THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021

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Friday, January 29 – Thursday, February 4, 2021 Since 2011 / Volume XI / No. 5 20 Baht LOCAL OFFICIALS PROBED OVER PROTECTED FOREST ENCROACHMENT > PAGE 5 NEWS PAGE 3 Two slain amid taxi rivalry at ALL CLEAR bus terminal

LIFE PAGE 8 Fin Arts shines spotlight on shark plight

Phuket Vice Governor Phichet Panaphong inspects Phuket airport before announcing that the quarantine requirement for Bangkok arrivals has been lifted. Photo: AoT Phuket

MANDATORY QUARANTINE OF BANGKOK ARRIVALS LIFTED TO HELP REVIVE DOMESTIC TOURISM SPORT PAGE 16 The Phuket News antine requirement was made official came to Phuket in October, when between provinces that are COVID- [email protected] with a new provincial order issued about 14,000 visitors arrived by air free. “Other provinces that are fac- last Sunday (Jan 24), and confirmed or road,” he said. ing problems can have their people Phuket fighter huket tourism leaders this by Phuket Vice Governor Phichet However, Mr Thanusak is looking self-quarantine. If any province has aims to impress week were quick to praise the Panaphong on Monday. for more restrictions to be eased to a problem [with COVID infections], Pprovincial government in lift- “After facing the threat of COV- help boost local tourism even more. they can react like Phuket has. Phuket in Singapore ing the 14-day mandatory quarantine ID-19 infections in December, now “So the mandatory 14-day quaran- province is an example for others,” that was required of all arrivals from all businesses in Phuket are in a lot tine has been eased. I am happy with Mr Thanusak said. four specific areas of Bangkok, saying of trouble,” said Phuket Chamber Phuket Governor Narong’s relaxation Mr Thanussak also voiced his the move would help open the door of Commerce President Thanusak of the quarantine decision, but I want support for Phuket business owners domestic tourism to resume, which Phungdet. more restrictions relaxed so Phuket to hold on and survive. “I want to give would provide a much-needed boost “We need Thai tourists to come is open for people to travel in and some encouragement to the business to tourism businesses on the island. to Phuket. We want to see the same out,” he said. owners in Phuket. Right now they The lifting of the mandatory quar- number of Thai tourists today that Mr Thanusak urged free travel have to face up to the problem... CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

@thephuketnews 2 PHUKET NEWS THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021

[email protected] Bypass speed limit confirmed News 50km/h > page 4 Vaccine eyed for tourism recovery Continued from page 1 must be tested and followed The delegation also called to enter the province, not to ...and adjust their thinking up by staff at an Emergency for the Phuket provincial gov- mention there are no foreign – and right now is a waiting Operations Centre (EOC) and ernment to prepare to start tourists at this time,” he said. game. quarantine at home or at an receiving international tourists “We expect foreigners to “We have to keep fighting Alternative State Quarantine from October, ahead of what start coming to Phuket at the because the vaccine is coming (ASQ) hotel for 14 days . would normally be Phuket’s end of the year, so for now we soon. We still need to have Group 2 arrivals comprise tourism high season, under have to rely on Thai people hope. Let’s fight together and people arriving from 21 prov- a plan that would require all together,” he admitted. wait for the vaccine,” he added. inces/areas on the secondary international arrivals to be Delivering the tourism- list of ‘red zone’ risk areas: vaccinated for COVID-19 revival plan was PTA President HEAVY LIFTING Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Tak, before being allowed to enter Mr Bhummikitti, who said the Phuket Vice Governor Phichet Saraburi, Pathum Thani, Ayut- Phuket. COVID-19 vaccine was “the on Monday publicly confirmed thaya, Suphan Buri, Lop Buri, By that time, 70% of the last ticket and the last hope” the order issued last Sunday, Sing Buri, Kanchanaburi, Staff check domestic travellers at Phuket International population on Phuket is to be for Phuket tourism, “because which no longer requires arriv- Nakhon Nayok, Ranong, Airport. Photo: AoT vaccinated for the disease. Phuket tourism has no way als from Bangkok to observe a Chumphon, Prachuap Khiri The delegation delivered out at this time”. 14-day mandatory quarantine Khan, Sa Kaew, Ratchaburi, Chana, gophuget.com and details on gophuget.com; and their plea at a special meeting “The vaccine is now avail- after arriving on the island as Petchburi, Samut Songkhram, COVID compliance require- 3) Follow the disease control held at Phuket Provincial Hall able in many countries that a standard requirement. Angthong, Chachoengsao and ments, according to the order measures strictly. No other last Friday (Jan 22), chaired can be the focus of Phuket’s The confirmation came at Prachin Buri. must only “self-monitor at their details or requirements about by Phuket Governor Narong next travel model for foreign a meeting of the Phuket Com- Group 2 arrivals must home or accommodation for day-trippers were explained. Woonciew. tourists. The private sector municable Disease Committee comply with the three standard 14 days”. Despite the word- V/Gov Phichet also re- Among the key tourism sees the possibility of opening held at Phuket Provincial Hall, requirements above, but are no ing of the order, the current peated that there is currently a industry representatives pre- to receive foreign tourists in joined by Phuket Public Health longer automatically required practice appears that Group 3 general ban on moving migrant sent to deliver the plea were October and through the high Office Chief Thanit Sermkaew to observe any quarantine after arrivals may move freely about workers from neighbour- Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, season at the end of the year,” and other relevant officers. arriving in Phuket. the island, but must closely ing countries into and out of President of Phuket Tourist he said. V/Gov Phichet explained However, V/Gov Phichet self-monitor their condition. Phuket, unless the employer Association; Sarayuth Mal- However, Mr Bhummikitti that under the new order all made it clear that Emergency Group 4 arrivals are people had a necessary reason or was lum, President of the Phuket also called for strong meas- arrivals to Phuket are to be Operations Centre (EOC) arriving from anywhere else doing so in order to follow an Industry Council; Kongsak ures to protect Phuket people classified into one of four officers, who are tasked with in the country – 38 provinces order issued by the Ministry Khoopongsakorn, President from infection from foriegn groups, reduced from five checking and following up designated as ‘yellow zone’ of Labour or other officials. of the Thailand Hotels As- visitors: “Tourists entering groups in the order issued on on new arrivals on the island, risk areas. Such arrivals are Employers who need to sociation Southern chapter; Phuket must be people who Jan 11. Unchanged is that all reserve the right to determine required to comply only with move their workers must first Thanusak Pungdej, President have been vaccinated with the arrivals must install the Mor whether or not any new arriv- the three standard require- submit the required documents of the Phuket Chamber of COVID vaccine, and Phuket Chana app, register their travel als must observe a quarantine ments: install Mor Chana, to a relevant official and be Commerce; and Anchalee Th- people must be vaccinated, at details on gophuget.com and for 14 days. register on gophuget.com approved, V/Gov Phichet said. epabutra, a former Phuket MP. least 70% of the population,” follow the disease control Meanwhile, Group 3 arriv- and comply with COVID Governor Narong noted that he said. measures strictly before be- als comprise people arriving regulations. PLEA the meeting was a collaboration “This is to ensure the ing allowed into the province. from 11 ‘orange zone’ prov- However, not adding any The move to lift the quar- to discuss ways to stimulate confidence of both Phuket Group 1 comprises people inces: Sukhothai, Kamphaeng clarity to the current entry re- antine for all Bangkok arrivals tourism in Phuket “that is residents and the tourists who arriving from seven ‘red zone’ Phet, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai quirements for Phuket, V/Gov came just 24 hours after a high- seriously stagnating from the visit, that they will not be provinces: Samut Sakhon, Thani, Chainat, Phetchabun, Phichet on Monday noted that powered delegation of Phuket second wave of COVID-19”. infected by people in Phuket Rayong, Chonburi, Trat, Chan- Chaiyaphum, Buriram, Nak- people making “round-trips” tourism leaders delivered a plea “Phuket has been hit hard and the Phuket people will thaburi, Nakhon Prathom and hon Ratchasima, Surat Thani to Phuket – a term believed to the provincial government by the second epidemic. Thai be confident that incoming Nonthaburi. In addition to the or Phang Nga. to mean day-trippers – must to do more to ease the current tourists do not come because tourists will not bring the three standard requirements Group 3 arrivals, in ad- only 1) Install the Mor Chana suffering of businesses, and they do not want to quarantine disease to spread again,” Mr above, Group 1 arrivals also dition to the standard Mor app; 2) Register their travel residents, on the island. and follow the difficult steps Bhummikitti added.

