Royal Longboat Races now underway

The Royal Longboat races generally held in conjunction with the Wax Castle Festival, are being held today and tomorrow Nov 2 + 3. The races had been postponed due to nationwide mourning. The trophy races will be held November 3. The Loi Krathong celebrations begin at dusk at the lake.  I have been told that the parade which customarily delivers the royal Krathongs to the lake will be held around 6 pm.

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Well ... yes ... maybee

Soy Might Be Good For Your Heart but It’s Not Definite, FDA Says NBC news

And now the Sakon Nakhon weather report

Overnight lows down to 17 C to 20 C

                                        63  F to 68 F

Details in the sidebar

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November in Sakon Nakhon

The main event in November of course is Loi Krathong, This year on November 3.   There have been some minor changes for this festival over the years.  Most obvious are flight restrictions.  Sakon Nakhon has an evening departure of a flight at 21:20. Fireworks may be delayed in some areas and restricted in other areas of Thailand    Of course there will be a parade and fanfare If you get caught up in this tradition and purchase a krathong, make sure there's no plastic or styrofoam holding it together.  It's an environmental thing, enforced in some parts of Thailand and not in others. Loi_Krathong on WIKI In November there is usually a main event at the Phu Phan Palace. No dates announced to date this year. Traditionally the royal family donates blankets for the cold season to local villagers.  It was a star studded event in 2003. After that, cameras and mobiles were no longer allowed 031120 HRH Queen's visit at Phu Phan Palace View album Last time I visited the Phu Phan Palace, foreigners could visit the palace grounds when accompanied by a Thai native. Also no date yet announced is the Phu Phan Cup. A football tournament among Esarn provincial teams. Also a lot of fanfare, the opening and closing events usually fills the stadium beyond seating capacity.   Now that the rainy season is over, there are more local parties. Everything from birthdays to weddings, funeral remembrances, to rock concerts.  Oh yes, lets not forget university graduations   Nothing announced yet, generally there is some sort of Fair in November   US Citizens Outreach in KHON KAEN: Wednesday, November 8, 2017

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For your television viewing, please be aware

Sunday, October 29, 2017 daylight savings time in the UK ends Sunday, November 5, 2017 daylight savings time in the US ends

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Expat Health Issues

Sometime before 2010 I got shingles. Not knowing what it was, I let a well intentioned friend take me to a nearby healer. So for three days I visited the 'healer." On a wooden front porch, the healer chewed a leaf, added water to the mixture, then spit the liquid on my sores (mostly around my midriff . I must admit, it killed the pain for most of the day. No cure though. Three visits to a local hospital got me some injections and a whole lot of pills, a big sack full.  As a last hope I went to a local druggist, who looked at me and told me what I had and gave me the right medication.

These days I am taking stop smoking medication QUOMEM and experiencing a whole bunch of side effects. Stomach cramps, plenty 'gas.' Body aches all over... all my previous injuries seem to be having a mass reunion. My question today was

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Blanket season approaches earlier than usual

Noticed similar such temperature changes in December 2015:

 Blanket season approaches

Most of November of that year feels like temperatures where in the low 40's

Wednesday, December 21, 2011 I noticed:

 Winter came early this year

xxxสPetกลนคร Sakon xx

Keep your pets comfortable too

 Nakhon

Sunning at the airport

Barrow Alaska, , now known as Utqiaġvi.
The AIrport is mainlyserved by Alaska Airlines

Futsal Season Begins

Teams have begun practice and are looking for sponsors

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Cooler temperatures cause me aches and pains

I try to relieve most of the aches with a hot water bottle and stretch exercises.   I try to limit the use of pain relief medications as some of the side effects can be worse than the aches and pains.  Also keep in mind  " Flu viruses are more stable and remain airborne longer in cold and dry conditions... "  It's a season when I tend boost my vitamin C intake. I'm taking some medication for a different reason with side effect like insomnia, itching, stomach pains, the list goes on. The occasional beer or hard stuff does just as well as pain medication.

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Jazz and Blues man popular during my teen years

Expect tight security 26 October

Designated parking areas and shuttle service provided on Oct 26 for 24 hours beginning at 6am Facebook Link ↴ Took the opportunity Tuesday to visit the Provincial Headquarters Plaza. Plenty security, all friendly smiles. I arrived just after lunch had been served and most had returned to their individual tasks. View album

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Here's a lesson from my neighbor to the french

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Added to sidebar Calendar

World Series, Wednesday, 25 October, 7 am Available on Fox 2  and ESPN

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King's Cremation Rites on TV

Checked channel 7 schedule for October 26.  According to their listed schedule they begin broadcasting the ceremonies beginning at 6 am.  Ceremony broadcasts is listed to end at midnight. Most likely most Thai television stations will broadcast from the same feed.

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Baht continues strong

If you've been in Thailand for a while I know you will say: "I've seen worse."

I have too  The majority of the spaghetti is telephone and internet cable. Most of the telephone lines are probably not in use anymore, thanks to mobiles.     Keep an eye out during stormy weather, some of those loose wires can get looser.

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Update your security software for all devices using wifi

Just a quick reminder

As the temperatures continue to cool.   Now is the time to plant some of those vegetables which would not survive the  rainy and extreme hot season.

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Sakon Nakhon Ceremony on October 26

There will be a flower laying ceremony in front of City Hall on October 26 Anyone planning to attend the ceremony is "urged to wear mourning clothes and follow the dress code issued by the Bureau of the Royal Household.

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