Andaman News Mon 21 Jan, incl. Thai wins Windsurfing Rally; Hornbill birds in Phuket

[TV Channel 11]

MiniVDO: Medical volunteers in Phuket carried out mobile medical services for people on Maphrao Island in pursuing HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana’s projects.
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MiniVDO: The Royal Thai Navy Third Command held a Trooping the Color ceremony in commemoration of the Thai Armed Forces day.
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MiniVDO: A local fishing boat repair centre and a pier were officially opened in Phang-Nga under the Kenan Institute Asia and Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief Fund.
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A fishing community, which got affected by the 2004 Tsunami on Saturday, got a new Long-tail Fishing Boat Repair Centre and Pier, sponsored by the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief Fund. The new facility is located at Ban Thap Lamu in Thaimuang’s Lamkaen sub-district of Phang-Nga. The new US Ambassador to Thailand Mr. Eric G. John, Phang-Nga Governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob and a representative from the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief Fund, Mark Ward, were present at the ceremony. This project started in 2005 while the Kenan Institute pushed villagers to establish the Lamkaen Fisher Folk group which generates income by collecting members’ fees and selected a committee to administrate, manage and develop. It is a fruitful result of ex-President of the United States Bush and Clinton’ s visit to the tsunami affected areas in early 2005. Phang-Nga Governor Wichai Praisa-Nbob complemented the Bush Clinton Tsunami Relief Fund for its awareness in the livelihood recovery of the Tsunami victims while the Kenan Institute Asia monitored the work to make sure that it achieves its goals. The pier will also attract tourists to islands like the Similans, while the repair centre facilitates fishermen in boat repair. Before this it took 20-30 people to elevate a boat up to the beam for repair, but after the centre and pier was completed it needs only 2 men to do the job.


MiniVDO: A music contest under ‘To Be Number One Challenge’ was held in Phuket at the weekend.
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MiniVDO: Drug dealers were caught with over 3,000 amphetamines in evidence.
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Police region 8 plans to add more stations in Phuket or Phang-Nga.
In catering for the visiting tourists to popular destinations, the Commissioner of police region 8 bureau Pol Lt. General Thanee Thavitsri said he is considering adding police stations in Phuket’s Karon area or Khaolak in Phang-Nga. He also has requested more officers to be stationed in the region and instructed his officers to prevent and suppress crimes in any form to ensure highest safety for the general public and tourists. Touching on the removal of police region 8 office from Surat Thani to Phuket, he said construction expects to commence soon.


MiniVDO: A local school in Phuket visited Channel 11 studio to learn about TV production.
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Special Report - Puravarna 1st. International Windsurfing Rally Championships in Phuket
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The Puravarna 1st. International Windsurfing Rally Championships in Thailand was held in honour of HM the King last week, with all the sails and sailors dressed appropriately in yellow, the colour of HM’s birthday. The official opening ceremony was performed with the Phuket Vice Governor Worapote Ratasrima at the Indigo Pearl Resort in Nai Yang, which the windsurfers applauded with their sails:
The first race last Wednesday began with a run across the pristine northern Naiyang Beach and into the warm Andaman waters in gentle winds on the longest leg of the race to Surin Beach. All the races took place on Phuket’s west coast from Wednesday to Saturday January 19th. The long distance rally of 100 kilometres over 4 legs were sailed each early afternoon in a southerly direction; The wind was expected to come from the north-east monsoon normally blowing from 8 to 25 knots, but there were just a few easterly breezes on the first days, until it built up during the end of the week to its normal strengths. Aran Homraruen, Thailand's national windsurfer, who won several medals at the Asian Games, was quickest and first across the line in the first race, gaining 30 points, as the there were 30 sailors competing. The 2nd race from Surin to Patong Beach plus the 3rd race from Patong to Kata Beach were both won by Navin Singsart of Thailand’s national team., so he led by overall with 88 points, with Kamil Lewandowski of Poland in second place with 83 points, and Arun of Thailand in 3rd place with 81 points, and Panuthat Ruamsap of Thailand in 4th place on 80 points, all incredibly ahead of the ex- Olympic champion Chris Sieber of Austria, in 5th place;
Just before the decisive final race on Saturday from Kata Yai Beach to Nai Harn Beach, we talked to the three Thai sailors who were doing so well: Navin the leader, could not speak much English, but was confident. Arun, who has raced abroad many times, did not really like the local varying winds: Panuthat in 4th place was sure a Thai sailor would win overall: Meanwhile Kamil, the Polish sailor in second place, told us he would try hard to beat Navin by more than 5 places or points, but it was going to be difficult, although he was impressed with the Phuket and race organisation: The final race had to start just offshore in the bay of Kata Yai, as there were several big waves, and many tourists watching or just relaxing in the water and on the beach. The windsurfers lined up quickly and the sudden start was brisk and good for those on the left or south side, as they pumped their sails into the breezy wind. They made fast progress as they headed off past the headland and into Kata Noi bay…. We drove up to the hills to get a long shot, but they were still too far away and fast to follow…. We jumped on a tourist’s jet ski to get some water shots with a small camera but even then they were still way off in the distance and difficult to distinguish. They sailed so fast to the Nai Harn bay finish before we could even get there. It turned out that Kamil of Poland crossed the line first, but Navin of Thailand just got a vital 5th place, to keep himself only one point ahead for overall at 114 points and take the title. “I am very happy, number 1” Kamil was still second overall with 113 points, but vowed to return to try again & win next time. Arun of Thailand was third with 106, and Christoph from Austria, the Sydney 2000 Olympic champion, overtook Panulhat of Thailand to gain fourth place with 102 points.
The whole event was organized by the Eastern Windsurfing Club’s Event Manager, Thanit Raksanaves, who told us after the final race, that they plan to make it annual event, and even host a World Championships here: This first competition will be broadcast later on TV to about 170 million households worldwide. You saw it here first and let’s hope this cheaper & environmentally friendly sport encourages more Thais and local residents to success, perhaps with joint water sports events like windsurfing, sailing, wave-surfing, kite-surfing, dragon boat and canoeing, or just swimming races, off Phuket’s beautiful beaches in the attractive Andaman Sea.


Interview - Ike Suriwong, Thai bird spotter, on 2 Hornbills near studio
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Our interview is with Ike Suriwong, an experienced Thai bird spotter, based in Phuket, who came in to our studio to see 2 Hornbills called ‘Oriental Pied’ spotted by our cameraman near the TV11 studio on Rang Hill, in Phuket City. Koh Tapao near Ao Makham Deep Sea-port, south of Phuket City, has a wild colony, and Koh Hey or Coral Island, south east of Phuket, also used to host some Hornbills, but it is rare to see them in the city, as he tells us more: ……. Contact: Phuket Birders Blog ikesuriwong@yahoo.com Tel 081 5355014
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from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) & KPP Cable TV channel 1 at 8.30am + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, possibly FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket, Monday 21 January 2008 & Êӹѡ¢èÒÇ ¡ÃÁ»ÃЪÒÊÑÁ¾Ñ¹¸ì......ThaisNews »ÃШÓÇѹ¨Ñ¹·Ãì·Õè 21 Á¡ÃÒ¤Á 2551