Looks like fun, but is it safe ??

The lake has a reputation of being infested with liver flukes, which can cause a nasty infection known as opisthorchiasis

Sakon Nakhon

Water Hyacinth Infestation

The video by Tom The video tempted me to read a bit more about Water Hyacinth Infestation. A good point or two, the plant thrives on and absorbs some pollutants from the water and detracts some pests. The plant does attract mosquitoes. Harvesting is best done by machinery, an expensive method  Once harvested, the plants need to be stacked for drying before transport.  Up to 90% of the plant's weight is water. Water Hyacinths can be used in the paper and pulp industry, also used as fuel.  The harvesting and transportation expense is not a financially feasible venture. Further reading  water hyacinth furniture  fish kills caused by oxygen depletion  displacing of native species

Sakon Nakhon

Sakon Nakhon Royal Longboat Races, the first day

	A morning parade picks up the royal trophies at the 'city gate park,' making it's way to the east entrance of the waterfront park
	Trophies are ceremonially placed on display
	A speech or two, to officially open the races, most likely by the current Governor
	Not to be missed,  the boat parade, get your seats early
	A peacock feather dance contests concludes the parade
	Boat races the rest of the day
	Refreshments and trinkets are readily available No alcohol at this public event. No smoking inside the park

Evening events at the municipal grounds
Sakon Nakhon

Sakon Nakhon Getting ready to celebrate

Trees have been trimmed on the road leading to the Sakon Nakhon Waterfront and beautification continues They are in the final stages of removings seawead from the boat racetrack The seaweeds still need to be hauled away, most likely to be used as fertilizer Practice runs can be seen most early evenings Sheltered from the hot sun, most wax castles are in the final stages of construction Grandstand Construction is in the early stages

Sakon Nakhon

At the Longboat Races

I awoke with a back pain at an ungodly hour.  I was up for the day.  Driving my motorcycle a long distance was out of the question due to exhaustion. The day looked much brighter when I received a message "No work today," car and driver available  I knew I was not going to be motivated in the afternoon, decided on a morning trip.  Arrived at 11 am.  Qualifying races where underway.  Four boats per race, the looser was sent packing Of course there were plenty of Thai smiles I was invited to join folk for lunch on a few occasions Also met friends I had not seen in awhile I headed for home when I noticed it was siesta time (an afternoon rest or nap, especially one taken during the hottest hours of the day in a hot climate.) see the entire album  151010 Boat Races

Sakon Nakhon

All quiet on the Sakon Nakhon Waterfront

Water level seems higher than average for this time of the year, even though the rainy season hasn't been all that strong. All boats seem freshly painted, all the derelicts are gone The longboat racetrack has yet to be cleared of vegetation.  Clean up should begin soon

SaThekon Nakhon