Volume 13 Issue 13 News Desk - Tel: 076-236555 April 1 - 7, 2006 Daily news at www.phuketgazette.net 25 Baht

The Gazette is published in association with Phuket Airlines

IN THIS ISSUE

NEWS: Lawyer contests poll ban; Gov urges tax boss to ‘off ban list soon’ chase Villa Santi. Pages 2 & 3 INSIDE STORY: ITB lifts tour- ism industry. Pages 4 & 5 Air France helping to improve safety systems AROUND THE REGION: Maritime safety crackdown. Page 8 By Sangkhae Leelanapaporn when the papers were on their way to Europe, at the beginning AROUND THE ISLAND: The re- cycle of life on Phuket. BANGKOK: Phuket Airlines, of March, the 25 member-coun- Page 11 recently blacklisted by the Euro- tries of EU were meeting [to pean Commission (EC) as one of decide which airlines should be PEOPLE: Sage advice from an 93 airlines barred from flying to included in the blacklist].” elder stateman. She noted that Phuket Air- Pages 12 & 13 the European Union (EU) and Switzerland, is confident that it lines’ entry in the blacklist was LIFESTYLE: Gold from The Vel- will be reinstated soon, a senior marked by an asterisk, indicat- vet Underground. Page 14 official of the airline said on ing that it would be audited soon SPA MAGIC: Pampered at Sri March 28. to see whether it should be re- Panwa. Page 18 As if to reinforce that con- moved from the list. “The EC knew that we DINING OUT: Pasta, passion fidence, the Gazette has learned and the Pet Shop Boys, that Phuket Airlines has applied were working to fix Phuket Air- please. Page 19 to launch another airline, to be lines’ safety systems – that is why called Holiday Airlines. The ap- they marked the entry with an ALL AT SEA: The seriously plication is currently being con- asterisk. sexy Azimut 43S. Page 20 sidered by the Thai Aviation De- “I cannot say for sure that FIRST PERSON: Burned offer- partment (TAD). the airline will pass the next au- ings at Saphan Hin. Page 25 Phuket Airlines was in- dit, but the airline is ready for it and I believe we have done the MONEY TALKS: Worries over cluded in the EU ban list on safety the US. Page 30 grounds. It is one of only two air- best that we could – it should lines in East Asia banned, the pass,” K. Kanika added. SPORT: Cricket League final; Referring to Phuket Air- other being North Korea’s Air Flashback to September last year, the nadir of Phuket Airlines’ Tri Ballistic triathlon; Pelé ‘to Koryo. lines’ application to register Holi- visit Thailand’. Again. fortunes, when one of its aircraft slid off the end of the runway at day Airlines, she said, “The TAD The European Commission Tak airport. Pages 32 & 33 (EC) has also advised passengers committee is checking the docu- PROPERTY: Home of the to avoid flying with the 93 air- would be good if they could re- Kanika Khemmawuthanond, the ments now to decide whether to Week: Nai Harn; Construc- lines anywhere else in the world. move us earlier than that,” Capt TAD’s Deputy Director-Gen- allow it or not. In fact, we are tion: Phutawan Residence & Grp Capt Pattana Tareekes, Pattana said. eral, told the Gazette that, after examining seven or eight such Spa; Decor: Salas for all. Phuket Air’s Vice-President, “We are very sad that this the airline was barred from the applications.” Pages 34-37 Administration, told the Gazette has happened,” he added, “be- UK and the Netherlands, her Capt Pattana declined to in an exclusive interview, “We cause it has given us a negative department had ordered it to im- comment on the application. PLUS realize that safety is the most image worldwide, and that has prove its safety, and had kept a Phuket Airlines began to important part of being in the seriously affected our business.” close eye on it. have problems with its safety QUEER N EWS 6; AROUND THE NA- aviation business and we try to However, the airline’s man- “Phuket Airlines has em- image in April last year, when TION 7; HAPPENINGS 16; PHUKET improve constantly. agement is not about to give up, ployed Air France to revamp all passengers aboard one of its DIARY 17; TAKE A BREAK 21 & “We are ready to let [EC he said. “We will prove that we systems, especially those relat- Boeing 747s bound for London 22; OUTSIDE IN, BOOKS 23; EDI- inspectors] audit our aircraft and are an international-standard air- ing to safety, to bring them up to forced a takeoff to be aborted TORIAL, LETTERS, ISSUES & AN- we have already let the Aviation line and, when the EU team international standards. We have after seeing fuel pouring from a SWERS 24 & 25; YOUTH ’N A SIA, Department invite the EC to con- comes here, I believe we will checked on progress and believe wing tank after a refueling stop HOROSCOPES 26; MOMMA D UCK, duct a safety audit. pass their audit.” that the airline is now up to stan- in Sharjah, in the United Arab 27; COMPUTERS 28; BUSINESS, “The EC list is to be revised The TAD supports Phuket dard, and we have invited the EC Emirates. ON THE MOVE 31; GARDENING every three months and we want Airlines’s contention that it should to send inspectors to check. A few days later another 37; CLASSIFIEDS 38-47. to get off it as fast as possible; it be removed from the blacklist. “Unfortunately, at the time Continued on page 3 2 PHUKET GAZETTE NEWS April 1 - 7, 2006 ‘Long Live The King’ wristbands go on sale PHUKET: The King Power Foundation, Siam Com- in English. On the inside of the wristband is writ- mercial Bank, Thailand Post and the Thai Military ten, “In commemoration of 60 years reign, long Bank are producing “Long Live The King” silicon live the King” in Thai as well as the auspicious wristbands and accompanying greetings cards to number 9. mark the 60th anniversary of HM King Bhumibol Greetings cards are included with the sale of Adulyadej’s accession to the throne. every wristband, to be used to convey best wishes Last year, the King Power Foundation manu- to His Majesty. factured one million similar wristbands, sales of Phuket Post Office Chief Wisarn Pongti- which raised 105 million baht for His Majesty’s royal watanakul told the Gazette, “We have about 56,000 charities. wristbands at Phuket Post Office at the moment The royal yellow silicon wristbands will cost and they are also available at the King Power Duty 100 baht each and will feature the words, “We Free Shop, Siam Commercial Banks and Thai Mili- Love the King” in Thai and “Long Live the King” tary Banks. They will be on sale until May 31.” New issue of stamps features Royal buildings Lawyer appeals PHUKET: The latest issue of special stamps by Thailand Post is a set of four 3-baht stamps featuring four important historical Royal sites: The Throne Hall, King Taksin’s Shrine, the Two Chinese-Style Residences and King Pinklao’s Residence. against poll ban First day covers will be available from April 2 at all 10 post offices on the island at 17 baht each. Thailand Post By Janyaporn Morel prised by the PEC’s decision. “I already a member and didn’t ap- will issue 1.2 million sets. have been a registered member pear on the list of changes,” he PHUKET CITY: Lawyer Tha- of the party since March 23, 2005, said. vorn Permpoon, would-be Dis- and the party appointed me an K. Thavorn said that it was trict 1 candidate of the Thai honorary member on May 11, not fair that the PEC had an- PIWC elects new officials Chuay Thai (Thais Help Thais, 2005,” he said. nounced the candidatures of his PHUKET CITY: At the recent and Sue Arnulphy; Membership or TCT) Party, appealed to the “The misunderstanding two rivals – Dr Sriyada Palima- annual meeting of the Phuket In- Committee: Kirsten Lund, Bri- Supreme Court after the Phuket stems from when the PEC check- pan of the Thai Rak Thai Party ternational Women’s Club gitte Beck and Anna Tandy; Gen- Election Commission (PEC) ed the party’s membership list. and Pol Sgt Panya Borirak of the (PIWC), the following officials eral committee: Marion Tide- ruled him out of the April 2 gen- Every party has to send to the Pattana Chart Thai Party – with- and committee members were man and Christine Robinson. eral election. registrar a list of any changes in out waiting for the outcome of his elected: Scholarship Committee: Speaking to the Gazette on membership. appeal, which was due to be President: Cindy Rat- Cindy Ratcliffe, Olivia Bhuntip March 23, he explained that the “But when the PEC check- heard on March 29. cliffe; Vice-President: Joan Krisnaraj, Wipa Tanmanatragul, PEC had removed his name from ed, they didn’t see my name on The lawyer was a member Watson; Treasurers: Linda Porn Sween, Pen Forbes, Mar- the register for the elections on the list because they were look- of Phattalung’s Provincial Coun- Cumming and Wipa Tanmanatra- garet Spratt, Sue Arnulphy, Katey the grounds that he had not been ing at the list of changes sent to cil, and six years ago ran for a gul; Secretaries: Carol Fryer Pianko and Sharon Cook. a member of TCT for the obliga- them after December 31. seat in the Senate, representing Fundraising/Ball Organi- tory minimum of 90 days. “Of course they didn’t see Phuket. He lost to the current in- zation Committee: Deborah He said that he was sur- my name there because I was cumbent, Paiboon Upatising. Williamson, Lynne Daniel, Na- dine Oliver and Anne Hanson. Adviser: Julie Street. Bypass road contractor raided Lunches: Margaret Spratt, Rhoda Warnes; PR: Nor Moor- PHUKET CITY: A team of Chief of the Phuket Provincial In- Charoen has been working on the house, Sharon Cook, Ilse Gibson Crime Suppression Division of- dustrial Office, told the Gazette bypass road tsince May 2004 and and Nadine Oliver; Newcomers/ ficers, along with officials from that Harn Charoen now has a that the job is almost finished. Hospitality: Anna van Royen the Phuket Provincial Industrial choice of paying a fine or of fac- He added that he did not and Mandi Maynard; Activities/ Office, on March 25 seized rock- ing a full police investigation. believe the raid would greatly af- Newsletter: Maryanne van der crushing equipment belonging to “The company only has a fect construction because there Reijden and Nadine Oliver. Chiang Rai Harn Charoen Enter- construction permit from the are only 200 meters of road still prise Co, the main contractor for Highways Office; it doesn’t have to be paved. the bypass road widening project. a permit to crush rock. We have “They have not contacted The seizures took place fol- informed them of their options, but me yet and work is temporarily lowing complaints that Harn so far have not had a reply.” halted because of rain. I think the Charoen had been crushing rock Phuket Highways Depart- job will be completed after Song- without a license to do so. ment Engineer, Boonyakiat Kong- kran,” he said. Thongchai Wichaidith, ketyai, told the Gazette that Harn – Janyaporn Morel April 1 - 7, 2006 NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 3 After 10 Airline years, Gov urges tax boss ‘Battman’ set ‘off EU to move on to chase Villa Santi blacklist PHUKET: James Batt, Joint By Janyaporn Morel However, it was revealed at new the work permits after the soon’ Managing Director of Laguna the meeting that rental villas do Chief of the Phuket Provincial Resorts & Hotels (LRH), will PHUKET CITY: Governor U- not require an Initial Environmen- Revenue Office, Pensri Passa- leave the island in June to take domsak Uswarangkura said two tal Examination (IEE), the lack of kul, told him that Villa Santi was From page 1 up a new post as the head of a Dutch investors in the 800-mil- which was a main reason why the 11 million baht in arrears in its in- flight was abandoned after it had chain of hotels headquartered in lion-baht Villa Santi project in project was halted. come taxes and that she feared to turn back to London with a San Diego, California. Kalim could have their work per- Nevertheless, the Governor that the two foreign investors hydraulics problem. Mr Batt joined LRH in No- mits renewed, but only for long said he would no longer autho- might to try to use the fact that Phuket Airlines dumped its vember 1995 and shortly after enough to ensure that they pay rize work permits for “clever” they had no work permits as a London route and attempted to joining was promoted to Manag- some 11 million baht in income foreigners who come here “to reason not to pay the tax. switch instead to Amsterdam, but ing Director. taxes supposedly owed on the exploit loopholes in the law for The Governor agreed to the Dutch authorities barred a He told the Gazette, “We hillside villa and hotel project. their own benefit, while destroy- extend their work permits until flight from taking off after it was [long ago] made a family deci- Gov Udomsak called a ing the Thai environment”. the end of their existing visas, discovered that emergency light- sion to return to the United States meeting of provincial officials on “Villa Santi can find other which expire in April and May, ing inside the aircraft was not after 10 years in Phuket, and I March 27 to discuss the work people to work here, and it but urged K. Pensri to move ag- working properly. There were received a call asking me to con- permit status of Villa Santi inves- doesn’t matter if they are from gressively on the tax issue. He also some questions over the sider a position in San Diego. tors Bart Duykers and Johannes the same country as these two threatened to “take steps” to pre- pilot’s papers. “After they came here to Oranje, both from the Nether- men. I just don’t want any more vent the two from leaving the In May, the airline was see what I do in Phuket, and I lands. of these people who come here country if they failed to pay the barred from Dutch and British went there to meet the team, I In attendance were several to cheat and destroy Thailand,” overdue taxes. airspace. In August it had an air- have accepted the position of members of a provincial commit- he said. When contacted, Mr Duy- craft seized in South Korea for President and Chief Operating tee whose inspection of the Gov Udomsak urged all of kers told the Gazette that his work non-payment of airport fees, and Officer of Woodfin Suite Hotels.” project site in early February re- the committee members present permit was in fact extended some in the same month it was barred Woodfin currently operates sulted in the developers being or- to look into ways to use existing hours before the meeting took from France. 17 hotels in 11 US states. dered to stop work. The commit- laws to change the building codes place. By the end of August, Phu- “The company has hotels tee members cited failure to ob- at the provincial level so that this He added that he had not ket Airlines had all but withdrawn across America, with new ones tain all the necessary building loophole could never be exploited been contacted by any govern- from the international market, under development, including permits for the project, as their again. ment agency regarding the tax serving only one international [properties on] Harbor Island in reason for ordering the stoppage. The Governor agreed to re- issue. route, between Bangkok and San Diego, and at Marina del Rey “We have very good rela- Yangon. in Los Angeles,” Mr Batt said. tions with the government, so I In September, one of its “The plan is to move the existing Patong assault victim dies don’t see what the issue is,” he smaller aircraft skidded off the hotels up-market, and to become added. end of the runway at Tak airport, the major player in the upscale PATONG: Chatchai “Ghee” Scotsman Tommy Hunter Boonchoke Maneechote, in northern Thailand. No one was all-suites market.” Ritchohor, 32, who fell into a coma admitted to head-butting K. Ghee, Chief of the Phuket Provincial injured, but one passenger, Sena- Thus far, LRH has not said after being head-butted by a for- but said in an email to the Ga- Employment Office and one of tor Udon Tantisunthorn, suggested who will succeed Mr Batt. eign tourist in July last year, has zette that he was acting in self- those who attended the meeting, the crash might have been caused died. defense and that he hoped K. later told the Gazette that the by pilot error. “If you ask me,” Assassination K. Ghee’s younger sister, Ghee would recover. work permits were renewed be- he said, “the plane should have K. Oranuch, said her brother died Kathu Police police issued cause neither of the two men had touched down at the beginning of gunman named on March 25 of long-term com- a warrant for Hunter’s arrest but broken any labor laws. the runway rather than around plications from emergency brain by that time he had already left the middle of it.” PHUKET: Police say they now surgery performed at Vachira the country. know the identity of the gunman Phuket Hospital after the assault, Pol Lt Pateuang Fonmanat who assassinated Phuket busi- which caused his brain to hem- of Kathu Police Station told the nessman Preecha “Ko Noi” orrhage and swell. Gazette on March 27 that he was Kraitas, and are hunting him. Doctors in K. Ghee’s native unaware of K. Ghee’s death. They have named him as Sam- Nong Khai Province listed the He added, “Hunter faces a rerng Klaising, from Petchaburi. causes of death as Hepatitis B charge of committing bodily harm Phuket Provincial Police infection, pneumonia and perito- but if the victim’s relatives report Commander Pol Maj Gen Decha nitis, she said. [K. Ghee’s death] to us and there Budnampeth said that Samrerng The assault on K. Ghee oc- is medical evidence that he died and the man who drove the red curred after a darts match out- as a result of that bodily harm, BMW for him were believed to side the Piccadilly Pub on Soi we can amend the charge [to be “at large in Central Thailand”. Kebsup. manslaughter].” 4 PHUKET GAZETTE INSIDE STORY April 1 - 7, 2006

An essential tool for selling tourism to the world, particularly Europe, is the annual International Tourism Bourse, or ITB, in Berlin. This year representatives from Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga went there in force. As Berlin tourism Sangkhae Leelanapaporn and Natcha Yuttaworawit report, they came back full of hope that the 2006-2007 high season will be exceptionally good.

ourism business people days were for trade visitors, while from Phuket, Phang Nga the final two days were open to and Krabi returned re- the public. cently from the ITB ex- Many of these businesses T then went on to Stockholm and hibition in Berlin, the world’s larg- est travel show, highly optimistic Copenhagen, the Swedish and at prospects for the 2006-2007 Danish capitals, to promote tour- high season, starting in Novem- ism to Scandinavians. ber this year. Phuket Tourist Association The only threat to a boom President Pattanapong Aikwa- year appears to be the dearth of nich told the Gazette that feed- direct international flights to back was good at ITB this year, Phuket; travel agencies in Europe with higher-than-expected num- seem no longer concerned about bers of travel agents and indi- continuing violence in the Deep vidual tourists visiting the Phuket South, having accepted that it is booths. confined to the three provinces No one asked about the vio- bordering Malaysia. lence in the Deep South but, in- At the show, most of the stead, people quizzed the Thais questions about safety concerned about politics and protests in the possibility of another tsunami Bangkok, he said. hitting the Andaman Coast and “We told them that there was Talking deals at ITB is Pearl Group’s Wichit na Ranong (facing camera) with European travel agents. continuing political uncertainty in nothing to worry about; the pro- Bangkok. tests had been going on for some tion, but many asked about the system of warning towers that “In Swedish eyes, Thai Some 60 businesses from time but had consisted entirely of earthquakes that have been de- will give people time to evacuate people are heroes because of the Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi set rhetoric, with no sign of violence. tected not too far away in the safely. However not that many way they helped after the tsu- up booths at the ITB, held from “Nobody seemed too con- Andaman Sea. We were able to people asked about this,” he nami. Many Swedish people died, March 8 to 12. The first three cerned about the political situa- tell them that we have a good added. but Thai people were generous He said the top four sour- and helpful to survivors. I asked ces of tourists for Phuket are cur- many Swedish travel agents rently Australia, South Korea, about this and always got the Germany and Sweden. same answer, that the image of “The Japanese also want to Thai people is very positive. come to Phuket, but there is still “Luckily, there are still many a problem with direct flights. This direct charter flights from Scan- is different from South Korea – dinavia to Phuket. We do have a there are many direct flights from problem with getting tourists from there, and Koreans like to come Japan, Australia and Singapore to Phuket. after [Thai Airways International April 1 - 7, 2006 INSIDE STORY PHUKET GAZETTE 5

lems could be overcome. “By the Thailand. of Authority Tourism courtesy Photos end of this year, I believe Phi Phi will be able to support tourism, Sincethough not 100%the as before. In the first three months of expo lifts spirits this year, hotels in Krabi averaged beginning70% to 80% occupancy, he said. “The next high season will be Karon Beaches are full of tour- better. We plan to do road shows ists from Scandinavian, whichof is tothe target new year,markets, including a surprise, given that so many Russia and Hong Kong, and we people from there lost relatives in will also go to the Arabian Travel the tsunami. anMart average in Dubai. “That is especially true for “Our idea is to keep ex- the Swedish; the population of panding into new markets. We Sweden is about 8 million, and think Krabi’s tourism will improve about 300,000 of those haveof so2,000 long as there is no effect from come to Phuket since November political problems.” 2005, staying mostly in hotels in His counterpart in Phang Kata and Karon. Swedish tourday-trippersNga, Anupong Sa-Nguannam, agents expect Phuket to be the agreed that ITB had been use- top tourist destination for Swedes ful. “The feedback at ITB was for several years to come,” ahe daygood and will have help Khao Lak be- added. cause European tour agents met The President of Krabi many tourism businesses from Tourism Association, Itirit King-visitedKhao Lak. They Phi trust us and will lek, told the Gazette, “There are put the name of Khao Lak back 20 travel agencies from Krabi [at into their brochures. ITB], and the response has beenPhi “Tourists– the who visited out rather good because the percep- booths did not seem worried tion of Southeast Asia, including about another tsunami – they see Thailand, is improving. it as a natural event that happens “Our tourists are almost ex-demandonly rarely. They seemis more Thai massage therapists were in big demand from weary of walking around the huge Berlin exhibition. clusively from northern Europe. worried about the safety on the No one asked about the possibil- roads. Some asked about Thai – TG] canceled many good as 2004 [before ity of another tsunami and tour-clearlypolitics, but I don’t believe it is an important direct routes. ARRIVALS BOUNCE BACK the tsunami]. Some ists said that they are not worried important factor for tourism.” We understand that TG In January, arrivals were to close to pre-tsunami tourist markets still about the political situation as long “After the tsunami, the num- could not make a profit levels. February saw them exceed those levels. have not returned, as it is non-violent.” thereber of rooms in Khao Lak was on those services [after such as the Asian He added, “In 2004, before cut to about 20%, but now we the tsunami]. We don’t 500 International markets, which are the tsunami, we had about 1.8 are back to about 70% or 80%. know how to fix this still concerned about Domestic million tourists. In 2005 that de- We have had some problems get- problem. It still seems political turmoil in creased to 1.03 million tourists. ting labor for construction. Work- that there is no chance 400 Thailand and the con- But I think this high season the ers from Isarn do not want to of those flights being res- tinuing earthquakes number of tourists will increase come to Khao Lak, possibly be- urrected,” K. Pattana- 300 around [Sumatra],” by about 20% from last year. cause they are afraid of another pong added. he added. As for Koh Phi Phi Don, he tsunami. It’s expensive to use for- Poomiphat Navnu- He noted that agreed that there had been some eign labor because government kroh, General Manager 200 modern communica- problems about government rules registration fees are so high. That of the Cape Panwa Ho- tions and the media for rebuilding accommodation.

