Miss you

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

171230 Happy New Year everyone

Phu Phan cup winner this year is Sakon Nakhon A (Sakon Nakhon City).  The trophy remains within the province for the second year in a yow.  Last year's winner was Sakon Nakhon B (Sawang Daen Din). 17 provinces participated this year.   Unfortunately I could not attend that game due to personal reasons (more on that later).
Once again there's a major weather alert for cold weather.  That is if you consider 11 C  51F cold.  Again TMC stands alone in forecasting such cold temperatures.
Plenty of Thais are on the roads to be home for the New Year Holidays.  An increase of accidents has been reported on the highways through the phu phan mountains (facebook link)
New Years Countdown has been announced to take place at the provincial grounds (across the street from the police station) with food, music and fireworks. I wonder it the rule "no alcohol in public places" will be enforced or set aside for the occasion Personally I prefer to stay within staggering distance of my bed and have invitations for just such an occasion.
It's Saturday.   One week ago today 10 am I had my last cigarette.  To make things even worse I also went cold turkey on a shitload of medications. Been measuring my blood pressure, which was a bit high when I started, but since has dropped quite drastically.  Even recorded a 115 yesterday, 125-130 on average.
Of course I had to limit my activities somewhat yesterday due to withdrawal symptoms.  Missed out on watching the ball game yesterday.  Did get a few hundred pictures of a parade early in the morning.  Plenty of likes and new friends on facebook. Click on image to see the album    And then of course I attended an afternoon funeral ceremony.  It was a bit more than usual heartbreaking for me, really dear friends.  The mother had suffered for a long time of breast cancer, with chemo treatments and even recent surgery.

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Sakon A (Sakon City) challenges Roi Et for The 2017 Phu Phan Cup, Thursday, 28 December

Game time 3 pm It's bound to be an exciting game as both teams have won all their recent games.  The stadium has been quite crowded this year for all games. It's going to be a capacity crowd. album

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Phu Phan Cup today's winners and loosers

In the first game this afternoon here in Sakon City. Buriram lost against Udon. I arrived at the start of the second half.  I was told  the goal was self inflicted. In a game at Sawang Daen Din. Sakon B lost against Nong Kai in a shootout. Sakon Nakhon A won against Sisaket.  I had seen Sisaket play last week  I anticipated a win. Sakon A next plays Tuesday 5 pm.  No games are scheduled on Monday, Christmas day.

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Presents are exchanged on New Years Eve and Day

Christmas is not a national holiday in Thailand, even though you will hear plenty of Christmas music and see decorations. There are some Catholic Thais (less than 1% of the population) who celebrate the event with their friends. One has to keep in mind that Thais use any occasion to have a party.  Gift exchange is not as important during the Christmas days. Gifts are generally exchanged during New Year celebrations.    "In the lead up to 31st of December, Thai people often exchange gifts and cards. " Many Thais will travel home for the holidays, but it's not an exodus like you see for the Thai New Year, April 13 (Songkran).

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Wat Phra That Choeng Chum Fair Nightly Concerts 26 December through 1 January

These video clips are samples of previous performances of the acts scheduled during the fair 26 December 27 December 28 December 29 December 30 December 31 December 1 January

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

My things to do list

22 Dec. Friday afternoon 3 pm Phu Phan Cup Sakon A vs ?  23 Dec. Saturday Tha Rae Star light parade starts around sunset. Plenty of other things to see and experience 25 Dec. Monday Sakon City Starlight parade  26 Dec. Tuesday Temple fair begins at Phra That Choeng Chum, though New Years Day Red Cross Fair begins January 12

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

In case you missed the performance

Video by สมทัด สรรพโส for STV

The event begins each year on December 11 and is generally up to  a 6 day celebration

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Day and night temperatures remain cool

TMD forecast differs greatly from other forecasters for the next two days, especially the nighttime temperatures

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Double header Football

Was an exciting and entertaining afternoon and early evening.  The Sakon A- Udon  game was scoreless till the final minutes of the game.  Udon scored first, less than two minutes later Sakon A evened the score. The game was decided in a penalty shootout

171220 Phu Phan Cup Sakon A vs Udon 90 View album The losers of the Sisaket - Kalasin game desperately need to replace their goalkeeper or just provide him with a hammock so he can nap in comfort

171220 Sisaket vs Kalasin 45 View album Next Sakon A game Friday 3 pm

Most likely Second Week of February

I was asked when the Sakon Nakhon Muangthai Football season begins

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

2018 Sakon Nakhon Red Cross Fair concerts

Sample music of performances scheduled during the 2018 Red Cross Fair. Use next slide button for future days

              ↑Next slide

สกลนคร Sakon Nakh

Sakon Nakhon A vs Udon, 20 December, 3 pm, Provincial stadium Airport Road

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

January temperatures arrive early in Sakon Nakhon

Overnight low at my house, 4 am Phu Phan Cup Sakon Nakhon B 3  Mukdahan 0 Those below teens temperatures are generally experienced in January as in this picture of january 23, 2014. Next month, January 2018 forecasts do not include single digit temperatures.  But it's a bit early to say it's a sure thing. Distant weather forecasts are generally scientific guesses. This year's opening game of the Phu Phan Cup was held in Sawang Daen Din. The pomp and circumstance of the opening ceremonies and speeches began a bit later than scheduled and lasted an hour.

