Bangkok Resurrects Casino Plan

Volume 12 Issue 38 News Desk - Tel: 076-236555 September 17 - 23, 2005 Daily news at www.phuketgazette.net 20 Baht

The Gazette is published in association with Bangkok resurrects casino plan IN THIS ISSUE BANGKOK (The Nation): The government has revived its plan NEWS: Rise in tax on spirits to introduce casinos to Thailand beginning to be felt; Don’t for- as a way to boost the sagging get us – Phi Phi. tourism industry amid increased Pages 2, 3 & 6 competition from rival Asian des- INSIDE STORY: Calling the tinations, the Minister of Tourism shots. Pages 4 & 5 and Sports, Pracha Maleenont, said on September 8. AROUND THE ISLAND: Glock, K. Pracha said the “one SWAT & barrel. Page 8 region one casino” initiative was AROUND THE REGION: Cast proposed in response to the open- away on Samui. Page 9 ing of Hong Kong Disneyland this month and the expected PEOPLE: Forza Ferrari with opening of two casinos in Chief F1 Designer Rory Singapore in the next few years. Byrne; Weddings: tying the “Thailand needs a new knot. Pages 10 & 11 Wildflowers grow where there should be water in the Bang Wad Reservoir. Unless there is heavy rain soon, and plenty of it, even the puddle in the middle will disappear. tourism magnet to lure more in- LIFESTYLE: It’s that time again. ternational tourists and local trav- Criminally good Ear Candy. elers,” he said. Pages 12 & 13 The Disneyland theme park is expected to divert potential AFTER DARK: A splendid travelers to Hong Kong, especial- Punky Reggae Party. Reservoir down ly travelers from China, one of Page 15 the Tourism Authority of Thai- SPA MAGIC: Body & Mind. land’s main targets. Page 18 K. Pracha said Prime Min- ister Thaksin Shinawatra had FIRST PERSON: A bitter pill for assigned the Government Lottery Thailand. Page 23 to last few drops Office to conduct a feasibility BUSINESS: Hotels “back on By Ananya Hongsa-ngiam, zette that two of the four lagoons as the Tourism Authority of study that should be completed track”; Money Talks.Page 25 Anongnat Sartpisut the city normally relies upon are Thailand’s “mega-fam trips” for by the end of this year. & Alasdair Forbes also low on water. One, on Soi thousands of foreign tour agents, The government wants to SPORT: Laguna Triathlon pre- Paniang, just to the northeast of were taking place at the time – build at least four casinos in the view; Surfing; Basketball. KATHU: The water level in Phuket City, is at 25% of capa- and rain was definitely not re- Kingdom, he said, one each in Pages 26 & 27 Phuket’s sole public reservoir, the city. Another, in Suan Luang quired. four of Thailand’s six regions. PROPERTY: Home of the Bang Wad Reservoir, is down to Park, on Chao Fa Rd, is down to Sometimes the pilots did Two of the casinos would be lo- Week in Rawai; Decor: just 400,000 cubic meters and just 10% of capacity. succeed in producing rain, but it cated in existing tourism hotspots Splashing out when feeling falling – lower than at this time Attempts by the Royal fell on Phang Nga instead of such as Phuket or Pattaya, and flush; Construction: Tara! of year in any of the past 21 Rainmaking Project to seed Phuket. In the end, the amount two would be built in less popu- Gardening: When any dream years. Water officials blame the clouds and produce rain have had of water they were able to add lar locations. will do. Pages 30-33 shortage of rain. little success. to the reservoir totaled just “If we want more tourism Phuket Irrigation Office Since August 20, pilots from 81,000 cubic meters, an amount income we must start putting this PLUS (PIO) Project Director Watchara the project have been flying mis- K. Thanatsanee described as in- thing on our tourism map. The Arepornsiri has warned that if sions over Phuket in an effort to significant. casinos will also help the econ- QUEER N EWS 6; AROUND THE NA- there is not enough rain by the get the clouds to shed their The rainmakers will, how- omy to recover,” K. Pracha said. TION 7; HAPPENINGS 14; WINE, end of September or early Octo- bounty, said Thanatsanee Sawat- ever, keep trying until November PM Thaksin first unveiled PHUKET DIARY 16; MOTORING ber, the reservoir will effectively dirak, Chief of the Phuket Pro- if necessary. his casino plan a year ago, but 17; HOROSCOPES 11; OUTSIDE IN be empty and Phuket will have vincial Agriculture and Coopera- In a normal year the PIO he was strongly criticized by de- 13; BOOKS 19; PATTAYA, HORO- to rely entirely on supplies from tives Office. is contracted to supply – from its vout Buddhists who said the ca- SCOPES 20; DOVEN, THE TIME privately-owned tin lagoons. Part of the time they have Bang Wad Reservoir – 2 million sinos would promote gambling MACHINE 21; LETTERS 22; COM- But even the tin lagoons are been unable to fly because of cubic meters of water to Phuket and spark social problems. In PUTERS, ON THE MOVE 24; TAKE running low. Sawong Sri-In, di- strong winds. In other cases, the City Municipality and 4 million to Phuket, the plan appeared to be A BREAK 28 & 29; CLASSIFIEDS rector of Phuket City Municipal planes were grounded because the Phuket Provincial Water Sup- opposed by most local people. 34-43. Water Department, told the Ga- tourism-boosting activities, such Continued on page 2 Editorial: page 22 2 PHUKET GAZETTE NEWS September 17 - 23, 2005

The water level in Bang Wad Reservoir on September 1 was the lowest it had been at that date in 22 years Rise in spirits

8 tax begins to 7 6 5 hit shop shelves 4 By Anongnat Sartpisut by data listed on a United Na- 3 tions website which showed Thai- PHUKET: The Excise Depart- land ranking fifth in the world in 2 ment’s tax increase on distilled terms of per capita alcohol con- spirits, which went into effect sumption, behind South Korea, the Million cubic meters 1 September 6, is gradually being Bahamas, Taiwan and Bermuda. 0 Source : Phuket Irrigation Office reflected on store shelves across At Tesco-Lotus, the new the island as retailers replace old tax formula has already resulted 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 stock with new. in price increases to several prod- Year (September 1) The increase, which osten- ucts, for example: sibly has the twofold goal of cut- Starnovitch Vodka: 225 baht ting down on alcohol consump- to 232 baht; Malibu white rum: Bang Wad reservoir tion and boosting government rev- 739 baht to 759 baht; Clan Mac- 6.97 enue, applies to all distilled alco- Gregor blended Scotch whisky: down to last drops Dwindling Reserves in hol products, including brandy, 279 baht to 283 baht; Camus co- 7 Bang Wad Reservoir From page 1 whisky, “special blends”, rum, gin gnac: 1,109 to 1,199 baht; Mar- and vodka. tell VSOP brandy: 1,199 baht to ply Department (PPWS), which 5.92 Levels recorded on first day 6 Distilled spirits are now sub- 1,269. is responsible for the southern of each month in 2005. ject to a tax of 40-50% of the Wichan Meesen, Manager half of the island apart from Phu- All figures in millions of market price, or 400 baht per li- of the Market Place supermar- ket City. cubic meters (mcm) ter of pure alcohol content – ket in Central Festival Phuket, 5 4.64 K. Wachara said that the The brown area is whichever is higher. Formerly the said he did not believe the in- PPWS had used an average of ‘dead’ storage – tax was 35-50% based on mar- crease would have much effect 10,000 cubic meters a day from ket price or 240 baht per liter of on buying patterns. 4 water that cannot be the reservoir, which was within used. The Bang Wad pure alcohol content. “Even if they raised it to 500 its quota. The city, however, had 3.15 Reservoir has a dead The tax rise does not apply baht per liter of pure alcohol, I used 3.3 million cubic meters up storage volume of to beer and wine. think most of our customers to the beginning of September 3 0.27 mcm The announcement came would still have the spending and had therefore been cut off. after the recent Cabinet meeting power to continue buying what K. Wachara complained 1.97 in Phang Nga and was prompted they want.

that neither organization was Million cubic meters 2 making full use of resources. 1.32 “They just keep using water from Ticket scam suspect gets bail the dam. We warned them four 1 0.78 0.77 months ago of the possibility of a 0.49 PATONG: British national Jona- It is alleged that he bought water shortage, but they have than Duncan, charged with sell- them by fraudulently using other done nothing.” 0 ing fraudulently obtained air tick- people’s credit cards. Meanwhile, the Municipal- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep ets to tourists, has been released When the card owners dis- ity, which warned at the end of Source : Phuket Irrigation Office on bail of 50,000 baht after covered the fraudulent charges, March that it might have to be- pumped from the Anuphas tin- cise Office Lagoon. Sayan Wari- spending five days locked up fol- they ordered that the payments gin rationing supplies, has yet to mine lagoon in Kathu, which still aroonrot, Manager of the PPWS, lowing his arrest. be stopped, and the airlines there- do so, although water pressure holds some 40% of its capacity, said that supplies from these are Duncan, 24, was arrested fore invalidated the tickets. has been reduced since May 1, or about 5 million cubic meters. sufficient for now, but that the August 30 on charges of fraud, The offense of fraud car- K. Sawong said. Apart from Bang Wad, the PPWS is now being helped by following complaints by people ries a maximum punishment of He said that the city is now PPWS draws water from Loch the central government to find who had bought cheap air tickets three years in jail. being supplied with water mostly Palm and from the Phuket Ex- additional sources. from him. Pol Lt Col Boonlert On- klang of Kathu Police Station said that the police investigation Passport ‘clinic’ for Surat Thani is continuing as more victims of Duncan’s alleged scamming SURAT THANI: The passport pointment by calling the Surat come forward. division of the Department of Thani Provincial Office at Tel: He added, however, that Consular Affairs in the Ministry 077-272926. police will put their evidence be- of Foreign Affairs (MoF), will Officers of the Passport fore the court by the end of Sep- send officials to Surat Thani be- Division in Bangkok could not tember. – Anongnat Sartpisut tween September 19 and 26 to confirm to the Gazette whether allow Thai nationals to apply for a mobile passport services clinic passports or to extend or renew will be coming to Phuket in the Phuket FantaSea existing ones. near future – as has been the case Applications will be ac- in recent years. back in action cepted between 8:30 am to 3:30 Instead, they advised Thais pm in the Provincial Meeting Hall wanting passport services to look PHUKET: Phuket FantaSea will in Surat Thani Town. for announcements posted on the be open six days a week from Those interested in the pass- ministry website at www.mfa. October 1. The “ultimate night- port services may book an ap- go.th. time cultural theme park” at- tracted 3,000 to 6,000 visitors daily before last year’s tsunami, but opened only intermittently in the following months. In July it shut its doors two days a week in order to save costs. Sirikul Amaramorn, Fanta- Sea’s Public Relations Director, told the Gazette that a significant drop in the number of tourists had forced FantaSea to reduce its opening hours, but, by doing so, it had managed to retain its 1,100 employees. September 17 - 23, 2005 NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 3 Phuket Air cuts routes after crash BANGKOK (Gazette, Nation): A Phuket Air plane from Bang- kok skidded off the runway at Tak Airport shortly after 9 am on Sep- tember 11, during landing. None of the 30 passengers on board was injured. The decades-old Japanese YS-11 twin-turboprop aircraft, which can carry 64 passengers, barreled into the airport’s perimeter fence, damaging the star- board wing and propeller. The airline has now withdrawn its four Nose-down in a ditch: the Phuket Air YS-11 commuter plane after the accident at Tak Airport. Photo: The Nation YS-11s from service and can- celed two domestic routes. Capt Chawanit Chiamcha- roenvut, Executive Vice-Presi- dent of Phuket Air, said, “The rain Don’t forget us: Phi Phi might have affected the plane’s braking system. By Sangkhae Leelanapaporn private companies, which were “The aircraft stopped 10 considerably more expensive. meters farther from where it PHI PHI ISLANDS: Phankam In the government’s de- should have stopped.” Kitithorakul, the Chairman of the fense, Suwalai Pinpradab, Direc- But one passenger told a Ao Nang Tambon Administration tor of Tourism Authority of Thai- different version of events: “The Organization (OrBorTor), which land (TAT) Phuket office, told the plane should have touched down is responsible for the Phi Phi Is- Gazette, “They [the Cabinet] are at the beginning of the runway lands, has called for greater gov- still waiting for the new redevel- rather than around the middle,” ernment support, saying the is- opment plans, just as Patong and Senator Udon Tantisunthorn, lands are being overlooked. Kamala Beaches are.” who was aboard the flight, said. K. Phankam said that eight She agreed, however, that Capt Chawanit denied re- months after the tsunami the cen- the islands are open for business. ports that the licenses of the two tral government had still to help “Many hotels and guesthouses pilots involved have been sus- boost tourism to the islands. “It A recent picture of the current state of part of Phi Phi Don Island. have been repaired and are ready pended as a result of a Depart- seems that everyone has forgot- number of day trippers for this (OSAASTP), under the Ministry to receive tourists. I think there ment of Aviation inquiry. ten Phi Phi; they are focusing time of year. of Natural Resources and Envi- are more than 1,000 rooms avail- “The pilots are expected to only on Khao Lak and Phuket,” “The government is taking ronment, will rebuild Phi Phi.” able there now. I have just been remain flying until after the inves- he said. too long to choose which organi- He said the OSAASTP will there and it is more beautiful than tigation process is complete,” he “We have many rooms zation will rebuild Phi Phi, and be responsible for maintaining and before, especially at Maya Bay,” told the Gazette. available on Phi Phi for tourists now it is as if we are still at the improving main infrastructure on K. Suwalai said. But he also confirmed that who want to travel here, espe- very first step,” he added. the islands, including supplying She added that the TAT was none of the carrier’s YS-11 air- cially [on the hillside to the east However, K. Phankam did electricity and freshwater, and promoting the islands abroad. craft is now in use, and also said of Ton Sai Bay], which suffered concede that since the tsunami installing footpaths. “Many tourists from Australia Phuket Air has “finally decided little damage from the tsunami. some progress had been made: However, he complained and the Middle East are visiting to cancel Bangkok-Mae Sot and “Many people think that all “At the Cabinet meeting in Khao that this move was long overdue, there now. Bangkok-Buri Ram operations of Phi Phi was damaged, but it Lak [September 5-6] they de- and that the decision came only “I think that in the coming from September 12,” citing finan- was not,” K. Phankam said, add- cided that the Organization for after residents had pressed the high season the number of tour- cial losses. ing that the islands were currently Specific Areas Administration for central government for years to ists there will be about 90% of Phuket Air also has three attracting about half the usual Sustainable Tourism Promotion provide such services instead of last year’s figure.” Boeing 737s and six 747s. Singers sought after tourist ‘rape’ PATONG: Two Thai singers are that morning at the residence of up the hill behind the pub “to get being sought on charges of sexu- the accused on Sirirat Rd. something”. An hour later, Anna ally assaulting a young Dutch Lt Weerapong said that returned to the bar without her tourist on September 10. Anna and her sister Linda, 25, told shoes, with a black eye and blood Pol Lt Weerapong Rakhito the police that they had come to on her legs. of Kathu Police Station said that, Phuket on vacation. Linda told the police that Pla at 3:30 am on Saturday, Patong Linda said that they went to had forced Anna into his room Hospital reported that two female Sera Hut pub at Patong Hill, and allegedly raped her. tourists, one apparently the vic- where Anna and a male singer Afterwards, Linda said, as tim of a sexual assault, had ar- identified only by the name of Anna escaped from Pla’s room rived by tuk-tuk. “Pla” were on friendly terms. clutching her clothes, another Eighteen-year-old “Anna” Linda told police that after singer from Pla’s band allegedly [not her real name] told police she the pub closed, Pla persuaded grabbed her. had been attacked twice earlier Anna to go with him to his room When Anna resisted, the second man allegedly punched her in the stomach and the face, A large turnout has welcomed the 2005 Phuket Vegetarian Festival’s and then raped her. main invited guest, the Mazhofu Anna was discharged from statue – otherwise known as the Ruby the hospital after treatment. Goddess – at Navamindra Memorial Lt Weerapong added that Square. Devotees believe that Maz- Anna had digital photos of both hofu protects followers from the the alleged attackers. dangers of the sea. The Mazhofu The two suspects face replica was brought to Phuket in charges of rape, punishable by association with the Taiwan Taoism imprisonment between four and Association, and will stay on the 20 years, and a fine of 8,000 baht island after the Vegetarian Festival, to 40,000 baht. which runs from October 3 to 11. – Anongnat Sartpisut 4 PHUKET GAZETTE INSIDE STORY September 17 - 23, 2005

For years they lay neglected outside Phuket City Police Station: two old bronze artillery pieces. Now they sit proudly atop new replica gun carriages, after being restored in a project that also unearthed fascinating details about the island’s past. The Gazette’s Anongnat Sartpisut and Stephen Fein investigate. A blast from ne of the first things “Developing the workplace visitors to the Phuket as something the police can be City Police Station no proud of is also a good way of Otice is the two old can- building morale,” he added. “It nons flanking the flagpole on the can serve as a reminder of the front lawn – and pointing towards officers’ duties and their oblig- the nearby Merlin Hotel. ations to society.” Guests at that hotel needn’t It was not until the station worry – the two recently restored received the 350,000-baht budget, artillery pieces are purely for mostly from private donations, show, as part of a 350,000-baht that it began to look for someone project initiated by Superinten- who could build replicas of the dent Pol Col Paween Pongsirint carriages originally used to to spruce up the grounds outside transport the two cannons. the station, which consistently Much of the money came ranks as among the best-equipped from major contributor Chin and well-run in southern Thailand. Anusathitporn, and another large The cannons are hardly amount came from funds left new to the station – but interest over from last year’s “Somdej in them is. For years they sat atop 76” project, which saw soil from ugly concrete slabs in front of the all 76 provinces mixed together building, neglected and covered at the base of a Buddha image in verdigris – the green patina that during a ceremony to show na- forms on bronze that has been tional solidarity for police efforts exposed to air or water for too in the restive Deep South. long. The Superintendent was quick to point out that all of the HISTORY donated funds were used prop- erly. Nobody at the station seemed to “None of the money found know how long the cannons had its way into people’s pockets. It been there, or where they had was donated in good faith by come from. Nobody seemed to people who placed their trust in 1970s, all the retired policeman remarkable, because this is City between 1769 and 1799. care much, either, until Col us – and we didn’t get any help could say about the cannons was clearly not what their makers in- Made of a bronze alloy consist- Paween turned his sights on from any other government agen- that they were a Royal Gift to the tended: the two barrels are ing of 87% copper and 13% tin, them. cies,” he said. province. clearly marked with the date and the guns were designed by EG “Phuket actually has a lot of Once the idea to restore the Intrigued, Col Paween then place of origin: “17 FRIDRICS- Meehlenburg, and belong to the cannons,” Col Paween told the cannons was set in motion, some asked Pol Maj Cherdpong Chup- WÆ RCK 68” and “17 FRID- “1766 weapon system”, also Gazette. “There are two at the obvious questions were raised: reecha to contact the Thalang RICSWÆ RCK 69” in order that known as the “Prince Carl of Provincial Court, two more in How old were they? Where did National Museum, which sent the year and place of their cast- Hessen System” after the head front of the police barracks, and they come from? How long have staff to inspect the guns on April ing should never be forgotten. of Danish artillery during that more in other locations.” they been in Phuket? More 1 last year. Col Poween was sur- That the guns could be so period. “Since not every police needed to be learned about the prised when they informed him accurately identified is largely They also bear the distinct- station is lucky enough to have guns, especially if they were to later that the cannons were not thanks to several Danes who ive “C7” monogram of their origi- cannons, I thought we should do have accurate carriage replicas only authentic, but that they had helped in the research effort. First nal owner, King Christian VII. something with them, rather than made for them. been cast at the famous Gjethuset there was the Danish-language Almost two meters long just let them sit there. Besides, I When Col Paween asked foundry in Frederiksværk City in website www.roennebech.dk, and weighing in at 275 kilograms am interested in history because former Superintendent Pol Maj Denmark in 1768 and 1769 re- which is a mine of information each, the cannons must have it can be a valuable guide for the Gen Kongpon Suwannarat, who spectively, a short time after the about Danish artillery pieces of been the weapons of mass des- present.” ran the station back in the mid- fall of Ayudhaya in 1767. that period. truction of their day. It is quite likely that the ar- Col Paween also gives big According to the Danish re- tillery pieces, now positively thanks to Phuket-based Dane searchers, when loaded with dated as being 236 and 237 years Henrik Darie, who provided and about 1.5 kilos of gunpowder they old, are the oldest man-made translated sections of the book were capable of propelling a 92- objects on the island. That their Dansk Artilleri i Napoleon- kilo grapeshot canister shell, or origins were unknown to anybody stiden. This scholarly text, writ- “kardesk”, up to 1,000 meters – in Phuket for so long is quite ten by Egon Eriksen og Ole L. perfect for thinning out enemy Frantzen and published in 1989, lines or firing on an opposing ship. was another important source of When in service, the can- information, especially the all-im- nons were well-attended, requir- portant scale drawings of the ing a team of four strong horses original gun carriages from dif- to pull each one and a crew of ferent perspectives. eight men to set up and fire. As Thanks to these useful we can now see from the car- sources, it was also learned that riage replica, the wheels were the cannon were just two of 208 large enough to allow them to be bronze cannons produced by transported over difficult terrain. Henrik Hornhaver at the Gjet- The quality of the colonial- huset foundry in Fredericksværk era workmanship is demonstrated September 17 - 23, 2005 INSIDE STORY PHUKET GAZETTE 5 the past

