Andaman News Monday 4 February 2008

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: The Office of Phuket City encourages residents to join the cleaning week to welcome the Chinese New Year.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216143

In welcoming Chinese New Year, the Office of Phuket City is inviting people to join the Big cleaning Week, both in and outside their premises. The Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansuppana led employees and participants to kick off the program at the Queen Sirikit Public Park and the program will go on until February 5th. The Phuket City Office are providing garbage trucks to go along roads in the city and collect garbage or unused material during 9 am – 3 pm daily.

MiniVDO:OTOP Ocean Phuket sales totaled almost 6 million baht

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216142

Summing up the total sales volume for the 2nd OTOP Ocean fair, a community products fair held during January 22 -28th, the chief of Community Development Naeb Sinthong stated that it earned 5,767,000 baht. He further explained that 154 booths displayed food and beverage, fashion, decorative items and herbal products. Around 58,400 people were reported to have visited the fair, he concluded.

MiniVDO: A man from the north rode a tricycle to Phuket to campaign against HIV AIDS.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216141

44 year old Nattapol Thongwan, a former soldier from the northern part of Thailand rode his tricycle to campaign and raise awareness about HIV AIDs and talked to students in Phuket during his visit to the island. During his talk with Vocational College students in their morning assembly, Nattapong urged them to value their bright future as he sees the teenage group being vulnerable to HIV infections. He told our reporter that he would go along to Phuket’s beaches to campaign against the deadly disease. Phuket is ranked third in the country for HIV AIDs infections with 4,337 infected people seeking treatment last year. The Public Health office estimates there are at least 12,000 infected people on the island, some showing symptoms and others not showing.

MiniVDO: The Phuket authority asks the sea plane operator to avoid landing near Patong beach after members of the public filed complaints against it for disturbing tourists.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216140

After receiving complaints via the provincial complaint centre that a sea plane which take passengers to and from Patong bay causes negative impacts on the environment and tourists’ safety, the Phuket authority called for a meeting with related agencies to discuss the issue. Chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Smith Palawatwichai, the meeting also discussed the noise and concerns that the sea plane may be leaving fuel traces in the bay, as well as cause accidents while landing and taking off. The meeting however did not reach a final solution, but just came up with short term measures by asking the operator to avoid landing or taking off near the beach. The responsible agency is assigned to inspect the fact for other issues of complaints and will schedule a meeting again. The Sea plane company provides trips from Phuket airport to island destinations like Phi Phi, and Phang-Nga Bay.

A consultant says Phuket had nearly 5.5 million visitors in 2007.

International property consultant CB Richard Ellis issued a report saying 2007 was a year of robust growth for the tourism industry in Thailand’s resort markets. They claimed arrivals to Phuket alone totaled 5.47 million, a third of total tourist arrivals to Thailand. Phuket has outperformed itself in terms of hotel occupancy and arrivals even in last year’s low season. From a highly seasonal tourist destination, worldwide appeal has transformed Phuket into a year-round destination, with a 70% average annual hotel occupancy. This high season is undoubtedly one of the busiest Phuket has seen. Phuket International Airport currently handles up to 287 international flights per week, while many hotels and airlines remain fully booked until March this year. Meanwhile 2007 land prices continue to rise although there were reduced numbers of individual transactions mainly due to the Foreign Business Act (FBA) uncertainty in 2007. Phuket transaction values from Quarter 1 to 3 totaled an estimated of 6.9 billion baht, a 6.7% reduction compared to same period of 2006. More details are on www.cbre.co.th

Phuket Airport saw 5.7 million passengers pass through in 2007.

The Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited, which manages Phuket International Airport, have informed Andaman News about their latest statistics for the whole of last year 2007. They showed a total of 40,799 aircraft movements, both domestic and international, up 32.09 % from the previous year 2006. The total numbers of arriving, departing and transit passengers, both domestic and international, during last year was 5,704,365 an increase of 21.09 % compared to 2006. These are the highest ever numbers for a calendar year at Phuket airport. The total freight showed 19,721 tonnes in and out, a 8.88 % increase.

