ANDAMAN Edition PHUKET’S LEADING NEWSPAPER... SINCE 1993 Now NATIONWIDE Hat’s off! Photo finish for Phuket ladies at Melbourne Cup fundraiser INSIDE TODAY

November 17 - 23, 2012 PhuketGazette.Net In partnership with The Nation 25 Baht

EVERY SINGLE BAR IN PATONG AFFECTED, SOME PAYING 100,000 BAHT A MONTH Corruption killing

A villager holds the remains of a hawksbill turtle that is blamed for a mass poisoning of 43 villagers. Patong night trade Turtle soup Nightlife venue operators blamed for call on Phuket Governor to poisoning curb ‘out of control’ corruption sea gypsies By Kritsada Mueanhawong Full story on Page 8 PATONG nightlife venue operators this week dispatched Work on B600mn a delegation headed by Patong Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukban and Patong Entertainment Business Association underpass to start President Weerawit Kurasombat to urge the Governor to investigate rampant extortion by government officers. on November 21 Deputy Mayor Chairat and Mr Weerawit broached the THE leading engineer heading the issue with Governor Maitri Inthusut at Provincial Hall on project to build for Phuket’s first Wednesday morning. Also present was Prapan Kanprasang, underpass at the Darasamuth Inter- head of the Damrongtham Center (Provincial section, located in front of the Ombudsman’s Office). Central Festival Phuket shopping “Many government departments in Phuket ask enter- mall, confirmed this week that work tainment operators in Patong for protection money, and will commence on November 21. the problem is getting worse,” said Mr Chairat. Speaking at a meeting at the “We would like to ask the Governor to please investi- Phuket Highways Office in Phuket gate these government departments,” he added. Town, Itiwatra Kritsanavanich said Mr Weerawit told the Gazette that officials from up to Kang Chelgue is assisted out of a tour van while being rushed to Phuket International that the inside lanes on the north side nearly 20 government departments and law enforcement Hospital for emergency treatment to a serious head injury. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar of the junction will be blocked off agencies regularly ask night venues in Patong for money. with concrete barriers to allow “To the best of my knowledge every single bar in Patong workers to start cutting down the has to pay at least 500 baht to some government official LUCKY ESCAPE FOR TOURIST trees on the median strip. each month,” he said. “From November 21 to the end “Large nightlife venues in Patong pay much, much Korean tourist survives being struck in the head of the month, we will put the con- more,” Mr Weerawit said. “Some pay as much as 100,000 by the propeller blade of a passing longtail boat crete barriers in place so we can baht a month.” prepare the site before we start Patong’s nightlife industry was a prime target for while snorkelling with friends on a day trip on digging and installing the retaining officials to demand corrupt payments, he said… Phang Nga Bay. Full story on Page 2 walls in December,” Mr Itiwatra said. Continued on Page 3 – Chutharat Plerin 2 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET NEWS November 17 - 23, 2012 Korean tourist survives

Business Cola wars start fizzing hit from longtail boat as Supercheap secure By Thawit Bilabdullar Pepsi deal. Page 11 KOREAN tourist Kang Chulgue, who was struck in the head by a People longtail boat propeller while on a Former heroin addict snorkeling trip in Phang Nga Bay, was well enough to be released Yassine talks drugs and from Phuket International Hospi- dinghies. Pages 36 tal on Wednesday. Medical staff at the hospital told the Gazette on Tuesday that Mr Charity Kang was conscious and eating Events galore. SKAL, unassisted. Mr Chulgue, 30, was on a day PIWC and LHP line up trip with five other Korean for charity. Page 38 tourists at the popular tourist site Tumlod-Khao Phing Kan, located Explore near Koh Panyee in Phang Nga Bay, when the accident happened. Blazing saddles. Baz Mr Kang was rushed to Phuket blazes through on his International Hospital at 4:30pm on Monday by Sri Soonthorn bicycle. Page 40 Municipality rescue workers. Unconscious on his arrival at Phuket International Hospital, Korean tourist Rescue van driver Chaiyuth Kang Chulgue has now recovered and been discharged from their care. Diving Rassamee explained that Mr Kang Thai Dive Master fell unconscious while en route to snorkeling off Koh Panyee. After where he was put into a tour van the hospital due to blood loss. about 20 minutes in the water a and rushed to Phuket,” Mr trainee, Scuba Bunny “All I could do was give him longtail boat passed through where Chaiyuth explained. conquers all. Page 41 first aid to stop the bleeding and they were snorkeling. “Mr Kang was bleeding a lot get him and his five friends to “After realizing that Mr Kang and there was a lot of traffic hospital as soon as I could,” he had been struck and injured in the because it was rush hour, so when Sport added. head, they rushed him by boat they saw our rescue van, they Avram Grant takes time Tourists in the van told Mr back to the Baan Krasom Pier in stopped and asked for help,” he on his holiday to talk Chaiyuth that Mr Kang was Takua Thung in Phang Nga, added. football. Page 50 Rohingya land in Phang Nga Teen axe killer in court next week HEAVY seas forced a boat loaded The plight of the Rohingya has THE 15-year-old boy who with 112 Rohingya attempting the been well documented by the confessed to murdering his step- perilous journey to Malaysia to land United Nations and other interna- father with an axe on August 21 on Tai Muang beach in Phang tional NGOs. In June, the BBC has been charged with murder and Nga, where they were promptly reported that in Rakhine State, 57 will go to trial next week. arrested by the authorities on Muslims and 31 Buddhists had Lt Col Boonlert Onklang of the November 10. died, an estimated 90,000 people Chalong Police Station told the According to police the boat were displaced and over 2,500 Gazette that the boy, who cannot was part of a flotilla of seven boats homes were burned during be named because he is a minor, ferrying over 1,000 Rohingya that sectarian violence. remains in the custody of the Mrs Panta grieves for her husband, departed their native Rakhine State A report submitted to the UK Phuket Family and Juvenile Court. who was killed by his stepson. on the western coast of Myanmar Parliament indicated that the Bur- “Officers have been investigat- Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong on November 2. mese Army and police were ing his background, behavior and the boy’s mother. Lt Chaiyuth Boonyai of Tai playing a leading role in targeting other factors that might have made “He said he made the decision Muang Police Station said that the The Rohingya refugees were Rohingyas through mass arrests him murder his stepfather,” Col to kill his sleeping stepfather,” Col Rohingya were spotted leaving rounded up by police and handed and arbitrary violence. over to Phang Nga Immigration. Boonlert said. Wanchai said. their stricken vessel and making The figures jumped dramatically At the time of the teenager’s “We cannot give any further for the shore near to the Tai Muang Police charged the new arriv- in October with reports of a fur- arrest, Col Wanchai Palawan, who information about the case as it is Industrial and Community Educa- als with illegal entry into Thailand ther 80 deaths, 20,000 displaced heads the Phuket Provincial now with the court. The rest tion College. and took them to Tai Muang persons and an unknown number Police investigations division, said depends on the judge’s decision,” “We arrested a total of 112 men Police Station for questioning of homes burned, believed to run that the boy did not like his Col Boonlert said. between the ages of 18 and 40 before handing them over to into thousands. stepfather as he constantly beat – Irfarn Jamdukor years old,” he said. Phang Nga Immigration officers. – Kritsada Mueanhawong November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 3 Slow loris Bangla raids Aussie fights for life after to continue 18-storey balcony plunge

By Atchaa Khamlo

THE Australian man who fell 18 floors from a Patong hotel balcony on Tuesday was conscious and underwent surgery to address a ruptured spleen at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town on SLOWLY, BUT SURELY: The slow loris Wednesday. raids on Soi Bangla follow tourists John Hurley, 39, suffered sev- making complaints about the touts. eral broken ribs, a punctured lung, Photo: Issac Stone Simonelli Rescue workers prepare to rush serious injuries to his right leg and Mr Hurley to Patong Hopsital. COMPLAINTS from tourists broken left hand in the fall from have prompted Patong Municipal- the Royal Paradise Hotel, which Patong Police said they were now ity to launch a campaign to rid Soi dominates the Patong skyline. questioning witnesses known to Bangla of touts who charge tour- During surgery on Wednesday, have seen or spoken with ists for having their photos taken doctors began correcting his shat- Mr Hurley before his fall. with specimens of the slow loris tered right leg, which was nearly “We found a chair on the protected species. torn off in the impact. balcony of his hotel room and on Patong Deputy Mayor Chairat “We are still concerned about the chair was one of Mr Hurley’s Sukban told the Gazette that the his condition as he suffered seri- shoes,” explained Patong Police campaign used the coordinated ous internal bruising, but he is Deputy Superintendent Kittipong effort of the Phuket Environmen- conscious and responding to Klaikaew. tal Conservation Unit of the stimuli,” a staffer at the hospital “Also, hotel records show that Department of National Parks, told the Gazette. Mr Hurley called Australia 15 Wildlife and Plant Conservation A rescue worker at the scene times before his fall,” he added. (DNP), local police and Patong on Tuesday reported, “He landed Rescue workers at the scene Municipality. on the clear plexiglass roof on the said they could smell alcohol on “We have been conducting raids second floor and then hit the Mr Hurley. since the beginning of October extended cement terrace of that Lt Col Kittipong said that Mr and so far we have arrested more floor… It took about 10 minutes Hurley was due to check out of than 10 people. We will continue to get him to Patong Hospital.” the hotel on Tuesday, the day of making raids as we can see the Mr Hurley was transferred to the fall. number of people making money Vachira Hospital in Phuket Town from these activities is decreas- later that afternoon. Additional reporting by Orawin Australian John Hurley, 39, suffered serious injuries in the fall from the ing,” he said. Capt Teerasak Boonsang of the Narabal 18th floor of this hotel, but he survived the incident. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo Phang Nga official killed Rampant corruption in Patong under fire From page 1 Phuket to party. “Tourists love to stay out late. After in hail of drive-by gunfire night venues close at the regu- A LEADING local community “Mr Suthon was walking back Mr Weerawit estimated that night venues in lated hours, the tourists buy figure from Tai Muang in Phang to his car when two men in a Patong generate a total of about 10 million baht a drinks at convenience stores Nga was shot dead by unknown bronze Toyota Vigo pickup truck day during the “peak tourism season” (during the and hang out on the beach… assailants in the neighboring town pulled up beside him and opened end-of-year holidays) and about 7mn baht a day This is makes our beaches of Khok Kloy on November 8. fire,” said Lt Nakhon. during the rest of the year. dirty and jeopardizes tourists’ Lt Nakhon Tangruamsub of “Mr Suthon was hit in the head, However, he added, “The problem is so bad that safety,” he added. Khok Kloy Police said he received chest and body before his attack- some operators have even changed their businesses Governor Maitri said he to restaurants to try to avoid the corruption.” would personally visit Patong a report of a man being gunned ers sped off. Officers found seven Governor Maitri down near the Na Tai Pub 9mm bullet cases at the scene,” During the meeting on Wednesday, Mr Weerawit to follow up on the issue. (“Southern Field Pub”) at about he added. also requested that Governor Maitri extend the offi- “Thank you for the information. I will have the 2:15pm. Police have yet to establish a cial trading hours for night entertainment venues so relevant departments investigate and I will keep track Officers arrived to find Suthon confirmed motive for the killing. they could serve the many tourists who come to of any progress made,” Governor Maitri said. Soithong, 42, dead at the scene. “He was a very close friend of Lt Nakhon explained that Mr the Tai Muang OrBorTor president, Suthon had only recently been so at this time we believe the promoted to vice president of the killing was politically motivated,” Tai Muang Tambon Administration Lt Nakhon explained. Organization (OrBorTor). – Kritsada Mueanhawong 4 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET NEWS November 17 - 23, 2012 Police crime Police reject YouTube rapist bail blame

blitz nets By Kritsada Mueanhawong and presented all of them to the Krabi Court. They are now being 220 youths KRABI Provincial Police have held in the detention cells at the posted a YouTube video in court while police collect more response to the “Evil man in Krabi” evidence and question more IN A 12-day blitz on youth crime video that accused the officers of witnesses in preparing our case in Phuket Town, police arrested allowing a rape suspect to be against them,” he added. 220 people on drugs and released on bail. Wiyada Srirangkul, Director of weapons charges, as well as six The move follows Krabi Gov- the Tourism Authority of Thailand youths for attempted murder in ernor Prasit Osathanon holding a (TAT) Krabi, said her office will two separate gang sword fights press conference on November 8 step up its efforts in assisting at Saphan Hin. for officers to publicly explain what police in getting clear and Phuket City Police chief Col action has been taken in the case. accurate information to the public. Sermphan Sirikong told the “The case is about the Dutch “We were not involved in the Gazette that the 12-day campaign tourist [allegedly] raped by a Krabi Dutch rape case and were not ran until November 5. tour guide on July 28. We arrested aware of it. We have helped in “In that time, we arrested 220 the suspect on July 29 and pre- other cases, such as the British people for possession of illegal sented him to Krabi Provincial tourists who were attacked at Ao weapons, as well as for drug Court,” explained Krabi Provincial Nang. We even received a thank- possession, use, sale and distribu- Police Commander Nunthadej The YouTube clip (inset) that went viral promping a similar YouTube you email from them saying they tion, and others were arrested for Yoinual. response from Krabi Provincial Police Commander Nunthadej Yoinual. will come back,” she said. gambling and prostitution. “Later, the court allowed him Governor Prasit voiced his have never ignored them and we “From now on, the TAT Krabi The six teenagers arrested for to post bail. Our investigation support for the Krabi Police chief. will never stop our work in office will work more closely with attempted murder were caught officers opposed the bail, but were “The Krabi Provincial Office was making tourists confident and the local police so we can coordi- amid two separate gang fights at unsuccessful,” he said. aware of the case since the reassured that their stays in Krabi nate better and make the media Saphan Hin, he added. “The content of the video is beginning. However, once the case will be safe and secure,” he said. report the truth,” Ms Wiyada added. “The gangs were fighting with totally different from what hap- was presented to the Krabi Gen Nunthadej highlighted the Also present at the conference swords and long knives. We pened. It is said in the video that Provincial Court, we could not recent case of a teenage gang was Krabi Hotel Association Presi- arrested many youths in those two police ‘easily’ released the suspect, interfere,” he explained. attacking a young British couple dent Ittirit Kinglek, who just days incidents. One gang fight was on which is absolutely wrong. It was Maj Gen Nunthadej defended near a parking lot at Nopparat earlier blamed the handling of the October 25 and the other was the the judge who allowed the suspect the efforts of his officers to pro- Thara Beach on October 22. case by local authorities for a very next night,” explained Col to be released on bail. Police tect tourists and deliver justice. “The injured tourists were a backlash of holiday cancellations Sermphan. cannot be involved in this deci- “We try our best to protect young couple from England. by tourists who had already – Orawin Naraba sion,” Gen Nunthadej added. tourists’ lives and property. We Police arrested the three suspects booked trips to Krabi. Phuket Poll: Expats prefer to pay rather than run for the border

Whether it’s a flight out of Thailand or a hair-raising van trip to Ranong, most expats will have had to deal with it at some point. Photo: Gazette file MORE than half of all respondents ing for community projects for to a Phuket Gazette online poll one morning a week would be have voted for options other than appropriate. making the obligatory, and often Only 4% of respondents dangerous, visa runs that are re- thought that making themselves quired every 30 or 90 days in order available to undertake translation to continue their stay in Thailand. services for public and private- Nearly a quarter of all respon- sector organizations would be the dents, including Thai nationals, way to go, but 23.4% said they preferred foreigners to present would much prefer to pay an themselves to the Phuket Immi- official fee of 2,000 baht directly gration Office and pay a fee to the Immigration Office. directly to the Thai government. A startling revelation – consid- The Gazette posted the poll ering the volume of complaints the after a reader suggested that Gazette has received over the foreigners should make blood years arguing against the need to donations in lieu of visa runs. make visa runs – was that 44% After pointing out that there were of all respondents, including many other ways foreigners resident expats living on the island, living in Phuket could be of help voted, “None of the above as the to society, the poll asked, “Which current system works well and of the following options do you doesn’t need amending.” think is acceptable for a foreigner Another statistic that high- to earn an extension to their stay lighted the importance of the issue in Thailand?” was that 1,489 readers voted in Overall, 17.9% replied that the poll, making it one of the most making a blood donation once popular online polls ever every three months would be fair, conducted. while 10.8% said that volunteer- – Phuket Gazette November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 5 Phuket gets new Brazilian consul Hotels claim Paris Hilton party sparked B8mn in cancellations By Kritsada Mueanhawong welcoming guests to the party and we will coordinate with local bus, THE hoteliers of eight resorts who van and taxi operators to trans- have appealed to the Phuket port the guests around. Governor to not approve the huge “There will be about 2,000 Sydictive new year party at Surin security personnel to make sure Amb Meira de Vasconcellos with Beach have claimed that just the there is no trouble and we will the new Honorary Consul Jiratha. announcement of the event by conduct searches to make sure BRAZILIAN Ambassador Paulo global celebrity Paris Hilton has that no drugs or weapons are any- Cesar Meira de Vasconcellos was already cost the resorts 8 million where near the party,” he said. in Phuket last week to install baht in room cancellations. Gov Maitri ordered the event Jiratha Thavornwongwong as the Among the hoteliers chief organizer and the hotel represen- Brazilian Honorary Consul for concerns are the level of noise the tatives to meet again to try to Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. two-day dance party will create resolve the issue. At the Kata Beach Resort and and the impact of the expected “As this event seems to have Spa on November 8, the Ambas- 50,000 revellers in the small not been discussed with the rel- sador was joined by Phuket beachside resort area. evant local authorities, different Governor Maitri Inthusut and host Twinpalms Phuket Resort opinions have not been taken into of other Phuket dignitaries. Executive Manager Somjai consideration before moving “I am very appreciative of the Tungkoo told Governor Maitri ahead with arrangements. There Inthusut at a meeting on Novem- should be further discussion and positive relations between Thailand Supacheep Wanchai (left) the director of Sydictive says disruption will be and Brazil and I hope that the Hon- ber 6, that the “peaceful” minimal, but it doesn’t impress Resort manager Somjai Tungkoo. an attempt to brainstorm solutions orary Consul for Brazil in Phuket surroundings of Surin Beach were to the potential problems before will keep promoting strong, a critical marketing point for the “This event will affect us not through to 6am on January 1. We we move ahead,” Gov Maitri said. friendly relations between the two resorts in the area, and that only for this year, but also for the expect more than 50,000 people In the meantime, Phuket Ma- countries,” Governor Maitri said. hosting the party was already years to come. We think that it is to join this event, including Paris rine Office chief Phuripat After her installation, Ms Jiratha damaging high-season bookings. not necessary to hold such big Hilton and 14 world-famous DJs. Theerakulpisut must approve the explained to the Gazette that the “Tourists have cancelled their events here,” she added. We will also hire 4,000 staff,” Mr event before it can be held. Brazilian embassy in Bangkok room bookings after they realized However, Supacheep Wanchai, Supacheep said. “For now, the Phuket Marine approached her husband for the that this event will be held at Surin director Sydictive Element, said The event will feature a float- Office has no intention of approv- position first. Beach,” she said. they will keep the noise down and ing stage 70 meters long and 20m ing construction of the event’s “However, he declined and “Each hotel [of the eight pro- employ thousands of security staff wide, with a firework show each floating stage or any other struc- explained to them that I actually testing the party] has suffered to make sure the revellers do not night, he said, adding that the noise tures on the beach until all parties know more about football than he room cancellations valued at about disturb the neighbors. will be kept below 100 decibels. are in agreement and the Thalang does,” Ms Jiratha joked. one million baht,” Ms Somjai “This event will start at 3pm on “We will use local vendors and District Office has approved the – Kritsada Mueanhawong added. December 30 and continue shops for sourcing all the food for use of the public area,” he said. 6 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET NEWS November 17 - 23, 2012

Man injured as power pole New incinerator struggling falls on house with rising volume of trash By Chutharat Plerin repairs needed to be carried out. The timing was unfortunate. At PLANS to have Phuket’s 960- the same time, the original incin- million-baht second incinerator erator also developed problems start reducing the ugly eyesore and had to be shut down ahead of landfill at Saphan Hin, in Phuket schedule for repairs. Town, have already come asunder. “The old incinerator was shut The new burner is already down on May 23. Since then, we working near-capacity just keep- have had to rely on the new ing pace with the 600 tons of trash incinerator burning only its 300 that arrives at the facility each day. ton trial capacity until it became Worse, the landfill site is “100 per fully operational on June 5,” Mr cent full”, Prachum Suriya, chief Prachum explained. of the Phuket City Municipality To help alleviate the problem of Power lines were strewn across Environment Office, confirmed to the growing volume of trash gen- the ground after the utility pole the Gazette this week. erated on the island every day, Mr came crashing onto the house. Earlier in March, Mr Prachum Prachum urged, “Phuket people told the Gazette that once the new need to learn about garbage sepa- A POWER pole that fell onto a incinerator was fully operational, ration. We all need to take this house and injured a man in Phuket his staff would start using the more seriously. Previously, we ran last Sunday was unstable due to “extra burn capacity” to burn off With the landfill ‘100 per cent full’ and 600 tons of trash arriving daily, the a 10-million-baht campaign to the water erosion caused by a the landfill. new incinerator is struggling to cope with the load. Photo: Chutharat Plerin highlight the issue, but people con- burst water pipe, locals told the However, with 600 tons of new day to get rid of the landfill,” Mr sented the case to the mobile Cabi- tinued putting all their rubbish in police. rubbish turning up at the facility Prachum said. net meeting in March and now we one bag. Police received the report of the every day, the process of clearing “However, even after we have are keeping track of the process “The separation process has to incident at about 3pm and arrived the backlog mounds of trash has received the funds, it will still take to get the budget,” Mr Prachum be conducted at the source, but I to find power lines strewn along slowed dramatically. two years to complete the repairs,” explained. know that many people are not in the ground near a freshly dug “Right now the need is for over he added. The incinerator, which was the habit of sorting their house- waterline trough on Soi Baan Nua 500 million baht to fix the old “To renovate the landfill site for expected to be fully operational hold trash at home,” he said. Ton in Cherng Talay. incinerator. With that working we future use, we will need another during May, encountered technical “The villagers told us that con- will be able to burn 250 tons per 89 million baht. I have already pre- problems during its trial run and See also ‘First Person’ on page 19 struction workers burst a water pipe in the area, which caused the earth around the power pole to erode and the pole to fall over,” Swedish expat found hanged at Chalong mall said Lt Col Yotpat Suwannasit of STAFF arrived at the HomePro Village in “He and his Swedish wife, who is also in the Cherng Talay Police. Chalong on November 9 to find a retired Swed- her 60s, moved to Thailand two years ago. The injured Burmese national ish expat hanged from a drainpipe at the back The couple lived in the area, but lately had been Mr “Yao” was sent to Thalang of the complex. arguing a lot. Hospital with a head wound after Sub Lt Kraisorn Boonprasob of the Chalong “Both of them had come to the Chalong the pole came crashing down onto Police told the Gazette that he was notified of Police Station yesterday [November 8] to try the house. the discovery at 7:30am. and find a solution to his claim that she had However, Mr Yao was released “When we arrived, the wife of the man was taken his passport and car, which he wanted later that day, said Col Yotpat. already at the scene. However, we have yet to returned,” Lt Kraisorn explained. “We have contacted those in question her about the incident as she was in Despite the arguments between the two charge of the construction as part deep emotional distress at the time,” he added. retirees, police believe the death was suicide, of our investigation,” he added. Lt Kraisorn named the deceased as Per Ake he added. Rescue workers recover the body of Swedish – Thawit Bilabdullar Ingvar Arvidsson, 67. – Orawin Narabal expat Per Arvidsson. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong Governor urges prompt completion of the Klong Koh Pee mangrove flyover PHUKET Governor Maitri nakorn, the director of the Depart- Inthusut last week urged officials ment of Rural Roads Phuket to complete the Klong Koh Pee office, explained that the planning flyover, which will traverse 600 stage had been completed, with meters of protected mangrove the final plans having been signed forest on the border of Phuket off and approved. Town, as quickly as possible. “It will be a 600-meter, four- During an inspection visit to the lane divided road with an elevated site at Saphan Hin, officials told section 3.5 meters high and 510 Governor Maitri that Cabinet had meters long. The road will include approved a budget of 170-million- a bicycle lane and a pedestrian baht for the project and that walkway 1.8m wide and raised 20 construction will begin next year. centimeters higher than the road However, Gov Maitri told offi- surface, with concrete railings on cials that the allocated 480 days Governor Maitri Inthusut (right) both sides,” Mr Teeraporn said. to complete the elevated road, explains his reasons why the The elevated road will be which is expected to alleviate in- construction of the Klong Koh Pee divided to keep traffic heading in bound traffic from the south of mangrove forest flyover should be different directions separated for the island into Phuket Town, is completed as quickly as possible. safety reasons, he added. “too long”. affect people’s daily lives while it “There will be a five-meter gap “The people of Phuket have is underway. The project should between the two [elevated] roads waited more than 10 years for this be completed quicker. The sooner to allow light to get through to the project because it was ‘stuck’ on it is finished, the sooner people’s mangrove forest below and the the mangrove issue,” Governor [traffic] troubles will be relieved,” road, being elevated, will not Maitri explained. Gov Maitri said. affect the high and low tides,” Mr “I think the construction period During the presentation to the Teeraporn said. is too long as the work will not governor, Teeraporn Jiraratta- – Kritsada Mueanhawong November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 7 8 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET NEWS November 17 - 23, 2012 Eight injured as bus hits bridge, flips in heavy rain A BUS travelling from Phuket to Chumphon, scratches and bruises, and they were all were north of Koh Samui on the Gulf of Thailand, treated with first aid. All of them are safe now,” slammed into a bridge guardrail and flipped Col Anan said just hours after the accident. onto its side in heavy rain in Phang Nga prov- “Fortunately, the bus did not flip into the ince late Monday afternoon. canal below as it is three meters down,” he Gaming bender Lt Col Anan Kuaboonkaew of Takua Pa added. Police received a report of the accident at The bus, a commercially registered vehicle ends with knife 5:30pm. owned and operated by Rungkij Tour Co Ltd, Col Anan and a team of officers and rescue stopped at Takua Pa Bus Station to pick up workers arrived to find the bus lying on its passengers. suicide threat side with shattered glass from the bus win- The accident occurred soon after. A MAN who spent all night dows littered across the road. “The bus driver, Somsak Chansong, said playing shooting games in a video “Eight of the 20 passengers on board were he lost control at the curve [just before the game shop in Bangkok got out of taken to Takua Pa Hospital for treatment of bridge] as it was raining heavily,” Col Anan The bus was en route from Phuket to Chumphon paying for his night of entertain- minor injuries. explained. when it struck a bridge guardrail and flipped ment by threatening to stab “The other 12 passengers suffered only – Kritsada Mueanhawong onto its side in heavy rain. himself in the neck. Chairat Chairak, 30, told report- ers he used to work at a larb (a spicy Northeastern meat salad) shop in the Sathupradit Road area Turtle soup poisons fisherfolk of Bangkok. But due to problems with By Kritsada Mueanhawong but he was also vomiting blood. another employee, on the evening We took him to Koh Lanta Hospi- of November 11 he quit. OFFICIALS on Koh Lanta believe tal, but he died last Thursday He then headed to the nearby a sick hawksbill sea turtle was the [November 8],” Mr Boontin said. Mixer video game shop and started cause of a mass poisoning that “The doctor at the hospital playing “first-person shooter” may have contributed to the death reported that congenital diseases, video games. of a 61-year-old man and resulted including diabetes, hypertension At 9am, he was still playing. in 43 other villagers being admit- and gastritis, might have contrib- At that point, an employee at ted to hospital. uted to his cause of death,” he said. the shop asked him to pay for his “Many people in the Urak District Chief Suriyan said he night’s entertainment. Lawoi sea gypsy village on Koh had ordered staff from Koh Lanta But Mr Chairat asked if he could Lanta Yai fell ill with an affliction Hospital, the District Public Health continue playing – until 9pm. He that produced symptoms similar Office and the Koh Lanta District had no money to pay. to hand, foot and mouth disease,” Fisheries Office to investigate the Then he went into the bath- Koh Lanta District Chief Suriyan cause of the mass poisoning. room. When he came out, he had Narongkul told the Gazette. “The villagers are feeling a knife up against his own neck. The villagers were admitted to better now and Mr Wat died from He told the employee that if he Koh Lanta Hospital for suffering the range of congenital diseases insisted on making him pay, he from sore throats, nausea and he was suffering, not from eating would kill himself. diarrhea, he added. the turtle,” he said. Then he walked out the shop Local villager Boontin “The villagers ate a hawksbill and sat outside a nearby bank. Changnum, 44, explained to the sea turtle, which is a protected Officers from Bang Phong Gazette that he found a turtle species, but they didn’t know Phang Police Station were called weighing 30 kilograms caught in that,” Chief Suriyan explained. to the scene, finding Mr Chairat a fishing net just offshore. “In this case, we believe the sitting outside the bank, the knife “I brought it home and cut it turtle ate toxic plankton or toxic Boontin Changnum holds the remains of a hawksbill turtle that is blamed still to his throat. up to share with 10 families in the for a mass poisoning of 43 villagers. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong jellyfish before it was caught in It took them two hours to village, but immediately after eat- the net and then taken home and persuade him to put down the knife. ing it my whole family had sore at the hospital. We felt better after Mr Boontin’s father-in-law, 61- eaten by the villagers,” he added. Then they took him to the throats, like we had swallowed taking some medicine, but every- year-old Wat Thalaylurk, suffered “We told the villagers that the station to discuss the incident. sand,” he explained. one still has a sore throat after more than any others. turtle is a protected species,” Chief – Sanook News “We all went to see the doctor almost a month,” Mr Boontin said. “His symptoms were like mine, Suriyan. Results of baby elephant DNA maternity tests finally revealed AFTER months of silence, the Kanchanaburi province. The baby DNA test results to determine will not be sent back to the ATV the legality of three baby elephants camp, but reunited with its mother seized in Phuket in February have instead,” Col Watcharin said. been released for two of the three Meanwhile, the status of the young pachyderms, while one’s young elephant “Joey”, seized fate is still undetermined. from the elephant camp located at The DNA results for the baby the Laguna complex in Cherng elephant seized from the Phu Thai Talay, is still under investigation. Souvenir Market in Chalong “The elephant camp owners proved that it was the offspring have provided the NREC with a of a legally registered mother at document signed by the Tah Thum Saiyoke Elephant Park in district chief in Surin province, Kanchanaburi, Col Watcharin stating that the baby elephant is Phusit, Superintendent of the Col Watcharin (right) warned that if the offspring of a legally registered Regional Natural Resources and found guilty, the operator faces up mother. We are still waiting on that Environment Crime Suppression to four years in jail, a 40,000-baht district chief to confirm that the Division [NREC] confirmed on fine or both. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo document presented to us is genu- November 9. Tour camp, on the road to the Big ine,” he added. “The young elephant will be Buddha image in Chalong, showed While the investigation into that returned to the Phu Thai owners,” otherwise. baby elephant continues, Col he added. “The DNA results prove that Watcharin warned that more baby However, the DNA test results the youngster is directly related to elephant raids will be conducted from the baby elephant seized a wild female elephant seized at in Phuket in the near future. from the ATV@Hill Adventure Kaeng Krachan wildlife park in – Chutharat Plerin November 17 - 23, 2012 NATIONAL NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 9 British Queen Pitak Siam leader claims grants audience to PM Yinluck THIS week, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is to become trump card up his sleeve the first Thai leader in decades to meet the Queen of England. “But if a lot of people join the PM Yingluck’s trip, at the invi- rally, and we still fail to oust the tation of British premier David government, I’ll unveil my trump Cameron, comes as Thailand and card,” he added. the UK celebrate 400 years of Army Commander-in-Chief diplomatic relations this year. Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha has said A meeting with the British mon- that active Army officers are pro- arch is a rare event for a hibited from participating. non-Commonwealth leader, The POLITICAL tension is building in However, Gen Prayuth did con- Telegraph reported. advance of anti-government activ- firm that police will serve as the PM Yingluck’s brother Thaksin ist group Pitak Siam’s next rally officers in charge of ensuring made visits to the UK in 2002 and at the Royal Plaza planned for security during the rally. 2005, but never met the Queen. November 24 and 25. Last week, Chamlong Srimuang, PM Yingluck has been very Movement leader General a co-leader of the People’s Alliance active in taking overseas trips Boonlert Kaewprasit hopes the pro- for Democracy (PAD), gave the since she took power following a test will provoke the Army into green light for his organization’s landslide election victory in July launching a coup to oust the supporters to join the Pitak Siam last year. Yingluck Shinawatra administra- protest. The premier has made trips to tion, which he claims has allowed “I don’t invite you today to join 17 countries since she was elements to insult the monarchy and the rally, but if you’re free and it’s General Boonlert Kaewprasit at his last Pitak Siam rally. Photo: The Nation elected. carried out massive corruption. convenient, you should go. Our “No matter how we may dis- However, if the rally does not country needs someone who is In anticipation of the rally, pro- that people were willing to rally agree about politics, Thai people generate enough support, he brave and dares to take action like government leaders have been against the Pitak Siam group. should be proud that this govern- claims to have a “trump card” still us,” Mr Chamlong said. discussing whether or not to stage However, the party does not ment has brought back the dignity up his sleeve. The PAD decided against joining a counter-rally. believe it is a good idea, as the two and integrity of Thailand onto the “If the next rally fails, everything Gen Boonlert’s first rally at the Royal Pheu Thai Party deputy spokes- opposing sides could clash, which world’s radar,” said Pasan Teparak, will be over and I will not hold Turf Club on October 28, which man Jirayu Huangsab said a poll the military could then cite as the Thai ambassador to Britain said, another rally,” Gen Boonlert said. drew more than 10,000 supporters. conducted by the party showed grounds for staging a coup. according to The Telegraph.

