Andaman News Monday 7 January 2007

[NBT TV Phuket]

Sorry 2008 not 2007 ! (cannot change change title now)

MiniVDO: Rajaphat University in Phuket arrange facility for teachers and students to sign a condolence book on the passing of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215827

Educators and students of Rajaphat University in Phuket led by its president Dr. Chirawat Nijnate wearing black and white, performed a condolence ceremony in front of the portrait of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana. The passing of the late princess caused sad sorrow for the whole nation including people from all walks of life in Phuket. An exhibition about HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana and her tireless life time of dedicated work to charity for the benefit of the people, both in education and public health is also being displayed at the University for Students to learn and realize her contribution.

MiniVDO: Public Health volunteers in Phuket signed their condolences for the passing of the Princess in a book provided at the provincial hall.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215826

Around 100 public health volunteers comprising club members under the Phuket City Office, senior citizens, and the group at Samakki community from Samkong area, gathered to sign condolences in front of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana’s portrait and later at the provincial hall. People from all walks of life have come to write their messages of condolences at the provincial hall all day long. It was the same at the Rawai Municipality where the Mayor Arun Soros led officials and the general public to pay respects in front of the princess’s portrait and sign condolences. The facility will be put up for 15 days for the general public to write messages he concluded.

MiniVDO: Sub-district chiefs and village headmen joined the nation in mourning for the passing of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215825

Before a meeting of heads of sub-districts and village headmen chaired by Phuket Governor Nirun Kalayanamit, Buddhist and Islamic religious ceremonies were performed followed by 1 minute of silence observed in honour of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana. Mr. Nirun asked the officials to join the nation in 15 days of mourning, but after that it is on a voluntary basis he said. Then the Phuket Governor delivered policy to the meeting which stressed on anti-narcotic drugs, safety and security issues, public service, prevention and suppression on natural resources exploitation and the rectification of unregistered populations for better public service.

MiniVDO: Police warn motorists of 10 accident prone spots on Phuket roads after the number of accidents and fatal cases for the New Year Holiday period doubled from last year.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215824

After assessing the cause of accidents for 7 days during the long holiday period of New Year, Phuket police pointed out that at least 10 accident prone locations should be highlighted and that motorists should take precautions at. The deputy provincial police chief Paveen Pongsirin detailed the locations saying that 3 are in the Phuket city district, being the U-turn in front of Central Festival shopping mall, Kuan Din Daeng sharp curve on Thepkasatri road, and the curve near Ban Kata school road. In Thalang there are 3 spots which are the curved road at Ban Tha Reu, Choeng Thale fresh market and the sharp curves at Mai Khao area. 4 major high risk spots are found in Kathu district which are the curve near the local shrine of Pun Tao Kong, Rang Dun and Rong Wai curve plus Naka hill. Traffic lights and warning signs are being put up to ease the problems while the U-Turn spot is being adjusted for motorists’ safety. This year accident and fatal cases doubled from last year for the New Year holiday period in Phuket.

MiniVDO: Officials carry out strict checks on private dormitories in Phuket after over 100 of them were found to operate without licenses.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215823

Officials from the Phuket provincial Social Security and Human Development offices led a team to inspect 4 dormitories in Rasada district comprising Panida, Renu, Narongrit Thanitcha and P& T apartments. The move followed reports that over 100 places in Phuket offer their services as dormitories without licenses. An official Weraphat Inamuna stated that 42 venues offering services as dormitories have registered their business with 12 are under the process. The illegal operators will face a maximum of 2,000 baht fine or not more than 6 months imprisonment or both. He seeks cooperation from the operators to register or apply for license. The strict checks followed reports that some businesses do not observe strict rules for students dormitories and become illegal and indecent venues for young people including gambling and narcotic drug issues.

