There are also just three officers assigned for checking all incoming yachts – one each from Immigration, Customs and the Marine Office, not enough to check the comings and goings of yachts effectively.

President of Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorjor), Paiboon Upatising mentioned that facilities should one hundred percent ready before saying Chalong Bay is for yacht and ships one-stop shop.

“Right now we don’t have a proper process for checking boats coming in.”

The speedboats using the pier and marina to drop and load passengers make it unsafe for yacht to tie up. Collision would happen if there is big yacht comes. The best it can handle now is up to about 20 metres in length.

Big yacht need to use private marinas such as Yacht Haven at the moment.

“Most of the yachts that come to Phuket go to private marinas and then send declaration documents to immigration and customs. Also, every boat is obliged to inform the authorities of its arrival 24 hours in advance.”

There is pressure on, however, to get the Chalong berthing and one-stop shop running soon, in order to tighten security. It is dangerous if the captain make false declaration in their documents where the Navy couldn’t have appropriate security system to check the boats.

“Thailand is going to be part of the Asean Economic Community in two years, so we need to set things up with strict rules and regulations applied to marinas.”

News by The Phuket News

List of flood problems needs to be covered including floodgate at Patong, wall renovation in Phuket Town as well as widening at the same time then in Koh Kaew where drainage improvement required.

Two places where flooding can have a serious effect on life on the island are in Baan Don, where floods can affect Thepkrassattri Rd, and in Saku, where parts of the airport road are prone to flooding. Another concern is in Srisoonthorn where government housing has been built of flood drainage areas.

“Normally, an EIA [Environmental Impact Assessment] has to be done beforehand for any housing project but these projects are exceptional and have therefore become a problem. We have to talk with them [the National Housing Authority] to see how they can help.”

Other areas with flood problems, but without firm plans, approval or budgets to solve them include Chalong, Kathu, Karon, Rassada, Rawai, Pa Khlok and Kamala, he said.

Mr. Paiboon viewed the main cause for flood probably rest on the island rapid property development. It always difficult to build public drainage across privately owned land. Some of them might not allow us to build it. However, we will negotiate with them.

“We will also check the validity of their land papers to see whether the land really qualifies to be in private hands.”

Not all is gloom, however, he said, noting that many flood prevention projects have been carried out.

“Since we started our flood protection project, we have had many successes. For example, the area in front of the Muslim Wittaya School in Koh Kaew no longer floods because a local land owner allowed us to drain water onto his land, from where it flows into the sea.

“Also, in front of Wat Latthiwanaram temple in Chalong, improvement of drainage has stopped the flooding. I believe that the money we spend on the projects next year will solve many flooding problems.”

News by the Phuket News

Several tough choices are available to the state-controlled airport operator, each with its constraints.
It is said by Sqn Ldr Sita Divari, AoT’s chairman, some alternatives include adding further capacity at the airport’s current site, building a greenfield airport in Phangnga province to the north or using Krabi airport, some 180 kilometres from urban Phuket, as a relief airfield.

The need for AoT to determine the future of Phuket airport is becoming ever more critical as the island has witnessed around 9.5 million passengers passed through Phuket airport last year, and AoT expects the number to increase to 10.5 million this year, 11 million next year and 12 million in 2015.

Furthermore, land acquisition is not even an option due to the exorbitant land prices. Another choice involves sea reclamation, but this could encounter environmental problems that would impede progress and make capital outlays prohibitive.

About 100 km north of Phuket’s northern tip, which is connected to the mainland at Phangnga province by Sarasin Bridge, is a plot of land appropriated by the government that could be used for developing a Greenfield airport serving Phuket, said the AoT chairman.

Another option calls for improving Krabi airport, now operated by the Civil Aviation Department, so it can handle larger aircraft and more passengers, thereby serving as a relief airport for Phuket.

Meanwhile, Pratuang Sonkham, the general manager of Phuket airport, separately said it would be possible to extend the new terminal that is under construction as part of the continuing expansion.

That would increase Phuket airport’s annual capacity to 15 million passengers however it will take long term completion around three to five years and he believes it will cost several hundred million baht.

Taking a long-term view, Mr Pratuang said Phuket airport will definitely need a second runway in another 10-15 years as well as capacity to handle an additional 10 million passengers a year.

At the moment, Phuket Airport has a new terminal construction that will be completed next year. Hope it will be able to relieve passenger congestion at the present terminal, which is capable of handling 5 million passengers a year, and is intended for international passengers.

