Volume 12 Issue 19 News Desk - Tel: 076-236555 May 7 - 13, 2005 Daily news at www.phuketgazette.net 20 Baht

The Gazette is published in association with High anxiety Mixed reviews for as Dulwich talks come IN THIS ISSUE evacuation drill to a close NEWS: Phuket City mayor ducks dismissal debate; La- By Gazette Staff bor Office aims for faster By Anongnat Sartpisut work permits. Pages 2 & 3 & Stephen Fein PHUKET: Teachers and parents of students at Dulwich Interna- INSIDE STORY: Continuing the PATONG: The evacuation drill tional College (DIC) were wait- account of Patong’s first of the southern half of Patong ing anxiously as the Gazette went evacuation drill. Pages 4 & 5 Beach on Friday, April 29 re- to press to learn the outcome of AROUND THE ISLAND: Love on ceived mixed reviews, from both a May 3 meeting of the board of the lagoon, not the rocks, at tourists and the many govern- Dulwich College in London Laguna. Page 6 ment officials who attended. (DCL) which could decide, af- Arriving by helicopter ter weeks of intense negotiations, AROUND THE REGION: Getting shortly after 10 am, Prime Min- whether DIC is allowed to keep the picture in Khao Lak. ister Thaksin Shinawatra met a the “Dulwich” in its name. Page 8 crowd of some 2,000 volunteer Negotiating on behalf of PHUKET PEOPLE: Lisa Loud: evacuees, many of them chil- DCL in talks in Phuket and superstar DJ. Here we go! dren, wearing T-shirts made spe- Bangkok was Ralph Mainard, Pages 10 & 11 cially for the event. DCL’s Deputy Master with re- Also on hand were diplo- sponsibility for external rela- LIFESTYLE: Pleasant items for mats from 22 countries, includ- tions. pleasant gardens. Page 12 ing the ambassadors of Germany, On April 28, frustrated par- GOOD LIVING: Mussels – and Austria, the UAE, Greece, Kaz- ents gave a bumpy ride to Mr more – from Brussels. akhstan and Qatar, as well as rep- Mainard when they met him at Page 14 resentatives of international the Sheraton Grande Laguna relief agencies, including the Run for your lives! ‘Evacuees’ wearing T-shirts printed specially Phuket. FIRST PERSON: A motorcycle taxi driver asks, ‘What about Red Cross. for the occasion, lead the charge away from the beach. The parents were particu- us?’ Page 19 They were seated, along larly irked by consistently polite with other dignitaries, in a tent vacation at Mai Khao Beach was from the three siren towers, each refusals by Mr Mainard to reveal BUSINESS: Land price bubble on the beach at the foot of Soi able to save her family and oth- of about one-second duration precisely what the two sides dis- not bursting yet; Money Talks. Bangla, from where they could ers because she had learned and with an eerie, falling ca- agreed on, although he did tell Page 21 view the evacuation from differ- about tsunamis in her geography dence. The volunteers began to them he hoped decisions would SPORT: B7m feasibility study ent angles by watching large- class. run off the sand, along the beach reached very soon. for ‘disgraceful monument’; screen televisions. “Foreigners know about road to Soi Bangla, and then out- “No final resolution has ITF tourney in Phuket; PEGS In his speech, PM Thaksin tsunamis,” he stated. “Here in side the “risk zone”, defined as been reached,” Mr Mainard said, championship. said the drill was an important Thailand, we didn’t learn about anything on the beach side of “but I think all parties are now Pages 22 & 23 way to prevent loss of life should them until December 26,” he Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd, which very aware of the big issues. I there be another natural disaster said, pausing to let the ramifica- was as far as the December 26 hope decisions will be made in PROPERTY: Home of the and also to show the world that tions of the statement sink in. tsunami waves reached. the next few days.” Week: Patong; Bloomin’ Bert; it is safe for tourists to return to PM Thaksin also com- The drill was based on the Pressed as to what the “big Construction update: Phuket Thailand’s Andaman coastline. mented that there were not assumption that future tsunamis issues” are, he said, “I am con- Private Lagoon; Why Doven The Prime Minister added enough signs indicating the would resemble the December strained in what I can and can- never walks alone. that the government would push evacuation routes. He later pre- 26 disaster in terms of force, not say.” Pages 24-27 ahead with its plan to install an sented one such sign to Patong wave height and progress inland. Asked what he thought early warning system using a Mayor Pian Keesin, who bowed The volunteers, photo- were the chances of an agree- PLUS network of offshore buoys, re- deeply and gave a big wai upon graphed and filmed by the hun- ment being reached that will al- gardless of whether other coun- acceptance. dreds of local, national and in- low DIC to keep “Dulwich” in AROUND THE NATION 7; HAPPEN- tries chose to join in, because the After speeches by Deputy ternational media present, were its name, he said, “I’m optimis- INGS 9, KIDS 15; HOROSCOPES, safety of residents and tourists Interior Minister Somsak Thep- directed toward “safety” and en- tic – 80%”. When this was EARTH WATCH, BOOKS 16 & was its top priority. sutin, Phuket Governor Udom- couraged to move faster by res- greeted with collective horror, he 17; EDITORIAL, LETTERS 18; IS- He said he was glad that sak Usawarangkura and then cue workers and police, many of swiftly revised the number up to SUES & ANSWERS 19; COMPUT- information about tsunamis was himself, PM Thaksin pushed the whom were blowing whistles. A 90%. ERS, ON THE MOVE 20; CLASSI- now being included in school button at about 10:30 am to be- TV cameraman was seated in a “We are much, much closer FIEDS 28-35. curricula, recalling how a 10- gin the drill. cherrypicker above Soi Bangla, than we were when I arrived 10 year-old British schoolgirl on A series of loud calls began Continued on page 4 Continued on page 2 2 PHUKET GAZETTE NEWS May 7 - 13, 2005 High anxiety for all at DIC From page 1 the headmaster should have Mayor ducks out of days ago. I hope by next week we “more overall control”, while Dr will all know,” he stressed. Arthit Ourairat’s thinking ap- Mr Mainard also told the pears to run in the opposite di- meeting that both “sides” had rection. Following the sacking of agreed the previous week that Mr Cook, he hired four directors, dismissals debate unless a deal could be struck, the one of them being the Academic Dulwich franchise will end on Director, or headmaster. By Anongnat Sartpisut called for the mayor herself to June 24. Also under discussion is the resign within three days – or face The row initially erupted make-up of the school’s board, PHUKET CITY: Phuket City a petition aimed at forcing her after Mr Mainard visited the which currently consists of Mayor Somjai Suwannasuppana from office. school in March to make an an- people appointed by Dr Arthit. has insisted it is back to business However, Mayor Somjai nual inspection. His report, DCL would like to see a wider as usual following her sudden told the Gazette on May 1, “This though it expressed satisfaction representation. Talks have also sacking of her three deputies on is an internal matter, within the with the academic aspects and centered, Mr Mainard said, on April 8. Khon Noom party. “ethos” of the school, was criti- “how far a board of governors is Mayor Somjai denied that “I just want to put this situ- cal of its management. able to govern the management she was locked in any kind of ation behind me and get on with Criticisms included the of the school”. dispute with the former deputies my work. They could say some- state of the school’s refectory Central to this is the word- – Ayuth Tansiriroj, Niwas Aroon- thing, I could say something (canteen) and the fact that teach- ing of the franchise agreement. rat and Piya Siamhan, all mem- back, then they could say some- bers of the Kohn Noom (“Young thing back to that, and so on – it ers’ morale was low, partly be- The current agreement, Mr Main- Mayor Somjai: ‘I’m going to put cause some did not have con- ard said by way of example, men- Turks”) party which had ruled the a stop to the bickering.’ could drag on forever. tracts and therefore felt insecure, tions that DCL should have a say city for around three decades. “I’m not going to let that and partly because teachers on in the appointment of a headmas- K. Niwas was appointed a Young Turks, held a meeting on happen. I’m going to put a stop expatriate packages face having ter, but does not address the topic consultant to the mayor, but K. April 22 at which he claimed to to the bickering, and get back to to pay more tax. of his dismissal. Ayuth, whose cousin founded the have been unfairly dismissed and my work,” she said. But the situation reached Despite Mr Mainard’s pro- crisis point last month, when fessed optimism, it was clear that Headmaster David Cook was pe- the two sides are still some way Woman Disasters seminar held remptorily sacked by DIC, with- from being the best of friends. out reference to DCL. The school has nearly 800 pupils, ‘drowns’ Mr Mainard described Mr yet only 150 parents and teach- to boost understanding Cook’s reinstatement as “an is- ers attended the meeting. Many sue in the talks”. From London’s said they knew about it only in tin mine PHUKET CITY: Government sible for which aspect of mitiga- point of view, he added, a head- when friends sent them SMSs. officers and people involved in tion and response. master cannot simply be sacked. Mr Mainard said DCL had KOH KAEW: Police on April 26 the hotel trade and other tourism- K. Yongyuth said that a Central to the talks, how- not been allowed access to DIC’s recovered the body of Som related businesses in the six book on natural disasters, pub- ever, is how much control each database of parents’ contact de- Taem-ngam, 45, which was float- Andaman provinces lished by the DMR, side has in the school. tails, and had to rely on the Par- ing on a car tire in a tin mine la- struck by the Decem- will be placed in DCL clearly believes that ent-Teacher Association’s far- goon north of Dulwich Interna- ber 26 tsunami gath- schools, public li- from-complete list to spread the tional College. ered at the Royal braries and govern- US offers consular word. It is believed that she Phuket City Hotel on ment offices. And, in what seemed to drowned while washing her April 30 for a semi- The book is services in Phuket many to be a slap in DCL’s face, clothes on the bank of the lagoon nar on “earth-based currently available in KARON: Officers of the US Debbie Cook, wife of the fired while drunk. natural disasters”. Thai only, said K. Embassy in Bangkok will be in headmaster, was herself sacked Pol Maj Wacharin Jiratthiti- The event was Yongyuth, but a ver- Phuket to provide consular ser- on April 28 by DIC. karlwiwat, of Phuket City Police organized by the sion in English will vices to US citizens from 8 am The following day, the Station, said that K. Som’s hus- Ministry of Natural be available soon. to midday on May 27, at the Deputy Head of Secondary, Tim band, Sommit Sompinit, 36, told Resources and En- Said K. Yong- police that both he and K. Som Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Creber, was, in effect, demoted, vironment’s Depart- Natural Resources and yuth, “We hope that, Spa in Karon. and two teachers already hired were drunk the previous night, ment of Mineral Re- Environment Minister after taking part in For information on the ser- from the UK for Deputy Head and that she went to wash clothes sources (DMR). Yongyuth Tiyapairat: this seminar, hotel vices available contact the Am- posts, but not yet arrived in Phu- in the lagoon, but fell into the The aim was helping to clarify re- and tourism business erican Citizen Services Unit in ket, were told that they could still water and drowned. for those taking part sponsibilities. owners will have a Bangkok. Tel: 02-2054049; E- come, but as regular teachers “He went looking for K. to learn more about better understanding mail: [email protected] only. Som and found her body at about natural disasters, how to miti- of their responsibilities with re- 8 pm, and placed it on a car tire gate their effects, and how to gard to such natural disasters. and left it floating in the lagoon,” respond to them quickly and ef- “We hope, too, that we can Maj Wacharin said. ficiently. get the word out that Thailand is “He then went to his rela- Natural Resources and En- still a safe destination, that tour- tives’ home nearby, but did not vironment Minister Yongyuth ists can be confident that they are report her death to the police be- Tiyapairat said the event helped safe when they stay with us.” cause he was scared,” he added. to clarify who should be respon- – Athiga Jundee May 7 - 13, 2005 NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 3 Opening of Princess to visit tsunami survivors PHUKET: HRH Princess Maha Chakri HRH is due to start her tour in Ranong will donate agricultural equipment, construc- night bazaar Sirindhorn is due to tour Phuket, Ranong Province on May 12, arriving in Suksamran tion materials, water tanks and cooking and Phang Nga on May 12 and 13 to visit District around 9 am to see how local people equipment to residents. deferred victims of the tsunami. are raising goats and catching crab and sea Before coming to Phuket on May 13, The Princess is scheduled to be in bass before donating seven fishing boats, the Princess will also visit Koh Yao, where Phuket on May 13, when she will visit Baan cooking equipment and money for scholar- she will to donate construction equipment and for a year Bang Rong in Thalang to donate fishing ships to tsunami survivors. watch people learning to make batik. boats, kitchen equipment and scarves and From there, the Princess will go to She is due to leave from Phuket Inter- caps to Muslim residents. Kuraburi, Phang Nga Province, where she national Airport at 3 pm the same day. PHUKET: Construction of the Phuket International Night Ba- zaar (PINB) has been put back by a year and the number of shops it Phuket Air will include has been slashed by New Labor boss aims 80%, because of the tsunami. Builders should have start- lands in ed work on the 170-rai site off trouble again Chao Fa West Rd in March, and at 1-day work permits the Bazaar should have been completed by November, ready for the start of the high season. By Sangkhae Leelanapaporn eign] coming to use THAILAND: Phuket Air said on However, PINB Managing our services every May 3 that it expected to resume Director Dr Chintana Daengdej PHUKET: The new head of the day. I have to check its Bangkok-Amsterdam service told the Gazette that the project Phuket Provincial Employment and sign about 100 within days, following a ban of had been deferred for a year. Service Office (PESO) has in- work permit appli- the service by the Dutch civil In addition, just 2,000 units structed his staff to issue work cations [or applica- aviation authorities. will be built, rather than the permits to qualified foreigners on tions for renewals] The ban came after it was 10,000 in the original plan. the same day they apply. daily. We’re under discovered that an aircraft serv- Dr Chintana said the firm Boonchock Maneechot, 53, time pressure, but ing the route had a faulty emer- stopped marketing the project in told the Gazette he would try to we want to [stream- gency lighting system and a pi- January, after realizing how bad- implement new technology and line the system] so lot was found not to have a nec- ly the tsunami had hit local busi- shake up the “old style” bureau- that people don’t essary medical certificate. nesses. The earthquake of March cratic mentality at the offices, have to keep return- Sribenja Semmeesook of 28 had not helped matters. which in the past has left some ing again and Aziam Burson-Marsteller, the She said, “Investors in applicants waiting months for again,” he said. public relations agency for Phu- Bangkok are too worried to in- work permits to be approved. The Gazette ket Air, told the Gazette, “The vest in Phuket right now. Phuket Officers there are also be- Boonchock Maneechot hopes to shake up notes that improve- reason they suspended the [Bang- businesses may want it to open ing encouraged to develop a “ser- his department’s bureaucratic mentality. ments have already kok-Amsterdam] service is still soon, but as our target group is vice mentality” that would in- been made; three not clear. tourists, it made sense to us to clude greeting the public with a nong’s PESO Office, K. Boon- reliable sources said that their “There was no need to or- wait until next year. cordial sawasdee, he said. chock, a Surat Thani native, took work permit renewals had been der the suspension because of the “This is not a good year to “For qualified applicants up his post in Phuket on April 18. turned around in just two days problem with the emergency invest in business. I talked to the who have all their paperwork in He noted that Phuket, with 7,000 since K. Boonchock took charge. lighting. Only one of the emer- people interested in renting units order, we should be able to com- registered foreign workers, is a The new PESO boss also gency lights [in a series] was not and we agreed that we should aim plete work permits in just one day far busier officer than Ranong, issued a reminder to foreign working, and we have fixed that to open at the end of next year. [including getting final approval which has just 47. workers that applications for re- already. “We intended that 70% of from Vice-Governor Winai Bua- “I understand that we have newals must be made before ex- “Regarding our Filipino pi- the visitors we would attract pradit],” he said. a lot of work to do here. We have piry of the existing work permits. lot, I think it was a misunder- would be tourists; usually Phuket Previously head of the Ra- about 200 people [Thai and for- “We have many people who standing between him and the gets about four million visitors a are still confused. Their work Dutch civil aviation authorities. year, but I can’t see that being the permits have already expired We are clarifying this with the case this year.” Water authorities weigh options when they come and ask for a Dutch [authorities] now.” Dr Chintana added that she PHUKET: Phuket Irrigation Of- government-owned tin mines. renewal. I have to explain that, She added, “I think we will had heard that other developers fice Project Director Watchara But, he added, “If the [gov- under the Working of Aliens Act, receive permission to [resume the have delayed major projects. Arepornsiri said on May 3 that if ernment-owned] tin mines run 1978, this is not legal,” he said. service] soon.” Although the revised plan rain does not start to replenish out of water as well, we will not contains fewer units, the units Phuket’s water reserves by the have any water to use. will be three times bigger than middle of the month, he will call “If we have no rain by mid- originally proposed – 15 square in the Royal Rainmaking Project. May, we must have artificial rain meters rather than 5sqm. K. Watchara explained to to supplement the province’s Dr Chintana said, “Only the Gazette that Bang Wad res- water reserves.” around one-third of the develop- ervoir currently holds 1.9 million Vichit Phuangsombat, the ment will be taken up by shops, cubic meters of water, and that Director of the Southern Meteo- rather than 50 per cent, as under Phuket Provincial Water Supply rological Center (West Coast), the original plan. That means we (PPWS), Phuket City Municipal- stationed at Phuket International can have more attractive public ity and the Phuket Irrigation Of- Airport, told the Gazette that the areas to attract tourists.” fice together hold an additional shifting monsoon winds will – Sangkhae Leelanapaporn 800,000 cubic meters of water in soon see rain fall on Phuket. 4 PHUKET GAZETTE INSIDE STORY May 7 - 13, 2005 Queer News Tsunami drill Larvae carve From page 1 filming the “evacuees” as they passed below. One onlooker noted with a an itchy niche laugh that the event resembled “a cross between a Chinese fire drill and the start of a marathon”. CHIANG MAI, PHUKET: Pity the poor housefly. Free of the ethi- Meanwhile, five longtail cal dilemmas facing humans, all it can aspire to in its short, frenetic boats that were neatly lined up life is to pass its genes onto the next generation. on the shore headed out to sea in But with drought conditions lingering on in much of the coun- accordance with the evacuation try, flies are apparently finding it more difficult to locate piles of plan, which assumes that it safer moist excrement in which to lay their eggs. for vessels to ride out tidal waves The next best option, it appears, is inside the body cavities of at sea than be subjected to the unsuspecting mammals – preferably in buffalo or other large crea- waves’ devastating force when tures with big noses and little ability to ward flies off. Perhaps it was they hit the shore. only a matter of time before flies would discover that the body cavi- While the evacuees were ties of humans offered similarly cosy advantages. scurrying up Soi Bangla to the The first such instance reported recently happened in Phuket, theoretical safety of Soi Saen where doctors at Wachira Phuket Hospital removed some 50 blood- Sabai, the other side of Rat-U- engorged maggots from inside the ears of Anan Temtan, 84. Thit 200 Pi Rd, a search and res- K. Anan’s relatives rushed him to the hospital on April 26 after cue mission was staged a few he used cotton buds to relieve intense itching in his ears but ruptured hundred meters offshore. Heli- his eardrums in the process, causing blood to stream from his ears. copters swooped in, dropping A doctor used tweezers to remove some of the maggots before life rafts, flares and rescue per- resorting to a vacuum tool to suck the remaining maggots out. sonnel. Several jet-ski operators “We believe flies might have gone inside his ears to lay eggs, assisted in the operation, ferry- which hatched into larvae, causing the itching,” said hospital Deputy ing victims to shore. PM Thaksin (pictured) said the drill was an important way to prevent Director Dr Somsak Nonthasri. There, the “victims” were loss of life should there be another natural disaster. Anan’s granddaughter, Wimolrat Temtan, 19, said K. Anan had given mock treatment by emer- recently helped clean up a market in his neighborhood. gency medical staff – stretchers But the siren tower, being before the arrival of the theoreti- Dr Somsak said he was surprised that K. Anan had not come to and other life-saving equipment put through its paces, continued cal tsunami, assuming an earth- see a doctor sooner. Most people with something inside their ear at the ready – and then rushed to to sound. quake of Richter magnitude 9.0 canals would not be able to stand it for very long, he said. Patong Hospital. The initial warning calls re- with an epicenter near the Anda- The next victim reported as falling prey to fly maggots was an Meanwhile, the dignitaries, sembled the sounds of a monoto- man and Nicobar Islands. unsuspecting pig farmer in Chiang Mai. The 38-year-old woman, media and scores of nous session of After the drill finished, PM whose name was not reported, didn’t realize she was host to dozens curious onlookers the classic video Thaksin noted that not everyone of infesting larvae until her left cheek became so badly swollen that were kept informed game Space In- had participated in the exercise she needed an immediate operation. about the progress vaders. and that many onlookers, rather Dr Tawee Thanuparp-rangsan at Nakhon Ping Hospital in of the evacuation These later than taking part, had decided to Chiang Mai said the 38-year-old patient came to see him at the end by the master of gave way to join the VIPs and hundreds of of March, complaining of severe pains in her left cheek. “I checked ceremonies. slowly rising then members of the press corps in her nasal cavity and found many fly maggots there,” he said. “Ladies and sustained tones simply watching it. The doctor explained that the maggots had been feasting on gentlemen! Eight similar to those “We should have had bet- tissue inside the patient’s nasal cavity, leaving large festering wounds. minutes have heard by London- ter cooperation from those who The maggots had already eaten away so much tissue that some of passed and evacu- ers during the are not here in an official or work the patient’s bones were exposed, he added. ees are already ar- 1940 blitz by Ger- capacity,” he said, adding that The woman was immediately anesthetized and operated on and riving at the desig- Dr Smith Thammasaroj, many’s Luftwaffe. drills would need to be conducted Dr Tawee removed 34 fly maggots from inside the woman’s nose. nated safety head of the National Finally, a voice at least twice a year. “She then needed antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection for zones!” they were Disaster Warning message an- Dr Smith Thammasaroj, five straight days before being allowed to return home,” he said, told. Center, gave the nounced in differ- head of the National Disaster adding that the patient was a pig farmer exposed to a large numbers The drill was evacuation a passing ent languages that Warning Center (NDWC), told of flies on a daily basis. declared a success grade of 70%. it was safe for the Gazette he was “about 70% “Probably while she was sleeping, a fly went up her nose and 15 minutes after it people to return to satisfied” with the evacuation, laid its eggs, which then hatched into larvae,” the doctor speculated. had begun, the MC announcing their hotels and the noise ended. but noted that it was only the first Dr Tawee believed this had been Thailand’s first reported case that all of the volunteers, both on A time of 20 minutes had attempt and that he expected of fly maggots growing in a human nose – but will it be the last? land and floating at sea, had been established as the period evacuation times to shorten with Source: The Nation made it to safety. necessary to evacuate the beach more practice. May 7 - 13, 2005 INSIDE STORY PHUKET GAZETTE 5 marks fun start to safety He also told the Ga- zette that a German friend had been given a rather rude reply by an official, follow- ing a beachside explanation about the system a few days earlier. “After the session they asked if anyone had ques- tions. One of my friends asked what the escape route was from here [in front of the Phuket Cabana Hotel, equidistant from Soi Bangla and Soi Sawatdirak] and the man said, ‘If you don’t like it...you shouldn’t come to Thailand.’ “My friend was furi- ous about that answer be- cause it was unfair. The guy in charge should have said, ‘We are working on it.’ That would have been the best answer for him to give,” he said. One keen participant was Swiss national Bruno Gyr, who said he had been able to sprint barefoot from One local observer suggested that the evacuation drill be repeated each year as a tourist promotion, similar to the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. the beach to Soi Saensabai Bruno Gyr (above), who survived the December in just two minutes. He also 26 tsunami and has since had a tsunami image made a point of personally He noted that too many He also called on the gov- the sounds – what tattooed on his right arm, said, “The tsunami thanking K. Smith for his people had tried to reach safety ernment to provide greater sup- each one means,” he will not come back to Phuket, but I will.” work in establishing the by using cars or motorcycles, port to the tourism industry, say- added. warning system. which increased the risk of acci- ing that average hotel occupancy Mr Wybrow was among against nature. I don’t think they Mr Gyr was one of the dents. A full-scale evacuation of rates in Phuket were currently many beachgoers who chose not could do anything more. But I many tourists injured during the Patong’s entire coastline would about 15%, an all-time low for to participate in the drill. Retired wasn’t really all that into it. I December 26 tsunami, suffering happen “very soon”, he said. the province. The situation in Danish construction worker Erik should have gone along with a bruised elbow, and he has since K. Smith was later quoted Phang Nga and Krabi was simi- Woostrup, another regular visitor them ... but I didn’t. had a tsunami tattoo emblazoned by Indian newspaper The Hindu lar, he added. to Patong, was sunning himself “I heard the sirens [before], on his arm. as saying that Thailand would be Not everyone was impres- just meters from a siren tower. He all the way up to the Paradise While noting that the exer- able to issue timely alerts to sed with the evacuation, how- expressed mild guilt at not hav- Hotel, so I think the siren is loud cise bore little resemblance to the neighboring countries once the ever. ing participated in the drill, but enough for everybody to hear it,” confusion and panic of Decem- early warning system was fully Australian tourist Allan added that he would run if he he added. ber 26, Mr Gyr said that the drill operational. Wybrow, who comes to Patong heard the warning signal in the Mr Woostrup also said that nevertheless made him feel safer Phuket Tourist Association twice a year and is currently here future. he had tried to find out what mes- – but that he didn’t expect to fall President Pattanapong Aikwa- on a three-month stay, told the When asked if the exercise sage each of the different sounds victim to another tsunami. nich said he was satisfied with Gazette the drill hadn’t made him made him feel safer he said, “I was intended to convey, but “The tsunami will not come the drill, given that there hadn’t feel any safer. think they are doing all they can, couldn’t find anyone who could back to Phuket, but I will,” he been much time to organize it. “I know it was only a drill, but it’s not all that easy to fight tell him. said. “It is crucial to let the world but there were police standing know that Phuket has an opera- around doing absolutely nothing, tional warning system so that thinking it was a great joke … tourists will return in the next The siren is helpful, but you have high season,” he said. to know the difference between 6 PHUKET GAZETTE AROUND THE ISLAND May 7 - 13, 2005