Airport (x 1,000) is the reason we have been slow tel, told the Gazette that 100 allow news to spread But he believed those prob- in rebuilding.” booths in “Thailand Hall” very fast. If the Asian 2004 2005 2006 2004 2005 2006

at ITB attracted more Arrivals at Phuket International tourists do not return, 0 travel agents and tourists January February he said, that could than any other. mean danger ahead He said that this Source: Airports Authority of Thailand, Phuket for tourism in Phuket. was his third visit to ITB, and that from Germany and other North He, too, had received com- feedback this year had been good. European countries. plaints about flights. “Some “We signed many contracts ITB had been a good show agents complained that [direct] with travel agents and made ap- for the hotel, he said. “In Novem- flights to Phuket are always full, pointments with others,” he said. ber I believe we will get more or that there are not enough Whereas in the past Cape Panwa tourists from the Scandinavian flights.” had done a lot of business with market. Our occupancy since K. Poomiphat was impres- British agents, this year he had last November has averaged sed with the resurgence in tour- signed new business with agents about 70%, which was not as ists from Scandinavia. “Kata and 6 PHUKET GAZETTE NEWS April 1 - 7, 2006 Q u eer News isappointment fa- mously prompts ex- treme measures in His wife’s a bitch – and D victims. Disappointed of proper stage effects for his fid- that’s why he loves her dling, Nero burned Rome; of ar- tistic ambitions, Van Gogh cut off while he slept, using her tongue neighbors in the village: “They his ear; and of the American colo- to lick his face and body, which say it’s unnatural,” he said, “and nies, George III went mad. aroused him till finally he con- impossible for man and dog to live In Lampang Province, a 39- summated his passion.” together as husband and wife.” year-old man disappointed with Pupé said he was surprised Regarding the latter issue, women fell in love with a real at the depth of his own emotions: Chiang Mai’s chief veterinary bitch, – a two-year-old poodle “I feel strange. I love her, and officer in the Provincial Livestock named Olé – and married her. we’re so close – as if in a former office, Dr Somporn Pornwisetkul The story was told by the existence we were lovers.” agreed with villagers. bride’s master, identified only as Although Thais, especially “Such a thing seems impos- “Uncle Gik”, who gave away her rural Thais, traditionally regard sible,” he said, “because men and away for a bride price of a mere dogs as unclean – as sinners from dogs are wholly different. As far 999 baht. “They love each other a past life forced to go on four as their sexual relations go, I don’t a lot,” he said. legs in this life – Pupé feels no think there will be any offspring: Uncle Gik said that his dog’s animadversion toward Olé’s the two anatomies differ greatly.” swain, a factory worker whom he present canine status. He did not, however, rule called “Pupé”, was staying in his “At the same time, little Olé out the possibility. Asked whether house. undeniably loves and is close to he felt Olé suffered during the “Pupé asked to come live in Pupé,” said Uncle Gik. sexual congress, Dr Somporn my house many years ago and “He came, apologizing for- begged not to offer an opinion. has stayed with me since,” he mally, and tendered 999 baht as Assistant Professor Dr explained. “In return, he helps a bride price, begging to marry Pairat Preuksachat-Kunakorn, around the house. He’s an ener- my dog,” Gik said. described as an expert in psy- getic sort, always looking to be “I accepted it, because I chiatry, said regarding the couple’s TRASHING helpful.” could see he was being honest. psychological state that “many In Gik’s opinion, women He agreed to take care of her, to factors may figure.” have too often fooled Pupé: “He’s feed and shelter her. We arranged “Psychological testing must Phuket had many girlfriends, who get a marriage party, then went to be performed first, but I would close to him – to the point of make merit, bringing along food say on the face of it that [this] is PATONG: This particularly fetching sight is to be found on marriage – then make off with for hungry children.” somewhat unusual,” he averred. Patong’s Phangmeuang Rd, behind the municipal waste wa- his money. He’s lost a lot that Since then, the old man ex- He noted that “such behav- ter treatment plant. way. So he says he’ll have noth- plained, his new, er, son-in-law ior can be either long-term or Perhaps to show that its sense of humor is still razor ing more to do with women.” shows every sign of being smit- temporary,” and suggested “a re- sharp, Patong Municipality has placed a “No Dumping” sign The plight of Pupé duped by ten by the blushing bride: “He sponsible elder go talk [with Pupé] like a cherry on a rotting cake. Those who are found guilty human females apparently ex- buys expensive toothpaste to so he understands the conse- of doing so face a 2,000-baht fine, or so the sign says… cited machinations of a different brush her teeth and food supple- quences, especially the social con- Meanwhile, people sift through the mess in search of sort behind the ringlet-framed ments to make her fur glow. They sequences” of marrying a dog. retrievable objects. snout of little Olé. spend their time fondly hugging Poodles, it should be noted, Gazette readers are encouraged to send photos of “in- “Pupé came to me recent- and kissing.” range tremendously in size. The formal” garbage dumps, and details of where and when they ly,” said Uncle Gik, “and con- Uncle Gik said news of Olé relative statures of Olé and Pupé were taken, to dump@ phuketgazette.net, for inclusion in fessed that he had been seduced and Pupé’s wedding elicited con- were not reported. this regular column. by Olé. She snuggled beside him siderable consternation among Source: Kom Chad Luek April 1 - 7, 2006 AROUND THE NATION PHUKET GAZETTE 7 Pornthip to investigate 300 bodies unying Pornthip mander Maj Gen Jirut Prommo- Rojanasunand, Direc- bon said he had asked officers to tor of the Justice join the training on a voluntary K Ministry’s Forensic basis. He urged them to proceed Science Institute, said she would slowly with the program, which investigate a recently-discovered requires a physical test every six burial site in Pattani Province, months. where about 300 corpses have As he died on duty, Sgt Maj been discovered. Insom could be considered for a A large majority do not ap- posthumous promotion, Gen Jirut pear to have died from natural added. causes, she said. Khunying Pornthip did not Botch-ulism: Following a botu- specify the exact location where lism outbreak in Nan’s Navai Mai the corpses were found, but lo- village, military and health officials cal rescue workers from the Por want to learn how the botulism Tek Tung Rescue Foundation said bacteria could be used to make a they believed she was referring deadly toxin, Thailand Health to a section of the Talubok Cem- Minister Pinij Jarusombat said. etery in Pattani’s Muang District, The outbreak occurred af- where unclaimed bodies from ter 161 villagers became ill from Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat are eating contaminated bamboo buried. shoots at a merit-making cer- The officer, who asked not emony. to be named, said most of the After some of the victims bodies were foreign fishermen were flown to Bangkok for treat- working on Thai-owned trawlers ment, K. Pinij told a press con- in Pattani. ference the mass poisoning pro- Khunying Pornthip said she vided a rare opportunity to study was alarmed that there were no clostridium botulinum. The bac- police records to account for the TRUCK DRIVER LOSES GAMBLE : A man surveys the scene following a collision between a train and terium is used to produce botuli- bodies, which were not dumped a speeding 10-wheel truck in Ratchaburi’s Muang district. The accident killed six people and injured num toxin, one of the most poi- in a mass grave, but placed indi- at least 50 others, including many foreigners. The train, traveling from Butterworth in Malaysia to sonous substances known to vidually in the ground without Bangkok with 400 passengers, partially derailed. Four cars plunged into a rice field. Police said the man. truck driver broke through barriers at a rail crossing in an attempt to beat the train across. He and his coffins. two passengers were among the dead. The overnment agencies Police normally record such would study the process of pro- deaths as part of standard oper- ducing biological weapons from ating procedure, she said. For the next stage, the team plans instead of throwing the plate Sgt Maj Insom Kamla, 50, col- the bacteria in order to prepare It would be another month to develop packaging with heat- away, diners could grind the plate lapsed in front of fellow officers for its use in a possible terror at- before her team could conduct resistant polymers so it can also up and cook it for their pets. as they took part in a physical tack, he added. any autopsies at the site, she be used for hot food. training test at Muang Chiang Mai added. The team will search for an Fatal fitness: Chiang Mai Po- Municipal Stadium. He was im- Around the Nation news round- appropriate polymer which has lice plans to improve the physical mediately taken to hospital, where up is sourced from the pages of Cool crockery: Researchers heat-resistant properties to coat fitness of its officers suffered a he died of heart failure. The Nation and Kom Chad Luek from the National Metal and Ma- on the edible tableware, a re- blow when traffic cop Pol Sen Chiang Mai Police Com- newspapers. terials Technology Center and search assistant said. Thammasat University have “We have to find a coating jointly developed what they call polymer which is not only resis- “The Food Plate”, an edible plate tant to heat, but also degradable made of food-grade cassava root and safe for people’s health,” he powder. said. After a year’s research, the Most people do not choose team came up with a prototype to eat the edible plate as it has no that can be used only for dry food. taste whatsoever. After meals, 8 PHUKET GAZETTE AROUND THE REGION April 1 - 7, 2006

ith the next Full istrations, with 1,199 applications Moon Party on filed on the island compared with Koh Pha-ngan co- 178 registrations in Surat Thani’s W inciding with the Muang district and 113 on Koh Songkran New Year festival, the Pha-ngan. Samui Harbor Department is Developers head south: With planning special patrols to boost maritime safety in the area. the property sector still booming on Samui, developers are now tar- Lopburi Yothasiri, the head geting more remote areas such of the island’s Harbor Office, re- cently announced the imminent as beach areas in the south of the island. arrival of a 130-foot patrol ves- Large, exclusive residential sel with more than 10 crew, which will check boats arriving at and projects along the southwest coast near Baan Taling Ngam are at- leaving Koh Samui and Koh Pha- tracting particular attention and in- ngan, as well those encountered at sea nearby. vestment, both regionally and in- ternationally. Thanks largely to “Our staff will check pas- the unspoilt surroundings, agents senger numbers on every boat, “ said K. Lopburi, “and we will say that high-end properties in this area could fetch as much as engage extra staff from Surat US$2.5 million (100 million baht) Thani to lend a hand. During big festivals like this it is important to per home. Up-market residential de- make sure tourists are safe. The velopments also attract services new boat will be patroling from April 12 to 17.” such as restaurants, bars and rec- The ferries to Samui can expect heavy traffic around Songkhran, which coincides with a full moon. reational facilities. According to As for speedboats arriving one local developer, areas once and leaving the Full Moon party itself, although the harbor police seen as agricultural backwaters may soon be competing for the have already conducted inspec- title of “the Park Lane of Samui”. tions to ensure that all such ves- sels comply with safety standards, Extra checks Intelligent offices: A second K. Lopburi also wants passen- high-tech office building on Koh gers to be informed of the poten- Samui, known as “IT Complex tial risks before they board. II”, is scheduled for completion “A lot of problems can oc- by the end of the year. It will be cur when people are drunk and on boats during six stories high with 4,700 square lose control on a boat,” he said. meters of office space, and the “If tourists know the risks before units will incorporate a number of they board, they can look after technological benefits that the themselves better. If the boat is developers say mark a move to- too full they should just wait for Songkran ward more sophisticated business another one.” communications on the island. Some 15 people died, six of The new IT Center will them tourists, when a speedboat that tourism figures in major des- FROM THE political nor natural disasters can house property-related busi- hit a rock after a Full Moon Party tinations such as Phuket and deter visitors from coming to Koh nesses such as real estate agents, on January 25, 2005. Since then, Chiang Mai have been hit by the GULF OF Samui – although some local lawyers, architects, construction the Harbor Department has been current political crisis. commentators have been warn- firms and interior designers. working to increase safety on Panu Woramit, the head of THAILAND ing that a massive increase in de- Facilities will include 10MB tourist boats in the area. the Tourism Authority of Thailand By Barry Singleton velopment and construction on the hi-speed broadband Internet with (TAT) on Koh Samui, says the island might do so. ISP satellite backup, ISDN tele- No political fallout: Recent re- island has not suffered at all, how- K. Woramit, “and although the phone lines and full generator ports in the Thai press suggested ever. According to the TAT, peak tourist season generally Tsunami boost: According to backup for electrical equipment. Samui’s tourist numbers so far ends in March on Samui, book- figures recently released by Surat There will even be an onsite heli- have matched and may even ex- ings are still high for April – es- Thani Provincial Commerce Of- pad. ceed expectations this year. pecially over the Songkran holi- ficer, Sompong Aonprasert, the The first IT complex open- “Last month, the island day period.” December 26, 2004, tsunami ed two years ago, causing con- reached 90% occupancy,” said It would appear that neither brought about a significant in- troversy because of its urban de- crease in commercial and resi- sign, which many people felt was dential registrations on Samui dur- inappropriate for an island. ing 2005. But the Samui Estate Corpo, The number of applications sole agent for the IT Complex II, for juristic person registration in believes the new building is es- the province rose by 20% last sential for the island. year, with 1,300 applications for “The digital future of Koh company registration and 310 Samui is progressing due to in- partnership registrations – repre- ternational demand,” a spokes- senting an overall capital invest- man said. “The intelligent office ment of 3.5 billion baht. is a must for the island in order to Koh Samui accounted for increase the efficiency of our the lion’s share of business reg- businesses.” April 1 - 7, 2006 PHUKET GAZETTE 9 10 PHUKET GAZETTE April 1 - 7, 2006 April 1 - 7, 2006 AROUND THE ISLAND PHUKET GAZETTE 11

Left, plastics are loaded on a truck for consignment to a Bangkok-area recycling plant. Above: Wongpanit Phuket boss Niti Ruktaetrakul By Janyaporn Morel five occasional garbage markets so far, but we also have a regular s Phuket’s population one, twice a month, in Moo Baan and economy grows, Kathu, on Soi 4.” the amount of garbage Predictably enough, Wong- Aproduced on the island panit’s main source of usable also increases inexorably. The Niti-gritty materials is Phuket City Munici- Some visitors to these pality’s incinerator, which pro- shores might be forgiven for vides about 17% of the plant’s scratching their heads in disbe- overall materials. lief and asking, “Where on earth K. Niti explains, “I’m plan- are the bottle banks and the re- ning to introduce a plastic dispos- cycling dumps?” of recycling al process that would, in effect, The ironic fact of the mat- grind the plastic down to man- pares them for the larger recy- Garbage Fair, we choose a place, ter is that, in Thailand, the idea of company dedicated to separating ageable size. cling factories around Bangkok usually a school, where people separating, recycling and reusing and recycling used materials. “The problem is that we and Chon Buri. can bring their used materials. garbage occurs more readily to The Phuket branch of have to follow a lot of environ- “We classify the main types The school records what materi- the poor – out of sheer necessity Wongpanit is run by 28-year-old mental rules and the process is of reusable material into five main als the students have brought in – whereas the concept seems Phuket native Niti Ruktaetrakul. not only very noisy, but also re- groups: paper, non-ferrous met- and when we come to collect the hard to grasp for the average A computer management gradu- quires a lot of water. al, ferrous metal [iron and steel], garbage we pay students accord- middle-class and professional ate, K. Niti admits that the busi- “For the Municipality, their glass and plastic. We also deal ingly.” Thai. ness is in his blood; he has always biggest disposal problem is get- with electronic parts and batter- He adds that he has run this While municipalities strug- had a tendency to keep things ting rid of polystyrene and they’d ies.” project at about 20 local schools gle to dispose of the ever-grow- rather than throw them away. prefer us to tackle that.” ing tonnage of trash on the island He therefore took a course K. Niti is also consultant to so far and that he expects more fast solutions are required. at the Wongpanit factory in Phit- a smaller Wongpanit branch in to take part in the scheme. In Thailand, the samlor or sanuloke after graduating and Thalang District. He points out “As for the Usable Garbage For more information contact rot sa-leng – a motorcycle and obtained a business franchise to that Phuket is a growing province Market, we provide a location Wongpanit Phuket at Tel: 076- sidecar – carrying Thailand’s run a separation plant in Phuket. and that soon even districts like then inform locals that we’re 203271 or see the Wongpanit equivalent of the long-disap- K. Niti eventually found an ideal Rawai will need a separation there to buy their recyclable gar- website at www.wongpanit.com peared British rag and bone man plot of land close to Dents Done, plant. bage off them. We’ve had about (Thai language only). – is a familiar sight. This happy on Phra Phuket Kaew Rd in And the rag pickers with chappy relieves householders of Kathu, and set up business in their samlor? Has Wongpanit put discarded glass and plastic bot- December 2004. them out of business? Quite the tles, paper, long-broken-down K. Niti explains, “After fin- contrary. They now collect for the household appliances and any- ishing the training course, I plant. Still, K. Niti encourages thing else that can be recycled. learned that the Phuket Munici- local communities to separate at Unfortunately, there is no pality incinerator had more gar- source. He has also introduced way that these junk merchants bage than it could handle and that two consciousness-raising pro- can handle Phuket’s current gar- was a very good start indeed. In jects, called “Usable Garbage bage problem – up to 470 tons a point of fact, we are not a recy- Bank” and “Usable Garbage day by some estimates. Enter cling factory; our company sep- Market”. Wongpanit, a Phitsanuloke-based arates usable materials and pre- “Basically, for the Usable 12 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PEOPLE April 1 - 7, 2006

ince the institution of a constitutional monarchy in S 1932, Thailand has suffered more than a few at- tempts by strongmen to create a totalitarian state. Some Happily lasted longer than others, but eventually the people's fierce independence has always won. A stalwart group of veteran politicians – many of Ever whom were mere children in 1932 – remain, offering sage counsel and opinions to younger generations. Sakul Na Nakorn, who is now After 84, is one of those elder statesmen. The recent recipient of a Pridi Ban- Recent omyong Foundation Award, he weddings recorded his experiences and views in his book Tam Roy Pra- in Phuket wattisart Tee Yung Mee Lom Hai Jai – or On the Trail of Living, Breathing History. He spoke with the Gazette’s Sangkhae Leelanapaporn about what it has been like Right, Apichaya Kanasut and to live through ‘interesting times’. Samart Sangsuwan were married at The Metropole hotel, Phuket City, on March 9. akul Na Nakorn was technical college also in Bangkok born in Phuket on Octo- – undertaking a three-year ber 23, 1921, the son of course. “It was not too long a S Chuan and Kham, and course, so I knew I would be studied first at Plookpanya School back home soon,” he said. and then at Phuket Wittayalai The years passed, and K. School. Sakul graduated from Changkon He says that the most sig- Pathumwan on December 7, nificant event in his life was his 1941 – the date now infamous separation from his extended fam- for the Japanese raid on Pearl ily when, as an adolescent, he and Harbor. He returned to Phuket, his family accompanied his father and soon took up a post with the – a government financial control- Mine and Rubber Co at Takua ler – to Bangkok. Pa, Phang Nga. There, he continued There he met Na- his studies at Wang ‘One thing of ree Tanthonghe. Somdej Burapa They married and School. which I am sure are still together af- Subdued for a is that all the ter 61 years. The Left, Deatrice Marckie moment, K. Sakul struggling our devoted couple and Andrew Evans of explained that his raised four sons the USA celebrated mother and younger nation is seeing and a daughter. their wedding on Karon brothers came back [now] is Naree once Beach, next to the to Phuket, but that democracy in saved him from ass- Karon Beach resort, on he decided to stay assin’s bullet by March 18. with his father in action.” standing between Bangkok. him and his would- He said, “But I be killer. The gun- also felt I needed to be in Phuket man ran away. – that, as the eldest child of three, Democracy has always I had a responsibility to be the been a concern of his, even when man of the house in Phuket. But he was just 11 years old, during I also knew that I had to study to the country’s move to a constitu- improve myself. tional monarchy in 1932. “My intention was to study “In 1932, we fought against at Thammasat University, al- power that was undemocratic. though I missed my mother – now ‘Power corrupts’ was our rally- back in Phuket – so much. I also ing cry. wanted to help her; she was rais- “Times change, however, ing the other children more or less and what was once simply the lust on her own.” for power for its own sake be- He decided instead to study came also a lust for power for at Changkon Pathumwan – a monetary gain. The problems that

Do Not Drink Tap Water! April 1 - 7, 2006 PHUKET PEOPLE PHUKET GAZETTE 13 ELDER STATESMAN stem from wanting power be- hand with its social development, came twofold,” he asserts. both of which are in line with the “Democracy is a simple strategy for the nation as a whole. concept: it must increase the qual- “The local governor imple- ity of life for all people in all strata ments the plans and if success- of society.” ful, he is rewarded for it; busi- In 1947, he became a ness and the province are more surveyer with the Kamala Tin successful and all benefit.” Dredging Co. Living in company Each path to success, he accommodation, he saw first believes, has many smaller paths hand the difference in lifestyle feeding into it “like the tributaries and pay between foreigners and of a mighty river, such as the Thais. Two years later, these dif- Orinoco. It is because of these ferences came to a head when smaller paths that so much care K. Sakul was one of the leaders must be taken; they must all be of a strike by employees. The examined. Even the smallest of company caved in to all their de- these offshoots must be checked, mands. for they are just as important as In 1952, while still working the main path.” in the tin industry, he and some He extends his analogy to friends set up Pak Tai, Thailand's the people within society. “Most first local newspaper outside people progress through life along Bangkok. He continued to write the main path, although some – for the newspaper for 30 years, for many reasons, not necessar- building a reputation as a clean ily of their own doing – are on and honest journalist. different paths. His writing made him some “Take the poor, for example. powerful enemies. For example We may see them on the street, when he wrote in great detail and it is easier sometimes to look about the massive profits tin com- away from them, but we should panies were making from pro- not walk on by without consider- cessing ore bought cheap from ing them and what can be done local people, the column caused for them. a backlash that resulted in lower “Can a society, an indi- profits for the tin companies. vidual within society, claim to be In 1956, K. Sakul was elect- successful if it, or he, ignores ed kamnan of Rassada and also those less fortunate or able? joined the provincial council, in This is one of the guiding tenets those days an advisory body ap- of my life.” pointed by the Provincial Gover- Plainly a man of strong con- nor. He served six terms on the victions, he says that he has five council, stepping down in 1985. mottoes for life: 1. Know your By that time, the former tin strengths; 2. Be satisfied with mine surveyor had turned Sakul Na Nakorn: ‘What was once simply the lust for power for its own sake became also a lust for what you are and have; 3. Be against his old profession. See- power for monetary gain.’ confident; 4. Exercise self con- ing thje rise of tourism and its trol; 5. Respect yourself. potentially wide benefits to so- tinues with the current Governor, time passes, the views of the there are parallels between busi- Of the current political tur- ciety, he campaigned against tin. Udomsak Uswarangkura. ‘older’ people such as myself ness and governance. moil, K. Sakul said, “It is impos- He was at the forefront of “Some of my suggestions tend to be seen in a more nega- “Phuket’s multi-track devel- sible for me to predict what the the protest against the opening of have been taken up and it is tive light.” opment plan is a number of outcome will be, but one thing I a tantalum factory on the outskirts gratifying to see them come to K. Sakul said, “I have al- threads woven together. For ex- am sure of is that all the strug- of Phuket Town, a protest that fruition for the benefit of all who ways been more concerned with ample, the development of the gling our nation is seeing is de- ended with the plant being burned live in Phuket. However, as people than material wealth. But island’s economy goes hand-in- mocracy in action.” down. K. Sakul is now a consult- ant to the governor of Phuket, a role he first undertook with the first CEO Governor, Pongpa- yome Vasaputi, and which he con- 14 PHUKET GAZETTE LIFESTYLE April 1 - 7, 2006

famous remark – of - Nico’s husky, almost frosty Teu- ten attributed to Bri- tonic voice. an Eno – about The Though not a commercial or A Velvet Underground critical success upon release, the (VU) is that while only a few Underground album, often known as The Ba- thousand people bought a VU al- nana Album, is now regarded as bum upon its initial release, almost one of the greatest ever. In 1998, every single one of them was in- Q Magazine readers voted it the spired to start a band. 71st greatest album of all time; in An exaggeration, undoubt- 2003, TV network VH1 placed it edly, but one that goes some way resurrection at Number 19. Rolling Stone to suggest the strength of the placed it at Number 13 on its 500 band’s influence and the cult fol- Greatest Albums list. lowing it garnered then, and which EAR CANDY with Andy Johnstone Gold progresses with nota- exists even today, 40 years later. ble tracks – there are only six on Formed in 1965, VU rapid- The album cover is famous the original album anyway – from ly became part of the hedonistic, for its typically Warholian design: the 1968 release White Light/ avante-garde New York scene. a bright yellow banana with “Peel White Heat. Perhaps not surprisingly, the band Slowly and See” printed on the Included are the title track soon came to the attention of early versions near a perforated and all 17 minutes and 27 sec- painter, filmmaker, publisher and tab. onds of Sister Ray – the impro- actor Andy Warhol, arguably the Those who did remove the vised murder tale, a mini-opera leading light of the Pop Art move- banana skin sticker found a pink, really, based on some of Reed’s ment. phallic, peeled banana beneath. near-perennial song motifs: vio- Warhol became VU’s man- Rumors that the sticker was im- lence, drug abuse, homosexuali- ager and secured for the band – pregnated with LSD were untrue. ty and transvestism. Not for the by this time comprising Lou While the American west faint-hearted. Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morri- coast was undergoing its Summer Also from White Light… is son and Maureen Tucker – a con- of Love, psychedelia, flower pow- the free-jazz/grunge I Heard Her tract with Verve Records. He also er and hippy phase, and The Call My Name, which features suggested that the stunning Chris- Beatles were only just playing guitar work from Reed consid- ta Päffgen, the model, actress the counter-culture game, VU ered by many to be his finest to and icon, better known as Nico, concerned themselves with alto- date. The grungy distortion is so sing with VU. gether darker subject matter: heavily multi-layered that not Warhol’s suggestions soon transvestites, heroin addiction, much else is audible in the track. became insistence. He demand- alienation and sadomasochism – Although this style is now com- ed that Nico sing with VU on an appropriate east coast alter- mon in rock music, the song is still their debut album, The Velvet Un- native. recognized as one of the best derground and Nico, which he Eleven songs from VU’s examples of this technique. produced, apart from one song, debut showcase their style and The remainder of this com- Sunday Morning. range – only two of which do not pilation covers the years up to The album was recorded in feature on The Velvet Under- The Velvet Underground: Clockwise, from top left: Nico, Maureen 1970’s Loaded, VU’s last “prop- one or two days in November ground Gold – on a two-disc Tucker, John Cale, Sterling Morrison and Lou Reed. er” album – 1973’s Squeeze fea- 1966, and released in March budget-price CD from Polydor. tured replacement bassist/key- 1967. This compilation draws from the band’s three albums and but album careen from the pound- boardist Doug Yule and Maureen two out-take compilation and live ing I’m Waiting For The Man to Tucker, plus session musicians. albums, including four “slightly” the often misinterpreted Sunday By this time, the volatile forces raucous live tracks that most oth- Morning, and from the droning and personalities within VU – er compilations have shied away Venus In Furs and Heroin to the there had by this time been nu- from. bitter Femme Fatale – written merous personnel changes – Gold also includes two Nico about socialite and Warhol muse caused the band to separate. solo tracks – Chelsea Girls and Edie Sedgwick, and sung by Nico. It Was A Pleasure Then – co- The overall sound is driven The Velvet Underground Gold written and played by VU band by Reed’s deadpan vocals, Polydor 988 060-4. Part of a members Lou Reed, John Cale Cale’s droning – occasionally series of low-price 2-CD com- and Sterling Morrison, and taken shrieking – viola, Morrison’s of- pilations including Cream, Bob from her 1967 debut album, ten R&B and country-influenced Marley, Marvin Gaye, Parlia- Chelsea Girl. guitar and Tucker’s hypnotically ment and Peter Frampton, each The tracks from VU’s de- simple drumming. And, of course, priced at 299 baht. April 1 - 7, 2006 PHUKET GAZETTE 15

Ad-Central Full page K. Ann 16 PHUKET GAZETTE HAPPENINGS April 1 - 7, 2006 This week

INTERESTING: Decha Tulanan (right), Vice-President of Bangkok Bank (Thailand), BOOM BOOM BABY: Phuket Provincial Administration Organization President Anchalee and Kitti Ningnoi (center), Bangkok Bank Manager for Southern Thailand, were Vanich-Thepabutr (left) and photographer Suphat Satiansri opens the Phuket Baby special guests at the March 17 opening of the new Bangkok Bank branch at Boomer photo exhibition at Phuket Thai Hua School on March 16. Coliseum Paradise Multiplex, in Phuket City.

