The Phuket News January 31, 2020

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

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GRAB MOTORBIKE RIDERS STRIKE FOR B10 MORE > PAGE 4

DON’T PANIC GOVERNOR URGES CALM, ISSUES WARNING AS FAKE NEWS OF WUHAN FLU SPIRALS OUT OF CONTROL

NEWS

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Turtle season continues as nests hatch

LIFE

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Phuket’s Soi Dog: Home of a thousand tails

A tourist from a cruise ship from Singapore is screened for elevated body temperature on arrival on shore in Patong. Photo: Patong Municipality PR

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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huket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana this week struck out at false reports online about people in Phuket being infected with the Wuhan coronavirus, with one post even claiming that a foreign woman at Phuket International Airport had died from the disease.

Governor Phakaphong on Wednesday (Jan 29) urged people to be wary of fake news and reports that do not confirm their sources.

“Fake news has been shared on social media, making people worried

and damaging Phuket’s tourism image. Please check before believing it, reduce the panic,” he said.

Among the reports going viral this week was a post claiming that a foreign woman at the airport had died of the Wuhan coronavirus. The post, uploaded onto Facebook by “Konnika Jampaburee” on Monday (Jan 27), showed a photo of a person covered with a white sheet being wheeled out of the airport and loaded into an ambulance.

Along with the photo were the words in Thai, “One death at Phuket International Airport #Chinese”.

Dr Sutsinee Sakswut, the airport

doctor on duty on Monday, confirmed to The Phuket News on Wednesday that nobody had died from the “Wuhan flu” at the airport. “The post is wrong,” she said.

A female tourist had suffered a “mini stroke” in the Arrival Hall at the International Terminal and had been taken to Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Dr Sutsinee explained, adding that the tourist was discharged from the hospital care on Tuesday (Jan 28).

Another example cited this week was a post claiming that Chinese tourists from Wuhan were not allowed on board a flight home last Friday (Jan 24) because a 4-year-old girl travel-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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ling with the group had contracted the “Wuhan flu”.

“A secretions sample from the girl’s nose was sent to the Health Control Division in Bangkok to test for the virus,” Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) Deputy Chief Dr Krit Sakulpat told The Phuket News.

“The test confirmed that she was not infected with the Wuhan coronavirus, The girl’s condition is improving.

It is just the flu. She left Vachira Phuket Hospital on Monday,” he said.

Phuket Governor Phakaphong assured, “We are working on measures to control and prevent the Wuhan virus from spreading here. We have...

SPORT

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Phuket golfers tee up relief for bushfire victims

News 2

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

Resort fined for untreated wastewater leak > p5

Wuhan virus fears take hold with fake news blitz The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

Firefighters took almost an hour and 45 minutes to extinguish the fire. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Condo fire lands three in hospital THREE PEOPLE SUFfering from smoke inhalation were taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital last Thursday (Jan 24) after a fire broke out in a seventh-floor condo at the Phanason City Condo complex in Wichit.

Capt Chatri Chuwichian of the Wichit Police told The Phuket News that he was notified of the fire at 2pm.

Firefighters from the Wichit Municipality Fire Department arrived to find black smoke billowing out of a unit on the seventh f loor of the eight-story building, located behind the Makro store on Wichit Songkram Rd. Firefighters used a crane to douse the fire from outside the building.

No people were in the room while the fire was burning, Capt Chatri said.

“Firefighters took almost an hour and 45 minutes to extinguish the fire, but the fire was contained and no other units were directly affected,” he added.

The whole building was

evacuated for safety, but three people were taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for smoke inhalation, Capt Chatri confirmed.

At this stage, the cost of the damage has not been estimated and officers have yet to confirm what caused the fire, but suspect a short circuit, Capt Chatri noted.

Building manager Sukanya Thammapanya, 30, told police that she was working in her office on the ground floor when one of the condo residents told her of the fire, Capt Chatri explained.

“Ms Sukanya said she rushed to the room and knocked on the door and shouted out, asking if anyone was inside, but no one responded,” he said.

“She entered the room and saw a lot of smoke, and rushed to get two fire extinguishers to douse the fire. Her efforts to stop the fire failed, so she called the fire department,” Capt Chatri said.

Eakkapop Thongtub

Continued from page 1 ...set up an ‘Emergency Operations Center’ to follow up on the situation and updates are given through press briefings every day.

“So everyone should check any information first before sharing it [online].

Anyone who finds fake news reports, please inform the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (Phuket PR) or relevant officers so they can check it out,” he said.

As a more ominous warning, a report posted by the Phuket PR office late Wednesday highlighted that posting or sharing fake news online was illegal under the Computer Crimes Act. “If anyone sees fake news on social media, please send an image and details to the Phuket PR Dept Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/prphuket2018/,” the report noted.

Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Dr Chalermpon Sukonthapon on Wednesday confirmed that since screening of tourist arrivals from Wuhan began on Jan 5, only 20 people had been taken under observation on suspicion that they may be infected with the virus.

“So far, none of them have been confirmed as infected with the virus,” he noted, reconfirming the report delivered by PPHO Chief Thanit Sermkaew on Tuesday.

Thirteen of those suspected of being infected have since been released from hospital care, but seven people currently remain under observation, Dr Chalermpon added.

Three of those still in isolation and under observation are at Vachira Phuket Hospital, one is at Patong Hospital, another is at Thalang Hospital and two

Passengers are screened for elevated body temperature on arrival at Phuket International Airport this week. Photo: Phuket Tourist Police remain in care at private hospitals, he said.

Dr Thanit explained on Tuesday, “They are still recovering. All are in isolated areas under observation and receiving treatment for flu symptoms.

They are still waiting for their blood tests.

All seven people are in stable condition.

They can breathe normally, with no need for a respirator.”

Dr Chalermpon noted that while preliminary tests for the virus can be conducted by health officials in Phuket, absolute confirmation had to come by tests conducted by Department of Medical Sciences experts at the Ministry of Public Health Bamrasnaradura Institute or the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, both in Bangkok.

So far medical teams at Phuket airport have screened 5,733 passengers and 122 pilots and cabin crew arriving on 44 direct inbound flights from Wuhan and Guangzhou since Jan 5, Dr Chalermpon added.

Meanwhile, Governor Phakaphong assured, “Phuket is safe. Officials are keeping track of all tourists arriving from China during their stay on the island. Of-

ficers are collecting information, such as where the tourists are staying and how they will leave the country. The information is being to prevent Wuhan flu from spreading,” he said.

“We have also informed hotels that if any of their guests become ill with a high temperature, to please contact the PPHO or nearest government hospital so the guest can be examined and be taken care of by doctors,” he added.

Expanding the countermeasures on Wednesday, health officials were deployed to Patong to check any of the 1,200-odd passengers from the Genting Dream cruise liner for possible infection as they arrived on shore.

Joining the screening was Patong Mayor Chalermluk Kebsup and a host of officials. No passengers were reported as possibly infected as the welcome team checked for elevated body temperatures and handed out face masks.

A report by the Phuket PR office noted that an estimated 4,000 tourists were to arrive on cruise liners in the following few days.

After 30 years in Phuket, Cambodian man arrested with fake Thai ID card

A CA M BODI A N M A N who lived in Phuket for 30 years, most of that time by using a fake ID card, has been arrested for illegally staying in the country, Immigration Bureau Chief Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang announced at a press conference in Bangkok last Friday (Jan 24).

Lt Gen Sompong identified the Cambodian man only by his nickname “Gim”.

Exactly where and when Mr Gim was taken into custody was not explained, but Lt Gen Sompong noted that Mr Gim was employed by a restaurant in Kalim, on

Mr Gim was caught with a fake ID card after staying in Phuket more than 30 years.

Photo: Immigration Bureau Phuket’s west coast.

Mr Gim’s arrest followed Phuket Immigration receiving a tip-off that a man using a fake Thai ID card under the name “Somboon Kongchai”,

Lt Gen Sompong said.

Officers found the man who matched the description given and asked him to present his ID card.

Mr Gim handed them an ID card giving his name as Somboon Kongchai, originally from Surin province, Lt Gen Sompong added.

Officers confirmed that the details on the electronic chip on the ID card did not match the name and details printed on the card, as the chip carried details of a “Mr Eakkapong”, Lt Gen Sompong said.

Also, the real Somboon Kongchai from Surin province

had died in 2018, he added.

“Officers told him that his ID card was fake, so he confessed that his name is ‘Gim’, 49, from Cambodia,” Lt Gen Sompong noted.

“He worked in a restaurant at Kalim Beach and lived in a house near Bang Tao Temple in Thalang,” he added.

Mr Gim told officers that he came to Thailand and became a monk and lived at a temple in Thalang from 1990 to 2006, Lt Gen Sompong explained.

“After he left the monkhood, he contacted a Cambodian friend to make a fake Thai ID card for him,” he said.

“He later paid B15,000 to for another fake ID card after the first one was expired in 2013. He said he did not even know who Somboon was,” Lt Gen Sompong added.

Mr Gim was taken to Cherng Talay Police Station and charged with three charges: entering and staying in the Kingdom without permission; making and using a fake ID card; and making and using fake official document, Lt Gen Sompong said.

“Officers are now investigating the source of the fake ID card,” he added.

It was not explai ned whether the Immigration

Bureau is looking to deport Mr Gim. Also not explained was how Mr Gim for 14 years managed to not raise any flags on any national databases as a potential fake – with two of those years after the real Somboon had died.

A Thai ID card is needed by every Thai citizen in obtaining even the most basic of services, including hospital treatment, the mandatory registering of a mobile phone SIM card, paying police fines and utility bills – and any interactions with any government office.

Eakkapop Thongtub thephuketnews

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More baby turtles hatch ‘Turtle season’ continues with more hatchings in Thai Muang Tanyaluk Sakoot & Khunanya Wanchanwet reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

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ol low i ng t he f i r st turtle nest of the season hatching at Thai Muang Beach north of Phuket on Jan 19, a further 49 eggs hatched on Tuesday night last week (Jan 21) from a second nest laid on Bor Dan Beach, also in Thai Muang.

The baby turtles hatched from a nest of 101 eggs laid on the beach on Nov 27. The eggs were not moved; they were left in place on the beach with officers assigned to watch over them.

Officers from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) reported that the first six turtles hatched between 7:30pm and 8:45pm.

After that DMCR officials kept watch over them until the last baby turtle to hatch broke through its shell and headed across the sand to the sea at about 11:30pm.

Kongkiat Kittiwatanawong, Chief of the Phuket

@thephuketnews

PMBC experts nursed the baby turtles to full health before releasing them last Saturday (Jan 25). Photo: DMCR

Twenty-eight of the hatchlings were very weak with their shells not fully formed and were taken into care at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC). Photo: DMCR Marine Biological Centre (PMBC), explained that 28 of the hatchlings were very weak and taken into care by the PMBC and nursed until they were strong enough to be released to the sea.

“We need to take care of them until their health recovers and for their shells to fully form,” Dr Kongkiat explained.

The turtles were closely watched over by PMBC experts, and finally released into the sea at the same location on Thai Muang Beach last Saturday (Jan 25), he added.

However, Mr Kongkiat also noted that three of the hatchlings on Jan 21 failed to survive, and the remaining 21 eggs were infertile.

Meanwhile, marine ex-

perts and volunteers have failed to find a turtle nest on Koh Phra Thong after turtle tracks were found on a beach at the southern end of the island located off the Phang Nga coast last Friday (Jan 24).

The tracks were found by a sea turtle conservation volunteer who reported them to the DMCR. The tracks indicated that

the turtle was believed to be 1.8 metres wide, Dr Kongkiat told The Phuket News.

The tracks were hoped to lead to the eighth turtle nest to be found in the region since the first nest was discovered on Thai Muang Beach in Phang Nga on Nov 17.

However, a team of DMCR experts have so far failed to find a nest on the beach, Dr Kongkiat told The Phuket News on Monday (Jan 27).

“The team followed the tracks and kept digging for two hours on Saturday, but were unable to find any turtle nest,” he said.

“I think that the turtle came to explore where to lay eggs, but found that the beach had too much of a slope, so she didn’t lay her eggs and returned to the sea. She might come back next week,” Dr Kongkiat said.

“We now have officers to check the beach every day to check for fresh tracks or even see the turtle return herself.

The officers will check other areas on Koh Phra Thong and Koh Ra island [immediately north of Koh Phra Thong],” Dr Kongkiat explained.

“I will let everyone know if we find anything,” he said.

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Grab motorbike drivers strike for B10 more delivery charge Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

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bout half of Phuket’s Grab motorbike riders who make most of their wages delivering food across the island went on strike on Tuesday (Jan 28) in their plea for a B10 surcharge to be implemented to boost their incomes.

About 30 of the riders gathered at Saphan Hin on Tuesday to explain their grievance to the press and public.

Nattisorn Boonthaen, representing the Grab riders, explained, “More than 500 riders in Phuket stopped working today. There are more than 1,000 riders in Phuket.

“Today we together stopped working to force Grab company to listen to our problems,” he said.

“We want to ask to be paid B10 more per delivery, we normally receive only B30,” Mr Nattisorn said.

“The B10 increase will com-

The Phuket Grab motorbike riders staged their protest at Saphan Hin on Tuesday morning (Jan 28). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub pensate us for the loss of time and petrol when we ride to restaurants that are far away or to an area where we cannot find a new booking after completing the previous delivery.

“We also want the company to reduce the distance between customers and restaurants to be only 4km, which is reasonable for what we are paid. Grab can charge more for the

service. For example, they can charge one baht extra for each 100 metres beyond 4km,” Mr Nattisorn said.

“For orders that riders have to ride over Patong Hill, customers should be charged another B10 more, or B50 in total,” he added.

“We hope Grab will listen to our problems and find a solution to solve them,” he said.

Mr Nattisorn explained that Grab initially charged customers only B1 per delivery but paid the riders B55 for each delivery.

“But Grab said they were not benefitting from the arrangement, and instead started charging customers B10 per delivery, with the riders paid B30 per delivery.

“The riders have lost a large share of their income, and the cost of living in Phuket keeps on rising,” he said.

“That’s why we are asking for Grab to pay riders B10 more per delivery,” Mr Nattisorn explained.

However, Mr Nattisorn said that Grab representatives have pointed out that by increasing the delivery service fee charged to customers again, the company risks losing customers currently still using their service.

Talks with Grab over the issue have faltered, leading to the protest, he said.

After staging their peaceful protest for one hour, the riders disbanded.

‘Toon Bodyslam’ hands B10mn Motorbike collision sets donation to Vachira Hospital Tri Trang tourist on fire

THAI ROCK CELEBRITY and r u n ni ng-for- char it y sensation Artiwara “Toon” Kongmalai of the popular Thai rock band Bodyslam on Tuesday (Jan 28) handed over a donation of more than B10.7 million to Vachira Phuket Hospital from his fund-raising efforts through the Kao Kon La Kao Foundation late last year.

In October, Mr Artiwara led a run of about 300-plus kilometres from Trang to Phuket to raise funds for seven government hospitals in Southern Thailand, including Vachira Phuket Hospital, the main government hospital on the island.

M r A r tiwara and his actress girlfriend Rachwin “Koi” Wongviriya, who also took part in the long-distance run, were in Phuket to hand over the donation totalling B10,752,956.55 to Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Chalermpon Sukonthapon.

