13-03-2015 by The Phuket News

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

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59-year-old Mark Pendlebury has lived in Phuket for 10 years. He could now face a lengthy jail sentence if convicted of murder.

Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

n Australian expat was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning (March 11) after he allegedly stabbed to death a member of staff outside of the Tai Pan nightclub in Patong. At about 12:30am rescue workers

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who were called to the scene gave the victim, Sanya Khlueawaengmon, 25, an employee of Tai Pan from Lopburi, CPR and rushed him to Patong hospital where he died of his injuries. Police were able to apprehend the suspect, named as Mark Hamilton Pendlebury, 59, from Australia in front of the Bangkok Bank about 100

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metres away from Tai Pan. Police also seized a pocket knife which they say was used to stab Mr Sanya. Pendlebury was taking a video on his mobile phone of a fight which was taking place between a Frenchman and an Indian man in Tai Pan. Mr Sanya asked Pendlebury to stop taking the video, a fight ensued during which Pendlebury allegedly

stabbed Mr Sanya in the stomach. On Wednesday (March 11), Pendlebury was being held at Kathu Police Station and, in the afternoon, was charged with murder. Pendlebury has been in Phuket more than 10 years and is the owner, with his Thai wife Cha Cha, of Phuket Sail Tours, which conducts sailboat tours, mostly in Phang Nga Bay.

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UK Embassy changes appointment system BR I T ISH CI T I Z E NS wanting notarial or documentary services from their embassy in Bangkok will need to make appointments online from March 23, the embassy has announced. In the announcement, issued Wednesday (March 11) the embassy explained, “From March 23, 2015, British nationals needing to visit the Consular Section of the Embassy in Bangkok in person for notarial and documentary services must make an online appointment in advance. “The online booking service will replace the current first-come-firstserved queuing system. “The new, easy to use online booking service will enable you to book an appointment in advance for notarial and documentary services where we need to see you in person, such as to swear an affirmation or for the certification of documents. “Information about the notarial and documentary services we provide can be found at our website. With a description of each service is a clear indication of whether you should apply in person or by post. “From March 23 you must make an appointment for each service that requires your personal attendance. Check carefully – you will be surprised at how few services require you to attend in person. If you have questions you

Poll results: The biggest hazards on our roads > page 6

Wanted American woman arrested near Phuket Nattha Thepbamrung reporter3@classactmedia.co.th

can telephone us on 02 305 8333. “Information about the notarial and documentary services we provide can be found at our website (at tinyurl.com/UKnotarial). “For the notarial and documentar y ser vices that require attendance in person we provide a same-day service subject to the application being correctly completed. “ To avoid d el ay s , please make an appointment and apply in good time and ensure you have all the necessary documentation and the appropriate fee for the service you require. “This change to how we provide our notarial and documentary services in Thailand is part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s 2013-2016 Consular Strategy, launched by the British Foreign Secretary in April 2013. “The strategy commits us to providing a more professional, modern and streamlined service for British Nationals who require access to notarial and documentary services.” Appointments should be made at tinyurl.com/ UKappoint

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n American woman wanted in the US for fleeing the country after being bailed on a charge of vehicular homicide in the US in 2004 was arrested on Wednesday (March 11) in Krabi. She had been in Thailand for six years, most of the time illegally, and had given birth to a child while here. At a press conference on Wednesday evening police said Kelly Lynn Miller, 36, from Alabama, arrived in Thailand in January 2009. They said she threw away her passport right after arriving “because she was afraid that police would find out about her case back in the US”. The Alabama news website AL.com reported, “Miller,

Kelly Lynne Miller has been wanted in the US since 2004. then 26, was charged with drunken driving in the death of a tractor-trailer driver on Interstate 459 in Hoover in 2004. “Florida truck driver Donald Goodwin, 57, had parked his truck in the right emergency lane near Parkwood Road bridge and was checking his tyres when he was struck and killed.

“Hoover and Bessemer police responded to the scene, which happened about 12:15am that Tuesday. Police believe Miller sideswiped the truck with her car and then hit Goodwin. She paid a $1,000 [B30,000] bond and was released later that day.” Pol Col Suppaseth Chokchai, Deputy Commissioner of the Thai Tourist Police,

explained yesterday, “She flew to Thailand legally after she was granted bail in her car smash case. “A few months after she disappeared, the US cancelled her passport but she had already thrown it away, and had been moving around Thailand a lot,” he said. “We will tighten cooperation between Thailand and other countries to ensure improved data-sharing on tourists who are wanted by their governments.” When arrested by a special regional police task force, Ms Miller was living with her husband and their small child – born in Thailand – in a bungalow on Koh Lanta. She was charged with being in Thailand illegally and was taken to the cells at Phuket Immigration in preparation for her deportation to the US.

St Joseph’s Church Easter Programme ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC Church in Cherng Talay has released its calendar of services leading up to Easter Sunday. The programme is as follows: Friday March 6, 19:00, First Friday Mass; Sunday March 8, Third Sunday of Lent; Friday March 13, 19:00, Stations of the Cross; Saturday March 14, 18:00, Confession, 19:00, Mass before the

Feast Day of the Church; Sunday March 15, Feast of

St Joseph; Friday March 20, 19:00, Stations of the

Cross; Sunday March 22, Fifth Sunday of Lent; Friday March 27, 19:00, Stations of the Cross; Sunday March 29, Palm Sunday. Holy Week: Thursday April 2, 19:00, Holy Thursday Mass; Friday April 3, 19:00, Good Friday, Fasting and Abstinence; Saturday April 4, 19:00, Holy Saturday Mass (Easter Vigil); Sunday April 5, Easter Sunday.

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Somsak Tamutuk (seated) with his ganja.

Man nabbed with two kilos of ganja

A 22-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO ran a checkpoint on Wiset Rd, Rawai, Tuesday morning (March 10) was chased down and arrested when he was found to be carrying 700 grams of marijuana with an estimated bulk value of B80,000. The chase began when Somsak Tamutuk of Rawai busted through the checkpoint in front of the 7-Eleven store in Baan Bangkontee on Wiset Rd at about 10am. After catching him police searched his bag and found the 700g. They later searched his home and found another 1.3 kilos, for a total of 2 kilos. Somsak admitted to police that he had bought the dope from a friend in Sakon Nakhon for B20,000 a kilo and was planning to sell it for double that price in Phuket. He was taken to Chalong Police Station and charged with illegal possession of a Category 5 drug with intent to sell.

Two of the arrested were presented to media.

Three arrested for selling counterfeit goods Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

THREE PEOPLE WERE arrested in Patong on Monday (March 9) for openly selling counterfeit goods on Taweewong Rd. Kathu police, led by Col Suthichai Tienpo and joined by Phubate Mingkhawn, a representative of a company that has made complaints about counterfeit goods being sold in Patong, arrested three people with 583 counterfeit goods. Prakarn Panha, 40, from Payao, Pacharee Chukleang, 38, from Songkhla and Alissa Kritkamjon, 40, from Patong were all taken to Kathu police station and charged with selling counterfeit goods. All three were arrested on their stalls on Taweewong Rd which sold counterfeit purses, glasses and jewellery. @thephuketnews

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Three Russians arrested for card skimming Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

hree members of a Russian skimming gang were presented to Phuket media last Friday following their arrests Thursday (March 5) after Kasikorn Bank became suspicious of credit card payments being made via two shops in the Patak area of Karon and informed police. It is understood that the three men, named as Stanislav Komarov, 34, Vitalii Korobkov, 39, and Panteley Acbas, 36, had attempted to make credit card purchases totalling between B300,000 to B400,000 from “Maringa” and “Thai Herbal” in Patak, Karon, businesses which were registered to a Vladimir Orlov. Because the transactions amounted to such a large amount, Kasikorn Bank̕ s money laundering crime and security department became suspicious and provided police with details of the shops the transactions went through. When investigators arrived at Maringa, they found that although the shop was empty the electricity inside was on and they therefore believed somebody was inside. Police staked out the shop and after a while Stanislav emerged and walked towards a car parked nearby. Police stopped him at the car and found Panteley sitting inside. When police searched a

From left: Stanislav Komarov, 34, Vitalii Korobkov, 39, and Panteley Acbas, 36. Police are hunting a fouth man Vladimir Orlov. bag Stanislav was carrying they found inside 33 credit cards, two credit card machines, a card copying machine and notebook computer. The police took the men back to the shop and there they found Vitalii. Stanislav and Vitalii told police they had only been in Phuket a few months, but Panteley said he had been here for about one year. When asked about the cards, Stanislav said that he received the cards from someone else and was not responsible for printing them. Phuket City Police Deputy

Superintendent Prawit Engchuan said that it is possible that they bought the card details from a third-party and that they may well have not printed the cards themselves. However,

they will investigate further to find out the truth. Police are currently looking for Vladimir Orlov, who the two shops are believed to be owned by. Provincial Police

Commander Pol Maj Gen Patchara Boonyasit told the press, “We are doing our best to find Vladimir Orlov and find out his exact connection with these three men.”

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Clean-up of idyllic island finally begins Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

he clean-up of a filthy garbage-clogged klong on the idyllic Racha Yai Island has begun. For several years the klong has been jammed with garbage, the clean-up itself bogged down in disagreements between officials and a local resort owner. Last Saturday (March 7), however, with a metaphorical push from Vice Governor Suthee Thongyam, backed by the Royal Thai Navy, an excavator waded into the septic stream and began to remove blockages. The canal was blocked with garbage at two points, holding back stagnant water. The most unsightly was close to Siam Beach where trash jammed the canal and spilled onto the sand, thanks to an illegal bridge built across the stream by the resort. In December 2012, ViceGovernor Somkiet Sangkhaosuthirak ordered relevant departments to investigate and prosecute the builders of the illegal bridge. This was not done. The source of the garbage was impossible to verify, but it, too, is not a new problem. More than two years ago Sarit

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The wastewater in the canal has plagued the island for more than five years. Jandee, president of the Racha Yai Conservation Club, complained about a growing informal dump on his land. On Saturday (March 7) Mr Sarit said, “Everything has depended on business owners and officials. Before, it was hard but now officials can do [their duty]. Only one resort stood against the solution. But, it is happening now that the canal is being dug out.” The Director of the Phuket Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation Centre (MCRCC), Thanet Mannoi, said, “I have been very worried about the wastewater in the klong, which has been

damaging the environment. It is high time we got this done.” Rachen Pantarakit, Assistant officer of Rawai Municipality said, “This wastewater has polluted the island for more than five years. Before this resort built [the bridge], there was no problem about water in canal. “Everything works better if people agree to help each other. In the past, it was hard because some of them would not work with us. But we talked this morning and now we can work on [the clean-up]. It will be successful, I believe.” Capt Boworn Promkeawngam, Chief of the Security

Office of the Royal Thai Navy 3rd Fleet base in Phuket, said, “I am glad that we have started to clean things up. Before, it was hard to do this because a local businessman resisted the work. “But I came to talk with him and everything is okay now.” Natthakrit Ponlaphet, Director of Phuket Environmental Office, explained before the clean-up began that it should not take more than two weeks and would be funded by the Rawai Municipality. The illegal bridge is scheduled to be knocked down in two weeks’ time.

Bang Wad Reservoir to be made tourist attraction Nattapat Tuarob reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

THE AREA ADJOINING Bang Wad Reservoir is to be developed into a tourist attraction that will feature view points, a plant exhibition area, adventure activity area, health activity area, as well as a building which will host seminars and conventions. Details of the development were announced at a meeting chaired by Vice Governor Suthee Thongyam at the Phuket Irrigation Project Office at Bang Wad Reservoir. At the meeting, Paiboon Upatising, Chief of Phuket Provincial Administrative Oganisation (PPAO – OrBorJor) presented the Bang Wad

Part of the OrBorJor presentation was a map detailing the attraction of the Bang Wad reservoir. and Bang Niew Dum Development Master Plan Project which stated that Bang Wad Reservoir would be turned into another tourist attraction in order to build a tourism network from the east to west

of Phuket. From studies carried out, the future Bang Wad Reservoir development will be divided into seven phases; Community services, view point areas, basic infrastru-

ture, community sport area, local plant exhibition area, adventure activity area and health activity area, as well as seminar and convention centre. The budget to be set aside will be B183 million. Meanwhile, Bang Niew Dum Reservoir will be developed to be a sports and activities centre. There will be four phases for this development; basic infrastructure, view point area, community and camping areas in addition to sport and activities centre. The budget to develop this area is B162.7 million. Development of both projects will be carried out phaseby-phase and no date has yet been given as to when the projects will start.

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Man caught with hundreds of reef fish A 63-YEAR-OLD LOCAL man was arrested last Friday evening (March 6) at Chalong Circle after being caught in possession of about 310 reef fish which he was about to dispatch to Bangkok for sale. Among the fish confiscated from him were Lionfish, Bannerfish, Butterfly fish, Clown fish and Trigger fish, all packed into 57 plastic bag with no oxygenators. Kan told police that his job was only to transport the fish by bus from Phuket to Takua Pa in Phang Nga province. Police were not convinced. They charged him with collecting exotic marine fish without permission, contravening the Environment Act. The fish were taken to the Andaman Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Centre in Phuket.

Conservationists upset by chopping of 100-year-old tree LOCAL CONSERVATIONists are up in arms over the cutting down of a 100-year-old banyan tree on Chao Fa East Rd in Talad Nua. Last Wednesday (March 4) a group of local engineers and architects known as the ʻBig Tree' group went to put a “Do Not Cut” sign on the tree which has been lopped in the past. Secretary of the Phuket Engineers and Architects Association, Anawut Prapanwong said that the ʻBig Tree̕ group want to preserve all century old trees on the island. Anawut said, “We questioned the Phuket OrBorJor about the chopping but a spokesperson for them said that they have never ordered the tree be cut. “We have also contacted Phuket Municipality who have also said they did not order the chopping.” thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

British man found dead in his home

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Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th

he body of a British man was found in his house in Baan Manic Monday afternoon (March 9). Police have said that he suffered heart failure. At 3:30pm, Thalang inspector, Lt Kaisorn Boonprasop was called to investigate the body of a man which had been found in a house on Soi Noptakaew 4, Baan Manic, Srisoonthon. Police and Kusoldharm and Srisoonthon rescue workers arrived at the two storey house and were led to the second floor where the body of the man was found lying on a sofa with a remote control still in his hand. Police said they found no sign of foul play and the victim had been dead for at least 10 hours. The victim’s friend, Lee Hunt, told police that the deceased, Dennis Arthur, 59, came to Thailand over a year

The seized items were confiscated and the vendors fined B2,000.

Vendors arrested and items seized at Bangtao Beach ago and had a business building and selling condominiums. Dennis lived in Phuket with his wife and son, both British nationals, but he had been here alone since March 7 after they had returned to the UK for a holiday. Mr Arthur’s wife had called Mr Hunt Monday morning (March 9) as she could not get a hold of her husband and had asked Mr Hunt to go and check on him for her.

Mr Hunt said that he worked in Patong and attempted to call Mr Arthur several times but received no answer. Mr Hunt left Patong at 2pm to go to Mr Arthur’s house and found him dead on the sofa. Police questioned the maid of the house, Poon from Cambodia, who said that she saw that the door upstairs was closed and the air conditioning was on so she assumed Mr Arthur was sleeping.

Australian Embassy to hold outreach visit THE CONSULAR SECTION of the Australian Embassy in Bangkok will conduct a Consular Outreach visit to Phuket on Friday March 27. During this visit, the following services will be provided: Passport renewal applications – please ensure you

bring all original documents and photocopies with you. Notarial services Statutory declarations for marriage, retirement visas and driving licence renewals Witnessing documents The visit will be held from 9.00am to 3.00pm at the following address:

77/77 Unit 6D Moo 5, Chalermprakiat Rama 9 Rasada Sub-District, Muang Phuket District Phuket Province Phone: 076 510 111 Fees are payable in cash only. Please contact the Consular section on 02 344 6300 to arrange an interview and to confirm fees payable.

Reporter scoops award The Phuket News would like to congratulate our reporter Tanyaluk Sakoot (Mango) who was announced winner of the ‘Best Environmental News Photo’ category at the 1st Phuket Reporter Awards held at the Phuket Royal City hotel on Thursday (March 5). The photo which scooped the prize was for Mango’s news story “iServe teenagers preserve Phuket beaches” and showed “iServe” teenagers partaking in a beach clean-up activity at Naithon Beach in September 2014. @thephuketnews

She went on to say that Mr Arthur had once told her not to clean the second floor of the house without his permission, so she had only cleaned the first floor that day. After speaking to Mr Arthur’s friends and neighbours police theorised that the victim had suffered heart failure as he had a history of high blood pressure. Police took the body to Thalang Hospital for an autopsy.

CHERNG TALAY POLICE last Friday (March 6) arrested 10 beach vendors and seized 122 items at Bangtao Beach. Between 9:00am and midday, Cherng Talay District Chief Veera Kerdsirimongkol and a team of officials from Cherng Talay OrBorTor and Cherng Talay police, along with 34 Beach Territorial Defense Volunteers inspected an area of Bangtao Beach to see if any illegal activities

were taking place. Police found 10 beach vendors working illegally on the beach and seized from them 56 sunbeds, 44 mats, 3 umbrellas and 19 tables. The 10 beach vendors were taken to Cherng Talay police station and charged with encroachment for which they received a fine of B2,000. The 122 seized items were taken to Cherng Talay OrBorTor.

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Poll: Lorries, tour buses and vans perceived as biggest road hazards M ore than 37 per cent of votes cast in a recent The Phuket News poll, denoted large transport vehicles – tour buses, lorries and vans – as the biggest hazards on Phuket’s roads. The poll, which ran online from February 20 to March 6, 2015, asked readers to choose up to two answers from among six possible choices as follows (with results in brackets): Poor road maintenance and design: bad surface, U-turns, turn lanes, traffic lights (11pc) Reckless driving by large transport vehicles: lorries, tour buses and vans (37pc) Reckless driving by motorbikes and three-wheelers or saleng (22pc) Reckless driving by private cars: saloons, pick-ups, SUVs (14pc) Pedestrians, cyclists and other obstructions that shouldn’t be on the road (1pc) Phuket’s roads are as dangerous as anywhere (2pc) Garnering thousands of validated responses, comments and shares on The Phuket News’ website and social media channels during the 2-week survey period, the poll proved to be our most active so far this year. A majority of voters identified themselves as motorbike drivers

Cement lorries are seen by many as one of the worst hazards on Phuket’s roads and have hit the news on many occassion. (36pc) and car drivers (36pc), with another 23pc saying they switch between the two types of vehicles. Only 5pc of respondents said they walk or use public transport, while no respondents were drivers of large transport vehicles. “The results are hardly surprising,” commented Steven Layne, Managing Editor of The Phuket News. “All around the world, larger

vehicles make people more nervous on the roads, especially here in a country with the 2nd most road fatalities per capita in the world. Many of these deaths and injuries involve large vehicles.” Irrespective of the type of vehicles, the perception of respondents were nearly unanimous (84pc) in that reckless driving is the main issue – not the state or design of

the roads. “This is the main issue we wanted to address in this survey, being as so much money is spent on building and maintaining roads, whereas driving and traffic tend to get neglected.” In addition to the results, the poll also yielded some valid feedback points from respondents. “Many readers commented that

we should have included an ‘all of the above’ choice. The reason we didn’t, and limited the choices to only two, is we wanted respondents to really think hard about the options, to narrow it down to just the top two choices. He continued, “The problem with many open-ended online polls, in which readers don’t have to think too much about their choice is you tend to get a lot of random, repeat and even uneducated votes that may skew the final result. We prefer to emphasise quality over quantity.” Another valid point raised by respondents was that the “real” causes of the carnage is the lack of enforcement of traffic laws and especially the lack of proper road training. The Phuket News agrees that the lack of policing and traffic training are indirect factors to road mayhem. However, we also acknowledge the ineffectiveness of rule enforcement based on fear of legal and financial repercussions. Etiquette, logic and reason are also needed. Be sure to vote in our current poll, and tell us what you think about double-pricing at National Parks, which closes on March 20.

