item--1--- The underground utility wire installation work on Thalang Road in Phuket city is due to finish next month.

The installation underground of public utilities wires along Thalang road in Phuket city is reportedly due to finish in time by next month. The Phuket City Deputy Mayor Thavorn Jirapatanasophon affirms that the work under his office started earlier this year & is now 70% in progress. It comprised laying electricity and telephone wires underground which are now complete. Road surfacing is now going on and expects to be finished within 15 days. He further explained that the constructor plans to remove the power poles from the road early next month while the wires connecting to households will take two days to finish ensuring minimal effects on residents. He also assures the safety standard of the new system. After carrying out the work to tidy up Thalang Road to get rid of wires, the Office of Phuket City is preparing plans to improve and carry out similar work along the roads in old town area of Yaowarat, Krabi, Dibuk and Phang-Nga roads in the future.

item--2--- The new fresh market place in Phuket city is due to open in February next year after stall facilities & utilities installation is complete.

After the completion of construction of a new fresh market on Ranong Road in the heart of the city, the Office of Phuket City has now allocated another 26 million baht fund to carry out construction of stalls, electricity and sanitation system within the market. The market construction work completed in June this year, but needs to have platforms or stalls before it can be opened for the public. The Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansuppana explained that before the market was rebuilt, the merchants agreed that they would have stalls and facilities built themselves, but later requested the office to fund the construction cost and they would repay the office. The 26 million baht budget approved by the Office of Phuket City council will be spent on the stall building at 19 million baht, while 6 million baht will be spent on related utilities plus another 500,000 baht on garbage containers. The office expects all work to be completed and ready to serve the public by February next year. The new market reportedly meets high standards and sanitation requirements with parking lots which can accommodate around 200 cars.

item--3--- Over 30 locations across Rawai area will be watched by CCTV to ensure safety for residents and tourists.

After spending 20 million baht budget on CCTV-Close Circuit TVs and camera installations at 34 locations across its vicinity, the Rawai Municipality reports that the installation is now 90% in progress. The mayor Arun Soros said only power metres, and transmitters need to be completed. He expects all the work to be ready by next month. The CCTVs will help surveillance and be controlled and centered from the municipality office with well trained officials attending. This is one of the authority’s attempts to ensure safety for members of the public and tourists. Rawai Municipality looks after several famous tourist locations including the popular sun set view point – Promethep Cape, Nai Harn beach and lake plus the beach roads. In the past year many crimes reportedly occurred in the area.

item--4--- Premium quality local products are to be on sale in Christmas and New Year gift sets at shopping outlets while the Lanna OTOP fair is being held in Phuket.

Those who are looking for Christmas and New Year’s gifts may consider the local products under the OTOP – One Tambon One Product brand as the OTOP networks in Phuket join hands with local authority and shopping centres to display and put on sales premium quality products at economical prices. Chair of the Phuket OTOP network Naparas La-Ongpetch said she is working with the provincial Community Development Office to survey locations at shopping store for possible sales outlet as well as calling a meeting with 147 operators inviting them to join in the program. The goods are planned to be put on sale from December 18 – 31. She expects that it would at least earn them over 300,000 baht. Meanwhile the Lanna OTOP fair is being held at Saphan Hin in Phuket City from Thursday and will go on until Sunday. The fair features local products and food from the northern region of Thailand.

item---5-- Expectations are high for Phuket's high season as Virgin Blue start direct flights from Australia.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) revealed to our website that the accommodation occupancy rate in Phuket after Christmas holiday should still be as high as 80%. Director of TAT Phuket, Ms Bang-onrat Chinaprayoon said that according to hotel and tour operators, room reservations in Phuket during the high season are on the rise and the occupancy rate will climb up to 80% after the Christmas and New Year holidays. Meanwhile Pacific Blue is launching its brand new direct flights from Perth to Thailand. The flight marks Virgin Blue Airlines Group’s first foray into the Thailand market, with the new Pacific Blue flights to provide West Australian travellers with another choice of international destination alongside the airline’s existing flights from Perth to Bali. The weekly flight is already proving a hit with holiday-makers who have been quick to book flights and take advantage of the bargain air fares. Virgin Blue Airlines Group carried out extensive research with regards to the preferred holiday playgrounds of Australian travellers and Phuket rated highly due to Thailand being within comfortable flying distance (six and a half hours from Perth), its affordability in terms of entertainment, massages, shopping, delicious dining, vibrant nightlife, the wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets and the cultural experience it offers visitors.

item--6--- Thai AirAsia expands regional hub in Phuket to link with Asian countries

Thai Air Asia is now opening more routes connecting the resort island of Phuket directly with at least eight destinations marked by the inaugural flight from Phuket to Hong Kong that departed on November 15th. The airline’s Chief Executive Office Tassapon Bijleveld said the airline supports Phuket’s continual tourism growth and that it can potentially be a hub for ASEAN or Asian countries in the future. The airline provides daily services including from Phuket – Bangkok, Phuket – Hong Kong, while the Phuket - Chiang Mai, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Jakarta and Medan in Indonesia are to be offered in December. They are expanding their route network and adding new destinations – such as Taipei, Chengdu, Kochi, Kolkata, Trivandrum, Abu Dhabi – and adding new hubs in Bali and Bandung in Indonesia and Penang in Malaysia in addition to existing hubs of KL, Jakarta and Bangkok, plus this new hub in Phuket.

item---7-- Phuket Airport statistics up to end of October show increases in last 3 months but still decreases for whole year so far compared to last year.

The Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited, which manages Phuket International Airport, have confirmed to Andaman News about their latest statistics up to October 2009. During that month, they showed a total of 3,081 aircraft movements, up 11.15% from October 2008. July, August & September also showed increases, but for the 10 months of the year so far, it is still down 5.3%. The total numbers of arriving, departing and transit passengers in October, was 488,474 showing an increase of 14.5% compared to the same month in 2008: Only August & September also showed increases. But so far the year is still down 4.73% The total freight in October showed 1,916 tons in and out, a 24.25% increase, and only down 1.56% for the year so far.

item---8-- Phang-Nga held event to mark the beginning of tourist season while occupancy at Khao Lak still stands at 50% this month.

Street processions showcasing the charming cultural heritage and local life style of Thakuapa plus the diverse culture and nationalities were presented for visitors to the ‘Amazing Phang-Nga 2009’ held during November 13-15th to mark the beginning of tourist season. The event was held in Khao Lak centre and impressed tourists with many charming cultural shows and amazing Thai food and crafts. Acting president of Phang-Nga Tourist Association Chuleeporn Sermsirimanond said the occupancy at Khao Lak is standing at 50%, with mostly high end European markets including Germans, Swiss, Australian and Scandinavian tourists. She however expects the booking will pick up towards December.