By Sangkhae Leelanapaporn ook through any wed- ding album and chances are it will contain pic- Ltures of the bride; the groom; the bride and the groom; the bride and groom with their parents; the bride and groom with their friends and every combina- tion of the above. But the wedding pictures of Left: The bride and her couples who marry at Laguna father can arrive at the Phuket could be just that little bit wedding chapel by car or – different, as the “guests” in their as in this case – by boat. pictures could include a baby el- Below: The chapel can ephant. hold 50 guests, or more if The attendance of the baby the ‘walls’ are opened up. elephant is just one of the op- tional extras available to couples who tie the knot at Laguna’s new wedding chapel. The high-roofed, Thai-style white chapel stands on stilts in a lagoon, facing the sea. Up to 50 guests (more if the walls are opened) can watch the bride ar- rive – by car or by boat – and then BRIDE exchange vows with the groom. After a lagoon-side Cham- pagne toast and cake-cutting, the happy couple can then, if they choose, be taken from the chapel AND direct to their room by boat – with the traditional “Just Mar- ried” sign on the back. The chapel is only for use by couples staying at one of the five hotels or resorts in the La- LAGOON guna complex, who can pay an extra US$1,500++ (about 55,000 Japanese market, and has enlisted gives guests the opportunity to baht) to marry in the chapel. Japanese wedding specialist have a Western wedding cer- The building can host a va- South Pacific Bridal to put to- emony without having to be riety of different types of wed- gether a complete bridal package Christian. ding; a “celebrant”, rather than a for Japanese couples. “Asian women who have religious minister leads the pro- Despite this, said Rung- dreamed of wearing a beautiful ceedings, which means that the aroon Wichitwatee, Public Rela- Western-style wedding dress in chapel can be used by anyone, re- tions and Advertising Manager at a church will love our chapel. gardless of religion. Laguna, the bulk of the five or “And Western ladies can Although the first bride to so enquiries received each day so enjoy the chapel as a romantic al- be hitched there was from Hong far have come from Europeans. ternative to a church as they Kong, the Laguna management K. Rung-aroon said, marry in the world-renowned has its sights firmly set on the “The Laguna Wedding Chapel destination of Phuket.” May 7 - 13, 2005 AROUND THE NATION PHUKET GAZETTE 7 Thais think politicians corrupt: poll he vast majority of garage of the family’s home, subsequently removed. Three Thais believe national where the shooting took place. others were acquitted. politicians seek to gain Three small ploughs that had The conspiracy shocked the T financially from gov- been damaged by fire were found nation as details emerged of how ernment bids, a recent poll by As- in a neighbor’s garage. The fires a senior monk, a deputy educa- sumption Business Administra- are all believed to have been tion minister, several high-rank- tion College found. started by Anuchai. ing government officials and a The poll, entitled Origin of number of charity workers had Corruption in the Public’s Opin- Coup legacy upheld: A Cabi- doctored charity donation re- ion, was based on responses by net screening committee rejected cords in order to qualify for deco- 3,156 family heads interviewed a proposal that the government rations. in 25 provinces between Febru- scrap a 33-year-old law restrict- ary 20 and April 26. ing the private sector’s involve- Remote controls: The govern- It found that just under 74% ment in 16 businesses deemed ment is to speed up registration of respondents believed national vital to national safety and the of buyers of prepaid SIM cards politicians sought to gain person- public’s well-being. in four southern provinces, pos- ally from government bids. The panel agreed to turn sibly by next week. Almost 85% believed there down the proposal by the Coun- Deputy Prime Minister were corrupt officials in govern- cil of State, which said there were Chaturon Chaisaeng said a meet- ment, while a little over 12% said other laws regulating those busi- ing of representatives of the Na- there were not. nesses. tional Telecommunications Com- Poll director Noppadon The panel contended that mission, CAT Telecom Plc and Kannika said the respondents felt there was a need to retain Revo- the Telephone Organization of the origin of corruption could be lutionary Order No 58, as a num- Thailand (TOT) agreed that CAT traced back to vote buying. ber of the businesses in question and TOT could order mobile About two-thirds of the re- were not clearly regulated by any phone operators to gather and spondents believed that vote buy- other legislation. The order was submit names of customers with ing was prevalent during the last issued after Field Marshal Tha- unregistered SIM cards already general election, while about nom Kittikachorn staged a coup in use and submit them to the au- 21% thought there was no vote in 1972. thorities. Mobile-phone opera- buying. tors should get this done in less Some 52% of the respon- Swift justice: Five people were than three months, he said. dents said they were not confi- found guilty and received the “We have to hurry to get dent that the justice system could maximum sentence of 50 years this completed [in Pattani, Yala, punish corrupt senior govern- each, as the trial over the 1988 Narathiwat and Songkhla] be- ment officials. conspiracy to fraudulently obtain cause there are bomb attacks al- Royal decorations finally reach- most every day,” he said. Cracked houses: Deputy Prime Muslims pray at the Krue Se Mosque in Pattani on the first ed a verdict after 17 years of DPM Chaturon added that Minister Pinij Charusombat said anniversary of the bloodbath in which 108 suspected grinding through the courts. the authorities were also trying each year between 1,700 and insurgents were killed in clashes with security forces in the The five convicted were to decide how to make unregis- 2,000 home buyers are sold sub- deep south. Of the total dead, 32 were killed at the famous Arun Phetcharat, Montri Cham- tered SIM cards unusable in the standard or illegally constructed mosque on April 28, 2004. nong, Pattaya Pimsa-ard, Aree four provinces, where some 700 houses. Sartsara and Methe Borisut. people have died in the unrest Speaking at a fair held on Also in need of better regulation Saraburi’s Phra Buddhabhat Dis- The defense has vowed to since January 2004. Consumer Protection Day, he were unregistered goldshops and trict, killing four people and in- appeal both the verdicts and the called on the Office of the Con- companies with misleading TV juring three others after failing to sentences. Around the Nation news roundup sumer Protection Board to be ads for air conditioners that get together again with his es- Eight other defendants died is sourced from the pages of The more vigilant following the claimed falsely to be capable of tranged wife, one of the murder during the judicial review, and Nation and Kom Chad Luek highly-publicized case of home- filtering germs out of the air, he victims. the charges against them were newspapers. owner Rattana Sajjathep, who said. He also allegedly caused was conned into buying a town- damage to seven vehicles by set- house built illegally on public Estranged behavior: Forty- ting them ablaze. land in Bangkok. DPM Pinij said one-year-old Anuchai Noithai Police said they also found the PM had personally ordered went on a shooting rampage in a burned-out pickup truck in the authorities to take measures to protect home buyers. He added that the persistent defrauding of customers was not limited to the housing market.

Looking for a job? www.phuketgazette.net 8 PHUKET GAZETTE AROUND THE REGION May 7 - 13, 2005 Significant Lak of understanding

he events in Khao Lak ARD talk: A German TV team wants, not a sensationalist block- to mark the passing of is searching for tsunami survi- buster exploiting those who have 100 days since the tsu- vors who were at Bang Niang already suffered enough. We Tnami – on April 2-4 – beach on December 26, 2004, for want Khao Lak to survive.” were a success, drawing big a documentary Der Tag als die Anyone interested in taking crowds of interna- Welle kam (The part in the documentary, or pro- tional guests. Day the Wave viding video footage, photo- But it’s open Came), to be graphs or eyewitness accounts to debate how screened on Ger- should send an email, with their many of those pre- many’s ARD – address and phone number, to: sent understood Channel 1 on the [email protected] or ktaylan fully what the e- first anniversary @hr-online.de vents were all of the tsunami. The team will call back as about. The TV soon as possible. After three ANDAMAN crew describe days of honoring themselves as big Not banking on the banks: the dead, giving COASTING fans of Khao Lak, Phang Nga’s banks are still pro- offerings to the By Franky Gun and Bang Niang cessing soft loan applications in sea, observing a Beach in particu- a most irritatingly slow manner, minute of silence, laying wreaths, lar, and they have a great empa- RIGHT PRIORITIES? While most of the Bang Niang Beach is still unnecessarily slowing down the listening to poems of hope, spirit thy for this area as they lost close without electricity, government-appointed workers are busy reconstruction process. and renewal, music and dance friends in the disaster. constructing concrete roads, a luxury that the area had not However, all along the performances, art and handicraft The author of the documen- enjoyed before the tsunami. coastline, reconstruction contin- exhibitions, and even a beach tary, Kamil Taylan, says the most ues, and the spirits of surviving cleanup, all that was left behind important aspect of the program December 26, 2004. They are resort owners are facing on a day- residents and business people re- was heaps of garbage and hun- is to make a public statement that also looking for photos and vid- to-day basis, while still being de- main high. dreds of empty plastic water Khao Lak is still alive, and that eos of Khao Lak before and after termined to move on. The toughest and most de- bottles strewn around the north- the majority of survivors are do- the tsunami. “Finally, viewers need to termined ones are the small- and ern part of Bang Niang Beach. ing their best to revive the area. Mr Taylan said, “Our aim see that the center of Khao Lak medium-sized enterprises who, While the intent of the 100- “We want viewers to under- is to support Khao Lak and its is undamaged, and that many re- instead of trusting (and waiting day memorial was brilliant and stand that Khao Lak has a fu- people by showing how beauti- sorts and businesses were not af- for) banks and empty promises very honorable, it was obvious ture,” he said during a telephone ful Khao Lak was before the tsu- fected by the tsunami at all. from official institutions to be that not all celebrants got the interview. nami; how everything was lost, “We feel it is necessary to fulfilled, are, with the help of point. Unfortunately, it is now up As eyewitness accounts are [yet] how fast the reconstruction do this documentary and that it volunteers and some innovative to Bang Niang residents and vol- a vital part of this feature, the is moving. will help Khao Lak. construction techniques (as can unteers to clean up again what team urgently needs to interview “Also, we want to talk “The feature will be a seri- be witnessed at Bang Niang) get- should have been left clean in the survivors who were visiting or about the problems that small- ous and straightforward docu- ting on with the rebuilding them- first place. living at Bang Niang Beach on and medium-sized business and mentary, which is what ARD selves. May 7 - 13, 2005 HAPPENINGS PHUKET GAZETTE 9 This week

SUPPORT FROM SWEDEN: Joy Orevich (2nd from right), a representative from Kungshögskolan’s “Schools Helping Schools” project, from Ljungby in Sweden, donates sport and musical equipment worth 150,000 baht to Baan Kamala School.

SHORE LEAVE: (right) The crew of an Indian Navy submarine and a supply vessel made a recent courtesy call to Phuket and hosted a reception on board for members of the local Indian community and Royal Thai Navy officers. From right: Commander VB Bellary of the Indian Navy; Rear Admiral Sirichai Khanisthakul, Deputy Commander of the RTN Third Area Naval Command; and Gurbachan Singh Sethi.

CULTURE SHOCK: Dr Apinant Kosayanont (back row, center), FOOTBALL FRIENDLY: A team comprising flight crew and other staff from Italian national airline Director of the Ministry of Culture’s Office of Contemporary Art Alitalia beat local team Phuket Leader 7-4 in a friendly soccer match held recently at Surakul and Culture attends a press conference before an art market Stadium. Here, the teams exchange souvenirs. organized by the Ministry at Central Festival Phuket.

FONDER HONDA: AP Honda Co recently brought more than 1,500 staff from Honda HELPFUL HILTON: The Hilton Phuket Arcadia Beach Resort & Spa and the dealerships throughout Thailand to Phuket for the company’s annual policy-planning Punchline Comedy Club raised nearly 173,000 baht for the Tsunami Relief session. From left: President of Thai Honda Manufacturing, Katsushige Hoshino; Fund for the Children of Takuapa. From right: Kymberley Sproule, the hotel’s President of Honda R&D Southeast Asia, Shigeaki Hayashi; President of AP Honda, PR Manager, and John Moorhead, MD of Punchline, hand the check to Kenneth Motohide Sudo; and Vice-President of AP Honda, Dr Arnop Phornprapha. Abday and Tipparat Ponrit. 10 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PEOPLE May 7 - 13, 2005

lthough there have always been radio disc jockeys who have become celebrities it has been the emergence of Adance music over the past 20 years that has heralded the rise of DJs as artists. Shep Pettibone was one of the first club DJs to become LOUD AND connections with Bed brought me famous as a performer. Following him have been such lumi- down to Phuket and to – if not naries as Fat Boy Slim, Paul Oakenfold – and Lisa Loud. launch this hotel, which opened, last November – then to put on a Lisa, 35, has been among the top flight of DJs for more great party to give it – and Phuket than 15 years, and her reputation has spread far beyond her – a boost. native Southeast London. This side of Thailand suf- Lisa – also a successful businesswoman and model – fered so badly from the tsunami, and everyone has encountered now guests at the world’s best clubs. The Gazette’s Andy setbacks, so [Trisara] decided to Johnstone caught up with her before her show at Phuket’s put on a bit of an event to get Trisara hotel on April 24. awareness going. Phuket Gazette: I hear that you It seems that the authorities PG: Boy George is DJ-ing at the are now promoting Impulse, a fa- were worried about it becoming Sheraton Walker Hill in Seoul mous brand of deodorant. Are you another Bali. soon, but as far as I know you wearing it today? playing here is the first event of Lisa Loud: (laughs loudly) [The Gazette has since learned its kind in Phuket, certainly the You’ve done your research, that it was the continuing restive- first in a hotel. haven’t you? Yes, straight out of ness in the Deep South of Thai- LL: I’m really excited about be- the shower and I’m wearing it. land that prompted the organiz- ing here, and Trisara is certainly It’s a great idea to have it pro- ers to cancel, and that there ap- a beautiful setting for an event moted by a DJ. Most clubs are pears to have been no specific like this. There are worse places pretty hot and sweaty! threat in the Pha-ngan area.] I could be DJ-ing in.

