Tuesday TRENDS
A FLEET of pink seung-tao style-buses is coming to Phuket City to replace the existing green buses as the key form of public transport.
The 16 colorful new buses have been bought by the Orborjor to supplement and eventually replace the existing public bus service.
The first of the pink buses should be seen on the city's roads on October 1.
Tenders are now being considered for the 400,000 baht a month service. The deal will be won by the private company with the most economical approach.
The pink buses, bought by the Orborjor and being assembled now on Phuket, are long vehicles, similar to traditional seung tao (twin bench buses).
Costing about one million baht each, the new buses are not air-conditioned but are considered a more efficient form of local transport.
The introduction of the new fleet is part of an attempt by Orborjor President Paiboon Upatising to improve public transport services on the island.
Services will be non-profit making, with students travelling free. The old buses have slowly worn out and only eight of the original 16 are still in service.
Airport Landing Discount Boost
PHUKET International Airport has discounted its landing fees to offset the cost of fuel and encourage airlines to keep coming to the island.
Airport General Manager Wicha Nurnlop said the usual fee was 100 baht per passenger.
He has now developed a ''gold standard'' to encourage better performance from the 12 airlines that use the airport.
The airlines and the discounts that apply are: Thai Airways, discount 30 percent on international and domestic, Nok Air, 70 percent, Silk Air, 75 percent, Thai Air Asia domestic, 30 percent, international 75 percent, Asiana Airlines, 75 percent, Korea Airlines, 75 percent.
There is no discount for Bangkok Airways, LTU Tour, Firefly, TUIfly, Bell Air and Condor Airlines.
Airports of Thailand acting president Serirat Prasutanond has said the state-controlled airport operator could also reduce the landing and parking fees at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.
Dengue Being Fought on Foot
DENGUE FEVER is bringing more people to Vachira Hospital in Phuket City this year, especially children.
The Hospital Director, Jetsada Jongpaiboonpattana, told Phuketwan that parents should note the symptoms of a fever that does not lift, even after two or three days.
Red body rashes are another symptom.
The battle against dengue is continuing on foot in the streets of Phuket City. In Samkong, the Tessaban Rassada usually sprays from a truck before dawn to reduce the population of mosquitoes.
However, now workers walking through the streets are using portable packs in daylight hours to reach awkward places the truck spray cannot reach.
A spokesperson said it was a more efficient form of spraying.
The strain of dengue on Phuket is milder and less likely to have serious consequences than elsewhere in the region.
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TRENDS
every day, Monday to Friday, at Phuketwan. It's essential reading. To tell us your news, email bigislandmedia@gmail.com or telephone 081 6513489.Latest
TRENDS
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TRENDS
every day, Monday to Friday, at Phuketwan. It's essential reading. To tell us your news, email bigislandmedia@gmail.com or telephone 081 6513489. 