Relief efforts continue islandwide to support people in need PHUKET GOVERNOR ments and need to send their children Cross, held a food-donation cam- Iaddam, the 43-year-old father of Narong Woonciew stepped up to school, so local government agen- paign at the offices of the Cherng Pornpiphat ‘Mint’ Iaddam, the last week to announce more help cies and other organisations have Talay Tambon Administration 20-year-old first-year student at being provided to help those suf- to solve these problems together,” Organisation (OrBorTor) on Jan Phuket Rajabhat University who fering financial difficulties from he added. 20 where hundreds of bags of rice collapsed and died after being told the COVID-19 crisis. Among the examples Governor were handed out to people in need. to keep running during a training “We have looked closely at Narong cited on Jan 21 was the Through its campaign, the com- session with the cheerleading squad each village on the island, and we Rotary Club of Andaman, which pany is to hand out 5,888 bags of in August last year. now have a list of the people who has taken 25 people into their care rice, totalling 29,440 kilograms of The focus of the discussion was are in trouble in every village,” and provided training so they can the staple in Phuket. how more help could be provided to Governor Narong said. regain employment. Governor Narong along with the families of the two men. “We are coordinating with Many other government and One World One Home, through Chalong Mayor Samran Jindapon Mr Taweep has already been the Phuket Red Cross, hands out many organisations in handling other organisations were also co- rice at the Cherng Talay Tambon met at the Phuket office of the Red given a job so he can earn an income this issue to help those affected, ordinating efforts to provide more Administration Organisation Cross Society on Jan 21 with Taweep to help support his family, Mayor people who have lost their jobs help and support for families in (OrBorTor) offices on Jan 20. Mee Phan, the 57-year-old man Samran said. and their income due to the distress, he added. Photo: Cherng Talay OrBorTor from Chalong who recently tried “For the case of the student, we COVID-19 situation,” he ex- In addition, many government to sell his left eye on Facebook to will go to talk to the school director plained. offices and charity organisations and elsewhere on the island. raise much needed funds to support in order to discuss how to help them “Some people still have debt have stepped up to provide rice and Chinese company One World his family. effectively,” Mayor Samran added. and house payments, car pay- other daily necessities, in Chalong One Home, through the Phuket Red Also present was Khanong The Phuket News

thephuketnews THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 PHUKET NEWS 3 Rivals slain at bus station Eakkapop Thongtub However, it also became Ms Jiraporn said that she [email protected] clear that he had also just had no idea what had prompted formed a new motorbike taxi Wian to shoot dead Mr Pra- wo men were shot group at the bus terminal. kob and Mr Yod, who like dead by a colleague at While retracing his move- Wian was also originally TPhuket Bus Terminal 2, ments at the bus station, Mr from Trang. “He never told the main interprovincial bus Wian was silent to the press, me about any problems with station north of Phuket Town, but police – led by Phuket City his colleagues,” she said. last Saturday night (Jan 23) in Police Chief Col Teerawat and But something had what appears to have been a Capt Wipawan – confirmed changed recently in Mr Wian’s drunken attack against a rival that Mr Wian had confessed life, Ms Jiraporn noted. motorbike taxi group operating to the fatal shooting of the “Mr Wian lives in a house at the busy terminal. two men. near the old bus terminal in Police were called to the During the re-enactment, Phuket Town, but for the last bus station at about 10:15pm. Jiraporn Longrak, who owns two days [before Saturday Phuket City Police Chief Col a small restaurant at the bus night], Mr Wian was sleeping Teerawat Liamsuwan arrived terminal, told the police that here at the new bus station, and at the scene shortly afterwards Mr Wian was a “nice man” formed a new a taxi group of with forensic police and medi- and “he liked to help people which he was the president,” cal staff from Vachira Phuket around him”. Ms Jiraporn explained. Hospital to investigate. “Mr Wian has been here Ms Jiraporn told the police They found Prakob about seven years, since the that before the crime, Mr Wian Chuthong, 54, lying dead in Wian Iadchuthong, 60, from Trang, is taken into custody at Phuket Bus Terminal 2 last bus terminal opened. He and his colleagues were sitting the motorbike area in a 24- Saturday night (Jan 23). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub worked at the old bus termi- in the 24-hour taxi service hour parking garage at the nal in Phuket Town before he office and drinking together. bus station. He had been shot Wian Iadchuthong, 60, the quietly drinking alone. After had run around the other side moved to work here. He used She later heard two gun- once in the head and once in gunman, who appeared drunk, getting drunk, he walked into of the building to catch him. to say that he liked this kind shots and she ran out to see the chest. was still at the scene, waiting the parking garage where Mr Wian fired five shots, hit- of job,” Ms Jiraporn said. what had happened, and saw About 80 metres away to surrender to the police. Prakob was sitting and fired ting Mr Yod once in the head, “Mr Prakob and Mr Yod Mr Wian, who she thought in front of the bus terminal The initial investigation two shots from a 9mm gun twice in the torso and twice were also colleagues of Mr looked drunk, sitting in front was Yod Sae Lee, 50, lying by police revealed that the at point-blank range, killing in the legs. Wian and they came to work of the office waiting to sur- on the ground in front of three were close colleagues, him instantly. On Monday (Jan 25), when here together,” she added. render to the police. a taxi service stand, badly but often engaged in heated Wian then ran towards Mr police had Wian return to the “Mr Wian used to be the Mr Wian on Monday was wounded. Rescue workers verbal abuse over motorcycle Yod, who was sitting in front bus station to re-enact his president of the taxi coopera- taken back to Phuket City administered CPR before taxi and taxi services at the of the taxi service stand. Mr movements in carrying out tive at the bus terminal, but Police Station, where officers rushing him to Vachira Phuket bus terminal. Yod fled to one side of the the shootings, witnesses told his term expired so he had said they were moving ahead Hospital, where he was pro- According to witnesses, terminal building, only to police that Wian was known his colleague, Mr Yod, take with charging him for the nounced dead. before the shooting, Wian was be intercepted by Wian who to be a “nice guy”. over,” Ms Jiraporn explained. double homicide.

Phuket Town bar hit with triple charge Park officer sacked for A BAR OWNER IN Police Station and charged Phuket Town has been charged for opening an entertainment for operating his business venue without permission as spying on woman in toilet without permission and for well as selling or providing A NATIONAL PARK OFFICER neglecting the current pro- prohibited goods. accused of spying on a woman in a public vincial orders brought in to He was also charged for toilet at Phuket’s Sirinath National Park control entertainment venues. Photo: Phuket City Police the late closing of the venue has been dismissed from his role, Park An inspection under the which violated the provincial Chief Pramote Kaewnam confirmed last command of Chief Col Teer- (shisha) and electronic ciga- order which states that all en- Saturday (Jan 23). awat Liamsuwan was led by rettes and, despite not possess- tertainment venues in Phuket The officer, 28-year-old Abdulrama Lt Col Jakkrit Taewattana ing a license, was remaining are to close at midnight and Mahaderi, was accused by Miss Sopita early on Jan 19. open past midnight, contraven- restaurants are not to sell and her boyfriend Panupong Rungrueng Officers inspected a bar ing the conditions stipulated alcohol after midnight. of climbing the wall separating the men’s named H2O Phuket at around by the provincial order issued Mr Thipasut now faces up and women’s sections of the restroom at 1am which they discovered by Phuket Governor Narong to B160,000 in fines or up to a Nai Yang beach on Jan 17 and peering was being run despite not Woonciew on Jan 11. three years’ in jail for breaches down on Miss Sopita, mobile phone in Photo: The Phuket News having an official legal license. The owner of the bar, Thip- of the Disease Control Act and hand. They also discovered the asut Prateep Na Thalang, the Emergency Decree. Park Chief Pramote confirmed that under Section 397 of the Criminal Code bar was offering illegal baraku was taken to Phuket City The Phuket News an investigative committee had assessed would be appropriate. the evidence and taken accounts from The Phuket News has yet to confirm witnesses and that it was determined with Sakhu Police exactly which charge Abdulrama was guilty of “misbehaviour Abdulrama will face. and improper actions”. Abdulrama had previously posted on Chief Pramote confirmed that Ab- the official Sirinath National Park Facebook dulrama’s employment contract was page: “The tourists told me that they did subsequently terminated, effective Jan 20. not want to press charges. They just told me “It has caused disgrace to the Depart- that they did not want me to do anything ment of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant like this again.” Conservation and affected the image of However, after Mr Panupong posted a the overall department,” a post on Siri- photo of Abdulrama and detailed his alleged nath National Park's Facebook page read. indiscretion on social media, several others Abdulrama will also be facing police came forward with similar accusations. charges. “One group of women said that they were Capt Sura Lertthaisong of Sakhu Police also spied on by this man on the toilet wall confirmed to The Phuket News on Jan 20 two months ago, but they did not report it that Abdulrama would be facing charges and did not press charges – and the truth and that he was currently investigating faded away as if nothing ever happened,” whether a charge of “bullying in public” said Miss Sopita. The Phuket News thephuketnews @thephuketnews 4 PHUKET NEWS THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021