Col Paween oversaw the project to build replica carriages for the two Danish bronze cannons. Standing proud “First we contacted a specialist carriage crafts- up spotlights so the cannons could be seen at night. man in Ayudhaya, but he wanted 300,000 baht,” Sourcing the right wood was an effort in it- and on wheels Col Paween said. “We thought that was very ex- self. They eventually decided to use “Takien pensive. Also, the work would have been done Thong” wood, which they reckoned could with- up there and we wouldn’t have been able to over- stand the elements for 30 to 40 years. once again see it – so we passed on that offer.” “It wasn’t easy to find. Finally we learned Serendipity then prevailed in the form of Lop that the Ruamchoke Kah Mai woodshop had some One of the two cannons on its Buri native Chart Chalamthong, a woodworker and would sell it to us at cost because they renew wooden carriage – a far and mechanic, who came to the station to pay a membered that we once caught a thief who had cry from before when it was fine one day and saw the cannons. “I can build robbed the shop and that we were able to return encased in white-painted proper carriages for those,” he said. all of their money,” Col Paween said. concrete. The ‘C7’ monogram Other local craftsmen pitched in, including Work on the carriage replicas began in April, of the original owner, King K. Dang from Mook Pradit shop, K. Chuan who and the cannon finally went on display in front of Christian VII of Denmark, has built the platform, and an electrician who rigged the station on August 6. stood the test of time. in the fact that the guns still exist ent theory that sees the weapons at all. Many cannons of that era making their way here around the exploded in the faces of their turn of the 20th century – some crews, causing horrific casualties. 130 years after they were cast. Less certain than their ori- Based on records kept by gins is the question of when and Herbert Warington Smyth, who why the cannon ended up in served as Chief of the Bureau of Phuket, or if they were ever ac- Siam Mining from 1891 to 1896, tually used in battle here. the cannons were likely shipped One theory is that they were here by Andre du Plesis Rich- brought here from Ayudhya dur- elleu, a Dane who was in the ing the days of Thao Thep- employ of the Siamese Crown as krasatree and Thao Srisoonthorn. Director-General of the Royal Under this scenario, Phu- Thai Navy at the time. ket’s two beloved heroines might A report by the research- even have used them in defend- ers reads, in part: “Although ing the island against Burmese records available from that pe- slavers in the late 1700s and early riod are not decisively clear, it is 1800s. thought that the cannons probably Researchers at Thalang arrived here around 1900 to help National Museum, who registered put down a rebellion by ‘Ang Yee’ the cannons as national antiqui- Chinese.” ties under the care of the Phuket The Ang Yee were poor City Police Station last year, have Chinese immigrants who worked recently come up with a differ- the island’s tin mines. 6 PHUKET GAZETTE NEWS September 17 - 23, 2005 Queer News We Love Phuket! I’m not going out there SURIN: An 81-year-old woman has discovered that she has been carrying the body of her unborn son for 58 years. A doctor monitoring Soon Maithong’s case said the woman had experienced an extra-uterine pregnancy, in which the fetus grows outside the womb. The baby was found fully developed, suggesting that it had survived the full nine-month gestation period. Dr Siwamate Khaengphen- khae said he recommended that at this stage it would be risky for an octogenarian like K. Soon to Nuchnapha Thepsakul collects her prize of a day trip to Phang Nga with Sea In front of Chicago’s famed Water Tower, little Lilinette undergo an operation to remove Canoe Thailand from Jittraporn ‘Paulie’ Saejew of the Phuket Gazette Classified Hong shows that she and her mom and dad, who live in the fetus, which has effectively Ads Team. the city, are Phuket enthusiasts. become part of her body. K. Soon was admitted to the hospital on September 3 suf- fering from severe pains in her Old town set for seven-week festival stomach. Doctors first thought she had developed a large tumor, PHUKET CITY: Thalang Rd, Krabi Rd and Dibuk Rd will be but X-rays subsequently revealed transformed into a cultural medley showcasing local food stalls the fully developed foetus. and performances between 7 pm and 11 pm every Friday, K. Soon explained that she Saturday and Sunday from September 23 to November 6. had expected to give birth to the The “7 weeks of Phuket City’s Cultural Roads” fes- baby in 1947 when she was 23, tival will have shows from a variety of countries, Minister and that she had experienced four of Culture Uraiwan Thienthong announced. miscarriages before giving birth “Not only Southern Thai culture will be represented; there to her only daughter, Jua, four will also be performances from China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, years after becoming pregnant Iran, Portugal, the Netherlands and Britain,” she said. with the unborn child. Also among the festival’s events will be 48 traditional Her daughter said that K. Baba (Straits Chinese-style) weddings, and a photo studio with Soon believed that her failure to a backdrop of Sino-Portuguese architecture will be set up for deliver the baby boy was because anyone who wants a souvenir picture taken. of some kind of “evil spell”, and K. Uraiwan noted, “All local residents will be encour- that she had undergone two ex- aged to give their evaluation of the event so that it becomes a orcisms. Source: The Nation model for future cultural festivals.” Local performers sang songs to brighten the announcement of the festival. September 17 - 23, 2005 AROUND THE NATION PHUKET GAZETTE 7 Early closing of gas stations mooted he Ministry of Energy gamble in Poipet. The authority has proposed that Prime to issue border passes now rests Minister Thaksin with the Deputy Governor or an- TShinawatra order petrol other official acting on behalf of stations to close at 8 pm or 9 pm the Governor. as part of nationwide measures Bamrung Lawjaroenwat- to save energy, (instead of the ana-chai, chairman of the Sa current 10 pm). The plan also pro- Kaew Chamber of Commerce, poses that the Bangkok Metro- said the move could cost the jobs politan Administration designate of some 1,000 Thais employed by parking zones for taxis, and for Poipet casinos. new government cars to be able to use natural gas. Ridden roughshod: The fa- In addition, vehicles with ther of five-year-old Chuthaporn large engines would be subject to Paengthai, who is almost com- higher taxes, while natural-gas pletely paralyzed and only able to vehicles would enjoy lower taxes move her eyes and hands after a – an extension of the tiered sales road accident, is now being sued tax on cars introduced earlier this for 550,000 baht to cover her year. Also, monitoring cameras medical costs. would be installed along roads to Muang Loei Ram Co, Ltd, detect and punish drivers who which operates a private hospital speed above 100kmh. in Loei Town, has filed a lawsuit Meanwhile, Shell Co of against the girl’s father, K. Thailand, the local unit of Royal Rungnirand, demanding that he Dutch Shell, has asked Energy foot the bill for a brain operation Minister Viset Choopiban for as- and other medical treatment. sistance in coping with its losses The total cost of treatment from retail gas sales following was originally 650,000 baht, but recent surges in global prices. the pickup driver blamed for the Company chairman Tiraphot Officers inspect the wreckage of a Royal Thai Air Force Au-23 Peacemaker that crashed into the crash agreed to pay 100,000 baht Vajrabhaya told reporters he Gulf of Thailand near Prachuap Khiri Khan on September 6. The accident, in which Flying Officer in compensation. wanted the government to ask oil Pruisji Ampornrat was killed, is being investigated. Following the accident, in refineries to cut their profit mar- which the pickup ploughed into gins by as much as US$5 (205 Uamfa Banchuen conduct- tween 5,000 baht and 10,000 baht cause he specifically wanted to the motorbike on which Chutha- baht) a barrel by reducing whole- ed in-depth interviews with 12 a month because pimps de- be arrested, not because he had porn was riding pillion, her mother, sale prices, claiming that oil re- young male prostitutes aged be- manded commissions. illicit intentions as prescribed by K. Nam, stopped working so she tailers were losing 3.47 baht a li- tween 13 and 18 in her home anti-drugs laws. could care for her daughter full- ter on petrol sales and 40 satang town of Pattaya, as part of re- Unintentionally innocent: The defense presented time. The family of nine has since a liter on diesel sales. search for her master’s degree Panpat “Ton Lako” Na Songkhla, records that confirmed the sus- been solely dependent on K. “If the government doesn’t at the university’s Faculty of Edu- 23, has been acquitted by the pect’s troubled relationship with Rungnirand, who works a sea- help us, we may need to raise [re- cation last year. Criminal Court after a year-long his parents. sonal job at a rubber plantation, tail] prices sharply to cover our “The children approved of trial because the prosecution After the verdict, Judge making around 1,500 baht a losses,” he said. working as prostitutes. They failed to prove its case of narcot- Chumpol said his son had suf- month. Following Hurricane Kat- found nothing wrong with it and ics possession. fered from convulsions when he K. Nam said that in addi- rina’s devastation in the southern viewed prostitution as common- Pantap, son of Constitution was a young child. “My son is not tion to the 100,000 baht in com- US Gulf states, oil retailers have place,” her report said. Court Judge Chumpol Na Song- a drug addict and he should not pensation to the family, the pickup raised their prices each week by The teenagers said they khla, tried to get himself arrested have been prosecuted in the first driver also paid to fix the dam- 40 satang a liter, not enough to were happy with their work be- on purpose for possession of a place,” he said. aged motorcycle. catch up with the sharp rise in cause it enabled them to earn a single ya bah (methamphet- He added that ill-intentioned Yet he refused to cover the global oil prices. comfortable wage. They also amine) pill. The court heard that people might have wanted to pub- entire cost of medical treatment PTT raised its retail oil believed that the government he walked up to a policeman on licize his son’s plight in order to for the girl, even though he had prices 40 satang per liter for both should be more open to the ideas patrol in August last year and pre- discredit his position in the judi- promised to do so in a statement petrol and diesel on September 4, of prostitution and same-sex af- sented him with a tablet in the ciary. he made to police after the acci- after the other nine retailers fairs. hope that he would be arrested, dent. raised their prices the day before. “The children said they thus escaping personal problems Playing the odds: The au- sometimes responded to their at home. thority to issue border passes has Around the Nation news round- Toy boys: Young male prosti- own sexual needs when sleeping Prosecutors decided to been transferred from Aranya- up is sourced from the pages tutes in Pattaya find nothing with clients. They showed a pref- press charges, even though Pan- prathet District Officer Paktorn of The Nation and Kom Chad wrong with the flesh trade, which erence for foreign clients over pat had been acquitted of exactly Tianchai to Sa Kaew provincial Luek newspapers. allows them to earn enough for a locals,” the research said. the same thing in March, 2003, officials, possibly “cutting the comfortable lifestyle without hav- According to the report, the when the Thon Buri Criminal blood line” of the casinos across ing to work hard, according to teenagers between 16 and 18 Court threw the case out because the border in Cambodia’s Poipet. research by a graduate student years old earned about 20,000 he had surrendered to police. K. Paktorn said the decision from Srinakharintharawirot Uni- baht a month working in gay bars. The court said Pantap had was an attempt to prevent Thais versity. Younger prostitutes earned be- the tablet in his possession be- from crossing the border to 8 PHUKET GAZETTE AROUND THE ISLAND September 17 - 23, 2005 GLOCK, SWAT AND BARREL

By Anongnat Sartpisut & Andy Johnstone huket is undoubtedly a place where a person can live out his or her fan- Ptasies. That person may be a paunchy, middle-aged brick- layer – and not necessarily male – from Birmingham who buys a large motorcycle, dons a pair of leather chaps and becomes The Biker. Another may put a surfboard on the back of his or her pickup truck, and, although the board may never taste seawater, the owner becomes The Surfer Dude. To this list can now be added those with a penchant for police uniforms, specifically The SWAT Team Guys. SWAT, for anyone who is unsure, stands for Special Weap- Above: A local enthusiast admires the replica PSG-1 sniper rifle ons and Tactics. displayed in the shop. Originally, however, it stood Below: Don’t worry Mom, the kids are also catered for. Cute, huh? for Special Weapons Attack Team. The first SWAT unit was formed in the era of the Summer of Love in – where else? – the hippy habitat of California. Obviously such a belligerent title became out of place in the ’70s, hence the name change, with an emphasis on tactics. SWAT seemed to catch the public imagination, and spawned Above, Lt Wanchana and his S.W.A.T., a TV series, in the mid- closest comrade in arms (who pre- ’70s, that begat a rather unimagi- ferred not to be named) feature in native film a couple of years ago. this special poster in the shop. Between these, in the 1980s, there was a Hanna-Barbera car- Right: Just the thing for your toon series called SWAT Kats. average paranoid Patong night Memorable? Obviously for some, out. In an emergency it will also as it has its own website. hold lots of beer. But now any Tom, Dick or Harry can toddle along to SWAT stands for Personal Armor Sys- All of this is rather tion visited Thailand for the 2003 Home, one of the island’s more tem for Ground Troops, the hel- bizarre, of course, given APEC meeting – is not one to specialized boutiques, and deck met being just part of the System. the recent nationwide agonize over bogged-down gov- themselves out in the full regalia, The PASGT helmet is com- Pol Lt Wanchana Fonpalangkul, crackdown on firearms that, in ernment projects. in colors ranging from DPM monly referred to as the “Fritz”, Chief of Operations of the Phuket Phuket, resulted in a few gre- He said, “I have really loved (Disruptive Pattern Material) to for its resemblance to the one Provincial Special Police Unit, nades, some old bullets and a pair SWAT teams since I was young. several shades of black, includ- worn by the runners-up in World and his father-in-law, Kantaphon of 1819 flintlock dueling pistols This shop has a lot of products ing Henry Ford, Hole of Calcutta War II, and is credited with be- Suchasanti. being handed in. that I like and that I hope will be and Property Developers’ Soul. ing able to stop the 7.62 x 39mm Pride of place in the shop is Of course, Phuket is still popular with other enthusiasts.” Ballistic and tactical vests round fired by the terrorist’s given to a replica of Heckler and waiting for the much-needed He and K. Kantaphon said for 8,000 baht, torches for 4,300 weapon of choice, the AK-47. Koch’s superlative PSG-1. A real firearms repository to be built that one reason they opened the baht, holsters as well as a range (Problem is, the AK-74, PSG-1 (Präzisions-Scharfschüt- somewhere near the Tah Chat shop was to provide a meeting of Smith & Wesson knives, Hi- which was introduced in 1974, zen-Gewehr or Precision Sniper Chai vehicle checkpoint, the idea place for others who like looking Tech Magnum boots and even a fires a smaller, although lighter, Rifle) costs a cool US$10,000 being that out-of-towners can at and for weapons, and discuss- SWAT PASGT can be bought caliber slug at a higher velocity. (400,000 baht), though the replica drive all the way to Phuket with ing them. there. Yikes.) is considerably cheaper. their firearms, leave them safe Lt Wanchana said, how- Wait a minute, PASGT? The SWAT Home shop The PSG-1 replica is not for and snug in an arsenal before ever, that most of the customers Yes, another acronym. This one opened last month and is run by sale, but the shop does sell other having a happy and firearm-free are simply looking for durable and guns, admittedly air weapons. holiday. practical boots and trousers for There is, for example, a replica But Lt Wanchana – who “sporting purposes”. Glock 17 with the natty addition had the honor of being part of the “We don’t have many items of a tactical laser sight slung un- close protection detail assigned to of apparel in foreigners’ sizes at der the barrel. Cats simply love guard Vladimir Putin when the the moment,” explained K. Kan- chasing the little red dot. President of the Russian Federa- taphon, “but we’re happy to order clothing and boots in sizes larger than for the average Thai person.” But that’s all we are going to tell you. If we told you any more, we’d probably have to kill you.

SWAT Home, 2/6 Chumporn Rd, Tambon Talad Yai, Muang, Phuket, 83000. Tel: 076-323- 630-2 or 06-5394004, or Email: [email protected] September 17 - 23, 2005 AROUND THE REGION PHUKET GAZETTE 9

FROM THE GULF OF THAILAND

By Commander Sammy Swan

ritish citizen Irene Ferdy, 55, fell ill while visiting Samui last B year. The landlord at her bungalow resort took her to the Samui Public Hospital, where she was given emergency treatment for liver problems, breath- Drug-fueled event or a boost to the Thai tourism industry? It’s the latter: the monthly Full Moon Party on Koh Pha-ngan is saved. ing difficulties and symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s Dis- ease. Fourteen months later, Irene is still there – and she wants to go home. Woman abandoned in Samui hospital Hospital staff say her son visited Irene shortly after her cluded creating entertainment Out with drought: The Surat Teenage convicts: Surat 90% of teenagers who attend the treatment began, and asked the zones and introducing protected Thani Provincial Waterworks Thani Prison has more teenage school show an improvement in doctors and nurses to take care environment areas on the island. Authority recently received a inmates than any other provincial both attitude and life skills. of her while he went home to “Local business people budget of 905 million baht in gov- jail. Most of them have been in- They also leave the facility raise the funds to take her back have worked hard for many years ernment money to spend on carcerated for underage drinking, with a greater sense of commu- to the UK. to promote this island internation- projects to ensure that Samui, Koh illegal drug use or fighting. nity spirit. Several months then passed ally,” he said. “That work cannot Pha-ngan and Koh Tao do not ex- Preeda Ilasuwan, Director K. Preeda added that al- before he contacted his mother be destroyed by a single opinion. perience water shortages. of Surat Thani Prison, says that though the school is proving ef- again, telephoning on her 55th The world has changed, and we Five projects are planned the government’s War on Drugs fective, better family care would birthday eight months ago to have to understand this and come for the three islands, with 300 campaign is committed to solv- significantly reduce the number promise he would be back soon. up with ideas that suit the situa- million baht of the budget ear- ing the teenage problem in Surat of inmates in the Surat Thani jail. Since then there has been no con- tion. The Full Moon Party is a marked for Samui. The largest Thani. tact from him, so the hospital staff truly international gathering that slice, 420 million baht, has been Wayward teenagers are Cdr Swan is a writer with Koh got in touch with the British Em- greatly benefits not only these is- allocated to Koh Pha-ngan, now being sent to Vivathpol- Samui’s community magazine. bassy which provided the family lands, but Thailand as a whole.” which is currently experiencing a muang Army School, where they address but was unable to offer Piphit Ratanarak, of the drought – the islanders currently undergo intensive behavioral and any other assistance. Surat Thani Provincial Adminis- have access to the public supply discipline training. tration Organization (OrBorJor), for only short periods each day. Their attendance will help to PRESSURE echoed K. Janjok’s sentiments. The rest of the money will reduce the prison population, and He told the community maga- be allocated to Koh Tao. according to official statistics The cost of Irene’s treatment to zine that it would be difficult to date has now reached around 1.5 cancel something that has been million baht. Although the hospi- both popular and successful for tal director says that her care re- so long. He also suggested that mains a priority, he is under pres- the opinions and ideas of local sure to find the resources to pro- people should be considered be- vide Irene with the care she fore any changes are made as to needs. how the party is run. Irene is unable to feed her- K. Piphit’s comments were self or get out of bed, and she is based largely on the Full Moon prone to bouts of delirium, spend- Party’s reputation as a drug-fu- ing much of the time in a con- eled event and on reported dam- fused state. Nurses say she could age to the local environment. He live a long and happy life with the says local people are more sen- right support from her family, but sible than to allow such issues to they are so overstretched deal- dominate. ing with daily admissions that they “The people of Koh Pha- simply do not have the time to ngan know what’s best for their attend to her needs fully. island,” he said. “If the problems were as Full Moon Party to shine: serious as some people claim, Local officials say that recent re- they wouldn’t let the party go ports in the national press that the ahead. The financial benefits for government plans to end the Thai tourism are considerable monthly Full Moon Party on Koh here. We have to consider the Pha-ngan are “exaggerated”. issue carefully, and consult people Janjok Piriya Sathit, head of who rely on the party for their the Tourism Authority of Thailand income. on Koh Pha-ngan, said that com- “Closing the party down ments made by the Minister of would be like throwing a rock into the Interior after a visit to the a pool. It would send ripples party were simply among a num- throughout the Thai tourism in- ber of suggestions that also industry.” 10 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PEOPLE September 17 - 23, 2005

South African-born Rory Byrne has what many people would consider to be A Very Nice Job; he is the Happily Ever After Chief Designer for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, the Italian legend’s Recent weddings in Phuket Formula One racing team. The Gazette’s Andy Johnstone (left) managed to catch up with the Chinda Koomdet, a nursing assistant at Phuket Mission great designer before he left his Hospital, and Australian Phuket home and returned to the businessman John Harrison were Ferrari stable in Maranello to prepare for the Grand Prix married on August 22 in the Fortuna Pavilion Room of The of Belgium at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps – one Metropole hotel, Phuket City. of Mr Byrne’s favorite circuits.

ndy Johnstone: AJ: But you moved to the UK to You’ve been involved become professionally involved in in motorsport for motor racing around 1972, a more than 30 years. couple of years after your fellow AHad you planned it that way? countryman Jody Scheckter. Rory Byrne: Well, it was Why? not what I had in mind when I RB: Britain was – still is, in was at university – reading chem- fact – just the place for anyone istry and mathematics. After involved in motorsport to go. Six graduating, I was chief chemist of the top 10 F1 teams are based at Kolchem until 1968 although I there. had always had an interest in The UK has such a diver- motorsport. sity of motorsport, which is not We used to enter a Ford to say that Europe doesn’t, but in Anglia in races and were quite the UK, there is everything from successful. I was more interested karting to hillclimb, world-class in the mechanical side of things, rallying to touring car races and though. A few of us set up a spe- of course Formula Ford, Formula cialist motorsport equipment sup- 3000 [which replaced Formula 2 ply company, importing perfor- in 1984] and F1. mance parts. The country is still a magnet for motor racing, and these AJ: The Ford Anglia again. Ian disciplines are still the proving Irene Hong and Tony Squillace from Mitchell, who lives here and com- ground for successful F1 drivers, Australia were married at Le Royal petes in endurance car racing, although I don’t think that a For- Meridien Phuket Yacht Club on began with an Anglia. What was mula Two or a 3000 champion August 20. it about them? ever won the Formula One RB: They were tough little Championship. cars and although slow by today’s standards, with their 997cc en- AJ: You were designing racing gine and four-speed gearbox, cars by this time. were quite quick back then, even RB: Drawing on my knowl- Monica Maneekam from in unmodified form. edge as a mathematician I be- Ayudhaya and Steve Watts Another advantage to rac- came chief designer for Royale from Australia were married in ing Anglias – in fact, all Fords – Formula Ford around 1973 or a simple ceremony at sunset on was that Ford was very keen to ’74. Surin Beach on August 20. offer support in the way of parts, And then in 1977, I met Ted for example. I suppose that rac- Toleman, the owner of Toleman ing road cars has always been one F2 team, and joined his team as More than 3,000 classified ads! of the best advertisements for a designer. We did quite well for GAZETTE ONLINE manufacturer. the next few seasons – coming at www.phuketgazette.net And of course I would visit second in the 1980 F2 champion- Thailand’s LARGEST Kyalami, the venue for so many ships – and made the switch to classified marketplace! great Grand Prix. F1 in the 1981 season, running the September 17 - 23, 2005 PHUKET PEOPLE PHUKET GAZETTE 11

AJ: And the circle completed, in some ways… RB: I agree. Jody [Scheck- ter], also from South Africa was, GOING FOR A BIT in 1979, the last Ferrari driver to win the Drivers’ Championship before Michael, although Ferrari took the 1982 and ’83 Construc- tors Championships.

AJ: So what has happened to OF A BYRNE-UP Scuderia Ferrari in the 2005 season? RB: We have been off the pace, that’s true, although we are currently third in the constructors’ ranking and Michael is third in the drivers’. For a number of reasons, the FIA [Fédération Internation- ale de l’Automobile] changed the regulations for the F1 2005 season. Changes include a requirement that cars must now run an engine for two Grand Prix races, which of course means that the engine must last for twice as far before being rebuilt. That works out at an average of 700 kilometers before a rebuild. And introduced for 2005 was the ruling that there can no longer be tire changes during races, and Ferrari is running on Bridgestones, whereas many other teams are on Michelin. We began the season still running, albeit with modifications, the Ferrari F2004, as we were still developing the F2005. The other teams have been doing very well. The regulations mean that Dream job: Rory Byrne, pictured outside the ‘office’ at Maranello, below, is head of the team that designed the fabulous red cars that all the teams must be more com- dominated Formula 1 from 2000 to 2004 and are still a major force today. – Photo by EPA/Gero Breloer. petitive and the cars must be more durable while reducing ov- TG181 I had designed. It Gerhard Berger’s win director of Benetton Formula, and erall speed, making F1 safer. took Toleman a couple at the 1986 Mexican Michael moved to Scuderia of seasons to begin win- Grand Prix. Ferrari in 1996, and although I AJ: You split your time between ning points, actually to- It was the first GP had retired, I joined them in 1997. Phuket and Maranello, and plan ward the end of the 1983 win for one of my de- to retire at the end of the 2006 season. signs, the first for the AJ: The following years were, season. What then? team and the first for to put it mildly, quite successful RB: We plan to build a AJ: That was just before Gerhard. Unforget- for Scuderia Ferrari. house here, and I might still do Toleman signed Ayrton table. RB: [laughs] You could say consulting work for Scuderia Senna from Formula 3? From this, the that. Michael won the Drivers’ Ferrari, and I enjoy scuba diving. RB: That’s right. team springboarded to Championships in the years 2000 I don’t think I’ll bring my Ayrton had to retire in his four more victories over to 2004 and we also won the [Ferrari] 430 over here, though; first F1 race, which was the next few seasons. Constructors Championships in the roads and the driving are just in his home country But I left Benetton for 1999 to 2004. too bad. [Brazil] but he came in a season, and returned sixth at Kyalami, wining to the team for the 1992 his first F1 point. He season, with Michael picked up another point Schumacher as No 1 at the Belgian Grand driver. Prix at the Circuit Zolder Photo courtesy of Ferrari. Michael won his and came in second at first Driver’s Champi- Monaco a few races later. friendly. He was private, very lik- onship in both 1994 and 1995 driv- able and compassionate. ing my design, and with teammate AJ: He was – and still is – a hero Johnny Herbert, they took the to many. What was he like? AJ: Toleman was bought by Constructors Championship for RB: Like so many of the Benetton in 1985, and you con- Benetton. great drivers, he was a different tinued to design Benetton For- Ross Brawn, the technical man on and off the track. While mula. What do you remember racing he was fiercely competi- about this period of F1? tive and utterly focused – he RB: For a start, we had would not give an inch – but off more money, more resources at the track, both with his teammates our disposal, but what really and other drivers, he was very stands out in my mind most is 12 PHUKET GAZETTE LIFESTYLE September 17 - 23, 2005 Timeless timekeepers – the classic Swiss watch By Anongnat Sartpisut fame as the original home of ho- The Williams Formula 1 lim- (Left to right): The Longines Evidenza, Tissot T-Touch and the Oris rology, and now Longines, Oris ited edition titanium watch by Williams Formula 1. (Below): Classic and graceful styling. here is one accessory and Tissot are brand names that, Oris is named after the BMW F1 that does more than combined with an impressive his- team. This handsome timepiece make you look good – tory and tradition, bring the Swiss costs 33,900 baht. Tthe wristwatch, without watch well into modern times. The standard Tissot T- which many of us would find it With so many models on Touch multi-function watch, hard to get to the airport (or, in- the market, it can be time-con- which is priced from 26,200 baht deed anywhere) on time. suming (sorry!) to browse through to 27,300 baht, even appeared in And although there are them all, so here is a special se- the recent movie Mr & Mrs many funky and chunky designs lection from the three famous Smith. to be had, the watch that just names. So impress your next hot keeps on ticking has got to be a The history of Longines date by arriving on time – with a Swiss classic – the likes of which goes back to 1832, but the sleek classic Swiss beauty on your arm have graced the wrists of Hum- Evidenza is an up-to-the-minute already. phrey Bogart (Longines), Gwyn- expression of elegance. eth Paltrow (Oris) and Michael Known as the “flat body” These watches and more are Owen (Tissot). watch, the Evidenza ranges in available at Central Festival Geneva and the Jura Moun- price from 100,000 baht to Phuket. For information, contains region brought Switzerland 244,000 baht. tact Tel: 076-291000. September 17 - 23, 2005 LIFESTYLE PHUKET GAZETTE 13 Da Crims reach for da sky EAR CANDY mooth as a freshly tai- free John Gotti.” Yes, that’s a ref- thing happening here baby or lored Shantung silk suit erence to Joe Pesci, the actor what?’” and as slick as a sea of famed for his portrayals of psy- But newer material, such as Soil – or a South Ameri- chotic mafiosi. Run Daddy Run and Swash- can cocaine baron – the Fun Glamorizing crime? bucklin’ In Brooklyn, are in- Lovin’ Criminals are the epitome Any such criticism should be stantly forgettable and actually of New York cool. directed toward a certain US sound dated. Bag of Hits: 15 Inter-glo- (where else?) TV company that There is, however, no dis- bal Chartstoppers is what could is currently screening a “reality” puting Huey’s brand of class and be the coolest cut of the year, Da show called Growing Up Gotti style. Keen-memoried readers Criminals’ greatest hits per- (you can also catch it on Star may recall his appearance in the formed by Huey and the boys World), about the late Dapper BBC Children In Need charity from their first faltering, penny- Don’s bling bling family. single, a cover of Lou Reed’s loafered steps with The Fun you, it is emblazoned across a Da Crims are nothing more Perfect Day. Lovin’ Criminal to their super- photo of an ample bosom. than a Vegas house band come Some 29 major performers, model swooshes of Bump and They sound misogynistic, good, a repeat joke that’s begun including Reed, each sang a with Big Night Out. violent and drug-crazed, but it’s to drag a bit, though in fairness, phrase or two from the song. Big Night Out – and those pure theater; their blend of Latino they have stayed funnier and Robert Cray sings, “I Andy Johnstone readers of a sensitive disposition rhythms, hip-hop, rock and blues cooler than most one-trick ponies. thought I was someone else, should look away now – deals is laden with satire and wit, and Bag Of Hits shows the someone good.” with the vacuity and hypocrisy of has its tongue very firmly stuck waning of the laughter and Huey, looking for all the Bag Of Hits is the perfect fashionistas who go straight from in its cheek. smoothness. world as if he has just double- title, as these aren’t all the great- sipping green tea to a line of Bo- Huey, Fast and Steve tackle Yet Scooby Snacks, about tapped somebody, follows this est, but when the lights are low livian marching powder: “Face drugs, homophobia, ambition and robbing a bank, still sounds as with a skeptical “Yeah.” and the, ahem, smoke is high – like a saint, sucking like a sinner. sex dreams in their music, and fresh, fantastic and festooned Some of the tracks may feel or when you are driving round in Cocaine makes you thinner. Co- even organized crime with The with four-letter words as it did on a little tired, but Korean Bodega a stolen Caddy en route to a speed- caine makes you thinner.” King Of New York, a rap about its release nine years ago. is as raucous as ever, Love Un- boat getaway – the Criminals will The boys are not what one the late John Gotti of the Gambino Witness: “I walked up to the limited is still a sexy piece of always be party favorites. could term politically correct; ever… syndicate. teller, I gave her the letter. She weirdness, and the opener The ery other word rhymes with “He losing his grip, man, like gave me the loot with puckered Fun Lovin’ Criminal still places Bag Of Hits: 15 Interglobal “duck” and the “Parental Advi- Pesci, he’d flip, And you talk to up lips and a wink that I found you firmly in a Brooklyn bar af- Chartstoppers The Fun Lovin’ sory: Explicit Content” sticker is his brother he says he always cute, and I said, ‘Baby, baby, ter hours, no matter where in the Criminals (Chrysalis 539954-2) firmly stuck to the cover. Mind planned this trip… La-di da-di, baby. Is this some karmic-chi love world you happen to be. 56 minutes 30 seconds. True jazz classics that snap, crackle and pop

