Hot Temperatures Heavy Rain

The Thai Meteorological Department predicts increased temperatures and rain in many regions of Thailand, including the Northeast, caused by a southeastern monsoon

Expect temperatures of 36 to 37 through Sunday. Feels like temperature from 43 to 45.

April Headlines

130429 Ruam Chit Chai where are you?

Former Army personnel stationed at Camp Ruam Chit Chai have attempted to find it on Google earth.
No Success so far.
The camp was in Sakon Nakhon province, 50 km from Nakhon Phanom. Distance incorrect read comments why

Apparently the camp was only in existence from 1966 to 1971.
The occupants were  the 809th Engineer Battalion. The battalion was deactivated February 3, 1971
In 1968 the authorized strength was 905.
The battalion had done extensive construction projects throughout Thailand, including the capital.

A few interesting headlines about the company

• Thai son looking for American father
• Soldier claims Agent Orange sprayed on the camp caused permanent dissabilities

Military com exerb: . 

"In August(1966), the main portion of Company C was moved to Sakhon Nakhon where it built a troop cantonment area, a Special Forces camp, and a POL tank farm at Nakhom Phanom (NKP)"

Few pictures seem to indicate it was typical barracks of the day, wooden huts most likely dismantled by locals for the lumber.

Typical Army barracks during the Vietnam War era

Nakhon Phanom b/4 Football

Hoping to make the trip a double header event, we left early.
The first destination a German restaurant we had wanted to visit was closed.
From the look of things had been closed for a while.

Nakhon Phanom water front on a Sunday was like a dead zone, no crowds.
We found a place to eat where the Sakon FC team and staff had gathered

   

The view from the upstairs restaurant was fantastic

I did not heed the warning, filthy windows to the restaurant warned me

I was hungry, I ate, and regretted it the rest of the afternoon

We did find the Ice-Land restaurant featuring ice creams and bakery sweets

Their clock brought back memories from long ago.

Obviously it was running on Thai time.

My watch said 2:30 pm

Too much foreplay football

We arrived early

Spectators were slowly settling in

No Smoking, no container trowing, no screaming, nothing stronger than beer

This poster may be outdated. The no throwing rule was observed.  Smoking was done in designated areas.
No shouting at a football game: Try and stop that.
Beer was a plenty. I declined numerous freebies.



Caught my eye, never did figure out the gender, cute in my view.

The game started slow. When you attend a football game and take time to admire the clouds, obviously the action on the field wasn't riveting.

You could see the Phanom goals coming before they happened. They were Sakon FC giveaways

A Sakon FC goal seemed to be a game changer.
As if both teams agreed that foreplay was over.
The action got hot and heavy during the last ten minutes

We stayed behind after the game to avoid the rush of traffic

Thailand in the 60's

A half hour news reel by American Broadcasting (ABC)
Extensive coverage of Communist insurgency in the NE

Monday

Sakon Governor's Garden

Another Super Sakon Songkran

Lot's of fun 
Great Video!! Amphoe Wanon Niwat

Sunday

Wax Castle Festival 2013

Attending Major Festivals in Thailand requires some advance booking.
Otherwise you might not get the right flights or hotel accommodations.
Late bookings also tend to be a lot pricier.

There are no official mentions at TAT for this event (at this time)

The Sakon Nakhon Wax Castle Festival and Royal Longboat Races are based on the lunar calendar, and coincide with the end of the Buddhist lent.

This year the full moon is on October 18
Based on the history of this event, this year's event will most likely be October 14 through 19

Previous Years celebrations

2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
Full moon Oct 26	Oct 14	Oct 4	Oct 23	Oct 12	Oct 29
celebration dates Oct 22-26	Oct 10-14	Sept 30-Oct 4	Oct 20-23	Oct 8-12	Oct 26-30

Smartphone iDoctor

Saw this video when it was first published on Feb 8, 2013
It's continuing to pop up in my e-mail. I don't mind.
Innovations in medicine.

Saturday

Sakon Nakhon Rainy Season is on

I declare the Sakon Nakhon Rainy Season has commenced

We celebrated the water festival (Songkran).
Then on the last day, April 15, just as the water war was winding down, mother nature showed us her version of the water fest, a tropical thundershower.

She (Mother Nature) has been at it ever since.
I especially enjoy the afternoon rains, they cause a cooling of evening temperatures.

Keeping Cool
My main fan broke down twice, the first time I had it repaired.
The second time was a good reason to replace it.

