ANDAMAN Edition PHUKET’S LEADING NEWSPAPER... SINCE 1993 Now NATIONWIDE Officers seize umbrellas Tourists’ beach gear caught up in sand management chaos INSIDE TODAY January 24 - 30, 2015 PhuketGazette.Net In partnership with The Nation 20 Baht ‘PHUKET TO FLAGSHIP WORLD-CLASS BOATING’ Bandido gang member not wanted: police LOCAL law en- forcement Yacht paradise chiefs this week confirmed that wanted Austra- lian biker Brett “Kaos” Pechey is not a wanted man in Phuket. Mr Pechey is Brett ‘Kaos’ Pechey on the horizon the former president of a Bandido chapter in Brisbane and wanted on extortion and riot charges in Visa changes, Queensland. He was featured in a report by the Australian newspaper The Daily Telegraph last week, with boat chartering a photo of him at a mixed-martial arts training camp in Phuket. rules targeted to Full story on Page 3 boost tourism Bread no issue By Chutharat Plerin for reef, says tourism official CHANGES in visa and chartering legislation to secure the island’s position as the top yacht- DESPITE specialists’ worries, the ing destination in the region are necessary, director of the Ministry of Tourism Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn and Sports (MOTS) Phuket office Wattanavrangkul told the Gazette in an explained that feeding fish bread in exclusive interview on Tuesday. small quantities is no cause for con- “Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha cern after having completed a wants to make Thailand a world-class hub fact-finding mission to Koh Racha. for yachts and cruise boats in Southeast Asia Full story on Page 6 – and we think Phuket is ready for that,” Minister Kobkarn said. “I am aware that Thai- land has to change some regulations to develop Four fishermen our tourism in response to heightened com- petition from other yachting destinations in the region.” netted in raid Following a meeting with Governor Nisit OFFICIALS arrested four illegal mi- Jansomwong and Gulu Lalvani, chairman at grants working in the Phuket fishing the Royal Phuket Marina, on January 16, Ms industry during a human-trafficking Kobkarn vowed to raise concerns… raid this week – all will be deported. Continued on Page 35 Thailand looks to ease superyacht charter laws. Photo: Asia Superyacht Rendezvous / Kevin Miller Full story on Page 4 2 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET NEWS January 24 - 30, 2015 Aussies to hold fund-raiser

Business to help Soi Bangla vendor Boat Lagoon launches By Gazette reporters its monthly Lighthouse A GROUP of Australians in Patong Market . Page 11 held a fund-raising event at the Kangaroo Bar on Soi Bangla Friday night in order to provide a Property mobility scooter for long-term Royal Phuket Marina to street merchant Wilaiwan “Wan” build European-style Damnui. “Wan works in Patong, around condos. Page 29 the Bangla Road area, selling vari- ous wares. She’s been here as long Food as I can remember, which is more than 14 years,” said Gregory Take your family and Wescott, who organized the event. eat your hearts out at “Wan was born with no hands Thanyapura. Page 31 and badly disfigured legs. She has an amazing spirit and is worthy of a lot more from life than she Well-being currently has.” Craig reveals where to Ms Wan was first reached out to about a year ago by Derek find one of Phuket’s Clarkson, a 75-year-old Australian, Ms Wan will be receiving a mobility scooter. Photo: Gazette file superfoods. Page 33 who had noticed that the pros- provide the mobility scooter for that they can provide a scooter thetic leg Ms Wan received in 1999 Ms Wan is Rodney Gothe, project tailor-made for Ms Wan at cost, was broken. Mr Clarkson worked manager of Anywhere on Wheels, he added. Boating with the Phuket Regional Environ- an organization that maintains free “We have a friend, Brian Hop aboard Capricorn ment Office, which has a project online listings of venues through- McNicholl, who will be here in for some smooth jazz that turns recycled aluminum into out the world that cater to the Patong on about March 20, and prostheses, in order to get Ms needs of the mobility impaired. he can bring the scooter over here and good fun. Page 35 Wilaiwan a new leg. “Rodney is in Patong and he for us free of charge,” Mr Wescott “However, this mobility scooter has held discussions with Pride explained. Sport will assist in raising her self-es- Mobility Products in Australia, “I have spoken to various teem, perhaps creating better job which manufactures mobility organizations about this project Don’t miss your chance opportunities and giving her a great scooters and modifies them for and have their full support. How- to see Aussie Rules in deal more independence in life,” different disabilities,” Mr Wescott ever, we need to raise the funds March. Page 38 Mr Wescott pointed out. said. to pay for the scooter, hence the Working with Mr Wescott to Pride Mobility has confirmed fund-raiser on Friday night.” US Embassy to hold consular Hit-and-run almost totals Munchy Machine THE Munchy Machine, part of the [baht] to get it back in service,” outreach clinic on the island Tuk-Tuk Diner fleet, was almost said the owner of the Tuk-Tuk totalled in a hit-and-run near the Diner fleet, Tom Somsanuk, bet- THE Consular Section of the of any services required. TX Soccer Stadium in Samkong ter known as “DJ Tank”. American Embassy in Bangkok See the US Embassy website at about 4am last Sunday. “We hope to succeed despite will hold an Outreach Visit at Le for information regarding prices “We arrived at the scene and this set back. I still have the Gen- Meridien Phuket Beach Resort in and requirements for each spoke to eye-witnesses, but no- eral Sab E Lee, the orange tuk-tuk, Karon on January 30. service. body was able to describe the and that will be for food catering. Consular staff will be available Consular Reports of Birth vehicle that slammed into the tuk- “The Munchy Machine has from 8am to noon to provide the Abroad cannot be processed tuk before careening off into the given a lot of good grub and good following services: during consular outreach trips. support pole of a nearby shop and times to the people of Phuket, and • Passport renewal applications Appointments are not neces- then fleeing the scene,” Capt The Munchy Machine, despite her I won’t deny it that privilege. So, • First-time adult passport sary for consular services during Nucharee Longkaew of the condition, can still make burgers. across from the TX Park we will applications and passport applica- outreach visits. Phuket City Police said. The parked tuk-tuk was make a late night Mini Diner for tions for lost or stolen passports For more information, email “There is a shop nearby with slammed by what police believe those party people who want to • Notarial Services and Certified [email protected], call the CCTV installed, so we are wait- was a large vehicle, as the tuk- get our chili cheese fries, burgers, Copies American Citizen Services ing for it to open in order to tuk took a serious tumble. oh yes, a classic – biscuits and • Extra visa pages Unit at 02-2054049 or visit recover CCTV footage and hope- “We were about to start our gravy – that will be on the menu.” • Social security, VA, or other www.bangkok.usembassy.gov/ fully move in to make an arrest. high season with the two tuk-tuks “The Munchy Machine maybe Federal benefits questions service. Also, check @ACSBKK However, it will be very difficult this month. The one that was hit can’t drive but she can sure as Consular staff urge visitors to on Twitter for updates. to make that arrest if we aren’t is now almost totalled and unus- heck make a mean Burger!” bring exact change for payment – Phuket Gazette able to secure any footage.” able – it will cost over 100,000 – Chutharat Plerin January 24 - 30, 2015 PHUKET NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 3 Wanted, but not in Phuket Bandido biker Brett ‘Kaos’ Pechey spotted at MMA camp By Chutharat Plerin ported The Daily Telegraph. When contacted by the Ga- LOCAL law enforcement chiefs zette, the Attorney-General’s last week confirmed that wanted Department in Australia explained Australian biker Brett “Kaos” that it was AGD’s policy not to Pechey, who is currently living in disclose any information regard- A local resident looks at the exile, is not a wanted man in ing extradition of suspects until the motorbike and blood stain. Phuket – but they are keeping a suspects have been arrested. lookout for him. Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Mr Pechey is the former presi- Commander Peerayuth Karajedee, dent of a Bandido chapter in Phuket Immigration Superintendent Man shot Brisbane and wanted on extortion Sunchai Chokkajaykij and Phuket and riot charges in Queensland. He Tourist Police chief Urumporn was featured in a report by the Koondejsumrit all concurred – in twice in Australian newspaper The Daily the eyes of Phuket law enforce- Telegraph on January 24, with a ment, Mr Pechey is not a wanted photo of him at AKA Thailand, a man. mixed-martial arts training camp “However, I have passed the drive-by in Phuket. information to our inspection team POLICE are struggling to estab- However, a source at AKA Thai- to search for him and get more lish a motive in the drive-by land told the Gazette that Pechey information,” Lt Col Watcharapol shooting in Thalang on Monday. came to the camp in Rawai only said. Officers arrived at the scene, on once or twice sometime ago. Bandidos were outlawed in Queensland along with a number of other Mr Pechey was reported to the Baan Ya-Baan Don Road, at The Daily Telegraph story also biker gangs. Inset: Brett ‘Kaos’ Pechey is a former president of a Bandido have fled to Thailand after a mass chapter in Brisbane, Queensland. Photo: Roy Lister, Inset: Queensland PD about 7am to find a motorbike featured a photo of Pechey wear- brawl at Broadbeach, on parked in front of a resident’s house ing a logo of the notorious Sydney eral other bike gangs, were out- and as such, at this stage, he is Queensland’s Gold Coast, in Sep- and a blood stain on the ground. street gang Brothers 4 Life AK47, lawed in Queensland by special not wanted in Thailand,” Airport tember 2013. “The 49-year-old victim, sparking concerns that the Broth- legislation in 2013 with criminal Immigration Deputy Superinten- By June last year, reports cir- Songwit Vinyupradit, had already ers 4 Life brand could be copied sentences for gang members dent Watcharapol Kanjanakuntorn culated that Thai police had been taken to Thalang Hospital,” in Queensland and overseas after matching those with other serious confirmed to the Gazette. tracked him down and demanded said Lt Col Sanit Nukong of the having caused chaos in Western offenses. Nonetheless, Australian officials AUS$120,000 (more than 3.2 mil- Thalang Police. Sydney. “I have checked, but Mr Brett are currently working to extradite lion baht) to save him from Mr Songwit told officers that The Bandidos, along with sev- Pechey is not on our watchlist – Mr Pechey from Thailand, re- deportation. he was shot by two teenagers riding a motorcycle in the opposite direction at about 6:45am. “After shooting him, they rode Thieves rip ATM from wall – fail to withdraw off,” said Col Sanit. “Mr Songwit POLICE are searching for at least two sus- “The ATM was dragged about five meters continued for about 300 meters be- pects who ripped a Siam Commercial Bank from the wall, leaving a hole to access the fore pulling over and sitting on the ATM off a pharmacy wall at Baan Manik, in pharmacy,” Lt Suporn said. ground. That’s when the owner of Thalang, before dawn on January 16. “We sealed off the area, but the owner of the house came out and found him.” However, the suspects fled without steal- the pharmacy has yet to confirm whether any- Mr Songwit was shot once in ing any of the cash inside, as police believe thing inside the pharmacy was stolen.” the waist and once in the buttocks. they were startled by a passer-by who spotted The CCTV security camera had been turned None of Mr Songwit’s injuries the thieves attempting to cut open the ATM away from the ATM, Lt Suporn noted, adding were critical. There was an en- with a blowtorch. that officers had yet to review the footage from trance and exit wound for the “We found scorch marks on the back of the camera in the hope of identifying the bullet that hit him in the buttocks. the machine, but the unit was unopened,” Lt suspects. However, he had to be transferred Suporn Muangkhai of the Thalang Police said. “At this stage the only lead we have is wit- to Vachira Phuket Hospital for sur- “We believe the robbery was interrupted by nesses seeing a bronze pick-up truck leaving gery to remove the bullet from his someone passing by, and bank staff have con- the scene, but we believe at least two people waist, Col Sanit said. firmed that none of the cash inside the machine committed the crime, with at least one person “Mr Songwit said that he did not was taken.” acting as a lookout,” he said. recognize the two suspects, but we Officers arrived at the scene after receiv- “We are checking CCTV in the area. We will investigate every possibility as ing a report of the robbery in progress at about are keen to arrest these thieves as soon as The thieves managed to rip the ATM off the wall, to why this attack was carried out,” 4am. possible.” – Thawit Bilabdullar but were unable to get to the loot. he noted. – Thawit Bilabdullar 4 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET NEWS January 24 - 30, 2015 Dtac presents 4G to Phuket Boat raids net four illegals By Voratuss Intasee TOTAL Access Communication Public Company Limited, com- A TASK force of officials from monly known as dtac, announced six government agencies selected the roll out of 4G services in just three fishing boats at Rassada Phuket on January 15. Pier to raid in a search for illegal Phuket is the first southern migrant workers on Tuesday. province to receive 4G service. The team found four suspects, “In 2014, internet usage in who were all charged with enter- Phuket [grew] by 150% compared ing and working in the country to the previous year. The top five illegally. favorite applications used in the “They will be deported,” con- area are Facebook, Google, firmed Phuket Immigration chief YouTube, LINE and Instagram,” Col Sunchai Chokkajaykij. Panya Vechbanyongratana, dtac The task force was operating senior vice president, said in a under orders to target human statement to the press. trafficking in the fishing industry, Dtac plans to install more than specifically on fishing boats 6,500 base stations for 3G and 4G operating in Phuket waters, Col services to cover all areas in Sunchai confirmed. Bangkok and the vicinity, as well However, the four arrested – as in 30 other provinces. Tae Sae Ao, 23; Vee-yew, 33; She- 4G service on the island will ar-shu, 24; and Cho-aea-lae, 19 – be available in all three were not interviewed privately to The illegal Myanmar nationals are being held at Phuket Immigration Office. Photo: Phuket Immigration districts, with coverage including determine their work conditions, Sunchai. ates the two boats. Employment Office. “tourist attractions, key seaside, base wages or to establish if they “They are now being detained The task force included offi- Among the officials present business and residential areas.” were trafficked into Thailand. at Phuket Immigration Office.” cials from the Phuket Provincial were Lerphong Buamahk of the “We will continue the 4G ser- “We checked the documents The four workers were found Fisheries Office, Phuket Marine Phuket Provincial Office of vice expansion to Had Yai, Surat for the three boats and all the crew on two fishing boats: the Tor Office, Phuket Provincial Of- Labour Protection and Welfare Thani, Koh Samui and so on, as members on board. We found Thawee Chai 6 and Tor Thawee fice of Labor Protection and Office and Thawatchai Hasama, we see the potential of internet four Myanmar workers without Chai 7. Welfare Office, Phuket Immi- a lawyer from the Phuket office usage growth in these areas,” Mr passports [or any other documents Col Sunchai did not reveal the gration Office, Marine Police of the Ministry of Social Devel- Panya said. – Phuket Gazette identifying them],” said Col name of the company that oper- Region 8 and the Phuket opment and Welfare. Even tourists don’t want jet-skis: poll

Tourists and residents alike have been calling for a jet-ski ban for years. A STAGGERING 75% of all re- deaths and serious injuries. spondents – including tourists – In 2004, Gazette readers cor- have voted that jet-skis have no rectly predicted that jet-ski place anywhere on any Phuket operators would remain on the is- beach. land despite an order by the then The poll, run for four weeks governor to phase out all jet-skis on the Gazette website, received within seven years. 6,362 votes, with nearly 3,000 Another poll was called in 2009 tourists making their voices heard after Australian diplomats com- concerning the simple question: plained to the prime minister about “Should jet-ski operators be al- Phuket’s notorious jet-ski scam, lowed to operate on Phuket’s in which rental operators, week beaches?” after week, threatened tourists to Only 5% of the tourists who pay extortionate sums of money took part in the poll voted, “Yes, for spurious damages to jet-skis. they provide an activity that many That poll also saw a majority tourists enjoy.” A further 18% call for a ban on jet-skis, and 20% called for better regulation. calling for them to be phased out. Like tourists, the majority of As recently as 2012, Gen expats and Thai nationals called Pansiri Prapawat, deputy com- for a ban on all jet-skis in Phuket, mander of the Royal Thai Police, with 73% and 76% of votes cast failed to implement a bold “Safety respectively by the groups. Zone” plan for Patong to rope in The results, however, should the jet-skis to stop them from hit- not come as a surprise to long- ting swimmers. term residents of Phuket, as jet-ski A similar plan, amid howls of operators have repeatedly been public skepticism, was announced allowed to stay in business for by current Phuket Governor Nisit more than 20 years, despite mul- Jansomwong late last month. tiple incidents of physical violence, – Phuket Gazette January 24 - 30, 2015 PHUKET NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 5 Tourists’ property seized Police play catch and release with beachgoers’ chairs and brollies By Woranut Pechdee Water Sport Activity areas. “The beach has become very CONFUSION reigned at Patong messy. The 10 per cent umbrella Police Station on Wednesday zone doesn’t work well because morning when a group of tourists tourists are allowed to bring their arrived to reclaim their beach own umbrellas and set them up chairs and umbrellas, which were outside the special areas,” Ms mistakenly confiscated by Chalermluck told the Gazette. officers trying to ensure that “Now, you can see umbrellas vendors were not encroaching everywhere. Tourists can rent or outside the recently established buy their own umbrellas from any- special beach zones. where, not only from us, which About 15 tourists arrived at the means that there is an almost un- station, Lt Col Sutthichai Tianpho limited number of umbrellas now of the Patong Police confirmed. allowed on the beach.” “Police seized the umbrellas and Ms Chalermluck vowed to raise beach chairs because they thought the issue with Governor Nisit they belonged to beach vendors,” Jansomwong as soon as practica- he explained to the Gazette. bly possible. The officers discovered a “I will explain to the governor horde of beach equipment stashed what is really happening on the on the beach at about 7pm last beach under the new policy,” she night, explained Patong Police said. “The sooner we find a good Deputy Superintendent Akanit solution to this, the better for all Danpitaksat. of us. “The officers seized the umbrel- “Personally, I would like to see las, beach chairs and boxes left the dedicated umbrella zone on the sand, as vendors are not strictly enforced, so we can con- allowed to leave their belongings Holidaymakers were able to reclaim their belongings at Patong Police Station. Photo: Woranut Pechdee trol the situation and keep the on the beach overnight,” Col after their belongings overnight, umbrellas – any suspicious um- Kebsup on Wednesday repeated vendors in order.” Akanit said. Col Akanit explained. brellas will be seized,” he said. the concerns that she voiced Meanwhile, five vendors who “Many of the items were “But when they returned this The new system of special last week: 10 per cent of total were caught leaving their rental grouped together, and some of the morning, their belongings were beach zones for vendors launched beach area dedicated to beach items on the beach last night were chairs were even chained up, gone, so they came to the police on January 3 had already become umbrella rental operators was fined 1,000 baht each, Col Akanit showing that they belonged to station to ask what had happened haphazard, Col Sutthichai said. not enough. confirmed. someone other than a tourist.” to them,” he said. “Come and see for yourself. Tourists have also been given “Some of the items are still at The foreigners who arrived at Col Sutthichai noted that the Local people are not following the permission to set up their own the station waiting to be reclaimed the police station this morning said items identified by the tourists as rules,” he said. “They never seem umbrellas and chairs anywhere on by the vendors,” he said. that they had bought their own theirs were returned. to have enough, that’s why this the beach – inside or outside of beach equipment and had paid “No tourists were fined, but we problem can never be solved.” the vendor zones – as long as they Additional reporting by Saroj vendors 20 baht each to look are keeping a close eye on beach Patong Mayor Chalermluck are not placing them inside the Kueprasertkij and Voratuss Intasee 6 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET NEWS January 24 - 30, 2015 Bread crumbs no problem for fish Tourism minister claims feeding them will not upset coral reef ecosystem By Chutharat Plerin “This means that if the fish con- sume the offered bread or rice, DESPITE specialists’ worries, the they will not consume the algae. director of the Ministry of Tour- Corals grow relatively slowly [de- ism and Sports (MOTS) Phuket pending on the species] and can office explained that feeding fish become overgrown by the algae. bread in small quantities is no Reef areas that experience heavy cause for concern. tourism are also likely to “Officers from the Phuket Ma- experience increased nutrient rine Biological Center [PMBC] say concentrations, which allow the that feeding fish will change their algae to flourish,” said Dr Phillips. natural habits. However, based on “In normal situations, fish will my experience, I do not think that keep this enhanced algal growth it is wrong to feed fish bread in check, allowing corals to grow crumbs at that depth [5 meters],” and not become overgrown by said Santi Pawai, director of the algae. But if the fish are too sated MOTS Phuket office. “I’m look- on bread or rice, they will not con- ing at this from a tourism point of sume the algae, the algae will view, and it isn’t too harmful for overgrow the corals and the reef the fish.” Santi Pawai on his seawalker tour with Nonthasak Marine at Koh Hei. Photo: MOTS will change from a coral-domi- Mr Santi fed fish while partici- handful of bread crumbs to feed the swimming in front of your mask balance is maintained by the com- nated to an algae-dominated reef.” pating in a seawalker tour with fish when they went underwater.” as you feed them is very exciting plex interactions within and Despite approving of feeding Nonthasak Marine at Koh Hei Despite Mr Santi’s lack of con- and visually stunning, it has a between the different species on the fish, Mr Santi explained that (Coral Island) on January 13 to cern about feeding the sea life in number of negative conse- the reef.” he wanted to see Phuket tourism investigate claims that tourists small quantities, environmental sci- quences,” Dr Phillips told the Fish, such as sergeant-majors, grow in a sustainable way that did were damaging corals. entist Dr Wayne Phillips of Mahidol Gazette in September. are typically grazers that eat algae. not damage the environment. “I did not see any tourists step- University explained that such “Each organism on the reef However, when presented with an “Giving a lot of bread to fish ping on corals and the [seawalker] practices could have dire conse- has a specific role to play. If you easy, readily available alternative at the surface is not acceptable. trail was on the sand, not the coral quences for coral reefs. remove that organism or [modify] food source, they change their I will call on snorkelling tour reef,” Mr Santi said. “Each cus- “Feeding fish is not ecologically the role it plays – you upset the normal foraging behaviors to ex- operators to cease such tomer was allowed to have one benign. Although the mass of fish dynamic balance of the reef. This ploit the new situation. practices,” he said. Bryde’s whale spotted off Phang Nga coast

