Andaman News Monday 14 January 2008

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: The Phuket Governor opened his office for children to visit on Children’s Day.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215929

(5 news items about Children's Day read live by Charlotte, Young Presenter.) Excited children took the opportunity of Thailand’s national Children’s Day to explore the office of Phuket Governor Nirund Galayanamitr who kindly opened his door and desk for visiting children. He also kindly greeted and talked to the kids as well as gave out a book with Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana’s picture on the front cover. The children also signed their messages of condolences for the passing of the princess. Before letting the kids up to his office, the governor opened activities for Children’s Day in front of the governor’s office and read out Prime Minister Surayut Chulannond’s messages for them to wish the children good health and asked them to be diligent and honest in their daily life.

MiniVDO: The Phuket Aquarium was also one of the attractive venues for Children’s Day.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215928

Children enjoyed watching great varieties of fish being fed by a diver in a tube at the Phuket Aquarium, always one of the main attraction for children on such a special day for them. Like any year, the place opened free of charge for children on educational tours. Visiting kids and families also enjoyed watching and learning about life cycles and information provided by the aquarium. Meanwhile at Ao Makham near Cape Panwa children enjoyed exploring the Chao Phraya frigate ship on which the Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet let children get to know about the ship’s technology and machines. The helicopter was also big attraction for the visiting kids.

MiniVDO: Visitors to Bangkok Hospital in Phuket enjoyed magic shows arranged by the hospital for kids.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215927

Children who came to Bangkok Hospital in Phuket enjoyed and were amazed by the magic show, performed by a famous magician from Bangkok, Philip Mayakon. This is just an example of activities arranged by the hospital for families to spend time together with their kids on such a special day. The hospital also arranged for the participants to observe one minute of silence in mourning of the passing of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana as well as a hospital display on her biography and work by a video presentation.

MiniVDO: Ban Koh Maphraow School in Phuket arranged for its students to show condolences for the passing of HRH Galyani Vadhana.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215926

Showing their condolences to the passing of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana is part of many activities arranged for Children’s Day at Ban Koh Maphraow school in Phuket. The Princess visited the small island, just off Phuket in April 2004 and brought medical and healthcare assistance for residents. Students and teachers observed one minute silence before the portrait of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana. The school also arranged quizzes about the princess’s biography and her work. Meanwhile the Rotary Phuket South club gave out many gifts, plus schooling funds for needy students for Children’s Day.

MiniVDO: A simple Children’s Day was arranged at Ban Namkem School in Thakuapa of Phang-Nga.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215925

Entertainment activities were suspended at Ban Namkem school in Thakuapa for Children Day and replaced by merit making ceremony in tribute to HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana. After the religious ceremony, a simple celebration of Children’s Day was arranged by giving out gifts plus lunch for over 400 students.

MiniVDO: People in Phuket released crabs in tribute to HM the King for his 80th Birthday Anniversary.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215924

Local people and students led by Phuket Vice Governor Worapote Ratasrima on Thursday released 1,500 crabs into public mangrove area at King-kaew community in Rasada sub-district of Phuket. The activity was carried out under the ‘Crab Bank’ program aiming to increase the crab population in the water sources. The program also aims at raising public awareness in natural resources conservation plus the ecological system.

MiniVDO: Phang-Nga launched an active mobile public service for remote residents.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215923

The mobile public service was headed by Phang-Nga Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob at Bang Sai village in Thakuapa of Phang-Nga. The services provided into remote community usually comprise public agencies like agriculture clinic, public health care, registration and giving out necessities for the elderly. The governor also took the opportunity to hold a meeting with local government and residents to listen to their need for and concerns so that the issues can be tackled appropriately. The governor carried out mobile meetings and public services into remote areas each month to assure that public services reach people in remote areas.

