Andaman News Friday 22 Feb. Incl. No Panic After Earthquake

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: Leading businessman and former Mayor of Phuket City has been named as one of 74 appointed senators by the EC.

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A leading Phuket businessman and former Phuket City Mayor Phummisak Hongsyok was among 74 appointed senators named by the Election Commission or EC on Tuesday February 19th. Mr. Phummisak is one of eight former members of the National Legislative Assembly (or NLA) appointed to the new senate. He thanked the Phuket Chamber of Commerce for submitting his name on a private sector quota and pledges to apply his experience in businesses, tourism, local government administration and parliamentarian duty in the past year for the utmost benefit to the region and the nation. He vows to push for the development of the tourism industry on Phuket Island and the Andaman region during his term in the national assembly stating that tourism accounts for one fifth of the country’s revenue. Phummisak’s senator seat means Phuket has five representatives in the parliament: three for members of parliament and two for senators. The election date for elected members of the senator seat is scheduled to take place on March 2nd.

MiniVDO: Residents and tourists in Phuket were alert but not panicked by the Sumartra earthquake while villagers in Ban Namkem began to evacuate.

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This was the atmosphere at Patong beach on Wednesday afternoon after a powerful earthquake was reported to have occurred at the north Sumatra island of Indonesia with a possible Tsunami warning. The quake measured at 7.6 on the Richter scale was also felt in Bangkok and some tall buildings in Phuket. After learning of the news, many businesses in Patong kept following the news on television and radio and told tourists that if there was any serious warning they would hear siren warnings from the towers installed around the island and lead them to safe ground. Tourists there did not seem to panic. Meanwhile at a sea gypsy community of Laem Tukkae, many villagers kept a close watch of the water level even though a few families took refuge at a safe site. Many said they believed in the early warning towers, so if it was not triggered, it meant no Tsunami. Meanwhile in Ban Namkem, despite no sound from the early warning towers, some families started to evacuate and closely followed the news. After 4.06 pm the National Disaster Warning Centre revoked its earlier warning. Phang-Nga Governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob went to visit people in Khao Lak and Ban Namkem where some people moved to higher ground and told them that the warning was revoked. He however asked officials to keep watch to ensure the highest safety for residents and tourists.

MiniVDO: The central committee to assess the mobilization of the ‘To Be Number One’ program is impressed with the work in Phuket.

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All parties’ genuine and active participation from youth seem to be key elements impressing the committee to assess the implementation of ‘To Be Number One’ program in Phuket. The committee to judge the program’s implementation in the country’s southern provinces led by Inspector General of the Local Administration Department Pakarathorn Tienchai visited Phuket on Wednesday where they were briefed and presented with activities under the ‘To be Number One’ program. They included the provincial level, community, education institute and the key leader of the project. The participants and judges were particularly impressed with the youth members who have proved how to run projects themselves with constructive and active plus genuine participation, contributing to fruitful results. The To Be Number One program, initiated and graciously chaired by Princess Ubol Ratana aims at promoting constructive ideas, and arranging activities among young people to keep them away from narcotic drugs and any indecent activities.

MiniVDO: The Office of Phuket City held a public forum to residents to have their say in the office’s 3 year development plan

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Officials from the Office of Phuket City and representatives from 17 communities in the area of Phuket City had a meeting to discuss the 3 year development plan. The participants were briefed on the draft plan and then opened for the residents to comment, make suggestions and raise concerns. The plan, to be used for the next 3 years of 2008 – 2011 covers five development areas. They are education, natural resources and environment management, public utilities and infrastructure, political and administration and economy and quality of life. The residents widely discussed and suggested ideas towards the development. One of the main issues raised by the residents are garbage management and they suggested that the office have all parties concerned and stakeholders actively join the waste separation program, have agents purchase recyclable material from households in communities, while the second burner for the incinerator must be acquired. Other subjects included education, children’s playgrounds and transportation or traffic resolutions like a mass transport system in town.

Phuket Vocational College plans an open house event during February 28-29th.

The Phuket Vocational College’s ‘Open House’ is scheduled to take place on February 28–29th at the college compound near Saphan Hin in the city. The annual event, held for the 7th consecutive year, aims at promoting and encouraging students to improve and develop their skills in serving high standard job markets. Featured in the 2 day event will be students’ work exhibition on different career paths, contests on professional skills, technical exhibitions and sales of students’ products. Career training will also be available for the general public.

Phuket is preparing for the event in commemoration of the Two Heroines, Thao Thep Kasartri-Thaosrisunthorn.

The light and sound presentation depicting the historical victories of local villagers led by the two heroines in Thalang who were later bestowed titles as Thao Thep Kasartri &Tao Srisunthorn will be one of the highlights during this year’s activities in commemoration of the two heroines of the island. The light and sound presentation event to be held during March 13-15 will be held at Thalang Historical memorial site at Ban Riang in Thalang district of Phuket. The event is organized annually in commemoration of the bravery of the two heroines who led the local villagers to force Burmese invaders out during the historical Thalang battle in 1785. It aims at raising awareness and promoting the valued history and culture among its new generation. Other interesting activities during the event are an ancestor worshipping ceremony at Wat Muang Komaraphat and sports on the historical routes in Thalang. The activities are hosted by Phuket province, Cultural Office and local governments.

MiniVDO: Foreign merchants were arrested in Thakuapa, Phang Nga.

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Five foreign men of Nepalese nationality were arrested by Phang-Nga officials on Wednesday night at a shop near Thakuapa Bus terminal. The arrest took place after the authority received complaints from the local people that foreign merchants were selling goods and took advantage of Thai people. The officials led by Phang-Nga Governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob then got a court warrant to raid the house with five foreigners in. Four of them pretended not to speak Thai. The head of the gang, who spoke Thai, admitted that they came to Phang-Nga seven years ago on tourist visas and have been selling goods since. Each day they would put goods on motorbikes to sell, especially to Burmese workers. Officials found pirate goods and expired passports and permits so they were detained for legal action.

Ranong mobilizes 52 projects against HIV AIDS.

In an attempt to cut down the rate of patients with HIV infected, the Ranong authority has a plan to carry out 52 projects under a budget of 3.8 million baht for preventive measures. According to the official report, Ranong province has high rates of death at 24 per year, while also having a large number of Burmese migrant workers. The Muang district is reported to have the highest number of HIV infected and death cases, both Thai and Burmese nationals. The disease is found in the age group of 30 – 34 years with sexual interaction reported to be the main cause of the infection at 78.2%.

Interview - Andy Anderson, Organiser of the Phuket International Blues Rock Festival

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Our interview is with Andy Anderson, Organiser of the Phuket International Blues Rock Festival, presented by HotelTravel.com, which is taking place in the park of Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, this Friday & Saturday, 22 & 23 February at 6pm onwards, partly to raise educational funds through Phuket International Women's Club & Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation. He tells us first it’s getting bigger but more fun: ……. www.PhuketBluesFestival.com [email protected] Tel 086 6822639

Interview - Rich Harper of the Rich Harper Blues Band, plus Shari Puorto with The Rhythm Addicts,

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We talked to Rich Harper, Lead singer/guitarist of the Rich Harper Blues Band, who play at Phuket Blues Festival for the 3rd time on Friday evening as the last act at about midnight, plus Shari Puorto, a lead singer with The Rhythm Addicts, who plays here for her 1st time on Saturday evening as the last act; Rich tell us first how much he likes coming back: …….. www.richharper.com www.sharipuorto.com www.BluesRockMusic.com www.PhuketBluesFestival.com [email protected] Tel 086 6822639

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 22 February 2008 & http://news.prd.go.th