The 10-meter whale was spotted of Phang Nga’s coast. Photo: Sabina Tour THE sighting of a Bryde’s whale the area, but hailed the sighting as by tourists in the Surin Islands a good sign and called for people National Park off the coast of to step up their efforts to preserve Phang Nga, north of Phuket, has marine life. raised hopes that the marine envi- “The whale sighting shows that ronment off the Andaman coast the Andaman marine environment is improving. is improving, especially in the The whale was spotted swim- Surin Islands,” said Dr Pongpayak ming alongside a boat operated by Sriya, chief of the Surin Islands Kuraburi-based Sabina Tours. National Park. “The tourists, who came from Dr Pongpayak urged tourists Phuket and Phang Nga to join the to be mindful of their actions tour, were very excited when they during nature tours, and called for saw the whale swimming along- them not to litter on the islands side,” said Sompong Mohdee, or in the sea. owner of Sabina Tours. “I urge everyone to keep the “The whale was about 10 water clean for us and the marine meters long. I believe this one is animals. At the very least, do not the longest one we have ever seen throw trash into the sea or litter in the area. Some people took pho- on any of the islands during your tos and some even took videos. visit,” he told the Gazette. They were all happy to see the “By keeping the sea and the is- whale.” lands clean, we can hope to enjoy Officials have yet to confirm more whale sightings in the area, whether or not the whale was the and that’s what tourists come to largest Bryde’s whale reported in see.” – Kritsada Mueanhawong January 24 - 30, 2015 NATIONAL NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 7 Fugitive bomber Fearful gold mine villagers extradited, rights advocates protest AUTHORITIES implore PM Prayut to help have extradited a man to India convicted of involvement in a bomb attack two decades Photo: The Nation ago, police said on January 16, despite rights groups’ concerns he could be tortured back home. Gurmeet Singh, also known as PEOPLE living near a gold mine Jagtar Singh Tara, was convicted in the central north are calling for for his role in a 1995 car-bomb at- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan- tack that killed 18 people in India. o-cha to urgently intervene after Singh entered Thailand in hundreds of villagers were found October and was arrested on to be suffering from heavy-metal January 5, reported The Nation. contamination. “He was sent back [on Janu- Wunpen Promrungsun submit- ary 16] at 8:30pm. It followed ted a petition to PM Prayut on court procedure,” said police Monday on behalf of those af- spokesman Lt Gen Prawut fected by the Akara Resources Thawonrsiri. gold mine, reported The Nation. Rights groups tried to block It calls for PM Prayut to order Villagers, fearful of contamination, have presented a petition to authorities. Photo: The Nation Singh’s extradition, saying there the Central Institute of Forensic nated with toxins,” the petition review the process under which the will act fast,” Ms Wunpen said. was a “strong possibility” he Science (CIFS) and Rangsit Uni- said. It also requested that potable mining licences were granted. The The Department of Primary would be tortured if sent back. versity to conduct tests on people water be provided to the locals. petition explained that many resi- Industries and Mines suspended “Ignoring the strong possibil- in three provinces – Phichit, “Local people are not able to use dents were made to vacate their the operations of the gold mine last ity… will run counter to Thailand’s Phitsanulok and Phetchabun – water from local sources as pre- land for environmental conserva- week, after which locals heard obligation under the UN Conven- who fear they have been affected. liminary tests show it is tion, but later found it was being several gunshots in the area and tion Against Torture,” Danthong “The tests will scientifically contaminated.” used for gold mining. interpreted it as a form of intimi- Breen, a rights activist, told determine if people are contami- PM Prayut was also urged to “We hope the prime minister dation. reporters in Bangkok. Baby Gammy granted Australian citizenship

Baby Gammy is now an Australian citizen. Photo: Jeremie Schatz A BABY at the center of a Thai Chanbua, who is in her early 20s, surrogacy scandal has been confirmed her son had been granted Australian citizenship, granted Australian citizenship. authorities said Tuesday, after his “He got citizenship four days birth mother said he was aban- ago. The Australian embassy doned by a Perth couple who went called me on Friday to ask me to home with his healthy twin sister. come and collect the documents,” Baby Gammy sparked a global she told AFP by telephone from debate about the legal and moral her home in Chonburi province. issues surrounding surrogacy Pattaramon said she has no im- when reports emerged in August mediate plans to take her son last year that he was left behind to Australia but applied for citizen- by the pair, who returned to ship with the help of the Australian Australia with his sister Pipah, charity Hands Across the Water reported The Nation. as a safeguard for his future. The couple have denied aban- “I want him to be near me here doning the boy, who has Down’s [in Thailand] so that I don’t have syndrome, saying they had wanted to miss him,” the 21-year-old to bring him home and left Thai- mother said. land fearing the surrogate mother “But if all of my family, includ- would seize their daughter. ing me die and if Gammy is left “The department can confirm behind alone, at least the Austra- that an application for baby lian government will help him.” Gammy’s Australian citizenship by She added that Gammy is in descent has been assessed and good health and turned a year old found to have met all criteria for in December. the grant,” an immigration depart- Gammy’s biological father, ment spokeswoman said. David Farnell, a convicted sex “It is not appropriate for the de- offender, is under investigation by partment to make any further authorities in Western Australia comments on this case.” regarding the well-being and safety Surrogate mother Pattaramon of Pipah. 8 PHUKET GAZETTE OPINION January 24 - 30, 2015 Hand-fed future A RECENT comment made by a high-ranking government offi- cial that seawalking tourists should be allowed to continue hand- feeding bread crumbs to reef fish is a serious cause for concern. Ministry of Tourism and Sports Phuket Office Director Santi Pawai recently went on a fact-finding mission to investigate claims that a marine tourism operator’s seawalker tours off the coast of Phuket’s Koh Hei (Coral Island) were damaging the marine environment there, with tourists hand-feeding fish bread crumbs, stepping on coral formations and other environmentally unsound practices (see page 6). Mr Santi, who obviously enjoyed his marine adventure, con- cluded after viewing the fish feeding first-hand: “From my tourism point-of-view, it isn’t too harmful to the fish.” However, experts without tourism points-of-view, including ex- perienced researchers at the Phuket Marine Biological Center, tend to disagree. Even many ecologically-aware dive tour opera- tors and environmentalists on the island who do share a tourism point-of-view disagree. It is true that feeding patterns at coral reefs are inherently dynamic and small-scale feedings like the kind presented to Mr Santi are a “drop in the bucket” compared with the other devas- tating practices that humankind has wrought on our planet’s marine environment. These include oil drilling and other forms of offshore resource mining, aquaculture, destruction of mangrove forests and other forms of coastal “development”, unsustainable fishing practices, terrestrial wastewater pollution and many more. In a recent study published by the respected journal Science, one world-renowned panel of researchers concluded after an extensive, interdisciplinary study: “We may be sitting on a preci- Let this be an example for all of us pice of a major extinction event” in the global marine environment. Re: Gazette online, Czech busker No matter what the authorities The most discouraging aspect of Mr Santi’s statement is the on Bangla reunited with his fam- say, mafia money paid to the right apparent lack of understanding that when “small scale” behav- ily, January 15 officers will always get these idiot iors that affect an ecosystem are applied to mass tourism, they And that, folks, is how every operators back on the beach to will have wholesale effect. matter should be handled in this Do you have an opinion to voice? start scamming tourists and again One tourist hand-feeding some fish “only a little bit”, when country. Email [email protected] ruin the reputation of Thailand. multiplied by tens of thousands of people each year doing the Fairness on all sides, except the It’s the governing bodies that same, is likely to have a staggering effect on the marine life at possible negligence of the driver are now seen as more corrupt than that site. who hit the child. pared to Pattaya and Cambodia. ever with ridiculous decisions like If Phuket’s leaders are unable to understand – never mind The guilty party paid as they A lot of tourists are starting to this. Thailand will be the loser. raise public awareness about – mankind’s increasing role in should and the insurance paid as realize that Phuket isn’t the cheap Terry Chandler rapidly-changing global ecosystems, both terrestrial and marine, they should. The cops and immi- holiday destination it once was. Facebook then we are heading into ecological dire straits. gration officers didn’t haul him in The innocence is gone and cash Phuket’s dive tour industry has a history of raising awareness for earning money without a work rules everything. of environmental issues through real-life experiences that permit due to his situation, and I was there to party during the The fish can take care cannot be reproduced through classroom lectures. then they drove him to reunite coup and spending every night However, dolphinariums, Phuket’s pathetic private zoos and with his family. locked in my hotel room at 10pm of themselves seawalker tours tend to have the opposite effect: reinforcing the You see, it’s not that hard! on a 12-day stay wasn’t much of belief that it is acceptable to treat the environment as if is exists David a party! Re: Gazette online, Bread crumbs solely for our benefit and amusement, and, after all the fun is Gazette forum Be Ting Tong Dub no problem for coral reef, says over, our final dumping ground. Facebook Phuket official, January 15 We have to ask ourselves, why Thailand’s laughable do people feed fish? The beaches really are They do it for their own enter- licencing procedures tainment. beautiful again Does it benefit the fish? No. Re: Gazette online, Opinion: Does it benefit the reef? No. Privatized driving tests – driven Re: Gazette online, Sunloungers Fish already know how to eat, by cash, or care?, January 18 allowed during Patong Beach so why are we helping them? I first got my driver’s licence trial period, January 19 John B Williams in Canada in 1979 after a vigor- I was in Phuket two weeks ago Facebook ous course of instruction and a and 12 months before that, and strict test. I have also done the UK the beaches were so much nicer driving test. this time. Clean up Karon The testing here leaves a lot to For a start, you could actually be desired, and the privatization see the beach! will make it worse – but it will line Hiring out the mats is a good Re: Gazette online, I & A: Why some pockets. compromise for those who insist are the beaches covered with If you have ever done a renewal on having something to lie on. trash?, December 30 here and sat through the video, it At least they don’t obscure I agree with the letter referenc- is a great laugh from the start, as everyone else’s view. ing the litter and rubbish on Karon you compare each example to what It would have been better Beach. It gives Karon a bad name actually happens on the roads. without the umbrellas, but at least both here and at home in England. Mister Ree the whole beach isn’t covered in An even worse problem is the Gazette forum them like before. health risk from untreated, polluted water flowing into the sea. This is Tina Olsen unacceptable, and spreads many Facebook germs to the sea fronting Karon Bangla of yesteryear Beach. Our sea in England is tested has disappeared Thailand will lose this daily, and if it fails water tests, the beach is closed. Re: Gazette online, Mind Matters: unfortunate battle Many people from all countries Solution to island woes – re-brand complain, which does not do Volume 22 Issue 4 Phuket, January 19 Re: Gazette online, Even tourists Thailand’s tourism any good. The Bangla that once was cheap don’t want jet-skis on Phuket Robin Syred has now become expensive com- beaches, says poll, January 15 South Wales January 24 - 30, 2015 OPINION PHUKET GAZETTE 9 Happy Aussie Day

Paul Robilliard has been the Australian Ambassador to Thailand since October last year. Two of the confessed New Year’s Eve shooters. Photo: Phuket City Police ON AUSTRALIA Day, we come A senior career officer with the together as a nation to celebrate Department of Foreign Affairs what’s great about Australia and and Trade (DFAT) and currently being Australian, and to reflect on First Assistant Secretary, South Terrible teens our domestic and international achievements. and West Asia Division, Amb SINCE mid-December, there have In Thailand, the day also Robilliard has served twice as been four drive-by shootings re- provides an opportunity for us, ported in Phuket – three of which Head of the United Nations By Rae Kelly Australians and Thais, to Security Council Taskforce, and as Senior Adviser to the were fatal, and at least two of celebrate our bilateral relationship, which were carried out by gangs Prime Minister’s Office. Do you have an opinion to voice? which has flourished for over 60 of motorcycle-riding teenagers. Email [email protected] years. Here, Amb Robilliard delivers his Australia Day message The fact that these latest three Thailand is an important, long- to Thais and Australians living in the Kingdom. attacks have occurred within the central Phuket villages. standing partner for Australia. last three weeks is truly horrify- Few expats live in Phuket It is Australia’s eighth largest ing, and is a far-from-comforting Town, but many of us have bilateral trading partner and our Australia shares many strategic Since 2007, the Australian thought as the island’s tourism friends who do, and many of us second largest trading partner in interests with Thailand, and we Government’s Endeavour schol- season continues to move ahead certainly spend a lot of time in the Asean. Trade between Australia continue to work constructively arships and fellowships program at full speed. area – especially at night. and Thailand has grown substan- with the Thai Government in have been accepted by 155 Thais In what was called a case of With so many armed hotheads tially in recent years, particularly multilateral forums. to undertake study, research or mistaken identity, two teen shoot- riding around on motorbikes and since the Thailand-Australia Free The Australian Defence Force, professional development in Aus- ers given the pseudonyms “Joey”, gunning down rival gang members Trade Agreement’s launch in Australian Federal Police and tralia and 35 Australians accepted 15, and “James”, 16, were ar- after a heated argument or case 2005. Customs Services co-operate ex- an Endeavour Scholarship or rested earlier this month for the of mistaken identity, it is only a This year we will celebrate the tensively with their Thai partners. Fellowship to undertake study, December 29 shooting death of matter of time before a friend, or 10th anniversary of our Free Trade Education links between Thai- research or professional develop- 19-year-old Chalong Netphetdang. a friend of a friend, gets caught Agreement. Strong economic land and Australia are very strong. ment in Thailand. The shooters told police they had up in a pride-storm fuelled by growth in re- Over 22,000 Thai Nearly 900,000 Australians mistaken Mr Chalong for a rival hormones and loaded with bullets. gional Thai cities nationals are cur- visited Thailand in 2014. Phuket gang member attempting to over- The police need to re-focus also means our I look forward to rently studying in remains one of the most popular take them on their motorbike. their hunt. They need to target the bilateral trade continuing our engage- Australia, and our destinations here for Australian Two days after Mr Chalong people making the impressive will increasingly ment‘ with Thailand in education links are tourists. was killed, 15-year-old Sakorn homemade guns often seized in expand beyond growing. I am very The Australian Embassy has Nitipoj was shot dead in front of shooting cases and drug busts. metropolitan 2015 – my first full year pleased that this continued to provide a high level the governor’s house in Phuket These weapons look polished and Bangkok to as Ambassador to year 160 Austra- of consular assistance to clients Town. Five of the six suspects – well-crafted, which leads one to urban, regional lian students will all over Thailand, including Phuket. all teens – have since turned them- the conclusion that there are Thailand. We Thailand. Happy Austra- come to Thailand We conduct regular outreach selves in, telling police that they people on this island who are not also welcome lia Day to all Australians to study and visits to Phuket and Chiang Mai had had an argument with Mr only capable of building such growing Thai in Thailand. undertake work to assist Australians with notarial Sakorn the night of the shooting. weapons, but are also not con- investment in placements under and passport matters. Then, early Monday morning, cerned about handing them over Australia. ’ the New Colombo We also encourage all Austra- Songwit Vinyupradit, 49, was shot to hyper-emotional youngsters. We also support Thailand’s Plan established by the Australian lians in Thailand to register twice by two suspects on a Rather than occasionally crack- development through our regional Government. Their placements at www.smarttraveller.gov.au and motorbike in Thalang. Police are ing down on illegal firearms when aid programs. The Australian will help them develop an under- obtain relevant and comprehensive trying to establish a motive for the asked by the nation’s leaders, Government’s regional assistance standing of the country and travel insurance. attack, which was allegedly also police should track down the build- programs help Thailand respond reinforce links between Australian I look forward to continuing carried out by teenagers. ers of these firearms and eliminate to trans-boundary health threats, and Thai people. our engagement with Thailand in There is one similarity between them from the crime pool. improve regional water manage- The Australian Government 2015 – my first full year as all of these drive-by shootings that This won’t put an end to all ment, safeguard human security continues to provide scholarships Ambassador to Thailand. is particularly striking: the loca- such violence, but it might, at the and promote economic integra- and fellowships to international Happy Australia Day to all tion. All four have either taken very least, decrease the number tion. students including Thais. Australians in Thailand. place in Phuket Town itself or in of senseless killings.

