Volume 11 Issue 24 News Desk - Tel: 076-236555 June 12 - 18, 2004 Daily news at www.phuketgazette.net 20 Baht

The Gazette is published in association with TOT gets ‘Ugly’ verdict B128m IN THIS ISSUE to boost NEWS: Bail insurance now av- ailable; Encroached land seized; Queer News. services Pages 2 & 3 NSIDE TORY rattles island I S : Mangrove cull By Gategaeo Phetsawang causes turmoil on idyllic Naka Yai Island. Pages 4 & 5 By Sangkhae Leelanapaporn PHUKET: The Phuket office of the Telephone Organization of AROUND THE ISLAND: Let your PHUKET: Governor Udomsak Thailand (TOT) has been heart lead your feet, says Usawarangkura and senior fig- granted a budget of 128.68 mil- dance instructor. Page 6 ures in the tourism industry say lion baht to upgrade its services AROUND THE REGION: Time to they accept the judgment of a on the island. head for the hills in Samui. survey in the respected National The budget will be used to Page 8 Geographic Traveler magazine install 19 new telephone ex- that Phuket, as a destination, is changes, adding a total of 8,100 PEOPLE: Singer Rose proves “getting ugly”. telephone numbers on the island that it’s the voice that counts. The “ugly” assessment was this year. “We plan to add an- Pages 10 & 11 made by the magazine after it other 11,430 telephone numbers SPORT: Table tennis champs conducted a survey, in collabo- next year, bringing the total new show how it’s done; Golf; ration with the National Geo- landline numbers in Phuket to Five-a-side soccer. Page 13 graphic Sustainable Tourism Ini- 19,530,” TOT Phuket chief Pai- tiative, of 200 specialists in sus- roj Somsri told the Gazette. DOWNSIDER: A ball shows tainable tourism, destination there’s life in the old dog yet. He added that the TOT stewardship and related fields. Page 17 Definitely not ugly Phuket branch will also expand The specialists assessed its ADSL high-speed Internet FIRST PERSON: Why Phuket 115 well-known destinations Talatchanun Srisanan, Sasiwan Phootrakornchai and Prynda access from the current coverage needs more unskilled foreign worldwide. Phuket came third Kumphumpinij, all 19 and all from Bangkok, were among of 20% of the island to more than labor, not fewer. Page 19 from last with a score of 43 out the 40 Miss Siam 2004 contestants who visited Phuket for 80%. of 100, beating only north-coast a few days before the contest, due to take place in Bangkok “We are preparing to install BUSINESS & MONEY: Tourist on June 12. They visited popular tourists sites and featured industry looks back on a good Jamaica and Spain’s Costa del 5,000 ADSL exchanges in Phu- Sol. in a video promoting tourism. While in Phuket the contestants ket in July,” he said. high season; Saudi terrorism stayed at the Dusit Laguna Resort Hotel. a real worry. Page 21 Destinations were given Looking further ahead, K. scores for environmental and Pairoj said that TOT Phuket is GOOD LIVING: A taste of the ecological quality; social and tions have conducted research by survey. “We have to accept the waiting for approval to install Alps at Swiss Delight. cultural integrity; condition of surveying tourists. Their results reality. We should try to improve wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) high- Page 25 built heritage; aesthetic appeal; are similar to the assessment [in Phuket instead of making ex- speed Internet access throughout PROPERTY: The high life up appropriateness of tourism de- the magazine], which confirms cuses. We know what is happen- Phuket City, with a service range above Surin Beach; Home of velopment; and outlook for that we have a problem. ing, so we should not lie to our- extending at least five kilometers the week in Kamala; William sustainability. They were also “People involved must re- selves,” he said. from the access points. Pinsent on property prices; scored from 1 to 10 for “overall alize that it is time to help Phuket “We think too much about “The TOT is waiting for Using long words to grow condition”, ranging from 1 for once again become a good place attracting tourists but never approval from the Post and Tele- plants. Pages 26, 27 & 28 “catastrophic” to 10 for “en- for tourism. enough about protecting the en- graph Department to install hanced”. “The result [of the National vironment or improving public WiMax [wireless protocol] PLUS The Governor told the Ga- Geographic Traveler] survey is infrastructure to support tour- broadband Internet access in zette that he had to accept the like a mirror in which we can see ism.” Phuket City that will be capable AROUND THE N ATION 7; HAPPEN- results of the assessment because ourselves. Although he acknowl- of providing Internet access to INGS 9; HOROSCOPES 12; TRAVEL the magazine “checked many “I’m always pleased to re- edged that publication of the sur- users at least five kilometers – HONG KONG MOVIELAND 14; aspects of tourism”. ceive criticisms,” the Governor vey might affect Phuket’s tour- from where the WiMax node is KIDS 15; MOMMA DUCK, YOUTH He explained, “I believe added. “They help us to solve ism, he added, “It is good for us installed,” he said. ’N ASIA 16; EDITORIAL & LET- [the magazine] conducted the problems and improve matters.” to know.” He added that the TOT is TERS 18; ISSUES & ANSWERS 19; survey systematically and me- Panu Maswongsa, Vice- Thanu Nabnien, Coordina- currently waiting for approval to thodically, so we will use it to COMPUTERS, BOOKS 20; MOTOR- President of Marketing of the tor in Phuket of the Wildlife make Phuket City “go hot”, as help us to improve things. Phuket Tourism Association, Fund of Thailand, also agreed launching Wi-Fi service is re- ING 24; CLASSIFIEDS 29-35. “In Phuket, many organiza- also agreed with the results of the Continued on page 2 ferred to in IT circles. 2 PHUKET GAZETTE NEWS June 12 - 18, 2004 Gov, tourism leaders admit magazine’s ‘ugly’ label contains truth

From page 1 Tourism Authority of Thailand pollution, but there is never any ket can be. I think we should lis- “I believe this trend of with the assessment. “Problems [which aims simply to keep in- enforcement. We have laws and ten to National Geographic Trav- thinking only of tourist numbers always come together with tour- creasing tourist arrivals]. So rules but no action. We have eler because the quality of life is is not a good one. We should be ism, especially environmental there’s a conflict and we don’t talked a lot about zoning but it more important than money. thinking about the quality of tour- problems,” he said. know what exactly Phuket should never gets applied,” he added. “I think Phuket is going to ist, not about the numbers alone,” “For a long time there has be,” K. Thanu explained. John Gray, Managing Di- find itself losing the top-quality he added. “I think Phuket’s go- been a conflict in thinking be- “We keep hearing there are rector of ecotourism company [tourists] and we are going to ing downhill fast ... In the past tween those who believe that measures to protect the environ- John Gray’s Sea Canoe, told the end up with the East Asian group three years we have just gotten Phuket should be a destination ment, such as environmental leg- Gazette, “I think we need to slow tours. They don’t spend much too greedy.” for high-class travelers and the islation and zoning to control down and remember what Phu- money and they destroy nature. The Director of the local TAT office, Suwalai Pinpradab, said, “We have to accept that some people see us like this, so we have to improve our product Insurance and make an urgent effort to pre- serve the environment. Responding to criticism of the TAT’s drive to constantly in- crease tourist numbers, she said, to cover bail “Of course we need to increase the number of tourists – it means greater income for the country. But this doesn’t mean we are de- payment stroying tourism sites. It is the responsibility of businesspeople and local government to preserve the environment. Wherever I go, I always emphasize this.” now on sale Asked whether the survey STAR-CROSSED STARS: Ulysse Lory (left) and Joy Koyphokai- would affect the booming prop- sawan were the stars of a modern interpretation of Shakespeare’s By Siripansa Somboon out insurance after the alleged erty industry, Phummisak Romeo & Juliet, staged recently by students of the QSI offense has been committed, al- Hongsyok, President of the International School of Phuket. PHUKET: Insurance companies though the premium in this situ- Phuket Real Estate Club, told Behind the scenes, the hero was 11-year-old Philip Upton in Phuket now offer “bail insur- ation is likely to between 5,000 the Gazette, “I don’t think so, who rewrote the play to bring the Bard up to date, making his ance” policies providing cover of and 20,000 baht. but it is a reminder to Phuket that work more accessible to young actors of nine different nation- up to 100,000 baht for a premium Any policy will be null and we have to be careful, that the alities and, by extension, their parents. The play was directed by of just 700 baht, the Phuket Pro- void, however, if the alleged government and private sector another student, Billy Salih. vincial Insurance Office (PPIO) crime involves either murder or have to work together. has announced. drugs. “We have to take a good IN BRIEF Sanong Sangsiriklangana- Not disclosed by the PPIO look at ourselves. We can see kul, Director of the PPIO, said was whether the prospective in- [problems such as] worsening ‘Smell of corruption’ in new land probe “The policies are aimed at Thai sured are asked to disclose traffic and a lot of construction citizens – or foreigners living whether they are of mens rea be- around Phuket. PHUKET CITY: Senior police officers inspected a 76-rai plot of here – who don’t have recourse fore they apply. “The government should land in the Panturat Hills along the bypass road on June 2 amid to the large amounts of money K. Sanong pointed out that give more support to improving suspicions that corruption was involved in the issue of the land title. often necessary to post bail.” all policies sold so far have been basic infrastructure,” he added. Crime Suppression Division Deputy Superintendent Pol Lt Col The cautious may take out bought after the buyers were ar- Property developer and ho- Korawath Panprapa and other officers were accompanied a former a policy and, subject to approval, rested, perhaps indicating a lack tel consultant Bill Barnett, Man- land officer named by police as Jiam Srisuksai. be covered within as little as 20 of malice aforethought. aging Director of C9 Hotelworks, Declining to disclose the name of the “owner” of the land, Lt minutes. Even those with a string “The next stage will be to said that he thought it was unfair Col Korawath told the Gazette “We are still gathering evidence. If of convictions may apply for bail offer this bail insurance service to pin an “ugly” label on Phuket we find evidence of wrongdoing – and I suspect corruption – then insurance. through police stations,” said K. on the basis of a single survey. we will prosecute.” The investigation continues. It is even possible to take Sanong. “Phuket may be doing some things wrong, but it’s doing a lot Phuket Cultural of things right. It is very success- Fisherman catches more than crab shells ful right now. You have people Center reopens coming through the door every PHUKET CITY: The recently- CHONBURI: It says something he was puzzled as to how it came day who appreciate the beauty of renovated Phuket Cultural Cen- about the state of the environ- to be there and said that the mili- it, but who also appreciate the ter, housed at Rajabhat Institute ment when fishermen cast their Queer News tary would conduct an in-depth development of the place.” Phuket, will reopen on June 19. nets and pull in not fish but live investigation. He too said he did not be- Facets of Phuket’s varied ammunition. However, the catch was not One theory is that the am- lieve the survey would substan- history, from the beliefs, culture But that’s what happened to fresh seafood but a belt of 99 munition was dumped offshore tially affect the property market. and languages of indigenous Sattahip fisherman Somkiat rounds of heavy machine gun by an “influential” person who “I think people people should Phuketians through to its archi- Wongsorn. Somkiat thought that ammunition. feared prosecution for illegal develop a balanced view. They tectural and culinary diversity, he had hit a mother lode of crabs, Navy police confirmed the possession of military ordnance. have to reach their own conclu- will be on display at the center. so heavy was his net. ammo was live. One officer said Source: Pattaya Mail sions.” June 12 - 18, 2004 NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 3 6 land plots seized for ‘encroachment’ By Gategaeo Phetsawang had used the land to Justice Minister collect water to sup- Pongthep Thep- PHUKET CITY: Six plots of land ply other land he kanjana led the in Muang District “belonging” to owned downhill. land seizures. two people were seized on June It is alleged 8 in a massive operation led by that he had since arrested on land- the Minister of Justice, Pongthep obtained Chanote or grab charges and is Thepkanjana. NorSor 3 Gor titles currently awaiting K. Pongthep was accompa- to the land, in collu- trial in connection nied by the Secretary of the Anti- sion with corrupt with those charges. Surapong Panyawai, Chairman of the Sakoo Tambon Money Laundering Office, Pol Land Office offi- Maj Gen Ko- Administration Organization, jogs with the Round-Thailand Run Maj Gen Pirapan Premputi; the cials. sin said that former baton on June 8. The run is part of celebrations to mark HM Chief of the Crime Suppression The case has been sent to land officials had told investiga- Queen Sirikit’s sixth-cycle birthday, which falls on August 12. Police, Pol Maj Gen Kosin Sin- the Public Prosecutor, the officer tors that they had received bribes The baton and flags are being carried through every tambon in tao; and even the Chief of the told K. Pongthep, adding that, of Thailand before being returned to Bangkok and presented to of as much as a million baht for Her Majesty. country’s Tourist Police, along a total 884 rai of SorPorKor land issuing false titles. with dozens more police officers. in Phuket, 706 rai appeared sub- It is alleged that the six par- sequently to have been issued cels of land, totaling 104 rai and with more valuable, but spurious, estimated to be worth 26 million titles. Investigators were now baht, are actually Forestry De- checking all these titles, he said. partment or SorPorKor land. K. Pongthep said that the One of the “owners” was cases tackled on June 8 were re- named as Boonkeng Srisansu- garded as coming under the um- chart, 54, developer of the Sri- brella of the “War on Dark Influ- suchart Grandview and Srisu- ences”, since they involved large- chart Grandview 2 housing de- scale encroachment on state land. velopments and owner of a He noted that the standard trucking company. Officials de- ploy of such people was to ob- clined to name the other “owner”. tain land titles illegally, and then A police officer explained to borrow against those titles in to K. Pongthep that K. Boonkeng order to invest in other projects. had leased 76 rai of Forestry and Maj Gen Pirapan said, “To- SorPorKor land in the Panturat day’s cases will be referred to the Hills next to the bypass road Civil Court, which will decide since 1983, on a 30-year lease whether the land should be re- granted to him by a provincial turned to the relevant govern- vice-governor of that time. He ment departments, along with any structures on the land.” This is not the first time that Spas must pay K. Boonkeng has had difficulties ‘entertainment’ over land. In July last year he was tax– Excise PHUKET: In an effort to clear up confusion over taxes payable by the island’s spa industry, the Ex- cise Department has confirmed that it classes most of the island’s spa businesses as entertainment venues – and therefore subject to 10% excise tax. “Spas that operate as enter- tainment venues [as opposed to beauty or health treatment facili- ties] must pay 10% excise tax, the same as massage parlors,” said a spokesman for the Phuket Area Excise Office during the Gover- nor’s press conference at Provin- cial Hall on June 1. To clarify, the Excise De- partment’s Phuket office issued a statement specifying that a spa must pay the 10% tax if any of the following three conditions apply to its operations: • It holds a license to oper- ate a massage parlor under sec- tion 3(3) of the Entertainment Act of 1966. • It offers bathing and mas- sage services in the same area. • It provides pictures, num- bers, or designated areas that fa- cilitate customer selection of par- ticular staff members to provide service. – Dhirarat Boonkongsaen 4 PHUKET GAZETTE INSIDE STORY May 15 - 21, 2004 Away from the highways and shopping malls of Phuket, on the idyllic Phang Nga Bay island of Naka Yai, trouble has been brewing for months between local people and the developers of the five-star Nakaburi Resort, on the northwest end of the island. STAND-OFF The Gazette’s Gategaeo Phetsawang reports.

illagers on idyllic The resort owners also ar- Naka Yai island and gue that the proposed pearl farm in neighboring Pa will enhance marine life and un- V Khlok, on Phuket, derwater vistas for their guests have appealed to the National and other visitors. Human Rights Commission and The Project Administrator to local environmental activist of Nakaburi Co Ltd, Siwat Set- groups to help them in their dis- chaiyan, believes the resort is in pute with the owners of the bil- fact a victim of local politicking. lion-baht Nakaburi Resort, being “I believe there is a political built on the island. game behind this because there They have vowed to take is an election due in the coming their fight right up the ladder to two months for seats on the Pa Prime Minister Thaksin Shina- Khlok OrBorTor [Tambon Ad- watra if necessary. ministration Organization]. Only The villagers have two a handful of those who have com- complaints. The first is that the plained actually live on Koh resort owners have cut down Naka.” mangrove forest. This, the villag- The project, he explained, ers say, will damage the environ- covers 80 rai, of which one ngan ment by wiping out – a quarter of a rai part of a “nursery” – is mangrove for- for marine life on est. The site con- which local fisher- sists of six plots of KEEP OUT: A sign nailed to one of the palm trees swaying gently over the white beach next to the folk depend. land which were is- Nakaburi Resort site on Koh Naka Yai sends a clear message: ‘No Entry – Private Land.’ The second is sued land titles in that a concession 1978 and 1979. But Naka islander Sawaat ing it to suspend construction.” a concession was fisherman has been granted for “This project Chortip alleges that the developer He added that villagers Mongkol Prabtook, 38. He said a 50-rai pearl farm belongs to Thai cut down about two rai of man- don’t want to oppose anything he had applied to set up a farm off the west coast of people. It will be a groves. The company was about just for the sake of it, bat added. about 10 years ago, but govern- the island, along the five-star Thai-style to fill the land, he said, but vil- “Mangroves are beautiful. No ment officers turned him down. beach that fronts the resort with some lagers opposed this operation one should be allowed to destroy “Yesterday the villagers on resort. This, villag- ‘Some parts of the villas for sale,” he before it could begin. them,” he said. Koh Naka discussed the prob- ers say, will block a mangrove land that told the Gazette. He added, “The resort own- He also criticized the plan- lems [with the resort manage- main boat route the resort has “We are willing to ers say they have a land title but ned pearl farm. “People who live ment]. Most villagers don’t be- from Ao Por to Koh cooperate with of- I don’t think it’s clear enough. I near Ao Por pier will be affected lieve that the conclusion will be Yao Yai, and will already cleared will ficials. After the think some officials involved because they fish in that area. good. They think the mangrove also bar locals from be reinstated.’ villagers com- may have taken bribes. They also go through the area land will be judged as belonging fishing in the area. plained, we asked “Mangrove land is impor- when traveling between Koh to Nai Tun [Mr Moneybags]. The owners of – Vasant Panich, for officers to come tant to villagers because they earn Raet and Koh Naka [on the way “If that is the result, then the resort insist that National Human and measure the their living from it; many kinds to Koh Yao Noi]. we will file a complaint with PM they have the right Rights land. They did this of fish lay their eggs in the man- “So far, the resort has done Thaksin,” K. Mongkol said. to cut down man- in May and agreed groves, which are also full of nothing, but once they begin to Panya Sumphaorat, Presi- groves on land they Commissioner . that the land titles other marine animals.” set up the farm, we will of course dent of Pa Khlok OrBorTor, told own. Legally speaking, this is the are correct. He said that, because they be affected. the Gazette that both the Thalang case, said Thawatchai Nuwan, “I don’t understand what’s knew this, the islanders had pre- “We only fish in the area. District Office and the Phuket from the Mangrove Resources happening because we have good served the mangroves for a long This doesn’t affect natural re- provincial government had or- Development Office. relations with the villagers. Al- time and had never encroached sources because we use simple dered the OrBorTor to check into If a landowner has a legiti- most all of the workers [on the on the land or built anything on equipment that doesn’t destroy the matter. The resort was al- mate land title that includes man- site] live on the island. it. the environment. lowed to start clearing the land grove land, he or she may do any- “We don’t want to have any Hem Salika, 50, another “We have earned a living in in the middle of April. thing on that land including cut- problems. Right at the beginning Naka islander, who earns a liv- the area for a long time. But if “According to the land ting down the mangroves and fill- we asked all relevant organiza- ing from fishing, said, “The com- they fence off their farm over an titles and the aerial photograph ing the land, K. Thawatchai said. tions to check, before we started pany used power saws to destroy area of 50 rai [of sea], villagers of the land from the Thalang “It’s their right to do so on their any work. You can’t have prob- the mangroves. They also started won’t be able to do anything in Land Office, the titles cover own land.” lems on a big project like this.” to fill the land but the villagers that area.” some mangrove forest,” K. asked the OrBorTor officers to He also wondered how the Panya said. “I explained this to come and look into this. concession came to be granted. the villagers but some of them “The officers agreed that “Years ago, some villagers asked still don’t understand why the the company’s land [papers] for permission to farm oysters in mangroves are being destroyed. could not cover mangrove land, the area but were turned down by I have also talked to the resort so they wrote to the company tell- the [provincial] government, and they say they are willing not without explanation. to construct anything nearby, “They tried again later, but and will not destroy mangroves the answer was the same, so the in the area.” villagers just got fed up and gave Nakaburi Co’s K. Siwat, up.” clearly frustrated by the delay the One of those who tried for dispute is causing, does not see May 15 - 21, 2004 INSIDE STORY PHUKET GAZETTE 5 ON IDYLLIC NAKA for the damage to us? The delay ask permission from the villag- the pearl farm concession, K. is already costing us about 4 mil- ers as well?” Vasant said, “We will explain in lion baht a month. He also slammed his oppo- writing to the Phuket government “Most villagers understand nents’ us-and-them mentality. how the farm concession will af- this matter but there are a hand- “People shouldn’t just talk about fect the lifestyle of local people. ful who are involved in a politi- ‘Nai Tun’, otherwise nothing will “If it really affects [local cal game. It’s unfair to drag us ever be developed. When the re- people], it will definitely be re- into this. What about the other sort is built, the islanders will voked [by the Phuket govern- people who set up prawn farms have work and the community ment] which is the best way out covering many rai of mangroves, will prosper ... It’s kind of frus- [of the problem].” compared with the single ngan trating because we believe we V/Gov Pongpow again took we have? have done everything correctly,” a slightly different view. “So far “We planned to finish the he said. there is no pearl farm in that area, project within 18 months but now It is difficult to determine so no one is affected. But if they it is delayed and no one can tell just how close the start farming oys- me when we can start construc- dispute is to a reso- ters and this affects tion.” lution. On May 29, the environment, Addressing the criticisms Vasant Panich, we can cancel [the about the pearl farm, he said that Commissioner of concession],” he the concession had been granted the Bangkok-based said. two years ago, and that the farm National Human Thanu Naep- officially does not belong to Rights Commis- nien, spokesperson Nakaburi Co, but to an indi- sion met with for the environmen- vidual. Phuket Vice-Gov- tal group Wildlife The resort does, however, ernor Pongpow Fund Thailand have an interest in seeing the Ketthong, who is (WFT), which has farm established. “If our resort is charged with untan- been supporting the completed but the surroundings gling the problem. villagers in their aren’t beautiful, what is our sell- After the fight, said, “I won- ing point? There may be beauti- meeting K. Vasant der how govern- ful buildings, but environment is said, “The Phuket ‘Mangroves are ment officers can still an important consideration,” government has co- issue land titles K. Siwat said. operated well with beautiful. No one covering mangrove “[With the pearl farm set us on this matter. should be allowed land, especially the up] people who [might] want to Some parts of the to destroy them.’ District Land Of- do something in that area [that] mangrove land that fice. According to MANGLED: The two sides cannot even agree on the area of destroys the environment, will no the resort has al- – Fisherman Hem the constitution, mangroves felled by the resort’s developer. Is it a quarter-rai or longer be able to. ready cleared will Salika. people have the two rai, or three? “There have been com- be restored through right to know [how groves. Otherwise buildings on plaints that the farm will affect cooperation between local villag- such a land title was issued] be- things quite the same way. the villagers’ route [to Koh Yao] ers and the resort.” cause this relates directly to natu- “You can’t just think, ‘A it will subside.” He offered a compromise. and some of their fishing waters, V/Gov Pongpow seemed to ral resources in the area. big person who loses a little but the farm covers only the area think that matters were not quite “The [provincial] govern- weight won’t be affected.’ It’s not “We are willing [to let govern- ment officers cut out the man- in front of our resort. so clear-cut. He said, “The land- ment should officially exclude that easy. Even if it’s just one “There won’t be any effect owner wants to upgrade his Nor the mangrove land from the land ngan, the whole masterplan may grove area from our land], but it should not be a large area. [If that on [the villagers] because they Sor 3 Gor title for the resort to title. I believe the Governor has have to be radically changed. fish in other areas and, in any Chanote. So we are going to mea- the authority to do this.” “Our land title covers one happens] the proportion between the buildings and the land will case, half of the Naka islanders sure it and set the land markers Pichet Parndum, represent- ngan of mangroves. If we do work for us. No one fishes in the before issuing the Chanote. ing local fishermen, said, “The nothing about that area, the land change and that will effect our overall master plan, which cost area the concession covers. “If there’s anything [be- concession for the oyster farm [next to it] will be eroded by “[The pearl farm] is not a lieved to be] illegal, we will con- should be revoked because it con- water. We have to build a wall 10 million baht. “Who will be responsible business as such; what it will do sider it according to the laws and flicts with local people’s life- on the land next to the man- is provide a beautiful natural un- be fair with everyone. If we find styles.” derwater view for visitors. the inclusion of the mangrove Asked if he was confident “We don’t do anything land is a case of encroachment, about the government’s proce- without thinking of local people. it will be cut out [of the land pa- dures for handling the dispute, K. We already have permission from per]. Pichet said cryptically, “What- the government. Do we have to As for the complaint about ever, the truth is still the truth.” 6 PHUKET GAZETTE AROUND THE ISLAND June 12 - 18, 2004

