News Bites

Thaksin Overture Thailand’s exiled Thaksin Shinawatra makes cautious overtures to return home   The Vancouver Sun

Eastern Thailand Faces Drought   bernama Thailand facing severe drought, residents parched   bikyamasr Storms set to dump heavy rains on Thailand this weekend   THE NATION

2012 Sakon Nakhon Illuminated Boat Festival at Tao Ngai

Floats displayed at the fair grounds

Looking closely at the handicraft of the floats,

it's obvious that construction involved thousands of hours

The water level of the river wasn't all that deep. Knee deep in places.
Islands had formed in the middle of the river.
I was wondering how in the heck they could float barges in such little water.
Tiny four foot floats appeared.
I was extremely disappointed and ready to proclaim
"false advertisement!!"

Time passed by and I was ready to go home.
Here I have to borrow a line from a late night commercial:

But wait, there's more... 

I was enthralled

Having noted my disappointment earlier in the evening,

my 'Thai Family' asked me if I was happy. I was delighted!!

  The event was attended by a huge crowd, very orderly, very Thai.

Police did spot check large purses and coolers to insure the event remained a non-alcohol event.

2010 Video by arakwarit ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

So Good Dinner Party

Sakon Nakhon 'Inter EXPO 2012"

Now through October 4
at the Permsub Market, near the new bus terminal
Worth seeing ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 




"Inter" at the FREE DICTIONARY

Lost in Translation

The name of the market struck me as unusual and strange.   
Sub meaning below, or poor quality.

Searching through the internet I found Permsap used frequently for names of villas.
I'm told the Permsap means 'more money.' 




Never been quite satisfied with the translation of Sakon City.
Supposedly it means city of cities.
Interestingly the Facebook translation of Sakon City is Sapphire City

The translation at You Tube for สกลนคร is also Sapphire