Bringing spices and teas through Phuket’s airport I AM currently in India and want that the volume of the consumer to bring back some spices and product being imported is sub- teas, what are the regulations? stantial enough to be for The Thai Customs website says commercial use, or that the esti- I should “refer to your local em- mated value of the goods exceeds bassy”. I have tried the contact 10,000 baht – as you will be im- page on several of the consulate porting a “listed food product”, pages for India, but the contact you will have to contact the Thai pages do not seem to work (says FDA for a permit to import and access denied). you will have to pay the applicable Michael, taxes and duties. India customs inspector will determine The limit for any other prod- whether they are for personal or ucts that are not “listed” is up to Arcom Preeda, chief of the commercial use. 100,000 baht. customs control and inspection This depends on the amount Please note that even if the in- division at Phuket Airport, and the estimated value that you specting officer deems the replies: bring in. Teas and spices need to be declared. Photo: Selena N.B.H. products to be for personal use, If you bring in spices and teas There is no exact amount stipu- depends entirely on the discretion kilograms of any commercial you will be required to pay 30 per to Thailand through Phuket Inter- lated in the regulations as to what of the individual officer inspect- product is considered for cent of the value of the goods as national Airport and declare them volume of tea products or spices ing the goods. personal use. determined by the inspecting of- as miscellaneous goods, the constitutes commercial use. It Usually not more than 2 However, if the officer deems ficer, plus 7 per cent VAT. 10 PHUKET GAZETTE BUSINESS January 24 - 30, 2015 Follow legal road to Oz Secure visas to enter Australia, avoid dangerous pitfalls By Simon Wetherell

RIGHTLY or wrongly, Australia has a reputation for being very difficult to gain entry into, even for a short stay tourist. And while Thailand has been considered a high-risk country, this does not mean getting a visa should be hard. While there are many rumors and stories, the simple truth is that getting a visa to Australia is not difficult if you are a bona fide traveller who meets the eligibility criteria and purpose of the visa for which you apply. Put simply, if you are a genu- ine applicant with a genuine reason for travel and can meet the basic standards required, then your visa application will be approved. The good news is that Austra- lian immigration law is easy to navigate if you know what you are doing. Though changes happen regularly, the principles and rules stay constant, so putting together a successful application is rela- tively straightforward. Examples of recent positive changes are the working holiday visas for Thai citizens. Thais un- der 31 can now travel to Australia for one year, and are allowed to work to support themselves while on holiday. A word of ad- vice: apply for your visa early, There are untold wonders for those wanting to explore Australia, as well as opportunities for work and studying. Photo: Talib Meer as there is a 500-person quota each year, so first in best visas as there is currently a 12- getting a visa approved or wast- serious consequences. consultation is free. dressed! The good news is that month waiting period. ing time, effort and money and If, for example, your travel the Australian Government has The best advice for getting a facing in disappointment. agent applies on your behalf with Simon Wetherell is an Australian, just announced there will be a 20 visa is to choose your visa care- One thing many people do not incorrect or insufficient informa- Cayman Islands and England & per cent increase in numbers in fully, tell the truth, provide all the realize is that the person need- tion, your visa might be delayed or Wales qualified lawyer, as well as an the second half of the year. required supporting documents as ing the visa must apply. The denied or, worst still, you could Australian Registered Migration The Partner/Spouse visas are well as correct information. application must be completed face a ban of up to three years be- Agent (MARN# 1464995), who has also available to Thais who have Even if the visa is for a friend by you or your agent. If some- fore you can apply again. been practicing law since 1999. He an Australian partner, or an eli- you have recently met on your one else completes an application The good news is that you can offers a free initial consultation to gible New Zealand partner. One holiday in Thailand, planning and in your name and they provide now get sound advice right here anyone looking for visa advice. To word of warning though, plan- preparing the correct application any incorrec, false or mislead- in Phuket from an Australian contact Simon, call 095 085 3355 or ning ahead is essential with these can be the difference between ing information, there may be qualified lawyer, and your initial visit www.AustralianVisaPhuket.com. Oil price plunge brings down consumer costs for construction supplies FOLLOWING the collapse of fuel costs, cent, eggs of 0.14 per cent and chicken of the retail prices of building and other basic 0.17 per cent. materials will be reduced in stages by 2 to The department will continue to discuss 7.7 per cent to ensure fairness to consum- with manufacturers and retailers about ers, according to the Internal Trade revising some of their prices if it finds that Department. their cost of production has dropped due The first priority is five products: to lower fuel prices. lubricant oil by 2 to 5 per cent; plastic pel- Initially, consumers will see only the lets by 3.85 to 7.7 per cent; cement by 2 to prices of heavy and petrochemical 4 per cent, or 2 to 4 baht per 50-kilogram by-products coming down, but the prices sack; roof tiles by 5 to 7 per cent, or 3 to 4 of other goods should also decrease in baht per piece, and steel by 5 to 10 per the future, as long as oil prices continue cent, or 1,000 to 1,500 baht per tonne. to stay low. Boonyarit Kalayanamit, director-general Other products that will see price of the department, said on Monday that some decreases are chemical fertilizers to the tune products that rely heavily on transporta- of 10 to 30 baht per 50kg sack, and con- tion, such as construction supplies, as well sumer goods, especially essential goods. as petrochemical by-products are first in As a measure to protect consumers line to cut retail prices because the effect from unfair quotes, the department will Prices for goods that need to be transported are to be reduced. Photo: Buriram Ruangsangthai of low oil prices on their cost of produc- dispatch teams of officials every week to tion is clear. diesel price. production for consumer goods such as the field to inspect prices and tags. It will However, the department might not be A 4.50-baht-per-liter chop in the diesel shampoo, soap and detergent will go down also set up community markets in some able to adjust the retail prices of some price will bring down the cost of goods by by only 0.06-0.13 per cent. areas to sell cheap products for consum- products at all, or maybe by just a notch, 0.01 to 1.04 per cent on average. Products The prices of agricultural products may ers as part of the government’s plans to because they depend less on diesel and that are heavy will benefit the most from notsee a significant change. For example, help ease the cost of living. have benefited only slightly from the lower softening transport costs, while the cost of pork will only see a price cut of 0.08 per – The Nation January 24 - 30, 2015 BUSINESS PHUKET GAZETTE 11

Market new beacon of light

By Maciek Klimowicz

AIMING to appeal to a wider audience and expand its market reach, Phuket’s Boat Lagoon Ma- rina is launching the Lighthouse Market. “We don’t want to focus on one target group or one nationality. This is a market for everyone who enjoys quality – both expats and local Thais,” explained Kanittha Prasopsirikul from By Kanittha, the company behind the new market concept. “Boat Lagoon Marina is plan- ning to re-brand as Boat Lagoon Marina Village,” said Ms Kanittha. “The Lighthouse Market is our way to announce this change.” With a launch promotion price of 2,000 baht per month for vendors who previously rented space in Boat Lagoon along the boardwalk, it was easy to fill the spaces, Ms Kanittha said. The new booths along the 300- meter boardwalk have been quickly snapped up by about 60 vendors representing quality goods and services from destina- tions throughout Thailand. However, cheap retail space is Kanittha Prasopsirikul explains that the promotional prices for the vendor booths aren’t the only factor that led to the quick advance bookings. not everything, as Ms Kanittha believes that it’s the concept itself together,” said Ms Kanittha. “I don’t shops later,” she explained. efforts. What’s really on display each month with a break for that attracted the vendors. think the vendors expect a lot of On a larger scale, the market and on sale at the Lighthouse the southwest monsoon season. “Businesses spend a lot of time profit at the market itself. What they aims to do the same for the Boat Market is the marina’s new image. The inaugural launch will be held and money on self-promotion. are aiming at is to get the custom- Lagoon itself – invite more guests The Lighthouse Market will on January 24-25 between 3pm Here, we join forces to do it ers curious and have them visit their in and bolster the re-branding be held on the last weekend of and 8pm.

Pizza Hut wants bigger Looking for a place to stay? slice of Thai market See more classified ads at PIZZA Hut in Thailand has set a five-year strategy to more than www.phuketgazette.net double the number of its restau- rants – its only Phuket outlet is in Patong – and to achieve annual double-digit growth in revenue. Sabina Rizvi, the new general manager of Pizza Hut Thailand, said in an exclusive interview with The Nation that the company Sabina Rizvi, new GM of Pizza Hut currently operates 97 outlets in Thailand. Photo: Veva Health various formats, ranging from the most loved pizza brand in Thai- delivery and dine-in to express. land,” Ms Rizvi said. “We want to more than double She added that the company had the number of our Pizza Hut stores four strategies: to offer the most in Thailand in the next five years. affordable pizzas; to drive growth We will invest more than half a by focusing on delivery services; billion baht in our five-year expan- to use digital technology so that sion,” she said, adding that about customers can access the Pizza 70 per cent of the expansion would Hut brand in different ways; and be in delivery outlets. to ensure world-class service so Pizza Hut has been in Thailand its customers keep coming back. for more than 15 years. It says its Ms Rizvi said Pizza Hut posted menu is constantly revamped to 8 per cent year-on-year growth in meet the needs of Thai consumers. sales in the first three quarters of “My vision is to make Pizza Hut last year. –The Nation 12 PHUKET GAZETTE BUSINESS January 24 - 30, 2015 If I could be 20 again David reflects on his twenties and reveals the first steps to financial security worth it. I would also have tried starting side businesses at a much earlier age. I think that developing entre- preneurial skills will become an I KNOW most people in their increasingly important factor in twenties are typically not inter- determining success in the future, ested in planning financially for as knowledge gradually becomes their futures. Often, they are not commoditized. very interested in planning for any- A piece of paper from an thing other than Friday night – I educational institution doesn’t remember the mean what it days when I If I had followed this used to in terms thought the same strategy fresh out of of the security of way. ‘ your future. What advice university, even given The most im- would I give my- the crazy ups and portant thing self now if I I would have could go back downs of the markets done differently and make deci- and the financial crises is recognize sions based on we have been through, the power of the lessons life’s long-term com- experiences have I would be so much pounding. It’s never too early to start stashing money for retirement. Photo: 401(K) 2012 taught me? better off. I would have One thing this set aside 10% of thought process does is make me everything’ I earned in my life and feel quite happy with some of the put it into an account (interest tough decisions I made early in bearing or investments) specifi- life. cally for retirement. The best one was moving to If I had followed this strategy Thailand while still a young man. fresh out of university – even Surprising to many, Asia has given the crazy ups and downs of always felt like more of a land of the markets and the financial opportunity than my home coun- crises we have been through – I try ever did. would be so much better off. I encourage all fresh graduates It is now unpleasant to think from university about the oppor- to get some inter- I encourage all fresh tunities I have national living and graduates from univer- wasted. working experi- ‘ To summa- ence as soon as sity to get some rize, the four possible. international living and most important In fact, when things I would it comes to uni- working experience as advise someone versity, I would soon as possible. in their early probably do the twenties to do are entire thing part time while work- as follows:’ ing, if I were to do it again. Maybe I would try to find a 1) Work during university to gain company to help pay for it, or entry-level work experience and transfer credits from a cheaper reduce the cost of education, university to a degree at a more which is increasingly becoming a Students need to think more about their financial futures, says David. Photo: MalcaHyman expensive one. bad investment The return on investment in life- 2) Experience life abroad However, if taken together and retirement in a much better finan- globe, focusing on UK pension long earnings from a university is 3) Gain entrepreneurial experience followed seriously, I believe that cial situation. transfers. He can be reached at in a steady downward trend, and 4) Begin saving for retirement they can significantly increase the [email protected] or 085- many programs already have a amount of happiness you experi- David Mayes MBA resides in Phuket 335-8573. Faramond UK is negative net present value. There is no holy grail amongst ence over the course of your life. and provides wealth management regulated by the FCA and provides In layman’s terms, they’re not these simple recommendations. Plus, you will reach your services to expatriates around the advice on pensions and taxation. Ad spending down 10% in 2014 TOTAL advertising expenditure baht from 15.26bn baht the last year suffered a huge drop – previous year. almost 10 per cent – to 102.34 Radio adverts saw an 11 per billion baht from 113bn baht in cent decrease to 5.62bn baht from 2013, according to the latest 6.32bn baht. Magazines witnessed survey by Nielsen (Thailand). a 16.8 per cent drop to 4.72bn baht Partly because of the arrival of from 5.67bn baht. new terrestrial-based digital tele- Only transit and internet adver- vision channels and the economic Newspaper advertising fell 13.7% in tising enjoyed growth. slowdown, ad spending on 2014. Photo: Nist6dh Internet spending witnessed incumbent analog TV channels important advertising medium, 8.32 per cent growth to 950mn witnessed a 7.9 per cent decline accounting for 62.31 per cent of baht from 877mn baht, while tran- to 63.78bn baht from 69.25bn total spending. sit media raked in 3.8bn baht, up baht in 2013. Newspapers also faced a big 7.82 per cent from 3.53bn baht However, TV was still the most drop of 13.7 per cent to 13.16bn the previous year. – The Nation January 24 - 30, 2015 PHUKET GAZETTE 13

HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth monarch of the Chakri dynasty.

May 1. Labor Day Public holiday for all commer- cial workers, but government January 23-26. Foundation for offices will remain open. Shamanic Studies presents courses in Phuket May 6. Coronation Day The Foundation for Shamanic Coronation Day commemo- Studies presents its first courses rates the accession to the throne in Phuket, Thailand, from Janu- of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej ary 18-26, 2015. Book now at on May 5, 1950. www.shamanism-asia.com/2014/ 11/thai, or call 081-891 5539 for June 1. Visakha Bucha Day more information. Visakha Bucha Day is observed on the day of the full moon dur- January 23, from 6:30pm to ing the sixth lunar month, which 10:30pm. Taste of Siam Wine usually falls in either May or early Dinner at Dusit Thani Laguna June. Phuket The day commemorates three Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket important incidents: the birth, the together with Siam Winery Co Ltd enlightenment and the passing present “Taste of Siam”, an ex- away of the Buddha. traordinary wine dinner paired with Miraculously, these events fell in limited-edition Monsoon Valley the same month and on the same wines from Hua Hin Hills, Thailand. date on the Buddhist calendar. The four-course menu has been created by the award-winning July 30. Arsarnha Bucha Day Dusit International Group Chef of This full-moon day of the eighth Thai cuisine, Morten Bojstrup Market, Boat Lagoon Saint Valentine’s Day, also on the full moon of the third lunar month commemorates the Nielsen, along with Dusit Thani A weekend of fun activities at known as Valentine’s Day or the lunar month, commemorates Buddha’s first sermon to five Laguna Executive Chef Silvano Thailand’s most lively marina. Feast of Saint Valentine, will be Buddha’s ordaining of 1,250 disciples after he attained enlight- Amolini and his team. There will be a number of live celebrated throughout the monks who arrived unannounced enment more than 2,500 years Meet with our honored guest performances, lighthouse tours island. from afar only nine months after ago. speaker Kathrin Puff, winemaker and even a kid’s corner. Many resorts and restaurants the Gautama Buddha attained Evening candlelight proces- and deputy director of technical Additionally, there will be an are preparing special moments enlightenment. sions are staged in all Thai support, who will share the international food fair and food for courting and married Buddhist temples. vineyard’s history throughout the tasting. couples. Best to plan ahead and April 6. Chakri Memorial Day night. Price: THB 2,200++ per per- A free shuttle bus will be avail- book your table long before Chakri Day commemorates August 12. HM The Queen’s son. Bookings are essential. able throughout the event and February arrives. the origins of the ruling Birthday parking spaces will be provided. Chakri dynasty, founded by HM The Queen’s Birthday is January 24-25, 3pm to 8pm. March 4. Makha Bucha Day King Rama I, who established also marked as Mother’s Day in ‘Shop Chill Eat’ at Lighthouse February 14. Valentine’s Day Makha Bucha Day, which falls Bangkok as the nation’s capital. Thailand. 14 PHUKET GAZETTE January 24 - 30, 2015 Yachties to sail at full bloom

Transforming into an artist

OPEN FOR APPRECIATION: L to R: Rose Maitland Smith, local artist; Narong Pattamasaevi and Poonsri Pattamasaevi review the exquisite ‘abstract expressionist’ paintings on BOATING PARADISE: L to R: Gulu Lalvani, Chairman Royal Phuket Marina; Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and exhibit at the Boathouse by Montara. Sports; and Nisit Jansomwong, Governor of Phuket, discuss the future of boating in Phuket at Royal Phuket Marina. Taking to the roofs of Patong

ROOF TOP JAM: L to R: Amber Thongtae, Siriamon Amonsuthum, Sophie Jing Sun and Tommy Tee.

PARTY ANIMALS RAISED THE ROOF LAST WEEKEND AT THE GRAND OPENING OF ‘HIGHER’ IN PATONG: L to R: Raisa Sheludkina, Stefan Strehl, STAY HIGH: L to R: Antonie Polfiet, Daniel Cherry Ohlala, Catherine Marguerite, Henriette Morel, Kanakorn Kamjatpai and Aliya Iriskina. Meury, Daniel Bosshard and Santeri Nurmi. Words for Love at the Amari The KEE to success is here

THANK YOU: L to R: Kanyapoj Chaiprapan, marketing and communication manager for The KEE; ISRAELI POP: L to R: Pierre-Andre Pelletier, VP and area GM, South Thailand for Amari; Lior Supanan Supawong, assistant sales manager, Phuket Gazette; Samornpun Somnam, executive Narkis, Israeli singer; Sapir Narki; and Tipaporn Koonphol, deputy GM for Amari. director,The KEE; Thitichaya Phajanyor, PR Officer; stop by the Gazette office with a gift.

16 PHUKET GAZETTE January 24 - 30, 2015

Properties For Sale

LUXURY VILLA SALE LAND FOR SALE 5 bedrooms, fully furnished, 4-BED, 4-BATH 1 rai of flat land in quiet area with NAKA ISLAND large pool, big living room, nice CLOSE TO BIS Chanote title. Only 2,750,000 kitchen, beautiful garden. Only baht for quick sale. Email: 8.8MB. Tel: 098-732 7902. [email protected]

URGENT HOUSE SALE HOTEL ROOM Two-bedroom house, great loca- LEASE HOLD tion near Laguna, Fully fur- Kamala, 450,000 baht, 15 nished. only 2.2 million baht. Tel: Unique 4-bedroom beach years left, two pools + jacuzzi. 098-732 7902 (English). front house, panoramic views Tel: 084-716 0502. Aircon / fully furnished pool to the south, 10 minutes to villa in a secure estate, LAND@KARON SALE Ao Por pier. 240sqm on 2 easy access to BIS, Cen- BY OWNER floors, 750sqm plot, separate CONTEMPORARY tral Festival and Patong. Chanote title. 100 wah (400sqm). house for staff. Tel: 084-846 VILLA FOR SALE Asking price 14.5M / THB. Seaview. Near Kanita Resort. 1270 (English). Email: 4 en-suite bedrooms with Tel: 083-967 5777. 4.5 million baht. Tel: 087-886 [email protected] pool on 1,624sqm land 7029 (English & Thai). Email: plot. Western kitchen, , svein.arild.johansen@gmail. BBQ, sala, CCTV system, com FOR SALE parking for 3, tropical gar- LAND FOR SALE IN den, solarcell & deep-well PHUKET (SAKOO) QUIET NAI HARN Semi-detached, almost un- water (108m depth). 4 POOL VILLA used house in excellent con- 1 to 5 rai, Chanote title, dition, located in a very quiet mins to Tesco & Makro 10 mins south of airport. Well-maintained 2-storey tradi- Thalang, 7 mins to beach tional Thai-style pool villa with 3 Patong area. 10 minutes' Fixed price: 2.9 million walk to Jungceylon or the and 10mins to PIA. Tel: baht per rai. Tel: 087-076 bedrooms, in small group of 4 081-970 7019, 081-797 homes, private and serene. beach. Fully-furnished with 6016. Email: kanchana tasteful solid teak wood furni- 9219. Email: nisaya@hot jit09@ gmail.com Desirable location with a short mail.com walk to Nai Harn Beach, restau- ture. Ready to move in. Call rants and shops. Perfect for in- 089-726 1976. vestment. Price reduced to 4.3 million baht. Email: rgartland@ comcast.net LAND FOR SALE IN KARON Chanote title. 1,200sqm. Sea 3-BEDROOM view, close to Kanita resort. 15 LUXURIOUS VILLA million baht. Negotiable. Tel: 083-109 0620 (English & Thai), 087-993 9173 (English & Thai). Email: bee_peter@hotmail. com

POOL HOUSE

In exclusive gated commu- nity in Bang Tao, fully fur- nished, walking distance to beach, great facilities on-site. Priced for a quick sale at 15.9 million baht. Contact: 089-971 0278. Email: eddy [email protected] Near Heroines Pa Khlok Road, 250sqm. Land 452sqm. 3/4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 4 a/c, big kitchen, furnished, pool 9 x 3m . Classified Advertisements Price: 5. 25 million baht. Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. Tel: 089-854 0277. Email: catayachtcsloxin fo.com Then hand it to any of our agents.