Barack Obama is set to visit Thailand this week. Photo: The Nation Obama to Thailand for Asean-area tour FRESH from his US presidential Foreign Minister Surapong election victory over Mitt Rom- Towichukchaikul said Mr ney, Barack Obama is set to visit Obama’s visit would boost the Thailand this week as part of an Kingdom’s standing in the inter- Asean-region tour. national community. Thailand has Analysts believe Mr Obama’s been a long-time strategic partner visit, which will also take in of the US. neighboring Myanmar and Cam- Upgrading Thailand’s trade sta- bodia, is intended to reaffirm his tus and eliminating obstacles are “Asia pivot” strategy of counter- expected to be two key topics up balancing China’s power by for discussion. focusing US energies on the Asia- A senior official at the Com- Pacific region. merce Ministry explained that To establish a clear presence in Thai authorities had been trying the region, Washington has said it hard to upgrade the country’s wants to increase its military’s role status on the Special 301 Report in natural-disaster management, of the Office of the US Trade proposing that it be allowed to use Representative. U-tapao airbase for that purpose. Talks on Thailand’s participa- The US leader will arrive in Thai- tion in the Washington-initiated land on November 18 and meet Trans Pacific Partnership could with Prime Minister Yingluck on also be on the table, a source told the day of his arrival. The Nation. 10 PHUKET GAZETTE INTERNATIONAL NEWS November 17 - 23, 2012 In brief… Scandal of CIA Director to Cold Christmas for Ugandan snare a top US commander gay community THE scandal that felled CIA setting up social events at MacDill THE Ugandan parliamentary Director David Petraeus widened Air Force Base. speaker said she wanted to pass on Tuesday to snare the top US The relationship was evidently as a “Christmas gift” for commander in Afghanistan, close enough that both men inter- Ugandans an anti-gay law, which Marine General John Allen, who vened in a child custody battle rights groups have criticized for was being investigated for “flirta- involving Kelley’s twin sister, its draconian penalties against tious” communications with a Natalie Khawam. homosexuals. woman at the center of the case. “She is a dedicated mother, The bill had initially proposed Though a law enforcement whose only focus is to provide the the death penalty for gays in the probe has not uncovered any necessary support, love, and care conservative east African country evidence so far of legal wrongdo- for her son,” Allen wrote about but still presents an array of jail ing or security risks, it does raise Khawam in a September 22 letter terms for convicted homosexuals, questions about the unusually close to a Washington, DC court. including life imprisonment in relationship between a Florida so- Allen and Kelley communicated certain circumstances. cialite, her sister and two of the often enough over the past two most powerful men in the United years to produce between 20,000 States’ national security apparatus. and 30,000 pages of email and Israel and Hamas The woman in question, Jill other messages. Kelley, has emerged as a central A Defence official told Reuters agree on uneasy figure in the scandal that has the messages were seen as inappro- brought down one of the most priate because they were “flirtatious” Gaza cease-fire admired military leaders in the US in nature, not because they dealt ISRAEL and the Palestinians and threatens to derail the career with sensitive information. stepped back from the brink of a of another. CIA Director David Petraeus (left) and Lt Gen John Allen are both caught Allen has denied that the two had new war in the Gaza Strip on Defence officials and people up in a scandal involving a Florida socialite Jill Kelly. Photo: Reuters a sexual relationship, officials said Tuesday, sending signals to each close to Petraeus say neither he on condition of anonymity. Adul- other via Egypt that they would nor Allen had a romantic relation- Broadwell, who sent Kelley a sources, investigators pursued the tery can lead to a dishonorable hold their fire unless attacked, af- ship with Kelley, a 37-year-old series of anonymous, harassing matter when they found the mes- discharge under US military law. ter five days of mounting violence. wife and mother, who is described emails which touched off an sages contained information about The scandal complicates Presi- The tacit truce arrested an as a prominent presence in mili- investigation that uncovered evi- the CIA chief’s activities that was dent Barack Obama’s efforts to escalation to all out fighting, but tary circles in Tampa. dence of an affair between not publicly available. reorganize his national security both sides remain armed and She may have been seen as a Petraeus and Broadwell. Kelley had got to know both team following his re-election. primed for another round in the rival by Petraeus’ biographer, Paula According to law enforcement Petraeus and Allen as a volunteer – Reuters unresolved conflict that has festered since 2007. Challenges ahead for Japan’s nuclear power industry Cold feet slows EU TOKYO Electric Power Co sees An earthquake and tsunami on Tokyo Electric Power Co, no imminent resumption of opera- March 11 last year wrecked the known as Tepco, needs to get climate change tions at the world’s biggest nuclear company’s Fukushima Daiichi Kashiwazaki-Kariwa running to re- plant, shut down after last year’s plant, causing widespread radia- duce fuel costs, which totalled 1.34 strategy funding Fukushima disaster, further rais- tion contamination. trillion yen (US$16.87 billion) in the EUROPEAN finance ministers ing its costs as it spends more on All of Japan’s nuclear plants six months through September when have failed to deliver firm prom- fossil fuels to generate electricity. were shut down after the accident, none of its reactors were online. ises of cash to help poor nations A wall to protect the 8,212 the world’s worst since 1986, and Restarting Kashiwazaki was also deal with climate change, threat- megawatt Kashiwazaki-Kariwa public fear about nuclear safety a central plank of the bailout of ening progress at international station’s seven reactors against has made it hard to persuade Tepco by the government, which talks to tackle global warming later tsunamis will not be finished until authorities to agree to approve the injected 1 trillion yen of capital into this month. June next year, said Shiro Arai, restart of plants. the utility in July. Tepco also got a Talks on Tuesday in Brussels deputy site manager. Prospects also appear dim for commitment from its banks to lend agreed to vague wording but no “It is too premature to talk about any quick restarts as safety stan- it another 1 trillion yen based on detail on funding after the end of when reactor restarts will hap- dards, to be drawn up by a new getting the reactors operating again Volunteers cleanup after the this year when a first tranche of pen,” Arai told Reuters in an nuclear watchdog, will probably to reduce losses. disaster at Fukushima Daiichi. cash runs out. interview at the plant. not be issued until next year. – Reuters Photo: Jetalone Deepening divide on tackling substandard medicines A GROUP of experts calling for a global treaty to stop the lethal trade in fake medicines has been barred from a attending a World Health Organisation (WHO) meeting, highlighting deep divisions that are blocking progress on the subject. Leading academics and health professionals hoped to provoke debate on the need for a new in- Non-government representatives ternational law to prevent falsified blocked from WHO meeting. Photo: E-MagineArt.com and substandard drugs reaching the market with a paper published to discuss the problem. in the British Medical Journal. But lead author Amir Attaran of Their article, which sets out a the University of Ottawa said he clear case for a fake drugs treaty was told by the WHO that he and similar to existing ones on money other non-governmental represen- laundering and human trafficking, tatives could not attend, following comes a week before 100 states an objection by India. hold the first meeting of its kind – Reuters November 17 - 23, 2012 BUSINESS PHUKET GAZETTE 11 Coca-Cola pouring B200bn into Thai cola market battle

EXTENSIVE REACH: Jagrut Kotecha (center), General Manager – Beverages, Pepsi-Cola Thailand, recently announced the firm’s readiness for production and distribution of its beverages across Thailand. Pepsi gets new

CLASSIC: Coke will still be offered in glass bottles. Photo: Dean Noble COCA-Cola (Coke) is spending 200 million baht on marketing in the final quarter of this year in hopes of surpassing Pepsi to Andaman arm become the undisputed leader of Thailand’s 38.5 billion baht carbonated-drink market. Colas represent about 75% of Thailand’s carbonated drink SUPER Cheap Co Ltd has taken now looking after distribution and Claiming that there is a declining market. This is followed by flavored drinks (20%) and lemon-lime over distribution of Pepsi logistics of Pepsi products in market trend in Thailand’s return- beverages (5%). The cola segment is also the most competitive, with beverage products in Phuket Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga told able bottle market, PepsiCo has international brands such as Pepsi-Cola, Coca-Cola and Big Cola, in and two other key Andaman the Gazette: “After PepsiCo’s con- shifted focus to single-use plastic addition to local newcomer, Est (see below) fighting for a share. coastal provinces, a spokesperson tract with Serm Suk ended on and aluminum packaging. As part of Coke’s 200mn baht marketing effort, the firm is from the local retailer giant November 1, Super Cheap became The US-based corporation conducting the largest sampling campaign ever in Thailand, along has confirmed. the [official] Pepsi distributor...” recently announced that it will in- with a nationwide tour to interact with consumers; one highlight The development follows the “The amount of Pepsi drinks in vest upwards of 18bn baht was distributing a million bottles of Coke in a single day. expiration on November 1 of a long- Phuket will be the same as before. (US$600mn) in the Thai market In a recent interview with The Nation, Thiti Tuangsithtanon, running contract between the Thai The only thing that has changed is over the next three years. marketing manager of Coke’s Thailand subsidiary, said that the soda subsidiary of Pepsi-Cola (PepsiCo) the distributor – from Serm Suk to At the core of this investment is drink market was projected to increase by 11% year-on-year in the and local beverage firm Serm Suk. Super Cheap,” she said. the recent completion and opening first nine months of this year, while Coke would be able to grow its Prior to the split, Bangkok-based However, consumers will have of a 5.2bn baht ($170mn) bottling domestic sales by 20% over the same period... Serm Suk ran bottling and distribu- noticed that Pepsi is no longer avail- factory in Rayong province. “We expect that the overall carbonated drink market will be on par tion of Pepsi beverages in the able in glass bottles as has been the Spanning 96-rai (153,600 square with 2010, with 12 to 15% growth [for the entire year]. The market Kingdom for nearly six decades. norm at restaurants and eateries meters), the new facility, recently was flat last year due to the massive flooding... We expect the However, PepsiCo recently sold across the Kingdom for decades. utilized by San Miguel, is report- market to grow again this year driven by positive factors, including its majority stake in Serm Suk to In the absence of Pepsi, Coca- edly PepsiCo’s largest beverage the coming of new brands, and more investment allocated in the Thailand’s largest brewer and cola will look to continue its strong plant in the world, outputting multi- industry by both existing and new players,” he said. distiller, Thai Beverage Pcl, in a deal hold on the returnable glass bottle range and multi-size non-returnable “Having a strong alliance with local partners – Thai Nam Thip and reportedly worth in excess of 15 market, which now faces competi- PET (polyethylene terephthalate) Haad Thip – is considered as one of the factors driving our success billion baht. tion from the recently launched bottles and cans. in accessing individual consumers. They have provided us with local Super Cheap Administration “Est” brand, Serm Suk’s new “So far, we’ve ordered 10,000 insight and know-how regarding consumers and the market Manager Jiranart Intasarn, who is carbonated cola drink. packages of different plastic bottle situation,” he said. – Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn sizes. We have sent our sales teams across Phuket, Phang Nga Nga and New cola player Krabi in order to keep up with to music and sports. orders from our customers since PepsiCo said it will also place Super Cheap took over Pepsi’s additional emphasis on training to ‘est’ ambitious distribution,” Miss Jiranart said. support the company’s expanding Admitting that the volume of workforce in the country. With the SERM Suk has set an ambi- He described Thailand as a Pepsi orders is not yet on par with completion of the new Rayong tious target for its recently unique beverage market where that before the takeover, she plant, PepsiCo’s beverage business launched ‘est’ brand to become returnable glass bottles still reiterated that the situation will be now employs 3,000 direct and in- Thailand’s cola segment leader play a major packaging role, “as before” as soon as SuperCheap direct employees in Thailand. within three years. representing between 60 and rebuilds and reinforces its Pepsi The firm’s investment in Thai- The company aims for est to 70% of the market, with PET distribution network in the three land is part of the company’s overall achieve 8 billion baht in sales in bottles and cans making up the Southern provinces. plan to drive growth in emerging and its first year: “We aim to have 25% remainder. In a recent PepsiCo press release, developing markets around the market share and to take the “Our capacity for handling General Manager of Beverages for world, having nearly tripled its number two spot in the local cola returnable glass bottles, which are Pepsi-Cola (Thai) Trading Co Ltd, business such markets from US$ drink market in the first year, and owned assets, is our unbeatable Jagrut Kotecha remarked: “Thailand 8bn in annual revenue in 2006 to be the market leader by the end advantage. [The volume of] is a growth engine of PepsiCo’s Asia $22bn in 2011. of three years,” said Dhitivute returnable glass bottles is still Pacific business, and we’re PepsiCo entered Thailand in Bulsook, president of Serm Suk. growing at an average of 5 to 6% committed to investing in the mar- 1952 and has built a strong and “We will invest 300mn baht in per annum,” he said. ket to drive our future success...” growing food and beverage the last two months of this year Parinya Permpanich, Serm The release said that PepsiCo’s business in the market. to boost awareness of est, and Suk’s marketing and sales opera- traditional trade distribution network The firm’s beverage portfolio in- another 900mn baht in proactive tion director, said the company has in Thailand encompasses 50 distri- cludes some of Thailand’s most marketing activities next year,” five bottling plants and 48 branch bution points, and that the company popular brands, including Pepsi, the Dhitivute said. offices across the Kingdom. will continue to pursue strategic country’s top-selling cola; Mirinda; He added that while 40% of The company has 1,200 sales partnershis with modern supermar- 7-UP; Twister; and Gatorade. Thai consumers are loyal to trucks, 150,000 coolers and more kets, small family-owned stores, PepsiCo’s successful food busi- either Pepsi or Coke, about 60% than 200,000 retail outlets and local eateries, restaurants, cinemas ness in Thailand includes some of of them are brand switchers, eateries that are ready to support and traditional outlets. the country’s leading snack brands, willing to try new cola beverages the est product line, he said. The firm will also undertake including Lay’s, Twisties, Tawan when they appear on the market. – Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn significant marketing investments in and Sunbites. Thailand through campaigns related – Phuket Gazette 12 PHUKET GAZETTE BUSINESS November 17 - 23, 2012 B116mn October trade surplus DESPITE international trade in Phuket yielding a surplus of more than 116 million baht in October, the overall volume and value of imports and exports slumped significantly from the previous month and year. Phuket customs receipts revealed that the trade surplus of exports over imports was 116.5mn baht last month – the first month of the 2013 Rubber (cream) dominated government fiscal year. Phuket’s exports last month. This figure came from 57 export If Mr Piya’s projections come true, then Australian tourist arrivals this year will surpass those from China, declarations valued at 240.9mn baht, in addition to 92 import declara- which topped Phuket’s list last year as shown in the graph. Image: Gazette Graphics; Source: Phuket City Municipality. tions valued at 124.4mn baht. October’s surplus represents a drop of 72.4% from the previous month (m-o-m) when the trade surplus was more than 423mn baht. In September, Phuket Customs declared 68 export entries, worth 592.9mn baht, and 92 import entries, representing a combined value Tourism growth of 169.6mn baht. Hence, the number of export entries dropped 16% m-o-m, while the combined value of those exports dropped by 59.3%. The year-on-year (y-o-y) change was even more drastic. In October 2011 – the first month of the 2012 Thai government fiscal year – Phuket’s trade surplus was nearly 900mn baht, calcu- projected at 15% lated from 85 export entries (1.04 billion baht) and 80 import entries (145mn baht). This means that the number of export declarations dropped 32.9% y-o-y, while the value of exports fell nearly 77% over the same period. And though the number of imports, jumped y-o-y by 15%, the value of those exports dropped by 14%. All in, the trade surplus by Seacon head dropped by 87% y-o-y. Topping the export list last month was block rubber, with exports PIYA Sosothikul, executive direc- Particularly benefiting the will pose some new challenges. of the commodity valued at 202.97mn baht, about 84% of all exports. tor of Seacon Group, and owner Chinese market are large 3 and 4- Competition is rising with some This was followed by sports and leisure vessels, valued at 21.43mn of the Renaissance Phuket Resort star hotels located in Phuket Town 1,500 rooms being added to the baht (8.8%), live fish (6.75mn baht or 2.8%), frozen sea fish (4.99mn and Spa, recently gave his outlook and in beach towns, but not so market in the final quarter of the baht or 2%) and frozen fish meat (4.5mn baht or 1.8%). for Phuket tourism. close to the ocean, he said. year, namely from projects such as All other exports were relatively insignificant, valued at only 320,000 Mr Piya said he expects tourist This is because such hotels are the Holiday Inn Express, Patong, baht, or 0.13% of all exports during the month. arrivals to increase by 15% this year, competitively priced and cater to a Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Meanwhile, the 92 import entries declared during the month had a despite a decline in arrivals from the market who tend to prefer to go Beach and the Regent Phuket at combined value of 124.45mn baht. island’s traditional tourist source sight seeing instead of partaking in Cape Panwa, among others. Dominating the import list was chilled sea fish, worth 81.3mn baht markets in Western Europe, due to leisure activities out in the open sun. “In order to remain competitive, or just over 65% of the total. This was followed by frozen sea fish the economic and financial crises He added that Russian tourists’ many hotels have been unable to worth 25.3mn baht (20.3%), sports and leisure vessels (16.3mn baht affecting outbound tourism. accommodation choices, in raise their prices...” or 13%), lumber (1.1mn baht or 0.88%) and freezing equipment He attributed Phuket’s rise in contrast, will range from two star Mr Piya went on to elaborate on (111,000 baht or 0.08%). All other imports – food, wine, textiles and tourism to the growing Russian apartments up to five star hotels, his hotel’s strategy: “We aim to keep apparel, among others, were relatively insignificant, worth only 290,000 and Chinese tourist market, which are located closer to the our prices steady, keeping to the baht or 0.23% of the total. which he said has seen on beach. standard – not reduce prices in average, 30% annual growth over Going on to speak about his own order to lure clients from the the past three years. hotel, he said: “We’re satisfied with competition... We’re trying [to couples in the previous year. 6.5 million passengers. There are Mr Piya projected that there will hotel operations... We expect the target] the package market with He added that most of the planes taking off and landing on be a total of 300,000 arrivals from occupancy average for 2012 to be high-potential clients, especially couples have been Australian. its runway every five minutes, each of these countries for all of as high as 75%. We also expect the during low season. These include Asked about challenges and and many airlines thus cannot find 2012, and thus making them average room rate to surpass our [packages for] marriage and recep- problems facing Phuket tourism, Mr slots to touch down through to Phuket’s second and third largest initial objectives due to the fact that tion ceremonies, seminars and Piya identified congestion at the middle of the night. tourist groups, respectively. direct bookings, which didn’t come Korean honeymooners who like to Phuket airport as the most urgent, “In any case Phuket province is He added that the Australian tour- via agents, have increased. This, in stay in villas.” especially in the high season when a resource for more than 10% of ist market is projected to yield about addition to the fact that the style of He said that, counting up to the charter flights increase by as much the country’s revenue for interna- 500,000 tourists to Phuket. our villas are popular among clients.” end of this year, there will have been as 20 flights per day. tional tourism. Thus, I believe the Meanwhile, he projected average In any case, Mr Piya said that 33 couples holding their marriage “By the end of this year, government will continue to support hotel occupancy for the year to be the news of increased tourism may ceremony at his hotel, which aver- Phuket airport will have received [tourism development and infra- as much as 70%, with a 5% not be good across the board, point- ages out to one marriage every 10 more than nine million passen- structure] investments.” increase in room prices. ing out that an increase in rooms days. This is compared to only six gers, while its capacity is only – Siam Turakij Phuket based website sold for B760mn BLAIR Speers, founder of the the Indian market, which has seen Phuket-based hotel booking website profits fall in the third quarter by HotelTravel.com (HT) has sold the 25%. The losses are largely due company to Indian online travel to the current economic situation agency (OTA) MakeMyTrip.com and the poor performance of (MMT) in a deal reportedly domestic airlines, said MMT CEO worth US$25 million, or more than Deep Kalra. 760mn baht. The buy-out of HT is seen as Mr Speers, a Candadian na- part of MMT’s business strategy tional and well known resident of of increasing its profile in the Phuket for the past 20 years, hotel and holiday industry in founded HT in 1999. Screen shot of HotelTravel.com South-East Asia, as well as its MMT reportedly paid US$ shares over three annual install- home market. 15mn in both cash and shares ments, to be paid in full by 2016. MMT currently has tie-in deals upfront, with the remaining Some experts assess that MMT with some 80,000 hotels world- US$10mn to be paid in MMT is trying to spread their net beyond wide. – Phuket Gazette November 17 - 23, 2012 PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 13 Kata Rocks gets new ‘Sky Villa’ KATA Rocks’ first “Sky Villa” allows owners to change the comes with sleek louvres and lighting, close the blinds, adjust tinted glass panels that wrap the air conditioning, order room around a clean, modern “Ocean service, book spa treatments and Loft” design. activities and enter the central The Sky Villas range from one entertainment server with its to four bedroom units. thousands of films and albums. Located on Phuket’s west Developed to the highest coast, Kata Rocks is a stunning international standards, the resort collection of 34 luxurious ocean- facilities include an oceanfront front Sky Villas designed by restaurant, bar and pool, a luxury architect Adrian McCarroll. spa and wellness center. Sky The villas nestle within the Villas will also have access to a natural topography of the rock state-of the-art fitness room. features, creating a development Kata Rocks is located in one that is both in harmony with its of Phuket’s most exclusive surrounding location, and aslo a areas, Kata Point, which has thoroughly modern example of some of the islands finest tropical design. restaurants, cafes, bars, shops The property has already and beach clubs. won 15 international property Although all of the Ocean awards, including World’s Best Lofts have already been sold, Apartment from the Internation there are still Sky Duplexes, Pool Residential Property Awards. Condos and the last Club The development provides the Penthouse available. space and seclusion of a private residence and the benefits of a For more information please go luxury, boutique resort. to katarocks.com or email the Kata Each villa enjoys stunning Rocks Team at [email protected]. sunset views of the Andaman Sea and smart home technology – Phuket Gazette THE OCEAN AND YOU: Interior of an ‘Ocean Loft’ Villa. Inset: The Andaman Sea at sunset, seen from Kata Rocks. 14 PHUKET GAZETTE PROPERTY November 17 - 23, 2012 The secret lives of wallflowers drifting along with no direction or perhaps flotsam lost in the seas of uncertainty. This blank statement could of course raise the ire of many a A FEW days ago I fell off a cliff. reader, whose ears are burning Never mind the ominous sound- at the first stop sign of negativ- ing fiscal cliff that is now the ity. Yes, my life is indeed one global buzzword as we move into lived in the ‘isms’ – cynicism, Obama Part 2. pessimism, narcissism. Hopefully the Pres can keep on Dark humor is my constant walking the tightrope as he has companion. Frankly speaking, I deftly done for the past three years. don’t understand what all the fuss Apparently Teflon doesn’t tarnish. is about. Making fun of life is My perilous downfall was much rather entertaining. So, for us more surprising, like a shot in the living in the magical kingdom of dark. Maybe I ventured too close ‘Ism’, all of you bright shiny to a cliff, missed that invisible people don’t know what you are tripwire, and fell down into an missing. This is Indie, an after emotional bottomless pit. hour’s show with the Stones in a Someone, who once was a smoky nightclub down a dark friend, decided to not be a friend alley, or a vodka Martini late at anymore. Ad hoc decision night in a velvet piano lounge. making at it’s finest. But the tribe Certainly there are merits to has spoken, and the jury stepped being laid-back; no worries and out for a smoke. free of angst. Let us view one of Which brings me back to the my favorite characters of all time, topic of wallpaper. Remember Jeff Bridge’s, The Dude from The that? Strangely, in tropical Big Lebowski. He makes slacking climates those colorful patterns seem so cool, and at the end of and whimsical imagery just the day The Dude does abide GET YOUR BACK OFF THE WALL: Many people here in Phuket live the life of a lost wall flower. Photo: Kaustubh Nadkarni ended up aged and crumpled. together, this, his signature getting into Gangnam style. greeting, exchange pleasantries occasional trash talking and even a Like my old Uncle Fred. cocktail – the White Russian. YouTube, MeTube or whatever, but about sports, the weather or even little trip off the beaten path make Peeling back the shredded Again many readers may not leave the stupid pet tricks at home. the latest movies. I can end all my life’s adventure more meaningful. paper can often be an arduous recall this classic drink and believe Yet I digress and it should indeed SMSs with smiley faces and post Journeys of self-discovery task. Forget politeness, go to it this to be a tag line shouted out by be pointed out that our hero The photos of my awesome social often end up on a trip to with a hammer and chisel. overworked immigration officers Dude even has his own religion – moments on Facebook. Note to nowhere. Much like a vacation As I sit here and contemplate at Phuket airport. But again if you Dudeism – which you can sign up self – never speak to strangers to Iowa. My advice is to get out the lack of wallpaper in my don’t know who The Dude is or for online. But, I, unfortunately, who use the word awesome in of that introspection, stop think- current existence this brings me can’t tell a Manhattan from a have chosen another path. any way manner or form. ing and just go out and do things close to home and life in Phuket. Whiskey Sour, stop reading imme- Yes there will be angst, and At the end of day that’s not me, till you drop. Our friend the big We live on a paradise island, yet, diately. You won’t understand any certainly misunderstandings and to be honest, all too often sleep is always lurking just so many among us live the life of this, and perhaps are better along the way. Self help, inner when you dig into below the skin around the corner. Right, or of lost wallflowers. suited for more mundane activities discovery and that trip to total of those woefully pleasant folks, wrong, perfect or failed, at least Seekers, rudderless boats such as Salsa Night, detox or awareness have about as good a the end results are hidden secrets, you woke up during game time. chance of appearing on my itin- dark lives and absolute dark souls. At the end of the day there is erary, as a culinary journey to So why bother? Let’s get straight only one Dude and that’s not me. North Korea. Or else a visit to to the point. The ism’s are not for Iowa. But that’s another story. everyone and mature individuals at Bill Barnett is Managing Director of Certainly there is every reason my age don’t have a love affair with C9 Hotelworks and can be contacted to wish my fellow humans a daily a mirror. Celebrating diversity, through C9hotelworks.com. Condo regulations to change Somluck Srimalee Without a standardized approval process, one of two CONDOMINIUM develop- projects in adjacent areas ers have welcomed a could win EIA approval while proposed amendment in the other does not. This has environmental regulations, been a major risk for devel- expecting that the clearer opers, he said. process would slash land Property firms are ready costs by 5-7 per cent a year. to do anything to protect The new regulations are the environment, but need the result of a proposal by a single set of standards, the Office of Natural he noted. Resources and Environ- “Standards aside, the mental Policy and Planning checklist will also help us (ONEP) to revise the save costs. With the check- application process for list, we can go ahead with the environmental impact Condos being built in Patong. Photo: bFlick projects. Under the current assessment. wong said such a move would rules, we need to wait for six to eight Rather than having to apply for bring about a new standard prac- months for the expert panel to grant EIA approval from an expert tice for condo developers. EIA approval,” he said. panel, developers would be “Currently when we decide to Large developers have to acquire required instead to comply with buy a plot of undeveloped land for land in advance, bearing the cost of a full environmental checklist a new condominium project, we interest while the land is undevel- under the supervision of local have to bear the risk if the project oped. Some companies tap funds authorities, which are in charge cannot win EIA approval. The from the bond market, offering a of issuing construction licenses. approval process relies heavily on coupon rate of 5 per cent, but Thai Condominium Association the judgment of members of the smaller firms have to depend solely president Thamrong Panyasakul- expert panel,” he said. on bank loans. – The Nation November 17 - 23, 2012 PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 15 Ananda: life with a lake view