Dr Chalermpong told The Phuket News, “The donation will be shared with Patong Hospital and Thalang Hospital, which will receive about

Artiwara ‘Toon Bodyslam’ Kongmalai (centre) handed over the donation on Tuesday (Jan 28). Photo: PR Dept B1.5m each.

“Vachira Hospital will purchase six ventilation devices which cost around B800,000 up to B1mn each. We will also buy extra beds for the Cardiology & Heart Surgery section at the hospital,” he added.

In total, the run last October raised B60,035,545 to support medical services at seven government hospitals and for the seven hospitals to purchase much-needed hospital equipment.

A staffer at Kao Kon La Kao Foundation explained to The Phuket News that Trang Hospital received B10,268,103.80, Krabi Hospital received B7,962,359.61, Phang Nga Hospital, received B6,604,771.91, Takuapa Hospi-

tal also in Phang Nga received B6,540,124.87, the Crown Prince Hospital in Pattani received B5,473,448.82 and Maharat Hospital in Nakhon Sri Thammarat received B12,433,779.42.

“We are grateful to the Thai people for donating the total amount of over B60mn, and we thank the seven hospitals for providing medical assistance and food to us during the running event,” Mr Artiwara said.

“Thank you to everyone who supported this running event. This event set a record for the largest number of people taking part in a Kao Kon La Kao Foundation fundraising running event,” he added.

Khunanya Wanchanwet

TWO TOURISTS WERE rushed to Patong Hospital with injuries, one of them with burns to his legs, after the motorbike they were riding collided with another motorbike ridden by a foreigner near Tri Trang Beach early Tuesday morning (Jan 28).

Lt Col Watcharapong Praypan of the Patong Police confirmed that he was notified of the accident at 5:40am, but declined to give further details.

However, Supat Tengnoi of the Patong Baywatch team explained that he and other Patong Baywatch members arrived at the scene, in front of a 7-Eleven store at the base of a hill near Tri Trang Beach, after being informed of the accident.

“When we arrived there was a female tourist on the ground with injuries and a wound on her right knee, and a man on the ground nearby with only some scratches,” he said.

The woman suffered a deep laceration to her knee. Photo: Patong Baywatch “But nearby on Tri Trang Beach was a male tourist with burns over his whole body. Both this man and the woman were still conscious while we provided immediate first aid.

“We called Kusoldharm Foundation Phuket rescue staffers to take them both to Patong Hospital,” he added.

Mr Supat was unable to provide any details of the three foreigners, but said the man with burns was with the woman at the beach, then when they went to leave they collided with the motorbike driven by the man who suffered only scratches.

Khunanya Wanchanwet thephuketnews

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Leaky pipe lands B10k fine Resort hit with pollution fine for releasing untreated wastewater The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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resort south of Patong has been fined B10,000 for releasing untreated wastewater into a public drain that empties into the sea at Merlin Beach.

Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup confirmed to The Phuket News last Friday (Jan 24) that the resort fined was the Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa, on Muen Nguen Rd near Tri Trang Beach.

The fine followed an inspection Monday last week (Jan 20) led by Provincial Ombudsman Athiwat Yodwan, accompanied by officers from Patong Municipality’s public health division.

Mr Arthiwat explained that he was ordered to carry out the inspection by the Phuket Governor after images of dirty wastewater emptying into the sea at Merlin Beach went viral on Thai social media.

Mayor Chalermluck pointed out that the fine was issued for breach of Section 33 of the Act on the Maintenance of the Cleanliness and Orderliness of the Country B.E. 2535.

“It is the maximum fine of B10,000,” she said.

Banyad Horpetch at the Patong Municipality Sanitation Division

The team inspects the outflow pipe at Merlin Beach last Monday (Jan 20). Photo: PR Dept explained to The Phuket News, “We inspected the area on Monday (Jan 20), and found many hotels and properties releasing their wastewater into the public drain that leads to Merlin Beach.

“However, to identify exactly which property was causing the problem we had to shut off the pipes from each property releasing wastewater into the drain until we found exactly which one was responsible,” he said.

Mr Banyad said that the resort was one of three Absolute properties that feed wastewater into a central system, before the wastewater is released into the drain.

“There is a condo, a resort and another condo building, and all three have their wastewater flow into the one treatment facility before it is released into the drain.

“The wastewater treatment system has the capacity to treat about 80 cubic metres of wastewater per day, but these properties at their peak together release about 100m3 of wastewater a day. This leads to the excess wastewater flowing into the public drain untreated,” he said.

Mayor Chalermluck said that the resort now had 60 days from last Friday (Jan 24) to improve its wastewater treatment system so that

it can cope with the load required.

After the grace period has concluded (on Mar 24) officers from the Phuket office of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) and Patong Municipality health officials will inspect the wastewater treatment system to ensure it is adequate, Mayor Chalermluck added.

“Until then, Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa has been ordered to take their excess wastewater to the Patong Municipality water treatment centre,” Mr Banyad noted.

In response to the resort being fined, Absolute World Group issued the following statement to The Phuket

News on Monday (Jan 27): “On Saturday 18 January a leak from an underground wastewater pipe joint in the final phase of the Twin Sands development was identified.

Technicians from the company subcontracted for property maintenance promptly pumped the leaking water to an internal retention tank. Regrettably this caused a surge which escaped via an overflow to the public drain and then to Merlin Beach.

“Upon recognising that a surge had occurred the technicians worked with Tessabaan officers to sandbag the public drain temporarily to prevent any further run-off to the beach.

“The underground pipe joint was repaired within two hours of the leak being identified. And we have worked with the Tessabaan and our wider team to ensure the issue has been correctly repaired and fully rectified.

“The 10,000 THB fine issued by Tessabaan was paid promptly by the sub-contractor.

“We have taken all steps to ensure this will not occur again and can alleviate any concerns our fellow Phuket islanders may hold as we continue to work within the standards of the EIA, taking our environmental responsibility extremely seriously,” the statement said.

Gold thief flees Phang Nga, Ferry suspended after pickup truck arrested in Chalong next day rolls off the deck, into the sea POLICE TH IS W EEK arrested a man in Chalong just one day after he stole a necklace worth more than B46,000 from a gold shop in Thai Muang in Phang Nga, north of Phuket.

Officers led by Lt Col Suphap Saelim of the Chalong Police, together with Thai Muang Police of Phang Nga, arrested Winai “Boy” Sitthisak, 25, at a house in Moo 9, Chalong, at around midday on Monday (Jan 27).

Winai was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by Phang Nga Provincial Court for committing theft by using a vehicle to flee after he stole a gold necklace in Thai Muang last Sunday (Jan 26), Lt Col Suphap explained.

Winai arrived at a gold shop on Phetkasem Rd in Moo 4, Thai Muang, and asked a staffer to show him a gold necklace. The staffer obliged, but Winai fled as soon as he had the gold necklace in hand, he added.

The necklace was valued at about B46,900, he said.

“Police in Thai Muang had checked CCTV in the area and were in the process of @thephuketnews

Mr Winai was caught on CCTV at the gold shop. Photo: Thai Muang Police tracking down the thief when we received a tip-off that he was in Chalong, leading to the arrest,” Lt Col Suphap said.

Winai confessed to committing the theft in order to pay gambling debts, Lt Col Suphap explained.

“After committing the theft, he immediately came to Phuket to hide at his friend’s house,” he added.

At the house, police also seized the outfit that Winai wore while committing the theft and a Phuket-registered

Honda Click that Winai used to flee the scene. A document proving that the motorbike was rented was also seized at the house, Lt Col Suphap noted.

Police on Monday took Winai to the Big C shopping centre on the bypass road where he sold the necklace a gold shop. The necklace was reclaimed and Winai was handed over to the Thai Mueang Police to face charges in Phang Nga, Lt Col Suphap concluded.

Eakkapop Thongtub

A SMALL FERRY OPERating between Phuket and Koh Yao Yao, off Phuket’s east coast, has been suspended from operating after a pickup truck that was not tied down rolled off the boat and into the sea off Koh Siray last Wednesday afternoon (Jan 22).

The ferry, called “Koh Yao”, departed for Koh Yao Yai at 2pm, Phuket Marine Office Director Wiwat Chitchertwong told The Phuket News.

The accident occurred at about 3pm while the ferry was returning to Phuket, he added.

“There was nothing to prevent the vehicle from falling into the water. The owner of the truck did not apply the handbrake, and there were no tethers to prevent the truck from moving,” Mr Wiwat said.

“The owner was not in the truck when it fell, so he was safe,” he added.

The boat has been impounded and taken to Jian Wanit Pier in Rassada to be

The pickup rolled into the sea while the ferry was returning to Phuket. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub inspected by officials, Mr Wiwat said.

“The ferry boat owner will buy a new vehicle for the truck owner and be responsible for recovering the sunken pickup from the water,” Mr Wiwat assured.

“I have already ordered the ferry boat operator to place a buoy at the loca-

tion where the truck sank,” he said.

“I ask all local local fisherman and tour operators to avoid the area until the truck is removed for safety,” Mr Wiwat added.

Khunanya Wanchawet with additional reporting

by Eakkapop Thongtub

Opinion 6

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T

he move by Patong Municipality last week to fine a resort south of the major resort town for releasing untreated wastewater into a public drain does come with some misgivings. To be clear about one thing: it wasn’t a B10,000 fine for releasing untreated wastewater, it was a B10,000 fine for being caught.

There is no way that the one resort, even with three large accommodation buildings, is the only offender in town, and it’s no secret that Patong officials have been hunting for a wastewater-releasing culprit in that neck of the woods for some time, including trying to find someone to blame for the onslaught of wastewater that endangered corals just offshore Tri Trang Beach little over 18 months ago.

The hunt for a dirty offender then was nothing more than a red herring, if a red

herring could survive the state of the beach water at that time with the deluge of filth plainly identified as coming from the Pak Bang Canal at the southern end of Patong – after it passes the town’s sole wastewatertreatment plant. The hunt for a dirty offender last week was nothing more.

For those yet to know, Pak Bang Canal is privy to receiving the bulk of wastewater from all the accommodation establishments in Patong, large and small, and any businesses not connected to the still-growing network of public drains.

No one has ever challenged, tested or publicly admitted the state of the canal water before it reaches the wastewater treatment plant as it meanders throughout the town, and past Patong Hospital.

At B10,000, the fine is a slap on the wrist, and a shrewd move by the municipality. It’s

enough to be seen as doing something about the problem, but not enough to warrant being contested in court. In monetary terms, the fine amounts to nothing more than a handful of high-end brunches. It could have been paid for with vouchers.

The Phuket News is not excusing the resort for its impact on the environment, though the immediate problem was rectified as quickly as possible and the resort has yet to pass another inspection to ensure its wastewater-treatment capabilities are adequate.

But if Patong officials wanted to get serious about stemming the flow of untreated wastewater into Patong Bay, they could easily start at one end of the town and slowly work their way to the other and fine each offending business and property owner for the same – and clean up, literally.

TOP 10 STORIES ON thephuketnews.com

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Three more cases of suspected coronavirus under observation in Phuket First Thai infected with coronavirus as death toll rises to nine Wastewater overrun lands Phuket resort B10k fine Chinese boy, 10, lands in Phuket suspected of carrying Wuhan flu All arrivals from China now screened at Phuket airport Phuket ferry suspended after pickup truck rolls off the deck, into the sea Phuket Opinion: The necessity of want PHUKET XTRA: VIDEO: Gold heist killer caught!

South Thailand peace talks? 437 schools shut! || January 22 Couple killed, motorbike torn apart in single-vehicle accident Chinese boy in Phuket cleared of Wuhan flu

Visit thephuketnews.com for all the latest news

HAVE YOUR SAY That's a wrap!

Re: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reward.

I fully appreciated your article on page 14 about attempts to recycle waste. A small start. Why small? I call it double standards.

The Villa Market smugly announces it is doing away with plastic shopping bags.

Then you go inside and see aisles of vegetables all covered in plastic. Supermarkets tell us it is to keep things fresh.

What they should be saying is that it lets Supermarkets stock the shelves for longer.

What they do not tell you is, when you take the produce home, it goes off twice as fast as soon as it is unwrapped and in addition, leaves yet more plastic waste. Why too are we using straws in drinks?

Once upon a time this was for babies. The attempts to replace some of these with metal reusable sorts makes us sitting ducks for all types of cross-infection as unless they are sterilised after use in an Autoclave, the lumen (hole) is a breeding ground for bacillus.

We can make an additional small start by saying no to

both of these too.

Dr Stephanie Soper

Wuhan flu over the cuckoo's nest

Re: Phuket braces for Wuhan Fallout.

By 'independent travellers' do they mean potential tourists other than the Chinese?

Because they're cancelling in droves. And who could blame them. I wouldn't come here either, particularly given the fact the two administrations involved are known for lying through their bloody teeth abut everything.

Tamsyn Stead If Phuket did not rely on just one or two nations for tourism, but rather on a global market as before, then a problem with one nation will not have such a big impact.

From my recollection, roughly ten years ago or more the tourism was from Europe, Scandinavia, US, Australia and all over the globe where as today most of these markets have gone.

Now Phuket just seems to focus on China and India and this is what happens when there is a crisis in a singular major market.

Simon Lomas Reducing hotel prices would encourage more Russians, Indians and Europeans to arrive in February March instead of April May. Price conscious tourists are increasingly attracted to Vietnam.

Additionally, the Russians who now flock to Sanya, China are having second thoughts. Offer them reduced cost flights like Sanya does.

John OToole

This just stinks

Re: Wastewater overrun lands Phuket resort B10K fine.

This fine is nothing.... to make sure that no one else do the same.. at least B100 000 should be more example for doing things like that Morten Bore Should be millions compensate for lost tourists that wont come back and who will tell there friends and families how dirty Thailand beaches are Michael Dawson If you make the fines small then they will just not care and

do it again and pay another fine. If you make the fine big so that it HURTS they won’t do it again. BIG FINES = END OF PROBLEM. Little fines = no one cares.

Brent Cowey

Airport feverishly scans arrivals

Re: All arrivals from China now screened at Phuket airport.

Its a super spreader, 3.8...

With an up to 14 day incubation period with no symptoms until very sick. Is money really worth the high risk of infecting your citizens.

Its too late now anyway, this virus its about to drastically explode globally as I believe 100's of thousands are infected and are unaware. It can not be contained, clearly....

Give it another week and watch the spike. I hope I'm wrong Deboy Stylin Given the ease with which this virus is spread and the large percentage of asymptomatic carriers: good luck.

John OToole Know what pairs well with corona virus? Lyme disease Sefton Hanley

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

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

THAILAND NEWS

7

overstay fines for Plan dusted off as North No virus impacted tourists suffers air pollution crisis BANGKOK

BANGKOK Bangkok Post

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overnors in all 77 provinces have been told to adopt the 2015 disaster prevention and mitigation master plan to address the PM2.5 air pollution crisis.

The decision was approved by the cabinet on Tuesday (Jan 28) after being proposed

by Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paojinda. He said the 133-page master plan contains guidelines for action on four fronts: risk reduction, emergency response, international cooperation and restoration.

“The situation in each region varies, so governors are allowed to adjust the action plan to suit their local situation,” Gen Anupong told media on Tuesday.

