What's a Blog?

In simple terms it's a diary on the internet.
There are a number of free and commercial blogging services.

Whereas most website servers charge for their services on an annual basis.

Blogging is FREE and it may be around for posterity.

Labels displayed in the right column still need some fine tuning but summarize the goal of sakonnakhon-live.blogspot.com


I hope you find this blog to be informative and entertaining

I'm retrofitting this blog a bit with 5 years worth of pictures in my

Picasa album.

Snakes

Snakes are a very common critter found in this part of the world.
If you hear frogs during their daily vocal hours (early evening), then you can be assured, snakes will also be in the area.

My first snake encounter was when a three footer danced through the front door and hid in a dark corner. I used a long handled broom and got it out of the house after three hours of hide and seek.

Machete's are part of every Thai house. They have many uses: opening coconuts, gardening, and much more: snake guillotine.

Another time my neighbor caught an even larger snake.
He put it in a sack and sold it to a local restaurant for Bt90.

Snakes generally scurry away from humans
It's when they are surprised by your sudden presence that they become defensive and aggressive.
If you go into a yard or open field, make some noise and most snakes will head into another direction.
Be aware of your surroundings, pieces of pipes, upside down buckets, anything snakes may consider as a good place of residence.


...Even your mailbox



Picture taken 12 May 2005, by Mr. Bob

Most Thais seem to get early childhood education on how to deal with snakes.

I've given up on asking Thai people to get rid of a snake in my yard.
They tend to catch 'em and throw them into the adjacent empty lot.

Think it may be a religious thing?
Those critters may be a relative or friend in another lifetime.

Meanwhile in this lifetime that snake will undoubtedly be back.

Hard Choices: simultaneous events

Counted three school Parades / Christmas celebrations by the time I arrived at the S-BAC: celebration (#4).


Tinglish (Thai-English)

These are school sponsored family and community events.
An opportunity to dress up and become someone else.

Another day of great fun.

Elephant Rampage

Bangkok: A Hungry elephant tired of waiting to be fed made sure he got some attention redesigning a bus, a car, and a truck.

He was fed.

source UPI

Deal - No Deal

Thai true Move will begin selling the iPhone January 16
reuters.com

• The price of the phone Bt 6,9999.
• Monthly service fees of Bt 1,199.
• "Customers are required to use True Move services for at least 24 months."

T'was the night before Christmas

The elves were busy preparing Christmas baskets.

Tis the Season.... drunk driving

Simply said: If you drink, DON'T DRIVE !!

Police check points are in action.
At a local shop police check point signs are in mass production.
Your safety is a serious business,

Have a fun and safe holiday.
Stay alive for 2009

Weather alert: Cold Front

.
Source: Thai Meteorological Department
Cold front from China will drop local nighttime temperatures and create windy conditions for a few days.

Mountain Lows 9C
Lowland Lows 12C

เตือนสภาพอากาศหนาว
ในช่วง2-3 วันนี้ตอนกลางคืนจะมีสภาพกากาศที่หนาวและมีลมกระโชก
บนภูเขา อุณหภูมิต่ำประมาณ 9 องศา
บริเวณทั่วไป อุณหภูมิประมาณ 12 องศา

It's the Holiday's, Best wishes to you all

.
Winter Solstice Turkey Dinner

I had somewhat of a fest last night. A 12.84 lb butterball.
That's an import at the local market and therefore quite expensive at 1,250 Baht (U.S.$36.23).
A luxury item indeed...
... considering that you can buy half a BBQ chicken, ready to for under a dollar.

I gave half the turkey to my (Thai) neighbors. They made quite a family gathering out of that meal.

Thus we celebrated winter solstice 2008, the shortest day of the year