Volume 12 Issue 52 News Desk - Tel: 076-236555 December 24 - 30, 2005 Daily news at www.phuketgazette.net 20 Baht

The Gazette is published in association with

IN THIS ISSUE

NEWS: Governor furious at squandering of budget; Rain damps enthusiasm for tsu- nami drill. Pages 2 & 3 INSIDE STORY: Life Home Project expands on to Koh Sirae. Pages 4, 5 & 7 AROUND THE REGION: Cop SPECIAL killed on Koh Samui. Page 8 SUPPLEMENT AROUND THE ISLAND: Do dilly- Dali. Page 11 WITH THIS PEOPLE: Weddings; Blues ISSUE Festival. Pages 12 & 13 LIFESTYLE: Knife work, if you can get it; Belt up. Bypass must be Pages 14 & 15 Ideas submitted by the five winners were far from conventional, as this conceptual illustration from SPA MAGIC: Is Paradise twice completed by as nice? Read on…Page 18 the Spanish team shows. TAKE A BREAK: Crosswords, Dec 26 – Gov quizzes and Sudoku. PHUKET: In a meeting Decem- Pages 21 & 22 ber 20 to check on final prepara- BETWEEN THE LINES: Thai tions for the upcoming tsunami Wave memorial memorial services, Phuket Gov- Temperance tantrum. Page 27 ernor Udomsak Uswarangkura ordered that work on the bypass BUSINESS: Blue Canyon boost road widening project be com- bang on target; Money Talks. pleted before December 26. Page 31 finalists chosen “Work on the bypass road SPORT & LEISURE: Ladies’ must be finished before Decem- Masters; Darts; Int'l football. By Natcha Yuttaworawit The names of the five “This is the first time that such ber 26 so we can provide com- Pages 32 & 33 teams were announced on De- an international competition has fortable transport for visitors,” KHAO LAK: Design teams cember 15 at Le Meridien Khao been organized in Thailand. The Gov Udomsak told people at the PROPERTY: Decor: Jingle from Finland, the US, Spain, Lak Beach & Spa Resort, where competition was perfectly orga- meeting at The Metropole hotel. Bells? No, knobs and knock- China and Australia made it into the five finalists’ designs will be nized and the entries were world- Many foreign dignitaries ers; Construction: Layan Sun- the finals of the competition to on display from December 23 to class.” and Thai government officials are set; Home of the Week: Boat design a tsunami memorial, which 28. The next step will be a con- expected to attend memorial ser- Lagoon. Pages 34-37 will be erected on Lek Beach in Each team will receive a ference from January 21 to 24 vices at Patong, Kamala and Mai Khao Lak Lamru National Park. million baht for making it into the at which the memorial project Khao beaches – requiring them PLUS The five teams that made final of the design competition, will be discussed in detail so that to travel along the bypass road. the cut are Anu Puustinen and with the eventual winner receiv- the five finalists can make any Phuket Highway Depart- QUEER N EWS 6; HAPPENINGS 16; Ville Hara, from Avanto Archi- ing the contract from the Thai necessary changes to their pro- ment Engineer Boonyakiat MOTORING 17; WINE, PHUKET tects of Finland; Raveevarn government to work on the me- posals. The amended proposals Kongketyai is charged with car- DIARY 19; GUEST C HEF 20; OUT- Choksombatchai and William morial itself. must be submitted to the panel rying out the near-impossible or- SIDE IN, BOOKS 23; DOVEN, HORO- Oren of VeeV Design of the US; A total of 379 individuals of judges by May 2. der. SCOPES, THE TIME M ACHINE 24; Ana Somoza Jiménez, Angel and teams, from 43 countries, The panel’s choice will be “The road might not be TSOWNDINGS, TOON TOWN 25; Martínez, Eva Sebastián Peñín submitted designs for the com- presented to the government on 100% complete by December 26 and Raquel Lozano from Spain; EDITORIAL, LETTERS 26; ISSUES & petition. These were cut down to May 15, with the winner being because there are many details Liang Hou of China; and Rich- the final five by an international announced publicly a week later. that need to be finished, such as ANSWERS 27; ON THE MOVE, ard Weller and Gary Marinko of team of judges. The winning design will also be painting lines, erecting signs and COMPUTERS 28; GARDENING 34; the University of Western Aus- One of the judges, architect showcased in an exhibition in doing clean-up work,” he admit- CLASSIFIEDS 38-48. tralia. MR Chanvudhi Varavarn, said, Bangkok from June 1 to 15. ted. 2 PHUKET GAZETTE NEWS December 24 - 30, 2005 Gov furious over lack of solution to park problem By Anongnat Sartpisut then 60% complete, did not fol- much to ask for, to solve this en- low the specified design. croachment problem … if you NAI YANG: Phuket Governor On August 16, Gov Udom- weren’t prepared to part with a Udomsak Uswarangkura has sak visited the site and ordered little land, then why did you re- expressed anger that almost half the buildings torn down, agreeing quest the budget from the TAT in of a 15-million-baht government with the park authorities that they the first place?” he asked. A father and child place candles in a pit in the sand during the Light budget to beautify Nai Yang were an eyesore and blocked The park has a total area of Up Patong commemoration in February this year. Beach has already been squan- views of the sea from the road. 56,250 rai, and its facilities include dered – and that bickering be- More than six million baht 10 public restrooms. tween the two government agen- of the 15-million-baht budget was The Governor said that he 100,000 candles to light up Phuket cies involved now puts the rest spent on building the structures – had seen some new public toilets PHUKET: Three kilometers fected beaches in 2006 – of the money at risk. and then demolishing them. built deep inside the park. “Who of Patong Beach will be bath- hence the change of name to At a meeting at Phuket Pro- In August, the Governor or- gave approval to build these?” he ed in candlelight for “Light “Light Up Phuket”. vincial Hall on December 19, Gov dered the two sides to find a com- asked angrily. Up Phuket”, starting at 5 pm Other memorial activi- Udomsak ordered the Sakoo promise whereby the remaining Park Chief Thanapong re- on December 26, when ties taking place on Patong Tambon Administration Organiza- 8.4 million baht of the TAT bud- plied that they had been built un- 100,000 candles will be placed Beach the same evening in- tion (Sakoo OrBorTor) and Siri- get could be used to build 30 new der a budget provided by the in the sand in front of Loma clude a performance by the nath National Park to settle a dis- units at a more appropriate site, Phuket Provincial Administration Park in memory of the victims Benjamarachutit School or- pute over encroachment on park also on park land. Organization. Gov Udomsak re- of the tsunami. chestra, and a recitation by land at Nai Yang Beach by year’s torted that he would not autho- NO AGREEMENT Sutin Uthaitamrong, SEAWrite award-winning end, otherwise the remaining 8.4 rize the construction of any more Vice-President of the Phuket poet Naowarat Pongpaiboon, million baht in state funding would Meanwhile, the encroachers con- restrooms inside the park, as they Provincial Administration Or- who will read his poem enti- have to be returned to the Tour- tinue to peddle their wares from were too remote to be of use to ganization, said that “Light Up tled Fah Sai Andaman (The ism Authority of Thailand (TAT). illegal stalls along the beach – and the public. Patong” in February this year Clear Andaman Sky). At the meeting, Sakoo Or- the park has still not granted ap- He also insisted that his ap- attracted about 10,000 people A list of official tsunami BorTor President Surapong Pan- proval for building at the new site. proval be requested, in writing, for to the beach. memorial events is included yawai and Sirinath Marine Na- At the meeting, the Gover- any future construction work in- The idea is that it will be in the One Year On special tional Park Chief Thanapong nor grew angry when it became side the park. extended to other tsunami-af- supplement in this issue. Aphaisorn presented their cases clear that the two sides had been before the Governor, but without unable to reach an agreement. “If offering solutions. there’s no movement, I’ll just re- In December last year, the turn the 8.4 million baht when the Phang Nga ‘poaching tourism staff’ park arranged for Sakoo OrBor- deadline for it to be spent is Tor to begin construction of 30 reached on December 31 – and PHUKET: Employers in Phu- area recovers from last year’s Phang Nga because [employers] single-story shophouses for rent then I’ll never have to deal with ket’s hotel and tourism industry tsunami. are offering double the salaries to encroachers, using a budget of this issue again,” he said. are losing skilled staff to Phang “Phuket’s higher cost of liv- and higher positions to workers. 15 million baht granted to the park He also had harsh words Nga businesses – which are re- ing is making working in Phang “They can get skilled labor, by the TAT. for the Park Chief, saying he did portedly offering up to double the Nga more attractive to workers and don’t need to train them... The park halted construction not understand why the park workers’ current salaries. on the island, and businesses in why wouldn’t they do it?” he said. in August, however, pointing out hadn’t granted permission to build Phuket Provincial Labor Phang Nga are offering higher- To help alleviate the prob- that permission had been only at the new site. Office (PPLO) Chief Decha paid positions to workers who are lem, he added, the PPLO holds verbal and that the structures, by “I don’t think six rai is too Prekpattanarak said December already skilled,” he said. courses to train workers, and stu- 20, “The ‘poaching’ of labor is a K. Decha cited the Laguna dents nearing graduation, to work major problem that is creating a complex as an example, where in the hotel and tourism industry. shortage of skilled workers in employers have lost 20 employ- It also posts positions available in Phuket this high season.” ees to Phang Nga businesses. Phuket on its website at www. He said that many hotel and “Workers are moving to phuketwork.org tourism businesses in Phang Nga are opening or reopening as the Phinij opens clinic for gay men

PATONG: Public Health Minis- MSM clinics – for “Men who ter Phinij Jarusombat was due to have Sex with Men”, will be the preside over the official opening first of its kind outside Bangkok. of Patong Hospital’s “Sabaidee Services will include diag- Clinic”, which will cater to the nosis, treatment and counseling medical needs of gay men, for sufferers of sexually transmit- whether residents or tourists. ted diseases. The hospital’s Deputy-Di- The clinic will be open daily, rector, Padungkiet Utokasenee, except public holidays, from 4:30 told the Gazette that the clinic, pm to 9 pm. For more informa- part of a network known as tion call Tel: 076-344225. December 24 - 30, 2005 NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 3 Tour boat sinks; all aboard saved Skeleton from PHANG NGA BAY: Twenty-two passengers founder.” He said that the crew and the pas- 4 already had the foundering vessel under Khao Lak and crew were returned safely back to dry sengers donned life jackets and were in the tow to Chalong Port. No one was injured. land after the Armitis, a tour boat, sprung a water for about an hour before being picked Two days later as the bad sea weather is last case for leak and sank in heavy seas on December up. continued, the Third Naval Area Command 16. “They were lucky that they had an im- received a call at about 1:30 pm to collect TTVI Phuket Pol Lt Col Prasert Srikunnarat, Inspec- mediate response. Six speedboats were dis- nine Italian tourists stranded on Koh Li Pe in tor of Phuket Marine Police Region 5, told patched from Boat Lagoon and four more Tarutao National Park, in Satun province. The PHUKET: A skeleton discovered the Gazette that he received a distress call were sent from the Marine Office,” Pol Col tourists had been unable to leave the island in Khao Lak early this month be- saying that the boat, captained by Chamrus Prasert added. for the past two days because of the strong came the final case to be dealt Tohmok, was taking on water off Laem Tong, About 3:50 pm the same day, the navy winds and high waves. with on the island by the Thai Koh Dokmai, and that passengers and crew received a call to assist Felidae, a 20-meter RTN Tor 99 arrived at Koh Li Pe to Tsunami Victim Identification unit were about to abandon ship about 30 kilome- dive boat, which was about 13 miles off Laem find three Thai fishermen also stranded on (TTVI) which closed its doors ters from Phuket. Promthep with four crew on board. A rope the island as their small fishing boat had sank. December 12 in preparation for “The captain told me that, on the way had become entangled around the boat’s pro- All 12 were safely transferred to Marine opening new premises in Bang- back to Phuket from Laem Tong, waves of peller. Police Port at Tammalang in Satoon prov- kok January 4. up to four meters high were slamming into A navy helicopter and RTN Tor 97 ar- ince, arriving about 8 pm. Pol Col Khemmarin Hassiri, the vessel, causing it to spring a leak and rived to find that fishing boat Pichai Thavorn – Sangkhae Leelanapaporn Superintendent of the TTVI’s Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) unit, told the Gazette that the remains were found in a wooded area by locals. Rain damps tsunami drill Col Khemmarin said, “We assume that this 90%-complete By Ananya Hongsa-ngiam before it was held,” K. Boonchai skeleton belongs to a tsunami vic- explained. tim because we have found no PATONG: The sirens went off Tsunami evacuation drills evidence of foul play. but only about 200 people joined will become a regular event on “The skeleton is of an as- a tsunami evacuation drill in Pa- Phuket beaches, he said. yet-unidentified female; we do tong on December 16, with rain “All the local authorities – not know if she was Thai or for- blamed for the poor turnout. the OrBorJor [provincial], Tessa- eign.” Boonchai Somjai, Head of baan [town] and OrBorTor [sub- TTVI Joint Chief of Staff Phuket Provincial Office Disas- district] bodies – will coordinate Pol Col Pornprasert Kanjanarin ter Prevention and Mitigation to hold island-wide evacuation said that the TTVI plans to move (ODPM), told the Gazette, “I drills twice a year,” he said. 719 sets of remains – including was in Patong when the evacua- K. Boonchai added that the newly-discovered skeleton – tion drill began. It went satisfac- public announcements will be from Phuket’s Mai Khao cem- torily, mainly because the people made before tsunami evacuation etery to Bang Maruan cemetery who took part already knew how drills are held, unlike two days in Phang Nga by December 26. to evacuate [the beach]. earlier when tsunami warning si- A total of 3,672 corpses “But not too many people rens sounded after being set off were sent to the TTVI. Of these, joined in the evacuation drill be- by mistake during a test of equip- 2,867 have been successfully cause of the rain.” ment. identified, 1,049 being Thai and He explained that two evac- They’re off! But most people opted to stay dry. “By announcing to people 1,818 foreign. Of the identified uation drills were held in Phuket “The drill was like a real “Patong Municipality did that there will be an evacuation bodies, 173 have not been claim- on December 16: one at Patong emergency evacuation because very well. They publicized the drill and the sirens will sound, ed. A further 805 bodies remain Beach and another at Bang Tao we had only a little time to an- evacuation widely so most peo- people will not be scared, as hap- unidentified. Beach. nounce it to people. ple in Patong knew about the drill pened on December 14,” he said. – Anongnat Sartpisut WTO urges world’s press not to focus on tsunami destruction PHUKET: The World Tourism available before the tsunami, Organization (WTO), a UN-af- there are now only 400 rooms filiated irganization, believes that available, and that fewer than 500 complete post-tsunami recovery of Khao Lak’s 6,000 rooms have will be impossible until hotel ca- been reopened. pacity on Thailand’s Andaman The WTO urged journalists coast, in Sri Lanka and the Mal- to report on the “refurbished ho- dives, and seat capacity on flights tels, new tourism products and to these regions, return to pre-di- safety improvements”. It also saster levels. asked that the media “use re- In a report issue recently, straint when showing pictures of the WTO noted that Phuket’s last year’s disaster, so that tour- most recent official statistics ists will not be scared off”. show arrivals on the island down The WTO report forms part by 50% in August, although of the Phuket Action Plan for the beach resorts announced high oc- revival of tourism in tsunami-af- cupancy rates and bookings of fected countries, developed at a 80-90% for December and Janu- special WTO Executive Council ary. It also said that on Koh Phi session held in Phuket in January Phi Don, where 2,000 rooms were this year. 4 PHUKET GAZETTE INSIDE STORY December 24 - 30, 2005 A place called home here is a great sense of life and an equal feeling Around 570,000 people in Thailand, a country of some 65 million people, of home at the Life are HIV-positive, according to UNAIDS (the Joint United Nations THome Project Founda- Programme on HIV and Aids) and the World Health Organization. Looked tion. Walking or driving past, one would never know that the project at another way, nigh on one out of every 110 people – children and is there, but once inside the grounds, the hubbub of children adults – you meet is HIV positive. Others put the figure closer to one playing, women chit-chattering million people with HIV, or around one person in 65. away – and their cheeky calls of “lor maak” – as well as the smell The days of HIV being perceived as a disease affecting only those of baking cakes, takes away a involved in activities or pursuing lifestyles deemed “risky” are long gone. slight feeling of apprehension. The apprehension comes It is now accepted that housewives, teenagers and children are emerging from ignorance. as the at-risk groups. LHPF works primarily with HIV-positive mothers and their Phuket’s Life Home Project Foundation (LHPF) has long been in the children – who may or may not vanguard of the island’s fight against HIV, and has a project and be infected – so, for the first-time visitor, it is like entering a hospi- residential center in Phuket City that it has begun to outgrow. Here, tal, or worse, an institution – Hélène Fallon-Wood, José Luis Gay and Toni Alzamora from LHPF tell right? Wrong. It may be a shelter – par- the Gazette’s Andy Johnstone about the project’s much-needed ticularly for women who have expansion program. been ostracized by their families or communities or lost their Phuket is, as recently reported, among the five provinces in Thailand homes through ill health, but it is with the highest incidence of HIV infection. also a hive of activity. Women and children here get on with their lives and live them with so much this, it gives many of them per- He relates that a 16-year- spreading geographically as well for people who are HIV-positive, zest and productivity as to shame haps hitherto unknown skills that old girl who stayed at the LHPF as socially. it has made a very big change,” the rest of us. they can take into the workplace, home earlier this year has since “Mothers are the back- José explains. In 2001 and 2002, The women make a range to become self-sufficient. died, and that in hospital there is bones of the family in Thailand LHPF’s first two years, 25 moth- of cards, T-shirts and other handi- But the needs of the project currently an HIV-positive 18- and in any country. Remember ers and children died, “but in the crafts, as well as cakes – Swiss have outgrown its facilities, and year-old woman. “She has a that something like 250,000 chil- 18 months or so since the intro- roll today and extremely good – plans are afoot for a purpose-built three-year-old child, so she was dren have lost their mothers, fa- duction of free ARV treatment, at the premises. “We’ve had to site on Koh Sireh, just 10 minutes only 15 when she got pregnant thers or both parents to HIV in only two people at LHPF have sample so many cakes that we’re from Phuket City. and contracted HIV from, prob- this country.” died, and this improvement can all putting on weight!” laughs José explains that 70% of ably, her first boyfriend.” José voices sensitively that be attributed directly to the José. new HIV cases are among He says that information while a disaster that claims thou- government’s policy.” The baking and the handi- housewives and teenagers, and education are key to helping sands of lives in one day – one He warns, however, and is crafts are not just hobbies or people outside of the “traditional” slow and stop the spread of the hour even – and immediately backed up by both Hélène and something to keep LHPF occu- groups affected, such as sex epidemic, which is affecting ev- grabs the attention of the world, Toni, that there is still a need for pants busy. Their efforts gener- workers and intravenous drug ery stratum of society in Thailand. other disasters take a massive more education and less compla- ate income both for themselves users. “We are particularly wor- “Husbands infect their number of lives – 40,000 a year cency. Toni adds that in Europe, and for the LHPF, but, more than ried about teenagers,” he says. wives, and wives – mothers – in Thailand – but more surrepti- for example, the rate of deaths sometimes give birth to infected tiously. among those with Aids-related children. And although before But there is good news. illnesses is decreasing, while the there were clusters of infected “Since the Thai government number of people with the virus people in Thailand, the mobility of introduced – very bravely – free is increasing. the workforce means that it is antiretroviral (ARV) treatment “There is still no cure for Aids,” José says. “It’s a mortal disease; you get it, you die. But perhaps people, when they hear that deaths are, in some areas, slowing down, forget that.” Hélène says that although the government has made great strides by introducing free ARV December 24 - 30, 2005 INSIDE STORY PHUKET GAZETTE 5

treatment, the need remains to for the new site came from one- educate young people while in off sources and as this has now school to prevent another genera- been committed, it is back to tion from being infected. square one as far as funds are “Times are changing and concerned. children are becoming sexually Several donors, including aware at ever-younger ages – the Irish government, have very even 11 years old – and that is generously donated funds to when you need to get the mes- LHPF, she adds. sage to them,” she adds. “But the main reason [for “There is a myth that… ap- continual fund-raising] is because plying lemon juice will stop you the need is – unfortunately – from getting infected. It doesn’t,” growing,” says José. says José. “Nearly every week, we receive another woman, another he new LHPF on four mother and child. A now all-too- rai on Koh Sireh eventu- familiar story is that a woman, for ally will be home to example a housewife, gets preg- Tsome 100 mothers and nant, and goes to the hospital for children. “Why are we building it a series of routine tests, only to now?” asks José. “Because we discover that she is HIV-positive at last have the money,” chips in and has been for a few years. Hélène. She says that the money TURN TO PAGE 7 6 PHUKET GAZETTE NEWS December 24 - 30, 2005 DEEP THROAT DENTISTRY BANGKOK: A 19-year-old stu- bodies from the stomach, they are dent spent three agonizing days smaller objects, such as coins and with a toothbrush lodged in her Queer nails and things of that sort.” stomach – after she accidentally Dentist Suta Jearramanee- swallowed it. sopon, Director of the Ministry of The student, whose name News Public Health’s Dentistry Depart- and address were not reported, ment, said that under normal con- felt an itch in her throat on the ditions there was little chance a evening of December 5. She de- was sitting or standing, awake or toothbrush would accidentally cided to use her toothbrush to asleep – and it only got worse find its way deep into the diges- scratch away the irritation. when she tried to eat, she said. tive tract. Unfortunately, she lost her Seeing her in agony, the “Normally the bend in the grip and started choking as the girl’s father took her to Payathai throat will prevent a toothbrush toothbrush got caught in her 3 Hospital on December 8. This from going down. throat, blocking her air supply. time an X-ray revealed the tooth- “The only way is if the head Desperate for oxygen, she tilted brush, with the tip of its handle is tilted right back, and even then Nipon Jangiam collects his prize of a laser tooth-whitening her head back and swallowed sitting at the entrance to the large the gag reflex will usually kick in treatment at Promjai Dental Clinic from Jaree ‘Nok’ Makchan, hard. It worked: the toothbrush intestine. and prevent any foreign objects the Gazette’s Assistant Manager – Classifieds, for displaying a slid down her esophagus and she An emergency endoscopy from going down,” she said. ‘We Love Phuket’ on his Silver Volkswagen. was able to breathe again. But was performed, surgeon Worawit She warned people to see a now she had a different problem. Kowitwarangkul skillfully snaring doctor if they experience throat ‘WE LOVE PHUKET’ WINNERS Frightened, she told her par- the toothbrush with a length of discomfort. While not recom- ents and anybody else who would thread fitted to the endoscope’s mending the practice of using a listen, but nobody believed her. head. toothbrush to scratch one’s throat, The poor girl’s credibility sank He then pulled the offend- she had a few words of advice further still when an X-ray taken ing implement back up through the to those who insist on dong so. at a local hospital did not show girl’s gullet and out of her mouth. “Try tying a small thread the presence of any foreign bod- Dr Worawit said that it was through the eye at the end of the ies. She was sent home. the first case of a swallowed toothbrush – this way you can Not surprisingly, she started toothbrush he or anyone at the pull it back up if it accidentally experiencing pain in her stomach. hospital had ever heard of: “Usu- slips down your throat,” she said. The pain was there whether she ally when we remove foreign Sources: Kom Chad Luek