PG: Why are you here in Phuket? I already had a ticket to PG: Aside from when you are LL: First of all, I absolutely love come out to Thailand, so in the working here, do you have the Thailand, and I always include it end I worked in Bangkok at The chance to visit many other places in [any] tour I do in Asia, which Met Bar at The Metropolitan [ho- or clubs in Thailand? is at least once a year. tel] on Friday [April 22] and at LL: I’ve visited Thailand regu- The shy and retiring Ms Loud displays her nice boots. I was booked to DJ at the Bed Supperclub – it was going larly since the late ’80s and have shows, seen the drag queens … I scene in Thailand is the new li- Full Moon Party on Koh Pha- to be a “Bed on Location” at the island-hopped a great deal: try to get involved, you know censing laws that dictate that ngan but we were given a vague the Full Moon Party – last night. Samui, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta … As (laughs loudly). nightlife must stop at 1 am. warning that a bomb had been far as Bangkok goes, yeah, I’ve That’s [the time] that people in found – as we were told “30 min- PG: So I missed the chance to be done all the traditional crazy PG: How would you rate the club the club and dance scene are just utes away” – and the government in Bed with Lisa? Patpong things, falling in and out scene in Thailand? starting to get going. canceled the party. LL: (laughs loudly) Cheeky! The of bars, watched a few strip LL: The only sad thing about the As far as venues, music and May 7 - 13, 2005 PHUKET PEOPLE PHUKET GAZETTE 11

north [in England] I went to play. There was always a promoter try- ing to get into my knickers.

PG: You are attractive. Do you get groupies? PROUD LL: (laughs loudly) I’ve had all crowds go, I come here and feel older. The old remedies no longer sorts; besotted fans, a few creeps totally appreciated by the audi- work and it takes three days to – stalkers – who had managed to ence. They completely get my recover when it used to take only find out my address and sent me music. They completely under- one. Valentine’s cards. But I wouldn’t stand what I’m all about. be where I am today without fans, There is such a great mix PG: Tell me more about the and most people are just lovely. of people in Thailand, Bangkok documentary you are making. I remember that it’s the fans especially. It’s so cosmopolitan LL: It’s for Channel V Asia, a who have given me this opportu- these days. You get to be any- London-based production com- nity. thing and do anything – as long pany and a few other channels. I’m just as you see me, a as it’s finished by 1 am (laughs The concept – and what I’d like 100% cheeky London girl, noth- loudly). it to be – is a series of documen- ing made up – I always give my The licensing laws are the taries capturing me and other DJs fans time to talk with me. only downside to this country. at work, but focusing on really But the major upside is that I get interesting places around the PG: What do you think tonight’s to come to places like this. world. party will achieve? The working title is Mem- LL: If this party helps to promote PG: Will you visit any of the clubs oirs of a DJ, and I’m also writing Phuket, and helps to bring the in Phuket? a book under the same title. tourists back to the region, then LL: I won’t have time to because Thailand is one of my regu- great. I’ve been coming to Thai- I’m flying back to Bangkok to- lar haunts, and with the tsunami land for years; it’s a country I morrow, and on to England on and the way that people are re- love and the people here are Tuesday. This is a real whirlwind building their lives, it’s topical to beautiful, inside and out. tour for me. I’ve even had a cam- be here. In fact, it really is the Some of my friends were on era crew – they’re making a best place to start. Phi Phi when the tsunami hap- documentary – following me I’ve interviewed other DJs pened and managed to live by the around for the last three days. [in Thailand], club promoters and skin of their teeth, so this is re- The life and times of a DJ! a few Bangkok celebrities. I’m ally close to my heart. Everyone thinks it is such a glam- really happy with it. Many people here and else- orous job, but a lot of hard work where have a lot to put behind – and at this level, a lot of hard PG: You played your first show – them and if I can in some way traveling – goes into it. opening for Paul Oakenfold – in help them to have a good time, 1987. What was the scene like for then I’ve really done my job well. PG: Would you ever give it up? a female DJ then? LL: I am a woman, and I do have LL: (laughs) I was 17 then, and the ambition to marry and have it was definitely not the norm to children. I want to see that in my be a female DJ. I think that I was future. treated as a novelty act for my I don’t think that I want to first few bookings. You know: be doing this [DJ-ing] when I’m “Ooh, she’s the first female DJ!” 45, but I’ve been in the music and that sort of thing. business – promoting bands, After a while – when events and clubs or doing PR – people realized that I and the since I was a teenager. music I was playing were as cred- It’s been part of my life for ible as Paul [Oakenfold] and Carl nearly two decades and I can see Cox, I was accepted. myself diversifying again within People saw that I was as the industry and youth culture. good as the boys and that the only Slapping around the world difference was that I had bumps will come to a halt, I’m sure. It’s in different places. the late nights, and the fact that There was also an element hangovers get worse as you get of sexism – especially the further

Ad-Phuja 3x8 Ann 12 PHUKET GAZETTE LIFESTYLE May 7 - 13, 2005 Everything lovely for in the garden At Home by Rungtip Hongjakpet

hile house hunting in Phuket, former Hong Kong banker WPeter Ortmann dis- covered that around 500 properties with price tags of half-a-million US dollars (20 million baht) or more were either under construction or being planned for the island. Sensing that buyers of such properties would be looking for furniture to put in them, Mr Ort- mann decided that Phuket would be a great location for a branch of his “Everything Under The Sun” outdoor furniture business. The company, which Mr Ortmann founded 11 years ago, now employs 35 staff in its branches in Australia, Portugal, Hawaii, Thailand and at the head office in Hong Kong. In addition to selling direct to homeowners, the company also supplies international hotel chains. As well as manufacturing its own outdoor furniture – under the names Sunweave, Sunteak and Sunalu – Everything Under The Sun is a stockist the brands Dedon (of Germany), Gloster (UK), Tuuci and Weber barbecues (both from the US). One new development at Dedon is the company’s adoption of a new material, Hularo, which is tear-proof, colorfast, weather- proof and resistant to ultraviolet light. The fiber is manufactured in Germany, then hand-woven in Cebu in the Philippines. Items at Everything Under The Sun range in price from 3,500 Perfect for a sophisticated party or merely relaxing in your baht to 300,000 baht. dreamy tropical garden, everything at Everything Under The Sun speaks volumes about style and grace. Everything Under the Sun is at Unit M6, The Plaza, 5/50 Moo 3, Sri- soonthorn Rd, Cherng Talay. Tel: 076-271626. Website: www. resourceasia.com.hk

ASK KHUN WANIDA! MOMMA DUCK

Problems with an extra-marital affair? Questions about Thai culture? Having communications problems? Need somebody to Love?

Read her advice in the Phuket Gazette.

Fax 076-213971 or email [email protected] May 7 - 13, 2005 PHUKET GAZETTE 13 14 PHUKET GAZETTE GOOD LIVING May 7 - 13, 2005

served in true European style On the with mayonnaise. I don’t care that even at 9 menu pm the temperature is hovering with around the 28-30ºC level; this Andy Johnstone stew, cooked for hours until a sweet, malty flavor infuses ev- Jenny’s erything, pushes my buttons. The beef – Steven buys all ave you ever played of the ingredients fresh every day “12 Famous Bel- – flakes beneath my fork. It’s gians”? The idea – as great; he does the hard work and Hthe name suggests – is all I have to do is enjoy. to list a dozen well-known people The Prawns à la Diablo are from the northwestern European cooked in a spicy, creamy sauce. monarchy. We crane our necks to catch their Players often include Dr scent before their recipient – Evil (from the Austin Powers rather uncharitably – hogs them movie series), Tintin and Hercule to herself. I am told that they are Poirot on their lists, although fresh and as hot as Hell but she these are of course fictional char- has eaten them before I can beg acters. or trade a taste of them. What about singers Plastic However, I do manage a Bertrand, Jacques Brel or The smidge of both the Pork Filet, Singing Nun? Or Formula 1 driv- which has been cooked to perfec- ers Jacky Ickx and Thierry Bout- tion and served with a honey and sen? What about painters Ma- thyme sauce, and companion No gritte and Bosch – also famous 3’s Tagliatelle with Smoked for his range of power tools? Salmon and Fresh Spinach. Musicians Django Reinhardt and Simple dishes often prove Toots Thielemans or ace DJ the most difficult to get right, but Psychogene? Then there’s fash- Steven has the art. The presenta- ion designer Anne Demeule- GENT-LY DOES IT tion cannot be bettered, and the meester, and who could forget balance of flavors and textures he action man Jean-Claude Van Above, Pork Filet with Honey and Thyme Sauce. Below, red means hot – Prawns Diablo. creates demonstrates that he is a Damme? master chef. Phuket has recently become Do we have room for des- home to a couple of Belgians sert? No, but we ask for some any- well known in Gent (or Ghent) way. Jenny wisely advises a taste for their three restaurants. Like of the three offered: Chocolate so many before, Jenny De Gent Mousse with strawberry sauce and Steven Van Veve Gelde fell and Cointreau; Dame Blanche – in love with Phuket after just one vanilla ice cream with hot choco- visit. late sauce; and tiramisu. They returned in October We have given up speaking 2004 to reconnoiter for a suitable by this stage, and are instead site, found one in a prime spot in emitting whistles, squeaks and Euroville (Nai Harn) and were en other sounds of rapture, a bit like route to Phuket when the tsunami R2-D2 on acid. struck. Hardly an auspicious So enjoyable is the food start, one might think.. that barely a week later I’m back However, having burned there again, delighted to see the their bridges in Belgium – and addition of mussels to the menu. suffered the burning of one of They are cooked in the Belgian their restaurants – there was noth- style with wine, onions, celery ing to do but knuckle down and and batons of carrot, and the li- set up their charming restaurant. quor left in the pan is as good as It is a stylish place, un- the mussels themselves. doubtedly head and shoulders Inspired by my continuing above other respected spots in the rapture, another dining duo or- area, with an occasional me- looks vulgar,” notes Jenny, “But a little morsel dreamed up by “Is everything okay?” asks ders the same. A very palatable mento from Belgium gracing the simply decanting it into a vase Steven to excite the palate before Jenny. “Couldn’t be better,” I re- domino effect. walls among the fine pieces of elevates it to something far more the main courses arrive. Not ex- ply. The atmosphere is pleasant, It must be said that Bel- Thai art and crafts. attractive.” pected, and all the better for it. the service excellent, the music gium’s loss is most definitely Jenny and Steven picked up Slightly fruity, slightly We make the switch from discreet. Phuket’s gain. many of these items – including spicy and cold, the Leffe Blond beer to wine with a bottle of Things improve – there are beautiful small glass vases used beer is welcome on a sultry night, Château Aiguilloux 1998 Cor- even gasps from our table – as Jenny’s, 39/18 Viset Rd, Moo 1, as water vessels – from Chatu- and goes splendidly with the pre- bières, and Jenny and Steven find the mains arrive. Nai Harn. Open 6 pm until late chak weekend market in Bang- starter of salmon crostini we en- the time between hosting and I have plumped for the Bel- although currently closed Sun- kok. joy. This is one of the special cooking, to stop for another chat gian Beef Stew with brown beer, days. Tel: 04-8404214. Email: “Tonic in a can on a table treats at Jenny’s: diners are given with us. salad and homemade French fries [email protected] May 7 - 13, 2005 S M A L L W O R L D PHUKET GAZETTE 15 KKIDSIDS Get your brain the Fun Page in gear with for all the Family The Monster Quiz 1. The Brenner Pass links 7. Author Samuel Lang- 14. Which city’s center is which two European horne Clemens used located at 32º14’43” cities? which pen name? North, 95º23’33” West? Hidden Words 15. Who or what is the Hidden in the grid below are the names of at least 20 2. Who wrote the epic 8. What wartime atrocity poem Paradise Lost? was committed May 7, national symbol of rodents. The words may read vertically, horizontally or 1915? Sweden? diagonally. They may also read right-to-left or down-to- 3. In the Middle Ages, 16. Soccer player Gerard up. See if you can find more than your family or friends. what was the term given 9. Evening and Port by Pique began his profes- to a person who made Moonlight are paintings Score: 10 or more, good; 15 or more, very good; 20 or th sional career with which written copies of docu- by which 19 century team? more, excellent. ments? German romantic artist? 17. What, at 2,730 meters, is MOCL TAAFYAYGTAL 4. “Scribe” is the stage 10. Elizabeth Siddal was the the highest point of El UEYCAOTRLZEKOCU name of which New preeminent muse of Salvador? SJEAKWMLARMBTFQ Zealand rapper? which artistic movement? 18. Who is the president of KSMRTAI RBBRRRLL 5. He recently guested on 11. Who authored The Brave Lithuania? RIGHKHGIAEYXQWR which single by P- Little Toaster and sequels? Money? AMR D CA L C JMT PC L E 12. When and where was 19. What is a shakuhachi? singer Shania Twain TTMNMTTMOUSEAJH 6. King Midas, who born? 20. Who is credited with GOI BAQPSAZUZCCP reputedly turned every- inventing holography in thing he touched to gold, 13. What does the word 1947? NH I ZKWQKNSNMFEO was king of what shania mean in the native CX I QYPNXFGQPGXG country? Chippewa language? Answers next week MYWK GWMJCOCAWSZ VXDADLZKRJSOQXK SIZBOQWPSASUGAZ Never ROWARVEOHV I XCCF a Cross EVVLMZECORCGKRP SOUYOWASRDOOLAM Word! OLWZUCOEWWCSYKM OEUVSPLUGEDHEPL ACROSS GHU I EL EMMI NGUOU NAVYGKNUMP I HCCD 1. Stick a knife into. OOT P YPORCUP I NEK 4. Kick off the throne. MTL CCGTAUZMHVQG 7. Between tee and ZFLA IQPLFTOKJQZ green. 8. Stick one’s nose into REVAEBIGNWAPJUI something. SYYOUGVURAI RDID 10. 3.14159 etc. 11. Become pals with someone. 12. Blueblood. Brain Buster!! 14. In Rome, yes. A group of spiders and flies went to a disco 15. Wildebeest. together. Between them there were 48 dancing 16. Front-row soccer 3. Riding without a legs. How many flies and how many spiders player. saddle. were at the disco? 18. Jacket for school, 4. Small person.

maybe. 5. Italian river.

bination will work. will bination 19. Sicilian spouter.

Four flies (24 legs) and three spiders (24 legs). No other com- other No legs). (24 spiders three and legs) (24 flies Four A. A. 6. Bruce the Boss. 9. Furious speech. DOWN 13. Say. 2. Following the old 17. Dorothy’s land. ways. Solution next week

ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK’S MONSTER QUIZ 1. Sails; 2. The Raveonettes; 3. Alan Bond; 4. Beijing; 5. Clew; 6. Morse code; 7. Lothar-Günther Buchheim; 8. U-96; 9. Silent Hill; 10. Hernàn Cortès; 11. Spain; 12. A lozenge; 13. Maidstone; Solution 14. The Order of the Golden Dragon; 15. The Chincha Islands, crossword off the coast of Peru; 16. To roll something into a ball; 17. Staraya to last week’s Derevnya; 18. Pangram; 19. Stuffed sheep’s stomach; 20. Bugs Bunny. 16 PHUKET GAZETTE F E A T U R E S May 7 - 13, 2005

In The St ars by Isla St ar

TAURUS (April 21-May 21): Make space for more plants in- to trust in the future. If you’re Travel is on the cards for you. side your lair. looking for romance, a stranger Family reunions will be joyful, rocks your socks on Saturday. particularly if your birthday is VIRGO (August 23-September being celebrated at the same 23): Virgoans are about to be sur- CAPRICORN (December 22- JELLY time. A romantic offer is not to prised by a romantic overture. If January 20): Capricorns who be sniffed at; give this person a you’re already involved, take don’t believe they’re up to a busi- was about 25 meters below chance to show his or her true special care this week because ness challenge should try to be the surface at Elephant Rock colors, as shyness will be an ob- this approach won’t come from all that they can be. The rest will in the Similan Islands. Just stacle to a worthwhile relation- your partner. Someone has got take care of itself. Success is as- below me, six filefish were ship developing. Financial mat- you in their sights and is deter- sured if you’re considering mov- I biting at a transparent, nearly col- ters are well-starred, but remem- mined to take a platonic relation- ing into a new work-related land- orless jellyfish. The jellyfish ber to boost your savings ac- ship to a more sensual level. Flat- scape this month. A rocky roman- swam away and eventually suc- count. tery could get them everywhere tic period is about to be trans- ceeded in squeezing into a broad if you’re not careful. Regarding formed; commitments could be crack between two boulders, be- GEMINI (May 22-June 21): If business or work matters, next made this week. On Tuesday, a yond the reach of the predators. you need a second chance to Thursday is your best day to put chance meeting gives you serious Jellyfish are among the old- make a relationship work, wheth- ideas forward. food for thought. The number 3 est animal species on earth. Jel- er of a business or personal na- is promising on Thursday. lyfish fossils dating back some ture, keep your eyes open this LIBRA (September 24-October 700 million years have been week. Family life will benefit 23): This weekend you will dis- AQUARIUS (January 21-Febru- found in the Ediacara Hills of from a more mellow atmosphere, cover that every cloud has a sil- ary 19): You should consider southern Australia. and this is the perfect moment to ver lining, when a negative situ- stocking up on indoor entertain- All jellies belong to the pay a surprise visit to a relation ation magically turns out to your ment, ready for the rainy season. phylum Cnidaria, along with you haven’t seen in a while. Wish advantage. After Monday, the If your idea of fun involves out- other stinging sea creatures such upon a star this Sunday and your pressure is on to make a decision door pursuits, you could find as anemones, corals and sea pens. dream stands a good chance of on a domestic matter. This is not yourself down in the dumps when Most jellyfish belong to the class coming true. a time to listen to well-meant it’s raining cats and dogs. The Scyphozoa; their deadly cousins advice; you have to make up your long-term viability of a new at- the sea wasps, aka “box jelly- CANCER (June 22-July 23): In- own mind using experience ac- traction looks shaky; living for fish”, are separated into the class spiration to be more creative will cumulated so far this year. The the moment is the key to this re- Cubozoa, so named because they strike this week. If you have been number 8 is lucky on Wednesday. lationship. Wear navy blue to appear to have a square shape. bogged down in boring practical impress a prospective boss. True jellyfish are radially matters, you will see a chance to SCORPIO (October 24-Novem- symmetrical, usually with a bell- fulfill your artistic side. Your ber 22): The luck of the draw falls PISCES (February 20-March shaped cap rimmed with dan- EARTH partner needs understanding mid- in someone else’s favor this 20): If you believe you have been gling tentacles. The bell contains week when a problem is encoun- week, causing you to suffer a sending out all the right signals the body cavity, or coelenteron, WATCH tered; you may need to offer fi- momentary bout of jealousy. but still haven’t got the desired in which food processing and By Robert Cogen nancial support. If you’re single, Don’t let this green-eyed monster response, you should look at this most other body functions take certain ghosts from the past need damp your spirits for too long; situation more closely. Your in- place. There is no brain or cen- ture small creatures, mainly fish to be laid before new relation- your turn to receive a boost of sight on Tuesday is particularly tral nervous system, only a primi- and plankton. The tentacles pull ships can be embarked upon. The positive energy is coming soon. strong; act accordingly and an- tive nerve net. the prey to the mouth on the un- color orange will help to unblock. A dream on Sunday is signifi- swers will flow. Toward the end The tentacles contain sting- derside of the bell, where it is cant, especially in relation to a of next week, domestic econom- ing cells called cnidocytes. These swallowed whole into the co- LEO (July 24-August 22): Leos romance recently started. Wear ics occupy your attention. Con- contain curled-up, harpoon-like elenteron. are advised not to give up on scarlet to make a statement. sider innovative ways of making structures called nematocysts, Digestion is aided by vari- cracking a problem that seems cutbacks, but break the news gen- which, when discharged, sting ous specialized cells that pro- insoluble. Answers are about to SAGITTARIUS (November 23- tly to your partner. the unfortunate prey or enemy. In duced digestive enzymes and come out of the blue, and Pisces December 21): Sometimes it only some jellyfish, these are highly mucus. A soupy broth results, has some valuable advice to of- takes a brief shower to freshen ARIES (March 21-April 20): Al- toxic, often quite painful, and can from which nutrients are ab- fer. You could still come out on up a parched landscape. Early low yourself the luxury of a few be fatal to a swimmer who is sorbed. Undigested wastes are the winning side. Adverse weath- next week you will be cheered up days away from the pressures of stung too many times in the face, expelled through the mouth. er conditions should be taken by a modest bonus. This week- life; it will do wonders for ensur- throat or chest. Reproduction processes advantage of; some spring clean- end, you are right in thinking that ing you have enough energy to Jellyfish are found in all vary among the genera, but fol- ing at home will allow new en- someone’s honesty is transparent. deal with an intense period later oceans, warm and cold. When low a general pattern. A fertil- ergy to flow through your house. At least you will know who not in May. The key word is indul- reproducing they migrate verti- ized egg is released into the wa- gence, so be prepared to lavish cally in the water column, but as ter. It hatches into a tiny free- some extra cash on a carefree adults they can move horizon- swimming larva that eventually break. A miracle of nature is re- tally over great distances. Migrat- falls to the ocean floor and at- vealed later in the week which ing jellyfish often travel in large taches itself to a hard object, should remind you that most numbers, much like aquatic where it becomes a polyp. worthwhile things are free. swarms. These sometimes result These polyps sometimes in thousands being washed up on remain attached to the bottom for a beach, or stranded in shallow years, feeding and reproducing water – where they plague swim- asexually in a process known as mers. budding, which gives rise to iden- All jellyfish are carnivores. tical “daughter” polyps. Feeding tentacles sting and cap- Over time grooves appear May 7 - 13, 2005 F E A T U R E S PHUKET GAZETTE 17 SKETCHY SCRIBBLES

