Phuket to cement links with Andamans

PHUKET: Closer ties are to be established between Phuket and Port Blair, capital of the remote and intriguing Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Approximately halfway between Thailand and India, the islands were visited by Marco Polo and have a colorful history as a base for pirates and home for head-hunters. One tribe reportedly communes with the dead. Today the islands are an Indian territory, with a population of about 280,000, and have a growing appeal to tourists on air routes from Madras or Calcutta, and long-distance sailors prepared for a journey of more than a thousand km from any recognized port. Governor CEO Vasaputi Pongpayome said yesterday that Mohamed Jedwet, President of the Port Blair Chamber of Commerce, visited Phuket last week and met with the local Chamber of Commerce. Mr Jedwet came seeking opportunities for closer ties on tourism and trade because the islands are actually closer to Thailand than they are to mainland India. “Port Blair is growing but they do not have enough sand and cement for construction,” the Governor said. “Materials have to be brought a long distance from India. Phuket is closer.” The idea has been sanctioned by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who learned about the president’s visit from Gov Pongpayome when they talked last weekend. The Prime Minister made the most of a four-day public holiday to visit Phuket, Phang Nga, Phi Phi and Krabi with his family. The Governor said that the Chamber of Commerce planned to look at ways to assist development of the islands.