he second selection for Another iconic figure, Mar- album is Marlene Dietrich, who such deserves a place in every this review is About ilyn Monroe, also features on enjoyed adulation from both Al- collection. Jazz IV Various Art- About Jazz IV. Although the song lied and Axis forces in World War ists, from Nova Rec- in question, My Heart My Be- II, with Cole Porter’s Easy To About Jazz IV Various Artists T longs To Daddy – younger read- Love. The charismatic German (Nova Records CW 682280) 59 ords. About Jazz I, II and III were good, but Nova has pulled ers may have heard ex-Spice Girl chanteuse huskily breathes her minutes 23 seconds. For more the stops out on this album, filling Geri Halliwell murder the song rendition, conjuring up images of information, contact Siriporn it with as good a collection of jazz recently or the frankly sinister ren- decadence and femmes fatales. Nurukkhe, Marketing Mgr, CD standards and related genres. dition by Marilyn Manson – from About Jazz IV is a timeless Warehouse Thailand, at Email: From Glenn Miller & His Let’s Make Love is not one of snapshot of a classic era, and as [email protected] Orchestra’s Moonlight Ser- position to the war in Vietnam led the best she recorded, she sounds enade to Perry Como singing As to her falling from favor in her as coquettish as ever. Time Goes By, this is an uplifting home country until the 1980s. As “My name is Lolita, and album that demonstrates true Ms Simone said, “Jazz is a white er… I’m not supposed to play… classics can be as alive today as term to define black people. My with boys! Moi?” she teases. when first recorded 60 or more music is black classical music.” Another female icon on this years ago. Those who want the crys- tal-clear sound of DDD record- ing can look elsewhere. Although the tracks have been remastered, some of them have more snap, crackle and pop than a bowl of Rice Krispies. They are all in glo- rious mono, too. But so what? This is all part of the attraction. Yes, Mr Waters, we do remember Vera Lynn, and “The Forces’ Sweetheart” delivers Over The Rainbow on this 18-track compilation. Dame Vera’s rendition remains a delight despite – or perhaps because of – the background noise, because that is how it would have been heard. It is an authentic, not a clinical, sound. One of the highlights is Nina Simone’s definitive and heart- wrenching 1959 version of I Loves You Porgy, from George and Ira Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, the first and perhaps only truly great American folk opera. This was to be Dr Nina’s only US Top 40 hit. A combina- tion of her strident outspokenness on civil rights issues and her op- 14 PHUKET GAZETTE HAPPENINGS September 17 - 23, 2005 This week

VESTED INTERESTS: Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Suwit Othong (left) received a bullet-proof vest and other protection equipment, from David Turner, Chief of the Force Protection Detachment (FPD) of the US Department of Defense, at a seminar on joint FPD and Royal Thai Police CENTRAL ONE: Phuket Vice-Governor Winai Buapradit cuts a cake as part of celebrations to coordination, held at the Patong Resort from August 22 to 26. mark the first anniversary of Central Festival Phuket on September 2. Special guests look on.

FUN CONSULTANTS: Herve Duprat (center in blue shirt) with Jean Pierre Verjus (2nd from right) and Andre Roucine (front row, 3rd from MEDI-CARE: Sauli Tulkki and Lars Tenerz of Radi Medical Systems (back row, to the right) pose for a right), owners of Le Consul nightclub, prepare to celebrate the Koh photo with the 78 students from seven schools in Pa Khlok to each of whom Radi donated 2,500 baht Samui venue’s recent grand opening with guests. for the children’s continuing education.

TAKING A PUNT: Members of the Phuket International Women’s Club, including the club’s President, Joan Watson (back row, 2nd from left), presented 100 POOLING TALENT: (back row, from left) Director of Sales Paul Desjoyaux and Managing euros each to five students as pocket money to spend in Ireland, where the Directors Pierre Louis Desjoyaux and Wongkarn Karnjananopinit present awards to the winners five will study for almost a year. The presentation took place at the Royal in the company’s Draw Me A Pool competition. Phuket City Hotel on August 29. September 17 - 23, 2005 ALMOST AFTER DARK PHUKET GAZETTE 15

eople motoring from The drinks are inexpensive and Kata to Nai Harn or the romantic sunset is free. vice versa are bound to P notice two adjoined we order another round and some roadside bars straddling the hill di- simple bites. Is this Love, Is this rectly above Kata Noi Beach. Love I am Feelin’ as I Stir it Up? They’re wooden affairs, (my drink, that is.) rather ad hoc, and bear all the Khun Jinda of the After markings of that most ubiquitous Beach bar says that her clientèle of nocturnal sights in Thailand – comprises 35% Thai and 65% the dreaded (in more ways than farang: after a stroll around the one) Reggae Bar. large bar I’d say that a fair slice Incredibly, Small View of that 65% is made up of bewil- Point and After Beach have been dered-looking visiting males taken up there in the clouds for seven up Kata Hill by ladies of a very and 10 years respectively, and are friendly persuasion indeed. something of an institution for The other farang contin- west coast folks as the places to gent consists of young, trendy and stop off for an early brew or five tanned people who all have one before carrying on to Sin City. thing in common: they just lurve We arrive at 5:30 pm and a cocktail at sunset. settle in for a beer at the left-hand HIGH AS A KITE As for us, we’re having a side bar, Small View Point. off my chinos I struggle to my feet As the sun hardware face fab time enjoying the breeze, the Punters sit in a long line on and have a look around. Reggae sinks into the westward to where chatter and the welcome the sea view side along wooden bar it most certainly is, with the ocean, hundreds of the orange disk is change from Bob Marley to benches. Silhouetted against the obligatory Jamaican-hued hand- feet below a gentle slipping into the Wyclef Jean, even though he’s evening sun, they gaze out at the painted surfboard sign, two swell laps up on the metal gray briny. growling No Woman No Cry – ocean, occasionally peeking down clunky guitars and a set of bon- beach, neon-lit You don’t get is there really no rest for the at the steep drop beneath their gos in the corner. fishing boats head many spectacles to wicked? – when all of a sud- feet. Oh, and there’s Bob Marley out to work, and rival Phuket’s den I take a look around and … With a ready-made hang- galore both here and next door, parallel to us a lone greatest free show everyone’s gone. over like that, it’s best to go easy so much so that after we finish brahminy kite rides – the sunset. on the Chang beer and to drink our beers we Get Up, Stand up the thermals on its This is the After Beach bar and Small View lots of water. for our Rights, asking ourselves way back to the real Phuket. No Point are one kilometer from There’s a distinct “couples” Could we be Loved. nest. After catastrophic con- Kata on the hill to Nai Harn and feel to the place, with lots of cud- At the After Beach bar I To the north, crete carbuncles, are open from 10 am until late, dling, giggling and whispering go- Shot the Sheriff on the way in but Koh Pu stands in DARK no schmaltzy shop- seven days a week. Prices at the ing on. Although when I try the there was No Woman Crying as the hazy distance by Sam Wilkinson ping malls, no two bars are 50-70 baht for romantic angle with my ti-rak I I Did not Kill the Deputy. like an overgrown sleazy signage, no beers, 140-160 baht for cock- get the “not-in-public” hiss and a It’s a far cry from the world tropical castle guarding Kata corny showbiz – just Mother tails and 60 baht a pop for fruit quick but merciless series of rab- of Dickens up here on Kata Hill, Beach, while in the bar all eyes Nature at her best, with a Carib- shakes. Small View Point Tel: bit punches to the kidneys. yet it would appear that Marley’s and roughly 500,000 baht worth bean twist. 01-3972329; After Beach Tel: After I’ve wiped the dust ghost is alive and well. of Samsung, Canon and Nikon The lights start to flip on as 01-8943750. 16 PHUKET GAZETTE GOOD LIVING September 17 - 23, 2005 Terroir-ists are missing the point hen used directly The etymology of terroir is Nevertheless, it is still true The “unknowability” of pertaining to wine, interesting. Even today one rarely that wines made from grapes wine is its great mystery, and is terroir is a French encounters the word in French W I N E grown in certain places can be also the reason why the more Wword that roughly dictionaries, and many French distinctive, so critics continue to people learn about wine the means, “The contribution of soil, people are unfamiliar with the argue over terroir’s role in ac- more they realize how little they climate and environment to the term. The earliest usage I can find counting for inherent quality. understand. Wine is unknowable unique taste of locally produced dates from the late 1940s. From I believe that the argument because everything matters. wine, as distinct from that pro- then until the 1970s, terroir re- should not be about the role of In some far distant time, duced elsewhere.” ferred exclusively to the quality terroir, but whether such a thing wine may ultimately prove to be This is my definition. of soil. Given that the French tra- as terroir actually exists. Having knowable, but not by the habitual There is no direct translation of ditionally used soil classifications worked in winemaking and stud- and unenlightened mind. terroir into Thai or English, al- as a way to rank wine quality, this ied wine most of my adult life, I The concept of terroir though any French usage will is understandable. know that the direction of wind misses this point entirely, and always refer to soil or land: think However, in the 1970s sci- in a vineyard and the types of in- therefore ultimately fails to terre (earth) or terrain (soil). entists began to demonstrate con- By Steven Roberto sect that waft through the air are honor the mystique of wine by Terroir and its relevance clusively that climate in a vine- important to a wine’s quality. trivializing it in a way that is quite to wine quality is the subject of yard and its soil’s ability to retain Seemingly inconsequential unintended. much debate among wine pro- rainfall had a greater effect on wind in a vineyard to the types of matters, such as how many leaves fessionals and critics. Some ar- wine quality than soil alone. Once insect that float through the air are on each shoot on a grapevine, Steven Roberto is a wine- gue that where a wine is made science had dispelled the notion there. have profound effects on wine maker and restaurant consult- is the most essential factor in its of soil alone determining wine Yet, after decades of further style and quality. Moreover, all ant from California. He is the quality; others claim it is the skill quality, the definition of terroir research there still is no conclu- these matters interact, and their Managing Director of enVis- of the winemaker or the indi- was gradually expanded to in- sive evidence that the chemical many possible outcomes are so ion Phuket, a Phuket-based viduality of the grape variety clude just about everything – composition of soil directly con- numerous as to be incomprehen- wine importer and consultant. that is paramount. from the compass direction of tributes to a wine’s quality. sible. Email: [email protected] PHUKET DIARY September 17: Annual Beach mutilation, bladed-ladder climbing Cleanup. IB CAS students from and fire walking. For information The British Curriculum Interna- contact TAT Region 4 Office at tional School are organizing their Tel: 076-212213 or 076-211036. annual beach cleanup to run in line with the worldwide “Clean up October 23: Phuket Interna- the World” day. If you would like tional Mountain Beach Mara- to join in, come down to Kamala thon. The Phuket International Beach on Saturday, September 17 Mountain Beach Marathon com- at 10 am, join in the fun, and help prises a full 42-kilometer mara- make Kamala clean again. For in- thon, as well as 21-km and 10.5- formation contact Claire Lester km mini-marathons and a 5-km at Tel: 076-238711 (ext 1601) or fun run/walk. All participants will at Email: [email protected] receive a T-shirt, a souvenir medal, free food and drinks, and October 3-11: Phuket Vegetar- the chance to enter free lucky ian Festival 2005. This year’s draws with air tickets, hotel-stay Vegetarian Festival, which begins vouchers, restaurants and bar with lantern-pole raising ceremo- vouchers, running gear and more nies at 13 shrines around the is- as prizes. The run starts in the land, will feature more than 1,000 early morning (4 am) from the mediums – 30 from Taiwan – Nong Harn at Karon and goes possessed by the spirits of nine along the beach road right up to Chinese deities. A copy of a Kata Noi Beach and Kata View- Mazhofu (Ruby Goddess) statue point. For further information con- is already on the island and can tact K. Jeerasak or K. Jaspal at be seen at Navamindra Memo- Tel: 076-333362, Email rial Square. The Vegetarian Fes- [email protected] or visit the tival also features acts of self- website at www.katakaron.com Coming soon: the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival is vibrant, colorful and downright astounding.

Looking for a job? www.phuketgazette.net September 17 - 23, 2005 MOTORING PHUKET GAZETTE 17 Goodwood Marches on BEHIND THE WHEEL By Jeff Heselwood he Earl of March – Charles to his friends – owns the sprawling T Goodwood Estate in southern England. Goodwood has a popular horse-racing track which holds around 22 highly profitable meetings a year; the historic Goodwood House, which is open to visitors and features many works of art and interesting antiques; and the new Rolls- Royce greenfield assembly plant, all within his vast 12,500-acre grounds. But it also has a fully restored race track, Goodwood Cir- cuit. Not just 50s clothing, but also Last used in anger back in personalities... the 60s (Stirling Moss had his career-ending accident at Good- ‘The circuit is wood in 1962), the circuit now hosts the Goodwood Revival dressed up like a meeting every September, where motor racing celebrities are en- huge film set, and couraged to adopt period dress and bring along a fine selection that includes the of historic race cars. competitors and

DREAM spectators.’ Classic aircraft also make a welcome appearance. The Revival meeting is the only Zealand’s Bruce McLaren died and his team go to great lengths about dressing up in period cos- the look-out for rubber-faced co- event that places motor racing there in a 1970 accident. to ensure everything is exactly as tume, but now almost everybody median Rowan Atkinson, who into a carefully choreographed These days, as well as at- it was, even to the extent of ban- is dressed in some 1950s cre- will be behind the wheel of a historical backdrop, and came tracting a superb array of motor ning modern vehicles within the ation.” Mercedes-Benz 300SE in the St about after the tremendous initial racing machines, the Revival circuit perimeter throughout the Stars expected at this Mary’s trophy race. success of the Goodwood Festi- meeting sees many famous faces weekend. year’s Revival include former Le As well as cars and classic val of Speed, generally held each from motorsport’s past, including Period vehicles – fire en- Mans winner Jackie Oliver, Sir bikes, aircraft make a welcome June, immediately after the Le John Surtees, Phil Hill and Derek gines, ambulances, even taxis – Stirling Moss, 1996 world cham- appearance at Goodwood during Mans 24-Hours. Bell, as well as more contempo- provide essential services, and pion Damon Hill, recent Indy the weekend. The first Revival was in rary racers such as David Coul- 1950s tractors tow passenger- Racing League winner Dario Nearby Tangmere was an 1998 and was described at the thard and Jacques Villeneuve. carrying trailers around the cir- Franchitti, Sir Jack Brabham, RAF airfield during World War time as “a dream come true” for Former motorcycle cham- cuit. Finland’s ‘60s rally star Rauno II, and visitors can also expect Charles March, whose grandfa- pion Wayne Gardner is also a fre- All the staff dress in 1940s Aaltonen, and former Grand Prix Spitfires, Hurricanes and P51 ther, the 9th Duke of Richmond, quent visitor. or ‘50s clothes, the band plays driver Gerhard Berger. Mustangs to be buzzing the cir- first opened the circuit at The Goodwood Revival is ‘50s music, and the food outlets Alan Jones, the 1980 Aus- cuit. Goodwood in 1948. more than just a series of races sell fish ‘n chips wrapped in re- tralian F1 world champion, is An event like the Good- The circuit was active until for historic racing cars, though: it prints of 1950s newspapers. down to drive a Ford Galaxie 500, wood Revival is one-of-a-kind, 1966, hosting such classic events is a step back in time and an op- “The Revival is theatre,” while diminutive French former and hopefully Charles March will as the Goodwood Nine Hours portunity for visitors to experi- says Charles March. “The circuit Formula 1 driver René Arnoux continue to run it every year. race and the celebrated Tourist ence the romance of motor rac- is dressed up like a huge film set, will drive an Alfa Romeo GTA. Trophy sports car challenge, al- ing as it used to be. and that includes the competitors Should be good viewing. Jeff Heselwood may be con- though it remained a testing venue The circuit is unchanged and spectators. At the inaugural Those spectators who are tacted by email at: jhc@ for some years afterwards. New from its heyday, and Lord March event people were not quite sure star-spotting will no doubt be on netvigator.com 18 PHUKET GAZETTE SPA MAGIC September 17 - 23, 2005 Mind over massage t’s not easy to run a successful spa business without a captive audience of hotel guests to bolster business but Body & Mind Day Spa has managed to do very well by building up its clientèle Ithrough good old-fashioned word of mouth and by making sure its service is of the highest quality. Body & Mind opened about a year ago in Phuket Heritage Plaza at Karon Beach, not far from the Karon Circle. It has proved to be every bit as popular as the spas at five-star Spa hotels, yet Body & Mind delivers the spa and MAGIC treatment goods at a fraction of its larger ri- By Sangkhae vals’ cost. Leelanapaporn Stepping inside, Body & Mind the decor is deceptively simple but a closer look reveals has fully trained therapists whose that a great deal of thought has skills are updated regularly. gone into making sure the spa is The products here are all color-coordinated and the textiles natural-based formulae made match perfectly. The furniture from local fruits, herbs and plants, and decor lend a warm feel to the all designed to help attain and place and the natural “woody” maintain a balanced, healthy skin. touch is cleverly exploited. In order to accommodate There are four treatment clients’ needs, the spa has re- spa’s owner, explained that al- Almost all of the rooms with eight beds, 10 Thai cently added more treatment though she has done no advertis- spa’s customers are tour- massage beds and 12 foot mas- rooms as well as a sauna, a steam ing, her business has grown be- ists or expatriates, with sage seats with 13 therapists room and a salon. cause of positive reports on the figures dividing equally available everyday. Body & Mind Araya Limpanudom, the grapevine. between Western and Asian tourists and, I must say, the place seemed busy during my visit. Body & Mind offers free transport for customers in Patong, Kata and Karon. The cost of spa treatment The last hour consisted of here starts from 400 baht for a facial therapy. I especially enjoy- foot massage to 3,450 baht for a ed the 20-minute face massage. top-end package. K. Thom is a naturally gifted K. Araya suggested I in- therapist; her two hands worked dulge in the “Secret Jasmine together like a machine and I Rice” package which takes three could tell that she was very ex- hours and costs 3,000 baht. The perienced at this. After the mas- package included a body scrub sage she applied a toner followed with organic jasmine rice, an by a milk powder mask for an- aromatherapy massage and a jas- other 15 minutes. mine rice extract facial. After five minutes, when The treatment room fea- the mask started to harden, my tured two beds and a bathroom cell phone rang and believe me, and was possibly the cleanest it’s extremely hard to hold a con- place on earth. Everything was versation in a face mask that’s spic and span and what wasn’t as hard as rock. being used was wrapped up However, after K. Thom safely in plastic. cleaned off the mask I could feel After I had taken a shower, that my skin was much softer K. Thom, my therapist for the than before. next three hours, applied a warm And it didn’t end there – she towel to my feet and went for the applied eye gel and a little make pressure points before she started up, which I appreciated as I didn’t the scrub treatment. feel “naked” going out into the And what a treatment! She sunshine, totally unprotected from used crushed rice for an hour to UV rays. scrub the whole of my body. The After finishing the whole delicate aroma of jasmine filled package I was served fresh or- the air and made me feel at one ange juice and fruit. with nature. After the scrub I took an- Body & Mind Day Spa opens other shower and yes, my skin every day from 11 am to 10 pm. was much softer and smelled of Call Tel: 076-398274 to book jasmine. I usually prefer a me- a session or transport. Website: dium-strength massage – other- www.body-mindspa.com. The wise I feel tired afterward – but spa also has a selection of pack- I was surprised at this one as the aged spa products that are ideal smell of jasmine along with a as souvenirs or gifts. 10-20% good massage made me feel to- discount on spa treatments un- tally relaxed for the entire hour. til October 31. September 17 - 23, 2005 FEATURES PHUKET GAZETTE 19