ON THE GO: Thai actress Pataratida ‘Tangmo’ Pachara- wirapong (left), joins DTAC Customer Group Head Sunti Maethawikul (rear, right) and DTAC Post Paid Group Head Director Boonyakiat Chartudomdej in leading the nationwide caravan to promote DTAC’s ‘Work More’ package as it passes through Phuket City.

ROAD STOP: Hong Kong hunk Chen Yee Kin Dior (center), takes a break from filming his travel show On The Road at the Dusit Laguna Resort (DLR). With him are (from left) DLR Sales Executive Praisie Huang; Laguna Phuket’s PR and Advertising Manager Rung-aroon Wichitwatee, DLR’s PR Manager Kanittha Than- thanasap and Guest Relations Officer Supansa Meelong.

GRAD ALL OVER: Students from Phuket Rajabhat University (PRU) gather round Asst Prof CARTED OFF: Janista ‘Aim’ Chuchouysuwan (red top), Miss Teen Thailand Darunee Boonya-udomsart (in lilac outfit), Head of PRU’s English Program, after their 2005 runner-up, with her mother (rear seat, right) and friends, practices her graduation ceremony. driving skills during a recent visit to the Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort & Spa. April 1 - 7, 2006 FEATURES PHUKET GAZETTE 17

PHUKET DIARY of coming events

To April 16: Exhibition of case a combination of surrealist See the event website at 1950s baby photos (see pic- and impressionist works by Thai- www.phuketbikeweek.com or ture on facing page). land’s finest artists. visit www.ridethailand.com for A collection of 100 black- The exhibition is open to the more information and -white photographs of Phu- public free of charge. ket babies is on display at the For more information con- May 27 and 28: Phuket Inter- Phuket Thai Hua School, on tact [email protected] national Rugby 10s. Wichit Songkhram Rd. The Phuket 10s takes place The exhibition will be open April 2: Seafood Sunday this year at Karon Stadium. every day but Monday from 10 Brunch at The Mangosteen. Twenty-three teams from am to 9 pm. A great seafood special nine countries have confirmed The photos were taken by brunch at The Mangosteen Res- they will take part this year. Aree Khojaroen in 1950, and the taurant. The ideal family Sunday Rainbow Warriors from exhibition is being staged by pho- with great food, wine and sea South Africa, last year’s cham- tographer Suthat ”Mr Big” Sa- views. 950 baht per person only pions, have confirmed that they tiansri, owner of Min Black & (children 350 baht), including will return to defend their title. 10-a-side rugby action returns to Phuket on May 27 and 28. White Darkroom in Bangkok. wine. Other teams, in addition to Admission is free. Reserve your favorite table Spoil yourself with a Sunday af- the country by pouring – tradition- Phuket’s own Vagabonds, include For more information, call by calling Christophe Lopez at ternoon at the restaurant with a ally only a little, but these days former champs the Moorabbin K. Suthat at Tel: 01-6893492 or Tel: 076-289399 or by sending beautiful view, good food, wine more playfully a lot – of water Rams (formerly the Melbourne Phuket Thai Hua School at 076- email to info@mangosteen- and music. 950 baht only (chil- on other people to wish them good Cruiser Rams), and the 2003 234-480. phuket.com. dren 350 baht). luck for the New Year. champs British Club Bangkok, Reserve your table by call- which will field two sides. To April 15: Art exhibition. April 6: Chakri Day, public ing Christophe Lopez at Tel: 076- April 14-26: Phuket Bike Also booked are, from Thai- Dusit Laguna Resort will holiday. 289399 or by sending email to Week. land, Bangkok Japanese, South- host an exhibition of bronze sculp- Chakri Day commemorates [email protected]. Phuket Bike Week 2006 will erners Bangkok and Thai Barbar- tures and oil paintings for public the origins of the Chakri Dynas- be held from April 12-16. ians; Selangor Dogs and Penang viewing. Entrance is free. ty, founded by Rama I, who es- April 11: Mawlid al-Nabi. The Grand Dinner by Ride All Blues from Malaysia; Asian The works are by British art- tablished Bangkok as the nation's Mawlid al-Nabi (the Pro- Thailand and the Phuket Riders French Babas and Siagon Gek- ist and sculptor Paul McGarry, capital. phet Muhammad’s birthday). Is- Club will be on April 14 at Thai kos from Vietnam; Bucks RFC, who incorporates Thai motifs and HM King Bhumibol Aduly- lamic holiday. Naan Restaurant, opposite Cen- Wanderers RFC and Bedock myth into pieces of modern art. adej is the ninth monarch of the tral Festival Phuket. Kings from Singapore; Pot Bel- Chakri Dynasty. April 13-15: Songkran, public Tickets are for sale at 300 lied Pigs and Tequila Mocking- April 1-May 31: Art exhibi- holiday. baht each and include dinner, a birds from Hong Kong; Flying tion. April 9: Italian Sunday Brunch Songkran (Thai New Year). show and competitions. Kukris from Brunei; Osan RFC YArt! Gallery at the at The Mangosteen Also known as the Water Festi- Seating is limited and early from South Korea, Al Ain Am- Crowne Plaza, Karon Beach, is The Mangosteen offers an val, and held during the driest bookings are recommended. blers from the UAE; Tulsa USA, mounting its second art exhibition, Italian Theme Brunch with a months in Thailand, Songkran is There will be an OTOP and two multinational sides, the titled Fantasie, which will show- great choice of Italian delights. celebrated by Thais throughout market party on April 14-15. Flying Elvises and Magnum RFC. 18 PHUKET GAZETTE SPA MAGIC April 1 - 7, 2006 Spa MAGIC Seriously pampered

By Nattamon Ratcharak Sri Panwa Spa

any adjectives are used in spa reviews with “relaxing”, Mhealthy” and “holis- tic” being just three. But how many of these words really ring true in a spa experience? I was determined to find out and so went to Sri Panwa Phuket with an open mind and a serious desire to be pampered like a prin- cess. This boutique villa hotel, part of the uipscale Sri Panwa prop- Sri Panwa’s mobile massage beds mean you can be pampered while looking out at your favorite view, whether hillside or sea. erty development, features ac- commodation and treatment There are two treatment I was greeted by Saowarot This is a one-hour treatment and baht Sabai Facial Treatment. K. rooms in an elegant combination rooms with four spa massage Khunsong, the Spa Co-ordinator, costs 2,000 baht. Neung explained, “We use spe- of tropical contemporary and tra- beds and five therapists to handle who immediately put me at my K. Neung, my therapist, cific herbs for different types of ditional Phuket-style décor. your every need and – here’s the ease with a traditional wai and a lived up to her name (neung skin along with yogurt to cleanse It was quite a climb up to lovely touch – Sri Panwa has herbal drink. means “Number 1” in Thai) start- and feed the pores. the hotel’s spa, but once on top “mobile massage beds” – 10 of K. Saowarot explained that ing with a heavenly foot massage. Tamarind is a natural mois- the view of Panwa Bay and the them in fact, so you can have a the spa uses exclusively natural The treatment room pro- turizer and honey heals and re- easterly sweep across Phang poolside massage or a massage Thai herbs in its wide range of vided sound-and-vision therapy in pairs any blemishes. Nga Bay was magnificent. in your room. treatments, featuring, amongst itself with its ambient music and “In addition an oatmeal others, the three ‘R’s – the Re- aquamarine blue walls and before treatment reduces and closes any juvenation package, a Romance I knew it, K. Neung was easing fine lines to make you look treatment and a Relaxing ses- into a body massage starting, of younger.” sion. all places, with my stomach, for K. Neung gently rubbed Just to be on the safe side, I a five-minute rub “to help diges- cool yogurt into my face to re- chose the full body massage, tion” she explained. move any cosmetics or dirt and called the “Sri Panwa Serenity”. Next was a one-hour 1,900- then applied a tamarind and milk powder scrub followed by a honey massage. After deep cleansing my face with cucumber, she applied an oatmeal-and-yogurt face mask. A final cleansing and then she rubbed in a jasmine-scented moisturizer. All of this may sound a little messy but the end result after an hour was a smooth, clean skin. I felt absolutely wonderful afterwards.

Sri Panwa Spa is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm. For more information visit the website at www.sripanwa.com or call Tel: 076-371000. April 1 - 7, 2006 DINING OUT PHUKET GAZETTE 19

rucola 180 (baht) and carpaccio On the – 350 baht for a plate the size of a cricket pitch. Having jointly menu devoured the beef sliced to mere microns thick that has evanesced in our mouths, we’re left wonder- ing just how we are going to cram in all the other delights on offer tonight. Quick-witted conversation between my dining companion and myself. We discuss the con- cept that the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two diametrically opposed ideas WITH in mind at the same time and still Andy Johnstone retain the ability to function. This, plus the pleasure of listening to Capannina the myriad conversations in a handful of Romance languages, he hills are most cer- causes suitable pauses between tainly alive with the courses. sound of music tonight, A goodly time later – the although Julie Andrews super Mario does not rush his T patroni – he asks what we would doesn’t even get a look in. The soundtrack to the drive from there like for our main courses. Milady to here – and every car journey is being mercurial over her choice, needs a good soundtrack – is but finally gives Mario her order: none other than the Pet Shop gnocchi with salmon, the sauce Boys’ Please album. to be his choice. As has often This music takes us back to been noted, I am far easier and … well, longer ago than either I Capannina’s ravioli burro e salvia with, inset, the insalata rucola. choose ravioli burro e salvia for or my dining companion at first 200 baht. wish to recall. Mario’s sauce for the gnoc- A certain sense of disbelief chi (350 baht) is bolstered by a momentarily descends as we de- healthy shot of vodka, the es- termine that it’s more than two sence of which adds bite to the decades since the synth-pop sub- rich satiny sauce. My ravioli, Maestro Mario stuffed with spinach and with a limity of the opening track Two Divided By Zero and then West fresh from having run a cooking La Capannina when we arrive; know his stuff, stocking a pleas- butter, sage and Parmesan sauce, End Girls first caught our atten- school in the seaside town. the clientèle made up – un- ingly replete wine cellar and deli. is simple and simply divine. Do I tion. Cooking has, he happily ad- surprisingly – of Italian and other La Capannina is the only really need to state that the pasta “Mais ou sont les neiges mits, always been his passion – Euro tourists and expats; the place I have found in Phuket and gnocchi is homemade? No? d’antan?” we ejaculate simulta- and the particular peculiarity of restaurant’s reputation extends serving locally-produced mozza- Good. neously, wondering also where this passion is pizza. Many of far beyond Kata, with the Piz- rella, made from Thai buffalo milk We then share a dreamy have all the flowers gone and Phuket’s Italian pizza cognoscenti zarati traveling from all points of and a feature of the insalata dessert – tortino caldo al cioc- where do you go to my lovely, – the Pizzarati? – declare Mario’s the compass, even from the Caprese. With typical perversity, colato con gelato all vaniglia before finding where the streets pies the peak, the very apotheo- mainland, to savor the fare of we decide on neither this nor (warm chocolate cake with have no name. sis of the genre. Consider that a Mario’s culinary savoir-faire. pizza tonight. Having enjoyed creamy chocolate filling) – before Another wrong turning. gauntlet thrown down to the rest Drinks first, however, and them both numerous times before, continuing on our long day’s jour- However, a blessing of good of the island’s pizza purveyors. white seems right for the night. we sally forth into the rest of the ney into night to the sounds of the karma arrives in the form of a go- The original La Capannina Mario breaks open a Planeta La menu. Pet Shop Boys. slow by some gloriously lobster- was hemmed in by four walls, and Segreta Bianco, which is a bit of It’s no exaggeration to say pink tourists, who are merrily although the food was – and re- a snip at 1,600 baht a bottle. that, despite the obvious effort he La Capannina Italian restau- ambling down the middle of the mains – first-class, the alfresco It offers a rich, fruity bou- lavishes on his food, his talent is rant & pizzeria, 30/9, Moo 2, road oblivious to a vehicle ap- version, opened in November quet of mango and lychee, with a as natural as the pattern made by Kata Rd, Karon. Tel: 076- proaching them as if the Devil 2004, gained much in the way of hint of mint and a peppering of the dust on a butterfly’s wings. 284318 or email capannina@ himself was tapping at the rear ambiance by losing the walls. er… pepper. The taste is nicely Beginning with bruschetta fastmail.fm for reservations (rec- window. It is a typically busy night at balanced and dry. Mario does pomodoro (90 baht), insalata ommended). “That’s a good sign,” says my companion as I am forced to slow from 100kmh to zero in si- nus-hurting time. She points out the C-A-P of Capannina, tonight’s destination for the West End Girl and self. The tires screech – as tires are wont to do – as I fling the car sideways, dispersing yet more tourists and the odd security guard through the gentle flashing of the car’s headlights, the stab- bing of the horn as if it were the “Fire” button on a Typhoon’s con- trol column and the uttering of – in my best South African accent – a number of slurred ethnic slurs. Incidentally, the turning is off Kata Rd down a small soi to Phuket Kata Resort; La Capan- nina is opposite the entrance to the hotel, and a number of park- ing spaces exist. La Capannina is the brain- child of the robust yet reserved Mario Eleonori from the Italian Adriatic Coast town of Monte- cassiano, which is not to be con- fused with Monte Cassino, inland of the Mediterranean Coast. Mario arrived in Phuket in 2000, 20 PHUKET GAZETTE ALL AT SEA April 1 - 7, 2006

By Andy Johnstone refined. The exceptional luminos- ity granted by the large windows he smallest craft in the is enhanced by shades made of “S” line – Azimut’s Open high-tech fabrics and by the in- range – together with terwoven fibers used on the door the 62S, was presented paneling to the cabins and ward- T robes. This contrasted well with at last year’s Genoa International Boat Show. The Avigliana boat- the dark tones of wengé wood yard in Turin has achieved an ex- used for floors and furnishings. ceptional goal: a new, four-model All furniture on board is range, from 43 feet to 86ft, in just lined with scented cedar wood, three years. and the fabric used for the cur- Another unique “open” de- tains, sofas and bed covers can sign by Stefano Righini, the 43 be chosen by the buyer from two Open has distinct living and sleep- different lines: Sport or Charm. ing quarters that. With a perfect Access to the salon is balance of openings and win- through a sliding, four-paneled dows, it combines the commodi- crystal glass door that faces two ousness and elegance of a fly- sofas. The one to starboard, bridge with the sporty freshness which is L-shaped and can be of an open. transformed into a spare queen- Extensive industrial devel- sized bed, has rounded seating opments have been taking place facing forward, a rounded Otto- in Avigliana over the past two man to aft and a side table. years, leading to a more technol- Quintessentially sexy: the Azimut 43S. The twin Volvo engines give it a top speed of 33 knots. A second sofa is to port be- ogy-driven process that delivers tween a cupboard for tableware higher quality and a marked in- and steps leading down to the crease in production. galley. The central table has a The 43S has a squared-off pivotable top and its height can prow that not only enlarges all the ITALIAN STUNNER be adjusted, allowing it to serve deck areas, but also improves as both a dining table and coffee mooring maneuvers. The fore- The cockpit, reached by a four sliding crystal-glass panels. The air-conditioning system and table. Should the owner choose deck has its own large sunpad, starboard gangway, has a six-seat When fully opened, each panel the generator are in the auxiliary the optional extra bed, the table with cushions and glass rests in U-shaped cushioned sofa, with slides over the other to create a area. Ventilation is guaranteed by may be lowered to facilitate the Plexiglas. It is easily reached via storage cupboards underneath, large open-plan living space that two fans and an extractor. The transformation from sofa to bed. the wide walk-around decks, pro- and a central table that, when low- unites the dinette and cockpit. batteries are high-current and The helm station has been tected by sturdy steel handrails, ered, has its own cushion – trans- The engine room can be rapid-charging. Engine exhausts designed with the same materi- Water supply filler caps are to forming the divan into a very reached via a hatch under the are below the waterline. als and colors as the other Open starboard and fuel supply filler comfortable sun lounger. The sofa in the cockpit or from an- The 43S is the first Azimut models; iridescent gray and alu- caps are on both sides. door leading to the dinette has other in the floor of the saloon. to be fitted with the new IPS 500 minum-colored instrument panels system, developed by Volvo. This with a two-seat reclining sofa for delivers exceptional maneuver- comfort while navigating and a ability and is very quiet during glass-top cabinet to one side. cruising. The twin 370hp Volvo Opaline inserts, positioned engines give the same perfor- under the windshield, filter day- mance as obtained from a tradi- light through to the corridor lead- tional 450hp engine – maximum ing to the sleeping area and the speed 33 knots and a cruising bathroom in the master suite. speed of 29 knots – while con- This is a spectacular vessel. suming far less fuel. Although it is the “baby” of the The two engines also offer range, is far, far more than an a significant reduction in exhaust entry-level boat. fumes, putting them well within IMO (International Maritime Or- The Azimut 43S range starts at ganization) gas emission rules. 465,000 euros. For more infor- The internal décor, designed mation, Simpson Marine at by the renowned Carlo Galeazzi Phuket Boat Lagoon. Tel: 076- in collaboration with Azimut’s 239768; Fax. 076-239927; or styling department, is modern and visit: www.simpsonmarine.com April 1 - 7, 2006 TAKE A BREAK PHUKET GAZETTE 21 PPUZZLESUZZLES The Cryptic Crossword

ACROSS 2. Echoes of thieves in underwear. (8) Spot the Difference 6. I would take printer’s measure, all the same. (4) Can you find the seven 10. Incarnation of Ms Gard- differences between the ner with black goo. (6) two cartoons below? And 11. Thai solver of business can you find them faster disputes has a couple of than the rest of the family? donkeys in. (8) Solution on next page. 13. Stole and amassed about returning referee. (8) 14. Order in the most straightforward way. (6) 16. Cheers for hoteliers’ club! 17. Character may run east. (4) 18. American ship takes Romeo to Russian empire. (4) 21. Score for speed. (4) 23. Does Cardinal snip tail? Compiled by Tortuus. © 2006 (4) DOWN 8. As to currency, paimter 24. Three points about quiet took a railway. (8) fencing implement. (4) 1. Restricts spasms. (6) 9. Old language in American 28. A fellow with the Spanish 2. Resort area had muddled part. (5) church. (6) “Aloha” in 2000. (4,3) 12. Deflect light and react 29. “I’m powerful!” Not. (8) 3. Is a ringer a Spanish 31. Minister to Al in country- queen? (8) with a little French in. (7) side. (8) 4. OK in boxing? Quite the 15. Partical in any bodily 32. Dodges a space to the opposite. (1,1) structure. (7) south. (6) 5. Headstrong skin condi- 19. Loony may damage 34. Can take shirt color. (4) tion. (4) vessel. (8) 35. Rides bus, strangely, to 7. Those who work with 20. Weapon turner. (8) make payments. (8) rags. (7) 22. Great leader, thin, takes query oddly. (7) 25. Recluse before parasite. Scribble Space (7) 26. Singer’s general meaning. (5) 27. No motion, oddly, in its ass. (6) 30. Transport strain for I. (4) Solution, tips and 33. King of pellets. (1,1) computer program Solution on next page at www.sudoku.com Brain Buster!

EZ TRIVIA QUIZ Chairat, Arun and Meechai were all at 1. What is the currency of “The Tramp” in silent Daeng’s house when a India? films? package was delivered. Each guessed what was in 2. What is an ozone mol- 7. Which past president of the box, but only one of ecule made of? Yugoslavia has just died? them was right. 3. Who discovered the an- 8. Which comic strip char- Using their guesses as tibiotic properties of acter, still running today, clues, can you figure out penicillin? was drawn with a ciga- what was in the box? rette dangling from his 4. Which planet in the so- lips from 1957 until the Chairat said, “It’s a lar system is closest to 1980s? laptop computer.” Arun Earth in size? 9. What is the capital of said, “I'll bet it’s a pizza.” Laos? Meechai said, “I think a 5. Name the two US space picture or a laptop Sudoku is very simple: each row, each column and each “box” of shuttles lost to accidents. 10. Which country was call- computer is in the box.” nine squares within the puzzle must contain all the numbers from ed Ceylon until 1972? “It’s a picture, for sure,” 1 to 9 with, naturally, no repetitions. Beware: there is only one 6. Which comedic actor said Daeng. solution to this puzzle, which is on the next page. played a character called Answers on next page Answers on next page 22 PHUKET GAZETTE TAKE A BREAK April 1 - 7, 2006 Get your brain in gear with The Monster Quiz Kids! Ask Mum and Dad to help you find the answers to these questions. They’re not easy but, if you do some research, you should be able to find the answers to all of them. 1. Which revolutionary 8. In which year was the 14. Whose last words were, aircraft entered service Emerald Buddha installed “Show my head to the with Britain’s Royal Air at Wat Phra Kaew in people. It is worth Force on April 1, 1969? Bangkok? seeing”?

