPERTY FOR RENT

1 Bed Condo Sale Rawai

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

1 Bed Condo in Kamala

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

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

PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m. Chanote

PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m.

Chanote

Property for rent YAMU

Very big house. 400sqm, Land 4400sqm. Available 1st May. 4 bedrooms- 4 bathrooms , swimming pool. Close BIS, UWCT. Must see. Long term lease 110,000 baht/month including pool+ garden service. Khun DIDIER, aouichedidier@ hotmail.com, 093 717 9343 (English+French)/ 089 552 9303 (Thai).

Shop for rent at Amari Phuket, Patong Beach

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

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

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

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

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Rawai 1 Bed Seaview Condo Sale

1 Bedroom Condo Kata Sale

Mai Khao 1 bed condo for sale

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

Located at Amari Phuket's lobby building. Size: 33 sqm. Partly furnished: shelves, counter, airconditioner and telephone line. 40,000 THB/ month (negotiation available). Khun Mallika, mallika.t@amari.com, 076 340106 #8006

PROPERTY FOR RENT

COMMUNITY

Renovated 3bed Home Boat Lagoon

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

Private location in prestige area.

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

Villa in Patong prime location

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

Ms. Manatchanok, 0800409411.

Stunning Ocean Views!

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

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

Villa Mission Heights Big Pool

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

Beach Front Land

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

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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

SPORT 29

Hamilton deals body blow

The Brit has amassed a 36-point lead after just eight races BOX OF NEUTRALS

Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after winning the French Grand Prix on June 23. Photo: Gerard Julien / AFP

Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com

“T

he moment you sit back is the moment you lose.

I don’t plan on doing that.”

The strain of spending two hours in his Mercedes was hardly discernible in Lewis Hamilton as he spoke to TV crews in the aftermath of his French Grand Prix masterclass.

Having led every lap to win from pole position, domination had never looked so easy – and his rivals had never looked so impotent.

Not even Valtteri Bottas was able to touch his imperious teammate in France, taking the chequered flag a full 18 seconds after Hamilton to ensure the team’s sixth onetwo finish of the year.

Never has Hamilton won so many as six of the first eight grands prix of a year, nor has he ever amassed a margin as great as the 36 points with which he leads Bottas in the standings.

@thephuketnews

It’s easily the strongest start to a campaign in the Briton’s 13-year career, and the result is a championship on life support with two thirds of the season still to run.

“It’s just switching the mentality to always be fighting, always be hungry and always be pushing,” he added.

“There’s never a moment you shouldn’t be pushing.”

In Le Castellet Hamilton has reached a step beyond the morale-sapping performances he wielded late last season to claim his fifth world championship. With such a powerful start to 2019 he’s eliminated the slow campaign starts that

were previously his greatest weakness, leaving few vulnerabilities for his would-be challengers to prod in hope of regaining ground in the middle of the year.

Not that any of the others would stand much of a chance anyway.

Bottas, lauded for being

remade faster and more aggressive in 2019, was dispirited in defeat, forced to admit that his teammate had been confoundingly faster. The analytical Finn grimaced that he knew Hamilton wasn’t unbeatable, having taken two wins from him already this year, but even he must be having flashbacks to the comprehensive beatings meted to him last season that threatened to truncate his Mercedes career.

But ironically the prospects of a Bottas fightback in 2019 are bleaker today than they were 12 months ago, when at least Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel could be counted upon to take points away from Hamilton’s charge and keep the top of the championship table competitive. In France, however, the Scuderia only proved how far away it is from its goal to contend for the championship after its painful loss last November.

Ferrari failed to fire, even when loaded with a swag of new upgrades and motivated to avenge the loss of the Canadian Grand Prix at the hands

of a controversial five-second penalty. Many of the updates trialled on the car during Friday practice were stripped before Saturday qualifying, when Charles Leclerc, the team’s highest-place driver, was more than 0.6 seconds off Hamilton’s pole pace. More painful still was that Vettel managed only seventh on the grid. They finished third and fifth respectively, split by Red Bull Racing’s overachieving Max Verstappen.

“We have to be honest, we failed,” Vettel said afterwards.