Bully for you/I’m all right, Jack: “[Name deleted] glistened with sweat and sea water as he went for a barefoot jog up the im- And a man Detecting a maculate white sand beach, where the tsunami has wiped away almost all signs of human- ity. ran into lame gumshoe “‘This whole area was lit- tered with commercialism,’ said he American detective autopsy and interviews the the 43-year-old from Maui, Ha- novel is a thing of victim’s addled aunt who’s been waii. ‘There were hundreds of the sea beauty with an honor- stashed away in a mental clinic. beach chairs out here. I prefer able tradition going The police are afraid publicity the sand.’ “The guy never caved in, T “The beauty of Thai beach- back to the 1930s West Coast, about the case will re-ignite the stubborn bastard (me included). with Dashiell Hammet’s Sam riots. es is the stuff of folklore: pristine, OUTSIDE I ended up leaving.”– http:// Spade and Raymond Chand- Rawlins is no friend of the clean and untouched. That was codinginparadise.org/weblog/ ler’s Philip Marlowe, and mov- police and does a good job of 10 or 20 years ago. More re- IN 2001_10_29_archive.html ing into the 1960s with John D making the reader feel what it cently, they have been swamped By Lis Kinswoman MacDonald’s Travis McGee in was like to be a black male in by development. Yes, I don’t want them: Being Florida and Robert B Parker’s the oppressive atmosphere af- “‘Everyone is talking about Oh dear. Lis Kinswoman extremely intelligent, even by his Spenser in Boston. ter the Watts riot: it. It looks much better now,’ he has to face up to it: there own modest admission, the writer MacDonald is my own “If everyone despises and said. “This looks a lot more like are some, how to say it? at travelersdigest.com/phuket particular favorite, his battered hates you, sees your features as Hawaii now, where vendors review.htp knows what he does hero living aboard a houseboat ugly and simian, makes jokes aren’t allowed on the beach.’” – focused people in the not want. Know what I mean? in Fort Lauderdale with various about your ways of talking, calls sayanythingblog.com/2005/01/08/ world. No? Then read on... lovers but always one constant you stupid and beneath con- Trouble is, they’re totally “The shopping [in Patong] friend – the eccentric economist tempt; if you have no history, no True grit: “Tsunami Report: is phenomenal. Even better deals Meyers aboard the houseboat heroes, and no future where a Tourists Return To Stench And focused on themselves. are made after a little bargaining. next door. Over two decades, hero might lead, then you might Sand” trumpets an archive head- Please sit down before The Thai people expect to be 1964-1984, the series ran for 21 begin to hate yourself, your face er at scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0501 reading these quotes bargained down and are quite novels and I happily and features, your /S00041.htm before going on to from the Internet as willing to except much less than read them all. parents, and even quote two brave, adventurous their first three or four asking Walter Mos- your child. It could souls defying deadly odds in the they’re mostly tsunami- prices. ley has his own he- all happen and you name of … whatever. related and liable to get “For an example, I asked ro, Ezekiel “Easy” would never even “You have to enjoy yourself you in a tizzy. As usual, about a pair of short pants. The Rawlins, a black know it. And then and life goes on,’” [name deleted], vendors price was exorbitant, WWII vet turned one hot summer’s 26, an engineer from Phoenix, Lis is quoting and not 1200 baht, around $30.00 US. I detective on the night you just erupt Arizona, said in an interview on embellishing. put the shorts down and starting mean streets of Off the and go burning and the sand. ‘About 10 minutes ago, walking away and he shouted, Los Angeles. Little shooting and no- Matt threw a Frisbee out that ‘OK, OK, I take 200 baht.’ The Scarlet (Little, body seems to Who’s the real butt-head?: SHELF way,’ he said, pointing a few feet “Later I headed into Patong to price fell off a cliff without me Brown and Com- know why.” away at the flat Andaman Sea return some pirated CDs of clip saying a word. From thirty dol- pany, New York, By James Eckardt But his com- meekly rolling onto the shore near art I bought. The CDs were crap, lars to under five dollars. 2004, 306pp) is the plaints about white his Frisbee partner. and there was nothing really on “I kept walking. I had no ninth of the series. I picked it racism and police brutality just “‘I went running out there, them. I spent about 500 baht for intention of buying anything from up on the strength of its first go on and on and on. They be- into it. I didn’t really think any- them, which is not a small amount a man so ready to not only take paragraph: come banal and repetitive and thing of it.’”– scoop.co.nz/stories/ of money for me. advantage of me as a tourist, but “The morning air still slow down the action of the HL0501/S00041.htm “The guy wouldn’t give me his obvious disregard for my in- smelled of smoke. Wood ash novel. my money back. I decided to be telligence.” mainly but there was also the With all the tireless edi- Warning: Yoga can be ex- decidedly non-Asian and make a Anyone know what “except acrid stench of burnt plastic and torializing, Rawlins doesn’t re- tremely dangerous: “It began scene; I am tired of the ‘No-Re- much less” means? Me? Apolo- paint. And even though I knew ally come to life, and neither as a beautiful sunny Sunday Box- turn Policy’ here in Thailand. gies; I’m far too dumb to grasp it couldn’t be true, I thought I does his diminutive criminal ing Day. We were at the café and “I told him I wouldn’t leave the wit of such a man of the caught a whiff of putrid flesh sidekick, Raymond “Mouse” my yoga students and I had just until he gave me my money back, world. He is being funny, isn’t he? from under the rubble across the Alexander. convened upstairs for our Sunday so I ended up standing and stay- street. The hardware store and Unlike MacDonald’s session. ing there for four hours, being as No brainer: On a last, rather sick Bernard’s Stationery Store McGee and Myers or Parker’s “Just as we were laying f king annoying as I could be. note, a blogger at right-thinking. were both com- Spenser and ** down our mats (about 10 am), my “I made noises, dropped com/index.php/weblog/completely gutted. The Hawke, there is no friend Q got a call from her boy- postcards on him, raised my voice, ments/9148/ (subtitled “Hey, at Gonzalez Market spark to their dialog, friend who had been on nearby and grabbed his newspaper when least it’s not Canada”) seems to had been looted but no comical banter Nai Hahn beach. he wasn’t listening to me. sum up the flippant American at- only a part of its roof between the two “She was obviously shocked “My mom was always good titude to foreign disasters, in this had been scorched. long-time friends. and in disbelief about what she at this sort of s t, making such case the Asian tsunami. The corner building, And finally, the ** was hearing him say. She said a stink that people would cave in “This just goes to show that however, Lucky plot is paper thin. ‘Get out of there!’ … So she left when they were being major butt- even a catastrophe is really only Dime Liquors, had Midway through the immediately and the rest of us heads like this guy. I do it very a minor setback when you have been burned to the novel we learn that continued with yoga, unaware of rarely, maybe every couple of the ability to shoot ping pong balls ground.” the white man is in- the severity of this ‘freak wave’. years, and am usually a nice guy, out of your vagina.” It is August, nocent and was, in “Soon the air was filled with but I can do this kind of thing Right thinking? No thinking, 1965, a day after the fact, in love with Walter Mosley sirens, screams, and fumes of sometimes. more like. Watts riots – four Nola Payne – and burning boat engines. I tried to nights of utter carnage that left that the real murderer is a se- stay focused on yoga but it was 35 dead and millions of dollars rial killer, a black street bum difficult amidst so much commo- gone up in smoke. The National with a grudge against black tion.” – activefreemedia.org/ Guard has been called in with women with white lovers. The people/jyll/archives/2004/12/ tanks and machine guns, and in novel plods along in random tan- index.php the aftermath of the riots, Watts gents until Rawlins finds the bad residents are stumbling about in guy. No surprises here, no sus- shock amid the ruins. pense – and a pat ending. The plot swiftly gets mov- Rawlins has a live-in girl- ing: the LA police approach friend, a Guyanese air hostess, Rawlins to investigate a par- and two adopted children. ticularly ticklish case: the mur- There are references to their der of one Nola Payne, a young past personal histories, presum- educated black woman by a ably depicted in the previous white man whom she had saved eight novels. from a beating after his car was They may be better than mobbed during the second night this one, but I just don’t have of the riots. Rawlins attends the the heart to find out. 20 PHUKET GAZETTE FEATURES September 17 - 23, 2005

f you’ve ever wondered what really Second Road I had this sudden craving happens to those clothes you used to for an icecream after I spotted a tall, pale- dump in the local church recycling bin skinned man wearing a yellow tank top Iback home under cover of darkness, GETTING and loud pink shorts. He looked like an I can tell you that most of them seem to advertisement for a Paddle-Pop. wind up on the backs of foreigners who Another man I know of gets around either live in or visit Thailand. on a motorbike, leaning forward over the I once saw a tall man, shoulders the handlebars to better see where he is go- size of cement trucks, sauntering down ing. He looks like, and rides like, the famed Sukhumvit Rd in Bangkok while dressed DRESSED cartoon character Mr Magoo as he peers in a bright yellow suit. Bright? Even the at the asphalt through his Coke-bottle sun itself was embarrassed. glasses. His crash helmet looks as if it’s I swear this is true, and from the been stolen from the bottom of a mine- quizzical looks this bloke was getting, I was shaft, and even comes with a little light not the only one who thought he resembled WITH THE affixed to the top. a giant canary. Mind you, he was also large enough TECHNICOLOR YAWN to make King Kong think twice about laughing out loud, so I wasn’t about to ques- High season always brings with it an in- tion his quirky fashion taste. flux of people from the countries that com- One of the fun things about looking LIGHTS OFF prised the former Soviet Union: Russia, at other people’s dress sense (an oxymo- Ukraine and most places ending in ‘stan’. ron here in the Land of Smiles) is that you surprised to see so many for- assassination committed in They are generally easily spotted. The can make a game of trying to determine eigners dressed as if they are Fun Town. males buy – and actually wear – the kind from what part of this wonderful and di- merchant bankers off to the His favorite was a man of garish gear (usually in shades of orange) verse planet they may hail from. office in New York’s Wall he dubbed “Rambo”. This normally associated with seven-day tour- Street. In places with a simi- guy was not only dressed in ists from North Asia. LEDER OF THE PACK lar climate, like Brisbane – the khaki camouflage fatigues, Mind you, coming from a climate capital of the Australian state he was also wearing combat where the median summer temperature is Although it is rare to see Germans – es- of Queensland – working boots and his motorbike hel- a shade above that of an ice block, I sup- pecially Bavarians – and Austrians stroll- people have adapted to their met was camouflaged. Still, pose there’s not a lot of call for board ing around in lederhosen, it may only be environment. FROM THE I suppose it was better than shorts and light cotton shirts. because this kind of leather gear is a little Instead of wearing trying to dress up as a latter- Therefore when they see items that too hot (in the sweaty armpit sense of the three-piece suits and ties, the STREETS day Napoleon. resemble a Technicolor yawn they con- word) to be dragged out for use in the Thai average Brisbane office O F One Valentine’s eve- sider this the height of hot weather fash- climate. More than likely it remains inside wallah gets around in an open- PATTAYA ning, I sat and watched the ion. One I spotted was wearing an all- suitcases, to emerge only in the comfort necked shirt and a sensible By Duncan Stearn usual collection of males shades-of-the-rainbow umbrella hat. of air conditioning. pair of shorts with long socks wandering about, wearing These items make Hawaiian shirts look The 1970s may have been known as pulled up to the knees. You’re sunglasses, others with base- like the kind of apparel worn by Methodist the decade style forgot, but I’m here to right, it’s not great looking, but then again ball caps on backwards, and some with preachers on Sundays. tell you that flared pants, alligator-skin it’s practical, even for those with knobbly both sunglasses and baseball caps. Of course, impecunious journalists shoes, and safari suits are alive and well, knees. Another sported a yachting cap like me shouldn’t talk. The only clothes I given the number of foreign tourists sport- When my youngest nephew came to perched atop his melon, dressed in the can afford are the ones the Salvation Army ing them here in Bangkok and Pattaya. Pattaya for a brief visit he thought the fashion of a Tunisian admiral. Then there rejects (editors and media moguls please The only reason body shirts with the wide- whole place was peopled by serious fash- were the two guys attired only in house- note), although I did once manage to pick lapel collars aren’t back in vogue is that ion disasters. Apart from the abundance coats and rubber flip-flops (thongs to up a very nice – if slightly soiled – Tuni- most failed to make it past the 500th wash. of giant beer bellies – on both men and, he Aussies) who decided a bout of push-ups sian admiral’s cap which I now wear at a In a city like Bangkok, where the heat was careful to point out, foreign women – mid-street was in order. jaunty angle on my trips down Walking is enervating and constant, I am always he was amazed at the level of sartorial While traveling in a songthaew along Street. In The Stars by Isla St ar

VIRGO (August 23-September weekend. After that, you will be 23): Your seemingly relentless forced to keep your nose to the struggle to be the best begins to What the heavens grindstone until the end of the take its toll this week. If you can’t month. A business situation that find the motivation you had at the you believed to be clear-cut will beginning of September, you hold in store for you demand extra attention when a should take the hint to sit back discrepancy comes to light early for a while and let things wash next week. Personal relationships over you. If you’re celebrating a day to have a legal appointment be smoke without fire. The num- ARIES (March 21-April 20): will flow more smoothly, as long birthday, watch out for an unin- – crossed wires later in the week ber 9 is lucky Wednesday. Those who are guilty of taking too as you cleared the air last week. vited guest at the party. This could will lead to misunderstandings. much for granted will be brought lead to a new romance. Wear The number 4 is lucky Sunday. AQUARIUS (January 21-Febru- back to earth with a bump this CANCER (June 22-July 23): The strawberry red to encourage ary 19): Your cup of happiness week. Someone close to you has stars will not smile on any rela- positive changes. SAGITTARIUS (November 23- runs over this week when an been dropping heavy hints about tionship begun in haste. You are December 21): Teamwork is the amazing offer arrives out of the your lack of consideration lately, advised not to throw caution to LIBRA (September 24-October key to success for the rest of blue. As if this weren’t enough and is about to make a radical the wind when someone catches 23): A long-standing question is September. Those who prefer to to put a spring in your step, Cu- move. It is still not too late to make your attention this weekend. In about to be answered. Most have sole control of the helm pid is about to fire a rocket; this amends, but you will need to this case, beauty really is only Librans should be satisfied with must set their doubts to one side could be the relationship you move fast. The color peach will skin deep. Concentrate on the the outcome; those who don’t like and allow others to show what thought would never happen. On soften your emotions. positive aspects of your status for what they hear will have to learn they’re made of. Midweek, Tau- Tuesday do not waste time listen- the time being. A dream you have to live with it. On Monday you rus shows a surprisingly sensual ing to any hype – you will recog- TAURUS (April 21-May 21): You early next week could hold a clue find that a friend has hidden side to their character. If you’re nize immediately what’s important have the advantage of being able for a money-spinning venture. depths. This is an auspicious time footloose and fancy-free, this in a business discussion. to put common sense to good use Listen to Leo next Thursday for to focus on what you would re- could open the door to a relation- this week. Many Taureans will be tips. ally like to change as the stars ship that may become permanent. PISCES (February 20-March called upon to assist friends or light up the path toward success. 20): A cloud of doubt still hovers colleagues who suddenly realize LEO (July 24-August 22): An in- The color caramel will sweeten CAPRICORN (December 22- over a romantic issue this week; that they’ve landed in a sticky teresting week lies ahead. You your mood. January 20): If you can’t make you will have to wait a while to situation. Make sure that you re- will be spending more time away up your mind over a business di- find out what’s really going on. serve enough time for your own from your lair than usual. Expect SCORPIO (October 24-Novem- lemma, don’t wait around for a In the meantime, continue to stay needs. On Wednesday, a surprise to receive a flood of last-minute ber 22): You will be in a fired-up better offer – this is as good as cool by streamlining work com- item in the mail gives food for invitations. This is not an auspi- mood this week, but don’t expect it’s going to get. Use your com- mitments and paying attention to thought and could lead to a cious time to make major deci- colleagues to keep pace with you. mon sense to negotiate a water- your personal needs. The down- change of plan for your next trip sions about work: keep your op- On Wednesday, take care to con- tight contract. Where romance is to-earth character of a Taurean abroad. tions open and you’ll soon have trol that sting in your tail; Aries concerned, it’s important to rec- friend will help you focus on plenty of choice. Your partner is will irritate you, but doesn’t de- ognize the difference between what is really important. Spend- GEMINI (May 22-June 21): poised to spring a surprise that serve to be on the receiving end fantasy and reality. On Thursday ing time with a Scorpio is not Geminis are advised to make the may involve travel. Wear pepper- of venom. Tuesday is your best you will discover that there can advisable. most of social opportunities this mint green to sharpen your wits. September 17 - 23, 2005 FEATURES PHUKET GAZETTE 21 On the road to nowhere

hit his head on a rock while visit- LARGER ing Tonsai Waterfall. By now the reader may be THAN wondering whether this column LIFE is just another pointless gripe, as By Graham Doven useless and meandering as the roads it describes. It isn’t. My point is that with hey’re everywhere all this unnecessary road building these days – roads that going on, the roads that really do don’t go anywhere: need attention are being ne- T new concrete roads, glected. heading off into rubber planta- The government is trying to tions, only to come to a dead end project an image of everything with no apparent destination in being “back to normal”. sight. Perhaps it is achieving that I can’t imagine that the rub- objective, if normalcy involves ber farmers need new concrete having roads that are heavily roads, capable of carrying 10-ton travelled by tourists in pitiful trucks, to haul sheets of latex or states of disrepair. lengths of rubberwood. So why As an example, take a drive are they there? down the road through the back There are even new con- of Bang Tao, near Rydges Re- crete roads heading up steep sort, or along the Patong-Kamala mountain sides. There are ex- Rd near Kalim Bay. pressways and superhighways How are the priorities de- criss-crossing the South, with vir- cided? By the overall public need, tually no vehicles using them. or by well-connected people try- Then there is a road near In the middle of former rice fields, concrete proof that the world is not necessarily a logical place. ing to drive up land values in cer- my home in Thalang that has a tain areas? whole network of mini roads lead- training track, except that if you bridge, nicely painted white. The than the large housing develop- I wonder if this trend could ing off it in a sort of grid. run off the road you will drop two road has an attractive median ment we’d resigned ourselves to. start a new approach to finding As this is in a former rice meters and wreck your car. Well, strip replete with well-tended The fact that it makes the new pieces of land for sale. Take paddy, the roads are built up about it would teach you a lesson, I sup- plants – yet nobody can work out local hospital road a through road, a lazy drive one afternoon and two meters above ground level. pose… the reason for this rather posh rather than a dead end, doesn’t look for signs of old motorbike I have asked a few locals if There is yet another new construction. seem to explain the expense. tracks through rubber plantations they know the reason for this par- road system that includes a bridge All the land that had been The only person I can imag- being widened. ticular complex, but nobody to cross the swamp behind my cleared on either side of this road ine who might benefit from its It could be fun and profit- seems to have a clue. house. has now been ploughed up and existence would be the odd tour- able, spending a day driving on It looks like a small driver It’s a very ornate new new rubber trees planted, rather ist who might happen to fall ill or the road to nowhere. Statistics show Armed Robberies Plague Chalong From the Phuket Gazette, issue of September, 1995

CHALONG: Police efforts to “They just looked like waited for about five minutes crack down on rising crime in regular kids to me,” says before they got around to rob- business booming Phuket Town have been nul- Prasopmit. “I invited them to bing me.” Mr Prasopmit esti- lified by an agile gang of teen- sit down at a table and wait mates the whole incident did From the Phuket Gazette, issue of September 15-30, 2000 age thugs who, faced with out the rain, but they said they not last longer than about 10 higher police numbers in the would just as soon stand. minutes. PHUKET: Business in Phuket is boom- employees have been leaving to set up city, have simply moved their Since they didn’t want any- About three hours after ing this year, if the latest figures from their own businesses, and are being operations to the sparsely pa- thing, and since it was about the events at Mr Prasopmit’s the Provincial Revenue Office and the replaced by lower-paid staff. trolled areas out of town. closing time for me, I started shop, Somboon’s House Mi- Commercial Registration Office are any Veerachai Tantiwathanavallop, While police have called to put away the small cakes nimart at Rawai, across from guide. director of the Phuket Commercial in forces from outlying areas and sweets that were on the the Sea Gypsy Village, was Statistics covering the tax col- Registration Office, says there is a con- in a show of manpower, three table.” hit. Four teenagers on two lected in the first 10 months of the 1999/ tinuing boom in the property sector, violent attacks on small mar- Suddenly, according to motorcycles arrived there and 2000 tax year show that the number of with some 60 real estate companies kets in the Chalong-Rawai Prasopmit, one of the hood- two of them went inside. businesses paying tax has risen by being registered in the first six months precincts early last month lums seized him from behind “Have you closed yet?” 10.91% and that they are making of this year. have left them scrambling for and put a gun to his temple. A one of them asked. When the money – the total tax paid by these “Property always tops the list of a plan of action. struggle ensued and Mr Pra- shopowner replied “No”, one businesses has soared by a spectacu- business registrations, Manus sopmit was struck violently on of the thugs put a knife to his lar 55.14%, from 317 million baht to 492 and most of these new Prasopmit, 50, the head. The gun shattered, throat while the other levelled million baht. companies are created THE TIME was alone in his apparently a toy, but the shop a pistol at him. There was no At the end of July this year, there by foreign investors, to shop at about 8 owner was dazed and ceased one else in the store and the were 5,991 registered businesses in the allow foreigners to buy machine pm on August to put up a fight. He was later victim didn’t try to resist. The province, a 13% increase on the same property.” 5. Three young hospitalized for two days and robbers made off with cash, time last year. In the first seven months He added, “This News from the past men on a mo- his wounds required stitches. a gold necklace and a brace- alone, 474 new businesses were regis- boom in real estate torcycle pulled “I wanted to keep fight- let – altogether worth an esti- tered at the Phuket Commercial Reg- businesses is to fulfill foreigners’ de- into the small grocery on Chao ing with those punks, but af- mated 30,000 baht. istration Office, a 20% increase on the mand for homes in Phuket.” Fah Rd near Phuket Country ter they hit me with the pistol, At press time, police 395 registered in the same period last Major growth was also seen, pre- Home, a quiet rural neighbor- my eyesight was fuzzy and I said they had no leads. In an year. dictably, in the tourism sector, with a hood three kilometers from saw stars,” he says. While attempt to put the area’s shop- Offsetting the taxman’s gains in continuing spate of registrations of ho- Chalong Circle. Mr Prasop- one of the attackers contin- keepers on guard, however, company profit taxes was a drop of tels, travel agencies, dive shops, bars mit, who assumed they were ued to hold the shop owner, they called a meeting and ad- 22.34% in personal income tax col- and restaurants. there to take shelter from a another raided the cash draw- vised participants to take pre- lected, from 559 million baht to 434 Internet and computer companies heavy rain, described them as er, removing a little over 1,000 cautions against the bandits. million baht. This is despite the fact that also registered a hefty increase, with “lanky and aged not more than baht. They took nothing else They were told to close up the number of people paying income tax 35 new companies registered in the 20.” He says that they all from the store. shop earlier than usual, and to was almost the same as last year. Pos- first half, up by 50% on the 22 regis- wore blue jackets of the type “They were very cool, avoid being alone in the shop sibly, this indicates that higher-paid tered in the same period in 1999. that mechanics wear. these kids,” he says. “They around closing time. 22 PHUKET GAZETTE EDITORIAL & LETTERS September 17 - 23, 2005

367/2 Yaowarat Rd, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000 Tel: 076-236555 - Since 1994 - Fax: 076-213971 Email: [email protected] Legal casino could bring social disaster Yet again Bangkok has resurrected the idea of allowing a legal casino in Phuket (as opposed to the five illegal ones allegedly already thriving on the island). The idea is not new; this particular kite has been flown – and shot down – a couple of times since Thai Rak Thai came to power. Now, however, it is being fitted with new wings. In today’s CEO Paradise, where decisions are weighed according to their perceived economic merit, the decision initially seems a no-brainer, especially when the country’s business rivals, Hong Kong and Singapore, are adding new attractions for tourists – the newly- opened Disneyland in the former and, sometime in the near future, two legal casinos in the latter. Thais, instead of throwing away their money in Cambodia or Myanmar could do so at home. Their money would stay in Thailand. Casinos would also be an extra attraction for vacationers with a yen to turn fat wallets into slim ones. Indeed, people who have never before considered taking a vacation in Phuket might do so if they knew gaming was on offer. The local economy would receive a boost, both in terms of the amount of money circulating and jobs created. National and local Letters governments would benefit from another source of tax revenue. The trouble with this view is that it takes no cognizance of the The Gazette is pleased to receive mail from read- your views for publication in our next issue. social costs of gambling. There can be few people in Phuket who do ers. Please write to us at 367/2 Yaowarat Rd, We reserve the right to edit all letters. Pseudonyms not know someone who has ruined his or her family through gam- Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000, fax to 076-213971 are acceptable only if your full name and address bling, which is one of Thailand’s most common addictions. or send an email to [email protected] with are supplied. The government already legitimizes and benefits from two other Eco-tourism is better Thai culture, with its genu- If there are to be protests addictions – tobacco and alcohol. Tobacco use causes huge health ine commitment to helping others, about Beer Chang, it should be problems, while alcohol – in the wrong hands – can ruin lives and bet than casinos is a truly precious thing. America about its quality, not the financial destroy families. could use some of it. structure behind the company that The Thai government, like those of countries worldwide, is “ad- Why doesn’t Phuket focus more Let’s also hope that the produces it. dicted” to revenue from the sale of these two dangerous products. on something productive to bol- bands of missionaries who came Somchai Huasaikul Perhaps, then, it should also legalize and tax the use of another ster its tourism, such as an eco- bearing post-tsunami gifts of Phuket great bane of Thai society, methamphetamine (ya bah, or the “mad tourism plan like the one they clothing to comfort (and convert) drug”). As with casinos, this would make economic sense. have in Costa Rica? refugees in Thailand now find that Not wizard at Merlin There are many other possibilities: brothels, pornography, gun- It’s safer, cleaner and envi- Christianity – and charity – re- I picked up a copy of the Gazette running and human trafficking, to name just a few. All of these highly ronmentally better for everyone ally needs to begin at home. lucrative underground businesses, if legalized, would accrue major – and it also works. July 30 edition on the way home economic benefits to the government. Let everyone else have ca- Marcia Mallows and saved it to read on the plane. Potential economic benefits aside, the government would be sinos and theme parks. Phuket Rawai I read with interest your presiding over a social disaster by legalizing gambling. Thailand should should be kept safe, clean, and story about the tsunami alert [fol- not be swayed by what its neighbors are doing, and simply copy environmentally sound. Set a Tuk-tuk tut-tut lowing the warning put out by the them. standard! National Disaster Warning Cen- – The Editor I have been living on Phuket for ter on July 24, after an earthquake Scott several years and am fully aware By email in the Andaman Islands]. that there are plenty of tailor A 90% success? My wife The Gulf between shops on this beautiful island. and I can’t help thinking that we Often their salespersons try to would be in the [remaining] 10%. In association with The Nation Multimedia Group PCL two worlds establish contact by trying to You see, we were staying at the shake your hand and ask where During the [December 26] tsu- Patong Merlin Hotel. you come from. I see by your story that the nami, one American tourist com- But these people never act Editor: Rungtip Hongjakpet plained that it took rescuers three tsunami alert was put out at 10.42 as aggressively as the so-called pm, when we were asleep. Managing Editor: Alasdair Forbes hours to reach him amid the “locals” trying to sell you an over- Deputy Editors: Chris Husted, Stephen Myles Patong rubble. At 1:20 am we were awo- priced trip in their tuk-tuks, espe- ken by a hotel guest yelling “Get Chief Reporter: Sangkhae Leelanapaporn Was he perhaps a resident cially in Karon and Kata. of New Orleans or the Gulf [of out, get out; there’s a tsunami Editorial Team: Stephen Fein, Andy Johnstone, Anongnat Sartpisut, Rudolf R coming!” Mexico] region? Phuket Athiga Jundee, Sam Wilkinson, Ananya Hongsa-ngiam, Shiona Mackenzie If so, he can probably now We ran to the lobby, which make a more realistic assessment Blues over booze was full of confused people, as Managing Director: Rungtip Hongjakpet of comparisons between the tsu- nothing was being broadcast or nami and [Hurricane] Katrina; The government’s all-out war on translated into English. I asked Marketing Manager: Oranee Pienprasertkul other guests who woke them or Website Services Manager: Natthira Susangrat between the Thai way and the alcohol is really starting to chap American way. my backside. First, there’s this ri- contacted them; the answer was Distribution Manager: Passara Kaewbumroong The myth that American cul- diculous ban on selling alcohol “They rang our room”, while oth- Publisher: The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd ture is something the rest of the between 2 pm and 5 pm, ostensi- ers said staff knocked on their world needs, a myth perpetuated bly so that children won’t be able doors. Contact us by successive Washington admin- pick up a few bottles of brew on Had there been a tsunami, istrations and spread everywhere their way home from school. then we might not have made it Advertising Sales: [email protected] How ridiculous is that? It out of that room. by Hollywood’s propaganda ma- G Mills Classified Advertising: [email protected] has always been against the law chine, has now finally been ex- By email Website Services: [email protected] posed as a tragic lie. to sell alcohol to minors in this Shopper Card inquiries: [email protected] The United States is, as country, it’s just that the law has When asked by the Gazette for Gazette Guide inquiries: [email protected] Michael Moore has repeatedly never been seriously enforced. comment, an Administrative Of- pointed out, deeply divided be- Then there is the big pro- ficer of Patong Merlin Hotel Telephone: 076-236555 (10 lines) Fax: 076-213971 tween the haves and the have- test, led by former Bangkok Gov- replied: “We emailed Mr Mills nots, and largely along racial lines. ernor Chamlong Srimuang, to on August 9, and do not wish to The views expressed in the Phuket Gazette are those of the writers and contributors and It is not a culture the rest of stop the [public] listing of the com- discuss the matter with the me- do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, the editor, the shareholders, or the direc- the world needs. pany that makes Beer Chang. dia.” tors of The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd. Letters conveying views and suggestions are published here. Those seeking comment from government Copyright © 1994-2005 The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd officials and/or business owners are published in Issues & Answers on the facing page. September 17 - 23, 2005 PERSPECTIVES PHUKET GAZETTE 23 Mortgages for foreigners may be the top of a slippery slope