2. Whose novels include 9. In which F Scott Fitzger- 15. Which band is made up The Joke, The Book of ald novel does this line of Alex Turner, Jamie Laughter and Forget- appear: “In a real dark Cook, Andy Nicholson ting and The Unbear- night of the soul it is and Matt Helders? able Lightness of always three o’clock in Being? 16. Which university did the morning, day after Coldplay members Chris Quick Crossword 3. From where does the day”? Martin, Jon Buckland, hardwood wengé Guy Berryman and Will ACROSS DOWN originate? 10. 3 A.M. Eternal was a Champion all go to? 1. Cabbage or pea, for 2. A very long time. 1991 hit single for which example. 3. Female sheep. 4. Which writer popularized Acid House band? 17. Who won the Whitbread 7. Sickly. 4. Book of maps. the term “Generation Book of the Year in X”? 2005? 9. Barbie or Cindy, maybe. 5. Very large spoon. 11. Roughly how many pieces of luggage did airlines 10. Every one. 6. Not a conscript. 5. In which country would 18. Who was the subject of 7. Not sure. worldwide misplace in 11. Come to an end. you find the Dentifoss 2005? the book? 13. Sports TV channel. 8. Make cloth. waterfall? 12. Former. 16. Stink. 19. Which movie won the 14. Luggage binding. 6. Which famed Russian 12. Which character did actor Oscar for best picture in 18. Clooney. ****** 15. Exist. film director was born Johnny Briggs play for 30 1996? 19. Opposite of SSW. 17. Small hill. April 4, 1932? years on British TV? 20. Frizzy hairstyle. 18. House lizard. 20. What is the name for 21. Metal. 22. Ammo for a shooter. 7. In which cemetery, in 13. How was the character curry soup? 24. Anthony’s beloved. 23. Go wrong. which town, is he written out of the story- Solution below, right. buried? line? Answers below, left

Puzzle Solution to this week’s Cryptic Solutions Crossword Brain Buster EZ Trivia Answers Solution 1. Rupee; 2. Three oxygen molecules (O3); 3. Sir The box contained a pizza. Since Alexander Fleming; 4. Venus; 5. Challenger, destroyed two children can’t both be right, after liftoff in 1986; Columbia, destroyed during re-entry Chairat, Meechai and Daeng Solution to this must be wrong, leaving only in 2003; 6. Charlie Chaplin; 7. Slobodan Milosevic; 8. week’s Quick Arun. Andy Capp; 9. Vientiane; 10. Sri Lanka. Crossword Monster Quiz Answers 1. The Hawker Siddeley Harri- Solution to Cartoon Puzzle er; 2. Milan Kundera; 3. West Africa; 4. Douglas Coupland; 5. Iceland; 6. Andrei Tarkovsky; 7. Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois, Île- de-France, France; 8. 1784; 9. The Crack-Up; 10. The KLF; 11. 30 million; 12. Mike Baldwin; Solution to this 13. He died of Alzheimer’s dis- week’s Sudoku ease; 14. French revolutionary puzzle Georges Jacques Danton; 15. Arctic Monkeys; 16. University College, London; 17. Hilary Spurling; 18. Henri Matisse; 19. The English Patient; 20. Mulli- gatawny. April 1 - 7, 2006 FEATURES PHUKET GAZETTE 23

Thai girls in uniform: “Most ob- vious are the university girls who Endlessly painful are obliged to wear schoolgirl gear. To distinguish themselves from their younger sisters, the Uniformly pretty ones often stretch the academic blather dress code to its limit. Their white blouses are sprayed on and their y editor asked that I terests of American businesses black skirts are worn extra short read Verisimilitude being served at the expense of – often with a split up the side. because the novel is cultural diversity and heritage.” During term-time, crowded fascinating set in contemporary And on and on and on. Veri- Skytrain carriages can sometimes M resemble the upstairs dance floor later they brought it back to me. Phuket. Self-published by Aus- similitude is 226 pages of loony tralian university lecturer Harry left rhetoric, punctuated by insipid at Soi Cowboy’s Baccara Bar. “I just didn’t know how to Nicolaides, the 226-page book dialog, cardboard characters and The mass transit system becomes OUTSIDE say ‘Your food is shit’ in Thai!” was printed in Thailand. a gimcrack plot. This is not a no- a pervert’s paradise and Thai and (4) Like other paperbacks, the vel but a rant, peppered with farang men alike don’t know IN first four pages con- howling typos and where to look. By Lis Kinswoman More bloggers galore: “We tain paragraph-long dumb errors. For ex- Thai hospitals can seriously took a taxi to Phuket Town and quotes of extrava- ample, the resort raise your blood pressure. A visit Hello once again, all you man, you think Singaporeans are gant praise for Veri- beaches of Phuket to Bumrungrad is like stumbling voyeurs and Internet bad drivers, come to Thailand. similitude – “an un- are on the west coast, into a ’70s German porn flick. The Geez. Our hotel wasn’t too bad, curtain-twitchers. Here’s well considering we were only disguised bold-faced not the east, and nurses are stunners and their Lis’s weekly look at Phuket assault on Thailand’s Krabi is east of spotless white uniforms are pure paying about A$2 a night for it. presentation culture Phuket, not north- Benny Hill. The delightful Thai from the outside in – through No hot water and an air-con that and its rank obses- Off the east. nurses look like they should work the eyes of bloggers, news sorta worked. sion with the appear- And this is the behind a cosmetics counter at reports and websites. One “We went for a walk ance of truth”; “the gimcrack plot: Ajarn Central Chidlom.”(1) around and well, it’s pretty darn SHELF word of caution, however: dirty. But maybe I have been liv- archetypal Odys- Prisana falls in love these points of view may or sean journey”; “asks By James Eckardt with Italian teacher ThaisNews getting a little ing in immaculate Singapore for the most important Georgio Fandango mixed up: “An official of the de- may not correspond with too long. Cats and dogs roam the question of our age” … all of (yes, really). partment... said Phuket has not those of Lis herself. It all streets, mopeds everywhere. them written by the author him- “She curled her tongue into faced with any problems and no depends on which side of Actually the whole family rides on the moped, dad on the front self! Sublime chutzpah. his mouth and licked his ears like impact should occur from the in- bed she gets out of in the The first two chapters are a serpent. Georgio sighed in ec- cidents. with the toddler between his legs, not so much badly written as stasy, his body convulsing and “He said local residents morning... mum on the back holding a 6 badly overwritten, with swathes buckling with powerful spasms. have been urged not to panic month old baby. of deep-purple prose. Driving up Engulfed by passion, their bodies since the warning systems have land trip is coming to an end. This “It’s just amazing the differ- by jeep from Phuket, bonded together in a already been installed. The sys- part of the trip has been some- ent things you see to back home. hero Savvas and girl- ferocious rhapsody of tems will work 40 minutes prior what of a culture shock com- We wandered around the streets friend Prisana return lust.” The author re- to the natural disaster takes pared to our experiences in the and then decided to try and catch to her lovely home vil- ally should stick to place.” (2) North. the bus. We went to the bus stop lage of Nongpajik in politics. “When I say ‘shock’ it’s not and their was some kids there and Chiang Rai. After American Konichiwa! Nightlife in Pa- in a good way. Southern Thailand we asked where the bus goes and teaching at “Prince of teacher Kane Lam- tong FAQ. is full of fat westerners, neon they obviously didn’t speak En- Mahidol University” bin doesn’t like Sav- Q: Why do Thai girls love lights, over-priced food, too many glish. in Phuket, they are to vas, and one day Japanese men? tourists, dodgy shops selling crap “When the bus pulled up teach at Chiang Rai washes up drowned A: The girls know Japanese stuff or take-offs, and dangerous they said ‘Bus, Bus’ and motioned University. on Kata Beach. Mur- are stupid, they always pay too water sports. us to get on laughing. So we did You can almost der or suicide? Four much. “Even walking down the and got on but it was full of school forgive such purple FBI agents (!) turn up Q: Why do Thai men love street is taking your life into your kids!! We tried to pay and the guy Japanese girls? own hands. Not to mention how just looked at us. They were hav- prose for the sheer Harry Nicolaides. to investigate. Their novelty that the girl- interrogation of Sav- A: I don’t know. the locals drive. Yesterday we ing us on!! So we got off at the friend is a university ajarn and vas turns into a lesson in which Q: Why are Patong more drove from Krabi to Phuket and next stop and you could hear all not a bar girl. But after a two- the reader is treated to a 14-page quiet this year? saw death come towards us so the kids cracking up and waving day idyll in the village, Savvas disquisition on nasty American A: Because this govern- many times I’m surprised we to us. Hee hee.” (5) slips out to his jeep, intent on politics, Western depravity, epis- ment have worked hard in one made [it] in one piece... abandoning Prisana. temology, Buddhism, God, meta- year now to scare tourists away “So, we sat down at a table, 1. http://www.mangosauce.com/thai_ Chapter 3 is a flashback to physics, fate, free will, good and from Patong. Everybody knows ordered our drinks and a late secrets/sexy_thai_girls_uniform.php two years before. Savvas is evil. Savvas dearly loves the there are only one reason to go lunch. Unfortunately, the food did 2. http://www.thaisnews.com/news_ teaching at a language school in sound of his own voice. to Patong and it’s not for the sun not meet our expectations... to be detail.php?newsid=166200 Phuket. There is the obligatory This is followed by another and beach.” (3) honest, it was shitty shite. I even 3. http://phuket.as/diary3.php morally-horrified description of 21-page catechism in which sent my duck back but they 4. http://suesadventure.blogstream.com/ Soi Bangla: “The sheer sun-wor- Savvas expounds on love as he Bloggers galore: “We are now thought I sent it back because it 5. http://www.getjealous.com/printdiary. shiping hedonism that sweated and Prisana, now lovers, drive up in Phuket and our Southern Thai- was undercooked so about 10 min php?username=trixiecat through the voluptuous landscape from Phuket. A stop in Bangkok of white sandy beaches and allows this observation: “Under azure water during the day gave the golden arches of McDonald’s way in the evening to buttock- a delinquent generation was ex- slapping, beer-swilling debauch- posed to a combination of rapa- ery and buccaneer carousing in cious consumerism, corporate the hundreds of go-go bars and corpulence and the cultural im- beer bars that infested Patong.” perialism of the West.” But his true moralistic hor- And so on and so forth. You ror he reserves for that scum of get the idea. This is – and I say the earth – teachers of English. this in genuine awe – the worst They reek of malignant neuroses, novel I have ever read. private obsessions and sordid sexual fetishes. “His pot-marked [sic], wrinkled skin sagged with sin. His large forlorn eyes were cesspools,” is how one teaching colleague is described. Furthermore, it’s all a CIA plot – with operatives planted in the Thai educational system to promote “acquiescence and ra- pacious consumerism. This appe- tite for Western products had de- veloped into a cargo cult of con- sumption with only the vested in- 24 PHUKET GAZETTE EDITORIAL & LETTERS April 1 - 7, 2006

367/2 Yaowarat Rd, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000 Tel: 076-236555 - Since 1994 - Fax: 076-213971 Email: [email protected] Best advice is being ignored Now that the country is in the midst of a political stalemate that has hamstrung the democratic process and divided the electorate along class lines, it is a good time to reflect upon the words of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s speech of December 4, 1997, to mark his 70th birthday. During that address, His Majesty urged his subjects to adopt a “self-sufficiency” economy, based on the Buddhist principles of self- reliance and on taking the middle path. Being honest, finding satis- faction through moderation and freeing ourselves from the clutches of greed were the keys to happiness, we were told. But we did not listen. About six months after that speech was made, the Phuket Solid Waste Incineration Plant went into operation at Saphan Hin. Since then, the amount of garbage sent to the plant from the island’s 21 local government administration bodies has increased by 7% a year, on average [see First Person, page 25]. Some 430 tons of garbage are now being sent there every day, even though the incinerator is capable of burning only 250 tons of it. What better indication could there possibly be of our collective fail- ure to heed HM The King’s sage advice than this enormous increase in the amount of refuse we produce? Letters A 12-rai landfill near the incineration plant, initially intended to serve as a refuse pit for incinerator ash, is now being used to bury The Gazette is pleased to receive mail from read- your views for publication in our next issue. the garbage the incinerator cannot handle – about 180 tons of it daily. ers. Please write to us at 367/2 Yaowarat Rd, We reserve the right to edit all letters. Pseudonyms The man in charge of it admits that the site will be filled by year’s Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000, fax to 076-213971 are acceptable only if your full name and address end. or send an email to [email protected] with are supplied. Phuket desperately needs a second incineration unit at the plant in order to prevent the entire island from becoming one giant garbage The road to hell – or Patong Hill road conditions] to with international titles awarded dump, an extension of the wasteland one can now see behind the take this route. to the winners. Besides this, there water treatment plant in Patong (see page 6), along Soi Panieng north Patong… Just two days ago, after are general championship shows. of Phuket City and at numerous other locations islandwide. queuing for a long time at the foot There is a dog show of But unfortunately, thanks to the current political situation, no We all know that Patong Hill is a nightmare when it rains. Even of the hill, I turned around and de- some form or other held most one knows when funding for the 1-billion-baht incinerator upgrade cided to go to Phuket City via weekends in Bangkok, run under project will be approved. with good tires on my car I expe- rience wheelspin in the wet as I Karon and Chalong to avoid an the auspices of the KCT. These In the meantime, many people are now appealing to HM The accident. are well-attended affairs. King to intervene in the current political standoff. Others are rushing nose my way through the traffic. However, the problem can That this was necessary is At the international four- out to buy one of the 56,000 “Long Live The King” bracelets now shameful. I’m not asking the au- day shows dogs and their breed- available on the island to mark the 60th anniversary of his accession be easily solved. I am a regular user of Route thorities to build a tunnel (which ers attend from many countries to the throne. Many are doing both. is actually the safest option), but in the region such as Malaysia, One has to wonder, however, how many of these people are 41. Just south of Thung Song there is a hill not as steep as Patong’s. at least remove the old asphalt Indonesia, the Philippines, South also taking the time to reflect on his advice and to find a way to put it and lay down a new good-quality Korea, Taiwan and Japan, and into practice in their own lives. Even so, the hill’s potential dangers are well signposted. non-slip surface. This would quality is high in a lot of the – The Editor The department that looks avoid a lot of accidents. breeds. after this piece of road hasn’t just It is not just for me, but for Judges are invited from left it at that; they have laid down your own citizens. It is your duty. around the world and the organi- a very rough tar surface to en- Ivan zation of these events is on par sure maximum traction and grip. Phuket with anything in the West. As far as dog breeders are In association with The Nation Multimedia Group PCL I don’t see why similar can- not be done on Patong Hill. Top Dog doesn’t concerned, there are many top- class breeders in Thailand. Michael G Finn Editor: Rungtip Hongjakpet Izmen know his shows In fact, a breeder from Bangkok took one of his Thai Managing Editor: Alasdair Forbes I do not intend to go into the pros and cons of purebreeds against ridgebacks to the World Show the Deputy Editor: Chris Husted … is not paved with year before last and won Best in Chief Reporter: Sangkhae Leelanapaporn mongrels (after all, a dog is a dog good intentions is a dog). his Group which is a real feather Editorial Team: Stephen Fein, Andy Johnstone, Sam Wilkinson, Nattamon However, I would like to in any breeder’s cap. Ratcharak, Natcha Yuttaworawit, Janyaporn Morel With reference to your Issue & challenge “Top Dog’s” remarks Other breeders are sending Answer about cats’-eyes road in his recent article in which he puppies to the US where they reflectors, Thanit Sakiya, Chief of states “Dog shows, although not compete. Managing Director: Rungtip Hongjakpet Izmen I believe in the good work General Manager: Oranee Pienprasertkul the Phuket Provincial Highways unheard of, are still novel in this Office, said, “Generally it is not country and reputable breeders which Soi Dog Foundation is un- Marketing Manager: Natthira Susangrat the road but the driver at fault are therefore rare.” dertaking, but I also believe that Classifieds Manager: Phatsara Raktammakit when an accident happens.” Perhaps he is unaware of choice is an individual thing and Events & Public Relations Manager: Athipa Bunnak I have come off my bike the fact that dog shows held on there are many folks out there who want a specific breed of dog Publisher: The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd more than once on that damned the mainland, generally in Bang- Patong Hill, due to the terrible kok, are not only numerous but because of its looks or its char- road that, with just a few drops are now helping Thailand to gain acter. Contact us of water, turns as slippery as a reputation as the main venue They all fall sick from time Advertising Sales: [email protected] hell. for most of Asia’s top Dog to time and they are not all of the Everyone is aware of this; Shows. best temperament, but we who Classified Advertising: [email protected] love our canine friends love them Website Services: [email protected] just ask the rescue team stand- The Kennel Club of Thai- ing by for tragedies to happen. land (KCT) is extremely active regardless. Gazette Guide inquiries: [email protected] Jackie Perry I am really fed up with all and hosts Asian Kennel Union Ao Makham Telephone: 076-236555 (10 lines) Fax: 076-213971 the excuses made by people “in Shows at least twice a year. charge”. The sad reality is that Moreover, the Federation (Jackie Perry is a renowned they think that lives are not valu- Cynologique Internationale – the judge of international dog The views expressed in the Phuket Gazette are those of the writers and contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, the editor, the shareholders, or the able enough to be saved. largest canine organization in the shows – Editor) directors of The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd. My wife is too terrified [by world – hosts international shows Letters conveying views and suggestions are published here. Those seeking comment from government Copyright © 1994-2006 The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd officials and/or business owners are published in Issues & Answers on the facing page. April 1 - 7, 2006 PERSPECTIVES PHUKET GAZETTE 25 Solid reasons behind Phuket’s waste problem olid waste disposal poses fill. Unfortunately, on many of the a serious problem for occasions when we hold meet- Phuket because the ings on waste disposal issues, amount of trash contin- FIRST they are only attended by low- S ranking officials from the tam- ues to grow annually. Knowing that the budget PERSON bons and tessabans [municipali- approval process for a new in- ties] who lack decision-making cinerator was likely to be slow, authority. Many high-ranking of- the city began a garbage separa- Phuket City Municipality has re- ficials seem not to care, since the tion campaign at the beginning of incinerator is in Phuket City, not 2006. By doing this, we hope to quested a 1-billion-baht budget to their own jurisdiction. reduce the amount of waste that build a second incineration unit at It is because of this lack of needs to be put in the landfill until its Phuket Solid Waste Incineration cooperation that garbage separa- the second unit, also to be rated tion schemes are never success- at 250 tons per day, goes into ser- Plant at Saphan Hin, where all of ful in Phuket – or in the rest of vice. the island’s collected garbage is Thailand for that matter. There The amount of solid waste sent. The existing incinerator can are no laws forcing communities collected in Phuket has been in- burn only 250 tons of trash per day, to sort their garbage, and com- creasing about 7% annually. It munity leaders are either unable increased to 430 tons per day in far less than the 430 tons currently or unwilling to make it happen. 2006, up from 248 tons daily in delivered to it daily. The rest is be- In fact, Governor Udomsak 2000. ing dumped in a nearby 12-rai Uswarangkura earlier this year The Phuket Solid Waste In- announced an island-wide gar- cineration Plant in Phuket City is landfill site, which is expected to reach its capacity by year’s end. bage separation campaign, ask- responsible for burning or bury- Prachoom Suriya, Director of Phuket City’s Environmental Group, has been in ing the local administrations to ing all waste delivered to it from charge of operations at the plant since it was completed in May 1998. encourage homeowners to sort the island’s 21 local administra- Here he discusses the island’s solid waste disposal problem. their garbage into three groups: tions. As we weigh each deliv- recyclable materials such as glass ery, we know that Phuket City bottles; biodegradable wastes Municipality contributes the most to bury at the landfill near the fore the municipal trash trucks ate methane gas, which can be such as wood, leaves and durian with an average of 38,600 tons a plant. This is going to be a prob- arrive. used to help power the incinera- husks; and hazardous wastes. But year )approximately 106 tons a lem when the landfill is full, which A big problem is that up to tor. [see Inside Story, Gazette is- even though Phuket is a small day). After this comes Patong I expect to happen by the end of 65% of the garbage collected in sue of March 25, 2006]. province, wherein such a pro- Municipality at 21,000 tons a year this year. Phuket today is waste food [and We have also had the idea gram should be easy to imple- (57 tons a day), and Tambon We need a second incinera- other organic wastes]. We have to begin the sorting of refuse at ment, there was no action by lo- Rassada with 10,600 tons yearly tion unit if we want to incinerate to find economic incentives in each house, with three different cal administrations. (29 tons a day), on average. all of the waste produced here, order to reduce this organic waste trash trucks to collect waste of Even if we do get the bud- In addition to 21 municipali- but the billion-baht budget for this component. This is particularly various types: the first for garbage get for a second incineration unit, ties, there are other sources of still has not been approved. Even challenging in a province such as and other organic waste; the sec- I still think Phuket faces and enor- waste. These include the private when it is approved, it will still take Phuket, because for a long time ond for dry waste to be inciner- mous waste disposal problems in sector and trash brought to about 18 months to build the fa- provincial development has fa- ated; the third for toxic and other the future because the amount of Phuket from off-island. All of the cility. vored tourism over more tradi- hazardous wastes. We already garbage will continue to increase waste from the Phi Phi Islands is In the meantime, we really tional industries, like raising pigs have the vehicles we need, and while at the same time the island brought to Phuket by barge, for need a shift in people’s attitudes and chickens, that can put much this will start as a pilot project in is running out of landfill space. example. Another source is from with regard to waste disposal. If of this waste food to good use. If the city in mid-2007, expanding We have about 20,000 peo- yachts that visit and offload their people are given an economic in- Phuket were still an agricultural into other areas after that. ple visiting the incineration plant garbage here. We can expect the centive, they will sort, recycle and province, we could compost the We will need cooperation each year. We hope this will help contribution from this sector to re-use their household waste. We organic waste and sell it to farms. from local administrations to ac- people to become more aware of continue growing as well. already see this with the people We want to build a more complish this, however. If we get the waste disposal problem and At the plant, we have to who go around and pick out advanced waste separation and it, we could greatly reduce the encourage them to take part in separate out the 250 tons that is bottles and other salable items biogas plant next year, as this will amount of waste that needs to be efforts that will reduce the to be burned. The rest we have from people’s roadside trash be- help produce compost and cre- incinerated or put into the land- amount of garbage.

