PHUKET: A forecast of bleak weather through until Sunday has organisers of the Phuket Games 2012 opening ceremony and Phuket tourists looking at alternative arrangements.
Meteorological Bureau forecasters on Phuket said today that there was 60 percent to 70 percent chance of rain on Phuket between now and Sunday.
The opening ceremony for the Phuket Games is due to be staged on Saturday at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City, involving about 10,000 young athletes in a parade and with thousands of family members and others in the audience.
A dinner for 6000 is also set to be staged at Saphan Hin in Phuket City on Friday evening. The Phuket Games, otherwise known as the 28th National Youth Games, is seen as a showcase for Phuket and the usually very good Phuket weather.
''Our main concern is for the well-being of the children,'' said Games spokesperson Wanwisa Wirattayanon. ''If the rain falls, we will be issuing them with proper rainwear.''
A rehearsal involving the Phuket children who will hold the placards introducing competitors from all of Thailand's provinces was planned for this afternoon at Surakul Stadium.
One of the greatest concerns will be to keep the Games flame alight, once it is lit, for the period of the competition.
''If the weather is really bad, we will just have to cancel the ceremony,'' Khun Wanwisa said. ''We are prepared to do that if we have to.''
Most of the competition will be at Saphan Hin, Rajabhat University and Surakul Stadium in Phuket City from Saturday until June 5, when the closing ceremony will be held.
Events in 40 sports are also scattered around the island.
The children all have Friday off before the Games begin. They may have to concentrate on indoor activities unless the weather improves.
A spokesperson for the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said today there was no concern about landslips at this stage, but continued heavy rain over the next few days would cause alarm.
Heavy rain is also forecast along the Andaman coast, in Phang Nga and Ranong.
Meteorological Bureau forecasters on Phuket said today that there was 60 percent to 70 percent chance of rain on Phuket between now and Sunday.
The opening ceremony for the Phuket Games is due to be staged on Saturday at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City, involving about 10,000 young athletes in a parade and with thousands of family members and others in the audience.
A dinner for 6000 is also set to be staged at Saphan Hin in Phuket City on Friday evening. The Phuket Games, otherwise known as the 28th National Youth Games, is seen as a showcase for Phuket and the usually very good Phuket weather.
''Our main concern is for the well-being of the children,'' said Games spokesperson Wanwisa Wirattayanon. ''If the rain falls, we will be issuing them with proper rainwear.''
A rehearsal involving the Phuket children who will hold the placards introducing competitors from all of Thailand's provinces was planned for this afternoon at Surakul Stadium.
One of the greatest concerns will be to keep the Games flame alight, once it is lit, for the period of the competition.
''If the weather is really bad, we will just have to cancel the ceremony,'' Khun Wanwisa said. ''We are prepared to do that if we have to.''
Most of the competition will be at Saphan Hin, Rajabhat University and Surakul Stadium in Phuket City from Saturday until June 5, when the closing ceremony will be held.
Events in 40 sports are also scattered around the island.
The children all have Friday off before the Games begin. They may have to concentrate on indoor activities unless the weather improves.
A spokesperson for the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said today there was no concern about landslips at this stage, but continued heavy rain over the next few days would cause alarm.
Heavy rain is also forecast along the Andaman coast, in Phang Nga and Ranong.
Looks to be a bit too windy for our young sailors...so be careful out there.
Posted by Bjarne on May 24, 2012 12:04