et’s start with my under- should pay premium rates for the standing of the situation. privilege. That means that, as a I think that banks are in FIRST foreigner, if you want to own Lthe position of looking something you should have to pay for new customers who have more than Thai people, and that spending power, and this is why PERSON would be fair. If foreigners bought they have targeted foreigners everything at “Thai prices” then who want to buy condominiums angkok-born Dr Sirichai Silapa-archa has we simply could not compete in Thailand. lived in Phuket for almost 20 years. He is with them, and Thailand would be They say that foreigners can B bought out from under our feet. borrow only 50% of the purchase Secretary of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce For example, if foreign com- price, and have to repay the loan and a doctor of urology at Wachira Phuket panies were allowed to invest in within 10 years. This means there Hospital. He is well-known for being outspoken local businesses and go into di- is a low risk to the bank yet the and for airing his opinions publicly. In 2002, rect competition with Thai com- mortgages boost the number of po- panies, the Thai firms simply tential customers. along with the former chairman of the Parliamen- could not compete and would Bangkok Bank stands to tary Committee on Labor, Khon Kaen MP lose out. There isn’t anywhere in profit from this new initiative, and Premsak Pearyura, he attended a meeting held the world that allows this to hap- the bank says that it will bring in to voice support for the notion of limiting the pen. We ourselves have to go hard foreign currency, which is through difficulties if we invest better than lending Thai baht. number of foreigners in Thailand by raising the abroad, but Thailand seems to I believe it will be difficult initial work permit fee from 300 baht to as much favor foreign businesses and for- for Thai people who want to buy as 300,000 baht. The Gazette interviewed him eigners are granted special rights condominiums, because banks on the topic of the Bangkok Bank offering mort- by the government. I think we will naturally trust foreigners should help Thais first, because more than Thais. This is because gages to foreigners who want to buy property in if Thai people can’t do business banks grant mortgages to foreign- Thailand. We asked Dr Sirichai what he thinks in Thailand it means the country ers on easier conditions than they might happen as a result of this development. will be taken over by foreigners. do to Thais. In order for Thais to Many times we complain obtain a loan they must present about roads being so narrow, and collateral. there’s sometimes not enough I also believe it will affect be able to buy anything they want their Thai company, they will have their home country. It’s possible water and electricity, but I think the price of condominiums in that to, such as privately owned con- the same rights as Thais, and there that they might invest in a busi- the local administration should they will get more expensive, just dominiums, in their own names will be no limit on the length of time ness or factory that could pollute rethink the tax system to collect as land on Phuket became dearer while owning the land in the name a foreigner can lease a property. the environment or dabble in ge- a “staying fee” from foreigners when foreigners grabbed it. of their Thai partner or company. There will be a lot of legal diffi- netic food modification. living here. Wherever foreigners buy land There is one thing I’m culties, and it may even jeopardize However, I believe we still We could use that money to costs rise, and if we compare the scared of. Even though the banks the security of the country. have many good foreigners in develop our infrastructure, and US dollar to the Thai baht, you say they use overseas money for We have seen that some Thailand, and there are those who foreigners would benefit from this, can see that our money is weak loans, they sometimes use Thai Caribbean islands have become truly love this country. I’m not too. I believe they should accept against theirs. baht to lend to foreigners. This dominated by foreigners because saying that all foreigners are bad. this because the money will be Even right now foreigners could be damaging as no one is of tax breaks and lax laws. I also Thailand is a very free coun- used to improve everything. Some are buying land in Thailand, but the wiser as to which currency feel that when foreigners doing try, but it will lose out a lot if we foreigners argue back, saying that in the name of anonymous Thai they’re lending. business in Thailand own prop- allow foreigners to own land. If they’re working in Thailand and partners – and this creates prob- If foreigners can own large erty or land they will not take the we want to let foreigners have are taxpayers, but they don’t have lems. I think in the future they’ll properties or land in the name of same care of it as they would in similar rights as Thai people they Thai ID cards. Why do they leave Issues& Bringing a roads unfinished? ANSWERS computer Want to know how to get something done? into Thailand Earlier this year workers installed situation can be resolved, and I Can’t understand some of the dafter things that I shall be visiting Thailand in Oc- storm drains on both sides of my no longer have to battle with mud. seem to go on in Phuket? Want to pitch an idea tober and I want to bring my street, which is off Chao Fa West Andrea Kotas to Phuket’s authorities or institutions? Then this Macintosh G5 desktop computer Rd, in Moo 10, in Chalong. Chalong and printer with me. Now the work is finished is the forum for you. Submit your queries or suggestions to us and I publish a magazine and but the middle of the street is still Opas Chobdee, Assistant to need to have my computer at very muddy, and when it rains it’s the Deputy President of Cha- we’ll ask the appropriate people to respond to hand just in case there are any like a swamp. long OrBorTor, replies: them. last-minute changes that need to I expected the workers to The budget for this project be made while I am there on va- seal the street surface with as- came from local taxes levied on Write to: The Phuket Gazette, 367/2 Yaowarat Rd, cation. phalt, but they didn’t. Chalong residents. This money is Muang, Phuket 83000. Fax 076-213971, or submit your What are the regulations I called the construction spent on projects throughout the issue at www.phuketgazette.net regarding foreigners bringing in company and they told me that district, some of which are more computer equipment for personal the work is complete. They also important and must completed first. use? said that the local authority, the This year, the budget that Can a foreign company be the Heather Chalong OrBorTor (Chalong was approved for fixing and in- By Email Tambon Administration Organi- stalling drains was not enough. zation) does not have any plans, Next year, we will ask for 900,000 owner of a car in Thailand? Aikachai Wongjinda, Head of or the budget, to seal the street baht to fix that section of road. I would like to know if it is pos- Teerayuth Prasertphol, Chief the Phuket Customs Office, with asphalt. In the meantime, we have sible for a foreign-registered com- Technical Officer, Phuket Pro- replies: I think this situation is not laid down stones so there is no pany to buy a car in Thailand and vincial Transportation Office, You may bring your com- acceptable – every time it rains I dust if it is not raining and it’s not have it registered in the company replies: puter and printer into Thailand have muddy shoes, dirty clothes muddy when it is raining. name. No, a foreign company may without paying import duty or tax and mud all over my car. I would The road will certainly be Bob Ake not own a car or have it regis- as long as you declare them as like to know how and when the fixed. Please be patient. Sweden tered in the company name. being “for personal use”. 24 PHUKET GAZETTE FEATURES September 17 - 23, 2005

ON THE MOVE

Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts Rattaket Photchanakanokkul, Pattaravadee Numchaisiwat- has announced that Philippe Seig- 37, from Phatthalung, has been tana, 28, from Chiang Mai has le, from France, has been ap- appointed Human Resources been appointed Public Relations pointed Regional General Man- Manager of Central Retail Corp Manager of Baan Cocoon, the ager South America, based in Rio in Phuket. new property development by de Janeiro, from September 1. Before moving to Phuket, he Anuphas Pirom Resort Co Ltd. He was previously Regional worked at Sea Horse Co in Song- She holds a degree in psy- General Manager for Le Meridien khla for three years as Human chology from Pa Yap University in resorts in Thailand and GM of Le Resources Manager, and five Chiang Mai. Meridien Phuket Beach Resort. years with Royal Canning Ltd, also Previously she worked as During his career with Meri- in Songkhla, as Human Resources General Manager of Envy Spa in dien, Mr Seigle has held senior and Administrative Manager. Central Festival Phuket, and be- posts in Africa, Europe, South Am- He holds a degree in social fore that she worked at Phuket erica, the West Indies and the sciences from Thaksin University Golden Shop (antique furniture) as Middle East. in Songkhla. Sales Manager. Does that sound good to you?

am often asked to design and explore the similarities plug in your iPod or other quote for a home music sys- and differences. music device. tem that can play in almost This offers the added Ievery room in a villa. This Zone volume: Let’s benefit of being able to somewhat generic request often say that you have a play different music at dif- precedes an inquiry into what the pretty large villa with a ferent volumes in different potential client actually under- formal living room, din- zones. stands about such systems. ing room and pool area. The drawback is that I enjoy this part of our When you have guests you can control only one work, because the resulting dia- or when you are alone zone from its dedicated log often offers both us and the with your loved ones, volume control. One very client an opportunity to learn. So you may need to con- neat feature, though, is that this week I shall focus on some trol the volume of mu- you can simply unplug the interesting solutions we have sic in each of these ar- iPod from the wall, con- come up with, and share a few eas. nect it to your PC, down- valuable tips and tricks. Maybe people load and voilà! You have The fact that are enjoy- just updated the player someone requests ing a nice with the latest tunes in your central sound does IT ISSUES quiet des- music library. not necessarily By John Seebach sert in the mean that this is dining Speakers: A quick word what they really room about speakers because want. while the more lively they are very important, Take, for example, a home- guests are laughing and there are more choices owner who would like to play away in the living room for these than there are for music in many areas (or zones) while yet again the kids fast food restaurants. throughout the home and be able are running around the Bosch, JVC and In- to control the volume indepen- pool screaming at each finity offer large selections dently in each zone. other. If you believe in doing research before buying, AVRev.com is a good source of at reasonable prices. On the other hand, someone This is when you comparative information on equipment for your sound system. These brands are some- else may want not only this but need music volume zones, and the what run-of-the-mill, and there also the ability to play different solutions available are about as that drives each speaker must be are hundreds of other “better” music selections in various zones different in design and cost as you capable of supporting multiple Some fun things to options, but for the average home throughout the house. can imagine. zones – so get ready for a bit of look into include user, they are a good place to These two examples may design, cabling and expense. weather-resistant start. seem similar, but when it gets High end: If you feel the need You can even take it one Some fun things to look into down to price and wiring, they are to be able to control the volume step further by upgrading from wall-mount and include weather-resistant wall- as different as tom yam and of any zone from any other zone, pretty simple button/LCD wall- garden speakers. mount and garden speakers. oatmeal. you have jumped into the higher- mount controls to wireless touch Then there are high- Then there are high-end ceiling On top of that, many times end systems. screen remotes. speakers complete with woofers the client ends up with a system This is because each vol- These are very cool and can end ceiling and tweeters, while the truly that is not even close to his or her ume control device must be wired do many other things as well, such speakers… while wealthy may like to take a look expectations, which is never a back to a central point, as must as control the air conditioning, TV the truly wealthy may at underwater speakers for the good thing. Let’s take a closer all speakers. and DVD, lighting, alarm, video pool. look at these two examples and In addition, the amplifier surveillance and even the win- like to take a look at dow blinds – though there is, of underwater Whichever way you go, it is im- course, a price to be paid for all speakers for the portant to work with a reputable of this functionality. pool. and knowledgeable systems inte- grator. Mid-level: We have installed Just about anyone can at- several high-end systems, and tempt to supply and install a home they are fun to design and imple- along with that. For example, it is music system, but not all will de- ment. And, of course, the own- great to have multiple volume liver what you really expect for ers love them. zones throughout your home, and the budget you agreed upon. However, there are many if you can do without central con- more people who do not want trol over all of them, then you are John Seebach has 25 years’ that level of functionality and ex- going to love the iPod or PC so- consulting experience in Infor- pense. lution. mation Systems and Business For these folks, we have dis- The basics go like this: a Process Re-engineering. His covered a very affordable and simple wall-mounted volume con- company, Island Technology, functional set of gadgets that re- trol is assigned to that specific offers IT solutions and broad- ally gets them where they want zone of speakers. A small and in- band services throughout to be. expensive amplifier is then used Southeast Asia. For more infor- Simplicity has its benefits, to power them, and there is a mation send email to john@ but there also sacrifices to go simple wall jack into which you islandtechnology.com September 17 - 23, 2005 B U S I N E S S & MONEY PHUKET GAZETTE 25 Hotels brace for the great comeback By Athiga Jundee & Sam Wilkinson cific skills, some need extensive experi- taken on more than 30. At the moment ates, but rather recruits those able to re- ence, while others need the ability to su- our hotel occupancy is 50% and this com- spond successfully to in-house training. PHUKET: The island’s hotels are recruit- pervise. Some need English-language skills ing high season we already have bookings “The hotel’s occupancy this month ing more staff as the high season ap- and a suitable attitude for a more personal of up to 70%. I believe that Phuket is get- is 85% and we have advance bookings of proaches in a move that shows faith in a touch with a service mindset, such as wait- ting back on track,” K. Phurida said. 60% for November,” K. Vipas said. “Of strong comeback for the local tourism in- ing staff and guest relations officers,” K. Many hotel and resorts in Patong course we’re hoping for more. I think many dustry. Morakot said. were so badly damaged by the tsunami Phuket hotels will be back to normal.” Boonchock Maneechot, head of the “We don’t mind too much about aca- that they had to close, with the result that Somsak Phetpradapsakun, Personnel Phuket Provincial Employment Service demic degrees: we try to put the right ap- staff found themselves without work. Manager of Patong Resort, said that the Office (PESO), told a recent employment plicant in the right position. Educational Vipas Nimmanee, Human Resources resort reopened on April 1 and that cur- fair that hotels around the island are look- background shows that that person can Director at Holiday Inn Patong, said, rent occupancy is 60%, with up to 80% ing for more than 6,500 staff. learn the job or is a fast learner, but atti- “Some of our positions needed new staff advance bookings for the high season. “After the tsunami, many hotel em- tude is the most important requirement for because people had found new jobs dur- “I think that many hotels and resorts ployees found new jobs [in other sectors],” us. We don’t mind whether they’re gradu- ing the renovation period, but most of our in the Patong area also need more staff K. Boonchock said. “However, there is ates or not because when they come to staff returned when we reopened. For a because of the tsumani’s long-term ef- room once again for more hotel and tour- us, we train them in our methods.” while the hotel was operating with only fects. It’s really not surprising that the ism staff during the coming high season.” Phurida Intrachai, soon-to-be Human 140 rooms, but now we are announcing PESO fair showed more than 6,500 staff Morakot Sudtar, Director of Human Resources Director at Evason, pointed out more [staff] vacancies to anticipate full are needed,” K. Somsak said. Resources at Evason Phuket Resort & Six that even though the resort had not been reopening in November with 405 rooms.” Frances Dileva, Director of Person- Senses Spa, told the Gazette that the re- affected by the tsunami in terms of struc- He said there are 20 vacant posi- nel Development at Hilton Phuket Arcadia sort advertised 17 jobs at the PESO-orga- tural damage, it suffered in much the same tions: in food & beverage, housekeeping, Resort & Spa, was at the PESO fair. nized employment fair and that 10 people way as other resorts islandwide when the front office and in the technical sector. “We advertised 27 jobs, and many applied during the two-day event. number of visitors to Phuket plummeted. Most jobs need one to two years’ experi- people were interested,” she said. “As for “We choose [to employ] those with “We didn’t lay off any staff after the ence with good English skills. qualifications, it depends on each position. natural qualifications best suited for the tsunami; in fact we have still been hiring, Yet, as at the Evason, the Holiday For example we do need people with good relevant position. Some positions need spe- and since the beginning of this year we’ve Inn does not specifically seek out gradu- English for guest contact positions.” An ill wind blows through the Federal Reserve urricane Katrina, the an increase in regional economic a member of the FTSE 100 In- situation has led to speculation storm that caused activity from the fourth quarter dex – is “desperate” to increase that if the OM bid is successful it such damage to New of 2005 onwards. its international income since 78% may then wish to sell Royal HOrleans and surround- The reality is that the area of current revenue originates Skandia. ing areas, was obviously a major hit hardest by the storm is not the from South African operations. The second largest com- disaster and has led to many fi- economic heartland of the US, Large South African company in this market is Friends nancial observers and econo- and the greatest impact on the panies, although they will never Provident International, a whol- mists predicting that its aftermath overall national economy will be admit to this fact, are all keen to ly owned subsidiary of Friends will play a major role in causing from interruption of some oil and expand their operations outside Provident, a UK-based assurer, the US Federal Reserve (Central MONEY natural gas supplies and of river the country. which is being tipped as the most Bank) to pause in its cycle of in- transportation along the Missis- It makes business sense for likely buyer. terest rate increases when it next TALKS sippi. them to do so, but there is another However, the offshore mar- meets on September 20. Regional tourism will suffer factor involved: hard-headed busi- ket contains some very well- Other factors being added By Richard Watson for a considerable period, but from ness managers realize that in the known assurance groups with to the argument for a “Fed” a national perspective this is of coming decades there is a good deep pockets. pause include lower than ex- Fed, Alan Greenspan, was almost marginal importance. chance that South Africa could Policy holders and investors pected job creation figures for flippant about there being a bubble follow in the footsteps of the rest with the Skandia group need have August, and a downward revision in the housing market three Old Mutual targets Skandia: A of Africa – to economic oblivion. no fear for the future, no matter of US Gross Domestic Product months ago, but his recent com- number of readers have invest- Reports suggest that, al- how this scenario plays out. The (GDP) figures for the second ments show that he is now tak- ments and policies with the though OM has made a bid for reason the Skandia group is a tar- quarter of 2005 – from an annu- ing this issue more seriously. Skandia group, including Skandia the Skandia group, it is not inter- get is its success. alized growth rate of 3.5% to It is estimated that Hurri- UK and its direct subsidiary, ested in Skandia’s Scandinavian 3.4%. cane Katrina has caused around Royal Skandia. Many will be operations. Nordea, the Norwe- Richard Watson runs Global But while the Fed may US$100 billion (about 4.1 trillion aware of rumors that have re- gian banking group, has been cited Portfolios Co Ltd, a Phuket- pause for thought, it is extremely baht) in damage. This figure, be- ceived wide coverage in the me- as a party that might be interested based personal financial plan- unlikely that it will not announce ing a broad estimate, will obvi- dia over the past few months of in acquiring these assets. ning service. He can be reached a 0.25% increase in base lending ously be subject to future revi- Skandia targeted for takeover by What OM really wants is at Tel and Fax: 076-381997, rates. There are several reasons. sions. Washington has already set South Africa’s largest assurer, Skandia UK; OM itself already Mobile: 01-081-4611. Email: Economic growth is still strong, aside US$10.5 billion to help in Old Mutual (OM). operates in Britain, and is the fast- [email protected]. and the Fed is concerned that in- rebuilding, and other substantial The formal offer by OM for est-growing company in its sec- flationary pressures are still in sums will follow. the whole Skandia group came at tor. Skandia UK, however, pro- evidence. It also does not want Insurance and re-insurance the beginning of September. The bably has little interest in being to give the impression that it has companies from many countries amount involved is US$6.1 billion bought out by OM, and this has some knowledge about the future will probably have to face claims (about 250 billion baht). The man- led to speculation that Skandia UK prospects for the economy that in excess of US$25 billion. aging director of Skandia UK has may attempt a management buy- are highly negative. There will also be an in- said this offer has yet to be con- out. The Fed is also worried crease in unemployment claims sidered by Skandia’s board of di- OM’s intentions towards about the ever-dwindling amount from the affected areas, at least rectors. Royal Skandia, the Isle of Man- of savings achieved by the temporarily. The business television based international group, are also American public, and has con- However, there is no doubt channel CNBC has reported that uncertain. OM has had extensive cerns about asset prices, particu- that this will shortly lead to a rapid OM – although it now has a experience in the offshore arena. larly in the residential housing rise in construction and related stockmarket listing on the Lon- In 1986 it acquired a small, market. The Chairman of the industries, and that this will cause don Stock Exchange, where it is Guernsey assurer called Provi- dence Capital International, which VITAL STATISTICS: COMPANY REGISTRATIONS it later re-badged as Old Mutual International. August 03 August 04 August 05 For the next 18 years it tried to make a success of this com- Limited companies registered 59 95 129 pany, and failed. It finally stopped Limited partnerships registered 10 26 32 all new business activities. Limited companies amended 145 220 290 Royal Skandia is at the other Limited partnerships amended 29 39 28 end of this spectrum. It is not only Companies deregistered 15 4 15 profitable but is also the largest Partnerships deregistered 826of the tax-haven-based assurance companies. The current Source: Phuket Business Development Office 26 PHUKET GAZETTE SPORTS September 17 - 23, 2005

Surf’s up Saphan Hin to host martial art world championship at Kamala By Anongnat Sartpisut The competition will be split Persilat President Eddie M international events, and this into four categories: Tunggal Nalapraya met with Vice-Gover- tournament will be one of many PHUKET CITY: The Interna- [singles], Regu [doubles], Ganda nor Niran Kanlayanamit on Sep- sports events [that help] to pro- and Kata tional Pencak Silat Federation [teams of three to five competi- tember 6 to ask for permission to mote Phuket.” (Persilat) will stage the 13th tors] – all of which are self-de- stage the competition here, fol- Thailand hosted the 8th KAMALA: Some 70 surfers World Championship of the fense bouts – and Ulara Daga, lowing a decision by the Persilat Pencak Silat World Champion- took advantage of two- to three- Malay martial art at the Saphan in which two fighters attack one congress on August 2. ship in Songkhla in 1994, with feet waves in the 3rd annual Go Hin sports complex from De- other. “We are pleased that this more than 20 countries repre- Kamala Surfing contest at the cember 10-18 next year. Up to The top three in each cat- event is being held in Phuket,” V/ sented. Indonesia came first north end of Kamala Beach re- 500 athletes from 25 countries egory will receive trophies and Gov Niran said. “The province with five gold medals. Thailand cently. are expected to take part. medals. has experience in staging many was second with four. On the Saturday morning the tide was quite high and the waves were breaking very close to the beach, resulting in some en- tertaining wipeouts and a few broken boards, though thankfully Aussies to defend their no broken bones. As the day went on and the tide went out, conditions improved and there was some good surfing to be seen in the preliminary Laguna triathlon titles round. The semi-finals and finals By Chris Husted Top finishers will be offered were held on the Sunday. one of the 25 guaranteed entries All in all, it was a fun week- CHERNG TALAY: Australians to the 2006 Ironman Australia, end with a carnival-like atmo- Craig Alexander and Nicole the highly coveted spots going to sphere. Other non-surf competi- Hackett will return to defend the highest-placed finishers in tions included pole climbing and their men’s and women’s cham- each age group who declare their tug o’ war. A presentation night pion titles in the 12th THAI Air- intention to accept them. at Baan Rim followed the con- ways Laguna Phuket Triathlon on Entries will be allocated test. December 4. based on the number of entries The next surfing event is the The two Aussie pros are per age group, and there are no Phuket Surfing Contest 2005 at among the 250 athletes who have Ironman Australia qualifying Kata Beach September 16-18. already registered for the event, spots for pro athletes. The allo- Phuket Boardriders’ Club mem- compared with about 150 at this cation procedure for the 2006 bers, with President Chanin time last year, said Debbie Ironman Australia will be final- “Joob” Aiyarak, are expected to Dionysius of organizer Laguna ized during race week and posted be out in force to enjoy what is Phuket. at the race office. left of the monsoon season surf. “Last year was the biggest In addition to the main event, – Andrew “Oggi” Fallon [Laguna] triathlon to date with a fun run will be held while the 600 entrants. triathletes are completing the cy- RESULTS “This year we are looking cling course. at limiting the number of entrants Some 200 people have al- Beginner Short Board: 1. to 700 by keeping the number of ready registered to take part in Champs Craig Alexander and Nicole Hackett have already signed up. Inyad (Kalim); 2. Matoom (Ka- three-person relay teams to about the fun run. As runners must com- mala); 3. Kit (BCIS); 4. Rogib 35, in order to preserve the qual- which will start at 8 am, will be cember 3, in the Andaman Ball- plete one lap of the six-kilometer (Kalim); 5. Wah (Kalim). ity of the event,” she said. held on a Sunday instead of the room at the Sheraton Grande course before the tri-athletes re- Boogie Board: 1. Rolaunt “When there are too many traditional Saturday because the Laguna Phuket. Athlete atten- turn, competitors must be aged 12 (Chalong/France); 2. Max (Ka- entrants, the starting line gets following day, December 5, is a dance is compulsory, and entrants or older and the number of en- mala); 3. Mark (Kata/Australia); very crowded.” national holiday to celebrate HM must bring identification to claim trants is limited to 400. 4. Sun (Kalim); 5. Chana (Kalim). Ms Dionysius said that the The King’s birthday. a race kit with timing chip, race The fun run will start at Long Board: 1. Kit (Patong); 2. past year has seen an explosion Entry to the event costs category and number, swim cap, about 9 am, and all competitors Kho (Kata); 3. Jamlong (Ka- in the popularity of triathlons in US$120 (about 4,900 baht) and T-shirt, and other items. must register in advance. mala); 4. Aod (Kamala); 5. Ta Southeast Asia – especially in includes entry to the pre-race A mandatory course brief- (Kamala). Singapore, where the number of Pasta Party and the awards ban- ing in English, Thai and Japanese For further details and entry Short Board, Open Division: athletes competing in major quet, as well as a competitor’s T- will follow at 5 pm, also in the forms, visit the website www. Ple (Kamala); 2. Chalong (Pa- triathlons has jumped from hun- shirt and race kit. Andaman Ballroom. lagunaphukettriathlon.com or tong); 3. Lim (Kamala); 4. Kho dreds to thousands. Race registration will be The closing date for entries call Tel: 076-324061 or email: (Kata); 5. Dam Samart (Patong). This year the triathlon, held from 10 am to 4 pm on De- is November 13. [email protected] Golf holes that are unintentionally heroic Jon Morrow’s article on Heroic Having said this, I still do not of 220-230 yards. Now the play- This change is being driven Golf Holes (Gazette, September see any heroic holes on Phuket. ers are driving so much further by financial considerations – the 10) was very good. I think he cap- Now for the real reason for that they need only a 5 iron, or in need to sell more equipment – tured the essence about what is this letter. In defense of these bad the case of Tiger Woods, only an and not by the game itself. right and what is wrong with golf holes, I believe that they were de- 8 and 9 iron – which supports my If anyone believes that holes on Phuket. signed as three-shot holes but theory that equipment is making equipment has not changed the I, for one, believe a “heroic” became heroic holes because of the holes poor holes when at the game, I have a Persimmon driver hole should have the risk and re- advances in equipment design and time of design they were OK. (with a “silver” shaft which I ward he mentions, but that it manufacture. In a recent edition of Golf think is steel), an original Taylor should also have a safe path Jon mentioned the 13th at Magazine they talked about Jack Made driver and what was called whereby anyone can make par. Augusta, a very simple par five. Nicklaus’s 238-yard 1 iron on the a deep-faced graphite head (al- It is not a heroic hole if the safe Anything off the tee, lay-up to 80- 16th hole to win the US Open at most 210cc, with a graphite shaft player has to fight the challenge 100 yards, and sand wedge to the Baltusrol in 1967. in it that weighs almost as much on every shot while the hero only green. No problems until you They went back to Baltus- as the steel thing). has to face it once. reach the short flip shot and the rol and gave a young member, Jon is welcome to try and This, as he stated, gives creek is not wide. with a one handicap, a club simi- see if he thinks these holes are much too great an advantage to When Ray Floyd won the lar to the one Nicklaus used. He heroic or just difficult three-shot the longer-hitting player. In addi- Masters in 1976 with a score of averaged only 180 yards. This holes. We can probably dig up tion, as he also said, the landing 271 he told everyone how his 5 suggests that the heroic holes some 25-year-old irons, too. area should be free of all hazards wood saved him and made all the were not designed to be heroic: it Michael Glass (the golfer already has to take an par-fives playable. With that 5 is equipment that is changing the Director of Golf extra shot). wood he was hitting a second shot game. Phuket Country Club September 17 - 23, 2005 SP O R T S PHUKET GAZETTE 27

Women’s basketball Photographs by Anongnat Sartpisut teams to meet in international event PHUKET: Women’s basketball teams from Indonesia, Singapore, India and Thailand will play against each other from Septem- ber 22 to 25 in Gymnasium 1 in Saphan Hin. The opening ceremony will take place at 4 pm on September 22.