VITAL STATISTICS: COMPANY REGISTRATIONS

Type November 2003 November 2004 November 2005

Limited company registrations 87 104 117 Limited partnership registrations 23 19 26 Limited companies changed 197 340 306 Limited partnerships changed 39 44 32

Companies deregistered 27 9 16

Partnerships deregistered 6 3 14 Mayura Virodjanawath is presented with a voucher for her prize of dinner for two at the Watermark Bar & Restaurant from Gazette Desk Editor Sam Wilkinson. Source: Phuket Provincial Business Development Office December 24 - 30, 2005 INSIDE STORY PHUKET GAZETTE 7 A place called home FROM PAGES 4 & 5 any of the girls who want to be teenagers to have more space “Just imagine: she is prob- waitresses, for example.” He and privacy as needed.” ably really happy at finding out adds that LHPF has a micro- Each group of children will that she is pregnant and then she credit system for those women have a housemother to take care gets that news.” wishing to start their own busi- of them. “There are no orphans He pauses, “In some cases, nesses. here, each child can have 10 or the marriage breaks up – or the The shop will be open to all, 20 mothers!” adds José. husband dies – and sometimes because the project is part of the “That will be around 60 girls the family or community shun the community, Toni says. The con- and children to begin with,” adds woman, even though family is so figuration of the village, however, Hélène, “and eventually up to 100 central to Thai culture. And then, will be such that the public and people living here. We will let it well, at worst they die alone in a communal areas screen the pri- grow slowly. government hospital or in a slum. vate areas – the houses – from “We hope it grows slowly,” “Thailand, Phuket espe- view. she reflects. Yongyot Wangwiset, an architecture teacher at Phuket cially, has done very well out of “We had a dream three “One of the benefits of hav- Technical College, and three of his students designed and the sex tourism industry; billions years ago just to build a house, ing homes as we have designed built the model of the “village” for the Life Home Project. of baht have been brought here just one simple little house for our is that it gives the girls a sense of K. Yongyot told the Gazette, “These three third-year because of it. Individuals have women and children,” explains community – without becoming architecture students distinguished themselves in Septem- also done very well out of this Hélène, “and now we will have impersonal – with others on hand ber in a Surat Thani Province model house contest for tech- ‘train of wealth’, although some five houses, somewhere really to offer support and friendship, nical college students in southern Thailand. have fallen off the train. nice for them to live. A real home, not unlike, perhaps, the villages “The Life Home Project assignment was their first op- “The society that lives in a family home.” where they came from.” portunity to work on a real project outside school, but my ‘paradise’ has a moral obligation Toni says that the role of the Each house will have a students didn’t have any trouble with it; I was always close to help those who can give these LHPF, and consequently the new small kitchen, but there will also at hand to guide them.” people – some are 16-year-old LHPF village, has changed since be a quiet space in each of the Students Vilasini Chamkhunthod, Sukanya Jindapon and girls – a life, hope, dignity…” it was first proposed. houses, in case someone wants Supassorn Khunsanong used paper, wood and other materi- The new project will be built complete privacy. als to build the model, which took nearly three weeks from as a series of five houses with CHALLENGES The buildings are based on the beginning of October to complete. administrative areas, workshop Thai traditional designs, but use K. Supassorn said, “We were very happy to contribute and classroom facilities, a library- “Girls used to come to us, and modern yet environmentally to the Life Home Project. We plan to continue our studies Internet room, a kitchen and din- some of them died quite soon,” friendly materials in order to mini- in Bangkok and earn Bachelor of Architecture degrees.” ing area, and a small supermar- he says. “Now, people are living mize the running cost and main- ket. longer and the challenges have tenance. The village has been Water from the lagoon can be “One of our fears is that It will also have a nursery – increased. The girls can have an designed with water conservation drawn, purified and used. people on Phuket will see the vil- not just for children living at the education, including English, In- in mind, and will have its own “We hope to start building lage and think, ‘Oh, Life Home village – a TV room and a pavil- formation and Computer Tech- well, in addition to large-scale this month and we’ll have it ready Project has lots of money,’ which ion for meetings, yoga, ceremo- nology and sex education, as well water storage facilities and a by December 2006,” says Hé- we haven’t. nies and for use as a covered play as vocational training such as in wastewater treatment system. lène. “This year’s donations will area for children, and a swimming the bakery. The wastewater from the She continues by saying that pay for bricks and mortar for the pool donated by DesJoyaux. “They can also recover psy- showers and toilets will initially go the LHPF has been “…fortunate, village. We still support a huge Toni explains that, as with chologically and physically, which to a septic tank, and from there not lucky” to have received such network of women from all over the existing site, there will be no will help them to get back into to wastewater gardens. generous donations in 2005. southern Thailand, and we will outward clues as to the identity society and to contribute to it A waste-water garden is a “We didn’t hold our annual continue to need the [backing of of the project. “From the street it again.” natural system for purifying wa- gala in May, although we had the] island’s [residents]. will simply look like a small resi- He continues his guided tour ter that takes advantage of plants’ planned to hold a small fund- “We can build the village but dential project, but we will have of the project. requirements for water and nu- raiser in November to present the we also need to run it, and run it a shop there facing the street, “We will build three houses trients, without the addition of Koh Sireh project to the island for the rest of our lives,” she con- selling produce from the bakery first, with one for the children chemicals. and the world.” cludes. as well as handicrafts and other [without parents] and the others Wastewater, once purified, Hélène says that the model items made by the women. for the women. The houses will will be pumped into a lagoon, was produced to show people For more information about the “The bakery will also have be large enough and equipped to which will also collect rainwater what the LHPF has done, is do- LHPF, email: lifehome@ a few tables outside, so people have up to 16 to 18 women living – with all gutters draining into it ing and will do with the large do- loxinfo.co.th or visit the can stop and eat there. This will in them, [two per twin bedroom]. – and the land slopes gently down nations it has received over the website: www.lifehomeproject. provide a valuable experience for Provision will be made for older to the lagoon to collect run-off. past 12 months. com 8 PHUKET GAZETTE AROUND THE REGION December 24 - 30, 2005

FROM THE GULF OF Transport in THAILAND some areas of By Barry Singleton Koh Samui he recent shooting of a was nearly police officer in Cha- weng may lead to brought to a Tquestions being raised within the police force on Koh Samui. complete After the killing, more than 100 officers were called in from standstill around the island, and also from the mainland, to help catch the killer. during the Suriya Tongnun, 33, a police officer based at the Mae Nam torrential rains station, died when he was shot three times outside a nightclub in this month Chaweng. He was out of uniform at the time. Witnesses said he was shot Tax seminar: To celebrate the as he tried to stop three drunken 10th anniversary of Network Ad- men from shooting bullets into the visory Team Ltd (NAT) account- sky. Outside officers brought ing in Thailand, the company gave However, officers from a tax seminar at the Chaweng Re- Surat Thani quickly took over the gent Hotel on December 10, deal- investigation when it was sug- ing with the basics of Thai tax. gested that someone had tried to in to probe murder of The session covered various is- conceal a CCTV tape which had sues relating to foreign businesses been recording activities that may and house ownership, as well as have implicated suspects. policeman at nightclub residency. NAT donated the atten- TOURIST dance fees from the event to the Rotary Club of Koh Samui, spe- Government focus on Koh that traffic can pass. service, plans to offer flights to During the shooting, a tour- cifically to support that organ- Samui’s roads: None of the one In some cases, however, Ranong and possibly also to ist from the Britain, Alex Green, ization’s current road safety cam- was hit in the leg by a stray round billion baht reportedly promised the emergency measures have Penang. paign known as “Arrive Alive”. and was taken to a nearby hospi- by the Ministry of the Interior has actually hindered progress when The provisional fare for the Tax issues are becoming tal. arrived on Koh Samui to pay for sand was pushed into roadside Ranong return trip is 9,000 baht. A little over an hour later, damage caused by the recent drains, thus preventing the water The journey will take just 40 min- increasingly important on Koh police arrested Saen Si Kwan at flooding. The local administration from receding. utes each way, and travelers can Samui, with large numbers of for- his girlfriend’s house in Lamai. has therefore to repair roads with With the high season begin- be back on Koh Samui just 4½ eign-run businesses opening ev- Also known as “Saen Gow what limited resources it has ning in earnest, tourists may face hours after leaving. ery month and widespread audits Chaweng”, the suspect was well- available. difficulties getting around the is- “We’re also at present planned for the coming year. The known to local police, having pre- Transport in some areas land, and police are concerned building our own seadrome,” says seminar focused on three main viously served a sentence of 13 was brought to a complete stand- that road accident rates could Mr Croft. “It’ll probably be the areas: corporate income tax, VAT years for murder. still during torrential rains earlier soar. very first civilian seadrome in and withholding tax. He was immediately taken this month. With the water yet to Thailand.” As part of General Business to Nathon jail, but later reports drain away completely, traffic Flying visa trips: COCO Inter- COCO hopes to finish build- Services (GBS), the largest US suggested the evidence against congestion is still a major prob- national, one of Koh Samui’s high- ing the seadrome on the north franchise chain in business coun- him was weak because the re- lem around the island. est profile companies, recently coast before the New Year, and seling, NAT provides various ser- covered video was not clear, and According to local officials, invested in an 11-seat seaplane has promised local residents that vices and products related to ac- no eyewitnesses had come for- repair work will be virtually im- that will offer foreign residents the plane will not cause exces- counting, tax and business coun- ward with a positive identifica- possible until the rainy season fast, comfortable and exclusive sive noise pollution. seling. tion. ends in January. flights to renew their visas. Once the official papers are With branches in Bangkok, The body of the dead po- As a temporary measure, Once the relevant licenses processed, the company is confi- Phuket, Pattaya and Koh Samui, liceman was later taken to his diggers are being used to clear and permits have been granted, dent that the seaplane will be an NAT is known as one of the most home town of Songkhla for an sand deposits and pumps are op- Richard Croft, Managing Direc- important addition to the island’s foreigner-focused accounting official police funeral. erating to drain surface water so tor of the company’s seaplane transport services. firms in the country. December 24 - 30, 2005 PHUKET GAZETTE 9 10 PHUKET GAZETTE December 24 - 30, 2005 December 24 - 30, 2005 AROUND THE ISLAND PHUKET GAZETTE 11 It’s surreal thing The man who brought the works of Andy Warhol to Phu- ket has done it again. This time Eric Smulders van Heer Jans- polder, owner of the Soul of Asia chain of galleries, has brought for sale a se- lection of bizarre, comical and thought-provoking statuettes from the Dali Foundation. The foundation was set up to look after the interests of the family of Salvador Dali, king of the surrealist artists and, says Mr Smulders, “probably the most cre- ative artist of the 20th century”. The statuettes are limited- edition replicas of larger statues by Dali, most of which are now in museums around the world. “They are numbered and signed ‘Dali’, and as soon as the num- bers are finished the series is fin- ished,” he explains. Mr Smulders bought almost 100 statuettes from the Dali Foun- dation. They “combine a wonder- ful artistic value with a real in- vestment value,” he says, point- ing out that he is selling, for ex- ample, Eléphant de Triomphe for US$19,250 (about 770,000 baht) whereas another statuette from the same numbered series sold at auction recently for US$44,000 (1.76 million baht). As a condition of his pur- chase, Mr Smulders may not sell the statuettes at auction, and any- Above, Eric Smulders with Space Venus, his favorite among the Dali pieces in his gallery. Top left, Salvador Dali. one who buys one from him must, similarly, sign a contract agree- he says, it needs to have a “brand Asia on December 23. The ing not to sell it at auction for at name” – such as Dali; it needs to gallery’s Dali Exhibition will last least three years. be a conversation piece – which until January 5. Dali is already popular in Dali’s work, love it or hate it, cer- parts of Asia, he says, particularly tainly is; and it needs to be rec- Soul of Asia is open daily from Japan, where there is a Dali mu- ognizable as the artist’s work. All 10:30 am to 8:30 pm. 37-39 seum, and South Korea. In China, of the 15 series of statuettes, he Rassada Rd, Phuket City. Tel: too, the artist is gaining in recog- argues, fit this description. 076-211122 or 211133; Email: nition and popularity. The statuettes made their [email protected]; Website: For a piece of art to sell well, official Phuket debut at Soul of www.soulofasia.com

Left, the most valuable piece in the exhibition, at US$19,250, is the bizarre Eléphant de Tri- omphe. Below, one of Dali’s trademarks was his melting clocks. This one is called Dance of Time II. 12 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PEOPLE December 24 - 30, 2005 Happily Ever After PHUKET Recent weddings in Phuket

Chotana Suttayapornpipat and Sirithon Tuntipimolphan were married at The Metropole hotel, Phuket City, on November 12.

Suppaluk Siroros and Prapat Limsomboon were married at Royal Phuket City Hotel on November 11.

Walailak Sae-poo and Christopher Rykers exchanged vows at the Red Onion Restaurant, Royal Phuket City Hotel, on December 14.

Don’t miss.... Issues & Answers phuketgazette.net/ issuesanswers/index.asp December 24 - 30 , 2005 PHUKET PEOPLE PHUKET GAZETTE 13 GETS THE BLUES

Clockwise, from left: Rich Harper; Kyla Brox; Big Jeff from Soi Dog Blues Band: Victor Brox on keyboards; and exercising his vocal chords with backing from the Groove Doctors.

t looked as though Phuket’s the spotlight on the second night. first blues festival would Backing them up were the never get going. First, the Groove Doctors and the Big Fat Iwet weather meant that a Blues Band from Phuket, Victor’s temporary road had to be built to daughter Kyla Brox, and Blue on allow the stage truck to drive onto Blue, Soi Dog Blues Band and the grass area where the festival Cannonball from Bangkok. was to be held. For those who still needed Then black clouds threat- more, most of the musician played ened, and tents had to be erected a high-energy final gig at the new so that blues lovers could make a Rock City disco in Patong. dash for cover if necessary. The event was presented by In the end, all these prepa- HotelTravel.Com and the Phuket rations proved futile when a squall Gazette. roared across the shore, shred- ding tents and turning the festival site into a swamp. That was less than 24 hours before the festival was due to start. But the organizers and the staff at the Hilton Phuket Arcdia Resort & Spa pulled out all the stops to allow the event to go ahead in the dry, in the resort’s ballroom. Hundreds turned up to lis- ten and dance to no fewer than eight bands over two nights, with British legend Victor Brox top- ping the bill on the first night and the highly acclaimed Rich Harper Band, from Los Angeles, taking 14 PHUKET GAZETTE LIFESTYLE December 24 - 30, 2005 Cutting

In this, the third in his edge kit highly popular ‘Essential Pieces of Kit’ series, Andy chap finds himself, same size as a credit card but Johnstone – once a after a power cut, thicker, features a micro torch, dashing young blade locked in a convent in tweezers, pen, knife blade, nail himself – tackles pocket Athe jungle with a bottle file and a toothpick, and sells for of Château La Mondotte Saint- 1,750 baht. knives and the like without Emilion 1996 and a getaway geld- However, and no doubt once finding the word ‘tool’ ing with a stone in his hoof. available for only a short time and even remotely funny. Hordes of angry natives are also for 5 baht less – there is the tossing spears in his general di- MOASAK (Mother Of All Swiss This traditional Swiss Army Knife (top) is on rection. What would be the one Army Knives, well, as far as offer at 1,745 baht, and is bursting with essential piece of kit in such a Thailand goes). goodies. Also pictured are the SwissCard Lite, a small claw predicament? It has, er, countless fea- hammer with A plummy “RP” (received tures, including mini-pliers, fish a ratchet pronunciation) accent? An old scaler, ruler, saw, magnifying attachment, school tie? A verse of Land of glass and what looks like a cro- the Leather- Hope and Glory? A James chet hook but could be for get- man in all its Purdey & Sons Express .600 ting the brains out of horses’ glory (right), double rifle? A plate of Marmite heads. It also has flat and Phillips and a micro- on toast? screwdrivers, a chisel and heaven tool featuring A knife would be useful, but knows how much more besides, full-size not just any knife. The balisong possibly even a kitchen sink. pliers. will not cut the mustard, nor will Hunter, in Central Festival the puukko. Even the Fairbairn Phuket, has multi-tools, which are Sykes knife and the venerable all around 13 centimeters in length kukri – fine though they are – when folded, including a genuine are not quite up to scratch. Leatherman as well as pseudo – Gawd bless the Swiss – and but no less useful – pocket tools. one Karl Elsener in particular – Because the handles on these for being irked somewhat in 1891 tools enclose the features, they to discover that the knives sup- owe more perhaps to the bali- plied to the Swiss Army were a song than they do the SAK. little too German in origin. Elsener, who owned a sur- INGENIOUS gical equipment manufacturer – Victorinox – produced the first Pay 850 baht for a small claw Swiss Army Knife (SAK) in hammer with a ratchet attach- 1896. Another company, Wenger, ment for socket tools (not sup- which is now owned by Victor- plied), as well as knife and saw inox, produced identical knives blades, and pair of pliers. Fork under license. out a mere 550 baht and one can There is a dazzling array of buy a robust device with full-sized devices and blades to be found pliers, an assortment of blades on a SAK. The humblest piece, and a small torch. little changed since the earliest Equally ingenious is the model, still features a blade, a multi-tool with pliers, scissors, file screwdriver, a can opener and a – quite useful if you happen to punch. Times change, however, break a nail opening the damn and one can now buy a SAK with thing – and a socket attachment, a lighter or a torch, a USB stor- which comes with 11 bits, all for age drive or a spirit level, an alarm 695 baht. clock or an altimeter. A small, but manifestly Super Sports on the top floor pleasing oval-design mini-tool – of Robinson Department Store in pliers, nail file, punch, Phillips downtown Phuket offers a fair screwdriver and knife – is yours range of SAKs, and yes, they are for 250 baht. the genuine article. They have The daddy of them all, how- small ones and big ones. Some ever, is the Leatherman, which, with a few blades and some with in its various incarnations, has more blades than you can shake been around for 30-odd years and a stick – one probably recently sets the standard for such de- whittled into a toothpick – at. vices. They even have them in black Tough as old boots and as and blue, as well as the traditional much a favorite of law enforce- red. ment, military and paramedic per- There is a baby SAK, per- sonnel as the SAK, the quality haps designed for the mem sahib comes at a price. Is the Leather- in one’s life, with a blade, a nail man Wave (ouch) with the same file, scissors and a pair of twee- amount of kit and offered for zers for 635 baht. Shame on 3,500 baht at Hunter more likely Victorinox for not producing a to save your life than a similar SAK with a mascara brush, design sold for a fraction of the though. price? Super Sports also sells the Better ask Peter or, indeed, SwissCard Lite. This tool, the Plenty, the Bond girl, about that. December 24 - 30, 2005 LIFESTYLE PHUKET GAZETTE 15 A WAIST OF GOOD

Above, silver leather with rivets, from STYLE Idea. Below, double buckle – two belts, also from Idea. Above, pink snakeskin-look leather belt ome people find it hard to keep come in black leather, and the most inter- with holes, from Idea. up with the latest fashions. esting belt I sell is the one that looks like it But there is an easy way to has handcuffs attached to it.” spruce up your All the belts in K. Wora- image and vary wit’s shop can be had for a your look accord- mere 259 baht. Sing to the seasons or the latest “Women often choose trends – the big belt. woven or braided or chain Whether it’s in plastic, belts,” says Supatra “Pad” leather, chain or hemp, this ac- Mongkolbutr, owner of the cessory has become de ri- Idea shop, also in the Ocean gueur, and can be used to up- mall. “Some people like big date virtually any outfit – no gaudy belts; I carry those, matter how outdated. too.” The perfect place to find K. Pad’s best-selling your best belt has got to be the cincture is in white leather with second floor of Ocean Shop- By Suwakon a butterfly fastening, pretty ping Mall on Tilok Uthit 1 Rd Rakmanee enough to adorn the little black Below, What a belter! a customer checks in Phuket City, where there dress or a pair of jeans equally out belts at Idea. are scads of boutiques offering so many well, and priced at 199 baht. A black leather ways to girdle the waist, it’s enough to belt with rhinestones sells for just 299 baht. Above, leather and rhinestone belt with make your knees buckle. makeup case, from Idea. Below: A The owner of Pentagon Skate Shop, For more information on these accesso- customer at Pentagon Skate checks out Worawit Yodsri, told the Gazette, “Hip-hop ries and more, contact Pentagon Skate a belt buckle. fashion is now in vogue and I sell hip-hop Shop at Tel: 09-9711268 or the Idea clothes and belts. Most of the ones I carry shop at Tel: 076-245454. Below, left, buckles for those who like to butterfly, from Idea and, below right, just punishment for those who get caught, from Pentagon Skate. 16 PHUKET GAZETTE HAPPENINGS December 24 - 30, 2005 T his week

BABY GENIUS: Dr Wachira Penchan, Deputy Director of the Department of Mental Health, BYPASS OPERATION: Bypass Square shopping center recently celebrated its grand Ministry of Public Health (black jacket) and Phuket Vice Governor Niran Kanlayanamit opening with (front row, from left to right) Bangkok Bank Senior Executive Vice- present prizes at the “Baby Genius” To Be Number One Aerobics & Dancercise President and Director Thamnoon Laukaikul, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Bhokin Championship, junior division, at Central Festival Phuket. Bhalakula and Bypass Square CEO Valentino Tan.

A REGATTA TO REMEMBER: (Above) Jim Eckardt, former Editor and current book reviewer for the Phuket Gazette, celebrates the Royal Phuket Marina grand opening and the conclusion of the second day’s racing of the King’s Cup Regatta onstage with two lovelies from the yacht Jemini Jo. (Right) The show was spectacular, setting a new standard for King’s Cup entertainment.

