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Thursday, July 2, 2009
Security Act will have little impact on Phuket: Governor
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Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop. File photo.
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PHUKET CITY: Invocation of the controversial Internal Security Act during the 42nd Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meetings to be held in Phuket in July will have little impact on local residents or tourists, the Phuket governor has announced.
Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop said special security measures put in place under the act will be limited to Thalang district.
The event is to be held at the Laguna Phuket resort complex in Cherng Talay.
“I am confident the Internal Security Act will not affect the everyday lives of tourists and local residents because the act is being invoked over a specific, predetermined time period. Also, the officers assigned will not be lining the roads, dressed in uniforms or carrying weapons,” he said.
The measures are only intended to give security officials the flexibility they need to ensure that the meetings go off without a hitch, Governor Wichai said.
Governor Wichai also urged the people of Phuket to act as good hosts during the summit, as the eyes of the rest of Thailand and the world will be on the island during the meetings, which include Post Ministerial Conferences (PMC) and the 16th Asean Regional Forum between July 17-23.
Delegates from 10 Asean nations and 17 other countries are expected to take part.
| – Nation Channel |
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Thursday, July 2, 2009
Phuket school blamed for spoiled milk
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A scientist at work in Phuket Medical Science Center in Thalang.
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PHUKET CITY: Following lab tests of spoiled milk from a school in Phuket City that saw 16 children hospitalized last month, the Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) has blamed the school for storing the milk improperly.
PPHO chief Dr Pongsawas Ratanasang said Piboonsawaddee School in Phuket City over-stacked cartons of the UHT milk, causing some of them to split and their contents to spoil.
Forty-eight students fell ill after drinking the milk on June 18, with 16 of them requiring treatment at Vachira Hospital. All were allowed to go home within a day.
For our previous report, click here.
The results of the tests, performed at Phuket’s new Medical Science Center in Thalang, were released yesterday.
“It was a storage problem. The cartons of spoiled milk had twisted and split. We found bacteria in there that must have come from outside. It wasn’t the sort of bacteria that would have been introduced during the manufacturing process,” Dr Pongsawas said.
It was also possible that rats or other animals bit the cartons open, he added.
“The milk hadn’t expired so it should have been alright. We tested some cartons from the same batch and they were fine,” he added.
The PPHO informed the school and Phuket City Muncipality that the Nong Pho Dairy Co-operative plant in Ratchaburi, the manufacturer, was not to blame.
“The milk company has high manufacturing and transport standards. Schools in Phuket City have to improve their storage and checking processes,” Dr Pongsawas said.
The children’s teacher might have forgotten to test the milk before giving it out, he added.
The old batch of UHT milk has been removed from Piboonsawaddee School. The school has already been supplied with a replacement.
“The PPHO suggests teachers perform random checks on milk before they distribute it to children. They should open a carton and pour it into a glass to check the color, smell and taste. We don’t want to see any more students sick from bad milk,” Dr Pongsawas said.
Schools in Phuket City that stopped giving out UHT milk as a result of the poisonings have resumed distributing it as normal.
| – Khunakorn Terdkiatkhachorn |
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Thursday, July 2, 2009
Phuket chikungunya outbreak worsens in June
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Despite spraying of insecticides in affected areas, the chikungunya outbreak worsened in Phuket in June.
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PHUKET: While much attention has been placed on the fight against the spread of swine flu in Phuket, the island is still suffering from a chikungunya outbreak and has the highest per capita infection rate of any province in Thailand.
According to recently-released figures from the Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO), there have been 2,155 confirmed cases of the disease in the province in the first half of this year – with no deaths.
PPHO Director Dr Pongsawas Ratanasang said 98.6% of the victims were Thai, with 31 cases reported among foreigners.
Most of the foreign sufferers are low-wage Burmese laborers, whose work and substandard living conditions put them at risk of being bitten by the Aedes mosquito that spreads the virus that causes the disease.
Statistically, Phuket had an overall incidence rate of 669 reported cases per 100,000 people for the first half of 2009.
The province thus ranks first in the country although the number of cases remain much higher in the lower south, where the outbreak originated.
Dr Pongsawas also noted the high incidence rate for Phuket is skewed by Phuket’s huge unregistered population of migrant workers, both from other parts of Thailand as well as Burma.
The incidence rate is calculated as the number of reported cases divided by the registered population, which is less than half of the actual number of people on the island according to most estimates.
However, chikungunya cases often go unreported as many sufferers do not seek medical attention from hospitals, but from private clinics or simply by treating themselves with non-prescription drugs.
In a breakdown by district, Thalang had the highest incidence rate overall followed by Kathu and Muang Districts.
Within Thalang, tambon Srisoonthorn had the highest incidence in June followed by Thepkrasattri, Pa Khlok, Cherng Talay and Sakoo.
