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WAR ON DRUGS TAKES A HIT AS DEALERS FLOOD ISLAND
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Soldiers at the Phuket Check Point at Tha Chatchai inspect a driver and his car for drugs. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot
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huket is facing its worst state in the fight against drugs with more drugs on the island than ever before and on average 23 people arrested for drugs every day since the start of the year. Somporn Sripanrod, the Ministry of Health official tasked with the Phuket Provincial Narcotics
Control Management Center (PhuketPNCMC), described the scale of the problem simply: “Right now we are seizing more drugs than ever before.” At a PNCMC meeting in October, presided over by Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana and with Phuket Vice Governor Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai present, it was revealed that more than 7,000 arrests had been made for drugs from Jan 1 through Sept 30 this year alone, giv-
ing an average of 23 people arrested each day. Although there are areas where some types of drugs are more prevalent than others, Mr Somporn notes that the problem is islandwide. “Different types of drugs are found in all three districts across the island, though young people are more likely to be found with kratom and ya bah (methamphetamine in pill form),” he said.
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To Vice Governor Supoj, the issue is simple: “The arrest statistics confirm that the number is increasing.” V/Gov Supoj believes that the explosion in drug use is due to dealers and key distributors slashing prices to make them more attractive to potential users, hence luring more and more everyday people to buy their product. “This is especially true with ya bah and ya ice (crystal meth),” V/Gov Supoj recently told an anti-narcotics...
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Baby crushed under tour bus POLICE ARE INVESTIgating a tragic road accident in Phuket Town last Sunday (Nov 25) that resulted in a 4-monthold baby being crushed under the wheels of a tour bus. Police were called to the scene on Phuket Rd southbound, near the Phuket Immigration Office, just before 5pm. Phuket City Police and Traffic Police officers arrived with rescue workers to find the remains of the baby on the road, and her mother, 24-yearold Myanmar national Kayta Sintu, seriously injured. The tour bus, registered in Nakhon Pathom, near Bangkok, and marked with ‘Barami Rungrote Tour Ltd’, stopped in the middle of the street. Rescue workers rushed Mrs Kayta to Vachira Phuket Hospital. The Phuket News has yet to confirm her condition. The bus driver was not at the scene, but police later confirmed that he fled to immediately present himself at Phuket City Police Station. The driver, who police did not
Police arrived to find the bus stopped in the middle of the road and the driver missing. Photo: Kusoldharm Foundation name, said he feared the reaction of the woman’s relatives to the incident. Police reported that “witnesses” told them that the bus was being driven along the road and the driver moved the bus to the left side of the lane to pass a car in front that was starting to make a U-turn. The manoeuvre resulted in the bus and motorbike colliding, send Mrs Kayta and her daughter tumbling off the motorbike and onto the road. The baby’s head went under the bus’s rear wheels, police noted. Eakkapop Thongtub
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
Malaysian fugitive arrested for B17mn real estate fraud abroad > page 4
New ‘battle plan’ aims to counter drugs deluge
Continued from page 1 ...strategy meeting. “The cause is the price of the drugs which has decreased extremely,” he added. Distributors are flooding the island by using every form of delivery in order to bring the drugs onto the island by car, pickup, truck or van through the Phuket Check Point at the northern end of the island, by boat, by public transportation such as interprovincial buses, and the now-standard use of regular parcel delivery companies. “New dealers are even using young people to transport drugs. One dealer used a 12-year-old,” V/Gov Supoj said. The epidemic has seen yet another strategy drawn up to counter the spread of drugs through communities. Maj Gen Nantadech Yo-
Soldiers stand by as a police officer stops a passenger van coming onto the island. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot inuan, Deputy Commander of Region 8 Police, explained that police will focus on the three main “risks”: 1) risk persons – people already convicted for drugs, teenagers with family problems; 2) risk behaviour – such as peer pressure and rebellious behaviour among
youths; and 3) risk places – such as poor neighbourhoods and nightclubs across Phuket. The counter-drugs offensive also features a three-prong attack: Defence, Suppression and Rehabilitation. The Defence plan includes selecting specific villages (or
neighbourhoods) and developing a ‘network’ within each of those villages/communities – with each police station on the island to look after 10 ‘networks’. “This part of the campaign aims to have each area declared a ‘white village’. This strategy us supported by the government for now. The goal is to reduce the prevalence of drugs in these specified areas within three months,” Gen Nantadech explained. “This project must solve the problem within three months and I expect that in one year we will see a positive change,” Gen Nantadech noted. The Suppression campaign relies on ramped-up efforts to conduct raids resulting in arrests and seizures, and with some areas under 24-hour surveillance, he added.
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Australian ‘robbed at gunpoint’ claims fake Tavee Adam reporter1@classactmedia.co.th
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19-year-old Australian tourist who reported to police that he was robbed at gunpoint early last Saturday morning (Nov 24) after being abandoned by his taxi driver has confessed that his claim was fake, police have confirmed. Terrance John White, 19, from Innisfail, Queensland, reported to police last Saturday that he was left by the side of the road in Nai Yang at about 3am after reportedly having an argument with the taxi driver over not using the meter to calculate the fare. White also claimed that while he was walking along the road, four people turned up and robbed him at gunpoint. He claimed the robbers made off with B10,000 and his iPhone. White, along with officers from Sakoo Police Station – located south of Phuket International Airport and in the vicinity of where the claimed robbery took place – reported the incident to Thalang Police
Australian tourist Terrance John White, 19, from Innisfail, Queensland, confessed to police that his claims of being abandoned by a Phuket taxi and being robbed at gunpoint were fake. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub at 4pm last Saturday. However, Lt Col Kittiphum Tinthalang of the Thalang Police confirmed to The Phuket News on Monday (Nov 26) that White has now confessed that his claims of being robbed – and even of the taxi driver not using the
meter – were fake. “The reality is that he was very drunk and he lost his property himself and he didn’t know where it was,” Col Kittipoom said. White confessed to police that his claims were fake while being questioned by officers
Child porn network raids hit Patong THE DEPARTMENT OF Special Investigation (DSI), working with international agencies, has busted a child porn ring that uncovered evidence of child pornography at two locations in Phuket. Pol Col Paisith Sunkahapong, Director of the DSI’s Foreign Affairs and Transnational Crime Bureau, informed the Ministry of Justice of the raids last Thursday (Nov 22). The raids led to the arrests of six people and the seizure of computers and other electronic devices at 11 locations in nine provinces throughout the country. Following a co-ordinated investigation assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Netherlands Police and Interpol, the task force was issued warrants to raid 16 locations throughout Thailand. The raids, carried out last Tuesday (Nov 20), found evidence of publishing child sexual media on the internet at 11 locations in nine provinces, the DSI confirmed. The locations were identified as follows: one point in Kamphaeng Phet; one in Pathum Thani, one in Nonthaburi, two in Phuket, one in @thephuketnews
The raids, including at two locations in Patong, netted six suspects and seized 19 electronic devices containing more than 1,000 child sexual media files. Photo: DSI Songkhla, one in Sukhothai, one in Phitsanulok, one in Chachoengsao and two in Pattaya. In making the raids the team seized 19 items of evidence: nine PCs, six smart phones, and four hard drives, together containing in total more than 1,000 child sexual media files. All six suspects arrested were charged with possession of child sexual media, the DSI confirmed, but offered no more details. Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Col Sermpan Sirikong confirmed to The Phuket News that the two locations raided in Phuket were both in Patong. “The DSI seized at least one PC. They are now check-
ing whether the files found on the computer constitute child pornography,” he said. No further details were made available of where the items were seized in Patong or if any persons in Phuket had been arrested in carrying out the raids. Investigators from the Central Institute of Forensic Science have been called in to assist the investigation and inspection of the evidence seized, the DSI reported. The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) has also joined the investigation in order to pursue charges of money laundering, the DSI noted. Tanyaluk Sakoot Additional reporting by Tavee Adam
at Thalang Police Station last Saturday, Col Kittipoom added. “He also said that the taxi driver didn’t abandon him on the way. The driver took him to his hotel, and he even confessed that he puked in the taxi, too,” Col Kittiphum said. Col Kittiphum stated that no charges will be brought against White for the fake report. “Now everything is clear and finished, we can laugh,” he said. Fake reports filed with police in Phuket can bring serious consequences. In 2012, Australian Stevie Bamford, then 21, was sentenced to 15 days incarceration at Bang Jo Detention Centre for giving a false statement to the police that she was raped in Patong. In 2013, 19-year-old Danish national Morten Budtz Berthelsen was sentenced to six months in jail, suspended for two years, and fined B500 for making a false report to Kamala Police, in which he said he was attacked and robbed by a Thai gang at Kamala Beach.
PHUKET NEWS
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Phuket light-rail budget jumps B594mn, to B40bn
THE ESTIMATED BUDGet required for building the Phuket Light Rail system has jumped by more than nearly B600 million, according to an announcement issued by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP). The new budget figure of B40 billion was revealed in the announcement issued by the OTP on Monday (Nov 26) calling for people to join a public information and feedback meeting about the project. The public meeting is to be at Queen Sirikit Park, on Thalang Rd in Phuket Town, this Sunday (Dec 2). OTP Director-General Sarawut Songsriwilai will be presiding over the public meeting this Sunday, with Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana also to attend. “The total track length of the light-rail will be 58.5km, from Tha Noon in Phang Nga to Chalong Circle will be built under a joint venture PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) with estimated budget B40 billion,” the announcement said. At last report, Niran Kaetkeaw, Director of the OTP’s Regional Bureau of Transportation and Traffic Promotion, on Oct 26 publicly announced
The estimated budget for the Phuket light-rail project has jumped by B594 million, to a total of B40 billion. Image: OTP that the entire project was planned with a defined estimated budget of B39.406bn. No explanation was given for the extra B594 million now deemed required to complete the project. The description of the project in the announcement explained no changes to the project as already repeatedly defined, and to open for its first-year trial run by 2023. The aim of the public meeting is to encourage local residents and even tourists to use public transportation instead of private vehicles, and to highlight road safety issues after the light-rail is built. “Officers from the OTP, local residents and involved departments are asked to participate in this activity,” the statement said. Chutharat Plerin
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The taxi wipeout happened at 8am, Oct 30. Photo: Seang Prachachon Kon Phuket
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P O L I C E H AV E C O N firmed that no progress has been made in bringing to court a charge of reckless driving causing death against the airport taxi driver that wiped out six vehicles and killed a motorbike driver on Thepkrasattri Rd on Oct 30. The taxi driver, 23-yearold Marut Puangsombat, was initially charged by police with reckless driving causing death after the wipeout – which killed 40-year-old Phuket resident Anuson Rattanadilok Na Phuket. Capt Suporn Mueangkai, the officer responsible for processing the case, contacted by The Phuket News by phone last Wednesday (Nov 21) would only confirm that the case has yet to be handed over to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for further action. Tavee Adam
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More than 30 injured at dangerous roadworks The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th
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he contractor responsible for the four-kilometre-long section of Thepkrasattri Rd that is being resurfaced – and has caused dozens of motorbike accidents resulting in injuries – has been ordered to make the road safer and to expedite the roadworks. Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung gave the order at a special meeting held last Sunday (Nov 25), explained a report by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department. At the meeting it was revealed that 36 people had reported being in accidents along the section of road undergoing repairs. Present at the meeting, held at Thalang District Office, were Phuket Highways Chief Somwang Lohamut, officials from the Damrongdharma Centre (Provincial Ombudsman’s office) and a
A woman receives emergency first aid before being taken to hospital after falling from her motorbile along the dangerous section of road. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub representative from the contractor Chaiyakorn Co Ltd. The meeting was held after officials conducted an inspection of the roadworks, along the northbound lane of Thepkrasattri Rd from near the U-turn near Thalang office of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to the main Makro store in Thalang. The inspection followed a slew of complaints from
local residents, at the time confirming that more than 20 people had been injured in motorbike falls along the section of the dangerous road, with nine people injured in falls from motorbikes on Loy Krathong night last Thursday (Nov 22), and another person injured the next day. “I have received a report explaining that the 36 people have been injured in accidents
because of these roadworks,” V/Gov Prakob said. “I want the Phuket office of the Highways Department and the construction company to solve the problems presented: too much dust, lack of traffic signs, to speed up construction, and to provide assistance to the 36 people who were injured in accidents because of the road construction.” V/Gov Prakob urged all person injured in falls due to the roadworks to file complaints with the Damrongdharma Centre. “Please bring all evidence of the injuries and accidents, including your own statements (explaining the accident and injuries sustained) and ID cards, and police reports, to the Damrongdharma Centre,” he said. “We will accept only complaints filed at the Damrongdharma Centre,” he added. The representative from Chaiyakorn Co Ltd, not named in the Phuket PR office report, agreed to follow all instructions to make the area safer.