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|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 140 baht, with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. All advertising must be paid for in advance. Deadline for Property Gazette page: Friday 3 pm. Deadline for all other ads: Saturday 12 noon. January 24 - 30, 2015 PHUKET GAZETTE 17

Properties For Sale

KATA OCEAN VIEW URGENT PATONG VILLA 4 BED

1 bedroom, fully furnished, 91sqm, sea view. Best Fire sale price - sudden depar- price in complex: Only ture - direct from owner - now 60,000 baht/sqm; 5.5 mil- 19.9 million baht, estimated lion baht total. Tel: 095-037 29 million baht - Luxury 4- 9680, 089-617 2312, 076- bedroom villa, mountainside, 288872, 076-341045. panoramic seaview of Patong Bay, 4 bathrooms, private pool, tennis, fully funished SUPER MODERN modern style, 270sqm. Tel: This super modern Phuket house 081-832 8154 (English). just came for sale in Rawai. The house is insulated in European style. For more info contact LAND HOUSE [email protected] Price 13 FOR SALE MB. Tel: 080-530 6880 (En- 400sqm, seaview, Karon: 3.9 glish). Email: soi.saliga@gmail. million baht. Also, house and com land (120sqm, 400sqm) : 7 million baht. Tel: 091-040 2471. Email: [email protected] TOP NEW CONDO RAWAI CHALONG HOUSE SALE BY OWNER Chanote title. 412sqm. 2 bed, 2 bath, in- and outdoor kitchen, beautiful garden. 4.2 million baht, KARON HOUSE SALE negotiable. Tel: 093-737 1242. OF OWNER KAMALA Email: konradantonsson@ 2 bed, sitting room, kitchen, gmail.com 36sqm and up, off Saiyuan bathroom, toilet, furnished. 4 mn baht. Tel: 087-886 7029 in Rawai, furnished, large AMAZING VILLA pool, rooftop garden with (English & Thai). Email: svein. Modern villa, swimming pool [email protected] seaview. Start at 3million in Rawai, 3 beds, 3 baths, baht and 1.5 million baht, seaview, fully furnished, 3 Large 4-bed house, 3 near golf. Tel: 096-284 floors, close to beach & FREEHOLD CONDO bath, guest Water Close, 2463 (English & Thai), 084- shops. Not for long price only FOR SALE 5 aircons, ADSL, close to 898 8258 (English & Thai). 9 million baht, no brokers. Tel: Patong Tower building. One sea. Tel: 085-250 4197. Email: p.bum rung515@ 098-464 9220. gmail.com bedroom with 270-degree view of Patong Beach and town, 10th floor, 54.35sqm. 11 million baht POOL VILLAS ONO. Contact Songpan. Genu- BEAUTIFUL LAND SEA VIEW LAND RAWAI ine buyers only. No brokers PLOT FOR SALE FOR SALE please. Tel: 081-737 8662.

PANORAMA SEA VIEW LAND KARON BEACH LAND FOR SALE CONDO New top design pool villas, 2 This 1-bedroom Karon apartment & 3 bedrooms and bath- is for sale. Ground floor with direct rooms, large 5x8 pool, nice Very conveniently located Ao Yon. 13.5 rai. Chanote in a secure estate with un- pool access. Tel: 087-892 3876 title. 13.5 million baht/rai. Tel: green area, Rawai, close to (English). Email: info@phuket MACRO. Start 9mn THB. derground electricity, less 089-649 9939. Email: siri_ than 10 mins from Phuket condo.net, www. phuketcondo. phuket@chang runner. com Tel: 096-284 2463 (English & net Thai) , 084-898 8258 (En- International Academy, glish & Thai). Email: p.bum For sale 5.5 rai, Ao airport, Tesco, Nai Yang beach, Ao Po Grand ma- ONE SINGLE HOUSE rung515 @gmail.com Makham, Chanote title, 12 73sqm. with Chanote titles. FOR SALE HOUSE FOR SALE rina, in a peaceful foreign million baht / rai call 089- 15 minutes to Panwa 3km from Laguna Phuket, 3 From Phuket 100km. Be- community, Chanote title, 649 9939. Email: siri_ phu Beach (Ao Makham bay). beds, 2 bath, 3.5 million baht. tween A. Thap Put Phang 1,100sqm, flat land with [email protected] Conveniently located, road Contact Nan 081-367 8967. Nga and A. Panom Surat ENTERTAINMENT fences around, mountain frontage. Please contact Thani PALACE view, ready to build, good investment. For quick 081-6912526. Email: s_ [email protected] OCEAN FRONT 3-BED HOUSE - sale direct from owner only VILLA LARGE GARDEN 3.5 million baht. Tel: 081- Chuan Cheun Lagoon, close to 343 0777. British International School and THE DECK CONDO the Boat Lagoon Marina. FOR SALE Chanote land title, 146sqm. (584 2-BEDROOM 2 units condo for sale at the Magnificent penthouse in sqm), private cul-de-sac location BEACHFRONT CONDO center of Patong. The Deck Karon with panoramic sea in secure, clean village. Cool, RAWAI Project Studio unit no.0103309 view apartment. Reduced by bright, open plan with large 2 bdr / 2 bath , huge balcony Floor 3 Building A 31 sq.m. Near Khao Sok National 10 million baht for quick sale, Western kitchen and good with direct walk out to pool, Price 3.5 million baht. And 1 Brand new, fully fur- Park. Land 1 rai, furnished, includes an additional two- water supply. Large car park, beach, restaurant, in 5-star re- Bedroom Unit no.010310 area nished, 3-4 bedrooms, 5 2 bedrooms, 2 aircons, bedroom apartment. Now 46 patios. 6.85 million baht, nego- sort with access to gym, spa, 41.5 sqm.Price 4.5 Million bathrooms, 10-meter in- price: 2.2 million baht. million baht. Freehold. tiable. For sale by owner. Con- ideal for family, separate storage, THB. Fully furnished ready to finity swimming pool, Please call: 081-667 1637 Please call 080-124 1245. tact for more photos and info. furniture incl, fast owner sale, move in May 2015. Tel: 081- beautiful view. For quick (Thai),082-539 6433 (En- Email: kay@phu ketanda Tel: 086-040 6866(English), 081- leaving Asia, 13.9 million baht. 085 7550 (English & Thai). sale only 19.5 mn. Tel: glish). manrealestate. com 979 6707(Thai). Email: adrian. neg. Tel: 096-532849 (English). Fax: 076-344789. Email: ornh 081-343 0777. [email protected] Email: laura@tilaholdings. com [email protected] 18 PHUKET GAZETTE January 24 - 30, 2015

Properties For Rent

KATA BEACH SEAVIEW, FULLY PATONG 1-BED CONDO HOLIDAY RENTAL 2-bed, 3-bath custom home 500 FURNISHED Fully furnished, minimium 2 The White House @ Phuket meters from the beach. Fur- In town 1-BR condo: 16,000 months, available now. 800m Boat Lagoon Marina is available nished. 25,000 baht per month. monthly, 3-BR loft, private to beach, swimming pool, for holiday rental. Tel: 087-465 Available Feb10th. Tel: 081-472 pool, maid: 95,000 monthly. gym, parking, WiFi, cable TV. 8883 (English & Thai). Email: pen 1010 (English & Thai) , 086-385 Tel: 081-895 3628. Tel: 085-069 0938. Email: nei @mindproperties.net Website: 0822 (English & Thai). Email: [email protected] mindproperties.net [email protected] HOUSE FOR RENT Near Laguna 2 bedrooms, CHALONG BEACHFRONT fully furnished. Tel: 098-732 BECHFRONT LUXURY KATA APT QUIET NAI HARN 7902. 2-storey pool villa. Seaview, fur- 5 star, pools, gym, quiet area. POOL VILLA nished, 3 bedrooms, 3 bath- 30,000 baht long term. Avail- rooms, 2 lounge rooms, internet, able now. Email: asiasail@ HOUSE FOR RENT cable TV. 30,000 baht / month. yahoo.com www.katasala. IN CHALONG Tel: 095-046 4039. com

RENT APARTMENT RAWAI PATONG BEACH FRONT Condo, pool, security, 46sqm HOUSE 2-storey trad. Thai-style fully furnished. Tel: 089-728 4005. 3 bedrooms, close to Fisher- villa. 3 bedrooms. In group Email: [email protected] man's Way. For long-term rent: of 4 homes. Short walk to 80,000 baht / month. Tel: 081- SURIN BEACH CONDO KATA BEACH SHOP + Nai Harn Beach for 25,000 At Moo Baan Patak villa 2, 593 9559, 081-737 1678. Email: APARTMENT [email protected] 1-2 bedroom, pool, 300m to THB. Tel: 083-388 8036, fully furnished, 3 bedrooms, FOR RENT On raised pedestrian walkway to 2 bathrooms, 1 big kitchen, beach. Furnished. Call mo- 089-972 5378. bile 088-823 4128 (English). beach (one minute). Please 1 living room and car park- FURNISHED HOUSE contact Kata Beach Adam Tour, ing. Two-storey house with FOR RENT Email: rapaljes@yahoo. com 076-333142, 087-895 7270 (En- internet , WiFi, for rent, long- Furnished house in prime loca- glish & Thai). Email: juntana FULLY FURNISHED and short-term – price flex- tion, village near the Heroines koliver@msn. com HOUSE ible. Contact: 089-908 7830. Monument. 3 bedrooms, 2 3 bedrooms, 400sqm, bathrooms and kitchen. Tel: CHEAP RENT free WiFi and cable TV. 086-607 7493. HOUSE GOLF VIEW 7- 25,000 baht per month. Fully furnished 1-3 bed- BEDROOM 4 RENT APARTMENT Chalong Pier Road, ground HOUSE NAI HARN rooms, aircons, free WiFi, Large house with private swim- For more information, floor unit, available for shop please call 081-892 4311. FOR RENT 3 bedrooms, furniture, kitchen, start from 6,000 baht per ming pool, fully furnished, close or office use. Excellent lo- WiFi, TV, community pool month. Tel: 081-892 4311. to all international schools and http://palaigreen. weeb cation on this popular and ly.com 25,000 baht / month. Tel: 083- Website: panwagreen. shopping mall. Tel: 081-271 well-known road. For more 388 8036. weebly.com 3228 (English & Thai). Email: information, please call [email protected] 081-416 4177 or 076 381 4 MODERN 341. Email: marketing@ 4 BED, 4 BATH - POOL VILLAS sea-bees.com CLOSE TO BIS HOUSE FOR RENT PATONG CONDO PRIVATE RENTAL 2 bedrooms, furnished, 24,000 baht / month. Long-term tenant Serviced apartment: LUXURY RENT nd wanted. Pool, gym, parking, WiFi, 66sqm, 2 floor, 1 living KAMALA room with pull-out sofa, 1 cable TV. 800m to beach.Tel: 085- Luxury villas and apartment bedroom. Fully equipped 069 0938 (English). Email: neiln for rent, modern style, big European kitchen, WiFi [email protected] garden, jacuzzi, swimming internet access, cable pool, WiFi, 600 mt. from the (2 & 3 beds). Fully fur- LCD TV, DVD, stereo sys- beach with 2 or 3 bedrooms nished. Free WiFi, satellite tem. Maid cleaning, shuttle Aircon pool villa in a se- 3-bedrooms, 2-bath- ORCHID KATHU Special price start from TV, pool & garden. Lo- service to Nai Harn beach, cure estate in Kathu, rooms, 4 aircons. Fully HEIGHTS 3,000 baht per day. Email: cated between Cape fitness center, spa, easy access to BIS, Cen- furnished with small gar- Serviced apartment, studio, 1 francescobonta@gmail. Yamu & Ao Po Marina. Tel: poolside restaurant and tral Festival and Patong. den, quiet area. Rent bedroom, 2 bedrooms, 2 com. For more info call 081-8935 270. Email: bar, children's playground. Avail March 10. 65,000 15,000 baht / month. Tel: bathrooms, rooftop, pool, free Francesco 085-790 7816. [email protected] Price: 3,200 baht per night. baht / PCM. Tel: 083-967 086-690 0626.Email: WiFi. Tel: 076-203208, 081- www.villacheloni.com www. tropical-house.net Contact: 081-550 7379. 5777 (English & Thai). [email protected] 892 0038. www.orchidkathu heights-phuket.com January 24 - 30, 2015 PHUKET GAZETTE 19

Property Property Accommodation Holiday Household Services Wanted Available Homes & Items Villa Rentals BUILDING SERVICES APARTMENT PATONG CONDO Professional contractor, villa / HOLIDAY RENTAL FOR RENT WITH SEAVIEW BAR CONTENTS pool contractor, villa / pool con- WANTED One bedroom, living room, fully 2 bed and bathroom, Western FOR SALE struction, refurbishment, exten- Karon or Kata. Large 2 or equipped kitchen with 2 great kitchen, 3 LCD TVs, 3 aircons, HOLIDAYS Pool tables, TVs, fridges, point sions. Free consultation, quote. 3-bedroom penthouse or balconies.Tel: 076-344922, 083- terrace, car park, big pool. AVAILABLE of sale tables and chairs, etc, In Patong. Tel: 085-562 6711. Tel: 091-654 7383(English & condo with own pool, sea 280 9433 (English & Thai). 120sqm, seaview. Long-term 2-bed pool villa Feb 18. 3- Thai). view. Excellent quality Email: [email protected] rental only. Tel: 081-824 1385. bed pool villa Feb 2. 4-bed wanted, Jan 19 to Feb 2. www. bluewaterphuket.com pool villa JAN 27. Tel: 085- Tel: +61 043-150 3481 PROPERTY, VILLA 787 3046. Email: patrick BABY BED FOR (English). CONDO SURIN BEACH MANAGEMENT NEW OCEAN- [email protected] SALE 1-bedroom condo, fully fur- Experienced hoteliers / prop- VIEW CONDO nished. Facilities include: erty managers offer pre-opening, swimming pool, parking and New 1- and 2-bedroom management and rental ser- restaurant. Long-term/short- units with expensive furni- vices of resorts, villas, apart- OFFICE / RETAIL 2-BEDROOMS term from 14,000 baht a ture inside from the ments & estate management SPACE WANTED BEACHFRONT month+electric. Tel: 084-689 owner. Long and short including juristic persons. Office / Retail space CONDO RAWAI 4658 (English) , 081-537 2549 term. Sea view, huge bal- Email: [email protected] wanted asap. Approx cony, TV panels, WiFi, 2 bedrooms / 2 bath ens, 20sqm. In Kamala / Surin (Thai). Email: Malin@vertigo free parking, pools, gym, huge balcony with direct walk Can turn into daybed. area. Tel: 082-521 7745 phuket.com detox center, sauna, out to pool, beach, restau- Paid 20,000 baht, price PDS PHUKET DRAIN (English). Email: mrcraig SPECIALIST DELUXE BEACHFRONT massage. The best rant, in 5 star resort with ac- negotiable. Tel: 085-136 [email protected] choice for living! Email: cess to gym, spa, ideal for At Phuket drain specialists, we CONDOS 3031 (English). osa. [email protected] families, separate storage, can guarantee that you will re- 2 bedrooms, also 1 bedroom, furniture incl, fast owner sale, ceive a quick and efficient service kitchen, lounge. The point near leaving Asia,13.9million baht for everything from blocked drains Central Festival, many facilities. SEEKING LONG- neg. Tel: 096-532849(En- LEAVING PHUKET to drain repairs to pipe replace- Tel: 081-892 0038. TERM VILLA glish). Email: laura@tila Luxbed skin sofa / chair. Vari- ment. Our team of highly qualified ABSOLUTELY RENTAL holdings.com ous other furniture items. All staff have a wealth of experience LARGE HOUSE / RENT BEACHFRONT Prefer unfurnished, single for sale, leaving Thailand. in dealing with blocked drains. IN KATHU 10am-12 noon. Located in We operate a 24hr emergency storey only, 2 bedrooms + 340sqm house for rent in strate- garden. Must accept 2 La- Kata. Call 089-591 7249. Ask service and ensure a quick re- gic Kathu, near shopping malls, for Morten. Tel: 089-591 sponse time. when you have a brador dogs. All areas schools. 3 bedrooms, 2 living LARGE MODERN considered except 7249(English). Email: mor blocked drain, you know who to rooms, superb kitchen, garden TROPICAL POOL ten.pasby@gmail. com call. Phuket drain specialists. we Patong. Contact Keith. of 690sqm. Advanced security VILLA guarantee we will beat any quote. Tel: 081-929 2267. Teresa: systems. 55,000 baht per Tel: 081-090 9516 (English), 085- 081- 867 7223. Email: month. Tel: 081-494 4987 (En- kmh.thh.1@ gmail.com Stunning luxury 2-bedroom 224 6685(Thai). Email: kjoshea glish & Thai). Email: willy@asia waterfall pool villa on prime MODERN KITCHEN @hotmail.co.uk webdirect. com www. phuket1 beach & APPLIANCES 01.net/2012/10/house-for-rent- in-phuket-kathu.html 2 large double bedrooms both with ensuite bathrooms Luxury Italian design SEA VIEW 3-BED VILLA, 700sqm. Garden 2,500s PATONG kitchen - State of the art en- tertainment system qm. 5 rooms, big terrace, Luxury villa of character with Jacuzzi. 120,000 baht for 1 Patong sea view. Estate pool, Full broadband week; 210,000 baht for 2 private and secure. 60,000 Maid service available for weeks; 390,000 baht for 1 For sale. Complete with all baht per week; 200,000 per daily / weekly rental month. maid, gardener, se- modern appliances, fridge month; 1 million baht per year Visa / Mastercard accep- curity. Between Cape Yamu and dining table. Please – plus utilities, service extra. ted. Please contact Tana & Ao Po Grand Marina. Tel: call for photos. Bargain Minimum deposit of 20,000 wan on 094-294 9935. 081-893 5270. Email. mrd price at 85,000 baht. Tel: baht. Tel: 086-587 0196 (En- Email: tanawan@phuket [email protected], www. 084-650 1048, 085-354 glish & Thai). Email: natawa propertyhunter.com tropical-house.net 9694. [email protected]

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

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Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 140 baht, with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. All advertising must be paid for in advance. Looking for land to buy? Deadline for Property Gazette page: Friday 3 pm. See more classified ads at www.phuketgazette.net Deadline for all other ads: Saturday 12 noon. 20 PHUKET GAZETTE January 24 - 30, 2015

