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INSIDE TODAY May 31 - June 6, 2014 PhuketGazette.Net In partnership with The Nation 25 Baht ‘CURFEW DAMAGE ALREADY DONE TO PATONG NIGHTLIFE’ Chief primed to battle land encroachment THE new Sirinath National Park chief, Kitiphat Taraphiban, said he would stamp out corrupt officers who are “allowing the bad guys to win”. Mr Kitiphat took the To the coup helm of the park from his predecessor, who was no longer able to fight the level of corruption and pressure for the valuable land. Full story Page 2 Skimmers up and beyond game with new ATM device ALL ATM users were warned of face covers fit- International media ted to the card-insert slots of the cash machine after a “new” kind surfaced in scramble to appraise Patong Tuesday night. Police were tipped-off impact of army coup by a local resident who thought the card insert slot looked “odd”. By Chutharat Plerin Full story Page 3

WITH the eyes of the world on Phuket, as the heart of Dive industry the nation’s tourism sector, international media outlets have scrambled to understand just how the coup and work area not ensuing curfew have affected – and will continue to affect – the island and nation. overly limited On the ground, Phuket Gazette reporters speak with ONE of the many issues tourists, business operators and those with the inside clarified to dive instructors scoop on the damage that has already been done, as during a seminar organized well as the potential to get back on track for the long- by the Phuket Provincial term prosperity that was on the island’s horizon. Employment Office was that their work permits re- Local National Property main valid outside of the Tourism Politics Development province if clearly stated so in the official paperwork. Pages 6-7 Page 10 Page 33 Already hard hit, industry leaders are waiting for Phuket’s nightlife to pick up. Photo: Gazette file Full story Page 4 2 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET NEWS May 31 - June 6, 2014 New park chief vows to

Property end land encroachment Massa Luna melds modern style with natural By Saran Mitrarat surroundings. Page 13 THE new chief of Phuket’s Sirinath National Park has vowed to pick up where recently trans- Business ferred Cheewapap Cheewatham Business leaders says left off and to push forward outlook positive despite with investigations into land encroachment claims. coup. Page 33 Chief Kitiphat Taraphiban arrived on the island last Friday History and reported to Governor Maitri Inthusut for duty on Tuesday. Massive canon survives “I met with Governor Maitri to the ages with a story to ask if there were any specific tell. Page 36 issues the Phuket government wanted me to tackle,” Chief Kitiphat told the Gazette after his Travel meeting on Tuesday. World Environment Day “Of course, returning all en- activities planned for croached land back to Sirinath National Park and to the public is Phuket. Page 40 of utmost importance. Park Chief Kitiphat Taraphiban promises to preserve national park land. “The park is the property of the of weakness that he wanted to ward as a team.” Kingdom, and we must preserve improve on. In his final words as Sirinath Education it for public use.” “We have some strong officers park chief, Chief Cheewapap BISP graduates look to Chief Kitiphat said that he had here who work hard and truly want called upon his successor to be their futures with spent the past three days review- to return park land to the public. honest and brave. ing reports that Chief Cheewapap On the other hand, we have of- Chief Kitiphat promised to optimism. Page 43 left behind for him. ficers that do not support our answer that call. “Land encroachment is a seri- investigations and do not enforce “Please trust in me. I will work Sport ous problem for the park. I will the law, which allows the bad guys carefully and fight against all ille- start investigating it as soon as to win,” explained Chief Kitiphat. gal activities. I am not a Phuket Emotions rocketed sky possible,” he said. “Our honest officers will focus native, but I will help Phuket high as goats raced in Chief Kitiphat praised the cur- on getting park land back, and we people by preserving the park so Cherng Talay. Page 46 rent park officers for their hard will stamp out any corruption that future generations can enjoy work, but also pointed out areas within our ranks as we move for- it,” he said. Foul weather foils search Freak Facebook failure French expat for body off Phuket coast not initiated by Army arrested over ATM fraud STORMY conditions last week The team was able to resume A WORLDWIDE Facebook crash hampered search efforts to locate the search the next day, said Col on Wednesday caused a flurry of a body spotted near Koh Kai Nai, Panya. tweets in Phuket and Thailand an island off the coast of Phuket. “However, they were unable to over concern that the popular so- “We received a call from a vil- find the body,” he said. cial media site had been blocked lager on Koh Kai Nai at about “We are waiting for another sit- by the junta. 12:30pm saying that he had seen ing to be reported before we set Downrightnow.com reported a body floating in the sea between out again.” “likely service disruption” across Koh Yao Yai and Koh Kai Nai,” Regarding reports of a body the globe at about 4pm, but not Panya Chaichana of the Phuket being spotted off Phi Phi Island, isolated incidents in Thailand, as Marine Police told the Gazette on Lt Col Chaiyasit Kancharoen of many were worried about. May 22. Commanding General of the the Krabi Marine Police said that Mr Naci. Photo: Patong Police “We sent Marine Police and he had received no such report. 41st Military Circle Peerapol Kusoldharm Foundation rescue “We will look into it, but at this Wiriyakul told the Gazette just af- ACTING on a tip from a bank, ter the crash happened that he had The quick Facebook glitch was police on May 24 arrested an expat workers to search, but the strong stage we have not received any worldwide. Photo: Spencer E Holtaway waves and stormy conditions reports of a person missing at sea not yet been briefed about the Frenchman with counterfeit ATM made it difficult. They could not in our area,” Col Chaiyasit said. issue with Facebook. The group discussed how the cards and a stash of marijuana. find anything.” – Woranut Pechdee “Earlier this afternoon, we ex- media would perform its duties in Jawad Naci, 32, was caught perienced a load-balancing issue the current situation, TJA presi- after Phuket Police were informed that prevented some people from dent Pradit Ruangdit said. that a counterfeit electronic card accessing Facebook for a brief During the discussion, the edi- had been used at an ATM in period of time,” Facebook said in tors agreed on a three-point Srisoonthorn, in central Phuket. a statement to the Huffington Post. conclusion, saying that though Police obtained CCTV images “We resolved the issue quickly, their freedom was limited to an from the ATM and got Mr Naci’s and we are now back to 100 per extent, they did not feel the name from Immigration, said Po- cent. We’re sorry for any incon- National Council for Peace and lice Region 8 Commander Panya venience we may have caused.” Order’s (NCPO) orders were too Mamen. Media freedom has taken the much of an obstacle. Police found and arrested Mr front stage after the coup, leading However, they said the junta Naci in a Patong parking lot. four groups of media profession- should hold a formal press con- “We took him back to his house, als – the Thai Journalists ference every day and allow where we found 71 counterfeit Association (TJA), National Press reporters to freely ask questions. electronic cards and 106.08 grams Council of Thailand, Thai Broad- They all agreed that if the public of marijuana,” said Gen Panya. “He cast Journalists Association, and is able to get accurate information, confessed to everything.” News Broadcasting Council of with no questions left unan- Mr Naci was charged with pos- Thailand – to organize a meeting swered, then the country has a session of a Category 5 drug and at the TJA headquarters Tuesday better chance of returning to ATM fraud. morning. normalcy. – Phuket Gazette – Kritsada Mueanhawong May 31 - June 6, 2014 PHUKET NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 3 Gun-toting Aussie tourist nabbed with illegal drugs By Chutharat Plerin CCTV captured the woman at a PATONG Police arrested an Aus- hotel. Photo: Patong Police tralian tourist on Tuesday after finding him in possession of 530mg of ya ice (crystal metham- Patong Police phetamine), a gun, and ammunition. Police were able to track down issue naughty Mark Robert Coutelas, 53, at Green Mango Apartment complex maid warning off Nanai Road after receiving a PATONG Police are calling for any tip-off. information that might lead to the “We went to the complex and arrest of a woman who applies for found Mr Coutelas at his rental work as a maid, then literally room at about 2pm,” said Lt Col cleans the place out, absconding Suttichai Thianpho of the Patong with valuables. Police. “Today we received another “We searched his room and complaint, this time from found 530mg of ya ice in a small Karlsson’s Hotel,” Lt Col Suttichai plastic bag along with drug para- Thianpho of the Patong Police told phernalia. We also found an illegal the Gazette on May 23. 9mm handgun, bullets and a Management at the hotel pro- BB gun.” vided CCTV footage of the woman Mr Coutelas was charged with Mark Robert Coutelas was caught with ya ice, a 9mm handgun and ammunition. Photos: Patong Police/Facebook leaving the hotel after allegedly illegal possession of a firearm and stealing cash and a mobile from a ammunition, as well as possession raid and told police that she and was not present when officers ion about the gun and possible guest’s room. of a Category 1 Drug, said Col Mr Coutelas were dating,” added searched the apartment.” drug networks.” “Each time, the suspect applies Suttichai. Col Suttichai. “But we did not “We are questioning both Mr Officers declined to name Mr for a job as a maid. She says she “A woman showed up after the press charges against her, as she Coutelas and his female compan- Coutelas’ female companion. doesn’t mind how much the pay is, she just needs to start work as soon as possible,” explained Col ATM users beware: new skimming device discovered Sutthichai. POLICE are warning all ATM users to be- ted over the card slot. Attached to the fake “But she never presents her ID ware fake covers fitted to the card-insert slots cover was an electronic chip. card, she says that she will bring of ATM machines after finding a new form “It was obviously a skimming device that it later. of card skimmer installed at a cash copies the electronic information from every “Then as soon as she has a dispenser in Patong on Tuesday evening. card that is inserted in the machine,” Col chance to work, she grabs what- The new device was attached to a Siam Sutthichai said. ever she can and leaves.” Commercial Bank ATM in front of a 7-Eleven “We haven’t seen anything like this before. Col Sutthichai described the convenience store at Malin Plaza, on The bank staff that officers spoke to also con- woman as heavyset with dark Prachanukrh Road, at the south end of Patong. firmed this was a new device. skin, and about 155cm tall. She “We received a report from a local resi- “We have notified all police stations in speaks in Southern Thai dialect. dent who said the card-insert slot looked odd,” Phuket, as we don’t know how many of these Anyone with information that Lt Col Sutthichai Thianpho of Patong Police devices have been installed, or where. may lead to the woman’s arrest is told the Gazette. “Please be cautious and check the ATM be- urged to call Patong Police Sta- Officers inspected the machine at about fore using it. To be safe, please use one inside The new device copies information from cards tion at 076-342720. 6:30pm and found that a cover had been fit- a bank.” – Chutharat Plerin inserted into the machine. Photo: Patong Police – Chutharat Plerin 4 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET NEWS May 31 - June 6, 2014 Divers plumb legal depths

By Saran Mitrarat

LOCAL dive instructors do not need to obtain work permits for Mr Numporn (2nd left) protested at the hospital after the deaths. every neighboring province they visit with students, dive profes- sionals learned on May 22 at a day-long seminar organized by the 100K given Phuket Provincial Employment Office (PPEO). for deaths of The purpose of the seminar was to clarify work permits and related legalities of working in Thailand, loved ones specifically for professionals in the AUTOPSY results are not yet in, dive industry. but the man who lost his wife and The seminar was organized in son to complications of childbirth response to widespread complaints has received 100,000 baht in com- from foreign dive instructors that pensation from Vachira Phuket they had been extorted by police Hospital. for violating job descriptions stated “We hope that this money will in their work permits. help to cover the funeral costs,” More than 100 members of the said Jessada Chungpaibulpatana, Phuket dive industry, both Thai The full-day seminar, offered free of charge by the PPEO, aimed to clarify labor laws for dive instructors. hospital director. and foreign, attended the seminar question. of the work permit application.” only about 10 in the employment Although grieving father and and submitted written questions to “You have to work at the loca- Those divers who already have office who speak English well.” husband Numporn Intawong ex- the speakers. The most popular tion indicated in the work permit,” work permits that do not specify A final question asked whether pressed gratitude for the money, question concerned geographical responded Somchai Morakot- this information can get their per- divers needed to have their work he vowed to continue fighting for limits of the work permit. sriwan, an officer from the Legal mits amended, Mr Somchai noted. permits on their person at all times, justice for his lost loved ones. “If my company has a program Division of the Department of Em- Explaining why job descriptions even in the water. “I still want to pursue a case to take students diving in Phuket, ployment Bureau. are written only in Thai, Mr That is not necessary, Mr against the doctor who performed Phang Nga, Krabi, Surat Thani and “In this case, I advise dive com- Somchai said, “We don’t have Somchai said, but they should be the delivery,” he said. Ranong, are instructors allowed to panies to add this information to the enough officers who can commu- nearby. “Don’t leave them at – Kritsada Mueanhawong accompany them?” was one such employee’s job description as part nicate well in English. There are home,” he said. Illegal shutterbugs caught snapping TWO wedding photographers graphs in scenic Phuket locations, were caught working without Maj Tianchai said. work permits last week after po- Both men confessed to work- lice were tipped off by a pair of ing without a work permit and Thai wedding photographers. were taken to Phuket City Police Chinese photographers Bolin Station. Zhu and Jing Wang, both 27, They each face a fine of up to were taking pre-wedding photo- 100,000 baht, up to five years in graphs of a couple on Soi jail or both. They may also be de- Romanee in Phuket Town when ported within 30 days, Maj police arrived at the scene. Tianchai said. “We asked them to show us In February, two Chinese wed- their work permits, but they were ding photographers, a Chinese unable to produce them, so we makeup artist and the owner of a took both men to the Phuket Phuket photography studio that Immigration Office for question- specialized in Chinese wedding ing,” said Phuket Immigration photographs were arrested for Inspector Tianchai Chompoo. working without work permits Mr Bolin and Mr Jing told while shooting pre-wedding pho- police that they charged 1,500 tos in Old Town Phuket. baht per couple to shoot photo- – Kritsada Mueanhawong

The two Chinese photographers were caught on Soi Romanee in Phuket Town after being turned in by a pair of Thai wedding photographers. May 31 - June 6, 2014 PHUKET NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 5 Translators enlisted for tourists Bangkok-based translators to help in police stations nationwide By Saran Mitrarat Division headquarters in Bangkok to help police communicate with POLICE stations throughout tourists easily,” he told the meet- Phuket will have video conference ing of top-flight officers from capabilities installed so that tour- Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. ists can communicate with “The number of translators will translators in depend on the Bangkok at any ‘Translators will be conver- number of in- time, one of the sant in many languages, coming tourists.” country’s top- Gen ML ranking officers including English, Chi- Pansak explained announced on nese, Russian, Burmese, that his office had May 23. received requests The initiative Lao and Malay’ from police in 30 is to prevent mis- – ML Pansak Kasemsant, provinces to understandings Assistant National Police Chief have translators between tourists available. filing complaints and police, said The move will also help facili- Assistant National Police Chief tate the introduction of the AEC ML Pansak Kasemsant, speaking [Asean Economic Community] in at Phuket Provincial Police 2015, he added. Station. Misunderstandings between The team of translators will be foreigners and police had caused conversant in many languages, problems in the past, he noted. Lt Gen ML Pansak is aiming to prevent further misunderstandings between tourists and police officers. including English, Chinese, Rus- “In one case, there was a trans- “Some stations already have the impact of the coup and the “The Royal Thai Police are giv- sian, Burmese, Lao and Malay, Lt lation mistake, and the victim foreign volunteers assisting them, curfew on daily life. ing their full support to the army. Gen ML Pansak said. complained to the international but we want to do our utmost to “Do not worry about the coup However, our orders right now are “We will have at least six quali- media about Thailand. We do not make sure that we do not have any if you have not done anything to continue with our duties as fied translators per language on want that situation to happen more misunderstandings.” wrong, but make sure you comply usual and to maintain the safety standby at the Tourist Police again,” he said. Gen ML Pansak played down with the announcements,” he said. of the people as our top priority.” Tunnel eyed for traffic troubles

Mayor Chaianan (left) and EXAT Deputy Governor Lertsak listen to ideas. OFFICIALS in charge of the officials had come up with three Patong tunnel project are review- strategies to cope with traffic at ing strategies they can use to avoid the junction: 1) Do nothing; 2) creating bottleneck traffic jams at build a flyover across the inter- the Thung Thong Intersection in section; and 3) expand traffic Kathu. lanes at the junction. The tunnel project, budgeted to “We will raise these options with cost 9.57 billion baht – 6.80bn for other senior provincial officials materials, 2.56bn for land expro- and the relevant government of- priation and 200mn baht for ficers on the island to see what salaries – aims to provide a safe positive ideas they may have,” Mr alternative to the notoriously dan- Lertsak said. gerous road currently used to get “Hopefully, together, we can into Patong. come up with a solution.” Present at a meeting at Kathu Mr Lertsak noted that review- Municipality on May 20 to review ing potential problems before the the problem was Lertsak project begins is critical to its Chingharanon, Deputy Governor success. for Technical Affairs at the Ex- “Our feasibility study must be pressway Authority of Thailand comprehensive to make sure we (EXAT), the state enterprise are aware of any problems the tasked with completing the feasi- tunnel might create after it has bility study for the tunnel. been completed,” he said. “The intersection is the focal Kathu Mayor Chaianan point of much of the traffic in the Sutthikul agreed. area. The tunnel could create bad “It is always much better to traffic jams at that junction,” Mr prevent a problem than to let it Lertsak noted. happen and try to fix it later,” he He explained that, so far, EXAT said. – Woranut Pechdee 6 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET NEWS May 31 - June 6, 2014 On the beach Jeanette Piccioni, 48, A midnight from Great Britain One week holiday in Phuket with family By Chutharat Plerin

The coup has not affected us. We PATONG business operators this Patong facing ruin if came to Phuket for the beach and week welcomed the relaxation of to relax. So it does not affect us in the curfew, which they say had crippled trade in Phuket’s busiest the curfew continues, any way. We love Phuket and we tourism town, costing nightlife come to Phuket every year. It is not operators 10 million baht a night. The initial curfew, introduced a problem. on May 22, banned all un- says nightlife boss sanctioned travel on the streets Guliana Zgoradnyaya, 23, between 10pm and 5am. ous, but they are nothing com- I was informed that the army must from Russia It was not until Tuesday this pared to the loss of image. be sure about any changes they One week holiday in Phuket with friends week that the National Council for Tourists will stop coming if they make before taking any action.” Peace and Order (NCPO), the believe they can’t have a good time Gen Prayuth, after receiving national administration set up by here, and it will take a very long royal endorsement to lead the The coup or martial law doesn’t coup leader Gen Prayuth Chan- time to regain their confidence.” NCPO on Monday, vowed to ease scare me. My holiday is going well. ocha, saw fit to revise the hours. Mr Weerawit on Wednesday the “drastic measures” when the I have no fear in Phuket… The The new curfew, which came explained that it was still too early situation improved, but said the into effect on Wednesday, short- to estimate the losses inflicted by curfew was still needed. curfew doesn’t affect me. Everything ened the ban on being outdoors to the curfew. Finally, the NCPO announced is okay. four hours, from midnight to 4am. “We cannot say at this stage the revised curfew after Tourism “It is such a welcome relief that exactly how much we lost, but I Authority of Thailand (TAT) Gov- Anureg, 26, the curfew has been revised. The would estimate near 10 million ernor Thawatchai Aranyik asked from India 10pm curfew was too early,” baht a night,” he said. for a repeal of the curfew in tour- Travelling with a friend, spending four Weerawit Kurasombat, president ist attractions that operate at night. days in Phuket of the Patong Entertainment Busi- BOMBARDED BY LOBBYING The TAT remained confident ness Association, told the Gazette that reducing the curfew would on Wednesday. Initial pleas for the NCPO to lift not impair the nation’s security. The coup isn’t scary. I haven’t seen “The midnight curfew is much the curfew in tourist areas, espe- any military here. But I would like to better. At least tourists can go out cially in Patong, seemed to fall on HARD HIT see the curfew ended so we can and have fun.” deaf ears. The first few Phuket Gov- Ms Piyaman said it was too early enjoy the nightlife. I would like to see days under the ernor Maitri to calculate coup-related cancel- it over before we leave. original curfew Inthusut made lations, but said that it was clearly drew a frighten- the first formal affecting tourists’ confidence. Carter Zhu, 29, ing picture for request at a However, TCT Vice President the immediate briefing of gov- Pornthip Hirunkate pointed out that from China future for ernors and more than 50 nations had issued Seven days in Phuket with his wife Patong. Shops, police chiefs at travel warnings urging their citi- restaurants, the Royal Thai zens to avoid non-essential travel Everything seems normal. We bars and clubs Army Fourth to Thailand. haven’t seen any soldiers on the shuttered early Area Command “Among these, Hong Kong street. The curfew doesn’t affect us and the streets in Nakhon Sri raised the warning to the top quickly emp- ‘All we need to do to Thammarat last level,” Ms Pornthip told The Na- because we go back to the hotel tied. Friday. tion. “Furthermore, tourists from early. Patong ren- regain tourists’ confidence That plea did long-haul markets, including the dered bereft of is to tell them exactly what not earn a re- US and Canada, as well as the UK its renowned sponse, but and other European countries, Kevin Heeno, 38, nightlife literally is happening in Thailand’ prompted Tour- have postponed their trips.” from Denmark overnight led – Piyaman Tejapaibul, ism Council of Many business and leisure tour- Two weeks in Phuket with family Mr Weerawit to President, Thailand (TCT) ists reportedly also cancelled trips warn of the Tourism Council of Thailand President to Thailand last week. This island is different from town’s ruin if the curfew contin- Piyaman Tejapaibul to petition the Ms Piyaman pointed out that Bangkok. We haven’t seen ued. ruling junta last Sunday. the past six months of protests in “We were affected big time last Ms Piyaman asked for Gen the capital had stunted tourism anything here, and we are happy night,” he said last Friday. “If this Prayuth to consider lifting the growth for the year. to come here… The curfew hasn’t curfew continues, it will be even curfew in key tourism areas, “The number of tourist arrivals affected us too much. The party at worse than the tsunami. At least specifically Phuket, Koh Samui, during the first quarter this year tourists could understand the tsu- Krabi and Pattaya. dropped by 5.85% compared with night is short, but that’s okay. nami was a natural disaster. “The NCPO accepted my pro- last year, and the second quarter “The financial losses are seri- posal for consideration. However, [which ends June 30] is already Coup crackdown on media COMMERCIAL radio stations throughout Phuket fell the army became more clear which broadcasters were silent last Sunday after receiving requests from the deemed to be disseminating “anti-coup propaganda”. army to comply with an order issued by the Na- However, the decision to reinstate the nationwide tional Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). crackdown was announced last Sunday. The ban on broadcasting included local satellite Army deputy spokesman Lt Col Winthai Suwaree television networks. announced that the army was targeting a total of The only Phuket station still broadcasting after 14 “community radio stations” and local television Sunday was BlueWave 90.5FM. networks. “The station is part of the Public Relations De- The NCPO was working out solutions for allow- partment, and they didn’t really tell me anything,” ing the 14 banned broadcasters to resume their regular station manager Oscar Chitamitre told the Gazette. programs, he said. Although all local radio stations and cable televi- The NCPO was willing to talk to the 14 stations if sion networks were ordered offline immediately after they had solutions to ensure that broadcasts would the coup on May 22, many throughout the country not cause turmoil in the country, Col Winthai added. were allowed to resume broadcasting soon after, as – Phuket Gazette May 31 - June 6, 2014 PHUKET NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 7

We’ve got class: Students return plea for mercy as schools open

“While there are no customers STUDENTS in Phuket and nation- in discotheques at 4pm, this is our wide went back to school on only option if we want to salvage Monday, despite business,” he admitted. rumors online Bar and nightclub owners stating that aren’t the only operators to suf- schools would fer, Mr Weerawit added. remain closed. “Other businesses such as res- “I can con- taurants and shopping malls are firm that all suffering too. The industries are schools, both public and pri- all connected. What I can tell you Chalam Attatham is that many operators have lost a vate, are open lot because of the curfew,” he as usual today,” Chalam Attatham, said. director of the Phuket Primary Night-venue operators under- Educational Service Area Office, stand the law and are complying said on Monday. with it, Mr Weerawit said, but they “False information was spread remain hopeful that tourist desti- throughout social networks claim- nations such as Phuket will soon ing that schools were closed be exempted from curfews. indefinitely, but the schools were “I understand that we have to closed only from May 23-25.” follow the NCPO’s orders, that Mr Chalam urged everyone to we have to ‘walk in the same di- refer only to credible sources for rection’ as the coup leaders, but notices about school closings. Patong’s renowned Bangla Road stands empty after the 10pm curfew was invoked last week. Photo: Patong Police if things don’t go back to normal, “Whoever is spreading rumors 8.75% behind last year,” she noted. million tourists. By 2013, the num- shines. tourists might go to other coun- on social media sites, please stop, Considering the damage already ber of visitors had risen to 26.7 “Each venue has adjusted its tries that have beaches and and everyone looking for informa- done to the number of tourist ar- million, including an increase of hours to fit the curfew. Disco- nightlife. tion about closings should refer to rivals, Ms Piyaman said the TCT 19.6% in the number of arrivals theques are now opening at about “The sooner we get back to the NCPO only,” he said. supported the intervention by the in that year alone. 4pm,” Mr Weerawit explained. normal, the better.” – Woranut Pechdee military. “In Bangkok, the streets appear “We believe that it was better slightly quieter than usual and the that the military step in than to let general mood of the city seems the protests go on forever. They calm,” Ms Pornthip said. had already gone on for far too “But everyone in the country, long,” she said. especially in the tourism sector, That said, on Tuesday, Perma- hopes military rule is lifted soon nent Secretary for Sports and and democracy restored.” Tourism Suwat Sidthilaw con- To counter the fall in the tour- firmed that the arrival of foreign ism arrivals, Ms Piyaman called tourists had dropped by 20% on all media agencies to promote following the imposition of mar- Thailand – by telling the truth. tial law on May 20. “All we need to do to regain tourists’ confidence is to tell them THAI RESILIENCE exactly what is happening in Thai- land and where tourists can travel The TCT believes that the tour- safely,” she explained. ism sector could record growth “Let them know that nearly this year if a new government is everyone is going about their lives installed quickly and confidence in normally. This is especially true in Thailand as a safe destination re- Phuket, where you can see that – turns. except the curfew – there has According to Ms Pornthip, been no impact.” tourism has suffered since the last coup in 2006 while other political DAY BY DAY issues, including the airport shut- down and street protests, have In response to the curfew, which also had an impact, as did the se- may be lifted at any time by the vere floods in 2011. Despite that, NCPO, resourceful nightclub op- the number of arrivals had con- erators in Patong are opening their tinued to grow. doors earlier in the hopes of lur- In 2006, Thailand received 13.8 ing patrons while the sun still killed the radio star

