My flu like symptoms continue

Food Shortages Noted

Tom at Isaan Life reports of some shortages at the Khon Kaen Big C.
Worth taking a look at.  His report includes some revealing pictures.

Stocking up was a no-brainer some weeks ago, when they first mentioned the floods are coming.
I bought a 45 day supply of some  items I knew I just could not do without.
First time I ever bought a whole case of MAMA noodles.
It's interesting to note by the empty grocery shelves what the fast selling items are.

Potatoes and apples are apparently not on that list.



Local Provincial Youth Games

The Provincial Youth Games continue here in Muang Sakon Nakhon. Football, boxing, the Thai version of lawn bowling and many other sports are part of the events.
I've only attended one event. My flu like symptoms continue to zap me of energy.
Do plan to attend a Sakon Nakhon football game this afternoon.

Did watch the Mahasarakham girls defeat Korat last Saturday.  Both teams really impressed me.  There were moment when I wondered if these were really girls teams.



Thailand vs Australia Game 2

The game is scheduled for October 15.  Because of the Bangkok floods they are considering moving the game.
Chiang Mai is an alternative under consideration. Bangkok stadiums not inundated, are being used as refugee camps.  If the game does take place in Chiang Mai, they may well be faced with unseasonable cold temperatures.
Personally I wish they would not move the game.  Having the game in Bangkok at this time would be an immense morale booster for Thais.
In game one played in Australia, the hosts won 2-1.

Before the Australia game Thailand plays in Saudi Arabia on November 11. (11.11.11)


Nakhon Phanom Friendship Bridge Dedication Ceremony
is on November 11 (11.11.11)


I did recently mention that the parade season has begun.
DIRTY OLD MAN ALERT: You may be interested in other videos by this uploader. I won't post them on this blog as it IS NOT AN ADULT CONTENT BLOG.  You can find the links of interest at the end of the video

Happy Halloween

It's all downhill now

If strategic dams continue to 'hold,' the worst is over.  Now it's a matter of waiting for the water to run it's course.  Probably some weeks, followed by a lengthy reconstruction period.

It's going to be interesting to watch  how that unfolds.
Will they rebuild like it was before, or consider modifications to avoid such catastrophes in the future?
Will graft flourish?

Local Food supply
While major chain stores are having problems restocking their shelves, local markets and street vendors seem to be benefiting with increased business.



Recommend you turn down you volume on this video!! (Helicopter sounds)





English subtitles


Video cams of Bangkok streets under water
Bangkok CCTV 487  Bangkok CCTV 473


Or you can find a complete list of all Bangkok CCTV here

Rainy Season ended, Parade Season started

Immigration Horror Story

Occasionally I hear of horror stories some folks have experienced in dealing with Thai Immigration Services.
I tend to believe that the majority of these horror stories are not caused by immigration officials, rather by the traveler.

Was  at the Sakon Nakhon Immigration office.  The agent assisting me, very politely apologized for keeping me waiting.

He was asked by another agent to assist explaining to a customer why he had to return to the border after having just come from there.

I pretty much got the gist of the conversation.
The gentleman probably too much in a hurry, apparently did not understand border crossing procedure and did not legally enter the country.

He was given a departure card upon reentering Thailand.  He needed to fill out this card and return to the agent to complete the entry process.  Instead he took the blank departure card and left.

The departure card in his possession was both blank and not stamped.
Of course, rather than admitting to his mistake, the gentleman was furious at Thai immigration procedures and declared he had his fill of this country.

Even if he decides to leave the country at his earliest convenience, I'd strongly suggest he first return to the entry point where he came from and correct the entry.  Otherwise he can expect further hassles when attempting to depart with a blank departure card.

Bangkok Floods: Natural or Man Made Disaster

Just wondering: Do they have water taxis waiting at the Bangkok Airport?

• Kidding aside.  Many people expect the Thai currency to weaken because of this disaster. That may well just be wishful thinking.  As a comparison consider the natural disaster in Japan.  It did nothing to weaken their currency, in fact it got stronger..

