Volume 11 Issue 20 News Desk - Tel: 076-236555 May 15 - 21, 2004 Daily news at www.phuketgazette.net 20 Baht

The Gazette is published in association with Muslim Gov asks for diplomats IN THIS ISSUE ‘surprised’

NEWS: Trash handling ineffi- cient, says study; Transport by calm problems hotline to open soon. Pages 2 & 3 more police By Gategaeo Phetsawang INSIDE STORY: Water, water everywhere, but less and less By Gategaeo Phetsawang PHUKET AIRPORT: Muslim to drink. Pages 4 & 5 diplomats who took a tour of the NAI YANG: The Phuket provin- troubled deep South and then AROUND THE ISLAND: Hot cial government has requested Phuket last weekend, expressed wheels help the boys in more police to beef up security surprise at how calm the South brown. Page 6 in the province following the re- was, and noted that Phuket still AROUND THE REGION: Belgian cent violence in Pattani, Narathi- has many tourists. beauties on the beaches of wat and Yala. Suten J. Manurung, Deputy Samui. Page 8 Speaking to members of Chief of Mission of the Indone- the Thai Federation of Provincial sian Embassy, said the tour, with OFF THE WALL: Bruce Stan- Tourist Associations (TFPTA) Minister of Interior Dr Bhokin ley visits Phuket City’s new- from 42 provinces attending a Bhalakula acting as guide for the est and finest restaurant. seminar on May 8 at the Pearl 12 diplomats, was a good idea. Pages 10 & 11 Village Hotel, Governor Udom- “It’s been a good trip. At STOOL PIGEON: The sex-show sak Usawarangkura said he had least we and other countries, es- tout who picked the wrong asked Bangkok for more offic- pecially Muslim countries, can target. Page 12 ers to boost security “like we had see for ourselves what is happen- when the [Asia-Pacific Econom- ing. It’s nothing like you would DOWNSIDER: So you think ic Cooperation] meetings were Phuket’s getting worse? expect after reading reports in held in Phuket. Page 17 the media in Bangkok.” He also “Each hotel and resort noted, “There are still many tour- BUSINESS & MONEY: ‘Still should also have their own se- ists in Phuket.” plenty of upside in property curity,” he added, “We believe He added that he hopes the market’; Worrying over US that nothing bad will happen here South will calm down as soon as interest rates. Page 21 if we watch tourist areas care- possible, especially once the SPORT: Seur Mon Chol win fully.” Thai government opens a dia- cup; Golf; Sailing; Darts. He also addressed the prob- logue with southern insurgents. Pages 22 & 23 lems raised by a reappearance of On May 7, Dr Bhokin led the Sars (severe acure respiratory the diplomats to Pattani to meet GOOD LIVING: A bit of chili at syndrome) virus in China re- Muslim leaders from Pattani, Pepper’s. Page 25 cently. Yala and Narathiwat provinces. GOOD LIVING: Sad loss for the “Sars affected tourism last Dato Haji Md Yunos bin property industry; Home of year. Some hotels had to close Haji Md Hussein, Brunei’s Am- the Week in Patong; Pinsent and people lost their jobs. So we bassador, told the Gazette, “In on DIY vs ready-built; The have begun to prepare measures Pattani it is peaceful and we were plant that wouldn’t die. to handle this situation, should General roundup surprised to see people there go- Pages 26, 27 & 28 it recur.” ing about their daily lives. They He said that the Phuket Pol Lt Gen Dr Chanvut Vajrabukka, Commissioner of the Immi- don’t seem to be worried.” PLUS Public Health Office was moni- gration Bureau, speaks with a Nigerian citizen rounded up The group, which also in- toring the situation so that au- recently in the ongoing crackdown on illegal migrants. See cluded Bangkok-based represen- AROUND THE N ATION 7; HAPPEN- thorities could be fully prepared. page 3, ‘Immigration cracks down on illegals’. tatives of Oman, the UAE, Iran, INGS 9; HOROSCOPES 13; TRAVEL, “Direct flights from China Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bangla- SMALLS 14; KIDS 15; MOMMA will be checked strictly,” he said, desh, Pakistan, Morocco, Kha- DUCK, YOUTH ’N ASIA 16; EDI- adding that the possibility of “The Phuket Tourist Asso- private sector would each pay zakhstan and Qatar, flew to TORIAL & LETTERS 18; FIRST buying a mass scanner to iden- ciation has suggested that the half of the cost of such a ma- Phuket in the evening of May 8. PERSON, ISSUES & ANSWERS 19; tify people with high tempera- airport should have a scanner chine.” They toured Patong the same tures was being considered as a checking the temperature of Four cases of Sars were COMPUTERS, BOOKS 20; MOTOR- night and took a trip to Koh Hei way to speed up the processing each person coming into Phu- detected in China in April. One (Coral Island) the following day, ING 24; CLASSIFIEDS 29-35. of arriving passengers. ket. The government and the of the four has since died. before flying back to Bangkok. 2 PHUKET GAZETTE NEWS May 15 - 21, 2004 Star Cruises denies fear Trash handling very sparked suspension

PHUKET: Star Cruises denied on has been little effect so far on inefficient – study May 10 that its suspension of all their businesses. cruises from Singapore to Phuket Chusak Wongwai, Opera- PHUKET CITY: About 20 local dry waste. The disparity between was the result of fears of terror- tions Manager of Phuket-based leaders attended a seminar at the its capacity and the amount of ist attacks, following the violence tour company Asian Trails, said, Royal Phuket City Hotel on May waste generated needs to be ad- in southern Thailand on April 28. “The [violence] has not affected 5 to hear the findings of a study dressed now in order to avoid a Ariya Noongan, Executive us more than 0.5%.” on waste management issues. future crisis, the report said. Sales Officer at Star Cruises in However, he added that The study’s final report A trash separation facility Bangkok, told the Gazette that many tourists were worried about called for more efficient waste was opened next to the incinera- the Star Cruises head office in traveling to Phuket because it is disposal practices by local gov- tor last December, with the goal Singapore decided “last month” a southern province. ernment bodies in order to sup- of reducing the 340 tons a day to suspend the Singapore-Phuket “The negative image of the port efforts to sort trash before burned at the facility by about service because feedback from violence has spread to cover all collection. 15%, or 40-50 tons a day. ticket agents and customers in- of southern Thailand. It did not The seminar was presented But the sheer volume of dicated that a Singapore-Penang- involve Phuket, and publicizing by Pireeyutma Vanapruk, Presi- garbage still results in wet and Langkawi service was preferred. this is important in getting tour- dent of the Development of En- dry wastes being burned together, “The decision had nothing ists to understand,” he said. vironment and Energy Founda- reducing the incinerator’s effi- to do with the threat of terror- Pattanapong Aikwanich, tion, a non-governmental organi- ciency. ism,” she said. zation that conducted the study, He told the Gazette that the President of the Phuket Tourist Pireeyutma Vanapruk: Govern- Oddly, given the “feed- Association, agreed. He ex- in cooperation with researchers ment-private sector coopera- study began last month, and was back”, K. Ariya said that the plained to the Gazette that he re- from the Prince of Songkla Uni- tion needs boosting. prompted by widespread suspi- Phuket service, discontinued on cently returned from Xiamen, versity Phuket Campus. cion and complaints about the May 2, will resume from June 1. China, where he saw the news- The work was funded by not encouraging. It concluded, 200-baht-a-ton charge that Phu- The Star Cruises denial paper headline “Terrorism in the Japan International Coopera- for example, that a pilot trash ket City levies on other districts came after Leenawat Roong- southern Thailand” and a map tion Agency. separation project in Thalang for burning waste at the facility. uthai, Operations Manager of the showing Pattani, Yala, Narathi- The research paper, titled A was essentially futile because the K. Pireeyutma concluded Phuket branch of SEA Tours Co wat, Krabi, Phang Nga and Study of Improvement of Waste trash was recombined when col- that change must be made in or- Ltd, a major agent for the cruise Phuket as the danger zone. Management for Phuket Prov- lected by municipal workers. der to minimize the amount of line, told the Gazette, “The cruise “Most tourists misunder- ince, called for local municipali- The report noted that waste that must be collected and industry has been severely af- stand [the situation] because of ties and tambon administration Phuket generates about 350 tons incinerated. fected by the threat of terrorism. what is presented by the media organizations (OrBorTor) to im- of garbage daily, about 100 tons In addition, he said, coop- “We usually have 10,000 [in those countries]. They {the prove waste collection practices more than the rated maximum eration on trash separation be- tourists a month in the low sea- media] should publish the facts, to support trash separation and capacity of the incinerator in the tween local government and the son,” he said, “but at the moment and Thailand, especially, should allow the island’s incinerator to Saphan Hin area of Phuket City. private sector must be increased. we have zero bookings.” communicate directly through operate more efficiently. Operated by the city, the – Naiyana Pattanapiboonpong In contrast, other tourism the international media,” K. What the study found was incinerator is designed to handle & Rittiwat Suwannarattaphum businesses operating outside of Pattanapong said. the deep south report that there – Anongnat Sartpisut Challenge to wallets and bladders PATONG: Residents with kind the last bar visited and consume collected going to charity. An hearts and strong bladders will more beer. official briefing will be held at want to participate in the Patong The team that accumulates the Two Black Sheep Bar on May Cannonball Challenge, a monthly most points on each leg of the 28 at 8 pm. At the meeting, teams charity pub crawl starting early crawl, which is expected to take will also decide which charity next month. in dozens of bars, will host a will receive the proceeds of the The event involves teams of Golden Potty Award party at its first crawl. four to 10 members drinking beer “home” bar. Organizer Bill Scott said in participating venues along a Expect to see a lot of red- that initial response to the idea designated route. Starting at their faces, grimacing and clenched has been positive, with as many home venue, participants will re- knees in Patong on the night of as 40 bars expected to take part. ceive points for drinks consumed June 4, when the first pub crawl For more details contact – but will have points deducted kicks off at around 5 pm. It is Bill Scott at Two Black Sheep each time they answer the call of expected to end at about 10 pm. (076-344799; 09-5944081) or nature. The entry fee is 500 baht Brian at Danny Bar in the Tiger In addition to losing points, per team, plus 100 baht for each Entertainment Complex (01- they will also have to go back to team member, with the money 0880353).

Don’t miss.... Issues & Answers phuketgazette.net/ issuesanswers/index.asp May 15 - 21, 2004 NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 3 Immigration Anchalee finally takes OrBorJor seat cracks down PHUKET: Eight weeks after the elections for Committee] in Bangkok, confirming that K. be signed by the PEC Chairman, Dr Prapa seats in the Phuket Provincial Administra- Anchalee is the rightful President of the Kayee, but she was not in the office on May on illegals tion Organization (OrBorJor) took place, and Phuket OrBorJor.” 10. 14 days after all the other members’ seats K. Kittipong explained that CEC Chair- Finally, however, on May 11, Dr Prapa had been confirmed, the Phuket Election man Wassana Permlab signed the declaration signed the document and it was collected the PHUKET CITY: Phuket Immi- Committee (PEC) on May 11 finally handed on May 2. same day by K. Anchalee. gration Office has arrested 766 signed confirmation to Anchalee Vanich- However, he said, although the decla- The 24-member Democrat-dominated illegal workers, mostly from Thepabutr that she is the new OrBorJor ration was sent by Express Mail Service OrBorJor was scheduled to meet on Friday neighboring countries, in the first President. (EMS), the document took a week to arrive May 14 and K. Anchalee told the Gazette that four months of the year as part PEC Director Kittipong Thiengkun- because of government holidays in the fol- she expected to assume her presidency of the of a concerted drive to round up agrit, speaking to the Gazette on May 10, said lowing week. OrBorJor at that meeting. illegals. “We received the formal declaration [this There was a further day’s delay because “We will then announce our major poli- Of those arrested, the over- morning] from the CEC [Central Election when the document reached Phuket it had to cies,” she said. – Anongnat Sartpisut whelming majority – 738 – were Burmese, with the remaining 28 coming from Laos, Cambodia and other countries. Pol Lt Gen Dr Chanvut Tuk-tuk rip-off Love-and-money Vajrabukka, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, explain- ed at a press conference on May 9 that the Labor Ministry will tryst ends in blood begin a new round of registration hotline to be of foreign laborers on June 15. When the registration be- PHUKET CITY: Furniture con- She called him and told him gins, he said, “There will be a tractor Sophol Marapong, 32, she wanted to borrow 100,000 policy to ease off on arrests of launched soon was found murdered in Suan baht, and set up a meeting with illegal laborers. So until then we Luang Park on the night of May him in the park. have to make arresting them a Gategaeo Phetsawang of maximum fares on 49 routes 7 after a clandestine meeting over But when K. Sophol arrived priority.” around the island, and the tuk-tuk love and money went sour. He at the rendezvous, he was attack- He added, “There are many PHUKET CITY: Customers who operator’s license. had been stabbed 22 times. ed by two men whom Sureerat aliens waiting along the borders believe they have been over- Any tuk-tuk operator found Pol Maj Watcharin Jirati- had hired to beat him up and to with Thailand for the chance to charged or otherwise maltreated not to be displaying the fares list karnwiwat, an Inspector at Phu- rob him. come and register to work in by tuk-tuk, taxi, minibus or air- or charging more than the maxi- ket City Police Station, told the “She was angry with K. Thailand.” port limousine drivers will soon mum fare for a trip is liable to a Gazette that police arrived at the Sophol because of his philander- Satra Bunyatantrapiwat, be able to make complaints di- fine of up to 2,000 baht. scene about 10:30 pm, after re- ing and she knew he would be President of the Phuket Business rect to the Phuket Provincial The Chief of the PPTO, ceiving a call from a passer-by bringing 150,000 baht with him,” Operators’ Club, arrived before Transportation Office (PPTO) Prasit Amarapan, told the Ga- who discovered the body. Maj Watcharin said. the press conference and pre- through a new 24-hour telephone zette that officers should be able “He had been robbed of Sureerat told police that al- sented Gen Chanvut with flow- hotline number, 1584. to conclude an investigation 150,000 baht and his mobile though she was angry with K. ers. He told reporters that there Due to go into service at the within seven days of the com- phone. The following day we Sophol, she didn’t want him is a lack of low-skilled laborers end of May, the 1584 hotline will plaint being submitted, provided questioned and arrested Sureerat dead. “When she saw one of the in Phuket. allow disgruntled passengers to that the complainant gives them Soonamporn, at her house in men draw a knife and stab K. “We have to hire foreign speak direct to PPTO officers, specific information to identify Phuket City, in connection with Sophol, she got scared and ran labor because Thai people don’t who will launch an investigation. the offender, such as the opera- the murder,” he said. away,” the Inspector said. do these kinds of jobs – working Problems associated with tor’s license number or the Maj Watcharin explained “She told police that she did in fisheries, in agriculture or as motorcycle taxi drivers will not, vehicle’s PPTO number (painted that Sureerat, 36, is the older sis- not know the two men well. coolies. I’d like to propose to the for now, come under this new on the side of the vehicle). ter of 30-year-old Saokaew Maybe they killed K. Sophol be- Commissioner of Immigration push to improve the quality of “Passengers must include at Fongnam, K. Sophol’s live-in cause they were afraid he could that he ease the suppression of Phuket’s transport services. least the license plate number or partner for more than 10 years. identify them – K. Sophol knew illegal foreign labor,” he added. This is because motorcycle another official mark for us to be K. Sophol and Sureerat had been many police officers and was an But Gen Chanvut respond- taxi operators are currently ex- able to investigate the claim,” secret lovers for some time. important person,” he added. ed, “Business people say there empt from rules imposed under said K. Prasit. “K. Saokaew was shocked Sureerat named only one of is a lack of foreign low-skill la- the Land Transportation Act. An Until the hotline number is to hear of the murder. She is due the killers, who goes by the nick- bor. But [given the choice] be- amendment to the act is expected introduced, passengers wishing to give birth to K. Sophol’s baby name “Iad”. The money is pre- tween the benefits to a group of to be made soon, bringing them to complain may call the PPTO in about three months,” he said. sumed to have been taken by the [business] people and the ben- in line with other forms of trans- on Tel: 076-220791 or 076- Maj Watcharin said Suree- duo. efits to the country as a whole, I port. 211019, ext 6, during weekday rat explained that she had decided K. Sophol’s body has been think Thai people will choose These rules state that the office hours, or 076-211019, ext to teach K. Sophol a lesson be- taken to his home province of the latter.” He did not explain complaints hotline number must 9, at other times. Complaints may cause of his “butterfly” ways, and Trang for cremation. Sureerat has what the benefits to the country be displayed within each vehicle also be lodged at any police sta- at the same time to get as much been charged with conspiracy to might be. along with – for tuk-tuks – a list tion. money from him as possible. murder. Rawai Beach vendors stay put RAWAI: The saga of the mov- enough land is available, then ing of the beachfront stalls at negotiations would begin to buy Rawai seems no closer to an end private land, again delaying any following an announcement on action. May 6 by Rawai Tambon Ad- This news comes just three ministration Organization (Or- weeks after the senior village BorTor) President Arun Sorot headman (kamnan) for Rawai, that the amount of land required Sin Polrop, told the Gazette, “The for the project is still being cal- [vendors’] move [to the desig- culated. nated site] should start at the be- Rawai OrBorTor says it ginning of May.” plans to move 14 of the vendors’ Almost a year ago, K. Arun stalls – those belonging to Rawai told the Gazette, “If they [the ven- people – to a site behind the dors] can’t move by June 30 OrBorTor offices, 400 meters [2003], officers will help them.” from their current location. K. Arun said that the own- K. Arun said he expects a ers of the remaining 16 stalls, report from the Phuket Provincial who are not Rawai people, will Land Office within a month, de- not be allowed to move to the tailing how much land is needed new site and must instead vacate and how much is available. the area completely. A date for He added that if not their eviction was not given. 4 PHUKET GAZETTE INSIDE STORY May 15 - 21, 2004

huket residents served by the island’s two main Queer News waterworks departments Plike to complain about occasional low pressure and sup- Dark times ply disruptions, and some spoiled foreign residents even wonder WORRIED aloud why they can’t drink the Even if Phuket has enough water – and this year it seems it does – there is still the for black dogs tap water here. But compared with the problem of getting it to people’s homes. As Gategaeo Phetsawang and Dhirarat SRISAKET: Black dogs in Nong- Boonkongsaen report, many people are simply not linked to reliable supplies. simai Village 2 were slaughtered large number of island residents recently after a local shaman con- who have to find their own wa- ter, these people just don’t know About 70% of the supply to will begin this October and The PWD will definitely vinced villagers that soaking Patong, Karon and Kata areas should be completed at about the need the extra water, as cries for string in the blood of a black dog how good they have it. The island’s two main sup- serviced by the PPW, or about same time, he said. public water supply are coming and wrapping it around their 10,000m3 a day, are bought from The Bang Niew Dum Res- in from just about every part of homes would offer protection ply agencies are the Phuket Pro- vincial Waterworks (PPW), REQ Water Services. The water ervoir will hold up to 72 million the island where it is not avail- from the dreaded phi porp – a fe- is pumped up and stored in 3,600- cubic meters, about the same size able. male ghost that kills married men which is currently responsible for supplying a growing number of m³ storage basin atop Patong as Bang Wad, while the Klong People living in densely and eats their innards. Hill. Krata reservoir will be slightly settled areas or along main roads After two village men died users in Muang and Kathu Dis- tricts, and Phuket Municipality Chucheeb Sung, head of the smaller at 57 million cubic meters. will likely be the first to get ser- in mysterious circumstances, vil- PPW’s pressure-piping vice. The PWD is cur- lage women were convinced Waterworks (PMW), which sup- plies Phuket City. Both rely on division, told the Ga- rently completing a seven more men would die be- zette that the installa- ‘Now that it is large mains project that fore the phi porp was satisfied. the island’s sole reservoir, the Bang Wad Dam, and augment tion of a new pipeline raining there will covers parts of Rawai Duang Sosrisook, better from the hilltop basin and Chalong under its known as Por Jump, told the vil- supplies by pumping water from be enough water. tin mines. direct to Kata-Karon, 2004 budget, and its lagers that a length of sacred string passing through Patong I don’t think we’ll projects for next year (sai sin) soaked in the blood of a PPW chief Sayun Varee- aroonrod told the Gazette the without losing pressure have to ask for include 6.94 million black dog and then wrapped head, would provide baht for installation of around the home would ward off PPW currently supplies about artificial rain- 21,000 to 30,000 cubic meters a sufficient pressure to 6,400 meters of mains the intestine-gobbling apparition. pipe water to hillside making this year.’ to provide service in the Before long, local supplies day to its 17,000 users. It pumps 400m³ an hour from Bang Wad areas of Kata-Karon following areas: Hon- of sai sin were sold out and vil- and another 500m³ an hour from where it is currently un- – Phuket saitong Village, Tam- lagers were driving to markets as privately-controlled tin mines. available. He expects Provincial bon Rassada; Thaisar- far as 10 kilometers away to stock “Now that it’s raining there the new pipeline to be co, Tambon Wichit; Soi up, probably looking for black Waterworks Chief will be enough water. I don’t completed within a few Dara, Tambon Kathu; dogs along the way. think we’ll have to ask for artifi- months. Sayun Soi Suy-Larn-Uthit, Village women also hung cial rain again this year. We also Another key play- Vareearoonrod Tambon Kathu; Soi Rae carved images of penises from have plans to expand our capac- er in the Phuket water Rim Chang Restaurant, their front doors in the hope that ity. Now we can produce a maxi- supply puzzle is the Muang District; Soi this would also help keep the mum 1,500m³ an hour but that Phuket office of the Royal Irri- Phuket Governor Udomsak Thida, Tambon Kathu; Soi Baan hungry demon at bay. will increase to 2,500m³ an hour gation Department (PRID), Usawarangkura updated the Ga- Klaang, Tambon Chalong. Source: Daily News next year,” he said. which is responsible for sourcing zette on the projects recently. But people in lightly-settled The PMW supplies about the water that is treated and then “The Bang Niew Dum Project is and hillside areas may have to 25,000m³ a day to about 14,000 transmitted to users by both the budgeted at about 396 million wait a long time. Pamuke Achari- Cock killer! homes in the 12 square kilome- PPW and PMW. baht over three years. The project yachai, owner of the Kata Group ters of Phuket City, along with Apart from operating the is still in the design and land-ac- of Hotels and Chairman of the BANGKOK: A man from Bang- some parts of neighboring Tam- Bang Wad Dam in Kathu, the quisition phase. Phuket Chamber of Commerce, kok’s Prawet District was con- bon Wichit and Tambon Rassada. PRID is planning to build two “When complete, the reser- told the Gazette that his company victed of stealing and raping a Officials estimate that about 80% more dams on the island, one in voir will supply important areas, spends about 100,000 baht a fighting cock on April 14. of city residents rely on their sup- Thalang and the other in Cha- such as consumers near the air- month having water trucked to A Bangkok court gave Pira ply. long. port and along Mai Khao Beach,” his resorts. Angprom, 31, a suspended two- The PMW pumps from Suwin Anukul, Chief of he said. “We buy water from a pri- year jail term and fined him 1,000 nine tin mines, two of which are Water Management and the Irri- “I have asked the PRID to vate company and we also have baht for stealing Direk Ruch- owned by the municipality. The gation System Improvement supply its completed project de- a truck that delivers the water akong’s fighting cock. He was other seven are owned by the pri- Branch, told the Gazette that the sign plan in advance, because from our own tin mine. We aren’t also fined 500 baht for cruelty to vate sector – most notably the two reservoirs will help meet past projects have had design and really worried about the expense; an animal. company of ex-Phuket Town Phuket’s future water supply construction work running con- the real problem is the danger- K. Direk said Pira stole one Mayor Phummisak Hongsyok – needs. currently, which is wasteful and ous situation created by the wa- of the cocks and raped it. The which has allowed the city to Work on the Bang Niew inefficient,” he said. ter trucks having to go up and cock died during the assault. Phra pump from them free for the past Dum dam, in Thalang, began last The governor confirmed down hills. It’s not safe, either for Khanong District Police arrested 10 years. October and is scheduled for that another 280 million baht has them or for other vehicles,” he Pira the following day. Police The PPW also relies heavi- completion by the end of Septem- been earmarked for fiscal-2005 noted. said he confessed to the crime. ly on private tin mines, but must ber 2006. Construction of the to build the Klong Krata reser- But not everyone owns his Source: The Nation pay for the privilege. Klong Krata reservoir in Chalong voir at Chalong Village 5. own tin mine or can afford to May 15 - 21, 2004 INSIDE STORY PHUKET GAZETTE 5