SANTA’S LITTLE HELPERS: They all turned out to help Santa at the Venetian Carnival, Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket. Alongside some THE GOOD LIFE: At the grand opening of the TaiLife Health & Leisure Spa in Patong delightful elves are Zahid Ali (2nd from right), Marketing Communications Manager of are (back row, from left) Chris Ford, Jason Jackson, Brett R Taylor, Darren Vose and Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket and Torsten Richter, Executive Assistant Manager of Panrudee Thopradit, and (front, from left) Jariya Jittrong and Nongluk Khamtho. Food & Beverage (left). December 24 - 30, 2005 MOTORING PHUKET GAZETTE 17

over the outgoing model, while the latest styling is almost futuristic, A great-looking 33-year-old with a deep front airdam incor- porated into the nose and sleek hindquarters topped by a small BEHIND spoiler. THE The entry-level model of- fers a 1.4-liter gasoline engine, WHEEL mated to a five-speed manual By Jeff Heselwood gearbox. Power is 88bhp (65kW) he new Honda Civic has with peak torque of 130Nm. Top been named Motor speed is a modest 177kmh, while Trend Car of the Year the 0-100kmh sprint is covered in T2006. The authoritative a leisurely 11.6 seconds. US magazine selects its top car Further up the scale, a 1.6- based on value, standing in its liter VTEC motor is offered with class and what it calls “significant the choice of manual or auto developments”. The editor of boxes, and a power output of Motor Trend, Angus Mackenzie, 108bhp and torque of 150Nm. commented, “Honda deserves a Clearly the VTEC Civic is the standing ovation for not playing it one to have. safe again.” All models have power According to a senior ex- steering and central locking as ecutive of Honda America, John standard equipment, while options Mendel, the Civic underwent launched in 1979 along with a ing excellent mid-range torque and that offered no real usable space include electronic stability control “the most radical transformation second-generation sedan which improved fuel efficiency. or performance. and leather upholstery. All mod- in its 33-year history”. was awarded the title “US Im- By 1995, 10 million Civics The latest Civic is also avail- els also feature front airbags, and The award extends to the port Car of the Year” by Motor had been produced worldwide. able in some markets as a hybrid, side airbags are also standard entire Civic range, including the Trend. Two years later, a four- Five years ago, a complete but for Thailand an economical except in the 1.4-liter model. sedan, coupé and hybrid, as well door sedan was added to the departure from earlier body gasoline engine is the likely The Civic may have been as the sports version, the Civic range and by 1982 – 10 years styles saw the Civic become the choice, although there is a possi- around for more than 30 years, Si. “It is the cornerstone of the after its début – cumulative pro- “benchmark for compacts” – at bility of a 1.7-liter diesel later. but the 2006 model maintains its Honda line-up, and we are de- duction had reached three million. least, according to Honda. Whereas the gas and diesel ver- market leader status and is ex- lighted that Motor Trend has rec- Come the 1990s, the fifth Along the way, Honda in- sions are available in either three- pected to dominate the small se- ognized the new levels of styling, generation – much the same as troduced a hybrid gasoline-elec- or five-door styles, the hybrid, dan class for a number of years performance, technology, safety previous editions – saw the light tric Civic, the only practical al- which is produced solely in Ja- to come. The Civic currently ac- and value that characterize the of day, but with aerodynamic re- ternative to Toyota’s dominant pan for world markets, is a four- counts for roughly one third of all new Civic,” said Mr Mendel. finements and a softer style. It Prius. door. Apart from the hybrid, the Honda’s auto sales worldwide. The Civic first appeared in also heralded the introduction of Forget the Honda Insight Civic is currently produced in 11 1972 as a two-door compact. the highly acclaimed Variable hybrid – available in the US and countries for around 160 markets. Jeff Heselwood may be con- Remaining unchanged for seven Valve Timing and Lift Electronic parts of Europe – which was The 2006 Civic features tacted by email at jhc@ years, a five-door wagon was Control (VTEC) engine, produc- merely an engineering exercise greatly improved interior space netvigator.com 18 PHUKET GAZETTE SPA MAGIC December 24 - 30, 2005

ecently my quest for relaxation led me to the Royal Paradise Hotel’s Spa RParadise Thai Spa in Patong, MAGIC PAMPERED where each of its 16 spa- cious Thai massage rooms offers a view of a garden By Sangkhae with a waterfall. Leelanapaporn Open for almost a year, Paradise the Paradise Thai Spa PARADISE Thai Spa features traditional Thai decor throughout its private spa suites, with individual Siriluck “Jeab” Sae- massage, but that guests Now they also have a This entitles a member whirlpool baths for luxurious Lim, Paradise Thai Spa’s urged them to develop a full 6,500 baht-per-year mem- to use the fitness room, treatments, aromatic herbal Manager, told me that the spa system… and the cus- bership program – great if swimming pool and three steam rooms and saunas. hotel used to offer only Thai tomer is always right. you live in the area. free treatments – almost enough incentive for me to move to Patong. While considering whether or not to relocate, I indulged in the spa’s popular two-hour “Touch of Paradise” pack- age which included an oil massage and deep cleansing facial for 2,500 baht. K. Jeab said that at the Paradise Spa they use oils scented appropriately for a person’s element, which depends on one’s month of birth: rosewood fragrance for November through January (earth); eucalyptus for February through April (fire); lemongrass for May through July (air); and orange for August through October (water). I started with a 10- minute sauna and was then escorted to my private mas- sage room by therapist K. Kob. LOW PRICE SPICE MUCH KNEADED The rhythmic kneading with perfumed oil, the tempera- ture and the lighting were just right to send me to sleep, dreaming of a fancy villa overlooking Patong Beach… until her gentle voice roused me, “Time for your facial.” First, toner was used to help remove my makeup. Next, a fruit mask made by Australian brand Jurlique was applied to my face and removed after 20 minutes. K. Kob used eye gel and a gel lotion to refresh my skin even further. The “Touch of Para- dise”, administered gently and with great attention to detail, was rounded off nicely with a serving of fresh fruit. I left the spa feeling great, and even the following morning my skin felt soft and my body spry. Now I can’t decide whether to go for the Thai massage for 750 baht or the 30-minute oil massage for 1,500 baht after work. It may be time to talk to the boss about relocating our office.

Paradise Thai Spa, open daily from 10 am to 10 pm, is on the 1st floor of the Royal Wing building at The Royal Paradise Hotel. Contact Tel: 076- 340666, ext 3123, or visit the website: www.royalparadise. com December 24 - 30, 2005 GOOD LIVING PHUKET GAZETTE 19 A barrel of laughs in a corker of a film hat could be bet- and so the timing of the release not a survivor like Cabernet, husband. ter than a great is good because currently there which can just grow anywhere Miles: Ah. movie and a glass is a huge upswing of interest in W I N E and uh, thrive even when it’s ne- Maya: You know, he had this Wof wine? Why, Pinot Noir and a blurring of the glected. No, Pinot needs constant big, sort of show-off cellar, you watching a great movie about lines between styles of the wine. care and attention. You know? know. wine – with a glass of wine in Some call Pinot Noir the And in fact it can only grow in Miles: Right. hand, of course. sexiest of all red wines; others these really specific, little, tucked Maya: But then I discovered And the movie – Sideways say it should be subtle and deli- away corners of the world. And, that I had a really sharp palate. – has arrived. Sideways takes cate. What are the true charac- and only the most patient and nur- Miles: Uh-huh. a peek into the real lives of two teristics of Pinot Noir, and does it turing of growers can do it, re- Maya: And the more I drank, Californians – Miles and Jack – matter? Sideways sheds some ally. Only somebody who really the more I liked what it made friends as freshmen in college, answers on these questions, takes the time to understand me think about. now on a week’s hiatus through teaches about wine, and even Pinot’s potential can then coax it Miles: Like what? the wine country north of Los ponders the age-old question, into its fullest expression. Then, I Maya: Like what a fraud he Angeles before Jack is to be “What is the meaning of life?” mean, oh its flavors, they’re just was. married. Dialog from the movie: By Steven Roberto the most haunting and brilliant and The movie is rich in human Maya: Can I ask you a personal thrilling and subtle and… ancient Steven Roberto is a wine- drama and light comedy, and question, Miles? Miles: [continues laughing on the planet. maker and restaurant con- also depicts the real life of Miles: Sure. softly] Miles: What about you? sultant from California. He is people who work in the wine Maya: Why are you so into Pi- Miles: Uh, I don’t know, I don’t Maya: What about me? the Managing Director of industry and the wine-lovers not Noir? know. Um, it’s a hard grape to Miles: I don’t know. Why are enVision Phuket, a Phuket- who visit them. Miles: [laughs softly] grow, as you know. Right? It’s uh, you into wine? based wine importer and con- The grape variety Pinot Maya: I mean, it’s like a thing it’s thin-skinned, temperamental, Maya: Oh, I… I think I… I origi- sultant. Email: stevenroberto Noir has a key role in the movie, with you. ripens early. It’s, you know, it’s nally got into wine through my ex- @lycos.com Phuket Diary of coming events

December 15-26: Exhibition Email: worldofpaintings@ December 26: Tsunami Me- January 27-31: QBE Phang on the following Tuesday. The of original contemporary oil hotmail. com morial events. Many ceremo- Nga Bay Regatta. The ninth racing will take the fleet to Koh paintings. World of Paintings nies will be held in Phuket, Phang year of this fun regatta around Yao, Krabi and back to Phi Phi Gallery and Watermark Bar and December 20-January 10, Nga and Krabi Provinces, to Phang Nga Bay to Phi Phi and before the final dash to Phuket. Restaurant present an exhibition 2006: 1,000 Faces of Phuket mark one year since the disaster. back to Phuket. As always, it will For further information contact of contemporary abstract oil Photo Exhibition. An exhibition The program for these official take place over the Chinese New Tom Howard at Tel: 01-7971120 paintings by three artists. of images taken by 12 photogra- ceremonies is published on the Year with the registration and the or by email to: tom@sea- The venue is the Watermark Bar phers from the Phuket Photo back page of the special “One opening party on Friday, January phuket.com. Race and party no- and Restaurant at the Boat La- Club, held at the Holiday Inn Year On” supplement, included 27, followed by racing around tices will be posted on the goon. Phuket. inside this issue of the Phuket Phang Nga Bay over the next organization’s website, www. The painters are: Simon The exhibition, described by Gazette. four days, ending back in Phuket bayregatta.com Cohen, whose works are a the organizers as “…the multiple “...complex style of intoxicating visions of reality of those who see December 30-January 1: spiritual abstraction”; Suthirak, the island through a lens”, will Greenspirit New Year Festi- who uses bold primary colors, also offer selected works for sale, val 2005. See 2006 in with a heavily applied by trowel and with proceeds going towards three-day psytrance festival at Na brush, as well as mixed-media Baan Nana, a home for street- Thai in Krabi. experimentation; and Makphat, children in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai. Enjoy an international and whose works are described by For more information, con- national line-up, a free camping one critic as “...richly textured and tact Ten Achiravit at Tel: 01- area, foodstalls and bars. highly effective”. 9862547 or Email: churmung@ For more information, con- Open from 10 am until 10 yahoo.com, K. Danai at Tel: 01- tact Tel: 01-8940208, Email pm. For further information con- 8953709 or K. Asnee at the Holi- [email protected], or tact Jay at Tel: 04-0567451 or day Inn at Tel: 09-4504512. visit www.greenspiritkrabi.com

Thought the days of free love were over? Think again!

“Personals” ads placed online are free!

FREE on the Island Trader online for 60 days.

FREE in the Phuket Gazette.

Go to www.phuketgazette.net/ classifieds and place your ad today! 20 PHUKET GAZETTE GOOD CHRISTMAS LIVING December 24 - 30, 2005

pending too much time slaving over a hot stove Guest is a common Christmas Scomplaint among wives chef Snappy snacks and mothers. In a tropical climate, By Jenna Wise this is not an ideal situation, so members of the Phuket Interna- “This is a great, light alter- Method: Bake in an oven pre-heated tional Women’s Club (PIWC) native to traditional Christmas Dissolve the gelatine in to 180ºC for 45-50 minutes until have devised ways of ensuring pudding,” she says. “To give it a stock over a gentle heat and leave lightly browned. Allow to cool in that much of the food prepara- more tropical taste, try using lo- on one side to cool. Mix all the the tin. Remove carefully and tion can be done beforehand. cal fruit and experiment with dif- other ingredients except the cu- place on a serving plate. Dust with Three of the ladies have ferent liqueurs to soak the fruit cumber in a food processor until castor sugar before serving. each provided a favorite seasonal in.” well combined. Stir in the stock recipe that is easy to make, leav- and then chill in the fridge until Ice Christmas Pudding ing cooks with more free time to partially set. To serve 4-6 people sip chilled cocktails with their Shred the unpeeled cucum- Ingredients: guests on the terrace. ber in the food processor using a 300g soft-texture vanilla ice The first recipe is a firm medium fitting. Stir this through cream; favorite of Cindy Ratcliffe, Presi- the chilled mixture and turn into 3 tablespoons mixed dried fruit; dent of the Club. “I learned how an attractively shaped mold. Put Rhoda, Christine and Cindy. Enough liqueur of your choice to to make the chilled mold 30 years back into the fridge for at least cover the fruit. ago in Australia,” she says. “It 2-3 hours, or preferably leave To decorate: was an instant hit and is good ei- overnight, to solidify. Turn out onto 40 blanched almonds; Method: ther as a starter, or as a dip.” Creamed Cucumber Mold a platter and decorate before 20 walnut halves; Soak the fruit in the liqueur Cindy has lived in Phuket for For 6-8 people serving. 7 green glacé cherries, cut into overnight. Place a circle of 13 years and still enjoys a tradi- Ingredients: halves; greaseproof paper in the base of tional Christmas with a roast tur- 2 teaspoons gelatine, or 6 leaves; 5 red glacé cherries, cut into a dampened one-pint pudding key dinner at home in the evening 1 cup vegetable stock; halves. basin. Chill the basin. Mix the after spending the day on the 90g cream cheese (you can use fruit into the ice cream and freeze beach. low-fat variety); Method: overnight. Turn out onto a cold The second recipe, for 1 cup mayonnaise; Sift the flour, salt and plate and decorate appropriately. Christmas Shortbread, comes 1 teaspoon horseradish sauce; cornflour into a bowl; then add from Christine Robinson, who has 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice; the sugar. Rub the butter into this been a member of the PIWC for 2 shallots or ¼ onion; mixture until coarse crumbs are two years. She enjoys a low-key 1 medium cucumber; formed. Gently work them to- Christmas at home with her fam- Salt and pepper to taste; Christmas Shortbread gether until you have a soft dough. ily and serves her shortbread as 2 tablespoons fresh chopped mint. To serve 6-8 people On a floured surface, roll a teatime snack. Ingredients: the dough into a circle a little Rhoda Warnes has been in- To decorate: 220g plain flour; smaller than a 25-centimeter volved with the PIWC for about Smoked salmon curls; pinch of salt; loose-bottomed fluted flan tin. four years. A friend showed her Stuffed olives; 30g cornflour; Place the dough in the tin and the recipe for Ice Christmas Pud- Salad leaves; 60g castor sugar; press out gently to fit exactly. ding in Scotland 20 years ago. Tomatoes. 250g butter. Smooth the surface with the back of a spoon and prick well with a fork. Arrange the almonds in a For more information on these ring around the edge and add a recipes and more, contact ring of walnut halves, a ring of Cindy Ratcliffe, President of green cherries, then a ring of red the Phuket International ones. Place a walnut half in the Women’s Club, at Tel: 076- center. Refrigerate the short- 264246. Email: [email protected]. bread for 30 minutes. com December 24 - 30, 2005 TAKE A BREAK PHUKET GAZETTE 21 PPUZZLESUZZLES The Cryptic Crossword

ACROSS

1. Mother’s vehicle a lash improver. (7) 4. Speak elliptically about Spot the Difference battercake. (6) 8. Tidy way to drink whisky? Can you find the seven (4) differences between the 9. I’ll hear about Phuket, two cartoons below? And perhaps. (4) can you find them faster 10. Brown skin? Go dance! than the rest of the family? (5) 12. Not quite 50 gold-diggers. (11) 14. Gospel writer’s not cold, but not hotm either. (8) 17. Pea is mashed into brown color. (5) 20. Boat excites no ace. (5) 21. Drug points to monument. (8) 25. Frightened? Inmate did it badly. (11) 28. Forms fungi (5) 30. Somewhat pursued into Compiled by Tortuus. © 2005 court. 31. Cancel vacuum. (4) 5. Grease section of hard speed measure. (3) 32. Try a representative. (6) drive. (3) 18. In the tavern, it’s said. (3) 33. Cruel as deranged layper- 6. Small roads in big ones. 19. Maybe slid near son. (7) (5) Phuketian. (8) 7. Demonstrate to her 22. Unable to finish, so finish DOWN majesty a bathroom not as much. (7) fitting. (6) 23. Crikey! Leftovers! 1. Bone chap with garden 11. Power reduction – toast 24. Letter to inspirers brings a implement, it’s said. (8) not possible. (8) smile. (6) 2. Stick workers. (2) 13. Canine peeper and 26. Agree to sleep a little. (3) 3. As speaker, checks 12 gnasher. (8) 27. Medico has no learners – ac’s output. (7) 15. I bark back at place that rather amusing. (5) 4. We, iniquitous, become across the bay. (5) 29. Mel returns to space craft. beetle. (6) 16. Moderately soft hydrogen (3)

Solution, tips and EZ Quiz computer program at www.sudoku.com 1. The cartoon character Hamtaro is what kind of Scribble Space animal? 2. What was the name of the oil tanker that spilled 11 million gallons of oil in Prince William Sound, Alaska, in 1989? 3. What country became independent from Paki- stan on March 26, 1971? 4. Who sang My Heart Will Go On, the theme song of the movie Ti- tanic? 5. Which actor plays Mr Bean? 6. What electrical device is often used to convert between high and low voltages? 7. On what part of the moon did Neil Armstrong walk in 1969? 8. What did James Watson and Francis Crick dis- Brain Buster cover in 1953? 9. What is the official na- Two hours ago, it was as many hours after one tional sport of Canada? o'clock in the afternoon as it was before one 10. What do we call the The principle of Sudoku is very simple: each row, each col- amount of data that can o'clock in the morning. umn and each “box” of nine squares within the puzzle must be transmitted in a fixed contain all the numbers from 1 to 9 with, naturally, no repeti- amount of time, usually What time is it now? tions. Guess if you will, but each Sudoku puzzle can be solved expressed in bits per using logic alone. Beware: there is only one solution to this second (bps), for digital Answer on page 22 puzzle, which is on the next page. devices? 22 PHUKET GAZETTE TAKE A BREAK December 24 - 30, 2005 Get your brain in gear with The Monster Quiz Kids! Ask Mum and Dad to help you find the answers to these questions. They’re not easy but, if you do some research, you should be able to find the answers to all of them.

1. What are the seven 8. What’s the most common 15. Who won the 2005 things that Sheffield German surname? Nobel Peace Prize? (UK) and Rome have in common? 9. What did Sherlock 16. What position does he Holmes keep in the toe of hold? 2. What part did Ray a Persian slipper? Bolger play in The 17. Stanley Tookie Will- Wizard of Oz? iams, recently executed 10. Who is captain of in California, co-formed 3. What did the character Manchester United? which infamous gang in Quick Crossword lack? 1971? ACROSS DOWN 11. The tetrahedron, cube, 1. Measure of light inten- 1. Cocktail party nibble. 4. Which of the world’s octahedron, dodecahe- 18. Where will you find the sity. 2. Zero. seas is the warmest? dron and icosahedron new town of Ang Mo Kio? 7. Material for stockings. 3. Missing companionship. 5. What was Ernest are, collectively, what? 8. Of the moon. 4. Person from Gdansk, maybe. Hemingway’s first 19. What and when was the 9. Propel a canoe. 5. Coming first. novel? 12. What did Franz X most powerful explosive 11. A little lie. 6. Uncommon. Gruber do on December device ever detonated? 14. Little devil. 10. Minor deity. 6. What company owns 24, 1818? 15. Goal. 12. Root vegetable. the world’s second- 20. Which singer’s 2005 18. Fury. 13. Layers. largest truck fleet? 13 What is joulupöytä? greatest hits album is 19. Country south of 16. Clean with water. called Pieces Of A 7. What’s the most com- Dream? Nepal. 17. Threesome. mon non-contagious 14. IKEA is an acronym of 21. Symptom of rabies. 20. Light, quick stroke. disease in the world? what? Answers below, left Solution below, right Puzzle Cryptic Crossword Solutions Solution Monster Quiz Solution to Cartoon Puzzle Answers

1. Hills; 2. The Scarecrow 3. Quick Crossword A brain; 4. The Red Sea; 5. Solution The Torrents of Spring; 6. Coca-Cola; 7. Tooth decay; 8. Schultz; 9. Pipe tobacco; 10. Gary Neville; 11.The five Pla- tonic solids; 12. He composed the carol Silent Night; 13. A traditional Finnish Christmas food board; 14. Ingvar Kamp- rad, Elmtaryd, Agunnaryd, the EZ Triva Answers founder’s name and his child- Sudoku solution hood residence; 15. Moha- 1. A hamster; 2. The Exxon Valdez; 3. Bangladesh; 4. Céline med ElBaradei; 16. Director Dion; 5. Rowan Atkinson; 6. A transformer; 7. The Sea of General of the International Tranquillity; 8. Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA; 9. Lacrosse; Atomic Energy Authority; 17. The Crips; 18. Singapore; 19. 10. Bandwidth. The USSR’s Tsar Bomba in October 1961; 20. Anastacia. Brain Buster Answer It is 9 pm December 24 - 30, 2005 F E A T U R E S PHUKET GAZETTE 23

The hard facts: “It’s Official – Thailand Has The Worst Drivers. Thailand has gained the dubious distinction of having the highest road toll per capita in the world, Do you ‘ave a vroom? according to the British Medical Journal. “With a rate of 2.9 people being killed ness of the drivers. Somebody will pull out me for 100 baht, enough to go halfway every hour, or 40 for every 100,000 people, or do some other really stupid manoeuvre across Bangkok in a taxi. … But, the and many more being injured, it shows just OUTSIDE and they dont bat an eyelid! In the UK beach was still covered with chairs, and how blasé Thais are towards road safety. road rage is almost a hobby. Somebody the bastards wanted 100 baht. Extortion. The Thai psyche towards accidents is that IN does something slightly wrong and the mini- The town of Kata was nice, and not in it is just fate and has nothing to do with the By Lis Kinswoman mum they get is ‘the finger’.” (3) your face like Patong. There were even fact that most can’t drive, drive at exces- budget restaurants. When it came time to sive speed, drink and drive, drive at night Hello dearies! With the Silly Thus spake wikitravel: “You can rent a return, I couldn’t find a motorbike guy, so without lights, never obey road rules, travel Season once more upon us it car or motorbike for exploring the island I had to take a super tuk tuk. 200 baht. on the wrong side of the road, overtake on behooves me to encourage you on your own, and this is a cost-effective Ouch. If transportation weren’t prohibi- blind hills and bends, and rarely wear safety way of getting off the beaten track. How- tively expensive on Phuket, it would be helmets or wear seat belts. all out there to be careful on the ever, given the atrocious driving habits of ideal to stay in Kata, and commute to “It was estimated that traffic acci- roads and to drink in moderation most locals and the resulting carnage on Patong at night. dents cost the country economic losses when out driving the Roller. Phuket’s roads every year (see Stay safe), “Everything is expensive in Patong, accounting for 2.23% of GDP each year. Circumspection on the roads is the consider carefully if it’s worth it.” (4) especially food. Most restaurants serve It is not as if road rules are not in place, password, my loves. In other seafood, so a meal for less than 100 baht the country has a set of rules that are com- And now for something completely dif- is a challenge… My strategy of doing no parable with any in the Western world, it words, get blasted at home! Don’t ferent: “Nothing in this country can be research on my destination backfired this is just that the police do not enforce them. lose face, get off your face! Walk subtle, tourist buses… are painted in the time. I told a taxi driver to take me to a “A recent example seen by this into the wall instead of driving into some of the most garish paint jobs pos- cheap hotel, and he took me to the third writer was when a motorcyclist fell from one! Trip over the dog instead of sible purples, reds, blues, greens, whites, worst place I’ve ever seen. I said I didn’t his machine at 2am after a heavy evening oranges… and thats just the front! and of like it, and he took me to the second worst on the drink. A policeman in uniform driving through a safety barrier course there is a 1000gigawatt stereo or place I’ve ever seen. I paid him (too much) quickly ran over to help the rider back onto and plummeting 100 feet into the band at the back of each bus pumping out and wandered around randomly on foot, his bike and set him back on his way. The Andaman! Vroom, vroom indeed! music. Go into any bar with a live band and found the absolute worst place I’ve rider was clearly unable to control the bike, and the music tends to be an 11 on the ever stayed at. At least it’s only $5.” (6) which is why he fell off in the first place. volume scale of 10. Why I dont know be- He also wore no helmet and had on no watching this shop full of big motorcycles cause you just hear volume rather than the 1. http://www.thainews.com.au/past53. lights.” (1) how much us, farangs and tourists are silly band. An evening of shouting to talk to html (or maybe those guys who rent it are very someone is not my idea of a good time but 2. http://www.thai-blogs.com/index. Big is not better: “There is something nasty).” (2) it obviously is someones as that is the norm php?author=145 very funny in Patong, like in all the Phuket rather than an exception. And another 3. http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/ Island and even all the touristics area in But no road rage: “As most of you are thing they stupidly do is put the band on at board-members-tour/2527-dirty-mikes- Thailand: the roads are barely fit for big already aware, the standard of driving [on the same time as the football! WHY ???” tour-day-8-last-day.html 4x4 cars, however there is always a smil- Phuket] is terrible. The driver has took me (5) 4. http://wikitravel.org/en/Phuket ing thai to rent big motorcycles and big to the airport a few times, and every time 5. http://iainbangkok.tripod.com/ cars (that’s why sometimes a group come I have thought it was going to be my last Money talks: “I made the effort to go to diary2004.html to thailand with 3 or 4 peoples and leave day on earth. This was no exception… Kata beach (again misspelled – it should 6. http://www.terrystrek.com/archive/ only at 2 or 3, true story). I just realize, What I am very surprised at is the calm- be ‘Gata’). I found a motorbike guy to take 000356.html

ine months ago, I re- viewed a memoir by Ian Denys Peek about Nhis experiences as a The real hero slave laborer on the Death Rail- way. As a British enlisted man, he had nothing but contempt for the officer class who were con- Off the of the River tent to idle away their time, living on superior rations and being waited upon by batmen. Though SHELF he mentioned no names, he did single out two British colonels for exemplary leadership and a cru- By James Eckardt Kwai story sading concern for their men. One of them was almost certainly often sent on extended business morale during the horrendous sir’ and all sorts of pleasant mes- chant and chief medicine smug- Colonel Philip Toosey. trips to South America. When year (1942-1943) of the Death sages. It was a most heart-warm- gler who had saved so many of Toosey’s granddaughter, World War II broke out, he was Railway. As senior officer, he ing experience and a most won- his men. Julie Summers, has written a bi- the leader of an artillery unit in stood up to sadistic Japanese derful demonstration of loyalty ography of the real hero of the Belgium and led his men to safety guards, maintained strict sanitary which will remain in my mind al- River Kwai: The Colonel of at Dunkirk. One incident is tell- standards, comforted the sick, ways.” Tamarkan: Philip Toosey and ing of his leadership style: averted epidemics, supervised the The rigors of constructing a the Bridge on the River Kwai “Toosey had the greatest smuggling of medicine by Thai new camp nearly killed Toosey, (Simon & Schuster, New York, difficulty keeping [his unit] mov- sympathizers, and always led by laying him low for weeks with 2005, 410pp). An experienced ing and a young bombardier who example. At the so-called “hos- pneumonia, but he survived to writer, Summers keeps her story had fired over 150 rounds and was pital camp” of Tamarkan, he and accept the sword from the Japa- galloping along. After 90 pages completely worn out kept falling his medical officers saved count- nese camp commander days af- we are with Toosey and his men asleep. ‘I always had to wake less numbers from death. ter the Hiroshima A-bomb and to as they are herded into captivity him, and finally with considerable In January 1945, he and get riotously drunk in Bangkok after the Fall of Singapore. irritation I gave him a tremendous other officers were transferred with Boon Pong, the Thai mer- But she does an admirable crack on his backside with the from Kanchanaburi to construct job in establishing the colonel’s back of a spade. He turned round a new camp in Nakhon Nayok. character beforehand. He was to me and he said: ‘Bugger you, The farewell from the enlisted born in 1904, and grew up in a sir’ to which I replied, ‘Let us men left behind showed their un- large middle-class family in a wait and see until we get home dying loyalty: large house in the village of to see who does what to whom.’ “The men had been told Oxton, overlooking the Mersey The man later apologised, but that they were not to demonstrate River and city of Liverpool. Toosey had nothing but praise for in any way at all, as we felt it He was not much good at him: ‘He was a splendid man and would only result in punitive mea- books and declined to attend uni- typical of the sort of Lancashire sures being taken against them. versity, but he was an avid troops we had in those days.’” However, they lined our exit route, footballer, grouse hunter, beer It would take all his powers every single man in the place who drinker and genial companion. He of leadership to hold his troops could stand on two feet, and went to work for a bank and was together with high discipline and shouted ‘Goodbye, see you again 24 PHUKET GAZETTE FEATURES December 24 - 30, 2005

In The Stars by Isla St ar

CAPRICORN (December 22-January 20): One way or another, your heart is likely to rule your head this holiday weekend. A mutual at- traction burns strongly at a social get-together and the singles among you won’t be pulling crackers alone. If you’re already in an estab- lished relationship, surprise your partner with a meaningful gift; he or she has been feeling left in the shade lately. The number 7 is lucky on Thursday. Wear snow white to encourage pure thoughts.

AQUARIUS (January 21-February 19): Santa is poised to deliver one gift that wasn’t on your wish list. However, you will be delighted with the contents of this special package. In romance, this is not the time to be timid. The jolly atmosphere gives you confidence to bare your soul – a commitment is likely to be made. The color holly-berry red will help to boost your energy levels over the holiday period.

PISCES (February 20-March 20): If the sound of bells jingling doesn’t put you in the festive spirit, spare a thought for those dear to you who would appreciate having festive fun in the sun. Indulge in some frivo- lous extravagances; your frugal nature will ensure that finances are boosted again early next year. You are about to make a tempting business proposition that would put your hidden talents to good use. Thank goodness for pretty girls with happy faces smiling in the sun. ARIES (March 21-April 20): Someone is going to upset the mango cart this weekend, but you will be in the right place at the right time to pick up the pieces. Try to make allowances for this untoward behav- They call it stormy every day ior so as to avoid any bad feelings that dampen the merry mood. You eople across the island We hear a lot about one will be particularly pleased with a gift that has nothing to do with are gloomy and com- LARGER new marina on the drawing board, material matters. Avoid becoming as fat as Santa by eating carefully. plaining; the tourists have THAN but then it is announced that it’s long faces and nobody’s not really a full-blown marina, but TAURUS (April 21-May 21): This should turn out to be an enjoyable P LIFE Christmas for you. You begin the weekend in a mellow mood which buying anything. The “Village a place where project residents Goms” – grumpy old men – are By Graham Doven can moor their boats – in other makes others want to share your space. Saturday looks promising squabbling again and everybody time version of Soi Bangla, with- words, private berths. for making new acquaintances who could become seasoned friends. is generally “rained out”. out the girls and the music – just It’s always interesting to If you didn’t manage to complete work assignments in time, delaying What is it with this an unholy hullabaloo. “Come and hear rumors bandied about; it deadlines will be acceptable. Wear ivy green in a seasonal spirit. weather? Global warming of buy a retirement house…” helps keep interest up. course, or so somebody says. There have been a few “A casino is coming!” I’ve GEMINI (May 22-June 21): The stars smile on Geminis who take a All I know is that my place bright spots in the past weeks: the heard. It’s going to be here then chance on love this weekend. The Christmas spirit is strong and Ar- is a mess and schedules are slip- PIMEX boat show at Boat La- it’s going to be there; it’s going to ies is ready to match your mood. If you’ve been involved in an on-off ping. I can’t think of a subject for goon was good. There was even be on a small, outlying – duty-free relationship recently, a crossroads is about to be reached. An impor- this column, so it’s just a general one whole day without even a – island. Or well-known politi- tant midweek appointment should not be rescheduled; the other per- grumble in keeping with the spirit sprinkle of rain. cians are buying up lots of land son involved will appear not to mind, but this is really not the case. of things. That’s how my photo turned somewhere else, so that’s where We still haven’t got rid of out so well – pretty girls with it will be… Then, “It’s going to CANCER (June 22-July 23): Allow yourself some freedom this week- the public announcement loud- happy faces smiling in the sun do be an IT center!” end. Many of you have imposed a rigid routine upon yourselves – speakers on my street: “Waak – no end of good to cheer up mat- “Going to be” is a choice and possibly those close to you – lately, but this is achieving nothing waak – waak.” If the racket ters, especially at a boat show. phrase. but frustration. Even if you would prefer to let Christmas pass by doesn’t stop or, worse, increases, Boats are fun, but, like holi- I’d like to hear a rumor that unnoticed, a quality period of relaxation will set you up for the com- the noise will be a serious threat day resorts, it can be particularly the road drains are “going to be” ing months. Love is in the air; wear the color tangerine orange to to this area’s future. miserable when it rains… people fixed. activate your sensual side for an important date. Since somebody had the huddle under small awnings or Hope so. My car park is bright idea to put those speakers cockpit shades, or sit in restau- flooded, which is usual when LEO (July 24-August 22): Your tendency to play with fire could re- up, one of the neighbors down the rants staring out at nothing. there’s a downpour, because no- sult in burned fingers this week. Those of you who are inclined to other end of the road has put up Much of the time the boat body is really interested in fixing take someone’s word at face value could have a nasty shock in store. some small, even tinnier-sound- show was dry and sales were the drainage problems. As long as you stay cool, this drama will be averted. A package from ing, ones. good. Obviously, confidence in And I had to send this col- overseas arrives just in time to make your Christmas. Wear shiny He’s promoting fish and Phuket’s future as a marine and umn to the paper via the telephone silver jewelry to attract the attention of a special someone. vegetables prices at Khun boating destination is high. The line as my ADSL was down – Daeng’s stand in the local mar- marinas on the drawing board are probably because of the rain. VIRGO (August 23-September 23): You will be giving a sigh of relief ket. The whole street is going to fascinating, too. Which ones will I hope the deluge ends that the countdown to Christmas is over. The shopping frenzy your the dogs; it’s going to be a day- come to fruition, and where? soon. family seems to have been involved in for weeks is now over. Count- ing the cost won’t produce as much of a headache as you expect, as an end-of-year financial gain is forecast. This windfall will give you 2,000 corpses to be reburied THE TIME the incentive to work even harder next year. Lonely friends appreci- ate your hospitality this weekend. From the Gazette of in mass grave December 15-31, 2000 machine LIBRA (September 24-October 23): Business is going to boom in PHUKET: The Kusonlatham volunteers wishing to make merit News from the past 2006 and you will receive an indication of how much this week. Oth- Foundation has announced that will then exhume the 2,000 bod- ers are determined to carry on working, regardless of how much you it will exhume and rebury some ies from the Khao Rang Cem- Glue Sniffers in Can try to convince them to get into the holiday mood. Take quality time 2,000 unclaimed bodies between etery, the cemetery behind the out this weekend with family and friends who feel the same, and February 7 and March 27 next Surakul Stadium and the Ghim From the Gazette of don’t feel guilty about switching lines of communication off. Number year. Sun Cemetery in Kathu. December, 1995 2 looks promising on Wednesday. This will be the fourth time Recently-buried bodies will PHUKET TOWN: Detectives in that unclaimed bodies in Phuket be cleaned of flesh – which will Phuket Town raided a house in SCORPIO (October 24-November 22): Those in the mood to flirt have been reburied. The first time be cremated at the Kwangtung Tambon Rassada where teenag- with danger this weekend need serious grounding. You should look was in 1976 and the most recent Cemetery – and the bones of the ers gathered to sniff glue. Four back on the last occasion this inclination landed you in uncomfortably was in July 1989. 2,000 corpses will then be rein- suspects were captured along hot water. Luckily, a romantic reason to get sidetracked is about to About half of the corpses terred in a mass grave in the with seven cans of 3-K glue, the present itself. The calming presence of Taurus is poised under the involved in the mass reburial are Khao Rang cemetery. Jack Daniels of the genus. mistletoe. The color walnut brown will help bring you down to earth. Thai, the other half being those This will probably be the Police went to the house at of migrant workers. last time such a reburial will take 9:50 pm the night of November SAGITTARIUS (November 23-December 21): You can look for- The reburial will begin with place in Phuket. Because of a 19, placed it under surveillance, ward to a dream coming true this Christmas. You will want to share four days and nights of Taoist lack of space in the island’s mor- and then made the arrests. your good mood with others, and the social whirl could carry on until ceremonies at the Kwangtung tuaries and cemeteries, un- The four were interrogated, late next week. If your partner can’t keep up, make time to spend Cemetery on Sakdidet Rd, Phu- claimed bodies are now cre- charged with possession of mind- some intimate candlelit moments together. This would be the ideal ket Town. mated within a couple of days of altering inhalants, and, following opportunity to open your heart regarding underlying tension in the Kusonlatham members and death. full confessions, jailed. relationship. Make an important phone call on Saturday. December 24 - 30, 2005 FEATURES PHUKET GAZETTE 25 A crisis of faith? You couldn’t really planet

I have always been a pre-Galileoan. But the thing that really shook my So there is not much difference be- (Hey, try saying that out loud without drop- faith in the Bible was the discovery that it tween the scientists and CNN, except that ping a vowel somewhere...) Since we hu- did not contain a single word affirming the CNN has better-looking anchor chicks. man beings are the dominant species on existence of Santa Claus. If the guys who Next thing you know, CNN will be asking this planet, it is much more prestigious for wrote the Bible were infallible, I thought, us, “Do you think Pluto is a planet, or a us to have the Sun revolve around us than for sure they would have told us about mere object in the Kuiper Belt?” to have us revolve around it. I mean, think Santa Claus. Since the scientists are so wishy- of the loss of face. So now I’ve lost my faith twice: first washy on this issue, we ought to solve it Now, not only do scientists tell us the in the Bible, and now in science. the democratic way, the CNN way. We TSOWNDINGS Earth revolves around the Sun, now (You’ll notice the scientists are keep- should hold an election to decide how many they’re telling us there may be only eight ing quiet about the existence of Santa planets there are. By S. TSOW planets. Next thing, they’ll be telling us that Claus, just like there is no mention of him I favor 10, because that’s a nice the Moon isn’t made from green cheese. in the Bible. I suspect there may be a vast, round number. If they can’t find another see from the papers that scientists It seems you can’t believe in any- worldwide conspiracy going on here.) planet out there, we should call our moon are saying that Pluto may not be a thing any more. When I was a little kid What makes it worse is that the sci- the tenth planet. We can justify this on the planet after all. It may merely be one and in Sunday school, my Protestant teach- entists are not actually telling us that Pluto grounds that the Moon has been doing a Iof millions of nondescript objects lit- ers told me that the Catholics are stupid is not a planet. They’re telling us they’re very good job, moonwise and for quite a tering the Kuiper Belt, a sort of junkyard because they believe the Pope is infallible. not sure. while now, and definitely deserves a pro- of the Solar System out beyond Neptune. That sounded OK to me, even though I Well, hey. motion. Well, that’s scientists for you. These didn’t know who the Pope was, or what Here we are getting all this shilly- It will also enhance our prestige, be- guys are supposed to know what they’re “infallible” meant. No human being is in- shallying. cause lots of planets have moons, but ours doing, but they’re always changing their fallible, they told me. It’s a little bit like CNN, which is al- will be the only planet that has a planet. minds. OK, I said, that’s cool. But then they ways asking its “question of the day”. That One made of green cheese. I mean, there have been nine plan- told me that only the Bible is infallible. usually goes something like this: “Do you ets in the Solar System ever since I was in Duhhh, great, I said. think the Iraqis should hold their election S. Tsow, who has received plaudits for the fourth grade, and now they want to I was such an agreeable little cuss under the current shaky security situa- his wide-ranging spurious knowledge, downsize it to eight. that it took me a very long time to figure tion?” can be flamed at [email protected], ex- Scientists do this sort of thing all the out that if no human being is infallible, that How the hell would we know? That’s cept when he’s struggling to pronounce time. They used to tell us the Sun revolved puts the Bible in a very awkward position, exactly what CNN is supposed to tell us. “pre-Galileoan”. A new collection of his around the Earth. Then Galileo came along because the Bible was written by humans. But instead of doing their job, they weasel ravings, Thai Lite 2, is now available and told us the Earth revolved around the In fact, it was written by humans who be- out of it and tell us to figure it out for our- at indiscriminating bookstores. Get Sun. Well, which is it, guys? lieved in witches and demons. selves. your copy before it’s banned. We are changed for ever, our innocence is lost his festive season I compassion that we have found An old geezer got off the beautiful interior, a great stage would like to take the residing in our hearts. We also bike, popped down its stand and and everything is just spot on. opportunity to wish all owe them a promise to make the said “Hello.” I looked at the bike There is a resident blues T a very Merry Christ- OON rest of our lives a beautiful and incredulously; it was black with band plus “The Mangolites” and mas. Obviously, for many people noble example to all.” orange writing on it that said... Tai several other top bands will be there is a dark cloud hanging over TOWN Pan Disco Patong. It was one featured there. At last! Some- ALL IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS the day, and December 26 will be By Konrad Stalin The path often taken: The con- of the bikes they used to raffle where of genuine quality for the a tough day. nections between the nether lands off years ago and it was still in island’s resident couples to hang In trying to think of some ([email protected]) of Phuket and Udon Thani have excellent service on the back their hats on in town. Brilliant. words of comfort and encourage- always been strong. Many of roads of the boonies! Marvelous. A few meters down the ment, I found myself turning back but by millions of small actions their young women flock here to I called in to the club to tell Bob road, Rock City is doing abso- to the eulogy I wrote and read at that add up to the answer. seek their fortune in a variety of about it and we both wished I’d lutely roaring trade and I have a the Phuket International Hospi- “As some of us return to our industries. Although these wo- had my camera with me. feeling this area is really about to tal service a week after the wave. “other” lives, we may come men are typically from sturdy take off. The service was intended to of- across people, perhaps even farming stock, they seek to reap The best news to hit Toon fer thanks and comfort to those loved ones, who do not under- a different crop here. Town in years: For many years who so generously gave their stand what we have seen. They A couple of weeks ago, as Saxophone, near the Victory time, resources and efforts. I may question our motives, our is occasionally required, I had to Monument in Bangkok has been think it bears repeating here and decisions or simply say the wrong head upcountry and spend a few the country’s leading live music now. thing. days among the paddy fields. Two venue. The best play there and “We must be kind to them hours out of Udon on barely tra- some of the best people eat drink “We have been the victims and we must cherish them, for versable roads, traveling is a trek and drink in this fine establish- and witnesses to one of the worst they still have the innocence we indeed. I have done it before so I ment. natural disasters mankind has have lost for ever. stocked up on farang consum- Well, they have opened a branch suffered in modern times. We are “We are naturally com- ables at both Pizza Hut and Tesco in Patong, on the beach road near changed for ever, our innocence pelled to survive and eventually Lotus in town before heading to Rock City and it’s stunning. is lost, and now we have the un- thrive again. Our losses are great all points north-east. There’s a brilliantly designed welcome knowledge of how and the pain is at times unbear- The first evening went pre- fragile we are. able. However, in time the pain dictably enough: the entire village “Some of us were com- will ease, and this is the nature of showed up and I bought them pelled to help because we had the recovery. copious amounts of cheap whisky skills, specifically doctors and “We must not feel guilty as after which I was pronounced jai nurses. But hundreds – perhaps we re-engage in the trivia of daily dee maak maak. thousands – of people from ev- life, for we have the chance to The next day I went on a ery walk of life stood up to be do so. Those we have lost do not. tour around the village on a de- counted and helped in whatever “Out of respect for them, crepit bicycle and, needing to stop way they could. we should all, regardless of which to buy water, I dismounted at a “And this must be how such faith we hold, resolve to define local shop. As I was getting off tragedies are treated, not by one the rest of our lives by exhibiting my bike, a motorcycle pulled up big idea or one big intervention, the generosity of spirit, love and beside me and parked. 26 PHUKET GAZETTE EDITORIAL & LETTERS December 24 - 30, 2005

367/2 Yaowarat Rd, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000 Tel: 076-236555 - Since 1994 - Fax: 076-213971 Email: [email protected] Memorials mark one year on, but not an end to suffering Anyone who was here when the tsunami hit a year ago will recall the huge outpouring of sympathy for foreigners on the part of Thais. The Gazette recalls one story in particular, of a Thai man in Khao Lak who carefully guided a foreign family to a place where they could get help. When he had done this, he went back to look for his own missing daughter. It is not recorded whether he found her. Many of those who were here on vacation and who lost loved ones or were injured wrote to the Gazette to express gratitude to the Thai people. Those who lost loved ones will never get over the pain. But whereas bereaved foreign visitors face a lifetime of loss, most could at least go back to homes, jobs and community support in their own countries. In the worst-hit parts of Thailand, however, thousands lost not only loved ones but also their homes, possessions, livelihoods – and much of the community support they could have expected before the tsunami. The struggle to get over such massive loss is unimaginable for those who have never experienced it; these are the people who need Letters the greatest amounts of support. It was therefore saddening to learn that local people will not be The Gazette is pleased to receive mail from read- with your views for publication in our next issue. featured on stage during the official high-profile commemorative ers. Please write to us at 367/2 Yaowarat Rd, We reserve the right to edit all letters. Pseud- ceremony to take place in Khao Lak on December 26. So many Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000, fax to 076-213971 onyms are acceptable only if your full name and politicians are jockeying for places that there will apparently be no or send an email to [email protected] address are supplied. room on the stage for locals or the many selfless volunteers who have come to help them rebuild their lives. Too little bandwidth exits Thailand (3 hops). I sus- Next, we were treated to a No fewer than seven Cabinet members will be involved, threat- pect these hops are controlled by set by Kyla Brox, daughter of the ening to turn what should be an occasion to help heal deep wounds – or censorship? CAT & ICT to limit and monitor legendary Victor Brox, who, I into party-political rah-rah. your access. ICT, as far as I understand, played to an enthusi- The greatest danger may be that once the ceremony is done I have tried all the major ADSL know, blocks signals to more than astic crowd the night before. and dusted, politicians will close the book on this sad chapter and providers to compare Internet 1,000 sites and servers. It’s been a while since I begin to regard the tsunami suffering as effectively over. After all, speed in an effort to discover Google.com is not in avail- have heard such a wonderful fe- one year will have passed, with thousands of new houses and boats what is slowing the speed down. able in China, and it seems Thai- male voice, and backed up by a built and no one starving or lacking the bare essentials. It’s time to My conclusion is this: misleading land is taking the same path in guy who made an acoustic guitar move on, they may say. advertising. order to control access to infor- sound like an ensemble, these two The Gazette hopes this will not happen. As any volunteer work- Users of Hi-Net from CAT mation on the Internet. just roared. ing with Thais affected by the tsunami will tell you, thousands are still are told that the connection-to- David When her father joined her struggling to hold their fragile lives together. Many will need support user ratio depends on the pack- Phuket City on stage and made the walls feel for years before they are truly ready to stand on their own feet again. age: “Premium” offers one con- like diaphragms bursting from the Then, perhaps, they will have the luxury – if that is what it nection per 5 users at 2,800 baht volume and power of his voice, I Blues festival had just had to stand up and cheer. It could be called – of time to grieve. – The Editor a month, while “Standard” offers one connection per 50 users at a real hard edge was like being back in the ’70s! 999 baht a month. During the breaks the Em- My research showed that I have been coming to Kata/ cee did a great job entertaining 100 or more people share one Phuket for many years for the us, giving away dinner vouchers connection. Depending on the month of December. This year I and even lots of free beer! Now In association with The Nation Multimedia Group PCL time of day, you may get higher have experienced two outrageous that’s my kind of festival! bandwidth if the connection is not firsts: 1. Deplorable weather and The evening’s headliners – occupied by other people sharing 2. Extremely good musical enter- the Rich Harper Blues Band – Editor: Rungtip Hongjakpet your line. tainment. deserve a page of their own in Managing Editor: Alasdair Forbes CAT advertises that the 1. was at its worst just be- the new book of blues/rock his- Deputy Editors: Chris Husted, Stephen Myles speed of the line when one per- fore 2. (Phuket’s first blues fes- tory. What a show, and what a Chief Reporter: Sangkhae Leelanapaporn son is on one line is 2 Megabits tival) took place, at the Hilton in sound from a three-piece band! Editorial Team: Stephen Fein, Andy Johnstone, Anongnat Sartpisut, (Mbps) per second. Karon. Maybe it was the ambiance. Maybe it was the by-now-signifi- Sam Wilkinson, Ananya Hongsa-ngiam, Shiona Mackenzie So 100+ people sharing one The whole production was line means, well you do the math moved inside at the last minute cant amount of free beer – but, yourself. Most ISPs are in the and the show went on. Not as contemporary bands go, in my Managing Director: Rungtip Hongjakpet same situation, and their adver- knowing this, I did not go Friday, opinion, only U2 can match the General Managers: Oranee Pienprasertkul, Sudjai Suanya tising misleads the public. but Saturday afternoon I got the fat sound of these guys I’d never Executive Producer – Television: Mark Mulloy Another problem is the word and my buddy and I headed heard of before. The show was superbly Marketing Manager: Natthira Susangrat backbone between Phuket and for the Hilton. Bangkok, rated at 200Mbps. Con- Comfortably seated in the managed. No hiccups of any kind Publisher: The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd sidering the numbers in Phuket ballroom with plenty of food and occurred; a tremendous accom- using the Internet, this is not drink within arm’s reach, we had plishment for a first-time big Contact us enough bandwidth. The connec- one of the greatest nights ever. event, especially when consider- ing what the organizers must have Advertising Sales: [email protected] tion between Thailand and other The music started with a countries is about 50% of what local band called Hacksaw Nel- gone through to move it all inside Classified Advertising: [email protected] is needed. Supposedly, if you are son (or something like that) and at the last minute. Website Services: [email protected] connecting to a US-hosted site, the Groove Doctors. Folks – Well done, Phuket! This was Shopper Card inquiries: [email protected] the CAT line usually routes your these guys were great! Where in an excellent example of what is Gazette Guide inquiries: [email protected] packet to Verio Network or Phuket do they normally play? needed here and what can be Level3 Network (Secondary). If Then we had Bangkok’s accomplished once the right indi- Telephone: 076-236555 (10 lines) Fax: 076-213971 your access is routed to Verio superb high-energy Cannonball viduals take the initiative. Put the Network, you get a speedier con- band which played excellent show on again next year, and I The views expressed in the Phuket Gazette are those of the writers and contributors nection than that of Level3. blues/ballad-style music. I espe- will be back with all my buds! and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, the editor, the shareholders, or the Recently, CAT added three cially enjoyed the keyboards John Morris directors of The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd. more routes before the signal player with his great voice. Seattle, USA Letters conveying views and suggestions are published here. Those seeking comment from government Copyright © 1994-2005 The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd officials or business owners are published as Issues & Answers on the facing page. December 24 - 30, 2005 PERSPECTIVES PHUKET GAZETTE 27

hailand’s borders en- compass 514,000 square kilometers and T“more than 585,200 Temperance in Thailand: places where liquor can be pur- chased,” according to Excise De- partment Director-General Uthit Thamawathin. That’s roughly one place for the Prohibition Syndrome every 75 people. K. Uthit has been charged with reducing this erages “in consonance with new property for five years – irrespec- officials are not anxious to em- influences at home are just the statistic, and to that end an- ministerial regulations”. tive of who owns it. “No propri- broil themselves in what is shap- opposite? nounced on November 17 new So what are these new min- etor found in violation, [or] per- ing up to be a controversial law. In 1872, Britain’s lawmak- regulations which, if strictly en- isterial regulations? According to sons with the same surname or Initially, the campaign will hit ers forced public houses for the forced, could make buying a beer Excise chief Uthit, the ones to shareholders [will] be allowed a fuel station mini-marts, of which first time to close at 11 pm. The problematic. come into force January 1 target permit for the same length of K. Uthit said there are more than legislation precipitated riots Prime Minister Thaksin retail shops “on the premises or time,” he said, adding, “The law 10,000 nationwide. Inspecting throughout the country. Yet, Shinawatra, head of a party that in the vicinity of educational fa- will be strictly enforced.” each could take a long time. gradually, the British got used to has its roots in the Santi Asoke cilities, religious places and fuel But will it? A call earlier this Then there are the temples. the rule, which was finally re- Buddhist revival movement of the stations.” month to the Phuket Provincial Alcoholic beverages are com- pealed last month. past decade, has emphasized re- “All alcoholic beverage sale Excise Office suggested no sense monly served at temple fairs and peatedly since taking office in permits expire December 31,” K. of urgency or mission: staff there funerals: In fact, during dry holi- PURITANICAL 2001 that he wants to reduce sig- Uthit said. “Those of shops in for- were busy processing renewal days, such fairs are often the only nificantly the number of liquor bidden places will not be re- applications, which must be sub- place to buy a drink. The PM’s social legislation has establishments in Thailand. newed. The process of screen- mitted in person. Temperance, however, is spawned demonstrations, but When some objected that ing is already underway.” No special screening has one of Buddhism’s core teach- never riots. He has a knack for doing this might hurt tourism, he The new Alcohol Con- been undertaken and no officers ings, so liquor has always been spinning things out until people get said bluntly that the country had sumption Con- are available to forbidden at wats, at least offi- used to the idea then quietly do more to offer than cheap booze trol Act also lim- check shop lo- cially. what he wants. and needn’t rely on drunken tour- its sales at the BETWEEN cations. That raises the issue of en- Though often accused of ists. remaining shops Officials forcement. Thais see temples as puritanical sensibilities in the for- He has since proved him- to 10 hours a THE LINES were neverthe- sacred, so they are regulated by eign press, in the Thai press he self a clever campaigner, moving day: from 11 am less aware of clergy. almost never is; it is as if deep slowly but inexorably against not to 2 pm and the law: “‘Vicin- The latter are sensitive to down people really do want all only alcohol consumption, but il- from 5 pm to ity’ in this case criticism from local people, whose temptation removed. So perhaps licit drug use, blue movies, gam- midnight. Sales By Tang Rob means sharing a co-operation and financial sup- stricter regulations are inevitable bling, noisy discos, teenage sex, to minors are strictly forbidden wall,” it was explained, “shops port are crucial. So they there- –– and who knows, perhaps, as suggestive photos and smoking. and shop owners say they have across the street from schools or fore avoid hassles, and drinking in Britain, they will last 133 PM Thaksin is nothing if not per- been told that alcoholic beverage temples are probably okay.” at temples is, in fact, common. years. sistent and has stocked govern- stock must, like cigarettes, be hid- How officials will tackle the In Phuket, police say they PM Thaksin might want to ment offices with like-minded den from view. delicate issue of denying permits are taking the new laws seriously: note, however, why those British people. No advertising will be al- to important vendors has not been “Laws will be strictly enforced,” laws were repealed: it was said The campaign against liquor lowed till after 10 pm and the broached: one of Phuket’s larger said Phuket City Police Superin- that they had created a nation of and cigarettes is plainly part of possibility of forbidding sales on retail stores, Big One, has a tendent Pol Col Nos Svettalekha, binge drinkers; the cure was what might be described as the Sunday was announced by Dr branch on Chao Fa East Rd, the “to strengthen families and pre- worse than the disease. That’s not government’s blue-law package. Narong Sahamethapat, Deputy parking lot of which is separated vent involvement in drugs and surprising: the 19th Century was Notices went out to local Excise Director-General of the Disease from a Christian church by a wall. vice of every sort.” an era of vast social engineering Offices a week after the new li- Control Department. When Between The Lines Indeed, PM Thaksin’s So- schemes – most notably Marx- quor law was published in the K. Uthit noted that penal- asked if Big One would be pre- cial Order campaign was ad- ism – all of which failed because Royal Gazette, instructing them ties for violation are severe: if a vented from selling alcohol, the vanced from the start as a cam- people naturally abhor restraints. to collect information for use in shop’s permit is revoked, no al- reply was, “Officials will have to paign to protect the children, but A dedicated free marketeer reducing the sale of alcoholic bev- cohol sales will be allowed on the take a look.” In fact, it appears what good can it do when their should understand that. Issues& Why did my ANSWERS

Have a question or an idea for Phuket’s authorities or institutions? first-class motor Submit your queries or suggestions to us and we’ll ask the appropriate people. Write to: The Phuket Gazette, 367/2 Yaowarat Rd, Muang, Phuket 83000. Fax 076-213971, or insurance not submit your issue at www.phuketgazette.net cover everything? What rules the road? Motorcycles always stop in front Why do the police allow about the problems and danger I was recently in a car accident For people who are injured, of all the cars at red lights, going these rule-breakers to get away they may cause. that the police deemed to be my the insurance company will pay well past the stop line. Why is this with it? The traffic police don’t let fault. for 70-80% of loss of earnings allowed? Frans Dreamler everyone get away with break- My insurance company, while the injured person is unable In addition, Thai law seems Phuket ing the rules. But during rush Muang Thai Insurance, has to work. to be clear that motorcycles must hours, their priority is to minimize agreed to pay for all vehicles in- If the victim is not injured, stay on the left side of road. Pol Lt Col, Weerawat Jant- traffic jams. If they took time to volved to be repaired, but has re- but owns the damaged vehicle But some motorcycles stop arawijit, Deputy Superinten- stop and arrest everyone who fused to cover a loss-of-earnings and relies it to make a living – for on the right side of the road at dent of Traffic Police, Phuket broke the rules, the traffic jams claim brought by the owner of the example, a taxi driver or a pick- junctions, which is dangerous City Police Station, replies: would be far worse. other vehicle, despite my having up driver who makes a living from when the lights change and cars For motorcyclists and car We don’t have the technol- first-class insurance coverage for transporting goods in his pick-up want to turn right. drivers who contravene the law ogy to catch people breaking rules my vehicle. – we will pay 70-80% of loss of At intersections where there are adequate penalties un- and to provide evidence for ac- I have asked my insurers earnings while the injured party there are two lanes each way, the der the law. But the number of tion against them. “Why?” and have yet to receive is recuperating. right lane should be for cars turn- vehicles on Phuket’s roads has In Thai society people tend a satisfactory answer We will not, however, pay ing right and the left lane for cars been growing every year, and to see these rules as unimportant; JDM for loss of earnings where the turning left or going straight on. rush hours morning and evening they don’t respect the traffic Kathu victim is using a vehicle supplied But some drivers come bring traffic jams. laws. This attitude spreads to for- by his employer, nor in cases along the right-hand lane and go Many drivers are not inter- eigners, who also break the rules Sasipong Pirattanaprakom, where the victim owns the ve- straight on, which is dangerous for ested in the traffic rules. They by not wearing helmets while on Manager of Muang Thai In- hicle but is still able to make a cars in the left lane that want to just want to get from A to B as motorcycles or by parking in no- surance replies: living without it. go straight as well. fast as possible, and don’t think parking zones or on sidewalks. 28 PHUKET GAZETTE FEATURES December 24 - 30, 2005 ON THE MOVE

Pol Col Prayut Chommalee, Veerachai Tantiwathana- Joe S. Kasisopa, 45, from 49, from Samut Prakhan, is the vallop, 56, from Chachoeng- Bangkok, is Managing Di- new Superintendent of Phuket sao has been appointed the rector of the Singhara Glo- Provincial Immigration Office. new Chief of the Phuket Pro- bal Estate. He graduated He has a master’s degree vincial Business Develop- with a degree in econom- from the National Institute of ment Office (PBDO). He ics from Paddington Col- Development Administration has a bachelor’s degree in law lege in London. Previously, (NIDA) and a degree in po- from Kasetsart University. he worked as Manager of litical science from Kasetsart Previously he worked in the Secom (Thailand) Security University. Previously he was same position at Songkhla Communication Co, as the Superintendent of Immi- Provincial Business Develop- Project Manager with gration 8 at Don Muang Air- ment Office for almost two Phuket One Real Estate port in Bangkok, and the Su- years, and before that he was Co Ltd, and as Managing perintendent of the Royal Thai at the PBDO in Phuket for Director of GEO & Son Police Logistics Office. four years. Holding (Russia) Co Ltd.

KHUN WOODY’S COMPUTER Warchalking Phuket ack when wireless logon ID and password, which Internet access rated are available free to any Village as something of a nov- Bakery customer. Justin tried to B elty, residents of many connect at Canal Village but urban jungles would carry their couldn’t get a signal. computers around, looking for un- protected wireless networks. In the finest Watermark Bar & Res- When they found an open taurant has free broadband Wi- Wi-Fi connection, these modern- Fi for customers, available from day gumshoes used chalk to mark tradition, I 11 am to 11 pm, seven days a the locations – a technique that week. originated with inner-city gangs It works like a champ – walk marking the limits of their turf into the restaurant or sit outside, and, before that, hobos leaving offer this first flip open your laptop, click a signs where a free meal or shel- couple of times, and you’re in. ter might be found. Justin measured download Warchalkers drew specific Phuket list speeds at 300-350Kbps. symbols on the sidewalk, or the wall of a building, to show cog- Cape Panwa Hotel has noscenti passing by where they for your free Wi-Fi access in all public ar- could fire up their laptops and get eas, where anybody can log onto a decent connection – all for free. the Internet at ADSL speeds. Unfortunately, Justin couldn’t test HOTSPOTS consideration, the connection – the guards wouldn’t let him in the gate. Over the past year I’ve accumu- lated a list of free Wi-Fi hotspots and ask you My Thai Bar on Soi Eric on the island. I know the list isn’t in Patong claims to have free complete – not even close – but wireless access for customers. at least it’s a start. to help Unfortunately, when we were In the finest warchalking there, we couldn’t get a signal. tradition, I offer this first War- chalking Phuket list for your con- Connect Guesthouse on sideration, and ask you to help by the “out” road for the Paradise letting me know of all the places Hotel complex in Patong, has free I’ve missed. wireless access in the restaurant There are three kinds of Modern-day gumshoes use for customers. Didn’t have a WiFi hotspots on the island: chalk to mark the locations – a chance to test that one, though. Pay-by-the-minute hotspots: At the risk of tooting my Starbucks pioneered public Wi-Fi technique that originated with own horn, I’ve been offering free hotspots in Phuket, at both their wireless ADSL Internet access, Patong and Central Festival lo- inner-city gangs marking the 24 x 7, at the Sandwich Shoppe cations. for more than a year. At 150 baht an hour, the The Shoppe’s in Patong, off Starbucks/KSC connection’s limits of their turf Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd, near pricey but reliable. Andaman Beach Suites and the In addition, TOT claims it in some hotels. In future updates customers in their restaurants. – in New York opened up their Patong Language School. Mea- hosts “Flexinet” hotspots all over to my Warchalking Phuket list, I’ll wireless networks immediately sured download speed: 800Kbps. the island: Bangkok Phuket Hos- mention only the pay-by-the- Completely free hotspots: after the 9/11 disaster and many In the morning, anyway. pital, the Baan Suan office in minute locations if they’re located Anybody and everybody is wel- in New Orleans bared their con- One other big network that Thalang, Dusit Laguna Beach in unusual parts of the island. come to use the free hotspots in nections during the Katrina bears mentioning is the Star Resort, Karon Sea Sand Resort, various shops, although the host floods. Cruise liner that slips into Patong Kata Beach Resort, Novotel Hotspots for hotel guests: frequently asks that you buy a cup Bay every Tuesday. Coralia, Pearl Village (Nai Yang), Some hotels, such as the Holiday of coffee, or maybe some food, My son, Justin, had the It sports a massive, free Star Mart (the coffee shop at the Inn in Patong, offer free Wi-Fi to help defray costs. Some indi- chance to visit and test various wireless network that extends to Caltex gas station in Kathu), access for hotel guests. As long viduals on the island intentionally hotspots around the island during all common areas and many indi- Thara Patong, Tiny Mart, the as you’re a paying guest, you can leave their wireless connections his Christmas break. Here’s what vidual cabins. From what I’ve TOT Customer Care Center in use your wireless laptop or PDA, wide open, to help neighbors or he found: heard, the network is fast and Central Festival, and at the free, wherever the hotel’s signal travelers caught without a con- Canal Village at Laguna quite reliable. Phuket Airport. reaches. The Aspasia Resort in nection. created the first free-for-custom- Help warchalk the island! TOT Wi-Fi access in any of Kata and the Burasari Resort in Open networks can be an ers Wi-Fi access on the island. Don’t be bashful! Send me mail... these locations costs 200 baht up Patong also have free wireless important resource in case of You can connect anywhere in – Woody Leonhard to a whopping 400 baht an hour access for hotel guests, and for emergency: many folks – heroes Canal Village, but you need a [email protected] December 24 - 30, 2005 PHUKET GAZETTE 29 30 PHUKET GAZETTE December 24 - 30, 2005

Don’t miss.... Issues & Answers phuketgazette.net/ issuesanswers/index.asp

Looking for a job? www.phuketgazette.net December 24 - 30, 2005 B U S I N E S S & MONEY PHUKET GAZETTE 31 B2bn boost for Blue Canyon Country Club MAI KHAO: Even the deafening barrage release stated, “…new levels of exemplary tial apartments, including the exterior, and Morgan A Laughlin, Managing Di- of fireworks, set to the strains of Tchai- service, contemporary decor and luxuri- landscaping of the common areas. rector of DBRE-Asia said, “We are ex- kovsky’s 1812 Overture to mark Blue ous amenities”. KHA and JIA will lead the design tremely pleased to have completed this Canyon Country Club’s (BCCC) 15th an- The refurbishment of BCCC’s ac- and oversee construction of a new “Coun- investment by RREEF Global Opportuni- niversary on December 14, could not commodation will be aided by the exper- try Clubhouse”, which will boast new ties Fund II. eclipse an announcement beforehand of a tise of hotelier Adrian Zecha, Chairman sporting, dining and leisure facilities. “Funds managed by DBRE have a 2-billion-baht investment in the golf club. of General Hotel Management Ltd; Kerry “Blue Canyon Country Club is all long history of successful investment in the The investment comes as part of a Hill Architects (KHA); and Jaya Ibrahim about building a legend of golfing excel- hospitality sector globally and we have “strategic partnership” between RREEF & Associates (JIA) of Indonesia. lence and creating a lifestyle and commu- been investing in the Thai resort sector Global Opportunities Fund II – an invest- Mr Zecha, the motive force behind nity around golf, nature and space,” said since 2000. ment fund managed by Deutsche Bank’s Aman Resorts, will “conceptualize” the Sia Leng Yuen, Chairman and CEO of “We recognize that Blue Canyon DB Real Estate (DBRE) – and Murex, villas around the Canyon Course, which BCCC. Country Club offers an outstanding golf the club’s owner, which has struggled with will be designed by KHA. The villas will “We are pleased and honored that DB experience and we are strong believers in debt for many years. be sold by invitation only. Real Estate, one of the world’s largest real its potential to become one of the premier RREEF will become the largest JIA will take responsibility for rede- estate owners and managers, has joined us in integrated resort communities in Asia.” shareholder in the club, giving Murex signing the interior of the clubhouse and the pursuit of quality and perfection, which DBRE is already a co-investor in breathing space to transform the golf the Golfer’s Spa Lodge. The group will will lead to a range of mutually beneficial the Evason Phuket and the Evason Hua course, allowing it to provide, as a media also oversee the upgrading of the residen- achievements for both companies,” he added. Hin.