By Athairat Muangkong he dance instructor at the newly-opened SEA Academy of Music and Heart first, then feet TDance at the Boat La- goon in Koh Kaew, Karen Mac- Iver, stresses, “To truly love to which has become a respected in- “If they can develop the dance you must start with your ternational art form and is an ef- confidence to work with me they heart, then the feet will follow. fective part of a total body-con- do fine,” she said. This is the heart of dance and ditioning program that will help Although 10 levels of in- every dancer must have this in you feel great, look terrificand struction are offered, Ms MacIver mind all the time.” bring new energy to your life.” has developed her own style of A fully-certified dance and Tap is the most difficult teaching that doesn’t involve gymnastics instructor in her na- dance form to master, said Ms textbooks but focuses instead on tive Australia, 49-year-old Ms MacIver, because it involves per- individual style. She gives child McIver began dancing at the age fect timing and rhythm. “Bad tap students monthly evaluations so of two. Not long after that she be- dancing is not a pretty sight,” she that their parents can keep track gan a life-long career in dancing, said with a laugh. of their progress. Those who appearing in TV commercials, Weekly lessons are divided reach the highest levels can also festivals and national dance com- into terms. The current Spring become certified dance instruc- petitions. term runs for eight weeks and tors and teach abroad, she said. Later she went on to work costs 2,800 baht. Among her students are two internationally in music and To allow her to focus on in- dancers from Bangkok who have dance productions, eventually dividual students, Ms MacIver come to study in the hope of be- working as a teacher and chore- keeps class sizes to a maximum coming certified tap teachers in ographer with the British Dance of just 10 students. Half-hour the capital. Association and opening her own one-on-one classes can also be SEA Academy provides dance academy in Sydney, the arranged. dancing shoes and custom-de- Alexander School of Dance. Ms MacIver is currently signed uniforms to all students to Her top students, the Show- teaching a grueling schedule. “I ensure that everyone is comfort- Troupe, toured Australia and won start teaching at 8:30 am and I able and enjoys complete free- numerous awards, including run right to 7:30 at night. That’s dom of movement during classes. “Best Choreographed Tap and seven classes a day, five days a They look good, too. Jazz Routine” for four years run- week, Tuesday to Saturday. It is To show off her students’ ning, from 1999 to 2002. tiring but I love it,” she said. talents and put her academy on Many of Ms MacIver’s stu- “Dancing is a lot of fun and the dance map, Ms MacIver plans STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: Dance instructor Karen MacIver dents have moved on to perform firmly believes in self-expression through dance. it helps keep you healthy and to put on a show in a hotel by in places such as New York and strong. When you are dancing, year’s end and may do promo- Paris, but fortunately for the is- But students don’t need to rise in self-confidence after just you forget all about other things tions in local shopping centers. land, Ms MacIver has decided to have Flashdance fantasies or a few lessons. because you are having fun and “If I get a really good troupe bring her impressive knowledge even an eye on a career in danc- “I teach students from three concentrating on body move- together, I will take my children of dance to Phuket, where she ing in order to benefit from the years old to adult,” she explained. ments,” she said. to entertain people in hospitals. teaches a wide variety of dance SEA Academy, where the basic “Students are given a variety of It may even make you live That’s something I really want to forms including classical ballet, philosophy is that dancing devel- dance styles to choose from.” longer. Ms MacIver told the Ga- do,” she said. tap, creative dance jazzercise and ops poise and social skills while Evaluating the various zette that her 70-year-old mother, even gymnastics. increasing self-esteem and an in- forms of dance and the benefits also a dance instructor, still For more information, visit the “One of the reasons I de- creased ability to recognize tal- they can bring to students, she teaches dance five days a week. academy at Koh Kaew Plaza, 23/ cided to open the SEA Academy ent in others. told the Gazette, “Tap involves Ms MacIver especially en- 115-116, Moo 2, Thepkrasattri in Phuket is to help prepare stu- Many students, when they various rhythms and is great for joys working with Thai young- Rd, Muang District, or call Tel: dents for British Dance Associa- first step through the door, are improving both rhythm and lis- sters. “They have so much natu- 07- 2647397; E-mail: dance@ tion exams and careers in danc- quite timid and shy, said Ms tening skills. A fusion of all ral movement from their back- phuketentertainment. com, ing,” she said. MacIver, but have a discernible forms of movement is jazz dance, ground in Thai dancing. Website: www.seaacademy. com. June 12 - 18, 2004 AROUND THE NATION PHUKET GAZETTE 7 Send it through the gripevine – PM rime Minister Thaksin matches, senior monks will pro- Shinawatra has said that pose that the Sangha Supreme all provincial governors’ Council begin enforcing monas- residences will have tic precepts that prohibit gam- P bling when the Euro 2004 tour- complaint boxes installed in front so that people’s grievances can nament kicks off on June 12. be acted upon quickly. Phra Dhammamoli, who “This will allow people to oversees men of the cloth in write to me and I will have a per- Bangkok and the surrounding ar- sonal team take care of the com- eas, admitted that monks in al- plaints. If we find people being most every temple in Thailand taken advantage of, then we can bet on football matches among help them in time,” he explained. themselves and on soccer betting “We have to admit that phone lines. sometimes the orders sent “Some monks hooked on through the usual line of bureau- football betting stole a temple cracy can be misinterpreted be- abbot’s bank account number and fore they reach the action sector,” forged his signature to steal he added. money for betting,” he said. PM Thaksin said he would “They destroyed the integrity of ask the Interior Ministry to have the monastic institution.” the boxes installed in front of Monks are barred by mo- every governor’s residence. A nastic regulations from watching complaint box put up in front of football. Gambling is punishable the premier’s official residence, ROUGH CUT: A hairstylist demonstrates a vigorous cutting technique after joining other hairdressers by defrocking. Baan Phitsanulok, received 25 at a press conference at the Rattanakosin Hotel in Bangkok. The event was organized to promote Durian death: Thavin Chaiya, complaint letters on its first day the Thai Hair Grand Champion Contest, to be held August 4-8. Another demonstration featured of use. 68, went into convulsions after a flamboyant hairdresser giving haircuts while blindfolded. sharing a durian with friends in Chiang Mai. He died on the way Baby books: The Public Health Police said the dawn raid when she was struck by the codes. Most of the buildings, Ministry has proposed a plan to to the hospital and was the sec- followed a May 1 bust in Samut rocket, which was about 30 which include shophouses, resi- ond person in less than a month develop the Intelligence Quotient Prakan, when 298,000 ya bah meters above the ground when it dences and skyscrapers, are in (IQ) and Emotional Intelligence reported to have died from eat- (methamphetamine) pills and 15 exploded, broke in half and came Huay Khwang and Phra Nakhon ing durian. Quotient (EQ) scores of Thai kilograms of crystallized meth- crashing down on the noodle districts. Legal action is being children by encouraging mothers Dr Suwat Wiriyapongsukij, amphetamine were seized. Those shop, police said. taken against them, but rectifica- the former president of the Rural to read to them from ages as arrested implicated Chatchai as tion has been slow in coming. young as six months. Funding of Doctors’ Society, warned that the a member of their gang. Grim figures: Following the col- “Usually the legal battle elderly are at risk from eating the 185 million baht would come lapse of the illegal New World goes to the Supreme Court and from the National Lottery Office. fruit, which can “heat up” the Deadly display: One man was building, the Bangkok Metro- takes years. Sometimes we have Deputy Public Health Min- metabolism. If they eat durian, killed and 16 people injured politan Authority (BMA) has re- to start all over again when the they should also drink plenty of ister Sirikorn Maneerin said the when a fireworks rocket crashed ported that 3,313 buildings in the building gets a new owner,” said project, called “Bookstart”, had water and eat “cooler” fruits, on them while they were eating capital are unsafe – but legal de- Krisda Klantanon, director of the such as mangosteen, he said been successful in initial studies. noodles in a shop in Phanom lays are prolonging the risk of BMA’s law enforcement admin- The government is worried that Phrai District, Roi-Et. another disaster occurring. istration division. Around the Nation news roundup the country’s competitiveness The rocket was launched at About 50 department stores is sourced from the pages of The may have been compromised af- a nearby fireworks fair, police were among the structures found Anti-gambling gambit: To keep Nation and Kom Chad Luek ter an official study concluded said. Boonmee Sudadej, 44, died to be in violation of building monks from betting on football newspapers. that the average IQ score for Thais dropped from 92 points to 89, she said. The average worldwide IQ score is 100 points. A score of 70 to 85 is low, while anything between 115 and 130 is high.

Bad apple: Samut Prakan police raided a temple in Chiang Mai and arrested a deputy abbot on charges of being a key member of a drug-trafficking ring run by alleged drug boss Laota Saenlee. The monk, whose lay name is Chatchai Muanglung, 34, was defrocked immediately after the 6 am arrest. Twenty officers raided the monk’s living quarters, but found no illegal substances.

Riding a motorcycle? Please . . . Thai law requires that motorcycle drivers and PHUKET PROVINCIAL passengers wear a safety helmet with the chin strap TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT fastened at all times – 24 hours a day. 8 PHUKET GAZETTE AROUND THE REGION June 12 - 18, 2004

ccording to recent sur- veys carried out by the Highways Depart Ament, Koh Samui’s Time to head for the hills main ring road currently handles an average of 16,000 cars a day. This is double the recommended road, which the people in the Among the people conspic- capacity for the single-lane road. Highways Department claims uously in attendance were many Sadly, the possibilities for wid- would also be good for tourism. fellow Samui business owners ening the ring road are limited, Such a road, they say, and some of the island’s most as most of the land would open up the prominent officials, including Pol on either side is FROM THE center of the island Col Wasan Booncharoen, former privately owned. and provide spec- Superintendent of Koh Samui But rather GULF OF tacular views for Police, and Panu Woramit, the than limit the num- tourists traveling head of the Samui office of the ber of vehicles al- THAILAND between the vari- Tourism Authority of Thailand. lowed on Samui, ous beaches and Music was provided by the local authori- coastal villages. Bangkok jazz musician Koh “Mr ties have instead The environ- Saxman” and a show was per- proposed the con- mental impact of formed by the club’s staff. struction of a new such a road has yet K. Sak’s achievements, as highway to replace to be considered, well as the contributions he has the existing dirt and the limitations made to Koh Samui over the roads that climb imposed by the past 20 years, were celebrated high into the moun- mountainous ter- with the story of his life and his tains and link the rain will undoubt- business displayed on a huge beaches in the edly cause prob- To assist motorcyclists in complying with the mandatory screen. switching on of headlights, community magazine has hired north of the island lems and delays. mechanic Sompong Chaikrachang (pictured) to rewire Everyone certainly seemed with those in the Should the motorcycle headlights so that they come on automatically when to have a good time, and little at- south. plan be approved, the bikes are started. The service is free and is performed at tention was paid to laws on open- These dirt By Commander the rush to buy the local Tesco-Lotus supercenter. ing hours or the zoning policies tracks are currently Sammy Swan mountain land may that many claim are threatening used only by the well assist in the some of the island’s most popu- army, durian farmers and stray construction process as develop- in the sea off Nathon in order to the government offices, a large lar clubs and venues. Perhaps dogs, and even members of these ers make tracks through the hills expand the town’s harbor area. car park and a large number of Samui’s nightlife will survive af- three groups rarely complete the with their SUVs. Local authorities claim that tourist-related outlets, all com- ter all. entire journey. There are, how- the waterfront is becoming over- peting for space there. ever, very few buildings along the Reclaiming Nathon: The cen- crowded, not only because the The authorities also say that Koh Pha-ngan airport: In addi- route, meaning that it would be tral government has allegedly ap- island’s main public ferry pier is the flat, shallow seabed directly tion to the prospect of a second relatively simple to build a wide proved a project to reclaim land located there, but also because of off Nathon would be relatively airport being built on Koh Samui, easy to reclaim because it con- there are now reports that a pri- sists of dead coral and rock. vate airline is showing strong in- A feasibility survey, with a terest in building a landing strip budget of 6 million baht, began on Koh Pha-ngan. in April, and will take 10 months However, the island’s Dis- to complete. Meanwhile, the cost trict Chief, Thannapon Antima- of the entire project is estimated non, says that such a project at more than 400 million baht, would be virtually impossible to with construction likely to take implement under current circum- three years, beginning in 2006. stances. The development project is He acknowledged that a pri- not the first to take place on vate company owns several hun- Nathon’s seafront, and many is- dred rai of land on the island, but landers feel that the area receives explained that 80% of this is cov- unfair support because of the ered by rainforest, which is pro- government offices there. tected under Thai law and may A few years ago, a modern not be cut down to make way for Port Authority building was built construction. there at great expense, and de- K. Thannapon said the only spite taking up a considerable feasible approach would be for amount of the limited space, re- the government to build a runway mains apparently unused. It is on land reclaimed from the sea. hoped that this time Nathon will This possibility is also be- benefit from the government’s vi- ing investigated, along with sion and insight. myriad other ambitious propos- als that have prompted repeated Club celebration: Close to 300 mentions of flying pigs by some people recently attended the 46th local residents. birthday bash of the Reggae Pub’s popular proprietor, Lersak Cdr Swan is a writer with Koh “Sak” Ubolsatit. Samui’s community magazine. June 12 - 18, 2004 H A P P E N I N G S PHUKET GAZETTE 9 T his week

ABOVE: Family first was the order of the day at the recent UBC Family Rally, the TV company’s first such event in the south of Thailand. The winning team — led by Chaipat Settayukanont from Ranong— received their prizes from Phuket’s Chief Administrative Officer, Visawa Sasismith (in black shirt) at the Kata Thani Beach Hotel and Beach Resort. RIGHT: Richard Balderson (in white shirt) enjoys his birthday with girlfriend Duangjai Tivasuradej (2nd from left) and friends at Baan Mai restaurant in Kamala.

RIGHT: Freshmen from the Prince of Songkhla University Phuket Campus plant Pyro- stegia venusta at Bang Wad Dam well in advance of Mother’s Day celebrations.

LEFT: The Royal Paradise Hotel management team led by General Manager Dr Jirachai Amornpairoj (in yellow shirt) planted saplings in advance preparation of HRH King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 80th birthday in 2007 during a team building seminar at Sirinart National Park.

LEFT: Tonino Sabile, the outgoing General Manager of Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club, hands a purely symbolic key to the new incumbent, Dominique Lapointe.