MiniVDO: The Phuket Governor orders the set up of a committee to improve the service at Port Control Centre at Chalong bay.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216137

After learning that the supposed to be ‘One Stop Service’ at the Port Control Centre at Chalong Pier on the south side of Phuket island is not functioning as it is expected to be, Phuket Governor Nirun Kalayanamit assigned his deputy to oversee the operation and set up a working committee to gather factors which obstruct the success of the operation. During a meeting of provincial head officials, Mr. Nirund stated that there are still problems with data on reports of yacht entries and departures, fees which involve immigrations, customs and local government. He said the operation must be in unity and asked the committee to seek budgets from the provincial authority to resolve the problem.

MiniVDO: The Phuket Livestock Development Office set up a check point for poultry entry 24 hours a day in prevention of bird flu.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216136

With the H5 N1 reported to have been found in the central provinces, the Phuket Live Stock Development has stepped up preventive measures, despite no cases having been found on the island before. The office chief Sunart Wongchavalit said in the past Phuket carried out an X-Ray operations or thoroughly checked chicken farms, and local chicken, but this month his team would start re-X Raying the area. Mr. Sunart stated that his office is working with related agencies to set up a 24 hour check point at the Tha Chartchai, the only land gateway to Phuket. This, he said, is in prevention of any smuggling of un-certified poultry entry. Slaughter houses in Phuket are also thoroughly checked. Sunart finally assured people that they can be confident in the poultry during Chinese New Year as the authority is strictly taking care of the issue.

MiniVDO: The Inter Soccer Training Campus is organizing football training in Phuket during April.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216135

Inter Soccer Training Campus is bringing down to Phuket some staff coached by Italian football club AC Milan to give two training activity programs in Phuket run by Inter Soccer Training Campus and AC Milan Academy Croatia. The managing director of the Inter Soccer Training Campus Vorakorn Sabthaikul or Tony met with Phuket Governor Nirund Kalayanamit on Friday to seek his support. He told Andaman News that two programs will be arranged, one is coach training to be held April 1st – 4th and the other soccer training for young students on April 5th – 12th, to take place at Surakul and Saphan Hin stadiums in Phuket City; the sessions are open for 50 coaches and 100 students aiming to enhance soccer skills among young people. Mr. Tony stressed that the student applicants can be any young people: For more details Tel/fax 02 3701525 or email [email protected]

Young Reporter - Malaiwana Triballistic Triathlon Series 2008

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I am here at a fun-filled and healthy activity in Phuket, that is the first Triballistic Triathlon race for 2008 A number of participants, senior and junior like my age are taking part in the Malaiwana Triballistic Triathlon Series for 2008 arranged near the Indigo Pearl hotel on Nai Yang beach just 5 minutes from Phuket International Airport. Tri Ballistic is a Triathlon Club and event organiser based in Phuket. It was founded in early 2006 with the objective of offering a lot of cross training events, particularly triathlons, in and around Phuket, primarily for children aged from 5 and their families, aged up to 67. The first Malaiwana Triballistic Triathlon Series for 2008 started with Race 1 of 4 with 3 categories: Splash‘n’Dash, Junior, and Senior, with progressively longer swims in the sea, bike rides around the nearby roads, and runs into the hotel, with prizes for 1st to 3rd place winners and medals for all finishers. Let’s talk to some of the participants:

This year also saw the start of a Social Programme for underprivileged Thai children. This is co-hosted by the Team TBB. The organizer, Shaun Boulter, told us more: If you want to register your place or team for the next races go to www.triballisticclub.com Swim Bike Run Make it Fun! Tri it! It seems like a fun way to keep fit and have fun with the family. This is Charlotte, today’s Young Reporter for Andaman News.

Special Report - Musical & dancing fountain in honour of HRH Princess Galyani

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The musical fountain tells the genuine talent and dedication of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of HM the King of Thailand who passed away on January 2nd, 2008 . The musical & dancing fountain is being displayed at Phuket’s leading shopping complex of JungCeylon in Patong. The fountain is not only a pleasant scene for Thai and foreign tourists, but it is arranged by the shopping complex to honor the late Princess who dedicated herself to many charity organizations with her volunteer medical unit being highly recognized. Around the fountain, an exhibition on the Princess’ biography, her talent and work are also being displayed. A book of condolences is placed for the general public to sign. Foreign tourists in particular pay great interest in the show and exhibition. The exhibition will be on through this month of February while the fountain show will be on twice daily at 7 and 9 pm each evening.

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from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) & local 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, Monday 4 February 2008 & http://news.prd.go.th