B2 0
GET SET Sun FOR A SUNDANCE! pattaya
It’s party time on the beach with M&S
i n c o r p o r at i n g pat taya o n e
Mid-monthly digest of news in Pattaya No 1 • 15 December 2014
Chance to win a quality two hour massage
MADE plans yet for how you are going to celebrate Christmas and the New Year? Well, here’s an extra date to put into your diary – December 27 on the beach in Pattaya opposite Mike’s Shopping Mall.
That Saturday evening there will be an amazing array of international deejay talent assembled to help those with energy left to spare to rock the beach.
As part of our launch campaign we’ve decided to give away three pairs of ‘his’ and ‘hers’ vouchers for an invigorating two-hour massage at the classy Oasis Spa in the Chateau Dale complex in Jomtien. This really is a chance for you and your partner to relax in style and be pampered. The King and Queen of Oasis massages combine Thai massage with aromatherapy techniques and are unofficially labelled “stressmanagement” Thai style. The value of each of the three prizes is a little over Bt9,000 per couple. The treatments are priced at Bt3,900 each but when you add the ++ it works out at just more than Bt4,500.
I did a ‘trial run’ and had the King massage which I can thoroughly recommend, writes Dave Buckley. So what do you have to do to win these vouchers? Well, it’s simple, really. Just ask a friend (or take a selfie) to picture you reading this copy of the Pattaya Sun and send it to us. The pictures will be judged on a combination of l Please turn to Page 3
The event is sponsored by this publication in association with the Movers & Shakers networking group who do so much good work to support charities in Pattaya and Bangkok.
Free entrance Photo: Fashion TV
Trial
Sundance is part of Pattaya Countdown 2015, a series of seven nights of celebrations to be held on the beach leading up to a spectacular new year’s eve display featuring 20,000 fireworks.
This is just In-Xanny-ty In recent years the campaign to get British newspaper The Sun to stop featuring topless ladies on Page 3 has stepped up with even the Girl Guides movement getting on the act. We think it’s In-Xanny-ty (pardon the bad pun) and hope that the campaign fails! But, just in case the tabloid paper does give in to the
protests which have been going on for 40-plus years, in future issues we will feature our own Page 3 Ladies such as Xanny Disjad (pictured). We won’t be showing any topless images – just wholesome, good looking girls in attractive poses. We hope readers will approve. Turn to Page 3 to see if we have got it right.
Entrance will be free and Heineken will be available at Bt80 a pint. It should be a great night and the perfect way to shake off the lethargy brought on by overindulgence for Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, the publishers of Pattaya Sun would like to wish every reader a good one and a happy – and prosperous – new year. This was the year when some stability was restored to Thailand after months of political infighting. Let’s hope 2015 continues in the same vein with more tourists realising Thailand is still a fun place to visit.
out to launch
Oh no – not another newspaper in Pattaya! If that is your reaction to seeing this publication we have some sympathy. But The Pattaya Sun is not going to be just another publication. Our aim is to produce a tabloid that will grab the attention of readers and provide a welcome monthly digest of what’s been happening here in Fun City. Yes, that’s right this will be monthly. We don’t know how guys manage to come out on a weekly basis and keep it interesting. Big, big thanks to the people at the Pattaya One website (spot the similarity in the logo?) who have let us use some of their stories.
watch this space for upcoming promotions from Nelson’s Autohaus (Thailand) Authorized BMW Dealer of BMW Thailand for Pattaya and Chonburi
A BMW is closer than you think Visit us at https://www.facebook.com/NelsonsAutohaus or call (+66) 038 288 858 and ask for our English Representative
2 • Pattaya Sun • December 2014
Tardy baht bus driver hit me, claims Irishman, 54
golf course memBers pitch in to complain
They say new owners are not honouring their memberships
A group of 32 shareholder members of a Pattaya golf course have filed a police report against its new owners regarding a dispute over memberships which the new owners are alleged to be refusing to honour from the previous owners of the course.
A Irishman has reported an alleged assault by a Pattaya baht bus driver in front of Central Festival Pattaya Beach on Pattaya Second Road. Andrew Boyle, 54, told officers that he had flagged down a baht bus at the front of Walking Street on Pattaya Beach and had told the driver he needed to go back to his hotel in Soi AR in Central Pattaya. Mr Boyle said that the driver of baht bus number 118 stopped for a lengthy period in front of the shopping mall without any explanation which angered Mr Boyle who then told the driver to proceed to his intended destination. An exchange of strong words ensued which led to a physical confrontation, during which time Mr Boyle claims he was punched in his face once, before being left at the location by the driver, who left the scene. Police contacted the Pattaya Baht Bus Cooperative after a search for the bus was unsuccessful. The investigation continues as Mr Boyle recovers from his facial injuries.
The members, consisting mostly of foreign nationals, filed the report against the Phoenix Golf & Country Club, at Huay Yai Police Station. The report states that when the new owners of the golf course took over, they allegedly refused to allow members to continue using their memberships to play at the club, without any prior notice given and later informed them they had to apply for new memberships.
The group claims 1,000 members are affected by this and say they have been told by the course management that they
have to pay Bt200,000 for new lifetime memberships or they can no longer use the course. The disgruntled group are now considering what further action they can take.
A Royal Thai Navy Seahawk Rescue Helicopter was scrambled to Larn Island to assist a Greek tourist who was stuck half-way up a 400 metre cliff-face. Bouras Theodoras, aged 37, decided to attempt to climb the cliff facing Samaer Beach but when he reached half-way he could go no further and could not safely climb down. Rescue services were called but quickly ascertained it was too dangerous to attempt a rescue
so decided to contact a Royal Thai Navy Rescue Helicopter who arrived and plucked Mr Theodoras from the cliff using a winch lowered down from the hovering helicopter in a dangerous rescue. Thanks to the skills of the Thai Navy rescue team, Mr Theodoras was rescued unharmed. He chose not to speak with the press but did thank the Navy Rescue Team for their professionalism and courage.
