Andaman News Thursday 15 November

[NBT TV Phuket]

News items:

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Schools in Phuket received an environmental data manual under the program to improve waste management

<p> Schools representatives from over 30 schools in Phuket received and were briefed on the manual application for a database on the environment in educational institutes. Presided over by the Provincial Administration Organization’s CEO Anchalee Vanich Thepabutr, the meeting aimed at developing the teaching process on the environment for participating schools in the Recycled Banks, to raise awareness on environmental conservation for school children, as well as to encourage schools to apply such manuals to their development policy. Phuket Island generates as much as 450 tons of waste per day, 60% of which is household waste while the incinerator can handle only 250 tons per day. This lead to the PPAO to join hands with the Phuket Education Area and the Environment and Energy Development Foundation, to mobilize the program.

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Phuket City Office encourages people to reduce garbage from their homes to cut down the amount of waste needing disposal.

<p> The Office of Phuket City is seeking residents’ cooperation in waste separation from their houses before putting out for collection. According to the Mayor Somjai Suwansuppana, the household waste separation contributes greatly to the reduction of waste going into the incinerator for disposal. Activating the scheme since October 1st, the office provides different types of bins for people to put different types of waste on major roads including Montree, Yaowarat, Thepkasartri, Narisorn, Surin and Luang Poh roads. It also makes available bins for hazard materials such as batteries and light bulbs so that they can be treated properly. The Office of Phuket City will actively campaign to family members and children in schools as well as establish or extend networks in waste reduction operations such as working with second-hand or used-material buyers or those who take organic waste for fertilizer or animal feed.

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Phang-Nga targets 80% of voters for the general election.

<p> Phang-Nga Governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob and the provincial Election Office director held a meeting with officials, local government representatives, district and village headmen asking them to actively participate in campaigning for people’s participation in the up coming general election, which is scheduled to take place on December 23rd. Phang-Nga targets to encourage as many as 80% of eligible voters to come out to exercise their rights. The Phang-Nga Governor stresses that it is not only campaigning for them to exercise their rights, but also encouraging them to act against vote buying and seek public cooperation to report vote buying activities.

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The Thai cabinet announced December 24th as a Public Holiday in support of the general election.

<p> The Thai cabinet on Tuesday announced that the day after the general election which is December 24th would be a public holiday to enable employees who are eligible voters to go to their registered residency to exercise their rights. The Ministry of Labour also sends out letters to seek cooperation from employers and business operators to allow their employees to go to vote without deducting it as a day of absence. Around 37 million employees are eligible voters. It also asks the Bank of Thailand to consider the date as a holiday while the Ministry of Transport and Police department must facilitate people who travel back to their residency for the election vote for their convenience.

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Phang-Nga reached conclusion to acquire a 5 rai plot of land for 3.8 million baht to put the two Tsunami-washed-ashore fishing trawlers on as part of an outdoor museum.

<p> The Phang-Nga provincial committee has agreed to purchase a 5 rai plot of land in the Ban Namkem community with 3.8 million baht budget for the outdoor Tsunami museum and location for the two fishing trawlers which were washed ashore by the tsunami in 2004. The Phang-Nga Governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob said he would report to the Ministry of Culture to allocate a budget for the museum construction while the provincial authority seeks support from local government to acquire land at the location where the police patrol boat is washed ashore in Bang Niang. The location will be re-developed as an historical tourist site. The province is also seeking another 15 million baht from the central government for the operation.

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Phang-Nga plans more details for the 3rd year Tsunami commemorative event.

<p> After holding a meeting with all related officials and organization in Phang-Nga for the 3rd year commemorative event for the Tsunami, the governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob detailed the activities for reporters. He said in the morning participants will be invited to visit the two fishing trawlers which the ministry of Culture, Phang-Nga province and the Bang Muang sub-district Administration Organization arrange to be outdoor museum while the ceremony will also be arranged at the site where the police patrol boat is washed ashore. The religious ceremony will also be arranged at the bang Maruan cemetery. In the evening the Princess Ubol Ratana will graciously preside over the remembrance ceremony. Foreign diplomats and dignitaries will be invited to attend the ceremonies. Meeting in preparation for the event will be held again on November 30th at the government house he concluded.