OFF AIR

The ban was instated on all community radio stations. Photo: Schnäggli 8 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET NEWS May 31 - June 6, 2014 Captain breathes easy after Marine Police rescue PHUKET Marine Police responded but it wasn’t working,” Lt Col to a distress call from a Taiwan- Panya Chaichana of the Marine ese tuna-fishing boat early Police told the Gazette. Tuesday morning. Police and a medical team The Dong Cheng 988 contacted departed Rassada Pier for the Marine Police for assistance after boat. Captain Shang-Chih Hsu, 61, suf- Mr Shang-Chih was rushed to fered a severe asthma attack. Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he The boat was about 37 nautical is now receiving medical treat- Blurry video surfaced on YouTube miles southwest of Phuket. ment, Col Panya said. showing men illegally fishing in “Mr Shang-Chih had his inhaler, – Chutharat Plerin A medical team was rushed to the boat. Photo: Phuket Marine Police Suan Luang Park. Image: Drummer.kong Officials ask for help in stopping Coastal erosion takes big illegal fishing PHUKET City officials are calling on the public to notify officers im- bite out of Andaman coast mediately of any illegal fishing carried out at Suan Luang Park By Woranut Pechdee (also called Chalermprakiat Ror IX Park or King’s Park) in Phuket OFFICIALS on May 24 expressed Town. deep concern about the rate of The call for public assistance coastal erosion, especially at Bang follows a video posted on Tao Beach and coastal areas Facebook showing several people inside Sirinath National Park. illegally fishing at one of the park’s Coastal erosion has ravaged ponds. areas in all six provinces along the “Anyone who sees people fish- Andaman Coast, said Somsri ing at the park should report it to Arvakait, Director of Policy and officials as soon as possible,” said Management for Coastal Areas at Tawatchai Tongmung, Chief the Department of Marine and Administrative Officer at Phuket Coastal Resources (DMCR). City Municipality. “In addition, areas in nine prov- “No one is allowed to fish at inces in the upper reaches of the Suan Luang.” Gulf of Thailand have suffered Mr Tawatchai pointed out that extensive coastal erosion, as well the culprits caught on video were as eight provinces in lower areas too quick for officers to notice of the gulf,” Ms Somsri said. during their routine patrols. Tanet Munnoy, chief of the “They took only five minutes DMCR Region 5 office, reported to lure the fish, cast their net and that sections of Bang Tao Beach run away,” he told the Gazette. and coastal areas inside Sirinath “We have officers patrolling the National Park were the worst hit park, but it is a huge area with on Phuket. many ponds. We don’t have “Coastal erosion has been a enough officers to stand guard problem for years. We have been over all the ponds at all times.” studying it, but we simply are not The penalty for fishing in the sure how best to counter it,” Mr park is a fine of up to 1,000 baht, Tanet said. Mr Tawatchai said. The battle against coastal “But there will be additional erosion has plagued seafront com- charges if anyone caught resists munities and resort owners in the arrest,” he warned. region for years. A large section of the boardwalk in Rawai was lost in 2011 to coast erosion. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo “We need your help,” Mr In March, Krabi villagers built Tawatchai said. “If you see any- bamboo barriers 500 meters long Niang Beach in Phang Nga, forc- In 2012, constant pounding by large section of sidewalk plunged one fishing at the park, tell one of in front of a fishing village to pro- ing at least one hotel owner to set waves battered a seawall to pieces into the sea. our officers as soon as possible. tect against it. up sandbags to protect against at Surin Beach. Mr Tanet told the Gazette that They are easy to recognize; they Last year, waves two meters the sea, and prompting the local In 2011, local businessmen and the DMRC was to meet again soon wear brown uniforms.” high caused damage along 13 mayor to call the Phang Nga Gov- restauranteurs at Rawai Beach to discuss possible strategies to – Saran Mitrarat kilometers of beachfront at Bang ernor for help from the . raced to repair a seawall after a defend against erosion. Hundreds of coup supporters gather, give roses to officers in Phuket MORE than 500 locals gathered at Sanam Maj Gen Peerapol acknowledged that the Chai Park on Tuesday to offer roses and coup had inconvenienced people. letters of thanks to army officers for their “We are now taking steps toward resolv- hard work. ing the issues, so that life can go back to The grateful group of local farmers, stu- normal as soon as possible,” he said. dents, Reserve Officer Training Corps “As Phuket is a holiday destination, the Students and Civil Defence Volunteers safety of tourists is a top priority. The army intercepted the officers as they were on has been assigned to the island to maintain their way to meet with Governor Maitri safety here, and although there is a curfew, Inthusut at Phuket Provincial Hall. tourists should still be able to carry on with “We would like to thank you for your their activities until 10pm.” work, and tell you that we support you,” The curfew has since been relaxed to said a Phuket farmers’ representative. midnight. “No words can explain how happy we Gen Peerapol said that army officers are that we will be getting our [rice-pledge] assigned to Phuket will be stationed at the money after waiting for so long.” Tah Chat Chai checkpoint. Commanding General of the 41st Mili- “Officers will not be allowed to carry tary Circle Peerapol Wiriyakul, accepted the weapons into any public places,” Gen Flowers and letters of thanks were handed over to military officers on Tuesday. flowers and letters. Peerapol affirmed. – Saran Mitrarat May 31 - June 6, 2014 PHUKET NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 9 Cyclists pedal toward Phuket Men raising money for Phuket orphanage reach Turkey after 3,600km By Isaac Stone Simonelli have been suffering stomach is- sues during their rest, but pushed THE four intrepid men biking their on when it was time to move out way from Sweden to Phuket to raise – keeping up as they covered funds for the Barnhem Muang Mai about 110km their first day back orphanage in Phuket found them- on the road. selves in a small Turkish village Another concern is Mr called Kandira on Johansson’s May 25. bike. Though its With about ‘The temperature is wheels are still 3,600 kilometers getting higher and spinning, it’s in under their belts, higher. That, coupled “far from per- and thousands fect shape”, more to tackle with a lot of hills in North- explained Mr before crossing ern Turkey, is our biggest Wollgard. Sarasin Bridge, challenge right now’ “The tem- morale is still perature is high for Calle – Calle Wollgard getting higher Wollgard, and higher. That, Fredrik Jessen, Tomi Blumen and coupled with a lot of hills in Christofer Johansson. Northern Turkey, is our biggest “We still like each other, and I challenge right now,” Mr Wollgard can’t see that will change for the confided. next couple of weeks at least!” Mr The team is shooting to beat the Wollgard told the Gazette. heat as they travel through pictur- Prior to Kandira, the team had esque Northern Turkey by getting The fundraising cyclists made some new friends when they stopped in Novi Sad, Serbia. Photo: Supplied spent more than a week resting in early starts to allow them to seek out Tehran, Iran. ered. Proceeds will go to Barnhem cepting single mothers with chil- Istanbul, Turkey. However, time shade in the middle of the day. “That’s going to be crazy,” Mr Muang Mai, which was founded in dren and grandmothers with came when the team was ready “There is not much we can do Wollgard said. the wake of the 2004 Tsunami by a grandchildren who are unable to to get back in the saddle, still aim- about the hills, except conquer Those wishing to donate can Thai-Swedish couple. provide for themselves. ing to arrive in Phuket in time to them,” Mr Wollgard said. send Mr Wollgard their name and Though Barnhem means “home enjoy Christmas with the orphans. The next big challenge will be how much they want to donate for for children” in Swedish, it is a Email Mr Wollgard and his team at Mr Blumen was reported to staying safe in the traffic through- each Swedish mile (10km) cov- home to many in need, often ac- [email protected]. Phuket to serve as one of five hosts in upcoming Andaman carnival series THE first in a five-part series of carnivals culture,” Vice Governor Supawat said. carnivals will be held in Phuket, Krabi, to be held in Andaman provinces will take Called “Scent of Andaman”, the Ranong Phang Nga and Trang, said V/Gov Sommai. place in Ranong on June 8. event has an 8-million-baht budget and is “Five provinces have agreed to support Ranong, perhaps best known among expected to draw more than 10,000 each other with respect to tourism. Krabi expats as a visa-run destination, has visitors. will promote historic artifacts, Phang Nga plenty of things for tourists to enjoy, said “We think the average visitor will spend will focus on sea gypsies, Trang on local Ranong Vice Governor Supawat Sakda, about 1,500 baht per day,” V/Gov Supawat traditions and nature, and Phuket on our who announced the carnival with Phuket said. “But it doesn’t matter whether we meet Sino-Portuguese heritage,” V/Gov Sommai Vice Governor Sommai Prijasilpa on our target number of visitors or make a said. May 23. profit, the main point is to familiarize people The dates of the other provinces’ carni- “We are famous for our hot springs and with what we have to offer.” vals have yet to be set. mineral water, and have a lot of interesting Following the initial event in Ranong, – Saran Mitrarat Vice Governors Sommai and Supawat. Snake slithers onto electrical supply line, causes blackout in Phuket Town apartments ELECTRICAL engineers called to a neighborhood on the north side of Phuket Town late in the night on May 25 found that a small tree snake had caused a blackout at several houses and an apartment block. “We were called to Pimpraprai Place apartments on Rassada Anuson Road [in Baan Kuku, Rassada] at about 10pm,” said Pichai Rattanamunee, an electrical engineer with the Phuket Provin- Engineers found the snake on the cial Electricity Authority (PPEA). supply line. Photo: Saksit Chasurin “While inspecting the cables, kill a snake. It did not survive,” we realized that a green snake he said. about one meter long had caused Power was restored after about a short circuit by slithering onto an hour, Mr Pichai added. the main supply line to the apart- He urged residents affected by ment block.” unscheduled power outages to call Mr Pichai estimated that more the PPEA 24-hour hotline at 1129, than 1,000 volts had coursed or the local PPEA contact numbers through the snake’s body. 076-210427-8 and 076-210379 “That’s more than enough to – Saran Mitrarat 10 PHUKET GAZETTE NATIONAL NEWS May 31 - June 6, 2014 Media urge junta to grant freedoms of press, expression EDITORS of several publications and media freedoms were limited, they did not feel the outlets called on the junta on Tuesday to National Council for Peace and Order’s allow freedom of press and freedom of (NCPO) rules presented a huge obstacle. expression, reported The Nation. However, they said the junta should hold a Four groups of media professionals – the formal press conference every day and allow Thai Journalists Association (TJA), National reporters to freely ask questions. They Press Council of Thailand, Thai Broadcast argued that if the public was able to get Journalists Association and News Broadcast- accurate information, the country would have ing Council of Thailand – organized a meeting a better chance of returning to normalcy. Soldiers occupy Bangkok’s National Broadcasting at the TJA headquarters Tuesday morning. Army secretary Maj Gen Polphat Services of Thailand TV station. Photo: Reuters Caches of war weapons have been seized in raids. Photo: The Nation The group discussed how the media would Wannaphak warned two reporters that after- Media controls are to be strictly observed perform its duties in the current situation, TJA noon against trying to corner Gen Prayuth to prevent the use of the press to instigate ri- president Pradit Ruangdit said. Chan-ocha, the NCPO chief, with pointed ots, protests or insult the monarchy, Lt Gen Pre-coup raids Editors present agreed that although some questions at press conferences. Theerachai Nakwanich said on Tuesday. turn up illegal war weapons Army to set up reconciliation AHEAD of the coup, a military- police team launched at least five raids and seized caches of war weapons under martial law, as ordered by Army chief Gen centers throughout Thailand Prayuth Chan-ocha. The first raid in Lop Buri on IN AN attempt to patch up the rifts May 20 landed nine homemade in society, coup leader Maj Gen bombs, a stick of TNT, an AK-47 Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday assault rifle, an anti-personnel ordered the four Army areas to set Claymore mine, 11 sets of deto- up reconciliation centers through- nators and large amounts of out the country. ammunition, reported The Nation. The centers would be forums Chaowat Thongphuek, a 54- for people to exchange views and year-old former paramilitary ranger, receive information on the junta. reportedly confessed to having This would help avoid misunder- acquired the weapons and having standings and false information been hired to make bombs to be spreading among the people that used for violence in the capital. was stirring up conflict, said Lt Later that day in Samut Sakhon, Col Winthai Suwaree, a spokes- Jathana Warakornsakulkij was man for the National Council for arrested for possessing a large Peace and Order (NCPO). cache of weapons. Participation in the center’s Ms Janthana admitted to own- activities would be voluntary, but ing the items: five assault rifles, an groups of people might need M79 grenade launcher, a large someone to lead the political amount of ammunition, three hand dialogue, Col Winthai said. grenades, explosives contained in Gen Prayuth staged a coup last 120 bottles, eight homemade week after negotiations among bombs, a handgun and a bullet- warring factions failed to produce proof vest, as well as nails and any agreement to defuse the po- wires meant as shrapnel for the litical crisis, reported The Nation. bombs. However, she later said that Ousted education minister the weapons were for self-defence. Chaturon Chaisang was seized by She denied that two member- soldiers on Tuesday in front of a Maj Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha ordered reconciliation centers be set up to serve as public forums. Photo: Reuters ship cards for the pro-government crowd of foreign journalists after United Front for Democracy giving a snap press conference at Chiang Mai 51 Group. In Tak, the mansion of an against Dictatorship found in her the Foreign Correspondents’ Club In Lamphun, troops and police adopted son of former interior room were hers. of Thailand (FCCT). stormed a longan orchard in re- minister Charupong Ruangsuwan A third raid was at a home in Mr Chaturon, who did not sponse to tips that claimed was searched. Mr Charupong has Soi Rachadaphisek 32 in Bangkok report to the NCPO when sum- red-shirt guards had been under- defied his summons. and turned up 140 rounds for an moned last Thursday, came out of going weapons training there. In Trat, police continued hunt- M16 assault rifle and two dummy hiding to appear before the inter- Surprised by the raid, five people ing for Narong Krachangklang, hand grenades. national community at 2pm, tried to run away. Two were who was accused of fatally shoot- On May 22, the results of more reading a statement saying he was with the NCPO summons. caught. Searches of the area un- ing a ranger on duty during a raids were released to the media. innocent of all charges. “Holding a press conference for covered several guns and signs for search at Mr Narong’s house on Deputy Army spokesman Lt Thailand needs to return to de- the foreign media is deemed the red-shirt United Front for De- Monday. Police rejected rumors Col Winthai Suwaree issued de- mocracy as soon as possible and improper and against NCPO mocracy against Dictatorship. that Mr Narong, who was not tails about one raid in Bangkok that all sides must avoid violence and policy,” Mr Winthai said. In Udon Thani, members of the home at the time, had already been turned up an AK-47 assault rifle suppression of viewpoints, he The junta has invited hundreds anti-coup Udon Peace group re- gunned down. and a loaded magazine, and said. He also called for the Army of people for questioning, but ported to the province’s internal The NCPO has appointed six another in Pathum Thani in which to release all detainees. Col Winthai some have still failed to appear, security operations center. They advisers on five issues, with former a bullet-proof vest and an Army said that Mr Chaturon was taken including Petchawat Wattana- were warned not to rally and defence minister general Prawit helmet were seized. away as he had failed to comply pongsirikul, chairman of the Rak allowed to leave. Wongsuwan leading the team. Soldiers told to negotiate, exercise restraint THE military has threatened to take tough action The police have also been instructed to avoid the against anybody caught carrying weapons, reported use of force in order to prevent deaths and injuries. The Nation, in a move to stop disaffected factions Lt Gen Theerachai said soldiers stationed at vari- from staging attacks and instigating riots. ous spots would not reject food and supplies given to Police will be the main force in controlling them by civilians even though they might be handed protests. They have been instructed to be initially dangerous items under the guise of donations. lenient before opting for stricter measures, such as He also warned that action would be taken against negotiating before arresting protester leaders, said those who intend to harm soldiers, though the troops Lt Gen Theerachai Nakwanich, serving as a have been strictly banned from using weapons commander of the peacekeeping force. except for in self-defence. May 31 - June 6, 2014 REGIONAL NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 11

Cambodia premier California killer spurns Thaksin’s government in exile PRIME Minister Hun Sen an- nounced on Tuesday that Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister, former Thai premier hails Penang days Yingluck, will not be allowed to form a gov- Asperger syndrome, which affects ernment in exile the ability to communicate and in Cambodia. engage in social interactions. PM Hun Sen In the document titled “My PM Hun Sen said that despite Twisted World – The Story of good relations between himself Elliot Rodger”, the London-born and Mr Thaksin, Cambodian law youngster spoke about his child- did not allow him to set up a gov- hood and his family. ernment in the country. By Rahmah Ghazali According to the dossier, The Cambodian premier also which was circulated on the advised Thaksin’s lawyer, Robert THE 22-year-old man who went internet, his mother had gone to Amsterdam, not to suggest form- on a rampage in California last England to work as a nurse on ing a government in Cambodia as Friday, stabbing three people to several film sets. such an idea may cause more risk death before opening fire on “She became friends with im- for the Shinawatra siblings. passers-by and killing three more portant individuals in the film – The Cambodia Herald before turning the gun on himself, industry including George Lucas was born to a Malaysian mother. and Steven Spielberg. She even Elliot Rodger, son to Peter dated George Lucas for a short Napoles implicates Rodger, the Hollywood assistant time,” he wrote. director for The Hunger Games, His mother was 30 when she 120 lawmakers in wrote in a 140-page document just gave birth to him, he said. pork barrel scam days before his rampage about his Shortly after his seventh birth- trip to Penang with his mother day, Elliot said his mother and his JANET Lim-Napoles on Monday Ong Li Chin Rodger. father were divorced. named 20 senators and 100 con- “Sometime after my third birth- “I was absolutely shocked, gressmen allegedly involved in the misuse of funds from the Priority day, we all went on a vacation to Elliot Rodger killed six people in a rampage last Friday. Photo: Facebook outraged, and above all, over- Malaysia, my mother’s home whelmed. This was a huge, Development Assistance Fund, also country. I have only flashes of sia again. In Penang, they met up and had very delicious meals at life-changing event.” known as the “pork-barrel scam”. memory of that vacation. I en- with several relatives, including his many exotic restaurants,” he said. Apparently, his mother had told In her 32-page affidavit submit- joyed it very much. We visited a maternal grandmother Ah Mah. Elliot said the vacation was so him just a few months earlier that ted to the Senate blue ribbon few of my mother’s relatives,” he “We met up with Ah Mah, my nice that he did not miss his life in there would be no divorce. committee, Ms Lim-Napoles de- wrote in the document, which he mother’s sister Min and her hus- the United States, where the fam- Towards the end of his manu- nied she was the mastermind of the sent to several people, including band Jack and cousin Emma. ily had moved to from Britain. script, murder was on his mind. P10-billion (7.45bn baht) scam and his parents and therapist, shortly They were also visiting Malaysia Media accounts revealed a Women, he said, must be pun- declared she learned the ropes from before his killing spree. from England. young man who lived a comfort- ished for rejecting a gentleman like Budget Secretary Florencio Abad. On his 13th birthday, Elliot said “During the trip, we toured the able life but was troubled by him. “This has long been practice,” his mother took him and his island of Penang, visited George loneliness and rejection by women. Chillingly, he spoke about a day she said. younger sister Georgia to Malay- Town, went to a fun water park He was also known to have of retribution. – The Star – Philippine Daily Inquirer Religion minister China, Vietnam spat blooms as boat rammed, sunk resigns over graft VIETNAM and China traded ac- after “harassing and colliding Paracel islands occupied by China INDONESIAN Religious Affairs cusations on Tuesday over the with” a Chinese fishing boat. and the Vietnamese coast. China Minister Suryadharma Ali resigned sinking of a Vietnamese fishing Scores of Vietnamese and Chi- calls them the Xisha islands. on Monday after being accused of boat near where China has placed nese ships, including coastguard Vietnam has said the Haiyang misusing funds that were sup- a US$1-billion oil rig in the dis- vessels, have continued to square Shiyou 981 rig is in its 200-nauti- posed to help Muslims perform the puted South China Sea, as off around the rig despite a series cal mile exclusive economic zone Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. tensions fester between the two of collisions earlier this month af- and on its continental shelf. China An anti-corruption agency last countries over the giant drilling ter the platform was towed to the says it is operating within its week named Suryadharma a sus- platform. Vietnam officers inspect ram- site. waters. pect after it detected suspicious Hanoi said some 40 Chinese damage to their boat. Photo: VNS Each side has blamed the other The rig, owned by state-run transactions of about US$20 mil- fishing boats had surrounded the on board, the government and the over those incidents. Until Mon- China National Offshore Oil Com- lion in a special Hajj fund. Vietnamese craft before one of coastguard said. day, no ship had sunk. pany Group, is 240km off Millions of people have paid into them rammed it and it sank. Viet- China’s official Xinhua news The incident took place about Vietnam’s coast and 330km from the fund and must wait years as namese fishing boats operating agency, citing a government 17 nautical miles from the rig, the southern coast of China’s the annual quota of pilgrims is nearby rescued the 10 fishermen source, said the vessel capsized which is drilling between the Hainan Island. – Reuters strictly controlled. – Jakarta Post Myanmar adults living on US$10 a day ABOUT 95 PER CENT of adults in Myanmar live “Significant effort is required to move the coun- on less than US$10 a day, according to a recent try towards more formal financial services.” report by the United Nations Capital Development The survey noted that 10 per cent of the country’s Fund (UNCDF). adults preferred to save money in gold or cash. The UNCDF report was based on the agency’s Due to the cash-based culture, the cost of start- Making Access Possible survey, which was com- ing a business in Myanmar is high, the report said. piled on a sample of 5,100 people from throughout Myanmar’s current monetary services do not the country, including interviews conducted last year. match the country’s needs, added the report. “Financial services are at a very low level in Also impeding the country’s development was that Myanmar and this is impacting the country’s ability many banking firms posed obstacles to obtaining to harness the capital available for national develop- loans and burdensome rules and regulations all en- ment,” said Henri Dommel, director of the Inclusive couraged informal money-lending, said the report. Finance division at the UNCDF. – Eleven Media Group 12 PHUKET GAZETTE INTERNATIONAL NEWS May 31 - June 6, 2014 In brief… Aussie lawmaker China launches full-scale sneaks fake bomb into parliament AN AUSTRALIAN lawmaker crackdown on terrorism smuggled a replica explosive de- vice into parliament on Monday to By Michael Martina highlight security shortfalls cre- ated by budget cuts, in perhaps CHINA has launched a one-year the oddest protest yet against the crackdown to hunt down and conservative government’s con- punish terrorists in Xinjiang, state troversial cost-cutting measures. media said on May 23, a day after Senator Bill Heffernan said that the deadliest attack in years in the new cost-saving security proto- far western region with a large cols being trialled had allowed him Muslim Uighur minority. to smuggle the device into the Five suicide bombers carried out building in a plastic bag. an attack on the morning of May 22 which killed 31 people at a mar- ket, according to state media. Pistorius ordered “The campaign will make full to one month of use of political and legal forces, army and armed police in psychiatric testing Xinjiang,” the official Xinhua news SOUTH African Olympic and agency said of the crackdown, cit- Paralympic track star Oscar ing local authorities. Pistorius was ordered on Tuesday The aim, Xinhua said, was to to undergo a month of psychiat- “focus on terrorists and religious ric tests to find out whether he extremist groups, gun and explo- was criminally responsible when sive manufacturing dens and he shot dead his girlfriend on terrorist training camps. Valentine’s Day last year. “Terrorists and extremists will Paramilitary policemen stand on a truck during an anti-terrorism oath-taking rally in Urumqi. Photo: Reuters be hunted down and punished. The government will prevent ter- launched a campaign to strike a tabloid run by the People’s Daily, Nuclear activity in rorism and extremism from against terrorism in Xinjiang, blam- the official newspaper of the Com- spreading to other regions.” ing Islamists and separatists for the munist Party, reported on May 23. North Korea alerts Authorities reported that in May, worsening violence. At least 180 The newspaper said authorities more than 200 suspects in 23 “ter- people have been killed in attacks “are investigating whether there South Korea, China ror and religious extremist” groups across China over the past year. were other accomplices”. SOUTH Korea and China agreed had already been apprehended. The attackers ploughed two ve- No group has claimed respon- on Monday that nuclear activity The drive, approved by the hicles into a market in Urumqi and sibility for the latest attack. by North Korea has posed a seri- central government and a national- second suicide attack in the capi- hurled explosives. Many of the 94 China has been grappling with ous threat to peace and stability in level group leading anti-terrorism tal in just over three weeks. A wounded were elderly shoppers, a rise in suicide attacks, reported the region and Pyongyang must activity, would last until June 2015 bomb and knife attack at an according to witnesses. Reuters. A car burst into flames not conduct nuclear tests, Seoul with Xinjiang as the “major battle- Urumqi train station in April killed “Five suspects who participated at the edge of Beijing’s Tiananmen said after a diplomatic meeting. ground”. a bystander and wounded 79. in the violent terrorist attack blew Square last October, killing five Analysts have suggested the Last week’s bombing was the The government had already themselves up,” the Global Times, people. – Reuters North may be close to miniaturiz- ing a nuclear warhead, alarming regional powers that have for two decades tried to rein in Ukraine orders air strikes on rebel-held airport Pyongyang’s atomic program. UKRAINE launched air strikes and a para- ratists who seized the airport in Donetsk was trooper assault against pro-Russian rebels a defiant answer to Moscow, which said it Mining minister to who seized an airport on Monday, as its newly was ready for dialogue with Mr Poroshenko elected leader rejected any talks with “terror- but demanded he first scale back the armed mediate in ongoing ists” and said a robust military campaign in forces’ campaign in the east. the east should be able to put down a sepa- Gunfire and explosions could be heard as platinum strike ratist revolt in “a matter of hours”. a warplane flew over the airport, hours after SOUTH African mining minister As the Gazette went to print on Wednes- truckloads of armed rebel fighters arrived and Ngoako Ramatlhodi has pledged day, more than fifty people had been killed seized a terminal. to mediate in a crippling platinum as a result of the fighting. The airport serves a city of 1 million people strike now in its fifth month. Ukrainians rallied overwhelmingly in the that the rebels have proclaimed capital of an Mr Ramatlhodi, who was May 25 election behind Petro Poroshenko, a independent “people’s republic”, and where sworn in on Monday evening, also political veteran and billionaire owner of they succeeded in blocking all voting in the said that mining companies had chocolate factories, hoping the burly 48-year- May 25 election. not done enough “to address the old can rescue the nation from the brink of Their attempt to seize the airport may have well-being of workers”, particu- bankruptcy, civil war and dismemberment by been intended to prevent Mr Poroshenko from A Ukrainian helicopter fires its cannons against larly with regard to the squalid its former Soviet masters in the Kremlin. travelling there: he had said his first stop would rebels at the main terminal building of the living conditions at many mines. Monday’s rapid military response to sepa- be to visit the restive east. – Reuters Donetsk airport. Photo: Reuters Nigerian military has located kidnapped girls, will not risk rescue NIGERIA’S military knows where the more we cannot tell probably not is fighting to establish an Islamic state in than 200 girls abducted by Boko Haram are you,” Mr Badeh worth the risk religiously mixed Nigeria. but has ruled out using force to rescue them, was quoted by the that the girls President Goodluck Jonathan has the state news agency quoted Chief of News Agency of would be killed by branded them an “al Qaeda of West Africa”. Defence Staff Air Marshal Alex Badeh as Nigeria (NAN) as their captors – an Britain’s BBC reported on Monday that a saying on Monday. saying. Islamist group deal was close to being agreed to rescue the Seven weeks since Boko Haram militants “But where that has shown a girls in exchange for Boko Haram prisoners abducted more than 200 girls taking exams they are held, can high degree of – a demand the group had made public – but at secondary school in the remote north- we go there with ruthlessness in that it was called off at the last minute. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. Photo: Reuters eastern village of Chibok, little is known of force? We can’t killing civilians. Nigeria accepted help from the United their whereabouts or what the military is kill our girls in the name of trying to get Since the girls were captured, accord- States, Britain, France and China last week doing to gain their freedom. them back.” ing to a Reuters count, at least 470 civilians and US troops have started arriving in neigh- “The good news for the parents of the Most officials think any raid to rescue have died violent deaths in various locations boring Chad to organize a mission to try to girls is that we know where they are, but them would be fraught with danger and at the hands of Boko Haram, which says it free the girls. – Reuters May 31 - June 6, 2014 PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 13 Nai Yang’s newest neighbor

