Volume 11 Issue 30 News Desk - Tel: 076-236555 July 24 - 30, 2004 Daily news at www.phuketgazette.net 20 Baht

The Gazette is published in association with Mystery TAT boss raps over death IN THIS ISSUE of Yakuza

NEWS: Cyber Paradise train- ing begins; Green light at last gangster for giant Buddha image; Phuket failings Queer News. Pages 2, 3 & 4 By Anongnat Sartpisut INSIDE STORY: A man’s vision By Dhirarat Boonkongsaen of a new ‘city’. Pages 4 & 5 KARON: Six months on, the BANGKOK: Suwalai Pinpra- January 6 drowning death of AROUND THE ISLAND: Digital dab, Director of the local office known Yakuza gangster, Kenji photo printing in a cube. of the Tourism Authority of Maehama, 30, is being investi- Page 6 Thailand (TAT) said that the goal gated by Japanese crime fight- AROUND THE REGION: Surat of Phuket becoming a truly ers to determine whether he was Thani TAT receives baht bo- “world-class” destination is a murdered. nanza. Page 8 pipe dream unless a variety of Mr Kenji arrived on Phuket problems are dealt with. with his stepfather and two PEOPLE: Phuket City Mayor These, she said, include friends on January 5. The follow- identifies her most pressing high-volume, low-paying tour- ing day Mr Kenji reportedly got issues. Pages 10 & 11 ists; poor service in all sectors into difficulty while swimming SUPERYACHTS: Big, butch and of the hospitality industry; and a off Karon Beach. He died on the butt-ugly. Page 12 crumbling natural environment. way to hospital. Speaking with the Gazette Pol Col Chalit Kaewyarat, LIFESTYLE: Pocket-sized mo- during a Market & Product bile music. Page 13 Superintendent of Chalong Po- Briefing for TAT directors, gov- lice Station, told the Gazette that TALES OF A TRAVELER: Korea: ernment officials, and industry a team of eight investigators, led a true North-South divide. representatives at the Queen by Yoshio Shimizu, Assistant Page 14 Sirikit National Convention Director of International Inves- Center in Bangkok, she said, tigative Operations of the Na- STREETS OF PATTAYA: Sex, lies and ... more lies. Page 17 “Phuket is a place to enjoy sun, tional Police Agency in Osaka, sand and sea but no one is tak- had come to Phuket to investi- FIRST PERSON: Taking care of ing sufficient care of the envi- gate whether Mr Kenji was mur- Patong’s tourists. Page 19 ronment [to maintain this repu- dered. BUSINESS: Korean telecoms tation].” The visiting investigators giant in Phuket. Page 21 Referring to the recent explained that, just a few weeks placing of two Phuket hotels – before his death, Mr Kenji had GUEST CHEF: Appetizers of the JW Marriott Phuket Resort taken out a 150-million-yen (56 attraction at La Calamita. & Spa and The Racha Resort and million baht) life-insurance Page 25 Spa– in the Condé Nast Traveler policy that named his stepfather, PROPERTY: Lakeview project (USA) Magazine’s 2004 top 100 Kaoru Maehama, as beneficiary. completion date set; Space in hotels, K. Suwalai said, “This Japanese documents also Chalong; a striking plant. Suwalai Pinpradab: ‘How much tourists pay is how the TAT reinforces Phuket’s reputation defines their quality.’ showed that Mr Kaoru was reg- Pages 26, 27 & 28 worldwide. istered as Mr Kenji’s stepfather “But all hotel staff [on the dent women travelers, Japanese tourists as those from the lower just a few weeks before the fatal PLUS island] should be trained to pro- tourists, and students on cultural end of the market who prefer holiday. vide a ‘world-class’ service. exchange visits – again with Ja- cheap shops and typically pa- The Japanese investigators AROUND THE NATION 7; HAP- “We must get to work on pan as the main focus. tronize only restaurants and ho- had traced the movements of Mr PENINGS 9; HOROSCOPES 10; these problems immediately,” She said she also foresees tels owned or run by their fel- Kenji’s companions and discov- KIDS 15; FITNESS 16; EARTH she warned. continuing growth in the golf and low countrymen. ered that, after his death, the WATCH, MAKING TRACKS 17; Other problems to be ad- diving markets in Phuket. K. Suwalai said that the three went to Bangkok where EDITORIAL & LETTERS 18; IS- dressed, she said, include poor The TAT is also concerned TAT Phuket office will meet with they were involved in drunken SUES & ANSWERS 19; BOOKS, service from tuk-tuk and other at so-called “zero-cost tourists” travel agencies in Beijing later brawls with bar girls. COMPUTERS 20; MONEY TALKS, local transportation providers, and the companies behind these this year to try to negotiate mini- The Japanese team in- ON THE MOVE 21; SPORT 22- and tourists being cheated. tours, K. Suwalai noted. mum prices for package tourists. cluded officers of the insurance 23; MOTORING 24; CLASSIFIEDS K. Suwalai said that the One overseas TAT office “How much tourists pay is company, which will declare Mr 29-35. niche markets the TAT in Phuket director – who asked not to be how the TAT defines their qual- Kenji’s policy invalid if it is would focus on include indepen- named – characterized zero-cost ity,” she concluded. found that he was murdered. 2 PHUKET GAZETTE NEWS July 24 - 30, 2004 American Teenage thugs stab British teacher found dead in PHUKET CITY: A young Brit- and unconscious at the side of the agers trying to steal parts from in his liver, but was out of dan- ish man is recovering in Wachira road near the Mission Hospital his motorbike. When he remon- ger. Phuket Hospital intensive care at about 5 am the following day, strated with them, one of them Pol Capt Sathit Noorit told Patong hotel unit after being stabbed late on hours after the attack. stabbed him in the abdomen. the Gazette, “We have made no July 16. The motorbike taxi driver A nurse at the hospital, progress in this case because the PATONG: Police are investigat- A motorcycle taxi driver rushed him to Wachira Hospital. speaking on condition of ano- victim has been too ill to tell us ing the death of 43-year-old found Aden Simpson, 21, who is After emergency treatment Mr nymity, told the Gazette that Mr very much, and we could find no American Chris John Beyer, who an English teacher at Satree Simpson was able to tell police Simpson had lost a great deal of clues in the area where he was was found dead at the Expat Ho- Phuket School, lying bloodied that he had seen a group of teen- blood from a 1.5-cm-wide wound found.” – Siripansa Somboon tel on July 15 with his hands bound and a black garbage bag over his head. IN BRIEF Housekeepers discovered the body about two days after noting a rank odor in room 120, ‘Cyber Paradise’ Kathu Pattana wins where Mr Beyer had been stay- ing since July 9. municipal election Expat Hotel General Man- KATHU: Prasert Kaokijpaisarn ager Ploenjit James told the Ga- and his 12-member Kathu Pat- zette she believed Mr Beyer had training begins tana (Development) Party won taken his own life. all seats in the Kathu municipal The corpse was found lying By Gategaeo Phetsawang election, including the key posi- face-up dressed only in a pair of tion of Mayor. purple shorts. One arm was hand- PATONG: The Software Indus- It would have been a sur- cuffed to the bed and the other try Promotion Agency (Sipa) prise if they hadn’t – Kathu was tied with power cable to a launched a two-week seminar on Pattana was the only party to table. There was a black plastic July 19 with the aim of training stand in the election, on July 18. bag over Mr Beyer’s head and software programmers in Thai- Like all elections in Thai- three lengths of rubber tubing land to develop open source soft- land, the Kathu walk-over will around his neck to prevent air ware for Thai small and medium- still need to be checked by the from entering the bag. sized enterprises (SMEs). Central Election Commission According to the hotel, no- Forty programmers from (CEC). body had visited the Mr Beyer Phuket, Chiang Mai and Khon “I believe this election will during his stay. Kaen met at the Patong Merlin be approved,” said Kittipong “We believe that he killed Hotel, where software developer Thiengkunagrit, Director of the himself. He always wanted to David Jones explained how to Phuket Election Commission stay alone. A letter that was develop the open-source soft- (PEC). “We received no com- found in the room may explain ware, OFBiz. plaints. That may be because his reasons for wanting to end his Mr Jones is one of the there was only one party.” life,” K. Ploenjit said. founders of OFBiz, an open- Kathu Police Inspector Pol source suite of business software At the opening of the seminar were, from left, Hans Bakker of Lt Padungpong Duksukaew said that includes features such as Ant Web, David Jones of OFBiz and Phuket Governor Udomsak Dogs get chips Usawarangkura. Mr Beyer had probably died at accounting software; production, CHALONG: Around 80 dogs be- least two days before his body inventory and order manage- in commerce, notably the travel- entice IT investors from Bangkok longing to householders at Land was discovered. ment; and online marketing and industry-focused OpenTravel and elsewhere. & Houses Park were the first on “We found a letter near the e-commerce tools. Much of the software suite. “We are also trying to at- the island to be tagged with mi- door [apparently written by the software is free. Sipa President Manoo Or- tract foreign investors to Phuket crochips implanted under the deceased] that described his mis- Hans Bakker, Managing deedolchest, said, “When [the to work with local people in es- skin on July 18 and 19. fortune at having been cheated by Director of Ant Web systems, programmers] have finished the tablishing ICT businesses, par- The chips – only a few mil- friends and having his business which promotes open-source training, they can start creating ticularly in software. limeters long – contain a unique, fail. It was probably suicide, software in Thailand and intro- software suitable for Thailand. “We hope that by initiating 15-digit ID number that can be though we are not ruling out the duced the concept of OFBiz to Initially, there will be software ‘technotourism’ we can quickly read using a scanner. Canine possibility of murder,” said Lt Sipa, also addressed the partici- for developing SMEs to be more [establish] a software industry in passports will soon be issued to Padungpong. pants. He explained the emerg- competitive and to expand their Phuket,” he said. all dogs registered in Phuket. – Anongnat Sartpisut ing role of open-source software markets.” K. Manoo also introduced a new catchphrase for attracting Flower show at Saphan Hin IT investment to Phuket: Phuket PHUKET CITY: Phuket Agricul- Agricultural Extension to hold technotourism. He explained that ture and Cooperatives Office the fair, called “Flowers and the idea of the phrase was to con- (PACO) is organizing a show of Plants to Celebrate the 72th jure up an attractive image to flowers and plants from July 26 Birthday of HM Queen Sirikit”. to August 4 at Saphan Hin. In addition to flower and Somchai Wongsriwiwat, an plant displays and competitions, View Thailand’s official with the PACO, ex- the show will feature food, agri- plained that Phuket had been se- cultural materials, OTOP prod- LARGEST lected by the Prime Minister’s ucts, and music and recreation on portfolio of Office and the Department of stage every night. Classified Ads – Help us to help more than 2,000 the animals of them – and place your ad FREE!

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www.phuketgazette.net Call: 076-263737 July 24 - 30, 2004 NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 3 Avian ’flu Green light at last for Free HIV measures treatment reinstated giant Buddha image launched PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Livestock office (PPLO) has re- By Kamol Pirat introduced strict measures to pro- By Anongnat Sartpisut tect the island from avian influ- KARON: Construction of the PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial enza, following new outbreaks in controversial Mingmongkol Social Insurance Office an- Northern and Central Thailand. Buddha image atop Nakkerd Hill nounced on July 15 its part in the The regulations went into effect will resume next month, now that first publicly-funded scheme to on July 13. the Royal Forestry Department make medicine available free to Dr Weerapab Termkiatpai- (RFD) has issued a paper autho- HIV-positive people following sarn, Deputy Chief of the PPLO, rizing work on the project to con- the scheme’s launch at the XV In- said that the new regulations are tinue. ternational Aids Conference in in line with the central gov- The authorization stipulates Bangkok. ernment’s bird ’flu containment that the project remain in com- As of August 1, Thais reg- policy, which restricts the move- pliance with the original plan and istered as resident in a province ment of all live poultry from the that steps be taken to minimize or foreigners registered for social eight provinces across provincial further erosion at the project site. security will be able to get anti- lines. Work on the project was HIV therapy worth up to 73,500 “It is our duty to inspect the halted nine months ago after it baht a year in that province. papers that authorize the trans- was deemed to have exceeded its The treatment will be pro- port of chickens and ducks into original scope and for violating vided free at the point of service, Phuket. the ban on the construction of with the hospital being respon- No poultry from the [in- permanent structures above 80 sible for reclaiming money from fected] provinces can enter meters. The ban went into effect the local Social Insurance Office. Phuket. We have also checked in 1994 in an effort to halt pre- Everyone requiring therapy every poultry farm in Phuket to cisely the kind of erosion that the will automatically qualify to re- project has caused. At the site, a model gives some idea of what the Mingmongkol make sure the province is free of Buddha will look like when completed. ceive treatment worth 12,500 the disease,” said Dr Weerapab. Originally authorized to baht a year. Should the treatment The PPLO has also recom- consist of no more than a single the world’s largest gold-leaf-cov- paper also stipulates that trees be fail to arrest the spread of the vi- mended that poultry farmers brass Buddha and some bath- ered Buddha image, it is expected planted in the area to prevent fur- rus, additional treatment worth monitor their stock closely and rooms, the project quickly mush- to become a major religious icon ther soil erosion. up to 60,000 baht a year can be report any signs of respiratory or roomed to include a large sala and tourist attraction for Phuket. K. Suporn said his commit- prescribed by a doctor. digestive illness. and several other structures de- At a ceremony at the project tee was satisfied with the state’s Each person will also be The deaths of more than signed to accommodate the needs site on July 17, Phuket Prison decision and said that full-time entitled to two 500-baht tests a 10% of chicken or duck stocks of “pilgrims” and those making Chief Panya Panatnachee pre- work will resume in August. He year to establish his or her CD4 in a single day, or 40% over three donations to fund construction. sented the permit on behalf of the said that herbs and native trees count which, in simple terms, in- days, must also be reported, he Under a new design the RFD to Suporn Wanichkul, head would be planted in the area. dicates how severely the virus explained. image will be 45 meters high by of the Mingmongkol Buddha It was not reported if these has affected the immune system. Residents may give rel- 25 meters across at its base. It project committee. will be of the same species as the evant information to the PPLO will be made of reinforced con- The RFD permit stipulates stands of virgin forest that were For further information, contact during work hours at Tel: 076- crete rather than brass, and cov- that construction now be limited felled to make way for the project the Phuket Provincial Social In- 216934 (x14) or 076-218596. ered with gold leaf. to the Buddha image itself. Ad- and the access road leading to it. surance Office at Tel: 076- Reports outside office hours can The image is expected to be ditional structures, including the However, K. Suporn said 240418; 076-222837; 076- be made to Tel: 06-5841742, 09- particularly spectacular around temporary sala, must be removed his committee intends to continue 355325. Fax: 076-222836, 076- 7297941 or 01-8943069. dusk, when it will reflect the dy- from the site once the Buddha lobbying the government for per- 240419. – Kamol Pirat ing rays of the sun. Promoted as image is completed. The RFD mission to build additional per- manent structures at the site, “should they be required to meet the needs of tourist who visit the THAI extends discount period site”. These would included ac- BANGKOK: Thai Airways The routes and discounted • Phuket-Udon Thani: One- commodation for monks and a (THAI) has announced that it is fares are as follows: way 2,855 baht, return 5,710 permanent sala, he said. extending its “Smile around • Phuket-Bangkok: One- baht. In fact, a brochure solicit- Thailand” discount fares cam- way 1,800 baht, return 3,600 Prices do not include air- ing donations for the project, paign until September 30 due to baht. port tax or insurance. which is still being widely dis- keen interest from the travelers. • Phuket-Chiang Mai: One- K. Viset said, “Our target tributed in Phuket, reads, “There Viset Sontichai, THAI’s way 3,130 baht, return 6,260 group for this promotion is will be a meditation center when District Sales Manager for Up- baht. people who have never flown the development is completed.” per Southern Thailand, said that • Phuket-Chiang Rai: One- with us before, and people who K. Suporn said the project the price of the tickets is at least way 3,315 baht, return 6,630 would generally go between will be completed in two years. 20% cheaper than regular fares. baht. these destinations by bus.” “Money collected [from There are, however, condi- • Phuket-Khon Kaen: One- For more information or to donations by pilgrims and tour- tions attached. Passengers must way 2,670 baht, return 5,340 book tickets, call Tel: 076- ists] will pay for the upkeep of confirm journey dates and not baht. 212946. the image,” he said. change their flight plans. They • Phuket-Phitsanulok: One- must also pay for their tickets way 2,670 baht, return 5,340 within 48 hours of booking the baht. seats. • Phuket-Ubon Ratchatha- Journeys must be complet- ni: One-way 2,855 baht, return ed on or before September 30. 5,710 baht. 4 PHUKET GAZETTE INSIDE STORY July 24 - 30, 2004 Queer News Death by EX-MAYOR’S aromatherapy By Sangkhae Leelanapaporn huket’s rapid develop- BANGKOK: A woman in Bang- ment has wrought many wa District died of asphyxiation changes on the island’s after turning her bathroom into a landscape and on the sauna and aromatherapy chamber P quality of life of many Phuket in an attempt to shed flab. residents. Tanakrit Kianthong, a grill- Traffic jams are becoming ed pork vendor, told police he more common, as are dust haze returned home on July 3 to find from building sites, dump trucks his wife Pattaporn, 43, lying dead spilling dirt over the roads. Rows on the floor of the second-story of shophouses are beginning to bathroom of the couple’s three- dominate the urban sprawl ema- story townhouse. nating from Phuket City’s center. Arriving at the scene, police Much of the development found her body face down on the in progress is unplanned or floor wearing only a yellow sa- poorly planned in terms of how rong. Beside her was a pot of it fits into the island’s infrastruc- weight-loss herbs that had been ture, with projects of all sorts boiling on a stove the deceased underway all over the island. had moved into the bathroom. Looking to avoid the ad hoc Police concluded that the jumble of buildings, former woman had become dehydrated Phuket City Mayor Phummisak and passed out from the combi- Hongsyok recently announced nation of heat, smoke and fumes plans to build Chao Fah City, a from the boiling herbs and stove. 1,510-rai development compris- Once unconscious, she died from ing residential housing, commer- lack of oxygen. Police said there cial centers, five-star resorts and Left: ‘We thought we was no evidence of foul play and other accommodation. estimated the time of death at should be able to develop He also recently announced the [tin] land into some- four hours before their arrival. that 200 of the 1,510 rai had been K. Tanakrit told police that thing more useful’, says earmarked for other private in- Phummisak Hongsyok. he and his wife normally went to vestors to come forward and help sell pork at Bangkae Market, but create an international conven- Above: concept drawing on that day his wife said that she tion and exhibition center. of the project. wanted to visit a friend. The huge development will But apparently she had cover the expanse from the south- Right: The development other plans. ern side of the Prince of Songkhla will start along the west “After I came back in the University’s Phuket campus, on side of Chao Fa West Rd, early evening I couldn’t find her, Wichit Songkram Rd, in Kathu, beyond the line of power so I thought she was still at her to south of the junction of Thep poles in the photograph. friend’s house. But when I went Anusorn Rd and Chao Fa West to the upstairs bathroom to take Rd. pecially with respect to land, and US, Hong Kong, Singapore and goons dotted through the devel- a shower, I found the door locked. The large site was once oc- we thought we should be able to China, and adapt them to be used opment. These are currently used I could smell the scent of the cupied by tin mines belonging to develop the land into something in Chao Fah City,” he said. to supplement Phuket City sup- herbs, so I looked through the K. Phummisak’s grandfather, more useful,” K. Phummisak ex- The main roads throughout ply – the city gets the water free. ventilation hole above the door Luang Anuphas Bhuketkarn. plained. the township will be six lanes However, the volume of water and saw her body on the floor. I “We stopped mining tin just The idea of creating a large, wide, with three lanes a side di- donated to Phuket City Munici- broke down the door, but it was 15 years ago because the tin was well-planned development came vided by a median strip, bordered pality will be revised as Chao Fah too late,” K. Tanakrit explained poor quality. But we thought that to him during his time as Phuket by 2.5-meter-wide sidewalks on City develops. sadly. Source: Daily News Phuket was developing well, es- City Mayor. “I really wanted to either side. Electrical cables in “I plan to have the whole see land in Phuket better devel- some parts of the project will be project finished within 10 years oped, not only for my benefit but installed underground, and park and it will be bigger than Laguna. for the benefit all Phuket people. areas will be set aside for resi- However, the plans have yet to “I want to use the examples dents to enjoy. be finalized and some elements of town planning from the many Water will be supplied from may change,” he said. places I have visited, such as the the 200 rai of old tin mine la- The master plan is split into July 24 - 30, 2004 INSIDE STORY PHUKET GAZETTE 5 URBAN DREAM tacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to invite ambassadors to Bypass road look into the investment oppor- tunities here. Wichit Songkhram Rd “We will provide four stall units for countries to use free to Chao Fah West Rd display their national products, because we want to see a wide variety of items for sale here,” Dr Chintana added. Also slated for construction next year is the 50-rai “Auto Land” zone, where Honda, Maz- da and Ford dealerships (owned by K. Phummisak’s family com- pany, Anuphas and Sons) will open. “We plan to build new showrooms and customer ser- vice centers for Honda, Mazda and Ford cars. The Honda show- room will be built first, and we Night Bazaar plan to start construction by the area end of next year,” K. Phummi- sak said. He explained that investors Phuket Villa 5 will be able to take out long-term leases on the land, but not own it, and that all buildings in the development must be built to cer- tain general specifications. “We plan not to sell the land, but instead to lease it to in- vestors. We have also drawn up a ‘town plan’ because we want to ensure that all aspects of Chao Fah City meet our specifica- tions,” he said. “The Chao Fah City land near the main roads is valued at 4 million baht a rai, but I don’t want to sell it. Once money has been spent, it is gone, but if we nine zones for different activities, nally decided to take the plunge. The zone will also include Dr Chintana explained that develop the land we can gener- including an education center A major factor in her deci- an entertainment complex, in- the night bazaar alone will cost ate a greater income over a longer with an international school, a sion, she said, was the project’s cluding cinemas, bowling alleys about 300 million baht to build, period of time,” he added. child care center and housing for close proximity to the major and karaoke venues; nightlife providing 10,000 stall units for Though these are early the elderly, as well as condomini- shopping centers on the bypass venues and a show pavillion, as an expected 3,000 vendors. days, K. Phummisak said that ums, first-class resorts, an enter- road. well as an “Adventure Land” sec- “The night bazaar will response so far has been positive. tainment complex and a night “Phuket has potential for tion and an Education Mall for take about six months to build “Even though I haven’t done any bazaar. shopping, but it doesn’t have ac- kids. and is expected to open in No- marketing yet, people have al- The first zone to undergo tivities that make shopping at Other facilities slated for vember 2005,” she said, adding ready contacted me,” he said. construction will be the Phuket night attractive. Our main focus the zone include a health and that traders have already ap- Apart from the PINB and International Night Bazaar will be the night bazaar, but there beauty center, including spas and proached her about setting up Auto Land, other zones in the (PINB) and its 14 “activity cen- will also be 13 other ‘activity massage, fitness center and even stalls at the site. new town are earmarked for resi- ters”, which will cover 170 rai centers’ in the same zone,” she cosmetic surgery facilities; a food “We have also invited in- dential use; education; resorts, and is expected to cost more than said. pavilion and restaurant, a health vestors to become major tenants restaurants and a water theme 3 billion baht to build. In addition to the night ba- supermarket, a boutique resort [to run the other activity centers] park; and a camping area in the Dr Chintana Daengdej, zaar, which will occupy most of and a youth hostel. in the zone, and we have con- hills above everything. Managing Director of Phuket the zone, shoppers will have ac- Night Bazaar Co Ltd, which will cess to an “Electronics Square” create and run the night bazaar, with up to 50 brands of electron- told the Gazette that she spent ics goods for sale; brand-name more than a year researching clothing stores, and a gold and whether to invest before she fi- jewelry plaza. Riding a motorcycle? Please . . . . Wear Me!