• Word in the media is that all this flooding is not really a natural disaster, but the result of man made stupidity.  Supposedly a decision was made to not release water from dams to insure sufficient water for farming.  When the heavy rains did arrive, water from the dams had to be released in large volumes to avoid bursting of the dams.
  This is really just speculation, but the decision definitely was at least a contributing factor.
  
  
• Many empty shelves at the local market, but surprisingly there was a limited amount of milk on the shelves.  Also plenty of potatoes, carrots, and onions, most likely from regional sources.

• Sakon YFC vs Burirum YFC Saturday 10 a.m. at the football field on ITU


• Cooling temperatures for the next few nights, then things should turn back to NORMAL, with plenty of humidity in the daily forcasts.

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is open for all domestic and international flights

=

NOK AIR domestic flights resumed Friday 

=

BBC has a very revealing satellite photo of Bangkok

A message to my Friends in Bangkok

by Iron Maiden
RUN TO THE HILLS

Possibly the worst weekend ahead for Bangkok: 28-31 October.

Incoming ocean currents will create a dam for water draining from the north.

MSNBC: Thai capital warned "massive" water on the way
is a very revealing article with some good information.

According to the article Bangkok is  "...a city that accounts for 41% of Thailand's gross domestic product.."

Thailand announces Five Day Flood Escape Holiday

*

• Weather alert: Cooling trend, expect temperatures to drop to 18C (64.4) over the coming days. 

•   A health alert: has been issued in association with the cooling weather.

•   Thailand announces Five Day Flood Escape Holiday: Thurs, Oct 27 - Mon Oct 31 , in 21 Provinces

• Chao Phraya on the brink  Bangkok Post >>plenty photos<<

• WANTED: Crocodile Hunters in and around Bangkok  New York Times

*

That health alert arrived a bit late for me, 
Recuperating from a cold:

I should have seen it coming.
I sleep under a fan, not only to keep cool, but also to avoid mosquito bites while sleeping.
Days had been hot and humid. Late evenings had been pleasantly cool, after midnight it got a bit too chilly under the fan.

First a chest infection. I was coughing so hard, at times I was close to passing out.

I've learned from experience when it gets that bad to head for the couch. Passing out and hitting your head on the tiled cement floor leaves lasting memories (headaches).

I tried a home remedy of jasmine tea, honey, cinnamon, licorice. Surprisingly reduced the coughing and chest pains by the following day. There was a tsunami coming out of my sinus. Used a box of tissues in eight hours. Needless to say I spent three days mostly prone.

Except last night when I had visitors!

And the winner is undefeated Yothasing

Team Yothasing finished the season undefeated, winning every game.
Unfortunately I did not attend the final game due to chest and nasal infection.
I did however support the team, as usual with refreshments.
This time the team celebrated their victory at the local all you can eat restaurant.

Thought football season is over for a while.
In a way I was correct.  The provincial games are completed.
The Inter-Provincial games start tomorrow.
My soi (alley) was invaded by a team from Buriram.
The team will be staying in the apartment building across the street from my house.

The games are being played at the university campus, some miles away, an indication that apartments and hotels in the area seemed to be full

Bangkok Domestic Airport CLOSED, NOK Air suspends operations

Bangkok Post: NOK Air suspends all flights until November 1


ALJAZEERA  Flood waters enter Bangkok's domestic airport

Also noted earlier in the day. Flow of water has been greatly hampered due to canals being full of vegetation and other debris. Something which should have been considered weeks ago!!

Loi Krathong Celebrations start early

Loi Krathong is still weeks away, yet fireworks seem to be on sale already.
They've been going off for the past two days, early mornings and late night.
I don't mind them all that much, but my two dogs sure do.
Thunderstorms or fireworks and they want to hide behind the washer or under the bed.

Generally most ma and pa stores display legal fireworks on the sidewalk.
Quite often you can find a bigger bang for your money, but it's not openly displayed.

