Andaman News Tuesday 11 December

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: Democrat Party advisor and former PM Chuan Leekpai visited Andaman provinces for political rallies.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215594

Former Prime Minister and advisor to the Democrat Party, Chuan Leekpai, yesterday came to Phang Nga and Phuket to help the party ion seeking support from the local voters. Driving on a jeep, Mr Chuan arrived at the Sarasin bridge, the entrance to Phuket at 4pm and received a warm welcome from people who greeted him along the side of Thepkrasatri Road. After going on a different route in town, Mr Chuan carried out a rally at Saphan Hin ground where hundreds of people attended. He called for voters to study the new ballots for casting their votes to prevent any spoiled cards and to act against vote buying. He also voiced his confidence that the Democrat Party will win all seats of 56 in the south, especially in the 3 deep south provinces. In Phang Nga he predicts the Democrats would win both seats, compared to the last time when one seat was won by the Thai Rak Thai party. Mr Chuan left Phuket last night heading to the north to help Democrat candidates to stage rallies for the December 23rd election.

MiniVDO: Phuket Election Commission organized a political rally forum for candidates.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215593

The staged political rallies session was held at the Prince of Songkhla University on Saturday with around 100 listening students who are new voters in the general election. Education policies seemed to be highlighted here as it was held in an education institute. The session was participated in by candidates from four political parties. They were from the Democrat, Chart Thai, People’s Power and ‘Pau Pandin-For the Motherland’ parties.

MiniVDO: The six Andaman provinces will be given more early warning systems in 500 more locations in vulnerable communities linked direct with the National Disaster Warning Centre.

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By the beginning of next year 2008, five hundred natural disaster prone locations in the 6 Andaman coastal provinces will get early warning tools in their community. The National Disaster Warning Centre Advisor / chairman DR. Smith Dhammasaroj explained that the responsible agency is now working on the equipment acquisition while the head of provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation are asked to survey and report the locations to the NDWC. He further explained that the system will act like a broadcast tower with 15 metre tall aerials with speakers linked direct with the NDWC. The chief district or local community leaders are then expected to disseminate warnings in their respective communities in case of any natural hazard situations. The installation is expected to commence early next year.

MiniVDO: Phuket dispatched volunteer police out to check on locations to ensure social order.

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Phuket Governor Nirund Kalayanamit dispatched volunteer police at the provincial hall for them to work on locations to help police officers ensuring social order. The operation covers entertainment venues in the Phuket city area. They will focus on checking ID, licenses for the entertainment businesses and urine examining to check on drugs. They will also take the opportunity to encourage employees to come out to cast their votes on December 23rd general election. The same operation will be carried out in Thalang district.

MiniVDO: Mountain bike races took place at Karon and Kata in Phuket.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215590

Part of the races were for this C type which boys or girls not over 12 years old could compete in. The event was well participated by local kids and mountain bike club members. The event was co-hosted by the Karon Municipality, Kata-Karon Hotel Business Association and the Beach Boy Mountain Bike Club. It aimed at promoting tourism as well as exercise among locals and visitors to the area.

MiniVDO: The Bang Tao Night Fishing Games were organized to spice up the night life in Phuket.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215589

50 teams of local fishermen took out their long tail boats into the Andaman Sea as part of the Bang Tao Night Fishing Games held annually to add more color to night time activities in the high tourist season. Leaving the bay of Bang Tao on Saturday they spent 1 night at sea, 200 kilometres off shore for fishing. The team with most fish won. The annual activity also aimed at promoting proper sustainable fishing for the local community, creating unity as well as raising some schooling funds for local students.

MiniVDO: A crew from Novotel Panwa won the exciting and first Phuket International Dragon Boat Challenge.

