Astrology: do you really understand it?

By PaweenaVasanaruengsuk

Hamburg School ofAstrology graduate

If you are confident in

yourself there’s no need to gosee a fortune-teller. I suggestpeople be open-minded whenit comes to tackling theirproblems, or go to the doctorif they are sick. In terms ofastrology, I think peopleshould find out more to seehow it really works – changeyour beliefs into knowledge.

GOOD MORNINGBANGKOK!

XPRESSDA

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FREE COPY

SUBDUEDCOUNTDOWN

What’s on,what’s up...

LOOKING FORA JOB?

SEE PAGES 19-20

Check out thebiggest sugarChristmas tree,visit a vineyard,treat yourself to agrand buffet dinneron the river andmuch more...>PAGES 9&10

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Thursday, December 25, 2008 VOL 1, NO 246 dailyxpress.net

Dear reader, may YOU have a swell Christmas and a fabulous New Year!

Despite the political andeconomic situation,

Bangkokians’ New Yearspirit remains strong, but

celebrations will be mostly low-key.

>PAGE 2

By Lisnaree VichitsorasatraD A I L Y X P R E S S

Politically exhausted andcash-strapped Thais are go-

ing for low-key New Year cele-brations this festive season.Wine sales are down, hotelbookings have dropped andcompanies are scaling downtheir year-end parties for eco-nomic reasons, Daily Xpress haslearned.

Lavish gatherings are beingditched in favour of cosy get-to-gethers with family and friends.

Upcountry countdownsHordes of people are leaving

the city to enjoy the count-down to 2009 in their home-towns. “I expect to hear lots oftalk back home about what’saround the corner economical-ly,” says Nukul Boon-iam, asoap opera director. “But a‘whatever will be will be’ at-mosphere will rule.”

Saarunthorn Techaphaiboon,

director of Ambrose Wine, istaking a break from her busysocial life with a trip to KohChang with her family.

“Hotels and resorts are alsoordering less wine,” saysSaarunthorn, who attributes thedrop to the recent airport clo-sures and the financial crisis.

Pornsawan, 27, is betweenjobs, and has had the free timeto come up with two NewYear’s options, one naughty,the other nice.

Heaven or hell?“I have to choose between

hell and heaven: a pool party, orrunning a marathon in myhometown of Nakhon SiThammarat, where runnerspray at nine shrines along theway.”

Chain, 28, who works inParliament House, said he’sbored of his routine life of par-tying so he’s going back to na-ture.

“I’m spending New Yearwith my photography club on atrip to Chiang Klang,” he says.

Aree, 32, hasn’t decidedwhere to go, but she’s avoidingthe major countdown scenesaround big shopping malls onthe advice of her uncle, whoworks in the military.

People on a budget might

decide to follow the exampleof Greg Hill, a NonthaburiSocial Studies teacher, and stay at home. “I was con-sidering a posh resort, butwith all the bills I’ve had thismonth, I think a quietChristmas at home with a bigsteak and a bottle of wine is inorder.”

2 TODAY Thursday, December 25, 2008 DAILY XPRESS

XTRA

>> ON THE NET: Microsoftplans to broadcast live fromNew York’s Time Squarethrough its MSN Video onNew Year’s Eve, beginning at7am here on January 1.

C E L E B R AT E !>> The Skytrain and MRTunderground will run to 2am onNew Year’s Eve, and the Bt120one-day tickets give revellersthe chance to roam Bangkokwithout their cars.

Cuddle upto a cooler new year

>>DAILY XPRESS is edited by Tulsathit Taptim and published by NMG News Co Ltd, at 1854, Bang Na-Trat Road, Bangkok 10260, and printed by WPS (Thailand) Co Ltd, Tel (02) 338 3000, Fax (02) 338 3334. EDITORIAL: Tel (02) 338 3333. ON THE WEB: DAILYXPRESS.NET>>DAILY XPRESS is a supplement to subscriber copies of THE NATION with bonus distribution in selected areas of Bangkok and its environs every Monday to Saturday. The Sunday edition of DAILY XPRESSincorporates THE NATION. Subscription rates: one year Bt4,900 within regular delivery areas; please contact Customer Service on (02) 338 3000. For bulk copy subscription rates please call (02) 338 3532.

FOR DISPLAY ADVERTISING, PLEASE CALL (02) 338 3000 # 1

2amON NEW YEAR’S EVE

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Editor: Tulsathit Taptim / Managing Editor: Thanong Khanthong / Deputy Managing Editors: Kumar Krishnan, Jintana Panyaarvudh / Design Editor: Leroy A SylkWeb Co-editors: Marisa Chimprabha, Paisal Chuenprasaeng / The City Editor: Chularat Saengpassa / The Fun Editor: Veena Thoopkrajae / Sport Editor: Preechachan Wiriyanupappong / Group Editor in Chief: Suthichai Yoon XPRESSD

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THE CITYTHE SKYTRAIN AND SUBWAY

WILL RUN TILL

The countdown to2009 will be a cosyaffair in Thailand –lavish parties arebeing ditched for friendly get-togethers

brieflyChristmas inBethlehem goeslive on the NetChristmas in Bethlehem isbeing streamed live on theInternet this year.

A Christian online broad-cast provider says it plans tooffer a live webcast showingBethlehem’s Church of theNativity and the adjoiningManger Square.

It says the webcast will runthrough Christmas today.

The streaming webcastwill be played onwww.ipraytv.com.

Beauty queen heldA beauty queen from theMexican state of Sinaloa hasbeen arrested along with sixcompanions for carryingweapons and US$100,000(Bt3.5 million) in cash.

Laura Zuniga, 23, wascrowned “Miss Sinaloa” in July.She also won the Queen ofHispanic America contest inNovember in Bolivia.

The men she was travellingwith included Angel GarciaUrquiza, brother of RicardoGarcia Urquiza, also known as“The Doctor”, who wasdetained in 2005 and suspect-ed of running a major drugcartel.

GETOSAMA platesA New York man is finallyexcited to receive his“GETOSAMA” licence plates.

Retired New York PoliceDepartment officer ArnoHerwerth said he ordered theplates in 2007 as a reminderthat September 11 mastermindOsama bin Laden remains atlarge. The plates were deliv-ered, but the Department ofMotor Vehicles ordered themreturned, saying they could beconsidered objectionable.

The DMV relented follow-ing Herwerth’s federal com-plaint. – AP

4 GLOBETROT Thursday, December 25, 2008 DAILY XPRESS

Festive scenes

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Swindler gets 7 years in theslammerA Hong Kong swindler who usedfake resumes and documents toscam his way into 12 jobs and stealHK$3.62 million (Bt16 million) hasbeen jailed for seven years.

Lam Chun-fai, dubbed by localmedia as Hong Kong’s version ofthe fraudster in the Hollywooddrama “Catch Me if You Can”, usedfalse documents to win jobs as apsychologist, accounting clerk andmarketing boss.

The 33-year-old was firstarrested in 2001 for embezzling$135,386. But he jumped bailbefore embarking on the elabo-rate spree, taking two jobs usingfake documents before fleeingHong Kong and re-entering undera false identity.

Lam claimed he had a busi-ness administration degree fromCambridge University, but policeonly found evidence of a second-ary education.

At one firm, he was even pro-moted from accounting clerk tomanager in a month. – A F P

6,000The number of child soldiersin Sudan’s war-torn DarfurTHE WORLD

A F P , Berlin

Santa beware! Activists inGermany are waging an in-

ternational campaign to doaway with Father Christmas,and say they are gainingground thanks to the globaleconomic meltdown.

Armed with child-friendlystickers, web-savvy promotersand chocolate figurines, the“Santa-Free Zone” movementsays it is gathering steam thisyear against what it calls thehollow commercialisation ofChristmas.

Launched by a GermanCatholic priest in 2002, thecampaign aims to knock Santa

off his pedestal and replacewhat they see as a cheap,American import with the realthing: Saint Nicholas.

Against the gift industry“The movement is intended

to raise awareness of the factthat the consumption-orientedSanta launched by theChristmas-gift industry hasvery little to do with the holybishop Saint Nicholas,” saidChristoph Schommer of theCatholic aid group Bonifatius-werk, which is rallying theSanta opposition.

Saint Nicholas, an actualhistorical figure, was the

fourth-century Bishop of Myrain today’s Turkey whose leg-endary modesty and generosi-ty led him to give gifts in se-cret.

As the story goes, his great-est miracle was saving threegirls whose impoverished fa-ther wanted to sell them intoprostitution. Nicholas, whohad inherited a fortune fromhis father, left three lumps ofgold over three nights in theirroom while they were sleep-ing.

Catholics and OrthodoxChristians in much of theworld still celebrate SaintNicholas Day, usually onDecember 6, as a festival forchildren, who receive choco-lates in their shoes when theyleave them out overnight.

Germans plan tocounter SantaMovement aims to replace ‘cheapAmerican import’ with Saint Nicholas

Clockwise from left: Trees decorated in Tbilisi, Georgia; a SantaClaus from Lapland, Finland, arrives

in China’s Harbin city; consoling achild at a party in St Cloud,

Minnesota; Santa Claus traineeslearning how to work for an ecologi-

cal-friendly Christmas in Tokyo.

ANIMATION

DO YOUHEAR THATVOICE?

By Ellen McCarthyT H E W A S H I N G T O N P O S T

When Ben Stiller and ChrisRock were first asked to

become a talking lion and a car-toon zebra, neither had tod-dlers or other parents to im-press.

Stiller was busy struttingdown fashion runways as DerekZoolander. Rock was doing hissold-out comedy shows.