Local Loi Krathong celebrations begin with a parade from the city monument to the lake park.
While revelers float their Krathongs on the lake throughout the evening



 WIKIPEDIA

• "...the act of floating away the candle raft is symbolic of letting go of all one's grudges, anger and defilements, so that one can start life afresh on a better foot.

One of the recent Wax Castle Festival concerts

Don't miss these

• 'pro' pictures of the recent Wax Castle Parade****

Headlines that caught my attention


Plenty headlines regarding the rise of prices for both rice and sugar.  Both prices continue to escalate.
'Sugar premium up as much as 44%' reads one of the latest headlines


Bangkok Post

• Bangkok Soaking (pictures and maps)

Silicon Republic

• Germany’s Rosat satellite debris scatters over northern Thailand

CarBuzz  

• View of $12,000,000 worth of Honda's underwater

 News Com Au 

• Pink is just a figment of your imagination

CBS New York

• Lady Liberty gets  high tech birthday presents

From my Inbox
Drunk at the Train platform

Toilet Training Asia Style

New Tourist reservations down by almost 75% according to Press TV

The airport depicted in the above video is the old airport, now used primarily for domestic flights.

Local Tourism seems to not be suffering.  Have noted a number of regulars have returned for their 'winter' vacation, and there are plenty of new faces around town.



Some people still need special instructions on using a western toilet

Shortages becoming obvious

Shortages at the local market are becoming more obvious now.
Milk was out of stock yesterday, in fact the entire dairy section looked quite bare.
Plenty of bare cupboards now being filled with less essential items.

Estimates are that flooding may last well through November.
One can only hope that the supply system returns to some sort of normalcy before then.

You can see current river conditions in Bangkok at this Government operated webcam.

Bangkok 1942, The Venice of the Orient

New Mandela in an article "How exceptional is Thailand’s rainfall in 2011?", has historical data for the Chiang Mai area from 1914. The previously worst flood was in 1970.

Bangkok became the VENICE OF THE ORIENT in 1942

Floods in Thailand are nothing new.
In fact they happen almost every year at different locations from minor inconveniences to major disasters.  That's why houses had been built on stilts for centuries in this part of the world

Unseasonably heavy rains in 2011 started in April with "...50 inches of rain within little over a week..." in southern Thailand
NASA


Bangkok Weather outlook (5555)

Click on picture for facebook original

Local Outlook: SAME SAME

Sun, occasional light clouds, humidity.
If you're sweating while standing still, blame the humidity

	Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thus	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed
Thai Meteorological Dept.	30/20	30/20	30/20	30/20	30/20
Weather Underground	30/20	30/21	30/21	30/21	29/21
AccuWeather	32/21	32/21	31/20	31/20	32/20	32/19	32/18	30/18	31/18	30/19	30/19
Weather Channel	31/22	31/22	31/22	30/22	30/22	30/22	30/21	29/20	2//20
Meo Weather	32/21	31/21	30/21	30/21	30/21	30/21
AccuWeather Real Feel	38/22	38/22	37/21	31/20	32/19	32/19	32/17	31/18	31/18	30/19	30/19

38C= 100F,  30 C=86F,   20C=68F,  17C=62.6F

Another YFC win! -=- Cold Front delayed?

Third win for team Yothasing.
Of course I was invited to sponsor the team for a third time.
With that goes the bill for water and energy drinks.  I don't mind.
What did bother me was the heat.  I was sweating in the shade.

Refereeing the game today was Dee, a Sakon FC player.

The game was played almost all the time at the opponents end of the field. Yothasing win 1-0

Weak almost calm winds

After the game most of the team met at my house for another winning team BBQ. 


That predicted cold front may be delayed somewhat. 


This afternoon winds were mostly from the north, quite mild almost calm. Not enough to cool down daytime temperatures 106F/41C in the sun.


The floods are inevitably entering Bangkok. 

Haven't seen anything on the major networks CNN, BBC, Aljazeera  all morning.  They are overdoing the Gaddafi news coverage, as if the rest of the world is ON HOLD.