s soon as I read like a dominant lion or an ancient on an island in a lake in the deep BELLY Alexandra Fuller’s fortress. He has a wide, spade- Mozambique bush with K, two magnificent memoir shaped face and wary, exotic fellow half-crazed Rhodesian in the body of the polyp. These an alga that lives within its tis- about her childhood eyes, large and khaki colored. His veterans named Mapenga and St become deeper until they finally sue in a symbiotic relationship. A in Africa, Don’t Let’s Go to the lips were full and sensual, sug- Menard, and a half-grown, half- cut all the way through its body. Cassiopeia andromeda ori- Dogs Tonight, I gesting a man of tamed lion named Mambo. The result is a number of struc- ents its body so that sunlight can went out in search of quick, intense emo- She is the first white wo- tures resembling upside-down reach the algae. In return the al- her second book, tion. His nose was man they have spoken to for cups, known as ephyra. These gae produce oxygen, thus allow- Scribbling the Cat unequivocal – hard some time and, as her photos become tiny, free-swimming jel- ing this jellyfish to survive in (The Penguin Press, and ridged, like show – the pages are illustrated lyfish, growing to the adult form, stagnant water where most other New York, 2004, something with with two dozen snapshots – quite known as medusa, thus complet- jellyfish could not. 256pp). which you’d want a beautiful one. ing the life cycle. Another common species, “Scribbling” is to plow a field … “So we took the wine and a Reproductive strategies can Phyllorhiza punctata, has a bell one of the many Off the He looked bullet- tiger fish outside and built a fire differ markedly between species, with white spots on a green or words used in the proof and he look- and cooked our meal under the however, and in brown background. old white Rhodesian SHELF ed as if he was here stars. The lion lay next to Ma- some species the The edge of the bell army for killing, By James Eckardt on purpose, which penga, contentedly licking fish attached stage is In some jellyfish, is scalloped and along with “cull- is a difficult trick to flesh off the edge of Mapenga’s skipped altogether the stings are fringed, but lacks ing”, “plugging”, “slotting”, pull off in this woolly climate. He plate, and we talked softly about and the larva ma- tentacles. It is a “taking out”, “drilling”, “wast- looked like he was his own self- other nights when we had sat tures directly into highly toxic, often common resident in ing”, “stonking”, “hammering”, sufficient, debt-free, little nation around fires in Africa – with dif- an ephyra. quite painful, and muddy bays or in “wiping out” and “snuffing”. – a living, walking, African ferent people – listening to wild The Sea can be fatal to a shallow water with a Fuller’s second book is sub- Vatican City. As if he owned the lions, or hyenas, or to the deep, Wasp is one of the rubble bottom. titled Travels with an African ground beneath his feet, singing, anonymous cuboid jellyfish. It swimmer who is Once, when Soldier. The soldier is a man and as if the sky bal- night. Above us the has a colorless stung too many we were leaving Fuller calls “K”, who did an aw- anced with ease on his sky tore back in vio- body with four flat- times in the face, Kaw Thaung (Vic- ful lot of killing during the Rho- shoulders.” lent, endless beauty, tened sides and throat or chest. toria Point) in Bur- desian war. Intrigued by him, she K lives alone on mysterious and unat- groups of tentacles ma to visit the Mer- is warned by her father about “cu- his farm, divorced, his tainable. There is no hanging from each gui Archipelago, we riosity scribbling the cat”. young son dead of men- lid on this earth and corner. Its often fa- encountered pairs of Fuller is 33 now, married to ingitis. Unlike his hard- there is nothing much tal sting may now be countered fishermen in tiny boats at the an American and living in Wyo- drinking neighbors, he’s fettering us to the by a newly developed anti- western edge of the bay. ming with their young son and a born-again Christian, ground. Eventually venine. Fortunately these jelly- One man ran the boat while daughter. But she makes frequent quickly prone to tears we will die and be fish are rare in Thai waters, al- the other harvested pale jellyfish trips back to Africa to report for for the past atrocities wafted back into the though they are common near with a long handled net. These magazines and newspapers. he’d committed. universe. Bones to Australia. jellyfish had bells about fifty cen- She is still in love with the He had been a dust. Flesh to ashes. One highly venomous jel- timeters across and meter-long sights and sounds and smells of very accomplished killer with the Soul into that infinite mystery.” lyfish that is found in the Indo- tentacles. They were unceremo- Africa, with all its “incongruous, Rhodesian Light Infantry, an all- Misunderstandings and Pacific and is occasionally spot- niously tossed into the bottom of lawless, joyful, violent, upside- white outfit that would insert jealousies arise but Fuller and K ted in Phuket waters is the bright the boat, later to be sold at mar- down, illogical certainty”. four-man patrols into enemy ter- make their peace before she re- blue Portuguese Man o’ War. ket as food. On a trip back to Zimbabwe ritory in Mozambique, emerge turns to her parents’ farm. “I Fortunately, most jellyfish Small jellyfish are a stan- to report on the latest predations from the bush three weeks later thought he held shards of truth,” are either totally harmless or have dard item on the menus of many of the Mugabe government, Ful- with a “huge kill ratio” and heli- she concludes. “He thought I held only a mild sting. One such spe- of Phuket’s sukiyaki restaurants ler drives to Zambia to stay at her copter off to the beach for a riot- love.” cies common in Phang Nga Bay – perhaps giving jellyfish-stung parents’ farm and work up her ous week of boozing and dope- This is a slight story of is the Upside-Down Jellyfish, or swimmers a chance to bite back. story. There she meets K, a neigh- smoking before heading back in. failed connections, a picaresque Cassiopeia andromeda. boring banana farmer. The attrac- Fuller comes up with the tale of a couple of weeks, com- This species has eight Robert Cogen is a well-known tion is immediately physical: idea that he revisit his old battle- pared to Fuller’s first book which branched tentacles that are short California lawyer and a broadly “Even at first glance, K was grounds in Mozambique and that covered the better part of three and elaborately fringed. The bell experienced naturalist with a de- more than ordinarily beautiful, she accompany him for the story. decades. Inevitably, perhaps, it’s is predominantly white, with ar- gree in zoology. Email: indepth@ but in a careless, superior way, Thus it is that she winds up a disappointment. eas of green that are created by asis.com. 18 PHUKET GAZETTE EDITORIAL & LETTERS May 7 - 13, 2005

367/2 Yaowarat Rd, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000 Tel: 076-236555 - Since 1994 - Fax: 076-213971 Email: [email protected] In the running for first place here was a distinct element of theater about the Patong evacu- ation drill of April 29, with politicians, diplomats and mem- bers of the press almost outnumbering the “evacuees” in Ttheir souvenir T-shirts. But the intent was undeniably serious, and the drill was defi- nitely a good start. Procedures will need to be improved upon in subsequent exercises in order to ensure the safety of people living or vacationing along Phuket’s shoreline. These exercises should include drills at night, when the possibility for confusion is that much greater. Phuket should not allow itself to be lulled into a false sense of security by the knowledge that, historically, tsunamis have been rare in the Indian Ocean. The March 28 quake, measuring 8.5 on the Richter scale, was a reminder that history is no guide to the future. Theatrical though the drill may have been, Thailand was the first of the tsunami-hit countries to stage such an exercise. It is also the first among them to get an alarm system up and running. When, just after the tsunami, the three countries most badly hit – Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand – discussed setting up an In- dian Ocean tsunami warning center, the concept was immediately dashed on the rocks of national pride. Each country wanted to be home to the headquarters, and none would consider allowing itself Letters to be upstaged by another. Now, however, Thailand is so far ahead of the other two coun- The Gazette is pleased to receive mail from read- with your views for publication in our next issue. tries that Nonthaburi, where the National Disaster Warning Center ers. Please write to us at 367/2 Yaowarat Rd, We reserve the right to edit all letters. Pseud- (NDWC) will be situated, looks likely to become the regional center Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000, fax to 076-213971 onyms are acceptable only if your full name and by default. Already the Indian press has noted comments by or send an email to [email protected] address are supplied. Thailand’s tsunami czar Dr Smith Thammasaroj that once the NDWC is ready at the end of 2006, Thailand will have the capability to warn Quality control vides financial support such as This is not a six-month other countries around the Indian Ocean of impending disaster. tax, fee and utility breaks – at problem we can wait out. But if this is to happen, the one essential factor will be that Do you want to lose your reader- nearly no cost to itself – to busi- Steve Thailand follows through. Other national initiatives in Thailand, such ship? Are you now targeting the nesses now, the people with the Phuket as road safety campaigns and drives against narcotics, have tended dirty raincoat brigade? Is the edi- least resources, reserves or flex- to suffer from lack of sustained interest. This must not be allowed to tor on holiday? Does he, or any- ibility will be wiped out within The Gazette delivers happen with the NDWC. body else, bother reading what an months. The Phuket Gazette is the only If Thailand does establish itself as the headquarters for warn- idiot of a reporter has decided to Phuket is not involved in newspaper from which we can ing its neighbors about approaching tsunamis or other potential di- write? the decision making, nor is Krabi get information and news in En- sasters, the political will and the funding must continue indefinitely, Just what was the reason and probably not Phang Nga. glish. Particularly since the tsu- or at least until something better – a global disaster warning system, behind the publishing of such Several fine leaders have just nami, this is very important not for example – comes along. garbage as “In Very Poor Taste” been elected to represent Phuket. only for those who live here but Failing that, Thailand could find itself in the same situation as [Queer News, issue of April 23]? We need to let them know what also for potential tourists. the Thai Meteorological Department in the aftermath of December Do you think all expats in the priorities and problems are. Junko Tagachi 26, 2004 – blamed for causing huge loss of life – but in this case on Phuket are dirty old pedophiles? Send emails, letters and petitions Phuket an international scale. – The Editor You need to get out of your – these people must be included office and get some fresh air oc- in the tsunami planning in Bang- Night exercises casionally. kok. I heard that a magnitude 6.3 Roger Neill We should get organized at earthquake occurred close to Chalong the local level and stop fighting Simeule, Indonesia at around 9 with neighbors about noise, park- pm on April 28. In association with The Nation Multimedia Group PCL Hard times ahead ing and dogs. I wonder whether – had this Petitions work wonders; been another magnitude 9 or A few large hotels and the Tour- let’s start communicating with greater earthquake – Phuket Editor: Rungtip Hongjakpet ism Authority of Thailand (TAT) the local and provincial authori- would have been able to evacu- Managing Editor: Alasdair Forbes proposed boosting the season by ties, who have powerful voices ate at that time of night. Deputy Editor: Chris Husted attracting Australian and British and (eventually) budgets too. Richard Donaldson-Alves customers. This is, at best, wish- We should stop dropping Chief Reporter: Sangkhae Leelanapaporn Phuket ful thinking. prices and hassling the few cus- Editorial Team: Stephen Fein, Andy Johnstone, Anongnat Sartpisut, We still get emails asking tomers we have; start giving su- Another nail in Alison Winward, Athiga Jundee whether it is safe to come, and perior service and agree consis- Phuket’s coffin whether the water is contami- tent pricing with fellow busi- Managing Director: Rungtip Hongjakpet nated with bodies. nesses. I have seen 200-baht What a sad spectacle we have witnessed over the past couple of Marketing Manager: Oranee Pienprasertkul Even in the best low season, aircon rooms and 70-baht barbe- without bird ’flu, one can hope cues. This is insane; there can’t weeks as Dulwich International Website Services Manager: Natthira Susangrat only to break even, pay all bills be any profit in this and all it does College and its counterpart in Distribution Manager: Passara Kaewbumroong and perhaps eat out once a week. is cause price collapses every- London fight for control of the Publisher: The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd Who in their right mind can even where else. Phuket college. think we will get more people this We can’t wait for the TAT What both sides seem to be ignoring as they glare at one an- Contact us season? to spread the real image of post- The low season started ex- tsunami Phuket. other across the negotiating table Advertising Sales: [email protected] actly three months ago and will We should put up web is the damage they are causing Classified Advertising: [email protected] last 12 months. Every tourist-re- pages with weekly updates and to the school’s pupils, to its teach- Website Services: [email protected] lated business will lose at least a pictures; email or call last year’s ers and, in a wider context, to the economy and the international Shopper Card inquiries: [email protected] year’s income. Wake up, govern- customers and tell them the facts; ment, and face the reality. make sure that every tourist who reputation of the island. Gazette Guide inquiries: [email protected] Who is to say that the next leaves Phuket spreads the news. Coming so soon after the Telephone: 076-236555 (10 lines) Fax: 076-213971 high season will be business as We should not wait for a tsunami, this is a truly depress- usual or better? Bali still has not miracle but should get organized. ing spectacle. Roll on bird ’flu. The views expressed in the Phuket Gazette are those of the writers and contributors and fully recovered [from the bomb- Farmers from Isarn and the North Let’s really kill off Phuket. do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, the editor, the shareholders, or the direc- ing]. have successfully lobbied the Pythagoras tors of The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd. Unless the government pro- government; why can’t we? Phuket City

Copyright © 1994-2005 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 as Issues & Answers on the facing page. May 7 - 13, 2005 PERSPECTIVES PHUKET GAZETTE 19