What is the dress code for government offices? Issues& ANSWERS I recently went to the Phuket shorts I had worn the day before, Chief Technical Officer, Phu- Want to know how to get something done? Provincial Transportation Office I was dumbfounded. As usual, ket Provincial Transportation (PPTO) to apply for a Thai driv- with no explanation, and seeing Office (PPTO), replies: Want to pitch an idea to Phuket’s authorities ? ing license. Staff there explained no signs to explain what was There is a regulation stipu- Submit your queries or suggestions to us and that to get a Thai driving license, dress was required, I was told to lating that any person visiting any we’ll ask the appropriate people to respond. I needed to go to the Phuket Pro- just, “Go!” government office must dress vincial Immigration Office for I realize that this is a gov- appropriately. Write to: The Phuket Gazette, 367/2 Yaowarat Rd, papers and obtain a medical cer- ernment building and that a dress At the PPTO, there is a Muang, Phuket 83000. Fax 076-213971, or submit your tificate, and return before 9:30 am code applies, but so many of my notice in Thai informing people to issue at www.phuketgazette.net the next day for several short friends have done the same pro- dress appropriately, but we still do tests. Great! Easy, I thought. cedure in shorts. not have such a sign in English. I traveled from Patong with What is the dress code? We will soon have one for for- we accept long shorts worn with wearing vests, shorts that are too my papers, photocopies, photos eigners. closed-heel shoes, such as train- short or dirty flip-flops. and money, and Iarrived only to Snappy Dresser Whether a person is dress- ers, and we even serve people Thank you for your com- be turned away for wearing Phuket ed appropriately can be deter- wearing T-shirts so long as the ments. We will soon have signs shorts, and long ones at that. As mined only by seeing what that shirt does not look dirty. posted explaining the dress code I was wearing the very same Theerayuth Prasertphol, person is wearing. At the PPTO, But we do not serve people in both Thai and English. 26 PHUKET GAZETTE FEATURES April 1 - 7, 2006 Headless chickens and fake

random thought can often be like a decapitated chicken. Not in the sense of running around a farmyard spurting blood like an extra in Scream, but more like Mike the AHeadless Wonder Chicken, who managed to live 18 months it’s the Internet, without a noggin. So when a friend pointed Personally, I always feel dis- There’s a theory that claims plunger makes with you finally out to me that the title of this col- appointed when, instead of a chat- if you give a million monkeys unclog the toilet. Or perhaps its umn sounded an awful lot like “eu- ty email from a long lost friend, I typewriters and set them to work, onomatopoeia for the sound your thanasia”, the headless chicken receive spam trying to sell me a they’ll eventually come up with brain makes when you unclog all of my thoughts began its wild Russian mail-order bride. the complete works of Shakes- the crap that’s been sloshing dash across the farmyard, tripping I despise spam. Not be- peare. around in there and release it occasionally on thoughts such as cause it’s annoying, but mostly The Internet has proved this down the drain of blogsites like “hospitals” and “nametags”, un- because, being a grammar and theory to be false. There are hun- MySpace or LiveJournal. (Not til it finally collided with the word spelling Nazi, I get hives just read- dreds of millions of monkeys ra- that I should talk – I’ve got one “addictions”. ing that atrocious spelling. Spam- bidly typing away at their key- as well.) An addict is someone who mers use an extra ‘s’, to slip past boards and none have even come The word “blog” actually repeats a pattern of behavior, re- the filter, but it still doesn’t work close to writing the next Othel- comes from the word “weblog”, gardless of the consequences. because who would want to buy lo. although some still believe it was That means I can’t call my ob- Youth ’n a mortgage off someone seem- Not for lack of trying, of lifted from a Dr Suess story. Like session with Johnny Depp an ad- ingly so illiterate? course. There are 31.1 million on- a lot of urban legends that are diction, though my indecent love “Buy your mortgagge with line bloggers at any given time spread on the Internet quicker of coffee comes pretty close. ASIA uss!” makes it sound as if angry raving on about why they chose than the ’flu, we’ll never know A popular addiction nowa- By Ella Micheler snakes or some Gollum-like crea- to eat Raisin Bran for breakfast the truth or who it was who days is the Internet, and it’s not ture wrote it. “Yes, preciousssss, instead of Corn Flakes, or why sneezed first. just weedy computer geeks sitting next to your phone on a buy your mortgage with usss, lit- they’ve decided to leave their Internet addicts are usually camping out in Internet cafés who Friday night, willing it to ring? tle hobbitsess! We have low ra- spouse and run off with a José or fluent in netspeak and that’s okay suffer from it. Perhaps checking your mail teses, we does…” a Juanita – all in the hope that within reason. The problem is One symptom of Internet 474,639 times a day doesn’t indi- And again, that decapitated someone will bother to comment. when they start speaking net- addiction is obsessively checking cate Internet addiction, just a need chicken runs off in the opposite The word “blog” always speak in real life. A symptom of your mail. But isn’t this akin to for contact with others. direction. reminds me of the sound the Internet addiction is saying “lol”

In The Stars by Isla St ar

ARIES (March 21-April 20): Your color moss green helps you feel – but beware of Aquarius, who by something that happens on This is an ideal time to catch up current light-hearted approach to quietly confident. is full of hot air. A question of love Sunday. If your creativity has with personal administration – you life will ensure there are no hard will be laid on the line once again been blocked this year, you can may even find that money owed feelings when someone plays an GEMINI (May 22-June 21): on Sunday – stick to the decision look forward to high productiv- to you has not been paid. A Scor- over-the-top joke on you this Younger people take their toll on already made. ity in the weeks ahead. Romance pio has surprising news on Tues- week. You will find a way to re- your patience this week. If you is also well-starred – early next day. ciprocate later. Arians with a can’t see the funny side of their LEO (July 24-August 22): The week Sagittarius rocks your birthday this week can look for- words or actions, try to make al- stars are ready to support you if boat. Allow yourself to jump in CAPRICORN (December 22- ward to an easier year ahead. A lowances for their lack of expe- you’ve been having a difficult at the deep end and have some January 20): Take care not to business plan that got off to a rience. The atmosphere at work time in business lately. You will well-deserved fun in the sun. upset people in high places. Many shaky start attracts attention from is charged with potential expan- receive inspiration on Monday The number 6 may be lucky on Capricorns may get the wrong someone with influence. sion, but a Piscean colleague who regarding a tricky deal that has Saturday. idea and should check their facts can’t take the heat is about to been causing sleepless nights. before making any kind of accu- TAURUS (April 21-May 21): If leave you in the lurch. Wednes- Last-minute changes to plans are SCORPIO (October 24-Novem- sation. Gemini is in a good posi- you feel you’ve been stranded at day is the most auspicious day for forecast mid-week; regard these ber 22): Success can be found tion to give useful advice. Ro- a crossroads in your love-life, you sealing important deals. as an opportunity to learn to be only if you finish what you your- mance is subject to ups and will soon know exactly which di- more flexible. The number 4 can self started. If you assumed you downs – if you’re considering rection to choose. Before com- CANCER (June 22-July 23): Still- bring luck on Saturday. would be able to delegate tasks playing any kind of prank, it could mitting, however, be sure that this ness and calm prevail this week. you’ll have a rude awakening result in you being the April Fool. is what you really want. In busi- April will provide the right astral VIRGO (August 23-September early in the week. There will be The color beige encourages still- ness, opportunities for extra work atmosphere for you to make 23): Do not take everything you no point in beating around the ness. will come in thick and fast this steady progress with at least one hear at face value this weekend; bush – not that this is something month. Don’t bite off more than important project. Virgo has the someone’s pride will get in the you usually do. Give those re- AQUARIUS (January 21-Febru- you can realistically chew. The right skills to support your plans way of a truth being revealed. sponsible a clear deadline for get- ary 19): You should receive good Taurus can supply information ting their act together. Mean- news this weekend. An ongoing that will help you see what’s re- while, you’ll need to put in extra dilemma is about to be resolved, ally going on. If you’ve been hours. and this should give you more fi- waiting for a sign that romantic nancial security. As the month advances would be welcomed by SAGITTARIUS (November 23- progresses you should seek pro- Libra, be on red alert this week- December 21): You’re likely to be fessional advice about long-term end. Cupid would love to help feeling lethargic this week. After investments. Travel is highlighted matters along. Wear sea green to last week’s demands on your en- during the coming days, and ro- help show your true colors. ergy, you should spend time re- mance would certainly benefit charging your batteries during the from some time away from your LIBRA (September 24-October first half of April. As the tempera- normal environment. Another 23): Your imagination is fired up ture climbs, try to pace yourself. Aquarian asks a loaded question on Wednesday.

PISCES (February 20-March 20): Your best intentions could be misunderstood this week. Con- centrate on your own life and al- low others to figure mistakes out for themselves. There is at least one personal concern that you should be addressing. While “out of sight, out of mind” may have worked so far, you will have to face reality before the end of April. Wear ice blue to stay cool. April 1 - 7, 2006 FEATURES PHUKET GAZETTE 27 boobies – Questions about a red-letter day

got an ang pao (a red en- having thus saved their children, of course velope containing a cash were happy and gave yah soi gift) from some Thai-Chi- chien, or red envelopes, to their out loud, and using acronyms such Just log on to a forum discussing nese friends over the Chi- children so that they would be Momma as “OMGWTFBBQ” with your how wonderful Britney Spears is I nese New Year. Am I expected happy too. RL (Real Life) friends. and type, “BRITNEY SUX AND to write a written thank-you note Since then, it has become DUCK The opportunity to meet HER BOOBIES R FAKE!” and to show my gratitude? Just for tradition for Chinese people to people is one of the main reasons voila! You’ve got hundreds of some background, I have been practice this activity yearly. By Wanida Hongyok people become addicted to the people abusing you and giving you teaching English to their kids for Yah means “fold” and soi [email protected] Internet. Let’s face it; in a chat- all that lovely attention. several years. Thanks. means “one year”. The word room, nobody knows for sure if Forum discussions gone Stephen chien means “money”. Later, the mostly new bank notes, and the you’re a pervy old man, a 10-year- awry are rather like a car wreck. shorter expression “red envelope” children are quite excited and old kid or, for that matter, a par- Except that, rather than just hav- Dear Stephen, or ang pao replaced the use of eager to see how much money ticularly intelligent ing to rubberneck to There is a very interesting yah soi chien. The adults would they will receive. dog. Love stories The word “blog” get a peek, you have fable about Ang Pao Day. Many present red envelopes at midnight In a Chinese company, the such as You’ve Got to get out of your car years ago, a strange wild animal or noon on the last day of the year owner will give ang pao to em- Mail are rare in real always reminds and give your own came to the village to eat a child or they could also be given on ployees as a bonus. The amount life – most commu- me of the sound personal opinion year after year. The parents New Year’s Day. depends on how successful the nication is made up the plunger about the incident to would hold a raffle and the un- Everyone looks forward to business was in the past year. of the likes of, “Ur whoever happens to lucky loser would sacrifice his or this special day. The family come This is a way of wishing hott do u have web- makes with you be bleeding quietly her child to this beast. together and pay respect to the children and adults good luck for cam or cn u send me finally unclog the in the wrecked car. One day an old man came gods and to their ancestors. the New Year. In your case it is nekkid pix plzkthx;)” toilet. Or perhaps Internet addic- to the village and pointed out that The older people such as not necessary to write a thank- Very romantic. tion has also been the animal came only on one par- the father, mother, grandparents, you note – a verbal “thank you” There are com- its onomatopoeia linked to gaming ad- ticular day each year. aunts and uncles give each of is enough. munities for every- for the sound diction, which, in my He advised them to wear their nieces, nephews, grand- But if you would like to write thing on the Internet, your brain makes humble opinion red, light firecrackers and beat children and their children an a thank-you note to show your ranging from sects (IMHO) is far pots and pans together on that ang pao. The older children gratitude, please do so. This will that worship egg- when you unclog worse. Video games dreadful day. This, he said, would present their parents with ang help ease you mind, and will also plants to those who all the crap that’s help spread the mis- scare the beast away. pao, too. help your Thai-Chinese friends to have pledged to been sloshing conception that wo- It worked, and the villagers, The red packet contains learn about your culture. speak like a pirate men with breasts for the rest of their around in there. one-third of their lives. There’s a treat body mass are capa- for every imaginable kind of fe- ble of fighting and defeating aliens tishist, and, best of all, it’s anony- whereas they are more likely to mous. You can be as voyeuristic knock themselves out with their as you like. amazing bouncing breasts be- Psychologists have come up cause – believe it or not, boys – with loads of theories to explain breasts obey the laws of gravity IAD (Internet Addiction Disorder like everything else. – don’t they just love their ini- A good 10% of the world’s tials?). population today have access to There are the usual ones: that wicked thing called the In- anxiety, stress at home and at ternet. That’s approximately 645 work, escapism, and attention million monkeys, all bashing seeking – the latter being my fa- away. As Miss Texas Teen of vorite. Admit it, most of us are 1998 put it ever so eloquently: attention whores, and on the In- “There’s a lot of weirdos on the ternet it’s easy to get attention. Internet.” 28 PHUKET GAZETTE COMPUTERS April 1 - 7, 2006 The view from Windows Vista ny way you look at it, Media Center (for controlling simple eye candy. I know that Windows XP is getting audio and video throughout the Mac OS/X has something that long in the tooth. When house, including HDTV, record- acts much like the Sidebar. (In AXP first hit the stands ing broadcast TV shows, burn- fact, both Apple and Microsoft in October, 2001, it set new stan- ing DVDs, working with a TV- “borrowed” the Sidebar idea dards for reliability, usefulness, like remote control, and so on); from a company called Konfabu- fun … and orneriness and inscru- the new Aero Glass interface lator.) tability. (about which more shortly); sim- But if you play with the new Four and a half years later, plified backup and lots of new interface for more than a few XP’s manifest shortcomings have security features. minutes, I guarantee you’ll come turned our lives around. Don’t Vista Business apparently away impressed. believe it? Think about how many won’t include Windows Media Behind the fancy interface times you heard the terms “virus”, Center, but it will have Remote is a vastly improved core, with “worm”, “phishing” and “spoof- Desktop (so you can dial in to security a foremost concern. In ing” five years ago. your computer while you’re away the current beta test version, Vista I have spent most of the from your desk); various meet- 5308, security settings are so tight past two months working with ing capabilities and full support for they make you click and click and progressively attaching to a cli- click again, simply to perform more interesting KHUN WOODY’S ent/server “do- mundane tasks. beta test copies main”. I fully expect Microsoft to of the next ver- Vista Ulti- back off most of the ridiculous sion of Windows COMPUTER mate contains all The Aero Glass interface in Windows Vista includes the ability to restrictions in place now, but I – formerly codenamed “Long- of the features in all of the ver- riffle through open windows, like riffling a deck of cards. Remember know that Vista will take a lot horn” and now branded “Vista”. sions – and I’ll bet it’s going to Tom Cruise in Minority Report? more work than XP, simply to I don’t get excited about have a price tag to match. basic, indeed. No Media Center. client/server network. As far as keep the creepy-crawlies out of new Microsoft software very of- The other five versions sport No DVD burning. No network I can tell today, you will be able your machine. ten. I’m excited about Vista. I congenital flaws that probably backup. And a stripped-down to buy Vista Enterprise only In the coming months, as rant and rave and swear at it, to won’t appeal to most users. Win- user interface that looks just like through Microsoft’s volume li- Vista’s features shake out, I’ll be sure. But Windows Vista has dows Vista Starter Edition, like XP. I think of Home Basic as censing plan, called Software keep you posted on its progress. all the hallmarks of a worthy suc- the current XP Starter Edition, “Vista Home Bait and Switch”. Assurance. The important point to know right cessor to Windows XP – high consists of a massively stunted Why? Microsoft obligingly ships What’s to like about Vista? now is this: Microsoft will release praise indeed – if Microsoft can copy of Windows aimed at spe- all of Vista Home Premium on the Plenty. If you bought the right the next version of Windows (and get the bugs ironed out in the next cific Third World countries. I Home Basic CD. version (which is to say, any ex- the next version of Office) in ear- six months or so. think of it as an insult, and a place- If you decide to upgrade, cept the Starter Edition or Vista ly 2007. Windows Vista will appear holder – most folks who buy a you need only fork over your cash Bait and Switch), and you own a As we get closer, you’ll in eight – count ’em, eight – dif- new computer with Starter Edi- in exchange for a key that “un- fairly hefty video card, the mo- hear no end of hype, propelled by ferent versions. Microsoft hasn’t tion will immediately install a locks” the features everyone ment you start Vista you’ll see the Microsoft’s US$500-million (20- yet nailed down all of the fea- bootleg copy of the real Windows should have anyway. new Aero Glass interface, and it’ll billion-baht) advertising push. tures, but the way things stand, over the top. Leave it to Microsoft to find take your breath away. Most of what you’ll hear will most of the people I know will be Vista Home “N” and Vista a novel way to keep milking that The see-through effects amount to little more than mar- interested in only three of the Business “N” serve as grotesque cash cow. around the edges of windows on keting drivel. But if Microsoft sta- versions. window dressing, dropping Win- The eighth version, Vista the screen, combined with a tru- bilizes Vista in time, without cut- Vista Home Premium will dows Media Center Edition to Enterprise, contains all of the fea- ly useful stripe on the right side ting too many features, it’s going rapidly become the most common placate European Union regula- tures in Vista Business, plus a of the screen called the Sidebar, to be a magnificent product. choice for home- and small-busi- tors. I bet they’ll sell 10 copies handful of goodies that make it make Windows work much bet- ness users. It includes features each. easier to administer and protect ter. You can email Woody at woody that are currently in Windows Vista Home Basic rates as a Vista Enterprise PC on a large I know Aero Glass looks like @khunwoody.com April 1 - 7, 2006 PHUKET GAZETTE 29 30 PHUKET GAZETTE B U S I N E S S & MONEY April 1 - 7, 2006

wo weeks ago this col- umn, under the headline “Coming in from the Tcold”, focused on Japa- nese monetary policy. US in a ‘sweet spot’ – The Bank of Japan, Japan’s central bank, has now arrived at a compromise – it is gradually ending its ultra-loose monetary policy in a process known as “quantitative easing” by tighten- but currency a worry ing liquidity in the system. This process is expected to take about of 2005, the overall situation may In an ideal world, the US three months, but, in reality, will well be relatively balanced. dollar would probably have fall- depend on economic data. There is, unfortunately, en in value already, and the cur- It is difficult to compare di- more than a totally domestic eco- rent account problem would have rectly inflation rates in Japan with nomic perspective that needs to at last been partly corrected as those of most other major econ- be considered by the internation- imports become more expensive omies. This is because of the way al investor, or even by US inves- and exports cheaper and more Tokyo measures inflation or de- tors looking at the broader pic- attractive. flation. Normally, when central ture. But it is not as simple as that. bankers or economists refer to Assuming that the “sweet Countries such as India and Chi- inflation, it comes in two variet- spot” continues, the US is ap- na are maintaining what is polite- ies – “headlines” proaching the end ly termed a “managed float” and “core”. The of its interest-rate- against the US Dollar. The other latter excludes the tightening cycle. term – which is not so politically effects of energy Perhaps the US correct – is a “dirty float”. In oth- and food prices, central bank, the er words, these countries are both of which tend Federal Reserve, holding down the value of their to be volatile and or “Fed”, will stop currencies against the dollar arti- can cause distor- raising interest ficially, in order to benefit from tion. rates at around competitively-priced exports to The Japan- ONEY 5%, or maybe a lit- the US. ese, however, in- M tle higher. One only has to look at the clude energy pric- Currency vast foreign exchange reserves, es as part of their TALKS markets are con- especially in Asia, to see what is “core” inflation/ cerned that the fo- happening. However, the Japa- By Richard Watson deflation statistics, cus is switching Warren Buffet (right) is predicting a slide in the value of the dollar. nese are not managing their cur- and this makes from the US tight- – Photo by EPA/Peter Foley rency against the US dollar at their real situation more obscure. ening cycle to another area – the present levels, as their investors The US, meanwhile, has US current account deficit. This not occur until late 2006 or even keep the dollar stable? It is be- have moved enough money out been recording some very mod- was an enormous US$225 billion early in 2007, but already long- coming increasingly apparent that of Japan. erate economic data, prompting (9 trillion baht) in the last quarter term interest rates have moved there is likely to be a shortfall, and Combined with the use of US Treasury Secretary John of 2005. The only way to fill that upward. this means that – in pure econom- the Yen as a funding currency, Snow to comment that the US “hole” is with foreign money, but It is now more attractive for ic terms – the US dollar will fall. this has naturally kept the Yen economy has hit a “sweet economic data so far in 2006 show Japanese investors to move their Even Warren Buffet, the “weak” for about two years. spot”. that foreign investment in the US money back home. Allied to this Sage of Omaha, has recently pre- The situation appears to be Looked at from a domestic is not keeping pace. This is wor- situation is the fact that the Yen dicted a gradual decline in the changing, and the Euro is likely US perspective, this makes rying. has been used extensively by value of the dollar. Last year he to benefit – although European sense. Core inflation is running at The European Central Bank hedge funds and other market took positions against the dollar, politicians will begin to panic once around 2%, and economic growth is raising short-term interest participants as a “funding” cur- betting that it would fall, but his the Euro approaches US$1.30. at around 3%. rates, and has clearly indicated rency. In other words, huge sums timing was wrong and he lost The US Dollar may well be un- The “flash” estimate of that it intends to continue doing of money have been borrowed in some US$800 million. Despite this der pressure in 2006, but unless Gross Domestic Product for the so. Yen to invest in other higher-yield- he is now again predicting a slide. the Fed increases interest rates first quarter of 2006 may well In Japan, tightening domes- ing markets, principally emerging However, economics and too much there may be reason- reflect a higher annualized figure, tic liquidity – assuming that the markets. reality often differ. Economists able gains this year in US stock but when account is taken of the economic recovery remains in- But if interest rates are to live in a world of frictionless mar- markets. lower-than-anticipated 1.7% re- tact – is a precursor to raising move higher, investors will have kets, and markets frequently ig- vised figure for the last quarter interest rates. This will probably to start reversing their positions. nore situations – but when they Richard Watson runs Global This is not the sort of party where do react, the reaction can be very Portfolios Co Ltd, a Phuket- it is best to be the last to leave, as abrupt. Bulls and Bears exist not based personal financial plan- the devil will take the hindmost. only in stock markets only, but in ning service. He can be reached With higher rates becoming every market. When perceptions at Tel: and Fax: 076-381997, apparent, who is going to invest change, markets have a tenden- Mobile: 01-0814611. Email: in the US in sufficient volume to cy to overreact. [email protected] April 1 - 7, 2006 B U S I N E S S & MONEY PHUKET GAZETTE 31 ON THE MOVE

