Andaman News Friday 8 Feb

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: Phuket Governor fully supports water sports events seeing them as a boosting tool for the province’s policy to make the island a world class destination for marine tourism.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216204

Phuket Governor Nirund Kalayanamitr told Andaman News that he fully supports international yachting or water sports events like the Phuket’s Cup Regatta, Phang-Nga Bay Regatta or boat shows as well as marina development in Phuket or the Andaman region stating that they are boosting the region as a world class marine tourism destination. In 2007 Phuket was awarded the title of ‘Asia’s Maritime Capital’ at the 3rd Christofle Asia Boating Awards. The governor also called for public and private sectors to join hands in promoting the island as a world class marine tourism destination. He admitted that housing 3 major marinas are not enough and that there are more developers interested in building marinas in Phuket.

MiniVDO: The company developing The Yamu real estate project chases the Phuket authority for a decision on its marina request, while the governor asks the subject be opened for public opinion.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216203

Mr Ian Henry, from Campbell Kane Company, the developers of The Yamu resort and other real estate projects on the east coast of Phuket, met with Phuket Governor Nirund Galayamitr to seek a clear decision or guideline from the authority after the company sought a licence for its marina at Cape Yamu in Paklok sub-district, on the east coast. The authority so far failed to give a concise reply to the company’s request. Phuket Vice Governor Worapote Ratasrima and Panya Sampaorat, local government administrator, also attended to explain the facts. After the meeting, Mr Nirund explained to our reporter that the company representative said they had pursued all steps according to related agencies requirements which include relocating the pier site and explaining to local residents. The project however has halted at the moment. Mr Nirun said he assigned Vice Governor Worapote to oversee the environment while the marine officials are assigned to look into the pier’s plan design. Governor Nirund said the objection involved NGO and human rights activists. He then asked the company to arrange a public hearing with local residents in Paklok again while the issue must be discussed in the Paklok sub-district councils, presented to district offices, then presented to the provincial office. He ordered all related agencies to speed up the work.

MiniVDO: The tourism operators from the Andaman region plan to do a marketing trip to the International Tourism Bourse or ITB in Germany early next month.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216202

Officials and tourism businesses in the three Andaman provinces of Phuket, Phang-Nga and Krabi are preparing to go on a marketing trip by participating in the ITB or International Tourism Brouse in Germany during March 5-8th. The Phuket Tourist Association Vice president Bhuritt Maswongsa said the association aims at having holiday makers extend their stay while visiting the Andaman region. It also follows the governor’s policy of arranging road show trips in destinations which are essential to Phuket and attract the markets which can fill up the region’s rooms in the low or rainy season. In the past year’s low season around 70,000 – 80,000 Indian and Middle East travelers vacationed in Phuket and filled some of the hotel’s vacancies. He estimates the tourism arrivals this year would reach 5 million and generate income of around 77 billion baht.

MiniVDO: TAT estimates 1 billion baht circulation in Phuket during this Chinese New Year while marine officials impose strict checks for boat safety.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216201

Marine officials in Phuket inspected tourist piers at Rasada port, east of Phuket city to ensure the highest safety for passengers and tourists going out to outlying islands in the Andaman region like Phi Phi and many others. Yesterday the port was crowded with travelers who were going out boating to Racha Yai, Coral island, Koh Yao and Phi Phi islands. The chief of Phuket Marine Oraan Hengcharoen said his officers check on the boats’ condition, their preparedness, especially life jackets and make sure that guides are professional in terms of safety precautions. He stressed that the measures will continue until the Thai holiday period of Songkran as during this period the Andaman region is busy with a large number of tourists who take boat trips to various islands. Meanwhile local office director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand TAT, Suwalai Pinpradap estimates a minimum of 1 billion baht circulation during this New Year holiday period and that Chinese travellers have increased by 20%, compared to the normal period.

SIPA invites people to register for 5 software development courses starting next month.

The Software Industry Promotion Office, Phuket branch or SIPA Phuket is offering 5 courses in advance and emerging Technology Transfer during March to July this year. The first course will commence on March 17th at the Phuket ICT Centre located at Saphan Hin area in Phuket City. The five courses are Enterprise Java Bean 3.0 and Java Persistence API, Designing and Implementing SOA in.net, Java Web Services, Linux for Enterprise System and Software Development with UML. The course will be offered for each month, with Enterprise Java Bean 3.0 and Java Persistence API offered first. The SIPA Phuket aims at developing skills and enhancing the capability of instructors and students plus local software developers which leads to their daily work in the modern world.