tate project developers have to do a better job of planning and should submit comprehensive Initial Environmental Effects (IEE) reports to the IEE Commit- tee of the Natural Resource and ABOUT WATER Environment Ministry, as re- quired by law. “The project developers have to list the water source, how it will be pumped and transmit- ted, who is responsible for sup- ply, how much it will cost, what quality it will be, and so on,” he said. In the case of hotels under 80 rooms or property develop- ments of less than 80 dwellings, application must be made to the provincial IEE Committee. For larger projects, application must be made to Bangkok. That, at least, is the legal theory. Most owners of the 30 homes in When the Gazette contacted this apparently attractive the Phuket office of the Ministry Samkong development (left) are of the Natural Resource and En- trapped; they want to sell their vironment, a source there con- homes because of the pitiful firmed that developers are legally water supply (above) but buyers obliged to submit their IEE re- take one look at the blue tanks ports to an IEE Committee, and go elsewhere. whose members, at the provincial level, include such high-level in- shell out 100,000 baht a month my family, and we all use water On the day reporters spoke With the exception of Thepkra- dividuals as the governor. on water. One such person is as efficiently as we can. I am with him at the PPW offices, a sattri Municipality, which pipes The reality is very different, Tanee Jansuksang, a 47-year-old thinking of building a water col- group of about 50 residents of water for about 7,000 users from the source said. resident of a hillside housing lection system to save rain water Srisoonthorn Rd were applying the Ton Sai and Bang Pae water- Although the committee is project in the Samkong area, but as well,” he added. for a hook-up to a new PPW main falls, the rest of the district relies authorized to order work stop- just outside the municipality. Although K. Tanee would that is being installed to their on groundwater reserves that pages, most developers are al- When he bought his home like to move, it’s not an option. community under 1.6-million- tend to run out as the dry season lowed to do whatever they want in the low-income, 30-unit hous- He bought the house from the baht funding from Rassada Or- progresses. and pay scant attention to the ing estate, he was told by the bank on a 690,000-baht mortgage BorTor. The project is slated for There are 45 such systems committee’s orders or advice – project developer that the com- as a repossessed property, then completion in about six months. scattered across the island, many much to the dismay of people like pany would provide water from invested 100,000 baht more to “Now these people each operated by OrBorTor, villages or K. Tanee, who suffer the most a communal well. rebuild the roof and make other pay at least 600 baht a month to private developments. from the developers’ greed and “When we first decided to repairs. have water trucked in – more in One of these is Tambon incompetence. buy this house, we didn’t know Now he is broke and his the dry season. If they can get Thepkrasattri (as opposed to that there would be a water sup- equity is tied up in a property PPW water, they will pay only Thepkrasattri Municipality), ply problem. The project was with no water supply, making it 70-100 baht a month,” said K. which pipes groundwater to its built two years ago. They told us difficult to sell. Naturally, he is Sompong. estimated 15,000 residents that they would provide us with angry with the project developer. But this won’t help an iso- though its own supply system. well water, but after a year the “A few [residents] have lated community like K. Tanee’s, But OrBorTor Chief Administra- well dried up,” he said. moved to new places already [be- which is far from any PPW tive Officer Kraisri Keawwan “Now we have to buy wa- cause there is no water],” he said. mains yet lies tantalizingly close said dwindling groundwater re- ter from a truck, but it still isn’t “If there’s any way they can go, to the PMW’s mains that run sources and drought were an an- enough. The water truck comes they do,” he said. along Yaowarat Rd. nual crisis in his tambon – and twice a day, providing water at 7 A letter signed by all of the Despite this proximity, the this year was the worst ever. am and 5 pm, but supplies usu- community’s residents and sent city is not responsible for the vil- “We are too far away to get ally run out within an hour. That to the PPW has yet to be an- lage; in only a few exceptional help from the PWW, which has means most homes are without swered, said K. Tanee. cases has the municipality in- no way of piping the water to us. water for most of the day,” he The Vice President of Ras- stalled mains outside its bound- The province gave us about 5,000 said. sada Tambon Administration aries. or 6,000m³ in April to help re- “Once the truck didn’t Organization (OrBorTor), Som- Many residents of Thalang, lieve the drought,” he said. The come and we didn’t have any pong Phaopom, told the Gazette all of which lies outside the cur- water was trucked in, and pump- water to use all day long. many parts of the district are rent PWA distribution network, ed into tanks in individual homes. “There are four people in clamoring for a PPW hook-up. will sympathize with K. Tanee. K. Phummisak said real es-

Riding a motorcycle? Please . . . Thai law requires that motorcycle drivers Wear Me! and passengers wear a safety helmet with the chin strap fastened at all times – 24 hours a day. PHUKET PROVINCIAL TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT 6 PHUKET GAZETTE AROUND THE ISLAND May 15 - 21, 2004

ith so many lady bikes and pick-up trucks on Phuket Wroads, police need something a bit different to stand out from the throng and, if nec- essary, to chase down criminals. Without their uniforms, guns and vehicles, police are oth- erwise indistinguishable from the general population. But residents of Patong and Phuket City will have no difficulty recognizing the authority figures in their districts. Police in Patong are now riding high with their own All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) to patrol the sand and seaweed along Patong Beach. Pol Sgt Sayan Kleawkla of Kathu Police told the Gazette that the ATV, which is on patrol daily from 8am to 10 pm, was donated A CUT ABOVE YOUR SUZUKI SMASH: From left, Pol Snr Sgt to the force by the Banthai Hotel Maj Tavesak Junlmas, Pol Sgt Maj Jakkrit Chatwittaya and and Resort last October. And this Pol Sgt Maj Supot Kettang of Phuket City Police should have is no ordinary beach buggy. It’s little trouble chasing down bag snatchers, speed demons and decked out with all the law en- other miscreants thanks to their big BMWs. forcement bells and whistles, in- cluding a siren and police lights. A FAVORITE WITH THE TOURISTS: Pol Sgt Maj Suchat “The ATV helps a lot be- Suntornmalcha gives a crisp salute as he prepares to take the cause it can ride on the sand and ATV out along Patong Beach to sort out any criminal activity. help police look after tourists. Most of the problems we have at the beach involve gangsters annoying tourists,” Sgt Sayan said. He added that the ATV was very popular with tourists, who often ask to be photographed next Hot wheels help boys in to it. But the ATV is far more than just a novelty – it has actually reduced crime in the area, said Sgt Sayan. Phuket City Police got brown to enforce the law some nice new toys last year too, in the form of three black-and- white BMW motorcycles. visiting VIPs, but were also rou- the vehicles intimidating. He police work than the officers’ heavy traffic along Chao Fa Pol Lt Col Jeerasak Siem- tinely used on regular patrols. added that the bikes’ distinctive personal vehicles that were used West Rd and the bypass road. So sak of Phuket City Police Station “The motorcycles have appearance makes them stand in the past. if you are planning to bomb told the Gazette that the distinc- proven very useful because they out at crime scenes and the si- Lt Col Jeerasak told the down to Chalong or run a high tive vehicles were sometimes can go where a car cannot,” he ren and flashing lights make Gazette that the trio of BMWs speed mission to Tesco-Lotus, used as part of a motorcade for said, adding that speeders found them far more appropriate for are normally used to police the watch out. May 15 - 21, 2004 AROUND THE NATION PHUKET GAZETTE 7 Govt approves ‘peace through prosperity’ plan for the South

he Cabinet approved an items that have yet to be re- initiative designed to trieved,” he said. establish peace in the The items were found about Tdeep south within three 40 nautical miles off the Trat years. Carrying out Prime Min- coast, where a trading junk was isterial Order 68/2547 will be the believed to have sunk nearly four responsibility of the National centuries ago, when Ayudhaya Security Council, the National was Siam’s capital. Economic Social and Develop- Erbprem believes the ves- ment Board, and the Internal Se- sel might have been carrying bar- curity Operations Command ter between China and Southeast (ISOC). Asia when it sank. The ISOC will immediately The discovery, which he establish the initiative, entitled called “good for our country’s “Reinforcing Peace in the Deep underwater heritage”, stems from South Command”, while the a joint survey by the Fine Arts Budget Bureau and the Finance Department and the Royal Thai Ministry will allocate funds for Navy. the project. A second survey is ex- The main points of the plan pected to follow in August or include: September. • avoiding any operations that could lead to a continuation Homegrown: More than 560 of violence; schools are now part of a nation- • convincing extremists to wide project that involves stu- adopt “the middle path”; dents growing their own veg- • cracking down on “influ- etables for lunch. ential” groups; The project was initiated by • eradicating the root cause HRH Princess Maha Chakri of conflicts, such as discrimina- Sirindhorn in 1980. tion and inequality that stems Thongchart Raksakul, Ag- from race, religion, differences riculture Promotion Department director general, said the project and social status; SUMMER’S WRATH: A house lies flattened after a freak summer storm hit Hang Klong village • making Muslim culture taught students about the whole in Sukothai’s Muang district, damaging over 50 dwellings in the area. Local officials promised agricultural and production pro- part of Thai society; and to help the villagers. • treating as fellow-Thais cess and developed teamwork. those offenders who have been The project also includes misled, and resorting to legal and “Getting a toothache could fear” among those supporting admitted to Phyathai Sriracha a housewives group to encourage judicial systems to solve prob- cause our students to lose con- freedom of expression. As a re- Hospital with a cracked spine and mothers of the children to cook lems. centration in their studies, and sult, she said, media outlets were gashes requiring more than 100 lunch for the students. The plan also calls for eco- dental care in a foreign country reluctant to speak out for fear of stitches. The management of the The project was created af- nomic development to increase can be very expensive,” Deputy government reprisals. private zoo gave the girl’s fam- ter Princess Sirindhorn realised living standards, and continuous Public Health Minister Sirikorn ily 300,000 baht in compensa- that students in rural poverty ar- use of intelligence work and Maneerin said. Day the music died: Police ar- tion. eas often go to school without “psychological operations”. The ministry will ensure rested four karaoke girls in One of the tigers turned on lunch, resulting in malnutrition that the 926 graduates from low- Pattaya for allegedly murdering K. Uraiwan, who was untrained and other health problems. Family reunion: A villager in income families across the coun- a man in order to help one of the in handling the animals, after she Saraburi province found a 12- try are in good health. girls break off a relationship with hit it with a stick during feeding Around the Nation news roundup year-old girl who was lost in A survey in 2000 found that him. time. Five other Bengals then is sourced from the pages of The Khao Yai National Park for three only 13% of five-year-olds na- The four suspects were joined in the attack. Nation and Kom Chad Luek days after leaving her family for tionwide were cavity-free. taken into custody after the mu- newspapers. a pee in the woods. tilated remains of 53-year-old Pottery find: Fifty ancient pot- The parents of Sombat Phu- Realm of fear: Kietchai Pong- Sitthiporn Takiangthong were tery items have been retrieved ASK KHUN WANIDA! thong, from Saraburi’s Wihan panit, managing editor of mass- found in garbage bags. after hundreds of years on the MOMMA DUCK Daeng district, reported the girl’s circulation Thai-language news- Three suspects admitted to seabed in the Gulf of Thailand. disappearance, but gave up hope paper Khao Sod, told a seminar helping their 15-year-old col- Erbprem Vatcharangkul, Problems with an extra-marital affair? of seeing their daughter again held on World Press Freedom league break off her relationship managing director of the Fine Questions about Thai culture? after a two-day search by police, Day that the Thai government is with the man in exchange for the Arts Department’s Underwater Having communications problems? sniffer dogs and volunteers failed guilty of manipulating the media valuables he was carrying. Archaeology Division, revealed Need somebody to Love? to track her down. and curtailing freedom of the The four admitted drugging that among the retrieved items She was eventually found press. the man in the karaoke bar. When were Sawankhalok dishes, jars by villager Somboon Boribun, K. Kietchai added that the he did not fall unconscious, one and bowls from Sukhothai’s Sri who realized she was lost and government would force the of them whacked him over the Satchanalai district, jars from immediately took her to the au- people to revolt unless it provides head with a stick before stabbing Sing Buri and other wares from Fax to 076-213971 or e-mail thorities. them with a forum to air their him to death and mutilating his southern China. to [email protected] Sombat said she lost her grievances. body. “There are more pottery sense of direction and kept walk- “The two Cs that are com- “It was horrific. One 17- ing along a creek, drinking wa- monly used by the government year-old suspect laughed while ter as she went. She said she was are ‘condemn’ and ‘confront’. stabbing the man and watching terrified as she walked during the The media as well as other orga- his internal organs spill out,” a day and slept on rocks by the nizations, such as NGOs, who police investigator said.. creek at night. stand for something against the government’s action, are always Mauled keeper dies: A young Dental plan: Free dental treat- condemned and confronted,” he worker at Chon Buri’s Sriracha ment will be given to students said. Tiger Zoo died a few days after who won the government’s “One Supinya Klangnarong, sec- being mauled by six Bengal ti- District One Scholarship” retary general of the Committee gers in front of more than 100 awards, before most of them for Media Reform, said the gov- foreign tourists. leave for college abroad. ernment had created a “realm of Uraiwan Sansern, 18, was 8 PHUKET GAZETTE AROUND THE REGION May 15 - 21, 2004

he current Miss Bel- gium, Ellen Petri, vis- ited Koh Samui in late Belgian bikinis on the beach TApril for a fashion shoot alongside Julie Taton, last year’s holder of the country’s More snatches on Samui: Ac- morning at the island’s ferry port, most prestigious beauty crown. cording to many foreign residents and all the passengers’ passports Ellen was modeling bikinis for on the island, bag snatching is be- examined. top Belgian fashion rag P Maga- coming a serious problem on People with overstays as zine, and stayed on Samui for a Samui, especially in the main short as a single day have been week, posing daily in states of tourist areas. arrested, and some have also been tropical undress all over the is- Well-organized snatchers, ordered to appear in front of the land. often working in Samui Court, where they may Ellen told ev- FROM THE teams, prey mainly incur large fines. eryone she met on single female how much she GULF OF motorcyclists, and The Non-Italian Job: The Ma- loved Samui, and either grab the bag laysian Mini Owners Club came spoke very highly THAILAND from the front bas- to Samui this year, driving ve- of the warm, ket while the rider hicles in convoy to the island friendly people and is waiting at traffic from their headquarters in Kolim, beautiful beaches. lights or, in some near Penang. Local fishermen cases, they push The rally is more of an ex- lucky enough to the rider off the cursion than a race, with drivers catch a glimpse of bike and snatch her enjoying a week of fun and sun her wondrous form belongings as she Marine matters: As part of international Dive into Earth Day on as they drive around the island’s reciprocated the lies injured on the April 22, Big Blue Diving took 13 staff and customers from towns and beaches. compliment by road. various dive schools to remove discarded fishing nets that trap A total of 25 vintage cars staring for long pe- One victim in rare tropical fish, and to clean up underwater debris from the made the trip, and the bizarre riods, mouths a- Lamai said that the Samran Pinnacles dive site, off Koh Tao. There was so much sight of these diminutive classics gape. police were very refuse that the boat had to make two trips to haul it all away. convoying around Samui’s main This was the supportive and roads has sparked fears in some second time P concerned when the actual number of robberies while claiming to take their cus- quarters that there is an increased Magazine had By Commander she reported being may be much higher. tomers’ passports out of the likelihood of a bank robbery on chosen Samui as a Sammy Swan robbed, but also country, which itself is illegal. the island, as portayed in the photography loca- provided little Visa crackdown: Last year, an All those who had used the movie The Italian Job. tion. They were assisted in find- hope of either catching the assail- immigration sweep on Samui, service were either fined or asked Fortunately, Samui’s roads ing suitable spots to shoot their ants or retrieving her bag. Koh Pha-ngan and Koh Tao re- to leave Thailand. are in such a poor state of repair Belgian beauties by fellow Monthly reported crime sulted in the deportation of sev- Now, the Samui Immigra- that even the most accomplished countrywoman and Samui resi- statistics released by the local eral angry foreigners who appar- tion Office is causing consterna- getaway driver would have prob- dent Ilse Dumont, who runs the authorities on Samui generally ently were found to have illegal tion by targeting visa overstays. lems escaping. stylish and popular Mangrove give the impression that there is visa stamps in their passports. A newly introduced, one-day Restaurant, near the Big Bud- hardly any theft at all. Personal A “no-travel visa” company minibus service to the border has Cdr Swan is a writer with Koh dha. accounts, however, suggest that was providing the fake stamps, reportedly been stopped every Samui’s community magazine. May 15 - 21, 2004 H A P P E N I N G S PHUKET GAZETTE 9 T his week

ABOVE: ML Tri Devakul (2nd from right) makes Austrian gourmet chef Johanna Maier welcome during her recent stay at Mom Tri’s Villa Royale in Kata.

LEFT: Phuket Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura (center) marks the pre-opening of Baan Klung Jinda restaurant in Phuket City by switching on a fountain in the garden. He is joined by (from left): Tomrong Tongtun, Chief of the Phuket Treasury Office; Visawa Sasismit, Phuket Chief Administration Officer; Kitti Phatanachinda, MD of Baan Klung Jinda; and Phuket Vice-Governor Niran Kalayanamit.

ABOVE: Percussionists Wicked Aura Batucada, from Singapore, are welcomed to the Banthai Beach Resort by GM Gerard Tan (center).

RIGHT: Kingfisher Marine recently unveiled its latest aquisition, the 40- meter motor yacht Payoon 3. Pictured from left are MD San Kingston; Annie Lim, Marketing Manager; and Giat Chotithamaporn, Director.

ABOVE: Henry Batt (center), son of Joint MD of Laguna Resorts and Hotels, James Batt, celebrates his 5th birthday with mom Angela and friends at the Gecko Beach Restaurant on May 1.

LEFT: Dr Susana Sakulpipatana (4th from left) and Dr Wajana Prechawai celebrated their marriage at the Royal Phuket City Hotel on April 29. Pictured with them are the groom’s parents, Pranee and Supachai Sakulpipatana (2nd and 3rd from left) and the bride’s mother, Prechaya Prechawai (2nd from right). 10 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PEOPLE May 15 - 21, 2004 A classic fter spending five years at the Dusit Laguna and a year with a local building com- pany, Kitti Phatanachinda has opened his remarkable new restaurant, Baan Klung Jinda, across from the Phuket Merlin Hotel in Phuket City. The restaurant is at a Abusy intersection, where we have all been able to watch as a run down Sino- Portuguese mansion was transformed into one of the most important new city eating places. “This building used to be the residence of the provincial treasurer. When Prime Minis- ter Thaksin Shinawatra decided to lease unused public build- ings, I decided it was time for me to realize my vision of a res- taurant with a theme from the late 19th century, during the reign of King Rama V,” ex- plains K. Kitti. True to his vision, he has restored this once deserted home, built in 1907, into a mod- ern version of the most popular period in Thai history, when Western art nouveau designs were combined with local Sino- Portuguese architecture. “Twenty years ago, I worked across the street as an adviser to the family that owns the Phuket Merlin Hotel,” K. Kitti remembers, “and I always had my eye on this building and DREAM WEAVER: Kitti Phatanachinda’s vision has come its potential. This is my oppor- to life at Baan Klang Jinda (left). tunity to realize my dreams and to celebrate the history of Phu- supported himself by working in ket.” a traditional British pub and K. Kitti has developed what learning the hospitality business. he calls Siamese Spice Cuisine, When he returned to Thailand, he which, he explains, are the origi- was recruited first by Thai Air- nal recipes that too often have ways to boost their sales and then been adjusted to meet modern by Amari Resorts. tastes. He spent 200,000 baht just He was part of the opening refining the menu, cooking and team at the Santiburi Dusit Re- tasting all the dishes over and sort & Spa on Koh Samui, repre- over again to get the perfect taste. senting Santi Bhirombhakdi, He wants us all to “experience President of the Boon Rawd the true Thai taste” – the motto Group, makers of Singha beer, for Baan Klung Jinda. and then went to work for Khun- K. Kitti is no stranger to ying Chanut Piyaoui of the pleasing the public. As a young Dusit Hotel Group. man, his family sent him to Ab- K. Kitti has real enthusiasm erdeen, Scotland, to study. He to share what he believes is the May 15 - 21, 2004 PHUKET PEOPLE PHUKET GAZETTE 11 resurrection true value of Thai culture with his guests. Baan Klung Jinda does this, and is a valuable, high- class new attraction for Phuket City. Off the