Parichart “Tim” Kotrajarus, Kitti Chomdee, 28, from Aya Hosogawa, from Chiang Mai, has been appoint- Prachine Buri has been ap- from Japan, has ed Marriott Vacation Club Interna- pointed Manager of Karon been appointed Front tional (MVCI) Resort Manager. K. Studio Apartment. A tourism Office Manager of Tim has been in the hotel business graduate of Phuket Rajabhat JW Marriott Phuket for more than nine years, including University, he also holds a cer- Resort & Spa. Ms five years with Four Seasons in tificate in design from the Hosogawa has been Bangkok and Chiang Mai. She join- Royal Melbourne Institute of in the Thai hotel in- ed the JW Marriott Phuket Resort Technology and a diploma in dustry for over eight & Spa as Director of Events Man- international tourism and ho- years, including agement in 2001 and was promoted tel industry management. Af- three years with to Director of Guest Relations in ter completing his studies in Maithon Resort, 2004. In her new role, she will take Australia he joined Karon Stu- Phuket, as Front Of- on responsibility for the operation of dio Apartment where he fice Manager. She MVCI, the Vacation Ownership di- worked initially in reserva- joined the Marriott vision of Marriott International, at tions, then as the Front Office Phuket as Duty the Marriott’s Phuket Beach Club. Manager and in sales. Manager in 2001. Property Club gears up for its first exhibition PHUKET CITY: The Phuket “There will be 60 booths in the Other prime property pro- mary business in the property in- tion. Instead, we aim to provide Real Estate Club (PREC) will show, with 56 representing prop- jects on display will include the dustry, such as offering legal ad- information and present products stage its first property expo – erties in Phuket and the remain- Leelawadee Resort & Spa, vice, developers, construction and to potential investors.” called the Property Investment ing four for Koh Samui properties.” which has units available at more finishings, he said. Free bus services will shut- Exhibition – at Central Festival K. Thanet explained that than 40 million baht each; the Property service companies tle interested visitors from se- Phuket from April 6 to 10, with the expo will showcase mid-range Moon Terrace project on Koh will include consultants, archi- lected hotels and resorts to Cen- 60 property projects on show, as and high-end properties, with Sireh, which has units from 25- tects, interior design companies, tral and there will also be free well as booths manned by staff booths representing property 35 million baht; and Baan Rom- lawyers, banks and the Phuket transport for those wanting to in- from companies offering a range projects grouped together accord- mai Chailay, which has units rang- Land Office, which will handle spect property developments. of property services. ing to the prices of the properties ing in price from 14-39 million questions about land ownership. For more information about Thanet Traiwut, Managing available, which range up to US$1 baht. PREC President Phummi- the event call K. Thanet at Tel: Director of the exhibition’s orga- million (40 million baht) for a Non-project displays will be sak Hongsyok said, “We are not 06-6823770 or Delice Thai at Tel: nizer, Delice Thai Co Ltd, said, luxury house at Baan Cocoon. grouped according to their pri- focusing on sales at this exhibi- 076-258417-9. 32 PHUKET GAZETTE SPORTS April 1 - 7, 2006 Andaman provinces to host football’s Senior World Cup PHUKET CITY : The Senior Footballers’ Association of Thailand (SFA), in association with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, is organizing the first Football Senior World Cup tournament to celebrate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s accession to the throne. The tournament is to be held in Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga provinces, tenta- tively between April 24 and 30. It will include teams from at least 12 countries and is to feature squads from foot- balling greats such as Brazil, Argentina, England, Ger- Hearing the call from Thailand? Pelé 60 take part many, France, Italy, along may attend the tournament. with Australia, Iran, South – Photo EPA/Guillermo Olivares Korea, Japan, China, and the in Marriott United Arab Emirates. Another opening ceremony in Krabi on two countries, as yet unnamed, April 24, and the final, along with triathlon are also to be invited to take part. the closing ceremony, will be held Somprasong Eimsakul, Sec- at Surakul Stadium. The SFA has More than 60 competitors (a- retary of the Chief Executive planned three “leagues”, with bove) took part in the second Tri Phuket Provincial Administration Ballistic triathlon at the JW Phuket hosting Group A, Phang Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa on Organization (OrBorJor), told Nga Group B and Krabi Group March 25. On hand (left) to give the Gazette, “The OrBorJor was C. support to the younger athletes asked by the SFA to help publi- 1993 World Footballer of the were Swedish guests Therese cize and provide training locations Year Roberto Baggio and the Alshammar (left), the current for the tournament. former coach of the German na- world champion short-course “In Phuket we will use tional team, Rudi Voller, are swimmer for freestyle and but- Surakul Stadium for the compe- among the stars expected to par- terfly, and two-time Olympic tition itself, while facilities at ticipate. swimming champion Johan Wall- Rajabhat University, the Prince of K. Somprasong says that berg, pictured here with Tasha Songkhla University, Sanam Chai there is a possibility that Brazil- Peters and Tiffany Smith. and Karon Municipality Stadium ian legend Pelé will attend but that will be used for training.” this is not yet confirmed. PATONG DARTS LEAGUE Beach volley world The players are scheduled Revenue from sponsorship to arrive around April 20 and the will go to local tsunami-affected PATONG: Surprise of the week March 21 results: Dog’s Bollocks champs for Kata SFA expects that the tournament schools. Entrance to the matches must be Boss Bar’s 6-3 win at 7 Coyote Bar* 2; Amigos 4 Didi’s* will also attract spectators from is free. Piccadilly. 5; Valhalla* 6 -Two Black Sheep KATA: Geoffrey Rowe, Manag- many of the participating coun- For more information con- Meanwhile, Didi’s contin- 3; Piccadilly 3 Boss Bar* 6; ing Director of Pentangle Promo- tries. tact K. Somprasong at the PPAO ued on their winning streak, this OffShore* 7 Shakers 2; (* = win- tions, and Kritsada Panaseri of K. Somprasong went on to Tel: 076 – 210421-3, 01-8953132 time with a three-point win over ner of beer leg) the Thai Volleyball Association, explain that there will be a grand or the SFA Tel: 02-2606020-5. second-place Amigos. are presently putting the seal on Standings: 1. Didi’s (31 pts); 2.= the organization of the Phuket Queen Mary, Amigos (26); 4. Thailand Open 2006 Women’s Dog’s Bollocks (24); 5. OffShore Volleyball World Championship. (23); 6.= Piccadilly, Coyote Bar The championships are plan- (22); 8. Valhalla (21); 9. Shakers ned to take place on Kata Beach (18); 10. The Boss Bar (11); 11. from November 1 to 5. The Thai Two Black Sheep (9). Volleyball Association will erect a 3,000-seat grandstand. En- April 4 fixtures: Queen Mary v trance for spectators will be free. Didi’s; Amigos v Two Black Thailand will field six of the Sheep; Valhalla v Shakers; Picca- 60 teams slated to compete for dilly v Coyote Bar; Offshore v The prize money totaling 8 million Boss Bar. (Home team first.) baht. April 1 - 7, 2006 SP O R T S PHUKET GAZETTE 33 BCIS win inaugural cricket title

The two teams pose for a photo before the match. By Rich Brown but BCIS were up for this final, Mike Ailing’s diving catch at silly KOH KAEW: Once again the mid off exemplifying their efforts. weather gods dealt out a wet So BCIS went in to bat with hand and the pitch had to be just 68 to win: not a mammoth moved to avoid various swamps task but, as is often said, “Crick- around the outfield. Island et’s a funny old game.” Cricket Club (ICC) went into the BCIS have little depth in game as favorites, with depth in their batting and if Meyer, Ailing both batting and bowling. and Wesson went out early, then However, under the circum- ICC would still be in the game. stances, the toss was crucial and Meyer (21 runs) took 12 once again BCIS won it. balls to get off the mark and was Captain Roddy Meyer sent an example to those who com- ICC in to bat on the unpredict- plained about the conditions. able surface. Meyer has been BCIS’s His call was spot-on; BCIS rock in the batting department had ICC at 24 for 4 after 8 overs and his runs – although not what with Nifty Catts, once again, do- one would call prolific – proved ing the damage. Catts has been, decisive in a low-scoring game. without doubt, the bowler of the ICC stayed in the game tournament and one of the few thanks to some fine seam bowl- players to realize that it was line ing from Diwan Mydeen (3 for and length that would produce re- 21 of 7) and Jafar Ali (2 for 12 sults, and not sheer pace. off 8) but they just didn’t have While the varnish was still enough runs to defend and BCIS on the ball, he also achieved a late cruised to a 5-wicket victory to swing that was too tricky for most win the inaugural Island Furniture batsmen. He ended up with 4 for Cricket League. 14 off 5 overs. Man of the match was Nifty At the other end, Andy Catts (5 overs, no maidens, no Millward (2 for 25 off 7 overs) wides, no no-balls, 4 for 14) was chipping away as usual, Teams or players interested though without the success he in competing next year should deserved. However, he set up call Tel: 01-7193414 or email Bob Wesson to take over and richardwkbrown@hotmail. com. Wesson took 3 for 9 off 4.4 overs. The league was sponsored Once again, tight bowling this year by Island Furniture, Sun- proved the key factor and ICC rise Diving and The Green Man. managed only 67 all out. The BCIS pitch and facilities were With games being played on used for all games. The umpires Sundays, the previous evening’s were Terry Williams and Ken beers can dictate sloth in the field, Ferguson. 34 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PROPERTY April 1 - 7, 2006

Gardening with Bloomin’ Bert

am not a great fan of social climbers. You know the type – they’re desperate to be Iseen with the right people in all the right places, so they can SOCIAL CLIMBERS move up in the world – or at least in their own estimation. solid green leaves, others have The larger the city, the more velvet-textured, patterned leaves, this kind of nonsense takes place. while yet others have deep-red In a metropolis such as London leaves and stems. or New York, they’re every- Most of the philodendrons where. in Thailand are of the larger vari- Every art gallery is packed eties, although there are a few to the gills with pretentious types that are quite small. These are the doing their best to be creative in ones you see clambering up a front of each other. I’m convinced metal chain from a pot, wrapping that most of them haven’t a clue themselves around the links what the so-called “art” in the which would appear to be the middle of the floor is actually sup- perfect way to encourage them. posed to be. These little things grow like crazy – even indoors. Their ANGST progress will be curbed only if the pot they’re climbing from runs out They can, of course, never admit of water. to such a social faux pas, and Water is just about all the have long-winded conversations philodendron needs. Water it of- with similarly pretentious types ten enough to keep the soil evenly about the artist “capturing the moist, but don’t let it get claggy, true essence of the angst of in- or let the plants stand in water. ner-city youth, while enhancing Phuket’s high humidity is ideal for the juxtaposition of modern archi- enthusiastic growth, but philoden- tecture against the stereotypical drons will also tolerate a low level environment of the working of humidity if you want to grow classes”. them inside your air-conditioned Surely they must realize mansion. what they’re staring at is just a pile of bricks? SUNBURN Luckily, here in Phuket, this kind of pillock (the word speaks Most philodendrons are native to for itself, even if you have never the jungles of tropical America, heard it before) is not too preva- Philodendrons already climbing and ready to go to new homes. Just make sure they get water, and and are more content with the lent. Inevitably there’s an excep- keep them out of the sun. medium light intensity they would tion to every rule, and there are mai luay in Thai, does so in a nearby to do the tiresome job of selfish climber – the plant will have on the jungle floor. They do those who like to join the right more laid-back manner. providing support, and it engages use it, man-made or otherwise. get unhappy if given a sunny spot business association so they can It doesn’t even bother to in some inevitable climbing on the If you have a concrete pole sup- in the garden, as the leaves start “network”. grow a supporting structure for way. porting a carport or balcony roof, to develop sunburn. Most philo- All I can do is quote that itself; since it has better things to It attaches itself to the host then this is the perfect way to try dendrons prefer indirect or cur- wise old Yorkshire expression, do. The name philodendron de- and wraps around it. It doesn’t to hide it – the philodendron will tain-filtered sunlight. “The higher a monkey climbs, the rives from the Greek philos for do any harm in the process – it quickly become the pole’s best The philodendron may be more it shows its ar**.” loving and dendron, a tree. may be bone idle, but it doesn’t friend as it claws its way up- one of the champion climbers of One of the more famous Indolent (I’ve been looking display any malice. Why would it wards. the plant world, but it will never climbers of the plant world is also for an excuse to use that word) want to harm the plant that’s do- These pole plants must be be caught whispering nonsense fairly social, but doesn’t exhibit doesn’t begin to describe this ing all the hard work for it? continuously pruned to keep the about a pile of bricks. Take one this by joining local business as- plant – it relies solely on stronger There is a huge variety of vines on the pole, as they can fre- out for a day in the Phuket sun, sociations. The philodendron, or and more self-reliant plants philodendrons, in all shapes and quently go astray. You’ll probably and the plant will make it quite colors. If you get one for your- prefer something that’s fairly clear that it should be where we self, train it to grow up a moss- “leafy” looking, so you’ll need to all should be – quietly enjoying a covered stick so that the roots can trim back new growth on the vine beer in the ample shade of a con- sink into the moss. If you buy one tips. This keeps the plant full, veniently placed tree. from a garden center, the pot may helps to prevent it from looking already have a moss-covered stringy, and curbs its natural ten- Want to know more stick in the middle anyway – dency toward dreadlocks. about a plant someone has already set the plant This group of plants ranges in your garden? off in the right direction. from vines with heart-shaped 10- The support system doesn’t centimeter-long green leaves to Email Bloomin’ Bert at: even have to be something natu- vines with leaves up to a meter [email protected] ral in order to act as host to this in length. Some types have glossy, April 1 - 7, 2006 PHUKET PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 35

Decor by Natcha Yuttaworawit

o paraphrase the old Chuck Berry song, “The temperature’s ris- Ting and the aircon’s blowin’ a fuse.” Yup, we’re back in the dry, sticky hot season. If it were not for an unusual spell of showers recently the island would be sweltering and decid- edly brown. Still, there’s no escaping the dog day afternoons to come so now is the time to think of ways to stay cool at even cooler prices. Assuming that your aircon hasn’t blown a fuze, it’s still expensive to run and not very environmen- tally sound, so what’s a viable al- ternative? Why not try the tried and tested Thai sala? One advan- tage of a sala is that it is highly visible and adds an instant touch of class to the most mundane of gardens. It’s a place where the kids can play, where the lads can drink. It also provides a wonderful park- ing spot for mothers-in-law. In short, it’s a miracle of economic design. And above all, it’s cool. Sala in Phuket come in many shapes, sizes and prices. Above and below, Wattana has a variety of traditional designs. You can even buy reconstructed sala made from old wood. At Wattana Wood Furniture on Chao Fa East Rd you’ll find a wide range of sala in teak, rose- wood and hardwood designs. SALA Prices hover around 28- 30,000 baht and you can even submit your own design for con- sideration. Wattana Wood leans to- wards Thai rural “cartwheel” DAYS motifs, although there are several modernistic units for sale there – each with a traditional Thai-style roof. One point that is notable throughout the various designs and models is the typical sala’s durability. They’re built to last and can handle droughts, downpours and most three-year-old children. The sala there are as- sembled in Kamphaeng Phet Province in Central Thailand, and trucked down to Phuket, making them true “mobile homes”. To contact Wattana opposite the DTAC mobile phone Prices range from 25,000 to Wood call Tel: 076-383-264 or shop. 48,000 baht, depending on size 01-8923766. The sala there are as- and design. Muang Mai is open In downtown Phuket City, sembled in Nakhon Sri Thamma- daily. sala hunters can try Muang Mai rat and specialize in traditional For more information call shop on Mae Luan Rd, diagonally Thai style. K. Jo at Tel: 01-894-3135. 36 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PROPERTY April 1 - 7, 2006

Home of theWeek Nai Harn Quiet home near the sea

he Nai Harn area is other fixtures. Two bedrooms have popular with foreign built-in timber wardrobes. home-buyers, and for The upper floor has a tim- T good reason. It features ber-railed veranda with teak fur- a host of fine properties – this one niture, with views over the pool among them. The house even has and the gently sloping gardens. a “one-man” gym in the gardens. Built around three years Located in a quiet cul-de- ago, this is a modern, well-de- sac in an excellent area just min- signed home. It was built using utes away from the beach, this top-grade materials, including 230-square-meter house on a pri- rosewood and teak, with hard- vate 1,110-sqm block has three wood eaves and ceilings, im- bedrooms (with another room ported granite, and sandwash that could become a fourth), four flooring. There are custom-made bathrooms and lush, established curtains and blinds on many doors gardens. and windows, which also have It has a 70.5-sqm swimming insect screens. pool, and a sala with a keep-fit The utilities include ceiling machine and exercise bench. fans and air conditioning, two The ground floor features a telephone lines, ADSL, well wa- spacious entry leading to the large ter with a back-up tank, a filtra- living and dining areas, which tion system and water heaters, a open out to a terrace leading down septic tank and three-phase to the garden and pool. power. There is a well-designed and The home comes fully fur- well-equipped Western-style nished with elegant, expensive kitchen. Ample storage is pro- furniture including an upholstered vided with timber overhead cabi- rattan lounge suite, stylish glass- nets as well as cupboards be- and-wicker dining room suite, neath the imported black granite timber cabinets and limed teak counter tops. bedroom suites. Fitted appliances include a The tranquil semi-rural area four-burner cook top, oven, The home sits in lush, mature gardens, and has a pool. It is also just minutes from Nai Harn Beach. of Nai Harn hosts a number of double sink, large two-door substantial homes and up-market fridge, extractor hood and ceiling bedroom and a bathroom on this Rosewood timber stairs these also have their own sitting villa developments, and this fine fan. level – ideal for a maid’s quar- with a timber balustrade lead to areas, furnished with comfy rat- residence will please a discern- A laundry adjoins the kit- ters. There is also a double car- the upper floor, where there are tan suites. ing buyer seeking a quality house chen, and there is also a roomy port. three large bedrooms. Two of The bedrooms feature en- with garden in a secluded loca- suite bathrooms, one with a full- tion. The land title is Chanote, and size bath. The sanitaryware, fix- the asking price is 24 million baht. tures and stylish ceramics are of top quality, and the vanity units For further information, contact have timber doors and tiled tops Richard Lusted of Siam Real with recessed bowls. The bright, Estate at Tel: 076-288908; well-ventilated en-suite bathrooms Email [email protected] were designed in sparkling white, or visit the website at www. with deep blue tiles, gold taps and siamrealestate.com April 1 - 7, 2006 PHUKET PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 37

Construction by Sangkhae Leelanapaporn

Computer-generated impression of one of the huge homes to be built at Phutawan Residence & Spa. Project aims at high end

LAYAN: Work got underway in phase will involve construction of age room and a 21-meter infini- January on the Phutawan Resi- six villas, each on one rai of land. ty-edge swimming pool. dence & Spa, a luxury villa com- The other 13 rai will serve as a Water mains and power plex on a 60-rai hillside overlook- private park with trails, where conduits will all be underground. ing Layan Beach. residents can walk, enjoy sunsets There will also be a 300-tonne Developer SuriyaJan Prop- and, say the developers, “observe water reserve and a well, in or- erties Co is investing 17 million rare fauna”. The park will also der to ensure continuous water baht in the construction of each be home a miniature golf course supply through the dry season, he of the project’s six units, all to be and clubhouse, he added. added. located under the government’s K. Suriya said the target buy- 80-meter limit on permanent hill- FEEDBACK ers would be foreigners seeking a side structures. secluded, natural setting designed Find more Property Classified ads at Total investment in the Planning of the project’s second to ensure the utmost privacy. www.phuketgazette.net! project has not been disclosed, phase will begin two years after To maintain the natural at- but the homes will sell at prices the first phase is fully completed mosphere, hardwoods such as starting from 45 million baht. to allow sufficient time for Phase teak and takien will predominate The project’s access road, 1 residents to give feedback that among the construction materials. already cut through forest and can be applied to the next phase. Common areas will be main- rubber plantations, begins on Construction of the pro- tained by a management compa- Srisoonthorn Rd, about 500 met- ject’s show home will begin in ny that has yet to be named. ers from the Ban Don Rd inter- May, with a scheduled comple- Project design is by archi- section. tion date in December. tectural firm Point Studio Co and The project’s Managing Di- All six units should be com- the construction work will be car- rector, Suriya Chaowanich, said pleted and sold within two years, ried out by Hat Yai Nantakorn the company was looking for a he said. Company Ltd. way to follow up on the success Each villa will have at least of its Ocean Villas. 1,200 square meters of usable For more information visit SuriyaJan wants to do space and five bedrooms, each SuriyaJan Properties Co at 394 something “both unique and ele- with en-suite bathroom. Three of Moo 1, Tambon Cherng Talay, gant” with the tropical forest set- the bathrooms will be equipped Thalang or call Tel: 076-273- ting, for which it holds Nor Sor 3 with Jacuzzis. 371 or Fax: 076-273083, E- land title deeds. In addition to a spacious liv- mail: info@phutawanresidence. The project will be built in ing and dining room, each unit will com or visit the website: www. three phases. The 19-rai first also have a laundry room, stor- phutawanresidence.com 38 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS April 1 - 7, 2006 Property Gazette

Properties HOUSE IN KATA For Sale

NAI YANG – PHUKET Small development of 5 houses. Display home now open. 3 bedrooms, 2 bath- rooms, large living + dining room, European kitchen, laundry, all-round veranda, The house is located about boundary wall, electric gate, 800m from Kata Beach, in carport, landscaped garden. a quiet safe area, with no Living area 153sqm, land traffic. 3 bedrooms, one with balcony. 2 bathrooms BEACH APARTMENTS NEW HOUSE NEW HOUSES RAWAI 532-740sqm. First house for Spacious, modern, 2-bed- IN PATONG IN PATONG SHOPHOUSES sale at 7.5 million baht. and 4 air conditioners, UBC and telephone line. Asking room apartments, some Please contact for more with a sea view, a 2-minute info. Tel: 076-328424, 01- 3.8 million baht. Tel: 07- 0297590 (English) 06- walk to the beach, gardens, 8953481. Email: golddigger_ pools, clubhouse, gym, [email protected] 7612511 (Thai). Email: [email protected] sauna. Prices start from 8.5 million baht. On-site sales BAAN PRANGTHONG office. Tel: 06-2806624. For Estate. Exclusive – price re- PHUKET CITY CONDO further details, please see Brand-new, deluxe house, 3 new connected deluxe 2 new, connected shop- duced! 4 bedrooms, 4 bath- 32sqm, freehold, brand-new, our website at: www. with a swimming pool, on a houses on Patong hillside, houses in Rawai, on Wiset rooms, Jacuzzi, custom built! furnished, 550,000 baht. bangtaobeachgardens.com Patong hillside, on Soi Soi Thamdee, for sale. Rd are for sale. Ground Offers considered. Please call Close to Central Festival. Maneesi. 2 floors, modern Ground floor: Garage and floor: sales office, staff for more information. Tel: 01- Please contact for details. Tel: Thai-style architecture, separate one-room apart- room, kitchen, dining room 7195565. 01-4763623. Email: chotip_5 KATA SEAVIEW completely furnished, ment with toilet. Second and toilet. Second floor: @hotmail.com development. 9 houses on 2 ready to live in. Ground floor: 2 bedrooms and bath, master bedroom with sepa- RAWAI LAND rai of land overlooking Kata floor: big living room, West- balcony. Third floor: living rate bath and 2 separate 172sqm, 880,000 baht. PANORAMIC VIEW Beach. A great investment. ern-style kitchen and dining room with balcony, built-in bedrooms with connecting Cheap 12m x 15m flat plot, of Ao Por. 10.76 rai with Nor Price: 17 million baht. An ad- room, guest toilet. Second kitchen and dining room, toi- bath. Third floor: living room ready to build on. Quiet, conve- Sor 3 land title, fronting main ditional 5 rai also for sale at floor: big master bedroom let. Fourth floor: big roof gar- and en-suite bedroom. Liv- nient location near Don’s Mall. road. Price: 55 million baht. 5.5 million baht per rai. Tel: and bath with Jacuzzi, 2 den with Jacuzzi. Usable ing area 200sqm, freehold House on either side with fence Please contact for more info. 076-280447, 01-0808557. bedrooms and a separate area: 200sqm; freehold land: 100sqm. Price 4.5 wall already. Must sell soon. Tel: 076-270846, 01-737- Fax: 076-280447. Email: bathroom. Each room has land: 100sqm. Price: 6.2 million baht. (US$113.000). Tel: 07-2806275. Email: 8899. Email: fineroom99@ admin@no1phukethomes. an air conditioner and a bal- million baht. (US$155,000). Please contact K. Peter for [email protected] yahoo.com com cony. Living area: 200sqm; Please contact K. Peter. Tel: more information at Tel: 01- freehold land 150sqm. 01-8928526. For details 8928526 or visit our Price: 8.5 million baht. please see our website at: website at: www. phuket- (US$210,000). Please con- www.phuket-besthomes. besthomes.com tact K. Peter at Tel: 01- com 8928526 or visit our website at: www.phuket- NEW HOUSE besthomes.com BEACH HOUSE IN PATONG FOR SALE PATONG CONDO Studio 47/65 3rd floor, the last, for sale. Title in foreigner’s name. Asking 850,000 baht. Tel: 01-5367985.