Malaysian arrested for income letters no more B17mn real estate fraud Embassy PHUKET IMMIGRATION DEPUTY A MAN WANTED ON AN Interpol Red Notice for B17 million in real estate fraud in Malaysia has been arrested in Phuket and will be deported to his homeland south of Thailand. Immigration Bureau Chief Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn announced the news through the Immigration Bureau’s Facebook page last Wednesday (Nov 21). The man, Malaysian national Lee Chong Giap, 60, had been on the run in Malaysia and wanted on an arrest warrant issued there since 2017, Gen Surachate explained. The case was brought to his attention by the Malaysia Economic Crime Suppression Division Police, and Immigration officers soon had tracked Lee down, he added. Lee had entered Thailand at the Sadao border checkpoint on Oct 20, Gen Surachate noted. “He was allowed to stay in Thailand until Nov
Malaysian national Lee Chong Giap, 60, was arrested in Phuket for real estate fraud in Malaysia. Photo: Immigration Bureau 18, 2018, but fled to hide in Phuket,” he said. “He was arrested yesterday (Nov 20). Right now he has had his permission to stay in Thailand revoked. We are in the process of deporting him back to Malaysia,” Gen Surachate added. Capt Ekkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police declined to reveal where Lee was staying in Phuket, or where he was taken into custody, but did confirm, “Mr Lee was wanted on an Interpol Red Notice.” Tanyaluk Sakoot
Chief Lt Col Archeep Jaroensuntisuk has confirmed to The Phuket News that a letter confirming income is no longer required by any foreigner whose home country embassy no longer provides such official statements. The news follows the UK and US embassies announcing that from Jan 1, 2019 they will no longer issue any statements confirming the income of one of their citizens, as is required in applying for many types of long-stay permits-to-stay (also called “long-stay visas”), such as the O-A visa for retirees. The Australian Embassy in Bangkok has followed suit, effective Jan 7, and the Danish Embassy in Bangkok has ceased issuing statements with immediate effect. A letter confirming income previously served as a supporting document for obtaining a Thai retirement or marriage visa (‘permit-to-stay’), the British Embassy noted in its release announcing the news. “The British Embassy Bangkok is stopping the certification of income letters because it is unable to fulfil the Thai authorities’ requirements to verify the income of British Nationals,” the statement said. “Of course this letter is no longer needed if the embassy no longer issues it,” Col
The Australian Embassy will cease issuing the income confirmation letters from Jan 7. Archeep explained to The Phuket News. “However, the foreigner applying for the visa (or permit-to-stay) will still have to prove that they have the funds to stay in the country, such as by showing bank statements that prove the foreigner has B800,000 in a Thai bank account,” he said. Col Archeep also explained that Phuket Immigration are looking into ways to devise a system that will send notices to foreigners, reminding them that their visa is about to expire. The move follows the Immigration office in Prachuap Khiri Khan starting to send such reminders as SMS messages to phones of foreigners registered at that office. Tavee Adam thephuketnews
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EDITORIAL
Everyday people on ice
he volume of drugs on Phuket’s streets, as reported in our page 1 story this week, is more than alarming. The fact that 23 people a day are arrested for drugs on the island screams for serious attention, rather than the cut-and-paste ‘solution’ on offer of ramping up arrests and creating community networks that drug users are very unlikely to be in contact with in any way. If anything, the community network strategy looks like nothing more than the decades-old ‘one village, one informant’ tactic under the initial, and deadly, Thaksinempowered ‘War on Drugs’. Worse, at that number of drug arrests on the island, the likelihood that a person you know, work with, live alongside, or even serving you in your hotel is using drugs starts climbing rapidly.
Phuket Vice Governor Supoj Na Nongkhai hit the nail on the head – and kudos to him for not shying away from the issue – is that dealers are now targeting the island as a key market, and targeting everyday people. Prices have been slashed to lure first-timers to try drugs purely for recreational use. The ploy is then to get them to shift the recreational use to regular. The huge danger is that this is where drugs become a part of everyday life. Drugs become how young people party, hard-working people relax, and teens get their rebellious kicks. Remember that even not in the middle of a drug buzz, addicts are still in the grip of dependence. If the user is starting to crave for their next hit – whether they know it or not – they start becoming more
restless, irritable and discontent. Does that description match a driver that you saw recently on Phuket’s roads? Testing for drugs is not as simple or cheap as testing for alcohol, but at the drug rates cited by the province’s anti-narcotics task force more people behind the wheel or on the motorbike are becoming more likely to be under the influence of drugs than alcohol. Only if the user is noticeably impaired will any officer know. Every country in the world knows that law enforcement goes only so far in curtailing the spread of drug use. The true fight is both economic and societal. And in a country where huge masses of people will turn up for a bike ride just to join the fun and take up some exercise, surely we can do better in our fight against drugs than we are now.
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Appeal launched for Irish tourist after ‘horrific’ Phuket road accident Income statement letters from embassies no longer required, confirms Phuket Immigration Child porn ring busted, raids hit Patong Aussie tourist robbed at gunpoint after dumped by Phuket taxi driver Phuket Opinion: Where boys in brown shine Phuket Airport launches ‘E-Visa on Arrival’ Phuket beach seawall ordered moved ‘off the sand’ Phuket airport taxi driver charges for deadly wipeout stall Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous returns Phuket traffic braces for Loy Krathong
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HAVE YOUR SAY Due respect
Re: American tourist found dead at Koh Lanta My nephew was American from Flint, Michigan. This was his birthday trip and turned 26 on the day he died. He was a personal trainer in Tampa, Florida where he lived. He had LOTS of struggle wounds on his body, we still don’t have his autopsy report! No Luggage, wallet or his phone. ALSO hotel workers live streamed a video of his body on Facebook. This story is BS. Our family is TORN. Indiamarket28
Street Fightin’ Man
Re: Street vendor rules in Bangkok ‘hurting tourism’ Sidewalks ARE provided ONLY for pedestrians, that’s what they’re for. Why should the government have to pay for sanitary and waste disposal systems when these people don’t pay tax or license or permit fees? Do they think that people who run legal restaurants don’t have children to feed? Street vendors as we know are great, but they need to be integrated into the wider economy. CaptainJack69
Fake news
Re: Aussie tourist ‘robbed at gunpoint’ in Phuket exposed as fake I knew the story couldn’t have been true because the green plate taxi scumbags are allowed to operate without meters. There could not have been an argument about turning the meter on. They are allowed to rip tourists off. They are a mafia that threatens if you try to park your car in “their” areas. These maniacs have well earned their reputation. Timothy “Aussie dress as they do at home”. You mean in their country they drive shirtless, sitting shirtless in restaurants, shopping shirtless in convenience stores and even visit religious sites inappropriately dressed? Then it will be a place to avoid for me. Pascale
The Thai Government, fully aware of the fact that Thailand is almost the deadliest country in the world when it comes to travelling by boat, taxi, mini van, bus and motorbike, should make a tourist travel insurance compulsory. Do not let foreign tourists enter when they cannot prove to be insured. Set up insurance shops in the airports for arrivals before they pass Immigration. Good business too! Kurt
contractors need to be told about this stuff… and incredible that Thai Public Works and Road Departments don’t have standard operating and safety procedures. So yeah, just go talk to the village headman to find out where to put your signs… thus allowing him to issue an emergency sign contract to his uncle for new signs every five meters. So amateur it boggles the mind. BenPendejo
A voice for all
Re: Phuket beach seawall ordered moved ‘off the sand’ Assume once there where trees, their roots and mother nature which did their job here protecting beaches from coastal erosion for free. So don’t cut down trees and mangroves and replant them. Concernd
Robbed of B10,000 but cannot afford to buy a shirt. peter rawai
Re: The #MeToo movement makes its effects felt in Thailand More power to them. Universal failure in addressing any of the other myriad failings in this society leaves me less than hopeful that the issue of gender inequality will change any time soon, but no change will ever come about without this kind of awareness raising activity. Keep it up. CaptainJack69
Blanket coverage
Sign language
Re: Appeal launched for Irish tourist after ‘horrific’ Phuket road accident
Re: Urgent order issued to fix dangerous Phuket road Amazing that road works
Natural solution
Between the lines
Re: Income statement letters from embassies no longer required, confirms Phuket Immigration No longer “required”? More like no longer accepted. Big difference. christysweet
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THAILAND NEWS
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Expert takes aim Street vendor rules in Bangkok ‘hurting tourism’ says urban planner BANGKOK Bangkok Post
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ity Hall’s efforts to regulate the use of pavements is damaging one of Thailand’s biggest tourism draws, an expert at Chulalongkorn University’s Urban Design and Development Centre (UCDC) has warned. “The government is trying to make street vendors disappear, despite the global recognition of Thailand’s street food scene,” said Adisak Guntamuanglee, an expert on urban planning at the UCDC. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) must find a better policy to manage space, or risk losing its tourism magnet status and hurting the local economy, Mr Adisak said in a seminar entitled ’Brainstorming for Practical Rules for Street Vendors’ held at Thammasat University. Mr Adisak floated the idea of a so-called ‘co-eating space’, a concept he said could possibly replace street carts that are seen by some as old-fashioned and unhygienic, while allowing food vendors to remain on pavements.
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Under the military-appointed Bangkok governor, City Hall has banned most street vendors in many parts of the city including the Yaowaraj (Chinatown) area. Photo: Bangkok Post / File In several countries, pavements are designed with rest areas that can be used by street vendors, he said. “Public spaces, including sidewalks, are not only intended for pedestrians,” he said. Mr Adisak said that certain places, such as the area underneath the BTS Skytrain station in Ari, should be declared off-limits to vendors as they are
reserved for ambulances. However, other areas with pavements that are wide enough to be split and designated as space for street vendors should be redesigned to make them attractive for both Thais and foreigners, he said. The government will, however, have to invest more in sanitary and waste disposal systems to ensure
food hygiene and prevent the vendors’ activities from affecting the environment, he said. “The BMA has the power to manage and address all these issues through better regulations. It can do more than just keep vendors off sidewalks,” he said. It is estimated that there are about 300,000 street vendors in Bangkok alone, 37% of who are food vendors, said Poonsap Suanmuang of the Foundation for Labour and Employment Promotion. Assuming that each vendor family has four to five members, the BMA’s regulation may affect the lives of between 1.3 million and 1.5mn people, she said. “All they want is a space where they can earn a living. They are not asking for any financial support from the government, or anything else,” she said. Narumol Nirathron, an academic with Thammasat University’s Faculty of Social Administration, concurred with Ms Poonsap and said the BMA’s regulation is a top-down policy that adversely affects a large number of people. BMA executives tend to view street vendors as non-Bangkok residents
who are causing problems with the city’s cleanliness and waste management, according to Ms Narumol. Natdanai Kulthatchayakaranan, a street vendor on Silom Rd, said many vendors like him have been cooperating with the BMA’s efforts to better regulate the use of Bangkok’s pavements. They were always willing to move when asked to stay away from roads and keep the pavements clean, but in the end they were told to leave nonetheless, he said. Aom, a street food vendor who works on Soi On Nut 70, said the area has won numerous awards for being an outstanding place to get street food. But when the BMA implemented its strict policy, street vendors in the area were forced to move away from the pavements to a new location, where the rent is simply too high, she said. “We are living solely on the income we earn from selling things,” she said. “They are taking the money that we have set aside for our children’s education, as well as to pay off our household debts.”
THAILAND NEWS
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
Granted court absence
Court approves a request by embattled construction tycoon BANGKOK Bangkok Post
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he Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court on Tuesday ( Nov 27) approved a request by construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta to remain absent while prosecution witnesses testified in the infamous black panther poaching case. Accompanied by his lawyer, Premchai submitted his absence request, which the judges approved because his case carries a maximum sentence of just 10 years, said his lawyer, Withoon Phraiyaem. Tuesday was the first day of the court hearing for the notorious illegal poaching case in which Premchai and another three people are suspects. It marked the start of the session for prosecution witnesses to testify. Prosecutor Somjet Amnuaysawat, who heads the prosecution team in this case, said Premchai has every right to request absence from the
Accused poacher Premchai Karnasuta attended the first day of his trial on Tuesday on charges that include killing a black panther in a national park. Photo: Post Today prosecution’s witness hearings, but he is required to be present during the defence’s witness hearings. Premchai, president of the Italian-Thai Development Plc, was arrested and charged
with poaching in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in February along with three other suspects in the case. Mr Withoon said his client needs the time to manage both his company and his many
physical illnesses. Premchai will appear in court again when the hearing of the defence witnesses begins, said Mr Withoon. During his absence, Mr Premchai's lawyer will rep-
resent him. M r Withoon said the defendants would not pay the B12 million in financial compensation demanded by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, because they maintain their innocence in the case. The four defendants will submit their written statement against the demanded payment by Dec 6, he said. Mr Withoon, however, said he wasn’t confident the defendants would win the case although they would try their best to prove their innocence. According to an informed source, there are a total 31 prosecution witnesses to hear until Dec 18, while the hearings of all 17 defence witnesses are set to begin on Dec 19 and end on Dec 27. The witnesses who testified on Tuesday were deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul and Wichian Chinawong, chief of the western complex of the sanctuary.
