Phuket Cobra and DSI

At 9:45 pm on August 29^th  the call went out for help from Somneuk Pramod , 57, assistant to the village head, that a king cobra had been spotted in a tree overhanging a worker camp in the village, in the Baan Chalong area. The Kusondharm volunteers, arriving at the scene, tried to catch the snake, but it crawled up to the top of a tree. In the dark it was hard to see the snake, much less catch it. The villagers, it was reported, were “freaked out” and worried that the snake might slide down the tree in the wee hours and attack them. They refused to let the volunteers go until the snake was dealt with. The decision was then made to shoot the snake. Almost three hours later a marksman managed to hit it and the cobra fell lifeless from the tree The villagers were reported to be happy and very relieved.

DSI at Phuket

he Department of Special Investigation hit a new level of flamboyance last week. A team led by DSI chief Tarit Pengdith landed at Phuket airport, lined up the notoriously unfriendly taxi drivers for inspection, and began issuing summonses for illegal activities. Mr Tarit then held a press conference, in which he named 11 prominent Phuket businessmen and groups, frequently and pointedly using that well-known code word "influential".

Those on the list were not accustomed to or pleased with being the subject of such attention on their turf. Some summoned their lawyers and threatened lawsuits.

The DSI was trying to show it had drawn a line in the white sand of Phuket's famous beaches. It clearly hopes to shut down the increasingly notorious mistreatment of visitors to Phuket. Because the word is most definitely out, and spreading worldwide: Phuket rips off, abuses, hurts, beats up, robs and generally turns up its collective nose at millions of tourists.

The DSI hopes to shut all that down, and return Phuket to the attitude of the rest of Thailand _ that visitors are not just welcome, but deserve to be safe.

The responses of the named tourist operators to the DSI's aggressive approach are depressing. One insisted that he paid rent every month, that he has done everything by the book, and that he always "talks with officials". There is a missing component in this and other statements by the operators named by the DSI. That word is "tourists".

 

Go-kart event returns to Phuket at Patong

Organised by the Lions Club of Patong Beach, this is the third edition of the annual event that has attracted a large following in the local community. Some teams are regular entrants, such as those from Kata Rocks, St James Property, Phuket GOMS (Grumpy Old Mens Society) and Crissey Co. Group. Each team consists of five drivers who will each race three times during the evening. Their times will be recorded by the track’s computer timing system using a transponder on each kart. The aggregate times of the four fastest drivers in each team will be added up, and the team with lowest total time will be declared Phuket’s Lions Go-Karts Team Champions of 2013.
Last year’s winners were a team from St James Property and Chief Executive K Esa Huovila says they are keen to return to their winning ways this year for another trophy and more gold medals. There will also be awards presented to the driver recording the fastest lap time during the competition and also to the fastest lady driver. Team entry fees are B6,000, which includes a buffet supper for the drivers and their team manager. All proceeds from this event will be donated to Patong Beach Lions Club’s Eyesight Improvement Programme at three local schools. Nearly six hundred children at Baan Bang Thong School in Kathu; Baan Bang Khu School in Koh Khaew and Baan Bang Rong School in Phak Lok will have their eyes tested by the Club’s partners in this project – K T Optics. Any child found to be in need of prescription glasses will receive them free of charge. Once again the major sponsor for the event is Auto Express – the importers of luxury cars based on the Bypass Road. Other major supporters are Saraphan Plaeng, K T Optics, Julapan Stationery and Jula Place in Chalong and fellow Lions Clubs.
The organisers recently announced a new addition in the evening’s programme – Miss Go-Karts beauty competition – open to all women over 16 years of age. Entry fees are B250 and entrants can sign on at the racetrack during the evening.

 

“representatives of entrepreneurs in Taweewong, Rat-U Thit 200 Pi, and Bangla roads”

The letter alleged that the companies, Absolute Destinations and Pisona, were sending out “many foreign marketers working outdoors on motorcycles and pitching to tourists and customers on the streets, blocking traffic.” Some, the letter alleged, walked along the roadside trying to persuade tourists to go to timeshare presentations.

“They don’t have work permits and some of them are in Thailand on visas that have expired,” the letter complained. A total of 10 officials from the Kathu District Office, Phuket Immigration, Kathu Police and the Phuket Business Development Office went to the offices of Pisona, which sells timeshares at the Patong Bay Garden Resort, and Absolute, which does the same for the Absolute Sea Pearl Resort.