think it is good that the po- can buy or rent a bike quite lice are going to be able to cheaply. use this law to regulate the Now, as well, people who Iwin [motorcycle taxi stands] have lost their jobs because of the and motorcycle taxi drivers in What about us? tsunami have started operating as Phuket, and it is good that driv- motorcycle taxi drivers. Even if ers will have a card to show that you don’t belong to a win, if you they are legal. just sit on the street and wait for The Phuket Provincial FIRST PERSON customers to come to you, you Transportation Office estimates can earn 400 to 500 baht a day. that there are 3,000 taxis in etween May 11 and September 7, the thousands of motorcycle There are also people who Phuket, but actually, it is more do it part-time, after they have like 7,000, and at the moment, it Btaxi drivers in Phuket will be required to register themselves and finished their regular jobs. But is impossible to regulate the driv- acquire a license for their motorbikes. they don’t operate from a win, ers. Supporters of the new law say it will make it easier to monitor and they take business from us, Anyone can buy a vest and by picking up our passengers. pretend to be a taxi driver. and regulate existing, legitimate drivers, and, at the same time, make Sometimes these part-time driv- There are “ghost drivers”, who it more difficult for criminals to pose as drivers and commit crimes. ers are drunk or on drugs when don’t work from a win or work But some motorcycle taxi drivers are opposed to the regula- they pick up fares, and that puts with other drivers, but just drive the passengers in danger. round picking up fares. The tions, arguing that the 300 baht-plus cost of getting licensed and I’d say about 200 of the new regulations should control registered is too high and that the system is unfair. motorbike taxis drivers in Phuket them. Here, motorcycle taxi driver “Santi” explains what he think of don’t have driving licenses. As things stand now, a the new regulations. It is good to set standards, murderer or other criminal, or although I think it will only be- someone who is here illegally come clear in the long run how can be a motorcycle taxi driver, colleagues; we will know who a shop and drive round touting I suspect that’s because they well the regulations work in con- even if he or she operates from we are working with. for fares. don’t have a driving license. Per- trolling motorbike taxis. a win. This law should change Also, if motorbike taxis Drivers I know think that haps they got into trouble in their I have a feeling that, right that. have to be fitted with yellow li- 365 baht is a reasonable price to hometown, and they thought they now, the regulations will only be Accidents are an occupa- cense plates, then it is likely that pay to get licensed and regis- would come to Phuket to make 50% effective. Only 3,000 people tional hazard for us, and some- only people who have an inter- tered; it’s better than being fined some easy money as a motor- turned up for the meeting at times we are threatened by pas- est in looking after their bikes 500 baht for not having a license cycle taxi driver. which the rules were explained, sengers. But being regulated properly, because they own them, or breaking the law. It’s not too They thought that driving a and I wonder how many of the should help keep us safer. If ev- will become drivers. much for us; we can afford it. motorbike taxi would be easier drivers who didn’t turn up, be- eryone is registered, it will be It will no longer be possible There are some drivers op- than being a construction worker, cause they don’t agree with the easier for us to find out about our for someone to rent a bike from posed to the new regulations, but for example, especially as you regulations, will obey them. Who has responsibility for Issues&& fixing potholes in roads? ANSWERS There was a very bad pothole on Can an individual sue the a pothole, we fix it immediately. Want to know how to get something done? Chao Fa West Rd. Motorbikes government for causing personal It is Department of Highways Can’t understand some of the dafter things that literally fell into it and had acci- injuries and to get reimbursement policy to fix every pothole. seem to go on in Phuket? Want to pitch an idea dents, yet it was there for at least for repairs to their vehicle. If motorbike drivers have to Phuket’s authorities or institutions? Then this a week. As far as I know, the au- DB an accident caused by a pothole, is the forum for you. thorities made no attempt to warn Phuket they (or their families) can make Submit your queries or suggestions to us and anyone of this danger, let alone a claim to the Phuket Highways repair the pothole. Pramote Pirat, Chief of the Office for financial recompense we’ll ask the appropriate people to respond to Does the government have Phuket Subdivision Highways in the event of injury or death. them. staff who drive round checking Office [District 2], replies: That said, it is also up to riders the island’s roads for potholes We are responsible for to drive carefully. Write to: The Phuket Gazette, 367/2 Yaowarat Rd, and other hazards? What is the Chao Fa Rd, East and West. We Anyone who finds a pot- Muang, Phuket 83000. Fax 076-213971, or submit your phone number of the relevant inspect the areas we are respon- hole should contact the High- issue at www.phuketgazette.net department? sible for every day, and if we find ways Office at Tel: 076-212179. Why were my vitamins confiscated and destroyed? For 25 years, people were con- me of more than US$600 (24,000 believe it knows better than its cannot be imported as a food dosages it is classified as a drug. sistently amazed to learn that I baht). I can buy these supple- counterparts in all those coun- supplement. Yohimbine is a plant be- was 15 years older than I looked. ments in at least 60 other coun- tries? Why does the Thai govern- L-carnitine 500 is used to lieved to improve male sexual I attributed this to the fact that I tries in thousands of shops. ment feel that it has the right to remedy systemic carnitine defi- performance. In the US, it can be had taken a lot of time and effort In the past, I requested per- tell me what I can and cannot in- ciency. It is also used by some as taken as a food supplement. to study the vitamins and other mission to buy Glucosamine, gest? a food supplement for controling However, the Thai FDA has supplements that I took. These Chondroitin, SAMe 200, L-car- diabetes and weight control. The found it can cause low blood supplements allowed me to ex- nitine 500, chromium picolinate Wilai Bundittanugula, Direc- FDA has accepted it as a food pressure and has therefore clas- ercise vigorously, thus maintain- 400, DHEA, Gingko Biloba, Yo- tor of Drug Control Division of supplement for many years. sified it as unsafe for use. ing the health of my youth. himbine and several others. The the Thai FDA in Bangkok, re- Chromium picolinate is Many vitamins, minerals Since moving to Thailand entire shipment was refused en- plies: thought by some to be helpful in and herbs that are approved for five years ago, I have not been try and ended up going bad in the With regard to the brand- controling blood sugar and body use as food supplements in the allowed to bring in many of these shipper’s storage – a total loss of name supplements that were de- weight, and for building muscle US and Japan are not allowed items, even though they are avail- more than 48,000 baht. stroyed, our agency has never mass. Thailand restricts its use to here because they don’t meet able over the counter in every EU The point is that these prod- received any request to register 130 millgrams a day. Thai labeling requirements en- country, in the US, Japan, Malay- ucts are approved in every mod- them in Thailand. For this rea- The details regarding suring that they state clearly, in sia and Singapore. ern, industrialized nation in the son, we don’t have the details of DHEA are less clear. An Internet Thai, that they are food supple- I recently had a big ship- world for over-the-counter sale. their chemical composition and search found that it stands for ments and not medicines. ment of such supplements sent They have been extensively test- are unable to classify them as ei- dehydroepiandrosterone, a male The safety of Thais is the here from abroad. These included ed for safety and are used by mil- ther food or medicine. steroid hormone. Some use it as main issue for the Thai FDA. We brand-name products like Urban lions of consumers – but not in As for the others, Gluco- a food supplement, but because are currently preparing an an- Night Charger, Isatori Metacel Thailand, where untrained, petty samine is currently registered as it is a steroid, it may not be used nouncement regarding the cor- Orange, MHP Secratagogue One bureaucrats seems to arbitrarily a prescription drug for treatment in this way in Thailand. rect procedures for registration of and ISS Advantage Matrix. deny people the right to stay of inflammation. Although also As for Gingko Biloba, if it food supplements in Thailand to The entire shipment was healthy, active and happy. used as a food supplement by is Gingko leaf extract, people ensure that all such products are confiscated and destroyed by Why does the Thai Food some, it is classified as a drug by may take up to 120mg a day as a safe, beneficial to health and Thai Customs at a total loss to and Drug Administration (FDA) the [Thai] FDA and therefore food supplement. But in higher properly labeled. 20 PHUKET GAZETTE F E A T U R E S May 7 - 13, 2005 TOT vs TT&T: Round 1 ON THE MOVE fter months of waiting, TOT finally installed my two new ADSL Alines, one at my home office and one at my bakery, both in Patong. With my current configura- tion, I can hot-swap between TOT ADSL and TT&T ADSL, SAMRARN YOTHAYAI, 46, from and compare the services side- Lamphun, is the new Chief Judge by-side, running the same soft- of Phuket Provincial Court. A ware on the same PCs: unplug graduate of the National Institute one cable, plug in another, and of Development Administration, everything switches from TOT to where he earned a master’s de- TT&T and back. gree in political administration, he I haven’t had time to do full was Chief Judge of Surat Thani tests – give me a few weeks – Municipal Court before his move but what I’ve seen in just a couple The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology doesn’t want you to get at The Cloak – to Phuket. of days has me shaking my head. from TOT’s ADSL lines, anyway. Here’s a prime example. I’ve been using TT&T’s trating. It’s hard to run a news digital sand, steals the page you every time with TOT. It didn’t Hi-Net ADSL broadband con- website when you cannot even asked for, and sends it to you. work about half the time with nection for almost a year, and it get to it. When I get a scoop, I Anonymizers work well if TT&T, but using The Cloak I drives me nuts: up and down, fast have to post it online within a few you’re concerned that The Bad could work around the problem. and slow, inexplicable disconnec- hours or it turns into yesterday’s Guys will find a way to trap ad- Then I made a mistake. I tions, all of which I’ve talked news and birdcage liner. dresses of all the people access- thought I was on the TT&T about in this column before. AskWoody.com would be ing a particular anti-communist ADSL line. A friend shot me a A month ago, I started hav- available for a few hours (or website. Even if the Politburo juicy news item, and I went to ing trouble connecting to my web- days), then it would be inacces- sucks in all the addresses, they The Cloak to get on to Ask- site, www.AskWoody.com. I’d sible for a few hours (or days). can never trace anything back to Woody.com. But I couldn’t bring Australian TIM HADDON, 37, has get a juicy scoop on some Win- With local Web guru Paul Spring’s you – only the anonymizer’s ad- up The Cloak. returned to Phuket as Director of dows insider gossip, run to my help, I discovered that TOT’s dress appears in the logs. As you The Ministry of Information Golf and Events at Blue Canyon PC, crank up my web browser, ADSL lines had no problem at all might imagine, anonymizer sites and Communication Technology Country Club (BCCC). A pro- type in www.AskWoody.com, “resolving” www.AskWoody. are primarily used for rather more, (and Public Morals) had blocked fessional golfer since 1989, he and get the dreaded “404: The com at precisely the same time uh, recreational the webpage (see was Director of Golf at BCCC page cannot be displayed” page TT&T’s Domain Name Server pursuits – but you KHUN WOODY’S screen grab). I until 2000 before returning to his in Internet Explorer, or “Ask- couldn’t find it. get the picture. discovered my native land to become a parent Woody.com could not be found” As best as I can tell, CAT/ When I dis- mistake. In fact, I and manage Elsternwick Park in Firefox. TT&T’s Domain Name Server is covered that the COMPUTER was on the TOT Public Golf Course in Melbourne, Very odd – and most frus- broken – or it goofs up intermit- TT&T/CAT servers weren’t ADSL line. And that’s how I dis- Australia. tently – and at least one (prob- working, I had a hunch that an covered that The Cloak is block- ably many) websites simply anonymizer might get through – ed on TOT ADSL lines by the aren’t available every now and I would get on the anonymizer via Thai Ministry of Information and then. TT&T know about it, but TT&T’s ADSL line, but then the Communication Technology, they haven’t fixed it. But wait, anonymizer would reach out with while TT&T goes right through. there’s more to the story. its own service provider to find Bizarre, eh? First, some background. AskWoody.com. I’ll continue with more com- There are dozens of free “anon- It worked. I went to www. parisons of TOT and TT&T ser- ymizer” sites on the Internet. the-cloak.com/login.htm, asked vice in a couple of weeks. I’d like They were originally constructed The Cloak to go to AskWoody. to thank Paul Spring (www. to make web surfing anonymous com, and I was back at my web- ThaiServers.com), who con- – so if you want to look, say, at page – no problem. By using a ducted exhaustive tests both here Phuketian WIPA PUTKAEW, 33, has an anti-communist Web site middleman, I bypassed TT&T/ and in the US to pinpoint the prob- been appointed Accounting Man- while you’re sitting in the Peo- CAT’s buggy server and went lem. ager of the Phuket Gazette. K. ple’s Socialist Paradise of China, straight to my website. I use ThaiServers to host Wipa holds a degree in account- you go to an anonymizer site and Wait. There’s still more to AskWoody.com – great support, ing management from Ramkham- type in the web address you want the story. After I got my TOT line, 2GB storage, all the frills, at just haeng University, and was Chief to see. The anonymizer goes out I started swapping between TOT 600 baht a month. Thanks, Paul. Accountant of Laguna Grande and retrieves the page you want, and TT&T lines with wild aban- – Woody Leonhard Ltd for eight years before her leaving its own footprints in the don. AskWoody.com came up [email protected] move to the Gazette. May 7 - 13, 2005 B U S I N E S S & M O N E Y PHUKET GAZETTE 21 B1.3bn land sale highlights ongoing land price boom By Anongnat Sartpisut Beachfront land, or land with a sea year and the PPLO collected 900 million Larry Cunningham, the Managing view, is in such demand that it is now com- baht in taxes and fees. Director of PhuketOne Real Estate, RAWAI: A site covering almost 150 rai at manding between seven and 10 million baht “Already, 26 developers have signed agrees, adding that even areas that were Laem Ka Beach has been sold for 1.325 a rai, according to Phuket Provincial Land contracts in the first six months of this [fis- not in demand in the past are now becom- billion baht – 8.8 million baht a rai – an Office (PPLO) Chief Supoj Suwanna- cal] year and we have collected 487 mil- ing attractive to developers. indication that Phuket’s continuing land sale chote. lion baht in taxes and fees.” He said, “Phuket is still a small is- boom is far from over. K. Supoj added that while land is He continued, “We think there will land. Rawai is becoming popular now be- The beachfront site has been bought selling all over the island, tracts on the west never be a lack of demand for land for cause, even though it is on the east coast, by US-based Phuket Capital Resort Co coast are still in greatest demand, espe- hotels, and maybe people are paying even it has the best beaches on that coast. Ltd (PCR), which, with the help of a 2.97- cially from property developers. more than [the prices] we have estimated. “Beachfront land prices have in- billion-baht mortgage from Siam City Bank “Most of the people investing in land I think prices will continue to rise.” creased 100% over the past three years. plc, intends to build a hotel there. [in Phuket] are property developers,” he People are indeed paying more than In general, property prices have doubled PCR, a subsidiary of the Thai arm told the Gazette. the PPLO’s estimates. Bob Andrews, every seven years, but in Phuket the prices of international investment bank Lehman “Around 51 property developers Managing Director of Phuket Land have doubled every three years, and I see Brothers, declined to comment for the time signed contracts at the PPLO during the Search, says that land in Patong is chang- no reason why prices will not continue to being on its plans for the site. October 2003-September 2004 financial ing hands at around 20 million baht a rai. rise.” Cutting off my own arm to offer advice

ince I wrote a column on No. Orbis deals directly with The Yen and US dollar Fund in which it solely invests, but Orbis last year, many the public – so in a sense, MONEY classes date back to 1998. A for each dollar or euro of inves- readers have contacted I’m cutting off my own arm euro version of this fund was tors’ capital it borrows and invests Sme about this group. As here. It’s just that I believe launched in January 2003 and the same amount. an independent financial adviser, that Orbis is exceptionally TALKS is up 23.8% to April 7 this The investment minimum is I am able to deal with the invest- good. year. US$50,000 and there are no en- ment houses that deliver the best The “core” fund is the By Richard Watson Orbis offers two other try or exit charges. Smaller invest- returns on a consistent basis. Orbis Global Equity Fund. funds that were launched at ments are accepted by Orbis via To find these investment Originally it was available the beginning of 1990. They offshore insurance companies. houses is not as easy as it may only in US dollars, but following ket funds, Orbis offers two other are the Orbis Optimal Fund and Orbis’s very user-friendly seem; in every area of investment the creation of the euro, inves- choices: Orbis Africa Equity, Orbis Leveraged Fund. website is at: www.orbis.bm there is a dismally low level of tors now have a choice. which invests in the South Afri- Originally available only in consistency. Those who placed their can stockmarket, and Orbis Ja- US dollars, both funds had euro Richard Watson runs Global Star performers suddenly money in this fund at its incep- pan Equity. classes added on June 30, 1998. Portfolios Co Ltd, a Phuket- become also-rans, and nowhere tion have enjoyed an average The former is available only From inception, the Orbis based personal financial plan- is this more evident than among annual return of 14%. To put it in South African Rand. Its per- Optimal US Dollar Fund has av- ning service. He can be reached equity fund managers. another way, each US$10 in- formance since inception on 30 eraged a 12.3% annual return and at Tel and Fax: 076-381997, In many cases this can be vested has grown to US$80. June, 1998, can be described only the Euro Fund 11.3%, while the Mobile: 01-081-4611. Email: caused by an outstanding fund Some managers perform as spectacular, with average an- two versions of the Orbis Lever- imm@loxinfo. co.th. manager leaving a company, but well, but how many can say that nual returns of 35.7%, compared aged Fund have returned 16.3% even in situations where the fund their investments have doubled with the benchmark FTSE/JSE and 20%, respectively. manager does not change, the in- their money over the past five Africa All Share Index of 13.7%. These are what are known vestment performance can. years? In reality, the average fund The Japanese fund is not as absolute return funds. In other But this is a big world, you manager’s clients have still to exactly a laggard, either, with an words, it is the aim of the man- may say. Surely someone can recover all the money they had annual average return of 12.8% agers to make gains every year, demonstrate a consistent high five years ago. in Yen and 13.1% in US dollars. regardless of stockmarket condi- level of performance? Orbis Global Equity has a When this is compared with tions, . After many years in this distinctive investment approach: the performance of the TOPIX The investment approach is business, I have found only one it invests in shares of companies (Total Return Index), it is even simply to invest in the Orbis Glo- example: Orbis. that trade at a significant discount more impressive. The TOPIX bal Equity Fund, Africa Fund and Orbis manages only equities compared with the assessed “in- made only 1.2% in yen and when Japan Equity Fund. and has a very limited number of trinsic value” of the business. hedged into US dollars, 4.7%. The absolute return funds funds. But compare the invest- The company believes the The most common index also sell stockmarket index fu- ment returns of any group you share prices of such firms will quoted is the Nikkei Dow, but this tures and buy stock market index know with Orbis and you will see eventually appreciate to reflect covers only 225 companies, many put options. The aim of this is to who is the best. If you can find their real intrinsic value. Orbis is of them large exporters. The give the ability to profit from fall- any group that comes close, a patient investor, prepared to TOPIX is a much broader index, ing markets as well as rising ones. please let me know. wait three to five years. representative of the whole Japa- The Orbis Leveraged Fund In answer to your question, In terms of pure stockmar- nese market. is identical to the Orbis Optimal 22 PHUKET GAZETTE SP O R T May 7 - 13, 2005

Surakul to be B7m feasibility study for sports complex By Anongnat Sartpisut rai in Tah Chat Chai, in Tambon Mai Khao. has not pleased all in Phuket. Eam Thavorn- venue for & Athiga Jundee More recently, in October 2003, Phuket vongwongse, the President of the Phuket Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura sug- Sports Association, said that he has proposed Asia-Europe PHUKET CITY: The proposal to build an gested that 2,000 rai – again in Tah Chat Chai a 126-rai plot close to Suan Luang Park in international-standard sports training com- – should be developed into a training facility Phuket City. “It will be a disgraceful monu- plex in Phuket appears to be limping ahead to encourage “sports tourism” among athletes ment to Phuket if the sports complex is built youth soccer with seven million baht being earmarked by keen to escape cold climes. in Mai Khao,” he said. the Ministry of Sports and Tourism for a fea- “Who knows?” said Gov Udomsak at “Mai Khao is mangrove forests and too tourney sibility study. the time, “Perhaps one day David Beckham far away from anywhere [to make it worth- Confirmation that the study is to receive will come to practice soccer in Phuket.” while]. A sports complex must have easy funding was given on May 2 by Promchote The Gazette understands that the facili- access to accommodation for the athletes, PHUKET CITY: Surakul Sta- Traivate, Head of the Phuket Office of Sports ties to be studied would include a soccer ideally within 20 kilometers or so. dium will be the venue for the and Recreation Development (POSRD). pitch, athletics track, and basketball, tennis “It is simply not feasible to site the soccer matches of the 1st ASEM The plan to build a world-class sports and badminton courts. The plan also includes sports complex in Mai Khao,” he concluded (Asia-Europe Meeting) Youth facility, including a shooting range and a sta- provision for an unspecified number of town- Responsibility for the feasibility study Games, which are set to be dium, was first proposed in October 1998. houses to be built on the site. will fall to the POSRD. No date has yet been played from June 2 to 8. That original plan called for the use of 220 But the latest development in the saga set for when the study should be completed. The announcement was made by Somsak Thepsuthin, the Minister of Sports and Tourism, Richardson, during an inspection of the facili- Shifting winds catch ties on April 29. The Cabinet on April 19 Munger approved a budget of 65 million baht for the games, which also dinghy racers off guard top PEGS include tennis, swimming, bad- minton, athletics and table ten- AO YON: Racing on May 1 at nis. Competitions in these five Ao Yon was a typical transition- tourney sports will be held in Bangkok. season regatta, with a light and ASEM is an interregional variable wind, veering consis- KATHU: A field of 71 players forum comprising the 10 mem- tently. took part in the Phuket Expat ber states of ASEAN (the Asso- Michael Hallager and An- Golf Society (PEGS) annual club ciation of South-East Asian Na- drew DeBruin started well in ev- championship held on on April tions), China, Japan and South ery race: on the line, at the gun, 28 and 29. Korea, as well as the 25 member with pace. But Robert Buck- On Day 1 at the Loch Palm countries of the European Union minster and Richard Warnes Golf Club, zero-handicap Matt K. Somsak made it clear were the first to understand the Richardson shot a seven-over-par that the objective of hosting the wind shift; they went to the right 79. In contrast, Freddy Munger games in Phuket is to demon- side of the course, rounded the in B division shot a 12-under- strate that Phuket is ready for top mark well ahead of the pack handicap to lead the field by 10 business following the disaster of and went on to win. shots going into Day 2. December 26. In Race 2, Hallager/De- On the second day of play, The minister said, “We Bruin battled Buckminster/ at Phuket Country Club, Richard- know that soccer is very popular Warnes from the start. Both Andrew DeBruin (left) and Michael Hallager sailed well, but only son shot a one-under-par 71 to in Phuket, and recent interna- teams were left behind manage to finish second overall after four races in veering winds. win the A division with a total of tional competitions, such as the Phil Lawson and Nid Choo- 150 for both days’ play, which Group C round of the FIFA Un- kate finished first and Alistair were fastest downwind and went minutes before capsizing just put him eight shots ahead of his der-19s Women’s World Cup Purves and Russell Lerman came on to win the race. ahead of the finish line. They nearest rival. held here last year, drew praise second, an awesome feat as The breeze built up a bit for managed to get righted, and car- Although Munger could not from many countries.” Lerman had never before sailed Race 4 and the teams were show- ried on to win the race and the repeat his stellar performance on He added that 24 of the 38 a 59er and had never trimmed ing signs of exhaustion. day. Day 2, he did manage to squeeze member countries of ASEM had kite on any boat. Every boat capsized in the Overall results for the day: two under his handicap to take already shown their intention to In Race 3, everyone was last race. Buckminster/Warnes 1. Buckminster/Warnes; 2. Halla- the B division trophy with a total send teams to the games. working the right side of the lost their tiller extension while ger/DeBruin; 3. Lawson/Choo- of 170 strokes, beating his near- – Athiga Jundee course, but Buckminster/Warnes under spinnaker and lasted a few kate. est rival by 13 strokes.