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CHRIS HUSTED Executive Editor 084 307 7408 [email protected] Bypass speed limit hits 50km/h at length that the bypass road not yet started. The system Eakkapop Thongtub [email protected] was built to reduce traffic does not work because we are

BEN TIREBUCK congestion in the Phuket Town waiting for the Department of News / Sport Editor 061 806 8132 huket Town Traffic area during peak hours. Land Transport database to be [email protected] Police have confirmed However, the long straight connected to all police stations Pthat the speed limit sections of the bypass road has in Phuket, and nationwide,” Lt on the bypass road is just resulted in many high-speed Col Rungrit explained. 50km/h, after years of enforc- accidents, he added. “The system is expected to

TANYALUK ‘MANGO’ ing an unofficial speed limit “The signs are there to be operational by the middle SAKOOT Chief Reporter of 100km/h. remind drivers to drive care- of this year,” he added. 091 165 0260 [email protected] The move came without fully under the speed limit, as “Once the Department warning, and only became normally drivers drive very of Land Transport database known after a slew of local fast on the road, leading to connection with the police residents posted online cop- accidents,” he said. is finished, officers will be ies of speeding tickets issued Lt Col Rungrit on Monday able to search a driver’s his- KIATTIKUL ‘JOM’ CHUMANEE showing the speed limit as also confirmed that motorists tory, see any previous traffic Translator 082 729 0270 [email protected] 50km/h. fined for speeding or any other violations and the number of The posts included com- Phuket City Traffic Police Deputy Chief Lt Col Rungrit moving violations are currently points left on their licence,” Lt plaints that police have for Rattanaphakdee. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub not losing any demerit points Col Rungrit explained. years assured that speeding from their driver’s licences Anyone fined for speeding tickets would be issued only road are mandatory contradicts 25) he told The Phuket News as the whole demerit-points on bypass road will not lose

JASON BEAVAN for those caught exceeding the explanations given in 2015 that police will now issue system has yet to be launched. points for now, but will when General Manager 086 479 7471 100km/h along the busy road. by former Phuket Highways speeding tickets for motorists The system was to be the demerit-points system [email protected] Phuket City Traffic Police Office Chief Samak Lied- driving faster than 80km/h on launched in December 2019. comes online, Lt Col Rungrit Deputy Chief Lt Col Rungrit wonghat and Lt Col Teerawat the bypass road. Officers in Phuket had been noted. Rattanaphakdee explained to Liamsakun, who was Phuket All of the photos of the trained and were ready to “When the system comes The Phuket News last Thurs- City Police Chief at the time. speeding tickets posted online start using the system, but online, any tickets issued au-

SIRIPORN (NOK) day (Jan 20) that under usu- However, Lt Col Rungrit showed that all of the tickets the whole project – hailed as tomatically by speed cameras SEANGMAS Sales Support al circumstances motorists has now made it clear that the were issued for vehicles travel- a milestone for its potential will result in points taken 086 479 7470 [email protected] are permitted to drive up to actual legal speed limit is just ling faster than 90km/h. to help greatly reduce the being automatically deducted 80km/h along municipality 50km/h, as the signs indicate. “There are signs showing carnage on Thailand’s roads from the licence of the regis- roads in accordance with the Although last Thursday where the speed limit area each year – dragged to a halt tered owner of the vehicle,” NIRAVIT ‘MOS’ VORAVANITCHA THANAPONG ‘OAK’ KHAO-AMPHAIPHAN Road Traffic Act B.E. 2522. Lt Col Rungrit maintained begins and where the speed within weeks. he said. Graphic designers However, for Phuket’s that motorists would not be restriction area ends which The system is now ex- “If the owner of the vehicle bypass road, the speed limit issued speeding tickets by were installed after an order of pected to be brought online wants to dispute that, and The Phuket News is just 50km/h, as signposted the speed cameras installed the Phuket accident reduction sometime in the middle of present evidence that they @thephuketnews along the road, he said. on the bypass road unless the committee even before I came this year, Lt Col Rungrit said were not driving the vehicle Lt Col Rungrit’s under- vehicle was travelling faster to take this position,” Lt Col on Monday. at the time, they will have standing that the speed limit than 100km/h – twice the legal Rungrit told The Phuket News. “The demerit point penal- to present their claim to the signs posted along the bypass speed limit – on Monday (Jan Lt Col Rungrit explained ties for traffic violations have court,” he concluded.

Vote for Old Kent Road on Phuket Monopoly Three injured as pickup hits power pole THE PHUKET EDITION OF THREE MEN WERE INJURED Monopoly was announced just a few when the pickup truck they were weeks ago, and now the makers of travelling in struck a roadside the game are asking people to vote power pole about 50 metres south for what they think should replace of the Tha Reua Chinese Shrine on Old Kent Road. Thepkrasattri Rd, in Srisoonthorn, Old Kent Road has traditionally Image: Winning Moves UK last Sunday night (Jan 24). Rescue workers arrived to find the been the cheapest property square on Capt Somnuk Kaewpetch of pickup truck still wrapped around the board. Costing players just sixty co.uk or write into the Phuket Monopoly the Thalang Police was called to the power pole. Photo: Eakkapop Monopoly dollars (the in-game cur- Facebook page for what you think the scene at about 10pm. Thongtub rency), it is one of the easiest properties should be on Old Kent Road. Police together with Srisoon- to build up your Monopoly empire, With over a billion players world- thorn Municipality and Kusoldharm the pickup was taken to Thalang compared to the more costly proper- wide and editions in 114 countries, rescue workers arrived to find a Police Station. ties such as Mayfair and Park Lane. Monopoly has long been a family black Toyota Hilux Revo pickup From questioning witnesses at “Although Old Kent Road is on favourite around the globe. Now, for truck, registered in Uttaradit, still the scene, police were told that the the lower end of the board, it’s fa- the first time, Phuket will be getting wrapped around the power pole on road was slippery because of rain, mous around the world and people its own edition of the world-famous the southbound side of the road. which may have led to Khanchit los- associate it with Monopoly,” says board game. The pickup driver Khanchit ing control of the pickup and hitting Jennifer Lau from Winning Moves In announcing the Phuket-themed Khampha, 46, and his front-seat the power pole. UK Ltd, who is producing the game edition last month, UK-based Winning passenger Thawatchai Wiwak, However, police found two large under official license from Hasbro, Moves say that the game will be sold 31, had injuries to their faces and bottles of beer already opened in owners of Monopoly. exclusively through local businesses in heads. Fellow passenger Theera- the truck, Capt Somnuk confirmed “We want to replace this in the Phuket from August this year. phat Kaewpetch, who was sitting At the time of press, Capt Somnuk Phuket edition with something that Each of the Monopoly spaces (28 on the back seat, was unconscious had yet to confirm any tests for drunk is equally as famous in the area – in all) will be replaced with familiar and had a leg wound. driving and has been unavailable whether it holds historical value or locations around Phuket. Many of the Rescue workers rushed all to confirm the extent of injuries to is significant to Phuket, we want to Chance and Community Chest cards three to Thalang Hospital, while Theeraphat. Eakkapop Thongtub hear from everyone!” will also be getting a Phuket-themed Email phuket@winningmoves. makeover. The Phuket News

thephuketnews THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 PHUKET NEWS 5 Officials face forest probe Investigation into forest encroachment to be handed to DSI

