Volume 12 Issue 16 News Desk - Tel: 076-236555 April 16 - 22, 2005 Daily news at www.phuketgazette.net 20 Baht

The Gazette is published in association with Burmese Drive to break up tsunami IN THIS ISSUE transport ‘mafia’ survivors NEWS: US trade reps assess ways to help SMEs; Sipa launches 3-hour service for IT By Sangkhae Leelanapaporn in limbo experts. Pages 2 & 3 PHUKET: In an attempt to im- By Gazette Reporters IMPAC AWARDS: Prize-winning prove public transport on the is- essays from Phuket pupils land, Governor Udomsak Usa- PHANG NGA: They came to Thipratri and Ella. warangkura has announced his Thailand in search of a better Pages 4 & 5 support for a new project aimed life, but now thousands of Bur- at putting hundreds of metered mese who survived the very AROUND THE ISLAND: Jungle taxis on Phuket roads and worst of the tsunami are lan- Squad: like ’Nam all over launching an Airport Bus ser- guishing in Phang Nga, unaided again, only more fun and vice. and in hiding, while the bodies even Americans can win. On April 1, the Governor of dead Burmese lie unidentified Page 6 presided over the launch of the in the mortuaries. HAPPENINGS: Some of the “Taxi Phuket Development Pro- The majority of the survi- island’s brightest and best. ject” at Central Festival, during vors claim they are in Thailand Are you in it? Page 7 which he also announced the in- legally, but that they lost their troduction of a new 52-baht papers in the tsunami. As a re- MOTORING: Another classic minibus service between Phuket sult, they are afraid to approach Jaguar: the Advanced Light- City and the airport. the Thai authorities for help, for weight Coupé purrs to life. The 30-seat minibus, to go fear of deportation. Page 8 into service in about three The Burmese government months, will stop at four loca- says there are no Burmese in LIFESTYLE: Buy a necklace tions: Surakul Stadium on Wichit Thailand, and so refuses to in- and improve a life. Page 9 Songkram Rd; Tesco-Lotus; the tervene to help them. Heroines’ Monument and Pra- The Ranong-based Supha- PHUKET PEOPLE: The sandy shores of Phuket are perfect nangsang Temple, on Thepkra- Festooned with balloons, the new 7-seat metered taxi makes its mitr Foundation set up a relief for pulling … puppet strings, sattri Rd in Thalang. debut at Central Festival. center in Khao Lak, but, accord- that is. Pages 10 & 11 The new taxis are station ing to manager Chuwong Sang- wagons with seating for seven Phuket Provincial Transporta- about 20 metered taxis. I would kong, staff were forced to close TOON TOWN: Top jobs for and more luggage room than the tion Office (PPTO), told the like eventually to see all black- the center on January 10, after Patong Tigers. Page 12 standard metered taxis. Built by Gazette that the taxi fare will be plate [illegal] taxis become reg- being threatened by employers Bangkok-based car manufac- 50 baht for the first two kilome- istered. We also want to add worried that they might lose their DIVING: Gili Black honors a turer Thai Rung Union Car ters, then 7 baht per kilometer more metered taxis,” he said. cheap labor. promise. She also sinks tuk- (TUC), the “Thai Rung Bangkok thereafter. “Some metered taxis in The foundation had by that tuks. Page 16 Limousine Express” vehicles While this is more expen- Phuket are still barred from pick- time enabled 712 migrants to re- have Isuzu 3,000cc engines and sive than metered taxi fares in ing up passengers at certain ho- turn to Burma by giving them PROPERTY: Architecture expo are available for purchase at popular with public; Home of Bangkok, the 20km trip between tels. We would like them to be 500 baht each and helping them the Week: Kamala; Airport 920,000 baht on a low-interest Patong and Phuket City, for ex- able to collect fares from any- to reach the Burmese border at extension runs into turbu- instalment plan through the ample, would cost 176 baht – where on the island. It’s a neces- Ranong. Small and Medium Enterprise lence; Bloomin’ Bert gets it about half what most tuk-tuks sary thing that we must do,” he Said K. Chuwong, “The backward. Pages 17-20 Development Bank (SME currently demand for the same said, adding that he was willing employers threatened to harm Bank). journey. to take on “influential figures” our staff if they continued to help Prospective buyers can set K. Teerayuth added that the to make it so. the laborers, because they want- PLUS themselves up as taxi drivers for metered-taxi registration process Gov Udomsak encouraged ed to continue using them after QUEER NEWS 2; HOROSCOPES, a down payment of 229,000 baht, takes one day and costs less than tuk-tuk drivers in Patong whose the tsunami, and didn’t want to KIDS 13; EDITORIAL, LETTERS paying off the balance over a 2,000 baht. vehicles were damaged by the lose them. 14; BOOKS, COMPUTERS 15; five-year period at just 5% inter- At the launch, Gov Udom- the tsunami to switch over to “The employers keep [the PROPERTY CLASSIFIEDS 21-23; est. No collateral is required, sak said he would like to see pub- metered taxis and also encour- Burmese] hidden from the au- though buyers must have a per- lic transport in Phuket improve aged black-plate taxi drivers to thorities who may be able to help ISLAND JOB MART 24; TOUT, sonal guarantor. and provide more options for take advantage of the SME loans them, while the laborers are TRADER AND TRUMPET 25 & 26; Teerayuth Prasertphol, tourists. and operate legally. afraid that if they attract atten- WHEELS & MOTORS 27. Chief Technical Officer of the “Currently we have only – Editorial: Page 14 Continued on page 2 2 PHUKET GAZETTE NEWS April 16 - 22, 2005 Queer Burmese US trade reps assess survivors News still in limbo From page 1 ways to help SMEs tion to themselves, the Thai au- Boared thorities will catch them and send By Anongnat Sartpisut had been productive. “Today we SMEs, adding that the FTA group them back to Myanmar because were looking at tsunami-affected was working on other areas that they don’t have ID papers.” to death PHUKET CITY: Phuket Gover- areas and spoke with local offi- would lead to long-term eco- The foundation has been nor Udomsak Usawarangkura cials … to get a better under- nomic growth and elimination of unable to keep track of Burmese PHAYAO: An elderly hunter in met with US trade representa- standing of the situation here and poverty in Thailand. tsunami survivors since the cen- Chun District was gored to death tives and the head of the Office how we can help. “What we are doing today ter closed, but K. Chuwong esti- by a wild boar after shooting its of Small and Medium Enterprise “They gave us a good ex- is part of a bigger effort,” she said. mates that there may be as many mate and stealing their four ba- Promotion (OSMEP) on April 3 planation of areas where they Dulce A Aahniser, Deputy as 2,000 of them in difficulty. bies, his neighbors said. to discuss ways in which the US need assistance, as well as long- Chief of Staff of the Oversea Pri- Before the tsunami, there In late March, Wun Sisan, private sector might assist in er-term recovery plans, including vate Investment Corporation were around 33,000 Burmese 68, shot a female boar and col- Thailand’s recovery following for SMEs, tourism, fisheries and said that her agency had set aside registered with the Phang Nga lected its piglets to sell to villag- the December 26 tsunami. others,” she added. credits totaling US$150 million Labor Office. Many were in ers to raise at a cost of 1,500 baht The talks focused on ways She said the talks had made (about 6 billion baht) as part of Phang Nga doing unskilled jobs, each. to channel private-sector invest- her team realize the importance its Tsunami Reconstruction Fi- as housekeepers or gardeners in About 10 days later, in the ment from the US to affected the Thai government places on nance Initiative. hotels around Khao Lak, or on early evening of April 4, the little businesses, given the Thai gov- fishing boats based in villages pigs were still penned up near his ernment’s decision not to accept such as Baan Nam Khem. home when K. Wun heard the direct economic aid from foreign K. Chuwong believes that sound of a wild boar approach- governments. although 3,000 migrants fled ing, making sounds as if calling A key issue in the discus- back into Myanmar, and scores out for the babies. sions was the role the proposed died in the tsunami, a “huge num- Not believing his luck, K. Thai-US Free Trade Agreement ber” remain in Phang Nga. Wan took out a rifle and followed (FTA) would play in facilitating He said he had asked the in hot pursuit. He finally got in loans to small businesses that Burmese Embassy in Bangkok to range along a creek in a sugar have been unable to obtain credit help the survivors, but embassy cane field and blasted away, hit- from Thai lending institutions. staff refused, saying that they had ting the animal. The eight-member US con- been told by Yangon that there Rather than roll over and tingent in Phuket was led by As- were no Burmese laborers in die, however, the boar charged K. sistant US Trade Representative Thailand. Wan, jumping atop him, gouging Barbara Weizel, who heads a 60- “So, no Burmese laborers him with his long canines and member negotiating team visiting died in Thailand and there are no trampling him under underhoof. Thailand for the third round of Patong Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukbal (not in red), gets the laborers here who need the help Villagers ran to help, but it of the somewhat controversial Phuket Gay Festival underway on April 7. The first night’s of the Burmese government,” was too late. The boar had poun- FTA negotiations in Pattaya. partying had a red theme, to symbolize blood, as a way of said K. Chuwong, referring, with ced and gored the last living Ms Weizel said the talks spreading the message about the dangers of HIV. an edge in his voice, to the reply breaths out of his assailant. from the Burmese Embassy. The boar fared no better – Adisorn Kerdmongkon, it, too, died at the scene. By the Police coax would-be jumper to safety committee member of the Cam- time police came to investigate, paign for Democracy in Burma the neighbors had already butch- PATONG: A drunken man horri- “Aek”, put a over the balcony Col Narong was one of four (CCDB), said most of the labor- ered the 120-kilogram animal and fied people in the Soi Kebsap railing and flailed his arms. negotiators who, after about two ers seemed to be in hiding in shared the meat among them- area of Patong on the morning of Pol Lt Col Narong Laksa- hours of persuasion, finally con- three places: Baan Nam Khem, selves. Source: Thai Rath April 7 by threatening to jump to nawimol of the Kathu Police Sta- vinced the man to come down. Khao Lak and Laem Pakarang. his death from the 18th floor of tion led a team of 15 officers to The colonel later told the Gazette CCDB officers believe they the Patong Tower. the scene, where a 5x5-meter air that Aek had become distraught may be staying with friends who The drama started at about cushion was deployed on the after an argument with his girl- are working, although it is 8:30 am after the man, who po- ground to break Aek’s fall if he friend and was out of control thought that around 90% of sur- lice have identified only as went though with his threat. from alcohol. viving Burmese migrants lost The negotiations were their jobs because of the tsunami. slow, he added, because the man K. Adisorn said the CCDB was afraid of the police and ini- intends to track down the labor- tially refused to talk to them. ers and take them to the Phang Col Narong said he explain- Nga Provincial Labor Office, ed to Aek that they would not where they can re-register. press charges. They then asked At some time in the future, him to think about his family and the committee hopes to arrange the effect it would have on them some form of liaison between the if he jumped. laborers and the Thai Tsunami After giving up his suicide Victims Identification Center, to bid, Aek was escorted to Patong enable Burmese victims of the Hospital for treatment. tsunami to be identified. April 16 - 22, 2005 NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 3 Grace Park Missing millions probe ‘making progress’ to fill Pak’s PHUKET CITY: Phuket City Police say they distribution to tsunami victims though the the police investigation, which found evi- are making progress in the investigation into Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation dence that someone had sawn though one of shoes the alleged theft of 2.05 million baht in tsu- (ODPM), was reported missing from a box the locks on the box and pried back its cover. nami relief funds from Phuket Provincial Hall at Phuket Provincial Hall on February 15. “We are conducting the investigation as in – but have yet to name any suspects in the Phuket Governor Udomsak Usawarang- rapidly and thoroughly as possible but have case. kura assigned Vice-Governor Supachai yet to name any suspects. Everything must Tiger Phuket City Police Superintendent Pol Yuwaboon to lead an investigation team into be finished before Songkran or the middle Col Paween Pongsirin told the Gazette on the disappearance. On March 11 the V/Gov of the month,” said Col Paween. April 3 that he expected his department to said his commission had concluded that the Col Paween did not specify whether Skins have “cleared up” the case before the money had been “lost” through “poor ac- “finishing the case” referred to the collec- MAI KHAO: South Korean Si Songkran holiday, but he declined to elabo- counting” by the ODPM officers charged tion of evidence, the naming of suspects, or Re Pak has pulled out of the Ti- rate for fear, he said, of jeopardizing the case. with distributing it. the filing of criminal charges. ger Skins 2005 golf tournament, The money, part of funds intended for This finding was strangely at odds with – Anongnat Sartpisut taking place on April 16 and 17 at the Blue Canyon Country Club, citing a back injury. She Phuket Air 747 grounded will be replaced by compatriot Sipa launches Grace Park. Park, 26, won two major after safety check Ladies’ Professional Golf Asso- ciation (LPGA) tournaments last LONDON: Passengers booked worthy and allowed to return to year, including the Kraft Nabisco 3-hour service on Phuket Air flights were left in Bangkok – but without passen- Championship. She was also limbo after one aircraft was gers. awarded the the 2004 Vare Tro- grounded because of “serious Then, on April 6, another phy by the LPGA, making her the defects” and another was barred Phuket Air 747 had to return to second South Korean to receive for IT experts from carrying passengers. Gatwick three hours into a flight it, the other being Pak. Safety inspectors in Lon- to Bangkok, because of a hydrau- Other top players taking By Anongnat Sartpisut foreign IT workers who have don prevented the Boeing 747- lic fault. One engine was shut off part include Colin Montgomerie, been offered a job in Thailand 200 from taking off after they while the plane was airborne. Retief Goosen – who won the BANGKOK: Foreign IT workers can fill out the form at www.sipa. discovered the collision avoid- The plane had already spent 2002 and 2003 Tiger Skins – and coming to Thailand will be the or.th/knowledgeworker/apply. ance system was broken. The air- 11 hours on the ground at Sharjah Thomas Bjorn. envy of employees in all other php craft had returned to Gatwick af- during the flight to Gatwick, Highlights of the event will sectors following the April 7 “Sipa will process the ini- ter one engine shut down. while repairs were carried out. It be broadcast on Channel 7 at launch of a new online system by tial application within five days,” The British Department for was thought the problem had 10:25 pm on April 18. the Software Industry Promotion explained K. Chalermcharn, add- Transport ordered emergency in- been fixed, but it recurred dur- Agency (Sipa). ing that once the applicant has spections of all Phuket Air planes ing the return flight to Bangkok. Park fees waived The system will allow the arrived in Thailand, he or she on British soil on April 4, after a Attempts by the Gazette to government to process foreign IT may then apply in person to flight from Bangkok to London obtain a comment from the air- till end of May workers’ applications for work Sipa’s One-Stop Service Center had twice aborted take-off after line were unsuccessful. PHUKET: Entry to marine na- permits and extensions of stay for a work permit and an exten- refueling at Sharjah in the United Before the start of the four tional parks and 15 other natural within just three hours. sion to stay equivalent to the du- Arab Emirates. days of problems, Phuket Air attractions along the Andaman Chalermcharn Yotviriya- ration of the contract of employ- Passengers forced the crew announced that is was axing the coast provinces will be free of panit, Head of the Sipa’s Invest- ment. to stop the plane after seeing fuel direct service between Bangkok charge until May 31. ment Promotion Section, told the “If all documents are in or- gushing from a wing. The airline and London because of the im- Sirinath National Park in Gazette that foreigners may now der, the work permit and exten- said later that this was due to pending low season, and replac- Phuket was due to re-open on apply online for a “Knowledge sion to stay will be issued within over-filling, and posed no danger. ing the route with a new one be- April 9. Head of the park, Thana- Worker Certificate” ratifying that three hours,” he said. British Civil Aviation Au- tween Bangkok and Amsterdam. pong Aphaiso, said, “Some areas they are recognized by the Thai For further information call thority officials who inspected The airline’s marketing and in the park will not be open to government as IT specialists. K. Chalermcharn at Tel: 02-554- the 25-year-old plane when it fi- communications manager, Krona visitors because we are rejuve- The certificate entitles ap- 0407 or Email: chalermcharn_yo nally arrived at Gatwick – 36 Visutrasai, told the Gazette the nating them and they will be re- plicants to have work permits and @sipa.or.th, or visit www. hours late – found the evacuation London flights would be “sus- opened later. extensions to stay processed sipa.or.th/knowledgeworker, or safety lights – meant to indicate pended temporarily”, but that the “In addition, we are build- within three hours through Sipa’s contact Naruemon Pechruttana- escape routes during an emer- company intended to restore the ing a hostel with bathrooms, and One-Stop Service Center. muneeat Tel: 076-379111 or gency – were not working. route later. a car park,” he added. To be issued a certificate, Email: phuket@ sipa.or.th The plane was deemed air- Sources: BBC, The Times. 4 PHUKET GAZETTE IMPAC AWARDS April 16 - 22, 2005