So why’d they sign up for“Madagascar”, an animatedmovie about escaped zoo ani-

mals?“It just seemed fun,”

Stiller says with the se-quel, “Madagascar: Escape

2 Africa”, about to debut, sevenyears later.

It was fun, as it turned out,for him, Rock, millions ofmoviegoers and DreamWorks,which banked more than half abillion dollars.

If you want to know whereHollywood is hanging out thesedays, check the studios ofDreamWorks and its rival Pixar.Think Mike Myers, EddieMurphy, Robin Williams, JerrySeinfeld, Renee Zellweger, TomHanks ...

Chris Rock signed on to

“Madagascar” and its sequelsimply because “they’re goodmovies!”

“I’m a comedian,” he says.“Anything that’s funny I want tobe involved in.”

Over their headsFans of Rock’s trademark en-

velope-pushing adult humourmight be surprised, but he andStiller point out that these kid-centric movies are so rife withhigh-level comedy they appealto them as actors and to thegrown-ups forking over cash.

“It’s fun sometimes for adultsto be watching a quote-unquotekids movie and see a joke thatthey think, ‘Oh, wow, I can’t be-lieve they actually put that inthere’,” Stiller says. “And the kids– it’ll go right over their heads.”

This kiddie flick is denselypopulated with actors knownfor their decidedly adult fare.Listen for the voices of AlecBaldwin, Andy Richter, Cedricthe Entertainer, Sacha BaronCohen of “Borat” fame and thelate Bernie Mac, who plays thenoble dad to Stiller’s long-lostlion, Alex.

But make no mistake, saysRock, this is acting. “You’re

like, ‘Ooooh, I can put a littlemore emotion in that one. Imean, did you see ‘Kung FuPanda’? Dustin Hoffman is act-ing. That’s the best Hoffmanperformance I’ve seen in awhile.”

SCARLETT JOHANSSON, AFTERBLOWING HER NOSE ON THE “TONIGHT”SHOW. THE TISSUE IS BEING AUCTIONEDFOR CHARITY.

“And you got some lipstick – andsnot! There’s definitely snot there.”

6 ENTERTAINMENT Thursday, December 25, 2008 DAILY XPRESS

THE FUN

No makeup, easy hours, sneaky jokes – why Stiller and Rockare back as cartoon zoo animals in ‘Madagascar: Back 2 Africa’

XTRA

>> “Madagascar: Back 2Africa” opens in cinemas to-day, including a digitally mas-tered IMAX version at KrungsriIMAX at Paragon Cineplex.

G O T T O M O V E I T>> Also returning for this se-quel to 2005’s “Madagascar areJada Pinkett Smith as Gloria thehippo and David Schwimmer asMelman the giraffe.

IT’S FUN SOMETIMESFOR ADULTS TO BEWATCHING A ... KIDSMOVIE AND SEE AJOKE THAT THEYTHINK, ‘OH, WOW, ICAN’T BELIEVE THEYACTUALLY PUT THATIN THERE’.Ben Stiller

,,

Tokyo Tower is seen amidfestive illuminations in theRoppongi Hills. A symbol ofJapan’s post-war economicmiracle, a favoured back-drop for film directors anda romantic spot for younglovers, Tokyo Tower turned50 on Monday. Modelledon the Eiffel Tower, butpainted in orange andwhite to make it more visi-ble to aircraft, the world’stallest self-supportingsteel structure has attract-ed 156 million visitors sinceit opened in December1958.

Eyeing the North PoleOne of the great conspiracytheories of modern times –Thaksin Shinawatra and hismysterious links with Finland –was back in the headlines thisweek.

Our former CEO did indeedpal around in Helsinki withNokia bigwigs during the 1980sand ’90s, but no one’s beenable to prove allegations con-cerning the so-called “Finland Declaration”, a sup-posed republican plot.

Now, however, Finnish Ambassador LarsBackstrom has revealed another reason forThaksin to be in his country in 2006.

One of the newspapers back home says Thaksinacquired a reindeer-driving licence. It’s a touristgag, apparently.

And, no, he didn’t spend any taxpayer’s moneyon it.

Sneaky successContinuing with a Scandinavian theme, excellentreviews arrive from Denmark for our Chat Pimuktroupe of khon dancers.

They went there for two shows at the sametime as Bangkok’s airports were closed. The per-formers slipped out via Singapore, but their masksand costumes remained hostages.

So the Danish gigs went ahead in plainclothes,and yet the crowds loved them, admiring theirspunk in the face of setbacks.

Three people asked for their money back,though – probably PAD.

D A I L Y X P R E S S

The success of “See Phrang”(“4Bia”), the collection of four

short horror films released in Aprilas a single package, may well have seta trend.

Opening today is another four-seg-ment movie, this one from,Sahamongkol Film International, andromance is the subject.

“Fan Waan Aai Joop”(“4 Romance”) is fourshort stories directedby Prachya Pinkaew,Chukiat “Madiaw”Sakveerakul, BhanditThongdee andRashane Limtrakul.

“Working on thesame concept is an amazing experi-ence for filmmakers. For me it’s been acomplete change of mood after work-ing on big action films,” says Prachya

who made “Waan”, about a couple(Shahkrit Yamnarm and SuthidaKasemsan na Ayutthaya) whose rela-tionship has seen better years.

Rachen, who made his debut in 1995with “Loke Thang Bai Hai Nai KhonDiaw” (“Romantic Blue”) directs teenstar Mario Maurer in “Joop”.

GTH, meanwhile, is planning a fol-low up to “4Bia”, bringing SongyosSukmakanan (“Dek Hor”) to join thefour other “See Phrang” directors for“Haa Phrang”.

Thursday, December 25, 2008 DAILY XPRESS ENTERTAINMENT 7

#1 ‘FEARLESS’, the secondalbum by 19-year-old countrysinger Taylor Swift, hasreclaimed the top spot on theBillboard 200 chart.

OUR BANGKOKArtists depict the capital’spast, present and future in‘Krungthep 226’.> Page 8

THAI F I LM

A fine romance – times fourA quartet of short love storieshits the big screen today

A headfor heights soopsip

Contact Soopsip at veenxpress@gmail.com.

Shahkrit

AFP

Thaksin

By Khetsirin PholdhampalitD A I L Y X P R E S S

The city we know is onlyfleetingly recognisable in

the exhibition “Krungthep 226”,which leaps through two cen-turies and into the imagined fu-ture.

The Bangkok Art and CultureCentre repays its hometown pa-trons once again with an engag-ing show – organised byLuckana Kunavichayanontand Apisak Sonjod – coveringthe capital’s 226-year historyand offering predic-tions of what’s tocome.

In “Bangkok’sEarly Days”, re-productions ofold graphics in-clude a map of Thonburidrawn by an 18th-centuryBurmese spy, another ofBangkok commissioned byFrench priest BishopPallegoix in 1854 and replicasof mural paintings of WatSuwannaram dating back tothe reign of King Rama III.

“My research confirmed thatthe most important person in

Krungthep’s history was KingTaksin the Great,” says Luckana.“He recovered Ayutthaya fromthe Burmese and establishedthe new capital, Thonburi. Thatwas the pivotal point, the birthof Krungthep.”

How the Bangkok bud blos-somed is examined next, inpanoramic photographs of the

Chao Phya River, templesand palaces. FrancisChit’s snapshots takenduring Rama IV’s reignare augmented by

Chuang Moolpinit’s1979 drawing of

Chakri MahaPrasert and

Sa-ngad Pui-ock’s 1962

painting ofthe MahanakCanal.

Facing thesepieces, the city’s

further progress is de-picted in sketches ofSilpa Bhirasri’s high-

relief murals of theDemocracy Monumentand replicas of muralsby Khrua Inkhong, oneof the first Siamese

artists to employWestern perspec-

tive and shad-ing.

In “New

Bangkok Skyline”, political andeconomic upheavals are revisit-ed in satirical works such as a2005 campaign poster for VasanSitthiket’s Artist Party – a put-down of Thai Rak Thai pop-ulism – and Chatchai Puipia’ssculpture of himself sitting on acart, crossed-legged and stoical-ly detached.

On to the future in “DreamBangkok”, where Julio Brujishas worked elements of shock

and humour into pictures of thecapital at night and TatiyaUdomsawat has sown thick jun-gles around DemocracyMonument, Parliament Houseand Siam Paragon.

8 ART Thursday, December 25, 2008 DAILY XPRESS

shows

Are you in themarket?A wide range of works by hun-dreds of artists will be on salethrough Saturday at the ArtMarket Festival 2009 at theBangkok Art and Culture Centreat the Pathumwan intersection.

The paintings, photographs,sculptures, postcards, ceramicware and jewellery would makeperfect holiday gifts. You canwatch portraits being drawn aswell as dance and dramaonstage from 10 to 9.

Call (02) 422 8823 or visitwww.BACC.or.th.

Budding marinetalent

Pam Sripian’s debut solo show“Flowers and Seascapes” is atRotunda and Garden Galleriesfrom January 2 to February 1 –small and medium-size oilpaintings of dreamlike flowersand seascapes.

That’s at the Neilson HaysLibrary, open daily exceptSaturday from 9.30 to 5.Call (02) 233 1731 or visitwww.NeilsonHaysLibrary.com.

Believing theBuddhaAuttapon Suetongprasert pres-ents his solo show “ImaginaryBuddhism” at the SilomGalleria’s lower-level Gallery

until January 11.His black-

and-whitedrawingsreflect his per-sonal lan-guage ofinterpretationand expres-

sion, inspired byBuddhist thoughts.