MiniVDO: Andaman Discoveries won a Responsible Tourism Award for Best Conservation of Cultural Heritage.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215822

Andaman Discoveries is based in Khao Lak, Phang Nga, continuing the work of North Andaman Tsunami Relief, an independent non profit, non religious organization that was started by Bodhi Garrett after he lost his home, job, and many of his friends when the tsunami hit the Andaman Coast in 2004. It is tour service that also implements a number of community development programs in tsunami-impacted villages. They recently received the 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award for Best for Conservation of Cultural Heritage, and were also the runner-up for Wild Asia's annual Responsible Tourism Awards for Community- or Family-run Homestays, when the awards ceremony was also recently held at Evason Phuket Resort & Spa. The Citation for the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award said they are quote “putting people first - recognising that the best custodians of cultural heritage are the people. They have worked with communities to empower them and to create a sense of place, identifying what villagers see as important, and using this information to develop tourist activities and make productive relationships with the industry.” unquote. More details are on www.responsibletourismawards.com and www.andamandiscoveries.com

MiniVDO: Phuket Provincial Administration Organization is organizing ‘Children’s Day’ activities at the Phuket Gateway at Tha Chart Chai.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215821

The Phuket Provincial Administration Organization or PPAO will arrange activities for Children’s Day at the Phuket Gateway in Thachart Chai on this coming Saturday January 12th. The Office Chief of Administration Mr. Manop Leelasuthanont confirmed that he has consulted the Ministry of Education and will put up an exhibition about HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana’s biography and her dedicated work on education, and public health on display for younger people to learn as well. The activities will emphasize educational activities such as quizzes on the environment, arts and health issues. The second Saturday of January each year is designated as Children’s Day in Thailand.

MiniVDO: The body of a fishing boat owner was found in the Andaman Sea off Phuket Island.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215820

Phuket Marine police boat brought ashore a female body at Rasada pier on Friday afternoon for autopsy after they were notified by coastal fisheries radio that a female body was found floating near Dok Mai island just off Phuket. A fishing vessel with its engine on was also floating around the area. The body was found with many injuries on the head and body and was estimated to have died a week ago. After hearing the news Jongjit Limsakul rushed to the Rassada pier and told police that the body is Pranee Rodnuad, age 49, from Ranong province. She is reported to be the owner of the fishing vessel floating near her body. Deputy Superintendent for Phuket Marine Police Pol.Lt. Prasert Srikunnarat said police have brought in the boat and found blood traces while about 5-6 crew disappeared. Police will try to find the crew for further investigation.

That was the first information we received; The following day, police found her husband’s body. Further investigation reported that the couple went out to sea for fishing with 2 Burmese crew members. Police assume that the couple were killed by the two crew members and are searching for them.

Special - Dog conch shells Hoy Chak Teen at Sri Borya Island in Krabi

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215819

50,000 dog conches, known in Thai as ‘Hoy Chak Teen’, were released into the sea off the Sri Boya Island in Krabi’s Nua Klong district in December in tribute to HM the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary. The location was chosen for the release of the sea creatures due to its natural fertility of sea grass and sea weeds in Thailand. It also originated the breeding of dog conch which today became famous sea food for the Andaman region. The activity was carried out by the Power Plant in Krabi under the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand or EGAT and local people of the Sri Borya Island.

Paitoon Suwanboriban, Director of Krabi Power plant : “We have consulted local villagers and they agreed, so we carry out the project. We just hope to increase the number of the dog conch.” The dog conch is now becoming Krabi’s cash animal as visitors to the province ask for the dish always listed in local restaurants’ menus. It costs around 120 baht per dish. The popularity with high market demand raised concern among locals that the dog conch would rapidly decline in number.

Local villager of Sri Borya Island in Krabi : “Villagers here used to collect a large amount of dog conch each day, as much as 10 kilograms per person. These days if you can collect 3 kilos that’s good enough. It declines sharply.” The concern led to Power Plant in Krabi conducting the cultivation and breeding and releasing baby ones into nature. They also took the opportunity to educate, to raise awareness among local residents to collect the sea food only when they are mature so that it leads to sustainable living of dog conch, with the sea grass and also the economy for people at large.

Interview - Woody Leonard, a Phuket-based computer expert & writer of many computer books; at weekly PC Clinic or group therapy

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215818

Our interview is with Woody Leonard, a Phuket-based computer expert & writer of many computer books; who holds PC Clinic or group therapy meetings every Sunday morning 10-12 midday, yesterday it was at his Sandwich Shoppes. #1 - Patong, Aroonsom Plaza, alternating with his shoppe #2 at Laguna, Cherng Talay; & #3 at Chalong, Fisherman's Way Park; with free Internet, wireless 24hrs a day, when you can use your own computer or his absolutely free, with high speed CAT-D.O cards. First Woody tells us why he now lives so happily in Phuket: .……. Contact: www.askwoody.com www.khunwoody.com Tel 076 290 468

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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, Monday 7 January 2008 & http://news.prd.go.th