RIGHT: The Director of Satree Phuket School, Pongsri Reangdith, says a fond farewell and hands a parting gift to Katy Klepfer, an American Field Service Scholarship student. Katy is moving on having studied at the Phuket City school for the past 12 months. 10 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PEOPLE June 12 - 18, 2004 Letting pure talent lead

Pinmala “Rose” A life in Rittirut, from Bang- kok, and her album progressg is entering the final By Siripansa Somboon stages of produc- tion. The 10-track lthough the formula debut album will for success in the feature a collection Thai pop music in of K. Rose’s sweet- dustry seems to be a sounding adult-ori- A ented pop numbers. standard combination of talent and good looks, it’s not always With several easy to find the right mix that will tracks already in the ensure success – and the profits bag, the production that go with it. process will have The key is to get an attrac- taken almost a year tive, dynamic and marketable by the time it is young talent – one with a good complete. That’s voice, of course. Other assets, because while K. such as the ability to play a mu- Rose is now based sical instrument, are often con- in Phuket, Kiko is sidered only as nice extras. constantly traveling In the West it is possible to between Phuket and rise to the pinnacle of musical Bangkok to work on success even if you are not that projects with big- attractive, but it’s harder to de- name outfits, in- tach appearance from success if cluding Grammy your genre is pop and harder still Entertainment. if you are a female artist. It is Kiko’s latest made yet more difficult, if not big effort in the cap- impossible, if Thailand is your ital included head- market. lining a concert in The evidence is over- Benjasiri Park on whelming. How many Thai pop May 1 to celebrate stars aren’t simply dripping with the entry of 10 new that pre-packaged combination of member-countries cuteness and sex appeal? into the EU. But thanks to Italian pro- He headlined ducer, composer and arranger Dr the show by bring- Kiko Pensato, of KPF Music in ing a world beat to Samkong, Phuket City, one the Thai stage with BIG BREAK: When not in the recording studio, Rose has plenty of time to hone her vocal skills with live promising young Thai singer his melding of pi- performances, much to the delight of local audiences. who breaks the mold is now put- ano, synthesizer and ting the finishing touches on her computers to pro- first album, which is being pro- duce a multi-ethnic fusion sound is targeting the Thai pop market. Phuket artist Issarakul “DJ Ded- to cry when I sing it. Another fa- duced for Thai music power- that carried him to the top of The production team includes co- duang” Thamangraksat, who vorite is Yaa Tor [Don’t give up],” house RS Promotion. world music charts in the past. producer Khun Muu of RS Pro- sang his way into the record she told the Gazette. The singer is 27-year-old But his work with K. Rose motion and lyrics by well-known books in a 24-hour one-man mu- K. Rose, originally from sic marathon in September 2002. Bangkok, is a graduate of Raja- All of the tracks on the de- bhat Institute Songkhla, where but album, which is still untitled, she majored in computer science. will be in Thai and feature what Following a stint as a computer Kiko calls “K. Rose’s very spe- teacher in Haad Yai, she became cial voice”. interested in music and got a job K. Rose said her favorite as a backing vocalist. track on the album is Phu Ying She also did some work on Khon Ni (This girl), which is one the Phuket production, Plaeng of many that explores the album’s Phuket, by Jumpol “Goh Khai” central theme of the relationship Thongtan. The album, titled in between mother and child. English as Pleasant Songs of “The lyrics are really mov- Phuket, was released in August ing and sometimes I almost start 2002. June 12 - 18, 2004 PHUKET PEOPLE PHUKET GAZETTE 11

RIGHT: Khun Rose has all the back-up support she needs from the Timber the way Hut house band. WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS: People on Phuket probably ing factor in his deci- The production team on know K. Rose best for her regu- sion to work with her. Rose’s debut album lar performances with the house The collaboration, includes the pros at RS band at the Timber Hut, in Phuket while gruelling at promotion in Bangkok, City. When she isn’t entertaining times and drawn out local lyricist DJ audiences, you may find her en- almost a year, has gone Dedduang, and Italian joying her two hobbies, drawing well – despite having music producer Kiko and website design. to work together in Pensato, pictured below Being comfortable with English, a second lan- with Rose. computers and audio equipment guage for both artist has been a big advantage when and producer. working with Kiko, whose col- “I’m glad to work lection of keyboards, mixers and with him. Even though other sound equipment can be in- he is Italian, language timidating to the technically- is not a problem when challenged. we work because he As a freelance producer, speaks English slowly, Kiko is always looking for excit- which makes him easy ing new talent like K. Rose. In to understand. fact, he said K. Rose contacted “We work in him for the chance to work to- stages. I practice the gether after reading about his stu- music and then hook dio in a Gazette article entitled up with Kiko when he “Calling All Pop Stars” (Gazette, is in town. When we December 27, 2003). get the chance we meet Kiko told the Gazette that at his studio and work one of his more recent projects on the tracks together. in Bangkok includes work with Sometimes it takes all pop star James Ruangsak, who is day,” K. Rose explain- often seen in Phuket promoting ed. his chain of khao mun kai (steam- But hard work is ed chicken with garlic rice) res- one of the many prices taurants. you have to pay for He has also produced mu- stardom. After all, nobody can sic for such stars as Nicole sell records on good looks alone. Theriault and sexy songstress Pornchita “Benz” na Songkhla, of Do Re Mi fame. Two of the Wannabe pop stars can contact songs on K. Benz’s next album, KPF Recording Studio at 52/19 not yet released, were produced Phuket Garden Villa, Moo 6, by Kiko. Tambon Rassada, or Kiko (Tel: As for working with K. 09-4744859; Tel/Fax: 076- Rose, Kiko said the quality of her 255038; Email: kkiikkoo@libero. singing voice was the determin- it). 12 PHUKET GAZETTE F E A T U R E S June 12 - 18, 2004

In The St ars by Isla St ar

GEMINI (May 22-June 21): This you will be required to make an week, the focus for Geminis is on important work decision on the taking it easy. Devot- spur of the moment. On the ro- ing quality time to mantic front, sparks will fly this family life takes pri- Where are the stars weekend. ority over your ca- reer, and this will help to cement PISCES (February 20-March a relationship that has been on 20): Your energy is running high, shaky ground recently. Single- leading you this week? and there doesn’t tons will have at least one oppor- seem to be anything tunity for a no-strings encounter; that you can’t accom- just don’t hope for it to turn into plish this week. Pis- anything more. Your lucky num- feel-good factor. Your natural LIBRA (September 24-October hard work. Your effort and per- ceans who want to make a good ber this week is 9. charisma combined with a new- 23): Some Librans will find ro- sistence are about to pay off with impression will get the chance to found glow attracts attention mance in a work situ- an unexpected offer. Some as- do so. As your popularity is high- CANCER (June 22-July 23): A from strangers this week and you ation this week, and pects of this new opportunity lighted, it’s likely that someone disagreement with your employer will bask in compliments. On this could provoke re- may not thrill you, so weigh up close to you will be feeling left over money casts a Thursday or Friday, a friend will sentment from col- the pros and cons carefully. You out. If you find it hard to express shadow early this come asking for advice – if this leagues, so tread with caution – are bound to come to the conclu- your feelings in words, show how week. The less you is history repeating itself, reiter- a snake does not think twice be- sion that now is the time to make much you care with a surprise say, the sooner the ate what you’ve said before. fore striking. Your recent jug- a radical change. gift. matter will be mended. However, gling of finances should be pay- not all the news about finances VIRGO (August 23-September ing off and an offer of free ac- CAPRICORN (December 22- ARIES (March 21-April 20): is gloomy; a debt from the past 23): The sun is about to shine on commodation could be the incen- January 20): You will receive Where love is concerned you is likely to be repaid in full. Re- Virgoans embarking tive you need to start checking family news from afar have the green light to garding personal relationships, on a career change. out flights. Topaz-blue will that necessitates a dip- go for gold this week. you could feel that you have Any doubts as to whe- charge you with vitality. lomatic maneuver. Al- Any negative obser- moved into the Twilight Zone as ther this is the direc- though you probably vations on your new- your partner finds it hard to com- tion in which you should be head- SCORPIO (October 24-Novem- won’t feel like tackling this sen- found contentment will be the re- municate. ing will dissolve by the end of ber 22): Scorpios on the verge of sitive situation, no one is better sult of jealousy, so let them wash the month. A family member is getting involved in a qualified than you to deal with away like water off a sea eagle’s LEO (July 24-August about to make an overdue appear- love triangle should it. Let your creative talents cre- back. Career-wise, there will be 22): Focus on health ance, which won’t please every- seriously consider ate a solution that will please ev- tangible progress toward an im- regimens pays off for body. If your feelings about this whether they will be erybody involved. Early this portant goal, but you still need Leos who lately have visit are lukewarm, try to main- able to handle the likely conse- week you will be more in con- to work on creating the right im- been paying more attention to the tain cool composure. quences. It’s almost certainly not trol of your finances, so steer a pression. On Monday, Pisces will going to result in a win-win-win careful course. Your lucky num- definitely appreciate your hon- situation, so examine your mo- ber this week is 7. esty. tives closely before going any further. For committed Scorpios, AQUARIUS (January 21-Febru- TAURUS (April 21-May 21): a third party will interfere with a ary 19): Aquarians should regard There is no reason why you platonic friendship this week, so this month as a pe- should accept the treat rumors with a pinch of salt. riod of transition. rough with the smooth There will be a few this weekend. Many SAGITTARIUS (No- rocky patches to Taureans will find that vember 23-December avoid, but your talent for finding moving up the career ladder 21): Sometimes luck the smoothest path will help you could be much easier if their ex- is nothing more than along your way. Early this week pectations are higher. Mid-week, a relatively painless way to sort out a debt presents itself; strike while the iron is hot. For those who are single, an oasis in the desert of your love-life is no mi- rage.

Don’t miss.... Issues & Answers

www.phuketgazette.net/ Do Not Drink Tap Water! issuesanswers/index.asp June 12 - 18, 2004 SP O R T PHUKET GAZETTE 13

By Anongnat Sartpisut PHUKET CITY: Four-time men’s singles table tennis world champion Peter Karlsson, from Table tennis champions Sweden, joined Nanthana Kom- wong and Anisara Muangsuk, Thailand’s top two women play- ers, to hold a table tennis train- ing session for junior players at show how it’s done the Phuket City Municipality Youth Center, at Saphan Hin, on as I could. I went anywhere there June 2 and 3. was a tournament to build on my More than 50 youngsters, experience. ranging from five to 20 years old, “At each competition, play- from Phuket and neighboring ers are awarded points that Sports provinces joined the session, Authority of Thailand represen- which included advice on what tatives use to select the best play- it takes to become a champion ers to join the national squad,” and demonstrations of game-win- K. Nanthana explained. ning techniques. “If you would love to be on Korrakit Seamkitseree, the national team, keep trying and coach of the Thai national table practice until you reach your tennis team, explained that the goal,” she added. course was aimed at improving Anisara Muangsuk, seven- young players’ skills and to give time Thai women’s singles cham- provincial players the opportu- pion and a member of the na- nity to learn about the world of tional team since 1991, said the top-level table tennis. standard of table tennis played by Phuket-born Korrakit said young Thais was improving. he feels a need to develop the “Young Thai people’s skills sport in his home province and in table tennis have developed to provide the opportunity for immensely, and they are now de- provincial players to join the na- veloping the skills and tactics of tional team. fast play,” she said, adding that Few come as qualified to the number of table tennis clubs offer such advice as Karlsson Thailand’s No 1 female player, Nanthana Komwong, battles it out with Sweden’s four-time world had grown and given young does. At 34 years old and cur- champion, Peter Karlsson, during an exhibition match at Saphan Hin. people more opportunity to play. rently ranked as the 25th best table Other appealing aspects of tennis player in the world, Karls- Explaining what it takes to have been becoming world motivated to play for the national the sport, she added, are that it is son is highly respected for his ex- be a good player, Karlsson said, champion five times, once in team.” an easy game to learn, inexpen- perience. “Players need to have good ba- doubles and four times in Recalling her early days in sive, and as it is indoor sport, you “This is a great opportunity sic skills, move well, and have singles, while playing for the the sport, she said, “I felt the need don’t have to worry about being for table tennis in Thailand,” he good forehand and backhand Swedish national team. They are to compete with as many people in the sun. told the Gazette. “Many Thai techniques. Then practice a lot good memories.” children like playing table ten- and get good coaching, and this Also stressing the impor- nis, but maybe what is holding will lead to good results.” tance of motivation was Thai- 2nd Surakul Cup this weekend them back is the lack of table He also explained his per- land’s No 1 female player, Nan- tennis organizations and clubs in sonal motivation to win top-level thana Komwong. She has been PHUKET CITY: The Phuket Prizes for the top four teams Thailand like we have in Eu- titles. a Thai national team member Provincial Center for Tourism, in the open category are: 1st rope.” “My greatest experiences since 1995 and has won the na- Sport and Recreation (CTSR) 10,000 baht; 2nd 5,000 baht; 3rd tional women’s singles title six will hold its second annual 3,000 baht; 4th 1,000 baht. times, and represented Thailand Surakul Cup five-a-side soccer In the under-14 category, LPGC gives couples chance at the 2000 Olympics. tournament at Surakul Stadium prizes are: 1st 3,000 baht; 2nd She has already won a on June 12 and 13. 2,000 baht; 3rd 1,000 baht; 4th 500 place to play for Thailand in the Teams in both the open and baht. to compete together 2004 Olympics in Athens.. under-14 categories will compete For more information call K. Nanthana said, “I was a in groups of three, with the win- the Phuket CTSR at Tel: 076- provincial player so I know that ner advancing to the next round. 217054. – Anongnat Sartpisut CHERNG TALAY: Golf-mad Fees are 950 baht for LPGC making the national side depends couples keen to play a round to- members and 2,400 baht for non- on many factors, such as finding gether are invited to put their members. Green and caddy fees, a good trainer and having family names down for the Laguna prizes, drinks and food are in- support. Phuket Golf Club (LPGC) Coup- cluded. “The major factor is the les’ Alternate Shot Competition Entries must be submitted player. They need to be highly to be played on June 19. before June 17 to the LPGC Pro Tee-off is at 12.30 pm in Shop in person or by phone to K. this single-flight contest with Duen, Membership Coordinator, Callaway scoring. Prizes – in- at Tel:076-324350. cluding for longest drive and Email to: neunghathai. closest to the pin – will made at [email protected] for a barbecue following the fun. further details. 14 PHUKET GAZETTE LEISURE June 12 - 18, 2004

s Hong Kong – home to one of the world’s largest film- Left, Bruce Lee’s star on the making industries – a kung Tsim Sha Tsui version of Ifu flick? Cinema verité? Or Hollywood Boulevard. a wide-screen Imax blockbuster? It can certainly provide all Below, a giant version of the the thrills of kickboxing, an en- Hong Kong Film Awards trancing dose of gritty reality, and statuette stands against the a panoramic buffet of sun, sea island’s famed backdrop of skyscrapers. and skyscraper. Perhaps the answer is that it’s a mixture of all three. Hong Kong seems somehow to hurtle forward relentlessly, as if some cosmic director were continually bellowing “Action!” Hong Kong’s devotion to the film world was prominently displayed with the recent open- ing of the HK$40 million (208 million baht) “Avenue of Stars” on the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade in Kowloon. Weather permitting, a breathtaking vista across the har- bor to the Brobdingnagian cast of high-rises on Hong Kong Island is afforded from the avenue, cally-stricken William Holden which pays tribute to some 70 of met golden-hearted prostitute the city’s best and brightest, with Nancy Kwan in The World of stars set in the pavement à la Suzie Wong. Hollywood Boulevard. The area’s wet market will Some of the monikers, like be familiar to Jackie Chan fans Fights! Fung Bo Bo, Ivy Ling Po, Tso Tat from Rush Hour 2, while further Wah, will be familiar only to the along the track, in Causeway more manic film Bay, the Tai Ping buffs. But many Koon restau- other big names rant’s blend of are honored here, TALES Shanghainese including San OF A and Western cui- Francisco-born TRAVELER sines has fre- Camera! Bruce Lee, Bei- quently drawn jing native Jet Li By Ed Peters the likes of and the first Chow Yun Fat Asian 007 girl – Michelle Yeoh and Karen Mok. – who is from Ipoh in Malaysia. Back in Central, the Mid- The Hong Kong Island Levels escalator is flanked by a tram, built at the water’s edge on couple of singles bars and eater- the other side of the harbor a cen- ies, most notably the enigmatic Action! tury ago – but now firmly in mid- Feather Boa and the Brit-grub town thanks to successive recla- joint Soho Soho. The Peak Tram, actually a funic- which are actually little more entirely to the territory’s greater mation projects – is not a bad Built to ease traffic conges- ular railway which uses a cable than wide paths that contour cinematic sites. point to start out on a three-di- tion, the escalator has trans- to pull the car up the steep in- around the mountain and offer Almost half of the island is mensional tour of Asia’s formed the surrounding area into cline, is the best way to the top. master-of-all-I-survey views officially designated as country tinseltown. a free-form entertainment dis- In addition to being crowned with overlooking the harbor and city. park – great background for his- The double-decker tram trict. It featured prominently in a number of naff souvenir shops, To the south you can gaze torical costume dramas – while cars trundle through Wanchai, Chungking Express, which star- Victoria Peak is also home to the down on Aberdeen district, there are also some glorious made famous by its Suzie Wong red Tony Leung. superlative Café Deco, which is where William Holden showed beaches, like the one used in one girlie bars where the romanti- From here, head on up hill. consistently rated as one of the Jennifer Jones that Love Is A of 2003’s worst movies, My city’s best restaurants. Many Splendored Thing. To the Horny Girlfriend. The spectacular view from north lies Pottinger Street, where That cinematic epic was here was included in the open- triads and police fought it out in shot on video, and on such a tiny ing scene in Rush Hour 2. To es- Infernal Affairs I. budget that the cast had to go cape the inevitable crowds, walk The Hong Kong Tourist without wardrobe most of the along Lugard and Harlech roads, Board publishes a map devoted time. June 12 - 18, 2004 S M A L L W O R L D PHUKET GAZETTE 15 KKIDSIDS Get your brain the Fun Page in gear with the for all the Family Monster Quiz 1. Where is Vladivar 8. What is to be found the Citrus Bowl known vodka made? beneath the coronation as? chair in England’s 2. What was President Westminster Abbey? 16. John McEnroe was US Spot the Difference Harry S. Truman’s singles tennis cham- profession before he 9. Where did the design for pion from 1979 to Can you find the seven went into politics? the cowboy hat come 1981. In which other differences between the 3. From which language from? year did he win the two cartoons below? And does the word “mat- title? can you find them faster tress” derive? 10. What is the description, than the rest of the family? on the Beaufort scale, of 17. Which Thai province is 4. What is the correct a wind of 32 to 38 mph? between Nakhon word for a faucet with a Sawan and Suphan bent-down nozzle? 11. Who would use peach- Buri? blow? 5. The great seducer 18. Who won the Nobel Casanova escaped from 12. Someone who suffers Peace Prize in 1991? jail in which city in petit mal has what 1756? condition? 19. In 1716 the first theater 6. Which psychiatrist is opened in what is now regarded as the founder 13. Selenography is the the US. In which state? of analytical psychol- study of what? ogy? 20. Which country’s flag is 14. Where are the Sporades green with a red circle 7. Which movie star was and Cyclades? in the center? born Harvey Lee Yeary II? 15. Before 1983, what was Answers next week. Never a Cross Word! Across

1. Complex. 6. Frisky, playful jump. 7. Homer’s tale of Troy. 10. Long paddle. 11. Fermented milk product. 13. Away from the wind. 16. Noise. 17. The same again. Brain Buster!! 19. Group of eight musi- Eddie lived alone and liked it that way. He never cians. had visitors and never visited anyone. He never 20. Dodges. 8. Floods. left his house – he had food and supplies delivered 9. Initiate explosion. every two weeks. One dark and stormy night Down 12. Belonging to us. Eddie turned off all the lights and went to sleep. 14. Components of mol- The next day it was discovered that his actions 1. Less than 100%. ecules. had resulted in the deaths of several people. Why? 2. Topsy’s partner. 15. Male wasp.

3. Cake topping. A. Eddie was a lighthouse keeper. lighthouse a was Eddie A. 18. Three, to Julius Caesar 4. Earl Grey, for example. 5. Taught. Solution next week Solution to last Answers to last week’s Crossword week’s Monster Quiz

1. The Louvre; 2. Centre Pompidou; 3. Hawaiian; 4. Zarf; 5. Bessie Smith; 6. Each had only one eye; 7. Chaka Khan; 8. Heredity; 9. Maha Sarakham; 10. Aaron Copland; 11. Mike Hawthorne; 12. James “Bonecrusher” Smith; 13. Bahrain; 14. Caspian Sea; 15. Amelia Earhart; 16. 299,792.5; 17. 1960; 18. Stockholm; 19. Spain; 20. Meiji. 16 PHUKET GAZETTE F E A T U R E S June 12 - 18, 2004 Reality bites, and chews, and gnaws

ast week I experienced the students at Dulwich began talking, listening. But still their unabashed idleness, but inside they greatest feeling in the world. I to feel something they had there was no satisfaction to are consumed by a deep and gnawing woke up, like most mornings, not experienced in a while. be found – these activities anxiety from having to wait for grades Llooked at the alarm clock, like At first, the yawns offered only minor escapes to be reported. most mornings, and like most mornings, seemed to be simply the from the great void of noth- And to make all that waiting even groaned at the thought of getting up at 7 symptoms of recuperation ingness their lives had be- more vicious – there is nothing anyone am. Then, unlike most mornings, I threw from the effects of too come after the end of the can do about those grades now. The act the alarm clock across the room and went much sleep. No one dared exams. is done, the papers sent off, the work is blissfully back to sleep. utter the one word that re- Soon they began to being marked and remarked. And there Several students must have under- ally described the cause of form sporting groups, train- is nothing we can do. gone the same thought process – a cho- the yawning, lying around ing consistently for said Well, at least not in the real world. rus of now unusable alarm clocks slam- and glassy-eyed staring out pastime in order to bring In dreams, of course, it’s different. Of- ming against walls rang out around the of windows: boredom. some kind of meaning to ten I would dream of running down to boarding house. The glorious promises Youth ’n their lives. Others began Mr Examiner’s house in Tuvalu or Exams were over for all the stu- of post-exam freedom sud- making music or helping Mexico and threatening him at gunpoint dents in the house, and those standing in denly seemed to be another out around school – any- until he raised my grades. the corridors could almost hear a collec- Catch 22 formulated by ASIA thing to pass the time. But that dream just isn’t feasible. tive sigh of relief emanate from the frail, educators around the globe. There is a particularly First, I don’t know where the hell Tuvalu sleeping figures of the student body. The whole time By Eric Lacey vicious element to this is. Second, Mr Examiner could shock Whether actual sighs or just snor- people spend working, they boredom I have not yet us all and turn out to be a Mrs Examiner ing, they connoted the same thing: re- dream of a vacation, of some form of ex- mentioned: the waiting. The exams are or even a petite blonde Miss Examiner. lief, relaxation and, best of all, the rela- tended relief from their current endeav- over, but we all still had to wait for the I glance at my clock once more. tive bliss of unconsciousness. ors. But the moment they are granted the results. The void of nothingness wouldn’t 8:09pm. The guy on the computer next The next day, similar sentiments respite they had been longing for, they find have seemed so intimidating had it not to mine looks at his clock anxiously, as could be detected in the boarding house, that everything seems pointless because been for the underlying impatience. Sleep- does his neighbor. We look at one an- with the same tingling air of excitement they have nothing to work toward: no rea- ing was meant to pass the time. Talking other. There is a mutual understanding as boarders could wake up at 4 in the son to wake up, no reason to sleep, no rea- was meant to pass the time. Sports and that a mere minute has passed since we afternoon if they felt so inclined, with- son to leave the house. They end up want- music were meant to pass the time. last looked at the clock. More waiting. out getting into trouble for missing class. ing to work again. Sadly, nothing makes time pass More inactivity. More boredom. MORE However, as the days went on, the The effect of this horrible paradox quickly. As I am writing this, I am staring WAITING. air of excited contentment must have was evident on the student body. Formerly at the clock on my computer: 8:06 pm. The waiting, the boredom, it’s all been gradually blown away by the mon- driven by a studying frenzy, they were now 8:06 pm … 8:06 pm … 8:07 pm. The wait almost as stressful as the exams them- soon breeze or subtly nudged into the desperately trying to find something to is almost as strenuous as the exams were. selves, apart from the bit about having background, because the hard-working take its place. They tried reading, writing, Students try to smile and treasure to wake up early. Do I really have to endure the trauma of a wedding? Dear Momma Duck, – and I haven’t liked what went friends is the common element. I just bought my girlfriend on, such as drinking, gambling I would even say that the an engagement ring and we will and firing guns into the air. ceremony is more for family and be married in a year’s time. She Once, as members of the friends than for the bride and agreed to keep the ceremony groom’s party, we were followed groom. It is the one chance they simple – just a trip to the district and robbed at knifepoint by the have to celebrate your decision office. same people we had just spent to marry. My friends tell me I am be- tens of thousands of baht enter- Thai weddings have to have ing mean, and that I’m short- taining. lots of food, lots of ceremony changing her on what should be Engaged in Confusion and, sometimes, lots of drinking the most important day of her Samkong (though gambling is frowned life. upon by the government). I don’t agree. For the Dear Engaged in Confusion, You must be fair to your amount it would take me to get I’m afraid that you may not Momma fiancée and discuss your feelings everyone in her village fed and like my response, although I un- on this matter with her. drunk, I could afford to fly her derstand that what you’ve en- DUCK No matter what she says, I back to my country to meet my countered makes you concerned guarantee that she feels this to be family, which is what I would as to what might happen in your By Wanida Hongyok the most important day of her life prefer to do. case. [email protected] and wants to celebrate it with you View Thailand’s I have been to many rural You must bear in mind that and her family in a traditional Thai weddings before – as a guest in most parts of the world, espe- cially Thailand, a wedding day manner. The event should be as LARGEST is very important to the bride’s big as you can afford. family. You have to understand and portfolio of PHUKET INTERNATIONAL Indeed, many rural parents be willing to adapt to Thai cul- still believe that, having raised ture and, in return, you’ll have a Classified Ads – WOMEN’S CLUB their daughter, they have the right great start to living in harmony more than 2,000 to a bride price, although in mod- with your wife and members of Join us...to give Phuket’s children the chance ern Thailand, this can often be her family. of them ! for a better future. substituted by the groom hosting An alternative to a village the wedding. wedding would be an urban-type I would add that I’ve been Come along to one of our monthly luncheons. New members and donations welcome. wedding at a big hotel in the pro- to weddings all over the world vincial capital. The family and See the The PIWC is a social and charitable club for women and celebrating with family and the most important local people Phuket Gazette of all nationalities who meet regularly and raise money can then be invited to this cel- for the education of needy children on Phuket. ebration.

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890 Personally, I’m sometimes Online at 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890 rather bored with the urban wed- Contact Linda on 01-8937749 or Joan on 07-2820422; ding scene and would much pre- www.phuketgazette.net Fax 076-381997; Email: [email protected] fer a village wedding. I wish you good luck. June 12 - 18, 2004 FEATURES PHUKET GAZETTE 17 At the Let’s See What He’s Getting At Home Ball

By whipping the masses DOWNSIDER into a frenzy, Bill was able to in- duce huge bids on various items By George Bentick in the auction. Among the many generous buyers was the ever- nother Phuket gala chic Michael Weinstein, who bid function has taken more than the actual construction place with all the cost of an Amanpuri villa to stay usual suspects and in one for a weekend. A Rumor had it that Billo will cast of characters present. I just love this stuff. Apart from the be spearheading Prime Minister money raised for the great work Thaksin’s bid for 30% of Liv- being done by the Life Home erpool FC and Michael will be Project (LHP), the Life Aid Ben- financing it. efit Ball is also a barometer of This of course brings me to how the expat community is do- the entertainment. What can I ing, and a brush-up on who’s who say? They burst onto the stage in Phuket. with the energy of a Eurovision For those of you who are Song Contest act on steroids. not aware of it, the Life Home The main group was called Project is a marvelous organiza- Life After 9. I am not sure tion that supports mothers and whether they meant 9 o’clock or children affected by HIV. LHP’s 9 years old or 9 inches, for that fundraisers are a very dedicated matter. group who give what are prob- Then the lead violinist re- ably the two most valuable things appeared with a dance troupe as one can give to a charity: time ShaZAM. A lively bunch, all of and effort. sed exquisitely and brought a Above: Fiddling with the girls as ShaZAM takes to the dance them. Word has it that the fiddler The annual ball (this year much-needed element of style to floor. Below: The ladies understand what ‘smart’ means, even if is on Siegfried’s shortlist to re- was the second) is without doubt the island, if only for one eve- the men don’t. place Roy. one of the social ning. It’s really hard to look cool events of the year, When I asked while playing a violin. You have outranking even the Rumor had it that my date for the ball to convey all your funkiness by annual gang bang Bill O’Leary will be what she thought of whipping your head around be- held during Bike spearheading the whole affair, she cause both your hands are busy. Week at Nok’s bar Prime Minister said that she had This guy, however, had it or a horrifying op- never seen so many down to a science. In fact, I was era at Laguna. Thaksin’s bid for jowshoo – butter- reliably informed that when he The tickets 30% of Liverpool flies – in one room leaves the stage he immediately were the first indi- and Michael before. puts on a neck brace. cation that the is- I realized that So another gala ball has land needed to be Weinstein will be she was correct. I passed. If you haven’t been, you brought up a few financing it. myself stand guilty. are missing something – it is the notches: the dress In fact, I would go ultimate expat love-in. requirement for gentlemen was so far as to suggest that next year The whole thing was great. “Smart (Dinner Jacket Prefer- we rename the event as the “Let’s The cause is noble and everyone red)”. See What He’s Getting At Home should be proud of the job that What arrived was more di- Ball”. was done and the amounts do- rectly related to an Elton John It was hilarious to watch the I found myself bathed in gratulations to Bill O’Leary for nated. concert that I went to back in ’77 philandering leers of lustful, fantasy while watching lovely once again doing such a great job The entertainment was fun than to a gala ball. scotch-embalmed expats leering women holding inflated baseball as MC and steering the auction and the “babes” looked great all It was Karl Lagerfeld on at each other’s “babes” and try- bats during the auction. For me, as deftly as he does his boats and dolled-up. Next year, get on acid. If there was any doubt then ing to do it in such a fashion that there are few things that top the yachts. Billo has taken the smart board and let’s do it again. one needed look no farther than their own “babe” didn’t notice. sight of a lady with a latex bat. dress code to a new level with his As for me, I have to go to a Alasdair Forbes’s now infamous Wandering eyes, as if connected Babe Ruth with a 42D. It doesn’t “Maoist Nepalese” look – as meeting. Apparently 30% of the vest. [You’re just jealous – Edi- to a tether, securely fastened in a get better than that. usual, several issues ahead of King’s Cup Regatta is for sale. tor.] perfectly still head. Speaking of auctions, con- GQ. Lottery anyone? The varying interpretations of what is meant by “smart” and “dinner jacket” obviously had the men confused, as they patently saw no connection between the two. There is a standing rule with male expats: “fashion” or “smart” means something that doesn’t itch. The rest is up to the beholder. When I asked one gentleman before the ball if he was going to wear a suit, he snapped back, “I don’t wear a suit in Phuket due to a long-held po- litical mandate.” Good Lord. In contrast, the women’s interpretation of smart was, I must say, nothing short of stun- ning. Ladies, you were all dres- 18 PHUKET GAZETTE EDITORIAL & LETTERS June 12 - 18, 2004

367/2 Yaowarat Rd, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000 Tel: 076-236555 - Since 1994 - Fax: 076-213971 Email: [email protected] Taking the first step Phuket Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura’s acceptance of the “get- ting ugly” label applied to Phuket by National Geographic Traveler magazine is a welcome stance. He might have adopted the knee-jerk attitude of his Chiang Mai counterpart and dismissed the “ugly” tag as “not right”. But he didn’t. He, and senior figures in Phuket’s tourism industry, recog- nize that it is not easy to dismiss an assessment published in a maga- zine that has a bimonthly international circulation of close to 750,000 copies and carries the weight of its prestigious parent magazine, National Geographic. Instead, Gov Udomsak acknowledged that Phuket does indeed have problems that need to be addressed and has promised to deal with them as a matter of urgency. Recognizing that a problem exists, it is said, is the first step toward solving it. But it is also the easiest step to take. To make good on his word, the Governor has a mountain of work ahead – work that will be at very difficult and possibly dangerous. At the root of the uglification of Phuket lies that oldest of hu- man attributes: selfishness. This has been allowed to shape Phuket’s development over the years because of a collective tendency to look away from problems and also because of inertia on the part of those Letters whose job it is to face problems and fix problems, whether by better law enforcement or through the establishment of new regulations such as zoning. The Gazette is pleased to receive mail from read- with your views for publication in our next issue. One can hardly envy Gov Udomsak; turning Phuket around ers. Please write to us at 367/2 Yaowarat Rd, We reserve the right to edit all letters. Pseud- Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000, fax to 076-213971 onyms are acceptable only if your full name and will be a job similar to that of Hercules in the Augean stables. Scholars or send an email to [email protected] address are supplied. of Greek myth will recall that Hercules had to resort to extreme measures to clean out the stables: diverting a couple of rivers to sweep through them. In Phuket, of course, he would face the added Leap of faith or Further, I visit a number of How sad if I, and people challenge of ensuring that the stinking debris were not swept straight far smaller and less grand wats like me, stop coming because we onto Patong Beach. waste of money? which, if my understanding do not want to wait seven years The many jobs that the Governor will have to tackle include serves me correctly, function for the beaches to be clean, quiet sweeping away the blight of billboards, cables and tin shacks; pre- Although I have lived here for a equally as well as their more im- and safe. serving the island’s crumbling architectural heritage; ending defor- a number of years and consider pressive counterparts. Vivien Evans estation; ending the blockage of water courses by unscrupulous or the Buddhist faith both interest- Is size and grandeur every- United Kingdom uncaring developers; raising sewage treatment and waste disposal ing and appealing, I don’t profess thing when it comes to belief? practices to international standards; enforcing noise pollution legis- to be an expert on the matter. Anthony Farrant It’s time to call a lation; and possibly even diverting the island’s focus away from cheap However, as I drive around Chalong mass tourism to concentrate more on high-end, niche markets. the island, I see an ever-increas- spade a spade At every turn, he is going to be battling entrenched attitudes, ing number of wats under con- beliefs, self-interests, and – of course – corruption. He will not suc- struction. They tend to be located Seven years is just National Geographic Traveler ceed on his own. The entire island will have to get off their back- – very visibly – along Thep- too long to wait magazine’s very low ranking of Phuket as a tourist destination sides and stand behind him. – The Editor krasattri Rd, admittedly conve- nient for getting to and fro, or in I am a regular visitor to Karon does not surprise those of us who areas where tourists congregate. Beach, and over the past five have lived here for some years. Is Phuket witnessing a col- years it has become extremely The rapid and disastrous despoil- lective leap of faith among a noisy, dirty and dangerous for ment of this once-beautiful island In association with The Nation Multimedia Group PCL population already predomi- swimmers. When visiting in is a shining example of what nantly Buddhist or is it something January, Karon Beach was hardly greed and corruption can do else? an ideal tourist destination. In when both go unchecked. Editor: Rungtip Hongjakpet These temples are ornate addition to the jet-skis, there has At the Laguna Phuket Re- Managing Editor: Alasdair Forbes and require many thousands of been construction with heavy sort, the entire complex has been Deputy Editor: Chris Husted man hours to both construct and machinery pounding away – as turned into one large construction Chief Reporter: Sangkhae Leelanapaporn maintain, lest they fall into a it has for the past three years. site with homes being built on Investigation Team: Gategaeo Phetsawang, shabby state. The Gazette’s online poll every available square wah of Dhirarat Boonkongsaen, Siripansa Somboon, Anongnat Sartpisut They also require many recently asked people if they be- land. Desk Editors: Stephen Fein, Andy Johnstone millions of baht to fund their con- lieved that Governor Udomsak A few kilometers away at struction, funds which, a more Usawarangkura’s plan to rid Phu- Layan Beach, one of the most Managing Director: Rungtip Hongjakpet cynical person than I might sug- ket of jet-skis within seven years beautiful and scenic areas on Marketing Manager: Oranee Pienprasertkul gest, could perhaps be better would be successful. Surely to Phuket, the entire beach area is Sales Manager: Nashaya Mastanawattanakul spent elsewhere. wait seven years to rid the beach- littered with beer bottles, plastic Classified Advertising: Phatsara Phengnu I am acutely aware that the es of the noisy, dirty, dangerous bags and used styrofoam food Website Services Manager: Natthira Susangrat monies donated for their con- jet-skis is absurd. Phuket does containers. Let’s face it – Na- Distribution Manager: Passara Kaewbumroong struction are donations and no not have that long! tional Geographic got it right. Financial Controller: Benjawan Lukthan doubt given freely, but for whose I appreciate that people The most frightening thing Publisher: The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd benefit are the temples con- need to make a living; however, is that the worst is yet to come. structed? if it is at the expense of losing With two huge shopping The donor, it seems, gains centers due to open next year – Contact us regular visitors, which is exactly merit by contributing their mite what is happening, then it would Central and Jungceylon – and no Advertising Sales: [email protected] or their millions and the temples be more economical for the gov- road improvements underway in Classified Advertising: [email protected] will assuredly receive yet more ernment to subsidize these work- the two respective areas, the al- Website Services: [email protected] from Thai and foreign tourists ers to keep tourists coming. ready chaotic traffic conditions Shopper Card inquiries: [email protected] who stop to look at these won- In view of the online article on the island can only get worse. Gazette Guide inquiries: [email protected] derful buildings and pay respect. that tourism leaders agree that The East Asian tour groups However, these are not Phuket is “getting ugly”, this is a are indeed the future of Phuket Telephone: 076-236555 (10 lines) Fax: 076-213971 schools or hospitals, for example, real opportunity to start cleaning as one local tourism business op- the development of which must up Phuket and to make a positive erator lamented. The views expressed in the Phuket Gazette are those of the writers and contributors and keep pace with an increasing move towards a more environ- Steve Rubenstein do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, the editor, the shareholders, or the direc- population. tors of The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd. mentally friendly resort. Cherng Talay Copyright © 1994-2004 The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd Letters conveying views and suggestions are published here. Those seeking comment from government officials and/or business owners are published in Issues & Answers on the facing page. June 12 - 18, 2004 PERSPECTIVES PHUKET GAZETTE 19 Why we need cheap foreign labor

have been President of the Phuket to the Phuket Provincial Labour Office . Business Operators’ Club for three This is expensive and time-wasting years. I took up this position because FIRST and no one really wants to do it. We would Iwe, the business people here, want prefer to give these job to a Thai person, to have as little conflict with government if only because it’s simpler. Some employ- officers as possible. PERSON ers make other choices, some of which I estimate that at least 2,000 busi- aren’t legal. nesses in Phuket employ low-skilled for- Business people and employers are eign workers, mostly people from Burma Prasat Buntantrapiwat, is also supposed to consider our nation’s or Laos. Some hire one, some hire a hun- a noodle manufacturer security when hiring workers. dred to do the jobs that – increasingly – and President of the Phu- But do the police officers consider Thais do not want to do. ket Business Operators’ Thailand’s economic security? This I estimate that Phuket needs around country’s financial development will be 25,000 foreign workers but has about Club. He employs 10 for- at risk if entrepreneurs cannot do business. 20,000. I’d say that 10,000 of the foreign eign laborers. Here, he Of course, not all foreign workers workers here at the moment are here ille- argues that the govern- are good or honest people. They can bring gally. ment urgently needs to problems into Thailand such as infectious There are so many illegal workers revise its attitude to un- diseases and crime. in Phuket because there has, for the past skilled foreign labor from So registering every one of them will two years, been no government policy to neighboring countries help the police control these problems allow these foreign workers to register. while allowing the better ones to stay here Business operators don’t want to and work. break the law but, although we need cheap Another problem that will be solved labor, we can’t register any of them be- by registration is corruption. fore June 15. excuses and hide behind the statement, The workers from Burma or Laos One time the police came and I wrote to Pol Lt Gen Dr Chanvut “It’s policy.” usually stay at least a year. They often rounded up all of my workers and took Vajrabukka, Commissioner of the Immi- On March 2 the cabinet approved an have debts to pay to the people who got them to the station to check each of them. gration Bureau, asking him to allow a “amnesty” policy that will allow illegal them into Thailand in the first place. Every one of them was employed moratorium on the arrests of illegal for- workers in Thailand to come clean, regis- We must be realistic and accept that legally. Can you imagine how much it cost eign workers. ter and become legal workers. But if the Phuket cannot expand and develop with- me to lose a half a day’s production? I His reply was that it would be im- police arrest them all, how can they be out the influx of foreign workers, espe- could go bankrupt. possible to do this as it would be breaking brought into the system? cially laborers for the big construction The Ministry of Labor says there are the law. I know that it’s illegal but what Thai people simply don’t want to do projects. about one million unemployed Thais. I’d choice do we business people have? these low-paid, menial jobs anymore. I Before we can employ foreigners say that more than half of them want to If the illegal workers are arrested challenge the government to find Thais legally, we have to pay for a medical check work in an office rather than on a build- before June 15, how will we be able to who would be prepared to stick at these and registration fees. ing site. That’s why we need foreign la- register them? I have asked about this is- jobs for more than three months. Thais Each foreign worker costs his or her borers. sue and government officers just make usually last less than 10 days. employer at least 4,500 baht in fees paid Compiled by Gategaeo Phetsawang

