ANDAMAN Edition Volume 19 Issue 3 January 21 - 27, 2012 Daily news at www.phuketgazette.net 25 Baht ‘Ae Inside’ murder not a silence killing: Police POLICE have dismissed the killed by the gunman, while Mr theory that Wisut “Ae Inside” Wisut’s wife sat by his side. Tangwitthayaporn was shot dead Mr Noppadol, who identified in mid-rush hour traffic on Janu- the gunman as 41-year-old Sanya ary 12 as a “silence killing”. Klinchu, told police he then sped Mr Wisut had published sto- off with the assassin along Phuket ries alleging impropriety in the Thepkrasattri Road, riding against issuance of land title deeds at the flow of traffic. They crossed Life & Style Freedom Beach in Patong (see over at Tantalum Junction and page 3) and irregularities over land continued south to a location near in the Nakalay hillsides above the Monkey Viewpoint in Rassada launches Kamala. to hide out and stage separate ENCLOSED in your Phuket Gazette They have also dismissed his getaways, he said. this week you’ll find our all-new reporting on the controversial The re-enactment ended near magazine, Phuket Life & Style. transfer of government officers a restaurant at Nimit Circle, This 32-page launch issue is packed full of features dedicated as another possible motive, say- where Mr Noppdol confessed to to Asia’s Favorite Island. ing only that the likely motive was receiving payment of 50,000 baht We have cobbled together “a personal dispute”. for his role in the killing from a interviews with Allan Zeman, Armed with fully-loaded as- man he identified only as “Mr Gulu Lalvani, Bill Heinecke and sault rifles, Phuket Provincial Boy”. more. Golf, fashion, yachting, Police Special Operations offic- It has since been reported that spas, property, tourism, and aviation will also vie for your ers joined other police units on Mr Sanya and Mr Boy were in- attention in this launch issue. Tuesday in conducting a re-en- volved in a similar case in 2008. Phuket Life & Style is new; it’s actment of the crime with Police said on Wednesday they free for you this week in both the 43-year-old Noppadol “Pae” were preparing applications for ar- Gazette and The Nation; and it’s Praisri, the alleged driver for the rest warrants for both men. They on board all 11 of the major assassin who shot dead Mr hope that capturing and question- international airlines arriving into Bangkok and Phuket. Wisut. ing the pair will lead to the arrest Aimed at a niche and mobile Mr Noppadol, flown to Phuket Noppadol ‘Pae’ Praisri, the alleged driver for the gunman who shot dead of whoever ordered the hit. readership worldwide, this by helicopter on Monday after Wisut ‘Ae Inside’ Tangwitthayaporn, under heavy guard during the re- A report in Siangtai Daily magazine is made entirely in surrendering to police in his home enactment of the murder in Phuket Town on Tuesday. newspaper on Wednesday re- Phuket. The full publication is on province of Petchaburi, told the driver between Cha-am and took part in a detailed re-enact- ported a source as giving the the Gazette Online – rated tops media that day he had “nothing Bangkok. I am not guilty. I want ment with stops in five different identity of the suspected master- by Google for Phuket – and will soon be accessible in our iPhone to do” with the murder of Mr the chance to prove my inno- locations, including the junction mind as someone named “Mr and iPad Apps as well. Wisut. cence in court,” he told the press. on Thepkrasattri Road where Mr Somkhuan” (“Mr Appropriate”). “Right now I am a minibus The following day, however, he Wisut was shot four times and Continued on page 2 Chinese New Year to usher in B900mn By Chutharat Plerin Most of the visitors are expected to ar- in the traditional “house cleaning” performed rive from mainland China. before the Chinese New Year arrives. THE Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Bookings have been flooding in, with “We dedicated trucks and cleanup crews Phuket office expects Phuket to rake in up occupancy rates for many hotels across to drive along the streets and pick up any to 900 million baht during the upcoming Phuket already reaching above 90 per cent, unwanted items between the hours of 1pm Chinese New Year festivities. said Ms Bangonrat. and 8pm. So we asked all Phuket Town This year, to welcome in the Year of the “In total, the TAT expects visitors to residents to place their unwanted items in Dragon, celebrations will be held in Phuket spend about 11 billion baht during the Chi- front of their houses by 1pm,” Phuket Town from January 23-25. nese New Year all over Thailand,” she Mayor Somjai Suwansupapana said. “The TAT expects 60,000 tourists, to added. The free collection service continued arrive in Phuket to celebrate Chinese New To help Phuket Town residents prepare until January 21. Year,” Phuket TAT office Director for the festival, Phuket City Municipality See page 20 for our Special Feature on The TAT estimates that Phuket will rake in Bangornrat Shinaprayoon told the Gazette. offered free collection of items discarded Chinese New Year traditions. 900mn baht this month. Photo: Christian Mouchet 2 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET NEWS January 21 - 27, 2012 Simon Cabaret stars

News Going to the ATM? spread their wings Who’s cloning your card? Page 5 By Chutharat Plerin THE founders of Phuket’s re- Health nowned Simon Cabaret this week announced the soft opening of Who needs an eye their spin-off venture the Simon test? A retina specialist Star Cabaret show, Phuket’s third expains. Page 14 ladyboy extravaganza, at a new venue near Phuket Town. At a press conference at The Music Metropole hotel in Phuket Town Phuket International on Tuesday, Simon Cabaret ex- Blues Festival kicks off ecutives announced the soft opening of the 130-million-baht Feb 23. Page 17 venture, located on the grounds of the Phuket Orchid Gardens & Culture Thai Village, behind Phuket Rajabhat University in Rassada. Count Snape: Playing Phuket Simon Cabaret chair- with the dark art of person Wirat Rouyrin, who opera. Page 19 founded Simon Cabaret in Patong Simon Star Cabaret showgirls show off their feather-endowed costumes. in 1991, promised the media that the show, launched on Thursday, will be 100% market will be regional tourists Property “would be 90% different” from [ready] by next from other parts of Asia, she said. Thanyamundra wins the nightly spectacles that are month,” she Managing Directer Pornthep another award from staged at its flagship venue in promised. Rouyrin said there would be three Patong and would feature state- To attract as 75-minute performances daily, Agoda. Page 27 of-the-art light and sound many people to each with 16 acts. technology. the show as Gracing the stage of the 650- possible, those seat theater will be 70 Sport Staff are still putting the fin- Wirat Rouyrin ishing touches on the venue and presenting “brand-new showgirls”, discov- FC Phuket lose last stage production, she admitted. Thai ID cards will be admitted for ered through ladyboy beauty game 3-0 but survive to “We will be about 90% ready just 200 baht each through Feb- pageants held in Udon Thani and fight again. Page 44 for the opening on Thursday, but ruary. However the primary target Chiang Mai, he said.

French cinema fête on its way Pla-wan recovering at home ‘Honored’ by receiving second bouquet from Royal Family FRENCH film enthusiasts will be in for a treat next month, when SRI panwa resort General Man- Of the Royal gift, Mr Vorasit the French Thai Cultural Festival ager Vorasit “Pla-wan” Issara is said tearfully “It is such an honor “La Fête” hits Phuket with free recovering at Sripanwa Villa, for me and my family to have re- showings of five acclaimed mov- Phuket, after being released from ceived this gift of mercy from ies at the Prince of Songkla Uni- hospital last week. HRH Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn versity Phuket Campus. His release last Wednesday was and HRH Princess Srirasmi.” The five films, all with subtitles followed by another gift of flow- “I am now getting better,” he in English, will be: In Mom’s Head ers, this time from HRH Crown said and added, “I am sorry for (Comedy / 2007 / Directed by Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. what occurred, I did not mean for Carine Tardieu); Me and My Sis- The Royal bouquet was pre- it to happen.” ter (Comedy / 2004 / Directed by sented to Pla-wan and the Issara Governor Tri Augkaradacha (right) Sriwara Issara, Mr Vorasit’s Alexandra Leclère); My Uncle over Thailand: Chiang Mai, Chiang family last Friday afternoon (Janu- presents Vorasit ‘Pla-wan’ Issara mother said, “My lawyer is deal- with the second Royal bouquet. (Comedy / 1958 / Directed by Rai, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, Phuket, ary 13) by Phuket Governor Tri ing with all matters in this case. I Jacques Tati); Trouble at and for the first time Khon Kaen. Augkaradacha. self his lower right leg remains am still afraid that the attackers’ Timpeltill (Comedy / 2008 / Di- The showings run from Feb- Mr Vorasit, who had been hos- held at the correct angle by a friends will be back to attack my rected by Nicolas Bary); Mice and ruary 13 to 17, starting at 6:30pm pitalized following a vicious gang heavy bandage to allow the injury son. Mite Drama (Drama 2004 / Di- nightly. attack during the early hours of to the tendons to heal properly. “Governor Tri said he would rected by Jeanne Labrune). For more information call Dr January 4, is reportedly recover- Mr Vorasit’s recovery is being take care of my son’s security to Now in its second consecutive Kesinee Chasri at 089-6463533 or ing from his injuries. closely monitored by a nurse from not let it happen again,” she added. year, La Fête includes events all visit www.lafete-bangkok.com. Although he can walk by him- Bangkok Hospital Phuket. – Warisa Temram January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 3

Phuket reacts to Bangkok Pheu Thai investigates terror warnings

GOVERNOR Tri Augkaradacha has asked police to step up secu- ‘stolen’ land in Patong rity at hotels with foreign guests throughout the island in the wake By Atchaa Khamlo Mr Prompong, who visited of the foreign embassies issuing Freedom Beach and the surround- terror warnings for their citizens PHEU Thai Party spokesman and ing forest with the relevant officials, in Bangkok. party list MP Prompong Nopparit said the issue involves many gov- “Phuket has thankfully not yet arrived in Phuket last Friday to ernment agencies, including the suffered any acts of terrorism, but inspect 65 rai of land near Patong Natural Resources and Environ- we are not ignoring the current that is under investigation for hav- ment Office and the Land Office, situation in Bangkok because ing been illegally issued land titles. and several provincial officers. Phuket has a lot of western tour- The land in question was ini- “Looking only at the documents ists. If anything serious happened tially considered by police as one and title deeds, everything appears in Phuket, it would definitely af- of the prime motives for the to be in order. However, an in- fect our tourism,” he said. broad-daylight assassination of spection of the land itself indicates Gov Tri said he had assigned local journalist Wisut “Ae Inside” that there is a conflict with sev- Phuket Provincial Police Com- Tangwitthayaporn (see page 1). eral Phuket Ministry of Natural mander Chonasit Wattanavrangku The land, located behind Free- Resources and Environment regu- to coordinate with the superinten- dom Beach on the southern lations,” said Mr Prompong. dents of all Phuket police stations headland south of Patong, was “The evidence was suspicious to ensure anti-terrorist measures brought to the attention of the enough to warrant further inves- were being taken. National Counter Corruption Com- tigation as it might involve past and “I have suggested to police to mission after it was discovered present high-ranking government possibly set up checkpoints there was an attempt to sell the officials. We will request Minis- across the island or to check on 65 rai for about 4 billion baht – an try of Natural Resources and hotels in Patong where US citizens amount equivalent to about The inspection team, led by Mr Prompong (inset), head down to Freedom Environment officers to examine or Europeans are staying. US$125.78 million. Beach from the 65 rai of land under investigation. Photos: Atchaa Khamlo the case. Meanwhile, the DSI will “I have also asked hotel own- The case first came to light in title deeds for the Freedom Beach vealed that 200 million baht had be asked whether this is a special ers to closely monitor any unusual September 2010, when the Direc- land. The resulting PACC investi- been paid to officials for approval case or not,” said Mr Prompong. activity [in their hotels] during this tor-General of the Royal Forest gation revealed high-ranking and authorization of the suspect “I will also request the Minis- time,” he added. Department at the time, Somchai involvement by government offi- land deeds. At the time the evi- ter of Interior to order the Land – Warisa Temram Piensathaporn, informed the Pub- cials in Phuket and Krabi. dence was being collected for a Director-General to examine this lic Sector Anti-Corruption PACC Secretary-General case to be lodged with the site. Also, Justice Minister Pracha See page 7 for ‘Spat over terror Commission (PACC) of irregulari- Amphol Wongsiri in July 2011 National Anti-Corruption Commis- Promnog will be asked to join the warnings’ ties concerning the issue of land stated that his investigation re- sion (NACC) in Bangkok. land examination,” he added. Police continue to close in Second assassination sparks gun crackdown PHUKET Governor Tri Augkaradacha has called for “The issue was being mediated through the court on ‘Ae Inside’ mastermind police to boost gun security after a man was gunned and they were going to settle the dispute soon,” Col From page 1 down while riding home along the Kalim beach road Arayapan said. last Friday night. “Another possible motive is that Mr Jakkrit had However, investigators de- Jakkrit Nutad, 45, from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, borrowed a couple of hundred thousand baht from clined to confirm or deny this, was riding home when two men following him pulled a man in Yala province. Apparently the man had citing the sensitivity of the inves- alongside and opened fire at about 9pm, said Patong threatened Mr Jakkrit over repayments,” he added. tigation and the risk of Police Superintendent Col Arayapan Pukbuakao. The connection of Mr Jakkrit’s murder with yet prosecution. “Both men pulled out guns at opened fire on Mr another land dispute in Phuket has prompted Gov- They also declined to give Jakkrit, then sped off toward Kamala,” he said. ernor Tri to call for police to step up gun control. more information about the Mr Jakkrit died en route to Patong Hospital. “I have ordered the police to handle this case care- owner of the home near the Mon- Police found 11 spent 11mm cartridges at the fully and to arrest the man who committed this key Viewpoint used by the pair scene. However, Col Arayapan said police found 21 crime,” said Governor Tri. to stage their getaway following wounds on Mr Jakkrit’s body. “I have also ordered the police at Tah Chat Chai the hit. Three of the four bullets fired Police believe the killing may have been motivated checkpoint [leading to the mainland] to step up their struck Mr Wisut in the upper body. Phuket City Police Deputy Su- by a land dispute over Mr Jakkrit allegedly encroach- inspections of people passing through the check- perintendent Jaran Boonsopab to protect him.” ing on private land in a street off Phra Baramee Road. point,” he added. – Warisa Temram told the Gazette during the re-en- However, police on Wednesday actment, “We have many armed confirmed that their key witness officers at the re-enactment to- was now being held in the gen- day to make sure that anyone eral population at Phuket thinking of harming Noppadol Provincial Prison, with no spe- would know that we were ready cial security measures in place. 4 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET NEWS January 21 - 27, 2012 Police step up drug testing ATM scams: of staff at late night venues PATONG Police report at least four people PHUKET City Police on January recently being ripped off by gangs scanning their 11 drug tested 47 staff, including ATM cards and stealing money from their the general manager, at the Sure Garden restaurant in Phuket accounts. Two long-term Phuket residents can Town. attest their is some light at the end of the tunnel The mass drug testing comes – for both, their banks have agreed to repay the amid the ongoing furore over the axe attack on Vorasit “Pla-wan” money stolen. The Phuket Gazette reports. Issara (see page 2), the general manager at the Sri panwa resort ALAN Robinson, 71, has been liv- ATMs here. and son of Thai construction mag- ing in Phuket for 17 years. As he “He leant over me, explaining I nate Songkran Issara. is a former vice-president of a had to push some buttons to get Mr Vorasit suffered serious Swiss bank’s national branch in my card back, and pushed the wounds in an early morning alter- Japan, one can only imagine his cancel button. I told him to go cation with staff at the Rachada surprise when he discovered that away,” he said. his ATM card had been scanned “My card was returned and the pub, located directly across the Staff at Sure Garden all tested negative for drugs. Photo: Warisa Temran Bang Yai Canal from Sure Garden. and thieves were stealing money man just walked off. I thought it Snr Sgt Major Porncharoen It leads to problems and that’s Mr Kritsakorn also commented hand over fist from his bank ac- a little strange at the time but re- Phumeesai told the Phuket Ga- why we are testing staff at enter- on the serious attack on Mr count. ally didn’t think anymore of it,” zette, “Today we tested for tainment venues,” he said. Vorasit. Mr Robinson reported to he added. amphetamines. None of the 47 Kritsakorn Dairoop, the general “Our customers are very impor- Patong Police on January 6 that It wasn’t until the evening of people tested was found to be us- manager at the restaurant, said, tant to us. We hold a meeting 140,000 baht had been taken from January 5 that Mr Robinson ing drugs.” “We usually have a drugs test once every month to catch up on what his Kasikorn checked his The drug testing was held as every two or three months. has happened in the restaurant. If Bank account. account and part of the provincial-level push “Any of our staff found to be any customers cause problems, I Thieves had discovered that to eradicate drugs from Phuket, involved in drugs will lose their job try to cool them down. If that apparently sto- the money was Snr Sgt Major Porncharoen ex- because we do not want the res- doesn’t work then the police can len the card’s missing. On plained. taurant being associated with deal with them,” he said. information checking the “There are many entertainment drugs. As the tests today [proved], “We would never use any while he used it details he found places opening in Phuket and some none of us were found to be us- force,” Mr Kritsakorn added. at an ATM on that 50,000 of the staff are involved in drugs. ing drugs,” he said. – Warisa Temram Rat-U-Thit 200 baht had been Pi Road on De- withdrawn on cember 30. January 3 and a On that day, further 90,000 Mr Robinson baht the next had driven from day. his apartment to “I tried to the nearby Ian Laferme: ‘People need to know.’ phone Kasikorn Bank Kasikorn’s ATM, opposite the Holiday Inn, to number in Bangkok, but it was all withdraw cash before going shop- in Thai. Luckily a friend’s Thai ping for food. girlfriend was able to speak to the “I had withdrawn 20,000 baht bank in Bangkok and got all the from the ATM, but the machine details,” he said. wouldn’t return my card. Suddenly But Kasikorn Bank had more on my left appeared a Middle East- bad news. On January 3, two ern-looking man, smartly dressed, transactions of 25,000 baht had who in very good English said that been withdrawn from Mr it was always happening with Robinson’s account via ATMs in New 50-baht note out THE new-look 50 baht banknotes “The new 50-baht note should were released nationwide this replace the 190 million notes cur- week. Announced by Bank of rently in use and more could be Thailand Governor Dr Prasarn issued in response to growing Trairatvorakul last week, the new popularity among the public and 50-baht note is being released economic expansion,” Dr Prasarn ahead of its 20, 100, 500 and said. 1,000-baht counterparts, which One of the new 50-baht note’s are due to be brought into full cir- key features, which will be diffi- culation by 2026. cult to copy, is a watermark The new issue notes – dubbed depicting the portrait of HM King Series 16 – will retain the sizes and Bhumibol Adulyadej. The water- colors of the current series. mark appears alongside the figure Although the new notes will be 50 and is clearly visible when in circulation, the older series viewed against the light. banknotes will remain legal tender. Another feature is the security thread. This stitch-like line run- ning vertically down the back of the note, changes color from dark blue to red when the note is tilted. Security is further enhanced by the irregular shapes printed on both sides that, when held up to the light, superimpose to form the number 50. To aid the visually impaired, above the relief printing of char- acters and numbers, two blue flowers in a oblique row are raised and form the number 5 in braille. January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 5 Even professionals get caught out “And I have have many, many Fongcharoen at Patong Beach How to avoid being ripped off . witnesses to prove that I was in branch, told the Gazette that :ATM Phuket the whole time, and my theft” was on the rise, with all • Never give out your personal information card was with me,” he said. banks reporting similar incidents. over the phone. “Some people in the bank have “Our head office in Bangkok been very helpful,” he added, de- is currently working on defensive • Don’t let anyone know your PIN. spite many of his initial attempts measures. • Change your PIN code regularly. to even solicit a reply from top “In the meantime I advise • Choose a newer and cleaner ATM. bank officials were ignored. people to use ATMs either inside • Make sure there is no extra boxes attached In the end it was the Office of or at the front of the banks. We the Consumer Protection Board recommend that our customers to the ATM. (OCPB) in Bangkok that provided use Kasikorn ATMs only as they • Always keep track of your financial activities. the final impetus for the money to are all fitted with an anti-tamper be returned. system to prevent unauthorized “They reviewed our case sev- modification,” she said. eral times before deciding Ian’s Lt Col Songserm Preecha told What to do if you are case was worth pursing legally. the Gazette that as of January 5, But once they [the OCPB] started six ATM scam cases had been re- • Report the compromise of your card to your moving forward with the case, ported to Patong Police this year. bank. that seemed to do the trick,” Mr He is dealing with two of them. • Inform the police and bank owning the ATM Laferme’s friend said. “Unless someone knows them, • Call the Financial Consumer Protection Like Mr Robinson, Mr Laferme it’s not easy to identify the crimi- was happy his money was re- nals even if we have their faces Center on 1213. turned, but was more concerned on camera. Especially in Pattaya for the unsuspecting victims still or Patong,” he said. Bangkok. His account was re- the theft from my account, four knew my PIN and I have never out there, prime targets for ATM “I have suggested that banks duced by a further 90,000 baht on tourists reported exactly the same written it down,” he said. scammers. [in Patong] have their workers January 4 from ATMs in Pattaya. thing. A friend of mine had the “The hotels should put a warn- “The most important thing is routinely check each ATM. The bank was able to provide same thing happen to him in ing out as many tourists don’t read that people know that this can “To prevent their customers Mr Robinson with complete de- Jungceylon a while back, and he the newspapers,” he added. happen to them and that there are from falling prey to the scammers tails concerning which ATMs had had 170,000 stolen,” he said. Fellow long-term expat Ian ways for them to get their money we will also suggest this to other been used to steal from his bank “The captain told me not to Laferme, who has been living on back,” he said. banks in Phuket,” said Col account. worry and Kasikorn Bank have Phuket so long that decades ago Kasikorn Bank’s Patcharee Songserm. “I immediately went out and been very helpful. They’ve con- he was actually issued Work Per- canceled my PIN. They’d actu- firmed the money would returned mit Number One by the local ally tried again after the bank had to my account after the police Labor Office, had a harder road put a stop on my card and PIN. It have completed their investiga- to travel to get his money back. was lucky I’d canceled it. I went tions.” Through the assistance of a te- to the police in Patong and the Mr Robinson, who has nacious friend, it has taken a year bank the next day,” he said. worked in banking all his life, of hounding police reports, bank- The police showed Mr spent two years in Japan as the ing authorities and consumer Robinson reports from three vice-president of Union Bank of protection agencies to get his banks showing details of which Switzerland before coming to money back. ATMs the criminals used to steal Phuket in 1994. Until a few years Finally, last week he received his money. They were Bangkok ago he checked his account regu- the good news. The bank that holds Bank, Siam Commercial Bank and larly. However, having his account that was pillaged by Kasikorn Bank. encountered no problems over the ATM scammers will refund the “A captain in Patong Police, he years relaxed his guard. money stolen. was brilliant,” said Mr Robinson. “I’ve banked with Kasikorn More than 240,000 baht was “He was really helpful and told for over 10 years and never had withdrawn from his account from me that the day before I reported a problem before. Nobody else ATMs in Bangkok and Pattaya. Armed standoff with police ends with peaceful arrest ‘I couldn’t stand watching him do this anymore. I felt sorry for my grandchild and daughter-in-law, so I called the police’ – Sawai Thongyod, mother A TWO-hour standoff between render and kept the gun aimed at Phuket police and an armed man himself. After two hours of talks, ended without bloodshed on the Suksan finally surrendered and evening of January 11 after offic- was taken to Chalong Police Sta- ers finally persuaded him to stand tion under arrest. down. Officers seized the .38 hand- Police arrived at a home along gun, 23 bullets and the fake gun a soi opposite Chalong Temple at lighter from him as evidence. about 6pm after Sawai Thongyod They also found 32 grams of Fortunately the only damage was called them, saying her 26-year- to drug paraphernalia. marijuana in the house. old son was armed, acting Suksan was charged with dis- dangerously and she feared for her officers surrounding the house. charging a firearm in a community safety. Suksan noticed them as they and possession of a class 5 drug. Her son, Sukan Samlee, was approached and turned the real “My son was smoking mari- waving two guns around – one gun onto himself, warning offic- juana at home before he turned gun was a .38-caliber handgun, ers to stay back. crazy. He forced his wife and one- the other was only a fake pistol During officers’ efforts to calm month-old baby to sit next to him, lighter. Suksan, he fired three warning then started pulling her hair and Suksan, believed to have been shots into the air. pinching his child,” Ms Sawai said. under the influence of drugs at the Phuket Muang District chief Ms Sawai added that her son time, was pretending to shoot Ms Suppachai Phochanukul tried to lost his job at a hotel in Phuket a Sawai police were told. negotiate with Suksan directly, but few days ago. Police arrived in force, with 10 Suksan refused all offers to sur- – Warisa Temram 6 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET NEWS January 21 - 27, 2012 Students honored for Robot Motorway death toll Olympiad win