A statistical breakdown by month reveals the outbreak has gotten much worse in the province in recent months. In March and April the incidence rate was less than two cases per 100,000, but jumped dramatically in May (297/100,000) and again in June (1,352/100,000).
The PPHO has adopted a “blitz” campaign in its efforts to rid the island of the disease using a variety of measures including disease control and prevention units at both district and tambon levels.
The units are tasked with collecting statistical data to track the spread of the outbreak, organizing preventative measures such as spraying mosquito breeding sites, and raising public awareness about how to avoid mosquito bites. They also advise people about what steps to take if they do contract the disease.
The public relations effort is being conducted in tandem with steps to control the spread of the A(H1N1) virus that causes swine flu.
| – Khunakorn Terdkiatkhachorn and Nation reporters |
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Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Phuket swine flu update: 25 cases, no deaths
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A swine flu public awareness campaign at Phuket International Airport.
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PHUKET CITY: There have been 25 confirmed cases of swine flu in Phuket, according to figures released by the Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) yesterday.
In addition to the seven cases reported in the last update, there have been 18 additional cases: nine hotel employees and nine students at four different schools, all in Muang District.
PPHO deputy director Dr Wiwat Keetamanoj and fellow officers visited the four schools to talk with administrators and staff, advising them to check all students each morning.
Any students with flu-like symptoms should be sent home immediately and subsequently tested for the A(H1N1) virus that causes the disease. This is the best method of preventing the spread of the disease in a classroom environment, he said.
PPHO Director Dr Pongsawas Ratanasang asked the press not to release the names of the schools with confirmed cases and does not advise closing schools following isolated cases of infection.
“Closing the schools is pretty useless, because the students may go to cinemas, karaoke bars and game centers, where they can spread the virus to others just as easily,” he said.
The best solution is to quarantine swine flu patients and treat them at home, he said.
The PPHO has asked schools to clean rooms at least once a day and open the windows of air-conditioned rooms for at least one hour a day.
Doorknobs and toilet handles in schools, entertainment venues and restaurants should also be cleaned regularly with soap or detergent.
Dr Pongsawas said the PPHO is thus far satisfied with its ability to halt the spread of the disease, which has yet to claim any lives in Phuket. The tracking of confirmed cases has revealed that the disease has only spread “three generations” in Phuket at most, he said.
Without the preventative measures put in place the number of cases on the island might already have passed the 1,000 mark, he said.
As for the thermal scanning devices at Phuket International Airport, they have proven ineffective at detecting swine flu patients and their use will be discontinued next week, he said.
Phuket has sufficient quantities of the antiviral drug oseltamivir to treat swine flu patients, but the drug will only be administered to patients in high-risk groups, such as children under the age of five, senior citizens of 65 years old or above and people suffering from preexisting medical conditions.
Those not in risk groups should be treated with bed rest and regular medication to relieve symptoms, he said.
A vaccine against the A(H1N1) virus is expected to arrive near the end of the month. Those first in line for injections will be people most likely to come into contact with infected patients, such as medical staff, childcare workers, government officers and members of the media.
A single injection of the vaccine should be effective for two or three years, he said.
Nationwide there have been 1,473 cases of swine flu resulting in five deaths.
The most recent fatality was a 15-year-old student in Chonburi province who was already suffering from chronic illnesses including a brain tumor and diabetes.
| – Khunakorn Terdkiatkhachorn |
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Wednesday, July 1, 2009
New-look Phuket FC return to action Sunday
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The new Phuket FC squad includes four players from the Ivory Coast and a Nigerian.
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PHUKET CITY: After a much needed six-week mid-season break, the new-look Phuket Sea Dragons football club return to action at Surakul Stadium on Sunday, July 5.
The home side has added 15 new players to its squad since its last fixture and coach Somsak Waijarean is determined to make amends for their dismal start to the season. Only two players remain from the original squad, the goalkeeper and the captain.
“I joined the team after their first league match in Division Two. The old coach quit following the 4-1 defeat at home to Satun. We played three more games at home and we lost all of them. We’re in seventh position and only have four points. During the break I have brought in 15 new players, because the old team wasn’t very good,” Mr Somsak said.
In the upcoming fixture, the Sea Dragons will face Narathiwat who recorded a 2-0 win over Somsak’s men in their last outing before the season break.
Coach Somsak believes that Phuket FC fans will see an improved performance and better results on Sunday.
“We have a great chance to win because we have changed the majority of the team and we’ve been training very hard. We also had a coach come down from Bangkok to help train the players and improve their fitness levels,” he said.
Phuket FC are currently second from bottom in their division and have failed to register a single point at home.
Despite their disappointing position, Mr Somsak believes his side still has a lot to play for.
“We still have seven matches left, three here in Phuket and four away from home. At the very least we must pick up nine points from our home games,” he said.