t was a moment for Phuket to be proud of: the two winners Iof the Southern Thailand round of the Second Junior Impac Dublin Literary Awards also scooped all-comers for the over- If I Were A Bird all prizes for Thailand. Thipratri Saenkam, 18, and Ella Micheler, 17, won 10,000 By Thipratri Saenkam baht apiece for their entries in the Southern Thailand round, topping a field of 69 entrants from Phuket, Surat Thani and ast week I had a wonder- Pattani. ful dream that I was a On April 4 they went to the finals in Bangkok, where bird flying in the light- they were hailed as winners out of 300 entries in the all-Thai- blue sky. I had a fine L land competition, Thipratri winning the section for Thais and opportunity to see a lot of things on the ground and on the water, Ella the section for non-Thais. and to smell good things around As part of their prize, the two girls will go, each with one me. Everything I saw seemed parent, to Dublin this summer to attend the senior Impac real, but in fact it was just a Dublin Literary Awards in Ireland, the world’s richest literary dream. In my dream I felt very prize. happy, as if I had gone to heaven. We know that no dream is true. Thipratri, a student at the Kathu Wittaya School won the As I dreamed I could see prize for best entry by a Thai with her essay, If I Were A nature, which was very beautiful, Bird. Ella, a student at Dulwich International College, won with rivers, canals and oceans. I the prize for non-Thais with her entry, entitled Smile. could see wild animals and green forests all over Thailand as I flew Here, the Gazette publishes their winning entries. in the light-blue sky. The forests made me feel as fresh as if I were sitting in an air- little, but no one can change it see many small islands with conditioned room. Looking down completely. beautiful beaches and many for- at the ground was fascinating; I In my dream, people dress- ests. felt like a tourist looking down live in one neighborhood and Thailand. The first is a feast for ed very politely in clothing that I went to the East and could from an airplane. share a lot of good modern tech- lovers, the second has now be- preserved Thai culture. If I could, see many people who were not I could see the way people nology. They had computers, come almost a big water fight. I would not dress like Western- rich yet who were very happy, lived their lives, full of kindness. televisions and telephones to help Young people like to play ers do, but then society would alway smiling – and very honest They were all charming, they them in daily life. with water on Songkran Day, probably not accept me any more, too. I flew to the North and it was helped one another. They didn’t I could see how Thai people but as I flew over in my dream so I try to dress by following the very cold but I could see many fight. Giving was more important take care of their culture and tra- I saw them all wake up early to styles of people who I believe to trees, which made me happy, and to them than taking. ditions. The festivals of Laoy clean their homes and go to the be good. allowed me to rest for a while. In The owners of houses, Kratong and Songkran, particu- temple with their mother and I flew on through the sky the West I saw many flowers and buildings and shops were able to larly, are widely celebrated in father. The tradition changes a and arrived in the South. I could many colors. Every part of Thai- April 16 - 22, 2005 IMPAC AWARDS PHUKET GAZETTE 5 land, I could see, had its own cul- I remember being three tural traditions and costumes. I By Ella Micheler years old, in the arms of my fa- liked that very much. ther as he strolled through the In the morning, I awoke and ne needs only seven- muggy heat of Bangkok’s streets, went to school, just as I did ev- teen muscles to smile; SMILE people smiling at me from all ery day. But the dream kept flit- yet one should never sides, flashes of white teeth ting around in my mind. I thought Ounderestimate the pow- against brown skin. to myself that, if I were a bird, I er of a smile. A smile can recon- Back in Germany, I experi- would have a lot of food to eat cile two enemies, brighten the life mentally smiled at people in all day, all year round. I could eat of a stranger, cheer up a room shopping centers or on crowded fruit such as oranges, mango, with an atmosphere of goodwill streets, only to have them glance papaya, durian or bananas. and happiness, or give a glowing back at me with faint confusion, I would not have to worry first impression. as if wondering if they knew me, about my safety as I do in my life From this, one can logically and then dismissing me as soon as a human. As a bird I could eat surmise that since Thailand is the as they remembered something food that was free of pollutants renowned Land of Smiles, it is more important. and chemicals. I wouldn’t have one of the most powerful coun- It seems that Thailand is to wash my hands before every tries in the world. No, Thailand one of the few nations left where meal, and I would not have to does not have enough nuclear Newton’s Third Law holds true cook. weapons to obliterate our world in the context of smiles: if you Mind you, I think I would n times. Neither does it have a smile at someone, they will smile miss all my favorite Thai food, ridiculously large army, hundreds back. such as tom yam goong or spicy of angry battleships, flocks of After the tsunami, many of glass noodle salad. And if I military planes, or hidden Weap- us were afraid to smile, for fear wanted to eat fish, I would have ons of Mass Destruction – but that it would be insensitive to to eat it raw, like the Japanese do, 60.6 million grinning people those who were grieving – but though that wouldn’t bother me should be a force to be reckoned when one feels so utterly power- – I like sushi! with. less in the wake of a natural di- As I walked home I passed Events of the past few saster, the one thing one can do some trees and I could smell the years, however, have seriously with absolutely certainty is smile. scent of nature from the forest, shaken my belief in the power of other states of the South, where morning. “Newton’s Third Law And smile we did. Amid the and I could see the land and sun- a smile – or indeed, in the power students my age still live in fear stipulates that for every action shock and grief, Thais were still light just as I had in my dream. of any single person’s benevo- for their lives. there is an equal and opposite strong enough to smile and to The scent spread around me, lence and hope. On December 26th, 2004, reaction,” he said. show compassion to the thou- touching me deep in my heart. Thailand’s “war on drugs” a tsunami hit our shores and we Seeing our half-asleep sands of foreigners who had suf- I walked a little way into during February and March 2003 could not smile for a long time. faces, he grinned and went on, fered. A sense of solidarity swept the forest and to sit down and ended in the deaths of over 2,000 Like most teenagers, I went “That means that if I push the over us, and people as far away close my eyes. I could hear the people, including children under through a period of fierce ideal- Earth, the Earth should push me as Bangkok stormed hospitals to sounds of a waterfall, the water the age of 16 months. SARS de- ism. Fueled by John Grisham’s back. Anyone care to test that donate blood, clothing, food and flowing in a stream and the scended on Southeast Asia, and The Street Lawyer, I was deter- theory?” other necessities. sound of lovely birds in the for- after menacingly circling Thai- mined to become a lawyer and My friend and I glanced at Smiling is universal and est – a different song for each land, it finally struck in March help all manner of people (al- each other. Glad to get away from simple. It does not matter wheth- kind of bird. 2003. We became consumed in though I wasn’t exactly sure of mind-numbing physics formulas, er you have white teeth contrast- I heard, too, human voices panic, seemingly unable to pro- how, but my thirteen-year-old we both got up and looked at him ing with dark skin or pale skin, communicating, informing one tect ourselves with anything but self smoothed over those details). expectantly. He gestured to us or if your teeth are crooked, or another, talking in order to un- flimsy white mouth masks. I held all manner of Utopian encouragingly and said, “Jump.” yellowed with age. It does not derstand different things. Avian flu came a few dreams: peace, equality and edu- We did so half-heartedly. matter if your wrinkles show, or I stood up and walked months after that, referred to cation for all, the complete eradi- Turning back to the rest of if sunlight reflects off your shiny home, thinking that I’d like to be merely as “the dark side of glo- cation of social injustice, govern- the class, secret amusement new braces. a real bird, but couldn’t be. I balization” by the Thai PM ments that were not corrupt, and showing through his face at the What matters is that we are would like to be a bird because Thaksin Shinawatra, and we so on. They were typical run-of- sight of our own bemusement, he all capable of it, regardless of birds are free and I love freedom. watched in awe how quickly it the-mill hopes, and the realiza- said proudly, “Congratulations. gender, nationality, religion or I could go anywhere in the world; spread. As it brought us the tion gradually sank in that I had You have just moved the world.” political belief. A smile may not I could hear and see and smell stench of burned chicken corps- little chance of actually achiev- It was then that I realised go very far in stopping a bullet, all the thing I saw over the hori- es, hanging in the air with our ing them. that it is the little things that make or bringing money into a desper- zon and past the seas. own palpable fear, we despaired Feeling jaded and cheated our lives infinitely more wonder- ately poor country – but it is a But most of all I would be that things would ever return to by the fact that nothing in the ful, as my grandmother insists start. We can all do our part, no able to see Thailand, every small normal. world changed, no matter how (and which I had always dis- matter how infinitesimally insig- part of it. And that is also the In that same year, Muslim hard I tried, I buried myself in my missed as a touch of senility). nificant it may seem compared to place that I would always return separatist activity in the South of studies. Perhaps the smallest thing other events. to because I like Thailand very Thailand reached its boiling It was not a miraculous of all is a smile; so often unac- As the Land of Smiles, we much. point, and from my sheltered epiphany that pulled me out of knowledged and so often forced have an obligation to set an ex- Thailand is already my home in Thailand’s favourite this mindset, but an innocuous for the flash of the camera, smiles ample to the rest of the world. If dream country, and I would not tourist island Phuket, I learned of comment by my physics teacher, dominate all my earliest memo- smiles really are infections, then want to change it! the terrorist attacks in Pattani and on a wholly ordinary Wednesday ries of Thailand. we should start an epidemic. 6 PHUKET GAZETTE AROUND THE ISLAND April 16 - 22, 2005

hen my son-in-law do well at this game: patience,” shot me through he explained. the head last week The heavy gun is awkward WI honestly didn’t JUNGLE RUMBLE for smaller children to handle, feel a thing. There was no blood, but anyone between the ages of no spattered brains against the 10 and 84 can have had a go at wall, only a mischievous giggle first outdoor laser combat game being GI Joe, and more and more and a sort of kerblunmph sound company in Thailand. want to try. from the 4.5-kilogram gun. Managing Director Nigel Mr Burt said Jungle Squad The scene of the crime was Burt recalled that the process of is a perfect team-building activi- “Jungle Squad” in Kathu, where importing 30 life-size guns into ty, one that his squad can set up you can stalk and eventually Thailand wasn’t exactly easy. quickly on hotel or even office shoot down friends, enemies and Each replica requires a sep- grounds – whatever the terrain. that annoying person from the arate real-life firearms license, as In a word, the concept has office who you’ve wanted to get local authorities are understand- limitless possibilities: in the back at for years. ably jittery about people running open, in the jungle, building-to- But is crawling through 10 around the island shooting each building, beachside, anywhere – rai of former rubber plantation, other up, even with lasers. Let’s just so long as you don’t scare sweating copiously, heart ham- face it, there’s enough of that the buffaloes. mering away, actually fun? You around election time. Jungle Squad provides bet it is. Like local political maneu- combatants with camouflage Firing an invisible laser vering, the one-hour game fires boiler suits and hats; Mr Burt beam for a distance of up to 150 up passions that can sometimes recommends trainers as footwear. meters at adversaries who really, lead to embarrassing moments. But apart from that, combatants actually and honestly want to At an opening promotion set their own rules. “kill” you brings out the Grunt party last year, two expats – who There is, though, just one “Ladies possess the one talent that is required to survive and do in people of any age or gender. shall not be named – overstepped well at this game: patience,” says Jungle Squad’s Nigel Burt. proviso: Mr Burt is the ultimate The harmless (luckily for the game’s physical boundaries judge, and cheating is nigh-on me) beam is aimed at a sensor, by leaving the rubber plantation, ble in the jungle, staff members Well, safe if you’re not like impossible. There’s no room for attached by Velcro to each com- and promptly got themselves ar- will make up the numbers, either the over-enthusiastic American Cowboys-and-Indians-style batant’s hat. When the beam rested at a local police booth for as opponents or as team mem- sailor on R&R who recently “You’re dead,” “No, I’m not,” finds its target, the sensor noti- illegal possession of firearms. bers. tripped in the undergrowth, went “Oh yes you are,” squabbles fies the gun which “fired” it, and One could hardly blame Mr Burt has 14 years’ ex- flying stern over bowsprit, and here: the gun and head sensors yet one more life is tragically lost the arresting officers, as the perience organizing war games ended up in the dentist’s chair. register everything. in the steamy jungles of South- 80,000-baht Marita and M-16 on the Isle of Wight in England, It’s easy to imagine Jungle Sorry about that; it’s the east Asia. replicas do look uncannily real. and he is convinced of his laser Squad being a haven for test- Law of the Jungle, you see. That is not the end of the Happily, the misunderstanding guns’ superiority in this field of osterone-laden blokes, but ladies – Lis Kinswoman story, though, as combatants may was soon cleared up with smiles recreation. acquire the skills of hunting and have several “lives”, depending all around. “This is real jungle combat surviving just as well as, if not Jungle Squad is at 46/2 Phra on the rules of the game they are The game is more enjoy- minus the pain and the mess.” he better than, the boys, Mr Burt Barami Rd, Kathu (on the left playing. able with a large number of par- said. “It’s a lot cheaper than sim- said. coming down Patong Hill). Tel. Jungle Squad arrived on the ticipants, but if a couple of ilar concepts, plus it’s environ- “Ladies possess the one tal- 09-0710169, Email nigelree@ island last November. It is the friends want to drop by for a rum- mentally benign and it’s safe.” ent that is required to survive and myway.com April 16 - 22, 2005 HAPPENINGS PHUKET GAZETTE 7 This week

LADIES TOGETHER: (right) Vipaphun Kusuwan (front row, 3rd from left), the President of the Business and Professional Women’s Association – Phuket and other members make merit at Samnuksong Para and Wat Kanan in Thalang recently.