CHARMED I’M SURE: No more chance encounters. Photo: Russ Bowling Keep snakes off your lawn SNAKES are known to have poor eye sight and due to their lack of ears, they are also deaf. To make up for these shortcomings, snakes are lined with nerve endings that sense vibrations transmitted through the THE LADY ON THE LAKE: The new Ananda Lake View development will target Thais and foreigners looking for a quiet place to live. ground as a sign of danger. ON THE way from Thalang to Laguna, a competitive for condominiums and you can foreign buyers from various countries.” The “Snake Repeller” generates a new housing project called Ananda Lake see many condominiums coming up across All of the modern tropical style houses pulsating wave that travels under- View is being constructed. The project the island, but we believe the demand for will be built to the highest quality and use ground in all directions making the spans a total area of 112,000 square houses is still strong for people who want international standard materials. The units snake sense that danger is imminent, meters (71 rai) and is divided into three their own land, building, garden and space. will range in area from 106 to 162 sqm and thus scaring away any serpents phases consisting of 340 units. “The development was built to harmo- and will come with a high ceiling to from you living area. The first phase will include commer- nize with its tropical surroundings so the allow natural breeze to flow through. The repeller is completely safe and cial buildings, comprising a total of 32 lake, grassland and mountains form the The semi-detached houses start from nontoxic to the environment. It scares units, all of which have already sold out. back drop for residents.” 2.59 million baht and detached houses the snake away without affecting any Phase two will include 195 detached The project is located close to a start from 5.59 mn baht. other domestic or wild animals. and semi-detached houses, with over 30 number of facilities on the island and less Various stores, such as a coffee shop The waterproof, easy to install and per cent sold out and phase 3 construc- than 10 minutes from the beach. and wine gallery, are set to open at the quiet snake repeller comes in two tion will start in the next two years. The Mr Choosup explains what market entrance to the estate. – Phuket Gazette models: one with a Ni-MH solar entire project is expected to be completed Ananda Lake View is aimed at, saying: energy cell and one powered by four in the next three and a half years. “We are targeting Thais and foreigners. For more information on Ananda Lake 1.5 V D alkaline batteries, which last Mr Thurdsak Choosup, executive Thais buy the units to live in but some View, visit: anandalakeview.com or email: about 10 months. For more info visit: director of Ananda Lake View remarked: plan to rent out the units to a long term [email protected], Tel: +66 82 282 [email protected] “The property market now is especially holiday maker. So far, we have a lot of 2532 , +66 76 680 998. 16 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012 November 17 - 23, 2012 FINANCE PHUKET GAZETTE 17

Managing Thailand’s Debt No fund is risk free... but THE Public Debt Manage- ment Office will mobilize 100 I RECENTLY assets were billion baht through an issu- began using a illiquid, such ance of amortized bonds to very interesting as property. address the budget deficit fund with retir- Another, with an expected 30bn baht ees who need a is that when offer to institutional investors. steady income called Lavaux people all try to redeem at the The office also plans to Capital, which is run out of the same time, it is usually the worst issue inflation-linked US- very well-regulated jurisdiction possible environment to dump the dollar-denominated bonds of Switzerland. assets needed to raise cash for worth about 40bn baht and The managers have all been redemption. As such, investors zero-coupon bonds, said involved in trade finance for many take a walloping. Churarat Sutheethorn, direc- years and basically specialize in The maximum term a loan tor-general of the PDMO. bridge financing backed by insur- made by Lavaux Capital will The first tranche of ance contracts. The fund pays ever has is 120 days, whereas, amortized bonds will repay its 8% simple interest in quarterly most are 90 days or less. This principal in the last five years distributions fund man- of its 25-year maturity. or you can ages its own take additional liquidity by Foreign holdings up on SET units so that only allowing FOREIGN holdings on the the holding redemptions Stock Exchange of Thailand accumulates on a quarterly hit 3.6 trillion baht or at something notice. Thus 36.76% of total market like an 8.25% liquidity is value, at the end of Septem- compound essentially ber – the highest level since rate. perfectly 2010. Half of that belonged This invest- matched. to investors in Europe. ment is totally Even if all Data from the Bourse’s uncorrelated to of the inves- “SET Note” showed that the stock markets tors redeemed SET continued to attract and does not simulta- PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION: Investment in short-term lending backed foreign investment in the first rely on deriva- neously, the by insurance contracts reduces exposure to risk. Photo: Taber Andrew Bain nine months of this year. Their tives or things loans would all redemption proceeds. credit crunch, but a number of net buys, net purchases against difficult for the come due at Of course there is no such funds such as this have been sale, totaled 65.77bn baht. average person about the same thing as “risk free”. stepping up and filling several to understand. time as the This fund has not been in needs at once. No tax cuts just yet You may redemptions, existence for very long and thus Businesses need credit to THE Finance Ministry has no have noticed and then a gate there could be unforeseen survive and be able to trade; plan in sight to restructure the a trend in The outside of the New York Stock wouldn’t even problems. retirees need fixed income with- individual income tax, pending several of the Exchange. Photo: Nick Allen need to be The only way I can see it out worrying about market clarity on the impact of the funds I have put up. going wrong, short of fraud, is fluctuations; and insurance corporate tax cut. Finance written about in the last year. With other short-term asset if all of their clients went bust at companies are in the business of Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong That trend is short-term backed lending funds, the gate the same time, and then the taking on default risk for a price. said that despite some amend- lending, backed by insurance would likely be very short term. major insurance companies such Lavaux Capital brings these ments, individual income tax contracts. There is a very big A fund where the asset back- as Zurich also went bust. things together very nicely. would not be cut for now. distinction between these kinds of ing the loans is property on the This would likely be the kind Rather, the Revenue funds and others in what is called other hand, would have a of Armageddon scenario where David Mayes MBA lives in Phuket Department has been assigned the “asset-backed lending” space. serious predicament on its I think we’d be more worried and provides wealth management to explore opportunities to Many lending funds went hands, and investors could either about surviving the war than how services to expats around the globe, lower tax rates but also to horribly wrong in the credit crunch take a huge blow to their capital our investments were doing. focusing on UK pension transfers. enlarge the tax base. due to a combination of reasons. base or be stuck waiting It has been difficult to find He can be reached at 085-335-8573 One, is that the underlying nervously for years for their safe yields for investors since the or [email protected] Yuan some more? Wichit Chaitrong

HSBC foresees an increasing role of the yuan for trade settlements among China and the rest of Asia and emerging economies. China’s total international trade last year was worth US$3.5 trillion (108tn baht), and about 10% was settled in its own currency, the renminbi or yuan. By 2015, yuan settlement is expected to account for one-third of China’s total trade value, estimated at US$6tn. As China’s trade with emerg- Watching the future. Photo: D Dennis ing economies increases to US$2 businesses in other countries. tn by 2015, yuan settlement is Chinese traders usually offer 3% expected to account for more discounts on their goods to help than 50%, he said. trade counterparts manage foreign- He said Chinese exporters and exchange (for-ex) risk, he said. importers used the yuan to hedge Usually counter-parties do not against foreign-exchange risk have instruments to hedge rather than for speculation. That is against for-ex risk when they the right behavior, he said, rather engage in yuan settlement than the common practice because of restrictions imposed of money speculation among by Chinese authorities. 18 PHUKET GAZETTE OPINION November 17 - 23, 2012 Elephants in the room FINALLY the DNA tests for the baby elephants seized in Phuket in February are being released, with one toddler being returned to its natural mother, another being returned to the tour park operator – as the elephant was actually deemed legal – and the fate of the third young pachyderm yet to be determined. This “dance of the baby elephants” stands in stark contrast to the constant resurfacing of slow loris touts on Soi Bangla, where they can regularly be found despite the occasional arrest. The baby elephants were seized without a shred of evidence that they were illegal; suspicion alone was enough. So why don’t police arrest the repeat-offender touts when they are already familiar with the faces of the offenders and the animals involved? The answer to this lies in the bureaucratic hoops good-inten- tioned officers must jump through – and good officers in Thailand love doing things “by the book”. Police openly admit they need an “expert” officer present to identify the animals used by the touts as true members of a pro- tected species. Also, the head of the conservation unit at the Khao Phra Taew Wildlife Reserve has to apply to Patong Police weeks in advance for permission to even lead a raid on Bangla. But the average citizen doesn’t know this, and most don’t care when it comes to flagrant disregard for the law. Without such information being clearly, publicly disclosed, the public is left to its own devices in coming up with a reason for inaction. Add to this the daily “in-your-face” disrespect for nearly every law or regulation that can be witnessed on the streets of Phuket, and it becomes little wonder that the public generally arrive at the same conclusion time and again – that the police don’t care. This is where the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s mantra of preserving Phuket’s reputation among tourists, and their confi- ‘Crackdown’ is just spitting in the ocean dence in their personal safety, genuinely kicks in. Krabi Tourism Association president Ittirit Kinglek deserves support in bring- Re: Gazette online, Phuket youth office might be. ing to the attention of the Krabi Police the public’s perception of crime blitz nets 220 arrests for weap- I say “culpable” because the TAT the handling of the rape case of a Dutch tourist. ons, drugs charges, November 8 clearly has a duty to protect tour- The silence from police prompted a backlash, incited an angry Many of the Thai youths I see ists, and tourism, by working with each day, driving their motorbikes the police before crime happens; father to post his “Evil man from Krabi” video on YouTube, where Do you have an opinion to voice? like their hair is on fire, don’t get that is to do everything possible to it has now gone viral, and resulted in many room booking cancel- Email [email protected] lations. They had damaged their precious tourism-based economy any parental supervision. Society prevent crimes against visitors. and they had brought it on themselves. and the police need to accept this experience they had. Art Anderson As the Krabi TAT office pointed out, police often need assis- fact. The police never patrol at night. Gazette forum tance in getting clear, accurate information out to the public. The Two weeks of “cracking The lighting is switched off all down” is like spitting in the ocean. Gazette understands this from interacting with the police on a daily through low season along the basis. Ambiguity and omissions, intentional otherwise, don’t work. Top police officers need to get Noppara Thara Beach area. It is Animal rights claims Like any other organization that has a vested interest in the tough on youth crime 365 days a so dangerous as you cannot see served with soup commercial success of Phuket and its neighboring provinces, the year and get the police island-wide anyone approaching. Now many TAT may wish to put its own “spin” on the information it releases. to stay busy daily to help make tourists are canceling their trips Re: Gazette online, Koh Lanta of- But it cannot be allowed to suppress, omit or otherwise alter facts. these youths responsible adults. because they are afraid. Of course ficials blame turtle soup for So if the intent of the TAT in Krabi is to use its considerable Mark they are! ‘strange’ outbreak, November 13 network of resources to deliver clear information when such is Gazette forum Why save a few baht on elec- It’s shameful that the sea gyp- absent, as in the recent rape case, then much will have been tricity and have people harmed in sies in the area didn’t even realize gained by the public – and everyone wins. Re-focus on details this way. Maybe the police can patrol all of Ao Nang every evening that hawksbill sea turtles are a pro- that are important through to 3am. tected species. I understand that Liz they probably have been eating them Ao Nang for generations. However, this is Re: Gazette online, British expat no excuse for not adjusting to the dies in Phuket motorbike crash, laws protecting these animals. November 8 Move the market Far too often it seems that I find it very strange that when ignorance of the law is a valid ex- a bus rolls over no one interviews Re: Gazette online, Market ven- cuse for committing crimes in the passengers, no one photo- dors protest relocation from new Thailand. This excuse is flagrantly graphs the pothole or the “blown” Phuket hospital site, November 3 used by foreigners and Thais alike. tire, but here, we have a man die I believe that moving the Cha- If lawbreakers were flogged with and we are told a knife is found, long fresh market north of Land the law, and occasionally caught amongst the debris. & Houses Park is a great idea. One the whole book in the face, there What has a knife got to do with issue not mentioned in the article would be far less ignorance. the story? is that the traffic going to the cur- Tony Kleinschmidt Laurie Howells rent location adds to the Chalong Gazettte forum congestion at the Chalong Circle. Moving the market north would Coming through Ao Nang desperate help alleviate the jams that currently clog the circle. Re: Gazette online, Phuket mo- for police patrols David Rubin torists in three death-defying ac- Phuket cidents in one day, November 11 I have lived in Ao Nang for the I perceive the problem to be that most of the year for the past eight Post crime, TAT must neither drivers nor motorcyclists years. In that time I have been at- give way or slow down in order tacked and robbed as have several learn its place to allow anyone to make a maneu- of my friends, including men. Ei- ver such as turning across ther having our houses robbed and Re: Gazette online, Krabi Tour- on-coming traffic or pulling out being attacked or knocked off a ism chief blames police rape case into traffic. They just use their motorbike and robbed. cover-up for tourism backlash, horns and expect you to be able I love the place and the people, November 10 to leap out of the way. More speed but step up the police patrolling. This case, a crime that had al- signs should be put up so that The young couple that were ready happened, is now none of everyone knows the maximum Volume 19 Issue 46 attacked will never forget Thai- the TAT’s [Tourism Authority of speed they’re allowed to drive at. land and will talk to all their friends Thailand] business, no matter how Turnery5 back home about the terrible political or culpable the local Krabi Gazette forum November 17 - 23, 2012 OPINION PHUKET GAZETTE 19 Landfill burnoff takes DJ spin that party I read the Gazette articles about the planned New Year’s Eve party at Surin Beach with a lot of inter- By Sebastian Lehmann high season backseat est. I have been working globally in the electronic dance music in- Do you have an opinion to voice? TO BOOST Phuket’s tourism dustry for the past 26 years and Email [email protected] industry, the government has Prachum Suriya, 57, is a currently I manage Asia’s most adopted a strategy to increase the native of Surat Thani. He successful female DJ: Nakadia travel to Phuket to join an event number of travelers arriving graduated with a master’s from Thailand. like this? through Phuket International As happy as I am to see that elec- The answer is that music lov- Airport to 12 million a year. I degree in public administration tronic music has become more ers travel. The more that people understand they have good inten- from the National Institute of popular in Thailand, and better- know about electronic music, the tions, but it seems they haven’t Development Administration quality events are being held all over more money they would spend to thought about supporting (NIDA). Since 1989 he has the country, I am highly amused join events with their favorite DJs. Phuket’s environmental manage- by the number of party-goers that The problem with the Surin Beach ment infrastructure. We have been been involved with the the promoters for this New Year’s event is that none of the booked forgotten about for years. management of Phuket’s trash Eve event expect to turn up. DJs are favorites of music lovers. By the time the AEC is and is currently the chief of The local authority at Surin Beach There are a few commercially big launched in 2015 we could be Phuket City’s Municipal should know that the expected num- names in the lineup, but these names dealing with 900 tons of trash a bers of visitors for this event are not followed by music lovers. day. Our estimates indicate that Environment Office. Here he [50,000] will never be reached. I Sure, they might join the event figure will climb to 1,000 tons by voices his concerns on the simply cannot see any people trav- for a good night out if they are 2020. arrival of the Asean Economic eling to Phuket just to join the event. nearby, but I doubt they’d be The volume of rubbish gener- Community (AEC) in 2015, the Sure, many tour- prepared to ated in Phuket has been increasing ists staying around travel a great dis- at a rate of 8 per cent per year. increase in the number of tourists and the affect it will have Phuket will buy ‘Sure, Paris Hilton tance or pay a Last year’s high season created on a waste management system already feeling the strain. tickets, but I gets media attention lot of money. about 600 tons of garbage a day, would expect a Fifty thousand I believe this year it will reach 700 number of 5,000 and that heightens people… never. tons. no room to expand outwards. it easier for workers at the trash people as the most the focus on the Another point The new incinerator at Saphan In the past we’ve tried public plant, as they have the task of optimistic. event, but it does not is that big events Hin has been operating since awareness programs to help separating recyclable materials. I know what never start big August, burning up to 650 tons reduce the volume of trash arriv- Organic waste can be pro- kind of DJ would sell any tickets’ from scratch. Big of trash per day, close to its ing each day. We launched a cessed to make fertilizer. Already, make people events start small capacity of 700 tons per day. So campaign to have people separate several local administration orga- travel and what kind of people are and grow due to the quality offered although we have a new incin- their trash into different colored nizations have their own facilities willing to spend money for events in previous years. erator, it already is coping with trash cans, depending on the type. to process organic waste and like this. Look at Bangkok with its popu- only the trash that arrives each What we found was a whole load make it useful. This knowledge is essential for lation of 12 million: Thailand’s day, and nothing more. of different colored trash cans What people must remember somebody planning an event of biggest electronic music festival It will cost more than 500 mil- containing all types of trash. is that if we don’t reduce the this scale. Unfortunately, it seems “Culture One”, offering some of lion baht to service the old We need to fix the whole sys- amount of trash generated, or to me that the company behind the biggest names of the DJ in- incinerator, which operated for tem from persons generating the can’t be bothered to separate it, this event has not taken advice dustry at a lower ticket price, has more than 15 years before we had trash right up to incineration. I then the local authorities must from people who know the indus- a hard time selling 10.000 tickets. to shut it down. With that back wish we could have proper sys- pick up the tab. Local govern- try from within. Inviting Paris The way it’s planned now it on line we’ll be able to burn an- tem like in other countries, such ments spend hundreds of millions Hilton to the press conference is could well end in financial disas- other 250 tons of rubbish a day. as people separating their trash on trash management – and that the best indication that the event ter for both the promoter and It will take about two years to fix before dropping it into a bin and money that could be used management has no clue about the businesses at Surin Beach. Which and I’m hoping we can start trash tucks having a schedule to elsewhere. dance music scene. would be a shame. It should be repairs next year. collect a particular category of I admit our collection system Sure, Paris Hilton gets media planned for a number between With the new incinerator’s rubbish at a fixed time on a fixed isn’t perfect and we are still wait- attention and that heightens the 5,000 to 8,000 attendees in order capability, I believe we can handle day. ing for a budget so we can make focus on the event, but it does not to be successful. Phuket’s trash, but it won’t solve In Phuket a complicated col- improvements, and all the while sell any tickets. Upper-class Thais I am all in favor of a high-class everything as some kinds of waste lection routine won’t work, but the volume of trash is increasing. who would like to be seen with festival in Phuket for New Year’s can’t be incinerated. That has to having every household separate So, in light of this, I urge every- Paris Hilton would not buy tick- Eve. Yes, I would like to see this go into the landfill site, but now their trash into different bags one to think how you can ets. These people just expect to event happen, but I would like it the site is already full. We can only before throwing it into the bin personally decrease the amount be invited. So, who would buy to be a success and make every- make the piles higher as there is would. It would certainly make of trash you generate. tickets, and who would actually one happy.

The New Price is Right: Phuket taxi edition Smell my funky I ordered a meter taxi from airport is around 400 baht. tap water Bangkok Hospital to go to the The initial flat-rate charge for Airport [on July 18], when I got any taxi is 50 baht. A surcharge When I shower or open the tap in the taxi the meter was already of 150 baht is charged by the taxi in my apartment in Chalong the at 140 baht, I asked the driver company to send a car from the smell of old rain and ground to reset the meter, but he airport to pick you up at Bangkok water comes up. My landlord says refused, and quoted a 400 baht Hospital. that every room in the surround- flat rate. I paid this, as I didn’t The taxi fare starts at 7 baht ing area has the same problem. It have time to go and find another per kilometer, reducing to 4 baht makes my eyes itch when I taxi. After I arrived at the air- per km after 20km. You must shower, so I’m sure it is not clean repairs the pipes have to be drained port and checked in, I called the understand that it is a long jour- at all. What is it? And how can it of residual dirty water. office to complain. ney to the airport and you were be improved? We drain the waste water, but The first number I called, the actually charged a fair price. Matt some will work its way through operator didn’t understand me. Host Bob Barker calls a Phuket Taxi If you have a grievance, con- the system to your tap. This is down for a pick up, but is The Price Chalong The second number I dialed con- Right? Photo: Mr Littlehand cerning price or the driver’s probably causing the smell, and nected me to the girl who I had behavior, you can lodge a complaint Phuket Provincial Waterworks you should not use tap water while originally made the booking with. Thaweesak Pomtagee, an with either 1584 or the Taxi Meter Authority Manager Pisak dirty water is still in the system. She told me that this [price] was officer of The Taxi meter Association on 076-202171. Chonlayut replies: If you have water issues, call correct. Association replies: We will either give the driver a The bad water smell in your Cha- me. My cell phone number is 087- What can be done about this? The complaint’s office staff are warning, a fine or file complaint long apartment might be caused by 012-0295. I am available 24 hours, Chalongian correct. The cost of a taxi jour- with the police depending on how water pipe repairs that were going and I can contact my workers to Chalong ney from Bangkok Hospital to the serious the case is. on in that area. Even after making any resolve problems. 20 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012

REGATTA IN KATA: Kata Group Resorts Thailand, celebrates its fifteenth successive year as host sponsor of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, Asia’s most prestigious sailing race. In the photo are Pamuke Achariyachai, President of Kata Group Resorts SPICE GIRLS: Spice House Thailand and Santi Kanchanbandhu from the Phuket King’s recently celebrated their Cup Regatta Organizing Committee. restaurant’s first anniversary.