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Khun Phum Foundation supports disabled and autistic children in Phang-Nga.

<p> Disabled and less fortunate students in Phang-Nga received a schooling fund from the Khun Phum Foundation under the scholarship for autistic and disabled students. The activity took place in front of picture of Princess Ubol Ratana with Phang-Nga Governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob as chairman of the ceremony. This follows Princess Ubol Ratana’s graciously donating 5,000 scholarships for students nationwide. In Phang-Nga 49 scholarships were donated to needy students under the Khun Phum’s Foundation named after her beloved son who passed away in the Tsunami.

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Public and private organizations in the Andaman paid their respect to HM the King for his Birthday through TV. Channel 11

<p> Government officials and the private and social organizations started to record paying respect to HM the King for his birthday on December 5th at Television Channel 11 Phuket studio on Rang Hill in Phuket City. They included governors of Phuket and Phang-Nga who led senior officials to pay respect as well as the charity organizations like the Red Cross chapter of Phuket and Phang-Nga. The station provided opportunities for organizations and schools to record their activities in honor of the beloved king for 3 days. The programs will be aired on December 1st onwards.

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Special Report

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These types of boats are the main career tools for the local fishermen at Haad Yao village of Krabi’s Nue Klong district. Their special feature is the curved bow about 1 metre high at the boat front: This is called in Thai ‘Hua Tong’. It is said to help boat operators to accurately navigate the boat to the right destination or direction as well as help the boat balanced while being in the water.

Boat building is getting common in the Andaman region of southern Thailand’s fishing communities. This type of boat is presently used to take tourists out to explore the natural beauty of Krabi.

Being inspired from its unique function and relating to tourist service, the villagers at Ban Nateen in the famous tourist area of Ao Nang gathered and produce tiny boat models for souvenirs for tourists. Once they enjoy riding it, they may wish to take a model back home as a souvenir, as head of Nateen Community OTOP group Supa Khaenglee explained.

‘ The local villagers here use these boats for fishing. After the fishing season, the boats just stand there so we adapted them, put up the roof and made some decoration and use to take tourists out from Ao Nang Bay. When they go home they may like to tell or show their families the boats, so we build tiny models for them to be able to carry home. The materials are rubber wood which is light and soft and can be easily found locally.’.

The more important thing is that the boat souvenirs are made by both adults and local children and the products came out neatly. This is not only a very good way to make a career out of local resources and wisdom, but it also maintains the local heritage so that younger generation learn the value of their own community while visitors take with them good memories of the local community while visiting Krabi in Southern Thailand.

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Interview

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Our interview was with Dr Reza Azmi, Founder/Director Wild Asia, the Organiser of the 2nd Responsible Tourism Awards, joined by Arnfinn Oines, Environment Coordinator, Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa, who won last year & was host for these awards & seminars. Last night after the Winners of 3 categories from 27 entries were announced for Community/Family-run Homestays category : Wildlife Lodges, Eco-resorts and Dive Resorts category: and Luxury and Boutique Resorts category: Dr Reza told us the main set up and aim of the awards:

…….

www.wildasia.net

www.evasonresorts.com

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from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) 8.30am

+ maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, possibly FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket & perhaps Phuket Cable TV Channel 1 at 7, 10.30 or 11pm, Thursday 15 November 2007 (up to them if they repeat or not)

[Somtamnication]

Anything you guys can do with your horrible audio on FM 90.5? Always a whistling background noise.

[NBT TV Phuket]

Anything you guys can do with your horrible audio on FM 90.5? Always a whistling background noise.

We supply a VCD to FM90.5 Radio Thailand Phuket. We check the audio on VCD is OK first, just as we do with Cable TV and uploads on websites, including YouTube & Google. Their playback may have an error, but our original files are fine.

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