The move comes after air pollution in four northern provinces soared this week following seasonal fires set by farmers to clear their land.

Levels of PM2.5 pollution have exceeded the government’s safe threshold of 50 microgrammes per cubic metre

Students assemble fine-dust detectors to be distributed to schools affected by PM2.5 air pollution, during a workshop at the Engineering Institute of Thailand in Bangkok.

Photo: Somchai Poomlard (µg/m³) in Lampang, Nan, Phayao and Phrae provinces.

The real-time PM2.5 level surged to over 400µg/m³ in parts of Phrae and Chiang Mai provinces on Monday (Jan 27).

Muang districts in neighbouring provinces were also hit hard. Phrae saw 146µg/ m³ in tambon Na Chak, Nan recorded 111µg/m³ in tambon

Nai Wiang, Phayao saw 103µg/ m³ in tambon Ban Tom, while Nan had 67µg/m³ in tambon Huai Kone of Chalerm Prakiat district.

Meanwhile the 24-hour average in tambon Ban Dong of Lampang’s Mae Mo district soared to 189µg/m³ on Tuesday, according to the Pollution Control Department (PCD).

The PCD also reported PM2.5

Kratom set for limited legalisation BANGKOK THE NARCOTICS CONTROL BOARD is planning to relax the legal prohibition on kratom and permit the consumption of the plant in certain areas.

The move is part of the Justice Ministry’s push to reclassify the drug in the narcotics bill after its categorisation as a Type-5 narcotic for the past 78 years.

The initiative was backed by 95% of participants at public hearings on the subject. The majority agreed kratom should be legalised. About 5% expressed concerns over the impact of legalisation on young people, Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin said on Thursday (Jan 23).

@thephuketnews

Somsak: Decision still pending. Photo: Bangkok Post “The board is also likely to decide on a proposal to legalise kratom in designated locations in due course,” he said.

The proposals will be forwarded to the cabinet for a final say before being deliberated for enactment in parliament, Mr Somsak said.

AFP

levels were building again in greater Bangkok after a few days of respite, though they remained below the safe threshold at 16-41 µg/m³ as of Tuesday morning.

Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon has ordered officials to “enforce stringent legal actions” against people burning outdoor fires, his spokesman said.

FOR EIGN TOU R ISTS whose travel plans are disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak will not be fined if they overstay in Thailand, the Immigration Bureau said on Monday (Jan 27).

Deputy bureau spokesman Choengron Rimphadi said tourists caught up in the problems caused by the epidemic and actions taken to contain it will not have to pay the usual fine.

At Suvarnabhumi, the Airport Operations Centre will help tourists stranded at the airport due to the deadly virus. The contact number is 02-132-9950, Pol Col Choengron said.

Suvarnabhumi is the main gateway for tourists entering the country.

China has sealed off Wuhan and about a dozen more cities in Hubei province in a bid to contain the viral outbreak. Flights in and out of the city have been grounded.

Bejing also extended the New Year holiday from Jan 30 to Feb 2 to limit travel and stop the spread of the virus.

Chinese tourists wearing face masks near the Grand Palace on Monday (Jan 27).

Photo: AFP Pol Col Choengron said passengers affected by the virus have contacted their airlines for a refund or to reschedule their itinerary and stay longer in Thailand. Others wanted to reroute their return trips to other airports close to Wuhan, he said.

As confirmed cases continue to rise daily, a ninemonth-old baby in Beijing was among those infected on Monday (Jan 27), authorities said, making her the youngest person to have been confirmed to have contracted the virus.

Mongolia closed its border crossings with China on Monday to cars, temporarily shut schools and suspended public events to prevent the deadly virus from reaching its soil, authorities said.

Bangkok Post

8

THAILAND NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

Military medics enlisted to help airport screening BANGKOK Bangkok Post

M

A man masquerading as a blind beggar is seen after parking his SUV outside a temple in Nonthaburi. Photo: screenshot from the Facebook clip of Chutala Joy

‘Blind’ beggar caught driving Fortuner NONTHABURI A “BLIND” BEGGAR AT a market in Nonthaburi has been caught in a viral video clip arriving for “work” driving a Toyota Fortuner.

The clip, posted on Facebook by user Chutala Joy on Tuesday (Jan 28), showed a man wearing ragged clothing getting out of a black Fortuner with Bangkok licence plates parked outside Wat Don Sakae in Bang Yai district of Nonthaburi.

He later showed up at a nearby market, wearing jet-black glasses like a blind man and begging for money.

The clip drew a tirade of criticism against the man.

Some people speculated he might be a police agent masquerading as a beggar to gather information.

This attracted the attention of local police, who watched the clip and promised to track him down for questioning.

Pol Col Surapoj Rodbamrung, chief of Bang Yai police, said if found to have

ill intentions and to be begging for money under false pretensions he would face legal action under Section 16 of the Beggar Control Act. An offender was liable for a fine of up to B1,000 and/or a year in jail.

Thai media reported police had already identified the beggar as Somporn Kueyen, 65. He was not blind and lived with his wife in a two-storey townhouse in Muang district of Nonthaburi. They had two daughters – one working abroad and the other teaching at a university.

Some media reports quoted the man telling reporters he was in dire need of money to pay off gambling debts. Others said he used to have a stall selling pork at a market, but fell into debt.

Vendors at a market in Bang Yai district where Mr Somporn allegedly often begged for money said they were disappointed to learn the truth, that his blindness was just a lie to get money from kind-hearted people.

Bangkok Post

ilitary medical personnel have been sent to help with the screening of passengers at international airports as another six Chinese nationals entering Thailand were found to be infected with the Wuhan coronavirus on Tuesday (Jan 28), bringing the total number of cases detected in the country to 14.

Col Sirichan Ngathong, deputy spokeswoman for the Royal Thai Army, said on Tuesday that Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed the army, navy and air force to send mobile medical units to help public health officials screen arrivals at 10 international airports across the country as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.

Permanent secretary for public health Sukhum Kanchanapimai said on Tuesday there had been six new cases reported.

All were Chinese nationals, and five were members of a family, aged 6-70 years old, visiting from Wuhan, Dr Sukhum said.

The new cases brought the number of coronavirus infection detected in Thailand to 14, he said.

The six new patients were being treated at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute in Nonthaburi province, Dr Sukhum said.

On Tuesday the premier appointed a national committee to prevent the spread of the virus. The committee comprises 59 experts and officials from relevant agencies and is to be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul.

Gen Prayut said that evacuation plans are already in place to bring Thais in China back home straight away once China gives permission.

Addressing the evacuation plans, Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai said that the ministry was closely coordinating with Thais living in China.

“To my knowledge, there are 64 Thais residing in Wuhan and all are healthy.

Workers disinfect the cabin of a Thai Airways International jet at Suvarnabhumi airport on Tuesday (Jan 28) to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus within the country. Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb “So far, no countries have sent planes to evacuate their people from China. We have to cooperate with China. Some countries wanted to evacuate their citizens but they must receive permission from China first. Now, all countries, including Thailand, have prepared for evacuation,” said Mr Don. However, Reuters reported on Tuesday that Japan sent a chartered Boeing 767 to retrieve a number of its nationals in Wuhan.

Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said he had asked the Corrections Department chief to order prisons across the country to closely monitor the health of prisoners, particularly 14 Chinese inmates imprisoned this month.

To control the spread of the virus by sea, the Port Authority of Thailand has designated a pier in front of Samut Prakan’s provincial hall as a checkpoint to monitor and screen crew members of boats and ships coming from China.

Sopon Iamsirithaworn, director of general communicable diseases at the Department of Disease Control, said that medical teams have been sent to closely monitor the health of 13 Thai students who returned from studying in Hubei province on Sunday (Jan 26).

“After an initial examination, the students, who all live in the deep South, are in good health,” Dr Sopon said.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovations is now advising Chinese students studying in Thailand who returned to China during Chinese New Year and university students who have visited countries with confirmed coronavirus cases to stay away from classes for at least 14 days.

“This is a new virus and its specific nature is currently unclear. However, it appears that you can contract the virus at an early stage and not show any symptoms,” the ministry’s deputy secretary-general Pathom Sawanpanyalert said on Tuesday.

“This incubation period is currently considered to be 14 days.

“If a student still attends their classes while showing symptoms, universities can exclude them if they believe with reasonable grounds they may have a communicable disease,” he said.

According to the ministry, there are 11,738 Chinese students studying at 87 universities in Thailand at present, while the number of Thai students studying in China is estimated to be over 1,000, with 58 in Wuhan.

Anti-drugs chief apologises for selling car loaded with ya bah BANGKOK THE OFFICE OF THE Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has apologised to the winner of a car that the agency auctioned off after almost a 100,000 speed pills were found in its rear bumper.

Secretary-general Niyom Termsrisuk said on Jan 25 that the NCB’s Region 5 office, which has jurisdiction in the North, was informed by the new owner

Secretary-general Termsrisuk apologised after almost 100,000 speed pills were found in the rear bumper of a car that was auctioned off by the agency. Photo: Bangkok Post that 94,000 ya bah pills had been found in the white Honda CR-V.

T he buyer, who paid B586,000 for the car, had sent it to a garage in San Sai district

in Chiang Mai to have its rear fixed and repainted since there were scratches and dents on it.

As a garage employee was removing parts last Thursday (Jan 23), he found the pills hidden in the bumper, which had been modified as a secret compartment.

Mr Niyom apologised and thanked the buyer and garage employee for informing officials immediately.

The vehicle was seized in a case in which Vorakan Wangkiri and Saranpat Yerboh had been arrested in Mae Chan

district, Chiang Rai, in April last year.

At the time, police found 100,000 pills in bags lying in plain view on the back seat of the car.

The vehicle was seized in mid-August of the same year.

NCB officials took delivery of the car in early October and it was put on the block on Jan 15 this year.

“According to protocols, we search every vehicle we have received and this case was no exception. However, we couldn't find anything at

the time, perhaps because the pills had been well hidden,” Mr Niyom said.

He added the case served as a lesson for ONCB officials who were advised to be more thorough with searches. The additional pills will be added to the case, he said.

The new owner and the garage employee who found them will also be rewarded as the information they had given was a tip-off according to ONCB regulations.

Bangkok Post thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

BUSINESS NEWS

9

Bracing for Wuhan fallout TOURISM

The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

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eading Phuket tourism figures this week were reticent to reveal any of their predictions about the impact the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak might have on the island’s industry, despite leading national figures saying the total fallout might cost the country up to B80-100 billion in revenues.

Concerns spiked after the Chinese government banned all outbound travel from Wuhan, including f lights, on Jan 23.

Phuket Tourist Association President Bhummikitti Ruktaengam told The Phuket News that the travel ban and fears of the virus spreading will certainly affect Phuket tourism, but declined to give any estimates on how deep the impact will be.

Instead, he said that there was not enough information to give any predictions at this stage.

“The impact of the health emergency is spreading and will affect the number of tourists and the island’s economy, because China is a major tourist source market for Phuket, but I just don’t know big the impact on the Phuket economy will be.

“I cannot estimate the value of the harm done – and I don’t want to estimate the impact for now,” he said on Tuesday (Jan 27).

@thephuketnews

The TAT Intelligence Centre this week reported that tourist arrivals at Phuket International Airport on Monday (Jan 27) plunged by more than 12% for the day. Photo: AFP “Today, I just sent a letter to hotels, resorts, tour operators, entertainment businesses and other operators in the tourism industry asking for updates on the number of cancelled bookings. Then we can estimate the number of cancellations,” he added.

“For now, we are just focusing on outbreak prevention and identifying any persons suspected of being infected so we can quickly report them to health officials.

“We need this Wuhan virus to be controlled, and we need to prevent it from spreading to Phuket. That is our priority right now,” Mr Bhummikitti said.

Bhuritt Maswongssa, General Manager of the Patong Resort Hotel and a key member of the Tourism Development

Committee of South Andaman Tourism Development Area under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, also dodged any estimates of the potential fallout of the outbreak on the island’s crucial tourism industry.

“Right now, it’s still not possible to draw any conclusions about the tourism situation in Phuket. We probably have to wait a couple of weeks for clarity on the situation. We will be able to have a clearer picture by then,” he told The Phuket News.

Mr Bhuritt said there was very little that Phuket operators could do about the situation at this stage.

“There is no need to even consider what policy options to take as we do not know what direction the virus will

spread, but at least they [sic] are concerned about preventing the virus from spreading,” he added.

Both Mr Bhuritt and Mr Bhummikitti declined to elaborate on the current occupancy figures for hotels across the island in light of the Chinese New Year holidays, which began last Saturday (Jan 25).

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office Director Kanokkittika Kritwutikon earlier this month said that the Chinese New Year holidays from Jan 25 to Feb 1 were expected to see more than 430,000 tourists visit Phuket and generate an estimated B15.825 billion for the local economy.

However, as of Tuesday Ms Kanokkittika had yet to respond to requests for

comments about any revised outlook in light of the virus outbreak.

The TAT Intelligence Centre on Tuesday morning (Jan 28) reported a 10.98% increase in the number of tourist arrivals at Phuket International Airport so far for January year on year. However, that figure fell to an increase of just 2.13%

by Tuesday afternoon after a plunge of more than 12% for Jan 27 was factored in, marking what might be the beginning of a huge downward trend.

Nationwide, the outbreak is expected to shaving economic growth by 0.5-0.7 percentage points this year.

In a meeting with the private sector on Tuesday, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) was seeking to devise a plan for the domestic market.

Some operators are urging the government to order all state agencies to spend their budget to conduct countrywide meetings so that attendees fill hotels and provide assistance to the hospitality sector.

S u p a w a n Ta n o m k ieatipume, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), said that before the outbreak Thailand’s hotels averaged 50% occupancy.

Of this, the share of Chinese guests was as high as 50% as the peak season for this market got under way, reported the Bangkok Post.

The THA expects advance bookings for February to plunge 30% as the health emergency’s impact spreads

to independent travellers and incentive groups.

“The impact was felt across the country, as Chinese guests are the main source market for most hotels,” Ms Supawan said. “Usually the occupancy in February would be strengthened by incentive groups, but this market is uncertain too.”

She said the outbreak will stir up psychological effects for travellers who will not be confident about venturing beyond their hometowns. The THA expects the setback to last at least three months.

A source from the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau said the agency is still waiting for confirmation from three incentive groups from China totalling 5,500 travellers who may cancel trips.

Vichit Prakobgosol, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta), said that from Feb 5 onwards independent travellers will stop coming to Thailand, even though the Chinese government has not interfered with their decision.

“The Chinese are worried about the epidemic and in general they adhere to authorities’ directions strictly,” he said.

“As sales activities have been halted since last week, bookings via agents stopped too.”

At t a vice-president Surawat Akaraworamat said independent travellers are affected by inconvenient transport: at least 10 cities in China are closed down and people cannot afford to find public buses to carry them to or from the airport.

10 BUSINESS NEWS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

Khao Lak sets itself apart Western Europeans remain mainstay tourism source market TOURISM The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th

I

ncreasing hotel supply in Khao Lak with stable tourism growth ref lects a destination market entering a new cycle while the upcoming second gateway Greater Phuket airport is expected to push the destination to diversify offering in a more mature tourism scenario, reports Bill Barnett, founder and Managing Director of hospitality consultancy C9 Hotelworks.