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The very first ever Phuket International Dragon Boat Challenge was held successfully last Sunday 9 December at the Royal Phuket Marina during the PIMEX boat show being held at the same time. About 17 teams of 16 rowers plus a drummer up front and a helm to steer, from local companies, schools, universities, clubs and members of the public, both foreign and Thai, men and women, showed that this type of event is both popular and worth the support of sponsors and all the hard work of organizers from Sail in Asia company, supported by the TAT. The colourful crews quickly learnt the basic paddling techniques in this easy sport. Each crew raced 2 or 3 others over a 220 meter straight line course, at least three times each, to get their best times, and then the fastest four crews were picked for the final. However a sudden rain storm fell just as the crews were lining up for the final, but they managed to keep going straight without incident into a strong headwind, but it evened up the race so much, that it was like a photo-finish at the end, with only 7/10ths of a second separating the winners, which were not announced until the prize presentation: in reverse order, 4th was Rajaphat University, 3rd was Shades Company,... 2nd was Rawai Relics club, and so Novotel Beach Resort Panwa knew they were first: the surprise but ecstatic winners of the Dragons Head and a free trip to Penang for the World Dragon Boat Championships next year, with flights courtesy of main sponsors Firefly and accommodation through HotelTravel.com (Many thanks also to Phil Bender for his great footage shown here.)

Interviews - Frank Pong,Skipper of Jelik, top Racing class winner, & Henry Kaye, Skipper of Mamba, Firefly class winner at 21st Phuket King s Cup sailing regatta

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215586

Our interview with Frank Pong, from Hong Kong, Skipper of ‘Jelik’, the top Racing class winner, at the 21st Phuket King's Cup sailing regatta. This was Jelik’s 1st King's Cup win in their 6th year, after scoring 6 first places in 8 races, last Monday-Saturday, in wind that averaged speeds of 12-14 knots, gusting to 20 knots most days. After the Royal Awards Ceremony presided over by HM King's Personal Representative, Rear. Admiral. M.L. Usni Pramoj, we asked if he and his crew were proud to win: …… Then we talked to Henry Kaye, from Great Britain, Skipper of ‘Mamba’, the Firefly class winner, in his own 20th Phuket King's Cup, after coming 9th in the 1st race of this regatta, he won the class after coring 5 first places in 7 races. The fast Fireflys are made in Phuket by Latitude 8, all exactly the same dimensions in this class, as he told us more about his boat and background: ......... www.kingscup.com

Special - Montpelier & Rotary Club of Patong charity fund raiser at Ramada Resort Joe Kool s restaurant

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215585

The first 'Montpelier Skandia Tropical Extravaganza’ party with a charity auction by the Rotary Club of Patong Beach, was held last Friday at Joe Kool’s restaurant in Ramada Resort, Karon Beach. A superb dinner buffet was laid on by Montpelier Financial Advisers, Wealth Managers and Tax Planning Specialists for their guests and Rotary Club members; Professional music bands at the Ramada played lively songs all night. An impressive fire dancing show by LurLuchThai was performed by the pool. All the proceeds from the evening went towards the "Disadvantaged Children Education Fund", as Martin Carpenter, MC, explained: “We’re here tonight ladies and genetlemen, to keep… for their schooling in Phuket.”

Among the donated items auctioned and raffled were a nights in the Ramada Resort & Holiday Inn, a DesJoyeaux swimming pool, Laguna golf rounds, Heineken golf bag, Woody Leonard computer books, and several valuable Burmese sculptures and artwork from Heritage & Soul of Asia art galleries, which went for very high and humorous bids: “25,000 baht… 20,500 .. almost had a baby” “Pete.. Thank you very much, that was lovely.” Montpelier staff and Rotary members probably raised about 90-100,000 baht in total. They and their guests danced the night away, happy in the knowledge, they gave to a good cause: For the continued scholarships of over 200 tsunami affected students to continue their studies to graduation, and help more underprivileged children in Phuket & Phang Nga. Well done Montpelier & Rotary Club of Patong! & Thank you Ramada Resort for a great evening!

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, Tuesday 11 December 2007 & http://news.prd.go.th