Medium's dream leads to discovery of ancient artifact

48 Pages·2009·8.16 MB·English

Volume 16 Issue 7 News Desk - Tel: [phone] February 14 - 20, 2009 Daily news at www.phuketgazette.net 25 Baht
Medium’s dream leads to
The Gazette is published
in association with
discovery of ancient artifact
INSIDE By Khunakorn Terdkiatkhachorn
SRISOONTORN, PHUKET:
Residents of the village of Baan
Bangjo have found, buried in a
field, the gnarled remains of what
they claim is a 200-year-old boat
made from Malabar ironwood.
But in a supernatural twist that is
sure to cause debate between
sceptics and believers, the discov-
ery came after a local medium
was told about the location of the
object in a dream – or so villag-
ers claim.
Issaraporn Summai, her
DJ Nakadia husband Suchart Phromdan and
another man, Thin Pungsorn,
Thailand’s first international
claim to have found the artifact
diva of the decks, DJ Nakadia,
on February 4 after Mrs Issa-
talks to the Gazette’s Dan
raporn had a dream the night be-
Ogunshakin.
fore in which a female spirit
See pages 10 & 11.
asked her to help lift a boat out
NEWS: Plans to save of the ground. LEFT: The remains of an ancient boat made from Malabar ironwood were uncovered by Issaraporn Summai
Thailand’s dugongs, Natu- A practising medium, Mrs (right) and her husband after she was visited in a dream by the vessel’s spirit.
ral Wonders update, Sea Issaraporn claims the spirit was Villagers claim that there more to Mr Suchart. “When I get possessed by a spirit
Gypsy festival. that of the tree from which the used to be canals in the area a “The spirit told me the boat I feel like I can’t move, and I
Pages 2 & 3 boat was carved. Malabar iron- long time ago and that the boat contained the Malabar ironwood can’t feel anything either. My
wood trees can live for 1,000 could be 200 years old. tree’s spirit as well as the spirits husband tells me that I start
INSIDE STORY: The
years and the belief that they are Not everyone who has seen of 30 military guards. She did not speaking in an old-fashioned lan-
truth behind Phuket’s HIV
inhabited by female spirits is held the object is in agreement that it want to be kept in the Thalang guage that I never learned be-
figures.
by many Thais, particularly in ru- is, in fact, a boat. Capt Bunyarit museum as she did not like the fore. After the spirit leaves me, I
Page 4
ral areas. Chaisuwan, an archaeologist at dark. She would like to stay some- always feel tired. I trust the spir-
LIFESTYLE: Looking After Mrs Issaraporn had the Fine Arts Region 15 Office where light where sunlight can its that possess me, they come to
ahead to the 4th Phuket her dream, Mr Suchart got per- in Phuket, said the object was too get through,” Mr Suchart said. help us live longer.”
Blues Rock Festival. mission from the owner of the narrow for people to sit inside and “She said that if they still Mr Suchart also claimed
Pages 16 & 17 land to try and dig for the boat, was therefore probably just a bring the boat to the museum, the that some time after the discov-
claiming that the landowner told hollowed-out tree trunk. museum will have no visitors and ery he was approached by a po-
AROUND THE ISLAND 6; him they could keep whatever Capt Bunyarit did say, how- close,” he added. lice volunteer and questioned ag-
AROUND THE NATION 7; they managed to find. ever, that if the object was a ves- Mr Suchart claimed that gressively about the remark-
AROUND THE SOUTH 8; Remarkably, the three claim sel it must have dated from the men could not touch the boat be- able find.
AROUND THE REGION 9; GOOD to have found a boat exactly Ayuttahaya period when the area cause the female spirit forbade it “He told me that I could not
LIVING 12; HAPPENINGS where Mrs Issaraporn said it was more developed, suggesting and that the boat had to be re- bring the boat home. He said it
14; INSPIRATIONS 15; would be. Local people and offi- that the villagers’ estimation of the spected. belonged to the government and
WHAT'S ON 19; BUSINESS
cials from Srisoonthorn Tambon artifact’s age could be correct. Mrs Issaporn told the Ga- it was a part of Thai heritage.
AND MONEY TALKS 20;
Administration Organization soon But Mrs Issaraporn and Mr zette she has been possessed Actually, I think the boat should
TAKE A BREAK 21 & 22;
found out, with the discovery Suchart’s extraordinary tale does many times, and works as a me- belong to the landowner. And the
LOOKING BACK 23; EDITO-
causing quite a stir in the village. not end with the discovery of the dium, helping local people using landowner already let us dig and
RIAL, LETTERS 24; FIRST
The artifact was left in the object. herbal medicine and massage. “I keep the boat,” he said.
PERSON, ISSUES AND ANSWERS
25; HOROSCOPES, MADAME ground until February 9, when it They claim that on the have been a shaman ever since I “If Srisoonthorn TAO and
MALI 26; MOTORING 27; was finally lifted out of its hole. evening of February 9, after the was 20 years old. It started while Thalang Museum do not want it,
SPORTS 28-29; PROPERTY The artifact is approximately 7 boat was lifted out of the ground, I was studying,” she said. we will keep it inside our house.
30-34; CLASSIFIED ADS meters long, 0.8 meters wide and she was possessed by the female Of her experiences of spirit Everyone can come to pay re-
35-48. 0.5 meters high. tree spirit, who then revealed possession, Mrs Issaraporn said, spect,” Mr. Suchart concluded.