The Phuket News believed that the affected area “Initially, it appears that [email protected] measured 83 rai, but explained this area does not have a title that a more extensive survey document or any form of land he investigation into had confirmed that the affected claim for it issued to anyone, the encroachment of area was 108 rai. but the owner may have a Tmore than 100 rai of “As can be seen, this is a Skor Kor 1 [land use docu- protected forest in Phuket’s high area offering views. It is ment]. We still don’t know. Nakkerd Hills will be handed unlikely that the perpetrators We cannot check to confirm to the Department of Special did this for agriculture, it is this if the landowner does Investigation (DSI) to investi- intended to be for tourism, not present him or herself, gate further as a special case because the site offers a wide but from our preliminary – and involves an investigation view of Phuket, including investigation the exact rights into local officials actively many bays,” Mr Supachai are not clear,” he explained. allowing the illegal clearing noted. Mr Boonlarp of the For- of the protected forest. “The value of the land if est Resource Management Suphachai Suksai, chief of The team of investigators opened for tourism purposes Region 12 Office noted that the Encroachment Prevention confirmed that the would be a very high value,” any cases of encroachment and Suppression Region 4 affected area covers 108 he said. involving more than 100 rai office under the Royal Forest rai. Photo: PR Phuket “The road has been cut can be submitted to the DSI Department, confirmed the through a very fertile forest for further investigation move after his officers last agement Region 12 Office portant source of water flowing and to conduct an investiga- area, this is a watershed forest “As for having influencers week surveyed the area, a road in Krabi, along with Phuket into Bang Wad reservoir, the tion to identify the offender, above Bang Wad Dam, which behind it, we are investigating and plantations carved out of forestry officials, Phuket po- main water supply reservoir on as the heavy machinery used is an important water source in depth whether any agency the protected area straddling lice officers and officials from the island, Mr Supachai said. to adjust the area and create for the people of Phuket, so was involved in the encroach- the hills between Kathu and the Phuket Internal Security “From questioning forest the road to the top of the hills we must preserve it. There are ment and we would like to tell Wichit, had affected a total Operations Command (Isoc) officers with the Phuket Land must certainly involve govern- serious concerns about water the people of Phuket if any of 108 rai of protected forest. committee. Office we have found that the ment officials or ‘influencers’ supply,” Mr Supachai added. are found,” he said. Mr Supachai and his team Isoc, of which there is area does not have the right [sic] behind the scenes,” Mr Mr Supachai did confirm “Such deforestation can be of investigators filed a formal a provincial office in every document [issued to allow any Supachai explained. that such works may not be reported to the Royal Forest complaint with the Kathu province in the country, serves such clearing],” Mr Supachai “This will undergo an in- illegal if the correct land docu- Department anywhere, the Police last Thursday (Jan 21). as the political arm of the Thai added. depth investigation,” he added. ment is presented, namely a defense unit or the forest Joining Mr Supachai’s military. “The Department of For- “The case will be submit- claim to the land upheld by center. The authorities are team of investigators were The affected area, within estry will notify the Depart- ted within two days,” he said. officials since before the area ready to conduct inspections Boonlarp Suksai, Director the Nakkerd Hills Protected ment of Special Investigation Mr Supachai recognised was declared a protected for- in all areas,” Mr Boonlarp of the Forest Resources Man- Forest Area, is deemed an im- to accept this as a special case that his team had initially est reserve. said.

Scamsters prey on vehicle owners unable to make loan payments REGION 8 POLICE ARE warning people unable to make their car payments to not fall prey to scam artists who convince people to hand over their cars on the promise that the buyer will take over the outstand- ing payments to the credit company. In total, the victims had handed over eight vehicles, altogether The warning follows valued at about B4 million. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub five victims, including some from Phang Nga, gathering by posting a notice on Fa- as the company had not at the Region 8 Police head- cebook. received any more payments quarters at the northern end A man calling himself from him. of Phuket on Jan 19 to file Rit Trakan contacted him Mr Hanafee has not been a formal complaint, which through Facebook, and the able to contact Mr Rit, and was received by Investiga- two came to an agreement the Facebook page used to tor Maj Gen Naphanwoot that Mr Rit would take own- contact him is now closed. Liemsa-nguan. ership of the pickup on mak- Fellow victim Sethakorn In total the victims had ing a downpayment and Ruangklim said, “I want to handed over eight vehicles, taking over the payments to remind people who want altogether valued at about the credit company, which to sell a car like this must B4 million. had only six monthly install- be very careful because as One victim, Hanafee ments left to pay. far as I know there are still Dolah told reporters that Mr Rit said that he would many other victims of this.” the economic impact of contact the credit company Region 8 Police are now COVID-19 had left him and have his name put on investigating the claims. unable to continue making the purchase contract, Mr “We have received the payments on his Toyota Hanafee explained. complaint and are look- Hilux Revo. That never happened. ing into the claims, and we Fearing legal action The finance company will prosecute those found and being blacklisted for later contacted Mr Hanafee breaking the law,” Maj Gen not making payments, he asking him to make his con- Naphanwoot said. decided to sell the pickup tracted monthly payment, Eakkapop Thongtub

@thephuketnews 6 NEWS THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 Prab’s brother enters election for Patong Mayor The Phuket News [email protected] Phuket Smart Bus is out of action again due to lack of tourists. Photo: Shela Riva / file akrit Keesin, younger brother to influential Patong businessman Phuket Smart Bus PPreechawut ‘Prab’ Keesin, has announced that he will contest the seat of mayor in the upcoming municipal grinds to a halt – again election in Patong to be held on Mar 28. THE PHUKET SMART “As there are fewer tour- Mr Pakrit, whose nickname is ‘Puen’, Bus has stopped running, ists on the island, which the Thai word for “gun” [Mr Pakrit again, due to the lack of means far fewer passengers, chooses to spell his nickname this way], people on the island using the Phuket Smart Bus ser- made the announcement at The Royal the service vice had to be suspended Paradise Hotel & Spa in Patong last The Smart Bus stopped due to the COVID-19 situ- Sunday (Jan 24). playing its way from the ation,” Ms Wanida said. The announcement came as the Rak airport to Rawai on Jan 19. “At this time, we were Patong Party announced all their candi- Pakrit Keesin publicly announced last Sunday (Jan 24) that he would be contesting The Phuket Smart Bus still unable to confirm on dates for the Patong municipal election. the position of Patong Mayor in the upcoming election. Photo: PR Phuket is the only true form of which date the service will Rak Patong Party was founded in public transport on the is- resume. The Phuket Smart 1994 by Mr Pakrit and Mr Prab’s fa- “We must be aware of basic well- my father always said, ‘Nayok na dam land that carries passengers Bus will start rolling again ther, longstanding Patong Mayor Pian being, including basic utilities, the needs prachachon nasai’ [Dark-faced mayor, from one tourism beach as usual when the situation Keesin. Mr Pian led the party until his of the people and stimulating tourism to bright-faced people],” Mr Pakrit added. resort town to another all improves,” she added. death in 2014. the international level, especially during The Rak Patong candidates an- along Phuket’s west coast. The Smart Bus service Mr Pakrit has now taken on the role the COVID-19 crisis,” he added. nounced, all men, were: The suspension of the resumed in November after of leader of the Rak Patong Party. Asked why his brother Mr Prab was Patong Voting District 1: Manot service comes as a result of more than eight months out Mr Pakrit announced at the press not running for election, Mr Pakrit ex- Thonghom, Wasan Chaisit, Charuay the number of people on the of action since the ‘tambon conference yesterday that the Rak Patong plained, “He has to mainly take care of Phet-heung, Somchai Kwanyuen, Pra- island plunging as domestic lockdown’ in April last Party is an alternative political party the family’s business.” sitichai Patkor and Mana Panchalard. tourism remains plagued year. that aims to help resolve problems of “I want to follow up and carry on Patong Voting District 2: Thanin by the current COVID-19 However, even when the Patong people, from local residents our father’s will in order to listen and Attasap, Sahat Tamchu, Wirat Prateep situation elsewhere in the resuming the service in No- to businesses. solve problems of people,” Mr Pakrit Na Thalang, Banyat Somnam, Suthikan country, Phuket Smart Bus vember, Ms Wanida noted “Patong needs a leader with a good said, adding that when he was young he Vanyanaporn and Boontan Piromrit. Co Ltd (PKSB) General that it was for a trial period international perspective. He must not often went on field trips with his father Patong Voting District 3: Manit Manager Wanida Nimnuan only to assess the level of only have good policies, but must also while Mr Pian was in office as Mayor Yuyen, Pritsapakom Setthong, Pongpisut told The Phuket News. demand. The Phuket News listen to the local people – especially in of Patong. Kitkosab, Methasit Kanjana, Sanakorn this current situation,” Mr Pakrit said. “I want to follow the quote that Keesin and Saichon Sombat.