lthough Russia may seem a strange place to contemplate as an FROM RICHES TO RETAIL: RUSSIA investment destination, A Fortunately, the “free-enter- in existence for decades, as have Obviously, for an individual it has its own attractions, not least of which is that it may suit the prise system” has long catered ADRs – American Depository investor, Russia presents some more adventurous investor. It is for these situations. In fact, this Receipts. They came into being enormous challenges. To even certainly not for the faint hearted. is one reason that stock markets because fund managers wanted consider buying a parcel of indi- The country is changing at exist. The more successful of investment to be as simple as vidual Russian shares requires a an incredible pace. The oil-price these entrepreneurs are now of possible. dedication to research that is, in boom has had a significant impact sufficient standing to be able to For example, if Morgan practical terms, impossible. on the country’s finances. Rus- list their shares on Russian Trad- Stanley, Merrill Lynch or any Other routes are investment sia is a massive producer of oil, MONEY ing System (RTS) Stock Ex- other substantial group wanted to trusts that specialize in Russia. and many in that sector believe change. buy shares in, say, Siemens, However, these have another that the true extent of its reserves They are no longer just look- Deutsche Bank AG or any other problem. is undiscovered. TALKS ing at Moscow as a target retail major German company 20 or 30 Should the RTS become It is, however, known that market, and want to be able to years ago, they faced a serious overheated at some stage and Russia has the second highest oil By Richard Watson expand their businesses by open- problem. The German stock ex- crash, then the investment trusts reserves in the world and when ing branches in other Russian cit- changes had antiquated and cum- will not only reflect the extent of more exploration has been con- All this sudden wealth, to- ies and major towns. bersome systems that made the the crash but will also end up trad- ducted, it may well prove to have gether with a maximum income The best of these retail busi- whole process an exercise in bu- ing at a discount to their real as- the highest reserves – and by a tax rate of only 13%, have com- nesses are well-managed entities reaucratic frustration. set value. The investor ends up wide margin. bined to make Russia something and have access to international facing a double crash: not a pleas- And, while the media have akin to a burgeoning consumer investment banking groups. Not OBSTACLES ant situation. focused on oil price rises in 2005, paradise. only are they starting to list their Russian investment trusts natural gas prices have risen, pro- The latest area of serious shares on the RTS, but they are German companies wanted new tend to be designed for institu- portionally, even more steeply. investment interest centers also being accepted for second- investors but realized the practi- tional investors who want expo- Russia benefits from being well- around the retail sector. Since the ary listing, usually on the London cal obstacles. To counter this, sure to this market without hav- endowed with natural gas. turn of the century, a number of Stock Exchange. they simply issued their shares in ing to employ a whole team of Natural resources are not entrepreneurs have borrowed as This is not an automatic pro- the form of ADRs in New York Russian analysts. limited to these areas. Russia also much as they could and looked cess; to achieve a listing in Lon- which made it as easy for an More sensible approaches has huge reserves of just about almost exclusively to the retail don requires that the authorities American financial institution to to the Russian market, especially every known mineral. It was market in Moscow. are convinced of the soundness buy their shares as those of any for individual investors, do exist, hardly surprising that the Russian They tended to open depart- of the business and its account- New York-listed company. however. Central Bank stated that they ment stores, and the the more ing practices. The German stock ex- were contemplating increasing successful of these entrepreneurs Instead of offering shares changes revamped their dealing Richard Watson runs Global gold holdings in their reserves. saw their businesses grow expo- for sale in London, the success- systems in 1989 and now have Portfolios Co Ltd, a Phuket- They are a major gold producer nentially. And then they opened ful Russian companies offer one of the world’s most advanced based financial planning ser- too, so why not give a boost to an more stores. GDRs – Global Depository Re- dealing platforms. The concept, vice. He can be reached at Tel: already booming market? The only problem they faced ceipts. Most readers will never however, is still popular today on and Fax: 076-381997, Mobile The country appears to be was that, to keep up expansion, have heard of these financial a global basis; it simplifies the 01-0814611. Email: imm@ awash with cash and the govern- these new capitalists had to in- tools, but they have, in fact, been whole dealing process. loxinfo.co.th ment has raised pensions and civil crease their personal levels of service salaries by substantial debt. percentages. No highly successful entre- Salaries in cities such as preneur, even with a booming Moscow and St Petersburg are business, wants to keep holding climbing strongly. a mountain of debt. 32 PHUKET GAZETTE SP O R T December 24 - 30, 2005

Patong Darts League SPORTS SHORTS It’s Nag’s Bowling for Childcare Head – by PATONG: The Patong Sunday Bowling League raised 20,000 baht for Patong Childcare as part a nose of its Charity Cup held on De- cember 18. By Stephen Fein The organizers would like to he results are in (finally) thank Shynun and Tum from after all the necessary Rock ’n’ Bowl for staging the make-up games were event, as well as all other teams played and the Patong that took part: Coyote Bar, Didi’s, T Pink Panther, Pizzeria Hut and Darts League has a new cham- pion: Nag’s Head Bar. this year’s League Cup winners, Now playing out of Win- Tatum Mansions. chester Bar on Soi Sea Dragon, Anyone interested in joining Nag’s Head took all three points in the next league can stop and in an all-important first make-up see Terry at Amigos on Soi Sea Dragon. match on the road at two-time PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Administration across the island. In her speech at the opening defending champs OffShore, win- Organization (OrBorJor) held its annual “Athletic ceremony, Anchalee Vanich-Thepabutr, President ning 5-4, then taking the beer leg. Sports of Students” competition from December of the OrBorJor, said, “This competition gives Special Olympics Then they swept through Didi’s 14 to 16 at Surakul Stadium. young people in Phuket a chance to enjoy sports, with an 8-1, three-point win on The competition attracted 5,500 student athletes which is good for their health.” PHUKET: Phuket Panyanukul the road to wrap it all up. between the ages of four and 18 and an audience The big winner of the day was Satree Phuket School dominated a fun sports of 14,500 students from more than 30 schools School, with five trophies in all. competition for handicapped and QUEEN MARY special needs children in the re- gional Special Olympics Thailand, Coming in second was Queen Three international soccer tourneys at the Saphan Hin Sports Com- Mary, who finished strongly with plex on December 15. three-point wins in both of their PHUKET: The Football Associa- and Vietnam women’s interna- decision as to whether this cat- The event was for children two make-up matches against tion of Thailand (FAT) will hold tional teams to be held before the egory should be canceled, but we with learning and/or movement Off-Shore and Valhalla. three international soccer tourna- King’s Cup final at Surakul Sta- urge people – especially foreign- disabilities, including autism and Shakers came in third, split- ments on Phuket from Decem- dium, starting at 4 pm. ers – to join this tournament as cerebral palsy. They competed ting their two make-up matches ber 26 to 30. we don’t want to cancel it.” under the Special Olympics with a narrow three-point win 5-a-side soccer Prize money in the foreign motto: “Let me win, but if I can- over Dog’s Bollocks, but losing King’s Cup 2005 shortage division is 100,000 baht for the not win let me be brave in the all three points at Didi’s. Men’s international teams The FAT has called for for- winning team, 50,000 baht for the attempt.” Events included Nag’s Head hosted the from North Korea, Latvia, Oman eigners to sign up for its five-a- runners-up, and 20,000 baht for wheelchair use, as well as events league party at their new home, and Thailand will compete for the side beach soccer tourney to be third place. In the Thai division, to test the students’ mobility, dex- the well-appointed Winchester’s, King Bhumibol Adulyadej trophy held near Karon Circle, from 8:30 the top team will win 80,000 baht, terity and swimming abilities. on Tuesday, December 20. The in the 36th King’s Cup 2005. The am to 5:30 pm on December 27. while the second- and third- Results (total medals): 1. new league will likely kick off the tournament will kick off at 4 pm Although eight Thai teams placed teams will win 50,000 baht Phuket Panyanukul School, following Tuesday, December 27. on December 26, with the open- have already registered for the and 20,000 baht respectively. Kathu (80); 2. Nakhon Sri ing match between North Korea Thai division of the tournament, Teams can register for the Thammarat Panyanukul School Final results: Nag’s Head (47 and Latvia. The final will be on so far not a single foreigner has tournament before or on Decem- (21); 3. Ratchaprachanukrao 6 points); 2. Queen Mary (44); 3. December 30, starting at 6:15 pm. entered the event. ber 27. Entry is free. School (13); 4. Chumphon Pan- Shakers (43); 4. Amigos (39); 5. All matches will be played at FAT Vice-President Sombat yanukul School (6); 5. Songkhla Offshore (38); 6. Valhalla (34); Surakul Stadium in Phuket City. Kinpha said, “The foreign beach For more information contact Pattana Panya School; 6. Chum- 7. Piccadilly (31); 8. Dog’s soccer tournament is intended to the Phuket Office of the Sports phon Special Education Center Bollocks (28); 9.= African Café, Friendly international attract tourists to join the tourney. Authority of Thailand at Tel: (2); 7. Phuket Special Education Didi’s (22); 10. Didi’s (22); 11. women’s match They can register as a team, or 076-250110 or the Tourism Center, Pa Khlok (9); 8. Nar- Two Black Sheep (18); 12. Coy- The FAT has also organized individually and be allocated to a Authority of Thailand at Tel: athiwat Special Education Cen- ote Bar (15). a friendly match between the Thai team by our staff. 076-212213, between 8:30 am ter (1). “So far, there has been no and 4:30 pm. – Ananya Hongsa-ngiam December 24 - 30, 2005 SP O R T PHUKET GAZETTE 33

KATHU: Teenage golf sensation Nontaya “Net” Srisawang proved to be a new force in local women’s golf when the amateur Thai teen in player won the US$160,000 Thai- land Ladies’ Masters at Phuket Country Club held from Decem- ber 15 to 17. K. Nontaya was still in top shock Ladies’ form less than three weeks after her victory with the SEA Games team and in individual events, carding an even-par 72 for a three-under 213 on aggregate to Masters win emerge as the surprise victor over a field of 91 mostly professional “But every time I had birdies I US$22,500 in prize money. So the golfers. slipped up by hitting bogeys. That top award went to runner-up She became only the sec- made me more confident to play Park Hee Young of South Korea, ond Thai amateur woman golfer safely rather than aggressively. who had an eagle on the par-five to win a trophy in a professional “I told myself if I could hold 10th on her way to a four-under tournament. on to the three-under lead, I stood 68 and a three-under 214 over- a shot at winning,” added K. all. PRESSURE Nontaya, who had birdies on the The Thailand Ladies’ Golf fifth, sixth and 14th holes and Association and Phuket Country After two straight days of cool bogeys on the third, eighth and Club announced that donations breezes and showers, the sky 13th. from the Pro-Am play of the cleared and conditions were tai- But the highlight of her day event and other sources totaled lor-made for golf. The Chiang was when she just missed a hole- 520,000 baht, all of which was Mai star shone brightly after sav- in-one on the par-3 14th, leaving presented during the award cer- ing a par putt on the 18th hole to her approach shot on the edge of emony to trustees of the take the title. the hole. Yuvabadhana Foundation, which “Frankly speaking, I was so When she sank her birdie supports the education of Thai excited coming to the final day. I putt to regain her three-shot ad- tsunami orphans. wanted to win so badly, and car- vantage, it became clear no one Phanphen Phoonwathu, ried a lot of pressure. It was a could catch her. President of the Thailand Ladies’ load off my shoulders to finally Despite her victory and her Golf Association, said that every- pull off this victory,” said K. recent SEA Games success, one was happy with the organi- Nontaya, who regarded the title Nontaya will not turn profes- zation of the event. A delighted K. Nontaya. She now plans to turn pro in 2006. as a birthday present, having sional until the end of 2006. K. Nontaya’s excellent play strated that she is already a force golf – and will only get better with turned 18 a few days before. “I have already set out my in the wet conditions demon- to be reckoned with in women’s time, K. Phanphen added. As the surprise overnight program for next year. I will play leader at three-under, K. Nontaya for Thailand as an amateur and intended to play it safe on the last take part in some international day, believing an even-par score events. So by the end of the year would be enough for victory. I should be ready to turn pro,” she “The weather was better said. than the past two days, so I hoped As an amateur, K. Nontaya to get more birdies,” she said. was not eligible for the

FINAL SCORES 213 – Nontaya Srisawang (THA) 73 68 72 214 – Park Hee Young (KOR) 76 70 68 215 – Ji Eun Hee (KOR) 70 72 73 215 216 – Siew Al Lim (MAS) 76 70 70; Shin Ji Yai (KOR) 70 72 74 217 – Lee Jeong Eun (KOR) 75 70 72; Virada Nirapatpongporn (THA) 70 73 74 218 – Russamee Gulayanamitta (THA) 71 74 73 218; Moon Hyun Hee (KOR) 73 70 75; Aree Song (KOR) 70 73 75 34 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PROPERTY December 24 - 30, 2005 Gardening with Bloomin’ Bert Christmas cheer for me means beer t’s Christmas once again, but have a couple of well-known you may be aware of that. “Christmas” plants, which would I’ve had far too many of be the obvious topic of a garden- Ithem already, so do I really ing article to appear in this par- need yet another one? I wasn’t ticular issue. always a grumpy old man. Far Florally, about the closest from it. There was a time when I we can get to Christmas in this was quite magnanimous, even part of the world is the Christ- generous in my outlook. Almost mas plant, also known as the poin- benevolent. Honestly. settia, or kissemass in Thai. The I actually used to think that alternative would be the Christ- Christmas was a time when the mas palm, with its dangling red Christmas cacti are quite world became a little less cyni- baubles doing their best to imitate cal, and everyone came together those on a Christmas tree. But I different in all aspects to celebrate a season of good won’t mention either of those, as different in all aspects cheer. That was complete non- they’re much too predictable. sense, of course. How can I have How about an alternative from the common desert been naïve enough to think that Christmas plant, then? Other everything would change just be- parts of the world have the Christ- cause the date was December mas cactus, which has been cactus seen in cheesy 25? around since Grandma’s day, as At least I’m allowed to use a favorite houseplant. cowboy films the word “Christmas” here. In certain parts of the globe, the TRICKS word is no longer politically cor- pects from the common desert but total darkness at night. It may the Christmas season, but perhaps rect enough, and seems to have It’s not unusual for a single plant cactus seen in cheesy cowboy work there, but I wish you good the Christmas cactus is doing its been outlawed completely. I won- to be passed down from genera- films. luck in finding a cool spot here in best to prove me wrong. It will der what would happen if you tion to generation, because These plants are actually Phuket. only flower when urged to do so walked down a Los Angeles they’re long-lived, fairly easy epiphytes, which enjoy the same Since the Christmas cactus in the Western world, pretty much street today and greeted some- plants to grow. If you want them environment as orchids. They are is a tropical plant, it will require refusing to do as it’s told here in body with a hearty “Merry Christ- to flower on cue for the Christ- most often found naturally in the watering on much the same ba- Thailand. And more power to its mas”, rather than the now-pre- mas season, there are a few forks of tree limbs where they sis as any other tropical plant. A elbow for that. ferred “Happy Holidays”? tricks you can pull in more tem- grow in decayed leaves and other good procedure to follow is to Anyway, it is Christmas. They have “holiday sea- perate areas of the world. Here, natural debris that accumulates water the plants thoroughly and There’s only one thing you can sons” on the telly, and “holiday though, you just need to get lucky there. Since they are tropical then allow about the top inch of really do, so I’m off to the pub. sales” in the shops there. I may – and more on that later. cacti, their requirements are to- soil to dry before watering them If you’re from the wrong not have been particularly enthu- Hybridization (cross-breed- tally different from true cacti; again. side of the Atlantic, Happy Holi- siastic about Christmas since I ing by very patient gardeners with they like a drink. One of the most frustrating days. was about 12, but I do know that too much time on their hands) Elsewhere, the key to get- things that can happen to a To the rest of the world – it’s still Christmas (and certainly over the past century has resulted ting Christmas cactus to flower Christmas cactus is that after the Merry Christmas. not Xmas), after all. “Happy holi- in the introduction of many new at the right time is the proper light flower buds have developed, they days?” Bah, humbug. varieties of Christmas cactus. exposure, correct temperatures drop off. Very irritating. This bud Want to know more Thankfully, members of the These plants are members of the and limited watering. So during drop can be caused by any one about a plant plant world are a little less cyni- zygo-cactus family, most of the autumn months in the West- of several different conditions, in your garden? cal about this festive time – they which are native to Central and ern world, the Christmas cactus but usually it’s from over-water- just don’t care. They carry on South America. Although they would be placed in a cool spot ing or insufficient light. Email Bloomin’ Bert at: doing their bit no matter what the are referred to as cacti, they’re where it can receive indoor indi- I did say earlier that plants [email protected] time of the year. In Phuket, we actually quite different in all as- rect bright light during daylight, were less cynical than me about December 24 - 30, 2005 PHUKET PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 35 Decor by Ananya Hongsa-ngiam

Knobs & knockers

or new homeowners and 425 baht to 500 baht each. The quintessential door DIY fans alike, fancy For more information, con- knocker in the shape of a lion’s knobs and knockers are tact Häfele (Phuket Branch) lo- head with a ring in its jaws costs Fa fun and inexpensive cated at the Courtyard 90/5 Chao 495 baht for the small size and way to jazz up the front door. Fa West Rd, Vichit, A. Muang, 1,680 baht for the larger ones at At the Phuket branch of Phuket. Tel: 076-264481. Fax: Ratchaphon Trading. Häfele, some 60 different styles 076-264482. Their website us at: Ratchaphon Trading Com- of door handles are available, www.hafele.co.th pany Limited, which sells archi- from ornate antique panache to A knocker is one door ac- tectural hardware and security sleek modern flash, fashioned cessory you cannot do without – locks, is located at Patipat Road, from stainless steel, brass, cop- if you don’t have a doorbell to Talad Nua, A. Muang, Phuket. per or iron, sometimes decorated ring, that is. Still, it does add a For more information, Tel: 076- in colored enamel. certain Dickensian dash to one’s 212563, 076-225500, or Fax: 076- They range in price from home. 225600. 36 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PROPERTY December 24 - 30, 2005

Home of the Week Boat Lagoon Peace and security on the water

hen you drive to- Outside is a tastefully land- wards this five- scaped garden and a terrace, with bedroom, pur- five ceiling fans, overlooking the Wpose-built family boat moorings. The house comes house through the secure grounds with its own mooring. The canal of the Boat Lagoon complex, you in the boat lagoon is non-tidal and get a feeling of serenity as well you have to crane your boat into as of security. The home, com- the water; the crane has a 10- pleted in 2004, nestles in a cul- ton weight limit. de-sac. A service charge of 4,500 A natural stone and iron- baht a month entitles the buyer work fence with an electronic to free use of the two swimming steel gate to the carport leads to pools and gyms, and discounts in a covered path to the front door the many restaurants and spas with a ramp. Go inside and you within the Boat Lagoon site. enter an open-plan living and din- The house is selling for ing area with views out to the 23,800,000 baht, (US$595,000 or canal and boat mooring. Also on 476,000 Euros). The title is the ground floor is the guest room Chanote. and en-suite bathroom with sepa- rate entrance from the terrace. For more information contact The main kitchen has Thai Mark at Pacific Paradise marble counter tops with a four- Group at Tel: 076-313298 or burner cooker and gas oven. Be- 01-6776103; Email: info@ yond is the laundry area with a paradisepg.com or visit the Thai-style kitchen next to the website: www.paradisepg.com maid’s room with its own en-suite bathroom. Off the living-dining area is a toilet with hand basin. Upstairs is the master bed- room with fitted wardrobes, French windows and a door to the balcony. The en-suite bathroom has two sinks, a large glass- fronted shower, bath and toilet. Off the corridor there are two more bathrooms and a play area with doors to the balcony. At the other end of the corridor are three smaller bedrooms which would be ideal for children. One of them has a door out to the balcony. All rooms have air condition- ing as well as fans. December 24 - 30, 2005 PHUKET PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 37

Construction Update by Anongnat Sartpisut

An artist’s impression of three-bedroom apartments in the finished project. Apartments with a view he Layan Sunset apart- The 28 units will be made Communal services will in- ments project is set to up of two- and three-bedroom clude cable TV and pre-installa- offer simplicity, el- apartments; 16 units in four two- tion for two digital platforms, Sat- Tegance and style at an story, two-bedroom apartments ellite TV support, swimming affordable price. Set on a six-rai with a total area of 136.4 square pools, 24-hour security guards, hillside plot of land overlooking meters and 115.95sqm internal landscaping and street lighting, Layan Beach, the apartments space. This will include two bath- water storage tanks, covered car- will be 15 minutes’ drive from rooms, a foyer and hall, a living ports and storage lockups. Phuket International Airport. and dining area and a kitchen. There will also be a club- Layan Sunset’s directors, Prices vary from 7.5 to 8.5 mil- house with a 250sqm infinity- Patsy Palmer and Mark Hailey, lion baht. edge pool and adjoining children’s talked to the Gazette about the There will be 12 units in pool, a restaurant, a cocktail and project. three two-story, three-bedroom pool bar, a fully equipped fitness Mr Hailey said that infra- apartments featuring a total area center, a relaxation spa and a structure construction will start in of 187.64sqm, with 147.39sqm beauty parlor – as well as a con- January and building will com- internal space comprising three venience store and a laundry. mence at the end of March, with bathrooms, a foyer, a living and All apartments will be sold all units expected to be completed dining area and kitchen. Prices leasehold. The buyer will be is- by the end of 2007. range from 10 million baht to 10.5 sued a 30-year lease with two He said, “The apartment million baht. (Prices for all 28 options for renewal, each for a market is quite a good one, espe- units are pre-construction, and further 30 years. cially in price ranges around the are set to rise in January.) Ms Palmer said, “Four units 10 million baht mark.” The structure will be made have already been sold and some Ms Palmer said, “We think from reinforced concrete, pre- people are coming [to view] from people coming from Europe to cast slabs, masonry walls with Australia and Hong Kong, so it’s invest in Phuket will appreciate cement render, a shingle roof un- very good feedback so far. the indoor/outdoor-style living der plywood and flat roof slabs People recognize a good deal space, size of apartment, location with waterproof membranes. when they see one.” Mr Hailey and affordability that this project There will be hard timber floors added, “We think we are com- has to offer, including proximity in the bedrooms and living area, petitively priced, especially at this to local amenities.” ivory cream granite tile floors in time. We expect to be sold out Mr Hailey said, “The mar- the kitchen and bathrooms and by early next year.” ket is mainly European, but the ivory-colored rustic tile floors on Hong Kong and Singaporean the balconies. Outdoor terraces For more information contact markets also figure strongly.” and passageways will feature Eurasia Development Co Ltd, Ms Palmer added, “It’s a sand-wash floor tiling. 394 Moo 1 Bang Tao Beach, dream-come-true choice in terms Bathroom fixtures will fea- Cherng Talay, Phuket 83110, of a holiday home that can also ture top quality taps and fittings. at Tel: 076-271315, 01- be a good investment. The project There will be a whirlpool bath in 8956267, 01-8953215 or Fax: is quite high up, so there are great the master bathroom and the main 076-271316; Email: info@ views in a fantastic location within balcony can also be fitted with layansunset.com or see the a private gated community.” one if desired. website: www.layansunset.com

Find more Property Classified ads at www.phuketgazette.net! 38 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS December 24 - 30, 2005 Property Gazette

Properties For Sale

PARICHART LAND & HOUSE

- 3-bedroom house with 2 bathrooms - 2 air conditioners - newly painted - 1 telephone line HOUSE IN THALANG - land area is 200sqm FOR SALE Asking 2.35 million baht. Tel: 01-7974606, 01-7874289.