MARKETING FULL TIME MAID, TELE SALES WORK WAITRESS / FOOD FOR REAL ESTATE COOK WANTED FROM HOME RUNNER Phuket's leading real estate Full-time maid, cook wanted (2 Earn up to 3,000 - 5,000 baht / Female, friendly, Good service agency is now looking for new staffs Thai nationals for private day. International organization is mind, experience is advan- marketing staff to join our suc- villa in Nai Harn, Rawai. Tel: looking for responsible and dili- tage. Benefits: salary, service cessful team at Jungceylon, the 081-970 7633. Email: roberto. gent persons for independent charge, tips, social fee, 2 Banana Walk shopping center [email protected] job. Thai and foreigners. Tel: meals/day, uniform. Job avail- and our Kata Beach office. A 084-081 6067 (English). Email: able at Rossovivo Ristorante high salary and commissions [email protected] Italiano e Pizzeria 5/38 wiset will be given for the right person. SECRETARY road, Rawai. Tel: 076-384 Thai nationals only. Tel: 076- Female, Thai nationality, good 686, 083-103 3801. 341045, 081-459 0152. Please command of written and spoken DATABASE send your CV to admin @ English, good computer knowl- UPDATER edge (Word and Excel pro- propertyinphuket.comor call us Looking for a Thai national FOOD / BEVERAGE for an interview. www. property grams) , good attitude and posi- tive person. Benefit: salary with basic English skills MANAGER inphuket.com and computer knowledge. Position available now. Salary 12,000-15,000 baht per month + commission 10-20%,social Own computer required. range: 40 to 45,000 baht per Full time job. Email if inter- month plus monthly SC. Work FULL-TIME NANNY fee, public holiday, vacation. Tel: AND MAID WANTED 086-940 5187, 081-415 7774. ested. Email: info @dive- schedule: 8 hrs per day, 6 the-world.com days a week. Minimum 2-year Twins baby start March, trial Feb. Salary negotiable on ex- degree in Food Service or Res- PROPERTY LISTING taurant Management. Thai Na- perience. Manik area - Mel HOTEL STAFF WANTED 098-671 3740. MANAGER tionals only. Must speak En- Leading Phuket Real Estate Front officer, cook, night re- glish. Minimum 2 years in Company looking for an English ceptionist, hotel manager managing a high-volume res- ENGLISH TEACHERS speaker to join our friendly team, needed. For new hotel with taurant. Experience in develop- 1 x Kindergarten - Part-time: full time. The job involves creating 200 rooms. Filipino and Thai ing, planning and implement- 14hrs/week, in Cherng Talay, property listings, research and staff only. Contact us by email ing innovative & exciting menu start Jan 5. 2 x Full-Time. School data entry. Working hours: only. Tel: 081-893 7720. items. Thai & Western expe- near Phuket Town. All positions: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6pm. rience in controlling F/B costs. TEFL certs req'd. Pls contact: Tel: 090-703 5023 (English). NEW RESTAURANT Knowledgable in F/B sales. The Head Teacher, ECC Email: paul@livep huket.com IN LAGUNA Email: gm@ccshideaway. Phuket. Tel: 076-307 0579, 091- Now hiring: Chefs – all levels; com 647 5465 (English), 089-139 OFFICE ASSISTANT Servers – all levels; Bar staff; 8453 (English & Thai). Email: Tropical Properties real estate Back of house staff; and a Per- [email protected] CHINESE STAFF is urgently looking for an Office sonal Assistant. Basic English NEEDED Assistant. Must have good necessary, previous experience A Chinese person with reason- SALES knowledge of spoken and writ- preferred. Must be under 35 able English skills for marketing REPRESENTATIVE ten English. Basic accounting years of age. For the right candi- dates, we offer an excellent sal- department of a yacht charter Career opportunity for a dedi- and good computer skills are ary, benefits, holidays and struc- company. Tel: 087-384 2743. cated sales rep at a holiday essential. Must be able to or- tured professional development. ownership company, based ganize, work independently Please forward CVs and a cur- in Phuket. Tremendous po- and be in a position to start GERMAN- rent picture to Jamie @bam tential for huge earnings. work almost immediately. Thai SPEAKING STAFF pot.co or call 092-130 3114. Required. Tel: 093-579 6644 Legal working status will be national only! Tel: 087-882 (Nuch). For more info please arranged. Please send your 2856 (English). Email: luc @ phuket-tropical-realestate. send your CV and recent photo resume to: rbv@royalper SHOP MANAGER to [email protected] spective.com com We have a position for a manager to run our busy massage shop to a high standard. You must be self- motivated, a good commu- nicator with good Thai / En- glish-language skills and good staff management skills. Good salary + bonus. Call for an interview. Tel: 084- 247 2935 (English). Email: [email protected]

Gazette Online Classifieds – 10,000 readers every day! January 24 - 30, 2015 PHUKET GAZETTE 21

TEACHER WANTED Native English speaker, fe- male, age 25+,for 4 children 6-8 years old. Mon-Fri, 9:00- 14:00,starting salary 40,000 Baht.Tel: 081- 343 0777. Email : montha_ Phuket@ yahoo.com

EXECUTIVE CHEF WANTED A popular hotel in central Patong requires an ex- ecutive chef. Applicants must have a minimum of 5 years experience in a similar position, and be able to undertake the full management of a busy kitchen. Languages re- quired: Thai / English. Sal- ary is negotiable, depen- dent on experience and ability. Tel: 089-208 8557. Email: nealeavery@ gmail.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSONAL ASSISTANT Call center customer service. Fluent in English and com- Basic 15,000 baht per month. puter skills. International Fluent English speakers drinks industry. 15,000 needed. Five-day working baht per month. Mike 086- week. Great prospects, beau- 057 7714. tiful office in seafront villa environ- ment. Tel: 083-1737 292 (En- QUALIFIED glish). Email: dennisbond44 SALES MANAGER BOAT CREW Employment NEEDED @yahoo.com Wanted for a 6-month jour- Wanted Sales staff needed for real ney in Southeast Asia on a estate business. Contact by 19m motor yacht. Email: PHUKET HOME email only. Email: cc@bay boatcrewwanted@gmail. SERVICE shoreprojects.com com New maintenance company HEAD CHEF looking for staff: maid, plumber, Hi, I'm 32 years old, with baby-sitter, ++. Contact: info@ RESTAURANT NEEDS RUSSIAN REAL more than 10 years' expe- home-phuket-service. com URGENTLY ESTATE 150K+ Looking for female Assistant We are a leading real estate rience as a chef. I am Manager with bubbly personal- company in Phuket that is ex- looking for employment. EXPERIENCED CS ity. Up to 20,000 baht per panding fast and looking for a tal- I am very hard working, STAFF WANTED month. Bar Manager needed ented individual to join our young, experienced, reliable, Native English-Speaking Cus- for up to 15k. Waitresses dynamic team. Must be a Rus- easy-going, motivated tomer Service Agent needed for needed for up to 12k. All plus sian-speaking agent who has a and enthusiastic. Tel: E-commerce fashion retailer. service charge and benefits. number of years experience in 094-803 7306 ( English). Work permit. High salary. 5-day Call for details. Tel: 076-211775, real estate, and preferably in Email: m.dominici@ work week. Work on Macs. Tel: 086-509 7510 (English) , 087- Phuket. CVs to paul@livephu email.cz 076-282759. 884 8271 (English & Thai). ket.com, www. livephuket.com

Looking for a JOB? Looking for a better candidate? Find more Recruitment Classifieds at WWW.PhuketGazette.Net! 22 PHUKET GAZETTE January 24 - 30, 2015

Business Opportunities Bar & Restaurant MARKETING FOR RESTAURANT RESTAURANT Equipment WANTED: REAL ESTATE RESTAURANT & FOR SALE FOR SALE GUESTHOUSE Phuket's leading real estate BAR FOR RENT Fully equipped kitchen, fully fur- Complete newly equipped and FOR RENT agency is now looking for new A long-established, fully nished, TVs, dart boad, pool newly furnished restaurant in GUESTHOUSE Villa-bungalow style only, marketing staff to join our suc- equipped restaurant with bar table. Up to 80 seats. Two units, Patong for sale because of CLOSING 20-40 rooms, max 20 mins for rent in an excellent loca- cessful team at Jungceylon, the Lease: 5+3 years. Rent paid until health issues. 700,000 baht. No Many items for sale. Call or drive from Patong, min 50% tion on Nanai Road, Patong. Banana Walk shopping center, Sept 2015. No key money. Good key money and low monthly send email to receive a list, sea view rooms. Wanted for The 105sqm premises in- and our Kata Beach office. A high location; next to Best Western. rent. Tel: 081-271 1605 (English photos and prices. Tel: 085- long -term rent. Tel: 084-690 clude a fully equipped salary and commissions will be Tel: 084-626 4528 (English) Tel: & Thai) , 081-891 9818 (English). 159 7400 (English). Email: 1139. Email: ppvisseur@ kitchen, restaurant and bar given for the right person. Thai 087-882 1445 (English). Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected] hogest.com nationals only. Please send your with ample seating for 50 drazen.j ohansson@gmail. CV to Tel: 076-341045, 081- customers and excellent com, For further details, please 4590152. Email: admin@pro parking facilities. For all in- see our website at www. mam SWIMMING POOL RESTAURANT pertyinphuket.com quiries, Tel: 081-892 8526 mami a phuket. com/#!restau- COMPANY 1.2M Bulletins CLOSING SALE Email: info@phuket-best rant-for-sale/c10f4 14 years operating in Phuket homes.com Fridges, tables, chairs, cutlery, SPA & HERB SHOP complete with 10 years re- glasses, plates, etc. All only FOR SALE maining on registered 15-year two years old. Everything you 2-floor plan shop,fully equipped BAR FOR SALE lease. Modern 18m, main need to open a high-end restau- with aircon and display 3 SHOPHOUSES Prime Kamala location. High road frontage, air conditioned rant. Tel: 076-325755, 083-103 shelves, phone connection, FOR SALE ST. Long lease available, building in sought-after loca- 1330(English). etc. Tel: 089-645 8976. very low rent, large size bar tion. Tel: 081-893 4135 (En- fully fitted outside garden glish) 081-968 2017 (Thai). area. Tel: 084-051 0891. Contact info@mobilepooldoc Email: blackcatsmalc@ tor.com gmail.com

RAWAI RESTAURANT INVESTMENT Including 12 completely URGENT SALE IN RAWAI furnished rental rooms. Area 3,800sqm. Reduced from Call 081-979 6215. 1.5mn to 980,000 baht.yearly rent 200,000 baht, includes 2 houses. Tel: 089-646 7176. Email: GELATO EXCELLENCE big [email protected] IN PHUKET Italian master, considered by international press to be one of PATONG German design, 5 units, the best gelato makers in all STEAKHOUSE 50sqm to 100 sqm. Build- Europe, is looking for Thai inves- Top-ranking and location ing 2014 + 1-shop 40sqm. tor to create excellence in for sale w/h all fixtures, Complete price: 28.5 mil- Phuket. Email: info@officina furniture. Tel: 081-970 lion baht. Tel: 080-145 delgeloavalon.eu, www.officina 7007. 3533 (Christina). delgeloavalon.eu January 24 - 30, 2015 PHUKET GAZETTE 23

Business Products & Services Club Memberships Available Miscellaneous For Sale

BLUE CANYON GOLF MEMBERSHIP OUR SERVICE MEMBERSHIP SALE Engineering structural de- Family Membership. Mainte- Life membership at Phuket sign service''- Steel struc- nance paid through 2014. Country Club Kathu. 550,000 tural design service''-retain- 760,000 baht, including Transfer baht, including transfer fee.Tel: ing wall structural design Fee. Tel: 091-224 1773 (En- 084-722 1520 (Ann, Kurt) service''-infrastructural de- glish). Email: smolar @hotmail. sign service''-renovation en- com gineering service. Tel: 076- BLUE CANYON 283549, 081-255 7003 MEMBERSHIP (English & Thai), 089-652 LOCH PALM GC 55,000 Baht. Tel: +65 094 0768 Fax: 076-283549. Individual Membership: 569733. Email: agoodman_uk Email: 2homeresort@ 430,000 baht, including trans- @yahoo.com gmail.com fer fee. Tel: 093-772 6498. Computer Pets CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Thai company, with western SAMSUNG management, offering you a full MISSING DOG COMPUTER Bar & Fitness range of construction services, 2 years old, complete with Restaurant Equipment from simple renovations to full printer. 18-inch screen. builds, at affordable prices. Price: 12,000 baht ONO. Equipment VISA SERVICES Please feel free to contact us for Tel: 084-818 6045. ASHTANGA UAE and Singapore for 3 more info rmation.Tel: 085-576 YOGA SHALA GUESTHOUSE days. Please call 080-697 6812 (English) Tel:089-166 8090 Mysore style, lead and 1860. Email: sky75 @list.ru (Thai). Email: ajb@thaiworld CLOSING Many items for sale. Call or beginner`s classes. Per- property.com, For further details, We miss our dog Quincy. Education send email to receive a list, sonal approach and profes- please see our web site at www. An Airedale terrier, male, photos and prices. Tel: 085- sional adjustment. Tel: 080- thaiworld con struction.com black and brown coat. He 159 7400(English). 698 0813 (English). Email: Cameras & got lost on December 31 in [email protected]. Patong. 3,000 baht reward. LEARN ENGLISH Equipment Tel: 087-091 2798 (English 20% off all courses this WORLDWIDE month only. Promotion code Audio / Video AIR TICKETS &Thai). E mail: rudi.grimm Mobile [email protected] - Happy Birthday. Includes Equipment EOS 7D (I) + EF-S Our service is for domes- free student pack. Courses in- Phones 18-135 NW tic and international flight clude: Conversation, Busi- Rawai. Canon EOS 7 D (2010), tickets. Open daily from CHIHUAHUA ness, Law and Medical En- HI-FI AV RECEIVER very good condition, + EF-S 18- 8:30am to 9pm. Delivery DOG FOR SALE glish. Tel: 076-350110, 092- Cambridge Audio 540R V.20, IPHONE 4S 135 (new). 24,000 baht. Tel: service. Tel: 081-537 Male, 4 months old. Tel: 081- 894 9089. www.luckydrag excellent cond: 7,900 baht. CALL NOW 080-717 9071. Email: otto. 2655, 085-571 4489. 080 8831 (English & Thai). onlearning.com 9-inch Acer moniter: 18,506 Call 091-161 0868 for quality nothe@yahoo. de. Email: jstuder@ loxinfo.co.th baht. Tel: 080-041 4240. secondhand iPhone 4s (16GB). 24 PHUKET GAZETTE January 24 - 30, 2015

Saloon Cars Motorbikes Rentals Pick-ups

WHITE BMW 525 D HONDA PCX 15 CHEAP CAR 2002 VOLKSWAGEN 2,000km, 2011, sale 2,5 00,000 HONDA CITY Black, first-hand, excellent FOR RENT TOYOTA PASSAT FOR SALE FORTUNER 2006 THB. If interested, please con- state, 50,000 baht, 32,000km. Vios, Jazz. More information. Tel: LPG, leather, aircon, tact 085-994 0364 (English). Automatic 2006. Aircon. Tel: 084-509 4306. 099-306 5757, 093-648 2464. automa tic. 160,000 baht. CD player. Price for sale Will trade for big bike or 235,000 baht. Tel: 081- KAWASAKI 650 ER 4x4. Tel: 087-983 4815. 607 8567. MERCEDES BENZ 2013,2,000km, sale 240,000 CAR FOR RENT SLK200 THB. If interested, please con- tact 085-994 0364 (English). TOYOTA VIOS 1.5L, 2005 Black, one owner, 116, 000 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 4 door; 5 speed. Auto win- HONDA dows, new air conditioning km. Fully serviced, best MOTORBIKE condition. Price: 590,000 and clutch, one foreigner +TRAILER lady. 225,000 baht For more baht. Tel: 083-388 8036. Will sell separately or information, please call 089- both. Perfect condition. 970 5795. White roadster, 2500km, Bike: 60,000 baht. Trailer: Short or long-term rent with first-class insurance. 2011 TOYOTA 1year old, sale 3,200,000 20,000 baht.Tel: 084-858 VIGO 4WD THB. If interested, please MERCEDES BENZ 1917 (English). Email: Delivery service. Please Superb cond. Manual, contact 085-994 0364 250 CDI [email protected] call 086-690 0626 or email aircon, power windows. (English). Silver, 2012,sale 2,100,000 bcarrent @hotmail.com Price: 145,000. Tel: 080- THB. If interested, please con- 041 4240. tact 085-994 0364 (English). HONDA CB500F NEW CARS MERCEDES BENZ FOR RENT CLC 200 BMW 5 SERIES VW BEETLE 4 SALE Excellent condition with a BMW 520i for sale. Only 2 low 18,500km. Dual cab, years old. 28,000km, free leather upholstery, manual maintenance at BMW gearbox, 3-liter diesel en- Phuket for another 3 years gine. No accidents, ser- (all warranties intact), insur- vice history. Just not using ance paid until November it, so it must go. 700,000 Jazz, Vios, City, SUV, MPV, baht or best offer. Please 2015. 2.7 million baht o.n.o. Year 2012, 12,000 km. 2004 model, Cabriolet, au- VAN. Tel: 081-607 8567. ask for Khun Aey. Tel: 076- Tel: 081-846 9981, 081-537 Sunroof sport coupe, year Excellent condition, sell at Email: suksavat@hotma- 8774 (Thai). Email:ursaebi@ tomatic, 83,000km, 527687, 095-410 2414 2009, only 2 million baht. 165,000baht Tel: 081-550 il.com, Line ID: 246phuket (English & Thai). Email: gmx.net 790,000 million baht. Tel: 7379 (English & Thai). Tel: 081-892 4311. 091-040 8869. line [email protected]

NEW YACHTSMAN URGENT SALE TENDERS Fiberglass 35ft ocean sailboat. Aluminiun hull RIBs and “Air Price: 200,000 baht. Call to Floor” inflatables Welded PVC see now at Khao Khad beach. and Hypalon options. Good Tel: 061-230 5902 (English). quality at very competitive Email: [email protected] prices. Now in stock at our Boat Lagoon Showroom For details contact Alan Giles. Andaman JEANNEAU 52.2 Boat Sales. Tel: 084-842 6146. (2002) Email: boats @andamanboat The owner has spent a for- sales .com tune on her. New teak decks, B&G instruments, KAYAKS FOR SALE leisure furl in boom furling, 3x single Feelfree @ 10,000 baht upholstery and head linings, each, and 1x double Feelfree @ new stove, battery charger 15,000 baht. Tel: 087-265 0118 and inverter, a 42" flat screen (English). Email: ant_p_clark TV and much, much more. @yahoo.co.uk A great boat and good value at US$ 260,000 FIRM. Tel: 084-842 6146 alangiles @boatshedphuket.com A STEAL FOR A QUICK SALE SELLING YOUR BOAT? With high season upon us now is the right time to get her listed, Boatshedphuket.com are al- ways looking for new listings, big or small, power or sail, to meet the demand for competitively priced, quality boats. Contact Alan Giles at Boat shedp huket.com on 2007 Italian demo yacht. 084-842 6146 or alangiles@ boat Cranchi 47ft. Hard top. shedphuket.c om Fully loaded with tropical aircon, genset, electrical CLASSIC S & S SWAN POWER CAPELLI RIB FOR BOTNIA TARGA CHEAP DIVE winches, garage, roof. 57 KETCH SALE 32 (2013) COMPRESSORS Ray Marine premium CATAMARAN The last of the Sparkman & Austhai 6200. Cabcat. Full Capelli RIB, 8m. 250hp As new and with nearly all the Bauer Mariner 250, year navy, BBQ, ice maker, 3 Stevens Swans, a beautifully fridges, Bose sound, specs. Electric toilet, Yamaha 4-stroke outboard options. A quality Scandina- 2006, price baht 140,000. presented elegant yacht with winch, etc. Galvanized motor with 361 hours. Garmin vian-built, go anywhere, fast L&W 245 year 2002 + an- neon light. Twin 570hp with many recent upgrades. Only reliable shaft drive, under trailer, boat cover. 2 Honda GPS with Blue chart for cruiser at a substantial sav- other L&W 245 as spare US$349,000 will buy this top- 90s with only 118 hours! Southeast Asia. 860,000 ings on the new price. parts. Total baht 70,000. Both 300hrs. Brand-new condi- quality head turner. For details tion. Price: 335,000 euros. Great boat. 900,000 baht. baht. Tel: 076-348134, 084- US$340,000. Tel: 084 842 in working condition.Tel: 081- contact Alan Giles. Tel: 084 Tel: 081-894 0339 (En- 626 4969 (English). Fax : 6146. Email: alangiles 370 3376 (English), 081- Tel: 089-971 0278. Email: 842 6146. Email: alangiles @ [email protected] glish). Email: hilltribe@pop 076-348134. Email: neef@ @boatshedphuket.com 970 7480(Thai). Fax: 076- boat shedphuket .com Boat piessamui.com wanadoo.fr Boatshedphuket. com 280074. shed phuket.com January 24 - 30, 2015 PHUKET GAZETTE 25