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Christmas Dinner at Apples Restaurant made for a super pleasant night out

The food was superb and so was the service, no question about it. Many friends I had not seen in a while and quite a few new friends and acquaintances. The entire crew at Apples deserve kudos for their efforts to make this a night to remember. The complete album is available Here.  As always, all my photos may be copied for personal, non commercial use

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Sniffle season starts now (I just got over mine. Three days bed rest)

I had noted the coming cold spell earlier last week. By yesterday social media picked up on that fact, indicating it will be especially cold for this coming week.  In fact this 'could be' the coldest nights of the cold season which lasts through the second week of February.   Of the ten weather websites I check daily, they all seem to have a slight variation in their forecasts.  TMD (Thai Meteorology Department) tends to be on the conservative side.

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

It's almost Christmas

Last year's winners  article posted 30 Dec 2016 For  non facebook readers To be marked officially between 1 November, 2017 to 1 January, 2019, the “Amazing Thailand Tourism Year 2018”... Apples Christmas Facebook link

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Obviously there are some disagreements, only thing obvious: Cooler days ahead

Highs and lows forecast

	fri 15	sat 16	sun 17	mon 18	tue 19	wed 20	thu 21
ACCU	38 / 18	28 / 14	25 / 10	24 / 9	24 / 9	24 / 7	28 / 12
WUNDER	32 / 18	28 / 14	25 / 10	24 / 9	24 / 9	23 / 9	25 / 11
TMD	30 / 20	29 / 19	28 / 18	26 / 16	27 / 15	26 / 14	25 / 13
BBC	31 / 19	27 / 14	23 / 10	23 /8	23 /8	23 /9	26 / 13
RP5	30 / 19	27 / 14	21 / 9	20 / 6	20 / 5
FORECA	32 / 19	28 / 15	25 / 12	24 / 11	23 / 9	23 / 11	25 / 12

Christmas holidays 29 / 14 on average
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Phu Phan Cup Sakon Nakhon A vs Udon

Sakon Nakhon B vs Mukdahan 18 Dec,  3 pm Sawang Daen Din Sakon Nakhon A  vs Udon,  20 December, 3 pm, Provincial stadium Airport Road

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Live longer: avoid getting angry, be stubborn, avoid depression be happy, smile a lot, stay active, eat right, get plenty of schooling

Of course genetics also plays a role in life expectancy. Longest living person in recent history "Jeanne Calment of France (1875–1997), who lived to the age of 122 years, 164 days."  Science-Backed Secrets of Longevity | Time  List of the verified oldest people - Wikipedia  be careful on the roads, especially in Thailand

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Missed the pole dancing

I'd seen these shows plenty of times before. I missed this year's show to instead attend two birthday parties, hoping that someone would post a video of the entertainment

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

The Christmas Schedule 2017

At least these days we are getting better pre-event notifications. Unfortunately these notifications are not directed at foreign tourism.  I suspect it may happen eventually that these schedules are translated Add caption The Tha Rae starlight parade is the one not to miss.  After all the Star light parades originated there Boat trip? Nah. I prefer private boat trips, instead of sitting in bus fashion.  I used to enjoy boat trips where food and drinks were served.  These days NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED.

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Chinese festival underway through Dec 16

Didn't make it to the starting gate (parade starts at the temple) because I had stopped off at a clinic for a blood test. Had to wait for the doctor to be called, after all it was a national holiday. I was flabbergasted when the doctor apologized for the waiting time. He made a special trip on his day off.   The parade was fun and entertaining.  Over the years this events seem to have shrunk, some previous activities deleted. And even the big poles shrunk. Some major activities planned for today at the temple, instead I'll be visiting two birthday parties this evening

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Weather Alert Pending COLD AHEAD

First line of defense of course is warmer clothing and warmer bedding.   Clothing wise dress in layers.  When it gets too warm you can take a layer off.  Small electric heaters are handy for small to medium sized rooms.  A built in thermostat is advisable.  BBQ's generally reserved for preparation of meals now also are used to keep warm. Use only in well ventilated areas. I tend to do more baking this time of the year and hang out around the gas oven.

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

The 12 Days of Christmas start on Christmas Day and last until the evening of the 5th January

Starlight parade in 2006 in Sakon Nakhon Tha Rae Christmas in 2009   Recovering from an injury, had to decline a number of offers to go to Tha Rae. Hoping that I will have recovered enough to see the football game tomorrow evening The first year I saw the starlight parade I noticed none of the parade participants were passing out candy.The following year, the year MACRO opened here in town, I bought five large bags of candy. We timed it at an intersection, merged our vehicle into the parade, and began throwing candy. Unfortunately, Santa's helpers were a bit too eager throwing candy at onlookers.  Within three blocks, Santa's candy bag was empty. The next year I bought a sh.t load of candy and we parked near the parade starting point.  As the parade was about to get underway, a Sakon Nakhon man in brown (policeman) immediately nixed our plan to merge into the parade.Of all things, the officer confiscated all candy and escorted us to his police truck. There we were introduced to his nieces and nephews.  With emergency lights flashing, we were now in the lead vehicle of the parade. A dozen hands throwing candy at onlookers.A few of my Thai friends were a bit surprised to see me standing in the lead vehicle

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon