Andaman News Thursday 20 December

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: Phuket Provincial Election Commission arranged rally stage for political candidates in Phuket.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215734

The stage rally which the Phuket provincial Election Commission arranged for MP candidates in Phuket yesterday had to be cancelled as only 3 candidacies came to attend. They were Soranan Saneh from Chart Thai Party, Tossporn Teppabutr and Rewat Aree-rob from the Democrat party. Audiences however did not turn out as the venue was changed from Choeng Thale market to the multi-purpose hall in Cherng Thale School with only a short notice of time. The candidates from Democrat party then did not want to go up the stage. The Election Commission today organizes a stage rally in front of the Thalang district office from 3 – 6 PM. The officials invite the general public to attend and listen to political parties and candidates’ policies before casting their votes on December 23rd.

MiniVDO: Phuket authority imposes strict check on gift set prices after receiving many complaints via a Hotline 1569.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215733

Phuket Vice Governor Smith Palawatwichai led officials from provincial Commercial Affairs Internal Trade Office to check on prices of gift sets put up on sale for the festive season of Christmas and New year. Yesterday the group visited Tesco-Lotus and Big C superstores to ensure that customers are not exploited. Mr Smith stated that the authority had received a large number of complaints from consumers through Hotline number 1569. They complain about prices, amount and quality of products, especially gift baskets. The authority then asked the operators and stores to clarify label prices and expiry dates for their goods. Violaters will be brought to legal procedures.

MiniVDO: In the past two years the Execution Office earned over 1.3 billion baht from property auctions.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215732

In the past two years of 2005 – 2006, the Execution Office in Phuket managed to earn 1,300 million baht from property auction, and the office director target to earn another 1.3 billion baht by this year end. The office Director Santas Prasarnwan detailed the property saying that they are mostly land with buildings or just plots of land scattered in all three districts on the island. The office arranges the auction on every Thursday this month, December, at the office, located in the area of Poolphol Night Plaza.

MiniVDO: Thailand and Phuket were placed 1st and Krabi 3rd in a Swedish magazine web survey.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215731

The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Deputy Director of Phuket office, Runjuan Tongrut, informed Andaman News that RES magazine in Sweden, December 2007 issue, announced Thailand and Phuket as winners in their fourth year of awards based on a web survey where thousands of enthusiastic tourists have expressed their opinions regarding destinations, as well as other categories like food, and places to live. These are independent votes without journalists’, travel agencies’ or other travel branch opinions. Phuket was chosen as the Best Charter Destination: ahead of 2nd placed Mallorca in Spain, and 3rd placed Krabi, 4th Kreta in Greece, and 5th Grand Canaries in Spain. Thailand was also the Best Long-distance Destination, ahead of USA, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. In the Best Food category: 1st was Italy and 2nd was Thailand, ahead of France, Greece and even Sweden. In the Best Country to Live, 1st was Sweden, 2nd USA and 3rd Thailand. More on www.res.se

MiniVDO: Free polio vaccinations will be offered for under 5 year old children in Phuket.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215730

Parents with children under 5 years of age are advised to bring their children to have polio drops or vaccination, offered by Public Health officials free of charge. According to a time table released by the provincial public Health office, the officials will target people at congested areas, construction workers, fishermen and foreign laborers groups. The first service will be on December 26th at all health stations, Wachira Hospital in Phuket, Thalang, and Patong hospitals, private and clinic which post polio signs in front of their premises.

MIniVDO: Preparations made for Phang Nga’s Tsunami memorial events

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215729

Speaking at a press conference in Bangkok, Phang-Nga Governor Wichai Prai-Sangob confirmed the provincial authority’s preparedness to host to 3rd year Tsunami commemorative events. He also stated that the redevelopment has been over 90%. The commemorative schedule has been released which includes remembrance and religious ceremonies at Bang Niang and Ban Namkem, plus a multi faith ceremony at Bang Maruan cemetery in the afternoon. Meanwhile the Deputy Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office Natee Premrassamee inspected and checked on the preparedness at the location at Bang Niang Beach where Princess Ubonratana will graciously preside over the commemorative ceremony and release 5,395 lanterns in memory of the number of victims. The evening event will be televised live by Channel 11.