GULFCRAFT 31 KHE 250 HP RIB SC 31 Fully registered Swedish Quick sale, Thai Regis, excel- design RIB, 2008. 8.2m lent condition. Twin Suzuki DF overall, seats 8-10 people, 225, 200 H only. With trailer, 250-hp 4-stroke Suzuki, Price new 5.9 MB. Asking newly serviced, 200 liter price: 3 million baht. Tel: 081- gasoline tank, and Garmin 4160 333. Email: Lemcloe@ GPS. Priced to sell at gmail.com 1,350,000 baht. Tel: 084- 525 7222. Email: larsalfax [email protected] DIVING - SNORKELLING BOAT DEFEVER TRAWLER Fully operational 45-person 44 (1981) scuba diving boat. Just fin- Generally in very good shape but ished a 400,000 baht full needs new engines. A bargain for boat refit. Twin engines. someone who wants to spend a Reduced price 2,900,000 little time and money Only baht ono. Tel: 076-293052, US$80,000 Contact Alan Giles 090-030 8965 (English), at Boatshedphuket.com on 084- 086-942 6883 (Thai). Email: 842 6146 or alangiles@boats cha [email protected] hedphuket.com

SOLUTION TO 10% DISCOUNT BENETEAU OCEANIS THIS WEEK’S HYPALON On Hypalon Yachtsman Tenders 370 (1991) GC MARINE 26’ DINGY 3.3M Light weight Aluminiun hull RIB’s Diesel 29hp Perkins Perama CENTER CONSOLE Cryptic crossword Good quality at very competitive Diesel Many recent upgrades Twin Suzuki 175 Hp 4- prices. Now in stock at our Boat Contact Alan Giles at Boat stroke engines with around Abbreviations: UPPER CASE (if used as part of anagram, in Lagoon Showroom For details shedphuket.com on 084-842 300 hrs each giving approx brackets). contact Alan Giles. Andaman Boat 6146 or alangiles@boatshed 35 knots. For details con- Normal spelling: lower case. Sales. Tel: 084-842 6146. Email: phuket.com tact Alan Giles. Andaman Anagrams: italic (indicated in clue by words ‘out’, ‘possibly’, boats@andamanboatsales. Boat Sales. Tel: 084-842 ‘strangely’, ‘wild’, or similar). com 6146. Email: boats@anda Letters left out: underlined. BENETEAU Across: Brand-new, UV cover, stor- manboat sales.com 9. COFFEECUP: cough-hiccough 10. RAINFALL: fair(N)-all age cover, pump, oars, EVASION 34 12. TEEM: meet[rev] 13. QUEASY: sequay 14. HEARING: kits. Only 110,000 baht. 2.8M SAILING DINGHY hear-gin 15. AFTERWARD: after-draw[rev] 17. INTERFERE: BIC Open, excellent condi- inter-free 18. DISPUTE: sideput 20. SPHERE: sheep(R) Tel: 089-971 0278. Email: 21. AMMO: a-M-M.O. 24. BASELINE: beas-line 26. [email protected] tion. 75,000 baht includes VESSEL "SANITY" MASSAMAN: mass-a-man 28. ONLY: on-L-Y 29. STRAIN: trailer and cover. Tel: 081-837 trains 31. CHANTED: thencad 34. GUNTURRET: returngut 5774(English). 36. CONTENDER: con-tender 38. SCARLET: scar-let 39. NARROW: orwarn 40. EVIL: live[rev] 41. PENTACLE: petclean KETTERING JE29 42. FANTASTIC: fancastit Down: TRIMARAN (2007) SILVERCRAFT 1. SCOTLAND: soldcant 2. AFFECT: assume 3. ACCURATE: Carbon fiber, deck-stepped, ro- SC26 (2008) A.C.-curate 4. UPWARD: up-draw[up] 5. CRAYFISH: crash tating mast. Genoa & Genaker Twin Suzuki 140 Hp 4 stroke (if-Y[up]) 6. RIGHTTURNS: correct-acts 7. AFFAIRS: ifasfar 1981 50 HP Perkings Motor 8. PLAICE: pla-I-ce 11. AGREEON: aregone 16. ROUTES: both on furlers. Yamaha 8 Hp Hi outboards, giving a max speed Sailer, many extras, best 1989 Princess Riviera 36. ourset 19. SNAIL: slain 20. seen 22. MEANT: metan Trust Outboard. Reduced to of 40 kts and only 370 hrs use state. 1,290,000 baht. Direct sale by owner 2 23. PALACE: p-a-lace 25. INTERSTICE: I-centerits 26. MEN: only US$64,950 OBO Contact Asking 1,499,995 baht Contact miliion baht only. Roger: name 27. LONGISH: long-his 30. ATTENDEE: teendate Nihat Gunduz. Tel: 086-274 31. CONFOUND: con-found 32. DERELICT: de-relict 33. Alan Giles at Boatshed phuket. Alan Giles at Boatshed phuket. 6272. Email: nihat_ gunduz 089-871 2940. Email: Info QUALITY: standard 35. NEARER: N-E-rare 36. CARAFE: raface com on 084-842 6146 or alan com on 084-842 6146 or alan @hotmail.com @villea.com 37. DEVOTE: voted-E [email protected] [email protected] Looking for a boat? See more classified ads at www.phuketgazette.net 26 PHUKET GAZETTE January 24 - 30, 2015

Private Aircraft and Flight Services in Phuket

HAVE A PASSION AIRPLAY ALTIS 1999 ROBIN 2160i FOR AVIATION? MICROLIGHT I would like to sell my Robin If you have an aircraft for Superb trike with Konig ra- aircraft or trade it for a 4-seat sale or an interest in avia- dial engine. Great economi- Cessna or Piper (based in tion and wish to learn cal fun. Little used. Please Hua Hin). The Robin: TTAF how to fly or buy an air- contact for more informa- 300hrs. SMOH 60hrs. This craft or arrange a private tion. Tel: 089-111 6457 (En- is a well-equipped, two-seat flight, etc. Website: glish & Thai), 081-397 7598 aerobatic aircraft. Has the www.aeropromgr.com/ (English & Thai). Email: Christen inverted oil system. newsletter [email protected] Excellent inside and outside. King KMA24 audio panel, KX155 nav/com, KI203 vor, TECNAM P-92 KY197A comm, KN64A - Price: 1.5 million baht YOUR HELICOPTER dme, KR87 adf, KT76A tran- - Registration: U-B08 Flying and owning your own sponder, CSPA400 i-com, - Year of Manufacture: 2002 helicopter has just become FP5 fuel computer, CHT, possible. Free complete flight OAT, Pitot heat. Price: 4 - Equipment: Full standard instruction course with your million baht. Please contact equipment purchase. Email: pat@ Thom. Email: thos_w@ - Engine: Rotax 912-80HP aeropromgr.com hotmail.com 350hrs. Tel: 081-840 8418.

General Aviation • Aircraft for Sale • Aircraft Sharing • Aircraft Wanted • Aircraft Charter

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Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 140 baht, with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. January 24 - 30, 2015 PHUKET GAZETTE 27 Karon Beach Square opens with f lare

STAY CLASSY MOVENPICK: ICE CREAM. YOU SCREAM. WE ALL SCREAM: Pojanee Sawasdee Diego Gu and Jorge de la (left) and Chanchai Panyao show how a party can have flavor Torre Koch. and put a truly sweet smile on your face.

OPENING WITH STYLE: L to R: Tita Chobthum; Michael Earle, editor in chief of Think Design; DIGNITARIES UNITE: L to R: Helene Fallon Wood, honorary consul for Ireland; Ian Coulson; Hansruedi Frutiger, GM of Moevenpick Resort and Spa Karon Beach Phuket; are all happy to party. Andrea Tammathin, honorary consul for Switzerland; and Kathy Coulson enjoy the evening. 28 PHUKET GAZETTE January 24 - 30, 2015

Words from the wise “Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.” – Buddha

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi Cryptic Crossword Across Medium 9. Stimulating drink vessel causes noise, cough hiccough! (9) 10. Maybe fair around the North, each and every downpour! (8) 12. Be full of and meet back (4) 13. Nauseous on S.E. quay, badly (6) 14. Find out about gin blend trial (7) 15. Following subsequent draw- back (9) 17. Bury free, incorrectly ob- struct (9) 18. Side put out by argument (7) 20. Sheep may be right in field (6) Down 23. Place hiding a magnificent Hard 21. A married Medical Officer 1. Place north of England sold, building (6) short of ammunition (4) can’t change (8) 25. I moved its center to the in- 24. Possibly be as direction of 2. Assume influence (6) tervening space (10) factor used as comparison (8) 3. Precise type of current assis- 26. Number of males without a 26. Host, a chap, makes South- tant clergyman (8) name perhaps (3) ern Thai dish (8) 4. Out of bed, draw up towards 27. Hanker after his arrangement 28. Solely on left unknown (4) the top (6) tending to be extensive (7) 29. Type of trains moving (6) 5. Crash about if unknown turns 30. One who is there could be 31. Cad then wildly intoned (7) up in crustacean (8) teen date (8) 34. Return gut, perhaps in tank 6. Changes of direction to star- 31. Swindle, establish and bewil- top! (9) board are correct acts (5,5) der (8) 36. Competitor against offer (9) 7. Concerns if as far off (7) 32. Negligent of French widow 38. Red mark allowed (7) 8. Fish I hide in place (6) (8) 39. Or warn arrangement con- 11. Are gone around to mutually 33. Standard feature (7) stricted (6) accept (5,2) 35. New echo rare, could be 40. Live turn vile (4) 16. Ways our set move (6) closer (6) 41. Pet, clean out the magic sym- 19. Gastropod slain, destroyed (5) 36. The RAF’s ace showed bol (8) 20. Seen no new Bishop’s domain bottle (6) 42. Wonderful, fan cast it (3) 37. Voted out East to set out! (9) 22. Met an unusual intended! (5) aside (6) SUDOKU: Each row, column and 3x3 sub-grid must contain the number 1-9 once only. © Kevin Stone (brainbashers.com)

AQUARIUS (Jan 21-Feb 19): mos doesn’t exactly help when it VIRGO (Aug 24-Sept 23): of a congenial evening out, it The New Moon counsels both. The Aquarius New A Mars Neptune could be a perfect antidote to can be excellent Moon gives you green lights to link suggests your other pressures. Meanwhile, for starting out on make dynamic changes. However, social life can pick unexpected news might mean a new path, or for Mercury’s retrograde hints that up steam, making DIY or a family plan needs to bringing creative some things may be best left alone this a good time to be put on hold. dreams to life. for now. By Patrick Arundell strengthen ties However, as Mercury will begin with friends or business acquain- SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec 21): its backward dance in your sign TAURUS (Apr 21-May 21): CANCER (June 22-July 23): tances. When it comes to a sig- This week’s New from midweek, it will help to test As the Sun glides You may feel you nificant other though, make sure Moon hints at the your ideas carefully so that they into Aquarius have no choice you’re both on the same page, as arrival of a new- are not too unrealistic. The same swiftly followed but to act. How- this week’s blend of energies hints comer in your goes for shopping where you by a New Moon, ever, it might be there could still be some confu- immediate area could overestimate the value of it’s time to pro- better to ruminate sion between you. who you’ll be something. mote yourself, before making keen to get acquainted with. your ideas and your goods and any hard and fast moves or judg- LIBRA (Sept 24-Oct 23): There’s a good chance they’ll be PISCES (Feb 20-Mar 20): even services – if you work for ments. Ironically, this week’s Ideas going around exactly on your wavelength and This week the fo- yourself. If you have a plan you alignments suggest the less ambi- may seem appeal- that they could make a support- cus is on your can bet that others will want to tious your goals, the better. For ing. While it’s ive new friend. Additionally, a private sector and hear about it, especially if it can now, be content to handle what- good to investi- fine link between the Sun and encourages quiet help make their life easier in some ever is on your plate to the best of gate, don’t get too Saturn can be excellent for mak- reflection and way. This week self-belief is the your ability and avoid unnecessary excited just yet. ing plans that are solid yet sparkle deeper thinking. key to creating a new successful complications. Use this week’s New Moon to get with ingenuity. In addition, you might enjoy be- reality. solid advice and test the water. ing of service to someone who’s LEO (July 24-Aug 23): You’ll be best to pace yourself too CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 20): in need. However, the Sun Saturn GEMINI (May 22-June 21): The Aquarius New as energy levels can fluctuate, so A worry could in- sextile suggests a dream or intu- As Mars connects Moon puts rela- avoid overdoing it. Later, a roman- terrupt sleep un- ition could be useful and have with Neptune it tionships in the tic offer could make your pulse less you take steps practical application regarding an seems there are spotlight encour- race all the quicker. to analyze it, important ambition. plenty of inspira- aging you to in- break it down into tional ideas flying volve others in SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22): components and ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20): around, and one of your plans. This can be a good Romantic incli- work to resolve it. By applying This week could them may be worth getting excited time to cement a partnership, col- nations and ten- practical thinking along with in- find you caught up about. Even so, with Mercury re- laborate with someone on an idea der feelings are tuitive insight, you might find it’s in something of a gressing from midweek, do look or make a greater commitment re- encouraged as a really nothing to be anxious about dilemma. Should to take the time to do your plan- garding a budding romance. Just Pisces focus at all. Later in the week, shop- you continue on as ning and research your options. be conscious that, despite this, puts pleasure ping for an accessory for your you are or is it time In short, be curious - but don’t misunderstandings can also and fun high on the agenda. If home could enhance domestic ef- to break new ground? The cos- make a start just yet. show up. you can give yourself the gift ficiency. January 24 - 30, 2015 PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 29 Central Phuket rises up

By Maciek Klimowicz that people in Phuket are begin- ning to enjoy this location and that PHUKET is changing in front of the appeal of eastern Phuket is on our eyes. And where some see the rise.” trouble, others see opportunity. Mr Spurdle believes Phuket’s One of the latter is Royal Phuket rental market is undergoing a Marina (RPM), whose latest major change. development, La Reserve, is a “Before, most investors would luxury condominium property for focus on the west-coast proper- the new, changing Phuket. ties. But the high season seems “Phuket is turning into a proper to be getting shorter and shorter, city, a proper town,” says Ian so if you buy into west-coast Spurdle, RPM’s director of sales property with rental in mind, and marketing for luxury property. you’re looking at maybe three to If you’ve been stuck in the four months’ opportunity. island’s traffic recently, you would Whereas here it’s a 12-month op- know that Mr Spurdle is onto portunity,” he says. something. A trip to a shopping “People come here for differ- mall or even a morning ride to ent reasons. They come here for drop children off at school is be- boating, and they come here to coming more of a challenge, if not stay. a struggle. “It’s a bit like in a city, where This change can be seen not rental property is always going to only on the roads, but also in the be full.” shifting market trends, and RPM Aside from RPM’s location, it’s believes it has spotted one such the international – not to say west- trend. ern – feel of La Reserve and RPM “The type of people we are that’s also attracting buyers. attracting are not your typical “The name is meant to convey property buyers, and it feels that it’s a slightly European and almost as though there is a new slightly more sophisticated project. era of buyers altogether,” says Mr Many people who have been in Spurdle. “There are long-term Thailand for a longer time crave expats, people who have lived in something a bit more familiar. But Phuket for many years, who are it turns out that the name also suddenly interested in a central resonates with Thais who want to location. I wouldn’t say that they La Reserve has that international flavor that so many long-term expats in Phuket crave. get this slice of international have fallen out of love with their gated area of RPM, La Reserve baht for three bedrooms. The con- “With more facilities being built lifestyle,” explains Mr Spurdle. private villas on a golf course, but will have four blocks, each com- struction will begin soon, with the between the Heroines’ Monument “Once you come in through the they seem to be seeking more of prising two five-story, 20-unit first two blocks expected to be and Thalang, it is becoming almost main drive, you enter a different a community-based lifestyle.” buildings, with prices starting at complete next year. La Reserve is like a micro-town and many space. We all love being in Thai- It’s with this demographic in 5.2 million baht for one-bedroom a perfect choice for the buyer people are attracted to this more land, but RPM has this mind that the concept of La units, 9 million baht for two- looking for a central island loca- communal lifestyle,” he notes. international flavor, which is very Reserve was born. Located in a bedroom units and 14.2 million tion, says Mr Spurdle. “I think we are very fortunate comfortable for many people.” Developers wait for EIA permit CONDOMINIUM developers are so concerned that the Environ- ment Impact Assessment (EIA) Committee is restricting approv- als that many of them have de- cided to delay launching projects until they get the EIA permit. “We will launch our condo projects when we get EIA permits. That will be safer for our business and our customers’ confidence,” Srettha Thavisin, president of Sansiri Plc, said on Tuesday. Prasert Taedullayasatit, presi- dent of the Thai Condominium Developers are now waiting to have EIA permits in hand. Photo: Neajjean Association and managing direc- tor of Pruksa Real Estate Plc, said “We had to divide up our Wong Wan, a 2.8-billion-baht his association has tried to con- project when the EIA committee project from AP (Thailand) Plc, vince the EIA committee to did not believe that only one phase had begun construction with both announce EIA standards so that could provide the facilities to cover EIA and building permits in hand, property firms can do business. all of the homeowners’ needs. but ran into opposition from some The process from applying for That caused a delay in the launch community members. It is already an EIA permit to receiving it takes of about one year from our busi- 70 per cent built and is scheduled from six months to a year, depend- ness plan,” said Opas Sripayak, to be completed next year. ing on a project’s location and size. managing director of LPN Devel- Thai Condominium Association For example, LPN Develop- opment. president Mr Prasert said the ment Plc applied for an EIA permit Not only do developers have to problems of the EIA permit, both for Lumpini Town Rangsit as early worry about the EIA permit itself, the application process and after as the end of 2013, but did not some of them also have to deal getting the permit, have to be get it until last month. The project with problems when the commu- solved. had to be changed from only one nity has questions and sues them There have to be standards, be- phase with 10,000 units to three even after the project’s EIA has cause that will give confidence to phases starting with 3,000 units, been approved. both developers and homebuyers. then 3,500 units and 3,500 units. For example, Aspire Ngam – The Nation 30 PHUKET GAZETTE PROPERTY January 24 - 30, 2015 Our island retirement haven International Living recently named Thailand as a leading retirement destination, but Amy says we can do better retirees, the trend of renting a property and staying a couple of months in Thailand each year is becoming more and more popular. THAILAND recently made the top Thailand has so many unique 10 list of The Retirement Havens things to offer, which presents for 2015 by International Living, retirees with the change to try a coming in at 10th place. The only different location each year, meet- other Asean country that made the ing new people and getting to list was Malaysia, which is sitting know the local cultures. Time flex- pretty in third place. ibility is also an advantage for this In Thailand, there are multiple demographic, which means that locations for retirees to live, they could choose to come dur- whether they prefer the hustle and ing the low season when rentals bustle of a city such as Bangkok, are much cheaper. the tranquil countryside up north, I believe Thailand could rank as or the white sandy beaches highly – or maybe higher – than offered the southern provinces, Malaysia on the retirement havens including Phuket. list, if a few tweaks were made. Whether retirees are searching Having recently been caught up for a rental property or self-owned in the human traffic huddled at the property, choices in the Kingdom immigration counters at Phuket are unlimited. International Airport, I was sur- Lately, many property develop- prised to learn that even holding a ers have been trying to tap into non-immigrant B visa and a legal the retiree market by offering work permit doesn’t get you into Thailand’s beautiful beaches could be one reason why it made International Living’s list. Photo: Gazette file smaller properties, such as two or a separate, dedicated lane. No sir, launched next month. expatriates, foreign home owners, book. The Tourism Authority of three-bedroom villas for sale for not even foreign home owners Malaysia also launched “For- retirees and frequent visitors to Thailand spends billions of baht under 15 million baht. who have multi-million-baht eigner eGate” at Kuala Lumpur Phuket who would certainly every year promoting Thailand Retirees tend to spend six homes in Phuket and employ Thai International Airport to improve appreciate a fast-track immigra- domestically and internationally. months or more at a time in staff are given any privileges. The the procedures of processing en- tion process, or even just an There is no need to re-invent Phuket, where the weather is same goes for retirees. tries into the country. The gates assigned counter in the immigra- the wheel, and even a small step sunny and warm throughout the Thailand’s neighbor, Malaysia, are equipped with self-clearance tion hall of the airport. in the right direction would be year. They spend the other six has pre-launched pilot express systems that allow frequent visi- If Phuket wants to maintain its promising. months back in their home coun- lanes dubbed the “Asean Lane” in tors to easily go through this status within the Andaman region tries, visiting family and friends or both of Kuala Lumpur’s interna- automated fast-track immigration and Asean as one of the top tour- Amy Koh is the sales manager of simply enjoying the summer tional airports for passport holders process. This commenced opera- ist destinations, as well as a haven Engel & Voelkers Phuket. To contact months there. arriving from Asean member tions on December 29. for retirees, it should take a page Amy or for more information, visit For many retirees or semi- countries. They will be fully There are quite a number of from Kuala Lumpur’s strategy www.engelvoelkers.com/en/phuket/ Cheap oil, steady construction costs keep home prices stable, say property experts HOME prices should remain cement and steel, are also stable. stable this year thanks to low Land & Houses president oil prices and the cost of Naporn Sunthornchitcharoen construction materials remaining agreed that prices would not go about the same as last year, prop- up, but noted that they also would erty experts have predicted. not go down, as the cost of land Pruksa Real Estate president would continue to increase in and chief execu- some locations. tive officer We believe that main- “The drop in Thongma Vijit- oil prices will pongpun said taining‘ [current] prices will cut logistics that if the global help boost the demand to costs by 10- oil price stayed buy homes this year, both 15%, which will below US$50 lower overall per barrel, that low-rise residences such residential costs would reduce lo- as detached houses by 1%. How- gistic costs by ever, [the cost more than 10 per and townhouses and of] construction cent. condominiums… materials is Steady construction costs should help to keep home prices stable. Image: Tpsdave This is a good staying the Land Property Development, said However, the company cannot both low-rise residences such as sign that property firms will be same, so’ residential prices will be his company would also keep its cut prices because land costs are detached houses and townhouses able to keep prices flat, when nor- stable this year,” Mr Naporn said. prices at the current level, as rising by 5-10%, Mr Saenphin said. and condominiums, after people mally they rise by 3-5% a year. Saenphin Sukhee, managing construction-material costs were “We believe that maintaining delayed their decisions to buy a Meanwhile, prices of con- director of Golden Land Resi- being maintained or even drop- [current] prices will help boost the home last year,” he said. struction materials, such as dence Co, a subsidiary of Golden ping in some cases. demand to buy homes this year, – The Nation January 24 - 30, 2015 PHUKET GAZETTE 31 Family Sunday fun day

