Phuket
Phuket Sports: Season of action for Jackson

PHUKET: The standout player of futsal’s Phuket United, Brazilian Jackson Santos, finished last season as the league’s second top scorer, and his goals helped the Andaman Pearl achieve their pre-season aim of a top five finish.
Now the season has come to a close and Jackson has headed back to Brazil to recuperate and take care of his pregnant wife.
Before he left for Brazil, Jackson answered questions about his first, and possibly, last season for Phuket United.
Phuket Gazette: How was your first season for Phuket United?
Jackson Santos: I think it was a good season, because this is the first year the team has played in the national league.
To finish in the top five as a team and for me to finish as the league’s second top goal scorer, I can say that it was a good season.
Will you be coming back to Phuket next season?
I don’t know yet, I need to talk with my manager and review a new contract if possible.
I have received proposals from Brazilian futsal teams and a European team but I would prefer to remain in Thailand.
Did you like playing for Phuket United?
I liked playing for Phuket United last season.
The town is wonderful, the fans are excellent as is the team and several people within Phuket United have a good heart and that is very important to me.
Why did you choose to come to Phuket to play futsal?
Because Phuket has a very good project. I spoke to many people before coming and they all said good things about the island and the people who work for Phuket United. This made my choice to come play here quite easy.
Are you and the other Brazilian players [Jardel and Marcos] friends?
Yes, they will also be very happy with the season.
How is futsal in Thailand different to playing in Brazil?
Brazil is a power in the futsal world and they have the best team in the world with excellent players. [Brazil won last year’s Futsal World Cup beating Spain 3-2 in the final]
Thailand has been improving each year, and I think that soon more teams will also have a great name in the world futsal scene.
What was the highlight of your season?
The run we put together towards the end of the season [Phuket United finished the season winning seven straight games].
I was very determined to win fifth place and to be the top scorer.
What was the low point of your season?
I believe that when the team lost five games in a row we were not very good or motivated, but that changed.
What has futsal taught you in your career?
A lot of things. I have been playing futsal for 16 years.
Futsal has taught me to know people, their wills, choices, feelings and many other things.
What do you like to do when you are not playing futsal?
I listen to good music, go shopping and surf the internet.
The internet is very important to me as it helps me stay in touch with my family back in Brazil.
Do you have a message for the Phuket United fans?
I want to thank all of the fans one by one and say thank you for the support throughout the season.
— Andrew Scott
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Thailand
UPDATE: Confusion over Covid-19 tests for visa extensions

UPDATE: Khaosod English removed a story on Covid-19 tests for those seeking visa extensions and replaced it with the article “Immigration backtracks on plan to require Covid-19 test for visa extensions.” They say the previous report sparked uproar among expats and immigration police spokesperson has since apologised for the misunderstanding.
Original article…
Confusion reigns today over whether Covid-19 tests will be required for visa extensions. While The Phuket News spoke with an immigration official who said “no… you don’t need a Covid-19 test to extend your visa or apply for a work permit”, Khaosod English wrote an article headlined “Covid-19 test will be mandatory for all visa extension”.
The Thaiger also contacted a respected visa agent who said Covid-19 tests are, indeed, now required for applying for both visa extensions and work permits, even renewals.
The Thai Immigration Bureau has not made any official announcement regarding Covid-19 tests. Talk about Covid-19 tests for foreigners was brought up after a rule was published in the Royal Gazette last month, officially adding Covid-19 to a list of dangerous diseases, prohibiting those infected with any of the listed illnesses from entering the country.
Immigration Police Bureau spokesperson Archayon Kraithong told Khaosod English that proof of a negative Covid-19 test will be required for visa extensions, regardless of how long a foreigner has stayed in Thailand. On the other hand, Phuket immigration deputy chief Nareuwat Putthawiro told The Phuket News that Covid-19 tests will not be required for visa extensions or work permit applications.
“We do not require any medical documents for an application to renew a visa, because there are few foreigners’ movements outside Phuket. Most of them live and work in Phuket, and have done so before the new wave of Covid-19… So they do not have to worry about it. Everything is still the same.”
Medical exams are currently already required for most work permit applicants (including tests for Syphilis and Elephantiasis). A visa agent told The Thaiger that Covid-19 tests have been added to the medical examination requirements for work permit applicants. But, on the other hand, Phuket immigration says they DO NOT require Covid-19 tests for work permit applicants.
“We have not received any notices about Covid-19 requirements for processing applications to renew visas. If we do receive any such orders, we will let the public know.”
It isn’t the first time there has been conflicting statements coming out of different officials, in different immigration offices on different days.
SOURCES: Phuket News| Khaosod English
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Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Visitors to Phuket from “highest risk” areas must show Covid-19 test results