Photo: Christian Mouchet

Photo: Christian Mouchet

PIWC PONEY UP: Carole Dux President of the PIWC with sponsored students from Rajabhat University wearing their “Jockey Strip” at the Melbourne Cup charity event at Laguna’s Latitude. Many beautiful hats were on display at the event (above, above right and on page 38).

REACHING OUT: The Philippines’ Ambassador to Thailand(center) held a ‘Consular Outreach’ for filipin GIVING BACK: Thanyapura’s ‘Give Back’ – Beach Clean Up campaign was recently held at living in the south of Thailand at the Pearl Hotel Phuket recently. Pictured are: (front row, from left) Naithon Beach. The event saw over 100 Thanyapura staff in attendance to cleardebris off the Erlito Bayaga, HE Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia, Consul General Mr Edgar B Badajos (standing, from left) beach. Thanyapura plans a series of ‘Give Back’ campaigns in the months to come. Sharon Primavera, Mr Roberto Verzosa, Ms Pilar Melizza Presina Binuya.

22 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012

HOUSE FOR SALE Properties HOUSE IN PHUKET IN KATHU URGENT SALE/ For Sale VILLA 5 FOR SALE 3-bedroom attached home, RENT single storey. Located on Bangthong hillside, 10 min- utes from Patong. Furnished. BAR, HOTEL+2 SHOPS 3.5 million baht (negotiable). -RAWAI BEACH Tel: 086-332 2638 (English), 085-819 8524 (Thai). Email: [email protected]

46sq wah, furnished, 3 bed- RAWAI POOL VILLA, rooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 SALE/RENT aircons, carpark. Only 3.5 Sale: 5 million baht. Long-term million baht. Tel: 081-787 rent: 30,000 baht per month. 7675. Negotiable, furnished, 300m to Yearly payment: 1 million beach. Tel: 084-242 8914. House in Patong. Newly baht x 15 years = own for- LAND +/- 2 RAI WITH Email: [email protected] built 40sq wah, near Sea ever. 9 bedrooms + land + SEAVIEW Pearl project, Patong. 2 storeys, 3 bedrooms, 3 bath- PHUKET VILLA 5 BEAUTIFUL HOUSE building. 60m to beach. Yamu Hills, 2 plots +/- 1 rai VILLAGE FOR SALE Tel: 084-242 8914. Email: PHUKET VILLA rooms, fully furnished, 2 each. 180 degree stunning CONDO PATONG [email protected] panoramic sea view. Tel: 084- aircon, kitchen with hood, re- 625 5090. Email: phuket. frigerator, dining room, living [email protected] For room, hot water, cable TV and internet. Tel: 089-469 URGENT SALE further details, please see our website at http://phuket 1813. seaviewsunrise.com 1 RAI, SEA VIEW LAND MUST SELL QUICKLY Opposite Wat Chalong on the Kata beach house, 3 storeys, way up to the hill. Chanote Fully landscaped, 3 air con- 4 bedrooms, big balcony. Sale: New condo. 1km to beach, (36m x 45m approximately). ditioners, telephone and 3.3 million baht. Tel: 081-303 near Bangla Rd and Jung- Sophisticated hillside project, internet, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath- 2202. ceylon, 1 bed, 1 bath, fully proratable. 8.5 million baht. rooms, kitchen. Located furnished. 3.9 million baht for Direct by owner. Tel: 085-654 near the Heroines Monu- Very nice house in the SEAVIEW LAND 16 RAI 42sqm and 3.8 million baht 4011, 089-404 0737. ment towards Pa Khlok. heart of Patong 3 floors At Koh Yao Noi, 16 rai 73sq wah. for 44.5sqm Tel:081-541 Land size is 53sq wah. 3 mil- with 3 bedrooms, living- 300m to beautiful beach. Sale: 76 2025. Email: c.junlarat@ For sale. Price 4.5 million lion baht (negotiable). Tel: room, kitchen, 2 bath- LAND NEAR KATA 080-520 2989. Email: edc9 million baht. Tel: 084-837 4429. gmail.com CENTER baht. No agents, no fur- rooms, big roof terrace www.chokechaiproperty.com [email protected] Great location, road access, 5 nished, with 4 aircons, 3 with sala and jacuzzi, bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, garage. Price on request. mins to Kata Beach and main THIDA HOUSE road, 1,450sqm with title deed. kitchen and car park. Be- Tel: 084-188 4544. Email: CHALONG- SALE 27 MILLION hind Kajonkiet International 30 RAI IN TOWN michahildner@hot RESIDENCE PHUKET Contact Lychee. Tel: 081-891 3048 (Eng & German). School on Chao Fa West Flat land near Dowroong mail.com Road, 5 minutes to Central School in Phuket Town. Tel: Festival. For short or long- 081-691 2526. term rent, 16,000 baht per 2 BEDROOMS PATONG HOUSE IN KAMALA month. Call to see 087- Fully furnished, 2 bathrooms, HOUSE FOR SALE IN 270 9093. parking. 4.9 million baht. Tel: 081- BAAN PROMPHAN 612 4187. Email: nicolaas5@ 2.5 floors, 5 mins to town, 2 yahoo.com HOUSE & FURNITURE bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Good Thai-style modern town- Single house, 60sqm. 2 floors, for stay! 2.85 million baht. Tel: Opposite Wat Chalong on house with land. Size: 3 bedrooms and 3 toilets. In 083-506 9155. Email: sumitra. LAND 1 TO 5 RAI [email protected] Land with Chanote title. Phuket the way up to the hill. Fan- 10.50m x 10.85m. 2 bed- Chaiyapruek Village at Land & - Saku, 4km south of the air- tastic seaview. 1 rai, rooms, 2 bathrooms with Houses Park, Chalong. Good port. 4.3 million baht per rai. Chanote, gross floor living room, dining room, location and entrance from HOUSE IN Tel: 087-076 6016. Email: space: 684sqm, 5 ensuite kitchen and car park. Single bypass road. Built 2 years ago. VILLA DAORUNG Phuket Town. 3 bedrooms, 3 [email protected] bedrooms, completed in house on land size: 15m by Tel: 084-627 7001. 2011, pool with over fall, 10.85m. 2 bedrooms, 2 bath- bathrooms, 47sq wah. Tel: 089- sala, covered carport, only rooms with living room, din- 909 2771. VILLA FOR SALE 32.5 million baht. Direct by ing area/kitchen, terrace and KARON HILL Mission Hights. Land area: owner. Tel: 085-654 4011, car park. Soi Mountain View CONDO FOR SALE! SEAVIEW LAND 16 RAI 500sqm. The area of the villa: 089-404 0737. For further Kathu Waterfall. Tel: 081- Foreign freehold. Great At Koh Yao Noi, 16 rai 73sq wah. 167sqm. 3 bedrooms, 4 toilets. details, please see our 535 7585, 084-119 4262, For sale. 2 houses on land. sea view. 100sqm, 1 bed- 300m to beautiful beach. Sale: 76 10 million baht. Tel: 088-838 website at www.chalong- 081-356 9754. Email: pee 1 ngan 89sq wah. Chanote room, fully furnished. Near million baht. Tel: 084-837 4429. 3242. Email: Alisa.lisica1982@ residence.com [email protected] title, near mountain, peace- the beach. Luxury up- www.chokechaiproperty.com inbox.ru ful and safe, 10 minutes graded. Good rental return. from the beach. 5.5 million Bargain price: 6.9 million baht direct from owner. Tel: baht. Agents welcome. TOWNHOUSE 083-180 2143. Email: Tel: 086-747 9292. Email: IN KOH KAEW [email protected] [email protected]

Corner unit, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, fully furnished. 3.5 million baht. Tel: 089- 472 9118. November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 23

CONDO IN HOUSE FOR SALE: PATONG SEAVIEW SUPALAI PARK URGENT TOWNHOUSE

for sale. Near Seng Ho 4.9 million baht, 89sq wah 70m above sea level be- Bookstore in Phuket (includes furniture). Stone tween the city and the Town. Studio, 30sqm, wall around the house & fruit jungle at the northern edge floor 15, sea view, aircon, PRIVATE SALE OF garden. 4 air conditioners, of Patong. 10 minutes walk furnished. Price: 1.9 mil- HALF A RAI FULLY FURNISHED telephone and internet, 3 to the beach. 4 storeys, +/ lion baht. Ready to move At Ao Makham. Land is located HOUSE FOR SALE bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 4 - 290sqm, 3 bedrooms, 3 in. For more info call 089- opposite Port of Phuket and CCTV. Located near the bathrooms, partly fur- 472 9118. next to Bel Air Cape Panwa Heroines Monument, to- nished, 4 aircons, possibil- Resort. Price 4.2 million. Tel: wards to Tesco Lotus ity of terrace on the rooftop 081-891 5932, 089-035 6702. Thalang. Tel: 080-520 2989. and swimming pool. Only HOUSE QUICK SALE Email: edc9designs@ 9.2 million baht. Tel: 089- Bang Tao area, 2 bedrooms, gmail.com 228 6859 (English & Thai). 4 bathrooms, fully furnished, HOUSE IN RAWAI Email: andamanhills@ 3 aircons, SAT TV, ADSL. Great location, 3 bedrooms, 2 gmail.com 350sqm land. Only 2.7 million bathrooms. Private car park, KATA SEAVIEW CONDO baht. Tel: 090-156 7927. sea view. Sale: 4.5 million baht. Chao Fah Garden Home 3 Foreign-freehold ownership. Negotiable. Tel: 084-441 0605. in Koh Kaew near BIS, 10 Fully furnished and equipped, mins to Lotus. 2 beds, 2 1-bed unit in well-managed LAGUNA AREA LAND AT FREEHOLD CONDO baths, 2 aircons. Nice living project. 96sqm. Large living TOWNHOME FOR CHERNG TALAY KAMALA HOUSE PATONG & kitchen room, car park, room and terrace, with adjacent SALE 390sq wah, nice flat land, quiet FOR SALE Patong Condotel, 7th floor, 28 fully furnished. Ready to swimming pool. Owner's store Rare opportunity to pur- area, Chanote. In Pasak Soi 5 sqm. Fully furnished, kitchen, move in. 2.85 million baht and parking. Very private. 9.5 chase in this first-class near Laguna Home. Price: 6 mil- new bathroom and aircon. near Boat Lagoon. Tel: 081- mill baht. No agents please. gated community. 3 bed- lion baht. Tel: 089-472 9118, 086- Seaside. 1.45 million baht. Tel: 541 2025. Email: c.junlarat Tel: 089-652 1951. Email: rooms, 4 bathrooms, 709 2933. 084-844 7693 (English & Thai). @gmail.com [email protected] 200sqm, fully furnished, Email: [email protected] tropical gardens and ALLAMANDA (LAGUNA) KALIM BAY, BEACH large pool. 12.8 million GOLF VIEW VILLA Residences/Phuket Condo CONDO baht. Tel: 081-894 5848 FOR SALE SINGLE HOUSE unit, half of a deluxe twin house, 15m to beach, best location, (English & Thai). Email: Near Phuket FantaSea. FOR SALE fully furnished and equipped, set freehold, nice seaview, 110sqm, [email protected] Price: 3.2 million baht. Ne- direct on the picturesque lagoon 2 bedrooms, bathroom, living room, German kitchen, big ter- gotiable. Tel: 081-719 1041. with balcony right over it. 3 bed- 6 RAI LAND FOR SALE rooms, each with shower/bath- race, pool, car park, 10.8 million Email: teddykong0222@ Chanote, 10 minutes to airport. room roof terrace. Long-term baht. Tel: 081-824 1385 (En- hotmail.com Tel: 085-793 2718. rent or sale. Tel: 081-737 0365. glish). Email: jbiwo@cslox Email: [email protected] info.com D CONDO 1, KATHU PENTHOUSE KATHU -29.94sqm, mountain view, LAND FOR SALE GOLF COURSE Near British International Freehold, car park, nice green School, state-of-the-art villa price 1,278,000 baht. In Thanapa Park View vil- IN CHALONG CHEAP LAND lage in Koh Kaew. 57sq 9 rai of land with Chanote title FOR SALE view, 135sqm, 2 bathroons, overlooking the Loch Palm -29.70sqm, mountain view, bedroom, big living room, wah, with 2 bedrooms, 2 in Chalong, near Big Buddha. Close to Phuket Interna- Golf Course: 4 bedrooms + price 1,280,000 baht. western kitchen, terrace. Tel: bathrooms, a kitchen, a Total price: 46.5 million baht. tional Airport. 4 rai, Chanote maid's room; 485sqm. -29.79sqm, pool view, price 081-824 1385. Email: jbiwo@ carpark and a garden. Sea view, quiet, reasonable title. 3.8 million baht per rai. Built on 1,860sqm land. 28 1,330,000 baht. csloxinfo.com Price: 2.35 million baht. price. Tel: 081-978 3480. Tel: 081-868 7676. Email: million baht. Contact -29.70sqm, pool view, price Contact owner. Tel: 083-180 Email: kirana.goy@sawan [email protected] owner. Tel: 089-724 7211 1,365,000 baht. (English). Email: julien@ 2143. Email: nana1225@ anda.com 6-BED POOL VILLA, phuketimmo.com Contact Vutdy on 081-892 gmail.com RAWAI BEACH 3709. Sale: 8 million baht, brand new, 80% owner finance, fur- nished, 200m to pier. Tel: 084- Classified Advertisements 242 8914. Email: rawai4@ yahoo.com Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. Then hand it to any of our agents. GOLF COURSE LAND FOR SALE |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| (heading)

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

Near British International |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| School, 17 rai with public road access. Suitable for resort or housing project. Can be divided. Price: 4.5 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| million baht per rai. Contact owner. Tel: 089-724 7211. Email: julien@phuketim |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| mo.com

Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 120 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 Deadline for all other ads: Saturday 12 noon. at www.phuketgazette.net 24 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012

KATHU CONDO FOR Properties RENT OR SALE NICE HOUSE SURIN CONDO PERMSAP VILLA, For Rent 31sqm, kitchen, aircon, gym, IN CHALONG 2-3 b/r, 300m from beach. HOUSE FOR RENT WiFi, furnished. For rent at Direct pool access. Fur- 12,000 baht per month. Tel: nished. Minimum 3 mths 086-332 2638. Email: jaques. rent. Email: jgstryker@ BAR, HOTEL+ [email protected] gmail.com 2 SHOPS- RAWAI BEACH 2-BED BEACH LOFT STYLE FLATS CONDOS+POOL Furnished, quiet, good area for Fully equipped, kitchen, 3 min- exercise. 8,500-12,000 baht per utes walk to beach, still some Single house (74sq wah) with month. Long-term only. Tel: Near CherngTalay. Plot high season availability. Email: lovely garden for long-term 086-664 5575 (English). Email: size: 520sqm with living [email protected] rent in Soi Parichart, Land & [email protected] area 156sqm. 4 bedrooms Houses Park. It has 3 bed- and 3 bathrooms with gar- CONDO IN rooms and 2 bathrooms, 24 KAMALA NEW POOL den. Semi-furnished. Auto- PHUKET TOWN hr security + clubhouse facili- VILLA matic gate. 50,000 baht 1 million baht yearly rent, Rent or sale. Fully furnished, ties. Price: 25,000 baht per 3 double bedrooms, 3 bath- per month. More informa- long-term lease. Nego- aircon, TV, gym, pool. 10,000 month or special price of rooms, beautiful kitchen, gated tion please call sales office. tiable, 9 bedrooms, full baht per month. Tel: 081-978 20,000 baht per month with- community. Long-term rent: Tel: 076-527869, 081-270 guest. 60m to beach. Tel: 1558. Email: keng.na.ranong@ out furniture. Contact the 55,000 baht per month. 6 8940. Email: enquiries@ 084-242 8914. Email: hotmail.com owner. Tel: 081-867 6466 months minimum. Tel: 080- richmondth.com [email protected] (English & Thai). Email: 697 7729. [email protected] PATONG APARTMENT NEW HOUSE IN LONG-TERM RENT APARTMENT KATA PATONG TWO BUILDINGS 8,000 - 20,000 baht per month. BEACH FOR RENT Fully furnished modern house FOR RENT Tel: 089-290 9567. VILLA KATA BEACH Quiet sea view family villa. 3 bed, Furnished, 1 bedroom, kitchen, with 2 bedrooms and 3 bath- Commercial building for long- WiFi. Tel: 086-595 8512. Email: term rent on Montri Road. Near 3 bath. Long term. Agents, call rooms. Spacious dining, stylish RAWAI POOLVILLA-PAY [email protected] open western kitchen. Living Pearl Hotel. 3 storeys, 2 build- PHUKET VILLA 5 IN 30 YEARS for appointment. Tel: 081-003 6902, 085-274 8626. Email: room with balcony, full aircons. ing. 38,000 baht per month. Tel: VILLAGE 25,000 baht per month. 6 bed- [email protected] STUDIO IN TOWN FOR All extras; LCD, internet, satel- 081-606 2827 (English & Thai). rooms, wifi, furnished, 300m to Email: [email protected] RENT/SALE lite. Quiet setting. 25,000 baht. beach. Tel: 084-242 8914. Fully furnished, aircon, TV, Tel: 084-185 8536. Email: [email protected] ALLAMANDA (LAGUNA) kitchen. Near Dowroong Wittaya www.thaidream.villa.com Residences/Phuket Condo SEAVIEW 3-BED School, 10 minutes to Central 2-BED BEACH POOL VILLA unit, half of a deluxe twin house, and Big C. Tel: 081-719 7015. fully furnished and equipped, set CONDOS+POOL Villa on 9,000 sq.ft, right on the POOL VILLA FOR RENT Email: [email protected] Vacation rental, 3 minutes sea, no noise, large pool, gar- 4 bedrooms, pool, 5 bath- direct on the picturesque lagoon with balcony right over it. 3 bed- walk from beach, free WiFi. den, family room, live-in maid. rooms, Bang Tao. Also have Email: [email protected] Available on November, early bungalows, houses and apart- rooms, each with shower/bath- TOWNHOUSE December and from January 2. room roof terrace. Long-term IN KOH KAEW ments available. Tel: 081-538 1,2,3-BED BEACH Email: [email protected] 2110, 087-279 6532. rent or sale.Tel: 081-737 0365. Email: [email protected] APTS, P'HSE Holiday apartments, pool pent- BAR, SHOP FOR RENT- houses, 5 minutes walk to Kata HOUSE AT PRIME RAWAI BEACH Noi/Kata beach/town. Email: PLACE VILLAGE 8,000 baht per month, free wifi, 2-BEDROOM HOUSE, BANG TAO [email protected] For Sale. Price: 4.2 million pool, garden, ready to move in, baht. No agents!, not fur- Siam BB Resort, 60m to beach. nished, with 4 aircons, 3 Tel: 084-242 8914. Email: 4-BEDROOM VILLA bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, [email protected] CHALONG kitchen and car park. Be- 4-bedroom villa with private hind Kajonkiet Internation APARTMENT IN KATHU pool and maid service. Avail- School on Chao Fa West 58sqm, 1 bedroom, living room, able for short and long-term Road, 5 minutes to Central kitchen, bathroom, terrace, rent. 4 bedrooms, 5 bath- Near Heroines’ Monument. Festival. For short or long- pool, fan/aircon, cable TV, rooms, private 4mx10m Furnished, aircon, 3 bed- term rent, 16,000 baht per ADSL. Long-term rent: 12,000 2 bedrooms, 2 bath- pool, includes maid cleaning rooms, cable TV, kitchen. month. Call to see 087- baht per month. Short-term rooms, kitchen, terrace, and laundry service. ADSL Tel: 086-607 7493. 270 9093. rent: 700 baht per day. Tel: 081- living room, parking, fully internet, UBC TV, fully fur- 891 6632, 085-792 5544. furnished, cable TV, nished, flat screen TV in internet, 2 aircons, hot wa- every room, en-suite every ter. Only 5 mins to Surin bedroom. Tel: 076-384722, Beach, Bang Tao Beach Corner unit, 3 bedrooms, 3 081-397 6921 (English & and Lotus Cherng Talay. bathrooms, fully furnished. Thai). Fax: 076-384 721. Tel: 089-470 7488. Email: 3.5 million baht. Tel: 089- Email: terryleetuck@hot [email protected] 472 9118. mail.com November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 25

LOFT STYLE FLATS Property Accommodation Furnished, quiet, good area for Holiday Building Products & Services Services Available exercise. 8,500-12,000 baht Homes & Villa per month. Long-term only. Tel: 086-664 5575 (English). Rentals RENOVATIONS, Email: [email protected] HOUSE REPAIRS OCEAN VIEW PATONG CONDO Renovations, house repairs, NEW APARTMENTS Upgraded 54 sqm condo. KAMALA BEACH construction, electric installa- Cable, WiFi, pool, parking. WITH SEA VIEW Private, quiet, guest tions, mold decontamination. Long term for 18,000 baht per New 1- and 2-bedroom apart- house. 2 bedroom apt at Free quotes and warranties of- month. Tel: +1-808-283 4188 ments. Long and short term. 2,600 baht per night, or 1 fered. English, German, (English). Email: mauigreg Sea view, huge balcony, TV pan- bedroom house at 1,800 Swedish and Thai speaking @hotmail.com els, WiFi, free parking. Sea view, personnel. Tel: 085- 880 3728 pools, gym, expensive furniture baht per night. Kitchen, (English), 080-141 4577 (En- inside. The best choice for living! European bathroom, glish & Thai), 083-394 8337. Email: [email protected] aircon, cable TV/DVD, Email: mattias@zionpro KATA LUXURY ADSL, swimming pool.Tel: perty.com SEAFRONT VILLA 076-385 909, 087-277 4 BEDROOM 5216 (English). Fax:076- FAMILY HOUSE 385 909. SOLAR POWER PV PROPERTY 4beds, 5baths, a maid's room, Household SOLUTIONS VALUATIONS a modern kitchen and lovely Services Swimming pool conversion to Qualified Valuer - An expert garden. For long term rent at free solar power start 45,900 baht. property inspection and written 35,000 baht Per month. Or for LAGUNA HOLIDAY Tel: 02-402 6573, 081-530 2815 valuation provided. Tel: 076- sale at 8.5 million baht. Tel: 081- CLUB RENTAL (English & Thai).Fax: 076-282 288908. Email: richard@ 787 2201. Email: phuket8@ Holiday rent at Laguna 085. Email: mauro@touringasia siamrealestate.com For further hotmail.com online.com details, please see our website Holiday Club Resort for at www.siamrealestate.com/ new year week from 29 3bedroom villa on the ROOMS FOR RENT Dec 2012 - 5 Jan 2013. sellers/property-valuation IN KARON HOME rocks on Kata Beach 1 bedroom suite for 4 per- MAINTENANCE Headland. Built up 320 Fully furnished, Cable TV, Air, sons, only 70,000 baht. ESTATE CONDO VILLA ASC Phuket Co Ltd offers sqm, 15m above sea with Wifi, daily, weekly, monthly. Tel: 089-795 6363.Email: MANAGEMENT full home maintenance spectacular Andaman Tel: 082-270 6385. Email: [email protected] Experienced hotelier and services.Gardeners, maids, Sea views, 6m x 15m infin- [email protected] See at www.laguna team, extensive estate and pool service, urgent minor ity pool. Villa surrounded holidayclub.com villa /apartment management. by dense foliage, has spa- repairs (electricity, plumber, Managing multiple projects. cious balconies, outdoor Accommodation etc). Give us a call and we'll Also available as consultant. showers in natural set- Wanted SWIMMING take care of your villa, condo Email: [email protected] tings, very private and se- POOL VILLA or office. Tel: 076-388 065, 081-693 1509 (English & cluded. Thai, Japanese, Rawai, 2 bedrooms, 2 bath- Thai). Email: bytonyk@ and Balinese design influ- rooms. Available on 17 Decem- Property gmail.com ences & artifacts. Excel- 4 BEDROOMS IN ber 2012. Short-term rent: Wanted lent live in Thai cook. Con- SAIYUAN, NAI HARN 3,000 baht per day. Tel: 085-787 tact James Hunt. Tel: +65- Rock Style house. 4 bed- 3046. Email: patrickmeo@ FARANG HANDYMAN 962-10254. Email: sea rooms, 5 bathrooms, big gmail.com Clear communication, all types PROPERTY [email protected] garden, big kitchen. For of work on time and done right! RENTALS WANTED For further details, please rent at 40,000 baht per PHUKET HOME Tel: 081-787 9767. Website: see our website at www. month. Sale at 9.8 mil- LUXURY POOL MAINTENANCE www.farang-handyman.com Siam Real Estate have lion baht. Tel: 081-787 housephuket.com VILLA FOR RENT Renovations, house re- tenants waiting for holiday 2201. Email: phuket8@ and longterm rentals Located just outside La- pairs, painters, tilers, Household NOW! Call us for details hotmail.com guna, this new 3bedroom electricians, plumbers, Items and rent out your villa/ NEW HOUSE FOR pool villa is available for long carpenters, construction. SALE/RENT apartment immediately. ROOMS FOR RENT and short term rent. Tel: Fluent English-speaking Tel: 076-288908. Email: Fully Furnished Sale price: 081-891 1826, 081-891 boss. Free quotes given. FURNITURE SALE IN KARON Household furniture, a genarator [email protected] 4.9 MB. Rental price for long 1826 (English), 081-891 Contact Rin. Tel: 084-193 Fully furnished, Cable TV, Air, and a tuk- tuk for sale in very For further details, please term : 28,000 baht per month. 2926 (English & Thai). 5124. Email: phuket WiFi, daily, weekly, monthly. low price of 50% less.Tel: 089- see our website at siam Negotiable. Tel: 086-742 Fax: 076-238940. Email: homemaintenance@ Tel: 082-270 6385. Email: 504 7253, 089-008 6562. realestate.com 2244. Email: kasina_nava [email protected] yahoo.com [email protected] tkoschig [email protected] Email: [email protected]

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

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| (heading)

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 120 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. 26 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012

EXPATRIATE MARINE HEAD OF ENGLISH MECHANICS DEPARTMENT Looking for experienced ex- We are looking for a Thai patriate marine mechanics. female with teaching skills for Duties include general and four English teachers and our preventive maintenance of security guards. Tel: 076-336 corporate and yatchs posi- 084, 081-607 6637, Fax: 076- tioned within the SEA region. 336 085. Email: pornthip@ PROGRAMMER FOREIGNER Attractive renumera tion pack- sgsphuket.com WANTED ACCOUNTANT age for those with the Please send CV to cc@bay Needed as soon as possible neccessary qualifications and SALES EXECUTIVE shoreprojects.com.Tel: 081- for hotel developer. Contact 968 5963. experience. Tel: 080-078 Jagota Brothers Trading Marianne. Tel: 081-270 1370. 3731. Please contact Mark Co.,Ltd. Long-time, well- Email: c@bayshoreprojets. Jones and send resume to established food importer OFFICE ASSISTANT com markjones288 @gmail.com QUALIFIED TEACHER MARKETING STAFF NEEDED and supplier to hotels and NEEDED Condominium in Patong is look- restaurants welcomes ap- Small dynamic and friendly RECEPTIONIST KARON Female teacher needed to ing for marketing staff. Contact K. plications from experi- real estate agency company Beautiful spa in Karon is look- DO YOU WANT TO teach 3-5 year old kindergarten Keith on 080-081 8870. Email: WORK AT HOME? enced salespeople. Must based in Chalong, Phuket ing for Thai lady as Reception- students. Send CV and photo george@davidvacationclub. com working for national and inter- We are searching telemar keting be fluent in written & spo- ist-Cashier. Good salary, staff please.Tel: 076-521550, 084- national clients. Seeking as- staffs for our detergent sales/ ken English. Background COMPUTER room. Tel: 087-894 5585. 847 0732. Email: info@ sistant with administrative ex- online shop. We are a Finnish in food industry preferred. PROGRAMMER smiley-kidz.com perience and outgoing per- THAI PLUMBER company and our operations are Must have own car to visit Send your CV to cc@bayshore sonality. Experienced in sell- Contact Carla. Tel: 081-968 located in Finland. However you customers. Tel: 082-790 TOUR OPERATOR projects.com Contact Carla. Tel: ing real estate is an advan- 5963. can work anywhere in the world. 5143. Please forward re- REQUIRED 081-968 5963. tage. Thai national. Excellent We are not requiring any expe- sumes and references to Thai national. Good English. English is a must. Salary rience in this field of telemar George. Email: george_d Based in SaiYuan office. Good PHILIPPINE STAFF based on qualifications.Tel: BARTENDERS AND keting. Please contact us at @jagota. com salary. start! Immediately Tel: Female, good salary. Con- 086-940 2266. Send resume, WAITRESS +358-19-751533 if you are inter- 076-388 067, 081-958 8747. tact Carla. Tel: 081-968 5963. photo and expected salary to Thai national, English ested and we will tell you more BARTENDER Fax: 076-388 938. Email: Send CV to cc@bayshore sales@18excelsior-property. speaking, some experi- about this work. REQUIRED [email protected] projects.com com ence, good looking and Full-time position.Good sal- manners. Training will ary and great fun. Accommo- WORK CS @ TIGER/TIGER start on 1st of Novem- INTERCALLSERVICE dation if needed.Thai national HOLYCLOTHING! GRILL JOBS ber 2012 at Nai Harn. CO.,LTD. only. Please call Russell: Customer service agents positions for Thai nationality. EXPERIENCED Tel: 084-509 1975(En- We are seeking natives Ger- 089-587 9112. Email: sunset needed for expanding - Floor Manager ELDERCARE glish). Email: laterrazza man/Austrian or German- [email protected] internet fashion retailer. Are NURSE Patrolling the rings, may include [email protected] Swiss speaking people for our you CS experienced, Thai, taking attendance. Salary Nurse/helper for older per- Call Center in Chalong. They SALES CONSULTANT hard working, computer 15,000+ depending on English son or invalid. Two years will be responsible to support REQUIRED savvy and fluent in English? skills or other qualifications. experience with alzheimers LOOKING FOR STAFF our inbound hotline for our Club Asia Fitness requires a Salary of 17-27,000 baht per patient. Reliable, hard- (2 POSITIONS) - Secretary to the Executive Chef overseas clients in Europe. Sales Consultant. Applicants month. Tel: 076-289472. working, excellent refer- Phuket Wake Park is looking We offer 5-day work with visa should be fluent in English Email: grahamkay@mac. Good pay, benefits, fun job, train- ences. Some English. Tel: for Secretary Engineer and HR and work permit. For further and a Thai national. Excellent com. For full details see our ing, etc.Tel: 076-367 071. 089-196 0940. Email: Manager. Tel: 084-889 4942 information please call Khun remuneration offered.Tel: 080- website www.holyclothing. Email: [email protected] [email protected] (English) Send CV to office@ Klaus.Tel: 089-873 9123. 698 5021. com/htmlx/work.html www.tigermuaythai.com phuketwakepark.com

Gazette Online Classifieds – 10,000 readers every day! November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 27

ARCHITECTURE Thai national wanted. Ability to use AutoCAD, Sketch-Up and 3D-Max is a must. Tel: 081-788 1639. Email: sec@ phuketawnings.com

MARKETING REPS NEEDED EZYSTAYS looking for mar- keting representative. No ex- perience required, full train- ing provided, work permit and good income. Email: [email protected]

WEBSITE ADMIN-KITCHEN PROGRAMMER SPA-YOGA REQUIRED Staff wanted for Wellness Must have solid HTML and Center located in Koh Kho CSS coding experience with Khao, Phang Nga. Adminis- knowledge of JavaScript and tration staff must have ex- PHP. Design and English cellent spoken and written skills are the advantage. Im- English skills. Full time mediately start.Email your kitchen staff and Spa & CV to messenger.alexander Yoga therapist positions also @gmail.com available. 6 days per week, salary negotiable dependent SALE / MARKETING THAI FOREMAN GUESTHOUSE on experience. Service Marketing employee urgently WANTED RECEPTIONIST charge after 3 months. Thai needed. Male or female. Good Please contact Carla. Tel: 081- Thai national. Aged up to 30 nationals only. Tel: 080-866 salary. Tel: 089-618 6894. 968 5963. years old. Good English. Tel: 4097 (Thai), 081-647 9365 084-876 7220. (English).For further details, SALES ADMIN please see our website at SPA RECEPTIONIST INTERIOR DESIGN IT OR AV ENGINEERS www.amitywellness.com Beautiful spa in Karon is We are hiring a motivated per- Thai nationality, can speak Please email resumes/CV looking for new receptionist son with a passion for sales/ English. Please send CV to to [email protected] and cashier. Good salary. admin to join the team at our Email: info@techworx-pro Call for more information. Tel: furniture showroom in Bang ject.com 087-894 5585. Tao. We offer an attractive sal- NATIVE ENGLISH ary and benefits. Tel: 076-325 WINE & TAPAS BAR TEACHER RUSSIAN GUIDE 419, 081-400 4678. Email: Staff required in Phuket town, We're looking for NES teacher, Thai-speaking Russian or [email protected], for available on October 2012: US/UK/AUS/CA, to start ASAP. Russian national. Urgent! Tel: further details, please see our bartender, helpcook, wait- Degree, TEFL and CV required. 089-618 6894. website at oriental-living.net ress. Tel: 083-969 7807. At least 1 yr experience. Tel: 080- 907 7466. Email: info@brainy- house.com

ECOMMERCE CUSTOMER SERVICE Are you hard working, computer literate & fluent in English? Thai or OPERATION/ADMIN Foreigner. Salary: 17-22,000 per CHEF REQUIRED month. Join HolyClothing, a lead- MANAGER ing online fashion retailer since Small international res- Luxury yacht charter company 2001. Tel: 076-289472.Email: taurant in Kalim looks for is looking for an Operations/ [email protected] Full independent working Admin Manager. Thai nationality. Details Here: http://bit.ly/ kitchen chef with experi- Key tasks: yacht provisioning, ROwNBD ence in preparing Thai and cleaning control, staff coordina- international dishes. Tel: tion for the charter, secretarial 080-555 2377 (English & work and basic accounting. GUESTHOUSE Thai). Email: 55inkalim@ Own car is necessary. Email: MANAGER gmail.com [email protected] Experienced, spoken English For further details, please see and Thai. Small operation, BARTENDERS AND our website at fivestarsea needs to do all jobs. Tel: 085- WAITRESS cruises.com 159 7400 (English). Email: Thai national, English speaking, [email protected] some experience, good looking LUXURY VILLA and manners. Training will start MANAGEMENT THAI STAFF WANTED on 1st of November 2012 at Nai COMPANY Good salary with bonus. Call Harn. Tel: 084-509 1975(En- Requires Western Villa Main- Carla. Tel: 081-968 5963. glish). Email: laterrazzaphuket@ tenance Manager. Must be hotmail.com fluent in both English and Thai, and have extensive main- Employment SENIOR ARCHITECT tenance/construction experi- Wanted Phuket-based architectural ence. Some hotel operations practice urgently requires a experience would also be senior architect to oversee de- beneficial. High level of re- REQUIRES AN sign of luxury villa and hospi- sponsibility. Flexible hours. EMPLOYEE tality projects. Proficiency in Applicant must have current Requires an employee to pro- written and spoken English driving license and vehicle. mote the online store on the required. Please send CV Tel: 087-881 0003. Please Internet. Tel: 088-838 3242. and expected salary to: info@ send CV to hr@phuketvilla Email: [email protected] imedgeconcepts.com sandhomes.com

Looking for a job? Looking for a better candidate? Find more Recruitment Classifieds at WWW.PhuketGazette.Net! 28 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012

Articles For Sale Business Opportunities

WASHING MACHINE & BAR/HOUSE RAWAI MASSAGE SHOP SALE OFFICE FOR LEASE MASSAGE MOUNTAIN BIKE Big kitchen, 2 bedrooms, Big shop, 15 beds and chairs. 6,000/MONTH BEDS AND CHAIRS - Samsung washing ma- great location. Price: 475,000 2.3 million baht. Must sell With all furniture, CCTV, For sale. 25 Thai-mas- chine. Unused, still in box. baht. For more details please quickly. Tel: 081-303 2202. computer, air, printer, bed- sage beds, 8 foot-mas- Sale: 15,000 baht. call: 087-417 8379. room only 150,000 baht. Tel: sage chairs. Normal - 2 mountain bikes. Sale: 088-178 7830 (English & price: 300,000 baht, BAR FOR SALE Thai). Email: josephjohnc@ 10,000 baht and 4,000 baht. PATONG now: 80,000 baht only. Respectively. Tel: +852 02 Shop gmail.com Old Home lounge bar, free For more details please 865 1013. Email: cmcgee@ Equipment fitout + free accommodation. call: 081-537 6866. netvigator.com BAR FOR SALE 5 million baht. Available on New Soi Tiger, 6.8 million rental. Negotiable! Email: Education baht for 3 years. Tel: 086-952 Audio&Video CAKE DISPLAY [email protected] 8832. REFRIGERATOR Equipment CHILDREN'S Brand Snow Ball, model 50/50 PARTNERSHIP INVEST IN ENRICHMENT CLUB CKS-SD-90, 790x900 Daddys Cafe/Bar/Apartment COMPARISON WEB HOME THEATER "Take Care" service, day- x1,350 cm. Rarely used, at Kamala. Thai lady worker PRICE We offer the highest number Samsung HTD555K. 6 we- time classes, skill develop- excellent condition, preferred. Invest 150,000 of searchable products in eks old, must sell, new condi- ment. Birthday parties. same as new. Now sale: baht. Tel: 084-850 0568. Thailand and are expanding tion. Sale: 6,600 baht. Tel: 087 Amusement Park. Tel: 088- 38,000 baht. Tel: 080-526 into the Southeast Asian -281 9800. 819 2526 (English & Thai). 1118 (English & Thai). Email: [email protected] Email: aldothai@gmail. market. Seeking USD 0.4M www.facebook.com/rain com PATONG BAR in investment. Tel: 022- Bar & bowland.kidsclub FOR SALE FISHING COMPANY 072588, 089-687 5889 (En- Restaurant Popular bar, open air. Beer FOR SALE $169,000 glish & Thai). Fax: 022- Bulletins bar in busy tourist area, Buy yourself a new life! 072626. Email: panupong Equipment fully furnished. Urgent One of the oldest and @diversition.co.th If inter- sale: 1.6 million baht. Tel: most succesful fishing ested, please visit www. 081-550 7379, 087-893 attackprice.com KITCHEN HARDWARE SPONSOR A CHILD companies in Phuket for FOR SALE 1753. sale. Regular and new Second hand kitchen hard- The Phuket International clients from all over the Women’s Club is a volun- world, mostly via the RAWAI BAR HOTEL ware: ovens, sinks, grills and PAY IN 15 YEARS etc. Tel: 082-283 8250 (En- teer organization raising FAST FOOD, PATONG internet. We have the glish & Thai). Email: phuket funds for educational Behind Bangla Tiger, quality best advertising name @rayadivers.com scholarships. We rely fitout, long lease, no key on the net for fishing trips on the goodwill of donors money. Ready to open. Tel: in Phuket. Boat 2 x and sponsors – small 084-627 1301. Email for de- 340hp, 20m x 5m with KEBAB and large. If you would tails to flatstanleysfastfood@ all the fishing equipment Kebab Machine 25,000 like to put something gmail.com Trip licence also for baht. Tel: 089-666 6726 back into the community Similans and once a (English). Email: lasonth in which you live, contact year to Andaman Is- us to find out more about @gmail.com SMALL RESORT lands (India). Tel: 087- 9 bedrooms. Sale: 15 giving a prize or being a 889 4588. Email: phu million baht, 650sqm sponsor. Contact Carol. COMPLEX, 24MB OFFER ON LAST ITEMS ketdorado@hotmail. building and land, 90m Tel: 087-417 8860 or con- from pier. Bargain. Tel: Quality gear, cheap, get com www.phuket-fish tact Sue. Tel: 087-277 081-416 1072. Email: email list, make an offer. For ing.com 6948. For more informa- [email protected] more information please call: tion please email us at 084-627 1301. Email: flatstan [email protected] [email protected] GUESTHOUSE COMMERCIAL FOR SALE PATONG BUILDING FOR SALE 6 double bedrooms, big Middle of Patong, 60m from kitchen and bar, hillside loca- the shore, 6 rooms, guest- Here is for sale an excel- tion. 4 and 1/2 years on lease house + restaurant with lent opportunity to own a left, extendable. All key large, steady, ever-increasing well-established busi- money prepaid. Rent: 24,000 clientele. Sale at cheapest ness with minimum 10% baht per month. Sale: 1.6 price due to owner leaving. return yearly on invest- million baht. Tel: 087-078 Tel: 089-651 3250. For further ment. Year lease also 6379, 082-286 5171 (English details, please see our available on suitability. & Thai). Email: nanaisauna website at www.guesthouse MAIN FEATURES: @yahoo.com patong.net
2 x 2-storey detached buildings. Total 7 apart- SHOP FOR ments which consist of GOOD COMMERCIAL LONG-TERM LEASE 2 x 2-bedroom large On Sawatdirak Road, opposite apartments, 2 x 1 bed- White Sand Resortel, a room, and 3 studio minute’s walk to the beach. rooms, swimming pool, Tel: 076-342108, 081-892 7480 jacuzzi, BBQ, land- (English & Thai), 081-607 5716 scaped gardens. All es- (English & Thai). Email: sential amenities close Nanzz86 @gmail.com by.
Run by current man- BUSINESS FOR SALE agement team on your Space for sale in Bangtao A well-established (over 20 behalf. Beach. On main road. years) Marine Service Com-
Good existing cus- 156sqm, currently setup pany, with many of the tomer base, ongoing oc- as a restaurant and bar. world's top marine products cupancy. All equipment and furni- distributorship and offices in
Perimeter wall sur- ture included. Now sale: Phuket Boat Lagoon and Ao rounds the 880sqm com- 1,800,000 baht. Rent: Po Marina. The owner is look- plex. 15,000 baht per month ing at selling the company
for 10 years contract. Tel: and stock but could stay on Excellent location at 081-733 9498, 080-700 to help with the day-to-day Kamala Beach. 3775. running and the technical
Private road. side of the company on a sal-
Thai limited company. ary or contract if required by Please contact with in- HAIR SALON & SPA new owner. We have five quiries at Kamalarob@ FOR SALE staff with very low overheads yahoo.co.uk Tel: 084-837 2 floors. First floor is hair sa- and with all orders and ac- 5985. Website link for lon, second floor is spa. Full counting done internally. Tel: further pic's on request. equipment and car park. Tel: 081-892 0534. Email: barrett. 089-622 0101. [email protected] November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 29

Business Products & Services Personal Services Wanted

NEED A NANNY, MAID A family needs a live-out nanny with good English (20,000 baht per month) and a maid (15,000 baht per month). Tel: 085-576 9139. Email: [email protected]

Pets

SCANDINAVIAN FOOD AMERICAN BULLIES PROMOTION Available: 1 male and 2 Personals female, ears cropped, UKC Prepared by Danish execu- pedigree, shots and dew- tive chef. Pamper your guest ormed. For more details with food from Denmark, Nor- please cal: 086-120 6934. way, Sweden, Finland, Gre- BACKGAMMON enland. Special Christmas Players wanted. Tel: 081- Promotion! Please call for 577 8443. Email: phuket ARE YOU LOOKING more information. Tel: 087- [email protected] TO ADOPT A DOG? 823 9432.

BUDS NURSERY MOVING TO THAILAND! Phuket's oldest bi-lingual in- Looking for female compan- ternational child care facility. ion to help me find a new High-quality, time-proven home/land. Swiss Enterpre- schedule and curriculum. neur, mid-50s, sincere. Now in brand-new purpose- Please answer with picture built school. Experienced na- to [email protected] tive English teachers to teach ages 1 - 8. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Bus service available from LADIES! Patong, Karon, Kata, Phuket, Thousands of financially Rawai and Chalong. Tel: 076- secure German gentlemen 384638, 080-624 7060. are looking for attractive Please see our website at sexy ladies 20 - 60 years of Many homeless pups & www.buds-phuket.com age, for serious relation- adult dogs, all breeds & SUGAR WAXING ships. Send good photos sizes looking for a loving New sugar waxing, located at and bio-data to Exclusive home & someone to take Chalong. Men - Women. No Miscellaneous Partner Club, P.O.Box 1303, care of them. Please con- pain! Tel: 082-456 6791. 26003 Oldenburg, Germany. tact: For Sale Email: trau mfrauen@dap- [email protected] internatio nal.de Club Memberships SNUFFLERS Pool Tables Available Set of five. Rounded edges with alloy spleen tables. Only 3 yrs old, no TOURNAMENT TABLE 1/2 PRICE POOL TABLE / LAGUNA GOLF CLUB glinkle. Can be used without bessors or BRTs Second hand, full size tour- BILLIARD 11 years membership, free nament pool table. Size 4.1/ transfer. 300,000 baht. Tel: but not in tandem with Pool Table/Billiard sales, cleester bins. Price new: 2x9ft, only 70,000 baht rental, profit sharing, all 082-802 5273. Email: england (brand-new was 140,000 [email protected] 4,200 baht each. Will accessories & service. sell now at 12,000 baht baht) includes full accesso- Tel: 085-797 0202, 085- for full set. Located ries and installation. Tel: 085- 797 0303, 081-823 4627, BLUE CANYON CC Rawai, pics available. 797 0202, 085-797 0303, 085-782 1200. Fax: 076- Family membership. Price: Email: jackmartin3@ 081-823 4627. Fax: 076- 264461. Email: ying@ 870,000 baht. Free transfer. gmx.com 264461. Email: ying@phu phuketpooltables.com Email: [email protected] ketpooltables.com 30 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012

Saloon Cars Motorbikes Rentals

NISSAN NAVARA LE MOTORBIKE SALE, KAWASAKI NINJA 2011. Automatic. 52,000km, SUZUKI 110 Superb black Kawasaki full service history. Sale: Runs great. Sale: 9,500 baht. Ninja EX 650D, year 2009 565,000 baht. Tel: 087-384 Tel: 087-892 7273. with just 2,600km. Perfect 0980. Email: jwchampion@ condition. 180,000 baht. Tel: live.com.au KTM 525 SMR 06 AKRA 085-255 6949 (English). Very good condition. Accel- Email: wanliyap@gmail. com SALE FORD eration. Monster! >65hp/ ESCAPE 495,000 ~100kg. Krapovic Titan ex- haust system, massive sound! Original green book HARLEY XR-1200 (no fake frame number)! Stronger alternator, e-start. The only smr on phuket? Eye candy! Sale: 299,000 TOYOTA HIACE & baht. Tel: 087-913 3178 (En- MOTORBIKES CHEAP CAR HONDA CIVIC glish & Thai), +49-172-201 FOR RENT FOR RENT Toyota Hiace 1997. 2.5 die- 1412 (English). Email: l0pez Honda PCX, Airblade, sel. Minibus. High. 350,000 Ford Escape 3.0 XLT. [email protected] Harley XR-1200 for sale. Click. Best price. No baht. Honda Civic 1995. Sil- Year 2004. 140,000km. 2009 model. Only 8,000 passport deposit. Free ver. Manual. 3 doors. 175,000 Price: 495,000 baht. Con- km. Perfect condition. delivery. Tel: 087-075 baht. Tel: 076-281196, 085- tact Noppadol. Tel: 089- YAMAHA FINO Fast and fun. Priced to 2166 (English). Email: 692 6507. Email: robin.xtrem 589 5453. Email: sopasa FOR SALE sell quickly at 550,000 omaralquraini@hotmail. [email protected] [email protected] baht. Tel: 081-734 8309 com (English). Email: duc [email protected] CONVERTIBLE TOYOTA COROLLA GXI MIRA FOR SALE NEW JAZZ 1996. Auto. 2 owners, low FOR RENT mileage, first-class insur- HONDA STEED 400 ance December 2012. Great Good condition, black, comes with beautiful plate number aircon, P.S., etc. Sale: Available now in Chalong. one. Asking 125,000 baht. 175,000 baht o.n.o. Tel: 087- Tel: 087-689 9679. Email: 2008. Lady owner, ridden Call for seeing. Tel: 087-270 279 8286. [email protected] only in Phuket Town, with 9093. Year 2007, automatic. green book. Asking price Pick-ups 42,480km only, great run- 23,000 baht. Tel: 084-889 ner, based in Rawai. 2676. VESPA FOR SALE NEW CAR 160,000 baht. Very good Pink Vespa LX150, as Short- or long-term with in- FOR RENT condition for year. Just new, 1,800km. Price: surance and delivery ser- PICK-UP WANTED serviced. Email: thai HONDA PCX 125 90,000 baht. Tel: 084-308 vice. Tel: 081-607 8567. 4 doors, automatic, low orientalinn@hotmail. Gold color. 5,700km. As 8998. Email: lilouhellner Email: suksavat@hotmail. mileage. Around 450,000 com new. 55,000 baht o.n.o. @gmail.com com, for further details, baht. Contact John. Tel: Please call in the afternoon. please see our website at 087-078 6743 (English). Tel: 087-887 9070. www.phuketcarsrent.com 4 x 4s DUCATI 999 DUCATI MULTISTRADA 2011 TRITON SUPERBIKE NEW CAR Short or long-term rent, 735,000 BAHT 4X4 MITZUBISHI Top condition, 92kw/125HP, FOR RENT delivery service, with As new, 4 doors, under PICK-UP, AUTO new tires (only 100km driven). good price. Tel: 086-690 8,000km. One year first class 4-door, automatic, 2004 with Green book 100% ok. First 0626. Email: bcarrent@ insurance, excellent condi- 135,000km. Runs well. Red/ registered in Thailand in 2007. hotmail.com tion, tint, roll bar. Oz owner. silver. Price: 275,000 baht. 54,000km. Price: 350,000 Tel: 084-627 1301 (English). Tel: 087-885 8708. Email: baht. Tel: 087-823 7371 (En- Email: flatstanleysfastfood tomasholmberg77@hotmail. glish). Email holgersaupe750 BRAND NEW CAR @gmail.com com @hotmail.com FOR RENT 1 owner, 1 year old. Toyota Vios, Honda Jazz 6,000km. Termignoni Short or long-term rent. for short & long term. Full Wheels & Motors pipes side pans. As new. Includes insurance. De- insurance. Delivery. Tel: 1.4 million baht. Now livery service. Tel: 081- 088-768 9411 (English & sale: 1.1 million baht. Tel: 538 8567. Email: suksa Thai). Email: k_roa2527 084-054 8122. [email protected] @hotmail.com Please use this form to write your classified advertisement.

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| (heading)

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 120 baht, with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. All advertising must be paid for in advance. November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 31

ARRIVING FOR THE HIGH SEASON Karnic Powerboats & Ales sandro Marchi RIBS. Quality boats at great prices. For de- tails contact Alan Giles. Andaman Boat Sales. Tel: 087- 283 1674. Email: boats@ andamanboatsales.com 17M CATAMARAN Built in 2009. No engine, no mast. It is to do something. 380,000 baht. Tel: 087-461 8089.

SAILING BOAT FOR SALE

BOAT FOR SALE 36 feet, fiberglass with flybridge. Teak decks, electric marine toilet. • 2007 Gulf Craft Sea Email: [email protected] Breeze 33. • Twin Suzuki 225 Out- boards. BOAT SHARE • Fully maintained and in- 1/4 share in two boats; one sured Riviera 48 and one Gulfcraft • 1.75 million baht. 34. Fully equipped for div- ing , fishing , touring. Prof Contact: 02-6541111 Ext management and crew, 102, 085-931 2012. Boat Lagoon. Tel: 081-895 Email: Papawarin.trirat 1724 (English). Email: [email protected] [email protected]

SOLUTIONS TO THIS WEEK’S

NEW ALESSANDRO BOAT PEGASUS 8.2M 43FT CRUISING CrypticCrossword MARCHI Fiberglass, 225hp Suzuki 4str GLACIER BAY CAT CATAMARAN "Carenacorsa 18". Hypalon 130hrs + 8hp 4str. Jack plate, Fishing or dive offshore, like- 2 double cab, saloon, galley, RIB, light & fast. 90hp lean-burn 220L tank. Electric winch an- new condition, new parts, built 2011 in comp. 680,000 4-stroke Suzuki O/B. Bimini chor. Perfect condition. Price: trailer. Tel: 087-897 9192. baht. Tel: 087-461 8089. and trailer 999,950 baht. Arriv- 750,000 baht. Tel: 081-891 ing early December. For details 3095. NEW KARNIC 1851 contact Alan Giles. Andaman SAIL BOAT FOR SALE SAILING BOAT Beneteau - Evasion 34 - 1981 90hp lean-burn 4-stroke Suzuki Boat Sales. Tel: 087-283 1674. O/B. Bimini and trailer. 999,950 for sale. Small sailing boat Motor Sailer located in Phuket. Email: boats@andamanboat baht. Now in stock. For details (jolly) 4.1m incl. trailer and out- In very good condition. Only 1.5 sales.com contact Alan Giles. Andaman board, 80,000 baht. Tel: 081- million baht. Tel: 086-274 6272 Boat Sales. Tel: 087-283 1674. 081 3232 (English). Email: (English & Thai). Email: nihat_ Email: boats@andamanboat NEW KARNIC 2052 [email protected] [email protected] 140hp 4-stroke Suzuki O/B. sales.com Bimini, trailer & marine heads. 3.3M LODESTAR FISHING BOAT 1,299,950 baht. Now in stock. FOR SALE For details contact Alan Giles. RIB NEAR NEW Company has a long-term Andaman Boat Sales. Tel: 087- For Sale: LodeStar Rib INFLATABLE TENDER business with many tour com- 283 1674. Email: boats@ 3.3m. Model No: NSA320 West Marine hypalon. 3.5m panies, built 2006, 4.5mx24m, andamanboatsales.com Price: 25,000 baht. Tel: 084- RIB + SAIL, with Yamaha 843 4212 (English), 088-443 3 aircon cabins, 2 showers, 2 15hp 4-stroke outboard. Tel: 7633 (English & Thai). toilets, kitchen, 2 big sundeck. 087-388 3090 (English). KAYAK WANTED Email: teske_jason@ Price: 14.5 million baht. Please Email: penelopewest@ Secondhand 2-man kayak. yahoo.com call for more information. Tel: yahoo.com.au Tel: 088-381 5725. 082-912 9089. 32 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012

Aircraft HAVE A PASSION AIRPLAY ALTIS 1999 ROBIN 2160i For Sale 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 YOUR HELICOPTER how to fly or buy an air- contact for more informa- 300hrs. SMOH 60hrs. This Flying and owning your own heli- craft or arrange a private tion. Tel: 089-111 6457 (En- is a well-equipped, two-seat copter has just become possible. flight, etc. Website: glish & Thai), 081-397 7598 aerobatic aircraft. Has the Free complete flight instruction www.aeropromgr.com/ (English & Thai). Email: Christen inverted oil system. course with your purchase. newsletter [email protected] Excellent inside and outside. Email: [email protected] King KMA24 audio panel, KX155 nav/com, KI203 vor, KY197A comm, KN64A dme, KR87 adf, KT76A tran- sponder, CSPA400 i-com, FP5 fuel computer, CHT, OAT, Pitot heat. Price: 4 million baht. Please contact Thom. Email: thos_w@ hotmail.com

TECNAM P-92 - Price: 1.5 million baht - Registration: U-B08 - Year of Manufacture: 2002 - Equipment: Full stan- dard equipment - Engine: Rotax 912- 80HP 350hrs. Please contact for more in- formation. Aircraft is based at Klong 15. Tel: 081-840 8418.