Khao Lak, located in Thailand’s Phang Nga province, differentiates itself from Phuket’s mass tourism as it is dominated by Western travelers, Mr Barnett noted in the “Phang Nga & Khao Lak Hotel Market Update - January 2020” report released by C9 Hotelworks this week.

As of year-to-date November 2019, the province recorded a total of 970,692 guest arrivals at accommodation establishments with most of the hotels concentrated in Khao Lak. Tourism demand remained stable last year with a slight 0.7% growth year-on-year as of year to date Nov 2019, Mr Barnett explained.

“The existing hotel supply in Khao Lak has 154 properties, rep-

The changing demographics of Khao Lak’s tourism industry marks a maturing market, says Bill Barnett. resenting 10,606 keys. Half of the developments are focused on the beach areas located at the center of Khao Lak, namely Bang Niang (20%), Nang Thong (23%) and Khuk Kak (7%),” he said.

“The hotel market continues to be dominated by the wholesale segment with long-haul travelers. Thomas Cook was traditionally one of the

largest wholesalers in the market before the company ceased trading in Q3 last year. The impact is expected to be short-term with new bookings redirected through other wholesalers or distribution channels,” he added.

“Aside from stronger destination awareness contributed by existing and upcoming international branded hotels, the Andaman International

between 2014 and 2019.

“Phang Nga continues to experience an increase in demand during low season, especially in Q2 2019 with visitor arrivals uplifted by 2.5% y-o-y,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mainland China had the highest growth among all top five source markets with a 13% increase as of 2018 – according to the latest available data – compared with the previous year, he added.

Looking forward, Mr Barnett noted, “The upcoming airport located in Ko Kloy, Phang Nga will shorten the travel time to Khao Lak by one hour, which will enable the destination to attract broader visitor demographics.

“The widening of the current road connecting Ranong with Phuket is contributing to benefit the tourism sector with shorter travel time,” he added.

Looking at the hotel supply segment, he also observed, “While 74% of the hotel pipeline in Khao Lak is brand affiliated, independent projects developers have a legacy of success in well-performing independent properties.”

Airport which is under development north of Phuket is expected to drive a new market cycle for Khao Lak,” he said.

Mr Barnett noted among the current trends for the Khao Lak market that the total number of visitor arrivals to Phang Nga was estimated to surpass To download the Phang Nga and 4.88 million last year, indicating a Khao Lak Hotel Market Report, visit compound annual growth rate of 6% c9hotelworks.com

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

The brunch that thought of everything

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

12

Bad Boys for Life, the perfect action flick

13

As part of the Soi Dog guided tour, visitors get to spend time in the puppy run and make some feline friends in the cattery.

SOME BARK, BUT ALL PLIGHT

Inside Soi Dog, Asia’s largest animal welfare organisation, part two

Amy Bryant

I

n the first part of this article, long-term expat Bruce Stanley reflected on how life in Phuket has improved remarkably for the island’s stray dogs and cats thanks to the work of Soi Dog Foundation. But what goes on behind the scenes to make this happen?

Allow me to walk you through a day at the Soi Dog sanctuary in Mai Khao, the beating heart of Southeast Asia’s largest rescue organisation.

The sanctuary’s 200-plus staff pass through the gates each morning to the sound of excitable barks, howls and meows from the resident dogs and cats.

This creature chorus can mean only one thing: it’s breakfast time. Soi Dog distributes food not only to the 1,100-plus animals at the sanctuary but also to local feeders and other shelters across Thailand, including government-run facilities. This means purchasing approximately 20 tons of dog and cat food each month at a cost of nearly B1 million.

As the animals lap up the last of their morning meal, Soi Dog’s volunteers arrive by songthaew, ready to walk the dogs around the green grounds of the sanctuary and fuss over the felines in the cattery. Soi Dog welcomed a record 881 volunteers from all over the world last year, some spending days at the sanctuary, others months.

Their socialisation of the animals is vital in preparing them for adoption.

Socialisation continues back at the “runs”, where the dogs live in groups of around 25 under the careful watch of keepers and carers. Each of Soi Dog’s 29 runs houses a different doggie demographic, from puppies, to teenagers, to senior and special needs dogs, to @thephuketnews

Soi Dog ranks highly on TripAdvisor as one of the best places to visit in Phuket. dogs rescued from the horrific dog meat trade. There are also behaviourally challenging dogs who the Behaviour and Enrichment Team work closely with to help them overcome their shyness or aggression.

Over at Soi Dog’s purpose-built hospitals, it’s almost as busy as in the runs, with new patients constantly being admitted. These sick and injured animals are either brought in by kind members of the public or picked up

by Soi Dog’s animal rescue officers or Community Outreach Team. Recent expansions mean the veterinary teams have the specialist equipment and state-of-the-art facilities needed to treat everything from road traffic injuries to poisonings, skin diseases and cruelty cases.

Over 100 animals are neutered and vaccinated at the hospitals every day too, as part of Soi Dog’s “Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return” (CNVR) programme.

Since 2003, over 380,000 animals – 119,542 of those last year alone – have passed through the programme in Thailand, meaning Soi Dog is far and

away neutering and treating more animals than any other organisation in the world.

Phuket is Soi Dog’s best example of the effectiveness of CNVR. The implementation of the programme here has reduced the stray dog population by over 90% and has been a significant contributing factor in the island reporting just one confirmed case of rabies in 24 years. With the situation in Phuket under control, Soi Dog is able to reach out to other parts of Thailand. The sight of Soi Dog vans zipping around Bangkok, Nakhon Si Thammarat and beyond is now nothing unusual.

As awareness of Soi Dog increases, so too does the demand on its assistance and resources. The Phuket sanctuary is expanding to meet this demand, with a dedicated cat hospital, six community runs, two blocks of individual kennels and a Visitor and Volunteer Centre opening last year. And near the entrance to the sanctuary, an Isolation Unit and an Education Centre are beginning to take shape.

While Soi Dog works hard to make

the sanctuary as pleasant as possible for the animals, the goal is to keep them there for the minimum amount of time and instead adopt them into a loving home of their own. Last year, Soi Dog found homes for 944 animals – 675 dogs and 269 cats – both here in Thailand and overseas, with popular destinations including the USA, Canada and Europe.

And so the sun sets on another busy day at the sanctuary. The gates are locked and the resident dogs and cats are settled for the night, affording us a quiet moment to reflect on the remarkable growth of Soi Dog. From a disused restaurant in Phuket Town to a 14-rai sanctuary in Mai Khao. From neutering and vaccinating 175 animals in 2003 to 119,542 in 2019. From three co-founders to over 300 staff. From strength to strength.

With no government funding, this was only made possible by donations from like-minded animal lovers around the world. While it’s disappointing that only 5% of funds are raised here in Thailand, where the benefit of Soi Dog’s work is felt the most, the organisation remains grateful for all the support it receives to carry out its many and varied operations which come at a cost of around B30 million each month.

To see what B30 million does for the dogs and cats of Thailand, visit the sanctuary for an interactive guided tour. With your support, Soi Dog can make 2020 the best year yet for even more stray animals in need.

Soi Dog Foundation is located at 167/9 Moo 4, Soi Mai Khao 10, Mai Khao, Thalang, 83110. Tours run 9:30am, 11am, 1:30pm and 2:30pm Monday-Friday and 10am on Saturday. visit www.soidog.org

12 DINING

Xana Beach Club Brunch

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

Mission Impossible, no, Mission Accomplished!

THE CULINARY DETECTIVE Chris Watson chriswatsonth@gmail.com

The essence of brunch for me is all about trying small portions of many dishes over a lengthy period without reaching capacity

L

iving in such an idyllic location as Phuket with all it has to offer, I do believe that from time to time, we can become a bit critical of the island’s shortfalls. The longer we live here, the more we take for granted the everincreasing number of options of activities to delight and distract us from the everyday grind. One of these is the hotel brunch. Now an integral part of island life, catering for both holidaymakers and island residents, both retired or indeed gainfully employed.

In our quest for the ultimate brunch, we seek out establishments which offer the largest selection of premium imported products, high end bubbles, inevitably poured free flow, served up in an attractive location with of course live entertainment; not forgetting, not wishing to offend our readership, at a value for money price point. I really don’t envy our community of somewhat unfortunate Hotel General Managers and their Executive Chefs in what I would succinctly describe as Mission Impossible! So, when Michal, the General Manager of Angsana Laguna generously invited me to experience their recently revamped and relaunched brunch at Xana Beach Club, my resulting expectations were super high. I ensured

Freshly cut Tuna

Roti Chef working her magic that my breakfast that morning was restricted to coffee and looked forward to see what surprises might be in store.

Xana is located beachside in an open pavilion with carefully positioned cooling fans offering a spectacular vista looking out over sandy beaches to the open seas beyond. A swimming pool is ideally situated close by, providing parents with overactive children an opportunity to have some ‘us’ time whilst their offspring can safely tire themselves out for the car journey home.

An elevated stage is occupied by a local trio playing classic vintage live music of the timeless Commodores, Eagles and Creedence Clearwater Revival genre; at just the right level to create unobtrusive background ambience.

Seated, I survey the scene; the beach and terraces are literally packed with live food stations and static arrays of every possible food you can imagine.

The only word that comes to mind is abundance or perhaps, if such a word exists, superabundance! I begin with a visit to a salad section overflowing with bowls of crunch and colour and then head for fresh seafood including rock lobster, prawns and a deliciously moist salmon en croute with tarragon sauce.

On my next visit, I keep it simple with several plump Fine de Claire oysters served with piquant mignonette. Adjoining the seafood station, I meet Khun Joy who is lightly pan searing deliciously translucent Hokkaido scallops until they have a light caramelized coating. I grab two and move on. Although my plate is a tad overcrowded, I manage to find room for a little Indian butter chicken and dahl but sadly cannot manage to squeeze in a chicken keema bun, conscious that staff may be watching me! During a visit to the roti stand, I chat with Khun Wannee, Head Chef of Baan Talay, the hotel’s signature Thai restaurant. She is assisting with fresh pad thai and som tum. However, the headline of this plenitude of cuisines is undoubtedly a whole tuna

from the Maldives which is ceremoniously delivered and expertly carved for tacos, sashimi, sushi and tataki. Truly a stunning visual experience. There are just too many dishes to comment on although the wagyu ribeye from Australia I select, carefully placed and cooked on the open grill is a memorable favourite. Throughout the afternoon, smiling service staff, too many names to acknowledge, are without exception, friendly and attentive, clearing plates, offering beverages and recommending what we should try next.

The essence of brunch for me is all about trying small portions of many dishes over a lengthy period without reaching capacity and whilst this is certainly provided for, I have failed in adhering to this maxim. I spy a must try super crunchy crispy pork which is moist and juicy. There is even a burger station for those inclined. On one of my final trips to replenish, I pass three smartly uniformed ladies from the hotel spa who are offering complimentary 10-minute massages to further relax the clientele. Michal, you and your team have certainly thought of everything!

An array of desserts is equally impressive with a clever offering of somewhat Thai, ice cream sticks to refresh. I even see a popcorn stand, popular with adults and kids alike.

For those not in the know, Xana is actually a character in Spanish mythology, a creature of extraordinary beauty, believed to live in pure water rivers, a beneficial spirit offering rewards and promise of treasures, however I suspect that in reality, Xana was named after the latter pronunciation of Angsana.

I though prefer to believe the former; ‘extraordinary treasures’ neatly sums today up for me!

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

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

ENTERTAINMENT 13

So I heard you like Bad Boys?

Bad Boys II seemed hard to top, but they have done it!

Bad Boys for Life is the best instalment in the franchise to date new-breed cops that you can easily see continue to move this franchise along for the next few years.

Bad Boys For Life is a film that is going to be adored by the original fans of this franchise. The magic, the style and the charisma all returns with a storyline that goes above and beyond what any of us could have hoped for.

Cast all the doubts aside because this is action cinema at its very finest.

4/5 Stars.

I

David Griffiths

s there a more terrifying word in Hollywood than reboot? Well if you are serious movie fan who adores the movies and television shows of the 1980s and 1990s I would certainly say no. It didn’t take Hollywood long to realise that there was still money in recreating the fan favourites of the past but as the recent animated version of The Addams Family showed these reboots rarely capture the magic of the originals.

It’s for that reason so many people have been nervous about the release of Bad Boys For Life. For an entire generation of film fans Bad Boys and Bad Boys II are the epitomes of what a good action film should be. A semi-believable storyline, great action sequences, lead actors who ooze charisma and a witty script that knows when it is okay to allow a laugh or two.

Whenever the mention was made that Bad Boys III was in the works people almost treated it as blasphemy and then as more than a decade passed it seemed less and less likely that it would ever happen. But now, fifteen years after the last film in the franchise, Bad Boys For Life hits cinemas and I am happy to say that it bucks all trends and gives us what well could be the best instalment in the franchise to date.

In fact I may have just accidentally nailed why this movie works so well.

While it is technically a re-boot, such is the feel of the movie it just seems like it is simply the third film. Nothing is re-set here, the action just starts up fifteen years after Bad Boys II. Detectives Mike Lowery (Will Smith) and Marcus

@thephuketnews

Burnett (Martin Lawrence) still patrol Miami with wit and charm, bringing the bad guys down with their own way of Policing. However, things change forever when Marcus starts to think about retirement after becoming a grandfather and a cold-blooded assassin shows up in town with Mike in his sights.

The first thing that hits you about this film is the ability that directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah have with incorporating the new with the old. The opening sequence from the film is a homage to the first film and while Mike and Marcus have not changed at all they fit in extremely well with the new characters including Kelly (Vanessa Hudgens) and Rita (Paola Nunez).

From there the film remains aimed at the original fans of the franchise – it is adult orientated and never once does it feel like the film is even slightly slanted at trying to attract a younger audience.

You also begin to realise that these filmmakers also know a thing or two about how to make good action films.

The duo have cred from their awardwinning film Black and with Bad Boys For Life they take the bigger budget and run with it without over-awing their audience. They seem to mirror what the young Michael Bay did with the first two films and infuse a believable cop story with elements of action without over-doing it to the point that belief has to be suspended. There is also a great plot twist here that suits the story and like other major plot points in the film contains true heart.

Perhaps the most important thing for the film though is that the amazing chemistry between Smith and Lawrence returns. Sure Smith has delivered some terrible films over the years (and Gemini Man is still fresh in everyone’s minds) but here he is back at his stunning best. He mixes comedy, action and drama at will and better still gets to bounce off the amazing timing of his good buddy Martin Lawrence. And yes, despite the naysayers before this film was released... Lawrence still has it.

The two stars are also well-supported by the rest of the cast. Kate del Castillo often steals the show playing the very Bond-villain like Isabel Aretas while Nunez, Hudgens, Happy Jackson and Charles Melton play the kind of

David Griffiths has been working as a film and music reviewer for over 20 years. That time has seen him work in radio, television and in print. You can follow him at www.facebook.com/subcultureentertainmentaus

14 ENVIRONMENT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

Water, Water, Everywhere: Part 2

The hydrophyte guide to accent plant cultivation and care in the garden GREEN THOUGHTS Patrick Campbell

I

n our last instalment, we looked at the ubiquitous lily and lotus and the large impact they have on Thai society. Smaller but equally valuable as a water margin plant and much easier to find in garden centres, is its relative, Cyperus Alternifolius. Sometimes known as the umbrella plant, it hails from Madagascar and has somewhat broader, grass-like leaves gracing the top of each stem.