Helicopter rescues a tourist from cliff-face
Sun
fun in the
When I was five years old my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment. I told them they didn’t understand life. – John Lennon
Win top quality massage for two l From Page 1 inventiveness, unusualness, odd locations and amusement value. We intend to publish the winning pictures and feature them on our web and Facebook sites so please do not submit a picture that might cause some embarrassment. The lucky winners will be announced in the next issue of this newspaper due out in the middle of January. Send your pictures to info@ thepattayasun.com. Good luck!
Xanny leads the way Page
Three Lady
We thought we would start off our Page Three Lady feature with a picture of the Thai miss who is a familiar face to the many who are fans of Facebook. Xanny Disjad has literally thousands of followers. Xanny needs several Facebook accounts to cope with the sheer number of folk keen to see her. If you like what you see (and who doesn’t?) you can see and discover a whole lot more about her by visiting the website – www.xannydisjad.com. Think you have the looks that merit being in our Page Three Lady slot? Contact dave@thepattayasun.com attaching a recent photo and if we think you have got what it takes to be in this slot we will get back to you to either arrange a photo shoot or ask to use the picture you sent. Pattaya Sun • December 2014 • 3
Sun
IT MADE US SMILE
pattaya
The Sun shines! Welcome to this the first issue of the Pattaya Sun. We hope that you like what you see and that you will welcome having your information delivered in a classic tabloid newspaper style. Let’s kick off as we mean to carry on ... with a bit of honesty. Yes, of course, this is heavily modelled on the British tabloid papers of yesteryear. As a friend of the publisher once said: He would prefer a good copy to a bad original. So we trust we have provided a good copy. Is our news really new? It’s intended to provide a digest of the news you may have missed over a one month period. But, given that we are reproducing news that has already been on the www.pattayone.net website (with their kind permission), yes, we need to acknowledge that you may have seen some of the stories previously. However, where we really do plan to hit it off with our readers is with our original feature articles. We trust that you will find them entertaining and, if we can help to generate a few friendly barstool debates, even better. Any suggestions about things you would like to see in the new Pattaya Sun are most welcome but, in making them, please consider one thing... the city has other newspapers doing a pretty good job and we are already “aping” them to some extent with our news coverage. Any new features we introduce need to be new. Please send original ideas of what you would like to see to info@thepattayasun.com. Our presentation is not the same as other local newspapers. We want future content to be different, too. Hope you enjoy reading the shining Sun!
Pattaya Sun is published in association with Pattaya Property Consultants, the publishers of Real Estate Magazine – Thailand (REM) and www.pattayaone.net under licence No 5/50/2553. The editor-in-chief is Singhanart Rullapak E: info@thepattayasun.com T: 087 988 0799 W: thepattayasun.com
Entrenched ideas about Christmas if you were to ask me what do I miss about the UK I would probably draw up a fairly short list. My sons’ names would be at the top of it ... and the celebration of Christmas would be fairly close behind. Although there are many positives for me about living here in Pattaya, Christmas does not feature; Thailand is pretty good at celebrating the New Year. But Christmas? Nah!
We have parties here, some put up Christmas trees and buy presents, a lot of good natured folk do things ladies, of course) that comes to help the less fortunate kids close to summing it up. among us. But, the essential In my household there was spirit of Christmas is still an unwritten law: No nastiness lacking, I feel. to anyone on Christmas Day.
Sure, the weather plays a big part. Sitting on or near the beach in 33-degree heat? Well it’s just not Christmas, is it? So what is the spirit of Christmas? And I’m not talking about my mum getting out a bottle of Advokaat (similar to egg nog) and getting through most of it because its yellow colour made it look fairly harmless. There’s a well-worn phrase about goodwill to all men (and
If you are looking for instances of goodwill you need look no further than the 100-yearold example from World War I which seems to have caught many imaginations – that enemies could come out of their trenches to chat, exchange cigars (where did they get them?) and play football with each other conjures up wonderful mental pictures. Yes, that’s the essence and spirit of Christmas. Guys who
the day before and the day after would be trying to kill each other managed to put their differences to one side for one day. Why? Just because it was Christmas. Thailand is not a Christian country so why should Christmas mean much to their citizens? No reason whatsoever. The traffic here on Christmas Day is as busy as any other whereas in the UK the roads will be almost deserted by lunchtime. My Thai wife likes Christmas because she usually gets a nice present. She may be in for a nasty shock this year! Sadly this Christmas will
pass without much fanfare. I had hoped to go back to the UK to celebrate it there, but that plan had to be shelved. Instead I am looking forward to having Christmas lunch with a bunch of good mates. Maybe we can generate some Christmas spirit after all. Or at least get nicely inebriated trying. A good Christmas everyone and a very happy and prosperous new year. I don’t look back on 2014 with that much affection or enthusiasm but I do feel that, as D:Ream once sang, “things can only get better”. Dave Buckley
Some quotes about Christmas Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas – late US President Calvin Coolidge.
I don’t think Christmas is necessarily about things. It’s about being good to one another, it’s about the Christian ethic, it’s about kindness – actress and author Carrie Fisher.
The Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot have a nativity scene in Washington, DC. This wasn’t for any religious reasons. They couldn’t find three wise men and a virgin – TV host Jay Leno.
I’m sure most of us remember being a kid and you have all of this endless time where two weeks before Christmas feels like 10 years. I used to go to bed to try and go to sleep to try and make it go faster – film director Andrea Arnold.
News stories appear courtesy of www.pattayaone.net 4 • Pattaya Sun • December 2014
Pattaya Sun • December 2014 • 5
Jet ski rider detained as two tourists are injured
An Indian tourist was arrested after he is alleged to have lost control of his rented jet ski which left the water at high speed and hit two other foreign tourists sitting on deckchairs on the beach. A Middle-Eastern man and a 55-year-old American sustained injuries. The unidentified MiddleEasterner was seriously injured and suffered suspected neck and spinal injuries and was rushed to hospital. His condition is unknown. The jet ski rider, Mr Anurag, aged 30 (above), was taken to Pattaya Police Station for questioning and they were told that he had rented the jet ski for 30 minutes.