2 PHUKET GAZETTE N E W S February 14 - 20, 2009
Koh Phi Phi risks disqualification from New 7 Wonders vote
KRABI: Koh Phi Phi may be sus- ity of Thailand Governor Phornsiri
pended from the New 7 Wonders Manoharn, Tourism and Sports
of Nature campaign if it does not Minister Chumphol Silpa-archa,
assemble an “Official Supporting and Tourism and Sports Ministry
Committee” (OSC) to represent Permanent Secretary Sasithara
it, according to the campaign’s or- Pichaichannarong, asking them to
ganizers. create or support the formation
The New 7 Wonders of of an OSC.
Nature campaign is searching for Tia B Viering, Head of
seven natural “wonders of the Communications for New7 Won-
world”, as voted by members of ders said, “It is important for the
the public worldwide. fast-paced and powerful global
Koh Phi Phi has already campaign that each nominee has
made it to the second round of vot- an OSC to communicate and
ing, which will select the top 77 work with New7Wonders. Only
wonders, before the third and final thus can a country take advan-
round chooses the winning seven. tage of the great opportunity of-
The island is currently num- fered by this worldwide platform Koh Phi Phi faces disqualification if an “Official Supporting Committee” is not assembled soon.
ber seven in its category, putting – best results are achieved when of voting – with the organizers campaign follows the New 7 Won- Colosseum in Rome, the Taj
it within the 77 most popular New7Wonders can work closely expecting one billion votes to be ders of the World campaign, Mahal in Agra, the Great Wall of
nominees. with a local representative for cast – before the New 7 Wonders which in 2007 saw Chichen Itza China, Petra in Jordan and Machu
However, New7Wonders, each natural site. We hope to of Nature are announced in 2011. in Mexico, the statue of Christ the Picchu in Peru voted the “New 7
the non-profit foundation behind soon welcome Ko Phi Phi Island The New 7 Wonders of Nature Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, the Wonders of the World”.
the campaign, warned that with- as an Official Supported Nomi-
Six Senses to cut executive pay
out an OSC, Koh Phi Phi “risks nee in this extraordinary global
rapid disqualification”, potentially campaign.”
leaving Thailand without a nomi- Second-round voting will
nee for the campaign. close on July 7 2009, with the re- PHUKET: Bangkok-based hotel duced an innovative, industry-first ciate, anywhere. However, Six
New7Wonders said it sent letters sults announced on July 21. operator Six Senses Resorts and alternative. Senses will grow significantly over
on February 2 to Tourism Author- There will then be two years Spas recently announced that it “The sophisticated traveller the next two years and we believe
will cut its executive salaries 10 will be watching to see who in that the group looks quite robust.
per cent as part of cost-reduc- the luxury-services industry - With the buy-back share price set
tion measures. where highly trained people are at the opt-in price, participants
CEO and chairman Sonu so key, to the point of being al- cannot loose, even if the share
Shivdasani said the group wanted most sacred - will lower their price was to decline,” she added.
to retain all of its staff during these standards,” he said. Asked to comment on how
difficult economic times. It will cut Director of Public Relations have employees have reacted to
salaries of those in the “inner & Communication, Six Senses the alternative to cutbacks, Ms
sphere” and at the “core level” Resorts and Spas Ms Benjawan Benjawan said, “Quite frankly, we
by 10 per cent while making up Sudhikam confirmed that the ini- have not made a big deal of it at
the difference in company shares. tiative is mandatory for all expa- the hub and we have not taken
While the programme is triates (international hosts) who the pulse of reaction amongst the
mandatory for foreign executives are based out of the Bangkok hub hosts.”
at its facilities abroad, Thai na- (head office). “Individual proper- “The international hosts who
tionals may also opt to take ad- ties will have separate initiatives. have taken the reduction have
vantage of the offer. All will have The opt-in/out period is still open been very accepting that some
a limited option to purchase addi- for Thai Inner sphere hosts,” she measures may need to be taken
tional shares at the same time. said. during these times. It has in no
“As with other companies The shares can be sold way affected morale,” she
in our sector, we must weather back to the company after 12-24 added.
the storm”, he said. months, with a guaranteed buy- Six Senses manages resorts
Unlike many companies in back price not less than the under the brands Soneva by Six
the hospitality and travel sectors shares’ value at the time they are Senses, Six Senses Hideaway, Six
that are making cutbacks and lay- received. Senses Latitude and Evason, plus
ing off staff during the economic “In these times, there is no Six Senses Spas and Six Senses
downturn, Six Senses has intro- guarantee that shares will appre- Destination Spas.
February 14 - 20, 2009 N E W S PHUKET GAZETTE 3
Sea Gypsies convene Bad week for dwindling dugong
on Mai Khao Beach population
for traditional festival
CAPE PANWA: A top marine
mammal researcher is drawing
up a national action plan for con-
serving the country’s dwindling
dugong (manatee) population af-
ter three were found dead on
February 1 and 3.
“We have a national action
plan for dugong and seagrass in
Thailand: to conserve the sea-
grass habitat, reduce mortality,
continue monitoring numbers and
study behavior,” she said.
Miss Kanjana was quoted
by the state-run Thai News
Agency earlier this week saying
The dugong faces extinction in local waters within 20 or 30 years if the
the dugong faced extinction in
government does not take urgent action to protect seagrass beds, their
local waters within 20 or 30 years
natural habitat.
if the government does not take
urgent action to protect seagrass ong, the greatest threat is from “The second one was still
beds, their natural habitat. human activities and various kinds fresh. There were no traces of
About 200 manatees remain of fishing gear.” outside trauma and the pericar-
in waters along the Andaman “We are just now dissect- dium was full of liquid, which in-
Coast, mostly in Trang, Krabi and ing a dugong carcass from Satun. dicates a sudden death, possibly
Phang Nga. This has been a very bad week from shock. So we guess that it
Setting up the action plan for us,” she said on Saturday Feb- went into sudden shock and died,
would lead the way to Thailand’s ruary 7. probably drowning from fishing
signing of an international memo- An examination of the first activity,” she said.
randum of understanding (MOU) two carcasses revealed that the Overall seven manatee
on dugong conservation, which manatees had thick blubber – in- deaths have been reported to the
has already been signed by 42 dicating that they were healthy at Phuket Marine Biological Center
countries. the time of death. in the last six months, she added.