BIRTHDAY GIRL: (below) Arsira “Nong” Matthap (center) takes a break at her birthday bash held recently at The Islander bar in Rawai, with her better more-than-half Wayne “Red” Graham (right), Neil Rickards of The Islander (left), and friends.

FLOWER POWER: (below, from left) Laurent Aublin, the Ambassador of France in Thailand, and his wife, Pascale, celebrate the completion of the first L’Orchidée Residences villa with Jean Claude Guillet of the project’s developer, AC Highland.

BIRTHDAY BOY AND GIRL: (right) Gulu Lalvani (standing) plays host at a birthday party for his children, Divia (right) and Dino. The party, with a jungle INSCRUTABLY CHARMING: (above) At the opening of the Oriental theme, pretty much took Origin shop on Dibuk Rd in Phuket City are, from left, Orasa over the whole of Tosawang, the shop’s owner; her aunt, Suadjeng Tantavej; and Amanpuri. Phuket native Viset Choopiban, the Minister for Energy.

HIGH SUMMER: (left) Among others at the Central Summer Fashion Show 2005, held recently at the shopping center, are Alexandre Glauser (in blue shirt), GM of Central Karon Village Phuket & Waterfront Suites, and, to his left, Naratipe Ruttapradid, the mall’s GM. 8 PHUKET GAZETTE MOTORING April 16 - 22, 2005

BEHIND No lag from Jag THE

WHEEL sports-car format, there are front By Jeff Heselwood sports and rear bucket seats and tan leather upholstery through- t the Detroit show in out. January, before snow Matt-finished aluminum blocked off large parts inserts are spread through the car of North America, a to accentuate the contemporary A feel of the cabin, and in the cen- number of top manufacturers un- veiled some interesting concept ter of the dash there is a touch- vehicles. Among these was one screen Alpine console. The in- from Ford’s Premier Automotive strument binnacle has been de- Group (PAG) Jaguar division: the signed to replicate the shape of Advanced Lightweight Coupé. the steering wheel, while behind Designed by Ian Callum, the wheel there are paddle-shift the man responsible for the Aston levers for the six-speed automatic Martin DB7, as well as Jaguar’s transmission. own aluminum-bodied XJ8, the The levers are attached to new coupé is also produced in the steering wheel itself – rather this lightweight metal. than the steering column – to en- In recent years, Jaguar has sure they are always where a been hemorrhaging cash. Indeed, driver expects to find them. of the four PAG companies – the So will the ALC make it others are Aston Martin, Land into production and, more impor- Rover and Volvo – only Volvo is tant, does it herald a strong fu- contributing to Ford’s coffers. ture for Jaguar? Jaguar has sold its Formula Jaguar boss Joe Greenwell: 1 team to Red Bull and will close “This car is as clear a statement its famous Brown’s Lane factory on the strength and confidence of in Coventry, all in an effort to the company as we could possi- bring the company back into bly make. Its design is assertive profit. The Detroit concept car and pure and is a perfect symbol may be the answer. of our 21st century cars. Beneath Jaguar Chairman and CEO that beautiful body lies the heart Joe Greenwell said: “The Ad- and soul of a true Jaguar sports vanced Lightweight Coupé rep- car.” resents the very essence of Jag- You may draw your own uar, its heart and soul. If you want conclusions, but I believe Jaguar to know what lies ahead for us, could well begin to contribute to what direction we will take – this PAG’s fortunes before very much “The Advanced Lightweight Coupé represents the very essence of Jaguar, its heart and soul,” said longer. is Jaguar’s answer.” Joe Greenwell, Chairman and CEO of Jaguar. The car rides on 21-inch alloy wheels, fitted with ultra- Should the ALC move from We must have the tools in place honesty about the car’s interior low profile Pirelli tires, giving it concept to reality, then its top to turn that creative spark into that I really like.” Jeff Heselwood may be contacted the typically aggressive pouncing speed will probably be limited to something more tangible.” Laid out in the classic 2+2 by email at: [email protected] profile of all 250kmh. The engineering excellence Jags while, to- Many, but not of Jaguar is reflected in the ward the rear, all, European ALC’s specifications. An alumi- the cabin manufacturers num chassis similar to the XJ sa- flows back are party to a loon is used, which is 40% lighter into a clean gentleman’s yet 60% stiffer than a comparable tail with twin agreement re- steel body. Lighter weight gives exhausts. stricting the more responsive handling and Pow- speed of their improved steering feel, as well as ered by Jagu- supercars to better torque reaction. ar’s normally- the golden The interior is classic Jag- aspirated V8 250. uar: understated and refined. motor, the “The There is plenty of headroom and ALC will get ALC is the an adjustable pedal box, so even to 100kmh sort of Jaguar tall drivers will feel at home. from rest in a we want to build,” said Mr “We all agreed that our in- little over five seconds and – if Greenwell. “But that means we teriors should be clean, simple not electronically governed – has must do much more than just and straightforward,” said de- a top speed in excess of 290kmh. come up with a beautiful design. signer Ian Callum. “There’s an ASK KHUN WANIDA! MOMMA DUCK

Problems with an extra-marital affair? Questions about Thai culture? Having communications problems? Need somebody to Love? Read her advice in the Phuket Gazette

Fax 076-213971 or email [email protected] April 16 - 22, 2005 LIFESTYLE PHUKET GAZETTE 9 Faith, hope and charity

n the second floor of Central Festival Accessories by Rungtip Phuket is a shop that is well worth a visit. O FROM KENYA WITH So worthwhile is it that a life or – just perhaps – the quality of a LOVE. Necklaces life could depend on it. shown are available It is the Life Home Project from the Life Home Project shop on the (LHP) shop, which sells a range nd of clothes and accessories. Pro- 2 floor of Central ceeds from sales are plowed back Festival Phuket. Stone necklaces into the LHP’s sterling work for cost from 180 to mothers and children who are 990 baht. Metal HIV-positive. necklaces range in Of special interest is a range price from 240 to of necklaces from Kenya. The 300 baht. manager of the shop, Wasana Jittanom, explained that staff from the LHP met their opposite numbers from the African coun- try at a World AIDS Day func- tion in Bangkok last year. “We exchanged products,” said K. Wasana. “Items made by the LHP are sold in Kenya, and vice-versa.” The necklaces, she says, are proving very popular. 10 PHUKET GAZETTE PEOPLE April 16 - 22, 2005

ritics often describe a poor performance by an actor as “wooden”, Cbut while every perfor- mance by Surin Yangkheiosod is Knowing how to pull all “wooden” this is a good thing rather than bad. K. Surin, 37, is the artistic hen he was 17, Surin Yangkheiosod was into mo- Director of Natayasala Thai Pup- Wtorbike racing and playing drums in a friend’s band, pet Theater (formerly the Joe and even fighting other teenagers. But by the time he Louis Theatre), which is soon to reached 20, he loved puppetry so much that he woke up open a theater in Phuket where, every night, puppeteers will coax at 5 am every day, just to practice it in front of a mirror. emotions from fear to joy from Today K. Surin is the Artistic Director of Natayasala wooden marionettes. Thai Puppet Theater – better known by its former name, The secret to achieving this, the Joe Louis Theatre – which will soon open a theater in as discovered by K. Surin’s fa- Phuket. ther, Sakorn – who, in 1996, was honoured by HM Bhumibol The seventh of nine children, and the third genera- Adulyadej as a National Artist in tion in his family to master the ancient art, K. Surin here performing arts for his contribu- explains to Gategaeo Phetsawang how came to love tion to preserving traditional Thai puppetry. puppetry – lies in the total co- operation of the three – yes, three – people who manipulate each cooking pot. That means there is masked play from our father; I marionette. no difference between them and started to learn it when I was “My father suggested that everyone is equal, wherever they seven years old. the puppeteers should move as come from. It’s a good basis for “I had seen my dad per- their puppet moves, rather than puppetry.” forming Khone and Thai musical just stand still, with only their He added, smiling, “If ever folk drama. I started acting at a hands moving as they control the there is a quarrel between the very early age, when my father puppets,” said K. Surin. performers, I arrange for them to had me perform as a joker in a “We tried it and found that perform together. Then they have play, so I feel familiar with it.” the puppets moved much more no choice but to resolve the ar- That said, at one stage, it smoothly than before. gument, because they can’t work looked like K. Surin would not “But for three people to together if they are angry.” follow in the family tradition. manipulate a puppet harmoni- Also important in puppetry He explained, “When I was ously, they must, as the saying is matching the character of a around 17 years old, I wasn’t very goes, eat rice from the same puppet to the character of a pup- interested in Khone. I didn’t go peteer. home, but stayed out with my K. Surin believes that some friends. I was into motorbike rac- puppeteers are naturally suited to ing and playing drums in my ‘I loved puppetry so much I would wake up at 5 am every day, manipulating certain characters. friend’s band, and even fighting just to practice it in front of a mirror’ – Surin Yangkheiosod, the Some may be best at “playing” other teenagers. My parents Artistic Director of Natayasala Thai Puppet Theater (formerly the the role of Hanuman, the leader couldn’t cope with me. Joe Louis Theatre). of the monkey army in the Rama- “But after three years, I de- kien, while others are better at cided I couldn’t live my life like to learn what takes most other to work for my father’s puppet playing, say, soldiers in an army. that anymore, and when a French people a year.” troupe, and I started to design the Others in K. Surin’s family puppeteer, a friend of my brother, He continued, “When I re- shows. Then we were booked to – he is the seventh of nine chil- asked me to join his show in turned home, the first thing that play in Japan, and it was during dren – have their own interest in France, I went. I spent three struck me was that my father was this time that my family started Khone, or Thai classical masked months there, demonstrating working, while my brothers were to believe in me, and forgot what play. His oldest sister specializes puppetry in schools. busy with their own businesses. I had been like in the past. in costumes and accessories; one “I learned about Burmese “I asked myself why my “I swore to myself that I brother is expert in Thai tradi- and Indian puppets. I loved pup- father still had to work when he would buy my dad a new house, tional music, and another in sing- petry so much I would wake up was 60 years old. Nobody in my and, after spending three months ing Thai traditional songs. at 5 am every day, just to prac- family thought I was responsible in a monastery, I collected some He said, “My brothers and tice it in front of a mirror. That’s enough to look after the family. money from the show and went sisters all learned Thai classical why it took me about one month “I told them that I wanted to Saraburi to work on molding April 16 - 22, 2005 PEOPLE PHUKET GAZETTE 11 the right strings

K. Surin believes that some puppeteers are naturally suited to manipulating certain characters, so it is important to match the character of a puppet to the character of a puppeteer.

the 15-meter-high Buddha image in 1901. As they were 80% me- Said K. Surin, “I dedicate there.” chanical, they could move better all the new puppets we create to By the time he was 24, K. than existing puppets. K. Surin’s the Thai people. They belong to Surin had earned enough to buy grandparents were puppeteers in everyone; we’re just people who that new house for his father and Kru Klay’s troupe. preserve them and publicize this new instruments for the troupe’s Their son, K. Surin’s father, aspect of Thai culture for Thais musicians. Sakorn, became a puppeteer. Af- and foreigners alike.” Now, his career is devoted ter a bout of illness, a monk ad- Anyone who wants to learn to preserving and developing vised K. Sakorn to adopt the Thai puppetry, said K. Surin, Thai puppetry, with his family. nickname Liew – “lucky Chinese should know basic Thai classical He said, “Everyone in the family tree”. masked play, traditional dance helps to preserve the theater. I The name became corrupt- and/or drama, and have a real just want to work for the theater. ed to Louis, and after legendary desire to learn and love the art. Right now, I teach puppetry, boxer Joe Louis visited Thailand, “We are open for everyone make puppets, am a puppeteer, a the troupe became known as the who wants to learn puppetry,” he driver. In fact, I’ll do anything.” Joe Louis Theatre. said. “There are now 30 people The theater has 40 puppets Disaster struck in 1999, in our troupe and we’re looking worth at least 40,000 baht apiece, when a fire destroyed all but two for 40 people in Bangkok and 60 said K. Surin, adding that he of the company’s 50 puppets, people to train so they can work spent two years making two spe- along with musical instruments in our theater in Phuket.” cial puppets gilded with gold and and almost all the family’s pos- He added, “The future of silver for HRH Princess Maha sessions. Thai puppetry, which is a na- Chakri Sirindhorn. But the family was deter- tional treasure, depends on Thai According to K. Surin, mined to rebuild and continue to people. If Thais don’t preserve it small Thai puppets, Hun Lakorn preserve Thailand’s puppetting for future generations, who Lek, were invented by Kru Klay heritage. will?” 12 PHUKET GAZETTE FEATURES April 16 - 22, 2005