Day-long search for crocodile is successful Following a search lasting more than 24 hours for the elusive crocodile which was spotted in a lake in South Pattaya, it was announced that the two-metre long reptile had been caught. Extra boats were brought in along with water pumps which would have drained the lake if the search had not been successful. Eventually the crocodile, thought to be
aged between two and five years old, was spotted and caught by a group of more than 30 brave villagers and rescue workers. However, they believe that another crocodile may be living in the lake, located behind a Go Kart Track in Soi 9 off the Thepprasit Road, so the searching was due to continue until the villagers are satisfied their fears are unfounded.
man escapes unscathed after pylon falls on car
Out of control crane damages five vehicles A 78-year-old expat was lucky to escape with his life after a street pylon fell onto his car following an out-of-control crane crash in North Pattaya, which saw a total of five vehicles, including a coach, sustain damage.
Swim zone He was seen to enter a swimmers’ zone, on Pattaya Beach opposite Soi 13/4 and appeared to have lost control of the jet ski which then went onto the sand and hit the two beachgoers. Police and waiting for a medical update on the seriously injured man before deciding what action to take against the Indian man. Further investigations into the incident are ongoing.
That’s where I was sitting ... lucky man Albert Finnegan points to the damage on his car caused by the pylon.
The crane, driven by Khun Pragorn aged 29, was proceeding along the Sukhumvit Road towards North Pattaya. He claimed the vehicle suffered a brake failure and to avoid stationary motorbikes at the North Pattaya traffic lights on the Sukhumvit Road, he opted to take a sharp left onto the North Pattaya Road om a bid to steer clear of trouble.
Honest taxi driver returns valuables
A 51-year-old tourist was extremely grateful to a Bangkok taxi driver, when the latter returned a bag full of money and other valuables to him, which he had left inside his taxi. With the assistance of Pattaya police, Khun Wichai aged 53, who had driven Brit Jamie Richardson from the airport in Bangkok to Soi Buakhao in Central Pattaya, was able to return the bag which had been left on the back seat. Khun Wichai stopped on the way back to Bangkok to adjust his
seats and saw the bag. He decided to take the bag to Pattaya Police Station where officers assisted him in locating Mr Richardson who was called to the station to receive back his valuables. The bag contained money, a mini iPad and a smart phone. Mr Richardson showed his gratitude by offering the driver a cash reward which was accepted. Mr Richardson thanked the police for their assistance but reserved special praise to Khun Wichai for his honesty.
An Australian fitness instructor, breathed a sigh of relief after his lost wallet was found by two honest Thai residents who, with the help of Pattaya Police, were able to present the wallet and its contents back to its rightful owner. Khun Pimonrat, aged 31, went to eat with her boyfriend opposite the Avenue Complex on
Pattaya Second Road and noticed the wallet on the floor. She picked it up and found it was full of cash, totalling Bt20,500. Inside was an Australian driving license in the name of Michael J Thornton. She took the wallet to Pattaya Police Station who determined Mr Thornton, 43, had already been to the station to report the item as missing.
And an Aussie gets lucky, too
The crane first hit two cars and two pick-ups and came to rest after it slammed into the side of a BangkokPattaya Coach which was about to turn into the North Pattaya Bus Terminal.
The crane also hit a street pylon in the central reservation which fell onto a Black Ford car driven by Brit Albert Finnegan, who was able to crawl out of his car uninjured despite the pylon falling onto the driver’s side of the car, which was stationary in a traffic jam at the time. No other injuries were reported and police are waiting to confirm the crane suffered a brake failure before deciding whether to take possible criminal action against its driver.
Sun
fun in the
My definition of an intellectual is someone who can listen to the William Tell Overture without thinking of the Lone Ranger. – Billy Connolly
All news stories from www.pattayaone.net 6 • Pattaya Sun • December 2014
Pattaya Sun • December 2014 • 7
films for festive season ++ films for festive season ++ film
sad irony o Ex-Navy SEAL saved many brothers-in-arms before a veteran allegedly shot him
He is credited with being the most lethal sniper in American history with 160 confirmed kills out of 255 probable ones. He once had a bounty of US$80,000 placed on his head. And he met his death – shot, allegedly, by an ex-Marine troubled by post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Does all that sound a little far fetched? The type of thing you might only find in a film script? Well among the on-screen offerings in the near future you will find this man’s true story being unveiled.
The subject of the movie is the late Chris Kyle whose autobiographical book, American Sniper, has been turned into a film of the same name starring Bradley Cooper.
Kyle was a member of the US elite Navy SEAL force and he served four tours in the Iraqi war. He wrote a book about his experiences which upset some elements of the American military who felt the affairs of the SEALs were best kept under wraps. The rights to film the book were snapped up by Bradley Cooper who is probably better known for his roles in comedies such as the Hangover series (No 2 was set in Thailand). Cooper spoke to Kyle just once before the ace marksman met his death in an incident at a shooting range in his home state of Texas. Kyle and a friend, Chad Littlefield, died after taking an ex-Marine suffering from PTSD to the range. The alleged shooter – 25-year-old Eddie Ray Routh – still awaits trial.
Muscle To be convincing in the role Copper had to bulk up and add 40lbs of muscle to his frame. He is also the film’s producer and says of his chance to work with Clint Eastwood, who directs the film: “I’ve wanted to work with him for years. I sent him an audition tape when I tried out for Flags of Our Fathers. Then I tried for Gran Torino and J Edgar but, unfortunately, I didn’t get to be part of those films. Then I acquired the rights to American Sniper and finally I got to work with Clint. Sometimes things happen for a reason.” In real life sniper Kyle received two Silver Star Medals, five Bronze Star Medals, one Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. He claimed that Iraqi insurgents dubbed him the “Devil of Ramadi” and placed a bounty for his head
The late Chris Kyle is the subject of a major new movie. A picture of him on duty in Iraq is on the wall. saying that the tattooed cross on his arm was the way to identify him. He was wounded twice. In 2008, outside Sadr City, Kyle made his longest successful shot, after he spotted an insurgent with a rocket launcher near a US Army convoy. Kyle fired a shot from his .338 Lapua Magnumchambered McMillan TAC-338 sniper rifle, killing the insurgent from about 2,100 yards distance. That’s approximately the length of 18 football pitches.