Drop by Monday to Saturdayfrom 10 to 7 or Sunday from 11 to6. Call (02) 630 3381 or visitwww.TheGalleryThailand.com.

The city you barely know

XTRA

>> Call (02) 214 6630-1 orvisit www.BACC.or.th.

HOMETOWN HISTORY>> “Krungthep 226” continuesuntil February 15. The art centreat the Pathumwan intersection isopen Tuesday to Sunday from 10to 9.

Be amazed at the maps, paintings and photos in ‘Krungthep 226’

Julio Brujis’ ‘Bangkok’

Vasan Sitthiket’s Artist Partyposter

SitthidetSaenghiran’s‘EconomicPrinciple’

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Tatiya Udomsawat’s‘DemocracyMonument’

WHAT’S ON/WHAT’S UPThursday, December 25, 2008 DAILY XPRESS EVENTS 9

Crazy for comedyThe economy won’t get any better in thenext month, so you might as well have alaugh about it. Punchline Comedy Club isbringing three comedians – John Gordillo,Kitty Flannagan and Roger Monkhouse – tothe Bull’s Head on January 23 and 24. For aBt1,500 ticket, call (02) 233 4141 or (02)234 3590 or book online atwww.GreatBritishPub.com/comedy.htm.

Music in the ParkChill out this winter with the BangkokSymphony Orchestra’s Concert in the Parkseries in the relaxed atmosphere of SalaBhirom Bhakdi, Lumpini Park. Enjoy popu-lar tunes, pop classics, music from themovies and Broadway plus legendary Thaisongs by the BSO and guest vocalistsevery Sunday except January 4 at 5.30.Admission is free. The programme runsthrough February 15.

Broadway in BangkokThe much-loved musical “Chicago” comesto Bangkok with performances runningfrom February 12 to 22 at Muang ThaiRatchadalai Theatre. Tickets costing fromBt1,000 to Bt4,000 are available atThaiticketmajor. Call (02) 262 3456 orvisit www.Rachadalai.com/chicago.

Streets of sages Until Monday, the Fulbright Foundationhosts the exhibition “A Way to Wisdom” atPridi Banomyong Institute in Soi Thonglor.On display are paintings by PraphanSrisouta, Prasit Silpadechakul and PairojWangbon, drawings by Inson Wongsamand sculptures by Thawatchai Srisompetch

see it!

Amazing IsaanEvery province in the Northeast will be showcasing its wares at the Amazing Isaan Fair 2009, which runs at the QueenSirikit National Convention Centre from January 15 to 18. Check it out for local fruit, fresh products and processedfoodstuffs such as Chinese sausage, as well as hand-woven cloth, silk, earthenware and handicrafts. For more infor-mation, call (02) 682 9880.

A tree you can eat!The Amari Atrium Hotel onNew Phetchaburi Road andThai Roong Ruang SugarGroup welcome 2009 withthe “Biggest SugarChristmas Tree for Charity”.This edible masterpiece cre-ated by executive chefHanspeter Aschawandenand his team is six metreshigh and three metres and is made of 52,009 sugar sticks, You have

until January 15 to buy a sugar stick for Bt10 and help raise funds for

the Foundation under the King Patronage. The tree in the lobby so do

pop in and admire the work.Call (02) 718 2000 extension 3165.

A walk in the vineyardSiam Winery has opened the doors to its Hua Hin Hills Vineyard,

the first wine growing area in Prachuab Khiri Khan province, and

the new home of Monsoon Valley Wines. Visitors can experience

the exciting lifestyle of New Latitude Wines and also learn about

tropical viticulture from Siam Winery’s professional team. The

Sala, designed by former Norman Foster architect Sylvia Soh, is a

Thai-inspired pavilion housing a bistro, wine bar, retail shop and

function room. Visitors are welcomed to tour the vineyard - even

on elephants. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday and public hol-

idays from 11 to 6. For more information or reservation,call (081) 701 8874.

The wonders ofDoiTungSpend between Bt2,000 and Bt5,000at the DoiTung Lifestyle shops before

the end of January and you’ll berewarded with vouchers worth up toBt500.There’s plenty on offer for those stillsearching for gifts for friends and fami-

ly including hampers, gift sets, pro-duce, ceramics, hand-woven necktiesand silk scarves. The promotion isavailable at all branches. You’ll findthem on the fourth floor of SiamDiscovery, Suan Lum Night Bazzar, BonMarche markets as well as at ChiangRai and Chiang Mai airports. For moreinformation, call (02) 252-7114extension 209.

Abandoned beautyVittaya Sudprasert’s 25 acrylic paintings

inspired by stray dogs left on the streets

are on display in “Looking Dog…Dog

Looking…the Abandoned Beauty” at

Gossip Gallery until January 18.

The gallery in Sukhumvit Soi 28 is open

Monday to Saturday from 10.30 to 8.30.

For more information or to make an

appointment for a Sunday visit,

call (02) 2586247 or e-mail:

gossipgallery@gmail.com.

WHAT’S ON/WHAT’S UP10 EVENTS Thursday, December 25, 2008 DAILY XPRESS

Relaxing withmusicThe Division of Music Educationand Music Therapy, Departmentof Music and Dance, School ofArts, University of Kansas isorganising “The Art ofApplications in Music Therapy” onJanuary 12 and 13 at MahidolUniversity's Salaya Campus. Earlybirds registering before January 9receive a special discount toBt3,600 (public) and Bt1,800(students). Registration at theevent costs Bt4,000 (public) andBt2,000 (students). For reserva-tion and more information,call (02) 800 2525 extension 144 or e-mailmsalm@mahidol.ac.th,stwst@mahidol.ac.th.

Countdown inChiang RaiCountdown to 2009 at LeMeridien Chiang Rai Resort wheredinner including drinks, a count-down party on the lawn featuringfireworks and a brunch onJanuary 1 costs Bt4,000. Thepackage is available to Thai resi-dents only. For reservation,call 053-360-3333 or e-mail chiangrai@lemeridien.com.

New Year in PattayaMantra restaurant and bar at theAmari Orchid Resort & Tower inPattaya offers a New Year all-you-can-eat buffet for Bt3,900per person. After 11, the entrancefee is Bt500 per person inclusiveof two drinks. Mantra DJ Ningkicks off the ascent to this end ofyour countdown. A recoverybrunch the next day is offered atBt1,650 (Bt850 per child) from 11to 3. For reservation,call 038 429 591.

Mamma Mia!Huntsman Pub, LandmarkBangkok Hotel The popular pub celebrates New Year’s Eve with an Abbaparty with the Swedish band'sgreatest hits performed by resi-dent outfit Sweet Inspiration. Thecover charge is at Bt1,500 netinclusive of four drinks, and a four-course set dinner menu priced atBt1,200 net. For reservation,call (02) 254 0404 extension7777 or e-mail festive@landmarkbangkok.com.

do it! A night onthe riverOn December 31, every restau-

rant at the Shangri-La Hotel

Bangkok joins in the farewell to

2008. A buffet dinner at Next2

with special performances and

grand raffle draws with the

Halo, a band from New Zealand,

goes for Bt9,500 for adults and

Bt5,400 for children under 12

while a Thai set dinner is avail-

able at Salathip is Bt8,500 for

adults and Bt5,400 for children.

Or go Italian with a five-course

banquet at Angelini Restaurant

& bar for Bt9,500 including a

bottle of wine.Call (02) 236 8579.

Gaysorn magic Until Monday, Gaysorn Shopping Centre is hold-

ing the “Pure Reward: Magical Moment” promo-

tion featuring the “Soi Dao” raffle game. With

every Bt15,000 purchase (or Bt12,000 spent on

American Express), a shopper is entitled to enter

the raffle game for a chance to win prizes worth

Bt3 million in total from Celine, Loewe,

Montblanc, Kwanpen, Daks, Emernegildo Zegna,

Aigner, Longchamps, Bally, Tumi, Disaya,

THANNative, and many more. On the New Year’s

Eve, the highest spender of the day will receive a

special package for two from Anantara Resort

and Spa Phuket, while the campaign’s top

spender will have a chance to enjoy magical

moments from a special package for two from

Anantara Resort and Spa, the Maldives.

Four pay,five eatThroughout January, head

to the Ambassador Hotel

Bangkok’s Am Cafe for an

international lunch buffet

featuring Western and Asian

cuisine, as well as a salad bar

and Thai, Chinese, Japanese,

French and pasta cooking

stations, The buffet is open

from 11 to 2.30 and costs

Bt399. Go in a group of five

and pay for four. For reserva-

tions, call (02) 254 0444

extension 1581-2.

The Peter Pan Collection House A century of Europe’s culture and craftsmanship

glints in the shop on Soi Thonglor, ranging from furni-ture, chandeliers and kitchenware to garments thatwere made between 1900 and yesterday.

A new branch of the Peter Pan Collection Housewas recently launched on the second floor of theEsplanade.

Retails TooAt the Soi Cats and

Dogs (Scad) shop onSukhumvit Soi 71, shop-pers can sift through amountain of items donat-ed by sympathetic Thaisand foreigners, with allprofits going towardsfinding homes for aban-doned cats and dogsaround Thailand. ReTailsToo, as the shop is called,

has every-thing from wooden cabinets to giant teddy bears atprices from Bt50 to Bt50, 000 and they’re all in good condition.

People with a pet-shaped hole in their lives should make theirway to the hideaway behind the store, where about 20 adoptablecats and dogs are waiting to make new friends.

Call (02) 713 2635 or (02) 713 3354 or visit www.ScadBangkok.org.