Customs tightening up on duty-free rules THE CUSTOMS DEPARTment in Phuket, as part of a nationwide drive, is tightening up on tariffs on imported goods, in line with the Customs Tariff Decree of 2530 BE (1987). The decree states that any item that is bought abroad for more than the equivalent of B10,000 and then carried into the country must be declared, and duty paid on it. Montri Boonsri, Senior Customs Officer, told The Phuket News Monday (March 9), “There has been no adjustment to the cost of goods [exempted], so the figure of B10,000 as the maximum allowance for personal assets exempted from tax is still in place.” There is some flexibility, he said. “If you buy a brand name bag [abroad] or a watch, for example, and it costs more than B10,000, you must be able to declare that the goods belong to you and are for your own prsonal use, so don’t put them in your luggage, still in the packaging.

Advice: If you have bought something expnsive abroad, wear it through the Airport. “There are exceptions, too. If you stay overseas for more than six months, then you will be exempted from paying import tax but you must declare the goods in your luggage to the officer. “The Decree has applied since 1987 but we compromised for many years. However, we saw cases when people brought 30 bags through an airport. That is not normal and it was quite clear that not all the items were for personal use; they were for commerce. So we needed to be more strict about the import tariff. “W hen we check the goods, we will also check out the person carrying the

goods. We will check their travel history: Do they travel abroad a lot? Why do they need to carry lots of bags each time they travel? We need to be crystal clear about the reasons.” As for tobacco and alcohol, he noted that the duty-free limits per person, regardless of price, are 200 cigarettes, or 250 grammes of cigars or tobacco, and one litre of alcohol. “If you would like to bring in those goods, you will have to pay tax on any amount exceeding these quantities. I would suggest you contact customs officers to find out how much you should pay.” thephuketnews

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‘Not a human trafficking hotspot’ Nattha Thepbamrung reporter3@classactmedia.co.th

he island’s authorities continue to look for cases of human trafficking as part of Thailand’s belated drive to get the country upgraded from Tier 3 of the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. But Phuket is not a hotspot of human trafficking, Vice Governor Panlop Singhasaenee said at a seminar held on March 5. “We have found some cases [of Cambodian children begging] but not as many human trafficking cases, or as severe, as in other provinces. “But the team are working hard to [do its part to] see Thailand get upgraded in the upcoming evaluation, which takes place in June. “Being in Tier 3 on the TIP report means that Thailand does not care when it comes to dealing with human trafficking. This [ranking] has and will affect Thailand in many bad ways.” Although police descended in their hundreds on massage parlours at the beginning of the crack-down – and found nothing – V/Gov Panlop said that the main focus has been on work camps housing large numbers of migrant workers. He said that the team have already made a number

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Working conditions were recently checked at the Charoensap furniture factory in Srisoonthorn. of surprise visits to construction camps but found no evidence of human trafficking. The team have also been looking at the fishing industry, though he admitted this was not easy because crews of boats are difficult to keep track of when they are out at sea. However, the team did find a few Burmese fishing crew members holding expired work permits. On Tuesday (March 10) the Charoensap furniture factory in Srisoonthorn was checked for any signs of human trafficking. Provincial Employment Office staff with Thalang police and the Human Trafficking Suppression

Work Team went to check the work permits of 84 Burmese who work at the factory, to check the site for hygiene and safety measures, and to give advice to the owner and representatives about the workers’ health care. Pitoon Damsakorn, Director of the Employment Office said, “The team are working on foreign labour management and human trafficking protection and suppression at the same time. “We are checking for foreign labourers who got work permits at the One-Stop Service Centre last year [permits that will expire at the end of this month] to see whether

they have left or whether they are still working. “All foreign labourers working at the factory have work permits and are all registered as working here. In fact, some of them are waiting for information from their homeland so that they can be issued passports from their own government.” He added, “Along with checking the work permits, we also came here to inform the employer that, at the beginning of next month, when the work permits expire, all workers will have to re-register by June. “The government has approved an extension of the maximum working

period for foreign laboureres [Burmese, Laotian and Cambodian] from six months to 12 months in order to solve the labour shortage across the country.” There are curently around 80,000 registered foreign labourers in Phuket. Around 50,000 of these already hold a proper passport, visa and work permit while the rest are waiting to verify their nationality to enable them to apply for a passport. On his Facebook page this week Governor Nisit Jansomwong posted an account of his second visit to a construction camp in Baan Kok Tanod, Cherng Talay. He said that he went to check the site again because he wanted to devise a general model and standards for work camps for both foreign and Thai labourers, to improve their quality of life and also to benefit local people who live nearby. “After checking I found many problems that need to be urgently solved including hygiene, garbage disposal, electricity supply, fire risk, and health of children [living in the camps]. “I think we have to build a model as a standard for labour camps. “Before local authorities approve the establishment of a camp, the camp must be shown to be managed according to the model,” Gov Nisit wrote.

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A tale of two lines in the sand Nattapat Tuarob reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

huket has encountered many confusions over the laws applied to land and construction. Now a spotlight has been shone on a confusion that has arisen over two lines drawn literally in the sand. The confusion may mean that dozens of structures close to the sea in Phuket are potentially illegal. The two lines at issue are the Shoreline, or high tide line, and the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation, or OrBorJor Line. An Announcement by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment dated BE 2553 (2010), and entitled “Environmental Protection Zoning and Measure For Phuket Province”, defines the Shoreline: “The Shoreline is the line where the tide normally reaches its highest natural level” – in other words, the average high tide. This is the line that demarcates the sea from the land, and which is supposed to be used to define the edge of “Zone 1” of the land, and thence the other zones further inland. Zone No 1 is defined as the “precinct which is measured from shorelines surrounding Phuket into the mainland for 50 metres including surrounding islands. …” The announcement states that the first 20 metres from the shoreline must remain totally untouched. The remaining 30 metres may be built on (provided that usage rules allow it), but only to a height of six metres, and provided that 75 per cent of the land will not be built on – in other words, left as green space. As one moves inland the rules are eased. In Zone 2, which is the zone between 50 metres and 200 metres from the Shoreline, buildings up to 12 metres high are allowed.

The rules are complex, but here is a much simplified graphical guide to which line is where, and what it is for. Regulations also state that some of Zone 2, depending on use, must be left as green space. The OrBorJor Line, or ground control point, was created because of confusion in an Announcement by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment dated BE 2546 (2003). This Announcement was overtaken by another in 2010, but the OrBorJor Line still exists. The 2003 Announcement stated, “Re: Environmental Protection Zoning and Measures For Phuket Province which have caused troubles to law enforcers and people in Phuket, for example, over commercial building construction, hotels, and accommodation, which lacked reference points to check the distance from the Shoreline and mean sea level around Phuket Island. “In order to prevent misunderstandings, the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation [OrBorJor] has

launched a project to set ground control points to control the level of shorelines around Phuket and to be a reference for government offices to use to inspect before a building permit is issued.” The OrBorJor Line was set at mean sea level (roughly halfway between high and low tides), based on tide records of the previous 19 years. This, the announcement said, “is the most suitable value to be applied”. The OrBorJor line was used to establish 200 official survey points across the island. But a spokesperson for the Natural Resources and Environment Department, speaking to The Phuket News on condition of anonymity, was quite clear in stating that, in cases of land along the shoreline, the average high tide – not the OrBorJor Line – is used to measure the 20-metres set-back from the shoreline. “If the area is on a mountain or hill, the OrBorJor Line can

be used as a reference [to establish mean sea level and from there] to work out the height above sea level,” she said. This is important because regulations in Phuket ban any structure with a roof height more than 80 metres above sea level. From this it is clear that the Shoreline (the average high tide) is used for horizontal measurements, while the OrBorJor line is intended for vertical measurements. But this has not been happening. Mayor Arun Soros of Rawai Municipality told The Phuket News, “The OrBorJor Line has been applied for many years [to defining Zone 1]. To my knowledge we have more than 30 projects [in Rawai] that used the OrBorJor Line [as the beginning of Zone 1]. “Erosion by the sea occurs every year. This has happened to Rawai Beach, with the result that some Chanote land titles appear now to cover areas that

are in the middle of the sea.” Thus, if the OrBorJor line is used, Zone 1 is actually in the sea, halfway between the high and low tides. By the time one reaches the shoreline – according to this interpretation of the rules – one is actually in Zone 2 or even Zone 3. Mayor Arun said, “If the OrBorJor line couldn’t be used to establish the boundary of Zone 1, then some 30 developments will be affected.” A test case, now before the Administration Court, is examining specifically this issue. Re: the Eva Beach development on Soi Salika in Rawai, the court is looking at whether officials of the IEE and EIA Determination Board for Environmental Protection Zone of Phuket were correct in approving the Eva Beach project. (An IEE is an Initial Environmental Evaluation, while an EIA is an Environmental Impact Assessment.) Following from an origi-

Phuket News Graphic nal complaint made in 2011, the court is also looking at whether the Rawai Tambon Municipality was at fault in issuing a permit to build Eva Beach. The Phuket News has been alerted to a number of other seashore developments around the island – outside of Rawai – that are apparently based on the OrBorJor Line and not the Shoreline. The case is still ongoing, and any finding by the Administration Court will apply only to this particular case. There is no precedent in Thai law, so judges in other similar cases are not bound to take any finding in this case into consideration. But the fact that it is even being heard may well sound alarm bells in the island’s property development industry. As for property buyers, the old advice still applies: get a good lawyer to advise you. If you’re not sure how to find a good lawyer, consult your honorary consulate in Phuket.

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PHUKET NEWS

Celebrating our Two Heroines

Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

Anantara Phuket Layan turtle release ANANTARA PHUKET LAYan Resort & Spa would love to invite you to participate in a very special event. To give back to nature around their beautiful hideaway, they are holding their annual turtle release on their own Layan Beach. Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2015 Schedule: 7:45am – Registration 8:15am – Key note address with Anantara and the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation and Phuket Marine Biological Center 8:30am – Turtle release demonstration 8:45am – Turtle release Venue: Anantara Phuket Layan, Soi 4-Layan Beach By donating B 3,500 to

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the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, you will be able to adopt a turtle and release it back into the ocean. To reserve a turtle for release, please contact them: Telephone: + 66 76 317 200 Email: Anantara Phuket Layan Resort & Spa sc.layan@ anantara.com The event will take place under the auspices of the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation and presided over by Governor of Phuket Nisit Jansomwong; Dr Robert Mather, Asia head of the International Union for Conservation of Nature; and other government and conservation dignitaries. They hope to see you there!

aturday (March 7) saw the start of the annual two-week Thao Thepkassatri and Thao Srisoonthon Festival, an event that features a number of activities including a seminar on the history of Thalang, historical sport competitions, a ceremony honouring Thalang̕ s ancestors Thao Thepkassatri and Thao Srisoonthon and a lot more. Speaking at a press conference to announce the event, PPAO̕ s Paiboon Upatising said, “The main purpose of this year̕s festival is to honour the history of Thao Thepkassatri and Thao Srisoonthon so the younger generation can pay respect to them and be thankful for those who sacrificed their lives for the land on which we live today. “PPAO is in charge of organizing events between March 13-15 and for bringing the entertainers, sounds,

The Thao Thepkassatri and Thao Srisoonthon Festival is one of the island’s most cultural events. historical stage plays, art and cultural performance, OTOP market, and local food to the Thalang memorial field (Baan Leang) near the monument. “The main entertainment will be held from 8pm between March 13-15 with this year̕s stage performance honouring Thao Thepkassatri and Thao Srisoonthon being much improved on previous years.”

Residents and tourists are all invited to come and enjoy the festival and help honour the island ̕ s two heroines and experience their way of life at the Thalang memorial field.

Schedule: March 13 – Wreath-laying ceremony and praising for the two heroines. Stage performance starts 9am at the Two Heroines Monument.

March 13-15 – Phuket local food and OTOP product fair runs from 5 pm until midnight. Throughout the evening there will be Thai performances at the end the Thalang memorial field. March 13-15 – Light and sound presentations and a historical play runs from 8pm–11pm at the Thalang memorial field.

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Dirty water is everybody’s fault

his author is not a marine biologist, but eyes don’t lie and the Similan Marine National Park in Phang Nga is far from crystal clear. The degraded coral reefs, indicated by the large black areas on the photo on Page 11, is a telling image of poor management by national park officials and tourists who should know better. But it’s not the only the body of water in the region that has degraded because of mismanagement and pollution by tourists and hotels. The klong on Koh Racha Yai, a popular tourist destination close to Phuket, is finally going to get a much-needed clean-up after years of disagreements between local officials and a resort owner (story on Page 4). Years of garbage build-up at two points in the klong held back stagnant water. Now, plans are in place to finally dig all the garbage out, a process that the Director of the Phuket Environ-

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EDITORIAL

mental Office says should take just two weeks. While they should be commended for finally getting around to come to an agreement with a local business owner (yes, one person), it is still ridiculous that wastewater has been allowed to build-up for approximately five years, especially since it was found that an illegal hotel bridge was built right over the klong. In Phuket, we are expected to have finished construction of a wastwater treatment plant that will eliminate the stench from the black waters of Klong Bang Tao and the drains leading to it. Some fisherman claimed that the water was giving them skin rashes. Local businesses were blamed for this, too. Local businesses should play a role in keeping the water off Phuket as clean as possible while municipal officials have a duty to put their foot down when it comes to our water,

especially in the klongs of Phuket and Koh Racha Yai. Meanwhile, the f lat-out denial of Similan National Park head Nat Kongkesorn that the ecology off Tachai Island is damaged proves that we are far from ushering in a new era of marine-friendly tourism. The truth is, everyone has a part to play: tourists, businesses, and local officials. For tourists, it starts at the beach (keeping plastic bags and cigarette butts out of the sand) while local businesses (from hotels to tour operators) have the responsibility for making sure they don’t block klongs, dump sewage into the ocean and overpopulate beaches/parks with thousands of their customers. Meanwhile, local officials have to come up with a way to add more trash bins, at the very least, and spearhead clean-up efforts without getting taken hostage by a single obstructive business owner.

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Five Frenchmen arrested for Phuket ATM skimming fraud ‘in the millions’ Australian attempts suicide in Phuket hotel room Vendors arrested and items seized at Phuket Beach Canadian sisters on Phi Phi ‘most likely died of bedbug killer’ Three Russians arrested in Phuket for card skimming French skimmer gang members ‘bought fake cards in Phuket’ Phuket’s Bang Wad Dam to be made into tourist attraction Thai teen charged with reckless driving after hit-and-run attempt ends in multi-vehicle smash Phuket: Bangkok nightlife said to be on midnight curfew until further notice Phuket: Natalie Glebova mugs with endangered gibbon

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HAVE YOUR SAY Double-pricing will hurt Thailand in long run Re: POLL: Is double-pricing okay? It is a form of discrimination that has a negative affect on tourism. A Thai can golf for a third of the price we tourist pay. If you golf in Canada we both will pay the same price...maybe if all prices were equal more people would go more activities. Therefore the economy would make more money...but we know in Thailand that won’t happen... derngt This double pricing is rampant in everything from shopping at fresh markets to small grocery stores, and it is even institutionalized as exemplified in National Park system. In America, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, everyone pays the same...always. Some Thai business owners seem fair, but most are short-sighted greedy people that want nothing more than to rip off farangs whenever they get the chance. In response to this, I have employed a personal policy, if I get gouged at a small market, fruit stand or any

other business, I will NEVER do business at that location... ever. So, they can choose to rip me off one time, or they can choose to treat me fairly and we can do business for years to come. Ed Sanders

Save the animals, book the touts Re: Phuket man arrested with loris’ and iguanas Yes, Kamala at night is popular with touts, and I saw a little girl (maybe 5 or 6) carrying a yellow snake around her neck (oh how cute), while her dad man-handled the large iguana like a cheap hand bag. Clearly, this clown couldn’t care less about the animal, and is trying to pass on his illegal career to his innocent daughter. Fines for this ought to be much higher. Touts are also very common in Surin and Bang Tao, but I know that the police are too busy to enforce animal cruelty. Fleecing tourists for not having a motor bike license certainly pays more...cash money right on the spot. Richard Vickers

Bye bye butterflies

Re: Phuket’s iconic butterfly

garden to close We loved visiting here, it is a loss to Phuket I hope you find something else :) timinphuket This is a shame, we must visit again before it closes. Financial reality I suppose. My advice would be to sell the land to a developer before the world bubble in property and land prices bursts. Andy

Get a real job Re: Phuket beach vendors take their complanit to Bangkok Yes, they were instructed to take all their gold and gaudy jewelry off, hired private buses and made their way for a getaway in BKK. I wish they would have stayed there. These people are not hurting, they are just missing their old lazy days of easy money. Go get real jobs, there are lots of them out there. Ed Sanders

The Haves and Have nots Re: Hotels cross fingers for room rate rise Where do they get these figures from? Look around and

see how few tourist are about then speak to businesses in the front line of tourism they will all declare they are down between 23 & 46%. These numbers refer to the big resorts who are giving away accommodation to tours. Tours that restrict those who have joined them, to spending their money in selected “Tour Venues”. The few get richer whilst the majority desperately attempt to avoid going out of business. AuPaddy

War on the drug war Re: Four arrested in Phuket with 20 kilos of kratom leaves Kratom is illegal in Australia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand. It is legal in most other countries, including the United States and all of Europe. These stories of people getting busted for Kraton should not be important. Yaba and meth use is out of control in Thailand. The focus should be on the control of that drug. Kratom makes a stimulating herbal tea, meth destroys lives. The Police and the media should focus on what’s important. This is not. Pinot

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THAILAND NEWS 11

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Expert raises alarm over Similan marine damage A

top marine biologist has expressed grave concern over the sorry state of marine life around an island in the Similan Marine National Park in Phang Nga province. Marine biologist Thon Thamrongnawasawat blamed excessive tourist activity for the damage to coral reefs around the popular Tachai island in the park. He posted an open letter on his Facebook page, calling for urgent solutions to the marine park’s crisis. He said wastewater from resort toilets and sewage pipes, as well as fumes from tourist boats are the main culprits as they have ruined the coral, while poor management by park officials has made matters worse. He also raised questions about transparency in the collection of park entrance fees. About 25 per cent of the coral reefs there are now badly degraded, he

Marine life is under threat at the Similan Marine National Park in Phang Nga, a top marine biologist has warned. Photo: Waran Rbj Suwanno added. Over the weekend, photographer Waran Rbj Suwanno posted an aerial image of the sea around Koh Tachai, called “Death from Above,” on his Facebook page. The image, which featured blackened coral under a clear turquoise

sea, raised alarm among conservationists and the public. “Too many people have come to the island as there are between 800 and 1,200 tourists visiting the small island daily. Really, it can cater properly to only 60 tourists a day,” he said.

