item---1-- Local leaders in Paklok request provincial authority to follow up 3 main local development projects.

Local community leaders from Paklok sub-district in Thalang, comprising village headmen and the local Sub-District Administration Organization elected council members led by Mr. Rochaad Torthip, on Tuesday came to meet with the Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob at his office. The group requested the governor’s assistance in three main issues. They asked about progress on the improvement of Paklok Road from the Heroines’ Monument to the entrance of Yamu Village. The second request was the authority’s order to suspend the Yamu marina development; and third was the authority strictly tackle and prevent natural resources’ damage and encroachment. On the officials’ side, it was explained that the road project has been progressing as a contractor has been hired. A five kilometer road will be expanded into four lanes. The governor explained that the Yamu marina project has not carried out 12 terms and requirements which the provincial committee had requested. The governor confirmed that the authority would not give a license for the development. He also ordered officials to be strict with any new development including property, saying that no construction is allowed to start if they cannot follow the regulations. As for the encroachment issue, the authority will speed up investigation procedures transparently.

item--2--- The citizen surveillance network under the ‘Pineapple Eyes’ program implemented on the south side of Phuket Island seems to work well.

After introducing the citizen surveillance network approach under the name ‘Ta Sapparot’ or ‘Pineapple’s Eyes’ with the theme of having residents in the community look after and report any unusual activities or crimes, it seems to have worked well. The issue was raised during an internal security meeting chaired by Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-Ngbob. The meeting was informed that over 100 radios have been dispatched and used as communication tools by citizen volunteers who contact their network when some incidents occur. So far they helped catch a wrong-doer while another case involved saving the life of a foreign tourist swimmer. The authority plans to implement the network all over the island so that citizens can assist officials in looking after the community. It will also assure tourists of the island’s safety measures.

item--3--- Rawai Municipality pursue with their ‘return sugar palm trees to Phromthep Cape’ project.

The Rawai Municipality has confirmed that it will pursue with the project to revive sugar palm trees which are the identity of the famous sunset view point of Cape Phromthep. According to the Mayor, Arun Soros, a four million baht fund has been set aside and is now in the process of seeking a contractor. This is to replace the dead sugar palm trees at the viewpoint. Mayor Arun detailed that it needs 43 trees, 4-6 metres tall, to be planted at the location while the contractors must carry out maintenance work for 6-12 months. Arun said his office also seeks funding from the Provincial Administration Organization to carry out the project. The Rawai Municipality is also granted 350,000 baht to add more lighting on the road up to the viewpoint and it had completed the work with a plan to extend to cover all areas. Touching on complaints about the untidiness and dirtiness at Cape Phromthep, Mr. Arun stated that he had assigned 3-4 cleaners per day to station there. The Mayor however seeks visitors’ cooperation in keeping it clean and not littering the place.

item---4-- The Office of Phuket City is to hire a private firm to adjust the landfill site to enhance its landfill capacity.

Residents in Phuket city attended a meeting to learn about details of the adjustment of the present landfill site run by the Office of Phuket City. They were informed about the need to carry out a project as the incinerator can only cope with 250 tons of waste per day while over 510 tons of waste is generated daily. That means at least 260 tons of waste are sent for land fill per day, which exceeds its capacity. This leads to bad pollution for the nearby community, in terms of smells and bad water during the rainy season. Deputy Mayor, Tavorn Jirapattanasophon, told the participants that the office could not find any other measures, apart from redeveloping or adjusting the landfill site while awaiting a new incinerator to be built. The Office of Phuket City prepares to hire a private firm to extend the existing landfill facility, improve the system and add a good standard waste water treatment system. The work will take 400 days to complete and it expects to cater for at least the next two years of waste.

item--5--- The ‘Phuket Has Been Good To Us’ charity foundation held a fund raising photo exhibition.

(Video courtesy of Capital TV) Earlier this year, the Foundation was approached by photographer Martha Lutz who was interested in working with the children to teach them about photography. It was decided Marsha would lead a week long workshop with the children of the Coconut Club, which is a series of ongoing programs that provide after-school, weekend and inter-session education for the 150 residential students of the Rajaprachanukroh School under HM the King’s patronage in Kamala. It is part of the ‘Phuket Has Been Good to Us’ Foundation's general project to supplement their classroom English instruction with additional opportunities for Thai children to practice their conversational English outside the classroom. Aged 12-14, the children were given six cameras donated by Marsha's friends back in the US. The best of the photos taken by the children were printed and offered for sale and auction at Hung Fat’s Restaurant in Kalim last Thursday evening. They raised over 200,000 baht for the Foundation’s children projects.

item---6-- The Phuket Lifeguard Club is to host its second annual Lifesaving Carnival on 12 July.

The Phuket Lifeguard Club told Andaman News that it will be hosting its second annual Lifesaving Carnival on 12 July 2009 at Patong Beach with registration beginning at 08.30. The carnival features eighty lifesaving events in six categories and will culminate in a gala dinner at Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort, the major sponsor of this year’s festivities. Local and International competitors are invited to attend and register on the day. Surf Lifesaving Club members across Australia are also being invited to join again this year after a very successful carnival in 2008. A nipper carnival will also be held a day earlier at Patong Beach. The club has successfully run five nipper carnivals at various beaches on Phuket with positive reviews and an average attendance of 100 kids at each event. Last year’s successful inaugural carnival established valuable ties with Lifesaving clubs in SLS Northern Territory, Shoalhaven Heads and North Palm Beach SLSC. Enquiries can be directed to Jayne MacDougall at jayne.macdougall@lemeridien.com or phuketsurflifesavingcarnival2@live.com The club website has event lists and more details about club activities at www.phuketlifeguard.com