General Aviation • Aircraft for Sale • Aircraft Sharing • Aircraft Wanted • Aircraft Charter • Aviation Services • Flying Lessons

Please use this form to write your classified advertisement.

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| (heading)

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 120 baht, with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. All advertising must be paid for in advance. November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 33

INTERNATIONAL GOALS: British International School Headmaster Mr Neil Richards with Marketing Manager Kirsten Smallcombe and students (above) BIS BAND: Some students played football, and sponsor JW Marriott Resort and Spa’s GM Tony Pedroni (right) at the BIS some music and some both. International Football Tournament. Photos: Marc Mulloy

ACTION MEN: Clockwise: Stuntman Ian Jamieson, ‘Birdman’ Jari Kuosma and Jagota GM George Des were at Royal Phuket Marina recently to organize the first ‘Phuket Family THE ROAD AHEAD: Recently, Minister of Transport Mr Jarupong Ruangsuwan presided over the opening ceremony of a seminar, on long-term and Gourmet Festival’, a charity event which transportation infrastructure, at the Prapitak Ballroom, Metropol Hotel, Phuket. will be held early next year. Photo: Marc Mulloy

nos Mr Ms 34 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012 November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 35

November 17-18, 10am to 4pm: November 24, 6pm to 12am: Topper Sail Phuket Sailing ThaiVisa 10 years party at Courses at Ao Yon, Panwa Phuket Sports & Tennis Club This 2-day course is an excellent ThaiVisa members only. Please sign and fun introduction to sailing where up at: thaivisa.com/forum/topic/ safety, fun and expert tuition are the 583277-phuket-party-10-years-of- key elements. Courses also offered Traditional Thanksgiving thaivisacom-rawai-sports-club/ during the school holidays. Dinner at Friendship Beach Topper Sail Phuket is the No 1 Din- Resort, Rawai November 24, 12 to 3pm: ghy Sailing School on Phuket. In Always fully booked every year. Saturday Brunch @ Two Chefs our fleet we have Optimists, Top- Large celebration buffet, live Every Saturday we set up our pers, Lasers, Topaz with spinna- entertainment, (soloist and brunch buffet, filled to the ker, and Cats with twin trapeze. band). Families welcome. Book- limits with home made delights. Already know how to sail? Come ings are essential. Contact Chef In our smoke house, we smoke along and rent one of our boats. Charlie on 089 728 5304 or all of our fish and meats by Canoeing and SUP courses also [email protected]. ourselves, and in the bakery we available. For more info visit: bake all our bread. With very well toppersailphuket.com. November 22, 6 to 11:30pm: trained chefs and a Swedish Martini Manicure Ladies Night head chef, we can promise you November 17, 11am to at RE KA TA that you won't leave hungry or 4:30pm: Phuket Adventure Free express manicure for ladies. thirsty. All this for only 395 baht, Mini Golf – FirstAnniversary. Free Martini for ladies on arrival, and if you add an extra 300 baht Bangtao Beach Road, Soi 2 and 50 per cent off the drink list all you can choose what you want (near Tesco Bangtao) night long. Cocktail flaring. From from our free flow alternatives, We want to celebrate with you, 6pm to midnight – DJ till late. Con- visit: twochefs.com. your family and friends with free tact 076-3300421 mini golf, free premium gifts, December 1 6:30pm to 12am: balloons for the kids. 50 per cent Nov 24 - Dec 3; 10am to 11:30pm: Phuket Life Home Project off all pizzas and burgers (except Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest Charity Quiz Night: Mövenpick Wagyu burger). Beer: 50 baht; Laguna Phuket will again be the Resort, Karon Beach wine: 100 baht; mixed drinks: 120 focus of worldwide triathlon atten- A charity quiz night with gourmet baht. Fun for Everyone! tion when the legendary Laguna buffet, rock & roll bingo, live auc- Phuket Triathlon and iconic tion and music throughout the night. November 21-24, 5 to 6pm: Ironman 70.3 Laguna Phuket Tables of up to ten. Price is 2,000 Phuket International Sport launch the high season in carnival baht per head, which includes the Fishing Tournament 2012 style. The Laguna Phuket Triathlon quiz and other activities, gourmet Registration will be on Novem- on Sunday, November 25, and buffet and limited complimentary ber 21 from 5pm onwards. Ironman 70.3 on Sunday, Decem- drinks. Full bar is available. Doors Fishing days are November 22- ber 2, are linked by a “Tri-Fest” of open at 6:30pm. Quiz starts at Swim, Bike and Run to become ern hemisphere as the premier 24. Prize giving party on the 24th. related training and social events. 7:00pm. Contact Khun Wandee or an IronKid. A triathlon for 6 to sailing event of its kind, the For more info, visit: phuket- for the many professional athletes Khun Nee on 076-384342 or visit 17-year-olds with age appropri- Phuket King's Cup Regatta will international-sportfishing- from all over the world . For more lifehomeproject.org. ate distances on a safe and once more put on a spectacular tournament.com. This event is info visit: lagunaphuket.com/ The Phuket Gazette, PGTV and the secure course. Both individual display of the finest sailing talent sponsored by the Phuket Gazette events/tri-fest This event is spon- 'Phuket Today' show are proud to and team relay entries available. from around the world, compet- and PGTV. We hope you’ll join sored by The Nation, the Phuket sponsor this event. Register on line or at Thanyapura ing in changeable seas to win the for another great tournament! Gazette, PGTV and the Gazette's Sports & Leisure Club. Visit: 'must-have' racing trophy in all Phuket Today show airing daily on December 1, 6 to 11am: TSLC ironkidsphuket.com for more of Asia. The regatta promises November 22, 6 to 11pm: UBC/True Visions (Channel 99). IronKids Phuket Official Race information and race details. This five days of highly charged rac- event is sponsored by The Nation, ing complemented by six fantas- the Phuket Gazette, PGTV and tic beachside parties hosted by the Phuket Today show, found on some of Phuket's most respected UBC/True Visions (channel 99). names in hospitality, including the host venue, Kata Beach Resort & December 1-8, 6 to 10:30pm: Spa. This event is sponsored by Phuket Afternoon Computer Clinic Phuket King's Cup Regatta 2012 The Nation, the Phuket Gazette Is Windows driving you nuts? Looking for a good internet connection? Need to know Recognized throughout the east- and PGTV . how and where to get your PC repaired, or your confounding questions answered? Drop by the new Afternoon Computer Clinics, hosted by Woody Leonhard and Seth Bareiss. Bring your computer. Bring your questions. Bring your sense of humor and let’s see if we can solve your PC problems. Second and fourth Wednesday of every month, 1-3pm, at the Sandwich Shoppe Chalong. Sponsored by Woody’s Sandwich Shoppes and the Phuket Gazette. Free Computer Clinics at: Sandwich Shoppe Chalong - November 28, 1-3pm Contact at 076-282403, [email protected] or visit KhunWoody.com 36 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012 Yassine’s cautionary tale By Andrew Scott under 24-hour family supervision. At that time, he was suffering MOROCCO over the years has from chronic depression and had been romanticized by Hollywood to take 20 pills a day just to feel and through the prose of numerous ‘normal’. authors. It’s a place that conjures Even with the help of up images of bazaars, palaces and prescription medication he still bustling market squares. But the thought about heroin everyday. vision of Morocco from those look- The sharp reality of the real ing in, is a lot different to the one world was a lot different from the Yassine Darkaoui endured while world his drugged mind had looking out from the Northern city formed over the years: “When you of Tangiers. are high, you live more in your Yassine started smoking mind than in reality and the heroin cannabis, out of curiosity, when helps the mind to create a parallel he was 19, and, in a way, to show world. The longer you take the himself and others that he could drug the bigger the parallel world play with, and handle the “fire”. becomes. You disconnect from He then made what is a natural reality and live only in your head.” progression for a lot of drug The depression went away addicts; moving onto ecstasy and after six months but his addic- heroin by the time he was 23. tion remained and he started Prior to his drug dependence, using again. Yassine represented the Moroccan “I took [drugs] every other day JUST SAY NO: Yassine with students from HeadStart after his talk about the negative impacts of drugs. National team in Laser Class sail- for a year and then one day, when drugs and their effects to year 9 ing events before addiction forced I was with my girlfriend, she and 10 students. him to quit. helped me to see the way the drug “The solution is not to put the Heroin took over his life for the worked and said it would kill me addict in prison, the solution is to next eight years: “ I needed more or I would be poor.” teach the young people that there and more money, work became Yassine decided to follow his are other ways to feel high,” said hard and I started to forget friends girlfriend Adelaide to Thailand to try Yassine. and family. When there is no and break away from the “The drug is like any product heroin it felt worse than torture.” addiction and start a clean new life. and anyone has the opportunity to The drug controlled his life to He stopped taking the drugs buy the product.” a point where he couldn’t func- three days before his flight. The other way to ‘feel high’ for tion without it. His life kept “To break a habit you have to Yassine is sailing, and he is about spiraling out of control: “I was be positive that the mind can be to embark on a personal challenge like a slave and it was impossible conditioned to new things and it that will be the most demanding for me to live without the drugs. is possible to change the way your sailing experience of his life. Everyday when I woke up, I mind works.” He is attempting to sail a 150 would smoke, and at work, The sun-soaked Moroccan now mile course in a Laser dinghy, every hour I was going to the has the personality of a man who starting from Phuket, to try and toilet. One day my boss said to has been given a fresh start in life. beat the record held by Olympic me, ‘Hey, I will put a telephone On Phuket, Yassine has bronze medalist, Michael line in the toilet for you as you rekindled his love affair with sail- Blackburn who sailed a Laser spend a lot of time in there’.” ing and says spending time on the dinghy 117 nautical miles across After recovering from his water is a form of therapy to help the Bass Straits in 13 hours. second overdose, and upon the keep his mind balanced. So far he has had physical, leaving hospital, Yassine thought He participated in last year’s mental and technical training to the only escape was suicide as the King’s Cup and Phuket Race prepare him for this record grip heroin had on him was so week. breaking attempt. strong. He says that he now wants to He also received instruction on Yassine recently recovered from a broken arm but is now training to sail. But with the help of his aunt, warn children in Phuket about the sailing during the night, which who found Yassine wandering the dangers of drug addiction and has will be the toughest part of the Andaman Sea Club, the com- Chris Millington, who has streets of Tangiers, he spent two recently shared his life experiences challenge as he only has GPS and pany of Chris Jongerius, CDR trained the UK army. weeks getting clean in a psychiat- at HeadStart school, where he a small torch to guide him. Pornprom “Gop” Sagultem of the To follow Yassine’s progress, visit: ric hospital – only allowed to leave gave a brutally honest talk about Yassine is being helped by Thai Royal Navy and his coach andamanlaserchallenge.blogspot.com Key test results due out soon THE latest results of Trends in ings from the survey are used to He and two other representa- International Mathematics and inform education policy-makers tives from Hong Kong and Science Study (TIMSS) will be and to improve teaching. Botswana presented how each announced in December. Following the previous results country has utilized TIMSS re- The results of the world's of TIMSS, other countries have sults at the 53rd IEA General famous international maths and already made some changes to Assembly Meeting hosted science tests are going to be heard their education policies and recently by Office of the Edu- again at year-end and science and maths teaching and cation Council (OEC) in Phuket. academics are questioning if learning, especially Germany. Thai students' achievements Thailand will seriously utilize the The country reacted to what have shown continuous declines results to analyse flaws in science they called ‘the TIMSS Shock’ over the past decade since and maths education to make and made major changes in Thailand joined TIMSS. Thai stu- changes and improvements, or if education after a weak profile of dents' scores were 525 for the country will just acknowledge competence of its Grade 8 science and 522 for mathemat- the results but not undertake any students in TIMSS 1995. ics in 1995. The scores dropped measures by relevant agencies Now, Germany's attempt has to 482 (science) and 467 (maths) afterward. paid off as German students have in 1999. Even in 2007, the scores First conducted in 1995, performed better in international also dropped to 471 (science) TIMSS reports every four years tests, according to Eckhard and 441 (math). Meanwhile, the on the mathematics and science Klieme, a professor of education TIMSS average scores were achievement of fourth and eighth at the German Institute of Inter- about 500 more or less grade students worldwide. Find- national Educational Research. – The Nation November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 37 Pantipa Upatising AMIDST the flurry of activities area, but equally satisfying if you at SU Trading (Suzuki) in Phuket can grasp the concepts [involved].” Town, Pantipa Upatising remains After a degree in psychology calm and composed. As workmen from Prince of Songkhla University are putting finishing touches on in Pattani, Pantipa enrolled in a post- the new showroom, Pantipa grad study in public relations, which recounts the evolution of this included a one-year study at San 25-year-old family business. Jose State University in California. Working with her husband For now, improvement means “I learned so much during that Suwinai, the couple has witnessed more work for Pantipa and her time in the States,” muses Pantipa. the growth of the Suzuki automo- staff who are required to work “Apart from the American culture, tive industry in Thailand since its to exact specifications and show I learned about (their) sense of first model Caribbean was intro- definitive results. humor and the subtlety and nuances duced. But recently, due to Japan “There is so much paperwork of the English language. It was a Suzuki’s takeover as Thailand’s and many checklists to follow,” great experience for me.” main distributor, SU Trading and laments Pantipa, “It makes for Pantipa met her husband Suwinai other regional dealers are undergo- efficiency in (the) workplace but I while working for Club Med Phuket ing a significant “overhaul”. think there’s a line to be drawn in the late 1980s. After a short For SU Trading this means a between robotic management and period there, she resigned to estab- more spacious showroom and ser- consideration for human behavior.” lish SU Trading with her husband. vice area, better customer services The last remark is hardly As MD of SU Trading, Pantipa’s and precise marketing plans. surprising coming from Pantipa job is not confined to the office desk “We now follow the manage- who studied psychology. behind the scenes. That’s not her ment programs designed by Suzuki “Please don’t get me wrong. I nature – her preferred role is at the in Bangkok, who aim to standard- am very impressed with the Japa- front line talking to customers, 25 ize all their national dealers. This nese style of management, but per cent of whom are local expats. will benefit our customers and I am some things just don’t go down Until the new showroom is com- all for it,” says Pantipa. well with the mentality of the pleted, and staff get accustomed to Initially, the Japanese manage- local people,” she elaborates. the current working style, Pantipa ment team surprised Pantipa and “In customer relations, for has many full days ahead of her. her husband by wanting to involve example, we now have to follow a Nevertheless, she describes About Thai Gallery their sons in the company’s future. strict pattern. It’s fine, but I always herself as a devout Christian, who The individuals profiled in “Thai Gallery” are chosen on the basis of “At first I didn’t see any encourage my staff to also use their makes time for Sunday service. their contributions to Phuket as an international community, and, relevance. My elder son, who’s senses and not just follow the book. “My husband is Buddhist and we often, for having made those contributions through successful social studying architecture, isn’t It’s a balancing act.” both give complete freedom to our and/or working relationships with foreigners. This implies some interested, but the younger one Pantipa, a native of Trang, sons to choose their religion and I foreign language skills and an interest in interacting with different (16) is quite keen on the idea to remembers she was fascinated by don’t mind which way they go. At cultures. They are people who in our experience help make the lives of help run the business in the future. psychology from an early age. the core, all religions have the same expats far more enjoyable here than might be the case without them. I am impressed by the long-term “I love studying the human mind aim – to instill virtues and moral vision of the Japanese team.” and behavior. It’s a highly complex principles in their followers.” 38 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012

SKAL members give up their shirts for charity

WINNERS: Maggy Wigman (left) winner of Best Dressed Lady award, and Rinsin Reading (right) who bagged the Most Creative Hat award. Photos: Christian Mouchet PIWC’s Melbourne Cup Party BEEFCAKE: You can see a lot more of these GMs at the event. Photo: Bruce Stanley NOVEMBER 6, saw a gathering of well- the big screen, plus fashion shows, By Bruce Stanley “We have nearly 60 members that range from dressed and be-hated ladies and gentlemen eccentric hat and ‘best dressed’ competi- travel agents to hotel managers. We meet once descend upon the Latitude giant marquee tions, plus mountains of fine food and PHUKET’S SKAL club is planning some a month to enjoy a good meal and discuss opposite Laguna’s Canal Village to celebrate lashing of champagne! playful revelations at their gala charity issues facing the local hospitality industry. the 152nd running of The Melbourne Cup. In summation club president Carole fundraiser December 8 at Bliss Beach This year we decided to put on our own The Phuket International Women’s Club Dux said: “I would like to express my Club on Bang Tao beach. version of the Full Monty, the popular (PIWC) were out in force to drink cham- thanks to the fund raising committee who The Full Monty is the name of the event English movie featuring normal men who pagne, dine on sumptuous comestibles and worked so hard leading up to this event and yes, it means that some of the island’s strip down to their Full Monty to raise party the day away from 9am onwards, and on the day itself making it one of our most attractive hotel managers will be money to change their lives. What we’re all in the name of raising funds for their most successful events. Also our students taking it all off to benefit both the club’s hoping to do is to raise money to help student scholarship program. for always helping at these occasions, but scholarship fund and the Phuket Has Been change the lives of needy local children.” PIWC is a non-profit organization set most importantly our generous sponsors Good to Us Foundation. DJ Doris from 91.5 FM will be providing up in 1989, which provides educational and members who supported us on the day “We have a fundraising dinner every year the music for the event and his team will be opportunities for needy children. Since and throughout the year to help us reach for our members to raise funds to help handling the evening’s entertainment. 1990 more than 700 scholarships have our objective of furthering the education of support two schools in Khao Lak and Bliss Beach Club and BB & B beverage been offered to girls and boys at primary, Phuket’s needy students.” another one in Rawai. This year we’ve de- suppliers will be providing a family style secondary and tertiary level. Currently 202 – Baz Daniel cided to invite the Phuket community to an dinner. Raffle ticket sales will enable guests students – from kindergarten to univer- event where they can help support these to stay in some of Phuket’s top resorts and sity – are receiving financial assistance programs with the purchase of raffle tickets dine in some of the island’s finest restaurants. from the club. and a very fun evening when some well It’s been fifteen years since the Former President Khun Wipa known hotel managers will be sacrificing their English production of The Full Monty Tanmanatragul said, “Students’ lives have modesty to aid our children’s programs. We became the highest grossing film in UK been profoundly improved by our schol- expect an evening of lots of fun,” said Claude history with a box office gross of US$250 arships and we are very proud of our Sauter, President of Phuket’s Skal Club. million, having been made on a budget of success stories. Many have been the first Skal is an international hospitality just US$3.5 mn. member of their family to graduate social club formed in 1932. from high school and go on to fulfill Phuket’s Skal Club is only one of 450 To reserve tickets, send a short email their dreams of becoming doctors, nurses, clubs worldwide in 85 countries and a to: [email protected] or visit: accountants and more.” Trevor Stanwell (71 years young), voted Best membership exceeding 20,000. phuketgazette.net/tickets/ for ticket purchase The day was a cornucopia of excite- Dressed Man at the Melbourne Cup, poses Urs Aebi, Secretary of Skal Phuket said, and home delivery ment comprised of the race itself live on with his lovely wife. Photo: Christian Mouchet Life Home Project preps for World AIDS Day AT THE British International helping the students make the on December 1 (World AIDS Day). School (BIS), CAS students are Christmas cards as they have been This year they have organized making Christmas cards for Life doing already for 14 weeks. The LHP Charity Quiz Night, Home Project, a Phuket-based The cards and ornaments will which features a ‘pub style’ quiz charity that cares for mothers and also be sold by some hotels. along with other activities includ- children affected by HIV/ AIDS. Some of the students will also ing rock ‘n’ roll bingo, live CAS stands for ‘Creativity, do a presentation on World Aids auctions and live music. Action, Service’ and is an integral day. Prior to the event they will A splendid buffet dinner is part of the school’s IB program send out a questionnaire with 10 being laid out by Mövenpick and as CAS student Visnu Khanijou questions about AIDS and HIV to a full bar service is being provided explained: “We are making the every tutor group in the school. by The Irish Times. cards to help raise money to help They will correlate the answers Proceeds go towards the LHP them have a better standard of and present the findings at the scholarship program and the day SHARING: BIS and LHP team up to help living and so they can get what World Aids day event showing care center as well as work train- AIDS sufferers. Photo: Andrew Scott they want when they want to.” how much or how little students ing for many of the womwn at The students have also done at BIS actually know about AIDS. the shelter. – Phuket Gazette the quiz, activities, gourmet buffet cross stitching and Christmas tree The presentation will be about and limited complimentary drinks. ornaments for Life Home Project aids and the LHP. The Phuket Gazette, PGTV and the To donate, contribute or book (LHP) to sell as packages for Meanwhile the LHP charity is 'Phuket Today' show are proud to tickets please contact Khun Wandee Christmas at the World Aids Day gearing up its annual fundraiser, sponsor this event. Tables of up to or Khun Nee on 076384342. More event on December 1 at BIS. Two which this year takes place at the ten are available and the price is information can be found at women from the LHP were at BIS Mövenpick Resort, Karon Beach 2,000 baht per head, which includes lifehomeproject.org. November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 39 Getting wired into Phuket HIGH season is approaching. of these developments and take Every year about this time I start advantage of the high demand. getting inquiries about connect- And you’d be wrong. ing to the internet in Phuket. I made the trek to TOT, True As people flock to Phuket for and 3BB, hat in hand, and asked vacations and new jobs, many typically in Singapore. about availability of various internet decide to stay for a week or a In addition, the ISP’s caches packages in both locations. TOT month or a decade, and one of the – pools of data sucked into the said they didn’t have fiber in one very first questions they have is country once, over a single location, and they weren’t sure how in the world to get hooked international data pipe, then doled about the other. True said they into the grid, Phuket style. out to thousands of customers didn’t have the “Ultra” service in It ain’t easy. inside Thailand – are bigger and one location, and they probably Other people write to me and faster than ever. didn’t have Ultra in the other, ask how they can switch their If you think you’re looking at a either. (True’s “Ultra” is a DOCSIS abysmal (the term is usually YouTube video or a Formula race based cable technology that’s considerably more colorful) “live” from another corner of the similar to cable TV.) internet service. The short world, you’re probably wrong. All three said they could get answer is that there’s no way to Chances are good that what ADSL to both locations, but if I know for sure – in Phuket, more you’re seeing has been cached in want the faster technology, I’m than any other place I’ve ever Bangrak, the waystation outside probably up a creek. been, there are huge variances Bangkok, or possibly in Singapore So that’s the first lesson: even in line quality and loading; one or Tokyo. if an ISP has a good package, it person’s fabulous line may be Yes, even your Gmail and may not be available wherever another’s nefarious Skype- Hotmail (er, Outlook.com) email you are. Yes, even if you’re in dropping mess. messages are being mirrored in the middle of a popular housing INTER-NOT: Phuket has huge differences in quality and loading. Photo: Kelp When I first arrived in Phuket Singapore, and it all happens in development, surrounded by sary to support those fast speeds. Fah East road. If you have a Windows twelve years ago, my very first the blink of an eye. people willing to pay a premium But the potential’s there for a huge problem that needs to be solved, or a task – after finding a temporary I wish that signing up for an for good internet service. game changing shift, not unlike the question about internet service in place to live – was to get an internet line was as easy as The second lesson: some shift from telephone wires to Phuket, drop by and ask one of the internet connection housing developments mobile phones two decades ago. assembled gurus. Sponsored by the going. There wasn’t won’t let you install Next week I’ll talk about the Phuket Gazette and Khun Woody’s much reliable infor- your own internet line wired connections available in most Sandwich Shoppes. mation back then, – even if the service parts of the island. It probably won’t and there isn’t too they offer is absurdly surprise you to learn that the more Live Wire is Phuket Gazette much more now. overpriced and utterly expensive “faster” lines aren’t columnist Woody Leonhard’s Internet Service unreliable. necessarily faster at all. weekly snapshot of all things Providers (ISPs) in Frankly, I have very internet in Phuket. Shoot him mail Thailand are fighting little tolerance for We’re running informal computer clinic at [email protected], follow a lot of different places like that. roundtables every Sunday morning at him on Twitter, @PhuketLiveWire, or battles, and consumer Fortunately, there’s Sandwich Shoppe Chalong, located 1 “like” his page at facebook.com/ relations is only part one technology avail- km north of Chalong Circle on Chao SandwichShoppe. of the picture. able – TOT’s AirMax Over the years, “WiNet” service – that I’ve stressed mea- gives you ADSL speeds suring international without having to download speeds. string a wire to your We’ve had a lot of house. You may or may Dealing with a jumble of wires won’t necessarily guarantee problems with getting you fast access to the internet. Photo: Lord BullGod not be able to sneak that accurate reports – by your developer’s TOT and True, in particular, have visiting your friendly local ISP association. jimmied their lines to give and paying for the fastest pack- The third lesson: this is all unrealistically good performance age you can afford. It doesn’t changing. Fast. Right now, the measures with the tests we use. work that way. Perhaps more wireless ‘3G’ services from AIS, I still haven’t found a good accurately, it may work that way, TrueMove-H, DTAC, and CAT, solution to that problem. I’ll be but you definitely won’t get what and coming soon from TOT, of- meeting with an expert on the you think you’re going to get. fer speeds that typically run topic over the next few months It happens to me, too. I’m in about half as fast as what you’d to see if we can find a better way. the process of moving from expect from a decent ADSL line. For now, the best I can do is Patong to a more central loca- That’s quite remarkable, consid- give you a relatively educated tion on the island. My house ering that you can take the 3G guess as to the capabilities of the search at one point narrowed connection around with you, all internet packages available on down to two well-established over the country, and hook up the island, and steer you in the housing developments in Kathu. network cables and WiFi to little direction that I would go. Your These aren’t new places – pocket-size boxes – all widely mileage may well vary. they’ve both been around for available in Phuket. International download speeds many years. The people who live But the big change is just about aren’t as crucial as they once in the houses have computers a year away. LTE ‘4G’, if we get it were. Many companies – Google and TV sets and all sorts of in Phuket (don’t get me started (including YouTube), Microsoft electronics – and some presum- about the 3G auctions), has the (including Hotmail), Akamai ably have disposable income. potential to run considerably faster (which drives thousands of key You would think the internet than almost all of the landline sites) and others – have set up companies would be crawling all connections currently available. Of servers either in Thailand, or one over each other to get fast course, that assumes the ISPs pay short and very fast hop away, internet connections out to both to build the infrastructure neces- 40 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012 Blazing Saddles Our fearless correspondent Bicycling ‘Baz’ Daniel has volunteered to boldly go in search of the great cycling routes around the far-flung corners of our fair isle, in order to bring you this regular column entitled ‘Blazing Saddles’.

