Volume 12 Issue 28 News Desk - Tel: 076-236555 July 9 - 15, 2005 Daily news at www.phuketgazette.net 20 Baht

The Gazette is published in association with Bike racers Airport landing suspected

IN THIS ISSUE of burning NEWS: Austrian Airlines plans police box Phuket flights; Environment fees cut by half watchdogs score first arrest. By Sangkhae Leelanapaporn Pages 2 & 3 By Gazette Staff INSIDE STORY: Can the prop- PHUKET CITY: A second po- erty boom continue? PHUKET: Airports of Thailand lice booth has been destroyed by Pages 4 & 5 (AOT) is set to cut as much as Rice to visit Phuket fire, leading police to revise their 50% off landing fees for both belief that an earlier, similar in- AROUND THE ISLAND: international and domestic arriv- cident was due to an electrical Thailand's ‘favorite’ farang als at Phuket International Air- singer. Page 6 fault. port (PIA) until December, in an Police received reports of AROUND THE REGION: Clean- effort to boost the region’s flag- the latest fire, at the police booth ing up the full moon parties. ging tourism industry. at the intersection of Wichit Page 8 The Director of PIA, Sq/ Songkhram Rd and the bypass Ldr Pornchai Eua-aree, con- road, at 2:30 am on July 3. PEOPLE: Charting K. Chet’s firmed that AOT had held a success. Pages 10 & 11 Pol Col Kokiat Wongvora- meeting in Bangkok to discuss chart, Deputy Commander of LIFESTYLE: Punk’s not dead the cut in fees. Phuket Provincial Police, told with The Libertines; Sax and However, he said, “We the Gazette, “It took about 20 violins from Garbarek; MPIO cannot do this [bringing back minutes to stop the fire, and by gadget. Pages 12 & 13 tourists] all alone; we need help that time we’d lost the TV moni- from the Tourism Authority of SPA MAGIC: Aspiring Aspasia. tor, the traffic light control sys- Page 14 Thailand, hotels and travel tem, seats and the air conditioner. agents to boost arrivals in The total damage comes to about FIRST PERSON: A rankled taxi Phuket.” 400,000 baht.” driver speaks. Page 21 “The reduction of landing On June 18 a police booth fees could help boost morale in BUSINESS: Car prices to be burned down at the intersection terms of customers and busi- jacked up? Money Talks. of Patipat Rd and Bangkok Rd. Pages 22 & 23 nesses. [But] to bring tourists back to Phuket, we need the full At the time, police said they be- SPORT & LEISURE: Tee to cooperation of hotels and restau- lieved the fire to be the result of Green; Kalim surf contest; rants, through discounts and pro- an electrical fault. Now, how- Chang pulls Everton contest. motions,” he said. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. ever, they believe an unsavory Pages 24 & 25 Meanwhile, on July 1, Thai – Photo by epa/Khaled El-Fiqi pattern is emerging. “We now believe that both PROPERTY: Decor; Construc- Airways International (THAI) arson attacks were the work of tion update: Patong Harbor doubled the fuel surcharge on PHUKET: US Secretary of State (foreign minister) View; Home of the Week: domestic fares, citing the con- Condoleezza Rice is to inspect reconstruction work in tsu- members of a teenage bike Rawai; Bloomin’ Bert figures tinuing rise in the cost of fuel on nami-affected areas of Phuket and Phang Nga Provinces on gang,” Col Kokiat explained. it all out. Pages 28 to 31 the world market. July 11, after being welcomed at the Sheraton Grande La- “We have been staging The increase took the sur- guna Phuket by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. roadblocks to prevent them rac- PLUS charge for a round trip from 200 Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Director General of the De- ing on public roads and this has baht to 400. For a one-way jour- partment of Information at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, annoyed them. told the Gazette that the US team – including Ms Rice – are “On Saturday night we set QUEER NEWS 4; AROUND THE ney it rose from 100 baht to 200. due to visit four countries in Asia: China, Japan, South Ko- up a roadblock in the Saphan Hin NATION 7; HAPPENINGS 9; THAI’s District Sales rea and Thailand. area. Later, the teenagers gath- TRAVEL 15; THE TIME M ACHINE, Manager for Upper-Southern ered in front of Wat Sansuk on BOOKS, WORDLY WISE 16; KIDS Thailand, Kalayapha Panich, told the , “We introduced because of the tsunami and partly Ong Sim Phai Rd. Some of them 17; HOROSCOPES, DOVEN, Gazette ever we like; any increase has to the 100-baht-per-flight surcharge be approved by the authorities.” because it is the low season, she must have gone from there to the TSOWNDINGS, TOON TOWN 18 on May 1, but we have decided K. Kalayapha said that the said. booth and set it on fire.” & 19; EDITORIAL, LETTERS 20; that we must increase it again. number of flights between Phu- “This compares with an He added, “Police found ISSUES & ANSWERS 21; COM- “However, even if the price ket and Bangkok has been cut average of 14 THAI flights a day bottles of beer, a motorbike PUTERS 22; WINE, OUTSIDE IN; of fuel continues to rise, that from around eight a day in the in the pre-tsunami period of the wheel and cigarettes near the MOTORING 27; CLASSIFIEDS 32- does not necessarily mean we 2004 low season to five or six a last high season,” K. Kalayapha scene of the crime,” Col Kokiat 39. can increase the surcharge when- day this year. This was partly added. added. 2 PHUKET GAZETTE NEWS July 9 - 15, 2005 Exhibitions ‘WE LOVE PHUKET’ AWARDS of art aimed at boosting tourism PHUKET CITY: In an attempt to revitalize tourism, the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC) is organizing a series of art exhibitions in Phuket between July and December. “Unique Andaman”, which will be held at Central Festival Phuket on August 27 and 28, will feature works entered in a con- temporary art contest of the same name. The works that win prizes will be on display at Central from September 22 to 27. Fumiko Nakayama collects her prize of two bottles of Trivento Gazette reporter Athiga Jundee (left) presents a voucher for a This will be followed by the wine, from Wine Connection, presented to her by Gazette Desk spa treatment at The Mongosteen Resort & Spa to Pimprapa “Andaman Blossom Flower” ex- Editor Stephen Fein. Jankaow. hibition throughout August, which will showcase works by artists who were asked to depict Volunteers what they would like the Anda- man region to look like as it re- sought for Austrian Airlines covers from the tsunami. It will be staged at Phuket Thai Hua Samaritans’ School in Phuket City. Patong will host “Arts on phone lines the Beach” from September 24 plans Phuket flights to 26, while Phuket Thai Hua KHAO LAK: The legacy of emo- School will be the venue for an tional trauma left by the tsunami By Gazette Staff though the company will exhibition of works inspired by is generally unquantified, but advertise its service in Sino-Portuguese architecture perceived to be widespread PHUKET: Starting No- other parts of the conti- from September 5 to October 5. throughout the affected commu- vember 4, Austrian Air- nent. There will also be an exhi- nities. lines will operate non- Vice-Governor bition of pavement art on Phuket In response to this, the Sa- stop direct flights be- Winai Buapradit com- Rd, Dibuk Rd and Thalang Rd, in maritans of Thailand is seeking tween Phuket and Vien- mented, “We’ll be ready Phuket City, from July 29 to 31. volunteers to man telephones at na. for tourists when the air- The organizers hope that the Samaritans’ office at the Austrian Airlines’ lines operate regular ser- these events will attract tourists Mental Health Recovery Center Chief Commercial Of- vices again. as well as artists to Phuket. in Khao Lak, answering calls ficer, Dr Josef E Burger, “We have many The director of the Art and from people in mental distress. told the Gazette that the packages on offer and the Cultural Institute at the OCAC, The Samaritans of Thailand airline is expecting to [tsunami] alarm system Samart Chansoon said, “These – there are currently branches in carry at least 14,000 pas- will be completed at the [exhibitions] should be a great Bangkok and Chiang Mai – is sengers a year on the end of October. help to Phuket, as they feature part of the international Samari- route, generating revenue “If we’ve done our rare works that can’t really be tans network, which offers sup- of as much as 500 million job well here, I believe seen elsewhere in Thailand. port to people in crisis. baht. that people will come “We hope they will attract Founded in 1953 in London From November to and Phuket will recover.” art-lovers, artists and their rela- by Chad Varah, the Samaritans December 10 the flights Suwalai Pinpradab, tives, both Thai and foreign.” believe that offering people the will be weekly, arriving in Director of the Tourism He added that artists from opportunity to talk about their Phuket on Friday and de- Authority of Thailand, all over Thailand are being in- problems in confidence and with- parting Saturday. From ‘We want to pursue a strategy that helps the Region 4, said, “Dr Bur- vited to Phuket in July to discuss tourist industry in Phuket.’ – Austrian Airlines’ the development of the pro- out prejudice can alleviate des- December 12 to March Dr Josef E Burger. ger visited us on January pair and suicidal feelings. 10 there will be twice- 3 and told us that friends vince’s new art gallery, proposed The Samaritans of Khao weekly flights, departing on Vienna and a sightseeing train who stick together in difficult in April by Provincial Adminis- Lak hopes to find people able to Tuesdays and Saturdays. trip. times are real friends. tration Organization President converse in English or local Thai The airline will use Boeing Dr Burger said, “We con- “We realize the importance Anchalee Vanich-Thepabutr. dialects to man its telephone lines 767-300ER aircraft that are ca- sider Phuket to be a destination of airlines; the main reason for for about four or five hours a day. pable of carrying 239 passengers; with potential growth the declining number of tourists Architecture, hotel Those who feel that they 36 in business class and 203 in “But most importantly, at a is that many carriers have stop- can help should call K. Paweena economy. Flying time will be 12 time when other airlines are shy- ped flying here. show underway of the Samaritans of Khao Lak hours. ing away, we want to pursue a “In the past we had about PHUKET CITY: The Architect & at Tel: 076-423273-4 or 09- A return ticket in economy strategy that helps the tourist in- 200 flights per week but now we Engineering Exhibition 2005 was 1394490, or Fax: 076-420676. class will be priced at 39,500 dustry in Phuket.” have only 66,” she remarked. due to be held July 7 to 10 from Alternatively, they can con- baht. Business class is priced at He explained that he ex- “This is good news and 11 am to 8 pm in the Grand Ball- tact Thai Together by calling Tel: 93,000 baht. An introductory pected 95% of the service’s pas- we will help to ensure that room on the 2nd floor of the Royal 04-0534283, 076-322064-8 ext special offer package includes sengers to be European, mostly Phuket can welcome tourists in Phuket City Hotel. 107, 076-322115 or 09-9932322. three nights’ accommodation in from East and Central Europe, safety.” Organizers Delice Thai say this year’s event will be bigger and better than last year’s, fea- turing one-stop shopping for home builders and hotel manag- ers, lightweight structural and roofing systems from Europe and America, artificial surfaces and nano-technology products, con- struction materials from more than 100 different manufacturers and importers, numerous pool and spa products, and more. Ad- mission is free. July 9 - 15, 2005 NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 3 Taiwan finally cancels its Phuket travel advisory PHUKET: Taiwan’s Ministry of America and Europe are return- he said. “Since flying via Bang- Foreign Affairs has finally lifted ing to the island. kok to Phuket is more expensive its “orange” alert, advising Panu Maswongsa, Vice- than a direct flight, it may take a against travel to Phuket. President of the Phuket Tourist while for tourism to recover. The Ministry announced on Association, told the Gazette, “I “The government must tell July 28 that it had received a re- am pleased Taiwan has now of- Phuket’s tourist markets how safe port from Taiwan’s representa- ficially lifted the travel alert. it is here,” K. Panu said. tive office in Thailand confirm- “However, the number of Suwalai Pinpradab, Direc- ing that Phuket’s tourism facili- tourists visiting a place depends tor of the Tourism Authority of ties and transportation networks upon the availability of transpor- Thailand’s office in Phuket, said have been successfully repaired tation. China Airlines of Taiwan that Taiwanese tourists are im- Ram Kapse, Governor of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, shakes and rebuilt. suspended its regular flights to portant to the island; about hands with his Phuket counterpart, Udomsak Uswarangkura, after Daily living for locals has Phuket after the tsunami. 200,000 used to come to Phuket the signing ceremony. returned to normal, the report “Only a few airlines are still every year. said, and tourists from North offering direct flights to Phuket,” – Ananya Hongsa-ngiam Phuket ‘twinned’ with Holders Governor’s Andaman & Nicobars of prepaid CHERNG TALAY: Delegations said after the signing that the representing the Andaman & MoU further strengthens the phone cards Nicobar Islands and Phuket Prov- long-standing good ties between environment ince have signed an agreement Thailand and India. ‘must register “cementing the friendship” be- Phuket Governor Udomsak tween the two geographic enti- Uswarangkura told reporters that by year-end’ ties and effectively making them the two sides would now work “sister cities”. on other issues, such as allowing watchdogs The two sides also agreed Thai fishing vessels to work in PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor to try to establish direct air links the waters around the Andaman Winai Buapradit has urged all and promote regional tourism. & Nicobars for more than the one Phuket residents who bought pre- The Memorandum of Un- month currently allowed. paid Subscriber Identity Module derstanding (MoU), signed June Gov Udomsak also said (SIM) cards for their mobile score arrest 29 at a late-afternoon ceremony both sides had agreed in principle phones before May 10, 2005 to at the Sheraton Grande Laguna to work toward establishing di- register them with the govern- By Sangkhae Leelanapaporn the Gazette, “We must investigate Phuket, consisted of two Articles. rect air links, saying that such a ment. every complaint – whether anon- The first states that “both move would be particularly ben- Registration began July 1 KAMALA: The new special ymous or not, whether submitted sides agree to promote … under- eficial to the recreational diving and phone users have until the committee, set up by Phuket by letter or by phone call – be- standing and strengthen the rela- industries in both places. end of the year to submit their Governor Udomsak Uswarang- cause we must be sure [whether tionship through tourism, educa- He noted that Prime Minis- registrations. kura to investigate land en- the complaint is legitimate or tion, culture, urban development, ter Thaksin Shinawatra discussed A source at the Ministry of croachment and abuses of envi- not]. commerce and investment.” the issue with the Indian govern- Information and Communication ronmental protection, has garner- “Many times [in the past] I Article 2 states that both ment during a recent visit to Technology (MoICT) told the ed its first arrest – that of Boon- have investigated complaints parties agree to undertake regu- Delhi. Gazette that those who have not chuay Reungpetch, 40, on June when, in fact, the landowners had lar exchanges in four areas: tour- Gov Udomsak said they registered by the end of the year 25, for encroaching on and build- genuine land documents. ism; education and culture; urban had also discussed linking Thai- will have their phone service can- ing three homes on national for- “But even if [investigating development, especially water land’s tsunami warning system to celed. est land in Kamala. each and every complaint] wastes supply issues; and solid waste Port Blair through Phuket, as this The move follows a May 31 The arrest came days before our time, we must investigate. management. would make tourists feel more Cabinet resolution calling for the Governor had even officially We can’t choose which com- Ram Kapse, Port Blair- secure when traveling in the re- SIM card registration in the hope ratified the committee, which in- plaints to investigate,” K. Thong- based Governor of the islands, gion. – Anongnat Sartpisut that it will prevent insurgents in cludes an officer from each Dis- chai said. the Deep South using mobile trict Police Station, District Of- At the end of May, Gov phones to detonate bombs re- fice and District Forestry Office, Udomsak told the Gazette, “I motely without fear of being members of the Phuket Provin- would like the committee to be identified. cial Administration Organization able to act as soon as it receives The MoICT is responsible (OrBorJor), as well as represen- a report that someone is damag- for organizing the registration ef- tatives of the Provincial Public ing the environment, especially fort. Those buying new SIM Works and Environmental Pro- when they are despoiling hills. cards must now present identifi- tection Offices. “I have had so many com- cation at the point of sale. Committee head Thongchai plaints from people about offic- The registration has been Saowapong, Chief of the Phuket ers just standing by and letting criticized by some groups as an Provincial Office of Natural Re- commercial interests chop down infringement of human rights and sources and Environment, told trees or make a mess of hills.” by others as unlikely to prevent bomb attacks. V/Gov Winai added that the public could register their SIM cards at most shops selling mo- bile phones or at any of the fol- lowing locations: Phuket Water- works offices; Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority Office; TOT office; District (Amphur) Offices; or any Tambon Admin- istration Organization (OrBor- Tor) or Municipal (tessaban) of- fice. Those registering must bring with them either a Thai ID card or, in the case of foreigners, a passport. – Sangkhae Leelanapaporn 4 PHUKET GAZETTE INSIDE STORY July 9 - 15, 2005 Queer News How long can

Kata cat burglars get uperficially, it looked like the buy of the cen- ow is the slump in tourism affecting the Phuket prop- tury: 10 pieces of land Herty market? Tang Rob looks at the odd case of a 100- creamed in stakeout S totaling just over 100 rai rai tract of prime beachside property in Mai Khao that failed at Mai Khao Beach went up for KATA: An all-night police stakeout hit paydirt when a pair of cat auction on June 23, with the bid- to find a buyer when it was first put up for auction, and what burglars tried to rob a hotel room they thought was occupied by a ding started at just 64.32 million can be inferred from this about the property market in drunken foreigner – but which was actually full of undercover offic- baht. Must be something wrong, ers lying in wait. right? Phuket. Montri Kasemsuk, 37-year-old owner of the Dreamy Bunga- Wrong. It’s a dream prop- low residence on Kata’s Koktanote Rd, notified police of a series of erty: 504 meters fronting Phu- late-night burglaries targeting his guests. ket’s last unspoiled beach, next A suspicious middle-aged couple had been spotted lurking about to Sirinat National Park, compris- the grounds at around the times of some of the thefts, he told Chalong ing 10 parcels of easy-to-build- Police Superintendent Pol Col Chalit Kaewyarat. on flat land; convenient access The thefts seemed to be following a regular pattern, with the from Mai Khao Soi 4; artesian thieves arriving in the dead of night to enter the rooms of guests who water source; and all good titlea had failed to lock doors and were apparently too tired – or too drunk – eight chanote deeds and two – to notice their unwelcome guests. Nor Sor 3 Gor, all issued in 1955 This perhaps indicated that, like many criminals, the thieves – 26 years before the troublesome compensated with boldness and overconfidence for what they lacked National Park Act. in creativity and common sense. “I checked up on the land Knowing this, Col Chalit devised a cunning plan. He ordered documents myself,” said Bang- Chalong Police Deputy Inspector Pol Col Pachai Mattayan to set up kok Bank Business Center Ac- a stakeout using undercover police. After all, allowing the few tour- count Manager Sakdadet Anu- ists who are still on the island to be robbed is hardly going to be mas. “There shouldn’t have been conducive to reversing the current trend in tourism. any problems.” As the Kata bars closed and revelers staggered their weary way Bangkok Bank and the back to their rooms, the door to bungalow unit 4A was purposely Phuket Legal Execution Office left ajar, and empty beer bottles placed outside in order to give the (PLED) sponsored the auction. burglars the impression that the room was occupied by someone who They doubtless had high hopes had been drinking. bidders would fall all over each Undercover officers were posted in nearby units to provide other for this unique presidential- surveillance, and although the hours passed with no sign of trespass- sized property – in the govern- ers, the undercover cops kept up their vigil. ment’s coveted “yellow zone”, At about 4:30 am, the late-night, low-season silence was bro- thought ideal for tourism devel- ken by the sound of a motorcycle pulling up and parking outside the opment – and priced at less than bungalow colony. many a luxury home perched on The officers watched silently as the cat burglars stealthily went a single rocky rai of cliff-side. from bungalow to bungalow, slowly testing the doorknobs of each But they were wrong. In to see which hapless foreign tourist was destined to be that night’s fact, only one person placed a bid But for now, the property industry continues to look generally rosy, victim. on June 23, and that for just 102 unusually low. Lured to bungalow 4A like mice to a block of cheese, the bur- million baht. glars lost no time stepping inside and rummaging about for what- The distressed owner, ever valuables they could find. Hongs Yuan Enterprises, owed At that moment, the police sprung the trap. the bank 80.4 million baht, but One had the impression the “The guys with money here After their apprehension, the two thieves were identified as did not even show up for the pro- bank would seize anything above are all doing projects of 15 to 20 43-year-old Khampon Sae Tang, 43, and his female partner-in-crime ceedings. the asking price at the next meet. houses, covering 12-20 rai,” he Meena Dotatamon, 41. The bank, which “The owner will be said, the figures largely coincid- Police noted for the record that they arrived together on a dark wanted 330 million there,” he ex- ing with developments listed on blue Kawasaki Kaze, with a Phuket license plate . baht, declined the bid, “Money circulating plained, “and I Phuket’s property websites. Caught red-handed, there was little they could do but confess. hoping for more at the here basically think the bank will As for the market since Thecouple told police they had robbed tourists in Karon “many next auction on June comes from let it go.” December, his views dovetail times”, and always in the same way. 30. A number of with those of former Phuket City They kept a watch out for foreign tourists who liked to return Was it a sign the tourism. factors account for Mayor Phummisak Hongsyok, a to their bungalows and drink themselves silly, forgetting to lock their property market has Fewer tourists this. The property, large property developer and doors before they fell asleep. After that the pair would sneak into the turned belly-up with equals less once developed in- head of the Phuket Real Estate bungalow and help themselves to whatever they could find. They tourism? Hardly. to luxury homes or Club. were charged with breaking and As K. Sakdadet money.” a five-star hotel “Sales of high-end homes entering, as well as burglary. explained, there is se- – Bangkok Bank complex (one sug- are growing at a stronger rate The stakeout was a long- rious interest, but ex- Business Center gested use) could than tourism is,” K. Phummisak overdue piece of good news for perienced punters ap- easily be worth bil- told the vernacular press in May. the Chalong Police, whose crime ply poker-like strate- Account Manager lions. “Customers come from the enforcement obligations stretch gies to the auction Sakdadet Anumas. But undevel- south of Spain, Scandinavia and, beyond Tambon Chalong proper process, carried out oped it is larger most importantly, Hong Kong.” and into Kata-Karon. by PLED on four consecutive than most foreign developers Home sales in the 10- to The last time they hit head- Thursdays. want, and they lead the market. 100-million-baht range, he said, lines was over an alleged extor- Still, he was less than wild- “You want an investment were strong; money was “pour- tion incident that resulted in tem- ly optimistic. “The bank may get where you’re not up to your eye- ing in.” porary transfer for two officers. its price, or less,” he said, “or balls in land inven- Domestic Source: Kom Chad Luek perhaps more.” tory,” said one local While property capital accounts for developer (who pre- little of the funding. fers anonymity). prices have – thus “Interest is greatest He explained far – weathered in Tambon Pa Khlok that home sales were the tsunami after- and Phuket’s south always somewhat effects, they are end. Many projects risky. “Say an inves- are going on there,” tor has US$8 million, not indestructible. he said. he can put his money For his part, in blue chips: the first year he’d the Bangkok Bank’s K. Sakdadet have US$ 9.6 million. noted that homes “priced up to “After the second year he US$1 million” (45 million baht) would have US$12 million – and were finding buyers easily. Prop- with a lot less risk. erties with higher price tags, he July 9 - 15, 2005 INSIDE STORY PHUKET GAZETTE 5 property boom go on?

noted, were more problematic. “Fewer tourists equals less Of the housing market’s money.” low end, defined by K. Phumm- The pullout of airlines from isak as the “million-baht plus” Phuket – only three carriers out range, both he and K. Sakdadet of 20 still maintain scheduled say sales are falling. flights – may be a harbinger of Both agree on the reason – tough times. Hong Kong carrier tourism’s collapse. Dragonair’s pullout is particu- The former Mayor ob- larly alarming, because much of served that such homes were the boom in the Phuket property market has been fueled from Hong Kong. Yet the anonymous devel- oper cited earlier remains opti- mistic. “My realtor just returned from Hong Kong – she says in- terest in Phuket is still strong,” he said. While property prices have – thus far – weathered the tsu- nami after-effects, they are not indestructible. Threats other than the tour- ism drop-off could also also shake them down: skyrocketing fuel costs or the specter of a world wracked by random acts of terrorism. Thailand, a staunch US ally, is particularly vulnerable in the latter regard. Should the tide of Should the tide of the so-called “War on Terror” turn heavily against the US, Thailand may the so-called “War on Terror” become a target – which cannot be healthy for a property market propped up by foreign turn heavily against the US, Thai- investment. land may become a target – which cannot be healthy for a property market propped up by foreign investment. But for now, the property industry continues to look gen- erally rosy, especially with inter- especially with interest rates est rates unusually low. The dream property at Mai Khao did eventually find a buyer. In the June 30 bidding, and gave the PLED its biggest sale of the largely bought by hotel and tour- year so far – 258 million baht for agency workers who now find the 100 rai at Mai Khao. themselves out of work or on The buyer? Bangkok Bank half-pay. itself. No one, it seems, not even “Money circulating here the mortgage holder, wants to let basically comes from tourism,” such a nice piece of land slip by K. Sakdadet agreed. just now.

