Sakon FC first half 2017 season

Sakon FC posted on facebook that the first game is on the 11th.  I'm waiting to confirm the correct date for the first game. The information below is from Thai League 4

Sakon Nakhon

My favorite part is the broth

Good service, good food, made for a pleasant evening Birthday dinner at a hotpot restaurant It's directly across the street from Lil' Pimp It's a restaurant and takeout. Plenty of choices

Sakon Nakhon

OH Shit, let's talk Shit

Barium intestine (colon)  exam at the hospital tuesday morning. Trying to determine what is causing repeated pains at certain times.    Exam price 2,300 baht. Close to three month waiting period.  Last night I took the first dose of castor oil.  Another dose is due this evening.  Was up a few times during the night for a toilet visit. The worst of this experience so far: This morning the toilet seems to signaling that the sump is full.  Gotta call the 'honeywagon.'   Lucky I have an alternate toilet in the meantime

Sakon Nakhon

Sakon Nakhon FC to host Roi Et in 2017 Season Opener

In a facebook post dated January 26, Sakon Nakhon Football Club announced that team jerseys will be available as of February 1 at the team shop.  The team shop is located above the lath shop, across the street from the Raksakon Hospital.  Jerseys can also be purchased at gametime. Price 400 baht The article further elaborates that the 2017 Season opener will be held here in Sakon Nakhon at the sport center located on airport road on 11 February Sakon Nakhon hosts Roi Et United.  Game starts at 4 pm. No seasonal team schedule has been posted  publicly to date As the 11th of February is also a buddhist holiday, Makha Bucha Day, one can presume that no beer will be sold on the premises. From past practice, one can further presume that you are allowed to "bring your own."

Sakon Nakhon

Royal visitor to Sakon Nakhon

Sakon Nakhon

Prepare now hot season ahead

Sakon Nakhon 'Valley' is in the eye of a meeting of cooler temperatures from the north and warm temperatures from the south. Eventually, probably Friday, warmer weather will prevail. Time to prepare the pool area for the inevitable hot season ahead. I'll be spending some time with my new toy washing the walkways and exterior house walls. Most of the north walkway is tiled (non-slip). Got tired of moss growing on the exposed cement. It also serves as the pool shower area The east walkway is protected from the sun.  Some more shade plants are still needed. Much of the wind arrives from the east, the shade screen also limits the dust On the other side of the screen there's an indication it's time to make lime juice.  I always add a bit of vodka as a preservative

Sakon Nakhon

Half of Thailand is doing the cooking while the other half decides where to eat next

Multiple small meals are healthier than three main meals.  Eating increases body temperature. Internal organs are working digesting your food.   Large meals can also lead to legarthic feelings.  When the temperature around you averages 100 F or above, you don't want to eat large meals during the day.   Typical Thai eating starts the day with a soup or puree. The liquid aids in a quicker digestion and should provide enough nutrition and a number of health benefits. Throughout the day small meals, more like snacks are partaken as hunger develops.  More soup, fresh fruit, a spicy salad, chicken wings, the choices are plentiful,  street vendors and shops are endless.  Prices start as low as 10 Baht for some meals. Depending on the season, fried bugs may also be available, (if you must indulge bring breath mints).   The evening meal is the main meal of the day.  Mostly a family affair and starts mostly after the sun has gone down.  Even preparation is a family affair. There's the go getters, the fire starters, food prep work and the cleanup.

additional reading: How is Body Temperature Affected by Eating?

Sakon Nakhon

New mouthwatering dining choices

Chilly Bar  has expanded their menu to include Tortillas Pizza, Salami, Tacos, Seafood cocktail, Chicken, or just Cheese Chilly bar is just a short distance from Robinsons Lil' Pimp Bar & Restaurant  is also offering new dining choices Green area Is Big- C

Sakon Nakhon

On the way to "One night in Bangkok"

On my way to boarding the plane I was greeted with a "hello mister Hans." I turned and returned the greeting. A former student of mine is part of the ground crew at the airport.  I do enjoy being recognized and recognizing acquaintances.  There's a lot more pale faces (farang) traveling to and from Sakon Nakhon these days. Ten years ago you could have been the only foreigner on the plane. This time I counted at least half a dozen on the flight leaving and an equal amount of farang arriving.  I prefer the Boeing B737-800 over the the Q400. Smoother ride.  The return flight on the Q400 reminded me a bit of a 'shake and bake' for the last ten minutes before landing. At lower altitude we seemed to be getting quite a bit crosswinds.  It's normal, but still makes my stomach do push ups. In Bangkok I had to find a sunny spot occasionally to stop my shivering. Why they had air conditioners running  at full speed is a mistery to me.  The outdoor temperatures were quite pleasant.

Sakon Nakhon

I'm hoping this prediction comes true, it's an expat's dream

Bank transfer US$ to Thai Baht

The baht seems to be strengthening slightly.