SWINGERS: Baby Sherpa. Inset: Parents Cop (right) and Jorn. Gibbon back to nature By Chris Hudon

ONE family of local gibbons – Cop, Jorn and baby Sherpa – are about to undertake the arduous journey of a lifetime, several years in the making, which marks the start of their reintroduction into the wild. Their journey begins Sunday, November 18, at an undis- closed location inside Khao Praew Thaew National Park, and will continue for several years to come. Cop, Jorn and Sherpa represent years of time and thousands of bahts’ worth of investment by the Gibbon FOUNTAIN OF FITNESS: ‘Bicycling Baz’ does a handstand next to his bike in one of Phuket’s ‘quiet corners’. Research Project (GRP), a research division of the Wild THE thought of cycling around your body can’t actually absorb a you’ll realize that your moment of Animal Rescue Foundation (WARF) of Thailand. Phuket probably enters most huge deluge all at once. After riding pedaling enlightenment has arrived. The GRP, which is funded entirely through donations, people’s minds about as frequently there’s nothing wrong with a couple Like all sports, start off slowly employs six full time staff (including a resident primatolo- as wondering what it would be of icy beers or a cola to replace the only doing what your current gist), has a dozen volunteers and is approaching its second like to thrust a live cobra down sugars you’ve used up and the fitness level will comfortably allow. decade of operations on Phuket. the front of their underwear. minerals that sweating removes You’ll be amazed how quickly your GRP officials say their method of re-introducing gibbons However, cycling around from your system. fitness builds with regular riding. into the wild in family groups is the first of its kind. Phuket is undoubtedly growing Remember, even when it’s 30 Then it’s a case of, “Hills?… I Gibbons are naturally territorial, and with a young one in in popularity, despite the obvi- degrees in Phuket, by cycling laugh in the face of hills!” tow, the adults adopt a territory in the forest more readily, ous challenges associated with you are essentially in a 20 kilo- Hair-raising is certainly a fair says Oliver Price, who’s been volunteering at the GRP for the endeavor. meter-an-hour wind if that’s your description of many cyclists’ the past three years. On most days in the early dawn average speed, and the free flow reaction to dealing with marauding “They are a good family, and are really tight knit. The mist you’ll see phalanxes of traffic, mangy dogs, potholes, parents [Cop and Jorn] play with baby Sherpa a lot.” Lycra-clad figures blithely broken glass and overloaded Cop, Jorn and Sherpa have spent the past three months in darting in and out of the traffic, noodles carts coming at you a cage designed to acclimatize them to their site in the ascending vertiginous inclines, with no lights on the wrong forest. They’ve reportedly been coping well despite bouts or chilling at roadside cafes. side of the road. The main of recent bad weather. Every morning, staff members trek The resurgence of cycling arteries of Phuket are a raw into the forest with 3 kilograms of food for the family. is a global phenomenon of Darwinian struggle for survival Eventually they will be weened until they can provide for which Phuket is a part, despite in which you, dear cyclist, are themselves entirely. Cop, Jorn and Sherpa were also recently the fact that in all fairness it the lowest man in the brutal visited by another Gibbon named Bank, the father of a neigh- cannot be said that Phuket is hierarchy of “Might is Right.” boring family who’ve already been reintroduced into the wild. particularly “cyclist-friendly”. You MUST cycle with the There are three key chal- utmost care and attention at lenges the budding pedal-file all times, looking every which must meet, whether you’re a way at every moment. road bike enthusiast, or a Always wear your crash mountain biker. It’s hot, hilly hat and riding after dark and often hair-raising! Just you and the bike. Photo: Emil Parkarklis cannot be recommended. Ambient temperature need not be of air over your skin cools you However, this column will take a deterrent to enjoyable cycling if a down and facilitates sweating. A you to the many pleasant backwa- few basic rules are observed. Clearly sort of movable detox! ters of Phuket, where riding is quiet early morning and late afternoons Over time, this column will and enjoyable, and you can delight are the best times to be “on yer introduce you to a whole range of in just being on a bike, in the fresh bike”. It’s cooler, and at 6am there’s fairly flat rides, but it’s an undeni- air, riding slowly along savoring the a lot less traffic to dodge. In addi- able fact that there are hills aplenty delights of our tropical island and tion, at dawn and dusk the light is around Phuket and some of them discovering myriad quiet corners more beautiful, and that wonderful are very intimidating. However, as you never knew existed. aspect of cycling that seems to your fitness grows, climbing and closely unite you with the environ- conquering Phuket’s hills becomes In the next column join Bicycling Baz ment you’re gliding through, is all an enjoyable challenge. for a classic Phuket ride… down to the the more intense. One morning you’ll find your- lake at Nai Harn and along and around When out pedaling, drink lots of self saying, “I wonder what it that delightful southern-most beach. water, much more than you think would be like to cycle up and have you’ll need and sip it frequently, as a chat with the Big Buddha.” Then – Baz Daniel November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 41 Dive Bunny takes plunge Thai “Tanny” learns to swim, and learns English in pursuit of her dream of becoming a member of the dive industry.

A LION fish is out in the open just and Koreans, don’t face the same over the sands of Kata Beach, but challenges that Thais do when before a photo can be taken there entering professional levels of the is a sudden commotion. industry, as PADI certification texts Dive instructor ‘Scuba Nick’, are available in their native tongue. eyes wide-open, rips off his mask But such texts don’t exist in Thai, and reaches for his student’s regu- forcing divers like Tanny to learn lator. Ex-British the essentials and military, Nick is the minute details a big guy, with of diving in a big hands going second or third for the second language. stage of the small Thai Dive Mas- Before we made our way ter trainee, Kritsada “Tanny” through the sunbathing crowds Sutjacharee, also known as on Kata Beach, Tanny ran “Scuba Bunny”. With dexterity through a memorized script for and confidence, Tanny quickly her dive briefing. “Hello, my takes control of the situation. She name is Tanny, but you can call establishes physical contact, holds me Dive Bunny,” she said with a Nick’s eye, checks his pressure big grin. Though struggling with gauge for air and gets him breath- certain terminology, such as ing – Nick begins to calm down, “surf zone” she was able to give and one of the several intense drills a comprehensive briefing, cover HOP TO IT: Very few in the world have seen a ‘bunny’ interacting with a Leopard shark. Photos: Scuba Nick for the day is over. all the essentials: safety proce- points out a small scorpion fish about looking at the moon, on to marine life. Seeing Tanny move in the dures, dive plan, time limits, air nestled into the reef. [where] you could see [the Back at the surface Tanny, water, it is hard to imagine that as limits and so on. What might come off as shadow] of a bunny sometimes. Nick and I are all grins. It is just of June 5 this year, she still didn’t Though many improvements ‘gimmicky’ is so sincerely loved, And they told me that when you as clear here, floating at the know how to swim. It is often will be needed before Tanny is with the same contagious passion go to sleep the bunny from the surface, as it was underwater that jokingly remarked that knowing able to follow through with her as she has for any “cartoon style” moon comes to see you,” Tanny Tanny has a passion for diving that how to swim is not essential for a dream of becoming a dive instruc- fish, such as Peacock Mantis explains. will carry her forward beyond the diver to gain their open water cer- tor and opening her own business shrimps and Porcupine fish, that “That’s when I [first started many obstacles she has had to tification. Though wonderfully “Scuba Bunny”, she exudes the Tanny’s rabbit ears are an instant to] love bunnies, when I was a overcome, so she can have true, it has been known to help, and confidence and passion quintes- asset to the dive. child,” she said. a chance to explore all the being a reliable swimmer is an sential to being a Dive Master. “When I was a child, my Not giving up her love of mysteries and oddities of the essential element Despite the Mom and Dad told us a story rabbits, Tanny has clearly moved underwater world. to becoming a daunting tasks Dive Master. Tanny has already Yet, growing faced, she has up in Isarn, Tanny steadily moved never had a real through all her chance to learn, certifications up she explains at to her Dive Mas- the surface. ter course and “Mom and Dad has already made told me one day over 130 dives ‘swim like dog’. in the last five Then I went to the months, guiding pool with my 48 of them. As Mom and Dad she guides our and twin sister. tour on Kata, her They threw me confidence and into the pool, and experience under- same, same as a The first dive tour Tanny led water are visible. doggy,” she said was on the King Cruiser, which There are just unabashedly. has become her favorite dive the three of us on For Ms Tanny, site. Photos: Scuba Nick the dive, which diving has come makes spotting before swimming. Nick, her the tour leader (Tanny) as simple instructor, explains, “I put aside as your first underwater breathe. [the swimming] and focused on the However, Tanny’s hood, diving first to give her confidence complete with bright pink in the water,” he added. novelty bunny ears, makes her However, learning to swim is easily identifiable in pretty much not the biggest challenge that any dive situation. Tanny, like many other Thais As we hover over the sand next trying to break into the dive to the matrix of Kata reef, I frame industry, face. The real hurdle is up another shot of “Scuba the language barrier. Many other Bunny”, her ears a strong contrast nationals, such as the Japanese to the blue around her, as she 42 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012

A SPLASH OF COLOR: Water lilies or numphaeceae blooms and pads float above water. Photo: Texas Eagle

Some terracotta pots are glazed on the inside, making them suitable for Ecstatic aquatic aquatic plants . Photo: Melanie Cook

WHEN I first came to Phuket, exclusively with water-loving a plant sacred to both Buddhists wherever you hail from. it was well nigh impossible to plants, but William Warren’s and Hindus. Like the water canna, They come in every color of find ceramic pots that were Tropical Garden Plants (Thames it is a sun-worshipper, will grow the rainbow, and the spectacular completely waterproof. Indeed, I and Hudson) has a section on the with its roots submerged in water flowers lose nothing in compari- recall filling the drainage holes topic. So here is my own and does best when constrained son with those of the lotus. But it in glazed pots with cement in threepenn’orth. flowers on elongated stems well by a narrow-rimmed pot. While will only bloom freely, given a order to prevent leakage. The shape of the container is above the leaves. A particularly nelumba nucifera will probably sunny location and ample mud I was reminded of this recently absolutely crucial. Many of attractive variety has reddish not grow above four feet tall, its around its spreading rootstock. by Richard, a fellow Englishman, Richard’s pots are vase-shaped – stalks and veining on the foliage. magnificent buds and flowers – Since both pads and blooms who is marketing a range of giant either broadly oval, or more Thalia geniculata will grow either pink or white – are borne float on the surface of the water, ceramic pots, so large that they slender in style. Consequently, the completely immersed in water, on long stalks some distance it requires a very different kind cannot be thrown or spun, but are rims are much narrower than the and is best established by being above the water. of habitat. In principle, the crafted into molds by traditional main body, so one has to consider rooted in the glutinous mud sold Given the right muddy wider the pot, the better for methods, covered with a ceramic plants that require relatively little in most good garden centers. conditions, including fertilizer the lily. And, because the glaze and then fired in a wood- surface space and which will, by Since it will rise four or five feet in tablet form, it will bloom flowers are low to the water, burning furnace. Beautiful and growing tall, gracefully comple- above its container, it will not look repeatedly and produce masses of the vessel needs to be at unique. Richard writes: ment the design of the container. out of place in a large jar or vase- leaves. Round and vividly green, or near ground level to achieve “I would appreciate any One obvious choice is the shaped pot with a relatively the leaves are covered with maximum visual impact. No thoughts you might have about water canna (thalia geniculata), narrow rim. Moreover, it loves full microscopic hairs that cause rain- wonder the water lily is the where I can research the best a plant with elegant reed-like sun. Witness the water canna’s drops to roll off them. A must-have preferred choice of pond owners plants for these sorts of pots. I stems and bright green, large, presence on the front patios of container plant. everywhere. am particularly interested in ovate leaves that appear at the many Thai homes. The only Water lilies are probably aquatic plants that can survive sides and tops of the stalks. downside is that old leaves the best known of all water plants, If you have a question or a garden outside [in] this climate.” Grown mainly for its foliage, quickly discolor and will need to for the botanical family of that you would like featured, As far as I am aware, there is the water canna also produces be removed with secateurs. nymphaeceae is huge, and its you can email me anytime at: no single book that deals dangling clusters of mauve Even more familiar is the lotus, members are familiar presences [email protected] TipsTips ofof thethe WeekWeek Trace Elements and Healthy Plants

EVERY gardener understands that plants, like humans, require nutrients to stay alive and well. The three main needs are for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium(K). These are present in the soil, especially top soil, and in additional material such as compost or chicken manure. In addition, plants may require monthly applications of fertilizer, which is normally obtained in granular or liquid (more expensive) form, and is most commonly available as an equal balance of the three main minerals (15/15/15 ). But that is not the end of the story: trace elements in minute quantities – boron, manganese, iron or zinc assist healthy growth. Happily, they are usually present in rich soil. Plants lacking these elements, especially in pots, may reveal their absence by yellowing foliage or stunted growth. They should benefit from a top dressing of humus-rich soil, manure or compost. November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 43 A head-spinnning adventure two family dogs. computer whiz. At Georgetown A sinister policeman and two University, the daughter had caused thugs from the local body snatch- an aristocratic classmate to lose ing society determine that the head face. For this they’re being is of a Burmese and of no further hounded by hyper-efficient uber- SO FAR, Colin Cotterill has written concern. At the same time a middle Gestapo dedicated solely to Thai seven novels in the Dr Seri Series, class mother and college-age daugh- aristocrats. Now I know that this which tell of the misadventures of ter turn up at the bungalow. They is a farce, but that’s just plain silly. the National Coroner of Laos who have no identification and their car In the other case, the head on emerges from thirty years in the has no license plates. Obviously the beach belongs to a Burmese jungle with the Pathet Lao after their they’re on the run from someone. fisherman, one of many who have victory in 1975. Now he’s has These two cases are taken up been murdered aboard a fleet of switched to a new Jimm Jure by the former crime fighter Jimm three slave ships. Now this makes series in modern day Thailand. Juree. There are any number of no sense either. Why go to all the Jimm Juree is a 34-year-old laugh lines. After an angry phone expense of hiring a corrupt police divorcee and former crime reporter conversation, Jimm reflects: “The officer and a couple of thugs to for the Chiang Mai Mail. In the first trouble with a cell phone was that abduct Burmese and ship them out novel of the series – Killed at the if you slammed it down you’d to slave ships, not to mention Whim of a Hat – she cuts all ties in break your own jaw.” paying and equipping Thai armed Chiang Mai to follow her slightly Of her slightly dotty mother, guards to watch over them, when addled mother after she purchases she observes: “She was convinced they’ll work for chickenfeed a complex of five beach bungalows that those little packets of preser- anyway? What’s the point? in Pak Nam, Chumphon. Along vatives they put in food were Still the climax is a rousing one, with her come her bashful body condiments. She’s eaten so many with the action shifting between builder brother Arny and her she’d likely live to 150.” Jimm narrating her scoop into her granddad Jah, an taciturn, ill- Of the fugitive mother and video camera aboard a small tempered former traffic policeman. daughter: “They insisted we call fishing boat and her audience of Staying behind in Chiang Mai is her them Noy – the mother, high-tone, mother and sister Sissi who’ve ‘sister’ Sissi, a former transsexual and Noy, the daughter, low tone. taken over an internet shop. They’re beauty queen and now a reclusive Thai is a wonderful language that watching the action, which has gone internet outlaw. leaves many a foreigner ripping out viral, along with the rest of the These characters form the chunks of hair. It has an ability to world. The unhappy internet shop backbone to the second novel of change a dog into a horse, a skein owner suddenly realizes that what the series. Granddad, There’s a of silk into a bush fire, an entire he’s watching is not a TV show. Head on the Beach (Quercus, Lon- town into an irrigation ditch. And The book is full of off-the-wall don, 2012, 326) is exactly what all at the mere drop of a tone.” funny stuff – a thoroughly enjoy- Jimm says when she comes back The mystery of the two fugi- able read if you know nothing about from a walk on the beach with the tives is soon solved by Sissi, the Thailand, not so much if you do. The Big Bang Theory Season 6: Still funny

OUR universe began as a swirling limited social skills. As the series mass that existed in a hot/dense progresses, more female charac- state, which started expanding ters are introduced (Sara Gilbert rapidly 13.75 billion years ago. and Mayim Bialik) who match This expansion caused the Leonard and Sheldon’s braininess. universe to cool and resulted in This fun, well-written series what now is its present continu- features an endearing cast who ously expanding state. provide viewers with lots of This knowledge forms the core humorous moments. Leonard, of mankind’s best model for under- Sheldon, and their friends fully standing the origins of the universe embrace their genius and recog- AND is also the premise for one nize their social shortcomings. seriously hilarious show on CBS. If you never thought science The Big Bang Theory is a sitcom could be combined with potty about a group of Cal-Tech physi- humor, consider this quote from cists who spend their time trying the series: “Leonard: What would to unlock the mysteries of the you be if you were attached to universe only to fail at interacting another object by an inclined plane, with people here on planet Earth. wrapped helically around an axis? Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon: Screwed.” Sheldon (Jim Parsons) are room- Still, while the show is definitely mates who spend their free time funny, its storyline isn’t completely with fellow scientists Howard original. It has all the expected Wolowitz (Simon Helberg) and clichés about nerds, they have a Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar), passion for sci-fi characters and playing board games in Klingon can’t sell a pick-up line to save their and watching recorded Stephen lives. Penny puts forward the Hawking lectures. But the stereotypical “dumb blonde” image, planets start shifting when they though women with brains and meet Penny (Kaley Cuoco), a awkwardness to match the guys’ pretty blond waitress/aspiring are featured in recent seasons. In actress who moves in next door. the end, this show is a fun, intellec- Even though she doesn’t have tual comedy about a group of guys a terribly high IQ or an affinity for having fun and looking for love. quantum physics, Penny’s looks Now in its sixth season, episode and willingness to befriend the 9, The Parking Spot Escalation, airs geeky guys has them trying their November 29 and can be seen at best to charm her with their cbs.com. – Jonathan Ryan 44 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012 Some things you never knew you didn’t know PEANUTS are one of the ingre- of three seconds. world is Mohammed. dients of dynamite. On an American one-dollar bill, The volume of the Earth’s moon A shark is the only fish that can there is an owl in the upper left-hand is the same as the volume of the blink with both eyes. corner of the ‘1’ encased in the Pacific Ocean. The longest one-syllable word in ‘shield’ and a spider hidden in the ‘Cephalocaudal recapitulation’ the English language is “screeched.” front upper right-hand corner. is the reason our extremities No word in the English language It’s impossible to sneeze with develop faster than the rest of us. rhymes with month, orange, silver your eyes open. Each year there is one ton of or purple. The giant squid has the largest cement poured for each man A pig’s orgasm lasts 30 minutes. eyes in the world. woman and child in the world. (In my next life, I want to be a pig.) The male gypsy moth can ‘smell’ The house fly hums in the middle Photo: Dean Noble Photo: Adair Frances McNear A cockroach will live nine days the virgin female gypsy moth from octave key of F. without its head before it starves 1.8 miles away (pretty good trick, The longest place name still in use to death! (Creepy, but I’m still not luckily pigs can’t do that). is:Taumatawhakatangihangao over the pig.) In England, the Speaker of the auauotameteaturipukakapiki Sign language ‘Dreamt’ is the only English House is not allowed to speak. maungahoronukupokai word that ends in the letters ‘mt’. The microwave was invented -whenu a kitanatahu – a New Almonds are members of the after a researcher walked by a Zealand hill. peach family. radar tube and a chocolate bar The strongest muscle in the Maine is the only state whose melted in his pocket. body is the tongue. name is just one syllable. The average person falls asleep Only 1 in 2,000,000,000 will live There are only four words in the in seven minutes. to be 116 or older. English language which end in There are 336 dimples on a Hummingbirds are the only ‘dous’: tremendous, horrendous, regulation golf ball. animals that can fly backwards. stupendous, and hazardous. ‘Stewardesses’ is the longest A cat’s jaw cannot move Los Angeles’s full name is ‘El word typed with only the left hand. sideways. Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina The ‘pound’ key on your key- Some lions mate over 50 times de los Angeles de Porciuncula’. board (#) is called an octotroph. a day. (Pigs have quality over And can be abbreviated to 3.63% The only domestic animal not quantity though) of its size: L.A. mentioned in the Bible is the cat. The sentence, “The quick brown A cat has 32 muscles in each ear. The dot over the letter ‘i’ is fox jumps over the lazy dog,” uses An ostrich’s eye is bigger than called a tittle. every letter in the alphabet. it’s brain. Table tennis balls have been The airplane Buddy Holly died in Tigers have striped skin, not just known to travel off the paddle at was the American Pie (Thus the striped fur. speeds up to 160 km/hr. name of the Don McLean song). In most advertisements, Pepsi originally contained pepsin, 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = including newspapers, the time thus the name. 12,345,678,987,654,321 displayed on a watch is 10:10. The original story from “Tales of The world’s termites outweigh Al Capone’s business card said 1001 Arabian Nights” begins, the world’s humans 10 to 1. he was a used furniture dealer. “Aladdin was a little Chinese boy.” Humans and dolphins are the only A dragonfly has a life-span of 24 Nutmeg is extremely poisonous species that have sex for pleasure. hours. if injected intravenously. (What about that pig?) A goldfish has a memory span The most common name in the – Compiled by Marc Mulloy The Greatest Invention EUGENE J Polley is dead. Who, transcendent, and sublime. you will ask, was Eugene J Polley? There is air-conditioning, with- Ah, dear reader, Eugene J Polley out which modern man would was the inventor of the wireless quickly perish in the summer heat. TV remote control device, famil- The ancient Chinese emperors had iarly known to all who love it as every imaginable luxury, yet “the remote.” This hallowed despite all their wealth and power, instrument has been immortalized remarkable man. they had no air-con. They swel- in the universal cry, rising from a His demise made me pause to tered in the sauna of a Beijing thousand throats in times of ponder a weighty question. What is summer like the lowliest peasant. crisis: “WHERE IS THE the greatest invention of modern Yes, air-con is a top candidate, F#$%@*! REMOTE?” times? What recent invention has and so is the humble coffee pot. That puts Eugene J Polley right conferred the greatest benefit on What would your day be like with- up there in the constellation of great suffering humankind? We all know out your morning coffee? Industry benefactors of humanity like that the wheel was the greatest in- and commerce would grind to a Edison, Marconi, Ford, Steve Jobs, vention in human history. But what halt, nothing would ever get done, and Isidore T. Hamburger. (I don’t invention of the past few centuries multitudes of sullen and bleary- have to tell you what HE invented.) has done most to gladden our hearts? eyed citizens would commit Eugene J Polley cast off his mortal The TV remote comes to mayhem, murder, and suicide, frame and joined the angels on May mind, of course, and its faithful deprived of that energizing brew. 20, 2012, at the age of 96. ally, the La-Z-Boy recliner. With- I could go on, but the 500- Humankind owes a great debt out these two invaluable amenities, word limit which my cruel editor to Eugene J Polley. Were it not for my personal corpulence would be has imposed looms up before me his genius, we would have to get greatly diminished. Then there is like the portals of doom. The up and waddle to the TV every the computer, the mobile phone, greatest invention of modern times, time we wanted to change chan- and their host of spinoffs: the dear reader, is the flush toilet. Just nels. He has saved all of us iPhone, the iPod, the iPad, and the think of how your bathroom incalculable amounts of needless legions of i-toys that are at our would smell without it. exercise and is responsible, by a command. Valuable inventions all, conservative estimate, for adding and not to be sneered at, even Ye Olde Curmudgeon plans to approximately 50 kilograms to my though they turn our brains into elaborate on this felicitous theme in previously gaunt and shrunken oatmeal. But the greatest recent future columns, unless readers in frame. So let us shed a tear and invention of all? We look for a stel- sufficient numbers write in to stop him, drink a toast to the memory of this lar achievement far more lofty, c/o [email protected] November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 45 46 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012

SUDOKU: Each row, column and 3x3 sub-grid must contain the number 1-9 once only. © Kevin Stone (brainbashers.com) 29. The day before noon is flat (4) 30. Rep changed tale about church dignitary (7) 33. Notorious late last century film director, Pilot Officer, left a Across: Navigator on a runner (8) 9. Search for one on request (9) 35. Sold in mere misrepresentation 10. Atmosphere first rate, right? (3) to those in the army (7,3) 11. Football Association called a 36. Set outside, time to let it stand (4) foreigner in Thailand (6) 37. Original American communist's 12. As one of French made family (7) unrelated remarks (6) 38. Fly she, moving, concealed 13. Short reference states a liberal being plump (6) turn down (7) 40. In element I do sum cleverly (6) 4. Fashionable retinue under way (2,5) 20. Chicken about East from now 31. Amount of precipitation in 14. Sore back for a Greek god (4) 41. Greek character's river house (3) 5. Pair on island once left large son on! (5) wet-weather autumn (8) 15. A marque in a new color (10) 42. Colonel left new rota to one who in jail accommodation (6,5) 22. Clash, or move student (7) 32. Health centers caught fifty in 17. Subtle points in pleasant puts things in order (8) 6. Fact, if lion is disturbed, 23. To bring about wins, desired one century, son! (7) relationships (8) suffering ensues (10) modern missiles (11) 34. Tain't a possibility to arrive at! (6) 18. Cut back possibly cured editor Down: 7. Starer comes to apprehend (6) 25. Ruminates about singular 35. Ask about nothing round this (8) 1. Maybe bust queen's following (10) 8. To move the car, first get this (4,4) reagents against bacteria (10) Phuket Tambon (5) 19. She keeps nothing in footwear (4) 2. Sued as it could be taken 10. Short for Alfred, that is the 26. Medical Officer the right cover 39. Times are upsetting, son! (4) 21. Introduce rest in movement (6) advantage of (4) abbreviated name! (5) in the maternal state (10) 24. Will people stand for this? (2,8,6) 3. Said used carelessly, advise 16. Those who hurl insults are 28. Nowadays a choice for taking Cryptic crossword compiled by 27 Hound graduate's group (6) against (8) maybe baser about us (7) into one's family (8) Patong Bill. Answers on page 31.