National deputy police chief Pol Gen Srivara Rangsibrahmanagul, earlier criticised for showing excess respect to Premchai, was at the opening of the trial on Tuesday. He predicted the tycoon would be convicted of all six charges. Speaking after testifying, Pol Gen Srivara said he was confident the prosecutors would maintain his "perfect" record and bring the culprits to justice. Mr Wichain exited the courtroom at 5:30pm, and didn't give any media interviews. However, shortly before he testified, Mr Wichain said he brought additional evidence, including 200 pages of documents. In related news, Pol Gen Srivara said the investigation into the Oct 7 killing and butchering of a binturong, or bearcat, in Sai Yok National Park in Kanchanaburi, is now 90% complete. Watcharachai Sameerak, assistant district chief of Dan Makham Tia, is among 12 suspects in this case.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
BUSINESS NEWS
Airbnb Plus sets sights on high-end rentals
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PROPERTY An Immigration officer uses the E-Visa on Arrival system at Phuket International Airport. Photo: Phuket Airport Immigration
The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th
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irbnb has launched its Airbnb Plus platform offering high-end properties in Bangkok, and will add high-end properties in Phuket next month. Airbnb Plus listings are of homes “of the highest quality offered by hosts with great reviews and attention to detail”, explained a release issue on Thursday (Nov 22). “As travellers look for more unique stays based on trusted recommendations by peers and key influencers, every Airbnb Plus home has been verified for quality by a third party, giving added assurance to guests about the quality of their stay,” said the release. Airbnb Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan’s Country Manager Mike Orgill said, “Airbnb Plus was introduced to broaden the appeal of Airbnb and recognise local hosts who go above and beyond to provide outstanding and authentic hospitality. “We’re thrilled to be launching this new tier of homes in Bangkok and will roll out in Phuket next month. With more than 400 million global guest arrivals, our engagement with our hosts have allowed us to continuously improve our
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‘E-Visa on Arrival’ launched in Phuket TOURISM Airbnb Plus, offering high-end properties, has been launched for Bangkok and will add properties in Phuket next month. Photo: Airbnb product and launch Airbnb Plus homes, now personally verified for all the comforts and amenities we know travellers expect in a home.” Airbnb Plus hosts are highly rated (4.8+ out of 5) and receive excellent reviews, and the homes have been inspected and verified in person by a third party against a 100+ point checklist covering cleanliness, comfort and design, explained the release. “Thailand is an important and fast growing market for Airbnb with nearly half a million Thais using the service to travel in the past year alone. With the peak travel period in December, Airbnb Plus is a great option for Thais travelling
as a couple or with families. Thailand is one of the most popular destinations with more than 1.5 million inbound guests in the past year, showing that people from all over the world are using Airbnb to explore and experience Thailand,” the release noted. The launch of Airbnb Plus continues to drive local momentum and is also off the back of Airbnb’s success in launching experiences across the country and developing key strategic partnerships with the Thailand Boutique Accommodation Trade Association (TBAA) and the Thailand Ministry of Interior’s Department of Local Administration (DLA), said the release.
THE N EW ‘E-V ISA ON Arrival’ service is now available at Phuket International Airport, Phuket Airport Immigration Chief Col Supachok Yongstar has confirmed. The new service launched last Wednesday (Nov 21) with its own special lane for arrivals using the service. “The service is available 24 hours. It will save time for foreigners. It takes about one minute, uses fewer documents, and makes it more convenient by paying the visa fee online. “Also I think it will make a good impression on tourists,” Col Supachok said. The same service is also available at Suvarnabhumi and
Don Mueang international airports in Bangkok, Immigration Chief Gen Surachate Hakparn announced last Wednesday. To use the service, visitors apply online at www. evisathailand.com up to 30 days before arrival and pass through the special lanes, instead of waiting in queues an hour or more, he said. The forms are filled and the visa fees are paid in advance. The service is available for visitors from 21 countries, Gen Surachate added. The same service was launched at Chiang Mai International Airport on Monday (Nov 26). Gen Surachate also noted that the E-Visa On Arrival will be launched at Krabi International Airport “in the near future”. The Phuket News
10 BUSINESS NEWS
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
The balance of leadership
Study highlights critical motivators for managerial performance adults from Tokyo, Japan. The researchers examined two types of psychological well-being: hedonic (feeling happy from pleasure attainment and pain avoidance) and eudaimonic (feeling happy from experiencing purpose, challenges and growth in life). To examine their physical well-being, chronic diseases, blood pressure, and cortisol (the ‘stress hormone’), were measured.
MANAGEMENT Mabel Sieh & Jaymee Ng
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lenty of studies have been conducted on how leadership behaviours affect followers’ performance and well-being, but very little attention has been dedicated to the well-being of the leaders themselves. A research study titled ‘Is being a leader a mixed blessing? A dualpathway model linking leadership role occupancy to well-being.’ by Wendong Li, Assistant Professor of Department of Management at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Business School, has addressed this question through an innovative approach. The study was conducted in collaboration with Prof John M. Schaubroeck from Michigan State University, Prof Jia Lin Xie from the University of Toronto, and Prof Anita Keller from the University of Groningen. Contrasting Views Previous academic researches on the well-being of leaders have mainly presented two contrasting views. One perspective suggests that being a leader is detrimental to one’s wellbeing as supervisory responsibilities
There are plenty of studies on how leadership behaviours affect followers’ performance and well-being, but very little attention has been dedicated to the well-being of the leaders themselves. Image: CUHK are often associated with long hours and heavy workloads. The other perspective argues that leadership role may be beneficial to one’s well-being because leaders have more autonomy than non-leaders, and therefore less stress at work. To reconcile the contrasting views, Prof Li and the team developed a dual-pathway model to test how leadership role is related to both job demands (psycho-social demands at workplace), and job control (level of discretion in how one chooses to perform one’s core job).
The Study The researchers tested their hypotheses with four independent samples from different cultural contexts – Switzerland, the US, China and Japan. The Swiss cohort included a sample of 1,006 participants; the American cohort included a sample of 1,409 participants over a 10-year time-lagged design; the Chinese cohort of 369 participants worked in a large state-owned manufacturing company in China and the last cohort included 1,027 Japanese
Key Findings Overall, leaders reported both high job demands and high job control. They also reported steeper trajectories over time in job demands and job control than non-leaders. Higher job demands were associated with lower well-being whereas higher job control was associated with greater well-being. However, leaders who perceived higher job demands also self-reported more chronic diseases and higher blood pressure. Cultural Differences The study also discovered that the effect of leadership role on eudaimonic well-being through job control was larger in the Japan sample than in the US sample. This may be due to cultural difference, said Prof Li. “There
is stronger endorsement of power distance as a value in Japan than in the US. Thus, gaining control at work may have more pronounced effect for the Japanese than the Americans,” Prof Li explains. Implications “In practical implications, organisations should seek to ensure that their investment in leaders is not compromised by low levels of leaders’ well‐being that may discourage nascent leaders from continuing in their careers as leaders,” Prof Li says. Selecting and grooming employees for leadership roles is a major investment for most organisations. Therefore, to make sure the efforts do not go to waste, Prof Li also suggests organisations should ensure that their leaders are not over-burdened and have ample opportunities to rest and recover. On the other hand, leaders themselves may consider delegating more to decrease their job demands. “Identifying and implementing means to limit leaders’ job demands and foster their recovery are critical to obtaining a sizeable return on these investments,” Prof Li says. This article was first published by the CUHK Business School: See: https://bit.ly/2S7tvAe
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
Finding the ideal puppy for your home
13
Disney’s new game for the Asian market
15
ONE WITH THE OCEAN A day underwater with We Freedive
David Jacklin editor1@classactmedia.co.th
A sense of wonderment and respect at truly being one with the vast expanse of our beautiful oceans.
@thephuketnews
T
he magnetic beauty of the oceans and exploration of the mysterious life within has captured the human spirit since the very earliest of times. From the first use of diving bells, which was recorded by the Greek philosopher Aristotle in the 4th century BC, the ocean has hypnotised humans to return from whence we once came. In more recent times our desire to push our physical boundaries in sport, along with a need for a deeper connection with nature around us, has led to the emergence of a sea exploring freedom without the need for bulky equipment or air tanks to disturb the environment around the diver. That freedom is freediving. Freediving is a form of underwater diving that relies on breath-holding until resurfacing rather than the use of breathing apparatus such as scuba gear. As well as the obvious skill of having to hold one’s breath for extended periods of time, the freediver also has to contend with high ambient pressures at depth below sea level. As much as the physiological challenges, there are a host of psychological skills for the advanced freediver to master to successfully practice this most meditative and liberating of underwater sports. Although a seasoned diver, it was with some trepidation that I signed up for a trial session with the highly experienced and duly recommended team at We Freedive. My day was spent with the devoted and dynamic
duo of Nora Galgoczy and Shaun Swinfield. If anything was to allay concerns of turning into Man from Atlantis in a single day, these were the two nowamphibious lifeforms to do it. As well as their core emphasis on safety and procedure combined with aeons of experience underwater, it is their infectious love of the ocean and marine conservation with an impassioned belief in their student’s capabilities that truly enables you to safely explore the boundaries of a new underwater experience with them. To give a sense of the achievable, it is worth a mention that Nora is the National Record breaker for her native Hungary at all depth disciplines, with a Personal Best time underwater of 4:58, having reached depths of nearly 50 metres. Yeah, let’s just see if I can get to 1:00 and 10 metres. So armed with a mask, snorkel, weight belt and freediving fins (much longer than their scuba cousin) I embarked on my morning training session at a private pool in Rawai which has a five-metre drop-off. Having run through all the theory, freediving education and in-water safety on dry land, Shaun proceeded to educate this novice on the core skills
in the pool with the patience of a saint and the enthusiasm of a kid in a candy store. Most interesting to describe is the technique of Static Apnea, which prepares the individual pre-dive. Before submerging, the freediver floats on the surface with mask and snorkel, goes into a state of stillness, meditation, almost sleep-like… both creating calm and reducing the heart-rate before beginning the full breath technique which maximises your oxygen intake prior to the dive. After a few attempts and some fine tweaking I couldn’t believe it when I resurfaced to execute my newly taught Recovery Breathing technique to see Shaun grinning from ear to ear, “How long do you think you held your breath this time?” I really wasn’t sure, I actually did go ‘somewhere else’ that felt rather non-linear. “I don’t know, maybe a minute”, I hopefully responded. “One minute thirty,” he beamed. After a several-hour session of practice techniques including dynamic streamlining, body positions to reduce effort and safety tests with rescue procedures, it was time to head to the real waters. Continued on page 12
12 EXPLORE
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
The natural beauty of freediving. Photo: David Sexton
Shaun and Nora dancing at depth. Photo: Pete Atkinson The long tail boat from Chalong Pier took us over to a stunning, secluded bay in Koh Hei. Whilst the journey by boat across this picturesque stretch of water is beautiful, I’ll admit to feeling apprehensive at converting my recent pool skills to the vastness of the open ocean. But with the sheer enthusiasm and delight in Shaun and Nora’s being and constant encouragement, you feel safe and sure to give it a good go, and wear a big grin while you’re at it. We anchored at the forested bay to be met with the squawks of hornbills and cries from an encircling aerie of sea eagles. Wow. Today is a good day. After kitting up, Shaun positioned a freediving buoy in the water. This is rather like a floating tyre which you can place your equipment in, prepare and rest on in the water, and supports
a line and weight underneath which drops to the required metres below and becomes your reference point to manage your dive’s direction and depth. I lower myself into the water, swim to the buoy and begin to prepare myself. Let the games begin! Shaun talks me through and demonstrates the technique known as Free Immersion. Using your mask and snorkel you first begin to prepare using relaxation techniques to still the mind and body looking down at the depths. When calm and ready, you take your full breath using both your diaphragm and intercostal muscles, release your snorkel and slowly descend, drawing your body along the line beneath the buoy into the beyond. I’m fortunate, I can equalise fairly easily, but every few metres below you
feel the pressure mount around your chest and head as a polite reminder to balance the pressure with your internal air. You watch the line, deeper you go, equalise and go. I’m only at 10 metres. But 10 metres in the big, vast blue with just me and my lungs is something else. At 10 metres, according to Boyle’s Law, the pressure of air that surrounds us has doubled from that on the surface, and your lung volume of gas-filled space is reduced by half. They’re all sensations that remind you that you’re in another world, new chartered territories for the fledgling freediver. But in this alien world you always have a buddy. And there’s Shaun at 10, still with a welcoming smile. I glance around the reef, and then we both slowly ascend together back up the line to the surface. Despite our body’s unnecessary reflex demand for air, which I felt strongly on reaching the 10 metre mark, the ascent is calm, the urgency is over as I slowly glide along the line back to the buoy, proceed with the recovery breath, and incurably join Shaun’s big grin on the surface. I practice Free Immersion diving along the line a number of times, gaining in confidence as well as calm. I feel comfortable to increase my bottom time by the weight at 10 metres, exploring the reef and inhabitants just that little bit longer before a euphoric ascent with my buddy. So next we move to the Holy Grail of all freediving. Constant Weight. Constant Weight diving uses all the skills in the sport to both descend and ascend in the dive. The key difference to Free Immersion is that whilst you still reference the line, you are removed from it physically. When prepared and ready, you move away from the buoy and duckdive to begin your descent. Using the line as reference, a slight kick of those extended fins and you’re on the way down… equalise, gentle kick and down you go. After your bottom time on the reef, still in reference to the line, you ascend slowly and naturally by having just the right amount of buoyancy created by the combination of the air in your lungs and the weights on your belt. Now we had quite a current underwater on this particular day, and it’s a wonderful sensation to streamline your body in the direction of the oncoming current, letting the water flow through you as you maintain your position and float gently to the surface. It’s extremely satisfying. After a number of practices of Constant Weight diving, and several hours
Descending the line. Photo: Nanna Kreutzmann in the water, I saved my best dive to last. Dropping to the reef, hanging there to take in the sights, pose for a photo or two (not my best side), and chuckle all the way to the surface. On the swim back to the boat there’s an added bonus. Nora, who has been diving around like a mermaid whilst Shaun has been looking after the plebian, finds a school of baby squid. She circles them so they move closer and linger with us in the water, performing a light show of different colours from the chromatophores in their skin, undeterred by our non-bubble blowing forms. It’s a magical end to a magical experience. The return journey on the boat is an elation. There’s a huge feeling of achievement, but something more… a renewed sense of respect with an environment that covers 71% of our planet. But thanks to the We Freedive team I am now armed with a mask, some fins and the skills to extend my relationship with the coastal reefs. Let’s be clear… this is not an extreme sport. Quite the opposite. This rather yogic discipline requires you to reduce your adrenaline and heartrate for the sake of more oxygen and a streamlined form within the water. It’s this that creates a sense of wonderment and respect at truly being one with the vast expanse of our beautiful oceans and its fantastic beasts. It’s okay Ms J. K. Rowling. I now know where and how to find them. We Freedive Thailand, Phone/whatsapp: +66 831 857 289 www.wefreedive.com, info@wefreedive.com Facebook: We Freedive thephuketnews
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PETS 13
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
Adding to the pack Probably not the best jogging companion. Photo: JC Gellidon
A Beagle can make a lively addition to the family. Photo: Marcus Wallis
Considerations on choosing a new puppy UNLEASHED Russell D Russell info@k9pointacademy.com
There are simple aptitude and attitude tests that you can do with dogs to give you a gauge of what their traits and drives are generally like.