Rules for boundary Want to know how to get something done? Can’t understand some of the dafter things Issues& that seem to go on in Phuket? Want to pitch ANSWERS walls or fences an idea to Phuket’s authorities or institutions? Then this is the forum for you. Submit your queries or suggestions to us What rules apply to building not do so, they will dismantle it and we’ll ask the appropriate people to respond to them. boundary walls around my prop- and charge the cost to you. erty? If the wall or fence you pro- Write to: The Phuket Gazette, 367/2 Yaowarat Rd, Muang, Phuket 83000. Fax 076- Randall Jennings pose to build doesn’t contradict 213971, or submit your issue at www.phuketgazette.net Chalong any regulations, the officers must grant your application. Tawee Homhuan, Engineer If your application is denied with the Phuket Public Works because the officer processing it and Town and Country Plan- claims that the wall or fence will Immigration letter expiration ning Office, responds: contravene regulations, you have Before you build a fence or 30 days to appeal the decision by I recently went to the Phuket lowing week when renewing my days, it would be better for me to wall around your property, you filing a complaint with the Or- Provincial Immigration Office Thai car and motorbike driver’s come back the following week, must first have permission from BorTor or the local municipality (PPIO) to obtain a letter verify- licenses. once I had done a visa run. the local Tambon Administration where you applied. ing my address, so I could pre- An officer at the PPIO said He explained that if he is- Organization (OrBorTor) or the They must pass the com- sent it to the Phuket Provincial that as my permit to stay was sued the letter verifying my ad- local municipality (tessabaan) to plaint to the provincial govern- Transportation Office the fol- about to expire in three more dress on the day that I visited, the ensure that it will not contravene ment’s Complaints Consider- letter would expire on the same the Building Control Act. ation Committee, which com- day as my permit to stay. A fence or wall that runs prises the Phuket Governor, the Am I barred from Thailand forever? Is this correct? I thank the along the boundary with public chief of the Phuket Public officer for the good advice, but land must not be over three Works and Town Planning Of- this is the fourth time that I have meters high. fice, the Phuket Attorney Gen- In Pattaya last month I did a stu- vincial Immigration Office, re- obtained a letter verifying my If the land next door is pri- eral and other officers, within pid thing; I took a towel from a plies: address, and the first time that vate, there is no limit to the 30 days. hotel. The police were called and Usually, under Thai law, I have heard that it expires in height of the wall or fence you The Complaints Consider- I was arrested. you would not only be fined for line with the current permit to may apply for, though the local ation Committee has 60 days to I was taken to court the theft but would be sent to jail, but stay. authority has the power to re- inform you of their decision. next day and fined 1,000 baht, perhaps in your case, as a first Randall Jennings strict the height to which you If you believe your applica- then handed over to Immigra- offender, you were put on proba- Chalong may build. tion was denied for unlawful rea- tion. I was deported a few days tion. Before you build a fence or sons, you can file a complaint later. The red stamp indicates Pol Capt Krissarat Nuesen of a wall along any other boundary, with the Damrongtham Center [at There is now a red stamp that you contravened Immigra- the Phuket Provincial Immi- if it will encroach on any part of the Provincial Hall in Phuket in my passport stating that I was tion Law Section 12. There are gration Office responds: the adjacent lot, you must have City. Tel: 076-213-203] or with deported. Can you please tell me many paragraphs in this section, Yes, it’s correct. The letter written permission from the own- the National Counter Corruption if I will be allowed to come back but I imagine that in your case verifying your address has on it er of that lot. Commission in Bangkok. to Thailand anytime soon? the red stamp means that you are the date on which the letter’s va- If a wall is built in violation If you have further ques- Name and address supplied a menace to society. lidity expires. The expiration of any regulations, the OrBorTor tions or need help in resolving an If there is a red stamp in date will always be the same as or tessabaan will order you, in issue about a wall, contact your Pol Col Vittavat Buranasom- your passport you will not be al- the date that your current permit writing, to dismantle it. If you do OrBorTor or tessabaan. pop, Head of the Phuket Pro- lowed into Thailand ever again. to stay expires. 20 PHUKET GAZETTE F E A T U R E S June 12 - 18, 2004 Nibbling from a huge grab-bag of quotes

ublished this year, History in pages and take a bite; you’ll be coming we are as handsome as old slant of emphasis. John Quotations (Cassell, London, back for another helping, I guarantee.” English folks, and so should Major (not the former Brit- 1,008pp) divides 5,000 years of I nibbled happily for weeks. Here’s be as free.” – John Adams, ish prime minister but an Phuman history into specific one tasty morsel by Robin McKie (2003) 1774, two years before the academic historian), who eras: ancient Egypt, India, China, Greece on Genghis Khan: American Declaration of In- wrote almost all of the post- and Rome running through the Renais- “An international team of geneticists dependence. 1945 sections, is obviously sance and Reformation to the present has made the astonishing discovery that “If slavery thus be fa- a gentleman of the Left. day. more than 16 million men in Central Asia tally contagious, how is it that Off the The quotes he has se- Into each section are jammed hun- have the same male Y chromosome as the we hear the loudest yelps for lected and the editorial com- dreds of quotes from the famous and the great Mongol leader. It is a striking find- liberty among the drivers of ment beneath them show a obscure: perceptive, startling, funny, ing: a huge chunk of modern humanity can Negroes?” – Samuel Johnson, SHELF distinct distaste toward Mrs foolish and wise. Beneath each quote is trace its origins to Genghis Khan’s vigor- 1775. By James Eckardt Thatcher, Israel and global- a note on the author, the his- ous policy of claiming the And so we come up to ization. torical context, and cross- most beautiful women cap- modern times. He is also responsible for this references to other quotes. tured during his merciless Senator Robert Dole in 1983: “His- howler: “I say violence is necessary. It I don’t pretend to have conquest.” tory buffs probably noted the reunion at a is as American as cherry pie,” which he read the whole thing. There Way to go, Genghis! Washington party a few weeks ago of three attributes to a certain H. Rap Brown of are 1,008 pages of close Here’s the great Isaac ex-presidents, Carter, Ford and Nixon: See a civil rights group called “Southern Ne- two-column type. But I Newton summing up his ac- No Evil, Hear No Evil and Evil.” gro Christian Conference (SNCC)”. dipped into lavish dollops complishments in 1727: President Bill Clinton in 1998: “I Actually it was his predecessor at of the stuff that interests me. “I do not know what I want to say one thing to the American SNCC, Stokely Carmichael, who coined I confess to skipping may seem to the world, but as people. I want you to listen to me . . . I did that phrase, along with “Black Power”. the Thirty Years War and to myself, I seem to have been not have sexual relations with that woman, And SNCC really translates into Stu- the 1848 Revolution. But only a boy playing on the sea- Miss Lewinsky. I never told anybody to dent Non-Violent Coordinating Com- that’s the whole point of shore and diverting myself in lie, not a single time, never. These allega- mittee, which by the time Stokely and this massive tome. As Simon Schama now and then finding a smoother pebble tions are false.” Rap got finished with it had degener- writes in the forward: “Sometimes we or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the President George W Bush in 2002: ated into a hate group that had nothing don’t want the whole banquet, soup to great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered “I think the American people – I hope the to do with students and was neither non- nuts. Sometimes, often even, we crave before me.” American – I don’t think, let me – I hope violent nor coordinated. dim sum, tapas, a day filled, stuffed The proximity of certain quotes can the American people trust me.” That said, I intend to chomp away with hors d’oeuvres.” be striking. Thirty-one of the 37 contributors are on this book for years to come. And he concludes: “So open the “We won’t be their Negroes. I say British academics, resulting in a certain Going ‘legit’ with Windows XP

I bought a computer I live in Rawai and a few months ago COMPUTER about a week ago from a guy who puts I signed up for the Q them together in his Q&A QTT&T/CAT 1,000- house. I’m absolutely sure that I baht ADSL service. I got a free have a bootleg copy of Windows ADSL modem and installation XP. If I buy a legit copy of Win- Windows XP Service Pack 2 CD. I installed the driver, plug- dows XP, do I have to wipe out sometime in the next two months, ged in the modem and waited. the hard drive to install it? you’re going to want it for the se- Six days later (they said it – BB on PP curity improvements, including a If you have a bootleg copy of would take 7- 10 days to connect) built-in firewall. Windows XP and want to make I got a signal on the modem. There are lots of good But SP 2 won’t install on it ‘legit’ in order to, say, get the Since then I’ve been in broad- reasons for getting a any machine that uses one of the latest security updates, you don’t band heaven. “real” copy of Win- common “cracked” WinXP acti- need to re-format your hard drive Using the McAfee speed dows XP, and not all vation codes. If you have a pirate to install the good copy. Follow the instructions here to test I’ve been getting between 80 A over-write the bootleg activation key with a real one. of them have to do with jack- copy of Windows XP, chances and 150Kbs. It worked with no booted jackals invading your are that you won’t be able to in- problems at all for a week then shop. stall SP 2. And that’s a problem. sonable if you buy an ICT-spon- the Registry Editor. Changing the started dropping out and slowed One very compelling rea- Unfortunately, the price of sored computer from the post of- value of OOBETimer de-acti- to a trickle. Then, today, magi- son looms in your immediate fu- Windows XP in Thailand is still fice or 7-Eleven). vates Windows. cally, it burst back into action. I ture: when Microsoft releases very high (although it’s quite rea- Fortunately, you can feed Click Start | Run, then type am now getting speeds between Windows XP any legitimate ac- %systemroot%\system32\oobe\ 600Kbs and over 1Mbs! What’s tivation key, from anywhere in msoobe /a and press Enter. (Note happening? – TD the world. Here’s the way Micro- that there’s a space before the / soft recommends (note that this a.) Windows brings up the sys- I, too, have the TT&T/ applies only to Windows XP): tem activation box. CAT package, except Click Start | Run, type Click the button marked I opted for the more regedit and press Enter. That Yes, I want to Telephone a Cus- A expensive (and sup- brings up the Registry Editor. tomer Service Representative to posedly faster) “Premium” Regedit is a powerful beast that Activate Windows, then click 2,630-baht service. The service works with the insides of your Next.Click the button marked is exhilarating – when it works. computer. You shouldn’t be Change Product Key, then type At the moment, my TT&T afraid to use it, but you should in the legit activation key from ADSL service has been com- be careful: don’t go changing the yellow sticker on the “good” pletely dead for more than a day, things willy-nilly and you’ll be CD’s case. Click Update. and it’s been up and down for the all right. If Windows says you need past three weeks. I’m ready to Click the plus signs to navi- to activate Windows click Re- pull my hair out because I really gate down to HKEY_LOCAL_ mind Me Later. Then re-start need to be connected, all the time. MACHINE\Software\ your computer. For now, if your business Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current When Windows comes depends on your Internet connec- Version\WPAEvents. (See the back up, click Start | All Pro- tion, or if you’re frustrated by screen shot above.) grams | Accessories | System random, lengthy outages, it On the right, double-click Tools | Activate Windows. If you would be wise to avoid both the OOBETimer. In the box marked did everything correctly, you’ll TT&T and TOT packages. They Edit Binary Value, delete a get an activation dialog box that just aren’t ready for prime time. couple of characters, then click says “Windows is already acti- – Woody Leonhard OK, then File | Exit to get out of vated. Click OK to exit.” [email protected] June 12 - 18, 2004 B U S I N E S S & M O N E Y PHUKET GAZETTE 21 Tourist industry having a better year By Sirpansa Somboon tor of the Tourism Authority of Some hotels may have re- the island’s largest with 685 guest few mouseclicks away from in- Thailand (TAT) Region 4 Office, corded lower occupancy rates rooms. formation about other destina- PHUKET: At the end of Phuket’s told the Gazette, “The 2003 high compared with the previous year, A member of the manage- tions that may offer better value. high season, tourism industry season was not good [overall] she said, but this was because of ment team of an internationally- To maintain its competitive leaders say the 2003-2004 high because we had the Sars crisis the increased number of rooms branded hotel told the Gazette on advantage, he said, Phuket needs season marked a healthy rebound and the violence in the Middle available. She said that some ho- condition of anonymity that high- to address the main sources of from dismal figures recorded just East, but it started to recover in teliers had not taken this into con- season occupancy at his hotel av- tourist complaints. He said that over a year ago during the height December. sideration when trying to account eraged 80%, the highest since be- the results of the Third Patong of the Sars crisis. “In the end, this past high for lower-than-expected occu- fore the 9/11 attacks on New Beach Survey indicate that prob- They remain cautiously season was better than the previ- pancy rates. York’s World Trade Center. lems relating to transport, pollu- optimisitic about the island’s pros- ous one. Phuket Arcadia Beach Re- He said Sars had been a real tion and crime continue to per- pects for future growth amidst in- “The bird ’flu scare didn’t sort Public Relations Manager setback, “far worse than the bird sist and called on government creasing oil prices worldwide and really have that much effect, nor Kymberley Sproule told the Ga- ’flu scare or unrest in the deep agencies to stamp out groups like call for local government agencies did the unrest in the southern zette that her hotel enjoyed its South”, but warned that a contin- “taxi agents” and touts who prey to do a better job of tackling prob- border provinces stop people highest occupancy rate in the past ued rise in global oil prices could on foreign tourists. lems including pollution, crime from traveling to Phuket.” three years in January 2004. have an equally devastating ef- Chusak Wongwai, Opera- and overcharging of tourists. She noted that although it She reported high-season fect because oil prices has large tions Manager of Phuket-based Suwalai Pinpradab, Direc- was too early to provide exact occupancy as 64.7% in 2002; ripple effects on other industries. tour company Asian Trails, esti- figures for 2004, talks with hotel 58% in 2003 and 73.3% in 2004. He stressed that Phuket’s mated that hotel occupancy rates and tour operators indicate that The hotel, which is expected to repeat visitors continue to come for the 2003-2004 high season On the Move the tourism industry has held complete its rebranding as a here because Phuket offers good were up on the previous high sea- strong. Hilton property in September, is value for money, but are only a son by as much as 20% and noted Bangkok-born Siripol Yong- that importance of tourism indus- yuthvichai, 55, has been ap- try workers who come into direct pointed Resi- contact with tourists. dent Manager “These people need to be of The Royal genuinely friendly and fair in Paradise Ho- Saudi woes a real worry their dealings with tourists,” he tel, Patong. He said, adding that the number of is a graduate in he continuing ter- economic growth is boom- complaints lodged with the TAT hotel layout rorist attacks in MONEY ing, financial markets are about such matters was rising. and planning Saudi Arabia – worried. Sithi Tandavanitj, President from the École aimed primarily at Foreign investors are of the Thai Hotels Association, Hôtelière de Lausanne and of T the oil industry and foreign TALKS waiting to see what happens, Southern Chapter, said that the business administration from workers – are a concern to and in the meantime they are tourism industry had not met ex- South West College, California. all investors. By Richard Watson not committing their cash. pectations over the past three K. Siripol’s previous positions in- The stated aim of the The ruling Congress years, but that it had rebounded clude F&B Manager of The terrorists is to drive foreign- Party is having to rely on 18 since the Sars crisis. Landmark Bangkok and Hotel ers from Saudi Arabia and to appear incapable of countering left-wing and regional parties to He said the nationwide av- Manager of the Royal Princess overthrow the government and the terrorists, leaving the coun- maintain a majority. This means erage occupancy rate for Janu- Hotel in Chachoengsao. the Royal family. Other conse- try an easy target. Until very re- India is not going to be seen as ary-April 2004 was about 70% quences may also please the ter- cently, the Saudi government was an attractive portfolio investment but added that Phuket needs to Briton Ian Mancais has joined rorists. very complacent, believing the destination. push forward with new projects the Conrad Phuket Resort & Spa The attacks are having an country to be somehow removed Merrill Lynch, for example, to attract tourists and increase as Executive effect – some skilled foreign per- from this arena. has already cut the Indian com- confidence in Phuket’s security. Chef. Mr Man- sonnel are leaving the country. The attacks at the end of ponent of its emerging markets An international confer- cais’ career has They are also affecting oil prices, May resulted in – at the time of funds from 6.5% to 4.5%. ence and exhibition center, the taken him to Ja- pushing them higher, and driving writing – only one terrorist be- development of Phuket as an In- pan, Indonesia, financial markets lower. ing caught. This engenders little Richard Watson runs Global Port- formation and Communications Bora Bora, Serious consequences may confidence. folios Co Ltd, a Phuket-based per- Technology center, or “ICT South Africa arise if the attacks in Saudi sonal financial planning service. City”; and the development of a and the UAE. Arabia continue. No market – oil, Doubts about Delhi: Shortly af- He can be reached at Tel and Fax: duty-free zone in the province He joins Con- financial or any other – likes un- ter the recent election in India, 076-381997, Mobile: 01-081- were examples of such projects, rad from the Banyan Tree Phuket. certainty. when Sonia Gandhi stepped aside 4611. Email: imm@loxinfo. co.th. he said. Saudi Arabia is the world’s in favor of Dr Manmohan Singh Siripansa Somboon, 24, from largest oil producer and with sup- as Prime Minister, markets re- Chumphon, has joined the Phu- plies already stretched, any threat acted positively. But not for long. ket Gazette as can only add to concern and push Almost immediately, the a Reporter. K. up prices. new government, in a single Siripansa Rising prices do not just speech, introduced elements of graduated mean people have to pay more uncertainty that unsettled finan- from Sripatum when they fill up their cars. cial markets. University, Higher prices add to the cost of The worrying elements in- Bangkok, ma- many products, particularly in the clude: a proposal to guarantee all joring in En- chemical industry. They also, workers at least 100 days’ em- glish for busi- obviously, add to transport costs ployment a year; increased sub- ness and communications. and from there to the price of sidies to the agricultural and goods on the shelves. Rising fuel other sectors; a tripling of the Been promoted? Made a career prices may also have an impact education budget; and a pledge change? Know someone who on tourism as airlines pass on the that state-owned enterprises will has? Let us know by email to extra fuel cost. receive permission to be priva- [email protected]. The Saudi security forces tized only if making a loss. Nothing was said on how VITAL STATISTICS: TAX REVENUE JUMPS 30% the these programs will be fund- ed. India already has a fiscal defi- Type of tax Amount collected (B million) % change June, 2004 June, 2003 cit which was recently described by a senior Indian economist with Income tax 70.885 69.087 2.60 JP Morgan as “out of control”. It Corporate tax 53.107 34.385 54.45 is running at around 9% of GDP. Business tax 0.000 0.003 -100.00 By limiting the potential VAT 140.235 118.743 18.10 number and quality of privat- Specific Business tax 33.380 5.679 487.78 izations, the Indian government Stamp Duties 8.061 5.566 44.83 is also limiting a source of new Other revenue 0.402 0.359 11.98 revenue – at a time when India has one of the highest levels of Total 306.070 233.822 30.90 government debt in the world. Source: Phuket Provincial Revenue Office So, even though Indian 22 PHUKET GAZETTE June 12 - 18, 2004 June 12 - 18, 2004 PHUKET GAZETTE 23 24 PHUKET GAZETTE M O T O R I N G June 12 - 18, 2004