Jellyfish warning for Phuket waters and tourist

The DMCR announced, “Our records show no sightings or encounters this year of these jellyfish in the waters around Phuket, but just in case we have erected warning signs at 11 beaches along the west coast of the island that are most likely to be affected. “These are Nai Yang, Patong (two places), Racha Yai, Naithon, Bangtao, Surin, Kamala, Kata, Karon and Nai Harn. “It should be noted that the jellyfish might appear at other beaches.” The DMCR believes that seven species of jellyfish could pose a danger to swimmers. Of these, Tripedalia cystophora and Chiropsella are venomous but not likely to cause death. The others are four types of box jelly – Chiropsoides buitendijki, Carybdea sivickisi, Chironex sp. A and Chironex sp. B – and Morbakka fenneri, first identified five years ago, and highly venomous. “We have briefed life guards and local people on first aid for jelly fish poisoning.” The DMCR has also issued an information sheet (download here) giving first aid advice, primarily to use vinegar to neutralise the venom. Lacking vinegar, any mildly acidic liquid (lime juice, perhaps or, in extremis, urine) can be used. Phuket Police must stamp out abuse of tourists Mr Qin told The Phuket News, “I have received a report from the Thai police though I have not been able to read all the details yet. He said he could not comment on this particular case. “I have spoken with the victim already, but I will wait for the results of the police investigation. However, he added, “I have noticed that in the past couple of years there have been many cases [of this sort] in which tourists have been victims – not just Chinese – and the incidents seem to be increasing. “I would like to ask for the help of the police to suppress and reduce such crimes.” Police told The Phuket News this evening that the taxi driver involved in the alleged molesting of the tourist has denied all charges. They said he will be held in police custody until Monday (May 20), when he will appear in court.

Cricket training for Phuket's HeadStart students

About 55 children aged between 8 and 14 took part in the coaching session, part of efforts by the Phuket Cricket Group (PCG) to develop cricketing skills among young people on the island. PCG chairman Mark Ashman said children at the HeadStart session were enthusiastic and looking forward to playing children from other schools in the upcoming Sawasdee youth cricket league, which will be held at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG) on Saturday, March 2 and Saturday, March 16. The PCG has been rolling out cricket training to schools across Phuket, to develop skills for a regular junior cricket league at the ACG. Students from Kajonkiet school visited the ACG in Thaland for coaching last month, and this month the PCG coaches visited HeadStart. The Youth Academy has also been holding regular Saturday-morning coaching sessions at the ACG. Coach John King said the children at the sessions were now equipped with basic cricketing skills and the Sawasdee league would take their cricketing to the next level. The PCG Youth Academy is sponsored by Property Care Services (PCS), who have funded the purchase of cricket equipment for the schools and after-game refreshments. Muay Thai legend Yodtong Senanan dies, aged 75 Muay Thai Legend and Sityodtong founder Kru Yodtong Senanan passed away earlier today in Phuket . A revered teacher, trainer and fighter his death will be mourned all over the world. Born in Banpong Kru Yodtong had around 50 Muay Thai fights but discovered that he had an amazing aptitude for instructing others and decided to focus his efforts on teaching rather than competing hismelf. He founded the Sityodtong camp in Pattaya which is now over 50 years old and has produced famous fighters such as Samart Payakaroon, Kongtoranee Payakaroon, Nuengpichit Sityodtong, Detpitak Sityodtong, Chartchai Sityodtong, Yoddecha Sityodtong, Daotong Sityodtong and Yodsanan Sityodtong. His influence spans the globe and there are Sityodtong camps in Boston and Los Angeles while Evolve MMA in Singapore was founded by one of Kru Yodtong’s long term students, Chatri Sityodtong.