Both are what Americans like to call “accent plants”, and provide a contrast to surface-hugging plants such as water-lilies, or floaters such as water lettuce or water hyacinths. I have a cyperus growing at the edge of my fish pond and a couple in large pots keeping company with guppies and Mexican swordtails which hide in its ample roots. And it will grow more-or-less anywhere.

Another familiar sight on Thai forecourts is the Water Canna or Thalia Geniculata, an upright foliage plant, often with attractive red stems, and large bright green, lanceolate leaves which appear lower down the growth. The clusters of tiny flowers are purple with white spots and dangle from the ends of

Burhead. Photo: IPM Images these long stalks. For aesthetic reasons, they should be removed. Thalia can take the full sun of a patio, but will also survive in permanently moist soil or at the edge of your fish pond where it will add height to existing foliage. Leaves tend to go yellow at the edges, particularly if short of water. Thalia will germinate from seed or can be divided at the roots. An “accent plant” with a difference.

Earlier the water lettuce and water hyacinth, both “floaters” were mentioned in passing. Consider carefully before growing either of these because they can become invasive. Indeed in

Water Canna. Photo: NetPlantsFinder some parts of the developed world, they are considered an environmental hazard. Better that they are cultivated in a confined space where they can be controlled.

The water hyacinth (Eichornia Crassipes) is so named because it produces lilac-hued spikes of hyacinthlike blooms above bulbous, air-filled stems. The flowers look attractive in a confined space. The free-hanging submerged roots are purplish-black, the stiff oval leaves a deep green. One of the fastest growing of plants, it reproduces by means of stolons or runners which form new plants. Because of its extremely rapid growth, it can colonise and dominate a stretch of water in days, carpeting the entire surface and killing off other aquatics. The water hyacinth also has some commercial value in Asia: its fibrous roots are used to make up-market, woven furniture. This needs to be exploited.

Eichornia is a bit more exotic than the humble water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) which also floats, but produces no flowers of any significance. In similar fashion, its emerald green, deeply pleated rosettes of leaves sprout from roots trailing below the surface. These lie more-or-less flat when there is plenty of surface room, but if the rosettes are close together in a pot, they will become more upright in habit. Pistia reproduces by means of offsets: these can be removed to start a new colony elsewhere.

If grown in garden ponds, both these “floaters” provide some shelter for fish, and the capacity to remove some impurities from the water. But they should not be allowed to cover the entire surface: they will need to be periodically culled, and to have their dead leaves removed - before they de -oxygenate the water.

The water chestnut ( trapa bicornis) is probably a better choice for the small garden. Another “floater”, it looks neat with flat, diamond-shaped, leaves which form an attractive rosette above the submerged fruit. These hard brown fruit, which resemble the horned head of a bull – hence the botanical name contain a large starchy nut considered a delicacy, especially among the Chinese.

Submerged, these fruits can be used to propagate new plants. In the wild, the fine roots may extend for three or four metres, anchored in the mud at the bottom of the pond or slow-moving stream.

Trapa is happy in strong sunlight and since it is less invasive than the water lettuce, it looks good in a container.

As kids, we always referred to this aquatic as the bulrush - though I am not sure why. A tall and unusual plant, it grows at the edge of ponds and waterways, even tolerating brackish locations. It has a huge climatic range ( hardy to zone 3), yet can even be found in water-filled troughs atop Bangkok’s penthouses. With its ramrod straight stems, masses of stiff, narrow leaves and remarkable brown flower spikes (which look a bit like an elongated sausage), it is becoming a fashionable component in exotic planting. Unsurprisingly, it is much sought after as an element for floral arrangements, since the statuesque stems and textured pistillate spikes are not only unique but last a long time when dried. Since Typha is very vigorous and will grow quite tall – maybe two metres – it does well at the margins of lakes and other large stretches of water. You will need a sizeable garden pond to accommodate it. The rhizomes will not tolerate more than a foot of water.

Also worth a mention are two lesser known aquatics. One is the Asiatic pennywort (centella), a marsh-dweller that appears from nowhere in moist conditions, its seeds often dispersed by water fowl. Its small, shiny circular leaves will, given the chance, carpet over whole areas of water or damp soil. Used for eons as a medicine for everything from skin disorders to blood impurities, it is now marketed commercially as a juice in Thailand.

Finally the Burhead (echinodorus) .

This is a personal favourite which has dark, deeply veined leaves and dainty white flowers which are arranged in whorls at intervals along bare stems.

Sometimes known as the water plantain, it grows naturally in shallow ponds and marshes, but has become popular both as an aquarium plant and as a favourite in spas where it is usually grown in decorative pots. Aren’t they all…

Patrick has been writing for ten years about gardening in Phuket and allied topics. If you have horticultural or environmental concerns, please contact him at drpaccampbell@gmail.com. Many of his earlier creative and academic publications can be found at Wordpress: Green Galoshes. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CULTURE 15

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

Sticky rice containers. Photo: Bangkok Post

Bamboo baskets are ideal for making merit. Photo: Bangkok Post

Woven through the fabric of society

Thailand’s long tradition of wickerwork proves both enduring and endearing

W

ickerwork is one of the oldest practices that mirror the lifestyle and traditions of Thai communities. It displays the Stainless creativity and craftsmanship of our steel conancestors in converting the raw materials available at hand into equipment so tainers beautiful and functional that it remains can never completein use to this day. Basketry is a source of ly replace bamboo profound knowledge, greater than what one can find containers because in books. Despite the wide range of products made from plastic and stainless steel available to us nowathey do not render days, woven tools remain practical and even essential the feel of authentic- in the everyday lives of man.

One of the most familiar and significant examity. Traditional Chiples of Thai wickerwork can be found in Chanthanese dishes deserve boon or Chanthaburi. Chanthaburi province is the to be presented in largest hub of sedge, or kok, products in the country.

In the olden days, every household would have the original form. had sua Chanthaboon mats, which were laid on the floors throughout the house: in the bedrooms, common rooms, kitchen and rest areas. The mats were available in all shapes and sizes, and were foldable, lightweight and durable. They could also be made into table mats, place mats and carryalls.

Kok mats are now made in parts of Isan as well.

But sua Chanthaboon are still the most popular, with new lines of products and designs being introduced regularly to attract buyers.

Northern hilltribe people make toke (raised trays) and small stools from woven rattan. In the past, their houses did not have raised floors, as the ground soil helped retain heat and keep the houses warm. The cooking area and stoves were all on the ground. Thus, they wove small stools to provide some convenience for the womenfolk, giving them something to sit on when cooking or stitching.

They also wove rattan to make big toke for putting food and dishes on.

Family members sat on small stools around the toke at mealtimes. Rattan is durable. The longer it is in use, the softer it becomes. Rattan toke and stools were once popular in Bangkok, which allowed the hilltribes to earn extra income. Nowadays, they are better off economically so they no longer make rattan toke and stools for sale, but still make them for their own use.

Bamboo containers are commonly used for steamed dishes like dim sum.

Along the Andaman coast, having dim sum for breakfast is common. Mini bamboo baskets remain in use in most Bamboo baskets. Photo: Bangkok Post shops.

Suthon Sukphisit

@thephuketnews

Containers for steamed mackerel must be made from bamboo. Photo: Bangkok Post Stainless-steel containers can never completely replace bamboo containers because they do not render the feel of authenticity. Traditional Chinese dishes deserve to be presented in the original form. Steamed buns just look more palatable when served in bamboo baskets.

If there are two shops selling buns in the same area, with one using bamboo baskets and the other using stainlesssteel containers, I would wager that the bamboo one would attract far more customers.

Wickerwork is extremely important to the traditional lifestyles of Isan, especially food-related activities. People use bamboo strainers to filter boiled fermented fish liquid. A loosely woven bamboo cone called a huad is used to steam g ­ lutinous rice. When done, the rice is spread in a kradong (ricewinnowing basket) to cool down before being put in a bamboo container called a kratip. The kratip helps keep the rice warm. Kratip containers come in attractive designs and various shapes and sizes.

A lot of useful equipment such as fishing gear, chicken coops and cages can be woven. Bamboo basketry is best for this. Interestingly, you can find tools like this made in any region of the

Sticky rice steamer pots and baskets. Photo: Bangkok Post country sharing similar designs.

Some may feel that woven baskets are outdated, and prefer plastic bags or cloth bags for carrying groceries. However, woven baskets would still be the preferred option when going to the temple to make merit, where plastic baskets would look out of place. There are countless woven items out there. They have long been part of our society and will remain useful in the future.

Bangkok Post

16 COMMUNITY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

It’s the leash you could do Leash training your dog made easy UNLEASHED Russell D Russell info@k9pointacademy.com

The common mistake people make, is to purchase a body harness for their dog...believing they will not “choke them self blue” when going for a walk.

Photo: The Puppy Institute

M

ost of us have this idea of going for a walk with our dog, where our dog is walking calmly by our side, enjoying the walk as much as we are. The reality can sometimes be that we’re being dragged down the road at a rate of knots, with zero enjoyment for us as owners in this seemingly one sided game of tug of war.

Dogs usually pull on their lead because they are curious, and they want to explore. Perhaps they are excited by something they have seen, or attracted by a scent in their nose - but often it is the royal WE, as owners, that are reinforcing the unruly behaviour without realising it. If you study yourself, you may find that the harder you pull back on the lead, the harder your dog pulls away.

The common mistake people make, is to purchase a body harness for their dog. The idea is an assumed kindness to their pet believing there is no pressure on the collar and neck, and thus the dog will no longer “choke himself blue” when going for a walk. The unfortunate reality is this exacerbates the pulling problem. The body harness encourages the dog to pull and often we allow them to do so, because we know they are not being choked. The result is the dog is only learning to pull away, and drive forward, not to walk calmly with you.

So what do we do…?

The best way to stop your dog pulling is to prevent the pulling from becoming a habit in the first place. Even a young puppy can learn to walk calmly on a lead.

Take him out for a walk, in a distraction free environment to start with and as soon as he forges ahead and

Photo: Debra Horwitz, DVM, DACVB the lead becomes tight, you stop and let him come back to you. When he does, you reward with praise and treats. Continue walking when the lead is loose, and also reward any attention your puppy gives you, but if the lead goes tight, you stop.

Its important to praise and reward the coming back to you, but equally to praise and reward walking calmly next to you. Once your pup starts to get the idea, you can gradually increase the levels of environmental distraction so that he learns to walk with you, regardless of what is happening around him.

It takes time, and also patience, and your early walks may be rather stop start affairs, but its worth putting in the time now, so that your dog learns that calm walking is what gets him rewarded.

Clicker Training is a hugely powerful technique which works wonders with such behaviours, not just with puppies, but adult dogs too. In addition, its also a good idea to wait in a specific area at the start of your walk to let your dog relieve himself.

Over time, he’ll learn that the walk only begins once he’s been, which will make him eliminate faster. If you’re really struggling with a super strong, pulling dog, there are several training aids which may be useful. The head collar, which loops around the dogs neck and jaw, and works on the principle that where the head goes, the body will follow. If your dog pulls, the head collar will turn his head to the side so that he cannot pull forward. The dogs soon learn that pulling does not allow them

Photo: Blue Buffalo to go where they want to go.

Other training collars are available that have been specially designed to compress gently around the dogs neck when they pull, simulating a ‘nip’ that the dogs mother may give him. Any training aid is designed to make it clear to our dogs that certain behaviours don’t work, but others, such as walking calmly next to us, is super rewarding and fun!

For more information on canine training, or behavioural issues, please to contact us on 091 654 1960, email info@k9pointacademy.com, or check www.k9pointacademy.com. CPA is the only K9 organisation in Thailand accredited with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), and as an American Kennel Club (AKC) Evaluator.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

EVENTS 17

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

Australia Day 2020: Message from the Ambassador Allan McKinnon PSM, Australian Ambassador to Thailand.

The Phuket News editor1@classactmedia.co.th

A

ustralians celebrated their national holiday, Australia Day, earlier this week on January 26th. To mark the occasion, Australian Ambassador to Thailand Allan McKinnon PSM has provided a special message to all Aussies with a special connection to Phuket.

Sawasdee krub!

On the occasion of Australia’s National Day, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to the Kingdom of Thailand and the Thai people.

This year’s Australia Day comes after months of bushfires, which have devastated our land, wildlife and people. As Australia’s Ambassador, I have been overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of support and assistance from the Thai community, and the Australians living in Thailand. This generosity reflects the warm bonds between Australians and Thais, nurtured over many decades of exchanges and cooperation.

I would particularly like to say a big ‘Thank You!’ to the people of Phuket for their support. Khun Bhummikitti, President of the Phuket Tourist Association, visited my residence on Thursday, 23 January to present a cheque of almost a million baht for bushfire relief activities. This money was raised by the recent fun run and other fundraising in Phuket. Phuket people have a big heart! Khun Bhummikitti also presented me with ‘Nong Joong’, the Phuket mascot.

@thephuketnews

With Australia’s national bushfire recovery efforts well underway, I urge the Thai people to continue visiting, studying, travelling and investing in our beautiful country. Australians are resilient people, and with the support of friends like Thailand, we will recover and rebound.

Our people-to-people links are strong and enduring. 800,000 Australians visit Thailand every year, while there are almost 20,000 Thai students enrolled in Australian education facilities. Under Australia’s flagship New Colombo Plan, over 1,300 Australian students have studied in Thai universities, forging special connections between the next generation of Australians and Thais.

In 2019, Australia and Thailand’s relationship grew across trade and investment, defence and security, education, agriculture, migration and law enforcement. Thailand’s investment in Australia has grown to almost AUS$7 billion, funding new projects in energy, sugar, hotels and other areas. And there are more than 200 Australian companies in Thailand.

We expanded cooperation on important security issues, including the launch of the ASEAN-Australia Counter-Trafficking Initiative, and the signing of the Australia-Thailand Memorandum of Understanding on Cyber and Digital Economy Cooperation.

We increased the number of Working Holiday Maker visas available to Thais from 500 to 2,000 per year.

Australia congratulates Thailand on a successful year as ASEAN Chair in 2019. Thailand’s legacy will be the adoption of the ASEAN Outlook on the

Indo-Pacific, whose vision for a peaceful region Australia shares, and the finalisation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which will enhance regional economic integration and openness.

A range of high-level visits in 2019 underscored the momentum in the Australia-Thailand relationship, including visits by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Marise Payne and Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Simon Birmingham. In 2019, Australia was honoured to host visits

by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn. In 2020, Australia looks

forward to visits by Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army General Apirat and Chief of Defence Forces General Ponpipaat.

When our two Prime Ministers met in November, they indicated their intent to elevate our already rich relationship to a Strategic Partnership, which will see greater political oversight and even stronger levels of cooperation.

I look forward to working with our friends and colleagues in Thailand to elevate our already rich relationship to an even higher plane in 2020.

