Andaman News Thursday 22 November

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: Krabi Airport ran an emergency exercise

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215260

The emergency exercise simulated a situation when the fire station and rescue unit at Krabi International Airport, was informed by the Air traffic control tower that an aircraft from Bangkok caught fire after attempting to land at the airport, but skidded off. The incident supposedly injured a number of passengers. The operation then prompted action involving fire engines with rescue and medical services and volunteers, plus an authorised command centre. After the drill, an evaluation was made to assess whether the drill was run as planned. The Krabi Governor Siwa Sirisaowaluck said the exercise was a good way to check on preparedness of personnel equipment and communication tools and that it reassures confidence of passengers at Krabi airport.

The Phuket Highway office designated locations for MP candidates’ billboards along 19 routes around the island.

In support of the general election so the public to view and recognize the names and number of candidates and political parties who are running for MP seats on the island, the Phuket Highways Office has designated four main locations for them to put up posters at different offices under the Highways Department. The office also designated locations along 19 roads and routes around the island for the political parties and candidates to put poster boards for the public to view. The boards must be at least 60 centimetres away from the road edge, to prevent them from blocking clear traffic views. They are not allowed to put boards on the middle islands or on walkover bridges.

Krabi Airport statistics up to September show a 76% increase in passengers.

Krabi International Airport, which is run under the Department of Civil Aviation, have released their latest statistics up to the end of September 2007. They show a total number of 621,072 passengers, both arriving and departing, which is a 75.69 % increase on the same period last year 2006, and even 13.46% more than the whole of last year. The number of aircraft movements was 6,490 which was an amazing 98.23% increase on the same period last year, mainly due to an increase of an incredible 1677% or 300 more chartered aircraft. The amount of freight handled in and out was 809,998 kilograms, which was only 17.08 percent more.

MiniVDO: Destination Air seaplanes service based in Phuket announce a new route to Langkawi in Malaysia, and tours from Patong Bay.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215258

Destination Air Shuttle will start international flights to Langkawi Island in Malaysia, with flights departing Phuket International Airport once a month on the first Tuesday of every month, commencing 4th December 2007 with a special flight when passengers donate funds for children and underprivileged people to attend a party at the Phuket Governor’s residence on the 6th December in celebration of HM the King’s 80th birthday. The company started seaplane shuttle flights landing on Andaman Sea locations in Thailand since early this year, and also started new scenic tours landing and taking off in Patong Bay from yesterday onwards. The new route to Malaysia will offer unequalled views of the undiscovered southern coastline of Thailand. The flights should also be ideally suited for visa run passengers looking for a different and enjoyable way to go outside Thailand for a short day trip, as Pat James, MD of Destination Air, explained :

MiniVDO: The Phuket Election Commission arranged for MP candidates to pledge no vote buying for this general election.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215266

These are the pledges or vows made by 11 MP candidates from 6 political parties who run in the Member of Parliament seats for the general election in Phuket. They swore in front of HM the King’s picture stating that they will be free from vote buying and that they will strictly follow the election regulations. The Provincial Election Commissioner Tri Akaradecha emphasized friendly relations among political candidates during the election, especially after the result comes out. The candidates were also briefed on campaign rules and media utilization for publicity.

Phuket will hold activities in recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1st.

Active educational campaigns will be launched in student groups in educational institutes in prevention of HIV AIDS during the period of World AIDS Day on December 1st this year, under the theme of ‘Stop AIDS keep the promise.’ The safe sex concept is one of the key elements to be introduced as well. According to the Phuket Public Health Chief Dr Wanchai Sataywuttipong, education campaign activity will also be held in public places like the weekend market plus a seminar on techniques to deal with teenage children with parents as participants to be arranged at the Phuket Merlin Hotel on Thursday 29th November at 1-4pm. Official data indicates that the number of Phuket’s HIV infected patients is ranked 3rd in the country and 2nd in the southern region.

The Krabi Election Commission campaign against spoiled ballot sheets for the general election.

Aiming to minimize the number of spoiled cards for votes, the Krabi Provincial Election committee are launching active campaigns to educate people on how to vote for the upcoming general election. According to the Provincial Election Commissioner Maitri Bunyang, volunteers are being sent into communities to demonstrate voting procedures. The Krabi Election Commissioner aims to minimize the number of spoiled vote ballots to 3.5% with at least 75% of voters expected to come out to exercise their votes.

MiniVDO: The TOT promote tourism alongside its marketing campaign and launched its mobile service in Krabi.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215264

The Vice President of TOT Company Nopnut Hutacharoen chaired a press conference and opened a mobile service unit providing consultations and meetings with the TOT clients at touristy areas of Ao Nang Bay in Krabi. Mr Nopnut explained that currently the TOT has around 400,000 broadband clients with the trend to increase to 450,000. In the famous tourist province of Krabi, the TOT offer high-speed internet for tourism operators and the general public or households at economical fees, such as 1 Megabyte at 590 baht per month. Interested parties can make enquiries for special promotions from now until December 31st 2007.

MiniVDO: Patong will hold a Loykrathong festival and parade on the beachfront this Saturday.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215263

Starting at 5pm this coming Saturday 24th November the Krathong procession will begin at a junction near Sea Pearl Hotel and come along the beach road of Thaweewong to Bangla Road. Aiming to celebrate the traditional Thai festival, the Patong Municipality also joins the nation to pay respect to HM the King. It also invites foreigners to join in to learn the Kratong making and activities held through out the day and night, and joins with the Jungceylon shopping mall where tourists can also participate in activities. The Deputy Mayor of Patong Chairat Sukhaban explains more about the procession:

MiniVDO: The 2007 Phuket International Soccer 7s kicks off this weekend, while the QSI Fun Run has been postponed to next weekend.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215262

The organizers of the 2007 Phuket International Soccer 7s tournament confirmed to Andaman News that the 2nd part of their events will kick-off on Saturday 24th November at 9:00 am and go on until Sunday afternoon. All games will be played at Karon Stadium, on Karon beach road, right opposite the beach. There is a grandstand that runs down one side. They have been denied permission to put tents on the playing field therefore teams and spectators can make use of the grandstand for shade and refreshments. Meanwhile the Quality Schools International or QSI have informed us that due to a schedule conflict, they have re-scheduled the QSI Fun Run from this Saturday to next Saturday, December 1. It will still be at the Bang Wad Dam, in Kathu, at the same time 3pm onwards, with a 1 kilometer run first followed by a 6 kilometre run later. They apologize for any confusion, but welcome all comers and runners.

Interview - Walter Dreier, the Director of the Phuket Fishing Tournament

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215256

Our interview is with Walter Dreier, the Director of the Phuket Fishing Tournament, which was held last weekend 15-17 November with about 20 international teams on local boats competing for the heaviest fish, being weighed & recorded at Tamarind Bar near Chalong Pier, then sold to other restaurants, After loading up bags of mature fish or photos of the released bill-fish, we talked to Walter as he returned to Chalong Bay pier at 6pm. ……. Contact: [email protected] old website: www.Phuket-Fishing-Tournament.com

Special - Krabi model longtail boats

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215228

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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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, Thursday 22 November 2007 & http://news.prd.go.th