WEST COAST LAYAN A gorgeous 460sqm plot 10 minutes from the airport, with sea views. Great loca- 10 minutes from the British tion. Gated community. international school, 5 min- Asking: 26 million baht. utes to Laguna, 10 minutes Please call for more details. to Surin Beach. 8mx4m Tel: 01-8924497. swimming pool, 5 air condi- tioners, 1 child's room, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms & LAND FOR SALE 1 seperate building useful as a store house or a maid's On the bypass road, 27 rai, room. 504sqm, Chanote 180 meters wide. Tel: 07- title. 4.9 million baht. Please 2670488. 6-BEDROOM HOUSE call for details. Tel: 01- 6078000. PATONG CONDOS Condos with nice sea views, 28sqm and 56sqm, for sale. SHOPHOUSE Priced from 750,000 baht. In central Patong. Only 9.5 Near bank and post office. Tel: million baht. Fully tenanted, 09-4740227. Email: chotip_5 with a long lease. Please call @hotmail.com for more information. Tel: 07- Owner is selling an exclu- 8817600. sive, top-quality 6-bedroom 2 STORIES, RAWAI house located near Phuket 130sqm house with Chanote VERY NICE CONDO FantaSea in Kamala, 1.5km title, brand new, close to a Rawai, 28sqm, newly reno- from the beach and next to school, 400m from the beach. vated and fully furnished; with a beautiful, natural lake. The Asking 1.3 million baht. Tel: air conditioner and fridge. house has all the facilities 06-6865567. Email: free_ Asking 650,000 baht. Please you need – a European-Thai [email protected] call for more details. Tel: 04- kitchen, large living-dining 1899336. room with pantry-bar; 2 bed- rooms on the ground floor RAWAI LUXURY VILLA st 144sqm house with 400sqm PATONG CONDOTEL and 4 bedrooms on the 1 or 600sqm of land for sale. Lo- A foreign freehold seaview floor with en-suite bath- cated 350m from the beach. condo of 56sqm, 350m from room; a large attic, hot water Priced from 2.4 million baht. the beach . Asking 1.6 million supplied by solar heating Tel: 06-6865567. Email: baht. Tel: 06-6865567. Email: system, own well and drink- [email protected] free_ [email protected] ing water, etc. Large, ma- ture garden with outdoor Jacuzzi. Chanote title. The FOR SALE total land area: 1,180sqm. New, furnished villa with 3 NICE POOL VILLAS 90,000 baht net rental in- bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a come until August 2006. lounge, dining room, air condi- Price: 18 million baht. tioner, UBC, hot showers and Please contact Franz Brun in a tropical garden, in a fantas- Chalong at Tel: 076- tic location in quiet private 282737, 01-4761415 or estate, 2 minutes to sea, 5 Email: [email protected] minutes to Phuket City. Genu- ine valuation 3.9 million baht. For quick sale, asking 2.6 mil- EXCLUSIVE PLOT Kata, Nai Harn, Rawai. lion baht. No time wasters. Priced from 6.8 million In Nai Harn. Owner is selling a Please contact owner for baht. Please contact 3-rai plot with Chanote, with a more details, Paul. Tel: 06- Chokechai Property at Tel: 450sqm home and separate 2833227. 04-8374429 or Email: guest house, enclosed pool, well- chokechaiproperty@ maintained garden, garage and LARGE LUXURY HOUSE yahoo.co.uk 2 phone lines. Ideal for a private Superbly-built family house for housing project. Only 5 minutes sale in a nice location. For more to beach. Price: 20 million baht. details and pictures, please HOUSE & LAND Tel: 01-8942733. Email: see our website at: www. In Nai Thon. Please call for [email protected] phukethouse.info details.Tel: 07-2811995. December 24 - 30, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 39 Property Gazette

NEW POOL VILLA KATA SEAVIEW BEACHFRONT LAND PERFECT PLOT DIRECT FROM OWNER BEACH Thai style, 395sqm. Superb, Price: 6.5 million baht per rai. Starting at 1 million baht per Almost 500 square meters in Nice 2-story house, approxi- APARTMENTS quiet location with best view Full sea view, near main road, rai. Good swimming water, Nai Harn. Asking 1.2 million mately 140sqm, fully deco- Spacious, modern, 2-bed- atop a hill. One-rai plot over- electricity available. Please call Chanote title, fully exclusive. baht. Has access road, elec- rated + 5 air conditioners. room apartments with gar- looking Loch Palm Golf Course for more information. Tel: 01- Please call for further infor- tricity. Please call for more Located in safe area in Kata. dens, pools, clubhouse, gym, and Kathu Valley. Within min- 5376866. mation. Tel: 09-6525664. details. Tel: 01-5376866. Company and financing sauna. Some with a sea view, utes of major shopping cen- available. Asking 4.5.million just a 2-minute walk to the ters, boat/yacht clubs and baht (90,000 euros). Call beach. Prices start from 8.5 hospitals, yet just 15 minutes Tel: 01-7888280. Email: million baht. On-site sales to the beach and 3km to inter- [email protected] office; meet the developers. national school. Asking 20 Tel: 06-2806624. www. million baht. Please call Noi. bangtaobeachgardens.com Tel: 07-2698492. VERY GOOD INVESTMENT RAWAI CONDOS HOUSE FOR SALE A 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom, New houses in Karon. Just With sea views. Area: 27, 54 house with pool and quality built, 2-story houses. Only and 81sqm. Prices start from finishings, in Phuket Country 2 houses left. Asking 3.2 350,000 baht. Financing for 3 Club with beautiful fairway and million baht and 3.5 million years available. Foreign free- lake views. Includes member- baht. Please contact for hold. Tel: 09-4740227. Email: ship. Asking 18 million. Please information. Kata Beach [email protected] call for more information. Tel: Property Market. Call Tel: 06-2772691. 01-7888280, 01-555- KAMALA HOUSE 5142 (in Thai) or email: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, [email protected] wooden floors, pool, 5 mins to 1 TO 100 RAI beach. 8.25 million baht. Tel: of beachfront. The last beach 09-2891659. Email: 71ster on paradise is for sale, starting RAWAI, 2-STORY @gmail.com See: www. at 1 million baht per rai. Tel: 200sqm house with Chanote phukethouseforsale.com 07-8938747. title, brand new, close to a temple, 450m from the beach. BANG TAO BEACH RAWAI SEA VIEW Asking just 1.8 million baht. 18+rai – a beautiful plot on Plot has water, access road, Please contact for details. Tel: Phuket with sea view, access electricity, perfect for house. 06-6865567 or email: road and electricity. Tel: 06- Asking 3.7 million baht. Tel: [email protected] 2670898. 09-6525664. December 24 - 30, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 39 Property Gazette

NEW POOL VILLA KATA SEAVIEW BEACHFRONT LAND PERFECT PLOT DIRECT FROM OWNER BEACH Thai style, 395sqm. Superb, Price: 6.5 million baht per rai. Starting at 1 million baht per Almost 500 square meters in Nice 2-story house, approxi- APARTMENTS quiet location with best view Full sea view, near main road, rai. Good swimming water, Nai Harn. Asking 1.2 million mately 140sqm, fully deco- Spacious, modern, 2-bed- atop a hill. One-rai plot over- electricity available. Please call Chanote title, fully exclusive. baht. Has access road, elec- rated + 5 air conditioners. room apartments with gar- looking Loch Palm Golf Course for more information. Tel: 01- Please call for further infor- tricity. Please call for more Located in safe area in Kata. dens, pools, clubhouse, gym, and Kathu Valley. Within min- 5376866. mation. Tel: 09-6525664. details. Tel: 01-5376866. Company and financing sauna. Some with a sea view, utes of major shopping cen- available. Asking 4.5.million just a 2-minute walk to the ters, boat/yacht clubs and baht (90,000 euros). Call beach. Prices start from 8.5 hospitals, yet just 15 minutes Tel: 01-7888280. Email: million baht. On-site sales to the beach and 3km to inter- [email protected] office; meet the developers. national school. Asking 20 Tel: 06-2806624. www. million baht. Please call Noi. bangtaobeachgardens.com Tel: 07-2698492. VERY GOOD INVESTMENT RAWAI CONDOS HOUSE FOR SALE A 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom, New houses in Karon. Just With sea views. Area: 27, 54 house with pool and quality built, 2-story houses. Only and 81sqm. Prices start from finishings, in Phuket Country 2 houses left. Asking 3.2 350,000 baht. Financing for 3 Club with beautiful fairway and million baht and 3.5 million years available. Foreign free- lake views. Includes member- baht. Please contact for hold. Tel: 09-4740227. Email: ship. Asking 18 million. Please information. Kata Beach [email protected] call for more information. Tel: Property Market. Call Tel: 06-2772691. 01-7888280, 01-555- KAMALA HOUSE 5142 (in Thai) or email: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, [email protected] wooden floors, pool, 5 mins to 1 TO 100 RAI beach. 8.25 million baht. Tel: of beachfront. The last beach 09-2891659. Email: 71ster on paradise is for sale, starting RAWAI, 2-STORY @gmail.com See: www. at 1 million baht per rai. Tel: 200sqm house with Chanote phukethouseforsale.com 07-8938747. title, brand new, close to a temple, 450m from the beach. BANG TAO BEACH RAWAI SEA VIEW Asking just 1.8 million baht. 18+rai – a beautiful plot on Plot has water, access road, Please contact for details. Tel: Phuket with sea view, access electricity, perfect for house. 06-6865567 or email: road and electricity. Tel: 06- Asking 3.7 million baht. Tel: [email protected] 2670898. 09-6525664. 40 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS December 24 - 30, 2005 Property Gazette

KATA SEAVIEW FREEHOLD FLAT SEAVIEW APARTMENT BEST SEA VIEW NEW HOUSES NEW HOUSE HOUSE IN PHUKET IN PATONG IN PATONG 3 new, connected, deluxe Brand-new, deluxe house houses on Patong hillside, with a swimming pool on a . Soi Thamdee, for sale. Patong hillside, Soi Ma- Ground floor: garage and neesi. 2 floors, modern separate 1-room apartment Thai-style architecture, with toilet. 2nd floor: 2 bed- completely furnished, ready Phuket Palace Condo- Patong seaview apartment rooms and bathrooms, bal- to live in. Ground floor: big A large 250sqm house with minium, fully furnished, 1- or for sale at CE quality stan- Chanote title, underground cony. 3rd floor: living room living room, Western-style a pool, 3 bedrooms, 3 bath- 2-bedroom, 1- or 2-bath- dard; 1 or 2 bedrooms, electricity, main roads, lots with balcony, built-in kitchen kitchen and dining room; rooms, a Western-style room, with kitchen, living whirlpool in 2 bedrooms, a of water all year for pools and dining room, toilet. 4th guest toilet. 2nd floor: big teak kitchen, teak doors and room. 120sqm. Asking 5.7 large swimming pool, car and home, beside a national floor: big roof garden with a master bedroom and bath ceilings, on a quiet hillside. million baht. Tel: 09-871- park and nice sea view of park, 10 minutes to airport, Jacuzzi. Usable area: with Jacuzzi, 2 bedrooms Asking 10 million baht or 9739. Patong Bay. Price: 2.7 mil- 15 minutes to Lotus, 12 200sqm; freehold land: and a separate bathroom. offers. Tel: 09-5926890. lion baht for 40sqm, or 7.5 minutes from British int’l 100sqm. Price: 6.2 million Each room has an air condi- Email: north8west98@ million baht for 180sqm. 2 school and two major golf baht (US$155,000). Please tioner and a balcony. Living yahoo.com BEST SEAVIEW PRICES bedrooms. Asking 8.95 courses, US$½-1.5 million contact K. Peter at Tel: 01- area: 200sqm; freehold land Prices from 2.5 million baht. million baht for our best with homes being built here, 8928526 or visit: 150sqm. Price: 8.5 million Buy only land or house. All a top floor terrace of complete view of Phang www.phuket-besthomes. baht. (US$210,000). Please CHALONG 3-RAI houses have a swimming pool com contact K. Peter at Tel: 01- Asking 2.7 million per rai. 180sqm. Only one of each Nga Bay – considered one of and a panoramic sea view of left. Please contact for infor- the 7 wonders of the world. 8928526 or visit: www. Beautiful sea view. Tel: 06- Phuket and surrounding is- phuket-besthomes.com 2670898. mation. Tel: 04-8374429. Only 3.2 million baht per rai SEAVIEW APARTMENTS lands. Estimated property Email: chokechaiproperty@ (you don’t have to pay too New, deluxe, fully furnished value increase of 25-40% per yahoo.co.uk much for class). Tel: 07- and air-conditioned 2-bedroom RAWAI SHOPHOUSES NAI HARN SEAVIEW year. Major growth area of 2747470. Email: nsupin@ apartments of 85sqm or Asking 3.7 million baht per rai Phuket. Tel: 06-9427318. yahoo.com 2 new, connected shop- for beautiful plot with three- Fax: 076-203426. Email: SEAVIEW APARTMENT 96sqm. Location: Nanai hill in houses on Wiset Rd, in Rawai. phase electricity and access [email protected] For Located in Rawai, with spec- Patong, Soi Thamdee; 60-year Ground floor: sales office, road. Tel: 07-8938747. further details, please see our tacular sea view, access to KATA HOUSE lease. Offers starting at 4.1 staff room, kitchen, dining website at: www.bayproject. beach on foot. 2 bedrooms, Western style, 2 bedrooms, million baht (US$102,000). room and toilet. 2nd floor: mas- MODERN TOWNHOUSE com 155sqm, 11units available, fitted kitchen, Jacuzzi, swim- For more info, please contact ter bedroom with separate Brand new, located between with pool & fitness. Priced ming pool and garden, just 5 K. Peter at Tel: 01-8928526 bath and 2 separate bedrooms Phuket City and Chalong, 2 LAGUNA AND LAYAN from 4.8 million baht. Great minutes from Kata Beach. Call or visit the website at: www. with connecting bathroom. 3rd stories, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath- land. 3 minutes to beach and value for money. Tel: 076- Tel: 076-284257 or Email: phuket-besthomes.com floor: living room and en-suite rooms. Price: 2.25 million Laguna, 7 rai 16 square wah – 289105, 09-5977499. [email protected] bedroom. Living area of baht. Tel: 09-7292313. price: 29 million baht. Layan BOAT LAGOON MARINA 200sqm; freehold land: corner plot with road access; 1.2 MILLION BAHT LUXURY CONDO End-unit, 1-bedroom town- 100sqm. Price 4.5 million FULL SEAVIEW 5 minutes to beach; 11 or 31 per rai. Nice 29 rai plot Pa for sale. Brand new, 2 bed- house, 200 sqm, with a lot of baht. (US$113.000). Please 45 rai in Patong. Perfect for rai – asking 3.7 million baht per Krong Cheep, 1 km from main rooms, fully furnished, with air extras and mooring. Freehold contact K.Peter. Tel: 01-892- hotel, resort or project. Open rai. Tel: 06-9520772. Email: road. Good for land and house conditioner. Tel: 07-2650118. for foreigners. 9.5 million baht. 8526. For more info, please to offers. Tel: 01-5376866. [email protected] project. Email: ek_phuket@ Email: ant_p_clark@yahoo. Tel: 01-2734000 or Email: see our website: www. hotmail.com co.uk [email protected] phuket-besthomes.com NEW HOUSE PENANG FREEHOLD In Phuket City. A new 1-story 3-story terrace house of KARON BEACH LAND house in Phuket Villa 160sqm with 4 bedrooms, 3 1 rai of seaview land. 900m Agents for Classified Advertising Morningstar, on Chaofa East bathrooms, 2 living rooms, a from the beach. Urgent sale Road, south of Rama IX Park kitchen and 2 car parking price: 5.9 million baht. Please call for more details. Tel: 06- and across from Daroong spaces. Price: Malaysian PHUKET Wittaya Catholic School. 3 $499,000. Google Krystal 6673249. Court Penang. Email: bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, big K.L. Mart Tel: 076-280400/3 rooms, town water and elec- [email protected] 1 RAI – CHALONG tricity. Excellent location in I have 3 lots in Chalong area, Patak Rd, Chalong Fax: 076-280403 Phuket City near all major 9 RAI – RAWAI AREA a super nice savannah-type shops, hospitals and schools. 1.6 million baht per rai for 9 area – nice trees, quiet, Earth Language School Tel: 076-232398/9 Lease/Purchase price: 5.3 rai, perfect for development of stream. 3 million baht per rai. Phang Nga Rd, Phuket City Fax: 076-232398 million baht; Cash discount 4 houses per rai only. Tel: 07- Please contact for further in- price: 3.1 million baht. Please 2747470. Email: nsupin@ formation. Tel: 07-2747470. Sin & Lee Tel: 076-258369 contact for more details. Tel: yahoo.com Email: [email protected] 076-248461. Email: wpdrake Thalang Rd, Phuket City Fax: 076-211230 @hotmail.com BEACH HOUSE GOOD PRICE HOUSE For just 2.7 million baht A house in quiet, safe Land & Taurus Travel Tel: 076-344521/2 NAI HARN LAND you can own a 3-level beach Houses Park, 86 square wah, Aroonsom Plaza Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd, Patong Fax: 076-344523 1 rai wih a small local-style house on a nice quiet street with 2 bedrooms, air condi- house in a beautiful location only 2 minutes to Kata Beach tioner, 2 bathrooms, a living 41 Minimart Tel/Fax: 076-324312 with a forest view. Only 6.3 – one of Phuket's most room and a built-in kitchen. Srisoontorn Rd, Cherng Talay million baht. Please call for beautiful locations. For Asking from 3.5 to 2.7 million more info. Tel: 09-5944017. details, call Tel: 04-8405834. baht. Tel: 01-5979049. 42 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS December 24 - 30, 2005 Property Gazette

14 RAI OF 14 RAI 2.6 RAI WITH BEACHFRONT 2-BEDROOM VILLA 13 rai 3 ngan 98 talang SEA VIEW This beautiful beachfront 3-BEDROOM 3-BEDROOM VILLA WITH POOL WITH POOL wah (5.598 acres). Very The size of the plot is 2 rai 2 plot is located in Mai Khao. THAI-STYLE VILLA This property, in the south quiet place, hill and sea ngan and 53 talang wah – It has a 75 meters white Besides the nice landscaped Villa comprises 3 bed- of Patong, has amazing hill views from second floor, 4,212sqm – and all the land sandy beach and at the garden, you can enjoy a com- rooms, 2 bathrooms, guest and valley views. Villa com- just a few minutes’ walk to is under the 80-meter back connected to a lake. mon pool. There is also toilet, kitchen, living and din- prises 2 bedrooms, 2 en- the beach and 3 minutes’ height restriction. This plot Ideal for a small resort or space to park at least 3 cars. ing room, maid’s room, out- suite bathrooms, living-din- drive to the ferry for Phi Phi is very interesting for a villa development. Water The living space is 440sqm door shower, terrace ing room, kitchen, guest toi- Islands and surrounding is- small villa project. Great and electric supply are avail- and the land size 468sqm around the house, pool and let, and a pool with sala. able. Size of this plot is 14 a garden. lands. Very cheap price for spot with many opportuni- with Chanote title. Value for Price: 12 million baht. Phuket: 20 million baht. ties. Price: 30 million baht. Rai. Price: 7 million baht per money. Price: 6.7 million Price: 14 million baht. Tel: 06-2726508. Tel: 09-8715192. Tel: 09-8715192. rai. Tel: 09-8715192. baht. Tel: 06-2726508. Tel: 06-2726508.

TOTALLY PRIVATE 117 RAI (187,200SQM) 209 RAI ON 23 RAI WITH 8-ROOM HOTEL This private plot of 55 rai With 400 meters of beach PHUKET PENINSULA BEACH FRONT Recently refurbished to 3-BEDROOM HOUSE (88,000sqm) features 200 front – one of the last four Wide sea views to Koh Phi This is a beautiful plot with high standards, this bou- Thai-style house for sale in meters of beach front on the remaining large holdings on Phi Don, other islands in an 80-meter white sandy tique hotel has a bar, com- a secure area, a 5-minute west coast. The last plot on the beach. This magnificent Phang Nga Bay and views of beach in Mai Khao. It has a mercial laundry and 8 fur- drive to beautiful Nai Harn Phuket with a perfect plot, ideal for a high-end villa Phuket itself, Beach frontage right-angle shape and in- nished rooms. Well-estab- and Rawai beaches. Built in shape. All land is buildable; project or a 5-star resort, is and elevation.This plot has it cludes a small lake. Water lished, with many returning 2005, comprises 3 bed- surrounded by hills. Access located near Patong. There all. There is road access; wa- and electricity supply is customers. An easy busi- rooms, 3 bathrooms, via a private sealed road. Wa- is an 8m-wide access road. ter and electricity supply are available. Ideal spot for a ness to run; you can spend kitchen, living room, dining ter and electricity are avail- Electricity and water supply available. A great plot waiting resort or villa development. hours at the beach, a 2- room, hallway, guest toilet, able. are also available. Well- for the right developer. Price: 7 million baht per rai. minute walk away. Call for pool, carport for 2 cars and P.O.A. Tel: 09-8715192. priced! Tel: 09-8715192. P.O.A. Tel: 09-8715192. Tel: 09-8715192. details. Tel: 06-2726508. a sala. Tel: 06-2726580.