The low-rise condominiums are to feature a modern and tropical style. Photos: Supplied The units will come fully furnished with appliances, LED television and air conditioning.

CHON BURI based property developers promising a serene and ing from 3.4 million baht. will be accessible only a short walk away. Porch Land Group have announced May peaceful atmosphere. Single bedroom units will Phuket has one of Asia’s most popular 31 as the official launch date of their initial Massa Luna’s architec- be 40 square meters while holiday home markets and is one of the Phuket project Massa Luna Condominium. ture will be in a modern two bedroom units will world’s most popular tourist destinations, In celebration of the launch, they have and tropical style that range from 66 to with steady annual growth. Porch Land organized the “Majestic Pearl Party” prom- brings out the unique 83.5sqm. Group has expanded its presence in Thai- ised to feature a meet-and-greet with beauty of Nai Yang beach, With construction land with this high-end condominium within popular Channel 3 personality Bomb Tanin, while the interiors will Massa Luna’s architec- slated for completion in the minimally developed northern beaches beautiful models and an overview and tour blend with the exterior and the third quarter of 2016, well-known for nature, peace and privacy. of the first completed unit as well as spe- using a luxurious natural ture‘ will be in a modern and all units will be ready to It is also a popular resort destination for both cial promotions on offer. heritage concept with each tropical style that brings out occupy coming fully Thai and foreign tourists being the home to With a portfolio of projects totaling more unit having reflections of the unique beauty of Nai furnished including appli- several famous five-star hotels and only three than 900 million baht, the Porch Land both the sun and moon. ances, LED television and kilometers away from Phuket International Group embarks on their latest venture with The seaside location Yang beach air conditioning. Airport. – Phuket Gazette a premier development fronting Nai Yang sprawls on more than Massa Luna’s facilities beach. The low-rise concept five-storey three rai of land in Thalang district and near will include’ large gardens, a saltwater swim- For more information, visit their website at: condos are located amongst natural sur- neighboring Sirinart National Park. It will fea- ming pool with chlorinator system, WiFi, massalunacondo.com, porchland.com, roundings with the tree-lined sea in front ture two five-storey buildings consisting of CCTV, and 24-hour security. A range of five- facebook/massalunaphuket, call 096-139 0005 and nestled within verdant green mountains 184 units in two unit types with prices start- star services including spas and restaurants ext. 7 or email: [email protected] Developers see Q1 inventory bump TWENTY listed residential baht in the first four months property firms have reported of the year,” he added. a combined inventory worth Quality Houses president 339.84 billion baht as of and CEO Rutt Phanijphand March 31, comprising said the company’s higher projects under development, inventory matched its 9 undeveloped land and ready- billion baht backlog of for-sale projects. homes undergoing con- The stock is worth 9.29 struction and set to be per cent more than their delivered to customers this inventory at the end of last year and next. year, and would take more “Our inventory has risen than three years to sell out if in line with demand growth,” no new projects were to be Houses, whose inventory of 42.02 he said. launched during the period. billion baht was up by 9.17 per Lalin Property CEO Chaiyan Meanwhile, residential demand in cent, and AP (Thailand) with 32.17 Chakarakul said the company’s the first quarter fell by 40 per cent. billion baht, 4.51 per cent higher. inventory as of end-March had According to their first-quar- Pruksa Real Estate president increased only 2.4 per cent from ter financial results, most listed and CEO Thongma Vijitphonpun the end-December level. developers saw their inventory said the rise in the company’s This is because the developer rise compared with the Decem- inventory was due to its expanded delayed the launch of new resi- ber 31 level. investment, after it had bought dential projects from the first to The average rise in value of land for developing 50 new the second quarters of this year. more than 9 per cent covers new projects set for launch this year, It plans to launch between six residential projects that have been while ready-for-sale stock was and eight projects worth 4 billion launched, land bought for residen- worth less than 1 billion baht. baht combined over the course tial development in the future, and “All of our inventory is in of the year. existing projects for sale. the construction phase, either for Lalin Property transferred Pruksa Real Estate and Sansiri infrastructure or the development homes to customers in line with posted the joint-highest inventory of residential projects for sale,” its business plan during the first value at 51.88 billion baht as of he said. quarter, generating revenue of March 31, up 6.57 per cent and “This ties in with the company’s 655.6 million baht in the process 13.72 per cent respectively from total backlog worth 38.02 billion – up 5 per cent from the same the end of last year. baht as of March 31, while period last year, he said. They were followed by Land & presales came in at 10.3 billion – The Nation 14 PHUKET GAZETTE PROPERTY May 31 - June 6, 2014 That 2006 feeling again longer was it simple end-users, but the investors had crashed the party and were snapping up any- thing that moved. Yes, it was a giant party back in 2006, one that ONE of my many guilty pleasures we may not be seeing again for a is the movie Top Gun. Just a very long time. whisper of the names Viper, Today as I sit in my office, Iceman or Goose brings back the with the grim prospect of no tele- memory and has me feeling like vision tonight, I have to ponder it’s 1986 all over again. It’s hard if we are indeed back in a cycle not to turn all Righteous Brothers or treading into the brave un- with a shout-out on “You’ve Lost known world of further That Lovin’ Feeling”. confusion. Politics in 2006 did As I write today, the day after not bring down Thailand’s prop- the coup, I have been getting all erty market, nor did nostalgic thinking it dissuade tourists what the big event in Today as I sit in in the long-term to 2006 brought to real my office, with the visit the Kingdom. estate and tourism in ‘ Over the past de- Phuket. While it grim prospect of no cade and a half the was only eight years television tonight, I game changers, as it ago, it seems more were, with the ex- like 18 or 800. have to ponder if ception of the Asian One thing I oddly we are indeed tsunami, were exter- remember is the back in a cycle or nal events. Going World Cup final from 9-11, SARS, to between Italy and treading into the the global financial France. The former, brave unknown debacle, Thailand of course, won in somehow has man- a penalty shoot- world of further aged to stay on the out and French confusion sunny side of the midfielder Zinedine street. Certainly Zidane was sent off ’ over the past six in disgrace after head-butting an op- months, one has to wonder how posing player. Little did we know long this can last, or what dam- at the time that Thai Prime age has been done. ‘Top Gun’ revitalizes memories of the past like the nostalgia induced by the latest coup. Photo: LCDR David Baranak Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was Looking back at the property headed for the sidelines in the fall peak and the swift trip down- In the succeeding years, as ideas when painting a precise buy property here because they of that year. On September 19th, hill, one of the most prolific Europe and the US imploded, portrait instead of a massive land- can. It’s not about the returns, while he was visiting New York, a killers of demand was the de- Phuket came alive with domes- scape. So where we sit today, or the fine print, but the lifestyle coup was staged and Thaksin mise of the pound sterling. This tic buyers, who became the gearing up for yet another World and the dream. This still holds joined Zidane on the bench. cut deep with an abrupt change flavor of the day. These days, Cup, we start to wonder is this true today, as Phuket remains an There was a lot of optimism in exchange rates and once that with a virtual glut of inland déjà vu, or just something bad object of desire for so many the in 2006, with only an inkling of came uncorked, Ireland came shoebox condos, the ominous we had for lunch. All things will world around, despite the good what lay ahead with Subprime, unglued and we all know what secondary market which pass, as did 2006 and as will 2014. and the downright bad that of- Ireland, Greece, Madoff and happened later. For Phuket, UK crushed the foreign sector a few A week ago, my travels had ten plagues life in paradise. Lehman’s. Here in Phuket, the property buyers and investors – years before could stifle the in- me in Niseko, where seasonality property market was hitting its be they expats from Hong Kong, dustry once again. and high development costs ham- Bill Barnett is the Managing Director peak, and there was an entirely Singapore or the US – were Broad brush strokes and gen- per property yields. But as one of C9Hotelworks and can be new face for property buyers. No critical to the sector’s rise. eralizations are not the best of person said to me, people still contacted through: c9hotelworks.com CBRE wins best real estate agency in Thailand award THE Thai branch of CBRE, an level in Australia, South Korea, American commercial real estate Taiwan, Vietnam and New Zealand, company, was the recipient of 11 and Highly Commended awards for national awards at the prestigious China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Asia Pacific Property Awards 2014 Philippines and Singapore. recently held in Kuala Lumpur, “Winning the Best Real Estate Malaysia. Agency, Best Property Consul- At the award ceremony, CBRE tancy Website and Best Property was named as the Best Real Estate Consultancy in Thailand is a testa- Agency in Thailand for the fifth Graphic: Wikirishiaacharya ment to our continuous success consecutive year, Best Property and our dedicated Thai team, and Consultancy Website in Thailand property consultancy. it is very gratifying to receive (cbre.co.th) for the fourth con- The global winner will be international recognition of our secutive year, Best Property revealed at an award ceremony in expertise and experience,” said Consultancy in Thailand for the Dubai at the end of this year. CBRE David Simister, CBRE Thailand’s second time and Best Property Thailand has previously won the chairman. Consultancy also for the second global awards for Best International The Asia Pacific Property Awards year running. Property Consultancy Marketing in are part of the well-established CBRE New Zealand, which was December 2013 for Park Ventures International Property Awards. named Best Property Consultancy in Bangkok and earlier for Best Judging is carried out through a in Asia-Pacific, will now compete International Commercial Real meticulous process involving a panel against other regional winners from Estate Agency Website. of more than 70 experts covering Europe, UK, Africa and the Ameri- CBRE regional offices won Best every aspect of the property cas to determine the world’s best Property Consultancy at the national industry. – Phuket Gazette May 31 - June 6, 2014 PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 15 CondosCondosCondos withwithwith aaa silversilversilver lininglininglining

Lai Thai’s retirement leases give the flexibility to stay several months a year in a 4-star hotel-style environment and rent it out when they are away to cover the cost of the lease.

By Mark Knowles it is 23 per cent. This ‘graying’ of But until recently, noted Mr special marketing plan we devel- when it is vacant. With just a 30 the population is creating addi- Reynolds, the major stumbling oped with Krabi Nakharin Hospital, per cent occupancy rate, the DEVELOPERS in Thailand are in- tional costs to society, but also block in attracting the “silver all those who take a condominium return is enough to pay for the creasingly eying the lucrative expat creating new opportunities.” market” was the lack of an in- through the retirement lease pro- cost of the lease for an entire year. retirement-living market, which is Mr Reynolds pointed to ternational hospital in the Krabi gram will also be entitled to a free “So these retirement leases of- set to be a rapid-growth area as Thailand’s ongoing popularity as area. That all changed when in health check-up and enrollment in fer an affordable way to live in members of the aging population a tourism destination for the February, the Krabi Nakharin the Silver VIP health plan at the 4-star luxury, with all the benefits in Western countries seek out a “silver market”, particularly International Hospital opened in hospital,” said Mr Reynolds of 24-hour security, living walk- tropical retirement lifestyle. The those from Scandinavian coun- Krabi, offering a high-quality of Those who take part in the ing distance to the beach and all Gazette recently spoke with the tries, due to factors such as health care that had previously retirement lease program also the restaurants and shops, and Managing Director of Krabi Con- climate, lower living cost, been lacking in the region. receive additional benefits, such as flexibility to rent out your condo sultants Co Ltd Robert C Reynolds friendly Thai hospitality and high- “So now we have decided to having all condominium fees and to provide income.” about new flexible leasing struc- quality and low-cost healthcare. offer retirement leases of five, 10, taxes paid by Lai Thai. In addi- tures for units in the company’s Lai “There is an opportunity to of- or 15 years at our Lai Thai Luxury tion, retirement lessees will have For more information: laithai- Thai Luxury Condominiums, fer services to these groups in Condominium development to the option to rent out their condo- resort.com or email info@laithai- which seek to capture this grow- terms of second homes or retire- those over the age of 50. With a minium units through the hotel resort.com ing market segment. ment homes. While a growing “I have been studying the mar- percentage of retirees will perma- ket for retirees, or senior citizens nently emigrate, many still like to for some time. Since there is such have the flexibility to go to their a broad definition of this market in home countries during the warm terms of age – over 50, over 60 weather periods and return to etc – we call it the ‘silver market’,” Thailand during the cold season,” said Mr Reynolds. he said. “The demographics of the Mr Reynolds said that a key aging populations are compelling factor in deciding to develop and quite well-known. With the a property aimed directly at lengthening of life expectancy, the retirement market was the lower birth rates in recent years many inquiries from retirees he and the aging of the post World received when his company was War Two baby boomers, the per- redeveloping the Lai Thai centage of the population over the Resort, which opened in 1996. age of 60 is growing dramatically “When we were redeveloping in many countries. the Lai Thai Resort into the Lai Under the retirement lease program all condominium fees and taxes are paid by Lai Thai. “Japan is the well-known ex- Thai Luxury Condominiums we ample with nearly 50 per cent of had several requests from retir- its population over the age of 50, ees who did not want to pay the and 33 per cent over the age of full price for a unit – but wanted 60. The Scandinavian countries to stay at least six months a year are not far behind, with Sweden’s in a safe, convenient location that over 60 group comprising 25 per offers all the services of a 4-star cent of the population, in Denmark hotel.”

An affordable way to live in 4-star luxury. Photos: Supplied 16 PHUKET GAZETTE OPINION May 31 - June 6, 2014 Make tourism a priority AS THIS edition goes to press, the nationwide curfew imposed by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has already done considerable harm to Thailand’s all-important tourism sector. Indeed, no province stands to suffer more than Phuket if in- ternational confidence in Thailand as a safe tourism destination deteriorates any further. Hence, the Gazette fully supports calls by tourism industry leaders [pages 6-7] for flexibility on curfews and other restrictions in important tourist destinations such as Phuket, where the likelihood of violent protests appears to be very limited. While the NCPO is reportedly already drafting a roadmap to bolster an economy stilted by years of political instability, here in Phuket we can only hope that the coup leaders place tourism as one of their top priorities. This will of course go hand-in-hand with restoring the country to some form of a functional democracy. Though a coup may appear a setback, especially to those unfa- miliar with modern Thai history, past events have shown that positive strides can be made under well-intentioned appointed gov- ernments such as the one headed by Anand Punyarachun in the 1990s. The current coup leaders have already taken one popular step in terms of agricultural policy by authorizing payouts to rice farm- Just revenge from mother nature ers contracted under the controversial rice pledging scheme. Re: Gazette online, Phuket bat- Better if we all knew That said, the coup leaders should remember the lessons of tered by coastal erosion, May 25 Black May in 1992. There could be no better warning about the I don’t think there is anything dangers of trying to parlay a “successful coup” into real adminis- in the world more fitting than the Re: Gazette online, Life savers: trative, political power. If it did not work then, it certainly will businesses of Surin Beach being Media connects victim’s family not work now in this new era of unprecedented political divisive- Do you have an opinion to voice? with Aussie heroes, May 27 damaged by nature. Email [email protected] ness powered, in large part, by social media. This is one The business owners there Everyone should know how to information component previous coup leaders could never have have plotted and deceived for the perform CPR. A lot of Aussies do, imagined having to deal with. The NCPO is aware of its power, privilege to “own” the sand, and Kudos for kamnan thankfully. Well done! but has a long way to go in mastering its use. this low season should be prepared Brian Willy Williams It is sad and somewhat embarrassing that Thailand’s tortuous Facebook to suffer the consequences. Re: Gazette online, Kamnan Winai journey to democracy seems to be written on an Etch A Sketch, We all know what is needed – with opposing forces each controlling one of the two knobs until fighting for a clean Karon, May 25 and that is a return to the natural Keep up the good work, Winai, Hotel insecurities the entire screen is filled, a complete mess has been created, and buffer zone that nature provides the only solution is a shake-up that just brings us back to where and may you always be protected in the form of a beach. Stop build- while doing the thing you love. Re: Gazette online, Phuket Po- we started. ing on it! Ling lice seek naughty Patong maid, Nevertheless, given the importance of the local tourism indus- Chob Gazette forum May 23 try, lack of danger in Phuket and power of social media, we should Gazette forum all get out the message that Phuket is still a safe destination. That’s scary. Now, you have to The potential for violence and danger remains, but for the most Hip hip hurray for treat your hotel room like a hostel part it exists mainly, like just about everything else in this highly PPAO should rethink room and use locks on suitcases. centralized nation, in Bangkok. lifeguard statistics electric company Bobby Garcia Facebook Re: Gazette online, Lifeguards Re: Gazette online, Snake causes back on Phuket beaches, ask blackout near Phuket Town, May 26 Don’t blame hospital PPAO to plan ahead, May 27 I live in Kuku and experienced According to Kata-Karon life- the snake-caused blackout the Re: Gazette online, Hospital pre- guard chief Uten Singsom, “When other night. I was totally impressed sents B100k compensation for we stopped work, one man died”. with how fast the electric company childbirth deaths, May 23 Something Mr Singsom forgot responded to our call. They ar- I noticed a lot of online com- to mention is that under the previ- rived in about five minutes. Yes, ments blaming the hospital for not ous contract, when they were fully we were without power for an giving Mr Numporn more in com- staffed, about 10 people died. hour, but they really got on the job pensation for the lives of his wife Now THAT is something that fast. Thanks guys! and son. But… is that the right needs to be considered by the Sis way to think? PPAO when cutting staff. Rassada The investigation is ongoing; Frenchman the hospital hasn’t been found at Gazette forum Officers? Where? fault yet. In my country, such a donation would never happen Take dangerous hills Re: Gazette online, Video Report: since it would be seen as an Phuket officials angered by ille- admission of guilt. in rain at your peril gal fishing at King’s Park, May I prefer this approach, it seems 26 more compassionate. Re: Gazette online, Tourist killed I visit this park regularly to Rachel in motorbike accident on Big Bud- exercise and have never seen a park Wichit dha Hill, May 21 officer patrolling. I run a varied This is exactly where I had a route for up to 2 hours. Good road news motorbike accident in 2009. I was The only time I see officers is wearing a helmet and my speed on my way into and out of the It looks like a new road divider was less than 20mph at the time park. They are usually sitting in is going in on Chao Fa East in as I had just started the descent. I groups close to the entrance. What Chalong – and are those street lights skidded in torrential rain and went is the fine for bringing your dog also being put in? over the edge. I sustained injuries, into the park? This is another rule It makes me happy to see any but I was extremely lucky. that the officers seem to be un- and every action taken to improve Volume 21 Issue 22 A tragic outcome in this case. aware of, or unwilling to enforce! road safety in Phuket. Richard Austin Another Steve Michelle Facebook Gazette forum Rawai May 31 - June 6, 2014 OPINION PHUKET GAZETTE 17 Turning others’ bad reputation to profit

Manop Pukpaya, 46, has been working as a Phuket taxi driver since 1997. He has a If I wanted to boogie down, I’d go to a nightclub. Photo: Leslie Porterfield THE bad reputation of taxi drivers certificate in sales marketing in Phuket actually helped my taxi business become successful. from Dusit Commercial It all started for me about three College Bangkok and for the Beach club blues years ago. I had been working as past three years has run his a driver for a tour company but own taxi service. I’VE heard it many times from decided to go out on my own be- long term Phuket expats – over cause I wanted to get more Here, he talks about how the the years the island has changed By Sarah Connor experience and manage everything bad reputation of taxi drivers in for the worse. But it doesn’t take by myself. Phuket and a good online decades to notice the decline. For Do you have an opinion to voice? I didn’t use the internet very review helped him expand his business, and discusses me it took just one year. Email [email protected] much at that time, but then I had a the attributes of a good taxi driver. Take what used to be my fa- customer named Ian Bishop, a vorite Phuket beach – Layan. A half anymore, it was a discotheque. teacher from Australia, who taught moon of sand on the border of a Trying to escape the noise, I me a lot about it. He liked my ser- The customers I get from them a good feeling when they ar- national park, edged by pine trees moved further north, away from vice, and when he went home, he online research the island before rive, so they’ll be impressed with providing protection from the my favorite shady spot in the pine posted a good review of me on they come. They tend to be Thailand. scorching sun, with just a couple tree forest. To no avail; even a few TripAdvisor. knowledgeable about Phuket and It’s not hard to be a good taxi of local coffee and ice cream ven- hundred meters away, the noise of In the first year after that, I want to learn more when they’re driver. You just need to take care dors, stunning sunsets and silence the club could still be heard, the didn’t see an increase in custom- here. They are usually calm and of your customers well. You need broken only by the crashing sound bass still reverberating in my gut. ers, but then more people posted patient, and I like working with to have a service mind, be respon- of waves, cicadas and laughter of And not that it’s the club’s fault, comments about them. sible, honest, trustworthy, friendly children. Then the construction but the beach around me was me, and in the When I hear and helpful. work began. filthy. Empty bottles, Styrofoam second year my …the main stories about bad Some taxi drivers who take It took a good couple of containers, plastic bags…the mo- customers went reason I get book- taxi drivers – the customers on day trips take them months of drilling, digging, ment I saw my one-and-a-half year up by about 70 ings is because ones who break to shops. I know they do it be- jackhammering and bulldozing to old daughter taking these for toys, per cent. Now the rules, cheat cause they get a commission from erect the beach club, an ugly block I had enough. I got up and went I’m booked solid people have heard their customers the shop, and I think this behav- of concrete on the very edge of back home, feeling I won’t return through to next bad things about or sexually ha- ior is selfish. What kind of the beach and the National Park. I to Layan for a long time. year. I get about rass them – I feel experience is that for the visitors? watched it grow in terror during Are there any quiet, family- 10 emails a day taxi drivers in so sad, because it They probably spent a long time my weekend visits to Layan, not friendly beaches left in Phuket? If asking for book- Phuket. They’re gives us all a bad planning their trip, and are really realizing that the noise generated there are, don’t mention it – some ings. I work scared and looking image. These looking forward to a fun holiday. by the building crew was just the greedy investor might overhear alone, and I’m so guys need to be They’re not going to be impressed beginning. you and come up with an idea of busy I have to for someone they really strongly if we take them to a shop. Phuket Last weekend I was back after building yet another beach club turn away cus- can trust. punished. has so many great places to visit a long break and noticed that where overdressed people sip tomers. All of us who – beaches, attractions, lovely na- something was different…and overpriced drinks separated form Maybe the deal with tourists ture – these are the things that wrong. The drills and hammers what used to be “the pearl of the main reason I get bookings is be- hold Phuket’s reputation in our tourists are going to enjoy. were gone, the sounds of nature Andaman sea” by a wall of bass cause people have heard bad hands, especially if we’re the ones I love my job. It gives me so that used to be Layan’s only lines and dance beats. While they things about taxi drivers in Phuket. the tourist meets first – the crew much, and allows me to help my soundtrack were still there but in are having all the fun in the world They’re scared and looking for on their airplane, immigration of- family. I’m really grateful to Mr the background I could hear a they should know that their someone they can trust who will ficials, taxi drivers. We help them Bishop for praising me online and deep bass line capable of making mojitos and margaritas come at a give them good service and not form their first impression of helping me establish a good repu- my internal organs shiver. At 5pm price much higher than the one on cheat them. Thailand. We all need to try to give tation. on Sunday, Layan wasn’t a beach the drink menu.