Gazette Online Classified ads 4,000 readers every day! May 7 - 13, 2005 SP O R T PHUKET GAZETTE 23 ITF tourney draws top young players

By Anongnat Sartpisut

PHUKET CITY: US$55,000 (about 2.5 million baht) in prize money is up for grabs this month when as many as 400 tennis hopefuls from around the world are expected to fly to Phuket to complete in four one-week Inter- national Tennis Federation (ITF) events being held, one after the other, at the Phuket City Tennis Courts on Damrong Rd. The first three competitions will be US$10,000 (350,000 baht) ITF Men’s Futures events, important for players seeking to acquire computer ranking points to get into the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals). These World No 296 Napaporn Tongsalee (foreground, left) will be back will be held May 2-8, May 9-14, in Phuket to compete in the ITF Women’s Circuit event starting and May 15-21. on May 23. Following these will be the Napaporn Tongsalee, who bat Euammongkol of the LTAT six-day ITF Women’s Circuit recently played doubles in the said, “This match will generate ranking event, from May 23, with FedCup match in Patong, has more than 1 million baht in rev- LOT OF BOTTLE: The aim of this game was to get a golf ball into a hole. Not so simple: instead of a club, competitors had to US$25,000 (875,000 baht) in confirmed entry in the womens’ enue for the province, as many prize money on the line. All hit balls with bottles swinging from cords tied around their competition. of the players will spend the en- waists. Other events included tug o’ war and sack races. events are being organized jointly Four other top Thai players tire month here,” he said, adding by the Lawn Tennis Association – Bhee Witoonpanich, Weerapat that Phuket could stage more of Thailand (LTAT) and the ITF Doakmaiklee, Kirati Siributwong such events in the future if the with the cooperation of the Tour- and Peerachat Chaiyaphan – will provincial government would Fun for all in Kathu ism Authority of Thailand. compete in the men’s singles. build more tennis courts, prefer- KATHU: Adults and children, men and women from 14 villages Admission for spectators Tournament Director Som- ably six of them. in Kathu are currently taking part in the annual Kathu Cup compe- will be free, though the Phuket tition. City Tennis Court complex has The festival of sport – intended to build community spirit as very limited spectator facilities. Patong FedCup court to go well as celebrate the May 5 coronation of HM King Bhumibol Play will take place on the Adulyadej – started on May 1 and is due to end on May 17. The daily from 8:30 am to about 6 pm. PATONG: The three-million baht The spectators’ stands that festival is organized by Kathu Municipality and Kathu Tambon Entrants from 40 different tennis court built in Patong for were trucked in and installed es- Administration Organization and is taking place in the grounds of countries are expected, including the Thailand-versus-Croatia pecially for the FedCup matches Kathu District Office. young talents from Australia, Group 2 quarter-finals of the have already been dismantled Russia, France, Japan, the US, FedCup held late last month, will and removed. Britain, Spain, New Zealand, In- be demolished in a few weeks. Sombat Euammongkol, a dia, South Africa, Germany, Aus- Although the court meets member of the LTAT technical tria, Malaysia, Indonesia and the International Tennis Federation committee, said that LTAT could Philippines, along with Thai ten- standards, the Lawn Tennis As- give the court to the municipal- nis players from around the King- sociation of Thailand (LTAT) has ity, or the province, if either dom. instructed that it be dismantled. asked for it, but so far neither has. 24 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PROPERTY May 7 - 13, 2005

Home of the Week Patong Soi Sansabai’s hidden secret ocated in the Baan Benjamas Estate at the secluded end of Soi L Sansabai in Patong, this two-story European-style home comes fully furnished and com- plete with nautical-themed deco- rations. The house is a concrete- and-wood construction, and the owner insisted that all aspects of construction were of the highest quality, from soil preparation to the foundations to the walls, electrics and water storage. Finished in teak through- out, the interior includes a Euro- pean-style kitchen, living and dining areas, and three bedrooms and three bathrooms, two of which are ensuite. Features outside the home Above: Lush gardens hide include a sauna and 8x4-meter the home from the hubbub of pool with powerful counter-cur- central Patong, which is just rent swim jets for exercise, as minutes’ walking distance well as a separate Jacuzzi, all away. surrounded by landscaped gar- dens with a covered outdoor bar- Above right, and right: The becue and eating area. covered outdoor barbecue Residents have access to all area provides a haven from the amenities in Baan Benjamas the midday sun, while the Estate, including a large swim- gardens offer full privacy ming pool with terrace, land- around the pools. scaped gardens and 24-hour se- curity. The home is only minutes’ walking distance from all the meters, and the utilities include amenities offered in central well water, water heater, three- Patong. phase electricity supply and cable This property could be a UBC TV. primary residence or a rental in- At the time of writing, the come property; it is currently land title was NorSor 3 Gor, but available for rent at 100,000 baht was about to be upgraded to a month, giving a potential an- Chanote. nual return of 1.2 million baht. The asking price for the For more details, contact Mark at home, including a Thai holding Phuket Paradise Group, Tel: 076- company with complete tax 313298 or 01-6776103, Fax: 076- records, is 25 million baht. 313319, Email:info@paradisepg. The land area is 380 square com Website: www.paradisepg. com May 7 - 13, 2005 PHUKET PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 25

Gardening with Bloomin’ Bert

rees are a bit like people have extra shade during the heat really. Not in the sense of the day. Despite hacking huge that they’re always ar- limbs off it on a very regular ba- Tguing with their mother- Blooming baldies sis, he couldn’t subdue its deter- in-law or wondering which sham- mination to take over his garden. poo to buy in the supermarket, Eventually he decided that but in the baldness department. GETTING AHEAD: the only way he could triumph People of more senior years The erythrina, or over this power struggle was to may start to notice that they don’t coral tree, makes uproot it completely. have the head of hair that they the most of any As with so many plants in once had. For several of my prolonged drought, this part of the world, the ery- friends, that process started years by shedding its thrina is yet another poisonous ago, well before they reached the leaves and plant. The seeds of most types of autumn of their lives. Indeed, in replacing them erythrina contain alkaloids, so the more temperate regions of the with bright-red eating them certainly wouldn’t be world, autumn is when many blossoms. the brightest idea in the world. trees lose their leaves, in the same The coral tree likes full sun way as their “follically-chal- and well-drained soil, and flow- lenged” human counterparts. fect for it to bloom. The ers best after any period of In Phuket, it seems that scarlet blossoms that fol- drought. Quite large cuttings root most plants feel that letting their low this leaf-shedding easily – just cut off a sizeable leaves, well, leave, is a waste of habit are so magnificently branch and put it in some moist time. But some have decided that showy, it almost seems to compost. It will wilt a little for a pattern baldness is for them, and be bragging. week or two, but will quickly get have decided to lose the lot. Before the redevel- its act together, and a clone of the Every dry season, the coral oping work wreaked original tree will result. tree, or Erythrina indica or tong- havoc at Nai Harn Lake, Follically-challenged long in Thai, becomes half- there used to be dozens of these family members that produce as it doesn’t exactly move at a gentlemen may want take a few hearted with its leaf production, trees around the banks. From a dazzling flowers. The most com- breakneck pace. leaves out of the coral tree’s and by the time things really dry distance the vivid scarlet color is mon erythrina seen in Phuket Another variation of the book. That said, attaching bright up, there’s not much green left very much like the flame tree, but grow up to 15 meters tall. erythrina has boldly patterned flowers to your head is probably on its branches. Phuket is com- up close the flowers look like gi- This tree is also heliotropic variegated leaves with bright yel- not the ideal option. ing to the end of its dry period, ant red tigers’ claws, which ac- – the flowers folow the sun as it low veins running through them. so the leaves on these trees on the counts for another of its names. moves across the sky. Appar- If you’re considering putting one Want to know more island have mostly disappeared, Originally from Brazil, the ently, most species of the ery- of these in your garden, you’d about a plant as they do every year. erythrina is a genus (a set of thrina show daily heliotropic better have plenty of space, or be in your garden? Unlike its human counter- closely-related species) contain- movement of the leaflets, and it prepared for a battle of wills be- parts, however, the coral tree has ing some 100 trees and shrubs, even has a night orientation. tween you and a plant. Email Bloomin’ Bert at: a winning card up its sleeve – most with spiny trunks and You’d have to be pretty bored to A friend once planted one [email protected] with no leaves, the time is per- branches. There are a number of put this theory to the test though, next to his pergola so that he’d 26 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET PROPERTY May 7 - 13, 2005

Construction Update by Anongnat Sart pisut CHALONG: Construction of the Enjoy 180-million-baht Phuket Private Lagoon residential estate is 30% complete, with 18 of 49 units al- ast night, I woke up at 2 ready sold. am to watch a football Sakwuth Udomsrisak, the match – the first round Managing Director of developer Lof the semi-finals of the Phuket Nature Home Co Ltd, UEFA Champions League, the explained that the 22-rai develop- competition between Europe’s ment, located near Wat Luang top football clubs. This semi-fi- Phu Supha, is centered around a nal was between two English lagoon and has views of the hills clubs, Liverpool and Chelsea. to the west. For these two clubs to play The plans for the develop- each other is not unusual – ment were drawn up with the they’re in the same division in the main focus being on providing English League. But the fact that homes in a quiet, relaxing envi- they were up against each other ronment through three main in the European competition was themes: privacy and security, cause for interest among those green surroundings and healthy who follow these matters. living. I’m not at all sure why I In terms of security, the watched that football match at 2 project will have security guards An artist’s impression of the Ing Tarn design, the most spacious of the homes to be built at the am on the morning of a work day. on-site 24 hours with closed-cir- Phuket Private Lagoon project in Chalong. It was probably because my cuit television cameras set up mates support Liverpool, a club throughout the estate. apparently of fine tradition (if To maintain a natural atmo- they have something called tra- sphere, 60% of the area will in- dition in Liverpool). clude natural features, such as Lakeside living Personally, I would much large trees, the lagoon, roadside rather watch a good game of flower beds and a recreational rugby. If you watch a top-level park for residents. game of rugby, then switch to To provide a healthy life- soccer, it’s a bit like watching a style, the development will have yachting regatta from 20 miles a clubhouse with fitness room, in Chalong away. sauna, spa and massage services, Apart from that, enjoying a whirlpool bath and a large meter-wide, three-story town- 187sqm of utility area, including will be in the Ing Phu design, with sport is, for me, an essential part swimming pool, as well as a jog- houses each with a usable area four bedrooms and five bath- 211sqm of utility area, including of enjoying life and relationships, ging track around the lagoon. of 174 square meters. The town- rooms. Prices for these units start four bedrooms and five bath- especially when you live in a There will also be a small houses will be in three blocks, at 5.4 million baht. rooms. Prices for these units start country other than your home, shopping center and a restaurant each with six units. Prices for the Only three units will be at 5.5 million baht. where you mix with people of next to the lagoon. Ing Mai units start at 3.3 million built in the slightly larger two- The largest two-story de- many cultures and nationalities. Units are available in five baht. story Ing Pleuk design, which sign available, called Ing Tharn, Sport is a common factor, designs. The Ing Mai design will Seven units will be in the offers 195sqm of utility area, offers 235sqm of utility area, something we enjoy together, be used for 18 units, offering six- two-story Ing Fah design, with with four bedrooms and five with four bedrooms and five even if we don’t understand each bathrooms, at prices starting at bathrooms. Ten units will be built other. 5.7 million baht. in this style, at prices from 7.5 The differences between Eleven two-story houses million baht. India and Pakistan are put aside Every unit, including the to allow cricket matches to go townhouses, will come with a ahead. Countries whose politi- private swimming pool, ranging cians, leaders and less intelligent in size depending on the space population hate each other are available. brought together to enjoy a foot- K. Sakwuth explained that ball tournament, or any other quality materials are being used great sporting event. People of in all designs, including maka the same nationality working in wood floors and Nu-Style roofs some remote country come to- with insulation. gether to enjoy a satellite broad- Each unit will have a grease cast of a sporting event. trap and a reserve water storage I was in Kazakhstan this tank, as well as municipal elec- time last year. In Almaty, the tricity and water supply. former capital of that former So- viet state, I watched the FA Cup For more information about final, the San Marino Grand Prix Phuket Private Lagoon, contact and the final of the Super 12 Phuket Nature Home Co Ltd at 20/ rugby tournament between a 43 Mae Luan Rd, Phuket City. Tel: New Zealand and an Australian 076-235171-2. team, two countries that are May 7 - 13, 2005 PHUKET PROPERTY PHUKET GAZETTE 27 this sporting life

LARGER THAN LIFE By Graham Doven

“deadly enemies” in the matter of rugby, but almost the same people in most other matters. Watching those events with a bunch of people at Mad Murphy’s Irish Pub made me feel much closer to home. When you’re a long way from familiar territory, it somehow seems comforting to know that your mates and family are watching exactly the same thing at the same time. I guess that’s why I feel sorry for people who don’t care about sport. It’s an essential part of life, playing it or watching it together. You get the chance to argue, in a good-natured way, with people of other nationalities when you’re supporting oppos- Making mates while watching a sporting event develops social ing sides of a big match. bonds that are valuable in many other facets of living abroad. You get the chance to yell and scream at the TV, drink lots I’m looking forward to the supporter of any football club, I of beer and generally carry on in second round of the semi-finals think its important to experience a way that would have you carted of the Champions League. By the the atmosphere and camaraderie off to the looney bin any other time you read this it will already of a big football final, and if time. But that’s what supporting have been played, and we’ll you’re a supporter of sport, in the a team is all about, and I think know who will be playing the words of the famous old song that people who don’t like sport other team from Italy or Holland sung at every Liverpool FC do not make very good team play- in the final. match, “You’ll never walk ers in other aspects of life. While I am not a fanatical alone.” 28 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS May 7 - 13, 2005 Property Gazette

Properties BEACH LAND PLOTS VERY CHEAP For Sale

PATONG LUXURY VILLA

Half-rai (800sqm) with 15- Panwa land for sale. 656 meter white-sand beach sqm, 300m from aquarium: frontage. Located on Naka 3.5 million baht. Tel: 09- Island, only 4 mins by boat 1531325, 01-0820144. from Phuket (Ao Por pier). Less than 30 mins to airport, major shopping centers and RAWAI CONDO international school. For Beachfront, sea view, 28sqm. For sale: 350,000 baht; foreign Estate villa for sale. Pool, sale, only 2.7 million baht/ freehold. Tel: 09-4740227. Jacuzzi, sauna, furnished. Tel: plot. Tel: 01-3430777. Email: [email protected] 076-344343, 07-2820054. For more details, please see our website at: www. NICE SINGLE HOUSE phuketdir.com/frankshouse

PATONG SEAVIEW 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. Price: 8.5 million baht. 500sqm of land, option for ex- tra land. Please contact for more information. Tel: 01-477- Good-quality house, fully fur- 5306. Email: patriklambert@ nished on Chao Fa Rd, near hotmail.com Phuket City and beaches. 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, plus Jacuzzi bath. Large living/din- HOUSE FOR SALE ing room, with modern OR RENT kitchen. For sale: 7 million baht; rent: 40,000 baht/ month. Tel: 01-7872201. Email: [email protected]

CONDO AT PATONG Tower. Fully-furnished 2-bed- MISSION HEIGHTS LAND FOR SALE SPACIOUS HOUSE FOR SALE room condo with nice sea 225 talang wah, 900sqm. CHALONG HOME IN PHUKET Good location; quiet area in view and big balcony. Tel: Building plots for sale at A lovely detached bungalow Land & House. 3 bedrooms, 076-340551, 07-8910885. 2.25 million baht. 100% is available for sale by owner 2 bathrooms, fully furnished, Fax: 076-342016. Email: deposit, 18 months to pay. in the “Iravadee” private es- 2 phone lines, aircon, nice [email protected] Call Brian at Tel: 01-344- tate in Kathu, Phuket, near garden. 4.1 million baht or for 4473 or for further informa- the Phuket Country Club rent 20,000 baht/month. KOH LANTA LAND tion see our website at: golf course. Price: 2.75 mil- Call Sira. Tel: 076-282522, 5 rai, Nor Sor 3 Gor. Hill and www.missionheights.com Land for sale, 119 sq wah, lion baht ono. Please contact. 01-8466206. sea views, road. 800,000 on Kwang Rd, just 3km from Spacious 530sqm home on Tel: 09-8729149. Email: baht/rai. Tel: 01-5977045. URGENT Central Festival. Price: 2,016sqm of land tucked klaus_harbauer@hotmail. com For further details, NAI HARN HOUSE Fax: 075-684339. Email: House with guesthouse and big 1.9million baht. Tel: 01- away on a quiet soi near please see our website at: for sale. Thai-style, 3 bed- [email protected] pool for sale in Pasak, Cherng 6078567. Chalong Circle. Three bed- www.phuket-house-for- rooms, ½rai, 6.9 million Talay. Price: 6.5 million baht or rooms, living room, dining sale.com baht. Please contact for more CHERNG TALAY best offer. Reason for sale: RAWAI TOWNHOUSE room, family room, study/of- information, Tel: 076-288- house. 4 bedrooms, 4 bath- moving to the Europe. Please for sale. 950,000 baht. All- fice, kitchen, storeroom, 3 047, 01-8941660. Email: rooms, 3 car parking spaces, contact for more information. new interior, freehold, 160 baths, and carport for 2 cars. LAND AT RAWAI [email protected] Please garden, large living room, Tel: 06-2761506, 06-941- sqm, beachfront. Tel: 09- In the rear of the house is a 1.4 rai, good location and see our website at: www. kitchen. Only 5.25 million 2918. Email: nattakarn_ aasa 4740227. Email: chotip_5@ large roofed-in terrace with electric+water available. homesinphuket.com baht ono. Tel: 01-9681164. @yahoo.com hotmail.com an outside kitchen overlook- Price: 4.2 million baht. Call for ing a 6x12-meter swimming details. Tel: 07-88964017, pool. There is also a separate 01-2712833. guestroom with bath. Com- plete with appliances, teak PATONG CONDO and rosewood furniture, Beachfront, 56sqm, freehold, many extras. Nothing com- for sale: 1.4 million baht. For pares with the quality of this more info. Tel: 09-4740227. 2-year-old home. Price: 25 Email: [email protected] million baht. Tel: 076- 281381, 01-2737184. Email: [email protected] HOUSE FOR SALE Phuket Pride House. Located on hillside, fully furnished, 1 RAI FOR SALE aircon. Please call for more Located in Mission Heights. info. Tel: 09-4736886. Luxury development with un- derground electricity and 24-hr NAI HARN HOUSE security. 10 mins to airport, 20 for sale. 2 stories, 3 bedrooms, mins to Tesco-Lotus. For quick 2 bathrooms, large garden, sale: 2.1 million baht. Call for furnished. Price: 4.5 million more info. Tel: 01-2712825. baht. Tel: 01-7520275.

LAND IN RAWAI KATA LAND PLOTS Good location, close to Nai 900 meters to beach. From 1 Harn and Rawai beaches, 1 million baht. Please contact for rai, Chanote title: 3.5 million more info. Tel: 01-0918908. baht. Please call for more Email: katabeachestate@ info. Tel: 01-7520275. hotmail.com May 7 - 13, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 29 Property Gazette

DEEVANA PROPERTY WANTED ALLAMANDA RESIDENCE Siam Real Estate needs qual- CONDOS WANTED Resort living at local prices; ity property for our clients: Siam Real Estate have cli- Patong Beach from 12,000 villas, apartments, land and ents for studios,1- or 2-bed baht per month. Swimming long-term rentals. Contact condos, ready to buy now! pool, UBC, telephone, 24-hour Khun Mai. Tel: 076-288908. Contact Dean for details. security. Please contact Ms Email: mai@siamrealestate. Tel: 076-288908, 06- Jatuporn. Tel: 076-341414- com 7439301. Email: dean@ 6, 076-341705. Email: siamrealestate.com [email protected] LAGUNA HOMES or see our website at: Land plots urgently wanted PHUKET APARTMENT www.deevanapatong.com for private villa development. I’m looking for an apartment 1 or 2 adjoining landplots at La- on Phuket island. I will be stay- HOUSE FOR SALE guna Golf Course, holes #4 or ing for 3 months: June 16- or rent. A new two-floor house #5. Kindly contact us with September 12. Can’t pay with under-roof rooms. Six your offer or further details. more than 6-7000 baht/ bedrooms with aircon, 2 living Email: lagunagolf@hotmail. month. Aircon is a must. rooms, 1 family room, 1 com Please contact by email as working room, 5 bathrooms, 1 soon as you can! Email: gym room, 2 kitchens (both WANTED: RENTAL [email protected] Thai and European). Large property. Siam Home Care can swimming pool with Jacuzzi. rent out your property on a NICE HOUSE Located in a village close to long-term basis now! Contact I’m looking to rent a nice, fully- department stores and hospi- us for details. Tel: 076-281- furnished house on Nanai Rd, tal. Asking price: 65,000 483-4. Email: service@ Patong. Need 2 bedrooms, liv- baht/month, or 15 million baht. siamhomecare.com For fur- ing room, aircon and UBC. Tel: ROOMS TO LET NEW KATA BEACH Properties Tel: 01-5301276. Email: ther details, see our website 076-296295. Fax: 076-296- Lake-view apartments in Kathu. 5-star suite. 2 bedrooms, sea [email protected] at: www.siamhomecare. 295. Email: komgrits1@ For Rent Fully furnished, with aircon, view, beach, pools, spa, gym, com hotmail.com fridge, cable TV, hot water, car ADSL, quiet. 75,000 baht RAWAI STUDIO park. 183 baht a day. Tel: 076- per month. Tel: 01-4961100. All you need is your suitcase. SMALL HOTEL 202585, 09-1968449. Email: Email: [email protected] LOOKING FOR ½ RAI HOUSE FOR RENT Long-term rent. Price: 10,000 for long-term lease in any quiet or guesthouse, etc. We are ketmaneeclayton61@hotmail. baht per month. Tel: 07-270- looking for a small, operational com area. Must have mains elec- APT ON BEACH 5706, 01-9703615. tricity nearby, water, and tele- hotel, bungalow-resort, guest- Ao Yon, close to the beach, phone line. Would consider house or apartment building APARTMENT 1 floor of 2-story house for NICE 2-BEDROOM less than ½ rai for 20 years with maximum 25 rooms of New one-bedroom apartment rent. Best location in Phuket, house in Kata. Clean and refur- plus. Tel: 04-7457024. Email: 30-35sqm each. We could in Patong, with small kitchen, min 1 year, 20,000 baht/ bished, cable TV, TT&T phone [email protected] rent/lease it or buy it outright refrigerator, fully furnished, month. Tel: 01-4792887, line, 6 months+. Please con- freehold. Price not exceeding European style, balcony, air- 01-3710104. tact for more details. Tel: 07- LONG-TERM RENTAL 500,000-750,000 baht per New house by the lake in con, TV, tel, fan, hot water, 1 2751423. Email: svein@ English couple, retired, require fully furnished room, prefer- Land & House. 3 bedrooms, bathroom. For long term: HOUSE FOR RENT byggeguiden.no ably with swimming pool. Only 2 bathrooms, fully furnished. 8,000 baht per month. Tel: house or bungalow for rent, Kathu. 2 bedrooms, 2 bath- close to the beach. 2 or 3 bed- reasonable offers, please. Telephone, UBC, aircon. Tel: 04-8450541. rooms, kitchen, living room, 2 Email: [email protected] 01-8953649. Property rooms. Tel: 004-1-4247- air conditioners, furnished. 1629. Email: diverdongould@ HOUSE FOR RENT 8,000 baht/month for long- Wanted aol.com CHALONG CIRCLE Chalong, Land & House. Fur- term lease. Tel: 09-2909567. LOOKING TO BUY shop. Rent: 5,000 baht/ nished, 2 bedrooms with Please see our website at: 1 to 2 rai in quiet location month. Key money: 40,000 aircon, 2 bathrooms, swim- www.brommathaihouse.com SMALL HOUSE W/ KRABI/AO NANG with electricity and wa- baht/year. Tel: 076-248626, ming pool. 28,000 baht per large garden wanted for long- Property wanted in Krabi. ter. Price about 500,000 term rental. Any area consid- The ideal land would be about 01-0808557. Fax: 076- month. Tel: 01-9560204. MOUNTAIN TOP baht/rai. For more details. 248626. Email: admin@ ered but must have telephone 1 rai and in the Ao Nang area. Tel: 01-0780014. Email: seaview rental in Patong. 5- or ability to get one. Tel: 04- Can discuss. I will pay cash. phuketdeafeagle.com GUESTHOUSE bedroom Thai-Balinese home andamanproject@myway. 7457024. Email: kingrw80@ Tel: 07-2781784. Email: com Patong. 2 x 4-story units, 23 now available for rent at long- hotmail.com [email protected] PATONG SHOPHOUSE rooms, on walking street, term discount. Open sea views Long-term rent: 6,000 baht Paradise Complex, in front of from all rooms. Maid service, per month. 50sqm, close to The Royal Paradise Hotel. Can swimming pool, car park. new post office. Tel: 09-474- have restaurant or massage Email: pococonnor@hotmail. Classified Advertisements 0227. Email: chotip_5@ on the ground floor. For rent or com hotmail.com sale. Tel: 076-224620, 01- Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. 5360536. 58SQM APARTMENT Then hand it to any of our agents. LUXURY KATA Bedroom, living room, kitch- Beach delux apartment. 210 BEACHFRONT CONDO en, bathroom, swimming |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| sqm, 2 bedrooms, spa, pools, Kalim, Patong, fully furnished, pool, aircon, cable TV. For 4 (heading) ADSL, exotic oceanfront, June high standard. 2 bedrooms, fit- months: 12,000 baht/month. 1-October 15. Tel: 09-972- ted kitchen, pool, many facili- Please call for more informa- |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| 6017, 06-6483559. Email: ties. Please call for more infor- tion. Tel: 076-202725, 01- [email protected] mation. Tel: 01-8920038. 8916632. |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

