ThaisNews down? Interview on Youtube, google failed

[TV Channel 11]

We cannot access our website Thaisnews.com today. Not sure why, but if anyone else can access it, please email AndamanNews@yahoo.com and say where from. Thanks!

We have uploaded miniVDO from interview on youtube : at YouTube - Interview & music at Battle of Bands, Phuket, Thailand and Google seemed to fail but finally uploaded at Interview GBOB music contest Phuket Thailand
but on both the sound level is low. Again not sure why as original was fine. Any ideas anybody?

We are not on air tomorrow Wednesday 7 November, due to several other problems....
Any advertising, sponsorship or practical support for our TV news would be appreciated and help improve things....


For those interested, here are the texts of news stories broadcast this morning:

Statistics at Phuket Airport up to September show the highest ever number of passengers.

<p>The Airport of Thailand or AOT who manage Phuket International Airport have revealed their latest statistics for January to September 2007, including just after the One Two Go crash on 16 September. The figures show 29,613 aircraft movements up 33.8% on the same period last year. The total number of passengers, including both arrivals, departures, and in transit, was just over 4.1 million, up 22.7% on last year. For the whole year from October 2006 to September 2007, there were 5.478 million, the highest ever annual number of passengers at Phuket airport.
The total amount of freight so far this year was 13,151 tonnes, up 8.84%.

---

The US Defense Ministry handed over security tools in Phuket to the Royal 4th Army Area Command,

<p> Mr. Nejdat R. Mulla, Second Secretary and David Turner (Junior), Attache (Force Protection Detachment) both for the US Embassy to Thailand, handed over security equipment to the Royal Thai Army Fourth Area Command Chief Lt. General Wirote Buacharoon, and the Phuket vice governor Tri Akkaradecha. The equipment, totally worth 2 million baht, comprised 2 sets of explosive device detectors and 10 blankets worth 200,000 baht each. The blanket sheets function to reduce the severe affects of possible explosives. The equipment will be sent for those who work in the three southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwas, hoping that it will help reduce the severity or danger for human lives.

---

The Indian and Thai Navies run drills on joint patrol operations during November 5th – 7th.

<p> Rear Admiral PK Nair Chief of Staff for Nicobar Island under the Indian Navy paid a call and had a meeting with Rear Admiral Likhit Charoensap, Deputy Commander–In-Chief of the Third Fleet, Royal Thai Navy at Laem Panwa in Phuket to discuss preparation on a joint patrol operation exercise during November 5th – 7th. The exercise aims at strengthening the bilateral ties and leading to safety in the natural resources utilization in the waters of each country. They cooperate in environmental conservation, information exchange, prevention and suppression of any illegal operation such as drug smuggling, trade or illegal immigration.

---

The NLA Chairman on Monetary Committee prepares to propose to the Finance Ministry a review of the Spa tax.
<p> Assoc. Professor Dr. Sangsit Piriyarangsan, the Chairman of the Monetary Committee for the National Legislative Assembly or NLA visited Phuket to listen to views and comments of the Spa Federation of Thailand members, including spa operators from Phuket, Samui and Lanna spas. They proposed that the 10% excise tax be revoked as it obstructed business development and that it is not fair to spa businesses. They pointed out that Thailand has around 1,200 spa amenities nationwide, less than 20% of which are under control of the Ministry of Public Health. Dr. Sangsit Piriyarangsan concluded that the excise tax collected is around 100 million baht per year which is not worth the officials’ work. Based on the facts, it should therefore be revoked. He asked the Federation to present the paper request to him and he will discuss with the Deputy Finance Minister to set up a working committee to study the case in two weeks time.

---

All related parties in Phuket signed the declaration to push for a community health agenda.

