Sakon FC hosts Nong Bua Lamphu FC

Sakon FC hosts Nong Bua Lamphu FC Sunday, 5 PM

Nong Bua Lamphu FC is in the bottom of the Division, winning one game and loosing seven this season

Promoting tourism Vatican Style

As seen on the web

On the Road Khao Yai and Sakon Nakhonat the Banana Times 


Moving To Sakon Nakhon. Need Info at THAI VISA Forum

video by MrMichaleo

...and the feature of the day, not for the queasy

click on continue reading... if you dare

The fields come alive to the sound of....

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Woke up this morning to the sound an apparent buffalo herd
 
Took a few moments to realize it wasn't a roundup... ...it was frogs. Bullfrog came to mind.

These critters are up all night and seem to go to sleep around 6 AM.
Reminds me of a few locals.

A second day of rain yesterday, this one was a tropical downpour that started mid afternoon.  

My visitors departed for a football game as part of the Phu Phan Youth Games.  Ten minutes after their departure, the skies opened.  Pretty sure their game was cancelled.


From the looks of things, I'd say the rainy season has started very early this year.  
Forecast calls for clouds and possible thunderstorms.

Animated Asia satellite at weather com 

Thunderstorm, First direct hit of the season

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It wasn't a torrential rain typical in this area during the rainy season.
Then of course it's too early for that season.
My 6,000 liter ( 1,585 US gal) capacity water tanks filled in an hour.
During the torrential rains my water tanks overflow in less than ten minutes.


The advance party of heavy winds arrived around 8 PM. 
Plenty of leaves, plastic bags and assorted trash were using the street as a runway.  
Laundry on the line also seemed ready for takeoff.  Their flight plans were terminated.


Thunder and lightening in the accompaniment of rain joined the party.
(accompaniment part in a composition designed to serve as background and support for more important parts)

Within moments after the arrival, at 9:15 PM the lights went out.

Muang Sakon was in the dark.

Most folk in the neighborhood sat outdoors under protective awnings.
Indoors without fans was just too muggy (humid).
Electric service resumed shortly after 11 PM.


Battle wounds Incurred
Expecting an overflow on my water tanks I changed pipes.
Forgetting appropriate procedures, I cracked and broke a window, which I then had to remove from various locations on my foot.

Sitting at my outdoor bar, waiting for the lights to come back on, I exchanged stares with a young frog for some time.  When I moved to get my camera, he/she decided it was time to depart.  With frogs making their appearance, snakes should be on the scene shortly.

9:24 A.M April 27

This morning an increase of Mosquitoes is very apparent.

Songkran revisited

Youth Council Phu Phan Games

They are working late into the night preparing for the event at the stadium on I.T.U.
I know because they have come a number of times to borrow tools. Hammer, saw... and then the ladder. 8 PM and they are still working.


The first day, April 26, is mostly meetings. At least that's the explanation I got instead of a translated schedule.


April 27 starts off with a talk show, followed by boys and girls volleyball competitions all afternoon.
The games include participants from provinces throughout the northern Isaan area including Khon Kean, Udon Thani, Kalasin, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan Chaiyaphun


April 28 Parade from Municipal offices (across the street from the night market) to the stadium starts at 6:30 AM (I have to factor in Thai time on that one.
Volleyball championship games start at 10:30.
The real fun starts at 1 PM. 

Bear with me while I 'guess translate.'

Eat fruit: Possibly a competition of which team finishes eating fruit first

land skiing - 2007 games

Ski land: A race with wooden planks on their feet

Run sack: Sack race

Boat land:  ???

Relay race:


Stroke mine:  Tug of war

8 PM Dinner  (our table is reserved)

Promoting Thailand Tourism

.
Two recent uploads to you tube, promoting tourism caught my eye.

The first video the  picture quality is poor, 
however the historical commentary and the camera work is excellent.