“The MOU was established
by the Australian government af-
ter meetings held in Thailand in
Celebrating Nawn Haaad. As part of the ceremony, Sea Gypsies lived in
2005 and 2006. Then in 2007
temporary houses on Mai Khao Beach for three days and three nights.
there was a meeting for the first
MAI KHAO, PHUKET: The festival on beaches each year. signings in Abu Dhabi, followed
beach at Mai Khao played host Most of today’s Sea Gypsies by another meeting in Bali in
to countless makeshift homes spend most their lives on the land 2008,” she said.
from February 7 to 9 as part of and no longer observe their own Thailand has not signed the
an age old festival. New Year festival, yet the tradition MOU because it has to do more to
These temporary houses, of holding beach parties continues co-ordinate the efforts of the six
made from tree branches were in the form of Nawn Haad. government agencies involved, in-
built by sea gypsies, who spent The ceremony is an opportu- cluding the National Park, Wildlife
three days and three nights living nity for Sea Gypsies from around and Plant Conservation, Fisheries
in them in an annual tradition, the region to meet and participate and Marine Transport departments
known in Thai as Nawn Haad in spiritual activities, traditional per- and the Foreign Ministry.
(Sleeping on the Beach). formances and games. “I think Thailand is going to
Over 500 Sea Gypsies gath- Phuket Governor Preecha sign the memorandum very
ered in Mai Khao from all over Ruangjan on February 9 visited the soon,” she said.
the Andaman, including Phang Sea Gypsies and took part in a Miss Kanjana added that
Nga, Krabi, Ranong as well as tree-planting ceremony. coastal development and sedi-
Phuket, for a tradition that dates Sea Gypsies, who speak mentation is the main long-term
back over one hundred years. their own language related to threat to seagrass beds.
The Sea Gypsies, whose Bahasa Malay and Indonesian, “If the seagrass habitat is
ancestors spent their lives roam- are a minority ethnic group living reduced, then the dugong’s food
ing the seas, hold their New Year in southern Thailand and Burma. is reduced. For an individual dug-
4 PHUKET GAZETTE N E W S F E A T U R E February 14 - 20, 2009
Unregistered masses affect HIV positive figures
By James Goyder lic Health calculates the infection of an ulcerative STD, of which
rate they do so as a percentage gonorrhea is one, can make
T
hailand received plaudits of the population as a whole. transmission of HIV three hun-
worldwide for its effec- Anyone suffering from HIV who dred times more likely to occur.
tive response to the has never been tested will not HIV is more prevalent in
AIDS epidemic of the feature, that is the great unknown, men who have sex with other
1990s and in Thailand HIV is but the percentage is calculated men (MSM) and this might ex-
currently in decline. Bearing this by taking the amount of people plain why there are consistently
in mind you may have been sur- testing positive for HIV as a frac- twice as many men than women
prised to read in the Gazette that tion of the entire registered popu- testing positive for HIV in
Phuket now has the second-high- lation of Phuket. So if the actual Phuket. “We have launched a
est HIV infection rate in Thai- population is double the registered campaign of education aimed at
land. population this will naturally in- MSM but there is still a stigma
Could HIV be more preva- crease the percentage figure. attached to homosexuality, which
lent in Phuket than in northern The dubious distinction of having has made it difficult to communi-
provinces such as Phayao, where the highest infection rate in Thai- cate with this group,” Dr Wiwat
the infection rate in 2001 was land went to Ranong. Dr Wiwat said.
Dr Wiwat Sitomnoch of the Phuket Public Health Office believes that a
13.7%, or Chiang Rai, which had said, “Phuket is similar to Ranong All pregnant women in
major reason why Phuket has a comparatively high infection rate is due
an infection rate in 2001 of 12%? because Ranong also has a lot of Phuket hospitals get tested for
to many unregistered people living and working here.
In a bid to discover the truth I vis- migrants. Most of the people in HIV, and this is a useful barom-
ited the Phuket Public Health other provinces are residents, access to the drugs free of workers catering to tourists claim eter for Phuket’s actual infection
Office (PPHO) to discuss the there aren’t as many migrants, charge. Non-residents just need to be scrupulous in their insis- rate. 1.3% of pregnant women
current situation with Dr Wiwat which affects the statistics.” to come and register first,” Dr tence that customers use test positive, which is in line with
Sitomnoch. Ironically the quality of Wiwat revealed. condoms. However, the reality is the national rate of infection, cur-
Dr Wiwat believes that a health care in Phuket also has an In this respect Phuket is a that any man seeking to purchase rently between 1.2% and 1.3%.
major reason why Phuket has a adverse affect on these statistics. victim of its own success in deal- unprotected sex is unlikely to The figure among teenag-
comparatively high infection rate One of the reasons the infection ing with HIV. 90% of HIV infec- have to look too far in any of ers in Phuket is similar, at 1.2%.