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By Orashun Sethichaiyen

hailand’s favorite farang singer, Todd “Thong- Learning is a lyrical thing dee” Lavelle, has pub- Tlished a book to accom- to affected areas and sharing pany his 2003 CD, Back to the “time, money and experiences Beach, rated by MTV Trax as one with those who have lost so much of the 10 best of that year. Todd “Thongdee” [but] still have so much to give The book, English By Song, Lavelle (left) has hit [in terms of] the unique ways contains the lyrics to Todd’s yet another high they live their lives, and the rich songs, in both English and Thai, note, this time with natural and human resources that with line-by-line explanations of his book English By are still on offer there. the correct meanings in Thai, Song (below, left), “I believe pain and loss are along with guitar chords. which includes opportunities. I’ve lost brothers But this is no ordinary explanations of the to car accidents, a father I loved songbook. The lyrics of each of songs on his Back so much to alcohol. Through all the 10 songs are explained in five to the Beach CD of this, I see that we cannot bring different ways, under the head- (below) in Thai and back the people or the things we English. ings Song Story; Song Lyrics-Di- once had. But we can keep them rect Translation; English by alive in the love we give [to] oth- Song; Group English; and Beach ers – and the decisions we make Gems. from now on. Todd told the Gazette that “The tsunami has given us the CD-book project was in- a chance to completely re- spired by his experiences on Koh think the whole tour- Samui and southern Thailand. “I ism industry in the really wanted people to under- South, the entire stand the stories and even learn fishing indus- about English and the creative try, and to re- process with this new package. affirm our “So I broke the songs down belief in love into their stories, the language it’s fun, quality … and [they] ranges from students and young of the of every and [the] idioms I used to write want to hear more,” Todd said. professionals to “anyone who US in colo r. Love them and then led the “My songs, Back to likes a variety of new and inter- sup- defeats readers into new Samui, Horizon Eyes esting music with real stories port of death, hands types of English … and LayDeeBoyZ about real people and nature. tsunami down! I am as well as a few jokes went to the top five “It’s a celebration of the victims certain of this,” they might share of Fat Radio’s List.” South. I hope readers will get and the re- he adds. with foreigners. The book and good fun [and] inspiration to building “It is the cen- “I want people CD are different study and speak English, and be- process. ter of my work, from to enjoy what I call from others on the gin to look for richer entertain- “I am amazed Back to the Beach to my ‘Real Music for Real market, he says, be- ment ...” at the second wave of TV show, Oh, My God! to sim- People’ ... maybe we cause they offer The project developed from kindness and giving that has ply talking with kids around the could call it ‘deep “songs, completely shows and talks in schools and brought people from all over the country. Life is a very good fun!’” edited English con- clubs around the country over the world to rebuild this area. It will thing.” Todd’s fans cepts and superb course of three years. Todd says be a slow process, and tourism have told him how packaging. This that the stories and music are the will take a long time – maybe English By Song is available at much they learn from listening to package is what I want people to culmination of all his concerts never – to recover to its pre-tsu- 155 baht from 7-Eleven stores the CD and reading the book. get from my work – story, ideas. and travels. nami levels.” across Thailand. For more infor- “Feedback on the book and [It’s] genuine ‘edutainment.’” Meanwhile, he has just Tsunami victims, he said, mation, Tel or Fax: 02-7332709, CD has been positive. People feel Todd’s target audience completed his “Six Cities” tour could be helped by people going or call K. Am at Tel: 06-5713309. July 9 - 15, 2005 AROUND THE NATION PHUKET GAZETTE 7 War on drugs not over yet he government’s “very success. dwarf Brahman bull “Thong successful” war on ya “They are eager to take Kham” had previously made bah (methamphetamine) their children to tutorial classes, headlines, rushed to see Thong is not over yet. Police but not temples,” he said. Khaow – but his offer to buy the T cow to mate with his bull was say they are are now targeting large-scale drug dealers. Home-grown terrorism: At turned down. Officials stopped counting least six people were beheaded After an hour of intense ne- the number of deaths related to in the Deep South in June, the last gotiation, K. Krachang pulled out the drug trade two years ago, said a Buddhist waterworks foreman 100,000 baht in cash and pro- a senior official at the Office of who was decapitated in Narathi- posed that the cattle be married. the Narcotics Control Board wat’s Rangae District. K. Amphol accepted and (ONCB). The headless body of Surin the two farmers announced the “We use the same strategy Somjit, 59, was found in a rub- bovine engagement. now as then. If they [the sus- ber plantation in Tambon Bor- pected drugs dealers] are killed ngor’s Ban Anae village in the Lack of confidence: A poll of by officers, it means that they afternoon. 5,771 respondants by Rajabhat were violently resisting arrest,” K. Surin was supervising University’s Suan Dusit Campus said ONCB Deputy Secretary- Thousands of farmers from all over the country gathered at 19 workers laying a pipe in the in Bangkok found sagging con- General Chartchai Suthiklom. the Royal Plaza in Bangkok to “remind” the government village when an unknown num- fidence in the government’s abil- K. Chartichai did not pro- about its election promise to ease their debt burden. ber of assailants shot him three ity to tackle economic problems, vide a figure for the number of times in the head. The workers from higher oil prices to the ris- people killed in the war on drugs, ran for their lives while K. ing cost of living. but noted, “murder cases some- Opening it, they found a baby girl charged me after I had sex with Surin’s body was dragged into a Faith in the economy fell 10 how [still] occur [and] police will inside, with her umbilical cord them … I spent the money that I wooded area and decapitated. A points, from 100.13 in May to have to take care.” still attached and mosquito bites robbed from them to buy more note was found near his body say- 89.87 in June. One indicator of the success covering her face and body. sex from prostitutes,” he told re- ing: “You kill one of us, we’ll kill The mean standard used in on the war on drugs is the price When they saw that the in- porters calmly. He is also under 20 of you.” the survey is 100, with respon- of ya bah, which rose from 100 fant was still alive, they rushed investigation for the June 11 kill- His head was found by the dents rating performance either baht before the initiative began her to the nearby Vejthani Hos- ing a traditional Thai massage side of a road seven kilometers above or below that mark. to 300 baht today. Production has pital, where doctors were able to practitioner in Trang. away, police said. On the cost of living, the also decreased in the Golden Tri- save her life. confidence index fell by 8.5 angle area and drug trafficking is Police launched an investi- Moral high ground: Privy Coun- My wife’s a cow: Sa Kaew Prov- points, from 95.03 to 86.55, conducted in smaller quantities gation to determine who aban- cillor Kasem Wattanachai ex- ince will host the world’s first while the public’s sense of well- today. doned the baby, saying that the pressed deep concern about the wedding of a pair of dwarf Brah- being was down by approxi- “Success” in quelling the culprit would be charged with country’s future after a survey man cattle on July 10, when two mately seven points, from 99.07 drug trade also means that there attempted murder. revealed that more than half of of the rare animals will be mar- to 91.82. are 200 dealers currently on the students at Bangkok’s top ried with much pomp and cir- Respondents also showed a death row, he said. Mind of a lunatic: After a week- schools believe that corruption is cumstance. decrease in confidence in the long nationwide manhunt, serial part of everyday life. The wedding came about government’s ability to control Infanticide thwarted: Two mo- killer Somkid Phumpuang, 41, He said a survey of 4,000 when Amphol Wangboon took the rising cost of goods and ser- torcycle taxi drivers in Bangkok confessed to killing five sex students at 30 prestigious high “Thong Khaow”, his 18-month- vices. The score fell by four saved the life of a newborn baby workers in Mukdahan, Lampang, schools found that 51% view cor- old white Brahman cow, to the points, from 83.04 to 76.28. they found abandoned at a shop- Udon Thani and Buri Ram Prov- ruption as “common”. At the Sa Kaew Cattle Market. At just “The survey results confirm ping mall. Pichit Duangpakdi, 30, inces. same time, more than 40% had 70 centimeters tall and weighing the state of the economy . . . that and Thawin Lao-ard, 34, told Somkid, captured in his never visited a temple. 50 kilograms, Thong Khaow is it is languishing,” said Sukhum police that they heard a baby cry- girlfriend’s house in Chaiya- “It shows that morality is about the size of a large dog. Chalo-eysup, Director of the ing under an exit ramp at the phum’s Muang District, admitted losing its strength in society. Brahman cows at that age Suan Dusit polling body. Tesco-Lotus store in Bang Kapi to killing them, saying that he had People are now placing capital- normally stand two meters tall District. killed them during arguments ism before principles,” he said, and weigh about a ton. Around the Nation news roundup Searching for the source of over fees for sex. adding that parents apparently At the market, farmer Kra- is sourced from the pages of The the crying, they found a tightly- “I killed them out of anger teach their children less about chang Kanokprasert from nearby Nation and Kom Chad Luek knotted plastic shopping bag. because sometimes they over- values and more about material Prachinburi Province, whose newspapers. 8 PHUKET GAZETTE AROUND THE REGION July 9 - 15, 2005 Full moon parties face clean-up press conference held “ground zero” for what she eu- recently at the Chai phemistically described as “heavy Resort on Koh Pha- petting”. ngan brought together “I have no intention of un- Mu Ko Ang Thong A National Marine Park members of the media to assist dermining the tourism industry, but in the fight against drugs on the it should be promoted in ways (left) was subject to island, home of the infamous full that are compatible with Thai tra- a mass cleanup moon parties. ditions,” she said. operation on June According to Pornlert Naturally, other officials and 15, when local Chokchai, the island’s Chief Dis- the press corps were keen to officials, a number trict Officer, print and electronic come down and see for them- of local organizations media, with their ability to dis- selves on the next full moon. and interested seminate information quickly, can citizens – and scores of schoolchildren – play an important role in educat- Love that dirty water: A ing the public about the dangers wastewater disposal notice re- descended on Koh Mua Ta Lap for a of drugs. cently issued by Samui Munici- dive clean-up, beach K. Pornlert asked those in pality states that most of the rubbish collection attendance to do their part in smelly, stagnating water on the is- and to put the combating the drug scourge and land comes from households and region’s famous identified foreign- businesses that do Tiger Claw shells ers as the main FROM THE not dispose of it back into the sea. source of drugs on properly. Koh Pha-ngan. GULF OF Sewage from He also in- many places sim- vited officials and THAILAND ply pours onto reporters from roads or is piped often spread rubbish around in ways to get the general public dents on June 15 joined in a mass Bangkok to visit into public water- areas where it had been neatly involved. clean-up of Mu Ko Ang Thong the June 21 full courses, such as piled for collection. Twenty-six different gov- National Marine Park, to the west moon party to see rivers and streams, To curb this trend, the au- ernment agencies will take part of Samui and Koh Pha-ngan. The the extent of the or straight into the thorities have decided to forbid in the initiative. They have been effort was part of a nationwide problem first-hand. sea. The authorities meddling with rubbish that has asked to set an example to the effort to “clean house” at national He noted that plan to be much already been placed on the public by their own use of re- parks, both underwater and on local police con- more strict on this street. source-saving procedures. land. stantly make drug- issue in the future, According to officials, it Each department will have The slogan for the day was related arrests, but saying they will does not matter if people use what to prove that it carried out the “Green Forest, Clean Water, that most of those send out inspection they find or sell it for cash. From energy-saving activities as agreed White Beaches”, the idea being apprehended are teams and impose now on, anyone wanting to sift by submitting electricity bills for to increase awareness and ulti- caught with small 10,000-baht fines through trash must have a license inspection and comparison. mately minimize pollution in all the amounts only. on violators for – and anyone found rummaging Those that are successful country’s national parks. The scale of each infraction. though trash without one will be will get a budget increase com- The main activities of the the debauchery at- By Commander Those found prosecuted. mensurate with the amount of Ang Thong clean-up took place tendant on the full Sammy Swan to have improper energy saved. on Koh Mua Ta Lap and included moon parties last wastewater dis- Models of efficiency: Surat The overall goal is to a dive clean-up, beach rubbish caused a fuss when a woman posal facilities will be give 30 Thani Governor Vijit Vichaisarn achieve a 5% reduction in the use collection and putting the region’s senator reported in early May days to upgrade before facing has designated July as the begin- of resources by government famous Tiger Claw shells back that one stretch of beach on the another fine. ning of a new campaign to save agencies. The agreed ways to do into the sea. island had effectively become national resources, such as en- this include paper recycling, turn- Taking part were local offi- Trash pickers trashed: Koh ergy and water. ing off air-conditioning during cials, a number of local organiza- Samui Municipality recently an- Like any government cam- meal breaks, and using vehicles tions and interested citizens – nounced that the island is getting paign, it began with a series of less often. A treasurer will be ap- along with scores of schoolchil- dirtier because of people picking meetings. In this case, the gath- pointed to report back monthly on dren pressed into service. over trash looking for valuables erings were intended first to find the success of the project. to keep or sell. The pronounce- ways to achieve major energy Cdr Swan is a writer with Koh ment notes that garbage pickers savings – and then to figure out Clean living: Koh Samui resi- Samui’s community magazine. July 9 - 15, 2005 HAPPENINGS PHUKET GAZETTE 9 T his week

BANG THE DRUM: (from left) Masashi Ono, President of the Japanese Association in Thailand KEEPING SHIP SHAPE: Pictured at the Phuket Marine Center are Assistant (JAT); Kazushi Miyashita, President of the Phuket chapter of JAT; Phuket Governor Udomsak Managing Director Sukitja Taraporn (left), Giorgio Favia (3rd from left), Director Uswarangkura; Japanese Ambassador to Thailand Atushi Tokinoya; and Kenji Shirasaki, Julian Hill (3rd from right) and Tim Lincoln (right), celebrating the grand opening President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Thailand, beat a ceremonial Japanese of their new marine equipment retail center near Boat Lagoon. drum to open the “Japanese Love Thais” festival at the Royal Phuket City Hotel.

FUND-RAISER ROYALE: A gala charity art auction recently held at Mom Tri’s Villa Royale raised more than 100,000 baht for scholarships for children affected by the WELL BUILT: Thai Tanics, a group of foreign and local volunteers, celebrate the tsunami. Pictured (from left) are Nick Paul, Phuket International Women’s Club President completion of their tsunami rebuilding project at Mai Khao Beach Bungalows Resort. Cindy Ratcliffe, John Lindsay and Carole Marco.

TO THE MAX: Suroj Lamsam (3rd from left), Senior Vice President, Marketing and Services Group and Product Development Group of TT & T, and fellow representatives visit the Phuket Gazette on June 24 to meet Managing Editor Alasdair Forbes (2nd DUBAI DIVERS CLEAN UP: A group of 27 volunteer divers from the Emirates Diving from right) and spread the news of the launch of their high-speed Internet connection Association, Dubai, and representatives from Thai Airways International join the package, MaxNet. underwater clean up project, “Loving Phuket, Reviving Andaman” in Krabi and Phuket. 10 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PEOPLE July 9 - 15, 2005 On Film

BIG CATS: Lions A state Club of Phuket Pearl President Dr Supaluck akawin Sangkong, or Chet as he prefers to be called, Methakul (2nd Ptalks with the Gazette’s Rungtip Hongjakpet about his from left) and fellow Lion Yupa work with a sore issue in Thai society – stateless Thais. Boonyokbundit Working for an NGO, he is experiencing things that most congratulate people wouldn’t have a clue how to deal with or even care Olinto Barletta (left) on about. becoming the new President of akawin “Chet” Sangkong been doing this kind of work for the Lions Club of is originally from a farm- three years and working with Andaman Sea ing family of 10 in stateless Thais is part of the Phuket, at the PPatthalung, but chose a project,” K. Chet said. Deevana Patong different way of life. Stateless Thai people or Resort & Spa on “I got a BA in community Khon Plud Tin in Thai, are thopse June 30. development from Rajabhat who were born and who grew up Songkla University. I have been in Burma before emigrating to working with NGOs since 1985,” Thailand. K. Chet said. Typically, they are from He looks much the same as Tavoy, Mergui and Tenasserim. most Thai men, not too tall, These Burmese border towns GLAD TO BE BACK: Mark brown skin – but he possesses a were Thai during the Sukhothai Spiers, PADI course director personality that touches people. period (13th to 15th centuries and General Manager of Let’s just say that he is not your AD), and were disputed for cen- Scuba Cat Diving (center), typical pushy NGO type. He ex- turies until the British annexed Scuba Cat Manager Jamie plains that he was once married Burma and definitive borders Parker (left) and Instructor and has two children but were set. Sarah Kench are all smiles the marriage has been ‘What is life if The result was at the PADI Asia Pacific over for some time. He that Thailand lost for- annual meeting, which was you don’t held at the Royal Phuket now focuses totally on ever some of the dis- City Hotel from June 21-23. his work. have basic puted towns. The popu- PADI delegates came After gaining expe- human lations of these border from throughout the region rience with several local rights?’ towns were tradition- for training seminars and to and international organi- ally mixed, with Thai, zations, he is working on – Pakawin Chinese and Shan promote worldwide the fact Sangkong that Phuket and Phang Nga his own project which people predominating. are ready to receive receives funding from K. Chet explained tourists. The Scuba Cat three sources: the Community that he runs his project to help shop in Patong sustained Organization Development Insti- stateless Thais because he be- substantial damage from tute, the Chumchon Thai Foun- lieves these people are truly Thai. the tsunami. dation and the Thai Health Pro- “Yes, they were born in Myanmar motion Foundation. [Burma], but that does not “I’m working on something change the fact that they are Thai. SPONSORED SCHOOLING: called ‘The Project for Improv- “They are Thai in almost Phuket International ing the Lifestyle and Living Stan- every respect. They speak Thai, Women’s Club (PIWC) dards of Local Communities’. eat Thai food, go to Thai Bud- President Cindy Ratcliffe The main aim behind this is to dhist temples and dress like (middle row, center), with help people learn their basic Thais. They have the same cul- former PIWC President Linda rights and make their community ture as southern Thais.” he ex- Cumming (middle row, left) stronger, along with better living plained. and Scholarship Secretary standards. According to K. Chet, there Olivia Krisnaraj (middle row, “I’m not talking about poor are many stateless Thais living in 2nd from left) pose with people in slums who need new Thailand, though no one really Phuket Vocational College housing. They might need it knows how many. They are cen- Deputy Director Wimolwan alright, but what I think they need tered mainly in Tak, Ranong, Chareon (middle row, 2nd more is to make their surround- Chumphon and scattered from right), and some of the ings and atmosphere better. throughout the south. 46 students who each “To achieve that goal, they In Phuket, there are about received a 10,000-baht need to work together. They have 200 or 300 of them, most of them scholarship from the PIWC to know how to save some of working in construction. on June 28 at the Phuket their income. My job is to guide In Burma, these people are Vocational College. them in how to do all this. I have treated as a second-class citizens.