By Maciek Klimowicz You might want to skip dinner to save room for the Fun Family IF PHUKET has a favorite meal, Brunch, as the delicacies served it’s got to be Sunday brunch. Just at the carving stations – the sea- about any respectable hotel or re- food and the BBQ – are irresistible. sort has one on offer, and most Step away from the carvings are doing a great job with it – in- and into a nearby wine locker, and viting guests for incredible food you’ll find an array of cheeses and in spectacular locations. mouthwatering desserts. Thanyapura, which has long- However, Thanyapura wouldn’t offered a delectable Sunday be Thanyapura if they just dropped brunch variation, recently came an unlimited supply of spectacu- up with a new Sunday brunch lar food on you and left it at that. formula – one geared toward the With the brunch comes a special whole family. day pass. Valid for one week after All the brainstorming that has the meal, it gives you access to gone into it – no doubt fuelled by Thanyapura’s sport facilities, in- many a cup of freshly brewed cluding the swimming pools, the coffee and some training sessions gyms and one hour on the tennis at the gym – has resulted in the courts. You’ll need it. Fun Family Brunch, a new weekly Get your family together and food event that takes place every Make sure you’re hungry when you to go brunch, and be sure to visit the carving station. Photo: Maciek Klimowicz head to Thanyapura to eat, play, Sunday between 11:30am and ber of activities, both indoors and choice for just about any kind of offers a truly family-friendly talk and make Sunday your own. 2:30pm, at Thanyapura’s famed outdoors. If you have smaller family. DiVine represents a rare ambiance that stimulates conver- DiVine restaurant. tykes, you’ll appreciate a chance breed of restaurants that can con- sation at the table and puts Food is 1,290++ baht per person. The name really says it all – it to enjoy your meal without jure up sophistication in a relaxed everybody in a lively mood. Wine Buffet at 890++ baht per person. claims to be fun, and fun it is! A having to chase your little ones and casual atmosphere. Located All these elements are an inte- A dedicated buffet for children from special area has been set up for around the table. next to Thanyapura’s spectacular gral part of the experience – as is 4-11 years old is 645++ baht per child. kids with a special buffet and free Even if you don’t have kids, the swimming pools with a backdrop the food. Whatever you reach for, For more information visit cooking classes, as well as a num- Fun Family Brunch is still a smart of Phuket’s hills, the restaurant you won’t be disappointed. www.thanyapura.com

The crabs are from a secret location. Photo: Maciek Klimowicz Enjoy a crackin’ meal at The Crab House in Patong GET ready to get your hands dirty. with an array of sauces, the meat With shells cracking, sending frag- might be difficult to get to, but it’s ments flying all over the place, well worth the effort. dining at the The Crab House in However, if you like to take it Patong isn’t your average meal easy at the table, you can order out – it’s an experience. pure crabmeat and let the experi- “We have something very enced chefs do the cracking and special here, something nobody extracting for you. else has – the biggest mud crabs There are other seafood and in Thailand. They come from a non-seafood dishes on the menu secret location, and we have a – lobster, prawns, duck, pork and supply for the entire year,” says more. Narapong Phoneam, the They all taste great, but it’s the restaurant’s marketing director. giant mud crabs and their smaller With four different kinds of counterparts that without a doubt crab on the menu, The Crab steal the show at the The Crab House is the crustacean’s one true House. home in Phuket. And it’s a cracking one! Served in a variety of styles and – Maciek Klimowicz 32 PHUKET GAZETTE January 24 - 30, 2015 Reversals in life and love village in the Northeast and the three become a temporary family. Song no longer regards Osier as a client, while he finds love and happiness in the many weekends I NEEDED a break. After review- he spends in her room. Her En- ing three 600-page books in a row, glish becomes better while his I found a nice change of pace in degenerates into bargirl pidgin. Paul Theroux’s Mr. Bones Their roles reverse as Song ends (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Bos- up in a dominant, public role in ton, 2014, 359pp). his life. This is Theroux’s third collec- “The First World” takes place tion of short stories, adding to his on the rich man’s enclave of Nan- oeuvre of 28 novels and 14 travel tucket Island where Jimmy books. The 20 sto- Barghorn, “a mick ries range widely from Southie”, in location – New used to mow York, Massachu- lawns as a college setts, Ecuador, student. Now, af- Thailand, Italy, ter three failed Hawaii, Uganda – marriages, he has and in quality. gone into retire- The two best ment, a self-made stories are about tycoon who got his romances between start by selling elderly American scrap metal from men and young Vietnam. Asian women. Nhu is his At 50 pages, the young house- longest in the col- keeper, a recent lection, “Siamese immigrant from Nights” introduces Vietnam. Theroux Boyd Osier, an has a lot of fun American accoun- Song takes him to with her accent: tant on temporary her room, where he tuss (touch), crean assignment in ‘ (clean), werry nye Bangkok. With a discovers that she is a (very nice), wife home in ladyboy. But this plays fitching (fishing), Maine, he is on the noodoo (noodles), verge of retire- only a peripheral role in rishus (delicious), ment. After much their romance. The big olinch (orange). ‘Siamese Nights’ tells the story of a man whose life takes an interesting turn in Bangkok. Photo: Mathias Krumbholz pressure, he ac- change comes when Barghorn hits on companies two her but she for- and impotent to write anymore. exuberant jokester. years, only to be punished by three colleagues to a bar. Song’s kind-hearted gives him and the Few of the other stories are so In “Minor Watt” a rich art col- harpies – former girlfriends – Here, he meets mother comes for a two become the satisfying. Many are static por- lector takes revenge on his whom he meets at a high school Song: “In the booth week’s visit from her closest of friends, traits of moral monsters (a rich much-beloved former wife as he reunion. More misused ex-lovers of four girls, only fishing, clamming predatory homosexual, a malicious moves to hand over to her a price- appear in his life, causing his new one was attractive village in the Northeast and drinking to- art gallery owner, a tyrannical con- less Ming vase and then lets it drop. bride to flee home, divorce him – tall, thin-faced, and the three become a gether. struction chief) or dynamic ones “She let out a sharp cry as and then demand ownership of it. slender, a bit aloof, When he saves of normal people who become though she’d seen a precious Two stories are experimental. possibly haughty or temporary family. her life after a boat- monsters. creature die… He surprised him- “Voices of Love” are short ironic else shy, while the ing accident, the In “Our Raccoon Year” a retired self by laughing – and because it narratives of a couple hundred others fluttered around him.” friendship’ turns erotic. As his lawyer abandons his two sons in was involuntary, like the reaction words each, summing up the love Song takes him to her room, health fails, their roles also reverse: order to wage maniacal warfare to a wisecrack, it was full- life of men and women. “Long where he discovers that she is a “I am her servant. It is what I against the family of raccoons that throated, a great guffaw, a joyous Story Short” are similar stories ladyboy. But this plays only a want.” have infested his house. snort-honk of gusto that was like from around the world about peripheral role in their Similarly, in “The Traveler’s In “Mr. Bones”, a mild- a sound of health.” childhood, old age and death. romance. The big change comes Wife”, the wife of a famed travel mannered churchgoer rehearses In “The Furies”, a dentist Like the rest of the book, these when Song’s kind-hearted mother writer takes off on her own inde- for a minstrel show and turns into deserts his long-suffering wife to are short, sharp jolts of storytelling comes for a week’s visit from her pendent trips, leaving him forlorn a sinister, bizarre, hurtful, wildly marry his hygienist of many entertainment. Nominee list released for 87th Academy Awards THE awards season is upon us again, and and Neil Meron, who official website or The Theory of Everything many of the films, actors and actresses that will be producing the YouTube channel. Whiplash have been given the coveted “Oscar nod” show, said of Harris, Movie lovers around took home Golden Globes on January 11 “We are thrilled to have the world have less than ACTOR for their stellar performances and well- Neil host the Oscars. We one month to get caught Steve Carell, Foxcatcher received films. have known him his en- up before the big night, Bradley Cooper, American Sniper Julianne Moore and Eddie Redmayne, tire adult life, and we so here are the nomi- Benedict Cumberbatch, The Imitation who took home the Golden Globes for Best have watched him nees for Best Picture, Game Actress / Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama explode as a great per- Actor and Actress. Michael Keaton, Birdman for their respective performances in Still former in feature films, For the full list, visit Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Every- Alice and The Theory of Everything, are television and stage. To Julianne Moore. Photo: Siebbi www.oscar.go.com thing both among the Best Actress/Actor hope- work with him on the fuls this year. Oscars is the perfect storm, all of his re- BEST PICTURE ACTRESS Neil Patrick Harris, a seasoned veteran sources and talent coming together on a American Sniper Marion Cotillard, Two Days, One Night host of both the Emmys and the Tonys, global stage.” Birdman Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything will take the stage in Hollywood’s Dolby As usual, the night is sure to be full of Boyhood Julianne Moore, Still Alice Theater on February 22 for his first stint as laughs, famous faces and little golden men, The Grand Budapest Hotel Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl host of the 87th Academy Awards. so mark your calenders and stream the The Imitation Game Reese Witherspoon, Wild In a statement to the press, Craig Zadan show live through the Academy Awards’ Selma – Mauri Grant January 24 - 30, 2015 PHUKET GAZETTE 33 Amalaki: the anti-ager mal amount of Vitamin C is inte- gral to health. Amalaki is the key to reaching this goal, as it is natu- rally extremely high in Vitamin C, with over 3000mg per fruit. THAILAND is blessed with so Amalaki juice contains approxi- many rejuvenating and health mately 20 times more Vitamin C restoring herbs, fruits and foods. than orange juice. This extraordi- Over the next few columns, I narily high Vitamin C content would like to share my favorites, provides amalaki with strong which I recommend to clients and antioxidant properties. include in my own diet. Because of this, amalaki has I want to start by saying that become well known as an anti- taking a few herbs or natural aging and rejuvenatory food. supplements to counteract a poor Now that you want it – where diet is putting the cart before the can you find it in Phuket? horse. You can’t out-train a bad I have found several health diet and you certainly can’t out- stores in Phuket that sell amalaki supplement one. What you eat on as a tea and in a powder form. a regular basis makes up the foun- If you want to try the fruits in dation of good health. their natural form, you might be So, don’t rely on these able to find them in a market in superfoods and herbs, but let them The amalaki fruits are hard and quite bitter, so perhaps try it in a tea first. Photo: Gladson Machado Phuket Town. However, be simply support your efforts – if Ayurveda (which means knowl- adaptogen, which means it pro- • Assists in preventing nervous warned, the little anti-agers are you choose to use them. edge of life) is one of the oldest motes physiological balance in the system disorders and degenerative hard and quite bitter. Also, I would highly recom- known health traditions in the body. Its list of claimed benefits conditions such as Alzheimer’s mend doing your own research world, and has been practiced con- includes: • Helps regulate blood sugar Craig Burton is a nutritional expert before you dive in, as many herbs, tinuously for many thousands of • Helps rebuild and maintain A study published in the BMC with more than 15 years of like drugs, have side effects. In years. As Buddha travelled through new tissues including strengthen- Complementary and Alternative experience at the forefront of the regards to dosages, follow the di- China with his physicians, he ing bones and teeth Medicine found that amalaki has health and well-being field. He rections on each label for proper spread the practices of Ayurveda, • Improves red blood cell count one of the highest antioxidant offers a high-level of his expertise amounts to take and the frequency which became the basis for Chi- • Stimulates brain function ratings of any food, which it dem- in functional training and nutrition, you should take them. nese medicine. In Ayurveda, • Assists the body in elimina- onstrates through exceptional free focusing on detoxification, food This week, I want to start with amalaki is the “great rejuvenator”. tion disorders (used for both radical scavenging properties. intolerance and nutrient deficiency. amalaki – also known as amla ber- In Sanskrit, the word for amalaki constipation and diarrhea) Nobel Prize winner Linus For more information about Craig ries, Indian gooseberries or, in translates as “the nurse”. • Helps protect against heart dis- Pauling (1901-1994) believed that and the services he offers, visit Thai, makham pom. Amalaki is classified as an ease by inhibiting atherosclerosis providing the body with an opti- thevitruvianmethod.com 34 PHUKET GAZETTE January 24 - 30, 2015 Aviation Club spreads wings portant issues as proper aircraft maintenance and new products.