However, the park’s head Nat Kongkesorn denied the ecology is damaged, saying the overall condition of the park and Tachai island was still good. Coral reefs in deeper water are in good condition, he added. Mr Nat said park officials

have strictly complied with the law and will hold a coral rehab campaign this Saturday (March 14), asking over 200 volunteer divers to help revive the coral. His remarks, however, drew criticism from dozens of diver-photographers who posted more recent photos showing the area’s poor state. Mr Thon, a National Reform Council member who deals with the environment, said he has arranged a series of meetings with a sub-committee on the environment to conduct surveys on all marine national parks including the Similan, Surin and Phi Phi islands. He also backed the idea of nominating the Andaman coast as a World Heritage Site. The NRC approved the nomination and it will be sent to the cabinet for consideration. Mr Thon also suggested limiting daily tourist arrivals and having marine experts manage the park. Bangkok Post

Thai tuna firm faces Australian probe THAILAND’S FISHING industry is on the hook again after Australian authorities reportedly held for inspection products made by a tuna cannery in Nakhon Pathom province for a possible link with food poisoning that affected four people in Sydney on February 26. The Daily Telegraph reported on Monday (March 9) tuna and mackerel from the cannery was being held and tested by Australia’s Agriculture Department. The factory, owned by ISA Value Co Ltd, supplied tuna for John Bull tuna products used by the Soul Origin Cafe near Town Hall station. The product was suspected of causing scombroid poisoning.

The Daily Telegraph, which sent a team to Thailand to conduct the report on the factory, as well as those of other companies, said the tightly guarded factory employed 3,000 migrant workers. The report said some unlabelled products were kept in an open warehouse when temperature was 34 degrees Celsius. Some workers also claimed the tuna room was smelly and messy. The team also interviewed some workers who indicated possible use of child labour at some tuna factories. FTA Food Solutions, the Victoria-based manufacturer of the John Bull catering-tuna

Fishing boats docked in Songkhla province. brand, said it sourced tuna from the factory, which it said meets globally recognised standards used in Australia. An ISA Value spokesman said the firm had sent products to be tested, which could take

a week, and would not hesitate to take action once the results came in. ISA Value is one of the two subsidiaries of Sea Value Plc. The other is Unicord Plc, which also processes tuna. The group

has many brands of tuna products including Super-C-Chef for the local market. It also makes pet food. Thailand was downgraded in June last year to the lowest level in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons report, alongside Iran, North Korea and Saudi Arabia in its treatment of workers and the way it protects them from abuse. The downgrade came after a Guardian report found that slaves forced to work on Thai fishing boats for no pay were integral to processing prawns sold in the US, UK and elsewhere in the EU by industry giants including Tesco, Walmart, Carrefour and Costco. Bangkok Post

Taxi driver Prathuan Muenrung, right, returned 4.74 million yen to Watanabe Tetsuro in Bangkok last week. Photo: FM. 91 Trafficpro

Honest cabbie returns ¥4.7m to Japanese tourist A JAPANESE TOURIST who caught a taxi from Suvarnabhumi airport into the city on Monday (March 9) and left a bag containing 4.7 million yen cash on the back seat had his money returned to him by the cab driver on Tuesday (March 10). Cab d r iver P r at hu a n Muenrung, 52, handed the money, equivalent to B1.27 million, over to Watanabe Tetsuro, 56, at the police radio station, FM 91 Trafficpro, in Bangkok. Staff at the radio station arranged their meeting. Mr Prathuan said the tourist had boarded his taxi at Suvarnabhumi airport and travelled to soi Thanniya, off Silom Road, where he paid his fare and got out. But he left some of his belongings behind on the back seat. The cabbie said after he noticed the man had left some items behind he waited for a while, expecting him to quickly return and claim them. When the passenger did not return, and another person hailed his taxi, he contacted the radio station, asking they help find the newly arrived Japanese tourist. M r Te t s u r o t h a n ke d Mr Prathuan and rewarded him with 200,000 yen (over B53,000). He said he carried so much cash because he didn’t like to use credit cards, and planned to visit many destinations in Thailand.Bangkok Post

HUGE REDUCTIONS on exclusive properties in Phuket, details on page 17

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Cambodia is close to being a middle-income nation T

he head of the Asian Development Bank said Tuesday (March 10) that Cambodia now ranks among the world’s fastestgrowing economies but still faces challenges. Speaking to reporters, Takehiko Nakao said the country’s rapid economic growth was driven by strong gains in industry, services and agriculture, bringing Cambodia to the verge of transitioning from a low-income to a middle-income country. “It has rapidly reduced poverty from nearly 50 per cent of the population in 2007 to just 19 per cent in 2012, although many people have moved only slightly above the poverty line and remain vulnerable,” Mr Nakao said. During his two-day working visit in Cambodia that started Tuesday (March 10), Mr Nakao met with Prime Minister Hun Sen, Economic Minister Aun Pornmoniroth, and Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron to discuss the government’s development strategy and how the ADB can support its efforts to diversify the economy, promote inclusive growth and further reduce poverty. In his meeting with Hun Sen, Mr

Cambodian people buy food at a tourist site on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. Photo: AFP Nakao said the ADB will continue working with Cambodia, particularly in the fields of public reform, rural development, and regional integration. Cambodia’s gross domestic product expanded at an average annual rate of 6.5 per cent between 2007 and 2014. The Manila-based bank predicts

growth of 7.3 per cent in 2015, underpinned by well-managed inflation, a stable exchange rate and sustained competitiveness. However, Mr Nakao noted that the economy is vulnerable to external price and demand shocks due to dependence on sectors such as garments, which comprised 71 per cent of exports in 2013, despite

recent success in producing more sophisticated products such as electronics components. He also said further reforms to improve the business climate would attract foreign capital and expertise, accelerating the economy’s diversification. But he noted that only 32 per cent of the labour force is educated

beyond primary school, highlighting the importance of curbing drop-out rates. To address the issue, Mr Nakao said the ADB will work with the government to improve the quality and relevance of education, through targeted skills development at the post-basic education level, especially for women and the poor. Speaking at a graduation ceremony on Tuesday (March 10), Hun Sen said his government is trying to run the country as best it can while avoiding the kind of macroeconomic problems that have beset Greece. The ADB resumed operations in Cambodia in 1992 following two decades of conflict, and has since delivered US$2.1 billion in concessional loans, grants and technical assistance. Under the recently approved Country Partnership Strategy, the bank is supporting Cambodia with more than $800 million in assistance between 2014 and 2018, focusing on boosting rural incomes and infrastructure, enhancing ruralurban-regional connectivity, and improving the quality of public sector management. Bangkok Post

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Over two million migratory birds killed in Cyprus ore than two million migratory birds were killed in Cyprus last autumn to feed an illicit taste for the delicacy on the Mediterranean island, a conservationist group said Monday (March 9). The survey by Birdlife Cyprus was carried out in the key season between September and October and estimates the number of birds indiscriminately trapped in nets or with limesticks. The group said its surveillance showed “a dramatic situation of this illegal activity sadly taking place,” with the number of mist nets used almost doubling in 2014 from the year before. It found some 16 kilometres of net supports active during autumn and more than 6,000 limesticks were reported from enforcement agencies and other non-governmental organisations. Limesticks are twigs covered in a sticky substance that instantly trap birds that alight onto them, leaving them to dangle helplessly. “With these trapping levels for autumn 2014, BirdLife Cyprus estimated that over two million birds could have been killed across the whole of Cyprus,” said Birdlife, the most since it began monitoring the activity 13 years ago. Such methods are used to catch blackcaps and song thrushes, much sought after delicacies that fetch up to 80 euros (B2,500) for a dozen at Cypriot restaurants. The Game and Fauna Service, in charge of the fight against poaching in Cyprus, says the illegal trade is worth about 15 million euros a year. - ‘Out of control’ -

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WORLD NEWS 13

The Solar Impulse Two plane takes off for a trip around the world, from Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi on March 9. (EPA)

Solar-powered plane begins round the world flight

152 different species are affected by illegal trapping, of which 78 are threatened. Birdlife said the figures showed illegal trappings were now “out of control” and that more needed to be done by the authorities in Cyprus, including the British military at bases on the island. A clampdown on restaurants was needed to prevent Cyprus revisiting the 1990s when up to 10 million birds were estimated to have been killed. Autumn is the peak season for bird trapping with an estimated 3,000–4,000 poachers involved. The numbers for spring are lower because the birds are less plump. Birdlife Cyprus chief Clairie Papazoglou said poaching was a “serious, persistent and growing problem” in “what has been the worst year with the highest trapping levels since the start of the monitoring programme in 2002”. Tim Stowe of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds called for zero-tolerance by the British military. “The report highlights the illegal trapping of songbirds on

the British military base has escalated and we are urging the Ministry of Defence... to resolve it before this autumn's migration,” said Stowe. A huge crackdown on trappers and restaurants was enforced before Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, but now conservationists say the government lacks the political will to eradicate the trade. Birdlife has also called for tougher sentencing available to the courts to be enforced while

pinpointing a need to change attitudes towards killing and eating migratory birds. The law provides for penalties of up to three years in jail and fines as high as €17,000 (B600,000) but these are rarely imposed. During winter, millions of birds take refuge in Cyprus from colder northern climates. An estimated 60 species are listed as threatened or in need of protection are snared in illegal Cypriot traps. Bangkok Post

AN ATTEMPT AT THE first circumnavigation of the earth in a solar-powered airplane began in Abu Dhabi Monday (March 9) with Swiss pilot Andre Borschberg at the controls, the team said. “#Si2 is in the air!” the Solar Impulse Two team posted on Twitter at 10:15am Thailand time on March 9. Borschberg will take turns with fellow Swiss aviator Bertrand Piccard to fly the Solar Impulse Two in a trip that will take them around the world in a dozen legs until early August. The project aims to promote the use of renewable energy. The two pilots plan to present their experiences at the global climate conference in Paris in December.

Their aircraft weighs only as much as a large car, but the wings span as wide as a large passenger jet, and are covered with solar panels that power four propellers. Borschberg and Piccard have said they would use self-hypnosis and yoga to endure the long solo flights and the extreme changes in temperature. The trip will take the Solar Impulse Two to Oman, India, Myanmar and China. The plane will then cross the Pacific to Hawaii and on to the US mainland. Following a flight across the Atlanic and over the Mediterranean region, the pilots are planning to return to the capital of the United Arab Emirate. Bangkok Post

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Asian resorts see trading downturn F

HRH Princess Ubolratana visits Bangkok Airways’ booth at ITB 2015 HRH PRINCESS UBOLRATANA Rajakanya Siri Vadhana Phannavadi visited the Bangkok Airways’ booth at the fairground of Internationale Tourismus Boerse 2015 (ITB) recently held in Berlin, Germany. The princess was greeted by Bangkok Airways’

President – Capt. Puttipong PrasarttongOsoth (front row 2nd from the right) and executives from Bangkok Airways PCL. ITB Berlin is respected as the word’s leading travel show and Bangkok Airways first stand entered the fair in 1998.

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or many Phuket hotels, this year’s peak season effectively ended after the Christmas/ New Year period. Anxious hoteliers have been pointing to the ongoing beach issue as a key driver of negative demand, yet looking at regional numbers there is a far broader issue at play. As TTG’s Raini Hamdi tallied-in at ITB in Berlin, Asia’s most lucrative resort market, the Maldives is currently experiencing a marked decline in trading levels. China, which is the island nation’s leading inbound market, has seen year-on-year retraction starting in September of last year and has continued unabated through January. Hamdi has spoken to wholesalers who are now offering deep discounting to induce business levels back. Currency, of course, remains the new elephant in the room for Asian hotels, given a strong US Dollar and devaluation of a number of global currencies. Russia, of course, is on a decided downturn with little short term relief. Recent travel headlines highlighted the emergence of Lufthansa’s new low-cost airline carrier Eurowings later this year. Reportedly, the carrier will offer cheap flights to Bangkok and Phuket on the back of a strategy that is aimed at tackling the rising tide of

The Maldives is also seeing a decline in trading levels. Middle East airlines who are increasingly capturing market share from legacy operators. In the first few months of the year, as hotels are reporting volatile trading with the exception being Chinese New Year, destinations such as Bali and Phuket are showing increased passenger numbers compared to the same period in 2013. While airlift is a key metric to track tourism, the reality on the ground is that peripheral rising locations such as Khao Lak, Lombok and the Gili islands are seeing rising visitors vis a vie transient traffic. At the same time, strong increases in new hotel supply,

surging non-traditional accommodation such as condominium hotels and villas and urbanising local populations are increasingly taking up those airline seats. Equally at play is a dynamically shifting marketplace with more regional and domestic traffic, which is equating to a shorter average length of stay, hence supply and demand are at odds with each other. Expect more of the same, as rising competition on pricing is expected to create a far broader competitive sector and Phuket’s hotels are faced with a far wider field of predatory challenges. C9hotelworks

PATA releases visitor arrival forecasts

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INTERNATIONAL VISItor Arrivals to Asia Pacific destinations will continue to grow over the next five years, according to the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Visitor Arrivals Forecasts. For the period 2015 to 2019, preliminary estimates indicate that the rate of growth will average between five and six per cent per annum to generate an aggregate inbound count of more than 670 million by the end of 2019. PATA chief executive officer Mario Hardy, said that 38 destinations in the period 2015 to 2019 will see more

than 158 million additional international visitor arrivals. “Asia as a destination region will grow faster at between six and seven per cent over that period and receive in excess of half a billion foreign visitors by the end of the forecast period,” Mr Hardy said. Asia will not only benefit from this increased travel volume, but also will be a major generator of that demand both within Asia and well beyond. “These forecasts provide a valuable quantification of the expected future trends of travel demand for the Asia

Pacific and allow for risk assessments to be made well ahead of the curve. “With past forecasts coming to within two per cent of actual performance at the Asia Pacific level, we believe that they provide a valid and accurate tool for today’s industry,” Mr Hardy said. The PATA Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2015–2019 are a joint production of the Tourism Forecasting Unit within the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and PATA. ebtravelnews.com thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

BUSINESS NEWS 15

Property tax plan softened H

Inner courtyard of Suvarnabhumi Airport by Khaosaming

ATTA reports arrivals up ASSOCIATION OF THAI Travel Agents’ member companies handled 724,547 international tourists at Suvarnabhumi Airport, January to February, representing an increase of 30.09 per cent from 556,967 visits during the same period last year. ATTA released its data, earlier this week, based on fees member agencies pay to the airport to provide a meet-and-greet service for international clients. The association president, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, said the country’s tourism situation was improving particularly in mainland China as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong. The Chinese New Year holiday in February was a key driver in those markets, he said. “Asian markets are showing signs of recovery with more arrivals from Japan, South Korea, India, Taiwan and Hong Kong while the number of Europeans decreases due to the ongoing economic recession.” For the first two months of the year, China led the field with an improvement of 165.25 per cent from 123,724 visits to 328,172 visits. Russia followed in second place with 58,974 visits, down 67.72 per cent from 182,719 during the same month last year. The next in top five markets were: Japan (32,993; +14.11 per cent); South Korea (28,872;

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+34.48 per cent); and India (25,821; +33.76 per cent). In February, there were 376,926 foreign tourists, who booked through the association’s members, an increase of 43.32 per cent from 262,987 visits during the same month in 2013. China ranked the highest during the second month of the year with 179,471 visits growing 187.05 per cent from 62,522 visits. Although it posted a decline of 72.47 per cent, Russia was in second place with 23,408 visits compared to 85,033 during the same month last year. However, travel agents were warned by the association to prepare for bigger losses in this market. Japan was in third place with 18,959 visits up 54.93 per cent from 12,237, while India in fourth with 13,017 visits increased 53.16 per cent from 8,499 visits. South Korea in fifth place with 12,722 visits improved 48.28 per cent from 8,580 visits. The next top five markets in February were: Vietnam (11,039; +230.91 per cent); Hong Kong (9,869; +7,858.87 per cent); Germany (8,923; +21.83 per cent); Taiwan (5,709; +18.13 per cent); and France (5,120; -23.33 per cent). The association also reported 86,254 tourists arrived at Don Mueang Airport in February, booked on tours with ATTA members. TTR Weekly

omeowners, farmers who own land and landlords for commercial land will be taxed 0.1 per cent, 0.05 per cent and 0.2 per cent, respectively, of the land’s appraised value by the imminent land and buildings tax. The Finance Ministry is also making a fresh effort to reduce public pressure by widening the ceiling tax waiver amount for residences to B1.5 million. Based on the effective tax rates, the government will collect an estimated B200 billion, up from B25 billion contributed by the current local development tax and house and land tax, Finance Minister Sommai Phasee said after meeting with the Committee on Monetary, Finance, Banking and Financial Institutions. The draft bill of the new land and buildings tax has been under strong pressure, as people feel too much tax burden has been placed on general home and landowners. The ministry has attempted to allay jitters by halving the ceiling tax rates, providing a tax

exemption period and allowing depreciation deductions. The recently proposed maximum rates were 0.25 per cent for land for agricultural use, 0.5 per cent for residential use and 2 per cent for commercial use and unused or vacant land. For vacant land, the effective tax rate will be doubled every three years, not exceeding a maximum of 2 per cent of the appraised value. The ministry previously set the ceiling rate for unused land at 4 per cent. The tax is expected to take effect in 2017

after the Treasury Department completes appraisals of 30 million land plots, replacing the local development tax and house and land tax, which have been criticised as regressive and based on out-of-date median prices. Mr Sommai said the Finance Ministry would raise the maximum tax exemption amount for residences to B1.5 million after depreciation deductions, up from 1 million previously, to ease public pressure. In addition, the tax for

houses appraised between B1.5 and B5 million after depreciation deductions is discounted by 50 per cent permanently compared with the previous proposal to tax only 50 per cent in the first year for residences appraised at B1-3 million after depreciation deductions. The ministry said it was not worried about the foregone tax revenue from the permanent tax discount, as the appraisal value, which usually increases every year, would offset it. Bangkok Post

Thai AirAsia X adds third aircraft THAI AIRASIA X HAS taken delivery of its third Airbus A330–300 to support an increase of services to Japan later this month. The airline CEO, Nadda Buranasiri, said the new fleet will be used to increase flights to Japan’s Tokyo and Osaka effective March 26. The new aircraft is configured with 377 seats; 12 reclining business class seats and 365 economy seats.

The aircraft’s design features “Park Ji-Sung” the famous Asian football player who is also the airline’s brand

ambassador. Starting March 26, Thai AirAsia X flights to Tokyo Narita International Airport

will increase to two daily. Flights from Bangkok to Osaka Kansai International Airport will also increase from five weekly to daily. It also will launch a daily flight connecting Thailand’s (Don Mueang Airport) to Japan’s Sapporo New Chitose Airport, May 1. The airline currently operates a daily flight between Don Mueang–Seoul (Incheon), South Korea. TTR Weekly

16 WEIRD NEWS

THE BIG LIST Prison swag Rehabilitation in style, that’s what these inmates have to look forward to everyday. Because you can’t spell prison without swaggerlicious!

Bastoy Prison, Norway: With a population of just five million, It’s totally possible that most Norwegian families have one cousin in prison – and this is where you want to be. Bastoy is a minimum security prison that is also the first ecological detention center in the world where inmates live in wooden cottages, work on a prison farm and have access to activites like fishing, tennis and event cross-country skiing. The recidivism rate is just 16 per cent, compared to Europe’s average of 70 per cent.

Brit sets new world record with 26 jokes in a minute

fter a six month verification proces, officials in charge of the Guinness World Records’ book have finally granted Clive Greenway the title of “quickest joke teller”. The 57-year-old British comic rattled off 26 one-liners in 60 seconds to claim the record for Most Jokes told in One Minute in front of a live audience. In doing so, he beat Markus Weise’ 21 jokes in a minute, a record that stood for three years. “I am delighted with my record,” Mr Greenaway said. “When I heard a German held the world record for telling

the most jokes in one minute I couldn’t believe it and knew it had to be broken.” The videotaped performance happened in front of an audience of 250 people at Haverhill in Suffolk. There were several rules that were in place, including the inolvement of three judges, a time keeper and the audience had to laugh at each jokes separately. Mr Greenway’s jokes included: “my wife and I were happy – then we met” and “Went to the paper shop – but it had blown away”. “There was a lot of training that went into it. After I wrote down 30 jokes it took

Clive Greenway, record-breaking comedian.