Not all work permits Somchai Morakotsriwan, of- ficer in the Legal Division of equal in the AEC the Department of Employ- Moo not moot at Immigration ment, replies: I am not a Singaporean citizen, but One purpose of the AEC is to This morning I went to the Immi- It is not a new rule that the ad- their property rent-free must re- I have a work permit to work in make it more convenient for gration Office to get a proof of dress has to be filled in completely. port to us. Once we receive the Singapore. When the Asean Eco- citizens of member countries to residence certificate and an officer I am not sure why you weren’t re- report, we’ll have the information nomic Community (AEC) comes work in other member countries, turned me away, saying the ad- quired to fill in the moo before. Our in our database, and when the into effect in 2015, will I be able and for employees to hire them. dress in my rental contract wasn’t rules state that the address must foreigner comes to request an ad- to use that work permit to work However, when the AEC be- complete because it didn’t include be 100 per cent complete. dress certificate, we can easily in Thailand? Or do I have to be a gins, the Alien Working Act BE my moo. I have gotten residence Anyone coming for a proof of confirm the information and print Singapore citizen? 2551 will still be in effect, which certificates before and the officers residence document should make the proof of residence certificate. Just wondering means that every non-Thai will never asked me to supply my moo. sure that the ad- Singapore need a Thai work permit in order In any case, I knew my moo dress they submit to work in Thailand. and told him, but the officer in- is exactly the same Yaowapa Pibulpol, Chief of sisted I had to change my rental as the address on Phuket Provincial Employment contract and formally correct the the house registra- Office, replies: address. My real estate agent is tion document Right now, a person who has a shocked, he has never experienced known as tabian work permit in a particular coun- this either. baan. This is the try can only work in that country. Is this a new rule, old rule or official, complete They can’t transfer the permit to just a strange officer? legal address. another country. Befuddled By law, anyone The Ministry of Labor has not Saphan Hin who rents prop- yet issued full details explaining erty to a foreigner how work permits will work once Lt Col Napat Nusen, Phuket or even has a for- The official address is the one on your tabian baan; the AEC begins. Immigration Officer, replies: eigner living in don’t forget the moo. Photo: Gazette file 18 PHUKET GAZETTE May 31 - June 6, 2014

20 PHUKET GAZETTE May 31 - June 6, 2014

Properties For Sale

LAND FOR SALE SEAVIEW LAND HOUSE POOL VILLA 330sq wah/1,320sqm. Quiet PATONG FOR SALE IN PHUKET TOWN FOR SALE / RENT area with unobstructed ce- 300sqm. 3.5 million baht. Close to Central Festival, 2.9 ment road access, electricity Email: gm@thenetworkpro million baht ono. Tel: 081-893 to the land, water well dug perty.com 7191 (Thai), 089-730 8566 and minutes to a beautiful (English). Email: meteve@ quiet beach. Land is already meteve-phuket.com filled and ready to build your BEACHFRONT dream home with plenty of VILLA RAWAI LANDS FOR SALE space for a pool and garden. 1.5 rai land, 50m from Bang 3.3 million baht only. Contact Tao Beach, good for hotel, Steven. Tel: 089-002 6465 near Amora Hotel. 2 rai land, (English & Thai). Email: strb Rawai, 800sqm land, Soi Pasak, good for housing, [email protected] fully furnished, 3 bed- subdivided land sale avail- rooms, 3 bathrooms. able. Tel: 076-340559, 081- Price: 15 million baht. LAND FOR SALE 937 8152. Contact Nisa. Tel: 089- Back of Loch Palm, 510sqm, 674 4898. part of a small gated commu- SEAVIEW CONDO nity of 2 villas, next to small 800sqm, 3-4 bedrooms, PATONG TOWER lake. Chanote title and, if in- 2 living rooms, private 1 bedroom, lounge, kitchen, GREAT PRICE terested, complete house beach, from 35 million and dining area, balcony, GREAT LOCATION plans provided for free. 6 mil- baht. Sale: 29.9 million best location to beach and all 628sqm plot, 3 rooms, pri- lion baht, negotiable. Tel: baht. Email: gm@thenet amenities, foreign freehold, vate pool. 17 million baht. Tel: 087-266 4583 (English), 082- workproperty.com 6th floor, 6.9 million baht. Tel: 087-465 8883 (English & 440 6884 (Thai). Email: chris 089-290 8939. Thai). Email: mindproper tophe.centlivres@boncafe. [email protected], www.mind co.th properties.net/Great_Value 4 RAI, THAI CO., HOUSE, 18MB TOWNHOUSE _Family_Home_PKEV008- CHERNG TALAY AREA 3 BEDROOMS Property.htm 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, FOR SALE / RENT LAND WITH SEA VIEW 2 bedrooms, 1 office and 2.5 walk to Layan Beach. Next to SEA VIEW FOR SALE bathrooms, the last house, National Park. Infrastructure 1 bedroom apartment at 200sqm with a beautiful one side and large pasture for villa development. Tel: 084- Eden Resort Karon. Only 15 view. Located on 50 Pee CHARMING and scenic mountain view in 842 4581. Email: 4581Sell apartments in complex. Fully Road, Patong. 4.9 million 4-BEDROOM rear, very quiet, a pool across @gmail.com furnished, gym and 20x5m baht. Tel: 098-386 6408 (En- HOUSE the street available for small swimming pool. Please call glish), 087-268 2396 (Thai). fee, furnished. Tel: 086- 470 087-882 9604. Email: artlpmj Email: jasonsfriday6@gmail. 5809 (English & Thai). Email: 2-STOREY HOUSE @yahoo.com com [email protected] Close to the Heroines' Monu- ment. 3 bedrooms, 3 bath- rooms. Email: Pktthai1@ Patong, 180sqm, gated OCEANFRONT gmail.com FOR SALE estate, fully furnished, near beach. 4.3 million 6.5 rai, waterfront. Chanote baht negotiable. Email: title. Email: Pktthai1@gmail. NEW SEAVIEW gm@thenetworkproper com Ban Ploen Chan 2, Pa FREEHOLD CONDO ty.com Khlok (4km from Hero- Brand-new freehold con- ines' Monument). 3.9 ZCAPE CONDOS dos from 2.3 million FOR SALE million baht. 420sqm baht, includes furniture, SPECIAL SALE! (105sq wah), 2 teak shel- Freehold. One studio and a plus seaview condos, 3.5 LUXURY APARTMENT ves, 3 aircons, 8 ceiling one-bedroom. Furnished, million baht. Tel: 080-124 KATA BEACH fans. Tel: 081-892 2419. ready to move in. Tel: 081- 1245. Email: kay@phu 370 7953 (English & Thai). 2 really big bedrooms, big Email: linphuket@gmail. ketandamanrealestate. kitchen and living room, com Email: Sudaskylinephuket com @gmail.com 135sqm, includes furniture, in the center of Kata, sea level, close to shops, in a charming property with pool, sauna, parking etc. Market Classified Advertisements price (10.5 million baht). Now 7.5 million baht. Please call Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. 081-788 8280 or email: mau Then hand it to any of our agents. [email protected]

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|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 140 baht, with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. All advertising must be paid for in advance. Deadline for Property Gazette page: Friday 3 pm. Deadline for all other ads: Saturday 12 noon. May 31 - June 6, 2014 PHUKET GAZETTE 21

Properties For Sale

LUXURY APARTMENT NICE HOUSE 3-BED DUPLEX HOUSE 3-BEDROOM FAMILY KATA BEACH LAND PLOTS CHALONG 2.39MB TOWNHOUSE HOUSE SPECIAL SALE! 3.1 MILLION BAHT 400sqm, furnished, 3 bed- Great value, 3-bed duplex PHUKET TOWN In mature development with 1 bedroom, 60sqm, includes rooms, 2 bathrooms. Euro- house near Laguna. Open FOR SALE / RENT large swimming pool. Secure furniture, in the center of pean kitchen, 4 aircons, plan kitchen, living and dining location in quiet Soi, with Kata, sea level, close to swimming pool. Sale: 4.9 room. Tel: 087-193 7825 (En- CCTV & electric gate. Large shops, in a charming prop- million baht. Tel: 082-809 glish & Thai). Email: jasmeek patios on ground & first floor, erty with pool, sauna, parking 2873 (English & Thai). [email protected] large tile-covered areas out- etc. Market price (4.1 million side, shade awning. All ser- baht). Now 2.6 million baht. LAND FOR SALE BEAUTIFULLY vices, full Chanote title. Tel: Please call 081-788 8280or LOCH PALM FURNISHED CONDO 081-956 0226 (English). email: maurice.phuket@ 6+ rai overlooking Loch Palm Attractively furnished, fully Email: cantaneze@hotmail. gmail.com com 2 plots, each 1,100sqm golf course with stunning equipped, 4th floor, 37sqm, in a development with mountain views for sale. For 1-bed condo in the Royal underground electricity more information, please call Place. Tel: 081-828 0615 In Supalai City Hill es- 2-STOREY 089-839 8255. Email: info@ (English & Thai). Email: dom PANORAMIC SEA RESIDENCE and security for sale. tate. Very quiet, safe, VIEW HIGH END lantaestate.net [email protected] convenient. 3 years old, Conveniently located, Brand-new, luxurious, Well situated 2-floor 2 storeys, furnished, 3 only 10 mins from airport, high-end private pool villa townhouse with 2 bed- bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, PIA International School, ONE SALE - 3 LUXURY with spectacular views. rooms, 3 bathrooms, LAND FOR SALE WiFi, decorated, shady Nai Yang Beach, Ao Po APTS. KATA BEACH Prices start from 19 mil- large lounge, kitchen garden, well-maintained Marina and shopping 1) 2 really big bedrooms, big lion baht. Over 500sqm and carport on 104sqm by original owner. For center. Ready to build, kitchen and living room, internal living space. land. Well maintained sale: 2.8 million baht ono. 3.1 million baht per plot. 135sqm. Only two left. Tel: 080- and ready for immediate Please call 089-874 00 Tel: 081-343 0777. 2) 1 bedroom, 60 sqm. 124 1245. Email: kay@ occupancy in a safe resi- 61. Email: stephenfein@ 3) 1 bedroom, 58sqm. phuketandamanreales dential estate. Priced to gmail.com sell at 2.95 million baht. Total of 253sqm in the center tate.com Tel: 081-970 3526 (En- KARON SEAVIEW LAND of Kata, sea level, close to glish), 081-676 2629 (En- 300m to beach, yellow zone, shops, in a charming prop- glish & Thai). Email: pe for 7-storey condo, 25 million erty with pool, sauna, parking KARON BEACH CONDO 500,000 BAHT tersoffshore@hotmail. baht. Tel: 081-415 4555 (En- etc. Total market price (18.4 Khok Kloy. 8.5 rai land, Oceanfront, 2 bedrooms, 2 KAMALA LEASEHOLD com glish). Email: mail1950@free million baht). Now 13.4 mil- Chanote title. 2km from bathrooms, 167sqm, one Hotel room, 30sqm, com- net.de lion baht. Please call 081-788 Sarasin Bridge. 1km from minute walk to beach. 14.5 plex has 2 pools and jacuzzi. 8280 or email: maurice. Beach. Road access and million baht. Lease with op- Tel: 084-716 0502. [email protected] power supply. Recently tion? Rent? Please call 090- measured by government. 008 503, +10-40 6728 1124. Only 850,000 baht per rai. Email: [email protected] AO PO LAND Please contact Paew: 089- NEXT TO LOCH PALM SEAVIEW LAND 972 5378. Tin: 089-288 BARGAIN 3-BEDROOM Land on main road next to 4537 (English&Thai). 1.5 rai. Constructed ac- Loch Palm golf course. SEAVIEW CONDO cess road. Chanote. Ready to build, Chanote, 3-bedroom seaview, 164 300m from Grand Marina. sqm, foreign freehold, condo 10 million baht. Please perfect for commercial or ZCAPE residential development. for sale in Panwa. Only 6 call 082-277 5971. 1-BEDROOM CONDO million baht! Tel: 090-165 Tel: 081-956 3166. Email: LAGUNA [email protected] 8266. Email: nuno@phuket Brand-new, semi-furnished, rentalproperties.com two 1-bedroom condos (27.7 OCEANFRONT LAND sqm & 29.41sqm), adjacent 175+ RAI LAND & HOUSE units on 6th floor in Zcape Large 175+ rai plot of land FOR SALE GRAND BOAT development, ready now. PLAZA with 1,351 meters of direct Location: Phanom Dis- Near Laguna, Boat Avenue ocean frontage along the trict, Surat Thani, near and beaches. Thai or foreign Andaman Sea. Private white Khao Sok National Park. ownership ok. Both priced at sand beach of 170 meters, - Land: 120 rai + rubber under 2 million baht. For full majestic views across plantation, 8 years old. 6 more information, please call Phang Nga Bay. Suitable million baht. 085-235 1532 (English & for exclusive residential Thai). Email: thanasak.nk project; marina with resi- @gmail.com dence and/or office; resort and residence. 8 million baht UNDER MARKET PRICE per rai. Tel: 076-620124, 082 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Single house, 3 bed- -273 7880 (English). Email: Land & Houses Park, Cha- rooms, 51sq wah, for [email protected] long. For photo please email: sale in Samkong. Near PRIVATE POOL VILLA POOL VILLA NAI HARN [email protected] BIS and Central Festival. OCEAN VIEW CONDO BANG TAO 6.4 MB Price: 5 million baht. Tel: Eighth (top) floor, ocean view, 086-908 2819. Private 1-bedroom pool villa Amazing value for money! 2- 30sqm, fully furnished, 5- for sale in top condition with bedroom pool villa with gar- - House: 1-rai area, fur- CHEAP LAND & minute walk to beach, 2- a large roof top sala. Only den in secured estate, Nai nished, 2 bedrooms, 2 HOUSE FOR SALE minute drive to airport. Cash 800m to the Beach. Price: Harn. 6.4 million baht. Must aircons. 1.9 million baht. sale at 2.79 million baht. 9.5 million baht. Please call see. No agents. Tel: 093-579 Please call 081-667 RAWAI 4-BEDROOM Please call 090-160 0603. 081-606 5604 (English & 8503 (English). 1637, 082-539 6433. POOL VILLA Email: No1phuket@gmail. Thai). Email: info@phuketse 715sqm house and 1 com renityvillas.com, www.phuket bungalow. 4 bedrooms, serenityvillas.com/salede SEAVIEW CONDO LAND IN SOI SALIGA 330sqm, fully furnished, tails.php?nom=RB001 RAWAI RAWAI 12m salt water pool. LUXURY POOL VILLA 850sqm land for sale in this 12.9 million baht. Tel: popular upmarket Soi. Close 080-885 0442 (English), UK HOUSE Land of 35 rai and a to international primary 080-912 8853 (Thai). PROPERTY SWAP house with aircon, 2 school. Full Chanote and Email: gerard.saintaubin Permanent exchange offered bedrooms, 2 bathrooms house registration, electri- @gmail.com of very spacious extended and kitchen at Tambon city and water supply. Price: detached 4 bedrooms, 2.5 Bornok, Prachuap Khiri 5.5 million baht. Tel: 081-833 bathrooms, garage, 3 recep- Khan, 20km from Pra- 7836. Email: silomdon@ tion rooms, etc. mortgage chuap Khiri Khan Town. LUXURY VILLA gmail.com free, situated in UK, to swap The land is 1.3km from Just 3 minutes from BIS, Within unique develop- for suitable property in good 6.5 million baht, freehold, Petchkasem Road. 900sqm land, 350sqm build- ment. 8.7 million baht. secure location in Phuket. 120sqm, 2 bedrooms, 2 MAI KHAO LAND Price is only 10 million ing, 3 bedrooms + maid For more information, Will also consider apart- bathrooms. Tel: 090-408 FOR SALE baht. Nor Sor 3 title room, 4 bathrooms, studio, please call 081-077 17 ments. Please call 080-046 3800. Email: adrian_troy 7 rai, 17 million baht. For deed. Please call 086- 14x4m swimming pool, fish 65. Email: phuketforma 2845. Email: Lynne.Morze @yahoo.com more information, please call 615 9719. ponds. 15 million baht. Con- [email protected] [email protected] 081-892 7082. tact Alex. Tel: 089-651 3250. 22 PHUKET GAZETTE May 31 - June 6, 2014

Properties For Rent

BIG LUXURY WALK TO KATA BEACH B.L. APARTMENT CHALONG HOUSE 5-BEDROOM HOUSE 1-BEDROOM Custom 2-bedroom, 3-bath- PATONG TOWER At Kathu, 1 bedroom, 1 living FOR RENT Rawai, seaview, located in CONDOMINIUM room house, just 500m to BEAUTIFUL CONDO room, aircon, cable TV, hot front of Rawai Beach. Rent: the beach, furnished. 25,000 shower, ADSL, swimming 120,000 baht per month. Tel: baht per month; 20,000 baht pool, garden and car park. 087-620 8420. for long term. Tel: 081-472 Rent: 7,000 baht per month. 1010 (English & Thai). Email: For more information, please DELUXE BEACHFRONT [email protected] call 081-692 3163. CONDOS 2 bedrooms, also 1 bed- KATA HILL room, kitchen, lounge. The SINGLE HOUSE FULLY FURNISHED Point near Central Festival, Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, Beautiful Patong Tower HOUSE Fully furnished, 2 bed- many facilities. Tel: 081-892 Fully furnished, close to 2 bathrooms, living room, beach condo with stun- 1-3 bedrooms, Chalong rooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 0038. Rawai Beach. Yearly kitchen, 3BB , cable TV. For ning 280-degree pan- area. Start from 10,000 aircons. Tel: 087-266 71 rate: 29,000 baht per rent: 16,000 baht per month. oramic views of the baht per month. Tel: 081- 91. BEACH HOUSES month. For more infor- Tel: 081-606 2827 (English & ocean, town and moun- 892 4311. For further de- CHALONG mation, please call 081- Thai). Email: nij017@hot tains. Large outdoor pa- tails, please see our Fully furnished, 3-bedroom 979 0090. Email: reallife mail.com tio and wrap-around bal- website at http://palai HOUSE & POOL houses, from 12,000 baht per [email protected] cony. Completely reno- green.weebly.com 14,000 BAHT / MONTH month, pool, cable TV, WiFi. 7,000 BAHT vated, internet and wash- Furnished, aircon, WiFi, Tel: 089-470 6104. www. PER MONTH ing machine. Available cable TV, swimming pool. houserentalsphuket.com HOUSE FOR RENT 1-bedroom house, furnished, now. Email: patongtow LUXURY APARTMENT Long term only. For more in- NEAR BIS WiFi + cable TV, quiet area. [email protected], @ PATONG formation, please call 089- Architect-designed house. For more information, please www.PatongTowerRen Fully furnished, daily and 475 1200. Email: info@wel FOR RENT 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, call 081-892 4311, http:// tal.com monthly. For more informa- come-inn.com, http://wel RAWAI / NAI HARN big land and garden. Fur- panwagreen.weebly.com tion, please call 081-892 comeinn-phuket.com nished, aircon, kitchen. Long 5983 (English & Thai), 081- term at 22,000 baht per PATONG 894 4730 (English & Thai). month. Tel: 081-803 1560 NICE APARTMENT Fax: 076-292149. Email: URGENT: KARON (English & Thai). Email: Mid-Patong, very nice large nanaivillaphuket@gmail. HOUSE RENTAL [email protected] furnished 1 bedroom, kit- com, www.nanaivilla.com chen, light and airy apart- ment. Tel: 086-276 7608. ORCHID KATHU NEW CONDO HEIGHTS RAWAI 1 BEDROOM FOR RENT Serviced apartment, stu- Luxury designed condo, dio. 1 / 2 bedroom(s), 1 / close to shops and sea. 2 bathroom(s), rooftop, 14,000 baht per month. Tel: pool, free WiFi. Tel: 076- 087-620 8420. 203208, 081-892 0038. www.orchidkathuheigh Vassana Residence and ts-phuket.com 1-BED BUNGALOW Palm Breeze Resort. Quiet location, Rawai, aircon, Low season prices start- WiFi, kitchen, fully furnished. ing at 30,000 baht per 9,000 baht per month. Tel: month for long-term rent. 081-271 7092. Email: brico Short or long-term rent at Sea view rooftop deck NAI HARN HOUSE [email protected] Kathu, fully furnished, and bar over looking the 2KM BEACH swimming pool, fitness, Andaman Sea. 2 bed- 2-bedroom house for rent quiet and secure. For rooms, 2 bathrooms. with aircon. Quiet Soi, 3-BEDROOM more information, please 3 bedrooms, 3 bath- LCD TV in every room, walk to the beach. Ame- HOUSE FOR RENT call 081-607 8567. Email: rooms. Yearly rate: washing machine in ev- rican owned. For more [email protected] 25,000 baht per month. ery apartment, swim- information, please call Located between Tesco Web: www.phuket-con Please call 081-878 ming pool. 160sqm in +1 048 0286 3866 (En- Lotus & Bangkok Phuket do.net 2199, 081-396 0880. size, free WiFi. Tel: 087- glish), +1 062 3217 8117 Hospital, opposite Club Email: sumonmarn@ 882 9604. Email: artlpmj (English & Thai). Email: House Pool. Please call phuketreallife.com @yahoo.com [email protected] 081-892 4311. For further details, please see our HOUSE FOR RENT RAWAI BEACH CONDO website at http://sites. Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, One bedroom, great views, google.com/site/phuket 3 bathrooms, 3 aircons. 8,500 baht per month. Tel: villasamkong 30,000 baht per month. Tel: 086-057 7714. 087-266 7191. May 31 - June 6, 2014 PHUKET GAZETTE 23

