Andaman News Friday 21 December

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: Hotel in Phuket started lighting up their Christmas trees getting in the mood for the festive season.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215746

Residents and tourists yesterday evening witnessed and enjoyed the lighting ceremony of a huge Christmas tree at the Metropole Hotel in Phuket City. It’s the hotel’s annual event to invite the general public and tourists to witness its Christmas Tree to welcome the festive season. The tree will stay lighted until after the New Year. The participants also enjoyed listening to (carol) songs sung by school children of Thep Ammuay School. Let’s enjoy some now:

MiniVDO: The Interior Deputy Minister followed up the election preparation in Phang-Nga.

To see or download mini-video, go tohttp://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215745

The Deputy Interior Minister Pol. Lt. General Teerawut Butsripum told reporters after having a meeting with Phuket, & Phang-Nga governor and related officials in preparation for the general election on December 23rd that he was briefed that both provinces are ready to facilitate the election. Both provinces have been cooperating with the provincial election commission to campaign for people to come out to cast their votes. He firmly believes that over 70% of voters will come out to cast their votes on December 23rd. He also stated that there are no reports of any biased or impartial officials in the 14 southern provinces.

MiniVDO: The Phang-Nga Governor reaffirmed readiness to facilitate the election and prepare plans for election cards from islands.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215744

Phang-Nga Governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob said Phang-Nga has several ballots located on islands. The provincial authority has prepared vehicles to transport cards from outlying islands to the main land. 3 speed boats are prepared, as well as cooperation with the Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet or helicopter in case of high waves or storms. Mr. Wichai also countered the rumor of a Tsunami on that day saying that the ballots are all in higher ground or safe places, and that it is just a rumor, people should follow official information. The Phang-Nga Governor also explained that the Morgan tribe of Sea Gypsies still do not understand the vote casting process, saying that the Phang-Nga Election Commission had stepped in to educate them. Meanwhile Phuket Governor Nirund Kalayanamit said Phuket has prepared the transport for the boxes from ballots on the island like Koh Lone, Naka and Maphrao islands.

MiniVDO: Candidates from 2 political parties presented their policies through Radio Thailand, Phuket.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215743

3 candidates from 2 political parties presented their vision via Radio Thailand FM 96.75 yesterday. They are Rewat Areerob and Tossaporn Thepabutr and Wisut Chantira from Peur Paendin or for the Mother Land party. The forum is hosted by the Election Commission in conjunction with Radio Thailand, Phuket Office. Each candidate was given 10 minutes time slot to present their vision and ideas to develop Phuket if it gets elected.

MiniVDO: Rajaphat University students supported the election by organizing a forum for candidates to present their policies.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215742

The forum held yesterday at Rajapahat University was participated in by candidates from 3 political parties which were Democrat, Peur Paendin and Chart Thai Party. The event was well attended by the university students. The candidates explained their policies and local issues they wish to tackle or support if they get elected. During the session the university also educated students who are new voters on the election law.

MiniVDO: TAT officials in Phuket welcomed an inaugural flight from Estonia.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215741

The Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket Office Suwalai Pinpradap led officials and business people to welcome 220 tourists who arrived in Phuket yesterday evening on Air Finland’s Boeing 757-200. The passengers came on an inaugural flight from Estonia’s Tullin city direct to Phuket. Starting from now, the airline will fly 6 flights per week direct to Phuket. It is expected to serve Eastern European tourists to travel to Phuket and the Andaman region. During this high season, there are a total of 550 flights in and out at Phuket international airport, 25% up from last year. The average occupancy rate in hotels is around 90%.