BEAUTIFUL SEA VIEW 56-BEDROOM HOTEL 2-BEDROOM VILLA 3-BEDROOM, 14 Ao Yon / Cape Panwa 1- 60-RAI LAKE VIEW This mansion is located in rai plots with a 260-degree & SEA VIEW PLOT the heart of Patong and with sea view. It comprises 2-BATHROOM HOUSE a master bedroom with en- 1-year-old, beautiful 3-bed- sea view. No powerline Impossible to find land with comprises 56 rooms and a suite bathroom and Jacuzzi, room house with 2 bath- views; ready to build; all in- title closer to Nai Harn pool. All rooms have cable guest bedroom with en-suite rooms, large living area and frastructure in place: 6- 2 RAI SEA VIEW Beach than this lakefront TV, mini-bar, hot water. bathroom, kitchen, living kitchen. Open-plan with loft meter-wide road, under- Chanote title, public road plot only 300 meters from There is an office and recep- room, dining room, study, upstairs overlooking the liv- ground water, phone line. A access, water and elec- the beach. It has electricity tion with safety deposit guest toilet, 2-car carport, ing area. Phone line and own good investment, 10 min- tricity. Only 2 minutes to supply and road access; boxes for customers. The nice garden, solar-heated hot- water supply. Located in a utes to shops and schools. Rawai Beach. ready to build. Villas in the hotel is built on 2 rai. Value for water system, UBC, phone central, quiet, European- Golf 15 minutes away; res- area are priced at 20 million money. Price: 56 million Price: 8 million baht. with Internet. Price: 7.5 mil- style estate. Price: 3.7 mil- taurants 5 minutes away. baht up. Tel: 09-8715192. baht. Tel: 06-2726508. Tel: 09-8715192. lion baht. Tel: 06-2726508. lion baht. Tel: 06-2726508. Tel: 09-8715192.

16 X 2-BEDROOM APARTMENT

This 16-unit apartment building is in a quiet area in 3 BEDROOM VILLA Chalong, 5 minutes’ drive to WITH SEA VIEW 4 RAI 3 NGAN 79 ISLANDS Central; 10 minutes to In Patong. 3 bedrooms, 2 TALANG WAH 7 RAI FOR SALE Phuket City; 15 minutes to Nai Harn, Karon and Kata en-suite bathrooms, 1 guest This buildable plot has sea WITH SEA VIEW 10 RAI We have many island prop- beaches. Units have 2 bed- bathroom, western-style views to the south, a road in A good piece of land in a BEACH FRONT erties on our books. Cur- rooms, a bathroom, kitchen, kitchen, living room, dining front, at the side and back, quiet area with public rent: 2 complete islands and The land has a great shape and is ideal for a resort or living and dining room; fully room, terrace from where and electricity supply. Would road access, water and many land plots of different high-end villa development. furnished. Building has an of- you can enjoy the sunset, make an ideal development; electricity supply. sizes on islands close to fice, manicured gardens. store room and a car port. the area has high-end homes, Phuket, such as: Koh Yao The villa is in a secured and pri- an upmarket hotel, restau- Only 10 minutes to Rawai Price: 80 million baht. Yai, Koh Yao Noi and Koh Price: 20 million baht. vate estate. A really nice rants and entertainment Beach. Price: 38.5 million Racha. Prices from 1 million Tel: 09-8715192. home! Tel: 06-2726508. nearby. Tel: 09-8715192. baht. Tel: 09-8715192. baht. Tel: 09-8715192. Tel: 06-2726508. December 24 - 30, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 43 Boats & Marine

YACHT FOR HOUSE BEACH CATAMARAN WANTED: LIVEABOARD I have a yacht for sale and Nacra 5.5, imported from Aus- We are an established dive would consider swapping for tralia with spinnaker kit and company operating on Koh Phi a house. Some cash avail- carbon righting pole imported Phi Don. We are interested in able also. Fast exchange from US. White hull and sails, leasing a smallish liveaboard wanted. Please call for more spinnaker shiny red. Good con- boat on monthly terms. infomation. Tel: 01-187- dition. Marine insurance until Please contact me with de- 1571. 2006. 175,000 baht ono. Tel: tails should you have a boat 01-8349647 or 01-9135627 for lease. Tel: 07-2661850 WANTED: BANANA (K. Pop). Email: jdhardt or Email: goff_diving For export to the Middle East: @csloxinfo.com @hotmail.com secondhand or new 3-person banana (yes, to tow behind a boat) and parasail wanted. Looking for a boat? Gazette Online Classifieds–10,000 readers every day! Please contact me by Email: [email protected] www.phuketgazette.net! 44 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS December 24 - 30, 2005 Boats & Marine Island Job Mart

FISHING BOAT PEGASUS 8.2 FOR SALE DEMO

Fishing boat in good condi- tion. Jim Young’s Vindex 5 months old, design. Built under license in 200hp Yamaha – fast!!! cedar strip/epoxy. Beam: List price: 555,000 baht 12ft; Length 36ft. 300hp ex VAT. Cummins 6BTA diesel en- gine. ZF hydraulic gear. Hy- Now 445,000 baht ex draulic steering from main VAT. cabin or flybridge, many ex- Sold with warranty. tras. Sleeps 2 couples in for- Tel: 09-4746783. MANGOSTEEN SECRETARY ward cabin and convertible RESTAURANT WANTED dining area. WC, shower, YACHTIES AHOY! 20FT SPEEDBOAT The Mangosteen Resort & Marine electronics com- Spa, the 5-star Boutique re- pany based in the Boat La- and handbasin. Galley and Rum guzzling, beer swiggin’ Fiberglass over wood; cen- 24FT SWISSCAT sort in the South of Phuket, goon needs a Thai lady to run bosun’s locker. Fully taxed shore-shaggers needed to ter console; a new hull 3 is looking to fill the following the office. Must have good and registered in Thailand, fill positions around my bar years ago. Price: 150,000 positions at the restaurant: English and be good with including berth for nearly 1 and lounge. Apply in person baht. 60hp Evinrude with computers. Good salary year at Boat Lagoon. Call at Home Bar off Soi Bangla. electric starter, power trim - Restaurant Manager package offered. Tel: 076- Peter at Tel: 01-8166940. and tilt. Bracket for extra - Restaurant Supervisor 239112, 01-8920534. Email: peterhae@e-mail. engine + old 3.5hp Mer- - Bartender Fax: 076-239058. Email: in.th cury engine. A new battery, LONGBOARD - Waiters/waitresses damian@electrical-marine. 1,500gpm bilge pump, a wanted. Secondhand, any - Stewards com For further details, Has 2 Honda 4-stroke out- new Quicksilver gas can, a brand, around 8ft-9ft. Price please see our website at: BOSTON-WHALER boards, 50hp each; 24kts; stainless-steel anchor, out- All applicants should have around 7,000 baht. Please www.electrical-marine. 21ft fiberglass Boston 160 hours; SemiCat; Thai riggers for trolling. Wooden several years of experi- Whaler-style boat: central flag; built in 2004; fully provide all details and con- ence on the job and should com tact information. Tel: 01- trailer. Boat is Thai-regis- console and twin 4-stroke equipped at Boat Lagoon. tered for private use, and be Thai nationals. Please Honda 50hp engines. Trailer, Asking price just 1.24 mil- 0817163. Email: hiphopdec send your CV by email or @gmail.com located in Ao Yon, Phuket. Thai registration. As new, lion baht. Please contact Everything functions very contact for more details. MAID/HOUSEKEEPER made in 2004. For sale in for more info. Tel: 076-289- well. Asking185,000 baht. Tel: 076-289399 or Fax: wanted. Maid required for Pattaya for just 420,000 250, 01-2734000. Email: Tel: 076-200950, 01-820- 076-289389. Email: full day job. Good salary of- Looking for a job? baht. Tel: 01-8626954 or grosse-oetringhaus@web. 8307. Fax: 076-200950. myfuture@mangosteen- fered. Needs to speak a little Email: carlossecretgarden@ de www.phuketgazette.net! Email: [email protected] phuket.com English. Tel: 04-8373870. yahoo.com Email: [email protected] December 24 - 30, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 45 Island Job Mart

OFFICE POSITION Due to expansion, we now 3 STAFF WANTED have two permanent positions 2 staff for sandwich and ba- available, both with excellent guette restaurant in Karon opportunities for advance- and 1 staff for driving mo- ment. Applicants must have torbike with sidecar. Please good written and spoken En- contact.Tel: 04-8459510. glish and basic computer skills. Email: alexanderkbh@mail. CUSTOMER REAL ESTATE SALES DAY CRUISE A love of the outdoors and a com SERVICE Siam Real Estate requires MANAGER driving licence are advantages. Needed immediately! Rap- further salespersons due to Luxury spa vessel requires Starting salary is between idly expanding online cloth- expansion plans. Must experienced professional. 7,000 baht and 10,000 baht EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT ing company needs a de- have sales experience and Strong hospitality/guest re- a month. Tel: 076-232960, Female, with an excellent pendable person to work speak good English, with lations skills and English re- or 01-4544058. Fax: 076- command of English, both full time. Must be fluent in own transport. Good basic quired. Outgoing personality 232961. Email: info@sailing- spoken and written. A posi- English, type 45 words per salary and commission. Tel: with solid management ca- thailand.com tive attitude, excellent inter- VACANCIES minute, be Internet/com- 076-288908. Email: nice pabilities. Please contact. personal skills and strong or- Fulltime waiter/waitress puter literate and detail-ori- @siamrealestate.com For Email: nicolas@spaboat. DIVESHOP STAFF ganizational skills. Proficient in for city café-restaurant ented. Good salary. Please details, see our website com For further details, Diving license and high school Microsoft Office. Email a wanted. Must be experi- contact K. Robert for more at: www.siamrealestate. please see our website at qualification not necessary, short letter of application, CV enced and speak some En- info. Tel: 04-7230575. com www.spaboat.com but must speak English. Tel: and a recent photograph to glish. Tel: 01-9798258. 09-8749147. Email: [email protected] 46 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS December 24 - 30, 2005 Island Job Tout, Trader & Trumpet

Mart Bulletins

HILL TRIBE COFFEE Now available: 100% Arabica coffee from Thailand. Pur- chased directly from the cof- fee growers by a Fair Trade company. Restaurant packs and souvenir packs available. Tel: 076-296527, 09-587- 4368. Fax: 076-296527. Email: [email protected]

PHUKET CHESS CLUB Open every day, at South- ern Fried Rice guesthouse in Kata. Tournaments on Wednesdays at 7 pm and Saturdays at 2 pm. Please call for more information Tel: 01-8948446.

Business Opportunities

PARTNER/ INVESTOR WANTED Stunning west-coast Layan-view property. Look- ing for 1 more partner/inves- INTERNET BUSINESS tor. An excellent opportunity 30,000 baht per month. Part- to pick up a free home. Tel: time / full-time. Free informa- 01-9683221. tion. Positions limited. For details see: www.hop. clickbank.net/?ukthai/1free BUNGALOWS FOR SALE BAR FOR SALE BUSINESS FOR SALE SHOPHOUSE Shop with 2-bedroom apart- Reasonable offers consid- Well-run visa run business ment, access road, parking. ered. Tel: 07-8817600. For including tour office at Contact Tel: 076-284257 or more information, please Rawai Beach. Please con- 01-8913972. visit our website: tact Khun Jaochim. Tel: 04- www.homebarphuket.com 8512378. In Rawai, 8 bunglalows with Business 900sqm of land in best RESTAURANT O’MALLEYS IRISH PUB Products & locatiom near mountain. And guesthouse. Available on Small business, big opportu- Services Rental income 50,000 per 6-year lease in Karon. European- nity! Recently refurbished pub month; very good, regular style kitchen, 36-seat air-con- & restaurant, located in existing tenants. Chanote ditioned restaurant, two TVs, Phuket City. Close to major title. Price: 6.2 million baht. VISA & LEGAL UBC & sound system. Five air- hotels, shopping area and Tel: 04-8374429. Email: SERVICES conditioned guest rooms with tourist attractions. Package [email protected] hot water, TV and full UBC sat- includes all paperwork, visas, ellite TV system. Small staff two work permits and all li- BAR FOR SALE room and office. Thai-regis- censes for a smooth takeover. Price: 1.2 miliion baht. Loca- tered company included, ready 400sqm, live music stage, tion: near Soi Bangla. Owner to start as your business now. sound and light system, pro- going overseas. Last chance Please call Tel: 09-5914044, jector UBC TV, 3 new pool for high season. Pls Contact 01-8936072 or Email: tables (including pool room), 15 Steve. Tel: 07-8986736. [email protected] tables, 40 bar stools, 5 fridges NEW RESTAURANT and freezers, new kitchen GREAT BUSINESSES equipment, 2 phone lines and For rent: a 40-seat restaurant Great businesses in one of the over 300 motorcycle-taxis with a big, Germany-standard best locations in Patong are for with O’Malleys vests driving kitchen. The second floor is a Company Registration sale, including: around the city! Tel: 076- bar; the third floor is a hall with 2,229 baht; One Year Visa 220170, 09-7292846. Email: - a 15-room guesthouse restrooms and 4 living rooms. 4,999 baht; Retirement Visa [email protected] - a tour agency Asking 120,000 baht per 4,999 baht: Work Permit - a 60-seat resturant month. Tel: 09-2293595. 4,999 baht; UK & US Visa SEA LOVERS - a rental business 16,999 baht. No more visa TIME IS MONEY! Looking for a partner for our runs – get a one-year visa - an Internet shop Partnership offer for Europe three-year-old company offer- for only 4,999 baht. Estab- Asking 6 million baht. Please and Thailand. No competition, ing speedboat service around lish your Thai company today contact for more details, Tel: no wasting time, enough cli- this beautiful island. Please to buy land or start your busi- 01-0820039, 01-0911662. ents! Start-up money: 27,500 contact us to realize your ness for only 2,229 baht! CHEF + WAITER THAI STAFF NEEDED Email: [email protected] Euros. Work permit no prob- dream. Tel: 01-7370164 or Property title search, sales Fast food chef and 1 waiter Muay Thai & MMA Training lem! Please contact. Email: Email: simbaseatrips@ contract and land registra- needed for a busy bar/bistro camp is looking for Thai 3 BUSINESSES [email protected] yahoo.com tion. Thailand’s LARGEST le- at Karon Beach. Previous staff. 1) Assistant Man- Three businesses for sale, gal service network. Al- experience essential and ager: able to speak English. separately or together. Special BAR FOR SALE BAR FOR SALE ways your low price by our li- must speak good English. 2) Bookkeeper: must know quick-sale prices. Restaurant Long lease for New Lips Bar, on Soi Bangla, Patong. New censed Thai lawyers. Tel: Good rates of pay. Please QuickBooks. 3) House- & Bar; Internet cafe; Beauty Soi Gonzo, off Soi Bangla. bar with a long lease, all new 076-345277 (24 hours). call for more information. keeper. Tel: 09-1638166. Salon & Thai Massage. Tel: Lock, stock, equipment, inc. equipment, such as hi-fi sys- Email: [email protected] Tel: 04-7049302, 01-891- Email: vjnong04@yahoo. 076-281078, 01-0074479. 1.2 million baht, neg. Please tem, fridge, TVs, etc. Price: 2 Please see our website at 9461. com Fax: 076-383674. Email: call Khun Nigel for more de- million baht. Please call Khun www.siam-legal.com [email protected] tails, Tel: 04-6895043. Yan. Tel: 01-0909698. December 24 - 30, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 47 Tout, Trader & Trumpet

SWEET THAI GIRL Miscellaneous BusinessPersonal Youthful professional male, fit, for Sale Services charming, seeks a sweet girl to learn more about Thai culture and language. Serious relation- LEARN THAI ship is possible later. Email: Charming Thai lady teacher [email protected] gives Thai lessons at your home. Full course with conver- sation practise and home- Pets study material. Beginners or more advanced level. Tel: 01- 7971497. Email: churee77@ GIVE A DOG OR CAT hotmail.com A NEW LIFE IN 2006 BUDGET SOFTWARE ATTENTION FOREIGNERS! DAY TRIP TO Custom transactional soft- PHOTOCOPY REPAIR Help your lady learn English RANONG ware such as payroll, Inven- Friendly farang fixes copiers, quickly with professional New double-decker tour bus tory Control, Point of sale. A faxes + laser toner refills. teachers at Text-And-Talk (not minibus), non-smoking low price (from 3,000 baht to Please call George. Tel: 06- Academy, Patong. Also and smoking areas, toilet, 10,000 baht) and fast deliv- SAMSUNG TV 9724805. learn Thai quickly in fun films/music, snacks and ery (within 1 to 2 weeks). New 23" Samsung TV with The Soi Dog Foundation has courses. Please contact K. drinks, on-board buffet lunch. Please contact for details. Tel: remote, still under warranty. dozens of adorable cats Amado. Location: Junction No extras to pay, all-inclu- 06-6872823 or Email: Price: 3,900 baht. Tel: 076- Personals and dogs, like this young of Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd joins sive. Only 1,500 baht. Every [email protected] 255232, 04-6259065. Email: Thai ridgeback, available for Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sunday. Prachanukroh Rd, opposite [email protected] BACKGAMMON adoption. It will cost you just Coconut Hotel and next to Tel: 07-0070101. whatever gas it takes to Phuket Directory. Become Computers Retired businessman looking collect, and the package in- a professional English Mobile Phones for backgammon players on cludes full vaccinations. Al- teacher through our world- SAFEWAY STORAGE Phuket Island. Tel: 076-386- ternatively, you can spon- famous TEFL course and Secure storage for your fur- COMPUTER REPAIRS 113, 01-5778443. sor one of the hundreds of learn survival Thai for free. niture, car, bike, etc. Tel: English computer technician, NOKIA 6681 animals from just 150 baht For the TEFL course only, 076-281283, 01-1251873, new or used. GPRS, ADSL, Brand-new phone, still in box. EUROPEAN MANAGER a month. Please call Tel: Tel: 06-9520088. Email: or see our website at: www. WLAN and Internet access Bluetooth, earphones, PC soft- Looking for a Thai or Chinese 07-0508688 or visit [email protected] safewayphuket.com without a phone. Tel: 09- ware and case. Only 11,000 girl to share the weekend. Email: www.soidog.org for details. 4735080. baht. Tel: 09-8731652. [email protected] Wheels & Motors

KIA SPORTAGE 4X4 Saloon Cars Pickups 4 x 4s Four doors, in fantastic condi- KAWASAKI BOSS 175 tion, just 81,000km. Price: “Night fire red”, in immacu- FORD RANGER PICKUP 315,000 baht. Tel: 09-290- late condition. Price: 60,000 Rear access system (open URGENT SALE: 5594. baht. Please contact Paul. cab), 57,000km, metallic FORD 4WD RANGER Tel: 06-2833227. color; in perfect condition, A September 2001 Ford Motorbikes driven by 1 person only, never Ranger 2.5 XLT Hurricane 2- an accident; 2 years and 5 door is now for sale. Asking HONDA PHANTOM months old. Asking 335,000 420,000 baht or highest of- 2005 baht. Can be paid as 335,000 fer. 56,000 kms, double NEW YAMAHA MIO Like new, 200cc, ridden only in cash, or 140,000 baht in airbag, remote key/alarm, One month old Yamaha Mil- 600km; black and silver cash with 195,000 baht in in- Sony CD-player. The car lion with 70 kilometers (the color with saddle bags and stallments. Please contact by drives very well and can be distance from the airport to helmets. Cost 93,000 baht, Email: francorossi66@ seen in Patong. Please con- Kata and back). Will rent for will sell for 80,000 baht. Tel: hotmail.com tact for more details. Tel: 09- 4,000 baht per month (3 01-4761026. 8669406. Email: danex01@ months minimum). Discount gmail.com for extended lease. Tel: 07- FORD RANGER 2834185 or Email: 2004 model. Need to sell for [email protected] Van 95,000 baht, plus around MITSUBISHI 4WD 320,000 baht in installments. 2-5 turbo, Oct 2002, 2 doors, One owner, no accidents. 2.5 blue-silver color, 62,000km, HONDA PHANTOM 1994 MINIBUS liter diesel and manual gear. with tinted windows, carryboy 5,000km, black, many extras Nissan Urvan for sale. Gray, Please contact for more infor- and insurance service history. and no accidents. Asking 11 seats, CD player, in good CHEAP LANCER mation. Tel: 076-261314, 04- Asking 450,000 baht. Please 69,500 baht. Tel: 01-081- condition. Price: 240,000 Mitsubishi Lancer, Year 6335259. Fax: 076-261314. call for more information. Tel: 2838 or Email: ob1267@ baht. Tel: 04-8516115. Email: 1977; 1400cc well-main- Email: [email protected] 01-0879983. freenet.de [email protected] tained engine. Mechanically sound; silver color. Asking price: 52,000 baht. Pictures on request. Please contact Danny at Tel: 01-8945867, Fax: 076-248989 or Email: [email protected]

Phuket’s Most Trusted & Reputable Supplier of the Finest BMW 523I SPORT Quality Used SALOONS, 2002 BMW 523i Sport. This SEDANS, JEEPS & PICKUPS car is in mint condition and has M3 18 Alloys with new New cars or trade-ins – tires. For quick sale at 2 mil- we have what you’re lion baht. Please contact for looking for details. Tel: 076-240042, For more info pls call us at 01-8911635 or Email: Tel: 076-224632, 216243 stroker106@csloxinfo. www.suremotor.com comet 48 PHUKET GAZETTE December 24 - 30, 2005

Find more Property Classifieds at www.phuketgazette.net!

See ISSUES & ANSWERS at www.phuketgazette.net