Property Property Accommodation Holiday Homes & Services Services Available Villa Rentals Wanted HOME RENOVATION DELUXE BEACHFRONT RENT PATONG-ROOMS LUXURY APARTMENT PHUKET TOO BUSY? We provide services: home CONDOS AT 9,000 BAHT @ PATONG Try our hideaway villa with pool, and pool renovation, sauna ELECTRICIAN 2 bedrooms, also 1 bedroom, Or apartment with pool: 15,000 Special rate. Daily, 2 weeks and housekeeping and WiFi. Only and steam room construc- kitchen, lounge. The Point baht. Tel: 089-728 4005. Email: 40 mins to the airport and 10 Electrician needed to monthly. Tel: 081-894 4730 (En- tion. Tel: 084-191 1288. For near Central Festival, many [email protected] glish & Thai), 081-892 5983 (Thai). mins to the beach. Tel: +31-62- further details, please see check and determine prop- facilities. Tel: 081-892 0038. 059 8315 (English). Email: info erty power, need to install Fax : 076-292149. Email: nanai our website at www.home THE NCHANTRA [email protected] @erwinhammingschott.com renovationphuket.com generator and hook up. KATA NEW SEA VIEW POOL SUITE Tel: 087-884 8972. APARTMENT 1-3 bedroom private pool 2-BED PRIVATE PROPERTY, VILLA New 1 and 2-bedroom apart- suites for sale and rent. Tel: FREEHOLD POOL POOL VILLA MANAGEMENT ments. Long and short terms. 076-510011, 081-979 7306 VILLA Close to Nai Harn and Rawai Experienced hoteliers / prop- Property Sea view, huge balcony, TV Fax: 076- 614101. Email: Freehold pool villa. From 1.1 Beaches. Fully furnished. Avail- erty managers offer pre-opening, Wanted panels, WiFi, free parking. Sea [email protected] million baht 800m from Nai able immediately for 1-3 months management and rental ser- view, pools, gym, expensive fur- Harn Beach. Tel: 080-124 rental - 45,000 baht per month. vices of resorts, villas, apart- niture in side. Email: osa.com@ PRIVATE POOL VILLA 1245. Email: kay@phuket Tel: 081-970 1712. Email: ments & estate management INVESTMENT me.com The best choice for liv- 3-bedroom private pool villa lo- andamanrealestate.com coconutparadisevillas@gmail. including juristic persons. PROPERTY ing! For further details, please cated minutes from the famed com www.coconutparadise. Email: [email protected] Wanted in Phuket, Phang Nga see our website at http:// Laguna area. Tel: 084-842 2262 asia/coral-island-villa.html or Khao Lak areas, cash buyer. cooolrent.com (English & Thai). Email: lita.hine 5 MINS TO PIA & Tel: 087-278 5037. Email: peter @hotmail.com CONSTRUCTION [email protected] SEA VIEW 3-BED VILLA, NAI YANG Household SERVICES PATONG LUXURY 2-BEDROOM 3 beds, 2 baths, Western Help All types of construction OFFICE / RETAIL Luxury villa of character w/ CONDO kitchen, indoor utility / stor- undertaken, by our own SPACE WANTED Patong sea view. Estate pool, Beachfront, full furnishing- age room, lounge, dining workforce, under western private and secure. 60,000 area, 5 aircons, covered ter- MAID FOR VILLA Office / Retail space wanted amenities, 2 bathrooms, Maid wanted for private villa at management. Contact us for baht per week; 200,000 per race, covered car port, small asap. Approx 20sqm. In Ka- kitchen, pool, WiFi, new. Surin Beach. Window cleaning more details and a free quo- month; 1 million baht per year garden, 120sqm. Internet TV mala / Surin area. Tel: 082- 50,000 baht per month. Long and general duties. Training tation. Competitive prices. – plus utilities, service extra. and quality furniture through- 521 7745 (English). Email: term negotiable. Tel: 081-895 provided by villa housekeeper. Tel: 085-576 6812 (English), Minimum deposit of 20,000 out. 25,000 baht per month [email protected] 7908 (English & Thai). Email: Some basic English neces- 089-166 8090 (Thai). Email: baht. Tel: 086-587 0196 (En- for 1 year. Available mid- [email protected] sary. 10,000 baht a month. ajb@thaiworldconstruc VILLA / GUESTHOUSE / glish & Thai). Email: natawa May. Tel: 076-621038, 084- 192 5149 (English). Email: Contact Khun Maew. Tel: 087- tion.com, www.thaiworldcon HOTEL WANTED [email protected] 2-BEDROOM HOUSE struction.com [email protected] 891 1385. Email: sonyaklapko For purchase or rent long term: CHALONG @yahoo.com 15-40 rooms, no more than a 30- DISCOUNTS ON Newly painted 4-year-old PDS PHUKET DRAIN minute drive from Patong. Must SERVICED APTS house, 2 minutes from Chalong SPECIALIST be in a quiet location and have a Circle, 5 minutes from Tesco Household At Phuket drain specialists, we sea view from at least 30% of the Lotus, great location, quiet and Items can guarantee that you will re- rooms. Tel: +41-79-289 1259. secure estate. 13,000 baht per ceive a quick and efficient service Email: hotel.phuket.wanted month. Contact Pha. Tel: 076- for everything from blocked drains @gmail.com 384567, 093-165 1642 (English to drain repairs to pipe replace- & Thai). Email: michaelhiggin ment. Our team of highly qualified APARTMENT / HOUSE [email protected] NEEDED staff have a wealth of experience Our serviced studio and in dealing with blocked drains. Our customers need urgently two-bed apartments are NEW MODERN TOWN We operate a 24hr emergency apartment rentals up to 25,000 now available at dis- HOUSE service and ensure a quick re- baht per month, and house rent- counted rates! Great loca- New, fully furnished town sponse time. when you have a als up to 40,000 baht per tion near the Big Buddha, houses (completed in 2013) blocked drain, you know who to month. For long and short- pool, aircon, furnished. Tel: for rent. 3 bedrooms, water call. Phuket drain specialists. we term contracts. Only Kata, 086-282 6221 (English), heater, 2 aircons, built-in guarantee we will beat any quote. Karon, Rawai, Nai Harn, 082-804 0518 (Thai). Email: kitchen, WiFi, etc. 25,000 Tel: 081-090 9516 (English), 085- Chalong. Tel: 082-420 7052. info@chalongapartment. baht per month. Tel: 085-055 224 6685(Thai). Email: kjoshea Please call or visit our website com 9576. Email: intira.boonsith@ @hotmail.co.uk at www.stayonphuket.com gmail.com

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

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Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 140 baht, with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. All advertising must be paid for in advance. Looking for land to buy? Deadline for Property Gazette page: Friday 3 pm. See more classified ads at www.phuketgazette.net Deadline for all other ads: Saturday 12 noon. 24 PHUKET GAZETTE May 31 - June 6, 2014

THAI STAFFS WANTED FEMALE STAFF FOR IT PROFESSIONAL HANDYMEN To work in a hotel: 1) Front Recep- TAO MASSAGE WANTED Needed for house and boat tion, full time. 2) Cook, part time Tao massage therapy center, pre- Must be familiar with N / W, work. Location is Boat Lagoon, only. 3) Groundkeeper, daily vious experience in massage pre- Windows, Mac OS, Google Phuket. Please contact me cleaning of pool, garden and ferred or training for happy caring Glass, Oculus Rift VR, and with a brief description of your walkways. Tel: 076-345251, 081- people. Tel: 094-652 2029. Contact passionate about new inven- skills and your phone number. 968 5963 (English). Email: Dave. Email: kay.dave47@gmail. tions. Tel: 083-779 1139. Email: Email: boatcrewwanted@g [email protected] com [email protected] mail.com

BUILDING MANAGER SOCIAL MEDIA TO NEED A MAID @BANGTAO HELP DOGS! COOK / CHEF Family is looking for maid in Bachelor's degree, excellent in Soi Dog Foundation seeks a Cook wanted in a small Ban Bang Tao. Salary: 20,000 baht. both written and spoken En- Social Media Officer to lead our Moon noodle bar, to cook Tel: 089-729 9009. glish, strong analytical and prob- Facebook page and create and basic Thai and European lem-solving skills. Tel: 076- publish content. Excellent cre- food. Room available as part 238299. Email: Thomrath. ative writing, strong video and of wages. Tel: 083-690 7014 FINANCE [email protected] photo skills, and empathy for (English). Please call or MANAGER email micknppr@hotmail. animals required. Tel: 087-263 ISS Facility Services require SALES MANAGER 0827, 081-788 4222 (English & com For designer ladies fashion a qualified accountant to Thai). Email: gregg@soi dog.org manage finances of four boutique in Surin. Good sal- Learn more at www.SoiDog.org YACHT STEWARDESS ary plus commissions, must SouthernThail branches. Thai national, 2 females, good Preferred applicants are speak English. Tel: 085-153 RECEPTIONIST 1403. English, salary+ tips. Tel: 087-384 Thai, have a minimum of 3 WANTED 2743(Thai). Email: info@yacht- years experience in ac- OFFICE ASSISTANT For small guesthouse near the charter-thailand.com counting / financial report- Well established property beach in Patong. Good salary ing, and have a very good agency is looking for an Office and benefits. Some spoken RUSSIAN SALES REP. understanding of Excel and Assistant. Very good computer and written English and com- WANTED accounting software prin- puter skills prefered.contact Russian lady sales needed for ciples. Occasional domes- PHP PROGRAMMER knowledge and Microsoft Office PROPERTY Seeking a PHP programmer is a must. Very good knowledge John. Tel: 092-069 7408. Email: real estate. Highest commission tic travel will be required for [email protected] in Phuket. Located on Patong training and auditing. Tel: MARKETING with experience in Code Ig- of English in writing and speak- MANAGER niter for a long-term project. ing is essential! Basic account- Beach, Phuket. Tel: 081-968 081-958 6879. Email: scott. EARN 30,000-120,000 5963 (English). Email: c@bay [email protected] Phuket's leading real es- Tel: 094-316 6005 (English & ing knowledge and good com- tate agency is now recruit- Thai). Email: john@jpdigi munication skills are required. BAHT/MONTH shoreprojects.com Cruise ship staff needed. Work ing a Marketing Manager taltech.com Must be able to work indepen- GUEST SERVICES (foreign national) to over- dently and start work almost 3-7 month shift. All expenses FOOD AND BEVERAGE THAI RECEPTIONIST paid. Must speak English. Tel: MANAGER At Escape Hunt Phuket, Kathu, see our marketing venues immediately. Thai national only. and operations. You will be NEEDED Please reply with CV and recent 093-728 1003 (English). Send New 4-star hotel in Malaysia 5 days per week. Tel: 082-789 Small Tree House Resort in resume / photo to jobs@sea looking for young and energetic 9620. Apply and inquire to coordinating the marketing photo. Tel: 087-882 2856 (En- staff in terms of schedules, Khao Sok (Surat Thani) is looking glish). Email: luc@phuket-tropi staffing.com expat to run the food and bever- phuket@escape hunt.com for 2 receptionists (Thai only) with age department. Previous expe- motivation and making cal-realestate.com sure the production is at its proper English skills. Salary from RAW FOOD CHEF rience in similar position not re- PROJECT SECRETARY 10,000 to 15,000 baht depend- WANTED quired but this position requires peak. You need to have PR & MARKETING (THAI) WANTED major experience in Mar- ing on experience, accommoda- The View Condominium. Thai national: raw food chef, good a strong kitchen background. At least 3 years experience in the tion, 3 meals a day and social Email: [email protected] keting and know your way - Female, 20-35 years. salary + benefits! Tel: 081-270 construction industry. Able to around Phuket. Tel: 076- security are free of charge pro- 9772. Email: liam@phuketfit. - To promote the property with speak, write and read English and 341045, 081-459 0152 vided by the resort. Tel: 081-273 com PERSONAL ASSISTANT prospective customers at our Thai. Full understanding of (English). Please send 8324 (Thai). Please send an booth A private family is looking for a Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook your CV with recent picture email to khaosok.hotels@gmail. ADMIN HOTEL WANTED personal assistant to be lo- and Word). Salary based on ex- com For further details, please - Coordinate with recruiters to info@phuket-condos- Experience needed in Microsoft cated in Bang Jo, Phuket, full perience, excellent benefits. Send homes.com see our website at www.khao - Collaborate with team Excel and Word. Daily record on time, start as soon as possible. your CV to [email protected] sok-hotels.com - Language: English and Rus- cash income, stocks, timecards, Must be fluent in Thai & English sian or English and Chinese. and booking vouchers. Good educated, love animals, be flex- Tel: 086-439 9996, 081-666 comments in English writing and ible with work hours, be a fast 6622. Email: sales@theview speaking working under GM. Tel: and motive worker. Attractive phuket.com, info@theview 081-968 5963 (English). Email: salary offered, please email CV phuket.com [email protected] to [email protected]

Gazette Online Classifieds – 10,000 readers every day! May 31 - June 6, 2014 PHUKET GAZETTE 25

ENGLISH-SPEAKING GUIDES PROPERTY SALES Phi Phi Island. We are looking for MANAGER YOGA TEACHER RESORT STAFF BANDS NEEDED 2 English-speaking guides for our We are now looking for WANTED WANTED Slippery Club needs bands that OFFICE ASSISTANT overnight boat tour which leaves an experienced Sales Qualified yoga instructor to teach Urgently: night reception, house- can play danceable songs. Siam Real Estate requires from Phi Phi Don. The job is to en- Manager to operate our at PhuketFit Resort. Please ap- keeping, restaurant and kitchen Details negotiable. Tel: 089-873 a Thai office assistant with tertain and keep our customers office in our condo- ply with resume and qualifica- staff. Tel: 076-613903, 089-723 1867(English & Thai) .Email: English and computer safe. If you look after our custom- minium development. tions. Tel: 081-270 9772. Email: 1128 (Thai), 085-227 8864. [email protected] skills, based in Rawai. ers well, we will look after you. You will handle all agen- [email protected] Email: [email protected] Must be organised and have Contact Siripan. Tel: 087-382 cies on the island and AD SALES good communication skills. 9163. make sure our project LOOKING FOR JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT REPRESENTATIVE Tel: 076-288908. Send CV reaches its goals and MANAGER NEEDED We are currently seeking to dew@siamrealestate. targets in selling our AT WAKE PARK To assist with the accounting trusted, fluent in English, profes- com PERSONAL available units. Multilin- Aged 25 years or older, perma- tasks, including accounts re- sional candidates for the position ASSISTANT gual is a plus and expe- nent resident of Phuket, Rus- ceivable. Good spoken / written of advertising sales representative WANTED rience in the Phuket sian speaking with excellent English and pleasant personality in Phuket. Level/salary range: up ASSISTANT SALES Thai national only. Admin property market is a knowledge of English and pref- are a must. Tel: 076-227281, to 40,000 baht (first-full year earn- MANAGER support to management must. Terms and condi- erably Thai. Official papers (no 081-893 5492 (English & Thai). ings potentials). The position is Looking: TO min 2 yrs exp. at Phuket Fit resort. Sec- tions will be negotiated. benefits, work permit), salary Fax: 076-227073. For further in- open for Thai and foreigners Com+spiff+monthly bonus. retarial and administrative Please contact us via starts from 30,000 baht. Tel: formation on the job, please see (work permit required). Kindly WP+SS. Tel: 076-342794, tasks. Please contact: info@phuket-condos- 089-870 2796. Please send our website at www.aquamas send your resume by email. 088-450 1833. Contact: hr@ [email protected] homes.com CV to [email protected] ter.net/job.html Email: [email protected] davidvacationclub.com

Looking for a JOB? Looking for a better candidate? Find more Recruitment Classifieds at WWW.PhuketGazette.Net! 26 PHUKET GAZETTE May 31 - June 6, 2014

Bar & Business Opportunities Restaurant Equipment BAR & RESTAURANT INVESTMENT PROPERTY SALES SUPER LOW COST Bar, commercial kitchen PROPERTIES MANAGER FRANCHISE 5 LUXURY APTS. and restaurant. 2 storeys, FOR SALE We are now looking for an ex- Best business for your Thai PATONG GUESTHOUSE 3 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, 35 million baht. 2 managed perienced Sales Manager to partner. Rapidly expanding CLOSING 2 decks, includes furniture. buildings in Samut Prakan, operate our office in our con- franchise operating in 40 Many items for sale. Call or In good location. For sale: comprised of 91 self-con- dominium development. You countries. Proven system. send email to receive a list, 580,000 baht. Rent only tained units, generate a net will handle all agencies on the Fast return. Email: david.m@ photos and prices. Tel: 085- 20,000 baht per month. Tel: income p.a. of 1.5 million island and make sure our faramond.com 159 7400 (English). Email: 085-348 51 37 (Thai), 081- baht. Under 10-minute walk project reaches its goals and [email protected] 086 3812 (English). Email: from construction of new targets in selling our available 10MB MORTGAGE [email protected] BTS. Tel: 086-088 0755. units. Multilingual is a plus WANTED and experience in the Phuket Will pay 6% interest annu- Twice the size, yet half property market is a must. the price. 100sqm each Bulletins RESTAURANT 4-STOREY APARTMENT ally, interest only quarterly in Terms and conditions will be advance, 50% of property plus terrace. Fully fur- FOR SALE, KAMALA FOR SALE negotiated. Please contact nished, pool, great loca- Restaurant and bar for sale, Comes with 16 rooms and value. Email: gordon_asia@ us via info@phuket-condos- hotmail.com tion. Would consider villa clean and big place with full renter. Near Robinson De- homes.com swap to Nai Harn area. 140sqm house. Sale: 1.4 partment Store. Sale by 11.9 million baht. Tel: million baht. Cheap rent: only owner. Tel: 087-270 9093 GUESTHOUSE 081-271 7092. Email: 20,000 baht per month. Tel: (English & Thai). Email: sec BAR & RESTAURANT FOR SALE / RENT BANG TAO BEACH bricothailand@hotmail. 080-537 6125. @phuketawnings.com Rawai. Too much to list. Tel: com At Bang Tao Beach. Please 081-808 1804. Email: ttpit call 076-621539 or email [email protected] UNIQUE STRETCH [email protected] For ten- INCREDIBLE LIMO BUSINESS der requirement, please see BAR FOR SALE PROJECT Only stretch limousine in PATONG our website at www.barres RESORT FOR SALE INVESTMENT Thailand. Turnkey business taurant.simplesite.com US$50,000. Rent: US$4,000 Luxury project for sale. with website and many cus- /month negotiable, 4 floors, 50% process done. Only tomers. Just start and make 360sqm, include furnished 5 million baht. Tel: 080- money! 2.8 million baht. Tel: COMMERCIAL apartment. For more informa- 891 1611. Email: aopo 089-932 5175 (English & BUILDING tion, please call 087-881 [email protected] Thai). Email: wojidkowbengt 7600. @hotmail.com Land and building busi- ness for sale. 4 storeys with 6-room guesthouse NEW BOUTIQUE PATONG + restaurant with a large Small high yielding re- HOTEL PATONG GUESTHOUSE MASSAGE SHOP NANAI steady clients. Patong, sort for sale in Rawai. Modern boutique hotel, 16 FOR SALE / RENT 8 beds, 5 chairs, staff accom- just 60m from the Beach. Three, 2-year-old 3/4 rooms in middle of Patong. Rawai. Too much to list. modation. Wide shop front, 16 million baht. For more bedroom pool villas on Pool, fitness restaurant, Please call 081-808 18 rear access. Quick sale information, please con- one rai. Perfect pension chanote. 35 million baht. For 04. Email: ttpitstop@ needed. 350,000 baht or best tact Alex. Tel: 089-651 plan. 19 million baht. Tel: more information, please con- hotmail.com offer. Please contact by email: 3250. 082-048 2568 (English). tact by email: patongbou [email protected] [email protected] May 31 - June 6, 2014 PHUKET GAZETTE 27

Business Products & Services Lost & Found Personal Education Services VISA SERVICES Wanted UAE and Singapore for 3 STOLEN HUBLOT days. Please call 080-697 WATCH REWARD 1860. Email: [email protected] During a house burglary in the Surin Beach area NANNY WANTED around April 22, a Hublot WORLDWIDE bracelet watch in pink AIR TICKETS gold was stolen. Reward Our service is for domestic of 100,000 baht will be and international flight tick- paid to anyone who can ets. Open daily from 8.30am advise on the watch's re- Miscellaneous For Sale to 9pm. Delivery service. turn. Tel: 083-280 9100 Please call 081-537 2655, (English), 087-290 1019 085-571 4489. (Thai). Email: johanhult [email protected] Club Memberships Available Personal Services

PHUKET COUNTRY I am looking for a full CLUB MEMBERSHIP INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING time Thai nanny for An- For sale: 500,000 baht. Tel: gela - 3 years old. Must 098-039 9127 (English). US licensed counselor. Chil- 40FT SEA CONTAINER dren-Adults-Families. love kids. Flexibility im- Email: normanlynch@mac. portant as it can be 15 For sale: secondhand sea com Phuket mental health coun- container 40ft. I can send a seling. For more information, hours one week and 40 photo.Tel: 084-744 4648 please call 086-271 8153 hours another week. Full (English). Email: vb331@hot (English). Email: parwgk@ monthly salary, regard- mail.com BLUE CANYON aol.com less of the hours spent. MEMBERSHIP Must have a driver's li- Blue Canyon family golf cense and speak En- Personals MASSAGE THERAPY membership for sale. LEGAL SERVICES glish. Angela is in school AT YOUR PLACE Price: 850,000 baht, in- Contract drafting, counsel- from 8am-3pm. Working Thai traditional massage: cluding all transfer cost. ing, civil & criminal action, hours: after 3pm on week 500 baht per hour. Aroma- Contact Leonor. Tel: 084- court interpreter. For more in- days and weekend work JOIN RAWAI BACKGAMMON therapy massage: 1,000 837 7249 (English). formation, please call 089- can appear. Please re- BACKGAMMON Players wanted. Tel: 081- baht per hour. Open daily Email: gietzelt@gmail. 873 6533. Fax: 076-273399. spond by email: torben CLUB 577 8443. Email: phuket 9am-10pm. Tel: 092-464 84 com Email: info@suwatchana- @buskjensen.dk For free. Tel: 081-370 9661. [email protected] 71. law-office.com 28 PHUKET GAZETTE May 31 - June 6, 2014

Saloon Cars Pick-ups Others Rentals

HONDA CITY MITUBISHI PAJERO CAR RENTAL Top of the range, leather PROTON NEO AUTO SPORT 2010 ISUZU D-MAX NEW EXCAVATOR ALL MODELS seats. 1st registered: No- GT 3.2 diesel, 4WD, 70,000 PRESTIGE Z AUT or MT, first-class insur- vember 2009. Only 69,000 km, 750,000 baht. Tel: 084- ance, delivery service. Tel: km. 390,000 baht. Excellent 841 3511 (English). Email: 087-281 1211. Email: ronny condition. Tel: 076-275057, [email protected] [email protected] 086-889 0314. Email: kevin_ [email protected] CAMRY 2.0G 15 MOTORBIKES 82,000km. Black. New paint. FROM 11,000 BAHT PEUGEOT 205 First-class insurance. 675,000 3-7 years old. Prices from Wonderful car, 1994, fine en- 1.6L, 2-door, sport black, baht. Tel: 081-895 4480. 11,000 to 15,000 baht. Ser- gine, no accidents, aircon, gray leather, new 17-inch Year 2012, 60,000km. Kubota UIS-3, runs only viced and with Green books. electrical windows, 5-door, alloy, 67,000km. 1 lady Price: 850,000 baht. Tel: 48hr with standard 40cm Near Phuket Fantasea. Tel: owner, drives well, Price: 088-753 7491 (English). bucket and rubber belt. 99,000 baht. Tel: 089-741 METALLIC SILVER 088-885 0525. Email: pierre 8531 (English). 285,000 baht. For more Email: rus.zapestate@ Extras: 20cm bucket and @husiphuket.se information, please call TOYOTA mail.ru steel belt. Tel: 089-588 093-683 3805. FORTUNER 4550. NISSAN TEANA CARS FOR RENT FOR SALE 2007 ISUZU D-MAX TOYOTA YARIS "E" SUPER TITANIUM Motorbikes 53,000km, automatic, dual airbags, ABS, second for- eign owner. Fully serviced with first-class insurance HONDA FORZA until December 2014. No For sale: 750,000 baht, 1.35 million baht, finance accidents record. 390,000 3.0L diesel, 102,500km, Short or long-term rent available, 11 months old, baht. Available end of June or 2007, excellent condi- with first-class insur- 2.5L, full options. Please negotiable. Tel: 080-886 32 tion, no accidents. Tel: ance. Delivery service. call 087-893 8747. 66 (English). Email: 8verse 093-580 6778. Please call 086-690 @gmail.com 2011. Full options, 4- 0626 or send email to door, very good condi- [email protected] tion, 3L, iTec VGS turbo, hydraulic truck bed cover, 22-inch rims / tyres, front As new, 11,000km. For and rear cameras, GPS, sale: 125,000 baht. Per- A1 CAR RENT SAT navigator. Asking sonal use, never rented. price: 700,000 baht. Tel: Please call 084-054 81 090-972 2015. 22.

2009 KAWASAKI KSR 2011 Modified engine, suspen- TOYOTA CHAMP sion, and exhaust. Good Accommodation service condition. Fast, reliable bike. included, fully insured. 42,000 baht ono. For more Tel: 089-831 4703. Email: information, please call 086- [email protected] 280 4848 (English & Thai). Email: webreply2013@g mail.com MOTORBIKES HONDA ST 1300 CC FOR RENT 37,000km. Toyota Hilux PERFECT Click 125i: 3,500 baht Vigo Champ, 2.5L diesel, The ultimate sport tourer, per month, CBR 250R: manual trans, space fast and luxurious, as new, 8,500 baht per month, cab, CD/DVD/USB play- great price. Tel: 086-950 7788 PCX: 5,500 baht per ers. For sale: 410,000 (English). Email: simon@ month. Tel: 081-978 15 Wheels & Motors baht or best offer. Tel: 081- kingsimon.com Web: http:/ 58. Email: keng.na.ra 827 5574. /tinyurl.com/HONDA-ST- [email protected] 1300-FOR-SALE Please use this form to write your classified advertisement.