is due to many unregistered rate here is higher is that a lot of tions in Phuket occur through Phuket’s major red light districts. For Dr Wiwat, this is a major con-
people living and working here. people get tested [in Phuket] be- sexual encounters within the sex One Norwegian visitor to cern. “Young teenagers now
“It is estimated that there cause access to health care is industry and the large number of Phuket said, “I am 42 now, I am have access to the internet and I
are twice as many people living good. Also the figures are cumu- nightlife venues perceived as be- too old to be worrying about think they are having sexual ex-
here as there are actually regis- lative. If we don’t treat HIV pa- ing the cause. Dr Wiwat said that condoms. One girl wouldn’t have periences at a younger age,
tered. If there are 300,000 people tients well they will die and the the infection rate here is higher sex with me without a condom younger than when I was young.
registered, but 600,000 people numbers will go down but we due to the sex industry, because but I managed to find two more This is not just in Phuket, it’s a
actually living here this affects the take care of HIV infected people incidents of STDs and HIV are who would.” global trend.”
figures,” he said. very well in Phuket. Residents closely associated. A veteran bar girl, who gets There is a danger that the
When the Ministry of Pub- with HIV here are guaranteed The majority of female sex regularly tested for HIV, said, perception that Thailand has al-
“With customers I always try to ready dealt with its HIV problem
use condoms but some farangs might have created a climate of
don’t like to and I don’t want to complacency. Mechai Vira-
fight with them.” vaidya, widely referred to as Mr
These conditions make the Condom, is the senator who mas-
bars of Phuket a fertile breeding terminded Thailand’s successful
ground for HIV. anti-AIDS program of the 1990s.
At present between one He fears that people think be-
and two percent of bar girls in cause HIV is not so visible here
Phuket are HIV positive and this anymore that Thailand has
figure is likely to be significantly beaten it, and they are taking risks
higher for brothel-based sex again.
workers. However heterosexual While the PPHO goes to
sex is not a high risk activity in great lengths to provide access
terms of HIV transmission. If you to free condoms and education
have unprotected heterosexual about the dangers of unsafe sex,
sex with someone who is HIV the message is evidently not get-
positive, the chance of you con- ting through to some. HIV in
tracting the virus is estimated at Phuket may be in decline but that
around 0.1% per exposure, al- does not mean it has gone away.
though this figure increases dra- Anyone unsure of their HIV
matically if either party has an status can get a test at any hos-
STD. According to the PPHO, pital in Phuket and some doctors’
gonorrhea, in particular, is on the clinics. A test costs between 250
increase in Phuket. The presence and 1,000 baht.
February 14 - 20, 2009 N E W S F E A T U R E PHUKET GAZETTE 5
Drought hits parts of Koh Kaew, Pa Khlok
PHUKET CITY: As Phuket’s dry nearby Hitlor and Manik tin mine
season progresses, residents in ponds, he said.
many areas of the island are already Bangneaw Dum Reservoir
suffering from water shortages. now holds about 2 million cubic
Chotenarin Kerdsom, head meters of water, while the
of the Phuket office of the De- Bangwad Reservoir still had 6 mil-
partment of Disaster Prevention lion cubic meters at the start of the
and Mitigation (DDPM), said on second week of February, he said.
February 3 that parts of Koh Water usage in the zone ser-
Kaew and Pa Khlok were al- viced by the Bang Wad Reservoir
ready without water. usually averages about 100,000 m3
Water trucks and pumping to 120,000 m3 per day, but can go
equipment have been dispatched as high as 180,000 m3/day during
to the worst hit areas to provide the high season for tourism, which
temporary relief, he said. coincides with Phuket’s dry sea-
Residents in many parts of son. In January, the PPW piped
the island, who usually enjoy ad- about 100,000 m3/ day, he said.
equate supply, are now forced to Based on current supplies
buy water from water trucks. and future usage estimates, the
A representative of delivery PPW should have enough water
company Numchai Namdeum Co to make it through until the full
Ltd said the cost of 14,000 liters onset of the next rainy season in
of potable groundwater runs at June or July, Mr Pichai said.
about 1,200 baht, depending on As for the .5-billion-baht re- FAMILIAR SIGHT: A water delivery truck filling up at the Srisuchart tin mine in Rassada.
the area. The company has five verse osmosis desalination plant
the necessary equipment is due However, there is little finan- Governor Preecha Ruangjan
trucks operating on the island. built by REQ in Karon, the facility
to arrive by mid-year, he said. cial incentive for homeowners to has issued orders to each local
An initial survey by the is still suffering from electricity sup-
It should take about three do so – at least among users in administrative body, advising them
DDPM reported that 40,605 ply problems and is unable to treat
weeks to install and one week to areas serviced by the PPW and of steps to prevent shortages.
people, spread across 53 villagers the 12,000 m3/day as required in
test, meaning that it should be ready PCW. Both providers continue to These include increasing supply to
on the island, are at risk of short- its contract with the PPW.
at the start of the rainy season. supply water to most households village supply systems by the
ages as the dry season wears on. The plant is currently pro-
In a recent television inter- free of charge under the national pumping of groundwater, sourcing
The dry season in Phuket typi- ducing 7,000 to 8,000 m3/ day of
view, the DDPM’s Mr Chote- economic stimulus package intro- more water from tin mines located
cally lasts about four to five potable quality water for Patong
narin asked residents to conserve duced by ex-prime minister Samak on Treasury Department land and
months, with monthly average and Kata-Karon.
water as much as possible, as the Sundaravej last October and ex- buying water from tin mines on
rainfall below 100 millimeters REQ Managing Director
supply situation is likely worsen tended six months by the current privately-owned land.
from December to March. Jaturong Sa-duangkarn said
over the next few months. administration in early January. -Stephen Fein
Both the Phuket Provincial power supply disruptions are the
Waterworks (PPW) and Phuket main cause.