In The St ars by Isla St ar

ARIES (March 21-April 20): The ments with your partner will be innovative idea require careful Top jobs for heat is on for you if you have an best reached toward the end of nurturing. Sagittarians who are important deadline to meet this next week, so let matters simmer not sure which way this scheme week. If your birthday falls dur- until then. A work-related brain- should move should wait before ing the coming days, postponing storming session will yield prof- seeking advice. A windfall on celebrations looks likely. Not itable results this weekend. You Saturday allows you to consider Patong tigers everyone will be on your side, but will be considering ways of fine- escaping from Phuket – renewed you should put your sandal down tuning your career until the end energy will definitely result. Ro- or two weeks, we had a when it comes to demanding a of this month. mance is best starred toward the glimpse of why Patong quiet work space. Cancer has an end of the week, when your part- Beach became so popu- important question to ask on VIRGO (August 23-September ner will be most receptive. lar. To be honest, it per- OON Tuesday; be cagey when answer- F 23): You will be in touch with plexed me for years. Don’t get me ing. your creative side this week; ex- CAPRICORN (December 22- wrong, I love the place, but it had TOWN ploring new hobby possibilities January 20): Your popularity re- become a painted lady, layers of ALL IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS TAURUS (April 21-May 21): is likely to give your income a ceives a boost this weekend, but make-up masking her creeping By Konrad Stalin Others will try their hardest to boost later this year. Money mat- this could be a result of someone decrepitude. have the last word at the begin- ters have been getting you down discovering that you have some- But for two weeks in Janu- The mosquitoes have feast- ning of the week. In business dis- lately, but the end of the rainbow thing they need. Don’t believe ary, we saw the young woman ed for more than a generation, cussions, the stars are not on your is closer than you think. Mean- everything you hear, and do some again and boy, she was a stun- sucking the blood out of the once- side and you are advised to wait while, try to refrain from mak- research before committing to ner. beautiful resort and leaving be- until the end of the month before ing new investments. Do not ig- any agreement. If you have been So the Governor has felt the hind their toxins. arranging meetings; progress will nore a lack of warmth in your harboring romantic feelings to- need to appoint “The Five Ti- Countless good men have be smoother then. Romance is relationship. ward Pisces, then you will be gers” to ensure that Patong rede- tried to improve its lot but have quietly brewing in the back- happy to discover that the coast velops in line with the govern- failed – or become infected them- ground – Aries is thinking about LIBRA (September 24-October is finally clear of competition. ment’s excellent strategy for the selves. you. Wear jade to encourage 23): Life is a hotbed of activity Wear shades of stone to mellow old place. This is necessary. The notable exception is spiritual support. for you from now until the end your mood. It was surprising to some Phuket City Police Chief, Super- of the month. Your altruistic that Patong’s Mayor, Pian Kee- intendent Pol Col Paween Pong- GEMINI (May 22-June 21): This deeds of late are quietly making AQUARIUS (January 21-Febru- sin, was included in the streak of siri. However, he was moved to week will not be the most excit- merit. On Monday, your fear of ary 19): Put your imagination to tigers, but this was perhaps due the city after all too brief a ten- ing one of the year. If you are offending people will need to be good use and find ways to bright- in part to the Governor’s unprec- ure in the Patong. starting to tire of the temperature, overcome. Someone appears de- en up work. There’s a cloud hov- edented public urging of K. Pian It takes someone with a be prepared to listen to your body termined to push you into a cor- ering over this area of your life, to get moving with the plan. deep local knowledge over the and slow down your lifestyle. ner; a few choice words should but it can be dispersed with a Through all of this, we have generation or so that the town has The best way to spend the com- set the matter straight. Wishing little effort. Business progress is learned that our current Gover- become a mess to sort it out, and ing days is by doing as little as upon a star midweek may prove being affected by this negative nor is a smart cookie. He has K. Pian fits the bill. possible in a cool place. Wel- worthwhile. climate. If you are in a manage- emerged from December’s disas- The Governor has given K. come news is on its way rial position, try giving your staff ter with a reputation as a fair, Pian the opportunity to become SCORPIO (October 24-Novem- a treat. The answer to a personal straight and capable leader – with a legend, a hero, “the Savior of CANCER (June 22-July 23): ber 22): The hidden depths of dilemma will be revealed by put- the interests of Phuket in his heart Patong”, and I hope that he ac- Dreaming and scheming are two your personality are making ting distance between you and the – totally enhanced. cepts the challenge. We are all of your favorite pastimes, and someone curious. Expect to find problem. It is a mark of the man’s rooting for you, and we believe you are about to see one of your romance as soon. A disciplined savvy that K. Pian has been in- that the tigers have the right mix plans bear fruit. This week, you approach toward money is rec- PISCES (February 20-March cluded in this plan. Patong has of talent and power to get it right. will be one of the busiest bees ommended until the end of April. 20): Slow changes will bring the been a stinking cesspit when it Please don’t let us down. around. The only problem is that Next month will see finances most benefits. If you give in to comes to administration, both to But what do we feel Patong others won’t be ready to pull their improving – a career opportunity the temptation, you will regret it its end users and to the good needs? These are not a difficult weight; offer a bonus to encour- is waiting in the wings. Another later. As the week progresses, people who are trying to improve questions to answer. In fact, the age them. The number 7 should Scorpio has pearls of wisdom to love takes a turn for the better, it. answers are all too glaringly ob- be lucky on Saturday. offer about a conflict in a per- though this is not an auspicious A thousand petty interests vious. sonal relationship. time to cement a new relation- – all of which have been bought But before I deliver my LEO (July 24-August 22): You ship. A relative abroad is consid- or gleaned by patronage or direct wishlist, email your ideas of what are probably at sixes and sevens SAGITTARIUS (November 23- ering coming to visit – before cash over decades – infect the Patong needs to konradstalin@ over a domestic matter. Agree- December 21): The seeds of an throwing open the door, establish blood of the Patong administra- hotmail.com and I’ll include just how long the stay will last. tion like malaria. them in the next Toon Town. April 16 - 22, 2005 S M A L L W O R L D PHUKET GAZETTE 13 KKIDSIDS Get your brain the Fun Page in gear with for all the Family The Monster Quiz 1. What was the name 7. Where was the last was the co-inventor of the Egyptian god Super Bowl played? of what? with the head of a 8. In the series Spot the Difference jackal? anime 15. What is a Witches’ Dragon Ball Z, on Butter or het hoo Can you find the seven 2. What sound does an which planet does the noo? differences between the Frieza Saga take explosion make in 16. Which World War II two cartoons below? And space? place? can you find them faster aircraft was known than the rest of the family? 9. What and where is the as “the Wooden 3. Dick and Burt Rutan tallest free-standing, Wonder”? are involved in man-made structure? which sphere of 17. Sébastien Mazure technology? 10. How tall is it? plays for which French soccer team? 4. What was their most 11. The Anio river in recent success? Italy was previously 18. What is the name of known by what name? the team’s stadium? 5. Which R&B singer made her feature 12. Which chemical 19. Who, on April 16, movie début in the element has the 1963, was the first 2005 movie Coach atomic number 79? woman in space? Carter? 13. In which country is 20. What is the regional 6. In which city would the town of Buftea? capital of Sardinia? one find the Jin Mao Tower? 14. Dr Hidetsugu Yagi Answers next week

Never a Cross Word! Across

1. Said what the future held. 6. Movie star’s award. 7. Very angry. 10. Ms Grier, actress. Brain Buster!! 11. Items in a ledger, Teacher Mr White found this coded note taped to maybe. his car windshield: “Yg ctg jcxkpi c uwtrtkug 13. Not at all famous. rctva hqt Ou. Dtqyp.” At first, he couldn’t figure it 16. Cry of discovery, out. Then someone whispered to him, “M stands perhaps. 17. Ms Day, actress and for K.” Can you crack the code? singer.

19. Martini garnish. that the alphabet has been shifted by two letters.) two by shifted been has alphabet the that A. “We are having a surprise party for Ms. Brown.” (M stands for K tells you tells K for stands (M Brown.” Ms. for party surprise a having are “We A. 20. Bad time, economically Down 14. Sahara watering hole. speaking. 15. Ms Campbell, super- 1. Aid for a dicky ticker. model. ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK’S 2. Weirdly disturbing. 18. Poem of praise. MONSTER QUIZ 3. Stupid person. Solution next week 1. The Quakers; 2. John Glenn; 3. Alas- 4. Consume. ka, from Russia; 4. Professional wres- 5. Chemical mixture. tler; 5. He reputedly spent 30 years atop 8. Cartoon movie. a pillar; 6. Brittany; 7. British PM Harold 9. Sold into bondage. Wilson; 8. Orthorexia; 9. Wear. It is a 12. Just manufactured. hair clip; 10. The Killers; 11. Brandon Flowers; 12. A reincarnated lama; 13. Charles Proteus Steinmetz; 14. One of crossword Superman’s enemies; 15. Hunger; 16. Mexican; 17. Taxonomy; 18. The Val- ley; 19. Queueing; 20. Myanmar. Solution to last week’s 14 PHUKET GAZETTE EDITORIAL & LETTERS April 16 - 22, 2005

367/2 Yaowarat Rd, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000 Tel: 076-236555 - Since 1994 - Fax: 076-213971 Email: [email protected]

Taking on the transport mafia

The Gazette has long argued for government action to break up the illegal transport monopolies that have done so much to harm the island’s tourism industry. Complaints about the tuk-tuk “mafia”, particularly in Patong, have long been the leading gripe among tourists – but they aren’t the only ones who have suffered. The lack of efficient, reasonably-priced public transport – of the kind available in just about every other province of Thailand – has forced many island residents to choose between shouldering the expense of buying a car or risking life and limb on a motorcycle. Now, with the introduction of 100 new metered taxis and an Airport Bus service scheduled to begin in three months’ see News], there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel. The announcement couldn’t have been better timed. Invest- ment bank Goldman Sachs warned recently that the global oil trade may be entering a demand-driven “superspike” period which could see crude oil prices more than double, to US$105 barrel. This possibility, coupled with increasing traffic congestion on our roads, makes the need for a greater range of public transport options more glaringly obvious than ever. Letters The Airport Bus service to Phuket City is a good start; it should be followed swiftly by a similar service to Patong and Kata-Karon The Gazette is pleased to receive mail from read- with your views for publication in our next issue. and a free shuttle service around Patong to help ease traffic conges- ers. Please write to us at 367/2 Yaowarat Rd, We reserve the right to edit all letters. Pseud- tion now that the provincial government is considering regular clo- Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000, fax to 076-213971 onyms are acceptable only if your full name and sure of Soi Bangla to traffic at nights. or send an email to [email protected] address are supplied. The Governor of Phuket has said he is willing to take on “in- fluential figures” to protect the rights of metered taxis to operate as Time for volunteers locals, issuing big fines and do- will soon be joining this group they should be allowed to under the law. ing things such as locking up the as he has a progressive congeni- The current downturn in tourism will have cut deep into their to get recognition bikes. tal muscular dystrophy that af- expected profits for the first time in years; they will be unlikely to Is this really necessary? fects the strength in his legs, and accept any incursion into their domain, and will probably react with Isn’t it about time that the Thai Friends of mine were in Hua Hin we have wondered how he could their normal tactics: intimidation, violence and vandalism. government officially recognized at the same time as we were in manage to keep on swimming. Currently, metered taxis in Patong are only “allowed” to pick the efforts made by volunteers Patong, but they had no trouble We thought he could drive up fares in front of the Tourist Police office. For the new metered who have saved lives and helped with the police regarding driving a 4WD vehicle down the slipway taxis to operate safely will require a very firm commitment on the in the tsunami relief efforts, by licenses. and onto the beach, but we have part of the Kathu Police who, under the command of Superintendent offering a medal for their hu- Is it true what Thai people been told that this is illegal. Then Pol Col Teeraphol Thipjaroen, already have one post-tsunami suc- manitarian work? tell me, that policemen get 60% we thought he might drive onto cess under their belt: the successful expulsion of rental bike and There will no doubt be a of the fines they collect? If it is, the beach on a Quad Bike (a four jeep operators from their occupation of the beach road. few awards going to the desk- then everything makes sense! wheel all-terrain motorcycle) but The Governor and the police deserve full public support for bound bureaucrats, so it is only Tourists may choose other have been told that it is illegal to any effort they make to break the stranglehold thuggish elements right and proper that those work- places for their next holiday. drive these on a public road. hold over the island’s public transport sector. – The Editor ing selflessly on the front line As tourists, we would also Of course, the best solution should at least have some gesture like to suggest that the authori- would be to have a special path of gratitude made towards them. ties stop the traffic menace on Soi to the high-tide level, for use only Gridley Bryant Bangla. by the aged and disabled. Surin In the evenings, one can We wonder what the legal In association with The Nation Multimedia Group PCL hardly walk along the sidewalks situation is as regards having a Why do I need a because they are much too nar- vehicle on the beach to help a row. disabled person gain access to the driving license? Why not ban all traffic from sea? We also wonder what steps Editor: Rungtip Hongjakpet this road at night? Most tourists the Tourism Authority of Thai- My wife and I spent three weeks Managing Editor: Alasdair Forbes wouldn’t mind walking an extra land is taking to encourage physi- on vacation in Patong between Deputy Editor: Chris Husted few meters to get a tuk-tuk. cally impaired and elderly people February 21 and March 15. One Apart from these points, we to visit Phuket and enjoy the sea Chief Reporter: Sangkhae Leelanapaporn of our reasons for visiting Patong enjoyed our holiday. People are and the sun like anyone else. Editorial Team: Stephen Fein, Andy Johnstone, Anongnat Sartpisut, was to help the people suffering doing a great job rebuilding this Alison Winward from the after-effects of the tsu- Montanette lovely place. nami. Kata Josef Hofmann Managing Director: Rungtip Hongjakpet I have read the coverage in the , in the newspaper and Germany Dead Brit’s driver Marketing Manager: Oranee Pienprasertkul Gazette online, but there are still some was not at fault Website Services Manager: Natthira Susangrat things I cannot understand: The disabled need Distribution Manager: Passara Kaewbumroong Everyone is talking about better access to sea In your online article (Gazette Publisher: The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd how business and tourism should Online, March 30) about the Brit- be encouraged, but this message I live in Kata and I have noticed ish police officer killed when a cross-country bus hit the rear of Contact us does not seem to have reached an increasing number of Thais the police in Patong. and tourists traveling around the the minibus he was traveling in, Advertising Sales: [email protected] Since 1993, I have hired a village on wheelchairs. a Thai police officer is quoted as Classified Advertising: [email protected] motorbike on my holidays, just These people are often seen saying, “I believe both drivers Website Services: [email protected] one of the small bikes of the type looking longingly at the sea, but were negligent.” It is a basic rule of law that, Shopper Card inquiries: [email protected] everyone has, but I had never they have no way of getting to been asked for my driving li- the warm, therapeutic waters be- in any such crash, the driver of Gazette Guide inquiries: [email protected] cense. cause there is no way a wheel- the vehicle behind is at fault. The Telephone: 076-236555 (10 lines) Fax: 076-213971 But since the tsunami, ap- chair could cross the soft sand of driver of the minibus – another parently, the motorbike rental the beach. This is the case not British police officer – therefore could not have been at fault. The views expressed in the Phuket Gazette are those of the writers and contributors and businesses in Patong have been only at Kata, but also at other do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, the editor, the shareholders, or the direc- having a really rough time, with beaches. Jim Beck tors of The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd. the police stopping tourists and Unfortunately, my husband Phuket

