Andaman News Wednesday 28 November

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: The construction work of a pavilion and public park in Phuket in honor of His Majesty the King is now 90% in progress.

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A pavilion surrounded by a nice public park is now being built beside Surin beach on the north-west coast of Phuket, with 90% progress. The special pavilion is built in honour of HM the King for his 80th birthday anniversary and to remind people of their Majesties visit to Phuket on March 1959. The pavilion is expected to be completed early next month. A meeting to follow up the progress of the project took place on Monday.

MiniVDO: Thai Airways International in Phuket organizes Books of Voices called ‘Phorn Jaak Fah’ project.

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Thai Airways International PLC organized an opening of the ‘Book of Voices: or ‘Phorn Jaak Fah’ project, presided over by Mr Smith Palawatvichai, Phuket Vice Governor, at Central Festival department store. Mrs Waraporn Wibooncharoenkitja, Thai’s Managing Director, Ground Supporting Service Department, revealed that the Book of Voices is initiated to celebrate the auspicious occasion of HM’s 80th Birthday anniversary on 5th December 2007. The project also helps to disseminate HM’s philosophy on how to live with sufficiency, peace and happiness. The objective of the project is to invite Thai people to read HM’s doctrine, which will be recorded on an audio disk. Two recording mobile units are arranged. The recorded CD as an audio book will be given to institutes for the vision impaired and other educational organizations. The project was launched on 3rd October in Bangkok before rotating to regional provinces including Phuket.

MiniVDO: Muslim pilgrims started their Hajj journey to Saudi Arabia from Phuket.

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A total of 1,500 Muslim pilgrims from the Andaman provinces of Phuket, Phang-Nga, Krabi, and Ranong are departing the country via Phuket International Airport to join pilgrims at Mecca in Saudi Arabia. They are leaving on four flights during November 26-29th. The Phuket authority and Muslim leaders plus local government arranged a blessing ceremony to wish the pilgrims a good trip. The Hajj is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world. It is an obligation that must be carried out by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so, at least once in their lifetime. It is their demonstration of solidarity and their submission to God.

MiniVDO: The Phuket provincial authority is hosting a Garden Reception in honor of HM the King’s Birthday on 6th December.

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In preparation for the grand garden reception called the ‘League of Nations Party’ in celebration of HM the King’s birthday which will be held at the governor’s residence on December 6th, Phuket Governor Nirund Kalayanamitr held a meeting with related agencies. The evening party will feature royally composed songs and performances in honour of HM the King, and firework displays. Foreign dignitaries, diplomats and representatives are also invited to attend the reception which will take place from 6.30pm onwards. Around 1,200 people are expected to attend the reception while over 100 booths of food and beverage from local hotels in Phuket will be put up.

MiniVDO: Abalone farming in Phuket is growing with business expansions to Phang-Nga.

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Managing Director of Phuket Abalone Farm Sitthisak Muang-sin states that the abalone farming is growing with the company expanding its breeding for export. He went on to say that next year the farm expects a 3,500 kilogram production harvest with 80% to export to Asia markets. It also expands the investment into the nearby province of Phang Nga to accommodate the market demand. Phuket Abalone Farm is the only and first abalone farm in Thailand which is operating as a comprehensive commercial farm. Abalone cultivation is not only for export commercially but also for products made from fresh abalone such as seasonings and sauces, ready to eat soups and other health products. Abalone is in the gastropod class that prefers to live in deep sea, commonly found attached to the rocks where there are plenty of algae which is their main food.

MiniVDO: The 3 Andaman provinces signed an MOU with education institutes to carry out research for development and sustainable tourism.

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The cooperation agreement between the three Andaman provinces of Phuket Phang Nga and Krabi and the Rajaphat University Phuket, Krabi Physical Education College and the Research Fund Office aimed at conducting research to lead to development and sustainable tourism management. It is also expected to link data finding from the research to provincial and national planning in the long term. Phuket Governor Nirund Kalayanamitr believes that the research results would be beneficial for the Andaman cluster’s tourism development. These should include environment and waste management and even unregistered population issues. Phang-Nga Vice Governor Pitiharn Titmontri suggests that the research result should be publicized for all parties concerned to take part in tourism management, and that the tourism in the three Andaman provinces go on in the same direction.

MiniVDO: Ban Ket Ho School in Phuket gets a new building donated by the Provincial Electricity Authority.

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The new multi-purpose building at Ban Ket Ho School in Phuket’s Kathu district was officially opened and handed over to the school management by the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) with the Phuket Vice governor Tri Akkaradecha witnessing the ceremony. The project is part of the PEA’s 82 million baht program to have 73 multi – purpose buildings for schools nationwide in honour of HM the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary. In Phuket a one storey building is built at the Ban KetHo School for students and local community to use in multi purposes. Apart from that, the PEA also gave out lunch funds and sport equipment for Ban Koh Sireh School, and donated light bulbs to local schools and communities in Phuket.

MiniVDO: Krabi gets strict on illegal fishing tools.

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Krabi authority has issued an announcement for fishermen to remove any of their illegal fishing tools placed in the sea within 30 days, starting from November 14th. This means the illegal equipment must be removed by December 13th. The Krabi Governor Siwa Sirisaowaluck stressed that for those who violate the law and do not get their tools removed, the officials will remove them while the owners must pay for the removal costs or even face legal charges. The tools include those obstructing maritime vessels and causing difficulties for the general public.

MiniVDO: The Tour de Thailand 2007 charity cycle ride has started its long route to Phuket.

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Christopher Byrd, the organizer of the annual event, told Andaman News that the ‘Tour de Thailand 2007’, in the 5th year of this international charity bike ride, has started its long trip from Chiang Mai and will end in Phuket on 16 December. Tour de Thailand is held to help raise funds for The Max Foundation, a US-registered charity operating worldwide and helping Thai people living with Leukemia and other Blood Related Cancers, and for the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand under the Royal Patronage of H.M. the Queen. The Tour de Thailand is the signature ride which covers 2300 kilometers in 27 days that include 22 days of riding and 5 strategic days off for sightseeing and relaxation. They are anticipating over 400 foreign and local cyclists will participate and finish on December 16, at the cyclists’ finishing point on Patong Beach, Phuket. The ride from Khao Lak to Phuket of 118 KM includes meeting any Phuket day riders near Sarasin Bridge between 12:00 Noon and 1:00 PM at the roadside Thai restaurant under a giant “Welcome to Phuket” sign. Any donations are more than welcome. For more info visit www.TourDeThailand.com

Vox Pop - Tourists favourite places & activities

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Our Vox Pop is with tourists on their favourite places & activities this high season, now that the better weather has also arrived. It’s interesting to hear their different views and opinions; so let’s now go to Patong beach on the west coast: …….

Interview - Preecha Chansiritanon, Deputy Director General, National Park, Wildlife & Plant Conservation Department,

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Our interview is with Pree-cha Chan-si-ri-ta-non, Deputy Director General, National Park, Wildlife & Plant Conservation Department, through an Interpreter, Peeranuch Dul-kul, who is also a Technical Forest official, during a meeting held at the Merlin Hotel Phuket yesterday on revising park fees and limiting numbers plus safety. As she explains with effect 1 December 2007, some fragile marine park fees go up, some smaller ones go down, but first talks about the meeting: …….

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Current fee: foreign child: 200 baht, adult 400 baht

Marine park: Thai child 40 baht, adult 80 baht;

Land park: Thai child 20 baht, adult 40 baht.

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Contact: www.dnp.go.th/index_eng.asp

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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, Wednesday 28 November 2007 & http://news.prd.go.th