MiniVDO: The network of Tsunami victims in 6 Andaman provinces also prepare for the commemorative event on December 26th.

To see or download mini-video, go http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215728

On the people side, the networks for victims will arrange activities in remembrance of victims by attending the multi-faith religious ceremonies as well as to promote natural resources conservation which will lead to safer communities. They will arrange beachside planting activity. The boat floating ceremony by the Morgan tribe of sea gypsies will also be arranged. A forum on lessons and problems encountered for the re-development in post Tsunami will also be discussed among the network members.

Special for Tsunami remembrance: Beach massage & career groups formed after the Tsunami at Kamala, Phuket

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215727

In the run up to the 3rd anniversary of the tsunami in Thailand, we have a special report on tsunami affected villagers in Kamala, Phuket. Let’s go there now:

"I’ve returned to do massage. I don’t have many guests. We have to wait until after Christmas." This high season Orawan and her beach massage group members are working and giving massage services to tourists and visitors to Kamala like any other day. Three years have past, Orawan resumed her previous job with income, but the Tsunami Disaster taught her to learn to live safer with nature. " I feel safer than before as now we know which way to go. In case of a tsunami we have to run up to the police station and up hill. That’s the nearest location."

The massage group is just one among several career groups formed after the Tsunami incident. They all cooperate with civil volunteers in the community with over 60 members. They were all established in the post Tsunami period. The community civil volunteers also include female members. Everyday, they take turns to keep watch for any sign of natural hazards as well as ensuring the highest safety for tourists. " We mostly are stationed on the beach, on duty here. We rotate the duty among the volunteer members to look after tourists on the beach, give them advice." "The volunteers will always be attending on the beach. They keep eyes on any peculiar situations then notify officials. Like the beach guards they are well trained. In case we hear the siren, all volunteers must be ready to handle th emergency situation." Following its massive devastation, the Kamala village had been picked by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre or ADPC as a pioneer location for a Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction Management plan. Apart from great losses and scars in life, the 2004 Tsunami has left them with immunity, a lesson they learn to use as armor to protect the community and tourists from dangers of such natural disasters. It’s the knowledge for a safer community. " We are living happily in Kamala now. We have to understand that nature is nature. Whatever happens, the community comes first. We must be prepared and assist each other."

Special - Souvenirs from coconuts at Ban Nateen Krabi

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215726

Coconuts are fruit of wonders as they can be consumed in many ways and forms. Even their shell can turn into cash as villagers at Ban Nateen of Krabi found out. Let’s learn more from our special report how.

These members of a souvenir production group at Ban Nateen are working together as a group to transform and decorate local small coconut shells into different shapes including animals and other utensils in modern style. The products became famous for tourists who visit the area. Ban Nateen community is part of the famous tourist location of Krabi’s Ao Nang. The group was founded 19 years ago under the initiative of the present head of the group Supa Khwaeng-lee who started to use coconut shells from household consumption to make souvenirs. The natural texture of the shell, which is also durable, enables easy drawing and cutting, crafting for different pattern and styles. The group members’ creativities always come up with new ideas which led to the products’ recognition as Krabi’s One Tambon One Product or OTOP. "Our products are categorized into 3 types. The first one is household utensil including dishes, plates, spoons, secondly accessories like necklaces, ear rings and accessories, and thirdly, all types of souvenirs like Logo for any organization, wedding souvenirs and so on. "

Who would imagine that the left overs like coconut shell can be a major source of income for members of this community, one that may be earns 3,000 to over 10,000 baht per month. The peak for orders is November to April as it is tourist season for the Andaman region.

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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 20 December 2007 & http://news.prd.go.th