Thai law requires that motorcycle drivers and passengers wear a safety helmet with the chin strap fastened at all times – 24 hours a day.

PHUKET PROVINCIAL TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT 6 PHUKET GAZETTE AROUND THE ISLAND July 24 - 30, 2004

By Chris Husted

ew would argue that digi- tal cameras have not A new kind of cubist art been a godsend for ama- Fteur and professional company responsible for bring- photographers alike, doing away ing the DigiCube to Thailand, at with the need to buy the right film school when they were about 10 for the right occasion as well as years old. the costly burden of having to pay Mr Gires explained, “We for developing and printing. chose to showcase it in Phuket The drawback has been that first for many reasons. First, a lot while digital photos are conve- of us at Impress Graphics are niently viewed on a computer and from Phuket, including me. I may easily emailed to friends and be French, but I have considered family, photo-quality printers for Phuket my home since 1991. We digital cameras are too expensive strongly believe that Phuket is an for most people. So even with all excellent location, with its con- the new technology, making stant flow of tourists and its prints still involves a trip to the young, fun, local population.” digital photo lab. Since the Phuket launch, In the basement of the Big the DigiCube has been displayed C supercenter, however, is a digi- in Chiang Mai and at the Central tal box of tricks that may just be Bang Na SME trade show in what we have all been waiting Bangkok in June. for. While it seems that the rest The DigiCube photo kiosk of the country is slow in coming at the Channel Technology count- to grips with the DigiCube, Mr er, just beyond the maze of mo- Gires says that three more units bile phone and computer ven- are lined up to go in Central Fes- dors’ booths, can produce a tival Phuket when it opens later photo-lab quality print of a digi- this year. tal image in seconds. The DigiCube allows happy snappers to add stars, hearts and color washes to pictures before He explained that Digi- Chayut “Pete” Chirayus of printing them out. Images can also be printed onto a variety of items, including coffee mugs, T- Cube’s growing popularity is due Channel Technology explained shirts, keychain fobs, plaques or even a clock face. to digital camera sales more than that by following simple instruc- doubling over the past few years, tions on the DigiCube’s LCD mats, including CompactFlash tures and add special effects,” “It costs 20 baht to print a and mobile phones with cameras touch-screen, people can look at (types I and II), Microdrive, Se- said K. Pete. These effects in- single full-size image and up to becoming cheaper and more the images on their camera, cure Digital (SD) Cards, SD- clude printing pictures in sepia 40 baht for an image using a com- widespread. choose the photos they wish to Mini, Memory Stick, Memory or black and white, as well as bination of functions and ef- “This creates an amazingly print, add effects, and select how Stick PRO, Memory Stick DUO, adding text, frames, cute stars, fects,” said K. Pete, who is also large market for a versatile ma- many images to print per page. MultiMedia Cards (MMC), bubbles and hearts. looking at introducing Thai-lan- chine such as the DigiCube. The machine also gives au- Smart Media (SM), and XD, or All prints are on 4x6-inch guage audio instructions so that From young people with the lat- dible instructions in English, but even a simple CD-ROM. postcard-size paper and take just users will be able to add Thai text est gadgets, to snap-happy tour- K. Pete admits they are difficult It can also download pic- 30 seconds to print. The inte- to pictures. ists, or just the average family, to hear over the shopping mall tures from most new-generation grated printer is a dye-sublima- The DigiCube at Big C is the DigiCube can be a lot of fun,” din. That is why, he said, either mobile phones via infrared or tion thermal printer which, in- the only one in commercial use he said. himself or staff are on hand to Bluetooth data transfer, and can stead of printing individual dots, in Thailand, and its introduction help operate the machine. save images onto a CD. prints a single layer of varying there is no coincidence – it has a For more information about the The DigiCube can print “People can use functions intensity, thus creating a print true Phuket connection. K. Pete DigiCube call K. Pete at 09- images stored in all the major such as brightness and contrast virtually identical to that of a first met Frenchman Thomas 1957383 or email Mr Gires at: portable digital data storage for- adjustment to enhance their pic- photo lab. Gires of Impress Graphics, the [email protected]. July 24 - 30, 2004 AROUND THE NATION PHUKET GAZETTE 7 Govt not heeding Royal messages ocial critic Dr Prawes Wasi charged that the government of Thaksin S Shinawatra has failed to heed messages from the Royal Palace when implementing its GIANT PANDA: Children economic policies. climb on a three-meter- “This government is prob- tall fluffy panda on ably driven only by greed, so it show at the Central has failed to notice the signals Plaza Rama II shopping that His Majesty might be trying center in Bangkok. The event was organized as to send across,” said Dr Prawes, part of the Zoological once a vocal supporter of Prime Park Organization of Minister Thaksin. Thailand’s Panda Road Dr Prawes said farming ac- Show. Organizers tivities inside the Chitrlada Pal- claimed that the doll, ace could have been meant as a created by Apex Toys, message advocating self-suffi- is the biggest toy panda ciency, but the government failed in the world. to take note. The social commentator accused PM Thaksin of under- mining the political system through his financial influence and wielding of absolute power. “Politicians are using tens of billions of baht to win elec- tions, so how can we expect them to solve the problem of corrup- tion? State and money powers are combining to be the biggest cause larger cars, a ministry source The government has said it K. Boontham, who was Suthat Pengpipat pour oil over a of corruption in this country,” Dr said. will build one million housing born into a hilltribe family, has pile of leaves inside the house Prawes said. Under the proposed new units via the low-cost Ua Athorn been selected as a candidate to and set the oil on fire. The blaze structure of excise tax, cars with (We Pity You) and Baan Man compete in international events quickly engulfed the man and the No heads to roll: Acting Na- an engine capacity of less than Kong projects to help the 1.5 mil- many times, but has been unable house. tional Police Chief Gen Sunthorn 2,000cc would be charged at lion Thais currently without to take part because of his lack Ten fire engines took about Saikwan said he would not trans- 30%, while those between homes. of citizenship. 30 minutes to put the blaze out. fer the commander of the Crime 2,000cc and 2,500cc would be Some members of the pri- The BBAT contacted law K. Suthat’s charred body was Suppression Division unless a charged at 35%. Cars between vate sector, mostly landlords in lecturer Phanthip Kanjanajitra to found alongside that of his be- fact-finding panel could prove he 2,500cc and 3,000cc would be the areas where Bon Gai had en- help in K. Boontham’s case. K. loved pet cat. broke the law when leading a July taxed at 40% and those above croached, sold their plots at dis- Phanthip said that the Provincial The man’s stepdaughter 7 raid on a home in Ayudhaya 3,000cc at 50%. counts of up to 80% from the es- Administration Department re- said K. Suthat once told her that that left its elderly owner injured timated market price. cently promised to expedite K. he would kill himself by setting and the dwelling damaged by 200 No more slums: Prime Minis- PM Thaksin said these and Boontham’s request for citizen- the house on fire if she aban- rounds of gunfire. ter Thaksin Shinawatra said he others who sell land cheaply to ship. doned him. She said that she The police were allegedly intends to rid the country of the two government housing didn’t think the threat was seri- acting on complaints left in the slums within six years. schemes could be nominated for Suicide slum blaze: A 66-year- ous. She moved out of the house local PM’s suggestion box that “I’ll get rid of all slum ar- royal decorations. old man committed suicide by at the end of June, leaving the accused the homeowners of pro- eas in Thailand within six years. setting his rented house on fire, man to live alone with his cat. ducing ya bah (methamphet- I want to see people regard their Stateless strongman: The burning down 14 other shanties amine). No evidence of such ac- houses as homes with happiness Bodybuilding Association of in Bangkok’s Klong San District Around the Nation news round-up tivity was found, and the search and warmth rather than just some Thailand (BBAT) has called on in the process. is sourced from the pages of The warrant authorizing the raid was kind of shelter,” he said. the authorities to grant citizen- A boy in the neighborhood Nation and Kom Chad Leuk improperly issued. The PM made his com- ship to stateless bodybuilder told police that his friend saw newspapers. The House Committee on ments as he presided over the Boontham Srithong, whom it be- Justice and Human Rights and launch of the Baan Man Kong lieves will win a gold medal for the Senate Committee on Local (Stability) housing project at the the country in the 70kg class at Administration jointly called for Bon Gai community in Bang- the Mr Asia Championships in the transfer of Pol Maj General kok’s Klong Toey District. Bahrain this September. Kosin Hinthao, who led the raid, accusing him of distorting facts and reacting arrogantly when the panels questioned him. Sathit Pitutecha, secretary of the House Committee on Jus- tice and Human Rights, said po- lice who took part in the raid could also be charged with de- stroying evidence because they had removed all bullets and spent cartridges from the house after- ward. K. Sathit called on the me- dia to help bring those respon- sible to justice. “Don’t let the case become silent like the cases of the 2,500 people who died during the drug crackdown,” he said.

Power tax: In an effort to reduce Thailand’s fuel consumption, the Finance Ministry is considering a new tax structure that would reduce taxes levied on small cars by 5% and increase taxes on 8 PHUKET GAZETTE AROUND THE REGION July 24 - 30, 2004 TAT gets B21m for improvements he Tourism Authority of • A budget of 1.6 million first in the Region 8 contest, Thailand Southern Re- baht has been earmarked for fur- which included squads from gion 5 office in Surat ther standardization of spa ser- Ranong, Chumphon and Phuket. TThani has received a vices offered on the islands. Pre- The training course also in- budget of 21 million baht to carry sumably this will involve a great volved sea-rescue techniques. out a number of projects on and deal of “hands on” testing. The new skills learned will around Koh Samui in coming • A 5-million-baht govern- certainly help the local police in months. The following eight ment office building on Koh Tao. their daily duties around the is- projects have been Very nice. land, particularly when breaking approved by the • Accommo- up bar brawls and dragging drunk central govern- FROM THE dation for govern- tourists out of the sea. ment: GULF OF ment officials, also • A 6-milli- on Koh Tao, cost- Rescue boat: The Koh Samui on-baht survey of ing 2 million baht. Hospital recently took delivery of water quality off THAILAND Even nicer. its first fully-equipped medical Nathon Port. Since • A new ac- rescue boat. The vessel will be it has served as a cess road to Koh stationed at Chaweng Beach to dumping ground Tao power plant, help tourists who get into trouble for fuel and waste which seems a rea- Elwood Smith, the first child to be born at Samui’s Thai Inter- in the water. for several years, it sonable expense if national Hospital, arrived at 9:55 am on July 2. After all other Every year, several people will almost cer- it cuts down on the plans failed, parents Aaron Smith (in mask) and Myrasol Diola drown off the beaches around tainly be found to number of hours traveled from their home in Bophut to the hospital on a moped, Samui, so the boat has been be “dirty”. islanders have to even stopping for gas on the way. The birth was relatively quick equipped with a range of life-sav- • The con- spend in the dark. and without any hitches, with Elwood weighing in at 3.45kg. ing devices. The vessel was struction of access • A million- bought as part of an upgrade to roads to a number baht waterworks further support tourism in the re- ous highway to travel on a full- onshore sea-rescue facilities. of popular tourist project on Koh gion. moon night”. Hopefully, even more attractions – so that Tao, which experi- The first is the construction boats, equipment and training coachloads of tour- ences a drought of a new 290-million-baht ferry Top cops: The Samui police re- will be provided in the future. In ists can swarm all By Commander every year. That port in Donsak, which must mean cently underwent special self- the meantime, tourists are ad- over them like ants. Sammy Swan seems like a bar- that the two existing terminals are defense training, which will help vised to think twice before they • The instal- gain, given that doing very well indeed. them deal with violent crime and decide to drink three buckets of lation of touch-screen informa- Koh Samui has already spent The second project is a new subdue those who resist arrest. Sangsom and then try to swim to tion terminals on Koh Tao and more than 200 million baht on its road from Haad Rin Beach to A contest was held as part Koh Pha-ngan in their fisher- Koh Tan, at a cost of 2.4 million water supply system. Tong Sala, the capital of Koh of the training, with police teams man’s pants. baht. Let’s hope they run on bat- In addition to the above ini- Pha-ngan. Once completed, the from various southern provinces teries because neither island has tiatives, two large-scale construc- thoroughfare may well earn the aggressively competing against Cdr Swan is a writer with Koh a 24-hour electricity supply. tion projects are also planned to status of “world’s most danger- each other. The Samui team came Samui’s community magazine. July 24 - 30, 2004 H A P P E N I N G S PHUKET GAZETTE 9 T his week

CONSULAR CONGRATULATIONS: Consul General of the Royal Thai Consulate in Los Angeles, Isinthorn Sornvai (back row, white jacket), and Laguna Resorts and Hotels Vice-President Niyom Tassaneetipakorn (2nd from right) congratulate FISHY FELICITATIONS: Tom and Porn Quigley (front row, 3rd and 4th from right), students of the Thai-American Youth Heritage Program as part of the celebrations owners of Phuket Fish & Chips, celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary recently for HM Queen Sirikit’s birthday. with son Patrick (behind K. Porn) and wellwishers old and young.

THE BEAUTY BUSINESS: Celebrating the opening of the Wongsada Skin & SURF RESCUE: Youngsters practice rescue techniques during a water safety Cosmetic Clinic in Phuket are (from left) Business Developer Supakorn training event hosted by Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort. More than 30 youngsters Boonyakajorn, Managing Director Dr Puttipong Poomsuwan and Product Manager — local residents and resort guests — took part in the day-long exercise, held at Dr Piyawat Poomsuwan. the resort earlier this month.

HIGH DAYS AND HOLIDAYS: Supornpan Te-Pin (2nd from left), Manager of Phuket David Simister (left), MD of CB Richard Ellis (Thailand), with (from right) Executive Holidays Co Ltd, and Duangnata Charoendee (3rd from left), Customer Services Director James R. Pitchon, Asset Services Executive Director Sumalee Tavivoradi- Manager of Galileo Thailand, at the opening of the travel agency’s office at the lok and Phuket office General Manager James Saunders, along with Sitt Polcharoen, Paradise Complex, Patong, this month. GM of the Royal Phuket Marina, at the opening of CBRE’s Phuket office. 10 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PEOPLE July 24 - 30, 2004

In The St ars by Isla St ar fter a wait of nearly three months since LEO (July 24-August 22): Leos SAGITTARIUS (November 23- ARIES (March 21-April 20): the Phuket City Municipality elections, with a birthday this week should December 21): Inspiration is Accepting the cards that life deals Somjai Suwannasuppana of the Khon prepare for major bubbling over for Sag- this week could prove Noom (Young Turks) Party was finally changes in their lives. ittarians, but it may not difficult for some A confirmed, on July 2, as Phuket City’s first di- Chances are you’re be easy to see where to Arians. A few rocky more than ready to direct all that creative patches on Tuesday or rectly-elected Mayor. embrace a new direction where energy. Try meditating on the Wednesday will see you losing Here Mayor Somjai explains to the Gazette’s work is concerned, but there wild sea to help clear the mist that your footing on some slippery Kamol Pirat the agenda of issues she plans to tar- could be some unexpected hin- is blocking your vision. Early in stones; the secret to steadfast get during her four-year term, and what role she drances to deal with. Your cool, the week your umbrella of confi- progress is to keep your emotions sees herself playing in Phuket’s local politics. calm way of solving problems dence is put to the test when in check. In a more optimistic will allow you to smooth the path someone releases a sudden show- vein, if you are prepared to take of progress. Scorpio can give use- er of envy. This is your wake-up a business gamble, there is good ful advice. call to consider who your friends chance of success. Wear the color Gazette: How do you feel about elected directly and I was hon- really are. turquoise to tap into hidden tal- being the first directly-elected ored to be the Khon Noom can- VIRGO (August 23-September ents. Mayor of Phuket City? didate. 23): Virgoans who recently en- CAPRICORN (December 22- Somjai: I am happy be tered a new relation- January 20): Your actions this TAURUS (April 21-May 21): elected and it inspires me to stand Gazette: What inspired you to ship will discover that week will have far- The stars will shower positive firm in doing my best. In per- become mayor? what appeared to be reaching consequen- energy on Taureans forming my duties, however, I Somjai: I have worked in sweet has distinctly ces. Capricorns who this weekend with cannot achieve anything just by the administration of Phuket City sour undertones. Do not bury are prepared to move promises of long- myself; the government and the for about 24 years. My inspira- your head in the sand when the on and leave their past behind awaited action. It’s private sector must cooperate and tion to become Mayor came from obvious is right in front of you; should dispose of emotional likely that you’ve been tethered support my work. the former leaders of the Khon there are other exotic pleasures baggage. After Wednesday, cash for too many weeks now as a re- Noom Party, and their devotion just waiting to be discovered. Re- will start to flow in and you will sult of financial insecurity. Good Gazette: What was your back- to solving local problems and garding business or career areas, be considering taking a spur-of- news is about to soar over the sea ground before you became in- developing Phuket into a better expect to reap a fruitful harvest the-moment vacation. This is to break this pattern. At least one volved in local politics? place to live. from any seeds that you sow this one trip that you should make good friend is ready to share in Somjai: I am 52 and single, I understand the issues that week. alone. the celebrations. and I was born on Phuket. I com- affect local people from the pleted my primary cradle to the grave. LIBRA (September 24-October AQUARIUS (January 21-Febru- GEMINI (May 22-June 21): A education at Thai- I think that this is 23): Librans normally manage to ary 19): This week Aquarians relationship will come full circle Hua School and the fundamental run peaceful, harmo- will experience the for many Geminis finished secondary ‘Through good factor in making nious lives, but the calm before the this week, so stop school at Satree governance, society strong and last week of July storm that next dwelling on weak Phuket School. Phuket in making Phuket could see some un- month will bring. links and concentrate I graduated Municipality is better. characteristically hot-headed be- Your world is about to become on what is good and strong. Early in business admi- havior. shaken, but you will not be next week, it will be hard to re- nistration from well-placed to Gazette: Do you Don’t be surprised if your stirred; there is no zodiac sign sist jumping off a high cliff Wittayalai Krung- achieve [its have ambitions to ideas receive a frosty reception better equipped to deal with straight into a new adventure and thep – as Bangkok aims]’ enter national pol- – others will be more receptive change than yours. Leo would love to join in the fun. University was itics, perhaps be- when you have cooled down. Put You already have an inkling It’s safe to leave work-related called then – and I coming a Member some energy into cultivating your of the events that are about to un- matters simmering, but you will have a master’s de- of Parliament? spiritual garden to encourage fold. Use the coming days to tie need to spice up your enthusiasm gree in social development from Somjai: In the past I was more tranquility and wear silver up loose ends so that you will be early next month. the Prince of Songkla University. invited to run for parliament, but to purify your thoughts. ready to move on. I first started working in I declined because I am satisfied CANCER (June 22-July 23): local administration in 1980. with doing my best in local ad- SCORPIO (October 24-Novem- PISCES (February 20-March Cancerians will have to attend to Viroj Bumroongwong invited me ministration. ber 22): There will be no harm 20): Pisceans can look forward some boring but nec- to work with the Khon Noom I am happy to work in the in wishing upon the to a productive week. essary bureaucratic Party, and in 1990 the then- municipality because we have first star that catches A business matter you issues mid-week. Mayor, Phummisak Hongsyok, our own budget to solve local your eye on Saturday thought was never go- Wear kid gloves when made me responsible for public problems and an emergency fund night. Something that ing to take off sud- dealing with authority; the less finance, social welfare and edu- to offer immediate help to people. your heart has been yearning for denly bursts into frantic activ- information you offer, the better. cation. could easily happen during the ity. If this demands more time The desert of your romantic life After the elections in 1999, Gazette: What are the main issues coming week. Your ability to phi- and attention than you can give, is about to reveal a lush oasis of I stayed on the local administra- that people want the Phuket Mu- losophize is called upon by a you will need to consider del- sensual possibilities. Consider tion team, but this time working nicipality to address? friend who is uncertain which di- egating some of the more mun- indulging in a soothing spa treat- in education, public health and Somjai: What people want rection to move in. It would be dane tasks involved. The num- ment to prepare for the pleasure environment. most is to feel safe in their com- wise to refrain from making spe- ber 8 has special meaning on to come. The number 5 will bring In 2003, the central govern- munity, have a reliable water sup- cific suggestions. Tuesday. you luck before the month ends. ment decided to have mayors ply, a clean city, and good public July 24 - 30, 2004 PHUKET PEOPLE PHUKET GAZETTE 11 Mayor picks out her targets