City Waterworks (PCW) rely on The equipment automati-
the Bang Wad Reservoir in Kathu cally shuts down whenever its
as their main supply source, aug- sensors detect power disruptions,
menting supplies using water which most frequently occur at
from tin mines. night and during the rainy season,
PPW water supply director he said.
Pichai Wetrangsri said water from After a shut-down, the en-
the new 7.2-million-cubic-meter tire system needs to be restarted
Bangneaw Dum Reservoir, com- in a one-hour process that in-
pleted last November, is already cludes bleeding air from the pipes
being treated and piped to residents and high pressure pumps. As the
in parts of Thalang (Pa Khlok, Baan plant is already operating at maxi-
Porn, Baan Bangjo, Cherng Talay), mum voltage, the best way to
Kathu (Kamala) and Muang dis- make up for the difference is to
tricts (Sapam, and Koh Kaew). import more membranes and
The treatment plant in Baan other equipment to increase the
Bangjo, now about 30% com- volume of water that can be
plete, can already treat about treated while the plant is in op-
4,000 m3/day, about a third of its eration, he said
final design capacity. The plant, REQ has ordered the nec-
which first started receiving wa- essary high-tech equipment from
ter from the reservoir on Janu- countries including Taiwan, the
ary 17, also treats water from the US, the UK and Germany. All of
6 PHUKET GAZETTE A R O U N D T H E I S L A N D February 14 - 20, 2009
Lord Buddha remembered
On Monday February 9, Phuket temples filled with locals and expats taking part in
ceremonies to mark Makha Bucha Day. The special day on the Buddhist calendar
falls on the full moon of the third lunar month and commemorates the Buddha’s
ordaining of 1,250 monks who had arrived unannounced from afar only seven
months after the Buddha began his teachings. It is also the date the Buddha
delivered his Fundamental Teachings – just months before his death.
Photos by Sakhorn Saengtongsamarnsin and Nick Davies.
February 14 - 20, 2009 A R O U N D T H E N A T I O N PHUKET GAZETTE 7
‘War room’ to counter
soaring dengue outbreak
BANGKOK: The Ministry of The Central region was the
Public Health (MoPH) has set hardest hit with 886 patients, the
up a national war room to con- Southern region suffered the sec-
trol the spread of dengue fever ond worst outbreak with 546 pa-
across the country after learn- tients and Bangkok, 303.
ing the situation is expected to Songkhla, Pattani, and Yala were
be far worse than in 2008. the worst affected provinces.
In January this year this Nearly half the patients this year
year 1,675 people fell victim to were over 15 years old.
the fever, with two deaths. The Last year saw a total of
figure for the same period last 91,003 patients, with 65,581 cases
Dengue carrying mosquito Aedes
year was 1,553 cases reported in 2007.
aegypti.
and two lives lost, Public Health In a bid for early detection
Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai All provincial public health of dengue fever infection, Mr
said. offices, local administration orga- Wittaya said he has asked the
Swingers arrested MoPH permanent secre- nizations and health volunteers Department of Medical Services
tary Dr Paijit Warachit will chair have been assigned to strictly to study a test kit to screen pa-
the war room, teaming up with control and monitor the transmis- tients. The Department of Dis-
agencies including the Bangkok sion of dengue fever in their ar- ease Control will this month or-
BANGKOK: Christian A Richards, 54, has been charged with
Metropolitan Administration’s eas, Mr Wittaya added. ganize meetings to brainstorm on
procurement and commercial sex advertisements. Sex parties were
Health Department, the World Local authorities have been prevention and control planning in
advertised through www.Bangkok.CraigsList.co.th, where Richards’
Health Organization and the US advised to spray insecticide to 30 high risk areas nationwide.
wife goes by the name of Duang. They charged each participant
Center for Disease Control and eradicate the adult aedes aegypti Mr Wittaya has asked the
3,000 baht.
Prevention. mosquito, which bites humans in public to keep a close watch on
The ‘swingers’ caught in the raid were a mixture of Americans,
The agencies will jointly the daytime. people in their households and
French, Indians and Chinese. The Tourist Police arrived at the hotel
monitor the spread of the disease Residents should drain off nurseries.
suite to find the party just warming up and discovered condoms, 30
within Thailand and neighboring any stagnant water to prevent If anyone develops a high
Viagra tablets and pornographic movies.
countries, meeting at least once mosquitoes from breeding and fever over a two-day period, they
Police earlier caught Richards, a UK national, in January at a
a week to keep a close watch use abates sand, a pesticide, to should be taken to a doctor for
party for about 50 people in Bangkok’s Huay Kwang area, but he
for possible outbreaks. destroy their larvae. testing, he said.
claimed it was a birthday party and charges were dismissed.
New logo, programming
Tourist Police commander Archayon Kraithong said the
investigation suggests such activities have been going on for three to
four years, attracting 25 to 30 people from many countries to each
party.
approach for TV news
Police issued a warrant for Richards’ arrest on February 1, 2009.
The foreign and Thai participants were released after paying
fines, while Richards was still being held for questioning as this issue
went to press.
BANGKOK: The state-run tele- In respect of five radio fre- Sathit added.