The second is a high quality scenery show with music. 
Personally I'm not that enthused over song and dance tourism promotion.  
I prefer facts and information

Video by jrexbkk

 

Video by tourismthailand

Tha Rae Easter Parade

Generally held on Saturday before Easter Sunday

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Tha Rae Easter Parade

..

Not a pleasant Sakon Football day

I had left the Easter parade abruptly and arrived just before the the Y.FC shootout began.
Quite a few shots where made, till finally the next goal would be the winner.  It wasn't Y.FC.

Still no reason not to have a party and listen to the internet broadcast of Sakon FC at Roi Et.
Sakon had no chance against the league top contender.  
It was only a matter of how bad a whupping they'd get 4:0.

Took me almost two hours to prepare 3 kilo beef.  
Think the team beat a three minute egg timer devouring it (6.6lb)

Warming trend again

Continued slim chance of noticeable rain

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday .
Thai Meteorological	34/20 10% precip	35/23 10% precip	36/24 10% precip	36/25 10% precip	37/25 partly cloudy	37/26 partly cloudy
Accuweather	33/23 partly sunny	33/25 cloudy	32/24 cloudy	32/23 cloudy	31/24 cloudy	31/24 cloudy	33/23 partly cloudy
Feels like	37/25	41/29	41/28	42/27	39/28	40/28	41/27
Meo Weather	34/23 cloudy	36/25 patchy rain	32/24 light rain	31/24 patchy rain	30/24 partly cloudy	30/24 light rain
Wunderground	33/22 cloudy	37/25 cloudy	30/24 20% precip	31/24 90% precip

Pha Daeng Nong Ai

I had no idea what the title meant.  
The only explanations I was offered "Ancient Thai" and "ancient clothes."
I goggled the name.  What a surprise!!

The legend of Nong Han (lake Han).

Pha Daeng Nong Ai is the town that once flourished where the lake is today.
According to legend the Khmer town was flooded by Naga creating the present day lake.

Read about the legend at  Thailand Travel Online 


WIKIPEDIA: Naga
a serpent deity in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.

Interesting legend:  Don't eat the squirrel 

The Doughnut Hole Effect; Where's the Rain?

Rain has been in the forecast for the past week and remains in the forecast.  
Unfortunately I've had to water my garden every day due to lack of rain.
The city hasn't seen any real rain since December, only a sprinkle here and there.
Most of the forecast rain has been to our immediate south, west, north and east.
I call it the Doughnut Hole Effect



Doppler Radar at weather com

Don't Ya Just Love Thailand

Young Adult -Youth Festival
That's not the real name of the event. Probably a Provincial 'Sport Day' of sorts.
I asked for the event name and was told "I'll send you an e-mail."
I won't hold my breath.
The event is April 26 though 29.  
Most of the activities will take place at the municipal stadium on I.T.U.
There is a parade on April 28 on I.T.U and a (only in Thailand) Ladyboy pageant/competition that evening.
The event is sponsored in part by an organization which promotes No Alcohol, No Smoking, Safe Sex.

Update as more facts become available

Happy Easter to those who believe

Easter parade Saturday at Tha Rae.  Exact time unconfirmed 2 or 3 PM

Click on picture to go to lolpix

My personal opinion is that it was a body snatching.
The case of the missing body was twisted in the news media of the day to suit everyone, especially the sleeping guards.
Before Christianity this was a time of the year (April) when spring was celebrated.  The 'rebirth' of plants.


I'd always been told, as a catholic, if your don't attend weekly services during the year, Easter Sunday is a must.
Easter Sunday was more of a fashion show to me.  All the ladies wore their finest and newest creations.  
The hats were just outrageous. A complete flower garden and fruit stand.



The things I did enjoy about Easter during my childhood was coloring hallowed out eggs. 
At my Aunt's and Uncle's house the bunny was the main course of that day's feast.


Remember the fairy tale of the bunny that was outfoxed by the tortoise and lost the race?  After that incident the bunny met up with the chicken and started an egg enterprise.