Charity begins at Home: The HANDS ON: WALL Life Home Project’s Grand Gala Ball is just a couple weeks away, Wedding guests With Bruce Stanley and hoteliers around the island at The Chedi are donating prizes for auction- make their mark happened to the plan to dig a tun- in aid of charity. ing or raffling. One resort doing nel through the mountain be- something rather different is The tween Patong and Kathu? Chedi. Now that the rains have Recently Lee Sok Cheng come, there is almost daily chaos for anyone trying to get over the and Samuel Featherson III ex- mountain. Motorbikes slide side- changed wedding vows on the ways, trucks’ brakes fail, and beach between The Chedi and stalled cars create jams on both Amanpuri. Guests were invited sides of the mountain. to donate to the Life Home And all this happens while Project by placing their paint- the traffic police serenely watch soaked hands onto a canvas for to show that there is still caring choose from a variety of lumines- transformed into an elegant flo- TV at their Kathu checkpoint. the innovative Hands Project, a in this world,” says Jose. cent colors before putting their ral paradise. I say we forget the tunnel fund-raiser created by LHP Di- The canvas from the wed- hands into the paint. The wedding was orga- and just blow up the mountain. rector Jose Luis Gay. ding will be put on display at the It was especially fun to see nized by Shanghai event com- Invite the American Army Corps “Of course, most people are World Aids Conference in Bang- Chedi GM Daniel Meury work pany Hullabaloo. Daniel has tar- of Engineers to blast a six-lane very shy about showing their face kok in July, and Jose’s idea has beside his staff stringing flow- geted the high-end Shanghai mar- road right through the middle of when it comes to issues surround- already spread to HIV projects ers through the trees, undaunted ket as a cure for Phuket’s tradi- this obnoxious obstruction as ing HIV and Aids, but we have as far away as Australia and Af- by the threatening rain and tional lower occupancies during they have so capably done in asked people who wish to con- rica. wind. the monsoon or “green” season. places like Panama and Alaska. tribute to our project to just place I watched guests, who all By the time the nuptials Let’s solve this problem their painted hands on a canvas made a donation to the LHP, began, his beach restaurant was Mountain of trouble: What ever once and for all. 12 PHUKET GAZETTE F E A T U R E S May 15 - 21, 2004 Out and about with a stupid tout ccording to a local relating to lewd spectacles occur- neither be locked or even shut all Thai-language press ring anywhere in Patong. The the way – just perfect for those report, the depressing mind boggles. who like to be naked in public. tout scene along Soi But worst of all is the height A Direct marketing: Sea Dragon took a turn for the Sex show of the shower heads, which send absurd recently when Vice-Gov- touts aren’t the only ones using forth a pathetic trickle from a ernor Pongpow Ketthong and aggressive advertising tech- height of not much more that one other top local leaders were walk- niques at the mouth of Soi Sea meter. ing along Soi Bangla on an in- Dragon. Showering thus become a spection tour. One girl in a beer bar there circus act, with anyone who The party was checking to was spotted taking a marketing wasn’t born a gnome or a dwarf make sure everything in the area approach so direct that it made forced to squat or otherwise con- was in compliance with the the people at Amway look like tort themselves into position just Government’s Social Order Pol- models of inefficiency. above the filthy, flooded floor. icy. Standing behind the count- These shower heads are so As they passed Soi Sea er of a beer bar she held up a sign low that they are really only Dragon, one of which read, good for cleaning off the geni- the inspection “Best Blow at tals, though given the proximity team, Kathu Dis- Good Price.” A to Soi Sea Pearl and Soi Bangla trict Chief Suthin telephone num- perhaps that’s what they are in- Utaitamrong, ber and room tended for. had a tout ap- number were You don’t need to go trekking in the wilds of Chiang Mai to To see how a public shower proach him with listed on the pick up colorful hilltribe trinkets. Prospective buyers beware, should be designed and main- an album listing hand-drawn however, because some of the vendors working Soi Bangla tained, perhaps the Patong mu- the many cun- placard. I won- (though not the one pictured here) are actually girls from Isarn nicipality staff should visit the ning stunts the der what that was dressed up to play the part. Of these, a few have even been public showers next to the sta- girls in the tout’s bar perform. He all about? Was she selling drugs? accused of picking the pockets of unsuspecting (ie, drunk) dium at the south end of Karon urged K. Suthin to follow him to Trying to humiliate an enemy? tourists. Beach. enjoy the show. These have flexible hoses But tout teamwork in the A tale of two bathhouses: I This, along with all the dis- perate to ensure their bags don’t and are kept immaculately clean. area is well-known, and before would really like to know who carded shampoo packets that are fall into the mire below, bathers They even have a YK Battery long another tout tipped off the designed the public showers at never picked up by the indolent hang them from the only thing calendar, featuring a picture of a idiot to the impending danger Loma Park. staff who collect the 10-baht fee, available – the doorknobs. beautiful naked women, hanging with an animated series of winks, The floors are constantly causes the drains to block. The As a result, these have all above the urinals. gestures and nods. covered with sand because there result? People whose only goal become loose, so the doors can Now that’s more like it. The idiot managed to dis- is no pool for people to rinse their is to get clean are forced to wade appear into the crowd, according feet in before entering the show- ankle-deep in their own filth – Send all correspondence to [email protected]. No mud- to the report, and is probably back ers. Somehow, the owners of ev- and that of others. slinging, malicious gossip or blatant self-promotion, please, though on the job now. ery other beach-side shower on The nationwide restriction we will be happy to publish special events such as new venue open- Patong Police were ordered the island seem to have figured on installing hooks in public ings, birthday parties, etc. Amusing anecdotes, reports of the latest to investigate, but thus far there out this is a necessary design el- changing areas has, however, scams, jokes, astute observations and interesting photos are all wel- have been no reports of arrests ement of a public shower area. been rigorously enforced. Des- come. May 15 - 21, 2004 PHUKET GAZETTE 13

In The St ars by Isla St ar TAURUS (April 21-May 21): You may have been spending too much time with your Where head in the clouds. This should stop be- fore you miss a good career opportunity. People won’t are the take you seriously unless you come up with a concrete plan soon. Wear earthy shades to help stars you move forward. GEMINI (May 22-June 21): A leading little kind attention will go a long way towards helping someone close to you you this get over a stormy pe- riod in their life. But in the end that person has to fig- ure the puzzle out alone, so it week? would be better to concentrate on what’s important in your work- December 21): Your tendency to ing life. Tuesday is the best day be a stick-in-the-mud grates on a for revealing new ideas. close friend’s nerves. Make an effort to CANCER (June 22-July 23): You lighten up and appre- seem to be moving at the speed ciate the good things of a snail. Push the in life. Perhaps being too self- pace up a notch or two; centered is the root of your dis- you don’t have to be content; if so, there are plenty of the fastest car on the deserving causes that would ben- track, but tighten up your agenda efit from some help. The color to avoid being left on the start- rose-pink will brighten your out- ing line. Wear sapphire blue to look. encourage clarity of vision. CAPRICORN (December 22- LEO (July 24-August 22): A January 20): Capricorns who tempting situation will present make a wish will be itself this weekend pleasantly surprised but Leos may find when it comes true themselves wishing this week. If you think they’d looked a bit superstition is a waste of time, longer before leaping events are certain to make you re- in. Career concerns are best left examine your beliefs. There’s on hold until next month. A magic in the air and if you’ve simple social outing on Saturday been thinking about changes to turns into more than you’d bar- a particular area in your life, gained for. now’s the time. Taurus wants to make contact. VIRGO (August 23-September 23): Take time to reflect this AQUARIUS (January 21-Febru- weekend to prepare for ary 19): Your imagination knows making an important no bounds this week, decision. If you have but remember that serious news to impart there’s a fine line be- to those close to you, Wednesday tween fantasy and re- is the most auspicious day. Put ality. You may be in danger of yourself first – you’ve done your seeing a situation as being some- bit for everyone else. thing it’s not, and can never be. You need to take the buffalo by LIBRA (September 24-October the horns and ask the person in 23): A stumbling block on Mon- question where his or her heart day needn’t be cause truly lies. for you to give up. Maybe taking a few PISCES (February 20-March steps back to reassess 20): As summer heat peaks, the big picture will help you find Pisceans who are gasp- a way around this tricky rock. En- ing for cool air should ergy levels are low, but some consider taking a simple diet changes will boost break. A friend far them. Wear bright citrus colors away would welcome a visit. You to add further zest. will return refreshed and flipping your fins with renewed vigor. SCORPIO (October 24-Novem- Should escape be impossible, ber 22): This weekend, a burn- make an effort to limit obliga- ing issue threatens to tions. provoke your wrath and you must try to ARIES (March 21-April 20): stay calm – people who Your week should be as smooth don’t know you could be easily as silk after a slightly alienated by a fiery reaction. rough start this week- From Monday onwards, the more end. Turbulence will loving side of your nature is be due to a misunder- prevalent and a romantic rela- standing with a friend that can be tionship benefits greatly. The eased by a good talk. If you value number 3 has special meaning a relationship, pull out all the this week. stops to prevent things going from slightly bad to much worse. SAGITTARIUS (November 23- Your lucky number is 10. 14 PHUKET GAZETTE LEISURE May 15 - 21, 2004 Smalls Today’s Special: The follow- ing passage from the Web “edi- Steps of wonder tor” of a California-based spam protection service: “If the sender wishes to add themselves to your white list they TALES can type in the authorization code OF A that is provided to them. This code will verify they are a real person.” TRAVELER That editor should be ashamed By Ed Peters of itself, no? VIP Paradise: Over the past anaue, we are told, is year or so, Smalls has noted a the Eighth Wonder of marked increase in the volume of the World. It’s not, quality visitors to our island. The Bthough it is a wonder TAT must be overjoyed. Packed that such a hackneyed phrase has with dignitaries visiting the zoo, been attached to somewhere that snake farms and gem shops, most has outlived Babylon’s hanging tour buses now enjoy the services gardens, the Colossus of Rhodes, Need a basket? How about a of a government escort. Feeling and Zeus’s statue, and looks in hat? Basket weaving is a local left out? No need – contact your much better shape than the Great The astonishing terraces of Banaue go back 2,000 years. industry. local police station for rates. Pyramid of Giza. Banaue boasts a series of when the town is asleep. Dawn along the twisting narrow path- A walk to the village of Identity Crisis?: What do rice-farm terraces hacked out of brings a sight for sore eyes and ways that criss-cross the rice Batad – little more than a clutch George Bentick and Sean Power mountains 1,200 to 1,500 meters jangled limbs – layer upon layer fields, picking your way through of dwellings clinging to the have in common? We don’t know above sea level by the indigenous of rice fields stepping up toward the silence atop high earthen mountainside – is a good choice – never asked him. Igarot people over 2,000 years. the sky. Here and there a small banks dotted with crimson for an all-day trek. Set deep in the northern stream dashes down, all bathed chongla plants. Start with two hours of nipple. Philippines island of Luzon, by dawn’s early light. Anyone who has journeyed steep descent past shacks, farm- Karaokes, generally: With Banaue requires quite a trek to Exploration is a must, of here under their own steam houses and terrace upon terrace Phuket recording yet another mur- reach, but a trek that’s more than course. Go by road to Sunrise should employ a local guide for of rice fields. The paths are all in der in a karaoke last week – this worthwhile. Viewpoint, where Igarots strut 100 pesos (70 baht) or so to show good condition but the gradient time at the entrance to Laguna It takes a 10-hour drive to about in tribal clothing, hawking them the way around the terraces. can still be punishing. Phuket – one has to wonder about get to Banaue from Manila, and carvings and always ready for a The maze of pathways is other- Continue for another 90 the usefulness of such establish- most visitors arrive after dusk photo op. Or venture on foot wise confusing. minutes beyond Batad until you ments in the context of Thailand’s reach a waterfall that fills a glo- bold new “social order”. rious natural pool. Float up to The government says Phuket your chin and wash off the aches has about 150 karaokes, but even and pains of the last 3½ hours. the most myopic of observers can Naturally, there’s an entrepreneur count well over 200 of them in waiting at the side with bottles Thalang district alone. of beer and soft drinks. Then it’s As brokers for the commercial back up the hill to Banaue. sex industry, wholesalers of noise The area’s other great claim to residential neighborhoods and to fame is found at Sagada, three employers of practically no one, hours’ drive from Banaue. do the venues really fit Purachai’s Igarots believe the spirits of plot for a better Phuket? the dead enjoy their own Hallow- een every night of the year, ris- Baan Klung Jinda: One thing ing from their coffins during the almost sure to receive widespread hours of darkness to indulge in applause as a serious contributor revelry and mischief-making. to a better Phuket is the new res- The dearly-departed are not taurant at the corner of Yaowarat so much buried as put in cold Rd and Thungka Rd. storage, with their coffins Though not yet fully open, its wedged in the network of lime- sophisticated Euro-Thai atmo- stone caves that honeycomb the sphere, comfortable seating and hills around the town. cosmopolitan clientele should Guides – and again, with- vault it quickly into landmark sta- out one, it is all too easy to lose tus, particularly among residents your way in some of the larger who’ve never fully adjusted to the caves such as Sumaging – always idea of dining out in a shophouse. make a point of opening coffins to give the bones a friendly stir, Have something useful or irrelevant rather as if they were shaking to tell our readers? If it’s truly small, hands with an old friend. try [email protected] May 15 - 21, 2004 S M A L L W O R L D PHUKET GAZETTE 15 KKIDSIDS Get your brain the Fun Page in gear with the for all the Family Monster Quiz 1. Which UK soccer club 8. The Madeira is a 15. By what name is Betty has a spectator stand tributary of which Joan Perske better named after a hill in river? known? Spot the Difference South Africa? 9. Which Thai province is 16. It’s variously known 2. The city of Timbuktu north of Chon Buri and as a solidus, a Can you find the seven was originally a center differences between the south of Prachin Buri? separatrix or a virgule. for trade in which What would a com- two cartoons below? And commodity? 10. Who said, “Patriotism puter user call it? can you find them faster 3. The word “bus” comes is the last refuge of the than the rest of the family? from the Latin “omni- scoundrel”? 17. From what language bus”, meaning what? does the word “taboo” 11. Who made a fortune derive? 4. Which layer of the from a pub with no atmosphere is between 18. Where was composer beer? the stratosphere and Irving Berlin born? the exosphere? 12. Who painted Twittering 19. Before he became a 5. What new island rose Machine? painter full-time, what from the sea off did Paul Gauguin do Iceland in 1963? 13. As Poet Laureate, what for a living? commodity did 6. Who is credited with Geoffrey Chaucer 20. What did Frank founding the Taoist receive as his salary? Samuelson and belief? George Harvo do in 7. Which country is the 14. Who was American 1897? world’s leading pro- football’s Most Valu- ducer of cocoa beans? able Player in 1990? Answers next week. Never a Cross Word! Across 7. Blue-bloods. 8. Occupant of rented accommodation. 9. Fairy-tale bad guy. 11. Jewish spiritual leader. 13. Successfully vote for. Brain Buster!! 15. Before gamma. 16. Japanese garment. Jim pulls into a gas station. “Fill ’er up, 19. Top sailing event. please,” he says. “This may sound strange,” says the owner, “but I'd rather fill two cars Down from out of town than one car from this 1. One who dies for his town.” Jim looks across the small town and religion. 5. Bargain. 14. Groups of cavalrymen. replies, “I know just what you mean.” 2. King of the beasts. 6. Dr Jekyll’s alter ego. 15. Grizzly, for example. 3. Tool. What did the owner mean? 10. Someone from 17. That hurts! 4. Top fighter pilot. Acapulco, perhaps. 18. Porker.

A. He would make twice the money, of course. of money, the twice make would He A. Answers to last week’s 12. Jeeves, for example. Solution next week Monster Quiz 1. Harp; 2. Malayalam; 3. Problems with an extra-marital affair? Alexander Fleming; 4. In The Heat Of The Night. 5. Rod Need somebody to love? Steiger; 6. Sting; 7. Tenerife; 8.

eek’s Carthage; 9. 202 BC; 10. Rich- ard Nixon; 11. Kentucky; 12. ASK KHUN WANIDA "MOMMA DUCK" Skopje; 13. Major earthquake; 14. Charles Lindbergh; 15. Fax your questions to 076-213971 Crossword

Solution to Liechtenstein; 16. Flags; 17. Bel- last w gium; 18. Australia; 19. Bobby or e-mail to [email protected] Fischer; 20. Dr Strangelove. 16 PHUKET GAZETTE F E A T U R E S May 15 - 21, 2004 Why is there so much Notes from a dark domestic violence closet – at exam time t’s that time of the year. Streets throughout the world are si- lent, schools are filled with a pall of dread. Students are no- on Thai TV? where to be found, except behind desks in dark rooms, their Ionly ray of hope coming from the candles burning at both ends of the desk. Dear Momma Duck, emony. It is not sinister but, “The exams are here!” scream students as they scurry into Are Thai women more rather, relates to a Thai traditional underground shelters, seeking in vain to protect themselves with prone to jealousy than women of astrological practice. massive textbooks, torn folders and disheveled scraps of paper. other countries? Why is there so Like the early Greeks and “The math exam is next week!” shrieks one, as he arms him- much domestic violence on Thai Romans, we have astronomical self with writing instruments and proceeds to furiously scribble TV? There seems to be virtually symbols for each day of the numbers on page after page, stopping only occasionally to refer no drama show when the women week. back to his notes and textbooks. are not slapping men or other To make calculations for “I can’t do this!” another student cries, her hands throbbing women? fortune telling, we have eight from hour upon hour of page-turning, line-drawing and attempting David symbols, which are as follows: to write coherent sentences, although her writing eventually de- generates into indecipherable scribble. Dear David, Monday = Moon A student next to him, the youngest in the group, had been I, too, worry about the Tuesday = Mars staring blankly at his textbooks for the past 45 seconds. amount of domestic violence Momma Wednesday = Mercury Realizing that all the other students are 45 seconds ahead of shown on TV and how it affects (6 am to 6 pm) him in their studying and that he will never be able to catch up our children’s attitudes. In real DUCK Wednesday = Lunar eclipse before the math exam, he can take no more stress and hurls him- life, however, I think there is (6 pm to 6 am) self repeatedly against the wall. probably no more violence here By Wanida Hongyok Thursday = Jupiter After realizing that this, too, is unlikely to help him pass his than in other nations. [email protected] Friday = Polaris math exam, and that he is now an additional minute behind the In our past, it was accept- Saturday = Saturn other students, he crumples into a weeping heap on the floor and able for Thai men to have more Sunday = Sun begs invisible miniature flying pigs to save him. than one wife. I’m sure that led Lastly, most of the melodra- This is the environment I find myself in, and to write this I to situations rife with intrigue and mas showing domestic violence Each person’s astrological am using an old typewriter and hiding in a closet with only a candle sometimes violence. on Thai TV are based on older chart, as you are probably aware, as company. The wives were usually liv- dramas that date back 20 or 30 is based on the astronomical con- I fear I do not have long before the psychotic, exam-crazed ing under the same roof or in the years. These include Pritsana, figuration at the time of birth, students outside find me and force me to study, causing this manic family compound and lives must Baansaithong and Dao Prasuk, exactly as in the Western prac- obsession to take over my mind and body as it has theirs. have been complex, with jeal- which are still loved by the same tice of astrology. It’s true, the exams are near. ousy and broken families. old audience, especially for the When making predictions Things were not so bad at first. In that period, loyalty to the shrewish, bitchy roles presented. about a person’s “future”, as- Sure, all the students were a little lord or husband was a main Who knows, maybe the en- trologers look at the present as- pressured to begin with, but none theme in Thai literature – fertile during popularity of such shows tronomical configuration and anticipated the coming madness. ground for modern melodramas. is a way for Thai women to qui- compare it with that person’s As the weeks flew by and the Also, it may be a reaction to our etly rebel against a male-domi- configuration. The future is then exams hurtled toward us, students formal Buddhist up-bringing, in nated society. interpreted as lucky, unlucky, began to panic. Before long, the which women are taught to be neutral or whatever. only strand to sanity they had left modest and to control our feel- Dear Momma Duck, Thai astrological tradition was that they were still in school ings and desires. My neighbor’s long-term regards the eight symbols listed and could ask the teachers for help. When I am in England, I see girlfriend recently turned 35. In above as prime determinants of But then along came “study newspapers stories full of vio- the week preceding her birthday, events. Your friend was obvi- leave”, and most of us could take it lence and the worst side of hu- she returned home to Isarn for a ously coming into a period when no more, sinking into insanity, bab- man nature. The US has its soap blessing by her family’s preferred the lunar eclipse (rahu) period Youth ’n bling physics formulae, vomiting operas and some incredibly vio- monk. When she returned to was considered as influencing forth names of chemicals in a spray lent movies. Therefore, I tend to Phuket, she held a ceremony to her future. of rabid spittle. think that each culture probably Rahu is represented by the ASIA The pressure at this stage is ward off bad luck. has its own ways of dramatically color black, which makes sense immense, and students like myself Dressed in black, she lit By Eric Lacey presenting the worst side of life. black candles, set aside black if you visualize a lunar eclipse. found it hard to maintain sanity. Additionally, Western fami- grapes and a black-colored liq- The rahu influence is re- As I write this, the first ex- lies are generally smaller and not uid in a glass, then began to pray. garded as potentially negative, ams are only a few days away and few sane students remain. We such a fertile ground for dramatic She then asked my neighbor to therefore the ceremony you de- hide in closets, under beds and under desks trying not to only study, melodrama. Our families are join her in prayer. scribe is meant to make sure that but also to relax occasionally to prevent ourselves from falling larger, so there is often less per- My friend is happy to ob- the period of rahu influence on into EII (Exam-Induced Insanity). sonal privacy than in the West. serve Thai customs and behav- her future is more positive. My closet has not yet been discovered by the EII-afflicted We are very close and when ior, such as greeting people with For example, throughout a students, and from behind a buffer of old sweaters I have heard the there is a conflict, it usually in- a wai, not touching monks or period of rahu influence, the per- screams of other still-sane students as they are prevented from re- volves many family members and other people’s heads, and so on. son may encounter restlessness, laxing by the EII-afflicted majority. Within moments they, too, be- is dealt with more in the open. But to him the “black” cer- headaches or events such as a come afflicted and join in the effort to find any remaining uninfected emony seemed more like a prac- lawsuit or a brawl. students. tice of the dark arts. He refused All of the offerings have to Before they find me, I must write down the final testimony of her request to join in the cer- be black in color and tradition- a sane student caught in a growing throng of EII-afflicted indi- emony, which caused some con- ally include: nine black joss viduals. Perhaps I can leave behind some useful tips to any other sternation. Could you please ex- sticks; two black candles; local students who might remain. plain what is so auspicious about moonshine (black in color); a First, do not be afraid to feel stress. Exams are important. turning 35? Also, why the “dark” small quantity of black sesame Stress makes us think faster in the exams, perhaps raising scores. ceremony? seeds; a black chicken; black Second, do not be afraid to relax during your study time. By Chris. grapes; black Chinese jelly; and occasionally giving that fleshy undulating lump of brain matter a black coffee. During the cer- rest, it will be far more likely to retain information. Dear Chris, emony the person wears black as Third, preserve a balance between work and rest. It is no I’m not aware of anything well. good studying for two hours only to take a five-hour break. Alter special about turning 35 but I can Two years ago the current the study-to-relaxation ratio as necessary. explain about the “dark” cer- Prime Minister attended his But what do I know? I’m in a closet surrounded by crazed sister’s rahu ceremony at the students. Like a scene from Night of the Living Dead, the zombies Don’t miss.... Rahu Temple in Nakhon Pathom. are hurling themselves on the closet door, all the while scribbling This is not the type of black notes into their revision books. The door will not hold much longer, Issues & Answers magic or witchcraft that you are and even if it does, my candle will die soon and I will be forced to phuketgazette.net/ thinking of. The ceremony is sim- leave. I relax for the last time and hope that this testimony will issuesanswers/index.asp ply intended to ward off evil. somehow fall into more fortunate hands than mine. May 15 - 21, 2004 FEATURES PHUKET GAZETTE 17 So you think Phuket has changed for the worse?