A brave handicapped Canadian joined the Tour de Thailand charity cycle ride to welcome them to Phuket last week.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215740

A 61 year old Canadian John Gow, who is a resident of Phuket, last week joined the group of riders during their Tour Of Thailand charity bicycle ride to raise funds for people who are suffering leukemia, cancer and blindness. The Tour group arrived at Sarasin Bride midday last Sunday and Mr. Gow, who lost his both legs at the age of 22 years old, and now has artificial legs, met and joined them for the last tough ride from the bridge up and down the hills to Patong. His bravery and energy is a great inspiration for people to do great deeds for others. So our cameraman talked to him while he was riding along Thepkrasatri Road:

The Tour de Thailand is organized by the Tour de Asia Bicycle Touring Co., Ltd to raise funds for the Max Foundation and Foundation for the Blind. In Phuket they received cheques for donations in support of the charities with Phuket Vice Governor Worapote Ratasrima & Deputy Director of the TAT Runjuan Tongrut.

MiniVDO: QSI International School organized a Christmas party for students and parents

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215739

Before they went on holidays for the festive season of Christmas and New Year, the Quality School International of Phuket or QSI organized a Christmas party for students and teachers plus parents to celebrate together. The highlights were students’ performances in front of the proud eyes of parents and teachers. In joining the festive holidays starting today we have some excerpts from the school’s party, that is the students singing Christmas carols or songs:

Special for 3rd anniversary of tsunami; Community safety volunteers Ban Nam Kem

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215738

“All volunteers, are you there? Please check the radio. Calling for No. 1, 16. It’s time to check the radio. This is No. 1, 16 from Ban Namkem, Soi Tsunami. The situation here is normal.” The communication by mobile radio, which became portable equipment for each community safety volunteer at the small fishing village of Ban Namkem in Phang Nga, is a vital task the members place importance on, apart from their daily activity to earn a living. Every time when heading out to the open sea, Samran Ruck-kaew never forgot to take the communication radio with him. It is vital tool to inform others in case of any emergencies.

The 2004 Tsunami has raised awareness for the hard-hit village of Ban Namkem in Thakuapa of Phang-Nga province. This led to the establishment of ‘the Ban Namkem Community Volunteers to keep guard on any hazard to the community. ‘ The group comprise 40 members. Apart from assisting any community activities, one of their main tasks is to disseminate warning information received from authorities or report any hazard they see to the community, as well as to handle any situation, like assisting in evacuation, in case they need to. “Evacuation and warnings are our main responsibility. We are well prepared 24 hours a day. First we have to announce to inform the community that an earthquake has occurred. Please do not panic, but keep listening. In case of an actual warning of Tsunami we have to immediately announce and evacuate people to safer ground. We also have to guard against any burglaries.” Despite today’s complete recovery of the community which includes people’s livelihood and careers, every time there is a strong earthquake or rumor, the villagers evacuate. It is an experience they learnt from the massive devastation three years ago. “We ran the simulation situation exercise once, and two natural evacuations when villagers and foreign workers cooperated well.”

The natural disaster taught the local community here to learn to live safely with nature. The early warning system, installed by the authorities, is one part of the protection for the community, but the dedicated work of these local volunteers, comfort the villagers to sleep soundly at night knowing that their own community members are taking turns guarding their own village for a safer community. “I’m proud to be part of the voluntary force for the community, to be able to assist my community members. I’m happy to do so. Some say to me are you crazy to do the work without pay, but I said I’m proud to contribute to my community.”

Interview - Charn Wongsatayanont, benefactor of Kathu Tin Mining Museum

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215737

Our interview is with Charn Wongsatayanont, MD of Phuket Jet Tour & a benefactor of Kathu Tin Mining Museum, who yesterday presented archives about Edward Thomas Miles, Australian, who brought the 1st offshore tin dredger to Phuket in 1906 or a hundred years ago. Charn also shows some other items and photos Kathu Municipality & Rajapahat University staff received for the Museum to exhibit, when it opens. (The Museum is located east of Loch Palm Golf Club, west of British International School, on old tin mine.) But first Charn explain his interest in helping the museum: ….. www.KathuTin.com Tel 08 66829698 fax 076 322134

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We are probably not on air for several days next week, due to nationwide programs on the election, Christmas, and the tsunami anniversary, when we help broadcast live from Khao Lak on Wednesday evening.

Have a nice long weekend, remind Thais to vote on Sunday and have a great Christmas holiday!

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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, Friday 21 December 2007 & http://news.prd.go.th