New one is 223 Watt with three speeds
I can turn off all the other fans when this one is running.
Also takes care of dusting chores

Apple's Slippery Nipple night

Slippery nipple

B-52 cocktail

Friday

Made me hungry after the tour

Coming of an industrial zone

That's how I see it


ATC chooses Laos ahead of Thailand - Bangkok Post

A=Sakon Nakhon  

B=Savannakhet province 

Distance 300 KM

Good game till the last minutes

Just as the game ends, a goalkeeper error

Vegalta Sendai 1  -  Buriram 1

Plenty of poor refereeing observed from my armchair

Tourism Chinese style

Lost in Thailand  



The film resulted in a floodwater of Chinese tourists in Thailand.
Recent Songkran holiday: hotel accommodations were hard to come by in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and   other Thai tourist destinations..
The film was not as popular, apparently 'lost in translation' in most Western Countries

Finding Mr. Right

Seattle is the Latest US City to Benefit from China's Movie-Crazy ...

NEXT:

Old Cinderella (Hollywood Reporter com)

"...in the hope it will entice Chinese tourists to visit Israel..."

Thursday   Color of the day: orange

It's nearly that time again

NOK Air Call Center

E-mail to NOK Air:
Do you have a list of authorized ticket agents in the Sakon Nakhon Areas?

The reply

Sakon Nakhon: Super saver on Nok Air

Heavy Rain Alert

Heavy rains forecasted for most of Thailand 
NNT National News Bureau of Thailand

"...High pressure cell moving from China..."

• This heavy rain alert, posted April 23, is in effect for two days.

Daily Thunderstorms till Sunday, Feels like 45º  at times

Wednesday

Aw Gee Cute

Tuesday

Blowing smoke up where?

A TR Weekly article "Nok Air cuts one-way fares." claims rates for a Sakon Nakhon - Bangkok Flight will be reduced to Bt1,199 effecttive April 29 through 31 January.
Discount tickets can only be purchased 23 April to 2 May 2013

The online booking service does not reflect such a price change.



Blowing Smoke
16th century technique of blowing tobacco smoke into someone's anus "to get a reaction," to determine that the person was still alive.  This method was also used to resuscitate drowning victims.

Sakon Nakhon Hottest

This year has seen some of the hottest weather.
My latest electric bill attests to that.
A previous high of US$ 115 has been trumped this year with my latest electric bill (March 20- April 20) US$165

Even though there are plenty sunny days ahead, the monthly forecast for May foresees a lot more rainy days.

This is either a prelude to the rainy season, or the earliest start to the rainy season I've experienced (since 2003).

With rainy day weather you'd expect more moderate temperatures.  In fact temperatures will drop occasionally.  We won't notice it though.  For now high humidity will drive up the feels like temperature.
Feels like temperatures through mid May will stay in the low to mid forties.

Miss Thailand World 2013

Earlier this month

Sakon FC heavily outgunned

Roi Et is second in the league. A loss was to be expected.
The result 0-4 was not expected.

After a four hour bus ride, the players weren't rested enough for the challenge.




Sakon FC next travels to Nakhon Phanom, April 28, 16:00
Sakon Nakhon is eight, while Nakhon Phanom is ninth in the league.
It's winnable

Monday

What That Phu Phek

April Showers,Thunder and...

Storm to the north of us last night almost outlines the Thai Laos Border.

Intermittent showers, thunder most of next week.
Predominant weather systems approaching from the south.

Most of the heavy rains might dissipate over land before they reach us

Sunday

How to Party Sakon Style

You have to admit it took some elaborate planning

Songkran in Sakon Nakhon

Pit Stop Favorites

Three lovely ladies to wet you appetite. How long has it been since your taste buds have enjoyed the unique flavours and aromas that these three have. Yours for just 55 Baht a bag

A packet loaded with the scent and taste of ginger as only Fox's can supply.
115 Baht a packet

You can have Spam, Egg and chips or Chips, Spam and Egg or Egg, Spam and Chips.
(Or you could just have Spam) 225 Baht a tin.

Pit Stop Restaurant open everyday (Not Mondays) 9:00 am to Late.
Any orders over 500 Baht gets a free tin of Baked Beans

Thai Traffic is hazardous

But not as bad as in China?

Sakon FC delayed

A one day postponement of the game in Roi Et this weekend.
Changed from Saturday to Sunday.
One explanation I received was that the game time conflicted with a fair.
Can't confirm that reason.
Somehow I am hoping it's a scheduling change to allow TV broadcast of the game.

SMM TV recently broadcast the  Sakon Nakhon  vs Mukdahan Game.

Have not found a schedule at SMM TV.
My fingers are crossed.
It would be great to watch the game. SMM TV


Sakon Nakhon has never won a game with Roi Et.