If found guilty, he faces a jail sentence of up to 10 years or a
vision channel National Broad- quencies operated by the Public In his weekly television ad-
fine of up to 20,000 baht.
casting of Thailand (NBT) will Relations Department, a certain dress, Prime Minister Abhisit
Viagra case f lops
be overhauled to make it a truly number of these frequencies Vejjajiva said he had given Sathit
national television station de- should be reallocated for social a brief on media reform to carry
signed to broadcast infor-mation broadcasting, Mr Sathit said. out.
from the state to the people, A Cabinet resolution direct- adding that Mr Sathit had
The Central Administrative Court late last month dropped a case against Prime Minister’s Office Minis- ing state-run television stations to been put in charge of reforming
the secretary general of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ter Sathit Wongnongtaey said on confine their on-air advertising to state-run media to allocate more
over his decision to label Viagra as a controlled drug. February 8. social and corporate advertise- time for broadcasting geared so-
Pfizer, which manufactures Viagra, wants its product to be a The station is holding a ments and not commercial prod- cial issues and children’s pro-
prescription drug that can be sold at general pharmacies. competition for the design of a ucts would be adhered to, Mr gramming.
However, due to the order issued by the secretary general of new logo for Channel 11, which
FDA in 2003, Viagra is only available at hospitals in Thailand. was the station’s old name
“The order is legitimate,” Central Administrative Court Judge before switching to NBT, he
Chavalit Larpphol ruled. said.
The order is intended to protect consumers and the accused New programming will
issued the order based on a recommendation from the Drug begin broadcasting no later than
Commission, he commented As per the law, the Drug Commission next month, he added.
had the authority to give recommendations on drug registration.
Pfizer can appeal against the court decision if it wants.
Stories Sourced from The Na-
The company says Viagra is a prescription drug in at least 112
tion, Daily Xpress and Kom
countries. The drug maker said Thai Urological Association also agreed
Chad Luek newspapers.
that Viagra should be a prescription drug here.
8 PHUKET GAZETTE A R O U N D T H E S O U T H February 14 - 20, 2009
One killed, two injured
in highway shooting
TRANG: A man was shot dead he ran back to his truck. The gun-
and two passers-by injured in a men then fled the scene.
shooting on a road in Trang’s Superintendent of Wang
Wang Wiset district in the early Wiset Police Col Kriangkraiphop
hours of February 3. Athipativej said that he believes
The body of 53-year-old Mr Chat knew he was being tar-
Chat Kaenkaow was found geted, was very careful in his
slumped over the steering wheel movements and had removed the
of his black Honda saloon by the licence plate from his car. The
side of the road in Village 8, two injured witnesses are now
tambon Wang Maprang Neua. under police protection, Col
He had been shot 12 times in the Kriangkraiphop said.
chest. A short distance from Mr Police are investigating
Chat’s car, police found a green whether the gunmen who shot
Toyota pick-up truck riddled with Mr Chat are the same group re-
bullet holes. The truck’s occu- sponsible for other recent high-
pants, 37-year-old Anan profile shootings in the province,
Kittibunyathiwakon and his fos- including that of Wiroj Wiset- Bomb squads and police collect evidence in front of a 7-Eleven shop in Yala following a bomb attack
ter daughter Chanita Manaso, 15, phongphan, he added. February 4. Suspected militants hid an explosive device in a garbage bin near the shop before triggering
had already been taken to Trang The owner of Say Yes Pub it remotely. The blast injured two.
Hospital to be treated for bullet – one of Trang’s most popular
Dispute over woman gets explosive
wounds. Mr Anan was hit twice nightclubs – Mr Wiroj, was shot
in the lower abdomen, while Miss dead on January 17. Trang Pro-
Chanita was hit once in the but- vincial Police Commander
tocks. Prasert Chansawang said that Mr SONGKHLA: Bomb disposal of- rage by the owner, who said he fore the planned detonation, at a
Police believe that gunmen Chat had a rather chequered his- ficers narrowly avoided injury as had received a suspicious pack- distance of about five meters
in a pick-up truck followed Mr tory. In the late 1990s, he was a bomb they were about to diffuse age. The owner told police that from the officers. No one was
Chat as he was driving home be- suspected of involvement in a car exploded in Na Thawi district on the package was handed to him injured in the blast.
fore pulling alongside and shoot- theft ring as well as other theft the morning of February 5. by a song taew (passenger pick- Na Thawi Police Superin-
ing at him at least 30 times. At and drug cases in Trang. He had Despite Na Thawi being up truck) driver who said that a tendent Waraphong Prasettho
that point police believe Mr Anan recently returned to Trang after one of the three insurgency-hit man had paid him to deliver it. said police had tracked down and
and Miss Chanita drove past and, leaving the province in 2000. districts of Songkhla Province, A bomb disposal team sent arrested 23-year-old Reuangwit
thinking that the vehicles had been Maj Gen Prasert said he be- police believe the motive was a to the garage examined the pack- Singnu.
in an accident, stopped to see if lieves that Mr Chat had recently dispute over a woman. One sus- age and decided to perform a con- Mr Reuangwit confessed
they needed help. When Mr been involved in a drug deal that pect has been arrested. trolled explosion. that he sent the package follow-
Anan got out of the truck, the turned bad and that this is likely At 11:30 am, police were As they were retreating ing a dispute over a girl with the
gunman opened fire on him and to be the motive for his killing called to the Netty Car Repair ga- from the package it exploded be- owner of the garage.
Bt1m lawsuit filed over rotten tion alone, but more because they Soldiers
wanted to set a precedent for rel-
evant state agencies to be more
fish for f lood victims scandal careful about the quality of prod- beheaded
ucts distributed to the public –
even if they were free, she said.