September 22 5 pm Singapore v Thailand 7 pm India v Indonesia September 23 4 pm Indonesia v Singapore 6 pm Thailand v India September 24 4 pm Singapore v India 6 pm Indonesia v Thailand September 25 3 pm Semi-Final 5 pm Final

The first Phuket Women’s International Basketball Invita- tion, organized by the Phuket Pro- vincial Administration Organiza- tion (OrBorJor), aims to develop a sports culture on Phuket and fos- ter Thailand’s international ties. – Ananya Hongsa-ngiam

For more information, contact Tel: 01-5379899.

Patong Darts League September 6 results: Nag’s The annual Jankapor vs Kajonkietpattana win the Jankapor-Leelavadee Games Leelavadee Games between Head* 7 Coyote 4; Piccadilly* 4 affiliated high schools Amigos 5; African Sports 6 Kajonkietsuksa and Shakers* 3, OffShore* 6 Dog’s Kajonkietpattana were held at Bollocks 3; Two Black Sheep v Surakul Stadium in Phuket City Didi’s, and Queen Mary v Val- on September 9. halla postponed. (* = Winners of Kajonkietpattana emerged beer leg) overall winner of the track-and- field event. September 20 fixtures: Nags The afternoon games, including Head v Offshore Bar; Two Black 400-meter races and the long Sheep v Dog’s Bollocks; Shak- jump, lasted for three hours, ers v Amigos; African Sports v and were preceded by a Valhalla; Didi’s v Piccadilly; Coy- children’s parade to the ote v Queen Mary. (Home teams stadium. first) Note: If your team is play- There was also a cheerleading ing against Didi’s, check whether competition and a teachers’ the match is on – Didi’s has been soccer match. having trouble raising a team. 28 PHUKET GAZETTE TAKE A BREAK September 17 - 23, 2005

Solution, tips and computer The Quick Crossword program at www.sudoku.com Across 1. Encountered. 5. Skill. 7. Really stupid. 8. Old horse. 9. Ram’s dam. 10. Food in a shell. 12. Sausage in a bun. 13. Stare lasciviously. 15. Frizzy hairdo. 17. Peter in Paris. 19. Pimple. 21. Also. 24. *** Angeles. 25. Not fictional. 26. What the cat did on the mat. 27. *** or all.

Down 1. Chomp. 2. Not looser. 3. Wrongdoing. 11. Ready, steady.... 18. Writing exercise. 4. Doe’s daddy. 14. Most powerful ape. 20. Unpleasant sensation. 5. One-shot tennis winner. 15. Cars. 22. Often, poetically. 6. Not here. 16. Where the wizard was 23. Drinking implement. The principle of Sudoku is very simple: each row, each 10. Cairo’s its capital. from. Solution next week column and each “box” of nine squares ANSWERS TO within the puzzle must LAST WEEK’S contain all the num- MONSTER QUIZ bers from 1 to 9 with, naturally, no repeti- 1. Eddie; 2. Vidkun Quisling; tions. Guess if you 3. France; 4. 2002; 5. Poly- andrist; 6. Martinique; 7. Gra- will, but each Sudoku ham Greene; 8. Freetown; 9. puzzle can be solved Antarctica; 10. Vinson Mas- QUICK using logic alone.

sif; 11. Russell Crowe. 12. SOLUTION Beware: there is only Ghostly lights that trailed be- CROSSWORD one solution to this hind fighter aircraft; 13. Ar- LAST WEEK’S TO puzzle, which will be Solution to puzzle of September 10. senic; 14. A trip into space; published next week. 15. Singapore; 16. The Kor- eas; 17. Male health and dis- Answer to last week’s Brainbuster ease; 18. Nudity; 19. Heart 5 Xs. If you know algebra, you can figure this out by setting up an Scribble Space of Darkness by Joseph Con- equation, expressing Y and Z in terms of X's. But you don't need to rad; 20. An ass. use algebra if your thinking goes like this: 1. From Scale #1, you can figure out that Z=2X, because the Z ANSWERS TO LAST on the left side has been replaced by 2 Xs on the right side. WEEK’S 2. Next, say that X=2 and Z=4. That would put a 12 on the right side of Scale #2, which means that Y must equal 3 to make the left EZ TRIVIA QUIZ side of Scale #2 the same as the right side (4?3=12). 1. Buttercup; 2. The cheetah; 3. Now you know that the left side of Scale #3=10 (3+3+4=10). 3. Automatic Teller Machine; Since X=2, the right side of Scale #3 must have 5 Xs in order to 4. Olympus Mons, on Mars; equal 10 (5?2=10). 5. Phattalung; 6. Bob the By the way, it doesn't matter which numbers you use. Just so you Builder; 7. Jim Henson; 8. make sure that Z=2X, you'll always come out with 5 Xs on the Dalmations; 9. Krypton; 10. right side of Scale #3. Go ahead-try it with X=4 and Z=8, and you'll Manhattan. see. Solution to Cartoon Puzzle of September 3 September 17 - 23, 2005 TAKE A BREAK PHUKET GAZETTE 29 PPUZZLESUZZLES The Cryptic Crossword the Fun ACROSS 1. Fran ill – a mistake to go out in this. Pages for all 5. Pope from the city. 8. Mend a sock – drat! the Family 9. Bird call is inexpensive, it’s said. 10. In a barge, point to a bovine. 11. Toilet little Edward plundered. Spot the Difference 12. Countryside biter – Pegasus, perhaps? Can you find the seven 14. Loony seed. differences between the 16. Shoot at a shorebird. two cartoons below? And 18. Scare the spy. can you find them faster 21. We hear it’s not a stain. than the rest of the family? 22. Bear back, ok, to a US city. 23. Nothing comes back from silliness. 26. Particle digger with twisted clue. 29. Song in a New Mexico Compiled by Tortuus. © 2005 article. 3. Accent in which I’d make a degree, at the centre. 30. Direction to average a mistake. 24. Get brown with Stan goalie’s success. 4. After the French cardinal, outside the United Na- 32. Body shirt with four a church parasite. tions. letters or so. 5. Stimulants for show parts. 25. Gas Tim awfully – it’s a 33. Surplus bend in entrail. 6. Joan was from this curve? bad sign. 34. Oil giant has 20 in a long 7. Wary, went askew. 26. Where disorderly guys while. 10. Does she do this in court? dine? 35. Fiddle with a lever to lift. 13. Gone! (Note low point.) 27. How to spot the center of 15. A test run in court. the storm. DOWN 17. Professional’s in favor. 28. Direction to lake is weird. 19. Kermit and Leo mistook 31. Victory over former 1. Mars looks embarrassed the distance. spouse may irritate. over scheme for alien. 20. Tuna swallowed a liter, to Solution next week 2. Ten under a ton. The Monster Quiz EZ TRIVIA 1. What could be a Cornish tion Anastasia? 1. Complete the Rex, a York Chocolate, a Bombay or a Korat? 11. Which classic Victorian phrase: As stubborn travelogue by Jerome K as a … 2. Nan Goldin, Man Ray and Jerome is subtitled To Say 2. How many countries Norman Parkinson are Nothing Of The Dog? associated with which of are there in the the arts? 12. And what is the dog’s world? name? 3. Which two British racing 3. In what country can drivers were born on 13. Who said of Mick Jagger: you see Big Ben and September 17, in 1929 and “I’m sure he’ll find 1960 respectively? someone else to be the home of Princes unfaithful to soon”? William and Harry? 4. What, in terms of popula- Brain Buster!! 4. What is a young tion, is the largest Span- 14. What is the most popular ish-speaking country in recreational boat name in swan called? the world? America? 5. Which animal is Look at the first row of numerals. 5. What’s the world’s most 15. What do bullet-proof vegetarian, has a very popular non-alcoholic Figure out how the numerals in Column 1 vests, fire escapes, long neck and sleeps drink? windshield wipers, and yield the numerals in Column 2, standing up? 6. In which of Shake- laser printers all have in 6. What’s the capital and you'll be able to fill in not only Row 1, speare’s plays does the common? line “A horse! A horse ! city of Chile? Column 3, but all the other blanks as well. My kingdom for a horse” 16. What is the only food that 7. In which boy band doesn’t spoil? appear? did Robbie Williams 7. In which year was 17. Mdina is the old capital sing? dynamite invented? city of which Mediterra- Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 nean island republic? 8. Who invented the 8. Paraguay has borders telephone? 122646 576 XXX with Argentina, Brazil and 18. What is the national motto 9. What is the name of which other country? of Belize? 91234 216 XX the newspaper in the 19. In which year was Eton 9. What percentage of the Harry Potter books? 61818 XXX XX world’s population is College founded, and by contained in the United whom? 10. Which dinosaur had States? 20. How many Noble gases a kingly name? Answer next week 10. What is the surname of are there? Answers next week. American singing sensa- Answers next week 30 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PROPERTY September 17 - 23, 2005

Home of the Week Rawai Contemporary chic in Rawai

his three-level, 248- This modern home sits on a square-meter home in compact 320sqm block with a Rawai, which is just on neat, easy-care garden and an T the market, has three attractive swimming pool. spacious bedrooms, a maid’s The property is walled and room and en suite bathroom, and private, and also has a covered a bright open-plan living and din- car port with remote-controlled ing room. gate. Adjoining the dining area is Located just a few minutes a modern Western-style kitchen away from Nai Harn Beach and with a range of appliances, ample the conveniences of Chalong – storage and a large breakfast bar. including banks, markets, medi- A timber spiral staircase cal services and boating facilities, leads to the two upper floors, this modern home, with its crisp which contain three large bed- white color scheme and bold fea- rooms – the master bedroom has ture walls and glazed ceramics, an en suite bathroom – and two would be sure to please a buyer bathrooms. The two bedrooms on with a penchant for the contem- the second floor open onto a cov- porary minimalist style. ered terrace, which has views The land title is Chanote, across the bay. The bedroom on and the price is 11 million baht. the top floor would make an ideal family room. For more information contact Facilities include four air Richard Lusted, Siam Real Es- conditioners, cable/UBC TV, a tate, at Tel: 076-288908, email water-heating system, a 6,000-li- [email protected], or Different views of the kitchen ter water tank and water filtra- visit the website at www.siam area, the open-plan living room, tion, and a security system. realestate.com and outside by the pool. September 17 - 23, 2005 PHUKET PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 31

Construction by Anongnat Sartpisut

A property in the Balinese style by the same developer. Two Villas Tara brings you a taste of Bali BANG TAO: Fourteen modern an optional four-bedroom design; the developer will hire a manage- Balinese design villas on 5.5 rai two, three or four bathrooms; ment company to service public of land are under construction kitchen, living and a dining room. utility areas and look after gar- and scheduled for completion by All units have a 25sqm private bage disposal. the middle of 2007. pool with options for larger pool As for infrastructure, the Wirachai Pranveerapai- design. developers will supply well wa- boon, Managing Director of the Prices range from 8.9 mil- ter, while electricity will come 80-million-baht Two Villas Tara lion baht to 13 million baht. A fur- from the Phuket Provincial Elec- project in Bang Tao, told the Ga- niture package is optional. tricity Authority. zette, “The Two Villas Tara can K. Wirachai explained that The architects are Roof Co. serve the growing trend in the all the materials used are top K. Wirachai said, “Our tar- villa market, and our prices are quality. For example, doors are of get customers are Europeans similar to the cost of a condo- teak, the roof is shingled, the who are mostly looking for a holi- minium at Laguna.” walls are of V.C Mosiac with a day home or a long-term invest- The exteriors follow a Jotun-painted finish, window ment.” “courtyard villa” design, while frames are aluminum, and the “Feedback so far is positive interiors are modern oriental, fea- windows are tinted green. – two of the 14 villas have al- turing premium materials, K. Bathrooms are fitted out ready been sold.” Wirachai said. with American Standard sanitary- The villas start from 180 ware, and floor surfaces are laid For more information contact square meters up to 250sqm, and with premium quality Cotto ce- Tel: 06-6825156 or 01-571- have two or three bedrooms, with ramic tiles. K. Wirachai said that 1009; email: info@twovillas. com, [email protected] or visit the project website at www. twovillas.com 32 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PROPERTY September 17 - 23, 2005

Decor Ananya Hongsa-ngiam

In lieu of plastic ardon the pun, but have quickly get to the bottom of things you ever considered sit- and choose from a selection of ting on something in lieu loo seating with a difference. Pof plastic? “Normal” toi- These seats are made of let seats are all very well, but the durable, non-toxic resin that is bathroom can be livened up with resistant to acid and rust, and are a sense of fun. easy to clean. They have trans- Wooden seats used to be all parent covers inside which sun- the rage, especially in northern flowers, dolphins and fish appear climes. They had a certain to float. The hinges are fully ad- warmth about them, and appar- justable to fit most toilets. ently they just felt, well, good... Nowadays you can really go Eight different toilet seat pat- round the bend, and emerge from terns are available, for about the shops flushed with excitement 1,700 baht each, from Saeng as you head home to “road-test” Chai Panich Co Ltd, 184-186 your latest purchase. There’s one Thepkrasattri Rd, Phuket City. shop in Phuket where you can Tel: 076-237325-30. September 17 - 23, 2005 PHUKET PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 33

Gardening with Bloomin’ Bert Jacob’s Coat of many colors have never been with weird colors. Oth- much of a fan of ers look a bit like Pring- lurkers. I’ll con- les, the potato chips Icede that the LA you get in those tubes. Lurkers is a damn fine Then there’s another basketball team, ex- type that are folded like pert that I am, but I’m Chinese fortune cook- not aware of any of ies. These things really them lying in wait out- don’t like to conform. side nightclubs and fa- Originally a na- mous restaurants wait- tive of the East Indies ing for personalities to and the Pacific, Ja- emerge. cob’s Coat is one of the All most celebri- most striking shrubs ties really want to do around and is widely is to be able to go home used by tropical gar- anonymously without deners – not just here being hassled, and then in Phuket, but all over quietly get on with the region. their lives. Or maybe Some grow as they don’t. Many must tall as a couple of secretly crave some- meters, but most are one to take their pic- quite happy just to sit ture, thereby making Jacob’s Coat is usually grown for its attractive leaves. there on the ground, them more famous and covering what would helping them to make even more which it grows. It’s mental. Leave otherwise be a tedious little patch dosh in the long run. it a few days and it will inevitably of soil. But the last thing they re- become straggly. Leave it a few With well-drained earth and ally want, I mean really want, is weeks, and it can take over plenty of sun, the Jacob’s Coat for someone to pounce from the whole sections of your garden. will cover any corner of the gar- bushes and snap them when Once it’s bored with lurking, it den you’re not sure what to do they’re least expecting it. Celebs needs to be kept in check, and with, but give it an inch and it will lead hard lives. Some days they regular amputations and uproot- take a mile. It needs discipline. even have to invent ways of ings of whole plants are the only Never have I seen the spending all that money, but I se- answer. Jacob’s Coat pounce on an un- riously sympathize with them on Jacob’s Coat, also known as suspecting celebrity, camera dan- the lurkers front. fire dragon, copper leaf or beefsteak gling from its stalk. On reflection, plant, comes in a great variety of it probably isn’t a lurker in the tru- FURTIVE colors, but frankly, the flowers are est sense of the word – this one rather uninspiring. has principles. My dictionary defines a lurker as They are tiny and some- being someone or something that what insignificant in comparison moves or waits furtively, or waits to the rich, colorful array of Want to know more in a concealed position or a shad- leaves, and seem to have been about a plant owy corner, especially with the included in the package as a bit in your garden? intention of doing something of an afterthought. wrong. I can’t argue with that. This is a particularly colorful Email Bloomin’ Bert at: I’m not sure if there are that tropical shrub which is usually [email protected] many plants in the world that have grown for its attractive leaves, but similar sinister intent, but there are also because it has so many varia- a few that nestle themselves in tions, and is by no means predict- the corner of your garden, keep- able. ing to themselves, just waiting for Its amazing foliage com- the right time to pounce. prises shades of purple, red, crim- The Jacob’s Coat plant, or son, pink and colors that could al- huu-krataai in Thai, is one of most pass as bronze or copper. them. It will lie in wait enthusias- Perhaps this could be “the plant tically, then spring up without with the copper-colored top”? warning. These colors can even Outside my house some change according to how much time ago, a gang of workers de- direct sunlight they get. scended unannounced, and built Some plants will complain a concrete road on a dirt track, bitterly if they don’t get exactly laying waste to all plant life in their the right amount of sunlight, but path – or so it appeared. Just not the Jacob’s Coat – it is far about the only survivors beyond more sophisticated than that. It my garden wall several weeks changes color. Some leaves are later were a few Jacob’s Coat orange or red in the full sun, yet plants which sprouted from no- often more subdued tones of where, stubbornly refusing to be green in the shade. Generally, the swallowed up by the all-consum- more sun they get, the more striking concrete. Some time later, and ing the color of the leaves. they were back in full stride. The evenness of the leaves One of the downsides to this can also vary from plant to plant. particular plant is the speed at Some are completely flat, albeit 34 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS September 17 - 23, 2005 Property Gazette

Properties RAWAI LUXURY LAGUNA AREA For Sale VILLA POOL VILLAS New modern Balinese-style pool villas will be completed in November. Minutes from the Laguna Golf Course, restaurants, bars and beaches. For sale at 6.9 million baht, substantial pre- A 144sqm house 350m completion discount. Also from the beach with available to rent from No- 400sqm of land for sale. The vember, from 30,000 baht house has 2 bedrooms and per month. Tel: 076- 2 bathrooms. Asking 2.8 288310, 04-8391600. million baht. Tel: 01-476- Email: 3623. Email: free_ holdprop [email protected] @yahoo.com For more details, please see our website at: www. phuketfourvillasresidencies. com KOH LANTA VIEWPOINT LAND Stunning Anadaman sea- TOWNHOUSE view land for sale. 19 rai, Nor in Anuphas. On the main road Sor 3 Gor title. Good loca- in the heart of the city and near tion for investment – road, Central, a 3-bed, 2-bathroom, water, electricity, special house with kitchen, furniture price. Please contact me for and water heater, in good con- more information. Tel: 01- dition. Please contact for more 2661716. Email: kingklome info. Tel: 09-4691813. Email: @yahoo.com [email protected]

PATONG CONDOS FOR SALE Condos with a sea view, 28 Spacious 3-bedroom house, and 56sqm, for sale. Priced includes master bedroom en from 650,000 baht. Near suite, separate self-contained bank and post office. Please granny flat or office in a se- contact for more information. cluded garden, a compact Tel: 09-4740227. Email: European kitchen and air con- [email protected] ditioning throughout. Situated in a quiet location approxi- mately 2km from Chalong LAND FOR SALE circle. Please contact for more 5 rai (41 square wah) for sale information. Tel: 076-330897. at Pa Khlok. Asking 1.2 million Email: [email protected]. baht per rai. Please contact co.th for more information. Tel: 09- 4695164. Email: oh_aoh@ RAWAI CONDOS yahoo.com CHALONG HOUSE NEW RAWAI VILLA with sea view. 27, 54 and for sale in a small, quiet, exclu- 2-bedroom, 144sqm house 81sqm. Priced from 350,000 HILL-VIEW PLOT sive estate. The house is with 2 bathrooms, kitchen and NEW SHOPHOUSE baht. Financing for 3 years 1 rai for sale: 25m frontage x 212sqm, with 3 bedrooms, 2 living room, on 400sqm of New shophouse on the by- available. Foreign freehold. 68m deep. A corner plot with bathrooms, an American-style land. 400m from the beach. pass road. 3 floors, close to Tel: 09-4740227. Email: Chanote title on Soi Baan kitchen, a living room, pool Asking 2.8 million baht. Tel: Tesco. 5.2 million baht. Email: [email protected] Krang, in Chalong. Asking 4 and spa, a storeroom, 5 air 09-4740227. Email: chotip_ 5 [email protected] million baht, negotiable. Tel: conditioners and 1 covered @hotmail.com 3-BEDROOM 076-216260, 07-8945321. parking space. I am asking 6.5 Email: prporter56@yahoo. CONDO FOR SALE Chalong house for sale in a million baht. Please call for NICE LUXURY HOUSE 46.7sqm, studio-type condo in small, quiet, exclusive estate. com details. Tel: 01-8913740. for sale. Perfect for family, Patong, on the 7th floor of The house is 360sqm, with 3 ready to move in, 5 bedrooms Andaman Beach Condo. No large bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, PHANG NGA LAND VILLA IN NAI HARN and bathrooms, close to Cen- brokers please. Please call K. 1 storage room, an American- A 3.2-rai seaview plot on Haad Villa, 275 sqm living space, tral Festival and Rawai Beach. Songpan. Tel: 01-7378662. style kitchen, a large living Tub Tawan Rd, north end of 1,000sqm garden, 10mx5m Tel: 04-0169474. Email: HOUSE FOR SALE room, air conditioning, pool Bang Sak Beach; 120m to the pool, 60,000 baht rental in- [email protected] Phuket Pride house located on KATA COTTAGE and spa and 2 covered car beach road and power. 68m come per month until March For further details, please see hillside, fully furnished, with air for sale. Patong houses, hotels parking spaces. I am asking for driveway, 75m frontage; 2006. 10.75 million baht. Tel: our website at www. jikkycar. conditioner. Please call for info. and land for sale. Please con- 12 million baht. Please call for 18km south of Takuapa. 75km 07-8896074, 01-8916143 . com Tel: 09-4736886. tact for details. Tel: 04-630- further information. Tel: 01- Email: norbertfun@hotmail. from Phuket International Air- 1770. 8913740. com port. Tel: 01-8947644. September 17 - 23, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 35 Property Gazette

FOR QUICK SALE Located on waterfall road in Kathu, this freehold shophouse is for sale at 850,000 baht. Please call for more information. Tel: 06-685- 7751.