PapayaAlready well known from

its original home at BangkokBazaar, Papaya has now relo-cated to a three-storey ware-house on Soi Chokchai 4(Lat Phrao Soi 55/2) and ispiled high with everythingfrom retro furniture to lightfittings and ceramics to car-pets, as well as artwork andaccessories just begging fora home.

There’s also a good stockof quality second-handproducts imported fromDenmark, Belgium,Germany, France, Hollandand the US. Prices start atBt200 and run into the mil-lions.

Call (02) 933 0661 or visitwww.Design-AtHome.com.

12 SECOND HAND Thursday, December 25, 2008 DAILY XPRESS

As good as newCheer up your home this New Year with

great goods at bargain prices

PankanDrop your unwanted belongings with the people at the Pankan

(“sharing”) store at Seri Centre and they’ll make sure it flies intoa new home. A brainchild of the Yuvabadhana Foundation, theshop sells stuff donated by good-hearted people and passes onthe profits to help underprivileged kids nationwide.

You’ll find everything from clothes to kitchenware, CDs to chil-dren’s books and furniture to electric appliances at prices thatrun from a mere Bt10 to Bt30,000.

Call (02) 746 0448 or (02) 301 1096.

D A I L Y X P R E S S

With most of us having a few days off over the New Yearholidays, we’ve selected four second-hand shops that

offer good quality products at bargain prices that are ideal foradding cheer to your home. At Pankan and SCAD, you’llgreat used furniture and your money will help underprivi-leged people and rescued animals.

Thursday, December 25, 2008 DAILY XPRESS HEALTH & FITNESS 13

askthe pros

Vatanyudi Thanavisuth,MD, is an ophthalmologistat Samitivej SukhumvitHospital.

Send your question about health to contactsirinya@gmail.com.

quickshots

I have normal eyesight,but I wish my eyes wererounder.

Some of my friends wearthe Big Eyes contact lensesfrom South Korea and theylook fabulous, but I’m notsure if I should just buythem and rely on the in-structions provided, ratherthan consulting a doctorfirst. Do you think theirsize – 14 or 15.5mm – willmake any difference to myeyes?

Wannabe

People who find eyeglassesinconvenient usually havecontact lenses prescribed byphysicians to correct their vi-sion.

The Big Eyes lenses mightseem to give people dazzling-ly beautiful eyes, but the ac-companying risk has to beconsidered: You could loseyour sight.

The big contact lensesblock oxygen from reachingthe corneas, which thenweaken and become prone toinfections that could lead toblindness, even within justtwo or three days.

Another concern is thatsome of the fashionablecontact lenses being soldmight not meet approvedmedical standards and causedamage.

The wearers can have aller-gic reactions due to the dyesand other chemicals used inmaking the lenses.

So unless you have pooreyesight, and unless you’veseen a physician first toensure you’re a suitable can-didate for contact lenses,you shouldn’t risk yourprecious vision just to betrendy.

A dry new yearThe Thai Health Promotion

Foundation encourages us to takecare of each other and not offeralcohol as a New Year gift.Representatives explain whythrough mime and other activitiestoday from 1.30 to 2.30 at VictoryPoint, the Victory Monument. Call(02) 298 0222, extension 512.

Health for all the family

Siriraj Hospital’s medical facultyholds easy-to-digest talks everymonth in the cosy Room 7008,onthe seventh floor of SiamminBuilding. On Friday, January 9, thedoctors will be discussing allergieswhile on February 13, they’ll beturning the spotlight on choles-terol held on Friday. In March, thesubject is keeping the elderly ingood health. The talks run from 10to 11.30 and admission is free. Call(02) 419 7419.

Keep smiling evenwhen you’re sick

Rising costs and the threat oflosing your job causing you stress?Now for some good news!Bangkok Hospital is featuring spe-cial offers that will bring asmile to your face even if you fallsick. Civil servants and state enter-prise officers pay only Bt100 forambu-lance service, Bt100 pernight for a standard room, andreceive 30-per-cent off medicalcharges. The general public pays alittle more but receives a full 50-per-cent discount on standardrooms plus 20-per-cent off med-ical charges. Call 1719.

Expert advicePiyavate Hospital offers weekly

talks about health at its RossukonRoom on 16th floor, on Friday fromto noon. On January 10, expertswill advise how to keep away fromcancer; on January 24, the focus ison the knees, while on January 31,it’s all about breaking away fromback pain. Free admission. Call(02) 625 6500.

Contact Quick Shots at contact-

By Karin ZeitvogelA G E N C E F R A N C E -

P R E S S E

Life got you bummed outagain? Your personal cash

crunch so bad you can’t seethe Christmas tree for the for-est of debt?

You forgot to laugh, didn’tyou?

We’ve had lots of storiesabout “laughter meditation”,the yoga of chuckles thatswept out of India to tickle theworld’s tummy. It’s evencaught on in grumpy America,where the whole economy ison its knees.

“Laughter is such an easything – it comes naturally,”says Nira Berry as she leads60 people, including cancer

patients, in an hour-long ses-sion of “ha-ha yoga” at a hos-pital in a Washington suburb.

A quick warm-up of jivingto Kool and the Gang’s“Celebrate” and it’s straightinto the serious business oflaughing, as the group followsBerry’s lead and pronounces adetermined ho-ho, followedby a rapid ha-ha-ha.

“Laughter yoga combineslaughter with yogic breath-ing,” she says. “When welaugh we exhale, and we auto-matically take a deep inhaleafterwards, which is wherethe yogic breathing comes in.”

You need neither a sense ofhumour nor a pill, a drink orthe ability to bend your legs.The only prerequisite is the

ability to laugh, but gettingpeople to laugh on commandis difficult.

So Berry tells her studentsto fake it.

“Even if you fake it, yourbody is doing all kinds of won-derful things inside and youstart changing your mood andgetting healthier. And at theend people are really laugh-ing.”

Begun 15 years ago in Indiaby Madan Kataria, laughteryoga is popular in Europe andanother 30 countries aroundthe world but is only justcatching on in the UnitedStates.

Getting people to waddlearound a room full of strangersand act like a penguin while

ho-ho-ho’ing would be nearlyimpossible if the health bene-fits of laughter had not beenproven by science.

A 2006 study at theUniversity of Marylandshowed that watching a come-dy film boosts the flow ofblood to the heart whilewatching a sad film makes theflow decline.

And an experiment con-ducted in Japan showed thatdiabetics’ blood glucose levelsdropped after they chuckledtheir way through a stand-upcomedy show.

Ten minutes of sustainedlaughter will give you theequivalent workout of half anhour on a stationary bicycle,Berry adds.

Hey, Big Eyes: Don’t take risks

Ho ho?Haha!As the going gets tougher, Americans get into laughter yoga

Thai police learn to laugh at stress. Life doesn’tdemand to be taken seriously all the time.

Fan Waan Aai Joop Chukiat Sakveerakul, PrachyaPinkaew, Bhandit Thongdeeand Rashane Limtrakul eachdirect a short love story. Starsinclude Shahkrit Yamnarm andMario Maurer. With Englishsubtitles at some cinemas.

Happy BirthdayA travel photographer (AnandaEveringham) and a a tour guide(Chayanan Manomaisantiphap)meet cute and fall in love. Butthen tragedy strikes, leaving theyoung woman in a coma and hernew boyfriend as her devotedcaregiver. With English subti-tles at some cinemas. ★★★★

Pride and GloryA family of New York City Policeofficers are pitted against eachother in the investigation of adrug bust that went horriblywrong. Stars Edward Norton,Colin Farrell, Noah Emmerichand Jon Voight. ★★★

The Day the EarthStood Still In this update of the 1951 sci-ficlassic, Keanu Reeves plays analien who comes to warnEarthlings of their impendingdoom. Jennifer Connelly alsostars. Also at Krungsri IMAX.★★★

Toi et MoiJulie Depardieu and MarionCotillard star in this romanticcomedy. In French with Englishand Thai subtitles at House.

The OrphanageThe past haunts a couple afterthey buy a spooky old orphan-age. In Spanish with Englishand Thai subtitles at theApex. ★★★★

IkigamiCitizens are issued death mes-sages, telling them they haveonly 24 hours left to live. InJapanese with English andThai subtitles at Apex.