Local reports of some concern 
are from  Manager Online (ASTV) 

• Their news item notes that produce prices have doubled in many cases at local markets. 
• Produce are also being monitored for toxins which may have leeched into recently harvested vegetables.
       Note to self: buy frozen and canned goods

US Embassy US Citizens Services

Maps
Storing Your Vehicle During the Flood
Basic Emergency Preparedness Recommendations
Helpful Health Tips .... in a Soggy Situation
Flood Clean Up Information

•   Flood Information

•  Flood Information on Facebook 

Estimates:  Less than 1% of households have flood insurance in Thailand

Death toll grows in floods across Latin America  Herald Sun  

Prepare for Winter Like Weather

Cold weather arriving from the North West is expected to drop night time temperatures to the mid teens (Celsius) in Northern Thailand.  Siam Daily News

Cold temperatures will impact the local area later next week.

Thailand Meteorological Department Weather Map (click on 25 frame animation)

OK... OK... I'm a believer now.  Just a few weeks ago someone told me "this year we are going to experience a colder than normal cool season."

Trivia:  
Thailand's coldest night on record was -1.4C (29.5F) in Sakon Nakhon, 1974.
In 2009 temperatures dropped to 4.2 (39.5F) around Nakhon Phanom. That year Bangkok experienced 14.7C  (58.1F) temperatures 

ASTV off the Air

Is Thailand's Yellow Shirt Leader Broke?

The Irrawaddy- October 20

ASTV satellite broadcast cut due to debts

Bangkok Post - October 19

Watch ASTV on the net

Some produce in short supply

It's especially obvious in the fresh produce section.

Noticed a few days ago that some produce were out of stock.

Instead of keeping shelves empty at one store, shelves were filled with onions, an item apparently not yet in short supply.

This afternoon I was able to buy the last two kilo of potatoes at the local night market.

Not certain if gasoline will be in short supply locally.  The refineries are outside the flood areas. 

 Thai Soldiers Rush to Reinforce Bangkok Flood Walls  

Voice of America - Oct 18 

 Shortage shutters eateries 

Bangkok Post - Oct 17 

Another win for he Yothasing team 5-1 

This visitor is quite a Flasher

 Prelude to the cool season   

The weather man at the Thai meteorological department has put on a sweater.
Night time temperatures in the low 20C, dipping below 20C in some areas.
Up to 10 km wind gusts from East - Northeast.
Now is the perfect time to plant vegetables which generally do not survive in the tropical heat and rain periods.

 Disco Dan is is quite a 'FLASHER.'  

New temporary house guest arrived early last night.  Nicknamed Disco D.
He  is quite a 'FLASHER.'  He puts on quite a show. I really love the all night free show.
He wears a flashing light on his rear end for special effects.  Quite some interesting and provocative moves.
I'd like to applaud the show, but I dare not.  I might squash the firefly Disco D. 

 Inflation in Thailand's future? 

The increase of the minimum wage will in the end not benefit the average Thai wage earner.
Businesses will not absorb those additional costs, instead they will raise their prices to stay profitable.

Add to that the shortages of goods due to the flood.
Prices will increase on everything, it's inevitable.  It's already started!!

 It's not a lack of modern equipment 

Lack of new equipment was the explanation given by the Meteorological Department, for not alerting the nation ahead of the severity of the flood disaster.
Reminds me a bit of an alcoholic making excuses for his/her continued drinking.
Alcoholics first have to recognize and then admit the problem.
The Meteorological Department's problem is not antiquated equipment.
The problem is educated and trained personnel.

I've only had one college course in weather phenomenon.  Yet, I have been able to alert my local readers of changing weather conditions with fair accuracy.  Frequently my alerts were days ahead of the Meteorological Department, using information from their website

Changwat (province) Sakon Nakhon 2552 (2009) 

Loi Krathong November 10

Sakon Youth FC

Football again.  This time it's the youth league.
The Yothasing team is made up of kids from my neighborhood.  I was invited to watch them play.
I've learned quite while ago that there are some strings attached.  I bought the water and softdrinks for the team.

Most obvious thing was they played a lot better than most adult players I've recently seen.