Class Act Media wins APAC Insider Business Award CLASS ACT MEDIA and online, The Phuket News, and IMAGE asia have been and its sister newspapers Thai- recognised in the annual language Khao Phuket and APAC Insider Business Russian-language Novosti Awards by being bestowed Phuketa. the accolade ‘Most Outstand- The Class Act Media house ing Small Local Business is also home to the popular - Phuket’. Live 89.5 radio station broad- The winners of the an- The APAC Business Awards casting across the island and aim to celebrate the success nual UK-based awards were of companies of all sizes JP Mestanza’s Phuket News announced on Jan 19. across the APAC region, TV ‘Phuket Xtra’ video re- “Now in its fifth year, the regardless of industry. ports. APAC Business Awards aim Image: APAC Insider The IMAGE asia brand, to celebrate the success of under the same media own- companies of all sizes across cess over the last 12 months. ership, produces the popular the APAC region, regardless “All in all, the heart of the Window on Phuket magazine of industry,” explained the programme remains the same: and the Where to Eat dining release announcing this year’s we want to represent and rec- guide. winners. ognise these achievements and “This award and its rec- “This last year, more than to showcase those companies ognition is only possible with any other, success has been who can truly be described the hard work, loyalty and far from guaranteed. Even as paragons on the greater commitment from our great long-established firms were professional landscape,” the team, who have continued met with uncertainty and release added. to do outstanding work even challenges, with start-ups and Speaking at the announce- during these testing times. newcomers facing a baptism ment of the awards, Awards And special thanks to our sup- of fire, the likes of which Co-ordinator Katherine Ben- porters, suppliers and readers, hadn’t been seen for decades. ton said, “I offer a sincere listeners and watchers,” said With all of this in mind, we and heartfelt congratulations Class Act Media & IMAGE launch the 2020 programme to all of those recognised in asia General Manager Jason with a slight shift in ethos the 2020 Business Awards. I Beavan. – we wanted to offer a coun- hope you all have a wonderful “It’s wonderful to be rec- terpoint to the challenges of 2021 ahead.” ognised as being an important the year by focusing on those Class Act Media is the part of the Phuket community. that have, in whatever small publisher of local English- Thank you all.” or large way, achieved suc- language newspaper, in print The Phuket News

thephuketnews THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 THAILAND NEWS 7 More elderly ordered to Early-stage abortions get Senate support repay huge sums to state LEGISLATORS IN THE Senate on Monday (Jan 25) Bangkok Post voted in 166-7 in favour of permitting abortion up to 12 ore cases have emerged of weeks of pregnancy while elderly people being told to maintaining penalties for later Mreturn tens of thousands of terminations. baht to the state after it determined they The majority voted to were not entitled to the allowances they amend the existing law that received for years. criminalises abortion, pledg- Activists from the Women Buan Losuwan, 89, agreed on Mon- ing support to a plan seek- for Freedom and Democracy day (Jan 25) to return B84,400 she had ing to tackle unregulated group protest outside received from the Tambon Charoen Suk terminations by non-medical parliament on Monday. Administration Organisation over 10 practitioners. Photo: Bangkok Post years, but asked for more time to repay it. Last week an amendment At time of press at least three new to the Criminal Code was a fine of up to B10,000 or both. cases had emerged in Nakhon Ratchasima, passed by the lower house “This means abortion is including 83-year-olds Samrit Phusawang that followed on from a Con- conditional and can only be and Kuang Somboonram. stitutional Court ruling last done by doctors according Both had received the elderly al- February stating that crimi- to the law,” Senator Wan- lowance for over 14 years from April Buan Losuwan, 89, offers a wai as she and her nalising abortion was both lop Tangkhananurak said on 2006 to November 2020. They recently family need more time to give her living allowances unconstitutional and a viola- Monday. received a letter from the Tambon Cho back to the state. Photo: Surachai Piragsa tion of human rights. The proposal was not met Ho Municipality, telling them to return The amendment proposes favourably by pro-choice the money – amounting to B83,383 each, receiving the letter and that her mother per month until the debt was paid in full. that any abortion undertaken activists who argued that including interest. had never intended to claim the money Ms Wannapa said they wanted the after the 12 week timeline maintaining penalties would The state determined they were ineli- in the first place. She only did so after a monthly repayment to be reduced to would only be allowed if a ensure the stigma of abortion gible for the allowance because they were municipal official told her to apply and B500-600 and hoped the court would certified doctor deems there continues and not protect the found to have received a separate monthly even helped her prepare the necessary have mercy on Feb 18. is a high risk of fetal impair- rights of the mother. pension due to the death of their husbands documents. Her mother thought it was A third resident of Korat, 73-year-old ment, danger to the life of the “We want all penalties to while performing official duties. her lawful right to receive the elderly al- Prachuap Padawan, received the monthly mother, or if a pregnancy was be revoked because it is a per- Both have been summonsed to appear lowance, she said. allowance from April 2009 to November the result of rape, deception son’s right to abort a pregnancy before the Nakhon Ratchasima Municipal After receiving the letter, she and her 2020 and has now been ordered to return or coercion. without being punished,” Court for a prima facie examination on mother went to the municipality office, a total of B77,737 including interest. Those that did not meet Nisarat Jongwisan, councillor Feb 18. where they were told to pay back the money She is also due to appear before the this criteria would be consid- and activist at Tam Tang, a Wannapa Sanpen, a daughter of Mrs in instalments – B18,000 for each of the Nakhon Ratchasima Municipal Court ered illegal and punishable by pro-choice group said. Samrit, said her family was stunned on first three months and then about B1,000 on Feb 18. up to six months in prison, or The Phuket News Tourism dept turns to films THE TOURISM DEPART- sought to film in Thailand ment is aiming to generate during the first half of this B3 billion from international year, which would help create film crews this year, targeting 800 jobs for locals. projects with an investment of Thailand welcomed 176 over B100 million in Thailand, international film productions after foreign tourism revenue last year, generating B1.73bn plunged 82.63% last year. for the local economy, mainly Following the Centre for Photo: Bangkok Post from China, followed by India, COVID-19 Situation Admin- the UK, the US and South istration’s (CCSA) granting film production projects are Korea. special entry permission to underway, forecast to generate “International productions film crews last year, 53 film B186mn and another 89 film can proceed and generate production projects were based crews are presently undergoing income for locals despite the in country between August quarantine. tourism slowdown,” said Anant and December, contributing Another 136 film crews, Wongbenjarat, director-general B1bn to the economy. accounting for a combined of the Tourism Department. This month, four more budget of B850mn, have Bangkok Post

@thephuketnews 8 ART THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021

Painting a brighter future for an endangered species Photo: The Fin Arts

out of the equaton and it undermines Ben Tirebuck [email protected] the whole structure. The consequence of their dwindling numbers and poten- teven Spielberg has a lot tial disappearance altogether would be to answer for,” German devastating,” he notes, adding a critical expat Holger Schwab reminder that 70% of the earth’s oxygen quips when asked why comes from the ocean. the worldwide percep- Estimates state that between 100- tion of sharks is predom- 120 million sharks are killed every inantly negative. year. A third of all sharks are threat- Holger is owner of ened with extinction in the near future. Phuket-based Sea Bees Diving and has Unregulated fishing, bycatch, a con- been“S a keen diver himself for over 35 tinued demand for shark fins for soup years. Along with fellow German expat and teeth and jaws for souvenirs, and dive instructor Alex Loew, they have contact with marine debris, such as been alarmed to see shark numbers plastics and discarded ‘ghost nets’ are declining off Phuket waters for many the main contributing factors to these years now. statistics. As a result, Holger and Alex es- The fishing industry has become tablished The Fin Arts in 2017, a much more aggressive and greedy, says Phuket-based social enterprise that Holger, with an increasing number of displays and sells shark sculptures, vessels taking to the waters each year, each one handpainted by its grow- tions. All designs can be customised Shark Guardian is the main conser- often operating in illegal territories and ing network of local and international in a bespoke manner to the customer’s vation project The Fin Arts supports. utilising illegal methods. artists, with a percentage of proceeds requirements. Its focus is to both educate and estab- As the demand for fish increases to going to shark and marine conservation The inspiration for this was provided lish a meaningful dialogue about these record numbers, particularly across the projects. by the Elephant Parade on display in important creatures of the deep. The Pacific, unregulated fishing is becoming A workshop was recently set up in Chiang Mai in 2017. In a similar vein to UK-registered charity collaborates with an increasing problem. Unscrupulous Chalong affording local resident art- The Fin Arts, Elephant Parade exhib- marine biologists and shark experts to methods adopted with longline fishing ists Sunanta Nualsomsri and her sister its decorated elephant statues to raise share data and research, visits schools in particular where the actual size of Saowaluck the creative space to pro- awareness of the need for elephant con- across the world to educate the next nets are decreased below the regulated duce the impressive sculptures and it is servation. generation about the plight of sharks, requirement means dolphins, seabirds, hoped providing more direct access to The objective is to bring the mes- and petitions and lobbies governments. sea turtles, and sharks are unintention- the general public will help continue to sage of shark conservation efforts into ally being caught and killed. raise awareness. everyday lives, into homes and offices Education the key The shark fin market is also a ma- The sculptures come in three sizes: in order to create a conversation, raise Although Holger’s reference to Holly- jor issue, despite restrictions being 30-centimetre sharks cast in polyresin awareness and educate people. wood mogul Spielberg’s role in depicting introduced and consumption dropping. to decorate desks and shelves; and 100- “The sculptures are different, unusu- sharks as villains courtesy of his 1975 Used for soup at auspicious occasions and 150-centimetre sharks made from al,” says Holger. “They often achieve the blockbuster film Jaws is tongue-in- typically in China and its associated fibreglass, statement pieces that The desired effect of initiating a conversation cheek, there is a simultaneous tone of territories, it is estimated that 75 mil- Fin Arts uses to catch eyes at conven- that can result in a positive impact.” definite lament and, for him, education lion sharks are killed for this barbaric is the key driver in effecting change. practice every year. Shark fin soup is “In 35 years of diving I have only still also widely available in Thailand. ever heard of one serious shark attack “The sad thing is that a shark’s fin on a diver, which occurred in Egypt sev- is merely cartilage and therefore of- eral years ago,” he says. Indeed, you are fers very little in terms of taste,” says far more likely to die from a popping Holger. champagne cork, being struck by light- Still, Holger remains upbeat and ning or a falling coconut from a tree. confident that things can and will “Humans are not part of a shark’s change, in the short and long term. food-chain,” adds Holger, stressing that “We will continue our efforts in try- rare attacks are usually the shark mis- ing to help protect and conserve these taking a human for food, taking a “test beautiful creatures who are so funda- bite” but then releasing. mental in so many ways,” he says. If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything it is the precarious For more information, visit thefinarts. yet crucial balance between humans com and www.facebook.com/thefinarts. and nature. The importance sharks The Fin Arts’ shark sculptures are play in the eco-system of the ocean can available through their website or at the not be understated, says Holger. Sea Bees Diving centre in Chalong. If “As apex predators, sharks play a you are an artist and are interested in a crucial role in maintaining marine bio- collaboration, get in touch at diversity,” he says. “You take the shark [email protected] or on 080 143 5472.