People arriving Phuket from the “highest risk” areas are required to take a swab test by the staff at emergency operation centres (EOC) or show the test result document endorsed by the EOC staff made within 72 hours of their arrival. The revised order is effective from now until January 31, according to the Phuket Governor.
Those people who are on a brief business trip to Phuket need to show certificates from their employers describing the reason and necessity of their trips. If they want to leave their accommodations, they have to make a request to the EOC and clearly explain the reason as well as the time and destination. Visitors are also asked to avoid going to the community areas to avoid crowded gatherings.
It is noted that the revised order by the governor has not been officially promoted by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department. However, all visitors are still asked to register online via the Mor Chana contact tracing application and via www.gophuget.com according to the order re-issued on Friday.
SOURCE: Phuket News
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Tourism
The road less travelled – trekking to the Kalim Viewpoint

There are two well known ways to get from Kathu to Kalim or Kamala – one is across the Patong Hill, and the other is much longer, through Srisoonthorn and along the coastal road from Surin the Kamala (very scenic too).
But there’s also another way. Also very scenic but will take you about 2 hours through dense forest although there is a well-worn walking track. The track will take you from Kathu up to the Kalim Viewpoint. From here you can head back to Kathu along a different path, or down into Kalim, near Patong.
Starting about halfway down Soi Namtok in Kathu, you head up a nondescript road past the Flying Hanuman zipline attraction, although there’s no sign at the entrance to the soi (below). About the first kilometre is paved but then becomes increasingly ‘agricultural’ as you get higher into the hills, heading towards the Kalim Viewpoint. There’s also a small temple on the way up.
PHOTO: The start of the trek, a small soi off Soi Namtok – Google Maps
It will take around 2 hours to trek up to the Kalim Viewpoint. The walking is quite strenuous and you’ll need to be wearing the right shoes and take plenty of water – there’s no 7/11s on the way! As you get nearer the top, to the viewpoint, the track becomes less drivable although the track is still quite open and easy to follow. If you’re feeling a bit lazy you can take a motorbike about halfway up the road until you’ll need to proceed on foot from there.
From the Kalim Viewpoint you can see across Kalim to Patong Bay and the land that stretches along the bay south of Patong Beach. From the top you can either make your way down to Kalim or another exit along the Kalim-Kamala Road, just near the Iguana Beach Club.
You can also head back another way to Kathu, a longer return track that skirts around the top of the Kathu Waterfall. A lot of that track gets very narrow and parts of it are up and down the hills, some of it very steep.
The views are amazing and you get to see a vast swathe of Phuket, still very close to popular locations like Patong, Kamala and Kathu, but untouched by any civilisation.
You’ll need to be in reasonable health to take on the trip but, just to go up to the Kalim Viewpoint and back, or down into Kalim, should take around 5 hours in total. On a scale of 1 – 5 for difficulty, we’d rate it a 3. An easy trek for experienced people but will need a bit of planning if you’re not an experienced trekker.
Even on a hazy day, as it was today, the views were amazing. But best to start off early morning when the weather is cooler. Well worth the time for the views and the opportunity to see more of Phuket, away from the bars and beaches.
Thanks to BT for the pics and information.
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