Sakon Nakhon Football on the rebound

From 080322 Sakon Nakhon Football

With heavy losses last year, Sakon Nakhon FC is relegated to Thailand Division 2 league this year.  The 2008 performance in Division 1 was dismal 

1 win, 6 draws, 13 losses,

It wasn't always that bad. In previous years Sakon Nakhon FC ranked among the pro league (now renamed premier league).

Thailand is spending 70 million Baht on football. Unfortunately the major share of that pie (50 million) is going to Thailand's Premier league. Leaving 20 million to division 1, 2 and a newly formed women's league. The premier league consists of 16 teams, some with commercial backing, while division 1 and 2 have over 30 teams.

Looks like another year when players have to purchase their own shoes

From 080228 Sakon Nakhon Football

From 080405 Sakon Nakhon Football

Some past games became especially intense and extremely hilarious because of wet conditions on the play field.

From 060813 Football 8/13/06 3:38 AM

The fields are dry, the team has been practicing daily for some months.  Sakon Nakhon FC starts the Season March 29. 

 

It's going to be a winning season !!

Five Star Dining at Toon Army SakonNakhon

Graham really outdid himself in preparing the evenings buffet. There is no denying he is an outstanding chef.
Of course my favorite was spring rolls. The very tender beef being a close second.

There is no denying the food was a class act, something you might expect from a five star establishment. Surprisingly, the most popular item on the menu was his garlic bread. It was the first plate to empty.

It was obvious everyone who attended enjoyed the food and the camaraderie.

Early evening attendance was not as high as one would expect, and I really missed seeing a number of my friends there.
Possibly the heat, humidity and rain earlier in the day may have caused some folks to arrive later in the evening.
Having just recovered from a bout of heat exhaustion the previous day, I called it a day just before the entertainment began.

Thailand offers free Tourist visas

In an attempt to revitalize Thailand's ailing tourism industry, visa fees will be waived effective March 5 through June 4.
This offer does not apply to extensions.
Further details at TAT News Room
                            or Thai Visa Forum

Now Hear This !!

Every neighborhood has broadcast speakers.
Obviously intended for local propaganda, they broadcast short messages beginning at 6 a.m. on weekdays, and an hour later on weekends.

Usually starting with some local music, verbal messages generally last for less than five minutes. Of course it's all in Thai.

A new set of speakers was installed last year. Closer to my home, and much louder. "Grin and bear it."

What is annoying:frequently there are two separate systems playing different music and making speeches simultaneously.

AND: the volume on the new speakers had been turned up so loud that the speakers are "blown," creating very distorted sound.

Another Day in Paradise

I was out for a Sunday drive ...
...when I happened to come across this testosterone charged event.

Are you coming out for a drink today ?

Not in this heat.
Heck, that makes is more of a reason to drink.
Naw. I prefer to have drinks served to me at my oversized bathtub. 

Turned on My roof sprinkling system around noon.
Water flows down the roof into the gutter, back into the water supply.
And that's how you cool the roof and create plenty of boiling hot water.

Bet the local canals will be crowded tomorrow.
Yes the hot season is on!
Next weekend the feels like temperature is forecast to be 48C (118.4F)

Wear your helmet

Of course there are plenty of exceptions to this law, 
if you know what I mean.

The importance of drinking water (revisited)

I've received dozens of copies of this particular e-mail.
They are all real facts about the importance of drinking water.
The picture associated with this mail detracts from these facts: An overtly endowed buxomly lady, proclaiming "it's the water.
You can see that picture at Google Groups - Funny Mail

The facts of drinking water become even more important in hot and tropical climates.

One glass of water shuts down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied, in a University study.

Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen

Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.

This little message has been like a "Hey stupid" alarm clock.
Sprained my back a week ago. Been in constant misery for a week. Wait a minute, the weather just got real hot a week ago, it adds up. Water diet starts this morning, I have some catching up to do.
For some reason I go through this ritual every year when the temperatures start to rise. You'd think I'd remember!!

Additional Reading: http://www.everythingatkins.net/water.html

What's wrong with this Picture ?

.

Tony's Re-opening Party

By all reports it was a great success.
Unfortunately I could not personally attend due to a medical condition.

More photo's by Mr Bob are here 090216 Tony's Opening

Growing Old

...

...

These photo's where taken in November 2007. This apparent father of one of the players very much demonstrates old age enthusiasm.

Start off full of energy. Enough to cheer on a whole crowd.
As the event progresses, you begin to tucker out.
One final effort while seated.
You drop your arms and look around for someone else to continue the cheer

How Hot Is It ??

Photo by: jozaa

Hot enough to decline an invitation to yet another sport day, rush home, close all doors and windows and turn on the Heat Artillery (metaphor)

Local Cops and Bankers Face off !!

Local bank employees and policemen faced each other in a friendly football game, at a local public school as part of a school sport day.

S.BAC students provided the cheerleading, siding with the bank employees

S.W.A.T.

I suppose it is comforting to know that locals have the latest technology available to fight crime. 
It makes you wonder though, is it really needed around here. You can only hope that it's seldom used and more of a preventative educational tool.

Thank You ขอบคุณครับ

After the first month of  switching from a website to blogging, the response has been astounding.
My thanks to all readers.  Many e-mails received give me immense satisfaction.  
Here are just a couple.

I am from Sakon Nakhon, It's my home town.  Now I live in the U.S.A.  I enjoy Sakon Nakhon - Live very much.  Now I can see what people in my home town are doing....

I really enjoy seeing all the pictures that you take around Sakon, and reading your blogg, keep it, it almost makes me feel as if I am there.

The Photo galleries are growing with one new collection daily.  There are now over 100 public albums.

Invitation to Party

Awakened again this morning by loud Esaan music at 4 a.m. Don't these people ever sleep.

Two blocks from my house, the music was loud. I could feel the vibrations of the bass in my fence posts.
From the looks of things, the party was just getting started. A stream of headlights on the road drawn in like magnets by the music.

Somewhat reminds me of my first Sakon Nakhon Party Invitation:

I was invited to a party. Bring an envelope.
We jumped on a motorbike and headed out of town.
Now in the middle' of nothing but rice paddies we came to a stop and shut off the engine.

"Listen" she said, cupping her hand to her ear. In the distance you could hear music. We now had our driving directions.
Once closer, we halted an approaching motorcycle and to get specific instructions on how to get there.

Before we even parked I was asked to surrender the donation envelope.
And that is how you are invited to many private celebrations.

photo: Thai version of a Walkman