he gleaming Chevy Col- orado parked outside the company’s bypass T road showroom is Gen- eral Motors’ answer to the pleth- ora of Japanese pickups dominat- ing the Thai market. The Colorado is assembled in Thailand at GM’s Rayong base where the auto giant also puts together Zafira MPVs, Alfa Romeo 156 sedans and Isuzu pickups. GM also exports ve- hicles from Rayong to nearly 20 countries, making it Thailand’s largest auto exporter in terms of value. A number of options are available for the Colorado, in- cluding an extended cab and a crew cab, but the most popular is likely to be the regular cab with either two- or four-wheel drive. Power comes from a 2.8-li- ter, four-cylinder gasoline en- gine, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. An options in some markets is a 3.5-liter, five- cylinder motor with auto trans- Eager buyers placed orders for an astonishing 172 Chevrolet Colorado pickup trucks within two days of its launch in Phuket. mission. The engines are of the lat- est, all-aluminum design with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, with the 2.8 producing a creditable 175bhp (130kW) and 251Nm of torque. Figures for the larger motor are Chevy chasing 220bhp and 305Nm respectively. Diesel variants – 2.5-liter and 3- liter versions – will also go on sale in Thailand. Although the Colorado fol- lows the traditional style of all other pickups on the market, it has a number of additional fea- Japan’s success tures that make it unique, includ- ing a 60/40 split folding rear seat to extend the vehicle’s cargo ver- tional roof-rail side airbags, with He joined Durant in 1911 These days, Chevrolet is serious underestimation of the satility. front airbags standard on all mod- to design a mass-market car, but just another division of GM’s but truck’s appeal. “At the Colo- A ladder-frame chassis els. the two soon fell out and Louis its heritage is such that its cars rado’s Phuket launch on May 22- gives exceptional torsional rigid- Chevrolet, as a marque, be- left the company in 1913 to form and pickups are still much ad- 23, we took orders for 172 ity while independent front sus- gan in 1912 when Louis Chevro- his own outfit. Unfortunately, mired and Louis Chevrolet, who trucks,” K. Chartchai said. pension and a live rear axle are let, a Swiss racing driver and en- Durant owned the Chevrolet died in relative obscurity in 1941, The Colorado is priced be- standard on the two-wheel-drive gineer, met Bill Durant, the name by this time so Louis would presumably tween 495,000 models; torsion bar suspension is founder of General Motors. Chevrolet was forced to trade as have been more and 849,000 baht, fitted to four-wheel drive ver- Chevrolet was born in La Chaux- the Frontenac Motor Corp. than a little pleas- depending on the sions. de-Fonds in Switzerland in 1878, Building successful racing ed that seven out model and specifi- The brakes are an advance but moved to France where he cars, Louis Chevrolet soon be- of the 29 cars in cations. on many rival pickups with twin- worked for Mors, one of the top came as well known as Dusen- this year’s India- General Mo- pot calipers and large diameter carmakers of the era. berg and Miller, and he regularly napolis 500 were BEHIND tors has invested discs on the front with drums on He later moved to Canada competed against – and beat – equipped with en- THE 30 billion baht in the rear. ABS is standard on all and then the US where he worked these illustrious marques. In gines bearing his its Rayong plant Colorados. Traction control is an for the importers of De Dion- 1920, one of his cars won the name. WHEEL for the vehicles option, a first in this particular Bouton cars, as well as truck Indy 500, driven by his younger Chartchai Su- By Jeff Heselwood under its umbrella, market. Another first is the op- maker William Walter. brother, Gaston. wannasevok, Sen- and an additional ior Public Relations Manager for 3 billion baht was spent on re- General Motors (Thailand) Ltd tooling specifically for the Colo- says that the pickup has had a rado. staggered launch around Thai- GM has 45 dealership-ser- land as a way of building antici- vice centers around the country pation and one-upmanship in the – all offering 24-hour service – pickup fraternity. and aims to expand this number Since the first launch in to 80 during 2005. March, 3,350 trucks have been – Additional material sold and GM’s aim was to sell by Gategaeo Phetsawang around 30 trucks a month in Phuket. Jeff Heselwood may be contacted That seems to have been a by email at [email protected]. June 12 - 18, 2004 G O O D L I V I N G PHUKET GAZETTE 25 Guestchef By Jenna Wise ne traditional Swiss dish not on the menu at the Swiss Delight O restaurant is fondue. Owner and chef Adi Lanter ex- plains that he likes to serve only meals containing all the authen- tic ingredients. “Using the im- ported cheese necessary to make genuine fondue would make it very expensive,” he says. “The only people who oc- casionally ask for fondue are Japanese or Korean guests, and they’re always happy to order another typically Swiss dish from our menu, such as Käsespätzle [cheese mini-dumplings],” Adi adds. Originally from Zurich, Adi worked around the world for 12 years before settling in Thailand. He worked at the Swiss Taverne hotel and restaurant in Patong for nearly seven years before open- ing Swiss Delight last year. Adi and his wife, Onsurang “Ying”, have been together for 10 years and have two children. “We decided to open our own business Food to delight a hungry mountaineer or a guzzling gourmet: left, Swiss Delight’s house bread and right, cheese mini-dumplings. because we hardly ever spent any family time together when I was working at the hotel in Patong. Now, I am the chef and Ying takes care of the customers, so we see each other all day,” Adi explains. A taste of the Alps Although fondue is not available, Adi loves promoting another famous Swiss food – Knead the dough into a ball and 5 tablespoons grated Parmesan dumplings until they are golden. Method chocolate. For details of hand- leave covered with a teatowel at cheese. Turn heat to very low and Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a made chocolates, cakes and des- room temperature for about five Fresh herb leaves and tomato stir in the Parmesan cheese and pan. Sauté the onion and rice be- serts that are available to order, hours. The dough should rise to slices to decorate; cream. Decorate with optional fore stirring in the white wine, email Adi at: [email protected]. about twice its original size. ½ an onion, sliced thinly and fried onions before serving. bouillon powder and 6 cups of th. Mix the ingredients for the fried (optional); water (the rice should remain main dough together well, then Butter. Risotto Al Fungi moist, so add more water if nec- Swiss Delight House Bread add to the starter dough and mix. For 2 people essary). Bring to the boil and sim- For 2 loaves Mold two loaves from the dough Method mer for 20 minutes. and roll them in flour, then bake Blend the eggs, flour, milk, salt Ingredients In a frying pan, melt 2 table- Ingredients them in an oven pre-heated to and pepper together until it forms spoons butter and lightly fry the Starter dough 200ºC for 20 minutes. Lower the a firm dough. 1 large chopped onion; mushrooms. Stir in rice, salt and 300 gm plain flour; heat to 175ºC and continue bak- (Adi uses a special metal 2 cups risotto rice (essential to pepper, then remove from heat. 14 gm dried yeast; ing for 50 minutes. tray that has one-centimeter-wide use risotto rice); Mix in Parmesan cheese and 30 ml tepid water. holes in it to make the right 200 gm thinly sliced mushrooms; more butter, if desired, before Cheese mini-dumplings dumpling shapes; he does this by 4 tablespoons butter (or more); serving. Main dough For 5 people pushing the dough against the 4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese; 600 gm plain flour; tray, so that strips of dough about Salt and pepper to taste; Swiss Delight, 8/38 Kwang Rd, 10 gm malt powder (optional); Ingredients for the 4-5cm long come out on the other 1 cup white wine; Wichit, Phuket, 83000. Open 30 ml water; dumplings side – like a large cheese grater. 2 teaspoons Knorr bouillon pow- Tuesday-Saturday, 11 am-11 pm. 3 teaspoons salt. 3 eggs; The dumplings can be made by der. Tel: 09-8740278. 750 gm plain flour; hand, but this is more laborious.) Method 35 ml milk; Heat some water in a large Mix the yeast with the tepid wa- Salt and pepper to taste. pan and boil the dumplings for ter before adding to the other in- 10 minutes. Remove from water gredients for the starter dough, Ingredients for the sauce and drain well. Melt some butter then mix together well by hand. 25 ml fresh cream; in a deep frying pan and fry the 26 PHUKET GAZETTE PROPERTY June 12 - 18, 2004

hy has Surin Beach become so popular with jet-setting Home of the Week Wvilla owners? On Living the high life the headland north of the beach, his striking four-year-old- Amanpuri – resort for the rich villa in a quiet area behind and famous, royalty, movie stars, Phuket FantaSea in Kamala models and racing drivers – was built to exacting stan- opened almost 20 years ago. T dards and has almost every conceiv- At the southern end, on the able extra – including a water filtra- hillside, Baan Thai Cherng tion system, solar power and a Lay’s 31 luxury villas, some val- Toyota Sportrider. ued at almost US$2 million, look The three-story property boasts over a spectacular view that in- six bedrooms – five with en-suite cludes Surin Beach, Amanpuri bathrooms – and has an internal area and, in the background, Bang of some 472 square meters. Open- Tao and the Laguna Phuket com- plan living, dining and kitchen ar- plex. eas give an airy ambience to the Abutting the beach is the house. It also has a laundry and a “park”, which was once the first carport. and only golf course on Phuket. Finishes are a combination of It’s still there because it is state granite, tile and maka wood floors, land. extending to the staircases and the Behind the park are hostel- bedrooms, which are on all floors. ries such as the Surin Sweet Ho- The windows and sliding pa- tel, popular with regular visitors tio doors are low-maintenance alu- because of its low prices and big minum with fly screens. The bath- comfortable rooms. rooms are well-finished and the Another is the Surin Bay house has seven air-conditioning Inn, a boutique hotel, which pro- units and nine ceiling fans. vides excellent breakfasts and The grounds, with mature trees lunches, and has become a meet- and shrubs, cover 1,252sqm and ing place for an assortment of have been beautifully landscaped. property and real estate “special- Artist’s impression of a Surin Heights apartment, complete with infinity-edge pool, of courset. There is an outdoor Jacuzzi and spa, ists” discussing the vagaries of and sufficient space to install a good- the market and sharpening their There’s even – for those In the midst of all this tourists. It seems Surin Beach is sized swimming pool. A high wall knives in anticipation of further who know about Shakespeare splendor there’s Australian Ian becoming a center of activity and surrounds the property and there are opportunities to assassinate char- and sharp knives – a Cassius liv- “Diver” Dick, holding court at development for the international views to a lake beyond the grounds. acters. ing in the Surin Beach area. his beachside eatery, always community on the island. The utilities include a home se- ready to assist the rich and fa- High above, overlooking all curity system, UBC TV, mains wa- mous with information about of this, is the site for another new ter, two septic tanks, three-phase the real world luxury villas-and- electricity and two telephone lines. when they venture apartments project, The car included in the sale is out of their nearby Surin Heights. four years old. It has 46,000km on villas – and sell PROPERTY The project the odometer. them a few beers & has been developed The property is priced at 16 to help them swal- for the investment- million baht. low the yarns HOMEZONE minded buyer, says By Graham Doven more easily. Stephen Paine, For further details contact Richard Probably, the managing director Lusted of Siam Real Estate at Tel: fact that the park makes it impos- of Surin Heights developer An- 076-280805 or Email: info@ sible to build a hotel next to the daman Prestige. siamrealestate.com, website www. sand is one reason why housing “In an area where demand siamrealestate.com projects have sprung up in the is far greater than supply, Surin Surin Beach area. Heights will offer a modern Pictured: The house, near Phuket There are certainly more tropical property with impres- FantaSea, has six bedrooms and a local expats, residents and regu- sive facilities and definitely one delightful, mature garden, featur- lar visitors to the island on the of the best views on the island,” ing an outdoor Jacuzzi. sand than there are first-time he says.

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Kamala

Don’t miss.... Issues & Answers phuketgazette.net/issuesanswers/index.asp 28 PHUKET GAZETTE PROPERTY June 12 - 18, 2004 You thought it was location? G ardening with Bloomin’ Bert and is clearly a com- of course vary with the individual or the sound of waves caressing modity in fixed supply and the land use envisaged. a sandy beach. globally – and on a Branding. Although land Nor can economic theories L small, popular island can be sold undeveloped, it is – be applied to concepts of privacy, like Phuket that supply is even at the residential level – more or perceptions of a quiet, relax- more constrained. usually sold as part of a package ing environment. Yet these are Foreigners are visiting or with other value-added features clearly attributes that many buy- moving here in ever-increasing (roads, utilities, recreational fa- ers seek. numbers and while some of these cilities) as part of a development. Many land or home buy- “new locals” are venturing out Land developers, just like ers in Phuket are not making into neighboring provinces, the other manufacturers, want to dif- purchases based on strictly prac- majority settle in Phuket. ferentiate their product and tical reasons, Phuket clearly has a fixed typically work to create the im- such as needing supply of – and an increasing pression of a superior product. shelter or a demand for – land. That’s a Branding, place to work. recipe for rising prices. like advertising, People buy The colorful Ixora can be propagated using air-layering. But this does not explain is intended to as part of a why some areas of Phuket see stimulate demand Ask lifestyle choice, much higher land values than and thereby in- with an attitude others. There are clearly at- crease sales vol- WILLIAM of “We are here Using long words tributes that differentiate some ume or prices. through choice areas from others. I use the three When successful, By William Pinsent and if we don’t terms “Proximity”, “Branding” branding raises find our dream, to grow more plants and “Aesthetics” to explain the values above the sum of the parts. we can look elsewhere”. distinctions. Unless brand image is destroyed, The aesthetic component of ropagation – it’s that “gardening” word again. Last week we Proximity. Being close to success tends to breed success a property is often the most sig- looked at seeds, and all the hard work that growing them sources of demand (passing and well-branded developments nificant factor in creating de- entails, and reaping the benefits for your garden in Phuket. trade, buyers, neighbors), or be- rise in value. mand for land perceived as of- Let’s assume that, for once, I actually want to sound like a ing accessible to sources of sup- Aesthetics. Some sites are fering a unique lifestyle. P proper gardener who knows what he’s talking about. Let’s also as- ply or transportation (shops, res- clearly perceived as being more sume that I’m not completely idle, and that I would not be happier to taurants, buses, airports) are at- attractive than other land. William Pinsent has lived in have a whole garden full of kick-started plants delivered from the tributes of land that have a clear Emotions and lifestyle Phuket since 1981 and is a direc- local garden center. and relatively quantifiable eco- choices are often significant fac- tor of Phuket Land Ltd. More ar- Indeed, let’s pretend that I actually want to do some gardening nomic value. tors in such perceptions and eco- ticles by the author can be found for myself, and that I can muster up the energy to put down the Which attributes will be of nomic theories can’t explain the at www.phuketland.com/gaz/ bottle of Heineken and get my hands dirty. value to which buyer/owner will values of an ocean view, a sunset gazmain.htm I know there’s the possibility of shattering the preconception that a beer-guzzling Yorkshiremen doesn’t know the difference be- tween a trowel and a spade, but I’m willing to risk it. There’s more to propagation than just pushing a few seeds into soil. There are other options, most of which involve less work, which is always good. The dracaena is probably one of the easiest plants to propa- gate. It’s also known as the yucca, and has dozens of varieties. They all look a bit different but generally they consist of a crown of leaves on top of a single stem, which extends with the growth of new leaves, with no leaves appearing below. To propagate a yucca, all you have to do is lop off the top and stick it into a new pot. New shoots will appear on the old stump, and the bit you cut off will carry on as before – it’ll just be a bit shorter. That really is all there is to this method – the “cut it and stick it” approach. Another method is called dividing. The mother-in-law’s tongue is one plant than can be divided, though not above the ground as with the dracaena, but below. Frankly, there’s not much to this plant. It’s just a few ugly- looking sword-shaped leaves that twist vertically up from roots, called rhizomes. The rhizomes sit just below the surface of the soil and they are the key. There’s not much science or methodology behind this process – just snap the rhizomes off wherever they will split easily, and plant them elsewhere. The new clones of the originals won’t take long to establish with the occasional splash of water in their direction, but after that you can pretty much leave them to their own devices. This method can be used with most plants that have naturally- splitting rhizomes that can be broken apart by hand. These include some lilies, several species of ivy and a number of palms. Another method is air layering. This may sound like a techni- cal term from a beauty salon, but it’s actually fairly simple: if a stalk from the plant is pulled down so that it’s in contact with moist soil (preferably below the surface) for an extended period of time, it will grow roots to reach down from the stalk into the soil. Over time, these roots will become strong enough to support a separate plant and you can cut the stalk off from the original plant, creating a new plant. This method works with some climbers, along with the ixora and most species of jasmine and weed-like plants, such as lantana. The spider plant makes life particularly easy for a reproduc- tion-crazed gardener. A healthy spider plant is festooned with min- iature versions of itself, or “runners” as real gardeners call them. As the offshoots mature, they should be removed from the main plant, which actually seems to enjoy the process. The offshoots can be cut off and planted directly in moist soil or just put in water. Their roots are already formed, so starting an- other plant couldn’t be easier. Whether you cut-it-and-stick-it, divide, air layer or replant run- ners, there’s really not much skill involved in plant midwifery in Phuket. The plants here just love to grow. June 12 - 18, 2004 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 29 Property Gazette

Properties For Sale

NEW SEAVIEW VILLA

on 1,200 sqm of land, with 7 THAI HOUSES PHUKET CITY- NEW HOUSE VILLA IN RAWAI more land available, has free- FOR SALE RAWAI RAWAI FOR SALE hold Chanote title, marble 1. Large 4-bedroom bathrooms, hot water, 3- phase electricity, air condi- house on 1.25 rai with tioning, swimming pool, pool: 13 million baht complete Western kitchen, 2. 2-story house, maid’s bedroom-cum-office, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath- storeroom, garden, and 3- rooms, 77 sq wah: bedroom all with sea view. 3.2 million baht Must view to appreciate. Will For sale: 186-sqm house , 3. 4-story restaurant, on 590-sqm lot, with 2 bed- consider smaller house or Art Deco, 3 work land as partial payment. Tel: rooms, 2 bathrooms, large 07-2659977. Email: jimmys permits: 2.5 million baht living area, open kitchen, pa- @loxinfo.co.th 4. Thalang 2.75 rai tio. Price: 3.6 million baht. High-quality houses located land: 2.5 million baht Tel: 09-7310283. Email: in Bangkok. Can be sold bluepktproperty@csloxinfo. A spacious, modern villa sur- EXCLUSIVE separately or together. Pro- List with com rounded by beautiful land- Beautiful new 4-bedroom villa. fessional disassembly and www.thaichanote.com. scaped gardens with a 350-sqm living space. Top transport to your site in Thai- Tel: 076-263478. plunge pool for cooling off. quality, including pool. Price: land included. Tel: 06- Fitted to a high standard 11.5 million baht. Tel: 01-891- 881968. Fax: 076-290447. throughout, and tastefully 6143. Email: [email protected] furnished. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, telephone, UBC, NEW HOUSES, KATA MISSION HILLS aircon. Price: 7.2 million with land plots for sale. Fitted Serviced buildings on 1-rai, baht. If it’s quality living you to Euro standards, includes ocean-view lots facing 9th tee want, call or email to view Jacuzzi baths, full en-suite of Jack Nicklaus-designed golf now. Tel: 09-7310283. bathrooms, etc. Swimming course. Tel: 09-9725226. Email: bluepktproperty@ pool, 5 mins from Kata Beach. Email: bgbphuket@yahoo. csloxinfo.com Tel: 01-8913972. Email: com [email protected] NEW HOUSES 4 SALE DEVELOPMENT PATONG CONDO Newly built house on Sai Yuan LAND Great opportunity: mountain Rd, close to Nai Harn and next 3 parcels suited to qualified view, freehold title, 300m to to Don’s Mall, with 3 bed- development. Clean titles beach, 1 bedroom, living rooms, 3 bathrooms. All and permits. a) 14 rai sea- room, 2 balconies, 1 toilet. rooms with aircon, full West- view, Kata Beach. Price: 80 Price: 1.05 million baht. Tel: ern kitchen (Teka), decorated, million baht. b) 7.5 rai beach 09-4740227. Email: chotip_5 garden, all built-in furniture and and river frontage, Koh Sa- @hotmail.com alarm system. Price: 4.9 mil- GREAT LOCATION mui. Price: 40 million baht. lion baht. Please call for more Homes near beach for sale c) 74 rai beachfront, Koh LAND IN PATONG details. Tel: 06-6822325, 04- from 1.5 million baht up- Pha-ngan Island (near Excellent sea view. Only 2 lots 0575756. wards. Tel: 076-284065, 06- Samui). Price: 90 million baht. left, from 3,800 baht per 5958512. Email: nalumana@ Tel: 01-3968536. Email: sqm. Incl electricity, road, etc. phuket.ksc.co.th [email protected] Don’t miss out. Tel: 01-895- FOR SALE 7159, 09-2911112. BY OWNER APARTMENTS 4 SALE 4 RAI IN RAWAI Spectacular seaview villa HOUSE IN THALANG in Patong. 12 rooms, fully fur- south of Patong, and luxury nished, minimart and 15 com- 300m from Rawai Beach and LAND FOR SALE Newly finished 2-bedroom 400m from Yanui Beach. Price golf course mansion at La- house. Safe and quiet area, puters for Internet. Price 8.5 directly on Banyan Tree golf guna, for sale by owner. For million baht.Urgent sale. Tel: 2.8 million baht/rai.Tel: 01- close to Bang Tao Beach, La- 3762920. course (Laguna property). more info please call 01- guna Phuket and golf courses. 07-2799500. Please email 1,050 sqm/262.4 sq wah. 7974413 or email: info@ Price: 1.7 million baht. Tel: 06- queries to: baanputtarat24@ Price: 7.872 million baht. Tel: tomkatconsulting.com. 6826328. Email: cheret2000 yahoo.com 076-239864. Email: hktmkt Please see website: www. @yahoo.fr @ksc.th.com tomkatconsulting.com BOAT LAGOON LAND SEAVIEW IN KARON 640-sqm canalside frontage. MISSION HEIGHTS NEW HILLTOP HOUSE 2-bedroom apartment on the 30m access to all facilities in Serviced building plots from on Chao Fa East Rd, 10 mins to 18th floor at Waterfront Condo marina and resort. Build your 220 sq wah to 1 rai at 7,500 Big C, in quiet location. 74 sq (Karon) is for sale. Price: 12 dream home in Phuket. Please baht per sq wah. 2 minutes wah with 2 bedrooms, 3 bath- million baht. Please contact contact for details.Tel: 09- from the golf course, 7 mins rooms, a dining room and a Jay. Tel: 09-8745286. Email: 8739947. Email: info@ from airport, 5 mins to the kitchen. Completion Decem- [email protected] andamanproperty.com beach and 20 mins to Dulwich ber ’04 with Nor Sor 3 Gor. International College. Excel- Price: 3.5 million baht. Please FOR SALE ISLAND OFF PHUKET lent roads. This is country liv- call Nok. Tel: 01-8924735. I have the following properties for sale. Rare: an island – 10 ing at its very best. Tel: 01- Email: [email protected] for sale: 2-bedroom luxury apt minutes from Phuket and over 8298101, 01-3444473. in Surin/Bang Tao; 3-bedroom 100 rai with land title – for PATONG HOUSE house with pool, 3 mins to sale. This is a beautiful island CONDO FOR SALE A semi-detached house on a Laguna Phuket; 3-story shop- with infrastructure and build- in Boat Lagoon. 3 bedrooms, private road off Nanai Rd for house on bypass road; 2 rai of ings, great beaches and is 4 bathrooms, aircon, Jacuzzi, sale. 4 big rooms, fully fur- land, 5 mins to Laguna Phuket very well priced at 250 million granite /marble and teak finish- nished, 3 bathrooms, 3 and the beach. Please contact baht. Deal direct with owner. ing. Tel: 09-8739947. Email: aircons. Price: 3 million baht. for more information. Email: Tel: 09-8715192. Email: info [email protected] Tel: 06-2775547. [email protected] @phukethomes.com 30 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS June 12 - 18, 2004 Property Gazette