Spend some time to consider why you want to get a dog. Photo: Eric Ward @thephuketnews
O
ne of the many questions I am often asked is, “Which is better? A street dog, or a pure bred dog?” It’s a good question, and there are a lot of factors to consider, starting with the fact that we already have an abundance of wonderful and loveable street dogs here in Phuket, desperate for a new home. So for me, it’s generally a no-brainer – get yourself down to somewhere like Bodhi Clinic! For me, the more important question is “WHY do you want a dog?”, because the answer to this will highlight some of the traits you’re looking for in a new dog. Do you want the sleepy dog, that just chills around the house, or are you after a running partner on the beach? Do you need a dog that’s cool with cats and kids, or quite happy with one that cares about you, and you alone? Obviously getting a specific breed can make it easier, as you know the breed traits in advance (to a degree) - you don’t get a Beagle if you want the sleepy dog that just chills around the house all day, and if you want a running partner, you don’t get a Pug. Nothing wrong with either breed, but if they aren’t going to fit into your lifestyle, you’re going to have issues sooner rather than later. Heading to a local shelter to adopt a loveable street dog makes life a little bit more fun, as you’re never entirely sure ‘what you’re going to get’. There’s a number of shelter organisations here in Phuket, such as Bodhi Clinic, who have a bundle of gorgeous dogs of all ages, looking for a solid, forever home and there are simple aptitude and attitude tests that you can do with dogs to give you a gauge of what their traits and drives are generally like. Simple things like their drive and determination to play with a toy – do they chase it, or hunt for it, or not care? How do they react to new people in their sphere, are they confident, or more apprehensive and if it’s the latter, what is their response to mild increases in pressure? An assessment such as the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test will answer a number of these, and other key questions, giving you a more rounded idea of what that cute, adorable dog is actually like – increasing the chances of the right dog, going to the right home. I know it sounds a bit ‘scientific’ but bear with me. Lots of people end up adopting the shelter dog that ‘looks the cutest’ or ‘seems the saddest’ – and we want to help, for all the obvious reasons. It’s admirable, but ultimately, if the dog isn’t going to fit into your home, family or lifestyle, chances are, they end up back at the shelter, or worse. So it’s worth investing the time to identify what you’re after, assessing a variety of the dogs to see which one fits, so you get the right one from the start. Better for the dog, and better for the shelter. A final point on answering the “WHY get a dog” question. If the answer revolves around “because my children want one”, I’d strongly advise thinking long
and hard about it. Whilst certainly not always the case, there’s a strong chance that you will end up being the principal care giver, and the one responsible for the new dog’s general well being, and you need to know yourself if you’re truly up to it, or even if you have the time for a new puppy in your life. If you would like some more information on canine training, or behavioural is-
sues, then please contact us on: 091 654 1960, email info@k9pointacademy.com, or check our website www.k9pointacademy.com. CPA is the only K9 organisation in Thailand accredited with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), and as an American Kennel Club (AKC) Evaluator.
14 HISTORY
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
The Massacre
of the Cholas
Phuket under Indian Governorship 1676-1679 HISTORY OF PHUKET Colin Mackay
I
n 1676, when he was warned that the Dutch East India Company (VOC) was planning to invade Phuket to make it a colony, King Narai had ordered the removal of Okya Phet, the anti-Dutch governor. Okya Phet petitioned heavily in Ligor and Ayutthaya to try to retain his lucrative governorship. Thomas Bowrey tells us he gave away 100 catties (six kilograms) of silver and other gifts to “various Grandees” to save his position. But despite these bribes he was still accused of maladministration, stripped of his lordly title and banished to a godforsaken part of Siam where it was expected he would succumb to the
“pestiale” climate. In his place Aqa Mohammed, the leading Persian official in King Narai’s court, appointed two fellow “Moors”, Mohammed and Ishmael Beg, to be the new governor and shabandar (port officer) of Phuket. The Beg brothers were Cholas – Tamil Muslims from India’s Coromandel Coast. As we have seen, these Cholas, or “Chulias” as they were later called by the British, had been trading and living in Phuket for some 1,000 years. And they comprised one of the major trading communities in the local port towns of Tharua, Bangkhli and Takuapa. Bowrey tells us that the Cholas in Phuket “were of the Mahometan sect but not very great observers of many of his laws.” He describes Mohammed Beg, the new Chola governor as “an austere man, one that had been bred a Warrior.”
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
A historical illustration depicts the turbulent past of Phuket.
Bowrey clearly did not care much for the Cholas, describing them as “a subtle and roguish people… a very great hindrance… for wherever these rascals be wee cannot sell any goods to a native of the countrey but they creep in alonge with them and tell them in private what our goods cost upon the coast in Surat, Bengala or elsewhere, which doth many a Christian a great prejudice.” Within a year of The Chola dynasty was one of the longesttheir appointment, the ruling dynasties in history. Image: Venu62. Beg brothers brought in almost 100 more “Moor” (Muslim Indian) assistants and retain- from the local élite families, by shipers to help them control the island and ping most of the metal up to Mergui its trade. Bowrey tells us that “This and selling it at low prices to other caused much local discontent,” most “Moorish” associates of Aqa Mohamparticularly amongst the Siamese med, the Beg brothers and their Musand Malays from the traditional leadlim cronies. These Moors would then ing families of Ban Takien, Ban Don resell the tin for much greater profits and Ban Lipon, called by Bowrey “the to traders or ship it overseas. councillors, secretaries, shabandares, bandarees etc, men of ancient standing The Locals Revolt and Murder and choice men of all the countrey.” the Indians These people normally constituted This despotism by these Indians govthe ruling élite on the island. By 1677 erning Phuket soon became too much Bowrey wrote that “the most eminent for the island’s truculent locals, who men, both Syamers and Malayars” beprobably numbered some 9,000 at the gan grumbling about being “tyranised time. over” by these Indians and “the hard The Siamese troops or retainers, measure they received from this prewho were theoretically there to protect sent Radja and his counsel, men altoand obey the Beg brothers (as royal gether of another nation.” appointed agents), were probably neuBowrey notes that Mohamed Beg, tralized by some cunning diplomatic work by the locals, no doubt particuthe new Chola governor, forced the larly by the women. Bowrey tells us members of these élite families to that the locals then mutinied: “labour hard in cuttinge downe the “The Malayars and Syamers rose woods, buildinge houses under the pretence that they were by order of and up in arms (with joynt consent) and on a sudden beset the Radjas house and for the use of the king of Syam, which killed him with his brother Ishmael were no sooner built but were given to one Cholar or other, the Radjas favour- and all his household, save the women ites, and to burne and beat lime for the and children and all the Moors and Chulyars upon the island, save two building of a stone fort, which things that made theire escape to Bangaree seemed tedious to them that were not allowed soe much as theire victuals for (Bangkhli) and thence to Queda… I judge they killed in this insurrectheir paines, soe that they soon began tion seventy five moors and Chulyars, to slight the work.” none resistinge save the Radja and his The locals’ reluctance to work on brother whoe, although surprised in Mohammed Beg’s development prothe house, yet killed six of the most jects – such as a badly needed fort on resolute Malayars. For which cause the island, angered and frustrated the whole countrey being in such a the new governor to the point that he confusion I went awaye into the roade threatened that, in order to keep up and sailed for Queda.” with his schedule, he would even force the islanders’ wives to work. This, Adapted with kind permission from says Bowrey, represented “a most sethe book ‘A History of Phuket and the vere and haynous punishment to the Malayars, which are in general Maho- Surrounding Region’ by Colin Mackay. Available from good bookshops metans.” and Amazon.com. Order the softcover Worse still, these new Indian ad2nd edition directly at: www.historyofministrators had started creaming phuket.com off much of the tin trade profits, away thephuketnews
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
ENTERTAINMENT 15
MORE THAN A REGION Disney’s game for the Southeast Asian market and culture
T
he Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia provides a first look at Disney Epic Quest, a mobile game developed and released specifically for Southeast Asian players. Epic Having launched at the Thailand Game Quest Show 2018, Disney Epic Quest is an original mobile title that brings Disney and Pixar features characters into one action-packed digital exDisney and Pixar perience for all ages. Developed and published by the characters across Singapore-headquartered goGame, it is the first Disney mobile game to debut in Southeast Asia. The freemultiple franchises to-play game will be available on both Android and in new environiOS devices in English, Bahasa Indonesia, Simpliments. fied Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai, and will launch across the region in 2019. The game embodies a digital universe wherein players will assemble a squad of three Disney and Pixar characters who embark on a journey to save their digital realm from a menacing virus that has infected the land. Epic Quest features Disney and Pixar characters across multiple franchises in new environments. At launch, the line-up will include characters from Big Hero 6, Pirates Of The Caribbean, The Incredibles, Wreck-It Ralph and Mickey Mouse & Friends. Disney Epic Quest also marks the debut of original costumes for Mickey, Donald and Goofy, created exclusively for the game. Casual players will enjoy the simple hack-andslash nature of combat, while dedicated fans will be delighted to know that the personality of each Disney and Pixar character in the game has been thoughtfully designed to be as unique as in the movies. Players can also engage in multiplayer co-operative battles in at least two different game modes. Players can invite their friends to play together, or make use of the game’s matchmaking system to meet new friends for real-time play. Future plans include a competitive player-vs-player (PvP) mode. “At the heart of everything we do at Disney is great storytelling, and we draw upon the most beloved stories and characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars to create high-quality interactive game experiences for fans of all ages,” said Dan Dossa, Vice-President & General Manager, Consumer Products Commercialisation, for Disney Southeast Asia. The strategy in Southeast Asia is new for Disney - this is the first ever game it has produced in the region. However, Dossa said, this is not a new strategy globally, as Disney has been working with game studios in the US, Europe and Asia for localised content. “The growth of the mobilegaming market in Southeast Asia has shown us that’s where our audience is, and that’s the place we need to be in order to connect with our fans. Our strategy is to always make the product that is best for our fans and, if that means taking a local approach, then that’s what we’ll do.” For example, there is a difference between gaming habits in Asia compared to North America: while RPGs and MMOs are very popular in Asia, casual gaming dominates Epic Quest is an Android and iOS mobile game. Image: Disney the US mobile-gaming market. Akin Bangkok Post
@thephuketnews
Disney Epic Quest game brings Disney and Pixar characters into one action-packed digital experience. Image: Disney. “Taking the local approach means we are able to connect our stories, characters and brands with the fans, wherever they are, and in Southeast Asia they are mostly in the mobile-game space,” he added. Before, Disney used to localise global content to make it more relevant for Thailand or Southeast Asia. Its current strategy is to create everything from the ground up. Creating a product for a particular market doesn’t only mean translating the game in the local language, but also looking at the choice of characters and the back end of the game, to ensure it is smoothly integrated with local payment systems and so on. There are some specific features of the Southeast Asian gamers, said Dossa, noting that language is the most obvious. It makes sense in Thailand to play a game in the Thai language, not in English. From Disney’s perspective, it gets to tell stories from across different brands and characters, and it has found out that different markets have different preferences for characters. As a result, the characters Disney chooses to make available for the players within the games can differ considerably from market to market. Another thing that characterises
Disney’s approach is that it has made the game very accessible for all levels of players, from hardcore gamers to more casual players, from kids to adults playing the game. This means that, in Asia, rather than targeting a very specific demographic, the games are accessible and fun for gamers of all levels. Also, some of the art style used in games has been modified to suit the markets. Last year Disney worked with goGame in localising a game for Southeast Asia called Disney Crossy Road, a casual mobile game. Its success was the prelude to the strategy of working with goGame on Disney Epic Quest. According to Dossa, industry data points to over 65% of the gaming industry in Thailand being in mobile gaming. “This is an extremely interesting space for us, as our characters and brands resonate in this space. Disney Epic Quest is the beginning of a strategy of creating local products in Southeast Asia, making the products more locally relevant, and working with local developers to tell our stories to fans in a very compelling way.” For more information visit: www.playdisneyepicquest.com
16 EDUCATION
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
IB final year students – Combining science theory into practical equipment for environmental purification and heat containment.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
LaunchX is a world-wide entrepreneurial program for high school students with their flagship location at MIT in Boston, USA. BISP students actively took part in the program.