<p> The Phuket Governor, Provincial Administration Organization CEO, Phuket City Mayor, Phuket Community and Public Health Chief signed the declaration to push for Phuket’s healthy communities. This was the final activity held during the 3 day long health promotion program which was sponsored by the National Health Promotion Board and health networks from 14 southern provinces. During the event in Phuket, communities were provided with a forum to present their outstanding work and share their experiences. Participants of the event were also divided into three groups to visit three outstanding communities in Phuket which are the Khanaen Cultural village in Thalang for Buddhist practice, Muslim lifestyle at Kamala and the Chinese customs at Kathu as case studies for lifestyle and culture amidst the tourism growth of the island.

---

The TAT revealed statistics for tourism in Phang Nga for the first half of the year showing overall increase of nearly 16%.

<p> The Tourism Authority of Thailand have disclosed to Andaman News the numbers of visitors to Phang Nga for the first half of 2007, showing about 749,000 people, a 16% increase on the same period of 2006. They broke them down to about 362,000 foreigners which was 35% more and 387,000 Thais which was 3% more. Their average length of stay was 2.38 days, up from 2.3 in 2006. Their average expenditure was 1718 baht, 7% up. The total revenue was estimated at 1.86 billion baht, a healthy 22% increase. These estimate figures are mainly based on the 121 registered hotels who reported figures to the TAT, with a total of 4546 rooms, and average occupancy of only 36%. The top 7 nationalities registered were, in numerical order: Thais, Germans, Swedes, British, Swiss, Americans, and Taiwanese, the latter showing the highest increase of 5918%, while New Zealanders had the biggest fall of 71%, all in January to June 2007.



---

Phang-Nga highway officials are working on the subsided road in Khao Lak .

<p> The Highway Department is now working on repairs and improvement of the road surface at the Khao Lak curve in Phang-Nga in the Khao Lak–Lamru national park after heavy rain damaged and the road surface sub-sided. The incident occurred over a month ago, but the Highway Department needed to find a budget for the improvement and it has now been allocated a budget of 20 million baht. The work is expected to be completed within one month time. Motorists are advised to take special caution entering the road repair area there.


---

Local hotels and tour companies won Asia & Thailand categories in the World Travel Awards.

<p> The World Travel Awards for the Asia, Australasia & Indian Ocean Awards were announced in India on Friday 2 November, and among the Asia categories there were 2 local winners: Asia's Leading Boutique Hotel again won by The Sarojin Khao Lak, in Phang Nga; while Asia's Leading Tour Operator was Diethelm Travel Asia, which has local branches in the Andaman provinces; The winners of the Asia Awards will automatically be put forward as nominees in their respective global categories. The global world winners will be announced at the grand final on 12th December this year. Among other Thailand country awards, the Leading Boutique Resort was Trisara Resort in Phuket; Thailand's Leading Golf Resort was Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket; and Thailand's Leading Resort was Pimalai Resort & Spa, at Ko Lanta in Krabi. The annual World Travel Awards were first conceived in 1993, and now have thousands of votes cast by travel professionals from 167,000 travel agencies, tour & transport companies and tourism organizations in over 160 countries.

----

The US Government State Department announced “Doors to Diplomacy” 2008 Web Project Competition for Middle School and High School Students.

<p> The Department of State and the Global SchoolNet Foundation informed Andaman News about its 2008 "Doors to Diplomacy" award competition, recognizing the student-created Global SchoolNet Web projects that best teach others about the importance of international affairs and diplomacy. To qualify, middle school and high school students work in small teams with teacher-coaches. Projects must be completed by March 15, 2008, and winners will be announced in May 2008. Every team that enters a project will receive a special "Doors to Diplomacy" certificate recognizing their achievement. Each student member of the two winning teams – one American and one international – will also receive a $2,000 scholarship, and the winning coaches’ schools will each receive a $500 cash award. For a complete description and information about eligibility and judging criteria, visit http://globalschoolnet.org/gsndoors/ For more information, E-mail diplomacy@globalschoolnet.org

-----
from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) 8.30am + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket & Phuket Cable TV Channel 1 at 7, 10.30 or 11pm, Tuesday 6 November 2007 .