Copyright © 1994-2005 The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd Letters conveying views and suggestions are published here. Those seeking comment from government officials and/or business owners are published online as Issues & Answers. April 16 - 22, 2005 PERSPECTIVES PHUKET GAZETTE 15 Under African skies ike Africa itself, this memoir of Van and Bobo wait in the car consoling The dogs are splayed on the floor wher- The ewes are swollen with impending a girl growing up on farms in themselves with Cokes and potato chips. ever they can find bare cement, panting babies, but the babies will come only with Rhodesia, Malawi and Zambia But despite the heavy drinking and and creating wet pools with their dripping the first rain. Dad stops to let a pair of L is beautiful, savage Mum’s occasional manic-de- tongues. Our throats are papered with the warthogs charge fatly in front of us, and hilarious. Alexandra pressive spells, they are a heat.” round-bottomed and heads held high. A Fuller’s Don’t Let’s Go to the tight family. The parents are Dad, like every other white farmer, kudu bull stares us down – the perfect Dogs Tonight (Random rugged white-Kenyan settlers joins the Rhodesian Army for regular 10- white ‘V’ on his nose a hunter’s target. House, New York, 2001, who moved to Rhodesia in day patrols in the bush, hunting down terrs. He is sniffing the air and then, with a 301pp) is the story of the 1966 shortly after then-Prime With an Uzi slung over her shoul- magnificent leap, his horns laid across white African Fuller family Minister Ian Smith had de- der, Mum runs the farm, plants his back like medieval weap- comprising Mum (Agatha), clared unilateral indepen- gardens, patrols the estate on ons, he is gone, plunging Dad (Tim), and daughters Off the dence from Britain on No- horseback. The two girls grow grayly into the crosshatched Vanessa (Van) and Alexan- vember 11, 1965. up to be expert horsewomen bush.” dra (Bobo). SHELF Near the Mozambique and rifle shots, unafraid of The book is also a fam- The title might seem a By James Eckardt border – in the most danger- snakes, scorpions, jackals and ily album with 60 photos that bit odd. It’s from a humor- ous part of Rhodesia where hyenas, while giving wide track the progress of Bobo ous poem by British MP and author AP insurgents, or “terrs”, were constantly berth to leopards and baboons. and Van from schoolgirls in Herbert titled, Don’t let’s go to the dogs moving through the bush to lay landmines Their only company is each knee socks to stunningly tonight, for mother will be there. and ambush white convoys – the Fullers other. beautiful brides. In the end, The phrase has, however, resonance settled down to grow tobacco and raise There are many running when Mum and Dad are run- with this book both literally – packs of cattle on a hardscrabble farm in the re- jokes in this highly eccentric ning a prosperous farm in in- dogs sleep on the beds and living room mote Burma Valley. Bobo is three, Van family – Mum’s drunkenness, dependent Zambia, there’s furniture of the family’s rustic homes – six. The house has no electricity and the Dad’s temper – but the funni- also a subtle change in atti- and figuratively; in the aftermath of the climate is beastly. est is Bobo’s clinging depen- tude. bitter civil war in Zimbabwe, when an “It’s eyeball burning hot. I lie on my dence on Van, the goddess three years her Once frankly racist, they invite Australian hitchhiker asks Tim Fuller belly and let my legs wag lazily back and senior who brushes her off with regal dis- many Zambian neighbors to the wed- where he’s heading in his Land Rover, forth, my head in the crook of my arms dain. To be a Fuller is to be self-reliant. dings of their daughters, both presided he replies, “To the dogs.” where my forehead is pressing a sweaty Along with the sly humor is an un- over by Bishop Clement H. Shaba. On many late nights in clubs around band into the skin. Mum is reading to her- forced lyricism. Here is the family driv- This is the best memoir of Africa the three countries, Mum and Dad hap- self. It is so hot that the flamboyant tree ing a South African visitor to a lake: I’ve ever read, better than those famous pily go to the dogs too, Mum singing Ole! outside cracks to itself, as it is already an- “We pass, without comment or sur- colonial authors Isak Dinesen and Beryl I’m a bandit! and falling off the bar while ticipating how it will feel to be on fire. prise, small rain-ready herds of impala. Markham. It’s closer to the bone. Rights – and wrongs – of software

I uninstalled a legal copy activated that particular copy of Word, a serial number appears receipts you may have for soft- When you copy the file Q of Office XP from a com- Office XP with that specific com- along with the message “regis- ware. That way, if the gendarmes from the CD onto a hard drive, puter I no longer use. At the time puter, and there is no such thing tered to Jeroen”, and so on. How ever knock on your door, you can it’s still marked read only, be- of the original installation I “ac- as “de-activating”. Fortunately, can I be sure this software is le- readily pass the buck. cause the original file – the one tivated” it online with Microsoft, Office XP does not require acti- gal and not the result of the com- on the CD – was marked read and as far as I know there is no vation – although Office 2003 puter vendor doing me a “favor”? I have spent hours trying to only. Doesn’t make sense, but way to “de-acti- does – and be- I tried asking the vendor but have Qfind guidance on “read only that’s how it works. vate” it online. KHUN WOODY’S cause of that you received no reply. file” in one of your Dummies If you’ve copied the file Now I want should feel quite LTD, Rawai. books. I burned a file to CD and from the CD to a hard drive, and to install this le- comfortable in- then wanted to revise it, but you want to change the file, first gitimate copy of COMPUTER stalling Office Again, I’m no lawyer, but if couldn’t. How did I make it a find the file using, say, Start | My Office on another XP on a new ma- Ayou bought a computer with “read only” file, and how can I Documents or whatever you like. computer. Would I be breaking chine, and not activating it. Office XP pre-installed and the delete or modify or revise it? Right-click on the file and choose any rules or laws by doing so? However, keep the disks vendor has not responded to your RT, Phuket City. Properties. Down at the bottom Will Microsoft “know” that it has handy in case the Microsoft gen- request for confirmation that you you’ll see a box under “At- been installed on a second com- darmes ever come knocking on have a valid copy, I think you When you burn a file to CD, tributes” that says “Read only”. puter? If so, how? your door. have just two options. A Windows automatically Uncheck that box, click OK, and PPJ, Chalong. First, you can report the marks it as read only, which you’ll be able to edit to your On my Fujitsu laptop I run vendor to Microsoft by sending means you can read files on the heart’s content. I am not a lawyer (and I QWindows XP that came an email to piracy@microsoft. CD, but can’t change them un- – Woody Leonhard A hope never to be one), so with the machine, all legal and com or by calling Microsoft in less you re-write the entire CD. [email protected] this isn’t legal advice, but I think with a sticker on the bottom of Bangkok (see www.microsoft. what you want to do conforms to the laptop. I also have Office XP com/piracy/Reporting_out.mspx ). Microsoft’s expectations, par- installed on this laptop, but there Second, you can let things ticularly given the rampant copy- is no sticker or any documenta- slide. Keep copies and notes ing in Thailand. tion to support that it is genuine. about the inquiries you’ve made The ’Softies know that you When I launch Microsoft to the vendor, and copies of any 16 PHUKET GAZETTE LEISURE April 16 - 22, 2005 The legacy of the deep ili Back, the Opera- in the formation of the KT-DOC tions Manager of the was a Japanese lady by the name Koh Tao Dive Opera- of Sharlyn Sawasa, a diving in- tors Club (KT-DOC), structor who lived on the island G for 12 years. is vibrant with energy. The only paid employee of KT-DOC, 27- “Unfortunately, she re- year-old Gili is an exotic mix of cently passed away, but it is her ancestry and influence. vision that guides the organiza- Raised in the Republic of tion today. She pushed hard for South Africa by Jewish parents, the preservation of the environ- Gili migrated to Israel with her ment and the sustainable devel- family when she was 11, then opment of Koh Tao from the first lived in England for five years day she stepped on the island. before moving to Thailand two “She’s one of the reasons years ago. why I’m doing this “The KT- job. Somebody DOC was organiz- has to continue the ed in 2003 by the Beneath the work that she majority of the started. I think owners and manag- SURFACE Sharlyn realized ers of dive busi- early on how nec- nesses who wanted By Chris Cruz essary and impor- to stop the wheeling and dealing tant it was to preserve Koh Tao. going on around the island,” she When she saw that the diving in- explained. dustry was growing as more impact on the environment could FANCY A SMOKE? When not sinking tuk-tuks and vintage aircraft, “One of the main influences people came, she realized that the be adverse.” or organizing the breaking of records, such as off Koh Tao recently The first project of the KT- (below), Gili Black (above) likes to take stock of her situation. DOC was the Koh Tao Underwa- ter World Day, on February 7 last year. The club’s President, Vijite Srisung, explained that the plan is to make it an annual event to mark the opening of the official diving season on Koh Tao. On February 12 this year KT-DOC put Koh Tao on the diving map by breaking the world record for the largest number of divers div- ing simultaneously. Gili explained, “We de- cided to come up with a gimmick that would attract tourists not only to come to Thailand, but also to have some activities that they could actually take part in, instead of just standing on the side observing. “I am from Durban in South Africa, and I knew about the pre- participants enjoyed themselves, of underwater sites in the area; vious record set there three years after all, it is not everyone who • Creation of an artificial ago so we decided that we were can claim, ‘Hey, I am a record reef ; going to break it. Officially, we breaker’,” she said. • Teaching schoolchildren had 722 people in the water, But the record-breaking to swim, snorkel and dive, and though we actually had 750 dive was not the only activity. educating them about marine life; divers because not everybody “We had a beauty pageant to se- • Launching a battery dis- signed registration forms.” lect Miss Koh Tao and Mr Koh posal and collection project; The record-breaking dive Tao, which turned out to be hi- • Conducting marine re- attracted some criticism from larious. search, including species counts, environmental organizations but, “Surat Thani Governor research on water changes, build- in its defense, Gili explained, Juthamas Siriwan came to the ing fishing grounds to help the “First of all, we invited the World event, which started with monks fisherman population while sav- Wildlife Federation to monitor blessing the island. ing the reefs. the event. We had actually invited “Everyone enjoyed the fes- • Launching a giant clam them before we came up with the tivities. There was something for release project; record-breaking idea. everybody,” Gili said. • Breaking another record “Second, Guinness had In addition to the fun stuff, by staging the longest and big- strict environmental guidelines the KT-DOC has some more se- gest reef check, in coordination that we had to comply with, so rious projects lined up for this with CPAD, a Thai-American the attempt was planned and co- year, including: environmental group that will set ordinated so that the dive was • The sinking of an old up an office on Koh Tao. performed, not on a coral reef but landing craft and a B-29 bomber “Oh, we have already sunk on a sandy bottom eight to 10 to provide underwater attrac- the first tuk-tuk here in Koh Tao meters deep.” tions; as part of the festival we have just The safety of the divers was • Revamping all moorings concluded,” Gili added. another major concern. “We had and access areas on dive sites; “It’s a ‘pay for’ training oxygen boats, evacuation boats, • Installing caged propel- dive site, and the money collected spotters and marker buoys. So lers on all dive boats operating will go toward teaching children both the safety and the environ- from Koh Tao; to dive. If you teach children how mental issues were at the top of • Setting up a turtle breed- to dive, you also teach them to the priority list in planning an ing and release program; appreciate and preserve the en- event of this magnitude.” • Educating every dive vironment. Gili believes the event was shop employee and the commu- “This is the legacy of Shar- a success. “I think most of the nity to help preserve the beauty lyn Sawasa. Her vision is being April 16 - 22, 2005 PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 17 Architecture expo draws crowds

PHUKET CITY: The recent Ar- Many of them are in the construc- chitect Taksin ’05 exhibition, tion business or are engineers, from April 1 to 3, attracted good though there are also members of crowds to check out the products the general public who are inter- and services on offer at the ested in decorative and construc- booths of some 40 companies tion materials.” The wares of some that set up exhibitions in the One visitor, Prasit Pong- 40 companies Royal Phuket City Hotel. Udom, said, “I am interested in attracted the interest The organizers, the Asso- sanitary fittings, ceramic tiles and of not only ciation of Siamese Architects so on. My favorite booth is the professionals in the under Royal Patronage (ASA) Kohler (Thailand) one – the trade but also and TTF International Co, said products are very attractively members of the that they were already discussing designed. general public. holding another such exhibition “Other booths I like are next year. Green Furniture and Green Liv- Products displayed ranged ing Home Co. If they hold an- from sanitaryware to wooden fur- other exhibition like this, I’ll go niture, and from construction ma- to it.” terial to housing developments. Chanida Sae-Tan from The President of the ASA, Phang Nga said, “It’s my first Manu Trakulwattanakij, said, time at an exhibition like this. “We were planning, before the The construction booths are not tsunami, to hold an exhibition in so interesting, but I like the Green Phuket, and had already con- Furniture and Green Living tacted many potential exhibitors. Home booths because their prod- “But then the tsunami came ucts are attractive. They are and we put our plans on hold. mostly made of wood, emphasiz- However, we soon realized that, ing Thai style.” with many buildings damaged by Home and construction the waves, it would be good to shows appear to be the thing right help revive and renovate the re- now. Almost immediately after gion, so we resurrected the the Architect Taksin show fin- show.” ished, the Andaman Rebuild He added, “We have had Expo was held from April 7-10, good feedback from the visitors. and also attracted big crowds. 18 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PROPERTY April 16 - 22, 2005

Home of the Week Kamala Construction Update

his five-bedroom home, which sits in 1,177 square meters of land- Tscaped gardens, boasts a Airport well-thought-out design and an impressive range of accessories. Not least among these is the he first phase of a two- roof-mounted solar hot-water part extension to Phuket system and a lightning conduc- International Airport – a tor. The garden features an out- Tnew two-story interna- door whirlpool bath. tional terminal – is due to be com- Much use is made of gran- pleted in May, five months later ite flooring and the airy kitchen, than originally planned. which leads into a large lounge- Airport Director Maj Porn- diner, is well equipped with a chai Eua-aree told the Gazette the range of Pratika units and Ariston project had been delayed because appliances including a washing local suppliers had refused to machine, dryer, dishwasher, a supply the contractor with build- dual oven and stove. ing materials on credit, and this The ground floor also has a had caused “a lack of liquidity”. “Thai” kitchen, one bedroom However, said Maj Porn- with en-suite facilities, an office- chai, work had continued and the cum-bedroom and two store- project is now more than two- rooms. thirds complete. The maka-wood staircase He explained, “Construc- leads to the four main bedrooms tion started in the middle of last – all of which are en suite – with year, and we expected it to be fin- the same wood used for flooring. ished by the end of the year. The 500sqm house also has an “However, the contractor attic, which has scope for use as did not have any contacts in a hobby room. Phuket, and suppliers demanded Facilities include a well, that he pay cash, and this caused two standard filtration systems a lack of liquidity. and a reverse-osmosis system to “But now, construction is produce potable water. Fans, air- 70% complete, and we expect conditioners, down lights and this phase to be finished in May.” Plenty of room In addition to increasing halogen track lights are used throughout. interior space by 1,500 square The asking price is 18 mil- meters, the extension will add a lion baht, and the land title is bridge, an escalator, and check- Chanote. in counters and other facilties. for all the family The project cost will be 150 For more information contact million baht, and it is being paid Mark of Pacific Paradise Group. Above, the rear of the house for by the Airports Authority of Tel: 076-313298 or 01-6776103. with its spacious garden. Right, Thailand (AAT). Fax: 076-313319. Email: info@ the airy kitchen and dining area. The two-stage expansion paradisepg.com Website: www. The home also has a Thai was planned because of the paradisepg.com kitchen. growth in international arrivals, but Maj Pornchai said phase two has been put on hold. He noted that in the last quarter of 2004, the number of international passengers in- creased by 30.8% compared with the same quarter of 2003, but in the first quarter of 2005, follow- ing the tsunami, the number had slumped by 25.4% when com- pared with the first quarter of 2004. He said AAT wanted to wait and see whether passenger