In response to the lawsuit,
BANGKOK: The Foundation for with the top bureaucrat at the min- the plaintiffs had not decided Mr Witoon said he approved of PATTANI: Suspected militants
Consumers, together with repre- istry, executives of Thong whether outgoing minister the legal action taken by the con- killed, beheaded then burned two
sentatives of flood victims in the Kingkaew Foods and their distribu- Witoon Nambutr, who resigned a sumers group and felt the manu- soldiers in Pattani’s Yarang dis-
South allegedly given rotten tor Thai AD Foods. All were ac- day earlier over his involvement facturer should be punished for trict on February 2.
canned fish on February 4, filed cused of violating the Consumer- in the scandal despite denying its bad quality products. Police found the bodies of
a Civil Court lawsuit against the Related Cases Procedural Act. any wrongdoing, or Issara Meanwhile, Mr Issara said Sgt Niasun Niwae, 30, and Vol-
Social Development and Human The allegedly rotten fish was Somchai, his replacement, would he would visit the province to get unteer Ranger Chue Chotirat, also
Security Minister, his permanent included in the flood relief pack- be held responsible. first-hand accounts and look into 30 in the afternoon.
secretary, the manufacturer of ages recently distributed to resi- “We simply named the title, the matter himself. The investigation report
the canned fish and a distributor. dents in several southern prov- it’s up to the officials involved to He would do this in a per- showed that the victims were
The group are claiming one mil- inces, the first of which was determine who should be held re- sonal capacity and not as a Cabi- members of a volunteer ranger
lion baht in compensation. Phatthalung. sponsible,” Ms Saree said. net member as his appointment unit operating in the area. They
The minister was named as Saree Ongsomwang, head The foundation had not just had yet to obtain royal endorse- were on their way to Pattani
a co-defendant on the suit, along of the consumers foundation, said filed the lawsuit for compensa- ment, he said. Town when attacked.
February 14 - 20, 2009 A R O U N D T H E R E G I O N PHUKET GAZETTE 9
killer confesses
F
ollowing a confession that forensic evidence had ruled
concerning the killing of out the possibility of sexual as-
a German tourist on Koh sault.
Phangan, police are con- Under poice questioning,
fident they have the guilty man in Tiwar confessed that he had in-
custody. deed killed Schachmer and that
Tiwar Kasemchoke, 29, is the attack was premeditated.
currently being “She told other
held for further foreigners that I
questioning by po- fell for her and
lice over his al- tried to rape her
leged involvement on several occa-
in the murder of sions,” he said.
Astrid Assaad The victim
Schachmer, 45, had known her
The Beach Republic, Samui’s latest trendy venue, is touting itself as the island’s premier sea-front club. whose body was attacker from a
found on a Koh previous stay on
First high-end beach club opens
Phangan beach in the island in 2007
January 2009. and had been
Police de- staying on the is-
K
oh Samui residents and ing the project since 2004. The both day- and nighttime weekly tained local tatoo land for a month
visitors to the island restaurant operates under the parties. The hundreds who at- artist “Tiwar” for before her death.
have welcomed the lat- watchful eye of chef and long- tended the opening party declared questioning after FROM THE “I invited
est ‘hip’ day and time resident Jeffery Lord, who themselves impressed by the new reports that he GULF OF her to a party at a
nightspot – The Beach Republic has a number of fine dining es- venue, the complimentary fine was the last per- shop where I was
THAILAND
– which opened its doors to the tablishments on Koh Samui and cuisine and free-flowing cham- son to see the working and then
public in January. The latest across Asia. The architectural pagne. An evening of pool- and woman alive. The By Bonnie Maclean asked her to
trendy Samui venue is touting it- design gives the venue a striking beachside dancing rounded off partially-clothed come with me to
self as the island’s premier sea- modern tropical aesthetic that the night’s festivities. “The place body of the victim the beach where
front club offering a beachside harmonizes the indoor and out- is amazing! was found on the beach and had I beat her and then strangled her,”
pool, bar, dining area, gym, exotic door functionality of the space. It is very funky and is sure sustained significant bruising to Tiwar told police. Following the
spa treatments, and residential Instantly recognizable, it garnered to attract the same sort of people. the neck area. Forensic evidence confession and detention of the
options in the luxury villas nearby. plaudits from many of the guests We’re having a great time and and an autopsy revealed that she main suspect, it is hoped that fears
The Lamai venture is part who attended the opening party. will definitely be back,” said had died from strangulation. Po- among the tourist community re-
of the Royal Nirvana Resorts The club hosts some of Yuwares, a business owner and lice Superintendent Colonel garding further possible attacks
group, which has been develop- Asia’s top DJs, performing at long term Samui resident. Charoon Uchuparp commented have been allayed.
Islanders welcome
Chinese New Year
T
he tourism industry on Southern islands, as the perfect
Koh Samui was infused place to celebrate the new year.
with a renewed sense of With numbers much lower
optimism during the Chi- than expected in the months lead-
nese New Year period as a surge ing up to January, the sudden in-
of guests arrived on the island. crease came as a very welcome
Phanu Woramit, head of the surprise. Political turmoil and the
Tourist Authority of Thailand global economic woes have been
(TAT) in Surat Thani, said the blamed for low visitor numbers
area was welcoming a large num- but TAT members are hoping the
ber of tourists – including many surge will encourage local busi-
Chinese – to the island during the nesses not to give up hope.
New Year festivities. The increase in bookings at
Phanu said the large influx many of Koh Samui’s hotels led
of Chinese tourists may be a di- to occupancy levels of 80 to 90
rect result of the recent visit by percent over the period leading up
one of the TAT’s representatives to Chinese New Year, while Koh
to mainland China to promote Phangan and Koh Tao also re-
Thailand and in particular the ported higher numbers than usual.