PATONG APTS TOWNHOUSES 5-BED HOUSE 4 RENT Properties WARIKA PLACE for long-term rent. 1 bedroom, for rent. Situated in quiet area 5-bed/5-bathroom Thai-style For Sale KARON 1 TV room, cable TV, aircon. of Soi Sansabai, Patong. 2 house for rent at Loch Palm Some apartments have good bedrooms, furnished, UBC, Golf Course. Close to Dulwich sea view. Prices from 5,000 aircon, telephone, short- and International College. Fully fur- 2-BEDROOM HOUSE to 20,000 baht a month. Tel: long-term lets available. nished and less than a year 8-month-old, fully furnished 09-2909567. For more de- 20,000 baht a month. Tel: old. Just move in. 800-sqm house in Kamala. What you tails, see our website at: 076-341871, 01-5697616. garden, 3 tel lines. Car avail- see is what you get. Price: 2.6 PHUKET ISLAND www.brommathaihouse.com able if required. Short- or long- million baht. Tel: 09-290- REAL ESTATE KATA HILLTOP term rental OK. 45,000 baht 8030. Email: pcphuket@ house for rent. Fully furnished a month. Please contact for hotmail.com Specialists in House NEW HOUSE Fully-furnished, 3-bedroom 2-story house with large air- further details. Tel: 65-983- Sales, Rentals, Land conditioned bedroom, living 70340, 09-8713360. Email: APARTMENT 4 SALE Plots and Businesses, house, 10 mins drive to La- guna area, 800m from the room, kitchen and terrace. chris_winter@veritasdgc. in Karon. Fully furnished 2-bed- Ocean view, swimming for Sale or Lease, Heroines’ Monument, with Bathroom has hot water. com room apartment on 10th floor pool, restaurant, cable TV, including Hotels. aircon, UBC TV, standard 11,000 baht a month. Tel: at Waterfront Suites. Price: aircon, hot water. 1- & 2- For more details call kitchen and garden. 30,000 076-216036, 01-6062827. 12 million baht. Please con- bedroom house for long- baht/month for long-term con- Email: [email protected] HOUSE NEAR tact Jay. Tel: 09-8745286. 076-341871 term rent, fully furnished, tract. 3 months’ deposit re- LAGUNA Email: [email protected] tropical garden, parking. 01-5697616 quired. Tel: 06-6829922. HOUSE FOR RENT 4 bedrooms, big living room, E-mail: sales@ Price 30,000-45,000 baht 3-bedroom house, in desirable study, kitchen, garage for 3 per month. Studio-type Chao Fa Thani estate, garden, SEAVIEW LAND phuketislandrealestate.com cars, maid’s room, swim- apartment for rent daily, HOTEL PROMOTION backs onto klong, 3 bath- ming pool, 2 telephone lines, Land plots in Karon for sale. Website: www. monthly. Price: 15,000 baht for the low season. Rental rooms, living room, study, din- 4 aircons, hot water, semi- Water and electricity are phuketislandrealestate.com per month. Tel: 01-810- rooms for long-stay at beach- ing room, kitchen, air-condi- furnished, good neighbor- available on the land. Now 5559. front hotel, includes ABF and tioned, fully furnished. Rent: hood. For long-term rent at only 4 plots left for sale, at facilities. Price: 18,000 baht 30,000 baht a month. Tel: 60,000 baht a month. Tel: reasonable prices. Tel: 076- OFFICE SPACE a month. Please call. Tel: 076- 076-281018, 09-4729841. 01-8930692. Email: toto@ 341031, 01-6917747. Fax: For rent: fully furnished and RESTAURANT/BAR 345518, 01-8920038. on Taina Rd, in Kata, for rent. phuket.ksc.co.th 076-341032. Email: anabel air-conditioned shared office 4 RENT IN KAMALA @easythailandproperty. Good location next to guest- space – 70sqm – available on BEACHSIDE HOUSE 2-bedroom apartment for long- com. For more information, the 3rd floor of the Land houses with a lot of regular HOUSE IN CHALONG customers. Has been in busi- Detached 2-story, 3-bedroom term rental. Fully furnished, please see our website at: Rover building in Phuket City. New 3-bed house in Soi Palai ness for 6 years. Tel: 076- house with panoramic views aircon, UK-style kitchen, TV, www.easythailandproperty. Includes telephone line. with 2 aircon units, 2 bath- 284049, 01-9585528. Fax: over Chalong Bay. Quiet loca- UBC, etc, plus swimming pool com Please contact for details. rooms, garden, phone and car 076-330086. Email: finn@ tion at Khao Khat, between and Jacuzzi in private, new de- Tel: 076-385292, 01-893- park. Minimum 1-year rental: phuket.cscoms.com Phuket City, Cape Panwa and velopment. Tel: 01-9580489, 1360. Fax: 076-385292. Chalong. Furnished: 24,500 09-8746185. Agents wel- 20,000 baht/month. Tel: 09- Properties Email: somyong_phumala@ come. Please call for more 5943209. PATONG HILLTOP baht a month. Unfurnished: yahoo.com 19,500 baht, negotiable. Call details. For Rent Fully furnished, 4-bedroom, 3- or email for info and pics. Tel: bathroom house with big gar- KAMALA FOR RENT 076-256407, 01-6764849. RAWAI CONDO den and great view. Live-in Beach shophouse, only 150m Email: [email protected] HOUSE FOR RENT 1-room apartment, kitchen, KATHU WATERFALL or 2 mins walk to the beach, maid, if required. Long-term New 3-bedroom, 2-bath- aircon, TV, swimming pool, Unfurnished 2-bedroom for 6 months’ rent. 2-bed- lease only. 40,000 baht a room house for rent, very furnished. Tel: 06-7417260. house in a quiet location rooms, fully furnished. Price: month. Tel: 02-5138348, 01- HOUSE WITH LARGE close to Nai Yang and air- near Kathu waterfall. Com- 8,500 baht a month. Tel: 076- 8915325. Email: jorg1@ garden (property covers port. Comprises kitchen, liv- prises: bathroom, living 2780088, 06-2746511. bkk4.loxinfo.co.th 712sqm) for rent in Land & ing room and garden. Fur- 2 SHOPHOUSE UNITS room, kitchen, front and Houses Park near Chalong. nished: 25,000 baht a for rent in Patong. Main road back patios, and car park HOUSE FOR RENT LONG-TERM RENTAL This partly-furnished 2-story month. Unfurished: 20,000 access. For business, can rent space. Only 5,000 baht a in Kathu. 3 bedrooms, 3 bath- available at Land & Houses house has 3 bedrooms, park- baht. Tel: 01-3978938, 09- long term. Price: 25,000 baht month. Tel: 09-8731652. rooms, large living room and Park. 82 sq wah, 2 floors, 3 ing for 2 cars, aircon, walk-in 7240116. a month. For more details call kitchen. Situated in quiet cul bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, situ- closets, a modern kitchen, 09-8732133. de sac near 2 golf courses. 9 ated in Chalong area. Mini- terrace, balcony, satellite TV 3 BEDROOMS and telephone line. Rent: Find more Property Classified ads at Parkland setting. Delightful mins to Patong. Price: 20,000 mum 1-year rental. Price: baht a month. Please contact 25,000 baht a month. Please 45,000 baht/month (nego- www.phuketgazette.net! two-story house in secluded tiable). Tel: 06-6897113. and secure landscaped es- for details. Tel: 09-4729841. call for more details. Tel: 09- tate. Air conditioning through- 7731919. out, quality furnishings, well- LONG-TERM LEASE equipped modern kitchen and New houses at Palai Green. 2 NEW HOME+POOL Classified Advertisements only 10 mins to Phuket City. aircon bedrooms, hot shower, New home in Kamala with Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. Rent: 35,000 baht a month. kitchen, living room, patio, ga- pool. Furnished: 35,000 baht Contact for details. Tel: 076- rage. Fully furnished, beautiful a month; unfurnished: 28,000 Then hand it to any of our agents. 381717, 01-8950680. Fax: garden, quiet, peaceful area. baht a month. Minimum 6- 076-282218. Email: trin@ Palai beach, near Chalong Bay. month let. Pls call after 4 pm. |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| (heading) phuket-sunseekers.com Call 01-8924311. Tel: 076-385940. Agents for Classified Advertising |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

PHUKET |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| K.L. Mart Patak Rd, Chalong Tel: 076-280400/3 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| NAVA Language School Phang Nga Rd, Phuket City Tel: 076-232398/9 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| Sin & Lee Thalang Rd, Phuket City Tel: 076-211230 Taurus Travel |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| Aroonsom Plaza Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd, Patong Tel: 076- 344521-2

Ala Carte Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 60 baht, Kamala main road, Cherng Talay Tel: 076-278019 with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. PHANG NGA All advertising must be paid for in advance. Maew Internet Shop, Khao Lak Tel: 076-420627 Deadline for Property Mart page: Friday 3 pm. Avalon Creative Group Co Ltd, Khao Lak Tel: 076-420539 Deadline for all other pages: Saturday 12 noon. June 12 - 18, 2004 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 31 Property Gazette

Property Wanted Accommodation Building Services Household Wanted Services

RENTAL IN PATONG I am looking for a house or HOUSE PAINTING apartment for a long-term Do you need any kind of stay from Sept 1, 2004 to April first-class quality painting 30, 2005. Must be fully fur- for your new house? Or nished, prefer 2 bedrooms, repairs? For more informa- maybe accessible to pool. Lo- tion, please call Tel: 072- cated in central Patong. 868634. Please send details and pic- tures by email to: lilla_4ever@ hotmail.com Property Services BUNGALOW 4 RENT LOOKING FOR 1 RAI Accommodation Urgently need to rent unfur- Looking for about 1 rai of nished bungalow for long term/ SPAS R US quiet land, preferably with Available yearly: 1- or 2-bedroom small Steam room/sauna and acces- mature trees, in the south of bungalow or house. If one sories, and portable hot tubs Phuket: Chalong, Rawai, Ao HOUSE IN PATONG bedroom, I will also need a from USA. Quality equipment, Makham preferred. Please room to use as office/storage. contact with details. Tel: 09- for long-term rent. 270 sqm. designed and installed for your Fully furnished 3-story house, Must also have living room, P-CON needs. Business and residen- 8324419. Email: wingituk@ bathroom, etc. Most locations yahoo.co.uk overlooking entire Patong Phuket Construction tial. California Spa Design. Bay. 2 bedrms, 4 bathrms, acceptable; detached prefer- able. Around 6,000 baht a and Home Services Co Ltd Tel: 076-263269, 09-793- maids room, dining room, liv- 9268. ing room, kitchen, covered month. Tel: 06-2813502. Roofing, floor, walls, tiles BUNGALOW Email: [email protected] OR APARTMENT parking. Price: 30,000 baht a Clearing, painting, month. Tel: 01-9303685. plumbing, aircon, DEEP WELL Looking to buy a bungalow Email: fhallermann@hotmail. KATHU RENTAL electrical systems, repairs DRILLING or small apartment in Pa- com I am looking for a house in and other work done by our tong area. Maximum price: and soil investigation. Water Kathu to rent long term. Re- professional team. quantity, guaranteed 1-year 500,000 baht. Email: quirements: free standing, [email protected] HOUSE IN BANG TAO Call 09-1960852 service warranty. Soil profile Aircon, furnished, 1 bedroom, minimum 2 bedrooms, phone and analysis by professional Fax: 076-263204 big living room, kitchen, small line, gated yard, pet friendly, geologists and engineers. HOUSE IN NAI THON lawn, carpark. 7,000 baht. secure neighborhood, price un- Email: [email protected] Tel: 01-9788847. Swiss-Thai couple wishes to Please contact for more de- der 35,000 baht a month. Pre- rent for long term a nice tails. Tel: 01-6341432. fer covered parking for 2 cars house in the Nai Thon area (as and furnished, but not essen- Fax:02-6881753. Email: View Thailand’s LARGEST portfolio close to Trisara as possible), [email protected] tial. Please email me with de- of Classified Ads – almost 2,000 of them – Layan, the airport or Cherng scription, location and price. and place your ad for FREE! Talay. Must be a nice and ROOMS FOR RENT Email: [email protected]. See the Phuket Gazette Online at quiet location with a private Beautiful Shanti Lodge at Ao co.th www.phuketgazette.net garden, and bright spacious Chalong. Low season rate rooms. Size of the house is not from 350 baht a day. Please APARTMENT WANTED important — small or big — call Svana Elec for details. Tel: I need an apartment with tele- the location is what counts. 076-280233. phone, view, and kitchen for Please contact us with details. long-term rental. Prefer in Tel: 01-0909642. Email: PATONG LUXURY Kata or Patong. Tel: 09-511- [email protected] apts. Central Patong 1- & 2- 6408. Email: kevinsan2001@ bed apartments. Please email yahoo.com LOOKING FOR A for infomation and photos. HOTEL TO BUY Email: suites247@yahoo. HOME WANTED com for long-term for a maximum We have a client who is in- of 2 people. Prefer as near to terested in purchasing a 40- Karon or Aroona Karon as room (more or less) hotel on BEACHFRONT rooms. Perfect rooms with possible. Email: hotelmanager Phuket’s west coast area. @bigfoot.com Please contact me with the aircon, cable TV and balcony outline details if you have a with views to the beach for suitable property for sale. rent in Patong Beach. Tel: 076- OFFICE OR SHOP Tel: 09-7310283. Email: 292241, 01-0881456. Fax: I want to rent an office or shop bluepktproperty@ 076-292241. Email: office with phone line, in Patong, csloxinfo.com @viennasguesthouse.com. Karon or Kata. Please email Please see our website at: and advise monthly rent and www.viennnasguesthouse. deposit. Email: kris@csloxinfo. SPECIAL PROPERTY com com wanted. I am looking to buy a property in the Bang Tao AIRCON ROOMS HOUSE OR APT area, or close by. I would like Air-conditioned rooms avail- in Patong. We are 5 persons sea views and a house which able for rent at only 5,500 who want to rent a house or is ‘a bit special’. I am looking baht a month. Fax: 076- apartment in Patong for 1 to pay a max price of 60 mil- 346085. Email: paradizo@ month – January, 2005. Close lion baht. Email: icrphkt@ paradizo.com. For more infor- to beach preferred, but other hotmail.com mation, please see our website locations considered. Email: at: www.paradizo.com [email protected] RAI IN RAWAI Wanted: 1 or 2 rai of land in the Rawai area. Price: max of If an event isn’t listed 1.5 million baht per rai. Email: [email protected] in the Gazette’s Events Calendar HOUSE WANTED I would like to buy a 2- or 3- it probably isn’t one. bedroom house in Banprang- List your event now - It’s free of charge. thong Villa for under 5 million. No agents, please; I want to Gazette Classads – 4,000 readers a day! deal directly with the owner. www.phuketgazette.net/calendar Email: [email protected] 32 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS June 12 - 18, 2004 Island Job Mart

GRAPHIC DESIGNER NEEDED Graphic Designer needed for Ritz Phuket Spa. Ma- ture Thai male must have 3+ years’ experience in graphic arts with knowl- edge of Microsoft Office programs as well as Photoshop and Quark Ex- press, experience in Dreamweaver a plus. Ritz Phuket offers a comfort- able work environment and competitive salary. Please apply in person with CV and portfolio or mail to Ritz Phuket Spa and Golf, 84/2 Patak Rd, Rawai, A. Muang. Apply in person between the hours of 10 am to 2 pm Monday thru Friday only. No phone calls please.

URGENTLY REQUIRED Master paintings and an- OFFICE SECRETARY SALES & tiques gallery requires 2 sales wanted. Thai nationals only MARKETING persons to work in Khao Lak. need apply. Candidates MANAGER Successful appicants will should be fluent in English We welcome applications have excellent English, be and have at least 4 years’ from candidates eager to service-minded and com- experience in office work. join our team as Sales & puter-literate. Please send Knowledge of the tourism Marketing Manager, application, CV and recent industry is preferable. based in Phuket. Qualifi- photo by email. Tel: 076- Please send CV by email for cations: Minimum of 3 211122, 01-7872155. Fax: interview. Email: charter@ years’ experience in hotel 076-256726. Email: info@ thaimarine.com sales. Excellent commu- soulofasia.com nication skills, dynamic, energetic and open- minded, highly respon- sible and able to deliver results. Interested candi- dates should send their CV, including a recent photograph and salary ex- pectations, by email or fax and marked for the atten- tion of the Human Re- sources Manager. Tel: 076-279801. Fax: 076- 279818. Please email for more info: gmkbtr@ kamala.co.th June 12 - 18, 2004 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 33 Recruitment Tout, Trader & Trumpet

Articles for Articles Boats & Marine Sale Wanted LIVEABOARD A4 LAMINATOR 25-meter steel dive boat. 7 I want to buy a secondhand cabins with aircon, fully A4 laminator. Please contact equipped. Please contact me with details. Tel: 06- with best offer. Tel: 01- 5101745. Email: pimlips@ 8916143. hotmail.com PADI ENCYCLOPEDIA Business Divemaster manual wanted. Opportunities Please leave your contact ANTIQUE number. Email:michael_b_w FURNITURE @yahoo.co.uk Chinese wedding chests, wood sculptures, cabinets 50s MEMORABILIA and decorations. Tel: 09- Looking to rent or buy Happy 7310283. Email: harrij@ Days-style memorabilia and loxinfo.co.th other classic American items: cheerleader uniforms, foot- RISOGRAPH ball helmets/shoulder pads, GR1750 plus interface for roller skates, jukebox, vinyl LIGHTHOUSE sale. Please contact for more records, pinball machines, FOR SALE details. Tel: 06-7417260. neon signs, etc. Urgently needed before June 20. Tel: The famous Lighthouse restaurant at Ao Chalong, THINGS FOR SALE 01-7230492. Email: zahid@ zighead.com with five waterfront luxury 21” JVC TV, computer, rooms and three offices, is laptop (notebook), computer for sale. Potential to de- desk, recliner chair, ham- Bulletins velop residential units on mocks, wall units, oven, unused property. Please dishes, microwave, appli- email for further informa- ances, water cooler, Honda tion. Email: maipenrai@ Dream 125 with electric hushmail.com starter, DVD player, VRC and DVD player, cassette and VCD player, fans, fish aquari- HOTEL PROPERTY ums, bookshelf, books, FOR SALE clothes closet, bedroom suite, king-size bed, plants, Would you like to own a small appliances, washing hotel, restaurant and machine, and much more. rental shop on Karon Tel: 076-256298. Email: Beach? Easy foreign own- dale_campbell40@hotmail. ership and rapid company transfer. Please contact us TEACHERS REQUIRED com AN EVENING FOR We are looking for 3 Thai En- Employment for further information or GRAHAM FROST glish-language teachers and Wanted BABY COT FOR SALE see our website at 2 native English-speaking Large red cot with aluminum As some of you know, Gra- www.geocities.com/ classroom teachers to teach ham Frost, a long-term hotelinparadise or call us. LOOKING FOR JOB frame, all padded, with mos- kindergarten and primary- quito net sides and cover, expat resident and fine Tel: 01-6931136. Email: A hard-working German man level students. Please send plus pushchair. Only 1,200 member of our community, hotelinparadise@yahoo. is looking for a job in a hotel your CV via email or fax, or baht for the pair. Price new: was seriously injured in a com or a restaurant. Please call contact us for more informa- 3,000 baht. Tel: 076-202- car accident in April and re- Tel: 072-841125. tion Tel: 076-248975. Fax: 208, 09-9705259. Email: mains in a critical condition VERY NICE BAR 076-248976. Email: info@ [email protected] in a Bangkok hospital. Very nice bar/restaurant for kajonkiet.com MARKETING /SALES With the consent of sale in Nai Harn. New kitchen I, Nongnuch Laksila, seek BABY STUFF his family, it has been de- and pool table. Please call Tel: TECHNICAL STAFF employment in Phuket in Range of secondhand items cided to hold an evening 01-0887971. We have 2 positions for ex- marketing, sales or office for babies, including cot, car gathering of Graham’s perienced staff at Andaman work. I have computer skills seat, clothing and much friends, colleagues and as- and can speak and type En- INVESTORS WANTED Lighting Systems: AutoCAD more. All as new. Please con- sociates. This is not a Investors sought for project. operator and Electrical Tech- glish fluently. Please call or tact for list and details. Tel: fundraiser. Rather, it is a email me if you have a posi- We are looking to build up a nician. Based at our bypass- 09-9729443. Email: info@ “spirit raiser”, the aim being private village, beginning with road office, English-speakers tion in your company. Email: sunoffabeach.com to make a video which can [email protected] an initial 10 villas. High net preferred. Please contact to be played to him during the BOAT FOR SALE yield from this project. Email: apply or for more details. Tel: BABY ITEMS next phase of his recovery. 29-foot fiberglass motor [email protected] 076-254826, 01-8937027. HOTEL MANAGEMENT Baby crib/cot and baby seat. This event will take yacht with Thai registration. Fax: 076-254827. Email: A Malaysian hotelier with 17 Both in very good condition place on Saturday, June 2 x 280hp Mercruiser en- [email protected] years’ experience, majoring MLM LEADERS for 1,500 baht. I can email 19, at the Watermark Bar gines. Price: 3.5 million baht US$4 billion healthcare in Room Division & Yield, picture upon request. Please and Restaurant at the Boat ono. Tel: 076-239864. Email: PROPERTY Sales & Marketing, and F&B company seeks quality lead- contact me for more details. Lagoon, between 5:30 and [email protected] ers. Unlimited income po- Copywriter required. Native management, is looking for Tel: 01-5690593. Email: 7:30 pm. To confirm atten- English-speaking copywriter work in a 3-to-5 star property tential. Email for details. Tel: yhorak2004@ hotmail.com dance please send email to: 02-7269918, 06-3418781. required part-time to write up as General Manager, Resort RSVP@electrical-marine. TWIN HULL FOR property listings. Must have Manager, Hotel Manager, or Fax: 02-7269917. Email: com. For more information, SALE [email protected] good written English. Based Resident Manager/EAM. Pre- PALM 3e FOR SALE contact Damian Barrett at 4.2m GRP twin-hull speed- in Chalong, would suit re- vious 5-star boutique resort I am selling my Palm 3e Tel: 01-8920534, Andy boat. Bimini and console. HOTEL FOR SALE tiree. For further details, experience in Phuket. Left planner for only 5,000 Stephens at Tel: 01-892- Yamaha 85hp engine, low 17-room hotel - with restau- please see our website at: due to company budget baht. If you are interested, 0902, Gordon Fernandes usage. Trailerable. Ideal for rant - in Patong for sale. www.siamrealestate.com contraints and project aban- please call me for details. at Tel: 01-9796320 or island-hopping in Phang Great location just 80m from Tel: 076-280805, 01-271- donment. Married to a Thai. Tel: 01-3670025. Email: Stuart Bird at Tel: 01-737- Nga Bay. Price: 150,000 the beach. 11.7 miilion baht. 0496. Fax: 076-280805. Please call or email to Azuan fredrikjohansson71@ 6184. baht. Contact Andy for Tel: 06-6848758. Email: Email: info@siamrealestate. Noordin for more info. Email: hotmail.com details. Tel: 01-8927670. com [email protected] [email protected] 34 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS June 12 - 18, 2004 Tout, Trader & Trumpet