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22): personal level. Another earth sign is GEMINI (May 22-June 21): appreciate being wrongly accused. Certain Scorpios could on your side and can give valuable The stars suggest that In the world of work, the second be getting hot under the advice this weekend. More physical some Geminis need to let half of November is an auspicious collar at work this week. activity can be the key to better go of a grudge. Harboring time to tidy up loose ends. A task There are signs that an air sign balance, and including your partner these negative feelings will get you that you have been avoiding turns colleague has been interfering in in this will enhance the relationship. nowhere and can prevent you from out to be less daunting than something that is your concern. Your lucky color this week is bronze. seeing the sunny side of life. Money expected. Luckiest days for love Wednesday is the most auspicious matters could become complicated are Wednesday and Thursday. day to tackle this issue. Those AQUARIUS (Jan 21-Feb 19): ARIES (March 21-April 20): – there are signs that listening celebrating a birthday in the days Even if you can’t always Your outlook remains rosy carefully can prevent mistakes VIRGO (Aug 23-Sept 23): ahead will be ready to take more get what you want, the until the end of November. being made. In the realm of Personal relationships fall chances in the coming year. Wear star indicate that Aquarians Finances are particularly romance, it would be wise to use under the spotlight during the color cucumber green to help will be more than satisfied with well-starred – expect your bank your head instead of following your the second half of Novem- you keep your cool. what they can achieve during the balance to be boosted by a payment heart where a fire sign is concerned. ber. Offering an olive branch to a second half of November. This is that is more generous than antici- water sign friend or family member SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec 21): an auspicious week to use pated. Where affairs of the heart are CANCER (June 22-July 23): is advised. There are signs that this Neighborly relations may technology to your advantage, and concerned, a meeting of the minds Small changes in your person is ready to forgive and forget be put to the test this week. an earth sign friend will appreciate shows you that another fire sign domestic situation can and you should do the same. The The astral atmosphere your help in that department. In the could be your soulmate. Those who make a worthwhile stars advise being careful with what can cause misunderstandings realm of romance, another air sign’s have been struggling with a difference to your wellbeing. The you say to a new romantic partner – around your home environment – words are music to your ears difficult decision concerning a second half of November is an ideal sharing too much information too the stars advise not allowing this weekend. casual relationship should find that time for those born under the sign soon would not be a wise move. minor grievances to get out of the answer is easier than expected. of Cancer to brighten up their hand. What goes around comes PISCES (Feb 20-March 20): surroundings. An earth sign friend LIBRA (Sept 24-Oct 23): around, and this can also apply to There should be more TAURUS (April 21-May 21): has ideas to share that won’t stretch Practical matters occupy your realm of romance. Those activity and adventure on Leaving your comfort your budget too far. Finances most of your time and Sagittarians who have been your agenda during the zone can be hard for remain affected by uncertain attention this week. Those keeping someone dangling on a second half of November. Pisceans those born under the cosmic conditions until the end of born under the sign of Libra whose string could have a sharp wake-up who have been preoccupied with sign of Taurus, but the stars the month – this is not the right social life was a whirl during the call. Lucky days for finances are mundane matters since the start of suggest that rewards will make moment to make big commitments. first half of November could have a Tuesday and Wednesday. the month are advised to accept this worthwhile. The second half reality check. Unannounced visitors invitations they might normally of November is predicted to be an LEO (July 24-Aug 22): are forecast to mean last minute CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 20): reject. Travel is well-starred during important period, with emphasis Conclusions can be changes to your schedule, and could Jealousy can play a part in the coming days; the stars advise on creativity becoming a way to wrongly drawn by Leos also cause some ripples in your life this week. The you to remember that the journey make more money. Where this week. The stars domestic harmony. Best days for stars suggest that a water can be more important than the romance is concerned, your idea recommend digging more deeply finances are Tuesday and sign would like to dampen your destination. Dazzling days for of a fun date may not coincide with for information before confronting Wednesday. Sparkling days for dreams, whether at work or on a romance are Sunday and Monday. that of a water sign this weekend. anyone – another fire sign will not romance are Sunday and Monday. November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 47 London Olympics break even

By Reuters remain confident that our revenues will meet our costs,” SPONSORSHIP deals and record Deighton said in a written sub- revenues from the sale of almost 11 mission to the London Assembly million tickets helped London released on Tuesday. organizers hit their target of raising The success of the London 2.4 billion pounds sterling to stage Games has earned Deighton a the Olympics and Paralympics. position with the finance ministry The income covered the core overseeing delivery of infrastruc- costs of putting on the world’s ture projects. He will take up the largest sporting event, said Paul role at the start of next year. Deighton, the former Goldman London organizers raised almost Sachs banker who served as chief 750mn pounds through domestic executive of the London Organiz- sponsorship deals with more than ing Committee (LOCOG) for the 40 businesses including oil Games in July and August. company BP, British Airways and LONDON CALLING: The full moon rises through the Olympic Rings hanging beneath Tower Bridge. Photo: Reuters The British government sepa- telecoms company BT. topped forecasts at a record an initial ballot for seats. volunteers after embarrassing rately provided almost 9bn That was almost on a par with 659mn pounds thanks to near sell- The majority of more than gaps appeared in the areas re- pounds of public money to build the sum reported by Beijing after it out crowds for both the Olympics 300,000 unsold tickets were for served for media, athletes and and provide security for the hosted the Games in 2008 and and Paralympics. early rounds of Olympic football, officials early in the Olympics. venues in East London for the almost four times what Athens gen- The fact that any tickets were LOCOG said. The previous highest figure Games. “Throughout this period erated in 2004, the last time the left over will irk some Britons It also said it had made raised from ticket sales was we have made clear our aim for summer Games were in Europe. who were unable to get in to see thousands of free tickets avail- US$551mn generated by Sydney LOCOG to break even, and we Revenue from ticket sales also live action after missing out in able to students, soldiers and in 2000. Sonny Bill returns to Roosters WORLD Cup winning All Black Sonny Bill He played 19 times for the All Blacks Williams confirmed the worst kept secret following his debut against England in in rugby union on Tuesday when he signed 2010, though appeared mostly off the a one-year contract to return to rugby bench during the All Blacks’ successful league with Australia’s Sydney Roosters. World Cup campaign. The 27-year-old Williams had been widely The barnstorming inside center, however, expected to join the Roosters for the next came into his own during the 2012 Super National Rugby League season after a short- Rugby season, helping the Waikato Chiefs term contract in Japan, having declined a to their first title, and impressing in June new agreement with the New Zealand internationals against Ireland. Rugby Union earlier this year. Despite stating he felt he had found his Williams, who ruptured a pectoral muscle “place” with the Chiefs, he declined a new while playing in Japan that could signaled agreement with the NZRU and was photo- the end of the lucrative stint with the graphed in Sydney meeting with Politis. Panasonic Wild Knights, said he was ful- Williams has also combined professional filling a long-held promise to play for the boxing with his rugby career, but the pec- Roosters after he sensationally turned his toral injury has forced the postponement back on rugby league in 2008. of his November 24 bout against South “It was pretty tough [to come back]. It’s Africa’s Francois Botha. tough, but me and [Roosters chairman] In other rugby news, Wallabies flanker Nick [Politis] are good friends, good David Pocock has been ruled out of mates,” Williams told reporters in Sydney. Saturday’s test against England at “He tried to get me when I was an 18- Twickenham due to a calf strain. year-old [and] when I made that Pocock’s continued absence is a big set- [handshake] agreement with him I knew it back for the struggling visitors, who were would always be the case [of joining the routed 33-6 by France without him last Roosters when he returned to league]. weekend and had been hoping for a boost Williams walked away from a long-term with his return from a knee injury suffered contract with the Roosters’ cross-town ri- in August. vals the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2008 to play In a further blow, lock forward Kane rugby in France before returning to New Douglas will also be absent due to a knee Zealand in 2010 in an effort to make the All problem confirmed by a scan on Monday. Sonny Bill at practice. Photo: Luton Anderson Blacks 2011 World Cup squad. – Reuters Premier league roundup MANCHESTER United fought the winner in the 87th minute. The Manchester City have now gone 35 back from a losing position for the win keeps Manchester United top games undefeated at home and have eighth time this season to grab all of the league by two points. won seven games from losing po- three points at Villa Park. Manchester City, in second place, sitions this season. Aston Villa were up 2-0 by the are also proving to be comeback Mikael Arteta missed a last 50th minute thanks to two goals kings this season. They hosted minute penalty as Arsenal drew 3-3 from Anders Weimaan either side Tottenham on Sunday and fell be- with Fulham. Olivier Giroud scored of half time. Ashley Young was hind to a Steven Caulkner goal in twice and he showed great sports- replaced with Javier Hernandez at the 21st minute. Sergio Aguero equal- manship allowing Arteta to take the half time and the Mexican, who ized in the 65th minute before penalty even though he was on for has scored seven times in his last Dzeko, who came off the bench to a hat trick. Berbatov continued his five matches, turned the game on score his sixth league goal as a sub- great start to the season scoring its head. He scored in the 58th stitute, and seventh goal of the twice for Fulham. minute, powering a shot against season, grabbed all three points for This week’s fixtures and league Vlaar for an own goal, and scored City with an 88th minute winner. table are listed above. – AS 48 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012 Srategies, stars and stripes

THE USA GP has been run sporadically since the “American Grand Prize” of 1908. Since then, 41 GPs have been held at nine Bernie Ecclestone, failing to locations – most recently at the negotiate new financial terms, Indianapolis Motor Speedway vowed “never to return” to from 2000-2007. Indianapolis. The USA is an important market In 2010, Bernie announced plans for F1 and for team sponsors, so a for a New Jersey GP for the 2012 USA GP is highly desirable. But season. Two months later, Austin, American fans historically have been Texas, was awarded the race on a less than enthralled, and of course ten-year contract. Austin has the FADING HOPE: Fernando Alonso will be hoping that the sun has not set on his title dreams. Photo: AFP there is no American team in F1. USA’s first purpose built F1 track, There are several gradient have similar downforce settings to for sale. Mercedes is talking up Indianapolis was never a great so American fans should finally get changes, particularly in sector one. Abu Dhabi, and Pirelli will bring its “Double DRS”, but while F1 venue. To make matters to see a real F1 GP. And it looks The lap starts with an uphill the same hard and medium tyres. Schumacher may not win at worse, the 2005 GP was a fiasco. like the bleachers will be full, which straight leading to a blind apex at This is conservative, as is usual Austin, he will compete in Following tyre failures before the is great news. the hairpin which is Turn 1, and on a new track, and probably the Race of Champions at race, Michelin advised that the The 5.51 kilometer anti-clock- then to a number of high-speed means two stop strategies, with a Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, tyres they had brought were not wise track was designed corners like the Maggotts- possibility of some one-stoppers. December 14-16. safe for the whole race; 2005 by Hermann Tilke, who also Becketts-Chapel sequence from Whom will it suit? McLaren The US GP is at 2am on rules did not allow tyre changes. designed the Sepang, Shanghai, Silverstone. This leads to Turn 11, will be very bullish, as long as Monday. Qualifying is at 1am on The FIA refused all proposed Yas Marina, Istanbul, Bahrain, another hairpin, and a long back they can evict their gremlins. Sunday. If they had started the race compromises. Fourteen entrants, Yeongam, and Buddh circuits. We straight followed by a couple of Lotus is going to be confident at their breakfast time it would have on Michelin tyres, completed the do not know what it will be like, slow-speed corners where the as well, and Alsonso will almost been much more convenient for us; mandatory parade lap, and but we can try to guess. DRS zone should be. A multi-apex certainly get a podium position. perhaps they did not consider that. immediately retired. We were It looks to be most similar to long right hander brings up Turn So, Vettel has his work cut out But nevertheless I shall be treated to Ferrari, Jordan and Abu Dhabi, but it seems to have 20 and the Start/Finish straight. to seal the Championship in his watching, together with Evan Minardi effectively parading their pieces of many great tracks, with There looks to be good conven- 100th GP. Williams and my Security Direc- six Bridgestone shod cars when the sweeping Suzuka Esseses and tional overtaking opportunities. HRT looks unlikely to trouble the tor, and any other hardy souls who spectators had paid to see a race. Turn 8 from Istanbul. Weather will be cool. Cars will scorers, and the team in now up care to join us. Look back at Singapore Open and golf tips LAST week, the Asian tour joined turned out his putting was as cold off hole, and it should have played in golf you are normally trying to up with the European tour for the as ice and he finished tied for 5th into the hands of Louis Oostuizen control this adrenalin rush or take it co-sanctioned Barclays Singapore place, five shots behind the leader. being the longer hitter off the tee into account. I think this rush Open played at Sentosa Golf Club. McIlroy was a few shots better, out of the two. In the end, happened to Ian Poulter a couple of This is a true Open tournament, courtesy of bombing in a putt for Manassero holed a wonderful putt weeks ago when he won the HSBC with the same qualification criteria eagle on the last hole to finish third. for eagle on the 18th to win and claim Champions golf tournament in as the US and Open Championships. Louis Oostuizen has been play- the million dollar prize money. China. He was looking to get his first The first two days were inter- ing very well over the last few At the golf guru junior golf win of the year, and he was getting rupted by thunderstorms, making months, and on the last day he shot academy, in Phuket, I teach caught up in the excitement of it all. it a long day for the players. 67 to finish at 13 under par. Matteo Thailand’s number two ranked When the adrenalin is pumping Due to the weather, the leaders Manassero was also fancied this player in his age group, Newport you can add an extra 20 yards to had to finish their third round on week, in the last round he looked Laparojkit,14. your normal distance. The secret Sunday and the final round started like he was coasting to victory, but Newport goes to an IMG golf is just to keep the same golf swing off on the 1st and the 10th tees. the pressure got to him and his school in America to help further like Ian did and let adrenalin do This top class field included driving off the tee became untidy his dreams of becoming a profes- the rest. So, if this happens to you world number one Rory McIlroy, on the back nine. Manassero made sional golfer. Like Tiger Woods, he when you’re playing golf, take one but it was Adam Scott who was some wonderful recoveries for par is used to picking up trophies at an more golf club and let the adrenalin fancied to win the tournament. If to finish with a 69, for a four round early age. We’ll watch his progress. do the rest. he had putted the way he played total of 13 under par, which put Golf tip: Dealing with adrenalin from tee to green, he would have him in the play off. in your system can sometimes help For golf tips, message Martin Platts th been the runaway winner. As it The 18 hole par 5 was the play- humans to do extraordinary things, at golfguru.com. Manassero’s trophy. Photo: Reuters Phuket FC, Yamaha hold youth soccer clinic LAST Saturday, Phuket FC players and coaching staff, in collaboration with Thai Yamaha Motor Company Ltd and local dealership Ruampong Motor Ltd, facilitated a soccer clinic for more than a hundred youth at Surakul Stadium in Phuket Town. Among the Phuket FC players coaching the kids were Roland “Pato” Vargas from Bolivia, Song Won Byeon from South Korea and Thai footballers Arwut Noochet and Kittithat Kraitong. – Phuket Gazette Phuket youth form two lines to practice ball control techniques.

A BRIGHT FUTURE: More than 150 participants took part in last Saturday’s soccer clinic at Surakul Stadium. November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 49 The IronKid with big dreams By Andrew Scott One day I hope to become a champion When did you start competing in sporting runner and my goal is to make the Olympics. events? THIS week’s featured IronKid is 10-year- I also love to watch running movies. I I have always loved sports and I started old Australian Ben McMillan. Ben entered find them quite inspiring. My favorites playing football when I was five, I did my his first triathlon when he was six years are Without Limits, which is about first triathlon when I was six. old and he is so passionate about the event the legendary American runner Steve My parents say that ever since I was a that he asked for a running coach for Prefontaine, and Chariots of Fire. baby I could not keep still, so I have his 10th birthday. always been very active. Which is your hardest part of the Phuket Gazette: Why do you compete IronKids race – swim, bike, run? Why do you like them (sporting events)? in IronKids? No real soft area, but maybe the bike. I love to compete, even if I don’t win I Ben McMillan: I really love the sport and still love competing and pushing myself to I like nothing better than to be out training Why do you find the bike harder? achieve better times. I also love going to with my friends. Whenever friends come Lack of training; although I am working events and meeting new people. to my house, we always play mini triathlons on this much more and feel that it is in the yard or go on bike rides. certainly improving every week. Who are your favorite athletes? I am also extremely lucky because I train I have two favorite athletes: Steve at Thanyapura and there are some amazing, What do you hope to achieve at this Prefontaine (legendary runner) and Jurgen supportive athletes who train there. These year’s IronKids? Zack (legendary Ironman and great coach). athletes make me try to be a better athlete. I would like to get a faster time than I My favorite sporting teams are the did in the last IronKids event. Wallabies (Australian rugby team) and the What’s your training schedule like? I love to run and I want to make sure San Francisco Giants (baseball team). I I train five to six days per week. Although that when I cross the finish line I have used watched two Giants games this year, up all my energy. which were amazing. this sounds like a lot, sometimes training is Ben at the Boulder IronKids event, Colorado. short and sharp and normally lasts between 45 minutes to one and a half hours; except uses techniques such as plyometric progres- What other sports do you play? What does being an IronKid mean to Wednesdays when I swim for one hour and sion (common plyometric actions include I am in the Silverfinz swim team, which you? then head to the track to do sprint training throwing or swinging a golf club/bat), is really good fun and we get to travel to Being an IronKid allows me to have new with the adult triathletes. skipping and squat jumps. competitions. challenges in life and helps me to reach my My normal week comprises of three I would like to play more rugby but I long term goals. afternoon swim sessions; two days per week Which is your favorite part of the don’t have much time – my teachers I love how people in this sport are very running (one day sprint work and one day IronKids race – swim, bike or run? expect me to fit in some homework. focused. I know that if I train well and keep long run); one bike ride per week, although Definitely the run. I also love doing athletics, especially setting goals I can achieve anything I want. I have increased this recently to two rides, hurdles, so I hope to have an opportunity and Saturday mornings I normally join my Why the run? to work more on this. The 2012 IronKids Phuket Championship race dad in a ‘dynamic fit’ session at the gym, I have a real passion for running and it On the weekends, I love throwing a base- is held on December 1st at Thanyapura Sports which focuses on all around body work and certainly comes easy for me. ball in the backyard. and Leisure Club 50 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012 Avram grants an audience By Andrew Scott now plays for West Ham. I think when I started, and then the he is the most famous one. I Champions league final. It was a FAMOUS football manager Avram started to coach him in 2000 when very good season and a good base Grant is a softly spoken man who he was 19-years-old. Then we for Chelsea for the future. spent his formative managerial won the championship with years in Israel coaching Maccabi Maccabi Haifi in Israel. Did you feel hard done by losing Haifi, Hapoel Haifi and the Israel After Israel he moved onto your job after the Champions national team. Spain and to England. He is the league final? The Israeli took over as manager type of player I believe in because Yes. When you become a of Chelsea in 2007 and brought them he is also a very nice person. manager you expect everything to the brink of a Champions League but football changes... you are final victory, only for a John Terry What makes him so special? [only] as good as your last penalty miss to snatch it away. He is very clever and can think result. My last result was good He led Portsmouth to the FA Cup a lot quicker than other players and other results were good final in 2010, the same season they with or without the ball. I have to [but] it was a decision from the went into administration. He then admit I was not so sure he would owner. I didn’t even ask him managed West Ham the season they succeed in England as he is not why. I moved forward and had were relegated and recently helped so physical. He is an intelligent good days after that. guide Partizan Belgrade to their fifth player that can help the dynamic successive Serbian Championship players around him. What are your views on the before resigning earlier this year. John Terry racism case after The Phuket Gazette’s Andrew Why do you think fewer English working with him for so many Scott spoke with Avram Grant at players play abroad? years? Serenity Resort and Residences in I don’t know if you know the It is good to fight against Rawai, Phuket. color of the money (laughs)? I racism but I think it went a little think [for] two reasons. First: it bit too far. Phuket Gazette: How did you is the most exciting league in the John Terry is not a racist. Even Avram Grant (right) after his interview at Serenity Resort and Residences. find the transition from coach- world. Stadiums are always full, though he said a few words he The victims of this situation England at the time. ing the Israel national team and even if you go to the Champion- didn’t need to say. But, we are are the supporters. Porstmouth In the FA Cup final we missed coaching club teams in Israel ship – the stadiums are always full. playing football. If we played here supporters are the best in the a pen in the 61st minute (sad prior to coaching Chelsea? A football player is like an actor, five on five, maybe also we would world. They get right behind the laugh). Many good moments in Avram Grant: For me it was he wants to play where everybody say something that is not so nice. team. We played a semifinal and Israel. Lots of good memories not a big surprise. Since the age will see him. Second: Money. It is good to fight against racism. 45,000 people came from Ports- from football. of 22 I had visited England five Players always get paid on time. mouth. We were in a very bad times each year and was in When I was at Portsmouth the Why do you think he is so situation and the supporters were What about the low points? Europe to study. owners didn’t pay on time and this disliked in England? still behind us. The season with West Ham. I was Bob Paisley’s guest at was a big thing in England. The press lives in the moment If English football wants to Even though we played good Liverpool and I watched train- and this is not the job of the press maintain its high standards, it football, the results were not ing for one week to 10 days – When you took over from Jose in the future. They saw the case, needs to find a solution so that, if good and it was the worst watching games to see how the Mourinho at Chelsea, was it they spoke about the case. I some people do the wrong things, season of my life. club was run. Arsene Wenger hard to leave his shadow? don’t think they dislike John the victims of the situation will not and Alex Ferguson are friends, I can tell you that one of my Terry but they didn’t like what be the supporters. Why did you leave Partizan so it was not something I didn’t friends sent me a message say- he did this time and they took it I always tell people that the Belgrade? know before. ing, ‘I don’t know if you know too far sometimes. I don’t think team doesn’t just belong to the I didn’t plan to go there. In I thought that I could give what you are doing to [take over] they hate John Terry. owners but to the supporters who January the president of the team something to English football and after Jose Mourinho’. I knew it are paying the money, following asked me to come and help the it could give something to me. would be very difficult and that Do you think there is a racism the team in winter, summer, team. It was planned that I would all the world expected I would problem in British football? under any circumstance. only go for a short time. Why did it take you so long to fail after Mourinho. No, I don’t think so. No more It’s wrong what has happened We secured the champion- leave Israel? As I have done all my life, I than any other country in the to Portsmouth. ship. They asked me to change Even if you look at England took on the challenge and only world. In every society you will the mentality of the team and I now, there is no coach or man- thought about what was best for find a racist. There are problems What has been the highlight of think I did a good job in doing ager from a small country. It’s the team. It was not easy but it in Austria, in Italy – in many, your managerial career? that. I had a good connection very difficult for them to accept was a big challenge. many countries – but it is only a I remember the first time I with everybody. someone from a small country. minority. won a title. It was with the People only really noticed me Do you think your time at In football, like in other areas under-14 Hapoel Tetah Tikva Do you have any plans to go when they watched the Israeli Chelsea was a success? of life, you hear the minority more team and they were the happiest back into football? national team’s qualification for the Some of the players said at the than the others. The English sup- players in the world. What is good about football is 2006 World Cup in Germany, time that they didn’t think any porters are very good. They give The good thing about football that you can plan and plan but then where we didn’t lose a game and other manager could’ve taken over a lot of respect to their team and is that you always have more and there are other things that you missed out on qualification by only after Mourinho and carried the the opposition. Among 40,000 fans more good moments. Of course, didn’t plan. I didn’t plan to be the two goals. team the way that I did. When I you are bound to find a few who when I look back, the first Cham- manager of Portsmouth. I didn’t first saw them, the team was not are not okay. pions league final with Chelsea plan to be the manager of Chelsea. Who is the best Israeli player good, nor was the atmosphere. was played in a very good way. You never know. you have worked with? With me they were almost the How do you feel about the I will always remember the I’m not planning anything, but I have worked with many good champions of England. We came downfall of Portsmouth? FA Cup semifinal with Ports- of course there are some possi- Israelis, but if I was to choose one down to the last game on the same I feel so sorry about what has mouth when we beat Tottenham. bilities I check into all the time. it would be Yossi Benayoun who points as Manchester United, happened. I am not sure who is They were a very good team, I’m waiting for something that has played for Arsenal, Chelsea and which nobody was expecting right and who is wrong. playing the best football in will be exciting. Chris Hart Memorial Football Tournament THE Chris Hart Memorial Football Chris’s brother helped his testament to the kind of guy Tournament was held last Satur- team, Hearty’s Heroes, win the Chris was,” said Eric Haeg, day at HeadStart school. tournament by scoring the golden event organizer. Over 50 people turned out, goal in the semifinal to send his Phuket’s footballer players including Chris’s brother Stephen team into the final. plan to make the Chris Hart and father Tom, to pay their The tournament was played in Memorial Football Tournament respects to Chris, who was tragi- high spirits with players and an annual event. cally killed in a motor bike accident spectators alike celebrating The tournament raised 15,000 on November 6. Chris’s life. baht to go towards an education The 5 team, 6-a-side tournament “Getting so many people fund for Chris’s 3-year-old son, started with a moment of applause. together on such short notice is Oliver. – Phuket Gazette November 17 - 23, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 51 BIS football tournament Bangkok marathon By Andrew Scott to run this Sunday BRITISH International School (BIS) held its 11th Phuket International THE Bangkok Marathon is held 7-a-side Football Tournament last Sunday November 18 on Sanam weekend, the biggest to date, with Chai Road, with HM the King’s 23 schools from South Korea, trophy and total prize money of 3 China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indone- million baht awaiting the winners. sia, Brunei and Singapore compris- The 25th edition of the event, ing 910 footballers and 88 teams. sponsored by Standard Chartered, “Last year’s event, whilst very will start at 3am and finish at 9am successful, was subject to late near the Royal Grand Palace. withdrawals due to flooding in Five races will be run: the full Bangkok, so it was great to have 42.195-kilometer marathon and all our friends from Bangkok back the 21.1km half-marathon (both with us in Phuket [this year],” said with five age groups), the 10km Mr Rex Grey, athletic director of mini marathon for three age BIS Phuket. groups, the 4.5 micro marathon The tournament started with a EYES DOWN: Players chase the ball during an under 15 game. and 1.5km walk for health. welcome from BIS Phuket head- schools to the tournament: student rock bands and other “The race serves His Majesty master Neil Richards before the first “There is nothing equivalent to performing groups (with musi- the King’s objective of encourag- games, which started at 8:15am this in Southeast Asia. It is good cians as young as 9) entertained ing the public to exercise. The under a blue sky and blistering heat. for BIS Phuket kids, as in some the audience. event is also expected to attract Teams competed in various age age groups we have two teams, Close to 3,000 people attended many foreigners and will boost groups from under 9 to over 15 so it allows for our kids to get the event over two days. local tourism as well,” said boys and girls. some good football experience. Children from foreign schools General Manus Klaimanee, presi- Bangkok runner. Photo:hellykelly The matches were played across The BIS kids are not charged to stayed in boarding houses at BIS dent of the National Jogging the marathon and half-marathon. 10 grass 7-a-side pitches over compete, so it’s a big tournament Phuket, Boat Lagoon and Royal Association of Thailand. Blazers will go to leading Friday and Saturday. they enter for free. Phuket City among other hotels “Standard Chartered has sup- runners in the marathon, while The first day’s action was a “Schools love coming here. A lot on Phuket. ported the Bangkok Marathon medals and souvenir T-shirts will league format to determine of the schools that come here don’t The event was sponsored by for eight consecutive years. We be given to those who cover the which teams would play each have the same grass facilities that the JW Marriott Phuket Resort will continue our support and full marathon distance within six other in the playoffs on Satur- we have. For a number of kids this and Spa, Bangkok Burger, hope to make it as successful as hours. day. BIS Phuket U9 boys won will be the first time they have Twinpalms Phuket and the it has always been,” said Stan- gold; U13 boys won silver and played a number of games on a nice Phuket Gazette. dard Chartered president and To apply visit the NJAT office at 226, the U13 girls won bronze. grass surface,” said Mr Grey. CEO Lyn Kok. Sri Ayuddhaya Road, Dusit, Bangkok Rex Grey spoke to the Phuket The tournament weather was For more information about the BIS Up for grabs, alongside the or call (02) 628 8361, (02) 277 76670/ Gazette about what attracts BIS dry and play was competitive, Football Tournament please email glittering King’s trophy, are 1, or visit: BkkMarathon.net or Phuket kids and international exciting and entertaining. BIS [email protected] special awards for record times in GoAdventureAsia.com. 52 PHUKET GAZETTE November 17 - 23, 2012