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 Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 80 baht, Sin & Lee with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. Thalang Rd, Phuket City Tel: 076-211230 All advertising must be paid for in advance. Taurus Travel Aroonsom Plaza Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd, Patong Tel: 076 344521-2 Deadline for Property Mart page: Friday 3 pm. Deadline for all other pages: Saturday 12 noon. 30 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS May 7 - 13, 2005 Property Gazette

LUXURY 2-BEDROOM HOUSE/APARTMENT SHARP ELECTRIC Accommodation apartment overlooking Patong I am looking for an apartment/ SIAM HOME shower heater. No more cold Available Bay. Swimming pool, aircon, house anywhere in Phuket. I & CAR SERVICES showers. WH-33 heater, less UBC, telephone. Tel: 07-889- am looking to pay around 6- Building renovation, than 1 year old. Power con- 6407. 10,000 baht/ month. Will be in repairs, maintenance sumption: 3,500w. Price: NAI HARN Phuket June 1 for viewing. 1,500 baht. Tel: 09-2913641. Furnished one bedroom bun- Please email me to set up a
Electrical Email: [email protected] galow, garden, phone. Views, Accommodation viewing appointment. Email:
Aircon/lights deck. 10,500 baht per month. Wanted [email protected]
Woodwork/furniture Tel: 076-388538, 06-729-
Stone, cement, sandwash Household 3196. Email: ofasia@loxinfo. 3-BEDROOM HOME
Steel, aluminium, tiles Services co.th HOUSE WANTED with phone. Looking for a 3-
Grass screen landscaping. for rent. We are looking for a bedroom home with phone CANCELLATION house in Patong, minimum 2 line, in Nai Harn area. Please Contact Khun Chuat LOCKUP STORAGE Virtually new, (6 months old) bedrooms, parking for one car. email photos or call. Tel: 06- 01-4083800, 076-325391 Individual storage units 2-bedroom apartment over- We rent on a one-year con- 2677236. Email: wes@ from 4 cubic meters, well looking Patong Bay. European tract – have stayed in Patong 1stchoiceecommerce.com ventilated, 24hr security, kitchen, air conditioning, fully for 9 years. Tel: 076-296563, sensor flood- lights. Please furnished, UBC/ADSL option, 09-871564. Email: termalou UP TO 10,000 BAHT SPAS R US call for more info. Tel: 01- private and quiet. Available @loxinfo.co.th Looking for accommodation Steam room sauna and ac- 0825707. by day, 1,200 baht; a month at a Phuket Beach with ocean cessories, and portable hot or longer from 19,000 baht. HOUSE IN RAWAI view. Can pay up to 10,000 tubs from USA. Quality Tel: 01-0854514. Email: Looking to rent a house in baht per month. Email: equipment, designed and in- [email protected] For Rawai. Two or three bed- [email protected] stalled for your needs. Busi- NEW more information, please see rooms, kitchen, bathroom, ness and residential. Califor- RELOCATABLES our website at: www. etc. Long-term lease pre- Building nia Spa Design. Tel: 076- Fully insulated, aircon. For holidaysinphuket.com ferred with rental price of 263269, 09-1950610. sale: 160,000 baht. Tel: around 10,000 baht per Services 076-281283. Please see QUIET APT – PATONG month. Looking to rent from our website at hillside. Fully furnished. Large 1 mid-May onward. I am cur- www.safewayPhuket.com bedroom apartment with rently in Phuket. Email: Household kitchen and balcony. Swimming [email protected] The Stone Doctor Items pool and car parking. Satellite Specialist European stone care Property TV and DVD. Daily from 500 HOUSE@30-40,000 products and services: MICROWAVE OVEN Services baht. Monthly from 10,000 baht/month. wanted for long- • Restoration SAFEWAY baht. Tel: 076-296621, 01- term rent from August/Sep- • Sealing/Finishing Samsung microwave mode 9785501. Fax: 076-344689. tember 2005. Need 2 or 3 • Maintenance • Secure self-storage lM1817N. Specifications: All your maintenance, protection & RENTAL SERVICE & Email: [email protected] bedrooms with covered car- cleaning needs for natural and • Site office sale/rental - Power source: 230V-50HZ home care. Siam Home Care For further details, please see port. Boat Lagoon, Dulwich manufactured stone. • On-site container rental - Power consumption: 1250W can find you a tenant (long our website at: www.phuket- • Marble • Sandwash School, Heroines’ Monument, • Granite • Terracotta • Relocatable buildings - Output power: 100 W/ term) and look after your prop- patong.com Kathu areas preferred. Pls • Slate • Terrazzo 850W erty at reasonable rates. Every- • Sandstone • Ceramics, etc Please contact for more info. contact by email. Email: Tel: 076-281283, 01-125- - Operation frequency: 2450 thing from tenant vetting, rent [email protected] Prevent: rust, stains, mildew, algae, HOTEL PROMOTION scratches 1873 or see our website at: MHz and utility payments to maid, Low season, long stay. Spa Remove: builders’ residue, incorrect pool, garden service, etc. Tel: sealants, rust, stains, mildew, etc www.safewayphuket.com - Volume: 23 liters & pool, many facilities, APARTMENT Daily care & cleaning products also 076-2814 83-4. Email: ser- beachfront, only 17,500 Looking to rent apartment available - Weight: approx 13.5kg. vice@ siamhomecare.com baht/month. Please call for with ADSL, located in or Tel: 07-2824930, 076-271217 Do Not Drink Price: 1,500 baht. For more For more information, please details, Tel: 076-345518, around Phuket City or Kathu. Fax: 076-271218 info. Tel: 09-2913641. Email: see our website at: www. Email: [email protected] Tap Water! 01-8920038. Email: [email protected] [email protected] siamhomecare.com

Bangkok Get your Phuket Gazette from these outlets in the capital: Don Muang Airport Tel. 02-5731120 Se-Ed, Mahboonkrong Building, zone B, Phayathai Rd, Pathumwan Tel. 02-6117165 Se-Ed, Silom Complex, 4th floor, Silom Rd, Bangrak Tel. 02-2313244 Se-Ed, Silom Center, Rama 1 Rd, Pathumwan Tel. 02-6581153 Se-Ed, Panthip Plaza, M-floor, Petchaburi Rd, Rajathewee Tel. 02-6566070 Se-Ed, Fortune Town Building, Ratchadapisek Rd, Huaykwang Tel. 02-2485668 Se-Ed, Central Rama 3, Satupradit Rd, Yannawa Tel. 02-6736342 Q Mart, Grand Hotel, Sukhumvit Rd, Soi 11, Klongtoey Tel. 02-6511200 ext. 3452 C Mart, Centre Point, Petchaburi Rd, Soi 15, Rajathewee Tel. 02-6536690-8 ext. 4030 Duangkamol, Sukhumvit Rd, Klongtoey Tel. 02-2526261 May 7 - 13, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 31 Boats & Marine

FOR SALE: MARINE SALVAGE FIBERGLASS Anchor recovery/setting, lo- BOAT HULL AND cation surveys/consultation, ACCESSORIES hull inspections. Please call dive specialists Angus (01- 5365840) or Paul (01-743- 3200) for more information.

10HP YAMAHA Looking for a 10hp Yamaha outboard engine in excellent condition. Please contact with full details. Tel: 06-9401860. 7.5-meter by 2.5-meter Email: [email protected]. SOLAS-approved lifeboat th hull, complete with many ac- cessories listed below. This DINGHY FOR SALE hull is an unfinished project One year old, 4 meters long, and would make an excellent fiberglass bottom. New price fishing or pleasure boat. The is more than 200,000 baht. Ur- 15HP YAMAHA + SEADOO JETBOAT SECONDHAND 31FT FOUNTAIN hull is secured in a heavy gent sale at only 100,000 baht. dinghy. 10-foot polyester din- 2 x 115hp, 1996, 15 feet, 5 Lasers. Very good condition, sport fisher. steel angle frame which Please contact for more infor- ghy + nearly new 15hp pax. New canvas; needs a new sheets, etc. Come with - Fully Thai flagged could be used to fabricate a mation. Tel: 076-243089, 04- Yamaha outboard. One year little attention (carb and trailer all accessories plus additional - 2 x Mercury 225hp out- boat trailer on completion. All 0580815. Fax: 076-243089. old, has run about 100 hours. need fixing). Very fast, fun storm sail, and life jackets and boards accessories listed below are Price together: 39,000 baht, boat. Have spares worth trailer if required. Many extra Email: boat_phuket@yahoo. - 210 US-gallon fuel capacity new and fabricated from com including fuel tank, etc. Tel: 07- approx 20,000 baht. Will sell bits and pieces. Great for be- high-grade stainless steel, 8919620. Email: catnoina@ altogether for 649,000 baht, ginners and expert sailors - 16 US gallon water capacity yahoo.de or without spares and trailer alike, and super for getting to - Lees fighting chair (not in- apart from items (stated) 27FT BAYLINER fabricated in other materials. for 599,000 baht. Located at all the islands around Phuket. cluded in the price) Large stainless-steel fuel and for sale. Sunbridge Bayliner Boat Lagoon Marina, house Asking 50,000 baht for one 2755, full deck cabin 20FT BAYLINER - Outrigger, Penn down-rigger water tanks complete with Made in America: 1996 23/76. Pls contact for more and 60,000 baht for the - Integrated live bait well & fish cruiser. New Mercruiser information. Tel: 01-2734000. brackets; two (2) single- Bayliner 2052 Anniversary other. If you are interested, box blade rudders, one spare in V8(250 HP). Very well main- Email: [email protected] please contact for more infor- tained. Can take up to 12 Edition fiberglass speedboat - New canvas top normal steel, one stainless with 5.7-liter V8 Mercruiser. mation by email or call during people, sleeps 5. Perfect to New paint & stripes. New all- steel complete with brack- Includes trailer, Bimini sun SPEEDBOAT 4 SALE the evenings to arrange a time discover the region. Can be weather enclosure. Tel: 09- ets; engine foundations; one- top, complete zippered can- 28ft, twin engines, good con- to see them. Tel: 07-897- meter-long bowspit com- seen at Yacht Haven (dock dition. 350,000 baht. Tel: 01- 9987. Email: frasergow@ 8126515. Fax: 02-6758439. A). Price: 1.5 million baht. vas rain top, Raytheon depth plete with anchor roller and 5358555. hotmail.com Email: [email protected] Please contact for more in- and fish finder, West Marine securing brackets; two ma- VHS 2-way marine radio, Ital- rine-ply rolling chocks and formation. Tel: 01-979- 9307. Email: michelburon@ ian racing wheel and custom two spares complete with hotmail.com fit canvas storage cover. stainless-steel brackets; This very fast boat is in excel- short, light mast for cabin DIVE BOAT WANTED lent condition with the engine top; boarding ladder; railing dyno checked @ 4,500rpm. stanchions with securing Pimalai Divers requires a 20m(+) dive boat to operate Price: 1.5 million baht. Please brackets and rope ferrels for contact for more information. perimeter of hull. Hull is com- on long-term contract, start- ing November 1. Boat to be Tel: 09-0794043. Email: plete with importation pa- [email protected] pers and is presently lying in based at our jetty, Pimalai Re- Kamala; buyer to arrange sort & Spa, Koh Lanta. For transportation. Price: further details, please call KAYAK 120,000 baht. Please call for David Giles at Tel: 075-607- Used one-person Kayak details. Tel: 076-279543, 920 or 06-2832426 or con- wanted – red if possible. Tel: 076-385531, 06-2803791. tact by email at: diving@ 076-383080, 06-9401860. pimalai.com Email: [email protected] 32 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS May 7 - 13, 2005 Island Job Mart

MEDIA SALES REPS THAI COOK WANTED wanted. Good basic salary+ INT’L SCHOOL Thai restaurant opening soon commissions. Thai nationals TEACHERS in Singapore needs a hotel- only. Excellent spoken Eng- Looking for experienced experienced cook (male lish essential. Please contact native-English speaking only). Please call for more in- for more information. Tel: 02- teachers qualified to formation. Tel: 01-7615711. 6556070, 01-5357944. teach primary and/or Fax: 02-6556070. To apply lower-secondary interna- CRUISE DIRECTOR email resumé to: terry@ tional curriculum for Sep- Cruise Director wanted for csloxinfo.com tember 2005. Horizons Phinisi Charter operation. Learning Centre is a Good customer relations and HOUSEKEEPER small, high-caliber En- English language skills. Ap- for Patong area. Live-in pre- glish-medium schooling ply by above email. Email: OFFICE ferred. Good English, good venture in Phuket. Please [email protected] administrator. The Asia Cen- cook of Thai/farang food, send CV, salary expecta- ter Foundation requires an pleasant nature, good stan- tions and cover letter by SAILING SKIPPER Office Administrator with dards of cleaning. Good email, stating interest in required. Kia Ora Catamaran good organizing and admin- salary+conditions. Tel: 01- teaching in a student- Charters, located in Koh istrative skills. English and 7473000. Email: admin@ centered, progressive, Samui, requires an experi- Thai-langauage ability a thaiservers.com inquiry-based learning en- enced skipper to operate our must. Position available im- vironment. All inquiries 52-foot day-charter sailing mediately. Please contact LAW FIRM will be treated in strictest catamaran. Please contact Roelien for more information. Looking for paralegal & Thai confidence. Please con- for more information. Tel: Tel: 076-321235, 01-895- lawyer. Pls email resumé to: tact for more information. 077-425264. Email: mark@ 7016. Fax: 076-321235. [email protected] Tel: 076-238 756, 01- kiaorathailand.com please Email: [email protected] 8942560. Fax: 076-325- see our website at: www. ICECREAM SHOP 403. Email: pamela@ kiaorathailand.com greenhouse-phuket.com HOTEL MANAGER is looking to employ a good- Small hotel with bar and res- looking young Thai woman SALES taurant looking for experi- with spoken English. Please Development Manager. Your enced Thai lady fluent in En- call for more information. Tel: MANAGER core tasks are to improve glish. Excellent opportunity 06-9928026. nightclub. Female only, 30 conversion rates of sales and for the right person. With years or over. 5-star venue in repeat customers. Salary + experience only, please. EXPERIENCED STAFF Patong seeks self-motivated, strong commission incen- Please call for more informa- wanted for property develop- English-speaking, stylish tives. Come work for a tion at Tel: 076-340464, ment company in Phuket. woman with Phuket knowl- smart, reputable company. 07-8871733, or email: For more information check: edge. Please contact Peter Tel: 076-236616, 01-895- whharris042004@hotmail. www.immobilienplus.com/ for more information. Tel: 2206. Email: siamuk@ com jobs 07-0170135. loxinfo.co.th Looking for a job? Still haven’t found the perfect candidate? Find more Recruitment Classifieds at www.phuketgazette.net! May 7 - 13, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 33 Island Job Mart

Employment Wanted

INTERNET EXPERT I am looking for suitable work in Phuket. I have my own Web server with un- limited space, etc. I also have an easy-to-use e- commerce shopping cart BURASARI JOB VACANCIES package. I would be inter- Restaurant Manager. Bura- Krabi La Playa Resort is now ested in working for a sari Resort in Patong requires recruiting for the following company that would ben- a dynamic restaurant man- positions: efit from my expertise and ager. Ideal candidate will - Reservations Manager resources. Please contact have an outgoing personality, by email at: mkewer@ - Restaurant Manager proven experience in top- coastlineweb.net class hotels, knowledge of - Personnel Manager wine and strong leadership - Sales Executives. abilities. Excellent English- A minimum of 3 years’ expe- DRIVER language skills and the abil- rience in the hotel field is re- I am 28 years old, male, from ity to use a computer are also quired. Tel: 075-637500, Trang Town. I can speak a required. Please contact Ext 01-8812317. Fax: 075- little English. Now working #669 for further details and 695497. Email: worasuda@ with diving company in Phu- to apply. Tel: 076-292929. krabilaplaya.com For further ket. I am looking for a new Fax: 076-294451. Email: details, pls see our website job from May 1, 2005. Tel: [email protected] at: www.krabilaplaya.com 05-0680190.

SALES & MARKETING RECEPTIONIST/ PROPERTY RENTALS assistant. We are looking for Assistant. International law Manager. Siam Home Care 25% Discount on Classifieds for Shopper Card Holders a female w/at least 3 years' office in Phuket seeks active, requires self-starting, moti- experience, good English hardworking individual: Thai vated Thai manager to run and strong presentation female, 18-30 years old, successful rentals division. IF YOU... skills. Salary 20-25,000 baht bachelor’s degree or experi- Must have good spoken and per month. Pls contact for ence, good English, good written English and have car. Place your ad in these pages; more information. Tel: 076- computer skills, willing to Only ambitious people should 263737, 01-5354108. Fax: take responsibility and work apply. Tel: 076-288908. Present your Shopper Card; and 076-224113 or contact by under pressure, service- Email: info@siamrealestate. email for further details and minded. Tel: 06-5556602. com For further details, Pay for the ad at our offices, to apply at: recruitment@ Email: cv_staffs@hotmail. please see our website at: bowentraining.com com www.siamhomecare.com you’ll enjoy a 25% discount* AND have your ad appear free of charge in the Phuket Gazette Online. ASK KHUN WANIDA! MOMMA DUCK With more than 10,000 visitors a day, the Island Trader Online is Thailand’s most active classified marketplace. Problems with an extra-marital affair? Questions about Thai culture? *Ads may be submitted in person or online (phuketgazette.net/classifieds), but Having communications problems? must be paid for at the Gazette offices. The discount is not available when Need somebody to Love? payment is made at our agents.