I wish everyone a happy Australia Day. Allan McKinnon PSM Australian Ambassador to Thailand

18 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

DESTINATION MAI KHAO’S BIGGEST AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS HAS HEART IN THE RIGHT PLACE Destination Mai Khao Beach Group hosted Phuket’s Biggest Australia Day Celebrations at the M Beach Club last Sunday (Jan 26). Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana, with his wife, Mrs. Sittinee, and Vice Governor Wongsakorn Noochukhan gave a bouquet to Australia Consul-General in Phuket Matthew Barclay while more than 300 Australian expatriates, Phuket residents and distinguished guests enjoyed the day together. Live entertainment was provided

by Phuket Live Radio 9.5 FM DJ Jason Wilder and the ‘Colin illy Hill’ band. The event also raised B191,793 to be donated to the Australian Salvation Army in support of communities affected by the recent bushfires down under.

Australia Consul-General Matthew Barclay and Vice Governor Wongsakorn Nunchukan.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

ISLAND SCENE 19

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

John, Andrew, Martin, Simon

Barbara, Leica

Zara, Gren, Graeme, Nicholas

Brendan, Matt, Anthony

AUSTCHAM CELEBRATES AUSTRALIA DAY WITH PHUKET SUNDOWNERS The Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) and the Australian Consulate General Phuket held their “Australia Day Phuket Sundowners” at SALA Phuket Resort, Mai Khao Beach on Jan 24 to celebrate all things Australian. With over 150 people in attendance, the event was great sucess. AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE – Oi Oi Oi!

March (right) from Paresa Resort stopped by.

Se from Diamond Resort Phuket with a goody basket for Jason.

Fon (centre) with Su and Mook from Thanyapura.

Anchalee Tephabutr and featured artists.

TINLAY ART EXHIBITION 2020 More than 50 art lovers attended the opening of the Tinlay Art Exhibition 2020 at the Tinlay Art Studio & Gallery in Cherng Talay on Tuesday (Jan 21). In attendance was Anchalee Tephabutr, who officially opened the exhibition. Featuring the artwork of nine painters and photographers, the exhibition runs until Mar 21. @thephuketnews

CLASS ACT MEDIA AND IMAGE ASIA WELCOME MORE VISITORS Pleased to see our lovely visitors from Diamond Resort Phuket, Paresa Resort Phuket and Thanyapura this week. We always welcome visits from people in Phuket and throughout Thailand and the International community. Come see us soon! Thanks again!

20 EVENTS

FRI

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

31 JAN

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. 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, flavour-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.

SAT

1 FEB

SUN

2 FEB

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

Love & Music, Blue Tree style! Not only you can find the perfect combination of a boho, chic and hippie vibes at Tree House Phuket, but delicious cuisine, perfect for sharing with friends. STAYALL-DAY with lots of fun in the sun and games on the beach. 1,800THB++ per person - includes Rider access to Blue Tree Lagoon. 900 THB++ KID* 5-12 - includes free flow of juice and Rider access to Blue Tree Lagoon. +66076602436.

Sunday Roast All Day, All Night 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.

Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach. 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 Flavoured 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, Kata Beach 076333-370 Karon 076-286-479.

Xana Sunday Brunch

An extraordinary weekend with XANA Sunday Brunch at Angsana Laguna Phuket, spend quality time with friends and family, enjoying a one of a kind Sunday brunch on a perfect day of sunshine by the ocean at XANA Beach Club. Every Sunday from 12.00 to 15.30 hrs. Call 076 358 500, E: fbreservation-lagunaphuket@angsana.com

L’Aperitivo Italiano

Mussels night @ Shakers

From 18.30 to 21.00 for Baht 490+. Free flow of Italian Sparking - red and white beverages with pass around Cicchettis (Italian Tapas). L’Opera, L’Opera, Laguna Road, pnesi@loperagroup.com,076 271 430, 095 468 2248.

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.

Phuket Street Food Buffet At Seedlings Restaurant

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

Wednesday & Sunday l 18:30 – 21:00 Experience the culinary diversity of a Street Food Market and enjoy authentic local dishes representing the best of Phuket and Southern Thai cuisine. Price: THB 499 net per person.

For more information please contact: 076 271 888.

MON

3 FEB

081 891 4381.

SALIM KHOURY IS BACK AT THE NAI HARN

Find him Wednesday until Sunday at Cosmo Bar from 12.00-03.00 pm & 06.00 - 10.00 pm and try his signature drinks or have a drink prepared just the way you like it. Salim is available for a masterclass on Thursdays and Saturdays between 01.00-03.00 pm for just THB 1,000 net per person.

Choose two drinks from our extensive drinks list and learn how to make them like a pro. For more information please call +66(0)7638 0200.

High Tea@ChaoFah served with free Day Pass to fitness and pool

HighTea @ChaoFah serves more than 10 options of selected teas, delightful cream sandwiches, home-made warm scones with all the trimmings and truly Peranakan specialties. in the surrounding décor of exquisite Sino-Portuguese architecture. Every Saturday and Sunday from 2-5pm and special on Sunday, nice music from Annie Guzheng.

Free for children under 12 years with complimentary day pass to fitness and swimming pool. RSVP +66 76 338 699.

Ramada Plaza Chao Fah.

All you can eat BBQ night

BOHO BEACH BRUNCH

BOHO BEACH BRUNCH EVERY SUNDAY | TREE HOUSE BEACH LOUNGE | 12PM-4PM For those who never knew and for those who never forget: step back to a time of Peace,

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. thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

TUE

EVENTS 21

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

4 FEB

FRI

7 FEB

Texas Scramble. Members of Laguna Golf - THB 2,000, non-members - THB 4,000, includes gree fee, caddie fee, on-course nibbles & refreshments at sponsored holes. A % of entry fee will be donated to the fundraising efforts.

Book ASAP - mark@asean-events. com or 061 486 6736.

SAT

ing recent work, a more abstract expression of Phang Nga Bay’s beauty, which intends to encourage the viewer the opportunity to interpret and appreciate a little bit of paradise.” Contact Lies Sol, liesphuket@gmail.com

29 FEB

Hooters THB 100,000 wing-eating

Hooters THB 100,000 wing-eating crown heats up! The next qualifying round of Hooters National Wing Eating Contest takes place at Hooters Phuket on Tuesday, Feb 4. Simply pre-register https://www.eventpop.me/e/7989 or register at the event from 7.00pm to 8.00pm for a chance to compete in this exciting contest. The rules are simple: wing lovers can register in advance or on arrival of the set date, for 299 THB and the contest will be judged by a panel of Hooters Girls. The challenge is to devour 20 breaded chicken wings in the fastest time. Only the first 100 to sign up online or in person will compete from 8:00-9:30pm. The top 20 fastest eaters will be selected for the Grand Final event to be held at Hooters Pattaya on July 3rd, 2020. The wing contest’s next selection rounds will happen at Hooters Sukhumvit Soi 15 on Mar. 6, Hooters Samui on Apr. 3, Hooters Pattaya on May 15 and Hooters Silom on June 5.

THU

6 FEB

Grow Boating Networking Evening

The Grow Boating Networking Evening for February 2020 will be held at the d’deck bar, at the Ao Po Grand Marina on Friday the 7th of February from 5pm. Please contact us if you would like to be our drinks sponsor for the evening. Sponsors receive a generous media package from The Phuket News and can display their products and services on the evening and give a 10-minute presentation on their company. There will be a light buffet sponsored by the d’deck Bar and special prices on your favourite beverages. Come and join in the fun, everyone is welcome. There is no entry fee, just drop your business card or register at the bar. We hope to see you there and if you know anyone you think would be interested in coming please forward this email to them or invite them along. If this email was forwarded to you and you would like join our mailing list please send an email to growboatingphuket@gmail.com

SUN

PIWC Annual Fundraiser 2020

Phuket International Women’s Club (PIWC) Annual Fundraiser is set to be a wild night of Mardi Gras dining, dancing and revelry. The gala will be held at the Firefly Restaurant at the Pavilions Resort on Saturday, February 29 starting at 6:30 p.m. To purchase tickets at 2,500 baht per person for welcome drink, full buffet dinner, silent auction and dancing, contact info@ piwc-phuket.com or www.thephuketnews.com/Phuket-ticket-master.php.

Alternatively, for more information, go to the PIWC website at www.PIWCPhuket.com

EVERY DAY

16 FEB

BACK TO THE 70’S & 80’S EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT

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

Reservations are highly recommended.

You can book either through our website at WWW.TWOCHEFS.COM or find us on Facebook at WWW.FACEBOOK/ TWOCHEFSTHAILAND. Come for the food, stay for the fun! For reservations, call us directly at Two Chefs: Kata Beach 076-333-370, Karon 076-286-479. @thephuketnews

MARILYN BAND’s new exhibition at Mom Tri’s WOK Gallery

Aussie Disaster Relief Golf Fundraiser

Tee times - 9:30am - 1:30pm (Book with Mark ASAP). Format - 4 man

MARILYN BAND, one of Phuket’s most significant artists, invites you to her new exhibition from 30 November 2019 - 31 January 2020, at Mom Tri’s WOK Gallery Kitchen. “…I am present-

The Exotic Fishing Thailand 1.5 Million Baht Tagged Fish Challenge

From Nov 1st to March 1st. Test your fishing skills Phuket and Catch a Monster fish and Monster Prize. 50 tagged fish with 50 prizes valued at over 1.5 Million baht. Anyone can enter for just 1,000 baht in addition to your daily fishing ticket.......... Exotic Fishing Thailand, Phang Nga, exoticfish ingthailand@gmail.com, English 088 379 9377 and Thai 081 199 5922.

DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON

22 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York

1. What was the name of Yuri Gagarin’s spaceship?

2. Who discoved the first antibiotics, penicillin?

3. Which device was invented by Henry Mill?

4. What animal has three hearts?

5. What colour is mollusk blood?

Answers below, centre

SUDOKU

Medium

Across 1. “Piece of cake!”

5. Walk on 9. Flips (through) 14. Diaper cream ingredient 15. “Oh, very funny!”

16. Suggest 17. Not stay put 18. Actress Diana 19. Repress 20. Occult expert 23. Lindsay Lohan’s mother 24. Affect 25. Bedwear, informally 28. Like some airports: abbr.

31. Egg mix 33. DiCaprio, to fans 36. Do together 39. House in Santa Fe? 40. Cataract expert 44. Fruit 45. Godspeed 46. Golf peg 47. More creepy 50. Answer to “Shall we?”

52. Actress Gabor’s first name(s) 53. Top model, Banks 56. Kotter of “Welcome Back, Kotter” 59. Bed expert, perhaps

63. “Yeah”66. Kind of terrier 67. Other 68. Color of ripe corn 69. Appeal for help 70. Government lending group’s 71. Former N.Y.C. hotel 72. A feudal slave 73. Tops, e.g

Delaware 29. ___ T (perfectly) 30. Refrain syllables 32. Electrocardiograph 33. Jennifer of ‘’Selena’’ 34. Swords 35. “Gone With the Wind” family name 37. Mil. authority 38. Nine-to-five Down 41. The first “T” of TNT 1. Take home 42. “Malcolm X” 2. In full voice director 3. Words of 43. Expenditure agreement 4. Dweller on the Red 48. Engraver Sea 49. Canadian whiskey 5. “Comin’ __ the Rye” 51. Most wise 6. Muddy up 54. Woodworking 7. Cry of terror tools 8. Out of sight 55. Bracelet locale 9. Supple 57. Hobbit 10. Gush 58. Pope piece 11. Fitting 59. Greek liqueur 12. Insurance lady in 60. Court hearing ads 61. Table extender 13. Roget’s wd.

62. Dick Tracy’s 21. Salad dressing sweetheart 22. He ruled on Cochran’s motions 63. “Pulp Fiction” star, Thurman 25. Fold 64. Undergoes 26. Outlaw, James 27. Durango or 65. One-two punch

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Vostok 1; 2) Alexander Fleming; 3) The typewriter ; 4) Octopus; 5) Blue

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

3

million US dollars worth of marijuana were sold in the US state of Illinois on the first day of legalisation.

9

percent of all plastics ever made, most of which were manufactured in the past 20 years, have been recycled.

40

percent of all plastics produced is packaging used just once and then discarded.

365

plastic bags are used each year by the average American. The average lifespan of that plastic bag before being discarded is about 12 minutes.

450 .

years are required to break down one plastic bottle in the ground. A plant-based plastic bottle made from hemp, will biodegrade in 48 days.

Source: Uberfacts

The Bubble Pathway. Photo by Amalie Sofie @ QSI Phuket Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th

This week in history January 31, 2020 The United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union will cease in accordance with Article 50 after 47 years of being a member state.

February 1, 1865 President Abraham Lincoln signs the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution to abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.

February 2, 2005 The Government of Canada introduces the Civil Marriage Act legalising same-sex marriage.

February 3, 1961 The United States Air Force begins Operation Looking Glass, and over the next 30 years, a “Doomsday Plane” is always in the air, with the capability of taking direct control of the United States’ bombers and missiles in the event of the destruction

social networking site, is founded

by Mark Zuckerberg.

Mark E Zuckerberg. Photo: C Flanigan of the Stratigic Air Command’s command post.

February 4, 2004 Facebook, a mainstream online

February 5, 1597 A group of early Japanese Christians are killed by the new government of Japan for being seen as a threat to Japanese society.

February 6, 1959 Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments files the first patent for an integrated circuit.

Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

Jobs

NT GE UR Good staff required

(Thai)

Staff required for popular hotel in Patong.

We have several positions available. Great starting salary and lots of extras including commissions. Potential to grow and develop with the business. Must speak English. Great career oppurtunity.

@thephuketnews

CLASSIFIEDS 23 The Phuket News @thephuketnews

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Admin assistant wanted - Part Time

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

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

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

Trades & Services

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

CLEANING SERVICES

CORPORATE SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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, JANUARY 31, 2020

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

MARINE SERVICES

PERSONAL SERVICE

PERSONAL SERVICE

PERSONAL SERVICE

SERVICE

OTHER

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 27

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

Buy & Sell JOBS

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@thephuketnews MEMBERSHIPS

BUSINESSES FOR SALE

Golf Membership

Restaurant for sale

Wanted: Social Media, Blogs

Phuket Country Club. Family membership. Two golf courses. Walk or buggy.

Reduces for quick sale. 300,000 baht plus transfer fee. Alan, paradise11@mac. com, 084 065 7590

Thai food, Sea food restaurant at Karon beach for urgent sale.

1M, George, Karon Beach, georgio spolyno@gmail.com, George 081 088 1451. May 061 891 0243.

Must have excellent social media skills on all platforms. Also looking for blog writer - Email CV - personalassistantphuket@gmail.com

ENT

The Phuket News

Loch Palm Memberships

CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE Reservations Assistant wanted

Nissan X-Trail SUV 2012

Skills - Mother tongue English & excellent written English. Excellent computer skills. Home based. Send CV. personalassistantphuket@gmail.com

This boat is fully equipped for a world tour with electric platform, water maker, solar panel etc..... Very little used never rented B6,000,000, Jean Yves Fievet, 162/10 Danyd Road Moo 3 A Thalang 83100 PHUKET, jyfievet@gmail.com, 0894708926.