2-STORY HOUSE in Rawai, 140sqm , selling for 1.4 million baht, including owning company and financing for 3 years. 400m from the beach. Please contact for more information. Tel: 09- NEW HOUSE 4740227. Email: chotip_5@ FOR RENT hotmail.com in Wong Chalerm Villa, near the airport and Mission Hills. The house has 3 bedrooms Properties with air conditioners in two For Rent of them, 2 hot shower rooms, a kitchen, living room, garage and a beautiful garden. It is a quiet area. TSUNAMI-PROOF Please call Khun Boum for BEACH HOUSE more information. Tel: 01- BEST LAND FOR SALE 5696086. Nice plot on Koh Maphrao, with beautiful bay and island views. Nearly 70 square wah. HOUSE FOR RENT Chanote title. Only 5 minutes to Phuket by boat. Tel: 076- on Cape Yamu on the central 244562, 01-7979781. Fax: east coast of Phuket. The el- 076-355326. Email: info@ for rent in a quiet area, evated villa is stunning, with jkphukethomes.com close to Fisherman’s Way. 4 bedrooms and 4 bath- It has 4 bedrooms, 3 toilets rooms. Just one minute and a 2-car garage. Asking away from the beach, it has LIVE & EARN magnificent sea views, its MODERN HOME OFFICE in a small villa. Six brand-new 65,000 baht per month. ALLAMANDA NEW HOUSE for sale or rent. Three stories Please contact for futher own private gardens and CONDOMINIUM FOR SALE houses 1.5km from Laguna, pool and is set in an exclu- with a car park, 2 minutes on 1 rai, in a compound with information K. Taweep at A one-bedroom apartment from Lotus and Central, on the Tel: 04-1430457. sive development. Asking paved road and extra land with 80,000 baht per month for (82sqm) with a lagoon view main road. It’s a beautiful Chanote title. Asking 6.9 mil- and Laguna resort privi- project. You can design the in- a long-term rent only. lion baht for lease and 9.9 Please call for details. Tel: leges is for sale at 6.7 million terior as you like. Please con- million baht for freehold. Tel: baht. Please contact for tact for more info. Tel: 01- KAMALA 06-2796283. 01-6341432. Email: emrusadi RENT/SALE more info. Tel: 076-324- 5360536, 01-9233660. Fax: @samart.co.th 359, 05-2170738. Fax: 076-220912. 3 bedrooms, 3½ bath- 076-324360. Email: robert rooms, pool, walled garden, PATONG CONDOTEL 1 RAI NEAR CHALONG @islandlivingcompany.com 1- TO 3-RAI LOTS aircon. Rent: 35,000 baht A cheap room, fully furnished, A 250sqm house of Euro- Almost 1 rai for sale near with a sea view, is avaialble for For further details, please in Rawai. You can buy 1-, 2- per month, or will sell for pean standards, on 75 Land & Houses Park and Cha- long-term rent at 5,000 baht see our website: www. or 3-rai lots with a nice hill 5.8 million baht. Please call square wah of land with long Circle. Asking 2.7 million per month. Please contact for allamanda.com view in central Rawai for 3.1 for further information. Tel: Chanote title, for sale in baht. Please contact for info. more details. Tel: 09-474- million baht a rai. Tel: 06- 076-385940, 01-090- Kathu, Phuket. It has a lake Tel: 06-5950188. Email: 0227. Email: chotip_5@ 5950188. Email: nsupin@ 4213. PATONG APARTMENT view , 3 bedrooms, 1 maid’s [email protected] hotmail.com Apartment on the first floor, room , 3 bathrooms with hot yahoo.com has hill views, one bedroom water, air conditioning, cur- and en suite; a fully furnished tains and a fitted kitchen LAND FOR QUICK SALE kitchen and lounge. Very prac- with hot water. The location ½ rai with Chanote title, 5 Classified Advertisements tical living. Only 1.5 million is 10 minutes to Patong and minutes from Rawai. Please baht. Please call for more info. Phuket City; 25 minutes to call for info. Tel: 09-4729870. Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. Tel: 01-4154791. the airport. Two golf courses Then hand it to any of our agents. are close by. Asking 6 million BANG TAO BEACH baht. Please contact Mr 5 RAI ON KOH LONE 124sqm and 240sqm fur- |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| (heading) Near the beach, opposite Geoff for more information nished apartments, 1 min from Chalong Pier. The plot has a Tel: 01-8540061, 076- the beach. Price: 7.5 million Chanote title. Please contact 323214 or Fon at Tel: 01- baht and up. For details please |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| K. Taweep for more info. Tel: 8937585 , 076-323215. see our website at: www. 04-1430457. bangtaobeachgardens.com |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| Agents for Classified Advertising |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| PHUKET |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| K.L. Mart Patak Rd, Chalong Tel: 076-280400/3 NAVA Language School |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| Phang Nga Rd, Phuket Town Tel: 076-232398/9 Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 80 baht, Sin & Lee with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. Thalang Rd, Phuket Town Tel: 076-258369 All advertising must be paid for in advance. Taurus Travel Aroonsom Plaza Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd, Patong Tel: 076 344521-2 Deadline for Property Mart page: Friday 3 pm. Deadline for all other pages: Saturday 12 noon. 36 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS September 17 - 23, 2005 Property Gazette

PATONG SHOPHOUSE WONDERFUL 60sqm shophouse for rent in CONTAINERS WANTED RESORT Patong Condo area. 84,000 Paying cash for shipping House and rooms for rent in baht in advance for 1-year containers or used site of- a very quiet area in Rawai, lease. Please call for more in- fices. Ones in need of re- with 3 aircon bedrooms, 4 formation. Tel: 09-4740227. pairs are ok, too. Please call bathrooms and 4 toilets. Big for info. Tel: 076-281283, swimming pool and secu- PHUKET PRIVATE HOME 01-8924804. rity guard. Asking only for rent. One room for rent in 40,000 baht for Septem- Uncle Chai Phuket Private PERSONNEL LIFT ber and October. For more Home, in the Chalong area. A for hire. Need to work up high information please contact long lease is preferred at and have no room for ladders Lionel at Tel: 07-2678389 15,000 baht per month. or scaffolding? I have a mobile or visit our website at: Please contact for more de- cherry picker for hire, reaches www.christianesblue.com tails. Tel: 01-4926883. 15 meters high. Please contact Please see our website at: Accommodation ROOMS – 300 BAHT The Stone Doctor for details. Tel: 01-891-3466. HOME OFFICE www.unclechaihome.com Available Your own hot shower and 24-hour security, a 10- Fax: 076-296160. Email: for sale & rent. Two blocks of Specialist European stone- [email protected] four stories, with 20 rooms. LONG-TERM LEASE minute walk to the beach. care products and services: Can do business on the ground New, fully-furnished house in PRIVATE APARTMENT Electricity and laundry are • Restoration floor. The Royal Paradise Palai Green, with 2 air-condi- KAMALA included. Please contact for • Sealing/Finishing more information. Tel: 076- • Maintenance Household Patong. The rent is 40,000 tioned bedrooms, hot shower, Beautifully appointed and Items baht per month. Please con- kitchen, living room, garage 342280, 01-9781956. All your maintenance, fully furnished apartment Email: [email protected]. protection & cleaning needs tact. Tel: 01-5360536, 01- and beautiful garden. Located 200m to Kamala Beach. Pri- 9233660. Fax: 076-220912. co.th for natural and manufactured in a quiet area near Chalong vate entrance and private stone. CARRIER AIRCON Bay. Tel: 01-8924311. garden. Many excellent res- • Marble • Sandwash Only 1.5 years old. As good as WELL-APPOINTED taurants nearby. Consists • Granite • Terracotta new. 25,000 BTU (ideal for condo100m from the sea. 2 PATONG SEAVIEW of 2 deluxe bedrooms with HOTEL PROMOTION • Slate • Terrazzo office, shop or living room). bedrooms, Western kitchen, apartment. Superb 2-bedroom en suites, a common lounge, Low season, long-stay, spa • Sandstone • Ceramics, etc New: 34,000 baht; now only big balcony with sea view, apartment of 200sqm, with 3 dining and kitchen area. and pool. Many facilities. Prevent: rust, stains, mildew, 19,000. Tel: 01-7191522. pool, air conditioning, TV. bathrooms, air conditioning, a algae, scratches Each bedroom can be used Price only 17,500 baht/ Remove: builders’ residue, Email: [email protected] Please contact for more de- large swimming pool, UBC, independently or combined month. Beachfront. Please incorrect sealants, rust, stains, tails. Tel: 09-8908166. Email: telephone and European as a family suite. Aircon call for more info. Tel: 076- mildew, etc. Daily care & DINING TABLE BASE [email protected] kitchen, available for 45,000 throughout and UBC avail- 345518, 01-8920038. cleaning products also available. Rattan 4-leg base suitable for baht per month. Please call me able. Long term only. glass top. 500 baht, all of NEW SINGLE HOUSE for further information. Tel: 13,000 baht per month. Tel: 07-2824930, 076-271217 which will be donated to the 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, in 06-2790837. Tel: 01-8931360, Fax: Building Fax: 076-271218 Email: Soi Dog Foundation. Please Land & Houses Park Phuket, 076-385292. Email: contact for more information. near Chalong. Quiet area with Products [email protected] Properties [email protected] Tel: 09-1562746. Email: clubhouse and 24-hour secu- & Services [email protected] rity. 16,000 baht per month. Wanted Tel: 01-5697068. Email: ROOMS TO LET [email protected] Lakeview apartments in SIAM HOME BOSCH POWER DRILL Kathu. Fully-furnished, with & CAR SERVICES Bosch GSB 400 power drill for sale. 4 months old, lightly used LAND FOR LONG-TERM SEAVIEW PLOT air conditioner, fridge, cable Building renovation, only. 1,800 baht. Tel: 076- lease: 9 rai on Soi Tattam- WANTED TV, hot water, car park. 183 repairs, maintenance manoon, Kathu, Phuket. Lo- I want to buy a buildable 1- baht per day. Please contact 288233. Email: mickgave@ Electrical cated on the hillside next to or 2-rai plot in Kata, Karon for info. Tel: 076-202585, hotmail.com Air conditioning/lights Pae-Ma-Nam Restaurant – an or Chalong area, for up to 4 09-1968449. Email: ideal location for a resort, spa, million baht per rai. Tel: 06- ketmaneeclayton61@ Woodwork/furniture Household etc. Please call for info. Tel: 2691412. hotmail.com Stone, cement, sandwash 01-7191415, 01-8675084, Steel, aluminium, tiles Services 076-321825. REOPENING Glass, screen, fiberglass CONDO WANTED on the beach! Bar and rooms NICE CHALONG HOUSE NEAR BEACH for rent, REOPENED after Contact Khun Chuat SAFEWAY STORAGE for rent, with 2 bedrooms, air 2-bedroom furnished condo renovation. In Patong, on the 01-4083800, 076-325391 Secure storage for your fur- conditioning, a big kitchen and near beach in Patong, Kalim beach. You can also visit us niture, car, boat, bike or cable TV. Asking 8,500 baht or Karon wanted for long- after-hours. For more details, surplus stock. Best rates in per month, excluding utilities. term rental from mid-No- Tel: 01-0881456. Email: SITE OFFICES Phuket. Tel: 076-281283, Please call for more info. Tel: vember. Email: trevor@ office@viennasguesthouse. insulated, with aircon. Rent for 01-1251873. Please visit 076-344487, 06-2677245, bensonjack.com.au com or see our website at: 4,950 baht per month, or buy our website at: www. 04-1901068. www.viennasguesthouse.com a new office for 160,000 safewayphuket.com for baht. Tel: 076-281283, 01- details. 8924804. For more info please visit our website at: www.safewayphuket.com SPAS-R-US Steam room/sauna and ac- cessories and portable hot- Don’t miss.... tubs from the US. Quality equipment, designed and in- Issues & Answers stalled to meet your needs. phuketgazette.net/ Business and residential. issuesanswers/ Please call California Spa De- index.asp sign. Tel: 076-263269, 09- 1950610. Find more Property Classified ads online at phuketgazette.net! September 17 - 23, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 37 Property Gazette

“New Laguna Pool Villa” “Allamanda Condominiums” freehold title from Phuket’s leading developer available freehold “3 Bedroom Laguna Pool Villa” - 3 bedroom, single story golf villa - latest release of Allamanda studio, 1 and 2 bedroom impeccable property, minutes from the tee apartments - enormous land plot, 4m x 12m pool - unfurnished, private residences in the heart of Laguna - starting price from 4.5 million baht - purchase includes all of the Laguna benefits and privileges - pool, outdoor dining area, perfect for client or private - tropical landscaping, villa has been professionally maintained - guaranteed return, backed by public listed developer entertainment by Knight Frank - deferred payment terms, hotel management - 20 minutes from the airport, 4 minutes to the beach, -immediate purchase for only 27.8 million baht - purchase includes Laguna Phuket golf membership restaurants, wine bars and clubs nearby

“Villa Santi” “Layan Gardens” uninterrupted 270º sea views “Kata Gardens” spectacular sea view apartments elegant apartments in desired location - studio, 1, 2 and 4 bedroom apartments with panoramic sea - 33 apartments of 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms - just 40 luxurious apartments, most with sea views views of Patong Bay - only one apartment per floor -spacious 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and 600sqm - fully integrated resort with professional on-site management penthouses and rental services - penthouse apartments include private terrace - 60% sold out - great on-site facilities including international restaurant, deli, and plunge pool - great lifestyle investment wine bar and spa - public listed developer with excellent track record

“L’Orchidee Residence” unrivalled quality with outstanding views “Sri Panwa” - every villa has never to be built out sea views and a private perched above Cape Panwa “Thai Bali” pool - secluded peninsula with superior sea views cool elegance - walking distance to the beach - 2 bedroom villas from 320-365sqm starting from 18 million - secluded spa villas just minutes’ walk from Bang Tao Beach - ideal holiday villa with short-term rentals and management baht - each room opens onto a 10m x 4.5m swimming pool by Knight Frank - exceptional quality building by experienced and respected - one of Phuket’s “best buys”. Owners should be rewarded - exclusive development with breathtaking views luxury resort developer with a healthy return on investment; stress free

“Surin Heights Triplex Apartments” life’s a beach - exceptional elevated views of Surin beach - 275sqm, 2/3 bedroom apartment, 2 minutes from the beach “East Coast Ocean Villas” “Sai Taan” pool villas for rent - infinity edge pool, sundeck, outdoor sala, BBQ area tranquility overlooking the East Coast (short or long term) - highly sought after holiday rental location with anticipated - affordable 2 bedroom seaview apartments for rent - 3 or 4 bedroom villas each with private pool rental returns of 7% - fully furnished with modern finishings - less than 5 minutes to the beach - integrated management and rental services by Knight Frank - large balconies and spacious living areas - spacious & private grounds, quiet location 38 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS September 17 - 23, 2005 Properties from Phuket Real Estate

2.5 RAI SEA VIEW 81 RAI PATONG IN MAI KHAO

The land, although located in the heart of Patong, is very GREAT VIEWS OVER CHALONG BAY quiet, green and has great 1 RAI IN CAPE PANWA 61 rai with magnificent views over Chalong Bay. The land is sea views to Patong. The An 81-rai plot is for sale with 1 rai located in Cape Panwa, with all underground services one of the last big plots left with an exceptional sea view. It has plot has electricity, water, 300 meters of beachfront and wide sea views to the east, south and west. The infra- a slope and a roadway has been dug. At the bottom, a large road access and building land in Mai Khao. It is ideal structure includes a 6-meter-wide sealed access road, un- sales office has been built. The Chanote title land has been permission to 23 meters. for a 5- or 6-star resort or villa derground electricity, telephone and water. Views to Phi Phi cleared by the owner and is ready to use. Great for a villa Tel: 09-8715192. project. Tel: 09-8715192. and more. Price: 8 million baht. Tel: 09-8715192. development. Price: 5 million baht per rai. Tel: 09-8715192.

THALANG 5+ RAI “MILLIONAIRES’ ROAD”

5 + rai located in Thalang, A 1-rai plot is for sale on “Mil- very close to the waterfall, lionaires’ Road” in Kamala, airport and secluded with sensational sunset 33 RAI, PANORAMIC VIEWS beaches – the quiet area views, building permission of Phuket. The land has to 8 meters, electricity and a A lovely 33-rai plot on Phuket with panoramic east-west sea 10 RAI ON EAST COAST all services, a sealed sealed road. It is virtually im- views. Surrounded by high-end developments in the 60-million- 10 rai for sale on the east coast of Phuket. The views are road and a nice setting. possible to find a plot on baht price range. The land has sealed road access, electricity breathtaking towards several islands off the east coast. The Price: 8 million baht. Tel: this road. Be quick! Tel: 09- and a bore can be sunk for water supply. This is a developer’s land is located north of Phuket City and overlooking the islands 09-8715192. 8715192. dream plot. Price: 99 million baht. Tel: 09-8715192. of Phang Nga Bay. Price: 50 million baht. Tel: 09-8715192.

SPECTACULAR 6 RAI DEVELOPMENT BEACHFRONT LAND This is one of the best 39 rai of plots on the beach in development land the Cape Panwa with a 360-degree area. It is flat land on sea view, a private the beach with slope beach, electricity 20 RAI WITH PRIVATE BEACH in the back. It has and a government 20 rai with a private beach, located close to Patong. All infra- road access and road. An access structures are in place and it is well-located for a luxury resort water and electricity road is already in or high-end development. The land has a waterfall running are available. Ideal for place. Land is ready down one boundary and a small beach (only accessible a small resort or villa for building. A from this plot) with white sand and nice feature rocks. One of must-see for all the last great plots and priced lower than all surrounding land. development. Tel: 09-8715192. developers! A truly wonderful piece of land! Tel: 09-8715192. Tel: 09-8715192.

HOME WITH STUNNING SEA VIEW IN PATONG This house with stunning sea view is located in the hills of 1 RAI, SOI NAYA, NAI HARN Patong. It comprises Ground floor:kitchen, living - dining KOH MAPHRAO A rare plot (I think there are only two left on Soi room, pool, terrace, sala, guest toilet, carport, small garden 21 rai with a nice beach and old beach house, 10 minutes to Naya), with sealed road, electricity, plenty of water Phuket City. This land has great views of the bay view and First floor:2 bedrooms with bathrooms en-suite. 1st apart- and direct access to Nai Harn Beach (same road). ment: 1bedroom, bathroom, outside living and dining areas, islands. It is very quiet and secluded, but just 5 minutes to Build your dream home 2 minutes from beautiful everything. Beautiful, elevated flat land – all buildable, all with kitchen and terrace. 2nd apartment: small, 1 bedroom, 1 bath- Nai Harn Beach. Tel: 09-8715192. room, terrace. Tel: 06-2726508. views. Price: 30 million baht. Tel: 09-8715192. September 17 - 23, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 39 Boats & Marine

41FT FIBERGLASS CABIN CRUISER

2x330hp Mercruisers (fully overhauled by manufacturer – 20 hours). All seats re- newed. Sun deck, toilet, freshwater shower. Capac- STEPPA 38, GREAT FAIRLINE TARGA 52 ity: 22+3, ample for busi- CONDITION (2003) ness or private use. Equip- ment for 10-12 divers (20- tank holder). Can be seen and tested in Koh Samui. Asking price: 2.8 million baht (69,000 euros, US$84,000), negotiable. Please contact for more information. Tel: 07-2836 ASKING PRICE: 1.6 million Twin 715hp Volvo sports 262. Email: jareden75@ baht ono for quick sale. 38ft cruiser in as-new condition. yahoo.fr – exceptional performance. Very well equipped. Must Very stable and versatile, sell. Offers encouraged. ideal for fishing, beach hop- US$720,000. Please con- ping and local charter. Near- HOVERCRAFT tact for more information. OPERATION new twin 200hp Yamaha MalaysiaTel: +6012-297- Thai business partner/inves- outboards. Takes you right 1364, 06-2674998. Email: tor wanted for a hovercraft up to the beach. Registered simon.theseira@ business in Phuket/Phang and built in Phuket, custom- simpsonmarine.com For Nga. The flying craft can be ized and decked in teak. Very further details, please see used as a rescue vehicle as low maintenance costs and our website at: www. well as a tour boat, moving excellent lifetime expect- simpsonmarine.com ancy on 100% solid fiber- over all terrain (beach, wa- glass hull and superstruc- ter, swamp, rivers, etc). 50KG BRUCE ANCHOR SURFACE-SUPPLIED ture. Optional professional NEW WOODEN BOAT Only serious offers consid- Like new, 5m chain, 100m of air diving. Hookah diving sys- FISHING BOAT management at extremely LOA: 18m. Beam: 3.2m. The ered. Please contact for 19mm nylon rope, used 3 tems from USA Clear (trans- 19 ft fiberglass, with trailer. reasonable terms. Please boat was built in 2004-05 with more information. Tel: 01- times. 24,900 baht. Please parent) Sea Canoes. Please Has center console with contact. Tel: 076-353925, Takeah-Tong, 420hp Hino- 0787795. Email: a.bolle@ call for more information. Tel: contact for more info. Tel: 09- permanent shade cover and 01-8932672. Fax: 076- engine. Asking 380,000 baht. siam-interact.com 04-8426206. 4694844. Email: bstrahle@ plenty of rod holders. Has a 353925. Email: stefb@ Tel: 09-4710655. Website at: aol.com For further details, very clever shade extension ksc.th.com www.gardenislandphuket. please see our website at: too. As new for 250,000 com SPEEDBOAT NEEDED INFLATABLE DINGHY www.krabidaycruise.com baht. Doesn’t include motors to rent. Urgently required for 5.8m inflatable dinghy with as I am selling the hull and ENGINE WANTED TEAK BOATS 1 to 3 months rental: Speed- fiberglass hull and 115hp trailer only. Best value for Marine engine and gearbox Thai-Chinese boat more than boat or fast boat with 2 motors Yamaha outboard, fuel tank, CATAMARAN WANTED money in Phuket. Please wanted for 12-meter sloop. 40 years old, 5.5m wide and in excellent condition, fully li- etc. In good condition; any rea- I am looking to buy a catama- contact for more informa- 40-80hp okay. Please contact 17m long. For quick sale, 2 censed for 20-50 passen- sonable offer considered. ran, either secondhand or to tion. Tel: 06-9724805. for more information. Tel: vessels for 900,000 baht. gers, enclosed seating and Please contact for more info. build a new one. Make an of- Email: nervobe@hotmail. 077-447023, 01-0802178. Contact K. Joe. Tel: 01-693- capable of withstanding occa- Tel: 01-8955538. Email: bob fer. Email: daniel_lienhart com Email: eastpier@samuinet. 6437. Email: joe_mooky@ sional rough seas. Email: bill@ @fareastoriental.com @hotmail.fr com yahoo. com siaminter.net 40 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS September 17 - 23, 2005 Boats & Island Job Mart

Marine ASS’T SPA MANAGER AT KATA BEACH Assistant Spa Manager & Cleaning Attendants. All experienced, reliable and En- glish speaking. Only Phuket residents need apply. Please send resumé, photo and expected salary or contact for more info. Tel: 076-330914, 06-5413629. Fax: 076- 333233. Email: terapi@ post.tele.dk For further details, please see our website at: www.phuket-massage. com

DIVE ASIA is seeking 2 Guest Relations Officers and Salespersons - Thai female, 20-27 years old - Good English a must; other languages would be an advantage - Computer skills If contacting by phone, please call Tel: 076-330- 598 between 11 am and 9 pm, or apply by Email at: [email protected]