Creative and Practical Solutions
A modern need for Design Technology in International Schools EDUCATION CORNER
C
Jeff Craigen
reativity and innovation are considered the fundamental requirements for the development of business enterprises in the modern world, yet so much education is still focused upon the accumulation and regurgitation of factual knowledge.
Throughout history, it is the people who sought solutions to problems that were responsible for powering human development, and these solutions were of an entirely practical nature. From the development of tools, the invention of the wheel and axle and the control of water right down to the industrial, technological and digital revolutions, humans have used their superior brains to provide practical solutions to the challenges imposed by nature and the problems posed by an ever-increasing population. With the scale of environmental and
ecological challenges facing the world today, it is even more imperative that our attention is turned towards finding new and creative solutions to meet these challenges, but above all they must be practical. They must work, but they must also be based upon moral and ethical considerations. Design Technology (DT) is not taught in a great many international schools, partly because of the large investment necessary to provide the facilities, and partly because as a subject it does not fit the educational profile that so many parents want for
their children. The irony, however, is that the skills and creative mindset required to design and construct practical solutions to everyday problems are invaluable, not only in the workplace but also in life itself. The ability to see a problem as a challenge to be overcome as well as an opportunity to be creative lies at the heart of Design Technology. It also lies at the heart of a life worth living. Jeff Craigen is a DT teacher at BISP. For more information, visit the school website www.bisphuket.ac.th.
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
The fable of the bean
COMMUNITY 17
Myth มิธ Coffee Bar & Hangout Space CAFE
SOCIETY Amy Bensema bensema.amy@gmail.com
@thephuketnews
A
quiet cafe located on Chao Fa West Rd, Myth มิธ Coffee Bar & Hangout Space is a hidden gem. Located within close proximity to Chalong Temple, the cafe oozes charm while delivering up luscious cakes and good, strong coffee varieties. A few months ago, I discovered Myth on social media and set out to find the cafe. I was pleasantly surprised, and have made a point to go back time and time again. Minimalist in design, the cafe features naked concrete walls and black metal tables. There is an overstuffed sofa for those who prefer a bit of comfort, while a variety of vintage coffee tables and general bric-a-brac add to the overall charm of the cafe. Another of the cafe’s alluring charms is the carefully placed succulents and large variety of palms and potted plants. The greenery adds a lovely touch and really gives Myth a cosy feel. The menu at Myth does not disappoint. The coffee menu is extensive and includes all of the regular favourites such as Cafe Latte, Cappuccino and Espresso while also having flavoured drinks as an option. If you are a tea lover, there are a variety of Myth has a clean tea bags to choose from and also and stylish design. a few cold drinks such as Kombu-
cha and Arabica Craft Soda. The cakes at Myth mean business and are guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth. The owner of the cafe is a talented baker, and offers up interesting goodies as well the occasional vegan treats too! While I am partial to the Nutella Brownie, other scrumptious cakes on offer include the Lemon Cheesecake, the healthy Purple Sweet Potato Tart, the Cappuccino Cake and the Apple Crumble. For those looking for something other than cake, there are a few toast offerings on the menu such as Hawaiian Chicken and Nutella Strawberry. There is always a nice soundtrack playing in the background at Myth. The cafe offers free WiFi, which as we all know, is a convenient bonus. There is a small garden out front with a few seats for those wanting to take advantage of the outdoors. However, if you are looking for a nice place to have a coffee break and perhaps get some work done, Myth is not to be missed. Myth is honestly just a really nice place. The owner is lovely, and the atmosphere is relaxed. Although it is often busy, the cafe does not have that overcrowded feel that many of Phuket’s coffee establishments have. Instead, the cafe feels welcoming and inviting. Do
The perfect combo of good coffee and tasty cakes. make a point to stop in at Myth when you are in the Chalong area. With the exception of Wednesday, Myth มิธ Coffee Bar & Hangout Space is open daily from 9:30am until 6pm. For more information on the day’s cakes and menu, call 095-1879146. Facebook: Myth มิธ Coffee Bar & Hangout Space Instagram: myth.coffeebar.hangoutspace Written by Amy Bensema, Cafe Society is a monthly column which chronicles one girl’s search for the perfect cup of coffee. Have a cafe to recommend? Contact Amy via email at bensema.amy@ gmail.com or follow her caffeinated adventures as Phuketstagram at https:// www.instagram.com/phuketstagram/
18 ISLAND SCENE
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
The boys are poised for action across the two-day event.
Stars of the future battle it out on the pitch.
BISP SOCCER 7S DRAWS 41 INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS FROM ACROSS ASIA Thousands gathered last Friday and Saturday (Nov 23-24) at British International School, Phuket to take part in one of the biggest sporting events in Asia. The BISP Soccer 7s needs no introduction, and with 1,500 players, 145 teams, 41 International schools from 10 countries participating this year, it was THE sporting place to be over the weekend.
Giovanni Orgera’s canvases were auctioned to raise funds for the Dusit Smile Foundation.
The team from Dusit Thani celebrate with the artist Giovanni Orgera (left).
CHARITY GALA DINNER HELD AT DUSIT THANI LAGUNA PHUKET Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket held a charity gala dinner to celebrate 31 years of gracious Thai hospitality on Friday (Nov 23). All proceeds from the gala dinner and auction of Mr Giovanni’s paintings will go to Dusit Smile Foundation for Operation Smile Thailand Foundation (OST).
'El Presidente' Walter with the essential PST tee.
Jason Wilder selling bait whilst spinning the toons.
LIVE 89.5 CELEBRATES PHUKET SPORTFISHING TOURNAMENT LAUNCH Last Wednesday (Nov 21) was the Phuket Sportfishing Tournament 2018 Registration Day launch including a meet up, drinks and food buffet. Jason Wilder from Live 89.5 was there for an outside broadcast to get the budding anglers off on the right hook for the only “Offshore Fishing” Tournament in Thailand. The Venue for PST 2018 is Rosi’s Restaurant and Bar on the waterfront in Chalong.
KUDU GOES GREEN TRASH HERO ON KOH YAO NOI!
Be a Trash Hero from now ’til Tuesday (Dec 4).
Every little help will clean up and protect our Koh Yao Noi.
From now until 4 December 2018, get a drink or an ice cream free at Café Kantary, Koh Yao Noi, when you collect a bag of rubbish off the beach. Rubbish bags and gloves are available from the Café Kantary, Koh Yao Noi. Recyclable waste will be sent to 5 schools on Koh Yao Noi for the ‘Kudu Goes Green’ contest, where the students turn waste into the best Recycled-Materials Art! More details are available from Cape Kudu Hotel and Café Kantary, Koh Yao Noi on Tel: 076 592 600. www.capekuduhotel.com/TrashHero/
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
ISLAND SCENE 19
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
One smart little chap casting off his Krathong into the lake.
The team from JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa celebrate in traditional style.
JW MARRIOTT PHUKET CELEBRATES THE LOY KRATHONG FESTIVAL 2018 On Thursday (Nov 22) JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa joined the nationwide celebration of Loy Krathong Festival, also known as The Festival of Lights. Matthias Y. Sutter, General Manager of JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, presided over the event along with the associates and hotel guests.
Nantarat, Wariya, Aom, Somjai, Kanmaleeda and Nongnuch.
Julia Hawkins, Richard Pope, Irina Milonga and Alyona Vikhareva Minoret.
KATA ROCKS CELEBRATES FOURTH ANNIVERSARY IN GRAND STYLE Kata Rocks’ fourth anniversary last Saturday (Nov 24) was yet another celebration of the finer things in life, with guests enjoying a lavish Brunch Pool Party. Kata Rocks General Manager Somjai Tungkoo, said the fully-booked brunch pool party was the resort’s best anniversary celebration to date. Those in attendance included a ‘who’s who’ of Phuket, including local business leaders, VIPs and loyal patrons of the resort.
Foam pool party anyone? What’s not to love.
Twisting by the pool - Siam Adventure Club team entertain the kids.
SIAM ADVENTURE CLUB OPEN HOUSE LAUNCH @ NOVOTEL SURIN Kids and adults had lots of fun on Saturday (Nov 24) at Novotel Phuket Surin Beach Resort where the brand-new Siam Adventure Club had its open house party. Young guests enjoyed foam parties, music, dancing, delicious food and even safe and playful Muay Thai bouts in the pool.
Jason, Korbchai, Robert, Kathu Deputy Mayor Attapong, Sutapat, Malee and Somsri.
QSI PHUKET CELEBRATE AMERICAN THANKSGIVING WITH FAMILY LUNCH Local government officials, parents, staff and teachers enjoyed a traditional American Thanksgiving lunch on the QSI Campus on Thursday (Nov 22). The word on the street is that they had the best brownies in town. @thephuketnews
The team from QSI celebrated Thanksgiving with Jason from The Phuket News.
20 EVENTS
FRI
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
30 NOV
SAT
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
1 DEC SKAL Phuket Annual Charity Dinner
Mussels night @ Shakers
All you can eat BBQ Ribs night
1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: natural, marnière, Provençale, garlic and cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended B295 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
6PM – 11PM: All you can eat BBQ Ribs served with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauces. Reservation recommended. 295 baht P.P. shakersphuket@gmail.com, 081 891 4381.
The Phuket Academy Awards on Saturday 1st December at Angsana Laguna Phuket. Come as your favorite movie star. Buy tickets online until 31st Oct @ 2,900 baht. Tickets online until 30th Nov @ 3,600 baht. Tickets available on the door @ 3,900 baht. Music from JAMROXXX.
SUN
Traditional Sunday Roast at O’Tool’s Served from 2pm. Your Choice of either Roast Beef, Chicken, Loin of Pork or Leg of Lamb Served with Roast & Boiled Potatoes, 3 Fresh Vegetables, Yorkshire Pudding & Gravy. Only 350 Baht. Includes a Free Glass of House Red or White. See: www.otools-phuket.com
2 DEC
Healthy Vegan Buffet at DiLite Restaurant Come to Thanyapura’s DiLite Restaurant to enjoy a healthy vegan buffet every Monday to Saturday. Lunch: 12pm to 3pm Dinner: 6pm to 8:30pm. Price: Lunch B350 and Dinner B550. Information and bookings call 076 336 000 or visit: thanyapura.com/hotel/dining/
All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet An Italian Evening Enjoy a selection of Italian antipasti, cold cuts, premium cheese, marinated olives, grill vegetables, homemade pickles, caprese skewers, bruschetta and homemade breads - all complemented by free-flow Italian beverages. B1,999 net per person for antipasti buffet and free-flow Italian beverages. Enjoy 25% OFF when you dine with four persons or more. Reservations at Dusit Thani, Laguna, Phuket: dtlpfb@dusit. com or call 076 362 999 ext.7303.
Beef, Pork and Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding – roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes – gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservations recommended. B350 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
The Sunday Brunch Club Join us every Sunday from 12pm-4pm for the new season Sunday Brunch Club & Pool Party featuring over 120 items including... Alaskan King Crab, Live Boston Lobster, French Oysters, Seafood On Ice, new features include Live Stations, Imported Meats, Carvery Selection, Japanese Kitchen, Tapas, Brazilian BBQ, Sumptuous Salad Bar, Delicious Desserts, Exotic Fruits, International Cheeses and new weekly selections of featured cuisines from around the world... Dream Member Price THB 1590++ Adult Brunch THB 1890 ++ Reservations, Dream Beach Club, reservations@dreambeachclub.com, 098 048 3500.
Charcoal Friday Charcoal BBQ at Bodega, featuring premium beef cuts, cooked live in the dining room on our charcoal broiler with the unique sear and smokiness only charcoal could deliver. Starting from THB 1,200++. Reservations, Bodega & Grill, Angsana Laguna Phuket, fbreservation-lagunaphuket@angsana. com, 076 358 500.
Sunday Roast All Day, All Night
Family weekend Art Fair 18th Architect & Hotelex Construction Materials & Hotel Supplies Exhibition. All types of construction materials from floors to roof tiles. Hotel supplies and home decoration items. See the latest breakthroughs in construction technology, interior design and building maintenance. Learn how to design a smarthome for multi-million-dollar project IPTV, 4G Internet, IP Phone, Mobile phone, CCTV and other high-tech devices. PIC Phuket, 076 217199.