Cereso Chetumal, Mexico: The warden and several of the guards at Cereso Chetumal prison near the border of Mexico and Belize do not carry guns. They also allow prisoners to wear their own clothes and even battle it out in the boxing ring if a dispute arises. The grounds also includes a small spa with massage and holistic treatments, a gym and a kitchen – with its Belgian chef. With 1,100 inmates, it is said that inmates often find it hard to leave because of the easier lifestyle they had within the prison walls. Cebu Prison, Philippines: Though it houses drug dealers, murderers and sex offenders, Cebu Prison is also perhaps the only prison in the world with more than one viral video under it’s belt thanks to their dancing inmates. A 2007 video of inmates dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” has over five million hits on YouTube with a “Gangnam Style” video released in 2012. About 1,500 prisoners could be seen dancing, an activity that was implemented by the warden after he was inspired by a scene from “The Shawshank Redemption”. Cebu Prison also does live shows for spectators with a picture-taking session immediately after.

kept that pace up. I probably left a gap of a 400th-of-asecond for the audience to react before I started the next joke.”

me months to practice them and get them word perfect and build up my delivery speed. “I didn’t speed up towards the end, I started flat out and

Loeben Justice Center, Austria: Perhaps one of the most beautiful prisons in the world is the Loeben Justice Center (even the name is unique) with walls made out of wood, shatter-proof glass and floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto a balcony. Each “pod” contains 15 single-person cells with their own private bathrooms, TV and a shared kitchen. In addition, inmates are allowed to wear their own clothes because, as the warden explained to reporters: “The more normal a life you give them here, the less necessary it is to re-socialize them when they leave.” Aranjuez Prison, Spain: The phrase “family-friendly prison” is not spoken often, but that’s exactly what Aranjuez Prison in Spain has become. If either one or both parents are sent to this prison, the inmate has the option of having the family move into the 36-unit prison along with the parent(s). Children up to three years old can stay, at which point they have to stay with relatives on the outside. “It’s all child-oriented. It’s clean, they give you the best milk for the child, the doctor comes twice a week and the rooms are beautiful,” said Ramona Montoya, a woman serving an 11year sentence for drug trafficking.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

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Run record broken by 95-year-old

Indian jail told to install cable for World Cup AU T HOR IT I ES AT A prison in cricket-mad India were busy installing cable television last week after a judge said they had to ensure inmates can watch the ongoing World Cup. “Prisoners need recreation for a healthy mind,” Judge A. K. Goswami said last Wednesday (March 4) as he ordered bosses at the central prison in the city of Guwahati to install cable

TV within five days. An official at the jail in the main city of the northeastern state of Assam said installation work had already begun. Seven prisoners, including a former head of a local tribal council, had filed a petition before the city’s high court asking permission to watch the ongoing World Cup cricket matches. “Watching television for

news, sports and entertainment is a fundamental right within the purview of the Constitution of India,” said the petition. W hile the state-r un Doordarshan channel is screening India’s matches, the vast majority of the games being played in Australia and New Zealand are only available to subscribers of the Star TV cable network. AFP

HE’S NO USAIN BOLT, BUT he does hold the new British record of running 200 metres in 55.48 second. And he’s 95 years old. Dr Charles Eugster, who broke the indoor running record at the British Masters Championships at Lee Valley last Saturday (March 7), celebrated his record with a nap back at his hotel room. He said: “It proves you can set challenges and goals at any age and achieve them.” In addition, Eugster also holds the 100m and 200m British Masters outdoor record, and the over 95 60m record in 15.32 seconds. “He only started running competitively last year and he has broken all these records,” said his coach Sylvia Gattiker.

Badger shuts down luxury Stockholm hotel A LUXURY HOTEL IN central Stockholm came under siege early last Friday (March 6) by an ill-tempered badger which refused to allow any guests in or out, forcing police to intervene. “A crazy or stressed-out badger is preventing the staff and clients at a major hotel from leaving their cars, and from picking up their bags,” the Swedish capital’s police website said.

The Radisson Blu badger crisis began at around 5am and lasted some 40 minutes, when the police decided to take action. “The stressed animal was refusing to leave the place. “So the police called in the local wildlife services to settle the problem,” the police statement said. It remains unclear why the badger was angry. AFP thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Revitalise with Aleenta pilates

Get ready to have the Irish craic

OLIVER

WITH A TWIST

Charles Dickensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; classic comes alive in Phuket > Page 14

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2 PEOPLE

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Wisdom from the helm Regional Navy Commander on unity, sincerity and more Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

he Phuket News recently sat down with Vice-Admiral Sayan Prasongsamrej, Commander of the Royal Thai Navy’s Third Naval Area Command, which encompasses the entire Andaman coastal region. Starting the interview, he established that his overall mission is to unite everyone in Phuket and ensure that officials succeed in working together to achieve this common goal. V/Adm Sayan took on his position on September 30, 2014, replacing the previous Third Naval Commander, Vice-Admiral Tharathorn Kajitsuwan. At the age of 57, V/Adm Sayan felt it was the right time to try and look after Phuket and its economy, before he retires at 60. “I haven’t been in Phuket for very long. Despite the fact that Phuket is a small island, so many things have happened. Things that have made me question whether this was the right job for me. I admit that. So, I felt it was important to find out about the role from officials before I took on the job, that way I could be ready,” V/Adm Sayan stated with conviction. “Actually, my main interest is in armament,” he smiled.

“Everything we have done has been to try and help Phuket and its people. We try to be good role models and if anyone does anything illegal, then we don’t try to cover it up. We must ensure our mission is clear and warn others that we don’t tolerate any illegal activities. The commander reiterated that the navy’s primary role is to look after the people of Phuket, especially the tourists, who have experienced friction with taxi drivers in the past. “Previously we had received an anonymous tip-off from a tourist who was treated unfairly while attempting to get a taxi from Phuket International Airport. However, we have recently received a lot more positive feedback that illegal taxis are no longer an issue.” On the management of Phuket’s

beaches and land encroachement, V/ Adm Sayan remarked, “It’s a sensitive subject, because there are many officials and organisations involved. We want to work with other officials such as officers [with] Sirinat Marine National Park and Phuket Provincial. I want Phuket to be united. I believe we can succeed.” Asked what issue the navy recieves the most complaints about, V/Adm Sayan answered, “The Rohingya issue … It is a very sensitive issue, and we have to be careful how we proceed.” He explained that Thailand has a policy to fight and prevent human trafficking, reiterating that the Royal Thai Navy will continue to support Rohingya refugees with food supplies should they make landfall in Thailand. “We will continue to work with Phuket Marine Department and the

Labour Department to address human trafficking issues. The ocean is wide open; it’s not like a road where you can just set up check points, and it’s easier for culprits [human traffickers] to evade us. It’s very important that officials work together and support each other,” he reiterated. Asked what value is most important in promoting unity and stability, the commander said, “Sincerity is what I seek when dealing with other organisations. There is not enough of it going around. Too many officials want bribes to do their job,” he said. “I spent my life sufficiently with just enough. And, I always address problems at the cause. I’ve never asked for a bribe. If we all need to do honest work to protect the beaches, and our nation, I guarantee we will succeed, together,” he concluded.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

ENVIRONMENT 3

Easy with DC

A few things to consider when powering your devices from the sun

HAPPY HABITAT

Steven Layne editor@classactmedia.co.th

n a previous Happy Habitat column a few months back, I had boasted about my electric bill being only B38 for the month – and that’s at an inflated “sticks rate” of B14 per kilowatt-hour! Capable of supplying most of my domestic energy needs from solar power, I was sure I could reduce my bill even more, and possibly eliminate it altogether. But last month, the soi-master rained on my parade insisting that I had to pay a minimum of B200 for “transformer maintenance” every month, even if I opted out of using the dirty and expensive grid energy. I tried to explain, initially to his shirtless 10-yearold moped-riding son, that I didn’t need a transformer or utility bill for that matter, but he rebutted in haste that if I didn’t pay, he’d “cut the line” at once. Resisting the strong urge to stand my ground on principle, in the end, I coughed up the B200 so as to maintain the peace... for now. Should I ever need it, the grid can be my back-up, but for now I’ll be content to continue with solar-topped batteries for my dependable mains.

CONVERSION TIME

For those who’ve been following this column and my various projects, you’ll have picked up by now that central to my sustainability strategy has been concerted efforts to convert and consolidate most of my energy needs to come from 12 volt direct current (DC) circuits, as opposed to the usual 220 volt alternating current (AC) grid dependent circuits. Why DC over AC? In general, DC circuits tend to be a lot more energy efficient (consume less electricity) than their AC counterparts; and besides, all of Phuket’s AC energy is derived from the burning of either coal, oil or garbage, which I would rather not support if I can help it. With today’s lifestyles, it should not really prove a difficult task to transition from high wattage AC to low wattage DC, at least for the most important living functions – communications, lighting, air and water circulation as I can confirm over the past year of trials. Sure, some modern AC home appliances may be relatively energy efficient, which can easily be determined through careful label scrutiny. But to power such appliances on solar power, you still have to convert the DC sunlight-sourced energy into “home-ready” AC electricity, using an inverter. This DC to AC inversion process entails additional energy losses of between 10–20 per cent, meaning you’d have to size your production and storage to supply 10–20pc more energy to compensate for the loss. Hence, the easiest way to minimize if not eliminate such loss is to use DC devices without an inverter. Increasingly in Phuket and Thailand, there are readily available 12VDC pumps, fans and lights if you know where to look. Much of this comes from the Chinese manufacturing and export boom. As for multimedia, most of our mobile and compact communications devices are DC circuits already – even though we’ve come to depend on the supplied AC adapters to charge the devices at home using AC outlets.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Note that even when working with only DC, you still have to regulate the energy by stepping the voltage up or down to the recommended operation requirements. For example, tablets and smartphones that can charge via USB ports need to be stepped down to @thephuketnews

(Clockwise from top) DC-powered phone and solar panel; DC tools with proprieter chargers; DC-powered kitchen garden. Photos: Steven Layne 5VDC (from either 12 or 24 VDC solar system), while notebooks and all-in-one PCs that require ranges of 16–19VDC to operate, would also need to be regulated up or down, accordingly. In some cases, particularly when dealing with proprietary chargers with unorthodox power specs, you may have no choice but to use an inverter to power the factory-supplied AC adapter charger. Moreover, many domestic appliances – for cooking, cleaning and cooling – aren’t readily available in DC format (unless you order online and have them shipped from abroad). And, with many DC fridges, air coolers, appliances and other devices, the required start-up amperage (electrical current) may be too high to draw directly

through a fused charge regulator. For example, my laptop needs 80–120W of power to start up, and a continuous 8–10 amps (A) at 12VDC (96 to 120W) to operate without needing to draw from its own battery. However, my charge regulator only allows for a maximum draw of 3 to 5 A (36-60W) from my battery. Anything more than this needs a direct, unfused supply line direct from the battery. Luckily, as technology continues to advance, so does energy efficiency, and like-wise, our options for living comfortably off-grid. In a near future column, we’ll talk more about batteries and cooling down in this hot and dry weather. Watch this space.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

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EDUCATION 5

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Local school excels in maths

he Year 9 Mathematicians team of the British International School Phuket excelled at the South East Asian Mathematics Contest (SEAMC) on the weekend of February 28 in Hong Kong. The team walked away with a trophy for second place overall in the Activities round, a proud moment for the BISP maths department. Students worked exceptionally well throughout the contest, completing the various rounds of the contest individually, in the BISP teams or occasionally

‘buddy teams’, with fellow mathematicians from other top international schools in the SE Asia region. On the first day, students were treated to a fascinating engineering lecture by Professor Ron Lancaster, Senior Lecturer at the University of Toronto. Professor Lancaster introduced the students to the mathematics behind some of the world’s most spectacular buildings, igniting interest in a future career in this field in some of the students. The second day of the contest consisted of further individual and team

rounds, including the adrenaline filled ‘Energiser’ round. The highly-charged final day was rounded off with a formal gala dinner, including the announcement of final results and the awarding of certificates and trophies. An after party then provided the perfect opportunity for the students to celebrate all of their hard work and achievements. In addition to this exciting challenge, BISP also hosted its “first of its kind” event in Phuket March 3. BISP students, from KS3, were joined by similar aged students from Phuket In-

ternational Academy, HeadStart and Kajonkiet International School. Mixed school teams took part in a variety of maths problems where their maths knowledge and problem solving skills were put to the test. The day culminated in a maths trail around the BISP campus, and when the students were asked their opinion of the day their responses were positive. “Fun and enjoyable” and “a good way of talking and working with people you don’t know”, were just a couple of the responses from Year 9 students.

HeadStart showcases voice, freedom and human rights

he students of Year 7 A at HeadStart Inter national School showcased a touching, poignant and at times humorous performance based around the concept of human rights, slavery and racism. They performed

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stories from different time periods and from different parts of the world. They also performed their own poetry, songs and movement to communicate that everyone deserves to have a voice and freedom.

6 HEALTH

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Relax and unwind with Ayurah Aleenta’s guide to an energising pilates programme

Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

ejuvenate at the new Wellness Suites at the Ayurah Wellness Centre at Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa in Phang Nga. Located on the sunset side of the Andaman Sea and the pristine Natai Beach, this luxury property offers guests the opportunity to relax and unwind at the stunning beach, while refreshing at

the wellness centre. They recently created an extensive pilates workshop where participants were instructed by an elite practitioner of the body-shaping technique. The twohour workshop included a complimentary wellness assessment, with participants learning how to strengthen their inner core to tap the power within. I was fortunate enough to attended the intense workshop and was able to access the resort’s state-of-the-art Pilates studio, fully fitted with Stott Pilates equipment. Myself and the rest of the participants were taught by Rachel Park, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Pilatest Asia and an award-winning instructor. Aleenta Phuket’s Pilates instructors are trained to international standards and fuelled by a love of what they do and a desire to improve their skills. The resort’s world-class Pilates facilities, stunning location and expert team attracts Pilates enthusiasts from far and wide, including local celebrities and their families such as Pranabda, Mayuree, Phorntiva and Paleeporn Phornphapra, Nan Nisa, Mont Montarat, Duangkaew Bhakdibhumi, Nisamanee Bhirombhakdhi, Boy Wannasiri and Jesse Dorsey. Their new re-energising programme is designed to help guests re-balance

their mind, body and soul. The threeday programme consists of exercise routines, a healthy delicious lunch, dinner, and a therapeutic healing massage; helping to relieve the muscles in the upper back, neck and shoulders. At the workshop, we were offered an interesting and delightful breakfast menu, which included a bowl of white oats mixed with coconut water, fresh vanilla pods and fresh soft coconut. There was also a selection of fresh fruits, including dragon fruit, grapes, as well as a handful of dried coconut. The refreshing healthy lunch consisted of quality, fresh ingredients, perfect for putting some goodness back in the body. The first dish included green mango with papaya salad, wrapped in delicious rice noodles. There was also a blended sauce of roasted cashew nuts. It looked similar to a traditional Thai papaya salad, but it wasn’t as spicy.

The second dish was a serving of medium rare seared tuna loin, mixed with citrus fruit and baby corn and carrots. The dish was a beautiful array of colours. The taste of the tuna was so refreshing and was blended with a tahini suace – a nice healthy option for the body. We were also treated to some fresh strawberries alongside some yoghurt, the perfect way to finish a glorious meal. The pilates class itself lasted two hours. You could just feel yourself working the muscles in your body and I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an alternative way to work out. The class is a great way to stretch your back and shoulders, not to mention every other bone in your body! The programme was finished off with a Thai cooking class, followed by a delightful wellness dinner while relaxing under the sunset.

From clockwise: Thai cooking class; seared tuna loin; papaya salad; and the Ayurah Wellness Centre.

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BEAUTY 7

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Spring clean beauty buys Dalia Hilmi editor1@classactmedia.co.th

Get major lashes with the new benefit Roller Lash Mascara; the golden treasure of mascaras.

o welcome to this month’s beauty gems. They say March is perfect to spring clean your makeup. So why not open up the windows, de-clutter and invest in some of the best beauty buys on the market. We picked a few of our favourite so check them out below.

ucts in one iconic shade. Each product is formulated with Marc’s signature Blacquer formula, the deepest, shiniest, and blackest black possible. Magic Marc’er Waterproof Precision Pen is a fast-drying, extreme-wear waterproof liquid eyeliner pen. The Highliner Waterproof Eye Crayon is a long-wearing, waterproof gel crayon eyeliner that glides seamlessly along the lash line, for a longer lasting flawless look.

It looks like a powder but it feels more like a cream. The colours come in a striking spectrum ranging from soft base tones to rich deeps, luxe mattes to luminous shimmers. A definite treat for your eyes.

BENEFIT Roller Lash Mascara

Good news ladies. Get major lashes with the new Benefit Roller Lash Mascara; the golden treasure of mascaras. Its wand grabs and curls lashes with tiny hooks, and the formula locks in the curl for 12 hours. Plus, it doesn’t flake or smudge, giving you that flawless look.

BAREMINERALS Complexion Rescue

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This makeup palette combines SeaNutritive Mineral™ Complex composed of positivelycharged, antioxidant-rich sea minerals with cold-pressed borage oil, caffeine, and cucumber—ingredients known to deliver antiageing benefits.

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A beautiful set of three-cult favourite prod-

Celebrities transformed into iconic Disney princesses

he Walt Disney Company SouthEast Asia (TWDC SEA) recently launched its 2015 Disney Princess Calendar at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, following a photo shoot with acclaimed creative photographer Michael Chevas from Thailand, who has transformed nine celebrities along with three other selected models from across Southeast Asia into iconic Disney Princesses. These 12 women will each personify a Disney fairy tale princess. Portraying re-imagined interpretations, while still retaining the classic essence of the Disney Princess, the selected celebrities from Thailand were Proud (Olives band), Gam (The Star), Best (Olives band) and WaWa (the Artists), who, along with well known celebrities from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the @thephuketnews

From left: Proud (Olives band), Gam (the Star), Best (Olives band) and WaWa (the Artists), recently joined the launch of a 2015 Disney Princess Calendar at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. Philippines, each will bring to life these relatable, empowered heroines who delight everyone, but especially inspire girls to realise their full potential. Based on a rich legacy of

exceptional storytelling and beloved characters, the Disney Princesses each embody unique aspirational qualities such as Kindness, Strength, Compassion, Loyalty and Courage.

Yes, we know we are a bit obsessed with bareMinerals, but it’s with good reason! This versatile gel cream combines skincare benefits and a beautifully naturally radiant coverage in one. It is formulated with mineral electrolytes to help energise skin, it’s also infused with marine botanicals to help replenish dry skin.

