Headlines

Thailand to require foreign visitors to buy health insurance Xinhua

Stringent US checks (on Thai Rice) pose image problem The Nation

US rice 'quarantine' debunked Bangkok Post

Sakon Nakhon Schwaben Tony's New Pool

Sakon Nakhon Photo and Print Expo July 11-14

Picture taken through a windshield while returning from Robinson's grand opening (Jun 27)
The banner advertises the upcoming Photo and Print Expo
Another banner which I did not catch on camera advertises an upcoming OTOP fair, also mid-July.

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134F=56.67C

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Robinson Sakon Nakhon Grand Opening Organized Kaos

Picture by Dan

Traffic going to the opening day at Robinsons can only be described as organized KAOS.
We lucked out as we arrived they opened another parking area and we were the first in line.
It helped for a quick departure.
As anticipated, the first thing I had was a pretzel. My purchases included soft cheeses and kaviar.

There were enough free samples to make a meal of it.

After an hour of shopping and mingling I decided I had enough.  I'll return on a quieter day

New Facebook page Sakon Nakhon / Update has plenty of pictures of the grand opening, including pictures of the traffic jam.
I'll avoid that road for a few more days

Sakon FC hosts Amnatcharoen this Sunday

Sakon Nakhon FC hosts Amnat Charoen this Sunday.
Ordinarily I would say this should be an easy win for Sakon FC, but their recent performances, 5-1 loss to Chaiyaphum at home and 3-1 loss at Nongbualamphu make me truly wonder if they are out of their slump.

Sakon FC last faced Amnat FC on their field in May and walked away with a 4-1 win

Expect the weather to be dry, hot and humid in time for the game

Dengue Survivor

The most obvious after effects of dengue, now that I am over a week of it, is total weakness.
Went for a three block walk this evening and had to take a few rest stops along the way.

Laying around for a week, mostly sleeping, it's obvious that I have to spend some time regaining some strength.

Of course I'll be heading to Robinson's in the morning with friends.  I won't be driving.
It being opening day, I can immagine the place will be quite hectic.
Probably will spend most of my time at Top's.

Later in the day I'll have to catch up on a week's worth of grocery and  cleaning supply shopping.  I'll take some helpers along to make sure I wont run low on energy.

Looking for a dry spot in the sky

There's a motorcyclist in Udon looking for a dry spell to drive his motorbike home to Sakon Nakhon.
Not going to happen today

Apple's (Dans) will be closed till Monday


I'm taking a few days off from the blog while I recover from Dengue.
After ten years the odds finally caught up with me.
After the first day of high temperatures I suspected dengue.
On the second day I went to the hospital where a quick test confirmed my suspicions.

Thursday

Mars

Wednesday

Mercury

Thai Buddhist monks warned over indulgences like private jet, designer goods   Fox News Thai monks' lavish behaviour sparks criticism   CBC Monks accused of materialistic lifestyle    AJARN Buddhist monks criticized in Th after video shows them flying on a private jet   Washington Post   The luxury headlines are rampant all over the internet, as if it's something new and unusual.  As always, the story will self destruct shorty Thailand Lost US$4.53 billion in 2011-2012 Rice Intervention Thai capital market braces for exodus of offshore investors About 90% of luxury cars in Thailand were not imported legally

Screen capture yesterday and today. Thundershowers are forecast till the weekend. Has to be some locally generated rains. Probably a lot like yesterday. No rain in my neighborhood, but a motorcyclist driving past Macro was soaked to the bone when he stopped by.

Junes gone by In Sakon Nakhon

June 2003
Drainage installation before road pavement on I.T.U.

June 2003
The year I began Teaching at
Sakon Nakhon Business Administration College

June 2006
Dinner at Collin's Restaurant

2007 Brian's Birthday at Tony's downtown Place

2011
The year I stopped teaching

2011

Family Farewell Party

Leaving for England

2011 Sad Farewell

Tuesday

Robinson / Tops open in ten days

2013 Sakon Nakhon Wax Castle Festival

Arrive a few days early, avoid the travel rush watch the makings of wax castles.

