Several Stories About Phang Nga & Krabi In Last Week:

[NBT TV Phuket]

VDO Special on cheap tropical fruits in Phang Nga

http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...hp?news_id=1139

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The rainy days are with us again in the Andaman region right now. On a heavy rainy day, rubber plantation work is impossible. Villagers in Thayu of Phang-Nga then turn to harvest their fruits in orchards to put products on sale and urge people to consume Thai tropical fruits. More details are in our special report today:

Driving on the main road from Phang-Nga to Phuket, we can see many fruit stalls along roadsides. The distinctive ones are in Thakuathung district at a village called ‘Thayu’. There are many fresh – direct from orchards tropical fruits put on sale at cheap prices. They are local durians, rambutan and mangosteen, all direct from the farms at their back yards. Some may not like the smell of durian, but to many, like most Thais and Chinese or those from Brunei Darussalam, they are fond of durian also known as the ‘king of fruit’. Not only freshly sold, the durian can be transformed into preserved food, with no additional preserved substance added. ( Shopper / consumer: “Whenever I pass on this road, I stop to shop for some fruits. They are good quality and I do want to support Thai farmers. They work hard and I also love Thai fruits.”) The villagers here have been living with sustainable economy or sufficiency principles advocated by HM the King. A local scholar, Uncle Per as he is called by many, or Sompong Pornpol, plays leading roles in educating and being a role model for residents here. He is not only good at farming but also lays out or suggests marketing plans or sales channels for local farmers. Most fruits are available at economical prices to attract repeat customers. Some are sold at wholesale for middlemen to take to other provinces. (Sompong Pornpol / local scholar “Our fruits are popular among Thais and Chinese tourists in particular. The Chinese visitors normally like to taste and we make good sales when they visit. We welcome Thais or foreigners to taste or try out our products. We want Phang-Nga fruits to be well-known whether you buy from Thakua Thung or Thayu.” ) (Mayuree Chinda / Orchard farmer “I do not earn income from rubber plantations in the rainy season. We rely mainly on fruits sales.” ) This is another good example of Thai agriculturalists who adapt and apply to seasons. They of course need plans and unity and get together as a group to share and earn a living and they said they want to promote Thai or tropical fruit consumption. If you drive near those fruit stalls, they kindly request that you stop by and try freshly picked Thai fruits in Phang-Nga.

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on VDO at http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...hp?news_id=1138

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A sea rescues operation was conducted in Krabi

The exercise simulated a fire situation on a tourist boat with around 40 passengers supposedly in distress. After being informed, the Tourist Centre sent a search and rescue team and requested backup support by air. The simulated situation was held at Ao Nang beach in Muang Krabi district. It was a joint exercise having disaster prevention and mitigation officers, Sea Rescue units on Andaman coast, Lanta Noi Island and the Royal Thai Navy Third Command from Cape Panwa in Phuket. This was part of the efforts to assure marine passengers and tourists of safety measures in Krabi. The drill drew interest from tourists and it was carried out amidst rain and high waves, making the situation realistic.

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item---7 & 8 on http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...hp?news_id=1131

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Bangkok Hospital Phuket help a boy on Yao Yai Island get a new artificial leg.

Piyanooch Ananpakdee, CSR Project Manager at Bangkok Hospital Phuket informed Andaman News with these photos that they met the boy called Arras a few months ago when they went to Yao Noi Island, in Phang-Nga province, to donate beds and medicine cabinets to Baan Ta Khao Elementary School. Arras' mother asked them to help her son who has congenital deformation of his foot and leg. Dr. Narong Budhraja, their orthopedic surgeon, is kindly taking care of him and also contacted Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Center for prostheses or artificial limbs. It was also thanks to generous people in Phuket who made Arras' dream of having a new leg come true. It took about a month to collect enough money from donations to take Arras and his mother to a Rehabilitation Center in Bangkok, the first time ever for them on a plane. They also give many thanks to School of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, that donated a brand new leg for Arras. The air tickets and accommodation was donated by doctors, hospital staff and generous people, both Thais and foreigners in Phuket. (He is now out of a wheelchair using the temporary leg until he gets a real one from Sweden). Arras really wants to thank everyone who helped him to get this new leg.

Krabi International Mountain Bike Racing was held with around 200 participants

The Krabi International Mountain Bike Racing 2009 was held in front of Peace Laguna hotel in Ao Nang. Around 200 mountain bikers, Thais and foreigners took part. The event was co-hosted by Krabi Tourism and Sports office, the Bicycle Association of Thailand and the accident reduction networks aiming to promote local tourism. The organizers expected that mountain bikers from Thailand and overseas could appreciate Krabi’s cross country nature while they cycled along 45 kilometers of Ao Nang bay. The start and finish points were in front of Peace Laguna Hotel. Krabi Governor Siwa Sirisaowalak marked open the start of the race and winners in all 8 categories received trophies donated by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

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item 2 on http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...hp?news_id=1127

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Phang-Nga Tourist Association held a seminar with tourism operators to make sure that they develop and position the industry in the same direction.

Tourism and hospitality operators in Phang-Nga attended a seminar to learn about provincial policy for tourism development and have their views expressed for the development. Talking to the participants, Phang-Nga Governor Yiumsuriya Palusuk stressed eco tourism and a combination of local wealth of natural resources and tourism activities leading to sustainable development. He also stressed the importance of such policy to generate revenue for local people. The seminar session also discussed and highlighted factors which have impacts on tourism, the provincial tourism plans, marketing needs, safety and standards to cater for visitors as well as activities arranged to attract tourists. Local governments such as the Provincial Administration Organization, & Panyee, Lamkaen and Bang Muang district organizations welcomed and support the policy to promote eco-tourism. On the same occasion, the local branch of SME Bank set up its counter to introduce and suggest its SME loans scheme for local tourism operators to ease their difficult times during the recession period.

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Andaman News NBT TV (VHF dial) at 8.30am

& perhaps repeats on Phuket Cable TV channel 1 at 3.30pm, 7pm, 1.30am & 6.30am, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces

& maybe Mazz Radio FM108 at 7pm in Phuket;

most weekdays, but today we were hit with several technical problems so hope to return tomorrow.

Edited June 1, 2009 by NBT TV Phuket