Andaman News Friday 18 January 2008

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: The Ministry of Public Health invites the general public to donate their inner organs after they die.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216003

In order to continue the wishes of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, the president of Kidney Foundation of Thailand, the Public Health Ministry in conjunction with the Organ Donation Centre, Thai Red Cross Society, invites Thai people to make merit by donating their organs after dieing. This is expected to assist patients who are in need for new implant. The general public can contact all 95 hospitals nationwide under the ministry’s umbrella. According to official record, 2,241 patients have listed their names on waiting lists for organ donations, with kidneys highest at 2,014, followed by livers, and hearts and lungs. During June 1st 2006 – December 31st 2007 one hundred and forty donors have made contributions.

MiniVDO: The construction of a checkpoint at Tha Chart Chai is now over 90% in progress and is expected to be functioning by next month.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216002

Phuket Governor Nirund Kalayanamitr on Wednesday inspected a construction site of the checkpoint at Tha Chartchai on the island’s north to follow up its construction progress. The project, located on the left hand side while entering Phuket island, costs 39 million baht to build. It is expected to be the main and comprehensive checkpoint for vehicles entering or leaving the island. Officers stationed there will be Police, Immigration, Tourist Police, Land Transport, Forestry, Live Stock Development and local administrative bodies. The construction work is now 90% in progress and is expected to be in operation by next month. After completion, the new facility will be under the care of the provincial police. The provincial police chief, Pol. Maj. General Decha Butnampetch said he will need more than 10 officers there each day to work 3 shifts around the clock.

Labour worker volunteers are trained in Phuket.

Networks for worker volunteers are undergoing training provided by the Labour office to enhance their skills and knowledge in information dissemination for others. They are expected to mediate or being networks for the officials to promote careers, skill labour development, labour protection and working in secure environments which in turn would result in a better quality of life.

Special - Public fire drill in Patong on Wednesday

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A public fire drill was run in Patong on Wednesday to test out preparedness for manpower and equipment. Our reporter went along with a camera to closely witness the operation. Let’s see how it went:

The public fire exercise and evacuation took place at around 3 pm on Wednesday with a simulation situation of a truck carrying cooking gasoline supposedly crashing into a tricycle carrying fuel for speed boats. The pretend accident forced the truck to overturn in from of a pawn shop in a busy location of Patong. The incident caused mock-explosions due to flammable substances involved. Being informed of the accident, the Patong Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office with a rescue unit team rushed to the scene and managed to bring the situation under control within 5 minutes. This situation resulted in 3 injuries with no fatal cases. "Our rescue and relief team step in immediately, got people out and restricted the accident scene, then had fire engines extinguish the fire. We are well equipped. " - Wisit Methasunthornpote, Acting Disaster Prevention chief, Patong Municipality This is another example of swift fire handling. It tests teamwork, and equipment like fire extinguishers which are important tools in order to reduce the risk from losses of lives and properties. It also aims at assuring safety for residents and tourists to Patong as a whole.

"At least it can ensure safety for people and tourists to the area. When we run a drill, we do it realistically and major hotels like the Marriott also use our services." - Chairat Sukhaban / Deputy Mayor of Patong The Patong Municipality has over 60 officers who can handle fire situations, have been trained and regularly carry out exercises. They can also be trainers for hotels to enhance the businesses’ capacity in taking care of tourists’ safety in a vibrant tourist location like Patong.

MiniVDO: Patong Municipality will join the Tourism Authority of Thailand for a road show to Berlin in mid March this year while the hotel occupancy rate now is 100%.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215999

Patong Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukhaban revealed that tourism in Patong is now very active with most accommodation hotels seeing 100% occupancy or bookings until April. This prompts the municipality to strictly take up safety measures for visitors. The Deputy Mayor said amateur radios also assist the authority as a network while it also works closely with Kathu and Tourist police. Touching on the marketing plan for this year, Mr. Chairat stated that his office will join the Tourism Authority of Thailand for a marketing trip or road show to the ITB – International Tourism Bourse in Berlin, Germany in mid March, before going on to Italy and Spain hoping to attract more of the European markets to the region for next year.

MiniVDO: Krabi promotes ‘Halal’ certified restaurants to cater for Arab or Muslim travelers.