“We wanted to close the gap to Mercedes by a decent amount, and we didn’t.”

The German is 76 points adrift of Hamilton’s lead, with Leclerc a further 24 points behind.

The bulk of the European rounds come thick and fast now, with four races in six weeks, beginning with Austria this weekend, and though the Red Bull Ring will present a sterner challenge to Mercedes, it’s difficult to imagine anyone halting Hamilton’s momentum as he powers towards a sixth world title.

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

Aussies crush hosts England

Mitchell Starc reveals fan banter inspired England demolition CRICKET Steven Griffiths

A

ustralia pace bowler Mitchell Starc revealed a breakfast confrontation with a bantering fan inspired his ferocious spell in Tuesday’s World Cup win against England.

Starc’s wife Alyssa Healy, who plays for the Australia Women’s team, brought the incident to light on Twitter, claiming an England supporter had fired up her husband with his taunts at the team hotel earlier in the day.

Starc confirmed he had been targeted but insisted the jibes weren’t hurtful.

“I was still half-asleep.

It was some bloke in a suit, having a go at my strapping tape and having a go at my bowling. I was just hungry,” he said after taking four wickets in Australia’s 64-run win over their old rivals at Lord’s.

“He was just having a laugh at my strapping tape and what I was eating. I had a few poached eggs, three I think.

“It’s all been good fun

Australia’s Mitchell Starc (centre) celebrates with teammates Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell after the dismissal of England’s Ben Stokes at Lord’s on Tuesday (June 25). Photo: Adrian Dennis / AFP throughout the tour around the crowds and at the hotel.

It’s just part and parcel of a World Cup.” Starc believes the holders’ comprehensive win was the perfect preparation for the World Cup knockout stages after Aaron Finch’s side sealed

a place in the semi-finals.

Australia dominated from start to finish against one of their main rivals for the title and Starc expects the impressive performance to stand them in good stead in the latter stages of the tournament.

“It’s an interesting one. It’s

a World Cup. I guess playing at Lord’s today, where the final is going to be, is great for us,” he said.

“Obviously we are into the semi-finals now so we have to make sure we play some good cricket, finish as high as we can in the group and

hopefully get into that final.”

Australia have two games left in the 10-team pool stage before the semi-finals begin and next up for the leaders is a clash with fellow title contenders New Zealand on Saturday.

Starc urged his team not to rest on their laurels and use the New Zealand clash to make another statement of intent.

“Now we’ve got to play New Zealand, which is going to be tough for us,” he said.

“They have gone under the radar. No-one has really spoken about them too much but they keep winning games.

“They are playing some fantastic cricket. Kane Williamson is obviously their lynch-pin and they have good bowlers who swing it. It’s another big game.”

After a third defeat in the event, hosts England are now in danger of failing to qualify for the semi-finals despite starting the World Cup as favourites due to their status as the world’s top-ranked ODI side.

Starc doesn’t believe the comfortable nature of Aus-

tralia’s success means England should be written off just yet.

“England are a heck of a side and I think they are still definitely favourites, but they’ve got some work to do,” he said.

Starc had plenty to do with England’s downfall as he ripped the heart out of their batting line-up, with an assist from Jason Behrendorff, who grabbed his first five-wicket ODI haul.

The decisive blow came when Starc produced a stunning yorker to bowl Ben Stokes, effectively removing England’s last line of resistence.

“He’s a fantastic player one of their key batters, watching that game against Sri Lanka he nearly got them home with that 80-odd he scored,” Starc said.

“We knew while he was batting we couldn’t rest up and cruise. We had to keep taking wickets. Fortunately I got one through the gate.

“I’ve said it for a while, execution is a big part of this bowling group and me personally as well.”

AFP

Federer eyes 9th Wimbledon title at 38 TENNIS TWENTY YEARS AFTER his debut, Roger Federer will take aim at a ninth Wimbledon title and a place in history as the oldest man to capture a Grand Slam singles crown.

Federer, who turns 38 in August, is already the oldest player to win the Wimbledon men’s title in the modern era, a feat achieved in 2017 when he was 35.

“I love being around here.

I have great memories. My heroes all won here,” said

Roger Federer wins the 2019 ATP Open tennis tournament in Halle. Photo: AFP the 20-time major winner.