Gazette: What projects initiated placed to achieve this. We have Gazette: How do you feel about by former Mayor Phummisak will received awards for good gover- the rate of Phuket’s development? the new administration carry on nance from many institutions, Somjai: Phuket is changing with? including King Prajadhipok’s very fast, in social and economic Somjai: K. Phummisak’s Institute. terms. As Mayor, I will be think- policies were those of the Khon In addition, all five munici- ing of how to look after people Noom Party, and will continue to pal primary schools in the city so they can live in good condi- be carried out. But some policies have received awards for educa- tions and adjust to the changing I will attend to more urgently, tion management from the Min- times. such as making sure contractors istry of Education. Phuket Mu- finish the city’s roads on time, nicipality has also been certified Gazette: Have you decided when and building a public park oppo- to the ISO 9002 management you will retire from local admin- site the Phuket Provincial Elec- standard. istration? tricity Authority offices on Somjai: Not yet. When I do Thalang Rd. Gazette: Would you say that retire, I will explain the workings Phuket City is now safe from of the Khon Noom Party, which Gazette: What other issues are flooding? has matured throughout its 30 you focusing on? Somjai: To protect the city years. It has had many leaders, Somjai: I aim to improve from flooding, Klong Bang Yai with fresh young faces replacing Phuket, with particular focus on has been made deeper and wider the older members and those improving quality of life, protect- so water can flow quickly to the wanting to retire. ing the environment, and better sea. However, I would suggest [Smiling]I don’t know how management of garbage disposal that state officials investigate the long I’ll be Mayor, but I can say and treatment of wastewater. root of the problem, especially that I won’t be Mayor for life... I also believe that better where houses are on hills. education is an important foun- Water flows down to Phu- Gazette: What are your plans for dation for improving people’s ket City from Kathu District, after you retire from local admin- lives; more people will have from the bypass road and from istration? jobs, they will be free from dan- housing estates on hills, and Somjai: I will focus on ger and they will live in good causes flooding. looking after the family business. Phuket City Mayor Somjai: No wish to run for national office. conditions. The problem is keeping the We own the Coral Island Resort Through good governance, canal clear of debris so the water on Koh Hei, across from Rawai health care and education. People They have given the water Phuket Municipality is well- can flow quickly. Beach. want them all. free, but that may change in the I talk to people, and the future. Some of them have cho- problems that I can solve, I will. sen to develop their land and will But some problems need more need that water to supply their money to address, so I raise such own developments, such as a issues with the municipality so housing estate or a golf club, and we can plan to solve them in the others have informed me that future. they would now prefer to sell the Other current problems water to the municipality. challenging the Phuket Munici- As a long-term solution, the pality concern the environment. municipality will contact the We are also focusing on educa- Royal Irrigation Department tion and safer communities. But (RID) and ask to get additional most people ask the municipal- supply from Bang Wad reservoir. ity to provide a reliable water However, providing a long- supply because they suffer from term solution requires coopera- shortages during the dry season. tion from other state officials, not just the support of the municipal- Gazette: How do you propose to ity. Currently, state agencies are tackle the shortage of water? working together to build a new Somjai: I want to thank lo- reservoir at Bang Niew Dum. It cal businesspeople for helping will be the largest reservoir in the municipality deal with the Thalang. I will ask the RID for problem. They have given water pipes to be laid so the dam can from old tin mines to the city. also supply Phuket City. 12 PHUKET GAZETTE FEATURES July 24 - 30, 2004 Good, bad and ugly

or many years, two But the new yacht bears no hand, looks like an interior-de- Singaporean friends resemblance to anything seen in sign standoff between Austin pondered the question the world of superyachts before. Powers and Dame Edna Everage. F of stability at anchor. Based on the outriggers of the More unnerving still is the Both had owned a succession of South Pacific, Asean Lady – al- fact that this is the “toned-down” large yachts and had sailed them though twin-hulled – is not version. The owner’s wife was around the globe, loving nothing strictly a catamaran, but a proa restrained by the designer and her more than to head to some re- design, with an outrigger hull that husband from taking things fur- mote, idyllic location and drop is half the length of her main hull. ther. Colors include red, purple, anchor. In addition to solving the lilac, mango and mint green. She The problem that dogged problem of stability at anchor, the was also keen on psychedelic ef- them, as it does all owners of proa design vastly increases the fects. Yeah, baby. large yachts, was how to stop the amount of usable deck space, vessel rolling in because the Saucy design accessories: the swells head- whole superstruc- Continuing on with what to ing to shore. Superyacht ture spans both drape over the furniture, Rus- They fit- hulls. Asean Lady sians are now building – as well ted stabilizers might not be the as buying – superyachts. Mos- but these prov- WATCH sleekest of yachts, cow Yachts’ recent launch of the ed ineffective, By Dominic Stroud but that was not Singapore’s Asean Lady underway: she may not be the prettiest 38m yacht Smile was a very so both owners the owners’ brief. of yachts but her outrigger hull gives her vastly more deck space. glitzy affair. As the 700 guests set about building vessels de- Comfort at sea and increased liv- at the launch gawped, Smile ap- signed to ride out the swells. Two ing space were. This, too, will be a radical leap Rabbit IV should be launched peared on the river through a yachts of radical design were the It is worth noting that some forward in yacht design. within the year. With luck, bank of artificial fog, lasers and results of their labors. very progressive designs for At 58.5 meters, White Rab- Phuketians will get to see both blaring music. First in water, as of Janu- cruise liners are now on the draw- bit IV will be a trimaran, with a yachts as their owners are fre- As well as Champagne and ary 2004, was the 88-meter ing board, featuring similar hull stunning, futuristic-looking main quent visitors to Phuket. caviar, guests were treated to Yantai Raffles yacht Asean Lady. configurations. hull and two blade-like, wave- some eye candy shown on 12 Yacht lovers will be familiar with The second of the Singa- piercing subsidiary hulls extend- Good design gone bad: My plasma-screen TVs dotted the original Asean Lady, built by porean-owned yachts, still in ing from her superstructure and passions in life are superyachts, around the party: a live broadcast Stirling Yachts of Japan, and a build, will be the fourth in the arcing down into the water. architecture and interior design of a photo shoot aboard the yacht frequent visitor to Phuket. series of White Rabbit yachts. Rumor has it that White and I have often wondered why – for an upcoming issue of Rus- these worlds do not meet on most sian Playboy. Yeah, baby. large yachts. Aristotle Onassis lavished No matter what the exterior mega-drachmas on his famous suggests, many have a gloomy, yacht Christina O. As well as the gentlemen’s-club atmosphere in- mosaic-tiled swimming pool with side, as if there is an unwritten the logo of a bull (how Mediter- rule that dark wood paneling, ranean macho can you get?), gold chintzy chairs, card tables and taps, hair salon and cocktail bar. bars are a must in all superyachts. Onassis loved to brag to his More yachts are now break- guests that the bar stools that they ing this rule and feature contem- were sitting on were covered in porary interior designs but it was whale foreskin. No, baby! inevitable that the sublime would Flicking through an Italian become the ridiculous. yacht magazine recently, I found One recent example of ex- myself staring at a full-page pic- pensive tackiness is the Heesen- ture of a number of men – all built, 44m Sweet Doll. The inte- handsome, muscle-bound, tanned rior designer credits retro-rock and wearing very tasteful uni- star Lenny Kravitz’s house in forms, but they all looked – how Miami as being the inspiration. should I put this – a little too well- I only wish it had been, for manicured for swabbing decks? Lenny, the product of an upper- The editorial explained per- middle-class New York family, fectly: they were the hand-picked actually has rather good taste. crew of Giorgio Armani’s latest Granted, his house may be very superyacht. Yeah, baby. Barbarella meets 2001: A Space Odyssey meets “I’m a rock god Have you spotted a superyacht in who loves a shag (pile) carpet” Phuket waters? Want to share the but it is carried off with a certain poop on a super sloop? Send an panache. email to Dominic Stroud at: Sweet Doll, on the other superyachts@ phuketgazette.net July 24 - 30, 2004 L I F E S T Y L E PHUKET GAZETTE 13

he Sony Walkman, de- mini-jack. Other accessories in vised by the late Akio the package are the iPod Dock, Morita and launched in headphones, remote control, car- T1979, revolutionized lis- rying case, AC adapter, iTunes tening to music away from, or in, for MAC and iTunes for Win- the home. dows, and the manual. Before, tiny – and tinny- Wired for sound There are 20 music equal- sounding – transistor radios were izer settings and information can the only option. But with the Gizmos & Gadgets by Gategaeo Phetsawang be displayed in 15 languages on Walkman, an audiophile could the LCD with LED backlight. listen to as many A nifty accessory for the cassettes as he or iPod is the iTrip, which allows she could carry. One item drivers are needed for Windows millimeters thick and weighs in you to broadcast, or perhaps Portable CD play- from electron- 2000/ME/XP although a soft- at 158 grams. narrowcast – authorities permit- ers, and then ics giant Acer is ware CD is included in the pack- The more popular audio ting – via FM to your car radio. MiniDisc players the Apacer Au- age for Windows 98 and 98SE formats are supported by iPod, Check login.co.th for details. and recorders, dio Steno BP- users. A firmware update tool can including MP3, MP3 Variable Plug in, tune in and rock on... came next. 300s, a stylish be downloaded from Rate (VBR) and WAV files, and Secondhand items and The problem and ultra-com- www.apacer.com. the Apple Lossless format allows online buying are another choice with all of these pact design. Output is via a 3.5mm mini- downloads straight from CD, tak- when considering MP3 players. gizmos is that – The BP- jack and a built-in equalizer has ing up around half the space of Different sites offer different obviously – they 300s has three separate jazz, classical, rock, pop uncompressed audio. All down- payment conditions, and with a must be slightly functions in and normal settings. loads are via USB 2.0 or greater variety of products avail- larger than the size one: MP3 A standard AAA battery FireWire through a four-to-six able from companies in Bang- of the medium player; voice should provide power for around pin connector. kok. they play. There recorder; and four hours non-stop play. An al- iPod has three ports: one, Good deals can be found at are also con- USB flash kaline battery should give around for the iPod Dock, which allows pantipmarket.com, ec-mall.com straints on the drive. eight hours. simple charging and connecting and ThaiClickShop.com. The amount of music Record up The package includes head- to your Apple computer; a remote usual caveats regarding online any of these for- to eight hours phones, USB cable, AAA battery, control connector; and a stereo buying apply. mats can hold. of speech, or software CD and two ad- But now, download 35 to ditional colored covers. Apacer Audio Steno BP300s are carrying music, At the top end of the Apple’s iPod has huge capacity – up available at Bus Computer and 40 music tracks to 10,000 music tracks. and much more of on the 125MB range is Apple Com- Service Co Ltd, Big C Super- it than Mr Morita model – and puter’s amazing minimal- center, at 3,250 baht for the 128 Cheap and cheerful: the ist iPod. The 40GB ver- could possibly Apacaer from Acer double these MB model and 5,350 baht for the have envisioned, capacities with sion of this can hold at 256MB version. is easier than ever. the slightly least 10,000 music tracks The Apple iPod can be MP3 players, weighing as little more expensive 256MB version. – enough for non-stop bought from Phuket Alpha Engi- as two Cds, can slip in your It features a simple, one- play for four weeks, or neering CoLtd, 261 Thalang Rd, pocket or even be worn around button function to access the one song every day for the Muang, Phuket, 83000. Tel: 076- your neck. menu. Downloading a music li- next 27 years. 215796. Fax: 076-218603. The Each type of MP3 player brary in MP3 or WMA (Win- The built-in re- 15GB version costs 15,500 baht, varies in specification and price, dows Media Audio) format from chargeable lithium ion the 20GB model costs 19,000 but look to spend between 3,000 your PC or laptop via a standard battery gives eight hours baht, while the price for the 40 and 20,000 baht. USB port is simplicity itself. No of playback. It is just 16 GB version is 25,460 baht. 14 PHUKET GAZETTE TRAVEL July 24 - 30, 2004

ou thought the Cold War was over? Think again. Thousands of Yheavily-armed troops wait poised to spring at each Where the Cold War other’s throats along the 250-ki- lometer-long demilitarized zone, or DMZ, that separates North and South Korea, a legacy of the war that raged on the peninsula in the early 1950s. And – this is the sort of keeps on simmering irony that everyone should cher- ish – because the four-kilometer- wide DMZ has been deserted by humans for much of the last half century, it’s turned into one of Asia’s most successful nature re- serves. More bizarre yet, the op- posing nations, with some hefty input from the US, meet from time to time at the truce village of Pan Mun Jeom, glowering and snarling at each other from either side of a table with the interna- tional border running straight down the middle. It gets even better. Tour groups are conducted around these wacky sights as part of an elaborate propaganda exercise. Motor out from the South Korean capital, Seoul, and you’ll be given chapter and verse on the perfidy of the communist North, which has dug invasion tunnels and indulged in all sorts of terror Left: North Korean troops return casualties of the Cold War to tactics, from despatching guerril- the South at Pan Mun Jeom. Above: The DMZ is a haven for las to bombarding sentries with wildlife while, below, a farmer harvests his crop near the border. brainwashing broadcasts from loudspeakers set to top volume. To get to the other side of the border, which is maybe 20 meters from the viewing stand, you have to retrace your steps to Incheon International Airport, fly to Beijing and then to the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, and then board a bus all the way back to Pan Mun Jeom. There, North Korean guides will expound endlessly on just how evil the folk are down south, even (would you credit it?) spreading black propaganda to make it appear as if the North is digging invasion tunnels. Convoluted? Ridiculous? every corner. Pan Mun Jeom at Welcome to the no-man’s land TALES least offers an edge with a capi- twilight zone where the chilling OF A tal E. winds of the Cold War blow as And you can’t help but hundreds, and Asiatic black bears the rhythm of their lives dictated chilly as ever. TRAVELER wonder what’s going to happen and the goat-like Chinese goral by the seasons rather than the ebb Or at least they did until to the nature reserve which came have also been spotted. Korean and flow of geopolitics. very recently, when North and By Ed Peters about by accident. The DMZ is tigers – a subspecies of the Sibe- It’s some of the most beau- South agreed to open two new an important haven for some of rian tiger – are also believed to tiful countryside anywhere on the roads which have just been com- of the weirdest corners of the the world’s most endangered be present, somehow avoiding Korean peninsula. Let’s just hope pleted through the buffer zone. planet, which – given its unique- birds, including the white-naped setting off landmines or getting it stays that way, even if the head There’s talk of a rail link and in- ness – is a bit of a pity. Much of and red-crowned cranes. entangled in barbed wire. honchos in Seoul and Pyongyang creased trade. All of which spells the earth is getting blander, with Egrets, crested shelducks Right next to the fences, decided it’s time to become bud- the beginning of the end for one Starbucks and Internet cafés on and swan geese flock here by the farmers plough and sow and reap, dies. July 24 - 30, 2004 S M A L L W O R L D PHUKET GAZETTE 15 KKIDSIDS Get your brain the Fun Page in gear with for all the Family The Monster Quiz 1. Two Steves formed Ap- 8. By what name is Kalaal- 15. Who wrote the tune The ple Computer Co. One lit Nunaat better known? Entertainer? was Steve Jobs. Who Spot the Difference was the other? 9. In which year was the first 16. Name the ship on which Space Shuttle flight? Charles Darwin first Can you find the seven 2. Where would you find formulated his ideas differences between the the Shwedagon Paya? 10. Thomas J. Watson head- about evolution. two cartoons below? And ed which corporation can you find them faster 3. Which element did from 1924 to 1929? 17. What makes the platy- Henry Cavendish dis- pus and the echidna dif- than the rest of the family? cover? 11. Which country lies be- ferent from all other tween Kirgizstan and mammals? 4. Which movie star was Turkmenistan? born Richard Jenkins? 18. What would you use a nocturnal for? 5. Which country’s flag 12. What did Babe Ruth do consists of vertical bars for a living before becom- of black, yellow and ing a professional baseball 19. William Jansz is believ- red? player? ed to have been the first European to see what? 6. What was President 13. If a Dyson Sphere is ever Gerald Ford’s middle built, what will it enclose? 20. The mythical creature, name? the manticore, had the 14. Which of the following head of a man and the 7. Which US state takes its composers was not born in body of a what? name from the Spanish 1685 – Bach, Handel, for “snow-clad”? Scarlatti, Telemann? Answers next week Never a Cross Word! Across 1. Fellow worker. 7. Thin cut. 9. Not the youngest. 10. Carrion-eating bird. 13. A knight’s honorific. 14. Fisherman’s equipment. 15. A pariah. 18. It cancels acid. Brain Buster!! 19. Movie with a cast of thousands. Manufacturer Jim Wicker is always 21. Indecipherable. grumbling to his friends, “If middle-aged people told the truth Down more often I would sell more of my 2. Night bird. 3. Item for auction. 6. From the southernmost 13. Bog. products.” What does he make? 4. Love of Paris. continent. 16. Come together. 5. Pull to bits. 7. A week. 17. Mr Gauguin.

8. Little island. 19. Record label. He makes birthday cake candles. cake birthday makes He Solution to last 11. Martian transport? 20. Not well. week’s Crossword 12. Ingest. Solution next week.