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

Project would be eligible for Thailand Board Of Investment approval with 5 year tax breaks. Project calls for the importation / Thai Flagging-Registration of 2 fully operational Pelagic Tuna & Swordfish Longline Vessels currently operating successfully in the Indian Ocean Fishery. Thailand Domestic & Japan Fresh-Chilled Auction Floor Export Markets targeted. Thai Captains / Australian-NZ Pelagic Longline Fishing Masters-Crew Trainers on each vessel with minimum 50% Thailand National Crew. Writer is Australian National Fishing Vessel Manager / Pelagic Longline Fishing Master / Marine Engine Driver / Crew Trainer who has been catching & exporting sashimi grade fish killed by the Ikijimi method to the Japanese Auction Floor since 1978. Advertiser has previously been employed as Chief Engineer on 1 of the vessels to be purchased & been employed as Captain/Fishing Master on the other Vessel to be purchased. It is time to develop the totally undeveloped Thai Flagged Pelagic Longline Fishery. Qualified Investors Post Your Confidential Register Of Interest to; Capt. Brad Durkin - PESCADOR SEAWAY Co., Ltd - P.O. BOX 144, Phuket Post Office, Phuket 83000.

@thephuketnews

PROPERTY WANTED

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

BOATS, YACHTS FOR RENT Oceanis 41 2015 as new

Loch Palm Memberships with share (family) 340,000+1/2 transfer. Call 089 594 4067.

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Allamanda 2 Bed Freehold

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

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

Car rental @fair prices

Low season prices Monthly from 10,000 Baht. Daily from 400 BHT. High Season from 12,000 monthly.

All our cars are in very good conditions at affordable prices. From 10,000 BHT monthly, Stig Johansson, 110/78 Moo 2 T Pa­klok A Thalang 83110 Phuket, stigisaan@gmail.com, 0848474377.

House Wanted in Chalong

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

Mitsubishi Mirage 10/2018

PROPERTY FOR SALE

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

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

COMMUNITY Play Bridge

Come and join our happy group of Bridge players. Whether you are a beginning or champion, you will have a great time with people from many countries.

Didier, 080 142 8122.

MEMBERSHIPS Family membership

Blue Canyon Country Club for sale B550,000 I will pay the transfer. Lars 065758-2520 or email info@laliinvest.se

Loch Palm - Membership

280,000+transfer. Call 083 388 8036 and Thai 089 972 5378.

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Superb large Laguna Townhouse

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

28 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Buy & Sell PROPERTY FOR SALE

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

The Phuket News @thephuketnews

PROPERTY FOR SALE

4 Rai land for sale in Pa Khlok

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

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Superb sea views - Cape Panwa

Unbelievable views over Cape Panwa from every room in this 4 Bed/6 Bath pool villa. Truly a magnificent large property with superb pool deck and entertaining facilities.

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

Sea View Villa on East Coast

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

Luxury Bangla Road

Freehold 60 SQM in Absolute Bangla Suites, very quiet.

Rooftop swimming pool, bar, restaurant and panoramic view of Patong Bay. Bought 8.5MB, sell at 4.5MB. sfrkata37@gmail.com or 081 894 8446.

Secluded Rawai Pool Villa

Secluded Rawai Pool Villa on 1,600 sqm land plot.

A good opportunity to buy a well constructed and maintained three bedroom, two bathroom pool villa in large mature gardens in a very quiet, peaceful cul de sac. This private home of 172 sqm sits on a large plot with a Chanote land title. It is within walking distance from a busy main road with numerous restaurants, bars and assorted retail outlets. Enter through the remote controlled front gate up the 70m long picturesque drive to park in either the double sized covered car port, or double garage, which also has a remote controlled electric door. The teak front door opens into a spacious main living dining area of over 80 sqm. There are marble floors throughout the property. The master en suite bedroom is 27 sqm, the second bedroom is 15 sqm and the third bedroom is 14sqm. The modern, western style kitchen / utility room of 14sqm has a Hafele oven and extractor hood and Smeg electric/gas hob. The room includes a very large side by side fridge freezer, wine fridge, plus a front loading washer drier.

At the front of the villa is a 10m x 4m salt water chlorinated swimming pool with LED lighting. One end of the pool is a Sala with a table and 4 chairs, while at the other end is an outdoor Jacuzzi complete with an ornamental water feature.

The properly is conveniently located close to the following locations:- Saiyuan Road 2 minutes, Friendship Beach 5 minutes, Nai Harn Beach 10 minutes, Ya Nui Beach 10 minutes, Central Festival Mall 30 minutes. B23,900,000, Paul, ptd2505@yahoo.co.uk, 0848384607.

1 Bedroom MaikhaoCondotel

One bedroom condo for profitable investment located at 4 star+ Maikhao beach condotel. 400 meters to the beach.Fully furnished.Full facilities.

Restaurants,bars,fitness room.Rental programme. New,Open from may 2019.

Price only 2700000 baht. +66936149082 fudu@mail.ru 2700000, Feliks Goldburt, 71 Moo 4 Maikhao Thalang Phuket Thailand, fudu@mail.ru, +66936149082.

Beautiful Phuket condo with a view of the islands

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

3 rooms 132 m / 2 with private terrace, 22m pool, 2 bath, aircon, security service, good shopping, private parking and sunrise over the islands every morning.

Fully furnished. Direct From Owner at only B5.3M, jensclausen@yahoo.de +66 0804746609 +49 01738742350.

Villa in Patong prime location

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

Seaview Condo for sale Karon

Luxury Condo for sale 300 m. from the beach. 100 sqm., furnished, parking, 4th floor, foreign freehold, 1 bedr. Long-term rent. Claudio, claudstrey@gmail.com, 0867479292

White sand beach

29 Rai with breathtaking views and 128 meter of white sand beach frontage on Koh Yao Yai , just 20 minutes from Phuket away , secure Chanote tittle , public concrete road , water, electricity and ready to build for sale direct from owner for only 5.5 mln per Rai. Montha, montha_phuket@yahoo.com, 095 0147888.

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.

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

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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) bggvirgo@gmail.com or 089 054 4354, 076 360 943.

1 Bedroom Condo Kata For Sale

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Absolute Beachfront Pool Villa

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Absolute Beachfront Pool Villa, 3 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom, fully serviced. Short Term Rental from 35‘000 THB/Week to 195‘000 Month depend on Season. Long Term on Agreement.

Casa Lagoon Phuket House 4 Rent

We have four houses with AmaZing Lagoon view Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, fully furnished available for short & long-term rental in a quiet area located in Koh Kaew area Phuket 0624236499.

House in Boat Lagoon for rent

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

Boat Lagoon-Only 5 minutes from BIS, 3 bed/4bath. Great for families with kids. Furnished. Longterm (12 months or longer) Available now. 50.000, Claudio, claudstrey@gmail. com, 0867479292.

Super villa for sale

Condo in Patong for Rent

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

Full-furnished studio with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living room, kitchenette, mountain view, and free wifi. 2 Rooms available; 66 sq.m and 88 sq.m. Start from 25,000 THB/month, Jane, social@karonseasand.com, 062 842 4861.

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

Villa Mission Heights Big Pool

CONDO FOR SALE THE DECK PATONG

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

PROPERTY FOR RENT

COMMUNITY

3bed, 3 1/2 bath, 330sqm living, 900 sqm land, very quite aera, 2 km mission hill golf, 6km UWC, 8 km airport. owner finance.

0870608400 engl/deutsch, price is negotiable.

10.9MB, picharly@gmail.com

OCEAN FRONT VILLA

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

Dream Village Phuket house

1 story building for rent

150m2 - Located in Allamanda 1 Laguna Phuket is available for rent. Rent is negotiable especially for long term lease. 096 646 6287.

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

PROPERTY FOR RENT 2-Bed Furnished Kathu House for Rent

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

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

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

SPORT 29

KCC maintains winning run Patong Penguins and Phuket Misfits to battle for finals spot CRICKET Michael Flowers

T

he Phuket Misfits fell to the Kashmiri Cricket Club (KCC) on Sunday (Jan 26) to set them up for a big showdown next Sunday afternoon (Feb 2) with the resurgent Patong Penguins.

After the Penguins comfortably saw off the Goan Panthers in the morning match thanks in large part to the return of Man of the Match Alex Sechiari, 84 not out, the table-topping KCC held off the hungry Misfits to all but secure a spot in the finals with two regular-season matches up their sleeve.

KCC won the afternoon toss and elected to bat in hot and humid conditions with a quick outfield.

During an excellent first over of bowling from Misfits strike bowler Pir Sami, the Misfits were left hanging their heads in shame as they put three crucial catches to ground in a hat-trick of mishaps.

First, the usually reliable Stuart Hamilton, who took

Misfits leading strike bowler Sami Pir (left) went up against the tournaments’ top run-scorer Zahoor Kahn (right) in the afternoon’s feature match. Photo: Anne Suthida the catch of the season last week, spilt one at long-off, then, the following ball, Michael Thomas put one down at cover after his Captain Mudasir Rehman sprinted in towards him. Finally, Ali Kahn dropped another at long-on as the many onlookers jeered from the pavilion at the calamity of the moment.

Within those three deliveries, the spirit of the side was broken as they surely felt they

could not afford to miss those opportunities against such a formidable opponent as this new look and unbeaten 2020 KCC side.

The opening batsman of KCC made the Misfits pay dearly as they dispatched the ball to all parts of the ACG. When Arif Mohammed 51 runs (off 27 balls) was bowled

by Sameer Kahn on the final ball of the 9th Over, KCC had already amassed a 104-run

SEA Games winners get cash bonuses SEA GAMES THE GOVERNMENT HAS PAID THE country’s SEA Games medallists more than B224 million in financial rewards.

Thailand finished third overall, taking home 92 gold, 103 silver and 123 bronze medals at the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines in December last year.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over a welcome party for the Thai contingent at Government House on Jan 23.

Under the government’s National Sports Development Fund’s bonus scheme for SEA Games athletes, a champion received B300,000, a silver winner B150,000 and a bronze medallist B75,000. Coaches and associations of

@thephuketnews

Athletes pose with Prime Minister Prayut Chano-cha at the ceremony. Photo: Bangkok Post the successful athletes also received separate bonuses.

Thailand missed their target of 121 golds.

The Philippines claimed the overall crown with a record 149 golds. Vietnam were second with 98 golds.

Bangkok Post

opening stand.

The assault continued as Captain Imtiyaz Mushtaq 85 (45) regained his form in devastating fashion alongside the tournament’s top run-scorer Zahoor Ahmed 72 (45) not out who played superbly as he carried his bat throughout the innings in the hot conditions.

KCC finished on an impressive score of 235/2 from their allotted 20 Overs as a weary and disappointed Misfits

side returned to the clubhouse for much-needed refreshment.

The Misfits lost the early wicket of Hamilton 4 (3) to Ahsan Ahmed in the second over with the score at 19/1 bringing in the returning Kahn 91 (54) to join Jeremy Bootsy 54 (40) in the middle.

The two put on a stunning 145-run partnership led by Kahn who was struck in the head and responded by smashing the ball to all corners of the ACG, actually breaking the ball at one point!

The partnership was aided in large part to a number of spilt chances from KCC who repaid the Misfits for their own generosity in the first innings.

A tiring Kahn was left with new batsman Sameer Kahn 11 (6) after Bootsy fell to the bowling of Asif Ahmed.

Kahn himself then fell to the extreme pace of Waseem Manzoor (4 Overs, 28/1) as he was left exhausted from his performance, which had the audience thoroughly entertained throughout the 74-minute innings.

Sameer Kahn was the final wicket to fall before Rehman

10 (8) not out and Sami 17 (9) not out continued admirably, yet in vain, as the Misfit fell to a 21-run loss.

Penguins outwit Panthers Earlier in the day, the Penguins defeated the Panthers by 111 runs to keep them in with real hope of a finals berth in three weeks’ time.

KCC Captain Mushtaq was named Man of the Match by the umpire Steve Hackett as KCC moved to four wins from four matches to clearly top the table on 8 points. The Misfits and Penguins are now tied on 4 points with the Panthers still on 0.

The Patong Man of the Match Alex Sechiari, 84 not out, may possibly be available again for next week’s match against the Misfits along with stalwart Jason Robertson who sat out against the Panthers.

This Sunday’s afternoon match, a semifinal type scenario, will quite likely determine who will face KCC in the final.

This Sunday’s big game between the Misfits and the Penguins is at the ACG at 2pm and all are welcome to attend.

30 SPORT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

The world mourns for Kobe

Basketball icon tragically killed in Los Angeles helicopter crash BASKETBALL AFP

T

he t ragic death of basketball icon Kobe Bryant has sent shockwaves throughout the world.

The former Los Angeles Lakers star was tragically killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday (Jan 26) on a rugged hillside in Calabasas, west of Los Angeles in foggy conditions.

His 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven fellow passengers also perished, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officials confirmed. Bryant’s wife, Vanessa was not among those on board.

‘Like a little brother’ Early reports of Bryant’s death sent shockwaves throughout the world, with fellow stars and celebrities expressing disbelief at the news.

Six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan, considered by many to be the greatest basketballer of all time said in a statement Bryant was, “like a little brother” to him who would be remembered as one of basketball’s greatest players.

“I am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe’s and Gianna’s passing,” said Jordan.

“Words can’t describe the pain I’m feeling. I loved Kobe – he was like a little brother to me. We used to talk often and I will miss those conversations very much.

“He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force.

Kobe was also an amazing dad who loved his family deeply – and took great pride in his daughter’s love for the game of basketball.”

Bryant’s death sparked an outpouring of tributes across

During a 20-year career with the LA Lakers Bryant won the NBA Championship five times; he also won Olympic gold twice with the USA and, off-court, an Oscar. Photo: AFP basketball and throughout the world.

“I’m stunned,” wrote Hallof-Fame NBA star Scottie Pippen. “Words can’t even come close to describing it.

Just an incredibly sad and tragic day.”

Ten nis great Mar tina Navratilova added: “Gone much too soon, how devastating to hear of his passing, he gave joy to so many for so long - deep condolences to his family, his friends, his Laker family. RIP Kobe.”

“The NBA family is devastated,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. “For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning.

“He was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game.”

“The world lost a legend today, but the impact and legacy he leaves behind will last forever,” Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, an avid basketball fan, tweeted.

Brazilian footballer Neymar dedicated his second goal in Paris Saint-German’s 2-0 victory at Lille to Bryant,

calling his death “deeply saddening for the world of sport and for all of us - not just for basketball fans but for everything he did for sport.”

Golf super st a r Tiger Woods, whose professional career started the same year as Bryant’s, recalled competitive qualities that echo those of Woods himself.

“The fire,” Woods said of what he most remembered of Bryant. “He burned so competitively hot. He had such a desire to win. He brought it every night.”

‘Heartbroken’ For many there was grief for what he might still have achieved in his post-NBA life.

“Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act,” former US President Barack Obama, another keen basketball fan, tweeted.

“His star was continuing to rise every day and he knew no limits because of his many intellectual and creative talents and desire to give back to others - his passion for the game, for his family and for others

was apparent in everything he accomplished,” former Boston Celtics star Larry Bird said.

Fans gathered to mourn outside the Lakers’ Staples Center arena, where Bryant’s death cast a shadow over the glitzy Grammy Awards.

“Here we are,” Grammys host Alicia Keys said. “Together. On music’s biggest night celebrating the artists that do it best. But to be honest with you, we’re all feeling crazy sadness right now. Because earlier today Los Angeles, America and the whole wide world lost a hero.

“And we’re literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built.”