Do Not Drink Tap Water! April 16 - 22, 2005 PHUKET PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 19

by Anongnat Sartpisut extension up in the air

Phase 1 of the airport terminal extension is 70% complete, and should be finished in May, but Phase 2 has been put on the waiting list. traffic would rebound and in- on the second phase in 2006, but show that the international termi- crease as earlier projected before that has now been postponed. It nal here dealt with 2.1 million committing to the estimated 400- looks as though it will be 2007 passengers last year. If both these million-baht investment the new before we look at restarting the projects were completed, we extension would require. construction program.” would have the capacity for three “We were due to start work He continued, “The figures million passengers a year.” 20 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PROPERTY April 16 - 22, 2005

Gardening with Bloomin’ Bert here are too many ex- perts, too many people who think they know Twhat they’re talking about but actually haven’t the Any time is ti time faintest idea. Most members of this par- ticularly annoying species of hu- around that. But I have learned a logical problems, but at least it will man tend to hang around in bars, bit of a cheat over the years, look cool. waxing lyrical on subjects in which can sometimes make you Propagation is best which they’re complete ama- sound as if you know what you’re achieved by the good old “cut it teurs, though they would like their talking about. and stick it” method. Simply cut fellow drinkers to think otherwise. If someone comes up to the stem at any point you wish, They’ll try to give you ad- you and describes a plant with no remove a few of the lower leaves vice on which car you should buy flowers, and lots of regular- and push the stem a few inches without having driven anything shaped leaves that appear from into some potting compost. but an Isuzu pickup for the last a single stem, then the simple The offcut will mope for a five years. That kind of thing. answer is that it is – probably – a while, and drop a few more of Then there are the ‘profes- ti plant, or cordyline. Maak-phu- the lower leaves. After a week sional’ experts. These are the maak-mia is one of the variants or two, and with liberal doses of founts of wisdom who are drafted in Thai. water, it will start to liven up and into situations such as criminal The ti is a bit of an oddity. become a plant in its own right, courts, to give their considered What does it look like? It would quietly sprouting roots with very opinion on the subject at hand. be so easy to give a quick simple little help. It strikes me as a little odd description of the ti plant – if there The ti plant actually seems that both the defense and pros- was one. It has leaves, which are to enjoy having its stems hacked ecution attorneys can produce usually glossy. Sometimes they’re off. Within a few days of being experts who say the complete green, but usually not; the colors attacked, it will eagerly sprout opposite from each other. I rest can be spectacularly vivid, from DEFYING DESCRIPTION: Some green, some red; whether with long two or three more stems to re- and slender leaves or not, the ti plant can be difficult to describe. my case. green to bright pink, and just about place any it lost. After a few Expert gardeners also tend everything in-between. The first wild ti plants, with every garden in Phuket, in one months this process can be re- to be a complete pain in the pro- Sometimes these leaves are their original green leaves, came form or another, though you might peated, so that from one solitary verbial. Many of them haven’t a long and slender, but often not. from the islands of Polynesia. not know it. It’s often seen as an stem you can potentially produce clue, and much of the advice they Occasionally it has flowers, but There, the locals made their tra- ornamental plant, as it grows very many more. offer reflects this. You often want usually it doesn’t bother. ditional skirts from the leaves, predictably – that is, straight up. Even better, the bits that to tell them exactly what they Just about the only rule is because they don’t shrivel when At least, it tries to. were removed are now climbing should do with their trowels. that the stem seems to extend they dry up. At some stage, Often, it gets so tall that it skyward in their own right, start- I’m happy to admit that I from the growth of new leaves, somebody thought it would be a bends sideways under its own ing the process all over again. simply haven’t a clue most of the a bit like some palm trees. Even good idea to start experimenting weight. Once this happens, the The ti plant will always look time. People often ask me to iden- placement isn’t that easy – some with the ti, and soon variants were new growth at the end of the stalk impressive. Just don’t try to ask tify plants. If you don’t know, you varieties like full sun, while oth- exported all over the world. then makes a dramatic turn for one at the local garden cen- don’t know – there’s just no way ers prefer the shade. It now features in just about skywards. ter, or give advice about it, how- You can produce some bi- ever “expert”’ you may be: it is zarre-looking versions of the ti too difficult to pigeonhole. plant by letting it do this, or even encouraging it by pulling it over, Want to know more then propping it up vertically about a plant again. The direction change will in your garden? happen every time and the result will look particularly abnormal. Email Bloomin’ Bert at: You’ll no doubt have a plant [email protected] with somewhat severe psycho- April 16 - 22, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 21 Property Gazette

SEAVIEW LAND NEW SINGLE HOUSE PATONG SEAVIEW PATONG TOWER Properties FOR SALE - URGENT 1-6 rai elevated land on island New single house in Kathu for 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. condo. Mountain views. You For Sale Urgently need to sell 3 rai on off the coast of Phuket. Stun- sale. 2 stories, 3 bedrooms, 3 8.5 million baht. 500sqm can own 100%; Chanote: Rang Hill. Very nice plot, near ning sea view, 15 mins to bathrooms, fully furnished, hill land, option for extra land. 2.9 million baht. Please con- Ko Sim Bee Rd, close to city Phuket City: 2.5 million/rai. No view, 560sqm. Price: 6.9 mil- Please contact for more in- tact for more information. center. Please call for more agents. Tel: 076-292874, 06- lion baht. Please call for more formation. Tel: 01-4775306. Tel: 07-8893838. Email: 4+2 BEDROOM info. Tel: 01-7544474. HOUSE IN KAMALA 9520772. Email: kamala@ information or to view. Tel: Email: patriklambert@ asiasiamproperties@ yahoo. phuket.ksc.co.th 07-2799500. hotmail.com co.uk THALANG LAND PLOTS Chanote title. Secure, quiet & private location. Road & electricity. Price: from 1,000 baht/sqm. Call Jonny at Tel: 09-2911112, 06-2707228. An excellent, top-quality 4+2 bedroom house for RAWAI TOWNHOUSE sale near Phuket FantaSea, for sale: 650,000 baht. Free- 1.5km from the beach. The hold, 400 meters to beach. house is located in a very Tel: 09-4740227. Email: quiet and safe area, next to chotip_5 @hotmail.com a lake. All bedrooms with en-suite bathroom, aircon BANG TAO BEACH and ceiling fan. European 124sqm & 240sqm furnished standard kitchen + Thai apartments. 1 min to beach. kitchen. Mature garden 6.5 million baht and up. Please with outdoor Jacuzzi. Own call for more info at Tel: 06- water supply, hot water 2806624 or visit: www. supplied by Solar System. bangtaobeachgardens.com For more details, please con- tact Franz Brun in Kamala. 21 RAI BEACH LAND Asking price: only 18 million with beach house, 10 min to baht. Tel: 076-279075, 01- Phuket City. Great 180-de- 4761415. Email: fbrun@ gree views of island. All land loxinfo.co.th suitable for building. Price: 30 million baht. Please call for more info. Tel: 01-6412201. 65 RAI BEACHFRONT land for sale, Chalong area. BEAUTIFUL LAND Perfect for a villa or marina Chalong. 3.28 rai on rising project. 180 million baht. ground and commanding ex- Please call Tel: 01-8916143. tensive views, in a secluded area, cultivated with many GOLF COURSE LIVING tropical plants. Chanote title, 1 rai, fully-serviced lots, ex- water, tel line and fully fenced. clusive gated community. Tel: 09-7245979, 09-812- Tel: 09-9725226. Email: 9441. Email: jayma79@ [email protected] yahoo.co.uk

BAYVIEW PALMS UNIQUE HOUSE Patong. 6 luxury apartments Kathu. Situated 9 mins from with stunning seaviews. Patong, between 2 golf 180sqm with 2 master bed- courses. 3 bedrooms (1 en- rooms with en-suite bath- suite bathroom) plus 2 bath- rooms & Jacuzzi. Guest bath- rooms, large living room, room, spacious lounge, Ameri- kitchen/dining, enclosed ve- can kitchen, large balcony. randah living area, private cul- Large common gardens with de-sac. House of approx swimming pool, car park. 140sqm on land of 340sqm. Price from 6.75 million baht. Price: 3.5 million baht. Tel: Tel: 09-2911112, 07-889- 076-321954, 04-8439579. 3838. Email: bayviewpalms@ Fax: 076-323421. Email: yahoo.com [email protected] 22 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS April 16 - 22, 2005 Property Gazette

ELEPHANTS ???? DULWICH FURNISHED HOME Properties at the bottom of your garden (VILLAS WITH POOLS) for rent in Land & House. 2 For Rent surrounded by palm trees! 1) 3-bedroom, 220sqm fur- bedrooms with aircons, 2 bath- Secluded European-designed nished villa available begining rooms, hot water, cable, tel, house only 2km from the of May, with 8m by 25m kitchen, big fridge & car park. BEACHFRONT CONDO beach. Dutch, Austrian & En- swimming pool. Perfect loca- Price: 16,500 baht/month. Kalim, Patong, fully furnished, glish neighbors. European tion. 70,000 baht per month. Tel: 09-7376192. high standard. 2 bedrooms, fit- kitchen, huge terrace, even 2) New 500sqm, four-bed- ted kitchen, pool, many facili- bigger lounge. 2 bedrooms room villa with pool available BUILDING ties. Please call for more infor- with en-suite bathroom. Tel , in June. 100,000 baht per for long-term rent. 2 stories,19 mation. Tel: 01-8920038. UBC installed. Unfurnished, month. Must see! rooms, all 35sqm, all with fur- long-term only. 28,000 baht 3) 1,200sqm, five-bedroom niture, refrigerator, aircon, PATONG APARTMENTS a month. Tel: 01-2711082. villa with pool. 200,000 baht cable TV, tel line DSL, plus For rent: clean, comfortable Email: [email protected] per month. one big room, suitable for use condos. All-new interior de- as restaurant, shop, etc. Pls All villas for long-term rent cor, aircon, big fridge, TV, big BUNGALOW contact Tel: 01-8920609, 01- only, or for sale. Tel: 076- beds, pool, parking. Please for rent. 3 bedrooms, 2 bath- 3261195, 076-342898-9. 239838, 01-8779292. Email: call for more info. Tel: 01- rooms, in quiet soi in Rawai. Email: tattawon@thaimail. [email protected] For 0825707. Please see our 15,000 baht a month lease. com more information or photos, website at: www.phuket- Furnished, TV, UBC, aircon. Tel: see our website at: accommodation.info 076-388051, 01-8081804. www.clickseedesign.com/ RAWAI STUDIO clients/gracegarden/www/ FOR RENT LONG-TERM LEASE KATA HOUSE default.asp New, fully-furnished house in 28,000 baht a month. Close to All you need is your suitcase. Palai Green, with 2 aircon bed- Kata Beach on a quiet hillside. Long-term rent. Price: rooms, hot shower, kitchen, Fully-furnished, 3 bedrooms, 3 HOUSE FOR RENT 10,000 baht. Tel: 07- living room, garage and beau- aircons, 3 bathrooms, hot in Land & House Park, in 2705706, 01-9703615. tiful garden. Located in a quiet shower, living room, Western Chalong. Fully furnished, 2 NEW HOUSE PATONG CONDO bedrooms, private swimming in Nai Harn for sale. 2 floors, Studio, 28sqm, freehold, area near Chalong Bay. Tel: 01- kitchen, parking space, 2 huge 8924311. terraces and phone line. pool, fitness. Accommoda- Property 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 490,000 baht. Pls contact for tion available from May 1. large garden: 4.5 million baht. more info. Tel: 09-4740227. 28,000 baht/month. Tel: 076- Wanted 216036, 01-6062827. Email: Price: 28,000 baht/month. Tel: 01-7520275. Email: [email protected] KAMALA Tel: 01-9560204. Shophouse for rent. Aircon, [email protected] cable TV, 2 bedrooms. Price: SELL YOUR LAND FOR SALE NAI HARN HOUSE KATA BEACH CONDO for sale. Thai-style, 3 bed- 8,000 baht. Tel: 06-2746511. MOUNTAIN TOP property. We have buyers 4 rai, 1 ngan 44 talang wah, Large, 1-bedroom, luxury, rooms, ½ rai, 6.9 million baht. Email: baancoconut@hotmail. seaview rental. Patong. 5- looking for land and proper- Chanote title. Seaviews, en- ocean view, furnished, pools, For more information, please com bedroom Thai/Bali home now ties. Tel: 09-7230251. trance off new, concrete, gov- spa, gym, garden, quiet area. see our website at: www. available for rent at long-term ernment road, 100m from 3- UBC TV, phone, DSL Internet. homesinphuket.com KATA LUXURY discount. Open sea views from LOOKING FOR HOUSE phase power supply, level site, 30,000 baht/month. Please 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apart- all rooms. Maid service, swim- in Patong. Swiss living in easy drainage. Location: Yamu, contact for more info. Tel: 09- ments. Western standards, ming pool, car park. Email: Phuket many years is looking east coast. Price: 3.5 million KRABI SEA VIEW 9726017. Email: asiasail@ Kata sea view, huge terrace, [email protected] for a 2-3 bedroom unfur- baht per rai. Inquiries and to Land with water and road. Lo- yahoo.com view. Tel: 01-8927948. Email: cated in Ao Thalen. 3 rai. great location, quiet, parking. nished house in Patong with [email protected] Tel: 01-7973808. Email: Under construction, available KATA, 1 BEDROOM small garden and car parking. [email protected] May 1. Prefer long-term lease, Attractive 1-bedroom apart- NICE HOUSE Tel: 09-8749570. Email: ment on a hill overlooking Kata for rent. Beautiful area with [email protected] HOUSE FOR SALE 1-90 years. Contact Khun Elle URGENT SALE at Tel: 09-5926890 or Khun Beach, with aircon, fan, view of southeastern perim- in Phuket. A lovely detached SMALL HOUSE Single home. 1 story, 3 bed- Gordy at Email: gordy240@ phone, cable TV, DVD, mi- eter of Mission Hills Golf bungalow is available for sale Course. House centered on wanted to rent. Unfurnished rooms, 1 bathroom, in Land hotmail.com crowave, good furniture, hot by owner in the Iravadee pri- but must have large garden & House. Only 1.95 million shower, etc. Available to rent 1½ rai, UBC, garden, cook in- vate estate in Kathu, Phuket, area, fenced or unfenced, for baht. Tel: 09-7242881. KAMALA immediately. Long-term only: doors or out, 2 bedrooms, near the golf course of the 12,000 baht per month, or aircon. Perfect for retired my dogs. I need a long-term Phuket Country Club. Price: Guesthouse with restaurant for rent. 4 rooms, one apart- 120,000 baht per year. couple. 6 months: 50,000 lease. Willing to renovate prop- 2.75 million baht ono. Pls call CHERG TALAY Please contact for more info. baht; 1 year: 100,000 baht. erty if required. Must have tele- Tel: 09-8729149. Email: Land for sale/rent, with old ment. 20,000 baht a month. Tel: 06-2746511. Email: Tel: 07-2675376. Email: Call Steve at Tel: 06-076- phone line or ability to get one. klaus_harbauer@hotmail. house. Directly on the main [email protected] 0141. Tel: 04-7457024. com For further details, road. 2,010 sqm. 4.8 million [email protected] please see our website at: baht. Tel: 076-278008. Email: www.phuket-house-for-sale. [email protected] ROOMS TO LET com Lake-view apartments in Classified Advertisements Kathu. Fully-furnished, with HOUSE FOR SALE Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. PANWA LAND Live in a quiet area. 105sqm aircon, fridge, cable TV, hot Elevated, tiered land. 260-de- house: 2.5 million baht. Pls water, car park. 183 baht a Then hand it to any of our agents. gree sea views, 40m above email for pic or contact for day. Contact for details. Tel: 076-202585, 09-1968449. sea level, each plot. Approx 1 more info. Tel: 09-5913996. |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| (heading) rai. Price: 8 million baht per Email: manyhouseforyou@ Email: ketmaneeclayton61@ plot. Tel: 01-6412201. hotmail.com hotmail.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 Sin & Lee |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| Thalang Rd, Phuket Town Tel: 076-211230 Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 80 baht, Taurus Travel with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. Aroonsom Plaza Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd, Patong Tel: 076 344521-2 All advertising must be paid for in advance. Deadline for Property Mart page: Friday 3 pm. Deadline for all other pages: Saturday 12 noon. Find more Classified Property ads at www.phuketgazette.net! April 16 - 22, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 23 Property Gazette