ANGRY BIRD

The newest arrival is the Airpark’s third AutoGyro Cavalon, named “Angry Bird” by its proud owner Arnaud Verstraete. The long-time Belgian Phuket resident is getting the paperwork done so he can take By Somchai Huasaikul the tiny aircraft aloft. Other developments in the THERE has been a great deal of AutoGyro industry came with the activity at Phuket Airpark in Pa recent first solo flights by Dane Khlok recently, as ever more pri- Torben Jensen and his business vate aircraft arrive there, adding partner Best Wanamakok of real to the small but impressively estate development firm Phuket diverse and growing fleet of fixed- Delux Group. wing aircraft, gyrocopters, The pair, who have acquired the paramotors and ultralights. exclusive rights to sell AutoGyros Pat James, who heads the in Thailand, finished their training Phuket Aviation Club (PAC) based under Captain Pat, who then cut at the airfield, said his growing as- off the back of their shirts as part sociation is seeking new members of a ritual that started out in the who have a “passion for aviation”, US, intended as a symbolic show which is the PAC slogan. of confidence by their instructor “It’s a truly worthwhile club for in students’ abilities aloft. anyone with the slightest interest in any type of aviation,” he says. FOR THE KIDS “It is really spreading passion for aviation in Thailand,” says Pat, During Children’s Day on a former US military combat January 10, the commander of the helicopter pilot during the Vietnam Royal Thai Air Force Wing 56 in War. Haad Yai requested the PAC to sup- He explained that the PAC has port their efforts in bringing a joined forces with the Siam Avia- much-needed holiday to local resi- tion Association (SAA), a dents from throughout Songkhla. long-established aviation club in During Children’s Day on January 10th, Phuket Aviation Club aircraft joined the Royal Thai Air Force at Wing 56 A small group of aircraft own- Thailand led by president Pol Col airbase in Haad Yai, where they performed flight displays and showed off their aircraft to the public. ers quickly agreed at short notice Amrung Chitpakdee and its sec- single and twin-engine aircraft. Civil Aviation (DCA) support for hassle, but also money. PAC staff to fly south, where they offer both retary Peter Thomson. These allow aviation enthusiasts to aviation requirements of up to deal with the DCA and the Minis- visual and flight displays to “Together, SAA and PAC are enjoy everything from local area 50,000 baht. There is also a 1,500- try of Transport every week on a complement the impressive efforts committed to promoting general flights to longer cross-country baht annual administration fee. wide range of issues. Aviation of Wing 56, which operates out aviation in the region. Working to- hops. These are just an engine start- Annual membership at 7,500 baht laws, regulations and policies of its large airbase next to Hat Yai gether, PAC and the SAA each away for our members,” he says. per year can be upgraded to life- change without notice in Thailand. International Airport. bring special talents and much- “General aviation communities time membership on the member’s By being informed early, many The successful event exceeded needed support to both current around the world provide en- fifth year of membership, or if the negative issues can be avoided,” anyone’s expectations. Estimated and future pilots. We provide hancements to their surrounding member owns a share in an air- says Pat. crowds of more than 30,000 ex- everything from simple question- local communities. General avia- craft at the Phuket Airpark, or is Membership includes newslet- cited parents and children took and-answer sessions for those tion – in many ways similar to the already in good standing with the ters published four times per year. part, arriving in groups from sun- hungry for information, as well as yachting industry – is growing in DCA and Phuket Airpark regard- These include information about rise to sunset. Air shows and social events, fly-ins, regulatory leaps and bounds. New aircraft ing safety issues. upcoming regional aviation events, non-stop demonstrations were support, newsletters and are arriving in Thailand at the high- PAC wants to see members social activities and updated provided by the many different websites,” Pat explains. est rate ever, with new designs and spend more time aloft and less actions by important players in the elements of Wing 56. “SAA has organized flights both less complexity.” time at their desks dealing with regional aviation industry. There inside Thailand and internationally. PAC offers lifetime membership paperwork. is also a section covering the DCA For more information, visit The term ‘general aviation’, or GA, for a 25,000-baht fee that allows “The information made avail- and business side of aircraft fly- www.phuketaviationclub.com, or call includes everything from full membership privileges and able to current members free of ing and ownership in the region. Pat James during normal working paramotors and ultralights to light, voting rights, plus Department of charge can save not only time and Other sections explore such im- hours (Tel: 085 258 0006) Industry lessors eye Asian airline market HONG KONG’s Chief Executive Leung the existing tax system for leasing compa- tion to Asia where the demand for aircraft is Chun-ying has announced the government’s nies is still behind those of Ireland and growing. Typically, Asian carriers prefer to plans to turn the special administrative Singapore,” said Tadas Goberis, CEO and partner with local lessors, prompting Asian region into a major aviation finance hub chairman of the Board at AviaAM Leasing. leasing companies and other financial insti- capable of competing with the likes of Japanese Sumitomo Mitsui and tutions to buy new aircraft. Ireland and Singapore. Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Co, have Moreover, a substantial drop in oil prices The newly revealed plans come as a di- already invested billions of Hong Kong dol- has provided airlines with a breath of fresh rect response to the rising activity of local lars in several European and US-based air, enabling carriers to look at fleet renew- participants in the aviation finance market. leasing businesses, while Cheung Kong als and prolonging the service of mid-life Over the last couple of years, Asian banks Holdings recently entered the market with airplanes and current generation aircraft and investors have been acquiring substan- its own initial portfolio of 60 aircraft. types. tial aviation assets, either directly from the In addition, global aviation lessor “Lower jet fuel prices may allow the cur- An Air China Boeing on the tarmac at Hong manufacturers, or via the acquisitions of Macquarie AirFinance is on the brink of rent generation of narrow-body aircraft to Kong International Airport. Photo: Luke Ma the existing market players. signing a deal with AWAS to buy 100 newly remain economically competitive with next- differential between current and next-gen- “Being the world’s third-largest financial built and on-order airplanes, while China generation aircraft,” said Tomas Sidlauskas, eration aircraft decreases, demand for the center, Hong Kong undoubtedly has the po- Aircraft Leasing Company has placed an VP of sales at AviaAM Leasing. B737NG and A320ceo families could prove tential to evolve into a leading aviation order for 100 Airbus A320s. “Low fuel costs may also support air- more resilient than forecasted and cash finance hub. However, there is still a lot to In a move to diversify their business, the line profitability, lowering potential default flow/securitizations would be positive,” he be done. Firstly, when it comes to flexibility, aviation leasing industry is shifting its atten- risks in the near term. If the operating cost added. – Phuket Gazette January 24 - 30, 2015 PHUKET GAZETTE 35 Slashing red tape Minister tackles foreign-flagged charters, visa issues The minister’s strong stance in pushing EXCLUSIVE for legislation to develop the yachting industry in Phuket follows Minister of From page 1 Transport Air Chief Marshall Prajin Janthong heading a meeting on the island pushing for …voiced about yacht crew visas and the multi-million-baht harbor expansion at chartering of foreign-flagged superyachts Phuket’s Deep Sea Port. at a Cabinet meeting slated to take place in “When PM Prayut Chan-o-cha was in- early February. formed about the project, he insisted that I Current legislation allows boats enter- work together with the ministries of Tour- ing Thai waters to remain for six months. ism and Sports, Finance and the Interior to However, captains and crew receive visas expedite the project. He sees it as a great on arrival or entry on visa-exemption opportunity to bolster the tourism industry status, which allow stays of only up to 30 and the image of Thailand,” said ACM days. Prajin. “I will talk [with Cabinet members] The development is designed to estab- about what we can do concerning yacht lish the province as the main port of call crew visas. Actually, the government has between Singapore and Myanmar for cruise been talking about [making changes to] ships and yachts. other types of visas that would be best for Despite Governor Nisit standing firm in the country,” Ms Kobkarn said. his belief that Phuket could successfully “I give my full support to tourism, but carry out the port expansion project, he there are of course internal security and explained to the Transport Minister that safety measures that must be considered. there would be bumps in the road. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is in charge “We could face some issues with launch- of visas, so, as you can see, this is beyond Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn plans to bring yachting charter, visa issues to Cabinet. ing this project, such as the environmental my authority to approve.” concerns associated with it,” he said. Mr Lalvani had noted during their welcome offered by Langkawi, Mr Lalvani establish the island as a yachting destina- Since 2011, Phuket officials have been discussion that though Phuket is “miles pointed out. tion on par with the rest of the world, as it trying to get the required Environmental ahead” of Langkawi, Malaysia, as a yacht- “One of the reasons Phuket is among will allow wealthy tourists a larger choice Impact Assessment (EIA) passed so that ing destination, current legislation was a the best destinations in the world is because of luxury yachts to choose from.” the project could officially begin. barrier for foreigners wanting to base their people can go boating all year round,” Mr Ms Kobkarn confirmed to the Gazette that Governor Nisit also explained that megayachts in Phuket. Lalvani said. “Even in the peak of the rainy she will also table issues about foreign-flagged Chaophaya Terminal International Co Ltd, “People who own yachts are above- season, there is still beautiful sailing on the superyachts being used for charters. which has the government concession to average wealthy individuals, which is the east coast – the water is very calm and plea- “We will look at what can be done to operate Songkhla and Phuket ports, has kind of tourist we want to attract to surable for boating, while the west coast is decrease the VAT to support yacht tourism. already drawn up the expansion plans for Phuket,” Mr Lalvani told the Gazette. “We less protected from May through Septem- However, this will take time,” she said. the port. have enough volume, what we need now is ber. “We have to work step by step to make “Chaophaya Co Ltd has put the project people with money who can support the “My aim is to make [Phuket] like the changes to support superyacht tourism. At on hold for now, as the Treasury Office economy.” Riviera in the south of France; don’t just this stage, I have no idea when we can make regulations now allow only one-year Foreigners who own foreign-flagged stay at a beautiful hotel, but charter a luxury such changes. Other ministries must be concessions for use of marinas. The com- yachts in Thailand must register them in yacht for a week or two. consulted and the subject must be debated pany does not want to go ahead with the the Kingdom and pay 7% VAT to charter “Allowing foreigners to charter their to determine what is the best for Thailand. project if they have only one year to com- them – a stark contrast to the warm yachts will bring Thailand more tourists and I can’t do it alone.” plete it,” Gov Nisit confirmed. Gulf Craft invests US$100mn in Dubai luxury yacht facility GULF Craft, which had four yacht models on show at this year’s Phuket International Boat- ing Show (PIMEX), has announced a US$100 million investment into developing a new luxury yacht facility in Dubai Maritime City (DMC). The company, one of the lead- ing superyacht-building shipyards in the world, will spread the investment out over the next five years as it develops the approxi- mately 900,000 square-foot Gulf Craft had four yacht models on freehold plot located within the display at PIMEX. marine district of DMC. The state- international market,” explained of-the-art facility will be used to Mohammed Hussein Al Shaali, build a shipyard for the manufac- chairman of Gulf Craft, in Octo- ture of megayachts and ber last year. superyachts. At PIMEX this year were some “A presence in Dubai Maritime of Gulf Craft’s smaller boats such City is a much anticipated move as the Majesty 56 and 48, the for the company and will open a Oryx 42 and Silvercraft 36HT. new horizon for Gulf Craft’s pro- Gulf Craft maintains a presence spective global plans at a strategic in all boating markets globally level. A prominent footprint and through its Majesty Yachts, Oryx operations within Dubai will place and Silvercraft brands. us at the heart of the regional and – Phuket Gazette 36 PHUKET GAZETTE January 24 - 30, 2015 January 24 - 30, 2015 PHUKET GAZETTE 37 Where the wild things are phers spend days motionless in the jungle for: we witness animals in action – eating, fighting, forni- cating or even building homes. Perhaps one of the most ON LAND, wild animals are a rare common, though nonetheless sight, especially in their natural fascinating relationships for divers habitats – discounting monkeys to witness in Phuket waters is that attacking tourists for ice cream between gobies and blind pistol in Phuket, of course. shrimps. In the United States, a unusual The classic symbiotic relation- creature that isn’t a squirrel or a ship between the two can be chipmunk will, at the very least, found in the sands off nearly any get a good pointing at; and the rare popular, shallow dive site in the moments when a fox slips into region. Though gobies are a bit view leaves a person with a story skittish – with a flick of their tails to tell for a month. However, they signal the blind shrimp to divers quickly grow numb to the stop digging their shared bur- awe-inspiring moments when they rows and hide – it takes only a spot wild animals. (When was the minute or two of waiting motion- last time you got worked up less in the sand nearby to see about seeing a them get back to parrot fish, work. starfish, sea ur- While out on chin, porcupine the sand, there is Bluespotted stingrays out on the hunt are one of the many moments that continue to amaze. Photo: Orin Zebest fish, butterfly also an opportu- fish or nity to see searched species this turns out Berkeley). it seems more often than not, sweetlips?) bluespotted stin- to be complex, sophisticated and After watching the video, it is dives are filled with rare moments It is the fre- gray, also know rife with rivalries (for detailed hard not to be jealous (of the diver, in the life of one species or an- quency of these as Kuhl’s stin- information look to studies by not the octopi). other – assuming you know underwater en- gray, hunting. the University of California, This was a rare moment, but where to look. counters that Gently flapping sets marine their pectoral sightings apart fins, the rays from those on root through the land. A dive with Photo:Photo: BeckmannjanBeckmannjan sand before de- no marine life in vouring benthic Phuket is an ab- invertebrates and surdity, though a And there are of course bony fishes. jungle trek those special moments Back on the where the only ‘like octopus fornication – reef there is also living thing of a chance to spot interest is the el- no, not tentacle erotica. a moray eel or ephant you’re even a sea snake riding on is very plausible. slipping through’ corals like a rib- To venture beyond the beaches bon on the breeze, before diving into the underwater world – either into a hole, only to emerge some- through diving or snorkelling – is, where else moments later. In fact, at first, exhilarating due to the the volume of creatures you see sheer number of creatures you going about their daily business can spot. Every lion fish, scorpion can be almost overwhelming. fish and massive school of glass And there are of course those fish, is reason for pause. Then, special moments like octopus you adjust to being a non-threat- fornication – no, not tentacle ening creature in an ocean setting, erotica. A dive instructor on Phi and hardly notice of the vast ma- Phi filmed two octopi copulat- jority of animals, who are equally ing about a week ago. With only ambivalent to your presence. about 10 per cent of the 300 It is here where we have the known species of octopi having opportunity to go beyond mere been scientifically studied, a vast sightings. Here is where we are number of the species’ lives are treated to those moments that completely unknown, including National Geographic photogra- how they have sex. In some re-

Some divers quickly grow numb to sightings of certain sea creatures, such as the butterfly fish. Photo: Leonard Low 38 PHUKET GAZETTE January 24 - 30, 2015 Aussie Rules, ok? Thailand-Malaysia demonstration match coming to Phuket

By Maciek Klimowicz

IT HAS been 19 years since the first inter- national match of Australian Rules was played in Thailand, between the Thailand Tigers and the Hong Kong Dragons at Bangkok’s Kasetsart University. Since then, the sport has grown significantly in the King- dom, and it is now coming to Phuket. Saturday, March 7 will see the first-ever Aussie Rules football match played in Phuket with the country’s oldest club, the Thailand Tigers, taking on the Malaysian Warriors. “We’ve been planning a game in Phuket for quite some time and there are a few rea- sons for this,” explains Rut Ngarnarayakul from Thailand Tigers, who is responsible for local development of the sport. “Firstly, there are a lot of Aussies in Phuket, both expats and tourists. We’re hoping people will come to watch the game and parents will bring their kids for the Auskick session in the morning. “Secondly, it’s a great destination for a tour. Most of the teams we play have visited Bangkok multiple times, but this gives our opponent a chance to enjoy the wonderful island of Phuket.” According to Rut, Aussie Rules – which is formally known as Australian football or AFL, after the Australian Football League – does very well in Thailand. The Tigers play about three to four internationals per year, plus annual tournaments: the Indochina Cup, which features Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar; and the AFL Asian Championships, which takes place each year and hosts approximately 12 teams from all over Asia. “Part of our club’s focus is to expand and promote the game beyond our current membership base,” says Rut, adding that goal is part of the drive behind the Phuket exposition match. “While it’s an Australian game, we Aussie Rules has been present in Thailand for 19 years and is now coming to Phuket with an international match on March 7. Photo: Reuters currently have many different nationalities playing with us, so we encourage all ages an Auskick clinic in the hope of finding playing in Thailand. Others may not have The game starts at 1pm and is preceded and nationalities to join in. Phuket-based AFL enthusiasts who would played before, but enjoy the fitness side of by an Auskick Junior AFL Clinic at 11:30am. “We’re especially interested in expand- like to get involved and take part in regular the game and learning a new sport,” con- All juniors interested in joining in can ing our local base by encouraging more Thais Auskick sessions. cludes Rut. email [email protected]. to play the game.” “Our club is open for anyone interested The first Aussie Rules international game To help achieve that goal, the upcoming in the game. Some people grew up with the in Phuket will take place at the Alan Cooke For more information, visit www.Thailand- international in Phuket will be preceded by game and enjoy the chance to continue Ground on March 7. Tigers.com The ‘rules’ Down Under AUSTRALIAN rules is like rugby, and it’s origins lie in ventional so far, right? Well, keep reading. Gaelic football, but it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen The field is egg-shaped and so is the ball, which can before. It’s unique, it’s Australian, and now it’s here in be kicked, hand-balled and run with, but cannot be Phuket. thrown. Officially known as Australian rules football – but com- The player must not get caught holding the ball, and monly called football or just “footy” in the land Down the best way to retrieve the ball from the opponent is by Under – Aussie Rules is the most popular sport in Austra- various and often spectacular hand and body tackles. lia. There, a fully professional league operates, and the However, these moves are kept reasonable and safe. games lure thousands of spectators to the stadiums. The penalties for infringements include free kicks, The sport’s origins date back to the 19th century, with distance penalties and in some cases, suspensions for a its rules being codified for the first time in 1859. The number of games. annual AFL Grand Final is the highest attended club cham- To tell you the truth, reading about Aussie Rules is like pionship event in the world. watching Formula 1 on TV – it doesn’t do it justice. You But, what is Aussie Rules? Firstly, it is a contact sport simply have to be there to experience it. And now you featuring two teams of 18 players trying to score points can. See you on March 7 at Alan Cooke Ground! Full contact tackles are allowed, but dangerous play, including by kicking the ball between two goal posts. Sounds con- – Phuket Gazette pushes in the back, are not be tolerated. Photo: Reuters January 24 - 30, 2015 PHUKET GAZETTE 39

Thais score gold at Pencak Silat world titles THAI fighters walked away with four gold, Pham The Hung from Vietnam had Indonesia took home the most gold one silver and six bronze medals at the earlier defeated Eldiansyah from Indonesia medals in the competition – a total of nine – 16th Pencak Silat World Championships, to win the gold medal in the men’s 85-90kg along with seven silver and three bronze which drew to a close at Saphan Hin last division. medals. Friday. Sheik Farhan Bin Sheik Alau’ddin from “So many people attended the closing Six gold medals were up for grabs on Singapore won gold after he defeated Mach ceremony to cheer on Thailand. There the final day. In the first fight of the day, Quoc Hung from Vietnam in the men’s 90- were lots of students and teenagers from Surasak Dekli defeated Tri Juanda Samsul 95kg class. Phuket and other provinces – the 4,000- Bahar from Indonesia to win the third gold The gold medal in the men’s above 85kg seat stadium was packed,” said Chayanee medal for the Kingdom in the men’s 80- division went to Hoang Van Bac from Saiyasuk, presenter and representative of 85kg division. Vietnam. The silver went to Samir Ghanim the event. Nantachai Kansakorn won gold for from Great Britain. “This event was even more successful Thailand against Aprin Ardianto from Siti Rahmah Binti Mohamed Nasir from than we expected – the Thai people were Indonesia in the men’s 50-55kg division, Malaysia was able to fight off Thailand’s so supportive and proud. In the future, we the fourth and final gold medal for the Thai Suparat Keukaew in the women’s 65-70kg would be delighted to come back to Phuket.” Pornthep Poonkaew (center) holds up his squad. division to bring home a gold. – Chutharat Plerin world title gold medal. Photo: PSAT Nina shines at blustery Langkawi By Chris Husted day, so there was no chance to which placed second in the class. ease up along the way.” Fellow Phuket sailor Niels PHUKET sailors dominated the Racing in 28-30 knots of Degenkolw on Phoenix also raced Multihull class in blustery condi- apparent wind, a sudden big gust well in the strong winds to place tions at the Royal Langkawi lifted Nina’s starboard hull high third in IRC 2. Another ACYC International Regatta to claim the out of the water, he reported. regular, Patinyakorn “Ging” top two podium positions in the “We were sure we were going Buranrom on Sansiri Windstar, division. over, but quick action by the crew placed sixth in the class. Grenville Fordham and Bob fortunately got her safely down Fordham praised the regatta Mott co-skippered Andaman again,” Fordham said. “This may organizers for putting together Cabriolet Nina well in winds of be par for the course on a small such a successful event. “The up to 25 knots to claim overall racing catamaran, but it’s scary Langkawi Regatta is a firm favor- honors in the Multihull class. for a 38-foot liveaboard yacht. ite and I would recommend it to “We’ve won this regatta before, “After calculations, we esti- any Phuket-based yacht,” he said. but this time was the most satis- mate that our hull-flying Meanwhile, Fordham and his fying,” said Fordham. adventure had the starboard hull crew are looking ahead to make “The competition was tough at approximately 30 degrees, put- the most out of the Phang Nga Bay and, for the first time, we were ting it almost three meters – half Regatta and the ACYC race series, scored on a performance-handi- our beam – out of the water. It which gets underway mid-March. cap system – which meant that was a true ‘brown trouser’ “We’re looking forward to the every time we did well our handi- moment for yours truly on both upcoming Bay Regatta and ACYC cap got worse! helm and main sheet/traveller!” Nina in full sail on her way to winning the Multihull class. Photo: RLIR race series as opportunities to get “As a rule of thumb, the win- The near-capsize was a first for ing, the buoy got stuck under our catamaran Nina.’ It will take a ready to compete with even stiffer ner under this system is the boat Nina, Fordham noted, but added bridge deck and was unmovable,” while to live that one down…” competition in the two July regat- that improves most over the that another “first” for Nina was, he recalled. Nina’s nearest rival was an- tas,” Fordham said. “We believe series, so big thanks to our crew in retrospect, more amusing. “The race officer announced to other Phuket boat and ACYC we’re the boat and crew with the for their hard work. The final po- “Having been forced onto the the whole fleet of 40 yachts: ‘Your regular racer, Kirill Stashevskly’s most room for improvement – so sitions were decided on the last windward mark at the last round- windward mark is now the green stealth catamaran GaleForce, watch this space.” Yokohama FC players arrive ahead of pre-season friendlies ABOUT 50 players and support staff from the Japanese football club Yokohama FC arrived in Phuket on Monday, ahead of their two friendly matches against Phuket FC at Surakul Stadium. The first friendly was sched- uled to be held on Thursday, January 22, and the second to be held on Sunday, January 25. The squad will be here until January 26. They will train at the Republic Phuket football field at Chaofa Thani housing estate on Chao Fa West Road in Chalong, said Phuket FC public relations The players in training at the Republic Phuket football field. Photo: Phuket FC liaison Praphaphon Songnissai. “Children who are members of training at the Republic football “The team is on tour before the the Phuket FC fan club and those field every day from 9:30am to new season begins in Japan,” she from the Japanese community in 11am and 3pm to 5pm.” said, adding that Yokohama FC is Phuket can attend free,” said Ms Both matches against Phuket in Division 2 of the J League. Praphaphon. FC will begin at 7pm, she added. While on the island, the “People wanting to see the For more details about the foot- Yokohama squad will hold foot- Yokohama FC players in action ball clinics, call Ms Praphaphon ball clinics for children over the before the two matches against at 076-280144. course of two days. Phuket FC can see the squad in – Chutharat Plerin 40 PHUKET GAZETTE January 24 - 30, 2015