Transporter 3Driver Frank Martin (JasonStatham) has a new assign-ment: deliver the feisty daugh-ter of a Ukrainian official fromMarseilles to Odessa. For addedexcitement, Martin is fitted witha bracelet that will explode if hefails to make his delivery ontime. ★★

Ong Bak 2Phanom “Tony Jaa” Yeerum co-directs his magnum opus, star-ring as a fierce young warriorwho has only a taste forvengeance. With English subti-tles at some cinemas. ★★★★

TO SEE14 THE SCREEN Thursday, December 25, 2008 DAILY XPRESS

on tv

Hot FuzzLondon’s top cop finds himselfreassigned to a sleepy ruralvillage in this 2007 spoof ofbuddy-cop movies by BritsSimon Pegg and Edgar Wright.HBO (TrueVisions), 8pm

Santa Clause 3:The EscapeClauseSanta, aka Scott Calvin, isfaced with double-duty: howto keep his new family happy,and how to stop Jack Frostfrom taking over Christmas.Stars Tim Allen.Star Movies (TrueVisions),8pm

Inside ManThis battle-of-wits thriller pitsa bank robber against astreet-smart detective in whatappears to be the perfectbank robbery. Stars CliveOwen and Denzel Washington.Cinemax (TrueVisions), 8pm

How the GrinchStole ChristmasIf you’re not moved by DrSeuss’ animated holiday clas-sic, then your heart is two sizestoo small.MGM Gold (TrueVisions),7pm

Channel linkswww.NationChannel.comChannel 3 – www.ThaiTV3.comChannel 5 – www.TV5.co.thChannel 7 – www.CH7.comModernine – www.MCOT.netNBT – TV11.prd.go.thThai PBS – www.ThaiPBS.or.thTrue – www.TrueVisionsTV.com

Australia Baz Luhrmann’s sweeping epic is set in the NorthernTerritory prior to World War II, with Nicole Kidman asan aristocratic English widow who arrives to whip astruggling cattle ranch back into shape with help ofthe heroic Drover (Hugh Jackman). ★★★

Super HapA record company aims to make big baht with pret-ty-boy mixed-race singer Tom (Film Rattapoom).But Tom’s hiding a secret: ghost singer Tueng(Kiatisak Udomnak) whose looks are not superstarquality. Also stars Naowarat Yuktanan. WithEnglish subtitles at some cinemas.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

The escaped New York zoo animals make their way to the

African mainland where they encounter species of their

own kind for the very first time. Voices include Ben Stiller,

Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Also at Krungsri IMAX. ★★★

ApexLido: (02) 252 6498Siam: (02) 251 3508Scala: (02) 251 2861

Century – The Movie Plaza(02) 247 9940

House(02) 641 5913-4

Major Cineplex/EGVBangkok: (02) 515 5555Chiang Mai: (053) 283 939

Major HollywoodBangkok: (02) 718 7999

Paragon CineplexBangkok: (02) 129 4635IMAX: (02) 129 4631

SF CinemasBangkok: (02) 268 8888Phuket: (076) 209 000

VistaChiang Mai: (053) 894 415

Thursday, December 25, 2008 DAILY XPRESS BANGKOK/PATTAYA 15

Ambassadorial splendour

CITYSCENE IN PICTURES

Ride the Pattaya Express

Pattaya Deputy Mayor Ronnakij Ekasingh, third from left, helped start the AmericanExpress Platinum Journey: Pattaya Leisure Drive, organised by American Express, B

Grimm and the DusitD2 Baraquda Pattaya. Also pictured are DusitD2Baraquda Pattaya general manager Paolo Randone, Charnchai Suthidechachai, TATdeputy governor Juthaporn Rerngron-asa, American Express (Thailand) vice presidentAnakkawat Kowathanakul and Serm Phenjati, DusitD2 Baraquda Pattaya’s consultant.

Anchorman VarinSachdev, right, with DrKotom Ariya and the JoeLouis Puppet troupe.

D A I L Y X P R E S S

French Ambassador LaurentBili and his wife Sabine re-

cently celebrated the 150th an-niversary of the arrival of thefirst French diplomat to theFrench Residence in Bangkok.

Their Royal HighnessesPrincess Maha Chakri Sirindhornand Princess Sirivannavaripresided over the ceremony.

The fancy party at the resi-dence on the Chao Phya, next toCharoen Krung Road, featureddiplomats and their wivesdressed in period formal wear.

The Bilis wore Victorian-style fancy dress. They took aboat on the river and enteredthe residence from the backyard, just as the home’s firstresident, the Count ofCastelnau, did when he arrivedin Siam 150 years ago.

Thai officers from theFrench Embassy dressed in tra-ditional Thai costumes.

Fireworks highlighted theoccasion while the puppettroupe from the Joe LouisTheatre entertained hundredsof guests.

DonHetrakul, left, with French Ambassador Laurent Bili, PrachaHetrakul and Sabine Bili.

Above from left: SumetTantivejkul and his wifeKhunying Chintana, Dr JingjaiHanchanlash, Dr SumetJumsai na Ayudhaya andJean Charconnet.

Left from left: FinnishAmbassador Lars ErikBackstrom, US AmbassadorEric G John and his wifeYoon, Maria da Piedade deFaria e Maya, PortugueseAmbassador of AntonioFelix Machado de Faria eMaya and Brigitta KatharinaBackstrom.

16L

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Close to HomeBy John McPherson

AdamBy Bryan Basset

Calvin and HobbesBy Bill Watterson

The BucketsBy Scott Stantis

Pooch CafeBy Paul Gilligan

Red and RoverBy Brian Basset

Co

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Ga

mes

Thursday, December 25, 2008 DAILY XPRESS LEISURE 17

Games&YourStars

ASTROLOGYSUDOKU

DIFFICULTY RATING ★★★★

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

Complete the grid so that every row,column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

The last word in

By Eugenia Last

Today’s Birthday: Don’t let your emotions lead you downthe wrong path. Stand your ground and hold on to what you’veworked so hard to achieve. This is not the year to take risks or tolet frivolous needs get in the way of your goals. Instead of trial-and-error, this is a year that must be laid out precisely.

ARIES ***** March 21-April 19You’ll be busy running about and making sureeverything is up to your standards. Back awayfrom anyone who doesn’t often agree with you.This is the time of year to get along and to avoidany discord.

TAURUS *** April 20-May 20A change of scenery is what you need. Whether itmeans having a lot of people visit you or, evenbetter, visiting friends and family, it will give you arenewed sense of where you are heading.

GEMINI *** May 21-June 20You may be uncertain about a lot of things, includ-ing some of your relationships. Listen instead ofdoing all the talking and you will get a whole newperspective. Enjoy what others have to offer.

CANCER *** June 21-July 22You’ve probably taken on too much, but that’s OK,you will get through it. Family may be critical andsometimes difficult but, for now, concentrate onthe positive.

LEO ***** July 23-Aug. 22Have fun with your family. Your high-spirited na-ture and entertaining ways will capture hearts.Don’t neglect the one who is counting on youmost. Put time aside for that special person.

VIRGO ** Aug. 23-Sept. 22Be confident if you want everyone around you tolook up to you. Don’t let emotions overrule whatneeds to be done. This is not the time to argueover senseless, little things. It may be time for achange.

LIBRA **** Sept. 23-Oct. 22This can be a rather tense day if you let family getto you. Stick to the less serious members of yourclan and you will avoid some hefty discussionsabout matters that will set you off. Love is on therise.

SCORPIO *** Oct. 23-Nov. 21Lighten up and enjoy the day rather than beingcritical. Emotional deception is apparent if you areunapproachable or too quick to judge. Hold on toyour thoughts for now or you could face problems.

SAGITTARIUS *** Nov. 22-Dec. 21You will be emotional regarding some commentsmade and actions taken but you have to allowothers to be who they are. Put important deci-sions on the backburner for now.

CAPRICORN *** Dec. 22-Jan. 19Be careful how you handle family and friends. It islikely that someone will ask you for financial help.Back away nicely, making suggestions but avoidlending if you don’t feel right about it.

AQUARIUS **** Jan. 20-Feb. 18Overspending to try to please someone is a badidea. Make up for whatever you feel you should bedoing by offering affection, good will and a help-ing hand. Your gestures will be a far greater gift.

PISCES ** Feb. 19-March 20You may feel a little uneasy seeing some of yourrelatives, especially if you have unfinished busi-ness with any of them. Avoid a disagreementabout something that really doesn’t matter.

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY

Singer Jimmy Buffett is 62.Actress Barbara Mandrell is 60.Actress Sissy Spacek is 59.Singer Annie Lennox is 54.Keyboardist Darren Wharton(Thin Lizzy) is 46.Singer Dido is 37.Singer Mac Powell (Third Day) is 36.Actress Katie Wright is 27.

Sissy Spacek

1) 675-3,330 sq.m. : Laem Chabang Industrial Estate, Chonburi (EPZ)2) 1,200 sq.m. : Amata Industrial Estate, Chonburi3) 1,620 sq.m. : Lard Krabang Industrial Estate, (EPZ)4) 2.3 rais Raw land : Lard Krabang Industrial Estate, (EPZ)5) 700-1,000 sq.m. : King Kaew Project, km.126) 1,620 sq.m. : Hi-Tech Industrial Estate, Ayuthaya7) 2,500-5,000 sq.m. : Tonglow Industrial Land, Chonburi8) 1,000-8,500 sq.m. : Samutprakarn Factory

For sale & LeaseFor sale & Lease

Tel: 02-676-4031-5, 081-732-8242http://www.tfd-factory.com

Land 8-0-13 raiWellgrow IE

near Bangna-Trad Rd. between P&G and TOAnext to a canal7.7 MB/rai !!

(081)639-4693, (081)988-8901

Land near Natural Creek 7 Rai and 11 Rai

Surrounded by mountains of Khaoyai, cold weatherduring winter, with natural creek on the rear side,Amphur Kaengkoy, 100 km. from Bangkok, near

community and agricultural areas, suitable for fruitplantation and resort, ready to transfer

1,400 Baht/sq.w. Khun Mol 081-907-9783, 081-860-1442

WAREHOUSE FOR RENTSuitable for Store or Business/SMEs

- Ramintra outer Ring Rd., Km. 9 350-2,500 sq.m.- Near by Rama V Bridge, Nontaburi- Tiwanon Rd., (beside Soi Tiwanon 43)

Special Price

Ramintra Factory Co., Ltd.Tel. 02-914-2022, 02-914-2311, 081-806-1975

www.thailandfactoryrental.i8.com

Store Manager & Assistant Store ManagersResponsibilities:• Manages the store, performs to achieve sales target.• Maintains store's standard performance.• Develops services and ensures effectiveness.

Qualifications:• Bachelor's Degree in any related field with at least

10 years experience in retail operations.• Dynamic, team player, leadership skill and work hard.