THREE students from Phuket Municipal School have been hon- jumps over weekend ored for their award-winning per- formance at the World Robot LAST weekend was a deadly one Olympiad (WRO) 2011 in Abu for motorists in Phuket as two Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. deaths and one serious injury in The Phuket Auto Robot team – about a 15-hour span were added comprising Pakin “Paper” to this year’s quickly growing Boonlom, Tipok “Nueng” road-accident statistics. Kinkobsin, and Boonyarit “Tel” Last weekend’s two deaths Pulsen, all 11 years old, and their brought to 10 the number of teacher Sophon Prateep Na people killed on Phuket’s roads this Talang – were bestowed “The month. Best Creative Award” and came in The first incident occurred at fifth place overall. about 9:30pm on January 14, The Vios struck a motorbike. In honor of their achievement, when 25-year-old Suriya Tarttalay Yongyuth Wichaidit, Deputy was struck by a white sedan while Prime Minister and Minister of the driving his Honda Wave motorbike Interior, held an audience for the south along Thepkrasattri Road. three boys in Bangkok. Thalang Police and Kusoldharm The World Robot Olympiad, Foundation workers rushed to the held from November 18-21, at- scene where they found Mr tracted 377 teams from 35 Suriya lying unconscious on the countries. pavement opposite the new PTT As reported by the Phuket Ga- gas station in Srisoonthorn. zette last September, the Phuket Police reported that Mr Suriya was driving toward the Heroines’ team created a Lego robot this year Mr Suriya’s head being stabilized that reproduced the process of gar- Monument when he was hit by the Emergency workers recover the truck driver’s body from under the rig. bage collection and separation. sedan, which continued south Mr Suriya was having difficulty mock beneath the flatbed to take a workers at the scene said Swiss “The students are proud to help without stopping. moving and speaking but was gen- nap while waiting for workers to national Daniel Andre Bertholet, create a strong [robotics] reputa- Although police radioed details erally in a stable condition. “At the unload his shipment of 56, was riding his mo- tion for our country,” said Mr of the accident to officers at the moment he is in the ICU, but we ‘rebar’ from Bangkok. torbike south on Sophon. nearby police box, they were un- hope to move him to the neuro- The truck’s parking ‘the sedan… Thepkrasattri Road “It was a good experience for successful in identifying the logical ward soon,” she added. brakes failed, and the rig continued when he was hit by a them to be a part of the world vehicle. Despite not knowing the Shortly after midday on Janu- ran about 100 meters Toyota Vios. competition, which will improve make of car and license-plate ary 15, Phuket rescue workers downhill and slammed south “We believe that Mr their future skills. Just observing number police expect damaged used two cranes to free the body into a ditch, pinning his without Bertholet died instantly the different teams from around parts of the vehicle, collected from of 31-year-old Boomruam Lekyai body beneath the trailer. due to massive cranial the world and the various tech- the accident scene, would help from beneath the trailer of the 18- He died of massive stopping’ trauma,” said one res- niques they used was a big help them find the driver. wheeled truck he had been wounds when the rig’s – Thalang Police cue worker. for them,” he said. Mr Suriya was rushed to sleeping under when the rig’s wheels ran over him. The woman driver Mr Sophon said that the results Thalang Hospital for emergency brake system failed. The third incident of the week- was distraught and still in the car of the competition proved that the treatment of critical injuries. He Witnesses said Mr Boonruam, end occurred less than 30 minutes when rescue workers arrived. Her techniques being used by the stu- was later transferred to the Inten- arrived at a construction site off later and in almost the same loca- vehicle suffered damage to the dents of Phuket Municipal sive Care Unit (ICU) at Vachira Soi Nakalay in Kamala, parked the tion where Mr Suriya was struck fender and a shattered windshield, School’s team were good and Phuket Hospital. rig on a hill on the dirt access road, in the hit-and-run the night before. but there were no reports that she could beat other countries. A nurse at the hospital said that and then set up a makeshift ham- Kusoldharm Foundation rescue suffered any injuries. New police stations underway WORK is underway on the head- quarters of Phuket’s newest po- lice station, with some officers already taking up residence in bar- racks near what will eventually be the Wichit Police Station. The work followed an an- nouncement by Phuket Provincial Police in early 2009 that it planned to establish two new independent police precincts in the south of the island: Witchit and Karon. The move is intended to take pressure off the Phuket City Po- An artist’s impression of what the police station in Wichit will look like. lice, whose jurisdiction covers they are awaiting the bulk of the of donated land near the Hilton Wichit, Rassada and Koh Kaew as funding for the building construc- Arcadia Phuket Resort. well as Phuket Town. When tion. This will amount to 28.7 Though initial costs estimates opened the new Wichit Police Dis- million baht for the Wichit District have yet to be made, construction trict will have 94 officers. Police Station, to be located off costs are expected to be about the Chalong Police, whose turf cur- of Chao Fah West southbound. same as for the facility in Wichit, rently covers all of Chalong, as well However, the 1.2mn baht bar- he said. as Rawai and Karon subdistricts racks is already completed at the However funding for both will also benefit under the plan, as site and some Phuket City Police projects remains delayed, most Karon will get its own police de- officers have already taken up resi- likely due to the flooding in cen- partment, with 83 officers. dence there. tral Thailand, the source said. Although police have taken pos- A source at Phuket Provincial The new Wichit Police Station session of land donated by the Police said the Karon District Po- lies on two rai of the landholdings private sector for both projects, lice office would be built on 2 rai of the Anupas & Sons company. January 21 - 27, 2012 NATIONAL NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 7 Tourism defies Spat over terrorism alert flood impact lice official” as saying that the THAILAND’s tourism industry chemicals discovered in the Samut once again proved its resilience in Sakhon raid, ammonium nitrate 2011 as arrivals rose 21.2% in the and urea, were meant to be shipped first 11 months of the year, ac- out of Thailand for use elsewhere. cording to government figures. Thai officials are believed to be The rise came despite devas- frustrated with the US diplomatic tating floods in Sepember of this mission’s warning, which they year that killed more than 800 THE arrest of an alleged Lebanese said could damage Thailand’s cru- people and left some provinces terrorist in Bangkok has provoked cial tourism industry. The warning of Central Thailand under up to a diplomatic spat between Thai- was echoed by 13 other countries. three meters of water for several land and the United States after a Foreign Minister Surapong weeks. terrorist threat warning was issued Towichukchaikul expressed his The Ministry of Tourism and to US citizens in the Thai capital. “disappointment and unhappiness” Sports said 17.1 million tourists Atris Hussein, 48, remained in over the warning by the United visited Thailand between January police custody Tuesday, though States, as well as those by Canada and November 2011, compared the US Embassy continued to in- and Australia. He said he would with 14.1mn in the same period sist that its warning of a possible summon the ambassadors from the previous year. foreign terrorist attack in the the countries to explain the warn- “Although the recent floods in Kingdom still stood. ings, or Thailand would issue Thailand did impact on arrivals Acting on information supplied A suspect was caught shortly after the US alert. Photo: The Nation retaliatory measures. during the October and Novem- by Mr Hussein, allegedly a member He said the countries failed to ber, 2011, the growth in the of Lebanese organization Hezbollah, that the capital was merely being ter the authorities learned about it,” discuss the matter with the Min- January-September 2011 period Thai police raided a property in used as a staging point for attacks he said, declining to provide any istry of Foreign Affairs before as well as the post-flood bounce Samut Sakhon on Monday, discov- on other countries. more details of the confession. issuing their warnings. back was high enough to keep ering a huge stash of materials The Nation on Sunday reported Mr Hussein has not been Mr Surapong said the govern- arrivals on a positive trend for the commonly used for bomb making. national police chief General charged, as the plot was not car- ment had taken all possible entire year,’ the Tourism Author- There was some confusion Priewpan Damapong as saying Mr ried out, the police chief said. precautions to protect tourists and ity of Thailand (TAT) said in a over whether Thailand had been Hussein had told him attacks on Police are authorized by law to investors, adding that Thailand statement reported by Deposite targeted by terrorists, with some Thailand had been “called off” af- hold a suspect without charges for had good ties with countries all Protection Agency. media reports saying an attack on ter authorities learned of the plot. no more than 60 days, he said. over the world and he did not think This year, the TAT hopes to at- Bangkok had been planned, but “The suspect told us that the On Monday The New York any country would want to attack tract a record 20mn visitors to the called off, while others indicated movement cancelled the plan af- Times quoted a “top Bangkok po- the Kingdom. Kingdom. Compensation package dredges up TRCT issue THE government has approved a compensation package for victims of the recent political conflict, in- cluding the red-shirt protests last year, though critics have ques- tioned why the scheme does not extend to victims of the conflict in the troubled Deep South. Acting on the recommendations of the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT), Cabinet made this month the goverment approved 2 billion baht in compensation for the victims PATTANI: Thai security forces of national political protests over inspect the site of a roadside bomb the last six years. attack in the Deep South. Photo: AFP Starting in 2005, when “yellow- shirt” protesters sought to Democrat MP Satit Pitutacha overthrow the government, the said he would file a petition with compensation scheme will see the Administrative Court as he money paid to people injured in considered the compensation pay- political protests as well as the ments as preferential treatment. families of people who were killed. Referring to two infamous in- However, critics said the com- cidents in 2004, during Mr pensation scheme ignored victims Thaksin’s administration, Mr Satit of the ongoing violent conflict in said the families of those killed in the Deep South, in which about the Tak Bai and Krue Se Mosque 5,000 people have died since 2004. crackdowns in the South also de- The opposition Democrat Party served similar aid. said the government was mainly “I do not think reconciliation can concerned with rewarding its sup- be achieved by giving money to the porters for the 2010 protests. violators of law,” the MP said. 8 PHUKET GAZETTE OPINION January 21 - 27, 2012 Cheap and useful trump ‘mega-cost’ THE results of the most recent Phuket Gazette readers’ poll (see page 11) show that a clear majority of readers see the introduc- tion of new “airport bus” services to Phuket’s west coast resort towns as the tourism development projects they would most like to see move forward quickly in 2012. The results reflect that readers – Thais, expats and tourists – see the introduction of reasonably-priced public transport as more important than the “megaprojects” designed at luring in ever-more tourists or dealing with an ever-increasing number of cars. Another result of the survey is that the projects in highest demand would also be the easiest to implement, at least from a cost perspective. For example, more respondents (13.3%) wanted to see the low-cost option of installing meters in taxis and tuk-tuks than the combined numbers of all those who voted for the 2.6-bil- lion-baht convention center (3.4%), underpasses at Central Festival and Tesco (4.3%) junctions, and the 3.5bn baht Patong Tunnel (3.4%). Indeed, the 39.7mn baht spent by Patong Municipality on the tunnel project “feasibility study” would probably have been enough to install a meter in every tuk-tuk and taxi in Phuket, free of charge. Of course the Gazette would be naive to suggest that public demand would be enough to make our leaders do the right thing. By their own reckoning, the phon prayot (benefits) would be few, while the “costs” could be devastating – or even lethal. As The taming of the Hulks the events of last week have shown (see page 1), hitmen work cheap in our province, even when the target is a high-profile Re: Gazette online, Phuket Foot- creatures are transported makes investigative reporter. ball: Saved by Muang Thong Utd, me giggle still. As we move through the first month of 2012, it appears that January 8 But just the other day, I saw the horse race among the six aforementioned projects is hardly Here’s to hoping FC Phuket’s perhaps the most precious thing, off to a lighting start. Funding for the Central Festival under- hooligans, the Hulks [the biggest something very Phuket in it’s pass has been approved and we are told that construction is set fan club for FC Phuket], learn a local-private hospital. They queerness. A middle aged Thai to begin this year. how to behave themselves in the wheeled her into the surgery room woman was riding pillion on a As many readers are undoubtedly aware, this will cause a off-season. and then the “nurse” in charge said motorbike and crawling about her traffic nightmare while the work is underway, and with little I won’t go to any games be- I needed to pay 30,000 baht. head, clutching onto her black hair respite after its completion since the real bottleneck is not at fore I hear that the hooligans have I said I would pay and she said was a baby monkey. Now baby the junction itself, but further south, where Chao Fa West nar- stopped throwing bottles onto the “pay now”. I went to the ATM animals are absolutely adorable, rows to just one-and-a-half lanes from three in each direction. pitch, threatening refs to the point and took out 20,000 and added and there is a little doubt that a Amazingly, this is where aforementioned tunnel is designed of requiring police escorts, de- another 10,000 to it, then handed baby monkey is especially ador- emerge. manding coaches’ resignations the money to her and she called able, but for God’s sake the baby As for the two new airport bus routes “expected” to go into and engaging in otherwise patheti- the surgery room to tell them that monkey was wearing a shabby service by next month, don’t hold your breath: The agency that cally petulant behavior. I had paid, and that they could pro- little pink dress! provided that time line is the same one that completed con- The Hulks’ reprobate members ceed with the surgery! Where was my camera to cap- struction of Phuket Bus Terminal 2 in Rassada back in December need to be banned from the pitch I still get upset just thinking ture this fantastic moment in 2009 – and has been promising to open it ever since. in the future. about it. Phuket? At home in a drawer. Eric 8YearsInTH The best thing about Phuket Gazette forum Gazette forum though, is if you see something crazy thing there is always hope that you’ll see it again – until then Shirts for Blimps I see dead people adorable pink dress wearing baby monkey. Clothing in Phuket, like any Re: One dead, four injured in lat- Tina Swift tourist destination, is a big seller. est Phuket horror crash, January Patong Everyone wants to take home a t- 11 shirt saying “I love Phuket” or I really despise the way people “Same Same, but Different”. But crowd round taking photos and Who’s in charge of what I don’t get is how does the videos of dead or dying people. It this wreck? “larger” crowd in Phuket (I really is sick. should say enormous-titan-like- What is wrong with everyone Re: Storms strip Phuket wrecks of blimps) find clothing that they can on this island? markers fit into? One Thai-language newspaper I am completely baffled by the I am a relatively thin guy that had photos of the poor girl and fact that these submerged marine doesn’t even break the six-foot her baby that were lost under the hazards have yet to be cleared marker, but I still wear XL shirts wheels. Disgusting. from Chalong Bay. here. It seems like it would be im- Poppops Admittedly, I am thankful for possible for some of the people I Gazette forum the efforts of the Phuket Cruising see on the beach to find clothing Yachet Club for marking the that fits them anywhere on the wrecks and making public an- island. nouncements about them. But Trevor Green Monkey in a dress! honestly, the harbor master Rawai Monkey in a dress! should be dealing with this issue or at the very least pretending to It seems like every time I leave deal with it. Wallet Surgery the house without my camera all Ignoring shipwrecks that are the beautifully bizarre things of so close to the surface, but not Re: Gazette online, Phuket hos- Phuket appear. When I first landed visible, in an area that has as pital denies ‘deadly greed’ killed on the island I couldn’t snap much boat traffic as Chalong mum, 74, January 10 enough shots of dogs being Bay, is absolutely irresponsible. Last year my wife needed to hauled around on motorbikes – Andy Churt have an unscheduled cesarean at some of the ways those poor Patong January 21 - 27, 2012 OPINION PHUKET GAZETTE 9 Parents’ awarness Convert to a convertible prevents terrorists

Capt Sonpong Yukkapun, 46, from Pattalung, has been a policeman for 27 years. He has ONCE I met parents that never worked in Yala province for 10 Cruise with your windows down and start loving the tropical weather. went inside their son’s bedroom. years. During that time, he dealt IT NEVER ceases to amaze me Their son was eventually arrested just how addicted to air-condition- with many insurgent security as a terrorist, and when the police ing so many people on this island By Somchai Huasaikul searched the bedroom they found threats. Last year he moved to have become, and at no time does more then 10 timer power units the steady, mechanical drone of Phuket to take up a post with the Do you have an opinion to voice? for bombs. aircon units perplex me more than Thalang Police. Email [email protected] Parents have to be responsible this time of year, when the for their children and monitor their weather is gorgeous. ment is deemed as “throwing good behavior closely. If they live with their fish from one central place when their children were caught. Air conditioning inside a home money after bad”. At any rate, it’s their children they should know rather than facing the risk of trav- Most of the time children tell is one thing, but for the life of me as if the option of lowering the car what kind of trouble they are get- elling from village to village. their parents they are joining the I’ll never understand why, when windows has ceased to exist for ting into and help prevent it. The Muslim community is di- school camp when they actually the weather is beautiful, people most drivers on the island. There were many security in- vided. You have good people who are attending Runda Kumpulan need to ride around in their cars Another factor to consider is cidents in the 10 years I worked don’t want to be involved with Kecil (RKK) training. with the air-con blasting away. gas mileage. I concede that in in Yala. I investigated four of the the violence and you also have One man, around 20 years old, Growing up in New England in open highway driving the increase 20 insurgents attacks occurring in those citing separatism as their was an intelligent student and also the 1970s, the coolest car anyone in drag on a car with its windows the province. goal and using violence and fear a police cadet lieutenant. He was could ever hope to be spotted in down probably offsets any fuel Many times we arrested and to achieve it. a RKK member and could build was a “convertible”, that’s a car savings one might enjoy by turn- charged insurgent suspects, but Previously, the good ones bombs. After his arrest, his par- with a retractable roof, for the new ing off the aircon. But let’s face had to release them as we did not wanted to stay in a quiet place and ents did not believe he was a RKK generation who might not even it, the trend here in Phuket is for have enough evidence to bring the not give information to police as member. His father, a well re- know what one is. more and more congestion, so I case to court. they were afraid of retribution spected man, cried when he finally While you might occasionally suspect turning off the aircon will One time there were some sus- from the extremists. The situation believed the truth about his son. see pink-skinned foreigners driv- save a few baht in the long run. pects arrested and released on bail has changed, and now local vil- The small children chosen by ing around Phuket in rented If the weather is nice, it is much during which time they commit- lagers are prepared to offer the insurgents are tricked into open-top jeeps, the sight of a con- better for your engine and cool- ted more offenses. One man information that could lead to the reading books that support RKK vertible car is rare anywhere in ing system to turn the aircon off; arrested had been part of the gang insurgents being captured. philosophy. The teenagers are Thailand. I understand that the you can clearly hear the decrease who planted bombs at 18 loca- According to an investigation taught precepts that the insurgents equatorial sun can be scorching, in engine strain when you do. tions. He also shot a policeman. of the separatists, the Muslim in- claim are in the Koran. but I don’t think that can justify Other advantages include: The situation is scaring normal surgent teachers teach the For example, they’re taught ceding defeat, locking the win- - improved viability “through” people. Villagers still have to make children to hate Buddhist people, that if they kill Thai Buddhists dows in the “up” position, and tinted side windows a living, even though it’s not easy usually the children’s parents they will receive blessings. The keeping the aircon unit perma- - added comfort of hanging the to live normally, especially with don’t know what’s happening. trainers feed them misinformation nently turned on, as many do. elbow out the window the dangers of travelling around Most terrorists arrested were and their own version of history Next time your idling away in - decreased carbon emissions the province. One vendor came excellent students from good showing Thais as bad. Phuket traffic, notice just how The list goes on. So, if you are from Pattani to sell fish in Yala and homes with loving parents. It’s important for parents to few cars have their windows among those who have forgotten was killed on the way. The fish I knew many parents whose know what their children are do- down. It will invariably be old that rolling down your windows sellers are afraid. They drive to children hid their activities well and ing and prevent them from joining clunkers, where the aircon unit is an option, give it another try – Yala early in the morning and sell they only recognized the truth these groups. has died and the cost of replace- and smell the flowers out there.

Getting the hump

I noticed that the pedestrian Why don’t we do it in the road? crossing on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi I often see people set up tents Road, near Soi Kebsab in Patong, along the side of major roadways has been repainted. I assumed that to hold events such as funeral me- this freshly marked path would morial services, alms offering and clearly signal pedestrians’ right of so on. They also do this for the way when they are attempting to Vegetarian Festival. cross the very busy street, how- As this would never be allowed ever that doesn’t seem to be the in my country, I would like to set case. tions when approaching a pedes- up a “road party” during my stay With the recent accidents in- trian crossing, making sure not to here and invite all my neighbors. volving pedestrians crossing roads hit pedestrians, regardless of Is a foreigner allowed to do this? and being struck and killed by ve- which direction the drivers are Do I need permission? Where do hicles (with zero apparent coming from. Drivers must be I apply? Is there a fee? repercussions from the police), I extra careful if the pedestrian is a Jonas Stalking There are worthy reasons to shut down roads (Vegetarian Festival – photo above), and unworthy ones, but all seem welcome to apply. would like to know what exactly child, an elderly person or a handi- Kathu the law is concerning pedestrian capped person. If you are in our area [Kathu], to clean up the area after your crossings. The penalty for violating the law Kathu Municipality, Municipal you will need to come see us in event you’ll probably have to pay. Also, is there anyway to have a is a fine ranging from 200 to 500 official Chief Chinnadit person to submit your letter and Also, if traffic police are needed speed bump put on 200 Pi road to baht. Tantipanwadee replies: describe where you would like to for the event we will let you know force traffic to slow down before Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi road is un- You have to file a request to your set up your event, what it will be who to contact. the crosswalk? der the responsibility of the Kathu local administration organization like and when it will be. Please come and see us at the Andy Churt Municipality. We, the police, do [OrBorTor] for permission to set We will let you know if you Kathu Municipality building any not have the authority to put a up an event on the roadways. For- have permission to hold the event time Monday to Friday, 8:30am Kathu Traffic Police Chief Maj speed bump in front of the eigners are allowed to use this within seven days of you submit- to 4:30pm, so we can sort out all Sarawut Chuprasit replies: pedestrain crossing. The Phuket service, but permission will be ting your letter. Normally you do of the details for the event. For According to The Land Traffic Highways Office and the Kathu granted based on how necessary not have to pay any fee to the more information you can call us Act of 1979 drivers must be cau- Police must also be consulted. the event is. municipality. However, if we have at 076-321405. 10 PHUKET GAZETTE BUSINESS January 21 - 27, 2012 Czech beauties rouse tourists

By Warisa Temram the deputy director of the TAT’s “These activities are one of the Phuket office, along with best ways to promote tourism in EASTERN Europe was highlighted Pratueng Sornkham, the direc- Phuket among Czechs as well as as Thailand’s newest niche tourist tor of Phuket International other Eastern European tourists. source market, boosted by a pro- Airport Director. We have carefully selected the motional visit to Phuket last week Miss Wannaprapa explained tourist attractions to make sure by contestants of the 2012 Miss that the beauty contestants’ itin- we portray our province in the Czech Republic beauty contest. erary included visiting various most beautiful way,” Miss In a move aimed at stimulating tourist attractions in both Phuket Wannaprapa said. local tourism among Czech and and Phang Nga provinces to re- “Czech Republic is a new and other Eastern European tourists, the ceive spa treatments and partake important [source] tourist market 14 finalists’ brief yet memorable trip in photo shoots and water sport for Phuket. They have very high STIMULATION: One lucky guy poses with six of the Miss Czech finalists was orchestrated by the Tourism activities such as parasailing, div- potential with high purchasing during a promotional photo shoot at Phang Nga bay. Photo by Tony Pope Authority of Thailand (TAT). ing, and banana boat riding. power. Czech tourists usually stay “I believe more people from have visited Phuket. The island After a short stopover in During their six day visit to four to five days when they come this country will come after they has previously welcomed final- Pattaya, the beauties were met Phuket the Czech beauties vis- to Phuket and spend at least 4,000 see the beautiful scenery through ists of the Miss Belgium, Miss with a floral-rich welcome at ited various spots including to 5,000 baht daily,” Miss the videos of the activities that the Poland, Miss France and Miss Phuket International Airport on James Bond island in Phang Nga Wannaprapa explained. Miss Czech Republic beauty con- Slovakia contests. January 11. Bay, Old Phuket Town around “There were about 2,000 tour- testants did in Phuket, she added. For more pictures of the Miss Leading the welcome party Thalang road, and the Kee Re- ists from the Czech Republic who This is not the first time na- Czechs’ Phuket visit, see Your was Wannaprapa Suksomboon, sort and Spa in Patong. came to visit Phuket last year. tional beauty contestant finalists Phuket on page 25. Business outlook good in 2012 THE outlook for business pros- while expectations for the first Overall, 52.7% of respondents pectation for business perfor- (74.1), service (68.8), commercial pects in Thailand looks mostly good quarter of 2012 (January to expect the economy to improve mance, with 15.4% expecting the (68.5), agricultural (66.8) and in- in the first three months of 2012, March) spiked at 69.7. compared to only 12.7% who an- worst, even though most respon- dustrial (66.7) sectors. according to the latest Business Ex- The BEI score reflects the results ticipate a worsening situation, and dents think that this situation will The report sites political stabil- pectation Index (BEI) report. of a survey given to 1,804 business 35.2% who think the economy remain unchanged (45.2%) or even ity as the prime driver for Compiled by Thailand’s Minis- figures from around the country will remain the same. improve (39.4%). increased optimism following the try of Commerce, the BEI score who were asked to assess the Respondents were asked to judge Broken down by region, respon- previous “sluggish economic pe- for the 4th quarter of 2011 (Octo- present economic situation and pre- four specific aspects of business dents included businessmen and riod” induced by flooding in the ber to December) leveled at 62.7 dict its direction in the first three including performance, cost per women from across the Bangkok third and fourth quarters of 2011. out of a maximum score of 100, months of the year. unit of goods and services, employ- Metropolitan area (211), Central The report concludes with a list ment in the private sector and (241), Northern (428), Eastern of 10 suggestions for the Thai business expansion. (153), Northeastern (455) and government. Of these, respondents were Southern (316) regions. These include spending more most optimistic about the cost per The Northeast had the highest budget to stimulate the economy; unit of goods and services situa- BEI for 2012 with a score of 72.4, not interfering with price mecha- tion, which scored 80.1 with 56% followed closely by the South and nisms in the market; tackling of respondents foreseeing an im- North (each with 71.2), Central unrest in the deep South; aligning provement compared to 38.9% (67.9), East (65.3) and Bangkok the time-line of wage adjustments foreseeing no change and only metropolitan area, which had the with business adaptation capabili- 5% who expect the situation to lowest score of 63.5. ties; promoting the use of worsen. Broken down by sector, re- renewable energies and rail sys- A majority of respondents fore- spondents represented the tem logistics; controlling prices see no change in the situations for agricultural (161), industrial of necessities and promoting Thai business expansion (76.7%) and (458), commercial (737), con- products; supporting SMEs in li- employment in the private sector struction (58), financial and quidity, management and (71.9%), compared to the minor- insurance (89) and the service marketing; promoting traditional ity who do expect improvements (301) industries. and cultural tourism; managing in these situations (15.1% and Financial and insurance reps water systems; and developing 19.3% respectively). were the most optimistic for the marine environments to support The highest level of pessimism coming year, scoring a BEI of and ensure the future of the fish- among respondents lies in the ex- 80.9, followed by the construction ery sector. – Steven Layne PG – Finn code alliance BANGKOK Airways and Helsinki- Koh Samui and Chiang Mai, as will be the only European carrier based carrier Finnair recently well as flights between Koh that allows stop-overs in Hong signed a code-share agreement Samui and both Hong Kong and Kong and Singapore before visit- affecting strategic flights to/from Singapore. ing Thailand.” Phuket and other key destinations Bankok Airways President, Hannu Sundberg, Vice Presi- in Thailand and the greater region. Captain Puttipong Prasarttong- dent for Airline Partnerships at Effective since January 15, Osoth said, “Chiang Mai, Koh Finnair added, “This new partner- the new agreement allows Finair Samui and Phuket are regarded as ship will open new possibilities to to co-list its flight booking code our favorite destinations for visi- our passengers to visit Thailand (AY) with Bangkok Airways tors worldwide, while Hong Kong and combine it with other desti- flights (PG). and Singapore offer another nations in Asia for added Routes affected include flights unique aspect of Asia. experience.” between Bangkok and Phuket, “By this co-operation, Finnair – Bangkok Airways January 21 - 27, 2012 BUSINESS PHUKET GAZETTE 11 Poll: airport bus most desired DIRECT bus service between Phuket Air- (13.3%), and the being the most who identified themselves as tourists port and resort towns on the island’s west “Patong Tunnel” popular among voted for this option. coast is the tourism infrastructure project and “Underpasses all three groups: As for the most recent airport bus ser- favored by the largest majority of respon- at Central and those who iden- vice developments, Phuket Provincial dents to a recent Phuket Gazette poll. Tesco junctions” tified themselves Land Transportation Office Chief A total of 1,868 votes were cast in an options, each which as Thais (51%), Terayout Prasertphol announced back in online survey conducted during the New Year received 84 votes or local foreign November that he expected two new Air- period via the Gazette website. 4.3%, respectively. residents (41%) port bus services to be in operation by The poll was based on the question: Which The least popular and tourists or February, 2012. of the following tourism-related plans and/ project among the visitors to The first proposed route would serve or projects would you most like to see move poll’s respondents Phuket (61%). Patong, Kata and Karon, while the second rapidly forward in Phuket in 2012? was the Interna- However, lo- one would serve Rawai. Meanwhile a third Of the six possible options, 957 or tional Convention cal foreign route serving Kamala was also being re- more than half (about 51%) of all votes and Exhibition Cen- LIMITED OPTIONS: The existing Airport bus residents were vised for consideration. went to “Airport bus to west coast re- ter which only is effecient but only serves Phuket Town. ten times more Whether Phuket will actually see such sort towns”. received 64 votes, likely (20%) to service in operation by next month re- This was followed by “Light rail or about 3.4% of the tally. have chosen the “meters installed in tuk- mains to be seen. For more on the project” with 434 votes (23.2%), “Meters There was little demographic variation tuks, taxis” option than their Thai discussion, also see editorial on page 8. installed in tuk-tuks, taxis” with 248 votes in the results, with the Airport Bus option counterparts (2%), while 10% of those – Phuket Gazette Consumers want lower prices

By Steven Layne nearly every other region, with the ex- ception of the Central region, where the The price of goods is the most pressing price of fuel (15.7%) was slightly more issue consumers in Southern Thailand pressing than goods (15.6%). want the Thai government to address, re- Nationwide, fuel prices (14.5%) came vealed the latest Consumer Confidence in second, followed by unemployment Index (CCI) report by the Ministry of (11.9%), cost of living (13.7%), overall Commerce (MOC). economy (11.2%) and corruption (7.8%). Published on a monthly and quartly basis Despite high priority given by the Gov- by the MOC’s Bureau of Trade and Eco- ernment, tackling drugs was chosen by nomic Indices, the CCI report compiles a the least number of respondents (7%) na- wide range of survey data assessing con- tionwide, and likewise in every region of sumers’ perceptions about the state and the country except in Thailand’s East. direction of the economy, as well as their The least pressing concern among con- immediate concerns. sumers there was corruption (6.8%) According to one survey in the report, followed by drug abuse (7.7%). 18.6% of respondents in Thailand’s South The survey is part of research in compil- ALIGNED: The latest Consumer Confidence Index report indicates that concerns of said they were most concerned with the ing Thailand’s Consumer Confidence Index consumers in Southern Thailand (left) mostly reflect those of the nation (right). price of goods. (CCI) monthly report for December, 2011. Of these, she explained that Southern and regional results do not necessarily This was followed by fuel prices Kanokwan Kanokkulchai, Trade Officer Thailand included 680 respondents from reflect individual provinces. (13.8%), cost of living (13.2%), unemploy- (Professional Level) at the Bureau of Trade 14 provinces including Phuket, Phang In Phuket, for example, she pointed out ment (11.9%), the overall economy (10.4%), and Economic Indices, told the Phuket Nga, Ranong, Surat Thani, Krabi, that the most common grievances in- corruption (8.2%) and drugs (8.1%). Gazette that the results come from a Chumphon, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, cluded corruption, low labor wages and The price of goods was also the num- sample of 3,200 respondents nationwide, Phattalung, Trang, Satun, Songkhla, Yala, the perception of insecurity in public oc- ber one concern overall nationwide with more than 40 respondents sampled Narathiwat and Pattani. cupations, in addition to the high cost of (17.2%), and likewise in Bangkok and from each province in addition to Bangkok. Miss Kanokwan noted that the national living and price of goods. K Bank pitches green incentive AS MUCH as 3 billion baht has been quantity of their greenhouse gas designated for loans to organizations emissions, and thus be able to re- that wish to go green by reducing port and verify carbon credits. their green house gas emissions. The new scheme complements According to a report in The another K Bank green loan scheme Nation, Kasikorn Bank (K Bank) that specifically targets hotels in last week inked an agreement of Phuket and all along the Andaman cooperation with the Energy coast, as well as Koh Samui and Ministry, the Department of Al- Koh Chang. ternative Energy Development The K-Green Hotel Loan scheme and Efficiency, and Thailand offers loans valued between 2.5 to Greenhouse Gas Management 130 million baht to Thai Hotel As- Organization. sociation member establishments Under the agreement, K-bank looking to make environmental in- will foot a 3bn baht fund to pilot vestments and expansions in the loans for companies who want to areas of wastewater treatment, solid reduce the greenhouse effect by waste management, water con- Looking for a place to stay? purchasing equipment and machin- sumption management and/or ery that will increase the company’s energy saving management. See more classified ads at efficiency and utilization of energy. Krung Thai bank and Bangkok Such equipment would allow Bank also offer similar variations www.phuketgazette.net participating organizations to be of green business loan schemes. able to measure and evaluate the – Phuket Gazette 12 PHUKET GAZETTE TECHNOLOGY January 21 - 27, 2012 The best apps for iPad owners on the island If you’re a Windows user, the iPad works great with Windows, in spite of what people may tell you. I wrote two articles about getting iPad and Windows to work together CONTINUING my series of ar- with various apps, at Windows Se- ticles answering questions that I crets Newsletter. Look it up: http:// hear most often… it seems like bit.ly/r2Hwob and http://bit.ly/ half the people I know have got nqblsO. an iPad recently. Those are the important apps for The question I’m hearing over and every iPad owner. Those of us who over: What apps should I put on live in Phuket also have a handful my iPad? of apps that work great. And There’s no definitive answer be- they’re free. cause the iPad ecosystem changes To start this guide to Phuket faster than a Republican primary. apps, I went to the Apple AppStore At last count, you had more than and searched for “Phuket.” Not 500,000 apps to choose from, and exactly rocket science. the number’s going up by more I was surprised that I didn’t find than 600 per day. the two apps that were mentioned Why? Money. The iPad’s earlier in the Gazette. “Checkin booming. Apple hasn’t officially Good Deals” didn’t draw a hit in reported its sales numbers for the the AppStore search engine. When last quarter of 2011 yet, but it I searched for “Tiny Coffee” I looks like they sold about 40 mil- found that app in the iPhone store, lion iPads in the calendar year and most of it works: Static (non- 2011. Compare that to about 350 zoomable) maps to all of the Tiny million PCs (including Macs) sold Coffee locations, and the full menu in 2011. iPad sales are increasing appears on-screen. I couldn’t get rapidly – up much more than 100 the History button to work. per cent between the fourth quar- The FM 91.5 app also appears APROPOS: The Phuket Gazette’s app is a remarkable achievement – there are huge news organizations that ter of 2010 and 2011. PC sales are in the iPhone section, not in the don’t even come close with their iPad apps, and best of all it is free. decreasing, espe- iPad section. The sive. Remember that the average “Expat Issues”), Classifieds, – at least, good iPad apps – are cially in the US – app gives a live AppStore App sells for US$1.98. Queer News, the Lifestyle section, different. They’re far more down 5 per cent broadcast from One very pleasant discovery was Sports and PGTV. Controls for immersive, and the touch inter- year-on-year. FM 91.5, as long that the web site Thaivisa.com has resizing fonts, and sending links face melds in with the content. While nobody’s as you don’t recently released two free apps – via e-mail, Facebook or Twitter are Version 1.0 took two program- saying the PC is More than 500,000 apps to choose switch to a dif- one for iPad and one for Android – immediately available. mers – working about half-time – a going away any- from. Photo: Sean MacEntee ferent app (that’s and the iPad app (the one I tested) I know that many of you are full year, plus a graphic artist and lots time soon, it’s clear that the iPad a limitation of the iPad’s iOS, not works very well. Thaivisa.com, for thinking about coming up with your of edit time. Coming up with a good has started to grunt like an emerg- a problem with FM 91.5). You can those who don’t know, is a remark- own iPad apps – I’m thinking about iPad app is not for the faint of heart. ing 800 lb gorilla. use the app to Request a Song and able source of information for doing one for the Sandwich Shoppes The Gazette app currently in the If you have a new iPad, there’s a send a message to the current DJ. foreigners living in, or visiting, Thai- – so I kicked around the Gazette of- AppStore is version 1.2, and it’s handful of apps you should have Unfortunately, there’s no on- land. It covers visas in spades, as fice and asked about the details. I come a long way, baby, with a re- downloaded by now. To get any of screen volume control. It’s a basic you would expect from the name, was surprised to find that the app vamped design and full video – these apps, turn on your iPad, and app, but a nice way to listen to lo- but thousands of posts touch on ev- was designed and built right here in which posed a significant technical touch the button for the AppStore, cal radio when you’re hangin’ with ery facet of farang life. An entire Phuket. The Gazette IT Manager challenge. Give it a try. then search for the app by name. your ‘Pad. forum is devoted to Phuket, another Seubsak (“Big”) Sahaworapun led If you’re on Facebook, the I found a couple of additional to Farang Food, another to Sports the team. With Woody hunkered down Facebook app is a no-brainer: using apps that appear to be very much – you get the idea. Khun Big’s observation: “To cre- writing a book, the weekly Com- the Facebook app on the iPad is works-in-progress. I’ll refrain The Thaivisa iPad app is now my ate an App, you first need to puter Clinics are taking a new much easier than using it on the from commenting on those. There favorite way to look at the forums. purchase a MacBook computer and turn. Until Woody emerges with an web. Ditto for Twitter. Bloomberg are also many apps of varying qual- It’s very well organized, absolutely an iPad (or iPhone). You need to 860-page copy of “Windows 8 All- has an excellent news app. Weather ity geared to tourists: maps, no clutter, and as fast as can be. learn Objective-C, one of the most In-One For Dummies” under his Channel. I swear by Flipboard. reviews, typical travel magazine Unfortunately, it falls down in three sophisticated object-oriented pro- arm, around May or June, Seth Skype works like a dream. stuff. They’re frequently expen- places: you can’t post anything us- gramming languages; Cocoa, Bareiss will hold computer ses- ing the iPad app (the option to “Open Apple’s native object-oriented Ap- sions on every-other Wednesday in Safari” doesn’t work, at least on plication Programming Interface afternoon, from 1 to 3 pm. my iPad), there’s no Search capa- (API); and Xcode, a development If you have a Windows prob- bility, and you can’t use the pinch software that integrates everything lem that needs to be solved, drop gesture to make type larger and needed to compile and upload the by one of Seth’s free afternoon smaller. Still, it’s an excellent app to finished product to the App Store.” sessions, or come to one of our catch up on the latest at Thaivisa. One of the team members spent a free Sunday morning roundtables Which brings me to my favor- week in Bangkok at an Apple brief- at Sandwich Shoppe Chalong. ite local iPad app. Yes, I’m biased, ing. The result speaks for itself. Details in the Events Calendar. but if you take a look at what’s on The Phuket Gazette launched Sponsored by the Phuket Gazette offer, I bet you agree. The Phuket the first version of its iPad app and Khun Woody’s Sandwich Gazette’s app is a remarkable last March. Version 1.0 tried to Shoppes. achievement – there are huge news mimic the Gazette web site, and organizations that don’t even come didn’t work very well: as iOS Live Wire is Phuket Gazette columnist close with their iPad apps. Picture- designers have learned over and Woody Leonhard’s weekly snapshot of toting tiles on the left give you over again, if you’re just going all things internet in Phuket. Shoot him quick access to the latest stories. to copy your web site, it’s much mail at [email protected], The charm bar at the bottom has easier to have your readers use a follow him on Twitter @PhuketLiveWire, links to the Events Calendar, Is- browser, and let them futz with or “like” his page at facebook.com/ sues and Answers (re-named scrolling and pinching. iPad apps SandwichShoppe. January 21 - 27, 2012 BUSINESS PHUKET GAZETTE 13 Now is the time to structure your financial investments

LET US OFF: The ups and downs of current economics by Baldinger. are earned. Sounds good? Don’t get me wrong as well as good points there are down sides to this and I advise anyone considering investing into one of NOW that 2012 is in full swing these to do their research or seek and no doubt many of the New professional advice. Years resolutions have been So what are the disadvantages? thrown out of the window, it is Well, a structured note is pro- time to get a hold of the purse vided by an investment bank so EGGS IN A BASKET: Structured notes should be used as part of a larger portfolio and not solely relied upon. strings and have a set plan for the do your homework on the bank forthcoming year. that is providing the note or the I have already given my views capital protection of the note, as previously on what I believe we we know banks have not had can expect from the year ahead. the easiest of rides over the last The financial rollercoaster ride is few years so make sure that the certain to continue for the next 12 bank providing the note is on a in a in months, so what would be the best sound footing and check the way to survive the turbulence? credit risk of the bank. One thing that recently seems to Due to structured notes having have become a lot more popular is fixed terms they tend not to be the rise of an investment called a very liquid, so if markets are fall- structured note. So what is a struc- ing dramatically, selling out of tured note and what are the positives these can be quite hard. and also the negatives of this? Also, notes having a maxi- Firstly let me explain what a mum return, in rapidly rising structured note is. markets your growth can also The concept of a structured be limited and markets may re- note is that in times of volatile turn more than the coupons the markets, this will enable you to note provides. benefit from good stock market Also be aware that should any performance while at the same of the underlying stocks within time provide protection against the note fall by more than 50%, bad market performance. In most on the final valuation day you cases a selection of stocks will be will only receive the perfor- is the first chosen, this tends to be in spe- mance of the worst performing “The Sixth Phuket” cific geographical areas or stock no matter how well any of lifestyle shophouse in Patong, industries. Each structured note the other stocks have performed. the most vibrant retail location in tends to have an investment time So are they a good thing or a frame ranging from anywhere bad thing? Phuket. It is designed in a Chino- between 12 months to five years Well, this type of structured Portuguese style which is part and will have an initial valuation investment certainly has its good of Phuket’s unique architectural date and a final valuation date. points and also its bad points. That’s the easy bit explained. As with any type of investment, heritage.