Read her advice in the Phuket Gazette. The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd 367/2 Yaowarat Road, Phuket City Fax 076-213971 or email [email protected] Tel: 076-236555 Fax: 076-213971 34 PHUKET GAZETTE CLASSIFIEDS May 7 - 13, 2005 Tout, Trader & TrumpetTout, trader

Articles Bulletins SHELL COMPANY Charity Personal for Sale Phuket Villa Services. No Services trading history, zero liability: 220,000 baht. EXPAT MOVING Tel: 01-6060200 THAI COURSES SALE www.PhuketVillaServices.com By person with experience Moving to Singapore. Need in teaching Thai. For more to sell before May 13: TV & RESTAURANT/BAR/ info please contact. Tel: cabinet: Sony Trinitron 20" rooms. Lease for 5 years, 1.3 06-2602179. Email: in good condition: 5,000 million baht. Good location mikeroper2003@hotmail. baht. Magic Chef 1,000- 100m from the beach. In- com watt microwave, does ev- cludes 3 rooms plus 1 for erything: 2,000 baht. Lo- staff. Restaurant/bar has 46 cated at Mai Khao village, UNISEX MASSAGE seats. Fully furnished and fit- Just north of Chalong circle, next to airport. Call David at ted out with TV, aircon, etc. Tel: 09-5867530. inside quiet, beautiful bou- Rent at 35,000 baht per SONY PLAYSTATION 2 tique resort with pool, sauna, month. Tel: 04-8448381. Clubs & Sony Playstation 2 “Small”, in- bar/food. Open 3 pm. Pls con- MOUNTAIN BIKE Email: garyone1@hotmail. cluding remote, chip, memory, tact for more info. Tel: 09- com Organizations I am moving to Singapore and 2 dual controllers, stand and 5943209. Email: olebay_th need to sell my mountain bike 20 games. It comes in perfect @yahoo.co.uk before May 13: Challenger, BAR FOR SALE GOLF MEMBERSHIPS shape and was bought for 21-speed, CR-MO, good con- Large, successful, estab- Banyan Tree and Loch Palm 18,000 baht just 3 months ART CLASS dition, brand new Shimano Business lished bar in soi off Soi Bangla memberships available for ago. Best offer over 12,000 for kids. Drawing, painting, gear set, great bike, 26", rid- for sale. Pool table, sound sys- 300,000 baht plus transfer. baht gets it. Pls contact for water coloring, etc. 20 hrs. den by farang, new helmet Opportunities tem plus all fittings. Please call Please contact for more infor- more information. Tel: 06-274- Monday-Friday from 10am- and tools. 6,000 baht - great Tel: 06-2832285 for more mation. Tel: 06-2772691. 9915. Email: erwintrepka midday at Central. Please call deal. Located at Mai Khao vil- BAR FOR SALE information. @yahoo.it for more information. Tel: 01- lage, next to airport. David 09- Patong. Entertainment, Thai Computers 8918689. 5867530. company, work permit. KATA CENTER EPSON USB FLATBED Please see our website at: Siam Silk & Work of Art. For scanner. Epson Perfection AMPLIFIER www.homebarphuket.com sale; urgent. 3 rooms and COMPUTERS TM660: one-touch copying, Personals stock: 740,000 baht. Please with 2 extra speakers, TDK New or used. Repairs. photocopy function, USB port, call. Tel: 01-9798540. original from Europe. 3,500 RESTAURANT/BAR WLAN, GPRS ADSL 1 600 DPI+ 48 bit. Original baht with adapter. Would like for rent. At tsunami-safe Internet. No phone, no prob- box, 3 months old, used only WANT SOME to sell ASAP. Tel: 09-730- Surin Beach: 15,000 baht/ BUSINESS FOR SALE lem. English computerman. once. New price: 2,500 baht. ENCOURAGEMENT? 2656. Email: ginger_dave78 month. Tel: 01-4151647. in Kata Plaza. Options No.1 Please call Tel: 09-4735080. Will sell for 1,999 baht. Pls Would you like a free @yahoo.de Email: [email protected] Internet café, with flat contact for more information. weekly or daily email that screens and ADSL+ USB; EXPAT MOVING Tel: 01-8924282. Email: will give you encourage- motorbike & chopper rental [email protected] YAMAHA DRUM KIT RESTAURANT/BAR sale. Moving to Singapore. ment or inspiration? Send a Yamaha DTXpressII electric sale. Kamala, main road. tour counter with high turn- blank email to us to sub- over. Price: 750,000 baht. Pls Need to sell before May 13: drum kit plus bass pedal, stool Aircon, 40 seats, well-estab- Computer: Inter 2.5GHz, scribe, or visit our website and 70-watt amp. Excellent lished walk in. Take over: call for more information. Tel: Miscellaneous for more information. 04-8374429. Pentium 4 CPU, 512 RAM, for practice, teaching, and 6,000 baht/month; 900,000 60GB hard drive, CD-R 32 x, for Sale Email: subscribe@thoug professional playing. 45,000 baht for sale. Call after 4 pm. CD-RW 24x10x40, USB htforweek.net For more baht. Tel: 01-8957727. Email: Tel: 076-385940. HOTEL FOR LEASE ports, Firewire port, full multi- info, see my website at: [email protected] Consistent income all year. media capability; 1 Epson Sty- ThoughtForWeek.net Easy to manage. Tel: 01- DAY TRIP TO KATA SHOP lus 660 color printer; speak- RANONG RESTAURANT 8922824. Email: junaworn bargain. Central, next to Little ers; Robotics modem (exter- New double-decker tour bus furniture. 12 tables and 48 @hotmail.com For further BACKGAMMON Star restaurant. Shop and nal); UPS backup; computer (not minibus), non-smoking chairs with white linen. Al- details, please see our web- Retired businessman looking upper floors ready to move stand and extras. Take all for and smoking areas, toilet, most brand new. Cost 62,000 site at: www.kohjoy.com/ for backgammon players on into without delay; all perfect 15,000 baht. Located at Mai films/music, snacks and baht. For quick sale at very building Phuket Island. Please call if in- state. Rent 20,000 baht a Khao village, next to airport. drinks, on-board buffet lunch. good price! Tel: 01-0798777. terested. Tel: 076-386113, month, no key money. 2 Call David. Tel: 09-5867530. No extra to pay, fully inclu- Email: micke_wallin@yahoo. 01-5778443. months’ deposit. Tel: 06-690- Business sive. Only 1,300 baht. Every se 2532, 01-3708074. FRUSTRATED PC Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sunday. ROMANCE Products & users. 9 out of 10 computers Tel: 04-7457024. BBQ FOR SALE TOUR COMPANY Services are infested with viruses or I am 52, physically fit, and Oil drum barbecue. Cost for sale. Established city tour spyware. If your computer is traveling to Phuket early next 3,500 baht and used only company. Good prospect for frustratingly slow to start, month. Seeking to meet an once. 2,000 baht. Please overseas market. Ideal for CARPENTER you are losing programs or INT'L DRIVERS attractive and sincere Thai email: jazzybyname@hotmail. foreigners wanting to work Boat or home furniture by your net browser does what LICENSE woman 25 to 33 years old. com and stay in Phuket. Email: special order, roofs and floors it wants to do, your machine 5,000 baht, valid up to 10 Please email with a picture. [email protected] and shop decorations in wood. is almost certainly infected. I years, 6,000 baht valid up Email: [email protected] LEFT-HAND CLUBS Reasonable prices for high- can clean it of all viruses/ to 20 years. Sole agent in Full set of graphite left-hand TSUNAMI RESORT quality work. Please contact spyware and protect it from Thailand. Free pick up & de- FEMALE FOR FUN golf clubs plus extra driver, Active investor/partner for more information. Tel: further infection. Personal or livery, open 365 days a on Phi Phi. Looking for a fe- steel lob wedge, ball retriever sought for redevelopment of 076-243089, 04-0580815. corporate inquiries welcome. year. Please contact male companion, romance, and bag. 17,000 baht. Tel: eco-resort on Phra Thong Is- Fax: 076-243089. Email: Tel: 06-2770596. Email: Khun Christine for more in- friendship, just to have a few 076-333244, 09-9091917. land in Phang Nga. Site is a [email protected] [email protected]. formation. Tel: 04-006- days of fun on Phi Phi Island Email: [email protected]. world-class setting, with uk 8736. with me, around June 6. Pls co.th two beautiful beaches, abun- PARTY TIME send photo and more about dant wildlife, years of suc- Let us cater your next party at POCKET PC HP you. Email: timesreporter@ VISA SERVICE tscnet.com BABY COCKATOOS cessful operation based on a our boutique resort; bar, pool, HX4700. Top-of-the line Apply for visas to India, Electus parrots, sun, conures love of nature. Email: simi@ snooker table. Live music Pocket PC, as new! Stunning Myanmar, Vietnam, China, and many more birds for sale losthorizonsasia.com available. Please contact for 4" Transflective VGA. TFT USA MAN SEEKS Indonesia, etc. We also do at Phuket Bird Paradise. Please more info. Tel: 09-5943209. color display, landscape and Thai lady. Businessman is trav- Visa Runs. Tel: 06-6822969. call for more information. Tel: TOUR COMPANY Email: olebay_th @yahoo. portrait display modes. Intel eling to Phuket in May and is Email: [email protected] 01-5979255. for sale. Incl Toyota Com- co.uk PXA270 processor, 624 seeking to meet a Thai lady for muter, high roof, yellow, MHz. Integrated touchpad romance and companionship. Please email with details and 3-DOOR FRIDGE luxury interior; contract with HEALTH & ACCIDENT navigation with mouse-like Mobile Phones Refrigerator, about 180cm x many agents. For more info, card. Over 300 hospitals in cursor. Call for more details. a picture. Email: lmbrjack60@ 200cm x 70cm. About 3.5 call Steve. Tel: 06-6821310. Thailand accept this card. In- New price: 27,000 baht; will yahoo.com years old, in good condition. ternational company. For sell for 17,500, with box, all TELEPHONE Good for restaurant or shop. PRIME RETAIL more info, please contact K. documentation and warranty for sale. Phone for sale; Nanai Gazette Classads – Only 9,500 baht. Pls call for Highest traffic, best exposure Smith. Tel: 06-6822969. for 8 months. Tel: 076-264- Rd, in Patong. Please contact more information. Tel: 01- on the island. Tel: 01-892- Email: smith@taurus-travel. 556, 01-8921097. Email: for more information. Tel: 01- 10,000 readers a day! 6912881. 0528. com [email protected] 3971808. May 7 - 13, 2005 CLASSIFIEDS PHUKET GAZETTE 35 Wheels & Motors

1998 MIRA TOYOTA SPORT HONDA SONIC Saloon Cars Good, cheap run-around. Runs Cruiser. 4-door, 4WD, 3.0 ltr, Blue, 2 years old, no scratches. Rentals Wanted well and has new aircon. Re- Commonrail, turbo diesel. Lady owner. Never been in a cent registration. 95,000 2003 model, 42,000km. shop for repairs. Still in good HONDA DREAM baht. Tel: 076-386040, 01- - beige metallic color running condition. Pls call me for CAR FOR RENT wanted. Good condition, not 2731740. Fax: 076-386043. - alarm system bike presentation. Tel: 01- Daihatsu Mira, good condi- more than 4 years old. Please Email: [email protected] 5390696. Email: leareyes@ - automatic tion, easy to drive and eco- contact with full details. Tel: hotmail.com nomical, insurance. Only 01-8934661. Email: valiant 1996 ISUZU - Carryboy 9,900 baht/month. Tel: 01- @loxinfo.co.th Wanderer. Excellent family - radio/casette KAWASAKI 5371050. car. Well-maintained on a - dark windows (3M) 11,000 baht. Kawasaki SUV AUTOMATIC regular basis by Isuzu dealer- - Complete underseal Cheer, 112cc, but with dif- wanted. Looking for a used ship. 67,000 original kilome- - leather interior ferent paintwork and stickers LOW PRICE SUV with automatic trans- ters. Tires have a few thou- so looks a lot better. Electric mission, no serious accidents. - serviced by Toyota Pearl Low rates for long-term sand kilometers on them. 2nd starter, good condition. rent. Many types of new Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota, - Toyota warranty; 3 years/ Phuket’s Most Trusted & farang owner. Light green Couple of years old but drives car, with CD player, insur- Honda, Cherokee, Kia, Ford – 100,000km Reputable Supplier of the Finest with a black “roo bar”. Icy cold exactly the same as when I ance and good mainte- any brand. Car should not be Quality Used SALOONS, air conditioning! Halogen head- - insured till November 2005 brought it. Tel: 09-7305591. nance. Tel: 05-8833470. older than 8 years but must be SEDANS, JEEPS & PICKUPS lamps. 325,000 baht or best - insurance discount of 50% Email: [email protected] in good condition. Email: offer. Now being used as a [email protected] New cars or trade-ins – - tax paid till November 2005 second car and no longer HONDA STEED 600cc Please send detailed descrip- we have what you’re Price: 720,000 baht. Tel: 01- needed. Late afternoons are Black. Good condition, with A1 CAR RENT tion with pictures. looking for 3707893. Email: info@ best. Tel: 07-8946697. new chrome. 100,000km. Cars, trucks, jeep, 7-seat For more info pls call us at sakura-investment.com 120,000 baht, negotiable. Bike minibus for rent; fully-in- JRD TORNADO Tel: 076-224632, 216243 MITSUBISHI EVO is in Phuket Bike Art shop (past sured. 12,000-30,000 baht/ www.suremotor.com TOYOTA SPORTRIDER wanted. I am looking to buy a Modified 98 Lancer. Evolution Lotus going towards Phuket month; special long-term 2002. 117,000km, 4WD, JRD Tornado or Kawasaki 3 engine, 1 year old. 17" City). Tel: 07-8946438, 09- rates. Tel: 09-8314703. looks and drives like new. Boss, or other similar. Must be steel-lined street racing tires 4742962. Email: simoncree@ 850,000 baht. Please con- in good condition, and have low with special Y shaped rims. 4 hotmail.com NISSAN SUNNY tact for more details. Tel: 07- mileage and a history of regu- blue neons under car, 3 engine JEEP CHEROKEE lar service. Tel: 07-9752326. Good engine, body has 2719414. Email: pritchah@ gauges, new dashboard. Evo- 4.0L, auto, CD, 1st-class in- Email: info@smarthomes- rust. 25,000 baht. Tel: 01- hotmail.com lution 4 modified body, good Vans surance. For rent: 25,000 thailand.com 4775306. Contact for quality sound system. Asking baht/month or 9,000 baht/ more information. Email: price is 450,000 baht. Tel: 07- week. Call for more details. YAMAHA NOUVO patriklambert@hotmail. Motorbikes 1530431. Email: frankcyberr MINIBUS FOR SALE Tel: 01-3430777. I want to buy a used Yamaha com @hotmail.com Minibus for sale, year 1994. Nouvo motorbike. Call or HONDA SMILE Nissan Urvan, gray with email me. Tel: 05-1353660. KIA SPORTAGE CD player, price 270,000 CAR FOR RENT Email: surf_phuket@yahoo. Pickups 110cc 10,000 baht. For baht. Tel: 01-6078567. com FOR SALE more info. Tel: 01-4775306. 9,000B/MONTH Suzuki, Honda, Nissan; from Very clean and runs well. Only CHEVY TRUCK Email: patriklambert@ 2 foreign owners, well main- 9,000 baht to 12,000 baht. 4-door. 20,000km, new tires hotmail.com VOLKSWAGEN VAN Others tained and serviced by agent. Email: lovephuket2000@ and wheels. Many extras: 7 seats, 1992, good condition, New wheels/tires, speakers yahoo.com 720,000 baht or best offer. 1st-class insurance to Septem- and battery. Radio/cassette/ HONDA WAVE 125S GOLF CART Please contact Khun Ben. ber. 350,000 baht. Please MP3 connection. 360,000 Honda Wave for sale by pri- Secondhand gas powered golf Tel: 07-8821963. Email: contact for more detail. Tel: CAR FOR RENT baht. Tel: 09-8731517. vate owner. 2004 deluxe 076-288184, 01-5372128. cart for sale, asking price [email protected] model, disc brakes, electric Daihatsu Mira, good condition, 25,000 baht or best offer, Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]. easy to drive and economical, starter, 1,500km, blue/black, co.th email me for photos or call for MITSUBISHI STRADA only 32,000 baht. Email: insurance. Only 9,900 baht/ a test drive. Tel: 06-898- FORD LASER GLXI Cab. 5 years old. Mint condi- [email protected] DAIHATSU MIRA month. Please call for more 5667. Email: kryptonite_hk@ 1600cc. Automatic, silver- tion. Foreign owned and van. Year 1998, white, good information. Tel: 01-5371050. hotmail.com grey, year 2000. First owner, driven. 2,800cc. Carryboy. JRD TORNADO condition, 130,000 baht. superb condition. As new! 114,000km. 320,000 baht. shopper. JRD Tornado, built Please contact for more in- Only 63,000km, with mainte- Find more Wheels & Motors classifieds ads at Quick sale. Please contact for 2004, 150cc, original formation. Tel: 01-8944987, www.phuketgazette.net! nance book. Price new: more info. Tel: 01-8926766. 1,600km, like new. Side 01-8944584. 850,000 baht, now only Email: manuphuket@hotmail. boxes and additional front 395,000 baht. Contact Khun com lights included. Price new: Jum or Mr Eddy. Tel: 076- 60,000 baht. Now available Wheels & Motors 249093, 06-9412625. at 47,500 baht. Tel: 01-892- Email: [email protected] 4 x 4s 4282. Email: taxiregio@ Advertisements freenet.de VOLVO 440 AUTO 1997, metallic silver, mags, SUZUKI CARIBIAN Please use this form to write your classified advertisement. 170,000km. Price: 280,000 HONDA CB1300 SJ 413, soft top, blue, motorbike. Red, bought new Then hand it to any of our agents. baht, or 85,000 down pay- 54,000 km: 190,000 baht. ment and 4,500 baht/month. in Nov 04, only run 1,400km. Also have Honda Wave Fitted with carbon blueflame |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| (heading) Perfect condition. Tel: 076- 125cc, electric starter, disc 248626, 01-0808557. Fax: exhaust and mushroom en- brakes, 5,000km: 29,000 gine protectors. Complete 076-248626. Email: admin@ baht. Tel: 07-2790572. |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| phuketdeafeagle.com with full Honda workshop manual, spare original ex- HONDA CIVIC 2004 haust and brake pads. Full |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| Honda Civic 1.7L. Titanium TOYOTA SPORTRIDER documentation. 385,000 gold/silver color. Electric mir- 1½ years old, 10-pack Sony baht. Tel: 01-9264210. rors/windows, CD/radio, auto- CD player, big tires. Price: Email: nigelcrofts@yours. |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| matic gears. Only 9,000km, 890,000 baht. Call for more com as new. Insurance ’til end Au- details. Tel: 01-8928208. gust. 200,000 baht down + HONDA MONKEY BIKE 39 monthly installments of Red, runs well, new tires. No pa- |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| 11,700 baht. Tel: 09-649- JEEP CHEROKEE 1997 pers or number, hence 7,500 baht ono. Tel: 09-253358. 3672. Email: suay666@ Excellent condition, 4WD, Email: [email protected] yahoo.com manual transmission, |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| 350,000 baht for fast sale. 1993 OPEL KADETTE Tel: 076-288287, 04- NEW WAVE 125R GLS. Light-blue exterior, gray 0529034. New Honda Wave125R, Classified ads are charged per line. Each line is 80 baht, interior. 4 doors, 5-speed, 600km, electric starter, disc with a minimum of 4 lines (heading included) per ad. aircon, power windows, CD brakes. Black and yellow. Full player. 145,000 baht obo. Need wheels? warranty. 34,000 baht. Tel: All advertising must be paid for in advance. Tel: 04-8429640. Email: www.phuketgazette.net 01-8950612. Email: travisns Deadline for Wheels & Motors page: Saturday 12 noon. [email protected] @yahoo.com 36 PHUKET GAZETTE May 7 - 13, 2005

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