Megaparty fo New Year may move to Patong

Sydictive representatives confirmed to last night they are exploring the option of moving the event to Patong Beach, saying with 12 days to go they can no longer afford to negotiate with those at Surin Beach who oppose the event. “We would like to release official facts later on once our engineer, production designer and architect have confirmed with us everything is feasible,” a spokesperson said. The shock move came following an appointment party organisers had with two general managers of hotels in the Surin Beach are, who demanded “substantial” amounts of compensation, organisers said. One hotel, which organisers refused to name, requested B3.5 million as the “strict minimum required to ensure that some of our guests are compensated for the disturbance,” an email said. Another hotel also requested “a couple of million baht”, the organisers said. “The two hotels have almost 100 per cent occupancy – we know this only based upon the booking information they showed us in the meeting,” a Sydictive representative said. “But they have notified us that they would like us to compensate them for all the rooms and that they will be allowing their guests to stay there free of charge because of the “disturbance” that will be caused to them. “Even before our team has discussed this in detail, you can probably see from the figures that it is not a feasible proposition for us. “With 12 days to the event, we cannot afford to lose any more time to ‘negotiate’ with them any longer. “We have already had to use our limited resources on trying to accommodate and compromising to their needs. And at this point, time is simply a luxury we do not have.” The organisers of the megaparty have said in the past that they had already spent B66 million and expected the entire outlay would be B120 million. “It was a really hard decision … to make. And we would like to express our deepest and most sincere apologies to the shop owners and hotels who have supported us throughout. Of course, if they would like to come join us at Patong Beach we would be more than happy for them to [do so].” Sydictive representatives said they would be taking a 30 per cent cut of food sales by vendors, and 60 per cent of beverage sales. “The vendors will provide the food. The restaurants will provide the food that they want to (or their speciality if they would like) whereas we will provide the alcohol. As we have an official alcohol sponsor (and one that most clubs/bars use), they will be ordering through us to them at factory price, and we will have stocks on hand during the days of the event should they run out of any alcohol. “Personally, I understand that the restaurants will be quite concerned that it means that there will be a cut out of their profit. On the contrary, our proposal is only as follows for two reasons: “Number one, we are bringing in customers (as we provide the entertainment, the renovation of the venue and the safety and security). “Number two, food and beverage pricing – our menu prices will not be roadside low-end pricing. The pricing will be [set at a level] to ensure that everyone makes money and the partygoers can enjoy good food at an affordable price. “

Movie about 2004 tsunami of Phuket shuns ‘disaster’ label

But the Spanish director of The Impossible insisted that the film – which starts with a spectacular recreation of the huge wall of water crashing onto a beachfront resort – is far from a typical “disaster movie.” “Even if the film tells the story in a very direct way, the conclusions it comes to are very complex, more complex than those usual with disaster movies,” Juan Antonio Bayona said. The earthquake-triggered tsunami on December 26, 2004 killed some 230,000 people around the Indian Ocean, including large numbers of tourists caught in the resorts of Thailand. In the Spanish-financed movie, based on the real story of a Spanish family and filmed in the south of the country, McGregor and Watts play a couple on holiday with their children in Thailand, and separated when the tsunami hits. “There was something immediately symbolic in the story of this family, which caught my attention when I heard about it for the first time,” Bayona said after a November 4 screening at the American Film Institute festival in Hollywood. After the tsunami crashes ashore and separates them, the seriously injured mother finds herself with her eldest son, while the father played by McGregor manages to save the two youngest children. The movie portrays the battle for survival amid the havoc wreaked by the wave, from devastated hotels to an over-crowded hospital.

It opens with a family enjoying a luxury holiday in spectacular beach surroundings – before the wall of water hits. “When we were looking for funding, the first thing we were told was, if we were going to make the film, we had to see” the catastrophe itself, Bayona said. “In a film like this about the tsunami, you have to see the monster face to face, and plunge your camera inside it to make filmgoers really feel what it was like to be there.” The young director focused intensely on what the characters are thinking and feeling – notably the eldest son, played by Tom Holland – with techniques including unsparing close-ups and omnipresent music. “The film starts with a shock, in a more documentary style, and as it progresses it takes on a more melodramatic tone... “We want people watching to feel emotions as intensely as the characters themselves,” Bayona said. AFP

Double champion to lead field at Laguna Phuket Triathlon 2012

Newly crowned 2012 Ironman and Ironman 70.3 triathlon double world champion Leanda Cave of Britain will lead a strong line-up at the Ironman 70.3 Laguna Phuket on December 2st. The 34-year-old Cave, who won the Ironman 70.3 world championship in Las Vegas last month and the Ironman world championship in Hawaii two weeks ago, has confirmed her participation in the third Ironman 70.3 Laguna Phuket.

"She has signed up for our Ironman 70.3 just hours after becoming the world champion in Las Vegas," said Debbie Dionysius, Laguna Phuket's assistant vice president of destination marketing. Cave is expected to face a tough challenge from Phuket defending champion Melissa Hauschildt of Australia who was fourth at this year's world championship in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the 19th Laguna Phuket Triathlon will take place on Nov 25. Australia's Belinda Granger and Czech Radka Vodickova are vying to become the event's first-ever women's triple champion. Italian Massimo Cigana, the tournament's first-ever triple champion, will return to defend his title in a bid to be a four-time champion. He will face stiff opposition from elite pros such as Chris Lieto.