8 COMMUNITY

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Happy St Patrick’s Day from Phuket Irish community S

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Kiss me – I’m Irish

n the occasion of St Patrick’s Day I would like to send greetings to all my fellow Irish friends on Phuket Island. I would also like to extend the greetings to everyone else and all the people who for the one day of the year find Irish roots to join and celebrate the day. St Patrick’s Day is renowned world wide for an amazing day of celebration, having the “craic” and drinking enormous amounts of Irish beverages. The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, as well as celebrating the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, and the wearing of green attire

or shamrocks, restrictions on eating and Lent sacrifices of drinking alcohol are lifted for the day, which has encouraged and propagated the holiday’s tradition of alcohol consumption. Wherever you are from in the world I wish you a wonderfully happy fun filled St Patrick’s Day. Don’t forget your Shamrocks or green attire, and remember to have “The Craic”. If you don’t know where to go or what to do, go along to the Irish Times Pub in Jungcelyon where you are guaranteed an authentic Irish night. Slainte. Helene Fallon Wood. Hélène Fallon-Wood is the Honorary Consul, of the Honorary Consulate of Ireland, Phuket

ome great things that came out of Ireland, as well as other interesting Irish facts

most of them are in Britain (500,000), US (about 160,000), Australia (70,000) and Canada (23,000).

•Irish ancestry – Although Ireland itself is only a country of some 6.4 million souls, the total number of people in the world who claim Irish ancestry is more than 12 times that – some 80 million people. Most of these live in the US (40mn), while there are also significant Irish (descent) communities in Great Britain (14mn), Australia (7mn), Canada (4.5mn) and, a little unexpectedly, Argentina (1mn).

• U2 – Arguably one of the greatest bands of all time. Formed in 1976, the band has released 12 studio albums and are one of the best selling acts ever, having sold 150 million records. Still making music and performing to this day, the band are also known for political activism. Other world-famous Irish bands (but less successful than U2) include the The Cranberries, The Corrs and The Waterboys.

•Irish abroad – As for Irish born in Ireland but now living abroad,

•The longest place name in Ireland is Muckanaghederdauhaulia, in County Galway.

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CULTURE 9

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Hampton Court Palace. Photo: Steve Cadman

Celebrating Thailand-UK relations

Big tree, bad luck! CULTURAL INSIGHTS Nattapat Tuarob reporter1@classactmedia.co.th

uperstitions may not seem to have a place in the modern world of science and technology, but in Thailand they still thrive, especially among the elderly, whose wisdom is steeped in ancient beliefs. Not all of Thailand’s old superstitions are completely bogus, and some may even have some logical basis in science. In today’s column, I’d like to talk about one old Thai belief that growing large trees at a private residence can bring one bad luck on its residents. According to the belief, such large trees should only be planted in spacious and sacred places such as temples.

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This is why you usually only find the sacred Bodhi tree – also known as the Banyan tree or Hopea odorata , or Takhian tree (Ton Pho in Thai) – at the local wat, and rarely will you find one at someone’s private residence. Thais have long believed that if you plant this kind of tree at a private residence, it will bring bad luck to that house and its inhabitants. These trees grow quite large, their

height can reach 30 metres in height and beyond, with the trunk’s diameter growing to three meters. Consider what’s going on underground. If you grow this tree too close to your home, the roots will expand under the house which will surely harm the foundation of the house in the future. Moreover, the roots are hard to demolish and the trees have a long life, which can be determined from tree ring dating. Back to the supernatural side of things, it is believed that these trees serve as abodes for angels and other powerful spirits possessing a certain power that ordinary people can not live around.

rom now until March 16, the public is invited to attend the Thailand - UK exhibition in Bangkok to celebrate 402 years of official relations. Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the British Embassy in Bangkok, the ‘Forward into the 5th Century of Thailand-UK Relations’ exhibition, is aimed at raising public awareness on 402 years of positive relations and cooperation between Thailand and the United Kingdom. The exhibition features a main section designed as a maze that draws inspiration from the maze in the Hampton Court Palace. The maze showcases the interactions of the royal families of both kingdoms, a history on both countries’ relations, trade and investment, education, social cooperation, culture and tourism. Another section of the exhibition will be displaying the cooperation in science and technology, as well as the educational cooperation of the two countries. Those interested can attend the ‘Forward into the 5th Century of Thailand-UK Relation’ at Central Embassy shopping center on Ploenchit Road in Bangkok. NNT

10 TRAVEL

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Allured by the Atlas Part 2/2 of one Phuket GM’s recent journey to Morocco

Hansruedi Frutiger editor@classactmedia.co.th

Sunrise behind the Atlas Mountains was just stunning. I really was lost for words.

wo weeks ago, we followed Hansruedi Frutiger, the Swiss GM of Moevenpick Resort & Spa Phuket, on the first part of his recent holiday to Marrakech. Here’s how the rest of his journey went. Tuesday was another beautiful day, I got up at 5:00am and was picked up by a jeep driver to bring me to an open field near Marrakech. Here, I met seven other tourists for a balloon flight over the empty vast land and villages. This is definitely an experience not to be missed if you’re not scared of heights. Sunrise behind the Atlas Mountains was just stunning. I really was lost for words. When we landed, we were invited to enjoy some local mint tea and bread. We were later driven to a camel farm where I opted out since my camel was biting and was not in the mood to carry me! By the late afternoon I went to Cafe Arab on the terrace, located in the Souk. I recommend enjoying a delightful cocktail, or ordering one of the local wines. The prices are not too expensive. For your information, changing money isn’t too much of a hassle as there are plenty of exchange shops. Back to the souks of Marrakech (yes, I am quite fascinated with the souks!). The air is rife with cries of gypsies, snakecharmers, wandering minstrels, magicians,

and folk-singers. There are tanneries on pavements, street artists on every corner, and vegetable vendors popping out of alleys. If you’re not paying attention, you could end up with a monkey on your shoulder or a snake wrapped around your arm. There is nothing that isn’t sold here- perfumes, spices, bags, clothes, baskets, shawls, carpets, shoes, even safety pins. Moroccan vendors can be annoyingly persuasive. You will be pestered by shopkeepers on entering the souk, but it is nothing a firm no can’t tackle. Devise the perfect no – we suggest a baritone treading the fine line between firm and polite. I left the next morning with an experienced driver at 8am to Telouet. Drive through the granite curtain of the snow capped Atlas Mountains over the tichka pass, and you find yourself switching from frosted slopes into the flat stony landscapes of Morocco. The Kasbah opened in 1995. It is not well maintained, and to be honest not many tourists even visit it, as the road is pretty long and bumpy. The town seems fairly ancient, again the low green and high snow capped mountains reminded me of Europe (without the palm and orange trees). The Atlas Mountains are the longest mountain trail in Africa and has the highest mountain in Morocco, which I would visit. Thursday was my day off, so we went back to the square, took a hop-on-hop-off city tour bus, stopped in the new part of Marrakech, which is outside the medina. It has very modern shopping malls and expensive apartments. We had a look at the newly renovated La Mamounia. The hotel is known for accommodating stars, politicians or kings and queens. The garden is full of orange trees and the shops in the hotel arcade offer everything from Gucci to Harry Winston jewellery. At 9am my private driver took me to the foot of mount Toubkal. The highest mountain in the Atlas, 4,200 metres high. I did not climb the mountain but drove up to 2,000 metres high, where I was met by a local guide who walked me over the small walkways, passing thorny bushes. I am physically not fit anymore and needed an occasional short rest or a helping hand when walking on icey gravel. Going down hill was

indeed a lot easier, but my joints are getting rusty. Lunch was pretty good, we had the usual salad or soup followed by a hot mixed pot of vegetables, potatoes and either chicken or beef. All for MDR 150. There are many restaurants in town, but not all are worth the visit. The first one I went to was the most expensive. I was also brave and sat on the back of a concierge motorcycle to drive through the Souks, since the traffic in the small alleys was a challenge.

Hammams

Visiting a Hammam (traditional bathhouse) is a must when in Morroco. I went to the one called 1000 and 1 night. There are three packages available, I chose the medium priced inclusive body scrub, sauna, cold shower, mud scrub, sauna, hot tea and some water, resting for 15 minutes, and finally a 30 minutes agran oil massage. The massage included special fragrant oil which was excellent. However, the pre-washing and scraping of the skin was not my cup of tea. Morroco’s geographical variety can come as a surprise. A day journey can take you from the Atlantic beaches right through to rich farmland, over high mountains, and finally the Sahara. The landscape is fascinating. Half of the Moroccans still live on the cliffs in the mountains or rural areas, and everywhere you see people working this extraordinary land, harvesting on tiny wall terraces, looking after olive and argan groves or leading their flocks of sheep to mountain pastures. The amount of orange trees found on public walkways or in gardens is amazing. I feel like I am full of vitamin C, just in time to head back to work. A tip when you visit the place: Barter hard when buying from the souks. A quarter to a third of the offered price and work your way up. Sellers feel it when you are in love with the item. Spend most of your dirhams before getting to the airport! Many of the duty free shops at Marrakech airport don’t accept dirhams, they prefer euros. Just keep some for refreshments. Use antibacterial hand gel as a good alternative to washing hands. Have a pleasant trip.

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DINING 11

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Fried rice, with colour and kick Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th

hili dipped fried rice with shrimp (Khao phat nam prik long rua kung sod) is a good showcase for the flavours of Thai chili paste. The spicy chili is mixed with a shrimp paste in which you could virtually smell the sea – freshness at its finest. Once the rice is done, it is covered with a Thai-style omelette and served with fresh red onion slices, some more chili and lime. Interesting items are abound on Smile Snooker Restaurant's menu, items such as crispy catfish and spicy minced meat salads are prepared with usual Thai flair. Smile Snooker Restaurant is located in Samkong area, near Bangkok Hospital on Hongyok Utis Alley Rd. It opens time is 10am until 10pm.

Curious Gourmand; Cocido Antoine Melon editor@classactmedia.co.th

came across this beautiful dish during my time in Madrid, Spain where it is considered the national plate. However, by writing this story I know that I will make myself a few enemies, since cocido has many variations, each hotly defended. Cocido resembles the French pot-au-feu, a stew made with chickpeas, meat and vegetables, though the Spanish version originated within the Sephardic Jewish community: it was called adafina and was cooked in an earthenware pot called an olla, one later replaced by the more pedestrian pressure cooker. Madrid’s cocido is made with beef, chickpeas, cabbage, carrots and turnips. It would be cooked overnight so that it could be eaten on the Sabbath, when work was forbidden. Later Marranos (a word that originally meant ‘pork eaters,’ describing those Jews forced to convert to Christianity, though its meaning later degraded to ‘pig’) began adding chorizo and morcilla (blood sausage) @thephuketnews

to the dish. The most important ingredient is the meat, which is chosen for diversity: salted meat, fresh meat, smoked sausage, and old hen. A proper cocido takes an entire day to cook, so that tough meat can become tender. Cocido is supposed to be served in three courses (or vuelco, Spanish for ‘overturn’ as the pot had to be changed to serve each course and keep the ingredients separate): first, broth with the relleno meatballs or matzoh balls; then vegetables; and finally, meat. Each vuelco varies by region: the Galician, for instance, calls for pork, while the Madrileno requires beef.

During the Spanish Inquisition, militant Catholics would roam Madrid, nostrils flared, to catch the scent of Jewish adafina. Some informants might even bring pork sausages to dinner, to test the host: if he added it to the stew, he was spared. Cheap and earthy, cocido has always been popular in Madrid. Many restaurants and taverns around town offer cocido as a daily special on Tuesdays. I would often meet my friends Paz and Rafael de la Vega at El Puchero en la Calle Larra for my favorite Madrileno cocido. Don’t forget to eat it with Dijon mustard!

12 TECHNOLOGY

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New tech comes to Phuket with hotels in mind

he Japanese are known for their inventiveness within the technology sector as the country is home to some of the top brands in the world: Sony, Nintendo, Canon, Panasonic; the list is endless. Several products are now being made available for the first time outside of Japan with Thailand becoming a major recipient. Chihiro Matsuhashi, CEO of SML Technology in Japan gave The Phuket News a sneak peek at what’s in store for the future.

designed for boating, beach villas, and emergency outdoor equipment, the Seanergy system includes magnesium and other properties to interact with sea water and generate anywhere between 6.5 and 64 volts, depending on size. Small, portable Seanergy generators can last for 24 hours while the big version gets up to 500 hours. It also works with fresh water!

Jorge de la Torre Koch of LHM, Chihiro Matsuhashi of SML Technoloy and Claudio Cerquetti of LHM five times faster than through the air. The speakers have also been used by the Japanese synchronised swimming team in their preparation for the Olympics in 2016.

Liquid Sound

SeaEnergy

hicles that are used for recreational or tourist activities.

Cell Fresh

AirSound

Imagine using seawater to generate electricity? It is possible with the Seanergy emergency light. Originally

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Underwater speakers have been popping up all over Japan for the past decade. These heavy-duty speakers play music that customers can enjoy as they swim from end-to-end. The sound waves travel through the water about

Despite the advances in devices that play music, many vehicles still have to be outfitted to include wires and other chords just to play that new Britney Spears track (because, Oops, she did it again). AirSound is similar to the Liquid Sound device, except much smaller, compact and lightweight with the ability to use any material or construction as it’s own resonant speaker. Ideal for golf carts, ATVs and other small ve-

A simple solution has many hoteliers in Japan and some in Thailand with a smile on their face as the Cell Fresh system – a patented nanofilter for air conditioners – can save users up to 20 per cent on their electricity bill. The filter breaks down nano particles into smaller bits so they spread more evenly through the unit and prevent over heating. All products available through Luxury Hospitality Management (LHM). Visit luxuryhospitalitymanagement.com for more information.

Apple Watch debuts, does calls, messaging, health apps

pple on Monday (March 9) unveiled its entry in the smartwatch market, a high-end device that allows users to make and receive calls and messages and track health and fitness. “It’s like having a coach on your wrist,” Apple chief executive Tim Cook said as he unveiled the device. Pre-orders will start April 10 for delivery on April 24 in nine countries, Apple said. Speaking at a media event in San Francisco, Mr Cook said the new smartwatch “is the most personal

device we have ever created,” and can display a variety of faces ranging from a classic watch to an animated Mickey Mouse. Con necting to the iPhone, the Apple Watch is designed as a wrist device for messaging and calls and for a variety of health tracking applications. “With the built in speaker and microphone you can receive calls on your watch. I have been wanting to do this since I was five years old,” Mr Cook said. The watch is also integrated with Apple Pay’s mobile wallet, and can be

used to view pictures and monitor news, and also connect to social media. The watch can use other apps ranging from Uber ride-sharing to music to home automation. Apple demonstrated using the watch to listen to music, with lyrics displayed on the watch face. The company also demonstrated an app to open a garage door from afar to let in a family member who is locked out. Mr Cook added that the Apple Watch “is quickly going to become integral to your day, so we’ve designed

it for all-day battery life,” or some 18 hours per day. Apple said entry price would be US$349 (B10,500), with costs up to US$1,049 (B31,500) for extras features. A special solid gold limited edition will be priced from US$10,000 (B327,000). At the event, Apple also unveiled a new Macbook laptop computer that weighs less than one kilogramme, and a new initiative to use the iPhone to collect data for medical research, focusing on heart disease, diabetes, asthma, breast cancer and Parkinson’s disease. AFP

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PROPERTY DEALS IN PHUKET *FIND THEM ON PAGE 17 thephuketnews

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IN BRIEF Film workshops in Bangkok, Jakarta

Both Chev rolate and Mofilm, organisations which host short film contests, have launched the Academy for Southeast Asian Filmmakers (ASAF) with workshops scheduled for Bangkok and Jakarta. The workshops will be a free three-day course to help develop filmmakers skills and will be delievered by experts in the local industry. Storytelling skills, filmmaker theory and best practices are just some of the aspects that will be covered throughout the workshop, which is limited and subject to application. The workshop will take place in Jakarta May 11–13 and in Bangkok from May 13–18. Application deadline is March 31. Visit mofilm.com/ASAF to apply.

Male Ghostbusters also in the works

Though news of the Paul Feig-led female Ghostbusters film was announced last year, Sony has also made plans for an all-male film franchise as well. A new production company, Ghostcorps, will oversee the films, TV and merchandising aspect of the franchises with Dan Aykroyd, co-writer/star of the originals, joining Ivan Reitmann, who directed all the originals, in spearheading the project. So far, Channign Tatum is attached to star in the all-male film and Drew Pearce (Iron Man 3) will co-write the script. “Paul Feig’s film will be the first version of that, shooting in June to come out in July 2016. He’s got four of the funniest women in the world, and there will be other surprises to come. The second film has a wonderful idea that builds on that,” Reitmann told Deadline.com.

NEW MOVIES THIS WEEK...

Trust Issues FILM REVIEW J.P. Mestanza editor2@classactmedia.co.th

he best con movies have a unsettling looseness that keep audiences on edge. There’s the suave, silky smooth Ocean films with grandiose heists that take from the rich. Then there are the Nine Queens and Catch Me If You Can types that laude petty grifts to make way for the bigger scores. Though playing their own cons on seemingly different planets, all con films have a coolness factor that makes audiences look over the cheesy aspects of each. Focus tries to reconcile the world of small and big crime while maintaining the tone of a romantic comedy. Seasoned con man Nicky “Mellow” Spurgeon (Will Smith) meets grifter Jess Barrett (Margot Robbie) who begs him to become her mentor. After he lets her in his large web of professional confidence games, the two become close but forces outside of their control threaten to rain on their relationship and cash “earnings”. The film takes the audience from America to the world of motor racing in Argentina and back. And just like turbulence on the flight from Houston to Buenos Aires, the con hits a bumpy road with the audience constantly guessing who is playing who and with what. Ironically, Focus fails to home in on what it wants to be: a romance or a con film. Ultimately, it tries to be a romantic comedy but the games are so intertwined and dependant on relationships it’s tough to see this as more than a dark

ere are this week’s coming attractions for SFX Coliseum Cinema (Central Festival) and

CINDERELLA Running time: 112 minutes Rated: PG When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella (Lily James) finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters. Never one to give up hope, Ella’s fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger in the woods.

SF Cinema City Jungceylon (Patong). For up-to-date movie times and tickets, visit booking.sfcinemacity.com.

RUN ALL NIGHT Running time: 114 minutes Rated: R Mobster and hit man Jimmy Conlon (Liam Neeson) has one night to figure out where his loyalties lie: with his estranged son, Mike (Joel Kinnaman), whose life is in danger, or his longtime best friend, mob boss Shawn Maguire (Ed Harris), who wants Mike to pay for the death of his own son.

Out: 50 Shades of Grey, Penguin and Dragon Blade @thephuketnews

comedy with good-looking people who like to have fun after a few martinis. Smith carries the film with just the right mix of brooding charm and elegance – similar to his role in Hitch – and hits all the notes of a veteran con artist trying to make his way. Think Danny Ocean, but less hollow and with much more personality. Similarly, Robbie’s portrayal of damsel-seemingly-in-distress plays well with Smith’s main character giving the film an (albeit) flimsy romantic backbone. Still, this backbone is constantly getting stretched out of proportion, mangled and broken when the cons keep getting in the way. This forces audiences to mistrust any bit of love and tenderness that Focus gives us, similar to how Confidence goes back and forth between lies and reality. With more twists and turns than a swing dancing competition, Focus clearly has trust issues. The characters can barely trust each other and the audience can’t trust the emotions on screen.This is what makes Focus a mediocre film as it’s reliance on the big twist and romantic overtones belittle the small, intricate weaves parlayed by great characters like Liyen Tse (B.D. Wong) and Farhad (Adrian Martinez). Focus is smooth, entertaining and rewatchable – if only to see how those street games are done!

FILM 13

FOCUS

Starring: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Rodrigo Santoro, Adrian Martinez, Brennan Brown, B.D. Wong and Gerald McRaney.

Director: Glenn Ficarra and John Requa

Running time: 104 minutes

14 ENTERTAINMENT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

A magical twist on Oliver Dalia Hilmi editor1@classactmedia.co.th

We use bamboo sticks to symbolise different props and objects.