Answers to last week’s Monster Quiz

1. Chair legs; 2. Maastricht; 3. R L Stevenson; 4. And; 5. As a barber; 6. Woodrow Wilson; 7. Tommy gun; 8. Alan Shepard; 9. Ice hockey; 10. New Mexico; 11. Folkstone; 12. Albania; 13. Lennox Lewis; 14. Green; 15. Louisiana; 16. Danny DeVito; 17. James Callaghan; 18. Catalan; 19. Spirit of America; 20. Joan of Arc. 16 PHUKET GAZETTE F E A T U R E S July 24 - 30, 2004 My darling, tell me true

n the timeless war between ness the amount of energy ex- found no evidence of prostitu- of the opposite sex decide to live the sexes, there is no doubt pended in maintaining the moun- tion. together. Not only are they from that males and females op- tain of lies making up just one Part of her research in- differing cultures but also, more Ierate under different rules of enchanted evening in the envi- volved going into one go-go bar than likely, they are from differ- engagement. And in Pattaya, rons of Pattaya, nuclear power and asking two pertinent and ent generations and so their so- truth is the first casualty of bars. might just become redundant. searching questions. The first cial mores reside at opposite ends “You have my wife?” asks After all, it is the aim of was, “Are any of you girls under of a very cloudy spectrum. Miss Buriram. every girl sitting behind or in the age of 18?” They all an- One man, who had “saved” “No,” lies Mr Burgeoning front of a beer bar, or hugging a swered in the negative. a go-go dancer from the drudg- Beer Belly, with a straight face. chrome pole in a go-go, to ascer- FROM THE Then she cut to the chase ery of caressing chrome poles, “Do you have a boyfriend?” tain the credentials (read: mon- STREETS by asking, “Do any of you girls discovered his sweetheart had “No,” lies Miss Buriram, etary potential) of all those with O F make love with men in exchange been somewhat liberal with the with an equally straight face. “I whom she comes into contact. for money?” truth. not marry, I not have baby. No If a man asks, “Do you have PATTAYA Again, being law-abiding “But you lied to me,” he one like me I not beautiful.” a boyfriend?” and she says no, By Duncan Stearn model citizens, they all answered exclaimed, all injured pride and Such are the conversations the truth may be that she has sev- in the negative, no doubt af- pouting lips. taking place a thousand times a eral boyfriends, not just “a boy- fronted by such a preposterous “That’s my job,” she re- day in hundreds of bars across friend”. So she is not actually of “girlfriends”. Time to bend suggestion. plied matter-of-factly. Fun Town. telling a lie when she demurs, just and stretch again. Knowing that a golden orb According to the TV series The stretched truths spout- bending the truth somewhat. Of course, all this liberal- of truth resides in the heart of The X-Files, the truth is out there, ing forth from the mouths of Equally, when a man denies ity with the truth is something every dancing maiden, the Tour- somewhere. babes (dressed in low-cut tops having a girlfriend it may well your garden-variety bar girl has ism Minister was happy with the However, agents Mulder and tight-fitting jeans) are match- because he has a wife, and few learned from close observation of verbal somersaults of answers and Scully would have more ed by the amount of guano ema- people who’ve sauntered down the average politician. she received and returned with chance of discovering that Mars nating from the jowls of bar hop- the marital aisle would ever think For example, back in 1999 heart a-gladdened to the smog- is inhabited by little green men pers (dressed in clammy shirts, of classifying their nearest and the then-Minister of Tourism filled streets of Bangkok. than they would of finding a ill-fitting trousers and black or dearest as a “girlfriend”. came to Pattaya, conducted an in- Unfortunately, the reality is single bar girl or regular foreign white socks and sandals). If he doesn’t have a wife, vestigation and upon her return that it can sometimes get worse, visitor to Pattaya who could pass If it were possible to har- then he probably has a number to Bangkok stated that she had rather than better, when members a lie detector test. The magic weight-loss formula

he following six-step 3. Measurements: Weigh and calories per gram, and since large ming or any combo of these. In- weight-train, a higher percentage weight loss formula is measure yourself before embark- numbers of them can be excreted crease intensity throughout the of your weight loss will be magic, resulting in ing on a program. Take measure- when the body is deprived of program. muscle. That’s not what you want Tlosses of five or six ki- ments of your waist, hips, neck, carbs, very rapid weight loss is Use interval training inter- to lose. los within two or three weeks if as well as your thighs, and record possible. mittently while maintaining your Timing of workouts is cru- you stick to it. Combined with the information. If The Atkins pulse at the target rate for your cial, as growth hormone peaks sensible eating habits and regu- you can, get a body Diet may not be age group. when blood glucose is low. If lar exercise, this regimen can also fat percentage for everyone, but If you’re out of shape, how- possible, train in the morning. If help keep you fit for life. check too. Fat loss by sensibly incor- ever, start slowly and try to build not, the best training time is two is more important porating some of up to 20 minutes at the target to three hours after a meal, when 1. Commitment: Before you than weight loss. its elements, such heart rate. your body has burned off the even lace up your workout shoes, as lowering your Don’t take risks with your blood glucose from the food. the first thing you have to do is 4. Nutrition: Fol- carbohydrate in- heart. If you are an early bird, do to commit to your program ev- low a low-carbohy- take and by eating your cardio before breakfast. You need to completely dedicate ery day. No matter what else is drate diet like the more natural-state Walk everywhere and, if yourself to this program only for going on in your life, remind Atkins diet for two foods, you may possible, take a walk at night, an the next two to three weeks, af- yourself of your fitness goals and to three weeks, de- Fitness find that you can hour before bed. Even if it’s only ter which you should review give your workout the priority it pending on how achieve great re- for 15 minutes it will burn calo- your progress. Do not exceed deserves. much you want to FANATIC sults without ever ries, aid digestion and induce three weeks on a strict Atkins Write it down in your day lose. That means By Joe and having to com- drowsiness. program. planner and treat it just as you no fruits, breads, pletely restrict If you have any medical would any other appointment that sugar, candy, alco- Pensri Lewis yourself. 6. Weight Training: Train two problems, especially diabetes, you wouldn’t miss. If you occa- hol, rice, noodles or milk. Drink It may take a little longer, or three times a week, with at high blood pressure or heart ail- sionally find yourself falling off copious amounts of water. Eat but the results will be more per- least three days’ rest between ments, consult your doctor before the fitness wagon, don’t give up. four or five times a day at three- manent. Consider it more of a workouts. Work big muscle embarking on any program. hour intervals, but consume only lifestyle change than a diet. groups – chest, back, legs. Use 2. Set short-term goals only: Set small quantities. One of the major miscon- compound exercises such as Pensri & Joe Lewis are fitness only short-term weight loss goals Breakfast is a must. Also, ceptions about the squats, overhead and equipment consultants at of a few kilos over a three-week try to eat your last meal before Atkins Diet is that Drink copious squats, deadlifts, Fitness R Us. Tel: 09-8663736 period. Weigh yourself only once 7pm. Eat more carbs during the you can – or should amounts of water. push-press, and power Email: [email protected]. a week, and always just after you day than in the evening. It’s es- – eat unhealthy, fat- cleans. wake up. sential to plan meals and snacks ty foods all the time. Eat four or five The rest period in advance, even if it means pre- This is not true. times a day at between exercises ASK KHUN WANIDA! paring food at home and taking Dr Atkins recom- three-hour should be no more MOMMA DUCK it with you when you have to go mended that you lim- thab two minutes, al- out. it your intake of intervals, but though this can be Problems with an extra-marital affair? When you reduce the car- foods such as butter, consume only longer if you are just Questions about Thai culture? bohydrates in your diet, you sausage, and bacon small quantities. starting out. Full body Having communications problems? put your body into a condition and instead focus on workouts build a Need somebody to Love? called ketosis. This word is de- healthy fats such as nuts, olive strong foundation of lean muscle. rived from the ketones, the fat oil and fish oil. It is important to weight- fragments that are excreted train because muscle burns fat during fat metabolism to main- 5. Cardio Training: Get your even when you are not exercis- tain the body’s acid-base bal- heart pumping five or six times a ing. A single pound of added Fax to 076-213971 or e-mail ance. week on a treadmill or by brisk muscle burns an extra 60-100 to [email protected] Ketones have about five walking, cycling, running, swim- calories per day. If you do not July 24 - 30, 2004 FEATURES PHUKET GAZETTE 17 How to spot a Help is at hand for your pet

op Dog is always happy Marnosh Vet Clinic. to receive readers’ que- When traveling into Phuket City simple sponge ries. Recently I was along Thepkrasattri Rd, turn right Tasked, “Is there an emer- into Komarapat Rd at the set of gency veterinarian service on the traffic lights where the road ponges are the most cause when dried they look as if island? Can you recommend a crosses Klong Bang Yai. Open- primitive and least spe- they are made of spun glass. They particular vet?” ing hours are 10 am-8 pm every cialized of all multicel- are mostly found in deep water, The answer is that there is day. Contact Dr Marnosh at Tel: lular animals. They are usually 500-1,000 meters deep. no emergency service in Phuket 076-236078 or 076-236341. S but some vets are prepared to so different from other animals Some have even been dredged up Tanut Clinic. Coming from that for centuries people believed from 5,000 meters. They are usu- give their mobile telephone num- Tesco Lotus toward town, turn they were plants. ally pale without bright colors. ber to regular clients for use in left at the end of the wide part of When you are relaxing in The third class of sponges an emergency. the road, into Pracha Uthit Rd. your bath rubbing your body with is the Demospongiae. This class Other vets have indicated The clinic is in the small parade a soapy sponge, you are actually contains most of the world’s that, as they ac- of shops just af- using spongin, the soft skeleton sponges. Some have spicules, tually live on ter the turning. of the animal. though not hexactinal ones. They site at their clin- Opening hours Sponges are found in all the also have spongin fibers. ics, they don’t are 9 am-8 pm world’s oceans, shallow and Some completely lack spi- mind being Monday to Sat- deep, tropical and polar. They cules; these are called horny woken to treat MAKING TRACKS urday and 5 pm- range in size from nearly micro- sponges. Demospongiae include an animal. By Top Dog 8 pm on Sunday. scopic to giant barrel sponges and the familiar bath sponge. Speak with your Call Dr Tanut on from single individuals to loosely Sponges are hosts for many vet and ask for his or her policy. Tel: 01-8099010. organized colonies. invertebrates. Some crabs and There are many practices Raksat Small Animal Thailand has a wide assort- shrimp live on or in them. Worms on the island, but not all of them Hospital at 14/4 Mae Luan Rd ment of species, ranging from the and sea cucumbers also live com- are run by qualified veterinarians. in Phuket City has five vets led multitude of colorful encrusting mensally with various sponges. I have compiled a list (in roughly by Dr Boonchit. Opening hours sponges to the inverted cones of The sea cucumbers eat the larger north-south order) of all the clin- are 9 am-midnight, seven days a Verongida and giant pink barrel organic debris that accumulates ics I know of. All of these are run week. Tel: 076-211549 or 01- sponges with diameters of up to on the outside of the sponge-host. by fully-qualified vets. 8911582. 50 centimeters. Various fish, from little go- Standards and services of- Phuket Animal Hospital Despite this variety, spong- bies to large stonefish, hide out fered vary from quite basic to a is right next door to Charoen es have remained basically un- in barrel sponges. Stonefish use level rivaling surgeries found in Phromphan supermarket on Chao changed since the Devonian pe- EARTH the barrel as a trap in which to the West. Visit some, and use Fa West Rd. Opening hours are riod, some 450 million years ago. capture and eat smaller prey. Be your own judgement. 9 am-7:30 pm Monday to Satur- During those ancient times spon- careful when exploring these Thalang Veterinary Clin- day and 9 am-midday on Sunday. ges were among the dominant life WATCH structures that you don’t put your ic, run by Dr Trethep, is on the Call Dr Suchon at Tel: 076- forms of the oceans. By Robert Cogen hand or bare foot in a barrel road between Thalang and La- 222362. About 15,000 species are sponge occupied by a serious guna. Coming from Laguna, turn Ao Chalong Animal Clin- known, but many more probably structures called amoebocytes. stinger. left just after the Thalang fresh ic is approximately 100m south remain unidentified. This is be- Because sponges have a prefer- I have also seen frogfish, market and the clinic is 100 of Chalong Circle, on the right- cause sponges of single species ence for bacteria and organic de- also called anglerfish, sitting on meters further along on the right- hand side of Wiset Rd. Opening may have very different appear- bris, they are often found in abun- or next to a sponge disguised to hand side. Opening hours are 5 hours are 9:30 am-8 pm Monday ances depending on the environ- dance close to the mouths of riv- look just like part of the sponge pm-9 pm Monday to Friday and to Saturday. Drs Anucha and ment where they are found, ers or harbor entrances. while waiting for prey to come 9 am-5 pm at weekends. Tel: 06- Raphipan can be reached at Tel: which makes the task of identi- Besides spongin, most along and be eaten. 6822557 or 076-274353. 076-280740. fying new species difficult. sponges have spicules, which are In shallow water, algae, par- Matta Vet Clinic, 242/3 Another veterinary clinic is Sponges, incidentally, are hard rods or branched structures ticularly the blue-green algae liv- Yaowarat Rd (between Wachira scheduled to open shortly at the only animals that are com- that form a skeletal system. Some ing on coral reefs, may infiltrate Phuket Hospital and Bangkok Rawai, but details were not avail- pletely “sessile”, with no free- of these are interlocking and a sponge and set up house in its Phuket Hospital, on the opposite able at the time of going to press. swimming stage. They are also quite beautiful, as in the Venus’ tissue. The sponge may take on side of the road). The clinic is one of nature’s vacu- flower basket. the bluish color of the algae. The closed on Wednesdays but is Top Dog is always pleased to re- um cleaners. Sponges Nutrients are The Calcarea algae will continue to undergo open from 9 am to 8 pm on all ceive comments and news about are very efficient filter extracted and the have spicules that are photosynthesis, but will pay rent other days. Call Dr Sujitra at Tel: animals. Email him at: topdog9@ feeders. calcareous – made of by leaking a significant amount 076-237385 for more details. myway.com Basically, spon- water and calcium or lime. These of the sugars it metabolizes into ges are thin-walled wastes are sponges are among the the sponge. sacks with many per- expelled through most primitive. They Whether you are diving, forations called ostia. are found in shallow snorkeling or wading in the shal- Nutrient-filled water is the single large waters, some even be- lows along the beach take time drawn into the center opening, the tween the high and to look at these creatures and of the sponge by cho- low tide marks, and observe the variety of interac- anocytes – cells containing fla- surround every major land mass. tions they have with other marine gella in the sponge walls, which Most are dull-colored and incon- animals. create the water currents that pass spicuous. They most often form through the walls. small, 10-cm-long cylinders in Robert Cogen is a well-known Nutrients are extracted and caves and under ledges. California lawyer and a broadly the water and wastes are expelled The Hexactinellida have experienced naturalist with a de- through the single large opening, six-pointed spicules. This class is gree in zoology. Email: indepth@ the osculum. Food is digested by known as the glass sponges, be- asis.com.

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See the Phuket Gazette Online at www.phuketgazette.net 18 PHUKET GAZETTE EDITORIAL & LETTERS July 24 - 30, 2004

367/2 Yaowarat Rd, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000 Tel: 076-236555 - Since 1994 - Fax: 076-213971 Email: [email protected]

No need to reinvent the wheel

National pride is a double-edged sword. On the positive side, it pro- motes a sense of identity, getting people to work together toward common goals. It helps preserve culture and history which might otherwise disappear under the assault of political, cultural and busi- ness pressures from other, more powerful nations. Under the current government, particularly during its early days, Thailand saw a drive to boost national pride and “self-reliance”. Partly this was due to what some observers saw as cynical political ma- nipulation: create an enemy at the gates and the whole population will stand behind the leaders. But a majority, disturbed at having Western “culture” rammed down their throats by international corporations, and hankering af- ter a past that seemed increasingly remote, applauded this revival of national pride. Some took the call for greater national pride a step further, turning it into a program of xenophobia. For them, “We love Thailand” meant “We hate everyone else.” This can result in the rejection not only of what is bad but also of what is good. “We are a great country. We don’t need your tech- nology. We can come up with our own,” may be fine as a rallying call, but it is a poor basis for practical solutions. Letters What results from this attitude is a constant reinventing of the wheel. All too frequently, the reinvented wheel turns out to be square. The Gazette is pleased to receive mail from read- your views for publication in our next issue. Even when the “wheel” is a usable shape, a great deal of time and ers. Please write to us at 367/2 Yaowarat Rd, We reserve the right to edit all letters. Pseudonyms money has usually been wasted. Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000, fax to 076-213971 are acceptable only if your full name and address The key to all of this is common sense. Should the Thai gov- or send an email to [email protected] with are supplied. ernment spend fortunes inventing Thai methods for making burgers? Or should it opt instead to import burger-making expertise? Com- mon sense would indicate that it does not need to do either; Thai Parking space chair scope was held to the front of my I would not even have dared burgers are not something Thailand needs. shirt and and I was told, “Thank to get out of my car in England, Does Thailand need foreign expertise to help the country make becomes a hot seat you. Please pick up your certifi- where I used to live. Thai food? Obviously not. cate and pay the bill.” However, he was extremely Should Thailand try to invent its own software and hardware During a recent shopping trip, I As I had walked in unaided polite, kind and patient as I blab- to create a “Cyber Paradise” in Phuket, or should it import the tech- had to circle Robinson’s Depart- I assume that they could see I was bered my apologies. nology and expertise it lacks? Common sense, in this case, would ment Store a number of times well. Rather strange. Both the driver and a pass- seem to indicate that the latter is the more practical path. before I could find a parking Derek Priest ing policeman helped me to push That is why this week’s launch of a 98-million-baht joint project space. I eventually spotted a Kathu my car out of the way before the between the state-owned semi-monopoly TOT and South Korean space, but someone had put a driver – Noi from Noi Adven- telecoms giant KT to set up and run high-speed telecoms networks chair in it as if to show it was re- Getting real results tures – drove me to the nearest in Thailand was so encouraging. (See page 21.) served. petrol station, organized a can of The launch is not just good news for those who have been wait- I have always disliked this with the Thai post petrol and even put it in my car ing so long for high-speed connections. It is also a cheering indica- kind of behavior, so I stopped, for me. I really appreciated the as- tion of a change in thinking. – The Editor moved the chair and parked in the During the time I have lived in space. Phuket I have read countless let- sistance given and would like to A shopkeeper then came ters and articles in the Phuket say a big thank you to Noi and out from his shop and watched Gazette about lost or delayed the police officer. me park. As I got out of the car mail. Ita he asked me why I had moved his Six months ago, I set up an Rawai In association with The Nation Multimedia Group PCL chair. I replied, “Why not?” experiment with my son in the “Because I reserved that UK. Every three weeks we would Dog pound is a real space for my car,” he replied. each post a letter, and then con- Editor: Rungtip Hongjakpet I answered, “This is a pub- firm the posting and delivery dog’s breakfast Managing Editor: Alasdair Forbes lic parking place. You have no dates to each other by email. Deputy Editor: Chris Husted right to reserve it.” To which he Of the 10 I sent to him, all Reading the Gazette’s lead story Chief Reporter: Sangkhae Leelanapaporn replied, “Go home, farang.” were delivered to my son. The in the July 17 issue (“Govt re- Investigation Team: Gategaeo Phetsawang, Dhirarat Boonkongsaen, Should I follow his advice time between posting and deliv- fuses to close dog pound”), it and go home? Or should he learn appears that the authorities have Siripansa Somboon, Anongnat Sartpisut ery ranged between five and eight to respect his fellow men and live days. embarked upon another project Desk Editors: Stephen Fein, Andy Johnstone with the rules of society? Of the 10 he posted to me, without thinking it through. Kurt Boysen seven were delivered to my house I travel between Mai Khao Managing Director: Rungtip Hongjakpet Rawai anywhere between 15 and 22 and Phuket City daily, and on vir- Marketing Manager: Oranee Pienprasertkul days after posting, and three tually every journey I see at least Website Services Manager: Natthira Susangrat Health check was never arrived. one dead dog on the road near the Distribution Manager: Passara Kaewbumroong I think this demonstrates pound and others wandering aim- Financial Controller: Benjawan Lukthan not a health check the efficiency, or otherwise, of lessly close by. How long will it Publisher: The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd the Thai postal service. be before a major accident oc- I had a complete health checkup Miffed Mailer curs? Contact us at the Bangkok Phuket Hospital Phuket Anyone can see that the five weeks before I went to the pound will do nothing to solve Advertising Sales: [email protected] Phuket Provincial Immigration Minibus driver but the island’s stray dog problem, Classified Advertising: [email protected] Office (PPIO) to renew my an- and the only sane ideas appear to Website Services: [email protected] nual retirement visa. maximum kindness come from Margot Homburg Shopper Card inquiries: [email protected] I was told, however, that Park of the Soi Dog Foundation. Gazette Guide inquiries: [email protected] this was not acceptable and I had I ran out of petrol in the middle The government should Telephone: 076-236555 (10 lines) Fax: 076-213971 to go to another clinic down the of Phuket City during a recent learn from what has happened in road from the PPIO. morning rush hour and prepared other countries, support her There I waited 10 minutes myself to face an onslaught from work, and sterilize Phuket’s dogs. The views expressed in the Phuket Gazette are those of the writers and contributors and before being taken into the the driver of the minibus that Paul Thomas do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, the editor, the shareholders, or the direc- tors of The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd. doctor’s room, where a stetho- pulled up behind me. Mai Khao Copyright © 1994-2004 The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd Letters conveying views and suggestions are published here. Those seeking comment from government officials and/or business owners are published in Issues & Answers on the facing page. July 24 - 30, 2004 PERSPECTIVES PHUKET GAZETTE 19

