Kingdom’s pleasure craft are being taxed out of existence

Three years have now passed since the imposition of a massive excise tax aimed at Thailand’s marine leisure sector. The damage has been enormous, with very little incentive for importing new craft, to upgrade fleets which are starting to fall apart. The effect is strongly felt by all who have invested in promoting Thailand as one of the world’s unsurpassed yachting, boating and cruising venues.

Peter Cummins reports

It is now three years since the government imposed a crippling tax on yachts, boats and other watercraft - a tax which, basically overnight, brought the once-booming marine sector of Thailand to a standstill.

Oh dear! This boat has lost so much - and now it is sinking! Photo Peter Cummins

The punitive 50 percent excise tax has forced closure of many boat building companies, the curtailment of marina activities and a cessation of new craft being imported into the Kingdom. Owners are looking elsewhere - Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, for example - to berth their yachts. It is a total loss to Thailand, especially in view of the rapid rise of the Kingdom, in the past decade, as a most desirable venue for sailing, cruising and yacht racing, influenced by the warm waters and a most ‘user-friendly’ ambience.

50 percent does not sound all that bad, one might surmise. However, after application of the complicated formula used by the Customs and Excise Department, the total tax amounts to a massive 210 percent. Thus, a boat which used to cost, say, 1.5 million Baht, would now cost around four million Baht.

The juniors battle the elements - but not the crippling excise tax on the marine leisure sector. Photo Peter Cummins

The New Zealand-built Farr Platus at the Phatra Marina Pranburi make an interesting case study. Under the old taxes, the Platu was landed, ready to sail, with a retail price tag of 1.55 million Baht - still very highly priced. In neighbouring Malaysia, the Platu, imported from the same source, retails for under Baht 1 million. Even the Euro Platu, made by Beneteau, the French boat-building giant, sells for under one million Baht. Now, while Malaysian and French prices remain constant, a Platu imported after the imposition of the tax would cost a staggering - and totally unrealistic - four million Baht or more.

One does not need to be an economic genius to surmise that there are no more Platus - or any other types of craft - being imported now.

The tax has had two major effects - both pejorative. Firstly, it eliminated the best target market, the middle-range consumers - potential Platu buyers or catamaran sailors, for example. More importantly, perhaps, it is closing off Thailand’s beautiful waterways, seas and coastlines to a most lucrative tourism sector.

Prior to this tax, the government made an easy profit of almost 50 percent tax on the import of every craft ranging from the 2.5 metre Optimist dinghies, through the enormous range of beach-launched catamarans, to cruising and racing keelboats, to super-charged power boats. Now, instead of the steady profit generated by this 50 percent tax, the government has virtually wiped out the marine leisure industry sector: 210 percent of zero is zero.

Secondly, the ‘rich and the famous’ will simply import what their little hearts desire, in a series of one-off purchases at the top end of the market, bypassing local industry and development.

The launching is taxing enough during the on-shore south-wasterlies - the marine sector does not need the excise tax. Photo Peter Cummins

“With this tax,” Canadian Phil Hollywood, former Harbour Master of the Phuket Boat Lagoon pointed out, recently, “everybody loses: the local boat-builders, the marine importers, the marinas, the consumers AND, especially, the Thai Government.” Hollywood makes a very salient point, as the banks around us, overwhelmed by non-performing loans, crash at a rapid rate.

From the number of big yachting events held in the Kingdom, especially the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, Thailand is world-renowned for the beauty of the seas and waterways. In the days of yore, competitors sailed to Phuket for the regatta, from as far away as Australia. Many opted to stay or leave their craft at Phuket. Now, at the end of the event, there is a mass exodus. This tax is virtually closing off these marvellous recreational areas to the great majority of Thai people. It could be compared to building a beautiful people’s park, but charging such an exorbitant entry fee that only the super-rich could afford to go in. And they do not need to - they have their own private gardens and estates.

Thailand’s first - and only - world yachting champions, Sattahip’s own Vinai Vongtim and Niwat Triyot have been idealised as role models for potential Thai sailors to emulate. But, if the marine leisure sector is taxed into oblivion, a lot of eager Thai youngsters may never know the challenge, the beauty and the freedom of their own country’s seas.

It is to be hoped that, in the interests of marine tourism and the marine sector, generally, this tax will be lifted - or at least lightened somewhat - in the near future.