His eighth Wimbledon title came off a straight-sets demolition of an injury-hit and tearful

Marin Cilic in the 2017 final.

Federer was a force of nature that year, not dropping a set in the entire fortnight.

His seventh Wimbledon title had come f ive years earlier with a final win over A ndy Mu r ray.

Last year was particularly painful for Federer, beaten by Kevin Anderson in the quarter-finals in a 13-11 final set.

Last Sunday, he won the Halle Open for the 10th time.

“Every time I’ve won in Halle, I went on to play really well at Wimbledon,” Federer added.

AFP

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FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

SPORT 31

returns to Chelsea Benitez to leave Magpies Cech as new technical advisor after deal talks collapse FOOTBALL

FOOTBALL Kieran Canning

R

afael Benitez’s threeyear reign as Newcastle manager will come to an end next week after failing to agree terms on a new contract, the club confirmed on Monday (June 24).

Benitez was a hugely popular figure among the Newcastle suppor t af ter stabilising the Magpies in the Premier League and the news is likely to spark more protests aimed at the club’s owner Mike Ashley.

“It is with disappointment that we announce manager Rafael Benitez will leave Newcastle United upon the expiry of his contract on 30th June 2019,” Newcastle said in a statement.

“We have worked hard to extend Rafa’s contract over a significant period of time, however it has not been – and will not be – possible to reach an agreement with Rafa and his representatives.”

Despite failing to keep Newcastle in the top flight shortly after taking over in March 2016, Benitez earned hero status on Tyneside as he led Newcastle back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. He then comfortably secured survival by finishing 10th and 13th in the last two seasons.

However, the Spaniard did not hide his displeasure at the lack of backing he was afforded by Ashley and

Rafael Benitez will leave his role as Newcastle manager at the end of the month.

Photo: Lindsey Parnaby was believed to be seeking assurances over the budget he would have to work with before committing his future to the club.

“I have been trying to win titles everywhere, in different countries, and we have to have a team that can compete,” the former Liverpool, Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager told Sky Sports in April. “The city, the club, everyone in Newcastle is supporting the team so it’s massive. I’m not saying £200 million (B7.8 billion) but doing a little bit more, doing the right things,

we can compete against the teams that are now maybe between seventh and 12th. But we have to do things right.”

Benitez, who won the Champions League when in charge of Liverpool in 2005, has been reportedly offered a contract worth £12mn-a-year (B469mn) at Chinese club Dalian Yifang.

British retail tycoon Ashley bought Newcastle in 2007, but has been a deeply unpopular figure among fans, largely due to a lack of investment in the playing squad that has seen the club relegated twice

during his reign in charge.

The signing of Miguel Almiron from Atlanta United for £2mn (B781mn) in January finally broke a transfer record that had stood since Michael Owen’s arrival at St James’ Park from Real Madrid in 2005.

Last month representatives of Dubai-based Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a relative of Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour, said they had “agreed terms” with Ashley for a potential takeover of the club.

AFP

Mata extends Man Utd stay to 2021 FOOTBALL MANCHESTER UNITED have tied down midfielder Juan Mata to a new two-year contract with an option to extend the deal a further season.

Mata, 31, had been free to talk to other clubs with his previous contract expiring this month after protracted negotiations between the two parties.

However, having already seen Ander Herrera and club captain Antonio Valencia leave Old Trafford on free transfers this summer, United were keen to stop Mata from following suit.

“It is a real honour to continue to represent this amazing club and our incredible fans. I have been @thephuketnews

Juan Mata extended his stay at Manchester United by signing a new two-year contract. Photo: Paul Ellis at Manchester United for five years and I am proud to call Old Trafford my home,” said Mata, who joined from Chelsea in 2014 for a fee of £37 million (B1.45 billion).

“I am looking forward to working with Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer) and his fantastic coaching staff; the vision that they have for the club is truly exciting and I am so happy

that I will be a part of that.”

In his five years at United, Mata has scored 45 goals in 218 appearances and won the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup. Solskjaer has a major rebuild on his hands after United finished sixth in the Premier League last season to miss out on Champions League qualification.