Gazette Online Classifieds – 10,000 readers every day ! See the Phuket Gazette Online at www.phuketgazette.net July 9 - 15, 2005 PHUKET PEOPLE PHUKET GAZETTE 11

The Myanmar government views lieves, is that some Thais think “It is hard, because it’s not them as Thais and they don’t of this group as Burmese because ordinary charity work. Any pro- have Burmese ID cards. they do not have Thai ID cards. spective helper would have to Yet when they move to “We overlook the fact that have a lot of understanding about Thailand, here too they are clas- they are Thai, from an area that the topic. The work is all about sified as foreigners. They are re- used to belong to Thailand. doing whatever it takes to make fused Thai ID cards and do not “On top of that, Thais do people smarter because, if they of grace have the right to own property or not like Burmese in general. I are educated, they will know their get higher education. They can- think it’s because of the history basic rights,” K. Chet com- not even move of war between the two coun- mented. from one prov- tries,” K. Chet added. “I have to say that things are ince to another “Don’t forget that there’s getting better. There are many without permis- [also] money involved. Some organizations interested in this sion. stateless Thais are approached by issue. K. Chet corrupt people who promise to “I have also received coop- says that these get a Thai ID card for them. eration from certain government people some- “They ask for an under-the- officers and academics and I’ve times are abused table ‘fee’ that varies between witnessed some stateless Thais by some local 500 and 20,000 baht per person. receiving Thai ID cards issued by leaders. Their Some fall into the scam and try the Thai government. children can’t go very hard to save up to pay for So it’s actually not all that to school because this. I see that there will be more bad.” they don’t have problems in terms of corruption “But I believe that just ob- proper documen- in the future,” said K. Chet. taining Thai ID cards for them is tation. Working with such sensi- not the end of my work. If they wish tive issues is not easy and un- “As long as they are still ig- to travel from vil- popularity is part and parcel with norant and don’t know any bet- lage to village, the job. ter, they will go on facing prob- they have to ask “Many times, when we’re lems. permission from supposed to have [stateless Thai] “I’m 40 years old now and the head of vil- meetings, the people in charge of I see my work as a long time com- lage and if they the venues come to tell me that mitment with no ending.” need to travel to we can’t hold a meeting there another province anymore because certain ‘offic- Pakawin Sangkong can be they must first ers’ have asked them not to co- reached at Tel: 09-5971175 or obtain higher- ordinate with us or there will Fax: 077-813535. level permission. be ‘problems’. “What is life if “I’m the main person deal- The Community Organization you don’t have ing with this issue. I have been Development Institute (Public basic human trying very hard to recruit staff, Organization), Tel: 02-7180911; rights?” he asked. but it’s difficult to get people and Chumchon Thai Foundation Tel: “The work is all about doing whatever it takes to make people smarter because, The main I’ve been looking for almost 02-7165610, www.chum- if they are educated, they will know their basic rights,” said K. Chet. problem, he be- three years. chonthai.or.th 12 PHUKET GAZETTE MUSIC July 9 - 15, 2005 Taking liberties risy, especially on the blistering Ear Candy with Andy Arbeit Macht Frei, about a World War II veteran, with its final line f, as Paul Simon sang, Ev- bum, is self-titled. It was pro- “He don’t like blacks or queers yet ery generation throws a hero duced by The Clash’s Mick Jones he’s proud he beat the Nazis.” up the pop charts, then ev- and draws heavy inspiration from The final listed Iery now and The Buzzcocks, The track, What Became again, a bad boy or two This is almost a Jam, The Clash, The Of The Likely Lads is thrown up them as Kinks and The Who. (there is a final hid- well. life-changing One does not den track, France) is The jester steal- album … evoking have to be British to a gentle nod to one of ing the crown held for as it does the enjoy it, but it does the classic British some years by Oasis’s help. Cockney rhym- sitcoms of the ’60s feuding Gallagher heady whiff of ing slang, other patois and ’70s, The Likely brothers, and latterly stale ciggies, and references to Brit Lads, a show about lush keyboards, and hyp- Eminem, is young Pete staler lager, culture abound. two pals in the grim notic loops, its warmth Doherty, once of the It is also replete north of England, counterpoints the Nordic now disbanded neo- spliffs and sweaty with perfect punk who see their lives chill and the piece comes punk band The Liber- nightclubs. tunes, wit, and memo- not shaping up quite close to falling into a tines. rable lines. they way they had en- soul-jazz groove. Doherty and co-frontman On Track 1, Can’t Stand Me visaged. The interplay be- Carl Barât had, in the best tradi- Now, Doherty sounds not unlike “What became tween Kashkashian and tion of British music (think The Cure’s Robert Smith as he of the dreams we Garbarek on the title Jagger and Richards, Daltrey and sings, “Cornered the boy kicked had? What became of track offers rounded, Townsend, Liam and Noel, and out at the world…the world kicked forever? We’ll never multi-dimensional plan- Strummer and Jones), a tempes- back, a lot f*cking harder.” know!” Autobio- gencies winding through tuous relationship fueled, on Doherty is adept at pithy graphical lyrics that never de- antidote to the morning drive to the intro before spilling out into Doherty’s side, by drugs and throwaway lines and neat scend into melancholy and self- work and will have you drum- a side-by-side melody. drink. rhymes, such as “I’ll confess all pity. ming the steering wheel like a The repetitive keyboard Doherty was even once a of my sins after several large This is almost a life-chang- demented ling, much to the line and Katché’s mantra-like “guest” at Wat Thamkrabok, the gins…” on the song Music When ing album and is certainly ener- amusement of other road users. drumming under the loops draw Thai monastery famed for its The Lights Go Out, which is a gizing driving music, evoking as But, even if you work at the listener inside the song’s drug-detoxification program. He valediction to his youth, Barât, it does the heady whiff of stale home, still take it for a spin. heart. absconded. and The Libertines. ciggies, staler lager, spliffs and The Libertines The Liber- The restrained romanticism Almost perversely, The But he also has a point to sweaty nightclubs. tines. 42 minutes, 4 seconds shown by Kashkashian on her Libertines’ second and final al- make about prejudice and hypoc- This album is the perfect Rough Trade RTRADCD 166. nocturnal solo intro to One goes there alone is breathtaking. t’s been nearly six years since As it gives way to the tune INorwegian avante-garde saxo- itself, it is slow, reflective, and phonist/composer Jan Garbarek rooted deeply in the tension cre- released the mesmerizing Mne- ated between the percussion and mosyne his second collaboration Garbarek’s minimalistic backing with The Hilliard Ensemble, the response lines. ancient-music group. When he solos later in the He returns with another tune, he is clearly blowing blues masterpiece, In Praise of Dreams. into her elegiac line. Garbarek enlisted violist Things become more spec- Kim Kashkashian and long-time ulative on Scene from afar and collaborator Manu Cloud of unknowing, Katché on drums for but it hardly matters this outing. Garbarek Even though since these song plays saxophones as Garbarek has forms are nonetheless well as a host of key- long had a immediately recog- boards and percus- reputation for nizable. sion, while Katché The same spec- plays acoustic and producing ulative tone emerges electronic drums all inaccessible again with Conversa- accompanied by music, this outing tion with a stone and Kashkashian’s viola. whispers to a close Although Garb- is far from with A tale begun, a arek has long had a impenetrable. mantra-like duet that reputation for produc- closes this strong set. ing inaccessible music, this out- Poetic, moving, and mar- ing is far from impenetrable. velous, In Praise of Dreams is a Indeed, In Praise of Dreams welcome return for the saxo- is arguably the warmest and most phonist who makes music for the accessible of Garbarek’s collec- unknown films of the mind. tions. Even though there are no It will undoubtedly garner vocals, Garbarek has clearly writ- Garbarek some new fans, keen to ten “songs” for this set, with explore the man’s extensive back identifiable structures that are catalogue. followed almost throughout. In Praise of Dreams Jan Beautiful, soulful lines un- Garbarek. 53 minutes, 25 sec- derscore and recontextualize the onds. ECM Records ECM 1880. saxophonist’s trademark Nordic icy tone on Track 1, As seen from above. Selections available from CD His playing reminds one of Warehouse Thailand. For more the sharp-edged tones and keen- information on these and other ing, sustained notes of Islamic recordings, contact Siriporn prayer calls, although he is not Nurukkhe, Marketing Manager, at afraid to employ – and bravely – Email: mm@ cdwarehouse-asia. generous dollops of silence. com Web: www.cdwarehouse- With spiraling soprano sax, asia.com July 9 - 15, 2005 LIFESTYLE PHUKET GAZETTE 13 Small and beautiful, but practical? Gadgets on the go with Mayo

hereas most of us FM radio, a mass-storage device are choosing ever- – capable of storing photos, for larger TV sets for example – and as a voice re- Wour homes, Korean corder. It connects to a PC via a manufacturer MPIO – which is USB 2.0 interface. pronounced “em-pee-oh” – has The MPIO-One uses lith- just launched a combined flash ium-polymer rechargeable batter- drive multimedia player with a ies that can play music for 15 25-millimeter screen for watch- hours or play video for two. ing movies on the move any- It boasts a sleek design and where. comes in a number of eye-catch- The MPIO-One, which ing colors, including crimson, comes in at a featherweight 34.5 blue, silver and black. grams and measures a purse- Although no date for a sized 32x15x55mm, can display Phuket launch has been released, up to 65,000 colors at a resolu- the MPIO-One will be available tion of 96x64 pixels on its tiny from IT malls in Bangkok in July. screen. Prices are expected to be This latest “must-have” pegged at 7,990 baht for the gadget supports all video, image 256MB version, 8,990 baht for and audio formats, including the 512 MB and 9,990 for the MPEG-4 files as well as MP3, 1GB model. OGG and WMA files – and can Contact Four Systems Co The MPIO-One is store up to 1GB. Ltd. at Tel: 02-7912100 or Spark certainly a trendy Not only can you listen to Communications Co Ltd at Tel: item to have, but music on and download movies 02-6352717-9 for more informa- with just a 25mm to it, but it also functions as an tion. screen, will buyers ignore the device’s shortcomings in favor of fashion?

While the screen may be on the small side, the MPIO- One can store up to a whopping 1GB of music, images and other data. 14 PHUKET GAZETTE LIFESTYLE July 9 - 15, 2005 Spa MAGIC

By Alison Winward Aspasia

he Aspasia may be perched over a lovely bay in Thailand – Kata T – but one wouldn’t know this from the architecture, which is all Mayan-inspired cubes of dark green and sepia, with not a pointed roof in sight. And this lack of concession to the “Thai style” so beloved of many of Phuket’s hotel builders and housing developers contin- ues into the spa. There are no “Mayan-in- spired” touches in the spa, though. Once through the un- marked entrance, next to one of the resort’s two pools, it is all Eu- ropean-style blond wood floor- ing, contemporary/’60s-style fur- niture and walls of frosted glass reminiscent of a traditional Japa- nese home. By Phuket standards, this spa is relatively small, with four treatment rooms – three single The compact menu of treatments includes the “Positively Sinful” scrub, which involves chocolate, oatmeal and orange juice. rooms and a spacious double suite with its own bathroom and two Jacuzzis – and four therapists. The spa menu, too, is com- pact. It is heavy on massage – nine options – and offers four Something different facial treatments, manicures and pedicures. Body scrubs are of- The menu was devised by woman came in to confirm her fered too, but only as packages Aspasia General Manager Alis- husband’s appointment for his with the massages (dubbed tair Why and Operations Man- massage later that afternoon. “scrubbages”). ager Khun Noot. “In the past, I think men The “Positively Sinful” Mr Why is said to be a regu- were a little embarrassed [about scrub sounds like one of the most lar user of the spa, and a good using a spa], but I think most of delicious on Phuket, including proportion of the customers are them now know more about the use of chocolate, oatmeal and male; indeed, while my colleague spas,” says Spa Manager K. Thi- orange juice. and I are in the reception area, a darat, who used to work at the famed Banyan Tree, as did two of the other therapists. “Many men, after they have been once, come back again and again.” My colleague and I both opt for an “Aloha! State Magic” mas- sage, which, so the menu tells us, Although the Aspasia Spa is relatively small by Phuket standards, is “borrowed from Hawaii” and it does have a spacious double suite with its own bathroom and uses pressure from thumbs, two Jacuzzis. palms, forearms and elbows. My colleague’s therapist is K. Ploy, light and airy and have their own when they choose to could “hide” mine is K. LeeNa. sinks and showers – full marks it during the treatment. The treatment rooms are for providing a “rainwater” After giving me a lime foot- shower head (very large) and a bath, K. LeeNa leaves me to conventional shower head, for change into a damask cotton robe; higher water pressure. It is easy a short time later, when I lie on to get the water temperature just the couch for my massage, she right, too. covers me with a damask sheet – Admittedly, it is somewhat a nice change from the towels or unnerving that the back and front batik covers prevalent elsewhere. walls are made entirely of glass, The sheet is refreshingly but heavy blinds ensure that the cool, but despite that, and despite treatments remain private affairs, the refreshingly zingy lemongrass rather than entertainment for essential oil K. LeeNa uses for the those in reception. massage, it is difficult to stay The furniture is simple and awake during my one-hour mas- contemporary; it’s nice to see the sage, especially as she goes about brush, comb and cotton buds her work so silently. vanity set alongside the artfully- But all too soon, she taps arranged leaves and flowerheads gently on her little gong and tells on the “dressing table”, and, for me my treatment is over. It’s back some reason, the heavy, blond to the real world. wood coathangers where I hang my clothes are a joy to handle. The Aspasia Spa, 1/3, Laem Sai The hangers are out in the Rd, Kata Beach. Tel: 076-333033. open, though; it would be nice if Website: www.aspasiaphuket.com there were some kind of recep- email: [email protected]. tacle where those of us who pre- Aloha! State massage (one hour) fer to reveal their underwear only 1,600 baht++. July 9 - 15, 2005 TRAVEL PHUKET GAZETTE 15 Help yourself, help Phuket

ith some fine weather and an all-time low low W season – which means that resorts are offering exceptional deals – what better time to take a short break close to home, especially if the kids are off school? A weekend away is always fun and allows time to relax, switch off and get life back in perspective – which is what I and With tourist numbers down, my companion have been doing now is perfect time for a recently. break at Bang Tao (left) or at Our first stay was a week- the Hilton in Karon (above). end at the Rydges Amora Beach Resort, which is hidden away to With so much space comes the south of Bang Tao Beach and the opportunity for lots of things its better-known neighbors in the to do. The hotel has a kids’ club, Laguna Phuket complex sports facilities and even moun- This excellent three-star re- tain bikes to rent for a while and sort is a great weekend retreat. simply go for a ride around the Set in its own shaded grounds grounds; my children became close to the beach, it has two beat location for the next week- the poolside rooms – great food the refurbished main wing, its expert at bunny-hopping steps. great pools, lots of cool areas end, and spent a couple of nights in its small terrace restaurant, and beachside gardens and new res- The three pools are ideal for under swaying casuarinas and in Patong. first-rate service. taurants, I’m certainly hoping I those hot afternoons with a cool some of the best watersports For the more budget-con- It offers has one of the best will be invited back again and beer or two. equipment on the island. scious, the Burasari Resort – breakfasts on the island. Taking soon. So go on, take a short break. Huge rooms and friendly tucked away in a small side street the advice of the resort’s GM, The final choice of the The island has been telling the staff ensure that this is a relaxing next to the Holiday Inn – is a de- Mike Inman, I plumped for the past few weeks was in Karon, rest of the world to visit our re- hideaway; just turn off your mo- lightful, trendy boutique hotel. Eggs Benedic- at the Hilton sorts, and after the last six bile phone for instant relaxation. Burasari offers excellent tine, which is a Arcadia Resort months, most of you certainly We decided on a more up- accommodation – especially in meal in itself. Thailand and Spa. With deserve a treat. This en- its magnificent A SELECTION OF DEALS FOR LOCALS ON PHUKET abled me to save TRAVELER gardens, refur- Bill Owen, who has lived in money on lunch, bished rooms Phuket and worked in the island’s Rydges Amora Beach Resorts, Bang Tao although at 99 By Bill Owen and myriad fa- travel industry for more than 17 Standard garden-view room: 1,345 baht net. baht, the resort’s cilities, it is the Deluxe pool-view room: 1,567 baht net. years, is General Manager of Ori- Two children may stay free in deluxe rooms. current lunch promotion is a bar- complete resort. ental Leisure Co Ltd, a leading Breakfast for children (4-16 years old): 175 baht. gain anyway. The newly-opened spa vil- event management company in Breakfast is free for children younger than 4. Burasari is well worth a lage is certainly worth a mention, Phuket. He may be contacted at: Tel: 076-324021 or visit www.phuket-rydgesbeachresort.com visit, especially for those seek- as is the spa restaurant, which [email protected]. The Burasari Resort, Patong ing a haven in the center of Pa- boasts a great variety of special firm’s website is at www.oriental- Superior room: 1,800 baht. tong. fruit shakes. events.com Free-of-charge upgrades to deluxe rooms, subject to availability. The second – and now very Tel: 076-294457-8 or Email: [email protected] affordable – option is the Holi- Busakorn Wing, Holiday Inn, Patong day Inn’s Busakorn Wing. Deluxe room: 2,450 baht net. Tel: 076-340608-9 or visit www.holiday.phuket.com For its combination of stun- ning pools, excellent rooms and Hilton Arcadia Resort and Spa, Karon exceptionally high level of ser- Superior garden-view room: 2,999 baht net. Deluxe sea-view room: 3,999 baht net. vice – a combination that is re- Tel: 076-396433-41 or visit www.phuketarcadia.hilton.com ally hard to beat – congratula- ll rates quoted above are for single/twin room per night and, apart from where tions must go to GM Wolfgang A indicated otherwise, include breakfast. Please note all these special offers Meusburger and his team. It is are for Thai citizens or residents only, so ensure you are able to provide proof of little wonder that this hotel is one residence here, such as a Thai ID card, driving license, work permit or social of the island’s all-time favorites. security card. After seeing the plans for 16 PHUKET GAZETTE F E A T U R E S July 9 - 15, 2005

THE TIME machine A Confederacy News from the past Jewelry shop fake gem problems continue of Dunces Phuket Gazette, July, 1995

PHUKET: The Tourist Police have reported several more inci- ormer CIA Director But Powell, unlike the war dents of local jewelry shops selling imitation or low-quality mer- George Tenet recently party led by Cheney, had not de- chandise. admitted that the stu- veloped a personal relationship A number of tourists have come to the police with complaints pidest words he’d ever with President Bush. “As sec- of being deceived into buying merchandise that was either not F said in his life were, “It’s a slam retary, he found himself often what it was purported to be or was of lower quality than had been dunk,” spoken to George W Bush frozen out by the White House represented by shop staff. when the president asked him – in the ‘icebox’ or the ‘refrig- Some local jewelry shop owners say that they adhere to all about the probability of finding Off the erator’ as Armitage and he of- regulations of Civil Law, but Officer Viroj Manorat of the Tourist weapons of mass destruction ten joked.” Police says that there have been recurring complaints against cer- (WMD) in Iraq. The upshot was that tain shops. Of course, we wouldn’t SHELF Rumsfeld was given a free hand If violations can be proved, the owners will be prosecuted even know he said those words By James Eckardt to micro-manage preparations under Section 217 of the Criminal Code, he warns. The Tourist if it were not for Bob for war in Iraq. The gen- Police have offered to investigate and say that they are willing to Woodward’s Plan of Attack eral in charge was Tommy act as the plaintiff on behalf of the angry tourists. (Simon & Schuster, New Franks, a colorful Texan Niti Kongkrut of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phuket York, 2004, 467pp). who characterized Dou- Office, has repeatedly stated that the private sector and govern- Bob Woodward is an glas Feith, the under- ment agencies must work together to stamp out jewelry fraud. institution, and has been secretary of policy in the If the scams and sharp trading practices were simply allowed ever since All the Presi- Pentagon and a Rumsfeld to continue, Phuket’s reputation as a worldwide tourist destina- dent’s Men helped instigate favorite, with these words: tion would be severely damaged. the fall of Richard Nixon. “I have to deal with the Woodward was given un- f***ing stupidest guy on paralleled access to Bush the face of the earth almost Roof workers find old and his advisers in Bush at every day.” War, about the attack on Af- The dullest patches ghanistan, and he has been in this book are descrip- papers in attic of given the same access for tions of the plans that its successor, Plan of Attack. Franks drew up, and the “The aim of this book accounts of how Rumsfeld Provincial Hall is to provide the first de- tinkered with them and Phuket Gazette, July 1-15, 2000 tailed, behind-the-scenes how they went to a meet- account of how and why ing of the “principals” and PHUKET TOWN: Workers fixing the roof of the Phuket Provin- President George W Bush, then back to Franks and cial Office made an extraordinary find in mid-June in a corner of his war council and allies then back to Rumsfeld, the building’s attic: four stacks of documents dating back as long decided to launch a pre- who tinkered some as 80 years ago. emptive war in Iraq to more… Astonishingly, the find came just a few days after another topple Saddam Hussein,” In the end, of course, group of roofing workers found similar documents under the roof Woodward writes in his in- all the pieces were in of the Phuket Provincial Mineral Resources Office. Initial re- troduction. place and Bush was sup- search indicates that these papers, too, date back between 50 and On December 18, posed to decide whether 2002, Woodward attended to invade or not. By this 80 years. al-Qaeda and was hoarding “The documents are in poor shape,” said Chamroen a huge White House Christmas point, the plans of attack were stocks of WMDs. Secretary of Tankasem, chief of the Directing Division of the Provincial Of- Party. Bush remarked that Bush ready, so there was no longer at War was at the top of the State Colin Powell and his deputy any choice. Bush would look fice, which handles planning and administration. “Even opening Richard Armitage, on the other them [without damaging them] is very difficult.” bestseller list and asked if Wood- like a coward if he did not give hand, just did not buy this. K. Chamroen says the documents, which include correspon- ward was going to do another. the go-ahead. “Maybe it will be called “Powell, the proud former The most rousing parts of dence between the Governor’s office and Bangkok, as well as in- general and now chief diplomat, terdepartmental memos, may throw light on forgotten aspects of More Bush at War, Woodward this book are the descriptions of was troubled by what he was see- Phuket’s history. said. CIA officers in the field track- “Let’s hope not,” Laura ing and hearing. He had served ing down Saddam Hussein and All the documents have been sent to the National Archives two tours in Vietnam as a junior in Trang Province for preservation and analysis. Bush said almost mournfully. his sons. The most entertaining Preparations for war in officer, where he’d seen failure are the battles royal between Iraq, in fact, were already going up close. Generals had not spo- State and Defense. along full tilt, under the auspices ken the truth to the political lead- After the war, a new ap- of an ideological quartet set on ership, which in turn had not been pointee to “State” from a con- war ever since September 11: sufficiently skeptical of the gen- servative think tank tells Vice-President Dick Cheney and erals … Powell knew deeply, in- Armitage he thinks he can act his deputy Scooter Libby, and timately, that war is fought by as a bridge between Defense Defense Secretary Donald kids, even teenagers, who would and State. Rumsfeld and his deputy Paul die because of decisions made in “You’re on our team,” Wolfowitz. Washington. The top echelons of Armitage replies. “You don’t They insisted, using dubi- the Bush administration were bridge shit. I’ve known all those ous intelligence, that Iraq’s noticeably free of those who had f***ers for 30 years. You ain’t Saddam Hussein was linked to seen combat.” bridging shit.” Wordly wise

“I will not be sad if he is executed. I would also like to thank the police for arresting him. The arrest will ensure that he won’t be able to kill any more people.”

– Kling Kingkaew, uncle of Somkid Phumpuang, who has confessed to murdering five sex workers, after hearing of his nephew's arrest in Chaiyphum Province on June 30. July 9 - 15, 2005 S M A L L W O R L D PHUKET GAZETTE 17

KKIDSIDS Get your brain the Fun Page for all in gear with the Family The Monster Quiz Kids! Ask Mum and Dad to help you find the answers to these questions. They’re not easy, but if you do some research you should be able to find Spot the Difference the answers to all of them. Can you find the seven 1. Which actor, famous for 7. Which US President had 15. How many US presi- differences between the roles in Big and Toy to leave office as a result dents preceded George two cartoons below? And Story, was born July 9, of the Watergate scandal? W Bush? can you find them faster 1955? than the rest of the family? 8. What is the capital of the 16. The product Marmite is 2. Who was the first Faroe Islands? named after a French Olympian to swim 100 word meaning what? meters in less than 60 9. The word “chocolate” is seconds? 17. Which actor appeared in derived from which native the following movies: American language? Kingdom of Heaven, 3. He later found movie Troy, Lord of the Rings fame portraying which and Black Hawk Down? fictional character? 10. Which chemical element has the atomic number 50? 18. Which band was formed 4. Which ornithologist first: Led Zeppelin, The wrote A Field Guide to Who, The Sex Pistols or the Birds of the West 11. What is the collective The Clash? Indies? noun for a group of apes? 19. Who plays Bill in the 5. In medical terms, 12. And for cockroaches? Quentin Tarantino movie “pulmonary” refers to Kill Bill Vol 2? what organ? 13. What does a plangonolo- gist collect? 20. What is the postal address of Fawlty 6. Shiva and Vishnu are Towers? among the many gods in 14. Who is the current editor what religion? of The Times of London? Answers next week Never a Cross Word!