n the words of that classic tion of Amanpuri so far north was Every day the village chief Joni Mitchell song, Big considered insane. would bring out a huge rattan Yellow Taxi, “They paved Well, hang to your historical chair. Attached to the chair was paradise and put up a park- hats, for a new pioneer is on the a large golf umbrella on which I were printed the words “BOAC ing lot.” scene and his name is George Phuket has expanded so Bentick. The first time I visited Comet to the Future” He would fast in the past five years that it Phuket was in 1963. That’s right! sit in the shade of this umbrella has, to some, become unrecog- Forty-one years ago. Those of you and charge a fee for any vehicle nizable. People who return af- who think that Phuket has lost its that wanted to pass – probably ter being away for a while al- charm over the past few years are Phuket’s first and only toll gate. ways have a mixture of awe and only half-right. The rest of you – disgust in their voices when listen up. I remember when… they talk about I was 10 years The skies around Phuket how the island old and lived in were teeming with air force and has grown and de- DOWNSIDER Malaya. My father military aircraft of all kinds as the veloped. By George Bentick was in the tin indus- Vietnam War escalated all “I just can’t try and was con- through the ’60s. These ’planes believe all the building you see sulted by several companies in the were mainly stationed in around here,” or “I remember Southeast Asian tin industry – Bangkok but later used new bases when Phuket was soooo beauti- companies with names such as in Pattaya and Trang. ful, but now it’s all built-up.” Austral Amalgamated, Rio Tinto, During Christmas of 1972 It’s a common habit to Gopeng Mines, Guthrie (better my parents were offered the use wish that your favorite place known for rubber production) and of a large, very lovely colonial- will never change. We want our the myriad companies owned by style bungalow owned by one of memory to be served year after rich Chinese mining tycoons who the mining companies some- year by that same snapshot that later converted much of their hold- where (I am not sure exactly we took the first day we arrived ings into well-known local golf where) near the very northern tip – in Phuket’s case, its beautiful, courses. of the island. unspoiled beaches, rustic little My father would bring me It was the Christmas when beach abodes, friendly, smiling along for the journey which he US President Richard Nixon or- population, beautiful women made annually for about 10 years dered the bombing of Hanoi and and all of the above at prices that in a row. Getting here consisted Haiphong. Hundreds, and I mean were unrealistically low. of boarding a DC3 at Penang Air- hundreds, of B52s would take off Tourism creates a strange port in Malaya and flying – be- daily from Pattaya, Trang and demand: that the place we lieve it or not – direct to Phuket George Bentick as a young lad, fishing the waters round the other bases in the region. choose to visit year after year Airport. south end of Phuket. (In fact, he doesn’t look very different now When they returned in the must not change. The airport had been here – Editor.) evenings, they all entered into Tourists seem blind to the since World War II and in those holding patterns which consisted fact that people actually live days consisted of a runway and a orange mudfield created by the northern coastline around the is- of flying huge circles while they here year-round. They view all collection of wooden huts with tin mines. land were a bright orange waited for their turn to land. the inhabitants as a sort of thatched or corrugated tin roofs, These mines were of two stretching at least a mile out to The evening sky would be “natural” island staff hired, all surrounded with a high barbed- types. There were the palongs – sea, caused by the mud leaching filled with the roar of the jet- courtesy of National Geograph- wire fence. From what I recall, the huge man-made structures of from the inland dredges. black monsters returning at very ic, to make their holiday an ex- airport is in exactly the same place bamboo onto which the tin-rich low altitude with every conceiv- I remember when… act postcard duplicate of the as it is today. sluice was pumped. able type of damage. I remember The waters around the year before. On the way, the plane flew The tin was extracted from being mesmerized by the sight, southern part of Phuket were If indeed they are aware at about 3,000 to 5,000 feet (DC3s this mud by women who spent and would watch them for hours. teeming with fish and fishing that people have lives beyond were not pressurized) over noth- the entire day with large wooden My God! What a time. boats. As a kid, I would walk tourism, they still seem to ex- ing but empty coastline and jungle sluicing pans that looked remark- So you think Phuket’s down to the beach with my fish- pect that the local – pure old growth ably like giant salad bowls. In changed. You don’t even know ing rod and throw my line in and population stay in and thick untouched fact, my mother used one for ex- the half of it. Every day the catch fish after fish of every kind some sort of self- jungle all the way. actly that purpose. at any time of the day. imposed time village chief would The other type, of course, warp so as not to bring out a huge I remember when… was the dredge. There were hun- I remember when… disturb that warm rattan chair. Patong did not dreds of these monsters. They Phuket Town was one of and fuzzy feeling even exist. The only started inland and continued out the richest communities per that comes from Attached to the indication that some- into the ocean. Inland, the dredg- capita in all of Southeast Asia unchanged quaint- chair was a large thing was there was es floated on man-made ponds due to the wealth that came with ness. golf umbrella on the incredibly strong called tailing ponds and were po- the tin, and was not much small- With a few reek emanating from sitioned and controlled by a se- er than it is today. exceptions, the which were printed the fish-drying racks ries of cables attached to the There was only one road majority of Thais the words “BOAC that dotted the entire shore line. from the east to the west, pretty and expats living Comet to the western coast line. They had a continuous belt much where the existing Phuket here arrived on the (There are those who of scoop buckets that tore away City-Patong road is today. island within the Future” say the area still the landscape. One of these But in those days if you past 20 years, and smells of fish.) ponds today makes the 14th a wanted to go over the top to the most of these within the past 10. In fact, the main fishing vil- challenging hole at Blue Canyon. west coast you had a choice – We look upon them with lage you came to on that coast was Examples can be seen all over the Land Rover or, believe it or not, the same reverence as the set- in Karon. It was built around a la- island. a small cart pulled by either buf- tlers of the Old West. They were goon, of which you can still see You may find it interesting falo or zebu cows (the ones with here in a time that had no mo- the remnants today as you drive to know that Phuket possesses humps on their backs). bile phones, 7-Elevens, Fanta- down the hill to Karon from the not one single naturally-occur- At the crest of the hill Sea or by-passes, or any of the north. ring lake. where the Chinese shrine is to- other symbols of Paradise Lost. Where Laguna stands today day was a tiny village which In those days, Baan Rim I remember when… was a giant eyesore more remi- marked the halfway point of the Pa had just opened, a paved road The entire northern part of niscent of trench warfare than journey – and it was indeed a was a luxury, and the construc- the island was nothing but an ugly anything else. The waters off the journey in those days. 18 PHUKET GAZETTE EDITORIAL & LETTERS May 15 - 21, 2004

367/2 Yaowarat Rd, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000 Tel: 076-236555 - Since 1994 - Fax: 076-213971 Email: [email protected] Groundwater resources need protection Among the many negative consequences of Phuket’s rapid and largely unregulated development have been the loss and degradation of the island’s groundwater supplies. There are two major factors that cause wells in many parts of the island to run dry after just a few months of hot, dry weather. First, with the continuing property boom, more wells are being sunk and more people are drawing from dwindling reserves. Second, with development, vegetation that stabilizes the soil and holds rainwater – allowing it to percolate slowly down into the water table – is stripped away. While construction is in progress, rain simply runs off the bare surface, taking valuable topsoil with it. When construction is complete, the rain lands on impervious mate- rials such as roofs, concrete and asphalt, running uselessly into storm drains and, eventually, into the sea. In both cases, the water table suffers. While the government agencies responsible for water supply are doing a good job planning for Phuket’s future water needs by installing water mains and building two new dams to create reser- voirs, these plans alone will never allow the province to meet the Letters governor’s oft-stated goal of providing a potable water supply. Pumping water to Bang Wad reservoir from Klong Bang Yai The Gazette is pleased to receive mail from read- with your views for publication in our next issue. during the rainy season has helped ensure that the reservoir remains ers. Please write to us at 367/2 Yaowarat Rd, We reserve the right to edit all letters. Pseud- full, but the extra reserves come at a price. Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000, fax to 076-213971 onyms are acceptable only if your full name and There can be little doubt that water from Klong Bang Yai is not or send an email to [email protected] address are supplied. as clean as the water from the Bang Wad catchment area, and that contaminants will be introduced into the reservoir by pumping wa- ter into it from the klong. In effect, quality is being sacrificed for Social Order is at the chance of a broadband or There’s no excuse quantity. ADSL line right now, whatever The island’s increasing reliance on water from tin mines, which just no fun at all the cost. for animal abuse are associated with contamination by various metals, is also taking Neil D Williams us further away from the goal of a potable public water supply. I had a pretty good time during Tambon Rassada As a former operating-room In addition, evaporation is a major problem with all surface my recent holiday in Patong, but nurse, I have seen the results of water, especially in a climate like Phuket’s. Groundwater, in con- not as much as I did in previous Rawai doublespeak child rapes. There is no excuse trast, is not only protected from the sun, but also enjoys natural pu- years. for that kind of abuse, nor for rification by soil bacteria and other natural processes. Patong is changing, and is getting plain silly abusing animals in the same man- Much has been made of zoning in Phuket in recent months, but many businesses are having a ner. there has been little, if any, discussion about zoning aquifer recharge hard time, if not starting to die. I have never heard such a If the report of a man abus- areas. This is a shame, because Phuket’s best approach to ensuring a The beach is also becoming bunch of convoluted rubbish in ing a dog sexually is correct, I sufficient supply of high-quality water in the future lies in protect- dirtier. my whole life as in the article would suggest that his picture – ing its groundwater resources – or at least what is left of them. Day and night, more ag- “Still no Action on Rawai Beach a very large picture – his name, – The Editor gressive Thais, streetwalkers vendors.” [See Gazette Onlinbe address and phone number be and sex-show touts make the and news pages in this issue.] published on the front page of long flight seem less attractive. Can’t the OrBorTor simply your paper. People like that do Soi Bangla is becoming an area admit that the food stands on Ra- not deserve to hide behind the of large discos where the hook- wai Beach are illegal, blocking law. In association with The Nation Multimedia Group PCL ers hang out, or boring, quiet public access to the beach, and Barbara Collum bars. that they should be moved? Karon The early-closing time has Then everyone can take Editor: Rungtip Hongjakpet had an impact and Patong is los- their own sweet time – as usual Amazing view of Managing Editor: Alasdair Forbes ing its identity as a fun beach re- – as to where they should go. But Deputy Editor: Chris Husted sort. get them off now! quality of service Chief Reporter: Sangkhae Leelanapaporn I’m not sure if I’ll be back Restless Investigation Team: Gategaeo Phetsawang, again; there are too many other Rawai Alexandre Romain’s reply (Let- Dhirarat Boonkongsaen, Siripansa Somboon, Anongnat Sartpisut really fun places to see. ters May 1) concerning service Desk Editors: Stephen Fein, Andy Johnstone James Price Beach bar bursts at Big C amazed me. Does the UK writer not see that small problems Managing Director: Rungtip Hongjakpet Phuket’s bubble must be corrected to prevent Marketing Manager: Oranee Pienprasertkul them becoming bigger ones? Sales Manager: Nashaya Mastanawattanakul Internet at any price Is the Kata blockade of commer- I hope that Mr Romain does Classified Advertising: Phatsara Phengnu cial boat operations another not advocate such low standards Website Services Manager: Natthira Susangrat When is the so called “IT city of mafia-type tuk-tuk situation? of service. Distribution Manager: Passara Kaewbumroong Asia” going to kick in? What a disgrace. And they Big C addressed the com- Financial Controller: Benjawan Lukthan I have the same problems as still want decent tourists to come plaint, which was the principle Publisher: The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd other users: it can take me up to to Phuket. Is it not enough that rather than the amount, very well. 30 minutes to connect to Loxinfo, tourists are already harassed by How can Mr Romain com- pare donating to charity with be- Contact us and when I am finally connected, jet-ski operators, tuk-tuk drivers the connection drops out as little and the like? ing short-changed? One is giving Advertising Sales: [email protected] as a minute later. Wake up to yourselves, and the other is taking. Classified Advertising: [email protected] What about broadband and beach boys, or you will find that I hope that Mr Romain’s Website Services: [email protected] ADSL high-speed Internet con- it is not just the trouble in the local restaurant (and I will match Shopper Card inquiries: [email protected] nections? South that is keeping tourists any charitable donations made) Gazette Guide inquiries: [email protected] I live in Tambon Rassada, away. encourages staff to treat all cus- just outside Phuket City, and I tomers equally. Telephone: 076-236555 (10 lines) Fax: 076-213971 Phuket was a wonderful have been told that there is a place to visit, a real island para- From his letter, Mr Romain waiting list for these. dise. But not any more. seems to think otherwise. The views expressed in the Phuket Gazette are those of the writers and contributors and Please, please, let me know Nikko Jeffrey Deveau do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, the editor, the shareholders, or the direc- tors of The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd. if this is not true. I would jump Stockholm Chalong Copyright © 1994-2004 The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd Letters conveying views and suggestions are published here. Those seeking comment from government officials and/or business owners are published in Issues & Answers on the facing page. May 15 - 21, 2004 PERSPECTIVES PHUKET GAZETTE 19 Hypocrisy over Buddha images

few weeks ago, there was a Thai people are generally tolerant them- story in the newspapers about selves, but it is not right to have statues a bikini that had pictures of FIRST and pictures of people we revere in bars ALord Buddha on it. People in where prostitutes work. Thailand who saw photos of it were up- PERSON Buddha taught us many things, in- set. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea- cluding “the Eightfold Path”. The eight Ngam, who is in charge of Buddhist af- paths are: right view; right aim; right fairs, said that he was offended and that speech; right action; right livelihood; right he would tell the manufacturers how up- Bikinis featuring images of the effort; right mindfulness; and right con- set Thai Buddhists were. Buddha, produced recently by templation. I didn’t like seeing the Lord Buddha American lingerie company Vic- How much of what happens in a bar on a bikini. I wouldn’t like to see the Thai toria’s Secret, caused an uproar follows the Eightfold Path? I can under- flag on a bikini either, but I think that, as and sparked condemnation from stand that bar girls need to support them- a country, we are being hypocritical. the Thai government. But, argues selves, and maybe their families, like ev- I could walk into almost any fash- Sirikorn Johnstone, Nurse Manager eryone does, and I am not saying that what ion shop in Phuket, especially in Patong, at the Bangkok Samui Hospital and they do is wrong, but that way of living and buy clothes with religious symbols a concerned Buddhist, the govern- and Buddhism do not go well together. from other faiths on them. Is that offen- ment and Thai Buddhists in gen- Of the eight paths, two are particu- sive? larly relevant to my argument. The first Or I could buy a crucifix, a Star of eral should perhaps concern them- of these is right action, which deals with David or a sacred Hindu symbol as a piece selves first with inappropriate use refraining from killing, stealing and “bad of jewelry. Would that be offensive? of Buddha images in Thailand. ways of living”. What about the way Thai people The second is right livelihood, which treat the flags of other countries? Bikinis, god; these shops sell to tourists mostly, the very important cultural icons of Thai- is concerned with the five trades that pants and shoes all feature them. We in and the sculptures at least look nice. They land – Buddhist images, images of the should be avoided by lay Buddhists. They Thailand are offended by how other may not be “holy” but they might mean a Royal Family, and sometimes the Thai flag are: trade in deadly weapons; trade in ani- people treat things important to us, but lot to someone, and not just as a holiday – are now seen as nothing more than good mals for slaughter; trade in slavery – in- then we treat others’ symbols and icons souvenir. luck symbols. cluding prostitution; trade in intoxicants; just as badly. Tourists could buy these statues or Yes, as a country, we pay respect to and trade in poisons. I think that the Deputy Prime Min- other artifacts from temples but perhaps Lord Buddha and to His Majesty the King So-called “good” Buddhists, who ister was right to complain, although I they don’t think about it, or maybe they but some of the places where these im- make a big show of making merit, often don’t know how seriously he was taken. are worried about feeling like they, as non- ages are displayed are not appropriate lo- seem to be the ones who break the Eight- Perhaps he should be more interested in Buddhists, don’t belong in a wat. cations. fold Path most frequently. what is happening to Buddhism in this Anyway, if people want a statue to I have only gone past a few bars in Keep the bars open – I don’t care – country – perhaps the monks should be have significance and meaning, it will; Patong and Samui, and most of those were but for Thailand to keep its Buddhism too – and about the inappropriate use of where they buy it makes little difference. quite “good” places, compared with some and its dignity, monks and ministers Buddha images in Thailand. The shops that sell these items make a I have read or been told about. But I could should be more concerned with how sa- I’m not complaining about the hun- profit from them. I wonder if they make see Buddha statues and photographs of the cred images are treated in this country, dreds of shops that sell statues of Buddha merit for every statue they sell? I doubt it. Royal Family as I went past. and less with whether they end up on bi- or Ganesh, the Hindu elephant-headed What does offend me is how much Buddhism is a tolerant faith, and kinis in America.

Can I pick up friends Want to know how to get something done? Can’t understand some of the dafter things Issues& that seem to go on in Phuket? Want to pitch ANSWERS from Kata Beach? an idea to Phuket’s authorities or institutions? Then this is the forum for you. Submit your queries or suggestions to us With reference to the Gazette Karon Municipality, local opera- and we’ll ask the appropriate people to respond to them. story about local long-tail boat- tors and other local committees]. men refusing to allow an Aman- If the boat owner is not do- Write to: The Phuket Gazette, 367/2 Yaowarat Rd, Muang, Phuket 83000. Fax 076- cruises boat to collect guests ing it for business, I reckon he 213971, or submit your issue at www.phuketgazette.net from Kata Beach [see Gazette, can bring his boat to the beach. April 24], does this mean that a We can tell if it’s really a boat yacht cannot anchor at Kata for business or a private boat. For Importing essential drugs Beach and take friends ashore for example, if a boat operator came Government lunch, for example, without per- to pick up eight people or more I’m interested in visiting Phuket What’s the likely result mission from the long-tail boat- and told us that they were all his for a holiday, but am greatly con- when Thai customs agents find a policy men? friends, we would find this diffi- cerned by the War on Drugs, 30- day supply of each in my lug- What about the next Kings cult to believe. widely reported in newspapers. gage, along with multi-vitamins on guns Cup? The same Kata boatmen If a commercial operator I need to take certain medi- and dietary supplements? Should make good extra money during wants to pick up passengers, he cations, including blood pressure I expect demands for documen- What is the Thai government’s the week. can ask for permission and we and cholesterol drugs, including tation? Arrest? Imprisonment? position on the issue of disarma- Concerned Sailor will discuss it to decide how it Lisinopril, Metoprolol, Ator-vas- Jail? Execution? ment? will affect things on the beach. tatin and Gemvibrozil. What documentation would Matthew Hindmarch Sayan Boonyawong, President satisfy Thai customs of my legiti- Phuket of the Speedboat Club of Kata, mate need for these drugs? Kata Noi and Karon, responds: Anurut Thaitrong, Director of If it’s not related to busi- Why no songtaew bus Wuthichai Ekisarasap, Ap- Order Maintainance Division, ness, people can always bring praiser in the Customs Office Investigation and Legal Affairs their boats or yachts to Kata and from Karon and Phuket? at Phuket International Air- Bureau, Local Administration land or pick up their friends from port, replies: Department, replies: the beaches. Why is there no songtaew bus from his vehicle and badly beaten You should bring a paper The government’s policy is But if they are running a running between Karon and by competitors. from your doctor explaining your one of controlling the number of business and landing or picking Patong? We would still like to have illness and your need for medi- guns in Thailand, rather than dis- up clients from Kata Beach, they Alex Thow an investor operate a songtaew cation. It should state the amount armament. should apply for permission from along that route, but since 1994 of each drug you will need to use Currently, until June 30, no the Karon Municipality first. Teerayuth Prasertphol, Deputy nobody has contacted us about during the time you are here. gun licenses are being issued. Director of the Phuket Provin- the possibility of operating it. As for the multi-vitamins The government will decide Met Chulak, President of the cial Transportation Office, re- They are probably worried and dietary supplements, the whether to continue the suspen- Long-tail Boat Club of Kata, plies: about having similar problems amount you bring should not be sion after that date. Kata Noi and Karon replies: In 1994, we started a pub- and losing their investment capi- more than the amount the labels People who believe they To be honest, I can’t say. lic transport route linking Patong tal. Public transport in Phuket on the packaging state is a rea- really need to own or to carry This matter will have to be dis- and Karon. After just three days, faces many problems of this na- sonable amount for the time you guns may ask the governor for cussed in our next meeting [with however, the driver was pulled ture. will be here. permission. 20 PHUKET GAZETTE F E A T U R E S May 15 - 21, 2004 Travel writer slithers onto the coffee table

n his classic Slithering South – the dams and fish traps, river spirits and wa- as attested to by Ayudhaya’s grown along river banks; in- best travel book about Thailand – ter rites, waterborne communities and fall to the Burmese in 1767. genious contraptions were Steven Van Beek paddled for 58 modern-day river pilots. But further downriver, invented to catch fish; teak Idays from the headwaters of the How did he get started on this co- in Thonburi and Bangkok, logs were floated down the Ping River down the Chao Phraya to the lossus of a book? “It has grown out of a Siam sprang to life again. currents; elephantine barges Gulf of Thailand. He has also written love affair with the river that began when Such a riverine cycle of rise and double-decker river- The Chao Phya: River in Transition and I lived above it in a stilt house, one of those and fall is central to a Thai boats moved goods. An en- canoed down its other major tributaries: chance encounters that change one’s life,” perception of life: Off the tire chapter is devoted to the Wang, Yom and Nan. he writes in the foreword. “To a Thai, rivers and boat design from sampans Now he has written his magnum “I nearly rejected the offer of a water are perfect Buddhist to modern long-tails. opus. Thailand Reflected in a River wooden house on the Thonburi bank be- metaphors. On the one hand, SHELF The high point of the (Wind & Water, Hong Kong, 2004, cause it seemed too far from the city cen- they represent tranquillity and By James Eckardt book is a long prose poem 264pp) is a huge coffee- tre. A single night in the happiness; on the other hand, entitled Living on Water that table book, replete with ‘To a Thai, rivers and house convinced me of the they represent the mutability, unpre- recounts a typical day on the river and ancient maps, prints, en- irrelevance of convenience. dictability, and ephemeral nature of life, opens: “Water drips from a paddle blade gravings, temple murals, water are perfect “For 11 years it was always changing character, always alter- as a boatman pauses between strokes to photos old and new, Buddhist metaphors.’ my home and my introduc- ing course. Rivers nurture plants, humans, listen to a bulbul perched high in a jack- mostly by Van Beek. The tion to a riverine way of life and animals; floods bring destruction and fruit tree. Plink, plink, plank . . . the text is lyrical and magisterial, enlivened I’d not known existed. The experience disease. Individual entities are not impor- droplets falling onto the canal’s tympani by frequent boxes displaying ancient taught me more about Thailand and its cul- tant in the totality of a river, but are ab- surface in the dawn light count cadence texts and current commentary. ture than I’d ever been able to glean from sorbed into a larger whole. Like life, a to the bird’s song.” His central premise is that the es- books.” river has its own momentum; it pulls one Van Beek concludes on a note of sence of Thailand – its religious beliefs, Van Beek traces the early history of towards a distant goal, and it is useless to hope. While lamenting that modern culture, art, folklore, festivals and eco- habitation from settlements along the struggle against it.” Thais have turned their backs on the riv- nomic lifeblood – is wrapped in the no- riverbanks that grew into the 7th century Van Beek devotes chapters to reli- ers, new parks, walkways, floating res- tion of life as a river. city-states, and the development of muang gious rites, river spirits, naks, boat races, taurants, riverside cafés, luxury hotels Into these sumptuously illustrated fai irrigation systems that led to the huge royal barge processions, the Bang Fai and restored mansions “reflect a grow- pages Van Beek has poured his copious canal projects of the first Thai kings. rocket ceremony, the Songkran and Loy ing awareness of the value of preserv- knowledge of Thai history and geology, This mastery over water culminated Krathong water festivals. ing relics of a former age and a sense of flora and fauna, river boats and royal in the glories of moat-girt Ayudhaya. Of For centuries, Thailand’s rivers were gratitude for a heritage that nature has barges, rice farmers and teak wallahs, course, as the river gives, it takes away, also its economic lifeblood. Rice was bestowed on Thailand.” Big potholes on the GPRS road