HOUSE FOR RENT NEW RELOCATABLES Accommodation A 2-story house in Land & Building The Stone Doctor SPAS R US Fully insulated, aircon. For sale: Available House, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath- Services Steam room sauna and ac- 160,000 baht. Tel: 076-281- cessories, and portable hot rooms, fully furnished, phone Specialist European stone care 283. See our website at: line, aircon, cable TV, kitchen products and services: tubs from USA. Quality www.SafewayPhuket.com PATONG LUXURY with washing machine. Price: • Restoration equipment, designed and in- apartments. Central Patong, 1- 20,000 baht per month. Tel: • Sealing/Finishing stalled for your needs. Busi- ONE-STOP SERVICE & 2-bedroom apartments. • Maintenance ness and residential. Califor- 076-283029, 04-1840259. All your maintenance, protection & Handymen and home improve- Please email for info & photos. cleaning needs for natural and nia Spa Design. Tel: 076- ment contractor available for Email: [email protected] manufactured stone. 263269, 09-1950610. • Marble • Sandwash repairs and more. Floor/wall Accommodation • Granite • Terracotta tiling, painting, ceiling, lighting PATONG CONDOS • Slate • Terrazzo system, kitchen, bathroom, Wanted • Sandstone • Ceramics, etc Nicely decorated condos for Household wood and furniture. Tel: 09- rent or sale. Located in central Prevent: rust, stains, mildew, algae, scratches Items 5913996, 01-8953185. Patong, behind Rat-U-Thit 200 RENTAL Remove: builders’ residue, incorrect Email: [email protected]. Pi Rd. The rooms have every- sealants, rust, stains, mildew, etc accomodation wanted. Look- Daily care & cleaning products also co.th thing: fan and aircon, kitchen- ing to rent either one or two available RATTAN COUCH: ette, fridge, cable TV, access houses/villas for four people for Tel: 07-2824930, 076-271217 3,000 baht. Please contact to swimming pool. The rental a month or two from July on- Fax: 076-271218 for more details. Tel: 076- Household Email: [email protected] price is negotiable. Tel: 01- wards. Pls contact for more 383052, 06-9529517. Services 8948446, 09-8726895. information. Email: lee_ Email: [email protected] pompey@hotmail. com SANYO TV Needed 21-inch, new. 4,500 baht. ROOMS FROM B300 FURNISHED HOUSE Please contact for more info. LIVE-IN MAID/ Your own hot shower, aircon Will pay up to 20,000 baht Tel: 07-8024688. Email: companion. 35-50 year old or fan only, pool table, UBC TV, per month for long-term con- [email protected] nice Thai lady with no family 24hr security. Call for info. Tel: tract. DSL computer access commitments. Own room, re- 076-342280, 01-9781956. desirable, plus garden and HOUSEHOLD STUFF quired to cook Thai food, clean Email: [email protected] washing machine. Must be wanted. I need a fridge with and take care of 79 year old furnished and near beach. cooler, and a big screen TV. So very nice Australian man who SUVIMOL Please leave message if phon- if you are leaving and have is in good health. Part time po- apartments. Newly finished, ing USA. Tel: 503-2275265. these items for sale, please sition, so can work elsewhere on Rang Hill. Aircon, water Email: [email protected] contact me with details. Tel: if wished, but must live in. Small heater, refrigerator, cable SIAM HOME 01-2734000. Email: bbonello salary, all meals, etc. Would TV. All are furnished. Tel: 01- PLEASE HELP & CAR SERVICES @web.de suit lady who needs a home. 6072489. Can anyone help me to find Building renovation, Tel: 01-8117613. Email: an apartment or house for 2 repairs, maintenance [email protected] PATONG PAD weeks in November? I need Household Nicely furnished, cable TV, 2 bedrooms, 3 beds. It must
Electrical Services pool. Tel: 04-1069724. Email: be in Patong. Thank you.
Aircon/lights Property [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Woodwork/furniture Services
Stone, cement, sandwash LOCKUP STORAGE CONDO ROOM 3-MONTH RENTAL
Steel, aluminium, tiles Individual storage units HARDWOOD FLOORS for rent. 5 min walk to Pa- 2- or 3-bedroom house with
Grass screen landscaping. from 4 cubic meters, well tong Beach, cheap price, fully pool wanted now for 1-3 ventilated, 24hr security, Change to new, real hardwood furnished, sea view, aircon, months, or possibly long term Contact Khun Chuat sensor flood- lights. Please floor in 1 day. It’s pre-var- hot water, cable TV. Tel: 09- Do Not Drink nished – no dust, no smell. if perfect. Please contact by 01-4083800, 076-325391. call for more info. Tel: 01- 6455134. Email: js_0704@ email at: petemolyneux@ Tap Water! 0825707. Teak, oak, etc. Tel: 01-424- hotmail.com hotmail.com 1354.

Bangkok Get your Phuket Gazette from these outlets in the capital: Don Muang Airport Tel. 02-5731120 Se-Ed, Mahboonkrong Building, zone B, Phayathai Rd, Pathumwan Tel. 02-6117165 Se-Ed, Silom Complex, 4th floor, Silom Rd, Bangrak Tel. 02-2313244 Se-Ed, Silom Center, Rama 1 Rd, Pathumwan Tel. 02-6581153 Se-Ed, Panthip Plaza, M-floor, Petchaburi Rd, Rajathewee Tel. 02-6566070 Se-Ed, Fortune Town Building, Ratchadapisek Rd, Huaykwang Tel. 02-2485668 Se-Ed, Central Rama 3, Satupradit Rd, Yannawa Tel. 02-6736342 Q Mart, Grand Hotel, Sukhumvit Rd, Soi 11, Klongtoey Tel. 02-6511200 ext. 3452 C Mart, Centre Point, Petchaburi Rd, Soi 15, Rajathewee Tel. 02-6536690-8 ext. 4030 Duangkamol, Sukhumvit Rd, Klongtoey Tel. 02-2526261 24 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS April 16 - 22, 2005 Island Job Mart

EXEC PERSONAL ASSISTANT Small boutique resort lo- cated on the hill in Patong area is looking for an Ex- ecutive Personal Assis- tant to work with our team. - Male or female, more than 25 years old; Thai Native preferable - Minimum of 3 years’ ex- perience in hospitality in- dustry - Must be highly orga- nized and confident, with strong leadership abilities - Administrative and com- puter skills - Good command of En- glish, spoken and written - Must be a team player with an outgoing person- ality and positive attitude This is a challenging job with good benefits and opportunities in friendly working environment. Send your resumé by email or fax. Tel: 076- 345345. Fax: 076- IT CONSULTANT 345099. Email: agm@ clubbamboo.com A Phuket media and market- NATIVE ENGLISH MAID WANTED EXPERIENCED URGENTLY NEEDED ing company is looking for a TEACHERS! full-time live-in maid. STAFF Maid, Pa Khlok area. bright, energetic, young staff Many excellent jobs Must speak English. Nice wanted for property de- Good salary. Please call SALES DEVELOPMENT member to join the company available soon. room with private bath, velopment company in for more information. Tel: manager. Your core tasks are as an IT Consultant. Require- private kitchen, private Phuket. For more infor- 076-273427, 01-829 Must be TEFL trained. to improve conversion rates ments: bachelor’s degree in entrance. Motorbike pro- mation check: www. 5388. Apply now! of sales and repeat custom- computer science or related vided. Nai Harn area. immobilienplus.com/jobs [email protected] ers. Salary + strong commis- field; knowledge of com- References. Please call Tel: 06-9520088 sion incentives. Come work puter languages (Perl, PHP for more infomation. Tel: ASIAN TRAVEL CLUB for a smart, reputable com- and mySQL, Macromedia 076-388483, 07-984 recruit. Asian Travel Club, lo- CRUISE COORDINATOR pany. Tel: 076-236616, 01- Dreamweaver, HTML, Java- 0907. cated in Kata Beach, is look- SECRETARY WANTED Thai/English-speaking Cruise 8952206. Email: siamuk@ script, Photoshop or Graphic ing for Thai/English and Position now open for Thai Coordinator is needed. Tel: loxinfo.co.th Design etc); capable of main- Cantonese/English-speaking secretary in established can- 076-239111. Fax: 076- sales representatives. You taining Linux server, Micro- MARKETING 238974. Email: suporn@ vas company at the Phuket ASSISTANT should be easygoing and ENGLISH NATIVE soft Windows Client, Out- Boat Lagoon. English speak- thaimarine.com Property development com- have a positive attitude and speakers. English teachers look; experience in network ing, computer friendly, with systems is an advantage; pany looking for: professional appearance. required. Full time: 30,000 Word/Excel. Own transport. ACCOUNTANT baht per month. Part time: good interpersonal and com- - Male or female, age 28-35 Good salary, commissions Pls contact K. Muzza for needed for real estate com- 350 baht per hour. Please munication skills; English lit- years old and benefits offered. Full more info. Tel: 076-238946, pany. Very good command training provided. Tel: 076- contact for more info. Tel: erate. Contact Khun Mink for 01-3701600. Fax: 076- - Good English communica- an interview. Tel: 09-474- of written, spoken English; 333461. Fax: 076-333460. 076-377095, 09-2929946. 238946. Email: canvas@ tion skills and computer liter- computer knowledge. Pls call Email: paulivarlarsson@ Email: britishschoolphuket 5726. Email: piyapak_s@ loxinfo.co.th ate yahoo.com for info. Tel: 076-273427. hotmail.com @yahoo.co.uk - Pleasant personality & atti- NANNY NEEDED tude SALES to take care of a two-month- - At least 2-3 years’ experi- Co-ordinator (2 positions). A old baby in Surin. Must speak ence in marketing local media company is look- 25% Discount on Classifieds for Shopper Card Holders English and have adequate ing for bright, energetic sales For more information, please experience. Tel: 01-7875 people to handle media sales contact Promotion Manager 723. for a number of Asian-based Mr Stephan. Tel: 076-290- IF YOU... publications. Previous sales 404. Fax: 076-341612. experience would be pre- LAW FIRM Email: promo@lorchidee- Place your ad in these pages; ferred. Must have a high level seeks accountant. Full-time or residences.com of English and be able to pre- part-time. Tel: 076-261377. Present your Shopper Card; and pare and present sales pro- Fax: 076-261378. Email: CAREGIVER WANTED posals. Applicants with cars [email protected] part-time for elderly farang Pay for the ad at our offices, are also preferred. Drivers li- man. Must speak English. cense is essential. Applica- THAI ADMIN Flexible hours in beautiful lo- tions should be made to Khun and teacher required with cation. Live-in private quar- you’ll enjoy a 25% discount* AND have your ad appear free of Mink. Tel: 09-4745726. good English skills. Must be ters. Pls contact for more charge in the Phuket Gazette Online. Email: info@leadingedge- a hardworking person. Email: info. Tel: 06-9465799. Email: media.com for an interview. [email protected] [email protected] With more than 10,000 visitors a day, the Island Trader Online is Thailand’s most active classified marketplace.

