T.i.T.

Shirt seen at Sakon's Expo market

After the rains in Udon Thani, the water runs black as tar

Scary stuff

Tropical Storm Gaemi a Non-issue for Sakon Nakhon

Tropical Storm Gaemi has become a non issue for Sakon Nakhon, in fact it's a non issue for north eastern and central Thailand from the looks of things. Gaemi has moved even further south than I anticipated some days ago. Gaemi is expected to enter southern Vietnam later today. It is expected to dissipate within two days after making landfall. Moving at a speed of 11knots (20km),  it may dissipate before reaching Thailand. In a rush to avoid another flooding calamity, many reservoirs were drained to some degree in Thailand. The question now is did they drain reservoirs prematurely and create a possible water shortage in the future.

Sakon City getting ready to party

City sprucing in preparation for the festivities has begun.
They're pruning and mowing and raking.

They were even repainting street traffic markings.
You know those white lines and turn lane arrows on the pavement.
Instead of using modern equipment, it's done by local labor.
A chalk outline is drawn, then come the paintbrushes and paint rollers.
Had wanted to take a picture of the work on my return trip.  But by the time I returned, they were long gone.  Probably will return another day

In the west it's done with machinery

There have been daily power shut downs lasting ten minutes or so along I.T.U..
Electric service upgrades I suspect. 

Tropical Storm Gaemi

Yesterday's assessment that the storm would move further south and continue to slow down seems to have become reality.  Originally forecast to enter Thailand by Friday, the storm arrival is now expected some time Sunday evening    A northern pressure system is pushing Tropical Storm Gaemi further south, leaving Sakon Nakhon unscathed.  Locally expect occasional overcast skies, cooler temperatures, occasional rain. Tropical Storm Gaemi : 5 Day Forecast Map | Weather Underground »

Over the past years I'd frequently mentioned the doughnut effect over Sakon Nakhon. It happens frequently Bad weather all around us, with local clear skies.  The 2011 storms which caused flooding havoc throughout south and central Thailand, aimed straight at Sakon Nakhon. Then at the last moment it split, part to the north of us, part to the south. There was some flooding in the northern and southern parts of the province, but the city remained unscathed