Sakon Nakhon FC 3 - Kalasin FC 2

First game that admission was charged.
They also had soft drinks and beer for sale.
(think someone overlooked what day it was, I wont tell).

If you arrived two minutes after game start, then you missed Sakon Nakhon's first score.
Drums, horns and even a car horn hooked up to a motorcycle battery made for a noisy cheering section.

By half time the score was 2-0, you could tell the local crowd was loving it.

After half time entertainment and drawing for Jerseys, it seemed like clear victory with a third goal by Sakon Nakhon.

 

Kalasin was able to score twice before the game ended.

 

Next game March 7:  Sakon Nakhon vs Nongkai  at Udon Stadium
Thai_Division_2_League_North_Eastern_Region Updated standings

Unseen Sakon Nakhon: Dinner and a Show

I received my invitation in English and Thai.

The Thai version invited me to arrive at 18:50,
the English version invited me to arrive at 18:20
It you know anything about Thai time keeping,
then you know things will start around 19:30.

The gala event presented by the  Chao Pu-Chao Ya Shrine (Chinese Temple) of Sakon Nakhon is one of the city's events I look forward to every February.

Top rated dining and top rated entertainment.

We had front row seats.
I was quite impressed, only one table separated ours from the Governor and his entourage.

In the crowd I encountered friends I had not seen in a while.  A year or four.  That added to the enjoyment of the evening.

Weekend Ahead

According to the Thai meteorological department it's still cool.
They are still displaying the mannequin with a sweater on.
Yesterday's 6 p.m. feels like temperature at my house was 42C - 107.6F.
Definitely not sweater weather for me.

From the looks of it, it's going to feel hot again this evening.

Tonight is the big night.
I'll be out and about, most likely with an icepack over my shoulder.
I've been eagerly anticipating the event since early December.
I have very fond memories of last years fourteen course dinner and the superb entertainment

Sunday 5 p.m. Sakon Nakhon FC hosts Kalasin FC

The devil made me do it

Was in the mood to stir things up today. 
So I asked people if they wanted to go to Bangkok with me tomorrow. 
I got a lot of strange looks, before they turned into smiles and definite "NO"
Needless to say I will be staying at home.

Rowdy Fans Barred

Thai Port Fans who gave Thailand Football a black eye with their behavior after last weeks game "Thai Football gone BERSERK," have been banned from attending this evenings match against SHB Da Nang.
Fans have been relegated to another stadium a few miles from the action, where they can watch the game on a big screen TV
Thai port vs SHB Da Nang game time is 18:30.
The game is televised on UBC

The HOT SEASON has arrived

Temperature at my house (noon) shade 85F / 29.4C, direct sun 104F / 40C.

A nurse friend advised me that the hot season not only brings on cases of heat exhaustion.
There are also more cases of stomach ailments. Air quality is also something to consider.

Air pollution notices for some provinces have already been posted. THE NATION
Most of this pollution is caused by fires farmers use to clear and prepare their fields.


NASA image aquired Feb 10, 2010

Stomach irritations, including food poisonings become more prevalent since food storage time is reduced by the hot and humid weather.
If in doubt, I microwave food before eating.

Booking with NOK air: The Sakonnakhon options

With access to any computer and printer you can go online, book your flight and print out your ticket.
Or you can go to the office near BIG C, just behind the pizza place.
See my previous blog entry for details  Sakonnakhon NOK Air office

Your third choice is another NOK air representative.  Head north from BIG C, past three traffic lights.
In the middle of the block (left side) look for flags atop a building



Next door to the office, in the same building,  is a pastry shop.
492 / 4 Chai Pha Suk Rd.
tel: 042-712256

The future looks parched

During my recent road trip to Mukdahan one thing became very obvious:
All rice fields along the road were bone dry.
There were a few watering holes along the way, but these seemed close to drying up too.

The Mekong river was also quite low with islands visible and green with vegetation.
Been a few years now, when the water level submerged the steps leading up to the immigration office.

Normal level 

July 2003

That's not the drought causing the drastic drop in the river's water level.
It's Dams in China.
They have three operating dams and plan more.  Laos is also in the process of building dams.
There are plans for a total of 19 dams.
At that rate future travelers may well be able to wade across.
For the moment, downstream countries have pleaded with China to release more water.