Now the note will provide a pre- these should be held as part of Sawatdirak Rd. determined level of capital protec- a larger portfolio and I wouldn’t It is located on the best corner of tion, in most cases this tends to advise putting all your eggs in Bang La Rd. Bangla Road, Patong, in a 3-storey Junceylon be 50% and also offers to pay the one basket. Phuket investor a coupon on a quarterly As markets are volatile the of L-shaped building with 42 units Andaman Sea basis. What this means is that concept of the note is generally rental space and 90 car parking Patong Beach should none of the stocks selected a good idea, however you need fall by 50 per cent, the note will to take into account the type of lots. The Sixth Phuket is a highly pay the coupon, again this is val- stocks the notes are based on promising commercial property ued on a quarterly basis. and also be clear about the in- ideal for café, restaurant, spa, salon, Structured notes also have the vestment bank providing them ability to be autocalled, this nor- as even though there is an ele- service office, bank and etc. mally means that should all the ment of capital protection, the stocks selected be above there ini- risks are still there. tial 100% level on the quarterly valuation date, the note will For advice or information on “autocall” and a full return of capi- Structured Notes please contact tal is given plus any coupons that [email protected] 14 PHUKET GAZETTE January 21 - 27, 2012 Eye to eye contact The first article by Doctor Captain Wiriyaluppain in a series designed to help educate Gazette readers about eye health, what to beware of, and to explain advances in eye treatment technologies.

Diseases such as cataracts (above) can be discovered during examination Focus point scanning. Retinal diseases can only be revealed during pupil dilation examination.

Slit-lamp examinations can detect corneal problems. The table (above) shows widely accepted frequencies for eye examinations based on age and risk factors.

By Dr Captain Wiriyaluppain tor before meeting with a spe- Eyes, as with other organs in the ter during a routine comprehensive usually take about 20 to 30 min- cialist. If your condition isn’t human body, keep changing over eye exam: utes to start working. When pupils AS AN eye doctor that has prac- urgent or considered an elective time, but they are unlike other or- Vision test: This is the first and are dilated, sensitivity to light and ticed in Phuket for many years, I condition, you will join a long gans because the changes generally most basic test where the patient blurred vision will occur for three have found that the patient base is waiting list. occur in stages and are almost the reads a visual acuity chart. The test to four hours which will require unique because of the diversity of In Phuket, the situation is same for everyone. For example, as will let the doctor know how well the patient to be asissted home nationalities that reside on the island. considerably easier because you people approach the age of 60 they you can see and determine if your after the procedure. My patients are from various can visit a hospital and request face the increasing risk of condi- vision is in normal range or not. Pupil dilation examination may countries and I have learned that an appointment with a special- tions and diseases such as cataracts, Refraction test: This test will tell be inconvenient, but is very im- there is a huge difference in the ist. The appointment will usually glaucoma or macular degeneration. give the patient’s eye prescription and portant because it allows for the ability to access health care ser- be set within one or two days A misconception that many people determine if you need glasses to im- most thorough evaluation of eye vices around the world. In some (especially in private hospitals). have is that their eyes are healthy be- prove your vision or not. health and helps with the detec- countries it is difficult to see In my opinion, this is a good cause they see adequately well. This Slit-lamp examination: The tion and risk of various retinal specialist doctors – you need a opportunity for anyone to im- idea is totally wrong because human Slit-lamp (or bio-microscope) allows and macular diseases. referral from your family doc- prove their health care. vision is maintained by the “healthy the doctor to see a highly magnified Macular (focus point) scan- part compensating for the bad part”. structure of the front part of the eye. ning: This examination will let the Serious diseases such as glaucoma Corneal problems or cataracts can doctor analyze the focus point of can confirm this fact because the be detected by this test. the eye in great detail. This is a very disease will not affect your vision Glaucoma test: Glaucoma re- advanced procedure and the instru- until 40 per cent of the eye nerve fers to a group of diseases that are ment required to conduct this has already died. If patients wait un- often associated with abnormally examination may not be available til the vision is affected, it most likely high pressure inside the eye which in every hospital. that the condition has already pro- can cause damage to the optic Now that you know you need gressed too far. I can say that most nerve. Glaucoma is the leading to have a regular comprehensive serious eye diseases that are difficult cause of poor vision in the elderly eye check up, the next questions to treat, have happened in this way. and the risk increases with age. are, when? how often? and Because of this, all eye care The glaucoma test consists of: which examination? professionals have agreed that - Eye nerve analysis. The most widely accepted rec- everyone should have a regular - Eye pressure measurement. ommendation is shown in the table and comprehensive eye examina- - Visual field testing. The test above. tion. A simple vision screening test measures peripheral vision and is You can see that an annual eye at a spectacle shop is not enough. straightforward, painless, and will check-up is recommended for What to expect during an eye identify vision damage caused by normal people whose are over 60. examination. Comprehensive eye glaucoma. Why? Because your eyes will examinations include a set or se- Retina examination: The retina change very rapidly from the age ries of eye tests that determine is a nerve membrane that lines the of 60 on, and the risk of disease your eye health status and estimate back of the eye. Cells in the retina will increase significantly. the patient’s risk for contracting transfer signals from your eye to your No matter who you are, regular various diseases. brain which allows you to see. The eye exams are important and can The complete eye examination central part of the retina is called the provide early detection or preven- varies from 30 minutes to two hours. “macular”. It is a focus point and is tion of many serious eye diseases. The amount of information learned responsible for central vision. Be happy with your vision. from the examination and the cost To obtain a better view of the of the examination will mostly de- eye’s internal structure and exam- Doctor Captain Wiriyaluppa now pend on how well the hospital is ine the retina your doctor will works as Ophthalmologist, Retinal equipped with advanced instruments. apply dilating drops to enlarge the specialist consultant and medical The folowing are eye and vision pupils. This is called a pupil dila- director at the Eye center, Bangkok tests that you are likely to encoun- tion examination. Dilating drops Phuket Hospital. January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 15 16 PHUKET GAZETTE January 21 - 27, 2012 Vladi good fish at Palau in fresh-food markets has stringent Palau is certainly one heck of health rules, i.e. spanking-fresh fish a good-looking restaurant and The wok-fried assorted shellfish platter which contains rare Russian sea should have bright eyes (rather a lounge bar; the wait staff and snails. hard act for a dead animal, but nev- management are admirably en- ertheless…) reddish gills and a thusiastic and with a little fine THERE’S a brand-new, gor- marked bouncy touch to its body. tuning this could be a very geous-looking, blue-and-white We launch into a suitably olive- popular place too. seafood outlet down in Nai Harn oil-soaked Greek salad (250 baht) Village called Palau Fish. It turns and tasty, but not piquant enough Palau Fish restaurant out that the restaurant is named tom yam seafood (200 baht). It’s 98/18, Moo 1, Viset Road, Nai after a Pacific island some all agreeable with great service but Harn Village. Tel: 0850201602 800km east of the Philippines, one the Euro-pop music in this unde- Open from 5pm to Midnight. of the world’s youngest states. niably attractive place grates and Last orders at 11pm. Closed on Pub quiz aficionados take note… is sort of incongruous yet at least Tuesdays. Palau is way over the top, de- it covers up the constant swish- sign wise, with billowing white ing by of vehicles on this busy Nai curtains complementing its periph- Harn corner. A wok-fried assorted eral dining arrangements and shellfish platter arrives with Rus- faux-water hyacinth throughout its sian sea snail (unique to Phuket) 70-seat set up. If you’re into din- and is filling, but for some strange ing next to a 62-inch flat-screen TV reason the menu doesn’t feature Palau’s Executive Chef, Sergey Klimento and his team. depicting undersea life, and like French fries, so we opt for rice in subaquatic-themed restrooms then small portions. this place is made in heaven for you. For sure, Palau bills itself as a Still, I wish Palau the best of luck seafood joint, but in actual fact in its semi al-fresco seating stand- here you can order a juicy leg of ing up to Phuket’s southwest lamb with garlic, marinated with monsoon buffetings. honey (560 baht) or pork chops After a bracing vodka-Martini I with demi-glace mushrooms and leave my wife to decipher winning cranberry sauce (509 baht) and a lottery numbers from the in-house host of other red-meat dishes, too. Lamb is also on the menu. breadbasket for a brief conversa- But hey, it’s Friday so we stick tion with Palau’s Executive Chef, with the fish – a steamed whole Sergey Klimento. He, like most of sea bass in ginger. It’s fresh, it’s the young and very personable Rus- yielding, it’s toothsome, it’s got a sian management here, is from firm bouncy body and it screams Vladivostok almost 10,000km from out for French fries! Moscow and exotically named the The wine list at Palau is not “City of the Sea Cucumber” – dur- the longest in the world, but the ing which he explains that there’s Chilean rosé we indulge in is full another branch of this restaurant in bodied and satisfying and a per- the eastern-Russian port. Sergey fect tipple to go with the seafood helpfully adds that purchasing fish dishes we had ordered. Grilled garoupa. The blue and white decor (above) is stunning. BAKE Brings Uniquely Thai Handcrafted Coffee to Phuket By Samaporn Janyanon finest coffee berry varities. SINCE opening two years ago, Using specialised BAKE by Twinpalms has be- facilities BAKE come a go-to spot for Phuket roasts this hand- island residents and visitors who harvested Akha love a selection of freshly baked Coffee, which is goods, sandwiches, salads, 100 per cent chocolates, desserts, juice, Arabica, and cus- smoothies, coffees and teas. tom grinds it to They have now announced produce the flavour the addition of another sensory and aroma. delight to their repertoire of pre- The freshly mium baked goods with their roasted coffee is new coffee roasting and grind- available in their ing facility that has arrived at Espresso Premium their Cherng Talay outlet. and Classic coffees This includes a fantastic coffee at BAKE in grown in the hills and mist-shrouded Chalong or any Mae Suai Mountains of Northern Twinpalms outlet Thailand. including Catch The Akha hill tribe people have Beach Club in spent more than 100 years per- Surin. fecting a nature-driven, ecological farming technique to More information can be found at The Akha hill tribe grow one of grow one of Southeast Asia’s W:bakebakery.com. Southeast Asia’s finest coffee berries. January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 17 Rocking those blues away Clas and Sky High will make fans soar on February 24. Grainne Duffy from Ireland, is a young, chic girl rocker who has played at the world’s number one festival – Glastonbury. Need we say more? Other newcomers are Austra- lian acoustic blues artist Jack international Derwin, Canadian duo SLOW HAND: Patrick from Rockin’ Angels will add local flavor to the fest. mainstream audi- Moscowfish and TOKEN – a lo- ence. A story of cal Santana tribute band whose down-home guitarist won the 2011 Thailand By Neil Quail blues singers Santana tribute contest. in Missis- Returning by popular demand NEW YEAR blues sippi, the is Australia’s John Meyer and his of a positive note hit movie Blues Express as well as the the island next month when the starred amazing seven member band seventh annual Phuket Interna- George AkashA from Malaysia. Stuart tional Blues Rock Festival will lift Clooney Hill also returns, this time with the spirits of music enthusiasts and his electric band while his 2011 from February 23 to 25. King partner Jim Paxton will appear A new venue has also been an- played in hotel lobbies during the after- nounced with the festival now Chris Thomas King the noons performing acoustically. taking place at the Y-junction on role of Local Phuket musician, Colin the grounds of Laguna Phuket near Tommy Johnson, a true-to-life Hill, is also back, assisted this Bang Tao Beach. blues singer from the 1930s. Of time by Jimmy Fame and PJae Already the largest blues rock the songs on the movie’s popu- Stanley while Rocking Patrick festival in Southeast Asia, this lar Grammy-winning soundtrack, and his Angels return with state- year’s festival will be the big- King’s “Hard Time Killing Floor side special guest Mojo Perry. gest in its history with thirteen Blues” was the only one recorded The Festival is a charity event acts scheduled to perform. It is live during filming. The film’s with funds donated to the Ro- a global fiesta with musicians soundtrack reached number one tary Club of Patong Beach and traveling from USA, Canada, on the billboard charts and has its children’s education fund. UK, Australia, Malaysia and sold over 10 million copies. The Phuket Gazette and PGTV Sweden, to enjoy one great King’s wonderful talent will bring are sponsors of the 2012 Phuket party with tremendous music, the Festival to a spectacular fi- international Blues Rock Festival. food and the odd drink. nale on Saturday night. Headlining the 2012 festival is Another worthy newcomer For more information visit American blues artist and actor, to the festival is Sweden’s num- phuketbluesfestival.com for details Chris Thomas King, who has ber one guitar slinger, the or contact Andy Andersen on sold more records and appeared legendary Clas Yngstrom and T: 086 682 2639 or email: in more successful movies than his group Sky High whose ca- [email protected] any other blues performer this reer of rocking the blues.spans century. King has three Grammy almost 35 years Having toured awards to his name and his role the world, performed with and The Ultimate Outing in the Coen brothers’ film, O befriended the likes of ZZ Top, Brother, Where Art Thou?, re- BB King, Chuck Berry, Edgar & (day & night) leased in 2001 gained him an Johnny Winter, Albert Collins Enjoy the fresh contemporary cuisine of Chef Bryan at the chic new RE KÁ TA Beach Club

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184 Koktanode Road, Kata Beach, Phuket (Next to Boathouse) Happy Hour 5 -7 pm daily Tel : +66 (0) 76 330 421 I Email: [email protected] I www.rekataphuket.com 18 PHUKET GAZETTE January 21 - 27, 2012 Bottom time is now family time been dreaming of seeing for years. Cold, in a wetsuit too big for his 135cm frame and perhaps unsettled in the unfamiliar environment, Emil EVERYONE can learn to dive, but was unable to equalize, stopping that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Div- him from descending more than a ing is like everything worth do- few meters below the surface – he ing, there are obstacles to over- dropped out of the course. come. Sometimes those obstacles “So he dropped out and every- are mental, sometimes they are one was sad about that,” Michael physical and sometimes they are Wallentin, General Manager at Kon- both. For Emil Engahl, age 10, it Tiki said. It was clear that Emil’s was no different. original excitement and charm had Emil is ready for a life time of diving For years Emil has been com- affected everyone at the shop. Like a knight being hoisted ing to Phuket with his parents Emil wasn’t sure if he should onto his steed Emil, perhaps as Mette and Lars Engahl. While get back in the water this holiday heavy as the equipment he was they’ve been off exploring the in- or wait a couple years to try again. wearing, was carried to the back credible underwater world resting After talking with his parents of the boat by the Kon-Tiki’s dive on Phuket’s doorstep, he’s been and getting plenty of encourage- staff and helped into the waters shore bound, pleading, “I want to ment, and a wetsuit that fit, Emil off of Ratcha Noi. dive too. I want to dive too.” was willing to give it another shot. “He was very excited. He This year when the family “It’s very uncomfortable when grabbed me and was like ‘look’ you can’t clear your ears. I think and was put his ‘shark fin’ on his landed on Phuket things were sup- Emil gives the okay of off Phi Phi Island as he dives with his family. posed to be different. Emil was Michael did a good job convinc- head,” Mr Wallentin said, recount- going to get his Jr PADI Open Wa- ing Emil that he could do it,” Mr ing Emil’s first shark experience. had already seen: dragon fish, trust. That responsibility brings a ter certificate, which would allow Engahl said. With eight dives logged there is scorpion fish and turtles. family closer,” Mr Engahl said. him out into the open sea. Michael took Emil to the calm, no limit to Emil’s ambition. He cor- In his parent’s eyes Emil, as a Though Emil and his family Clearing the theory and pool shallow waters of Kata beach – it rects his mother: he doesn’t want diver, is an adult. have already returned to the cold skills without a hitch, Emil was was the turning point. to be a Master Diver, he wants to “When I dive with Emil I rely waters of Denmark, the diving ready for his first open water “fun” Then it was his parents who had be at the top – a course director. on him. That’s my life depending isn’t going to stop. Emil plans on dive. It was time to see sharks, to let go, as Emil informed them “I Smiling from ear to ear, Emil on him doing the right thing and logging 15 more dives before he turtles and everything else he had just go diving with Michael”. listed some of the marine life he the other way around. There is a returns to Thailand. In memory of Bjorn Täckmann BJORN Täckmann, an impor- tant member of the dive com- munity in Phuket and Thailand, passed away on January 6 in a hospital in Surat Thani. He had been diagnosed with cancer last year. Mr Täckmann started div- ing in 1983 and moved from Denmark to Thailand in 1993 as a PADI Dive Instructor. Since then he has ushered thousands into the underwater world. But it was 1996 that he achieved the highest level of PADI diving certification – course director. He is still the only Course Director in the world to receive the prestigious PADI Instructor Development award four times. Bennon Brandon, Manager for Dive Asia, who had worked with Mr Täckmann for many years recalled how passionate he was about teaching people to dive. “He helped a lot of people enter this industry over many, many years. He touched many people’s lives and made them better, and we miss him a hell of a lot,” Mr Brandon said. “You could never stop learn- ing from him. He was like a fountain of knowledge. You knew that you were in the pres- ence of someone that was truly great at what he did,” Simon Creed, an instructor at Dive Asia and former student of Mr Täckmann, said. Bjorn Täckmann will be re- membered and his presence in Phuket missed. He is survived by his wife and son. January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 19 Count Snape gets his teeth into opera By Marc Mulloy Armed with garlic and earplugs, GCSE and Advanced Level in the Phuket Gazette went for an “In- Drama and Theatre Studies in DRESSED in a flowing black terview with a Vampire” and, as it addition to a Technical Vocational cape, a certain Mr Snape mingled turned out, needed neither as An- Educational Initiative in Music with the New Year crowds in drew Snape is an extremely nice and graduated with a Bachelor of Patong on New Year’s Eve, but chap more partial to a cup of tea Arts degree with honours in So- Andrew Snape has no relation to than anything bite-sized. ciology and Drama from De the character in Harry Potter. As with all vampires, Andrew Montfort University. In 1998, he Yes, they are both teachers, puts away his cape before dawn completed a TEFL certificate and wear black and since Au- took up his first teaching post. capes and gust 2011 has A devout catholic, he worked have English a respectable on his piano/organ skills and stud- accents. But day job as ied the ancient music of “Count Head of Mu- Gregorian Chant as a novice Snape”, as sic and monk at Saint Michael’s Abbey in Andrew calls Information Farnborough, England, before himself when Technology at completing a post graduate cer- dressed as a Kajonkietsuska tificate in education and obtaining vampire, per- International qualified teacher status. forms another School. On leaving the monkhood he kind of magic Count Snape in full operatic regalia. “The opera worked as a supply teacher, de- altogether as is a hobby al- cided to teach abroad to gain the crowds witnessed when he though in my case it’s a very international experience and made his theatrical entrance onto real passion.Of course I hope taught at Rasami International the stage to deliver the final one day I can become famous School in Bangkok. On return- “Count”- down to 2012. for it. As a teacher I do get ing to England, he resumed work Count Snape sings opera and many opportunities to use my as a supply teacher before being the crowds were treated to three operatic talents.” said Andrew. appointed as an English teacher songs from his repertoire. Ear- Before coming to Phuket he and support worker to a blind lier that evening he was at the worked as Head of Music at the Ho- Thai student at Kaplan Interna- Friendship Beach Resort where rizon International School in tional College in Bournemouth. he sang Puccini arias, songs from Yangon, Myanmar, where he wrote So why the vampire look? Leoncavello’s Pagliacci and more a successful new syllabus for the “I’ve always been interested in popularized Neapolitan Operettas. whole school. The students there vampires. As a child I used to Imagine an operatic vampire regularly volunteered to perform watch The Little Vampire on TV tenor in full regalia singing bal- musical pieces during morning as- and then later one of the first books lads such as You’re My World, sembly and Andrew gave a farewell I really enjoyed reading, by the co- Quando, Quando and ending performance to the staff and stu- median Eric Morcombe, was with Shubert’s Ave Maria and O’ dents by performing E Lucevan Le called Count Alucard which is Sole Mio and you get the picture. Stelle from Puccini’s Tosca appear- Dracula spelled backwards. I also ing, as he has done on many played Dracula in a play I wrote previous occasions, as Count Snape. for Comic Relief. Given my back- COUNTING ON PHUKET: Andrew Snape proves that opera need not suck. “The great thing about opera is ground in theater and my name, that it reaches out to people. It is I was already called “Count a very expressive, spiritual and Snape” by friends and col- unique kind of music that can leagues. The look works well make people feel really inspired with opera and if you watch the when they listen to it. It usually great Luciano Pavarotti’s final tells a story, either a tragedy or a performance in Japan on comedy, which enables people to YouTube you will see that he too release from themselves any kind wears a cape and uses white of problems that they are go- makeup. I feel it also helps make ing through in life,” says opera more accessible to younger Andrew. people, which is one of my goals.” Andrew has had the said Andrew. His other goal is to name Snape before bring opera to Phuket and Thailand Harry Potter was and to this end he will perform even invented. a free opera at Royal He was born Phuket Marina on with it in Friday, January 1976 in 20 at 8:30pm. “The sea makes a great backdrop to opera and I’m really looking forward to this performance” said Andrew a town His ultimate goal is help called make the world a better place Blackpool in the northwest of through drama and music and England and attended Roman we are counting on him to do Catholic schools where he just that. developed his skills as an ac- tor, singer, pianist and Visit snapedom.com for more organist. He gained a information. 20 PHUKET GAZETTE January 21 - 27, 2012 Enter the dragon By Marc Mulloy cious phrases and couplets with popular themes of “good fortune” JUST when you thought all the fes- or “happiness”, “wealth”, and tivities linked to the New Year were “longevity”. over here they come again in the Chinese New Year’s Eve guise of Chinese New Year the first The biggest event of any Chinese day of which falls on January 23 New Year’s Eve is the dinner. This and celebrations go on for 15 days. meal is comparable to Christmas On January 23 we enter the dinner in the West and the venue 4709th Chinese year and is this year will usually be in or near the home is the Year of the Dragon according of the most senior member of the to the Chinese zodiac. Chinese New family. On the eve of Chinese New Year, the most important of all tra- Year the family feast includes fish ditional Chinese holidays, is known as well as pork, duck, chicken and KUNG HEI FAT CHOI: Lion dancers meet Thai dancers in the streets of Phuket Town. Photo: Christian Mouchet in China as the “Spring Festival”. sweet delicacies. Several of the Although regional customs and Chinese food names are homo- food to be consumed is cooked on Fourth day. thanks, giving prayers to the Em- traditions concerning the celebration phones for words that also mean the days before. On this day, it is In communities that celebrate peror of Heaven. of the Chinese New Year vary widely good things. The family will usu- considered bad luck to clean. Chinese New Year for only two or Tenth day. within China, people will spend a ally end the night with firecrackers. Most importantly, the first day of three days, the fourth day is when The Jade Emperor’s party is also lot of money to buy presents, deco- In many households where Chinese New Year is a time to honor corporate “spring dinners” kick off celebrated on this day. rations, food, and clothing during Buddhism or Taoism is prevalent, one’s elders, and families visit the and business returns to normal. Eleventh through fifteenth day. this period. Purchasing new cloth- home altars and statues are oldest and most senior members of Fifth day. On these days, friends and fam- ing, shoes, and getting a hair-cut cleaned thoroughly, and decora- their extended families, usually their It is common in China that on ily are invited for dinners. On the also symbolize a fresh start. Cloth- tions from the previous year are parents, grandparents and great- the fifth day people will shoot off 13th day people will eat pure veg- ing, mainly featuring the color red, taken down and burned a week grandparents. firecrackers in the attempt to get etarian food to clean out their is commonly worn throughout the before the new year starts, to be Family who are married also Guan Yu’s attention, thus ensur- stomach due to consuming too Chinese New Year because it is be- replaced with new decorations. give red envelopes containing ing his favor and good fortune for much food over the last two weeks. lieved that red scares away evil First day. cash to junior members of the the new year. The 15th day is celebrated as the spirits and bad fortune. In addition, Early in the morning, children will family, mostly children and teen- Sixth day. Lantern Festival, and families walk people typically wear new clothes greet their parents by wishing them agers. Business managers also In Taiwan, businesses tradi- in the street carrying lighted lanterns. to symbolize a new beginning for a healthy and happy new year, and give bonuses in red envelopes to tionally re-open on the sixth day, In Malaysia and Singapore, this day the new year. receive money in red paper enve- employees for good luck and accompanied by firecrackers. is celebrated by individuals seeking It is also the tradition that every lopes. The first day is for the wealth. Seventh day. for a love partner, a version of family thoroughly cleans the house welcoming of the deities of the Second day. The seventh day is the day when Valentine’s Day. to sweep away any ill-fortune in the heavens and earth, officially begin- Incense is burned at the graves everyone grows one year older. This day often marks the end of hope it will make room for good ning at midnight. Many people, of ancestors as part of the offering For many Chinese Buddhists, this the Chinese New Year festivities. incoming luck. Brooms and dust especially Buddhists, abstain from and prayer ritual. is another day to avoid meat The Chinese New Year tradition pans are put away on the first day meat consumption on the first day The second day of the Chinese Eighth day. is to reconcile, forget all grudges and so that the newly arrived good luck because it is believed that this will New Year, is when married daugh- Another family dinner is held to sincerely wish peace and happiness cannot be swept away. Windows ensure a long life. Some consider ters visited their birth parents, celebrate the eve of the birth of for everyone. and doors will also be decorated lighting fires and using knives to be relatives and close friends. (Tradi- the Jade Emperor. However, ev- with red and gold Chinese auspi- bad luck on New Year’s Day, so all tionally, married daughters often erybody should be back to work didn’t have the opportunity to visit by the eighth day. All government their birth families frequently.) agencies and business will stop Some believe that the second day celebrating by the eighth day. Store is also the birthday of all dogs and owners will host a lunch/dinner honor them with special treats. with their employees, thanking Third day. their employees for the work they The third day, known as “red have done for the whole year. mouth” is generally accepted as not Ninth day. a good day to socialize or visit your The ninth day is traditionally the relatives and friends. This is also Jade Emperor’s birthday. This day considered a propitious day to visit is especially important to Hokkiens. the temple of the God of Wealth Come midnight of the eighth day of Firecrackers are popular in Phuket and have one’s future told. the new year, Hokkiens will offer at this time. Photo Diana Does Chinese New Year events in Phuket THE Phuket Provincial Adminis- “There will also be four sets ethnic Chinese descent, President tration Organization (OrBorJor) of firework displays to honor Paiboon said. is preparing an extravagant cel- HM the King, HM the Queen and Many Chinese believe the to- ebration to ring in the Year of the HRH Crown Prince Maha pography of Phuket resembles Dragon with the arrival of the Vajiralongkorn,” he added. that of a great sea dragon. Chinese New Year next week. Several famous musicians, Tradition holds that this The celebration is slated to such as Rattapoom Tokonsup, dragon, Hai Leng Ong, is duty- kick off at Sanam Chai (the filed Fay Fang Kaew and Noewy from bound to protect Phuket and its opposite Phuket Provincial Hall) the band Sinyorrita are scheduled visitors, sustaining life and pros- at 4pm on January 23. to take the stage at the event. perity in business. “Acrobats from Puyang, China The Year of the Dragon is par- “I’m sure this free event will will be performing as well as ticularly auspicious, as the be unforgettable for everyone other splendid entertainers,” said dragon is revered by both main- who attends,” President Paiboon Phuket OrBorJor President land Chinese and the people of added. Paiboon Upatising. Phuket, many of whom are of – Chutharat Plerin and S. Fein January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 21 Natchanok Sucharitkul NATCHANOK Sucharitkul, MD of her own. One very important con- Anda Focus, is no stranger to high tributor to the success of Anda society life. Focus is none other than her hus- Born to a prominent Bangkok band Chiraphat, whom she refers family, Natchanok grew up among to as her “knight in shining armor”. the likes of ministers, writers and The company’s success, she says, the business elite, and her elder sis- owes a lot to his business acumen ter is the wife of the ex-prime and creative insight. minister Chuan Leekpai. Like all her The company’s main line of In running her business, siblings, Natchnok was groomed to work is in large billboard displays, Natchanok believes that success and appreciate the finer things in life which are strategically situated ethics can go hand in hand. Honesty such as music, art and literature. around the island. Natchanok be- and transparency are her mantras A world away from that up- lieves she is the leader in this field, when dealing with clients. As for her bringing now, and almost three but takes full responsibility for the business rivals, whom she prefers decades later, Natchanok is a hard- impact these billboards have on the to call “contemporaries”, she seeks working and highly successful environment. Anyone, she says, to develop a strong sense of con- businesswoman who runs an ad- can put up a board, but not many nection and mutual understanding. vertising company in Phuket. care to maintain it properly. It’s an “I believe in making friends, not Fifteen years ago, as a visitor to obligation she takes seriously. enemies. We are all connected and this island, Natchanok spotted a “I have a strict philosophy that I it’s in our interest to have a good business opportunity in billboard ad- follow to the letter. All my billboards working relationship. I treat my cli- vertising. She set up her first are not only attractive and prominent, ents, competitors, and staff with company in 2001 and became but also clean and well-looked after – respect and consideration.” known for her work during the Apec no shabby workmanship or unsightly Apart from walking her three dogs and the Amazing Thailand promo- undergrowth. I like to think of myself – a Siberian husky and two mon- tional drives in the early 2000s. The as a responsible landlady who cares grels – Natchanok plays piano to enterprise continues to grow and the for her rented property.” relax and unwind. She is cutting new company, Anda Focus, was Caring for the environment aside, down her workload a little now to born in 2008 to embrace a variety Natchanok is a savvy businesswoman make time to decorate her new house of printed media advertising includ- who is the first to introduce the QR and renew her favorite childhood About Thai Gallery ing large billboards, road signs, code into her line of work. By incor- pastime of drawing and painting. banners, car stickers and cut-outs. porating this small piece of product “I came to Phuket 20 years ago The individuals profiled in “Thai Gallery” are chosen on the basis of She has about 80 employees and her information, readable by mobile and fell in love with it right away. their contributions to Phuket as an international community, and, of- clients include the likes of Siam phones, into displays, Natchanok’s Driving through lush rubber plan- ten, for having made those contributions through successful social Commercial Bank, Burger King and clients can enjoy extra marketing tools tations on my way to meet clients and/or working relationships with foreigners. This implies some for- Bangkok Airways while her remit without the added cost. made work feel like a holiday. eign language skills and an interest in interacting with different cul- not only covers Phuket, but also The name Natchanok means “one Phuket is such magical and beau- tures. They are people who in our experience help make the lives of extends to the provinces of Krabi, who has authority”, but she admits tiful place and I want to play my expats far more enjoyable here than might be the case without them. Surat Thani and Songkhla. that she couldn’t have done it on part to keep it that way.” 22 PHUKET GAZETTE January 21 - 27, 2012 January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 23

