Mine's Bigger than Yours

In response to my recent post "Rain + frogs = snakes" I received these three pictures with the caption "mine's bigger than yours."




This one almost looks like a cute little pet, especially in the first picture. Commenting on my recent snake encounter, it was suggested to use insect spray. Not that insect spray will kill the snake, but teporairly blind it.

How do you translate that ? Up to you !

These road signs are at a local intersection. 

A typical example that there are different opinions in translating names.

Another example of differing translations is the North Eastern region of Thailand: Isan, Isaan, Isarn, Issan, or Esarn.

Sakon Nakhon seems to be the most acceptable translation of the city/ province,

however here also are a number of variations in translation:  Sakonnakhon, Sakol Nakholn, Sakorn Nakorn..

In Thai script the name is one word, while it becomes two words when translated. 

The meaning of the words also are not clear. 

Some translations indicate center of the universe, others claim it to mean international city, apparently also incorrect

Rain + frogs = snakes

Frogs and toads could be heard most of the evening last night after some fresh rain.

As I walked out of the house this morning, I made a very quick u-turn, grabbed some knifes and a machete, and began target practice.

Once I ran out of knifes to throw, I threw shoes, helmets and even an umbrella.

There are sort of bite marks in all the things I threw.
Nothing worked.  My next weapon was a cup of bleach thrown from an open window.

That apparently slowed down my target and I felt safe to leave the house.
Grabbing a  four foot metal bar, I was able to eliminate my three foot target.

A reminder to all, if you hear plenty of frogs, then expect snakes to be nearby.

And the weather forecast is...

High humidity with "FEELS LIKE" temps more like steam room conditions.

The water temperature in my pool is JACUZZI MODE.

Will add ice today. After all it is supposed to cool us down.

Chance of Rain forecast for the next five days (%)

Thai Meteorological Department 20, 20, 20, 30, 40 

Weather Underground 20, 60, 60, 100, 80

Of course these numbers are adjusted as new data is analyzed.

Sakon Nakhon Weather stations

Map, barometer, humidity and temperature measurements at http://weather.gladstonefamily.net/site/VTUS

Information listed may not totally be correct as demonstrated by the location on the runway.

Possibly a security concern. 

Next time I'm at the airport, I'll have to ask if I could see the weather station.

After the holidays

Had a request for a recommendation of a dentist. 

Morwa Fun Sewii. Tel 042-713451.
Office is located next to the Raksakon Hospital. 

Open during lunch hours and after 5 p.m.

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Regarding yesterdays football game:

Sakon Nakhon vs Mukdahan, think we lost.
Mukdahan seemed to have control of the game most of the time.

Picture taken three seconds before the first score.

Due to a personal injury I did not stay for the whole game.
I left in the middle of the second half when the score was 

Sakon Nakhon 0, Mukdahan 2.
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Have a long history of back injuries from my career in the trucking industry.
I tried to do self treatment when my back was bothering me after all the Sagkran revelry.
Now the injury is worse than before, requiring pain medication and lots of bed rest.
The doctor at the hospital suggested that it will be a month before I recover.
While at the hospital, blood pressure readings got a very good rating from the administrating nurse.

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At the end of Songkran we experienced a couple severe tropical rains.
My water tanks began to overflow the 6,000 liter capacity within 20 minutes.
With plenty of moisture on the ground, there's plenty of humidity in the air, causing high FEELS LIKE temperatures.

IT's GOING TO FEEL HOT

Sakon Nakhon province had no holiday related deaths to report during the three day Songkran.

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I haven't seen any political gatherings locally. If I'd see one, I'd be heading in the opposite direction.
With all the recent turmoil in the Capital, followed by a somewhat erie quiet.

What next??

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs is issuing warnings according to The Independent.UK The article also refers to known theft dangers at Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market

China and India have scrapped a number of flights to Thailand, which were to start coinciding with Songkran.

It's scam high season

Scams happen all over the world. They are not unique to Thailand.

A bad world economy has resulted in huge growth in the scam industry.

The most obvious clue that something may be amiss: "NOTHING IS FREE." Use common sense. Secure your belongings.
If a street vendor is offering you diamonds, most likely they are glass.

Example:Bangkok airport scam

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