MiniVDO: Phuket authority delays the expanding of fishing ban zones and awaits study results from all stake holders

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216199

The committee to resolve fisheries issues in Phuket are considering the plan to extend the fishing ban zone for fishing equipment of otter trawlers from 3,000 metres to 5,400 metres. The meeting was also attended by Phuket Vice Governor Smith Palawatwichai and local fishermen plus commercial fishermen. The meeting however reached agreement that each party must prepare information and data to present to the meeting again. The local fishermen and local government are assigned to conduct a survey of a number of boats and villagers who are still doing local fishing activities while the responsible office are asked to sum up cases which act against illegal operators. The Phuket Fisheries Association are also to report the number of otter trawlers both licensed and unlicensed fishing. The Marine and Coastal Resources centre will present to the next meeting on natural resources within 3,000 metres and 5,400 metres. All parties and stakeholders are scheduled for the next meeting within one month so that the committee can re-consider the issues.

MiniVDO: Activities in commemoration of the Two Heroines for Phuket islands are to be held during March 1st until 15th.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216198

Several activities, including ritual, historical and cultural events will be arranged for this year’s Thao Thep Kasarttri-Thao Srisunthorn commemorative event. The activities will start from March 1st until 15th. Among them are a group ordination, historical route tour, ritual ceremony in paying homage to the Thalang ancestors on March 12th at Muang Kamalaphat temple and a wreath laying ceremony at the Two Heroines Monument on March 13th. Thao Thepkrasatri Thao Srisunthorn are respected for their bravery leading locals to claim victory over the invading Burmese some 223 years ago.

MiniVDO: Big Islamic events are scheduled to be held in Krabi during February 22-24th.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216197

The important Islamic fair and the Krabi Halal Expo are scheduled to take place during February 22-24th at a ground in front of the provincial hall in Krabi town. Krabi has 42% Muslim population out of the whole province’s population and they live in harmony and peacefully. The big Islamic Fair called Maolid is arranged annually to commemorate the birthday of Mohammed. During the fair Halal certified products from Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia will be put on sale with many activities and cultural shows.

Krabi Airport had another record year in 2007 with increases of 56% in passengers.

Krabi International Airport, under the Civil Aviation Department, has just reported its final annual figures for the year 2007, with a total of 8,539 aircraft movements in and out or an astounding 74.8% increase over 2006, mainly due to over 500 new charter flights. The total numbers of passengers arriving and departing, and some transits, was 856,029 showing an equally amazing increase of 56.4% compared to the same 12 months in 2006. The total freight showed 1,143,793 kilograms in and out, a 7.9 % increase.

MiniVDO: The International Business Association of Phuket holds a meeting on new government and a seminar on directors this weekend.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216195

The International Business Association of Phuket or IBAP informed Andaman News that their monthly meeting this Friday evening at Loch Palm Golf Clubhouse will be on the topic ‘How will the new government impact your business’. The panel speakers will be Sam Fauma, Managing Director of International Law, and Ingo Muller, Senior Associate of Belmont Limcharoen. Doors open at 6:00 PM, Dinner from 6:30 PM, and the presentation from 7:00 PM. Their first of six seminars will also take place on Saturday February 9 with the topic of ‘Pitfalls and Protection for Directors of Thai Companies’. Registration is at midday 12:00 PM, the seminar is from 12:30 - 4:30 PM. For more details and admission fees: see their website www.ibap-phuket.org

Interview - Nipon Pongsuwan, a Marine Biologist at Phuket Marine Biological Centre on starfish killing coral

To see or download mini-video, go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_detail.php?newsid=216194

Our interview is with Nipon Pongsuwan, a Marine Biologist at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre in Cape Panwa, about the recent finding and removal of many crown-of-thorn starfish like an epidemic killing coral reefs at Ko Aew Island near Phuket, while divers found more near Racha Yai Island Phuket & Similan/Surin Islands, Phang Nga. Their natural enemy is large Tritonis snail shells, a protected but rare species. Nipon tells us more about the history of the problem: ……. Contact: Tel 0894729863 [email protected] www.greenfins-thailand.org

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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, Friday 8 February 2008 & http://news.prd.go.th