ACROSS 1. It falls from the sky. 7. Really huge. 8. Fall over something. 9. Accomplished public speaker. 11. Zig-zag ski run. Brain Buster!! 12. George W Bush’s country. In the following code, each number stands 13. Indefinite article. for two possible letters: 15. Excitement. 1 stands for I or A; 2 stands for B or W; 3 17. Stellar twins. stands for C or T; 4 stands for E or K; and 5 18. Pull abruptly. stands for L or H. 19. Good snack for a hot The five-letter code word 25134 can be de- day (3,5). coded into two English words with opposite 20. Where bits of string run

meanings. What are the two words? out. A: “Black” and “White”. and “Black” A: DOWN 2. 747 or A330, for ex- ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK’S MONSTER QUIZ ample. 3. Himalayan kingdom. 1. American Larry Walters, a.k.a “Lawnchair Larry”; 2. Susan 4. They pull trains. B Anthony, 1979; 3. Asafa Powell; 4. The first month of the 5. Jordanian capital. calendar; 5. Happy Tree Friends; 6. Boy bands; 7. July 2 6. Employers. (182 days fall before and after); 8. Children’s literature; 9. 10. Sketched. Cynthia Kadohata for Kira-Kira; 10. An early type of firearm; 13. Encore. 11. Versailles; 12. Drupe; 13. Intestines of a sperm whale; CROSSWORD LAST WEEK’S 14. Chile; 15. Donna Karan, New York; 16. Pope; 17. He 14. Sister’s daughter. TO SOLUTION made wigs; 18. 1984; 19. Shanghai (14 million); 20. They 16. Poets make frequent use are all landlocked. of this. Solution next week 18 PHUKET GAZETTE F E A T U R E S July 9 - 15, 2005

In The St ars by Isla St ar

CANCER (June 22-July 23): RETURN OF THE Those who truly believe they will get what they deserve are most likely to be on the receiving end ack in the 1990s, a new of a wonderful gift. Those who phenomenon emerged: still think that it is always others What your the proliferation of who get the good luck can con- Bmanagement gurus. tinue wishing in vain. Self-con- They attained fame and fortune fidence should be your byword by writing quick-fix managerial for the remainder of July, and this cure-alls with titles like Re-En- stars gineering the Corporation, Mega- applies to romance as well. trends Asia, and The Pursuit of TSOWNDINGS LEO (July 24-August 22): People WOW! around you are not as flexible as When the American econ- By S. TSOW you might hope this week. Some- foretell this omy slumped and Asian econo- one seems particularly rooted in mies were flourishing, the man- his or her concrete opinions on agement gurus slithered over to Q. Dr. Sleekmanner, what is – Monday. However, by using all Thailand to sell their ideas in or are – “Paradigmatics”? the charm for which your astro- pricey seminars. Here, they A. “Paradigmatics” is a ho- logical sign is renowned, there is week taught Thai businessmen the listic set of integrated managerial a strong chance that you will be same innovative management skills that completely reconfigure able to convince him or her of the skills that had brought the Ameri- the corporate environment to benefits of seeing things your new admirer, but should not be best left on the back burner until can economy down. meet the challenge of constantly way. Changing weather condi- so blinded by love that they ig- later this month. Cancer is im- And when the Thai econ- shifting paradigms in today’s tions could be having an adverse nore potential problems. By all pressed by your cool-as-a-cu- omy tanked in 1997, they slith- highly competitive macro- and effect on your health; eat plenty means have some fun, but this cumber demeanor at a social ered away. micro-economic climate. of fruit to combat fatigue. person is not your soul mate. function this weekend. The moral is clear: when the economy is booming, man- Q. Gosh. Uh, what sort of skills VIRGO (August 23-September SAGITTARIUS (November 23- PISCES (February 20-March agement gurus will come swarm- are we talking about here? 23): You are advised to swallow December 21): The wet weather 20): Many Pisceans will be faced ing to our shores; when it crashes, A. Well, let’s say you have your stubborn pride and listen to is making you more inclined to with a difficult choice during the they will flee. a dysfunctional company. You the voice of experience this curl up at home, but those who coming days. This will most So we must be doing some- have to de-dysfunctionalize it. weekend. A project that you have wish to make romantic contact likely be connected with your thing right, folks, because the been planning appears to be ham- should get out and about more. personal life. If so, make your de- management gurus are back, with Q. How do you do that? pered by factors beyond your Turning down an invitation could cision on your own. But if it con- a whole new vocabulary of mana- A. You first jumpstart and control. There is a way around cause you to miss an auspicious cerns work, trusted advice will gerial doublespeak to dazzle us then implement continual up- this problem, but you will not dis- meeting this Saturday. Work con- help you turn in the right direc- – and, just possibly, to set the grades in the refunctionalization cover it alone. Romance brings ditions will change due to a last- tion. Dress to impress this week- stage for the next crash. process. This, together with an joy on Sunday when your part- minute intervention from those end when new contacts will have Spearheading their return is ongoing restructuring of the cor- ner springs a sensual surprise. If higher up. If you handle this well, a positive impact on your future; Dr Silvan Sleekmanner, author of porate environment, will opti- you are single, Capricorn would promotion is on the cards. the color moss green attracts the the smash bestseller Paradigma- mize institutionalization of cre- like to make contact. right kind of attention. tics: Reconfiguring the Corporate ative and innovative strategies CAPRICORN (December 22- Ethos. I recently interviewed him for achieving maximum corpo- LIBRA (September 24-October January 20): Your private life is ARIES (March 21-April 20): If in his posh suite at the Bacchus rate profit, individual personal 23): Acting on impulse this highlighted this week; benevo- you have begun to suspect that Epicureana Resort. enrichment and better orgasms. weekend is certain to bring new lent astral conditions will enable you may have drawn the shortest opportunities. You normally pre- new friendships to be made and straw regarding a recently made fer to take the tried and trusted current ones to be strengthened. deal, you will have an opportu- route, but the stars are encourag- Harmony prevails on the home nity this week to rectify the situ- ing you to throw caution to the front as well, when your partner ation. Thursday is your best day Totally classic wind for once. A jealous friend reveals a secret goal that you will for initiating talks to sort things is poised to throw a spanner in be happy to share. A business out. This weekend, you should the works next Wednesday, but offer that you were previously have a whale of a time if you ac- you will see this one coming from skeptical about starts to look cept an invitation to party. The Thai takeaway quite a distance. The number 4 more attractive, but do not share number 3 can bring good luck on is lucky on Thursday. this news with others in the same Tuesday. field. t has been one of those noodle soup but with no noodles, SCORPIO (October 24-Novem- TAURUS (April 21-May 21): weeks. Amid a multitude of and must be part of the no-car- ber 22): The domestic atmo- AQUARIUS (January 21-Febru- Those born under this sign are disasters of different pro- bohydrates Atkins’ Diet. sphere is still looking unsettled ary 19): Your ability to make advised to accomplish as much I portions, two things stood Then there is sticky rice and you are advised to wear kid even the most mundane task ap- as possible this weekend. After out as worse than the others. with somtam and barbecued gloves when handling disagree- pear exciting comes in very use- Monday, the unexpected is cer- One was having the elec- chicken. There is fried chicken, ments. A heavy-handed approach ful early this week. Aquarians tain to occupy your attention; you tricity cut off at my house. This duck soup, fried rice and all sorts will definitely widen the gap; who have been disappointed re- will have to do some schedule was annoying, especially as I had of other goodies – most of it ex- keep lines of communication cently by lack of cooperation at juggling next week to get every- personally paid the bill – which cellent. open and do not expect to have work will find that colleagues are thing done. The stars promise to was not overdue – the day before. Thailand is justly famous things all your own way. Single now more willing to pull their shower you with energy during The other was being ob- for its cuisine, with most of it Scorpios could be dazzled by a weight. Difficult decisions are July. Do not waste any time try- liged to eat a meal available at very ing to advise a friend who is sim- in a chain restaurant LARGER reasonable prices. ply ignoring the obvious. The located in one of In many cities of color sky blue will lighten your the big shopping THAN the world, people outlook. malls. LIFE pay a lot of money Even after By Graham Doven to eat in Thai res- GEMINI (May 22-June 21): many years in this taurants, and Thai Many Geminis will be suscep- country there are a few things food, I am told, is now the most tible to the butterfly treatment that I do not understand, especial- popular Asian cuisine, having during the coming days. Keep ly when it comes to food. usurped Indian and Chinese. your emotions on an even keel to Eating is an integral part of So why is it that so many avoid being disappointed in love. life in Thailand. It is not possible of my Thai friends, including my Where business is concerned you to travel more than a few meters dearly beloved, are prepared to should not put all your eggs in in any city or town without en- sit in a chain restaurant in a noisy one basket; diversify interests to countering people devouring shopping mall, devouring sub- guarantee at least one scheme food. stances that resemble cardboard coming to fruition. Monday is the Bowls of noodles with sea- covered with tomato sauce? best day for investigating new food or chicken or pork or beef. Even the coffee in the place possibilities. The color indigo Sometimes noodles with noodles. was appalling; I think it had been blue will encourage a more seri- Occasionally even noodles with- stewing for a month. Not only ous outlook on life. out noodles, which is actually that, but people are prepared to July 9 - 15, 2005 F E A T U R E S PHUKET GAZETTE 19 E MANAGEMENT GURUS From Bangla

Q. Gosh. Uhhhh...better or- pany-wide effort to reshape pro- Q. Gosh. What are they, sir? gasms? duction methods, marketing tech- A. One, efficientize the en- to the blues A. Yes. My own personal niques and managerial systems; vironment. Two, institutionalize guru keeps recommending that I to unite management and labor innovation. Three, streamline his week I am happy to favorite singer and Tina Turner make my presentations sexier. in a grand coming-together, a strategies. Four, profitize produc- report that Soi Bangla stated that “his is the best white You can’t get any sexier than bet- root-and-branch reconceptualiz- tion. And, five, maximize mar- has not yet turned into blues voice ever.” ter orgasms. ation of their relationship, result- ketability. Tanother Patpong and Norman Beaker is currently ing in an intimate bonding, a that the amount of street vendors Chris Farlowe’s main backing Q. I guess not. Now, some people functional and organizational Q. Oooh. That’s cool. has been kept to a minimum. muso and has played with every- say that management gurus are confluence, a proactive process A. Yes. And these five slo- Phew. one several times over including nothing more than snake-oil that will lead to maximum cor- gans can all be summed up in my I am also happy to report Clapton, Robert Cray, BB King, salesmen – fast-talking scam porate profit, in- personal and cor- that the Win- Jack Bruce and artists who delude the gullible dividual personal porate motto: chester pub’s Ginger Baker. with verbal smoke and mirrors. enrichment and ‘Paradigmatics is a “Realign the Pa- previously ex- The orga- A. That is a base canard. better orgasms for radigm”. You see, cellent music OON nizers are look- These strategies I’m offering re- all. holistic set of the problem with policy has been ing for local and sult in an ongoing enhancement integrated most companies restored to nor- TOWN national spon- ALL IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS of the optimization process. They Q. Gosh. Which managerial skills is that managers mal. Little Stev- sors to help are time-tested, proven methods means? are way behind ie has assured By Konrad Stalin make this event of upgrading management and A. Manage- that completely the times. They me that on my ([email protected]) start with a production competencies to meet ment screws la- reconfigure the have to realign two visits last bang. The front- – and, indeed, even surpass – bor. corporate the paradigm, to month when I heard Hip Hop running venue is The Green Man. world-class standards so that reconfigure the were an aberration. Brekker recce: It’s nomination environment to meet After three random spot companies that adopt them can Q. Oooh. Sir, do configuration, to time again for the best breakfast the challenge of checks I can confirm that Tamla keep ahead of fast-changing de- you have a quick optimize the opti- in Phuket. A few places are in the and indeed Motown is playing, velopments in our increasingly and easy way to constantly shifting mization, to talk running for it this year and our and not just your normal soul competitive world. My holistic, remember the a- the talk and walk most frequent winner, the Leg- paradigms in today’s hits, but a wide selection of top paradigmatic approach leads to mazing princip- the walk, to jive endary Fiddy’s, has serious com- highly competitive stuff for the soul aficionado. an integrated restructuring of cor- les you’re advo- the jive and dive petition. I reckon that the Surin On my final visit, the night porate systems to produce a win- cating? macro- and micro- the dive. They’ve Bay Inn will be up there this time, before I wrote this column, I had win situation for those companies A. Yes, I do. economic climate.’ got to do the do as will Two Black Sheep. a jolly time watching the Robbie that commit to it. I have five sim- and poo the poo. If you think your breakfast Williams Rat Pack DVD on their ple, easy-to-re- deserves a mention, email me and excellent big screen. As always, Q. Gosh. Do they pay you by the member slogans Q. Which means, I’ll give it a whirl. word? that will enable any organization in plain English? I’ll give credit where its due: A. Yes. Now, in addition, to outstrip its competitors, stomp A. They’ve got to work Stevie, well done, son. Steaking reputations: Happy there must be a readjustment of them into the dirt, rip off their their butts off, boy. to see the Holiday Inn is almost Crocodile rocks: Is it me or is fully fixed. I hope that Sam’s the relationship between man- faces, tear out their hearts and liv- Crocodile really kicking every- Steakhouse is part of the new agement and labor. We must ers, and leave them crushed and S. Tsow can be flamed at stsow@ one’s ass? In a quiet time for look. forge a new corporate ethos: to prostrate in the mud. I call them yahoo.com, except when he’s jiv- Toon Town they are perpetually And on the subject of steak, involve the entire workforce in a “Sleekmanner’s Five Principles ing the jive, diving the dive, and “rammed to the tits”, as they say the New York Steakhouse at the powerfully synergistic, com- of Paradigmatics”. doin’ the Harlem Shuffle. in club-speak. Marriott in Bangkok has quickly Cor blue me: Plans are afoot for become a must for the island’s the Island’s first ever Blues Fes- well-heeled when on trips to the tival. Organizers hope it will take Big Durian and I cannot recom- place around November this year. mend it enough. Among the bands being ap- Main courses start at proached are the Rich Harper around 1,200 baht. A straw poll Band (from the US) and legends indicates that no matter how good Victor Brox and Norman Beaker the food was, no one would get from the UK. away with charging that much in Brox was Jimi Hendrix’s Phuket. Sad but true.

It’s a mystery why anyone would eat in a chain restaurant when there’s so much good food outside.

pay three to four times the price Now, obese offspring are every- away. I went to the electricity of an excellent meal in a normal where, although the noodles are department and showed them the Thai eatery for the privilege of still the same as they were then, receipt. They agreed that I had enduring such an unpleasant ex- I believe. It’s a mystery. paid the most recent bill, but perience. Meanwhile, someone was, pointed out that the one for the What is it that makes mod- equally mysteriously, messing previous month had not been ern Thais patronize these chain with my electricity. paid. restaurants? Somebody called my office I did not have a receipt for You can understand Ameri- and said that he was at my house the month before, so I paid them. cans being happy with most of and was going to remove the Half an hour later, the man came the chains, they are as good as it meter. My secretary told him that and put the meter back. Would a ever gets there – but Thais, they we had already paid the man on little note in the letter box ex- must really be susceptible to ad- the motorbike and that I would plaining the problem not have vertising. be there in 10 minutes and show been been a far more efficient use It is not only the taste either. him the receipt. of everyone’s time? But that When I came to Thailand in the He said he could not wait, would probably be too simple, ’80s, you never saw fat children. and promptly took the meter wouldn’t it. 20 PHUKET GAZETTE EDITORIAL & LETTERS July 9 - 15, 2005

367/2 Yaowarat Rd, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000 Tel: 076-236555 - Since 1994 - Fax: 076-213971 Email: [email protected] More creativity needed to promote Phuket to the world Phuket is now in a cause-and-effect spiral leading, it would seem, nowhere but down. Falling demand for flights to the island, whether direct from abroad or via Bangkok, has resulted in some airlines suspending flights altogether and others cutting back services. As it becomes more difficult to find flights to Phuket and more time-consuming to get to the island, thanks to more roundabout routes, demand will fall. And as demand falls, the airlines will cut back services further. And so on. Aggravating the situation, the prices of the flights that remain have been climbing as airlines pile on fuel surcharges to offset the rising cost of oil. This in turn will make flying in general less afford- able – and flying to Phuket less attractive. The news that Airports of Thailand plans to cut landing fees at Phuket in half offers a glimmer of hope, but if airlines have no pas- sengers to carry to Phuket, then the issue of landing fees is moot. What is needed is a major campaign to boost demand. This is the job of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). So far, its per- formance had been less than inspiring. One senior figure in Phuket’s tourism industry was recently in Letters Britain, visiting major tour companies. They were puzzled, he said; they had been visited and lobbied by the Maldive Islands and Sri The Gazette is pleased to receive mail from read- with your views for publication in our next issue. Lanka, both countries trying to get tourism going again after the ers. Please write to us at 367/2 Yaowarat Rd, We reserve the right to edit all letters. Pseud- tsunami. But they had seen and heard nothing from the TAT. Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000, fax to 076-213971 onyms are acceptable only if your full name and Instead, it appears that the TAT is chasing Asian markets such or send an email to [email protected] address are supplied. as Taiwan, which until only a few days ago was warning its citizens not to go to Phuket unless they absolutely had to. Khao Lak a long duty to focus on the angles and that it puts on management and It has been chasing markets where large numbers of people items that appeal to their audi- staff alike. believe that the island is choc-a-bloc with the ghosts of tsunami vic- way from paradise ences, not to the people who are But who benefits from the tims, all wanting to drag tourists to their deaths. the subject of their presentations. promotions and cut prices, the It appears that someone at TAT headquarters said, “That’s the I refer to the article by Franky Besides, by damping down agent or the tourist? steepest, rockiest, most torturous route; we should climb that one Gun [Gazette July 2] in which he tourism appeal the networks are I intend to return to Phuket first. Strap on your crampons, chaps.” states: “… Khao Lak will most actually helping to make Phuket this year, however it appears to Meanwhile, the headlines about Phuket are being created by likely be a colorful and tropical a better and more liveable place. be far more expensive [to holi- others, such as Kruse Motorsports, whose “Visit Phuket” Le Mans paradise again by the end of the Merchants may miss Asian day there] than last year, even car attracted lots of attention, or the Phuket Tourist Association, which year.” tourists for their money, but does allowing for the increase in fuel hired a Japanese TV star to promote the island in her home country. After driving around there anyone else? prices. These are creative ideas. The TAT, in contrast, seems to be- yesterday I find it a disgrace that Are you – as a resident, not Bear in mind that costs lieve that huge discounts on shopping are the way to go. someone could make such a com- as a businessperson – sorry that saved by the tour agent benefit If ever there were a time for the TAT to pull out all the stops, to ment. there are not more bus loads of the agent, but that costs saved by spend every satang it has on marketing Phuket, particularly to Eu- It is sad to say, but a big Taiwanese fouling the air and the the tourist benefit Phuket rope and North America, this is it. – The Editor chunk of Khao Lak still looks ambience? Jim Gregge very much as if the tsunami hap- Do you actually miss rub- Aberdeen, Scotland pened yesterday. I cannot under- bing shoulders with drunken sail- stand that this is still the case six ors, Singaporeans, or the roughly months after the tsunami. 25% of Thais who’ve moved on Ethical treatment If people continue to prefer to more lucrative pastures? – or hypocrisy? In association with The Nation Multimedia Group PCL to lie in the shade or only care I don’t. The tsunami wasn’t about their own plot of land in- all bad; in the weeks following it Here is some advice for the Soi stead of cleaning up all the de- had the effect of purging the is- Dog Foundation. Perhaps they Editor: Rungtip Hongjakpet bris, then the tourists will not land of the worst of its perma- should take a page from PETA Managing Editor: Alasdair Forbes come back or, if they do, then at nent and transient population. (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). Deputy Editor: Chris Husted the most only once. Irresponsible Traffic is better; parking is statements like the one above are better; the environment is better The blogspot of American Chief Reporter: Sangkhae Leelanapaporn not going to help the situation. – Phuket is a better place now. journalist William John Hagan Editorial Team: Stephen Fein, Andy Johnstone, Anongnat Sartpisut, In my opinion, the only way So Mr Businessman, your recently reported this: “...unbe- Alison Winward, Athiga Jundee, Sam Wilkinson, Ananya Hongsa-ngiam to get tourists back to Phuket [and customers aren’t here; so what? knownst to most Americans and the affected provinces] will be They’ll go somewhere else; you PETA’s charitable donors, it is a Managing Director: Rungtip Hongjakpet when nothing remains to remind may have to follow them. What’s common practice for PETA to them of the tsunami and the ter- wrong with that? euthanize healthy companion Marketing Manager: Oranee Pienprasertkul rible tragedy that happened. Roger Fox animals. Website Services Manager: Natthira Susangrat There has been enough Phuket “In fact, it was discovered Distribution Manager: Passara Kaewbumroong money spent to make that pos- that over a six-year period, of the Publisher: The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd sible. Who benefits from 12,735 animals obtained by Hans van den Berg cheap holidays? PETA’s Virginia headquarters Laguna Phuket only 2,540 had actually been Contact us As a fan of Phuket, and a Gazet- adopted out while the remaining Advertising Sales: [email protected] Tsunami had its teer, I avidly read about all of 10,195 were destroyed. Classified Advertising: [email protected] your efforts to get the island up Daphna Nachminovitch, Website Services: [email protected] ‘good’ points and running again. Director for PETA’s Domestic While I generally applaud Animal and Wildlife Depart- Shopper Card inquiries: [email protected] Isn’t it about time to ease-up a the efforts and initiatives being ment, conceded the following in Gazette Guide inquiries: [email protected] bit on CNN and BBC [Gazette tried to encourage the return of an interview with Fox News: Editorial, July 2]? Those folks the tourists, I would like to sound Telephone: 076-236555 (10 lines) Fax: 076-213971 ‘Did we euthanize some animals are not in the business of promot- a small warning. who could have been adopted? ing Phuket tourism; that’s some- As a retired hospitality The views expressed in the Phuket Gazette are those of the writers and contributors and Maybe.’” do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, the editor, the shareholders, or the direc- one else’s obligation. manager, I know how risky it is Ignacio Esteban tors of The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd. The news outlets have a to cut margins, and the pressure Singapore Letters conveying views and suggestions are published here. Those seeking comment from government Copyright © 1994-2005 The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd officials or business owners are published as Issues & Answers on the facing page. July 9 - 15, 2005 PERSPECTIVES PHUKET GAZETTE 21 Don’t kick us when we’re down t doesn’t make sense for taxi tourists, taking them to and from meter drivers to take cus- the airport, and we carried do- tomers out of their way FIRST PERSON nated supplies everywhere too; Irather than direct to their we are proud of that, and we think destination – once we get over a we deserve some credit for what certain distance, we charge only arlier this year, Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura an- we did. one baht a minute, and that isn’t Since the tsunami, things enough to make it worth our Enounced he was going to war against the province’s “taxi mafia”. have been especially difficult for while to keep driving. Although he said Phuket should have more meter taxis, he also us – sometimes we have just one We’d be far better off head- criticized meter taxi drivers who operate from outside Phuket Interna- fare between the 30 of us, where- ing back to the airport to pick up tional Airport, saying that tourists had complained that drivers were as before we could each get three another fare. refusing to use the meter, or were taking them out of their way to or four fares a day. At the same The Transport and Commu- time, the price of gasoline seems nications Ministerial Notification bump up the fare. to rise every day. of August 10, 2003 states that all Phuket-born Suwan Tam-choo, the President of the Phuket So all in all, the last thing taxi drivers registered with the Private Taxi Meter Association, however, says that this is not the case, we need is someone saying nega- airport must charge a 100-baht and that meter taxi drivers are just trying to earn an honest living. tive, and untrue, things about us. surcharge for all journeys to and If no one supports us, I can see from the airport. there being a day when there will As regards the fares them- sengers on unnecessarily long hire” light is still on, they can off the meter when I stopped at a be no meter taxis in Phuket. selves, the fare is 50 baht for the journeys. arrest us. filling station to get gasoline, or Government officials say first two kilometers then seven As for what the Governor The only time we do not use to go to the toilet – the fare has they will support us, but I think baht per kilometer after that, up said about us refusing to use the the meter is when the passenger asked me why I didn’t do all this it’s all just talk. to 22km, and six baht per kilo- meter, well we can’t. When we wants to go to another province before we started out. If they are serious, they meter up to 50km, then five baht enter the airport we get a special – then we have to agree a fare Right now there are about have to decrease the number of per kilometer after that to the end ticket. When we leave we must with him beforehand. 30 of us operating meter taxis influential people. of the journey. hand part of the ticket in to the Whether we use the meter from the airport every day be- In the immediate future, This means that the maxi- car park attendant, and they or not, we have to treat passen- tween 8 am and 9:30 pm; any though, one thing that would help mum fare from the airport to check that the meter is switched gers like gods, because if they driver who breaks the rules can us is a small counter inside the Patong should be 420 baht, to on. If it isn’t they can report us decide our service is not good, be suspended for anything from airport building that would tell Kamala 340 baht, Kata 470 baht to the airport authorities. they may refuse to pay at the end seven days to a month. arriving passengers that they and Phuket Town 360 baht. In addition, the “for hire” of the journey; if they book a lim- We are just trying to make have the option of taking a taxi Because of the fare struc- sign in each taxi is connected to ousine from the airport, they have an honest living as meter taxi meter from the airport. ture, though, the longer the jour- the meter – the sign goes out to pay in advance. drivers, but sometimes we feel as At present we feel like the ney, the less the passenger is when the meter is switched on. In addition, passengers tend though we are treated like dirt. children of a mia noi [minor wife] charged per kilometer, so there If the police see that we are car- to watch the meter like hawks – Just after the tsunami, we – we exist, but no one wants to isn’t any point for us to take pas- rying a passenger but the “for many times I have had to switch provided free transportation for publicly acknowledge that fact. What are my transport Issues&& ANSWERS options from the airport? Want to know how to get something done? Can’t understand some of the dafter things that Can I take a songthaew [a basic Noi and Karon Noi 180 baht per counter inside the airport. Usu- seem to go on in Phuket? Want to pitch an idea and privately-operated bus]from person and to Merlin Beach, ally, the meter starts at 100 baht, the airport to Phuket City? Baan Yin Dee 250 baht per per- although some companies, such to Phuket’s authorities or institutions? Then this Juha Itha son. as Tawat Taxi, start the meter at is the forum for you. By email [Editor’s note: on May 30 50 baht. Submit your queries or suggestions to us and this year, the Gazette reported that The standard price from the we’ll ask the appropriate people to respond to Nattawut Sirijun, a service of- Governor Udomsak Uswarang- airport to Phuket City is 350 baht, them. ficer from Phuket Interna- kura had ordered an investigation to Patong 500 baht, and to Kata tional Airport, replies: into claims that a minibus com- and Karon 550 baht. Write to: The Phuket Gazette, 367/2 Yaowarat Rd, Muang, There is no songthaew ser- pany that had secured the right to Phuket 83000. Fax 076-213971, or submit your issue at vice serving the airport, but collect passengers from the air- Suwalai Pinpradab, Director of www.phuketgazette.net songthaews do run between Nai port had been taking them to an the Tourism Authority of Thai- Yang and Phuket City. It’s about office on the bypass road and in- land’s (TAT) Region 4 office in 100 meters from the airport to the timidating them into buying highly Phuket, replies: Can I rent a safe-deposit box? road they run along. over-priced package tours.] There is a rank for ordinary I would like to rent a safe-deposit their bank account, and the bank The fare from the airport to There is also a limousine taxi meters on the road outside box for my three-month visit to will deduct the box rental from Phuket City is 20 baht, and the service from the airport. The fare the airport, but these vehicles Phuket. Can I, and if so, how their account each year. journey will take up to one-and- to Phuket City is 400 baht, or 800 cannot be booked from inside the much will it cost? The fees are 300 baht and a-half hours. baht for a “VIP” service (a big- airport, and they cannot pick up Anne-Lie 400 baht for a small and a large There is also a minibus ser- ger, nicer car); to Patong 550 passengers inside the airport it- Sweden box per year. Users must also pay vice from the airport to some baht, VIP 1,100 baht, and to self. The only taxis and limou- a 3,000-baht deposit for the key. major tourist destinations. Kata-Karon 650 baht (1,300 baht sine which can pick up passen- A spokesman for Bank of Ayu- The fare to Phuket City is VIP). gers inside the airport are those dhya replies: Arree Wannoppakun, Business 100 baht per person; to Patong It is also possible to book with green “Taxi” or “Limou- Priority for renting safe-de- Officer, Siam Commercial 150 baht; to Kata, Karon, Kata an airport meter taxi from a sine” signs. posit boxes is given to existing Bank, Patong Branch, replies: customers of our bank, and we To qualify for use of a safe- Are webcams in bars legal? don’t rent safe-deposit boxes to deposit box, a customer must tourists because they are here for have had a savings account with I have noticed that some bars in It is legal according to Thai pictures are not immoral, then it such a short time and we have no us for at least three months. There Patong have hidden web cameras law unless the images shown is legal. control over the items they put is no minimum bank balance re- in the bar, feeding direct to the online are immoral. This technol- However, if a person [say, in them. Tourists should leave quired. Internet. Is this okay according ogy is used worldwide to pro- a customer] hides a camera in a valuables in their hotel’s safe-de- A large safe-deposit box to Thai law? mote places and products, but if bar and puts images online with- posit box instead. costs 2,000 baht a year, a me- Not public the pictures are illegal, such as out the permission of the bar If a foreigner wants to rent dium-sized one costs 1,500 baht Phuket pornographic pictures, then it is owner, then that is illegal. The a safe-deposit box in Phuket, they a year and a small box costs 1,000 undoubtedly against the law. bar owner or other people who must provide evidence – such as baht a year. All charges for safe- Pol Lt Col Teeraphol Thipja- If the bar owner uses a web feel they have been wronged a work permit – that they are here deposit boxes are subject to 7% roen, Superintendent of Kathu camera to promote his bar or for may file a complaint with the long term. They must also have tax, and 4,500-baht deposit is re- Police Station, replies: a commercial purpose and the police. a minimum of 25,000 baht in quired for the key. 22 PHUKET GAZETTE FEATURES July 9 - 15, 2005 ON THE MOVE