RAWAI, 2-STORY Island Living Co Ltd is proud house. Twin 2-story house, Nice wooden house with al- to offer for sale new 2-bed- brand-new, 400m from beach. most 1,200sqm of land, di- room house built to the high- Asking 1.3 million baht. Please rectly on white-sand beach est quality of materials and call for more details. Tel: 06- on the west coast of Naka Is- construction. Very quiet and 6865567 (owner). land, only 3 minutes from Ao natural location in the hills at Por Pier, 25 mins from airport the northern end of Patong KAEO PISADAN ISLAND and Phuket’s major shopping Beach. House can be cus- Home-style bungalows, camp- centers. For quick sale, only tom designed to your re- ing, cooking, very private. 5.7 million baht. Please con- quirements. Tel: 01-891- Please call. Tel: 09-5944017. tact. Tel: 01-3430777. 3466. Fax: 076-296160. www.kokaeopisadan.com Email: montha_phuket@ Email: [email protected]. yahoo.com co.th RAWAI CONDOS for sale. Freehold, fully fur- nished, brand-new condos. 550,000 baht. 400m from beach. Please call for more info. Tel: 06-6865567.

LAND FOR SALE in Rawai. 1, 2, 4 rai. 4.5 million baht per rai, and 3 rai for 9.9 million baht. Please contact for more details. Tel: 04- 8374429. Email: sales@ chokechaiproperty.com

SEA VIEW LAND for sale. Half rai (800sqm) in Rawai, perfect sea view. Asking 3.5 million baht, or 1 rai 8 million baht. No agents. Please call for more details. Tel: 09-7291391. April 1 - 7, 2006 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 39 Property Gazette

NEW SEAVIEW APARTMENTS

in Patong. Fully furnished and air-conditioned 2-bed- room apartment of 85- or 96sqm, hillside, Nanai Rd, Patong, Soi Thamdee. Starting at 4.1 million baht plus a 186sqm penthouse with 3 bedrooms, 2 bath- rooms. Kitchen comes with high-quality teak furniture 10.9 million baht. Please contact us for more infor- mation. Tel: 09-4725530 (local) or +49-2421- 931444. Email to K. Bert at: kuepperhubert@aol. com

YELLOW HOUSE NEW DETACHED SINGLE STORY FOR SALE HOUSE FOR SALE GARDEN STYLE ECO-COOL THAI HOME

LAND IN KARON LAND FOR SALE with sea view. 1,360sqm. 20 rai available in this appreci- Overlooking Karon Bay. ating area at 4.5 million baht in Kathu. 2 stories, 3 bed- House for sale, on 340sqm Chanote title. Building permit. per rai. Stunning and amaz- rooms, 4 bathrooms, 36- land in Kathu. Ideal, very Dividable. Please contact for ingly positioned in Layan. Award-winning 3-bedroom, sqm swimming pool. Price quiet and private location in more info. Tel: 06-8165972. Please contact for more infor- Location: The way to Patong. 3-bathroom, energy-effi- 9 million baht. Soi Water- the hills. The house is built on Email: [email protected] mation. Tel: 01-8936532. 18sq wah. 2 bedrooms, 3 cient home in Rawai. Learn fall. Please call for more in- private road with 4 houses Email: sawasdee.p@gmail. bathrooms, 2 stories, kitchen, how to beat the tropical formation. Tel: 07-279- and dead end. The house TOWNHOUSE PATONG com living room, fully furnished, 3 heat without air condition- 9500. has 3 bedrooms, 2½ bath- Semi-detached townhouse in aircons, storage tank. Price: ing. Has a modern, open-air rooms, walk-in closet, all Baan Benjamas, Patong. Two TOWNHOUSE FOR SALE 1.6 million baht. Please call for design. Many designer fea- bedrooms have air condi- minutes to BB pool, 5 minutes Beautifully decorated town- info. Tel: 09-4691813. RAWAI HOUSE tures, 400sqm pond/pool. tioning, large living room, Soi Bangla. Email: townhouse house, hardwood floors, teak Distinctive, two-story house Price: 9.5 million baht. dining room, built-in Euro- @phuket-island.com For fur- doors, imported hardware, with large, Thai-style guest Please call for more info. pean kitchen, large 60sqm ther details, please see our furnished. On the 9th fairway, 0.5 RAI IN RAWAI cottage, in 870sqm of walled, Tel: 07-8987062 (Gary), covered veranda, outdoor website at: www.phuket- beautiful views of lake. Please Almost beachfront. Rawai, tropical gardens. Private pool, 01-0775042 (Wanida). shower, IPSTAR Internet island.com contact for more details. Tel: perfect spot for apartment or woodland views. Chanote title. connection, direct tele- 01-9390176. Email: beaver house. Road, electricity, wa- 12 million baht. Please call for phone line, UBC and more. MISSION HEIGHTS 1 RAI PLEASING HOME @tstf.net ter, golf course. Only 3.5 mil- more information. Tel: 07- The house is completely fur- Luxury development, under- Hillside, shady trees, big pool, lion baht. Chanote. 2 plots. Tel: 2730141. nished and decorated with ground electricity, 1 km to furnished, spacious. Beach 2 VILLAS IN RAWAI 06-2670898. Thai-style furniture and Mission Hills Golf Course, 10 nearby. Very nice. Very pri- Balinese style. Perfect spot. CHALONG LAND comes also with small e- minutes to airport and Nai vate. Tel: 076-388236, 01- Pool. Top finishing. All materi- BIG HOUSE for sale. 1,500sqm for 2.4 commerce company. Price Yang Beach. Chanote title. 0870577. Fax: 076-388236. als on request. 7.5 million baht. in Thalang. 3.5 rai. 8.5 million million baht. Has road, electric- 6.9 million baht. Tel: 01- Price: 2.9 million baht. Please Email: cosmocampbell@ Will be complete in 4 months. baht. Tel: 076-296555, 09- ity and water. Tel: 01-537- 4945423. contact for more info. Tel: yahoo.com For further details, Come take. K. Alooh. Please 2911112. 6866. 076-281529. Email: info@ please see our website at: call for further information. jonathan-cruiser.com www.villa-sale-phuket.com Tel: 07-8938747. 25% Discount on Classifieds for Shopper Card Holders IF YOU... Place your ad in these pages; Present your Shopper Card; and Pay for the ad at our offices, you’ll enjoy a 25% discount* AND have your ad appear free of charge in the Phuket Gazette Online. With more than 10,000 visitors a day, the Island Trader Online is Thailand’s most active classified marketplace.

*Ads may be submitted in person or online (phuketgazette.net/classifieds), but must be paid for at the Gazette offices. The discount is not available when payment is made at our agents. The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd 367/2 Yaowarat Road, Phuket City Tel: 076-236555 Fax: 076-213971 40 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS April 1 - 7, 2006 Property Gazette

STUNNING SEA VIEW

You like the nightlife and adore the beaches of Patong, but you prefer to sleep in a quiet, green and more relaxing neighborhood, then come and check out the Baan Suan Kamnan area, which is just outside Patong (next to the view- point Blue Point). Some nice apartments and also a beau- UNCLE CHAI tiful 3-bedroom house for rent with stunning sea views, overlooking Patong Bay. Call Edwin for appoint- ment. Several different apartments available, no price-info on phone. Come BEACHFRONT FAMILY-FRIENDLY and see and introduce your- LAND APARTMENTS self first. Tel: 06-7866350. Phuket Private Home, a spe- Email: buurmanb@hotmail. cial style for the discriminating com renter. 1 bedroom. Long lease preferable. Average 15,000 baht per month. Chalong Area. Tel: 01-4926883. DETACHED HOUSES www.unclechaihome.com 15 rai, at Bangsak Beach for sale. Chanote. 120 million baht. Please contact for HOUSE + BIG GARDEN Fully furnished, 2 air-condi- more information. Tel: 01- Located a couple of minutes’ tioned bedrooms. Located at 1719705. Email: atetayap walk from Surin and Bang @yahoo.com Palai Green, Chalong Bay. Tao Beaches, these 2-bed- 11,000 baht per month. Tel: Four new detached houses room, 2-bathroom, fully fur- 01-8924311. for rent at Pha Klok, just nished, 100-sqm (1,076- 5km from an international EXCLUSIVE OFFER square-foot) apartments school. Each has 3 bedrooms 2 RAI OF LAND RAWAI CONDO sleep 4-6 people. They are and 2 bathrooms. Asking Includes 3 houses, each of for rent. Empty or fully fur- brand-new, with free high- 13,000 baht per month. Tel: SEA VIEW LAND the three houses have 2 nished, air conditioned. 3,500 speed Internet access, a 04-8516115. Email: FOR SALE bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, big baht per month and 4,000 brilliant kitchen, daily maid [email protected] living space, big tropical gar- baht per month. Please call for service and much more. den behind the house, two more details. Tel: 06-686- The building includes a huge water wells, surrounding 5567. 50m-long (164-ft) swim- KARON SEAVIEW wall, Chalong. 12.9 million ming pool, the best gym on baht. Be fast and come to KAMALA APARTMENT Phuket, a sauna, spa, a look. Tel: 01-5376866. Furnished, includes ADSL, beautiful view, an Internet wireless network. For apart- café, restaurant, bar and 805sqm. Hillside near Ao ment, long-term rent: 8,000 reception area. Available for Por marina project 2.5 mil- BALINESE VILLAS baht per month. For the room: short-term or long-term lion baht. Please contact New development of stunning 6,000 baht per month includ- stays. Please contact for for more information. Tel: 2 bedrooms villas with private ing television and aircon. more details. Tel: 81-3- Large studio apartment for 01-1719705. Email: pool. Fully managed estate, Please contact for more de- 37103946. Email: book- rent. 1 bedroom, 1 bath- [email protected] superb investment. Pre con- tails. Tel: 01-5385285. ings@phuketvacation struction prices from only 5.9 Email: [email protected] apartments.com or visit: room, Western-style million baht. Agents welcome. www.phuketvacation kitchen, pool, near Karon Tel: 06-0043008. Fax: 076- apartments.com Beach. Please contact K. HOUSE FOR SALE HOUSE FOR RENT Gae for more information. 341372. Email: info@ in Rawai, near Don’s Mall. 2 IN VILLA 5 ayudhya.net For further de- Tel: 06-9062220. Email: bedrooms, 1 bathroom, air- RAWAI CONDO [email protected] tails, please see our website con, cable TV. 13,000 baht at: www.villasuksan.com for lease. Has 5- to 10-year per month. Please call for lease. Asking 150,000 baht. more information. Tel: 04- Please contact for info. Tel: KATA OCEANFRONT Properties 6268105. 06-6865567. Email: chotip_5 Aspasia 5-star deluxe 1-bed- @hotmail.com room furnished apartment. For Rent CHALONG, NEW HOUSE Pools, spa, ADSL, quiet area. Brand-new 2-bedroom town- 28,000 baht/month. Tel: 09- Phuket Villa 5, 90sqm, 3 2+1-BEDROOM house, built to Western stan- 9726017. Email: asiasail@ bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a apartments to rent. New dards, near Chalong Circle. yahoo.com For further details, large living area and kitchen, BIG SHOPHOUSE apartments in Patong for long Has 2 bathrooms, air condi- please see our website at: 3 air conditioners, built-in IN PATONG lets. Include aircon, cable TV, tioning, telephone line, car- www.koumbele.com/kata1 wardrobe, 5-piece rattan Located in Soi Patong Resort, pool. 28-30K month. Tel: 01- port, hot water, etc. Tel: 076- lounge suite and a phone off Soi Bangla, the commer- 7477520. Email: phuketpete 280466. line. Only 5 minutes to Cen- cial hub of Patong Beach. @yahoo.co.uk 9 RAI tral Festival Phuket and only Approx 180 sqm on 2 open- Plot with a nice view – good 15 minutes to Rawai. For space floors. Suitable for HOUSE FOR RENT HOUSE FOR RENT for a resort, spa, etc – next to sale by owner. Asking 4 mil- commercial purposes, unfur- in Laguna area. Resort design, in Nai Harn, 2 bedrooms, 1 Pae Ma Nam, for long-term lion baht (negotiable). No nished. Please contact for furnished, with 3 bedrooms, air aircon, telephone line, ADSL, rent. Close to hospital, about agents! Tel: 04-1868531, info. Tel: 076-340290. conditioning, pool, spa and UBC. Big garden with fence, 1.5km from Big C, Tesco-Lo- 01-5988725. Email: Email: paciugo89@yahoo. garden on ½ rai. Asking furniture. Price 16,000 per tus, and Central Festival. s_ [email protected] com 40,000 baht per month. Tel: month. Please call for info. Tel: Please call for more informa- 09-5944067. 09-8683617. tion. Tel: 01-8675084. April 1 - 7, 2006 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 41 Property Gazette

PATONG LUXURY KAMALA Property apartments. Central Patong Building Household Property FOR SALE/RENT Wanted 1- and 2-bedroom apart- Products & Items Services ments. For information and Services photos. Email: suites247@ PATONG LONG TIME yahoo.com SANYO DIGITAL Single, quiet German looking microwave, etc. - Microwave, for bungalow or small house The Stone Doctor Phillips iron, DVD player, to rent beginning June-July. ROOMS TO LET duvet set. Only 3,500 baht. - Price range 16,000-17,000 Baby playpen/cot, high chair, baht per month. Contact Pe- Specialist European stone- car seat, rocking seat with Thai-style, 3 bedrooms, 2 care products and services: ter. Tel: 04-7594668. adjustable settings, a few bathrooms, maid’s room, • Restoration toys. Only 3,000 baht. Must balconies & car port. House LOOKING FOR HOUSE • Sealing/Protection sell – moving from Phuket on 350sqm. Gardens 750sqm. • Maintenance April 10. Tel: 04-8135483. An attractive, breezy, cool 2 bedrooms, fully furnished with pool. 30,000 baht. Tel: All your maintenance, Email: [email protected] house. Must be seen. protection & cleaning needs 04-8418726, 09-8842967. 40,000 baht per month. Lake-view apartments in for natural and manufactured FRIDGE & MICROWAVE Call Zep (06-2825107) or Kathu. Fully furnished with stone. UNIT IN PHUKET Fridge for 3,000 baht; micro- Oily (01-8291122). aircon, fridge, cable TV, hot • Marble • Sandwash wave, 1,500. Both in excellent Palace. I’m looking for a unit water and car park. Stan- • Granite • Terracotta condition. Available April 1. for sale in Phuket Palace dard room just 6,000 baht • Slate • Terrazzo Also have bicycle for 1,000 Tower. If you have one, • Sandstone • Ceramics, etc FUENG FAH CONDO per month or 500 baht per baht. Ideal for teenager/adult. please contact me. Tel: 06- day. Deluxe room is 8,500 Fully furnished room for rent Prevent: rust, stains, mildew, Must collect. Tel: 01-079- 628-5292. Email: w_sopon@ baht per month or 700 baht algae, scratches in a quiet area, near Dao 8208. Email: HCKnapman@ hotmail.com per day. Tel: 076-202585, Remove: builders’ residue, Rung School. With an air aol.com 09-1968449. Email: incorrect sealants, rust, stains, conditioner, bed, dresser, mildew, etc. Daily care & ketmaneeclayton61@ fridge, washing machine and cleaning products also available. BEDS+MATTRESSES Accommodation hotmail.com hot water. 5 minutes from Tel: 07-2824930, 076-271217 8 brand-new single beds with Phuket City. Only long term- Available Fax: 076-271218 mattresses. Cheap: 10,000 rent. Asking 7,500 baht per Email: baht the lot. Tel: 07-0170135. KATA BEACH [email protected] month. Please contact the from the middle of April we owner. Tel: 04-0586086. 2-BEDROOM start our low season dis- 2-DOOR FRIDGE Email: tabbychiro26@ APARTMENT counts. Southern Fried Rice, 6ft-high, glass-front, commer- hotmail.com 110sqm apartment, with possibly the best -equipped cial, fridge. Good condition, CHERRY PICKER white. Tel: 07-0170135. 10sqm balcony, in Patong. guesthouse in the area, has FOR HIRE Large sunken living/dining seven beautifully-decorated FULLY FURNISHED area, 2 bedrooms, 2 bath- rooms all with aircon, fan, 1-DOOR FRIDGE rooms, Fully built-in kitchen, CONDO fridge TV and safe. Also bal- New 6ft, commercial, storeroom. Standard all air- cony room facing the beach. glass-front fridge. Never 2 bedrooms, Euro kitchen & con, Tel, UBC, WiFi, etc. The guesthouse has wireless used, very cheap 15,000 baths, 3 aircon units, 4 ceil- 20,000 baht a month for ing fans, washing machine, Internet, five computers are at baht. Tel: 07-0170135. long term (preferred). Tel: our guests’ disposal and at no land line phone, UBC TV, a 04-1858536. must see. 1 year rental: charge. Room rates: daily 500- 16,500 baht per month. 1,200 baht; monthly 12,000 Household - 30,000 baht. Please con- Monthly rental: 20,000 baht. Need to work up high? No Services Tel: 076-263958, 06-273- KAMALA HOUSES tact. Tel: 01-8948446. Email: [email protected] for room for a ladder or scaf- HOME INSPECTIONS 4678. Fax: 076-263958. 2 beautifully-appointed f/f folding? Personnel lift for Email: [email protected] futher details see our website Get an inspection before fi- houses 200 m from the www.southernfriedrice.com hire at daily rates. Contact AIR CONDITIONING nal payment. 25 years’ expe- beach. Private entrance, gar- Andy. Tel: 01-8913466. Aircon/fridge repairs and ser- rience. 6,000 baht and up. RAWAI HOUSES den. Ideal for those seeking Fax: 076-296160. Email: vice. All makes. British-trained Please call Mark. Tel: 076- for rent. Twin, 2-story, fully peace, solitude and comfort Accommodation [email protected] engineers. Any area, 24hr 388309. furnished houses, all brand- away from hotels. Short- Wanted service. Tel: 09-7304502. new, for 6,000 baht or 7,000 term only. Tel: 076-385292, baht a month, including park- 01-8931360. Email: noi@ Gazette Online Classifieds - 10,000 readers every day! ing space. Please call for phuketinvestments.com VACATION RENTALS more info. Tel: 06-6865567. 3-4 bedrooms, 2-3 bath- SURIN APARTMENT rooms, Chalong, Rawai, Kata OLD THAI HOUSE Surin Springs Estate, 1 bed- areas. Tel: 076-281109, 09- Classified Advertisements for rent. Old Thai house with room, shared pool, vaulted 8681823. Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. electricity, water, garden, ceiling, sat TV, fully furnished, parking space for rent. Near western kitchen, phone line, HOUSE WANTED Then hand it to any of our agents. Cape Panwa Hotel. Asking aircon, 24 hour security, 5 min Looking for a 2-bedroom price per month 8,500 baht. walk to beach. Short-term or house in the Rawai, Nai Harn |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| (heading) Tel: 076-212248, 01-892- long-term rental available. or Chalong areas to rent long 9592. Email: kodesh32@ Email: [email protected] term. Ideally around 10,000 hotmail.com baht a month and must have |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| KATHU LAKE VIEW enclosed garden. Please send BEACHFRONT CONDO bungalows. One of Phuket’s details and, if possible, photos. Kalim, Patong. High standard, finest accommodations, in Email: laureninthailand@ |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, Kathu near Loch Palm golf hotmail.com kitchen, pool, many facilities. course and right next to a crys- Short- or long-term. Tel: 01- tal-clear lake located in beautiful WANT TO RENT |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| 8920038. and quiet natural surrounding. house/apartment. We will Offered for long- and short- come to Phuket next year in HOUSE FOR LEASE term lease with all comforts March/April and stay for 4 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| 10 years. 4 new detached and facilities… rooms, bunga- weeks. We want to rent a houses offered on 10-year lows and a luxurious apart- house or apartment in Kata or leases. 850,000 baht each. ment. Tel: 076-2031034, 01- nearby. Not over 30,000 baht Each house has 3 bedrooms, 2 8945310. Fax: 076-203102. per month. Email: jensjoberg |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| bathrooms, 240sqm. Tel: 04- Email: [email protected] @hotmail.com 8516115. Email: suksavat@ Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 85 baht, hotmail.com HOUSE: 60,000 BAHT PATONG OR NEARBY with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. In Karon, 5 mins from the Non-smoking educated male HOUSE FOR RENT beach. Buy the furniture for seeks a good home for 1-2 per- All advertising must be paid for in advance. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, Eu- 60,000 baht and pay 4,500 sons for my regular visits, long Deadline for Property Gazette page: Friday 3 pm. ropean kitchen, fully fur- baht/month rent. Aircon, cable or short term. Other locations nished. At Land & Houses TV. Tel: 06-9488139. Email: will be considered. Email: Deadline for all other ads: Saturday 12 noon. Park. Tel: 04-7453886. [email protected] [email protected] 42 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS April 1 - 7, 2006 Boats & Marine

MAYOTTE 465 CAT BAYLINER 4788 AZIMUT 55, 2002 Large, well-laid-out sailing 1995 model, Thai regis- Rare chance to purchase catamaran. Recently tered, nicely refurbished, as-new. Azimut 55 lying in painted. Many spares, fully equipped for game fishing, Phuket, 2x710hp engines. equipped to make fast, in excellent condition with Fully equipped and ready to comfortable passages. full electronics package. go. For details please con- Please contact Simpson Please contact Simpson tact Simpson Marine. Tel: Marine. Tel: 076-239768. Marine. Tel: 076-239768. 076-239768. April 1 - 7, 2006 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 43 Island Job Mart

LAW FIRM SEEKS SECRETARY Lawyer, accountant. Send resumé to the email below. Email: scphuket@yahoo. com

PERSONAL ASST/ marketing. Thai national. Must be fluent in written and spoken English. This is a varied and exciting position working with the Director of Marketing of three of Phuket’s top restau- rants promoting both locally and internationally. Excellent computer skills and graphic design experience in advertis- ing, brochures, flyers etc and some knowledge of website design would be an advan- tage. Sales experience would also be an asset. Excellent salary package will be based on experience. Email: sue@ baanrimpa.com

HOTEL reservations. - Male/female, Thai national. - Experienced in hotel reserva- tions or hotel industry. - Computer literate and fluent in spoken & written English. - Ability with other languages an advantage. Please contact for more infor- mation. Tel: 076-292801. Fax: 076-292808. Email: admin@ TANKER VESSEL RUDY 40 SLOOP avantika-phuket.com For fur- FOR SALE 1990 center cockpit. Very ther details, please see our clean & tidy yacht, recently website at: www.avantika- refitted. Excellent blue- phuket.com water yacht. Steel hull. Please contact Simpson SECRETARY Marine. Tel: 076-239768. - Female, Thai national, age not over 35. - Experienced in secretarial Capacity: 200,000 liters. BOAT LAGOON and administrative functions. Length: 26m, Beam: 5.5m. BERTH - Computer literate and fluent Thai registered, ready to 46ft berth with 13 years in spoken & written English. move. 2 million baht. Tel: left on lease. Asking 2 mil- - Ability to work under pres- 076-244820, 01-891- lion baht or near offer. Please sure. 2333. Fax: 076-223237. contact Simpson Marine. Email: [email protected] Tel: 076-239768. Please contact for more infor- mation. Tel: 076-292801. Fax: 076-292808. Email: [email protected] Find more Classified ads at For more information, please ! see our website at: www. www.phuketgazette.net avantika-phuket.com 44 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS April 1 - 7, 2006 Island Job Mart

GERMAN-SPEAKER WANTED Do you have some com- puter skills? Would you like to work, and be paid well, at our call center 5 days a week? Please feel free to contact us for more info. Tel: 09-8739123. Email: eichinger@intercallservice. com

WEBSITE SALES Urgent: An organized Thai national needed to sell websites. Email skills, transport, energy and knowledge of tourism or construction helpful. Make it with a fun, new company. GRAPHIC DESIGNER SALES PEOPLE Please call May. Tel: 09- WANTED REQUIRED 9733276. Experienced graphic de- We are looking for people signer needed full-time for who are experienced in SALESPERSON web design and various sales. Fluent English is re- needed. Growing supplying print design jobs. Applicant quired. Excellent remunera- company for hotels & restau- should have good skills in tion package available. rants urgently needs a Sales- Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. Please contact Chris at person to join sales team in Tel: 076-282211. Fax: [email protected] Phuket. Good basic salary and 076-283251. Email: oil@ commission. Some computer asiadebit.com skills & basic English is an ad- HOUSEKEEPER vantage. Please send your We need a housekeeper with resumé or contact for more COOK WANTED experience for a period of 3 information. Tel: 076-261157, For Koh Kaeo Pisadan Bunga- months starting as soon as 09-7703681. Fax: 076-261- lows off Laem Promthep. possible. Tel: 01-7971207. 239. Email: patbkl@yahoo. Please call. Tel: 09-5944017. Email: [email protected] com April 1 - 7, 2006 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 45 Island Job Mart Tout, Trader & Trumpet

Articles Bulletins For Sale

PHILIPS 29" TV+DVD 2 AJ speakers plus stand. Only 8 months old and still under warranty. Only 15,000 baht. Tel: 06-0742471.