10 PHUKET GAZETTE P E O P L E February 14 - 20, 2009
Thailand’s diva of the decks
TT
hhee ssttoorryy ooff DDJJ NNaakkaaddiiaa iiss aa wweellll--ssppuunn yyaarrnn.. MMeeeettiinngg aa pphhoottooggrraapphheerr
oonnlliinnee,, sshhee ttrraavveelleedd ttoo EEuurrooppee ttoo ppuurrssuuee aa mmooddeelliinngg ccaarreeeerr.. AAss rree--
cceennttllyy aass 22000011 sshhee hhaadd nneevveerr eevveenn hheeaarrdd ooff ddaannccee mmuussiicc bbuutt dduurriinngg
hheerr ttiimmee iinn EEuurrooppee sshhee ddeevveellooppeedd aa ppaassssiioonn ffoorr tthhee ggeennrree,, ttooookk uupp
DDJJiinngg aanndd hhaass ssiinnccee sseeeenn hheerr ccaarreeeerr ggoo ffrroomm ssttrreennggtthh ttoo ssttrreennggtthh..
OOnnee ooff AAssiiaa’’ss ttoopp DDJJss aanndd oonnee ooff tthhee bbuussiieesstt iinn tthhee cclluubbbbiinngg iinndduussttrryy,, NNaakkaaddiiaa
ssppeennddss aa lloott ooff hheerr ttiimmee iinn tthhee aaiirr ffllyyiinngg ffrroomm cciittyy ttoo cciittyy,, bbuutt ssttiillll ffiinnddss tthhee ttiimmee
ttoo ccoommee bbaacckk ttoo hheerr rroooottss..
TTwweellvvee mmoonntthhss aaggoo,, NNaakkaaddiiaa ppllaayyeedd iinn PPhhuukkeett ffoorr tthhee ffiirrsstt ttiimmee aatt CClluubblliimmee.. IInn
tthhee yyeeaarr tthhaatt ffoolllloowweedd,, tthhee ttaalleenntteedd TThhaaii hhaass ssppeenntt tthhee ttiimmee wwiisseellyy ccoonnffiirrmmiinngg
hheerr ssttaattuuss aass aa ttoopp iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ssppiinnnneerr.. DDiimmiinnuuttiivvee aanndd ccuuttee,, eeffffeerrvveesscceenntt
aanndd ffuunn--lloovviinngg wwiitthh aa ppeerrmmaanneenntt ssmmiillee,, NNaakkaaddiiaa sseeeemmss ttoo eemmbbooddyy TThhaaiillaanndd’’ss
LLaanndd ooff SSmmiillee’’ss ssppiirriitt..
RReettuurrnniinngg ttoo PPhhuukkeett,, tthhaannkkss ttoo tthhee pprroommootteerrss aatt CClluubblliimmee,, wwhhoo hhaavvee rreecceennttllyy
bbrroouugghhtt aa nnuummbbeerr ooff ffaammoouuss DDJJss ttoo oouurr sshhoorreess,, NNaakkaaddiiaa ssppookkee ttoo tthhee GGaa--
zzeettttee bbeeffoorree hheerr sseett..
Gazette: Since your last Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. I’ve few tracks. Early last summer I it’s a great party every time I differ in Europe compared with
appearance in Phuket, what have played at lots of great clubs and had three tracks released and come. I have a lot of friends here Thailand?
you been doing over the past 12 last summer I played at the Love then produced another two later and when I come back it feels Nakadia: In different cities
months? Parade in Berlin. It was amazing in the year. like a second home. I love the and different countries people
Nakadia: I’ve been touring and so exciting. It was crazy to Gazette: How does it feel landscape of the island and the have different tastes. Here in
a lot. I’ve been alternating be- see so many people – they were to come back to Phuket? Are you beaches. It’s a lot like Samui Thailand, there’s a mix of people,
tween Europe and Asia, spend- like ants! The fact that I got to excited to be back? [Nakadia lives in Samui]. I’m al- but even the holiday-makers don’t
ing two months in each. During play for them was really exciting Nakadia: It’s always great ways traveling around Europe always know the club scene and
my last trip to Europe I played in for me. I’ve also been in the re- to come back here and play at and don’t get that many chances don’t go out that much. You have
10 different countries including cording studio and laid down a Clublime. The people are nice and to go to the beach. It’s different to teach them to understand the
to Samui, but still very nice. I feel European style but I generally
like I’m on holiday when I’m here. don’t play as hard when there are
Gazette: When you have a lot of tourists. Last year the
been in Europe for a couple of people of Thailand had started to
months what’s the best thing follow my music and they under-
about coming back to Thailand? stood what I was trying to do.
Nakadia: It’s home. It’s Still there are a few people who
comfortable for me and I find request hip-hop but more people
being home relaxing. I’m always who come here tend to follow the
traveling in Europe. Even when I scene.
spend a few months there it’s Last time I played a softer
work, not home. It feels good to set with some electro-house, but
come back and play for my now there are a lot of people who
people. Also I can get food 24- follow me and my music and un-
hours a day! In Europe its tough derstand what I play. I can now
to get food late at night. play my style. Tonight will be a
I love the parties in Italy and Nakadia set – tech-house not
they have the best food in the electro-house.
world but I can’t get any food on Gazette: Are there any up-
the street when I need it. Some- and-coming Thai DJ’s on the
times I finish playing at 4 or 5 am scene?
and I’m hungry so I always com- Nakadia: There aren’t that
plain to Sebastian [Nakadia’s tour many that I know of but there is
manager] if I can’t eat! another girl, Magic Muffin, who
Gazette: How do clubbers plays really well. She’s having a