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Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 140 baht, with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. All advertising must be paid for in advance. May 31 - June 6, 2014 PHUKET GAZETTE 29

DIVING - 50FT BERTRAM SNORKELLING BOAT SPORTFISHER Fully operational 45-person 1989 Bertram 505 convertible. scuba diving boat. Just fin- Price: 7 million baht. Tel: 087- ished a 400,000 baht full boat 834 5293. Email: sfiori@ refit. Twin engines. Reduced hotmail.com price 2,900,000 baht ono. Tel: 076-293052, 090-030 8965 HOBIE CAT 17 (English), 086-942 6883 Catamaran for sale: Hobie 17 (Thai). Fax: 076-293033. with wings, road trailer, beach Email: [email protected] trailer. Tel: 086-773 4538 (En- glish). Email: [email protected] BAYLINER 190 115hp Mercury 4-stroke. 15hp auxiliary 4-stroke, new 300W stereo, GPS, trailer, Thai regis- tered, 2009, price: 590,000 baht. Tel: 084-584 6795 (English). Email: [email protected]

FIBERGLAS ONE ENGINE BOAT Speedboat for sale. Made in 2012, engine 115hp overhauled in 2013, excellent condition. Price: 350,000 baht. Tel: 087- 897 0076 (English). Email: kp @ppc.cz

SELLING YOUR BOAT? Just around the corner, now is the right time to get her listed, Boatshed phuket. com are al- ways looking for new listings, PACE 40FT big or small, power or sail, to SPORTFISHER meet the demand for quality boats. Contact Alan Giles. Tel: 084-842 6146. Email: alangiles @boatshedphuket.com

FAST FOLDING TRIMARAN American designed 29ft fast, Twin CAT 3208 TA, storm folding Trimaran for sale with damage, engines pre- trailer. Suitable for racing or served, new fiberglass and cruising. Thai registered, ex-pat paint to hull October 2013. owned. Tel: 085-781 9756 (En- Urgent sale: 600,000 baht glish). Email: awildgoose ono. Tel: 082-839 7701. @awildgoose.co.uk For full Email: gamefishingthai details and price, please go to [email protected] www.awildgoose.co.uk

SOLUTION TO THIS WEEK’S

Cryptic crossword

Abbreviations: UPPER CASE (if used as part of anagram, in brackets). Normal spelling: lower case. Anagrams: italic (indicated in clue by words ‘out’, ‘possibly’, ‘strangely’, ‘wild’, or similar). Letters left out: underlined. Across: 8. PASSAGE: pass-age 9. CONDITION: condition 13. PILAU: pupilauthentic 14. RABID: bardi 15. CRINKLE: C- rink-le 16. NOTHING: nothing 17. SAINT: isnta 18. TRUST: t- rust 20. DYING: dignity 22. TRADER: retard 23. REEFER: re- E-fer 25. SECTION: citesno 27. RASSADA: R-ass-Ada 30. TRIALS: T-rials 31. STALER: S-later 32. RIDER: iderr FOR SALE: HOBIE CAPELLI RIB FOR 13-METER CRUISER NEW ALESSANDRO 35. RENTS: stern 36. TONIC: to-N.I.-C 37. ANTENNA: ant- BRAVO 12' SALE Wooden hull cruiser regis- MARCHI Anne(rev) 39. SENTOFF: S-often-F 41. FLAME: female Fantastic little Hobie Cata- Capelli RIB, 8m. 250hp tered for 17 people. Cost Hypalon RIB (LOA 24'). High 42. REVEL: reveal 43. STAINLESS: listensas 44. CADENCE: C- Yamaha 4-stroke outboard quality Hypalon tubes. Free dance-E Down: 1. BALLOT: ball-to[rev] 2. ASSURING: ass- maran. Great for kids and 1.6 million baht, but will irung 3. AGGREGATION: againreggot 4. CONSIDER: corndies adults wanting a fun dinghy motor with 361 hours. Garmin sell for 700,000 baht. Just Chart plotter and VHF, 5. EDUCATE: cuedate 6. STRICTNESS: stern-head 7. LOOK: boat responsive in light wind. GPS with Blue chart for refurbished. Tel: 082-414 175hp 4-stroke Suzuki O/B. look 10. OPENED: Op.-en-Ed. 11. ABYSMAL: saylamb Length 12'. Sail area: 86sqf/ Southeast Asia. 860,000 6931 (English). Email: Bimini and trailer. 1,695,000 12. LETTER: letter 19. UNFADED: fun-A.D.-Ed. 21. IBERIAN: 8sqm. Email: jezntat@g baht. Tel: 076-348134, 084- [email protected] baht. Contact Andaman ibearin 24. CARRIAGEWAY: icarryawage 26. TELESCOPIC: mail.com or call our Thai 626 4969 (English). Fax : please see our website at Boat Sales. Tel: 084-842 select-Op.-I-C 28. STANDFAST: stan-fad-s-T 29. GLACIAL: mobile: 086-685 9359, or to 076-348134. Email: neef@ www.krabikonnect.com/ 6146. Email: boats@anda agallic 30. THRUST: th-R-us-T 32. RETURNED: R-tender(U) Singapore: +65-977 38457. wanadoo.fr #!boat-for-sale/c10mg manboatsales.com 33. REALLY: (L)relay 34. STIFFLY: S-fifty(L) 38. NOVICE: no- vice 40. NOTE: not-E Looking for a boat? See more classified ads at www.phuketgazette.net 30 PHUKET GAZETTE May 31 - June 6, 2014

Aircraft For Sale

HAVE A PASSION AIRPLAY ALTIS 1999 ROBIN 2160i FOR AVIATION? MICROLIGHT I would like to sell my Robin If you have an aircraft for Superb trike with Konig ra- aircraft or trade it for a 4-seat sale or an interest in avia- dial engine. Great economi- Cessna or Piper (based in tion and wish to learn cal fun. Little used. Please Hua Hin). The Robin: TTAF how to fly or buy an air- contact for more informa- 300hrs. SMOH 60hrs. This craft or arrange a private tion. Tel: 089-111 6457 (En- is a well-equipped, two-seat flight, etc. Website: glish & Thai), 081-397 7598 aerobatic aircraft. Has the www.aeropromgr.com/ (English & Thai). Email: Christen inverted oil system. newsletter [email protected] Excellent inside and outside. King KMA24 audio panel, KX155 nav/com, KI203 vor, TECNAM P-92 KY197A comm, KN64A - Price: 1.5 million baht YOUR HELICOPTER dme, KR87 adf, KT76A tran- - Registration: U-B08 Flying and owning your own sponder, CSPA400 i-com, - Year of Manufacture: 2002 helicopter has just become FP5 fuel computer, CHT, possible. Free complete flight - Equipment: Full standard OAT, Pitot heat. Price: 4 instruction course with your equipment million baht. Please contact purchase. Email: pat@ Thom. Email: thos_w@ - Engine: Rotax 912-80HP aeropromgr.com hotmail.com 350hrs. Tel: 081-840 8418.

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

Please use this form to write your classified advertisement.

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Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 140 baht, with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. All advertising must be paid for in advance. May 31 - June 6, 2014 PHUKET GAZETTE 31 32 PHUKET GAZETTE BUSINESS May 31 - June 6, 2014 The need for expert advice ments like wills and power of attorneys, it’s always a good idea to have an attorney look over such documents. It’s also I RECENTLY wrote about the advisable to have an attorney in importance of women expats the country where you will be having a sound understanding of residing (and ideally one who is their financial status, and putting familiar with the expat’s home in place the correct procedures country’s laws) to also take a to protect themselves financially, look at all of your estate plan- should they divorce or outlive ning documents to make sure their husband. This article con- they are not in conflict with that tinues that theme and looks at country’s laws. what type of expert advice expat women should seek to ensure • Insurance Expert – Insurance their financial security while liv- is all about protection from risk ing abroad. and unforeseen accidents, but Even if you believe your cur- many expats fail to have the right rent financial situation is easy for amount, or the right kind, of you and/or your spouse to man- insurance. Specific types of age on your own, and you as a insurance needed to be carried by couple are used to handling all expat couples would include: expat financial matters by yourselves, health insurance that covers becoming an expat will immedi- medical evacuation to their home ately complicate your financial country; life insurance on anyone situation and overall life consider- whose income they are dependent ably. Moreover, both husband and on, as expats are usually ineligible wife could easily be overwhelmed for unemployment compensation with all of the other details that from their home countries; disabil- ity insurance, as most Western come with relocating abroad such Expat women, should seek expert advice to help manage their finances effectively. Photo: 2bgr8 as: finding a place to live, enroll- countries do not allow expats to ing any children into school, collect or even file for disability mation that is as accurate or com- sult with all of these experts? adviser, it’s important that hus- making new friends and learning compensation while living abroad; plete as possible while avoiding Generally speaking, and unless band and wife select one who to live in a new culture. long-term care insurance if you conflicts of interest. your lives or financial situation they BOTH feel comfortable At the very least, you should are near retirement; and some sort This means no commissions paid are overly complicated (such as working with together, or alone, either consult with on a regular of umbrella liability insurance to by investment firms for selling or owning a business in a foreign and can build a good rapport and basis, or be ready to consult with cover homes, cars and any other pushing their financial products. country), and barring any major long-term working relationship. the following experts: property in the event of an acci- Instead, such financial advisers changes in your lives, you would Wives statistically tend to outlive dent, disaster earn income by only need to consult with an at- their husbands and it will be im- • Tax Accountant – Unless you or theft. With You would only need to charging a small torney and an insurance expert portant to have some continuity are both retired and plan to keep all of that consult with an attorney and annual fee that is once every few years. However, when it comes to financial advi- most of your financial assets in in mind, an the percentage it’s a good idea to consult with a sory should they outlive their an‘ insurance expert once your home country, you will insurance of the amount tax accountant near the end of husband. And while they might need to find a tax accountant expert should every few years. However, it’s of assets under every financial year, and, of be comfortable working with a who understands expat tax is- take a look at management – course, before you must file a financial adviser who is in the sues – especially if you are current cov- a good idea to consult with a meaning there is tax return or fulfill any asset re- same age bracket they are in, this American and have worldwide erages and tax accountant near’ the end an incentive porting requirements (such as an may not make much sense if tax and financial reporting obli- see where of every financial year. to grow your American maintaining large over- they are near retirement or al- gations about overseas financial there might investment seas financial accounts). ready retired because inevitably assets. A tax accountant who be gaps or the need to purchase account while avoiding both risky However, and at the very their financial adviser will also understands expat tax issues will additional coverage. investments’ and excessive trading least, you should schedule a be thinking about retiring. cost more than a typical tax ac- that generate commissions. meeting with your financial ad- countant, but he or she can end • Financial Adviser – Having Finally, expats should be sure to viser at least twice a year – Don Freeman is president of Freeman up saving them significant expert investing and financial find a financial adviser who is towards the end of the year Capital Management, a Registered amounts of money by ensuring planning advice will be critical for licensed by proper regulatory around the time they consult with Investment Adviser with the US you are in full compliance with a comfortable retirement, with the authorities, both locally and abroad your tax accountant, and near the Securities Exchange Commission all applicable tax laws and asset best financial advisers being those such as the US Securities and middle of the year to review your (SEC), based in Phuket and Chiang reporting rules. who work under the fiduciary Exchange Commission, as the world financial plan, goals and invest- Mai, Thailand. He has over 15 standard rather than the suitabil- of financial advice for expats is ment performance – or more if years experience and provides • Attorney – While sites like ity standard. Under the fiduciary often like the Wild West filled with their financial situation is overly personal financial planning and legalzoom.com and various legal standard, financial advisers are scams and dubious investment complicated or if the markets are wealth management to expatriates. software programs are very use- required to put their own inter- products or salesmen masquerad- particularly volatile. Specializing in UK and US pension ful for helping you come up with ests below those of any clients ing as experts. Given how often expats will transfers. Call 089-970 5795 or email: some basic estate planning docu- and are required to provide infor- How often should expats con- need to meet with their financial [email protected]. Economy adversely affected by military coup, but hope remains FOLLOWING the Royal Thai benchmark down 0.7% this month. Thailand’s $35 billion tourist in- Army’s announcement of a coup The country’s gross domestic dustry, which contributes 9% to on May 22, the benchmark of the product (GDP) had already con- the country’s GDP, as many coun- Stock Exchange of Thailand tracted 0.6% in the first quarter tries in the world have issued (SET) Index, closed up 0.2% to compared to the same period last warnings for their citizens to 1,405.21. This was in contrast to year and the bank further lowered exercise a high degree of caution its fall of 1.2% when martial-law its 2014 growth forecast to 1.3% when entering the kingdom. was first declared. from 2.2%, amid the political pro- However, after the prolonged According to the exchange data, tests and violence that has resulted political unrest that has continu- since the May 20th declaration of in more than two dozen deaths. ally deteriorated, many sides hope martial law, overseas investors had Another development that is that this coup will be the silver pulled US$408 million out of Thai threatening the country’s eco- lining for Thailand’s resolution of stocks, sending the SET Index nomic growth is the weakening of disputes. – NNT May 31 - June 6, 2014 BUSINESS PHUKET GAZETTE 33 Outlook positive Business leaders are confident in economy regardless of coup

By Chutharat Plerin/The Nation Property agencies unfazed Leading property agencies Jones BUSINESS and economic leaders Lang LaSalle and Frank Knight have expressed confidence in the have also expressed confidence economy despite the uncertainty that the property market would not surrounding the direction the suffer in the wake of the coup, National Council for Peace and saying that the industry had weath- Order (NCPO) will take in the ered similar events in the past with Soldiers try to control a crowd protesting against military rule in central Bangkok on May 23. Photo: Damir Sagolj/Reuters coming weeks and months. little or no negative effects. The heads of several leading “Our discussions with clients in that the condominium market farmers involved in the troubled a good way to fuel the economy. property development companies, and business partners, including has cooled down, reducing the rice-pledging project. Payments However, we also have to pursue including Italian-Thai Develop- property developers, investors and likelihood of an oversupply,” he have already started to flow, other projects, including infra- ment Plc, Sansiri Plc and Land corporate occupiers, showed that added. enabling farmers to pay back debts structure projects, which have not and House Plc, all of which have the coup came as no surprise,” and put money towards next been announced yet,” he added. large projects underway or Economic road map year’s crops. Other leading banks have slated for Phuket, were Meanwhile, seven key private- Commercial banks have expressed optimism that since ordered to report to the sector organizations are expressed strong interest in bidding the political impasse is over, NCPO on May 25. drawing up an economic road for a multi-billion-baht bridging investment funding for public Since then, two of the map comprising short and loan under the rice-pledging infrastructure will begin to flow, companies have released long-term reform plans to be project, as they believe the payment boosting the economy. statements that none of their presented to the NCPO in a of long-overdue money to farmers Chansak Fuangfu, director and projects have been affected bid to help restore economic marks the first step in fueling the senior executive vice president of by the coup and will con- confidence in the Kingdom, sluggish economy. Bangkok Bank, said they were tinue as scheduled. reported The Nation. Their interest comes after the awaiting signals from the NCPO “Sansiri Plc will continue The groups are the Thai Finance Ministry invited 32 state on such public infrastructure normal business without Chamber of Commerce/ funding. Photo: The Nation and private banks to bid for the any effect on operations. Board of Trade, Tourism first phase of a three-year program “What the bank has to monitor Chief Executive Officer Council of Thailand, Thai of bridging loans, totaling 50 is additional public investment Apichart Chutrakul and Other signs of economic confi- Bankers’ Association, Fed- billion baht, to the Bank for projects, which will fuel the Chief Operating Officer dence... include the rapid payback of eration of Thai Industries Agriculture and Agricultural economy significantly. We are Wanchak Buranasiri, along (FTI), Federation of Thai Cooperatives (BAAC), so that rice awaiting the upcoming economic rice‘ farmers involved in the troubled with other high-level Capital Market Organiza- farmers can be paid. road map from the National Coun- executives of the company rice-pledging project. Payments have tions, Stock Exchange of The first 30-billion-baht tender cil for Peace and Order,” he said. will perform their duties as Thailand and Thai Listed will take place on June 6, while a Arthid Nanthawithaya, senior usual,” said the statement already started to flow, enabling Companies Association. second is scheduled for June 13. executive vice president of Siam released by Sansiri. farmers to pay back debts and put “The most important Vasin Vanichvoranun, executive Commercial Bank, said a positive Anant Asavabhokhin, money towards next year’s crops thing right now is to find vice president of Kasikornbank, sign for the economy – and for chairman of the executive ways to bring back confi- told The Nation on Tuesday that boosting private-sector confi- board and chairman of the dence in consumption, assuming legal issues surrounding dence – is the fact that the board of directors at Land and Jones Lang LaSalle Managing ’investment and tourism. Each such lending were fully clarified, NCPO has announced it will give Houses Public Co Ltd was also Director Suphin Mechuchep told organization has also been tasked the bank should have no problems importance to public investment, called to report to the council. The Nation on Tuesday. with coming up with a plan to about participating in the bidding. and especially to major infra- Land and House General Man- “Similarly, since the political enhance the country’s competi- “Rice payment [to farmers] is structure projects. ager Ruksaspong Khumkhuanjum, tension escalated late last year, we tiveness for the next 15-20 years,” subsequently told the Gazette on have seen developers, owners, said Isara Vongkusolkit, chairman Tuesday that the company’s investors and occupiers becoming of the Board of Trade. projects would would not be more cautious, with some of them Supant Mongkolsuthree, chair- affected. adopting a wait-and-see approach. man of the FTI, said there were “Mr Anant was called by the There remains no clear evidence of seven frameworks within the NCPO. For what reason, I have the coup changing the situation at road map. They include plans to no idea. However, our projects this stage,” Mr Suphin said. increase the country’s competi- are ongoing as is. All the invest- Frank Khan, executive director tiveness, enhance public and ments are on the way, including and head of residential for Frank private investment, promote current projects and others,” he Knight’s Thai unit, said that the education and innovation, lessen confirmed to the Gazette. political crisis in Thailand is cur- social and economic inequality, fix The third developer to be called rently not a big deal for the property corruption, reform regulations and was Premchai Kamasutra, presi- business, and that things were create a new economic structure. dent of Italian-Thai Development difficult in the first four or five Plc, the contractor for the Thainan months of the year and the real- Banks praise rice payments underpasses currently being built estate market was soft, but the Other signs of economic confi- on the bypass road. However, no situation is gradually improving. dence increasing after the NCPO’s Ital-Thai statement was available “To look on the bright side, the breaking of the political deadlock as this story went to print. political unrest has been beneficial include the rapid payback of rice 34 PHUKET GAZETTE May 31 - June 6, 2014 More than visa runs THE first in a five-part series of carni- about 1,500 baht per day,” V/Gov Supawat vals to be held in Andaman provinces will said. “But it doesn’t matter whether we meet take place in Ranong on June 8. our target number of visitors or make a Ranong, perhaps best known among profit, the main point is to familiarize people expats as a visa-run destination, has with what we have to offer.” plenty of things for tourists to enjoy, said Following the initial event in Ranong, Ranong Vice Governor Supawat Sakda, carnivals will be held in Phuket, Krabi, who announced the carnival with Phang Nga and Trang, said Vice Gover- Phuket Vice Governor Sommai Prijasilpa nor Sommai. on Friday. “Five provinces have agreed to sup- “We are famous for our hot springs and port each other with respect to tourism. mineral water, and have a lot of interesting Krabi will promote historic artifacts, culture,” Vice Governor Supawat said. Phang Nga will focus on sea gypsies, Called “Scent of Andaman”, the Trang on local traditions and nature, and Ranong event has an 8-million-baht bud- Phuket on our Sino-Portuguese heritage,” get and is expected to draw more than Vice Governor Sommai said. 10,000 visitors. The dates of the other carnivals have “We think the average visitor will spend yet to be set. – Saran Mitrarat

Photo: Nikhilb239 Leave a tree behind THANKS to Angsana’s “Stay for Good– able developments and making green ini- Greening Communities Together” initia- tiatives a priority. The ‘Stay for Good – tive, tourists can leave Phuket in better Greening Communities Together’ event shape than before their visit. highlights the long-standing commitment As part of the “Stay for Good” pro- to contributing positively to the commu- gram, Angsana Laguna Phuket will nities where we operate,” said Albert commit to plant two trees per room night Ocasio, General Manager, Angsana La- to support and highlight environmental guna Phuket. conservation and habitat protection. “The trees will not only help green The program will be launched on World our communities, but will also help raise Environment Day, June 5, to raise aware- the awareness of the importance of trees ness for guests and associates to take for every guest and employee who takes positive action to protect nature. part in the event.” “We are committed to creating sustain- – Phuket Gazette Five Andaman provinces are collaborating on the carnival series. Photo: Saran Mitrarat May 31 - June 6, 2014 PHUKET GAZETTE 35

tion call 076 286479 or email tening music during the brunch, [email protected]. with members from the Two Chefs house band. Price: 495 baht; June 7, 9am-midday. Snow kids at 295 baht (under 3 years White and the Seven Dwarfs free). Free usage of the Peach A family musical held at Phuket Blossom spa pool in connection Town’s Simon Star Theater. A with Two Chefs. May 31, 5-10pm. Neon Night wonderful experience for chil- Run dren, parents and grandparents! June 20, 6-11:30pm. Midsum- The Neon Night Run is a unique, A great visual treat with dances, mer Celebration @ Two Chefs fun running party! With race music and pictures to be taken Kata distances for both young and old, with your favorite character. Celebrate Midsummer's Eve at Two plus great music and colorful Call 091-326 0276 for more in- Chefs in Kata Center with a large bright lights. Fun for the whole formation and ticket bookings or buffet with lots of Scandinavian family with BBQ, stalls, kids en- email [email protected]. specialties such as our own smoked tertainment, face painting, prizes This event is sponsored by salmon, pickled herrings, liver pate, for best neon costumes, glow PGTV and the Phuket Gazette. pastries from the Two Chefs bak- sticks, etc. Schools compete to ery, and much more at only 795 baht win the new Thanyapura Cup. June 12 to July 13. FIFA World per person. Of course our famous Entry fee for individual runners/ Cup in Brazil house band will be there to enter- walkers is 300 baht. Everyone Football (soccer) fans around the tain you until the late hours. For more welcome. Register now at world look forward to the information call 076 330065 or thanyapura.com/event. excitement of the 20th edition of email [email protected] the World Cup. This year will be June 6, 7-11:30pm. Two Chefs played in arguably the top June 21-23, Baba Wedding Karon Filipino Fiesta footballing nation on the planet. Festival in Phuket Town. nights at a nearby beach hotel, July 16-20, 10am-11:30pm, In celebration of Philippines In- Here in Phuket, most of the The Thai Peranakan Association transportation during the wed- Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket dependence Day, Two Chefs games will be aired live in the with the support of the City of ding ceremony, traditional Raceweek presents Filipino Fiesta, a large morning hours, though many res- Phuket, the Tourism Authority wedding attire and suit with ac- Four days of world-class yacht buffet with Pinoy classics like: taurants and bars will certainly of Thailand – Phuket Chapter, cessories, souvenirs, photos of racing in Phuket, combined with Kini Law, Bulalo Lechon Style, screen reruns of all the matches. the Phuket Tourism Association, the couple and their family and four nights of beachside parties Pork Belly, Sinigang, Inasal, the Phuket Chamber of Com- special activities arranged by the at the five-star Cape Panwa Ho- Sisig, Garlic Rice, Mango Float June 15, 12-3pm. Sunday merce, the Old Phuket Founda- associations. Applications for the tel. If it’s time you got out on and much more. All this at only Brunch @ Two Chefs Kamala tion and Phuket’s Culture Pres- package have to be submitted the water, then come sailing and 395 baht, with kids under 12 Every Sunday, you're invited for ervation Network present the before May 31 at the Thai join one of the crews, or sign years at just 295 baht. A la Carte a Sunday Brunch at our Two 2014 Phuket Baba Wedding, a Peranakan Association office. up as crew on one of the Clas- menu also available as usual. Chefs Kamala branch. A large buf- chance for couple to tie the knot For more information call tel sics. Experience sailing on the Happy hours all night! San Mig fet with international favorites, in an extravagant, memorable 081-691 1955. East Coast of Phuket. pale pilsen and light red house fresh salads, American comfort way, celebrating the traaditions The Phuket Gazette and The Phuket Gazette and wine, buy 2 and get 1 free food, Mexican classics, breads and of Phuket Baba community. PGTV’s ‘Phuket Today’ show, PGTV’s ‘Phuket Today’ show, Sangria. Unlimited refills. Ice Tea desserts from Two Chefs bakery The wedding package costs the island’s only nationally the island’s only nationally unlimited refills at 99 baht. There and much more. Happy hours in 39,900 baht per couple and in- broadcast television program broadcast television program will be live music with the tal- the bar: San Miguel beer “buy 2, cludes includes the wedding (aired daily on True Visions (aired daily on True Visions ented Filipino house band from get 1 free”, Sangria at 95 baht per ceremony, one night at the channels 79 [HD] and 107 [SD]) channels 79 [HD] and 107 [SD]), 8pm till late. For more informa- glass. There will be live easy lis- Sukko Spa & Resort and two are proud to sponsor this event. are proud to sponsor this event. 36 PHUKET GAZETTE May 31 - June 6, 2014