SHARP 29" TV Original price: 12,000 baht; selling for 7,000. Perfect con- dition. Please contact. Tel: 04- 7467304. Email: steverose_ [email protected]

GYM 3 STATION New, cheap at 15,000 baht. Tel: 07-0170135.

RUNNING MACHINE Keep fit! Brand-new, comput- erized, never used, fold away, 20,000 baht. Please call. Tel: Business 07-0170135. Opportunities

LEATHER LOUNGE 5-piece corner unit, brand- SMALL HOTEL new, excellent quality, mus- FOR SALE tard color. Tel: 07-0170135.

GREAT DEALS Fast sale: 29" TV speakers + DVD TV stand: 14,000 baht. Big fish tank stand: 10,000 baht. Big bed mattress & frame: 8,000 baht. Nice de- signer desk chair: 5,000 baht. Leather designer couch with two matching leather chairs Beautiful, 8 bedrooms, cof- and ottoman. Other misc fee shop, in the center of items. All Items only three Karon Beach. 9.8 million months old. Each cost about baht. Please contact for two times what I am selling more information. Tel: 01- them for. Call Tel: 076-283- 1719705. Email: atetayap 360, or the best way to con- @yahoo.com tact me is by Email at: TAILIFE HEALTH [email protected] WANTED IN NAI HARN EXECUTIVE & fitness in Patong require fun- ASSISTANT I am looking for a business in loving, happy staff. Positions KITESURFING the Nai Harn area. If you have Andaman Silver, a residen- available: equipment. Everything you one or know of one for sale tial property developer * Head Chef need to start kitesurfing today! please email me at Email: based in Surin, requires an * Waitresses (Good wind not included.) A [email protected] Executive Assistant to re- * Bartenders 160 beginner-to-advanced port to the Managing Direc- board, 5ft kite, pump, Naish * Massage Therapists URGENT: OFFICE BAR 4 SALE: AO NANG tor. We are looking for a Employment harness/impact vest. All in Good salaries await the right Assistant. Female, experi- Krabi. Stylish and profitable dynamic and hard-working good condition. 45,000 baht for double unit bar in busy tourist individual with the following candidates. Please call Apple. enced in reservations & mar- Wanted keting, with spoken and writ- the lot. Please contact for area. Tel: 075-637862, 06- qualifications: Tel: 076-341116 for more more details. Tel: 01-367- information. ten English. Tel: 076-254523, 2773160. Email: hedley@ *Thai female or male, aged 06-9516695. 5413. Email: wesleybaxter@ loxinfo.co.th 23 years or above SWEDISH MAN hotmail.com CLINIC ADMINISTRATOR *Bachelor’s degree or SEEKING WORK and receptionist. Phuket Cos- MAKE PHOTOS KAMALA equivalent in Accounting I am a 34-year-old Swedish metic Dental Clinic is seeking Beautiful lady wanted to de- restaurant & bar. Famous for man looking for work in Births *Fluent spoken and written a Clinic Administrator/Recep- velop photos. Training pro- pizza + Texmex: 40 seats, air Phuket. Open for any job English tionist. Female, Thai national, vided. Good salary, work 4 conditioning, equipment, you can offer. Please con- *Excellent interpersonal age 23 up, bachelor’s degree. hours a day. Please call for stock, and furniture. For sale tact. Email: jensjoberg@ and multi-tasking skills Fluent written and spoken En- more info. Tel: 01-2704133. HAPPY BIRTHDAY at 500,000 baht + rent 6,000 hotmail.com JIF! *Excellent computer glish and French. PC experi- baht per month. Call after 5 knowledge, including MS ence in Word, Excel, Internet TEFL LANGUAGE pm. Tel: 076-385940. Office and Internet and Email. Pleasant personal- school. Service and hotel staff * Have driving license and ity and team player. Please needed now. Certificate GERMAN WOMAN/ SMALL RESTAURANT own car. send your CV to: info@ Course plus on-the-job train- MANAGEMENT Nanai Rd, Patong. Internet, bar, 2 bedrooms, 480,000 The successful applicant phuketcosmeticdentalclinic. ing. Learn Thai, English, Rus- German woman, 33, is com sian, French, and many more looking for a job on Phuket. baht. Please contact. Email: will receive a generous com- [email protected] pensation package, includ- languages. Take the 120-hour 11 years’ experience in ing a performance bonus. In- CASHIER International TEFL Certificate, fashion/textile industry, HR terested candidates may & accounting required. Ac- approved by the Ministry of management and training of BAR FOR SALE apply by submitting a full countant/storekeeper urgently Education. Monday April 3, sales staff, and motivating/ Dear daughter, Happy Birth- Soi Dongtan. Refurbished. resumé and recent photos. required. Attractive salary 2006. Improve your life, im- managing branch manag- day! Love and regards, Papa Good figures. No key money. offered. Please contact for prove your business. Tel: 076- ers. I speak German and Lease paid until December Email: Tom. Tel: 248-673-9687. more information. Tel: 01- 219241, 076-219251. English. Email: muenchen1 2006. Tel: 06-8528256. [email protected] Email: nglish4u@hotmail. 9563061. Email: sohail_ Please see our website at: @gmx.net com Email: misterkai4@yahoo. [email protected] www.teflschool.com com.au 46 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS April 1 - 7, 2006 Tout, Trader & Trumpet

RESTAURANT BAR FOR SALE CAMERA GEAR Computers FOR SALE New bar in Andaman Ba- - Canon EOS5 35mm film zaar. Fully furnished, has camera (body only). pool table. Seats 35, and - Canon EOS50 (body only) PHOTOCOPY has kitchen, etc. 3+3-year - Canon IX APS (body only) REPAIRS lease. No key money. Take - Canon IXUS II APS camera Friendly farang fixes copi- over for 500,000 baht. ers and faxes and has laser - Canon 540EZ flash (two) Rent 52,000 baht per toner refills. Please call month. Please call. Tel: 06- - Canon 430EZ flash George for more informa- on Nanai Rd in Patong, 7430978. - Aluminium case 460mm x tion. Tel: 06-9724805. Phuket. Fully equipped. 300mm x 80m. 80sqm. 7,000 baht per For sale as lot or sepa- COMPUTER 4 SALE month. Everything new. 3- BUSINESSES rately. Please contact for - Pentium 4. 1.6GHz. 512 year contract. Key money FOR SALE more details. Tel: 06-267- 700,000 baht. Urgent and DDR, 40GB hard disk. CD/ Great businesses in one of 2260. Email: thurston@ negotiable. Please call. Tel: DVD, 64MB video, Windows the best locations in loxinfo.co.th 09-2898628. XP Service Pack 3, Office. Patong are for sale, includ- 17" monitor. 8,000 baht. ing: NIKON D50 - Celeron 2.4GHz. 512 DDR, SHOPHOUSE - a 15-room guesthouse and equipment. 2 months old. 40GB hard disk. CD/DVD-RW, Shophouse – 5 m x 12m – - a tour agency Comes with 18-55mm wide 128MB video. 17" monitor. for rent at 5,000 baht a - a 60-seat restaurant angle lens + 70-300mm 10,000 baht. month. Ideal for office. Get zoom. Lithium battery with - Pentium 3. 1GHz. 384 SD yearly lease agreement, and - a rental business charger, 1GB memory card, RAM, 40GB hard disk. CD/ take over for only 450,000 - an Internet café filters, bag, flash, etc. 60,000 DVD, 32MB video. 17" moni- baht. No key money. Tel: 076- Please contact. Tel: 01- baht. Tel: 076-597474, 01- tor. 6,000 baht. Please call. 383240, 01-4154883. Fax: 0820039, 01-0911662. 6768797. Tel: 09-2898628. 076-383240. Email: info@ Email: ilan_75@hotmail. r-armanitailor.com com Notice NICE RESTAURANT INVEST NOW plus 3 rooms. Close to the Are you interested in a Disco beach. Lease has 4 years left business in Patong? Please + rent at 35,000 baht a contact for more information. month. Only 850,000 baht for Tel: 04-7975977. Email: VISA & LEGAL furniture and equipment. Ex- [email protected] SERVICES cellent location near Banana Discotheque. Please contact for more information. Tel: 04- 26-ROOM HOTEL 8448381. Email: garyone1@ for lease. Located in Patong, hotmail.com recently equipped, fully booked. No key money. Nine years on lease. Ready to run. FOR SALE Don’t miss it! Tel: 06-004- Certified business opportu- 3008. Fax: 076-341372. nities. Excellent quality and Email: [email protected] value for money. Well- trained staff are available. 3 BAR FOR SALE Personal Personals Prime location, just off Bangla months support guarantee. LOOKING FOR Services Wash up to 100 cars a day. Rd, long lease. Tel: 09-514- Company Registration 1288. 2,229 baht; One Year Visa a venue for a birthday? Clean and safe by German BACKGAMMON carwash technology. For 5,999 baht; Retirement Visa Wedding? Get together? PERSONAL TRAINING 5,999 baht: Work Permit Retired businessman look- more information contact RESTAURANT Party by the pool at TaiLife Tailor-made physical training 5,999 baht; UK & US Visa ing for backgammon play- us. Email: phuket_carwash for rent. Good location, 1km to Health and Fitness. Beautiful at all levels. Scheduled ses- 16,999 baht. No more visa ers on Phuket Island. @hotmail.com Nai Harn Beach, including venue, delicious food. Please sions at home or outside area. runs – get a one-year visa Please call for more infor- kitchen equipment. Tel: 06- call for more details. Tel: First lesson free. Tel: 07- for only 5,999 baht. Estab- mation. Tel: 076-386113, 9474494, 01-5365416. 076-341116. 2808077. BE AN ENTREPRENEUR lish your Thai company today 01-5778443. If I can work from my home in BAR FOR SALE to buy land or start your busi- Bangkok and make over US$ NURSE CARE Soi Bangla area. All fittings, ness for only 2,229 baht! PERSIAN CARPETS GOOD FRIENDSHIP 4,000 per week, so can you. Property title search, sales Nursing care offered at your including pool table and small Oriental hand-knotted car- Kind gentleman, pleasant and I will prove it. Go to my busi- contract and land registra- residence or hospital. Fluent in Thai restaurant. 250,000 pet, rug and kilim dealer secure, is looking to start an ness website, then call Der- tion. Thailand’s LARGEST le- English, available day or night. baht. Tel: 01-8928579. (specializing in washing and enjoyable friendship with a rick at 02-2629287. Serious gal service network. Al- Tel: 01-8912112. Email: repair). Free pick-up and de- traditional, pretty Thai lady. inquiries only please. If you do ways your low price by our li- [email protected] CAFE/RESTAURANT livery. Tel: 01-9563061. Please contact via Email: not go, enjoy what you are censed Thai lawyers. New, very nice, 2 rooms. Email: sohail_carpet@ [email protected] presently doing. You will prob- Please contact. Tel: 076- LEARN THAI Lease for 5 years. Nanai Rd yahoo.com Please see our ably be doing it forever. Tel: 345277 (24 hours). Email: privately. One-on-one lessons 2.3 million baht. Tel: 04-013- website at: www.mister- 02-2629287, 01-7543731. [email protected] For with with qualified and expe- 7941. carpet.com FUN DATING Fax: 02-6611148. Email: further details, please visit: rienced teacher in the privacy [email protected] of your home or office. Read it, Looking for fun? For a date? www.siam-legal.com Call her now and you’ll For more details, visit: www. hear it, ask about it, and ab- Business Cameras & never walk alone! Please lifechangingearnings.com TODAY’S HOME sorb it online. I speak English Products & comfortably and will answer contact. Tel: 076-280447, newspaper. 280 titles from Equipment 01-0808557. Fax: 076- BUSINESS FOR SALE Services 60 countries. Price 180-220 your questions precisely. Con- tact me for details and refer- 280447. Email: info@fun- Nice office located in a busi- baht. Please contact for more dating-thailand.com For fur- ness area. 50sqm, fully fur- information. Tel: 076-346218- VHS MOVIES ON DVD ences from successful stu- dents. Serious inquiries only, ther details, please see our nished with all office equip- 9. Fax: 076-346232. Email: Flash Design and artwork, website at: www.fun-dat- ment and ready to start. 18 aleks@newspaperdirect- please. Tel: 09-7482572. your partner for innovative Email: [email protected] ing-thailand.com million baht. Company car is phuket.com advertising offers: Your available if required. Tel: 09- own VHS movies (or re- 8750017. NO 1 VISA corded movies) burned in PART-TIME SERVICE SAILING TO BANGKOK and accounting. Visa service perfect quality on DVD after 6pm. Foreign man seeks Looking for adventurous PATONG BAR for Thais and foreigners. Ac- disks with or without DVD part-time work after 6pm, couple to sail from Phuket to for sale. Nanai Rd, pool table, counting, auditing, work per- menus or submenus Tel: weekdays or weekends. Can Bangkok via Char Buri and UBC, kitchen, terrace, 2½- mits and company formation. 076-264340, 09-873- do anything, including comput- Chumphon by road. Please years left on renewable lease. Best prices in Phuket- with guar- 8572. Fax: 076-264340. ers, language teaching, sales contact for more details. Tel: Please contact for full details. antee! Tel: 076-280447, 01- Email: wolflam@phuket. & marketing, security, etc. 076-280420, 09-8758691. Tel: 07-8895736. Email: 0808557. Fax: 076-280447. loxinfo.co.th Tel: 05-1601670. Email: Fax: 076-280420. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] April 1 - 7, 2006 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 47 Wheels & Motors

FORD RANGER Saloon Cars NISSAN ALMERA Pickups Brand-new 2.5 turbo diesel. Rentals MARTY CARS 2002 Silver, 11,000km, 2 airbags, New trucks, top-spec NISSAN NV 2OOO ABS, Pioneer stereo (800 Fortuners & Vigos. Low Nissan NV, extra cab, in good watts) with full accesories TOYOTA CROWN prices. Full insurance, short- condition, metallic blue, power (Chai Autosound). Still has red FOR RENT or long-term rental. Deliv- steering, aluminum wheels, plates. 610,000 baht. Tel: 04- Toyota Crown Royal Saloon ered. Please call for full infor- stereo, Carryboy. 255,000 7467304. Email: steverose_ for rent from April 10 for 2, mation. Tel: 01-4518247, baht. Email: ofshorethailand@ [email protected] 3, or 4 months. 4-door, 06-2781291. hotmail.com manual 5-speed. New air 1800cc, red, automatic, Motorbikes conditioner. Beautiful car in leather seats. Only 20,000 top condition. 10,000 baht Wanted km. The car stands out as 4 x 4s per month. Contact me and new. Driven for 4 years by drive it, or I will email photos lady, never in an accident. HONDA SUPER to you. Tel: 04-8528990. 400,000 baht down pay- 4WD SPECIAL FOUR 400cc Email: johnleinfelder@yahoo CAR WANTED Phuket’s Most Trusted & ment, the remaining Modified Suzuki Caribian, with Black and good condition. .com English teacher looking for an Reputable Supplier of the Finest 320,000 paid in monthly in- extra roll bars, big Power- 70,000 baht. Please call Tel: Opel Corsa or similar (Ford, Quality Used SALOONS, stallments over 2 years. guard tires and more. Body 04-8528158. Daihatsu, etc) as a run- SEDANS, JEEPS & PICKUPS and engine excellent. 95,000 Please call for full details. Tel: A1 CAR RENT around. Suzuki jeeps also 01-8941175. baht. Please call for more info. considered. Please send New cars or trade-ins – Tel: 07-2730141. Best prices for long-term photo and price. Can pay we have what you’re CBR, KATANA, NSR deals. Prices from 12,000 FOR SALE! upfront in cash. Tel: 06-268- looking for MITSUBISHI STRADA baht/month. Please call for 3442, 09-5931442. Email: NISSAN SUNNY Honda 250 CBR 30,000 info. Tel: 09-8314703. For more info please call us at 2003, 2.8 turbo, 4WD, 4 allymaclennan@hotmail. 1995, 100,000km, full in- doors. 250,000 cash + fi- baht. Suzuki Katana 750S3 com Tel: 076-224632, 216243 surance, CD/MP3 player, 4 85,000 baht. NSR 250 Rac- www.suremotor.com nance of 18 months x new tires. Tel: 01-9680309. ing 30,000 baht. Tel: 06- SUZUKI JEEP 12,000 baht or 450,000 baht CHOPPER WANTED Email: info@houseinphuket. cash. Mitsubishi Champ 3, 4 9488139. Email: jefdejong 9,000 BAHT/MONTH I am looking for a used 650cc- com For further details, doors. 130,000 baht. Tel: @hotmail.com Caribian. Real full insurance. 750cc chopper, in reasonable please see our website at : 076-296555, 09-2911112. FERRARI RED www.deliver-it.nl/car/ Aircon. Please contact for condition, within the next 2 DAIHATSU MIRA HONDA WAVE 100CC full details. Tel: 06-948- months – price not more than New color, new seats, new EURO RANGER 2001 Silver color. Like new, only 8139. Email: jefdejong@ 50,000 baht. Please send of- brakes completely over- CIVIC 2005 TOP MODEL Turbo-diesel, 2-doors, many 5,500km. Asking 15,000 hotmail.com fers via email; pictures would hauled engine, new steering Excellent condition, both exte- extras. Off- road bumper, baht + takeover of payments be nice. Tel: 06-2811264. system, tinted windows. rior and interior. 200,000 wheels & tires. Carryboy with of 1,750 baht per month for Email: sundayshot@hotmail. Ready to drive out the next baht down payment and seats. CD player. 340,000 11 months from May 1. HONDA JAZZ com 10 years. Price 133,500 13,000+ monthly. First-class baht. Tel: 04-8135483. Please contact for more info. FOR RENT baht. Please call for more insurance & tax have just been Tel: 01-0897401, 07-044- Black, aircon, central locking, USED CAR WANTED info. Tel: 06-2713447. renewed. Please contact K. MITSUBISHI STRADA 6534. Email: remydielemans CD player. Great car for tour- We are looking for a second- Tik for more information. Tel: 4x4 turbo-diesel, November @yahoo.com ing Phuket. Very good rates! hand car, about 4-5 years old. 06-9456433. Email: khuntik 2002, silver/red color, Please contact for futher Max budget is 250,000 to BEST VIOS @myway.com 83,000km, has all the extras HONDA WAVE 125 informaton. Tel: 07-628- 300,000 baht. Not interested in Phuket. 2004 Toyota Vios including Carryboy and full New Honda Wave 125i 1634, 01-4154043. Email: in a pickup. Please reply with 1.5E, 30,000kms, 17" HONDA CIVIC LXI service history. Asking bought on January 24, 2006. [email protected] details and photo. Email: chrome rims, custom sound for sale. 1995 Civic LXi 1.6, 400,000 baht. Please contact Silver color with baskets, only [email protected] system, vertical doors, full Navy blue, 4 doors, air condi- Khun David. Tel: 07-8887676 856km, all papers & docu- BP RENTALS TRD body kit, headers and big tioning, power windows, ments. New license plate to NEEDED: CAR FOR RENT follow in April. Never wrecked Honda Dreams for 2,500 baht bore exhaust. Too many other locks, steering, 42,000km, 1964 WILLYS JEEP I want to rent a car, such as a or scratched. Make offer, as per month. Good condition. modifications to mention. excellent condition. Never Totally rebuilt with Nissan en- CRV or similar, for about 3 owner has to return to Alaska Tel: 09-4727304. Best be seen to be appreciated. been in an accident. Best gas gine, alloy wheels and roll cage. months. Tel: 076-281274. within two weeks. If not sold, 700,000 baht ono. Please mileage. 290,000 baht. Just serviced and in excep- Email: violetapple@loxinfo. the bike will need to go into contact for more information. Please contact for more info. tional condition. 180,000 baht. LOW PRICE co.th Tel: 01-3964660. Email: Tel: 01-4152877. Email: Tel: 06-0477292. Email: storage. Tel: 01-2724680. for long-term rent. Many [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Email: [email protected] types of well-maintained new cars, with CD player and insur- Others JRD QUEST SCOOTER ance. Tel: 01-6078567. Email: 125cc, Yellow, has case, [email protected] Wheels & Motors brake light, mirrors with light. MOTORCYCLE FREIGHT Advertisements 2,500km. Price: 30,000 baht. BP RENTALS wanted. I want to ship a big mo- Please contact for further in- Suzuki Caribians for 10,000 torcycle overseas. Please formation. Tel: 076-378255, baht a month. Discount for contact me with full details. Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. 07-8822597. Email: euro-art- long-term rental. Full insurance. Tel: 05-8872094. Email: Then hand it to any of our agents. [email protected] Tel: 09-4727304. [email protected]

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| (heading) Agents for Classified Advertising |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| PHUKET K.L. Mart Tel: 076-280400/3 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| Patak Rd, Chalong Fax: 076-280403 Earth Language School Tel: 076-232398/9 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| Phang Nga Rd, Phuket City Fax: 076-232398 Sin & Lee Tel: 076-258369 Thalang Rd, Phuket City Fax: 076-211230 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| Taurus Travel Tel: 076-344521/2 Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 85 baht, Aroonsom Plaza Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd, Patong Fax: 076-344523 with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. 41 Minimart Tel/Fax: 076-324312 All advertising must be paid for in advance. Deadline for Wheels & Motors page: Saturday 12 noon. Srisoontorn Rd, Cherng Talay 48 PHUKET GAZETTE April 1 - 7, 2006

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