Home Entertainment Center

Nursing a minor eye irritation with eye drops about once every hour.  It seems to be improving slowly.


Meanwhile I had to decline watching the local Y.FC game yesterday. 


But much the team visited my house after their 7 - 0 victory.  Of course everyone was "pumped."


Furnished the usual, drinks, peanuts, pool, video game.


Someone went out for food.

Even though there are plenty of tables and chairs around, they still prefer sitting in a circle on the floor.  

They created quite a pool tsunami, six people jumping in at once.  
Pool water level went down by two inches.


You might have a different definition of "Home Entertainment Center."
Mine is the pool.

NOK Air Sakon Nakhon flights

In a press release published April 5th the text reads in part:
"... and Sakon Nakhon (Increase from 1 to 2 Daily). These flights operates with Boeing 737-400..."

Press release can be found at airlineroute.net or  routesonline.com

In an article dated April 7, 2011 routesonline.com reports:
"..and a second daily flight to Sakon Nakhon from May 3, using a Saab 340.."

My vote goes to the Saab 340

Boeing 737-400

First flew in 1988 and production ended in 2000.
Has a seating capacity of up to 168

Saab 340

First flew in 1983 and production ended in 1998.
Has a seating capacity of 37

Sakon Dog-Gone Gang

 Storms expected in 48 provinces  THE NATION April 20

Heavy rains predicted to hit the area two days ago moved from East to West, just south of Sakon.
The only effect felt locally was a rapid drop in temperatures.


  Local Dog-Gone-Gang apprehended 
Villagers were complaining that their dogs were being stolen.  Three suspects were apprehended.
The price of dog meat has risen, making stealing dogs a profitable venture.
My neighborhood used to be much quieter before the practice became illegal.
Many of my neighbors have two or more dogs.  None of them confined to the yard.  Almost nightly I am awakened by dogs on the prowl and fighting.
Personally I have no interest in eating dog, but many locals consider it a delicacy.


 Sakon FC Drops from 6th to 9th place in the division standings 
The downhill slide will most likely continue as they next face number one in the league Roi ET

  Thailand Driving License The REAL Road Rules finally available! Thailand Musings

If you like tart taste.. 

..then don't miss this  berry now in season.  Was a bit too tart for my tastes, but after three days in a salt and sugar brine, they tasted a bit like sauerkraut.

 

Why I'm not fond of Trinkets

Received this little handcrafted trinket as a New Years present.
Raw Brown sugar, ants included

Expletives censored
Someone sent me a copy of the original video.  This is the edited version.  insert your own expletives.

Motorcyclist beware of big rigs 

Gesundheit (bless you)

Sonkran Encore

Thought I was excluded from this years S-B.A.C*. Songkran celebrations.
Hadn't heard from them since graduation.

Received a call this morning: 
"Can you come to the school for our celebrations.  We start at ten."  
I looked at the clock (9:10).

I showered.  Don't know why I did that, knowing I was going to come home looking like I walked through a car wash.

As I drove to the school I noticed flags along the highways.
They are an indication that someone important is about to arrive.

I arrived at the school at 9:50. Nothing much was happening. Everyone was waiting.

At 10:10 the 'Drive-by Monk' arrived. He visits the school every Tuesday as a passenger in a pick-up. The vehicle door is opened and the monk receives alms and gives his blessings through the open truck door.

This time he decided on an extended sermon lasting 40 minutes.

It was almost 11 am when the ritualistic dousing of Buddha began.

After that I sat with school elders while water was poured into our cupped hands.
I used the water collected in my hands to cool down my well wishers.

And then of course the water mayhem began. Kept my camera well away from the water fun.  I was one of the main targets.
The pictures I took as I was leaving clearly evidence that everyone and everything was thoroughly wet.
We did have to drag a few people out of the offices they were trying to hide in.