on the Boardwalk outside Les January 23. Chinese New Year Anges restaurant. Upon request, a Snack Buffet is also available. Free at The Cove Restaurant Admission. Dress : Colorful. Con- tact Anna at 084-0517455 or con- tact Dider at 084-3062016 or con- December 15 to March 31, 2012. tact Murat at 081-7973364, International Buffet Dinner Usher in the Chinese “Year of the Dragon” [email protected] International Buffet Dinner: Free- New Year on January 23 from 7 to 10pm or visit phuket-dance.com. flow of house wine, Thai whisky, at The Cove Restaurant in draft beer & soft drinks. Everyday Centara Grand Beach Resort, Karon Phuket. January 28, February 11 and 25. from 6:30 to 9:30pm at The Impe- Take part in the festive celebration for prosperity, Saturday Brunch rial Adamas Beach Resort, Nai Yang Saturday brunch from noon to 3pm Beach, Phuket. Price: 950 baht net happiness and fortune. at Two Chefs Kata Center! Every for adult and children (4 to12 years Enjoy our special Chinese buffet dinner with a great Saturday we are setting up our old) per one paying adult only 450 variety of delicacies such as whole suckling pig, brunch buffet, filled to the limits with baht. Reservation at 076-316000, Peking duck, fish maw soup, home made delights. In our smoke [email protected] dim sums and many more surprises. house, we smoke all of our fish and or visit imperialadamas.com Don’t miss our traditional Dragon show, Chinese dance meats by ourselves, and in the bak- shows, firecrackers and live Chinese cymbalo player. ery we we bake all our bread. With January 21 to 24. Ashtanga Yoga very well trained chefs and a Swed- Retreat THB 1,288 ++ per adult. THB 688++ per child. ish head chef, we can promise you Join us for four days of yoga and Reservation at 076-201234, that you won’t leave hungry or meditation practice with Kimberly [email protected] or visit chr.co.th. thirsty. All this for only 395 baht, and Roberts in the serene setting of if you add an extra 300 baht you can Khao Sok National Park from 7am choose to drink what you want from to 6pm at Thanyamundra Organic Live Band Performance on the car. Just send us an email to regis- Kahtri. Only 495++ baht per per- our free flow alternatives. Reserva- Resort. Morning will be an invigo- Boardwalk. Dress code: Colorful. ter. Contact Narindet Changdee son. From 7 to 10pm at Les Anges tion at 076-330065, katacenter rating yoga sessions, while evening Free admission. Upon request a (Tar) at 084-7342711, ClassicCar restaurant, Royal Phuket Marina. @twochefs-phuket.com or visit practice consists of restorative Snack Buffet is also available. Con- [email protected] or visit Contact Murat at 081-7973364, twochefs.com. poses and sitting meditation. No tact Mario (Simpson Marine) at ClassicCarClubPhuket.com. [email protected] prior experience is necessary; ev- 086-2734149 or Murat at 081- or visit royalphuketmarina.com. January 29. Thanyapura Fair eryone is welcome. Single Occu- 7973364, muratc@royalphuket January 25. Skippers Pub Quiz Join us at the Thanyapura Fair! pancy: 30,950 THB*. Double Oc- marina.com or visit simpson Nights Monthly January 27 and February 3. This festive family event show- cupancy: 36,750 THB*. Package marine.com. Join our Wednesday Quiz Nights Navrang Mahal Curry Fridays cases fun kids’ games and activi- includes: Accommodation for 3 here at skippers in Royal Phuket We present Curry Fridays at ties, live music and a delicious nights in the Superior suite at January 22. Phuket Classic Car Marina. This event will be followed Navrang Mahal India Restaurant brunch for parents.The event Thanyamundra Daily brunch and Trophy 2012 on February 29, March 28, April from 7 to 11pm in Karon Sea includes:An organic cookie deco- dinnerRound trip airport transfer The Phuket Classic Car New Year 25, May 30 and June 20. The Sands Resort & Spa. Here is your rating workshopKids “Fashion from Phuket International Airport Trophy will be our first event for events run from 7:30 to 10pm. chance to enjoy an authentic and ShowKids” Zumba dance demon- Twice daily yoga sessions Organic 2012. From 11am to 5pm at Happy Hour prices and prizes! lavish Indian Curry Buffet on Fri- stration Water games and activi- farm tour* Rates are subject to 10 Thalang Road, a road rally around Reservation at 076-271583, pahay day only 449 baht nett! Draught ties Jewelry making, face paint- per cent service charge and seven the northeastern part of the island. @netvigator.com. Beer by the glass: just 50 baht nett. ing, and much more!For parents: per cent government tax. Contact We will drive along an exciting Special discount on beverages. While the kids join in the fun, settle Kimberly Roberts at 076-336000, route, take some relaxing breaks to January 27. Thank God It’s Friday Reservations at 076-286464 ext 4, in for a delicious brunch at DiVine [email protected] or eat and chat, and conclude with an Thank God it’s Friday at Skippers [email protected] or visit restaurant. Adults: THB 750* per visit thanyamundra.com. ultimate championship. We will test in Royal Phuket Marina – live mu- karonseasand.com. person. Children 12 years and un- your knowledge about classic cars sic every week – starting with der: THB 375* per person. *Prices January 21. Jazz Night and your driving skills with funny Neill T’s easy-listening Friday January 28. Salsa Night are subject to 10 per cent service Royal Phuket Marina and Simpson games. We welcome anyone who tunes. Happy Hour from 5 to After the overwhelming success of charge and seven per cent appli- Marine are delighted to invite you owns an original classic car, a 9pm. Great specials on Thai and our Salsa Evening and by popular cable government tax. From noon to our jazz evening at Les Anges. youngtimer car or an new exotic Western dishes. Kids room with demand, we are delighted to invite to 4pm at DiVine restaurant in 51 inch TV. Aircon or al fresco you to our Salsa Event at Royal Thanyapura Sports & Leisure by the marina. Skippers is the Phuket Marina. Dance the Cha-cha, Club. Reservation at 076-336000, Phuket Afternoon Computer Clinic place to be on a Friday. Contact Bachata, Samba & Rumba with the [email protected] or visit Nungning, at 081-5353205, sound of Dj Maskaro & Oy Live thanyapura.com. Is Windows driving you NUTS? Looking for a good internet con- nungningskippers @hotmail.com. nection? Need to know how and where to get your PC repaired, J or your confounding questions answered? Drop by the new January 27. Special Promotion Afternoon Computer Clinics, hosted by Woody Leonhard and for Indian Feast Seth Bareiss. Bring your computer. Bring your questions. Bring Royal Phuket Marina is pleased to your sense of humor and let’s see if we can solve your PC prob- introduce you to our new Special lems. Second and fourth Wednesday of every month. Sponsored Friday Indian Feast. We are de- by Woody’s Sandwich Shoppes and the Phuket Gazette. lighted to offer a 25 per cent dis- January 25, February 1, 8 and 22. count on the Indian Buffet and 10 Sandwich Shoppe Chalong per cent off the listed menu on Starts at 3 to 5pm Friday nights. This Authentic Contact at 076-282403, Homemade Indian Buffet will be [email protected] or visit KhunWoody.com. prepared and served by our very own in-house Indian Chef, Padum 24 PHUKET GAZETTE January 21 - 27, 2012

ENCHANTE: The French Ambassasor was at the Ayara Hilltops in Phuket this week to get to know fellow French citizens. From left: Mr Blondel - Consul General de France; Mr Chevrier - UFE President; Mr Le Lidec - French Ambassador; Mr Dousse - UFE Board Member and GM of Ayara Hilltops; and Mr De Crissey - CEO Crissey Co Ltd.

EXPRESSING THANKS: Auto Express paid a New Year courtesy visit to the Phuket Gazette last week. From left: Auto Express GM Saksri Kerdphol, Vorapote Thaunthong (owner), Gazette publisher John Magee and Krisana Matzenberger - Manager-Advertising and PGTV Promotions.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Students from Palm House School in Rawai RETRO ON SHOW: On January 15 at Central Festival a “Native outfits of Baba Yaya” fashion show was held in visited the Phuket Gazette offices recently to learn from Features Editor preparation for the 13th Phuket Old Town Festival 2012. Neil Quail (standing) and Marc Mulloy how to get their picture in the paper. January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 25

CZECH OUT: The final 14 candidates for the Miss Czech Republic Beauty Pageant 2012 stayed at The Kee Resort in Patong.

NATURAL BEAUTY: Photo shoots involved a visit to James Bond Island (above and left). Photos: Tony Pope

MAKING A SPLASH: The hot contestants cooling off in the fountain. (above and right). Photos: Christian Mouchet 26 PHUKET GAZETTE January 21 - 27, 2012

Across 1. Slough 6. Plumlike fruit 10. Director Browning 13. Pang A Gazette staff member completed 14. Hoodwink 15. Nephrite this maze in 30 seconds. Can you 16. Long beat their time? Make your way 17. Architect Mies van der ___ out of the maze. 18. Opposite of sans 19. Slang expert Partridge 20. Ritual 22. Cricket team 24. City in S Arizona 28. Trojan War hero 31. Destitute 32. Divert 34. Fall behind 36. Ashtabula’s lake 37. Call on 38. Tiresome 41. Boy king 42. Willing 44. San Francisco’s ___ Hill 45. Water vapor 47. Gandhi’s land 49. Coded message 51. Monetary unit of Ghana 30. ___ Paulo B A 53. Meal 32. Paris divider 56. Elected legislator 33. Listens 59. Thin stratum 35. Flowing oil well 61. Worry 37. Fall prey to a banana peel, say 64. Thick slice 39. Dwarf with glasses 65. Indian millet 40. Pace 66. Zhivago’s love 43. Festival 67. French 101 verb 46. Wipeout? 68. Betelgeuse’s constellation 48. Admiration 69. Craving 10. The last letter of the Hebrew 50. Poked 70. Burden alphabet 52. First name in photography 71. Weighty 11. Form of poem, often used to 54. Letter cross-line praise something 55. Fortune-telling cards Down 12. Last mo. 57. Choir member 1. Eye sore 15. Member of the Junior Chamber 58. Skater Lipinski 2. In what place of Commerce 60. Numerous 3. Thin as ___ 20. Pre-Easter 61. Move through the air 4. Morsel 21. Firearm 62. Actress Charlotte 5. Compose 23. Outlet 63. Directional ending 6. Reliquary 25. Simmons rival 65. Stupid me! Provided by Puzzlemaker.com 7. Spoils 26. Intense hatred Provided by BestCrosswords.com Used with permission 8. Island of Hawaii 27. Russian no Used with permission 9. Bring to bear 29. “The dog ate my homework,” e.g. Puzzle solutions on page 41

AQUARIUS (January 21-February issue that has been bugging you for VIRGO (August 23-September ments. Your luck in love improves 19): Excitement builds too long. Love should be in the air 23): Work is better – those settling into a new relation- for those Aquarians who this weekend for those keen to meet starred this week, with ship finally realize that their embarked on a different their match. Wear the color lime emphasis on financial partner’s romantic history really is course at the start of the month. If green to attract fresh energy. gain being higher than expected. water under the bridge. Your lucky this relates to a new working envi- Those born under the sign of Virgo color this week is ruby red. ronment, there are signs that you TAURUS (April 21-May 21): who saw the right moment to take have made a good first impression. Your faith in a work-re- a chance earlier this month will be SAGITTARIUS (November 23- Expect responsibilities to become lated project becomes CANCER (June 22-July 23): especially pleased with results. December 21): Ironing more challenging in the near future. stronger when support Cancerians could be Others who put an important de- out problems in the world Those celebrating a birthday in the is shown by a water sign. The stars made to feel guilty by cision on hold could find that time of work occupies your week ahead should see important suggest that completion should be a family member or has run out more quickly than they precious time this week. Sagittarians dreams coming true in the coming achievable in late February. Mak- close friend this week. The stars thought. Your lucky color this who see that another fire sign hasn’t year. Your lucky color is blueberry. ing a romantic connection with an- advise that jealousy is at the root week is sky blue. been pulling their weight should take other earth sign becomes easier of this person’s attitude and you a tactful approach to the issue. The PISCES (February 20-March 20): when you ask a friend to play should not allow them to have the LIBRA (September 24-October most auspicious days for handling The atmosphere at Cupid. Those already involved are last word. Your luck in matters 23): Choosing the right such sensitive issues are Wednes- work calms down dur- advised to have an overdue con- relating to property and invest- path will be important day and Thursday. Those impatient ing the last week of versation with their partner about ments strengthens during the fi- this week as there are to move on after the break up of a January, leaving Pisceans able to conflicting ideas over finances. nal week of January. Those in a signs that Librans could waste time relationship should not throw cau- concentrate on other matters. Wear the color silver to encourage committed relationship are happy getting back on track in February. tion to the wind where an air sign is There are hints that a romantic re- a sharper focus. to see their partner more relaxed Your intuition is sharpest on Tues- concerned. lationship has been neglected re- after a stressful period. day and Wednesday. The realm of cently – make this weekend a time GEMINI (May 22-June 21): romance remains lukewarm – if a CAPRICORN (December 22- to show how much you really care Geminis could be prone LEO (July 24-August 22): new partner’s attitude is leaving you January 20): Giving up by planning a creative surprise. to flying off the handle Taking off on flights of cold, it could be time to move on. A fear of facing up to facts Those who are single could receive early next week. The fantasy is forecast to fire sign friend could tempt you into allows Capricorns to a tempting invitation from a fire sign stars suggest that a water sign affect Leos this week. spending more than you can afford move on during the last week of this weekend. Lucky days for fi- colleague’s tendency to take mat- Too much routine leads to bore- January. Your practical side takes nances are Sunday and Monday. ters into their own hands could lead dom, but the stars hint that Feb- SCORPIO (October 24-Novem- over and this should allow you to to a showdown. Reaching a com- ruary will bring more excitement. ber 22): Those born make overdue progress. Best days ARIES (March 21-April 20): The promise is best done after Wednes- Romantic sparks fly when another under the sign of Scor- for appointments with bureaucracy stars indicate that many day when the astral atmosphere will fire sign wants to get up, close pio continue to enjoy life are Tuesday and Wednesday. Where Arians will have valid rea- be calmer. Your luck in love im- and personal early next week. and inspire others with their enthu- affairs of the heart are concerned, son to be proud of them- proves during the last days of Janu- Those already spoken for find a siasm. The social scene sparkles waiting around for an air sign to selves this week. Satisfactory results ary – commitment to a fire sign way to compromise with their until the end of this month, but there make contact could send out the at work should mean that you won’t becomes more appealing as you see partner over an issue that has been are indications that February could wrong signals. Wearing a piece of have to lose any more sleep over an this person’s true feelings emerge. causing friction in recent weeks. bring unexpected work commit- tiger’s eye brings good luck. January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 27

Organic resort nets new awards ACCOLADES continue to pour such as design, service, location, down on Thanyamundra, the unique and ambience. five-star organic resort perched Says DestinAsian Editor-in-Chief upon the fringes of Thailand’s most and Associate Publisher, Christopher ancient rainforest. Hill, “It’s a leaner Luxe List than last Thanyamundra has been elevated year’s, with, surprisingly, no entries Thanyamundra Organic Resort was among a few elite resorts to be selected from hundreds of candidates for to the elite ranks of hotels and resorts from Australia and New Zealand. the prestigious Luxe List published annually by DestinAsian Magazine. included on DestinAsian magazine’s But the results are no less exciting, prestigious Luxe List, just weeks af- and certainly no less Luxe — that The nine-room resort and retreat 50m lap pool overlooking the villas, and Phuket International Academy. ter being voted by agoda.com as one rare convergence of style and sub- is perched above the rolling terraces farm and valley to a professional ath- Thanyapura Group President of Asia’s Top Three Eco-Boutiques. stance that sets a place well above of an organic farm where some of lete level gym, and a yoga room. Robert C. Hauck said the slew of Agoda also honoured the resort in June the rest. We have every confidence the Asia’s most pure produce is lov- Each of Thanyamundra’s spa- recent awards and recognition for 2011 as one of Asia’s Top Five Zen that these properties have all the ingly coaxed from rich soil, amidst cious master suites and rooms are Thanyamundra was gratifying, but Destinations. Britain’s The Indepen- makings of instant classics.” the mist-shrouded mountains and im- fully equipped with modern com- not entirely surprising. “Everyone dent newspaper recently named the Meanwhile according to agoda, posing karsts of Khao Sok National forts from high-speed wireless who visits comes away amazed by resort as one of Thailand’s “Big Six Thanyamundra is the place to stay Park. With Asian antique-filled rooms Internet and LCD flat screen tele- the sheer beauty, authenticity and Chic Retreats”. in Khao Sok National Park, the larg- and suites in two Thai-inspired golden visions to Thai silk interiors and peace of the place,” he said. “We are DestinAsian ensures each prop- est untouched rainforest in Thailand teak villas, Thanyamundra has been spacious private bathrooms with now in the process of creating an erty elevated to its Luxe List has been with limestone peaks and a beautiful transformed from the home of a Eu- separate rain showers. organic spa experience to be set visited by one of the magazine’s man-made lake and abundant wild- ropean entrepreneur into an The resort is part of Thanyapura, amongst the rice terraces, and that contributors, and vetted by its edi- life. Announcing the list, an agoda impressive retreat offering the finest Phuket’s cutting-edge campus of will help complete our offering here. torial staff, who combed through spokesman said: “Believing destina- hotel service, gourmet organic cui- world-class health, wellness, sport You really have to experience it to hundreds of candidate establish- tions offering solitude should still be sine and a chance to explore the and educational offerings, includ- understand.” ments before choosing the final list accessible, each resort is less than organic farm, and holistic wellness in ing the Olympic-standard sports of 36 new hotels and resorts span- three hours from an international air- an incredible natural environment. Its facilities of the Thanyapura Sports For further information visit: ning 13 countries, based on criteria port and has been tried and tested.” facilities are also spectacular, from the & Leisure Club, the Mind Centre, thanyamundra.com 28 PHUKET GAZETTE PROPERTY January 21 - 27, 2012 A message from God stuck my head into the refrigera- tor to chill out. Back at my desk, in quick rapid fire succession (even faster than a Harry Potter sequel), came two TODAY I spoke to God, or for a messages which recalled the first brief period as least I found my- warning. There was no mention self caught up in a divine moment. of the last one though... It all started out like any other Taking a pause to settle the day, except suddenly as the nerves, next came two more ter- clouds parted and the sun came rorism alerts. My mind did the out, distant heavenly chimes math…do I hold, fold or double TARGETS: Apparently American citizens were the target of a Hezbollah attack planned in Bangkok. Photo K763 could be heard from afar. down in this surreal game of was not real, and lots of knock tions were missing. anywhere in the world, is to the As it turned out I’d left my Hezbollah inspirited blackjack. off rewrites about the “alerts”. The great land of milk and next big event? BlackBerry on the top shelf in the What next? avoid crowds, Stuck halfway like the Clash honey had let me know – you have But for me, I can’t rule my life, office and lately had turned on don’t visit McDonald’s (easy one) song, between coming or going been warned. It could be a cata- my time, my movements by bal- some non- offensive email alert that or Starbucks (not easy). Was it just made me more confused. strophic melee or else just another listic paranoia and I find the entire resembled some new age trip hop. safe to walk the streets? or just Recalling those great jokes day in Margaritaville. episode this morning on the verge Panic struck though when I go home and revisit the sheets? about the biggest lies in the world But yes, the political machina- of the absurd. Somewhere out noted it was from the US Embassy So this is how Harrison Ford felt which often end with “I’m from tions had functioned in order to there, a little guy in the back room and was a terrorism alert. From in The Fugitive, but what about your country and I’m here to help ensure that the well meaning drones is making notes and without a there that’s when the weirdness the man with one hand? you” rang inside my head. So had covered themselves and if doubt has a small date next to our kicked in. First rolled in two more God went silent. much information that I revisited something did happen, they could names when each of us are going identical emails. I started to Trolling about the net, I found my childhood memories when I not be blamed. meet our respective makers or hyperventilate, and couldn’t find in news stories, comments from received one of those complicated Of course the mental duress to whatever religious entity we may a nearby brown paper bag so I the Thai government that the threat construction toys and the instruc- the general public, conflict amongst prescribe to. potential travelers and just sheer I’m far more worried about angst was understandable – a bit being run over by a jet ski, plough- like getting a bullet in the head from ing into a gang of tuk tuk drivers friendly fire. A calm spokesman or being hit by a brick on the head coming up and soothingly purring at a construction site than being that in order to defeat the enemy, blown up by a terrorist. mistakes do occasionally happen. That may or may not happen, All for the common good, but and it’s up to the hand of fate but who’s good I wonder? I’m going to double down and In reality, there is little doubt walk outside anyway, no matter bad things happen and there are what the sound from on high says. a few individuals or groups who have nothing but ill intentions. So Bill Barnett is Managing Director of yes, terrorism is real and who C9 Hotelworks and can be contacted knows how close Thailand, or through W: c9hotelworks.com. Thailand tourist arrivals top 19 million in 2011 Kata Group opens Khao TOURIST arrivals for the year 2011 Lak Resort in November topped 19 million, achieving a 19 % increase over the previous year. A NEW Greater Phuket resort According to the Thailand called The Sands Khao Lak By Tourism Department projects for Katathani will open this coming 2012 look at grow to between November. 20.5 - 20.8 per cent for this year. Katathani Resorts have a well known flagship property on Thai Smiles shifts focus Phuket's west coast and the upscale villa resort The Shore at Kata Noi. to regional routes THAI Airways International have Francois Huet leaves made public a strategy shift for Banyan Tree their new startup airline Thai Smile. In a departure from initial plans ONE of the island's best known ho- which focused on domestic routes tel faces, Francois Huet, will leave via Bangkok, the carrier will place the Banyan Tree Phuket this March. an emphasis on regional destina- After four years on the island tions such as India, China and and nine years with the leading other SE Asian countries within boutique luxury resort group, he is three to four hours flying time. currently looking at opportunities One driving factor looks to be closer to his home in Europe. on the heels of a larger In addition to his duties in Phuket shareholding in Nok Air which is Francois had oversight in a regional firmly entrenched in a Thailand role with other chain properties in network of flights. Koh Samui, and Luang Prabang. Viewing the proposition from the Another announced departure is outside, the move makes sense that of Group Vice President of La- given the increasingly competitive guna Phuket Property, Banyan Tree low cost carrier sector. and Angsana Residences - Dan Expectations are for the airline Simmons. No replacement has been to come on line by the middle part named at this time. of this year. – Bill Barnett January 21 - 27, 2012 PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 29 Sansiri set to invest heavily this year RESIDENTIAL developer Sansiri has ear- The company expects 30 per cent of its marked 24 billion baht to launch 44 revenue to come from the high-end market - projects worth 46bn baht this year and to houses costing more than 10.1mn baht, buy land for more projects next year. townhouses priced higher than 7.1mn baht “This year we will expand our products to and condos priced at more than 100,000 baht cover all market segments including units per square metre. priced lower than 2mn baht and over 10 mil- About 40 per cent of revenue will come lion baht. This will stress our number one from the middle market - houses priced from quality brand in the property market,” Presi- 5.1mn baht to 10mn baht, townhouses from dent Srettha Thavisin said recently. 3.1mn baht to 7mn baht and condos from The investment will be financed 60 per cent 60,000-100,000 baht per square metre. from bank loans and debentures and 40 per The remaining 30 per cent will come from cent from internal cash flow, he said. the low-end market - houses priced from Of the total capital-expenditure budget, 2.5mn baht to 5mn baht, townhouses from 6bn baht will be spent on acquiring unde- 1.2 mn baht to 3 mn baht and condos costing veloped land and 18bn baht on construction 40,000 - 60,000 per square metre. of the 44 projects. Detached houses will make up 30 to 40 Of the new ventures, 19 will be condo- per cent of its revenue, townhouses 20 to 25 miniums worth 19bn baht, 15 will be per cent and condos 40 to 50 per cent. detached-house projects worth 20bn baht, Sansiri’s 600mn baht prefabrication plant and 10 will be other projects worth 7bn will start operating in the middle of next baht. One of the new condominium month with the capacity to churn out 150 projects will be a luxury complex on detached homes a month. It will help the Ploenchit Road in Bangkok. company speed up construction, cut costs Four or five projects will be upcountry and improve its net profit margin from less in resort destinations such as Chiang Mai, than 10 per cent last year. Pattaya, Khao Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima Although the Bangkok area was struck province and here in Phuket. by a massive flood last year, that did not For this year, Sansiri targets presales of directly change home-buyers’ behaviour 32bn baht and revenue of 28bn, up 16 per because of the culture of staying close to cent from its revenue target of 24bn last year. family and community, Srettha said. The At least 10bn baht of its presales is ex- company will continue with a mix of low- pected to come this quarter when it launches rises and high-rises this year. many projects during the “Sansiri Life Come “We believe that the property market this Home” fair from February 17-19 at Siam year will grow 7-10 per cent in line with Paragon shopping centre in Bangkok. the estimate of gross domestic product It will also open the Sansiri Lounge on the growth of 3.5 to 5 per cent. This will drive third floor of Siam Paragon to build a long- our presales and revenue to achieve the tar- lasting relationship with its customers. gets this year,” he added. – The Nation Sansiri’s popular dCondo brand is expected to launch a second phase in Phuket soon. 30 PHUKET GAZETTE PROPERTY January 21 - 27, 2012 I say paw-paw, you say papaya

and crops heavily. In fact, it pro- duces those huge succulent, marrow-shaped offerings in less than a year. Having borne a crop continuously for several months, a haul which may consist of as many as twenty or more weigh- ing up to two kilos, its top leaves begin to turn yellow. That is usu- ally a sign that the plant is on the way out. It can then be unceremo- niously hacked down – since the stem is fleshy and hollow – with a single blow from a sharp ma- chete. The root will soon rot away. Papayas are technically not trees at all, but they give every ap- pearance of being so. They are attractive plants, single-stemmed and with a crown of soft, pal- mately lobed leaves. Normally there are no branches and the fruit hang down from the trunk just PAPAYA OR PAW-PAW: This humble fruit is probably the easiest of all fruit SOM TAM: Papaya with meals is a staple addition in many dishes around below the crown. trees to cultivate in Thailand. Thailand. Photo: Unique? Yes. There is only one species (carica papaya), which originated from Mexico, though inevitably there have been a num- ber of commercial cultivars such as Maradol, Sunrise and Caribbean WHEN I was young, papayas (pro- Red. These are normally ready to nounced papaiya) were considered eat when the skin is turning red very exotic, rarities that occasion- or orange and still has patches of ally came along with other fresh green. Pick it as soon as it is ripe: fruit – mangoes and kiwi fruit, at the fruit rapidly goes soft and be- the end of an expensive dinner. gins to rot once it has passed its Here papayas (stress on the last sell-by date. In some tropical cul- syllable please) are the most avail- tures, the papaya, which contains able of fruit. In Isarn, a meal an enzyme called papain has other without green shredded papayas in medicinal uses – bizarrely as a the mix is almost unthinkable. It’s contraceptive, and for tenderizing a basis for soups, salads, stews and meat. The black seeds can also be much else besides. Som tam is a eaten: crushed, they serve as a classic papaya concoction. Here, substitute for pepper. in the south, the huge fruits are Peculiarly suited to this island’s more often allowed to ripen and are climate, the papaya is beginning served as a dessert, though they to become naturalized on vacant are also used in savory dishes. The lots around Phuket.. If you do in- distinctive flavor is not to tend to grow it, plant a number everyone’s taste – sweet and of the peppery seeds from a ripe slightly perfumed. If you like mel- fruit directly into the soil, then ons, you will probably like papayas. water and await results. Many Either way, the plant, known will germinate after a couple of elsewhere in the world as the weeks. Since the males do not paw-paw, is probably the easiest bear fruit, remove them once they of all fruit trees to cultivate in have produced their slender stalks Thailand – and one of the most with small white blooms. You civilized. Civilized because it may decide to keep one male, but grows vigorously and quickly usually papayas are self-pollinat- from seed, has a neat appearance, ing, or are cross pollinated by insects or wind. The plants can take oodles of sun, and will also need plenty of water and nutrients. After all they are going to produce lots of good- ies. Moreover, they are relatively disease free – at least in Phuket. Hawaii had its entire crop deci- mated by the ring-spot virus, but here nothing worse than the odd fruit-fly seems to impede their up- ward progress.