The Phuket vs Narathiwat game will take place at Surakul Stadium on July 5, with kick off at 7pm.
In the first half the price of admission was 50 baht for adults, with children allowed in free.
Fans are also allowed to bring their own refreshments into the stadium, much of which is protected from the elements by a roof.
Anyone interested in joining the Phuket FC Supporters Club please email Dan at phuketfcsupportersclub@hotmail.co.uk or join the Phuket FC Supporters Club group on Facebook.
| – Dan Ogunshakin |
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Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Phuket to become medical training center
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The Phuket Medical Science Center in Thalang was officially opened on June 11.
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PHUKET CITY: The Public Health Ministry plans to develop Phuket into a “medical knowledge center” where medical students will receive specialist training.
The move is part of a five-year plan to double the revenue of the medical service industry to 400 billion baht by 2014 and to further establish Thailand as a medical hub and world-class spa destination.
Dr Wiwat Keetamanoj, deputy director of the Phuket Public Health Office, said Phuket provides a wide variety of medical services, including elective and cosmetic surgery and dental care with three international hospitals, local health offices and some 200 private clinics.
These and supporting infrastructure will allow Phuket to become a medical knowledge center in the near future, he said.
Phuket also saw the opening of the Phuket Medical Science Center on Bangjo Road in Tambon Srisoonthorn, Thalang last month.
The center is dedicated to preventing the spread of Legionnaires’ disease, chikungunya, food poisoning and a host of other preventable medical conditions.
Mr Witthaya said Phuket is an important tourist destination in Thailand, generating an income of more than 72.5 billion baht each year.
Wichien Juthamongkol, president of the Phuket Spa Association, said the five-year plan will involve upgrades to the Thai spa, massage and health service industries.
Total revenue from Thai spa and massage should account for 80 billion baht of the total target of 400 billion baht in 2014, he said.
So far, there are 200 spa operators in Phuket but only 70 have been licensed by the ministry. However, the association plans to increase the number of certified spas to 100 by the end of the five-year plan.
In addition, the association will promote more hotel spas. At present only 50 of Phuket’s 400 hotels offer spa services.
The success of the plan will reduce risks to the spa industry, which is currently highly reliant on tourism, Mr Wichien said.
Dr Kulwadee Kulsrisombat of the Promjai Dental Clinic, which operates two branches in Phuket, said 90% of the walk-in patients in her clinic are foreigners who enjoy receiving international-standard treatment at costs lower than in their own countries.
| – The Nation |
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Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Asean meeting: Internal Security Act to be imposed for 15 days
PHUKET CITY: Phuket will for the first time fall under the Internal Security Act (ISA) when it hosts the 42nd Asean Ministerial Meeting and related activities to be held at Laguna Phuket from July 17 to 23.
Cabinet yesterday approved the strict measure for 15 days, from July 10 to 24, for an area covering the entire island and extending five kilometers offshore.
The reason is to give the government heightened powers to deal with any unrest.
By invoking the Act, the government does not need to declare a state of emergency to enforce tougher rules and regulations. An Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) panel chaired by the prime minister will also be set up.
Although it will infringe on people’s basic rights for the duration, the move is aimed at boosting international confidence in Thailand.
In addition to foreign ministers from Asean’s 10 member countries, counterparts from dialogue partners including the US, China and Japan are expected to attend.
Army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda said all branches of the armed forces jointly proposed to the Cabinet the use of the Internal Security Act for the duration of the event and the week preceding it.
The law, initiated by the military-backed government last year, lets the premier mobilize forces from any agency for security reasons. Article 18 of the law authorizes the premier, in his capacity as ISOC director, to impose curfews, prohibit the movement of people and vehicles and block commuting routes.
The Act also authorizes the premier to enact special security measures without having to declare a state of emergency.
The government fears that red-shirted anti-government protesters might disrupt proceedings as they did with the South East Asian Summit in Pattaya over the Songkran holidays in April.
ISOC argued the Act would be indispensable following the Pattaya chaos, which harmed the country’s reputation and economy.
The authority also said, in the proposa,l that its intelligence report showed some ill-intentioned groups, from both inside and outside the country, might again try to foment trouble.
The Council of State, which advises the government on legal issues, will flesh out details of the security plan in accordance with the law and propose it to the Cabinet again next Tuesday, an official said.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva defended the decision to invoke the Internal Security Act, saying it would restore confidence in Thailand amongst the international community.
“If we can manage to have a smooth meeting, it would help clear up the bad impression of the April incident among foreigners,” he told reporters.
Suthep Thaugsuban, the Deputy Premier in charge of security affairs, said the security blanket over Phuket during the Asean Summit would not cause hardship for tourists and residents.
However, Prompong Noparit, spokesman for the opposition Pheu Thai Party, said the move was an overreaction to the situation and would impinge on fundamental rights of citizens.