Sales & Customer Service Responsibilities:• Advises customers and offers right products and

services solutions.• Maintains store's standard performance, performs to

achieve sales target.

Qualifications:• Bachelor's Degree in any related field with 2 years

experience in retail operations.• Dynamic, self-disciplined, high responsibility and

work hard.

Sales CoordinatorsResponsibilities:• Summarizes sales ordering documents, plans and

coordinates all logistics.• Coordinates all sales activities within the store to ensure

customer satisfaction.

Qualifications:• Bachelor's Degree in any related field with at least

2 years experience in coordinating sales activities or logistics.

• Dynamic, well-organized, self-disciplined & responsible.

Section Managers Responsibilities:• Manages sales floor, schematic, replenishment, stock

availability, performs to achieve sales target and maintains store's standard performance.

• Trains and develops staff for operation effectiveness.

Qualifications:• Bachelor's Degree in any related field with at least

5 years experience in retail operations or similar. • Dynamic, team player, leadership skill and work hard.

Interior Designers / Visual Display Professionals Interior Designer's Responsibilities:• Provides 3D services, including interior design housing

and residence.• Advises customers about interior design, furniture

and decorative items.

Visual Display's Responsibilities:• Interior design, display room setting in the store.• In store communications (e.g. design, placement of

POSM in points of sale, etc.)

Qualifications:• Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design, preferably interior

housing, visual merchandising in housing or retail business.• Dynamic, self-disciplined and high responsibility.

CashiersResponsibilities:• Handles cash and registers sales transactions.• Process and control documents.

Qualifications:• Vocational or Commercial Certificate in any related field,

preferably with experience in retail business.• Accurate, self-disciplined and high responsibility.

If you are seeking a dynamic, exciting work environment and everyday challenges, apply now!

Human Resources - Recruitment Index Living Mall Co., Ltd. 43/15 Moo 7, Rama 2 Road Soi 50, Samaedam, Bangkhunthien, Bangkok 10150, Thailand Tel: 0 2898 5544 ext. Recruitment Fax: 0 2898 4377

Email: recruitment@indexlivingmall.com Visit: www.indexlivingmall.com

Index Living Mall : Special Mall for Home Furnishings.Challenges... opportunities... come alive at Index Living Mall in Dubai Got potential and self drive? Take it now!

Attractive salary, great benefits await you!

- Service minded with good personality., Good command of English, preferably writing skills.- Can work in Dubai, UAE for a minimum of 2 years.

All positions require:

Based out of Rayong, Dacon Inspection Services Co., Ltd.has over the last 15 years developed into one of Thailandand the region's leading inspection companies, specializing

in advanced and high technology inspection services for the Oil & Gas, Petrochem andPower industry. The company has recently received ISO 9001 Certification, and expandsinto new high tech sectors, especially Advanced and Digital Radiographic Testing and X-rayservices as well as high end Ultrasonic’s, while at the same time further expanding intoASEAN countries. The company has taken aim at going towards Public Listing in Thailand,so to further boost our team of young and dedicated professionals, we are looking for thefollowing people to join us:

Level 3 Inspector - to develop new and market leading inspection services◆ Thai or foreign nationality◆ Degree in Engineering◆ Must be NDT level 3 Certified in MT, PT, UT and/or RT◆ Minimum 8 years of experience in the Oil & Gas industry◆ Team Leadership experiences preferred◆ Must have excellent communication and human relations skills◆ Strong working knowledge of NDT◆ Good knowledge of relevant Codes and Standards ◆ Be able to work in Rayong province

Inspection Engineers - to be in the team of inspectors◆ Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Engineering◆ Some years of experiences in Inspection would be a plus◆ Dynamic, initiative and hard working◆ Work for local and international projects◆ Can work overtime and travel to the provinces and overseas◆ Good in English for both speaking and writing◆ Be able to work in Rayong provinceRemarks:

✬ Intensive and extensive trainings both local and overseas will be provided✬ Career advancements and opportunity to grow in both local and overseas locations

Marketing/Salesperson ◆ Some years of experiences in Marketing/Sales to the Oil & Gas, Petrochem

and Power industry◆ Good command of spoken and written English◆ Own car and driver’s license

Send your application in English only to hr@dacon-inspection.com

Dacon Inspection Services Co., Ltd.51/10 Moo 5, Sukhumvit Road, Ban Chang, Rayong 21130

Tel: 038-880788, Fax: 038-880727www.dacon-inspection.com Email: hr@dacon-inspection.com

Senior Assistant Tax andAccounting Manager

Responsible for tax & accounting of MetalDepartment, consolidated report. Qualifications:

● Male, age 35-40 ● Master's or Bachelor's Degree in

Accounting, Finance, Audit● CPA licence is an advantage● Good command of English● 10 years experience in accounting

for big firms● Knowledge of tax and accounting

Project DevelopmentTo create and develop the new businessopportunity. Project: Infrastructure projects such astransportation, water, industries, etc.Qualifications:● Male, age 30-35● Bachelor's Degree in Engineering● Master's Degree in Business

Administration● Good command of English● 5-7 years experience in project

development

Investment/Project AnalystJob Description:● Analyze the feasibility of company'sproject investment from investor's point of view● Develop & Analyze financial model● Sensitivity analysis● Risk & Return analysis ● Suggestion/Comment for risk protectionJob Qualifications:● Male/Female, age 30-33● Bachelor's/Master's Degree in

Finance● Experience 5-7 years as a project

analyst, investment analyst in financial institution or project investment in the company

● Good command of English Please apply in person or send yourresume in English by mail withexpected salary and recent photo to

Sumitomo CorporationThailand Limited

20th & 21st Floor, M. Thai Tower, All Seasons Place, 87 Wireless Rd.,

Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330Ms.Pornpimol Tanpanichakul, HumanResources Development DepartmentE-mail: tanpanichakul.pornpimol@

sumitomocorp.co.jpTel. (02) 654-0002-29 ext. 403

Sumitomo Corporation Thailand Ltd. and Sumi-Thai International Ltd., the affiliatedcompanies of Sumitomo Corporation, a Japanese leading international trading andinvestment company with 179 offices worldwide. We and our affiliated groupcompanies are expanding our business and require more highly qualified and dynamicmanpower for the positions of:

Jets Ellis fined forthrowing snow New York Jets player Shaun Elliswas slapped with a US$10,000fine by the National FootballLeague’s disciplinary officials onTuesday for throwing snow atSeattle fans. At the end of a 13-3Sunday Jet loss, Seattle fans hitthe Jets’ players with snow ballsas they entered the tunnel tothe locker room. Ellis, a defen-sive end, responded by walkingover to a snow bank and tossinga boulder-sized chunk of snowthat hit a fan. – AFP

Chelsea’s Essien tops Ghana pollChelsea midfielder MichaelEssien has been named GhanaFootballer of the Year after amedia poll. A couple of othermidfielders in the national ‘BlackStars’ team, Sulley Muntari ofInter Milan and Laryea Kingstonof Hearts, came second andthird respectively. – AFP

Evra targets titletreble for UnitedPatrice Evra has told hisManchester United team-matesto focus on a hat-trick ofPremier League titles.“My target is to win three titles

in a row,” he said. “To win itagain would be the best feeling.We have the potential to do itbut we must keep working hard.”Evra will be missing during

United’s Christmas fixtures as heserves the four-match. The for-mer Monaco star is likely tomake his first appearance afterthe ban against Chelsea, at OldTrafford. “I would like to thankthe FA for my little holiday, itmeans I can spend more timewith my family over Christmas,”he joked. – AFP

I can win AustOpen: TsongaRising French player Jo-WilfriedTsonga believes he can go onebetter at theAustralian Opennext month andwin his firstGrand Slamtitle.The 23-year-oldfrom Le Mansexploded on tothe scene inMelbourne at thestart of the year when hereached the final as an unseed-ed player defeating RafaelNadal in straight sets in thesemi-finals.He then lost to Novak Djokovic ina closely-fought title match. “Iwill go into the Australian Openas one of the possible winners. Iam sure of that,” Tsonga said.“The Grand Slam tournamentsare what it is all about. I can’twait to get down there and geton with it.“I am very ambitious for nextyear and Melbourne will be cru-cial to what follows.” – AFP

brieflyCeltics roll Sixers for franchise-recordThe Boston Celtics gave themselves an earlyChristmas gift – and one that money can’t buy –a place in the franchise and NBA record books.Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo scored 18 pointsapiece as the surging Celtics rolled to their 19thconsecutive victory, beating the Philadelphia76ers 110-91. “We haven’t really kept up with thestreak, but any time you win, any time you estab-

lish yourself in history is always a great thing,” Garnett said. - DPA

22 THE SPORT Thursday December 25, 2008 DAILY XPRESS

SAN JOSE SHARKSvs VANCOUVER CANUCKS

5:0The NHL-leading San Jose Sharks piled ona record-breaking five goals in the first 21minutes for a superb win over theVancouver Canucks. Sharks captain PatrickMarleau had a goal and two assists.THE SPORT

DPA, Sunderland, England

Chelsea manager Luiz FelipeScolari broke his media

silence to condemn referee PhilDowd’s decision to send off JohnTerry during Monday’s 0-0 drawat Everton.

Terry was dismissed for seri-ous foul play by referee PhilDowd after a reckless lunge onLeon Osman.

Scolari refused to attend theusual post-match press-confer-ence. “If I go to say something[straight after the game] maybeI say something wrong and Ineed more time to look at every-thing,” he said.