If you have a question or a garden that you would like featured, you can email me anytime at: [email protected] January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 31 32 PHUKET GAZETTE January 21 - 27, 2012

CHALONG Properties SUPERB 2-BEDROOM HOUSE REDUCED PRICE LAGUNA GOLF LOTS BEST LUXURY For Sale CONTEMPORARY New detached house for sale. VILLA 7.5 MILLION VILLA VILLA 2 bedrooms, en suites. Large BAHT walled garden. Price: 2.2 mil- lion baht. Contact Jai. Tel: 089- OCEAN VIEW LAND 917 4864. BANG TAO PHUKET LAND IN MAI KHAO 300sqm, 200m from main road. Waterfront Golf lots. Pho- Price: 2.5 million baht. Tel: 089- tos, floor plans and prices. 649 9939. Email: siri_phuket@ 3 beds, 3 baths, swimming Tel: 084-839 3285. Email: 5 bedrooms. Between Boat changrunner.com pool with jacuzzi and lake [email protected] Lagoon & BIS. 120sqm view. Superb location at swimming pool, fully fur- Anuphas Golf Ville in Luxury hillside project, over nished. 26 million baht. Tel: MASSAGE SHOP Kathu. Fully furnished and CONDO IN PATONG/ 1,000sqm. Price: 5.5 mil- 082-276 4314, 082-276 ready to move into. View LOFT lion baht. Next to river w/wa- 4318. Email: caronitk@ now. Tel: 081-273 3975 (En- 88sqm, 5th floor, fully fur- In Nai Harn. Great loca- terfall. Road, utilities. Tel: hotmail.fr See our website glish), 084-293 7923 (Thai). nished, 2 bedrooms. Price: tion close to beach. 3 084-445 8880 (English). www.phuketfinder.com 6.15 million baht only. Tel: stunning bedrooms. All Email: philipagordon@ BAAN BENJAMAS 081-891 5602. with indoor/outdoor bath- yahoo.com 2-bedroom townhouse, 88sqm, rooms. This villa has the URGENT SALE/ lot: pool, jacuzzi, ducted GOOD DEAL refurbished 2007. 4 aircons, furnished. Price: 4.7 million HOUSE & FURNITURE aircon, high ceilings. Best Contemporary Thai-style house, Single house, 60sqm. 2 floors, quality furniture and fit- KATHU LUXURY 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully A 2-story shop located on baht. Tel: 086-272 2626. Email: POOL VILLAS [email protected] 3 bedrooms and 3 toilets. In tings, European kitchen, furnished. Ready to move in. Saiyuan Rd. Shop leased Chaiyapruek Village at Land & since 2010 for a 4-year laundry, electric gate. Thalang area, close to Laguna Houses Park, Chalong. Good The list is endless. 16.5 and Bang Tao Beach. 5 mins to term; rent fixed at 20,000 PRIVATE SALE OF HALF A RAI location and entrance from by- million baht. Can't find new Tesco Lotus, 15 mins to air- baht per month. The shop pass road. Built 2 years ago. Tel: is profitable and with a At Ao Makham. Land is located better. Tel: 082-281 3422. port and Phuket Town. Special 084-627 7001. Email: cjnasr_import@ discounts from 3 million baht to 50,000 baht deposit. Offer opposite Port of Phuket and price: 400,000 baht. Tel: next to Bel Air Cape Panwa yahoo.com.au the best price now, only 2.2 mil- PENTHOUSE + GOLF lion baht. Tel: 089-795 6363. 081-979 3787. Email: Resort. Price 4.2 million. Tel: Email: [email protected] [email protected] 081-891 5932, 089-035 6702. Freehold, 3-bedrm, furnished, LAND AT PCC membership. Tel: 076- CHERNG TALAY Close to BIS and Patong LAND FOR SALE 319317. Email: dconbeer@ Beach, 2 and 3-bedroom PATONG SEAVIEW 390sq wah, nice flat land, quiet POOL VILLA RAWAI Near the main road to Baan hotmail.com For further details, villas, from 8.8 million baht. BARGAIN area, Chanote. In Pasak Soi 5 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fur- Don-Cherng Talay. 68sq wah. please see our website at Tel: 073-321445, 089-724 70sq wah, uninterrupted sea near Laguna Home. Price: 6 mil- nished, internet, cable TV. 1.1 million baht. Tel: 089-472 www.phuketgolfcondo.com 7211 (English). Fax: 076- view, cheap price. Tel: 088-443 lion baht. Tel: 089-472 9118, 086- Available now. Tel: 083-641 9118. Email: honda.1437@ 323724. Email: julien@ 2030. 709 2933. 9327. Email: rawaipoolvillas@ yahoo.co.th phuketimmo.com For fur- hotmail.com SUPERB NAI HARN LAND: QUICK SALE 5 RAI IN THALANG ther details, please see our 2 BED, KAMALA BEACH VILLA website at www.phuket- IN RAWAI 12.5 MILLION BAHT LAND NEAR MONUMENT Nice location, 2 mins from the cottages.com Contact direct to owner, 400sqm. Near PIA. Perfect as an invest- Tel: 089-472 9870. Email: 6 rai of flat, clear land. Mountain beach. Now only 1,995,000 ment or to build on now. 5 rai of [email protected] view and very quiet area re- baht. Must sell quickly. Tel: 084- Chanote land. Total price: 12.5 LOCH PALM duced to 13.5 million baht. Tel: 852 8457. million baht o.n.o. Tel: 084-744 LAKE SIDE LAND 11 RAI AT KURABURI 081-894 5448 (English & Thai). 2031 (English & Thai). Email: Prime building plot on Loch with old fruit trees. 3 hours drive Email: [email protected] [email protected] Palm Golf Course. 1 rai, 36m BANGTHONG, north of Phuket. Price: 3 mil- KATHU LAND lake frontage.15 million baht. lion baht. Tel: 089-594 4017. KATHU WATERFALL Finance available. Tel: 081- ROAD for sale. 83sq wah, Chanote. Best location in center of CHEAP LAND FOR SALE 273 6959 (English). Email: Corner site, 28m frontage to Close to Tesco (5 minutes). Nai Harn. 220sqm. Min- Close to Phuket Interna- [email protected] KAMALA main road, 0.56 rai (908sqm), Price: 2.3 million baht. Tel: utes walk to everything. tional Airport. 4 rai, BEACHFRONT VILLAS chanote title. 6 million baht. Tel: 081-956 6457, 089-646 Cedar roof, 3 bedrooms, 3 Chanote title. 3.8 million MAKE AN OFFER 076-323487, 085-473 5508 (En- 4786. bathrooms, laundry, pool, baht per rai. Tel: 081-868 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully glish & Thai). Email: curriejd@ waterfall, garage. Many 7676. Email: phuketann furnished, 3 aircons. Seriously bv.com others major benefits: @gmail.com for sale in Chuan Chuen La- HOUSE WITH POOL ADSL, WiFi, Cable TV, 5 goon. Close to BIS, marinas, – NAI HARN aircon. Private sale.Was shops. Contact Scott. Tel: NAI HARN LUXURY 17.5 million baht now for SEA VIEW IN 081-866 8716. CONDO quick sale 14.9 million KAMALA baht. Tel: 087-470 7570. LAGUNA AREA HOME New 3-4 bedrooms, fully Email: eric.charles.g@ 3 bed, 4 bath, 2,000sqm, like furnished, leasehold 25 gmail.com new condition, pool, very pri- years. Sale price: 18 mil- vate & quiet. Below market at lion baht. Call Suchada at 13.5 million baht. Tel: 081-894 080-698 3028. Email: su KAMALA PENTHOUSE 5848 (English & Thai). Email: [email protected] BARGAIN [email protected] Land plot of 900sqm with Kamala Penthouse bargain beautiful 280sqm house. 3 sale. Beautiful, quiet hillside bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. surroundings. 208sqm with Leasehold (Nor Sor 3 Gor) Western kitchen. Fully air wooden deck and plunge 6-bed, 5-bath, 2-story split- conditioned, WiFi and cable pool. 2 beds, 2 baths, large level house on over half a rai, TV. Large pool, sala and large living room with high ceiling. with sea view. Located on tropical garden. 2 carpark Fully furnished. Must see to Soi Bang Wan at the top of a hill. Home is 12 years old 2 bedrooms, 2 bath- garage. Electric gate. Well appreciate. At special bar- and comes fully furnished, rooms, 111sqm. From 4.5 established, quiet neighbor- gain price as owner leaving. move right in! This home is million baht. Must see. hood. Chanote title. Sale by Just 9.3 million baht. Call now on sale as urgent and For further details, please owner. 10.7 million baht. Tel: today for more details. Tel: all reasonable offers will be see our website at www. 087-267 1282 (English). 02-501 6241, 089-137 5325 considered. Valued at 15 amphaiseabreeze.com Email: david_rosamond@ (English). Email: mbdett million baht. it is now avail- Tel: 084-993 7308. yahoo.com [email protected] able at only 8.3 million baht, basically the cost of just the house itself, the land is as free! There is ample room for a pool, or 2nd Looking for land to buy? house on the land. No agents please. Tel: 085-791 See more classified ads 2922 (English & Thai), 087- at www.phuketgazette.net 629 9705. Email: bazzoli@ hotmail.com January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 33

2 RAI 65 WAH PATONG; 2BEDS CONDO FOR SALE HOUSE IN PATONG FREEHOLD LAND THE ART OF BEACHFRONT CONDO Big villa with pool + 3 house, 12 TROPICAL LIVING STUNNING LAND apartment with sea view, 2 rai 65 wah freehold land, very good for investment for construction of apartments or hotel resort. On Soi Nanai 9 in Patong, only 15 minutes walk to Patong Beach. For sale with company 75 mil- 1-bedroom condo. Located lion baht. Owner direct.Tel: 089- 290 9567 (English & Thai), 084- 2 bathrooms, pool, fully fur- at The Heritage, on first floor, Pool villa on 700sqm land, 2 rai on Naka Yai Island, 848 2511 (English). Email: nished. Freehold. Price: 5.5 fully furnished. Ready to with option for the neigh- 47m beachfront. Suitable [email protected] For further million baht. Tel: 081-612 move in. Asking price: 3.5 boring plot + 740sqm. for luxury villa or small details, please see our website 4187. Email: nicolaas5@ million baht. Tel: 081-728 Villa located in a small ex- boutique resort. Tel: 086- at www.brommathaihouse.com yahoo.com 8269. Newly built 40sqwah, near clusive, quite development 278 8300. Email: izzy. Sea Pearl project, Patong. in Rawai. A spacious living serenitygroup@ gmail. 2 stories, 3 beds, 2 bath- 1 RAI 39SQ WAH LAND HOUSE FOR SALE IN VILLA PATONG and dining room, 3 large com rooms, fully furnished, 2 Land for sale in Bang Jo. Easy BAAN PROMPHAN Super seaview villa in Patong with bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, aircons, kitchen with hood, build land. Good location. 2.5 floors, 5 mins to town, 2 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. European kitchen, maid's refrigerator, dining room, liv- Price: 4.2 million baht. Tel: 087- bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Good Freehold. Comes with Chanote quarters, a guesthouse, a 30 RAI IN TOWN ing room, hot water, cable 893 5052 (English), 086-547 for stay! 2.85 million baht. Tel: title. 23 million baht.Tel: 086-982 double-size garage, 12m Flat land near Dowroong TV and internet. Tel: 089- 1188 (Thai). pool, sala, jacuzzi. Built to School in Phuket Town. Tel: 083-506 9155. Email: sumitra. 2888 (English & Thai). Email: 469 1813. [email protected] [email protected] highest standard. Full base- 081-691 2526. Website: www.youtube.com/ ment. Chanote title. Price: SINGLE HOUSE 17 million baht. Contact PHUKET ALLAMANDA watch?v=RS1z9EB7ii0 KATHU HOUSE FOR SALE RESIDENCES FOR SALE Yupin on 081-817 4805 KATA HOUSE (Eng & German). Email: 1 deluxe condo unit (duplex 2 floors, 3 bedrooms, 4 bath- 5 minutes to beach. Large GOLF VIEW CONDO [email protected] house), fully furnished, set Beautiful 1-bedroom condo, rooms, 5.95 million baht. Tel: modern house, fully fur- within the unique Phuket La- 60sqm, furnished. 2.5 million 081-956 5650 (English), 089- nished, 3 floors, 3 bedrooms guna complex with balcony baht. Tel: 085-795 4741. Email: 646 9278 (English & Thai). LAND FOR with aircon, 2 full baths, right over the lagoon. 3 bed- [email protected] Email: info@kathu-property. SALE OR RENT western kitchen, spacious rooms, roof terrace with sala, com More details: www.kathu- Near Mission Hills. 4.5 rai with living room, garage with etc. For sale or long-term property.com bungalow. Tel: 083-649 1218. laundry and storage, large lease. Tel: 081-737 0365. LUXURY HOUSE IN covered patios, security on 2km from Pa Khlok, 3 bed- Email: [email protected] GOLF VILLE KAMALA HOTEL ROOM CENTRAL PATONG doors/windows, garden. rooms, 1 bathroom, Euro- Price: 5.7 million baht. Tel: 20 years left on lease. No Home for sale or rent. Close to pean kitchen, full aircon, 081-131 5751 (English & NEW YEAR NEW kitchen. Fees, 2 pools, jacuzzi. Jungceylon, 2 bedrooms. Avail- shared swimming pool, Thai). Email for details at OPPORTUNITY Monthly fees 2,700 baht . Price able Feb 5. For long-term rent: fully furnished. Sale: 2.8 [email protected] Fixer upper house in Pa Khlok. 1 million baht. Tel: 084-716 0502. 26,000 baht per month. Sale: 6.7 3 bed, 2 bathroom, 448sqm. million baht. Tel: 083-103 million baht. Tel: 087-900 8445. Exterior work & landscaping 6578. Email: tio_tew@ Email: [email protected] needed. Room for plunge pool. hotmail.com BRAND-NEW Priced accordingly at 2.7million HOUSE IN CONDO baht. Tel: 083-299 0558. Email: PHUKET VILLA 5 GREAT COMMUNITY SAMKONG PARK [email protected] 22 million baht. An excel- at Phuket Villa 5. Living AT BANG TAO BY BOAT LAGOON lent location at Anuphas room, dining room, office, Oxygen condo 3-4 bed fully Golf Ville in Kathu, land PERFECT LAND 5 bedrooms, 4 shower/ furnished, with private pool. 14.9 plot size 650sqm. Com- WC, store, kitchen. Plot million baht. Tel: Tel: 076- FOR VILLA prises 3 beds, 1 office, 4 3 rai with Chanote title, 2km 521sqm. Asking 7.2 Mil- 610232, 081-970 0743 (English baths, large swimming lion. Tel: 081-956 6462 & Thai). Fax: 076-610233. south of Tai Muang town center. pool with jacuzzi, Euro- Just 24km north of the Sarasin (Thai), 086-682 4356 (En- Email: [email protected] pean fitted kitchen, terrace glish). Email: siam@gmx. Bridge. Good road access and and indoor dining area, Mid Town, Royal Place electricity. Very quiet, green net For further details, HOTEL 22 ROOM separate lounge with built- please see our website at PATONG CITY Project, 2nd floor, 37sqm. area. A bargain at 5 million baht in bar, extensive security. Newly built, modern style, Studio condo, fully fur- www.thai-swiss.ch/ Hotel building 800sqm. 3 units, total, or will split. Tel: 089-652 View now. Tel: 084-293 3 bedrooms, 3 bathroms, nished, reasonable price. 1951 (English & Thai). Email: Immobilien.immobilien. 4 floors, 400sqm. Freehold land 7923 (English & Thai). 0.html 71.5sq wah. Home at Tel: 086-476 9612. [email protected] in front of new main road ( Phang Samkong Park. Project Mueang Rd. in central Patong owned by Boat Lagoon. city). 45 million baht. Owner di- CHALONG LAND House located on Luck FOR SALE rect. Tel: 084-848 2511 (English Kong Sri Rd, opposite Classified Advertisements In Soi Nakok, opposite Phuna- & Thai), 089-290 9567 (English). Boat Plaza. Only 10 mins ka Golf Course. Lagoon view at Email: [email protected] For drive to Lotus & Central. Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. the rear. 9 rai, Chanote title. Tel: further details, please see our Price: 5.29 million baht. 089-729 8365. Email: sudaves Then hand it to any of our agents. website at www.brommathai Tel: 081-909 9183. house.com [email protected] |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| (heading)

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Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 120 baht, with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. All advertising must be paid for in advance. Deadline for Property Gazette page: Friday 3 pm. Deadline for all other ads: Saturday 12 noon. 34 PHUKET GAZETTE January 21 - 27, 2012

NEW HOUSE IN Properties OFFICE FOR RENT SEA VIEW MODERN THALANG STYLE VILLA For Rent Thai style, fully furnished, 2 6 bedrooms, panoramic ter- bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 race, 17m sea-view swim- aircons, European kitchen. BEST LOCATION ming pool, Finnish sauna, so- Close to Bang Tao Beach. 5 KARON phisticated security system mins to new Tesco Lotus, 15 2-bedroom bungalow for rent at and much more. Available for mins to Phuket Town and air- 10,000 baht per month. Take over rent for long term only at port. Rent: 15,000 baht/month. POOL VILLAS IN RAWAI contract and inventories. Tel: 085- 160,000 baht/month inclusive Tel: 089-795 6363. 2-BEDROOM 3 and 4-bedroom luxury villas of in-house maid service. TWIN HOUSE with private pool. Long and 691 1837 (English). Email: Located close to town and Located just above Phunaka short term available. Tel: 087- [email protected] tourist areas.Tel: 081-693 HOLIDAY VILLAS & Golf Course in Chalong Hill. 893 8747. 5424. APARTMENTS Tel: 081-892 7847 (English). Kata:1, 2, 3-bed, some with pool HOUSE FOR RENT Email: patrick@oceanic- IN KATHU + 3-bed pool villa. 2 BEDROOMS global.com For further details, Fully furnished house on by- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully NEW HOUSE please see our website at Nai Harn: 2 bed apts. All 4-5 furnished, 2 aircon, kitchen, mins walk from beach. Email: pass road for rent. Landline, FOR RENT www.oceanic-global.com/ WiFi, covered parking. Tel: 081- small garden, cable TV, villa-neptune.php [email protected] internet. Rent: 25,000 baht per 894 2009. month. Tel: 086-739 3220. NAI YANG HOUSE SHOPHOUSE FOR PATONG CONDO FOR RENT LEASE OR RENT 1 bedroom, 56sqm for rent. KAMALA BEACH 10 mins walk to beach and APAPRTMENT Quiet, fully furnished, 2 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, aircon, Bangla Road. 13,500 baht per Furnished, 2 bedrooms, 2 bath- month. Available from Janu- rooms, WiFi, cable TV, quiet, satellite TV. Only 500m to Nai Yang Beach and 2km to airport. ary 27. Tel: 089-872 6895. secure. 10 mins to beach. Email: [email protected] 16,000 baht per month. 3 At Pa Khlok, 2 bedrooms, 12,000 baht per month. Tel: 089- 2 bathrooms with a small months minimum. Tel: 083- 667 1844 (English & Thai). Email: In Phuket Town. 20,000 garden, quiet area. Rent: 645 3546, 084-716 0502. slarti@onthenet. com.au baht/month. 8,500 baht per month. LAND 2.3 RAI Tel: 081-607 8567. Email: Surface: 45sq wah AND 4 HOUSES THAI VILLA AND POOL [email protected] RENT 2,500 BAHT On Thepkrasattri Rd. Near (180sqm). Nai Harn, long term, mid- PER MONTH Super Cheap. 150sq wah. - 2 storeys: ground floor March. 40,000 baht per month. Single house with big garden. Long-term rent: 150,000 with living room, kitchen, Tel: 081-270 5126. Email: BALINESE POOL Rent 2,500 baht/month. Long baht per month ono. Lease bathroom, terrace, garden [email protected] VILLAS term: 3 years. 5 mins to airport. 5 million baht. Tel: 089-646 and parking lot. Luxury boutique villas available 4786, 081-471 9331, 081- Tel: 083-649 1218. - Top floor with 2 bed- for short or long-term rent. 535 1208. Swimming pool, two or three rooms, 1 bathroom, 2 bal- KATA SEAVIEW conies and living room WESTERN APART bedrooms. Rates from US$89 PATONG CONDO STUDIO FOR RENT per night. Tel: 076-384691, 087- - Peaceful area in a nice For rent by owner at Bang In Phuket Town, fully fur- 264 9695. Email: enrico@ neighborhood (and uncom- Tao Phuket. Price: 2 mil- nished, kitchen, aircon, TV. easyhomephuket.com For fur- monly large roads) lion baht / year net. Tel: Near Dowroong School. 5 ther details, please see our - Only minutes away from 089-288 3047. mins to Central, Big C. Rent: website at: http://villasuksan. Bangkok Hospital Phuket 6,000 baht per month. Tel: com/gallery.htm and Central Festival 081-719 7015. HOUSE FOR RENT - 24-hour security 4beds, 4baths, Located in NEW HOME FOR RENT B.L. APARTMENT - Clubhouse with swim- Baan Suan Loch Palm. 24hour 2 storeys, 3 bedrooms, 3 bath- New in Kathu. Big rooms, 1 bed- ming pool security,10 mins to Interna- 1-bedroom, great sea rooms, 5 mins from Phuket 1 bedroom, 66sqm, in- room, 1 living room, aircon, cable Call 081-868 7676 or 089- tional schools, golf courses view, penthouse, 100sqm, Town. 19,500 baht per month. cludes balcony. ADSL, TV, ADSL, hot shower, garden, 868 2268 for more infor- and Central and 15 mins to with huge terrace, 2 bed- Tel: 080-521 7370. DVD, microwave oven and Patong. 65,000 baht/month rooms, 2 baths, ground more. Have also big swim- and car park. Rent: 7,000 baht mation or house inspec- per month. Tel: 081-692 3163. tion. Including gardening, pool, com- floor 115sqm with 60sqm GOLF VIEW CONDO ming pool in front. Good mon area and cleaning. Tel: covered terrace. Sat TV, Nice 1-bedroom, 60sqm fur- view. Fully furnished. Avail- 076-321738, 083-967 5777 Internet, fully furnished, fit- able now. Not less than 6 KATA LUXURY nished condo. 10,000 baht per SEAFRONT APT SURIN BEACH (English & Thai), 083-967 5888 ted kitchen, parking. Tel: months rental at 16,800 (English). Email: jenjira5@ month, minimum 1 year, rate for 5-star, quiet area, pools, spa, CONDO 084-840 1262. Email: shorter periods to be negoti- baht per month. Tel: 089- hotmail.com north8east98@yahoo. 872 6895. Email: jospe ADSL, ocean view, available now. 1 bedroom poolside condo, ated. Tel: 085-795 4741. Email: Email: [email protected] For com [email protected] [email protected] 300m to the beach. Email RAWAI POOL VILLAS further details, please see our [email protected] for website at www.katasala.com/ FOR RENT details. 3 and 4 bedrooms, fully fur- LERSUANG HOUSE nished. Tel: 087-893 8747. SURIN BEACH NICE HOUSE IN 3-bed, pool, jacuzzi, sauna, THALANG TOWN fully furnished, 2 bed, 2 bath, BRAND-NEW fully furnished, land of 700sqm. HOUSE FOR RENT Could also sell. Tel: 081-737 aircon, cable TV, full kitchen. 1678 (English & Thai). Email: Good location in town. 5 mins [email protected] to Tesco Lotus. 15 mins to the airport, near Laguna area. Can negotiate for one-year HOUSE IN PATONG contract. Please call Wa. Tel: 089-874 2960.

KATHU HOUSE FOR RENT 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, quiet soi, just decorated on 700sqm, close to golf, market and Lotus. New townhouse for rent. 30,000 baht/month. Tel: 076- Near BIS and Boat Lagoon. 323487, 085-473 5508 (English - 88sqm of luxury living & Thai). Email: [email protected] - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms - Fully furnished HOUSE FOR - 4 air conditioners LONG-TERM RENT - European kitchen In Cherng Talay. Single house, Newly built 40sq wah, near 240sqm, with furniture, 3 bed- - Car park Sea Pearl project, Patong. rooms, 2 bathrooms, big living - Communal pool 2 stories, 3 beds, 2 bath- room and parking for 2 cars. rooms, fully furnished, 2 Rent: 16,000 baht per Located at “The Valley 2”, not aircons, kitchen with hood, month. Long term rent far from the Laguna area. Rent refrigerator, dining room, liv- 15,000 baht per month. at 22,000 baht per month. Inter- ing room, hot water, cable Contact John. Tel: 086-940 ested? Please call for more de- TV and internet. Tel: 089- 4267. Email:johngriffinpho tails or to view. Tel: 089-009 469 1813. [email protected] 1006, 081-568 1120. January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 35

BUDGET RENTALS Property Accommodation Luxury pool villas. Have every- Accommodation Building Products Services Available thing, near Laguna. Daily/ Wanted & Services weekly. Tel: 089-594 4067.

ESTATE & RESORT KARON CLIFF RAWAI HOUSE STUDIO OR MANAGEMENT BUNGALOW FOR RENT 1-BEDROOM By experienced EU Resort/Es- Directly on Karon Beach. 2 bedrooms, master aircon. Farang wants to buy a studio tate Mgr. Several projects in South Amazing sea view. Website: Friendly area, must view. 9,000 or 1-bedroom condo at any Phuket under management. www.karoncliff.com baht per month. Tel: 089-592 beach or near Tesco, Central, Email: [email protected] 8905. Email: wbramley2000 Big C. Email: [email protected] SURIN BEACH: @yahoo.co.uk OFFSHORE WORKER HOUSE & GARDEN POOL VILLA Many expat offshore workers find 3 bedrooms, 2 toilets – fully CHEAP ROOMS Villa in Rawai, Nai Harn, it difficult to obtain finance, but fenced c/w large garden. From 350 baht per night or Chalong or Kathu wanted be- there is some good news! Right Outdoor kitchen and living 6,000 baht per month for a fan tween from June 6 to July 1. 25 now the QLD government is giv- area. Tel: 075-664600, 086- room. From 500 baht per days. Private pool, internet. ing a $10,000 Building Boost 941 0410. Email: here@fast night, 10,000 baht per month Email: [email protected] Grant to anyone who takes out mail.fm Websit: Please see with aircon. Quiet mountain a mortgage on building a new website & link to photos at location near behind Nanai property in the boom town of see.rental.here.fastmail.fm/ Holiday ANT HANDCRAFTED Road (50 Pee Road). Five CONSTRUCTION LTD TEAK WOOD Mackay, Queensland. Let our minutes by bike to downtown Homes & Villa professional Australian mort- RAWAI HOUSE Now looking for building work for futon sofa beds. Unparalleled Patong. Free WiFi, cable TV. 2012. We have been doing fine comfort and durability. Ship- gage broker get you the finance FOR RENT Fully furnished double rooms. Rentals package for an investment prop- 2 bedrooms, master aircon. quality construction work since ping door-to-door anywhere in Bar. Restaurant open shortly. 1991 and we are still going so we Thailand. Tel: 087-043 2482. erty you need. If you already own Friendly area, must view. 9,000 Tel: 082-286 5171, 087-078 a property or are paying tax in baht per month. Tel: 089-592 KAMALA BEACH must be doing something right. For futher details, please visit 6379. Email: nanaisauna@ Can also do on-site quality con- our website: www.bangkok Australia or New Zealand, you 8905. Email: wbramley2000 yahoo.com For further de- HOUSE OR APT can easily qualify. Contact Sam @yahoo.co.uk Private, quiet, 2 bedrooms apart- trol checks and report straight to futon.com tails, please see our website owner. Contact Andy. Tel: 081- or Dale. Tel: 087-885 1522, 082- at: www.sunsetspatong.com ment: 2,000 baht/night. Or 1 bed- 277 9105 (English). Email: room house: 1,700 baht/night. 891 3466 (English). Email: andy. HOUSEHOLD WANTED LAND & HOUSE [email protected] [email protected] FOR RENT SALE / RENT Kitchen, European bath, aircon, We have just moved here and 4-bedroom house and a 20 sqm.- CONDO RAWAI cable TV, DVD, ADSL and pool. are looking for some house- showroom on 700sqm land, Quiet area, nice and clean, 300 Tel: 076-385909, 087-277 5216 hold items. If you have any- Property main road to Cape Panwa. mtrs from the beaches. Tel: 080- (English). Fax: 076-385909. Household thing that you have bought and Wanted 15,000 baht/month. Tel: 089- 078 0931 (Thai). Email: rawai Email: [email protected] Items no longer use, we would be 486 2747, 086-568 1744. Email: [email protected] happy to buy it. Email: robert [email protected] LUXURY SEAVIEW [email protected] LOOKING TO BUY VILLA BANG TAO WANT USED CONDO HOUSE FOR RENT CONDO FOR RENT/ Holiday rental, villa sales, FURNISHINGS BABY HIGH CHAIR 1 or 2-bedroom apartment, 3-bedroom,1 aircon, 2 bath- SALE RAWAI land sales. Tel: 086-267 0157. I've just moved to a new house and Cool Kids, plastic, good con- good location, freehold only. room, a living room, furnished Send email: bannuaton@ am looking for USED but nice: 1) dition. Adjustable seat height Email: [email protected] house near Central Festival. yahoo.com For futher details, Home office: desk, chair, etc. 2) and backrest, detachable Tel: 081-537 9878, 089-729 please visit our website: Living room: couch, chairs, tables, tray, 5-point harness. White/ SERIOUSLY LOOKING 8472 (English & Thai). Email: www.villasomeday.com carpet. 3) Kitchen counter-top gray/orange. Email for pics: Seriously looking to buy a ho- [email protected] piece or butcher block. Etc. Tel: [email protected] tel/plot of land in Phuket. SEA FRONT HOUSE 090-165 8266. Email: mjlucare Seriously looking to buy a KARON OCEANFRONT 22,000 BAHT [email protected] hotel of 25-50 rooms/3-4 LUXURY APARTMENT Thailand's best year round Household stars in Phuket on elevated 5-star, 1-bedroom apartment sea front location. No weekly BEAUTIFUL HAND Services land overlooking the sea, pre- with pool in a quiet area. Price: or monthly rentals. 55 and CARVED TEAK fer Patong, Kamala, Kata or 30,000 baht per month. Avail- Good price for long term, older wanted or quite people. Antique style hand carved teak Karon within about 15-20 able now. Tel: 087-531 1124 clean and quiet, 300 meters Newer 2 and 3 bedroom sea- wood cabinet. Very solid high GREENHOUSE minutes with drive (without (English). Email: dfenocchio from beaches. Tel: 080-078 front furnished houses. 180 quality piece. 1.5m tall, 2m Construction adviser , reno- traffic) to Patong Beach. @hotmail.com For further de- 0931, 080-246 2906 (En- sqm starting price 20,000 length, ½m deep. Also available: vation, shop fitting, electric, Please contact Khun Ree. tails, please see our website glish). Send email to: rawai baht. For more details. Tel: three hand painted storage con- metal and wood work. Please Email: noreekattiyaaree at http://karonhill.altervista. [email protected] 089-591 0840. Email: remote tainers. For m ore info. Email: contact for more details. Tel: @hotmail.com org/ [email protected] [email protected] 085-654 2244.