Driving home, there were cops every hundred yards or so along the highway.  And yes I was stopped to let a convoy of police cars pass.  Someone important is in town!!

* SakonNakhon Business Administration College

You think only humans celebrate... Hey come back here with that bottle of rum... burp

Sakon FC hands Loi FC another victory

Hadn't expected a win for Sakon. 
After all Loi was in second position in the division, with five wins and one loss.
But Sakon sure gave them a 'run for their money.'

A Real Class Act
A minute of silence was observed before the game to commemorate the recent passing of Ken's (Ikenna) father

Once the game got underway, you wouldn't believe that Sakon was the 'underdog.'  
Sakon took the lead very early in the game.

5:02 PM

5:09 pm

 











But the Loi players showed what they're made of

5:10 pm

5:23 pm

5:32 pm

 






 During the second half of the game there seemed to be plenty of opportunities and hope to even the score. Plenty of excitement, but 'no cigar.'

There seemed to be a bit of excitement at one point in the game when security moved in.  Tempers where cooled, no mayhem ensued.

Coaching staff on the field avoided a penalty and were politely escorted to the sideline

It was a strange mix of spectators

Staying cool

11:30 am

2:30 pm

Temperatures exceeded forecasts of a high of 37 before noon.
On days like this I prefer to stay close to home.
Cool drink and an occasional dip into the pool.
 
Had a number of unexpected guests visit me during the day.
They all came indoor and sat around the TV.

It was quite obvious that they didn't care what was on TV,
They where more interested in the fact that the living room was Yen
(เย็น - cool).

Later in the afternoon, while attending the football game I kept wet towels filled with ice on top of my head. That kept me quite comfortable.  
Don't care what it looks like as long as it keeps me YEN

Booze Radar Engaged

Songkran Day Two
The effects of the previous day's overindulgence were quite noticeable in the morning.
Not a hangover, just a general Blah and rundown feeling.
Electrolyte and plenty of water helped resuscitate me.
I was in no way interested in participating in the public water frolics on that day.
My neighborhood was eerily silent all day.  Hardly anyone home anywhere.

Different story on Songkran Day Three


Temperatures rose quickly and early.
Great day to jump into the pool and do the cleaning from within.
Clouds started rolling in around 1 PM, but it was still hot and humid.
 
I sent one of the locals shopping to refresh my supply of ice and drinks.
Before the resupply was accomplished, 17 people were on my front porch.
Booze Radar!!  Booze Radar Engaged!!  
It was a quick revelry, everyone departed for the "battle zone' within the hour.


House cleaned, pool cleaned, we headed out for the wet celebrations in town.  Parked at the 'main temple' parking lot and started walking.

Back at home my clothes bypassed the wash machine and went directly to the clothesline

Elsewhere in Thailand
April blood, Thais beat each other, neck sliced.

Road deaths down 48% in early Songkran Asia One

Mystery Thai illness strikes another tourist Toronto Sun

Indonesia, Thailand seen having normal 2011 rains Asia One

Sugar Contracts for October May Switch to Contango on Thai Crop Bloomberg

 

Inevitable Mobile update

After much procrastination I decided to replace my eight year old mobile phone.
All that one did was make phone calls and sent text messages.
It was very annoying beeping every time an advertisement text message was sent.  I avoided all text messages.

I don't have pin sized fingers, so my only prerequisite was that it had large keys.I was given two options.  
The first option weighed as much as my laptop, too heavy!
I went with the second option.

Tried to familiarize myself with the phone without reading the manual.
Dialed my local dentist at least a dozen times.  Think (hope) I aborted all calls before connection.

The manual is pathetic. They should give out free microscopes with each manual.



No luck finding the manual on the net.  

 Attempted to transfer the pictures onto my computer a number of times.  Eventually my computer figured out what I was trying to do and did it for me.
Hope it remembers how to next time, cause I sure don't. 

First test photo's

Bt30 ($1) curry dinner

In store demonstration of photo