Andaman News Wednesday 23 January 2008

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: Tessaban Plukpanya School under the office of Phuket City expands to Secondary School.

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The Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana met with parents teachers and students under the Office of Phuket City’s school during an education seminar held at Metropole Hotel last weekend. The mayor stated that one of its schools, Tessaban Plukpanya, is now expanding from primary school to secondary school in the academic year of 2008. She then opened discussion for parents and students suggestions in order to improve the school in future. The school is opening applications on February 1st. She assures the education quality saying that foreign teachers will be hired while the classes will also be well equipped with technology for E-learning.

MiniVDO: The second day for senator candidate applications in Phuket and Krabi were still quiet.

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The second day for the application of senate seats in Phuket saw no new applicants from the first day making only one candidate, Tanyarat Atchariyachai, so far standing to compete for the seat. In Krabi there is no candidate application yet. The Provincial Election Commission chairman Maitri Bunyang said after the closing date he would invite all candidates to listen to rules for campaigning to ensure that everyone understands the same rules so it would lead to no violation. The Krabi Election Commission chairman went on to say that he targets at least 80% of eligible voters to come out to vote for the senate seat.

MiniVDO: Phuket City Office calls for government to support solutions for waste problems on the island.

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During a visit to the incineration plant under the Phuket City’s management, Tourism and Sport Minister Suwit Yodmani was briefed on the overflowing waste for the incineration plant and the urgent need to resolve the issue by getting a second burner. He was informed that each day over 510 tons of waste is sent in for disposal while the incineration plant can handle only 250 tons. The out-going minister suggested that they sort out the problem from source by having each local government responsible for it while waiting for the second burner. He suggested prompt measures by expanding the landfill, building earth banks and improving the waste water to prevent it from overflowing & affecting the ecological system nearby.

MiniVDO: Middle and low wage service jobs are in market demand in Phuket.

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This year the middle class or educated groups like vocations in the hospitality industry for hotels and tourism businesses are still in big demand in Phuket’s job market like at hotels, service industry and even construction, according to Phuket Employment Office chief Nattaya Anudis. She however stated that still some graduates do not match the job market demand. The office just held a job market fair where it provided as many as 45 businesses to meet and interview on site job applicants with 1,700 jobs available. The fair was well attended by job seekers and employers.

MiniVDO: Phuket prepares to hold the annual Two Heroines Fair.

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In preparation for the annual ceremony and fair in commemoration of the brave deeds of the two heroines on the island, Thao Thepkasartri-Thao Srisunthorn, all related agencies held their first meeting to discuss the budget and activities. The event will be held during March 11- 13th. This year 11 local government departments agreed to contribute to the organization of the ceremonies and fair through the provincial Cultural Office at around 6.6 million baht. Apart from religious, ritual and worshipping ceremonies, plus the wreath laying at the monument in Thalang, and sports on historical routes, the meeting proposed tour packages to the historical sites aiming at local teachers as participants, so that they can pass on the knowledge to their students. The light and sound presentation was also discussed, but will be kept in an appropriate manner as the country is still in the mourning period for the passing of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.

MiniVDO: Krabi mobilizes consumers’ protection campaign.

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For this year 2008, the Krabi provincial committee on Consumer Protection plans 12 projects to be mobilized in an attempt to ensure that consumers understand their rights and are not being exploited. They include a seminar to establish more networks in local community leaders, health volunteers and mobile services into communities as well as using media channels to disseminate information.

MiniVDO: Several restaurants in Phuket are certified under food safety programs.

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Eleven hotels and restaurants in Phuket are conducting their food services under certified high standards of food safety with a Hazards Analysis and Critical Control Points or HACCP certificate. They participated in the Medical Science centre’s program in support of the province’s tourism industry. Meanwhile another 18 hotels and big restaurants also received a GMP Certificate or Good Manufacturing Practice which means they strictly follow the standard of the Ministry of Public Health. The Tourism Authority of Thailand publicizes their name lists which include Thai Airways’s restaurant, The Chedi hotel, JW Marriott Resort and Spa, Royal Phuket City, Kata Thani Phuket Beach Resort and Club Andaman Beach Resort.

Interview - part 1- Dr. Smith Dhammasaroj, Advisor to National Disaster Warning Centre, at ko Lone

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Our interview is with Dr. Smith Dhammasaroj, Advisor to the National Disaster Warning Centre (or NDWC) on his visit yesterday to Ko Lone Island in Chalong Bay, south east Phuket to meet villagers about the Early Warning System powered by solar energy, connected to NDWC Bangkok. The island also has 13 students, 2 teachers at a small School with diesel generator, no phone line & few facilities; Nearby is a small hotel, Cruiser Island Resort, & DMG is planning to build the Taj Exotica Resort with 60 rooms & 19 villas. But first Dr Smith tells us about his visit & meeting: ……. Contact: www.ndwc.or.th (in Thai) [email protected] Tel 1860

Special - Self sufficiency economy of Koh Maphrao Island

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Turning economic difficulties into new opportunities enable villagers at Koh Maphrao island village to live today in happiness under the principle of self sufficiency economy. The village of Koh Maphrao is located in the Andaman Sea, around eight kilometers off the east side of Phuket, accessible by long tail ferries at Laem Hin, just north of Phuket Town. At around 2,600 rai, the island houses about 800 residents with fishing and farming being main traditional careers. These include mussel, fish and lobster farming. The local community here learns to manage income as a group for better and secure futures, as Nuchom Prukmaidee, local community leader explained: “Our village follows the sufficiency economy principle. We do fishing and aqua animal farming.”

Showing strength in their community, the Koh Maphrao village is selected as one of Phuket’s pioneer villages to successfully practice self-sufficiency economies. Recently it received a budget of 200,000 baht to maintain and extend the career group within the community. This comprises home stay facilities and activities for housewives to earn extra income “We unite and cooperate well among the local community.” The Koh Maphrao Village is another good example of living in Thai lifestyle with self sufficiency economy as pioneered by His Majesty the King.

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from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) at 8.30am & local Cable TV channel 1 + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, possibly FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket, Wednesday 23 January 2008 & http://news.prd.go.th