In 2004, General Chettha Thanajaro, then – Defence Minister of Thailand, gave an order to readjust the Phaya Tani cannon to its old position – facing the Grand Palace. Photo: Sippakorn Yamkasikorn One gun to rule them all far away from Ayutthaya, the capital often found it hard to assert its claims over these semi- autonomous sultanates. THE Thailand Ministry of De- The four queens foresaw the fence building is located opposite need for strong defences in or- the Grand Palace in the old part der to maintain Pattani’s of Bangkok. What is interesting independence. Due to the con- about this government building stant threat of attack from Siam is its large collection of old can- and its allies, the rulers built im- nons, which are exhibited within pressive forts and defences the yard parallel to the main road. around their city-state. They also The cannons date back to vari- invested in large cannons that ous periods in Thai history and could effectively repel enemy range from small guns to attack when fired from the city’s intimidatingly large bombards. walls. The Phaya Tani was one Each cannon has its own story. such weapon, and perhaps the Many of them were present in only one that survives to this day. various wars that shaped the No one knows exactly when history of Thailand. the Phaya Tani was cast or its Of the 42 cannons parked exact history. Apart from the can- outside the ministry building, a non itself, few historical records large bombard called the “Phaya still survive from that period. It Tani” probably has the most in- is possible that the cannon may teresting story. Dating back have been made during the reign more than four hundred years, of Sultan Ismail Shah in the early the Phaya Tani is the largest can- 15th century. However, it could non in the collection. The sheer also have been cast during the Measuring 6.82 meters, with a caliber of 24 centimeters, Phaya Tani is Thailand’s biggest cannon. Photo: Ahoerstemeier size of the magnificent weapon reign of the four queens during After his victory against the Bur- no other historical evidence con- minister, gather in a solemn cer- seems to dwarf the cannons that the 17th century. mese in the Nine Armies War, firms its existence. Some emony to pay respects to the surround it. The casting techniques evident Prince Sura Singhanat marched his historical documents suggest cannons, especially the Phaya It is said that the Phaya Tani was in the cannon hints that it was armies further south of Siam to the that it may have exploded dur- Tani. Some believe the cannon cast in the old kingdom of produced locally and not imported gates of Pattani. His aim was to ing a battle against the Siamese still has mystical powers that Pattani Darussalam. Although from somewhere else. Made subjugate the kingdom and bring it under Prince Sura Singhanat’s continue to affect the country’s today Pattani is out of bronze, back under Siam’s hegemony. command. fortunes. For many years the a province in ‘Some believe the cannon the Phaya Pattani’s defenses were no match The Phaya Tani arrived in the cannons had been facing the the south of has mystical powers that Tani cannon is for Prince Sura Sing-hanat’s sol- capital in 1786. Prince Sura Royal Palace, but General Aud Thailand, exceptionally diers and the city fell to the Siamese Singhanat presented the weapon Bueangbon, then permanent sec- during the 17th continue to affect the large. The attackers. to his brother King Rama I. retary for defence, moved all 42 century, it was country’s fortunes today’ barrel is 6.82 Historical records reveal King Rama I was especially im- cannons so that they faced Wang an autono- meters long, that during this conflict, the Siamese pressed by the sheer size and Saran Rom Park and the City mous Muslim sultanate. In the with a caliber of 24 centimeters. captured two massive cannons. In firepower of the Phaya Tani. He Pillar Shrine instead. beginning of the 17th century, a suc- On the barrel is an engraving of a order to weaken Pattani and discour- ordered the refurbishment of the In January 2004, an armed cession crisis in the Pattani royal lion, an inscription that says age them from rebellion, Prince Sura cannon. King Rama I also robbery was carried out on a family paved the way for the first “Phaya Tani” and instructions on Singhanat ordered the cannons to commissioned the casting of a military camp in Pattani. queen, Raja Hijau to ascend the how much gunpowder needs to be taken back to second cannon After that, a wave of unprec- throne of Pattani. After Raja Hijau, be loaded from the mouth of the Bangkok. Of the ‘In order to weaken Pattani of similar size edented violence swept the far three more queens ruled Pattani suc- cannon. two cannons and discourage them from that could be southern region of Thailand. In cessively, ushering in a period of In 1785, the Burmese attacked captured, only stationed with March 2004, General Chettha peace and prosperity that lasted for Siam once again, this time with one – Phaya rebellion, Prince Sura the Phaya Tani. Thanajaro, then Defence Minis- 67 years. nine armies that spearheaded into Tani –reached Singhanat ordered the This second ter gave an order to re-adjust the Pattani, being a small state, had different regions of Siam. Rama Bangkok safely. cannons to be taken back cannon was Phaya Tani cannon once again in always struggled to preserve its I King Phra Buddha Yod Fa The second can- named the a belief that the superstitious tac- independence. To its north was Chulalok Maharaj ordered his non, named “Sri to Bangkok’ “Narai tic would ward off evil and Siam, a regional power with younger brother, Prince Maha Negara” ac- Sangharn”. curtail violence in the three Ayutthaya as its capital city. Sura Singhanat to lead Siam’s de- cording to the chronicles of Pattani, Both cannons were stationed southern provinces that made up Ayutthaya laid claim over a vast fenses in the west and south. was lost when the ship carrying it within the Grand Palace for many the former Pattani kingdom. area of land that stretched from The prince was an experienced sank in the ocean. Other sources years before being moved to their In June 2013, the government Chiang Mai in the north to Cam- general and although the Siamese say it came loose when being loaded present location in the courtyard installed a replica of the Phaya bodia and Laos in the east. Its forces were inferior to the enemy, onto the ship and fell into the sea. of the Ministry of Defense. Tani cannon in front of the his- hegemony also stretched far south they managed to inflict heavy ca- According to this chronicle, Nowadays, the Phaya Tani is torical Krue-Se Mosque in Pattani into the predominantly Muslim sualties on the Burmese. By 1786, there was also a third large can- highly revered by the Thai armed province. A few days later, the Malay Peninsula. However, be- the Burmese were forced to re- non named “Maha Lela”. This forces. Each year military com- replica cannon was bombed and cause the Malay states were so treat from Siam. cannon was never captured and manders, led by the defence damaged by insurgents. May 31 - June 6, 2014 PHUKET GAZETTE 37 The thrill of The Grill PHUKET’S very own The Grill at most influential and reliable enthusiasm for “real” food makes Regent Phuket Cape Panwa has sources of information for foodies for an authentic taste and menu been named one of the nation’s living in Thailand. selection. These top quality ingre- best restaurants by the Thailand The Grill at Regent Phuket Cape dients coupled with a flair in Tatler magazine, and will be fea- Panwa has been recognized by the preparation presentation lends to tured in the prestigious Thailand Tatler for delivering high-quality a unique dining experience. Tatler Best Restaurant Guide 2014. cuisine and top-notch dining ex- Guests can choose their favor- “It was a great honor to find periences to its guests. ite cuts of prime meats for the out that we had been selected for The restaurant is located high chefs to prepare as they like, the prize after only being open for on a cliff in Cape Panwa, on the whether it be on a Western grill, a little more than a year,” said Brice southeastern coast of Phuket, and in a Tandoori oven or an Asian Borin, General Manager of Regent offers grill-goers an elegant view wok. The Grill’s team of chefs Phuket Cape Panwa. of the Andaman Sea. prepare almost everything from “We hope that this increases The menu offers a luxurious their own kitchen to ensure the business to our restaurant and spread of fresh, locally-caught food is fresh and natural; from confirms our position as one of seafood and organic produce. A fresh chutney to sinfully delicious the best fine-dining establishments high-quality selection of ingredi- desserts. Chef Baziuk is the driving force behind The Grill’s success. Photos: Supplied in Phuket.” ents, including grass-fed beef and Guests can take their time at The guide will feature reviews free-range chicken, make for a The Grill, trying a selection of “heavenly”. of an irresistible wine cellar with of 150 fine-dining establishments memorable culinary adventure. the choice menu items while tak- Regent Phuket Cape Panwa also selections from around the world, in Bangkok as well as eateries in The driving force behind the ing in views of the bay. This offers a variety of different set- or a more informal gathering at the some of the major resorts in menu at The Grill is Executive experience has attracted strong tings in which grill-goers can enjoy alfresco-style rooftop lounge, Phuket, Samui, Pattaya, Hua Hin Chef Justin Baziuk, who is re- praise on hotel review websites, their meals and company. Whether guests of The Grill are sure to have and Chiang Mai. This annual pub- nowned for his passion in all with guests describing their it is a private dining affair inside, a sophisticated night. lication is known as one of the aspects of cooking. Mr Baziuk’s visits as being “world class” and where guests can take advantage – Phuket Gazette

High-quality cuisine and the diversity of the menu at the Grill impressed the editors of the Tatler. Words such as ‘world class’ and ‘heavenly’ have been used to describe dining at The Grill. 38 PHUKET GAZETTE May 31 - June 6, 2014 An odd couple of fruits

The skin of snakefruit is scaly, but the flesh inside is creamy. Photo: Takeaway The shape of a sapodilla, or lamut, resembles an elongated egg. Photo: Malcom Manners THE recent passing of one of around – let alone remember. formerly used in chewing gum. fruits such as mangoes, papayas cinema’s most well known come- Take the manikara zapota. While that may not persuade you and camias, popular in sour sal- dic actors, Bill Hoskins, reminded Despite its pretentious name, it is to acquire a tree, its other virtues ads. When ripe, it has an exotic me of a scene in a “posh” a fruiting tree that deserves more might – if you have the time and flavor that is hard to put into London hotel. than a passing mention. If next to space to cultivate it. words, somewhat nutty with a hint An obsequious waiter asks if he no one knows this title, many of of the valley.” Another strange fruit that peri- of acidic sweetness. wants a drink, “A Bloody Mary is you out there will recognize it as For me, it is very intriguing, odically appears in Phuket’s Perhaps surprisingly, the it, sir ?” He replies, sapodilla. Talk to with a slightly gritty texture like wayside markets salacca’s golf- “No, a pot of tea, your Thai partner that of a pear and a flavor some- is the salak, re- ball sized fruits please.” Take the manikara about the lamut, times described as malty. If you ferred to in these grow in clusters “Ah, lapsang zapota. Despite its and she will nod in come across a pile at your local parts as the sala at the base of a suchong or Earl pretentious‘ name, it is instant acknowl- fresh market, check to ensure that or rakum, or to palm tree. Native Grey?” says the edgment. the fruit is not too soft; on the botanists as the to tropical Asia, it waiter. “No,” re- a fruiting tree that One of the most other hand, if the fruits are hard salacca. To will make an in- plies Hoskins deserves more than a exotic-tasting and greenish, leave them for a day westerners, it is teresting addition tersely, “Tea.” native fruits of or two to ripen. known as the to your garden. Apart from passing mention. If Mexico and Cen- Introduced to Southeast Asia snake fruit on ac- This particular being an example next to no one knows tral America, the primarily as a cash crop, the count of its scaly, palm has a short of British work- this title, many of you sapodilla re- sapodilla is unfortunately too large reddish-brown stem and large ing-class humor sembles a soft, for the average garden, being a skin. Shaped like pinnate (feath- that echoes a out there will recognize tan-colored and slow-growing species that may a small, plump ery) leaves social divide, this it as the sapodilla somewhat elon- reach 40 to 50 feet. A pity because pear, the fruit’s which tend to shows how a gated egg, about it bears fruit fairly quickly, and rind is thin and grow more up- Some describe sapodilla as pedantic attitude seven to 10 centi- from germination takes only six brittle so it can be ward than out- ’ tasting malty. Photo: Thaumaturgist toward names can obfuscate meters long. But inside the skin, years to crop. Moreover, it yields readily removed ward. Salacca rather than clarify. which is best peeled away with a fruit twice a year. In addition, the to reveal three or four segments magnifica, the doyen of the spe- This is a constant dilemma for knife, are segments of yellow or tree has a pleasant rounded shape of creamy flesh and one or more cies, has huge, undivided leaves the horticulturalist who wants to brown flesh, each with a shiny with glossy green leaves. stones. The salacca has a high tan- up to six meters long, and offers be precise about botanical labels, black seed. Worth a try? Well, a Besides those sweet, fragrant nin content, and when eaten unripe a splendid ornamental presence. but who knows that they are of- French botanist declared that it fruits, its boughs exude a latex- can be unpleasantly astringent. In Were I planning a new garden, I ten difficult to get one’s tongue smelt of “honey, jasmine and lily like substance called chicle, this state it is, like so many local would surely include one. Tip of the week Potted plants

A RECENT visit to a garden interesting focal point: to consisting almost entirely of define an area; or to deco- potted plants has prompted rate difficult patches, such another stab at the topic. as a dry or an excessively What the visit made clear wet corner. Pots are an was that many shrubs can effective means of control- be grown in containers, not ling a plant’s environment, just the usual culprits. While as the amount of moisture front yards and patios in required can be monitored Phuket tend to be inhabited Try potting graphtophylums. Photo: Scott Zona and specific nutrient or pH by euphorbias, adeniums, bougainvilleas, palms and requirements catered for. Additionally they can, wrightias, this garden had gardenias, dracaenas, if necessary, be brought indoors. Short spells in gingers and lots more. Try foliage plants such as the house are recommended, since few plants crotons, graphtophylums and acalyphas. can adapt permanently to the relative lack of Container plants can be deployed to create an sunshine and humidity. Chicle, once used for gum, seeps out of a sapodilla. Photo: Dick Culbert May 31 - June 6, 2014 PHUKET GAZETTE 39 Latest Chabon: A chore eration Jewish socialist who grew up in Richmond, Virginia, with a black step- mother, black friends and black enemies; and Archy Stallings, MICHAEL Chabon’s third novel, African American Iraq war vet The Amazing Adventures of and son of Oakland native Luther Kavalier & Clay, won the 2001 Stallings, washed up kung fu star Pulitzer Prize. This exuberant of Blaxploitation movies. Their romp about two young Jewish wives, Aviva and Gwen, are cartoonists during the golden partners too in a thriving mid- age of American comic books in wife service, Berkeley Birth the 1930s and 1940s is one of Partners. the most enjoyable novels I’ve The plot kicks off as the little ever read. record store is threatened by a Now we have Chabon’s Tele- prospective mall, complete with graph Avenue (HarperCollins, a giant record department, to be New York, 2012, 468pp), and I’m opened by developer Gibson sorry to say that this big novel is Goode (G. Bad), ex-NFL quar- a disappointment. Not because terback and the fifth richest the characters are not sympa- black man in America, who does thetic or the plot not intricate and business aboard a black dirigible tight, but because the style is named Minnie Riperton. wordy, over-the-top, self-indul- The midwife practice is also gent and the dazzling, but threatened by a lawsuit and a ultimate, turgid display of a liter- hospital review board hearing ary showoff. Sentences are following a sudden medical serpentine and run on for thick emergency during a home birth. paragraphs and even pages. Section Gwen Stallings, nine-months III is a single sentence that rambles pregnant and upset by Archy’s for 12 pages and is told largely infidelity, didn’t help things along from the point of view of a parrot. at the hospital with her hot The jokey, narrative tone, ripe with temper. Into the mix comes 14- hip nods to mov- year-old Titus ies, TV shows and Joyner, Archy’s pop songs, is remi- long-lost illegiti- niscent of Thomas mate son, who Pynchon, but if has turned up Pynchon is the from Oklahoma, High Renaissance and Jules (Julie), Michelangelo, son of Nat Jaffe, Michael Chabon’s latest novel sees some readers reluctant to sign up for the long read. Photo: Charlie Reiman Chabon is over- who has fallen in ripe Rococo. love with him. sunshine, motionless but for the song “I Don’t Know How to the poet.” The time is late The plot grabs little white moths stitching their Love Him”: “Cochise began his The novel reaches a climax August 2004 and you, as do the loopy crewelwork in the honey- vandalism in earnest, snapping with a ten-page description of the place is the characters with suckle. In the sandpit of the tiny off bright bunches of the melody Gwen’s labor pains. I can’t recall borderline be- their snappy dia- playground, dozens of toy ve- and scattering it in handfuls, anything so intense about the tween Berkeley and Oakland, the logue, but the reader has to wade hicles and appliances lay bleached packing it with extra notes in birth process in all of literature. birthplace of white radicals and through chunks of overwrought and upended, primary-colored giddy runs. He was ruining the The novel should have ended Black Panthers, where a used vi- description that slow the narra- plastic ruins as of some toddler song, rifling it, mocking it with there instead of a tacked on scene nyl record store called Brokeland tive pace to a crawl. Thus: cataclysm.” an antic edge of joy. You might two months later which ties up Records is the hangout for a “Daylight was taking its sweet There are honest bravura have thought, some critics felt, all the plotlines into nice happy multiracial group of musicians time fading into dusk, and the passages, though, like this pas- that the meaning or spirit of the bows – like chick lit. But my pri- and neighborhood characters. street at suppertime seemed to sage describing how organ original song meant no more to mary reaction was one of relief. The store is owned by two be holding its breath, torn into player Cochise Jones, a record Cochise Jones than a poem Having trudged to the last page, I bandmates: Nat Jaffe, third-gen- patches of deep shadow and store regular, approaches the means to a shark that is eating could read something else now. 40 PHUKET GAZETTE May 31 - June 6, 2014 Islands steal spotlight for Environment Day By Chutharat Plerin planet for future generations. beaches, canals and the ocean. However, we must all work Public bins for three kinds of PHUKET will celebrate World together to decrease our impact trash will be posted at locales Event Environment Day (WED) with a on the environment and prevent across Phuket, said Vice Gover- three-day event from June 5-7 to global warming, which can cause nor Sommai Prijasilpa. encourage residents to take action sea levels to rise and have many The bins will be marked: 1) Schedule against pollution detrimental general trash; 2) infectious waste, and promote the effects on our such as medical waste from small preservation of environment.” clinics and veterinary surgeries; June 5 the island for Phuket’s and 3) hazardous materials, such generations to WED event will as used batteries and fluorescent 8am: Registration come. be held at the light bulbs. 9am: Opening ceremony chaired by The event Queen Sirikit Mr Nutthakrit pointed out that Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut will support the Park off of a lot of hazardous materials, such 10am - 3:30pm: United Nations Thalang-Dibuk as used batteries and fluorescent • Environmental photography exhibition Environment Road in Phuket light bulbs, get mixed up in public • Demonstrations of how to produce Program Town starting at bins with everyday garbage. biodiesel from used vegetable oil and (UNEP) cam- 9am on June 5. “If we allow it to sit in the land- how to produce biogas paign called No plastics or fill, it could contaminate the soil • Second-hand item exchange • Free physical check-ups by PPAO “Raise your ‘The aims of the UNEP foam products and create a serious health con- voice, not the will be allowed cern and even pose a safety risk. • Painting contest sea level”. campaign are to promote at the event. If such materials contaminate a 3:30: Painting contest winner “The aims of the importance of “Activities at canal, it could poison the water announced the UNEP cam- the event will supply,” he said. 6pm: “Why do we have Environment paign are to protecting Small Island include trash The call to action by govern- Day in Phuket” talks by Prince of promote the Developing States and to cleanups, art ment and health officials follows Songkla University representatives 7pm: Concert and stage performances importance of raise awareness of the exhibitions, tree a recent complaint from a Euro- protecting plantings, pean tourist who claimed Chinese Small Island environmental problems concerts, cam- tourists were dropping used bat- June 6 Developing we face as a world paigns to teries into the sea. States [SIDS], encourage bi- “The tourist said he asked the 10am - 3:30pm: raise aware- community’ cycle use and Thai guide to tell them to stop, • Environmental photography exhibition ness of the – Pornsri Suthanaruk, many fun but the guide replied that people and contest environmental director of the Regional contests,” Dr did it all the time,” said Mr • Free physical check-ups by PPAO problems we Environmental Office 15 Pornsri said. Nutthakrit. face as a world community and Municipalities across Phuket “If everyone dropped whatever June 7 to take action against activities that will also be launching a project to they want into the ocean, how escalate climate change,” said ensure the separation of hazard- much dangerous trash would be 9am: Gathering at Phuket Vocational Pornsri Suthanaruk, director of ous materials from public trash on floating around? We don’t want College and planting of 500 bougain- the Regional Environmental June 5 in a united effort to pre- to wait until it is too late to fix the villea, the provincial flower of Phuket, Office 15. vent dangerous materials from problem. Preventing the problem along the Bang Yai canal “It is a challenge to maintain our contaminating the island’s is better than having to fix it.”

‘Raise your voice, not the sea level’ is this year’s theme for World Environment Day on June 5. Photo: ASCOM Prefeitura de Votuporanga May 31 - June 6, 2014 PHUKET GAZETTE 41 Lion Air roars in the South business and leisure. There are a lot of popular holiday destinations in southern Thailand,” said Mr Burhan. “We will also be encouraging Thais to explore neighboring coun- tries, namely Indonesia and Malaysia,” he adds.

AutoGyro update By Somchai Huasaikul Flight training on the island’s one REGIONAL low-cost carrier Lion and only “gyrocopter” is going off Air has launched services to sev- without a hitch at Phuket AirPark in eral new destinations in Thailand, Pa Khlok. Phuket AirPark Flight with its Thai subsidiary Thai Lion Operations manager Pat James is Air aiming to establish Hat Yai among four trainees being instructed Airport (HDY) as a second hub in to operate the AutoGyro Cavalon by Thailand. a factory-trained instructor from Executive Managing Director of Sweden who is staying at Phuket Thai Lion Air, Andi Burhan, said AirPark for one month. that the carrier’s decision to use a “It’s looking really good. Ev- Lion Air has announced new domestic routes in Southern Thailand with Hua Hin as its hub. Photo: Sabung.hamster 72-seat ATR 72-600 prop plane, the erything is working out the way it during the Vietnam War, described has been around the airfield itself worst of both worlds, Pat said, first ATR to join Thai Lion Air’s was supposed to. It’s turned out the aircraft’s unique abilities when here in Pa Khlok and down on the “Probably less than a helicopter, fleet, would allow it to develop to be a better bird than most of us it comes to take off and landing. southern end of the island.” but more than a normal small fixed routes between niche markets and expected – much better,” said Mr “It takes off a bit like an air- “We are having so much fun wing aircraft. I would say it fits develop a more comprehensive James. plane; it needs about 100 to 200 with it. I feel like a kid at Christ- in nicely in between the two, both domestic network. Unfortunately, The other trainees are Phuket meters of runway to get up in the mas time. This is one very exciting in terms of noise levels and flight none of the announced new routes Airpark owner Robert Suchard air, but the landing is very much little bird to play with. A lot of the characteristics,” he said. involve Phuket (HKT) and it is still Raksangob, as well as two of the like that of a helicopter. You flight characteristics bring me In addition to using the aircraft impossible to get a chartered flight Cavalon’s co-owners: Torben autogyrate down and it’s very back to my helicopter days. It is to entertain friends and clients, the between the two largest airports in Jensen from Denmark and build- gentle. You only need about 25 or so agile – easy and forgiving. The owners will also use it as a train- the south of Thailand: HKT and ing contractor Best Wanamakok. 50 meters for a nice smooth land- visibility is beautiful and it’s aes- ing aircraft for island residents HDY. Pat and Robert are being trained ing,” he said. thetically gorgeous. We call it our who wish to learn how to fly. The new domestic routes are a as instructors so that they can Asked about flight range and ‘little yellow bumble bee’. It’s ide- “Several people have already ex- five-times weekly service to Hua teach others to fly the AutoGyro, fuel requirements, he said, “It has ally suited to the islands here. We pressed interest. Some are already Hin and a three-times weekly ser- while Torben and Best are using the the Rotax engine, like most fly low over the islands and pilots, but they would also like to vice to Surat Thani, both of which training as part of their efforts to ultralight aircraft. This particular beaches and places like that.” know AutoGyro flying skills. Oth- began on March 21. The flights are become registered ultralight pilots. one is turbocharged, developing Asked just how low the Cavalon ers are just brand new and they the first scheduled non-stop ser- As of May 23, the foursome 115 horsepower. We use standard could safely go, he said. “Just as want to start out flying on the vice from Haad Yai to both cities. combined had put in over 80 hours motor vehicle gas, 95 octane, and low as any ultralight fixed wing air- AutoGyro,” he said. Regionally, Thai Lion Air also of training in the bright yellow we burn about 18 liters an hour. craft. Out over the water, we can As the AirPark is home to the launched twice-weekly service two-seater, which has had many This gives us about three and a take it right next to the surface, but only AutoGyro dealership in the from Hat Yai to Medan, Indonesia island residents staring aloft and half hours of flight duration. We normally we fly at about 500 feet country, the owners hope to even- and Subang Kuala, Lampur over pointing as if Superman had been usually cruise at a speed of any- over water. Over residential or built- tually see some trainees acquire the past two months. spotted. where from 60 to 70 knots.” up areas, we must of course their own aircraft. One advantage “We chose Hat Yai to be our sec- “We’ve done about 82 hours of “We’ve been flying it around maintain safe elevations,” he said. of the Autogyro is its versatility. ond hub because it is a gateway training so far over the last two Phuket and have taken it out to People familiar with both prop It needs very limited space to op- into southern Thailand and we weeks, and we still have a week and Phi Phi Island and up to James planes and helicopters know that erate and even less for storage know that many people want to a half to go to finish the training.” Bond island in Phang Nga Bay, but both can generate a lot of noise. because it has no wings sticking travel to southern Thailand for Pat, a combat helicopter pilot most of our flight training activity Asked if the Cavalon was the out.