The present terminal will be used solely for domestic passengers once its upgrade is completed in mid-2015, giving it an annual capacity of 7.5 million passengers.

But Sqn Ldr Sita strongly advocates Krabi airport being turned into a secondary airport for Phuket, accommodating immediate demand for passengers heading for the resort island.

News by the Phuket News

Seawalking is an activity where people can walk on the sea floor while wearing a helmet supplied with oxygen from a boat above. It was banned in local areas from 2007 until the law forbidding it lapsed last year.

Phuket marine officials, after learning of the damaged coral from locals, dived at the site on the east side of Khai Nai island on March 22. The group included staff from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) and Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC).

“We found over 200 square meters of medium-quality corals had been destroyed,” said Dr Nalinee Thongtam, senior marine specialist at the PMBC. Dr Nalinee also photographed a metal railing set in the pathway for tourists to get a hold on the now cleared site.

“Coral reef had been cut to create a flat walkway,” she said.

The cut coral was piled on top of living coral, protected sea clams had been relocated, and the support boat was anchored by rope to coral, said Dr Nalinee, who has detailed illustrations of the site.

“A total area of about 300 square meters of coral was affected, and at least two laws were broken,” she said.

It is illegal to destroy coral and the metal bar and roped coral contravene marine regulations that do not allow fishing areas to be altered, she said.

The damage has been reported to police at Koh Yao Noi island but Dr. Nalinee and colleagues were told that police could not take action unless they witnessed the destruction in progress.

About 10 days later, on April 3, Dr Nalinee sent one of her staff to check on the coral. He reported back that it was starting to die, and took photographs of seawalking already in progress.

“Some of the damaged coral still has the potential to grow back again with the right treatment. It is now very important for the all governmental organizations to cooperate and fix the damage,” Dr Nalinee said.

Dr Nalinee told the Gazette that the case has been reported to her superiors at the PMBC, to the DMCR, to the Phuket Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment, and to the governors of both Phuket and Phang Nga.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Inspector-General has reported the issue to the Chief Executive of that Ministry.

Presses were invited to visit the seawalking site on March 29, along with Dr Korn Sirinam, Parliament’s Adviser to the Committee of Land, Forest and Law Enforcement.

At that time, Mr Somporn said that sea animals would not be interfered with or harmed because experts would set up environmental safety standards and tourists would have to agree to abide by them.

Dr Korn said, “We went seawalking for 30 minutes, and I saw that no harm had been done to the sea ecosystem because the area is small, approximately 10 square meters. There is also a sand walkway for tourists to walk along and observe corals and sea animals,” he said.

“I confirm that seawalking should have no impact on the underwater ecosystem, but I also suggest that the agencies should be strict with the rules and take-care of long-term consequences. They have to follow legal regulations in every step they take,” he concluded.

News by Phuket Gazette

Counted Phuket to support the cause, announced by chief of the Phuket Environment Office who calling for all donations of aluminum to donate to a nationwide project that seeks to recycle at least 80 tons of aluminum into prosthetic legs.

“The cost of an imported prosthetic leg is around 10,000 baht, while one made with recycled aluminum will be about 700 baht,” Dr Pornsri Suthanarak said yesterday.

“Examples of the aluminum we can recycle are: cans, ring pulls, lids of power drinks and glass bottled water, mag wheels, parts of bicycles or airplanes, powder cases, crutches, canes and walkers,” she said.

It was targeted 80 tons aluminum gathered this year. It will divided into one ton respectively from the give provinces; Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Trang and Satun. This one tone can produce 1,000 prosthetic legs.

Donations can be made at any Phuket municipality office or any office of a Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor). Another alternative will be to drop at the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization or at the Regional Environmental Office 15, located at the parade of offices in front of the Katina Hotel on Sakdidet Road.

To ease such a heave weight aluminum, which is up to five kilogram, it can be send to any Thailand Post Office addressed to “Pollution Control Office, 92 Sam Sen Nai, Phaya Thai Bangkok 10400”

News by Phuket Gazette

The event used to raise fund for this endangered Phuket’s sea turtles yet at the same time also eager to increase people awareness against this animal. The event gained support from Phuket Marine Biological Center and the Royal Thai Navy, and was released to rehabilitat green turtles back into the Andaman Sea.

Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut gave a speech, highlighting the importance of the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, before releasing the first turtle to scuttle across the sand.

In total, about 100 turtles were released.

Phuket’s sea turtles face multiple threats and their numbers have been severely depleted in recent years. Commercial fishing kills thousands of them every year. Many more die from eating or becoming trapped in plastic debris littering the ocean, not to mention getting trapped in fishing nets and being hit by speedboats.

News by Phuket Gazette

Capt Angkhan Yasanop confirmed that this includes owners of private homes when they have foreign friends or relatives staying with them, whether they pay for accommodation or not.

“It is the law that the owner of a residence or a hotel manager who has foreign guests staying must report to the local Immigration Office within 24 hours. It is also Royal Thai Police policy to enforce this,” Capt Angkhan said.

“We are trying to make public aware against this policy before we begin doing random checks. It will help us in locating foreigners in Phuket, especially if there is missing person being reported,” he added.

It will benefits all parties, from owner or manager to Immigration Police or even other relevant departments when they knew the basic information on each foreigner visiting the island, especially if someone is living in the island illegally or has a criminal record.

The random-check team, led by Pol Col Sanchai Chokkayaikij, Superintendent of Phuket Immigration, will start checking accommodation from the end of next month. If they find owners or managers breaking the law, “they will prosecute strictly”, Capt Angkhan said.

Owners or managers can report in three ways: By going to the Phuket Immigration Office on Phuket Rd, Phuket Town (near Saphan Hin), by mail to the Immigration office at 482 Phuket Rd, Tambon Talad Yai, Muang, Phuket 83000; or by making an online (for businesses only).

Online reports should first being registered at Immigration Office to acquire username and password. The penalty for failing to report is B8,000 per guest per day.

News by The Phuket News

“The fair offers prospective opportunity for either employees or employers to find the right one as well as the suitable one,” said Phuket Provincial Employment Office chief Yawapa Pibulpol explained.

More than 100 companies, including employers from Phuket’s neighboring provinces Krabi and Phang Nga, are offering over 6,000 positions at the fair.

Mostly the jobs look after from hotels, shopping malls, medical clinics and real estate business though there are many other positions are also available.

“Before the fair launched today, job-seekers could post their credentials online through our website and employers could post details of their positions vacant. It saved time for both parties in finding their ‘match’ for the job,” Ms Yawapa added.

It was expected more than 500 potential employees visiting the fair from 1,045 online submitters for job application.

On site to declare the event officially underway was Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut.

“Phuket’s economy is growing, especially in the service and tourism sectors. A lot of people have invested in Phuket and started companies here,” he told attendees.

“People who are unemployed or students who have just graduated, through this fair, will have a greater chance of finding the right job,” Governor Maitri said.

News by Phuket Gazette

This is one of initiatives came from New Phuket Lifesaving Education Unit to provide sustainable program with Thai people initiate their own water safety.

Phuket Lifesaving Education Unit project manager Jayne MacDougall proposed the program be developed to educate school students about how to enjoy the ocean safely. An adult education program is also being developed. The program will be launched at a well-known international school in Phuket with the Thai trainers delivering the course under supervision from the Australian trainers. Thai trainers will roll the program out across the island at schools interested to participate.

“The Lifeguard Club will have six professional and volunteer trainers who will visit schools and teach a three-level water-safety program. The aim is to reach every school in Phuket over the next 12 months and for the program to become a regular part of the curriculum,” Ms MacDougall said.

Anthony Bradstreet believes the Lifesaving Education Unit will be very popular with students.

News by Phuket Gazette

Klong Koh Pee flyover project will now traverse 700 meters of protected mangrove forest, was announced yesterday by the Phuket Governor. Meanwhile, the engineer in charge of the project, Kanokthep Rattanadilok mentioned the -lane-divided road will still include a bike lane and a pedestrian walkway.

“There will be a five-meter gap between the two elevated roads to allow enough light to keep the mangrove forest healthy, and the road, being elevated, will not affect the low and high tides,” said Mr Kanokthep.

“The people of Phuket have been waiting for this project to start for almost 20 years,” Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut said. “The project is important, as it provides a much needed direct connection between Sakdidet Road Soi 7 and Saphan Hin.”

Still, serious notification has been addressed to the construction company that no serious damage happened to the mangroves as the project takes place and that it is fully the company’s responsibility.

News by Phuket Gazette