thephuketnews THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 ENVIRONMENT 9 Enjoying floaters with an accent in Asia: it can be pressed into service as a mulch or GREEN THOUGHTS fertiliser while its fibrous roots are used to make up- market, woven furniture. This needs to be exploited. Patrick Campbell Eichornia is a bit more exotic than the humble water lettuce (pistia stratiotes) which also floats, but f the lotus and water lily are likely to be main produces no flowers of any significance. In similar players in your Thai water-garden, there are oth- fashion, its emerald green, deeply pleated rosettes of ers which can perform useful cameo roles. One leaves sprout from roots trailing below the surface. such performer is the Egyptian papyrus (cyperus These lie more-or-less flat when there is plenty of sur- papyrus). Every schoolboy knows one fact about face room, but if the rosettes are close together in a this plant: it was used to make the first paper. pot, they will become more upright in habit. Pistia re- The second ‘fact’ is not common knowledge – produces by means of offsets: these can be removed to namely that the ‘bulrushes’ in which the infant start a new colony elsewhere. Moses was hidden, were almost certainly papyrus reeds. If grown in garden ponds, both these “floaters” pro- ITall with long, elegant stems surmounted by a ring Water lettuce and water hyacinth (foreground). vide some shelter for fish, and the capacity to remove of fine leaves (modified stems) which radiate out from a some impurities from the water. But they should not central hub, this sedge will grow a couple of metres tall, may be three metres tall. Settled in a well-watered pot, be allowed to cover the entire surface: they will need a stately presence above the surface of your pool or pot. Thalia can take the full sun of a patio, but it will also to be periodically culled, and to have their dead leaves Smaller but equally valuable as a water margin survive in permanently moist soil, or at the edge of removed – before they de-oxygenate the water. plant and much easier to find in garden centres, is its your fish pond where it will add height and substance The water chestnut (trapa bicornis) is probably a relative, cyperus alternifolius. Sometimes known as to existing foliage. Thalia will germinate from seed or better choice for the small garden. Another “floater”, the umbrella plant, it hails from Madagascar and has can be divided at the roots. An “accent plant” with a it looks neat with flat, diamond-shaped, leaves which a circle of broader, grass-like leaves gracing the top of difference. Leaves tend to go yellow at the edges, par- form an attractive rosette above the submerged fruit. each slender stem. ticularly if short of water. These hard brown fruit, which resemble the horned Both are what Americans like to call “accent Both the papyrus and water canna root, convention- head of a bull – hence the botanical name – contain plants”, and provide a contrast to surface-hugging ally enough, in saturated soil. On the other hand, the a large starchy nut considered a delicacy, especially plants such as water-lilies, or floaters such as water water hyacinth (eichornia crassipes) literally floats on among the Chinese. Submerged, these fruits can be lettuce or water hyacinths. I have a cyperus growing water. So named because it produces lilac-hued spikes used to propagate new plants. In the wild, the fine at the edge of my fish pond and a couple in large pots of hyacinth-like blooms above bulbous, air-filled stems, roots may extend for three or four metres, anchored keeping company with guppies and Mexican swordtails these blooms can look attractive in a confined space. in the mud at the bottom of a pond or slow-moving which hide in its ample roots. And it will grow more-or- The free-hanging submerged roots are purplish-black, stream. Trapa is happy in strong sunlight and since it less anywhere. the stiff oval leaves a deep green. is less invasive than the water lettuce, it looks good in Another familiar sight on Thai forecourts is the One of the fastest growing of plants, it reproduces a container. water canna or Thalia geniculata, an upright foliage by means of stolons or underwater runners which plant, often with attractive red stems, and large bright form new plants. Because of this rapid growth, it can “The Tropic Gardener”, an indispensable guide to green, lanceolate leaves which appear lower down the colonise and dominate a stretch of water in days, car- plants and their cultivation in Thailand. Available growth. The clusters of tiny flowers are purple with peting the entire surface and killing off other aquatics. from the author at [email protected], from white spots and dangle from the ends of stalks which The water hyacinth also has some commercial value Seng Ho bookshop in Phuket Town or Delish in Rawai.

@thephuketnews 10 TIME OUT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021

Crossword by Myles Mellor & Sally York Across 46. Wrath 25. Outdoor eateries 1. Dog pest 47. Steely ___, rock 26. Moderate 5. William Wallace, e.g. group 27. Brouhaha 1. Who is the first rapper to win a Pulitzer prize for music 9. Maj.’s superior 48. Children wih for his album ‘Damn.’? 28. Light 14. Behind superpowers 29. Blast from the 2. Which 3D puzzle was invented in 1974 by a Hungarian 15. Dub 56. Type of bank loan past professor of architecture? 16. Farsi speaker, 57. Proficient 30. When in ____... 3. How heavy in kilograms is one cubic metre of water? perhaps 58. “Better Call ___” 17. Just like you see it 59. Common 31. Cousin of Dora 4. A dolorimeter is an instrument used to measure what? 18. Caen’s river contraction the Explorer 5. Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport serves which 19. Baby bottom 60. Everglades 32. Any “Seinfeld,” sprinkles deposit now Italian city? Answers below, centre 20. Classic children’s 61. Little BMW 33. Curlicues nursery song 62. Adam and Mae 35. Schmo 23. Lawyer’s group 63. Bohemian 36. Lentil sauce (abbr.) 64. Jacket part 38. Large clam Easy 24. In the open SUDOKU 39. Beach footwear 25. Pet songbird Down 44. Upraises 29. Grps. 1. Where boys will be 31. Rap doctor? boys 45. Protection 34. Like an unwatched 2. Sumptuous 46. “No way!” pot 3. Mideast potentate 47. Key of Chopin’s 35. Virtual opinion 4. Church recess “Minute Waltz” 36. Runs out of steam 5. Class conscious 48. Father 37. Sleeping beauty 6. “Cheers” role 49. Corrida cries characters 7. Hotel chain 50. Hemingway 40. DIY handicrafts site 8. Prom dancer nickname Solutions to last week’s puzzles: 41. “Strength, Courage 9. It turns red in acid 51. Taxi firm and wisdom” singer 10. Characteristic 52. Doctrines, India 11. H.S. subject 42. Court site, with 12. Fairy tale starter informally “The” 13. Sue Grafton’s 53. Precipitate 43. Go out with “___ for Lawless” 54. Kind of moth 44. Old weapon 21. Way back when 55. Docking spot