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At least six operators, hotels and restaurants in Krabi have joined the pioneer project of ‘Halal’ certified food for tourism. They are Sripetch hotel in Krabi town, Somkiat Buri resort, Ao Nang Prince Ville Resort, Railey Village and Spa, Santa Resort and Kor Bua restaurant. Director of the Institute for Halal Food Standard of Thailand Somchai Wiroonphol said the institute arranged the pioneer project to upgrade the service standard for local hotels to be able to cater to more Arabian and Middle East tourists. These groups of tourists are reported to have high spending power. The Institute for Halal Food Standard of Thailand is established to ensure that the development and certification of Halal food standards complies with the provisions of the Islamic Religion and correspond to international standards so that it is trusted and accepted by local and international public, food producers and consumers which will therefore promote and increase the competitiveness of the country’s Halal food industry and to protect Islamic consumers locally as well.

Special - Marine tourism in Phang-Nga Bay: Koh Tapu & Panyee

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Marine tourism in the Andaman region is very active this month, of January as the ocean is usually calm with no rain. This includes the Phang-Nga Bay, which is home to many breath taking natural wonders like the, Tham Lod, Koh Ping Gan & Koh Tapu or James Bonds Islands and the small Muslim fishing village of Koh Panyee. We made a journey from Surakul pier in Kasom village where boat operators provide life jackets to passengers for safety before going out regardless of the weather or whether there is likely to be a storm or not, as they just want passengers to enjoy the scenic routes at sea without worrying about accidents. Among popular water activities here are canoeing, snorkeling, swimming or just posing at the world renowned Nil island or Koh Thapu internationally known as James Bond Island due to it being the location for the famous James Bond film ‘The Man with a Golden Gun’. According to park officials at present over 1,000 people visit the island daily, 80% of whom are foreign visitors.

Just at the end of last year, the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department introduced new Marine National Park Fees for visitors. For example 200 Baht for foreign adults and 100 baht for a child under 14 years of age while a child under 3 years old is exempted from the fee. The destinations are popular with all markets: European, Asian like Japanese, and Thais. This family from Australia also visited the island for their second time, while sailing their own yacht and anchored it nearby then came up to explore the beauty of the James Bond island. Touring around Phang-Nga Bay most vistiors usually do not miss the opportunity to make a stop at the 200 year old Muslim fishing village of Ko Panyee where they can appreciate the unique lifestyle of locals who blend themselves well with tourism development and are always open and welcoming for new visitors. Panyee Island, actually is a fishing village, built on an area which can be flooded by the sea, so their houses are leveraged to the highest level over the sea. This village is located outside the national park. Panyee people are original fishing people, living among the shallow fish farms by using floating bag-nets, cockle farming, and fish cages. The island mosque and even local school are becoming other places of interest for visitors. A small number of Home Stay accommodations are also offered on the island for those who wish linger longer to learn more of the local almost unique life style here.

MiniVDO: Public donors gave out items for prizes in the Phang-Nga Red Cross fair to be held at the end of this month.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215996

Phang-Nga governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob led members of the Red Cross to receive items being donated for prizes of the Phang-Nga Red Cross charity fair to be organized during January 31st – February 9th, 2008. The event will be organized at the ground in front of the old provincial hall in town with the emphasis on charitable activities to raise funds for disaster victims and the poor as well as other charitable activities within Phang-Nga province.

MiniVDO: The Director-General of Fisheries visited the local fishing industry in Phang-Nga.

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Director–General of Fisheries Dr. Somying Piumsomboon visited and inspected the fisheries development for local fishermen in Phang-Nga at Malui village in Thabpud district. She visited the processed seafood career group of grilled prawn and smoked fish which are famous local products. After that she went further to Bang Toe sub-district in Thai Muang to visit and observe the work of local fishing boat repair groups under the support of the department, in assistance to affected victims of the natural disaster. On this occasion, the group also released giant clams, Cartoon fish and other marine animals into the sea to add population in open water source.

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from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) & KPP Cable TV channel 1 at 8.30am + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, possibly FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket & perhaps Phuket Cable TV Channel 1 at 7, 10.30 or 11pm, Friday 18 January 2008 & http://news.prd.go.th