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

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Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 120 baht, with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. All advertising must be paid for in advance. Deadline for Property Gazette page: Friday 3 pm. Looking for land to buy? Deadline for all other ads: Saturday 12 noon. See more classified ads at www.phuketgazette.net 36 PHUKET GAZETTE January 21 - 27, 2012

MOTORBIKE OFFICE STAFF RENTAL SHOP (THAI ONLY) Cheap rental in Patong near To work in office, printing and Jungceylon. Looking for staff. copying office materials. Tel: Tel: 085-158 7638. Email: 081-968 5963. Email: cc@bay [email protected] shoreprojects.com

RECEPTIONIST TELEMARKETING Hotel in Patong requires Thai POSITION female receptionist with good French/Italian speaking. Tel: English skills. 2 days off per 081-968 5963. Email: cc@bay week. Tel: 081-892 1621. shoreprojects.com

MOUNTAIN BIKE THAI LADY TOUR LEADER MASSAGE SHOP TOUR GUIDES NEEDED Live in to take care of house Seeking more bike guides to join and give massage to farang. STAFF For popular speedboat char- our growing team. Must speak 14,000 baht/month. Age 35- New massage shop needs staff ter and events company. Thai good English, be passionate 50, speak English. Email: for massage, facial treatment nationals only. Tel: 076- about biking, and be a Thai na- [email protected] 383125. Email: info@coral and manicure. Salary with tional. Tel:087-263 2031. Email: seekers.com commission. Open 12:00am. info@amazingbiketours to 12:00pm. 6 days/week. Tel: thailand.asia JOB WITH 085-019 3410 (English), 089- TELEMARKETING A SEA VIEW 128 4783 (Thai). Email: la_ter STAFF WANTED [email protected] Thai staff only, good salary and LOOKING FOR Office Admin - Secretary bonus. Tel: 081-270 1370. Email: BABYSITTER (Thai) needed for property Age 25-35,must have experi- [email protected] sales office in Naithon. THAI STAFF WANTED ence with 3-month-old baby, Fluent in English and Thai Work in Jungceylon and Ocean knowledge of English language (speaking, writing, com- Plaza. Good salary plus bo- SALES MANAGER is a must. Starting salary: puter skills, email, Internet) nus. Contact Mike. Tel: 081- 15,000 baht. Tel: 086-270 7506. required. Tel: 084-840 7624 We are a developer based 270 1370. Email: mike@bay (English). Email: sales@ in the south of Phuket and shoreprojects.com vistadelmarphuket.com seeking a Sales Manager. OPERATIONS Candidate must be quali- MANAGER ECO POWER fied in Real Estate or Mar- SHOWROOM keting and hold a strong Phuket Fish Boat Co, Ltd, REPRESENTATIVE MARKETING Owner of Luxury Sport PHUKET sales track record of resi- Showroom in Panwa. Ability to dential properties. High Fishing Yachts, requires a Sales and Marketing Ex- Speak English, Artistic back- salary and commissions. Full Time Operations Man- ecutives (Thai) are re- ground a plus. Have transporta- Email: angius@villasuk ager. Expat Ok, Work quired to join our newly es- tion. Tel: 081-927 4954. Email: san.com Permit Provided. Respon- [email protected] tablished Thai/American sible for operations of Company. Fluent English boats, booking schedules, (speaking, writing, com- SALES PERSON maintenance schedules, GRAPHIC DESIGNER puter skills) required. Of- A&B Design Agency brings crew supervision and re- We are seeking for graphic fering great opportunity to high quality graphic design, porting. Normal working designers to provide solutions grow with the development corporate image, web design hours: Mon-Sat, 8am to to communicate client mes- of the business; excellent and branding services. We 5pm. However, must carry sages with high visual impact. benefits, bonuses and profit are looking for a self moti- phone all the time to react We do advertising, magazines, share salary. Please submit vated person, part-time or full to emergency. Starting pay displays, corporate communi- CV and one recent photo to: time, we offer salary, free- is 30,000 baht a month. cations and corporate identity. recruitment@ecopower dom/flexibility and incentives. Apply at martin@phuket High salary and incentives for marketing.com Tel: 087-264 9695 (English). fishboat.com the right persons. Tel: 087-264 Email: [email protected] 9695. Email: [email protected]

Looking for a job? Looking for a better candidate? Find more Recruitment Classifieds at www.PhuketGazette.Net! January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 37

STAFF WANTED We are a newly established company. We have the follow- ing positions available: Sales rep, Cleaners, Customer ser- vice, Accountant, General la- bor, Secret shoppers, Market- ers, Drivers, Writing and edit- ing. If you are interested in any of the listed positions, email : [email protected] for more details concerning the Job and interview.

THAI STAFF WANTED Booth staff, good salary, 5 to 6 hours a day, 6 days a week. Tel: 081-968 5963. Email: cc@bay shoreprojects.com

MAID/COOK FOR HOLIDAY VILLA English speaking maid who can also cook Thai food needed for a vacation villa in Kalim. Good salary and room available if required. Start imme- diately. Tel: 080-699 2436. Email: [email protected]

CABLE SKI WAKEBOARD CLUB is looking for long-term staff, no older than 30 years. En- glish fluency and excellent communication skills are a must. Tel: 082-329 3207.

FINNISH STAFF Finnish-speaking female staff, 20-30 years old, wanted. Send CV with photo to: rainforestjob @gmail.com

WANTED: GARDENER AND MAID in Rawai. Previous experience required in hotel or farang home. Husband and wife ok. Tel: 081- 797 7898.

FOREIGN STAFF WANTED SECRETARY/ PA (foreigners only/salary negotiable). We are looking for young (25-30) and highly motivated, self driven people who are a combination of both the right kind of attitude in dealing situations. Good communications skills with problem solving ability. You will take on some of the manager’s responsibilities and work more closely with management, screening telephone calls, in- quiries and requests. You will also organize and maintain dia- ries and make appointments, take dictation and produce minutes of meetings. The suc- cessful candidate will also pro- duce documents, briefing pa- pers, reports and presentations. Tel: 081-968 5963. Email: cc@ bayshoreprojects.com

Employment Wanted

JOB WANTED French butcher, 25 years old. Well experienced. Want job. Tel: 082-517 0544. Email: [email protected]

Gazette Online Classifieds – 10,000 readers every day! 38 PHUKET GAZETTE January 21 - 27, 2012

BAR BANGLA ROAD BAR FOR SALE KARON EDEN RESORT Articles USED Bulletins PATONG BANGLA Sea view, 1 bedroom, 1 bath- For Sale CONSTRUCTION For sale at Soi Seadragon. Soi Gonzo (front). Key money room. Price: 5.9 million baht. EQUIPMENT Price 1.3 million baht. Tel: 089- paid. Cheap rent. 2.5 year Tel: 087-882 9604. Email: Used construction equip- 932 5175 (English). Email: lease. 1.9 million baht. Tel: 088- [email protected] GRAMIN GPS ment for sale. Bobcat [email protected] 440 9324 (English), 087-769 Loaded with Thai road maps skid steer, with attach- Turnkey business see website: 6229 (Thai). Email: nightrelax KAMALA HIGH STREET and points of interest. Still ments, cement mixers, coyotebarpatong.n.nu for more [email protected] Bar for long established High under warranty and in original form work, scaffolding, info. Street bar with pool table and box. Paid 10,000 baht. Sell- generators, drills, jack OFFICE STAFF accommodation. Current ing for 7,000 baht. Tel: 076- hammers etc. Please TRAVEL AGENCY (THAI ONLY) owner moving away. 400,000 381063. contact for full list and FOR SALE To work in office, printing and baht. Tel: 085-473 1693 (En- photos. Tel: 088-441 3583 Travel agency for sale. Low copying office materials. Tel: glish & Thai), 083-339 6837 CHINESE TEA (English). Email: john rental, low key money. Tel: 081- 081-968 5963. Email: cc@ (Thai). Email: mark.tilsley@ Quality Chinese tea for sale. [email protected] 535 1281 (English & Thai). bayshoreprojects.com yahoo.co.uk Contact Peter to arrange a Email: asaptravelphuket@ gmail.com free tea tasting. Tel: 082-278 BABY COT & CAR SEAT BAR BANGLA ROAD RESTAURANT 1575. In popular Soi Crocodile. KOH LANTA Nice white cot: 5,000 baht. Car GOOD BUSINESS, seat for baby up to 2 years old: Good location. 35 months For rent long term only. On AS-NEW BOOKS, LOW PRICE lease paid. Asking price only main road Koh Lanta. 70 seats, 1,500 baht. Please contact Reduced from 590k baht to MODERN FICTION through site or ring 081-891 2.3 million baht. Monthly rent fully equipped kitchen & restau- 15 once-read books for sale at 460k baht as owner wants to at 25,000 baht + electricity, rant. Ready for rent immedi- 9826 and ask for Joe. Email: move. Laundry business with 150 baht each, or all for 2,000. [email protected] water, etc. Tel: 087-284 2031 ately or as agreed. 5 years Andy McNab, John LeCarre, staff, accom & equipment (English & Thai). Email: reputation (Thai & European making profit of over 420k pa. Irvine Welsh, Vince Flynn. etc. HANDCRAFTED [email protected] Food) contemporary style Also many other fiction books Priced to sell and has to be the building. Tel: 083-642 2933 TEAK WOOD SPONSOR A CHILD best deal in town. Established at 100 baht each. Moving out Futon sofa beds. Unparal- The Phuket International GUEST HOUSE AND (English). Email: huber.markus so need to clear. Tel: 089-216 over 5yrs, so walk in, earn an @bluewin.ch leled comfort and durability. Women’s Club is a volunteer or- income and get your money RESTURANT 7220. Email: julianburgess Shipping door-to-door any- ganization raising funds for Seeking quick sale due to relo- @myway.com back in a little over a year AND where in Thailand. Please educational scholarships. We get free accommodation. Tel: cation to Chalong. Currently INVEST/OPPORTUNITY contact for more information. rely on the goodwill of donors 087-267 9280 (English), 081- considering all offers. Contact Sponsor/Promote man of many SAMSUNG 10KG Tel: 087-043 2482. Website: and sponsors – small and 077 2989 (Thai). Email: philsk me for further info. Tel: 087-732 talents to expand, established WASHING MACHINE www.bangkokfuton.com large. If you would like to put @ihug.co.nz 5769 (English & Thai). Email: 2004. Minimum invest 130,000 Brand-new (2 months old) something back into the com- [email protected] baht. Contact John. Tel: 081- Samsung AG (Silver Series) munity in which you live, con- 606 6713. CARRYBOY tact us to find out more about 10kg washing machine. Paid ROOF RACK HAIR SALON & SPA BAR RESTAURANT giving a prize or being a spon- FOR SALE 9,500 baht. Will sell to best of- Roof rack with all attachments We are selling the well es- VISA RUN COMPANY fer. Tel: 086-619 3475 (En- sor. Please contact K. Carol Well introduced, all aircons, tablished Kata Frog Bar & FOR SALE for roof rails. Size: 1m x 1m (Tel: 087-417 8860) or K. Sue glish). Email: scottefiske@ (approx). Roof bars: 1.2m long prof equipped. High shares Restaurant, including furni- Fully furnished office, 2 mini- hotmail.com (Tel: 087-277 6948). Email: of foreigners. 2 floors. ture. Fully equipped kitchen buses. Quick sale. Own website. (approx). Great condition. [email protected] 2,000 baht. Tel: 087-563 6248 1. Hair salon, toilet, store with pizza oven, etc. 2nd Tel: 082-919 1099. BOX MACHINE (English). Email: marksimon and kitchen, backyard, floor has bedrooms. Rent paid Box machine for sale. 33,000 [email protected] Business parking. to Jan 2013. Price: 1 million BAR RESTAURANT baht. Tel: 082-535 5482. Opportunities 2. Spa rooms, 2 bath- baht. Tel: +46-73-989 6508, FOR SALE rooms, color training with 082-278 7377 (English & Fully furnished and invest. Patong, HOME DESIGN AND Thai), 081-585 8788 (En- Nanai Road 231. Price: 270,000 BRAND-NEW HONDA BEACH BAGS prof products provided by owner. glish). Email: runolarsson@ baht. Tel: 085-477 5935. PCX HELMET 1 set of 4 baskets circle, 4 bas- MASSAGE FOR SALE live.com Got it with my new bike but too kets square and 4 seats to sell. Located in Bangla. Equipment: Located at Saiyuan/Nai small. Unused. White with inte- 1 set of 50 beach bags to sell. Massage, Hair, Beauty salon. Harn. Tel: 089-622 0101 SUNSET PLAZA KARON grated sunglasses. New 1,500 Please contact us for more infor- Body treatment. Tel: 084-994 (English & Thai). PIT STOP BAR Condos for rent/sale. 1-2 or 4 baht. Make me an offer. Email: mation. Email: funnybags@ 5453. Email: asaptravelphuket BANGLA ROAD bedrooms, fully furnished. [email protected] yahoo.com @gmail.com The Pit Stop Bar is for sale. Tel: 081-968 8849. Email: ROXY BAR PHUKET Fronting 10 meters on the assistancemanager@aloha TOWN Bangla Rd, Patong. Only bar residence.com Phuket Town's well known like it, makes great sales. Call expat bar Roxy is for sale. Ask- Frank. Tel: 076-345238, 084- ing price is only 1 million baht 078 2753 for the income state- PATONG BAR now! Tel: 081-397 0033 (En- ment. Email: info.realpro@ FOR SALE glish). Email: nuno@roxybar gmail.com For further details, Bangla Rd, Soi Tiger. Price: phuket.com For further details, please see our website at: 1 million baht. Tel: 082- please see our website at www.realprorealestate 810 9670. www.roxybarphuket.com phuket.com January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 39

BUDS NURSERY SAMSUNG GALAXY KINDERGARTEN TAB 10.1 Phuket’s oldest bilingual 2 months old & still under international child care fa- warranty. Mint condition & cility. High-quality, time- 100% working order. proven schedule and cur- Screen protector in place riculum. Experienced na- since purchase. Boxed, tive English teachers to with all original accesso- teach ages 1½ -6. Mon- ries. Headphones still Fri 8am - 5pm. Bus service unopened.Includes pivot- available from Patong, ing leather case. 17,000 Karon, Kata, Phuket, baht. Email: pauljlees@ Rawai and Chalong. gmail.com Please call: 076-282232, 080-624 7060. Website: www.buds-phuket.com Fitness Equipment GM CURTAIN ELIPTICAL SKI MACHINE treadmill both with digital read out. Price: 5,000 baht. Tel: 089- 588 4550.

Office Sells curtains, uphol- Equipment stery, and accessories domestically and internationally. We offer OFFICE design and an outdoor EQUIPMENT FOR service installation in all SALE provinces around the GUESTHOUSE/HOTEL country. We also give Closing office after 1 year. COFFEE SHOP IN 8 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, res- advice on the selection of Available as new: desks, KAMALA taurant. Prime location. Email: material, equipment and chairs, tables, phones, call Nice coffee shop in good [email protected] all types of installation center structure, cupboard. location. Outside/inside. work by a well-experi- Tel: 086-025 0604.Email: Includes office/storage. KARON BEACH BAR enced and capable team. [email protected] Tel: 085-158 7638. Email: Guesthouse, restaurant for Curtains, sofa clothes, pierre_hammar@ sale. Small, profitable busi- roller blinds, wallpapers, yahoo.se ness. 5 rooms, 45 seats. Bar/ accessories. Address: Personal restaurant. 3 years on lease. 128/124 Topland Thai company, website in- (Radsada) Prachautid Services TRAVEL AGENCY cluded. Rent: 28,000 baht per Rd., Muang Phuket. +INTERNET CAFE month. Price: 2 million baht. Tel: 076-610072, Ready to run business. 2 storey Tel: 084-842 0340. (office with 1 bedroom). Prime 081-891 8148. ENGLISH-THAI LAW & INSURANCE location in Patong. Including 5 CHEERS BAR FOR SALE PCs, office furniture, equipment, At Nai Harn/Phuket. Expats Health, Travel and Prop- website, aircon. Monthly rental dream, profitable. Prime loca- Cameras & erty Insurance. Visas. Tel: 18,000 baht with key money. tion. New lease, established 12 076-384385, 084-963 For futher details please call. years. 60 seats. Rent: 20,000 Equipment 9223 (English). Fax: 076- Tel: 085-330 1340 (English), baht per month. Selling for 3.5 384385. Email: eburne 081-654 8610 (Thai). million baht. Tel: 089-970 8281. [email protected] USED SECURITY CAMERAS MASSAGE PATONG TIGER BAR FOR SALE PHUKET FLOWER FOR SALE CHEAP 18 used security cameras, two 16-channel DVRs with DELIVERY Patong Beach Rd, central, good 5 months on lease, 500K. No Valentine’s Day is coming! We condition. Price: 750,000 baht. rent. Only pay electric/water. Tel: 500Gb hard drive each, and two monitors for 35,000 baht. send flowers everywhere in Please contact for more infor- 086-943 6574. Email: fstailslide Phuket. Email: info@gogo mation. Tel: 080-040 3944. @hotmail.com Please call and ask for addi- tional details. Tel: 090-710 florist.com For further details, 8690 (English & Thai). Email: please see our website at: Business Products & Services [email protected] www.gogoflorist.com NATIVE AMERICAN Club TEACHER Membership is teaching English amd Math to single students and groups. Available In Chalong, Kata, Nai Harn. Private tutor, fast results. Tel: 082-270 6671 (English), 089- LOCH PALM 614 8023 (Thai). MEMBERSHIP Reluctant sale following relo- cation - offers around 600,000 LEARN TO SWIM baht incl transfer fee. Tel: 076- All ages, all levels. Weight 323487, 085-473 5508 (En- loss/fitness coach. Please glish & Thai), +43-339 9678. contact for more information. Email: [email protected] Tel: 088-443 2030. Website: www.phuket learntoswim.com Computers Personals

ENGLISH COMPUTERMAN SHOP NEW FRIEND Sales, service, repairs, upgrades Decent and attractive for- & accessories. Tel: 076-384259, eigner would like to make 084-625 7744 (English). Fax: friends or more with lovely lo- 076-384385. Email: computer cal lady. Email: daniel_phuket [email protected] @hotmail.com 40 PHUKET GAZETTE January 21 - 27, 2012

Saloon Cars VOLKSWAGEN Pickups Motorbikes Rentals PEGASUS 8.2M SCIROCCO 2010 LATE 2006 YAMAHA NOUVO ML CAR FOR RENT 2010 HONDA JAZZ 2005 MAZDA 125cc, 25,000km, very good New Honda Jazz, first-class FIGHTER shape, well maintained, 10,000 insurance. Short or long-term baht. Email: mickbeck01@ rental. Tel: 082-815 3132. gmail.com CHEAP NEW CAR RENT Nissan March with full insurance Suzuki 140Hp, 4 stroke, 2008 and unlimited km. 1,000-1,300 300hr, fully equipped. Loca- YAMAHA MAJESTY baht per day. Tel: 087-074 0408 tion: Boat Lagoon. Price: Top model, white exterior, black VW Scirocco, highline (English). Email: shimibarzil 700,000 baht. Tel: 086-268 leather interior. Only 40,000km. model with 19 inch alloys, 2.5LD, white, single cab, @gmail.com 7901. Email: martin@ Best offer. Tel: 080-699 2436. 210 hp, adjustable suspen- 3-seat, 90,000km, Mazda pertinax.asia Email: [email protected] sion, leather interior. In ex- service history. Looks like cellent condition. Only new, drives like new. Ask- NEW CITY & 13,000km, full VW war- ing price: 350,000 baht. MARCH FOR RENT FAMILY SPORT BOAT MITSUBISHI SEDAN ranty. 2 million baht. Tel: Tel: 089-646 6871. Perfect for watersport and fishing. Runs well and is ready to drive. 087-385 3992 (English). Only 23,000km, green book, Fully equipped with safety and Price 70,000 baht. Call now to Email: nickbatley79@ pleasure equip. Humminbird gps/ take a look. Tel: 087-898 7062 excellent condition. Must sell: hotmail.com 4 x 4s 230,000 baht. Tel: 087-893 fishfinder, Yamaha 60hp four (English). Email: ebseng@ stroke, Hydralic power steering, yahoo.com 1753. TOYOTA CAMRY 2.0G Bimini top galvanized trailer in- Black, Aug 2007, 50,000km, 1992 TOYOTA HILUX TD cluded. Only 10 hours running CITROEN AND AUDI 80 Pickup, white, 4 doors, auto- time. Made in Sweden in alu- FOR SALE good condition, new Michelin DUCATI MONSTER short or long term with tyres, maintenance by Toyota matic, aircon, very good minium, approved for 6 people. Audi 80, automatic, silver. 1100 insurance and delivery service. Price: 835,000 baht. shape. 165,000 baht. Email: Test driving is possible in Bangtao Citroen Xantia automatic. service. Tel: 086-690 0626, Tel: 076-288083, 081-415 4645 [email protected] beach. New price: 1.28 million Cheap cars, all papers. Tel: 087-417 8566. Or email to: (English). Email: mectron.asia baht. Discount 530,000 baht. Now 076-281196, 086-637 5003, [email protected] @ji-net.com 2003 TOYOTA 750,000 baht. Look at YouTube. 086-045 3139. Email: roger_ SPORT RIDER Tel: 082-289 5650 (English), +46- [email protected] 1995 GOOD AND NICE Limited ECTI D4D, auto diesel, TOYOTA HILUX 708-851111 (English). Email: LPG CAR leather. 123,680km. Sound 12,000 BAHT/MONTH [email protected] Website: www. youtube.com/watch?v= Mitsubishi Lancer, 240,000km, system, TV. Price: 650,000 Full insurance, carryboy, good 2010 CAMRY Oct 2009,only 5,000km, OOqge8c2E1I 30,000KM manual, good condition, runs baht. Tel: 085-471 5043. condition. Long term only (more tax and insurance, green than 3 months). Tel: 087-282 Toyota Camry Extremo, well. 110,000 baht. Tel: 084-843 book. Termignoni's over 2625 (English). Email: moni MITSUBISHI TRITON 3724. Email: tachibana-hiroki@ 22M. INDONESIAN one Thai lady owner. Black 100,000 baht in extras, hotmail.co.jp TOUR & SAIL on black. 30,000km, perfect [email protected] AUTOMATIC showroom condition. Must 2006, 2.5 GLX turbo, diesel, ex- 22m. Indonesian Pinisi. Great condition, Patong, Phuket. see. Price: 575,000 baht. CARS FOR RENT business opportunity! Day 1,050,000 baht. Tel: 084-779 VOLVO S80 2.3T tra cab, 89,000km, excellent Tel: 084-850 7170. FOR SALE condition. Price: 395,000 baht. First-class insurance, long- tours, sunset, weddings and 7591 (English), 086-217 sailing. Newly overhauled, Thai 2003 , 115,000km , full options, Tel: 084-065 9323. Email: term or short-term. Free delivery 0040 (Thai). Email: toddteal license & registration. Price 3.9 very good condition like new, [email protected] service. Tel: 088-819 7028. @mail.com HONDA STEED 600CC million baht. Tel: 087-626 5366. one owner. Price: 750,000 baht With green book. Price: Email: ppcoral [email protected] negotiable. Tel: 081-693 2534 135,000 baht. Individual custom HONDA CRV 2005 1,000 BAHT/WEEK Website at www.dragonheart HONDA CIVIC EX CO (English & Thai), 087-075 2166 1995. Contact Phant. Tel: 089- Excellent condition. Silver, I- thailand.com Power steering, new brakes, (English). Email: omaralqurai VTEC EL model, auto, 2.4L, 697 0928. aircon, stereo, 5 speed. Asking [email protected] cream leather interior, ABS, price: 180,000 baht. Tel: 081- aircon & full electronics. Only 370 9661. PRIVATE YACHT MITSUBISHI LANCER 1 lady owner, 77,000km. Full BMW R 1200GS CHARTERS GT BLACK Honda service history. Insur- June 2006, 30,000km. FSH NISSAN TEANA 2 years old, with black leather, ance & registered until Apr & green book. Immaculate First registered, April 2010. custom alloys, 23,500km. One 2012. Asking price 695,000 condition always garaged, As-new, top model, travelled owner from new. Reduced for baht. Please contact for more BMW panniers and top or 3,000-5,000 baht/ 20,000km, V6, 2,500cc. quick sale: 720,000 baht. Tel: information. Tel: 076-304617, box with removable fitted month. Cheap price, mo- Price: 1.3 million baht. Tel: 084-839 3922. Email: info@ 081-787 5723. Email: kylieb cases, tank bag, BMW torbikes for rent or sale at 087-276 0529. protechdivers.com rajak@gmail. com GPS, BMW bike cover, Rawai Beach. 1-2 year fi- spare low seat. Plus many nancing plans. 10,000 other extras. Cost over 1 baht down payment. Luxury day & overnight million. New 625,000 baht Nouvo, Fiore, Click, yacht charters with crew chef Wheels & Motors ono. Call David. Tel: 076- Scoopy, Fino, Suzuki. on board. Rates from 49,000 621038, 084-192 5149 Includes insurance. Tel: baht per day. Tel: 089-971 (English). Email: kanaloa55 080-328 9986. Email: 0278. Website: www.yacht- @yahoo.co.uk [email protected] charter-thailand.com Please use this form to write your classified Website: www.thaidream villa.com advertisement. HONDA PHANTOM FIRE EDITION 35FT BAYLINER |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| (heading) Year 2007, 15,000km. In very Bicycles good condition, full service. |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| Runs and looks perfect, spe- cial plate number (Phuket RALEIGH TURBO 700), comes with green SHIMANO |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| book, saddle bags. Asking Equipped mountain bike. Al- price: 75,000 baht or best of- most new, perfect condition. Year 2009. Twin 260Hp Mer- fer. Tel: 082-803 1406 (En- Price: 8,500 baht. Tel: 076- cruisers. Aircon, navigation, |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| glish & Thai). Email: janthong 340737, 084-054 1476. TV, DVD, surround sound, [email protected] fridge/freezer, coffee ma- chine, vacume flash, AFRICA TWIN - XRV 650 Others bimini enclosure, many |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| This true collector's item is up other options. Immaculate for sale. It's a perfect ride for condition. Steal at 3.99 million baht. Tel: 089-971 Thailand's roads, and has the TRAILER FOR SALE fully open 60HP. It's from the 0278. Email: eddyelan@ New drop-axle trailer for yahoo.com |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| very first day of production, sale, 3m x 1.20m single and maybe the oldest one on axle, lights. Suitable for the roads worldwide. I've motorcycle, ATV, or utility. 22M TURKISH KETCH Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 120 baht, spent over 100,000 baht in Possible to register and (2007) with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. parts on the bike. New paint insure. 50,000 baht o.n.o. 6 double cabins, 1 owner, job and setup. Green book. Please contact Greg. Tel: Great condition, Never Char- All advertising must be paid for in advance. 199,000 baht. Tel: 081-892 081-693 8214. Email: john tered, Euro 339,000. Call 3633 (English). Or send [email protected] Alan: 084-842 6146 Website: email: [email protected] www.boatshedphuket.com January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 41

NEW RIB FOR SALE SEA KAYAK 5.5m hypalon rib on brand new Feelfree Atlantis 14',cockpit galvanized trailer. 500,000 baht cover, perfect condition. 22,000 neg. Tel: 080-595 4247 (English). baht. Call 089-5919804 (9am- Email: [email protected] 5pm).

SOLUTIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PUZZLES

HUNTER 280 SAILING Crossword puzzle: PRIVATE YACHT 30FT BOAT TRAILER SWISS CATAMARAN CRUISER 24FT CHARTERS Yanmar 2GM20F, new inte- rior, sail, dinghy/outboard, mooring, superb. Price: 1.295 million baht. Tel: 087- 269 3743. Email: davidrwar [email protected]

Year 2010. Aluminium SUNSEEKER 31 British Classic 85,composite Luxury day & overnight frame with buggy. Tel: 089- Perfect fishing boat in fiber- power boat, 2 inboard 220Hp, yacht charters with crew chef 588 4550. glass. 2 Honda 4-stroke Volvo steering drive, Duo prop. on board. Rates from 49,000 engines, each 50Hp with Require minor Eng repair: baht per day. Tel: 089-971 hydraulic system. Simrad Trailer, Dinghy, Hp Eng. Thai 0278. Website: www.yacht- Navigation Plotter eletric. FAST AND SAFE reg. Price: 950,000 baht. Tel: charter-thailand.com Ankerwinch. Built in 2004, 5.5M RIB running time only 300hrs. 081-918 3467. 85Hp, Yamaha. Fully Including 4-wheel alu- equipped, 60kph. Trailer minium trailer. New price: 21’ CENTER CONSOLE 43-FOOT CATAMARAN 100Ltr tank, 400,000 1.6 million baht. Now: SB 219 4 double cabins, 2 toilet/show- baht. Please contact for 550,000 baht. Please 250Hp Mercury Verado. Re- ers, in composite, not finished. more information. Tel: 084- Contact K. Aree. Tel: 089- duced to 799,950 baht. Call Price: 650,000 baht. Tel: 087- 061 0008. 474 5168, 083-388 8036. Alan. Tel: 084-842 6146. 461 8089. www.boatshedphuket.com 42 PHUKET GAZETTE January 21 - 27, 2012

1999 ROBIN 2160i Aircraft For CESSNA 177RG I would like to sell my Robin EUROFOX 'HS-FOX' Sale qircraft or trade it for a 4-seat Cessna or Piper (based in Hua Hin). The Robin: TTAF 300hrs. SMOH 60hrs. This is a well- HELICOPTER equipped, two-seat aerobatic aircraft. Has the Christen in- verted oil system. Excellent inside and outside. King KMA24 audio panel, KX155 COM Becker; Transpon- nav/com, KI203 vor, KY197A der C Becker; GPS Mov- comm, KN64A dme, KR87 ing map; Intercom 2 seats; adf, KT76A transponder, Electric Attitude Indicator; CSPA400 i-com, FP5 fuel Electric Heading Indicator. computer, CHT, OAT, Pitot Engine: Rotax 912S, 80 heat. Price: 4 million baht. hrs. Airframe: 80hrs. Exte- Please contact Thom Email: rior: new aircraft; Interior: Good cross-country plane [email protected] (cruising speed 135 knots). new aircraft. For sale at 1.9 Registration: HS ASP. Air- HAVE A PASSION million baht. Email: fly@ craft serial number: 1263. FOR AVIATION? nokaviation.com Manufactured 1977. Blue If you have an aircraft for sale or 2007 Robinson R-44 seal overhauled engine, an interest in aviation and wish Clipper 1. Only 350hrs November 2006 (80hrs). to learn how to fly or buy an air- TECNAM P-92 total time. Asking 11 mil- Overhauled propeller (80 craft or arrange a private flight, -Price: 1.5 million baht lion baht. Tel: 085-258 hrs). Airframe: 2,780 hrs. etc, please contact Pat. Email: -Registration: U-B08 0006 (English). Email: Reason of sale: Formerly a [email protected] For fur- -Year of Manufacturie: 2002 1/3rd partner who does not [email protected] ther details, please see our -Equipment: Full standard fly anymore. However, now newsletter at www.aeropromgr. equipment the law has changed.... com/newsletter 1995 SOCATA T20 Price: 925,000 baht. Tel: -Engine: Rotax 912-80HP TRIDAD 081-843 4026. For more 350hrs. details send email to: BEECHCRAFT Aircraft is based at Klong 15 [email protected] MUSKETEER 19A Contacts: Tharee for more infomations. Tel: 081-840 8418. CESSNA 172P With full IFR for 3 million baht. Everything on the aircraft is new, including Garmin Aera 500. Interior and exterior was redone in 2010. The engine has 700hours with TBO at 2,000. Dual nav/dual com, EGT, tran- Bright yellow 4-person sponder, etc. Registration: HS- airplane. Airframe S/N: SEX. Cost: 2.8 million baht. MB291. Airframe time Location: Best Ocean Airpark since new: 11,254hrs. (near Bangkok). Email sonny Engine: Lycoming O- @salientgroup.net. 320-E2C (150HP). En- gine S/N: L-18667-27A. Showroom condition, one YOUR HELICOPTER Engine time since new: owner. Low 750 hrs total 8,551hrs. Engine time Flying and owning your own heli- time, 5 seats, full King IFR since overhaul: 974hrs. copter has just become possible. panel. Asking 4million Prop: Sensenich 74 Free complete flight instruction baht. Tel: 085-258 0006 DM6-0-58. Prop time course with your purchase. (English). Please contact since overhaul: 676hrs. Email: [email protected] For for more information at Price: 1.5 million baht. further details, see our web site at email: pat@ aeropromgr. Tel: 085-048 5555. Email www. aeropromgr.com /newslet- com [email protected] ter/index-no2.html

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

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Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 120 baht, with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. All advertising must be paid for in advance. January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 43 Three horse race for the title MANCHESTER City’s one-nil win over bot- the decision to penalize Aaron Ramsey for tom club Wigan on Monday has put a three his challenge on Nathan Dyer in the Gun- point gap between themselves and their ners’ box. as inexplicable. closest rivals United at the top of the table. Chelsea, who have just made history by On a freezing night at the DW Stadium, signing three brothers at the same time for City managed to scrape their first away win their youth program in a deal potentially since early November when Edin Dzeko worth £1m, secured all three points in a headed home inside the six-yard box from nervous 1-0 win over Martin O’Neill’s a David Silva cross in the 22nd minute. much improved Sunderland. Gary Cahill, Wigan’s manager Roberto Martinez, de- following his move from Bolton will be avail- spite saying he was content with his able to Andre Villas-Boas when they travel players’ efforts, rued the chances to equal- to Carrow Road this weekend may steady izer not being executed. James McCarthy the nerves at the back for the Blues. was put through on goal by Hugo Rodallega, QPR booked their place in the FA who himself earlier could not make the most Cup’s fourth round with a fortunate 1-0 of a Joleon Lescott error. Wigan also had over MK Dons on Tuesday night which penalty claims when Jordi Gomez went to gave Mark Hughes his first win after ground due to Gareth Barry’s nudge. replacing Neil Warnock. City’s goal keeper Joe Hart’s fine perfor- Hughes’ first game in charge of QPR mance gives him a record of nine clean sheets, saw Leon Best curling shot give Newcastle matching that of Swansea’s Michel Vorm, the three points. Whilst it was Newcastle’s most in the Premiership this season. only strike on goal, the game was com- Arsenal did manage to put two past Vorm, petitive and entertaining. however it did not stop them from losing Newcastle will soon be able to call on the 3-2 and record their first defeat by the Welsh services of Senegal striker Papiss Demba Cisse club since 1982. Arsene Wenger’s team, who signed from Bundesliga club, Freiburg stuck in fifth place behind Chelsea, put the before flying to the Afican Nations Cup. defeat down to defensive errors which he For this week’s fixtures with local viewing times could not explain with the experience and and the current league standing see below right A LEEK IN THE DEFENSE: Swansea City’s goalkeeper Michael Vorm punches clear over ambition of the team, though he also cited or visit phuketgazette.net/phuketsports. Arsenal’s Thierry Henry during their match at the Liberty Stadium. Photo: AFP/Adrian Dennis Sharapova looking sharp

DRIVING SEAT: Maria Sharapova hits a return during a training session for Australian Open. PHOTO: AFP/Paul Crock MARIA Sharapova, after recently to an ankle injury. The world num- recovered as she moved well pampering herself in Phuket got ber 4 has been quoted as saying about the Hisense Arena. straight down to business at the that she is fully fit, feeling no pain Australian Sam Stosur, seeded Australian Open, disposing of Ar- and looking to add to her 2008 title. sixth in the world, disappointed gentine Gisela Dulko clinically, Serena Williams blasted her the home crowd yet again as she dropping only one game in the first way past Austrian Tamira Paszek crashed out losing 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 round match in Melbourne. 6-3, 6-2 in typical fashion, serv- to Sorana Cirstea, ranked 59. Sharapova, whose career has ing four consecutive aces. The defeat continued a terrible been blighted by injury despite Williams also missed the Brisbane run of form, where she has won being only 24 years old, missed International with an ankle injury, only once in three tournament the season opener at Brisbane due though she appeared to have fully starts this season.

BOXING: Muhammad Ali turned CRICKET: India’s tour of Austra- NFL: Fans will be up early next seventy this week, and even after lia worsened as they crashed to an Monday morning when the final- retiring some 30 years ago he is innings and 23 run defeat at the ists for Super Bowl XLVI, to be still one of the most recognisable WACA to trail 0-3 in the series. played at the Lucas Oil Stadium, sporting personalities in the world. Losing in under three days, this will be decided. Always remembered for “the was their seventh straight loss The AFC championship game shuffle” and quotes such as “rope- abroad and has caused huge rami- will kick off at 3am, when Tom a-dope” and “float like a butterfly fications for Indian cricket, Brady and his high-scoring New and sting like a bee”, Ali was also a following the high expectations at England Patriots will take on the de- controversial figure outside of the the start of tour. Everything from fensive-minded Baltimore Ravens. ring questioning race, religion and player selections, to wicket prepa- As the sun comes up in Phuket, political dogma. ration back in India is being the San Francisco 49ers will host Despite his Parkinson’s, Ali questioned. the New York Giants at Candle- managed to stand and raise a hand Pakistan quickly dismissed En- stick Park for the NFC title. to acknowledge his fans who had gland at the Dubai Stadium on day Both matches are to be carried gathered to sing “Happy Birthday”. one with Saeed Ajmal taking 7-55. live on the Astro SportSport 2. 44 PHUKET GAZETTE January 21 - 27, 2012 Phuket hacked in finale, team vows strong return

TOUGH LUCK: Poramat Krongborisut (left, 26) was elbowed in the eye. HEADS UP: Thanongsak Promdad (In Pink, 9) and Nenebe (In black, left) Tameezee Hayeyusoh (right) could not find his mark on Saturday. contest for the the ball while teammates look on. Photos Pimwara Choksakulpan By P Choksakulpan and S Layne was ejected from the game after finally reluctantly wai’ed the Phuwadon looked like he would flagrantly kicking Sarach Yooyen crowd and left the pitch. be awarded the league’s sole DESPITE determination for a to the ground, giving Phuket a Despite the overwhelming golden boot honors. strong finish and a surprise sub- one-man advantage. score deficit, the few Phuket fans However, his spot kick was stitution late in the game, FC And if that weren’t a lesson in attendance and those watching blocked by Phuket boy Luechar Phuket were no match for the to the home side, moments later the live broadcast at the Hulk’s fan Juntawon. The block was enough Chainat FC “Hornbills” in the two Chainat would be forced to play club bar behind Surakul Stadium to allow Phuket fans to end the sides’ final fixture of the season. the last 20 minutes with only nine were ecstatic with Phuket’s sub- game and season with some grace. The Southern Sea Kirin went players following the match’s stitution in the 80th minute. Chainat finished the season in down 3-0 in a gruelling duel last and team’s second red card. Following a nine-month ab- second place, and thus have been Saturday in Chainat. The Hornbills’ Narongchai sence due to an injury, Thawin promoted to the Sponsor Thai Pre- Two of Chainat’s goals came in was ejected from the game after Butsombat came off the bench to mier League, while Phuket will have the first half, from an 18th minute elbowing Phuket’s Poramat replace a tiring Sarach. to be content in mid-table 9th place goal by Suradet Saotaisong, with Krongborisut in an aggressive Though clearly agile and in full with 45 points from 34 matches – the home team’s lead reinforced by contest for possession. athletic form, Thawin managed 11 wins, 13 draws and 11 losses. Narongchai Wachiraban’s strike on Though an angry Narongchai little more than a few offside calls Acting coach and senior player 38 minutes. tried to argue against the ruling, in his brief finale. Suphat “James” Aonthong said, The game was sealed with a the instant replay shown on the Even with their two-man advan- “We have to accept that our play- third and final strike by Phuwadon live broadcast provided clear rea- tage, Phuket was not able to ers weren’t as strong as Chainat’s Suwannachat, who scored his 21st son for anybody watching to penetrate Chainat’s well-coordi- because we didn’t have much goal of the season on 65 minutes. side with the referee’s decision. nated defenses, despite making training before the game.” As for which team will fill Phuwadon’s goal ensured his tie Too bad there was no instant several attempts at goal. The club’s director Soranan Songkhla’s vacancy, a number of for the Thai Premier League (TPL) replay at the game for everyone However, it looked like the home Sanae echoed James’ comments, possibilities exist. One solution is Division 1 golden boot award, to see, as that could have saved team would increase their lead in adding, “[I] accept that we were to hold a playoff tournament which he now shares with PTT face for all, and particularly the second minute of injury time. not as good as Chainat, but I among Chiangmai, SP Customs, Rayong’s Adisak Srikumpang. Narongchai’s time-burning ob- Phuket’s Kittithat Kraithong promise that FC Phuket will re- RBAC and Thai Honda. Another Not long after the final goal of jections, which wasted some fouled Phuwadon Suwannachat in turn in resounding form next possibility would be to hold a play- the match, Chainat’s Pitak Noikwa two minutes of play before he the penalty box and an elated season. I hope the fans continue off between the top Division 2 to follow and cheer for us.” contenders, which include Loei The 2012 season is set to begin City, Pitsanulok FC, Rayong FC, on March 14, and an announce- Roi Et United and Pichit FC. ment of the season’s complete However, with the new season player lineup is expected to be made set to start in just over a month, within the next two weeks, while and so many hopeful contenders, training and preparation is set to a grand playoff could be costly and start in early February. difficult to coordinate. In any case, In other Division 1 news, the Football Association of Thai- Samutprakarn Customs United be- land (FAT) is expected to announce came the fourth and final team to their decision and solution soon. seal relegation, joining RBAC FC, Meanwhile, the FAT is also ex- Chiangmai FC and Thai Honda. pected to announce a change in the However, one of these teams Thai league’s foreign player quota. may still have hope of remaining Currently up to seven foreign play- in Division 1 for the 2012 season. ers are allowed to be registered per Songkhla’s Division 1 spot has team, and only five allowed on field been left vacant after it inked a deal at any given time. to seal the promotion rights of the The quota will most likely be soon-to-be dissolved, 2011 Divi- reduced to “3 plus 1” which would sion 1 champions Buriram FC. allow teams to field only three for- Buriram players will still compete eigners at a time with one foreign in the elite Sponsor Thai Premier reserve on the bench. If initiated, League anyway as part of the newly Thai teams will only be allowed formed, Buriram United, a hybrid to list five foreign players on their of Buriram PEA and Buriram FC. overall roster. January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 45 Thailand and Phuket rank as top regatta destinations A SURVEY of sailors from around the world conducted at the 2011 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta voted Thailand as the favorite sailing venue and best regatta location in Asia and Phuket as the best loca- tion in Thailand. The survey was undertaken by the Top of the Gulf Regatta in co- operation with the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta. The aim was to find out the sailing trends in the region, to pro- vide useful information in helping to attract more sailors to the re- gion, and to improve facilities and services in the region. TOP PORT OF CALL: International sailors have voted Phuket as a favorite regatta location. Photos: Guy Nowell Our survey says...Thailand. The survey found that of the sailors who came to the 25th events Thailand has to offer. Over in the Gulf of Thailand, the land from abroad, 60% stayed nity”, followed by 54% who Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, 53% There are five major regattas in Top of the Gulf Regatta continues to about one month while the remain- said “specific event website”. were resident in Asia while 47% Thailand that local and international grow, attracting a large mixed fleet ing 40% stayed about six months. One of the aims of the survey lived outside of Asia. sailors are aware of and have par- of more than 200 boats each year. Sailing in Asia continues to was to find out what kind of More than 27% of the respon- ticipated in, including the Phuket Entrants in the Gulf Regatta range grow in popularity, the survey people, and from where, attend the dents were found to have been King’s Cup Regatta, Top of the from youths sailing in dinghy classes, found, with 32% of the respon- Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, and sailing in Thailand for more than Gulf Regatta, Phuket Raceweek, to beach catamarans, multihulls and dents saying they had been sailing other sailing events in Thailand. 10 years, while 53% were relative Samui Regatta and the Bay Re- the big boat monohull fleet. in Asia for more than 10 years, The survey also confirmed the newcomers, sailing in Thailand for gatta, centered around Phuket, Of those surveyed, 62% had, at 14% for four to six years and 40% long-standing common knowledge only one to three years. Phang Nga and Krabi. some point, brought their boat to were newcomers, having sailed in that the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is The survey found that Thailand Thailand’s Andaman Coast, Thailand from another country. The Asia for only one to three years. truly international, with 32% of par- is a popular sailing destination for home of the Phuket King’s Cup, most popular ports of entry were Asked how they found out ticipants coming from Europe, 23% international sailors, with many Phuket Raceweek and the Bay found to be, in order of popularity: about regattas and sailing events from Australia and New Zealand, and returning frequently to enjoy the Regatta, is well established as a Phuket, Samui and Pattaya. in Asia, 74% of respondents 20% from Asia, as well as strong par- cruising grounds and sailing cruising and regatta destination. Of the yachts brought to Thai- said “Friend / Sailing commu- ticipation from the US and Russia. PPAO hold court over tennis refurb THE Phuket Provincial Adminis- Chaowalit Na Nakhon explained that the specifications about the work the Phuket Provincial Hall meet- “At 11:10am, we will open the trative Organization (OrBorJor) the upgrade includes resurfacing the required closed on January 19, the ing room at 10am. envelopes to announce the bid- is calling for bidders to take up a tennis courts, repairs to the fences OrBorJor will conduct a site in- “We will accept applications ders,” he added. 5.4-million-baht contract to over- around the courts and improve- spection at the tennis courts to for the contract from 10am to The winning bid will be an- haul of the OrBorJor tennis ments to the storerooms and toilets explain what work needs to be 11am on January 27. Applications nounced on February 3. courts opposite Phuket Provincial at the sports facility. done on January 23. must be submitted at the meeting Hall in Phuket Town. Although the deadline for ob- Anyone wanting to join the in- room at OrBorJor office in Phuket For more information call the OrBorJor Vice President taining official dossiers containing spection tour are asked to be at Town,” said Mr Chaowalit. OrBorJor at 076-356025. Golf Guru THE P.G.A.Tour moved to Waialae other side of the pond for the Eu- CC · Honolulu, Hawaii for the first ropean Tour, (not really, but it’s still full field event of the year (144 a European tour event) they’re players) in the Sony Open. playing in South Africa for the This golf course is not particu- Johannesburg Open. Branden larly long, so accuracy is required Grace (RSA) came up trumps here rather than distance, and shap- shooting 17 under, notably Branden ing the ball off the tees in both is another South African who went directions is a must, but not at the through the Ernie Els and Fancourt same time. Hats off to Johnson Foundation which recognises and Wagner (USA) winning with 13 nurtures youngsters with golfing under par. Some back ground on talent. Yet again well done to Ernie Johnson, his Grandfather was M.T. for bringing another player through Johnson former treasurer of the from junior to professional level. US, he also caddied for three sum- This puts Grace on top of the Eu- mers at Hudson National in ropean tours’ Race for Dubia. Westchester County, NY. It looks Even though he’s not been like the golf bags were probably playing Luke Donland has now very heavy there, considering the held the number 1 spot in the way he swings the club – any way world for 33 weeks. Only two he got the job done, well done. other players in recent times have Johnson’s putting statistics were a been there longer – Gerg little better than last week’s, aver- Norman and Tiger Woods, We aging 28 putts per round. say “keep it up Luke”. The tour moves back to the mainland next week at the La Quinta Martin Platts – Director The Golf golf course in California. Over the Guru martin@the golfguru.com 46 PHUKET GAZETTE January 21 - 27, 2012 Patong lead the field

By Neil Quail

PATONG CC top the Island Furniture cricket league after a comfortable win over Phuket’s youth development team, the Leopards, played at the ACG on Sunday. With all seven teams in the competition moving into the third round of matches, a victory and taking every available bonus point was a must for Patong while the Leop- ards were on the prowl for their first victory, or at least to take points from last year’s league champions. It was a much improved performance from the youngsters, but their enthusiasm to get runs on the board cost wickets and that exubberance also contributed to the boys failing to bat out the full 40 overs, reaching a total of 95 runs in just 22.5 overs. To ensure the Leopards weren’t thrown to the lions, Patong put them into bat first, but their flamboyant batting gained only 15 runs and the loss of three early wickets. After a shaky start, both TP Suttiprapha (32) and SK Jutamart (16) developed con- fidence in their shots and the Leopard’s innings took shape. Unfortunately, Jutamart was undone by a clever delivery from AVERAGE: Seemant Raju finally gave away his wicket in the third IFL game EYE OF THE LEOPARD: A youth development team player spots Manesh Sadarangani just as he was settling to give other Phuket batsmen a chance to chase his strike average. his chance to prey on a loose delivery. Photos: Neil Quail in for a decent score. Suttiprapha then took the game by the made evident by the cries of enthusiastic Raju was dismissed by PM Suriya to finally scruff of the neck, and when Dave Tho- support from the pavilion. give the Patong player a realistic average for mas was called on for more spin attack, it Stand out bowlers for Patong were the season so far. Victory eventually came was the young Leopard who went on the Danny Hyams (2 for 14) and Richard Folds in the 13th over with Noble scoring the win- offensive. One over yielded 16 runs includ- who mopped up the lower order (2 for 18). ning run. Patong also secured a full seven ing three boundaries. Anthony Van Blerk (21) and Neil Quail points having reached the total in less than With the score on 67, Suttiprapha fell opened the batting for Patong with the inten- half of the alotted 40 overs. victim to miscommunication with his bat- tion of chasing down the target in less than Leopards bowling stars were PM Suriya ting partner, WJ Letingoo (7), who stalled 20 overs to secure maximum available points. (1 for 1) and TP Suttiprapha (1 for 37). in his crease when Suttiprapha called for Van Blerk’s eagerness to get the scoreboard Man of the Match was TP run. Quick thinking and action from Rich- ticking almost cost his wicket early on when Suttiprapha, with Neil Quail second and ard Folds and Dean Noble made sure he was dropped after scoring just two runs. Dean Noble taking third for his fine Suttiprapha was dismissed after Noble Costly or not, Van Blerk and Quail (28) dispaly behind the stumps. misfielded the ball , taking the bails off with took the score to 54 before Van Blerk Patong now sit on top of the table after his glove to then retrieve the ball and a fallen popped a delivery from Suttiprapha having played three matches. stump as rules dictate – under vociferous skywards, but this time the bowler held his Following the scheduled league game, guidance from the Patong skipper. catch. Quail soon followed – clean bowled Patong and the Leopards made use of the As the morning’s heat increased, the Leop- by Uphama attempting to heave a full toss. spare time and played a mixed T20 game ards lower order wilted with the the exception Seemant Raju (17) and Dean Noble (11 which fittingly ended in a draw on the very of AF Uphama (15), eventually being bowled not out) set about finishing the game, but last ball of the game. out in the 22nd over for 95 runs. were frustrated by decent bowling and com- The next Island Furniture League match Patong may have given away more runs mitted fielding from the Leopards who had at the ACG sees Island Cricket Club take than they had hoped, but the Leopards cer- an eye on securing at least one bonus point. on the Thanyapura Tigers on Sunday 22 tainly enjoyed their efforts at the crease With only one run required for victory, January 2012 at 9am. ACG official opening schedule PHUKET’S home of cricket will 10 over Youth Development team officially open its doors to the sport- exhibition match and a T20 exhi- ing world at a gala ceremony which bition match between Laguna and will be attended by a host of digni- Patong on Saturday. taries from the Thai government and Sunday will see a mass of ac- Asian sports authorities. tivity at the ACG when Scheduled to open the ground demonstrations of both cricket is Governor Tri Augkaradacha and and rugby will entertain the as- Thailand’s Ministry of Sports and sembled crowds before the ribbon Tourism’s Deputy Permanent Sec- cutting ceremony which will take retary, Seksan Narkwong who place at 10am. Shortly after the will head the guest list of govern- furore has died down, an ACC ment representatives. selection will then face off against Chief Executive Officer of the a CAT selection in a 40 over chal- Asian Cricket Council (ACC), lenge cricket match tro be enjoyed Syed Ashraful Huq will be joined from the new pavilion. by Ravi Sehgal, President of the For more information on the Cricket Authority of Thailand event visit acgphuket.com or (CAT) to also assist in ushering in phuketcricketgroup.com a new era of cricket on Phuket. The Phuket Gazette is the official The opening will also feature a local media partner of the ACG. January 21 - 27, 2012 PHUKET GAZETTE 47 Fair play is the name of the game

By Neil Quail

A NEW season of the Fair Play League (FPL) kicked off on Sat- urday with children from local Thai and international schools KITTED OUT: FPL players show off their new sponsored playing kits. competing together for the an- nual championship. This season the league is di- vided into an U14 division and an U11 division with boys and girls from each age group sepa- rated to make six teams representing different nations including Argentina, Germany White, Germany Green, Thai- land, France and Brazil. Sponsored by Tawan Sea Ad- ventures and The Yorkshire Inn Hotel and Spa, all players par- COPA AMERICA: Local Phuket boys represent Argentina and Brazil in the WELL PLAYED YOUNG MEN: Competitive football and a courteous ticipating in the 2012 FPL 2012 Fair Play League at British International School. handshake to end a good day of sporting action. received a full playing kit cour- counts positively, winning their zil and Argentina also victorious while playing the matches in a com- Football Home, Headstart, QSI and tesy of their benefactors. opening brace of games. in their opening fixtures. petitive, yet courteous atmosphere Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club The first week of the season France put in a good effort, Fair play within soccer is a is another aspect for which Martin . This week will see the Fair Play saw matches take place at Brit- drawing one and winning one. driving focus for this league and Hill and his team can be proud. League go to Youth Football Home ish International School, where The U11s played just once with watching the young players all The FPL will be taken to all dif- in Thalang for the second round of the U14 division got the ball roll- Germany Green being the pick congratulate each other after ferent parts of the island for its matches for both age divisions. ing with a double header of of the teams, scoring four matches with handshakes is evi- matches this season and are fortu- matches to start the eight-week goals to win in their Deutsch dence that the organizers are nate to be able to play at some of For information on the FPL contact long campaign. Germany Green derby against Germany White. succeeding in their task. Phuket’s finest footballing facilities Martin at [email protected] or and Argentina opened their ac- The remaining games saw Bra- Respecting the referees decisions at British International School, Youth visit thanyapura.com. 48 PHUKET GAZETTE January 21 - 27, 2012

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naithon beach , phuket+66 (0)76 510 225 www.malaiwana.com 6 PHUKET Life & Style

One Family’s By Fraser Morton Dream Voyage

HOSE three long years when 375 men and women poured sweat and felt the anguishT of constant setbacks in a Satun shipyard would have taken its toll on a less- On A Thai-built determined man, but not Chris Lenz. Today he is where he is supposed to be. At the helm of his superyacht, Silver Lining, his family beside him, as they sail in no particular hurry on a course which zigzags through Indonesian islands in the Flores Sea, on leg one of their circumnavigation of the world. Superyacht “Life is good,” Lenz, a 45-year-old Canadian yacht builder, writes to Phuket Life & Style from at sea. “We anchor somewhere and if we like it, we stay a day or two, or three. My whole life I have never been able to live this way. Time is ticking by and you know what, who cares? It’s a great feeling,” he writes. Formerly one of Hong Kong’s most successful food and beverage entrepreneurs – with 37 restaurants, clubs and factories when he sold his company in 2006 – Lenz knows what it takes to build something from nothing. His most ambitious project to date has been his 31.5-meter Silver Lining superyacht, built in the small village of Chebilang, Satun, on Thailand’s southwest coast. “Many in the yachting community said this standard of yacht could not be made in Satun...I take a lot of pride in proving those people wrong,” he told Phuket Life & Style, shortly before Silver Lining eased out of Yacht Haven Marina, on Phuket’s northeast, last November. He’s been keeping us apprised of at-sea happenings since. Silver Lining is not just a triumph for the Lenz family – and their home for the next two years on the world’s seas – but also a shining example of southern Thailand’s yacht-building capabilities. “This is the first-ever yacht built in Thailand to achieve the American Bureau of Shipping Maltese Cross, the highest standard they have,” Lenz said. If Silver Lining were to be built in Europe, he said the cost would have been more than US$20 million (600 million baht), but building in Satun saved him millions of US$ in production costs. Building Silver Lining was a monolithic challenge and a logistical minefield in bringing all the parts of the building process together. After scrapping plans to build a 30-meter catamaran, Lenz found the unfinished hull of Silver Lining sitting in a shipyard in northern China, while searching an Israeli website. Shipping it out of China, and trying to find a place to build his new boat, took time. “I went to Taiwan and a few shipyards in southern China; either they couldn’t handle a hull this big or they wouldn’t do it. “Finally I went to Satun, because there was a similar size boat being restored there, so I knew they could handle the size.” But when he visited the shipyard, he found there was a canvas roof being used to shelter the boat building projects. This wouldn’t do. So he constructed his own building for the Silver Lining project and put his team to work. No money changed hands with the owner of the shipyard; instead, a simple deal: When Silver Lining was finished, the building would transfer to the shipyard’s ownership. Fair deal. But the next chapter in the story of Silver Lining was anything but simple. After transporting the hull from China on a Russian cargo ship, and then towing it with a 14-meter sailboat from Malaysia to Thailand, Lenz was vexed to find the hull was leaking. Some seven months later, with the hull fixed and a new roof over the project, a team of 110 full-time employees were working around the clock on Silver Lining. Most of the team were Phuket locals and expats. By completion date, 375 pairs of hands had worked on Silver Lining. Lenz said they even had local egg and roti naan bread vendors who turned up each day to sell their goods. Silver Lining launched from Satun in January last year and arrived at Yacht Haven Marina in March. Along with Lenz’s wife Vicky, 46, daughter Kyana, 9, and son Kanon, 8, other crew members include, teacher Kenny Li, 26, first mate Samuel Serapion, 46, captain Jose Serapion, 48, deck hand Mark Anthony and chef Yanti, 32. At the time of writing, the crew of nine was at sea and had taken stops at Langkawai, Singapore, Kalimantan, Gili Islands, Bali and Lombok, Indonesia. The original planned route after Indonesia had been Christmas Chris, Vicky and Kanon Lenz Island and Mauritius, and then South Africa, before heading for in the entertainment area on the world’s second-oldest British colony and the death place of board Silver Lining. Napolean Bonaparte, Saint Helena Island in the south Atlantic. But in Lenz’s most recent communique, he wrote that instead of South Africa, he would take four armed guards on board and Yachting

Silver Lining

ALL ABOARD: The crew of Silver Lining wave to our photographer, just after setting sail from Yacht Haven Marina.

Photography By Christian Mouchet Details W: yachtsilverlining.com

“After leaving Phuket, the stress of the build became pretty clear...I have had almost three months now gaining my sanity again and learning to relax.” “From the moment we decided to bin South Africa from the route, I have been able to enjoy life at sea. We have no more deadlines…best decision I have ever made.” After island hopping in the Mediterranean and then navigating across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to Venezuela, the crew plan to set a course for the Caribbean, Miami and then Canada. Lenz said that sailing down the Saint Lawrence Seaway and returning to his hometown of Thunder Bay, Canada, will be the highlight of the trip for him. He has even reduced the mast height of Silver Lining so it can get under bridges on this leg of the voyage. “This will be the biggest ever single-mast sailboat to go down the Saint Lawrence,” he said. When they arrive back in Phuket in 2013, the Lenz family plans to move into one of their new homes being built on the fringe of the Loch Palm golf course. And for Lenz, there is no intention of rushing back to work. “We will come back to Phuket to live, but what will I do when I get here? I love having no idea,” he said. Spas 8 PHUKET Life & Style

Your Years

By Bruce Stanley

Another year, another set of wizening lines to look forward to. Time is ticking on and age is catching up. Here with advice on how to keep your skin looking young is Linda Overman, Area Spa Director for Thailand and Vietnam for Six Senses Resorts.

Protecting and Who do you think needs a What are some of the nourishing the face skincare regime? options for someone to keep IT’S ALL about the sun. Each year, I would recommend that anyone their face looking young hundreds of thousands of visitors from their teenage years on begin join residents to enjoy the sun looking at how to protect their skin. and fresh? that beams down over Phuket. We all have different skin types  Diet is really the key to They lie on the beaches, float in and we all age differently. Also, a everything, so naturally it is the the swimming pools and sail in the woman’s skin is different than a first step in securing a healthy warm winds around the island. man’s due to different hormones. looking and younger feeling face. And all the time these sun lovers Not only adults, our little miss Keep your body well hydrated are exposing their bodies, and and mister sunshine deserve to with at least two liters of water particularly their faces, to radiation, be looked after as well. Natural a day, and eat plenty of fruit and causing potential damage, such sunscreen is best for their sensitive vegetables to enhance the natural as premature wrinkles, skin skin during outdoor activities, and beauty of your skin. discoloration and stress to the do not forget to apply moisturizer numerous layers of skin. after all the fun time has ended.  A solid six-to-eight hours’ sleep Linda Overman, Area Spa The first step would be to find a initiates growth hormones and Director for Thailand and Vietnam certified dermatologist or beauty collagen production which helps cell for Six Senses Resorts, has spent Any advice for those therapist who can assess the skin and tissue repair. However, don’t more than 20 years training and condition and then recommend indulge in another youthful bad teaching her staff and clients wanting to protect their cleansing and exfoliating with habit, ladies – falling asleep in your how to protect and re-energize moisturizing products that are makeup. the outer layers of the body. She skin while exposed to the suitable to the skin’s needs. Also, began her career with an sun on Phuket? skincare products need to be  Boost your youthful skin from apprenticeship in changed depending on age and the inside with Vitamin C, Zinc, beauty and hair and The most important point is to change in environment. Selenium and Evening Primrose Oil. later graduated choose natural organic mineral- Consult your healthcare professional from Nature based sunscreen with UVA and for the right supplement and Care College in UVB protection, SPF 30. Preferably dosage. Sydney, Australia, pick one that is made especially before joining Six for the face. Personally, I always  Stress has a massive effect on Senses. recommend the use of natural how your skin looks. It can make products with essential oils and your skin more sensitive and trigger natural bases. acne breakouts which lead to other Moreover, make sure you check skin problems. Introducing good the certification of your doctor stress management techniques or therapist and the age of their such as meditation, exercise, Tai Chi machines or products to ensure the and yoga to your daily routine will best, safe, results. definitely result in younger-looking

Linda Overman Details W: sixsenses.com

Villas Life Of Leisure A private tour with the young retirees who have built one of the island’s most unique contemporary homes

By Fraser Morton

Villa Mayavee owners Paitoon Arunrat and Gabriel Cardona

HIS is the ultimate Phuket home,” Gabriel Cardona says proudly, ìThis arms outstretched as he stands on the sundeck of Villa Mayavee high in the Kamala hills, Phuket. “Even people who don’t like contemporary will fall in love with our home.” At 45, the French trading entrepreneur and his Thai partner Paitoon Arunrat, also 45, have time on their hands to enjoy their sizeabley stylish abode – they’re both retired. Well, semi-retired for Cardona; he sends a few emails some afternoons. But in the most part, he leaves the running of his hugely successful clothing business, Joy Thai (HK) Limited, to his general manager in Bangkok. Arunrat is retired full-time and happy about it. “Why build a home like this if you can’t enjoy it?” Cardona says. Absolutely. We could not agree more. And what a home it is. Villa Mayavee is straightforwardly stunning on a huge scale. Completed in 2009, it took three years to build plus one year searching for the right architect after buying the 3,200 square-meter plot of land. It was Argentinian Martin Palleros and Tierra Design who eventually won the bid – out of seven – with his sky bridge vision. The colossus “S” shape superstructure of Villa Mayavee, formed by the 34-meter sky bridge connecting the private and guests wings, is unlike any other contemporary home on the island...