45. Lawgivers 22. In hiding 56. Left on the farm

Answers to thisRome 5) week’sthreshold; Pain 4) Pop Quiz: 1) Kendrick Lamar (2018); 2) Rubik’s Cube; 3) 1,000kg; 1,000kg; 3) Cube; Rubik’s 2) (2018); Lamar Kendrick 1)

This week GOT YOUR ISLAND VIEW in history

NUMBER Jan 29, 904 Sergius III comes out of retirement to take over the papacy from the 2 deposed antipope Christopher. out of 4 teenage girls feel Jan 30, 1703 depressed after looking at a The Forty-seven Ronin, under the fashion magazine for only 3 command of Ōishi Kuranosuke, minutes, according to one study. avenge the death of their master. Jan 31, 2012 The Toyota Corolla becomes the best-selling car of all time, with 7 more than 37.5 million units sold. times the money it would take to (1,482,932 units sold in 2019 alone) end extreme poverty worldwide is how much the world’s billionaires Feb 1, 1972 Kuala Lumpur becomes a city by a made in 2017. royal charter granted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. Feb 2, 1709 40 Alexander Selkirk is rescued after being shipwrecked on a desert percent of the world’s land is in just island, inspiring Daniel Defoe’s six countries. adventure book Robinson Crusoe. Feb 3, 1972 The first day of the seven-day 1972 750,000 Iran blizzard, which would kill at least 4,000 people, making it the US dollars is how much Brazilian deadliest snowstorm in history. football star Ronaldinho lost in a deal with Coca-Cola because he took a sip from a Pepsi at a press conference in 2012. 220 The original registration form and login million page for thefacebook in 2004. is how many smell receptors Feb 4, 2004 Basset hounds have. The portion of Facebook is founded by Mark Zuck- their brains tied to sense of smell is Phuket Old Town. Photo: Ivan Sebastian erberg, along with fellow Harvard 40 times that of a human. College students and roommates Got an unusual or particularly beautiful picture of Phuket? Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCol- Source: Uberfacts Email it to [email protected] lum, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes. Source: Wikipedia

thephuketnews THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 CLASSIFIEDS 11

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14 SPORT THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 Things get heated at the ACG Controversy as Penguins defeat Cows in year’s curtain-raiser rienced Quail was unable to A 110-run partnership CRICKET confirm which batsman was to between Swart (82) and Van

Neil Quail be dismissed, but after some Blerk (29 not out) in just 11 heated debate between the overs ensured victory for motions ran high at the two sides, it was decided that Cows and set up a potentially ACG last Sunday (Jan an incredulous Ninan, having taught return match on Sun- E24) when the Thalang been the one to obstruct the day (Jan 31). Cows faced off against the fielder, would return to the Man-of-the-match went to Patong Penguins in the first clubhouse. Hamilton for his 90 not out, encounter between the two Once the furore subsided, with nods to Swart for his rivals this year. Livermore took the wicket 82, Mushtaq for his 80, and What promised to be an of Ali Khan in the 11th over, Ledeboer for his 56. Bowl- enthralling match, with both caught behind by Anthony ing honours were claimed teams fielding new or return- Van Blerk, before Robertson by Gaur for his 3 for 43 off ing players, unfortunately bowled Mushtaq for 80 with six overs. ended in a result overshadowed the score on 131 for 3. by debate and controversy. Stuart Hamilton then WHAT’S ON AT THE Having racked up 172 runs called on a repertoire of ex- ACG (JAN 29 – FEB 2) in his past two matches for the ceptional shots to reach his Friday: Senior & Junior Rest of the World, all-rounder half century by the 28th over Cricket Training (4:30 - Justin Swart’s reinstatement and finished 90 not out. 6:30pm) to the Penguins and the sign- Chasing a target of 267, Saturday: Vagabonds Rugby ing of left-arm seamer Dom Michael Flowers and Saju Training (4 - 6pm) Judge certainly fortified the Abraham opened the batting Sunday: Cricket - Patong Patong side, while the Cows Thalang Cows' Stuart Hamilton defends his wicket for the Penguins, hitting a Penguins v Thalang Cows garnered motivation by the en route to 90 not out last Sunday. Photo: Neil Quail quick-fire 17 off 18, before (10am start) arrival of all-rounders Bhanu Pratap bowled Abraham in Monday: Junior Cricket Pratap and Zan Coplestone. Coming in at three, Ninan’s position himself beneath the bility of a catch. Immediately, the 6th over. Coaching with former pro- Jeremy Bootsy and Imtiyaz innings was to be short-lived, dropping ball, both Cows a chorus of appeals went up Flowers and Paddy Lede- fessional Ashan Fonseka (3 Mushtaq opened the batting but the manner of his dismissal batsmen sprinted to cross and from the Penguins claiming boer then put on a 59-run - 5pm) strongly for the Cows, rap- just six balls later will long be make their ground. Straying ‘obstructing the field’, to which partnership before the former Tuesday: Junior Cricket idly reaching 50 runs by the remembered by all at the ACG. off a direct line, Ninan collided umpire Neil Quail promptly was dismissed by wicketkeeper Coaching with former pro- 7th over, before Bootsy was Mushtaq top-edged a Curt with Livermore, causing both raised his finger to signal a Bootsy, shortly followed by his fessional Ashan Fonseka (3 caught by Jason Robertson Livermore delivery skyward players to end up sprawled on dismissal. partner (56) with the score at - 5pm) Vagabonds Rugby off the bowling of Sajal Gaur. and as the bowler moved to the ground, negating the possi- Regrettably, an inexpe- 112 for 3. Training (5 - 7pm)

Double title delight for Thai pair Britons secure America’s BADMINTON Cup challenger final place MIXED DOUBLES STARS Dechapol Puavaranukroh SAILING and Sapsiree Taerattanachai claimed their second BWF World Tour Super 1000 titles BEN AINSLIE’S INEOS in a fortnight with a straight- Team UK overcame a pre- game win last Sunday (Jan 24). race gear failure to beat Luna The top-seeded Thais Rossa on the final cross in defeated fourth-seeded Seo a thriller on Auckland har- Seung-Jae and Chae Yu-Jung bour last Sunday (Jan 23) of South Korea 21-16, 22- to qualify unbeaten for the 20 to win the US$1 million final of the America’s Cup (B30mn) Toyota Thailand challenger series. Open at Impact Arena, Muang The lead changed nine Thong Thani. Dechapol Puavaranukroh (left) and Sapsiree Taerattanachai times in the first fully com- World No.3 pair Dechapol pose with their gold medals and trophies. Photo: Bangkok Post petitive match-race in a and Sapsiree, who claimed series disrupted in the early their maiden Super 1000 crown Carolina Marin and Viktor Vittinghus throughout the rounds by weather vagar- at the Yonex Thailand Open Axelsen from Denmark also 40-minute match, triumphing ies and a spectacular crash Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (L) competes against INEOS the previous week, took home ended the second week of the in the first set 21-11 and 21-7 involving American Magic. Team UK in Auckland on Jan 23. Photo: AFP the $74,000 (approximately Asian leg with back-to-back in the second game. “That was one for the B2 million) winners’s cheque. titles. The women’s doubles was fans,” British legend Ain- was delayed 80 minutes Ainslie said, describing the “We’re very happy to win Axelsen was a command- an all Korean affair with sixth- slie said. – first by a wind change final cross as being “about our second tournament in ing force against his compa- ranked Kim So-Yeong and Ainslie, the most suc- forcing a reset of the course, as close as you want to get”. two weeks,” said Sapsiree in triot Hans-Kristian Solberg Kong Hee-Yong too strong cessful sailor in Olympic and then a hydraulic fault With the finish line in a post-match interview. “It Vittinghus in the men’s final. against fourth-ranked Lee history, is on record as say- requiring makeshift repairs sight and Italian entry Luna was our goal from the start Marin, the reigning Olym- So-Hee and Shin Seung-Chan ing he would willingly trade on INEOS. Rossa holding the right of to do our best and try to win pic champion, smashed top 21-18, 21-19. his Olympic medals – four “We were on the back way, Ainslie managed to on our home court.” seed Tai Tzu-ying for the In the men’s doubles, sev- gold and one silver – to be foot. We were missing one keep INEOS in front. Dechapol and Sapsiree will second time in two weeks. enth-ranked Lee Yang and the first Briton to win the of the key settings for the Luna Rossa protested hope to make it three in a row “I feel extremely happy. Wang Chi-Lin of Taiwan also America’s Cup. power of the boat so the guys but the race officials ruled as they participate in the Asian Two victories in two weeks, made it back-to-back titles in But he said there were did an awesome job getting Ainslie had maintained the leg finale – the HSBC BWF it’s an amazing way to start 36 minutes against Malaysia’s some tense moments before us around the track in one legal distance between the World Tour Finals – which the year,” said Marin. ninth-ranked Aaron Chia and the Luna Rossa race, which piece and getting the win,” two yachts. AFP started on Wednesday. Fourth seed Axelsen 27, Soh Wooi Yik 21-13, 21-18. Earlier in the day, Spain’s ran rings around 35-year-old Bangkok Post

thephuketnews THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 SPORT 15 Big guns advance in FA Cup No shocks as United, City, Chelsea, Spurs progress league side as, despite the result FOOTBALL ending their fairytale run, they