I recently bought a ordering a Phuket lobster for din- cable for my mobile COMPUTER ner – you’d better ask the price phone, wanting to try before you commit. Q out the the much- Q&A So how do you get onto the publicized wireless Internet via Internet with a mobile phone here GPRS. Technically it works fine, Ask the experts. Email in Phuket? A friend of mine pretty much as fast as my land- [email protected] bought a Sony T68i phone with line. built-in Bluetooth (to let the However, as I hadn’t been Is this for real? If it is, how can phone talk to his computer) and able to find any information on anyone advertise this as a viable GPRS modem (to let the phone what it actually costs to run, I option for Internet? talk to the Internet). started out by making a small ex- Former Mobile Web-Surfer He also bought a Bluetooth periment. I checked the balance Chalong box made by D-Link that plugs on my 1-2-Call card, 255 baht at into his computer with a USB the time, and set about browsing There are many pot- cable. (It’s a model DBT 120, the web for 15 minutes. holes on the road to which is available for 1,800 baht Towards the end of the 15 Internet connection in from Mr. Com). minutes I got cut off, which I first Phuket, and you just He uses an AIS Internet attributed to technical problems. A SIM card with a standard GPRS- stepped into two big ones. But when I checked the balance enabled mobile phone account. It First, whenever you use a IRONY: Downloading software on the Internet can get mightily on my account, it had been com- pre-paid card for any telephone expensive if you pay by the byte. Downloading this free version costs 1,200 baht a month. For the pletely depleted! service (and most definitely in- of OpenOffice, for example, over a 1-2-Call GPRS mobile link next six months, he gets unlim- This works out to a charge cluding GPRS Internet connec- would consume 10,000 baht in Internet connection time – if you ited connections and usage time of about 1,000 baht/hour, enough tion time), you’re at the mercy of could find a top-up card of that denomination. Caveat emptor. as part of a promotion available to get you approximately two the company’s prevailing rate to that particular mobile phone weeks of broadband access in system, which may or may not be Second, any pay-per-byte byte leaves you wide open to account. many areas in Europe and the US. reasonable, well-documented – scheme can get extremely expen- nasty surprises. After the six months are or even comprehensible. sive, very quickly. In this case, All of the major GPRS ven- over, AIS will put a 250 MB limit In this particular case, I 15 satang per KB might sound dors in Phuket – DTAC, AIS and on data transfer, charging extra looked high and low and couldn’t like a pittance, but it adds up. TA Orange – have pre-paid cards for each additional MB. find any information on the rates For example, many of the that charge an arm and two legs At that point, I’m sure my that 1-2-call charges for GPRS recent Mars Lander photos from for Internet access. friend will be looking for a much Internet connections, either on nasa.gov run to 10 MB or more But they also have “nor- better deal. In the interim, how- the one-2-call.com website, or in (1 MB = 1,000 KB). Simply mal” subscription accounts that ever, he’s paying a pittance for the company’s brochures. looking at a picture of the sur- aren’t as usurious. As I’ve de- decent Internet access – a little In the end, I had to call face of Mars could cost you scribed in columns here in the bit faster than dial-up, but highly Bangkok and ask. The represen- 1,500 baht ( = 15 satang X 10,000 Gazette, you need to look for flat- reliable – and he gets to use the tative told me that 1-2-Call KB). For one picture. fee unlimited Internet access. same phone for voice conversa- charges for the amount of data At 63.5 MB, OpenOffice The problem doesn’t lie tions, too. you download, at a mere 15 1.1 would cost more than 10,000 with the technology. The problem – Woody Leonhard satang per thousand bytes. baht to download. For one pro- stems from the plethora of ser- [email protected] (Worth noting: I have no gram. Ka-ching. vices available, the multiple idea how much you were charg- Paying for Internet by the (sometimes outrageous) billing
Woody Leonhard’s latest book, ed, and have no way of indepen- byte is like paying for water by practices, and an almost complete Office 2003 Timesaving Tech- dently verifying the current rate. the drop. I suppose some people lack of readily accessible, reli- niques For Dummies, has just hit It could change tomorrow, and can ration themselves, but in the able information. store shelves in the US and Eu- we would be none the wiser.) vast majority of cases pay-per- In the end, it’s rather like rope. May 15 - 21, 2004 B U S I N E S S & M O N E Y PHUKET GAZETTE 21 ‘Still lots of upside’ in property market By Sangkhae Leelanapaporn which was 3 million baht more businesses in Phuket involve take their businesses seriously. Focusing on Phuket’s well- than Songkhla collected.” Westerners, whereas Songkhla They do it for an easier lifestyle, developed tourism industry, K. PHUKET: The Phuket property He explained that most reg- has more businesses that are not for serious profit-making,” he Yongyuth said he had noticed that market still has good potential for istered capital in Phuket is in- 100% Thai-owned. “If foreigners said. it is becoming more common for business, as indicated by the cur- vested in tourism or property, are involved [in business in K. Yongyuth believes that tourism firms, especially tour and rent booms on the east coast and whereas in Songkhla most busi- Songkhla], they are usually Ma- the property business in Phuket dive companies, to be registered north of Phuket Town, and inves- nesses are involved in agricul- laysian or Singaporean, not West- is still strong, and will continue in Phuket, but to operate in Khao tors should expect franchises to ture. erners,” he said. to perform well. “Most business- Lak, Phang Nga or Krabi. perform well in the near future, “There are many rubber Behind the investment fig- people on Phuket have invested Looking to the future, K. says Yongyuth Kasetsuntorn, the plantations in Songkhla, so busi- ures, he added, was a major dif- in property, such as shophouses, Yongyuth believes that there will new chief of the Phuket Provin- nesses there are involved with ference in the foreigners’ inten- houses, apartments and luxury be more franchise businesses on cial Business Development Of- [processing] rubber. Songkhla tions when setting up a busi- homes,” he said. the island, and that they will per- fice (BDO). also has many more fishery busi- ness. “Phuket is a small island, form well. “Franchises are reli- K. Yongyuth took up his nesses and frozen food factories “Foreign investors in and demand will continue to out- able businesses, and it seems new post on April 8, after mov- [than Phuket]. Songkhla are serious about their strip supply because many people many are starting up now, includ- ing from the equivalent post in “Most businesses in Song- businesses. That’s different come to work in Phuket and need ing restaurants, beauty salons and Songkhla. khla are limited partnerships, from in Phuket, where some a place to live,” he added. garages. Comparing the two top in- which is different from in Phuket, foreign investors just want a Two areas where the prop- “I think franchises are good vestment centers in southern Thai- where most are limited compa- work permit to facilitate their erty market is booming are Pa and the BDO will promote and land, he said, “Last year the nies,” he noted. lifestyle and to allow them to Khlok and Koh Kaew. “The support them because they pro- Phuket BDO collected about 15 Another main difference, stay here longer. prices of land in Pa Khlok are not vide good quality [products or million baht in registration fees, K. Yongyuth said, is that most “These investors do not too high yet, and Koh Kaew is services] and a range of jobs. starting to see villas built for “However, franchises families with children who attend sometimes have many conditions Dulwich International College,” attached, and require large in- he explained. vestment, and some Thais do not US interest rate worry “Other areas near the fully understand how the fran- beaches in Phuket are already chise business operates,” K. full.” Yongyuth said. any investments are UK universities are linked to extremely MONEY more likely to spend ex- low short-term in- tra funds received on Mterest rates in the their two main priorities US. These include most asset TALKS – teaching and research. classes such as equities, bonds, Realizing that a emerging markets as well as com- By Richard Watson gap in the market ex- modities. isted, UK-based Bran- A number of observers be- deaux Group launched a lieve that the riskiest areas are it may cause the Fed to increase fund in December 1999 called Hong Kong and Chinese equities, interest rates – lower than at any the Student Success Fund. US financials excluding insur- time since the 1950s – and to do This fund buys and reno- ance, US homebuilders, Latin- it sooner rather than later. vates buildings suitable for stu- American equities, and bonds There is a school of thought dent accommodation, most of and currencies. All of these mar- within the US financial market them being old student halls of kets and areas have been the sub- that the economy is peaking, residence built in the 1960s. Each ject of rampant speculation, en- along with corporate profit and room is brought up to a suitable couraged by the US Federal commodity prices. standard, complete with en-suite Reserve’s negative – after infla- facilities and Internet connec- tion – Federal Funds rate. Chinese puzzle: The Chinese tions. This has caused an asset premier, Wen Jiabao, recently an- The student housing also price bubble in the areas men- nounced that measures would be doubles as accommodation for tioned, and, as investors liquidate introduced to try to cool the rapid conference delegates during uni- their positions, these areas and growth China is experiencing. versity vacations. markets may fall. This may hap- The Chinese government Student occupancy rates pen because it is a “leveraged believes that it is starting to see run at more than 96% while bad situation”, that is, many of the inflationary pressures building in debts are low. sellers who previously borrowed the economy. The fund has been very suc- “cheap” money will be forced to China, unfortunately, does cessful, returning a gain of 48% sell when they receive margin not have the sophisticated con- between launch and April 2004. calls. trols available to true market It closed to new investment A margin call is a demand economies. Nobody is really sure in May 2003 as it was simply at- by a broker that a cus- where the Chinese tracting far more cash than it tomer deposit enough There is a economy will head be- could invest. Too much cash sit- capital to bring his tween now and the ting on deposit would have di- margin up to the mini- school of end of 2005. luted the fund’s return on invest- mum requirement. If thought within ment. the customer does not, the US financial School’s in: Britain’s The fund has re-opened he often becomes a university accommo- until the end of July, when it will forced seller, or the market that the dation market has again close to new investment. lender simply sells the economy is been mentioned fre- Friends Provident International, investments held as peaking, along quently in this column the British insurance group, has security to protect his over the years, and a a mirror fund called the Student own financial position. with corporate mutual trust fund has Accommodation Fund which in- profit and been the recom- vests solely in the Student Suc- Disappointment: The commodity mended approach to cess Fund. latest figures reflecting prices. this investment oppor- The Student Success Fund US gross domestic tunity. has never fallen in value and con- product (GDP) released in late An investment in this sec- tinues to rise. Unfortunately, it is April were disappointing for two tor makes sense because univer- available only in sterling. reasons: sities in the UK can provide ac- The GDP figures covered commodation – and most of that Richard Watson runs Global Port- the first quarter of 2004 and came is of a Victorian standard – for folios Co Ltd, a Phuket-based per- in at 4.2% annualized growth, only 22% of the 2 million or so sonal financial planning service. lower than market expectations students educated by more than He can be reached at Tel and Fax: of 5%. In addition, the inflation 100 universities. 076-381997, Mobile: 01- problem (if that is what it is go- Student numbers are con- 0814611. Email: imm@loxinfo. ing to be ) is of some concern as tinuing to rise and cash-strapped co.th. 22 PHUKET GAZETTE SP O R T & L E I S U R E May 15 - 21, 2004 That wonderful Vino a corker in sinking feeling her debut race AO CHALONG: In perfect conditions for his new Bur- ersplosh! One of the Although the water is bal- gundy-colored Phuket 8, finest sights in golf; anced a little too heavily on the Vino, Josh Lee from Lee the other person’s ball right side of the Canyon course, Marine managed third place making an arcing the routing is strong enough for K in his boat’s competitive Greg Louganis-like entry into the it not to be very noticeable. debut in Race 5 of the Ao water. If you happen to be stand- TEE TO But on the Lakes course, Chalong Yacht Club ing within earshot, the sound is it’s as if the course has to justify (ACYC) Keelboat and Mul- even more pleasurable. its name with water in play on GREEN tihull race series, on May 9. Ideally, your opponent can all but the par-3 hole 17. Al- Although Scott Dun- see the ball but it is just too far Jon Morrow though the hazards are better bal- canson’s more experienced away to retrieve without the ig- anced between left and right, be- Phuket 8 crew on Somtam nominy of removing his shoes because of the “Augusta effect” ginners suffer the most. Express led the way, secur- and socks. The next few holes are and the increased need for irri- I was surprised to discover ing first place, closely fol- yours for the taking because your gation storage lakes, impressive that the Thai Muang course has lowed by Mark Horwood’s opponent is seething mad and un- water hazards have become the water in play on 17 holes, as it Attitude 8, Vino proved able to think straight. norm rather than the exception. doesn’t seem so during play. quick and was hot on their Water hazards were rare on Phuket’s golf courses have Perhaps it’s because water heels around the course. the courses I played as a youth. I many impressive water hazards, is behind greens and mostly on Vino on her way to third place in Summersalt, with think I had such a heightened af- more due to the island’s tin-min- the left, which is fairer, as so her maiden race in Chalong Bay. Mark Pescott at the helm, fection for them because, as a pa- ing history than by design. many “weekenders” tend to slice. proved the better of the two Four Winds both managed to thetically short yet unerringly ac- In particular, I like the The Banyan Tree course has multihulls on the day, beating round Koh Bon, the light condi- curate hitter, I was rarely the one Phuket Country Club’s use of wa- also been designed with water to Tim Milner’s Charro. tions and strong adverse current suffering at the hands of the ter. The only hole on the front the left on the front nine. But be- In the Cruising class, Al resulted in all boats in the class kersplosh. nine with water really in play is ing a right-to-left player, I have al- Boone on Blue Moon led the way, failing to complete the course. Every April we would be the par-3 hole 6, where lilies ways struggled with holes that followed by John Fenn on Four The next ACYC race day glued to our TV sets watching the complete the beautiful landscape. turn right with the ground slop- Winds and Brian Ritchie on Be- will be on June 23. For more in- US Masters. Magic TV it was, Love or hate hole 10, you ing towards the water on the left. yond Rotto. formation contact Scott Dun- too. The sight of Nicklaus, can’t help but be impressed by However, the back nine Although Blue Moon and canson at Tel: 01-8924992. Palmer or Player hitting long the effect the lake has on all lev- more than compensates with all irons and even woods onto those els of player. The well-placed the water on the right. While all par fives over the water was an water hazards on holes 16 and 17 these hazards add an extra chal- inspiration. And the color of the would have been a nice finale, lenge for Phuket’s golfers, water In-Between takes darts lead water on the 16th was astounding. but I can’t say I like the blind hazards have other advantages, PATONG: Week seven of the Happy Days (8 pts); 9=. Shaker’s I didn’t know until years later that creek on hole 18. too. One of my favorite sights in Patong Darts League saw Champs (7 pts); 9=. Valhalla (7 pts). they dyed it. The same designer, Dr Asian golf is the crowd of scally- being unseated from the top of the (Note: Happy Days and Didi’s In the late ’80s and early Sukitti Klangvisai, later built five wags lined up on the right of the league, their place taken by In- each have a game in hand) ’90s, Nicklaus and Faldo were of the first nine holes at Loch golf hole waiting for unsuspect- Between, who took three points Results for May 4: Ami- the best-known beneficiaries of Palm with water all the way ing punters to kersplosh their way against Football Crazy. gos* 4, Didi’s 5; Champs* 3, the Augusta kersplosh at the ex- down the right. In addition, there to the hole. One point separates first Offshore 6; Football Crazy 4, In- pense of Ballesteros at hole 15 are 11 water carries on the first A short sprint and swim fol- and second places but the five- Between* 5; Piccadilly* 6, Shak- and Ray Floyd in a play-off at seven holes. That’s a little exces- lows, and back comes the ball – point-chasm between second and ers 3; Valhalla 3, Happy Days* hole 11. sive; with water often near the with just a small price to pay. third places remains. 6. (* Beer leg winners.) Curtis Strange had several tees catching topped shots, it af- Marvellous. Patong Darts League May 18 fixtures: Amigos kersploshes at hole 13, losing a fects the weaker rather than the table: 1. In-Between (17 pts); v Champs; Football Crazy v large lead. I can’t remember who stronger players. Jon Morrow is a golf course de- Champs (16 pts); 3. Off Shore (11 Didi’s; Happy Days v Piccadilly; was the happy winner on that oc- The Blue Canyon Country sign and construction consultant. pts); 4. Piccadilly (10 pts); 5=. In-Between v Shakers; Off Shore casion. Club’s Canyon course makes ter- Tel: 01-7284492. Email: Amigos (9 pts); 5=. Didi’s (9 pts); v Valhalla. (Home team listed In recent years, probably rific use of water hazards. [email protected] 7=. Football Crazy (8 pts); 7=. first.) May 15 - 21, 2004 SP O R T & L E I S U R E PHUKET GAZETTE 23 Seur Moun Chol take To Be No 1 Cup

By Rittiwat Suwannarattaphum Peuan Paeng gave as good as they got but nei- PHUKET CITY: More than ther team could edge 1,000 people gathered at Surakul ahead. A free kick in the Stadium on May 5 for the Maha second minute by Peuan Kam Keera Maha Mongkol sports Paeng also failed to find its day. target. The first event of day was Peuan Paeng saw the final of the open category of Panchat Petrit, subsituted the “To Be Number One” five-a- for an injured teammate, side football tourney, which had make an immediate attack seen some plucky play in earlier on goal only to be thwarted rounds from the more than 100 by a tight defense. teams who entered. Peuan Paeng’s deter- Fittingly, the Open final, mination finally paid off in between Seur Moun Chol B and the ninth minute when Peuan Paeng, was a cliffhanger. teammate and brother, The first attempt on goal Panpet Petrit, volleyed into was made just 15 seconds into the the back of the net. game when Seur Moun Chol With everything to bounced the ball off their oppo- play for in the second 10- IT’S MINE: Chuttimar Paojin (pink jersey) from Peuan Paeng, defends his possession against Pisan Kayankit nents’ crossbar. minute half, Seur Moun from Seur Moun Chol. The game was a constant tussle of catch-up. After 20 minutes of hard play, Seur The ball went straight back Chol wasted no time in at- Moun Chol scooped the honors with a 3-2 victory. to Seur Moun Chol, and Anuvat tacking. Patan, weaving past defenders, Their onslaught paid off ever, Peuan Paeng again took the Attack and counterattack by other sports activities included a shot again, but failed to get past with an equalizer in the 11th lead when Chuttimar Paojin both sides followed, until the free soccer training session, a the Peuan Paeng goalkeeper. minute. Two minutes later, how- slammed the ball home. 17th minute when Seur Moun mountain bike race and a five- Chol once again leveled the kilometer fun run. ALL TOGETHER NOW: Mass aerobics were the order of the day after the soccer final. Hundreds of people, including Phuket Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura, took part in the exercise. score, at 2-2. The winner of the under-35 Finally, in the 18th minute, age category in the fun run was Bandit Vichiensaeng made him- Pichet Pengrang. Prasert Chimat self the hero of Seur Moun Chol came second, followed by Vora- and the team’s fans, scoring the chet Rakchat. winning goal. In the over-35 age group, In the Under-15 final, Sura- Somyos Poungjit came first, fol- kul Football Club beat Sarin lowed by Pisan Jantorn-Prasoot House 2-0. and Prajak Chitmat. HRH Princess Ubol Ratana At 5 pm, Phuket Governor Rajakanya will present trophies Udomsak Usawarangkura ar- to the two winning teams during rived to preside over the prize- her “To Be Number One” event giving ceremony at the stadium, on May 18. before leading a 20-minute mass After the soccer finals, aerobics session. 24 PHUKET GAZETTE M O T O R I N G May 15 - 21, 2004

he Maserati brothers be- gan making their own motor cars in 1926, but Tby then they had already been involved for a long time in racing at Grand Prix level. There were seven brothers, but only four became inextricably linked with cars and motor sport: Carlo, Bindo, Alfieri and Ettore. Carlo, the eldest, was still at school when he built his first steam engine. He went on to de- sign a single-cylinder engine for a bicycle while still a teenager. When he was 20, he became a test driver for Fiat, then raced Bianchi cars to great effect. Left: The new Alfieri and Bindo worked Maserati for Isotta Fraschini in Milan. Quattroporte is Ettore joined the same factory the perfect way later. Ernesto, the youngest, be- to get to your gan his racing career as riding little Italian mechanic to Alfieri, before de- country signing a range of engines, with cottage. four, six, eight and even 16 cyl- Above: The inders. command Alfieri, however, had great- center – note er ambitions and founded a com- the gear-change pany devoted to fine-tuning rac- paddles on the ing engines. He had a long and steering wheel. distinguished racing career be- fore dying of kidney problems following an operation in 1932. Ernesto took over the reins of the company, but by the late 1930s the company was in finan- cial trouble and control passed to Adolfo Orsi, an industrialist from Modena. Maserati maestros In 1946, the Maserati broth- ers left the firm. It continued suc- Tomaso before coming under the outstanding 275kmh – no re- portance in a car capable of the hand-stitched Poltrona Frau cessfully racing in Grands Prix, management of Ferrari in 1993. strictors here – with the bench- Quattroporte’s high speeds. To leather, in a choice of 10 shades, winning the world championship Ferrari revamped the fac- mark 0-100kmh sprint achieved this end, the electronic stability complements acres of wood pan- in 1954 with the legendary Juan tory and installed strict quality in just 5.2 seconds. program interfaces with the ABS, eling in either rosewood, ma- Manuel Fangio and again in control measures before, last Weight distribution, front to EBD and traction control. Brakes hogany or briarwood, while a ti- 1957. At the end of that year, year, launching the new Quattro- rear, is aided by the six-speed, are by Brembo and consist of tanium-style finish can be speci- however, Maserati announced its porte sedan, with which Maserati electro-hydraulic “transaxle” four massive, ventilated discs fied if desired. withdrawal from racing. hopes to take on the best German- transmission being mounted at with four-pot calipers on the Front and rear seats are In 1958, Maserati went into engineered machines from the rear, which is front, two-pot on electrically operated and there is receivership. It was revived in Mercedes-Benz and BMW. operated by pad- the rear. a top-of-the-range Bose hi-fi sys- 1962 when the Maserati Sebring The latest Quattroporte, dles on the steer- Passive safe- tem incorporating a single-CD was introduced, followed a year designed by Pininfarina, is pow- ing wheel. ty is taken care of player. A multi-disc autochanger, later by the first Quattroporte. ered by a 4.2-liter, light alloy V8 The driver by an airbag sys- mounted under the dash, is op- Financial problems contin- producing a healthy 400bhp can, if he wishes, tem activated by tional. All this for a mere 10 mil- ued to dog the company, how- (294kW), with peak torque start in automatic BEHIND sensors at the front lion baht, plus taxes. ever. In 1975 the company went reaching a mammoth 451Nm. and switch to a THE and on the sides Development of the new into liquidation. It was rescued Maximum speed for this more sporting ex- which measure the Quattroporte was personally by Argentine Alessandro de beautiful Italian offering is an perience by using WHEEL severity of the im- overseen by Ferrari President these paddles, or By Jeff Heselwood pact and inflate Luca di Montezemolo in his the car can be left bags accordingly. quest for improved quality. in fully automatic mode. Side airbags are incorpo- With three cars in its line- There is also a drive-by- rated in the front seats and there up and the considerable financial wire throttle and sophisticated are full-length air curtains to pro- muscle of Ferrari behind the adaptive electronic damping. Ac- tect occupants in the event of a company, the future of Maserati celeration sensors monitor the side impact. is now assured – a far cry from movements of the wheels and the Further safety features in- the desperate times experienced car’s body, instantly changing the clude light and rain sensors, by Alfieri and his brothers, that’s calibration of the dampers to while all seat belts have pre- for sure. compensate, giving a perfectly tensioners and load limiters. controlled ride. The interior, as you would Jeff Heselwood may be contacted Safety is of paramount im- expect, is luxurious: the finest by email at [email protected]. May 15 - 21, 2004 G O O D L I V I N G PHUKET GAZETTE 25

epper’s bar and restau- rant in Cherng Talay was opened in 2002 by four Pgolfers in need of a place to socialize after playing a round. Two of the original four left last year but Pepper’s enjoys contin- Pepper’s chili ued success under Mark Cain and “Biff” Bailey. & “We listen to our custom- ers,” says Mark. “The menu is constantly evolving. People have requested more vegetarian dishes so we have added 12 to the menu.” A quarter of the menu offered at Pepper’s consists of Thai dishes. Enthusiastic staff are a key factor in Pepper’s success. Chef Malee “Nit” Poopuang, said, “I like the challenge of learning to prepare new dishes. The manage- ment and customers are very friendly. It’s a great place to work.”