ROCK BAND OUTBOARD MOTOR If you play drums or bass, or if you are a good singer, I need DIVE/CRUISE BOAT Wanted: new or secondhand you to start a rock band. A one-time only opportunity outboard. 150hp, 2- or 4- Please contact me for further to buy a 53ft boat licensed stroke. Please contact with full details. Tel: 08-4502596. for 40 passengers. It has details. Email: s.gurnham@ Email: marcusrud@hotmail. twin Hino 265hp diesel en- net2000.ch gines. Pay 2.25 million baht com in cash and 2.25 million MONACO YACHTING MARKETING Bartercard trade baht, with 1984 Bertram. Length: 48ft. trade baht interest-free, to assistant. Siam Real Estate Beam: 15ft. Draught: 4ft. SECRETARY requires a Thai person with be repaid from charter in- Engines: 2x405hp fully re- come. Please contact Brian and mae baan. Phuket Home transport, good English and a stored, inboard Detroits. Massage in Cherng Talay is good personality, who is used Taylor for more information. Double cabins, 2 bathrooms, Tel: 07-0673360. looking for a secretary for all to dealing with foreigners and saloon, TV DVD, big fridge. administration work. Should be has marketing experience in Safety equipment on board, smart with good English and a PR, Internet and off-page ad- 3.5m Hypalon dinghy, 6M FIBERGLASS pleasing voice. We are also vertising. Good salary and sunbeds, new exterior paint. looking for an uncomplicated commission offered. Tel: 076- speedboat. Yamaha 85hp out- Price: 6 million baht. Photos board, 12 hours of use since live-in maid to take care of our 288908. Email: nice@ available. Please contact for house and the kids. Age for siamrealestate.com major rebuild. Comes with 2 x more info. Tel: 01-1870409. 24-liter portable plastic fuel both positions: 18 to 35. Call Fax: 077-414359. Email: Khun Noy. Tel: 076-270- 027, PHP & MYSQL tanks. Also has stainless roll [email protected] bar with ski attachment. 01-0827703. Email: gdp@ programmers. Vertigo Co Ltd 172,000 baht. Please contact phukethomemassage.com (sister company of DNHOST for more information. Tel: TANKER VESSEL For further details, please see Ltd – Europe) is a software de- 077-418161, 07-8866711. our website at: www. velopment company for the Thai-registered tanker ves- phukethomemassage.com Web. For its e-commerce so- Email: johnhamilton4@ sel for sale: hotmail.com lutions and its recent accredi- - Capacity: 50,000 liters OFFICE tation as an EU registrar, we - Length: 22 meters Administrator. Siam Real Es- need: 3 experienced PHP/ PERETERS 14M tate requires a reliable, expe- MySQL programmers. Candi- Australian-built Pereters 14- - Beam: 4.9 meters - Engine: 1 Hino diesel rienced, Thai, Office Adminis- dates may apply by email or by meter boat. Length: 14m; trator with excellent English. phone. Tel: 076-383432, 04- beam: 4.7m. Engine: 513hp - Price: 2.1 million baht. Very good future prospects to 8484006. Email: staff@ Cummins diesel. Please con- Please contact for details. grow with the business. Salary mynewserver.com tact K. Sirius Limpuntaplist for Tel: 076-244820, 01-891- based on experience. Tel: more information. Tel: 01-797- 2333. Fax: 076-244823. 076-288908. Email: nice@ 2 PROGRAMMERS 9017. Email: laurance@ Email: [email protected] siamrealestate.com Core tasks are to mass import yahoo.no data. Requirements are En- ARTIST NEEDED glish, PHP, MySQL, XML. Talented artist/illustrator Come work for a smart, repu- needed for work on several in- table company. Email: siamuk teresting projects. Please @loxinfo.co.th contact for more information. LAWYER NEEDED ASSISTANT NEEDED Tel: 07-8958629. KARON PROPERTY Knightsbridge Law is extend- Patong company requires a staff. The following positions ing its Bangkok Offices to in- bookkeeper with knowledge WEB GRAPHIC are now open for Thai nation- clude an office in Phuket. We of the construction industry designer wanted part-time. als at our new office in Karon: are currently seeking staff for and good English. Please con- Each job will be paid in ad- office staff and a property that office. Please contact for tact for more information. Tel: vance. Please contact for scout. Please send resumé, more information. Tel: 09- 07-0778454. Fax: 076-292- more information. Tel: 09- current salary and photograph 0845704. Email: skheffe@ 073. Email: solitude001@ 4740227. Email: chotip_5@ by email to: phil.collier@ knightsbridgecredit.com aol.com hotmail.com karonproperty.com September 17 - 23, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 41 Island Job Mart

PERMANENT positions. Employment 1. Yacht Staff Wanted Female Thai national. Must AU PAIR URGENTLY REQUIRED FAST-GROWING WANTED speak good English and like the An English family living in A five-star spa is currently PROPERTY We are looking for skipper water and the outdoors. Res- taurant or hotel background GERMAN COOK southern Spain requires as- seeking the following: company in Samui seeks a and a hostess who have coming to Thailand in No- sistance with their 6-month qualified accountant. Candi- worked on boats. Tel: 09- and driving license are advan- 1. Spa Supervisor, based in tages. Training supplied. vember and looking for job and 2-year-old sons. Expe- Karon and Phuket City. dates must be computer lit- 8663738, 06-9404316. 2. Office Staff – Junior in the gastronomic field in rience with children an ad- 2. Sales Staff. erate, with a good com- Phuket. I speak English, Thai vantage. Must be reliable mand of English; have a uni- Must speak good English and 3. Spa Receptionist, based STAFF WANTED and Spanish. Email: peter. and able to speak some versity accounting degree have computer skills: email, [email protected] English. Duties include: do- in Patong, Karon and and a minimum of 3 years’ Thai secretary between 20 Word and spreadsheets. A mestic cleaning, ironing and Phuket City. experience performing all and 40 years of age is urgently driving license is an advan- All need to be Thai nationals needed. The candidate must some light cooking. Assist- accounting work, including tage. Training supplied. SECRETARY ing with the care of both with a good command of En- monthly VAT, witholding have poise, be able to speak 3. Trainee Yacht Captain in Phuket. Female, 31. Seven children when not at school. glish and computer skills. tax, social security reports and write in English, deal well Must speak good English and years of marketing manage- Hours are variable and must Spa experience not required and general ledger entries. with people and have good like the water and the out- ment with 7-Eleven, now sec- be flexible, but no more than – just potential and the right Please contact for more in- computer and secretarial doors. Advantages: Experi- retary to the project manager 45 hours per week. Ben- attitude. Tel: 076-354027. formation. Tel: 077-458- skills. If you are interested, ence on the water or sailing at the new airport in Bangkok. efits: all travel between Email: [email protected] 195. Email: nikilai@solymar. please contact us at Tel: 076- and driving license. Would like to change for pri- Spain and Thailand paid for. co.th 344180-1 in office hours (9 vate reasons to Phuket. Good The package includes ac- am - 6 pm). Fax: 076-340- Tel: 076-232960. Fax: 076- written and spoken English commodation, full board and ASIAN TRAVEL CLUB 767. Email: bernd@phuket- 232961. Email: yachtpro and good computer skills. a monthly salary, which will recruits. Located in Kata, is CONNECT realestate-law.com @sailing-thailand.com Would be interested only in be paid in euros but open to looking for Administration/ Guesthouse – Patong. We are offers where the salary would discussion. Please email or Accounting woman with expe- looking for a person to work PASTRY CHEF PROGRAMMER be more than 18,000 baht per fax me your details, recent rience and good organizational at our reception/back office. wanted. Must be able to work wanted. month. Please contact for photograph and any refer- skills. We are also looking for You will be performing office hard in bakery on Koh Lanta. - Thai national more information. Tel: 07- ences you may have, and a Thai- & English-speaking (Chi- functions such as marketing, Will have excellent salary. Tel: - Good knowledge of Visual C nese would be an advantage) 9203031. Email: info@ brief personal description. contact with travel agents, 075-684525, 01-0669459. - Good English sales representatives. You reservations, email, check-in/ Email: sergeyves @hotmail. shelldivers.com Tel: 617-352835. Fax: - Driving license 952-836357. Email: should be easy-going and with out, cashier and standard PC com [email protected] a positive attitude and a pro- applications (MS Office), and To join a small team in Phuket DIVEMASTER fessional appearance. Good must be skilled in both Thai LES ANGES BAKERY working on international stan- and underwater photogra- salary, commission and ben- and English. If you are inter- Royal Phuket Marina requires dard software. Excellent sal- pher. My name is Sean. I’m a RESERVATIONS efits offered. Full training pro- ested, please send us your the following staff: a pastry ary (including accommodation) certified Divemaster, in Female with experience, good vided. Only female Thai nation- CV by email or contact for chef, baker, pantry chef, based on experience. Phuket since June 2005 and spoken and written English als required. Tel: 076-333461, more information. Tel: 076- kitchen staff; and service and Pls send resumé and ex- looking for work in the Phuket and computer skills wanted to 05-1601670. Fax: 076-333- 294195, 09-7310180. Fax: shop staff. For more informa- pected salary. Tel: 076-313- area. I am based near the take reservations. Please 460. Email: paulivarlarsson @ 076-340957. Email: ulf@ tion, please contact our HR 137, 01-8912934. Fax: 076- Karon, Kata and Chalong ar- contact Sea Canoe Thailand. hotmail.com beachpatong.com For further Department. Tel: 076-239- 313269. Email: admin@ eas. Freelance or fixed em- Tel: 076-212172, 076-236- details, please see our web- 755. Email: acecourtchet@ aplusplussoftware.com ployment would be of interest, 606. MARINE TECHNICIAN site at: www.gaypatong.com/ yahoo.co.uk although fixed employment for wanted to re-assemble a fi- connect/ INTERNET CAFÉ the coming high season would MARKETING STAFF berglass powerboat with SHOP ASSISTANT A Phuket City Internet café is be great. If interested, just call A new company seeks one triple Mercruiser engines. Ex- KATA INTERNET We are looking for a female looking for a manager. Appli- me and we can take it from Thai team leader and eight perience in general marine me- Thai female wanted for Internet Thai shop assistant willing to cants should be proficient in there. I look forward to hear- OPCs. Training provided and chanical/electrical systems café and reception duties. work in Kata. The salary is written and spoken english. ing from you. Please contact a good salary on offer. For an required. Tel: 01-8937027. Must speak English. Tel: 076- 6,000 baht per month. Please Knowledge of computers an for more info. Tel: 09-471- interview, call Steve at Tel: Email: ianpotter@hotmail. 284042, 04-0635773. Email: contact K. Jona for an inter- advantage. Good salary and 6524. Email: seansapstead@ 06-1206934. com [email protected] view. Tel: 09-8746170. benefits. Tel: 09-7968081. hotmail.com 42 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS September 17 - 23, 2005 Tout, Trader & Trumpet

MARINE BUSINESS Articles for Sale partner. Brit, recently settled Business KNIGHTSBRIDGE BusinessPersonal in Phuket and with many Products & LAW Services KITESURF KITES years’ experience in the luxury Services in excellent condition, for sale. GOLF CLUBS marine industry, seeks active business partnership/invest- ENGLISH TUITION The 12-square-meter size Must sell secondhand golf costs US$425; the 15sqm ment in growing marine-re- Private lessons available with clubs at a very low price. lated business. Experienced in TEFL-qualified native speaker. size costs US$500. Tel: 04- Tel: 09-6450931. 8387214, 01-0903730. running, equipping & main- Tel: 07-8887676. Email: taining power and sailing homeawaypatong@hotmail. yachts from auxiliary craft to com Births 60m+ yachts, project man- Company formations, Thai agement, engineering & elec- and other DOG DRYER tronics systems, large yacht - Immigration Law for grooming, includes table refit work. Contacts world- and arm saddle. New. Con- - Criminal Law New Arrival! wide. Open to suggestions. tact K. Anong. Please call for Tel: 01-0873301. Email: - Civil and Commercial Law more information. Tel: 01- Sanda Fein, daughter of [email protected] - Property Law 7378612. Phuket Gazette desk editor Please contact for more SHOP OR OFFICE info. Tel: 02-3431631, 09- Stephen Fein and his wife near 7-Eleven and Laguna, 0845704. Fax: 02-3431- WANT TO TALK ? Kanchana “Piya” Fein, was DAY TRIP TO brand new 5m x 15m. 2,000 818. Email: skheffe@ I want to listen! Canadian born weighing 3 kilograms at RANONG baht per month plus building knightsbridgecredit.com For university counseling stu- Mission Phuket Hospital on costs. Call Khun Anong. Tel: New double-decker tour bus further details, please see dent requires volunteer na- the morning of September 3. 01-7378612. (not minibus), non-smoking our website at: www. tive English-speaking and smoking areas, toilet, knightsbridgelaw.com Western clients. Let’s BUNGALOWS films/music, snacks and take positive psychology & restaurant for rent/sale. drinks, on-board buffet lunch. PRIVATE into action! I will help you to Please call for more informa- No extras to pay, all-inclu- explore problem areas in Business Opportunities investigation. Do you want in- tion. Tel: 01-8946686. For sive. Only 1,500 baht. Every your life – big or small – formation? Check the back- further details, please see Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sunday. AND your hidden ground of your girlfriend, boy- our website at: www. Tel: 04-7457024. strengths and opportuni- friend, spouse or business THAI-STYLE phuketnatureplace.com ties. Excellent problem- partner. We do background shophouse in Phuket City for solving skills building for checks and surveillance on rent. Asking 15,000 baht ANY farang! Please con- 15-ROOM SEAVIEW CONTAINERS persons or businesses. per month. Please contact tact for more information. hotel for lease. 2-year-old, WANTED Thailand’s largest legal ser- for more information. Tel: Tel: 06-2838313. Email: fully furnished and equipped vice network, Siam Interna- 01-5360536, 01-923- Paying cash for shipping scotthgoodman@gmail. hotel. 15 lovely, well-de- tional Legal Group. Law Office 3660. Fax: 076-220912. signed, air-conditioned rooms containers or used site of- com fices. Ones in need of re- License No. 6155/2548. Call with fantastic sea view on 2 24 hours. Tel: 076-345277, rai of land with enough pairs are ok, too. Please call LANGUAGE SCHOOL for more information. Tel: 04-0219800. Email: admin@ DIVING INSTRUCTOR empty space for a swimming siam-legal.com For further An exciting opportunity to pool, spa, restaurant or bun- 076-281283, 01-8924- couple. PADI-OWSI-Nitrox- take over/run a TEFL-licensed 804. details, please see our Intructor couple – she Japa- galows. Asking 1.175 million website at: www.siam-legal. language school. Urgent due baht per year; no key money nese, he German – are looking to illness of a partner. Please com for work, long term if possible. or monthly rent. Please con- AVECVOUS COUTURE INVESTOR/ contact for full details. Tel: tact for details or pictures. Available from Jan/Feb 2006. The personalized couture ren- PARTNER 076-319066-7, 04-661- Tel: 076-296621, 01-691- FANTASTIC OFFER Can teach in Japanese, English 8530. Email: jonreggae@ ders designing and/or tailoring for whoever can use it. Feel wanted for a good, new res- 6147. Fax: 076-344689. and German. DC work is also yahoo.com service on mobile basis at secure forever! 6 electrical taurant & beer garden. Email: [email protected] welcome. Photo and more de- your doorstep. Tel: 01-013- shutters, 1.3mm steel, for Email: phuketopportunity@ tails can be emailed. Please CAFE, TEA ROOM, 5136. See our website at: your house, office or shed to hotmail.com CAR AND BIKE contact for more info. Tel: 17- restaurant. Very close to the www.geocities.com/ be built. Tel: 09-6518106, 09- 04089414. Email: b-c-l@ beach, 45 seats, nice kitchen, rental company. Phuket’s avecvouscouture 6518107. Fax: 076-388098. largest independant car com- netcologne.de SHOP FOR SALE/ 3 rooms, fully equipped, ev- Email: [email protected] erything new. Lease: 5 years. pany is now available for sale. SURFACE-SUPPLIED lease. Internet/tour shop, with 1.3 million baht + rent at The extensive stock is avail- air diving. Hookah diving sys- everything included, in a prime Personals 35,000 baht per month. able freehold and main road tems from USA Clear (trans- Computers Karon location. No key Please contact for more infor- premises are available for parent) Sea Canoes. Tel: 09- money. Ready to go! Please mation. Tel: 04-8448381. lease or freehold. Tel: 076- 4694844. Email: bstrahle BACKGAMMON contact for more information. Email: garyone1@hotmail. 398513, 07-2837161. Email: @aol.com For further details, COMPUTER REPAIRS Retired businessman looking Tel: 06-7428743. Email: com jon.gibbons@karonproperty. please see our website at English computer technician for backgammon players on [email protected] com For further details, www.krabidaycruise.com can provide new or used Phuket Island. Please call if GUESTHOUSE please see our website at: GPRS, ADSL, WLAN and interested. Tel: 076-386113, www.karonproperty.com/ BARS FOR LEASE for sale or lease. The guest- Internet access without a 01-5778443. mikes_ bikes.html 15 beer bars for lease near house, located only 10-min- PHOTOCOPIER phone. Please call for more Simon Entertainment on Soi utes’ walk to the beach, has 9 information. Tel: 09-4735080. MISS SWEETIE PIE Bangla, next to Tiger disco- PIANO BAR IN KARON Repair by friendly farang to rooms; a kitchen, office, copiers, faxes, printers. If you are a real Miss Sweetie theque. 3+3-year contract. Restaurant for rent on a 3-year lounge area, pool table and a Please contact K. George PROFESSIONAL Pie looking for a nice, charm- All new, opening November lease for 10,000 baht per quiet garden. Please contact for more information. Tel: data recovery. We do all kinds ing, stable and genuine guy, 15. Please call Mr Kees for month. It has 3 bedrooms, for more information. Tel: 06-9724805. of computer magic. Please please let me know you with more information. Tel: 01- 076-342280, 01-9789156. plus shower rooms and toi- call for more information. Tel: pics. I prefer good life at home 8267129. Email: palm@ phuket.ksc. lets. Asking for 950,000 baht 076-383575, 06-6827277. and am now seeking a sweet co.th in key money. Please call K. BUSINESS For furture details, please see lady to share true love and BAKERY FOR SALE Tony for more information. in Thailand. Register your our website: www.phuket- happiness with. Email: in Surin, near the main road DIVE CENTER Tel: 01-4778744. Thai limited company; apply data-wizards.com [email protected] and 7-Eleven, with 3-year partnership in Koh Samui, for a work permit or Thai visa lease, at 700,000 baht; rent is fully equipped with new com- GOGO BAR FOR SALE through Thailand’s largest le- BUSINESSMAN 7,000 baht per month. Please pressor, 16 complete aqua- A fully equipped and man- gal service network, Siam In- Miscellaneous seeks Thai lady. Professional, call for more information. Tel: lungs (new), 40 tanks. Boat: aged gogo bar on Soi Bangla, ternational Legal Group. Law for Sale semi-retired American busi- 01-6760125. 41ft fiberglass cabin cruiser, (just 20m away) with a 5- Office License No. 6155/ nessman – 41 years old, nice 2x330hp, very comfortable year-and-3-month lease. It 2548. Business licenses, con- looking, loves sports, travel, 50-SEAT and good for day cruising consists of 2 buildings with 2 tracts and property transac- INTERNATIONAL and fine dining – seeks smart, restaurant in a good location in (e.g. Similans). Want to floors in use, and a 360sqm tions by legal professionals at driver’s license. 5,000 baht, intelligent, romantic, affection- Kata, available with a 5-year move from Samui. Open to entertainment area. Selling reasonable fees. Call 24 valid up to 10 years; 6,000 ate, passionate Thai lady for lease. It has 4 rooms upstairs, any negotiation for a partner- for a good price: 2.9 million hours. Tel: 076-345277, 04- baht valid up to 20 years. Sole friendship or companionship. a bar and a pool table. Please ship in Phuket or Khao Lak. baht. For more info, contact 0219800. Email: admin@ agent in Thailand. Free pick- She must be 20 to 30 years contact for more information. Please contact for more in- Khun Chakrit. Tel: 07-885- siam-legal.com For further up & delivery, open 365 days old, slim and pretty. Please Tel: 06-6833694. Email: formation. Tel: 07-2836262. 0055, 076-345155. Email: details, see our website at: a year. Call Christine. Tel: 04- send email and pictures. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] [email protected] www.siam-legal.com 0068736, 04-6906612. [email protected] September 17 - 23, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 43 Wheels & Motors

2004 FORD RANGER Saloon Cars XLT model. Only 21,000km SUZUKI SPORTY Vans on this clean, 5-speed, 4-door 2002 pickup. Remaining warranty of 4x4s, gold-colored, with 79,000km. Air conditioned 62,000km, in good condi- OPEL ASTRA VAN with tinted windows. Many tion. For sale by first owner 16 V, 1.6 liters, Year 1996, extras including upgraded ste- asking 275,000 baht. dark blue, in excellent con- reo system, detailing, chrome Please call for more infor- dition, well maintained, regu- rally front bumper, chrome roll mation. Tel: 01-3670991. lar servicing. 1 owner. Ask- bar, rain deflectors on wining 180,000 baht. Tel: 01- dows, and electronic key sys- 8942733. tem with alarm. Deep light Motorbikes green metal flake paint. Price: 525,000 baht. Tel: 06-647- 0635. Email: asiantraveller@ Rentals yahoo.com HONDA WAVE, YAMAHA NOUVO PICKUP 3 Honda Waves for sale at A1 CAR RENTAL A 1993 Isuzu diesel, 5-speed, 22,000 baht each. 2 manual pickup with 10,500 Yamaha Nouvos for sale at km on it, in good condition and 29,000 baht each. All elec- insurance and tax paid, is for tric start and in good condi- sale. Farang owner asking tion. Tel: 01-3670991. 180,000 baht. Please call K. SPECIAL PRICE Pickups Jim for full details. Tel: 04- TIGER JOKER 125 Asking for a downpayment of 8507280. An economical and regularly- only 135,000 baht for an au- serviced 18-month-old motor- Cars, trucks, jeep, 7-seat tomatic 2004 Toyota Soluna ISUZU PICKUP 4WD cycle in very good condition, people carrier for rent; fully- Vios, with full options, 1,500 TOYOTA HILUX with 4 doors, full options, with disc brakes and electric insured. From 10,000 baht a cc and insurance. Please con- TIGER 20,000km, for sale by first starter, is selling for 23,995 month; special long-term tact K. Pat. Tel: 01-9784177. owner with no accidents. Tel: baht or nearest offer. Tel: 07- rates. Please call for more Email: koentanap@yahoo. 01-8916036. 9752326. info. Tel: 09-8314703. com PICKUP FOR SALE HONDA AX-1 250 2004 HONDA JAZZ iDSI Mazda 1990 pickup. It runs motocross. Fast and eye- LOW PRICE Less than a year old, with great. Asking 55,000 baht or catching. Reasonable condi- Low price for long-term rent. Phuket’s Most Trusted & 8,380km on it, regular servic- best offer. Please call for info. tion for age. 1993. Complete Many types of new cars, Reputable Supplier of the Finest ing, silver-gray color. Tel: 076- Tel: 04-6268105. 3.0-liter SGL X-TRA Cab with genuine registration book. with CD player and insur- Quality Used SALOONS, 294109. with Carry Boy for sale. Sil- Green. Located in Kathu, ance, and well maintained. SEDANS, JEEPS & PICKUPS ver 2000 model with 5- 4 x 4s Patong. Price: 35,000 baht. Please contact for details. New cars or trade-ins – ISUZU VERTEX speed manual gear box, Tel: 076-342508. Email: Tel: 05-8833470. Email: we have what you’re Isuzu Vertex (virtual Honda) power steering, electric [email protected] [email protected] looking for with the much reliable and mirrors, ABS, power win- LANDROVER LR88 dow front, power door For more info pls call us at powerful 1.7 i-VTEC engine. Short wheelbase, box body, HONDA PHANTOM lock, air cooler. Tel: 076-224632, 216243 Power steering, windows, Toyota diesel engine, rest Looks cool, in black, 1 year NEW VIOS www.suremotor.com mirrors, central locking, radio/ Many extras: Carry Boy, stock. I bought it for 180,000 old, only 4,000km. 75,000 FOR RENT cassette player. Fully cloth- Toyota liner, electric alarm, baht. I've hardly used it but baht. Please call for details. lined interior panels and bull bar, roof rack, etc. Tel: 06-2812899. Toyota Vios, gold color, with must sell to go back to full options. Automatic TOYOTA SOLUNA GLi matching seating. New Mich- Excellent condition: Bangkok. Please make an of- gears, CD-player, leather 2000 model, full options, elin tires. Generally good and 110,000km, two British fer. Car can be seen near MOTOCROSS BIKE seats. 18,000 baht per manual gears, metallic blue, clean condition, regularly ser- owners, serviced every Chalong roundabout at Land Yamaha DT200WR. 2-stroke month with insurance. Tel: insurance. 68,000km, full viced & maintained, with one 10,000km with full Toyota Rover shop on Chao Fa Rd. engine, superb condition, per- 076-281185, 01-8226570. Toyota service history. Price: or two minor cosmetic grazes. service history, taxed until Please contact for further fect running order. 60,000 Fax 076-281185. Email: 320,000 baht. Please contact I will rectify or price sold will July 2006. details. Tel: 01-2734000. baht or nearest offer. Email: [email protected] for more info. Tel: 076- reflect accordingly. Tel: 09- Only reason for sale: need Email: [email protected] [email protected] 283115, 01-8953320. Email: 0571976. Email: johnmarmon four-door for work. Price: juergens@diveasia. com @loxinfo.co.th 337,000 baht. Tel: 01-862- 8267. Email: chriso@ heels otors ’97 DAIHATSU MIRA CHEVROLET ZAFIRA loxinfo.co.th W & M with new tires, wheels, 2.2L. 11 months old, 25,000 Advertisements brakes, CD player, covers and km, white, 1st-class insur- air conditioner for sale, for ance. Deposit 160,000 baht, then 51 months at 18,000 MAZDA PICKUP Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. 143,000 baht. The owner is a 2004 lady. Please call for info. Tel: baht. Tel: 06-7451890. Email: Then hand it to any of our agents. 07-8293460. [email protected] 4-door 4WD with full options, 16,000km, metallic |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| (heading) blue. Asking 620,000 baht. TOYOTA COROLLA 1.6 2003 HONDA CRV Like new, 38,000km, silver Please call for more infor- 1994, automatic, 2 owners mation. Tel: 07-2678389. |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| only. 130,000km, well ser- color, with full options, serviced, great condition. Paid vice book, new tires, top con- 295,000 baht one year ago; dition. 775,000 baht. Email: |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| spent 60,000 baht on new [email protected] ISUZU 4-DOOR D- wheels, tires, suspension, MAX brakes, tinted windows and MAZDA 121 20 moths old, 2.5 turbo, in |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| CD player. Have all the bills. Dark blue, electric windows, perfect condition with First to see will buy; no sen- central locking, excellent con- 41,000km, has insurance sible offer refused. No tire dition, well maintained at and full options. Asking kickers or time wasters, Mazda dealer. 220,000 baht 485,000 baht. Please call |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| please. Tel: 07-8812638. or nearest offer. Tel: 076- for more information. Tel: Email: davynat55@yahoo. 238762, 01-7473373. Email: 01-3670991. com [email protected] |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 80 baht, Need wheels? with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. Check out All advertising must be paid for in advance. www.phuketgazette.net Deadline for Wheels & Motors page: Saturday 12 noon. 44 PHUKET GAZETTE September 17 - 23, 2005

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