In the film Kyle’s wife, Taya, is played by Sienna Miller (see picture at top of page). In real life Taya is facing more problems than just the loss of her husband.
Confrontation Kyle’s book spoke of a confrontation with former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura at a bar in Coronado, California, in 2006 during a wake for Mike Monsoor, a Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient
who had been killed in Iraq the same year. Kyle, without mentioning Ventura by name in the book, said that the former Governor was “bad-mouthing the war, bad-mouthing (former President) Bush, bad-mouthing America” and that Ventura said the SEALs “deserved to lose a few guys”. Kyle claimed he punched Ventura as a result and later identified Ventura as the victim when questioned on TV about the book.
“The woman was already dead. I was just making sure that she didn’t take any Marines with her.”
Chris Kyle describing his first kill – a woman approaching Marines carrying a hand grenade. 8 • Pattaya Sun • December 2014
ms for festive season ++ films for festive season ++ films for festive season
of sniper ace
Elderly Brit dies during a massage in Buakhao An 81-year-old British national has died at a Central Pattaya massage shop from a suspected heart attack. Police and medics were called to the Orra Massage Shop on Soi Baukhao and were directed to one of the massage rooms. Lying on the bed was the body of Adriano Santarelli. It is thought he died less than 15 minutes before medics arrived. An inspection of the room and body showed no obvious signs of foul play. Khun Nutapassorn, aged 50, told police she has been massaging his arm when he began to convulse and then he stopped breathing. The victim was known to have frequented the shop on numerous occasions and police suspect Mr Santarelli died of a heart attack. A post-mortem examination will take place and the British Embassy in Bangkok has been informed.
Sun
Ventura, himself, is a colourful character. He is former pro wrestler and underwater demolition team member of the armed forces, who filed a lawsuit for defamation against Kyle and, even after Kyle’s death he continued to pursue it against the sniper’s estate.
fun in the
Damages Last August US District Judge Richard H Kyle, no relation to Chris, upheld the jury’s award of $500,000 in defamation damages and $1,345,477.25 in “unjust enrichment”. Unjust enrichment is typically awarded in cases in which the court finds that one person has unjustly or by chance made money at the expense of another, requiring restitution. The defamation damages were covered by publishers HarperCollins’s libel insurance but the enrichment figure was to come out of Kyle’s estate assets, in other words the money intended for his wife and two young children. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given Kyle’s hero status, Ventura’s court action has not endeared him to large sections of the American public in general and its armed forces in particular. The consensus appears to be: You won the case and restored your good name, take the insurance-covered damages of half a million and leave the Kyle family alone. A memorial service was held for Kyle at Cowboys Stadium (now called AT&T Stadium) in Arlington, Texas, on 11 February 2013. Kyle was buried the next day in Texas State Cemetery, Austin, after a funeral procession from his home town, Midlothian, to Austin, a route stretching more than 200 miles. Hundreds of local and out-ofstate residents lined Interstate 35 to view the procession and pay their final respects to Kyle. Dave Buckley l American Sniper will have a limited launch in cinemas during the festive period.
My parents – both of whom came from impoverished backgrounds and neither of whom had been to college – took the view that my overactive imagination was an amusing quirk that would never pay a mortgage or secure a pension. – Harry Potter author J K Rowling
Raid on four no work permit tour companies
Other holiday period releases It may be Christmas soon but the box office this year does not seem to contain many feel good factor films in the mould of, say, the Home Alone series. The musical Annie is in there but that’s about it. So how are you going to fill all those days off between Christmas and the New Year? Well, before I go any further let me just add a caveat ... please check with the cinema first as web sites are giving out conflicting information. But you should be able to see: l The Hobbitt: The Battle of the Five Armies. This is the epic conclusion to Peter Jackson’s trilogy of films based on J R R Tolkien’s novel. Jackson also produced the Lord of the Rings trilogy meaning he has spent the best part of 15 years on Tolkien-related projects. Asked on TV what he plans to do next he replied: “Take a rest.”
l The Gambler. With Mark Wahlberg (pictured left) in the title role. He plays an English professor who borrows from a gangster and offers his life as collateral. l Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. Again featuring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Ricky Gervais and the late Robin Williams in one of his last roles. This one is set in the Egyptian wing of the British Museum. l Unbroken. Like American Sniper this film, with Angelina Jolie as director, is based on another true story. Jack O’Connell plays 1936 Olympian and World War II hero Louis ‘Louie’ Zamperini who survived on a raft for 47 days after a plane crash before being taken captive by the Japanese. Zamperini was mistakenly pronounced KIA (killed in action) in 1943 but he survived a further 70 years before passing in July.
Government Officers from Banglamung District Administration, with the assistance of the Thai Army, conducted raids on four tour companies in Pattaya and arrested six Russians suspected of working without Work Permits. In each case a Russian was used, armed with marked bank notes, who would purchase tour packages from the illegal foreign workers. As soon as the transaction was complete, officers would move in and recover the marked notes as evidence of the Russians working illegally. The tour companies visited during the night’s operation were: SS2007, 7 Tour, Rattana Tour and Sanyar Tour. The foreign nationals will be transferred to Chonburi Immigration in Jomtien and could be deported to Russia if it is confirmed they were working in Thailand without a work permit. Pattaya Sun • December 2014 • 9
10 • Pattaya Sun • December 2014
Fun in the sun TEASERS AND PUZZLES TO MAKE YOU THINK
Dingbats Can you decipher the three well-known phrases depicted by the Dingbats below?