“Juan is the ultimate professional and one of the most intelligent players I have worked with,” said Solskjaer.

“He is a great example to our younger players in his approach. He understands what it means to be a Manchester United player and has embraced everything about this great club.”

United have only made one signing so far this win-

dow in securing the services of Wales winger Daniel James from Swansea.

AFP

PETR CECH WILL R Eturn to Chelsea in an advisory role after retiring from his duties as a goalkeeper last month, aged 37.

Cech will perform an intermediary role between the club’s new manager and its director Marina Granovskaia, which had been left vacant since Michael Emenalo quit as technical director nearly two years ago.

“Petr Cech retur ns to Chelsea as Technical and Performance Advisor,” said Chelsea in a statement.

“The focus of the job will be to provide advice on all football and performance matters throughout the club as well as embed and facilitate strong links between our men’s and academy teams, ensuring that the various support departments are working together effectively.”

Cech won 13 major honours, including four Premier League titles and the Champions League, in a stellar 11-year career with Chelsea before joining Arsenal in 2015.

The former Czech international’s final game before retirement came in a 4-1 defeat

Back at the Bridge: Petr Cech has returned to Chelsea in an advisory role. Photo: Adrian Dennis

by Chelsea as the Blues lifted the Europa League in May. “I feel very privileged to have this opportunity to join Chelsea FC again and help create the best possible high level performance environment to continue the success the club has had over the past 15 years,” said Cech.

“I’m looking forward to the new challenge and hope I can use all of my football knowledge and experience to help the team achieve even more success in the future.”

Cech could soon be working closely alongside one of his former teammates with Frank Lampard also expected to return to Stamford Bridge as Chelsea’s new manager following Maurizio Sarri’s departure for Juventus.

AFP

Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change

SPORT START STOP Friday 28th June Rugby Union 23:55 01:45 Rugby League 17:00 19:00 Aussie Rules 16:30 19:30 Cricket 16:20 00:30 Saturday 29th June Rugby Union 14:30 16:30 17:00 19:00 Rugby League 14:30 16:30 16:30 18:30 Aussie Rules 13:30 16:30 16:40 19:40 Motor Racing 19:50 21:15 Motor Bikes 17:00 21:30 Cricket 16:30 00:30 19:30 03:30 Sunday 30th June Aussie Rules 15:00 18:00 Motor Bikes 15:30 20:30 Motor Racing 19:30 20:00 20:00 22:30 Cricket 16:20 00:30

EVENT

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Super XV – SF2 NRL AFL WC 2019 – Durham

Jaguares v. Brumbies Roosters v. Storm Geelong Cats v. Adelaide Crows Sri Lanka v. South Africa

Super XV – SF1 Super XV – QF4 NRL NRL AFL AFL Formula 1 MotoGP - Assen WC 2019 – Headingley WC 2019 – Lords

Crusaders v, Hurricanes Jaguares v. Brumbies (rpt) Knights v. Broncos Eels v. Raiders Hawthorn v. West Coast Eagles Collingwood v. N Melbourne Qualifying - Spielberg Qualifying Races Pakistan v. Afghanistan New Zealand v. Australia

AFL MotoGP - Assen Formula 1 Formula 1 WC 2019 – Edgbaston

Fremantle v. Carlton Netherlands Motul TT Raceday - Spielberg Austrian Grand Prix England v. India

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editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019

Hamilton deals Championship body blow > p29

INTO THE DEEP

Phuket students compete for 2020 Olympic qualification SWIMMING

Chris Daws

P

huket students Annie Jain and Aniqah Gaffoor are both working towards the same ambition – to swim at the 2020 Olympic Games. Jain is currently competing in the Junior National Aquatic Championships in Rajkot, India (June 26-30). Both students are juggling their rigorous swim training programme with the equally rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) education in their attempt to fulfil their dreams.

Jain, who is 17, holds three Indian best performances in swimming for the 50, 100 and 200 metres breaststroke. She has represented India in the World Student Games in 2017 and also at the World Cup, held in Singapore in 2018. No Indian woman has ever swum faster in these events.