“I have to look at the gameagain if something happened inthe game. I need to be sure

about this or that.“I said no [to the press] at that

time because maybe I’d haveproblems in the future – in thattime I am not calm.

“If I go then I answer somequestions and I’m angry.”

He still professed bewilder-ment on Tuesday, even thoughneither of Terry’s feet wererooted, bringing him within theFootball Association’s definitionof serious foul play.

“Maybe I look at the game andI change my mind, but I don’tchange my mind about yester-day,” Scolari said.

“I looked at the game againand I don’t change.

“It’s the same as I thought yes-terday. For me it’s not normal. I

don’t understand the decision.“But he’s the referee. After

[the red card] John goes to hisfriend [Osman] to apologise, hegoes off like normal. He’s a verygood captain, he accepts the de-cision from the referee.”

Cech makes case for bossChelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech

insists Scolari still has the fullsupport of the Stamford Bridgesquad.

Reports in the English mediarecently claimed that seniorplayers including Terry andFrank Lampard were unhappywith Scolari’s training methodsand substitutions.

Chelsea’s results have hardlyquelled the sense that Scolari isstruggling to adapt to life at thewest London club, as well as theunique demands of the PremierLeague.

“We have seen things that

Chelsea boss Scolari hits out at Terry’sdismissal – but there are rumours thatthe captain’s unhappy with his methods

Tsonga

Garnett

LANGUAGBARRIE

Thursday December 25, 2008 DAILY XPRESS THE SPORT 23

AP, Liverpool, England

Rafael Benitez is close to areturn to the Liverpool

dugout for tomorrow’s clashagainst Bolton, while starstriker Fernando Torresshould also be back in actionsoon.

Liverpool manager Benitezmissed Sunday’s 1-1 draw atArsenal while he recoveredfrom a kidney stones opera-tion, but he is expected to beback on the bench forBolton’s Boxing Day visit toAnfield. Benitez’s assistantSammy Lee hopes his immi-nent return can provide theperfect boost for Liverpool tofinish the year on a high.

“Rafa is a lot better, he’s onthe mend. He has been in alot of pain but he is improv-ing,” Lee said.

“His presence is alwaysmissed, but the organisationhe has put in place is suchthat even though he has notbeen here this week, the bat-tle plan is still there.

“We know what we have todo, the game plan is there, itis business as usual.

“He is missed and hopeful-ly he will be back with us forthe Bolton game.

“He is a hands-on manager,it is hurting him more beingaway from the trainingground really, but he will beback soon.”

The Bolton game may be

too soon for Torres to returnfrom a hamstring injury thathas forced the 24-year-old tomiss five matches, but Leeexpects him back soon.

“Fernando’s progress hasmarkedly improved. He isgetting better. He improveswith every training sessionand he has worked very hardon his rehabilitation,” Leesaid. “We will put him inwhen we see fit, that’s notevasive but I don’t want tostart revealing our line-up.”

Liverpool go into the firstof their Christmas fixtureson top of the Premier Leagueand protecting an unbeatenhome league record in 2008.

It is the first timeLiverpool have been top atthis stage since 1996, and twowins over the holiday periodagainst Bolton first and thenat Newcastle on Sunday willgive them their best pointstally in a calendar year for 19years.

“The lads will be in train-ing on Christmas Day, wehave two very importantgames in three days comingup and they are very profes-sional and accept that theyhave to have their Christmasat a different time to every-one else,” Lee added.

“They know the job inhand, they know what prepa-ration is needed to stay at thetop of the Premier League.”

Sam AllardyceBLACKBURN BOSS ON ROQUE SANTACRUZ DESIRE TO PLAY FOR MAN CITY

“We’ve had the discussion and Ijust said the timing I thought wasvery poor. He should have notdone that interview ... but wehave resolved that and I have toldhim I don’t want him to leave.”

Freddy ShepherdFORMER NEWCASTLE OWNER ONMICHAEL OWEN

“Michael won’t want to hearwhat I am saying. They say thereis no loyalty in football any morebut this is an extreme case. Hehas been handsomely paid, forfour years and there should besome return for Newcastle.”

have been said, there is always alot of comment at this club,”Cech said. “It is always specula-tion. But out on the pitch no-

body is complaining, nothing isbeing said. “And when we weredown to 10 men it is clear weare physically ready and arehappy with the tactics andfighting for the manager.”

There was some good newsfor Scolari on Tuesday as theFootball Association con-firmed that Brazil defenderAlex won’t face disciplinaryaction for a stamp on Evertonmidfielder Tim Cahill. Dowdwas asked to review footage ofthe incident after no actionwas taken against the player onthe field.

Alex appeared to bring hisfoot down on the Australian’sthigh after being tackled but hewill not face punishment.

A statement from theFootball Association said:“Referee Phil Dowd said had heseen the incident, he would nothave shown Alex a red card.”

IT IS ALWAYSSPECULATION. BUTOUT ON THE PITCHNOBODY ISCOMPLAINING,NOTHING IS BEINGSAID.Petr Cech, Chelsea keeper

AFP, London

Highly-rated Russian for-ward Andrei Arshavin

could finally be on his way toEurope after his agent saidthe Zenit St Petersburg playerwas almost certain to be soldin the transfer window.

Arshavin has been linked toArsenal, Tottenham and RealMadrid and, according to aBBC website report yesterdayhis agent, Dennis Lachter,said Arshavin and Zenit hadagreed that he should find anew club in January.

“He will definitely move inJanuary or the player and clubwill lose money,” Lachtersaid. “Zenit and Andrei un-derstand that it is time forthem to part from each other.”

Arshavin, 27, was linkedwith Tottenham last summerfollowing his impressive per-formances at Euro 2008, andthis week Zenit general direc-tor Maxim Mitrofanov wasquoted as saying his price tagwas £20 million and theyhoped Arsenal would makean offer.

But Lachter denied reportsthat the player had visitedboth teams’ training groundson a recent trip to London.

“That is not true,” he said.“I was in London and he

was there too, but the onlyreason he was there was toshoot an advert for a compa-ny he has a contract with.”

‘Arshavintransfer onthe way’

The striker plans to leaveZenit in January.

Fernando Torres is back in training after recovering from ahamstring injury.

Benitez and Torresclose to Reds returns

EPA

AP

EPA

Chelsea manager LuizFelipe Scolari signalsinstructions to captainJohn Terry.,,

GEER

Thursday, December 25, 2008 DAILY XPRESS THE SPORT 25

GOLF

OUT OF TIGER’S SHADOW

AP, THOUSAND OAKS, California

Tiger Woods posed next tothe trophy on the 18th

green, a familiar scene with arare twist. It was Sunday, andhis clothing did not include atrace of red, and his jacket wasblack, not green.

He was merely the host of theChevron World Challenge. Hisduty was to thank sponsors andvolunteers and give the trophyto Vijay Singh.

“I’m on the operational sidethis week,” Woods said.

That still beats being operat-ed on, which is why no one hadseen Woods at a tournament inany capacity since he won theUS Open, his last event beforeseason-ending knee surgery. Hewent the final 188 days of theUS golf season without hittinga single shot, opening a host ofopportunities for those he reg-ularly beats.

Singh won the silly seasonevent for the first time, takinghome his third trophy that be-longed to Woods a year ago.The other two were from theBridgestone Invitational andthe FedEx Cup.

No real advantage for FijianDid the 45-year-old Fijian

take advantage of the big cat be-ing away? Not really.

Singh has been among golf’selite for the better part of adecade now, winning three ma-jors and taking the No 1 rankingaway from Woods in 2004. Hemight not be considered

Woods’ chief rival, but he couldbe remembered as the second-best player in Woods’ era.

Still, there were some whobenefited from Woods spend-ing more time chasing hisdaughter than chasing JackNicklaus.

And there were some whodidn’t.

The next four players behind

Woods in the world ranking af-ter he won the US Open – PhilMickelson, Adam Scott, GeoffOgilvy and Ernie Els – com-bined to play 41 times and pro-duced one victory over the lastsix months. The only timeMickelson made headlines wasbecause of something Woods’caddy said. During a discussionabout rivals, Nicklaus once told

Woods that the most importantthing was to be part of the con-versation.

With the world’s No 1 playerout of sight for the second halfof the season, the conversationshifted to four players:

Padraig Harrington The Irishman joined some

elite company by becoming on-ly the seventh player in the last50 years to win consecutiveMajors in the same season.

That was enough to be votedplayer of the year by five organ-isations – golf writers fromboth sides of the Atlantic, thePGA of America, EuropeanTour and US PGA Tour.

Anthony KimEveryone raves about Kim’s

raw skill and unlimited poten-tial. It was worth paying atten-tion to when he delivered.

The first victory came atQuail Hollow in Ohio by fiveshots against a strong field.

Then came a two-shot victo-ry at Congressional inMaryland to join Woods, SergioGarcia and Adam Scott to be-come the only players in thelast 10 years to win multipletimes in a season before turn-ing 25.

Adding to the hype was hisemotional play at the RyderCup, and the thrashing he gaveGarcia in the Sunday singles.

Kim closed him out on the14th hole, 5 and 4, and was sofired up he stormed off to the15th tee without realising hehad won.

“He’s got the swagger,”Woods said. “He’s got all thetools.”

Camilo Villegas The Colombian deserves a

cameo mention, but two con-secutive victories is not quiteenough to establish himself as achallenger to Woods. Evenwhen he wasn’t contending,Villegas was promoted for hismagazine looks and stylishclothing. But he is No 7 in theworld, and rightfully men-tioned in a growing group ofyoung stars.

