Andaman News Tuesday 5 February

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: The Thai Board of Investments applications surged to a record high of 655 billion baht last year.

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The Thai Board of Investment or BOI revealed that investment promotion applications achieved a record high of 655 billion Baht in 2007, an increase of 32% over the prior year. Foreign direct investment in 2007, mainly from Japan, the USA and European Union countries, totaled over 500 billion Baht, growing approximately 63% from the year before. This indicated sustained confidence in the Thai economy by Thai and foreign investors, despite the prevailing political and economic uncertainties in the past year. The service and public utility industry topped the list of applications, with 341 projects valued at 172.7 billion Baht. Investment from Japanese companies retained the top ranking with applications for 330 projects worth 149.071 billion Baht, an increase from 110.476 billion Baht or 34% from the prior year. The second largest source of foreign investment was from the USA at 85.752 billion Baht, a rise from Baht 37.059 billion or 131% in 2006. Finally, the European Union countries earmarked investments worth 74.145 billion Baht, a 142% increase from Baht 30.532 million the year prior.

MiniVDO: The tourism sector in Phuket forecasts a positive outlook for the industry this year.

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The Vice President of the Phuket Tourist Association Bhuritt Maswongsa estimated that Phuket earned at least 70 billion baht from the tourism industry last year 2007. He predicts a stable to positive outlook this year 2008, providing that no serious outside factors affect the traveling mood. Bhuritt pointed out that Australian tourists are among the top groups who have increased 70.47% from 2006, followed by British and Russians. The Swedish and Germans are reported to have decreased in the number of visitors to Phuket, but increased to Khao Lak and Krabi which are also in the Andaman region. Mr Bhuritt stated that the PTA is planning an overseas marketing trip to the Middle East, Asia and southern Europe to attract the markets to fill up Phuket’s rooms in the rainy season this year.

MiniVDO: Shanghai Airlines doubles its direct flights to Phuket in catering for passengers during the Chinese New Year.

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The occupancy rates for hotel accommodation in Phuket, both in beach resorts and in town, are very high now until after the Chinese New Year period later this week, according to Tourism Authority of Thailand region 4 office Director Suwalai Pinpradab. She also pointed out the fact that the Andaman region is in the peak season and packed with European holiday makers. Mrs Suwalai also stated that the Shanghai Airlines from China has announced it will increase its direct flights to Phuket from 2 to 4 flights per week to cater for the increased passengers during the Chinese New Year holidays.

World tourism exceeded expectations in 2007, with arrivals growing from 800 million to nearly 900 million in two years.

The World Tourism Organization (UN-WTO) informed Andaman News that the year 2007 exceeded the expectations for international tourism with arrivals reaching new record figures close to 900 million. The results confirm both the sustained growth path of the past years and the resilience of the sector regarding external factors. This development has been supported by a strong world economy, which has experienced its longest period of sustained growth for more than two decades. According to the latest UN-WTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourism arrivals expanded by 6% in 2007, to 898 million international tourist arrivals, as compared to 2006. Of the additional 52 million worldwide arrivals, Asia and the Pacific received 17 million. Against the background of a strong growth of above 7% per year since 2000, Asia and the Pacific is also pushing international tourism and attracted 185 million visitors.

MiniVDO: Increasing numbers of migrants are reportedly leading to a rise in crime cases and social problems in Phuket.

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As many as 14 serious crime cases were reported to have occurred in Phuket during January, according to police reports. The provincial police chief Police Major General Deecha Butnamphet detailed the crimes as murder and robberies. He remarked that many crimes are committed by migrants who come to work in Phuket. Police therefore seek cooperation from employers or business operators to keep proper files of their employees. It would help facilitate police investigate in case of any crime, he pointed out. Pol. Maj. Gen. Deecha also voiced his concerns over second hand shops which purchase stolen items and seek responsible agencies to seize licenses of such businesses.

MiniVDO: An exhibition on self sufficiency economy is being displayed at Thalang National Museum.

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About 70 pieces of art reflecting the principle of sufficiency economy are being put on display at Thalang National Museum in honour of HM the King of Thailand. They are the work of independent artists and students in southern Thailand under the name of ‘Lifotics’ short for Life Form Aesthetics. The ideas are reflected in the form of paintings, prints, photos and computer art for anybody to view until March 3rd 2008. The Thalang National Museum is located near the Two Heroines Monument in Thalang district of Phuket.