*Ads may be submitted in person or online (phuketgazette.net/classifieds), but Find more Recruitment Classifieds must be paid for at the Gazette offices. The discount is not available when at payment is made at our agents. The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd www.phuketgazette.net! 367/2 Yaowarat Road, Phuket City Tel: 076-236555 Fax: 076-213971 April 16 - 22, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 25 Island Job Mart

SECRETARY RETURNING THAI TEACHERS and administrator. The core to Phuket. Australian man re- NEEDED! tasks are to coordinate the turning to Phuket very soon To teach both English and office paperwork and to sup- is seriously looking for a job. Thai. Must be experi- port the sales team. The key Many years’ experience in enced. Also assistant to attribute is organization. Come customer service, marketing the principal. Beautiful work for a smart, reputable and public relations. I have school, above-average company. Tel: 076-236616, also worked in the tourism salaries. Email Ajarn Saiyan 01-8952206. Email: siamuk industy in Phuket. Tel: 04- at: [email protected] @loxinfo.co.th 0541269. Email: kimbofive Tel: 09-8140107 @hotmail.com Employment MASSAGE Wanted WORKING IN KATA therapists wanted. Phuket I’m looking for part-time work Home Massage in Cherng from home or in Kata Beach Talay is now looking for CHEF LOOKING area. therapists. We provide mas- for a job. Gary is my name - Dutch female (25) sages at a top-class level; and I am moving to Thailand - BA degree in International therefore we seek applica- to live. I would like to work in Tourism Management tions only from excellent a restaurant with French or massage therapists. If you English cuisine. I am fluent in -Experience in hospitality are one of the best and want French & English. Please send sector to learn more, please call me me an email if you have a job -Experience with e-com- at Tel: 01-0827703 or 01- opening. I am coming at the merce 9561901 for an interview, end of April. Tel: +35-0918 - Experience with working in or send me an email at: 36898. Email: gddavies@ Thailand. Email: suzanne@ [email protected] internet.lu suzannessource.com

Find more classifieds at www.phuketgazette.net! Tout, Trader & Trumpet

BABY PRAM/STROLLER Articles 3-wheel, sports-style stoller. Boats & Marine for Sale Great condition and really heavy duty. 5,000 baht or nearest offer. Tel: 09-645- 2576. DISPLAY FRIDGE Large fridge as used in SATELLITE DISH shops, etc. Excellent con- Infosat, 160cm diameter, in- dition. A bargain at 15,000 clusive of remote + receiver. baht. Tel: 07-2821951. Only 5 months old. 6,500 Email: kseacy@hotmail. baht. Tel: 06-2812899. Email: com [email protected]

SPA EQUIP FOR SALE POOL TABLE 3’x6’ Sauna, massage beds, ozone, aircons, and much more - all must go. Tel: 01-9390176. Fax: 076-203285. Email: [email protected]

4-PIECE RATTAN SET 3-seater sofa, 2 armchairs New, complete with all ac- and glass top table. All cush- cessories. Home use. Price: ions recently re-covered. Too 60,000 baht. Tel: 04-154- big for our house; don't really 6781. Email: pearl_phuket want to sell, but... 20,000 @hotmail.com baht for the set. Tel: 076- 202208, 09-9705259. Email: info@sunrise-divers. SALE U/W CAMERA com Nikon Coolpix 4300 & under- water housing with many PIONEER accessories. 27,000 baht Pioneer DVD player with ono. Tel: 09-4075281. 170+ DVDs. 22,000 baht value. Serious offers please. DIVING MATERIALS Tel: 07-8831190. Email: Diving Instructor materials in [email protected] SEADOO JETBOAT 27FT SPEED BOAT DINGHY 54FT CATAMARAN English and Scandinavian 2x115hp, 1996, 15 feet, 5 Sunbridge Bayliner 2755, full- 4 meters long, 100,000 Built 2004 in plywood/glass languages, plus diving equip- 29-INCH TV pax. New canvas; needs a deck cabin cruiser. New baht. Tel: 04-0580815. fiber/epoxy. Six big (9sqm) ment for sale. Tel: 07-279- TV and VCD. 6 months old little attention (carb and Mercruiser V8 (250hp). Very Fax: 076-243089. Email: double-berth cabins. Galley, 8520. Email: waikikidivecafe with warranty. Like new. trailer need fixing). Very fast, well maintained. Can take up [email protected] saloon, 20sqm cockpit. @hotmail.com 6,000 baht. Tel: 07-279- fun boat. Have spares worth to 12 people, sleeps 5. Per- Price: US$55,000. Tel: 006- 8520. Email: waikikidivecafe approx 20,000 baht. Will sell fect to explore the region. Can 27FT SPEED BOAT 0195434313. Email: NIKON F601 CAMERA @hotmail.com altogether for 649,000 baht, be seen at Yacht Haven Inboard Hino EH600 engine. [email protected] Auto/manual SLR, Tamron or without spares and trailer (Dock A). Price: 1.5 million Plywood and epoxy overlay. 28-200mm zoom lens, Polar- BIRDS’ NEST FERNS for 599,000 baht. Located at baht. Please contact for more Illness forces sale. 300,000 SPEEDBOAT 4 SALE izing filter. Price: 6,000 baht. Large choice, all sizes, orna- Boat Lagoon Marina, house information. Tel: 01-979- baht. Tel: 075-266282, 09- 28ft, twin engines, good Pls call for more info. Tel: 04- mental plants. Thalang area. 23/76. Tel: 01-2734000. 9307. Email: michelburon@ 9711480. Email: arthur2@ condition. 350,000 baht. 7566075. Tel: 04-8371063. Email: [email protected] hotmail.com cscoms.com Tel: 01-5358555. 26 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS April 16 - 22, 2005 Tout, Trader & TrumpetTout, trader

THREE SHOPS for rent. Located at Patong Beach, near main road, 18 meters from the beach. Please call for more informa- tion. Tel: 076-344715, 01- 7977199.

FOR RENT Bungalows & restaurant. Please contact us for more information. Tel: 01-894- 6686. Website: www. phuketnatureplace.com

BAR FOR SALE Large, successful, estab- lished bar in soi off Soi Bangla for sale. Pool table, sound sys- tem plus all fittings. Please call Tel: 06-2832285 for more Business information. Charity Opportunities Miscellaneous SHOPHOUSE for Sale with massage business and apartment, for rent. Kata Beach, main tourist street. DAY TRIP TO Please contact Tony. Tel: 01- RANONG 6936386. New double-decker tour bus (not minibus), non smoking COFFEE SHOP/ and smoking areas, toilet, restaurant. Starbucks style. films/music, snacks and No investment needed, up and drinks, on-board buffet lunch. running. 3.5-year contract plus No extra to pay, fully inclu- optional 5 years. Large rev- sive. Only 1,300 baht. Every enue/profit. Tel: 01-8923058. Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sunday. ART CLASS Fax: 076-284436. Email: cyril Tel: 04-7457024. @porseland.se For pictures, Computers for kids. Drawing, painting, please see our website at water coloring, etc. 20 hrs. www.thailand.tc?id=110 COMPUTERS Monday-Friday from 10am- INT'L DRIVERS New or used. Repairs. WLAN, midday at Central. Please call GUESTHOUSE LICENSE GPRS ADSL 1 Internet. No for more information. Tel: 01- 8918689. for sale freehold. 10 rooms + 5,000 baht, valid up to 10 phone, no problem. English room to build a small pool. 6.9 years, 6,000 baht valid up to computerman. Please call for million baht, or will sell 6-year 20 years. Sole agent in Thai- more information. Tel: 09- Personals lease. Call for info. Tel: 076- land. Free pick up & delivery, 4735080. 342280, 01-9781956. Email: open 365 days a year. [email protected] Please contact for more in- formation. Tel: 04-0068736. Personal WANT SOME NICE GUESTHOUSE/ Services ENCOURAGEMENT? bar, small restaurant, 8 big Would you like a free weekly rooms, good location, 130 or daily email that will give meters to Patong Beach. TITANIUM CUES COMPUTER HELP FOR SALE you encouragement or inspi- Farang owner. Please contact We provide quality work. Ba- ration? Send a blank email to by email at: phuketopportunity sic training in PC use, home us to subscribe, or visit our @hotmail.com page, private or company, website for more informa- MSN, Skype or internet, tion. Email: subscribe@ KATA CENTER Speak English, German, Scan- thoughtforweek.net For Siam Silk & Work of Art. For dinavian. Please contact by more info, see my website sale; urgent. 3 rooms and email at: la@zarazin. com at: ThoughtForWeek.net stock: 740,000 baht. Please Please see our website at: call Tel: 01-9798540. www.zarazin.com Improve your game with a BACKGAMMON THE ONLY BIZ 52" Titanium-tipped pool LEARN THAI Retired businessman looking of its kind in Phuket. Visa and cue. Two pieces, 20 oz, at home. Conversation and for backgammon players on real estate firm, with annual complete with carry case. coursework with charming Phuket Island. Please call if in- turnover of 2.1 million baht, All colors. 3,000 baht each. Thai lady. Course books pro- terested. Tel: 076-386113, is for sale. Price: only 3 million Please visit our show room vided free. Also basic English 01-5778443. baht ono. Please email: or contact Phuket Pool lessons for a Thai girlfriend. admin@phuketdeafeagle. Tables. Tel: 01-8234627, Please contact for more infor- CUTE EDUCATED com or for more information, 01-7372973. Email: ying@ mation. Tel: 076-398157, 01- lady. You want to start a good see our website at: www. phuketpooltables.com 797 1497. Email: churee77@ life with a European man look- phuketdeafeagle.com hotmail.com ing for a long relationship? Send me your resume and photos and we can meet soon. Sincerely, Philippe. Please contact me by email at: [email protected]

LOVELY THAI LADY Sincere gentleman, slim, nice outlook, secure for family, seeks the right lady who is very pretty, kind and nice to be with. Please reply with photos Gazette Classads – 4,000 readers a day! and phone number. Email: [email protected] April 16 - 22, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 27 Wheels & Motors

HONDA CIVIC JEEP CHEROKEE HONDA WAVE 125R Saloon Cars 1991 HONDA CIVIC 1996 model. Runs well and This car is top of the range. Electric starter and disc Rentals Good engine, AC mag looks great. 270,000 baht or Every extra. Private sale. Tel: brakes. As-new condition – wheels, bodywork needs at- nearest offer- price is nego- 076-345617, 09-8674277. only 600km. Five-year or tention, taxed+insured. tiable. Selling due to financial Email: [email protected] 50,000-km warranty. Moving DAIHATSU Price: 165,000 baht. Call for pressures. Call for more de- away from Khao Lak for obvi- FOR RENT info. Tel: 01-0825707. tails. Tel: 09-8759586. AWESOME WILLYS ous reasons. 37,000 baht. Easy to drive and economi- Jeep. Beautiful, looks brand cal. 9,900 baht/month or NISSAN NV new, big wheels, leather 3,500 baht/week. Please TOYOTA for sale. Nissan NV 1.5, van, seats, new shocks, pristine Vans call for more info. Tel: 01- SPORTRIDER 7 years old, automatic gears, condition, totally refurbished. 5371050. 1 ½ years old, 10-pack comfortable and a lot of Selling because of travel. All 1996 ISUZU WANDERER Sony CD player, big tires. space, good condition. For papers in order. 200,000 Excellent family car. Well Price: 890,000 baht. Tel: sale by foreigner due to depar- baht. Tel: 01-5384003. Email: maintained at the Isuzu deal- A1 CAR 01-8928208. ture. Price: 160,000 baht. [email protected] ership on a regular basis. RENTALS UK Please contact for more info. Phuket’s Most Trusted & 65,000 original kilometers. Best deals on wheels. Izusu Tel: 09-2929087. Email: JEEP CHEROKEE Reputable Supplier of the Finest Tires have a few thousand ki- Highlander auto, new AUDI A4 [email protected] 320,000 baht. 1996 Jeep Quality Used SALOONS, lometers on them. 2nd Toyota Altis 1800G auto, Metallic dark green with Cherokee: automatic trans- SEDANS, JEEPS & PICKUPS farang owner. Light green Vios 4-door auto, Toyota beige leather interior. The mission, power steering, full- New cars or trade-ins – with a black “roo bar”. Icy- Soluna auto, Toyota Tiger car is in very good condition Pickups time 4-wheel drive. Dark blue, we have what you’re cold air conditioning! Halogen pickup, Suzuki Jeep Sporty, and has been maintained re- custom front and rear steel looking for headlamps. 350,000 baht or Toyota Corolla auto, gardless of cost. 580,000 bumpers, 16-inch rims. First For more info pls call us at best offer. Can negotiate. Toyota 7-seater. Special baht, including first-class in- come, first served! Tel: 076- Tel: 076-224632, 216243 TOYOTA VIGO Now being used as a second long-term rental from surance. Tel: 09-2872672. 225215. Fax: 076-234832. www.suremotor.com car and is no longer needed. 12,000 to 27,000 baht/ Email: [email protected] Email: eric@insurance-in- Late afternoons are best. Tel: month, 1st-class insur- thailand.com 07-8946697. Email: bigjohn ance. Tel: 09-8314703. NISSAN NV @loxinfo.co.th Wingroad. 70,000km, 2001 VOLVO 850 GLE model, automatic with over- Motorbikes CHEVY VAN TIARA 1997, mint condition, full drive, Sony CD/MP3 player, MERCEDES-BENZ options/all extras (auto- first-class insurance, very Original paintwork, air bag, automatic transmission, C220, dark blue, cream matic, climate control, full good condition. Price: D4D, two doors, bronze HONDA AX-1 leather interior, sunroof, al- color. CD player, immobilizer. ABS, electric windows, TV- leather, auto, CD, 1st- 290,000 baht. Please con- 1994, 250cc, runs and class insurance. For rent: loys, sound system, etc). tact for more information. Two months old, new condi- cassette-radio. Too many Accident-free, full service tion. Guaranteed three years looks good. Strong motor, things to mention. Executive 35,000 baht/month or Tel: 01-0847037. Email: never trashed. Just a com- 12,000 baht/week. Tel: history, photos on request [email protected] or 10,000km. Save 60,000 seating. Deposit 200,000 by email. 550,000 baht, baht, as price: 610,000 baht. muter. 50,000 baht. Tel: baht, then 36 x 10,000 baht. 01-3430777. 01-8957285. Email: negotiable. Tel: 02-381- 2002 HONDA CRV Call Anders Lindeberg. Tel: Please contact for more info. [email protected] Tel: 04-7457024. Email: 3366, 07-9099005. Fax: VTEC. 2.0L, automatic, low 06-9463465. JEEP CHEROKEE [email protected] 02-3815600. Email: kms (34,800km), red, cloth, 4.0L, auto, CD, 1st-class in- [email protected] 5-CD player, roof rack, TOYOTA TIGER 4WD YAMAHA R1 surance. For rent: 25,000 ’99 model. Full titanium ex- HONDA WAVE 410,000 baht cash + 15 Toyota Hilux Tiger: 4WD, 4 baht/month or 9,000 baht/ haust system. White and red, Honda Wave 125cc. 3 months FORD ASPIRE payments of 20,700 baht. doors, year 2001, only week. Call for more details. good condition, new brakes old, 2,700km, electric starter. Electric windows, central lock- Insured until July. For sale by 78,000km, service book, Tel: 01-3430777. and tires. Price: 220,000 35,000 baht. Tel: 07-8024688. ing, 1996. Excellent condition, owner. Please contact for very well-maintained by baht. Also ’89 CBR 400cc. Email: [email protected] owner gone home. Price: more information. Tel: 01- Toyota. New tires, silver PICKUP FOR RENT Fully modified, carbon, black 140,000 baht. Tel: 076-281- 8913474. Email: dennycpo color. Price: 450,000 baht. Mitsubishi Grandis model and white. Price: 40,000 283, 01-0914162. @loxinfo.co.th Tel: 06-0995927. Email: BARGAIN PHANTOM 2004. 4 door, automatic, 4 baht. Contact Mr Henry. Tel: [email protected] Honda Phantom, black, WD. 1st-class insurance. 01-2724018, 09-9863099. taxed till December 2005, Short- or long-term rent. good condition. A great bar- Long-term rent (1 month or 4 x 4s HONDA WAVE gain at 39,995 baht (no of- more): 22,000 baht/month. 125cc, electric starter. Please fers). Please contact for de- Tel: 07-8858708. Email: call for more details. Tel: 01- tails. Tel: 076-333280. tomasholmberg77@hotmail. 3670991. Email: [email protected] 1993 SUZUKI com CARIBIAN Mechanically sound, good AC tires, tax, insurance, Wheels & Motors white color. Price: 95,000 baht. Please call for more Advertisements info. Tel: 01-0825707. Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. Then hand it to any of our agents.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 80 baht, with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. All advertising must be paid for in advance. Deadline for Wheels & Motors page: Saturday 12 noon. 28 PHUKET GAZETTE April 16 - 22, 2005

Do Not Drink Tap Water!