Power To Islands; Tourism Occupancy; Palm Oil

[NBT TV Phuket]

The 620 million baht underwater cable power lines in Krabi are expected to be ready by 2008.

The Thai cabinet has approved an installation of under water electric cables from the Krabi main land to Sri Borya, Pu (or Crab) and Phi Phi Don Islands as proposed by the Provincial Electricity Authority to serve local residents and support tourism there. Speaking about the project progress, the PEA Governor said it is under the procedure and is expected to be completed by the end of 2008. At present there are 1,465 families residing in Sri Boya, Koh Pu and Phi Phi Don Islands with 53 tourist businesses. This needs a maximum of 4,000 kilowatts power, with an average of 5.2% increase per year. After the completion the new underwater cable system is expected to serve both locals and tourists visiting the islands.

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Krabi launches tourist exchange program with the Northeastern region to fill up its accommodation in this low season

Speaking about the occupancy rates during this low season, Krabi Tourist Association president Ittirit Kinglek said it sees around 40%. The local operators launched tourist exchange programs with the Northeastern provinces of Nakorn Ratchasrima, Udorn Thani, Khonkaen and Ubon Ratchathani. The Krabi delegation plans a trip to the destinations to introduce the Andaman tourist sites to the locals there. It is also talking with an airline to provide direct flights between Krabi and the Northeastern provinces. Mr. Ittirit further explained that the local businesses are also scheduled to go for marketing promotions in Europe, especially Finland and Austria, and plan to discuss direct flights between the destinations with a target of a weekly flight.

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Bio-diesel factory in Krabi will begin its production line and serve local consumers by this September.

The construction of bio-diesel factory in Krabi is now 95% in progress and expected to start running to produce and feed the fuel to consumers by September this year. The Chairman of Krabi Oil Palm Cooperatives Mr. Suparb Boonchuwong said the 18.5 million baht plant has a production capacity of 10,000 litres per day and that the quality is controlled by the Ministry of Energy and the PTT. It plans to sell at 23 to 25 baht per litre with demand over supply. The orders are mostly from the fishing industry, long tail boats and agricultural machinery. Funded by the Krabi Governor's CEO budget, the Krabi Oil Palm Cooperatives contracted Prince of Songkhla University to conduct research and studies on the production of bio-diesel. Mr. Suparb added that the productivity of the factory will need to be increased to 20,000 liters per day in the future. Housing the country's largest oil palm plantation, Krabi's bio-diesel will help provide alternative energy and at the same time resolve low prices of palm for agriculturalists.

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all from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket City, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, 8.30am & later on Phuket Cable channel 1 at 12 midday, 10.30pm, & 01.30am , Wednesday 16 August 2006 & www.Thaisnews.com

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