 Additional reading Damned Chinese: mighty Mekong a memory
                                      review-of-contested-waterscapes-in-mekong

Sakon Nakhon FC at Mukdahan FC intense............... but scoreless

What's the difference between Buriram FC and Sakon Nakhon FC road games?
Ten busloads of spectators (Buriram FC pictured right).
Think the difference is sponsorship.


During Sakon Nakhon's first away game against Mukdahan, team supporters were sparse.  Even Mukdahan's home team crowd was considerably less than expected.

I was invited to attend the game by my extended Thai family and friends.
As was expected, I was also invited to handle expenses.  Something I really did not mind doing... this time.

We arrived early enough to take a short walk along the Mukdaham riverfront.

First things first:
Public toilets were 5 baht,
unless of course you knew about the open rear staircase.
Thailand is funny that way.

Next on the agenda 5 baht rental of binoculars enabling you to get a closer look of the shores of Laos.

So why did I wind up paying 10 baht.
Those are the more powerful ones, they cost extra.

Can you see me alright?

 



Of course there are endless stalls selling everything from kitchen cutlery, cheap toys and tools, herbs, spices.  You name it...

My wallet passed the market unscathed







We arrived at the game minutes before opening ceremonies.



It was an intense game with plenty of near misses. Kept me at at the edge of my seat.
Plenty of cheering and lot's of oey's

Just before half time the music was turned up quite loud behind us.  The parking lot served as a multipurpose field and locals had gathered for their daily exercise.



Great halftime show in my opinion.
Mother nature also added it's own feature for the show



I mentioned this earlier, but the team really needs some sponsors. At least so they can buy some drum sticks.
Until then they'll make due with what they have

Rum 'n Coffee

Found this picture of me on the net.

Notice the two coffee cups I travel with.

Rum 'n Coffee

Thai Football gone BERSERK

Last nights game was televised (from Bangkok).. Not the aftermath




More at http://kallangroar.com/asean-football/74-thai-football-119.html

I hope it's not a sign of things to come

Arizona slow news day

They were all out of headlines for the evening news
Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel:  Penis Tree Perturbs Neighbors

Two snake stories

Cobra Town 50 km north of Khon Kaen.

A cobra also made Sakonnakhon news last month
Don't know all the facts to the story, received the clip in e-mail.
Apparently one farmer required hospital care.
1,000 baht per kilo, if I'm hearing right, that's pricey Watch the video here

Sakonnakhon NOK Air office

Received an e-mail telling me of the NOK Air office in town

... inside Tip Beauty and Spa. 492//4 Jaiphasuk Rd. T.Tadcheangchum,Muang Sakon Nakhon,4700 ,tel/no.042-,712256 {not far from Big C.} owner is lady named Aorry,speaks fair English. Await your link.
regards

I tried to find the place twice, and failed.

Someone said near Pizza place (across the street from BIG C).
Drove down the alley, still no luck.

Handed my camera to a Thai friend.
Told him go and take some pictures of the place.

Don't look like ... inside Tip Beauty and Spa to me.
Looks more like office in a box

Click for larger view

T.i.T plus

Where do you take your two year old for his birthday in Thailand.
A local two year old will celebrate his birthday at The Welcome Bar.
T.i.T.  If you plan on coming, presents are appreciated.
Free food (drinks not included).




Received the Sakonnakhon FC season schedule and have started to post it here: Sakonnakhon-FC

Major Embassies are now posting warnings to their countrymen to avoid public gatherings especially in Bangkok. Tour groups arriving on February 26 have been advised to take their tours outside the city.

Considering Medical Tourism? You may want to avoid these:

Czech Republic.
Foot-long surgical tool left in woman's abdomen REUTERS
Russia:
Unhealthy enemas put tourists in hospital REUTERS

Precision bus and truck driving skills

Received this video in e-mail.
I have no clue where this takes place. Someone suggested South America.  Could be.
The background voices are German.  I traveled on similar roads in Italy back in the fifties.
On the Italian mountain road I remember crashed cars abandoned on many curves, so I doubt its Italy.

Thailand ex-pat extended family living

So where'd ya hide the beer?

  Want to see my etchings?