Above right: BISP student Charlie Greene plays the eponymous Oliver in the upcoming production.

he British International School Phuket will be hosting their annual theatre production “Oliver” on March 31, April 1 and April 2. The play is a twist on the classic Broadway musical based on the Charles Dickens novel, where 9-year-old orphan Oliver Twist falls in with a group of street-urchin pickpockets. The production will take on more stylistic drama devices through various methods such as pantomime, mime and diverse interaction between the actors and the audience. The play was put together by Drama teachers Mrs Wilkinson and Mr Evans, each contributing their own varied skills to the script. Mr Evans specialises in ornate Japanese style methods, whereas Mrs Wilkinson has gone with the more traditional dramatic style of acting. The play involves 15-20 main roles, with an additional 20-30 students in non-lead roles and in the choir. It involves students of all ages right up to Year 13. Lead role Oliver, to be performed by Charlie Greene from Year 9, says “Our director has chosen to use imagination instead of actual props. “We use bamboo sticks to symbolise different props and objects, a continuing theme throughout the entire play.” Harry O’Brien who will perform as villain Bill Sikes, says, “The play involves a lot of team work. We are currently spending a lot

of time going through the acts. We’re not allowed to rehearse with scripts anymore now that everyone knows their lines. “In my opinion, the music in the play isn’t like anything that has been done before. It’s different from the plays in the past, mainly because we have a new director who concentrates on abstract acting, as opposed to a realistic style of acting.”

Mrs Wilkinson focuses on the musical production side. Each of the characters will have an exciting costume and makeup, each with their own specialised costume prop. For example, the character of Bill carries a cane, and Oliver switches from wearing poor clothing and being barefoot to wearing smart clothes and a top hat. Charlie says the play “leaves the audience to interpret it in their own way, especially because of the interesting choices of props and style of acting.” The imaginary props are held at certain heights throughout the play, which symbolise elements of the mind. Harry says, “It keeps the audience’s minds active. It’s not something you can just watch, you have to sit there and think.” Anjalee Syangbo who plays Bill’s wife Nancy says, “We’re not following the movie. A lot of the songs have been changed, the choreography is different...some characters waltz into ensembles. You can see different personalities between each of the characters. You see the cowardly side of someone, but yet you also see their fearless side. It’s really exciting. “We have also incorporated harmonies into our songs, so the audience can expect an amazing performance,” Anjalee explained. This exciting adaptation on Oliver Twist is sure to be a phenomenal performance. For more information contact pwilkinson@bisphuket.ac.th

Blind Thai youth defy ‘bad karma’ to play in orchestra

eftly feeling their way along the bumps of the braille score, the young players of Thailand’s first blind orchestra memorize scales, defying both their impairment and ingrained negative attitudes toward disability. It is rehearsal time just hours ahead of a concert at an open-air auditorium in a national park, and around 30 fledgling classical musicians enthusiastically strum, pluck and bow instruments they have held but never seen. “At first it was really hard for me… I wanted to stop,” said Joe a 14-year-old budding cellist who picked up the stringed instrument nine-months ago. “But when I realised that others could do it, I gave it another try,” he told AFP, smiling broadly. Official figures show that Thailand is home to 1.8 million disabled people, of whom around 180,000 are blind, in a population of more than 64 million.

Yet campaigners say state provision for disabled people is poor, compounding a widely held Buddhist belief in karma that, in the minds of many, links physical impairments with the supposed “misdeeds” of a past life. The Thai Blind Orchestra, made up of players aged between 8 and 15, offers a rare positive platform for the disabled. The orchestra, who use donated instruments, were brought together by a professional classical musician whose day job is looking after elephants in the Khao Yai National Park in the northeastern Nakhon Ratchasima province. The seeds of the idea were planted when the blind students met their soon-to-be maestro, Alongkot Chukaew, at his conservation classes in the park. Teaching with the help of audible aids, including his guitar, 43-year-old Alongkot noticed music caught the attention of the children.

Joe of the Thai Blind Orchestra rehearses ahead of a concert at the Thai Elephants Research and Conservation Fund in Khao Yai National Park northeast of Bangkok on Jan 31. Photo: Nicolas Asfouri/AFP He asked his music teachers to play different instruments and encouraged the youngsters to follow the sound they liked best. As their affinity with their chosen instrument mushroomed, Alongkot introduced a braille system for the students to learn

to read classical music. Shown one-on-one how to position their fingers on their instruments, the children then memorise both the notes and the correct placement to make the right sounds. “It was hard because they

cannot see the demonstration of where to put their fingers or hold the bows,” Alongkot said. “But it was fun.” “Some people might not like their performance, but the kids are happy and have fun with it,” he said, adding they are not looking to compete. Attitudes towards disability across Southeast Asia are often shaped by a sense of karmic destiny. The same philosophy that encourages people to do good deeds so they may be rewarded on reincarnation also leads people to believe that the disabled suffer their impediments because of their actions in a past life. While the law codifies equality, in practice life remains at best complex for many disabled Thais. Most public transport lacks wheelchair access, few state offices have ramps and there are no braille signs and few voice signals. Coconuts Bangkok/AFP thephuketnews

16 ISLAND SCENE

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Naiyana Thongprasri (l) of Xana Beach Club and Albert Ocasio (c) of Angsana Laguna

DJ Paul Harris, Grammy award-winning British DJ from the trio Dirty Vegas

Philip Seipelt, Gaga Nayika, Franz Gutierrez and Poy

XANA’S ANNIVERSARY PINK PARTY (From left) Koraphat Luangsawat of Arrow Media, Chatnarinrat Kruakaew of Ju Modeling, Miss Asean 2014 Maylada Nuntanuruck, and Sornsiri Kruakaew

Xana Beach Club with Attica celebrated their 3rd Anniversary with a Pink Party on March 7! Along with the festivities, Xana partnered up with Bangkok Hospital Phuket’s Oncology Centre, hoping to give back to the community. Xana’s contribution will help to invite more local residents and expats for regular check-ups at the hospital and help those who are in need for a treatment fund.

HANDS ACROSS THE WATER CELEBRATES NEW HOME Squad members of the Malaysian Warriors awarded the match-winning trophy by Class Act Media GM Jason Beavan

OY! AUSSIE RULES FOOTBALL TAKES OVER PHUKET’S ACG The Alan Cooke Ground in Thalang was the site of Phuket’s first official Aussie Rules Football match between the Thailand Tigers and Malaysian Warriors on March 7. Before the match, local Thai juniors were introduced to the game via the Auskick programme.

Founder and Chairman of Hands Across the Water Peter Baines & fiancé Claire Thomas

On March 6, Hands Across the Water, Australian charity that gives at-risk Thai children and their communities a helping hand, held their Night of Celebration with craft booths, four-course dining, temple fair and live entertainment at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. The event was to celebrate the opening of their new home, PAMA House in Chantaburi. thephuketnews

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

ISLAND SCENE 17

Josh Mitchell (right)

CHALLENGING TASTE BUDS Kata Rocks, along with sponsors BB&B and Class Act Media welcomed teams to the first Phuket Wine Options Challenge on March 5. A total of 15 teams participated in the inaugural competition.

From left, Jason Beavan, Martin Smetsers, Jason Wilder, and Tiya Rakdej

First team at Bay Regatta awards ceremony at O2 Beach Club in Chalong

FAN SUPPORT AT PHUKET FC HOME CLASH

BAY REGATTA SURGES OVER THE ANDAMAN The 18th Bay Regatta took over the Andaman Sea from March 4 to 8 as it made its way from northern Phuket, around Koh Yao Noi, to Phi Phi and then to southern Phuket. Class Act Media would like to thank Gokova Sailing School for their participation. @thephuketnews

Mövenpick’s Khun Aida Rashid, Marketing Director, and Khun Kitiphong Nilpraphaporn, Sales Director, with their team

Phuket FC Chairman Pamuke Achariyachai presented a football jersey to fans and sponsors during half time of the Phuket FC match against PTT Rayong last Saturday (March 7) at Surakul Stadium. Full story in Sports, page 27.

Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong with Hansruedi Frutiger, GM of Mövenpick Resort and Spa Karon Beach

MÖVENPICK MAKES MOVES IN BKK Victoria and Kirill of Gokova Sailing School

Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach team attended Thailand’s largest consumer fair “Thai Tiew Thai 2015” from March 5–8 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The resort offered special deals for Thai residents to explore the lovely Andaman region.

18 EVENTS

FRI

13 MAR

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Pool Competition at Expat Sports Bar The competition at 9pm Expat Sports Bar at the Expat Hotel Soi Taipan Patong. See map at www.expathotel.com

i Arts Collection Temporary Art Exhibition @ 1st floor, ZCAPE Condo Bang Tao i Arts Collection By Luxsana(Nok) Charernsri 1st - 22nd March - Open daily from 11.00am - 8pm An opportunity to see a collection of art work done by me since I was 16 years old. With more than 100 pieces using different techniques and mediums. If you are looking for an artwork to adorn your home, here is an opportunity for you, as I provide a large range of works starting from 300THB. If you would like to know more about it, be the first one to visit my art exhibition. More information contact 088 246 9249.

SAT

14 MAR

Suk Singpatong + Sitnumnoi

FRIDAYS WINE & TAPAS Imagine yourself sitting 50meters above sea level and gazing out over an amazing sunset whilst sipping on a Ginger & Lemongrass Martini and enjoying the unique sophisticated city lifestyle ambiance of Phuket. Every Friday ‘All you can Eat’ Tapas and more with free flow of selected beverages at 1,390 Baht net from 7 – 10pm. Get 30% discount on selected beverages from 5.30-6.30pm everyday. Located at Vanilla Sky Bar, Cape Sienna Hotel-Kamala Call 076-337300.

Every Saturday night, Num Noi Singpatong, the head trainer and owner of Singpatong + Sitnumnoi gym in Patong Beach, hosts an elite fight series “Suk Singpatong + Sitnumnoi Saturday fight night” at Patong Boxing Stadium (Sai Nam Yen Road), where top international and Thai fighters compete. Visit pattongboxingstadium.com for more info. Contact 087 628 2719. Proudly supported by Class Act Media. Remark: Free transportation in Patong, Karon, Kata areas when requested in advance. Proudly supported by Class Act Media.

St. Patrick’s Day Ball to benefit Life Home Project Sharon Shannon, an Irish International world class musician, has kindly agreed to come and play for Life Home Project Foundation on March 14th at the Movenpick Resort and Spa Karon Beach. Sharon has entertained US President Clinton at the White House and President Obama in Dublin along with accompanying Presidents Mary Robinson and President McAleese on state visits to Poland and Australia respectively. She has recorded and toured with Bono, Adam Clayton, Sinead O’Connor, Jackson Brown, The Waterboys, to mention but a few. The night PROMISES to be full of amazing entertainment, delicious dinner and mouthwatering beverages courtesy of the Irish Times Pub. Book tickets now by calling Wandee via phone number 083 9696084 or 076 281273 or sec.irelandconsulate.phuket@gmail.com. Proudly supported by Class Act Media.

SUN

15 MAR

Fridays from 7pm Enjoy live jazz with a delicious banquet of grilled meats, fresh seafood and more. From THB 800++ per guest Book Now: 076 372 300, Person: RSVP, Address: Dewa phuket, Email: sales2@dewaphuket.com

For THB 499/-nett. All you can eat

Indian Curry Night on Fridays Come to Navrang Mahal in Karon Sea Sands Resort & Spa for an authentic Indian Feast every Friday in Karon Beach. Try out our delicious naans, mutton vindaloo, chicken tandoori, dal makhini, butter chicken, samosas, lassis and many more mouth-watering dishes. For only 499/- nett and special reduced prices on drinks, 076-286464 Ext 4.

BBQ at Expat Hotel Time 8pm, Expat Sports Bar, Expat Hotel, Soi Taipan, Patong. www.expatsportsbar.com

Lunch or dinner served from 2pm. Your choice of either roast beef, chicken, loin of pork or leg of lamb served with roast and boiled potatoes, three fresh vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. Only B320 per person which includes a free glass of house red or white. Opposite Centara Karon Resort. See otools-phuket.com

MON

16 MAR

Earn an internationally recognized TEFL certificate from Phuket’s highest-rated TEFL course. Trainees learn about teaching methodology, language awareness, and phonology while gaining invaluable experience though guided lesson planning and observed teaching practice. Meaningful job support for Phuket, Thailand or anywhere in the world. Discounts available for local residents. For more information, contact Eric Haeg. TEL: 081 968 9334, EMAIL: info@teflcampus.com.

Phuket Walking Street

A Mexican Fiesta at Iniala White Jazz, Blues & BBQ at Dewa Phuket

Traditional Sunday Roast Angus O’Tool’s Karon Beach

First day of TEFL training

Phuket Walking Street, “Laad Yai” is a Village & Community Development Potential Project (SML) of the “Old Phuket Town Community” in Laad Yai, Phuket Town. The visitors can enjoy the Old Phuket Town atmosphere which benefit to the local economic growth in the Old Phuket Town community. Open every Sunday from 16.00 - 22.00 Hrs. For more info visit facebook.com/phuketwalkingstreet or contact: 089 474 5253. Proudly supported by Class Act Media.

There’s nothing better than good, wholesome Mexican food right? Iniala White will join forces with a guest chef from Bangkok’s Rembrandt Hotel and we’ll be cooking up a feast. Set at our relaxed beachside venue, Iniala White, the Mexican banquet will be served buffet style with lively cooking stations and a separate cash bar. We’ve also got some special entertainment lined up for this sensational evening under the stars. THB 1,200* net per guest including 3 drinks. 5.30pm for sunset until 10pm (food served 6pm until 9pm) Bookings are strongly recommended. Dress Code: Relaxed *No VIP Discounts Applicable. Person Fabien, INIALA White, Natai Beach, 083 006 5277

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

SWASDEE SIAM at Dewa Phuket Mondays from 7pm An evening of Thai cultural performance and aromatic flavours from our Thai kitchen. Just THB 650++ per guest, Kids Eat Half. Price Book Now: 076 372 300, sales2@dewaphuket.com

Aqua Fitness Live Seafood & Jazz Sunday Brunch at Banyan Tree Join Banyan Tree’s indulgent LIVE Seafood Sunday brunch featuring lots of LIVE Canadian Lobsters, Tiger prawns, freshly shucked Oysters, Wagyu rump and Foie Gras. Meander from one live cooking station to the next, and don’t forget to leave room for cheese and dessert. With live Jazz music and a kids club, starting at B2,800++ per person including free flow of selected beverages. Advance bookings are highly recommended, Contact 076 372 400. fb-phuket@banyantree.com

Aqua Fitness classes offer you something different to “high impact” sport but the results, however, will amaze you! Aqua fitness can increase muscle tone and improve your breathing, circulation and heart rate as well as help you to reshape your body: slimming your waist, toning your chest, firming your buttocks and strengthening your back. It’s also an excellent weapon against cellulite! Aqua Fitness classes are held on Mondays at 17:00 and Wednesdays at 11:00am. Please go to www.santosaphuket.com ot find us on facebook, Santosa Wellness Center, 076 330 600.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

TUE

17 MAR

EVENTS 19

SAT

21 MAR

VNEA Pool Leagues Season 2 Zumba in the Jungle We do not consider Zumba a class, it is a fitness party! Making exercising fun, the dynamic Latin-based dance workout has taken the fitness world by storm. Vibrant and energetic, an hour of serious cardio passes by in such a flurry of colourful smiles, that it doesn’t feel like exercise at all! Join us at Santosa, where the formidable Geti Pici transforms our fitness pavilion into a fit-party! To book this class, or to find out the other Zumba class times, please go to www.santosaphuket.com or find us on facebook, Santosa Wellness Center. 076 330 600. Patak Rd, Kata.

WED

To be held 18 to 20 March 2015 off the beautiful Similan Islands, the tournament boasts the most generous prize money in Asia!!! At least 20 boats have already confirmed, including teams from Australia, Canada, USA, UK, Germany, Oman, Hong Kong and Singapore. For further details please contact Warren Crowe Tel: +66(0) 812704291 or Andy Bright Tel: +66(0) 862739948. E-mail: info@rawaibeachfishingclub.com. Proudly supported by Class Act Media.

PASTA MANIA at Dewa Phuket Wednesdays from 7pm Savour the flavours of Italy with fresh pasta, homemade sauces, tasty appetizers and desserts. Just THB 650++ per guest, Kids Eat Half Price Book Now: 076 372 300, sales2@ dewaphuket.com

Phukets Best Burger 2015 Starting at 5pm join us for an afternoon of FUN on the Boardwalk at Royal Phuket Marina where we will be host our first Sring Fest, featuring the first ever Burger competition in Phuket where someone will be Phukets Best Burger 2015, plenty of F&B stalls, live music from the black and blue band and tons of Childrens activities. For more information email info@royalphuketmarina.com or call 0869 437 840

SUN

18 MAR

RBFC THAILAND 2015 ‘Classic’ Sport Fishing Tournament

@thephuketnews

Join Thailand’s Largest Pool League ! Have Fun - Meet People - Play Pool For more details LIKE us on www.facebook. com/vneaphuket or call: 085 797 0005 For Schedules, Standings & Statistics check out: www.compusport.us Proudly supported by Class Act Media - The Phuket News, Novosti Phuketa, Live 89.5 & The Phuket News TV.

22 MAR

FRI

27 MAR

The Good Shepherd Craft Shop

CONSTECH 2015

Opens every Wednesday from 10AM to NOON and every Saturday from 9AM to NOON. We have a wide and wonderful selection of handicrafts such as educational toys, dolls, puppets, paper art, greeting cards for all occasions, Novelties like tooth fairy pillow, and many more. All proceeds go directly to The Good Shepherd mission. More info visit www.thegoodshepherd. info/shop E-mail: reginatudor@gmail.com, Contact: 083 104 0788. Proudly supported by Class Act Media.

Thailand International Construction Machinery, Equipment and Technology Exhibition 2015 is an international business platform gathering more than 400 exhibiting companies & brands from around the world spanning a vast range of construction and mining machinery and equipment, and machinery for building material production. More than 5,000 trade buyers, industry player and key decision makers from Thailand and ASEAN construction and mining industries are expected to visit the event. CONSTECH 2015 is organized by Thai Contractors Association under H.M. the King’s Patronage (TCA) and managed by IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd. CONSTECH 2015 is a must visit exhibition!, pasinc@impact.co.th, 02 833 5208.

THU

19 MAR

SUPERSPORTS 10 Miles International Run 2015 Phuket presented by Thanyapura Supersports and Thanyapura Phuket are proud to announce‘SUPERSPORTS 10 Miles International Run 2015v Phuket presented by Thanyapura’ which will take place on Sun-22 March 2015, total prize money 110,000 B. Register now at www.supersports.co.th and www.thanyapura.com or at Thanyapura club services from 8am to 9pm. Entry closes on 13 March 2015. Free running Singlet is limited only 1,500 pre registered runners., Email: virapol.c@thanyapura.com, 089 973 9506. Proudly supported by Class Act Media.

SAT

4 APR

Aerial Yoga–Unique to Santosa The fluid, gravity-defying twist on yoga shows how we can learn to fly whilst relieving compressed joints and re-aligning the body. The practice uses graceful, trapezelike movements which sometimes seem like acrobatics. A wonderful way to do inversion poses, aerial yoga really is an innovative fitness trend, and Santosa are extremely proud to be the only center in Phuket offering suspended movement in every direction along with stimulation of the organs, muscles and bones. To book this class, or to find out the other Aerial yoga class times, please go to www.santosaphuket.com or find us on facebook, Santosa Wellness Center. 076 330 600. Patak Rd, Kata, colleen@santosaphuket.com

Essential Recharge Retreats Kata Rocks offers you the gift of wellbeing at its ‘Essential Recharge Retreats’, five or seven-day yoga, meditation, fitness and wellness retreats (22 to 28 March) that will guide you back to health. These amazing retreat packages allow you to customize classes, treatments & healthy cuisine to cleanse, recharge and revitalize. For information and rates: reservations@katarocks. com 076 370 777.