BBQ Brunch and Brushes on Saturday 1st December from 12.30 to 4.30pm. B1,650 includes BBQ brunch, art materials and artistic instruction from local artist Kat Jones. B750 for BBQ Brunch only, B500 for Kids BBQ. B900 for art instruction only, B500 for kids (from 2pm to 4pm). Seating is limited to 45 guests. Welcome Back Brunch for Ride4Kids on Sunday 2nd December from 1pm to 4pm. The Welcome Home Brunch for the intrepid Ride 4 Kids team returning to Phuket after their 200 km ride from Phuket to Krabi. B1,000 for Family Style Brunch, B500 for Kids BBQ. Seating is limited to 45 guests so book your seats early with Jade or Tina. To book any of these events, contact: Jade@tastebargrill.com - Tel: 087 886 6401 or Tina@phukethasbeengoodtous.org - 080 143 9554.
Come enjoy a Traditional Sunday Roast EVERY SUNDAY at Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Indulge in our Traditional Sunday Roast ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for ONLY 445 Baht! Enjoy a Large ALL YOU CAN EAT selection of your favorites! Featuring: Roast Aussie Beef, Pork Loin and Chicken. Roasted or Mashed Potatoes. Roasted Mixed Vegetables Flavored with Thyme and Garlic. Yorkshire Pudding and Red Wine Gravy. Enjoy Live Music from 8-late performed by our famous Two Chefs Band! Come for the FOOD - RESERVE your table now online at bit.ly/TwoChefsReservations Check out more details on our website at bit.ly/TwoChefsEvents Reservation, Two Chefs Kata Center, Karon, Kata Beach and Patong. Kata Beach 076-333-370 Kata Center 076-330-065 Karon 076-286-479 Patong 076-344-914.
TREVOR CROOK with special guest BRIAN AYLWARD Do not miss TREVOR CROOK, winner of The Sydney Comic Of The Year Award, with special guest BRIAN AYLWARD, winner of Canadian Comedy Awards Best Standup Comic, and host DUSTIN MOORE. Tickets are on sale now from 350 THB (limited early bird), 600 THB (show only), 950 THB (burger, 2 “beverages” & show), and 1400 THB for VIP tickets, which includes free-flow drinks, meet & greet with the comedians, and the best seats in the house. Get your tickets today on TicketFlap: www.ticketflap.com/phuketcomedytrevorcrook
MON Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show 2018 Thailand’s Biggest Boating Lifestyle & Leisure Show. Don’t miss it! Find out what the marine and lifestyle industries have on offer – sail, power, big and small, all are represented. See the latest gadgets and gizmos, revel in the delicious waterfront pop-up eateries, and take some time to relax with friends and family. Free to enter – Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show, 29 November – 2 December 2018 at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Pattaya.
The 3rd Living in Phuket Exhibition UFE Phuket, Trocadelyo Group and Bangkok Hospital are organising the third “Living in Phuket” exhibition on December 1st, 2018, to help Phuket’s expats connect with the services that will make their lives on the island easier. The event takes place in the King Carl Gustaf conference room of the Bangkok International Hospital in Phuket (1st floor), AND IT’S ABSOLUTELY FREE.
3 DEC
Sala Sunday Night Steak & Seafood Premium barbecue main course, including imported Australian Rib Eye, full rack of Lamb or whole Phuket Lobster accompanied by buffet of delicious appetizers. Live music from 6.30pm. Premium BBQ. 1,700*Baht. Reservations, Sala Phuket, events@salaphuket.com 076 338 888.
All you can eat BBQ night 6pm – 11pm: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns and Squid, Salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. B395 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
EVENTS 21
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
WED
5 DEC
Sala Wednesday nights: Ribs, beats, brews Devour our succulent pork rib set complete with sweet corn chowder, blue cheese salad, moist cornbread and finish it off with a bread and butter pudding. DJ Q will keep the soul flowing and your toes tapping as you wash down those tender ribs with a bucket of craft brews. Full Rack set B1,600, Half Rack set B1,200, bucket of craft brews B800. Reservations, SALA Phuket Resort and Spa. Email: events@sala phuket.com or call 076 338 888.
for the whole family. As a vendor, the fair will provide a prime opportunity for pre-Christmas gift sales and great general brand exposure for your products or services. Kindly email rsvp@uwcthailand.ac.th for more information.
Saturday 15 December 2018 at 18.30 pm. Reservations, Mom Tri’s WOK gallery kitchen, info@villaroyalephuket.com, 063 079 0994.
MON
24 DEC
Christmas Market 7-8 December 2018 Music & Food & Fun. 7-8 December 2018 from 6.00 pm till 10.00 pm at Lagoon Quay. Phuket Boat Lagoon.
Beach Chill Out Christmas Eve Dinner Celebration
The Lounge Rawai - Suckling Pig Our new restaurant with fantastic decor is open in Rawai. We open from 8am every morning, through to Midnight. Serving breakfast, lunch and evening meal. You can check out the website for the menu and pictures www.property-lounge.com Lunch from 99bht Pool tables, and live sports Lots of parking Wednesday this week (14th Nov), we have the suckling pig which is extremely popular (also 28th Nov and 12th Dec). One Baguette, lots of salads and all the trimmings 240B. Hope to see you there this week. 184/2 Moo 2 Soi Wat, Rawai, kay@ pare.com, 080 124 1245.
FRI
7 DEC
Baba Beach Club Phuket presents Patrick Topping 7/12/2018, we welcome Patrick Topping who will bring his signature house sounds to Baba Beach Club Phuket. Escape to our Music Lovers’ oasis on Natai beach for an elevated weekend experience. Patrick Topping - One of the most in-demand names in dance music right now, he has carved a reputation for himself as a figurehead for a wave of exciting and diverse artists from the U.K. A prolific producer, who’s released on labels such as Hot Creations, Truesoul & Relief Records and remixed the likes of Booka Shade, Tiga and Matador, whilst securing 11 Beatport #1s, such as ‘Be Sharp Say Nowt’, ‘Forget’ and ‘Voicemail” a collaboration with the legendary Green Velvet. December 7th from 2 pm onwards - Daytime Party For more information & bookings, contact us: +66 76 429 388.
SAT
15 DEC
Oliver Osborne takeover Friday 7 December “The Friday Mix” 17.00 – 19.00 hrs. - DJ K (HKT) 19.00 – 22.00 hrs. – Oliver Osborne (SIN) - House & Tech-house. Saturday 8 December “Sunset Sessions” 16.30 – 19.30 hrs. – Oliver Osborne (SIN) - House and Disco. Sunday 9 December “Brunch” 12.00 – 15.00 hrs. – Oliver Osborne (SIN) - House and Disco 15.00 – 18.00 Hrs. DJ K (HKT) – Tropical house. Drinks & food specials all weekend long. Reservations, COAST Beach Club & Bistro at Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, coastphuket@chr.co.th, 076 201 234.
ZUMA returns to Anantara Layan
Chill out by the beach, breath the sea breeze and enjoy the sunset views, while celebrating your Christmas Eve on beach sand at Sala Bua restaurant in Patong. Meet & greet with Santa, enchanted with Christmas song for a truly magical evening. Live trio band and special entertainment will make this night more extraordinary. At the variety of buffet dinner, you will enjoy authentic cuisine and Christmas dishes and drink, created for the occasion. Impiana Resort Patong is the perfect choice for Christmas celebrations with your family, friends and loved ones. Reservations, Sala Bua Restaurant at Impiana Resort Patong, fb.patong@impiana.com
Christmas Eve Dinner It’s a Season to be Jolly @ Two Chefs Bar & Grill. Spread the holiday cheer and make your Christmas more merry with Two Chefs Traditional Christmas Buffet at Two Chefs Kata Beach branch on Monday the 24th of December 2018. Two seatings are available (6pm and 9pm). Adult Rate: 1,450 baht per person; Kids under 12 yrs: 750 baht per person. Book now until December 15, 2018 and avail of the 20% OFF Early Bird Reservation Discount from the buffet price! For bookings and reservations kindly email jonas.virtanen@ twochefs.com
TUE
Award-winning contemporary Japanese restaurant, ZUMA, returns for a third season to the beachfront at Anantara Layan Phuket Resort between 15 December 2018 and 15 February 2019. For more information and bookings, please call + 66 (0) 7631 7200 or email zuma@anantara.com
@thephuketnews
Opening Cocktail Reception ML. Tri Devakul Art Exhibition You are cordially invited to the opening Cocktail Reception of ML. Tri Devakul Art Exhibition DISSOLUTION IN STEEL.
Spoil yourself with seafood set from noon – 10 pm every day! Come and crack open some crab legs, grilled mussels, peel some prawns, rock lobsters, sip some spicy tom yam soup and toast to your perfect night at this beachfront restaurant in Patong overlooking the sea (sunset) views. Start from THB 450. Reservations, Sala Bua Restaurant at Impia Resort Patong, patong@impiana.com, 076 340 138.
Come and join us for some fast-paced and enjoyable Brazilian Futsal at British International School Phuket. Boys and girls aged 7 - 14 can join our sixweek league taking place indoors to ensure play even on rainy days. The cost for the league is 3,500 Baht and includes a Brazilian kit, medals and “player of the match” trophies! There are still a few places available. To register, contact cruzeirosoccerschools@gmail. com
25 DEC
DAILY EVENT UPDATES ON Christmas Day Dinner
UWCT Christmas Fair
Daily seafood at Sala Bua beachfront restaurant
Futsal League 2018
It’s definitely a Jingle Bell Time @ Two Chefs Bar & Grill
The UWCT 2018 Christmas Fair will have a hint of Elf magic this year following the UWCT Primary School Musical production of Elf Jr. With a Santa’s grotto, craft stalls, traditional (and non-traditional) food and drinks and activities
EVERY DAY
Come and celebrate Christmas Day with us at Two Chefs Bar & Grill Patong Branch on Tuesday the 25th of December 2018 from 12pm to 12am. Our Executive Head Chef Daniel from England have prepared a 4-course Traditional Christmas set menu dinner that will surely light up your holiday cheer! Price is 995 baht per person. For details and reservations visit our Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/twochefsthailand
22 TIME OUT
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York 1. Transylvania became part of which country in 1918? 2. Which legendary Greek character eloped with Helen of Sparta to spark the Trojan War? 3. At the Equator, how fast does the Earth spin on its axis? 4. What was the full name of Dr Henry Jekyll’s alternative personality? 5. Which three US states comprise the New York ‘Tristate area’? Answers below, centre
SUDOKU
Easy
Across 1. “Don’t bet ___!” 5. Zambia cash 11. __ for a tat 14. Central points 15. Bronze age civilization 16. Allen or Gershwin 17. Fried egg-battered bread 19. Big ___ 20. Chick’s mom 21. Cook by simmering 23. Tropical gymnosperm 26. Go a-courting? 28. Summon, as a taxi 29. Loyal person 31. Individually 33. Flabbergast 34. Draws 36. Fruited flapjacks 41. Type of Japanese massage 42. Tail motion 44. Cambridge grad. 47. Goat hair 50. Bassoon’s cousin 51. Withdrawn 52. Eagle’s home 53. Epicure 56. Wood-dressing tool 57. Court order 58. Breakfast staple
24. Bark 25. Algonquian Indian 26. Free-swimming tunicate 27. Open 30. Sir, in India 31. Roll-shaped cloud 32. Shooter ammo 35. Take back, in a way Down 37. Daisylike bloom 1. Broadway 38. Chinese tea opening? 39. Porcelain piece 2. Neighbor of Swed. 40. Rani’s wear 3. Rocks, to a 43. “Holy cow!” bartender 44. Having geared 4. Soldier’s helmet, teeth slangily 45. On the train 5. Genghis ___ 46. Chewy candy 6. Freshly painted 48. A pilgrimage 7. “Give it ___!” 49. Parchment scroll 8. Put an end to 51. Past its prime 9. Biblical verb 54. Kind of ring or 10. A chip, maybe swing 11. Shinbones 55. Canal of song 12. Conciliatory 56. House of height 13. Snarl 59. Puppy’s bite 18. Currency of 60. Hair raiser? Ghana 22. Kitchen mixer? 61. Charge carrier 62. Bunk 23. Number 63. Ambulance cruncher, for short workers 64. Horse-andbuggy ___ 65. More greasy 66. 2006 Tim Allen film 67. Prohibited insecticide 68. With great cunning 69. Aardvark fare
Solutions to last week’s puzzles:
Answers to this week’s Pop Quiz: 1) Romania; 2) Paris; 3) 1,000mph (1,600kph); 4) Edward Hyde; 5) New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
GOT YOUR NUMBER
ISLAND VIEW
4
in 10 professional UK soccer players have decaying teeth and 1 in 20 has irreversible gum disease, according to new research.
9
of the top 30 fastest 100m sprints ever were clean and not associated with doping. All 9 were run by Usain Bolt.
60
doors in total were destroyed by Jack Nicholson for his iconic “Here’s Johnny!” scene in ‘The Shining’.