Chili con Carne For 2 people

Ingredients: 200 grams ground beef; ½ onion, diced; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; 2 cups tinned tomatoes; 2 cups tinned kidney beans; 1-2 teaspoons chili powder (ac- cording to taste); Salt and pepper to taste; Oil; 1 cup grated cheddar cheese; 1 cup finely chopped onion; Fresh coriander leaves.

Method: with fresh tomato slices and a Above left, Goong Fry the diced onion until translu- Guest sprig of fresh parsley before serv- Sarong. Above, cent. Add the ground beef, salt, ing. Cottage pie with pepper, oregano and chili pow- chef baked beans and der. Cook until the beef is brown- By Jenna Wise Goong Sarong fries. Left, Chef ed, and then add the tomatoes and For 2 people Malee ‘Nit’ beans. 1 large potato, cut into 1-inch Poopuang – “I like Simmer gently for about 2 chunks; the challenge of 1 tablespoon butter; Ingredients: hours. Remove from heat and 10 medium to large-sized prawns, learning to prepare 2 tablespoons milk; serve with a garnish of fresh co- shelled and cleaned; new dishes.” Salt and pepper to taste; riander leaves, a small bowl of 3 x 40-gram packets rice noodles; Grated cheese (optional) grated cheddar cheese and a Oil; 4 slices of fresh tomato; small bowl of chopped onion. Salt and white pepper; 2 sprigs fresh parsley. Pepper’s Restaurant and Bar, 382/10-11 Moo 1, Srisoonthorn Rd, ½ cup mushroom soy sauce; Cherng Talay, Thalang, Phuket 83110 (Laguna entrance). Tel: 076- Cottage Pie A small bowl of plum sauce, for 325112. Open 7 days a week, from 5 pm until midnight. Method: For 2 people dipping. Boil the potato until cooked, then drain and mash with the butter, Ingredients: milk, salt and pepper. Fry the Method: 200g ground beef; onion and garlic until translucent. Soak the rice noodles in cold ½ onion, chopped; Add the beef, grated carrot and water for about 2 minutes until 2 cloves of garlic, crushed; chili. Mix well, add the gravy, soft, then drain well. Wrap about ½ medium-sized carrot, grated; and simmer until the beef is eight noodles around each prawn ¼ small, fresh red chili, finely browned. until it is covered. Mix the salt chopped; Spoon the mixture into and pepper into the mushroom 1 teaspoon Bisto, or other gravy bowls and top with mashed po- soy sauce and dip each prawn powder blended into ¼ cup tato. For extra flavor, cover with into it before frying it until water; a layer of grated cheese. Brown golden. Drain well and serve with Oil; under a hot grill and decorate plum sauce. 26 PHUKET GAZETTE PROPERTY May 15 - 21, 2004

y friend, clothes she had worn on Home of the Week Duangjit the aircraft from Phuket. “A” Krai- The next day, with M sakul died her bag still on the way, last week, apparently K. A wore the same from heart failure. She clothes. None of us was 35 years old. complained – she still Haven People who knew her looked great. And when were stunned. her Thai dress arrived, espite being just three She was beautiful, she looked stunning. minutes away from both physically and in God knows why the amenities of Pa- her nature. We saw her she died. A few friends Dtong, this 10-year-old in her office and at the were aware that she had house, built on three floors, is far international property fallen ill and that her fa- enough away to be a place of exhibitions where she ther had taken her to tranquility. promoted Phuket and Bangkok, but according Once past the security gate- the project she was to some of her friends, house and up the steep concrete working for. I had a few the medical facility she road, one sees the entire complex chats with her, quite of- was taken to could not of five similar villas. The resi- ten in the bar next to the find a problem. dences, and their shared swim- office. The last time Back in Phuket, ming pool, sit on a five-rai hill- was only a few days be- medical personnel ap- side plot overlooking Patong fore she died. Duangjit ‘A’ Kraisakul (in red top) with friends at last year’s Phuket & Samui parently did not recog- Bay. K. A liked to dis- Property show in Singapore in March. nize urgent problems Well-built, and with teak cuss her work, how she though, according to and stucco finishes, this Thai- could help her employ- close friends, a heart style home has an internal area ers, what she needed to problem was suspected. of 300 square meters. do to help them pro- An untimely loss During an outing The house features one bed- mote their project. in the preceding days, room on the second floor and She was always positive nature was warm and generous, mui Property Show in Hong she told friends that she could not two, including the master bed- and happy, although she occa- and her enthusiasm for her work Kong last year, K. A was both join in some activities as she was room, on the third floor. sionally worried about her abil- was inspiring. excited and concerned that every- unable to run. Each bedroom has built-in ity to do her job – an under- Before she entered the thing should go well. Mostly it Some days earlier, while at wardrobes and an ensuite bath- standable concern in a way, as property industry, K. A was a did, except that her luggage an exhibition in Singapore, a col- room; the master bedroom with she was a Thai lady in an inter- nurse. Her background was in didn’t arrive in Hong Kong at the league commented that K. A was a Jacuzzi and sunken bath. national situation, but a concern helping people, and that carried same time as she did. Neverthe- unable to walk more than a short The second floor has an- that one could not agree with: through into her new career. less, she set up the stand in the distance without having to stop other bathroom while a WC can she spoke English fluently, her Before the Phuket and Sa- exhibition room wearing the to recover her breath. There was be found on the first floor. clearly something seriously The fully-equipped West- wrong for this to be happening ern-style kitchen, finished with to a 35-year-old woman with a brick and tiled walls, is a cook’s physique to make both athletes delight. Modern applicances and and models envious. a breakfast bar-cum-work surface There’s nothing to be complete the room. gained now from hindsight, con- The living room leads out jecture or trying to lay blame. K. onto a terrace and offers spec- A has gone. She left before most tacular views, and there is also a of us – friends and colleagues – dining room and a study room. knew that she had a problem. But Wide teak windows give an airy perhaps it’s time for us all to pay feel to the living space while al- a little more attention to those lowing the breeze off the sea to close to us. refresh the property. A sala to the K. A was a warm, delight- side of the house provides exte- ful person and I am sure that I rior seating. am not alone in wishing there There is an abundance of were more people like her in the teak in the property, including the world. – Graham Doven floors, which are a mixture of May 15 - 21, 2004 PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 27

Patong close to the center

dark teak and terracotta tiles, by teak pillars. The villa is sur- offered for sale at 16 million baht. with teak walls, stairs and bal- rounded by mature tropical gar- cony/terraces. dens. Contact: Richard Lusted, Siam The car port is below the The property, which is on Real Estate. Tel.076-280805. main house which is supported land with a full Chanote title, is Email: [email protected].

Help us to help the animals Call: 076-263737 28 PHUKET GAZETTE PROPERTY May 15 - 21, 2004

DIY or off-plan: the pros and cons G ardening with Bloomin’ Bert ith the significant weigh the potential savings. of time when building all on your number of new Savings will generally in- own). projects launched crease the larger the property that Such projects are typically The plant that over the past six you are building. Also it must be managed by experienced devel- W noted that even with the assis- opers, who can offer considerable months many of our clients have asked us to explain the advantag- tance of a qualified local archi- assistance in the design develop- es and disadvantages of buying tect and construction manager, ment process as well as provid- wouldn’t die into an off-plan (not yet built) making sensible design and cost- ing economies of scale in the project as opposed to a property ing decisions can be difficult for various professional fees, the site ost plants grow, plant, growing out of the side of on the secondary market. those without experience in con- infrastructure and the actual con- make flowers, stop the stalk. Buying a house that is al- struction. Building your own struction process. growing, and then For most gardeners, decapi- ready complete is certainly a home does not always guarantee Cost is usually computed go to plant heaven. tation is the primary way of M propagating any member of the much simpler exercise than buy- that you will get what you want on a price per square meter (for It’s a bit harsh, like a child watch- ing land and building a home for at the price that you budgeted for. a defined specification) and then ing Old Yeller for the first time, dracaena family. Once you de- yourself. There is, however, a mid- adjusted for variations in size or but that’s just the way it is. cide that it’s just too healthy and When you buy a house, you dle ground between buying a specification. Al- However, some plants are getting too big for its boots, trim can see exactly what you will get finished home and doing it all ternatively, in less co-operative with the natu- it. This is the easy part – just cut and know exactly what you will yourself. Several housing de- some cases con- ral order of life. On the road into off the stem at a point where you have to pay for it. velopments and struction price is the Gazette offices, there’s a clas- would like to see new growth If you can find a sound, at- land subdivision set by directly- sic example of one such rebel, the emerge. You can even lop it a few tractive house that fits your needs projects around negotiated com- dracaena fragrans, or centimeters above the and lifestyle choices at a price the island offer Ask petitive tender, corn plant. soil, if you really want that appeals to you, then you the opportunity of with the devel- Thais know this to shrink it down. should probably just go for it. But buying a serviced WILLIAM oper charging a monster of a plant as Then wait a few days, therein lies the rub: if you find a plot of land with By William Pinsent percentage over- wasa naa. Others and you’ll see a new prime house in a prime location, a fully (or at least head to cover know it as a “false shoot bursting out be- it will almost certainly be mar- partially) customized home de- professional fees. palm”, as it does look low the cut, which keted at a significant premium sign and construction service. Because the developer a little like a palm, will become a dupli- over its development – land pur- These projects also typi- faces little risk and uses only lim- with its long, some- cate of what was there chase plus construction – cost. cally establish codes, covenants ited amounts of his own capital times naked stems, before. The advantages of building and restrictions which on the one in the development with this for- and crowns of sword- The bonus is for yourself are primarily that hand might slightly inhibit your mat, developers of these buy- like, “palmy” leaves. that you now have you can design, build and fit out design aspirations, but on the build projects can typically work But it definitely two for the price of a house exactly as you want it and other hand offer a lot of protec- on much lower margins than a isn’t a palm. It is part of a huge one. Put the section you cut off (subject to availability) do so on tion from excessive development builder who constructs homes on family called dracaena. Another into another pot of soil and wa- a land size and in a location that by your neighbors – something spec, tying up large sums of capi- member of the same family is a ter it. Rather than wither and die, best suits you, with the expecta- that can be difficult, if not impos- tal, or requiring expensive fi- common houseplant in England, the cutting will grow. tion that, done with care, the sible, to achieve if you buy a nancing. the yucca. In the dim and distant The dracaena can come in project can be completed at a single plot of land in an uncon- Shop around and consider days of my youth, in not-so- several leaf colors, but all with price well below the market value trolled area. the options carefully. With care sunny England, I used to be fas- the same bushy-topped look. of the finished product. Clearly these subdivision/ and consideration of your per- cinated by my mother’s yucca. Some are variegated, with yellow It all sounds very appealing, custom-build projects are out to sonal needs, design-development I wasn’t fascinated by its and green stripes, though most in but it is not always as straight- make a commercial return, and abilities and the time you have huge size, or the fact that it just Phuket are plain green. forward as it sounds. If the prop- will cost you more than if you available to oversee the process, kept on getting bigger, but by its It’s debatable whether this erty you plan is modest, the de- were to do every aspect of the de- one of the three general ap- “headless” stalk. It rose about a monster is a plant or a tree, as it sign, construction supervision velopment totally alone (but usu- proaches suggested above will foot out of the pot, looking as if can become huge. The satisfying and infrastructure development ally only less if you omit to value likely lend itself to your personal it had been decapitated. Just un- thing about it is that such growth costs of the site may well out- your own contribution in terms situation. der the stump was the rest of the can be achieved with absolutely no effort on your part. Once es- tablished, the plant requires little to no maintenance, as it pretty much looks after itself, as long as the soil is well-drained. Large dracaenae don’t grow overnight though; they take years to grow to heights of several meters. It’s almost impossible to kill the corn plant, no matter how hard you try. You can put it in partly shaded area of the garden, and it will flourish. Put it in di- rect sunlight, and it loves that too. If you count yourself as a gardener who prefers to enjoy looking at the garden rather than tending it, then the corn plant is perfect. It’s very much a non-gar- dening gardener’s plant.

Do Not Drink Tap Water! May 29 - June 4, 2004 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 29 Property Gazette

LAND IN SAI NAMYEN Properties for sale. 1.5 rai of land with NEW SEAVIEW For Sale sea view in Patong, divided VILLA into 12 undeveloped plots. Drainage system installed NEW 3 BEDROOM and access road from Soi Sai- 3 BATHROOM namyen. Perfect for residen- tial houses or other small de- velopment. 12 million baht ono. Tel: 06-8521355. Email: [email protected] New sea view villa on 1,200 sqm of land, with more land HOUSE IN CHALONG available, has freehold Recently built to Western stan- Chanote title, marble bath- dards by an expat now relocat- rooms, hot water, 3-phase house near Kathu. Minutes ing overseas. Only the garden electricity, air conditioning, from Lotus, Big C, hospital, needs to be completed. 3 bed- swimming pool, complete Patong, the beach, and rooms, 3 bathrooms, European Western kitchen, maid’s overlooking Loch Palm Golf kitchen. Land area 800sqm. bedroom-cum-office, store- Course. Nice view and set- Chanote title. 6 million baht or room, garden, and 3 bed- ting. Good water, cable and nearest offer. Tel: 09-871- rooms all with sea view. phone available. Please 3360. Email: seares@ksc. Must view to appreciate. Will email me for more photos th.com consider smaller house or and details. Price: 1.8 mil- land as partial payment. Tel: lion baht. Tel: 09-6461378. LAND PLOTS 07-2659977. Email: jimmys Email: Jim@motorcowboy. @loxinfo.co.th com in Rawai. 1 rai, with two-road access, 100 meters from the beach. Ideal for a small apart- GUESTHOUSE LEASE ment complex. 2.5 million baht. HOUSES for sale. 7-year guesthouse 1.5 rai elevated land. 3 million NEAR LAGUNA lease for sale. Ground level baht. 2 parcels, 10m by 20m, Hilltop houses – two remain- property comprises 10 en- in nice location. 600,000 baht. ing – 2km from Laguna. suite bathrooms, office, Tel: 09-8715192. Email: info From 7.8 million baht. 3 bed- kitchen, bar, pool table and @phukethomes.com rooms, 3 baths, study, living satellite TV. Reg Thai com- room, kitchen, maid’s room, pany. Email for pics and info. GOLF COURSE LOTS laundry, 2-car garage. 250- LUXURY Tel: 076-342280, 01-978- Build your ocean view dream sqm covered area, private BUNGALOWS 1956. Email: palm@phuket. home on a 1-rai lot on a golf swimming pool. Completion IN PATONG ksc.co.th course estate. Step from gar- October 2004. Purchase den to tee. For full details call choices can include Chanote 1 RAI PANWA Tel: 09-9725226 or email: or long lease. Private sale: no ocean-view land. 1-rai ocean [email protected] brokers. Tel: 01-8930692. view plots of land in Cape Email: [email protected]. Panwa area. All plots have LAND IN PATONG co.th NATAI underground electricity and BEACH LAND water, sealed 6-meter-wide for sale. Excellent seaviews. road access and footpath. The Prices from 5.5 million baht/ BEST SEA VIEW West coast. 2.25 rai with land has 200 plus ocean/island rai (3,450 baht/sqm). Please in Phuket. Land parcels avail- 38 meters of ocean front- New 2-story bungalows views and is in a very upmarket call for full details. Tel: 076- able at Mission Hills Golf age at Natai Beach. Fully with carport, large living- area. Price 8 million baht per 349050, 01-8957159, 09- Course. Rai lots from 2, 3, 4, serviced and levelled. New dining room, kitchen, 3 rai. House and land prices also 2911112. 5, 6, 14, 17, or up to you. Best boundary wall and building bedrooms, 3 baths, available. Tel: 09-8715192. sea view I’ve seen in 25+ permits. Enjoy your sala 20 150sqm. Freehold land. 4 Email: info@phukethomes. MISSION HEIGHTS years in Phuket. 2 million baht meters above high tide. 15 million baht. Contact Peter com Serviced building plots of 220 per rai with Chanote. New minutes from the airport. 25 for details. Tel: 01-892- sq wah with 1 rai 7,500 baht road, 3-phase electricity, high- million baht. Email: nick@ 8526. Email: peterwesche BEAUTIFUL LAND per sq wah. 2 mins from the speed Internet access. Tel: 06- indigore.com. Tel: 09-873- @hotmail.com 2042. Indigo Real Estate for sale in Thalang. 3.38 rai golf course, 7 mins from air- 5950188. Email: nsupin@ Limited. Sound advice, pre- with road, water, electricity. port, 5 mins to the beach and yahoo.com mium properties. Chanote title. Price 3.8 million 20 mins to Dulwich Interna- LAND FOR SALE baht (only 700 baht/sqm). Tel: tional College. Excellent roads. RAWAI LAND directly on Banyan Tree 076-349050, 01-8957159, This is country living at its best. 12 rai of ready-to-start land LAND FOR SALE golf course (Laguna prop- 02-2911112. Tel: 01-8298101, 01-344- with beautiful surroundings, erty). 1,050 sqm/262.4 sq 4473. road, 3 phase electrcity and 65 rai, Laem Phromthep, 3 wah. Price: 7.872 million NEW HOME Chanote title available for 4 mill baht/rai. 4.5 rai, Chalong baht. Tel: 076-239864. near Dulwich. Beautiful new million baht per rai. Tel: 07- hill, 2.9 mill baht/rai. 12 rai, Email: [email protected]. 2-bedroom home, 5 mins from 8938747, 06-2795797. Kata hill (Chalong side), 2.2 com Dulwich International College Email: platinumrecidence@ mill baht/rai. 8 rai, Rawai and directly on golf course. hotmail.com (near shell museum), 2.4 mill Tastefully furnished. Tel: 01- baht/rai. Tel: 09-7310283. 9390176. Fax: 076-203285. Email: bluepktproperty@ Email: [email protected] TAMAPRAO HOUSE csloxinfo.com

FOR SALE BY OWNER One-of-a-kind villa in Chalong/ FOR SALE BY Rawai area. Immaculate and OWNER built to Western standards. Spectacular seaview villa Private and secure with 3 south of Patong, luxury bedrooms, 2 baths, office, golf course mansion at La- large living room, kitchen and guna, for sale by owner. For more info please call 01- dining room. Teak cabinets Furnished Tamaprao 7974413 or email: info@ and trim throughout. 13.5 houses, built and designed tomkatconsulting.com. million baht. Tel: 09-195- to Swedish standards. Please see website: www. 4994. Email: ferguson_ka@ Complete with pool, full tomkatconsulting.com yahoo.co.uk marble finish and aircon. Close to golf course and air- 4 RAI RAWAI port. Prices from 2.5 million PATONG BEACH 300m from Rawai Beach and baht. Tel: 09-2002497. condos for sale. Freehold 400m from Yanui Beach. Price Please visit our website at: from 650,000 baht. Tel: 01- 2.8 million baht/rai.Tel: 01- www.phuketvillage.com 5366713. Email: tuddenham. 3762920. [email protected] 30 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS May 15 - 21, 2004 Property Gazette