Thanyapura Superkidz Triathlon 2015 Participants will be divided into Junior [6-8 years], Intermediate [9-12] and Senior [1318] categories, the triathlon event will give young athletes the chance to experience the world class sports facilities at Thanyapura including its 50m Olympic standard outdoor pool with biking and running routes set within the surrounding nature of Khao Phra Thaew National Park. Register online at www.thanyapura.com, This event is proudly sponsored by Class Act Media.

20 TIME OUT

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York Across 1. In the Sherlock Holmes story, what was the ‘speckled band’? 2. What and where are the Trango Towers? 3. In which country would you be most likely to eat Balti curry? 4. How many are there in a devil’s dozen? 5. Who was Sancho Panza’s boss? Answers below, centre.

SUDOKU

54. Teased 56. Hotshot 1. Expert 58. Common contraction 6. “Rigoletto” composer 62. Community 11. Be laid up college diploma 14. Hawaiian veranda 65. Quibbled 15. Innateness 17. Criminal’s pals, to 66. Christopher of “Superman” police 19. Its motto is “Lux et 67. Neon, e.g. veritas” 68. Gawk (at) 20. Letter from Greece 69. Beasts of burden 21. Back up 22. The Righteous Down Brothers, e.g. 24. Social insects 1. Boozer, slangily 26. Strike caller 2. “Two Years Before 29. Genetic info carrier the Mast” writer 31. Downs’ opposite 3. Organic compound 32. Get off the fence 4. Mauled 35. Claims anew 5. Material for a 38. Have a hankering whitesmith 39. Eye ___ of America 6. MasterCard alternative 42. Leaning against 7. Come after 43. Not moving 8. Fraternity letter 44. Ultimate degree 45. Basic chess tactic 9. Abscond 10. Spring blossoms 47. 252 wine gallons 11. Aloof 48. Gob 12. Clinches 49. Bread maker 52. Persian, e.g. 13. Just in case

16. “___ of Eden” 18. Is repentant 23. ___ Major 25. Mideast capital 26. Concentrated, in a way 27. Had in mind 28. Believers in an abstract deity 30. Poisonous gas 33. Shot 34. Basic belief 36. Go downhill fast? 37. Boatload 38. PIN requester 40. Accustomed 41. Hokkaido native 45. Summary 46. Charge 50. At the summit of 51. Critic, at times 53. Pledges 54. Report 55. Largest of seven 57. Give up 59. Burns up 60. Campbell of “Party of Five” 61. Caddie’s bagful 63. Rap sheet abbr. 64. Diamond stat

Solutions to last week’s puzzles:

Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz:

1. A snake; 2. World’s tallest rock towers, in Pakistan; 3. The United Kingdom; 4. Thirteen; 5. Don Quixote de la Mancha.

GOT YOUR NUMBER

ISLAND VIEW

This week in history ■■ March 13, 624

The army of the Prophet Muhammed defeats the army of then Quraish of Mecca in the Battle of Badr. ■■ March 14, 1903 The Hay-Herrán Treaty, granting the United States the right to build the Panama Canal, is ratified by the United States Senate.

Number of baby girls that were named Kindle in the US in 2013.

Percentage of the world’s 3.5 trillion photographs that were taken in the past year.

■■ March 15, 44BC

Number of times the Empire State Building is hit by lightning in an average year.

Tons of poop generated in a lifetime by the average human.

750,000

Dollars forfeited by soccer player Ronaldinho, signed to Coca-Cola, when he was spotted sipping Pepsi. Source: Uberfacts

Midday moon over the beach. Photo by Natasuang Busaranon Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to editor1@classactmedia.co.th

The Ides of March: Julius Caesar, Dictator of the Roman Republic, is stabbed to death by Marcus Junius Brutus, Gaius Cassius Longinus, Decimus Junius Brutus and several other Roman senators. ■■ March 16, 1872 Wanderers FC wins the first FA Cup, the oldest football competition in the world, beating Royal Engineers AFC 1-0 at The Oval in London. ■■ March 17, 1957 A plane crash in Cebu, Philippines, kills popular Philip-pine President Ramon Magsaysay and 24 others. ■■ March 18, 1241 First Mongol invasion of Poland: Mongols overwhelm Polish armies in Kraków in the Battle of Chmielnik and plunder the city. ■■ March 19, 1962 Bob Dylan releases his first album, Bob Dylan, on the Columbia Records label. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PROPERTY 17

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

15,000,000 THB

@thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

IN V

ES TM

18 PROPERTY

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

PROPERTY 19

35 R

PE M

@thephuketnews

20 PROPERTY

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

RN RS! TU EA RE 5 Y 5% R 1 FO PS

E ST TO E

TH H AC BE

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

@thephuketnews

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

PROPERTY 21

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS 23

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

EDUCATION

MARINE SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

PRODUCTION SERVICE

GUARDIAN SERVICE

HOME IMPROVEMENT

STORAGE Reserve Your Storage Space

Call 076 29 29 09

or visit mystorageasia.com

 Sizes to Suit all Budgets  Personal & Business Storage  Motorcycle Storage  Left Luggage Service  We Sell Boxes  Storage Insurance Inclusive

Secure, Clean & Cost Effective Self Storage Jungceylon Shopping Center, Patong, Phuket

ELECTRIC

STORAGE

MARINE SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

PACKAGING

REMOVALS

ADVERTISE HERE

@thephuketnews

24 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

Jobs

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/thephuketnews

classifieds@thephuketnews.com

BB PHUKET NEEDS YOU! Come and join us to be a part of our Dream Team. The new unique Pool Bar and Restaurant on Phuket’s stunning East Coast is looking for you.

Position:

- Restaurant Manager/ Assistant Manager (ผูจ้ ดั การห้องอาหาร, ผูช้ ว่ ยผูจ้ ดั การห้องอาหาร) - Bartender/Bartendy (บาร์เทนเดอร์, บาร์เทนดี�) - Host/Hostess (พนักงานต้อนรับในห้องอาหาร) - Banquet Attendant (พนักงานฝ่ายจัดเลี�ยง) - Marketing /PR (การตลาดและประชาสัมพันธ์)

Incentives:

Salary package: ��,��-��,��, competitive compensation and benefit packages and guaranteed service charge. (รายได้รวมอยูร่ ะหว่าง

��,�� – ��,�� บาท ตามตำแหน่ ง , ความสามารถ และประสบการณ์)

- Daily tips - Staff Food - Staff Van - FUN at Work

Requirements:

- “Can Do” attitude (มีทัศนคติดี) - Outgoing personality (บุคลิกภาพดี) - Good English (สามารถสื�อสารภาษาอังกฤษได้ดี) - Great communication skills (มีทักษะการสื�อสารที�ดี) - Passionate (มีความชื�นชอบในสายงาน) - F&B Knowledge (มีความรู้ในด้านอาหารและเครื�องดื�ม) - Hard working (มีความอดทนในการทำงาน) - Reliable (ซื�อสัตย์ม, สุจริต)

Thai& Non Thai nationals Contact us on Jobs@bbphuket.com Phone number: English: 0848927517, Thai: 0935757770 Animal caregiver WANTED

Starting 1st March, full time, caring for sick animals, dog walking, grooming, medicating & running errands, some overnight & weekends expected, experience with animals a must, please send resume to : jellinecastro@ yahoo.com

Join an International Team, Princess Yachts Phuket is hiring 1 Position Urgently: Marketing Assistant; good English, good knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite, basic Photo and Video production and Website, Thai national Please call Rico Stapel at: 086 690 0444 and send resume to rico@princessyachtssea.com

The Terminal Phuket

Native English Teachers

Are you looking for a Nanny?

Chalong International School is looking for two experienced teachers for our preschool and primary school to start Jan 6 Mon-Fri resume to phuketteacher@yahoo.com, 080 624 7060.

Job Wanted!!! If you are looking for someone who can look after your child, pets or house when you plan to get away at night or during the weekend, Pls contact Email : jj_icu@hotmail.com, 081 476 7570.

TELE SALES WORK FROM HOME

Excellent THAI CHEF

Earn up to 3,000 - 5,000 baht/day. International organization specialized in holiday rentals listing is expanding to new areas of interest. The ideal candidate is a responsible and diligent person with experience as a telemarketer or in sales. Good English and excel skills are essential. Thai or foreigners can both apply. We offer: full training, telephone and email support, high commissions, Email: recruitment@holiplanet.com

Looking for an excellent Thai Chef to work abroad. I am looking for an excellent Thai Chef to work overseas in Sri Lanka at a new Thai Restaurant. Would require to speak little bit of english but what I am looking for is a really good chef who can make Authentic Thai food. Will provide great salary and accomodation. Please contact me on suranga.sd@ gmail.com to discuss further.

Phuket Sirinath Property & The Terminal Phuket Sales Staff 2 (2 years Experience) Marketing 1 (3 years Experience) Accounting 1 (5 years Experience) A & S Supervisor 1 (10 years Experience) M & E Engineer 1 (10 years Experience) HR, Naiyang Beach, k.taksakorn@ gmail.com, 076 327 590.

Vacancies for property sales reps

1.Sale English,Chinese,Russia (Good commission)Have experience in line of Sale 2.staff at booth for Property(17,000 + Lunch + Commission) Can communicate Good English, Kaew, kaew@agtropical.com, 094 807 3434.

Class Act Media is southern Thailand's most comprehensive media company, incorporating Phuket’s leading English newspaper ‘The Phuket News’, Russian language newspaper 'Novosti Phuketa', Phuket’s leading English radio station ‘Live 89.5’, Phuket English TV 'Phuket News TV' and a host of publications & services including ‘The Phuket Colouring book’ & ‘Phuket Ticket Master’.

SALES REPRESENTATIVES Qualifications:

Assistant Branch Manager 20 K We are hiring!!!!! Both positions for our new branch in Phuket and to be part of our energetic team. Excellent commission & benefits. Email info@thailandpooltables. com, 20,000 THB per month, Ying.

Class Act Media is southern Thailand's most comprehensive media company, incorporating Phuket’s leading English newspaper ‘The Phuket News’, Russian language newspaper 'Novosti Phuketa', Phuket’s leading English radio station ‘Live 89.5’, Phuket English TV 'Phuket News TV' and a a host of publications and services including ‘The Phuket Colouring book’ & ‘Phuket Ticket Master’.

RADIO/TV REPORTER

● Works well under pressure and has a will to succeed.

Class Act Media is looking for a writer/reporter for our radio and TV teams. They would need to have good English-speaking skills and will be writing and reporting news and information on Live 89.5 FM and Phuket News TV. We have a small team of local and international staff.

We offer:

Qualifications:

● Thai or Expat. ● Excellent communication and negotiation skills in Thai and English. ● Highly motivated self-starter with a positive attitude.

● Competitive salary, bonuses and travel expenses. ● A friendly work environment. ● Social security paid by the company. ● Excellent career progress opportunities. Interested candidates are invited to send application with full resume, in English, indicating qualifications, experience, recent photo and expected salary.

Apply online at thephuketnews.com/job.php

Class Act Media Co., Ltd.

99/7 Moo 1 T. Kathu A. Kathu Phuket 83120 Tel: 076 612 550-2 Fax: 076 612 553

● Good english writing and speaking skills ● Full time position with flexible working hours ● Presenting radio news and information ● Some TV news reporting

Interested candidates are invited to send application with full resume, in English, indicating qualifications, experience, recent photo and expected salary.

Apply online at thephuketnews.com/job.php

Class Act Media Co., Ltd. 99/7 Moo 1 T. Kathu A. Kathu Phuket 83120 Tel: 076 612 550-2 Fax: 076 612 553

thephuketnews

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CLASSIFIEDS 25

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Buy&Sell

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/thephuketnews

RAWAI RESTAURANT FOR QUICK SALE Rawai Restaurant for quick sale. Big area with parking and Big garden. Rental B200,000 per year with long lease. Price reduced from B1,500,000 To B 980,000 Tel: 089 646 7176 Email:big_redchili@yahoo.com

Best MC5 Price On Market

NEW!

CAR FOR SALE TOYOTA Fortune 2006

7 seats, Black, Family car, Petrol 2,982cc Blue book, Service history Toyota Pearl, 160,000kms. AUTOMATIC transmission, golfguru2005@yahoo.co.uk, 076 615 827.

2011 Ford Fiesta ‘S’ For Sale Ford Fiesta “S”

Benetti Tradition 100 – USD 6,455,000

2013 Monte Carlo 5 – EUR 585,000.

2015 Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht – EUR 2,060,338

2011 model. Auto, 5 door, red, non smoking vehicle, 2 new tyres and belt. Travelled 39,000Kms - no accidents. 10 months registration and 7 months insurance left. Serviced by Ford, books available. Blue Book available. Excellent condition inside and out. 1 farang owner from new. Located in Karon/Phuket, 375,000 THB, 084 842 0340.

Nissan Teana Special 6 cyl

Nissan Teana Special 6 cyl November 2013 17000 Km New price 1.700.000.THB Price NOW 1,100,000.THB, Maurice, Email: Maurice.phuket@gmail.com, 099 302 7071, Thai: 090 163 2140.

Mitsubishi Pajero Sports

2007 Fountaine Pajot Lavezzi 40 - USD 250,000

2013 Lagoon 450 – EUR 550,000

1999 Nauticat 44 – USD 347,000

Mitsubishi Pajero Sports 2012, A1 condition, 14,000 KM, Silver Colour. 950,000THB Eng: Ph. 0993614582 Thai: Ph. 080 383 3060.

TOYOTA Fortune 2009

7 seats, Silver, GPS video, Family car Diesel 2,694cc, Blue book Service history Toyota Pearl 78,000kms. AUTOMATIC transmission, golfguru2005@yahoo. co.uk, 076 615 827.

www.simpsonmarine.com

1997 GTO 3000 NON TURBO AUTO

BOATS & YACHTS 33/F Gulf Craft W/A

Two suzuki 225 HP outboards - only 300 hours, custom made RIB-dinghy with small outboard, engine electronics and hydraulics, ray marine GPS/radar/depth sounder, many extras. 3,850,000. THB, 089 873 3713.

Luxury Motor Yacht for sale BRAND NEW REFIT - IMMACULATE Condition This luxurious 85-foot motor yacht is a Raymond Hunt Design (Bertram boats) 2 x caterpillar C12 ACERT 705hp (Digital Controls) Licenced for 60 passengers or 12 berth A full specifications sheet is available upon request. 39,265,992 THB, Stuart Walker, elitechartershk@gmail.com, +85297600287.

4.1M/40HP RIB, 09/2014 AS NEW! BOUG HT IN SEPT. 2014,14HRS ON LY! SUZU KI ENGINE+BOAT UNDER WARRANTY (SUZUKI PHUKET). BIMINI+TRAILER+TUBE COVERS. 0935840565 (RUS/ ENG) 0987086632 (FR/ENG, 350,000 THB, )

Silver Princess Yacht PC530

A 53 ft Power Catamaran by Silver Princess Yachts. Beautiful design, compact yacht with space & modern interior. Dimensions: 53 ft length, 21 ft beam, 4 ft draft, 50 passengers, 22,000,000 THB, Sonny, 669 8810 5024, www.silver-princess.com, sonny@silver-princess.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Patong Nightclub for Sale Newly devel-

oped Nightclub in Patong on Bangla Road. A turnkey operation with a fully fitted light, sound system and bars. Long renewable contract available. Serious enquiries only. Brokers welcome. Contact Steve, stevepearcergj@hotmail.co.uk, 089 587 0819 (EN)

FREEDOM BAR FOR SALE

Good situation (Middle Line 4) Fully Equiped chairs fridges TV alcohols 1 YEAR Contract (End February 2016) 1,4MB [Value 1,8MB] 093-575-1969 afternoon, 1400000 THB, thai-pascal@hotmail.com, 093 575 1969.

For Sale Navy Bar In Font Of Playschool 1.3M. O.N.O Key money paid until Oct 2015 Info: playschoolphil@yahoo.com, Phil, Tel. 081 083 3231.

For Sale Playschool Bar AGOGO Bar

4.5M. O.N.O Key money paid until July 2015 Same Owner since 2004 For Info: playschoolphil@yahoo.com, Phil, 081 083 3231.

Investor/Partner Needed Commercial business requires added funding. B15m-B25m (min/max)shares. Company is state of the art and will bring exceptional ROI. Can be active or silent partner. Will respond only to serious inquiries. Complete information available to qualified investors for full investment info. Call E +66884913857 / T +66822581153, mdrannan@gmail.com Restaurant For Sale Restaurant for sale for health

reasons in Patong. Soi Nanai 8, For sale is Kitchen equipment, Furniture, Bar, Fridges, etc. which are all new. Price is negotiable. No key money. Monthly rent THB20,000., bernd.schild@gmx.net, 081 891 9818.

@thephuketnews

Sale Double Shophouse - Kathu

3 storey with six large rooms, large shop/office on ground floor. Rooms fully furnished with cable TV and internet access. Car park available. 14.5 MB, Paul, Email: info@expathotel.com, 081-606-5772

One of a kind retail space

One of a kind retail space for rent!! Road front building, 36-50 SQM price from 12 to 16,000 THB per month. Call now 085 797 0005.

Restaurant & Bar For Rent

A long established fully equipped Restaurant with Bar for Rent in an excellent location on Nanai Rd, Patong. The 105 M2 premises includes a fully equipped Kitchen, Restaurant and Bar with ample seating for 50 customers and excellent parking facilities., Peter Wesche, info@ phuket-besthomes.com, 081 892 8526.

A superb example of this rare car. Excellent condition, 32k kms ONLY, red and black leather interior, fully maintained, can be serviced by local Mitsubishi main dealer,class 1 alarm, taxed and insured,2nd owner, will not ship and only sell face to face., 1.35 MILLION THB. 088 761 4090.

FOR SALE Mitsubishi Triton

Triton 2.5. Only 25,000km. With tinted windows, reverse sensor and camera. A1 condition. Full service history with Mitsubishi dealer. 620,000 THB or nearest offer. Sam Hannah, samhannahtci@gmail.com, 096 053 8117.

MEMBERSHIPS Blue Canyon Membership Blue Canyon Membership for sale. 1 corporate nominee for sale THB 630,000 inc transfer fee. grahamhaslam@hotmail.com

MOTORBIKES FOR SALE 2012 Kawasaki ER-6n

14,000km including new Diablo Rosso Corsa tires, tail tidy, pegs, turn indicators, Power Commander V and Bags-Connection tail and tang bags. Must sellleaving Thailand, acetrack@me.com, 086 120 0413.

26 CLASSIFIEDS

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

List your classified now at thephuketnews.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

BUY & SELL IN PHUKET

COMMUNITY

COMPANY FOR SALE Company for sale - Owner retiring Well known 12 year established company specializing in sales and rental of containers, site/sales offices, Porta Loos as well as Self Storage. Customer base includes Tesco Lotus, Laguna, Marriot, Boat Lagoon and many more. Enormous potential for expansion and expor t. A conser vative value of company assets exceed 11MB which is included in the sale price of 14MB. Call Gordon 081 892 4804, www.safewayasia.com.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

Missing Quincy

Missing our dog Quincy, Airdale terrier, male, black and brown coat. He got lost on the 31st of december in Patong,3000 Baht reward, 0870912798.