Erwann Mahe, from Phuket-born Piyarat Kul- Tasha Armatmuang- France, has been ap- vanich has been appoint- bang has been ap- pointed General Man- ed Deputy Branch Man- pointed Sales Manager ager of the Panwa Beach ager of Phuket’s Software at the Cape Yamu prop- Resort, Phuket. Mr Mahe Industry Promotion Ag- erty development. joined Accor in 1998 at ency (Sipa). K. Piyarat Bangkok-born K. Ta- the Novotel Senart in has a master’s degree in sha moved to Phuket France and later spent business administration four years ago. She two years at the Sofitel from Kasetsart University graduated with a di- in Houston, Texas. He and an MBA in marketing ploma in food and bev- was most recently Ex- from Western Colorado erage from the Cordon ecutive Assistant Man- University. She also Bleu College in Paris, ager of the Sofitel Magic worked as Director of France, and worked as Lagoon Resort & Spa in Sales and Marketing at executive assistant Khao Lak, which was Phuket Health & Travel manager of Indigo Real heavily damaged by the Co, a subsidiary of Bang- Estate, Phuket, for two tsunami. kok Phuket Hospital. years. Why broadband is so often so narrow

epending on where lack of technical expertise and The combinations of hard- – or to suffer damage due to good, but notice the lack of the you are in or around support from those who govern ware and software that connect poorly spliced connections and letter “A”. Phuket, your Internet Thailand’s Internet connectivity. these long cables to the Internet proximity to power lines. The difference is that DSL D connection can range Let’s look more closely at Super Highway are called “gate- Depressed yet? It gets uses direct cable connections be- from quite impressive to almost these factors. ways”. worse. tween the ISP and the user. useless. Depending on the time Since Phuket is more than ADSL however, goes through the of day, you may get a drop in per- High cost of raw materials: just a few kilometers away from Short straws: This is the big- local telephone company’s infra- formance of as much as 80%. All of us who supply Internet the gateways, and because most gest reason for our connectivity structure. Depending on a host of access are in the same boat: the cables are rather short and re- problems. The Internet – more The result is a lot of low- other factors, you may not even price of “bulk” broadband is far quire multiple splices (connec- specifically, our local connection quality, noisy phone cables con- be able to connect at all. more expensive than in most tions), and because the cables to it – is like a giant glass of wa- necting you to antiquated tele- The sorry state of broad- other countries – about 100 times used are of poor quality, and be- ter. The glass can only hold so phone switching equipment that band on the island is the result of more. cause there is no quality control much Internet (water). connects you to under-sized gate- many factors and on any given It’s anybody’s guess as to of workmanship on the splicing, If too many people put their ways that connect you to over- day they can all add up to a very why it is so expensive but this is and because … well the list goes straws in and start slurping at the priced access to the International frustrating online experience. the fundamental reason for on, but I’m sure same time, the Information Super Highway. This week’s article aims to shed Phuket’s over-priced (and under- you get the pic- result is that some light on the Internet condi- performing) Internet services. ture. We have all COMPUTERS there is simply Looking ahead: What is the fu- tions that plague us in Phuket and All Internet Service Provid- seen how well By John Seebach not enough water ture of broadband in Phuket? surrounding areas. ers (ISPs), sub-ISPs and Reseller telephone cables to go around. Nothing to email home about. Everyone has experienced Agents are paying very high are strung across the country – This is commonly called “over- There are three major challenges good and bad Internet days; prices for their raw materials. sometimes even without the use subscribing” and it is the main facing us: whether your connection is Dial- Let’s face it; if you’re overpay- of telephone poles. problem here in Phuket. • The high costs (govern- up, ADSL or a fiber optic leased ing for cake mix then you’ll be All Internet providers pay ment-controlled) that all ISPs line, many of the variables that selling expensive cakes. Interference: This cause is a (basically) the same amount for must pay for connecting to the affect your Internet performance little less widely known, but is a “glass” of Internet and all con- gateways. are the same. It’s not really here: Another certainly a major source of local sumers demand cheaper Internet. • The quality and condition As a provider of ADSL and challenge is that all of the broad- Internet problems. Whenever a The only available solution is to of our national communications broadband, our company faces a band in Phuket and surrounding telephone cable is poorly spliced combine certain “groups” of con- infrastructure, including electri- number of challenges daily. areas comes from Bangkok, Surat or is too close to a power cable, sumers into specifically priced cal and telephone cables, and the These range from sub-standard Thani, or Haad Yai, and, some- there is significant electrical “packages”, such as ADSL, and equipment used to distribute sig- telephone cables and infrastruc- times, from all three. “noise” transferred between the to allow them to share the cost. nals. ture to the high cost of supply What results is some pretty power cable and the telephone The sharing may be of a • “Truth in advertising”: If from “manufacturers” and from long cables connecting Phuket to cable. connection to Bangkok, or the some of these so-called ISPs con- antiquated equipment at the tele- the national “source” of Thai- Normally this noise results gateways, or corporate accounts, tinue to market 1 megabyte for phone companies to a general land’s Internet. only in that annoying background or the connection to your office 800 baht per month, promising static (crackling noise) that you building, or the ADSL telephone that it performs as well as a dial- hear when trying to speak on the switching equipment. You can be up connection, but without tell- phone with someone, but in the sure that all the Internet in ing you that it is oversubscribed, digital Internet connection world, Phuket, at some point or another then the entire industry loses this interference can be crippling. and at some level or another, is credibility. If you are having a conver- shared. The outcome harks back to sation with background noise, The key is to work with a the days when miracle tonics and you can ask the other person to quality Internet provider who cures were sold by street peddlers repeat themselves or speak loud- tells you the real story and allows to unsuspecting and trusting con- er. you to choose your price point. sumers. In the end, everyone Computers, however, are Be sure the provider monitors all loses. not so smart; they need to get traffic daily to ensure that the Next week, I’ll offer some every last bit (and byte) of data glass is always big enough and tips, tricks and best practices that and, if they don’t get it all, then stays full. will improve your Internet con- no sense can be made of any of it. If not, streaming music (or nection. This, in turn, requires the radio), movie downloads, video whole thing to be sent again and chat and Voice over IP (VoIP) – John Seebach has more than 25 again until, finally, all the ones all of which require some pretty years’ consulting experience in and zeros are received and the big “straws” – can combine at Management Information Sys- data can finally reach your any given time to produce poor tems and Business Process Re- screen. Internet performance. engineering. His company, Island Just imagine how many Technology, offers IT solutions chances there are for a cable be- ADSLow: There is still another and broadband services through- tween Phuket and Bangkok to challenge when using ADSL. out Southeast Asia. Contact pick up noise – rain, animals, and You may have heard about “DSL [email protected] for even the occasional cement truck Internet”. This is usually pretty more information. July 9 - 15, 2005 B U S I N E S S & MONEY PHUKET GAZETTE 23 Oil hikes expected to inflate car prices By Athiga Jundee demand, especially given the range of col- ership may take some time to come into Some orders placed during the mo- ors and other options available. effect, as most of the vehicles are im- tor show at Central Festival Phuket in May PHUKET: Rising prices at the pumps have As a result, most buyers place an ported. were canceled when consumers reassessed forced prospective car buyers to rethink order with the dealership, which in turn “The main headquarters in Bangkok their financial situations, he said. what kind of car to buy, many opting for orders the car from Bangkok. Customers have yet to send a signal to raise prices, K. Piriya also noticed a shift away smaller, more fuel-efficient models. So far typically wait about one month for deliv- and we hope there won’t be any within from gasoline-powered models, with more increased car production costs due to the ery, he said. the next two months,” he said. buyers now opting for vehicles higher fuel costs have not had an effect He explained that Anuphas Vividh- “Volvo and Land Rover with more fuel-efficient diesel on the base sticker prices in Phuket show- karn targets hotel employees and other may be forced to raise their When pressed, engines. rooms – though it is only a matter of time tourism-industry workers. Despite the price eventually, but it won’t Montri Hongsyok Phaisan Treepijak, Sales before they do. woes in this industry, the observable drop happen until the current stock said that price and Marketing Manager at Sudarat Seaeaw, Sales Manager at in the “buying power” of this segment has runs out, which won’t be any Isuzu Andaman Sales Co Ltd, the Anuphas Vividhkarn Honda Dealer- only been slight, he said. time soon. Also, it’s difficult increases, said he doesn’t expect Isuzu ship on Phang Nga Rd, told the Gazette Like most car dealers, K. Montri to raise prices when the [lo- to be announced headquarters in Bangkok to that price adjustments related to the oil expects higher pump prices to shift de- cal] economy is in such a poor August 1, could be raise prices within the next increase would come into effect in Au- mand way from larger, less fuel-efficient state,” he said. in the vicinity two months. gust, although the amount of the increase models to those with engines smaller than “As most Volvos and Sales are good and book- has not yet been determined. two liters. Land Rovers are imported, of 20,000 baht ings for pickup trucks by fami- She stressed that the 2.5% increase Although hesitant to speculate, when any price rises are more likely per car. lies and small businesses re- in base prices of the Jazz Safety, Jazz Cool pressed, he said that price increases, to be to depend more on economic main strong, he said, with 10 and new-edition Accord models that went announced August 1, could be in the vi- circumstances in the country of origin,” new vehicles booked at the May Motor into effect June 1 were not a result of the cinity of 20,000 baht per car. he said, adding that exchange rate fluc- Show at Central Festival Phuket alone. rise in oil price, but reflected an increase Like Honda, most other car dealer- tuations also play an important role in The effect on sales of the tsunami has in the number of standard features on these ships are still awaiting orders from Bang- costs. largely passed, he said. models. kok as to whether they should raise prices, He admitted that new orders for Vitoon Leethanasak, Sales Manager Montri Hongsyok, the dealership’s and, if so, when and by how much. Volvos and Land Rovers from the princi- of Toyota Pearl Phuket, told the Gazette Managing Director, said that even with the Piriya Tantipiriyakij, Managing Di- pal target markets – upscale hotels and that there has been no instruction from higher fuel costs, Honda showrooms rector of Muang Mai Motor, said that any other tourism-related businesses – had Toyota headquarters to raise prices this across Phuket were unable to keep enough increases in the base prices for the Volvo fallen off with the post-tsunami tourism month; such an instruction is expected in vehicles in stock to meet high customer and Land Rover models sold by his deal- slump. August or some time after that. Getting to grips with the oil business he focus of the world’s of the Russian Federation, ally ignored the rise in the more than 80 billion baht in die- financial markets these executed a de facto nation- ONEY price of oil as measured by sel subsidies, a course of action days is firmly on the alization of Russia’s largest M Nymex (New York Mercan- that cannot be sustained. The Tprice of oil. The supply domestic oil producer, Yu- tile Exchange), while light government has already cut the of oil is tight, but even worse is kos, which produces around TALKS sweet crude rose to more subsidies and plans to drop them the capacity to refine this com- 20% of Russia’s supplies than US$50 a barrel. altogether. modity, which is now being se- and 2% of world supplies. By Richard Watson There is, however, It is to be hoped that US$60 verely tested. It is believed by some wariness starting to appear will be the high-water mark in the Refineries are a problem that President Putin’s attack as oil touches US$60 a bar- price of oil. The predictions from because nobody wants one near on Yukos was motivated by the solution to the US refinery prob- rel. oil-industry analysts – when they where they live. The environ- fact that the company’s boss, lem: to build new refineries on The increase in the oil price dare to make them – vary widely. mentalists scream opposition to Mikhail Khodorkovsky, once decommissioned US military is having a serious impact on The highest prediction for construction of any proposed re- Russia’s wealthiest man, was a bases, which remain federally- Thailand’s trade balance. April’s oil prices by the end of 2005 finery and the local population political rival who was contrib- owned land. trade deficit was more than came from an analyst at Goldman join in. uting heavily to almost every po- There is a common percep- US$1.5 billion (60 billion baht) Sachs, who suggested US$105 a The result has been that no litical party except Putin’s. tion that if Americans drove en- and May’s was bigger, at US$ barrel. new refineries have been built in A US$936-million tax bill ergy-efficient vehicles, the prob- 1.75 billion (70 billion baht). I do hope that the analyst the US for more than 20 years, was levied on TNK-BP, a joint lem would be solved. This is sim- Thailand can live with these will be proved wrong. and for almost the same period venture between – respectively – plistic and inaccurate. Much of figures in the short term, but if in Europe. Every local politician a Russian oil producer and its the demand for oil is for heating oil prices stay at current levels for Richard Watson runs Global Port- knows that the route British partner, and electricity generation. any length of time, there will be folios Co Ltd, a Phuket-based per- to instant popularity China alone plans which showed that World demand for oil is in- problems. sonal financial planning service. is to oppose strongly to build 250 even foreign oil com- creasing rapidly, and the demand The first point of impact He can be reached at Tel and Fax: the construction of panies are not exempt is being led by countries such as will be the currency; it is already 076-381997, Mobile: 01-081- any new refinery. nuclear-powered from becoming tar- China and India, which are expe- obvious that the Bank of Thai- 4611. Email: imm@loxinfo. co.th. Oil analysts electricity plants gets [in Russia]. riencing rapid economic growth land – the nation’s central bank frequently tell us that within the next 10 The net result and have huge populations. – is intervening to support the another problem has been that Rus- China alone plans to build baht. with oil supplies is years. sia’s oil production 250 nuclear-powered electricity It is understandable that it location; politically- That may help has not increased. Oil plants within the next 10 years. is taking this action because ev- safe areas, such as slow the increase companies are very That may help slow the increase ery drop in the value of the baht the North Sea and the experienced in oper- in demand for oil, but the overall against the US dollar means an- Gulf of Mexico, in demand for oil, ating in difficult po- demand will still rise. other rise in the cost of fuel, which are also easy but the overall litical environments, Financial markets, to the which is priced in dollars. to get to, have finite demand but they do like to be surprise of most analysts, virtu- Thailand has already spent reserves of oil. will still rise. able to operate within Unfortunately, parameters of “ac- Airport traffic plummets in May oil is located – and new discov- ceptable risk”. eries are being made – in places The squeeze in oil produc- PHUKET: Passenger numbers on international flights in and out of that are anything but stable. Cur- tion cannot be alleviated by sim- Phuket International Airport between May 1 and 30 plummeted by rent supplies from, say Nigeria ply building more refineries, and 62.43% compared with the same period of 2004. or Venezuela, cannot be de- in any case, refineries take time Statistics from Phuket International Airport show that in May pended upon, and with such tight to build – around four to seven the total number of flights dropped by 25.33 %, from 2,582 last year capacity constraints it will take years. to 1,928 flights this year. little to create a worldwide cri- Even before construction International flights were down by 37.77%, from 1,218 in May sis. starts, however, a delay is caused last year to 758 this year. The number of domestic flights also fell, Russia is, potentially, ca- – in any reasonably advanced by 14.22 %, from 1,364 flights last year to 1,170 this year. pable of substantially increasing country – by the obtaining of en- International passenger numbers dropped by 62.43% from its oil production, but suffers vironmental permits. 129,451 to 48,635 people this year, while the number of domestic from a credibility problem. US President George W passengers dropped by 19.79%, from 185,464 in May 2004 to 148,760 Vladimir Putin, President Bush proposed a very sensible this year. 24 PHUKET GAZETTE SP O R T July 9 - 15, 2005 Designs on what Phuket to host three sports in makes a good hole Asian Indoor Games n recent times golf architec- Despite the awe-inspiring ture has gained an increas- number of holes on our planet, PHUKET CITY: Three of the takraw will be played in Bang- ing share of publicity in the and despite the current trend to nine sports that will make up the kok. Igolf media. No doubt this is build “replica” holes, no two are 1st Asian Indoor Games, to be Songsak Kitikarnkul, Chief partly to do with the media’s in- TEE TO exactly the same. Yet the world’s held in Thailand from November of the Sport Authority of Thai- satiable appetite for content to fill great holes share certain undeni- 12 to 19, will be contested in land (SAT), said that around 300 its pages and screens, but there able qualities. Phuket. athletes would take part in the is also an undeniable fascination GREEN First among them is the el- Jon Morrow Although the exact location competitions in Phuket. among golfers with the thinking ement of strategy. They say “play of the Phuket series has yet to be According to the SAT behind the game’s courses. me this way, or maybe that way confirmed, at least 32 of the 45 schedules, sport aerobics will be Why all the fuss? Who Just as most players recog- if you’re so inclined. But you’ll participating nations will com- held in November 13-15, the gives a mashie niblick what a nize a good golf course, so can pay the price if you can’t play the pete for sport aerobics, dance dance sport competition will held course looks like, where its bun- they recognize a good golf hole. way you think you can.” sport and kick-boxing honors on November 15 to 16, while kick- kers are positioned, or whether After all, a good golf course is Then there are holes that the island. boxing will held November 13 to the designer has devised an in- mainly defined by the quality of say, “If you really think you’re Chon Buri will host indoor 18. triguing puzzle for players to its individual holes. up to it, Big Boy, try to play me athletics, Suphan Buri will hold For more information visit solve? The average golfer may not way over there.” If you succeed extreme sports, while futsal, cy- the Games website, at www. Surely, the game is the same know much about golf course you’ll have picked up at least a cling, swimming and hoop ocasia.org/1iag.asp. for everyone. Our golf ball design, but this does not mean shot on the meeker, milder golfer. doesn’t know whether it is being that he or she doesn’t know These are “heroic” holes. caressed around Augusta Na- what’s good. Finally, there are golf holes tional or beaten black and blue So, what makes a good golf that refuse to compromise. “You Chang Beer puts off on Bognor Public Golf Course, hole, and why does it matter? will hit the ball well, and if you does it? A good hole is the essence don’t I’m going to have you for Good players will almost of golf’s attraction; it makes it ab- lunch.” Everton youth trials always claim that the surround- solutely clear, to players of all These holes don’t care if ings of a golf hole don’t make a skill levels, which shot selections you’re Tiger Woods or Gerald PHUKET CITY: Chang Beer President of the Phuket Sports difference. Yet, Pebble Beach make sense from tee to green and Ford (clue: one of these two abruptly canceled its trials for Association (PSA), told the Ga- and Augusta National always even on the green, given each gentlemen is not known for his young soccer players from south- zette that he could not say why come out at the top of tour play- player’s appetite for risk. golfing ability). They are our ern Thailand hoping to be sent to the trial had been postponed. ers “Favorite Course” polls. Consequently, when a third category, the “penal” a training camp with Chang- He added that the PSA did For a hacker having a par- golfer can correctly execute the holes. sponsored English Premier not know when the competition ticularly disastrous round, the selected shots, the pleasure ex- In my next three columns, I League side Everton. would be held in Phuket. beauty and serenity of the sur- perienced is far greater than when will discuss golf’s three major The trials were scheduled On the brighter side, how- roundings may be the only enjoy- he or she hits a fine shot at a hole hole types in more detail, outline to be held on July 2 and 3 in ever, coaches and players from able feature of the day. that neither rewards nor punishes how these holes are best inte- Bangkok, Chiang Mai and at Everton and two other English On the playing side, I be- to an equitable degree. grated into a great golf course and Phuket’s Surakul stadium. Premiership teams, Bolton and lieve the majority of golfers can Truth be told, there are no attempt to identify what I believe Twenty-five of the young play- Manchester City, are still sched- “feel it in their bones” when they blueprints for great holes. Great are the merits of Phuket golf’s ers from the South, aged 16 or uled to come to Phuket for a one- are standing on the tee of a re- holes are invari- best examples. 17, were to have been chosen to day kid’s soccer camp on July 21. ally well designed golf hole, re- ably blends of art There are go to Bangkok for a play-off to Each team will send three gardless of whether the venue is and engineering, Great holes are currently just 117 decide which three would go to coaches and two players. Pebble Beach with its inspiring nature and man, holes on Phuket Everton. Phuket will also play host backdrop of Pacific Ocean surf tradition and het- invariably blends of Island to choose However, Chang an- to two matches between the Thai pounding Monterey peninsula’s erodoxy, inspira- art and from (136 holes if nounced just two days before- national women’s soccer team beautiful beaches – or tional genius and engineering, nature we include Thai hand that it was holding trials and their Canadian counterparts Hartlepool Power Station’s cool- dumb luck. Muang Beach and only in Bangkok, and that the at Surakul Stadium on July 5 and ing towers. A good hole and man, tradition 155 holes if Tab Phuket and Chiang Mai trials 7. Both games will begin at 5 pm. Closer to home, who is one where the and heterodoxy, Lamu is listed). were postponed. Entry to watch the matches is wouldn’t go weak-kneed on Blue fundamentals are inspirational genius Golf holes in the Eam Thavornvongwongse, free. Canyon’s island green 14th? And right, where the Strategic, Penal, what on earth does one do when implicit strategy of and dumb luck. and Heroic design confronted with Phuket Country the hole is appar- schools make up Club’s 10th – a drivable par 5! ent from the tee, almost all of these Offshore celebrate Or is it? where the ground determines the holes; most holes are, in truth, play, where the hazards are vis- combinations. ible (or plainly imaginable) and Though some come close, darts league victory where there is a variety of fair- I don’t believe any holes on way lies and stances. Phuket’s golf courses fall com- PATONG: OffShore Bar breezed A good hole presents the pletely outside the three groups. to a 10-point win in the recently right kind of difficulty – allow- A totally monotonous hole where completed Patong Darts league, ing skill generally to triumph all categories of players have winning 56 of a possible 66 over luck – where brain can com- nothing much to do other than points from 22 matches to take pete with brawn, where the game swing at the ball without particu- the league title. is not yet over when the players lar fear of punishment or hope of Second and third were have hit the green. reward, is hard to imagine. Queen Mary and Shakers with 46 A good hole teases rather In fact, a designer would be and 39 points, respectively. than tortures; it possesses a hard put to it to create a hole that The new league got under- OffShore members (from left) beckoning spirit of adventure; it didn’t have one simple feature way July 5 with a slightly differ- Sean Rothwell, Richard Smyth, lures players into its labyrinth of that requires at least some degree ent format. Singles matches, for- Ian Hertbertson, Gary Strike possibilities and leaves them of thought and accuracy during merly of 301, will now be 501. and Billy Hollows celebrate wanting to come back again and play. Doubles matches, formerly to winning the Darts League with a party on June 28 at their bar again. In my next column, I’ll 501, will now be played to 701. on Nanai Rd. Few sports enjoy such a share my views on strategic The league also welcomes – Photo by Murray Scaddan. vast array of different playing holes, and choose which, in my its newest entry, the Coyote Bar fields and surfaces. Golf is view, is Phuket’s best (and on Soi Sea Dragon. Pickles Bar first): Nag’s Head v Queen played at around 30,000 courses worst) strategically-designed will remain in the league, but will Mary; Two Black Sheep v Val- around the world. Even allowing golf hole. Do you take the black now play under the slightly more halla; Shakers v OffShore; Didi’s for the odd sprinkling of nine- route, the white route or one of exotic name African Café. v Amigos; African Café v Pic- hole lay-outs, that amounts to the dozens of routes tinted in cadilly; Coyote Bar v Dog’s Bol- roughly half a million golf holes. shades of gray? July 12 fixtures (home teams locks. July 9 - 15, 2005 SP O R T PHUKET GAZETTE 25 Ozzie Oggi wins Kalim surf contest PHUKET: Patong-based Austra- lian surfer Andrew “Oggi” Fallon made the most of three- to four- foot waves to take top honors in the Open Division of the first Kalim Surfing Contest held July 1 to 3 at Kalim Beach. The event, organized by the Phuket Board Riders Club (BRC), saw a total of about 20 competitors take to the surf in two divisions, Open and “Grom”, for surfers under 14 years of age. Under the competition’s rules, four surfers competed in heats of 20 minutes, with a panel of judges awarding them points for style, wave height chosen and difficulty of the maneuvers at- tempted. Judges communicate time remaining to the surfers through the use of different colored flags and by sounding a horn. Phuket Board Riders Club President Chanin “Joob” Aiyarak told the Gazette he was pleased by the turnout and interest in the event, which was meant to en- courage low-season tourism and keep youngsters off drugs. He said the BRC’s next competition, at Kamala Beach, will take place August 20 and 21. The grin says that this surfer reckons he made all the right moves Open Division Final Results: 1. Andrew “Oggi” Fallon (Pa- Pongsiri “Pong” Sakdasawit (Ka- (Kalim); 2. Dawut “Dawut” tong); 2. Ekkarat “Lim” Sriden mala). Pantip (Kalim); 3. Anucha “Wa” (Kamala); 3. Noppasit “Ko” Yadee (Kalim); 4. Abubug Boonchouy (Kata); 4. Santi Grom Division Final Results: “Bubug” Poungnun (Kalim); 5. “Ipnie” Hasan (Kalim); 5. 1. Yothin “Rogib” Thongyon Kit Donahue (Patong).