Not only was the game faster and better action, but the refereeing was also a lot better.
My buying refreshments made me the sponsor for the day.
At the end of the game, the losers, the opposing team bowed before me.

Next week the Yothasing team will be wearing patches with my name on their shirts.
The fun didn't end at the football field.
The team arrived at my house for  a BBQ,  games and swimming.
Me, I'm having homegrown fresh coconut juice and rum.
Only my home bar seems to offer my favorite drink

Thai floods recede, crocodiles on the loose

REUTERS October 15	Thai floods claim more factories, Bangkok safe now
.	.
AFP October 15	Over 100 crocodiles on the loose in Ayutthaya   Bounty hunters wanted
.	.
Daily Telegraph October 15	Quantas jet makes safe landing after engine explodes Been there, Done that  !!
.	.

Been there done that

November 19, 1970
I was being medevaced (medical evacuation) from Alaska.
Prior to my departure I had asked the doctor to give me some powerful pain medication, just in case I would need them in flight.
The plane was en route from Vietnam, with casualties, with a stopover in Anchorage, before heading to Seattle.
I had the window seat with a view of the engine.
The explosion reminded me of a canon going off.
A trail of fire and smoke behind the engine.  The co-pilot came running from the cockpit fire extinguisher in hand.
Of course the fire extinguished when the fuel supply to that engine was shut off.
Next came the announcement; "...we'll be circling for a while to dump our fuel before landing..."
The announcement was interrupted by a POFF from an engine at the other side. No fire this time.
The co-pilot, fire extinguisher in hand, again came from the cockpit for a visual inspection.
Right about that time I popped four pain pills.
The plane landed safely on two engines.
I was feeling no pains, no anxiety when I left the plane.

Ayutthaya July 1999

Happening in Sakon Nakhon

Sakon Nakhon Sandwich and Steak House to open pizza shop at Sakon Nakhon EXPO shopping mall.

The pizza shop will open at the end of the month.

Bookworms have plenty to choose from at Martin's Chern Chim. 

The bookshelves are replenished with good reading. 

Hadn't seen any potatoes on grocery shelves for a few days.

I was anxiously trying to avoid spud withdrawal.

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this French product on local grocery shelves.

Thailand's World Record

Achieved in April 2011

Thailand is the fourth favorite travel destination for Australians

• Spain, Middle East Philippines new travel hot spots news com au

Sunshine Garden Temporary Closure

Sunshine garden is closed from Monday,October 19 through 21.

The garden will reopen at 11am October 22

Sunshine Garden ist von Montag, Oktober 19 bis 21 geschlossen. 

Der Garten wird am 22. Oktober, um 11 Uhr wieder geöffnet 

2011 The Most Extreme Weather Year around the World

Disaster in Thailand

The world is experiencing one of the Most Extreme Weather Years In Decades... ...Centuries in some cases.

Droughts, heatwaves, tornadoes, flooding, blizzards, all sort of weather related disasters

 

Sakon Nakhon Weather Next week

Sunscreen is on my shopping list

Ocean water temperatures are cooling in the South China Sea.
The influence of weather  from the east is diminishing.
A shift in weather direction is likely soon

         

Nakhon Phanom Fireboat Festival Video

Video by TATnakhonphanom

Average rainfall for this area measured over the last 24 hours at Thai Meteorological Department was 3inches (75.9 mm). Measured the water level at my pond (which I had previously pumped out) at near 5 inches.
Lucky there is a dry spell were some of the water can run off, before the next rainfall.


The next mayor system approaching is Tropical Depression Banyan.
It's veering to the south, possibly creating havoc in the capitol, with minor impact locally

• Tracking map at Weather Underground

Cruised around a bit this morning to asses the local situation.

The canal at the north end of ITU was slightly above  3/4 level.

The small pond at Wat That Dum was at capacity and overflowing at the east end

A new even larger pond has formed on the temple grounds

In the village adjacent to the temple grounds, kids were looking to catch fish crossing the road.

