Party Thai Style: Songkran in a village

It was noon when I decided to "take a trip."
I slowed down whenever there were kids in the street with water.
I was dripping wet when I drove past TOON... Closed.
Up at the government complex, only a few floats had assembled for the parade.  I was way early.

I headed out of town and briefly visited Eddie. Branch closed for the holiday. 

Eddie, the security guard, kept busy with his computer and the history channel.

Heading out of town. Buffalo grazing on the highway pavement.
Haven't seen that before. 
Then I turned down a road. I'd been there before for Bang Fai.

First village I came to, lots of kids, lots of splashing... "Hello Mister Hans."
It's a great feeling when you come to a village thinking you are a stranger.
Probably a student of mine.

A village parade was just starting at the far end of town

 

Typically on this day, everyone brings out their home entertainment center.

Got home around 3 p.m. No interest to go out again to see the big city parade on my own.
Watched some more news. Bangkok seems like another country far away.

Pink Elephant

This can't be classified anything other than a Polish joke.
My apologies to all my Polish friends.

A zoo in Poland wanted to increase their elephant herd.
So the zoo bought a known GAY ELEPHANT, hoping he will get interested in breeding.
RIA Novosti

A stunning performance

Preparations to party

Cloudy with intermittent sunshine. That's what things look like and most likely will remain over the holidays. Parked near the temple entrance. The temple was quite sleepy and quiet.

Along city streets it was a different story. Everyone was setting up. Vendors displaying Songkran weaponry, buckets, powder, flowers, etc.

The younger kids already started celebrating. I got a couple of cups of water down my neck. Everyone was aware I had a camera and made sure it did not get wet.

Drums had been placed along the road, and fire trucks began dispensing water.

The street where the food fair will open this evening was abuzz with activity.

Food stalls being set up, furniture unloaded, tents being erected.

Things looked a bit more lively in my neighborhood

2009 Military selection process completed

All local young men eligible for the military lottery seemed quite happy to participate yesterday.

 

No one seemed to be bored waiting for the process to begin.

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The selection process was followed by an all night celebration, win or loose.

footnote: Joey attended the event, as there were a number of his friends involved in the process.
He had taken quite a number of pictures of the procedures indoors, when he was stopped.
You might think there is some privacy or security law involved. Not so!! He was told that he would have to pay to take the pictures. Oh yeah... Thailand

A friend of mine who entered the navy around New Years, is home for his second leave.
And already has three medals.
In my days, it took me three years to earn my first medal, and that was under fire.

Road Trip to Udon and back

So I heard they opened a new Carrefour store in Udon Thani.
I had to go check it out and see if I could buy the things I generally bought in Bangkok.
I had Samat drive me there.  He brought along his favorite grandson.
We departed as agreed at 7 a.m.  It was overcast all the way, no sunglasses needed.

As we left town I noticed the advertisement for the annual food fair which starts tomorrow.


The trip seemed almost uneventful.  Lot's more buses than usual were on the road.
Of course that is because of the holidays.

It did get a bit hairy when two double decker buses approached us side by side.  All you can do is get out of their way.  
Even hairier was when two cars passed a parked car.Looked like three cars approaching us.  Again, all you can do is get out of the way.

40 kilometers from Udon, the highway opens up into four lanes, freeway like.
We were a bit amused by the U-turn signs. Make a u-turn and Sakon Nakhon is 165 km in the other direction.



The store is somewhat outside of town on the airport highway.
Found all the things I had in mind, German candies, cheeses, and freshyly baked bread.
In fact they had just wheeled the bread out. I tried to grab some, but it was extremely hot.
I can attest it was fresh. Nine loafs of bread, and shopping was done.

A quick lunch and we were on the return trip before noon.

Dark clouds to the North forewarned us of what to expect.
As soon as the rains hit, all traffic seemed to pull over to the side to cover up cargo and passengers.
One truck ahead of us, yes a double decker. The passengers below were dry, but not the ones on the sundeck.

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Most traffic seemed to slow down because of the inclement weather. But not all apparently.
We briefly slowed down. One pickup partially in a ditch, the other closing down a lane of traffic.
The pickup truck was apparently hit from both sides. The cab of the vehicle looked more like an accordion.
If there was a passenger, he had no chance of survival. Passenger seat was not to be seen.

At least a dozen road checkpoints had been set up along the way.
Only one in operation, checking for drivers licenses. The cops looked bored.


Plenty of "Be Safe for the Holidays" signs along the way.

Apparently there are new route markers. "AH15" part of the Asian Highway Network now being developed.

Back in Sakon Nakhon finally noticed a sign promoting Songkran.

And final preparations are underway, as bamboo huts are erected.

News Tit bit's

Sakon Nakhon FC

No games during the holidays
Next scheduled game April 19, Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) FC at Sakon Nakhon.

Friday April 10

10 declared public holiday for all Thailand government employees.

The yearly Army lottery  process scheduled for today, will take place

From 070410 Induction day

Alcohol consumption may lead to shakes

Three or more drinks daily may lead to early onset of shakes.

SKY NEWS

At the edge of Paradise

Was out in my garden when I saw someone with a fishing net, in the empty lot next to my yard.
He was collecting a number of bottom fish.
Considering all the trash deposited in the area. How healthy can that be?



The hot dry weather is helping evaporating the water.
Hopefully this mosquito paradise will shut down for the season soon.

A once popular family restaurant has left the city.
During it's heydays it was packed nightly. Anyone remember the name?

Sakon Nakhon Bar ** For Sale **