Above: The judges sat out under the sun all day – and note, not a sign of a beer can.

Right: Proving that you don’t have to be big to take on the might of the ocean is this little entrant in the Grom Class. Looking for a place to stay? See more classified ads at www.phuketgazette.net 26 PHUKET GAZETTE GOOD LIVING July 9 - 15, 2005 UNHERALDED GRENACHE espite the fact one rarely en- lighter than that of other best, is found in Australia, Ridge Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley. counters it as a varietal wine, red wines, the tannins and where Grenache has, ironi- Their Grenache sports a rustic texture Grenache is the second most flavor are often brawnier. W I N E cally, been almost entirely and rich plum flavor that exhibits enor- Dwidely-planted grape in the Perhaps the most eclipsed by Shiraz. mous concentration. world. Normally, the grape variety is en- unique characteristic is its The greatest examples In Australia, the king of Grenache countered as a component in blended aroma, which is aromatic of varietal Grenache, how- is Clarendon Winery. Although gener- wines. and resembles balsamic. At ever, come chiefly from the ous, its Grenache wines showcase supple Grenache is ubiquitous in France’s times its aroma can even be Paso Robles and Santa Bar- texture and great subtly. The wines also southern Rhône Valley, where it is blend- so powerful that it loosely bera regions of Southern feature lively and tangy cherry favors ed to produce the wines of Châteauneuf resembles the ethyl acetate California, in the US. with mineral and chocolate notes. du Pape. It also constitutes the basis for in nail polish remover. Alban Winery pro- Another superb Australia producer much of the well-known rosé wines of Grenache wines, be- duces tremendous varietal is d’Arenberg, whose McLaren Vale Tavel and Lirac, in France. ing hearty, demand equally Grenache that is enormously Grenache sets the standard for lean but Grenache is also the primary com- hearty cuisine, and are best complex, rich and flavorful. generous Grenache that brims with spicy ponent for much of the red wine of the with smoky grilled foods By Steven Its wines showcase spicy fruit and polish texture. Rioja and Priorato regions in Spain, and tangy barbecues. black cherry, wild berry, And despite its large size, Yalumba where it goes by its Spanish name Grenache grapevines Roberto leather, anise, game and flo- also produces small quantities of expres- Garnacha. are long-lived and don’t ral aromas, with dense and sive Grenache with a very soft and One finds Grenache in these sunny begin to produce quality fruit until they chewy tannins. supple texture. and dry regions principally because the are around 20 to 30 years of age. Beckmen, from the Santa Ynez Val- grape is drought- and heat-resistant. It This is one reason why so little va- ley, is another star producer of Grenache. Steven Roberto is a winemaker and res- also withstands the cold, springtime mis- rietal Grenache is to be found; few win- Its wines are fruit-forward, with animated taurant consultant from California. He tral winds of the Rhône Valley and those eries have the patience to wait that long. aromas of black raspberry and vanilla, is the Managing Director of enVision of the Spanish plain. Few winemakers have mastered the backed with intriguing spice and choco- Phuket, a Phuket-based wine importer Grenache makes a fruity, spicy, me- craft of varietal Grenache or are dedicated late notes. and consultant. Email: stevenroberto dium-bodied wine with surprisingly firm to showcasing the grape as a single vari- Better known for its Zinfandel, but @lycos.com. tannins. Although the color is usually etal wine. One of the few, and one of the worth seeking out for its Grenache, are Teak seats and a bit of bottom-fishing he San Fransisco Chron- trolling for action … delicious net/level3 shivers before her visit icle – sfgate.com/cgi- Welcome to Outside In on World Juggling Day unless, that is, bottom fish.” Oooh, ducky! to Phuket. bin/article – brings the they have dropped it again. Here is the Gazette’s weekly peek “I imagined dark, deserted T Bay Area up to date at the Worldwide Web to see how others see the island, through That’s the spirit: “There are no beaches tortured by the howling with Patong’s latest happenings. sometimes cynical, jaded, wondrous and, sadly, sometimes ghosts in Patong … I swam after wind, haunted by lost souls,” she Well, just about. dark many times … no problem,” says. “Patong is planting new downright pervy eyes. advises a fearless contributor to Jiangtou at twitchfilm.net palm trees along the beach. They stickmanbangkok.com, writing concurs. “Jiangtou here, report- could break up wave surge and want a foot message,” grumbles on post-tsunami ghost sightings. ing from Phutek [sic] Thailand. give people something to grab on Malaysian visitor Adam at hi ok- Thai psychologist Wallop If you want to find ghosts come to – and [the town is] working to OUTSIDE la-blogspot.com. Piyamanoth, at book-of-thoth. here. Getting off in the Phuket reduce the number of beach com, agrees, after a manner. aeroport you can feel something chairs and umbrellas, which be- “People who claimed to in the air.” IN Greedy boy: “Phuket: The Is- came deadly projectiles during By Lis Kinswoman land of 10,000 whores” dribbles have seen ghosts first-hand were the tsunami. travelersdigest.com/ph. “A thou- people that mental health special- Slippery stuff: There’s a lovely “City officials are meeting which Patong Beach is so well sand bars and 10,000 bar girls all ists would be pay- Freudian slip in resistance from beach vendors, known? in a 5-block radius. What more ing particular at- this unsubstanti- but in the meantime the heavy could anyone possibly ask for?” tention to.” ated bit of urban teak chairs that did so much Maybe Dr mythery at No corruption please, we’re Yes, you guessed it: “11,000 bar damage have given way to pre- Wallop should ‘Monkeys can friskodude. monkeys: “Some monkeys earn girls”. sumably less lethal plastic more than a bureaucrat” chatters pay particular at- pick up to 200 to blogspot.com. chairs.” tention to Jinda, a “Our ladyboy cnn.com/travel/destinations/ Speaking of hookers... “Phu- 500 coconuts a Heavy teak chairs? And 9901. “Monkeys can pick up to ket” says bluewatermag.com, “is witness of the pa- friends down how come there’s no mention of ranormal, at day and, in the there on Phuket 200 to 500 coconuts a day and, not the best fishing in the world process earn the solid gold ashtrays or plati- in the process earn more than a but it’s the best place to go fish- ghosthounds.com. are well-known num-coated beach brollies for government official.” Yes, but do ing.” “The next more than a for one thing … they take bribes? We can see why, at week the dead boy government and that is flash- harrysfishing-phuket.com, where returned to the ing their... ‘parts’ damaged hotel,” official.’ at pedestrains Getting the massage through: things get decidedly lubricious. “I prefer to lie down by the beach “Phuket is famous for the says K. Jinda. [sic] walking by but then all these people will Big catch … you don’t need to Wearing the same … come and ask you whether you be an expert … bait and lures … dark-blue shorts “The Patong he had on when he police decided to died, the ghost of the black- make such an offence illegal and haired 10-year-old was “…run- posted up a few warnings in the ning around, playing,” says the Thai lingo to the likes of ‘Any 40-year-old desk-clerk. “Then he ladyboy caught flashing her wa- disappeared.” termelons in public will be pros- With all this talk of the tsu- ecuted and fined 500 baht.’” nami ghosts on the net, it’s little Can anyone confirm this? wonder that Ann at asiannews. Hmm, thought not.

View Thailand’s LARGEST portfolio of Classified Ads – nearly 4,000 of them – and place your ad for FREE! See the Phuket Gazette Online at www.phuketgazette.net July 9 - 15, 2005 MOTORING PHUKET GAZETTE 27

BEHIND THE WHEEL By Jeff Heselwood

azda has begun pro- duction of the latest, third-generation MMazda MX-5 at its plant in Ujina, Japan, which has been refurbished after being dev- astated by fire late last year. Launched at the Geneva show in March, the new MX-5 is much the same as the outgo- ing model, but with greater re- finement and more power. Additional safety features and a bigger engine have added only 10 kilograms or so to the overall weight of the two-seater, but performance is enhanced by the newly developed two-liter, all aluminum power plant. The new version of the highly popular Mazda MX preserves the car’s character but beefs up safety and extras. A lighter flywheel and a stiffer drive shaft contribute to greater responsiveness and a feel- ing of a more direct connection with the road. Maximum power is a heal- thy 157bhp (118kW) while the torque output is 188Nm at 5,000 rpm. Although this is a high en- gine speed at which to peak, the MX REMIX torque graph is almost linear and in no way detracts from the car’s Newly designed aluminum tilation outlets and a choice of tan exterior colors and three interior- original. Mazda has resisted the ability to storm hills or perform multi-spoke wheels are fitted or black leather upholstery on the trim packages. There are many temptation to move away from a rapid overtaking maneuvers. with ultra-low-profile tires. top models offer a feeling of storage compartments, including highly popular format and there No performance figures are The MX-5 (known as the luxury within the cramped cock- a lockable one with space for up is no reason why the MX-5 given, but expect the new car to Miata in the US) was first intro- pit. The base model comes with to 10 CDs in the rear compart- should not lead the market for top 220kmh, with a 0-100kmh duced at the Chicago Auto Show black cloth upholstery. ment, and a bottle holder in the another 16 years. sprint time in the region of seven in February 1989. Five round gauges on the door panel. It goes on sale worldwide seconds – not phenomenal fig- It immediately caught the dash are fitted with non-reflec- The 2005 MX-5 is a great in the second half of the year. ures, but adequate for what is, imagination of sports car enthu- tive glass to maintain legibility improvement on its earlier cous- essentially, a fun machine. siasts as a simple, no-frills two- even in direct sunlight. ins, yet maintains the simplicity Jeff Heselwood may be contacted Six-speed manual or auto- seater, which sold for a reason- An automatic climate-con- and ‘fun-to-drive’ element of the by email at: [email protected] matic transmissions are avail- able figure and would be both trol system keeps passengers cool able, while the brakes are discs safe and reliable. even in Thailand’s temperatures, all round, unlike the original When production of the while there is a premium Bose which, in 1989, had a rather in- second generation ceased in Ap- sound system fitted to the top-of- adequate disc/drum set-up. ril 2005, 718,954 cars had been the-range models. The discs on the new model delivered, making it the best-sell- There is a choice of eight are larger than before, with stiffer ing two-seater sportscar in his- calipers to provide a greater, tory. It has even earned its own more precise brake pedal re- place in the Guinness Book of sponse and a high degree of lin- World Records for this feat. earity. The latest version features Aluminum is used for some a wider track – an added 75mm suspension components and at the front and 55mm at the rear chassis parts in order to minimize – and, consequently, more pro- unsprung weight, while the rear nounced fender arches. suspension cross member is at- The interior has received a tached directly to the unibody makeover and now has larger- with no rubber insulation, greatly volume head airbags to comple- enhancing rigidity. ment the side airbags. New ven- 28 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PROPERTY July 9 - 15, 2005

Decor By Alison Winward & Jaratsri Surat A RICH NICHE FOR KITSCH ow easy is it to create If you’re more ultra-violet than the perfect garden in shrinking violet? What are the Phuket? Plants don’t chances of creating a garden to Hjust grow here, they match your taste? thrive. Garden tools are relatively Well, the good news is that inexpensive, and garden furniture the raw material can be found, if and the like is plentiful. you know where to look. Actu- There are so many shops ally, it’s pretty hard to miss, as here selling decorative terracotta our pictures here demonstrate, water jars it’s amazing the island bringing joy to the hearts of all hasn’t sunk under the weight. those who want their garden to Restrained water features – be a rich niche for kitsch. all polished stone spheres and gently bubbling water – are ev- Stockists: Jit Narin: 61/2 Chao Fa erywhere, as are reproductions of West Rd . Tel: 076-248888 or 01- bas-reliefs and statues from 8920940; Boon Pratangporn: Prasat Phanom Rung and the like next to SS Co Ltd, Chao Fa West in muted earthy tones. It’s easy Rd. Tel: 09-8042486; Priroj Nana to get an elegant sala for any size Pan: 1/13 Chao Fa East Rd. Tel: of garden. 076-383212; Nang Lai Mai: 46/ But what if your taste veers 85, Moo 6, Wichit Songkram Rd, more towards Vegas than Lanna? Kathu.

Bright bird from Priroj Nana Pan; Gorilla and fountain from Nang Lai Mai; zebra from Boon Pratangporn; deer from Jit Narin. July 9 - 15, 2005 PHUKET PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 29

Construction Update By Anongnat Sartpisut

Above and below: Computer-generated views of the Patong Harbor View Condominiums project. Work to begin soon on Patong condo project

PATONG: A 73-unit condo- minium development on three rai of land at the southern end of Patong Beach, will combine both traditional and contemporary Thai design with modern facili- ties equal to a five-star resort, say its developers. Construction of Patong Harbor View Condominiums’ 73 units, all with pool and town, mountain, and/or harbor views, is scheduled to begin in Novem- ber, with completion at the end of next year, Scott Riefler, Pro- ject Manager, told the Gazette. Patong Harbor View will comprise three seven-story build- ings. These will contain four 198.5-square-meter penthouses units will be unfurnished, but will fun throughout the day,” Mr selling at 10.55 million baht each. have fully-equipped kitchens, Riefler said. There will also be 18 two- and air conditioning throughout. “The response has been ex- bedroom units of 146 to 154sqm, The development’s shared cellent,” he added. “Three of the ranging in price from 6.1 to 8.1 facilities will include a large fit- condos are reserved already.” million baht per unit, and 51 one- ness center, a swimming pool, a bedroom units of 95 to 103sqm, conference room, a games room, For information, call Tel: 07-077- priced at 3.9 to 5.1 million baht. a salon and a restaurant. High- 8454, or 06-3418781. Fax: 076- Each condominium will speed Internet access, satellite 292073. Email: sales@ include a storage room, a home TV and a mail room are among patongharborview.com Website: office nook and a sala with a day the services that will be provided. www.patongharborview.com bed on a private terrace. All “This project is geared to- kitchens, living rooms and bed- wards a younger crowd that pre- rooms will have wood floors; fers modern amenities and fun outdoor areas will be sandstone- facilities, such as our spa, barbe- tiled. cue area and pool bar. Our activi- Mr Riefler said that the ties director will plan non-stop 30 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PROPERTY July 9 - 15, 2005

Home of the Week Rawai

his four-bedroom home in Rawai may be new, but its design was in- Tspired by the art deco style so popular in the early part th At home in the past of the 20 century. The three-story property, which has internal space of 660 square meters, stands on a plot of 1,800sqm just five minutes from Nai Harn Beach. The huge windows and high ceilings mean that the home is light and airy, and it is posi- tioned so that it catches the breezes from different directions – so successfully that it does not need air conditioning. The property is surrounded by a high white wall, and access is via a covered aluminum car- Inspired by art deco style, the port, also in keeping with the art home sports a 30sqm Western- deco style. style kitchen (above), a 52sqm The windows and doors, pool (below), and the top level and the fronts of the kitchen units offers 360 views of the and wardrobes, all feature silver surrounding fields and mountains. aluminum, while the floor tiles throughout the ground floor have a mock aluminum finish. The ground floor kitchen is Western-style, covering 30sqm and well equipped with modern appliances. Adjoining it is a large laundry room and a wine cellar/ larder. The kitchen opens onto an On the middle floor there is bathroom and another large 84sqm open-plan living area, an office and a third bedroom, white-tiled roof terrace. which overlooks the terrace and also with en-suite bathroom, as The windows all have sec- its 52sqm pool. well as a white-tiled roof terrace ondary sliding aluminum doors Off this living area are two with 360º views of the surround- fitted with mosquito screens and guest bedrooms with en-suite ing fields and mountains. Venetian blinds, and the house is bathrooms and built-in aluminum The top floor contains the equipped with many aluminum wardrobes. master bedroom with an en-suite wardrobes and cupboards. In the grounds are quarters 20 minutes from the major shop- for two maids and there is space ping areas and hospitals, and 40 for several cars, bikes or even a minutes from Phuket Interna- boat to be parked on the back ter- tional Airport. race. The land title is Chanote, Utilities include a well and and the asking price is 18 million hot water, UBC TV, two tele- baht. phone lines and a three-phase power supply. For more information, contact The house is in an area Richard Lusted at Siam Real Es- popular with expatriates, close to tate, Tel: 076-288908, website: restaurants and local amenities. www.siamrealestate.com, email: It is 15 minutes from Phuket City, [email protected] July 9 - 15, 2005 PHUKET PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 31

