Andaman News Monday 19 November

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: The local Elections for Municipality chiefs and council members took place on Saturday with active voting.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215238

The local elections for the chiefs of three municipalities in Phuket was held last Saturday when around 60% of voters came out to exercise their rights. The unofficial results came out as follows: In Wichit municipality Mr Kreeta Saetan, the ex Chief and sole candidate won the seat with 6,729 votes. In Rasada municipality, Mr Surathin Lien -udom won the seat with 3,264 votes while Mr Arun Soros managed to be reelected for the Rawai Municipality with 2,846 votes. The three local administrative organizations have just been upgraded to municipality status. They are graded A for the local government organizations due to over 100 million baht revenue per year.

MiniVDO: Seized Buddha images were handed over to Thalang national museum in Phuket.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215237

Almost 100 Bhuddha images and heads, some very ancient, were handed over to the Thalang National Museum to look after and display for the general public to learn about. They were objects seized by Phuket Airport Customs as the objects were not allowed to be taken out of the country. According to Thai law, any Buddha images, Bodhisattva images or related fragments, part of ancient monuments and prehistoric objects are forbidden to be taken out of the Kingdom, while not more than 5 pieces of newly cast Buddha images in complete condition can be exported for worship, cultural exchange or educational purposes with licenses issued by the Fine Arts Department. Reproduction of antiquities can also be exported with license permission from the Department. Chairing and witnessing the handover ceremony, the Phuket Vice Governor Worapote Ratasrima sought cooperation from shops to advise or inform tourists of such rules. In Phuket, they can contact the Thalang National Museum at 076 311426 at official hours.

Several organisations in Phuket plan ‘Loy Krathong’ festival activities including one at the Jungceylon shopping complex.

Every year a grand procession of Krathong and the Loy Krathong activities are held at Saphan Hin in Phuket City. This year the Office of Phuket City plans an even more extravagant event in terms of processions and public participation for those wishing to join the national celebration on the auspicious occasion of HM the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary on December 5th. The traditional Loy Krathong festival falls on the full moon night of November 24th this year. In Patong the festival will be held during November 23rd – 24th at Jungceylon shopping complex. The festival will feature demonstrations of local handicraft making, Krathong processions, with the first time in Southern Thailand a long line of Loy Krathong Sai as a highlight. Tourists can also learn how to make or prepare the Krathong before floating in water to appreciate the traditional value and cultures of Thailand.

MiniVDO: Japanese volunteers and villagers of Ban Klang community in Phang Nga planted mangrove trees.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215235

More than 700 people from the Ban Klang community of Bang Toi sub-district in Phang-Nga helped plant trees in the local mangrove area. They were also joined in by a group of Japanese volunteers. Leading the participants to grow the trees, Phang-Nga Governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob expects the new mangrove trees would revitalize the area and lead to a sustainable conservation program by the local community.

MiniVDO: Schools in Phuket performed shows in respect of HM the King for his 80th Birthday Anniversary at TV Channel 11 studio.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215234

Students from various schools in Phuket and Phang-Nga performed and recorded shows, mostly Thai cultural dances and songs in honour and respect of HM the King for his 80th Birthday Anniversary on December 5th, 2007. They included the Kathu Wittaya School, Rachaphat University and 5 primary school students from Quality Schools International or QSI campus at Kathu in Phuket, who told us after about their performances and feelings: (voices) The program will be aired from Thursday 29th November onwards.

Kathu Municipality is organizing a mini-marathon race in honour of HM the King on December 9th.

The mini-marathon event in honour of HM the King is scheduled to be arranged on December 9th from 5pm onwards. The organizer Mr Prasert Khaokitpivarn, Mayor of the Kathu Municipality said this is the 11th time his organization will hold such a sporting event, and hopes to promote exercise among locals and visitors to the island. The races will be divided into two categories; six kilometers and 13 kilometres. The age groups are also categorized. Winners will receive cash prizes and trophies. For more information, please contact the Kathu Municipality on telephone numbers 076 321073 or 321500.

MiniVDO: Phuket office to produce a calendar for 2008 to promote the island’s tourism.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215232

PPAO joins hands with the Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket office to produce a calendar for 2008 to promote the island’s tourism.

Leading models from Elite Modeling Agency posed at different landmarks or locations on the island for photo shoots to put in a calendar for the New Year of 2008. They include Sino-Portuguese style buildings, the Heroines Monument, Promthep Cape, plus local products like Batik, processed seafood, and pearls. Co-produced by the Provincial Administration and the Tourism Authority of Thailand region 4 Office, the calendar is expected to be introduced on December 17th 2007 to welcome the New Year and distribute to the public and visitors to the island. The calendars are expected to reflect the island’s hospitality and warm welcomes to its visitors.

Special Kings Cup Rugby 80 tournament in Phuket started

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215231

We now have a special report on the first matches in the week-long Rugby 80 tournament in Phuket with wins for the Australian & Sri Lanka teams against Thailand and Laos. Let’s join the action:

The week long Kings Cup Rugby 80 tournament in tribute to HM the Kings’ 80th birthday with equal weight players averaging 80 kilograms, started at Sanam Chai in Phuket City on Saturday with the first league game at 5.30pm between the Thai national team against an Australian representative side Canberra Pirates. The Australians won the tight game with a final score of 34-24, played under footlights on a reasonable pitch. After the first match, David McLenaghon, Captain, Canberra Pirates, Australia 80 team and Korrapong Wongsalangkarn, of the Thai national rugby team told us how they played and their hopes for this week:

In a later game at 7.15pm for the other 2 teams, Laos lost 5-12 against Sri Lanka, the latter being the Asian champions. More league games are tonight, Monday, and Wednesday and then the finals are on Friday evening at the same 2 times. Spectators can watch free. The event is co-hosted by the Thai Rugby Union under the patronage of HM the King and Phuket provincial authorities. The Sports Authority of Thailand also expects that such sporting event would help enhance the performance of the Thai athletes and the development of rugby in Thailand.

Interview - Martin Carpenter, Organiser of the British Business Association of Phuket Charity Golf Tournament

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215230

Our interview was with Martin Carpenter, Organiser of the British Business Association of Phuket Charity Golf Tournament. Their annual BBAP golf events, at Blue Canyon Country Club golf course, have raised over 4 million baht for charity. The 2006 event alone raised 1.4m baht for ChildWatch, through sponsors and players, plus a dinner. The 2007 event was held last Saturday 17 November, with main sponsors including HSBC, Taipan, Angus O'Tool's, Hoteltravel.com, as Martin who was also playing told us more: …….... Contact: www.bbap.org [email protected]

from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) 8.30am + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket & Phuket Cable TV Channel 1 at 7, 10.30 or 11pm, Monday 19 November 2007 &

www.news.prd.go.th where missing videos from last week with full sound are also now available temporarily until a new website is set up.