A billion views Bryant’s death triggered an outpouring of grief in China, where he was beloved by fans, with a hashtag of the news drawing more than a billion views.

Basketball is arguably the most popular sport in China, and Bryant, who blogged for Chinese internet giant SINA in 2009, was among the first American stars to garner a large fan base in the country.

He remained popular in China after his retirement in 2016, frequently engaging via social media with Chinese fans.

Despite China’s preoccupation with a viral epidemic crisis, the hashtag “Kobe passed away” was viewed more than 1.2 billion times on popular Chinese social media platform Weibo, and sparked more than a million posts within hours of the news.

The crash came only hours after the 41-year-old former Los Angeles Lakers icon was passed by current Lakers star LeBron James for third on the all-time NBA scoring list in a game at Philadelphia on Jan 25.

Bryant’s final post on social media had been a tweet congratulating James on surpassing him.

“Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames,” Bryant wrote. “Much respect my brother #33644.”

Five-time champion Bryant was a five-time NBA champion in a career that began in 1996 straight out of a high school and lasted until his retirement in 2016.

He also was a two-time Olympic gold medalist, helping spark the US squad of NBA stars to titles in 2008 at Beijing and 2012 at London.

Bryant bowed out of the NBA in 2016, scoring 60 points in his final appearance before his adoring fans at the Staples Center.

It was a fairytale farewell to a sporting career which had begun two decades earlier.

The son of former NBA player Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the Lakers legend was born in Philadelphia in 1978 while his father played for the 76ers.

The elder Bryant played

from 1984 to 1991 in Italy, giving young Kobe a global worldview as he grew up dreaming of following his dad into the NBA. When his father retired as a player, the family moved back to the Philadelphia area and Kobe began his star turn at Lower Merion High School, where his jersey number 33 was retired.

He decided at age 17 to jump directly from the prep ranks to the NBA, only the sixth player and first guard to make such a leap.

Bryant was selected 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 NBA Draft but they were picking for the Lakers in a deal made before the draft.

At 18, Bryant became, at the time, the youngest player or starter in an NBA game and the youngest winner of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

In 1998, he became the youngest NBA All-Star starter.

In a 1999 campaign shortened by a labour dispute, Bryant started every game for the Lakers and signed a six-year deal worth $70 million.

As the Michael Jordan era ended in Chicago, Bulls coach Phil Jackson wound up joining the Lakers and with sharpshooter Bryant joining dominating inside force Shaquille O’Neal, the Lakers captured three NBA crowns in a row from 2000-2002, returning the team to glory days unseen since 1988.

He remained with the franchise for the remainder of his career, successfully branching out into the entertainment industry following his retirement.

In 2018, he won an Oscar for his animated short film “Dear Basketball,” a love letter to the sport which brought him fame and fortune.

Controversial Folau returns to rugby league with Catalans Dragons RUGBY FR ENCH RUGBY LEAGU E club Catalans Dragons have signed controversial former Australian rugby star Israel Folau, triggering widespread condemnation for hiring a player banned at home for highly publicised homophobic views.

Folau, 30, an ardent Christian and former poster boy of Australian rugby, was fired in May by Rugby Australia over a social media post warning “hell awaits” gay people

and others he considers sinners.

The former dual code Australian international said in a statement released by the Dragons, the only French club playing in the Northern Hemisphere’s 12-team Super League, that he would not be making any further comment on the furore that has seen him end up in France.

“I’m a proud Christian, my beliefs are personal, my intention is not to hurt anyone and I will not be making further public comment about them,” Folau said.

Folau has signed for French club Catalans Dragons. Photo: AFP “I look forward to my return to the great game of Rugby League with the Catalans Dragons,” he added.

The Perpignan-based side’s

chairman Bernard Guasch said they did not support Folau’s “previously expressed and controversial views which are based upon his sincerely held religious belief.”

“We want to give Israel a new opportunity to shine on the pitch,” he added.

The Dragons, he stressed, “do not share or condone those views and we are totally committed to our club and our sport being open and welcoming to everyone.”

Folau reverts to league after reaching a settlement with Rugby

Australia in December over the multi-million dollar lawsuit he had lodged over his sacking.

While he was told he could not return to play league in Australia, the Rugby Football League, the sport’s governing body in Britain, confirmed it could not block the player joining Dragons.

A statement said: “This is a difficult decision, as the RFL places a high value on the sport’s reputation in prioritising inclusion and diversity - and deplores the player’s previous comments.”

AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

SPORT 31 English Premier League 2019 - 2020 Table correct as of Wednesday (Jan 29) Team

MP

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Liverpool

23

22

1

0

54

15 +39

67

2

Manchester City

24

16

3

5

65

27 +38

51

3

Leicester City

24

15

3

6

52

24 +28

48

4

Chelsea

24

12

4

8

41

32

+9

40

5

Manchester United

24

9

7

8

36

29

+7

34

6

Tottenham Hotspur

24

9

7

8

38

32

+6

34

7

Wolverhampton

24

8

10

6

35

32

+3

34

8

Sheffield United

24

8

9

7

25

23

+2

33

9

Southampton

24

9

4

11

31

42 -11

31

10 Arsenal

24

6

12

6

32

34

-2

30

11 Crystal Palace

24

7

9

8

22

28

-6

30

12 Everton

24

8

6

10

28

35

-7

30

13 Burnley

24

9

3

12

28

38 -10

30

14 Newcastle United

24

8

6

10

24

36 -12

30

15 Brighton

24

6

7

11

27

34

-7

25

16 Aston Villa

24

7

4

13

31

45 -14

25

17 West Ham United

23

6

5

12

27

38 -11

23

18 Bournemouth

24

6

5

13

23

37 -14

23

19 Watford

24

5

8

11

21

36 -15

23

of reinforcements as they battle to avoid missing out on the riches of Champions League football for a second consecutive year.

20 Norwich City

24

4

5

15

24

47 -23

17

Difficult window Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s already shallow squad has been hugely impacted by injuries to Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay.

The club’s executive vicechairman Ed Woodward has been the target of fans’ frustrations for his handling of transfers over recent years; he was targeted by disgruntled fans on Tuesday who threw flares and graffitied his home.

United have been in prolonged negotiations with Sporting Lisbon over Portuguese international midfielder Bruno Fernandes and, as of time of press, were confident of getting a deal over the line before Friday’s deadline.

“It is difficult this window – it’s always been. I can’t remember how many good deals that we’ve brought in in January,” said Solskjaer on Tuesday.

“It’s very hard because the clubs don’t want to lose their best players.”

Liverpool’s 16-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table has lessened the need for either side to bolster their squads for a title fight.

City boss Pep Guardiola has stated for the past few months that his club would not do business in January despite a chance to shore up his defence before the Champions League knockout stages.

“Normally the players we could think would be interesting to add something for our squad – clubs are not going to sell them in January,” he said.

Friday 31 Jan

Alexis Sanchez will be returning to Manchester United from his loan spell at Inter Milan at the end of the season. Photo: AFP

Premier League clubs hold fire in January arms race FOOTBALL AFP

P

remier League clubs have until today (Jan 31) to boost their squads but there has so far been little desire for a spending spree from the richest league in the world.

The slump in January spending over the past couple of years shows that the mid-season transfer window is increasingly seen as an undesirable time to do business.

Last year, the total outlay for Premier League clubs in January was £180 million (B7.262 billion) – nearly a third of which was what Chelsea spent on Christian Pulisic, who was loaned back to Borussia Dortmund for the rest of the season.

That was down from a record £430mn splurge in the 2018 mid-season window, when there were a series of big-name moves including Virgil van Dijk, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Aymeric Laporte.

However, the success of those signings has tended to be the exception rather than the rule in a seller’s market in January.

Manchester United are still counting the cost of their lavish outlay on Alexis Sanchez in the same month.

The Chilean is now on loan at Inter Milan, but United are still paying a large part of his wages on a contract with twoand-a-half years left to run. It was confirmed on Tuesday (Jan 28) that he will be returning to his parent club at the end of the season.

Currently fifth in the table, United are desperately in need @thephuketnews

Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change

SPORT

START STOP

EVENT

TEAMS / INFO

st

Cricket

14:00 17:30

T204 - Wellington

New Zealand v. India

Tennis

11:00 12:00

Australian Open

Semi Final – Mixed Doubles

12:00 15:00

Australian Open

Final – Ladies Doubles

15:00 19:30

Australian Open

Semi-Final 2 – Men’s Singles

Rugby Union 21:15 23:15

6 Nations, Cardiff

Wales v. Italy

23:45 01:45

6 Nations, Dublin

Ireland v. Scotland

19:30 21:30

EPL

Leicester v. Chelsea

22:00 00:00

EPL

Liverpool v. Southampton

00:30 02:30

EPL

Man United v. Wolves

22:00 00:00

EPL

Newcastle v. Norwich

22:00 00:00

EPL

Watford v. Everton

15:00 17:00

Australian Open

Final – Ladies Singles

17:00 19:00

Australian Open

Final – Mixed Doubles

6 Nations, Paris

France v. England

Saturday 1 Feb st

Liverpool moved quickly to secure Japan’s Takumi Minamino. Photo: AFP Liverpool’s romp towards a first league title in 30 years has been built on smart recruitment and they moved quickly to activate a £7mn release clause in Japanese international Takumi Minamino’s contract with Red Bull Salzburg in December.

Other clubs have only been forced into the market by injuries.

Tottenham’s search for a striker to fill in for the absent Harry Kane has seen the Champions League finalists reportedly agree a fee of around £27mn fee with PSV Eindhoven for Steven Bergwijn.

‘Serious financial consequences’ However, for all of the wealth enjoyed by Premier League clubs, for some the well has run dry after a series of bad investments.

Everton and West Ham were among eight English clubs to make the top 20 of Deloitte’s “Football Money League” when it comes to revenue.

Yet Everton posted eyewatering losses of £112mn this month, with cost-cutting

needed to avoid breaching the Premier League’s financial fair play rules next year.

West Ham’s perilous position just outside the relegation zone on goal difference is normally one that induces panic buying.

But after a net spend of £214mn on players over the past four years, on Tuesday they announced significant losses for the year to May 31, 2019 and warned of “serious financial consequences” should they be relegated.

Soccer

Soccer

Tennis

Sunday 2nd Feb Rugby Union 22:00 00:00 Soccer

21:00 23:00

EPL

Burnley v. Arsenal

Soccer

23:30 01:30

EPL

Tottenham v. Man City

Cricket

14:00 17:30

T205 - Wellington

New Zealand v. India

Tennis

11:00 14:00

Australian Open

Final – Men’s Doubles

15:00 18:00

Australian Open

Final – Men’s Singles

Sport

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

editor3@classactmedia.co.th

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

Global mourning for Lakers legend Kobe Bryant > p30

PHUKET LENDS BUSHFIRE SUPPORT

‘Aussie Disaster Relief Golf Fundraiser’ confirmed Feb 16 at Laguna Golf Phuket Among the many victims of the Australian bushfires are siblings Jesse and Kiaghan Bellchambers of Batlow, NSW, pictured here in front of the charred ruins of their home. Photo: AFP is a time for anyone to join, but the tee times are filling fast.

GOLF The Phuket News editor3@classactmedia.co.th

T

he devastation caused by the bushfires raging across Australia shows no sign of abating. The effects on the natural landscape, wildlife and human population are profound and heartbreaking. At time of press 34 people have lost their lives, more than 5,900 buildings, including 2,779 homes, have been destroyed and it’s estimated that over 1 billion animals have perished.

Thailand has seen its fair share of disasters over the years, none more so than Phuket. The Australian community has always been quick to step up and do something to support the place they either cherish as a holiday destination or call home.

In an effort to help those affected and suffering in Australia, Mark Cameron from Asean Events has rallied the call for golf aficionados

A member of the Australian Defence Force picks up an injured Koala after it was treated for burns on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, on Jan 14. Photo: AFP and everyone else to come out and support the “The Aussie Disaster Relief Golf Fundraiser.”

This charity initiative is being held at Laguna Golf Phuket course on Sunday, Feb 16 with proceeds being donated via the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Phuket.

The event strives to connect all in the Phuket community and

even encourages Aussies living in Bangkok and Pattaya to unite at the award-winning course for a fun-packed day of golf festivities.

The atmosphere will be fun yet competitive, with four-man teams belting out their shots in a Texas Scramble format event. Tee times start at 9:30am and go all the way through until 1:30pm, meaning there

‘Unanimous support’ Explaining the reasoning for the event, organiser Cameron said, “I kept seeing the disturbing images of what was happening in Australia, none more so than the picture of a scorched and dead Koala. I was heartbroken as it brought back memories of when I was a very small boy and the comforter I had which was a stuffed Koala toy.

“It was then I realised we had to do something, somehow, no matter how small. As an organiser of charity golf events I called out to my online friends and immediately received unanimous support from everyone.”

Laguna Golf Phuket is the perfect venue to stage the event and Director of Golf Paul Wilson confirmed his support immediately, similarly Jason Beavan, General Manager at Class Act Media.

“Hole sponsors” will be distributing nibbles and refreshments on the

course throughout the day. Those who committed to this as soon as the event was confirmed include Captain Hook’s Smokehouse; Irish Times Pub in Jungceylon; Legends Sports Bar; Expat Hotel; The Aussie Bar; Walkabout Bar in Rawai and Captain’s Bar in Laguna, with many more expected to be confirmed in due course.

The fundraising efforts will see a percentage of the entry fee being donated. All fundraising activities on the course and at the clubhouse by way of Mulligans and hole challenges donated and all the proceeds at the end of the day will be handed over to the new Phuket Australian Consul-General Matthew Barclay for distribution through the Australian Chamber of Commerce.

To register your team, book your tee time or confirm your position as a sponsor, please contact Mark Cameron at mark@aseanevents.com or call him directly on +66 614866736.

Game, set and match for BISP’s tennis sensation Ig in Bangkok TENNIS PHUKET’S TARITA “IG” Hongsyok has won her first national title with a straightsets victory in the U10 Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand season-closing Masters.

The tournament took place at the National Tennis Centre in Bangkok from Dec 21-28,

welcoming the top 16 ranked players in each age group, from U8 to U18.

Ten-year-old Ig, a student at British International School Phuket (BISP), cruised her way to the final in the U10 girls’ division and beat her number-two seeded opponent in straight sets in the final, 4-2, 4-1.

A student at the school

since the “Little Ducks” early years learning environment for two- to three-year-olds, Ig has had a successful year with the BISP RPT Tennis Academy. She won three regional tournaments leading up to the Masters, which helped her qualify for the national event.

“Ig has been a part of our programme since the very

beginning and is one of those players who always gives 100% and simply loves being on the court,” commented BISP RPT Tennis Academy Coach Adam Daley. “She is a great role model for our young female players in the school.”

Ig herself was thrilled with her big achievement in the capital. “I never thought

I’d win a Masters event.

I tried my best in every single point,” she said. “I was surprised to see tears in the eyes of my Dad and my coach when I won.”

Fifty BISP tennis players are currently preparing for the FOBISIA Tennis Invitational, on Feb 27-29 at the BISP Tennis Centre.

Lee Blake, BISP

BISP’s Tarita ‘Ig’ Hongsyok after victory in the U10 LTA Thailand Masters. Photo: BISP Media thephuketnews