t’s normal for politicians to work for the benefit of the voters, but I think local politicians have gone too far in Ithis direction and have ignored the Time to look after tourists needs of the tourists on whom all of us in Patong depend. Patong is a major money-earner for Phuket and provides employment for On June 20, Patong held its fourth many different kinds of people. But every municipal elections in less than two time there is an election, the candidates FIRST years. As in previous polls, complaints say only, “I am Patong-born and I will help of electoral fraud from both sides other Patong-born people if I am elected.” PERSON have resulted in yet another lengthy The need to win over [a small num- ber of] voters is what has caused elections investigation being launched by in Patong to become so competitive and Thailand’s Central Election Commission. divisive. Until the results are confirmed – and that is by no means Of course, the politicians need to a certainty – Patong will continue to function without a city develop their voter base and develop trust; council or mayor, as it has done since former Mayor it’s natural for voters to believe that who- Chalermsak Maneesri was ordered out of office for corrup- ever leads Patong will cater to their needs – or risk losing in the next election. tion last November. But we shouldn’t forget that the Patong has 9,213 eligible voters, only a small fraction of name Patong Beach is known all over the the town’s actual population. One man who feels that Patong’s world. Phuket has about three million tour- tourism industry suffers at the hands of local political machi- ists a year and about 70% of these stay in nations is Panu Maswongsa, Vice President of the Phuket Patong. Given these numbers, Patong Tourist Association and Marketing Director of Patong Resort. shouldn’t be administered solely for the benefit of local people, but should also Originally from Yala province, he has worked in Patong consider the needs and wants of the tour- for 19 years. Yet, like most people with a stake in Patong’s ists who visit. success, he has no say in how the town is governed or how At the moment, because Patong has municipal budgets are spent. Here he expresses his views on no [elected] government, leadership has how the situation could be improved. fallen into the hands of bureaucrats who are neither authorized nor brave enough to make large [budget] decisions. They can this year is related to the delay in finish- beachgoers can lie down. The entire beach an amusement park or an aquarium. carry out routine procedures, but are un- ing the sewage treatment plant. is taken up by rows of beach chairs. I would like to see the new mayor of able to tackle pressing problems, such as A government official has said that We also still get floods in the streets. Patong starting to think about the tourists the need to finish Phase I of the sewage Phase II of the sewage treatment can’t I have seen tourists holding umbrellas and on whom the entire community depends. treatment project or begin Phase II. [The begin until Phase I has been completed, having their pictures taken [while stand- I believe that, in the coming 10 years, project contractor accused former mayor so the whole thing has been delayed and ing knee-deep] in flooded streets. That’s tourism in Phuket will die if we don’t Surasak Maneesri and his deputy mayor the [environmental] problems just keep because this type of thing doesn’t happen make improvements now. Everyone of extortion and the work has been stopped getting worse. in their own countries. knows what the problems are in Patong. until the case is resolved by the courts.] The Governor should step in and The number of tourists coming to But so far nobody has been brave enough Patong needs leadership, somebody order the work [to start on Phase II] even Patong is falling because people are get- to take action. [from the central Government] who can if the Phase I work is bogged down in the ting fed up with so many things. They are Personally, I would like to see the step in right now and order that the project legal system. going to places like Khao Lak and Krabi entire island designated as a special ad- be finished. We can’t afford to wait until Right now, politicians in Patong do instead. Tourists to Patong are increasingly ministrative area like Bangkok and election results are confirmed. everything for [native] Patong people only, independent tourists who come here to en- Pattaya. That way we could better inte- Wastewater is currently flowing but don’t provide enough facilities for joy the nightlife. That’s because we have grate development, rather than having right into the sea, untreated. The problem tourists. We lack public toilets, car parks have failed to develop attractions or enter- everything done piecemeal [and being at we had with all the seaweed on the beach or even a stretch of empty sand where tainment for families and children, such as the mercy of local politics]. Issues&& Confused over visas ANSWERS I telephoned the Thai Embassy allow you to stay in Thailand for a while to check out investment in Los Angeles, California, and 60 days. Do not enter Thailand possibilities or research how to spoke with them about visas. on a 30-day transit visa issued on open a new business, you should Want to know how to get something done? Can’t They assured me that there arrival. explain all this to the consulate understand some of the dafter things that seem is no such thing as a 90-day non- Once you are here you can and provide as much documen- to go on in Phuket? Want to pitch an idea to immigrant visa, and told me that begin the process of obtaining a tation as possible. Phuket’s authorities or institutions? Then this is what I was after was a 60-day permit to stay in Thailand from If the consular staff do not tourist visa. the Immigration Office. If you have enough information, they the forum for you. Submit your queries or My ultimate goal is to ap- cannot complete the process cannot determine what kind of suggestions to us and we’ll ask the appropriate ply for permanent residence in within 60 days, you can return to visa to issue to you. people to respond to them. Thailand and work for a local Thailand whenever you like un- Once you arrive in Thailand wireless Internet firm in Phuket. til you get your permit to stay. with a non-immigrant B visa, Write to: The Phuket Gazette, 367/2 Yaowarat Rd, Muang, I guess I must take things 2. You can arrive on a non- Immigration at the airport will Phuket 83000. Fax 076-213971, or submit your issue at one step at a time, but I would immigrant B visa (“B” for busi- consider how many days you can www.phuketgazette.net like to get started as soon as pos- ness reasons) obtained from a stay in Thailand. Normally it is sible. Thai consulate. 90 days, but in some cases it can Could you suggest which To get a non-immigrant B be less, or more. visa I should obtain first, and then visa, you will need to prove to At the end of that period, Motorbike license plates explain the next step of applying the consulate staff that you are and assuming you have a mul- for a one-year non-immigrant going to work in Thailand, by tiple-entry visa, you must leave It seems that motorcycles in Teerayuth Prasertphol, Chief visa after I arrive in Thailand? showing them a letter from a Thailand, then return and repeat Bangkok are being issued a new of the Phuket Provincial Trans- That would be most helpful. company in Thailand stating that the process. style of license plates. They are portation Office, responds: John Michael Kiser it plans to hire you, along with If, during the 90 days, you square, bigger and do not have a Initially, only motorbikes GCI Network Solutions the company’s registration docu- can organize the work permit, red line across the middle. registered in Bangkok were is- Alaska ments and other personal docu- company registration or what- I recently moved to Phuket, sued the new-style licence plates, ments or, if you are buying a busi- ever you need in order to work and I have three motobikes to re- but now they are available in the Pol Capt Krissarat Nuesen, ness, the registration papers of or do business, then you will be register. I’d like to have the new- provinces, including Phuket. Deputy Superintendent of the the company you plan to buy. able to apply at the Immigration style number plates. When will The new licence plates are Phuket Provincial Immigra- The consulate will not issue Office for an extension of permit they be available in Phuket? indeed square and bigger. They tion Office, replies: a non-immigrant B visa without of stay (provided that you qualify Also, what has motivated are white with black characters You can enter Thailand two evidence that you are to be em- for an extension). the government to change the showing the full name of the ways: ployed or that you really want to As for permanent resident style of motorbike licence plates? province where the bike is regis- 1. With a tourist visa issued have a business. status, this is difficult to get and John Hamilton tered. This makes it much easier by a Thai consulate. This will If you just want to stay for takes years. Australia to see where a bike is registered. 20 PHUKET GAZETTE FEATURES July 24 - 30, 2004 A new master of the short story

had assumed A Few Short Notes on Horrified by what she sees in the In the title story, the nar- Winton: ugly carpenter left Tropical Butterflies (Viking, New slums of Bombay, she flees in a panic rator is a middle-aged New with daughter by his upper- York, 2003, 274pp) was a light- aboard a wheezing old bus for the refuge York surgeon who marries class psychiatrist wife who Ihearted travel book written by a of a British hill station. An accident in the Maya, an American-born In- has fled to Hong Kong. feckless Brit in the mode of A Short Walk rain strands her on the road. Shortly after- dian brain surgeon 20 years his Blue opens with one of in the Hindu Kush by Eric Newby. ward, Elizabeth experiences an epiphany junior. The complexities of the strangest opening scenes It turns out that author John Murray in the mountains and winds up marrying their relationship are symbol- in modern fiction: a pair of is a medical doctor from Australia and an young Indian man she has just met on ized by their violently oppos- mountaineers reach a sum- this, his first book, is a collection of the bus. ing attitudes toward his grand- Off the mit in the Himalayas and masterful short stories worthy of the All the Rivers in the World is the best father’s legendary butterfly wait for the estranged father young Hemingway. The sentences are of an excellent bunch. Vitek Kerolak trav- collection. SHELF of one of them to catch up. short, the words simple and els from his Maine hardware We’re in a similar nexus By James Eckardt The tale is narrated with there is a heavy use of the store to bring back his fish- in White Flour. An American Murray’s usual fierce atten- conjunction “and”. erman father who has run doctor working with lepers in India mar- tion to detail but is spoiled by a contrived There the similarities away to Key West and is liv- ries an Indian paleontologist, takes her ending. end. The eight stories in this ing with Chika Portini, a back to his family mansion in Raleigh, The concluding story Acts of Mem- volume are delicately toned nurse 20 years his junior but North Carolina, leaves her with three chil- ory, Wisdom of Man, is the longest at 63 – no macho posturing here a veteran of Afghanistan and dren 10 years later and disappears to work pages, and the most warm-hearted and – and involve a sweeping various African hellholes in the slums of Bombay. Fifteen years af- expansive, taking in 40 years of the lives range of characters in wildly through service with Mede- ter that – during a time of riots between of an eccentric Indian family living in diverse settings: Bombay, cins Sans Frontières (MSF). Hindus and Muslims in Bombay – his 26- Iowa City. The story keeps circling back Key West, New York, Ra- Vitek’s two fisherman year-old son Joseph comes to find him. to the summer of 1968 when the actions leigh, Rwanda, Australia, brothers had died at sea when Watson and the Shark is a real-life of two teenage brothers will determine the Himalayas and Iowa he was a child and he is horror story about a refugee camp in the course of the rest of their lives. This City. deathly afraid of water, yet he Rwanda, a meticulous description of how is storytelling in a grand way, switching In the first story, The agrees to go out with his fa- a small team of MSF doctors struggle to in mood from humor to nostalgia to high Hill Station, Elizabeth Dina- ther and Chika for a dawn run make order out of chaos as a marauding drama to elegy. kar, a 40-year-old bacteriologist and sec- in the old man’s new fishing boat. Vitek’s Congolese army swarms over the border. These are some of the best stories ond-generation American from India, sudden, reckless act of self-abnegation The Carpenter Who Looked Like a I’ve read in years, right up there with comes to her parents’ country for the first ends the story on a note of transcendence Boxer may be one of Murray’s early sto- giants like Alice Munro and John time to conduct a workshop on cholera. and reconciliation. ries, set in Australia and derivative of Tim Updike. New WiMP is no longer wimpish

icrosoft has released create “licenses” for copyright ans know as TiVO. I won’t even a beta test version of media files added to your library. mention Windows Media Center Windows Media WiMP9 by default limited Edition (MCE), which makes all MPlayer 10 (WiMP the number of times you could of this one-click simple – it may 10), the new generation of the copy such files regardless of be years before MCE lands on Windows default media player. whether the files were obtained our fair shores. I have never been much of legitimately or not, a function But the big upgrades touted a WiMP fan, but this version just Microsoft calls Digital Rights by Microsoft are the ability to might convert me. Management (DRM). This was synchronize files, playlists and Much is unchanged from the one single “function” that put the like with a greater range of WiMP 9 – the interface and func- me off WiMP entirely. portable devices, and the integra- tions are similar – but WiMP10 Depending on who you talk tion of access to online media looks sleeker, is simpler and to, unlocking WiMP 9’s DRM providers, mainly directed at easier to use, and behind the restrictions requires serious rum- online music stores. scenes it offers a whole lot more. maging around in the player’s These features are not just A word of caution to those settings, or buying a third-party another integrated shopping ex- not familiar with beta versions of codec so you can rip your audio perience; together, they open the programs: they are not for the CDs into MP3 format (something door to services online media faint-heartened. When you install I still heartily recommend be- providers are looking to offer. the WiMP10 beta, the installer cause MP3s can’t have restric- Having DRM switched off by default (third item on the list) is a CinemaNow, MusicNow automatically creates a system tions placed on them) and/or us- big improvement in WMP10. and Napster are gearing them- restore point, just in case you ing other software altogether. selves up to test the waters with want to get rid of the program. I saw no reason to become simple but effective layout chan- tons will get a makeover before plug-ins that load directly into During the installation, an expert in WiMP just to use it, ges. WiMP10’s final release.) WiMP 10, so there will be no WiMP10 asks some questions so I simply used a combination There are fewer buttons and One of the major attractions need to load a separate program that WiMP9 should have, nota- of other free media players that with simpler names – “Rip” in- of WiMP10 is the drop-down to buy music or rent digital mov- bly whether you would like to did the job just as well. Having stead of “Copy from CD” and menus under the Library button ies. It’s a whole new way of buy- DRM switched off by default “Burn” instead of “Copy to CD” that provide easy access to the Li- ing and playing music. makes WiMP 10 a much more at- – akin to other popular media brary with files presorted by, for Napster is considering a tractive option. players, making WiMP10 easier example, artist, album and genre, monthly subscription service that When the WiMP10 finally for newcomers to use. making it very easy to launch any would allow people offline ac- launches, the first things regular The sillier – sorry, “power- media file in the library quickly. cess to any of its 700,000 songs, WiMP users will notice is the user preferred” – buttons (Skin The new library layout of- allowing them to download mu- sleeker skin, with chooser, Media fers quick, easy access to all sic (and videos) to a portable de- the menu bar set KHUN WOODY’S Guide and Pre- forms of media files, including vice. The songs will be “locked” to Autohide by mium Services) recorded TV shows and other if the subscription is not renewed. default, and with are no longer in online content. Sadly, it will be Imagine never again regret- the left-hand COMPUTER yer face. They some time before these functions ting that you have bought the taskbar now on have been buried will be needed by the common modern equivalent of Wham!’s top – all moves for the better. beneath the main screen, where user on Phuket, especially if the Make it Big. Yes indeed, The new layout provides they belong, but still only one or current Internet connection rates WiMP10 is looking good. more lateral space for scanning two clicks away. aren’t improved soon. through the media library and the Ripping and Burning are It will be even longer before Woody Leonhard has written a ridiculous number of information one-click simple, but some of the we in Thailand get the ability to number of books in the “...for columns found to the right of the second-level buttons look con- record TV shows directly, the Dummies” series on computing. main screen in WiMP9 has been fusingly similar to each other. “Personal Digital Recorder” fea- Readers can contact him at: replaced with the Playlist. All (There’s a rumor that these but- ture that Americans and Europe- [email protected] July 24 - 30, 2004 B U S I N E S S & MONEY PHUKET GAZETTE 21 Korean giant enters Phuket IT market

By Gategaeo Phetsawang Information and Communica- Yong-Kyung Lee, President ing with Thailand, and if it’s suc- demand for ADSL in Phuket, it’s tions Technology (ICT) Min- & CEO of KT Corp, said, “It’s cessful, we expect to work to- not that easy to provide because PHUKET: South Korea’s largest istry’s push to make Phuket an important to have the participa- gether more in the future.” it needs a large amount of fund- fixed-line telecommunications “ICT City”. tion of the private sector in this Jetsak Bunsuya, Vice-Pres- ing,” he said. provider, KT Corp, has entered Speaking at the official kind of project. ident of the TOT’s Southern Re- K. Jetsak also said that the Thai IT market with a 98-mil- launch on July 14, Aran Permpi- “In Korea, the govern- gion Operations Department, KT’s involvement will initially lion-baht deal to install 5,000 boon, Senior Executive Vice- ment’s contribution is mainly [in said that the TOT plans to have be restricted to installing and ADSL ports, providing broad- President and Acting President of the form of] the promotion of 200,000 ADSL ports around the operating broadband services. band Internet access, in Phuket. TOT, said, “We will be install- broadband uses and access to the country by the end of the year, Whether it will join the ranks of The contract is part of ing 5,000 ADSL ports and an Internet backbone, but we need with Phuket being the first prov- Loxinfo, KSC and CAT as an TOT’s expansion of Internet ser- additional 19,530 telephone participation from the private ince to be upgraded. Internet Service Provider (ISP) is vices, a key component of the numbers. With Phuket as a tour- sector as well.” “The ICT Ministry plans to still under negotiation. ist destination and the variety of Mr Lee explained that KT’s have a million ADSL ports in- “We expect them to be an On the Move businesses here, this project will entry into the Thai IT market is stalled in Thailand by the end of ISP for broadband Internet access boost the local economy by at part of the company’s push into 2005,” he said, adding that it is in Thailand because they have a Kunthari Sangchat, from Bang- least 15%.” other markets abroad. “We have expected that half of the ports lot of experience and are experts kok, is the new Director of He said that the improved incorporated companies in Rus- will be provided by TOT and the in this technology,” he said. “KT Events at the ADSL services will also aid the sia, China, Japan and the US and other half by the Communica- offers solutions and applications JW Marriott development of services that are have also contacted officers [to tions Authority of Thailand for broadband access. However, Phuket Resort not directly dependent on Inter- set up operations] in India and (CAT), though the deal has yet we are still discussing whether & Spa. She net services, such as medical Vietnam,” Mr Lee explained. to be confirmed. they will be [able to go into busi- graduated from treatment and e-education. “We have just started work- “Although there is a large ness as] an ISP or not.” the University of Houston with a master’s de- gree in hospital- ity manage- Top of the class in equity funds ment. Before joining JW Mar- riott, K. Kunthari was Project oes the name Orbis In- joys the same reputation Funds but, while the under- Manager at Creative Destination vestment Manage among investment profes- MONEY lying equity funds may out- Management in Bangkok for ment Ltd mean any sionals. perform their respective three years. She has also worked Dthing to you? Probably In 1988, he and his benchmark indices, they may as Assistant Director of MICE not, but if you are an investor son William – now Presi- TALKS still lose money in an abso- Sales and Services at the Inter- maybe you should spend a little dent of the Orbis Group – lute sense. continental Hotel Bangkok, for- time acquainting yourself with opened a global investment By Richard Watson The Orbis Optimal merly Le Royal Meridien Bang- what this firm offers and the in- advisory firm in London. Fund seeks an absolute re- kok. vestment returns they have This was followed in 1989 turn using two strategies. achieved in the past. by the formation of Bermuda- Apart from an annual man- First, it sells stock market index Panya Thosaunchit, 43, from Orbis have an outstanding based Orbis Investment Manage- agement fee there are no charges. futures and buys stock market Nakhon Phanom, has been ap- track record, not just during the ment, which launched its first The funds all deal weekly on index put options. pointed Execu- bull market of the 1990s but also three funds on January 1, 1990. Thursdays. The performance that was tive Corporate in the current bear market, which These funds are: the Orbis The bad news is that the referred to earlier in this article, Thai Chef at began in 2000. Global Equity Fund, which from minimum investment is US$ the fund achieving a third-place The Aspasia Orbis is an equity house inception has produced an annu- 50,000, or foreign currency rating out of 489 funds, was also Phuket, at Kata that also has two equity-based alized return of 14.2% in US equivalent (around 2 million accompanied by a lower volatil- Beach. K. Pan- “absolute return” funds. The Dollars, more than double the baht). However, by using off- ity factor than the two higher- ya has more available fund selection menu is Financial Times (FTSE) World shore insurance companies that placed funds. than 10 years’ small, consisting of just five Index return of 6.3% over the already have large investments The top-rated fund, in fact, experience in funds, although some of these same period; the Orbis Optimal with Orbis, this amount can be was ahead of Orbis’ by less than the hospitality industry, includ- funds are available in different Fund; and the Orbis Leveraged reduced substantially. four percentage points over a ing working at the Mai Ton Is- currency classes. They have one Fund. The “core” fund in the glo- three-year period and that was land Resort and the Cape Panwa important thing in common – su- The Optimal and Lever- bal range, the Orbis Global Eq- accompanied by 160% more Hotel. Before joining The perior investment performance. aged Funds have returned 12.7% uity Fund, has a distinctive in- volatility – that’s the difference Aspasia Phuket he was Corporate And that’s what really counts. and 17.2% respectively from vestment approach. It is invested between a good night’s sleep and Thai Chef at the Banyan Tree First for some history. The January 1990 to July 2004, far in shares of companies that trade chewing the blankets. Phuket. founder and chairman of Orbis is outperforming the average global at a significant discount com- The Orbis Optimal Fund Allan Gray. He started his invest- equity fund (5.1%), US$ bank pared with the assessed “intrin- returned 75.7% compared with a Briton Stephen Richards, 29, ment career with US investment deposits (4.8%) and the average sic value” of the business. loss in the S&P Global 1200 In- has joined Property Care Ser- giant Fidelity in Boston in 1965. US Bond Fund (5.9%). Orbis believes the share dex of 2.8% during this period. vices (Thailand) Ltd as Branch By the end of his time with Fi- Global rating agency Stan- prices of such companies will The average fund lost 3.9%. Manager. Mr delity, in 1973, he was respon- dard & Poor’s (S&P) has award- eventually appreciate to reflect The Orbis Leveraged Fund Richards grad- sible for the Fidelity Capital ed the Orbis Global Equity Fund their real intrinsic business value. is identical to the Orbis Optimal uated from Fund, which had over US$500 a “AAA” rating, its highest. Also, Orbis are patient in- Fund, in which it solely invests, Bournemouth million under management at the I noted a “snapshot” of Or- vestors, prepared to wait three to except that for each dollar of in- University with time he left. bis investment performance dur- five years. vestors’ capital it borrows and a degree in bus- Gray then emigrated to ing the recent bear market, cov- They are well aware of the invests another dollar. These iness and mar- South Africa and, in 1974, form- ered a three-year period from difficulties that can be experi- funds are also available in euros. keting. Before ed Allan Gray Ltd. In South Af- May 1, 2001 to May 3, 2004. Of enced investing in stock markets For investors who want moving to Phu- rica, Gray has become an invest- 489 funds in S&P’s Offshore when substantial declines occur. some exposure to equities in their ket, he worked for Yellow Pages ment legend. There is no other Equity Funds, the Orbis Optimal This is the reason for the Orbis portfolio it is going to be diffi- in the UK as a Product Manager. asset management house that en- Fund was third and the Orbis Optimal Fund. This fund invests cult, if not impossible, to find an Global Equity Fund was 13th. in the Orbis Global Equity, Af- investment house that can beat VITAL STATISTICS: AIRPORT THROUGHPUT LEAPS Orbis’ two new funds have rica Equity and Japan Equity Orbis. May 2003 May 2004 % increase not been laggards either. The Orbis Japan Equity Yen Fund has PHUKET INTERNATIONAL Passengers returned 12.8% a year on an an- WOMEN’S CLUB International 31,806 129,449 307 nualized basis from its inception Join us...to give Phuket’s children the chance Domestic 120,140 185,466 54 in 1998, compared with the TOPIX total return index of for a better future. Total 151,946 314,915 107 0.4%. Cargo (tons) Come along to one of our monthly luncheons. New members and donations welcome. The Orbis Africa Equity PIWC is a social and charitable club for women of all nationalities who International 488 789 62 Fund, denominated in South Af- meet regularly and raise money for the education of needy children on Phuket. 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890 Domestic 664 684 3 rican Rand, has produced a return of 34.3% a year compared with Contact: Linda on 01-8937749, Joan on 01-0814611 Total 1,152 1,473 28 or Sii on 076-236550. Fax: 076-236542. the FTSE/JSE Africa all-share E-mail: [email protected] Source: Phuket International Airport index return of 9.8%. 22 PHUKET GAZETTE S P O R T July 24 - 30, 2004 Loch Palm’s new holes: what you see and what you don’t