Business THAI CHRISTIAN Business Services Computers BusinessPersonal I am interested in becoming Opportunities Services a pen pal with a Thai Chris- NOTEBOOK FOR SALE Wanted tian lady. I know there is HP Omnibook 2100. Intel someone out there. I would Pentium MMX 233MHz, CD- like her to be between 40 and Rom/FDD, PCMCIA Card PIANO TEACHER 55 years old. Looking for- V90 Flex card, 3.2GB HDD. Teach my wife and daughter ward to a quick reply. All Price: 10,000 baht. Tel: 076- at our home in Kamala. Rea- emails will be answered. 271427, 07-2700768. sonable command of English Email: williambc123456@ Email: skailasam@hotmail. essential. Hours flexible. yahoo.com GUESTHOUSE com Email: [email protected] FOR SALE LOOKING 4 NICE MAN 12-room guesthouse, over- FREE WI-FI INTERNET Farang lady from Europe is looking large lake and pri- Help test free Internet for Personals looking for a nice, interesting vate swimming pool, lo- two weeks in Chalong Bay man. I live in Chiang Mai, and cated near Loch Palm Golf (boats), Jimmy’s Lighthouse, am 37 years old. Are there Course, for sale or rent. 10- any single men in Thailand? and pier area. Free service BACKGAMMON 15-year contracts. Price: from 5-19 June. Any wire- Can you make me happy players wanted for some 17 million baht. Also, 9 rai less-enabled computer, PDA, please by email me. Email: exciting games. Please call for sale with waterfall and can connect (802.11b or g). [email protected] or fax for more details. Tel: natural pool. Tel: 06- Email for access info. Tel: 076-386113 or 01-577- 9757268. 076-282420. Email: info@ SEEKING LADY 8443. Fax: 076-386114. siam-wireless.com My name is Rob. I am com- SPORTS BAR ing to live in Phuket from and restaurant. Great loca- KORAT LADY June or early July. I have re- tion in central Bangla area. BusinessPersonal Noi, 35 yrs, slender, no man, tired and I am hoping to meet Max 1 pool table, darts area, Services no kids, seeks Westerner for a nice lady, age 40 or older, stereo/DVD/satellite radio, 3 romance and marriage. Has to share and care with. I (UBC) TV sets, 3 aircons, own house, food business would like to start chatting modern kitchen, living area and car. I like a good-hearted before I arrive, to get to know upstairs. Upmarket bar with man and full of fun, aged 45 each other. Please reply only long lease. Tel: 09-8677969. or older, to make lovely future if you are genuine. Email: Email: bangla_04@yahoo. together. Very little English [email protected] com but you can SMS or try to talk to me. Please contact SEEKING COMPANION GUESTHOUSE 4 SALE me. Tel: 01-5472171. Email: I am staying in Phuket and 10-room renovated guest- [email protected] will be moving to Bangkok house for sale - with new bar soon. I would like to meet a THAI DOMAIN VISA RUN TO Chinese-Thai lady, age not in Patong. Central location NAMES FOR SALE NICE GENTLEMAN and 10 mins to the beach. 5- RANONG Seeks a pretty, warm and over 25, hopefully to start a • sawadee.info, year plus 3 lease, 38,000 1,299 baht. Includes visa smart lady with whom he long-term relationship. Please baht a month. Key money • visithailand.net, stamp fee, insurance, trip can feel happy and enjoy the contact me. Email: saedan@ 3.4 million baht. Call or email • thaiimports.com, by boat and minibus (both good things in life. You will hotmail.com for details. Tel: 07-2793453. • thairakthai.net, in good condition), and COMPUTER REPAIRS find me a sincere, friendly Email: hotrubin@hotmail. • thaksin.org lunch with soft drinks. Daily New and used computers, and educated man who has com trip starts at 7 am at KFC at nice looks and can take good Pets Many more available. Best sales, tuition. Call out ser- Tesco-Lotus supercenter. care of the right lady. Please offers. Contact for info. vice, English technician avail- Please contact us for reser- email with photos. Email: OFFICE FOR RENT Email: ken@adventure1. able. Tel: 09-4735080. A GUARD DOG vation. Tel: 076-289201 or [email protected] in good area on Soi Watana, com Chubby is for you! This Rot- in Patong.Well-equipped and 01-5352637. For further weiler mixed breed was information, please visit our ENGLISH LESSONS ready-to-use office. Please Private lessons for all levels FARANG LADY found abandoned and very call for more information. Tel: TRANSLATIONS website: www.phuketdir. I am an Asian man looking for underweight a couple of com/expressvisaextension of business and conversa- 01-7371901. Accurate translations and in- tional English. Male and fe- a farang lady for fun in Thai- months ago, probably due to terpretations (English-Thai) male teachers available 7 land. I am currently staying in a serious skin disease. He has AIRPORT ADS with fast service for letters, INCREASE OCCUPANCY days a week. Please contact Phuket but will be moving to made a remarkable recovery, at international arrival hall. legal docs, scripts and more. Provide your guests with me for details. Tel: 06-942- Bangkok soon. If anyone gained his weight back, and Space available for advertis- Contact Fawn to negotiate high-speed broadband Inter- 2547. Email: privatelessons wants to share some time has an enormously impres- ing and billboard for rent. prices. Tel: 076-223934, 01- net access. Allow them wire- @hotmail.com with me, please email me at: sive stature. He is friendly and Please contact by mobile or 8936414. Fax: 076-223 less and cabled connections. [email protected] loves to be cuddled but needs email. Tel: 01-8924735. 934. Email: sthirika@hotmail. Simple to set up, cost effec- someone who is not intimi- Email: aqpmedia@yahoo. com tive. Call or email for free site TEACHING ITALIAN SEEKING THAI LADY dated by him. He has obvi- com survey or more information. Qualified teacher available Very nice man from Denmark ously been mistreated in the INT’L DRIVING Tel: 076-282631, 01-835- to teach Italian to students wishes to be friends with past, which can trigger ag- SHOP WANTED license. 10-20-year interna- 5771. Email: info@siam- or staff in the tourism in- Thai lady in Phuket, with gression towards certain Shop wanted in Karon, Kata, tional driving license avail- wireless.com dustry. Call for more de- thought of longer relationship people. He will make a per- or Patong. Minimum 50 sqm. able. 100% legal. 10 years: tails. Tel: 09-7278209. if the “match” is right. I am fect outdoor guard dog. Rent or lease for long term. 4,500 baht. 20 years: 6,000 49, 179cm tall, slim but Chubby has been fully vacci- Please email details of prop- baht. 50% deposit required. SEA CANOE strong, young of heart and nated and neutered and is in erty to: shop_wanted@ Please call for more details. ORIGINAL LEARN THAI AT HOME body, handsome, loving, perfect health otherwise. Tel: hotmail.com Tel: 04-0068736. Special promotion for Teach English to your girl- caring and honest. I will be in 09-8959965. Email: margot Thais and residents from friend. From easy conversa- Phuket from June 16 to July @loxinfo.co.th BANGLA BAR INTERNET now to July 2004. Day tion to far more advanced 1. I come to Phuket many at a dramatically reduced unplugged. GPRS is the most trip: 1,500 baht/adult; 750 learning. Coursework, cas- times a year, and later on I COCKER SPANIELS price: was 7 million baht, cost-effective way to access baht/child. Transfer ex- settes and home-study ma- want to live permanently at We have 5 cute cocker span- now only 4.5 million baht. the Internet almost anywhere cluded. Please contact for terials provided by Joy, a Kamala Beach. If you are iels for sale. Reasonably Please call for details. Tel: 07- in Thailand. Please contact us more information and for charming Thai lady and ready looking for the special man priced at 3,500 baht each. 2837161. Email: jon.gibbons for more info and a demo. Tel: reservations. Tel: 076- to help. Contact for a chat. for your life, please take the Please contact for details. @karonproperty.com 01-8957727. Email: info@ 212172. Tel: 01-7971497. Email: chance and write to me. Per- Tel: 01-2779588. Email: axiominvestments.com [email protected] haps we are right for each [email protected] COMPANY FOR SALE other. Let’s meet and see. TAT-registered limited com- WORD PROCESSING STORAGE ATSUMI HEALING Email: [email protected] GOLDEN RETRIEVER pany. Clean balance sheets Need a CV, proofing, or typ- Cars, motorcycles, house- Fasting & Detoxing, Yoga & Looking for a full-bred male and work permit. Would suit ing? Digital photos to CD? hold goods will be securely Meditation. Clean up your SEEKING GIRLFRIEND golden or light-color retriever expat looking to stay in Thai- Native English-speaker. stored in our new 500- health; get back into shape I am looking for a Thai girl- as a mate for our 2-year-old land. All offers considered. Please contact me for more sqm steel unit. 24-hour and lose a kilo a day. Call 01- friend or future wife. I am 40 female golden retriever. Tel: 076-286 471, 06-595- information. Tel: 06-276- service with security. Tel: 2720571. For further details, years old and from Sweden. Please contact me. Email: 0450.Email: floglog2003 8676. Email: prodocs_pkt@ 01-0825707. please see our website at: Please email: olegott@ sweet_angel_lol@hotmail. @yahoo.com yahoo.com www.atsumihealing.com hotmail.com com June 12 - 18, 2004 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 35 Wheels & Motors

HONDA ACCORD ISUZU TROOPER BEST DEAL Saloon Cars 1995, 2.0 Lxi, electric win- 4 x 4s for sale. 100,000km. Fully- Cheap motorbike – Honda Rentals dows, aircon, casette/radio, serviced 1998 model. Electric Cella. This bike is used every 150,000km. Good car, no windows, aircon, 7 seats, day. Currently registered and accidents, Phuket plates. SPORTRIDER 4WD black leather upholstery, insured. Not pretty but runs CHEROKEE 375,000 baht. Tel: 06-277- Toyota Sportrider with 3- petrol engine. Price: 695,000 great. Price: 5,000 baht. Tel: FOR RENT 5298. Email: thay_harly@ liter, turbo-charged diesel baht. Tel: 076-288379, 01- 01-8921199. Email: cadillac hotmail.com engine and BF Goodrich 0796006. @loxinfo.co.th tires. Has covered 85,000 SWING FOR SALE km, is 4 years old, has been MOTORCYCLE 400cc Opel Swing for sale. Lady well-maintained by foreign Motorbikes Honda 400cc sportbike for owner. I have had the car for owner and is in excellent sale. Black, all papers. Runs 2 years. Price:165,000 baht. condition. Price: 620,000 GOOD DEAL nicely and is in good condition. baht ono. A real bargain. Please contact for more infor- Honda Dream 125 with elec- No accidents. Have a look 4.0L, auto, leather seats, in Must be seen to be appreci- mation. Tel: 076-289244. tric starter. 20 months old, yourself; contact me for test good condition. Luxurious Phuket’s Most Trusted & ated. Tel: 076-280890, 06- Email: [email protected] 20,000km, box attatched to ride. 68,000 baht, fixed price. and safe car with first-class Reputable Supplier of the Finest 2806901. Email: ad@ the back for storage. No rea- Tel: 076-321949. insurance for rent at only Quality Used SALOONS, katagroup.com VOLVO S-80 2,3 T sonable offer will be refused. 25,000 baht per month. SEDANS, JEEPS & PICKUPS 2000 model, 49,000km, me- Sell emergency, return home HONDA MAGNA Tel: 01-3430777. Email: New cars or trade-ins – tallic blue-gray, all services by SUZUKI CARIBIAN Email: dale_campbell40@ 250cc for sale. Recently reno- montha_phuket@yahoo. we have what you’re Volvo. For sale by owner. 1999 Suzuki jeep 1.3i (fuel hotmail.com vated and have registration com looking for Price: 1.5 million baht. Tel: 09- injected), 74,000km, power book. Only 49,000 baht. Just For more info pls call us at 8740176 (English), 01-970- steering, aircon, new tires, HONDA NICE 4 SALE call George and you can come Tel: 076-224632, 216243 2419 (Thai). Email: giske@ never crashed, original paint 115cc, 5 years old, top condi- and have a look. Tel: 076- SPECIAL PRICE www.suremotor.com baankamala.com (white). Farang owner, very tion, only 25,000km. Has 333011, 06-8179802. Email: Daihatsu Mira with insurance good condition. Needs nothing; same engine as Honda Wave, [email protected] for rent.Very good condition, TOYOTA ALTIS 1.8 can pass any test. Price: but also has disc brake and easy to drive and save gas. Year 2003, 25,000km, black 215,000 baht ono. Tel: 01- clutch. 20,000 baht ono. Tel: Special price from June to MAZDA FOR SALE HARLEY DYNA September only 8,900 baht/ leather and chrome interior, 3267683. Email: khao_lak@ 01-9790525. Email: info@ for sale. All black, year 2000, White 10-year-old Mazda month. Tel: 01-5371050. aircon, stereo with 6-CD hotmail.com sub-aqua-khaolak.com 1450cc, new tires, very low Astina for sale. Owned by Email: [email protected] changer. Price: 725,000 milage, 650,000 baht ono. expat teacher now at end of baht. Tel: 01-8921097. Email: SUZUKI CARIBIAN SUZUKI CRYSTAL Contact Andy. Tel: 076-296- 2-year contract. Quick sale [email protected] 1993 Suzuki Caribian for sale. Royal Crystal 2-stroke, 160, 01-8913466. Fax: 076- wanted at 180,000 baht. NEW MOTORBIKES New aircon and front brakes, purple, electric starter. 8 years 296160. Email: antc@phuket. Please call 06-2749878 for VOLKSWAGEN and recently re-upholstered old, but in nice condition. Ser- ksc.co.th for rent. Honda Wave 125S details. Caravelle. Year 1992, 7 and resprayed. Price: viced by Suzuki main dealer or Yamaha Nouvo auto- seats, 2000cc, light blue, 110,000 baht, including a full only. Book can easily be HARLEY-DAVIDSON matic. Price: 150 baht a changed into your name if you day. Please call or email. OPEL KADET very good condition. Price: year’s tax. Also have Kawa- 1994 Harley-Davidson for have a work permit or are a in 1989, 4-door, 1800 with 550,000 baht. Tel: 076-288- saki 6-speed motorbike. Fast, sale. Fat Boy, in red and in Tel: 09-7258575. Email: Thai. Price: 15,000 baht. Tel: injection, power stering, cen- 184, 01-3674628. Email: fun and 100% mechanically prime condition. 620,000 [email protected] 076-330710, 01-5974218. tral locking, electric windows, [email protected] sound. 12,000 baht. For more baht. Tel: 076-325000, 09- Email: [email protected] stereo, and etc. Price: 85,000 details or to view call Tel: 09- 1959586. Email: kanok@ baht. Please contact me for 9711846. SUZUKI SWING surinbeachresort.com information. Tel: 06-9488139. Pickups Wanted for sale. Blue, expat-owned, in Email: [email protected] LAND ROVER good condition, excellent run- SUZUKI 4 SALE ISUZU 4 CAB Full service book, dark green, ner. Every necessary mainte- Suzuki Bandit 400 is in good USED CAR WANTED TOYOTA ALTIS 1.8L Isuzu Dragon Power, 3,000cc, ABS, beautiful, as new. Tel: nance done. Only 16,000 condition and resprayed for Looking for a used car or Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8G WTi 120Hp, turbo-charged diesel. 01-8626954. baht ono. Please call and sak sale. Price: 45,000 baht. Rides pickup. Want to make 50% VSC (top ofthe range). New 2 years old, one owner since well. Please contact for more down payment and another 10 MITSUBISHI for details. Tel: 09-4745355. on 27 September 2001, me- December 24, 2001. No acci- Email: [email protected] details. Tel: 07-0796471. months financing. Car should tallic silver, CD player/radio, dents, all services by Isuzu. G-Wagon for sale. Black, one Email: andylox6@hotmail. be around 200,000 baht. Any aircon, one owner, first-class Runs 11km/liter. Price: owner, 78,000km. As new, HONDA WAVE 125 com offers? Tel: 01-0798065. bought in May 2002. Please condition. 720,000 baht. Tel: 540,000 baht, including 6 Bought in November 2002, Email: [email protected] contact and ask for details. 076-260208, 07-0142913. months’ full insurance. Call for used 16,000km, still under HONDA CB 1000 Price: 690,000 baht. Tel: 09- Fax: 076-260208. Email: pictures. Tel: 09-871 5642. warranty (36,000 or 3 years). Big One. CB 1000, year 9732278. HONDA MOTORBIKE [email protected] Email: [email protected] Top of the line, blue, front disc 1996. Privately owned since I am looking for a Honda mo- brake, electric starter, helmet new, full service record with torcycle either a Wave or a storage, all included in price – PBA, 35,000km, recently re- Dream, 110cc or 125cc. Pre- Wheels & Motors 35,000 baht firm (cost sprayed, in fantastic condition fer a few years old or a new 46,000 baht new). Tel: 076- throughout, Phuket regis- bike at a good price. I will pay Advertisements 330967, 01-8920474. Fax: tered. 140,000 baht. Tel: 01- cash. Tel: 076-345239,06- 076-330990. Email: john@ 7192458. Email: marks@ 2688859. Email: robertyoung Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. siamdivers.com phuket.ksc.co.th @mailexcite.com Then hand it to any of our agents.

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Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 60 baht, with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. All advertising must be paid for in advance. Deadline for Wheels & Motors page: Saturday 12 noon. 36 PHUKET GAZETTE June 12 - 18, 2004