Gardening with Bloomin’ Bert

ell, in the past few weeks I’ve had a go at Americans, WBrits, Canadians, Lancastrians and Patong street vendors. This time round it’s the Strangled for life turn of the fairer sex. Specifi- cally, wives. zarre cylindrical mass of thick, They have a lot to answer entwined growths, wrapped for. Apart from having difficulty around thin air. in figuring things out for them- This whole process can take selves and not being able to ad- a lifetime, so if you plant one of mit they need help, they seem to these, expecting this process to have an innate ability to limit the happen in your back garden over- freedom of their chosen partner, After years of night, you’ll be disappointed. Be whether they know it or not. squeezing the life out prepared for a long, long wait. They’re rather good at that, of its victim, the I’d love to be able to give wives. strangling fig claims some handy hints for the nurtur- By the way, I got the above victory: the host tree ing of strangling figs, but I can’t, female character descriptions dies and rots away, for a couple of reasons. First, as from a good friend of mine who leaving behind a mass far as I know, nobody has ever happens to be female, believe it of tendrils entwined grown one of these for fun – they or not. We got onto the subject about thin air. just kind of appear without be- of wives one evening. ing invited. Initially they’ll look She’s not married to her like a kind of unwanted, spread- partner as yet, but even she was ing weed that you’d normally re- forced to admit the truth of what move from the trunk of your oth- she was likely to become, once erwise pristine tree. she’d decided to tie the knot. Second, they take too long She even mentioned that, to grow. I’m not sure that any- according to Greek mythology, one would have the patience to the gods created women as a pun- spend a lifetime watching one ishment for man. They called plant slowly strangle another to them a “beautiful evil” as they death. Or maybe some would. were pleasing to the eye but had You may well have guessed the effect of making men lose that I’m single, and somewhat control, as the life was extracted enjoying it at the moment. The slowly from them. sad thing is that any potential I certainly wouldn’t go so “significant other” reading this far as to agree with the Greeks’ may not be particularly im- view, but there may be a kernel pressed, so my marital state could of truth in there. well remain as it is for some time I have several married to come. friends who simply aren’t al- Oh well, so be it. At least I lowed out at night without ask- can go out for a beer after work ing permission first. “I’ll just munch on, or throw into a Jamie sight. The tree doesn’t even see up, forming a solid mesh of tomorrow. I’m still available by check with the wife,” is the usual Oliver recipe. Those appear more it approaching, and has no idea growth. the way! response when one asks a mar- in other parts of the world. The of the trauma that’s yet to come. After a number of years, the ried man if he fancies a quick strangling fig has earned its sin- Some stranglers climb up original tree has long since given Want to know more beer after work. ister name through its survival around the original tree, wrap- up the struggle with its unwel- about a plant These husbands are simply tactics. ping tendrils around the hapless come guest, and lost the will to in your garden? helpless. They’re at their wives’ What this nefarious, cun- trunk as they climb, like aliens live. At this stage, the strangling mercy, suffering slow intermi- ning plant does is to choose a to- from a science fiction ‘B’ movie. fig claims victory. Email Bloomin’ Bert at: nable strangulation. Sadly, they tally innocent victim. This is usu- Others, in seed form, hitch a ride Once dead, the original tree [email protected] don’t stand a chance – the women ally a healthy tree which is qui- with a bird to the top of the tree slowly rots away, leaving a bi- are always right. It’s one of those etly minding its own business, and grow down. inevitable rules of nature. growing in the contented way The tendrils often form a The only equivalent in the that only a happy tree can. criss-cross pattern all the way up plant world that even comes close If the tree were a beer (or down) the trunk of the host. is one that you wouldn’t even drinker, it would probably be the One of the unusual things about think of as a plant in its own right type that spent most nights in the this scheming member of the – the strangling fig. pub with its tree mates. plant world is that, rather than This type of fig tree is a Along comes the strangling overlapping, and passing each common sight in Thailand, fig, rubbing its roots and shoots other politely, the tendrils fuse though not in the guise that most together with glee, its victim in with each other when they meet of us would recognize. It isn’t a neat little tree that sprouts a few fruit here and there, which we can 32 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS July 9 - 15, 2005 Property Gazette

DIVIDED LAND Properties MISSION HEIGHTS for sale. Plots with seaview: For Sale LAND FOR SALE 238 square wah,185sqw, Fully-serviced building plots 267sqw, etc. Asking 15,000 (underground 3-phase elec- baht/sqw. Tel: 07-2674342. PATONG SEA VIEW tric, free water, 8-meter con- Email: [email protected] Beautiful sea-view land in crete roads). From 2.25 mil- Patong. 1,608sqm. Land in lion baht; 10% deposit, 18 RAWAI CONDOS Thalang only 1.4 million baht months to pay. There is no with sea view. 27, 54 and a rai. Plus many land parcels better place to retire. Tel: 01- 81sqm. Priced from 450,000 for sale. Condo at Patong 3444473, 01-8298101. baht. Financing for 3 years Tower, private ownership. Please see our website at: available. Foreign freehold. Beautifully renovated 3.75 www.missionheights.com Tel: 09-4740227. Email: million. Tel: 07-8893838. [email protected] DO YOU LOVE GOLF? TOWNHOUSE Do you want to live on the for sale or rent. Kamala Beach RAWAI TOWNHOUSE lovely Phuket Country Club house – ready to move in to – 140sqm sale 1.2 million baht. Golf Course in Kathu? We are with 2 bedrooms and 3 bath- Price includes owning com- building 3 detached villas and rooms, for sale at 4 million pany financing 3 years. 400 are pre-selling now! You can baht or rent at 17,000 baht/ meters from the beach. Tel: choose the design and interiors! month. Contact K. Ploenta. 09-4740227. Email: For details, call Rudi Tel: 01- Tel: 07-9795048. [email protected] 9241447. Email: mail@ villa.co.th Website: www. BAYVIEW PALMS HIGH QUALITY, houseandvillasalesphuket. Patong. 6 luxury apartments low cost. New house for sale, com with stunning sea views. 180 alongside hills behind Patong, sqm, with master bedrooms convenient golf courses. Part of BEACHFRONT HOTEL MOST BEAUTIFUL NEW HOMES PRICED with en suite bathrooms and VILLA IN NAI HARN small private development. 3 61-room hotel on the beach sea view. Chalong. Easy ac- to sell. Direct owner sale of whirlpools. Guest bathroom, Villa, 275sqm living space, bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (1 for sale. Contact for more cess, electricity; best plot on new 170sqm, two-level, 3- spacious lounge, American 1,000sqm garden, 10mx5m ensuite), large living room, info. Tel: 01-8918082. Email: the island. 3.6 million baht per bed, 3-bath homes with new kitchen, large balcony, large pool, 60,000 baht rental in- kitchen/diner. Courtyard-style [email protected] rai. Call now! Tel: 01-5376866. furniture, appliances and common gardens with swim- come per month until March verandah/patio. Approx 140 Chanote title. Tel: 076-290- ming pool, car parking. Price 2006: 10.75 million baht. Tel: sqm on 340sqm land. Parking 465. Fax: 076-345493 . Email: from 7.5 million baht. Tel: 07- 1 RAI ½, 1, 2, 3 & 4 RAI 01-8916143, 07-8896074. area. Price: 3.5 million baht. [email protected] Email: norbertfun@hotmail. 8893838, 09-2911112. Please contact for more in- plot for 1.999 million baht. Plot Rawai plots available from com Email: bayviewpalms@yahoo. formation. Tel: 076-321954, located in Mission Heights, a only 3.45 million baht per rai. com 04-8439579. Fax: 076-323- luxury development, with un- Chanote title, road access, 3.5 MILLION BAHT per rai. Lowest price for NAI YANG 421. Email: somsrijenner@ derground electricity, and se- electricity and water. Please curity, 10 minutes from the Patong land, minimum 2 rai Small development of 5 BANG TAO BEACH lycos.com contact for more information. airport and 20 minutes to Cen- purchase. Tel: 09-6491963. houses; 2 under construction 124sqm & 240sqm furnished Tel: 06-5950188. Email: tral. Asking 1.999 million baht and ready to move in to in Au- apartments, 1 min from the KOH SAMUI [email protected] Email: [email protected] baht. Tel: 01-2712825. gust. 3 bedrooms, 2 bath- beach. 6.5 million baht and up. Beautiful land for sale. rooms, large living+dining Tel: 07-8849288. Website: 4,500sqm on Maenam Hill. room, European kitchen, laun- www.bangtaobeachgardens. Views in one direction of Koh MISSION HILLS dry, verandah all round, bound- com Pha-ngan and in the other, the 1-rai, fully-serviced lots with ary wall, electric gate, carport, valley and the golf course. 2 view, next to golf course. landscaped garden. Living RAWAI VILLA Chanote titles. Please contact Tel: 07-8849288. Email: area: 153sqm, land: 532- and company for sale. New for more information. Tel: 01- [email protected] 740sqm. First house for sale project with land: 400sqm, 3675416. Email: tseti@ at 7.3 million baht. Tel: 076- 350 meters from the beach. loxinfo.co.th GOLF COURSE LIVING 328424, 01-8953481. Email: Price: 2.6 million baht. Please 1-rai fully-serviced lots, exclu- golddigger-phuket@hotmail. contact for more information. CHALONG CIRCLE sive gated community. Tel: 07- com Tel: 09-4740227. Email: near pier.One rai, 300 meters 8849288. Email: bgbphuket@ [email protected] to pier and beach. Chanote, yahoo.com EAST COAST LAND water, electric; perfect for 20- 4 rai plus on Cape Yamu. PATONG CONDO unit apartments or 1 to 3 nice 2 RAI AT MISSION Great location, sea view, road Sea view, beachfront, 56 homes. Within walking dis- Hills – only 1.3 million baht per access. Three-phase power sqm, freehold sale: 1.4 million tance to restaurants and busi- rai. For sale by owner. Please supply. Asking 3.6 million baht baht. 350 meters from beach. nesses. Asking 4.2 million baht contact for more information. per rai. Email: ya_moo@ Tel: 09-4740227. Email: per rai. Tel: 06-5950188. Tel: 01-8950711. Email: hotmail.com [email protected] Email: [email protected] [email protected] July 9 - 15, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 33 Property Gazette

AMAZING PRICES 2 SHOPHOUSE UNITS HOUSE FOR RENT NEW, FURNISHED LOOKING FOR LAND for land. Land in Rawai, Nai in Paradise Complex for sale or HOUSE FOR RENT 2-bedroom house with 2 2-story townhouse in Patong I am looking for approx 15 rai Harn, and Chalong areas avail- lease. Please contact for de- bathrooms, air conditioner, for rent or sale. Fully furnished in the northeast of Phuket (Pa able. Asking from 2.1 million tails. Tel: 06-2827779 or hot water, UBC TV, phone with 2 aircon bedrooms, large Khlok, Ao Por, Pa Khlong baht per rai with sea view. Tel: please see our website at: line, furniture, storeroom and living room, kitchen. Opposite Cheep, Bang Rong). I will be in 09-6525664. www.phuketdir.com/pranee a garden. Asking 20,000 Govt Savings Bank. Tel: 01- Phuket at the end of July, baht a month. Please contact 9684081. Email: tamonwan_ coming from Germany. for more information. Tel: 04- [email protected] Please contact me by email if LAND FOR SALE Properties 370 Talang wah(1,400sqm) 062-7404, 01-7377719. you have or know of anything on Soi Saliga, in Rawai. Asking For Rent New house by the lake in Email: josefran26@hotmail. CHEAP HOUSES that might be of interest. Tel: 3.7 million baht. Call for more Land & Houses Park. 3 bed- com for rent. Kata, Karon, Ao 69-5975777, Fax: 69-597- details. Tel: 076-288422. rooms, 2 bathrooms, fully Makham, all near the beach. 1777. Email: hhrackwitz@ ATTRACTIVE VILLA furnished. UBC,Telephone, SEAVIEW & POOL! Tel: 06-9488139. Email: hotmail.com aircon. Pls call for more info. Green oasis. Nice apartments, [email protected] BALI-STYLE just outside lively but hectic PROPERTIES WANTED Beautiful, brand new Bali-style Tel: 09-8718327. Patong, in a green residential LUXURY, PRIVATE We have buyers waiting for: house in Chalong. 3 bedrooms, area. See the sea, and have a 2 bathrooms, 3.9 million baht. 3-bedroom house with 16 x - boutique hotel, up to 60 LONG-TERM LEASE look first. Take the beach road 25 sqm pool in luxurious pri- rooms. Tel: 01-9680309. Email: New, fully-furnished house in toward the Amari. Over vate community (Grace Gar- [email protected] - any hotel with sea views. Palai Green, with 2 aircon bed- bridge, left; after 500m turn den) near British Intermational See: www.houseinphuket. - 10 rai land parcel, up to 2.5 rooms, hot shower, kitchen, right; follow arrow on sign College. For rent at 60,000 com/go.php?house=78 for rent. Villa at Blue Canyon million baht per rai living room, garage and beau- Baan Suan Kamnan. Amenities baht a month. Rent includes Country Club: 3 bedrooms, 3 tiful garden. Located in a quiet include ADSL, phone, safe, 24-hour security guard, gar- Contact: Phuket One Real bathrooms, kitchen, laundry SEA VIEW PROJECT area near Chalong Bay. Tel: 01- satellite TV+DVD. Aircons den and pool maintenance. Estate. Tel: 076-290550, 09- room, maid’s room, car park, in Kata. 12-rai project with 4 8924311. and all comforts. Safe area. Tel: 076-239838, 01-877- 2889317. living area and pleasant gar- finished houses with complete Tel: 06-7866350. Email: 9292. Fax: 076-239838. den: Asking 50,000 baht per infrastucture to be sold fast at WANT TO RENT [email protected] Email: prakaisriroj@hotmail. HOUSE IN KARON month. Tel: 076-2618 57-8. 10 or 15 million baht each. For a house? Maybe I can help com Looking for a 2-bedroom the whole project, asking 85 you. I select “houses for rent” PHUKET PALACE house in Karon from Novem- million baht. Potential profit of BUNGALOW that I see on the street. Tel: 01- condo. Lovely condo in Patong: ber 1, 2005 to April 25, 100 million baht to be made by for rent. Fully furnished, 3 9680309. Email: info@ beautiful pool, sea view, aircon, Properties 2006. Would be great if it is new owner of the project. bedrooms, aircon, tel line, houseinphuket.com For further minibar, TV, security. Large Wanted near Luang Por Chuan Rd. Open to offers. Tel: 07-893- prime location. Chalong area. details, see my website at: room. Long term: 12,000 baht About 6,000 to 7,000 baht/ 8747. 22,000 baht/month. Call for www.houseinphuket.com per month. Tel: 076-344154, month. Please email if you can more info. Tel: 01-6064279. 07-0738433. Fax: 076- HOUSE IN NEED help. Email: picassocat@ AO MAKHAM LONG-TERM RENTALS 341312. Email: info@phuket- OF RENOVATION hotmail.com seaview. 5 rai, flat land 2.8 PATONG APARTMENTS Quiet, fully-furnished apart- palace.com For further de- Must have large garden – at million baht per rai. Tel: 01- Clean, comfortable, aircon, TV, ments available for long-term tails, please see our website at: least 1,000 square meters. OFFICE SPACE 5376866. big fridge, pool, parking. Tel: rent at Baan Suan Villa, in www.phuketpalace.com Could be anywhere in I am searching for a 60sqm of- 01-0825707. Please see our Patong. Swimming pool, car/ Phuket.Tel: 012-4834992, fice for rent with a phone line 3 RAI WITH SEAVIEW website at: www.phuket- bike parking, serviced, Satellite BOAT LAGOON 77-36375645. Fax: 012- set up and working. The phone in Chalong. Asking 2.7 million accommodation.info TV, DVD, private phone line rental. 2-bedroom apartment 4831352. Email: anthony_ line must be ready to receive baht a rai with sea view. Also available. 45sqm studio 8,500 at Boat Lagoon for long-term [email protected] ADSL. Air conditioning is also have 3 rai with stunning sea OFFICE FOR RENT baht. 60sqm 2-bedroom studio rent. Newly-fitted kitchen and necessary. The office does not view in Chalong and complete Office for rent on the bypass 15,000 baht. 75sqm apart- aircon throughout. Handy for LAND WANTED have to be on the ground level as infrastructure, 3.3 million baht road. 180sqm . Email: scphuket ment 17,500 baht. T el: 076- Central and British Interna- Approximately 4 rai of land we do not sell anything - just per rai. 5 rai of flat land close @yahoo.com 296621, 01-6916147. Fax: tional College. Call Don at Tel: wanted at the north end of the work through the internet. Bud- to a main road, asking 2.4 076-344689. Email: info@ 01-8337836 or Email: barkwill island. Contact by Email: get: 10,000 to 15,000 baht per @tm.net.my info.x@thecourtyard-phuket. month. Contact for more info. million baht per rai. Tel: 09- BEACHFRONT CONDO baansuanvilla.de 6525664. com Tel: 04-8484006. Email:staff@ Kalim, Patong. Fully furnished, PATONG STUDIO mynewserver.com high standard. 2 bedrooms, PHUKET CITY HOUSE IN PALAI luxury condo. Bedroom with Apartment for rent, 350m to CONDO WANTED fitted kitchen, pool, many fa- the beach. 6,000 baht/month. I would like to buy a condo Lovely. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, aircon, kitchen, fully furnished, cilities. Tel: 01-8920038. Please contact for more infor- apartment of about 50sqm lounge, kitchen, dining room, built-ins, hot/cold water, 24hr Do Not Drink mation. Tel: 09-4740227. with security and services. office, outside workshop, sand- security, big pool, cable TV, TV Tap Water! KAMALA RENT/SALE Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] stone swimming pool with wa- 3 bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms, & DVD, refrigerator, keycard terfall, garden with sala, 6ft pool, complete walled-in ga- entrance system, elevator, wall and electric gate. Price: rage, aircon. Rent 35,000 and much, much more. Con- 10.5 million baht. Please con- baht/month, sell for 5.8 million tact for details. Tel: 076- Classified Advertisements tact for more details. Tel: 076- baht. For more details please 324199, 01-7371688. Fax: 282848, 07-8958911. Email: call Tel: 076-385940 or 01- 076-324099. Email: info@ Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. [email protected] 0904213. phuket-suriyaestate.com Then hand it to any of our agents.

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|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 80 baht, with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. All advertising must be paid for in advance. Deadline for Property Mart page: Friday 3 pm. Deadline for all other pages: Saturday 12 noon. 34 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS July 9 - 15, 2005 Property Gazette

BABY GRAND PIANO Accommodation Accommodation Building The Stone Doctor Yamaha, 3 years old, perfect LOCKUP STORAGE Available Wanted Services condition. 435,000 baht or Individual storage units Specialist European stone care best offer. Tel: 01-7541584. from 4 cubic meters. Well products and services: Email: [email protected] ventilated, 24hr security, LONG-TERM RENTAL • Restoration sensor floodlights. Tel: HOTEL PROMOTION • Sealing/Finishing 55-year-old French couple GAS STOVE 01-0825707. Low season, long-stay, spa looking for a nice furnished • Maintenance All your maintenance, protection & Baloma gas stove, for sale at & pool. Many facilities. Price house or apartment in which cleaning needs for natural and half-price. Double burner, no only 17,500baht/month. manufactured stone. to live for about two years in a rust. 600 baht. Tel: 09-291- Property Beachfront. Call for more calm and beautiful environ- • Marble • Sandwash • Granite • Terracotta 3641. Email: sayan40@ details. Tel: 076-345518, Services ment very close to a nice • Slate • Terrazzo hotmail.com 01-8920038. beach. We are looking for a • Sandstone • Ceramics, etc peaceful place with high-speed Prevent: rust, stains, mildew, algae, scratches SHOWER HEATER ELECTRICAL ROOMS TO LET Internet access. Now at Kata Remove: builders’ residue, incorrect Beach until July 15, when we sealants, rust, stains, mildew, etc Sharp shower heater. A few SERVICES Lake-view apartments in Daily care & cleaning products also would like to look at new pos- months old. 1,000 baht. Tel: Advice on all electrical is- Kathu. Fully furnished, with available sibilities. Beginning of rental 09-2913641. Email: sayan40 sues. UK registered. Please aircon, fridge, cable TV, hot Tel: 07-2824930, 076-271217 @hotmail.com could be at any time this year, Fax: 076-271218 contact for more details. water, car park. 183 baht a depending on availability. Email: [email protected] Tel: 01-6919907. Email: day. Contact for details. Tel: Please contact me if you have GERMAN MOVIES phuketelectrician@yahoo. 076-202585, 09-1968449. something you think might be on video cassettes. 120 mov- co.uk Email: ketmaneeclayton61 of interest. Tel: 078-921979. Household ies and TV series: 3,000 baht. @hotmail.com Email: phuketopportunity@ Email: phdesbordes@laposte. Items PHUKET THAI HOME net hotmail.com 1-BEDROOM – KATHU company. If you can’t sell your home, land or other 1-bedroom apartment in LONG LEASE EXPAT MOVING SALE Kathu: 8,000 baht/month. Household property, let us sell it for you. wanted. Two profesional Everything less than 2 years Furnished, aircon, fully reno- Free consultation. Tel: 04- Phuket residents looking for old. Chinese TV cabinet: Services vated, 4th floor, golf course 10,000 baht. TV: 3,000 6268105 (English) or 01- view. 55sqm. For long-term 3-4 bedroom house north of 729-1391 (Thai). Email: Phuket. Ideally furnished, but baht. Washing machine: rental only. Tel: 076-319003, PRO CARPENTERING phuketthaihome@hotmail. pool, ASDL and privacy a 6,000 baht. Football table: 01-8932575. Email: pjsunset We specialize in woodwork, com must! Realistic rent for a long 5,000 baht. Teak garden @samart.co.th home furniture (built-in or lease (1-3 years). Email: table (extends to seat 8) plus moveable), bars, counters, PHUKET/MARBELLA [email protected] 4 chairs: 25,000 baht (cost ROOMS FROM B300 55,000) - Teak sun lounger work desks. Yes, anything villa management. Your wish Your own hot shower, ground- that has to do with woodwork. is our command. Cleaning, RENTAL WANTED with cushion: 10,000 baht. floor rooms & windows. 10 Tel: 07-8828147. Email: We also repair and rebuild gardening, pool upkeep, all to Two male travelers will be in mins walk to beach. 24hr se- [email protected] houses and boats. Call or email 5-star standard. Bill paying/ curity. Please contact for more Phuket from July 14 through Pro Carpentering. We never accounting, visa services August 9, doing volunteer SIAM HOME & CAR information. Tel: 076-342280, services. Building renovation, VERTICAL BLINDS leave a job half-done. Tel: 04- also available. For more de- 01-9781956. Email: palm@ work. We need housing. All 0511944. Fax: 076-243089. tails. Tel: 076-271544. Fax: accommodations wiil be con- repairs, maintenance. Electri- tracks and brackets. Approx phuket.ksc.co.th cal. Aircon/lights. Woodwork/ 38m for 9 windows. Call for Email: boat_phuket@yahoo. 076-271545. Email: jziment sidered. Email with specifics. com @yahoo.com Email: benjamin.hewitt@ furniture. Stone, cement, window sizes. 12,000 baht. PATONG LUXURY colorado.edu sandwash. Steel, aluminium, Please contact for more infor- apartment. Central Patong, 1- tiles. Grass screen landscap- mation. Tel: 076-288050, 04- & 2-bedroom apartments. ing. Contact Khun Chuat for 1898419. Email: albertjames Find more classified ads at www.phuketgazette.net! Email for info & photos. Email: Gazette Classads – full details. Tel: 01-4083800, 10,000 readers a day! [email protected] [email protected] 076-325391. July 9 - 15, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 35 Boats & Marine

DORADO This famous 60ft charter fishing cruiser is for sale. Not damaged in the tsu- nami, Dorado is up and run- ning and ready for work every day of the week. The associated website has a good Internet presence and the business has many re- peat clients. The boat is also suitable for conversion to dive boat. The accommoda- tion is very spacious and the current licence is for 12 pas- sengers, 4 crew. Sale in- cludes a 9-meter longtail boat as tender. Boat, local and Internet business regis- trations, logo, etc, as a going concern: 3 million baht. Boat alone: 2.6 million baht. Serious inquiries only, please. Tel: 076-202679, 01-9703526. Fax: 076- 202679. Email: dorado@ phket.loxinfo.co. th For fur- ther details, please see our website at: www.phuket- fishing.com