Rice fields seemed healthy

A few spots had been flattened by the strong rains

Creek and canal water flow is rapid

Roads conditions in the villages are worsening.  Ideal conditions for stunt driver training

Road crews were out filling holes with gravel and tar. 

Where road crews had not been able to make repairs, highway warning signs had been errected

I know I shouldn't laugh at other peoples misery.
But the picture  at the link (below) just tickled my funny bones.

• Must see photo at the guardian (UK)
  
  Don't miss the whole series of photos on that page. Excellent ohotography

Nakhon Phanom Bridge OPEN

The official opening of the bridge is  on 11.11.11 (November 11, 2011).
The bridge was unofficially opened to the public during the recent Lhai Ruahfai Festival (Fire-boat festival).

The bridge is part of the Asian Highway system: Asia Highway 15 (AH15).
The highway which starts in Udon Thani , is also known as Thailand highway 22.
When completed, AH15 will traverse through Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

Watching the Floods from a Safe Distance

Used to watch a government operated webcam of the Bangkok riverfront.  I noticed the river level rising.
Recently the cam was taken offline for public viewing.  Access codes are now required to view the cam.
Is it censorship or did the cam receive too many visits to be of use for official purposes?

Bangkok High tide is expected Saturday morning approx. 7 am
Again Saturday evening approx. 7 pm

Wax Castle Parade 2011

The pictures were taken by Joey.
I've been a bit under the weather and did not partake in any of the celebrations and festivities this year.
My past back and neck injuries flared up over recent days, so I had no interest increasing the discomfort.

Events had been publicized to be broadcast live on Thai TV.
I'm only guessing, possibly due to all the flooding, the broadcasting equipment was in use elsewhere.
The local cable TV, 'STV' did broadcast the parade via the internet.  I only found out about the broadcast when I turned on the TV.

The fact that all events are alcohol free didn't encourage me to make an effort.
Not that I'm an alcoholic, but I do use alcohol as a pain medicine alternative when things are really bad.
Joey did mention that many people did ask about me. Mostly former students of mine.


Bangkok Flood Watch

• The next forty-eight  hours will be critical for Bangkok.  Will the repaired dams hold?  Will it rain?  What effects will the high tide have?

Local Weather

Weather Underground 

picture <link>

• Increased chance of rain Thursday through Saturday 60%.  Occasional Thunderstorms.

Local weather conditions and temperatures seem to be quite average for this time of year. 'slightly cooler.'

Pictures Pending

Processing photo's from yesterday's parade.
Cropping, enhancing, Et cetera.
Over 200 pictures. It will take a few hours before they are posted.

Thanks for your patronage.

Meanwhile:  What's your opinion?

Is it real or is it staged?
I tend to believe it was staged.
If it was real, then the guy is just plain LUCKY.

Let's Parteeeeeee

Flood conditions = SHORTAGES = PRICE SPIKE

Dill, one of my favorites, 

has doubled in price at the local night market.

A bunch went from 10 Baht (USD.32) to 20 Baht.  

Vendors are blaming the doubling of prices on shortages due flood conditions

Jicama is in season

Tastes like the offspring from an apple and a potato wedding. Juicy and starchy

Pronounced mangau 'Man Kaeo' in Thai,

also called Mexican yam bean or Chinese potato.

Nutritional Value  

"LIVE BROADCAST" at Thai TV 5

Don't shoot the messenger.  
Festival Brochures advertised live broadcast.
But it didn't happen.
All I can say "this is Thailand"
Possibly a couple of bursts of heavy rain preempted the broadcast ??

 "LIVE BROADCAST" at Thai TV 5 

Sakon Nakhon Royal longboat races final heats

Sunday October 9, 4pm to 5pm local time

Thai TV5 can be seen on the web at

 wwitv.com

Visited the boat race track yesterday. The sun was hot, brimmed hat, umbrella, and/or sunscreen is advisable.

Definitively more race teams than in recent years.
But the general crowd seemed much smaller.

It's the first year no alcohol is sold at the event.

The no alcohol effect could also be noted in the cheering stands.  Not as vocal as in previous years.