A weighty problem
8
YOU have a pile of 24 coins. Twenty-three of these coins have the same weight, and one is slightly heavier. Your task is to determine which coin is heavier and do so in the minimum number of weighings. You have a set of balance scales to compare the weight of any two sets of coins out of the total set of 24 coins. What is the minimum number of weighings required in order to guarantee finding the heavier coin?
5
7 6
WordWheels 2
1
4 3 2 1 A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
White to play and checkmate in two moves
ALL THE ANSWERS APPEAR ON PAGE 14
Can you find at least one nine-letter word and 20 fiveletter words from the letters in the wheel above. Each word must contain the hub letter.
Replace the question mark with a letter which will complete an eight-letter word reading clockwise or anticlockwise.
SUDOKU
What number should the hour hand point to on the final clock face?
TWO-IN-ONE CROSSWORD Use the grid for the cryptic or easy clues, but not both – the answers are different!
CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS 1. Teach about a rotter (5) 6. Hand-held creature (5) 9. Mrs Ova, a drunk, holds Russian brew. (7) 10. Sneaked from agent in central sector (5) 11. Cover entire field from walking a mutt (5) 12. This creature is never far from home (5) 13. Share some money and half of supper (7) 15. Concealed from rough idols (3) 17. One or many in military (4) 18. Dare Pa to jump around for show (6) 19. Time for a shower? (5) 20. Pete’s softly arranged prairie (6) 22. Hand over seed, we hear (4) 24. Mixed one for an age (3) 25. The golf area on the right is more rough (7) 26. Curb and boundary (5) 27. Sudden terror disturbs nap, I see (5) 28. Predict some mandate (5) 29. A golden patchwork in Ireland (7) 30. Special boots promotion (5) 31. About stern, they are not gulls (5) DOWN 2. Heard about direction to set (6) 3. Face a bit of a spectacle (6) 4. Whichever way you look at it, it’s rubbish! (3) 5. Rely on Dracula? adds up! (5) 6. Mother and a Yankee call endlessly, it’s wonderful! (7) 7. Narrated some or all? (4)
EASY CLUES 8. Puts up with backward little lady, Inane! (6) 12. Take a sneaky shot (5) 13. When strapped, tighten these strings (5) 14. Chopped pine has a right to mature (5) 15. It’s very hot; shade, perhaps, will help (5) 16. Dissuade thickhead amongst deer (5) 18. He’s sort of light and airy (5) 19. Stone-hearted, but quite sweet really (7) 21. Fuse atom to find vine fruit (6) 22. Bassinet that rocks! (6) 23. A cleric canoed around (6) 25. Points out sights, we hear (5) 26. Slid around for caps (4) 28. Digest stirred tea (3)
ACROSS 1. Fit (5) 6. Erect (5) 9. Legend (7) 10. Sing (5) 11. Tchaikovsky’s black swan (5) 12. Maxim (5) 13. Few (7) 15. Dike (3) 17. Slang for LSD (4) 18. Detail (6) 19. Nordic name (5) 20. Bank worker (6) 22. Allege (4) 24. Spring (3) 25. Egotist (7) 26. Trojan epic (5) 27. Language of Delhi (5) 28. Cheerfully (5) 29. Tolerant (7) 30. Urged (5) 31. Loan sharking (5)
DOWN 2. Astronomical measurement (6) 3. Scratched (6) 4. Fellow (3) 5. Backless seat (5) 6. Child’s footwear (7) 7. Ctrl+Z command (4) 8. Girl’s name (6) 12. Officer (5) 13. Seamen (5) 14. Country house (5) 15. South US music (5) 16. Doled out (5) 18. Goliath’s defeater (5) 19. How eels are served (7) 21. ………… Forest (6) 22. Hoodwinks (6) 23. Couturier (6) 25. Elemental (5) 26. Unproductive (4) 28. Wildebeest (3)
Which card replaces the question mark?
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alfie@lakeviewpropertiespattaya.com www.lakeviewpropertiespattaya.com Pattaya Sun • December 2014 • 11
Dave’s Favs
around the hotels ++ around the hotels ++ around the hotels
pop Music with Dave D
Queen and their Marx Brothers album titles
those who know me well will be familiar with my love of old black and white movies – especially comedy ones such as those starring the silent greats Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. But the month’s first column takes me forward to the era of the “talkies” and some other comedy greats – The Marx Brothers. That’s because one of their movies, A Night at the Opera, was adopted by Queen to be the title of their fourth album in 1975. And very successful it was too with hits such as You’re My Best Friend and Bohemian Rhapsody on it. At the time of its release Bohemian Rhapsody was the most expensive single ever made. It topped the UK charts for nine weeks and sold more than a million copies. Who can forget the promotional video that accompanied it? It took the pop promo video to a whole new level. Rhapsody reached No 1 again in the UK following the death of Freddie Mercury and eventually became the UK’s third best selling single of all time with sales of 2.13 million. What beat it? Elton John’s Candle in the Wind ’97 released after the death of Princess Diana (4.86m) and the original Do They Know It’s Christmas (3.55m).
Watched the film If you seek some deep or quirky reason for the naming of the A Night at the Opera album you might to slightly disappointed to discover the group chose the title after watching the film while recording the album. It’s as simple as that. It’s not easy to find references to the group’s thoughts about the Marx Brothers but I reckon the fact they named their fifth album, which was released a year later after another MB film, A Day at the Races, would seem to suggest that they held them in high regard. The big hit from Races was Somebody to Love however neither album had a track that actually referred to the titles. In 1977 Groucho, probably the most famous of the Marx Brothers, invited the group to his Los Angeles home where Queen presented him with a gold disc and together with the comedian they performed 39, a track off A Night at the Opera. Groucho, who is attributed as saying “I intend to live forever, or die trying” among many famous quotes, passed away in August of the same year, aged 86, after being treated for pneumonia. l Tune in to Buzzin Radio Pattaya via the internet on http://radio.pattayadigitalsignage.com/.