[TV Channel 11]

Thaisnews.com site re-appeared briefly late last night and this afternoon, but only temporarily. The webmaster/host server in Bangkok are working on the problem....

We have also cancelled Thursday's Andaman News, but hope to return on Friday 9 November with a Special report looking underwater at the garbage collection for the Phuket Carnival last week; and an interview with the Commercial Director of Thai Air Asia, who started a new direct route Phuket-Singapore, with updated local news including more accolades for Phuket and local hotels.

Any ideas for attracting advertisers or sponsors, or new producers/new programs on our channel ? We aim to serve the community but need financial support and practical ideas.

Any advice on why sound levels are low on our You Tube or Google Interview GBOB music contest Phuket Thailand ? For techies, the original file bit rate was 234 kbps, audio sample size 16 bit, 2 channels stereo, audio sample rate 32 kHz and it sounded fine.

[TV Channel 11]

As Thaisnews.com is still down most of the time, here is the text of our news today:

item--1---
Phuket ran a fire drill in a hotel in the city, with tourists involved.
<p> The exercise which took place at the Metropole hotel in the city’s heart on November 7th started at 10.20 am and simulated a fire situation on the hotel’s 4th floor. The hotel staff spotted the smoke coming out from a window and alerted the management to implement the hotel’s emergency plan. The guests were then evacuated while their fire fighters took action first, then outside fire fighters with all related units took part. The drill involved 320 participants from 48 units. The exercise simulated 30 people getting stuck in the building and the Phuket City’s fire engine ladders could bring them down safely from the fourth floor while 15 injured were sent to hospital. The transfer is reported to have met the target to reach a hospital within 10 minutes. The Phuket Vice governor Tri Akkaradecha said the exercise focused on 3 main issues; evacuation of people, firefighting and rescue as well as commanding to bring the situation under control by having all responsible unit provide rescue operations and aid promptly.


item--2---
Central Festival in Phuket conducted a fire drill.
<p> The Central Festival Phuket’s annual fire drill took place yesterday morning in heavy rain, but all parties still went ahead with the plan. The drill simulated a fire on the building’s first floor and the staff promptly took action by evacuating people out of the building. Around 100 shopkeepers, and staff took part in the exercise with fire fighters from the Phuket City Office, Kusoltham Foundation and ambulances from three hospitals in Phuket. The shopping mall runs its fire drill every year to ensure that personnel are well trained and aware of the emergencies and test out equipment and cooperation from outside agencies.

item---3--
The government approved five million baht to arrange Tsunami Commemorative Event.
<p> The Thai cabinet on Tuesday approved a five-million-baht budget, as proposed by the Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Khunying Thipawadee Meksawan, for the commemorative event of the 2004 tsunami which killed about 5,400 Thais and foreigners three years ago. The government will cordially invite Princess Ubol Ratana, who lost her son in the calamity to graciously preside over the ceremony which is planned for both religious and state commemorative ceremonies to be held at Chong Fa or Bang Niang in Phang-Nga province.

item---4--
Phuket is rated 3rd in top Asian islands, while four Phuket hotels are rated in top ten Asian resorts.
<p> The well known Conde Nast Traveler magazine and website’s 20th annual Readers Choice Awards in 2007, announced their questionnaires received 28,104 responses. The percentage of respondents was averaged to determine the final score; in the Islands category, it was the average of its scores for Activities, Atmosphere, Beaches, Friendliness, Lodging, Restaurants, and Scenery. For Asia/Indian Ocean islands, Phuket was rated 3rd with 80.6%, after 1st placed Maldives with 84.3 and 2nd placed Bali with 84.3, but above 4th Seychelles, 5th Mauritius, 6th Koh Samui, 7th Cebu, 8th Langkawi, 9th Lombok, and 10th Zanzibar.
In the Best Resorts in Asia category, which looked at Activities/Facilities, Food or Dining, Location, Overall Design, Rooms, and Service, The Banyan Tree, Phuket, was 2nd with 96.8; 5th was JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, Phuket, with 92.6; 9th was Amanpuri, Phuket, with 87.2; and 10th was Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket, Phuket, with 85.5%.
Jan Kirsten, the General Manager of Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket told Andaman News that they are delighted to be recognized as a Top 10 resort in Asia, as they consistently endeavor to deliver exceptional experiences to their guests so this award is fully appreciated.