LITTLE BUMBLEBEE: The AutoGyro Cavalon cruises among the cliffs of Phang Nga Bay. Photo by John H, By the Air 42 PHUKET GAZETTE May 31 - June 6, 2014 Ready to change the world By Maciek Klimowicz and only then the world. But maybe 10 years down the line, HOPE and nostalgia, vivid memo- you’ll see me changing the ries and plans for a bright future, world,” she said, smiling. words of inspiration and inside However it wasn’t the distant jokes, shining smiles and rivers of future that occupied the young tears – all these were present in minds the most that day, but abundance during the British Inter- rather the past memories of their national School Phuket (BISP) school years. Graduation Ceremony for the class “I’ve been here for 13 years, of 2014 on Tuesday, May 27. all of my schooling life,” said Luke Honored by the Governer of “This school is the only place I Phuket, Maitri Inthusut, British really know. So I’m excited to Honorary Consul in Phuket Mar- visit new places and explore new tin Carpenter, representatives of opportunities, but I’ll miss this the Ministry of Education, and a familiarity,” he explained. number of local VIPs – the cer- Both Luke and Bao didn’t stint emony saw 29 BISP students on kind words when talking about celebrate this important milestone their BISP experience. in their young lives. “From outside it looks like a The inspirational keynote speech really big school but once you’re was delivered by BISP alumnae, As- in, you understand that the small sistant Managing Director at student to teacher ratio really Manmeebooks, Kim Chongsa- helps you become an individual. titwatana. Her speech provided You’re not just one of many in plenty of motivation not only for the class,” said Luke, while Bao the graduates, but for all the guests, added that the endless opportu- parents and teachers who filled the nities for personal development school’s vast auditorium. Asking that the school provides is what the students to keep their hearts makes it special. open and warning them against ar- BISP graduates are ready and eager to move on to the next step in their education. Photos: Maciek Klimowicz On stage, prizes were awarded rogance, she used quotations from while reminding them “not to lose answer is affirmative. “The broad to speak in public and more.” to the most hardworking of the the likes of Cicero to convince the themselves” as the move forward. syllabus helps a lot. You take The confidence with which she IB students, including the Theory graduates to “make a difference” And forward they will go. This math, you take a foreign lan- delivered her graduation speech of Knowledge award for Liam and work for social change. year’s graduates will continue their guage, you take English and proved she’s right, but is it enough Kealy, Extended Essay award for But perhaps it was the speeches education in universities all around humanities and it really helps you to improve the world we live in? Nathanon Khanijow and Valedic- by the students themselves, the globe – UK, Sweden, Singapore, become a well-rounded indi- Cautious optimism is what de- torian award for Piers Grassman, namely the Head Boy and Girl stu- Korea, Australia, USA and more – vidual,” he said. scribes Bao’s reply best. among others. After the cer- dents, Luke Phillips and Bao Han in fields ranging from Fashion De- His friend Bao Han Tran Le con- “Changing the world is such emony, food was served in the Tran Le, that won the audience’s sign and Hospitality Management curred, adding that being the Head a grandiose idea, I believe we school hall and mortarboards fly- warmest reception. Sharing com- to Psychology and Biomedicine. Student was of great benefit too. should start by improving our- ing high into the air soon mon memories of campus life with Did their experiences at the “We had to be good role models selves, and then our followed. The BISP Graduation their schoolmates, Luke and Bao school prepare them for grown- for the younger kids, which taught communities, which is at this Ceremony had ended, but for the touched the hearts of their friends up life? For Luke Phillips the us how to conduct ourselves, how time Phuket, and then Thailand graduates, the future had begun.

Mortarboards flew as high as hopes for a bright future after the graduation ceremony. Flowers to celebrate and photos to commemorate the milestone event. May 31 - June 6, 2014 PHUKET GAZETTE 43 44 PHUKET GAZETTE May 31 - June 6, 2014

Words from the wise:

“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” – Leo Tolstoy Cryptic Crossword “For me life is continuously being hungry. The meaning of life is not simply to exist, to survive, but to move ahead, to go up, to Across achieve, to conquer.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger 8. Permit a long time for voyage (7) 9. State the stipulation (9) Medium 13. Rice dish from pupil authentic (5) 14. Furious bard I upset (5) 15. Almost artificial ice surface the French twist (7) 16. On night moved naught (7) 17. Maybe isn't a good man (5) 18. T-tarnish belief! (5) 20. Upsetting! Dignity, it is gone when not long for this world (5) 22. Possibly retard merchant (6) 23. Refer out East to a seaman's jacket (6) 25. Cites no new division (7) 27. Right fool girl from a Phuket Mueang district (7) 30. Tests Iranian currency Down SUDOKU: Each row, column and 3x3 sub-grid must contain the after time (6) from S.W. Europe (7) number 1-9 once only. ©Kevin Stone (brainbashers.com) 31. Not so fresh, son, later 1. Ball to return for vote (6) 24. I carry a wage about by the bad (6) 2. Idiot, I rung out, making vehicle road (11) Hard 32. I'd err badly in an additional certain (8) 26. Possibly select work I clause (5) 3. Coming together again, Reg got caught able to be easily length- 35. Stern, causes tears (5) confused (11) ened or shortened (10) 36. To Northern Ireland, almost 4. Disturbed corn dies, think 28. Do not be moved by strange a pick-me-up! (5) about it (9) fad in Stan's time (5,4) 37. A feeler, worker backs 5. Cue date arranged to 29. A Gallic disposition is very Anne (7) instruct (7) cold (7) 39. Son possibly often fine, but 6. Severity from stern Head (10) 30. Thus about right time to push dismissed from the game (4,3) 7. Thai child in English, hard (6) 41. Female moving out observe (4) 32. Came back, right? Possibly East could be an old one of 10. Started work, end out East (6) tender about uniform (8) these! (5) 11. Say lamb cooked is 33. Learner in relay upset, is that 42. Reveal without a frightful (7) so? (6) celebration (5) 12. Correspondence from the 34. Not moving easily, second 43. Listens as becomes landlord? (6) fifty maybe about a Pound (7) resistant to tarnishing! (9) 19. Maybe fun nowadays, Editor, 38. No wickedness for the 44. Caught dance movement, has not lost color (7) beginner (6) echo the rhythm (7) 21. I bear in, moving a person 40. Musical tone, not echo (4)

GEMINI (May 22-June 21): that you can use new information CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 20): could catch you at a weak moment More focus on living in to improve relationships, both at Decision making can be on Monday or Tuesday. The social the moment allows work and on a personal level. rushed at the start of June scene is not what you need this Geminis to have clearer Being honest about your fears and the stars indicate that weekend – relaxing and recharging perspectives on what is good and is welcomed by a water sign you may forget to take others into batteries is recommended before the positive in their lives. The month of partner. The number one appears consideration before counting on busy month of June starts. Your June promises to be a rewarding important this week. their agreement. There are signs special number this week is nine. time, with emphasis on regaining that another earth sign could put money that you believed to be lost. VIRGO (Aug 23-Sept 23): SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22): the brakes on if you try to push ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20): Those celebrating a birthday in the Significant progress at The stars indicate a slow too hard. Where affairs of the heart Dancing to someone week ahead will enjoy more stabil- work is forecast for start to June as your are concerned, going out of your else’s tune can cramp ity in their personal relationships dur- those born under the sign energy is compromised. way to please a water sign partner your style at the start of ing the coming year. The number of Virgo during June. However, Scorpios are advised to consider is worthwhile. Capricorns’ lucky June. If this relates to a superior at six can lead to good luck this week. there are hints that this will involve making changes to certain lifestyle number this week is two. work, Tuesday and Wednesday are expecting others to put in more habits that they know are less than the most auspicious days for bring- CANCER (June 22-July 23): effort. A water sign’s habit of healthy. In the world of work, AQUARIUS (Jan 21-Feb 19): ing problems out into the open. Cancerians could be leaving everything until the last a subtle approach will achieve Putting a problem into Family-related issues might also tempted to get involved in minute will need to be addressed; most, and giving people you want someone else’s hands can need to be faced; relatives who something that doesn’t Tuesday is the most auspicious day to impress food for thought is have surprising results. have a habit of dropping in unex- directly concern them. The stars to have sensitive conversations. recommended. In the realm of The stars indicate that responses to pectedly may have to be told this suggest that remaining on neutral Financial gain is highlighted this romance, take care to mean what a call for assistance will be more is not welcome. The number seven ground is your best option, even weekend. Number three should be you say this weekend. Number positive than anticipated. Technol- is important for Arians this week. if someone tries to make you feel fortunate this week. five attracts good fortune. ogy is forecast to be troublesome like you have to give support. Fi- as June commences; this is not an TAURUS (Apr 21-May 21): nances are auspicious at the start LIBRA (Sept 24-Oct 23): SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec 21): auspicious time to purchase expen- Rewards of all kinds are of June; astral backing can help Work and business are Envy can color the week sive equipment. Your love life forecast to flow your you reclaim money that has been predicted to be calmer green for some of those reaches new heights, with commit- way as the month of owed for too long. Your lucky this week. The spotlight born under the sign of ment to an earth sign becoming a June begins. Taureans who have number this week is four. shines on your private life, with a Sagittarius. The stars suggest that strong possibility. The number five been feeling a financial pinch possible emotional rollercoaster ride someone who you believe has comes alive for Aquarians this week. should benefit from an astral at- LEO (July 24-Aug 22): at the start of June. Those who everything is not as well off as it mosphere that encourages more More has been going on have recently started a romantic seems. Negative emotions regard- PISCES (Feb 20-Mar 20): generosity and honesty from oth- behind the scenes than relationship with another air sign ing romance should give way to Pisceans should guard ers. Romance for those who are you were aware of. Leos will experience the most upheaval. more hope during the first week of against being persuaded single is well favored; the stars are likely to learn something new If you have any doubts about this June, particularly where a relation- into doing something that show that your charm can cast a about someone they thought they person’s sincerity, it would be best ship with another fire sign is con- they know deep down is not a good spell over another earth sign this knew well. June will be a month to voice them soon. The number cerned. Sagittarians should see num- move. There are signs that some- weekend. Your lucky number this of revelations and the stars suggest four can open a lucky door. ber eight attracting luck this week. one with the gift of smooth talk week is seven. May 31 - June 6, 2014 PHUKET GAZETTE 45 ToesToes toto thethe nosenose

The Pearl of the Andaman Longboard Classic surf competition held on Kalim Beach was fortunate to coincide with an unexpected, yet welcome, swell. Photos: Jeremie Schatz

By Jeremie Schatz Andaman” label, the organizers: President of Surfing Thailand THE monsoon arrived just in Chanin (Joob) Aiyarak; Vice time for the first Pearl of the President of Surfing Thailand Andaman Longboard Classic and owner of Baan Andaman Sea hosted on the rocky coast of Surf Decha Sithidej; and ISA Kalim last Saturday. judge Erwin Van Putten have A bit of afternoon rain and a been putting together surfing military coup couldn’t keep 30 competitions all over Phuket for contestants and more than 40 more than 10 years. spectators from turning out, as a “It started out a little bit in Kata few days of consistent ground and around that area. Then we had swell marched its way through the a surf series that was in Kata, Kalim Andaman to meet the grateful and Kamala. A year later we had it surfers. Required to use boards in Patong and in Kalim – so it just nine feet or longer, surfers were hops around a little bit,” said Erwin. able to line up far out and catch The top four placed surfers won a unique trophy. Surfers pose for a photo before their next heat. “Surfing Thailand is the main the peeling three to five-foot force behind it with some local waves early for long nose-rides. The most graceful bottom turns, deterred people from Taiwan, prize – a Firewire Timbertek Sub sponsors like Baan Andaman Sea Judges were vigilantly watch- powerful cutbacks, radical maneu- Malaysia and Indonesia from Moon 9.5. Second place went to Surf and Phuket Surf.” ing the contestants during the vers and longest nose-rides earned making the journey. Neung, third place to Decha For the next surfing competition, 15-minute, heats on the lookout for the surfers top scores. Somsak (Malek) Kreechai made Sithidej and fourth to Lee Patong, the Phuket surf-scene advocates those who chose the best – not International Surfing Associa- the most of the great conditions all of whom took home striking have their sights set on a multi-day necessarily the biggest – waves, tion (ISA) certified judge Erwin and high-scored his way through oyster shell trophies and goodies event with a women’s, grommets, and performed the most difficult Van Putten said that they originally six heats as well as the quarter- donated by the sponsors. shortboard, longboard and master’s and stylish maneuvers while main- expected more than 40 entries, but finals, semi-finals and finals to take Although this contest was the divisions hosted in Patong in taining the highest level of control. the degrading political situation home the first place trophy and first with the “Pearl of the September. Stay tuned. Train smart Malaysian breath-hold record set at WeFreedive Suunto Series in Phuket CONTESTANTS and spectators in the rain held their breath for some time during the WeFreedive Suunto Series static apnea event when a THERE is something in the air. Hu- Choose the right equipment new Malaysian record was set midity has been up and more rain such as aluminum instead of car- on April 25. clouds are coming in. It’s just a bon rims. These wheels still “This month’s static freediving matter of time til the first heavy provide good braking qualities in competition had the feel of a young rainfall here in Phuket. Train- the rain. Wider tires with green season: small and relaxed,” ing for Triathlon in the some profile ride bet- explained Association Internationale rainy season can be ter on wet roads than pour le Développement de l'Apnée very pleasant. The slicks. (AIDA) judge Richard Wonka. water temperature in Being on a Despite the small turnout at the pools usually mountain bike is the Phuket Country Home, spectators drops and swimming best choice. Avoid were delighted to see Azam has finally a “cooling busy roads and slow Hamid, who works as a pilot for effect” again. The air down before turns on Malaysia Airlines, set a new gets cleaner and the tem- slippery surfaces. Malaysian national record. Mr peratures feel quite nice dur- Maintenance of your Hamid overtook his previous ing or right after a rain shower. bike is crucial as well. Lubricate record by two seconds with an Especially for running, this is the your chain and cables more often impressive 4:43 breath hold. perfect time to pick up the mile- or take your bicycle into a local Melanie Long monitors time during the static apnea event. Photo: WeFreedive Local freediver Jonathan Macey age and enjoy some fresh air. bike shop regularly. joined open training the day before run into issues with surface though points scored for time and Nevertheless, you need to be On the run, I recommend stay- and ended up competing in his first protocol, ending up with a red distance are added to divers AIDA extra cautious during your train- ing more on roads or running ever AIDA International ranked card, instead of the white card ranking. ing sessions. During lightning, stay tracks. Trails might be slippery. competition. secured by Mr Macey. The next event will be the out of the water and away from Be safe, train smart! “He had an impressive 2:35 Phuket We Free Dive Suunto dynamic without fins discipline on any dangerous areas. On the bike, static dive. Kudos for a clean dive Series runs on a unique competi- June 29. Registration closes on be extra careful. During group Tip by Thanyapura’s Triathlon Senior with only an hour of training for tion format, which ranks the June 28. sessions keep a bit more distance Head Coach, Jurgen Zack. Contact the event,” Mr Wonka said. control, safety and beauty of the “All are welcome to join,” Mr between riders to be safe. Jurgen at [email protected] First time contestants often dive above time and distance, Wonka said. – Phuket Gazette 46 PHUKET GAZETTE May 31 - June 6, 2014 MMA enters Phuket By Maciek Klimowicz Among the fighters in the ring on the night will be Mangthus MORE than 500 people are expected “The Beast” Rewtawee, who’s to show up at Phuket’s first MMA training with Thai One FC fighter gala, and they are in for a treat. Shannon Wiratchai in Bangkok, “Thai culture understands com- and Rachanon “The Mad Child” bat sports and the Kingdom is on Ngaongam, out of Boxing King and the cusp of accepting MMA with Emac – both also in Bangkok. In open arms. We’re just trying to another match-up, a debut fight give a little push,” explains Ree for both fighters, Dylan Fussell Webster, the event’s co-organizer, from Team Quest Chiang Mai will when asked about motivations face Tiger Muay Thai’s Yusuf behind his efforts. Karakaya. This event will also see The gala event will feature the likes of EMAC Gym owner seven fights and 14 fighters, all in Niti Techottiasnee and Shannon one of Patong’s biggest nightclubs Wiratchai, One FC fighter and – Seduction Beach Club and Martial Warrior Star, providing the Disco. Most of the fighters will commentary. be up-and-comers, who have One of the tasks the organizers been training in the region. set for themselves is to promote “It is no secret to combat MMA in Thailand – a country with sports fans that Muay Thai is a rich martial arts traditions that it The gala event at Seduction Beach Club and Disco will feature seven fights and 14 fighters. Photo: Fightlaunch primary part of MMA. With so holds dear, but is slowly shifting many fighters flocking to Thai- to accept contemporary fight explains Ree Webster. It starts with Enter the Full Metal Dojo.” June 7 at the nightclub in Patong. land to train in one of its sports such as MMA. the events name. “There is no Thai The organizers are also hoping Tickets are available at the night- hundreds, or possibly thousands, “I feel like Asia still thinks of word like ‘Octagon’ which the to get the Tourism Authority of Thai- club, the Fight Lab shops and the of world-class Muay Thai gyms, fighting in the cage as taboo. Many UFC uses to describe their cage. land involved in the promotion of Tiger Muay Thai gym or reserved to learn Muay Thai in order to still prefer a boxing ring. Many So we’re helping out. Dojo is a future events, at the time this issue via Facebook. incorporate it into their MMA ar- Thais still have the “old school” place where martial arts are done. of the Gazette went to print, the ne- senal, the Kingdom needs more way of thinking and we’re just try- And what surrounds our awesome gotiations were ongoing. For more information about the event MMA events,” explains Webster. ing to break through doors,” dojo? Full metal, that’s what. The event will take place on visit Facebook.com/fullmetaldojo. Goats go for the gold CROWDS of fairgoers hastily gathered last in lane one had already won. The goat’s jubi- Saturday around the racing lanes at the lant young owner ran to meet him at the finish National Goat Fair in Cherng Talay as anx- line and proudly stood by as spectators ious farmers corralled their hairy contes- snapped pictures of the triumphant winner. tants toward the starting line. Round two began soon after; the goats The ominous, stubborn rain clouds had got bigger and the racing got faster. As soon parted just in time for the long-awaited goat as the flag waved, the goats barrelled for- races to begin. Even the sweltering heat ward. Contestants in lanes two and three could not stifle the excitement among chil- went head to head as the crowds clapped Governor Maitri waves the The National Goat Fair’s goat race saw a veritable pantheon of dren and adults alike as the first racing goats and cheered, and the two stayed neck and checkered flag. worthy competitors vying for the coveted title of fastest goat. stood at the ready, bleating in anticipation. neck until the last second of the race. The Governor Maitri Inthusut kick-started the slight, but quick, goat in lane two pulled out unclear who won. Race referees decided to stretch, allowing lane two to take the gold. first round with a swift wave of a checkered a win, beating his fellow competitors. hold a third-round rematch in the hopes that The National Goat Fair’s highly-anticipated racing flag and off they – actually, just one – Competition in the third round was even a clear winner would emerge. goat race saw a veritable pantheon of worthy went! The race got off to a rocky start, as fiercer, and the contestants shot off as soon The tension before the ultimate, re-matched competitors. Although only three left the fair only one of the goats seemed to know what as they were signaled by race marshal Gov- race was palpable, and the contestants dug enjoying their 15 minutes of fame, all of the was at stake. The others did not appear to ernor Maitri. In fact, the race was so close their hooves into the dirt with a final wave of other racers fought valiantly for the coveted have their heads in the game, and by the time between goats in the first three lanes, with the flag. Goats in lanes two and three took an title of fastest goat, and accepted defeat with they realized what to do, the little brown goat only a brief lead by lane three, that it was initial lead, but lane three fell back in the final their heads held high. – Mauri Grant May 31 - June 6, 2014 PHUKET GAZETTE 47 World Cup not welcomed by all

By Pedro Fonseca education, housing and public transport,” said Rui Costa, a striking teacher who THE bus carrying Brazil’s World Cup squad helped organize the protest. to their first day of training on Monday was Costa said none of the houses promised kicked and punched by demonstrators angry to victims of a deadly flood in the area that at what they consider exorbitant spending on killed around 1,000 people in 2011 had been football and not enough on social programs. delivered. A small group of striking teachers attacked Protesters allied to a far-left political party the bus as it left Rio de Janeiro for the moun- held up a banner in English that read, “Billions tain town of Teresopolis, where the squad for the FIFA’s World Cup, No housing for Demonstrators protest against the 2014 World Cup during the arrival of the Brazilian national will be based during the tournament. the victims of the heavy rains of 2011. Do soccer team at the Granja Comary training center. Photo: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters The teachers covered the bus with you think it is fair?” stickers as Barcelona players Neymar and The demonstrations ended peacefully, to streets across the country to protest bus arenas and tear gas was used. Dani Alves looked on from inside. but they provided another warning of the fare hikes. “No one here is rooting against Brazil,” When the bus arrived in Teresopolis, 100 potential pitfalls that Brazil faces as it struggles The grievances soon expanded to cover a said Alex Trintino, the coordinator of a local kilometers away, another group of about 30 to host football’s biggest extravaganza. lack of social spending and excess invest- teachers’ union. people chanted anti-World Cup slogans. Last year during the Confederations Cup, ment in football stadiums. “This was a symbolic act against a “This country’s priority shouldn’t be the the dress rehearsal for next month’s tourna- None of the matches were affected, country that doesn’t have money for World Cup, it should be improving health, ment, hundreds of thousands of people took but fans fought with riot police outside the health and education.” – Reuters New Asian Tour venue under construction THEY have roamed the fairways, In a recent visit to, Australia’s Scott Hla Han, will offer a unique experience. conquered the treacherous greens and Barr, a member of the Asian Tour Tour- “When the academy takes off, I believe marveled at the beauty of various champi- nament Players Committee (TPC), there would be a very high chance you onship golf courses around the region. described the Asian Tour Destination as a can spot the best players in Asia taking Come 2015, a new playground within sight to behold. advantage of the facility and if you’re the central highlands of Dalat, “The property is very picturesque, it lucky enough, you may even get the Vietnam will await players from the Asian has a stunning entrance and the golf chance to take them on in a one-on-one Tour. course will be quite spectacular when it game,” said Barr. Located at 1200 meters above sea level is completed. The climate in Dalat is A former teaching professional, Barr and aptly named after its elevation, The conducive for golf due to the low humid- is equally optimistic that the Asian Tour Dalat at 1200 Country Club and Private ity and high altitude. Golf Academy will offer the best training Estate holds the distinction of being the “It’ll be a great destination for golf in facilities for aspiring professionals as well first property to be announced as an Asian the coming years especially with its fantastic as Asian Tour players. Scott Barr (left) and Kyi Hla Han monitor Tour Destination. hospitality, lovely bent grass greens, cooler “The academy, once completed, will be construction. Photo: Supplied It is a hallmark of prestige and excel- weather and surroundings,” said Barr. equal to the best facilities in the world and lence which only a selected few can lay With plans for an Asian Tour Golf will feature all the latest training equipment, to relive the Asian Tour experience where claim to. Academy in the pipelines as well, the a two-ended range, pitching, short game they will walk along the same fairways as While it will be some time before the first Singapore-based Australian is confident the and putting facilities,” said Barr. their golfing heroes and enjoy the Asian Tour event is staged at The Dalat at destination, along with the course which is Enjoying varied topography in the Dalat property’s world-class amenities. 1200, the excitement is already heating up. designed by former Asian number one Kyi area, The Dalat at 1200 will allow golfers – Phuket Gazette AFC continues battle to eradicate match-fixing THE Asian Football tigations as an ad- Confederation has ministrative ‘fact asked its member finder’ in coordina- associations to tion with AFC and appoint integrity of- relevant national law ficials to report any enforcement agen- issues of match- cies,” AFC Director fixing as they battle AFC President Sheikh of MAs and Devel- to clear up corrup- Salman bin Ebrahim Al opment Sanjeevan tion in the sport. Khalifa. Photo: Lenbj Balasingam said in a The AFC, which has 46 full statement. members and one associate AFC members have long battled member in Northern Mariana match-fixing issues, with China, Islands, has set a deadline of June South Korea, Lebanon, Australia, 30 to make the appointments, with Malaysia and Singapore among those hired reporting to the countries to have been hit by the organization’s integrity officer problem. Hassan Haider Khan. AFC President Sheikh Salman bin “Responsibilities of the integrity Ebrahim Al Khalifa, elected to the officer are to establish and main- position last year, promised to tackle tain integrity initiatives within the the issue upon taking office but MA (member associations), problems have continued. receive information related to The AFC said they were match-fixing matters within the committed to clearing up the MA and conduct inquiries or inves- problems. – Reuters 48 PHUKET GAZETTE May 31 - June 6, 2014