Almost every year during the past ten years, wrong dates have been publicized, with tourists arriving either too early or too late.

The festival is not on any fixed calendar date, rather it is based on the 'Lunar Calendar.'

Full Moon Days

2007	Mon, Oct 22	Tues, Oct 23	Wed, Oct 24	Thu, Oct 25	Fri, Oct 26
2008	Fri, Oct 10	Sat, Oct 11	Sun, Oct 12	Mon, Oct 13	Tues, Oct 14
2009	Wed, Sept 30	Thur, Oct 01	Fri, Oct 02	Sat, Oct 03	Sun, Oct 04
2010	Wed, Oct 20	Thur, Oct 21	Fri, Oct 22	Sat, Oct 23
2011	Sat, Oct 08	Sun, Oct 09	Mon, Oct 10	Tues, Oct 11	Wed, Oct 12
2012	Fri, Oct 26	Sat, Oct 27	Sun, Oct 28	Mon, Oct 29	Tues, Oct 30

Obviously there are some anomalies in the above schedule.

This year's October full moon is on October 18, 2013

Mon, Oct 14

Tue, Oct 15

Wed, Oct 16

Thu, Oct 17

Fri, Oct 18

Royal Long Boat races are generally held during the first two days.
The Wax Castle Parade is held on the second to the last day.
The last day, generally the full moon day, is celebrated at Buddhist temples.

Monday

Really Bad Day at the Office Sakon Nakhon FC style

    
    

Probably one of the worst performances by Sakon Nakhon FC.
As if they had a nasty hangover from two previous wins.
This should have been an easy win for Sakon FC, with better league standings than Yasothon.

The Yasothon goal keeper was good. Stopped many goal attempts



Was quite arrogant about his achievements.
New Thai football rule?  Goalie get's to shoot a penalty schot at the opposite goal during the game.

There were a lot of yellow cards on the play.  One should have been red. Some pushing and shoving, there was a moment when it nearly got to fisticuffs.  

Think I heard more applause when Joey won a raffle prize, than any plays on the field



Notice the new dress code for the Sakon FC girls "Holy Jeans."   
I'm not a great fan of the half time raffle drawings. I'd love to see a decent half-time show.
Yasothon FC 5
Sakon FC      1

This game was worth watching from the free admission  seats.

View the album130615 FC

Should have stayed home to watch China vs Thailand
Thailand  5
China       1

I'd love to see a decent half-time show

Sunday

Sun

The economic renaissance of "Isaan" The Bank of Thailand warning of escalating household debt Rice pledging results in poorer rice quality for profit

Slow as a Sloth

Our weather is coming from the south east.
Previous storms threatening the area all dissipated and never reached us.
Hot weekend with a slight drop in temperatures by midweek.

Bangkok and south is getting  heavy rains.  Watched a televised football game from Bangkok.  The field was covered with one inch standing water.  Not a dry player on the field.

Rain for this area has been pushed forward to Tuesday or Wednesday.
Those storms pummeling Ho Chi Minh City will probably weaken considerably if they do reach us.
So far the local rainy season has been a bust.

Sakon City EYE CANDY

SAKON NAKHON "City of Beautiful lake, Beautiful Mountain and Beautiful Girl"

Forum started on April 17, 2008 at the parent site skyscrapercity com

It's a collection of photographs worth scrolling through.
It's a great overview of events, activities, people and places during the past five years.
A few pictures of earlier years.
Unfortunately a few of the pictures have disappeared, but there's still a lot worth seeing.
Five years worth of postings

Thai rice subsidies reduced next year to ThB 10,0000 from ThB 15,000 Record dengue season predicted in Thailand IEAT plans 13 new industrial estates in n.e. provinces Quality of Teachers in Thailand:“Most foreign teachers are not good..."  No release date has been set

Local Water Levels Down

June 2013


October 2003
     

October 2004







I'd estimate the entire lake water level is down a good two to three feet. 
 No need to panic just yet.
The peak rain months are July and August.

Sakon is growing, 
water consumption is up.

Rains have been less than normal.  No second rice crop  in this area in 2013.

Friday

Venus