FISHING BOAT YAMAHA for sale. 15 meters long, 2.6 TOURIST BUSINESS OUTBOARD meters wide, made from one Wanted: tourist boat opera- Looking for Yamaha out- large tree. 6-cylinder engine, tion with room for expansion. board of 5 to 10hp. Must be about 8 years old. Price: Phuket and surrounding is- in excellent condition. Tel: 150,000 baht. Please call lands. Email Wayne at: 06-9401860. Email: bigasail Khun Kob for more informa- [email protected] @samart.co.th TEAKWOOD VESSEL tion. Tel: 09-8731019. PHUKET RACE WOODEN BOAT 23m teakwood boat with Hino WEEK 27/7-1/8 Takean Tong wooden boat engine. Ideal for conversion to Need experienced crew and in progress, to be finished Oc- tour or dive boat. Seller can sailors for Phuket Race tober/November 2005. assist with design and con- Week 27/7 - 1/8/05 to sail LOA: 24.5m. Beam: 5m. struction. Offered as is, at on Swan 55 (new rig and Twin 420hp hinos. One gen- 1.5 million baht. Please con- sails). Offer package deals set 4.5 million baht without tact for more information. Tel: (transfer/bungalow/racing). interior. Builder will build in- 09-6500957. Email: thavorn Contact Horst. Please con- terior to your specs for addi- @andamandolphin.com tact for more information. tional cost. Please call for Tel: 076-383080, 06-940- more information. Tel: 01- 1860. Fax: 076-381934. 0789397. Email: hpihemp Gazette Online Classifieds Email: bigasail@samart. @hotmail.com co.th 10,000 readers every day 36 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS July 9 - 15, 2005 Boats & Island Job Mart Marine ACCOUNTING MANAGER WANTED Asiadebit Thailand is look- ing for an accounting man- ager to handle accounting issues for our Thai opera- tion. The applicant must have the following qualifi- cations: - Good spoken and written English - Ability to work indepen- dently - Thai accounting license - Internet experience The right person will be working with an energetic team and have great possi- bilities and new experi- ences. Please send your CV to Khun Oil. Tel: 076- 282211. Email: oil@ asiadebit.com

URGENTLY NEEDED Housekeeper/cook; gar- dener/driver/maintenance man; English-speaking lan- guage teachers for Spanish, French and Thai lessons; music teachers for guitar, pi- ano and singing lessons; per- sonal fitness instructor. Ex- cellent conditions and pay. English-speaker required. QUALITY WOODEN Please contact for more in- NEW SAILBOATS boat. Superbly-built 4-year- formation. Tel: 01-787- FOR SALE old boat with excellent stain- 1752, 01-9784773. Email: We build any custom boat less railings. Licensed for [email protected] up to 45 ft in wood epoxy, 150 pax – ideal for day trips fiberglass, composite mate- or convert to live-aboard. 2 MANGOSTEEN rials. Vacuum infusion pro- engines, 2 gen sets. First to marketing team. The Man- cess available (service in situ see will buy. A bargain at 6 gosteen sales department is for boatbuilders available million baht. Pleases contact looking for several assistants also). Naval engineer from for more information. Tel: with excellent English skills Italy available for design, 3D 076-281526, 09-9720423. and computer knowledge. modelling, calculation, Fax: 076-281527. Email: Experience in marketing in scantling, speed prediction, [email protected] the hotel and real-estate busi- stability etc. Pls contact for ness required. Please submit more information. Email: your CV (with income re- [email protected] 20M LIVE-ABOARD quirement) by email, or by fax For further details, please CRUISER or contact for more informa- see our website at: www. tion. Tel: 076-289399. Fax: andamanboatyard.com 076-289389. Email: opsmanager@mangosteen- phuket.com SPARES for sailing boat. PROJECT - 35 m/m propeller coordinator needed. Fluent in - jib Thai and English; computer - canvas for boom literate, with excellent secre- MV Ariel has been fully re- - shackles tarial skills. Please contact for fitted and refurbished. She more information. Tel: 076- - charts of Indian, Atlantic, is licensed by the Harbor De- 325- 667, 01-9145119. and the Med partment for 40 pax. She is Fax: 076-324313. Email: - Iridium telephone currently based at Koh [email protected] - Furlex profurl Chang and can be inspected Please contact for more in- there. All details are avail- GAY MALE FOR HOTEL formation. Tel: 01-4154398. able on our website. Offers in Portugal. Looking for gay Email: namphonie@procom. over 5 million baht are in- young Thai male to work in in.th vited. Please contact for a gay guesthouse in Portu- more information. Tel: 01- gal. Gardening, swimming JETBOAT 7253960, 06-8871- 196. pool handling, cooking, re- (super toy). Searayder, Thai Email: derek.levitt@onetel. ceiving guests. Please send registration, built in 2000. net For further details, background information and New 135hp engine (no please see our website at: photo. Tel: 351-284434- hours on it); can see the bill. www.ariel-cruises.com 105. Email: quintadafe@ 5 seats. In great condition. clix.pt Very fast – put on your drive- way and go to the water. TOURIST BUSINESS SECRETARY/PA Easy to handle and no marine Wanted: tourist boat opera- Looking for office assistant fees. A bargain at 430,000 tion with room for expan- for hotel & real estate sales. baht, including trailer. Be sion. Phuket and surrounding Must speak good English and fast, go fast. Please contact islands. Please email as have computer and account- for more info. Tel: 01-082- much information as possible ing skills. Please contact for 3240, 01-5376866. Email: to Wayne at: wmole@ Looking for a job? www.phuketgazette.net more information. Tel: 07- [email protected] bigpond.net.au 0778454. July 9 - 15, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 37 Island Job Mart

PCS PROPERTY CARE SERVICE (THAILAND) CO., LTD. The leading property facili- ties service provider for all property-related services, such as cleaning, security, pest control, hygiene and electronic security systems, now requires the following positions: Both positions require excellent command of both spoken and writ- ten English, knowledge of Microsoft Office, sales experience and a valid driving license. TECHNICAL SALES OP- ERATOR: PEST CONTROL / HYGIENE Salary: 20,000 baht+
Overall sevice managa- ment of pest control and hy- giene operations.
Growth of pest control & NANNY/MAID LAW FIRM hygiene business in Phuket required. Live in. Must speak Looking for secretary and through securing new sales fluent English. Good pay and paralegal. Send resumé for ap- (target & commission conditions. Please call for pointment. Please Email: based). more information. Tel: 01- [email protected] for
Female, age 25 +, 7025479. more information. bachelor’s degree, some pest-control experience WEB DESIGN, SEO, SPA MANAGER would be useful, but training PHP work. Require experienced will be provided. web designer with SEO exper- We are looking for a Spa Man- SALES PERSON: INTE- tise and PHP programming skills ager and female Receptionist. GRATED SERVICE minimum. Either full-time job or Nationality not important. company that can provide these Please call for more informa- Salary: 15,000 baht+ services. Please contact for tion. Tel: 04-8478352.
Growth of the integrated more information. Tel: 076- services products in Phuket 288908. Email: richard@ HOUSEKEEPER though securing new sales in cleaning, security and other siamrealestate.com For more needed. Pa Khlok area. Can related products (target & details, see our website at: live in. Please call for more commission based). www.siamrealestate.com information. Tel: 076-273- 427, 01-8295388.
Female, age 23+, PHUKET ISLAND bachelor's degree, must Living is opening in Phuket. have own car. Showroom/office manager: SECRETARY NEEDED Property Care Service (Thai- bachelor’s degree with a major Looking for a Thai female or land) Co., Ltd, 371/21 in English an advantage; 3 male secretary, who speaks Yaowarat Rd, Tambon years or more experience in good English and has a driver’s Taladyai, Amphur Muang, secretarial work or office ad- license and computer skills. Phuket 83000. ministration; excellent com- Must know Excel and be able Please send your resumé mand of spoken and written to move to Pattaya. Salary along with covering letter in English; accurate typing skills; 4,000-5,000 baht/week. Non- English and photo to the ad- able to operate MS Office. For smoker only. Please contact dress above or to: more information, please con- for more information. Tel: tact Khun Wassana Devore at 076-248827, 04-7444807. Tel: 076-224658-9. Tel: 01-7005549 for more Fax: 076-248826. Email: Email: [email protected] information. [email protected] Looking for a job? Still haven’t found the perfect candidate? Find more Recruitment Classifieds at www.phuketgazette.net! 38 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS July 9 - 15, 2005 Island Job Tout, Trader & Trumpet

Mart Articles for Sale Business Personal Products & Services RESTAURANT Services DVD COLLECTION furniture and equipment. Over 100 DVDs. Must sell. Brand-new restaurant furni- ture and equipment for sale. Please call for more info. DAY TRIP TO Tel: 04-8106205. Great prices – everything must go. Tel: 07-9795048. RANONG New double-decker tour bus (not minibus), non- Bulletins smoking and smoking ar- eas, toilet, films/music, snacks and drinks, on-board buffet lunch. No extra to pay, fully inclusive. Only 1,300 baht. Every Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sunday. Tel: 04-7457024.

LEGAL SERVICES Register your Thai Limited Company in just two hours through Thailand’s largest COMPANY legal service network, Siam formation and accounting International Legal Group. services. We can set up a Business Opportunities Business Licenses, con- registered limited partnership tracts and property trans- with work permit for 20,000 actions by legal profession- baht (no hidden extras). Over CAFÉ FOR SALE SHOPHOUSES als at reasonable fees. Call 50 and need a one-year visa? Trendy café at Surin Beach for sale. 3 floors, 160sqm, 24 hours. Tel: 076-345- 12,000 baht yearly; com- with all assets for sale. Selling located opposite Simon 277, 04-0219800. Email: pany accounts 12,000 baht. due to family commitments. Cabaret on busy road be- [email protected] For We also take care of your Tel: 01-8636294. tween Patong and Karon. further details, please see monthly tax and social con- Asking 4.2 million, for quick our website at: www.siam- tributions. Contact us if you FOR URGENT LEASE sale. Tel: 01-9684575. legal.com have problems, we are One-floor, three-room shop- pleased to help you. Tel: 04- house now for lease in Kata OFFICE FOR RENT 7457024. Email: kingrw80 business center. Please call 2-story office with 15 com- HANDMADE @hotmail.com Khun Sinny for more informa- puters for rent opposite Robin- oriental carpets. We deal in tion. Tel: 01-9798540. son. Tel: 076-250538, 09- handmade carpets and 8751166. Email: ppcabana kilims from Iran, Pakistan VISA FOR RESTAURANT @dreamwiz.com and Afghanistan. We spe- THAILAND and guesthouse available for cialize in washing and repair- Tired of visa runs? Get a 6.5-year lease in Karon. Eu- INVESTOR ing carpets. Free pick up and one-year Thai visa. Free ini- ropean-style kitchen, 36-seat Active investor or silent delivery. Please contact for tial consultation at Thai- air-conditioned restaurant, 2 partner sought for beer gar- more information. Tel: 076- land’s largest legal service TVs, UBC & sound system. den and for beach bar. 261- 349, 01-9563061. network, Siam Interna- 5 air-conditioned guest Email: phuketopportunity@ Fax: 076-261349. Email: GERMAN LAWYER, tional Legal Group. Call 24 Employment rooms with hot water, TV hotmail.com [email protected] age 43, is looking for a job in hours. Please contact for and full UBC satellite system. Wanted Thailand, especially Phuket. more information. Tel: Small staff room and office. PATONG Not necessarily in law busi- 076-345277, 04-021- Thai registered company in- Guesthouse for sale with ness. I also have experience Computers 9800. Email: admin@ cluded, ready to start your Chanote: six rooms, living SALES + MARKETING in commerce/trade, diving siam-legal.com For further business now. Te: 09-591- quarters and minimart. Ask- Director. International Sales and semi-professional Ger- details, please see our 4044, 01-8936072. Email: ing 4.5 million baht. Please COMPUTER SERVICES and Marketing Director (40) man cooking. Always willing website at: www.siam- beefeater_karon@hotmail. contact for more informa- New + used. Repairs, is looking for a new chal- and able to try something legal.com lenge. Great experience in new. Please contact me. com tion. Tel: 07-8887676. GPRS, ADSL, WLAN. No building up and leading effi- Email: [email protected] for Email: homeawaypatong@ phone Internet – no problem. English computerman. cient teams with “Must Win” more information. WORKING SHAREHOLDER hotmail.com LEARN THAI attitudes and - working in Please call for more informa- Wanted: Working investor to at home. Conversation and developing countries - Build- tion. Tel: 09-4735080. NANNY/COOK join highly successful technol- NEW RESTAURANT coursework with a charming ing up new branches/subsid- I can make all types of Thai ogy-based company in for lease. 60-seat, air-condi- Thai lady. Course books iaries - Implementing channel food and some European Phuket. Established 6 years tioned restaurant for lease in povided free. Also basic En- strategies - Introduction/es- Miscellaneous food. I was cooking on a dive with 2 shops and 16 employ- 3-story, new building, fully glish lessons for Thai tablishment of new products boat before the tsunami. I ees. You must: equipped, in Phuket City. Tel: for Sale spouses. Please contact for - Working in start-up situa- have also worked in Holland. 1. Be living in Thailand 01-7872869. more information. Tel: 076- tions, and - Developing new Please let me know if you 2. Have experience in busi- 398157, 01-7971497. markets. I am a team player might have any work for me. ness NIGHTCLUB Email: churee77@hotmail. with strong ablity to motivate Please call or send me an for sale. Exclusive nightclub INT'L DRIVERS 3. Have some Thai-language com and develop people. I speak email for more information, if LICENSE skill in central Patong; fully English and German, and you are interested. Tel: 076- equipped with stage, profes- 5,000 baht, valid up to have working experience in 202816, 01-6067417. 4. Be prepared to work hard sional DJ equipment and VIP 10 years, 6,000 baht Personals Asia and Europe. Please con- Email: watchreec@yahoo. 5. Have between 4 and 10 lounge. Contract until 31-12- valid up to 20 years. Sole tact for more information. com million baht, subject to 2009. Before 2.5 million agent in Thailand. Free Email: muenchen1@gmx. amount of investment, for baht, now 1.7 million baht. pick up & delivery, open BACKGAMMON net SWEDISH LESSONS which you will receive a Please contact for more infor- 365 days a year. Please Retired businessman looking Do you or your kids want to work permit, car and medi- mation. Tel: 076-292523, contact Khun Christine for backgammon players on PROPERTY SCOUT learn Swedish or English? I cal care, and a good salary 06-6911516. Email: venus for more information. Tel: Phuket Island. Please call if If any company needs a can help you with that from with a high return on invest- @patong.biz Website: 04-0068736. interested. Tel: 076-386- property scout, please let me November 1, 2005 - April 1, ment. www.patong.biz/venus 113, 01-5778443. know. I’m available now. 2006. Please call or send me This is a very serious offer, Thank you. Please contact an email for more informa- so I would appreciate serious for more information. Tel: tion, if you are interested. replies only, please. All re- 076-286071, 09-1968429. Tel: +46-467063737. plies by email at: louj@ Gazette Online Classifieds 10,000 readers every day! Fax: 076-286071. Email: Email: picassocat@hotmail. mail2world.com for more [email protected] com information. July 9 - 15, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 39 Wheels & Motors

1971 HONDA Saloon Cars Pickups Motorbikes racing bike. 2 cylinders, 175cc, Rentals in very good condition. Only one FORD ASPIRE in Thailand. Street legal, with 1995 model, 3-door, white, HARLEY DAVIDSON green book. 29,000 baht. Con- A1 CAR RENTAL new paint, aircon, electric FOR SALE tact for info. Email: yamu1941 windows, central locking, al- 2001 Night Train (Soft Tail). @hotmail.com loy wheels (185/50), 119,000 Twin-cam engine. All origi- km. 125,000 baht. Car is lo- nal matching numbers and YAMAHA TZM 150 cated in Hua Hin. Tel: 032- perfect registration. Cus- Yamaha TZM 150 for sale. 515185, 09-0098560. tom paint and extensive ac- Full body kit, sporty bike. Mint Email: [email protected] cessories distinguish this condition. Selling with acces- bike without detracting sories. Serious buyers only. Cars, trucks, jeep, 7-seat from stock performance. ISUZU DMAX Email: [email protected] people carrier for rent; fully- Sold and serviced by Niki’s 3.0 Di Turbo, automatic, insured. from 10,000 baht a Handlebar. Good value at 4WD, gray. March 2004, only HONDA WAVE 125R month; special long-term 950,000 baht. Call Arnie 22,000km and in great condi- 5,400km, 12 months old, yel- rates. Please call for more for more information. See tion. Price: 650,000 baht. Tel: low, one owner, service book, info. Tel: 09-8314703. 01-5379283, 01-6932421. photo on Gazette web site. no accidents. 30,000 baht. Tel: 06-7898930. Email: Tel: 09-2872089. Email: [email protected] [email protected] 4 x 4s LOW PRICE Low rates for long-term 2005 HONDA WAVE MOTORBIKE rentals. Many types of new Almost new Honda Wave R cars, with CD players, insur- VERY NICE SUZUKI JEEP Message Honda 125 Motor 100, bought in May this year. x 2001, new plastics, chain ance and proper mainte- CHEVROLET OPTRA Red Caribian for sale, good Only 350km, silver color, elec- and sprockets, piston and nance. Call now! Tel: 05- condition. Price: 110,000 tric starter, license plate, hel- seat cover, in great condi- 8833470. baht. Please call for more met, new Honda jacket tion. Asking 95,000 baht. details. Tel: 01-8915474. (black). New price: 39,600 Tel: 076-200112. baht. I will sell for 33,000 baht CAR FOR RENT or best offer. Tel: 04-628- 8,900 baht. Daihatsu Mira, MODIFIED HONDA 7655. Email: karkov63@ easy to drive and economical, 4 X 4 Wave. About 1 year old, great hotmail.com insurance 8,900 baht per Five-door, silver-colored Kia sound, very fast and beautiful. month or 3,500 baht per Very nice Chevrolet Optra Sportage with CD player; in 25,000 baht worth of extras. HONDA PHANTOM week. Please call for more for sale. Gray paint, beige excellent condition inside Price: 50,000 baht. For more Very good condition, gray/ details. Tel: 01-5371050. Phuket’s Most Trusted & leather, CD-radio, aircon, and out. Serviced, and info. Tel: 04-8383688. Email: black, March 2002, many ac- Reputable Supplier of the Finest dark windows, 4 new wheels, priced to sell at 250,0000 never been damaged, year [email protected] cessories, 28,000km, 65,000 Quality Used SALOONS, baht. Tel: 07-9312916. baht. Tel: 06-2812899. Email: Wanted SEDANS, JEEPS & PICKUPS 2004, 26,000km, 670,000 baht, negotiable. Tel: 01- HONDA MTX [email protected] New cars or trade-ins – 8512280. Email: dm@ MITSUBISHI PAJERO Enduro 150cc. Just com- WANTED: HONDA we have what you’re janydan.com GDi. 2001, 75,000km, metal- pletely rebuilt; spent 25,000 2001 HARLEY Honda CRV or Rav 4 wanted. looking for lic silver. Please send email to baht on it. Buying a bigger bike. Harley-Davidson Dyna Glide. Must be in very good condi- For more info pls call us at Price: 28,000 baht. Tel: 01- Excellent condition, genuine tion. Please contact for more TOYOTA COROLLA us for more information. Email: Tel: 076-224632, 216243 [email protected] 8950612. Email: travisns@ book and numbers. Offers information. Tel: 07-282- www.suremotor.com Altis, 1.8, top-of-the-range, yahoo.com around 650,000 baht. Tel: 07- 2808. Email: flax19@ full specs, spoiler, silver color, JEEP GRAND 277-0946. Email: drew_sl@ hotmail.com black leather interior, 19 yahoo.com Cherokee limited. Black with HONDA CBR 150 months old, 40,000km. Cost 6 months old, 3,000km. Like WANT TO HIRE just under 1 million baht. Will dark interior. 5 years old and in BLACK HONDA CRV new, no accidents. Red and I will be arriving in Phuket on sell for 750,000 ono. Please excellent condition with all Owned by a foreign black. Price from shop: 62,000 the July 3 and would like to contact for more information. available extras. Only one Need wheels? woman. New style, in great baht. My price: 45,000 baht. hire a van or pickup for 3 Tel: 076-280779, 07-882- owner and always serviced at condition and insured until Tel: 075-378805, 09-472- Check out weeks, preferably with driver. 8147. Email: brophydebbie@ Mercedes dealership. New October. Price: 850,000 7205. Fax: 075-378873. www.phuketgazette.net Tel: 07-9956803. Email: baht. Tel: 01-5977173. hotmail.com price was 2.6 million baht. available now for only Email: [email protected] [email protected] NISSAN SUNNY 890,000 baht ono. Please 1996 HONDA CIVIC Runs perfectly. 35,000 baht. contact for more details. Tel: Excellent condition. Selling for For more information. Tel: 076-330598, 01-8948588. Wheels & Motors 350,000 baht + document 076-396702, 04-8445949. email: [email protected] transfer costs. Viewing ad- Email: superbayern2001@ Advertisements dress: Maleena Saloon. 47/3- hotmail.com RANGE ROVER 4.6HSE 4 Patong Condotel (Sky Inn), 1996 Range Rover 4.6 HSE, in Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd, Patong, MAZDA PROTEGE excellent condition, metallic or call Tel: 076-343040 or 01- Then hand it to any of our agents. Silver, 1600cc. 76,000km, blue, many extras. DVD, rear 8954080, or Email: maleena bought new in 2000. Auto- view camera, lights, 18 inch @phukets.info |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| (heading) matic gearbox. For sale at wheels, all color-coded and 350,000 baht or nearest of- updated to 2001 specification. LUXURY LIMO fer. Please contact K. Pu or K. Maintained by Land Rover. A |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| ’98 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.0i Lak. Tel: 076-288971, 01- superb example of the world’s automatic. Immaculate condi- 9786713. Fax: 076-383803. most versatile vehicle. 1.2 tion. Urgent sale for only Email: [email protected] million baht. Tel: 07-8867360. |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| 295,000 baht. Tel: 06- Email: [email protected] 6825986. Email: gif_anchana TOYOTA CORONA @hotmail.com 2.0 GLi. Well maintained with CHEROKEE FOR SALE |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| reasonable price at 150,000 In very good condition, 4.0L, HONDA ACCORD baht. 2-liter, year 1993. Test automatic, dark red, with 125,000 baht. Year 1988, in drive is welcome. For more black leather seats and CD very good condition. Auto- info. Tel: 04-0539700. Email: player. Asking only 333,000 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| matic, aircon, power steering, [email protected] baht. Call for full details. Tel: electric windows, stereo, 01-2712825. sports wheels, central locking, etc. Metallic dark blue. Email: 1998 OPEL ASTRA PAJERO 3.5 GDi |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| [email protected] 95,000km, metallic silver, Year 2003, automatic, 4WD, first owner. 350,000 baht silver. Only 47,000km and in Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 80 baht, HONDA CRV or nearest offer. Please con- great condition. Price: 2 mil- with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. Automatic; black; leather. Main- tact for details. Tel: 01-893- lion baht. Please contact for tenance book; no accidents. 7348. Email: frank_mcdiver more information. Tel: 01- All advertising must be paid for in advance. May 2002, Price: 770,000 @hotmail.com 7972004. Email: daniel@ Deadline for Wheels & Motors page: Saturday 12 noon. baht. Tel: 07-2651390. letsgocharter.com 40 PHUKET GAZETTE July 9 - 15, 2005