50,000
‘Flying Bird’. Photo: Maya Trahan, 16 years old @ QSI Phuket Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Email it to execeditor@classactmedia.co.th
to 70,000 thoughts every day are experienced by the average person.
1.5 million
people worldwide were killed by tuberculosis in 2014, making it a greater cause of death than AIDS. Source: Uberfacts
This week in history Nov 30, 1982 Michael Jackson’s sixth solo studio album, Thriller, is released worldwide. It will become the best-selling record album in history. (See photo.)
Herbert Hoover proposes a $150 million (equivalent to US$2.197 billion in 2017) public works program to help generate jobs and stimulate the economy.
Dec 1, 1960 Paul McCartney and Pete Best are arrested (and later deported) from Hamburg, Germany, after accusations of attempted arson.
Dec 3, 1976 An assassination attempt is made on Bob Marley in Kingston, Jamaica just two days before the “Smile Jamaica” free concert.
Dec 2, 1930 First Great Depression: US President
Dec 4, 1872 The American ship Mary Celeste
days but was only slightly damaged. Dec 5, 1952 Great Smog: A cold fog descends upon London, combining with air pollution and killing at least 12,000 people in the weeks and months that follow.
is found with no crew on board by the Canadian brig Dei Gratia. The ship had been abandoned for nine
Dec 6, 1240 Mongol invasion of Rus’: Kiev under Daniel of Galicia and Voivode Dmytro falls to the Mongols under Batu Khan. Source: Wikipedia thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
CLASSIFIEDS 23
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
Jobs
The Phuket News @thephuketnews
JOBS Website operator
Female website operator capable of building a shopping site and driving traffic to the site via Google, Facebook, Twitter, Shopify, blogs and other systems. Will work a flexible 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. Fixed salary B20,000 + 5% commission on sales generated by the site. 20,000 + commission. Contact Ron via: Siam.serenity.th@gmail.com, 0874178715. @thephuketnews
SALES EXECUTIVE WANTED
Art House Co., Ltd is looking for Sales Executive for our real estate company. Thai Nationality with good English and communication. Please contact. Email: natcha@arthouse.asia 086 414 4559.
Villas Manager
Looking for villas manager for oceanfront properties in Ao Por * female 25-40 years old * fluent English speaking * outgoing personality * self motivated * Salary 25,000 THB + commission. Email: montha_phuket@yahoo. com Tel: 095 014 7888
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Buy & Sell JOBS Need a governess/nanny
A family needs a nanny for a special needs child. The ideal candidate will have a background in teaching and varied methods of promoting learning in a fun way. Working 6 days per week. English speaker essential. Celina teacherphuket@gmail.com
Riviera sport fishing boat
Perfectly maintained and cared for, this boat is in excellent condition and will provide great enjoyment for the next owner. Powered by twin 660hp Caterpillar diesel engines and fitted with every conceivable optional extra including True Visions satellite connection through a 42” Smart TV, Raymarine navigation system, Dive Compressor, powerful stereo system and extensive fishing equipment. Selling to upgrade to a larger vessel. 9,000,000, Phuket Yacht Haven, sc@crone.net.au UR
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Boat For Sale
72’(22m) Thai Trawler partially-converted as Tour Boat Business. Rebuilt from top to bottom 3 years ago (spent just over 1MB) including engine as was planned to use for a tour business, owner had to return to the UK unable to return (very ill son). Some weather damage and need some repairs. Engine has only done only 6 hours, has new 12 kua generator. Currently in Hua Hin. Viewing can be arranged. Must sell within the next few months. Offers over THB 500,000. Contact Shayne on 0934 189 529 or shayne.inbox@gmail.com
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BOATS, YACHTS FOR SALE Boat Rinker 290
CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE Hyundai Veloster TURBO
Rinker 290 with trailer Continental 2017, engine Volvo Penta, Under warranty includes all standard equipment, less then 100 hours used. More information in link: clc. la/07hDmA 3,990,000, +66-97-175-00-96.
Hyundai Veloster Turbo 39,000 km, Price from new 1,749,000THB, full service book, 4 original rims with tires, all options. Now just 850,000THB. m.arnskjold@gmail.com, 0836351440 ENG / 0843058363 TH
BUSINESS FOR SALE
CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE
RARE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
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2012 Ford Ranger 2.2 Open Cab
78,000km. Six-gear manual transmission. Looks and feels like a new car, treated like a baby by its single owner. Engine clean as. Full set of new tyres. B500,000. Call 081 427 5168.
Working Shareholder req. for a unique Phuket Business Opp. USD$75,000 (12.50% Co. Shares). ZERO Debts/ Leases/Loans etc. Low Overheads, HiMargins, Hi-Vol. Sales (7 Day Sales). FURNITURE Long est. comp. industry. 4-Us: ZERO COMPETITION … ROI: Monthly Mngmt Fee. (Job Pymt 20-30hpw) + MonthLE SA NEW, LUXURY 2-UNIT ly Royalty Pymt. + Twice-Yrly. Co. Profits Dist. Genuine GENT LEATHER SOFA + Rare business opp – serious enquiries only please. UR BOUGHT IN SB DESIGN SQUARE 2.5mTHB (USD$75,000), Phillip Frankston, PHUKET, PHUKET. LUXURY KELVIN GIORMANI MvJHKT@Gmail.com, +61 8001-6402 (Anytime). SOFA. PERFECT, NEVER USED. PAID PRICE B67,500/ UNIT TOTAL B135,000 NOW B50,000/UNIT TOTAL CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE B100,000. W2.30m D1.65m H65-90cm. 0930914502.
Amazing Deal!
2016 Toyota Vios Model E with only 35,000 Km on it. Is an automatic, with fog lights, windows are tinted already, has the plastic insert for the trunk, rubber floor mats for all seats, rain shields on all windows. Only driven locally in Phuket. It is kept in great condition and is available to view in Chalong. Only 465,000 THB. Adam 091 016 1167.
HOME IMPROVEMENT Flat roof waterproofing
We do flat roof waterproofing with 20 year warranty by installing quality four layer slate spotted bitumen torch foil + crack repair! Andreas Ruthe, 22/5 Moo1 Kamala Kathu, office@tcm-asia.com, 0869439834,076-385081.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
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PROPERTY FOR SALE 1 Bed Condo in Laguna
Exquisite Property meets Luxury Area in the Heart of Phuket. Welcome to the Ocean Sands, an upcoming hotel development located close to the Laguna Area, one of Phuket’s most luxury and trending areas. Comprising a total of 213 keys ranging from our signature 1 Bedroom Deluxe Suite up to our well-appointed Family Suite, this exquisite property equipped with large swimming pools around central simulated beach and five-star standard facilities will become a new enjoyment for lifestyle living. Invest with us and elevate your lifestyle, be a part of the Ocean Sands. phuket@thairesidential.com, 0872699206.
MOTORBIKES FOR SALE
PROPERTY FOR SALE
Ducati Multistrada 2012
2012 Model Multistrada. Perfect condition. Only 23,000 kms. Faithfully maintained. Have panniers and 15 liter tank bag. Steve, ducphuket@gmail. com, 081-734-8309
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Inked Machine™ Tattoo
Lovely Pool Villa, Nai Harn
PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m. Chanote
Stunning ocean & sunset views over Patong bay-2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms fully furnished with car park & pool 121sqm+. Email for more details penthousedicw@gmail.com
Prime location, 4 bedrooms, large garden and pool, 764 sqm, Chanote title, double garage. Great family home or investment property. Motivated seller. 12,500,000, Dean, dmuir@exotiq. com, 0857932667. PASAK LAND 3.9MB 510 sq.m. Chanote
Good morning to all of you. Today I present the Private location in prestige area. Outstand“ Machine Tattoo". This tattoo shop is located ing Value. Call owner (Alan): 084 0657590. in Patong. When you are at the roundabout of Patong Beach, take a right and walk the beach. After 300 Dream Village Phuket house meters, you will find the Inked Machine Tattoo on your right 2bed 2bath 295sqm land 100sqm living at the entrance of the self ‘mor watthana’ (Watthana Clinic + veranda, compl. renovated.: new waSoi’). You will be made very welcome and enjoy the cleanli- ter, electric., tiles, paint in/out, windows, 3A/C, built in ness of the place (everything is new), but above all the quality kitchen. 0870608400 engl/german picharly@gmail.com, of the tattoos that are made; traditional bamboo or machine 66870608400. (Demographer) – all your tattoo ideas will be satisfied. A team of several professional tattoo artists are waiting for you, the Villa Mission Heights big Pool atmosphere is very nice and you will have a good time getting 3bed, 3 1/2 bath, 330sqm living, 900 sqm tattooed while listening to music. On Site you can buy T-shirts land, very quite aera, 2 km mission hill golf, and other products in the image of the shop. The prices are 6km UWC, 8 km airport. owner finance. 0870608400 very correct so do not hesitate to visit the site to make a engl/german picharly@gmail.com, 0870608400. E beautiful tattoo during your stay on the island of Phuket. For AL TS House for sale more information and details, I invite you to contact them and N GE Detach single story home, 1 Rai of land, 4 they will answer all your questions. I sincerely recommend it. UR bedrooms 5 bathrooms, 2 kitchens 1 living Facebook : @InkedMachine.PhuketTattooStudio Instagram : Inked_Machine_Tattoo Soi Mor Watthana Tambon Patong, room, 2 cars parking space with garden and swimming pool. Sunny, 25/11 Soi Salika, Moo 2, Viset Road. Amphoe Kathu Chang Wat Phuket 83150. 082 377 5555.
Property Phuket Law
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VILLA OPEN HOUSE Oct 19 Nov 2 Properties hot deal for sell & buy, legal AdviNT GE RE/MAX EP - Luxury Pool Villa - 5BR sor & Litigation Nationwide, accounting, visa, UR Spacious Open Design Quiet Secure Large work permit, 083 599 4514, 087 014 9736,095 325 5654. Kitchen Guest Entertainment Land 1.5rai - Call for details! PROPERTY FOR SALE 27,000,000, Suchana or John, 90/24 Moo 6, Wiset Rd, Rawai, 83130 Promthep Residence, johncampos@ Beach Front Land * 128 meter of white sand beach frontage remax.co.th, 0956415693 or 0634413481. * amazing views * 9 Rai , Secure Nor Sor 3 Kor tittle * located on Koh Yao Yai * 20 minutes boat drive from Phuket * public road with water and electricity * ideal for high-end development * ready to build * sale direct by owner *ONLY 11.9 Mill. Baht / Rai Email : montha_phuket@yahoo.com Tel: 095 014 7888.
Hot sale! Pool villa Naiharn
A lovely fully furnished pool villa in a secured estate in Naiharn, 5 minutes drive to Naiharn beach and 10 minutes drive to Kata. Freehold. 455 sqm of land. Sold fully furnished and equipped (solid teak furniture and high quality equipment). phukethomecareservice@gmail.com, 0638394973.
Loch Palm Golf Villa
2 bedrooms - full furniture - hole no 17 - Includes 2 golf bags, 2 bicycles, an exercise machine and golf membership until 21/02/2040. 11.2 Million Baht, philippe andre, Loch Palm Golf Club, philippediavel@gmail.com, 098 682 9069
PENTHOUSE
Unique Investment Opportunity
Unique investment opportunity not to be missed: 5 pool villas, big land, large entertaiment areas, parking garages and private gates. More info www.thegardenkptphuket.com www. thegardenkptphuket.com
COMMUNITY
PROPERTY FOR SALE GE UR
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HOT PRICE - SURIN BEACH
3 B/R, Duplex, 170 sq/m. Shared pool, three decks, fully furnished. 400 meters from Surin Beach. Great Condition. Must sell jgstryker@gmail.com 5,699,000, 0836450097
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3 B/R Surin Duplex
400m from Surin Beach, fully furnished. Shared pool, 3 bathroom, and two decks/salas. 38k per/month jgstryker@ gmail.com 0836450097. thephuketnews
THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
SPORT 29
Golden boot is not a priority, says Adisak FOOTBALL
Bangkok Post
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hailand’s Adisak Kraisorn is chasing another record at the AFF Suzuki Cup, but the striker is more interested in helping the War Elephants win a recordextending sixth Southeast Asian title. The SCG Muang Thong United star has scored eight goals for the two-time defending champions in the 2018 tournament, including six against Timor Leste. He netted a goal in Thailand’s 3-0 win against Singapore in their final Group B game at Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium last Sunday (Nov 25). Dubbed AK9, Adisak has become Thailand’s highest scorer in one Asean championship beating Natipong Sritong-In’s seven-goal mark set in 1996. He needs two more goals to tie Singaporean Noh Alam Shah’s record of scoring 10 goals in one tournament in
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Thailand striker Adisak Kraisorn celebrates after scoring against Singapore. 2007 when the Lions won the third of their four titles. “I am happy when I score for the team but not interested in any personal records,” said the 27-year-old Thai. “I am not looking forward to winning the golden boot as the tournament’s top scorer. I want to win the title for the team. “But winning the title may
not be easy as other teams have improved. So we can’t underestimate any teams.” Thailand will meet Malaysia over two legs in the semi-finals with the first game in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow (Dec 1) and the second in Bangkok on Dec 5. The other semi-final pits Vietnam against the Philippines coached by former
England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson. Meanwhile, Thailand midfielder Sanrawat Detchmitr admitted that he did not play well in every game in the group stage. “I am happy that we have reached the semi-finals,” said the True Bangkok United star. “I don’t have to play well in every game. The most important thing is that I help the team win.” Although Thailand had three wins and one draw and scored 15 goals in the group stage, there is still criticism against coach Milovan Rajevac’s style of play which focuses on defence. “Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion and we can’t change their thinking,” he said. “We may not play a beautiful attacking game – we play as a team and defend as a team. The coach knows best and we have to play according to his tactics. Results are more important than anything else.” Thailand have won the Southeast Asian title a record five times.