“People love to visit our home. That’s okay. We are very proud of Villa Mayavee and often throw parties for people to come see it.” – Gabriel Cardona Villas The home big enough for a sky bridge

... T first we didn’t re- alize“A the scale of the project we were undertaking,” says Cardona. It may well be one of the island’s most expensive private residences, located in the enviable address of Waterfall Bay, Millionaire’s Mile, Kamala. “There is no limit to how much mon- ey this house could sell for,” Cardona says, who accredits his own success to being in the right place when the busi- ness of corporate-branded clothing took off in the early 90s. With a staff of 40 in Bangladesh, China and Thailand to run his business, Car- dona prefers to take things a little slower these days, making the most of his home with his partner. Design is their new passion. They did most of the interior design work of Villa Mayavee themselves. Only their second project, their first being their Bangkok apartment, they opted for the minimalist look and soft white and pastel colors for their home. “We didn’t want decadent. We wanted simple and minimalist because it’s easy to change if you don’t like it at a later date.” For outdoor furniture, they chose Spanish company Gandia Blasco and bought so much they were asked to be Phuket agents. “It’s not my range of business, but I wasn’t too busy so I said okay,” Car- dona says. But Gandia Blasco isn’t the only one keen to seek out the couple. “People love to visit our home. That’s okay. We are very proud of Villa Mayavee and often throw par- ties for people to come and see it,” Cardona says. “We had a party with 15 staff Arunrat says many friends prefer the and a professional chef...he was home at night, when the seascape view surprised to see our kitchen. is transformed into a black void, and lights from idling fishing boats twinkle It’s as big as a resort’s kitch- on the water far below. Night brings a en.” new identity to Villa Mayavee, a new mystique, when pools of blue light flood strategically into pockets of the exterior. It’s unashamedly modern-cool. Carving into the side of the verdant cape, architect Martin Palleros has managed to seamlessly blur the lines between contemporary architecture and nature. It’s as if the home was meant to be there. Outdoor stairways coil around boulders and limestone walkways vanish into lush foliage. Cutting-edge architecture slithering stylishly into nature. When we last spoke with the owners, they were holidaying in Hong Kong. They were at design week in Milan last year

Photography By Christian Mouchet and Eight Plus Nine Co Ltd Details

House name: Villa Mayavee Mayavee meaning: My life Sanskrit meaning: Controlling the mind with magic – “in a good way” Location: Waterfall Bay, Millionaire’s Mile, Kamala, Phuket Architect: Tierra Design Total project land area: 3,200sqm Total floor space: 2,400sqm Indoor floor space: 1,200sqm Swimming pools: 22m,12m lap pool Floors: 4 Bathrooms: 6 Bedrooms: 4 + staff quarters Design concept: Contemporary Main imports: Italian furniture and “The house is equally sanitary wares; French floor tiles beautiful at night. In fact, (limestone and sandstone) Staff: 3 full-time staff (1 cook, 1 many of our friends like it cleaner, 1 gardener-handy man) better after sunset.” Project completion: December 2009 – Paitoon Arunrat Contact details: W: eightplusnine.com, villamayavee.com Facebook: Villa Mayavee D i n i n g

Organic Opulence AtDiVine Restaurant

By Baz Daniel

beguiling pontillistic oils and acrylics decorating the colorful walls. It has extensive floor-to-ceiling windows which open onto a large patio, with deep blue swimming pools beyond, where weekend markets are regularly held and a sumptuous HANYAPURA is the most extraordinary DiVine brunch is presented to complement the enterprise.T An almost mythic new Camelot rising gatherings. sheer and white in the Phuket sunshine, surrounded DiVine’s chef, Sathaporn Bootmeechai, is no by forest in a quiet valley in northeastern Phuket. stranger to the world of healthy eating, as he was, DiVine Restaurant sits at the heart of the until recently, the chef at the Banyan Tree’s ayurvedic 23-hectare Thanyapura campus, which comprises wellness program. His menu features a large array a Sports and Leisure Club, the Phuket International of light, fresh soups, salads, noodle dishes, burgers, Academy Day School and Thanyapura Mind Centre. pizzas, sandwiches, fish and meat courses and It can perhaps be characterized as a modern temple tempting desserts, all of which conform to the healthy to the Greek philosopher Seneca’s idea of human and organic ethos in varying degrees. perfection as: “Mens sana in corpore sano”... The menu overtly rates the dishes as to the A healthy mind in a healthy body. degree of their organic credentials and then DiVine is dedicated to this ethos of human categorizes them into groups such as “fresh perfection seeking to match the ideal with and moreish; rich and explosive and sweet and gustatory perfection and purity. The restaurant seductive”, all attributes this writer seeks as much features organic gourmet cuisine made in his girl friends as he does in his food. from fresh, locally-farmed ingredients from Not to be outdone, the drinks and wine list Thanyapura’s own Thanyamundra Organic Farm. explore all the normal avenues of ethanol-based Located near Khao Sok National Park, a few hours decadence such as Champagnes, martinis and north of Phuket, the farm is certified by the Thai mojitos, but also offer a broad choice of healthy agricultural department. blended juices, smoothies and “organic boosters” Perhaps the first prejudice to dispel is that such as the Purple Pleasure with pineapple, DiVine’s healthy organic eating in any way equates beetroot and apple, or the Virgin Temptation with austerity or privation. In fact, the restaurant made from coconut, strawberries and carrot is a luscious welcoming space decorated in natural juice. woods and psychedelic flower arrangements, with The wine list joins the organic fray as well. We a huge and spotless central open kitchen and enjoyed a specially-sourced Australian Sauvignon Blanc DiVine Restaurant

SUBTLE STYLE: The expansive main dining room at DiVine Restaurant.

from Victoria’s Yarra Valley, branded appropriately enough as “Splash”. Having dispelled the idea we would suffer in any way to hone our razor-sharp minds in our magnificent bodies, we proceeded to the lunch table to take up cudgels with an opening sandwich platter, with choices of smoked salmon, beef pastrami, salami, turkey roll, and specially-sourced Australian and Dutch Emmental, Gruyere and Cheddar cheeses. Organic iceberg lettuce and rocket from Thanyapura’s Khao Sok farm accompanied these in a Parma ham and cheese salad. The main event offered a beetroot and feta ravioli salad, spaghetti with lamb balls, green peas, mushrooms and white cream sauce, and a beautiful rack of organic New Zealand lamb with garlic potato puree and a red wine sauce. All dishes were so light and fresh that we even had a little tummy space available for a naughty dessert of organic chocolate truffle cake and mango ice cream, and a final glass of “Splash”, safe in the belief that the more we drank the more perfect our bodies would become. Nick Seaver, CEO of Thanyapura, says: “We are deeply concerned with the heavy amounts of chemicals used to produce food in Thailand, thus the concept of Thanyamundra Organic Farm was conceived. By serving organic, fresh, local food at DiVine we are able to provide great-tasting products. Details We believe there is real value in eating organic foods 120/1 Moo 7 Thepkrasattri Road, and improving our guests’ health and wellbeing.” Thalang, Phuket Perhaps DiVine is redefining Seneca’s T: +66 076-336000 W: thanyapura.com Fashion Phuket’s Best Dressed Collection At home with Gulu Lalvani

Gulu Lalvani on his yacht moored behind his Grand Villa at Royal Phuket Marina.

By Fraser Morton

LE SOLE ARTIST: Gulu Lalvani recently bought two pairs of these 1,500 Euro (61,000 baht) formal leather shoes from T’S EASY to feel underdressed in the company of multimillionaire Phuket French designer residentI Gulu Lalvani. He wears the uniform of success. He wears tailored shirts Christian Louboutin’s and trousers, a gold Rolex Oyster watch, and has just spent 3,000 Euro on two new men’s collection. pairs of shoes. His look is unconventional but always conservatively in trend. w:christianlouboutin. Unlike many of his male friends, 72-year-old Karachi-born Lalvani doesn’t shy away from fashion. Quite the opposite. “I think fashion is important. I care what’s in and what’s out. From the beginning of my life, I have always been fashion conscious…it’s in my blood.” As founder and chairman of Binatone, one of the world’s largest cordless phone companies, Lalvani has the luxury of being able to afford life’s extravagances: A marina, superyachts, cars, and – of course – the finest clothes money can buy. He often visits St Tropez and Milan to buy in bulk the latest threads from designers he’s been eyeing from afar. Briton Tom Ford is his top choice winter collection designer, but for summerwear, or Phuket-wear, he simply buys one-off shirts, trousers and shorts while on European shopping trips and then has his Phuket tailor of 10 years

Fashion

... TELL my tailor what to do, how “I I want things done. If it’s not done that way, then he doesn’t get paid. But he knows that...we know each other well.” “I can’t tell you the name of the tailor as I want to keep the exclusivity of my look,” Lalvani says as he ushers his family to take their positions in the living room for a photograph. His children are visiting for the holidays: Eldest son Dino, 38, and his fiancee Frankie, 25; daughter Divia, 35, with her husband Joel Cadbury, 40, and their children Arianna , 4, and Alaia , 2; and youngest son Zoran, 23, with his girlfriend Sabaya Verser, 22. They too, are dressed impeccably, and our photographer finds it easy to make them look good. An interest in fashion, Lalvani explains, is something his children share with their father. “My son Dino and I were in Hong Kong the week before Christmas and we went to the opening of a new store of French women’s shoe designer Christian Photography by Apinun Saithong Louboutin. Any woman will know who he is. He makes the trademark red-leather-sole shoes. He was wearing a very fancy pair of men’s shoes, which he said he designed, as he had just launched a new men’s range. I said, ‘I love those. I’ll take two; one for me, one for Dino’. Christian had to call Paris to get them in stock in our size. They are not cheap (1,500 Euro, or 61,000 baht) a pair, but they are unique and worth it.” Lalvani chuckles and says he probably won’t get much use out of them in Phuket, except maybe for Dino and Frankie’s Lalvani wears custom- wedding later this year. made Eygptian cotton “Three thousand Euro (123,000 baht) is the most I’ve shirts and trousers. ever spent on two pairs of shoes, but I’m glad I did. They’re different.” Different suits Lalvani. He’s an ambassador of unusual when it comes to fashion and seeks out the unique cuts and styles when ambling along the avenues and alleyways of St Tropez and Milan, so he can then change them – of course – by having his Phuket tailor add the Lalvani touch. “Three thousand Euro (123,000 In Phuket, sartorial splendor for most men is way down the baht) is the most I’ve ever spent pecking order of things to be getting on with, especially when the tropical climate plays such a big part in our lives. Comfort reigns when on two pairs of shoes, but I’m donning our daily wears. Short sleeves trump long. Trousers are irksome enemies glad I did. They’re different.” of men on Phuket, while board shorts are welcome friends. And as for shoes... – Gulu Lalvani well, who needs them. If it’s a choice between exposed toes in sandals or sweaty socks and shoes – the choice is easy for most island men.

FASHIONABLE FAMILY: Gulu Lalvani spent the Christmas holidays with his children: Eldest son Dino and his fiancee Frankie (back row, right); daughter Divia (front, left) and her husband Joel Cadbury (back, left) and their daughters Arianna and Alaia (front); and youngest son Zoran and his girlfriend Sabaya Verser Details W: royalphuketmarina.com W: christianlouboutin.com

GOLF

Phuket’s Loch Palm - Hole 16 Yardage from tee: Blue (202), White (166), Red (141) Degree of difficulty:Hard leaning on extreme Holes-in-one: 6 in 2011 Water: Yes, all along the left Sand traps: Affirmative (two, left and right) Toughest Hidden dangers: Out-of-bounds all along the left, Holes-in-one not easy to see from the tee box With the massive Crystal Lake on your right, a line of vertiginous palm trees down the left and the always well-manicured fairway, this hole is attractive but potentially a round-spoiler. The green slopes steeply left to right. Stopping By Graham Haslam the ball if you are chipping from too far left is almost impossible. Often there are people throwing pool parties in the villas hugging the tee box, but don’t let the bikinis and beer distract you; you need to concentrate. It’s best to aim at the left bunker and let the gentle breeze drift your ball on to the green. If there is no breeze, then ignore the last sentence;

“The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can’t see him laughing.” – Phyllis Diller

Blue Canyon, Canyon Course - Hole 14 Details Yardage from tee: Blue (194), White (169), Red (143) phuketcountryclub.com Degree of difficulty:Extreme Holes-in-one: 5 in 2011 bluecanyonclub.com Water: Everywhere, island green Sand traps: Nope lagunaphuketgolf.com Hidden dangers: The extreme elevation of the missionhillsphuket.com tee box makes this a treacherous hole with danger just a few yards away from the perfect phunakagolf.com shot. lochpalm.com This is a relatively short death or glory hole. With no bail-out area you simply have to go for redmountainphuket.com the green and hope you find it. It’s a shallow, wet grave for your ball if you don’t. The drop thegolfguru.com zone is on the “mainland”, requiring you to chip Mountain View Driving Range over the water again just to make things even T: 076-223977 more difficult. The green is quite flat so there is always the chance of holing a putt to save par, Thalang Sports Driving Range or bogey, or double bogey, or... T: 089-7291015 Red Mountain - Hole 17

Yardage from tee: Black (169), Yellow (155), a straight seven or eight iron. But they should cast White (140), Red (121) their minds back to the first time they stood on the Degree of difficulty: Very, the first six times are elevated tee box, about 80 yards above the green, the worst scratched their heads and said: “My word, what on Holes-in-one: Two in 2011 earth is the right club here?”. Water: Not anymore, and is a former tin mine With hills suffocating this hole, it can feel quite Sand traps: Two (one left and a monolith right) intimidating. Stay focused on making a good, Hidden dangers: Vertigo clean, strike and then watching in awe as your ball free-falls for 10 full seconds before thudding Members of Red Mountain Golf Club might be on the generous green, which slopes slightly surprised to see this hole included, thinking it’s back-to-front.

“Golf is a game in which you yell ‘fore’, shoot six and write down five.”

Timeline

1989: Phuket Country Club, Phuket’s first golf course, opens 1991: Blue Canyon Country Club (BCCC) Canyon Course opens 1993: Laguna Phuket Golf Course (named Banyan Tree Golf Course) opens 1994: BCCC Canyon Course hosts Johnnie Walker Classic for the first time 1998: Tiger Woods wins Johnnie Walker Classic at BCCC Canyon Course 1999: BCCC Lakes Course opens 2004: Mission Hills, Phuket’s only seaside course, opens 2007: BCCC Canyon Course hosts Johnnie Walker Classic for the third time 2007: Red Mountain Golf Club opens 2009: Phuket Resident John Connely makes two holes-in-one in a single round at BCCC Canyon Course 2009: Laguna hosts The Thailand Open 2009: Phunaka, Phuket’s only night floodlit course, opens for business 2010: Laguna hosts Asian Tour event, the ASEAN Mercedes-Benz Masters, Phuket’s own 13-year-old Pinsawat Pariwat finishes in 5th place Cover Story

The Rise Of Tycoon Allan Zeman

By Duane Lennie

Photography by Brent Madison exclusively for Phuket Life & Style

Allan Zeman started honing his cross-cultural and business skills at an early age. German born and of Jewish descent, he grew up singing Christian hymns and pledging allegiance to the British flag in a Protestant school in Quebec, Canada, in the

at his iconic Andara Resort & Spa in Kamala, Phuket. “There were distinct differences between the French and the English, and they were separate with totally different cultures.” Zeman never let these cultural differences slow him down. His sense of ambition was forged when he was eight years old by watching his mother work long hours to support the family after his father died. Zeman wasn’t content to just survive. He wanted to make money from an early age – a lot of money. WA S a turbulent time in Canada’s usually dull political “I wasn’t happy to get 50 cents or a dollar allowance from my mother. I wanted history. The Front de Liberation du Quebec, a left-wing revolutionary organization, to make more money,” said Zeman, who was soon earning more than his teachers wasIT using terrorism to promote an independent and socialist Quebec state. from delivering newspapers before school. Zeman’s family lived in a mixed English-and French-speaking neighborhood of “I always thought that if everyone else can do it, why can’t I? I’m not different, Quebec – an ideal place to learn first-hand about the politics and nuances of I’m the same.” cultural diversity. At age 17, Zeman talked his way into a job as the western sales representative “I remember going to school and bombs were going off. Twice I almost got for a leading womenswear company in Canada by exaggerating his age and blown up, believe it or not, in Canada”, said Zeman during our afternoon interview THE BOSS: Allan Zeman inside one of the luxury villas at Andara Resort & Spa. Cover Story The Rise Of Tycoon Allan Zeman

... HEN his accountant explained to the then 20-year-oldW the devastating implications that the Canadian tax system would have on his million dollars, Zeman cut and run. Hong Kong was where he landed. Young, rich and full of potential, it was a good time to be in Hong Kong. In the 1970s, Hong Kong was transforming from a manufacturing-based economy into a global-financial center, and Zeman city is different. Then I can fit in establishments that timed his arrival perfectly. In 1975, he created Colby fit into the culture.” International Group, a clothing export company that In 2004, Zeman was appointed chairman of Ocean gradually developed into a large, diversified, trading Park, Hong Kong’s original family amusement park, company with 36 offices worldwide. He eventually as it went head-to-head against Hong Kong Disney, sold Colby to its major competitor in 2000. scheduled to open the following year. It only took Wanting to inject some western culture into Hong a few years before Zeman was dubbed the “Mouse Kong, in 1983 he opened the California Restaurant Killer” in a Forbes magazine article that detailed how in Lan Kwai Fong, a narrow street in Central, Hong Ocean Park outperformed its rival Disney. He’s quick Kong Island. Zeman’s public profile was already to offer advice to even the largest corporations about climbing when he bought the entire block the next cultural sensitivity. year and transformed the Chinese factory area into “Traditionally, Americans think their system is Hong Kong’s most popular entertainment district, the best and then they go abroad and think if it where today 75 per cent of the patrons works in the US it should work in China or Hong are local Chinese. The success of Kong,” Zeman said. Lan Kwai Fong is why regional “Disney came to Hong Kong, and, failing to city planners and government really understand the culture, tried to impose officials from mainland China American culture on Hong Kong locals. There are queuing up for advice on was a rebellion against this because everyone how to re-create this cultural has their own ideas, their own culture and phenomenon in their growing their own thoughts, and you have to respect cities. that.” Now a seasoned expert Today, Zeman continues to serve as in cultural sensitivity, Zeman chairman of Ocean Park and Lan Kwai Fong cautions about stereotyping Concepts Holdings Ltd Hong Kong, and he has Chinese people from different entertainment districts planned for numerous cities in mainland China. cities in mainland China. “Every city in China He’s also highly active in the wants a Lan Kwai Hong Kong community as a long- Fong...it’s become standing member of the Board a b ra n d . B u t of Governors of the Canadian where he is a director of casino giant Wynn Resorts. I c o u l d n ’ t Chamber of Commerce, the In addition, after years of vacationing in Thailand, he j u s t m o v e Hong Kong General Chamber built a seafront castle in Phuket as a holiday escape. the western of Commerce, the Tourism But in true Zeman fashion, he was soon eyeing concepts of Strategy Group for the some nearby land for his first commercial property Hong Kong Hong Kong Tourism development in Thailand. to Chengdu,” C o m m i s s i o n , t h e In 2005, Zeman created Andara Phuket on Zeman said, Cultural and Heritage Millionaires’ Mile, overlooking Kamala Beach on when asked Commission and Phuket’s west coast. Wealthy Hong Kong expatriates about the the Urban Renewal were flocking to Phuket to spend their Chinese opening of Authority. He keeps New Year bonuses on holiday homes, and Zeman the new Lan busy. recognized the opportunity. Zeman’s Thai-based Kwai Fong in Claiming his company, The Paradise Group, had already started the Sichuan work is his play, building the Plaza Surin boutique shopping center province last Zeman spends his to test the high-end retail market in Phuket. From year. “The thing time between Hong that moment on, Zeman’s influence on Phuket’s real I always want to Kong, mainland estate market became legendary. learn is how the China and Macau, “Allan Zeman’s luxury residential estate, culture of every Views of Andara Resort & Spa in Kamala, Phuket.

“Allan Zeman’s luxury residential estate, Andara, has become the definitive gold standard in Phuket’s property market.” – Bill Barnett

Details W: andaraphuket.com

Andara, has become the definitive gold standard On how to make Phuket a better place, Zeman in Phuket’s property market,” said Bill Barnett, said Southeast Asia’s most popular tropical island Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks, Asia’s destination needs some basic planning from the leading hotel and property consultancy. “He let top down. his money do the talking as he developed the “The problem with Phuket is it needs to grow up: project in a volatile market and has reaped the it needs to go to the next level,” he said. rewards many times over.” “Phuket has all the natural resources to make it Zeman’s latest Phuket endeavour is Andara happen, but the biggest problem is no-one is driving Signature Resort Villas, 13 ultra-luxury estates the bus. You need to have a master plan.” located on a 15-acre sea-view plot of land just Zeman also preaches the tourism fundamentals down the road from the current Andara Phuket that helped his entertainment venues in Hong Kong site. These massive villa estates sit on 3,500 become powerhouses: “Flights into Phuket are also to 4,600sqm plots with a whopping 3,200sqm very important. If you can’t get people here, no or more of living space, 6m by 30m swimming matter how good you are, it doesn’t matter. Then pools, elevators, and Zeman’s signature Thai once they are here, the most frustrating thing is contemporary design. Starting at US$6 million, long immigration lines; first impressions are very the Andara sales team expects to sell a third of the important.” available villas soon after the sales-release date. It’s reassuring to know that Zeman continues to

theSky’s limit for MJETS

By Alastair Carthew

Bill Heinecke’s changing the face of private aviation in

comprising 1,100 restaurants,70 (take-offs and landings) each month, to Thailand (Pizza Hut 1980, Swensen’s hotels and resorts and 200 retail steadily increasing by around 20 per 1986, Sizzler 1992, Dairy Queen 1996, outlets in Asia, the Middle East and cent each year with a trend toward Burger King 2000) that would prove Africa. larger charters and bigger aircraft. to be the backbone of Heinecke’s Bangkok-based Minor International The Bangkok terminal caught the success. business with IXING owns and operates hotels under the Asian wave of interest in private And sprinkle in ownership and pleasureM in Thailand is easy for Anantara, Four Seasons, Marriott and jets, as Thailand’s location, labor operations of Marriott, Anantara and hospitality magnate Bill Heinecke. Elewana brands and owns The Pizza force and facilities offer exorbitantly Four Seasons hotels, and it is clear He loves to fly, so he started his Company and Thai Express more benefits than other Asian why his company has stayed at the own private jet company, MJETS. restaurants. But this is just a destinations. forefront of the hospitality industry Simple. taste of its portfolio. “Not only is the country’s success in Asia for so long. And what better way for the It is with MJETS that opening up more opportunities for Minor International’s rapid growth CEO and chairman of Minor Heinecke, who renounced the affluent to explore using, sharing and Heinecke’s necessary business International, one of Asia’s largest his US citizenship 20 years or owning private jets, but operators travel in Asia confirmed his belief that hospitality groups, to quench a ago, has been able to forge of charter fleets are increasingly private jets had an important role to life-long thirst for flying than to three of his life-long passions: focusing on the Thai market due play for businessmen and women, add the world’s fastest jet, the Thailand, business and to its increasing wealth, attractive saving time and hassle. Cessna Citation X, to aviation. geographic location, competitive “Travelling for business can be MJETS’ fleet. L a u n c h e d a s prices and world-class standards in exhausting and often takes longer B u t Minor Aviation safety and services,” he said. than it should. With restrictions in a l t h o u g h in 2008, MJETS is After living in Thailand for four recent years imposed globally on air he is licensed setting the standard decades his love for the kingdom is travel because of terrorism, travelling to fly a Piper for private jet stronger than ever. As the son of an through airports can take longer,” he Jet, he is not c h a r t e r s i n American Foreign Service member said. qualified to fly Thailand and is and Voice of America journalist, the MJETS’ Bangkok facility provides the Citation the only company young Heinecke grew up in cities charter, fixed-base operations (FBO) X, at least of its kind with across Asia. When he was 17, while and ground handling, but in addition not yet. offices still a high school student, he was offers ground handling for private “From an and staff appointed advertising manager at planes at other airports such as early age I had (five) servicing the now defunct newspaper Bangkok Phuket, Chiang Mai, Samui, U-Tapao a passion for Phuket. World, and it was racing cars and and Udon Thani. travel and an MJETS has a diving in these years that nourished The convenience of chartering, a d v e n t u r o u s further 75 staff his appetite for adventure. leasing or owning a private jet is spirit, and today I at its Bangkok After he graduated in 1967, he considerable. The FBO facility at Don still love to enjoy t e r m i n a l , started his first company, which sold Mueang Airport has arguably the the pure freedom which opened office cleaning services and radio fastest entry-departure from any flying offers,” he last year at the advertising. After three years he Asian country, less than 200 meters said. 97-year- sold the business and started a new from aircraft to limousine. A s o n e old Don venture dubbed “Minor”, a jibe at his Heinecke does not fly as often as of Thailand’s leading M u e a n g own age. He even grew a beard to he would like, but he still manages to foreign businessmen, Airport. look older. take his single-engine Piper Malibu A m e r i c a n - b o r n M J E T S ’ By age 21, he had 400 people out once a month, travelling around Heinecke, 62, is Bangkok terminal working for him and was grossing Thailand to one of his Anantara at the helm of a h a s a b o u t 5 0 US$2.5 million a year. resorts. hospitality empire aircraft movements It was importing American brands “It is hard to describe the A v i a t i o n

DESTINATION PHUKET: The world’s fastest jet, the Cessna Citation X, which has a range of 2,100 nautical miles and cruising speed of 180mph (Mach. 0.92).

MJETS General Manager Florian Preuss

• Year-on-year aviation growth in Thailand is about 30 per cent, with accelerating demand for private jets throughout Asia. “ • About 20 per cent of the 40 wealthiest Thais featured in the 2011 Forbes Wealth List own or share a jet.

Why MJETS? • We are here to assist those who have the means to buy a private plane and ensure it is the right one for them. We can help them buy an aircraft suitable for their needs, but it is not like buying a car. It is very complex. There is an awful lot of extra work, such as crewing, maintenance and management of the aircraft, to take the hassles out of ownership. MJETS.COM Photography by Christian Mouchet and MJETS ”

F i n a l Word 30 PHUKET Life & Style

An Side Story... The Unwritten Chapter 2012

Musings from property and tourism expert Bill Barnett on the future of Phuket

badly, but with enough fight left to limp the long road to recovery. These tigers are survivors. And survivors who looked on curiously as western economies boomed and went into consumer overdrive at the turn of 2000. Emerging tigers Russia, India and Brazil were soon to join the list of economies moving up the food chain. IFE is good but change is coming. If it’s luxury living on a tropical isle, But then came the crash. The 2008 World Financial Crisis started in the United LPhuket is the place to be right now. But to find out just how bright the next States by irresponsible mortgage lending. There was no safe haven anywhere as chapter will be in the property and resort sector, we have to skip back a few globalization meant everyone was given a free pass to an international financial pages in time. foul-up. Over the past 20 years we have seen the emergence, rise, and now almost But 1997’s scars meant Asia was prepared this time round, and led a blase adoption of contemporary simple-is-sleek pool villas. Minimalism and determined recovery. open spaces, straight lines and well-kept window dressing. Simplicity has been Today, consumerism, and in particular New Economic Orders (NEOs), in serious style for a long time. worldwide are seen as the recession-busters. NEOs comprise about But where are all the people in these homes? Where are the owners? They one-fifth of the population in the US (59 million) and are high-spending hardly ever feature in the coffee-table books I flick through; instead there are individuals. They buy new technology, but they’ll also spend their hard- just models leaning on infinity edges looking out to sea. What are those models won earnings on new homes or extensions and renovations. They travel, staring at? They should rename infinity pools “day-dreaming pools”. eat out, drink, invest and generally are polar opposites of consumers These luxury home “must haves” – infinity edges, open spaces, floor-to-ceiling known as Traditionals, the discretionary spenders. windows – and a surge in demand for brands has dominated the island’s luxury A new Asian elite of high-net-worth individuals, an emerging middle-class, a market in recent years. more astute domestic market and a rise in regional trading have mimicked a cast Brand Phuket remains a force to be reckoned with. change much like a Broadway Musical on tour out East. No other Asian resort destination can boast the same number of multimillion Wealthy Asian families are now cash buyers of many of the world’s most iconic (US) dollar property transactions as in Phuket during the past five years. hotels and ultra villas, and buyers of private jets. But how does this translate to Allan Zeman – the entertainment tycoon and Phuket resort owner featured Phuket? in our cover story on pages 22-25 – and his Andara Resort, is a prime example In a tourism model fending off a massive volume attack, property developers of a Phuket success story. and brokers seem to still be stuck in the past. Both the Phuket real estate And more monikers lifting the luxury image of Phuket: Amanpuri, Banyan Tree, and hotel market have struggled to keep pace with the evolutionary game Sri Panwa, The Cape and the up-and-coming Natai area in Phang Nga, are forging changes over the past few years. the seal for future prosperity. Regional visitors from emerging markets have different needs than the first But the world is in constant change. Nothing we know, or are conditioned to European visitors who came here, basked on the beaches for endless days, and believe, is set in stone. Life can change on a dime, on a baht. in many cases, bought retirement or vacation homes. Just think back to the now distant dawn of the 90s, when the Asian “tiger” Nothing is ever set in stone. Times change. Consumers’ needs change. Fads economies of China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand come, trends go. Investment in contemporary pool villas with minimalist decor were first set loose. (where no-one is ever home) may continue, but expect something new. As they shed the labels of “developing countries”, suddenly the playing field Maybe we will see a rise in Asian resort guests who travel in large groups or with grew larger. The tigers had space to roam free. extended families, who crowd into photos but who don’t like going to the beach. Of course, the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis hurt. It left the tiger economies hurt

Details Bill Barnett can be contacted at C9hotelworks.com F i n a l Word