Thank You ขอบคุณครับ

After the first month of  switching from a website to blogging, the response has been astounding.
My thanks to all readers.  Many e-mails received give me immense satisfaction.  
Here are just a couple.

I am from Sakon Nakhon, It's my home town.  Now I live in the U.S.A.  I enjoy Sakon Nakhon - Live very much.  Now I can see what people in my home town are doing....

I really enjoy seeing all the pictures that you take around Sakon, and reading your blogg, keep it, it almost makes me feel as if I am there.

The Photo galleries are growing with one new collection daily.  There are now over 100 public albums.

Invitation to Party

Awakened again this morning by loud Esaan music at 4 a.m. Don't these people ever sleep.

Two blocks from my house, the music was loud. I could feel the vibrations of the bass in my fence posts.
From the looks of things, the party was just getting started. A stream of headlights on the road drawn in like magnets by the music.

Somewhat reminds me of my first Sakon Nakhon Party Invitation:

I was invited to a party. Bring an envelope.
We jumped on a motorbike and headed out of town.
Now in the middle' of nothing but rice paddies we came to a stop and shut off the engine.

"Listen" she said, cupping her hand to her ear. In the distance you could hear music. We now had our driving directions.
Once closer, we halted an approaching motorcycle and to get specific instructions on how to get there.

Before we even parked I was asked to surrender the donation envelope.
And that is how you are invited to many private celebrations.

photo: Thai version of a Walkman

Grand opening at Tony's lakeside restaurant

The work is done, time for a party to celebrate the re-opening of Tony's.
Free buffet Thai food and Thai food fit for westerners (no fire hose required) .
Menu includes roast pork, and that's a promise.

The Party starts at 6 p.m. Monday, February 16.

Take highway 223 towards Khok Si Suphan, 15 minutes from Sakon Nakhon.

Bring your designated driver or a sleeping bag.

New Immigration changes effective February 15

All visa changes such as extensions, re-entry permits, etc. must be made at immigration offices which have jurisdiction of your area of residence.

Persons residing in Sakon Nakhon Province must use the immigration office in Nakhon Phanom. 

As an example, if you have a yearly visa and wish to travel outside Thailand,
you must apply for a multiple entry permit at the Nakhon Phanom immigration office prior to leaving the country.

For me, the yearly visa renewal which I accomplished in the past in one trip will now require three trips.

A round trip to Bangkok to visit the U.S. Embassy for a letter verifying my income.

A first trip to Nakhon Phanom to apply for a yearly extension.  

Since these applications are forwarded to Bangkok for approval, a second trip is required to complete this process.

Pool bar is open.

Full use of my small pool began today.  
Temperatures are climbing into the upper 30's for the next six days,
with a feels like climate in the mid forties.
For Fahrenheit thinkers, it's gonna feel like over 110 for the next week.

Friday the Thirteenth

• Thirteen is considered an unlucky number. 
  
• Friday is considered an unlucky day.
  

If you're one of those people who believe in that sort of stuff, millions do, 

this year will offer you three of these occasions: 

• February, March, November
  

Many people are so paralyzed by the fear of this combination, they won't even get out of bed. Others refuse to travel or do business on Friday the thirteenth.

Many buildings skip the thirteenth floor, mislabeling the 13th floor as 14th.

Norse myth claims if you have 13 people at one table, one will die.

For me Friday the 13th has actually been abetter than average day, 

at times lucky, an unofficial three day weekend.

Toon Bar weekly schedule

Edited the contents of this sign. If you must know why, I'll respond in a personal message.
Didn't take too long to figure out they meant month.
(Some sign makers purposely misspell words as a way to get your attention).
Live Thai Music girl and boy. Now that I am having a bit of a problem with in translation.
Thais have boy and girl music?  Male and female performers or couples night.

Fridays is a good evening to sit outside.

Definetly a hard sell on Happy Hour (listed twice)

Look there is a tourist !!

 Don't you know it's nap time ?

Changes are happening at Tony's Pond

Went to visit Tony's place twice recently:
The place is in the process of remodeling.  

Work is progressing rapidly.

Here are my notes from the first visit:
Went to see "Tony the Blue Boy." yesterday. 

Apparently he had just finished repainting his snooker room.... Blue.

The process has just started, but there are some big changes happening there. 
Walls coming down, new ones going up. New roofing

The karaoke machine is out. Restaurant and bar theme is in.
From the looks of things it's a long term project done in stages. 

With celebrations planned for each completion.

Typical fisherman story, Tony explained the fish are sooooo big.
When the restaurant opens for business you can select the fish from a tank and dine on some fresh fish.

Second visit Saturday, February 7

Arrived shortly after 2 in the afternoon. First western guest to arrive.
Some potholes in the driveway had been filled with construction sand.
It's like driving a motorcycle in sand dunes. 

Definitely lots of progress. 

 

The bamboo furniture is great.  
I'd love to buy some for myself.  Are you a commission salesman, where is the showroom.

The English version of the menu was apparently at the printers during my visit.

As other visitors arrived they were served with beer and a karaoke microphone.

(AHEM) The invitation was for a pig roast. 

I must have been way too early. 

By 5 p.m., when I left, I had not seen a BBQ, smoke, or carcasses.

With the current remodeling progressing, the place is well worth revising.
I'm patiently waiting for Tony's fishing season to open.
I prefer such gatherings over noisy, off key Karaoke.

The locals love it though !!