Ben Tirebuck pocketed around £120,000 (almost [email protected] B5 million) in prize money, plus TV fees, to sustain them through nlike the previous round of what could be a difficult period this famous cup competi- after their league was suspended for Ution there were no shock two weeks amid funding concerns. results last weekend as many of the The closest to a shock result in- heavyweight Premier League clubs volved Manchester City, somewhat managed to navigate themselves ironically given their imperious safely through to the next round. form in the league of late. The highlight tie was a pulsating League Two Cheltenham Town clash between Liverpool and Man- took the lead on the hour mark and chester United on Sunday (Jan 24) one of the biggest shocks in recent which saw the Red Devils emerge 3-2 history looked to be on the cards. victors thanks to a superb free-kick Indeed, City left it late, scoring from talisman Bruno Fernandes. all three of their goals in the last In an end-to-end contest Moham- 10 minutes as a combination of ed Salah scored twice for Liverpool nerves and fatigue took their toll either side of strikes from Mason on the home side. Greenwood and Marcus Rashford. “I’m incredibly proud,” said Fernandes then came off the Cheltenham manager Michael Duff bench to smash his free-kick home of his side’s display. “The players 12 minutes from time, prompting they brought on from the bench and wild celebrations for the home side Bruno Fernandes (far left) watches as his free-kick beats the the way they celebrated the goals and leaving Liverpool searching for Liverpool wall and wins the match last Sunday. Photo: AFP tells you something. They know answers after another painful defeat. they’ve been in a game. They’ve United will face West Ham in trick as Chelsea saw off League Frank Lampard who was dismissed Southampton and there were wins done that to better teams than us.” the next round after they saw off One Luton Town 3-1 at a snowy 24 hours later following a series of for Everton, Leicester City, Burnley, Pep Guardiola’s side travel to lower league opponents Doncaster Stamford Bridge to progress to questionable results in the Premier Brighton and Wolves who made Championship highfliers Swansea Rovers 4-0 on Saturday. the next round where they will League (see below). hard work of seeing off non-league City in the next round. face Barnsley. Spurs overcame League One Chorley courtesy of a 12th minute All FA Cup fifth-round ties CITY WOBBLE However, the result was not Wycombe Wanderers 4-1, hold- strike from Vitinha. are scheduled for the weekend of Tammy Abraham fired a hat- enough to save under-fire manager ers Arsenal were dumped out by It was bittersweet for the non- Feb 10.

Lampard ‘disappointed’ with Chelsea exit FOOTBALL

FRANK LAMPARD EX- pressed his disappointment at not being given time to succeed after being sacked by Chelsea on Monday (Jan 25), with former Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel set to take over at Stamford Bridge. Lampard led Chelsea Lampard was sacked as Chelsea to a fourth-placed Premier boss on Monday. Photo: AFP League finish and the FA Cup final in his first season “I am disappointed not said: “This was a very dif- in charge. to have had the time this ficult decision for the club, However, he failed to season to take the club for- not least because I have an match much greater expec- ward and bring it to the excellent personal relation- tations this season after the next level.” ship with Frank and I have club spent a reported £220 The club said it had been the utmost respect for him. million (B9 billion) on new a “very difficult decision” “He is a man of great players in the summer trans- to part ways with their all- integrity and has the highest fer window. time record goalscorer, who of work ethics. However, A run of five defeats won three league titles and under current circumstanc- in their last eight Premier the Champions League dur- es we believe it is best to League matches has seen ing his 13-year career as a change managers.” Chelsea slip to ninth, 11 player at Stamford Bridge. Lampard’s Premier points behind leaders Man- “Recent results and per- League points-per-game chester United. formances have not met the average of 1.67 is the lowest “It has been a huge privi- club's expectations, leaving for any Chelsea manager lege and an honour to man- the club mid-table without since Abramovich arrived age Chelsea, a club that has any clear path to sustained at Stamford Bridge in 2003. been a big part of my life improvement,” Chelsea said. At time of press, Tuchel for so long,” Lampard said In a rare public state- was expected to be named in a statement posted on his ment, the club’s Russian as Lampard’s successor by Instagram account. owner Roman Abramovich the end of the week. AFP

@thephuketnews THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021

[email protected] Frank walks the Chelsea Sport plank > p15

Fabricio Andrade training at Tiger Muay Thai and MMA Training Camp in Phuket ahead of his ONE Championship contest. Photo: Hip Panakom Santayanon ONE WAY FOR WONDERBOY MMA Championship, Asia’s premier two ranked Bantamweight have been sworn to secrecy the same guarantee. Still, While the pandemic has mixed martial arts promo- in the division with over 50 until the fights air live next he’s ecstatic to be handed affected travel and tourism, JP Mestanza tion. He made his debut for fights, Andrade was positively Friday (Feb 5). an opportunity to showcase especially here in Phuket, it [email protected] the promotion only last July taken aback. The COVID-19 pandemic his skills against one of the has allowed Andrade to focus with an impressive first round “I was surprised they of- has forced the promotion to best in the division, and a on improving his wrestling, he sport of MMA is submission win over Filipino fered me the fight, but I was hold multiple fight cards in win over the number two and become a more well- about making the most Mark Abelardo. more surprised that he ac- one night which will then ranked fighter in the division rounded fighter. Tof your opportuni- For his second fight in cepted,” said the 23-year-old be broadcast on YouTube will significantly increase his “For us, I think we haven’t ties, whenever they present the promotion, and with the Phuket resident. “He’s number and television on scheduled chances of a title shot in the been affected so badly like themselves. Fabricio Andrade worldwide pandemic still two, and I’m unranked so it Friday timeslots. near future. Japan or those countries, will be looking to run up the raging, Andrade thought he was not a good fight for him. “[Sato is] very experi- At the moment, he’s look- because we’re not really in championship ladder, after would be offered another I already knew he’s going to enced,” Andrade said, “I ing to turn heads in ONE lockdown during fight camp. being gifted a chance to fight comparable opponent. Af- be tough. But I’m ready.” don’t think he wants to strike Championship and has his So I was able to train every one of the most experienced ter all, he’s unranked in the The contest, part of ONE with me. I’d have to defend sights set on some of the day. We don’t have many fighters in Asian MMA. promotion’s crowded Ban- Championship: Unbreakable the take down and make him promotion’s top names. people at Tiger at the mo- The Brazilian known as tamweight division (61kg) 3 at the Singapore Indoor pay every time he tried or “If I win this fight, I would ment, so every coach was ‘Wonderboy’ fights out of and isn’t a household name Stadium, actually took place took me down.” try to fight John Lineker free to help me. I had more Tiger Muay Thai and MMA at the moment. and was recorded last Friday The promotion guaranteed next,” he said, referring to specific training with coach Training Camp in Chalong But when he was tapped to (Jan 23). However, the results a title shot to Sato if he won, the fellow Brazilian and UFC Frank Hickman. I think I had and is unranked in ONE fight Shoko Sato, the number are unknown and the athletes while Andrade was not given veteran. a great camp for this fight.”

Touch rugby returns to Phuket champions BISP Must Tag Sally competitive, the tournament brings TOUCH RUGBY returning to defend their title in teams together from around our the main draw. beautiful island of Phuket. THE FIRST ONE DAY TOUCH At just B100 per player, all funds The Tipsy Cow bar and restau- Rugby Tournament of the year raised during the day, including the rant will be open all day to quench kicks off at the Alan Cooke Cricket Pavilions Phuket sponsored raffle the thirst and feed the palate of all Ground (ACG) on Feb 20. prizes, will benefit the ACG and players and support crew. The day will begin at 2pm for their much needed new lawn mower! The Phuket News is a proud our younger players with a children’s Team entries are being con- sponsor of Touch Rugby in Phuket. social game and training session run firmed now. However, those that are If you would like to register a team by volunteers from the Phuket com- not yet part of a team are welcome or individual player please email munity. The main competition will to come down on the day and a team Donna Toon, lunch@classactmedia. commence at 3pm with defending will be allocated for you. Social, but co.th The Phuket News Photo: Donna Toon

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