It is not easy for the protesters to gather people to rally in Phuket since the island has only one land access route, he said.
| – The Nation |
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Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Tragedy strikes Phuket sea gypsy village – again
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The charred remains of the Ban Hin Look Diow sea gypsy village in Mai Khao.
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MAI KHAO, PHUKET: Less than five years after it was damaged by the 2004 tsunami, the Ban Hin Look Diow sea gypsy community has suffered another disaster – this time by fire.
At about 1:30pm on Monday a fire broke out in one of the homes and quickly spread to sixteen others, destroying more than half of the village and leaving 85 out of the community’s 215 residents homeless.
Community leader Boonchuey Varee, whose home was destroyed in the blaze, blamed the fire on an electrical short circuit.
All the homes were empty except for one woman with a young child at the time of the blaze, he said.
“We were lucky that nobody was injured or killed in the fire,” Mr Boonchuey said.
However, the fact that homes were virtually deserted at the time also meant there was nobody on hand to douse the flames – even though there is no lack of water in the area. The stilted homes were built over a small lagoon protected from the sea by mangrove forests.
Former homeowner Dao Prabsamud, 35, said it was too early to estimate the cost of the damage or determine in which dwelling the conflagration started.
The modest homes of wood and corrugated zinc panels get very hot at midday and most residents leave them to work or seek shade outside, she explained.
The Phuket Provincial Administration Organization and the Mai Khao Tambon Administration Organization have set up a tent nearby to provide shelter for the 85 homeless men, women and children.
Perhaps having learned a lesson in the aftermath of the tsunami, community leaders were quick to begin compiling lists of all those affected in the hope they will receive the assistance they need to rebuild their lives.
Also taking part in the assistance effort were volunteer rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Foundation, who distributed supplies including dry foodstuffs, water, rice, cooking utensils and other daily life necessities.
Representatives of many other foundations and charitable associations were also on the scene today taking information in order to help the community overcome this latest tragedy.
In his capacity as a UN Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery, former US President Bill Clinton visited the community in late 2006, heaping praise on the community for their efforts in preserving nearby mangrove forests.
The villagers have every good reason to preserve them: although having occupied the area for six generations, they have no land title deeds. They were told about five years ago by Royal Forest Department officials that they would be allowed to remain there only if the surrounding mangrove forest remained healthy, Mr Boonchuey told the Gazette in April.
Thai Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch visited the community in March this year, promising to address land rights issues affecting all sea gypsy communities.
He also promised to invest millions to build “culture centers” in sea gypsy communities as a way of preserving the sea gypsies unique traditions and attracting tourists.
| – Tipwarintron Tanaakarachod |
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Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Asean meetings in Phuket: Security Act to be enforced
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Minister of Defense Gen Prawit Wongsuwan is greeted by Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket Manager Lyndon Ellis at the resort yesterday. Photo by Sheraton Laguna.
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PHUKET CITY: Thailand will enforce its Internal Security Act in Phuket during the upcoming 42nd Asean Ministerial Meeting and related activities to be held at Laguna Phuket July 17 to 23.
Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, who met with other top military brass and local leaders at Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket yesterday, said today that all preparations for the event were fully completed.
Joint military and police units have been directed to work in teams and local residents will assist officials to provide security at the meeting venues, the state-run Thai News Agency quoted him as saying this afternoon.
Gen Prawit said the enforcement of the Internal Security Act, to be effective over the entire meeting period, will help prevent any untoward incident.
The government is desperate to prevent any possible recurrence of the incident in Pattaya over the Songkran holiday, when the Asean summit meetings had to be postponed at the last minute after red-shirted protesters loyal to deposed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra stormed the host venue.
Gen Prawit Wongsuwan said he believed the situation is not worrying, although red-shirt protesters earlier vowed a mass protest if the government didn’t dissolve the House within one month – and the deadline is nearly concurrent with the Asean meeting.
The Internal Security Act will be enforced only on Phuket and will not violate human rights or inconvenience the public, Gen Prawit said.
Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngop, who attended the meeting at Laguna yesterday, said the event will bring in ministers from 21 countries.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to be among the many high-profile figures attending.
The influx of 2,000 members of ministerial entourages and journalists will help revive local tourism and if the regional meetings are successful, the government will confirm Phuket as the venue for the re-scheduled Asean summit in October, Gov Wichai said.
Also attending yesterday’s meeting were Defense Ministry Permanent Secretary Gen Apichart Phenkitti, Army Supreme Commander Supreme Gen Songkitti Jaggabatara, Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda, Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Kamthorn Pumhirun, Air Force Commander-in-Chief ACM Itthaporn Subhawong and Army Chief of Staff Gen Prayut Chanocha.
For a full schedule of the events, including post ministerial conferences and the 16th Asean Regional Forum (ARF), click here.
| – TNA |
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