Forecasters are predicting
weakening of the baht sometime this year,
possibly to 37 ThB to the USD 

Driving Tai Style

Double decker School Bus Branches are used as highway warning signs when nothing else is available Crazy Video Another Video worth viewing Cleaning up after a beer truck accident BBC comment on Thai roads

Sakon Nakhon

One more, same same

Thai Meteorology Department was right on with the prediction and forecasts another night with same lows.  After that overnight lows may range from 16 to 17. Anticipate the hot season to begin late March and April a real scorcher

Sakon Nakhon

Another dining choice opening soon

Saturday in Sakon City

1 pm Cancer Benefit Football starts 1 pm Sakon Pattana Suksa School field (on ITU)  4 pm Apples Pizza Ria  Grand opening 8 pm Lil' Pimp Bar and restaurant  "Killer Pool Tournament"

Sakon Nakhon

A look back at my teaching years

I paid for the first English books at the school (S-BAC) . Before that I copied lessons from the internet, used up a lot of copy paper I bought a couple hundred textbooks with accompanying picture magazine, and Thai - English dictionaries. Last ten minutes of each class we played hangman of words or phrases which had been discussed that period.    The person who solved the puzzle was rewarded with 10 or 20, occasionally 50 baht. No books allowed, notes were allowed.  The majority of the class were taking notes.  To some of the students it just meant extra spending money, for others it meant a hot lunch I taught English eight years without a salary. Just benefits, going places, meeting people, meeting important people, doing stuff, experiencing Thai life.

Sakon Nakhon

I'd like to see some expats show up besides me

That's my longtime friend, who has been taking care of his mom for some time.  His mom has cancer.  Has had chemotherapy treatments and seems to be in and out of the hospital.  There's lot's of costs involved, not covered by any insurance. Blog pageview history 942,396

Sakon Nakhon

You can expect to get your deposit refunded in four months

It used to be when you terminated True satellite TV service, you took the receiver to the local shop and your deposit was refunded. It's different these days. You have to cancel in person and give a copy of your passport page.  They won't accept the box on the spot.  Almost two months later, technicians arrive to collect the satellite dish and the box.  You can expect a refund check within thirty days after that. Basically you can expect to wait up to three months for a refund check from the date of cancellation.   Of course Thai banks don't give you cash on the spot for checks  The bank processes the check, and you can expect it to clear within 30 days.

Sakon Nakhon

Apples restaurant increases service staff

Sakon Nakhon

Dangerous Roads

 http://www.thaivisa.com/.../964494-one-dead-many-injured.../

One dead many injured as school tour bus overturns in Surat

One dead many injured as school tour bus overturns in…

THAIVISA.COM

And that's how it all starts

A new E̶R̶R̶O̶R̶ "era" begins

Sometimes my spellcheck has a mind of it's own, especially when it comes to politics

Connection problem solved

 Received this notice from a website I use daily.  
At first thought it was a website problem. 
Only had this notice on one of two computers.
Ran a virus program, no help.  Internet searches did not help much either.
Then I decided to save my bookmarks and other pertinent browser details. Uninstalled Chrome completely and reinstalled Chrome.  Problem solved.  Appears an undetectable addon may have been in the browser.  Have to uninstall and reinstall other browsers on that computer

I've heard some whimpering about cool temperatures, whimper some more

Even though weather services can't agree on a temperature, daytime temperatures are going to be cooling over the weekend The cooling temperatures are a bit more obvious during overnight lows 32 celsius = 89.6 fahrenheit 12 celsius = 53.6 fahrenheit

Sakon Nakhon

Sakon Nakhon FC 2017 season starts next month

The 2017 Thai League Football season starts next month.  Divisions have been renamed.    Sakon Nakhon FC is now in Thai League 4 North Eastern Region, which has 12 teams.  They are in alphabetical order:  Buriram United B  Loei City  Mahasarakham  Mashare Chaiyaphum  Muang Loei United   Mukdahan Chaiyuenyong  Nakhon Ratchasima Huai Thalaeng United  Roi Et United  Sakon Nakhon  Sisaket United  Surin City   Yasothon Sakon Nakhon's first game of the season is at Roi Et

Sakon Nakhon

Apples Pizza Ria Grand Opening, early Birthday celebration and Killer Pool

Sakon Nakhon

Slight gains for the baht

Bank transfer US$ to THB

Sakon Nakhon

Official swearing in ceremony takes place at midnight on my side of the globe

January 20 Swearing in ceremony begins at 11:30 pm with speeches.  A number of live feeds are available through Youtube Pre-inauguration broadcast begins at 10 pm on NBC, available at  USTVNOW

Sakon Nakhon

For Thai Time, add or subtract accordingly, mostly add

Thailand National Children's Day
Chilly temperatures next weekend. Nighttime lows possibly 11 - 15. Till then: what you see is what you get
Best translation I came up with is "The Stompers." They've certainly kept their fans happy  with their first two games.  Of course the game started 'Thai Time.' Planned start time 6:30.  Actual start time 8:50.   Not a problem since the two games before were riveting.

Sakon Nakhon

Stocking up the freezer

Went to the Thai French butcher here in town and spent 1,200 Baht on a side of sirloin. Sliced it into eight servings of 450 grams each.  After a bit or marinating, they're ready for the freezer

Sakon Nakhon

The SOUND of ISAAN: Mor lum Night at the Temple Fair, January 11

Fair ends today January 12

Sakon Nakhon

ISAAN makes the list of CNN "17 best places to visit in 2017"

No Pandas in Isaan to my knowledge, the picture represents Chengdu, China in the CNN article
Isaan consists of 20 provinces in the northeastern region of Thailand

Sakon Nakhon

On the road in Thailand

5:15 futsal was on my schedule. I left home mid afternoon with a Chilly stop in mind. My motorcycle stereo is drawing quite a bit of attention, mostly smiling approval.    Of course there's that occasional "Crazy Foreigner" look.  610 baht and it's a mini ghettoblaster  Sitting at Chilly's  I was watching the after school rush hour.   Even at this major highway helmet wearing was way less than the 100% goal. Fact is, traffic was downright humorous entertainment. I'll have to set up my HD camera and let it record a few hours of traffic.  It wasn't as bad as some of the recent facebook postings

Sakon Nakhon