Jain learned to swim at the age of eight. Her inspiration was her father who was always keen on sport and encouraged her to explore a number of different options. Roller skating, table tennis and badminton were all put to one side, however, after she learned to swim at a summer camp when she was eight years old. By the age of nine she was swimming competitively at a national level.

Similarly, 15-year-old Gaffoor also learned to swim at the age of eight and now holds two Sri Lankan national records in the 50 and 100

MAIN: Annie Jain.

INSET: Aniqah Gaffoor. metres butterfly. She is part of the national team representing her country at international meets including the World Cup in 2018.

Both girls are coached by Miguel Alvarado at Thanyapura, joined UWC Thailand (UWCT) on a swimming scholarship and are part of the High Performance Athlete Programme at the school. The programme aims

to support athletes academically so that they can achieve success both in their sport and in the classroom. In addition, the school’s accreditation with the World Academy of Sport (WAoS) has provided it with an Athlete Friendly Education Centre (AFEC) status which enables students, like Jain, to study for the IB diploma over three years rather than

the regular two years.

For Jain this is invaluable in giving her the flexibility in her schedule to achieve academic success as well as time to prioritise and focus her training as she looks to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. With 20 hours of swimming and four hours of land training every week, often starting at 5am, both Jain and

Gaffoor have learned to manage their time very effectively and have every chance of achieving their goals.

The next 12 months will be extremely rigorous for both girls as they push towards their Olympic dream. For Jain that journey begins with the Indian Junior Nationals this week, the World Championships in August and culminates with the final Olympic trials. With one wildcard spot available for India, Jain knows she has to keep breaking records and maintain her fitness to stand any chance of being awarded this coveted place in the Indian Olympic team.

Since leaving home at the age of 12 to join the prestigious National Swimming Academy of India and then receiving a swim scholarship at Thanyapura and UWCT, Jain has made significant progress in her sport.

However, she is not one to rest on her laurels. After Tokyo and finishing her IB diploma, she hopes to secure a swim scholarship to a university in America to pursue her dream of studying biokinetics whilst looking to compete in at least another two Olympic Games.

Gaffoor also needs to qualify for the World Championships to be eligible for Olympic selection. She then needs to improve her time in the 100 metres butterfly by four seconds to gain sufficient FINA points and the ‘B’ qualification time for the Olympics. This would be a challenge for any full-time athlete let alone somebody pursuing excellence in her academic work as well.

Asean leaders welcome proposal to bid to jointly host World Cup FOOTBALL LEADERS OF THE ASsociation of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) last Sunday (June 23) “welcomed” a plan for members to bid to jointly host the FIFA World Cup, but set no timeframe to move forward with the plan.

“We welcomed the shared wish of the Asean to develop a joint bid to host a FIFA World Cup and supported the efforts of national football associations of Asean member states

and Asean Football Federation to realise this goal,” said the chairman’s statement released after the summit held in Bangkok last weekend.

Following the proposal, Football Association of Thailand president Somyot Poompunmuang called on the government to make its plans clear.

Somyot said on Tuesday (June 25) he had submitted details of the bidding process to the government spokesman.

“It is now up to the gov-

Asean leaders welcomed a plan to bid to jointly host the FIFA World Cup. Photo: Asean ernment [if it really wants to host the World Cup],” Somyot said.

“I have heard that Indonesia is ready [for a joint bid]. But it is impossible for all 10 Asean member countries to jointly host the

World Cup. There may be two or three.”

If the government is serious about it, Somyot said, then he will talk to football’s governing body FIFA. Si nce t he i naug u r al World Cup in 1930, 17 coun-

tries have hosted the event, many of them in Europe and South America where millions of football-mad fans have descended to support their home country’s teams.

FIFA usually selects the country years in advance, and the 2026 event will go to the North American continent, with the United States, Canada and Mexico joint hosts.

But the years-long vetting process has been fraught with controversies in the past, as allegations of bribery

and kickbacks have plagued FIFA over awarding the host position to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022.

Southeast Asia is home to tens of millions of passionate fans but it lacks high-level national teams, as well as the facilities to put on the massive event.

It is unclear which of the 10 Asean members would host games or how FIFA would allocate the automatic qualification normally given to tournament hosts.

AFP

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