Vandals damaged tombstones and scattered bones at Wat Pa Ban Non Hom. UPDATED: Police arrest ghost money thief

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Dedication ceremony Borommathat Maha Chedi at Wat Pa Nak Nimit. Khok Si Suphan District, Sunday morning

 

 I visited the site earlier this year while under construction

Time to Reload and "Secure your Load"

Post by ศูนย์วีอาร์กู้ชีพพรรณานิคม.

How many car stereos can I sell you today

Video by DJM

Sakon Nakhon: The Beautiful and the Ugly

Video by  djwave sakon  

Old Images of Sakon Nakhon

Created by Zintiara

Beating a dead Horse: The Sakon Nakhon Book Fair

Out on the highway next to Bus terminal 2 (which is not in use yet), is the Sakon Nakhon Book Fair.

No browsers sighted

"Beating a dead horse" or "Flogging a dead horse"
When something is already dead, and you keep bring it up over and over again
With  such things as E-Reader, E-Books, and plenty other on line services, bookstores are failing

Sakon Nakhon Bus Terminal 2

Almost ready for business, they are just doing some last minute cleaning and sprucing up.
It's quite easy to find if your're heading out of town on the main road.
There's a big sign announcing the newly built road.

Before you get to the bus station there are two other buildings under construction

Remedy for flooding 'discussed' again

Nong Han, Thailand's second largest freshwater lake covers 77,016 acres.

The lake is becoming shallower each year with an annual estimated 300,000 cubic meters of sediment entering the lake.
Source: ryt9 (Thai)

Comment: Talk of dredging the lake appear in the media almost yearly.  Now with increased flooding in the area, more serious consideration may develop.
The lake is a source of fresh water for many local communities and farmers.  With an influx of new housing, dredging the lake would insure sufficient future supplies

Scout Day - Rocket Fest - Sport Day - Asia blamed

 Sakon Nakhon Scouting Day  

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This clip has been shown on local cable STV. 

I'm thinking it was scouting day.

That morning at 8, my driver was stuck in traffic near the school. It took us half an hour to get out of two city blocks.









 Rocket Fest at Phan Khon  

Think it was Phan Khon, 55 km from Muang Sakon, even though the video says Pungkon

  

View Larger Map

Google Translation:  

 Sports Species Fresno Campus Sakon Nakhon 

No idea where Fresno Campus is?
Dress up day?

Asia Pollution Blamed for Halt in (global) Warming  Scientific American  

All Roads lead to Wat Phra That Choeng Chum

Unfortunately I had a minor emergency at home,  preventing me from viewing the local Wax Candle parade to mark Visakha Bucha Day.

Once problems at home were resolved we did head out to Wat Phra That Choeng Chum.

All Roads lead to 

Wat Phra That Choeng Chum

Getting there was a bit of a challenge. Traffic within a one mile radius of the temple was slow and chaotic. Most two way roads were being used as one way roads towards the temple. 

All parking spaces at Nong Hahn park, adjacent to the temple, were occupied.
Some streets where turned into one way streets, while the opposite lane was used for parking.

Even though things seemed chaotic, traffic was orderly and safe.
Muang Sakon Cops deserve a Thumbs Up.

Plenty of uniformed security around and on the temple grounds.  The far end of the new parking area was occupied by medical services units.

You could tell they've done this before:  

Security, Safety and Emergency Services everything was well co-ordinated.
As we entered the temple area I was reminded to secure my wallet due to the large crowds.

Thousands of Faithful made the special pilgrimage which entailed walking around the holy shrine three times while reflecting and giving thanks.

Proceed with Caution Updated!

Was informed of a political (red shirt) rally to be held today, Saturday.
late afternoon- early evening
The rally is to take place behind the Nevada Complex and Big-C.
Open field south of BIG-C

It is advisable that foreigners do not participate

Album 110226

Sakon Pattana Suska School Reunion

I was invited by friends and family.

The entertainment and service was really great and made for a pleasant evening.
The party started 6 PM, Thai time.
We were the first ones to arrive and seemed to have the place to ourselves for at least an hour.

Most of the food disappeared quickly after hitting the table.
It was just that good. If you wanted to eat, you had to be quick about it.
One of the kids at our table has a sumo wrestler type body. He eats like that too.
I made sure I didn't go away hungry.

Half way through the evening, two tables were joined so friends could sit together.
Monkey see monkey do.
All of a sudden tables were moved everywhere, there were three tables in our group.

For a moment it looked more like moving day than a party 

I knew so many people and made many new friends,  I did spend some time table hopping.

The party was still going strong when I headed home.

Yea I Know, Another parade

Many kids from my neighborhood participated in this one.
I was told days ahead to be sure and get some photo's of them.

No Thankyou, I'll walk

100 Years Sakon Rat Wittayanukul School

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Students recently celebrated their school's 100'th year of operation

video by Zintiara

Photo Op Day at Rajabhat University

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I had been invited to come and take graduation pictures at Rajabhat University.
It took five phone calls to finally meet the person who had requested my attendance.
The crowds were massive.

This wasn't graduation day, that will be later this month.  This was graduation photo day.

Two tents were set up for group photo's.
As one group left the area, the next group took up their positions

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Back in town, preparations are under way for this evenings Loy Krathong parade and celebrations.
Floats were parked in front of flower shops for final touches of decorations. Krathong sales displays can be found on many sidewalks.
The parade begins at 6 PM.

Annual Provincial Governor reshuffle

Sakon Nakhon governor Sombat Treewatsuwan has been transferred  to Khon Kaen, effective October 1.
He will be replaced by Udon Thani governor Amnat Pakarat.
Transfers reflect promotions and demotions and are politically motivated.
source: Bangkok Post

I think it's working, Rainmaking Rituals

Here's  a rainmaking ceremony I had not witnessed before.
I did know there were other variations besides the rocket festival 'Bang Fai.'

This one is a mortar and pestle throwing ceremony.  Look at the size of those pestles.

This ceremony took place near Khok Si Suohan

Video by kiatisak900 

Google Earth has become part of my activities planner.
From the looks of this picture, rain is imminent.
Weather images are updated every 10 minutes.

          

A bit of an unusual breakfast for me this morning.  Fresh juice provided by the five year old coconut tree.

Instead of mixing it with rum, thanks to Anton, I am taste testing it with Doornkaat.

I had not tasted the German Snaps since 1964.  It used to be my favorite beverage.  After tasting it now, it remains at the head of the class.

This morning's breakfast is a special delight as I am savoring the taste of German Limburger.

My German is showing, I love Limburger.  Almost feel like saving the wrapper so I can get an occasional whiff.
My apologies, I had planned to visit a friend recovering from bronchitis:  Now today, I've reached my alcohol limit.  Also, one school let out early and my pool is full.  Instead of offering me a drink, your wifes cooking is more of an enticement for me