Defending champion THA72 on the move. Photo: Guy Nowell
Phuket King’s Cup Regatta returns SAILING T H E PH U K ET K I NG’S Cup Regatta returns tomorrow with the 32nd edition of Asia’s biggest and most prestigious sailing regatta held at its traditional home of Phuket from Dec 1-8, and this year the focus is split between the keelboats, multihulls and the next generation of sailors in the International Dinghy Classes. The action will start on Sunday (Dec 2) with registration for all classes and sail measurements with a practice race for keelboats and multihulls, Skipper’s briefing and the Opening Ceremony at Beyond Resort in Kata. There will be five days of racing for the keelboats and multihulls, with a reserve day next Thursday (Dec 6). For the
International Dinghy Classes, four consecutive days of racing will start from Wednesday (Dec 5). The classes contested by the dinghy fleet are Optimist Boys and Girls, Laser 4.7, Laser Radial, Laser Standard, 420 and 470. Kevin Whitcraft, President of the Organising Committee, said, “The Dinghy Classes is a fast-growing racing program designed to promote and encourage youth sailing in Thailand. Many of the young sailors competing will go on to join the crews of full-size keelboat and multihull racing teams, and compete in the larger Phuket King’s Cup Regatta in future years.” Race day prizes will be presented during the week. The Royal Awards Ceremony will be held at Beyond Resort Kata on Dec 8. The Phuket News
30 SPORT
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
WORLD LOSES FISHING LEGEND FISH THE EXOTIC
If you have questions about fishing in and around Phuket please feel free to contact us by email and we will do our best to help you with an accurate answer or direct you to another reliable source.
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his month we would like to dedicate our fishing article as a tribute to our good friend John Wilson MBE. The sad news of his passing was made public Nov 14. Born in Enfield, North London, in 1943, John had an immeasurable impact on the sport of fishing for which he was awarded an MBE in 2009 in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. As a household fishing name, he inspired millions of anglers from several generations to take an interest in the sport who in turn shared that passion with their families and friends. John was truly a fishing legend with an incredible passion for fishing which he loved to share through his many books, TV programs, fishing seminars or for the very lucky ones a personal chat over a few beers. John lived for many years in Norfolk, England, before moving to the seaside town of Chumphon in Southern
By Mike Bailey Exotic Fishing Thailand Co Ltd
John Wilson MBE, who ran his home fishing lake in Chumphon, passed away earlier this month. Photos: Supplied Thailand with his lovely wife Jo. When not fishing numerous Thai fisheries or the Andaman Sea, John was very happy enjoying the stunning lake house he had built with the help of his brother Dave. The house has a beautiful lake stocked with exotic fish species which have grown to huge sizes since they were introduced. John really loved to feed them every morning and see the Siamese Carp, Amazon Redtails and Arapaima surface
to take the pellets he would offer them. John and Jo had recently made a difficult decision to move back to England to enjoy more time with family and watch their grandchildren grow. As part of that transition they had recently listed their breathtaking home and Lake for sale (see JohnWilsonFishinglake.com). John filmed some of the first TV shows on location in Thailand for the UK market.
These ‘Dream Fishing’ shows filmed at Palm Tree Lagoon Fishery with his brother Dave captured the interest of many travelling anglers and have definitely benefited all Thai fisheries and the Thai fishing tourism industry which is now alive and flourishing. I was extremely lucky to call John a personal friend and fished with him on several occasions both when he caught his first black marlin in the Andaman Sea and his
biggest Arapaima on a fly rod while visiting the Phuket area. John was always very approachable and easy to talk to. I am privileged to have had John take the time to help me with my fly casting and to offer some tips and advice for when I am filming videos and taking fish photos. For anyone sharing in the sorrow of losing John I find it best to think of his noteworthy laugh which will surely bring a smile to your face…
Email; exoticfishingthailand@ gmail.com Telephone; English 0883799377 or Thai 0811995922 facebook; https://www.facebook. com/Exotic-Fishing-Thailand-427820143951674/ Website; www.exoticfishingthailand. com
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
SPORT 31
PREMIER PREDICTIONS: ENTER NOW AT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
Hamilton ends 2018 with Abu Dhabi victory BOX OF NEUTRALS
MAIN SPONSOR
The overall competition winner will receive a 3 day/2 night stay in a two-bedroom private pool villa including daily breakfast plus a 90-minute spa treatment for two persons at Baba Beach Club Phuket. Total prize value: B130,000 The monthly competition winner for November 2018 will receive a B3,000 voucher to be used on food, beverage and/or fishing at the Chalong Fishing Park.
EPL PREDICTIONS
Michael Lamonato michael@boxofneutrals.com
MONTHLY STANDINGS
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ewis Hamilton has beaten former title rival Sebastian Vettel to victory at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Hamilton had little difficulty converting his pole position into victory, losing the lead only briefly during an unexpectedly early pit stop window. Vettel attempted to take advantage of the Mercedes’ old tyres late in the race, but the Briton had more than enough pace in hand to control the gap to the chequered flag. “My engineers always talk about stopping super early,” Hamilton said. “Once again they were calculated and correct. “That’s really why we have to put so much trust in those guys. A big thank you to Mercedes and all the team.” Vettel regretted that he couldn’t reach Hamilton before the end of the race – his last victory came in August’s Belgian Grand Prix – but the German admitted he was ready to turn his focus to mounting another title tilt in 2019. “I tried everything until the last lap today,” he said. “I really enjoyed catching a little bit, but I think he controlled the pace at the front. “A long year, a lot of races – I think our whole team will try to come back strong and give him a harder run next year.” Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen finished third to claim fourth in the drivers championship standings ahead of Valtteri Bottas – just reward after recovering from a poor start. “It was not an easy race,” he said. I had a problem off the start – actually the launch was good but my engine went into a safety program. “In the end of course I was very happy to be third.” Verstappen dropped to ninth after his botched launch, but Sauber’s Charles Leclerc was able to capitalise, passing not only the Dutchman but Daniel Ricciardo too to take fifth place.
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OVERALL STANDINGS
LateStar 19 1. Smiley Bar 81 Seahorse 19 2. Gigs 79 SirBR 19 3. Stafsulaiman 79 Smiley Bar 19 4. Fazza 78 Ajax Amsterdam 18 5. Adamrosindale 76
English Premier League 2018 - 2019 1 2 3
Hamilton had little difficulty converting his pole position into victory, losing the lead only briefly during an unexpectedly early pit stop window. Photo: Mercedes AMG Petronas The Australian attempted to fight back, but the race was neutralised by an enormous crash from Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg. The German was battling Romain Grosjean for seventh place when he closed the door on the Haas driver on the apex of turn nine, leaving the Frenchman with nowhere to go. The two collided awkwardly on the off-camber corner, flipping Hulkenberg into a barrel roll and pitching his car into the outside barrier. The marshals reacted quickly to extinguish an exhaust fire and right the car, allowing Nico to extract himself from the car and walk away from the crash unscathed. The race resumed after five laps. Verstappen began his recovery drive in the lower reaches of the top 10, but the race was neutralised again, this time under a virtual safety car triggered by Kimi Raikkonen’s stopped Ferrari on the start-finish straight. The Finn’s race was halted by electrical problems, bringing his Ferrari career to an inauspicious close. Race leader Hamilton took the opportunity to pit under reduced speed, switching to the supersoft tyre for a 47-lap stint to the end of the race. He emerged behind Verstappen and Ricciardo in fourth and third respectively, and though he fought hard to regain places on lap nine once racing resumed, he was unable to
find a way past. Meanwhile, Vettel was looking for a way past second-placed Valtteri Bottas, and Ferrari brought him in on lap 15 for new supersofts to attempt an undercut – but the strategy was undone by a slow 3.6-second stop. Bottas pitted on lap 16 and retained his position ahead of the Ferrari, leaving Ricciardo in the lead with Verstappen in second. Bottas later appeared to be struggling with his brakes. A lock-up at turn five allowed Vettel past into second place, and before long Verstappen had attached himself to the Mercedes’ gearbox to pressure him for the final podium place. The Dutchman forced his way into third place on lap 38, by which time Ricciardo had joined the party. The Australian put himself past the Finn and into fourth place on the following lap. Together the Bulls bore down on Vettel and Hamilton at around half a second per lap, but as their tyres aged, their pace began to temper, and they were forced to settle for third and fourth. Bottas finished fifth after a late precautionary pit stop. Carlos Sainz finished head of the midfield in seventh in his final race for Renault ahead of his 2019 McLaren switch. Don’t forget to listen to Live89.5 each and every Saturday at 9am and 5pm for the Box of Neutrals radio show.
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Manchester City Liverpool Tottenham Hotspur Chelsea Arsenal Everton Manchester United Bournemouth Watford Leicester City Wolverhampton Brighton Newcastle United West Ham United Huddersfield Town Crystal Palace Burnley Southampton Cardiff City Fulham
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Live Sports TV Schedule *Times may be subject to change
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TEAMS / INFO
23:00
Rugby 7’s
Dubai, Day 1
Rugby Union 20:00
22:00
Gallagher Premiership
Bristol v. Leicester
Friday 30th Nov Rugby Union 13:00
Saturday 01 Dec st
22:00
00:00
Gallagher premiership
Gloucester v. Worcester
Soccer
19:00
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FA Cup R2
Halifax v. Wimbledon
Soccer
22:00
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EPL
Man City v, Bournemouth
00:30
02:30
EPL
Southampton v. Man United
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EPL
Newcastle v. West Ham
22:00
00:00
EPL
Leicester v. Watford
Rugby Union 13:00
23:00
Rugby 7’s
Dubai, Day 2
12:30
WBC Heavyweight
Deontay Wilder v. Tyson Fury
Soccer
Sunday 02nd Dec 11:00
Boxing
(not fixed)
Soccer
19:00
21:00
EPL
Chelsea v. Fulham
21:00
23:00
EPL
Arsenal v. Tottenham
23:15
01:15
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Liverpool v. Everton
Rugby Union 22:00
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Gallagher Premiership
Bath v. Sale
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editor3@classactmedia.co.th
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018
Phuket King’s Cup Regatta returns for sailing fans > p29
READY TO RETAIN THEIR TITLES GOLF
The Phuket News editor3@classactmedia.co.th
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he Blue Horizon World Corporate Thailand 2019 commences on Tuesday (Nov 27) with a press conference at The Centara Grand Central World! The qualifiers tee off on December 8 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with Thailand looking to defend the World Corporate Golf Challenge World Crown. In 2018, Thailand left Cascais in Portugal victorious with Thailand team coming back from an eight point deficit to win the World Final in dra-
matic style. Blue Horizon Developments CEO Andres Pira commented, “We at Blue Horizon are delighted once again to be a part of the World Corporate Golf Challenge Thailand 2018. Last year was a great success and with Thailand winning the World Final it made it that much better.” He went on to say, “We are very much looking forward to working with the Fore Management Group again delivering Thailand’s biggest and most prestigious amateur golf event in Thailand in 2019.” Chris Watson (Managing Director of Fore Management Group) WCGC Thailand Li-
cence holder commented, “We are so excited to get started on the 2019 event, with last year’s victory at the World Final in Portugal, this year’s Thailand event promises to be bigger and better than ever before.” He continued, “We are especially grateful to Andres and Blue Horizon Developments, for their continued support.” The Blue Horizon World Corporate Golf Challenge 2019 is also heavily supported by a number of other main sponsors. Firstly they are delighted to have Thai Airways International as Exclusive Airline Sponsor, for the third year in a row. This year we welcome
a number of new high profile sponsors, SuperSports, (silver sponsor), Monroe Consulting and The Singha Corporation (bronze sponsors) and Centara Resorts and Hotels as our Exclusive Hotel Partner. Other event partners include, FenixXCell, Birdie, Golf Citizen, Bangkok Golf Centre, 4 Moles, The Phuket News, Live 89.5 and Thai Visa. This year The Blue Horizon World Corporate Golf Challenge Thailand will comprise of more quailfiers and players than ever before with eight qualifiers all over Thailand, culminating with the grand final in Phuket on the 27th April at Laguna Golf
Fredrik Croneborg (Sweden) celebrated his victory that made LPT history. Photo: Supplied Phuket. Events will be played at a number of exceptional courses around Thailand across a range of event dates.
We are delighted to have such a selection of high profile clubs supporting us for Thailand’s premier amateur golfing event.
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