OTHER Inexpensive land plots / commercial property Inexpensive land plots on east coast

of Phuket for sale, 0.3 - 8 rai, some with a sea view (Bang Pae, Yamu Hills). Direct sale by owner. Price starts from 500 000 THB. Commercial property: twostorey building: 50 rooms, 13 bathrooms, 3 kitchens, 4 rai land plot, 7 min from airport. Nicely renovated. Can be a hospital/school/ commercial/residential property. 35 mln baht, Lana, lana.phuket@gmail.com, 080 27 16 484, 090 870 7773.

CAMERA baby car seats for sale BAKLONG Car Seat - Very good condition, suitable for newborn to 25KG. Prices are THB 4,000 per seat, buy both for only THB 7,000. Call 086 479 7471.

PETS FOR ADOPTION Neo and Cookie We are 15 weeks old. We are

very sweet with people and can get along easy with other dogs too! We hope you are the one who can give us a home. We will protect your house and love to cuddle. We already got some basic training. If you are interested in us you will get 2 dog training lessons for free.A dog is often happier when they have a friend around. These are best friends, so it would be best if they can stay together, Diana Koster, info@phuket-dog-resort.com, 083 599 6017.

Sea-View Land & Luxury Villa project in Kamala including architect plans & building permit for 9 villas, 4000m2 sale only THB 30 MB, MIO, pupillopascal@gmail.com Call:088 768 0942.

FOR QUICK SALE

Beautiful land plot for sale very convenient located in a secure estate with underground electricity less than 10 mins from Phuket International Academy, Airport, Tesco , Naiyang beach, Grand AoPor marina in a peaceful foreigner community, Chanote title,1100sqm, flat land with fences around, mountain view , ready to build, good investment. For quick sale direct from owner only B3.5 mln., Montha, 081 343 0777, montha_phuket@yahoo.com Land for Sale Phang-nga

18 rai Land with Rubber Plantation for sale In Thayu, Phang Nga. 600,000 baht/rai Tel: 086 276 0041 Owner.

CALLING THE DOG LOVERS OF PHUKET

Soi Dog are looking for dog lovers in Phuket to come and spend time with our 300+ street dogs in residence at our shelter in Mai Khao, North Phuket. We need volunteers to help socialise and walk our dogs - as this is fundamental in preparing our lovely dogs for adoption in Phuket and around the world. Whether you can spare one day a week or can come every day, we would love to have you help our dogs. Volunteering at Soi Dog is an amazing experience and may well change your life. For more details, please email Diana at volunteering@soidog-foundation.org

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

SPORT

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Phuket FC fall to PTT Rayong 2-1

Phuket Super Six League: Season 9, Round 5 FOOTBALL THE ISLAND’S 24-TEAM, three division league – Phuket Super Six – is heating up after five rounds of play. Phuket Condos & Homes, continuing their fine form that saw them take the Division 1 title in season 8, is still on top with 12 points – a full 6 points clear from second place. Meanwhile, TEFL Campus have been on a tear since joining Division 2 as they lead with 13 points.

FOOTBALL

JP Mestanza editor2@classactmedia.co.th

Naraya United (pink) stay top of the table in Division 3 after a 3-1 victory over Thailand Weightloss. Photo: Karl Ward

SUPER SIX SOCCER: Season 9 Division 1

Team

GD Pts

4 3 3 4 2 3 1 4

4 2 2 2 1 1 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 1 1 2 1 2 1 4

22 13 12 11 7 9 1 8

16 5 2 -2 -4 3 -3 -17

12 6 6 6 3 3 0 0

5 5 5 4 5 4 5 5

4 3 3 2 2 1 1 0

1 2 1 0 0 1 0 1

0 0 1 2 3 2 4 4

12 13 21 10 18 5 10 7

5 8 12 1 4 -5 -11 -14

13 11 10 6 6 4 3 1

4 4 4 4 5 5 3 3

4 3 3 1 1 1 0 0

0 1 0 2 1 0 2 0

0 0 1 1 3 4 1 3

26 18 13 16 19 13 10 6

19 6 4 6 -8 -8 -3 -16

12 10 9 5 4 3 2 0

Irish Times 9 – 2 Gang Junior

Talon FC 2 – 6 Big One

Phuket Condos & Homes Daohang Pita Bar Phuketeers Blue Horizon TT Boys Shakers FC Sam Kong FC Two Chefs Division 2 TEFL Campus Black Dragon FC Irish Times USSR Big One

Phuket Condos & Homes B

Talon FC Gang Junior Division 3 Naraya United ConF Thailand Weightloss Phuket Serenity Villas Shambala United Novotel Jugqrue FC Healthy FC

For more information, visit phuketfootball.com.

2 3 4

DIVISION 1 Phuket Condos & Homes 3 – 2 Shakers FC

DIVISION 2 USSR 1 – 3 TEFL Campus

Phuket Condos & Homes B 2 – 2 Black Dragon FC

DIVISION 3 Naraya United 3 – 1 Thailand Weightloss ConF 5 – 4 Shambala United

5 6 7 8 1 2 4

8 1 2 3 4

Healthy FC 1 – 5 Novotel

Jugqrue FC 3 – 3 Phuket Serenity Villas

@thephuketnews

6 8

espite a last-second Berlang Nlome-Ndebi goal, Phuket FC were outplayed in front of their home crowd at Surakul Stadium and lost to PTT Rayong 2-1 on Saturday night (March 7). An aggressive first half saw the Ronins miss several chances in the box, though Rayong's tough defense were step-for-step with each Phuket offensive. It wasn't until the second half, at the 72 minute mark, that Rayong's Yves Desmarets' shot from distance hit the back of the net to put the visitors up 1-0 at Surakul Stadium. Just five minutes later, Rayong defender Pornsak Pongthong put the visitors up 2-0 with a slick shot that only barely slipped past Phuket goalkeeper Piyawait Intarapim. Rayong took over the middle of the field for most of the game, as Phuket's passing could barely get going until the final ten minutes of the

Phuket FC’s Berlang Ndebi-Nlome chases down PTT Rayong’s Mongkol Namnuad during their clash last Saturday (March 7). Photo: JP Mestanza match. A free kick by Andre Luis Rodrigues Lopez into the penalty area rebounded off the crossbar to Nlome-Ndebi, who headed the ball in for a consolation goal during the final moments of extra time. But it was too late as Rayong handed Phuket their second straight loss. Phuket FC were outclassed by Sukhothai FC 5-3 just six days before (March 1) away from home. Phuket FC fell to 16th place out of the 20-team Yamaha League-1 table, with four points. Three other team – Bangkok FC, Songkhla United,

and Air Force Central FC – also have 4 points though Phuket are on bottom due to their -3 goal differential. Next up, the Ronins have just over three weeks off before Pattaya United visit the island for a clash on April 4 (7pm) at Surakul Stadium. The Phuket News went to print before the start of Phuket FC vs Thai Honda match on Wednesday (March 11). For the latest Phuket Fc news, visit thephuketnews.com. Class Act Media is a proud media partner of Phuket FC.

28 SPORT

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Laguna on a roll after blasting the Village CRICKET Stuart Reading editor2@classactmedia.co

s Songkran approaches, the temperature has been rising in the Phuket Cricket Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (PCG) 40-Over League. Laguna comfortably secured victory scoring an impressive 257-5 from 41 overs including a maiden century from Arif Mushtaq last Sunday (March 8) at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG). Meanwhile the Village, who were looking to regain the form that saw them upset Patong last month, were all out for 132 in 36 overs. The Village decided to bat first and, after a slow start, Laguna struck in the 7th over removing opener Mike Khan (2). Just before the first break, Laguna captured the wicket of Syed Hussain (11) and the Village headed back to the clubhouse at 282. After the break, Laguna removed Adam Drew (1) and Tony Donavon (1) cheaply. Meanwhile, opener Martin Platts (34) showed dogged determination

until he was eventually dismissed in 19th over with the Village reeling on 64-5 followed by Captain Mudasir Rehman (1). Baseer Pir (48 not out) and Mark Whetton (15) then steadied the innings putting on a 37-run partnership until Whetton fell 29th over. Andy Ghadge (2) then played another great supporting role with Baseer until he was eventually run out in the 36th over and the Village innings came

to an end with score on 132. Pick of the bowlers for Laguna were Manish Sadarangani (3 for 30), Nadeem Youssef (2 for 11) and Roly Cooper (2 for 24). Laguna got off to a steady start with openers Darren Shaw (24) and Roly Cooper (8) putting on a 32 run partnership before Cooper fell in the 9th over. Shaw and Arif Mushtaq (101 not out) then put on a 47 run partnership before Shaw fell in the

18th over with the score on 79-2. Nadeem Youssef (34) then put on 76 run partnership with Mushtaq to secure the 1st innings points until Youssef was dismissed just before the 30 over break with the score on 164-4. Laguna batted on to secure extra bonus points with Mushtaq combining with Damian Clowes (17) for a 47 run partnership, and later with Manish Sadarangani (10) for a fur-

ther 31 runs with Laguna eventually finishing on 257-5. Pick of the bowlers for the Village were Andy Ghadge (2 for 13) and Baseer Pir (1 for 28). The next match on the Phuket 40Over League will take place this Sunday, March 15, at 10am as ICC match up against the Village in what is expected to be a high-scoring affair at the Alan Cooke Ground.

thephuketnews

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Island hosts first Aussie Rules match AUSSIE RULES

he entertaining matchup between the Thailand Tigers and Malaysian Warriors last Saturday (March 7) at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG) was the first time an official Aussie Rules match, played by formal clubs, took place. Sadly, the visitors took home the win with the Warriors finishing 16.10.106 to the Tigers’ 9.6.60 scoreline. Still, according to Thailand Tigers’ Jarrod Roberts, this won’t be the last time an Aussie Rules match will take place on the island’s ACG pitch. “It’s a wonderful field out there in Phuket. The

atmosphere was great for the entire match and there’s quite a bit of [Aussie Rules] Football fans that came out. The ACG is certainly a place

we would love to play at once again,” Roberts told The Phuket News. The Tigers, a club made up of mostly Australian expats

and foreigners, boasts roughly 100 members though 50 make it out to the matches on a regular basis. The Bangkokbased club began back in 1994 with an emphasis on growing the sport in Thailand and Southeast Asia. The strategy of helping organise pick-up matches, one-off games, and hosting Auskick clinics for youngsters have started to pay off as more teams have sprung up around the region within the last three years. “We’ve seen this sport grow slowly, but the excitement is there. We make sure that any juniors who want to play get to learn the game properly with correct strategy and technique,” Roberts said.

Bay Regatta concludes with title run THE 18TH BAY REGATTA, which took place March 4–8 on the waters off Phuket, saw a lot of fast action as several boats finished as repeat champions while others obtained their first title. The Multihull Class saw Java, skippered by John coffin, take home the top title with a score of eight. Java defeated Asia Catamarans Hurricane (Alan Carwadine) by four points, which put them in 2nd place for the second year in a row. Last year’s winner, Twin Sharks (John Newnham)

inyakorn Buranrom). In the Cruising B – NHC Class, Kevin Gillow’s Poco boat finished 1st with just three points, beating second place Aqua (Mig Wehrle) by a whopping five points.

finished 4th. Meanwhile, Rolan Dane’s Jessandra II boat took home the top prize in the Racing Class with five points, three more than Foo 4 (Fergus and

Jennifer Wilmer). The Cruising A - IRC class saw Niels Degenklow’s Pheonix come out on top for the second straight year, winning by just one point over Windstar (Pat-

Boatload of deals for Laguna Golf members GOLF THE NEWLY-RENOVATED course at Laguna Phuket Golf Club will certainly be the site of many exciting golf events in the future, though Phuketians are getting a deal that allows them to take advantage of all 18 holes just like the pros. The club is offering five and 10 year family memberships which includes a host of other perks. The memberships, which are aimed at Phuket expats, regular holiday goers, and families with children under 21, will include two complimentary vouchers for a twonight stay at both Banyan Tree Phuket and Angsana Phuket, plus brunch for two at Xana Beach Club. This is only for @thephuketnews

the first 20 new golf members. All memberships come with “reciprocal playing rights” to over 200 golf courses around the world, meaning Laguna Golf Club members will have discounts that are often up to 50 per cent for course-time all over the globe. This also includes access to Laguna Lang Co in Vietnam and Laguna Bintan in Indonesia. If that wasn’t enough, club members will also receive 50

per cent discount on food and beverages at the clubhouse restaurant – the 80-seat Banyan Café – and at on-course kiosks on top of a 20 per cent discount on driving-range balls and 15 per cent discount on gold instruction with one of their PGA professionals. Membership also includes registration for an official USGA golf handicap, plus members enjoy many other privileges around Laguna Phuket resort.

SPORT 29

Registration for SuperSports 10 Mile extended RUNNING DUE TO THE POPULARity of the event, organisers have extended the registration deadline for the SuperSports 10 Miles International Run 2015 for three days. This means interested runners will have until March 16 to register for the event – there is no same-day registration. The competition is set to take place on Sunday, March 22, at Thanyapura Phuket in Thalang and will include an appearance by Toon, the lead singer of popular Thai rock band Bodyslam. The event will start and finish on Thanyapura’s runnning track and feature four different categories: 10 Miles, 5 Miles,

2 Miles and 500M Kids race. Participants can register online at thanyapura.com or supersports.co.th in addition to in-person registration at Thanyapura’s activities desk. Participants must show up to receive their race kits on March 21 from 10–6pm. Class Act Media is a proud sponsor of the SuperSports 10 Miles International Run 2015.

VNEA Pool: Season 2, Round 22

HOME

AWAY

Hiso Low Cost Off Course La Taverna LHM Reality Taz Girls Big Apple The Target Masters WTF !! Fun Taz Y OTG Running Legends

Tan Khun Man O Man Thailand Pool Tables Orange Corner The Kata Dragons Mermaids Cue Boys Pen In Class Act Hustlers The Residence Arrow Media Millionaire

SCORE 1:4 1:4 5:0 0:5 5:0 1:4 0:5 5:0 1:4 5:0 5:0 5:0

30 SPORT

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

THEPHUKETNEWS.COM

PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM MAIN SPONSOR

MONTHLY SPONSOR

PANTONE 295C

PANTONE 1797C

The overall competition winner receives 2 round-trip business class tickets Phuket-Kuala Lumpur AND 2 round-trip business class tickets Krabi-Kuala Lumpur from Malaysia Airlines, overall value THB71,100. The monthly competion winner for October will receive a THB5,000 voucher to spend at Two Chefs Bar & Grill (all Phuket branches). Cyan

100

Cyan 100

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MONTHLY STANDINGS

1. cskaza 2. fazza 3. popcorn 4. tdavies14 5. celticpride 6. mouses ear bar 7. bazerb 8. mircearos 9. zestrealestate 10. aquamarine

TOTAL STANDINGS

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English Premier League 2014 - 2015 Arsenal’s English striker Danny Welbeck (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the FA Cup quarter-final football match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford. Photos: AFP/Oli Scarff

Old boy Welbeck fells Man United in FA Cup FOOTBALL

anny Welbeck claimed revenge for his departure from Manchester United by scoring the winner as holders Arsenal reached the FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 away victory on Monday (March 9). The Manchester-bor n United academy graduate, who joined the club at the age of eight, left in a £16 million deal last September after being deemed surplus by new manager Louis van Gaal. And he returned to haunt his former club as Arsenal claimed a first victory at Old Trafford since September 2006. “Tonight I thought we played well and deserved to win the game,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, whose side were drawn to face either Championship side Reading or third-tier Bradford City in the last four.

Welbeck would pounce on a mistake by Antonio Valencia to score a 61st-minute winner after Wayne Rooney had cancelled out Nacho Monreal’s opener, and United’s evening ended in ignominy when Angel di Maria was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for manhandling referee Michael Oliver. United’s wait for FA Cup success will now stretch into a 12th year and their sole objective is now the race for Champions League qualification, in which they currently trail Arsenal by a point. Meanwhile, The Football Association are set to launch an investigation into the crowd trouble which marred Aston Villa’s FA Cup quarter-final victory over West Brom last Saturday (March 7). Second-half goals from Fabian Delph and Scott Sinclair settled a feisty contest which saw both teams end the match with 10 men as Tim Sherwood’s team made it two

wins over their local rivals in just five days. However, the match was overshadowed by controversial scenes in the closing stages. The first sign of trouble came shortly after Delph’s 51stminute goal when a smoke bomb was let off by the home fans. Tensions were heightened later in the half when West Brom supporters tore out several seats, throwing them at the Villa fans below them. Next, in added time, stewards were forced to gather up hordes of home fans who flooded onto the field to prematurely celebrate before the final whistle. Then a mass pitch invasion ensued at the final whistle, with players from both sides caught up in a melee which Villa skipper Delph described as “very, very scary.” Baggies boss Tony Pulis told the BBC: “If you’re Villa, you need to look at the stewards as they came over to our fans and there was nobody there. “It’s a quarter-final of an FA Cup, it’s a full house and you know that it’s going to be tasty, let’s put it that way.” Villa boss Sherwood insisted he “could not condone the fans entering the field,” yet conceded “I can understand their emotions.” It will be the first time Villa have been to Wembley in five years, their last appearance coming in an FA Cup semi-final in 2010 when they were beaten by Chelsea.

In other news, Steven Gerrard’s hopes of a Wembley send-off were put on ice on Sunday (March 8) after Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by Blackburn Rovers in their FA Cup quarter-final. Gerrard will turn 35 on the day of the final, but he is not yet guaranteed even a semi-final appearance at the national stadium after secondtier Blackburn belied expectations they would be swept aside by Brendan Rodgers’s in-form Liverpool to take the game to a replay. Liverpool are on a run of 12 unbeaten games in the league, but with Gerrard absent due to injury and Martin Skrtel forced off after a heavy early fall, they were held at bay as Blackburn celebrated 20 years since winning the league at Anfield with a dogged display. AFP

FA CUP PREVIOUS RESULTS: Monday 9th March 2015 Man Utd

1-2

Arsenal

Sunday 8th March 2015 Liverpool 0-0 Blackburn

Saturday 7th March 2015 Bradford 0-0 Reading Aston Villa 2-0 West Brom

Monday 16th February 2015 Preston

1-3

Man Utd

Sunday 15th February 2015 Aston Villa Bradford Arsenal

2-1 Leicester 2-0 Sunderland 2-0 Middlesbrough

Saturday 14th February 2015 West Brom 4-0 West Ham Blackburn 4-1 Stoke Derby 1-2 Reading Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool

Wednesday 4th February 2015 R Bolton

1-2

Liverpool

Team

MP W

Pts

Chelsea

27 19

57 22 35

Man City

28 17

59 27 32

Arsenal

28 16

53 30 23

Man Utd

28 15

47 26 21

Liverpool

28 15

42 30 12

Tottenham

28 15

46 39

Southampton

28 15

39 20 19

Stoke

28 12

10 33 34

-1

Swansea

28 11

10 33 37

-4

West Ham

28 10

Newcastle

11 32 43 -11

Crystal Palace

12 31 39

-8

West Brom

12 26 36 -10

Everton

10 12 33 41

Hull

Sunderland

Aston Villa

QPR

19 20

39 34

-8

13 26 37 -11

14 10 23 39 -16

15 15 38 -23

18 29 49 -20

Burnley

10 14 25 47 -22

Leicester

EPL FIXTURES Saturday 14th March 2015

17 24 44 -20 Saturday 11th April 2015

Swansea v Everton