och Palm’s three new player drives, the more the fair- create contours that would allow holes are my third golf- way is pinched between bunkers us eventually to screen off the design project that I and creek. This was to allow road and surrounding land, and Lhave seen completed to short-hitters the chance to get also allow us to focus golfers’ grass. Altogether my experience over the cross hazard in two shots attention back toward the course adds up to a total of 26 holes; while enticing long-hitters to risk center rather than out of the prop- hardly anything to worry Jack getting on the green in two. erty, as would have been the case Nicklaus or R T Jones. What you don’t see: Most with the existing contours. This brief journey has al- modern golf courses are the re- Hole 15. What you see: A 385- lowed me to learn some valuable sult of landowners wanting to yard par 4 that turns gently from lessons in golf-course design and profit from property sales. This right to left. This is a difficult construction. With all three holes idea may be criticized, but the re- Moo 10 A try once again to get past Island Safari keeper Narupon hole that helps build a testing fin- there were a million things go- ality is that if Phuket’s golf Saetan (in red). This header went over the bar. ish to the course. Again, this im- ing on that affect the holes that courses were built purely for proves the general balance of the the golfer will never “stand alone” profit, course. Previously, Loch Palm’s know about. there would be only first nine par 4s all dog-legged Safari hold tough Darry Koster, one or two courses to the right. the first Superinten- on the island. What you don’t see: This is dent at Blue Canyon The low-lying TEE TO the third version of this hole. The opponents to draw – and one of the land on which the original par-5 7th green was for- world’s best golf new 11th has been merly in almost exactly the same CHALONG: Island Safari held 40 teams competing in four divi- course construction GREEN built has far less real location. This hole was a Dr Su- Group B rivals Moo 10 A to a sions: under-11s; under-13s; un- and “grow-in” spe- Jon Morrow estate value than the kitti-signature-drivable, double scoreless draw in a July 18 der-19s; and an open category. cialists – sent me a land used on the dog-leg par 5 reminiscent of Phu- match-up in 7th Chalong Sam- In the open category, which message when he heard I was tak- “old” 11th hole, which offered ket Country Club’s 10th hole, ex- phan seven-a-side soccer tourna- features 18 sides in four groups, ing a new turn in my career. great views of Crystal Lake. cept that most shots on the Loch ment, which runs from July 11 Island Safari and Moo 10 A have “Don’t let the -ups get to The new hole also creates **** Palm hole were blind. to August 1. All matches are both been vying for supremacy you.” he said. “They happen on a better balance to the course and played at the makeshift soccer in Group B, a tough quartet that every project.” a second genuine par 5 on the Holes 11 and 15. What you see: pitch next to the Chalong Water also includes former champions “Well, they won’t happen back nine holes, while the 459- Fairways generally higher than Supply Office in Village 6. Moo 1 and the Chalong Sanita- th with my projects,” I thought. So, yard “pseudo-par 5” 14 now re- necessary above the surrounding The tourney has a total of tion side. th did we have ****-ups? You bet verts to the long par 4 its yard- roughs, with the 11 fairway In previous Group B play, we did. age suggests. dropping in a series of hollows Island Safari upset Moo 1 by a But the only thing that mat- and ridges. Green 11: What you see: A dif- Happy Days score of 2-1 and swept past ters is the final product. So, as On both holes the creek ficult three-level green. Chalong Sanitation 3-0. In its Loch Palm prepares to “open” the edge is sometimes a little too What you don’t see: An tipped for title only previous match, Moo 10 A new holes, I’d like to offer a de- high, so some features are not even more difficult two-level also brushed aside Chalong Sani- scription of them. Hopefully it ideally visible. Some bunkers are green. Yes, we made a major sur- PATONG: Happy Days seemed tation, 5-0. will be more interesting for golf- also not as deep as we would like. veying mistake here. Laugh your headed for its first-ever champi- In its confrontation with Is- ers to know the thoughts behind What you don’t see: A layer socks off, Koster! The green was onship in the Patong Darts land Safari, Moo 10 A went on the planning and some of the be- of groundwater underlying the eventually re-worked as it prob- League as players flexed their the offensive early. Just two min- hind-the-scenes construction is- entire site. As soon as we exca- ably would have putted as diffi- elbows in preparation for the July utes into play, Wichit Boonchuai sues they would otherwise never vated as little as 70-80 centime- cultly as any green on the island. 20 final round. narrowly missed with a shot that know about. ters, we encountered consistent, On July 13 the boys from sailed over the crossbar. Hole 14. What you see: A “drop high volumes of running ground Soi Patong Resort took over first Despite repeated attacks, Hole 11. What you see: A par-5 shot” par 3 of 170 yards played water. place by winning all three points Moo 10 A were unable to get past of 520 yards from the pro tee, but from tees as much as 18 meters Golf can be played above in a 7-2 match at home against the solid goalkeeping of Safari’s with shorter tees spaced at closer above what is virtually an island this ground water, but a layer of Shakers. Narupon Saetan, who success- intervals than standard. The hole green surrounded by lake, steep- not less than one meter is re- Meanwhile, In-Between – fully kept Moo 10 A scoreless was redesigned to reduce the sided mounds and deep bunkers. quired for drainage and irrigation level with Happy Days after the despite being awarded five cor- number of sliced drives landing What you don’t see: A pipes, as well as a sand layer to July 6 matches – failed to keep ners in the first half and six more in the creek or out of bounds on green site that was previously ensure well-drained turf. the pace, losing all three points in the second. the road, which will soon be hid- almost a dead flat swamp, at an to a resurgent Amigos side. In the end, both sides walk- den behind newly planted trees. elevation a little lower than the Jon Morrow is a golf course de- Theoretically, in matches ed away with one point apiece The narrow golf corridor existing green level. sign and construction consultant. due on Tuesday, after this issue from the 0-0 draw, enough to se- was based on a plan that included Although a lot of earth was Tel: 01-7284492. Email: of the Gazette went to press, In cure both of them a place in the sites for housing. The longer the moved here, it was necessary to [email protected] Between had the chance of draw- semifinals. ing level again provided it won Other July 18 first round all three points against Shakers, results: Group A: Moo 6 A 2, and provided Happy Days were Moo 7 A 1; Group C: OrBorTor blitzed 3-0 by Piccadilly. Any Moo 5 Nakok 1, OrBorJor Phu- other result, and the players of ket 0; Group D: Moo 9 4, Tam- Happy Days are champions. ruaj B July 24 - 30, 2004 SP O R T & L E I S U R E PHUKET GAZETTE 23 WBC champ Pongsaklek may punch in Phuket By Anongnat Sartpisut would compete for Pongsaklek’s belt in the flyweight class, where PHUKET: World Boxing Coun- the maximum weight is just 50.8 cil flyweight champion Pongsak- kilograms. Pongsaklek, a hard- lek Wonjongkam may feature in punching southpaw, goes by the an exciting week of international Thai fighting name Pongsaklek boxing this October – if Phuket Kratingdaenggym to indicate his province can come up with the 3 sponsorship by the popular caf- million baht needed to host the feine drink. He won the title in 42nd annual WBC Champion- March 2001 and his last defense ships. was in January this year. Phuket is being considered Pol Gen Kovid Bhakdibhu- to host the tourney, which will mi, President of the Asian Box- feature over 500 pugilists repre- ing Council, said that the tourna- senting 16 different countries and ment will cost 6-8 million baht. 10 sanctioning bodies that come If Phuket can come up with 3 together under the WBC um- million baht, it could host the brella. event and thereby raise its inter- If the plan goes through, national stature. Phuket Arcadia Beach Resort According to the plan, the will host the boxers, and fights WBC Championships would be would take place at a ring set up held in conjunction with the on the soccer pitch at Karon Mu- Asian Boxing Championship and nicipal Stadium on October 3-9. World Youth Championships, It is not yet known who scheduled for October 8. Somtam Express wins inaugural race week

AO CHALONG: Winds gusting of Richard Grimes on Yendys. up to 15 knots on July 17 ensured Stuart Crow and his crew an exciting finish to the first on Cinders won Club class, ahead Phuket Race Week, with Somtam of fellow Ao Chalong Yacht Club Express taking victory in the rac- regular Al Boone on Blue Moon. ing class of the inaugural regatta. John Fenn on Four Winds came After putting in a near-per- third, relegating Bobby Golding fect sail, Scott Duncanson’s crew on Forest to fourth. sped away to cross the line in In the Multihulls class, front of racing class rivals Stuart Ceberus, skippered by Mark Harrison’s Panic!, which started Prescott, had amassed enough the final race on equal points with points to claim first before the Express, and Keith Moore’s Pla final race. Chris Sieber on Kilo Loma coming third. came second, while “Matthew Mick Kealy’s Minx took top and Kids” on Chimera came honors in the IRC class, with third. John Vause’s Ruby Tuesday fin- Sponsor Fosters has already ishing second. Viroj Nualkhair announced its support for next on Octopussy came third, ahead year’s Phuket Race Week. 24 PHUKET GAZETTE M O T O R I N G July 24 - 30, 2004 Honda Jazz – a model of efficiency neat little runabout that is finding popular- ity in the Thai market Ais Honda’s compact Jazz i-DSI. An example of the Japanese love of initials, i-DSI refers to the twin-plug set-up, or Dual Sequential Ignition. What this means in real terms is greater fuel economy and more lively performance from a modest 1.4-liter motor. It is also one of the least-polluting engines in its class, conforming fully with European emissions standards that will take effect this year. The Jazz has already taken its own domestic market by storm, winning the Japanese Car of the Year award and consis- tently coming in as the No 1 seller, ahead even of the ubiqui- tous Toyota Corolla. The Jazz is also one of the safest cars of its size, and is ex- pected to achieve a remarkable four stars in the stringent Euro NCAP crash tests. This is accord- ing to Honda, of course, as the Jazz has yet to appear on the Euro NCAP listings Uniquely, the fuel tank of the Jazz is located beneath the front seats, where it is fully pro- tected in the event of an accident. This arrangement also offers much more flexible packaging of the passenger and load areas. In The Honda Jazz i-DSI is already the best-selling car in Japan. With rising oil prices, expect to see more of these cute compacts addition, a torsion-bar rear sus- on Phuket roads, as they achieve an impressive balance between perfomance and fuel efficiency. pension allows for a lower rear floor. The 1.4-liter engine is all posite one another. Honda claims power steering, which does not produce sufficient power for In addition there is a host new and whereas the i-VTEC en- outstanding fuel economy of 5.7 sap engine power as a hydraulic larger cars, SUVs or commercial of safety features rarely found on gines in the larger Stream and liters per 100 kilometers, yet the system would. Electric power applications. cars in this segment, including a Civic models have been designed power produced reaches a very steering (EPS) arrived on Euro- Honda waxes lyrical in its number of innovative protection to achieve a balance between per- respectable 82bhp (60kW) at pean and Japanese cars in the sales blurb about how the styl- items such as an unobstructed formance and fuel efficiency, the 5,700rpm, with 119Nm of torque early 1990s, dis- ing is based on a area beneath the hood to allow it single overhead cam i-DSI unit produced at just 2,800rpm. pensing with the design concept to progressively deform, and in the Jazz pursues the ultimate The power plant is mated to need for engine- called zenshin, mounting brackets and hinges in fuel economy and compact a five-speed manual gearbox, driven hydraulic meaning new, pro- that compress under impact. The size. though in some markets a seven- assistance. gressive and inte- windshield wipers too are clev- Low emissions and amaz- speed semi-automatic transmis- It is claimed grated. erly mounted on energy-absorb- ing efficiency are achieved by sion will be introduced. that EPS can offer In reality, ing pivots. providing each cylinder with a Among the standard equip- a fuel consump- BEHIND what it means is There are dual front air- pair of spark plugs mounted op- ment is electric, speed-sensitive tion saving of up THE that the Jazz is a bags, side bags on the sport to 0.2 liters per ki- cleverly packaged model and front seatbelt pre- lometer, which is WHEEL compact sedan tensioners across the range. In the the equivalent of By Jeff Heselwood with great fuel rear, all three belts are three-point reducing the ve- economy. Already, and a center headrest is available hicle’s overall there are plenty of as an option. weight by up to 100 kilos. these nifty little cars around In all, the Jazz i-DSI is a It is also eco-friendly as Phuket and it is easy to see why: great little motor car. No wonder there are no toxic fluids to dis- the level of standard features is it is finding favor in the Thai pose of at the end of the vehicle’s remarkably high considering just market. life. how small and relatively inex- Unfortunately, the current pensive the Jazz is, starting at Jeff Heselwood may be contacted range of EPS systems does not about 540,000 baht in Phuket. by email at [email protected]. July 24 - 30, 2004 G O O D L I V I N G PHUKET GAZETTE 25 Magnetic attraction Guestchef By Jenna Wise

fter spending most of 100 gm total weight of Gorgon- his working life cook- zola, Pecorino, Parmesan and ing at his family’s res- Emmental cheeses; Ataurant in Milan, as 6 small gherkins; well as six years working as a 1 tablespoon pickled aubergines; chef in Cuba, Walter Fallini was 6 anchovies. ready for a change. Like many others in busi- Method: ness here, he had already visited Arrange the ingredients on a Phuket on vacation and liked it large plate and serve. Walter sug- so much he wanted to live here. gests experimenting with differ- “I was tired of Milan,” he ent selections of cold meats, explains. “Mediterranean-style cheeses and pickles. At La Cala- cooking is popular with many mita, guests can choose from people, so I thought I would bring three servings sizes. The largest my skills here. Although our fam- plate, for three people, costs 850 ily restaurant is in Milan, my baht and comes with a half-liter mother comes from Sicily and I of house wine. learned a lot from her. “The name of my restaurant is La Calamita, which is Italian for “mag- net”, and I hope people are drawn here by the good food and atmosphere.” Walter does most of the food preparation at La Calamita, aided by Nitirat “Saw” Pongsit. One of his specialties is lasagna. The Above, Walter Fallini method is a little more with waitress Kessuda time-consuming than “Ning” Nawee (left) most, but the results are and cook Nitirat “Saw” Pongsit. Left, well worth the effort. lasagna; right, anti- “The lasagna should pasto. be firm when cooked,” Walter advises. “Mine is made with eight layers and I don’t add the sauces until the fourth layer. If you put sauce in further down, there will be too much liquid in Lasagna 5-cm piece of celery stalk, chop- the lasagna.” For 2 people (generous ped fine; portions) 1 garlic clove, crushed; Antipasto 50 gm fresh tomatoes, chopped; For 2 people Ingredients: 1 fresh basil leaf; About 20-25 pieces of lasagna 1 fresh sage leaf; ed, add the tomatoes, herbs, red this is covered with béchamel Ingredients: pasta; 1 teaspoon fresh oregano; wine, a pinch of sugar, and salt sauce. Put a layer of ragout 200 gm total weight of Parma 200 gm minced beef; 1 teaspoon fresh thyme; and pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce on top of this and cover ham, Raw beef, coppa (cured ¼ large carrot, chopped fine; 10 ml red wine; ragout for about 1½ hours. with pasta. Spread béchamel pork shoulder); ¼ small onion, chopped fine; A pinch of sugar; While this is cooking, pre- sauce over and cover this with Salt and pepper to taste; pare the pasta and béchamel ragout. Sprinkle with grated 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; sauce. Boil the pasta for about 5 Parmesan to finish. 10 gm diced cooked ham; minutes then remove from the Preheat an oven to 200ºC 10 gm diced mozzarella cheese. water. Dip the sheets into cold and bake the lasagna for 40 min- water for a few seconds, then utes. This dish is so filling that a To make the béchamel sauce: cover to dry. small side salad and good red 20 gm flour; To make the béchamel wine will be enough to accom- 200 ml milk; sauce, heat the butter gently in a pany it. 20 gm butter; pan and gradually stir in the milk 10 gm ground walnuts. and flour. As the sauce begins to La Calamita Restaurant and Pub, The recipe are requires a baking simmer, add the ground walnuts. 26/1 Wiset Rd, Rawai. Tel: 07- dish 20cm x 10cm, and at least Stir the sauce for another minute 2805323. Open daily, except 10cm deep. or so and remove from the heat. Wednesdays, for lunch from noon To assemble the lasagna, to 2 pm and for dinner from 5:30 Method: oil the baking dish, then cover pm to 10:30 pm. Fry the chopped onion and gar- the base a layer of pasta sheets. If you have a recipe you lic for about a minute. Add the Add a thin layer of mixed would like to share with our celery and carrot, stirring well. cooked ham, mozzarella and readers, please email chef@ After another minute, add the grated Parmesan. Another layer phuketgazette.net. meat. When the meat has brown- of pasta goes on top of these and 26 PHUKET GAZETTE PROPERTY July 24 - 30, 2004

he 100-million-baht Pruerksachart Lake- view project at Land T & Houses Park is 40% Lakeview homes set for built and is on schedule for completion by March next year. Ruksapong Khumkhuan- jum, General Manager of Land & Houses Park said, “We recog- March 2005 completion nized that there is a boom in de- mand for homes with water or The most basic design, mountain views, in the 10-15- Pruerk Pirom, with prices start- million-baht price range. So we ing from 10.5 million baht, fea- launched Pruerksachart Lake- tures three bedrooms, three bath- view, with the lake as one of its rooms and 298 square meters of main selling points.” floor space, with a double garage. Prices for homes at the new The Pruerk Lawan design, development range from 10.5 starting at 11.85 million baht, has million baht to 16 million baht an extra bathroom and offers per unit, K. Ruksapong said, and 348sqm of floor space. four units have already been sold. The top-of-the-range de- Pruerksachart Lakeview sign, Pruerk Umpai, starting from will eventually have 27 two-story 13.69 million baht, has 382sqm units of modern design, but also of floor space, with four bed- incorporating the southern Thai rooms, four bathrooms and a design concept of good ventila- double garage. tion to keep the house cool, all K. Ruksapong said, “Our set by a lake and offering a re- primary target market is foreign- sort-like atmosphere. Each will ers and upper-income-bracket stand on a quarter-rai plot of land. Phuket residents. Each house will

Above, the four-bedroom Pruerk Umpai design, selling at 13.69 million baht upward. Left, the 10,5-million-plkus Pruerk Pirom design, with three bedrooms. be furnished in the “Baan Sabai” the use of Q-Con blocks to build fire for as long as four hours,” concept, which has the following the walls. said K. Raksapong. main themes: nature, leisure, and “They provide thermal in- privacy and security.” sulation to keep the house cool, For more information contact He also said that built-in and also act as an acoustic bar- Land and Houses Park at Tel: features add to the quality of the rier, blocking sound of up to 38 076-381150-2 or send email to: homes. decibels. They can also contain [email protected]. “For example, thermal-re- flection sheeting under the roof helps keep the house cool, and underground pipes have been in- stalled so termite protection can Better not hide continue without having to drill holes in the floor.” isiting a friend at his The reason for his irritation Another quality aspect in- new house just outside was that the bedroom floorboards cluded in the homes, he said, is Pattaya, I was witness had clearly been laid straight, but Vto a conversation be- when the workers had reached tween him and the developer, a the far side of the room, they Need to find pleasant lady with lots of make- found that there was a two-inch up, a puffy hairdo and wearing gap between the last board and a telephone enough gold to pay for half a the wall. dozen of the houses that she was “I know,” she announced number on Phi Phi? building. triumphantly. “We can start lay- See After minutes of studying ing the wood from the wall that the wall and the floor, the lady is not straight, and also from the phiphi-businesses.com said, “The wall’s not straight.” side where the wall is straight, for complete “I told you that before,” my then the problem will come when friend said to her flatly. “I could the two sides meet in the middle, listings. see that when they started build- which will be – under the bed!” ing the wall.” It seemed that my friend July 24 - 30, 2004 PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 27

Home of the Week Chalong Space and light in Chalong

vailable for sale with freehold Chanote title is a brand-new residence facing the hills around Chalong. This attractive property Ahas been built to high standards to provide spacious, light, well-thought-out accommodation. A wall encloses the 800sqm of landscaped grounds, which include a large terrace and a 10-meter swimming pool. The house covers over 450sqm yet there is still ample outdoor space around it. The front terrace leads to the main entrance and hallway of the house, which has wooden floors. The open-plan living and dining areas are extensive, and there is a separate fitted kitchen with all the neces- sary appliances. The wooden staircase leads to the master bed- room, with en-suite bathroom and Jacuzzi and a bal- cony overlooking the front of the house. There are two other double bedrooms, each with en-suite bath- rooms. All bedrooms enjoy views of the hills. The property is priced at 14 million baht.

