item---1-- Phuket Airport manager announces that the airport is open 24 hours a day as more flights evacuate stranded passengers.

At least 20 aircraft belonging to Thai Airways International took off from Suwannabhum International Airport on Sunday night bringing some relief for tourism businesses and stranded passengers, estimated at around 240,000 nationwide. Tourism businesses said at least they could take passengers to their home from U-Thapao airport, Phuket and Chiang Mai or to their connecting destinations. Phuket Vice Governor Worapoj Ratasrima estimated a 25% decline of tourists numbers in Phuket even though direct charter flights from overseas can operate as normal in Phuket. He however said foreign travel agents are waiting to see the situation until the middle of December. They said if the protests and airport closures continue, flights cancellations will follow. Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand local office Settaphan Bhuddhanee stated that around 400 passengers are getting delayed at Phuket Airport each day. The officials try to explain and take care of them for their convenience in terms of food and transportation. Just last night (Monday night) we talked to Phuket Airport Manager Wicha Noenlop who reaffirmed that Phuket International airport opens 24 hours a day to cater for planes. He also confirmed that direct international flights to Phuket still operate as normal. With no signs of the end to the closures of the two main airports in Bangkok, he said many airlines, including Thai International Airways, are trying to re-route their international flights to and from Phuket. Australian carriers like Qantas have already made direct flights to evacuate Australian tourists from Phuket. Bangkok Airways and Thai International are now flying to and from U-Thapao as it is currently the main connection to overseas destinations. According to Mr. Wicha, Thai Airways International also provides direct flights from Phuket to Seoul, Singpaore, Frankfurt and Sydney. Passengers however are advised to contact TG on a daily basis for flight confirmation.

item---2-- Phuket holds an exhibition on ‘Conservation of Thai Heritage’ featuring the places where HM paid a visit in the past.

In recognition of Thai Heritage day, the provincial authority and local government in Phuket are holding an exhibition in conservation : Thai Heritage featuring places where HM the King visited four times in the past. The exhibition is being displayed at a park on Surin beach in the island’s northern side. In 1959 Their Majesties the King and Queen visited Phuket in March. At this time they visited Chaofa’s hydraulic mine owned by Luang Anupas Phuketkarn and autographed the guest book. During this trip HM the King had personally released a crustacean at the then new Rasada Pier and visited Rawai where local residents were granted an audience with their Majesties. They also visited Patong, Paklok and Surin beaches. In 1967 Their Majesties the King and Queen visited a few places and presided over the opening ceremony of Thao Thepkasattri-Thao Srisunthorn monument. Then in 1968 HM the King, accompanied by the Crown Prince Vachiralongkorn, visited Phuket Provincial Hall to bestow Phra Buddha Nawaratjabophit and then visited a tin mining site of Thaisarco at Ma Kham bay. During that trip HM the King also proceeded to Patong beach. The fourth visit was in April 1973 when their Majesties and families paid a visit to Phuket by airplane. Local residents are also urged to exhibit their photos of the visits at the exhibition which will go on until December 5th, which is HM the King’s birthday.

item--3-- Phuket police plant trees as part of their activities to show respects to Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand.

Phuket provincial police held tree planting activities as part of the organization’s project in tribute to Their Majesties the King and Queen. Yesterday police officers and members of the public, young and adults, joined hands to plant 1,000 sapling trees at Wat Thepkasartri School in Thalang. They also planted another 800 trees at Chalerm Phrakiat School. 150 young trees were also added to Sapam Temple and 150 at Ban Ao Nam Bor School near Cape Panwa. This activity was part of the Thai Police Bureau to follow HM the Queen’s wishes to add forest to the nation. It then assigns 1,456 police stations nationwide to carry out tree planting activities of 1,000 each. After the planting activities, an MOU was signed between police station chiefs, schools and religious places, temples or mosques to look after the trees.

item--4-- Koh Yao Island in Phang Nga Bay promotes local tourism.