URGENT SALE BEACHSIDE HOUSE Bangsak Beach. Must sell beau- LARGE EUROPEAN- 2-BEDROOM HOUSE NEW HOUSE Detached 2-story, 3-bedroom tiful 2.9-rai (4,608sqm) land STYLE HOME IN KAMALA IN LAND & HOUSE house, with panoramic views plot with Chanote title. Land is Furnished 80-sqm house in New 3-bedroom house for over Chalong Bay. Quiet loca- located approx 300m from the quiet neighborhood. 50m rent in Land & Houses Park, tion at Khao Khat, between beach and 20km from Khao from the beach with 2 bed- partly furnished. Great area Phuket City, Cape Panwa and Lak. Price: 4.32 mill baht (1.5 rooms, 2 bathrooms, mod- – safe and secure. Use of Chalong. Furnished: 24,500 mill/rai). Tel: 603-56365044. ern kitchen, living room, 2 sports center also available. baht a month. Unfurnished: Fax: 603-56365044. Email: aircon, and hot water show- Option for UBC TV. Only 19,500 baht, negotiable. Call araya_seepoem@hotmail. ers. Lovely 35-sqm roofed 25,000 baht a month, ne- or email for info and photos. com Large European-style resi- teak patio with fans and din- gotiable, for long-term rent. Tel: 076-256407, 01-676- dence in Phuket City, 4 bed- ing table surrounded by lots Tel: 09-5893389. Email: 4849. Fax: 076-256407. rooms, 3 en-suite bath- of flowers! TV, cable/UBC [email protected] Email: [email protected] 6-BEDROOM HOUSE rooms, separate kitchen/din- and, coming soon, 256K IN KAMALA ing area, lounge, large study, broadband. 20,000 baht a NEW HOUSE TOWNHOUSES Fully-furnished, 3-bed house, For sale: a beautiful 6-bed- storage room, 3-meter ceil- month for long-term contract for rent. Situated in quiet area room house in Kamala, near ing (some teak wood), low of 1 year+. Available June 10 mins drive to Laguna area, of Soi Sansabai, Patong. 2 800m from the Heroines’ Phuket FantaSea entertain- maintenance garden, patio 1. Tel: 09-9753798. Email: bedrooms, furnished, UBC, ment center and only a 10- area, fish pond, cable TV, 3 a21stcenturyfox@loxinfo. Monument, with aircon, UBC aircon, telephone, short- and TV, standard kitchen and gar- minute walk to the beach. phone lines, double car park- co.th long-term let available. 20,000 Fully furnished, European ing, marble floor, air condition- den. 30,000 baht/month for baht a month. Tel: 076-341- long-term contract. 3 months’ kitchen, high-quality stan- ing, large communal swim- 871, 01-5697616. dard, total of 1,252sqm ming pool, quiet neighbor- deposit required. Tel: 06-682- 9922. Email: mvanichakul@ area, Jacuzzi, fully-matured hood. Includes owning com- PATONG BEACH garden. Asking price: 15.5 hotmail.com pany. 7.9 million baht. Tel: Condos for rent. Fully fur- million baht. Price includes 076-240612, 09-587- nished, bathroom, kitchen, 4-year-old Toyota Sport NEW HOME WITH POOL 2609. Fax: 076-240613. aircon. From 450 baht a day. Rider, 48,000km only. For New furnished or unfurnished Email: [email protected] Tel: 01-5366713. For more more details, call Franz Brun Kamala home with pool. 6 details, see our website at: in Kamala. Tel: 076- PHUKET ISLAND months’ minimum rental, www.phuketaccommodation. 279075, 01-4761415. 35,000 baht. Pls call after 4 Properties net Email: [email protected] REAL ESTATE pm. Tel: 076-385940. For Rent Specialists in House FOR RENT IN KAMALA PATONG APTS LAND FOR SALE Sales, Rentals, Land 2-bedroom apartment for long- 5-BED HOUSE 4 RENT Plots and Businesses, Available for long-term rent. Pattaya. Plots of various sizes term rent. Fully furnished, Includes 1 bedroom, 1 TV for sale around Phratamnak 5-bed/5-bathroom Thai-style for Sale or Lease, aircon, UK-style kitchen, UBC room, cable TV, aircon. Same Hill/Jomtien, Pattaya. From house for rent at Loch Palm including Hotels. TV, swimming pool and Ja- apartment with good sea view. 11,000 baht per sq wah. Tel: Golf Course. Close to Dulwich For more details call cuzzi, in a private new devel- Prices from 5,000 to 20,000 038-306348, 01-9454763. International College. Fully 076-341871 opment. Agents welcome. baht a month. Tel: 09-290- Fax: 038-306348. Email: furnished and less than a year Please call for more details. 01-5697616 9567. For further details, [email protected] old. Just move in. 800-sqm Tel: 01-9580489, 09-874- please see our website at: garden, 3 tel lines. Car avail- E-mail: sales@ 6185. www.brommathaihouse.com NICE PATONG BEACH able if required. Short- or long- phuketislandrealestate.com house. 180-sqm villa, in quiet term rental OK. 45,000 baht Website: www. THE BEST VIEW HOUSE FOR RENT area, with 3 beds, 2 bath- a month. Please contact for phuketislandrealestate.com of Patong. Furnished 4-bed- New, quality, furnished 2-bed rooms, 2 toilets, modern further details. Tel: 65-983- room house with a spectacu- house in Kathu with aircon, kitchen and 500-sqm garden. 70340, 09-8713360. Email: lar view over Patong Beach. UBC TV, European kitchen, 800m from beach. 8.5 million chris_winter@veritasdgc. KATHU HOUSE Big garden, UBC TV, for long- verandah and garden. Contact baht. Tel: 076-292596. Email: com for rent. Furnished 1½ -story term rent only. Tel: 02-513- for details. Tel: 01-3673106. [email protected] 8348, 01-8915325. Email: Email: martinkreutzinger@ HOUSE FOR RENT house with 2 bedrooms, 2 aircons, 2 bathrooms, big living [email protected] hotmail.com 3-bedroom house, in desirable HOUSES room, kitchen, hot water and Chao Fa Thani estate, garden, OVERLOOKING UBC TV. Price 10,000 baht/ backs on to klong, 3 bath- Find more Property Classified ads at CHALONG month. Tel: 09-6459527, 09- rooms, living room, study, din- www.phuketgazette.net! Hillside villas – 6 remaining – 7319960. overlooking Chalong Bay with ing room, kitchen, air-condi- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, liv- tioned, fully furnished. 30,000 ing and dining rooms, kitchen, baht a month. Tel: 076- double covered car park, staff 281018, 09-4729841. Classified Advertisements quarters and swimming pool. Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. 240-sqm covered area. Com- LUXURY CONDO pletion date: November 2004. Spacious 2-room condo, near Then hand it to any of our agents. Price: 11.35 million baht. Tel: Patong, for rent. Access to 09-7247211. Email: julien@ pool, gym and parking. Call 01- |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| (heading) phuketimmo.com 8921621. Agents for Classified Advertising |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

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

Ala Carte Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 60 baht, Kamala main road, Cherng Talay Tel: 076-278019 with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. PHANG NGA All advertising must be paid for in advance. Maew Internet Shop, Khao Lak Tel: 076-420627 Deadline for Property Mart page: Friday 3 pm. Avalon Creative Group Co Ltd, Khao Lak Tel: 076-420539 Deadline for all other pages: Saturday 12 noon. May 15 - 21, 2004 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 31 Property Gazette

HOTEL PROMOTION LOOKING TO RENT Property Special rate for low season, looking to rent fully furnished Property Wanted long stays at beachfront hotel, 2-bedroom house in Koh Services including ABF and facilities: Kaew, Cherng Talay or Ka- just 18,000 baht/month. mala area. Preferably with SHOPHOUSE Please call Tel: 076-345518 aircon, UBC, garden, fitted SPAS R US or 01-8920038 for more infor- kitchen (European style). Price RENTAL WANTED Steam room/sauna and ac- mation. range: 10,000-20,000 baht a Looking to rent a shophouse cessories, and portable hot month. Interested in long-term of about 80sqm with phone tubs from USA. Quality rental (1 year+) from July. Pls line. Location: Patong, Karon. FREE DEALS equipment, designed and in- call if you can help. Tel: 01- Email: [email protected] Beautiful rooms with aircon, stalled for your needs. Busi- 7883490. shower, bath and sunny bal- ness and residential. Please cony. Other facilities include call for more details.Tel: 09- SPECIAL PROPERTY restaurant, bar, cable TV, UNFURNISHED 793- 9268. large screen sports TV, swim- HOUSE WANTED wanted. I am looking to buy ming pool, sauna, free snooker a property in the Bang Tao and free use of motorbike. 3- or 4-bedroom unfurnished (or close) area of Phuket. I Rate: 750 baht a night, and house wanted for long-term would like sea views and a long-term deals available. Tel: rental. Karon, Kata, Kata Noi house which is ‘a bit spe- 076-340743, 09-8722752. or Patong areas preferred. View Thailand’s cial’. I am looking to pay a Fax: 076-344057. Email: Close to the beach. Tel: 07- max price of 60 million [email protected] 8973108. Email: dx24@ LARGEST baht. I would also consider hotmail.com Household FOR ALL YOUR buying a plot of land if the Services WOODWORK portfolio of land is right. If you have QUIET & CLEAN For your built-in furniture Fully furnished 1-bed apart- HOLIDAY HOME Classified Ads – such a property, email: English/Thai family needs a and other woodworking, call [email protected] ments – with kitchen, balcony, us. We offer reasonable more than 2,000 satellite TV, fan or aircon, house with 3-4 bedrooms, LOCK-UP STORAGE swimming pool, aircon, kitchen, rates, professional work of them – and swimming pool with poolside Cars and motorbikes can be and excellent service. Con- bar – located on the quiet and satellite TV, and hot and cold stored securely in our new HOME OFFICE water in the bathroom. We will tact Mr Bao for a free esti- place your ad cool Patong hillside. Long-term 500-sqm steel lock-up in- mate. Tel: 076-284366, wanted. I am interested in rent starts at 10,000 baht/ need it for holiday from mid-July dustrial shed. 24-hour secu- renting a shophouse with to mid-August. Should be near 01-6935405. Email: shakti month. Tel: 076-344707, 01- rity and motion-sensor secu- @loxinfo.co.th FREE! facilities, long term, in a rea- 9785501. Fax: 076-344689. ocean – prefer walking dis- rity. Tel: 01-0825707. sonable location. Tel: 07- Email: info@phuketforsale. tance, and preferably in the 9752326. Email: bus_asia com Patong area. Email: arlhome@ See the @hotmail.com netvigator.com ONE-STOP SERVICE AAA STORAGE Roofing, floor tiles, pressure offers a safe, secure Phuket Gazette AIRCON ROOM LOOKING 4 A HOUSE EXPAT NEEDS Air-conditioned rooms in cleaning, painting, kitchen, and fully insured building I’m looking for a nice detached Online long-term rental. I will be Patong available for only 375 bathroom, aircon, water and for your motorbike, house in Rawai. 2 bedrooms, moving house soon when my baht a night. For more informa- electric systems, repair and electronic equipment, at bathroom, phone line, fur- contract finishes and am tion, please see our website décor by our handyman nished or not. I’ll return to furniture, boxes, etc. We therefore looking for a house at: www.paradizo.com. team. Call Tel: 09-5913996 Phuket in September and I am also sell padlocks and for long-term rental. I am Email: paradizo@paradizo. or 01-8953185, or email: looking to lease a place long- cardboard boxes. www.phuketgazette.net pretty flexible regarding loca- com [email protected]. tion but it needs to be a term. Please email details to: th Tel: 06-7428743. house and not a flat. Willing [email protected] to pay up to about 20,000 Accommodation HOUSE WANTED baht a month and a one- Wanted month deposit. Look forward in Kamala. 2 bedrooms, 1 bath- to receiving any details. room, 1 large living room, Please email: phuket_expat QUIET COUPLE kitchenette and private gar- den/swimming pool. Tel: 076- @hotmail.com seeks views. We are a couple 325000. who visit Phuket many times. Accommodation We are here now and looking for accommodation with ocean Building Available views on a monthly basis – low season only. We require a pool Services and satellite TV. We can pay ROOMS FROM B300 7,000 to 10,000 baht a month. Email: butterfly33@ Rooms for rent. Fan or air- yahoo.com con rooms, mini fridge, hot/ cold shower, bar, pool table, satellite TV. All rooms are COMFORTABLE FLAT ground level and there is 24- Seeking a comfortable flat in hr security. 10-min walk to Patong or nearby between beach. Special rates May to June 15 and July 20, approxi- September of 5,500 baht a mately. Must have kitchen, month. Email for pics and cable TV, aircon and fan. info. Tel: 076-342280, 01- Email: [email protected] 9781956. Fax: 076-290- 383. Email: palm@phuket. RENTAL IN PATONG ksc.co.th Looking for apartment or house in Patong. Need it long term, KATA PENTHOUSE from Sept 2004 to May 2005. Require two bedrooms, fully Furnished Kata penthouse and furnished and access to swim- rooms with UBC, aircon, ming pool. Email: lilla_4ever@ fridge, telephone, balcony and hotmail. com view. 11,000 baht/month and 5,900 baht/month. Tel: 076- 333589. Email: richardandooy @tesco.net If an event isn’t listed in the Gazette’s ATSUMI VILLAS Events Calendar Offers peace and quiet in a it probably isn’t one. tropical garden in Rawai. 1 bedroom, lounge, kitchen, List your event now - It’s free of charge. aircon and UBC. Tel: 01- Gazette Classads – 4,000 readers a day! 2720571. www.phuketgazette.net/calendar 32 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS May 15 - 21, 2004 Island Job Mart

OFFICE MANAGER Full-time office manager re- quired for exclusive villa project, based near Kamala. Applicant must be fluent in both spoken and written En- glish, and have at least 5 years’ experience in a similar role. A sound understanding of accounting is essential to- gether with knowledge of QuickBooks, Microfoft Word and Excel. A car and driver’s license is preferred. Good presentation and bright per- sonality are very important. Excellent rewards for suc- cessful candidate.Tel: 09- 8934217. Email: admin@ capesol.com

HOTEL STAFF Staff wanted for a small, 5- room hotel in Patong. We have vacancy for a female all- ASSISTANT MANAGER rounder aged 22-32. Should SUPERVISORY CHEF A newly set up company op- be an English speaker, duties WEBMASTER OFFICE STAFF OFFICE SECRETARY Wanted: English-speaking erating mainly in the real es- to include reception, account- needed for yacht charter Three permanent office po- Secretary required for a supervisory chef for a new tate market is looking for an ing, bar, breakfast, room- agency. Thai national with sitions, 1 senior and 2 junior, quantity surveyor’s office. restaurant in the Laguna enthusiastic Thai national, cleaning, laundry and other experience in this field. Please are available in our new Must be a Thai national, flu- area. Must have experi- male or female, 30-35 years usual hotel jobs. Salary de- email resumé for an interview. Phuket City office. Appli- ent in spoken and written ence supervising other old, fluent in English, with pendent on qualifications, Email: charter@thaimarine. cants should have good spo- English, and with good com- kitchen staff. Must be able good experience in marketing, and we offer free accom- com ken and written English skills puter skills. Forward CV to to prepare high-quality Thai a good all-round personality modation, food, laundry, mo- and computer skills. Prefer- PO Box 65, Patong Post Of- food and be skilled in bar- and preferably with own car. torbike, mobile phone and URGENTLY REQUIRED ence will be given to those fice, Kathu, Phuket, Thai- becuing meat over open Very good salary and profit health insurance for the right Artasia Press is currently who can drive a car. Tel: land, 83150. coals. Excellent salary and sharing scheme. send your applicant. Please apply by tele- seeking qualified, energetic, 076-348117, 01-8919653. benefits for the right can- CV by fax or email to apply. phone. Tel: 06-1062566. and service-minded people Fax: 076-348119. Email: PHUKET LAW FIRM didate. Tel: 076-270725, Fax: 076-352066. Email: for the following positions: 1. [email protected] seeks secretary for part- or 01-6061522. Fax: 076- [email protected] SECURITY GUARDS Junior sales representative; full-time. Call 06-0439141. 270725. Email: dboston@ Wanted: 2 security guards Outgoing young male/fe- DIVING INSTRUCTOR loxinfo.co.th TRAINEE HOUSEKEEPER for guesthouse and bar. male, confident, able to com- couple. We are looking for a HEAD GARDENER Looking for a trainee house- Hours: 6pm-10 am. Contact municate in English, have PADI diving instructor couple We are looking for a man, HEAD HOUSEKEEPER keeper. Must speak some for more details and to apply. computer skills and driving li- to work at our busy dive cen- suitably-experienced in gar- Head housekeeper position English, be willing to learn, Tel: 09-5943209. Email: cense, pleasant personality. ter on Phi Phi. Email: jgkg24 dening and able to under- available. Must have experi- able to ride a motorbike and [email protected] 2. Administrative officer; @hotmail.com stand some English, to ence, ability to lead staff and work in Kathu. Good wages Good communication and work as Head Gardener. be able to speak some En- and working conditions. COOK WANTED telephone skills, computer lit- TOP MALE MODEL Good salary for the suc- glish. Good salary and condi- Please call for more informa- The Yorkshire Inn Hotel look- erate in Microsoft Word, Looking for top male model cessful applicant. Tel: 076- tions. Please contact Khun tion or to apply. Tel: 076- ing for good Thai- and Euro- Excel and Powerpoint , ac- for new magazine in Europe 281084, 01-8953185. Fon at The Yorkshire Inn 323214, 01-8540061. pean-food cook. Pls call for counting background. Ac- (in Phuket in August).18 to Fax: 076-281084. Email: Hotel, in Patong. Tel: 076- more info and to apply. Tel: ceptable qualifactions: certifi- 25 years old; minimum 170 man@islandhomephuket. 340904, 076-345258 ADMIN & SALES 076-340904, 076-345258. cate, diploma, bachelor’s cm; minimum 60 kg; very at- com Assistant. English-speaking degree. Interested persons, tractive body and smile. Must FEMALE SALES Thai female required for part- ACCOUNTANT should send application let- be available in August. Very RESTAURANT STAFF Female sales assistant re- time and possible full-time Accountant, with good writ- ters in English with resumés good pay for the right candi- Head chef and all staff re- quired. Should speak En- employment. Must be active ten and spoken English and ex- and recent photograph or call date. Please email with back- quired for Rock Fish (previ- glish and have experience and willing to learn new perience of SME business, is in advance to apply in person ground about yourself and ously known as The Balcony) in sales. Please contact for things. Send CV by fax or needed. Knowledge of Quick- at: Artasia Press Co Ltd. attractive photo . Email: in Kamala. Must have expe- more details. Tel: 01- email. Tel: 076-355040. Books is a must. Tel: 01- Baan Prangthong, 3211 Moo [email protected] rience, a good attitude and a 3, Kwang Rd, Muang, Phu- 9795624. Email: tom@ Fax: 076-355039. Email: 8926930. Email: philippe@ desire to learn. Rock Fish will bootlegonline.com [email protected] thaimarine.com ket 83000. For further de- URGENT serve modern healthy cuisine tails, please see our website Housekeeper needed ur- amidst oceanfront surround- at: www.phuketmagazine. gently. Must be able to speak ings, and with a fun attitude. com. Tel: 076-264433, 09- English and live in. Good Tel: 09-2873161. Email: 8667892. Fax: 076-264- wages and working condi- kamalarestaurant@hotmail. 255. Email: saksi@aapress. tions. Tel: 076-273427. com net PROGRAMMER PROPERTY SECRETARY ASSISTANT GM and Marketing Officer Bright English-speaker re- Assistant General Manager wanted. Programmer qualifi- quired to continue the setting position available in a bou- cations: PHP, MYSQL, Java up of a villa project in Koh tique resort. Will be respon- script, control panel, shopping Kaew. Requirements: Inde- sible for daily operations and carts, other HTML, PSD, pendence; computer literacy; human resources. Thai na- PageMaker. Marketing posi- and own transport. Salary de- tionals only need apply and tion (females only) qualifica- pendent on experience. Pls by email only. For more infor- tions: English-speaking, en- contact for more details and mation or to apply, email: thusiastic, com & Internet to apply. Tel: 076-236616, [email protected] skills, driver’s license. Pls call 01-895-2206. Fax:076- 076-342270 or email: info@ 236617. Email: siamuk@ OFFICE SECRETARY phuketdir.com loxinfo.co.th Thai national, fluent in writ- ten and spoken English, wanted for position as Of- fice Secretary. Only experi- Don’t miss.... enced persons. Please email Issues & Answers or fax resumé for interview. Fax: 076-238974. Email: www.phuketgazette.net/issuesanswers/index.asp [email protected] May 15 - 21, 2004 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 33 Tout, Trader & Trumpet