For more information, call Rudi at Tel: 076-345081 or 01-9241447 or send email to him at info@ houseandvillasalesphuket.com mistakes under the bed didn’t have a lot of options. He developer’s expense, anyway. have difficulty with some aspects had already paid half the money This kind of problem is not of Thai culture, so do some for the house and stood no chance uncommon. Unfortunately, many Thais, too, have difficulty under- of getting it back. Apart from the developers with experience in standing Western thinking. But crooked wall, the new windows building houses for the local when millions of baht are at wouldn’t close properly. There market are not prepared to hire a stake, it is wise to use a consult- was a yawning gap project manager ant who understands what the po- at the top of the with experience in tential customer or homebuyer front door, and the international mar- needs. Unfortunately this rarely cupboards above PROPERTY kets to oversee the happens. Often, the result is a di- the kitchen counter & design and con- saster for either the developer or were so low that HOMEZONE struction of houses the buyer. you hit your head if By Graham Doven intended for for- It is critical that a potential the door was open. eign owners. buyer in a new project check These were just a few of the This is probably okay for whether there is someone with reasons my friend would have the lower end of the market – experience in building high-qual- liked to get his money back. That, though even there, a reasonable ity homes for the international of course, was not about to hap- kitchen is still necessary. Many market overseeing the construc- If an event isn’t listed in the Gazette’s Events Calendar pen. So hiding the problem un- Thais do not use kitchens, pre- tion process from beginning to it probably isn’t one. der the bed was preferable to re- ferring instead to cook outside, end. This is especially true when building the front wall of the so most older Thai houses sim- overseeing the finishes. List your event now - It’s free of charge. house, which also wasn’t going ply do not have kitchens. Otherwise, you might have phuketgazette.com/calendar to happen – not at the lady Just as many foreigners to buy a wider bed. 28 PHUKET GAZETTE PROPERTY July 24 - 30, 2004

Gardening with Bloomin’ Bert Construction Update Six of the best Bali style about to s some of you may a low-growing variety called come to Bang Tao well be aware, my Buddha’s belly, with swollen schooldays were parts between the sections that A spent in Yorkshire, look like – you’ve guessed it – England, in the dim and distant the midriff on a Chinese Buddha days of the ’70s. I was a bit of a image. bad lad furtively inhaling tobacco Some of the common bam- smoke with my equally rebellious boo varieties that grow in Thai- mates. land tend to be massive, so in an I didn’t exactly walk down average-size garden, they’re not the school corridors with a lit a particularly good idea. Even in cigarette in hand, but perhaps I a huge garden, they can be a bit might have done had it not been of a pain, as they continually drop for one very effective deterrent their leaves. Being in the vicin- – the cane. It was a standard three ity of these things is like living strokes on each hand for the autumn every day. crime of smoking in school. The I suppose that if you have a deterrent worked – I somehow garden that big you’d probably never actually got caned. The very versatile bamboo be able to afford to pay somebody The perfect place for a rubber duck: Every villa will have a pool. In all those years of avoid- comes in many different colors, to pick up the leaves anyway. ing corporal punishment by shapes and sizes. Believe it or not, the taller mem- whatever means possible, I never Photo by Alasdair Forbes bers of the bamboo family can BANG TAO: Hong Kong entre- sold, he said. These pool villas, thought about where the imple- reach heights of up to 35 meters. preneur Gordon Oldham, owner each 665 square meters in area, ment itself actually came from. get repainted without those huge There are a few smaller of the Bali Pavilions resort in are offered at 17.5 million baht. Canes of all varieties come origi- bamboo poles that are literally types of bamboo that are a little Bali, is developing a similar villa- The one-bedroom pool vil- nally from the bamboo tree. just tied together? Bamboo, bear- more sensible. These are daintier style hotel in Phuket, at a cost of las, which will comprise the Apart from producing in- ing in mind its relatively low than their over-sized cousins, and 250 million baht. project’s hotel, will be offered to struments to inflict physical pain weight, has to be one of the stron- while they have the same hollow, The project, the Phuket Pa- guests at US$250 to US$350 a on the pre-’90s youth of the UK, gest woods in existence. woody stems, they’re nowhere vilions Hotel, will comprise 30 night. the bamboo tree has an incred- There are hundreds of vari- near as in-your-face, and are contemporary Balinese-style vil- Mr Barnett explained that ible number of other uses. No eties of bamboo. There are a few much less likely to try to take las offering impressive views of Phuket Pavilions would differ gardener would survive without genera (a technical name for a over the garden. There’s even a Bang Tao Bay. from other hotels in the Bang a supply of bamboo canes to sup- large family), but ultimately, they miniature type that you can grow Bill Barnett, Managing Di- Tao area in that it won’t offer port young saplings, and how else are all officially types of grass. in a pot. rector of C9 Hotelworks, which many restaurants or other such would pandas survive? There are types with green and All bamboo needs to grow has been hired to assist, told the guest facilities, but will focus on Also, how else would the yellow stripes, but most are green is a bit of shade, reasonably rich Gazette, “The concept of Phuket highly personalized services in outside of large Phuket buildings or golden-colored. There’s even soil, and plenty of humidity. In Pavilions is to combine hotel and the villa and private swimming other words, as long as you don’t residential villas together in a pools, which remain one of the plant it in sand with no respite single resort. most desirable items for hotel from the sun, it will be quite con- “There will be a total of 30 guests. tent to get on with the business villas. Twenty-one of these will The project’s target markets of growing. be one-bedroom hotel pool vil- are Hong Kong, where interest in You probably wouldn’t be las. The other nine will be three- the Phuket property market re- aware of this, but bamboo does bedroom residential villas.” mains very strong, along with intermittently produce flowers. The project started in May Singapore, Bangkok and Europe. They’re somewhat insignificant, and is scheduled for completion Mr Oldham is also planning half-hidden among the foliage. by May next year. projects in Koh Samui and Krabi They’re probably produced out “The key selling point is and is expected to build the Pa- of boredom – how interesting can the location. We recognize that vilions Private Villas concept it be being a bamboo plant? Bang Tao and Laguna are the pre- into a boutique chain. Now that political correct- mier resort and residential areas – Anongnat Sartpisut ness has taken firm hold in Brit- of the island. The Bang Tao prop- ish schools, the traditional cane erty market, and in particular the For further information about is no longer required. Never mind Layan area, is booming,” said Mr Phuket Pavilions Hotel, visit the – there are hundreds more uses Barnett. Website at: www.phuketpavilions. for bamboo that haven’t even Six of the nine three-bed- com or send an email to: sales@ been thought of yet. room villas have already been phuketpavilions. July 24 - 30, 2004 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 29 Property Gazette

CHERNG TALAY LAND KOH LANTA Properties 520 sqm of land in a quiet Land for sale on Koh Lanta For Sale area of Cherng Talay - 2km (Krabi): 17 rai with Nor Sor 3 from Laguna - with Chanote Kor documents and 100 title, 12m well and 2m wall for meters of beachfront. 23 sale at 980,000 baht. Call for million baht. Contact for PANWA SEAVIEW details. Tel: 01-7879701. more info. Tel: 01-8915296. LAND Email: hkthomesale18@ PROPERTIES yahoo.com available. Houses, apartments and rooms all over Phuket Is- SEAVIEW LAND land found to your require- Fenced 305 sq wah at Boh ments and specification for Rae, Ao Makham, 60m to sea. sale and rent. Please call or House plans available with email for details. Tel: 07-894- building permit. Price: 6 mil- 7406. Email: info@ phuket- lion baht. Tel: 07-2728261. 100m walk to the beach. properties.net Electricity and water. 500 Properties sqm. Only 3.5 million baht. RAWAI LAND Tel: 06-6912277. Email: For Rent Two rectangular 1-rai par- [email protected] cels with Chanote titles for PATONG CONDO sale for 6 million baht. A Great opportunity: mountain HOUSE NEAR LAGUNA peaceful location near the view, freehold title, 300m to Fully furnished house near TWO LAND Shell Museum - ideal for beach, 1 bedroom, living Laguna for rent. Comprises 2 PARCELS FOR SALE residences, a lab-cum- room, 2 balconies, 1 toilet. bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, UBC, factory or spa\yoga center Price: 1.05 million baht. Con- hot water, aircon, and park- with picturesque and cool tact for more information. Tel: ing. 12,000 baht/month. Tel: surroundings. Please 6-BEDROOM HOUSE 09-4740227. Email: chotip_5 06-2703468. call for more details. IN KAMALA @hotmail.com Tel: 06-6829922. Email: Beautiful 6-bedroom house KATHU PROPERTY [email protected] for sale in Kamala, near RAWAI CONDO for rent. 2-bedroom – one Phuket FantaSea, only 10 1-room apartment, toilet, with aircon – furnished house min walk to Kamala Beach. kitchen. Prime location, free- in Kathu, 10 mins to Patong. 1. Kata Hill with sea view. 6 INEXPENSIVE LAND The house was built using hold title. 400m to beach. Forecourt parking. Available rai, 3 ngan, 56 sq wah. 3.5 East side. ½ rai to 1¼ rai only top-quality materials: Price: 350,000 baht up. Op- Aug - Jan ’05. 40,000 baht, million baht/rai. lots. Good access, electric- imported granite for the tion: finance available. Tel: 09- Or 7,000 baht a month. 3- 4740227. Email: chotip_5@ 2. Land near Heroines’ ity. 1.2 million baht to 1.35 ground floor and maka month minimum let. Contact hotmail.com Monument in beautiful million baht (US$29,000 to wood for the stairs and sec- for more details. Tel: 076- surroundings and near fu- US$33,400). Call Chris at ond floor. All bedrooms with 202193, 01-7746699. Email: ture golf course. 400sqm 06-2786574. en-suite bathroom, aircon/ RAWAI TOWNHOUSE [email protected] and more. 2,500 baht/sqm. ceiling fan. Outdoor Jacuzzi, 2 bedrooms, 2 toilets, large mature garden, own well living room, kitchen, parking, NEW LUXURY HOUSE Please contact for more FOR SALE incl. drinking water, solar 80sqm, 400m to beach, free- for rent This 2-story fully-fur- details. Tel: 09-7242572 system for hot water with 1. 1.25 rai with house- hold title. Tel: 09-4740227. nished house of 500sqm For further details, please back-up, electric gate. Ask- pool, Rawai. Price: 900,000 baht. Email: includes 4 bedrooms, 3 bath- see our website at http:// ing price: baht 16 million 300sqm living space. [email protected] rooms, big living room, store- www.lantarealestate.com baht. Tel: 076-279075, 01- room, kitchen, dining room, Price: 13 million baht. 4761415. Email: fbrun@ HOUSE IN PATONG aircon, 2 telephones, UBC, car- loxinfo.co.th 2. Land: 1 rai Chalong. Fully furnished house in port, veranda around the house, CONDO 4 SALE Price: 2.5 million baht. Patong with 4 big rooms, 3 sala and beautiful garden. 10- Patong Beach 1-room apart- MISSION HILLS bathrooms, 3 aircons. Quiet 15 minutes to Dulwich, Lotus, ment for sale. Cash: 550,000 3. Land: 2.75 rai Thalang. 1-rai serviced bulding lots facing and secure, own satellite TV, Bic C, Central, Phuket City and baht; or deposit 250,000 baht Price: 2.5 million baht. 9th tee of Jack Nicklaus-de- phone and fax. Best in Nanai airport. Tel: 01-8915296. and pay 4 yearly payments of signed course with sea view. Email: hkthomesale18@ 4. Southwest Phuket City. Rd. Price: 3 million baht. Tel: 100,000 baht. Freehold title, Call or email for details. Tel: 09- yahoo.com 18 sq wah 2-story home 06-2775547. fully furnished. Please contact 9725226. Email: bgbphuket@ with garage. 3 bedrooms, for details. Tel: 09-4740227. yahoo.com LONG-TERM LEASE 2 bathrooms. Email: su_kingsuwan@hotmail. NEW SEAVIEW New houses at Palai Green. 2 com Price: 1.8 million baht. EXCELLENT VILLA aircon bedrooms, hot shower, 5. House, Rawai. 80 sq Phang Nga land. 4 rai of el- kitchen, living room, patio, ga- BEAUTIFUL LAND wah. 4 bedrooms, 4 evated, cleared, flat land 5 rage. Fully furnished, beautiful with stunning views in a secure bathrooms. mins to Thai Muang, 10 mins garden, quiet, peaceful area. development in Patong. From Palai Beach, near Chalong Bay. Price: 3.3 million baht. to Khao Lak, on made road 4,000 baht per sqm. 2 plots used for waterfall access. Call 01-8924311. left. Please contact for more Please call for more Chanote title, water and power details. Tel: 09-2911112 or details. Tel: 076-263478. available. More information 01-8957159. www.thaichanote.com and photos on request. Priced on 1,200 sqm of land, with to sell at 1.5 million baht. Tel: more land available, has free- 01-8957727. Email: info@ hold Chanote title, marble axiominvestments.com bathrooms, hot water, 3- phase electricity, air condi- LAND FOR SALE tioning, swimming pool, directly on Banyan Tree Golf complete Western kitchen, Course (Laguna property). maid’s bedroom-cum-office, 1,050 sqm/262.4 sq wah. storeroom, garden and 3 Price: 7.872 million baht. bedrooms, all with sea view. Please contact for more infor- Must view to appreciate. Will mation. Tel: 076-239864. consider smaller house or Email: [email protected] land as partial payment. Tel: 07-2659977. Email: jimmys @loxinfo.co.th POINT EAST ESTATES From ¾-rai to 3-rai lots. ANUPHAS GOLF VILLE Spectacluar views, under- House in Anuphas Golf Ville ground utilities. Excellent lo- for sale. 4 bedrooms, 5 air- cation on east coast. Call cons, built-in furniture in every Gene at 076-353926. room. Price: 6 million baht. Tel: 07-2836716. 30 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS July 24 - 30, 2004 Property Gazette

HOUSE NEAR PHUKET SEEKING TO BUY BEACH HOUSE City. Two-bedroom house 1 rai in the Palai area. Up to 1 FOR RENT wanted near Phuket City million baht cash funding avail- Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, from November for 6 months. able. Please email with details. in Rawai, nice, quiet and se- Anything considered... or Email: [email protected] cure. Price: 16,000 baht a apartment with roof terrace... month. Please call 09- or some room for cooking... APARTMENT WANTED 6822954. Must be quiet and have aircon. Apartment with telephone, PHUKET ISLAND Please call. Tel: 05-0609735. view and kitchen wanted for long-term rental. Prefer in REAL ESTATE FISHERMAN WAY Email: eunson101@yahoo. com Kata or Patong. Tel: 09-511- Specialists in House Beachfront house for rent. Tel: 6408. Email: kevinsan2001 Sales, Rentals, Land 076-381181, 076-381189. @yahoo.com www.fishermanway.com OFFICE WANTED Plots and Businesses, Small office in Patong area for Sale or Lease, required for rent. Will consider WANT TO BUY HOUSE including Hotels. HOUSE FOR RENT accommodation. Please call I want to buy a house with a sea view, or near the beach. For more details call New 3-bedroom, 2-bath- with details. Tel: 07-015- room house for rent, very 9206. Looking to pay 3-4 million 076-341871 close to Nai Yang and air- baht. Email: bluelakayraine@ 01-5697616 port. Comprises kitchen, liv- SOUTH END LAND hotmail.com ing room and garden. Fur- I want buy one plot of land in E-mail: sales@ HOUSE WANTED phuketislandrealestate.com nished: 25,000 baht a month. the south of Phuket. Max 2- or 3-bedroom house in Baan Website: www. Unfurnished: 20,000 baht a price: one million baht. The month. Tel: 01-3978938, price depends on location and Prangthong Villa for under 5 phuketislandrealestate.com 09-7240116. quality. Email: gimko_8@ million baht. Email: lorisdb@ hotmail.com hotmail.com Help us to help LOOKING FOR HOME Accommodation I am looking to buy a small- to Available the animals medium-size home anywhere on Phuket Island in the 1.5-to- Call: 076-263737 2-million-baht range. Would HOTEL PROMOTION like Western-style kitchen Low season hotel promotion. HOUSE FOR RENT and air condtioning. Area for Long-stay beachfront hotel 3-bedroom house, with 2 a garden would be nice. Email: deal including ABF and use of bathrooms, in Nai Harn for [email protected] facilities. 18,000 baht per rent. Prefer long term. Please month. Tel: 076-345518, 01- call 06-6830753 (Thai) or 09- 1 RAI OF LAND 8920038. 6452576 (English). with sea view wanted for building a private house. Must ROOMS TO LET be in a quiet area and have a Lake-view apartments in Property road and electricity. Prefer in Kathu. Fully furnished rooms Wanted the south, around Nai Harn/ to let with aircon, fridge, free Rawai, but willing to live in satellite TV, hot water, car other areas of Phuket. Email parking in new complex. Price HOUSE OR LAND details to: bauer_ctu_la@ 166 baht a day. Tel: 076- wanted on Phuket. Limit 2.5 hotmail.com 202585, 09-1968449. million baht. What do you have? Pls send info. Email: NEED CONDO PATONG LUXURY APTS [email protected] or home. Would like to find Central Patong 1- & 2-bed someone who wants to sell apartments. Email for info & WISH TO RENT his condo or home quickly and photos. Email: suites247@ Looking to rent small business at a discount for the area. yahoo.com – bar, restaurant, massage, Please contact me as I would etc – without big key money. like to buy a place to live. Do Not Drink Tap Water! Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Classified Advertisements Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. Then hand it to any of our agents.

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Agents for Classified Advertising |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

PHUKET |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| K.L. Mart Patak Rd, Chalong Tel: 076-280400/3 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| NAVA Language School Phang Nga Rd, Phuket City Tel: 076-232398/9

Sin & Lee |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| Thalang Rd, Phuket City Tel: 076-211230

Taurus Travel Aroonsom Plaza Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd, Patong Tel: 076- 344521-2 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

Ala Carte Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 60 baht, Kamala main road, Cherng Talay Tel: 076-278019 with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. PHANG NGA All advertising must be paid for in advance. Maew Internet Shop, Khao Lak Tel: 076-420627 Deadline for Property Mart page: Friday 3 pm. Avalon Creative Group Co Ltd, Khao Lak Tel: 076-420539 Deadline for all other pages: Saturday 12 noon. July 24 - 30, 2004 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 31 Property Gazette

POOLSIDE PATONG RENTAL BUNGALOW/HOUSE apartments. Quality, modern Accommodation wanted. Looking for a 2-bed- to rent. Needed from March The Stone Doctor rooms in Patong with hotel Wanted room apartment or house in 19 to April 23, 2005 (5 facilities including our swim- Patong, with access to pool, weeks) in Kata area. Need 2 ming pool and international res- fully furnished and with secu- bedrooms w/aircon, kitchen, Specialist European stone care taurant. From 600 baht per ADVANCE PAYMENT rity. Would like to rent from bath/shower, toilet, fridge. products and services. for house. Will pay 1 year in All your maintenance, protection night to 13,000 baht per September 1 through to April Best location would be near and cleaning needs for natural and month. Tel: 076-292907. advance for right house. Re- 30 next year. Please email Koktanod Rd. Max rent: 15- manufactured stone. Fax: 076-292907. Email: quirements: Chalong/Rawai details to: lilla_4ever@ 20,000 baht per month. [email protected] area; min 2 bedrooms; 2 hotmail.com Email: [email protected] • Marble • Slate For full booking details and bathrooms; telephone line; • Ceramics • Granite max rent: 10,000 baht a • Terracotta • Sandstone photos, simply click on the link • Pebblewash, etc. at: www.phukets.info/ month. Please call or email Building Services coconut.html with details. Tel: 01-415- Scratches, stains, dull patches, 2358. Email: groupljewelry@ slippery shower floors, mildew, msn.com oxidizing, builders’ residue, use ROOMS FOR RENT of inappropriate cleaning products, Beautiful Shanti Lodge at Ao algae removal and prevention, etc. Chalong. Low season rate APARTMENT I would like to rent an apart- Tel: 07-2824930, 076-271217 from 3,500 baht a month, in- Fax: 076-271218 cluding a pool, sauna and elec- ment with all amenities, inclu- Email: [email protected] tricity. Please call for details. sive of swimming pool, for the Tel: 076-280233. whole month of January. Of- fers with prices by email to: APARTMENT 4 RENT [email protected] Property at Surin Beach. 65sqm, aircon Services bedoom, living room and open- KATA/KARON HOUSE P-CON plan kitchen, hot water rental. Rental house wanted: Phuket Construction shower, no furniture. Rent: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, aircon, and Home Services Co Ltd water, furnished, terrace, SECURITY SYSTEM 6,000 baht a month. Tel: 01- Roofing, floor, walls, tiles 7885419. Email: tomshut@ ocean view. Price: 15,000- (RENTAL) Clearing, painting, hotmail.com 20,000 baht/month on a 12- We are now offering a fully month lease. Tel: 01-728- plumbing, aircon, wireless alarm system with STUDIO APT PATONG 9980. Email: serenethai@ electrical systems, repairs monitoring. Why buy when Living room with kitchenette, yahoo.com and other work done by our you can rent? Guardian separate bedroom with bath. professional team. Alarms offers a full range of Aircon, telephone, UBC. LONG-TERM RENTAL PLANTS FOR SALE systems and security ser- Call 09-1960852 Quiet, clean, European-stan- House in Patong wanted for More than 100 types – many vices. Tel: 076-383277, dard, furnished. Long-term long-term rental: minimum 1 in large pots – including exotic Fax: 076-263204 01-8954480. Fax: 076- rental preferred. Rent: from year. Need 2-3 bedrooms. palms. Teak sala also for sale. Email: [email protected] 383225. Email: guardian@ 8,000 baht a month. Tel: 076- Tel: 09-8093566. Email: Tel: 01-7761490. loxinfo.co.th 292345, 01-0833071. [email protected] TEKA PHUKET ASK KHUN WANIDA! MOMMA DUCK ROOM IN PATONG HOUSE/APT CHALONG We offer the widest range of Problems with an extra-marital affair? Fully furnished “as new” room Urgently required: 1- or 2- kitchen furniture and appli- Read her advice in the Phuket Gazette. in Patong with aircon, near bedroom house or apartment ances. Tel: 076-234593. Siam Commercial Bank. Rent: in Chalong. Must have con- Website: www.teka.co.th Fax 076-213971 or email [email protected] 7,500 baht a month. Tel: 01- nected phone line. Willing to 8922824, 01-8955242. pay up to 6,000 baht per month. Required for long term. Please contact with details. Tel: 04-0541269. Don’t miss.... Email: kimbofive@hotmail. com

Issues HOUSE IN NAI HARN Looking for house in the Nai & Answers Harn Beach area to rent for the month of August. Please www.phuketgazette.net/ contact me with details. Tel: issuesanswers/index.asp 01-8953185. Email: non@ islandhomephuket.com

HOUSE TO RENT in Patong, Kata or Karon areas needed from October 1. Max rent: 15,000 baht/month. Need 2 bedrooms, aircon, phone line, and satellite TV. Tel: 09-5935086.