THE COOL BAR ON SOI KHAOTALO OPEN DAILY FROM 1pm
For more information call +66 (0)87 747 8555 or + 66 (0)89 250 5691 or email info@boozeloungepattaya.com www.facebook.com/BoozeLoungePattaya 12 • Pattaya Sun • December 2014
Enjoy a memorable birthday party with fun and games at Funtasea – Kids World.
Taking hassle out of kids’ parties Funtasea – Kids World at the Royal Cliff Hotels Group now offers fantastic Kids Party Packages to take your child’s party to the next level!
Their team promises non-stop fun and games for everyone with creative themes to choose from.
They also offer customised options which include everything from lunch sets and fun snacks with refreshing drinks, foot stomping tunes, colourful decorations and even a visit from Royal Cliff’s very own dolphin mascot!
Every colorful party will be completely planned to include age appropriate games and activities with plenty of time for enjoying delicious refreshments and cake. A spokesperson said: “Don’t let the hassle of party preparations ruin this special day as you have the option to celebrate your child’s next birthday party stress-free! “From planning to execution, our birthday party team will do everything to make your child’s dream party a reality. From creative invitations for party guests, artistic back drop, party novelties and amazing food to a talented photographer snapping photos of special moments, all the laughter and cheer will stay with you forever as we are ready and prepared to exceed your expectations!
“Grab this chance to experience exciting and unforgettable birthday fun with Royal Cliff’s unique optional extras including a wide range of fun and creative activities such as t-shirt painting and cupcake making along with face painting artists, themed costumes and candy filled piñatas.” The spokesperson added: “With our assortment of wonderfully enjoyable games along with exciting birthday treats and entertainment, a day of fun and excitement surely awaits the little ones!” l For more information contact the Funtasea manager, Ms Monica, at 038250421 Ext. 2064, email: funtasea@ royalcliff.com or visit www.royalcliff.com/ leisure/funtasea
New Centra hotel opens its doors EARLIER this month saw the opening of Tulip Group’s latest hotel, Centra Avenue. Located in Central Pattaya, Centra Avenue Hotel Pattaya is South East Asia’s first kosher hotel offering a host of facilities including a synagogue, two restaurants, super modern lobby, a fitness centre and a rooftop pool. This eight-storey hotel has a fresh ambience and a style that reflects its casual environment. It is close to The Avenue shopping complex, prime leisure outlets, and Pattaya Beach is a short walk away. With 51 rooms the hotel is intimate in scale. Modern in design, the rooms have a light décor and views over the city. As an exploration base for Pattaya, the hotel is easy, informal and well placed. A host of in-room amenities and services including complimentary Wi-Fi and flexibility in room settings with the choice of a king-sized bed or a queen bed ensure a comfortable stay for single travellers and couples. The hotel’s synagogue is located on the second floor, adjacent to the allday dining restaurant, The Dining Room.
the buck a mixed bag of views
stops here By DAVE BUCKLEY
Are sin-bins needed in soccer? SO THIS is how things are in football at the moment – a player puts in a crunching tackle on an opponent which earns him a yellow card. But he plays on.
However if that yellow card is the fifth in total the player has received (before the end of February) he misses the next match.
Essentially the player receives his “punishment” against opponents he has not transgressed against.
Where is the sense in that? If, like me, you think this is daft there may be good news further down the line. UEFA President Michel Platini is thinking much the same way. He wants the football world to give serious consideration to introducing rugby-style sin-bins where the offending player is removed from the game for 10 or 15 minutes. A while back Platini was quoted in the magazine World Soccer as saying a sin-bin Should a player be sent to the sin-bin for 10 or 15 minutes so instance justice is seen to be done? would be a fairer punishment because “that way, the benefit thoroughly discredited. How can has also promoted the idea that day has played a big part in the In 1999 the then cup-holders goes to the team he is playing he approve an investigation into national cup winners be allowed decline. The Cup Final used to be Manchester United didn’t even against, in the same match, the World Cup bidding process to play in the Champions League. the only live match on TV which bother to defend the competition instead of a sanction by cards for 2018 and 2022 then block the Think about it, what if the helped make it special. Now it’s because they had bigger fish which is carried out against findings being published? winners of the FA Cup gained a just another game. to fry by taking part in FIFA’s a third team, the next on the More from Platini. He also place in the Champions League World Club Championship. Demise calendar.” feels that the idea of awarding a instead of the team that finishes Would they have done that if Now that makes sense to me penalty against a goalkeeper and fourth in the Premiership. I think the demise of the FA a place in the Champions League but I will add a word of caution. sending him off is a bit excessive. When I was growing up Cup is a great pity. Winning it awaited the winners of the FA What happens in a particularly “The penalty in itself already winning the FA Cup really meant used to lead to a place in the now Cup? Not on your life. ill-tempered match? Could we is punishment enough,” he says. something. On Cup Final day you defunct European Cup Winners’ So if the Football Association see an eight-a-side while other No argument from me. went out to the shops early and Cup. It wasn’t quite the European is serious about returning the FA players are in the sin-bin? It came home quickly armed with Cup but, in the days I’m referring Cup final to its former glory (last Unwilling would be a farce, admittedly. goodies to watch hours of build- to, the latter only admitted a match of the season kicking off But there must be a way of He adds: “I think it’s up on TV. People all around the nation’s champions. Not the at 3pm on a Saturday with no matching the punishment to the something that everyone in FIFA world turned on to view it. second, third and fourth teams. other fixtures are musts) then crime rather than passing on the and UEFA agree, but one or two Now the financial importance maybe Platini’s thoughts need to If the side you followed benefit to a different opponent in of the countries that make up the couldn’t be Champions of the old of being in the Premiership become a reality. an ensuing match. International Board are unwilling First Division then winning the means that some sides put out If a way of restoring prestige Why this guy Platini will to change.” weakened teams in the FA Cup to winning the FA Cup cannot be FA Cup was the next best thing. not run for the Presidency of I’m starting to warm to this Now the FA Cup has become because staying in the top flight found then it will just become a FIFA against Sepp Blatter is a Platini guy. something of a sideshow. Live is more important than being in competition where teams put out mystery to me. Blatter has been Apparently the UEFA chief soccer on TV virtually every the Cup. How sad is that? their reserves.