MiniVDO: A waste separation activity will be held on February 13th at Surin Beach in Phuket.

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The activity called ‘waste separation’ focusing on used glass or bottles will be arranged at Surin Beach in Thalang district on February 13th as part of a campaign for households and the general public to separate their waste before dumping. The one day event will be divided into parts; a seminar on glass utilization and organic waste to be held in the morning at Phuket Merlin Hotel with 19 local government bodies participating. In the afternoon, the public are invited to bring their used glass bottles to play games for prizes. After that the Bangkok Glass company Ltd. will donate 90 bins for glass waste for the provincial authority to distribute to local governments in 19 areas. The event will be ended with a convoy of glass waste collection vans aiming at promoting awareness in glass waste separation which ultimately should lead to a reduction in waste sending to the incinerator for disposal.

MiniVDO: A local Phuket hotel starts an Aid for AIDS campaign.

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JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa informed Andaman News it has launched “AID for AIDS”, a new Spirit to Serve campaign, to raise fund and awareness of HIV patients at Prabatnampu temple, Lopburi province. “AID for AIDS” is a year long campaign which is part of the Marriott’s ‘Spirit to Serve Our Communities’ program. Forty two managers are participating in this program, and are divided into twelve groups according to their month of birth. Each group selects a team captain who is responsible for organizing fun activities for associates in order to raise funds of a minimum of ten thousand baht for the particular month. The resort expects to raise over hundred twenty thousands baht by end of this year. AID for AIDS project helps not only the HIV patients but also the associates as it inspires help to others and unites them in helping a worthy cause. John Webb, the resort General Manager states that “with love and compassion we can return strength and hope to AIDS sufferers”.

MiniVDO: A local community in Phang-Nga plants trees in the mangrove area.

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Local officials, villagers and students in Lor Yung of Thakua Thung district of Phang-Nga, led by the Governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob helped plant trees to revive the Laem Hin mangrove area. The activity not only aimed at raising awareness for local community in natural resources conservation, but also creating food chains for them. The Laem Hin mangrove area has been encroached twice, on April 12th and November 28th, 2007 which led to private land developing last month. The activity aims for the local community to unite and set up a conservation group which led to the tree planting activity. The activity is a good example of local participation for natural conservation.

Special - Japanese food in Phuket

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Being a holiday destination for people from around the world, Phuket has also become international in terms of food and beverage. While most say they enjoy Thai food, great selections of international cuisine are also available on the island, including Japanese food. Our special report today takes a close look at Japanese food.

Japanese cuisine is getting more and more popular, among Thais and foreign tourists. They also have variety and style. The Japanese food is normally well decorated, and served in style or in buffet selections. Some also choose Japanese cuisine for a healthy diet. When mentioning Japanese food, fish seems to dominate the dishes while people usually think of raw fish like sashimi or sushi. They can be served individually or one can share a buffet. Noodle dishes are also famous in Japanese food. A Japanese restaurant marketing manager here in Phuket Peeratsak Chun-Ha-Ratch-Phan foresees a positive outlook for Japanese restaurants in Phuket due to its international character as a famous top tourist destination. Even though Asians seem to be major clients, the restaurants this year are starting to see more Europeans and Russians The perfect harmony of quality food and tourism industry result in tourist benefits and leads to the attractiveness of tourist destinations like Phuket where visitors can enjoy natural wonders and great choices of restaurants, shopping and tourism activities.

Interview Eliska Buckova winner of Czech Miss 2008 contest

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Our interview is with Eliska Buckova who just won the Česka Miss or Czech Miss 2008 contest in the Czech Republic on Saturday 2 February. She now goes into the Miss Universe contest. She came with 11 other contestants to Thailand in January, to make video & photo shoots here for the contest. We filmed & interviewed her at Royal Phuket Marina, where she told us more about herself and the visit; ……. www.nova.cz http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=215921

from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) at 8.30am & local Cable TV channel 1 + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, possibly FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket , Tuesday 5th February 2008 & http://news.prd.go.th