lithium battery fire frequency increasing

Plane makes emergency landing in San Diego after battery pack catches fire

The explosion of a lithium battery on an aircraft made me think of safety steps I should take. 

Granted such fires are not that often, but they do happen. 

Keeping such batteries in non flammable locations is top on my safety list. 

A non electrical fire extinguisher is second on that list.

• Examples of Lithium Battery Fires - YouTube 

• Lithium-ion battery fires becoming increasingly common - YouTube 

• Should you be worried about exploding Lithium Ion batteries? - YouTube

Two of the scary things in Thailand windows and balconies

It's an open window with nothing to hold you back from falling six floors. There's nothing between that cement wall and the window, which is less than knee high.
Similarly balcony rails are not much higher.  

Balcony deaths, whether accidental or intentionally, are quite common in Thailand. 

Driving in Thailand can be dangerous to your health

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Cowboy aka James reports on his facebook page that he got t-boned by a driver who ran a red light. Bruised and bandaged, he is recovering at home

Helmets do save lives

Even though I wore a helmet, I required four stitches between my left eye and eyebrow.  Had I not worn the helmet it would have been worse.

Takata Air Bag Recall Becomes Biggest Ever in US

Have not noted any related news in the Thai media as of now 

did note the mention "... airbags are especially susceptible in humid climate ..." (nbc nightly news)

Chances of a local incident, doubtful, not impossible

Interesting note:  The  Mekong river has it's beginning in the Tibetan Plateau EarthQuakes In Thailand Living Thai Map appears to be dated May 2011 The nearest faultline seems to be on the Mekong river reaching from Nong Kai to Nakhon Phanom  Active Fault Zones in Thailand Department of mineral resources A lesson learned from disasters.  Be prepared to survive on your own, or with your neighbors.  Aid may be a while in getting to you.

Sakon Nakhon

Food for Thought

No Injuries

This is so timely, just this evening I almost stepped into a large hole in the sidewalk past the intersection near Apples.  Not as big as the one pictured below, but still big enough to cause some serious physical damage.

Post by สกลนคร ทีวี เน็ทเวิร์ค.

These advisories are getting to be quite regular

Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Demonstrations in Thailand

January 7, 2014

This is to advise U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Thailand that political activists have announced plans to resume marches and lunch time “whistle-blowing” protest activities in Bangkok this week in preparation for simultaneous mass rallies at key intersections in Central Bangkok beginning on Monday, January 13th.



Currently, areas around the Democracy Monument and Government House are the main protest sites. Protest leaders say, however, that these stages will be dismantled and that protest sites will be dispersed to many different intersections spread throughout downtown Bangkok, including Asok, Lumpini, Ratchaprasong, and Silom intersections. Protests may also

US Embassy issues Bangkok advisory

Updated

January 13 The Embassy of the U.S.A. in Bangkok has posted an advisory which reads in part : "...foreign terrorists may be currently looking to conduct attacks against tourist areas in Bangkok in the near future. U.S. citizens are urged to exercise caution when visiting public areas where large groups of Western tourists..." Read the entire text at U.S. Citizen Services - Embassy of the U.S.A. - Bangkok

January 13 Thai police question Lebanese man as US warns of possible terror attack in Bangkok

January 13  US advisory is real and Bangkok is specific The Nation

January 14 Chalerm denies threat of terror The Nation

Caution advised when using ATM

The details of this Sakon Nakhon event are unconfirmed, but I consider the source very reliable.

A western gentleman was in the process of withdrawing Bt20,000 from the ATM.
He did notice two men behind him, possibly waiting their turn to use the machine.

One of the men engaged the westerner in a conversation, obviously distracting him from his transaction.
By the time he turned his attention back to the ATM, the transaction was complete, and the cash was gone.

As anywhere in the world, whenever you use an ATM, be aware of your surroundings and be alert.
If you notice people suspiciously lingering in the area, go to another ATM
Avoid being distracted, the ATM is not a location to meet and make new friends.