Giving currency to my argument At the risk of being branded a pedant I can’t for the life of me see why so many people insist on referring to the Thai baht. To the best of my knowledge – and I am very prepared to be corrected – no other country has a currency named baht so why do we need to add the word Thai? I can understand it with the dollar. When I think of dollars I always think of the American kind but the dollar is actually the name of the currency of 10 other nations or special areas – Australia, Belize, Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong, Namibia, New Zealand, Singapore, Surinam and Taiwan. Even with the pound you could justify having GB in front of the £ sign because several Middle East nations such as Egypt, Lebanon, South Sudan and Syria also have pounds. And what of the good old shilling or a
Recalling a mate’s mobile story
A FRIEND swears this happened to him, but, like American Indians, I have my reservations. He told me that one day he set off for work and along the way realised he had left his mobile phone behind so he went back home. When he returned he checked his phone and discovered he had missed a call from
his wife. “What did you ring me about?” he said. “What?” she stared back blankly. “You rang me while I was out. What was it about?” he said, with exasperation growing. “Oh, that was to tell you that you had left your phone behind.” You couldn’t make it up!
short intro TODAY sees the launch of these once-a-month outpourings of opinions on, frankly, whatever takes my fancy. In a previous publication called Pattaya Living I used to run a column called ‘Barstool Debate’ and the contents of this page will not be a million miles away from that idea. Now perhaps a few brief words of introduction are required. The name’s Dave Buckley. I’m in my early-60s and was born and raised in South-East London – the Old Kent Road, to be more precise, and it’s no coincidence that the cheapest square on a Monopoly board has the same name.
Involved I’ve been involved in journalism in one form or another since school. Don’t ask! In the past I have worked on the South-East London Mercury, Kent Messenger, Hong Kong Star, Today (the UK daily – not the American one), News of the World and Daily Express. Of those at least three are now defunct! I also spent a long time in corporate comms working for the likes of Airbus, HSBC, and the London Stock Exchange. If you wish to comment on my musings by all means send an email to dave@ thepattayasun.com.
‘bob’ as I used to call it? Those old enough will remember it being a monetary unit at one time in the UK, Australia, Austria, New Zealand and Ireland. It lives on today in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. I was looking up shilling on Wikipedia when I discovered this snippet – the word shilling comes from scilling, an accounting term that dates back to Anglo-Saxon times where it was deemed to be the value of a cow in Kent or a sheep elsewhere. Seems that at one time you could buy a cow in my former English county for about 10 baht – no bad jokes please! (Note, no Thai before the baht). By the way I couldn’t find a acceptable explanation why UK shillings were called bobs but a scan around the wonderful internet did help me unearth some other money-related trivia. For example, do you know where “paying through the nose” originates? It has its roots from the Danes in Ireland who would slit the noses of the Paddies if they did not pay an ancient poll tax. Cockney rhyming slang now ... do you know what a commodore is? Well, it’s £15 and here is the contrived way it came about. A Lady (short for a Lady Godiva) is a fiver or £5. So three times a Lady (3x5) is 15. And, of course, Three Times a Lady was a hit for the Commodores! Pattaya Sun • December 2014 • 13
sun classifieds
Fun in the sun
the forum for making the most of your unwanted items
Standard adverts in the section are free for private individuals provided the value of the goods involved does not exceed Bt7,500. Five lines (approx 20-22 words) maximum. Ads for items of Bt7,500 and over will be charged @ 20 baht per line with the final line free so we cannot be accused of padding the words out. Properties for rent are limited to one per person or a similar charge applies. Enhanced ads – those with a light grey background or with a picture – will be charged at Bt200 per insertion or as above, whichever is the greater. Newest ads will be given priority. Email ads to info@thepattayasun.com
IMPORTANT: Given this is our first issue the ads shown below are for illustration only.
MAZDA 2: Big discount 80,000 baht!! for quick sale. Many upgrades 2012 model. Looks and drives as new, first service just done, registered in foreign name and transfer guaranteed or full refund. Bt500,000. Contact 080 XXX XXXX. STUDIO 34 sqm for sale, Jomtien. 1k to beach. Newly re-furbished, furnished, air, kitchenette, large balcony in quiet building. Big communal swimming pool, 24 hr security. Priced at Bt1.25m ONO. Email JohnnonameXXX@gmail.com iPHONE 4 for sale. Bt20k when new. Any serious offer considered. 089 XXX XXXX. 13 Condos fully furnished for sale each comes with tenant and yearly lease contract. There are five units of 1 bed+2 baths, eight units of 2 bed+3 baths. Locate in prime street. Call 090 XXX XX
tag heuer formula 1 2013 model only six months old, chronograph sapphire crystal scratch-proof glass water proof 200 metres, excellent condition cost Bt70,000. Open to sensible offers only. Selling because bought new model. Bt20,000 for quick sale. Tel : 087 XXX XXX. RICE Cooker (Hitachi) three cooking programs, including brown rice, white rice and boiled rice automation program. Non-stick inner pot, easy to clean. Plate three-year warranty. Available in two colours, white and pink. Call: 087 XXX XXXX. Yamaha Nouvo SX, 2014, 5,000kms, Mag Wheels, Fully Serviced, with Tax, and Insurance. Excellent Condition, Locally Registered. Part Exchange possible. Contact Alan 084 XXX XXXX. large studio for sale on beachfront popular high rise. Recently renovated to exceptional standards with high quality furniture included. Communal Pool, Transportation and Taxi, Room Cleaning, Laundry Service, Internet Cafe,
Free WiFi, Cable TV, CCTV, 24 Hour Guards. Price Bt4m. Call 087 XXX XXXX. TABLE TENNIS? We play every Friday at 10am at Fairtex Hotel and Sports Club. Reasonable standard. We play until mid-day but can extend. Give Jim a call on 088 XXX XXX or email pingpongjim@ gmail.com. Laundry in very busy large condominium. All new equipment. Two businesses in one. Self-service coin op laundry. The only one in complex plus full service Laundry. Can live in. Large shop and reasonable rent. Great opportunity for Farang and Thai partner. Flexible lease. Bt600,000. Ring 087 XXXXXX. CAR HIRE New cars in stock now. We aim to provide expats with great long-term deals. Example Ford Fiesta S monthly 19k; 3 monthly in advance 17k; 6 monthly in advance 16k. Call Noi on 087 XXX XXXX Thai / English. Air conditioner Sharp AH-PN19 19000 BTU – Purifier
with Plasma Cluster. Help kill bacteria, viruses, fungi break down odours and harmful allergens from dust mites. Rapid cooling to room – Automatic swing 2-way adjustable (2Way Auto Swing) is very easy to adjust the wind direction is from the remote control. Email cooldudes007@yahoo.com.