Find more classified ads at www.phuketgazette.net! 32 p h u k e t g a z e t t e classifieds July 24 - 30, 2004 Island Job Mart

DIVE MASTER SHOP MANAGER CLIENT SUPPORT PADI Dive Master wanted Thai national wanted to E x e c u t i v e . L e a d i n g with experience in boat manage a new digital property developer located m a i n t e n a n c e t o f i l l camera shop in Central near Laguna requires a overseas position in great Festival Phuket. Must be Client Support Executive. location. Salary tax-free in computer literate and have Must have excellent US dollars, and airfare, visa good English-language English, great computer and accommodation all skills. Knowledge of and organizational skills. supplied. Tel: 345-9471945. digital cameras essential. Good salary for the right Email: markmp@ candw. Contact for details or send person. Please email resumé to apply. Email: resumé to apply or call URGENTLY for more info. Tel: 076- REQUIRED MOTORBIKE DRIVER 271188, 01-3700230. Fax: Avantika is looking for night L o o k i n g f o r a m a l e 076-271191. Email: info@ receptionist, reservations motorbike driver to deliver officer and receptionist pizzas. Ex-motorcycle taxi PHUKET LAW FIRM with good English skills drivers or those with a Phuket law firm seeks and a good personality. good knowledge of Patong secretary and accountant. Pls email or call. Tel: 076- preferred. Basic English Please contact for more a must. Good salary, information or send based on your ability and resumé to apply. Email: SALES ASSISTANT previous experience. Tel: scphuket@yahoo. com A property company in Pa­tong is looking for a w o m a n w i t h g o o d English skills and a good personality. Salary 20- 25,000 baht per month. Tel: 076-263737. Fax: 076- 224113. Email: recruitment

SECRETARY - SALES executive Must be fluent in English, competent in computer (Microsoft applications), and experienced in office organization. Please call or email for more details or to apply. Salary and sales commissions commensurate with experience and skills. Tel: 076-282561, 01-5372783. Email: giancarl@ turbo. July 24 - 30, 2004 classifieds p h u k e t g a z e t t e 33 Island Tout, Trader &

Job Mart Articles Boats & Marine for Sale

HOUSE FIXTURES for sale. 2 teak main entrance doors; 4 ceiling fans; 20 windows; 8 interior doors; 3 main gates; free mirror screens; bath fixtures. Tel: 01- 5270527 (Thai), 07-264­0101

FURNITURE FOR SALE Set 1: Double bed, w a r d r o b e , T V a n d bookcase. Set 2: Double bed, wardrobe, 30 rattan chairs. Please call Tel: 07-

MOBILE PHONE New Sony Ericsson T105 in box. 4,500 baht. Email: [email protected]

SHARP FAX MACHINE Sharp GQ-101 fax machine for sale, including paper roll and owner’s manual in English and Thai. Price: 1,000 baht. Email:

DIVE KNIVES Large, used, 7-inch blade S e a m a n S u b w i t h a holster that wraps around the leg. Some rust. 10,00 baht. Also have almost- new Akona, blunt tip. No holster or sheath. About a 5-inch blade. Excellent condition. 600 baht. Email: phuketna@ hotmail.com

29” TV AND DVD JVC 29” Flatscreen TV and JVC XV-NK38SL DVD player. Both items bought from Big C 4 months ago for 20,000 baht. I will sell both for 16,000. Both items come with original boxes, manuals, remotes and warranties that expire in March 2005 for the DVD and April 2005 for the TV. Tel: 01-7874261. Email: BOAT FOR SALE NEW SPEEDBOAT 29-ft fiberglass motor WEIGHT TRAINING New speedboat for sale. y a c h t w i t h T h a i Powerzone benchpress/ 37-foot wooden speedboat registration. 2 x 280hp incline/leg extension plus two-tier trailer for sale. Mercruiser engines. bench. A selection of Price: 450,000 baht. For Price: 3.5 million baht MANAGER OFFICER ACCOUNTANT 12x dumbells, 2x 142kg more information, please ono. Tel: 076-239- 864. Male/female, age 30-45, wanted. Thai female, barbells and 135kg plates. call me at Tel: 01-6931425 Email: hktmkt@ksc. able to speak and write age 20-35, with BA or Punching bag + gloves. or 01-536­5900. fluent English. Import vocational diploma in Set of dumbell stands and experience will be and accounting, good written barbell stands. Sold as a Business Opportunities advantage. Available to and spoken English skills, complete set: 15,000 baht. MARINE things work in BKK or Mahachai/ and a driving license. Tel: 07-2753614. Email: Two used 6-man life rafts, located in same area. Please contact us if this also good for dive boats. EXPORT LICENSE US$100,000 For details and to apply: opportunity interests Can be serviced here in Thai-registered company to invest. Do you need Tel: 07-239112. Fax: 076- you. Tel: 076-239112, 01- Articles Phuket with no problem. (Amazing Thai Arts Co US$100,000 from an expat 239058. Email: damian@ 8920534. Fax: 076-239058. Wanted Vetus exhaust system Ltd) with registered capital to invest in your business, for engine up to 120hp. of 2 million baht, export spa, guesthouse, charter­ Sailboat (7.7m) ready license and bank account boat, pub, sports bar or View Phuket’s endless FRIDGE+POOL table to go anywhere (Thai with credit card payment other profitable business wanted. Must be in good registration). Tel: 076-383­ facility. All tax cleared. For in Phuket, Bangkok or on condition. Tel: 07-911­ 080, 06-9401860. Fax: 076- sale at 70,000 baht. Tel: 01- Koh Samui? Call Vincent MOTOR SHOW 8244. Email: archerdesign 381934. Email: bigasail @ 8927847. Email: colonapt@ at Tel: 06-077­8037. Email: @ blueyonder.co.uk vincentsinniger @yahoo. New Cars l Used Cars l Jeeps l Pick-ups AIRES WIND VANE HOUSE RENTAL Famous and one of the best Business for sale at 10.5 consortium 4WDs l Motorbikes l Motorcycles OFFICE FURNITURE windvanes ever made to million baht. Comprises partner required for Secondhand sofa set, steer a sailboat. No electric three 2-bedroom houses, development project in chairs, table, desks, lamps, necessary. 19,000 baht. fully furnished and in Patong. Good investment. New stock every Saturday fridge, silk and plastic Also other boat items. Tel: excellent condition with For more information, plants, and an aircon 076-412951, 09-9726139. garden. Good rental return. please call 09-2911112, 076- unit. Email: admin@ Email: bal@ loxinfo.co.th Please call for details. Tel: 349050 or 01-8957159. 34 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS July 24 - 30, 2004 Tout, Trader & Trumpet

Business Opportunities Business Services Public Notice

CHALONG CIRCLE 1. Restaurant: 2 units. Living accommodation. Includes pool table. Price: 2.8 million baht. 2. Beauty salon: 2 units. The upper floor is for massage. LIGHTHOUSE Price: 1.7 million baht. FOR SALE 3. Internet café and tour The famous Lighthouse operator: 1 unit. Includes 7 restaurant at Ao Chalong, computers, ADSL, phone with five waterfront luxury line, and tour license. rooms and three offices, is Price: 1 million baht. for sale. Potential to develop residential units on unused Tel: 076-263478. property. Please email for For further details, please further information. Email: visit our website at [email protected] www.thaichanote.com SITE OFFICE VISA RUN TO BUSINESS IN PRIVATE Air-conditioned and fully in- RANONG THAILAND SHAREHOLDER sulated site offices for rent 1,299 baht. Includes visa Wanted to invest in a suc- at 4,800 baht per month, A 9-bungalow resort – in- stamp fee, insurance, trip cessful nightclub in Phuket or for sale from 120,000 cluding swimming pool, res- by boat and minibus (both City. Please call Tel: 076- baht. Call Safeway for taurant/bar and satellite TV in good condition), and 321278 during office hours more infomation. Tel: 01- – on Koh Lanta (Lanta Is- lunch with soft drinks. Daily for more details. 892-4804, 01-1251873. land) is for sale with a 10- trip starts at 7 am at KFC at year lease offered at 4.5 Tesco-Lotus supercenter. million baht. Annual rent STOCK SALE DUE TO INT’L DRIVING LICENSE Please contact us for reser- only 65,000 baht. Very eviction. Good Earth Books of 10- to 20-year international vation. Tel: 076-289201 or good high-season business. Kata Center is selling its all driving license available. 01-5352637. For further Owner must go back to stock of secondhand books 100% legal. 10 years: 5,000 information, please visit our Europe 1 November, 2004 in one lump sum due to loss baht. 20 years: 6,000 baht. website: www.phuketdir. and take care of his busi- of premises. After 12 years 50% deposit required. com/expressvisaextension ness and family there. Price we are being evicted from Tel: 04-0068736. Email: for quick sale: 3.5 million our popular location, and [email protected] COST EFFECTIVE baht. Buy now and be ready would like to sell the stock to Internet. The most cost-effec- for the Koh Lanta high-sea- anyone interested in taking tive way to access the internet son 2004/2005. Serious over this small and very fun SHIPPING OBITUARY CONTAINERS is GPRS. No phone line but enquiries only please. For business. It is with great sad- faster speeds and fixed costs. further details, please call ness that I have made this Secure dry storage at your We have an excellent range of Tel: 09-6403432 or Email: decision, being once known site or in our yard. Rent for GPRS devices for all PC solu- JOAN ELIZABETH GROAT mail@ papillonlanta.com or as “the doyenne of second- 2,200 baht per month. tion and proven support ser- see our website at: www. hand books” in Phuket, but Purchase price available vices. Call or email for you free 1937-2004 papillonlanta.com serious family matters and on application. Please call and no-obligation demonstra- Joan Elizabeth Groat was a lady of many talents and other business concerns have for more information. Tel: tion and quotation.Tel: 01- 01-8924804, 01-1251- skills. Born in the USA of Danish and American Indian de- SHOP FOR LEASE left us no extra time or option 8957727. Email: info@ but to pass the business onto 873. scent, she grew up as the only girl in a family of boys so, near Rawai. Located on the axiominvestments.com any interested persons who as she herself put it, she was a bit of a “wild spirit”. way to Nai Harn Beach, PSS love books as I do, and has After high school she married her first boyfriend with Wood Carving is a 12x17m the time to dedicate to that whom she had two daughters and a son.That marriage shop selling carved teak arti- Club Personals passion. Tel: 076-288643, eventually ended and she remarried, this time to John, with facts and quality souvenirs. 09-8682639. Fax 076-218- Membership whom she remained happily wed until his death. Through The building comprises 2 540. Email: [email protected] Available LOOKING FOR this marriage Joan was entitled to use the title “Baroness” bedrooms, 1 kitchen, 1 store a sweetheart. Nice looking, though she seldom did, and only her closest friends knew. room, 1 bathroom/toilet, 1 educated and successful Joan arrived in Phuket over 20 years ago and her first covered parking space. The BEACH RESORT GOLF MEMBERSHIP farang man, living in Phuket, port of call was Nai Harn Beach. She became a writer and owner, K. Yop offers an 8- on 2.5 rai with 70m beach- Laguna golf membership – would like to meet a smart, correspondent for Phuket Magazine, where she worked year lease. Prices are as fol- front on the west coast. inclusive of Laguna hotels’ cute Thai woman. Please for five years before becoming editor of Phuket’s first lows: 2. 8 million baht to buy Comprises 27 bungalows, privileges – for sale at email me at: jaiyai2547@ English-language newspaper, the Phuket Visitor. After three the shop with all stock; 1.8 restaurant, beach shop, 240,000 baht. Please call hotmail.com years in the hot seat, she left to become secretary to the million baht to buy the shop speedboat and company. Call for full details. Tel: 06- evenings. Tel: 076-271046. Marketing Director of the Kata Group until her retirement. without stock. Tel: 076- SEEKING TRAVEL 236550, 07-2651171. For 9511366. Joan was a founder member of the Phuket Interna- Companion. 30-year-old tional Women’s Club and served as its secretary for a further details, please see our BusinessPersonal Dutchman seeks a nice, at- website at http://www.art- KATA MASSAGE SHOP number of years. In her will she left funds for a scholarship Services tractive, slim and open- to be offered by the PIWC. She patronized many of the arts phuket.com/real-estate/ Great business for only minded Thai female to be my index.htm#pss 150,000 baht. Includes all and enjoyed painting. Joan started but unfortunately never holiday travel companion. completed a children’s book, which she was also illustrating. equipment. For more infor- Interested? Then please email In the last few years her health deteriorated and she MLM LEADERS mation please contact me at YOUR IMAGE WITH me at: doeidoeiduizend@ was diagnosed with cancer. Just months before she passed US$4 billion healthcare com- Tel: 06-6863210 or Email: English. The career hotmail.com pany seeks quality distribu- andrewcampbellthailand woman advances her ca- on she discovered she also had a peptic ulcer. These dis- tors. Unlimited income poten- @hotmail.com reer with a positive image eases she battled with until pain eventually defeated her MAN WANTING TALL spirit. tial. Contact for more details. and English. "The Tools of Thai woman. I am a mature Tel: 02-7269918, 06-341- COOL BAR FOR SALE HER Trade" is a success American man, educated, Those of us who knew Joan will always remember 8781. Fax: 02-7269917. Central Patong 2-level double- guide for women that men financially stable, tall and her as a lady of charm and sophistication, with a loving Email: makelifegood@ aol. unit. Fully licensed and ready read too. Tel: 972- athletic, looking for a tall, nature not only toward her fellow humans but also to all com to open. Please contact me 9884963, 06-897115. attractive Thai woman for animals great and small. Joan will be greatly missed but for full details. Tel: 06- Fax: 972-9884963. Email: long-term relationship. I will she will always be in the hearts and memories of those who OFFICE FOR RENT 9488650. Email: serfthai@ carbeengruncle@yahoo. be in Bangkok and Phuket knew her. She is at rest now. Her suffering is over and she Good area in Soi Watana, yahoo.com Please visit our co.uk For further details, next month. Please email is with the one she loved most – her late husband John. Patong. Ready with full office website at: http://free. please see our website at photo and mobile phone With fondest memories, http://carbeengruncle.com equipment. For full details, hostdepartment.com/p/ number. Email: ctc_ccc@ James Scott-Dunsmore call Tel: 01-7371901. patongbar/ yahoo.com July 24 - 30, 2004 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 35 Wheels & Motors

HONDA PRELUDE SUZUKI CARIBIAN HONDA 900 CBR 95 NEW MOTORBIKES Saloon Cars Classic Honda Prelude in 4 x 4s Dark green Suzuki Caribian 165,000 baht cash. Nice and For rent. Honda Wave 110s, immaculate condition. One of jeep in good condition. 1995 very fast bike. 22,000 miles. Sky Honda Wave 125s, and the best in Thailand. Three model, looks new, runs well. blue-white. Contact for more Yamaha Nouvo Automatics farang owners since new. All NISSAN NV Insured. 180,000 baht. Tel: info. Tel: 09-5879731. Email: with electric starters and disc service records from new at Metallic silver, mag wheels, 09-4880955. [email protected] brakes for rent. Please call; Honda Phuket. Automatic twin aircon, casette player. we’ll offer you a special price. with less than 120,000 kms. Very good condition. Price: HONDA SONIC 125RS Tel: 076-296443, 09-725- Fitted with new aircon, power 195,000 baht. Tel: 07- VANS 2002 model. 16,000km, 2nd 8575. Fax: 076-296443. steering, electric windows, 2760529, 01-9035622. owner. Carbon-fiber panels, Email: [email protected] cruise control, mags, CD posh extras, excellent condi- VOLKSWAGEN tion. Price: 35,000 baht. For player, sunroof and much more. Caravelle. 7 seats, light blue, First class insurance until May GRAND CHEROKEE details call Tel: 09-8753930 Wanted Only 2 years old. Metallic year 1992, 2000cc, first- 2005 and registered until class insurance, very good March 2005. A Prelude like yellow. 58,000km. Full insur- Rentals HONDA WAVE ance. 1 lady owner. Tel: 076- condition. 500,000 baht. Tel: Phuket’s Most Trusted & this normally sells for 600- Looking to buy reliable new or 324333, 09-7939873. Fax: 076-288184. Email: reimund Reputable Supplier of the Finest 650,000 baht. Due to excep- used Honda Wave 125. Tel: 076-270400. Email: vloffice @korat.loxinfo.co.th Quality Used SALOONS, tional circumstances the A1 CAR RENTALS 076-345284. SEDANS, JEEPS & PICKUPS owner has to return to Denmark @loxinfo.co.th A1 Car Rentals present the and will accept the first offer New cars or trade-ins – Motorbikes following vehicles for rent: SECONDHAND JEEP we have what you’re around 500,000 baht. Tel: 2002 FORD RANGER I am looking to buy a second- 076-289013, 01-8935952. Only 9,500km. Best offer over ♦ Isuzu Hi-Lander, auto 4 looking for door 28,000 baht/month hand Toyota jeep, Suzuki For more info pls call us at Email: [email protected] 500,000 baht. Please do not Caribian or Sporty. Email your 1998 HARLEY Toyota Altis, auto new Tel: 076-224632, 216243 even try to beg for a lower price. ♦ offer with pictures and details HERITAGE 28,000 baht/month www.suremotor.com PORSCHE 911 Tel: 09-9971855. Email: to Email: noel69_2002@ Red, Recaro seats, harness, [email protected] ♦ Toyota Vios, auto new yahoo.com turbo bodykit, RUF wheels, big 22,000 baht/month FORD ASPIRE ’97 stereo, big brakes, electric ♦ Toyota Soluna 15,000 PROPER SIDECAR FORD EXPLORER baht/month 5-door auto. Looks like new. sunroof, lucky license plate 4X4 Looking for a big passenger 79,000km covered. 205,000 number. Price: 1.29 million All insured. Special prices sidecar (Western style) to 4.0L, year 1998, blue, auto- baht. Tel: 09-8736467. Email: baht. Please call Oi. Tel: 01- Harley Heritage Classic for long-term rentals. Tel: adapt to a Honda CB1 400cc. [email protected] 8957908. Email: rungtiwap@ matic gears and seats. CD 09-8314703. Tel: 075-631994. Email: player, always serviced at in black with more than asianwind.biz 150,000 baht of extra colombattofabio@hotmail. Ford center. 107,000km com TOYOTA COROLLA covered. Price: 550,000 chrome, whitewalls, in 1.6-liter. Green. 71,000km. showroom condition. CHEROKEE Pickups baht. Finance: 350,000 FOR RENT HONDA STEED 360,000 baht. Automatic baht. Please contact K. Wit. Forced to sell. 650,000 I’m looking for Honda Steed four-door model with aircon Tel: 09-4740952. baht. Tel: 076-381648. and power windows. Car is in Email: frankvisakay@ springer front suspension. I very good condition. Contact ISUZU CAB 4 hotmail.com need to locate the parts and for more details. Tel: 076- Bought Dec 24, 2001. One FORD RANGER XLT price for shipping to the US. Email: swtgrl2no@hotmail. 248333 Fax: 076-248332. owner, no accidents. Silver- 2000 model, 4WD. Metallic HONDA NOVA RS DASH Email: [email protected] com gray, just repainted. 2- silver. Has service record. Eight years old, good condition, wheel drive, manual gears, Only 65,000km. 4-door ver- lots of spares. 13,000 baht. Tel: 4WD PICKUP HONDA CIVIC COUPE electric windows and sion. Lots of extras, such as 076-423315, 06-2811945. 4.0L, auto, leather seats, in Looking for a 4x4 pickup, pref- September 2000. V-tec en- mirrors, Mag wheels. new gas suspension (much Email: [email protected] good condition. Luxurious gine, in blue, only 43,000km. 90,000km covered. Price: more comfortable than stan- and safe car with first-class erably 4-door, recent model Toyota, Ford, Isuzu or Mit- 6-pack CD system, leather 525,000 baht. Tel: 09-871- dard), new Bridgestone tires NEW JRD STORM insurance for rent at only interior, immaculate condition. and wheels, new clutch, bull subishi. Tel: 09-4724904. 5642. Email: termalou@ We are moving and want sell 25,000 baht per month. First class insurance. Reason bar, etc. All the extra equip- Email: shadows_and_light@ loxinfo.co.th our new JRD Storm 125cc. Tel: 01-3430777. Email: for selling: need pick-up truck ment is worth 80,000 baht. yahoo.com Five months young, only 1,800 montha_phuket@yahoo. for business purposes. Selling The car is in superb condition kms, and in perfect, like-new com price: 530,000 baht. Contact 1996 NISSAN PICKUP and I recently had it checked condition. New price is 49,000 for more info. Tel: 076- 2000cc, red, 180,000km. and serviced at Ford. Selling Others baht. Will sell for 42,000 in- 396414, 01-8919461. Email: King Cab. 220,000 baht. Tel: for 480,000 baht. Tel: 05- cluding alarm system. Tel: 06- SPECIAL PRICE daveskylight@ hotmail.com 076-280590. Email: eric@ 1500013. Email: iggemobil@ 6848758. Email: [email protected] Daihatsu Mira with insur- LUGGAGE RACK insurance-in-thailand. com yahoo.se ance for rent.Very good Fits Ford Ranger pickup truck, HONDA DREAM condition, easy to drive and and probably other pickups, Honda Dream 100cc. 3 years economical. Special price too. 2 years old. Comes com- Wheels & Motors old, well maintained, only from June to September plete with weather cover. Call Advertisements 25,000km. 18,000 baht. only 8,900 baht/month. Tel: or email for inspection. Price Contact Paul. Tel: 07-265- 01-5371050. Email: asking only 8,500 baht. Tel: 6066. Email: easyclickinkata [email protected] 076-248626, 07-2679780. Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. @hotmail.com Email: [email protected] Then hand it to any of our agents.

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Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 60 baht, with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. All advertising must be paid for in advance. Deadline for Wheels & Motors page: Saturday 12 noon. 36 PHUKET GAZETTE July 24 - 30, 2004

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