MiniVDO: Carcass of animals which were illegally smuggled into Phuket were destroyed in prevention of any communicable disease.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215922

Over 153,000 baht worth of remains of animals, which were illegally smuggled into Phuket Island and seized by authorities, were burnt at the incineration plant in Phuket on Sunday. The activity was witnessed by Phuket Vice Governor Smith Palwatwichai and members of the Meat Cow Association of Thailand. Vetaran Sakchai Sribunseu, Director General of the Live Stock Development Department stated that during November – December 2007, six cases of violators of animal disease control regulations were charged. The destroyed amount weighed a total of 1,920 kilograms and followed the seizure from a fridge on Thepkasartri road in Phuket town. They were a carcass of cow, originated from India. He also pointed out that meat smuggled into Phuket is classed from low grade for meat balls up to medium grade for food in hotel. The department also seeks public cooperation in reporting any suspicious illegal import of meat to the island in prevention of communicable diseases.

Special - Czech Miss beauty contestants visit Phuket:

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215921

Twelve final contestants in the annual ‘Czech Miss’ beauty contest, along with about 20 organizers and accompanying media members, are visiting Thailand including Phuket as part of efforts by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (or TAT) to generate publicity and attract more visitors from the new member countries of the European Union. The Czech Miss 2008 beauty contest is organised annually by the Czech National Television channel Nova, attracting 3,000 applications for the contest, with a final live show next month. The show is widely watched across the country and East Europe, with estimated viewers of at least 3 million, and the winner goes on to represent the Czech Republic in the annual Miss Universe Pageant. This year’s Miss Czech contest will highlight Thailand as the backdrop destination for the various fashion and other film-shoots featured in the TV contest.

The contestants arrived in Phuket last Thursday, staying at Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa and will be here until the 17 or 18th January. Their visits in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket included here at Nai Harn Beach and Royal Phuket Marina as well as Cape Phromthep, Ko Panyee, Kata, Karon and Patong Beaches, Phuket Fantasea and Jungceylon among other popular spots. After getting filmed and interviewed in Czech language on the popular beach at the picturesque Nai Harn Bay, with the windmill and Cape Promthep in the distance, and beautiful boats bopping in the waters behind, one of the equally beautifully dressed Czech Miss contestants, introduced herself to us: “My name is Elizabeth Eclie, 22, a university student,…. I hope to win but I don’t know.” “What do you like about Phuket? ..I like sea, beach, people, food,.. want to go swimming? Yes now!” So off she went to swim and relax with the other tourists.

Meanwhile another contestant, Lucie, 21 dressed appropriately in yellow HM the King’s colour, and later Anita 20, dressed in red, were posing for photographs by the green hyacinth beside the beach, but they were protected for the hot sun by patient assistants with umbrellas and shades. Anita’s English was as attractive as her good looks, as she chatted to us afterwards: “Hello, I’m Aneta Sychrova, 20, student & model, first time in Thailand, …English is good, others don’t think it is a big problem.” “Well, Phuket is best,,,, posing here, sand all over me, … the view is great, …so romantic hope my boyfriend comes here, is he watching?, maybe!” She liked to see her some of the nice pictures from the TAT’s Elite Phuket Calendar 2008 recently made with other foreign models, in similar locations they are also using this week.

The next day, some more contestants were down at the impressive Royal Phuket Marina beside the gleaming white luxury boats, as they posed on the pontoons for photos. In an equally gleaming sparkling dress, one of the tallest contestants introduced herself in English and later in Czech: “Hello, I’m Elishka Buckova, 18, still studying, very nice, people friendly, no swimming, here cool, like to go on boat … (in Czech language). " After a break for refreshments in Les Anges bakery and restaurant, one more beautiful & blond contestant graced us with a short chat: “I’m Romana Anotoninova, 21,..student at university, special country, very busy on a trip, we are all good friends now,.. good luck.” Let’s hope they do come back to Phuket as winners, friends or tourists. In 2006, visitor arrivals to Thailand from the Czech Republic totalled only 13,128 up 27.26% over 2005.

Interview - Marzouki Ali, the Tourism Authority of Thailand representative in Czech Republic

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215920

We had an interview with Marzouki Ali, the Tourism Authority of Thailand or TAT’s representative in Czech Republic as well as Hungary & Poland, who explained more about the ‘Czech Miss’ beauty contest background and TAT aim, as he tells us now during their visit to Royal Phuket Marina: …… [email protected] www.tourismthailand.org Tel 076 212213, Fax 076 213582

-------------

From Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) & KPP Cable TV channel 1 at 8.30am + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand at 6pm, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, Monday 14 January 2008 & http://news.prd.go.th