Sergio Garcia Garcia is similar to Singh in

that he was part of the conver-sation even before Woods left,having established himself asthe best player to have neverwon a Major (and perhaps theyoungest player, at 28, to carrythat burden).

Garcia wasn’t affected thatmuch by Woods’ absence. Whathe really needs is forHarrington to break a leg, be-cause the Irishman twice hastrumped him on the closingholes at Majors in the last twoyears.

Even so, Garcia restored hisstar power by winning thePlayers Championship andtwice losing in extra holes dur-ing the US PGA Tour play-offs– one to Singh, another toVillegas.

Asked who benefited themost from his absence, Woodsfocused on youth – Kim,Villegas, Garcia.

“They’re hitting their stridenow,” he said. “They’re cominginto their own.”

The question is whether theycan keep pace when Woods iswearing a red shirt on Sunday,not a black jacket.

Woods’ absence opens the door forother players

AP

Tiger Woods congratulates Vijay Singh, winner of the season-endChevron World Challenge.

Harrington Villegas Garcia

26 THE SPORT Thursday, December 25, 2008 DAILY XPRESS

D A I L Y X P R E S S

Bangkok yesterday broughtthe curtain down on the

Phitsanulok-hosted NationalGames with a bang, retainingtheir crown by capturing amassive 291 medals, including125 golds, in the country’s an-nual sports extravaganza.

After 11 days of competitionamong athletes from all 76provinces, Bangkok took the li-on’s share of the prizes – 125golds, 90 silvers and 76 bronzes– to reign supreme in the 37thedition of the Games.

Impressive hoardTheir gold-medal hunt was

almost as successful as lastyear’s expedition in Nakhon SiThammarat, which broughtthem 131 golds.

A distant second with 44golds, 34 silvers and 48 bronzeswere Chon Buri. while Chiang

Mai (37-34-41) came third.Hosts Phitsanulok (24-15-31)and Suphan Buri (21-27-24) fin-ished fourth and fifth respec-tively.

Kamolthip, Yupa shineThe final day of the Games

saw 28 gold medals on offer.Bangkok grabbed six, includinggolds in the men’s andwomen’s beach volleyball com-petition, thanks mainly to theirnational spikers led by two-time SEA Games championsKamolthip Kulna and Yupa

Phukrongploy. The capital alsotook one gold apiece from thewomen’s singles table tennis,women’s indoor volleyball andbasketball and the men’s Go(“Chinese chess”) team.

However, Bangkok wouldhave surpassed their previousmark of 131 had they not letgolds slip through their fingersin several events.

Near missesYesterday, they lost gold-

medal matches in the men’ssingles and mixed doubles ten-nis competition, table tennis’smixed doubles and men’s sin-gles, the men’s basketball,men’s indoor volleyball andwomen’s Go.

Spectacular ceremonyThe closing ceremony took

place last night at thePhisanulok Main Stadium witha dazzling fireworks displayand impressive performances.Trang will host the 38th editionfrom September 5 to 15 nextyear.

NATIONAL GAMES

Capital’s beachvolleyballers boostfinal gold tally

Nakhon Nayok players try to tackle Samut Prakan’s Kampol Sangchanon their way to the gold medal in the men’s rugby yesterday.

OlazabalnamesDoughertyEuropean team captainJose Maria Olazabal hasnamed Englishman NickDougherty as the seventhplayer to represent Europeagainst Asia in the thirdedition of the RoyalTrophy to be held atAmata Spring CountryClub just outside Bangkokfrom January 9 to 11.Dougherty is one ofEurope’s most accom-plished young players andone of the continent’sbiggest hopes for thefuture. “I am honoured tohave been selected bycaptain Olazabal ... This isa fantastic opportunity forme and I will do all I can tomake the most of it,” saida delighted Dougherty.“I really want to have agreat year in 2009 andthere would be no betterstart than – with captainOlazabal and my seventeammates – defendingthe Royal Trophy.”A G E N C I E S

DAILY

XPR

ESS

BANGKOK SWAGGER GOLF

Thursday, December 25, 2008 DAILY XPRESS THE SPORT 27

AP, New York

The big, bad New YorkYankees are flexing their

mighty chequebook, and therest of Major League Baseballisn’t happy.

While the recession has manyteams cautious about spending,the Yankees remain in a GildedAge, dropping more thanUS$400 million on high-profilefree agents, including an eight-year deal with first basemanMark Teixeira on Tuesday. Thecrosstown Mets have lavishedbig money, too, and other teamsare jealous.

“This year they just bothwent crazy,” San FranciscoGiants pitcher Barry Zito saidof New York’s teams. “All thesepeople are going East now. It’scrazy.”

The Yankees tend to let criti-cism bounce off their pin-stripes. “I’ve got enough thingsto worry about and thinkabout,” co-chairman HalSteinbrenner said. “I try not toconcentrate on any of that.”

Across a city where cocktailparty talk centres on theBernard Madoff Ponzi schemeand the demise of Bear Stearnsand Merrill Lynch, the twobaseball teams have grabbed at-tention with their dazzlingdeals during a time of retrench-ment.

How in the world can they af-ford this? Well, the Yankees al-ready own about one-third of

their own regional sports cablenetwork.

They’ve started their ownconcession company in con-junction with the NFL’s DallasCowboys.

And now they have a new, $1.3billion ballpark opening inApril. The top ticket at the newYankee Stadium goes for $2,500next season. The best seat at theMets’ Citi Field seems like a dis-count, averaging $495.

“We are very sensitive to theeconomic conditions, to peo-ple’s concerns,” Yankees presi-dent Randy Levine said. “Wemonitor it very closely and, ifnecessary, can make adjust-ments. But as we stand today,we believe strongly that our

fans and customers appreciatethat we continue to reinvest inour product.”

The Mets, whose owners alsoown a share of their own net-work, made the first big free-agent move. They struck a $37million, three-year agreementwith closer FranciscoRodriguez.

But that was a pittance com-pared to the nearly quarter-bil-lion dollars – $243.5 million tobe precise – the Yankees com-mitted on a single day last weekfor a pair of starting pitchers:CC Sabathia got a $161 million,seven-year contract and oft-in-jured AJ Burnett was enticed tothe Bronx with an $82.5 million,five-year deal. New York fol-

lowed that up by striking a $180million deal with Teixeira.

After the Yankees’ streak of 13consecutive play-off appear-ances ended, you could counton them to set the top of themarket. Around the rest ofMLB, the highest free-agentcontract belongs to pitcherRyan Dempster, who will re-ceive $52 million over four sea-sons to remain with theChicago Cubs.

While arch-rivals Boston RedSox play in Fenway Park, withthe smallest capacity in the ma-jor leagues at about 37,750, theYankees are moving into a ball-park next season that holds52,325 – about 4,500 seats fewerthan their old stadium.

BASE BALL

YANKEES DANDYRecession-proofpinstripes gamblebig money onsome big stars

Pitchers AJ Burnett, right,and CC Sabathia are new assets for the New York Yankees.

Upbeat Fabregas escapes the knife

Asian Tourhits out atrival plans

The Asian Tour hascondemned the rivalOneAsia golf tour ofattempting to invade thecontinent, issuing astrongly worded state-ment yesterday inresponse to fresh specula-tion about the organisa-tional future of the sportin the region.

The Asian Tour’s state-ment came after reportsthe Japanese Golf Tourhad held talks with USPGA and European Tourofficials about bringingevents from those tours toJapan.

The talks deepen theuncertainty about whichsanctioning bodies willcontrol Asian golf in thenear term.

The Australasian,Japanese, Chinese andSouth Korean tours hadbeen party to the creationof the One Asia tour,which had initial plans fora combined tour in thosenations from 2009.

However organisershad said 2010 nowappeared the more likelystart, and with the pro-posed tour downscaledfrom a full-blown tour to asmaller series of high-pro-file tournaments open toleading players.

“The Australasian Tour,which has initiated theformation of the OneAsiaTour, held meetings in Asiawithout inviting the AsianTour to these meetings,which we view as goingagainst the spirit of coop-eration and an attempt toinvade Asia,” said AsianTour executive chairmanKyi Hla Han. AP

AGENCIES, Barcelona

Arsenal midfielder CescFabregas has confirmed he

will not be undergoing an oper-ation on his damaged knee.

Fabregas travelled toBarcelona yesterday to consultspecialist doctor Ramon Cugatabout the problem he picked upduring Sunday’s BarclaysPremier League draw withLiverpool when he was tackledby Xabi Alonso.

The injury is set to keep theGunners’ captain sidelined foraround four months, but it willnot require the Spain interna-tional to go under the knife.

“After consulting with thebest doctor possible, we’ve de-cided not to operate. If it wouldhave been necessary it wouldhave been the first thing Iwould have done, but the doc-tor recommended to me not todo it because I’m young and the

meniscus is not damaged,”Fabregas said.

“Although we cannot be cer-tain because the injury onlyhappened a few days ago, but Iwill be out for more or less fourmonths. My intention is to re-turn as soon as possible to helpmy team-mates.

“I will endeavour to return assoon as possible to do what Ilike most, to play football.”

Fabregas did not come out for

the second half of Sunday’s 1-1draw against Liverpool at theEmirates Stadium after sustain-ing the knee problem followinga tackle by his Spanish team-mate Alonso.

The 21-year-old Fabregas saidof Alonso: “He was very con-cerned about me. He called meafter the game, he has beensending messages and alsocalled me before I saw the doc-tor.”

AP

EPA

Cesc Fabregas arrives inBarcelona yesterday.

GOLF

Aaron Kwok