ACOUSTIC GUITARS 30-FT FLYBRIDGE Articles for for sale. Future semi-cut- Articles cruiser. This sleekly-styled Sale away. Nice tone. Low action Wanted family flybridge cruiser with fretboard. 2,500 baht, with Thai registration offers a carry bag. Also Sun Star great layout and good lines. GOING HOME Acoustic. Semi-cutaway. POOL TABLE Powered by twin 150hp “Going back to Europe” sale. Fast action. Sweet tone. Secondhand pool table re- turbo diesels, the fuel con- Two professional 1,000- Ideal for beginners. 1,500 quired for new bar. Email: sumption is very economi- watt JBL SF-15 speakers, baht. Tel: 06-2953965. [email protected] cal. She cruises at 20-23 21,000 baht for the pair Email: robinsbum@hotmail. knots with top speed of 25- (Price new: 50,000 baht). com MOBILE PHONE 27 knots. The asking price UBC system: 2,200 baht. wanted. I need a mobile is US$39,900, or 1.59 mil- Mobile aircon: 2,900 baht. 4 WOODEN BEDFRAME phone. Must be in good lion baht. Tel: 076-342511, rattan chairs with pillows, King-size wooden bedframe shape. Price up to 3,500 01-8924077. Email: franks price for the set: 5,000 baht for sale. Paid over 5,000 baht; baht. Email: philip_kicker@ @divesupply.com (Price new: 16,000 baht). 2 asking 1,500 baht. Tel: 076- yahoo.co.uk big Goldstar (LG) loudspeak- 289244. Or email to: rawaitim EXPEDITION KAYAK ers, for home use, price for @yahoo.com MOBILE PHONE Feathercraft K2 Expedition the pair: 2,900 baht. New, Newish model. Must be in double, collapsible kayak. gray, Diamond VCD/music PANASONIC STEREO good working order. Email: Meets airline requirements, system, with two satellite with surround sound. Plays [email protected] includes 2 spraydecks, 2 speakers and one central: video CDs and music CDs. seasocks, 2 collapsible 4,400 baht. 2 vacuum clean- Two front speakers, two rear paddles and wheelcart. Over ers: wet-and-dry professional SOFA WANTED speakers and one middle US$5,000 new. Please con- cleaner 3,900 baht, small Looking for inexpensive rat- speaker. Karaoke functions tact with best offer. Email: one only 1,600 baht. New tan sofa and chairs for our and microphones. 8,000 maurinquina23@hotmail. aluminium picture frames guesthouse. Please email: baht. Tel: 06-2830812. [email protected] com with glass – 10 pieces 60cm Email: [email protected] x80cm, 10 pieces 30cmx BABY STUFF 40cm, 50 pieces 20cmx MP3 PLAYER 30cm – Price for the lot: Looking for all items neces- MP3 player with 128MB 12,000 baht (Price new: sary for a newborn. Car seat, Memory Stick. Plugs directly 36,000 baht). Two Integral crib, change table, etc. Pre- into computer USB port. Has high-quality motorcycle hel- fer quality items. Email: forward/reverse controls, 5- mets, one helmet: 1,900 [email protected] mode equalizer, integrated baht; the other helmet: voice recorder, lock/hold key Business Opportunities 1,200 baht. Panasonic Tel/ and digital volume control. Fax/Copy machine: 4,500 Boats & FOR SALE Comes with stereo head- baht. New Hi8 Samsung 37-foot custom-made SPORTS BAR phones (not used yet). Hardly Marine HOTEL PROPERTY Camcorder, 32x optical wooden speedboat, an and restaurant. Great location used. Price: 2,500 baht. FOR SALE zoom: 5,900 baht. Tel: 07- unusual and beautiful de- in central Bangla area. Max 1 Please call 09-7233722. 8823878. Email: thailand@ sign. Built extra strong. It Would you like to own a ho- pool table, darts area, stereo/ topsportswear.nl can take 3 outboards. Ask- tel, restaurant and rental DVD/satellite radio, 3 (UBC) SONY VHS ing price: 850,000 baht. shop on Karon Beach? Easy TV sets, 3 aircons, modern recorder/player. Sony 6-head PADI CUE CARDS Please call to arrange a foreign ownership and rapid kitchen, living area upstairs. stereo multisystem PAL/ viewing. Tel: 01-6931425 company transfer. Please Upmarket bar with long lease. Cue cards for all the required NTSC player recorder. Video skills for the confined water or 01-5365900. contact us for further infor- Tel: 09-8677969. Email: amplifier (PAL).Please email: mation or see our website [email protected] course. For instructor use and [email protected] a must for IDC candidates. In at www.geocities.com/ hotelinparadise or call us. PATONG BUSINESS good condition with some HIGH-END CD PLAYER rust. 1,200 baht. Tel: 06- Tel: 01-6931136. Email: Bars, shops, rooms or com- AMC CD 60 with remote 2768676. Email: sylvie_yaffe hotelinparadise@yahoo. bination of all three for sale or control. Made in US, 1 year @yahoo.com com lease. Only 300 meters to old, rarely used. 8,000 baht. beach. 7,000 baht/month. Burr-Brown 24-bit/96KHz DINING TABLE RESTAURANT 4 SALE Tel: 07-2738944. Email: DAC; dynamic range thesonapt_2536@hotmail. plus chairs. Priced for quick 35-seat, fully-equipped res- >100dB; THD <0.01%; 1 taurant in Patong for sale, com sale at 4,000 baht. Price pair analog connection; 1 TIKI 30FT CATAMARAN ready to work. 4 motorcycles new: 9,900 baht. Call now. digital coaxial connection. PRIME LOCATION Tel: 01-0853429. Wharram design, built by for rent and 6 computers with Tel: 01-4203873. Email: Internet access. Tel: 07-048- Shop in prime location for sale. [email protected] Seascape Phuket, launched Build your future with your SUNNTO MOSQUITO Dec 2003. Thai registered, 6254, 01-9496092. Email: [email protected] own shop. For further informa- Sunnto Mosquito (as new) SONY CAMERA draught 2ft. Ready to sail tion, please visit our website plus instructor manual, Cybershot 2.1-megapixel away. Price 42,000 euros. at: www.rangrong.com or call Aqualung regulator, and Email: seascape@phuket. GUESTHOUSE LEASE digital camera, capable of 15- for sale. 7-year guesthouse Tel: 01-6893194. Email: teaching slates. 15,000 baht second MPEG movie clips ksc.co.th [email protected] ono. Tel: 01-0853429. lease for sale. Ground level and stills. Includes software, property comprises 10 en- 3 memory sticks (4MB, BOAT FOR SALE FOR SALE NOKIA 6600 4 SALE suite bathrooms, office, 8MB, 16MB), 2 batteries and 29-foot fiberglass motor kitchen, bar, pool table and Nice bar and restaurant in Just 3 days old: tri-band charger. All in good condi- yacht with Thai registration. satellite TV. Registered Thai Rawai, good location. Tel: Nokia 6600 with video cam- tion. 15,000 baht. Tel: 076- 2 x 280hp Mercruiser en- company. Email for pics and 06-2810205. era. Comes complete with 1- 330897. gines. Price: 3.5 million baht info. Tel: 076-342280, 01- year warranty and the re- ono. Please contact for more 9781956. Email: palm@ LADIES’ FASHION ceipt. Email: micks_2003@ SONY ERICSSON 610 details. Tel: 076-239864. phuket.ksc.co.th Shop with aircon for rent in hotmail.com Bluetooth mobile phone for Email: [email protected] good location in Phuket City. sale, including camera, extra OWN BUSINESS All stock and furnishings can SPORTS EQUIPMENT battery, desk charger and THAI SPORT FISHING Own a business with work be bought. 120,000 baht for 4'6" punch bag with 2 sets of travel charger. Price: 9,000 boat. 12-meter Thai sport permits in Thailand. Please quick completion. Tel: 07- gloves: 1,200 baht. 2 unused baht. Email: sawadee07@ fishing boat with working contact for further informa- 2801089, 07-8919614. Slazenger Panther squash hotmail.com flybridge. 500,000 baht. Tel: tion. Tel: 07-2719664. Email: Email: ornuntanut1@yahoo. rackets, 1 Yonex Graphlex 06-2674400. [email protected] com and 1 Snauwaert tennis rack- DIGITAL CAMERA ets. Price: 500 baht each. Tel: Ezonics 2-megapixel digital 07-8954355. camera. Used less than a Problems with an extra-marital affair? Need somebody to love? year. Uses compact flash TAMAPRAO YACHT UW CAMERA memory, 8MB built into the for sale at Tamaprao. Swed- ASK KHUN WANIDA "MOMMA DUCK" Nikon F90X. Nikon SLR cam- camera, and 2 AA batteries. ish design, 36-foot fiber- era with 28-80mm Nikon lens 1.5-inch display. Can record glass motor yacht, 2x200 Fax your questions to 076-213971 and Ikelite underwater hous- video with sound. Price: hp engines. Tel: 09-200- or e-mail to [email protected] ing. 40,000 baht or best of- 2,500 baht. Please call 076- 2497. fer. Tel: 06-5953210. 280590. 34 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS May 15 - 21, 2004 Tout, Trader & Trumpet

WISH TO MEET THAI GIRL PENPAL LOOKING 4 SOMEONE Business BusinessPersonal kind man. I am a Thai wo- wanted. Hi, my name is Hello, I’m an attractive, good Services Services man, 43, who is sincere and John. I live in Australia and girl. Many men are interested honest. I wish to meet a Cau- am just looking for a penpal in meeting someone like me. casian man, 50 up. Maybe for a possible future rela- If you are, and want to be the we can wipe away our tears tionship. Email: jlendis65@ first to be my friend, please VISA RUN TO ATSUMI HEALING together and someday erase hotmail.com send email about yourself GUESTHOUSE RANONG Fasting & detoxing, yoga & the pain. Tel: 09-7242186. and I will reply. I hope to hear FOR SALE 1,299 baht. Includes visa meditation, to clean up Email: [email protected] NICE GENTLEMAN from you soon. Email: kungkii 12-room guesthouse, over- stamp fee, insurance, trip your health, get back into Seeks a pretty, warm and @yahoo.com looking large lake and pri- by boat and minibus (both shape and lose a kilo a day. LONELY DOC smart lady with whom he Discover your true nature. vate swimming pool, lo- in good condition), and 52-year-old Swedish medi- can feel happy and enjoy the PROFESSIONAL LADY Call to: 01-2720571. For cated near Loch Palm Golf lunch with soft drinks. Daily cal doctor, divorced, roman- good things in life. You will Well-educated American further details, please see Course, for sale or rent. 10- trip starts at 7 am at KFC at tic, honest, decent and finan- find me a sincere, friendly gentleman looking for edu- our website at: www. 15 years contract. Also, 9 Tesco-Lotus supercenter. cially stable is looking for an and educated man who has cated, professional Thai atsumihealing.com rai for sale with water and Please contact us for reser- honest, attractive Thai lady. nice looks and can take good lady for long-term relation- pool. Tel: 06-9757268. vation. Tel: 076-289201 or Email: [email protected] care of the right lady. Email: ship and hopefully future 01-5352637. For further LEARN THAI AT HOME [email protected] marriage. I have a home in OFFICE FOR RENT information, please visit our From easy conversation to EMAIL HANDSOME US and also in Phuket. I live website: www.phuketdir. Fisherman Way Business far more advanced learning. farang. Thai ladies, you can NEED LADY FRIEND in Thailand much of the time com/expressvisaextension Center office for rent. 6m x Coursework, cassettes and receive and send hundreds of I retired early and divide my but have investments in 10m, with aircon and 3 tele- home-study materials pro- emails to and from handsome time between Sydney and America. Hope lady can phone numbers. Tel: 076- INTERNET vided by Joy, a charming farang all over the world, af- Phuket, and am looking for a travel to America with me. 381181, 076-381189. unplugged. GPRS is the most Thai lady and ready to help. ter joining for free. Email: female companion to be with Classy ladies only – age not cost-effective way to access Or teach English to your girl- [email protected] while I am in Phuket. I will important. Email: stauntonh SHARE FOR SALE the Internet almost anywhere friend. Please contact for a arrive at the end of May for @aol.com Share in bar/restaurant for in Thailand. Please contact us chat. Tel: 01-7971497. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a 3-month stay. If you are Email: churee77@hotmail. sale. Please call for more in- for more info and a demo. Tel: The greatest thing you ever single, speak some English, MIGHT BE YOU com formation. Tel: 06-2814897. 01-8957727. Email: info@ learn is just to love and be able to take care of me, and Handsome guy seeks sub- axiominvestments.com are a good housekeeper, missive bi-girl. If you are in- ENGLISH LANGUAGE loved in return. French gentle- BAR IN KAMALA man living in Canada, 39 please email: dr_alfred33@ terested, email me. Only In the global workplace, En- Good, fully equipped bar in years old, 1.85m, 80kg, is yahoo. com.au answers with photo. Email: glish-language skills are re- Kamala available. Complete SEA CANOE looking for a romantic, well- [email protected] quired for success. This with long lease, accommo- ORIGINAL educated and nice Asian A FEMALE TO GUIDE book, The Tools of HER dation, pool table and lovely Special promotion for Thais dreamgirl who wishes that a me. I am a photographer, LOOKING 4 FEMALES Trade, serves the student as staff. Email: ehoi_2u@ and residents from now to man will discover her soul single, and looking for a nice Looking to meet fun girls in a reader and studies image hotmail.com July 2004. Day trip: 1,500 and personality hidden be- woman to guide me as my Phuket. If you’re attractive, management, time manage- baht/adult; 750 baht/child. hind her great beauty. Email: companion on my visit to slim and under 25, I’d be in- ment and basic business Transfer excluded. Please [email protected] Thailand in June. I am look- terested in hearing from you. SURIN BEACH communications at the same contact for more informa- ing for an intelligent woman Email: [email protected] Shop for rent at a prime loca- time – in easy English. Email: tion and for reservations. who likes to talk and is inter- tion at Surin Beach. Contact [email protected]. SEEKING GUIDE Tel: 076-212172. ested in art and architecture. Khun Tud. Tel: 01-7978952 uk. For further details, please I am traveling to Phuket in PRETTY THAI LADY Email: [email protected] or 01-7977624. Email: see our website at: www. June and I have never been wanted. Should be aged 21- [email protected] carbeengruncle.com there. I am looking for what 28, sincere, sweet. No ladies Computers to do and where to go. Are WANT 2 MEET LOCALS of the night or gold diggers. INVESTMENT COMPUTER REPAIRS there any fun and sweet girls Would like to meet girls for I am an honest Englishman, required. Exciting project in out there who can lead me in friendship, fun and going out. 38, looking for friendship/ COMPUTER FOR SALE New and used sales. Tuition. Rawai: 4 rai on the beach Call-out service by English the right direction? Email: Email to: phuket_blonde@ romance. Email: ukboxer38 Desktop computer with Win- needs 3.5-million-baht invest- techician. Tel: 09-4735080. [email protected] yahoo.co.uk @hotmail.com ment. Serious individuals only dows XP Pro, printer, Web cam. Only 10,000 baht. please. Contact for more info. COMPUTER LESSONS Tel: 06-1010477. Email: Please contact for more de- tails. Tel: 09-4729740. by an English teacher at your Get your Phuket Gazette from [email protected] home for just 500 baht/hour. Tel: 09-4735080. these outlets in Bangkok: PRODUCTIONS COMPUTER Phuket Production, the best and monitor for sale. Intel and biggest digital video stu- Pentium III (666 MHz), 256 BusinessPersonal Bangkok MB RAM, 3GB HDD, NVIDIA dio in Phuket City. Tel: 09- Services Don Muang Airport 4745761. TNT2 Pro graphics card, Traxdata CDRW 2260 CD Wanted Tel. 02-5731120 RESORT FOR SALE burner, 24x, 2x, 4x, CD ROM (40x), Windows XP (German Se-Ed’s, Mahboonkrong Building, zone B, Phayathai Rd, Koh Samui beachfront re- TRANSLATION sort for sale. Comprises 25 or English), 19" monitor. All PhaThumwan for 9,999 baht. Email: peter@ wanted. We need to have our bungalows and pool. For website translated into Chi- Tel. 02-6117165 more information, please phuketinternet.co.th nese, Japanese, Malaysian, Se-Ed’s, Silom Complex, 4thfloor, silom Rd, Bangrak see our website at: www. Thai, French and Italian. You Tel. 02-2313244 phuketbooking.net/real_ COMPUTER 4 SALE must be a native speaker of estate PC for sale. 800MHz CPU, the language. Tel: 076- Se-Ed’s, Silom Center, Rama 1 Rd, Pathumwan 520MB RAM, 20GB hard 346142, 01-7881466. Email: GERMAN RESTAURANT [email protected] Tel. 02-6581153 A well-established German disk, 14" monitor. 10,000 baht. Tel: 06-2830812. Se-Ed’s, Panthip Plaza, M-floor, Petchaburi Rd, Rajathewee restaurant with firm clientèle ASSISTANCE NEEDED at the best location now of- Deaf man needs a lady to Tel. 02-6566070 fered for sale. Please see our take care of phone calls, as Se-Ed’s, Fortune Town Building, Ratchadapisek Rd, Huaykwang website at: www.phuket- Lost & Found I can’t hear the phone. Must con.com/lomarest/sale/ speak and write English. Tel. 02-2485668 english Tel: 076-280455, Email: [email protected] Se-Ed’s, Central Rama 3, Satupradit Rd, Yannawa 01-2738160. Email: ppe@ CONTACT DETAILS loxinfo.co.th Tel. 02-6736342 I am looking to contact Personals Saranchana Hannon, also PHANG NGA Q Mart, Grand Hotel, Sukhumvit Rd, Soi 11, Klongtoey known as Saranchana Tel. 02-6511200 ext. 3452 3-story, 14-room guest- Antil. Please write to Karl house is for sale. Convenient BACKGAMMON O’Connor 4/620 Mt Eden C Mart, Centre Point, Petchaburi Rd, Soi 15, Rajathewee for James Bond Island, players wanted for some Rd, Mt Eden, Auckland, Tel. 02-6536690-8 ext. 4030 banks, market, restaurants New Zealand. Tel: 09- exciting games. Please call and bus station, and popular 3567370, 02-11821886. or fax for more details. Tel: Duangkamol, Sukhumvit Rd, Klongtoey with both guests and guide- Email: christinat2@hotmail. 076-386113 or 01-577- books. Clean, aircon, fully com 8443. Fax: 076-386114. Tel. 02-2526261 furnished. Tel: 07-6411963. May 29 - June 4, 2004 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 35 Wheels & Motors

MOTORBIKE 4 SALE Saloon Cars ZOOM ZOOM 4 x 4s Suzuki Viva with 4-stroke en- MOTORBIKES Rentals Mazda MX5 Roadster con- gine. In good condition. Price: Honda 125 Motocross 2001 vertible. 2 yrs old with only 13,500 baht. Call Greg at 01- immaculate 110,000. 1993 19,000km. Still under war- RANGER XLT 4X4 8925366 or email: gregbalster Honda 125 motocross re- SUZUKI JEEP ranty. Like new, 6 gears, Super cab, turbo diesel, cus- @hotmail.com built. Price: 31,000. Tel: Cabriolet-type, with first- CD/stereo, aircon. Metallic tom bed cover, only 25,000 076-200112. class insurance. 8,000 blue. 1.5 million baht. Tel: km. Like new. Price: baht a month. Tel: 01- 076-325251, 07-8881913. 450,000 baht. Tel: 06-778- PHANTOM TA 150 YAMAHA FRESH 8948446, 01-5972213. 6338. Email: glennearnold@ Like new, only 3,900km. 2003 Yamaha Fresh II motor- 3.4-LITER XJ6 JAG yahoo.com 50,000 baht. Tel: 06-778- bike. Electric starter, front disc 1979 XJ6 collector’s item. 6338. Email: gearsmo@ brake, only 8,000km. Red, CHEROKEE Bodywork: Sherwood green NEARLY NEW yahoo.com just one year old. Has been FOR RENT and stainless steel. Engine: 6-month-old Honda CR-V, only rented. Bike is in excellent complete overhaul/recondi- condition. New tax and insur- Phuket’s Most Trusted & 7,700km on the clock. Just HONDA, VESPA ance. Price: 21,950 baht. Tel: Reputable Supplier of the Finest tioning. Interior: complete had first service/oil change. and Wave. Going back to Eu- overhaul, Champagne leather, 06-2725078. Email: sk2max Quality Used SALOONS, Metallic gold color. Stylish rope. Honda Phantom: 200cc, walnut. New suspension, @hotmail.com SEDANS, JEEPS & PICKUPS package model, including 1 yr old, 2-year warranty. brakes. A complete new lim- leather interior, 6-CD player, 5,000km, metallic gray. New cars or trade-ins – ousine. Price: 1.9 million baht. side rails, etc. Plastic covers 58,000 baht. Vespa (1 of only 400CC HONDA we have what you’re Tel: 076-286310, 01-849- still on rear seats; never used. 2 on the island): 150cc, 2 1993 Honda VFR 400cc for 4.0L, auto, leather seats, in looking for 4013. Email: inmanmike@ Honda warranty. 1.07 million sale. Black, not a rental bike For more info pls call us at years old, 2,900km, blue. good condition. Luxurious hotmail.com baht or equivalent in UK ster- (not easy to find in Phuket). Tel: 076-224632, 216243 Special price: 28,000 baht. and safe car with first-class ling. Contact for photos and With green book. Ready to www.suremotor.com Honda Wave, 100cc, 1 yr old, insurance for rent at only NISSAN NX SPORT more info. Email: acorngray@ 3,500km, red. 25,000 baht. ride. 68,000 baht. Email: 25,000 baht per month. coupe. 180,000 baht, nego- aol.com Call between 2 pm and 6 pm. gokartwan @yahoo.com Tel: 01-3430777. Email: tiable. Black finish, nice body, Tel: 07-8823878. Email: BIG MOTORCYCLES montha_phuket@yahoo. 1993, 1,600cc. Total mile- [email protected] com VOLKSWAGEN SUZUKI CARIBIAN Honda CBR 400, ’96 model, CARAVELLE age: 200,000km, but still has 1998, 4 seats, 1.3L, fuel in- fit engine and is in good condi- 58,000 baht. Honda CBR Year 1992, 7 seats, 2000 jected, power steering, aircon, 1975 HONDA JPX 400, ’98 model, 63,000 baht. tion. Tel: 01-4203873. Email: very good condition – needs 125cc. This is a classic bike A1 CAR RENTALS cc, light blue, very good con- [email protected] Both in good condition. Tel: 09- dition. Price: 550,000 baht. nothing. Farang owner leaving that has been completely over- 4729740. A1 Car Rentals present the Tel: 076-288184, 01-367- country. 215,000 baht obo. hauled. New tires, CDI, cylin- following vehicles for rent: NISSAN CEFIRO 3.0L Tel: 01-3267683. Email: der head, rings, valves, bat- 4628. Email: reimund@ CBR 400 Isuzu Hi-Lander, auto 4 V6 for sale. Black with beige [email protected] tery, brakes, cables, clutch, ♦ korat.loxinfo.co.th Excellent condition. Low km. door 28,000 baht/month interior. Only a few months old wiring (8,000 baht worth of (11/2003). Possible takeover Please call 07-2633272. ISUZU 4X4 FOR SALE parts and labor). Set up to look ♦ Toyota Altis, auto new TOYOTA SOLUNA of finance. 460,000 baht paid, 28,000 baht/month Isuzu pickup, 4x4 for sale at like a classic single-seat racer. Vios. Blue, Sept 2003, monthly payments of 27,000 good price. Contact me for Currently registered, with Others ♦ Toyota Vios, auto new 22,000km, 5-speed with ser- baht for the next 42 months. more information. Tel: 01- book. Moving, must sell. Ask- 22,000 baht/month vice book. 400,000 baht; save On takeover, 30,000 baht a 8958985. Email: claude@ ing 9,000 baht obo. Tel: 07- ♦ Toyota Soluna 15,000 100,000 baht on a new one. month. Tel: 05-1456238, or phuket-catering.com 2832887. NEW THREE-WHEEL baht/month Tel: 01-2712684. Email: email for more info: johan@ TUK-TUK All insured, and special [email protected] phuketbusinessbroker.com HONDA 2-STROKE prices for long-term rentals. Motorbikes 125cc. Honda Dash, 1998, 2- Tel: 09-8314703. 1997 VOLKSWAGEN Pickups stroke, 6 gears. Urgent sale passat – largest Volkswagen for 17,000 baht. Tel: 07-264- model sold in Thailand. 4 doors HONDA WAVE 100 1004. Email: optimalforecast MIRA – B9,900/MTH with great space inside and all ISUZU TROOPER Bought new: Honda Wave @yahoo.se Daihatsu Mira, in very good options. Newly serviced with for sale. 100,000km. Fully- 100 with 4k+ on the clock. condition, easy to drive, with many new spare parts. Don’t serviced 1998 model. Electric Color: silver/black. Full service HONDA 400CC first-class insurance. Only miss this opportunity to get a windows, aircon, 7 seats, history + 8 months’ tax. Of- for sale. Yellow race-model 9,900 baht a month. Tel: 01- This red, three-wheel tuk- great German car at a good black leather upholstery, fers around 28,000 baht will motorbike in good condition. 2712825. Email: mira_rental tuk has never been used. It price. Act now – only 460,000 petrol. Cost: 695,000 baht. be considered. Tel: 06-276- 45,000 baht ono. Must be @yahoo.com is powered with a 4-stroke, baht. Tel: 06-2830812. Email: Tel: 076-288379, 01-079- 5691. Email: mandrew8@ seen. Call Mr Bao at 01- 693- 550cc Daihatsu motor. A [email protected] 6006. hotmail.com 5405. Email: shakti@loxinfo. firm 80,000 baht. Contact co.th Wanted me as above for more pho- OLD BUT RELIABLE tos/details. The tuk-tuk is HONDA MTX125 Wheels & Motors located in Chalong on Two-stroke motorbike, 110 wanted in decent condition, Phuket. Tel: 09-6461378. Advertisements cc. Good transportation at a at a fair price. Small repairs Email: Jim@motorcowboy. low price – 7,000 baht. Tel: no problem. Email: klauszelm com Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. 09-7318160. @hotmail.com Then hand it to any of our agents.

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Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 60 baht, with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. All advertising must be paid for in advance. Deadline for Wheels & Motors page: Saturday 12 noon. 36 PHUKET GAZETTE May 15 - 21, 2004