Double first-timers take trophies

PSC TAGGS...golf from the Hare House

Wednesday, August 18 - Bangpra International Golf Club (Bogey)

1st: Paul Hartley, 5 up
2nd: Eddie Henheffer, 3 up
3rd: Jimmy Little, 2 up

TAGGS newcomer Paul Hartley won his first competition out of the Hare House on Wednesday, August 18. Playing with his two sons Martin and Alex, the affable Yorkshireman took home a Knotted Putter trophy in the Bogey contest at Bangpra. He beat this relatively old and beautiful course by a disrespectful margin of five up.

In second place, Canadian Eddie Henheffer roared back on the back nine and shot a 39 off the sticks. Eddie, who plays off seventeen, was three holes down at the turn. His back nine blitz won him six holes and he finished the match at three up.

In third place, Jimmy Little was playing with Pattaya Sports Club Golf Handicap Chairman Bill Thompson. Jimmy had enough tact to shoot even par off his 21 handicap and still beat the course at two up.

Friday, August 20 - Siam Country Club (Stableford)

1st: Kevin Ganzevoort, 45 points
2nd: Terry Summers, 41 points
3rd: Serge Straeten, 37 points

A last minute venue change because of the caddy strike at Eastern Star resulted in the Hare House Gang going to Siam for their weekly Stableford competition. Australian Kevin Ganzevoort swears he has never broken 100, although it is difficult to figure out how his handicap got to 27 if he has never cracked through the century mark. At Siam on Friday, August 20, Kevin had the round of his golfing career as he came within a gnat’s eyelash of by-passing the nineties and breaking into the eighties. He shot a nine under par 90 and took home his first Red Eyed Rabbit trophy with 45 Stableford points. This was the second first time winner this week out of the Hare House.

Finishing with the first group of the competition, Terry Summers could be forgiven if he thought he had won. Terry had 41 points off his eighteen handicap. He had overcome a miserable double bogey, par, triple bogey, double bogey start to finish the next fourteen holes at seven over par. Sitting up at Siam’s beautiful nineteenth hole Terry made the observation that “playing out of the Hare House you just never know”. How right he was and his 41 points were just not enough on this day. Terry came in second.

In third place with 37 points was Hare House regular Serge Straeten. Playing off seventeen, Serge had a 46 on the front and a 42 on the back to take the last spot on the podium.

Golf into September

On Sunday 29th August, Lewiinski’s go to Great Lake leaving at 11:00 a.m. On Monday 30th August PSC Golf from the Caf้ Kronborg goes to Century Chonburi to play Stableford while the Splinter Golf Group from the Green Bottle go to Sriracha, also playing Stableford.

On Tuesday the 31st Pattaya Golf Society from the Bunker play Stableford at Great Lake while Lewiinski’s play at Natural Park Resort.

On Wednesday 1st September the Green Bottle go to Noble Place for a Two Man Better Ball competition, while Hare House play Medal at Great Lake.

On Thursday 2nd September, PSC Golf Caf้ Kronborg goes to Bangpra playing Stableford, and on Friday September 3rd the schedule is clear for a new major tournament on the PSC Golf calendar, the Canadian Jack-a-lope Open at Great Lake. This is a charity event in aid of the El Shaddai Home for Children at Rayong. Sign-up at Hare House with Lassie, Mark Gorda or Eddie Henheffer. Shotgun Start on September 3rd at 10.00 a.m.

The full September Schedule can be seen at PSC Golf Venues, at Delaney’s, in Pattaya Mail and at our Web Site at www.pattayasports.org.

A strike and a storm for the Bunker

PSC Pattaya Golf Society

A surprise turn of events took place this week when on arrival at Eastern Star the Society members found a full scale strike was taking place, and the caddies were picketing in force.

As a result, this week’s Stableford competition was quickly switched to Green Valley where some serious thunder, lightening and heavy rain greeted the players.

Long hitters ruled the day, with not much run on the ball. Middle East man Kevin Wilson emerged the victor with 36 points. Kevin goes back to work next week so it was a fitting finale.

Second with 35 points was local Paul Butler, closely followed by Svein Vistung on 34 points.

There was a relatively small turnout this week, so only one division was incorporated.