answers Dingbats: 1. Pie in the sky; 2. Two’s company, three’s a crowd; 3. Excuse my French. A weighty problem: The minimum number of weighings is three. Weighing 1: Arrange the coins into three piles of eight. Weigh one group of eight against another group of eight. If the scale balances, then the group that hasn’t been weighed has the heavier coin. If the scale tips, then that group contains the heavier coin. Weighing 2: Break the group of eight that has the heavier coin into two groups of three and one group of two coins. Weigh one set of three against the other set of three. If it balances, the group of two has the heavier coin. If the scale tips, then that group has the heavier coin. Weighing 3: If the heavier coin is in the group of two, then just weigh one coin against the other to determine the heaviest coin. If the heavier coin is in a group of three, then take two of those coins and weigh them against each other. If the scale balances, the coin that hasn’t been weighed is the heavier coin. If the scale tips, then that is the heavier coin. Chess: D5-F6 check; G7xF6; C4xF7 mate.
HAIR SALON for sale. Modern international tourist hair salon in central location next to a big shopping mall and three top hotels with a lot of passing trade. Staff are fully trained in all aspects of the business including Cut, Style, Perm, Colour, Face Massage, Body Waxing, Rebonding, Hair Extensions, Manicure and Pedicure. Call 080 XXX XXXX Eng/Thai spoken. for hire: 2011 4-door Toyota Vigo. Leather Manual Box Diesel, GPS Navi if required. Bt890 per day min four days; 5,500 1 week; 18,500 1 Month; 17,500 3 to 6 months; Bt17,000 12 months + 1st Class Insurance unlimited miles. Bt5,000 deposit. Call 097 XXX XXXX SLUSH MACHINE: Professional machine producing slush ice drinks. A very popular product. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use making it the perfect addition to almost any business. High profit margins. Price Bt50,000. Tel: 089 XXX XXXX. CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN: Fantastic piece on any buffet or dessert show stopper! The chocolate fountain is a luxury people pleaser, delicious with fruit, marshmallows, etc. Spoil yourself with this high quality chocolate fountain costing Bt20,000. Email chocaholixanon@gmail.com
Clock: The hour hand should point to 4. (The value pointed to by the hour hand equals the value pointed to by the minute hand, subtracting 4 for the first clockface, 5 for the next, then 6 etc.). Cards: King of Clubs. (Start at the top left of the diagram and move to the right, then down one row and to the left etc. in a snakes and ladders pattern. The value of each card increases by 5 each time, with the suit following the sequence of Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds and Spades.) WordWheel 1: actin, adieu, antic, AUCTIONED, audio, audit, canid, CAUTIONED, cited, coati, cutie, dicot, dicta, edict, EDUCATION, indue, nicad, tenia, tonic, tunic, unite, untie, action, atonic, auntie, coined, detain, induce, induct, notice, united, untied, aconite, auction, caution, conduit, noctuid, noticed.
WordWheel 2
Cryptic Crossword: Across – 1 Cheat; 6 Mouse; 9 Samovar; 10 Crept; 11 Gamut; 12 Snail; 13 Percent; 15 Hid; 17 Unit; 18 Parade; 19 April; 20 Steppe; 22 Cede; 24 Eon; 25 Courser; 26 Limit; 27 Panic; 28 Edict; 29 Donegal; 30 Boost; 31 Terns. Down – 2 Harden; 3 Aspect; 4 Tat; 5 Count; 6 Magical; 7 Oral; 8 Stupid; 12 Snipe; 13 Purse; 14 Ripen; 15 Hades; 16 Deter; 18 Pilot; 19 Apricot; 21 Tomato; 22 Cradle; 23 Deacon; 25 Cites; 26 Lids; 28 Eat. Easy Crossword: Across – 1 Spasm; 6 Build; 9 Caption; 10 Croon; 11 Odile; 12 Motto; 13 Several; 15 Dam; 17 Acid; 18 Define; 19 Jonas; 20 Teller; 22 Cite; 24 Spa; 25 Bighead; 26 Iliad; 27 Hindi; 28 Gaily; 29 Lenient; 30 Egged; 31 Usury. Down – 2 Parsec; 3 Scored; 4 Man; 5 Stool; 6 Booties; 7 Undo; 8 Lilian; 12 Major; 13 Salts; 14 Villa; 15 Dixie; 16 Meted; 18 David; 19 Jellied; 21 Epping; 22 Cheats; 23 Tailor; 25 Basic; 26 Idle; 28 Gnu. Sudoku:
king-sized bed with a Bicast base. It retails for 36,900. Willing to sell at a large discount of Bt11,900 – now only 25,000. Brand new! Free delivery available anywhere within Pattaya (mattress not included). Call 088 XXX XXXX. Pewter Flask engraved with Elephant on one side and The Royal Barge Suphannahong on other. Great condition. Never used. Contact 093 XXX XXXX. In case you are wondering ... we took our inspiration for these ads from the website www. farangmart.co.th. where real ads can be found!
All news stories from www.pattayaone.net 14 • Pattaya Sun • December 2014
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Pattaya Sun • December 2014 • 15