item---5--
A Phuket foundation, police and students arranged free replacements of back lights for motorcycles.
<p> The Phuket Community Foundation launched a project to replace poor standard tail lights of motorcycles, free of charge in an attempt to campaign for road safety. The services began yesterday in front of the Surakul sports stadium and will go on until tomorrow Saturday November 10. Service hours are 9 am – 3 pm. The project provides over 1,000 tail lights and brake lights for motorcycles. On the first day of the project, traffic police set up a checkpoint between 9 am and 12 pm and advised drivers with taillights in need of replacement to use the free service. Riding motorcycles without tail lights can cause fatal accidents, especially at night time.


item---6--
The Thai spa business is forecasted to grow next year with exports to Middle East and Europe.
<p> Mr. Apichai Jienadisak, the president of Thai Spa Federation, stated that this year the Spa businesses generate revenue of over 10,000 million baht, which is still less than the target due to uncertainty in politics and economy. He however forecasts positive outlook for the business next year, especially the export of Spa and herbal products to Middle Eastern and European markets which have high market demand. Mr. Apichai also commented that if the government revokes the excise tax for spa, it would help with the business development as Thailand can become the Spa capital of Asia with as many as 1,000 spa amenities.


Item---7--
Another protest was held against Tesco Lotus building in Cherng Talay, Phuket.
<p> Representatives from the villagers and small shops in Cherng Thale came to Thalang district office yesterday to file their petition objecting to the construction of Tesco-Lotus retail store in their village. The villagers called for authorities to halt the construction and investigate the fact citing that the project is illegally approved and that it will have affects on local careers. The villagers representative Apisit Nganprasertgit also cited the building regulations violation for the project approval as part of their objection and that the new development has not gone through public opinion procedures. The Thalang district officer told villagers to come back for a meeting today.


item---8--
A drug dealer was caught in Phuket.
<p> Nai-yana Butrhem, aged 33, from Phuket’s Thalang district was arrested with 2,550 tablets of amphetamine, 48,000 baht cash, mobile phone and motorcycles seized as evidence. The arrest took place at late night on November 5th when a Phuket special task force joined hands with the Thakuapa border patrol unit to raid a rented house in Thepkrasatri area before further investigation led to another house nearby where the drugs were kept. The dealer admitted that she bought the drugs from Mr. A at 45,000 baht per bag and sold to her client at 48,000 baht. The woman was charged with narcotic drug possession and sales. Phuket Governor Nirun Kalayanamit admitted that the narcotic drug problems are spreading as Phuket is a tourist island. The check point at Tha Chartchai, which is under construction, would be used to prevent such problems as well he said.

Item---9--
The ‘Ping Kan Games’ started on Tuesday in Phang Nga and go on until Sunday November 11th.
<p> The Ping Kan Games, which is the sports event participated by 15 provincial administration organizations’ management and staff in southern Thailand, began on Tuesday and will go on until this Sunday November 11th at the Phang-Nga stadium. The opening event was presided over by Phang-Nga Governor Wanchai PraiSangob. The event hosted by Phang-Nga Provincial Administration Organization aims at promoting sports and unity among the local administrative organization members and staff. Eight sports are being competed in there, including football, volleyball and sepak-takraw.


from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) 8.30am + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket & Phuket Cable TV Channel 1 at 7, 10.30 or 11pm, Thursday 8 November 2007

We tried to upload some videos on Google but they have not yet appeared..
AndamanNews@yahoo.com