Jackaloping for charity

The Pattaya Sports Club will hold the Canadian Jack-A-Lope Open golf tournament on Friday, September 3. This will be a Stableford competition held at Great Lake Golf and Country Club. There will be a Shotgun Start at 10:00 and the field will be kept to 120 golfers. All proceeds will go to the El Shaddai Home for abandoned children.

If the entry fee is paid before August 27, the price is 1200 Baht. Anytime after that, the price is 1500 Baht, with the extra 300 Baht going straight to the El Shaddai Home. That means that if you are reading the Pattaya Mail on its first day out, and you have not yet signed up, then you better stop procrastinating and sign up today. Go on! Get off your heinie and head on down to the Caf้ Kronborg or the Hare House, the Green Bottle, The Bunker or Lewiinski’s ...all the usual haunts... and become a contestant in what promises to be one of the most fun golf tournaments yet seen in Pattaya.

The price includes the green fee, caddy fee, designer golf shirt, and post tournament buffet at the Hare House. The Canadians don’t do anything half way. They are offering over 30 trophies, a lucky score card draw with a whole host of prizes, and a 50/50 draw with half the proceeds going to the El Shaddai Home. The organizers of this event are hell bent on local golfers having such a good time at this tournament that the participants won’t think twice about opening their wallets and making some merit. The Shaddai Home needs help. Here is your chance to play well and do some good for the community. Go sign up today.

Prize list: Overall Champion, Low Net, 1st, 2nd, 3rd - 3 Flights, 1st, 2nd - Seniors (50 Years To 59 Years Old), 1st, 2nd - Super Seniors (60 Years Plus), Ladies Champion, Long Drive - 3 Flights And Ladies, Closest to the Pin - 4 Par 3’s - 3 Flights, Hole In One (2 Prizes - If These Are Not Won They Will Go To The 50/50 Draw). All the winners for the above (except Hole in one) will receive a unique Jack - A - Lope Trophy.

In addition to the above for excellent golf play, we will also have:

1) A lucky score card draw, with great prizes such as coffee mugs, umbrellas with the Jack - A - Lope emblem, Canadian Smoked Salmon, Canadian Whiskey, free golf lessons.

2) We will also have a 50/50 Draw. Tickets will be 1 for B100, 7 for B500, 15 for B1000. 50% of the proceeds from this will go to the Lucky Number, 50% will go to the El Shaddai Home for Children.

Note: Prizes are subject to change without notice.

Fitness facts

by Stuart Bell

The Fat Factor

Excess weight is a prime coronary risk factor, and is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people every year.

Our priority as fitness professionals is to eliminate this risk by ensuring that you reach your optimal weight through sensible diet and exercise. The good news is that you will also look and feel great.

It is a myth to assume that exercise will turn fat into muscle. This is a physical impossibility, as the two have completely different properties. However, we can show you how to lose fat, tone muscle and change your body composition for the better.

In simple terms, body fat is a collection of unused calories stored in a substance called adipose tissue. Strictly speaking, your goal is not to lose weight, but to lose fat by burning those extra calories.

We will go into a great deal more detail about nutrition and exercise in due course. At this juncture it is important to focus on two critical factors:

1) Man was made to move, but modern man moves less than at in any time in history. Most people do not do enough in the course of their daily lives to balance the calorie equation, and consequently they get fat. In order to reverse this process we must perform some form of extra work. Usually this takes the form of exercise.

2) If we eat sensibly, it is possible to control our intake of calories, which will also have a positive effect on the equation. Foods to be bewaring of are the ones we love the most: dairy products.

Some people seem to be able to eat what they like and stay thin, while others only have to look at a donut and put on two lbs. Regular exercise will increase your metabolic rate, which means you will burn more calories during your workout and at rest.

To return to our opening theme, if in common with most of us, you are carrying a little extra fat, it is very simple to reverse the process. You have already taken the all important step, so take heart.

Summary:

1. Body fat is simply stored calories.

2. It is not possible to turn fat into muscle or vice versa.

3. It is possible to burn fat through regular exercise, which will speed up your metabolic rate.

4. It is also possible to limit the build up of adipose tissue through sensible diet. It is particularly important to cut down on dairy products.

5. The most important benefit of fat loss is a reduced risk of coronary heart disease.

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: ptymail@loxinfo.co.th
Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.