Marking the tourist season, Koh Yao Tourist Association of Phang-Nga joined hands with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Krabi office to organize activities during November 22-29th. The event started with a bicycle rally passing through the tourist attraction at MaNao beach to Ban ThaKhao beach. On this occasion, press members were also invited to visit tourist attractions, facilities and accommodation on the Yao Noi and Yao Yai Islands. The director of TAT, Krabi office Pornprapa Lorsuwan said Koh Yao is one of the newer tourist destinations and is getting more popular among tourists.

item--5-- Local governments in Phuket arrange mobile public services.

Starting from Rasada where more than twenty government and private organizations gave out services, free of charge, for local residents at a ground in front of a housing project. Participants received free plants or herbal plants to grow at home. Other activities and services include economical goods sales, exhibitions, mobile registration or ID card applications, massage, barbers, food preparation demonstration and vaccinations for dogs and cats. The Rasada Mayor also took this opportunity to listen to local people’s needs and concerns so that the management can serve the local needs properly. Another local government of Phuket City office also arranged mobile public unit service for people at Rama 9 Park with similar services. On this occasion the participants also planted trees around the pond in the public park to add greenery to the park which is considered a healthy ‘lung’ for residents in the city.

item--6-- Phuket prepares to run an evacuation drill by helicopter on December 24th as part of activities for National Disaster Prevention Day.

In commemoration of the 4 years since the Tsunami, the government prepares to hold ceremonies and commemorative events on Patong beach of Phuket as the main location. The Thai cabinet also designated December 26th as National Disaster Prevention Day to raise public awareness for safety. The Phuket province plans to hold activities during December 22-26 with an evacuation drill by helicopter to take place on December 24th. The scenario will be of a Tsunami hitting the island leaving stranded and injured tourists on Racha and Coral islands. They will then be lifted by helicopter to the Phuket International Airport which is designated as a command centre. The authority will use this exercise to test out preparedness of personnel and equipment as well as enhancing skills of personnel concerned. On December 26th the commemorative events and religious ceremonies will be held in three locations. They will be at the Loma public park on Patong beach with an exhibition, demonstration of evacuation while the ‘Light Up Phuket’ event will be held in the evening. A wreath laying ceremony will be held at Mai Khao Wall of Remembrance for victims from 46 nations. Another location is on Kamala beach.

item--7-- The 2009 Phuket International Blues Rock Festival preparations are still going ahead.

Despite the current political and financial crisis, Andy Andersen, Festival Director, informed Andaman News that the event on February 20-21 at The Hilton Phuket Arcadia will see a minimum of twelve acts total with five international bands, and the headliner is Eric Bibb, a New York native, one of the greatest contemporary ‘bluesers’ and tours constantly all over the world. Next on the big newcomer list is California’s Mitch Woods and his Rocket 88s. Mitch is a world class New Orleans style boogie-woogie piano man and has set crowds abuzz around the world for 30+ years. From Europe comes Bert Deivert & Janne Zander; a top rated blues duo from Sweden, and representing Australia this year is KNIKI, a soulful lady with a seductive voice having just released her second album, “JUST”. The 2009 festival will see a tribute act for the first time – “Chasing Jimi” - A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix featuring Jimmy Fame, a local resident singer & writer. By popular demand Rich Harper will return along with The Blues Machine and Bangkok’s Cannonball as well as the Soi Dog Blues Band, & Groove Doctors. The 2008 Festival DVD is available to re-live the highlights of the last show. Check www.phuketbluesfestival.com for more details.

item--8-- The Body of a Thai killed in the Mumbai terrorist incident arrived in Phuket and was taken to a religious ceremony at Chalong temple

A body of Thai spa therapist, Jirachat Kanmanee has now been brought back to Phuket for a religious ceremony at Chai Tararam or Chalong temple. Jirachat is one of the Indian city’s Mumbai terror shooting victims, among foreigners staying at a hotel. She worked as a spa therapist at Oberoi hotel. Jirachat died from a bullet wound to her head. Under the assistance of the Royal Thai Consulate there, Jirachat’s body was sent by plane and arrived in Phuket yesterday afternoon. Her family said the cremation will be on December 6th. Weraphol Choochart, her brother in-law said Jirachat was working through the Banyan Tree hotel in Phuket and was sent to work in India. She was due to visit home for her Christmas holiday on December 25th, but became a victim of the terrorist act.